AFL Record Round 4, 2009

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AFL GAME

Jarryd

Daniel Merrett Leading from the back

Jason Porplyzia

The creative Crow ROUND 4, 2009 APRIL 17-19 $4 (INC. GST)

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58 In a no-frills Adelaide forward line, Jason Porpylzia is putting his hand up as the man opposition sides must shut down.

ROUND 4, APRIL 17-19, 2009 F E AT U R E S

22

Jarryd Roughead

The other half of the Hawks’ deadly combination.

58

Jason Porplyzia

Why the creative Crow is causing havoc.

63

Daniel Merrett

From forward to back, the big Lion is roaring.

REGUL ARS

4

Backchat

Have your say about the football world.

7

The Bounce

Views, news, first person, facts, data, culture.

25

Matchday

Stats, history and line-ups.

53

Dream Team

Advice from Mr Fantasy, our Dream Team expert.

70 74 76 78

Answer Man Testing your knowledge NAB AFL Rising Star Talking Point

Vale Rob Dickson, friend to the football world.

THIS WEEK’S COVER Jarryd Roughead was photographed

by Michael Willson.

Go to aflphotos.com.au to order prints of this image.

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feedback

backchat HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FOOTBALL WORLD

Blue skies I’ve been a true blue Carlton supporter all my life and now am beginning to see the Blues return to their old ways. With the recruits we have, we are nott far from winning premierships.

It’s great to see Carlton back as a competitive side.

CHASE JACOBSON, VIA EMAIL

Long way to go Yes, I’m the typical Richmond supporter: frustrated, a little angry and desperate for success. ess.

And yes, I know we’re 0-3. Butt can supporters (and the media) a) stop being hysterical – there are still 19 games to go this season. on.

Eat ’em alive, Tiges.

NICKO, VIA EMAIL

Full house I noticed that Geelong’s highest attendance of 109,396 was in the 1967 Grand Final against Richmond. Do you think we will ever see attendances at this level or have safety factors relating to players and spectators reduced the capacity of modern venues? How many stadiums have hosted AFL finals with more than 50,000 spectators in attendance?

GREG THEDE, VIA EMAIL

Editor: Greg, last year’s Grand Final between Hawthorn and Geelong at the MCG drew 100,012 people, which we’re told is six fewer than the

AFL CHIEF BROADCASTING & COMMERCIAL OFFICER Gillon McLachlan AFL CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANAGER Scott Munn AFL RECORD MANAGING EDITOR Geoff Slattery AFL RECORD EDITOR Peter Di Sisto

ground’s capacity. Changes to most AFL venues in recent years have seen the emphasis placed on a variety of factors including spectator comfort and safety, appropriate access in and out of grounds, and maximising vision lines from most areas.

The AFL venues capable of accommodating more than 50,000 people are the MCG and Docklands in Melbourne, AAMI Stadium in Adelaide and ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

PRODUCTION EDITOR Michael Lovett WRITERS Nick Bowen, Ben Collins, Jim Main, Peter Ryan, Callum Twomey, Andrew Wallace SUB-EDITORS Gary Hancock, Howard Kotton STATISTICIAN Cameron Sinclair CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Hutchison DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Sam Russell

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your feedback on n the Record and matters relating to the game, the clubs and the players.

The best letter in round five will receive a copy of the AFL Record Season n Guide 2009. Email aflrecordeditor@ slatterymedia.com or write to AFL Record, Slattery Media Group, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC, 3008.

DESIGNERS Jarrod Witcombe, Alison Wright PHOTO EDITORS Natalie Boccassini, Melanie Tanusetiawan PRODUCTION MANAGER Troy Davis PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Stephen Lording DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Adele Morton COMMERCIAL MANAGER Alison Hurbert-Burns

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Nathan Hill SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER James Hickey AFL CLUB ACCOUNT MANAGER Anthony Palmer ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Deanne Horkings Advertising (03) 9627 2600 PHOTOGRAPHY AFL Photos (03) 9627 2600 aflphotos.com.au

EDITOR’S LET TER

AFL mourns tragic loss The industry has been deeply saddened by the deaths of former Hawthorn and Brisbane Bears player and filmmaker Robert Dickson and his two sons, five-year-old Byron and eight-year-old Gabriel, after a car accident in South Africa.

Robert’s wife Dusty and another family member, Glynne Rourke, survived the accident, which happened on a road between Sun City and Pretoria.

They were taking a family holiday and were due to meet the AIS-AFL Academy party in South Africa this week, with Robert planning to do some filming of the team in games and during clinics with young South African players.

“Our family is devastated by the news,” Robert’s brother Don Dickson said.

“Rob was a wonderful brother, a wonderful son and father to his boys. He achieved so much in his life as a footballer, with his film production work, as a contestant on Australian Survivor – and also as a loving and kind father. He was really just a shining light.”

“All of our thoughts are with the Dickson family at this time of terrible loss,” AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said.

A memorial service for Robert, Gabriel and Byron will be held in Melbourne at a date to be confirmed.

PETER DI SISTO * See page 78 for a tribute to Robert Dickson.

PRINTED BY PMP Print ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO The Editor, AFL Record, Ground Floor, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, Victoria, 3008.

P: (03) 9627 2600 F: (03) 9627 2650 E: peterd@slatterymedia.com AFL RECORD, VOL. 98, ROUND 4, 2009 Copyright. ACN No. 004 155 211.

ISSN 1444-2973, Print Post approved PP320258/00109

4 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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thebounce VIEWS NEWS FIRST PERSON FACTS DATA CULTURE

The challenge for me is to be part of a really good mix on the forward line WARREN TREDREA

EXPERIENCE

Veterans show they’re far from done They might be in their twilight years, but a group of the game’s elder statesmen still have plenty to offer. NICK BOW EN

I

n an age where the emphasis on youth seems to increase every year, several senior players showed last weekend there is still a place for experience and footy smarts.

St Kilda ruckmen Michael Gardiner, 29, and Steven King, 30, held their own against the League’s No. 1 ruckman, West Coast’s Dean Cox. Though the Eagles big man collected 24 possessions, he did not have his usual impact, while Gardiner and King provided a strong presence in the ruck and on the Saints’

forward line, kicking three goals between them.

Gardiner’s form, in particular, must be pleasing for St Kilda coach Ross Lyon. The 2003 All-Australian was out of contract at the end of last season and, after just nine games in two injury-plagued years at the Saints, Lyon flew against accepted football wisdom in keeping him on for 2009.

Admittedly, it is early in the season, but already Lyon is reaping the rewards for showing faith in Gardiner, who has been a solid performer.

Four-time All-Australian forward Warren Tredrea from Port Adelaide and Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd also showed they still had it. Lloyd’s strong marking and five-goal performance was pivotal in the Bombers’ four-point win against Carlton.

Goalless in the first two games, Lloyd showed his slump was just that – a slump and not a case of terminal decline. Lloyd, who turned 31 this week, told the AFL Record he was mindful some in the media start penning the football obituary of anyone

past 30 who plays a couple of poor games in a row.

“In the past couple of years, I’ve kicked 60-plus goals but people were saying I was coming to the end of my career or that I was struggling,” he said.

“But if it was a 21, 22-year-old they were talking about, they’d be cut a lot more slack.”

Lloyd, who along with fellow 30-something centre half-forward Scott Lucas and key defender Dustin Fletcher, remains among Essendon’s most important players, said CON T IN U ED NE X T PAGE

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VIEWS > NEWS > FIRST PERSON > FACTS > DATA > CULTURE

clubs should be wary of cutting experienced stars prematurely, even when in a rebuilding phase.

“You look at Shane Crawford who at one stage was probably dejected with where Hawthorn was at and considering leaving,” Lloyd said.

“Then they had young guys like (Lance) Franklin, (Jarryd) Roughead and (Jordan) Lewis walk through the door and things can change pretty quickly. But ‘Crawf’, with all his experience, still played a vital role in the flag.”

Lloyd said he had not given up hope of a similar speedy revival at Essendon. Rest assured, if it does happen, Lloyd, Lucas and Fletcher will play key roles in the Bombers’ success.

Tredrea, who like Lloyd had been goalless in the opening two rounds, kicked six goals in his team’s 57-point win against Melbourne – his biggest haul since he booted seven in round 13, 2005.

After being the dominant figure on Port Adelaide’s forward line from the late 1990s until 2005, Tredrea’s goalkicking output has dried up in recent seasons.

But that had as much to do with injury and the changing expectations of forwards today as it did with Tredrea’s advancing age (he turned 30 in December).

“Now I’m just one of four or up to six players on our forward line, and how many goal assists you have is almost as important as goals,” Tredrea said.

“The challenge for me is to be part of a really good mix on the forward line. With guys like Justin Westhoff, Daniel Motlop and Brett Ebert, that is pretty difficult for opposition clubs to match up on.”

Tredrea said that meant aiming to be one of three or four Power forwards who could kick 40 goals for the season.

After completing his first full pre-season in several years, Tredrea said he was confident of achieving this goal.

And, after his round three performance and those of King, Gardiner and Lloyd, who are we to argue?

NEWS TRACKER

S T E P P I N G U P T H E PAC E

Quick Bombers speed through Blues C A L LU M T WOMEY

L

ast week’s MCG thriller between Carlton and Essendon proved how vital leg speed has become.

The Bombers, with close to a full contingent of their quick runners available, were scintillatingly fast through all areas of the ground, especially the midfield, which pleased midfield coach Scott Camporeale.

“We don’t try and limit our guys too much. We’re a pretty proactive midfield, so we like to let the guys play and play to their strengths,” Camporeale said.

“We certainly have some structures in place, but we like the guys to use their pace and really take the game on.”

After spending most of 2008 laid up in bed after two serious back operations, Jason Winderlich has started 2009 in a blaze.

Following a best-on-ground performance against Fremantle in round two, Winderlich again starred in the upset four-point win over the Blues.

Winderlich and Andrew Lovett, with his class and pace, could prove to be two of the most influential wingmen in the competition if they continue to play to Matthew Knights’ ‘run, risk and reward’ game-plan.

“Considering at the start of pre-season we really weren’t too sure how much we would have of Jason over the

year, he really gives us another dimension with his skill and his speed,” Camporeale said.

Add the young and composed David Zaharakis to the midfield group, along with the consistency of Brent Stanton, and Essendon’s so-called ‘slow’ midfield – a recent criticism – is no longer.

Even Jobe Watson, often maligned for his inconsistent foot skills and lack of pace, looks trimmer and has the knack of finding space where there is none and creating play for his fellow on-ballers.

Knights has the luxury of keeping two of his fastest men at either end of the ground.

Alwyn Davey’s two-goal game against Carlton was one of his best for the club, not simply for his crumbing work but his tackling and defensive pressure.

Any player streaming out of Carlton’s backline was aware that Davey would be somewhere in the vicinity, ready to pounce.

And Courtenay Dempsey, after struggling with injuries for the best part of three seasons, was sensational running off half-back, providing drive and creativity.

SPEED BLITZ:

Andrew Lovett was on fire for the Bombers.

We certainly have some structures in place but we like the guys to use their pace and really take the game on ESSENDON MIDFIELD COACH SCOTT CAMPOREALE

He picked up 21 possessions and pushed forward to slot two pivotal goals in his team’s second-quarter fight-back.

“We’d love to have one of him (Davey) in the midfield and one of him up forward,” Camporeale said. “We’re pretty conscious of where Alwyn’s at. He broke his arm in 2007 and had the (knee) reconstruction last year, so we’d just love to have him play 22 games this year.

“The pressure he puts on up forward is important for us, and I think we’ve probably got enough guys at the moment who we can get through the midfield, but I think eventually one day we might be able to push him up there. Being a selfish midfield coach, it would be nice to have him in there.”

With Leroy Jetta yet to reach his peak and Michael Quinn missing the game with the flu, the Bombers’ still have room to increase the pace of their side.

“We’ve got a really good group that can hopefully play together for the next five or six years and really take the team to the next level,” Camporeale said.

“They’ve all taken responsibility, and have taken great pride in playing in the midfield, which is important.”

Camporeale nominated Port Adelaide as one of the fastest teams in the AFL, possibly deflecting attention away from the speedy Bombers.

“Obviously you’ve got to fit a game-plan around the players you have, so we’re pleased with the guys we’ve got.

“To have the inclusion of Zaharakis in the team and see him fit in straight away has been good, too.

“I’m not too sure how we compare to other teams, we’re more worried about what we want to do.”

Western Bulldog Ryan Griffen named inaugural winner of the Gary Dempsey Medal as best on ground against North Melbourne.

8 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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R O TAT I O N S

When changes confound

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A NDR EW WA L L ACE

It surprised St Kilda fans, confounded the Fox Sports commentary team, and possibly had a besieged West Coast defensive unit breathing a collective sigh of relief.

About 10 minutes of game time had elapsed in last week’s clash between the Saints and Eagles at Docklands when Brendon Goddard was summoned to the bench.

Normally, there would be nothing strange about giving a player a rest after a frenetic opening, but Goddard had barely raised a sweat in gathering three possessions up forward, which, crucially, had all resulted in goals to the 23-year-old.

When now-Fox commentator Jason Dunstall was playing for Hawthorn (1985-99, 1254 goals), the only way you could have removed him from the field after such a start would have been on a stretcher.

While reluctant to disclose specific game-day tactics, St Kilda denies its player rotations are rigidly set for fixed times, and stands by its interchange policy.

“We think rotations are something that should be judged on a case-by-case basis, rather than having a set rule or system in place,” assistant coach Tony Elshaug says.

“Sometimes it’s better to make changes to keep guys fresh, but other times players will stay on. This all depends on the

N E X T G E N E R AT I O N

Missing Hawks have goal NICK BOW EN

F

our-time Essendon premiership coach Kevin Sheedy once said for a premiership side to successfully defend its title it had to bring several new players into its line-up the next season.

Sheedy’s logic was simple.

Every new season the premier faced hungry, improved challengers that had spent many hours devising tactics to knock it off its perch. To stay No. 1, it couldn’t afford to stand still.

NEWS TRACKER

score, the match-ups, and, first and foremost, team needs.”

In any case, the break certainly didn’t seem to affect Goddard, who returned to the forward line to kick his fourth major soon afterwards, and could have had five but for a questionable umpiring call.

“Players are becoming more and more used to rotations, and are only off the ground for short amounts of time, so they are able to slot straight back into the action,” Elshaug says.

And although Goddard dominated the early scoring, it certainly couldn’t be said the Saints had a one-man forward line in round three, with the club falling one goal short of matching the League record for most individual goal scorers in a game with 15.

Essendon (1988), Hawthorn (2000) and West Coast (2005) have each had 16 goalkickers in a game.

Which Saints scored St Kilda’s goalkickers against the Eagles were Goddard, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne, Michael Gardiner, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider, Steven King, Leigh Montagna, Jarryn Geary, Jason Gram, Clint Jones, Lenny Hayes, Andrew McQualter, Nick Dal Santo and Zac Dawson.

History suggests Sheedy is spot on. The four teams that have successfully defended flags since he started coaching in 1981 – Essendon 1984-85, Hawthorn 1988-89, Adelaide 1997-98 and the Brisbane Lions 2001-03 – made an average of four changes to their Grand Final sides the following year.

This suggests last year’s premier Hawthorn has to identify several new players who can seamlessly walk into its side this year, and still be there should they make finals.

Fortunately for the Hawks, it seems they are already advanced in their search.

Early season injuries have seen them give opportunities

to younger players including Brendan Whitecross, Jarryd Morton, Travis Tuck and Thomas Murphy.

Morton, Tuck and Murphy all played last season, but none was in the Grand Final team.

The signs have been promising that some, or all, could emerge as players the Hawks need.

Against North Melbourne last Sunday, Whitecross collected 29 possessions across half-back in just his third game, while Morton (28 disposals and two goals), Tuck (23 disposals) and defender Murphy were solid contributors.

MOTIVATED: Jarryd Morton wants a regular senior spot in 2009.

HOT STREAK: Saint star

Brendon Goddard was benched despite kicking three goals in the first 10 minutes of play against the Eagles.

Morton, a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee last year, said missing the premiership had been a spur for him during pre-season.

“There were a few of us who played a handful of games during the year and then missed out,” he said.

“That was something we used to really motivate us.”

Morton said to win a regular senior spot this year he had to improve his consistency.

“I look at guys like Chance Bateman and Michael Osborne, who have spent nine or 10 years at the club and notched up 100 games,” he said.

“When they were younger, they spent a lot of time in the VFL, but they worked hard and now they’re reaping the rewards. That’s what I want to do.”

Port Adelaide plans redevelopment of training and administration base at Alberton Oval.

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VIEWS > NEWS > FIRST PERSON > FACTS > DATA > CULTURE

I N S I D E AC C E S S IN CONTROL:

Mathew Nicholls awards a free kick in last Monday’s game between the Western Bulldogs and Richmond.

The parallel world of umpiring

A NDR EW WA L L ACE

T

here are only minutes before the first bounce in the Easter Monday match between the Western Bulldogs and Richmond. Many in the crowd of more than 46,000 are making their way to their seats, while in the bowels of the Docklands near the rooms, the smell of liniment is prominent as the athletes receive their last-minute rub-downs.

However, the men in question will not be pulling on red, white and blue guernseys – or NEWS TRACKER

yellow and black for that matter – but the distinctive umpires uniforms, in this case the green variety.

As an insight into how the umpires are coached and assessed on match-day, AFL umpires’ boss Jeff Gieschen allowed the AFL Record to spend the afternoon with them.

AFL umpires’ assistant coach Peter Howe gives field umpires Mathew Nicholls, Justin Schmitt and Ray Chamberlain their final instructions before they run out.

“In the Dogs’ midfield you’ve got (Adam) Cooney, (Ryan) Griffen and ‘Aker’ (Jason Akermanis) when he moves through it, and we know that (Brett) Deledio, (Matt) White, (Nathan) Foley and (Richard) Tambling can be just as damaging,” Howe says. “So let’s look at where (Matthew) Boyd goes and see what happens to (Daniel) Cross. Who does (Shane) Tuck side up to; who does (Daniel) Jackson take?

It’s critical that we get two (umpires) to every stoppage,

that we have some voice and set the tone.

“We pay the first high tackle, the first push in the back, the first holding the man – it’s critical to protect the ball player.”

Howe advises to give no leeway to players who encroach the mark.

“If they’re happy to run over it, then bang, it’s 50,” he says.

With perfect weather for football and a fast track at Docklands, Howe emphasises there is no excuse for either CON T IN U ED NE X T PAGE

Neil Craig set to pass Gary Ayres (107 matches) as Adelaide’s longest-serving coach when he coaches his 108th game on Saturday.

10 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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side to hold the ball in to force stoppages, and that Nicholls, Schmitt and Chamberlain will need to constantly swap between their three designated areas – the midfield and the two “end” zones – to relieve the umpire doing the bulk of the running through the centre. (On average, umpires run between 13.5 and 15km during a match.)

Observers at other weekend games noticed some players taking longer than the allowed 30 seconds for a set-shot at goal, and today’s officials are also told to be on alert for defenders punching the ball through on the full for a rushed behind from a ball-up close to goal.

With Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer having escaped penalty for this against Essendon on the Saturday, Gieschen is determined that the mistake not be repeated.

Howe then gives his men some parting praise. “The footy world focuses on this game because it’s a stand-alone match on Easter Monday, and you blokes have got it because you’re in good form,” he says. “So take that confidence out with you, back yourselves and deliver a good result.”

With 2.10pm approaching, Gieschen and Howe scurry up to the umpires’ box on Level 3, where they can assess the performance of the whistle blowers with the aid of on-field microphones and a television feed. Howe uses a running sheet to mark each umpiring decision and incident, with Gieschen calling out player names and the time in the background.

Following a post-game video review, the umpires will be graded on free kicks deemed warranted, missed and

unwarranted, their positioning and communication during the match, as well as their execution of bounces.

Gieschen is pleased with his men’s efforts in the first half and vacates the box a few minutes before the long break to avoid crowd entanglements on his way back down to the rooms.

Disgruntled fans can make it an unpleasant journey if he leaves too late. In the basement tunnel, Gieschen and Howe pass Bulldog coach Rodney Eade, who nods acknowledgement.

As the red-faced, sweaty officials re-hydrate and try to catch their breath in the change rooms, Howe clarifies Schmitt’s report of Bulldog Liam Picken for striking Richmond’s Brett Deledio in the second quarter, and reinforces the themes: giving strong feedback, helping each other out, working from contest to contest and getting into good positions.

The AFL umpiring team may not be as popular the men they officiate, but there are certainly parallels in their preparation, professionalism and quest for improvement. Perhaps they are not the enemy after all.

AFL keen to raise awareness of its ‘Green Shirt’ program.

AFL umpires will wear light green shirts while goal umpires will wave light green flags – acknowledging the 1700 first-year umpires across the country who wear green shirts on a weekly basis to indicate they are new to the craft.

Players, officials and spectators at community level are educated about the importance of encouraging and supporting developing umpires.

Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes is well aware of just how difficult umpiring can be, and how highly skilled the game’s officials are.

As a junior growing up in country Victoria, Goodes took up umpiring with the Wimmera Football League Umpiring Association to maintain his fitness while injured.

GO GREEN: Adam Goodes, with Auskickers Patrick and Marcus Molloy, Lauren Clark, Aiden and Daniel Murray and Thomas Clark, supports the green shirt initiative.

“While the physical demands on AFL players are well known, the umpires certainly do not have it easy,” Goodes says.

“AFL umpires would be among the fittest men on the field and do an amazing job.

“It is easy to criticise umpires from the couch at home or from the stands, but to go out and experience what they do makes you realise just how tough it is to make the right call in such a short time.”

VENUES

SA has venue options PETER DI SISTO

T

he AFL last week hosted representatives of the SANFL and the South Australian Cricket Association in an effort “to fully understand all possible options” for fixturing AFL matches in Adelaide.

CON T IN U ED NE X T PAGE

RECOGNITION

Green with empathy JONATHON MONASSO

T

his weekend’s round of matches recognises the importance of umpires at all levels of Australian Football, with the

L AW S O F T H E G A M E

Umpire contact rule is clear With the report and subsequent one-game suspension and $1950 fine of Collingwood’s Heath Shaw (pictured) for making contact with umpire Michael Vozzo, the topic of umpire contact has taken up enough media space but according to AFL umpires’

NEWS TRACKER

manager Jeff Gieschen the issue is clear. Rule 19.2.2 (a) of Laws of Australian Football 2009 states that it is a reportable offence to intentionally, recklessly or negligently make contact with or strike an umpire.

“The bottom line is that we struggle to recruit and retain

umpires at every level all over Australia,” Gieschen says.

“We have to deter players from thinking they can remonstrate with umpires, and that includes touching, holding, pushing or striking.”

“At AFL level, we have extremely disciplined players,

and everyone is generally accountable for their actions. But the rule book has been designed with the lower levels of football in mind, where there’s not the same kind of accountability and scrutiny of player behaviour towards umpires.” A NDR EW WA L L ACE

Former North Melbourne club doctor and committee member John Grant passes away.

12 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

AR04 p07-18 TheBounce.indd 12

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VIEWS > NEWS > FIRST PERSON > FACTS > DATA > CULTURE

MAKING A MARK

Port matches indigenous mark A NDR EW WA L L ACE

FULL HOUSE: A game at Adelaide’s AAMI Stadium.

The SANFL owns and manages AAMI Stadium, while the South Australian Cricket Association runs the Adelaide Oval.

AAMI Stadium is the home ground of Adelaide and Port Adelaide and hosts one AFL match each week; the Adelaide Oval regularly hosts SANFL games.

The AFL called the meeting in light of the South Australian Government’s recent decision to defer funding for a proposed major upgrade at AAMI Stadium.

The SANFL again expressed its commitment to maintaining AAMI Stadium as the home of AFL matches and reiterated the importance of South Australian Government funding, while the SACA tabled a plan to expand the capacity at the Adelaide Oval to more than 50,000 people.

The parties are expected to meet again soon.

Port Adelaide equalled an AFL record at AAMI Stadium last Sunday, but it was nothing to do with the 57-point winning margin over Melbourne, or Warren Tredrea’s bag of six goals.

With the inclusion of rookie Wade Thompson, Port fielded six indigenous players in its 22-man team, matching Fremantle, in 2006 and 2007.

Peter Burgoyne (35 possessions, five tackles, one goal), Nathan Krakouer (31 possessions), Daniel Motlop (three goals) and Danyle Pearce (28 possessions, one goal) starred for the Power against the Demons.

The previous night at the MCG, Essendon’s indigenous brigade of Alwyn Davey, Courtenay Dempsey, Leroy Jetta, Andrew Lovett and Patrick Ryder helped cut a swathe through Carlton.

The number of indigenous players in the AFL is at an all-time high, with 82 players on club lists, representing 11 per cent of the competition.

thebounce

FOR THE RECORD

Most indigenous p players in a an AFL team F FREMANTLE – rounds 20, 21, 22 and tthe qualifying final, 2006 Troy Cook T JJeff Farmer Antoni Grover A Des Headland D Roger Hayden R Michael Johnson M F FREMANTLE – round nine, 2007 Clayton Collard C Troy Cook T A Antoni Grover Des Headland D Roger Hayden R Michael Johnson M P PORT ADELAIDE – round three, 2009 Peter Burgoyne P Shaun Burgoyne S Nathan Krakouer N Daniel Motlop D D Danyle Pearce Wade Thompson W

SIX OF THE BEST: Peter Burgoyne was

one of six indigenous players in Port Adelaide’s side.

KNOW EVERY GAME PLAN.

HEAR IT LIKE YOU’RE IN IT. 3AW is football. Get the complete run-down on Sports Today with Gerard Healy and Dwayne Russell from 6pm Monday to Thursday on 3AW 693.

AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au 15

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thebounce

VIEWS > NEWS > FIRST PERSON > FACTS > DATA > CULTURE

T E C H N O L O GY

Data edge Until recently, clubs such as West Coast, Adelaide and Collingwood were almost always leading the way when it came to technological advancements. But with state-of-the-art facilities at Whitten Oval and a unique partnership with Victoria University, the Western Bulldogs are now trading high-tech punches with the big boys.

One of the most talked about forms of recent football technology is the GPS device worn by players during games and at training to record distance covered, speed and other key data.

The Bulldogs believe they are taking a component of the GPS known as the accelerometer into uncharted areas.

An accelerometer measures a player’s movement in three dimensions – back and forward, sideways and up and down – and records physical impacts, with the ability to sample 20 times faster and more often than the GPS. Unlike the GPS, the accelerometer does not rely on satellite communication, which can falter at indoor venues such as the Docklands.

Sport scientist Dr Rob Aughey, who works parttime with the Bulldogs and Victoria University, is exploring the AFL application of accelerometers.

“It’s such new technology that it really requires a lot of research,” Dr Aughey said. “A football club and its personnel just don’t have the time to spend solving some of the issues, so the link with Victoria University allows it to happen much more quickly and with greater detail and precision.”

A NDR EW WA L L ACE

NEWS TRACKER

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Bizzell takes act to screen BEN COL LINS

W

hile the biggest Clint in acting remains at the top of his game (as those who have seen Eastwood in Gran Torino will confirm), another acting Clint is taking his first tentative steps in the craft.

Former Geelong and Melbourne utility Clint Bizzell had a presence when he played.

His former Cats teammate Garry Hocking thought as much in the late 1990s, claiming the young Bizzell possessed qualities that reminded him of the great Gary Ablett (snr).

As well-intentioned as the remark might have been, it placed unnecessary pressure on the promising youngster they called ‘Bizz’.

Now that Bizzell is pursuing his long-held passion for acting – he made a fleeting appearance on Melbourne-made television drama City Homicide in February and scored a fiveweek stint on Neighbours – he might have to brace himself for even more extravagant speculation about his prospects.

Most will remember Bizzell as an exciting but inconsistent forward at Geelong and a consistent but injury-plagued defender at Melbourne.

His signature performance was a five-goal, best-on-ground display for the Cats to sink Collingwood at Docklands in 2001, the day he also took an Ablett-like screamer (right).

Bizzell, who retired from football at the end of 2007 after a 10-season, 163-game career, is one of the very few League players to have ventured into acting.

Eighties cult figures Dermott Brereton (Stingers), Robert DiPierdomenico (The

Flying Doctors), Warwick Capper (Neighbours) and Mark ‘Jacko’ Jackson (who featured in the US series The Highwayman) come to mind, but perhaps the most significant dramatic role for a footballer was that of legendary Carlton strongman Bob Chitty, who played the outlaw Ned Kelly in the critically condemned 1951 film The Glenrowan Affair.

Although no one else in his family has shared his artistic bent – “Dad’s a mechanic and mum’s a swimming teacher” – Bizzell has been fascinated with acting and film since childhood.

“I’ve always loved seeing human life unravelled on the big screen,” he said.

He performed in school plays and studied drama to year 12 level, but once drafted

by Geelong in late 1995, he concentrated on footy.

Bizzell resumed his dramatic training about six years ago, studying under the likes of renowned acting teacher Bruce Alexander and former Neighbours star Shane Connor.

During the AFL off-season in late 2004, he went to the home of cinema, Los Angeles, where he completed a full-time, month-long acting course.

His blink-andyou’ll-miss-it role in City Homicide was part of a racy plot in which a High

Court judge was found dead in a hotel room after a hot-shot of heroin.

Bizzell played the hotel manager, who was sternly questioned by two detectives (played by Daniel MacPherson and Aaron Pedersen) about his role in the dubious affair.

Bizzell experienced nerves comparable to those he felt before an AFL match.

“Thankfully Dan, who’s a mate of mine, and Aaron, who I’ve met a couple of times, eased my nerves quickly and we had a great time on the set,” Bizzell said.

“Some of my friends didn’t even realise it was me because I look quite different in a suit and with a different hairstyle,” he said. “But I didn’t mind that.”

Although Bizzell is well aware of the clichéd masses of out-of-work actors, the 32-year-old is determined to make a living from the craft.

“It’s a long road, but it’s one I’m willing to follow,” he said.

“You’ve got to pursue the things you love.”

He eventually wants be taken seriously as an actor versatile in a range of genres.

In his short stint on Neighbours, he plays a professional footballer who corrupts AFL hopeful Ringo.

“It was a character close to home and I had a lot of fun with it because I got to drive a Hummer and party a bit,” Bizzell said.

Bizzell and his fiancée, former Channel Seven newsreader Jennifer Adams (the pair has a 10-month-old daughter Charli), recently returned from filming the second part of a documentary series called Places We Go. This time the setting was South Africa, where elephants chased the documentary crew. On another occasion, Bizzell was forced to change a car tyre near a pack of lions. He laughed when it was suggested it might have been his first action role.

“At least we got it all on film,” he said. “There is real tension in those scenes.”

BIG STAGE: Clint Bizzell in his

high-flying days for the Cats.

Melbourne mourns the passing of respected former trainer and runner Sammy Allica.

16 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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that has really helped, especially with school and handling new situations.

On what he was expecting to see in South Africa.

I’ve never been overseas. I’ve heard a lot of great stories about South Africa from guys like Trent Cotchin and Addam Maric. I’m looking forward to learning about Nelson Mandela and visiting some of the historic places. I can’t wait to see the smiles on the children’s faces when we run the clinics.

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T

Voss, Tigers the focus

In The Sunday Age, chief football writer Caroline Wilson reported that new coach Michael Voss has breathed new life into the Brisbane Lions: “The quality of Voss’ public and behind-the-scenes work in the bowels of the Gabba has been e noteworthy. noteworthy.” e o hyy

A MOMENT WITH...

Joshua Toy The Victorian defender touring South Africa with the AIS-AFL Academy squad.

On what he’s learned from his Academy experience.

It’s certainly taught me a lot about things like diet, rehabilitation and what to do after games. I’ve also learned a

lot about looking after my body by building my fitness through weights and core strength work.

We’ve worked a lot on tactics and set-ups with people like Luke Darcy and Nathan Buckley (with Toy, above), which has been fantastic. It’s also helped with my personal development. We’re learning about public speaking and doing etiquette training and

PHOTO: MICHAEL WILLSON/AFL PHOTOS

On coping with the death of his father last year.

I guess footy has been my outlet and my focus. My extended family has been really good, especially my uncle who’s really helped my mum cope.

Everything I’ve done with the Academy and my school football has certainly helped.

On working with retired players involved in the Academy program.

Meeting people like Nathan Buckley and Luke Darcy was a shock at first but they’ve been terrific. Nathan walked into our first camp and just said hello and introduced himself – it was a bit surreal. Jason McCartney’s also been fantastic. To know what he’s been through, see how he carries himself and how he relates to people is great.

To be able to learn from him is really special.

Michelangelo c l g o Rucci u of The Advertiser praised Adelaide’s ability to grind out wins: “Adelaide won an extraordinary arm wrestle at Subiaco Oval (against Fremantle) with better tactics, better forwards, better skills and, most critically, better ways of moving the ball quickly.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace was a guest on Fox Sports’ On the Couch, responding to his team’s 0-3 start by suggesting the team be judged after several more matches.

JACK TR A INOR

PETER DI SISTO

KICK EVERY GOAL.

HEAR IT LIKE YOU’RE IN IT. 3AW is football. Listen to four quarters of Australia’s best commentary with Rex Hunt, Dennis Cometti, Tony Leonard and Shane Healy at 3AW 693.

AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au 17

AR04 p07-18 TheBounce.indd 17

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thebounce

VIEWS > NEWS > FIRST PERSON > FACTS > DATA > CULTURE

MILES TONES – ROUND 4

AFL 200 Club Troy Simmonds Richmond

150 Games Graham Johncock Adelaide Gary Ablett Geelong Antoni Grover Fremantle

B AC K I N T I M E

Retro look for Swans J IM M A IN

T

he Sydney Swans are re commemorating their ďŹ rst League premiership, in 1909, against Carlton at the SCG this weekend.

100 Games The Swans are wearing Matt Maguire replicas of the jumper South St Kilda Melbourne wore against the Sam Fisher Blues in that win.

St Kilda The guernsey is white with Rick Ladson a red sash, front and back, Hawthorn with subtle differences to the 1909 model.

There were no numbers back 50 Games then (they were introduced Kelvin Moore in 1912 with the birth of the Richmond Football Record) and these 200 Club Games jumpers will have black numbers.

South, then known as the Shane O’Bree Collingwood Southerners, defeated Carlton by two points in the Grand Final.

This weekend also marks the 100 Club Games ďŹ rst time the Swans will use Darren Jolly the new Victor Trumper Stand, Sydney Swans &2 "RERETON&INAL PDF 0which is at the Showgrounds end

of the SCG. To mark the opening, the Swans’ special guests at the chairman’s club luncheon will include cricket legend Richie Benaud.

The Swans will also pay tribute to recently retired players Ben Mathews (198 games) and Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt (39).

The Swans will also wear the guernseys in their round 16 match against Carlton at Docklands Stadium on July 18, with the club’s Hall of Fame to be launched at a function after the match.

GA ME ABROAD

French tribute JOHN MUR R AY

A

ustralian Football was a popular pastime among off-duty soldiers on the Western Front during World War I. Now, more than 90 years on, football will return

to the ďŹ elds of northern France in a special Anzac Day match.

While most fans will be following the action at the MCG (and at the other three grounds hosting matches) on Anzac Day, many thousands of kilometres away, Australia and France will go head to head for the inaugural Anzac Cup in the small village of Villers-Bretonneux in France’s Somme region.

The Australian side will include members of the Australian Defence Force, while the French team will be a mix of French nationals and Australian ex-pats. The key focus in next Saturday’s match between Essendon and Collingwood, as it will be in the French game, will be on honouring those who have represented Australia in active service, including many who paid the ultimate sacriďŹ ce. More than 45,000 Australians were killed on the Western Front in World War I. The Anzac Cup has been organised by Aussie Rules Europe and the Commission Nationale de Football Australien.

Go to anzaccup.com for the latest news about the match.

Dermott

Brereton

5 day, 5 night premiership player

One of the toughest players of all time

Veteran of 1116 SEN’s

Award Winning AFL Commentary Team

5 games every week. First at the footy and last to leave. Melbourne’s Home of Footy

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.com

18 AFL RECORD visit arecord.com.au

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MAZ9222_275x205_A.pdf

Page

1

2/4/09,

12:43

PM

the interview

Paul

I

n a way, player manager Paul Connors operates his very own AFL Dream Team – only the stakes go way beyond office bragging rights or a chance to win a car.

While thousands across the country wheel and deal with the likes of Chris Judd, Jimmy Bartel, Luke Hodge and Dean Cox in ‘fantasy’ football, Connors does it for real. The 40-year-old has more than 50 AFL players in his stable, which he insists he could not run without colleague Lucy Mills, the only female player agent in the AFL. “It can be very confusing when I’m at a game barracking for Chris Judd one minute, then all of a sudden I’ll yell, ‘Go Hodge!’ Connors says. “People look at me very strangely.”

With 55 player managers operating in the competition, and around 90 per cent of AFL footballers choosing to have an agent oversee their affairs, it is an increasingly influential profession that brings with it publicity, conflict, crisis, responsibility, criticism and, for the lucky ones, success.

Connors certainly experienced conflict and criticism when he split from high-profile player manager Ricky Nixon and his company Flying Start in 1999, taking about 30 clients with him when he started Connors Sports Management.

“Ricky and I have had our moments over the journey, but I’m extremely comfortable to acknowledge the fact that he gave me my start in the business, and I’m forever grateful for it,” he says.

Along with tighter regulations on how and when prospective AFL players can be approached, the past five years have seen the number of agents increase by 50 per cent, making it all the more difficult to win a prospect’s signature. “By God, it’s competitive,” Connors says.

He reminisces about driving to Horsham (about four hours north-west of Melbourne) to meet Adam Goodes in the mid-1990s, winning the future dual Brownlow medallist’s prized signature for Flying Start with a chat and a handshake.

These days, a rigid process must be adhered to, including sending a letter of introduction to the regional manager at a young player’s football club and to the player’s parents before a phone call can even be made.

It can be very confusing when I’m at a game barracking for Chris Judd one minute, then all of a sudden I’ll yell, ‘Go Hodge!’

Surprisingly, despite football’s booming popularity, its increasing attendances and the greater exposure via various media outlets, the task of securing player sponsorships has never been tougher.

“Ten years ago, players like Wayne Carey were getting bigger endorsement deals than Luke Hodge and Gary Ablett today. It was much easier in 1999 than it is in 2009,” Connors says.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons Connors is known as such a hard-nosed negotiator when it comes to contract talks with clubs. He makes no apologies for trying to win the best possible deal for his players, but believes he is also mindful of the bigger picture. “You can’t just nail a club on one contract,” he says. “When you’re managing a cross-section of players at every AFL club, you can understand that clubs have to fit all of these guys within the salary cap.

“For example, Jimmy Bartel is going to get less staying at Geelong than he possibly could if he went elsewhere, but I think both the player and I understand the worth of playing in a premiership team.”

At this level, friendships must be made secondary when contract and trade talks escalate, and it’s vital managers and club administrators maintain positive working relationships.

He refers to the situation of Chris Judd deciding to leave the Eagles at the end of 2007.

“West Coast was upset at the time and you can argue the toss about him leaving, but I still had five other guys at the club and I also do a lot of recruiting from Perth,” Connors says.

“Imagine I’ve got a player wanting to go home to Western Australia, where you’ve only got two AFL clubs to choose from.

You can’t hold a grudge against me for too long.”

Another less pleasant part of the role involves managing players’ off-field crises, which today have become more prevalent as the

appetite for information on footballers’ lives grows.

Connors has handled his fair share of sticky situations. He acknowledges there are times when an agent must offer a shoulder to cry on, but he must also know when to “read the riot act” to a client.

However, the stress created by late-night indiscretions pales in comparison to the frightening situations confronted by a pair of Connors’ players – Jason McCartney and Graham Polak.

Following the Bali bombings of 2002, Connors says he did not recognise McCartney “one iota” when he visited him in the burns unit at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital.

And in the early hours of June 29 last year, he was back at the Alfred alongside Polak’s fiancée Alyce, as doctors told her of Polak’s induced coma and the possibility he would not live after being hit by a tram.

“These are situtaions you’re not taught to deal with, and then you see how both Jason and Graham approached their recoveries and the way they’ve recovered, it makes you extremely proud to know them.”

Connors is obsessive about staying in close contact with his players and holds regular one-on-one meetings to discuss critical matters, including how their money is being invested.

He is known as the “SMS king” for the amount of time he spends each day shooting off text messages. Perhaps this ability to relate to the Y-generation is the main reason he has one of the best Dream Teams going around.

PHOTO: MICHAEL WILLSON/AFL PHOTOS

Paul Connors is one of the industry’s most influential player agents, handling the affairs of some of the game’s elite players. It’s a competitive business with agents required to deal with a myriad of challenges. A NDR EW WA L L ACE

20 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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AFL RECORD visit arecord.com.au 21

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22 AFL RECORD visit arecord.com.au

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Why we love…

Roughy The big Hawk with the red hair has quietly established himself as one of the game’s best key forwards. ASHLEY BROW NE

W

hen Jarryd Roughead was tabbed by Hawthorn with the second selection overall at the 2004 NAB AFL Draft, jaws dropped – and not just in the draft room.

Almost every mock draft in the land had the Hawks picking exciting Darwin speedster Richard Tambling with their first selection, a prospect Hawthorn supporters were warming to.

Even Tambling himself bought into the hype, telling a media gathering the day before the draft that he was expecting to become a Hawk.

Roughead was touted as – and expecting to become – a Tiger, with Richmond predicted to use its second selection and fourth overall on the boy from Gippsland in Victoria’s east. Footy lore suggests that so strong was the expectation that he was bound for Punt Road, the Roughead family had already accepted an invitation to lunch that afternoon at the palatial Hawthorn home of then-Tiger

president Clinton Casey.

Which brings us to reason No. 1 Hawthorn fans love Jarryd Roughead. He plays for Hawthorn and not for Richmond, pure and simple.

From the time Terry Wallace accepted the Richmond coaching job in late 2004, pointing to the superior state of the Tigers’ playing list (compared to that of Hawthorn, which was also seeking a coach) as a reason, obsessive Hawk fans have regularly compared the fortunes of their players to those from Tigerland.

Roughead and his fellow key forward Lance Franklin (picked fifth overall in that same draft) are bona fide stars and, while Richmond’s key-position stocks are still developing, by anyone’s measure, they are perhaps two years behind the Hawks.

Asked to nominate a second reason why they love Roughead, Hawthorn supporters will tell you it’s his monstrous physique.

Roughead was a reasonably big unit when he first landed at Glenferrie Oval in the

summer of 2004, but big in the sense of the big kid who would dominate schoolyard kick-to-kick, or in his case, as a power forward, good for 20 points a game on the basketball court. Indeed, as a teenager in Leongatha, Roughead was a hoops devotee first and foremost and reportedly only said yes to playing footy when his father agreed to be his coach.

For that, Hawk fans offer thanks, knowing Roughead has the physical tools that will likely make him an imposing key forward for Hawthorn for the next 10 years.

Note his big hands. In the past couple of years, he has developed his marking to the point that he’s almost a sure thing when the ball lands in his hands.

If it does spill, he’s a solid chance to win his own crumbs, an exceptional trait for a big man.

With several summers of gym work, his legs are massive tree trunks that give him speed on the lead, while keeping the basketballrequisite vertical leap that made him so attractive to AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au 23

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SHINING LIGHT : With Lance Franklin under so much opposition scrutiny, Jarryd Roughead is standing tall for the Hawks.

talent scouts when they first watched him play.

Finally, there’s his torso. Few defenders have the strength to beat him in a 50-50 contest.

Last Sunday against North Melbourne, the ball wasn’t going anywhere else once Roughead rag-dolled his opponent and made position to mark.

Roughead’s ever-increasing ability to read the play, find optimum position and make smart decisions are also reasons why the big redhead is imposing himself on the AFL, albeit quietly in the manner that reflects his quiet nature.

Drafted as a forward, Roughead spent plenty of time waxing between key forward and key defensive positions in his first three years with the Hawks.

Indeed, the AFL Record Guide to Season 2006 opined that after 16 games in his debut season, Roughead looked more at home in the back half than when playing close to goal.

Coach Alastair Clarkson fuelled the flame of intrigue with his non-committal answers when asked where Roughead was best suited.

There were even occasional comments from the player himself that he was unclear as to whether his long-term future was as a forward or back.

Knowing how closely Clarkson guards his thoughts, he may have known the answer all along, but for the sake of the player’s development, it was important for Roughead to be exposed at both ends of the ground.

Certainly, Roughead looks and plays the part of a star forward.

He knows where and when to lead and he and Franklin have developed a fine understanding of how they want the forward line to be structured, making sure the small forwards can also benefit if needed.

Against the Roos, there were times when one stood 20 metres out from goal, while up to five other forwards stood in a line across half-forward.

At other times, the pair stood close to goal, about 25 metres apart. Franklin would attract up to three opponents but would still call for the ball, leaving Roughead one out with his opponent to pretty much do as he pleased.

So, what’s not to love?

A country bloke who loves his teammates, his footy club and kicking goals, equally and fully Adding to the Roughead package is that he appears to have made a strong effort to improve his goalkicking.

Despite a smooth and straightforward kicking action, Roughead has not always been the most reliable kick for goal.

He booted 75 last year but also, disturbingly, 51 behinds, with quite a few sitters among them.

And, while it is still early in 2009, a return of 12.2 from three games suggests that he has added accuracy and reliability in front of goal to his considerable arsenal.

Against North, Roughead played close to his best game for the Hawks. Apart from his 5.1, he had a decent spell in the ruck and a few cameos down back, all performed with aplomb.

With Robert Campbell injured and Simon Taylor suspended, there were no other back-ups for ruckman Brent Renouf and, while Hawk hearts were in mouths at the thought of their emerging star having to contest centre bounces, Roughead handled himself comfortably.

Best of all, Campbell or Taylor (perhaps both) are back against Port Adelaide this week, allowing Roughead to resume duties as a full-time key forward and maybe, just maybe, seriously begin a quest for the century of goals that Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd predicted he would kick at the start of the season.

So, what’s not to love? A country bloke who loves his teammates, his footy club and kicking goals, equally and fully.

Now, with Franklin-mania in full swing, it should come as no surprise to learn that the Nos. 2 and 3 iron-on transfers are the equal top-selling jumper numbers in the Hawthorn merchandise shop.

But should Lloyd be proven correct and Roughead comes close to the century, there will be plenty of Hawk fans ready to attach the No. 2 to their jumpers, without the need for a No. 3.

24 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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Crow J A S O N P O R P LY Z I A

Having modelled his game on former champion Darren Jarman, it is little wonder Jason Porplyzia is an integral part of Adelaide’s forward structure. SH A NE McNA L LY

H

e hardly had the ideal preparation for an AFL season – with just one trial match at SANFL level – but most figured Jason Porplyzia was still going to squeeze into the Adelaide team for the round one clash against Collingwood.

Such is his importance to the Crows’ forward structure and scoring potential, having Porplyzia in the team, even if underdone, is a bonus.

The superbly balanced small forward may not be a household name east of the South Australian border, but those who know talent when they see it think he just might be a superstar in the making.

In a forward set-up that (on paper at least) lacks impact players, Porplyzia has developed into a valuable asset who can play both the ‘small’ and ‘medium’ forward roles.

He reads the play superbly, marks well for his size (was fourth for the club in contested marks last year), relishes a contest and knows how to work his way around goal, averaging close to 1.5

AR04 p58-60 Porplyzia.indd 58

goals in his 47 matches since debuting in 2006.

Porplyzia, 24, has started the season in the form that belies his recent setbacks, improving each game as his match fitness increases.

He has been dangerous in all three games – he kicked two goals against the Pies, three in the loss to St Kilda and, last week, showed flashes of brilliance against Fremantle with a four-goal haul.

He still has plenty of improvement in him, but a couple of his goals this season have reminded us of the great Darren Jarman, the star former Hawk and Crow and Australian Football Hall of Fame member who could perform magic with the ball.

Porplyzia grew up following Hawthorn and watching Jarman closely. Like Jarman, he can play on instinct and is capable of tearing a game apart in a few minutes, even when not at his physical best.

Just as well, because he didn’t even play the full SANFL trial match (with West Adelaide in March), having been nursed through preseason to avoid early full-body contact and to protect the

shoulder that restricted him late last season. The injury required a reconstruction at the end of the season.

Before the injury, Porplyzia had been in sparkling form.

He finished 2008 with 32 goals, despite being sidelined for five matches, restricted in several others and so badly concussed late in the season (against Carlton) that he was sent to a neurosurgeon.

In spite of the setbacks in a year that marked his arrival as a genuine star small forward, Porplyzia retained a positive approach and worked tirelessly to have himself ready for the start of this season.

“I did all the rehabilitation.

I guess protecting the shoulder was on my mind before the first game but I’ve been really happy with how I’ve felt in the first couple of weeks and I’m getting more confident now,” he said.

“The concussion was more an annoyance than anything else. I had headaches for a few weeks and saw a neurosurgeon but he said there would be no aftereffects and it really just meant missing some games.

15/4/09 5:06:04 PM

VERSATILE:

Jason Porpylzia can play a variety of roles in Adelaide’s forward line.

AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au 59

AR04 p58-60 Porplyzia.indd 59

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But it was hard to take after battling through with the shoulder.”

It’s a testament to Porplyzia’s rare ability that he was even in the mix in the early rounds.

His importance to the team structure, however, always meant he was a good chance to be selected.

“I wasn’t where I wanted to be in the first couple of rounds but I’m getting there,” he said.

“I really didn’t have a lot of match-type play before the season started and it took a little adjusting.”

Porplyzia trots out the old standard that’s he’s happy to get a game playing anywhere, but he’s being too modest and typically team-oriented with that assertion.

In truth, he is a potential match-winner forward of centre; watch how his eyes light up when the ball spills loose anywhere near goal.

If in doubt, look at his performance against the Dockers at Subicao last weekend. His contribution on the scoreboard was the exact difference between the two teams at the final siren.

“We’ve got a few guys who rotate through the forward line and I’m one of them, but I still have a responsibility to work within that structure,” he said.

“I like to get a bit of time on the ball just to change things up a bit and that’s how it works out.

If you stay up forward the whole game, it can get a bit stale if the ball isn’t coming in.”

AR04 p58-60 Porplyzia.indd 60

POUNCE, TURN, GOAL: When there

is a ball to be won in the forward line, Jason Porplyzia does it in style for the Crows.

The second of Steve and Deb Porplyzia’s four children – he has two brothers and a sister – the man known as ‘Porps’ grew up in Adelaide’s far southern suburbs on a diet of football and just about any other sport he could find – except cricket.

He started with the Aberfoyle Park under-13s before attending Sacred Heart College and dividing his football time between the school team and West Adelaide in the SANFL’s junior ranks.

“As a kid, I looked up to Darren Jarman,” he said. “I followed him pretty closely growing up and when he moved to Adelaide (at the end of 1995), I watched him here as well.

“I always loved the way he played; he could make the ball really talk. I don’t think I’m quite at that level at the moment but I hope I picked up a few things watching him play.

“I had (former Adelaide and Hawthorn ruckman) Shaun Rehn as coach for the last couple of years at Westies and he was a great teacher. He’s really passionate about the game; I learned a lot from him.

“From a team perspective, ‘Rehny’ had some left-field ideas but he was also great with players and he helped with my development.

“I suppose my style of play is a natural thing, though. I’m

not sure it’s come from any particular coach; it’s just the way I play.

“I tried to play all sports growing up. I was never really into cricket – I remember Mum thinking it would be too boring for me standing out in the field all day. And it was.

“I always liked to play sport hard and fast. I played quite a bit of tennis in the summer, but football was always my passion.”

Football is still at the top of his list. He was annoyed at having to miss games last year with a “headache” and was determined throughout the summer to make sure his body was better than ever for a season that looms as an important one for him and the Crows generally.

Even his secondary sporting passion had to be curbed while he made sure the shoulder had time to recover after the reconstructive surgery.

“I’m not studying at the moment, I’m concentrating full-time on footy,” he said. “Any time I get away from football, I like a round of golf but the handicap suffered while I was resting the shoulder.

“I’m a member at Flagstaff Hill and I’m back to playing one round a week and working on getting the handicap down again.”

Porplyzia was on a modified training program over summer, but his focus was always on being a strong contributor in a season in which Adelaide plans not only to make the finals, but also have an impact.

“I’m really committed to

FAC T F I L E

40

Jason Porplyzia Born: November 27, 1984 Recruited from: West Adelaide Debut: 2006 Height: 178cm Weight: 82kg Games: 47 Goals: 66

getting my body back into shape and working on my football. So I haven’t done a lot apart from training lately.

“Last off-season, I did get away to Cairns but I haven’t had the time to do much more than commit full-time to my football.”

Porplyzia’s commitment to the game and appetite for a challenge were evident before last week’s match against an under-siege Fremantle, suggesting the expected strong effort from the Dockers in response to heavy media scrutiny for their slow 0-2 start would force Adelaide to take its game to another level.

The Crows this week host Geelong, a great test for the club and the opportunist small forward, especially considering the heavy loss the Cats infl icted on the home team the last time the clubs met (round 14 last year).

Porplyzia would doubtless be eager to take the Cats on.

With his match fitness building and his form improving weekly, why wouldn’t he be?

15/4/09 5:06:32 PM

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Finding his

comfort

zone DA N I E L M E R R E T T

A new era is dawning at the Brisbane Lions with the next generation of players striving to replicate the club’s deeds of the past. Integral to the resurgence is a developing defence, led by home-grown talent Daniel Merrett.

JONATHON MONASSO

T

here’s a bit of noise coming from the jungle; apparently the Lions are awakening.

The pride of Brisbane hasn’t been involved in the finals since 2004 when the Lions contested their fourth consecutive Grand Final, but there’s a hunger building.

Although the likes of Jonathan Brown, Simon Black and Luke Power are heading the Lions’ re-emergence, the club’s fortunes rest largely on how a group of emerging young defenders can work together. Leading the charge is Daniel Merrett.

The 24-year-old Merrett, in his seventh season with the club, was appointed

AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au 63

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15/4/09 5:04:33 PM

ROARING LIONS:

Daniel Merrett celebrates with Jared Brennan (left) and Luke Power.

vice-captain last December, joining Power, Black and Jed Adcock as deputies to Brown and emerging as one of the club’s most important players, notwithstanding his low profile.

Merrett grew up on the Gold Coast, where he played rugby league as a junior before a concussion, split chin and persuasive words from his mum steered him away from contact sports and into volleyball and cricket.

A tall, solid and strong athlete – the official club measurements listed him at the start of this year at 196cm and 104kg – it wasn’t surprising Merrett’s schoolmates had hounded him to give Australian FAC T F I L E

21

Daniel Merrett Born: December 12, 1984 Recruited from: Southport (Qld) Debut: 2005 Height: 196cm Weight: 104kg Games: 71 Goals: 16

Football a go. In 2001, driven partly by boredom and the desire to support his mates, Merrett headed to Broadbeach football ground to watch a local Australian Football match. With the team short on numbers, Merrett was again pressed by friends to pull on the boots.

“In the back of my mind I really wanted to play, but when asked I just said no,” Merrett said. “The boys were persistent though, so I joined in.”

Those who have watched Merrett battle some of the game’s elite forwards wouldn’t be surprised to learn which part of the game finally won him over.

“In that first game, I didn’t really know what I was doing but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I really enjoyed the physical aspect of the game,” he said.

“I was playing touch footy and volleyball at the time and was really missing that aspect of physical contact.”

Merrett took to the game quickly and did well enough to impress talent scouts, who were taken by his size and strength. He was picked on speculation for the Queensland under-18 squad.

I definitely felt more comfortable as a backman. When I went back I started to relax a bit more as my role was simple “In the under-18s, we were playing against the Northern Territory. Jared Brennan (who was playing for the Northern Territory and is now Merrett’s teammate at the Lions) still reminds me that I actually spear-tackled him in that game,” Merrett said.

Just over a year after playing Australian Football for the first time, Merrett was drafted by the Lions with pick 30.

A key-position ‘project player’, injuries and a bout of glandular fever meant it was two years before he took the field in an AFL match.

At the time, most at the club were convinced Merrett’s future was in the goalsquare vacated by champion full-forward Alastair Lynch.

In an intra-club match in 2005, Merrett booted five goals, an effort that had Brown

believing the club might have found a top tall forward.

In his regular column in the Courier Mail newspaper, Brown said: “A real smoky is Daniel Merrett. We need a big body beside ‘Braddy’ (Daniel Bradshaw) at full-forward and that could be the 20-year-old Gold Coaster.”

Merrett made his AFL debut late that year as a forward who could also help in the ruck when needed. He showed promise in the role, though never appeared comfortable.

“I started to get frustrated with myself when I played as a forward and put a lot of pressure on myself,” Merrett said. “I was competing for a spot in the team with Brown and Bradshaw and it seemed impossible.”

It was a stint in the reserves and the words of a red-headed Lions cult figure that changed the direction of Merrett’s career.

“The first time I played down back was when Justin Leppitsch was returning from injury and playing in the reserves and we sat down after a game and had a chat.

“He said ‘I think you should

64 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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15/4/09 5:04:51 PM

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15/4/09 5:26:28 PM

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HAULED IN:

Sydney’s Barry Hall tries to get the better of Merrett.

Merrett’s seemingly wild and aggressive on-field persona is a complete contrast to the calm and composed manner he displays off it in that direction,” Merrett said.

“When ‘Leppa’ (Leppitsch) came on as coach I was very happy. He has had a big influence in how I’ve developed in the role so far and I think he will have a big influence on us becoming a tight-knit defensive group.”

Merrett, in an effort to replicate the role Leppitsch perfected, has assumed the mantle of general of the defence.

“I do see myself as leader of the defence. I don’t think I had natural leadership qualities but the move to the backline forced me to take on that role, as we needed someone to take charge. Through that I feel I’ve grown not only as a person, but as a player as well.”

Merrett’s seemingly wild and aggressive on-field persona is a complete contrast to the calm and composed manner he displays off it.

He happily discusses the endless domestic duties that go hand in hand with home ownership. He also has become an avid reader, thanks to the pile of books forced upon him by his librarian wife Sarah, whom he married in December.

Merrett is completing a business course at university level to prepare for life after

football, and likes to walk his long-haired Jack Russell, George, along the local beaches.

Although the Gold Coast product appears to be the type of established player likely to be targeted by Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna and recruiting manager Scott Clayton, Merrett is content at the Lions, with early indications pointing to a contract extension at the end of the season.

Having taken up the game late compared to most AFL players, Merrett is confident he has plenty of development ahead of him.

“Hopefully, I’ll never stop improving. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to learn about the game and must continue to work on reading the play better and improving my skills and decision-making,” he said.

With only eight players with finals experience remaining on the Lions’ list, the squad is determined to start making its own mark, starting with September action this year.

“I definitely think we’re a top eight team. As a club we want to get back to finals footy. That’s the goal,” he said.

Merrett and his fellow defenders appear to understand the key role they have in helping the club achieve that.

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time on Answer man

AFL history guru Col Hutchinson answers your queries.

NAB AF RISING STL AR

p76

NAME GAME

Born to Lead Back for seconds?

Has there ever been a case of exactly the same squad of players being selected in more than one winning Grand Final team?

Pat Sutton, Port Lincoln, SA CH: The nearest situation you refer to has applied to the Brisbane Lions. Twenty of the chosen 2001 team which defeated Essendon were named on the 2002 Grand Final team sheet against Collingwood.

The only changes were Daniel Bradshaw and Robert Copeland being replaced by Des Headland and Aaron Shattock. Two of Collingwood’s 18 players in the 1929 Grand Final, Charlie Ahern and Leo

BACK AGAIN: Twenty of the Brisbane Lions’ 2001 premiership side returned to play in the 2002 team, seen here celebrating after defeating Collingwood.

Wescott, were replaced by Bill Aldag, Bruce Andrew and Fred Froude (19th man) in the following year’s flag-decider. In 1982, Carlton selected 17 of the 20 premiership men from 12 months earlier.

WRITE TO ANSWER MAN The Slattery Media Group, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, 3008 or emailmichaell@slatterymedia.com

P L AY E R I N F O R M AT I O N S E A R C H

Are you, or do you know, a descendant of former players Charles and Jack Johnson (Johnston or Johnstone)?

The brothers made their debuts in round three, 1907, for Melbourne after coming from the Bendigo area. Jack (pictured right) played for South Bendigo for at least eight seasons before his League career.

Charles played eight games and kicked six goals with the Redlegs and Jack made the last of his 16

appearances in the opening round of 1908. Together in the ruck, they helped inspire Melbourne to significant on-field improvement.

Should you have any information regarding the Johnsons, including their dates of birth, contact Col Hutchinson on (03) 9643 1929 or col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

Essendon’s Irish recruit Michael Quinn (right) made an outstanding start to his AFL career two weeks ago. Going by his name, he should eventually be in the leadership group. Quinn is the English version of the Irish name Ó Cuinn, meaning “descendant of Conn” which, in turn, means “leader” or “chief”. Ten Quinns have played AFL/VFL football, the best being Tom Quinn, the Geelong dual premiership player (1931, 1937). Another player who should be destined for his club’s leadership group is Richmond’s Jay Schulz.

His name derives from two old German words sculd (debt) and heiz(z)an (to command) and denoted a village headman, originally the person responsible for collecting dues. There has been one Schulze (Geelong’s Michael) and four with the spelling Schultz, the most notable being 1960 Brownlow medallist John Schultz, the Bulldogs’ champion ruckman.

K E VA N C A R ROL L

70 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

AR04 p70 Ask_Col.indd 70

15/4/09 5:08:46 PM

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timeon

COLLECTABLES WITH RICK MILNE

Gorillas in our midst A weekly look at collectables, memorabilia and all footy things stored in boxes and garages.

My father ran a Shell garage and I have kept many of the football transfer stickers he used to give free to motorists. One is for the Fitzroy Gorillas. Can you please give me a value?

GRAHAM, VIA EMAIL

RICK’S RARITY TRANSFER MARKET:

The old Shell stickers featured Fitzroy when the club was known as the Gorillas.

Port Adelaide clearly is the proudest and most successful club in SANFL history. The Port Magpies issued this wonderful Football Guide in 1922, which includes the then Laws of the Australian Game of Football – all five pages. There’s also plenty of advertising. For the record, the week this was issued, on May 20, 1922, Port defeated Sturt by a goal. Although I bought this guide for $20, I now value it closer to $150.

RM: Fitzroy was known as

the Gorillas before the club switched to the Lions in the 1950s. These stickers sell for about $40 each.

I am collecting Football Life magazines and I am finding the 1973 editions hard to find. Is there any reason for this?

MARCUS, VIA EMAIL RM: There is a good reason why

you are having trouble as the 1973 editions were much smaller than in other years and did not sell as well. The 1973 editions ran colour team pin-ups.

I have Darrel Baldock’s No. 1 guernsey from when he was named captain of the Tasmanian side in its only defeat of Victoria, in 1960.

The framing of this guernsey cost me $300, so I am curious to know its value and whether Tasmanian football authorities have an historical display in the state.

JEFF, VIA EMAIL

RM: So long as you have proof

that this is the guernsey issued to Baldock, you would be looking at $500 and I am sure Tasmanian football officials would be interested. Baldock did not play in the match because of personal reasons.

Did the WEG 1966 St Kilda premiership posters have a red border around them?

WAYNE, VIA MAIL RM: No! It seems a keen

St Kilda fan got to it with a paintbrush.

CONTACT RICK MILNE mrpp@iprimus.com.au or drop him a line: 5 Cooraminta St, Brunswick, Vic, 3056 or call (03) 9387 4131.

One query per reader.

WATCH BEFORE THE GAME SATURDAY NIGHTS ON TEN

beforethegame.com.au LADDER ANDY MICK SAM DAVE LEHMO STRAUCHANIE

18 14 14 16 17 7

TIPSTERS

MICK Brisbane Lions Sydney Swans Hawthorn St Kilda Geelong Cats North Melbourne Richmond Western Bulldogs

72 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au b4thgame_RD04.indd 1

AR04 p72 RickMilne.indd 72

LEHMO Brisbane Lions Sydney Swans Hawthorn St Kilda Geelong Cats North Melbourne Richmond Western Bulldogs

DAVE Collingwood Carlton Hawthorn St Kilda Geelong Cats North Melbourne Richmond West Coast Eagles

STRAUCHANIE Brisbane Lions Sydney Swans Port Adelaide Fremantle Adelaide North Melbourne Melbourne West Coast Eagles

SAM Collingwood Carlton Hawthorn St Kilda Geelong Cats North Melbourne Richmond Western Bulldogs

ANDY Collingwood Carlton Hawthorn St Kilda Geelong Cats North Melbourne Richmond Western Bulldogs

is week special guest appearance by

MARK WILLIAMS

15/4/09 11:29:15 AM

15/4/09 5:09:58 PM

AFL09S1_RecordRd3_F.pdf

Page

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Join the team – Collect Select in 2009

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timeon

TESTING YOUR KNOWLEDGE AC R O S S 1 3 6

Aggressive former Saint, Robert .... (4) Also called a ‘stop’ (4) Surname of big Bob, a Tiger and Magpie (5)

10 Surname of Port captain on Grand Final day 2004 (7)

11

Surname of Magpies’ favourite number 42 (7)

12 13 15 17 18

Sydney nickname (5) Kent ........, former Cat forward (8) Blue kept Peter Hudson goalless (3, 6) Edward (.....) Greeves (5) Hawthorn premiership player .....

Crawford (5)

20 Formal release to another club (9) 22 Murray ........, 1959 Grand Final skipper (8) 25 When the ball bounces favourably, it will ... .. (3, 2)

28 Former Geelong defender (3, 4) 29 General of the Tigers’ 1980 premiership (3)

30 “We ... Geelong, the greatest team of all” (3)

31 Roos’ ..... Harvey (5) 32 Was a Bulldog, then a Magpie,

DOWN 1 2 4 5 6

Good footy friends (5)

7 8 9 14 15

Not a professional (7)

16 17 19 21

Presented to BOG in night final (4, 5)

International Rules nation (7) Training ground (5) Total control of a game (9) Essendon premiership player Paul ..... (5) Roos’ .... Petrie (4) Hot in the kitchen (8) Ex-Brisbane Lion Martin .... (4) Famous Collingwood family’s surname (4) Hawk premiership defender (5, 3) Classy former Melbourne utility (4, 3) Colloquial for ‘ball’, particularly in cricket (3)

23 Means of securing young players (5) 24 Mick ..... North’s Galloping Gasometer (5)

26 To ..... guilty or not guilty (5) 27 Colloquial for a mark (4) 30 ... for one, and one for ... the way we are at Hawthorn (3)

Tyson .... (4)

33 Nickname of Tiger policeman Emmett Dunne (4)

Scrambled footballer Battle

Cryptic footballers 1. Bad break for Saint.

2

Who won the League’s first premiership in 1897?

A Brisbane Lions B Essendon C Port Adelaide

1

fairest mpetition’s co e th r fo The award troduced in layer was in and best p ? t is it called arey 1924. Wha l B Mag a d e M h it m S rm l o a d N A Me Brownlow Me dal C

2. Two blokes at Geelong.

3. Game Tiger.

4. Young lad initially delighted

at Western Bulldogs.

5. Murray and Swan, for

example, at Melbourne.

6. Bomber who is

somehow handier.

5

Which Sydney Swans player won his second Brownlow Medal in 2006?

A Adam Goodes B Bret t Kirk C Paul Kelly

74 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

7

ined Nor th Who capta 6 to the 199 e Melbourn ? s ip h s mier and '99 pre y are A Wayne C usch chimmelb S e n y a BW c hwa s s C Wayne S

4

w M e da l 1 Brownlo 0 0 2 e th n ut later W h o wo ne Lions b a sb ri B e Bulldogs? with th e Wes tern th to d se cros lack A Simon B ermanis k A n so B Ja os s V l C Michae

8. Country player at Carlton.

9. Inexperienced Demon? No. 10. Hawk with terrible ills

following last game.

THIS WEEK’S ANSWERS

6

the only 1927-30 became Which team from w? ro a in ps hi emiers side to win four pr de ai el Ad rt B Po A Wes t Coas t od wo ng lli C Co

8

Which team won its first premiership in 72 years when it won the 2005 Grand Final?

A West Coast B Geelong C Sydney Swans

SCRAMBLED FOOTBALLER: Ablett CRYPTIC FOOTBALLERS: 1.Baker 2.Chapman 3.Polo 4.Boyd 5.Rivers 6.Daniher 7.Goodes 8.Scotland 9.Green 10.Ellis PLAY ON: 1.b 2.c 3.c 4.b 5.a 6.c 7.a 8.c

3

Which Geelong player, whose son is currently a star with the Cats, in 1989 equalled the record for the most goals kicked in a Grand Final (nine)?

A Billy Brownless B John Scarlett C Gary Ablett snr

7. Turn poems into Swan.

74 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au au

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15/4/09 5:01:58 PM

timeon

ANSWERMAN NAB AFL RISING WITH STAR COL HUTCHINSON

Making his mark Young Crow Patrick Dangerfield is following in the footsteps of a champion. A NDR EW WA L L ACE

H

is career may be only five games old, but the new man in the No. 32 Adelaide jumper certainly spells danger for 15 other AFL clubs.

Victorian youngster Patrick Dangerfield is so highly rated that he is already being compared with Crows legend Mark Ricciuto, the club games record-holder and 2003 Brownlow medallist.

The 19-year-old made his first step on the road to stardom with a nomination for the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star Award following a standout game against Fremantle in round three.

He (Ricciuto) was a champion for 300-odd games (312), and I’m not even into double figures!

Dangerfield’s 20 touches, three tackles and a goal at Subiaco helped send Docker fans home disappointed, but he is not having a bar of the Ricciuto comparisons.

“It’s obviously great to even be mentioned alongside him, but I’ve got a hell of a long way to go before I buy into anything like that,” Dangerfield said.

“He was a champion for 300-odd games (312), and I’m not even into double figures!”

While the budding midfielder has not been the beneficiary of any advice from Ricciuto at this

2009 NAB AFL Rising Star nominees Round 1 Daniel Rich (BL) Round 2 David Zaharakis (Ess) Round 3 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) HIGH FIVE

His liking for jumper in, socks up stems from his idolisation of Nathan Buckley as a junior.

2 Commitment to study last year paid off, earning him a high enough ENTER score to pursue further education in marine biology and teaching.

3 Loves fishing and recently bought a boat, which he aims to take out off West Beach to catch snapper.

Scariest moment of his 4 life was leaving home.

After boarding with 5 Scott Stevens and Nathan van Berlo at times last year, he now lives with Crows marketing manager Mark McGill.

1

DANGER MAN:

Patrick Dangerfield has quickly picked up the tempo of AFL football.

stage, he has received valuable support from teammate Nathan van Berlo, his designated mentor at the club.

“Nathan’s a great source of advice and knowledge,” he said.

“I go through the video tapes of my games with him, and he’s a great guy to bounce ideas around with and work out what I’ve got to improve on.

“He always tells me to back my abilities in and play to my strengths – my hard-ball gets and contested work.”

Dangerfield is no stranger to

headlines. Last year, after being drafted by the Crows at pick No. 10 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, he chose to remain at home to complete his year 12 studies at Oberon High, receiving special permission to play under-18 football with the Geelong Falcons’ TAC Cup team.

“Basically, school was my main priority,” he said. “Then when the holidays came around, I was able to travel over to Adelaide, play a few games with West Adelaide in the SANFL and was lucky

enough to get a gig in the AFL at the end of the year.”

The right-footer’s debut came against Essendon in round 20, when he joined the long but distinguished list of players to boot a goal with their first kick at AFL level.

Each week throughout the home and away season, a panel of judges will select the nominee for the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star. At the completion of the season, one outstanding player will be chosen as the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star winner. He will receive an investment folio, a dedicated personal banker, a financial planner and the Ron Evans Medal, all courtesy of the NAB. The NAB Rising Star award is the final stage of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.

76 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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15/4/09 4:59:46 PM

timeon

TALKING POINT

Essence of the man Robert Dickson’s passion for life and football knew no bounds.

R

obert Dickson knew people – how to treat them, how to include them, how to win their trust, and how to capture their special or most private moments perfectly in his personal filmmaking style.

It was probably his greatest skill, which says plenty, considering he played football at the elite level (with luck he could have been a Hawthorn premiership player), flew helicopters, was a runner for more than half a dozen AFL coaches, was wily enough to win a reality television show requiring an acute understanding of the human condition and its complicated psyche, and invariably had a quality ‘story’ for almost any occasion.

‘Dicko’ was an adventurous, artistic and articulate man who had only recently started receiving wider recognition for the football film work he began crafting during his 19-game career at Hawthorn and the Brisbane Bears from 1988-91.

He had recently completed his third full football documentary, The Essence of The Game, a celebration of football stories and culture at all levels, represented with respect but without prejudice, a classic Dickson quality.

In it he captured key moments in the lead-up to – and after – Hawthorn’s 2008 premiership win, gaining quality insights that will continue to make an impact.

That Dickson was able to persuade the generally media-wary Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson to give him full access to the club’s operations – during training and on game-day, including the Grand Final – was symbolic of the trust he had earned and was generally always afforded, by past and current players

PETER DI SISTO

FRIEND TO ALL:

The football world will miss Robert Dickson, who was killed in a car accident last week.

He was a friend to so many of us at the AFL and, in the wider football world, I don’t think there is one person at any level of the game who has met him who was not the better for being in his company, because he was so passionate about life and our game ANDREW DEMETRIOU

and coaches and by those who manage the game.

His first two commercial football films, The Passion to Play (2001) and Access All Areas: Shane Crawford Exposed (2004), were also groundbreaking for this industry, primarily because he was able to crack the veneer just wide enough to provide intriguing insights.

Dickson was a positive, hard-working person prepared to get his hands dirty. He moved quickly and with purpose, seemingly always scoping, trying to visualise how something could best be represented on film.

Nothing was too hard for him; he thrived when challenged.

When he returned to Hawthorn several years ago as a runner, he produced some striking short motivational films that included footage taken by a camera placed inside a football, which he had thrown around and among players during a pre-match warm-up session at the MCG. Professionally, Dickson appeared happiest with a camera rolling, either in his hand or perched on his shoulder, his focus never wavering from his subjects.

The editing process was always a strain – staying true to his subjects while making the final product both commercially viable and politically correct without sanitising was always tough.

When the AFL Record visited his office in January for a photo shoot, Dickson was in the last stages of editing The Essence of the Game. He looked tired and drawn, but was still his welcoming self, noting how he was looking forward to a break with his wife Dusty and their two boys Gabriel and Byron, whom he adored. Sadly, the boys were killed in the same accident.

Dickson drew people to him; his warm, respectful manner always made those in his presence feel at ease. When you had a conversation with him, you’d be guaranteed several things: he’d make you laugh and he’d make you think.

“He was a friend to so many of us at the AFL and, in the wider football world, I don’t think there is one person at any level of the game who has met him who was not the better for being in his company, because he was so passionate about life and our game,” AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said.

“He was one of those rare people who could capture on film the passion and beauty of the game and to articulate in images exactly what we all love about the game but struggle to be able to put into words.”

At 45, Dickson was still a long way from his professional peak and he had so many ideas he was yet to fully explore.

The industry will sorely miss his passion and professionalism; everyone who knew and loved him will miss an outstanding human being.

Peter Di Sisto worked with Robert Dickson at Hawthorn Football Club.

78 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

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15/4/09 5:55:03 PM

TY6055-AFL.pdf

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Aurion V6: In a league of its own

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The rules of the Big 6 game have been re-written. Now it's a game of power and efficiency, performance and control. The Toyota Aurion V6. The most fuel efficient big Aussie 6 at 9.9L/100km,* while also pumping out 200 kW. An aerodynamic body that’s F1 inspired.

Plus, Driver Assist Technologies including Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Active Braking with intelligence, all standard.

No wonder the Toyota Aurion changed the game. *ADR81/02

combined cycle. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

oh what a feeling!