AFL Record, Round 12, 2011

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AFL GAME

ROUND 12, 2011 JUNE 10-13 $5 (INC. GST)

round 12, june 10-13, 2011 ro

‘Boomer’s’ new mark

9

features 66 JEFF GARLETT

Keeping up with the Carlton speedster is not an easy task.

If he doesn’t leave opponents in his wake, he is applying defensive pressure.

HOWARD KOTTON reports.

70 STEVEN BAKER The tough Saint has squeezed everything out of himself over 200 games.

BRUCE EVA reports.

regulars

4 7 25 53 72 74 76

Backchat The Bounce Matchday Dream Team Answer Man Kids’ Corner NAB AFL Rising Star

Melbourne’s Jordan Gysberts.

78 Talking Point

Ted Hopkins highlights anomolies in the game’s most basic fundamental – scoring.

THIS WEEK’S COVER Jeff Garlett is quickly becoming a favourite with Carlton fans.

57 Hall of Fame Six greats of the game have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

COVER PHOTO: SEAN GARNSWORTHY

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Look into the future – and win

» The Football Record, as it

Swans’ saviour?

Towards the end of the Sydney Swans’ demolition of the Brisbane Lions last Saturday night, one of Channel Ten’s commentators remarked that the Swans are now “knocking on the door of the top four”.

But it remains difficult to see them really challenging the top teams in September. Their three defeats were to teams above them. The problem for the Swans is that they don’t appear to have enough avenues to goal.

Perhaps John Longmire found the answer with defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson, who is tall, a great contested mark and a reliable kick. Furthermore, the Swans’ young forward line would benefit enormously from his experience and leadership, and his defensive nous should spur them to increase pressure in their forward 50.

The game may be more defence-oriented than ever before, but you still have to kick more goals than the other mob.

HUGH ROBERTSON, VIA EMAIL.

Toothless Dogs

What’s happened to the Western Bulldogs’ renowned determination and fighting spirit? Is this really the same team that contested preliminary finals the past three years and, with a bit of luck, should have reached at least one Grand Final?

Yes, I know we have had some

GENERAL MANAGER, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS Darren Birch AFL CORPORATE BUSINESS MANAGER Richard Simkiss AFL RECORD MANAGING EDITOR Geoff Slattery AFL RECORD EDITOR Peter Di Sisto

4

AFL RECORD

LACKING SPIRIT:

A reader is not happy with the Bulldogs’ performances in 2011.

injuries, but it seems too many players have lost that mongrel that made us ultra-competitive and always exciting to watch.

If veterans aren’t going to perform to the level expected, it’s time for an emphasis on even more youth.

RHONDA FULLARTON, YARRAVILLE, VIC.

Painful viewing

Can someone please explain why Port Adelaide is so inconsistent, not only from week to week, but it now seems from quarter to quarter?

As a long-time supporter of

PRODUCTION EDITOR Michael Lovett WRITERS Nick Bowen, Ashley Browne, Ben Collins, Bruce Eva, George Farrugia, Katrina Gill, Ted Hopkins, Ian Kenins, Karen Lyon, Peter Ryan, Niall Seewang, Callum Twomey, Michael Whiting SUB-EDITORS Gary Hancock, Howard Kotton, Michael Stevens STATISTICIAN Cameron Sinclair CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Hutchison

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this proud club, it has become a challenge to watch the team each weekend, not knowing what to expect. It’s time to get serious, Port.

KONRAD J ILLERT, CARLTON, VIC.

HAVE YOUR SAY

The best letter each round nd will receive the 2011 AFL Record Season Guide.

Email aflrecordeditor@ slatterymedia.com or write to AFL Record, Slattery Media Group, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC, 3008.

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was originally known when first published more than 99 years ago, has – as its title suggests – aimed to record “every point of interest in the football world”.

In the first edition (published on April 27, 1912, to coincide with players wearing numbers on the back of their jumpers), the columnists ‘Wideawake’ and ‘Chatterer’ provided a batch of facts, pithy observations and commentary on the game.

This week, the Record launches a short story competition asking football enthusiasts to combine facts, observations or commentary – or whatever else they deem appropriate – in a story that captures the AFL in 2022, when the game has gone international and teams from Australia, the Pacific, the Americas, Asia and Europe meet every four years to play for the World Rules.

AFL Record staff will judge entries, with prizes including international and domestic flights courtesy competition partner Virgin Australia. The p winning entry will be published w in this year’s Grand Final edition of the AFL Record. e Entries must be submitted by b August 7. See guidelines and a conditions on page 79.

PETER DI SISTO

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

T: (03) 9627 2600 F: (03) 9627 2650 E: peterd@slatterymedia.com AFL RECORD, VOL. 100, ROUND 12, 2011 Copyright. ACN No. 004 155 211.

ISSN 1444-2973, Print Post approved PP320258/00109

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Brent Harvey

Two greats pay tribute to the record-breaking Roo.

10

Taking issue

16

Women’s Week

Andrew Demetriou leads From local clubs to the AFL, the AFL’s stand on racism. women lead the way.

I think I was the only law student at Monash who had a new car Ex-Saint now Federal Court judge Mordy Bromberg, p22

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THE

Cats setting the pace in season of intrigue PETER RYA N

A

gainst St Kilda in round one, with 33 seconds to go, Geelong’s Mitch Duncan kicked the ball forward.

It landed and broke left. It then bounced backwards away from St Kilda defender Sean Dempster’s grasp before landing in Geelong forward Cameron Mooney’s hands.

The Cats veteran popped a handball over the top to substitute Darren Milburn, who kicked the goal to give Geelong the lead with just 24 seconds to play.

A cruel bounce had denied the Saints the 2010 premiership.

In 2011, in virtually the same spot as the ball landed that fateful last Saturday in September, another twist and turn of the footy had cost the Saints. This time four points and momentum was lost.

From that moment on, the season has been alive.

Geelong remains undefeated after 10 games, never giving up, winning games it had little right to win yet, through persistence and effort, earning four points each week.

In remaining unbeaten in his first 10 matches as coach, coach Chris Scott has equalled the

PURRING ALONG:

Geelong’s Daniel Menzel, Darren Milburn and Cameron Mooney have had plenty to celebrate this season.

Geelong remains undefeated, never giving up, winning games through persistence and effort English-born Johnny Leonard’s long-standing record, set at South Melbourne in 1932.

The Cats also set a new mark for most consecutive wins at a venue, with 26 on the trot at Skilled Stadium.

The impact of the sub rule – a rule David Parkin declared pre-season to be the biggest change to the game in

20 years – has been debated ad nauseam, with the impact still unclear.

The coaches and conditioners’ workload has increased, extra time being dedicated to solving both the selection and fitness dilemmas it presents.

Players are feeling more fatigued, with resting players a necessary luxury for leading clubs.

Premiership favourite Collingwood even sent players overseas to Arizona this week for a mid-season recovery, while the Cats have had only four players (Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, James Kelly and Travis Varcoe) play every game this season. On the field, stoppages are increasing, but most watchers seem to think space is opening up late in games (the average score in last quarters is 48 points, compared to 46 points in the first and third, and 44 points in the second).

Western Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd suggested this week on One Week at a Time a player’s top speed was being reduced.

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7

Collingwood’s Dayne Beams expected to miss a month onth with a fracture in his left foot.

Long kicks have increased (from an average of 46.5 a team each game to 54.5), more likely as a way of breaking the forward press and moving the ball quickly inside 50, than as a result of the sub rule.

As a consequence, the value of the big-marking forward has increased, with contested marks up on last season (12.5 from 11.5 per team per game).

Ruckmen need to go forward to avoid becoming redundant, while many big forwards double in the ruck.

Tackles inside 50 have remained static at 11 a game.

That’s an interesting statistic, given that talking about the effectiveness of the forward press is as common as stock advice during a bull market.

Perhaps the rising tackle numbers overall are a result of congested stoppages, with the long kick making it more difficult to pin players in space.

Stoppages are up on average, but the increase is due to the rise in the number of throw-ins a game (36 to 42) as teams hug the boundary, willing to thump it out of bounds and reset.

The value of the big-marking forward has increased In the battle of risk versus consequence (or reward), the option of going up the line is often better than trying to pinpoint a target through the middle.

We saw three draws in the first three rounds and 10 games decided by less than seven points.

We’ve seen the highest opening quarter in AFL history (Essendon’s 15.4 (94) against Gold Coast), identical twins coaching against each other for the first time (the Scott brothers, Brad and Chris, coached in the North Melbourne and Geelong game in round seven).

West Coast’s Josh Kennedy kicked 10 goals in a game, just the eighth individual since 2000 8

AFL RECORD

to reach double figures, one of 271 instances where the haul has been achieved since 1897.

Collingwood kicked 11 goals in a quarter (against Adelaide); it was just the third time a team coached by Mick Malthouse has kicked that many goals in a term.

Gold Coast won its first AFL game, defeating Port Adelaide in round five.

And there are still 121 games to go.

FORM SLUMP: Nick Riewoldt and Tom Williams in last year’s preliminary final ... the Saints and the Bulldogs are a long way off that form in 2011.

Average per team per game Long kicks

2010

2011

46.1

54.5

Contested marks

11.5

12.5

Inside 50s

50.1

52.2

Throw-ins

36

42

Tackles inside 50

11

11

SOURCE: CHAMPION DATA

TURNING IT AROUND

For Saints, Bulldogs, change needs to come from within

RODNEY EADE

PETER RYA N

C

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It needs to come from within more than anything

hange happens so quickly sometimes, the job is virtually done before it’s recognised.

So it is with the evolution of St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, winners of, between them, 100 of 151 matches the previous three seasons. The two clubs played each other in the 2010 and 2011 preliminary finals, and both also appeared in a preliminary final in 2009.

Entering round 12, the Saints sit 11th with three wins and a draw and are missing their best midfielder Lenny Hayes. The Bulldogs are 13th with three wins, having missed their best midfielder Adam Cooney.

Both clubs are exposing their lists without too much fanfare, taking baby steps towards reeling in the leaders.

Eight players have made their debut for the Saints this season in 11 rounds (they had nine debutants in the previous three seasons combined). Six players have done the same with the Bulldogs this season (after 10 the past three years).

Last week, St Kida coach Ross Lyon said he could imagine the type of midfielder Tom Ledger might be in three seasons.

That’s the beauty of playing young players. It creates hope and possibility, and it’s always better to watch those yet to be tested than those who have been gallant but failed.

Of course, clubs need to be smart. Some players need to adjust their technique and become physically equipped to play at senior level before earning selection. Development

does not always have to happen in front of big crowds. But both clubs have shown the capacity to introduce players who are capable and are using the substitute rule to make adapting to the elite level easier for them.

The Saints’ first-year players have been the sub six times.

It’s not an easy time for either club. Great servants are being sidelined as the bitter pill called transition is swallowed. Now it’s up to those who are being given opportunities to build on the foundation those who have gone before created.

Asked post-game last week what could be done to fast-track the improvement of a new group, Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade was philosophical: “It needs to come from within more than anything.”

Four-time premiership coach David Parkin to sit on panel assessing Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss.

RECORD-BREAKER

(Carlton’s) Anthony Franchina and he just ran him around the square before they bounced the ball just to show him if he was going to tag Brent Harvey he needed to be able to run all day.”

Harvey up with the game’s elite

COMPETITIVE STREAK AS: “His competitive instinct is

NICK BOW EN

as high as I’ve seen with anyone.

Even if it’s a game of table tennis, he wants to win.”

N

orth Melbourne captain Brent Harvey breaks Glenn Archer’s club games record on Saturday night, when he plays his 312th game.

The AFL Record spoke with two men who know him intimately, his coach from 1996-2002, Denis Pagan, and long-time teammate Adam Simpson. Here are some of their insights:

LEADERSHIP AS: “He has the ability to read

the mood of the group and know what players need to hear.

But, at the end of the day, good captains play good footy and he’s certainly done that. I think his leadership has had a real impact on the players.”

EARLY DAYS AYS DP: “I can an remember when

NEXT STEP: Brent Harvey

ted him, I found fou und out we drafted saiid he was 65kg and I said mer North to (former ng manager) recruiting Neville Stibbard, ven’t “We haven’t d a jockey recruited ve we?” here, have

equalled Glenn Archer’s record last week ... now he will be the outright leader.

He’s been North’s best player for the past 10 years. He deserves every accolade

VICTORIA A v SOUTH AUSTRALIA, LIA, 1999 goals oals DP: “He kicked five go

ADAM SIMPSON

p playing in a forward pocket he E.J. Whitten Whitten to win the w Medal. We knew he was layer before that, th hat, a good player eally announc ced but he really announced himself to the footballl n that wet Satu urday world on Saturday on at the MCG.” MCG G.” afternoon

PROFESSIONALISM P ROFESSION NALISM A “He just leaves no AS: nothing

to chancee with the way he prepares. prep pares. During Dur the week k, he spen week, spends a lot off time gett getting his

body right, which is why he’s got to 311 games and why he’ll probably get to 350.”

COPING WITH TAGGERS DP: “One day he was playing on

MUSICAL TASTE AND FASHION SENSE AS: “Unfortunately, he’s a bit of

a bogan. He likes ‘Acca Dacca’ (AC/DC), Eye of the Tiger and Up There Cazaly. He’s probably about 25 years behind everyone else. And his dress sense? If he’s not sponsored by them, he doesn’t wear it.”

STANDING AT NORTH MELBOURNE DP: “His record speaks for itself.

With five best and fairests, which is one more than Wayne Carey and David Dench, he’s put himself up there with the elite of the elite.”

AS: “He’s been North’s best player for the past 10 years. He deserves every accolade he gets.”

When they’re not playing PLAYER

Whose autograph did you get as a kid?

What scares you most:

First job held:

Favourite movie:

Nathan Fyfe Fremantle

Kevin Sheedy dy

M Mark ark Ha Harvey arvey

Panel beater ter

Th The Lion King

Adam Schneider er St Kilda

tt Tony Lockett

Th The he movie movvie Pr Predator redato or

Mowing lawns

St Step Brothers

Nick Smith Sydney Swans

Robert Harvey vey ey

Failure Fa ailure

Babysitterr

Th The Hangover Ha er

Jordie McKenzie ie Melbourne

Chris Heffernan

Spiders Sp piders

Boundary umpire

Forrest Fo Gump

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9

Hawthorn’s player personnel and strategy manager Chris Pelchen resigns.

ARIZONA TRAINING

Magpies explore altitude mid-season

» Collingwood has pioneered high-altitude training in the AFL. For the past six pre-seasons, the Magpies have trained overseas at high altitude, initially in South Africa and lately in Arizona in the United States.

Other clubs, notably North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, have followed their lead.

But this week, the Magpies have taken their devotion to high-altitude training a step further, sending four players recovering from injury – Dane Swan, Darren Jolly, Nathan Brown and Brent Macaffer – to Arizona for a 12-day camp.

Professor Mark Febbraio, head of the Baker Institute’s cellular and molecular metabolism laboratory, told 3AW’s Sports Today Collingwood’s players would get a “very rapid” benefit from the “extra load” training at high-altitude put on their cardiovascular systems.

But Professor Febbraio said it took four-to-six weeks for someone to get the full benefits of training at high altitude, namely increased red-blood-cell production or polycythemia.

Professor Febbraio said Collingwood would be just as focused on using the trip to monitor the players’ nutrition, fluid intake and rest.

“That will give them not only optimal training, but optimal recovery, so they’ll be cherry ripe for the finals,” he said.

FROM THE AFL CEO

Continuing the fight against racism A NDR EW DEMETR IOU

T

his week, the football community again demonstrated its resolve in the ongoing fight against racial abuse and vilification and reminded all that it is a campaign that must never slow.

Although the fight against racial vilification has led to the vast majority of supporters g that anyy form understanding

of vilification – racial, religious or abuse based on sexual identity – is not acceptable, it seems there will always be a few who refuse to move with the times.

When that happened last weekend and North Melbourne rookie Majak Daw was racially abused during a VFL game between Werribee and Port Melbourne, I was proud of the way the entire football family responded.

Majak stood his ground and made it clear both immediately and after the game that he would not accept such abuse and would stand up and protest the outrageous behaviour by a spectator.

His opponent Cory McGrath, who also addressed the spectator’s behaviour, also offered Majak support.

PHOTO:COLLINGWOODFC.COM.AU

TAKING A STAND: North Melbourne rookie Majak Daw’s stance against racial abuse has been applauded by all.

10

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I was proud of the way the entire football family responded ANDREW DEMETRIOU

Both clubs took immediate action and the police were called in to deal with the spectator.

Grant Williams and his team at AFL Victoria took action to ban the spectator from games until he is prepared to apologise and undergo a cultural awareness education program to fully understand the hurt he caused.

The incident drew universal condemnation from the community – players, coaches, clubs and supporters. Everyone knew it was wrong. Everyone understood it was unacceptable.

Our game has come a long way since Michael Long and Nicky Winmar made their stands, forcing the AFL to address the issue of on-field racism.

They made clear to the wider community that racial vilification hurt and that hurt extended way beyond the final siren.

By addressing this issue and ensuring, through policies and our actions, that we won’t accept any form of intolerance, our game has opened up and welcomed people from all walks of life, regardless of their religious, cultural or sexual identity. Our game is a game for all.

The vast majority of the nearly 10 million supporters who attend AFL, community football and state league matches across the country each year know that.

I am proud of the stance taken by Majak.

He has the 100 per cent backing of the AFL and all who abhor intolerance and discrimination in all its forms – whether racism, homophobia or any form of discrimination.

He also has our commitment that, as an industry, we will not rest until every single person in football crowds and in the wider community understands our game will not tolerate discrimination.

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Carlton’s Andrew Collins to miss rest of the season after left shoulder surgery.

BIG MEN RETURN

MILESTONES ROUND 12

Kreuzer wait could be over as Blues’ ruck stocks rise

650 GAMES COACHED

Mick Malthouse Collingwood Becomes only the second person to coach 650 games, behind Jock McHale (714).

Malthouse coached Footscray 135 times and West Coast in 243 matches. He has led Collingwood 271 times.

AFL 200 CLUB

R

Michael Gardiner St Kilda

3 312 GA A GAMES Brent Bren nt Harvey North N Melbourne Me l Break Breaks ks the club’s gam me record games d by Glenn held A Archer.

200 GAMES

Shaun Ryan Umpire

150 GAMES

Rhyce Shaw Sydney Swans

100 GAMES

Shannon Byrnes Geelong Bryce Gibbs Carlton Hamish McIntosh North Melbourne Michael Pettigrew Port Adelaide

50 GAMES Leroy Jetta Essendon Craig Bird Sydney Swans James Polkinghorne Brisbane The list includes those not necessarily selected but on the verge of milestones.

12

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HOWA R D KOT TON

uckmen have been in short supply at Carlton recently, but the Blues’ stocks in the big man department are rising as they face a three-game stint on the harder, faster surface at Etihad Stadium, starting this weekend against the Brisbane Lions.

The Blues have been without No. 1 ruckman Robert Warnock for the past two games as he recovered from the effects of a heavy knock sustained in the last minutes of the thrilling encounter against Geelong in round nine, when he had the chance to win the game for his team but missed a set shot.

Hampson returned and played possibly his best game for the Blues Matthew Kreuzer, coming back from a knee reconstruction after an injury sustained against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium last year, has made good progress in the VFL and is ready to make his long-awaited return after three games.

Last week against Collingwood, he was named in the Bullants’ best and booted two goals to stake a claim for senior selection.

In Warnock’s absence, Shaun Hampson returned and played possibly his best game for the Blues last Sunday.

Hampson contested well against Power veteran Dean Brogan (who was struggling with injury) and used his superior athleticism to

advantage by linking up with his fleet-footed midfielders.

Setanta O’hAilpin has also provided invaluable support for Hampson in the ruck contests, as well as in attack.

All four can lay claim to a senior spot and coach Brett Ratten faces the tantalising dilemma of trying to strike the right balance in this block of games at Etihad Stadium, vital matches against the Swans and Eagles following this week’s match.

FROM FRIENDS TO FOES

Young Suns reignite the fire in former Roo MICH A EL W HITING

W

hen North Melbourne delisted Daniel Harris at the end of 2009, the rugged midfielder had lost his passion for the game.

After 149 matches for the Kangaroos, Harris was 27, out of form, and on the brink of signing as an assistant coach with the VFL’s Coburg Tigers.

His career was at the crossroads.

But that’s when Gold Coast stepped in, selecting him firstt in raft. the 2010 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

As he prepared to play his is old club this weekend, Harris said his initial meeting with the g to Suns convinced him moving d his the Gold Coast could extend AFL career.

“They flew me up here and I nna), met ‘Bluey’ (coach Guy McKenna), (football operations manager)) tegy Marcus Ashcroft and (list strategy manager) Scotty Clayton at a café.

It was nice and casual, and wee had a good chat,” he said.

“I walked away thinking, ‘II ooty really want to play for that footy club’. Bluey was awesome. he “I was lacking passion at the g end of my career but, walking away from that conversation,, at I was thinking I could get that passion back under him.” ason Harris played the 2010 season with Gold Coast’s VFL team

before the Suns started in the AFL this season.

He said playing alongside the best youngsters in the country, with “great attitudes and great character”, helped him enjoy his football more than ever.

Now 29, Harris said it was not simply a case of him teaching the younger Suns how to go about business, as they were also teaching him plenty.

“These kids have come through a program where they’re all super professional and ready to go,” he said.

“It’s a bit different to when I started; there wasn’t the educational programs, things like recovery and punctuality and all that stuff. The professionalism that’s required now is unbelievable.

“I’ve actually learnt a lot from the kids, how to prepare and how to become professional. I know it sounds strange, but that’s the standard they brought to the club and I was blown away by that.”

Harris said he hoped to stay around with the young group as it pushed towards finals and hopefully Grand Finals in coming seasons.

But Saturday night’s match against his old club comes first.

“Obviously, it’s a big game for them because ‘Boomer’ (captain Brent Harvey) breaks the games record. He’s a good mate, so it will be interesting,” he said.

“They have a pretty good record in milestones, but hopefully they played it a week early.”

CHALLENGE: Daniel

Harris takes on his old side this week.

Magpie Dale Thomas’ one-week suspension for striking upheld by AFL Tribunal.

GEELONG ON SONG

Unbeaten Cats in records rampage

G

MICH A EL LOV ET T

eelong’s unbeaten start to the 2011 season has created another record for the Cats, who are on the verge of two more firsts if they defeat Hawthorn this round.

Last week’s 61-point victory over the Western Bulldogs was Geelong’s 10th successive win, breaking the record for most consecutive wins (10 wins or more) held by Carlton.

It was the 14th time the Cats have won 10 or more successive games, taking them past the Blues’ mark of 13.

Rookie coach Chris Scott also equalled Johnny Leonard’s effort of 10 consecutive wins in his first year of coaching South Melbourne in 1932.

Leonard and the Swans lost their round 11 match,

meaning Scott can claim the record outright if the Cats down the Hawks.

The Cats also have their eyes on another record this week – the most consecutive wins against a Grand Final victor.

After losing the 2008 Grand Final to Hawthorn, Geelong has won its past five games against the Hawks. Victory on Saturday night would see the Cats become the third team in history to record the longest streak of wins after losing a Grand Final to the same opponent.

Collingwood lost the 1918 Grand Final to South Melbourne and then won the next six games in 1919 (rounds one and 10), 1920 (rounds nine and 19) and 1921 (rounds six and 15).

Richmond lost the 1919 Grand Final to Collingwood and then won the next six games in 1920 (rounds five, 13 and the Grand Final), 1921 (rounds five and 14) and 1922 (round one).

Geelong lost the 2008 Grand Final to Hawthorn but since then has won its next five games against the Hawks, in 2009 (rounds one and 17), 2010 (rounds two and 15) and 2011 (round 5).

ON TARGET: Chris Scott will be the first coach to record 11 consecutive wins from debut if the Cats win this week.

Malthouse to 650

» Collingwood’s Mick Malthouse coaches for the 650th time this round, becoming only the second man to reach that milestone at League level. He will lead the Magpies for the 272nd time, drawing level with Phonse Kyne as the club’s’ second-longest serving coach, behind the legendary Jock McHale (714). Malthouse, 57, previously coached Footscray and West Coast.

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15

Collingwood defender Harry O’Brien meets Dalai Lama in Melbourne.

STARTING THEIR JOURNEY

Thrill of the contest sparks Panthers’ passion

I

I A N K ENINS

f you think women play footy just for a hoot, think again. When the troubled Corio Devils club in Geelong folded several years ago, the more determined members quickly formed a new Victorian Women’s Football League team, the Bell Post Hill Panthers.

They approached their namesake men’s club to share facilities and sought and secured sponsorship from the RACV. Membership fees and chocolate drives help raise additional funds.

We promote a healthy and friendly game without the pressure BELL POST COACH GLENN KAY

Despite copping a few thrashings this year in the north-west conference, they bounced back in round six with a 28-goal victory. However, the girls crashed back to earth following their next game, suffering a 14-goal defeat.

Panthers coach Glenn Kay said such fluctuations in form were expected. “A lot haven’t played any junior sport and have come into seniors without a sporting background, so I’ve had to teach a lot of them how to play the game from scratch.”

Kay played a few hundred games for Thomson in the Geelong and District Football 16

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MAKING PROGRESS: Bell Post Panthers coach Glenn Kay says his players are developing their team and individual skills.

League, which makes him a handy teacher.

“First, we promote a healthy and friendly game without the pressure. Losing doesn’t matter, as long as they walk off knowing they’ve given it 100 per cent.

That’s all they can do. “(But) it’s full contact so there’s no shirking.”

During training sessions, Kay sets up drills aimed at improving positioning in one-on-one contests or instinctively giving off a handball.

“Kicking is the hardest skill for girls to master, especially on the run. A bit more time is needed to get their balance right,” he said.

Some of the Panthers need little in the way of skills training.

Star midfielder Allison Paone started playing footy with her dad and brothers when she was eight, and joined the Laverton under-10 team in Melbourne’s west. It’s the adrenalin rush that ignites her passion for the game.

“There’s nothing quite like footy. And there’s nothing better than running into another player,” Paone said. “I like the fire of running into a contest.”

During the Panthers’ big win in round six, Kay said the girls did all the right things, linking up with their handball and hitting targets. And like all winning teams, luck was on their side.

“The ball was about to bounce through the goals but then it bounced out before the

line and then bounced back through. I thought, ‘This is our day’,” he said.

WHEN IT WAS FORMED IN 1981, THE VICTORIAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE INCLUDED JUST A HANDFUL OF CLUBS. NOW THERE ARE 22 TEAMS SPLIT INTO THREE COMPETITIONS AND ONE RESERVE GRADE COMPETITION. AFL VICTORIA ALSO CONDUCTS A YOUTH COMPETITION FOR GIRLS AGED 13-18, WITH 39 TEAMS IN SIX LEAGUES.

CAREER PATH PAYS OFF

Two decades later, footy is now Jennie’s life K A R EN LYON

J

ennie Loughnan was in her first year of university when she volunteered to coach the De La Salle under-12 team.

Nobody wanted the job, so she decided to help out at the club where her brothers played football.

It was a decision that set her life on an entirely unexpected adventure.

Fortunately at the time, she was studying psychology and sociology, skills that have since helped navigate her through

22 years in football, much of it at the elite level.

In that time, Loughnan has just about done it all. She has worked with Auskick kids, elite juniors, in the halls of power at the AFL (she is back for a second stint) and inside a club, spending 12 seasons at North Melbourne helping run football operations.

Loughnan is excited about the growing number of women in the game.

“There are so many more women working on game-day, which is great. There are more girls on the bench, doing ‘stats’ and analysis and there are physios and head trainers,” she said.

“When I came back to the AFL, I noticed there were so many more women, and in really different areas, from when I left. There are now women in game development helping to grow the game.”

In her early days at the AFL, Loughnan was mentored by the late Jill Lindsay, the AFL’s ground operations manager who died earlier this year after a battle with cancer.

Lindsay is the only woman to have been awarded AFL Life Membership and is an inspiration to many women in football.

“Jill was a massive mentor to me; she gave me great advice,” Loughnan said.

“She was the one who encouraged me to go to North because she knew it would be an amazing learning

Richmond’s Mitch Morton given leave of absence to deal with a personal matter.

I don’t see why there won’t be women as club CEOs, or even ass CEO of the AFL JENNIE LOUGHNAN

experience. She was always encouraging people to get out there and learn.�

The stress and pressure of game-day has taught Loughnan much about decision-making and leadership. “There is massive pressure and you just need to respond,� she said. “You are always learning, you just need to take that pressure on and, because you have to live with the repercussions, you can’t afford to go into meltdown.�

Last month, after more than a decade at Arden Street, she returned to the AFL as umpire welfare and development manager.

As well as working with the umpires, Loughnan also

tthey have the tools t they need.�

Loughnan is also c completing a master’s d degree in business a sports and m management.

She predicted w women would co continue to ďŹ ll m more roles across th industry. the “I really don’t expect to see a female senior co coach in my lifetime, bu I don’t see why but the won’t be women there c as club CEOs, or even t CEO of the AFL. as the PROUD: Jennie Loughnan is excited ju has to be the It just about the growing righ person for the job,â€? right number of women in she said. the game.

H advice to women Her wan wanting to get involved fo in football is to volunteer manages the games’ timekeepers at any level. She would especially and interchange stewards. like to see women involved with “We have set up a form of Auskick and helping to grow the assessment for them and we game at that level. are making sure they have the “Local Auskick is just as education they need,â€? she said. important as the main game out “They have become more on the ďŹ eld on a Saturday,â€? she accountable than ever and said. “If girls want to get involved, under more scrutiny. It’s our they should. You just have to get responsibility to make sure out there and do it.â€?

Females take centre stage

 The AFL’s women’s week activities included lunches in Melbourne and Adelaide earlier this week and the Women’s National Championships in Adelaide, which ended on Friday.

Matches this round will feature all-girl NAB AFL Auskick games. On Saturday, Melbourne band StonďŹ eld (pictured) will play at the MCG before the Cats-Hawks match.

And on Monday, an all-female footy clinic will be held before the Melbourne-Collingwood game at the MCG, with music from Jade MacRae, Jesse and Ella Hooper, David Bridie and Russell Roberston.

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17

Brisbane Lions defender Daniel Merrett to miss up to o 10 0 weeks with a fracture in his back.

Swallow savours the moment

N

NICK BOW EN

orth Melbourne coach Brad Scott said Andrew Swallow’s first term against Adelaide last Sunday was one of the best individual efforts he had seen.

On the day Brent Harvey equalled Glenn Archer’s club record of 311 games, Swallow dominated the opening quarter with 17 disposals – just two short of the competition record for a quarter (see table) – 13 contested possessions and equalled the AFL record of nine clearances.

He also had two tackles, five score involvements and kicked a goal.

Swallow was typically modest after the game.

“It was probably just one of those days and you’re not going to have too many in

18

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CLEARANCE KING: Andrew

RECORDS FOR OR A QUARTER

FIRST-QUARTER BLITZ Clearances 9

Andrew Swallow

North Melbourne Mellbourne

Round 11, 2011

9

Brendon Lade

dela aide Port Adelaide

Round 19, 1999

8

Peter Riccardi

ng Geelong

Round 6, 1999

8

Adam Simpson

lbou bourne rne North Mel Melbourne

Round 9 Round 2000 0 9,, 200

8

Scott West

rn Bulldogs B Western

Round 12, 2001

8

Barnaby French

dela aide Port Adelaide

Round 16, 1999

Swallow equalled the record for most clearances in a quarter last week.

Most disposals 19

Darren Milburn

Geelong

Round 16, 2008

19

Marcus Ashcroft

Lion ns Brisbane Lions

Round 17, 1999

18

Dane Swan

ood Collingwood

Round 2, 2011

18

Luke Power

Lion Lio n ns Brisbane Lions

Round 17 Round 17, 20 2004 04

18

Tom Scully

Melbournee

Round 7, 2010

17

drew w Swallow Several players including Andrew

SOURCE: CHAMPION DATA

your career. You’ve got to enjoy them.”

This Saturday night, Swallow will play against his younger brother, David, for the first time at AFL level when North takes on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. David was the No. 1 pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, and has played every game for the Suns this season.

It was probably just one of those days ANDREW SWALLOW

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West Coast’s Scott Selwood accepts reprimand for striking Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett.

NEW AFL FRONTIER

Roos bound for Hobart

N

NICK BOW EN

orth Melbourne will play two games a season at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval from 2012, the Tasmanian Government and AFL announced in Hobart last Tuesday.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the deal, together with the four games Hawthorn plays at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium each year, would help satisfy Tasmanians’ desire for local AFL matches.

“We are really pleased to see more AFL football in Tasmania,” Demetriou said. “We know the

football community has been pushing hard for more games and we know Tasmanians want more AFL content, not less.

“The AFL has been impressed by the Government’s determination to bring the AFL to the whole of Tasmania.”

Demetriou thanked Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings for personally brokering the deal.

“I know the government’s long-term commitment to seeing this through has meant a lot to all of the parties involved – including the AFL,” Demetriou said.

Demetriou also paid tribute to the other parties that had made the deal a reality, the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, Hobart City Council, AFL Tasmania and North Melbourne.

“It is a fitting reward for the business community … and also

to see AFL football but also ensuring more Tasmanians will benefit from the extra two games in the state.”

North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw also welcomed the news.

“It’s been a long time coming and we appreciate everyone’s help in pulling this deal together,” Brayshaw said.

“We can’t wait to play games in Hobart next year.”

Demetriou said North Melbourne had committed to having a strong presence in Hobart and the wider Tasmanian community.

And given the government’s commitment to the deal and the AFL’s ongoing backing, Demetriou said he was confident North would “become successful in its own right”.

We can’t wait to play games in Hobart next year JAMES BRAYSHAW

AFL Tasmania for their faith and hard work,” Demetriou said.

“We have seen the impact AFL games have had on Launceston and the wider Tasmanian economy through the tourism benefits of interstate football supporters coming in to see games.

“That is why the Tasmanian Government has been so supportive of these two games at Bellerive Oval, giving more Tasmanians an opportunity

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

Attitude not the only change for Demons

» Melbourne’s 33-point win over Essendon last week was hailed as evidence that a better attitude could turn around a team’s poor form.

Having been criticised for their performance against Carlton the previous week, the Demons responded against the Bombers.

However, what was largely overlooked was how Melbourne translated that attitude ‘change’ into a game-plan that would beat Essendon.

Compared to their first 10 rounds of the season, the Demons clearly played a different style of football.

Against the Bombers, Dean Bailey’s team won more contested possessions than it had averaged previously and also laid more tackles.

But it was its capacity to win the ball – and mark it – that stood out as the key differences against Essendon.

In round 11, the Demons had 74 more possessions than they had averaged in the first 10 rounds.

They also ran with the ball more – their tally of 198 handballs was almost 25 per cent more than they had averaged through the first 10 rounds – but they were also prepared to kick to short targets as they moved the ball up the ground.

Melbourne had almost 30 more short kicks than they had averaged, although their tally of long kicks stayed at an almost identical level.

The Demons denied the Bombers the ball, aiming to use it as efficiently as possible by hand and foot.

And, even when they were forced to kick to a contest, they had the edge, taking 19 contested marks and 17 marks inside 50.

CALLUM TWOMEY

AFL RECORD

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Little wonder wonde w wo on nd deer er urne u ur rn nee Melbourne Dea De Dea an n coach Dean wass a wa Bailey was err m man ma an n happier eeek. ee ek k.. last week.

Rounds Round nd 1-10 11 (average) Contested possessions

140

148

Clearances

39

37

Contested marks

12

19

Marks inside 50

12

17

205

236

Kicks Long kicks

55

56

Short kicks

80

107

Handballs

154

198

Disposals

360

4 434

Tackles

64

78

Disposals per goal

28

29

% of time scored when inside 50

51

58

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Sydney Swan Sw Ben McGlynn accepts reprimand for tripping Brisbane Lions defender Ash McGrath.

A Saint who played by the letter of the law

T

ASHLEY BROW NE

o get to the Melbourne office of Mordy Bromberg, you have to pass through high-level security and explain in detail to a uniformed officer the reason for your visit.

That’s because the former St Kilda back-pocket is now the Honorary Justice Mordecai Bromberg of the Federal Court of Australia.

It is in that role he came to prominence earlier this year as the sitting judge on a hearing involving high-profile media identity Andrew Bolt.

But in Melbourne, more people would still remember Bromberg as a long-haired Saints defender who played 34 matches from 1978-81, and who was once the subject of a classic piece of television commentary from Lou Richards, along the lines of: “Charging through the pack like the Six-Day War, it’s Mordy Bromberg!”

Bromberg can’t escape his football background and, to be fair, has never sought to.

He was admitted to the Federal Court in December of 2009. The transcript of his swearing-in ceremony is replete with references to his football career and, given the timing, St Kilda’s Grand Final loss to Geelong only a few months before.

That Bromberg should soar to such lofty heights once his playing days were over came as little surprise to his former teammates at Moorabbin. The late Trevor Barker once said of Bromberg: “He’s one of the serious ones, Mordy.”

Bromberg joined the Saints from Brighton Grammar and East Brighton. That he even

22

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BALANCING ACT: Mordy Bromberg

combined study and football more than 30 years ago and it paid off – he is now a Federal Court judge.

I think I was the only law student at Monash who had a new car MORDY BROMBERG

made it that far is remarkable, given he was born in Israel, didn’t move to Australia until he was eight and didn’t speak a word of English when he arrived.

Bromberg was at St Kilda during a period the club played hard (but not particularly well) and partied harder. He enjoyed his football and it fostered a lifetime love of the Saints, but he largely avoided the party scene at Moorabbin and it didn’t take him too many games to decide his prospects in the law would ultimately be brighter than in football.

“In the mid-’70s, when I started playing League football, it was only semi-professional.

The idea that I wouldn’t prepare myself for a career after football never entered my mind. It was never going to happen,” he said.

“It was the usual story with me. A good Jewish boy had to be

a lawyer and it was ingrained in me from an early age.”

For a time, he could combine the two. He made his debut in 1978 under Mike Patterson while studying law at Monash University, but left midway through the following season after a falling out with the coach.

He spent the rest of 1979 in the Victorian amateur competition with Ajax, playing in a premiership with a group of mates who played for fun rather than money. It is a football memory he still rates as his fondest.

He returned to St Kilda in 1980 to give League football one last crack, even deferring his studies for a year so he could prepare properly. It was the right move.

Bromberg enjoyed his best season, earning three Brownlow Medal votes for a match against Footscray at Moorabbin, a game he remembered more for the

fact St Kilda’s coach at the time, Alex Jesaulenko, had instituted a punitive training regimen, in which players had to run several 400m sprints after training, the number of which increased with every week the Saints kept losing.

The win over the Bulldogs snapped a four-match losing streak and Bromberg was feted as the king of Moorabbin because it meant an easier few weeks of training.

“We celebrated that win like a Grand Final,” he said. “Wherever I went, the ball fell into my hands. I kicked a couple of goals and everything went right.”

Yet after four games in 1981, Bromberg was gone, refusing to yield to a demand from Jesaulenko that he quit his law studies for good.

“I just couldn’t do that because of the consequences it would have down the track,” he said.

He trained briefly with Footscray, but the Bulldogs baulked at the $30,000 transfer fee demanded by the Saints and he was then refused a clearance back to Ajax because the rules at the time allowed players only one

Australian Football Hall of Fame legend egend end Norm Smith to be honoured with bronze statue outside the MCG. en

opportunity to reclaim their amateur status.

So he played the rest of the year with VFA club Camberwell and, by age 22, had retired for good.

His other enduring memory of his St Kilda days was the colour television he won as best on ground in a night match in 1980.

“My wife swears by the fact that it is still the best television we have in the house in terms of picture quality,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s an analogue, so sadly, it will see its dying days in the next year, but it has been in constant use for 30 years.”

Apart from missing one last chance to have a kick with his mates at Ajax, Bromberg walked away from footy with a healthy bank balance (for a student) and few other regrets.

“I had almost no obligations. I was still living at home, so I had $500 a week to spend and it was pretty good,” he said.

“I think I was the only law student at Monash who had a new car who had paid for it himself,” he said. “Mind you, there were a few who had them bought for them!

“But I didn’t have too many regrets and it gave me the

opportunity to do other things in life, that I had been denied until that time because of the demands of football, such as travel.”

The ensuing 30 years have been a whirl for Bromberg, working in Australia and overseas as a solicitor and a barrister, then a senior counsel and, since 2009, a judge.

He forged an outstanding career, principally in the area of labour and industrial law and, in 1988, he appeared for the Maritime Union of Australia in

its landmark case against Patrick Stevedores.

In 2005, he was named president of the Australian Institute of Employment R Rights.

Bromberg admitted f football opened a few d doors early and even i legal circles it had in b been a conversation starter e ever since.

“My notoriety is far greater th my time in the game than d deserves,” he said. “I don’t kn why. A lot of players know w would have played a lot who m games than me have more su into the background. sunk Perhaps I’m unusual for a number of reasons.”

The football field and the courtroom might seem to be entirely different working environments, but Bromberg said there were some similarities between the endeavours.

“You can’t shy away from hard work to succeed as a footballer and the dedication to the task that football teaches you is something I’ve applied to my legal career as well.

“In many ways, your personality is a result of what

you’ve done and what you’ve achieved and football has given me a nice introduction to a whole lot of aspects to my professional life and it’s not uncommon that people know who I am and what I’ve done.”

Bromberg briefly returned to St Kilda as a member of the football sub-committee when Greg Westaway became president in 2008. But otherwise, he is a fan who attends, by his own estimation, about “90 per cent” of matches the Saints play in Victoria.

And, yes, he is doing it hard like the rest of the faithful.

“I think the club is a bit demoralised and I don’t think that’s anyone’s fault,” he said.

“It’s just a product of having tried so hard for three seasons and not having any success to show for it.

“But I’ll keep going; I’m one of those supporters who goes to the footy and will stay to the end, even if we’re down by 20 goals.

“I’m lucky because the whole family is mad about St Kilda and we do it as a family.

“It always amazes me that I still get recognised and it’s not often I go to the footy without someone coming to say hello.”

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23

now you’re flying

virginaustralia.com

HAIL

THE HEROES A mix of o four contemporary players, T a Tasmanian star of the early 1900s and a meedia pione media pioneer are this year’s inductees in Aust the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

nathan buckley

collingwood/brisbane bears

E

THE GREATEST:

Many believe Nathan Buckley is the No. 1 Magpie of all time.

Fittingly, in his first year of eligibility, Buckley has been inducted

ddie McGuire – Collingwood president and unofficial president of the Nathan Buckley Fan Club – has often trumpeted Buckley’s claims to the title of the Magpies’ greatest player.

McGuire’s argument is logical. Legendary Collingwood coach ‘Jock’ McHale rated Bob Rose as the best Magpie he saw.

Rose, in turn, regarded Buckley as the best he had seen.

McHale died in 1953, and Rose in 2003, so between them, save for a handful of seasons, they had basically witnessed the entire history of the club, and its greatest champions.

Strengthening the Buckleyis-best argument, as McGuire highlights, is the opinion of Rose’s younger brother Kevin – himself a premiership player and McGuire’s presidential predecessor – who believed Buckley had surpassed “brother Bob” as a player.

It’s a belief backed by an overwhelming weight of

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57

2011 I N DUC T E ES

I hope I’ve been able to take advantage of that and do them proud NATHAN BUCKLEY

FACT FILE Born: July 26, 1972 Recruited from: Southern Districts (NT)/Port Adelaide (SANFL)/Brisbane Debut: Round 1, 1993 v North Melbourne Height: 186cm Weight: 92kg Games: 280 Goals: 284 Player honours: Brownlow Medal 2003 (equal); 2nd Brownlow Medal 1998, 3rd Brownlow Medal 1999 (equal); best and fairest 1994 (equal), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003; Norm Smith Medal 2002; All-Australian 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 (vice-captain), 2000 (vice-captain), 2001, 2003 (vice-captain); International Rules Series 1998, 1999 (captain); Port Adelaide (SANFL) premiership 1992; Magarey Medal 1992; AFL Rising Star 1993; Jesaulenko Medal 1997; Allies captain 1997; Collingwood captain 1999-2007.

Brownlow Medal: career votes 178

58

AFL RECORD

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evidence. In a career spanning 15 seasons (1993-2007) and 280 games (including 20 with the Brisbane Bears), Buckley built an honours list bettered by few in the history of the game.

Among the gongs, he won a club-record six best and fairest awards, shared the 2003 Brownlow Medal with Adelaide’s Mark Ricciuto and the Sydney Swans’ Adam Goodes, had two other top-three Brownlow placings (he received 178 career votes – the best for the Pies, and fifth in history), won the Norm Smith Medal in the 2002 Grand Final, captained Collingwood a record 161 times, was a seven-time All-Australian (three times as vice-captain), and captained Australia’s International Rules team.

The bare statistics are just as remarkable. Buckley averaged 24.6 disposals (18.1 kicks and 6.5 handballs) and one goal a game. He amassed 40-plus touches on seven occasions. He collected more than 30 kicks 10 times, and at least 25 kicks on 38 occasions – and they were

often powerful and almost always precise kicks.

Fittingly, in his first year of eligibility, Buckley has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Buckley’s father Ray, a Vietnam veteran and a former ruckman for SANFL club Woodville, was unapologetically hard on him. However, Buckley credits this tough love for his success as a player, and his place in the Hall of Fame.

Buckley’s story is one of constant evolution: from a predominantly outside player into one of the most complete and damaging midfielders ever seen; and from an abrasive character who berated teammates at training and in games into a more compassionate leader who, in time, became regarded as one of the AFL’s best captains.

The 38-year-old Collingwood coach-in-waiting regards his Hall of Fame induction as a chance to thank everyone who has helped him along the way.

“I hope I’ve been able to take advantage of that and do them proud,” he said.

tony charlton media

I

t was perhaps the most riveting hour of football television and probably the biggest story in the game’s history – and certainly the most dramatic period in the distinguished career of Tony Charlton, the latest media inductee in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

It was mid-1965, and six-time premiership coach – indeed, reigning premiership coach – Melbourne’s Norm Smith had been sensationally sacked.

Less than 48 hours later, on a Sunday morning, a hurt Smith appeared on the Tony Charlton Football Show on Channel Nine. Anyone who saw it (a brief snippet can be

BEN COLLINS

It’s such a lovely thing to have happened TONY CHARLTON

SUPER BOOT: Buckley was one of the most powerful and precise kicks the game has seen.

viewed on YouTube – youtube. com/watch?v=6XZJRuj5z6w) would be well acquainted with Charlton’s articulate, respectful style and professionalism.

Charlton, a Melbourne fan, covered the Smith sacking saga from all conceivable angles, and it is difficult to imagine modern news outlets doing a better job of nailing the story.

Charlton was probably always destined for an illustrious career in the media.

His New Zealand-born parents set high standards as public performers – father Conrad was one of the original broadcasters on ABC radio before moving into station management; mother Hazel was a talented opera singer.

Charlton’s elder brother Michael was a co-creator of current affairs program

horrie gorringe cananore, tasmania

T MEDIA STAR: Tony Charlton

is without peer as a football commentator and broadcaster.

Four Corners in 1961 and also enjoyed a long and successful career with the BBC in London.

Born in Sydney and educated in Perth, Charlton first made his name on Melbourne radio station 3AW in the early 1950s.

Television in Australia coincided with the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games,

FACT FILE Born: March 28, 1929 Career: Worked more than 50 years as a pre-eminent commentator, media performer, host and master of ceremonies. A name synonymous with sports broadcasting, philanthropy and sports promotions. Called football for radio stations 3AW, 3UZ and 3AK. Called football on Channel Seven, Channel Nine and ABC-TV. Hosted the Tony Charlton Football Show on Channel Nine, and conducted one of the most famous interviews in football history with sacked Melbourne coach Norm Smith in 1965.

Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2007 for his work as a general sports media commentator.

and Charlton was at the forefront of the Nine Network’s Games coverage.

Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2007, Charlton is revered for his commentary in a range of sporting events, having called three Olympics, two Commonwealth Games, Test cricket, golf, tennis, the list goes on.

He was headhunted by Seven to be part of the network’s coverage of football. In 1960, Nine made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and for five years he also ran a sports show 48 weeks a year for three hours each Sunday, in direct competition with Seven’s World Of Sport.

Of the 12 Grand Finals he called, he nominated his three favourites, in order, each of them Collingwood defeats: Carlton’s comeback in 1970; Melbourne scraping home in 1964, and St Kilda’s one-point win in 1966.

“They’re all wonderful events and great theatre,” he said.

“Reminds me of (The Age writer) Greg Baum’s quote: ‘The theatre of the great and grand.’ And so it is.”

Of his Hall of Fame induction, a humbled Charlton said: “As a commentator, you’re supposed to be able to produce words like bubbles in champagne. (But) I find it difficult because it’s such a lovely thing to have happened.”

BEN COLLINS

he son of one the best Tasmanian footballers never to play at the highest level said his father would rate his induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame as his greatest achievement.

In a career interrupted by war, Horrie Gorringe was undoubtedly the finest player in the state during his glory years in the 1920s.

The Cananore rover’s dominance of club football – and for his state at three national carnivals when pitted against the best in TASMANIA’S FINEST: Horrie Gorringe Australia – led many to believe is an icon in Tasmania and now he has the Tasmanian Football Hall been recognised nationally with his of Fame icon was simply the induction to the Australian Football Hall of Fame. greatest rover ever.

Graeme Gorringe, 73, said his dad would have taken his was chairman of selectors of induction into the Australian some of the powerful Melbourne Football Hall of Fame as he did teams of that era. the numerous other honours Already an icon in his home he received during and after state, Gorringe’s induction was his playing days: with humility, also a monumental achievement respect and a touch of pride. for Tasmania, AFL Tasmania’s “It would have to be (his Hall of Fame manager Daniel greatest honour),” Gorringe said Smedley said. last week at the spiritual home “Horrie Gorringe’s of Tasmanian football, North achievements are a very Hobart Oval, where one of the impressive contribution to the stands is named game, not after his father. only in “It’s a great Tasmania, but honour after all on a national these years. Dad scale. His wouldn’t have recognition said much, (but) is richly he would’ve deserved,” been proud, he said. honoured.”

Graeme The legendary Gorringe Tasmanian was – who said GRAEME CORRINGE ON HIS FATHER HORRIE once described his father’s

by Collingwood playing great Gordon Coventry as “the style was often likened to that perfect footballer”. of legendary Hawthorn rover Two-time Brownlow Leigh Matthews – never saw his medallist Ivor Warne-Smith also dad play, but has lost count of the considered Gorringe the greatest number of times he was told about rover he had seen. Warne-Smith Horrie’s strength, speed and skills.

Cazaly said he’d have been a sensation over there (in the VFL)

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59

2011 I N DUC T E ES “I never got to see him play … dad never went (to the VFL) but (his great friend Roy) Cazaly said he’d have been a sensation over there,” he said.

“He loved a challenge – the harder it got, the better he liked it.”

At least five VFL clubs tried to lure Gorringe over Bass Strait, but his commitment to the family farm anchored him to Tasmania.

However, in an interview in 1986, aged 91, Gorringe admitted a slight regret at not testing himself at the highest level.

“Carlton said they’d buy me a farm if I went across. But I couldn’t leave. I’m a bit sorry I didn’t go for one season, I’m sure I would’ve done all right,” he said humbly.

One of Tasmania’s greatest sporting icons died in 1994 aged 99. His legacy, already set in concrete at North Hobart Oval, will live on in elite company as a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

NIALL SEEWANG

FACT FILE Born: July, 1895 Died: July, 1994 Career: Represented Tasmania as schoolboy in 1908 and played first senior game with Cananore at age 17 (1914). Played for Cananore in the Tasmanian Football League from 1914-30. Played in five TFL premierships for Cananore. Played in five state premierships for Cananore. Cananore club champion in 1928, winning the most consistent award.

Played numerous matches at representative level for league and state (including 1921, 1924 and 1927 carnivals). Voted Tasmania’s best player in famous victory over South Australia in 1923.

Voted Tasmania’s best player at Hobart carnival of 1924.

Named in a forward pocket in the Tasmania Team of the Century in 2004. Inducted in the Tasmania Football Hall of Fame and elevated to ‘Icon’ status in 2005. Member of the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame (inducted 1987). Main grandstand at North Hobart Oval is named in his honour.

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james hird essendon

J

ames Hird’s career at Essendon was marked by an incredible grace.

On the field, there have been few players in the modern game as elegant and graceful.

The champion half-forward also combined courage and class in 253 games over 17 years. Off it, there have been few as humble.

That modesty continues in retirement, with Hird, now Essendon coach, crediting others for his Australian Football Hall of Fame induction.

“It’s a great individual honour to be part of the Hall of Fame,” he said, “but I hope my teammates, the people around me and the club get a sense of their achievement within this as well. I’m the product of so many people putting time into me and helping me out.

“Hopefully, everyone else sees it as much their award as mine. To be remembered in the company of the people in the Hall of Fame is very special,” the 38-year-old said.

Hird had strong links to Essendon before the club drafted him with pick 79 in the 1990 draft from Ainslie in Canberra. His grandfather Allan Hird snr played 102 games for the club in the 1940s, including the 1942 premiership, before a stint as Essendon president from 1969-75 (he has a stand named after him at Windy Hill). James’ father Allan played four games for the club in 1966-67.

Having almost been cut by the Bombers after his first season, Hird engaged the help of Essendon football manager Danny Corcoran in 1992 to teach him how to train like a professional.

It worked and, despite serious injury setbacks throughout his career, Hird rose to become one of the finest, bravest, smartest footballers the game has seen.

Only weeks after playing a role in Essendon’s 1993 premiership

ON TOP: James Hird

was the toast of Essendon when he led the Bombers to the 2000 premiership, winning the Norm Smith Medal as well.

win, Hird, then 20, was pulled aside by assistant coach David Wheadon. Wheadon told Hird that, although he had achieved something special, Hird had to decide whether he wanted to go on and be a really good player, or just one remembered for having fleeting success.

Of course, Hird wanted more. He won the club’s next three best and fairest awards and the Brownlow Medal in 1996, elevating himself to superstar status.

In 2000, he captained Essendon to its 16th premiership and won the Norm Smith Medal.

Hird’s fierce desire to win that day encapsulated his career.

“There are a number of things football has given me, but most of all it’s given me friendships and people and experiences I never would have had,” Hird says. “Football has made me the person I am.”

CALLUM TWOMEY

FACT FILE Born: February 4, 1973 Recruited from: Ainslie (ACT) Debut: Round 1, 1992 v St Kilda Height: 188cm Weight: 90kg Games: 253 Goals: 343 Player honours: Brownlow Medal 1996 (equal); best and fairest 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003 (equal), 2007; Norm Smith Medal 2000; All-Australian 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001 (captain), 2003; International Rules Series 2000 (captain), 2004 (captain); Jim Stynes Medal 2000; leading goalkicker 1995, 1996; premiership sides 1993, 2000; pre-season premiership sides 1993, 1994, 2000; captain 1998-2005.

Brownlow Medal: career votes 125

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2011 I N DUC T E ES

mark ricciuto adelaide

M

ark Ricciuto is widely regarded as the greatest player in Adelaide’s 20-year history, and one of the best to ever play the game.

Ricciuto was “destined” to be great, according to inaugural Crows coach Graham Cornes, who coached the 17-year-old in his debut AFL season, 1993.

The burly teenager from the town of Waikerie in South Australia’s Riverland

GAME-BREAKER: Mark

Ricciuto could change the course of a game, either in the midfield or in attack.

I thought if I was ever going to get inducted, it wouldn’t be for a few years yet MARK RICCIUTO

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had undeniable talent, and the work ethic and determination to match.

He enjoyed a rapid rise to the AFL’s elite, earning his first All-Australian selection (on the interchange bench) in just his second season, aged 19 19.

It was the fir firstt off eight All-Australian selections, putting him in the same company as Geelong legend Gary Ablett snr and fellow Brownlow medallists Gerard Healy, Greg Williams and Robert Harvey.

His second All-Australian nod came in 1997, but it was little consolation considering the heartache he felt on Grand Final day a few weeks later. A serious groin injury had put a premature end to Ricciuto’s season, and he fought back tears as he watched his teammates overcome St Kilda to win the club’s first premiership.

“It was probably the hardest thing I’d ever had to deal with in my life at that stage,” Ricciuto said.

“My dream was to win a premiership. I think I got 10 hours of tattoos done in the week afterwards to try and take my mind off it. It was an injection of pain to try and take it away.”

Fortunately, Ricciuto had a second chance the next year.

And when the Crows toppled North Melbourne to win their second consecutive flag, he was “a happy man forever”. gy Ricciuto was seemingly destined to captain his club. H He th traditional raditiona was a leader in the mould, using his physical teammates. presence to inspire teammates When the Crows needed a lift around the ball, the versatile game-breaker would ofte move to the midfield and often cl a ance. When the win the clearance.

team needed a goal, he would park himself at full-forward, command the ball on the lead and mark it safely on his chest.

“One of Mark’s strengths was his ability to lea lead the way and lead ead by example exampl example,” Crows coach Neil Craig said. said “Mark s style sty e was w ‘Get out the “Mark’s way, I’ll do it. Fo Follow me guys’.

He was one of th those players you justt wanted to be b out there with.”

R reti Ricciuto’s retirement from thee AFL in 2007 didn’t spell the end d of his playing playin career. The Cro ows champion champio went back Crows to o Waikerie to win another premiership with the Magpies – 1 17 years after his first – and eenjoyed a stint with Prince Alfred College in the South Australian Amateur Leag A League.

He initially tthought his po ost-AFL exploits explo made him post-AFL ine eligible to be inducted into ineligible thee Hall of Fam Fame this year, and wa wass half expect expecting a phone call to ssay there had been a mistake wh hen it was rev when revealed he would be honoured. ““I thought if I was ever goi ing to get inducted, ind going it wo ouldn’t be for a few years wouldn’t yet t,” he said. “W yet,” “Whether you get ind ducted into th inducted the Hall of Fame or w win a Brown Brownlow Medal, wit th me it neve with never felt right. It’s a hug ge honour.” huge KATRINA GILL

FACT FILE Born: June 8, 1975 Recruited from: West Adelaide Debut: Round 6, 1993 v Hawthorn Height: 184cm Weight: 90kg Games: 312 Goals: 292 Player honours: Brownlow Medal 2003 (equal); 2nd Brownlow Medal 2004: best and fairest 1998, 2003, 2004; All-Australian 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 (captain), 2005 (captain); International Rules Series 1998, 2000; leading goalkicker 2006; premiership side 1998; pre-season premiership side 2003; captain 2001-07.

Brownlow Medal: career votes 146

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2011 I N DUC T E ES

michael voss

FACT FILE

LIONS LEGEND:

Michael Voss was a three-time premiership captain for the Lions.

Born: July 7, 1975 Recruited from: Morningside (Qld) Debut: Round 18, 1992 v Fitzroy Height: 183cm Weight: 88kg Games: 289 Goals: 245 Player honours: Brownlow Medal 1996 (equal); 3rd Brownlow Medal 2001 (equal), 2002 (equal); best and fairest 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001 (equal), 2003; All-Australian 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002 (captain), 2003 (captain); premiership sides 2001, 2002, 2003; Brisbane Lions co-captain 1997-2000, captain 2001-06.

Brownlow Medal: career votes 150

brisbane lions

M

ichael Voss is not someone who enjoys basking in his own glory, but one of the great captains of the modern era admitted to being humbled by his induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

After a playing career that spanned 289 matches, captaining the Brisbane Lions to three premierships, winning the Brownlow Medal, five All-Australian selections and five club best and fairest awards, it was more a case of when, not if, Voss would be inducted.

But the Lions coach said he rarely looked back at his accomplishments, and only now could he sit and reflect on what he had done.

“I’ve always been one who’s achieved a milestone and moved on pretty quickly because there are other things to get done. That’s been my personality,” he said.

“To be acknowledged is outstanding, but I also recognise the fact I couldn’t do it without my teammates.

“I keep saying it will be something I can look back on when I’m out of the game, but every now and then you get to sit back and give yourself a pat on the back.

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I also recognise the fact I couldn’t do it without my teammates MICHAEL VOSS

“This is something that sits with you; it will always be part of your name. It will always be on the honour roll and it’s a fantastic honour to have.

“I was coached by an absolute legend of the game in Leigh

Matthews and always admired what he’s done in the game and to be sitting in the Hall of Fame (alongside him) is very humbling.”

Voss said the Brownlow Medal he won in 1996 changed his career, but the successive premierships (2001-03) were what stood out.

He said the first one came with complete euphoria, the second relief and the third disbelief.

But two of the things Voss holds dearest will not appear on any honour roll or stats sheet.

Coming back from a horrific broken leg in 1998 to not only play again, but also win All-Australian selection the following year, despite an

enormous amount of pain and discomfort, was special to him.

And his role in helping put Australian Football on the map in Queensland was also a thrill.

“To think, when I moved here in 1987, we’d eventually win a premiership in Queensland with the Brisbane Lions, was ridiculous,” he said.

“I was one of two people at my school playing AFL and copped heaps day after day after day about playing the game.

“We talk about Hall of Fame but one of the things I’m most proud of is the fact I’m a Queensland ambassador and this game has grown enormously since I started playing.”

MICHAEL WHITING

JEFF GARLETT

Carlton’s forward road runner Pace ce is Jeff Garlett’s supreme apon, but he has also added weapon, efensive edge to his game. a defensive HOWA WA R D KOT TON

GIFTED TED BLUE: Jeff Garlett is aceful sight in full flight. a graceful

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T

here is a buzz of excitement among the Carlton faithful this season and it’s not only when skipper Chris Judd takes possession.

Generating as much noise from the stands is the graceful sight of the lightning-quick Jeff Garlett running towards goal, leaving opposition defenders in his wake.

The Blues haven’t had the tall timber in attack of Collingwood or Hawthorn. Jarrad Waite is their best tall forward. Andrew Walker has developed into an excellent medium forward capable of kicking a bag (as he did with six last week against Port Adelaide) and Setanta

O’hAilpin supplies the grunt while also helping in the ruck.

But it is the combination of Garlett and Eddie Betts that is providing plenty of headaches for opposition defenders.

Playing as a small forward is never easy, but Garlett is making a good fist of it. In his 40 games, his average of slightly less than two goals a game is respectable for a player of his ilk.

Pace is his supreme weapon as he sneaks out the back and swoops on the loose ball as the opposition defence, pressing forward to lock the ball in their forward line, runs back to try to catch him, often in vain.

But Garlett’s game is judged not purely by how many goals he kicks or how spectacular they are. In today’s game, there are other indicators, and the gifted forward is one of the best at the pressure skills that keep the ball locked in the attacking 50, part of the game in which Carlton has improved dramatically.

In 10 games this season, the 74kg Garlett has laid 35 tackles.

“In every game, my main focus is just to pressure, chase and tackle,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter how many goals I get in a game. Every team

is trying to create pressure in the forward line that helps the th midfielders and the defenders.” m Garlett realises that on the forward line there will be times fo during a contest, as well as d from game to game, that he will fr struggle for opportunities, but st his aim is consistency. h “I didn’t want to go downhill after having a good year last a yyear,” he said. “I feel I’ve done it so far, but I’ve still got half a season to go. se “If I’m having a bad game, I have to do something to get into the game, such as chase in and tackle. a “It’s not about how many disposals you can get. m Not everyone can be like N Chris Judd.”

C Garlett has been in Melbourne since the end of M 2008 but has not warmed to 2 the cooler climate. As he sits in th an air-conditioned room during a this interview, he wears his th Carlton beanie throughout to C ward off the winter chills after w a training session.

“I wish the weather was like Perth’s, but you’ve just got to get P used to it,” he said. “It’s so much u busier here with all the traffic b as well.” a

He misses family and friends in Western Australia, and has a constant reminder of home on his left arm where he has a tattoo in recognition of a family member close to him who was killed in a car accident.

After being given his chance in the NAB Cup in 2009, he was promoted from the rookie list to replace the injured Robert Warnock and made his debut in front of more than 87,000 against Richmond at the MCG. He made his mark, joining the group to kick a goal with their first kick at League level.

At the end of his first season, Garlett suffered a setback when he was suspended by the club for one match (along with Cameron Cloke and Betts), for failing to attend a compulsory recovery session after the round 21 match against Melbourne, in which Garlett booted four goals. But he has put that incident well behind him.

Last year was a breakout season for Garlett. As a nominated rookie, he managed 20 games and booted 39 goals, highlighted by a career-best six-goal haul against Essendon in round 19. That performance

earned him a nomination in the NAB AFL Rising Star award, in which he ultimately finished sixth with five votes.

His preparations for 2011 were interrupted by surgery on his left shoulder late last year and he missed the Blues’ NAB

round four, Garlett had a chance to win the game.

With the Blues leading narrowly in the dying moments, he marked inside 50 and instinctively played on. He thought he had the pace to burn off Dustin Fletcher, but

It’s not about how many disposals you get. Not everyone can be like Chris Judd JEFF GARLETT Cup matches. But he worked hard to ensure he was ready for round one.

“I tried to get out of it (surgery), but the club doctor wouldn’t let me. I had to do rehab and missed the NAB Cup,” he said. “It was lucky I did get it done because it might have got worse.”

This season has not been without its hiccups. In the draw with Essendon at the MCG in

the veteran Bomber was a bit too close for comfort, grabbing him in a matchsaving tackle.

“I should have gone back and taken the shot,” Garlett said. “I didn’t realise how close he was. He was going 100 miles an hour.”

Even last week against Port Adelaide, Garlett struggled early

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67

JEFF GARLETT in the windy conditions at AAMI Stadium, but had a much better second half, finishing with four goals.

It is clear Garlett is a different young man to the one who walked through the door at Visy Park after winning a spot on the Blues’ rookie list. He is still quietly spoken and shy, but there is an air of confidence about him that has come with self-belief.

After leaving his home state, it was tough to make the adjustment to an AFL environment, but the support around Carlton from indigenous teammates has helped.

There is a close bond between the Blues’ indigenous players.

Betts and Walker are the elder statesmen as they look after and nurture their younger teammates Garlett and Chris Yarran. “We all know how to work with each other,” he said.

Garlett has some family connections in Melbourne – players at other AFL clubs. His first cousins are Hawthorn star Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and North Melbourne’s Cruize Garlett, and Collingwood veteran Leon Davis is his uncle.

He does not see them as often as he would like because of conflicting training commitments, but they are there if he needs advice and support.

Garlett and Yarran live together, helping each other with their adjustment to life in a new, bigger city. “To come over here was hard at the start, to be away from family and friends,” he said. “Getting used to it is hard, especially when you’re on your own.”

Baggy Blue

FACT FILE

JEFF GARLETT

Born: August 3, 1989 Recruited from: Swan Districts Debut: Round 1, 2009, v Richmond Height: 180cm Weight: 74kg Games: 40 Goals: 76 Player honours: NAB AFL Rising Star nominee 2010 Brownlow Medal: Career votes 4

SNAPPING TO IT: Jeff Garlett says the Blues want to become more ruthless and take that extra step this season.

He and Yarran played in the same junior team (Midvale Junior Football Club) and at the same WAFL club (Swan Districts) before moving across the Nullarbor. Another young Blue, David Ellard, trod the same path.

Garlett is pleased to see how his housemate has progressed this season in his new role as a running backman.

“To change from being a forward to being a defender is a lot of work,” he said. “Seeing that transition to change is really good, especially in such a short period of time.”

After playing in Carlton’s finals campaigns in the past two years,

» Last year Eddie Betts (right) edged out Jeff Garlett as Carlton’s leading goalkicker, kicking 42 to Garlett’s 39, but this year the roles are reversed. Garlett and Andrew Walker lead the Blues’ goalkicking with 25 each, with Betts eight behind on 17.

However, the scoreboard does not tell the full story. After having a flat spot earlier this season, Betts has regained his mojo, working hard to keep the ball in the Blues’ inside 50 and creating scoring opportunities as well as kicking goals.

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38

Garlett is looking forward to the second half of the season. Sitting in fourth spot with a 7-2-1 record, the Blues are well placed to make it to September again and have an impact.

“We want to be ruthless as a team and go that extra step further in the season,” he said.

He shapes as an integral part of the Blues’ line-up as they attempt to finish in the top four for the first time since 2000.

“I’ve learnt a lot from my last two years since I’ve been here, the way that I play and the way defenders want to play on me,” he said.

The big difference is their kicking, particularly from a set shot. Walker has improved his ability to convert and Garlett was always confident from any distance or angle. He is equally adept from the 50m mark as snapping one over his shoulder.

Garlett, Betts and Walker are as competitive at training as they are on game-day when it comes to shooting for goal. Of his 10 shots at a practice session earlier in the day he met the AFL Record, Garlett’s chest welled with pride as he slotted two more goals than Betts.

“Everyone tells me that I’ve got to back my speed and not let them push on me – keep running them around because I’ve got the leg speed to do it.”

Ratten has seen the changes in Garlett, overseen his development and is full of admiration.

“He’s trained exceptionally hard,” he said. “He’s gone up on to the wing at times and been in a few centre bounces, which helps him get into the game.”

Garlett is thankful for the support from Ratten. “‘Ratts’ has been really good in the way I go about my footy,” he said. “If I get a spray, I’ll respond to it.”

Ratten is happy with his young forward’s output this season. “I think his consistency to have an impact in games has been really good,” he said.

“At times, maybe he has fallen away a little bit, but the ability to stay involved in the whole game and get something out of games has been a real plus for us. He’s just growing in confidence.”

“I still have to teach him a bit more,” Garlett ettt said with a grin. n.

There is always ayys plenty of fun and banter ter in the training track an and nd Betts’ avve been a baggy shorts have talking point in n the t media and among fans. Even his close clo ose mates such as su ure about his motives.

Garlett are unsure “He must be ashamed to show his a legs, I guess,” Garlett Ga arlett opined. ag ggy shorts.”

“I don’t wear daggy

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STEVEN BAKER

A human battering ram For a tough Saint, it has been 200 games and the longest 12 years of his life. BRUCE E VA

A

ppropriately, St Kilda legend Stewart Loewe handed Steven Baker his jumper in front of his teammates before his 200th game last Saturday night.

The former champion forward represented the entire St Kilda family as he embraced the nuggety defender. It was as much a thank you for the b i he h has h given i battering and taken since 1999 as it was a gesture aimed at extracting an extra effort for the looming showdown with Collingwood.

TOUGH AS NAILS: Steven Baker has

pushed himself to the limit to reach 200 games with St Kilda.

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Baker is the third Saint to reach the 200-game milestone this season. He was beaten to the mark by the club’s two star Nicks – Riewoldt and Dal Santo – who started their AFL careers two-and-a-half and three years later respectively than the bullocking 31-year-old.

Maybe that’s why Baker contradicts the popular view of long-serving players that careers fly by. Perhaps it’s also why he doesn’t shy away from confronting the finish line m either when it greets him this season or ne ext. next. king “I was just talk talking about it with Len nny Lenny (Hayes) the othe er day,” other Baker admitted d. admitted.

“Everyone ssays ays when they retiree or reach a milestone milesto one that it’s gonee really quicklyy – I reckon n it’s been th he the longes longestt 12 years o of my life!

“Loo oking “Looking back to 1999 and my first game, it se eems seems like a differe ent different lifetime. I honest ly didn’t honestly think I’d get anywhere anywherre near 200 games. As it is, I co ouldn’t couldn’t believe I’d got to 100 (in n the middle of 2005).”

Baker’s observations o on football are as blunt as his renow wned renowned uncompromising app proach approach on the field, a strategy strategy he acknowledges chee erfully cheerfully with, “I think I prob bably probably belong to another eera”.

Dealing with h his own football mortality mortality is one such subje ect. subject.

“I’m probably lo ooking looking forward to reti rement retirement more than I ev ver have,” ever he said.

“I didn’t th hink think when I gott to the

end that I’d be looking forward to retirement, but I’ve got the most I could out of my body.

“I’m still feeling all right for an old fella, so hopefully I can kick on for another year, but, if not, I won’t be too disappointed.

“I’ll gauge it on (the second half of) this season. If I still think I’m going to be of value to the team and if I’m playing good football around the end of the season, I’d want to play on. But if I think I’m going to be a liability, I’d hang the boots up.”

A knockabout from Colac in Victoria’s western district, the hard-nosed No. 10 – who will be remembered as one of St Kilda’s most ferocious competitors – has never forgotten his experience of elite-level football was almost doomed before it began.

Selected at No. 27 at the 1998 draft, Baker’s arrival at Moorabbin coincided with the start of Tim Watson’s two-year coaching reign.

“I missed the first training session under Tim. I had a big night out with Barry Hall. I was a bit in awe and a bit star-struck, so he took me out for a drink and I couldn’t keep up with him,” Baker said.

“I slept in the first day and Tim nearly sent me back to Colac after the first training session.

I had to work my bum off to get back in his good books for the next couple of years.”

Baker played just two games in 1999 (rounds two and three) and wasn’t seen again at AFL level until round 16 the following year, the weekend before Watson announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season.

Although the Saints were on their way to the only wooden spoon they’ve ‘won’ in the past 23 years, Baker’s impact was significant. He played the last seven games and finished equal ninth in the best and fairest.

However, that didn’t mean a lot when Malcolm Blight took over: “Malcolm didn’t really like me too much. He said I couldn’t baulk, so he didn’t think I was a flashy player.”

Third in the best and fairest in 2002 and winner of the award in 2005 confirmed that inability to baulk didn’t hold Baker back. Perhaps ‘flashy’ has never been an appropriate portrayal of him; fanatical and resolute are better descriptors.

He has overcome long suspensions and debilitating knee problems, but still plays his footy with a raw passion and zeal, leaving him at the top of the list for the big jobs on the big names.

Not surprisingly, Baker has clarity on his role, and modesty regarding his success at it. “I don’t really like saying I’ve got a scalp because it’s a lot harder to get the ball than to stop someone getting it.”

Famous battles with the likes of Chris Judd and Gary Ablett are a thing of the past for the full-time backman, who was a solid midfielder when his engine was bigger and legs younger.

Now, in the twilight of his career, Baker is embarking on a new life outside football, and the irony wouldn’t be lost on the dozens of players who have spent an uncomfortable afternoon or evening being shadowed and harassed by him.

He is an ambassador and salesman for health product company Free Life. Baker has an emotional attachment with the organisation after his mum recovered from illness and “changed her life” on one of its programs.

On the field on weekends, it’s still about making life miserable for opponents; off it on weekdays it’s about making people feel better about themselves. And ‘Bakes’ can certainly see the funny side of that.

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Our AFL history guru answers your queries.

STRIKE ONE: Magpie

Rene Kink evades Carlton’s Phil Maylin in the 1979 Grand Final, but it was the first of three consecutive Grand Final defeats for the Magpies.

Third time unlucky

Has any club ever lost the Grand Final three years in a row?

R. GAVIN, DAYLESFORD, VIC.

CH: Richmond lost to

Collingwood in the 1927, 1928 and 1929 Grand Finals by margins of 12, 33 and 29 points respectively. The Swans also lost three consecutive Grand Finals – against Richmond by 30

points in 1934 and opposed to the Magpies in 1935 and 1936, by 20 and 11 points. The famous black and whites were also the victims on two occasions – 1937-38-39 when beaten by Geelong (32 points), Carlton (15) and Melbourne (53), and 1979-80-81 when outscored by Carlton (five points), Richmond (81) and the Blues again (20).

GENUINE SENIOR FOOTBALLERS » Readers recently revealed two senior players from more than 60 years ago are still enjoying a healthy life. Syd Young played with Claremont in Western Australia before joining the navy in World War II. When based in Victoria, he represented South Melbourne in two matches during 1941. Today,

he regularly attends matches in Perth as a 93-year-old. A couple of weeks ago, George Wilson celebrated his 91st birthday. While serving in the army, the former Abbotsford player was selected in 10 games for Collingwood in 1942-43, and made two appearances for St Kilda in 1944.

Do you know of other senior players who are close to 90 or older, or who reached such an age before calling it a day? Should you have such information, contact Col Hutchinson on (03) 9643 1929 or col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

72

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col hutchinson NAME GAME

Hanley rocks Brisbane » The surname of the

Brisbane Lions’ Irish recruit Pearce Hanley seems to be very English. Indeed, Hanley is an established English name, deriving from Old English words hean (a form of heah meaning “high”) and leah, a clearing or meadow.

However, as in Pearce’s case, Hanley is also an English form of the Gaelic name Ó hÁinle, “descendant of Áinle”, Áinle being a given name meaning “champion” – a name which the Brisbane player may well live up to. Hanley is just the third of this surname to play League football, although variations of the name such as Henley and Handley have appeared from time to time. The O’Hanleys originated in the Irish county of Roscommon, where the town of Doohyhanly is named after them. The Irish name Pearce is a form of Piers and of Peter and ultimately comes from the Greek petros meaning “rock”. The surname of Essendon’s Tayte Pears is a variation of this name.

KEVAN CARROLL

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

BRAINS

answers at bottom of page

Spot the 7 DIFFERENCES between the 2 cards

Use the picto-clues to find out the AFL player’s name!

____ ______

Can you guess this AFL Player’s NICKNAME?

____

Hawks have been the AFL's most successful side of the last 4 The 50 years. How many Premierships have they won in that time?

A. 6

C. 10

D. 12

Silver CODE cards and enter codes to play

Answers: 1. Geelong Cats logo reversed, lighter eyebrows, missing tongue, longer shorts, sweatband on wrist, blank red background, nib backwards on footy 2. Adam Goodes 3. Joey 4. C

NEW!

B. 8

AS SEEN ON TV

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SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

FIVE TO FIND

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: The tape on Adam Goodes’ right hand extended; the red on Goodes’ teammate’s shoulder changed to blue; Goodes’ beard trimmed; Swans logo on Goodes’ shorts flipped; Goodes’ mouthguard changed to yellow.

E X TENDED P L AY T I M E The AFL Playground outside the MCG will continue to operate for the rest of the season due to popular demand.

The playground, the coolest fan zone for kids looking to test their footy skills and warm up before watching the footy, attracted more than 14,000 kids and families in the first nine

rounds of the season.

Located below Gate 6, the playground features activities of all types for kids, with club mascots also in attendance.

It is open 90 minutes before the start of the match until the end of the half-time break.

Visit afl.com.au/ playground for more information.

FREE ENTRY Scrambled Sc S crra am mb blleed Footballer: Fo F oot otb ba all ller er: Cryptic Cr C ryyp pti tiicc Footballers: Fo F oo ottb ba alllleerrss:: BI B IG MOUTH: MO M OU UT TH H:: BIG

74 AFL L RECORD R EC RECO RE CO COR ORD OR RD visit viis vvis isit it afl afl flrec record.com.au rree ord.com.au

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HOLMESBY Jordan Gysberts joins an elite group roup of n nominees. ominees. LUK E HOLM

T

his time last year, Melbourne’s Jordan Gysberts was hot property.

After barely putting a foot wrong in the first two games of his career, Gysberts earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination and looked to be one of the most poised young midfielders in the AFL. But he played only one more game for the year before returning to the VFL. A back injury in his first game back for the Casey Scorpions brought a premature end to his first season as a Demon.

He said he was particularly annoyed at the timing of his injury.

“I had two bulging discs in my back that kept me out for four or five months. It was really frustrating,” he said.

“I had just got a taste of the AFL, then I got injured and missed the rest of the season.”

Gysberts’ back problem is a distant memory as he has consolidated himself in Melbourne’s team.

He has been impressive this year and his 30-possession performance in Friday night’s win over Essendon earned him a second Rising Star nomination, exactly 12 months after his first.

Gysberts is the eighth player to be nominated for the award in consecutive seasons, following in the footsteps of Duncan Kellaway, Craig Callaghan, Michael Braun, Luke Power, Nathan Jones, Mark LeCras and Michael Hurley.

But he is far from Melbourne’s only bright young prospect.

Teammates Tom Scully, Jordie McKenzie and Jack Trengove all featured among the best last week.

Gysberts said he took as much pride in the performance of his peers as he did in his own efforts.

2011 NAB AFL RISING STAR NOMINEES

EXCITING TIMES:

Jordan Gysberts iss rs one of many players mons under 22 at the Demons who are hoping to develop together over the next 10 years.

Round 1 Dyson Heppell (ESS) Round 2 Luke Shuey (WCE) Round 3 Mitch Duncan (GEEL) Round 4 Jasper Pittard (PA) Round 5 Brandon Matera (GCS) Round 6 Jack Darling (WCE) Round 7 Zac Smith (GCS) Round 8 Shane Savage (HAW) Round 9 Reece Conca (RICH) Round 10 Jack Steven (STK) Round 11 Jordan Gysberts (MEL)

THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

1 “It’s been really good. The young guys have come in and had a real impact on the games.

We’re missing 10 of our best 22 and to see our young guys come in and do what they’ve done is really exciting,” he said.

“It’s good to see where we’re heading. Jordie McKenzie and I were pretty close together in and around the stoppages last week.”

Gysberts played local football with Norwood in Melbourne’s east alongside Demons teammate Sam Blease. The two were classmates at Yarra Valley Grammar School.

Gysberts also played representative basketball alongside Jack Watts, whom he said had taken his football to a new level this year.

“I played with and against Jack growing up. ‘Wattsy’ was a gun,” he said.

“It’s been good with Wattsy.

He’s looked a lot more comfortable out there. His confidence is high at the moment, he is playing good footy and hopefully we can keep seeing him develop as the year goes on.”

Much has been made of Gysberts’ arrival at Melbourne, which was facilitated after Carlton traded its first-round draft choice to the Demons for midfielder Brock McLean.

The Demons used that pick on Gysberts, who inherited McLean’s No. 5 guernsey.

He said he never felt any expectation to play to McLean’s standards.

“Not really. It didn’t really faze me; there wasn’t much internal pressure on me,” he said.

“He left on his terms, so that made it easier. It’s not like he was forced out.

Gysberts was close by when his now Demons teammate Sam Blease broke his leg on a lunch break when the pair was at Yarra Valley Grammar School.

2

He was one of the first to trial Nathan Buckley’s kicking test when it was unveiled at his school.

Eastern Ranges teammates Andrew Moore (now with Port Adelaide) and Matthew Scott (North Melbourne) were the others to test their skills.

3

He arrived at Melbourne in the same draft that brought Luke Tapscott, Tom Scully, Max Gawn, Jack Trengove and Jack Fitzpatrick to the club.

“We’ve got a lot of players under 22 and we’re trying to set that culture for the next 10 years.

“There are really exciting times down at Melbourne and we’re looking forward to growing together.”

Each week throughout the home and away season, a panel of judges will select the nominee for the 2011 NAB AFL Rising Star. At the completion of the season, one outstanding player will be chosen as the 2011 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.

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Applying data laterally to analyse and understand the modern game.

Maric ‘foot cannon’ highlights scoring anomalies

A

mid the blur of changes and technology surrounding the game, the fundamental score and scoring details are the humblest, simplest and most sought-after statistic of any. Yet it still surprises how difficult it is to get the basic details right, how even minor scoring ‘blips’ are so often mired in controversy, and how poorly the origins and meaning of the scoring system itself is understood.

Why is it that a goal is worth six points and a behind one?

Who made this ruling? How was it made and when?

When a shot at goal sails through the middle of the goal posts, but in transit is touched by the hand or comes off an opponent’s boot, for what reason is it ruled a behind? Who decided that? I can’t think of any other team sport that has a similar negative ruling.

Why, when a shot grazes a goal post, is it deemed a behind, even if it passes through the goal posts? And likewise, why is a scoring shot that grazes the inside of the behind post ruled out-of-bounds-on-the-full?

Aside from Gaelic Football and International Rules, football codes do not allow a goal from a handball, and in Australian Football there is the anomaly of two distinctly different types of kicks that can score. One of these is when the ball is held in the hand and propelled through 78

AFL RECORD

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NEW TRICK: Demon

Addam Maric’s claiming of a goal that wasn’t created a welcome discussion about football’s scoring system.

the goal posts by the foot.

And the other is the toe-poke, exotic in variety and far more prevalent now than in the footy of yesteryear.

Now, it seems, the footy universe has turned upside down ever since the round-10 Melbourne-Carlton game when young Demon Addam Maric celebrated and claimed a goal after his alleged ‘foot cannon’ with Blue Andrew Carrazzo’s boot propelled Carrazzo’s toe-poke over the goal line at Melbourne’s scoring end.

I applaud Maric’s ingenuity.

I recommend him to the statisticians’ Hall of Fame.

No one had ever previously imagined a ‘foot cannon’ and its consequences. In one fabulous stroke, he highlighted the wonderful anomalies and quirkiness inherent in our game’s scoring system. As a data analyst, I thought I knew all the tricks.

In the early days of Champion Data recording stats, the tables for total kicks and total disposals did not include ground kicks, because no possession

was involved. This changed immediately after the Brisbane Lions-Geelong game at the Gabba in round nine of 1997, when Geelong goalsneak Ronnie Burns was credited with five goals and zero disposals. Further video analysis revealed each of his five goals were from toe-pokes. He had no other kicks or handballs for the game.

When Maric burst forth with his ‘foot cannon’ claim, I anticipated a furore, followed by a raft of welcome discussion about scoring details and their meaning.

Surprisingly, the normally sage Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, in his role as a radio SEN commentator, quickly branded Maric’s exuberance “cheating”. In his view, by claiming something he knew was not a goal, Maric was blatantly attempting to influence an umpiring decision. Naturally, the claim created plenty of debate.

The circumstances were also enough to move four-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews to write a considered

column the following Wednesday for afl.com.au, linking the event to the broader philosophical life-picture of whether the ends justify the means.

Having played on Matthews early in my career – it was a rude awakening – I was not surprised when he concluded Maric’s behaviour acceptable as it reflected a will-to-win at all costs, as long as it was not outside the rules of the game.

A counter-argument appeared later that week, from the managing editor of AFL Media, Geoff Slattery, who wrote on afl.com.au: “Maric was neither cheating nor indulging in gamesmanship: he was just playing the game.”

Slattery invoked instances in cricket in which the captaincy principle had applied until recent times: take what comes, but accept all decisions, right or wrong, with equanimity.

As he argued, scoring expresses the heart of the game.

It requires the talent we admire, the luck of which can bless or curse, and the temerity to abide by the umpire’s decision.

The scoring characteristics of any field team sport form the core essence of what it is and how barrackers relate to it. The answers to the questions raised at the start are philosophical, cultural and technical.

Maric essentially ignited a debate about scoring and its relationship to the love of footy and its idiosyncrasies in this part of the world.

IF YOU KNOW THE BACKGROUND TO THE GAME’S SCORING SYSTEM, PLEASE EMAIL PETERD@SLATTERYMEDIA.COM.

TED HOPKINS IS A CARLTON PREMIERSHIP PLAYER AND FOUNDER OF CHAMPION DATA. HIS BOOK THE STATS REVOLUTION (SLATTERY MEDIA GROUP) WAS RELEASED LAST MONTH AND IS AVAILABLE VIA FOOTYBOOKCLUB.COM.

SHORT STORY COMPETITION BROUGHT TO YOU BY VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

The 2011 AFL Record Short Story Competition is open to all football enthusiasts. We’re looking for the ultimate short story on the 2022 AFL World Rules. Entries must be previously unpublished and no longer than 2000 words.

The winning entry will be published in the 2011 Toyota AFL Grand Final Record.

THE SHORT STORY COMPETITION HAS TWO GOALS: 1. To promote fine short story fiction

about Australian Football.

2. To fantasise about the future of Australian Football.

THE TOPIC

AFL 2022: the game has gone international, with professional teams playing in Zones across Asia, Europe, America, South America, the Pacific and Australia.

Every four years, the world unites to play for the AFL World Rules.

This is the story of the 2022 World Rules – the second since the inaugural event held in Australia in 2018, to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the birth of the game.

The first AFL World Rules was won by a team from Japan, beating Australia by two points (15.10.100 to 14.14.98) before 101,200 people at the MCG. The event is held from October 15 to November 20.

1ST 2ND 3RD

THE STORY MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:

How the game became international.

The Australian team is drawn from all leagues, including the AFL. The game took off internationally from 2013 with huge crowds across the globe.

Writers can concentrate on one Zone, describing the impact of the game on the local culture and how it has overtaken soccer as the “world game”.

The story can take the reader anywhere – from a team perspective, from an individual perspective, preparing for the series, the final ... Let your imagination run wild.

The Laws of The Game are broadly the same, but innovations can be included in the text.

Preliminary events must be held internationally.

Total word count must not exceed 2000 words, but must not be less than 1000 words.

2 V AUSTRALIA RETURN INTERNATIONAL PREMIUM ECONOMY FLIGHTS TO LOS ANGELES 2 PACIFIC BLUE RETURN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY FLIGHTS TO FIJI 2 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA RETURN DOMESTIC ECONOMY FLIGHTS

WIN !

Competition entry closes midnight, August 7 For entry and terms and conditions visit aflrecord.com.au/shortstory

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