AFL Record, Round 8, 2010 by The Slattery Media Group

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE A AFL FL GAME

PLAYERS WE LOVE

ROUND 8, 2010 MAY 14-16 $5 (INC. GST)

RYAN GRIFFEN

Michael Johnson Fremantle’s Mr Versatile

d r a d d o G r e t o o h s Straight Brendon

PWlus hy is

Paul Roo umpirin s g? PAGE 14

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents

Sporting anthems, inspirational music and a special medley of all AFL Club Songs

STARRING ROLE: Melbourne’s

Tom Scully had the ball on a string last week, winning 39 disposals and the round seven NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

A program full of inspiring sporting moments in music, including Chariots of Fire, Rocky, Phar Lap and John Williams’ Olympic Fanfare. Saturday 19 June at 7pm Sunday 20 June at 2pm the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall Book now at Ticketmaster outlets on 1300 136 166 or visit www.mso.com.au

ABC Grandstand the virtuoso sports broadcasters 100% pure footy live and uninterrupted on 774 ABC Melbourne

ROUND 8, MAY 14-16, 2010

Regulars

Features 57

Michael Johnson

Fremantle’s versatile big man stands tall.

Brendon Goddard

The star Saint is a hit on and oﬀ the ﬁeld.

Moments of the decade

The 2006 ‘Sirengate’ saga at Aurora Stadium.

4 11

PHOTO: MICHAEL WILLSON

The Bounce

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

Matchday

Stats, history and line-ups.

53 THIS WEEK’S COVER Brendon Goddard has taken his game, and his golf, to another level. Meet the St Kilda star on page 60.

Backchat

Your say on the football world.

Dream Team

Mr Fantasy, our Dream Team expert.

Answer Man

Kids’ Corner

NAB AFL Rising Star

Talking Point

Ted Hopkins on the ‘Hot Potato Shuﬄe’.

Sporting Scores is presented by arrangement with Raymond Gubbay Ltd

feedback

Your say on the world of football

EDITOR’S LETTER

Head injury guidelines under review

A national game

Congratulations to Geoff Slattery on some very as normal biased Victorian reporting (‘History preserved as Record goes digital’, round six) concerning the AFL Record and that magniﬁcent quote by Victorian Premier John Brumby: “We’re giving every Victorian footy fan the opportunity to look back on great moments.” Funny thing – I thought this was an Australian game. The VFL was one competition and the AFL is another, but Victorians seem to always confuse the issue by merging the two for statistical purposes. As normal, a very biased outlook. Thankfully, I have a choice and so I will not be purchasing an AFL Record again to fund Victorian clubs. MIKE PEARSON, NOVAR GARDENS, SA.

Editor’s response: The Victorian Football League started in 1897 with eight clubs, and new teams have been added progressively over the years. In 1990, four years after the competition expanded with the addition of clubs outside Victoria, its name was changed to the Australian Football League, in line with it being a national competition. Since 1990, more clubs have been added, including two from South Australia. Under the AFL’s management system, all revenue derived by the

VICTORIAN BIAS:

Our reporting of the AFL Record going digital did not sit well with a reader.

AFL from sponsorship, advertising, television broadcast rights and the sale of licensed products including the AFL Record is shared by the 16 clubs, i.e. distributed equally to them on an annual basis. This will continue when the AFL competition is further expanded in 2011 (when Gold Coast joins) and 2012 (Greater Western Sydney).

Double the fun on Fridays

With nine games requiring scheduling each week in 2012, one solution that has not generated much debate is playing a second Friday night game. All other regular timeslots feature multiple games. While the AFL may like to maintain this game

PRODUCTION EDITOR Michael Lovett WRITERS GENERAL MANAGER, MARKETING Nick Bowen, Ben Collins, Jim Main, Peter Ryan, Callum Twomey & COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS Paul Waldren SUB-EDITORS Gary Hancock, Howard Kotton AFL CORPORATE BUSINESS MANAGER STATISTICIAN Richard Simkiss Cameron Sinclair AFL RECORD CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Hutchison Geoﬀ Slattery DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR AFL RECORD EDITOR Sam Russell Peter Di Sisto

4 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

as a ‘blockbuster’ a event, increasing tthe number of Friday night games would ssolve one of the llargest inequalities iin the draw. Doubling the number of Friday night games o would give all clubs w ample opportunity to a play at this time. Rather p tthan experimenting with Monday or Thursday ith hM nights (these slots make players’ recovery challenging), or scheduling inconvenient Saturday twilight games, the AFL should make the most of the best timeslot for fans, television and players. DANIEL McCABE, ADELAIDE, SA.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send us your feedback. The best letter each round willl receive a copy of the AFL Record Season Guide 2010. Email aﬂrecordeditor@slatterymedia. terymedia com or write to AFL Record, Slattery Media Group, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC, 3008.

DESIGNERS Alison Wright, Daniel Frawley PHOTO EDITORS Natalie Boccassini, Ginny Pike PRODUCTION MANAGER Troy Davis PRODUCTION COORDINATORS Stephen Lording, Emma Meagher DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Adele Morton COMMERCIAL MANAGER Alison Hurbert-Burns

AFL CLUB ACCOUNT MANAGER Anthony Palmer ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Laura Mullins Advertising (03) 9627 2600 PHOTOGRAPHY Sean Garnsworthy, Michael Willson, Lachlan Cunningham AFL Photos (03) 9627 2600 aﬂphotos.com.au PRINTED BY PMP Print

� Comments made by Hawthorn’s Jordan Lewis (right) earlier this week are likely to have been noted by the industry, especially those monitoring the impact of head injuries. In the same week the AFL released its annual Injury Survey (see page 66), Lewis said he might have returned too soon after being concussed going for the ball in the round three match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. Lewis was carried from the ground on a motorised cart and returned to the action later in the game after being tested and cleared to resume by club medical staﬀ. He played the following week. Lewis admitted he had not felt right in the following weeks, and queried whether he should have returned without a break. “At the time, you do all the tests and you think everything’s OK, but when you’re actually out on the ﬁeld and you’re at that highintensity, you probably lack a bit of decision-making at the right time,” he said. The AFL’s protocols for concussion management have received global acclaim, however, it has asked concussion experts to “revisit” the guidelines and provide an update on the topic after recent research on the impact of concussion in other sports. PETER DI SISTO

ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO TheTHIS Editor,WEEK’S AFL Record,COVER Ground Floor, XXXX XXXXX 140XXXXXXXXXXXXX Harbour Esplanade, X Docklands, Victoria, 3008. Go9627 to aﬂ photos.com.au P: (03) 2600 F: (03) 9627 2650 E: peterd@slatterymedia.com to order prints

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AFL RECORD, VOL. 99, ROUND 8, 2010 Copyright. ACN No. 004 155 211. ISSN 1444-2973, Print Post approved PP320258/00109

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POWER AND PASSION Rd 7 Essendon v Port Adelaide, Etihad Stadium

SNAP SHOT

� Showing the type of raw emotion usually reserved for Showdowns, Port Adelaide’s Chad Cornes celebrates after slotting a goal from 35m to turn the game on its head. After Essendon had opened up a 21-point lead after half-time, Cornes’ goal was Port’s third in just over a minute. An errant kick to centre half-back from Bomber midﬁelder Heath Hocking allowed the Power utility to charge through the corridor and reduce the margin to just three points. Initially combining a mini-goose step with animated ﬁst pumping, Cornes completed his celebration with a huge roar aimed at the appreciative Port fans at the Lockett end. It was a critical moment. The Power eventually won an entertaining contest by three points to record their 12th win from the past 13 clashes against the Bombers. JEFFREY SICKERT PHOTO: ANDREW WHITE/AFL PHOTOS

6 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

AFL RECORD visit aďŹ&#x201A;record.com.au 7

WATER TORTURE

SNAP SHOT

Rd 7 Geelong v Sydney Swans, Skilled Stadium

� Phew! Keeping up with Geelong’s run-and-carry game is hard work and it’s always good to have a break. The Sydney Swans’ Tadhg Kennelly was his team’s best player at Skilled Stadium last Sunday (he had 25 disposals, took five marks and won four clearances), but even he needed to suck in the air and spit out his frustrations as the slick and speedy Cats belted the Swans in the final quarter. Sydney trailed by 29 points five minutes into the final term, only for the Gary Ablett-inspired Cats to kick the next seven goals to win by 67 points. It could be said the Swans went to water over the final 20 minutes. JIM MAIN PHOTO: MICHAEL WILLSON/AFL PHOTOS

8 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

AFL RECORD visit aďŹ&#x201A;record.com.au 9

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VIEWS NEWS FIRST PERSON FACTS DATA CULTURE

TAKING CARE: Older

players such as Simon Prestigiacomo are part of Collingwood’s rotation system to make sure they get through a long season.

LIST MANAGEMENT

Rotations keep Magpies ahead of the ‘rest’

NICK BOW EN

ollingwood brieﬂy stole an edge on the competition in late 2007 as the ﬁrst club to use high-volume interchange rotations. All other clubs have since embraced the practice, realising by constantly resting players during a game, they can play at a higher intensity throughout matches. Now, the Magpies appear to be driving another initiative that keeps players fresh and ready to perform at their best – let’s call it list rotation. NEWS TRACKER

Before last Saturday night’s clash with North Melbourne, Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was asked whether defender Simon Prestigiacomo’s return through the VFL that weekend – he had been missing with injury since round four – signiﬁed he was no longer in the Pies’ best 22. Malthouse’s response was typically to the point. “That’s where I think you don’t get it. It’s not that (Shane) O’Bree, (Tarkyn) Lockyer and ‘Presti’ don’t get a game because they’re not part of our best side,” he said.

“They are part of our best side. This is our system of making sure they play at a lesser intensity (in the VFL) or they have a week off in preparation for the weeks to come.” When asked whether Josh Fraser’s knee injury had come at an inopportune time, the inference seemingly that he could lose his ruck spot to Cameron Wood while on the sidelines, Malthouse expanded on Collingwood’s list-rotation policy. “An expanded bench is clearly not on the agenda this year but we’ve got an expanded list – we’ve got 46 or 47 players – and, to be a good football side, you need to understand that there’s going to be between 32-33 players, maybe 40, used on a yearly basis,” he said.

“And I’m not 100 per cent sure all of those players need to play all 22 weeks because the intensity of the game has been elevated over the last four to ﬁve years to new levels and, as a consequence, we’re seeing a lot more players fatigued (who are) not necessarily playing consistent football.” Malthouse said it was unrealistic to expect a player of Fraser’s age (28) to play all 22 home and away games in a season because veterans’ bodies took longer to recuperate. Similarly, he said ﬁrst- and second-year players could struggle for consistency if not rested throughout the year. Resting younger players is nothing new. In recent seasons, CON T IN U ED NE X T PAGE

Adam Cooney signs a three-year contract extension tying him to the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2013. AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 11

the bounce

clubs have regularly rested firstand second-year players, with a player such as Daniel Rich, who played all 24 of the Brisbane Lions’ games last year, the exception rather than the rule. Already this year, we have seen Richmond and Geelong rest first-year players Dustin Martin and Mitch Duncan because of “general soreness”, while you can be sure other teams will follow suit with their promising youngsters throughout the year. But rotating senior players through state leagues has been rarer. In the past, it has been done when a player has a particular condition or injury that requires careful management – the Brisbane Lions regularly left Alastair Lynch out of games in Perth after his return from chronic fatigue syndrome in the mid-1990s. Or by runaway ladder leaders who can afford to risk dropping games late in the season – last year, Geelong ruled out seven senior players with injury for its round 15 clash against the Brisbane Lions, then St Kilda ruled out six for its round 19 game against Hawthorn, with only one of those 13 players (Cat James Kelly) failing to return the following round. But the Magpies’ approach seems more systematic. Significantly, in addition to giving fatigued players a much-needed rest, it also exposes younger players – defenders Ben Reid and Nathan Brown in Prestigiacomo’s absence – to the Pies’ senior side. “Teams that try to get through (a whole season relying on their senior players) remind me so much of a basketball side that uses the full (starting) five all season,” Malthouse said. “The five interchange players don’t get seen until someone gets injured in the finals series. They go, ‘Oh, the bloke’s not up to it’. Why not? They weren’t prepared to give him game-time throughout the year.” Malthouse said it takes an “enormous amount of club courage” to rest senior players. But the benefits could be as great as those offered by interchange rotations. NEWS TRACKER

The Ben Cous S AYS H E WA N T S T O U S E H I S S T O RY T O G I V E O T H E R S H O P E . P E T E R R YA N

atching Ben Cousins on Fox Sports’ On the Couch was reassuring. The champion footballer was in good health, focused on the future; aware of the precipice he had placed his life upon. Not many steps away, he admitted, from his idea of a holiday. Only Cousins knows the detail of what he has experienced. That is his business. However, his willingness to share his view honestly without toeing a party line, without being falsely contrite, without yielding to the voices baying for remorse gives hope that his journey may give us an opportunity to understand the complex issues surrounding drug addiction. While he is careful with his words, he is not prepared to reinforce rubbish. Last Tuesday night, he stated:

• You can be addicted to drugs and have a passion for, and perform well, for a period of time, in healthy pursuits. In his case, it was football. People may not like facing that reality, but it is true.

• Eventually addiction – if it takes hold – will get the better of you. When you are in the midst of drug addiction, your welfare is not always your main concern. • You will need expert support and, importantly, compassion, to drag yourself out of a hole. Ask these questions: do we as a community show compassion to people addicted to drugs? Do we listen to the experts in the area on how to best manage such issues or do we bow to our prejudices? Said Cousins: “It’s (drugs) one of the biggest social problems we have but we probably know the least about it or understand it or treat it with very little compassion.” • Cousins faced a dual-edged sword: as an AFL player the structure that supported him also put pressure on him. As he said, “It’s easy to forget that the environment of the AFL industry, some of that has been counter-productive to my recovery.” And this on being tested: “That’s been a good safety net for us.” He knows not

FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE:

Ben Cousins believes his story can give hope to others in a similar situation.

PHOTO COURTESY FOX SPORTS

everyone gets that safety net. He knows he is both fortunate and unfortunate. • Many of the rumours that circulate about him were and are false. Some are dangerous. Some are laughable. Cousins said, in an even-handed way: “I’ve had to cop my fair whack. I think I would have liked the sports journalists to do a little more research in the actual condition of addiction before they make personal attacks on me. Because

OVERCOMING THE ODDS

New-look Port turns up the pressure C A L LU M T WOMEY

� Much has been said about the ‘new’ Port Adelaide, mostly relating to its seemingly heightened focus on pressuring the opposition. The walls in the Power’s rooms at Etihad Stadim last

Saturday suggested there’s substance to this talk, and that it’s not simply rhetoric. Gracing the walls were several big banners displaying messages or reminders of how the team is to play: ‘Run’, ‘Skilled’, ‘Relax’, ‘Tackle’, ‘Chase’ and ‘Conﬁdent’. All these elements were on display against Essendon, when Port came from 12 points behind at three-quarter time to overrun the Bombers. Power forward Brett Ebert impressed with three goals and 16 possessions. He said Port’s improvement this

season had resulted from the increased priority on applying pressure and winning more contested possessions. “Our tackling and pressure on the ball-carrier, as well as having numbers at the ball, have been really important,” the 26-year-old said. “The pressure, or perceived pressure, that we can put sides under causes turnovers and we have been capitalising on them. But, basically, it comes down to winning the hard ball. That’s been the main thing.” Last week was the fourth time this year Port has won after

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou expresses conﬁdence that AFL matches will be played at Adelaide Oval within four or ﬁve years.

12 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

sins interview

to use a football analogy, I think they’ve gone for the man a little bit, rather than the ball.” • Much of the understanding on drug addiction is poor and hopelessly communicated. No wonder Cousins said “to deal with this in a public forum is very, very difﬁcult.” No wonder the experts recommend a three-strike drug policy adopted by the AFL, rather than a name and

trailing at the last change – the others were against West Coast (round two), St Kilda (round ﬁve) and Adelaide (round six). It also continued the Power’s dominance over Essendon; they have not lost to the Bombers since 2004, and have won 12 out of their past 13 encounters. Ebert said Port went into the last term with plenty of conﬁdence. “Against Adelaide, we were down at three-quarter time and came back and won because we gave ourselves a chance. We knew we could come back if we kept playing the way we had,” he said.

NEWS TRACKER

shame approach, when it comes to illicit drug use; this is still a matter that is constantly confused. The use of performanceenhancing drugs in the AFL is an offence dealt with immediately by the AFL Tribunal. The sanctions for those found guilty are long. Cousins’ situation is unique in that he is an AFL player, under constant scrutiny, earning a good income. What he faces as a recovering addict is not, to some extent at least. People dealing with drug addiction or who have family members in the midst of the situation will know better than anyone the life Cousins faces, and the reality of his day-to-day existence. Poor decisions and good decisions will be made on the journey. Good outcomes and horrible outcomes will happen. Some individuals will have access to services and support, others won’t. Some will have other issues that contribute to making the addiction less manageable. Some will have the education or a skill that makes emerging

from the cloud of addiction easier. Some events will be related to the drug addiction; some will not. Cousins said his journey was “a huge opportunity to use my story as a positive one to give other people with my condition a bit of hope because it’s an area that lacks real leadership and role models for other people that are struggling with the same condition.” He agreed with the position put by Herald Sun journalist Mike Sheahan, that “unfortunately”, ‘once an addict always an addict’. The issue he raised of role models is complex. Cousins shows that, with support and courage and pain and understanding and counselling, and probably ﬁnancial capacity, addiction can be fought. This may prove inspiring to some, but who knows? What will be helpful is if we can learn from his experience. Don’t pontiﬁcate. Listen. Maybe if we create an environment in our workplace, our family, our community where those battling with drugs, and their families enduring the

The win was the Power’s fifth of the season, and highlighted how Mark Williams’ team can win in different circumstances. Criticised for winning ‘ugly’ in round five against St Kilda, Port kicked 16 goals against the Bombers, with its key forward Warren Tredrea out of action for most of the game with a serious ankle injury (he is likely to miss 12 weeks). Despite this, the attack was potent with the return of Daniel Motlop from injury and Justin Westhoff floating down from the wing to kick three goals.

“Our forward line defi efini efi efin nite nitely nitteely elyy el worked pretty well together,” gether ge get eth the her errr,” ,” Ebert said. “We use thee defensive defe deefe def d feensi nsive n ns siv ive vee stuff to get ourselves in n the tth hee game and then believee that th tha that att the thee th offensive stuff – the goals, oals, o oa oal alss, g als, goal go goa oal all assists and scoring opportunities pportu ppo p pp por p ort o rtu rrt tu unit nities n ni itie tiie ies eess – will come eventually.” y” y. y.” Indeed, those opportunities rtunitie rt rtu tun uni nittie nitie iees es are emerging. The Power’s wer w err s eer’ victories this season have havvee ha hav been by an average of only 10 points.

I’ve had the opportunity to get my life back on track BEN COUSINS

worry – at whatever level – can feel more conﬁdent that, by admitting they have a problem, they will not frighten others or be alienated from the stable parts of their lives, then more people may act earlier. Many factors would have led to Cousins hiding his drug use at West Coast. He said, when he had been discovered, he had lost faith in authority. He was suspicious of motives. They are factors many of us would understand at some level. West Coast did not appear to know what to do. Again, we can relate and empathise. Now he’s back playing because he loves the game. He has every right to do so for as long as he is able to. He believes he has some good footy left. He is living. “I’ve had the opportunity to get my life back on track, and people have got to remember, too, that I am well into my second year away from that,” he said. “I’ve rolled up my sleeves and had a crack and I’m still here.” That is an approach worthy of respect, understanding and ongoing support.

WELL BALANCED: Brett Ebe Ebert’s E Eb beert’ ber rt’s t’ss per perfect p pe erf rfe fec ect ct

m slot ssl slo lot ott through tth hroug hr h hro rou ough oug ugh gh h kicking style helped him three goals last week.

Brisbane Lion Josh Drummond undergoes radical LARS surgery to speed up his recovery from a torn ACL in his knee. AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 13

the bounce

NEW CAMPAIGN

Stars throw their support behind umpires

SUPPORT: A mix of AFL identities including Chris Judd, Mike Fitzpatrick, Leigh Matthews, Brett Ratten, Tom Harley, Brad Scott, Ross Lyon, Leon Cameron and Adrian Anderson helped ﬁlm the advertisement supporting umpires.

C A L LU M T WOMEY

t takes something significant to get the likes of Chris Judd, Leigh Matthews, Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Richardson, Tom Harley, Brad Scott, Ross Lyon, Brett Ratten, Adrian Anderson and Leon Cameron together on a Saturday morning at a local footy ground, but such was the case last week as they gathered to launch the AFL’s ‘Umpiring is Everyone’s Business’ campaign. Convening at Brighton East’s Hurlingham Oval in Melbourne’s south, the assembled crowd of current and former players and coaches and administrators joined forces with the general public as Channel Seven filmed a television advertisement highlighting how abuse by spectators is turning young umpires at grassroots level away from the game at an alarming rate. Statistics show that, while the demand for umpires at community level is increasing, there are not enough umpires to match the demand, with 20-25 per cent of umpires each year giving the game away due to “poor match-day environments”, specifically the abuse they receive from the sidelines. Along with the television advertisement, which will air for the first time at half-time of Channel Seven’s broadcast of the Fremantle-Collingwood match on Friday night, other elements NEWS TRACKER

You can’t have a game without umpires, and, therefore, we’ve got to have respect for them

of the campaign the football include senior community and assistant takes umpires AFL coaches for granted. umpiring junior “When we matches, AFL all step back LEIGH MATTHEWS coaches shaking from the emotion umpires’ hands of the contest, we before each game realise that you can’t and a poster featuring Hawthorn have a game without umpires coach Alastair Clarkson, St and, therefore, we’ve got to have Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt respect for them. That’s why and All-Australian umpire Brett this campaign is so important,” Rosebury to be distributed to every he says. club and league in Australia. “You can’t expect umpires And, this weekend, AFL to be perfect in terms of their umpires will wear light green decision-making because they’re uniforms, the same colour worn going to make mistakes and it’s by new umpires at community something we really shouldn’t lev level to alert worry too much about. pla players, coaches “I know we probably all an and spectators have been guilty of yelling at th that the umpire the umpires in our footy is learning. supporting days, but if we The campaign take a step back and know is aimed at it’s not a good thing, then a all levels of that’s a fair step forward.” tthe game but Judd, who umpired as a junior, eespecially at says players don’t spend time tthe grassroots, thinking about bad decisions with those and fans should do the same. behind it “We spend so much time aiming to analysing our own games create less and where we can improve, iintimidating i id rather than thinking about match-day environments. where the umpires got it right Matthews, whose and wrong, and I think that’s ﬁve-year-old grandson Ky recently probably the way everyone started NAB AFL Auskick, says should be,” he says.

Roos does his part

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos is one of several coaches and assistants supporting the ‘Umpiring is Everyone’s Business’ program. Roos recently umpired an under-14s match between Glebe and the East Sydney Bulldogs, for whom his son Tyler plays. Roos told the Sydney Morning Herald he enjoyed the chance “to educate kids about footy”. Other coaches, including Collingwood’s Mick Malthouse also recently umpired local games.

Sydney Swan Shane Mumford suspended for two games for rough conduct on Geelong’s Gary Ablett.

14 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

the bounce

T H E O L D F OX W I N S

COACHING RANKS

Mutual respect unites master and apprentice NICK BOW EN

f Brad Scott was feeling the pressure as his ﬁrst clash with former mentor Mick Malthouse approached, he was not showing it. At least not at the media conference on the eve of last week’s CollingwoodNorth Melbourne game. Predictably, when the questions began, Scott was asked what it would be like to coach against the man he’d worked under for three seasons at the Magpies. Scott’s answer suggested his mind was on winning the game, not on proving his worth to his former boss. “It’s a great opportunity for us, particularly for our young players, to play Collingwood,” Scott said. “It will be a good test for where we’re at.” Nonetheless, Malthouse soon made it clear Scott had little to prove to him. “I’ve always said, with a senior coach, you look at the personality of the coach and, over a period of time, the

FRIENDLY FIRE: Alastair Clarkson

and Damien Hardwick meet this week as opposition coaches.

team, if it respects that coach and is responding to that coach, reflects his methodologies and reflects his personality,” Malthouse said. “And right now when you look at North Melbourne play, you’re seeing a lot of Brad Scott. It’s a very good point to have as a young coach and there’s no reason why he can’t be a career coach.” It’s the type of relationship often formed between a senior coach and his assistants as they log long hours together in search of a premiership. But when assistants like Scott leave to pursue senior coaching roles in their own right, they become the ‘enemy’ – at least for one or more matches a season. It’s this altered relationship dynamic Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will experience for the first time when he pits wits with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson this round. Hardwick was an assistant coach to Clarkson at Hawthorn

from 2005 until his appointment at Richmond at the end of last season; Clarkson had earlier been an assistant at Port Adelaide during Hardwick’s ﬁnal two seasons as a player, 2003-04. Other coaches to ‘face off’ with their one-time mentors this year include Port Adelaide’s Mark Williams with Melbourne’s Dean Bailey (Williams leads 2-1) and Williams with Clarkson (Williams leads 5-2), Sydney’s Paul Roos with St Kilda’s Ross Lyon (Lyon leads 5-2, including round one, 2010) and Roos and the Bulldogs’ Rodney Eade (Eade leads 4-3 but Roos can square the ledger this weekend). Next year Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna will take on Malthouse while, in 2012, the old master Kevin Sheedy resumes against former Essendon assistants Mark Thompson (5-6 in the Geelong coach’s favour), Mark Harvey (0-1 to the Fremantle coach) and Williams (4-10 to the Port coach) as coach of Greater Western Sydney.

� David Parkin’s two stints as Carlton coach brought a period of sustained success to Princes Park. His first (1981-85) produced back-to-back premierships in 1981 and 1982, and the second (1991-2000) saw the Blues win the 1995 flag. But the man he admired and respected at Hawthorn – John Kennedy snr – indirectly plotted his demise first time around at Carlton at the end of the 1985 season. After retiring as a player with the Hawks at the end of 1974, Parkin had a brief stint in Western Australia and then returned to Glenferrie to work under Kennedy before taking over as senior coach in 1977. Like many, Parkin (right) never imagined Kennedy would return to senior coaching ranks, but he did in 1985 when North Melbourne lured him to Arden St. They met three times in 1985 and the master won twice, including the elimination final at Waverley Park that ended Parkin’s first stay with the Blues. Parkin and former Carlton star Robert Walls, who had coached Fitzroy from 1981-85, swapped jobs the following season before Parkin returned to the Blues in 1991. In mid-1989 Walls had been sacked and replaced by another ex-star, Alex Jesaulenko.

CHRIS KENNER

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16 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

the bounce

PLAYERS WE LOV LOVE VE

Ryan Griﬀen WESTERN BULLDOGS

SPACE INVADER: Ryan Griﬀen often ﬁnds the ball in space for the Bulldogs.

� It’s not just because Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen resembles the iconic Iggy Pop from the cover of The Stooges’ classic self-titled 1969 album that he attracts attention. When Griffen gathers the ball in space, particularly at pace, he makes things happen. He is a big-boned runner who swoops on the ball and uses it beautifully. His match-winning goal last week happened because he combined his athleticism with persistence, tracking the ball as it spilt free, picking it up cleanly and swinging it back around his body. His shot at goal in the third quarter when he also swung the ball around his body was like watching Rafael Nadal smash a forehand winner cross court. It was low and flat – and only just marked on the goal line by a Demon. It’s not such an unusual sight, as his foot skills are sublime; he drills the football low and hard and direct. Last week wasn’t his best game overall – the wet conditions tested everyone – but he’s on track in 2010 to record his most consistent year since

his debut in 2005. Entering the prime of his career at 23 and with 104 games and eight finals behind him, he has always been a must-watch on the highlight reels, his blind turn that left Geelong’s Gary Ablett clutching air during a match in 2005 is one of the moments of the decade. His evasive skills also came to the fore early in 2008 at the Docklands D when he shimmied s around S St Kilda’s Jason Blake, sslammed home the goal g and made us realise re some players carry talents others c o only dream of. However, it’s the less obvious components of his game that make Griffen one out of the box. When his confidence is up, he is an extraordinarily hard runner who aims to create extra numbers around the ball. He sprints like a professional athlete would, lifting the legs high and pumping his arms in the direction he is heading. It’s this work rate that makes him a superb finals player. He has never let the Bulldogs down at the business end and showed again last week, with the help of his hard-working partner in crime Adam Cooney that, when the game needs to be won, he is the man for the job. PETER RYAN

There’s a fresh new team in the AFL You won’t believe the big names lining up for 3AW in 2010. New recruits Brian Taylor, Tim Lane and Richo will join cult hero Dennis Cometti, Robert Walls and ‘Lethal’ Leigh Matthews. And there are even more names on our team sheet. Like Tony Shaw, Mike Sheahan and footy’s First Lady, Caroline Wilson, just to name a few. With a fresh new team like this, in 2010 Melbourne’s own 3AW is football.

Home team v visitors tonight

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 19

the bounce

WINNING RUN

Crows keen to continue streak

� Adelaide will hope its opening win of the season, against Richmond last Sunday, is a sign its season is back on track. The Crows’ next opponent, North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium this Saturday night, should provide a more accurate guide to their 2010 hopes than the Tigers. But they will take a significant psychological edge into the match, having beaten the Roos in their past eight clashes by an average of 35 points. Adelaide’s winning streak is the second longest active run in the AFL, behind St Kilda’s 11-game streak against Richmond. It began in round 18, 2004, when Neil Craig was coaching the Crows for just the fifth time – as a caretaker coach following Gary Ayres’ departure. However, this season has not been a good one for winning streaks. Last round, the then longest streak, 12, came to an end when St Kilda was thrashed by Carlton. Geelong’s sevengame streak against Fremantle also ended in round three, while, significantly, the hold the Crows had over Carlton and the Sydney Swans – seven and six games respectively – were broken in rounds four and two.

Longest current winning runs 11 St Kilda v Richmond from round 19, 2003 8 Adelaide v North Melbourne round 18, 2004 8 Sydney Swans v Richmond round seven, 2006 7 Geelong v Swans round 20, 2006 6 Fremantle v West Coast round 18, 2007 6 Hawthorn v Carlton round 17, 2005 6 Port Adelaide v Essendon round nine, 2005

Winning runs broken in 2010 12 St Kilda v Carlton ended round seven 7 Adelaide v Carlton round four 7 Geelong v Fremantle round three 6 Adelaide v Swans round two NICK BOWEN

NEWS TRACKER

EQUIPMENT

Is it time to redesign the football? TED HOPK INS A ND DA R R EN O’SH AUGHNESSY

t is a credit to football people and particularly the game’s administration that an average of around 28 goals a game has remained fairly constant over the past 40 years. It is our contention that scoring systems are the essence of any sporting code. If scoring trends run too far ahead or too far behind expectations, it is usually a sign of trouble, often leading to dissenting calls for an uprising. Ultimately, it is the unique scoring characteristics of our game, along with the specific rules, that define our code. As pointed out in the round six edition of the AFL Record, both these elements (scoring expectations and changed boundary line rules) converged at the start of the 1969 season, with profound ramifications on how the game would progress. In that round six column (‘Let’s get it straight, accuracy is not in decline’), it was outlined that before 1969 (when the out-on-the-full rule was also introduced, and players started predominantly using the drop punt instead of higher-risk kicks such as the torpedo and moved to more comfortable boots) footy was a relatively low-scoring affair. In the 1960s, there was an average of 22 goals a game, with a scoring conversion rate of 47 per cent. Indeed, it is truly remarkable, given the changes in football and in society over the past 40 years, that, each season and decade, the number of goals scored pans out close to about 28 a game. Also notable during this same period is the consistent scoring conversion rate, which has hovered around 52-54 per cent a season. The other significant item that has remained unchanged

IN GOOD SHAPE:

Dr Firoz Alam tests a Sherrin football.

for the past 40 years is the shape He notes soccer, rugby, golf and and construction of the mighty tennis as examples of codes that Sherrin football. have taken on board technology Scoring conversion has upgrades in ball aerodynamics as become a hot topic. Why on a means of regulating features of earth do players miss obvious the game, therefore making them sitters, especially when they are more attractive to participants now fully paid professionals and fans. who should do better? It’s an “In comparison, AFL belongs often-heard query. to another category of codes that The dismay felt at players have not embraced changes in missing seemingly simple shots ball technology,” Dr Alam says. at goal appears to have led to Dr Alam is researching a widely held conviction that the aerodynamic behaviour scoring accuracy is in terminal of the Australian football. In decline, when in fact it has addition, his research group is slightly improved over time. also looking at various shape From the players’ perspective, designs and their effects on a reason goalkicking can be so aerodynamic performance. unreliable is the difficult act The preliminary study has of kicking itself: dropping the revealed that the aerodynamic ball a metre or more to within behaviour of the Australian millimetre precision while in football is significantly different motion and on to a fastfrom other spherical balls swinging boot is and it has extremely There is not easy. complex and erratic another There is flight trajectory. another Why do we dominant factor dominant think the time influencing factor may have arrived scoring influencing to consider scoring changing the conversion – the conversion ball’s specifications Sherrin itself – the Sherrin and, consequently, itself. its dynamics? The head of If zoning and flooding, RMIT University’s sports scrimmages, excessive handball aerodynamic research group, Dr and increased stoppages reach Firoz Alam, describes our ball as plague proportions leading to displaying “highly erratic flight a trend in fewer goals scored behaviour”, due mainly to its each game, improving the flight stitched and laced construction. characteristics of the ball is “Given the current ball status, likely a more effective regulatory it is most unlikely scoring instrument for redress than accuracy will improve beyond rule changes. current levels, irrespective of The ability to direct a faster how much practice players do,” and more reliable trajectory Dr Alam says. kick would encourage open play

Essendon captain Jobe Watson agrees to a three-year contract extension, keeping him at Windy Hill until 2013.

20 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

and likely contribute to higher scoring conversion. A similar situation has occurred in soccer. Ofﬁcials and ding the public prefer a game yielding als an average of two or three goals a game. However, emphasis on structured defensive systems can easily result in too many zero-goal games. Soccer is conservative when it comes to making rule changes. But the willingness to improve the ball dynamics has proved spectacular, with the new-style ball having produced a more exciting brand of play that still accords with public expectations of average goals scored. The AFL industry should take heed of what is happening in other codes. Game development is another reason for a change, particularly in relation to the stated objective of building overseas markets. In so many parts of the world, the size of available ﬁelds is limited. A decent roost of the Sherrin can cover at least 60m or more. On some grounds overseas, it can mean a full-back can play on from a kick-in to himself, run a short distance and have a shot on goal. A ball designed to travel less distance but with quicker and more accurate trajectory makes sense in such cases, and certainly for junior development in Australia. We also think it could be a lot of fun mucking around with a new Sherrin.

Evolution of the football

EARLY VERSION � An inflated pig’s bladder wrapped in a simple leather outer was the rugby ball of choice used in the first days of football. � The aerodynamic properties of an Australian football have significant effects on its flight trajectory. Spinning, crosswinds and the inherent asymmetry of the ball all play a crucial role in its mysterious flight trajectory. It takes elite sports players a long time to hone the skills required to kick the ball accurately. Although a number of studies have been conducted on tennis, cricket and golf balls, there is limited knowledge of the Australian football’s aerodynamics. Over the years, the design of many sports balls has changed, with technologically driven improvements making them more accurate and aerodynamically efficient. For example, adidas, the official supplier of balls to soccer’s governing body FIFA, has used thermal bonding to replace conventional stitching. The ball to be used at this year’s World Cup has a seamless

MASS PRODUCTION � By the early 20th century, footballs were in mass production in Victoria and Western Australia. surface design and an improved carcass shape. It differs significantly from previous balls in that it has only 14 curved panels, rather than the previous 32-panel ball that had been the standard since 1970. Conversely, the Australian football has not significantly changed in more than 100 years. According to The Australian Game of Football, the earliest balls used (in the 1850s), were made of leather casings inflated with a pig’s bladder. They varied in shape and size, though they were predominantly round. When the Victorian Football Association was established in 1877, specifications for the ball were stipulated: it had to be around 66cm in circumference and oval in shape. “The use of a rubber bladder ensured the size of the ball was now more consistent; durability also improved but balls still lost their shape and lacing,” the book says. “During the 1870s,

TODAY ODAY � The modern AFL football, made by Sherrin, features a latex bladder and canvasbacked leather outer. Thomas William Sherrin – son of English immigrants who arrived in Australia in 1847 – worked at a Collingwood saddlery. Sherrin played football for Brittania, a local ‘junior’ club (and the forerunner of the Collingwood club), and balls from various clubs in the area were often sent to him for repairs. “In 1879, Sherrin set up a factory in Collingwood, and began manufacturing footballs. “The Sherrin process today is to match groups of four panels (similar in feel and stress pattern) and to back the leather with canvas, which assists in water-prooﬁng and holding the ball shape. The ball is then ‘three-quarter sewn’ inside out (i.e; three of the four longitudinal seams are machine sewn, canvas side facing out), before being pushed into shape from within. The bladder is then inserted, and the ﬁnal seam is hand-stitched – the entire process takes 22 minutes.”

,7¶6 )227< :,7+287 7+( 58/(6 For a no holds barred view on everything footy, join Gerard Healy and Dwayne Russell, 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday. Sports Today - only on 3AW 693.

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 21

the bounce

PRE-SEASON FORMAT

New clubs to contest revamped NAB Cup

AFL 200 Club Paul Chapman Geelong Chris Judd Carlton

150 games

NICK BOW EN

their 2009 NAB Cup title.

reater Western Sydney looks set to join Gold Coast in a proposed NAB Cup competition next season that will include 18 teams and an innovative first-round when each team will play two 40-minute games in a ‘lightning football’ format. The AFL announced the proposed changes to its pre-season competition last week, with chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan saying the planned model had been selected after several 17-team formats had been ruled out. With Gold Coast entering the AFL in 2011 as the competition’s 17th club, McLachlan said the NAB Cup could no longer be played in a four-week knockout format. “We had examined a number of options around a bye for one team, or a qualification match to get into the main draw for

the NAB Cup, but none of those options worked on a fairness basis,” McLachlan said. Once the decision was made that an 18-team competition would be fairer, McLachlan said it was logical Greater Western Sydney should be the 18th team, even though it would still be a year away from entering the AFL, in 2012. McLachlan stressed Greater Western Sydney had yet to be conﬁrmed as that team but said, if it was, it would most likely be able to supplement its existing list with players from state leagues. Under the proposed format of next year’s NAB Cup, teams will be divided into six pools of three for round one, each team in a pool playing the others in shortened games of two 20-minute halves, with all three pool games played on the same day.

Luke Ball Collingwood Campbell Brown Hawthorn

CHANGE: The Bulldogs will be part of a diﬀerent format when they defend

For instance, if the pool matches were played at night, McLachlan said, the ﬁrst match would start at 7.40, the second at 8.35 – with one of the teams from the ﬁrst game taking a 65-minute break – and the last at 9.30. The teams with the best records in each pool, along with the two sides with the next best records, would then progress to week two of the competition. Weeks two-four of the NAB Cup would then revert to the knock-out format of recent years, with all losing teams playing the remainder of their pre-season games in the NAB Cup Challenge series. McLachlan said club CEOs had been briefed on the proposed competition and had responded positively. “We received a lot of feedback from clubs that three full-scale pre-season matches

100 games Steven Dodd Fremantle

50 games Scott Harding Port Adelaide Matt Campbell North Melbourne The list includes those not necessarily selected but on the verge of milestones.

was the right number for them in terms of their preparation for the premiership season,” McLachlan said. He said the AFL’s football operations general manager Adrian Anderson would begin a detailed consultation process with club football departments to ﬁnalise key details of the new competition.

G R E E N L I G H T F O R W O R L D S TAG E

AFL gets all clear to continue during World Cup � The AFL season will not be interrupted if Australia’s bid for the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup is successful after the AFL signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Government last week, pledging its support for the bid. The agreement, also signed by the Australian Rugby Union, the National Rugby League and Football Federation Australia (FFA), recognised the AFL and Australia’s other national football codes fell outside the category of “major competitions” banned from running during NEWS TRACKER

the World Cup by international soccer’s governing body, FIFA. While the AFL season will continue during an Australian World Cup, the AFL has agreed to relinquish its rights to the MCG, Geelong’s Skilled Stadium, Gold Coast Stadium, Subiaco Oval and Adelaide Oval for 10 weeks before and during the World Cup. AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou told a media conference at AFL House on Monday the agreement was “great news” for the AFL. “We just wanted to make sure we could get continuity of our season,” Demetriou said. “But we did need to understand and actually make

it clear that we weren’t going to halt our season for 10 weeks. That was the most important, signiﬁcant thing.” Demetriou said up to 90 AFL matches would need to be moved to alternative venues during the World Cup. The WACA and AAMI Stadium would most likely host games in Perth and Adelaide during that time, and more matches would be played at Etihad Stadium, including blockbusters normally played at the MCG, he said. Demetriou said some Victorian games were likely to be shifted to Tasmania, Darwin and Canberra, as it was unlikely Visy Park would be used.

The AFL’s chief operating oﬃcer Gillon McLachlan said clubs which had home games relocated during the World Cup would be compensated under the agreement, but the terms were yet to be determined. McLachlan said the agreement placed no obligation on the AFL to avoid scheduling games on the same day and in the same state as a World Cup match, but said it would “work to avoid that”. Demetriou reiterated the AFL had always supported Australia’s World Cup bid. “All matters are now resolved and we, like all Australians, will continue to throw our support behind Australia’s bid for the soccer World Cup.”

North Melbourne midﬁelder Liam Anthony set to miss three months following a shoulder reconstruction.

22 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

NICK BOWEN

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MICHAEL JOHNSON

G N I D N STA

L L TA IN A

E L O R W NE

It is no coincidence Fremantle’s e’s resurgence has coincided with th the re-emergence of talented d big man Michael Johnson. The he former defender has been a revelation as a back-up ruckman and key forward. PETER RYA N

remantle’s Michael el Johnson spent most of the 2010 pre-season preparing to play in attack. Having played most of his AFL career as a defender, and returning from an ankle injury that forced him out of the last 12 games in 2009, he was looking forward to the prospect of playing forward. As the season’s start grew closer, the coaching staff e recognised Johnson might be o able to add even more value to the team. He had spent time as a mobile ruckman in 2005 so, if they could marshall his XXXXXXX: X XXX XX X XX XX XXX XX X X: X: X XXXXXX XX XX XXX XX X XX XX X XXXX XXXXX XXX XX X XX X XX AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 57

MICHAEL JOHNSON

Playing up forward, it’s a role I enjoy and hopefully I can improve as a ruckman and a forward

athleticism and stuck with it.” height and use The MICHAEL JOHNSON him as a back-up Sandilandsruckman to Aaron Johnson Sandilands, the team combination would have another weapon has been one of the season’s opposition clubs would ﬁnd revelations. It’s only early days, hard to combat. but few would argue they are “They actually sprung the emerging as the best duo to idea on me when we started represent a developing trend playing NAB Cup games,” that sees one specialist ruckman Johnson said. “When it came to playing in tandem with a backround one, they wanted to take a up, play-anywhere tall. running side in against Adelaide Johnson understated his and just use one ruckman and efforts, deferring any kudos have me as a back-up. It ended to his teammate. “Aaron’s been up turning out all right, so they dominating all season and then 58 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

DETERMINED: Michael Johnson has been chasing

opponents down all season. Here he tackles Essendon’s Cale Hooker in round two.

they chuck me in there. I like to muck around in the ruck,” he said. “It’s a bit of fun and I get the odd goal. Being a defender now playing up forward, it’s a role I enjoy and hopefully I can improve as a ruckman and a forward.” On the surface, it appears a dream role but it’s a tough gig, playing ruck and as a deep forward. It’s bruising and lung-busting and outsiders often fail to recognise the cumulative effect on the ruckman’s body.

In the lead-up to the derby against West Coast in round six, coach Mark Harvey made it obvious he was well aware the club would need to manage the rucking situation carefully. “Don’t underestimate rucking and what it does,” Harvey said. “Michael’s not used to playing there and then he’s got to go play a key position in the forward line, too. There will be some stage when we have to play a genuine ruckman.” Last week against the Brisbane Lions, Kepler Bradley was introduced into the rotation, his

big body providing some relief under former Collingwood for the duo, as well as flexibility player and ex-Fremantle for the coaching staff. assistant coach Stan Magro. Johnson agreed that Johnson admitted that, at combining rucking and playing that stage, his focus was not up forward is a demanding role, as it should have been in order but said the Dockers’ coaches for him to make the leap from were very good at managing potential to genuine AFL player. the load. “I was a bit slack back in the “They try to do the best they day, mate,” he said. can with the interchange and Like many 17-year-olds, he resting and pushing wanted to hang out forward,” he said. “As with his mates. His the season goes on, attitude was not That is the we’ll be needing poor. He simply biggest thing more of a rest was not aware so that is when what was about being an Kepler or Zac required to AFL player … the Clarke comes make the sacrifices and hard in and plays the grade. Magro work you have same role.” offered him Johnson is plenty of to put in re-emerging in this support. “I had new role. In 2006, a lot of help from when the Dockers him, so I stuck made the preliminary final, he at it,” Johnson said. finished equal second in the club Johnson was again overlooked best and fairest. That season, he in the 2003 draft before his played as a defender, zoning off, name was called out in the marking and creating run from 2004 Pre-Season Draft. He spent defence. his first year on the Dockers’ In 2007, he was ninth in the list, again playing a full season best and fairest and in 2008 he for Perth, before cracking it finished fifth. Injury ruined for an AFL berth in round four, last year. 2005. He soon recognised what It’s hard to imagine he was was required. overlooked in two national “That is the biggest thing drafts and only found a place on about being an AFL player Fremantle’s list via the 2004 these days. (It’s) the sacrifices Pre-Season Draft. and hard work you have to Johnson attended Belmont put in to become a really good City College, playing a range of player. I still need to improve sports. He played basketball at on a lot of that stuff,” he said. least two nights a week, loving “I was lucky enough to have a it as a game to play with his lot of people help me back when mates, and in summer, he was I was 17 and 18 down at Perth, a tall opening bowler for a local including Gerard Neesham and cricket team. However, football my family.” was always his No. 1 sport. Johnson has not forgotten At the end of Year 11, he that help. It’s likely he will left school. After urging from be remembered for his help friends and his large family of others too. He is well (he has three brothers, one recognised for his contribution sister, four step-brothers and to Fremantle’s community one step-sister), he tried out initiatives. at Clontarf Academy, the His work as an ambassador brainchild of former Fremantle for Redkite, a charity supporting coach Gerard Neesham, where young people and chidren with he completed Year 12. cancer and their families has He was invited to the been enormous, and he is state-based draft camp and a active in supporting the couple of AFL clubs spoke to Clontarf Academies. him, but none selected him. In 2007, he was equal Fremantle invited him to train runner-up in the AFL’s with a bunch of youngsters for a community leadership award. spot on the club’s rookie list, but “I really enjoy it,” he said of he missed out again. He went his work with Redkite. “It’s to play for Perth in the WAFL an awesome feeling to go in

there and help the young kids, especially when it’s Christmas time and we go in and sing Christmas carols with them. They really enjoy it.” Johnson is enjoying his football this season more than ever. With partner Dayna and a young family, Ameliah (three) and Levi (one), he has narrowed his focus to family and football for 2010. Although he doubts his form has yet reached the heights of 2006, he is bullish about the Dockers’ prospects. “(We’re) very conﬁdent with what we have on the table with our s structures and at t moment it is the g going really well so, h we can hopefully, s stick at it and win m games,” more h said. he

FOCUSED: Johnson and his Fremantle

teammates have their minds on the job this year.

FACT FILE

Michael Johnson

Born: October 20, 1984 Recruited from: Perth Debut: Round 4, 2005, v Richmond Height: 194cm Weight: 92kg Games: 91 Goals: 28 Player honours: 2nd best and fairest 2006 (equal) Brownlow Medal: Career votes 5

60 AFL RECORD visit aďŹ&#x201A;record.com.au

B R E N D O N G O D DA R D

STRAIGHT

HOOTER St Kilda star Brendon Goddard is driven to succeed. A perfectionist who will stop at nothing to make the most of his exquisite talents, whether that be on the football ﬁeld or the golf course. C A L LU M T WOMEY

PHOTO: SEAN GARNSWORTHY/AFL PHOTOS

s Brendon Goddard and I walk to the driving range of the prestigious Yarra Yarra golf course in Melbourne’s outer south-east, I think it a good time to be honest. As a golfer, I tell him, I probably make a decent journalist. Goddard laughs, but suggests I must play a bit, considering the ﬂash look of the clubs I pull out of the boot of the car. When he’s told the quality set of clubs are in fact not mine but borrowed from a friend, the St Kilda star sees his chance to land a short jab. If you can’t play golf, he argues, you may as well look like you can. Goddard, of course, doesn’t have to worry about looking like he can play. He can play golf, and does so exceedingly well. We each grab a bucket of 40 balls and trot over to the outdoor range hidden among the gum trees and putting greens. It’s a serene setting for a peaceful 18 holes of golf, a curling entrance leading to a picturesque and pretty clubhouse. Goddard is a member at Yarra Yarra, located close to the Saints’ Moorabbin headquarters. Goddard sets up his gear and starts hitting balls. He is creaming them, targeting the manufactured slopes set at 120m, 180m, and beyond.

Goddard usually ventures to Yarra Yarra about twice a week to sharpen his skills. He has tested his skills at courses all over the world, and is playing off a handicap of two. On this day, I’m his guest at the members-only club. Every so often between swings, the silence is broken with easy conversation, and Goddard makes his enthusiasm for the sport clear. “Golf is the best mental release I get away from football,” he says. “I appreciate it now more than I did because it’s a thinking man’s sport. I love it because it’s the most challenging sport in the world to play consistently and, when you do play consistent golf, it’s just so satisfying.” While Goddard consistently and cleanly strikes his yellow golf balls off neat patches of grass, his guest is struggling. The little bit of practice I had done the night before at another driving range hadn’t helped too much, and I’m spraying them everywhere. At one point, after collecting a nice chunk of grass with the driver and skewing it to the right, I ask Goddard what one thing I should be focusing on. With his subtle sense of humour that quickly becomes evident, he laughs, telling me he “wasn’t really watching, mate!” Thankfully, he wasn’t. Goddard does say, though, that golf is an extremely technical sport and that he still hasn’t quite mastered it. “Early on in my golf career, I had trouble closing out rounds of golf because I got too nervous and I would just choke,” he says. “There have been plenty of times I’ve come to the last two or three holes and then it gets to me, and mentally I didn’t know how to deal with it.

Golf is the best mental release I get away from football

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 61

BRENDON GODDARD

I’m a perfectionist. Whether it be X-box, or golf, or footy, I just want to win

“They say that in golf, it’s 30 per cent talent and 70 per cent between the ears, and I guess that’s not too dissimilar to footy – you can have all the talent in the world and do nothing with it. “Golf is pretty similar – I get more nervous over a short putt for birdie to shoot under par then I did having a shot at goal in front of 100,000 people on Grand Final day.” That says a lot about his self-confidence on the footy field. Watch him play and it seems there’s nothing he can’t do; his competitive spirit defines him as a footballer. As we pack up and head back to the clubhouse for a more formal chat, Goddard spots a mate whom he often has putting competitions with, and they agree to play a couple of holes after our interview. Goddard is a friend of Australian professional golfer Geoff Ogilvy (a Saints supporter who has the club’s logo adorned on his golf shoes). He laughs when I ask about a rumour I had heard about his dedication to his burgeoning golf career. The story went that last off-season, as a group of Saints were holidaying in New York, Goddard was given the opportunity by Ogilvy to have a putter crafted to his needs by world-renowned manufacturer Scotty Cameron. Goddard, incidentally, is sponsored by global golfing brand Callaway, so having quality clubs is nothing new. However, the chance to have a Scotty Cameron club personally fitted is one only golf professionals and select others get, so the rumour was Goddard stayed in the Big Apple, and, in the process, missed teammate Michael Gardiner’s wedding. The truth was slightly different. After initially deciding to stay in New York, Goddard made the “right call” and came back to Melbourne for the wedding. It did, however, confirm the passion for golf the No. 1 draft pick from 2002 has.

62 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

IN ELITE COMPANY: Brendon

Goddard’s versatility has seen him become one of the best players in the game, capable of dominating in any number of positions.

BRENDON GODDARD

assion and competitiveness are features of the Goddard package. “That’s just been part of my upbringing. I have an older brother who I used to compete against and always wanted to beat, so I always strive to be the best and when I don’t achieve that, it’s a bit of a letdown,” he says. “I’m a perfectionist. Some friends used to say I had OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), which I probably wouldn’t disagree with. Whether it be X-box, or golf or footy, I just want to win,” Goddard says, with a self-deprecating smile. Goddard’s competitive nature may also have developed, in part, from his experiences as a boarder at Caulﬁeld Grammar School for three years, having moved there from his hometown of Traralgon in Victoria’s east at the start of Year 10. Pool games and ping-pong tables were part of life in the boarding house and Goddard was constantly among the action.

He mocks himself when reminded of a story from his Year 12 days. He was already playing for St Kilda (having been drafted as a 17-year old) and organised a ‘longest kicking’ competition on the school oval. Once everyone had their kicks, Goddard got involved in the action, and, as you would expect, won the competition. Remembering it clearly, Goddard jokes that he “ended up trying to beat everyone!” As St Kilda fans have come to learn, that competitive nature remains deeply embedded in the All-Australian. Goddard made his debut in 2003, but his ﬁrst few seasons were marked by harsh criticism as the skinny teenager struggled to acclimatise to football at AFL level. Moved around from centre half-back to centre half-forward, shifted from the midﬁeld to full-back, Goddard was unable to hold down a spot and make it his own. He says his struggles were predominantly

mental early in his career. “I got a bit of criticism early for underachieving, but that’s where the footy club was great,” he says. “In that environment, people actually know what you’re doing internally and how hard you’re working, and I always had the belief in the goal that I wanted to be the best, but I didn’t know how to get there. But that’s where mental preparation and the sports psychologists helped me in putting steps in place to get there.” Goddard realised there was no coincidence that the best players in the competition – Robert Harvey, James Hird, Nathan Buckley et al – were the best trainers, so he set himself to be the best trainer at St Kilda. He always thought he had trained hard, but he knew deep down he could go harder. In 2007, his ﬁfth season at AFL level, Goddard tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and missed a year of football. As he lay on the Docklands turf in a game against the Sydney Swans

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13542

BRENDON GODDARD FACT FILE

PASSIONATE: Goddard sets high

standards and says he openly expresses his emotions on the ﬁeld.

QUICK GODDARD FACT

in round seven, grasping at his Brendon Goddard knee and punching the ground, Born: May 20, 1985 little did Goddard know just Recruited from: how much of a blessing his long Traralgon/Gippsland U18 layoff would prove to be. Debut: Round 4, 2003 “People used to say that I’d v Richmond come out of it a better person Height: 189cm Weight: 94kg and I always thought, ‘How the Games: 144 Goals: 68 hell can I?’ But just the steps along the way, the hard hours Player honours: 2nd best and spent alone in the gym, it gives fairest 2009; All-Australian 2009; you that res reso resolve and steel, and pre-season premiership 2004 gives you an n appreciation that Brownlow Medal: footy can bee taken away so Career votes 29 quickly,” say y Goddard, who says turns 25 ne ex week and has next played 145 matches. m pick up any role. Already, he’s w plugged a hole in the forward “In some ways, I’m lucky because I’vee been able to come line (with five goals against back from such su a serious injury Fremantle in round four), been when other guys g a goalkicking midfielder against haven’t been as fortunate. To T have that reality North Melbourne in round two, and played as an attacking check was was,, in a way, a good defender and ‘quarterback’ thing.” Sincc returning after against the Western Bulldogs in Since iin round six. the injury, Goddard has bee on a path to the Quick, tall, strong and smart been ell level. In 2008, – and the owner of perhaps the elite h most damaging long kick in the he played 23 games a game – Goddard has it all. and averaged 23 d He’s also down to earth. disposals, and last yyear, along the Throughout our 90 minutes w together, Goddard comes across way to the Saints cco as honest and level-headed, coming within two go g someone who grew up in the goals of a historic sse spotlight and has had to learn second premiership, G about life as an AFL player. Goddard rose to be on n of the best players Though he can come off a little one th h competition, gruff – especially on the field – in the averag gi 27 touches a he’s not rude or arrogant, just a averaging nish h professional driven to succeed. game, finishing second in the faiir He’s also a lot more relaxed best and fairest, and being in his v for kicks, away from football side’s top-five re r than his on-field handballs, rebound rd persona may 50s and har hard-ball I just want sometimes gets. ultimate success d to suggest, The need regularly be versatilee for the team, g laughing at – somethin something and I’ll do sl himself (or at he previous previously anything to wi w my expense struggled with le at the driving – is now a cl clear get it an n he range), and strength, and A enjoying some was named Allfo f the first healthy banter Australian for ha ad grown to become with others in the clubhouse time. He had o all trades. where we sit and chat. the master of witness It’s a side to the usually intense As witnessed first-hand at Yarra a, Goddard is simply a Goddard that few know, and he Yarra Yarra, or concedes he doesn’t easily let natural spo sportsperson. He played schoo ol first XI cricket people into his inner sanctum. in his school’s hi football in 2010 is “I think all relationships team and his are built on trust, and I guess symbolic off how easily he can

it takes a little while to form a relationship with me because I want to trust people before I let them in,” he says. “I want to build that relationship through trust, and once people break that trust, they’re gone, really. “People in my inner circle would see a pretty immature side to me at times – I have these moods where I just get a little bit silly – and even though I come across as quite serious, I like to have a good time as much as anyone. But I do have the attitude that there’s a time and place for everything.” Goddard describes himself as someone who “doesn’t really hold anything back”, but says he is just as hard on himself. “It’s like that old cliché about having your own backyard clean before you worry about anyone else’s – I set myself high standards, but I do certainly express my emotions pretty openly, especially on a footy field. “But it all comes from an effort to try and be the best and I just want ultimate success for the team, and I’ll do anything to get it.” More than anything, it would appear, Goddard is ambitious. He knows he’s good, he knows how good he can be, but he knows that greatness may only come with team success. His first AFL coach Grant Thomas used to talk regularly to the players about their ‘footy tombstones’ – what would be written on them when their careers ended? How would their respective careers be judged? As we come to the end of our chat in the dimly lit clubhouse, it’s a point Goddard has certainly not forgotten, saying Thomas’ words still spur on the nucleus of the side. Goddard finishes his passion fruit yoghurt and we leave the empty dining area. As I make for the exit, Goddard meets up with his golfing buddy for a couple of quick holes. It’s another chance to compete, another chance to improve, another chance to be the best. Goddard won’t knock it back.

Goddard recently hit his ﬁrst round under 70, shooting 68 at Melbourne’s Metropolitan Golf Club (par 72).

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from the AFL

INJURIES & DRUG TESTING

The number of injuries increased in 2009 as the pace of the game increased, together with the amount of tackling and the use of the interchange bench.

he incidence and prevalence of injuries at AFL level increased last season, according to the 2009 AFL Injury Report, the AFL’s 18th consecutive injury surveillance study. The report, by Associate Professor John Orchard and Dr Hugh Seward, executive ofﬁcer of the AFL Medical Ofﬁcers Association, found that injury incidence (number of new injuries per club per season) was the highest (37.6 new injuries) since 2000. Prevalence (missed games per club per season) was the highest since 1997 (151.1 missed games). The report said that, for an average club list of 46 players, the number of players unavailable due to injury had increased to eight a week. This was an increase from seven during the period 2006-08, and six from the period 2003-05. It also reported the incidence of hamstring injuries had increased in 2009 and this remained the No. 1 injury in the game, while the most severe common injury

SETBACK: Brisbane Lion Troy Selwood

suﬀered a shoulder injury in round 12 last season and was sidelined for ﬁve weeks.

is still the knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. “Interchange use, player speed and tackling have increased parallel to injuries in recent seasons,” the doctors said in their executive summary. “There

appears to be an association between these factors, however, their likely contribution to the increase in injuries needs to be investigated further.” The AFL’s football operations general manager Adrian Anderson said the League would look closely at the rise in injuries and what might be contributing to those trends. However, he was also pleased recurrence

rates had halved from 20 per cent in 1997 to 10 per cent in 2009, a positive reﬂection of the professional standards of injury management across the AFL. “At the AFL level, our key objective is to prevent injuries to players so far as this can be reasonably achieved in circumstances where the game is a body contact sport,” Anderson said.

Key indicators for all injuries over the past 13 seasons

Incidence (new injuries per club per season )

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

41.9

40.3

36.9

37.4

35.8

34.4

34.1

34.8

35.3

34.1

34.7

36.9

37.6

Incidence (recurrent)

8.4

7.6

5.2

5.9

5.5

4.4

4.6

3.7

4.8

4.1

5.6

5.4

3.6

Incidence (total)

50.3

47.9

42.1

43.3

41.3

38.7

38.5

40.1

38.2

40.4

42.3

41.2

159.2

141.9

135.9

131.8

136.4

134.7

118.7

131.0

129.2

139.5

147.5

147.0

151.1

3.8

3.5

3.7

3.5

3.8

3.9

3.5

3.8

3.7

4.1

4.2

4.0

20%

19%

14%

16%

15%

13%

14%

11%

14%

12%

16%

13%

10%

Prevalence (missed games per club per season) Average injury severity (number of missed games) Recurrence rate

66 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

Interchange use, player speed and tackling have increased parallel to injuries in recent seasons 2009 AFL INJURY REPORT

Dr Orchard and Dr Seward reported that recent law changes to improve player safety had been successful and set a positive standard for all lower levels of the game, with continued low rates of head and neck injuries and knee posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries following the introduction of rules and interpretations to address these issues. “Analysis of injuries by age for the last ﬁve seasons showed that older players miss more time through hamstring and calf strains and knee cartilage injuries. Younger players miss more time through groin injuries, shoulder instability and leg and foot stress fractures,” the report said. “Overall, players over 30 years of age miss more time through injury than younger players under the age of 21.” The AFL will continue to use the report as the basis for further investigation and research under the guidance of the AFL Research Board. RECOVERED: Geelong ruckman Brad

Ottens missed most of the 2009 season with a knee injury but returned to play in the Cats’ premiership side.

Rate of failed tests drops The continuing decline in the percentage of failed drug tests is proof the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy is working. � Out-of-competition testing conducted last year as part of the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy showed the percentage of failed tests dropped for the fourth consecutive year. In 2009, the AFL conducted its largest number of tests under the Illicit Drugs Policy, increasing test numbers to 1568 (from the previous mark of 1220 tests), with a total of 14 failed tests recorded. This represented 0.89 per cent of all tests conducted. Since the policy started in 2005, the rate of failed tests has dropped each year, from 4.03 per cent (in 2005) to 1.85 per cent (2006), 1.2 per cent (2007) and 0.98 per cent (2008). The AFL remains the only sport in Australia to publicly release its testing figures for illicit drugs and the operation of this policy has seen nearly 5000 tests conducted through the past five years. AFL football operations general manager Adrian Anderson said the body of testing results the AFL medical commissioners had gathered over the past five years showed conclusively the Illicit Drugs in Policy P Po Pol oli liccyy had ha had d been be bee been en n successful su suc suc changing ch cha ha han ang ngi gin ing ng g beh be b behaviour eh ha hav avi vio iou our ur behaviour. players make “Wee have “W “We h ha ave vee seen sseeen eeen n pl p poor p po poo oo oor orr d decisions deecis eccisi sio ion ons nss with wit w th h the use of iillicit ill illi lic icit citt drugs dr dru drug ug gss and a an nd d the th thee community iss pa pai painfully p ain ainf nfu ful ulllyy aware ully aw awa awar wa are ree tthat illicit drug d dr ru ug g use ussee is u is a maj m ma major ajo jor orr issue within younger yyoung yo you oun un ng ger er members meem mem m mb mbe ber ers rss of o society,” Anderson Ander A An And nd deerrson son so n said. sa sai said d. ““Over “O “Ov Ovver er the tth hee course co cou urrse urs see of the last years, Illicit five fi ve ve yye ears, ea ear ars rs, rs s, th the thee Illici Ill Il Illic lici ci Drugs Policy P Po Pol oli licy icy cyy h ha has ass clearly ccle lea ear arly rly lyy sshown changes behaviour, cchang ch ha han an ng ges es in in behavio beeh beh b ha hav avi vio io with a drop d dr dro rop op p in n the tth hee numbers nu n number um mb mbe ber er of failed despite ttests te tes est stss d deesspit des sp pite tee a very vver veery ryy large increase of iincrea in nccre reea ase as a see in n the tth hee numbers nu num n um m ttests te tes est sts tss b being beein bei ing ng g conduct conducted. co con nd ndu duc uct ct education, Thee fo Th The ffocus ocus oc ocu cus uss on on educa eedu ed duc ucca rehabilitation welfare, with rehabi re reh eh ha hab abi biilit iilitation ili lita tat ati tio ion on n and an and dw thee op th the o opportunity pportunity pp p po por ort rtu tun un nittyy for nity fo or players to change has cchang ch cha ha an ang ng ge their th tthe hei eir irr behaviour, b be beh behav eha hav avv ective.” sshown sh sho how ow wn n to to be be eff effec ffectiv eect cti tiv iv Thee AFL Th The AF A FL L said sa said d players play pl pla play ay who rrecord re eccor eco ord rd d a failed fa ffai aile led ed d test teest ttes stt are

target-tested. “We want players to take advantage of the counselling and treatment. But if any player doesn’t change behaviour and wants to run the gauntlet, they will be putting their career at risk,” Anderson said. Two players recorded a second failed test in 2009. No AFL player has recorded a third failed test in the ﬁve years of the Illicit Drugs Policy, despite players who have recorded a failed test being target-tested. A total of 4898 tests have been conducted since the policy was introduced. AFL Players’ Association CEO Matt Finnis said the reduction in the rate of failed tests is an endorsement of the players’ position that a harm-minimisation approach is the most eﬀective way to promote behaviour change. “The feedback from players is that they want their teammates and their colleagues at other clubs to receive the help and support they need if they have issues with drugs,” Finnis said. Anderson said the AFL medical commissioners – Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik – reported that the holiday break continued to be the highest-risk period for players in terms of wrong decision-making. Of the 14 failed tests in 2009, the majority occurred during the holiday period. The AFL and AFLPA also agreed to extend the hair-testing trial for a further two years and agreed to an enhanced education

program before players go on holidays at the end of the season. “The experience of the AFL medical officers is that wrongful use of illicit substances by players is usually alcoholrelated or a spur of the moment decision,” Anderson said. “Players were generally remorseful when confronted with the evidence of a failed test and, with the intervention, welfare and education emphasised in the initial stages, all players confirmed the use of the substance detected.” It is now mandatory that players are referred to a drug and alcohol specialist after failed tests, as it is believed this may assist in earlier identification of serious health issues such as mental illness. Club medical officers are also assisting the AFL medical commissioners in identifying at-risk individuals within their clubs, as a means of further addressing illicit substance abuse. “In recent years, the AFL’s medical officers have clearly reported that alcohol was a significant factor in most of the failed tests recorded, reinforcing the importance of the AFL’s Responsible Alcohol Policy and team leadership groups in setting cultures of responsible drinking,” Anderson said. The AFL is one of only three sports in the country that has an Illicit Drugs Policy that tests players for illicit drugs out of competitions. The AFL is the only sport that publishes its results each year.

AFL ILLICIT DRUG POLICY RESULTS – YEAR-BY-YEAR Total test numbers

Total failed tests

2nd failed tests

Failed tests %

2005

472

2006

486

4.03

2007

1.85

1152

1.2

2008

1220

0.98

2009

1568

0.89

Years

THE BREAKDOWN BY TYPE IS AS FOLLOWS: YEARS

2005

2006

2007

2008

Cannabinoids

2009

Stimulants

Mixed

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 67

Moments of the

2000-09

‘Sirengate’ saga did not fall on deaf ears There was high drama in 2006 as the AFL overturned the result of a controversial Fremantle-St Kilda drawn match and handed the points to the Dockers. ASHLEY BROW NE

hen St Kilda and Fremantle departed Launceston’s York Park after round five of the 2006 season, each with two points in their pockets following a draw, there were many in football who believed the Dockers had been on the receiving end of a great injustice. At the end of a match that would come to attract the name Sirengate , field umpire Mathew ‘Sirengate’, Nicholls failed to hear the final siren, with the Dockers leading byy a point.

Despite protests from Fremantle players who claimed they had heard the siren, play proceeded for about another 20 seconds, with St Kilda’s Stephen Baker kicking a point to tie the game. As Baker kicked the ball, he was crudely tackled by Dockers defender Daniel Gilmore and was given a free kick with a chance to boot the winning score. He missed again and the result stood – a drawn game. By then, the mass confusion had set in. F Fremantle ofﬁcials, led by coa ach Chris C coach Connolly stormed on to th the ground, exchanging wo rds w words with St Kilda’s Lenny Hay yes in the process. Hayes There was outrage at the T re esult Replays showed the result. ccoun countdown clock counting d down to zero and then play con ntinu continuing, until after Nicholls paid the free kick to Baker. paid O Once order was restored – afteer Ba after Baker had taken his second k – both bo teams left the ﬁeld. kick Thee Sain Saints were happy to have

CONFUSION: Fremantle’s Bryon Schammer and St Kilda’s Brendon Goddard thought the game had ended in a draw.

snatched a draw after trailing for most of the day, while the Dockers retreated to their dressing rooms to hatch a plan to have the result amended. Cameron Schwab, now CEO of Melbourne, was running Fremantle at the time. He remembered an overwhelming feeling among the Dockers that what had taken place wasn’t right. “We were angry, not at one particular person or group because it was a series of simultaneous events that conspired to create such an unusual situation,” he said in a w. recent interview. Schwab was watching the game from St Kilda’s presidential ed to a television set suite, but turned st few moments so to watch the last he could see thee countdown clock.

When the clock reached zero, he walked out of the room, down the back of the grandstand and through the dressing rooms. When he emerged, he was stunned to see Baker lining up for goal. “My ﬁrst thought was that perhaps the ‘Wiz’ (Fremantle’s Jeff Farmer) had done something to Baker because they’d been at each other all day,” he confessed. It was an unprecedented situation. Although the Dockers formally protested the result of the game – with Connolly cheekily telling the assembled media post-match that his boys had “a great win”, most betting th draw. agencies paid out on the The AFL announced an re investigation into the result and, bo clubs, after interviews with both the umpires, the AFL’s m match-day

ANOTHER QUIRKY FINISH � The round 16 match between Richmond and Essendon in 2008 ended controversially when Tigers defender Joel Bowden ran down the clock in the last term by deliberately rushing behinds to ensure his side stayed in front of Essendon. Richmond eventually won by four points. Faced with the task of a kick-in after an Essendon behind – and with the Bombers surging towards victory – Bowden soaked up as many seconds as possible, stepping outside the goalsquare

and waiting for Essendon forward Kyle Reimers to run at him, and then stepping back over the line to concede a behind. It happened repeatedly, but Bowden deemed it less of a risk than kicking to a contest, providing the Bombers with the chance to win the ball. There was a postscript to Bowden’s actions – and those of Hawthorn in the Grand Final the same year. The AFL introduced a rushed behind rule to force a player in Bowden’s position to dispose of the ball back into play. CALLUM TWOMEY

68 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

POINT OF IT ALL: Joel

Bowden rushed several behinds for the Tigers.

EARLY JOY: Fremantle players celebrate, thinking they had won. Later, the AFL Commission, led by chairman Ron Evans (left) and CEO Andrew Demetriou, announced the Dockers would be awarded the game.

one of the field umpires hears the siren and raises his arm, the convention was that this applies only to split-second decisions regarding a mark or a kick when the siren goes, but not another 20 seconds of play. The AFL investigation found that the timekeeper did not keep pressing the siren until there was acknowledgement by the umpire. Instead, he sounded it briefly before looking away to start his We were paperwork. Reports angry, not at one suggested he was only alerted to the particular person fact that play was or group because continuing when it was a series spectators started banging on the of simultaneous window of the events timekeepers’ box. CAMERON SCHWAB manager and the On May 3, three timekeepers, it days after the match, the was determined the timekeepers AFL determined that the four had not properly followed points should be awarded to rule 10.4.1, which states: “The the Dockers, 14.10 (94) to 13.15 timekeepers shall sound the siren (93). The AFL stressed that the to signal the end of a quarter until ruling came about because of a field umpire acknowledges that the unique set of circumstances, the siren has been heard and primarily the timekeeper’s brings play to an end.” error, and ruled out future While the rules also stipulate deliberations on the basis of that play must continue until errors by field umpires and goal

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� The 2006 season was a great one for the Dockers, who won through to the preliminary final, losing to the Sydney Swans at Homebush. But, as Schwab said in hindsight, the draw mightt have been the better result for the Dockers. Had they received only two premiership points for the match, and had results for every other game been the same, the Dockers would have finished fourth, not third, and played West Coast in the opening week of the finals. “We beat the Eagles by 10 goals two weeks before the finals, and I reckon we would have beaten them again. Then we would have had a home preliminary final and who knows what would have

umpires that might determine the outcome of matches. “It was a great time for the club,” Schwab said. “Chris was very good and led us well because there was a fair bit of emotion involved at the time.

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AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 69

Col Hutchinson

timeon Our AFL history guru answers your queries.

Who is is the highest number draft ASTUTE CHOICES: pick to win a Brownlow Medal? Billy, via email

CH: James Hird was claimed

by Essendon as the 79th choice in the 1990 National Draft and shared Brownlow Medal honours with Brisbane star Michael Voss in 1996. Adam Goodes was declared equal winner with Magpie champ Nathan Buckley and Adelaide star Mark Ricciuto in 2003, and won the award outright three years later, after being taken at No. 43 by Sydney in 1997. Geelong’s Gary Ablett was claimed under the father-son rule as selection 40 in the 2001 National Draft and won the Brownlow last season. All three have been outstanding,, courageous, versatile performerss who have been valuable members of premiership teams.

NAME GAME

Brownlow winners James Hird (right) and Adam Goodes were drafted at 79 p y and 43 respectively.

For the defence

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

AFL mystery men Alfred Carl Frank Neeson � Neeson moved from Canberra to Fitzroy in 1935, around the time of his 21st birthday. As a 182cm, 77kg half-back ﬂanker, he played seven games. During the following season, he switched to Hawthorn and kicked 41 goals and earned ﬁve Brownlow Medal votes in 34 appearances

as a follower/forward until the end of the 1938 season. His cousin, Clem, represented Carlton and St Kilda during the same era. Maxwell Holmes Smethurst � Born on December 6, 1914, Smethurst was a prominent Pakenham player, who attracted

Hawthorn’s attention. Wearing No. 13, he occupied the 19th and 20th man bench in the opening two rounds, before being selected on a wing against Melbourne at the MCG in round three. Unfortunately, that was also his farewell appearance. He eventually moved to Queensland where he died aged in his mid-70s.

Should you have any further information regarding the above mystery men, including their date of death, contact Col Hutchinson on (03) 9643 1929 or col.hutchinson@aﬂ .com.au.

70 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

� At first glance, the surnames of Richmond’s Alex Rance and Hawthorn’s Liam Shiels have little in common. Rance is a defender, but both players should be if their names are anything to go by. Shiels is a variation of Shields, a patronymic (“son of”) of Shield. There are a few possible origins of this name, but obviously the most common is that it was an occupational name for an armourer (a maker/preparer of shields). Rance is a variation of Rands, a patronymic of Rand, a short form of several Germanic names beginning with Rand- (e.g., Randolph). Rand meant “rim of a shield”. Two diminutive forms of this name which have appeared in the AFL/VFL are Randall/ Rantall/Rendell (four Randalls and two fine players in John Rantall and Matt Rendell) and Rankin, one of the most famous names in Geelong’s history. Teddy Rankin was the first Cat to reach 100 games. KEVAN CARROLL

SPO0031

NISSAN. PROUDLY SUPPORTING RICHMOND IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER.

timeon

COLLECTABLES

A Shaw thing

Rick Milne

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

I recently found a copy of The Association Football Recorder from May 8, 1948, for a Preston-Brunswick match. It is in perfect condition and I would appreciate a valuation.

ROARING FORTIES: This 1948 copy of the Football Recorder featured many former VFL stars who were playing in the VFA.

once he had it cleaned and repaired, he was amazed to ﬁnd out it was a trophy for being best on ground in the 1928 WAFL Grand Final when East Fremantle defeated East Perth. It had been awarded to East Fremantle winger Jock Laurie and, through a bit of research, I discovered it was the last watch awarded. Value?

RON, VIA EMAIL

RM: Many former VFL

stars featured in the VFA in that era. The Preston captain-coach was former Hawthorn player Jack Blackman, while Brunswick’s captain-coach was former Melbourne star Ron Baggott. Listed wearing No. 7 for Brunswick was Reg Shaw, father of Collingwood players Ray, Tony and Neville. Shaw was a good footballer and played for Brunswick over many years. I value this copy at $30.

DAN ALLSOP, VIA EMAIL

RM: What a great story,

Dan. Your friend has hit the jackpot with this one as the watch is worth at least $1000.

RM: If your book is in top

condition, you have a good item. The Cats, of course, won the 1951-52 ﬂags and did well in 1950 and 1953. The book contains great information and photos and is worth at least $250.

I have been a keen Geelong supporter for 60 years and recently found what I believe might be a little treasure. It is a 64-page book titled Geelong F.C. Four Glorious Years – 1950-53. The price was two shillings.

A friend of mine was wandering through the Midlands Market here in Western Australia and a watch caught his eye. It wasn’t working and was very dirty but,

ERIC FOOTE, VIA EMAIL

RICK’S RARITY

� The companies that issue football cards usually have great quality control, so it is not often that bloopers or misprints get through. However, Scanlen’s made a few errors with some of its 1969 cards, with all four Footscray cards having the wrong name. A Scanlen’s card featuring Geelong’s Graham Farmer ran information on Footscray’s Ted Whitten, while a Coles card featuring Melbourne’s Don Williams lll a s was ass badly-cut. One collector I know has more than 30 misprinted cards. p

I have an original Carlton Football Club annual report and balance sheet for the 1945 season. Any value? JENNY, VIA EMAIL

RM: It helps that Carlton

defeated South Melbourne in the 1945 Grand Final, a game often referred to as “the bloodbath”. Yours is one of the better annual reports and is worth more than $200.

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

WATCH BEFORE THE GAME SATURDAY NIGHTS ON TEN

beforethegame.com.au L ADDER SAM 37 DAVE

LEHMO

ANDY

FITZY

MICK

TIPSTERS

FITZY Fremantle Western Bulldogs Melbourne Geelong Cats Adelaide Hawthorn Carlton St Kilda

72 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

MICK Fremantle Sydney Swans Melbourne Geelong Cats North Melbourne Richmond Carlton St Kilda

SAM Fremantle Western Bulldogs Melbourne Geelong Cats North Melbourne Hawthorn Port Adelaide St Kilda

DAVE Collingwood Sydney Swans Melbourne Geelong Cats North Melbourne Hawthorn Carlton St Kilda

LEHMO Fremantle Western Bulldogs Melbourne Brisbane Lions North Melbourne Hawthorn Port Adelaide St Kilda

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

This week, special guest appearance by MARK LECRAS

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timeon

KIDS’ CORNER

IVE F TO FIND

Sudoku

MATCH THE JUMPER TO THE PLAYER

� Solve this puzzle by ﬁlling in the empty squares with the nine letters of the player’s name. You must make sure you use each letter only once in each row, column or small box of nine squares. Do not guess, as there is only one correct solution.

JAY SCHULZ PORT ADELAIDE

L A

Y Y

Z C

U A H

L Y

U A

H L

H U

L S

THIS WEEK’S ANSWERS SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: ‘K’ is missing from sign in background; mouthguard removed from the hand at left; Port’s Danyle Pearce is missing a tooth; pink and white shirts top right in crowd missing; Jason Davenport’s fringe has been pushed back.

MATCH THE JUMPER: A-2 (Jack Ziebell, No. 7 North Melbourne); B-4 (Travis Johnstone, No. 4 Brisbane Lions); C-1 (Trent Cotchin, No. 9 Richmond); D-3 (Ryan Griﬀen, No. 16 Western Bulldogs).

72 AFL RECORD RE R ECOR CO C OR O RD visit viiissit vvis it aﬂ ﬂrecord.com.au record..co om m.a .a au

timeon

NAB AFL RISING STAR

A young man in a hurry Brilliant Melbourne youngster Tom Scully has quicklyy made the transformation to the elite level. CALLUM TWOMEY

om Scully admits that, in a way, he’s making up for lost time. As an under-age graduate of the AFL-AIS Academy at the end of 2008, Scully had to go back to the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup in 2009 and wait another year until he could taste life as an AFL player. In his season of counting down the days, Scully watched friends, and fellow 2008 Academy graduates, Michael Hurley, Jack Ziebell, Steele Sidebottom and Nick Suban, all debut and perform strongly for their respective AFL clubs. The young star has cemented a spot in Melbourne’s midﬁeld and is catching up to his peers quickly. I wasn’t too “I was probably sometimes a little worried about bit frustrated that having a ‘break-out’ I couldn’t be out game as such, there playing hands and alongside and just-as-sharp I have just wanted against them, but footy brain, to play my role I just had to bide has looked TOM SCULLY my time and go back more than and work hard for the comfortable. Stingrays,” Scully said. Last week, “I went back and had a as he gathered 39 touches (18 reasonable year, and now in the last quarter) against the to be given the chance to Western Bulldogs in constant play AFL footy, I want to take rain, Scully leapt to another level that opportunity because those and was round seven’s NAB AFL guys have had an extra year Rising Star nominee. and I just want to develop as “I wasn’t too worried about quickly as I can.” having a ‘break-out’ game as Scully’s development at such, I have just wanted to the top level has been rapid. play my role. But to have a Having played his ﬁrst match in pretty good game personally is the Demons’ round one loss to always good. It’s all a learning Hawthorn, Scully, with his quick experience,” he said.

2010 NAB AFL Rising Star Nominees

BIRTHDAY WISH: Tom Scully

hopes to celebrate his 19th birthday on Saturday with a win over West Coast.

Round 1 – Chris Yarran (Carl) Round 2 – Daniel Hannebery (Syd) Round 3 – Ryan Bastinac (NM) Round 4 – Nic Naitanui (WCE) Round 5 - Jack Trengove (Melb) Round 6 - Todd Banﬁeld (Bris) Round 7 - Tom Scully (Melb)

THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW 1

Scully handballs well with either hand, but is a natural left-hander.

2 He would like to be a personal trainer.

3 He is managed by Listed at 182cm and 77kg, Scully is clearly smaller than most of his mature-bodied opponents, and said building up more strength is a priority. “Obviously, my body is still pretty skinny, and that’s something I’ve found difﬁcult playing against the bigger bodies. Sometimes you get pushed off the ball a bit easier or get tackled that bit harder because I just don’t have the strength to break the tackle or hold myself in that contest, so I’m looking forward to building that up,” he said. Picked ﬁrst overall in last year’s NAB AFL draft, Scully is familiar with the media

Velocity Sports, which was formed by Brisbane Lions greats Michael Voss and Alastair Lynch.

spotlight. At ﬁrst it was something he didn’t like; now, he appreciates that it comes with the territory. At the Demons, he regularly goes to his midﬁeld coach, former Western Bulldogs champion Scott West, for advice, describing West as the “master around the stoppages”. On Saturday, Scully hopes to celebrate turning 19 with a win over West Coast at the MCG. That, he said, “would be a good enough birthday present.”

Each week throughout the home and away season, a panel of judges will select the nominee for the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star. At the completion of the season, one outstanding player will be chosen as the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star winner. He will receive an investment folio, a dedicated personal banker, a financial planner and the Ron Evans Medal, all courtesy of the NAB. The NAB Rising Star award is the final stage of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.

76 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

NAB Community NAB AFL Auskick

Who will be the 2010 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year? The search is on again in 2010 for the NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year. We are looking for the Auskicker that best demonstrates the spirit of the game – commitment, enthusiasm, teamwork and passion. Twenty-two nominees for the Award will receive a money-can’t-buy 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final Experience in Melbourne, plus the overall winner will receive $5,000 in a NAB Smart Junior Saver Account and Joel Selwood as a footy mentor in 2011.

Enter at nab.com.au/auskick today!

AFL Authorisation Code: GFAFL10/01. The provision of tickets to any match that is a declared event under the Major Sporting Events Act 2009 (“Act”) including the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final is subject to the provision of tickets being permitted in an approved ticketing scheme under the Act.

timeon

LAST LINE

Applying data laterally

Taking the ‘Bomber shuﬄe’ to a new level

ong before Apple Macintosh guru Steve Jobs cottoned on to the idea of the brilliant iPod music shuffle invention, another kind of shuffle was happening in front of our eyes TRENDSETTERS: The baby Bombers, including James Hird (left) and Ricky at the MCG and other footy Olarenshaw, exploited Carlton in the 1993 Grand Final with their quick hands venues around the country. and ball movement. I am referring to the ‘Hot Potato Shuffle’ warm-up drill At the start of 1992, under been stamped with Pagan-style before games, in which players the stewardship of coach Kevin commitment to win the contest swarm together into a tightly Sheedy and astute football and adherence to the new team packed huddle and start jogging manager Danny Corcoran, rules and playing style the up and down, bumping into each Essendon boasted an outstanding coaches had introduced them to. other and shifting places. coaching panel that included During 1993, they also The sole object of the reserves coach Denis Pagan and benefited from playing drill appears to be shuffling assistant coaches Neale Daniher alongside senior luminaries the pill among the players at a and David Wheadon. Highly including Michael Long, distance no less than intimate regarded recruiter Noel Judkin Mark Harvey, Mark Thompson, kissing range. was also on board. Paul Salmon, Gary O’Donnell, It’s a totally whacky Sheedy had Gavin Wanganeen and thing to observe for declared he Darren Bewick. anyone like myself Essendon was wanted Adding to the quality who is steeped in the change and influence of leadership that these dancing ahead in ancient ritual of a creativity. players represented, veteran tune to the quick warm-up lap and A new champion Tim Watson was shuffling of the casual plan was coaxed from retirement. ball that left kick-to-kick before discussed As the season progressed, games. the Blues by the panel the combination of youth and Now, the Hot and hatched: experience and quick hands bamboozled Potato Shuffle ‘quick hands, was beginning to gel. (like the iPod is to speed kills’. My observation is that over music) has become Lurking among time, the 1993 Grand Final a ubiquitous feature of football, the Pagan-coached reserves teams, Essendon and Carlton, happening constantly during premiership team of 1992 was a had grown to dislike one games, and not just before them. special crop of youngsters ripe another intensely, eating at the We know who invented the iPod for schooling in the new plan, heart enough to elevate it to a but who was responsible for this including James Hird, Joe Misiti, fierce rivalry. However, there other thing? Mark Mercuri, Steven Alessio, is a dictum in warfare: learn My research has led me to Ricky Olarenshaw, David from the enemy. conclude it was Essendon’s 1993 Calthorpe, Michael Symons and On the Carlton side were the team – the ‘Baby Bombers’ who Paul Hills. genius hands of Greg Williams. won that year’s premiership – The following year, these Baby How did he do it? Opponents which was responsible. Here is Bombers progressed to the senior spent considerable time studying how I think it happened. Essendon team. They had already not how to stop ‘Diesel’ – an 78 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

assignment that was nigh impossible – but how to copy him. While the total package was not easy for mortals to replicate, his method of handballing and not kicking when he picked up the ball in heavy traffic became a model for team rules. Another ploy hatched by Essendon in 1992 was the use of quick hands to get away from a tackle, with the player instructed to aggressively run and carry the ball into attack. Carlton started the 1993 Grand Final clear favourite. By quarter-time, the Blues looked a beaten side, trailing by 30 points. Essendon was just as fierce at the contests as Carlton, but was also dancing ahead in tune to the quick shuffling of the ball that left the Blues bamboozled and flat-footed. Long and Mercuri were sublime exponents. Thompson is also listed in the AFL Record Season Guide among the best players that day. Sitting in the box that day was Wheadon, architect of the quick hands, speed kills philosophy. Essendon in 1993 had struck a high note. Long won the Norm Smith Medal and Wanganeen the Brownlow Medal. The Baby Bomber brand was born. Today, not so surprisingly, we are watching a team that does the Hot Potato Shuffle more often and better than anyone else. Geelong has featured in the past three Grand Finals and won two of them. At the helm is coach ‘Bomber’ Thompson – and in the background tutoring the Cats is Wheadon, the club’s skill acquisition and game development coach. It’s no coincidence, is it? TED HOPKINS IS A CARLTON PREMIERSHIP PLAYER AND FOUNDER OF CHAMPION DATA. HIS CURRENT PROJECT IS TEDSPORT, A HIGH PERFORMANCE DATA ANALYSIS AND CONSULTING SERVICE.

We got Lance Franklin to hang up his boots≥

Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and other Indigenous stars from across the AFL have donated their boots to be painted by Australian Indigenous artists. Buddy’s boots are part of an exhibition to celebrate the depth and talent of Indigenous players in the AFL today. The Qantas ‘Boots and Dreams’ exhibition. Saturday 22 May, Federation Square, Melbourne. Qantas. Proud supporter of dreams.

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