AFL Record, Round 9 2009 by The Slattery Media Group

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AFL GAME

ROUND 9, 2009 MAY 22-24 $4 (INC. GST)

Indigenous round

Jason Akermanis

300 games

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McDonald’s® Tick Approved Meals help Collingwood Players kick goals. The Collingwood Football Club’s sports dietitian, Emma Rippon, supports McDonald’s range of Heart Foundation Tick Approved meals because she knows players have to make meal choices that are both healthier and convenient to be at the top of their game. “Training, media commitments and player appearances don’t leave much time for the boys to prepare health-conscious meals. McDonald’s Tick Approved meals are convenient options which help to meet their daily dietary requirements,” Emma said. McDonald’s has taken a number of steps to meet the Heart Foundation’s strict standards for serve size, saturated fat, salt and vegetable / fibre content, which now means that all buns contain less than 5% percent sugar, cooking oil has 75% less saturated fat and nutrition labelling is on every item sold. McDonald’s Heart Foundation Tick approved meals now provide even more choice, with the introduction of two new great tasting Deli Choices® wraps. The wraps are tick approved as individual items, or as part of a meal accompanied with a garden salad, orange juice or water. As proud sponsors of the Collingwood Football Club, McDonald’s is committed to providing meals that will allow players to keep kicking goals and supporters to make healthier choices.

NEW Tick Approved Chicken Tandoori

NEW Tick Approved Seared Sweet Chilli Chicken McDonald’s® Victoria. Proud Sponsor of the Collingwood Football Club. *CERT TM used under license

ROUND 9, MAY 22-24, 2009 F E AT U R E S

Hall of Fame

Meet the eight new inductees.

Indigenous Round

A focus on the AFL’s broad programs.

Making a point

Jason Akermanis reaches 300 games. REGULARS

THIS WEEK’S COVERS The AFL Record has produced covers to celebrate Indigenous Round and the Dreamtime at the ’G game between Richmond and Essendon, and one for Jason Akermanis’ 300th game. Go to aﬂphotos. com.au to order prints of these images.

Backchat

Have your say about the football world.

The Bounce

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

Matchday

Stats, history and line-ups.

Dream Team

Advice from Mr Fantasy, our Dream Team expert.

85 88 92 94

AFL Injury Report Answer Man NAB AFL Rising Star Talking Point

A remote club in SA is an AFL breeding ground.

RECORD-BREAKER:

Andrew McLeod is set to pass the Adelaide games record in this round.

DON’T MISS THE BIG AWAY GAME ACTION! Check out the ﬁxture in the match day section to see when your team is playing their next interstate game! To follow your team around the country visit jetstar.com now.

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feedback

backchat WORLD HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FOOTBALL WOR

Rolled gold Saint Good on Nick Riewoldt for putting his club ﬁrst and the dollar second. Nick’s decision to sign up with the Saints for the next four seasons, knowing what he could have made if he’d held out for an offer from another club, shows there’s still some loyalty in footy. BRUCE ROBERTSON, VIA EMAIL

Hawks not out of it Amazing so many people were happy to write the Hawks off and jump on the Freo bandwagon last week. OK, Pavlich and his boys have started to ﬁnd some form, but don’t forget the Hawks – injuries and all – are still reigning premiers. SCOTT, KEW, VIC, VIA EMAIL

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

LOYAL SAINT:

Nick Riewoldt is committed for the next four seasons.

Cattery full of talent While Hawthorn and Collingwood continue to moan about injuries, Geelong’s effort to cover for Gary Ablett, Brad Ottens, Josh Hunt and even Matthew Egan has scarcely rated a mention. Like to see how the Saints would go with some of their key players out! JARROD LOVERIDGE, TORQUAY, VIC, VIA EMAIL

A classic rivalry What a cracking match between the Sydney Swans and West Coast last Saturday night. It’s truly amazing how many times their games go down to the wire. They may not be the best

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

two sides in the competition any more, but how can you not tune in when they play? JAMES STREET, SANDRINGHAM, VIC, VIA EMAIL

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your feedback on n the Record and matters relating to the game, the clubs and the players. The best letter each round will receive a copyy of the AFL Record Season n Guide 2009. Email aﬂrecordeditor@ slatterymedia.com or write to AFL Record, Slattery Media Group, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC, 3008.

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

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Nathan Hill AFL CLUB ACCOUNT MANAGER Anthony Palmer ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Deanne Horkings Advertising (03) 9627 2600 PHOTOGRAPHY Sean Garnsworthy, Michael Willson, Lachlan Cunningham AFL Photos (03) 9627 2600 aﬂphotos.com.au

EDITOR’S LET TER

Honouring the greats The Brownlow Medal function attracts significantly more attention, but the annual Australian Football Hall of Fame induction dinner remains one of the best events on football’s social calendar. This year’s Hall of Fame dinner was held last Thursday in Melbourne, with many of the game’s greats in attendance as eight more names were added to the ranks of those who have made a significant impact on the code (see profiles starting on page 22). It’s always striking – and instructive – to see how those whose playing, officiating, administrative or reporting deeds were accomplished seemingly with confidence, aplomb and skill, suddenly become overwhelmed when their official induction moment – on stage in front of the select others they can now genuinely call their peers – comes around. Some are humbled, some shed tears. Others capable of non-stop brash talk in private are left struggling to put in to words how they feel. All are deeply proud of their achievements. This round, the AFL also recognises the contribution of Indigenous people to the game, and earlier this week it reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Indigenous Australia off the field with the launch of a bold employment strategy (see page 66). PETER DI SISTO

PRINTED BY PMP Print ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO The Editor, AFL Record, Ground Floor, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, Victoria, 3008. P: (03) 9627 2600 F: (03) 9627 2650 E: peterd@slatterymedia.com AFL RECORD, VOL. 98, ROUND 9, 2009 Copyright. ACN No. 004 155 211. ISSN 1444-2973, Print Post approved PP320258/00109

6 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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the bounce VIEWS NEWS FIRST PERSON FACTS DATA CULTURE

As second-year players we recognise there is an opportunity for us to step up and really make an impact MELBOURNE’S CALE MORTON

THE FUTURE

Melbourne making sure and steady progress NICK BOW EN

elbourne’s youngsters continue to give their supporters glimpses of a brighter future. Last Saturday at the MCG against the third-placed Western Bulldogs, the young Demons jumped the Dogs early to lead by 22 points at the four-minute mark of the second quarter. While the more-seasoned Dogs eventually fought back to win by seven points, the Demons, pushed them all the way, playing exciting, hard-running football. Better still, Melbourne’s ﬁrst four picks in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft – Cale Morton, Jack Grimes, Addam Maric and Kyle Cheney – played their parts.

Morton, in his 27th game, was outstanding across half-back, with 37 disposals, seven marks and three tackles. Grimes, in just his third game after injuries dented his first season, had 25 disposals, 24 of which found their target. Cheney, in his first senior game since playing in rounds one to three this year, was effective across half-back, with 22 possessions. Maric, also injury-plagued in his first season, chimed in with two goals in just his eighth AFL game. No supporter enjoys a loss but when your team has an average age of 23.8, nine players with less than 50 games’ experience and three teenagers –

as the Demons did (see table next page) – you’ve got to look beyond the result. Melbourne development coach Kelly O’Donnell says the performances of Morton, Grimes, Maric and Cheney were “really pleasing”. “All four have had vastly different avenues into the AFL,” O’Donnell says. “Cale has pretty much slotted straight in, while Jack and Addam have had their injury worries and Kyle’s had to ﬁght pretty hard to work his way through the system. “But all four have shown signs they can become good players at this level.” O’Donnell says Melbourne’s development coaches have been

working closely with the four on their skills, while also directing each to address particular areas – Morton his core and overall strength, Grimes his troublesome back, and Cheney and Maric their aerobic running. Morton says he and his fellow 2007 draftees now feel well placed to start having a bigger inﬂuence on games. “Collectively as second-year players we recognise there is an opportunity for us to step up now and really make an impact in the competition and become respected within our club,” Morton says. When their development – and that of 2008 draftees such as Jack Watts, Sam Blease and James Strauss – will be advanced enough to transform the Dees back into ﬁnals (and hopefully premiership) contenders, O’Donnell is not sure. While some clubs work to tailored premiership models, O’Donnell says such models CON T IN U ED NE X T PAGE

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 9

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can change from year to year, depending on the premiers. The only certainty is that, with a young team, patience is required. “Building a list takes a lot of different aspects – you’ve got to recruit well and have the systems within your club to enhance the abilities of the guys that you recruit, as well as patience and a little bit of luck along the way with injury,” he says. The most important thing, O’Donnell says, is Morton, Grimes, Maric and Cheney are all committed to improving. “They’ve got good attitudes and strong work ethics,” he says. “As long as they show improvement and they continue striving to get better, we’re happy with them.”

ON CUE: Lenny Hayes is ﬁne to play his 200th game this week.

How the Demons measure up against the premier Melbourne Hawthorn R8, 2009 GF, 2008 Average age

23.8

24.6

Average number of games

73.2

107.4

Players with less than 50 games

Number of teenagers

MILES TONE

Hayes won’t tempt fate NICK BOW EN

enny Hayes was apprehensive when the AFL Record approached him to talk about his impending 200-game milestone. It was the Friday before St Kilda’s round eight clash with Essendon and Hayes, then sitting on 198 games, did not want to tempt football fate. Asking whether we could postpone our interview to the following Monday, Hayes

NEWS TRACKER

The young boys are certainly reminding me that I’m one of the oldest guys at the club, but the knee feels ﬁne and should hold out LENNY HAYES

explained the lead-up to past milestones had taught him to take nothing for granted. “In my 99th game, I got reported and was suspended, then in my 149th I injured my knee,” Hayes said. “Both times my family and friends had booked flights down from Sydney to see the games and I was on the sidelines. “So this time I’ve told everyone, ‘Don’t book a flight, don’t even talk about (the milestone), until the week of the game’.” Fortunately, Hayes’ luck changed last Sunday, his 199th game going according to plan. One of the Saints’ best in their 19-point win against the Bombers, Hayes finished with 33 disposals and a game-high nine tackles and, better still, was injury-free and not on report. His 200th game would go ahead against the Brisbane Lions this Sunday – so too would our interview. It is in keeping with a season in which most things have gone right for Hayes and the Saints.

With eight straight wins and an average winning margin of 53.5 points, St Kilda has already convinced most football followers of its premiership bona fides. Hayes also has been outstanding, racking up an average of 27 possessions and attacking the ball and the man as ferociously as ever – despite missing round one, he sits equal sixth in the competition for tackles (49). Hayes’ form is no surprise. He has been a key member of the Saints’ midfield practically since he was drafted from Pennant Hills in Sydney in 1998. The Saints, though, have been harder to read in recent seasons. While they looked capable of forging a premiership dynasty after reaching consecutive preliminary finals in 2004-05 with young teams, their slide down the ladder in 2006 (eighth) and 2007 (ninth), and their capitulations to Geelong and Hawthorn in last year’s finals, convinced many any chance of a flag had passed the current list by. Hayes, though, says the club

was always confident that was not the case. “We’ve always thought if we could have a good run with injuries and get some improvement out of the guys who have been at the club for five or six years, we would be up there,” he says. “And that’s what’s happened so far this year.” With Robert Harvey’s retirement at the end of last season, Hayes, at 29, is the oldest Saints on-baller. Not that he is feeling his age. “The young boys are certainly reminding me that I’m one of the oldest guys at the club, but the knee (reconstructed in 2006) feels fine and should hold out for a few years yet,” he says. Although contracted until the end of the 2011 season, Hayes has started to think about life after football. When that day eventually comes, he will consider moving back to Sydney, possibly staying involved in football in either junior development or a role at the proposed western Sydney AFL team. But, for now, all his energies are focused on the Saints’ 2009 campaign and, while confident, he refuses to get caught up in the hype surrounding his team. “If we go out and give the sort of effort we pride ourselves on, we’re going to be in any game we play,” he says.

TAC T I C S

New trend in rucking? A NDR EW WA L L ACE

n recent times, it can be argued that the premiership model used by some AFL clubs has revolved around the belief that the ruck division must contain two big-bodied followers capable of holding their ground at stoppages. Geelong, regarded as the best team since the start of 2007, went into the 2007 Grand Final with Brad Ottens and Steven King as its ruck combination, and last year used Ottens

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has signed a deal that will see him remain a Saint until at least the end of the 2013 season.

10 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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and Mark Blake in the premiership decider. Hawthorn ﬁelded Robert Campbell and Simon Taylor for much of its successful 2008 season, before going for the aggression of Brent Renouf over Taylor in September. In 2009, the undefeated Saints have gone with former Cat King and Eagle import Michael Gardiner as their designated big men. These three examples ﬁt the traditional 200cm/100kg ruckman mould. However, what happened on Anzac Day this season might be looked upon as the moment clubs’ thinking on ruckmen started to shift. With Essendon’s No. 1 ruckman David Hille going down early with a knee injury, the athletic Patrick Ryder – 197cm but only 90kg – was thrown into the role. What followed was an amazing 27 hit-out, 13-tackle (an AFL record for a ruckman) effort, which also included 16 possessions and a goal.

The more ore athletic ruckmen,, as long as they can be competitive ages, can be at stoppages, vantage a real advantage m to a team mes as a In four games an, Ryder ﬁll-in ruckman, d 25 has averaged hit-outs, six tackles han 12 and better than mpressing disposals, impressing sistant Essendon assistant coach Alan Richardson arkable with his remarkable spring and mobility. an not “‘Paddy’ can ontest at only give a contest ces because centre bounces of his verticall leap, but ecome almost thereafter become over around the like a ruck-rover hardson says. ground,” Richardson o doubt the “There’s no more mobile,, athletic ruckmen, as long as ompetitive they can be competitive at stoppages, can be tage to a real advantage an Cox plays a a team.” (Dean or West Coast, similar role for NEWS TRACKER

although he is built more like a traditional ruckman). After spending much of the pre-season with assistant Gary O’Donnell working on defensive skills, including cutting off opponents’ leads, spoiling and when to drop off and win the ball, Ryder ﬁnds himself on a crash course with club legend Simon Madden and the possibility of a long-term future in the ruck, even when Hille returns. “It has almost been a cramming session for him if you like,” Richardson says. “Paddy’s working on centre bounces, the body-on-body stuff at ball-ups and throw-ins, and where we want him to run after the contest. He’s had a fair bit to grasp, but given he is such a natural footballer, it actually comes pretty quickly.” Essendon is not the only club to experiment with such a type as a ruckman. When Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands is resting on the bench or up forward, the Dockers often use Michael Johnson – 194cm, 94kg and with similar athletic traits to Ryder – as a back-up. Dockers Ba assistant Barry obs Mitchell observes: sp “With the speed of the g game now a and the dista distance you w want playe to players cover, it’s not m just a matter of being able t to stand there and palm the ball. “We don’t lose too much mu when Michael Mich there is in there, because h he follows u up the we ball so well. “Player “Players like Ry him and Ryder really attack, g get involved with the play, ov overlap tha and use the ball well – that’s the big advantage.” VERSATILE: Michael Johnson’s

athleticism makes him a valuable valua ruck back-up for the Dockers.

REFLECTIONS:

Tarkyn Lockyer can look back on a wonderful career, having started on the rookie list.

PERSIS TENCE

Rookie Lockyer now a reliable veteran GLENN McFA R L A NE

here is almost a perfect symmetry about Collingwood veteran Tarkyn Lockyer’s 200th AFL game this weekend. It comes playing for a club he once loathed, against the team he formerly loved and in a state he used to call home. The 29-year-old is set to play his milestone match at Subiaco against West Coast – the team he barracked for as a kid – to become the seventh rookie-listed player to reach 200 games. “With AFL footy, you

sometimes get so caught up with the week-to-week running of the show,” Lockyer says. “But I’m very proud to reach 200. “To come off the rookie list and to have the injuries I’ve had, I suppose the thing you reﬂect on is how wonderful a concept the rookie list is.” Lockyer’s AFL career has been one of persistence and perseverance, and it has seen him graduate from a rookie into one of Collingwood’s most consistent players of the past decade. A native of the small West Australian town of Northampton (which also produced Fremantle’s Paul Hasleby and former Hawk and Eagle Daniel Chick) before shifting to Albany, he made the trip across the Nullarbor after being discovered by recruiter Noel Judkins. He concedes he would have had “no hope” of making it in the AFL had it not been for the rookie lifeline. “I was a bit short, a bit slow and couldn’t kick very far,” CON T IN U ED NE X T PAGE

Essendon’s chief operating oﬃcer Travis Auld appointed CEO of the Gold Coast Football Club. AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 11

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he says. “The rookie list gives guys who aren’t necessarily your stereotypical draft picks a chance to break into the system.” “Noel saw something in me (at East Fremantle). In 1999 Danny Frawley was my reserves coach and Tony Shaw was the senior coach. They played a lot of young kids, to their own personal detriment. And to have Mick Malthouse come in and show a lot of faith in me has been fantastic.” Lockyer thanked his father John and mother Jill for their endless encouragement; his wife Benita for her patience and understanding, and son Charlie, 3, and daughter Leni, 1, for providing him with inspiration. The other challenge Lockyer overcame was a series of injuries that left some wondering if he would ever again reach the heights of three successive top-ﬁve ﬁnishes in the Copeland Trophy (2000-2002). “Getting back up from a knee reconstruction, breaking my foot and then breaking it again, has made me more resilient,” he says. “The other thing I’ve learned to do is push through the pain barrier.” The 2002 Grand Final, which the Magpies lost to Brisbane by nine points, rates both as a career high and low.

I was a bit short, a bit slow and couldn’t kick very far. The rookie list gives guys a chance to break into the system “I’ve never watched that game again, because you play football to win Grand Finals,” he says. “But getting to that stage with what was probably not the most talented group of players in the AFL was amazing. “The win against Port Adelaide (in the 2002 qualifying ﬁnal) was probably the best I’ve played in. And another highlight was to play with Nathan Buckley. You don’t realise how special he is until he is not around.” Lockyer is in the ﬁnal year of his contract, but plans to be around for some time. “To be honest, I still feel like a young kid that has just walked through the door,” he says. “You blink and all of a sudden you have been here for 10 years. “It’s funny, all the young blokes are talking about going to 18ths and 21sts, and I am just worried about how many nappies I am going to change that night.”

HOME GROUND

Crows’ home woes NICK BOW EN

or a team that has traditionally been a formidable opponent on its home turf, Adelaide suddenly looks vulnerable at AAMI Stadium. The Crows have lost their past five games at the venue, a concerning sequence that started with their loss to Collingwood in last year’s first elimination final. This slump is curious. Since the start of 2006, Adelaide has built an imposing winning rate of 67 per cent at home – fourth in the League

during that time (see table below). Admittedly, one of the four losses at AAMI Stadium this season came in an ‘away’ game against Port Adelaide, while the Crows’ other defeats have been to top-four sides from 2008, St Kilda, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs. Nonetheless, Adelaide will be looking to put an end to its losing streak when it hosts Carlton this weekend.

Home game records since the start of 2006 Win

Loss

Draw

Geelong

St Kilda

Sydney Swans

Adelaide

Collingwood

West Coast

Hawthorn

Western Bulldogs

Fremantle

Brisbane Lions

Port Adelaide

Mal Michael (Collingwood, Brisbane Lions, Essendon)

North Melbourne

223

James McDonald (Melbourne)

Essendon

218

Russell Robertson (Melbourne)

Melbourne

210 208

Nathan Bassett (Adelaide) Mark Johnson (Essendon, Fremantle)

Richmond Carlton

203

Brett Kirk (Sydney Swans)

Glenn McFarlane is a reporter for the Sunday Herald Sun.

200-game rookies 238

Win % 82

62 2

59 57

50 47 41 1

36 28

* Home and away matches only. Home game is where a club is named ﬁrst on the ﬁxture.

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A N A LY S I S U N D E R-1 8 T I T L E S

THE GODFATHER OF STATS Ted Hopkins Founder of Champion Data and Carlton premiership player

The punishment factor at play Among the first numbercrunching exercises The Godfather undertook was this question: aside from inaccuracy when kicking for goal, what factor makes a team lose a game more than anything else? The evidence showed that what hurt a team most was poor disposal in the backline. Against good teams and players, coughing it up in defence is the worst mistake. It’s a simple theory. Champion teams and players get a thrill from the punishment factor – hurting teams when they give up the ball. Hence, The Godfather’s recommendation to coaches: don’t hesitate putting your best kicks and decision-makers in the back half. And he is amazed when coaches still insist on doing the opposite. Thankfully, there are plenty of examples endorsing The Godfather’s insights. Last year’s Grand Final bore witness to the benefits: Hawthorn’s premiership was achieved by placing in the backline the supreme disposal skills and decision-making of Luke Hodge, the Norm Smith medallist. Geelong’s Corey Enright (pictured) continues to impress with his accountability in the defensive half and his surefooted skills on the counterattack. This season, his kicking efficiency is an exceptional 85 per cent compared with the competition average of 70 per cent. From the defensive 50 and midfield, he has a combined 54 score involvements and leads the competition by a fair stretch for this measure. The Cats are the best

NEWS TRACKER

punishers in the business. Their relentless hounding of opposition defenders has resulted in them extracting the most turnovers of any team – 179 in their opponent’s defensive half – then launching an attack and scoring from 46 per cent of those. St Kilda also rates well in this area, with 173 turnovers in their opponents’ back half resulting in scores 45 per cent of the time. (To round eight, average turnovers in the back half per team was 149, with an average of 39 per cent resulting in scores). Who is getting belted most by turning over the ball in its back half? In percentage terms, it’s Hawthorn. The Hawks have coughed it up 139 times, a low amount compared with the competition average. But when they do, it really hurts with opponents scoring 47 per cent of the time, the highest score-conceding percentage of any team. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Carlton’s Chris Judd, surprisingly, ranks eighth on the table of players punished for their turnovers. How could this be? As a score-generating trigger, Judd ranks second behind Geelong’s Steve Johnson for overall impact on a team’s scoring and scoring eﬃciency. Given the breakneck speed and risks Judd takes, it’s not surprising he turns over the ball about one in ﬁve times (close to the competition average of an inside player). But why does he get punished by opponents a high 30 per cent of times from his turnovers? Perhaps, The Godfather speculates, when teammates see him near the pill, they are all too eager to sprint forward, leaving the Carlton defence exposed.

Chance to impress A NDR EW WA L L ACE

he most anticipated time of year for armchair recruiters across the country has arrived. This weekend marks the first matches of the 2009 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with Division Two teams Queensland and NSW/ACT and Tasmania, and the Northern Territory set to meet. The national carnival, which concludes with four back-to-back games at the Docklands on July 1, is a significant recruiting tool for AFL clubs. In 2009, the fixture takes on a new format, with teams playing each team in their own division once, as well as taking on two teams from the other division. With five games each across seven weeks, club scouts will receive a better overall picture of the players involved, while the youngsters can sample an elite environment similar to the one they are striving to reach.

Look out for Zac Smith, Steven May, Jack Trengove, Koby Stevens, Tom Scully, Kane Lucas, Jesse Crichton and Jordan Johns “It adds another exciting element to the championships,” AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan says. “Games will be played in all states and territories, so all teams will experience the nuances of travel, different ground sizes and conditions, as well as varying climates akin to the weekly challenges at AFL level.” In last year’s championships, players such as Vic Metro’s Jack Watts and Western Australia’s

Nicholas Naitanui enhanced their growing reputations, with the pair picked up by Melbourne and West Coast with picks No. 1 and 2 respectively. Other players to progress to AFL level from the 2008 carnival included Jack Ziebell (Vic Country to North Melbourne), Stephen Hill (Western Australia to Fremantle), Hamish Hartlett (South Australia to Port Adelaide, pictured left) and Dayne Beams (Queensland to Collingwood). Youngsters to look out for this time around include Queensland ruckman Zac Smith, the Northern Territory’s Steven May, South Australian Jack Trengove, Vic Country’s Koby Stevens, potential No. 1 draft pick Tom Scully from Vic Metro, West Australian Kane Lucas, Tasmanian Jesse Crichton and Jordan Johns from NSW/ACT. MILES TONES – ROUND 9

300 Games Jason Akermanis Western Bulldogs

200 Games Lenny Hayes St Kilda Tarkyn Lockyer Collingwood

AFL 200 Club Brendan Fevola Carlton

150 Games Adam Hunter West Coast

100 Games Roger Hayden Fremantle Matt Maguire St Kilda Mark Seaby West Coast Shane Tuck Richmond

Port Adelaide pair Chad Cornes and Alipate Carlile have re-signed with the Power until the end of the 2011 season.

14 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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M A J O R PA R T N E R

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thebounce

THINGS WE LOVED FROM L A S T ROUND

The Sherman conquest

Jack in the box

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss was perhaps understating things last week when he said Justin Sherman had just played his best game for the season. We reckon it was his best game. Full stop. At the very least, it was Sherman’s most polished effort since his breakthrough season of 2006, when he averaged 22 touches a game. The 22-year-old midfielder cast a profound influence in the Lions’ win over Adelaide at the Gabba. His raw statistics weree h compelling: a game-high 35 disposals (20 kicks, 15 5 handballs), including 10 contested touches, 11 marks, six inside 50s, four ur tackles and three timely goals. In fact, he kicked 3.4, and this poor conversion n rate was his only blemish. Maybe his coach was simply or’ ensuring the ‘Sherminator’ or ‘Worminator’ – whichever ever you prefer – doesn’t get ahead is of himself, considering his previous two seasons had d been underwhelming.

Before last Saturday night, Kieren Jack had never kicked a match-winning goal, although he had scored a match-winning try in his last season of rugby league at under-14 level. But when his moment arrived against West Coast at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, the 21-yearold son of former Australian rugby league full-back Garry Jack displayed nerves of steel. With the Swans trailing narrowly with just two minutes left, Jack pounced on an errant kick from Eagle Eric Mackenzie and snapped truly on his trusty left foot from 35 metres to propel the th Swans to a stirring five-point win. Jack sshowed great toughness to still be on the fieeld. Earlier in the last quarter, he received a heavy knock and vomited. But his h crucial goal – just his 16th in 33 appearances – capped an evening where appe he had ha 18 disposals (seven contested) at a remarkable 94 per cent efficiency. His last rema kick wa was particularly efficient.

ROARING AGAIN: Justin Sherman erman was

at his inspirational best forr the Lions.

Tredrea’s power returns Tredrea Warre Warren Tredrea is playing like he did in the early 2000s when he was one of the best power forwards fo in the AFL. Tredrea Tredr was at it again last week, playing a starrin starring role with seven goals in Port Adelaide Adelaide’s last-gasp win over Richmond at AAMI St Stadium. The 30-year-old kicked the winning goal with just seconds remaining,

HOLD THAT TIGER: Robin Nahas showed plenty of evasive skills to kick his ﬁfth goal last week.

following a signature contested mark with a wet ball. But he wasn’t ﬁnished there – he rushed down to defence and took a match-saving pack mark to seal the victory. A four-time All-Australian centre half-forward (from 2001-04), Tredrea was believed by many to have been almost ﬁnished two years ago. But in recent weeks, the Power’s games record-holder has gone on a goal splurge that has fans asking whether he could play on in 2010. In his past six games, Tredrea has bagged 27.9 – after contributing 79.52 in his previous 51 games.

Pouncing Tiger The fallout from Richmond’s gutting loss to Port Adelaide last week overshadowed a sensational performance by a young Tiger in just his sixth AFL game. Leading into the clash at AAMI Stadium, jockey-sized forward Robin Nahas had kicked 4.7 in ﬁve games after coming oﬀ the rookie list. But the diminutive dynamo stunned everyone by slotting 5.0 from his eight kicks. The 21-year-old’s dribble goal in the third quarter, which evaded a lunging Power defender, demonstrated obvious talent, and a touch of X-factor.

PREPARE FOR EVERY GAME.

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

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 17

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

HELPING HAND:

TRENDS

Why

A trainer tapes the ﬁngers of West Coast youngster Scott Selwood.

taping is a necessity

DR JODI R ICH A R DSON

any of our favourite players take to the ﬁeld each week so heavily taped you could be forgiven for wondering if their bodies would hold up without it. Just how effective is taping in managing or preventing an injury? Does taping actually prolong a playing career? For Carlton captain Chris Judd, who heavily tapes his shoulders and has done so for years, the answers to these questions may be “very effective” and “yes”. Taped shoulders are obvious to spectators, but many more ankles than shoulders are taped on game-day. In fact, ankles and thumbs are the most commonly taped joints, according to Andrew Meehan from sports medicine product wholesaler Elastoplast Sport. Meehan says some clubs have compulsory taping protocols where all players have their ankles taped on game-day and at training, regardless of injury history. Other clubs base their taping practices on needs and player requests. Not surprisingly, the amount of tape some clubs

Taping is useful to provide joint support, reduce pain and help prevent further injury by preventing extreme ranges of movement use is phenomenal. An AFL club can use up to 37km of tape a year, or about 1km per listed player. Considering the amount used and the hours dedicated to its correct use, taping is a very important part of players’ preparation. Collingwood physiotherapist Gary Nichols says there are a number of reasons for taping, including proprioceptive feedback, mechanical correction, joint support and pain reduction. Proprioception is a very important reason taping is used. Put simply, it is the sense of knowing where your body parts are without looking at them. It’s a positional sense that, for example, allows us to run

without looking at our feet. It’s a very important sense in football – the better you can sense where your limbs are, the more control you have over them, the more skill you will have in using them and the less likely you are to injure them. Tape is believed to improve proprioception through its contact with the skin and the tension that builds in the tape as a joint is moved outside its normal range. If a player has previously injured a joint (dislocating a shoulder, for example) there will be muscle and ligament weaknesses that need extra support under the pressures of a match. Taping is useful to provide joint support, reduce pain and help prevent further injury by

preventing extreme ranges of movement. Sports physician Peter Brukner says the taping of chronically injured shoulder joints can help provide stability to the joint and help prevent dislocation. He also notes that it often gives a player more confidence, with the joint feeling more stable and protected. Nichols adds that “some (players) like the feeling of security that taping provides, which is probably just that increased assistance to proprioceptive feel”. The most commonly taped joints for Collingwood players are ankles, feet, thumbs, fingers and shoulders, with at least 80 per cent of the team taped up each week. The Magpies have compulsory taping for all previously injured ankle joints. The head trainer will do the regular ankle taping, but the physiotherapists will tape for a specific injury or for mechanical correction of a joint. Some of the corrective taping at Collingwood is for players’ feet. Some players prefer to be taped, rather than wear orthotic inserts; others need taping to help their feet remain in correct alignment. Many AFL players have their ankles taped, even though they may have never had an ankle injury; this is known as prophylactic taping. It is done to assist in preventing and minimising injury. The theory behind prophylactic ankle taping is to provide external support to the ligaments of the ankle, while

The Th he AFL A L RE AF R RECORD ECO CORD R g RD gives ives ives iv e y you o tthe ou he cchance he hanc ha ncee to to w win in ttickets in icke ic kets ts oo nee o he mo most st a st ntic nt iccip ipat ated ed ﬁllms ms of of the th he year! yeear a ! to one off th the anticipated

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allowing the foot to move in its normal range. The tape acts to restrict any movement of the ankle beyond the norm, such as when a player rolls his ankle. Even though injury can still occur to a taped ankle, the tape acts to minimise the severity of the injury. A minor ankle sprain will put a player out for only one week, if at all, whereas a tear of ankle ligaments requires surgery and 8-12 weeks’ recovery. Brukner says there is anecdotal and scientiﬁc evidence to support the use of prophylactic taping to reduce the likelihood of kle sprain. an ankle ays there is no He says nce to support evidence rns that ankle concerns taping leads to a possible se in stress to increase ee. the knee. one who has Anyone een taped up ever been knows that the tape astic and stiff is inelastic to startt with, but gives over time. n though this Even ns, because happens, pe adheres the tape to the skin, it ns effective remains ancing in enhancing oception proprioception ghout a game. throughout PRECAUTION: UTION: Carlton star udd always plays with his Chris Judd ers heavily strapped. shoulders

Nichols also explains that, although the tape does lose some strength, it still has to stretch and rip before the ligaments are stretched or torn, suggesting tape works as a shock absorber. Tape used by AFL clubs needs to be of very high quality to be effective. Meehan explains that Elastoplast strictly controls tape quality, ensuring the correct tensile strength of the tape, amount of glue on the tape for adhesion and how porous the tape is, so that both air and sweat can pass through it to allow it to remain in position. The speed of the game, the intensity of tack tackling, collisions between player players and players hitting the ground grou results in injuries every w week. It’s therefo therefore crucial for clubs to k keep their players in peak playing p condition. Bruk Brukner explains that anythi anything that can help preven prevent an injury or minim minimise the severity of an iinjury has the potentia potential to prolong a playing career. It’s no wonder regular taping o of players is seen as both a necessity and an invaluab investment. invaluable Dr Jodi Ric Richardson completed her PhD at a Monash University, investigating investiga g hamstring muscle training g and its application to hamstring injury prevention hamstrin in Australian Austr Football. She specialises special p in communicating the science sc of sport.

L E AG U E L E A D E R S

Contested marking JONATHAN BROWN (BRISBANE LIONS) The Lions skipper is a master of the contested mark, particularly those that require spinetingling courage to run with the ﬂight of the ball into oncoming packs. Cont marks 21

Average 2.6

% of total marks 33.9%

MATTHEW LLOYD (ESSENDON) The Bombers skipper has adapted superbly to a rolee further up the ﬁeld, across the half-forward line, and his teammates have conﬁdence in giving him one-on-one aerial duels. Cont marks 20

Average 2.5

% of total marks 36.4%

NICK RIEWOLDT (ST KILDA) The thoroughbred in this category, Riewoldt is nigh on impossible to legally spoil when on song, with his height, reach, leap and superb hands. Cont marks 19

Average 2.4

% of total marks 26.4%

MATTHEW RICHARDSON (RICHMOND) The veteran ‘markologist’ (he took the most marks ks in the AFL last year) still occupies a prime position n despite missing the past two games with injury. Cont marks 19

Average 3.2

% of total marks 31.7%

BRENDAN FEVOLA (CARLTON) BR Alth Although the Blues match-winner had endured quiet fortnight, he has repeatedly proven his a qu ability to monster opponents with his considerable abil strength and mark at the last moment. stre Cont marks 17

Average 2.1

% of total marks 34%

FEEL EVERY BUMP.

HEAR IT LIKE YOU’RE IN IT. 3AW is football. Tune in to four quarters of all-star broadcast with Rex Hunt, Dennis Cometti, Tony Leonard and Shane Healy at 3AW 693.

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

Words to consider

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better

CAMPAIGN: Cat players, including James

Just think, say Cats MICH A EL LOV ET T

eelong captain Tom Harley and teammates James Kelly and David Wojcinski had been sitting at their respective homes last year when a story on 60 Minutes caught their attention. The report about Cats fan James Macready-Bryan, who was assaulted in Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CBD as he celebrated his 20th birthday with mates, had a profound effect on the trio. Macready-Bryan was left permanently brain-damaged as a result of the attack in 2006. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were at training the next day and we all commented how weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d watched it and how terrible it was, so we thought weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d do something,â&#x20AC;? Kelly said. Like most in the community, Harley, Kelly and Wojcinski were saddened to learn of &2 3PORTSENTRAL PDF 0another all-too-familiar story

A RESPONSE BY JACK LONG, FATHER OF MICHAEL LONG AND UNCLE OF MAURICE RIOLI, TWO OF THE GAMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GREATEST PLAYERS, TO A QUESTION FROM THE AUSTRALIAN ON WHETHER YOUNG HAWK CYRIL RIOLI WAS AS GOOD AS LONG OR MAURICE.

Kelly, Tom Harley and David Wojcinski, will wear orange laces this weekend.

COMMUNITY

of a night out with mates turning horribly wrong. They were also aware of the increase in alcohol-related violence in Geelong, where weekend assaults have been frustrating local police and community leaders. The players joined forces with the Geelong Advertiser and became ambassadors for the Just Think

campaign which encourages people to make better decisions when consuming alcohol. And on Friday night at Docklands, Geelong players will be wearing orange bootlaces in a show of support for the campaign. To learn more about the James Macready-Bryan Foundation, go to macready-bryan.com.

On-line Sport has a New Home Indulge your passion for AFL and all sport at sportsentral.com, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest comprehensive all sport website. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got the who, why, where, when, and how of sport. And its right there at your fingertips.

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Many Indigenous greats have graced this turf. T hey all have one thing in common. Sherrin. To check out the latest range visit your local stockist, call 1300 367 582 or go to sherrin.com.au

Th he 2009 inductees

The Australian Football Hall of Fame has been strengthened by the inclusion of eight inductees, covering a wide range of states, clubs and backgrounds. Those honoured were Adelaide’s ﬁrst premiership captain Mark Bickley; a South Australian legend in Peter Carey; Carlton premiership player and Team of the Century member Ken Hands; former Hawk star and now AFL Commissioner Chris Langford; former West Coast champion and Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna; Richmond Brownlow medallist Bill Morris; ex-AFL CEO Ross Oakley; and Paul Salmon, a star for both Essendon and Hawthorn.

Mark Bickley Mark Bickley was one of the most influential figures in Adelaide’s remarkably quick journey from AFL debutant to premier. A member of the Crows’ inaugural list in 1991, six-and-a-half years later Bickley captained the team to its first AFL premiership. Bickley says the 31-point triumph over St Kilda in the 1997 Grand Final was one of the highlights of his career, particularly because he never expected the club would taste premiership success during his career. “When a club’s formed, normally there’s a fairly large lead time before you reach success, so the people who were there at the start usually haven’t hung around long enough to enjoy that success,” Bickley says. “That was the really satisfying thing for the group of us who were there from day one (Bickley, Rod Jameson, David Pittman, Shaun Rehn and Nigel Smart) and were still there when we reached the ultimate success.” As satisfying as that first premiership was and, despite the adulation showered on the players by the Adelaide public – “we had a parade where 100,000 people turned up, it was mind boggling” – for Bickley the Crows’ 35-point

HISTORY-MAKER:

Mark Bickley led Adelaide to its ﬁrst two premierships.

were two guys I admired greatly when I ﬁrst came into the side,” Bickley says. “They were far and away our standout leaders in the early days and I used both as role models, particularly for the way they went about their work.” A modest Bickley, now 39, is “blown away” by his induction to the Hall of Fame, saying: “I’m not sure I feel worthy”. Footy fans in Adelaide and beyond are sure to disagree. NICK BOW EN

FAC T F I L E

That was the really satisfying thing for the group of us who were there from day one and were still there when we reached the ultimate Grand Final victory against North Melbourne the following season was even sweeter. “When we beat St Kilda, who were inexperienced and hadn’t enjoyed a whole lot of success as a club, some people said we were lucky,” Bickley says. “But in the ‘90s, the Kangaroos were probably the most successful team, so when we beat them, nobody could say that was a ﬂuke.” Reminiscing on the Crows’

inaugural year, Bickley says it was “a dream come true” to play in the AFL without having to move interstate, and playing at AAMI Stadium in front of crowds that regularly nudged 50,000 was “like playing a state game every other week”. Bickley says his appointment as the third Crows captain, in 1997, was a great honour. “(Previous captains) Chris McDermott and Tony McGuinness

Played 272 games and kicked 77 goals for Adelaide from 1991-2003 Played in 14 ﬁnals State representative on 7 occasions International Rules representative on 3 occasions 32 career Brownlow Medal votes Captained his club on 102 occasions (1997-2000) Adelaide’s 1st premiership captain 1997 Premierships 1997, 1998 (captain for both) Pre-season premiership 2003 2nd Adelaide best & fairest 1993, 3rd Adelaide best & fairest 1992

22 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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FAC T F I L E

Peter Carey

here are a few prominent Australians named Peter Carey. There’s the awardwinning author and the former AFL ﬁeld umpire (the one who ‘marked’ a pass in a game at Subiaco in 1999). But in South Australia, the name relates to just one man – a champion ruckman who played an SANFL record of 448 games for Glenelg from 1971-88. Carey’s longevity was legendary. In 18 seasons, he missed no more than 10 games, and never two in a row. “It was nothing to do with me,” he said. “I was blessed with strong bones and tendons.” He was a superstar, too. Last year, former teammate Graham Cornes and journalist Michelangelo Rucci rated Carey the third-best SANFL player of all time – behind only Barrie Robran and Russell Ebert, and above the likes of Len Fitzgerald, Lindsay Head, Ken Farmer and Neil Kerley. Carey was marked for greatness as a teenager. He was only 19 when he was best-aﬁeld at centre half-forward in Glenelg’s 1973 premiership side.

Ken Hands If opposition fans hated Ken Hands, it was a backhanded compliment. The Carlton champion, an exceptional mark and an even better drop-kick, copped as much physical punishment as he meted out. Footballers are a product of their environment, and Hands started his VFL career during a savage era. The infamous ‘Bloodbath’ Grand Final of 1945 – his debut season – proved a ﬁerce start for the then 18-year-old centre half-forward. Soon after drilling a 50-metre drop-kick goal into the breeze, Hands was knocked out behind the play. Despite suﬀering a broken nose, smashed teeth, a cut lip and concussion which meant

He kicked 6.1, including one via a reported 70-metre (he says 60) torpedo. He was Glenelg’s leading goalkicker that season with 70. Carey expected flags to become “par for the course”, but played in five losing Grand Finals before he captained Glenelg to back-to-back premierships in 1985-86. Some believed he was best on ground in ’86. In all, he played in 10 Grand Finals for a 3-7 record, but the poor strike rate had little to do with Carey’s output. A brilliant key forward in his younger days – he bagged 11 one day – Carey produced his best football when he became Glenelg’s No. 1 ruckman at 21 in 1975, when he won the first of three best and fairests. He became slower in body

he couldn’t recall anything but the last 10 minutes of the game, Hands kicked another two goals in an upset win. He was among eight players reported, but one of only two to be acquitted. That wild afternoon further developed in Hands a toughness he had forged playing against men as a big-bodied 14-year-old (he’d already grown to his full 185 centimetres) in a Sunday league in Geelong. “That held me in very good stead for my League career,” Hands recalls. The Cats were negligent in not snaring Hands, who kicked 100 goals as a full-forward and 75 as a centre half-forward for Geelong Scouts as a 15 and 16-year-old. With Geelong showing little interest, Carlton pounced. Hands spent his ﬁrst three-

but faster in mind, and believes his greatest strength was “getting to the right place at the right time”. Like the day he took 20 marks – most of them pack marks – only to be told by coach John Nicholls (the AFL legend) that he went for too many marks and that he should spoil more! Carey’s nickname – ‘Super’ – originated on a pre-season camp. After he was one of the ﬁrst picked for a volleyball game, Cornes exclaimed: “Everyone wants the super baby!” Carey, 55, is glad the ‘Baby’ part was lost over time. VFL clubs naturally wanted Carey too, and he went close to joining Melbourne in 1974 and St Kilda in 1979, but there was always the pull of family and friends, and Glenelg.

Played 448 games and kicked 521 goals for Glenelg in the SANFL from 1971-88 Premierships 1973, 1985, 1986 Glenelg best & fairest 1975, 1979, 1981 Glenelg leading goalscorer 1973 (70 goals) Captain 1983-88 All-Australian 1979, 1980 Best-on-ground in 1973 SANFL Grand Final Fos Williams medallist 1981

SUPERSTAR: Peter Carey in action

(above) with Glenelg against Port Adelaide in the SANFL and photographed recently in Adelaide.

BEN COL LINS

Coach Perc Bentley swung Hands into the ruck midway through 1948 and it kick-started the next phase of his career and-a-half seasons at centre half-forward. It was a successful period – the Blues won two ﬂags. But tired of “copping a belting”, Hands began retaliating and was reported three times and suspended once. Coach Perc Bentley swung Hands into the ruck midway through 1948 and it kick-started the next phase of his career.

TOUGH BLUE: Ken Hands gave as good as he got over a stellar career with Carlton.

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 23

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Th he 2009 inductees

Chris Langford

VERSATILE:

Hands could play in attack and in the ruck.

A mobile ruckman who says he played in a style similar to a ruck-rover, Hands helped drive the Blues to another Grand Final appearance in 1949. His best year was his first as captain, 1953. He won the Blues’ best and fairest, represented Victoria and earned the first of two successive selections in Sporting Life magazine’s team of the year. Remarkable considering he had lost about two stone (12.7kgs) in the off-season after a bout of appendicitis. Hands captain-coached Victoria on a number of occasions, and later coached the Blues to a Grand Final in 1962. Of his Hall of Fame induction, the 82-year-old says: “At my age, you don’t expect it. You only get out of football what you give, and it’s been good to me.” BEN COL LINS

FAC T F I L E

Played 211 games and kicked 188 goals for Carlton from 1945-57 Played in 9 ﬁnals State representative on 12 occasions 26 career Brownlow Medal votes Captain 1952-57 Premierships 1945, 1947 Grand Finals 1945, 1947, 1949 Carlton best & fairest 1953 2nd Carlton best & fairest 1949 Carlton coach 1959-64 Member of Carlton’s Team of the Century

onsidering he arrived at Glenferrie Oval during Hawthorn’s golden run, it is surprising that a premiership medallion initially proved so elusive for Chris Langford. As with any success in the Allan Jeans era, it involved a right of passage. Langford, who progressed from a wing and occasional ruck duties to become one of the game’s most outstanding and composed full-backs, debuted for the Hawks in round 10, 1983, holding his place for 11 games before being dropped on the eve of the ﬁnals. The former Melbourne Grammar student, then 20, admits he had no right to be a part of the premiership side that year, but swore next time he would not be watching from the stands. This proved correct, but not in the way Langford had hoped. The following season, he appeared to have cemented his place in the all-powerful line-up, playing 22 games, including the club’s second semi-ﬁnal victory over Essendon. However, heartbreak followed, with the selection committee choosing to leave him out of the Grand Final side at the last minute. “I’d made the vow that I was going to be out there, so I was pretty upset,” Langford says. “That’s why I didn’t hang around to watch it.” Having walked out on the Bombers’ stirring comeback triumph in ’84, Langford was then forced to endure a torrid time in the 1985 decider, dominated by Simon Madden as an undersized ruckman in the 78-point loss. In the meantime, Jeans had pushed Langford to the limit. “He really got into me at training, and you’d get to the stage where you’d be thinking, ‘No, don’t give me the ball, he’ll just start yelling’,” Langford says. “But he would say, ‘If I’m giving you a hard time, it’s because I think you’ve got potential – if I stop, it’s either because you’ve made it or I’ve given up on you’.” Jeans’ judgement was uncanny. The 193cm defender

FAC T F I L E

Played 303 games and kicked 33 goals for Hawthorn from 1983-97 Played in 25 ﬁnals State representative on 15 occasions International Rules Series representative on three occasions 38 career Brownlow Medal votes Captained his club on 28 occasions (including entire 1994 season) Premierships 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991 Grand Finals 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 All-Australian 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994 3rd Hawthorn best and fairest 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993 Pre-season premierships 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992 EJ Whitten medallist 1987, 1993 AFL Commissioner 1999-present

re than 300 went on to play more games, win four flags, represent Victoria 15 times, was a four-time All-Australian and club captain. Apart from his work as an AFL Commissionerr since 1999, Langford’s lasting legacy will be his act of defiance in the midst posed merger of Hawthorn’s proposed with Melbourne in 1996. awks’ thrilling Following the Hawks’ one-point win overr the Demons nd 22, the at the MCG in round ng from veteran, commuting ight of his Sydney in the twilight career, ripped off his beloved uernsey and brown and gold guernsey waved it above his head to rally hful to fight for the Hawthorn faithful their identity. “I knew I had to make a bit of a d premeditate statement, and I did it,” Langford, now 46, says. “The nity turned it Hawthorn community nificant, and into something signifi as one of many looking back, it was hat led to the important events that no-merger vote.” A NDR EW WA L L ACE E

MOTIVATED: Chris Langford ngford says he

n Jeans pushed is grateful coach Allan him to the limit.

24 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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Guy McKenna McK Rival fans had a love-hate relationship with West Coast defender Guy McKenna. Mc They loved his brillian brilliance, but hated the way he destro destroyed so many attacking thrusts thrusts. He was one of the most outstanding defe defenders of his era in 267 games with the Eagles from 1988-2000. 1988 Always cool u under pressure, he was a great mark for his height and ttotally fearless. Hailing from WAFL club Cla Claremont, McKen McKenna had to force his way w on to West Coast’s list after Coa init initially being kno knocked back by coach John Todd. coac down “I wandered w to an Eagles’ Eagles trial, but John told me that they the had enough half-backs and didn’t really need someone llike myself,” McKenna says. “I walked away thinking, ‘I’m going to show you then, you silly old bug bugger’.” After debuting debutin in 1988, McKenna quickly established a reputation as a player teams had to opposition team counter for any chance of defeating the Eagles. Ea often was paid the In fact, he ofte manned by compliment of being b a tagger to restr restrict his run and half-back. inﬂuence from h

the ball, you could control the game.” The ﬁrst to notch 200 games with the Eagles, McKenna played in the 1992 and 1994 premiership sides and was named in the All-Australian teams of 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1994. Immensely reliable, he captained West Coast on 68 occasions and won the best and fairest in 1999. He played four State of Origin games for Western Australia from 1988-97 and later coached Claremont before serving as an assistant with Collingwood from 2004-08. Appointed coach of the new Gold Coast Football Club, the 40-year-old is honoured by his induction into the Hall of Fame and hopes to pass on the knowledge gained from Neesham, long-time coach Mick Malthouse and teammates such as Glen Jakovich, John Worsfold and Peter Matera to his young charges. “It’s very humbling to be regarded as a Hall of Famer, and it’s certainly something that I didn’t set out to do,”

McKenna says. “But like I say to the boys up here, it’s all about trying to be the best you can be.” A NDR EW WA L L ACE

FAC T F I L E

Played 267 games and kicked 28 goals for West Coast Eagles from 1988-2000 Played in 24 ﬁnals State representative on four occasions 79 career Brownlow Medal votes Captained his club on 68 occasions Premierships 1992, 1994 Grand Finals 1991, 1992, 1994 West Coast best & fairest 1989, 1999 ; 2nd West Coast best & fairest 1988, 1991; 3rd West Coast best & fairest 1993, 1994, 1996) All-Australian 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994 In Inaugural coach of Gold Coast FC Gol

FOCUSED:

West Coast champion Guy McKenna was always cool under pressure.

It’s very humbling hu to be regarded as a Hall of Famer and an I didn’t sett outt to to d do credits his McKenna cred counter-attacking tendencies counter-attacki coach to former Claremont Clarem Gerard Neesham, Neesham who went on coach to become the inaugural in of Fremantle. of his time “Gerard was ahead a as far as style of football goes,” McKenna says. playing seniors for “I’d been play year-and-a-half at Claremont a year-and-a-ha and thought I kn knew it all. He taught me that came in and tau to football there was a lot more m than playing on a man and beating him – if you could your hands on actually get you

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Th he 2009 inductees

Bill Morris M

motions often flow freely at the Australian Football Hall of Fame dinner, but the induction of Bill Morris took proceedings to a more poignant level on Thursday night. Morris – the great Richmond ruckman who captained Richmond and Victoria and won the 1948 Brownlow Medal – is one of the most tragic figures in the history of football. In 1960 – just 12 years after his Brownlow triumph – Morris took his own life. He was only 39. His widow Jill attended the Hall of Fame evening with her daughter, Virginia Mort – who was just two at the time of her father’s death – and Morris’ three grandchildren. “After all this time, I was quite taken aback,” Mrs Morris says. “Bill would have been as thrilled as we are.” Morris thrilled Tigers fans in a 141-game career that spanned 1942-51, winning three best and fairests (also runner-up twice and a third) and, in addition to his Brownlow win, finished equal second, equal third and eighth. The Tigers were lucky to get him. At 19, Morris played a seconds game for Melbourne but Richmond orchestrated a bargain-basement trade that resulted in him joining the Tigers in exchange for Colin Galbraith, who played just four games for the Demons before suffering a career-ending knee injury. Although lumped with the nickname ‘Paleface’ because of

FAC T F I L E

Played 140 games and kicked 98 goals for Richmond from 1942-51 Played in 5 ﬁnals State representative on 15 occasions 85 career Brownlow Medal votes Captain 1950-51 Grand Finals 1942, 1944 Richmond best & fairest 1945, 1948, 1950 2nd Richmond best & fairest 1946, 1947 3rd Richmond best & fairest 1944 Brownlow medallist 1948 (equal 2nd 1946, equal 3rd 1950)

his sallow complexion, Morris boasted movie-star looks and genuine charisma (he and debonair Test cricketer Keith Miller were great mates) and would no doubt have been a marquee player these days. But to those who knew him well, there was often a sad undercurrent to his character. Morris was his own harshest critic, constantly talking himself down when others praised him. He had almost unattainable expectations of himself, which no doubt drove him to greatness but also proved his downfall. For instance, if he wasn’t Richmond’s best player in a given game, he became so down on himself he couldn’t bear to face anyone. Morris also hated training, and was always devising excuses to get out of the slogging trackwork. But he still managed to ruck energetically all day, without a breather. Athletic in build and style, the 188cm/88kg star certainly wasn’t soft, but wasn’t a vigorous player either. In fact, he earned the wrath of tough teammates such as ‘Mopsy’ Fraser and Jack Dyer for helping opponents to their feet. Morris was indeed a rare individual. BEN COL LINS GENTLE GIANT: It is said that former Tiger star Bill Morris would help opponents to their feet.

AR09 p22-30 Hall of Fame.indd 26

VISIONARY:

Former AFL CEO Ross Oakley.

Ross Oakley Ross Oakley was one of the architects of the national competition. During his reign as League Commission Chairman (1986-93) and CEO (1994-96), the Victorian Football League became the Australian Football League. As part of that transformation, the 12-team competition of 1986, which consisted of just one non-Victorian team (the Sydney Swans), became the 16-team competition we know today, with two clubs from Western Australia, two from South Australia (Port Adelaide was granted a licence in 1996 to enter the following season) and a Brisbane team. Under his leadership, other key changes were made. The power to run the competition was transferred from the clubs to the AFL Commission in 1993 and premiership season night matches were regularly played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Signiﬁcantly, the competition prospered. Home and away FAC T F I L E

Appointed Chairman of the VFL Commission in 1986. Remained as Chairman until 1993 when a non-executive chairman was appointed. He was appointed CEO in 1994 and retired from that role at the end of the 1996 season. Playing career: 62 games and 38 goals for St Kilda from 1962-66 Played in 3 ﬁnals 3 career Brownlow Medal votes

attendances soared from 2.9 million people in 1986 to 5.2 million people in 1996, revenue from $51 million to $200 million, the annual club distributions from $10.4 million to $23.7 million and television broadcast rights from a little more than $1 million to $19.5 million. Club memberships also increased from 71,000 in 1987 to 286,000 in 1997. Asked which legacy he is proudest of, Oakley says: “The fact we brought a state league that was pretty much on its knees in 1986 to a position where it has not only survived but is now the leading sports competition in the country.” He says the success of the competition’s non-Victorian sides has also been gratifying. Oakley acknowledges change on the scale he brought to the competition always comes with detractors, saying the proposed merger between Fitzroy and Footscray in 1990 was a particularly tough time. “We had guards at our home for about eight weeks, a supporter was removed from the property one night and the kids had to be escorted to school,” he says. “Someone had to wear the brunt of the angst from that and I was it, but if you don’t change, you fall behind.” It was in Oakley’s ﬁnal year as AFL CEO that the Australian Football Hall of Fame was established. Asked if he ever envisaged he would be inducted to it, his response is an emphatic ‘no’. Oakley, now 66, retired at the end of the 1996 season, and runs a property development company. NICK BOW EN

20/5/09 2:51:45 PM

MAZ9277_275x205_REC.pdf

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Th he 2009 inductees

Paull Salmon P S l

aul Salmon was a giant of Australian Football – literally and metaphorically. At 205cm, Salmon towered above most of his opponents. But it was his ability to play at full-forward or in the ruck – and be equally damaging in either position – that secured his lofty standing in the game over 324 games and 19 seasons at Essendon and Hawthorn. “Both positions were fun to play and I was fortunate to have more than one string to my bow,” Salmon says. “But I suppose my favourite was the ruck because you had more control over your destiny there.” It was as a full-forward, though, that Salmon ﬁrst lit up the competition in 1984. Then 19 and in his second season at Essendon, Salmon’s height made him near unstoppable in the air, while he had deceptive agility when the ball hit the ground. After 13 rounds, he led the goalkicking table with 63 goals, ahead of noted spearheads Brian Taylor and Bernie Quinlan and a young Tony Lockett. “It was a pretty exciting time, 1984. It took me by surprise as much as anyone else,” he says. Sadly, his season was cut short that round when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in a collision with Collingwood’s Geoff Raines. After a tough rehabilitation, Salmon returned late in 1985 and kicked six goals in the Bombers’ 78-point demolition of

SO... YOU THINK YOU KNOW FOOTY?

FAC T F I L E

HIGH ACHIEVER:

Paul Salmon left a lasting impression at two clubs – Essendon and Hawthorn.

Though he was 31 when he joined Hawthorn, Salmon also left a big imprint at Glenferrie Oval Hawthorn in the Grand Final. Salmon the spearhead played a vital role in another Essendon ﬂag in 1993. As vice-captain of a young Bombers side, he kicked a career-high 65 goals in 20 games, including ﬁve in the Grand Final. “As a more seasoned campaigner, I really appreciated how much went into winning premierships in 1993, so I savoured that one even more than 1985,” Salmon says.

Though he was 31 when he joined Hawthorn in 1996, Salmon also left a big imprint at Glenferrie Oval. Playing almost exclusively in the ruck, Salmon played 100 games in ﬁve seasons for the Hawks, winning their 1996 and 1997 best and fairest awards and clinching a spot on the interchange bench in their team of the century. “At 31, I needed a new challenge,” Salmon says. “There was a lot of doubters, and I had the occasional doubt myself, but it was nice to repay the faith (coach) Ken Judge and everyone at Hawthorn had in me,” he says.

Played 324 games and kicked 561 goals for Essendon from 1983-95 and 2002 and Hawthorn from 1996-2000 Played in 18 ﬁnals, kicking 37 goals 109 career Brownlow Medal votes State representative on 14 occasions International Rules representative on 2 occasions Premierships 1985, 1993 Grand Finals 1985, 1990, 1993 Hawthorn best & fairest 1996, 1997 Captained his club on 23 occasions Leading club goalscorer 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993 All-Australian 1987, 1988, 1997 Pre-season premierships 1990, 1994, 1999 Michael Tuck medallist 1999

Salmon says his induction to the Hall of Fame is “overwhelming” and pays tribute to both his clubs and the support of his wife, Jo, and children, Leah, Lachlan and Sian, who “rode the rollercoaster” with him. Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy and club doctor Bruce Reid, along with Hawthorn’s Judge, Peter Schwab, John Hook and Ian Dicker were also big inﬂuences throughout his career, Salmon says. NICK BOW EN

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28 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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Th he 2009 inductees

HALL OF O FAME INDUCTEES SINCE 1996 LEGENDS: Darrel Baldock, Ron Barassi, Kevin Bartlett, Haydn Bunton snr, Roy Cazaly, John Coleman, Gordon Coventry, Jack Dyer, Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, Peter Hudson, Bill Hutchison, Alex Jesaulenko, Leigh Matthews, James ‘Jock’ McHale, John Nicholls, Bob Pratt, Dick Reynolds, Barrie Robran, Bob Skilton, Norm Smith, Ian Stewart, Ted Whitten. PLAYERS: Gary Ablett snr, Graham Arthur, Allen Aylett, Gary Ayres, Percy Beames, Peter Bedford, Vic Belcher, Percy Bentley, Mark Bickley, Malcolm Blight, Francis Bourke, Craig Bradley, Dermott Brereton, Gavin Brown, Peter Burns, Barry Cable, Peter Carey, Albert Chadwick, David Christy, Jack E. Clarke, Jack K. Clarke, Ron Clegg, Horrie Clover, Albert Collier, Harry Collier, George Coulthard, Syd Coventry, Vic Cumberland, Peter Daicos, John Daly, Terry Daniher, Barry Davis, Bob Davis, Gary Dempsey, David Dench, Robert DiPierdomenico, Carl Ditterich, George Doig, Bruce Doull, Jason Dunstall, Russell Ebert, Wels Eicke, Ken Farmer, Len Fitzgerald, Tom Fitzmaurice, Fred Flanagan, Robert Flower, Les Foote, Des Fothergill, Ken Fraser, Ross Glendinning, Bill Goggin, Edward ‘Carji’ Greeves, Keith Greig, Ken Hands, Bob Hank, Royce Hart, Doug Hawkins, Lindsay Head, Gerard Healy, Reg Hickey, Garry Hocking, Allan Hopkins, Glen Jakovich, Darren

Jarman, Frank Johnson, Paul Kelly, Dean Kemp, Neil Kerley, Stephen Kernahan, Peter Knights, Phonse Kyne, Allan La Fontaine, Chris Langford, Dick Lee, Johnny Lewis, Tony Lockett, Michael Long, Tom Mackenzie, Simon Madden, Steve Marsh, Denis Marshall, Peter Matera, Herbie Matthews, Rod McGregor, Merv McIntosh, Guy McKenna, Peter McKenna, Dave McNamara, Stephen Michael, Dan Minogue, Bill Mohr, George Moloney, Kelvin Moore, Peter Moore, Dan Moriarty, Jack Moriarty, Bill Morris, Graham Moss, Geof Motley, Jack Mueller, John Murphy, Kevin Murray, Ian Nankervis, Laurie Nash, John ‘Sam’ Newman, Arthur Olliver, Charlie H. Pannam, John Platten, Bernie Quinlan, Bob Quinn, John Rantall, Jack ‘Dinnie’ Reedman, Jack Regan, Lou Richards, Wayne Richardson, Paul Roos, Bob Rose, Barry Round, Allan Ruthven, Paul Salmon, Wayne Schimmelbusch, John Schultz, Walter Scott, Don Scott, Stephen Silvagni, Wilfred ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn, Bernie Smith, Geoﬀ Southby, Stuart Spencer, Jim Stynes, Charlie Sutton, Mark Tandy, Noel Teasdale, Len Thompson, Vic Thorp, Albert Thurgood, Jack Titus, George ‘Jocka’ Todd, William ‘Nipper’ Truscott, Michael Tuck, Des Tuddenham, Harry Vallence, Doug Wade, Bill Walker, Robert Walls, Norman Ware, Ivor Warne-Smith, Colin Watson, Tim Watson, Murray

Weideman, Dale Weightman, Greg Williams, Garry Wilson, Jack Worrall, Roy Wright, Henry Young. COACHES: Haydn Bunton jnr, John Cahill, Tom Hafey, Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes, Allan Jeans, John Kennedy, Johnny Leonard, Phillip Matson, Jack Oatey, David Parkin, Jack Sheedy, Kevin Sheedy, John Todd, Fos Williams. UMPIRES: Ken Aplin, Henry ‘Ivo’ Crapp, Jeﬀ Crouch, Bill Deller, Jack Elder, Tom McArthur, Jack McMurray snr, Jack McMurray jnr, Ian Robinson, Rowan Sawers, Bob Scott, Ray Scott. ADMINISTRATORS: Bruce Andrew, Max Basheer, Charles Brownlow, Jack Hamilton, Henry Harrison, Thomas Hill, Sir Kenneth Luke, ‘Like’ McBrien, Bob McLean, Dr Wm C. McClelland, Eric McCutchan, Ross Oakley, Pat Rodriguez, Thomas Wentworth Wills. MEDIA: Norman Banks, Harry Beitzel, Alf Brown, Hugh Buggy, Ron Casey, Geoﬀ Christian, Hector de Lacy, R.W.E. Wilmot. After the 2009 induction there are 227 members of the Hall of Fame, made up of 177 players, 16 coaches, 14 adminstrators 12 umpires and eight media. Twenty-two members have achieved Legend status but none in 2009. Bold denotes 2009 inductee.

H A L L O F FA M E : H O W I T W O R K S In 1996, the AFL announced 136 inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. These players had made their names in the AFL/VFL, in South Australia and in Western Australia and had been selected by the Australian Football Hall of Fame committee. The subsequent addition of 83 inductees has increased the Australian Football Hall of Fame to 227. Among this number are 22 Australian Football Hall of Fame Legends (there is a restriction that no more than 10 per cent of inductees

may be Legends). Individuals are selected for Legend status if they have had a particularly signiﬁcant positive impact on the game of Australian Football. The Australian Football Hall of Fame seeks to recognise and enshrine players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives who have made signiﬁcant contributions to Australian Football – at any level – since the game’s inception in 1858. The committee considers candidates on the basis of record, ability, integrity,

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In 1999, the AFL Commission decided the Hall of Fame committee could select and enshrine up to eight Hall of Fame members each year until 2001. Of those players, no fewer than two a year should have become eligible since the inaugural induction. SELECTORS The 2009 Hall of Fame selection panel is Mike Fitzpatrick (chairman), Brian Atkinson, Kevin Bartlett, Brendon Gale, Tim Lane, Jim Main, David Parkin, Tom Reynolds, Mike Sheahan, Patrick Smith, Leigh Whicker and Caroline Wilson.

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indigenous indigenous round round XXXX

Indigenous vision is now a reality The AFL’s strategic commitment to Indigenous communities is bearing fruit with a record 82 Indigenous players on League lists this season and off-field programs also flourishing. PETER DI SISTO

bout ﬁve years ago, staff from the AFL Record worked with AFL game development staff to help produce a document outlining the League’s strategic commitment to Indigenous Australia. The initial document, updated several times subsequently, proposed that the AFL signiﬁcantly increase its presence in Indigenous communities across Australia, using Australian Football as the basis of its plan. Former Essendon champion Michael Long helped the

AFL form its initial strategy. In many ways, Long was a natural choice. A brilliant and instinctive player who helped reignite AFL clubs’ interest in the value of recruiting Indigenous players at a time when only a relative few were being given a chance at the elite level, he also had a broader view about life, and was a champion of his people. Fellow players respected him, and he had also won the respect of the football and broader communities for his stance on racial viliﬁcation. In several discussions with Long, the AFL Record was struck by his passion, for the game

and its potential to bring people together, and for its ability to drive change. “We’re all different, but sport, especially Australian Football, helps connect us. It unites us,” he told the Record in 2007. Long, who recently returned to live in Darwin and still works as an Indigenous ambassador for the League, had a vision of how the game could, and would, be. A vibrant and dynamic Indigenous aspect – on and off the ﬁeld – was what he envisioned. This year, there are 82 Indigenous players on AFL club lists, the most listed at League level in the game’s history. Long continues to play a key

role in the AFL’s Indigenous round events, and would have been immensely proud at the announcement last Wednesday of the AFL’s Indigenous employment strategy, which was one of several key programs first identified in the AFL’s initial Indigenous strategy, and is now about to become a reality. On and off the field, Australian Football is starting to witness what Long was seeing. See inside for details of Indigenous programs.

PAST AND PRESENT:

Essendon great Michael Long (left) with Carlton’s Eddie Betts and the Western Bulldogs’ Josh Hill at the oﬃcial launch of the AFL’s Indigenous round.

AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 65

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indigenous round THE FUTURE

AFL launches bold employment strategy PETER DI SISTO

our per cent of the AFL’s off-field staff at its Melbourne headquarters and across state affiliates will be Indigenous people by 2012, under an employment strategy adopted by the AFL. The AFL’s Indigenous employment strategy, in partnership with the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, announced earlier this week, aims to: ■ Strengthen existing Indigenous programs; ■ Provide access to flexible employment opportunities for Indigenous people; ■ Ensure the AFL and state affiliates are culturally respectful environments for Indigenous people; ■ Educate the Indigenous community about industry opportunities and standards, and ■ Ensure the AFL is a role model for other organisations in the industry. The AFL plans to achieve its target by: ■ Improving the infrastructure of its Indigenous programs, including the role of the AFL Foundation; ■ Seeking further partnerships with, and additional resources for, AFL programs from government and corporate partners; ■ Developing an Indigenous employment implementation plan; ■ Developing a set of principles to assist its state affiliates to develop their individual Indigenous employment programs, and ■ Ensuring the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of its Indigenous employment programs. According to AFL figures, there are 20 full-time Indigenous staff working in the Australian Football industry, or about 0.7 per cent. Eighty-two AFL players are Indigenous (11 per cent) and around 27,000 people from

“We believe that Indigenous people significantly influence and contribute to our game. Our Indigenous framework is designed to ensure this contribution grows stronger in the future,” Demetriou said. “Our Indigenous programs are about building greater access to our game to increase opportunities for Indigenous Australians. “We aim to support better sporting, leadership, education and employment outcomes for Indigenous people across Australia, as well as benefiting from the unique talent and culture that Indigenous people can bring to all areas of our business.”

New logo

PARTNERSHIP: AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and Hon. Brendan O’Connor,

Minister for Employment Participation, at the launch last Wednesday of the AFL’s Indigenous employment strategy.

We believe the Indigenous employment strategy will increase participation through greater community engagement AFL CEO ANDREW DEMETRIOU Indigenous backgrounds are registered participants in the game (4.2 per cent). The AFL programs reach more than 90,000 Indigenous people every year. AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said increasing the number of Indigenous people working in the industry would “create a greater connection to community and increase participation in AFL programs”. He said the AFL’s Indigenous employment strategy “was based on the unique connection that Australian Football has with the community and how our game can act as a supply chain to place Indigenous people in jobs”. “We believe the AFL

Indigenous employment strategy will increase participation through greater community engagement but – importantly – also will ensure the AFL is more reﬂective of the community we represent,” Demetriou said. The Indigenous employment strategy – based on the concepts of ‘Mutual Responsibility, Mutual Beneﬁt’ and ‘Equal Opportunities, Equal Outcomes’ – is a key part of the AFL’s broad Indigenous framework, which aims to: ■ Engage community; ■ Develop capacity; ■ Lead and coordinate; and ■ Celebrate culture.

The AFL has adopted a new logo for its Indigenous programs. “The logo features a stylised player representing the dynamic Indigenous skills brought to Australian Football,” designer Marcus Lee said. “The colours used specifically reflect the Australian Aboriginal flag, black, red and yellow, which are supported by green, blue, white and black from the Torres Strait Islander flag. “Collectively the colours represent the Indigenous people, earth, sun, land, sea and peace.”

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A F L PA I N I T I AT I V E

Camp covers more than football A NDR EW WA L L ACE

or football lovers, the AFL Indigenous All-Stars game offers the exciting and rare opportunity to see our ﬁnest Indigenous talent take the ﬁeld in the same team. However, for the players themselves, the AFL Players’ Association Indigenous camp, which this year was held in the week leading up to the All-Stars game against Adelaide, is just as important for their development and the advancement of their communities. Following previous Indigenous camps at Uluru in 2002, Broome in 2004 and Townsville in 2006, the program moved to Darwin in 2009, with 60 of the 82 Indigenous players on AFL lists making the journey. The week involved an Indigenous leadership program presented by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, AFLPA leadership and player development workshops, local community visits and, in preparation for the big game, AFL-standard training under

former Essendon fitness coach John Quinn and Brisbane Lions premiership hero Chris Johnson. Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes, an AFLPA executive committee member, penned a diary of the Indigenous camp for the AFL website, afl.com.au “The best thing about attending this camp is renewing old friendships and the feeling of amazement I get from seeing all of the fresh young Indigenous players coming through the ranks,” Goodes wrote. Remembering how honoured but intimidated he felt to first meet his Indigenous idols at

one of the camps, the dual Brownlow medallist made the effort to get to know the younger players. “We both have a lot to learn from each other – it doesn’t matter how old you get, everyone can take something away with them,” he said. As well as the sessions on leadership, which covered the characteristics of a good leader and leadership in society in general, the group looked at how to develop a community and what it takes to create a community from scratch. Day ﬁve of the camp featured

It is great to see how this camp has grown from humble beginnings to its current format presentations on the history of Indigenous players in the AFL, along with a ﬁnancial planning and investments session with former AFL players and AFLPA representatives Brad Wira and Matthew Burton. “It is great to see how this camp has grown from humble beginnings to its current format,” Goodes said.

STARS SHINE: The Indigenous All-Star team celebrates their win over Adelaide earlier this year.

MAKING AN IMPACT The AFL Ambassadors for Life Program was born from the desire of the competition’s elite Indigenous players to give something back to the communities they were raised in. Previously, many of the AFL’s Indigenous players had felt overwhelmed by the many individual requests they received to appear at events or give of their time. Unable to meet all of those requests, they were concerned they were not having a tangible impact on the lives of their people. Such concerns were raised when players throughout the competition came together at the 2006 Indigenous camp run by the AFL Players’ Association, sowing the seeds for the Ambassadors for Life Program. Under the program, AFL-listed Indigenous

players act as mentors to selected youngsters in various communities, with the aim of enhancing their ability to make the right choices for their current and future health, education and employment, and that of others in their community. One of the program’s main focuses is increasing the chosen youngsters’ exposure to technology, while they will also be encouraged to work towards goals and cope with adversity. The program, which was launched last year, is a joint initiative between the AFL, AFLPA, AFL SportsReady and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Aﬀairs. The players taking part in the program receive accredited mentor training, while local community mentors also work with

MENTORS: Communities connecting with the AFL.

the youngsters. They visit their selected communities two times a year, and keep in regular contact with participants by phone, email, video-conferencing and web casting. In the longer term, it is hoped the eﬀorts of the players in the program will help develop adolescent role models in Indigenous communities across Australia. NICK BOWEN

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indigenous round

SHOWCASE EVENT

Dreamtime at the ‘G now a feature PETER DI SISTO

t features Richmond and Essendon, the two clubs whose colours – black, red and yellow – are on the Aboriginal flag. In the modern era, those two clubs have featured some of the greatest players the game has seen, including Indigenous stars Maurice Rioli and Michael Long. And it’s played at the code’s feature venue, the MCG, on land considered culturally and historically significant by the Indigenous community. It stands to reason then that the Dreamtime at the ’G match has become a feature of the AFL fixture. This year’s Dreamtime match is the fifth – the Tigers won the first in 2005 and hold a 3-1 edge in the series. The match, supported again by the Australian Government, is the feature event of a week-long series of activities that include The Long Walk (starting at Federation Square and which will see Michael Long lead hundreds of people on to the MCG) and pre-game entertainment, including music and traditional Indigenous cultural activities. The winning club each year

is awarded the Kevin Sheedy Cup, named after the former Richmond premiership player and Essendon premiership coach. Sheedy, back at the Tigers in an ambassadorial role, has long championed the cause of Indigenous players, recruiting Long to Windy Hill in the late 1980s and providing opportunities for many others soon after. In 2006, the AFL introduced the Yiooken Award for the best player in the Dreamtime game. Yiooken is from the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people and means “dreaming”. Tiger Dean Polo was the ﬁrst winner, with teammate Nathan Foley the recipient last season. The curtain-raiser to the Dreamtime match will feature the Brambuk Eels from western Victoria and the Imalu Tigers from the Tiwi Islands. The Eels, a representative team made up of Indigenous players from western Victoria, have produced more than a dozen League players, including dual Sydney Swans Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes. In his column in last week’s Sunday Herald Sun, Sheedy said the Dreamtime match “should

LIGHTING IT UP: The Dreamtime at the ’G match provides the best on-ﬁeld action as well as highlighting the cultural contribution of Indigenous people.

be a catalyst towards building a better nation”. Sheedy called for the match to be given increased prominence, starting with a statue of an Indigenous player to be erected outside the MCG, next to other legends of Australian Football and other sports. “We need to recognise our Indigenous stars and their contribution,” he said.

“It could be a statue of the great Michael Long. Imagine the Bomber legend leading The Long Walk across the bridge from Federation Square and passing a statue of himself. It would be special. We could turn Dreamtime at the ’G into a national week of development and encouragement for Indigenous people.”

THE DREAMTIME AT THE ‘G MATCHES 2005 2006 2007 2008

Richmond 14.8 (92) d Essendon 9.12 (66) Richmond 13.19 (97) d Essendon 13.17 (95) Essendon 12.20 (92) d Richmond 12.12 (84) Richmond 16.14 (110) d Essendon 10.12 (72)

49,975 (crowd) 58,439 61,837 60,333

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T H E PAT H WAY

Providing an early start A NDR EW WA L L ACE

he AFL has many ways of bringing the beneﬁts of Australian Football to an incredibly diverse range of youngsters. Across mainstream Australia, NAB AFL Auskick caters for over 160,000 children, while in South Africa, the FootyWILD introductory program has more than 17,000 registered participants. Indigenous Australia also requires a tailored approach to help its kids enjoy the game and live healthy and happy lives, which is where Qantas AFL KickStart and the Flying Boomerangs come in. KickStart uses football as a vehicle to engage with Indigenous youth, encouraging development in all areas of life, particularly education. A huge part of the program’s success revolves around its ‘No School, No Play’ policy, rewarding those who regularly attend classes in their local communities.

KICK-STARTING:

Tasmania’s Mitchell Purton during a Qantas AFL KickStart game in 2008.

For those who have demonstrated good character, leadership, school attendance, and, as a lesser priority, football talent, it offers an exciting

pathway to the Qantas AFL KickStart Camp and from that, the chance to represent the AFL Indigenous youth team known as the Flying Boomerangs.

The KickStart Camp involves 50 boys aged 14-15 on a week away featuring the introduction of elite training and leadership programs. From this, 25 players are selected in the final Flying Boomerangs squad. The Boomerangs have toured South Africa on three occasions as a cultural and developmental exercise, and in March this year, flew to Papua New Guinea to taste life in Australia’s northern neighbour and play three games against a Papua New Guinea representative team. After two narrow losses to the hosts, the Flying Boomerangs scored an inspiring win in front of an estimated 8000 local fans at Eriku Oval in the third and final match, with the performance stamped with the trademark pace, flair, ferocious tackling and quick ball movement of the Indigenous game. An added feature of the program and tour is the teenagers’ participation in a Certificate II course in Indigenous leadership, which the group was set to complete on May 23. This is the only accredited leadership course in Australia.

SPREADING THE FOOTBALL MESSAGE Leading up to this weekend’s Indigenous round, students from Narangba Valley State High School, just outside Brisbane, took part in a cultural exchange with students from Cherbourg State School, more than 250 kilometres north. After studying Indigenous football as part of the excellence curriculum, students from Narangba Valley’s football excellence program were given the opportunity to travel to an Indigenous community and see the cultural diﬀerences ﬁrst-hand. The exchange included native Australian ceremonies and dance from the Cherbourg locals, as well as football clinics run by the Narangba Valley students. The trip proved to be an eye-opener for the group, with Narangba Valley program director Greg McMahon saying the change in students’ perspective was the most pleasing part of the tour. “Driving to Cherbourg, a lot of the kids were a bit timid and reluctant. At

EXCHANGE: A student from Narangba Valley State High School teaching skills to Cherbourg locals.

the start there were just 10 local kids and they weren’t really getting into it,” McMahon said. “Then our boys realised that beside the cultural diﬀerences, they were just kids who really loved to play footy and everyone started to enjoy themselves. Our guys started to implement the coaching skills they have learned, taking charge and managing to break down the communication barrier just by playing football with these kids.” Cherbourg has a population of less than

2000 and is a rugby league town. The school’s physical education teacher Jim Hartley wasn’t sure how the kids would respond to the visitors but was pleasantly surprised. “I didn’t know how the kids would take to the Narangba boys but, after everyone got comfortable, it went really well,” he said. “I had already entered a boys’ team in a local competition, but after the visit the interest from the girls was so high we entered a team for them too.” The trip’s success has put the wheels in motion for future tours in both directions, with students at Narangba Valley eager to get back up north again. During the AFL Indigenous round in 2007 and last year, students from Narangba Valley played in curtain-raiser games against the AFL’s Indigenous Academy students from Cairns, in recognition of their strong Indigenous programs at the school. BEN NIL A ND-ROW E

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indigenous round H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

Fostering growth NICK BOW EN

he AFL is reaching out to remote Indigenous communities in South Australia and the Northern Territory with a program that promotes healthy lifestyles and the importance of school. The club community fostership program was launched last year, in partnership with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. The three-year program is being supported by six AFL clubs, which have been visiting and working with Indigenous communities in selected regions. The clubs involved are Richmond (which has been working with communities in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek), Essendon (Tiwi Islands and Wadeye), Geelong (Gove and Groote Eylandt), Port Adelaide (Ceduna), Collingwood (Katherine) and Adelaide (the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands). Each club visits their respective communities several times a year, sending a squad of players, coaches and administrators. During their visits, clubs conduct football clinics and coaching courses, while working with the communities’ children to emphasise the importance of education, an active lifestyle and healthy eating. Throughout the rest of the year, the clubs stay in regular contact with their communities through email and video conferences, monitoring the children’s progress at school and providing incentives, recognition and rewards for those who have attained consistent or improved academic results. Some lucky youths from the communities will also be selected to visit their adopted AFL club, where they will be invited to attend training and play in a NAB AFL Auskick grid game at half-time during one of the club’s matches. Essendon community affairs

COMMUNITY FOCUS:

Essendon’s Andrew Lovett with youngsters from the Wadeye community.

manager Russell James has overseen the Bombers’ work in the Tiwi Islands and Wadeye (about 400km south-west of Darwin) and says in the past year they have strengthened their bonds with those communities. In that time, James says, 12 different Essendon players have visited the regions (Heath Hocking has made several visits), the club stayed overnight in Wadeye for the ﬁrst time during a three-day visit, and Alwyn Davey and Rhys Magin attended the Tiwi Island Bombers’ ﬁrst Northern Territory Football League home game at their redeveloped ground. A key part of Essendon’s involvement in Wadeye and the Tiwi Islands has been engaging

It’s a long-term strategy and sometimes challenging to measure, but football can be used to have a really positive eﬀect on these communities with their schools, James says. “We have tried to implement a program across all year levels that gives students extra incentives to attend school, whether it be the opportunity to visit Melbourne or Darwin, to meet Essendon players, or to get a Bombers scarf, cap or membership,” he says. The club has also set up a studio to conduct regular Skype (an internet telephone and videophone service) sessions with Wadeye youngsters, with a view to doing the same in Tiwi. “It gives the players the ability

to have that regular contact and engagement with the communities, rather than just ﬂy-in, ﬂy-out visits,” James says. James says community elders have told the club its involvement has been having a positive impact. “It’s a long-term strategy and sometimes challenging to measure, but football can be used to have a really positive effect on these communities and we’re happy to play a part,” he says.

THE CLONTARF FOUNDATION The Clontarf Foundation exists to promote the discipline, life skills, and self-esteem of young Aboriginal men and by so doing equip them to participate in society. These outcomes are achieved through the medium of Australian Football. Football academies are formed in association with selected schools and colleges. Each academy’s football program attracts young Aboriginal men to school and then helps retain them. As

well as conducting the football program, academy staﬀ mentor and counsel academy members on a range of behavioural and lifestyle issues, while the school caters for their speciﬁc educational needs. The Clontarf Foundation runs 14 academies in Western Australia (with a further three set to be opened there this year) and nine in the Northern Territory (with two to be opened this year). Despite dramatic growth, the Foundation continues to

achieve good results: ■ Attendance at 80 per cent. ■ Six-fold increase in the number of boys attending year 12 in established academies. ■ 30 per cent of all year 12 Indigenous male students in Western Australia are enrolled in schools where Clontarf academies are located. ■ 75 per cent of graduates in full-time employment within one year of graduation.

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Game on.

The Australian Employment Covenant (AEC) is a national industry-led initiative which aims to bring Australians together to break the vicious cycle of unemployment and poverty amongst Indigenous Australians. The focus begins with 50,000 jobs for Indigenous people, training tailored specifically to meet employers’ specifications and 50,000 workplace mentors to ensure new workers continue their development in the job.

ACHILD311911

It’s a big ask, but we can do it…with your help. To find out more visit www.fiftythousandjobs.com.au

indigenous round

INSIGHT

O’Loughlin, Pearce recognise debt A previous generation of Indigenous players have paved the way for today’s Aboriginal stars to contribute signficantly to our game both on and off the field. NICK BOW EN

hen Michael O’Loughlin and Danyle Pearce take the ﬁeld this Sunday at the SCG, they will be mindful of the debt they owe to the likes of Syd Jackson, Michael Long and Nicky Winmar. Sydney Swans games record-holder O’Loughlin and Port Adelaide speedster Pearce may be opponents this round, but both readily acknowledge how lucky they are to be playing in an era where a record number of Indigenous players grace the AFL and, far more signiﬁcantly, where their fellow players and the wider community understand their culture – and appreciate their unique skills – more than ever before. For that, they say they have Indigenous pioneers such as Jackson, Long and Winmar to thank. “I’ve had the chance to speak with Syd Jackson (who played 136 games with Carlton from 1969-76) and some of the stories he told about the past were pretty bad,” O’Loughlin said. “We’re lucky we play in an era where racist things don’t really happen any more, but we’ve got to remember what players like Syd went through, and what guys like Michael Long and Nicky Winwar stood up for.” O’Loughlin debuted for the Swans in 1995, the same year Long took his landmark stand after being racially abused in Essendon’s inaugural Anzac Day match against Collingwood, and two years after St Kilda’s Winmar proudly lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin at Victoria Park after being racially abused by the Magpie crowd. That season, there were 31 Indigenous players in the AFL; this year there are 82 – 72 on clubs’ senior lists and 10 rookies. O’Loughlin remembers feeling homesick in Sydney that

first season, saying Indigenous players feel a strong pull to their family and home, in his case Salisbury North, a northern suburb of Adelaide. He said senior Swan and fellow Aboriginal Derek Kickett was instrumental in helping him get through that period. “I think for a lot of young Indigenous players who first leave home, when they’ve got spare time away from their club they start thinking about home, what’s going on back there and what they’re missing out on – I know I did,” O’Loughlin said. “But hopefully they can see they’re helping their family and friends by making the most of their footy talent in the AFL. I know that was a big factor in me sticking it out. “But I think clubs now appreciate that, if you’re keeping the young guys busy, not letting them sit at home and watch telly, then that helps with any homesickness they may have.” While O’Loughlin had Kickett to look up to when he started playing, he is now a role model for the competition’s young Indigenous players. That is certainly clear when talking to Pearce. Pearce roomed with O’Loughlin in February when both were part of the Indigenous All-Stars clash against Adelaide in Darwin. “When I walked into the room, the first thing I saw was a big double bed and a single bed and, without even thinking about it, I just threw all my stuff on the single bed just out of respect for

him (O’Loughlin) and all that he has done,” Pearce said. “He’s definitely an idol, not just among the Indigenous players, but for all AFL fans.” Pearce, who also grew up in Adelaide, is part of a large Indigenous contingent at Alberton Oval. In round three this year, he was one of six Indigenous players who took the field for the Power against Melbourne, matching the AFL record set by Fremantle four times in 2006 and once in 2007. “That was something we can look back on and be proud of,” Pearce said. O’Loughlin is also proud today’s generation of Indigenous players is not limited to the stereotypical midfielders, small forwards and flankers of the past. “In the past, there weren’t too many key-position Indigenous players,” O’Loughlin said. “But now we’ve got someone like ‘Buddy’ (Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin) who’s 196cm and an absolute freak. There’s also ‘Paddy’ Ryder rucking now at Essendon, so the younger guys coming through are playing all over the ground and in just about every position. It’s fantastic.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The AFL would like to acknowledge the generous contribution of the following partners in its Indigenous programs: Qantas, Australian Government (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Aﬀairs and the Department of Health and Ageing) and the Australian Sports Commission. The AFL also acknowledges sponsors of the Dreamtime at the ’G event: major partner, the Australian Government (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations) and support sponsors, DESA Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club.

BEST OF ENEMIES: Port Adelaide’s Danyle Pearce (left) and Sydney veteran Michael O’Loughlin will be opposed to each other this week but they share a common respect for Indigenous players of the past.

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RA0074-AFL-R.pdf

Page

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WHICH ONE OF THESE MEN IS UNEMPLOYED?

We’re hoping you couldn’t answer that. reconciliation.org.au

indigenous round

North Tiwi Woolna

Traditional tribal/language group of this year’s AFL Indigenous players Kimberley

Marlon Motlop (Port Adelaide)

The 82 Indigenous players on AFL club lists this year come from all over Australia. Based on information supplied by the AFL Players’ Association, the AFL Record has linked each player to the Indigenous tribe/language group he was either born or raised in. Several players list themselves as ‘Noonga’, or from a region in the southern part of Western Australia. According to the AFLPA, the information supplied indicates only the general location of larger groupings of people, which may include smaller groups, and boundaries of the regions (Desert, Kimberley, Gulf, etc) are not intended to be exact.

Larrakia

Mathew Stokes (Geelong Cats) Xavier Clarke (St Kilda)

Richard Tambling (Richmond)

Wardaman Kununurra

Fitzmaurice

Carl Peterson (Hawthorn, R)

Bardi

Kija

Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs) Brennan Stack (Western Bulldogs)

Alroy Gilligan (Richmond, R)

Yawuru

Gooniyandi

Warlpiri

Liam Bedford (West Coast, R)

MAP COURTESY AFLPA

Jarrhan Jacky (Adelaide) Josh Hill (Western Bulldogs) Casey Sibosado (Fremantle, R)

Warren Benjamin (North Melbourne)

Liam Jurrah (Melbourne)

Jason Roe (Brisbane Lions)

Anthony Corrie (Collingwood)

Andrew McLeod (Adelaide)

Desert Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) Patrick Ryder (Essendon)

Des Headland (Fremantle)

Yinggarda

Antoni Grover (Fremantle)

Northwest

Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)

Steven Motlop (Geelong Cats) Watjarri

Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (Richmond)

Yamajti

Chance Bateman (Hawthorn)

Wangkathaa

Ashley McGrath (Brisbane Lions)

Eddie Betts (Carlton)

Daniel Wells (North Melbourne)

Kokatha

Brad Dick (Collingwood) Amangu

Balardung

Wirangu Malpa

Cruize Garlett (North Melbourne, R)

Wajuk

Michael Johnson (Fremantle)

Nyaki-Nyaki

Southwest

Wiilman

Leroy Jetta (Essendon)

Club Adelaide Brisbane Lions Carlton Collingwood Essendon Fremantle Geelong Cats Hawthorn Melbourne North Melbourne Port Adelaide Richmond St Kilda Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs Total

yers Indigenous players on list 6 5 4, 1 rookie 5, 1 rookie 7 6, 1 rookie 4, 1 rookie 4, 2 rookies 6 4, 1 rookie 6, 1 rookie 3, 1 rookie 2, 1 rookie 2 1, 2 rookies 5 70, 12 rookies

Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood)

Kaniyang Bibbulman

Shannon Cox (Collingwood)

• These players are Noonga, from the shaded region in Western Australia.

Michael Walters (Fremantle)

Jonathon Griﬃn (Adelaide)

Adam Cockie (West Coast, R)

Neville Jetta (Melbourne)

Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)

Roger Hayden (Fremantle)

Leon Davis (Collingwood)

Jamie Bennell (Melbourne)

Chris Yarran (Carlton)

Nathan Krakouer (Port Adelaide)

Stephen Hill (Fremantle)

Johnny Bennell (Collingwood, R)

Mark Williams (Hawthorn)

Jeﬀerey Garlett (Carlton, R)

Key: R – rookie

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Torres Strait Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)

Malcolm Lynch (Western Bulldogs)

Austin Wonaeamirri (Melbourne)

Gunbalang Yolngu

Arnhem Albert Proud (Brisbane Lions)

Ross Tungatulum (St Kilda, R) Ngalakan

Raphael Clarke (St Kilda)

Nathan Djerrkura (Geelong Cats)

West Cape

East Cape

Gulf Jarrod Harbrow (Western Bulldogs)

s) Yidinjdji

Matthew Whelan (Melbourne)

Rainforest

Warumungu

Courtenay Dempsey (Essendon) Kalkadoon

Joe Anderson (Carlton)

Northeast

Cameron Stokes (Hawthorn, R)

Arrente

Eyre Matt Campbell (North Melbourne)

Aaron Davey (Melbourne)

Alwyn Davey (Essendon)

Rhan Hooper (Brisbane Lions)

Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)

Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)

Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) Kooma

Arabana

Barranbinya

Wade Thompson (Port Adelaide, R) Andyamathanna gu

Tony Armstrong (Adelaide)

Spencer

Riverine Andrew Lovett (Essendon)

Nawu Kaurna Narangga

Nuriootpa

Shane Edwards (Richmond) Gundungurra Wemba Wemba Yorta Yorta

Southeast

Sam Sheldon (Brisbane Lions)

Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon)

Graham Johncock (Adelaide)

Travis Varcoe (Geelong Cats)

Adam Varcoe (Geelong Cats, R)

Jared Petrenko (Adelaide)

Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans)

Jarrod Atkinson (Essendon)

Michael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Loughlin (Sydney Swans)

Andrew Walker (Carlton)

David Wirrpanda (West Coast)

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indigenous round

Indigenous honour roll Indigenous players have shared in some of Australian Football’s most prestigious team and individual awards. PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS Winston Abraham (NM) 1999 Chance Bateman (Haw) 2008 Shane Bond (WCE) 1994 Troy Bond (Adel) 1997 Peter Burgoyne (PA) 2004 Shaun Burgoyne (PA) 2004 Barry Cable (NM) 1975, 1977 Graham Farmer (Geel) 1963 Lance Franklin (Haw) 2008 Adam Goodes (Syd) 2005 Des Headland (B. Lions) 2002 Eddie Jackson (Melb) 1948 Syd Jackson (Carl) 1970, 1972 Chris Johnson (B. Lions) 2001, 2002, 2003 Joe Johnson (Fitz) 1904, 1905 Chris Lewis (WCE) 1992, 1994 Michael Long (Ess) 1993, 2000 Peter Matera (WCE) 1992, 1994 Norm McDonald (Ess) 1949, 1950 Ashley McGrath (B. Lions) 2003 Andrew McLeod (Adel) 1997, 1998 Shannon Motlop (NM) 1999 Michael O’Loughlin (Syd) 2005 Byron Pickett (NM) 1999; (Port Adel) 2004 Cyril Rioli (Haw) 2008 Mathew Stokes (Geel) 2007 Gavin Wanganeen (Ess) 1993; (Port Adel) 2004 Darryl White (B. Lions) 2001, 2002, 2003 Mark Williams (Haw) 2008 David Wirrpanda (WCE) 2006

NORM SMITH MEDAL Michael Long (Ess) 1993 Peter Matera (WCE) 1992 Andrew McLeod (Adel) 1997, 1998 Byron Pickett (Port Adel) 2004 Maurice Rioli (Rich) 1982

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME – Legend Graham Farmer (East Perth, Geel, West Perth) inducted 1996, Legend 1996

Inductees BROWNLOW MEDAL Adam Goodes (Syd) 2003, 2006 Gavin Wanganeen (Ess) 1993

COLEMAN MEDAL

Barry Cable (Perth, NM, East Perth) inducted 1996 Peter Matera (WCE) inducted 2006 Stephen Michael (Sth Frem) inducted 1999

Lance Franklin (Haw) 2008

ALL-AUSTRALIAN PRE-1991 SANDOVER MEDAL Graham Farmer (East Perth) 1956, 1957, 1960 Ted Kilmurray (East Perth) 1958 Barry Cable (Perth) 1964, 1973 Stephen Michael (South Frem) 1980, 1981 Phil Narkle (Swan Dists) 1982 Michael Mitchell (Claremont) 1984 Allistair Pickett (Subiaco) 2004 Toby McGrath (South Frem) 2005

MAGAREY MEDAL Gilbert McAdam (Central Dist) 1989

AFL RISING STAR Adam Goodes (Syd) 1999 Danyle Pearce (Port Adel) 2006 Byron Pickett (NM) 1998

AFL TEAM OF THE CENTURY Graham Farmer (Geel) – ruckman

Barry Cable (WA) 1966, 1969 Craig Holden (WA) 1987 Graham Farmer (WA) 1956, 1958, 1961 Jim Krakouer (WA) 1987 Michael Long (NT) 1988 Michael Mitchell (WA) 1985, 1986 Michael McLean (NT) 1988 Phil Narkle (WA) 1987 Maurice Rioli (NT) 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988

ALL-AUSTRALIAN POST-1991 Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adel) 2006 Jeﬀ Farmer (Melb) 2000 Lance Franklin (Haw) 2008 Adam Goodes (Syd) 2003, 2006 Chris Johnson (B. Lions) 2002, 2004 Michael Long (Ess) 1995 Peter Matera (WCE) 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997 Phillip Matera (WCE) 2003

Andrew McLeod (Adel) 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007 Michael O’Loughlin (Syd) 1997, 2000 Byron Pickett (NM) 1999 Gavin Wanganeen (Ess) 1992, 1993, 1995; (Port Adel) 2001, 2003 Nicky Winmar (St K) 1991, 1995 David Wirrpanda (WCE) 2005

CLUB CAPTAIN Graham Farmer (Geel) 1965-67 Adam Goodes (Sydney) 2009Chris Johnson (B. Lions) 2007 Michael Long (Ess) 1999 Gavin Wanganeen (Port Adel) 1997-2000

CLUB BEST AND FAIREST Barry Cable (NM) 1970 Troy Cook (Frem) 2000 Adam Goodes (Syd) 2003 Graham Farmer (Geel) 1963, 1964 Lance Franklin (Haw) 2008 Dale Kickett (Frem) 1997 Jim Krakouer (NM) 1986 Chris Lewis (WCE) 1990 Norm McDonald (Ess) 1951 Michael McLean (B. Bears) 1991, 1993 Andrew McLeod (Adel) 1997, 2001 Michael O’Loughlin (Syd) 1998 Maurice Rioli (Rich) 1982, 1983 Gavin Wanganeen (Port Adel) 2003 Nicky Winmar (St K) 1989, 1995

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the interview

– a Crow warrior

t couldn’t have been organised any better. Andrew McLeod, champion footballer, proud member of two tribes, husband, father and saltwater man, is set to become Adelaide’s games record-holder on the weekend the AFL recognises the contributions made to the game by Indigenous players. The man who wears the love of his people, community and land on his sleeve, and the symbol of his Torres Strait Islander connection on his arm, is due to play his 313th game. One more than former captain and club legend Mark Ricciuto, with perhaps a year or two to add to the tally. The ﬁve-time All-Australian and triple club best and fairest, whose two Norm Smith medals were essential to Adelaide’s successive premierships in the late 1990s, could barely imagine a prouder or more ﬁtting moment to set the club’s new benchmark. “To be up there alongside Benny (Hart) and ‘Roo’ (Ricciuto) as 300-game players is very special to me,” says McLeod, who turns 33 in August. “I haven’t really thought too much about the record, but I know it’s going to mean a lot further down the track. “When I was a bit younger, I remember thinking I’d like to play until I was about 28 and then retire. As a snotty-nosed little kid, my dreams were about playing one game, not 300. This is pretty special.” McLeod’s upbringing at Katherine in the Northern Territory may have a lot to do with his longevity and resilience as an elite player. Playing every team sport on offer – Australian Football,

soccer, touch football, rugby league and union – helped him develop the running and aerobic skills to not just shine when things were falling into place, but to perform under duress. “It gave me some extra tools in how to deal with certain situations,” he says. “(Football’s) probably the hardest game in the world to play (and) and it’s getting tougher. I’m grateful for the chance to play those sports. These days, most kids don’t get those opportunities because they have to make choices at a young age.” For the young McLeod, growing up in the Northern Territory was about more than just sport. His cultural heritage and love of the land were equally important, and pride in his culture led him to have the Torres Strait symbol – a traditional headdress – tattooed on his right arm. “I think I had a special advantage growing up,” he recalls. “I have both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures – the Wardaman and Wagadadam – and that’s made me pretty privileged. “Deep down, the land and the local community mean a lot to me. It’s who I am. I do a lot of stuff out of Darwin but Katherine is where my mob is from. “It’s all connected, that soil. To me, it’s about getting back and being a part of the land, doing some ﬁshing or hunting and being normal. “My wife (Rachael) and kids (Connor and Madison) have been to the Territory a number of times and they really love it. A couple of years ago, they were given special names by some of the elders. “It was important to me, but it was important to them too,

WINNERS: Andrew McLeod with Jake and Abbey who won the competition to name the Panda Project ‘Bunji’.

I haven’t thought too much about the record, but I know it’s going to mean a lot further down the track ... this is pretty special to have that connection. I’m Minjuman, which means warrior. I’m a saltwater man. Now they’ve got tribal names too.” An end-of-season knee operation has reduced McLeod’s impact a little this year but he’s working his way back to peak condition. “My aim after having my knee done at the end of last season was to get back to a good level and I’m slowly getting there,” he says. “I started (this season) about four months behind most of the other blokes. I’ll ﬁnish out the year and see how we go then.” McLeod is typically modest about his tireless community work, but a long list of testimonials speaks volumes for his efforts. So does winning a Variety

Club Heart of Football Award for his commitment to causes stretching from spending time with children ﬁghting life-threatening illness to raising awareness of the plight of displaced youth, supporting fundraising for hospitals and small sporting clubs or just taking the time to support a bullied kid. Over the years, McLeod has also thrown his support behind the Crows Foundation in support of children in need. This includes the recent launch of the Bunji (McLeod’s nickname) Panda Project, designed to also raise funds for the Adelaide Zoo’s latest two acquisitions. Crows public relations consultant Jill Moss says she has never seen a player dedicate as much time or effort to worthy causes and the community. “I am constantly amazed at Andrew’s ‘never-say-no’ attitude to the vast number of requests from organisations both in South Australia and interstate,” she says. “He never expects or wants anything in return. In fact, he often conveys his frustration that he wishes he could do more. “He is intensely passionate about helping in the community, especially if it involves children.” McLeod, it seems, is passionate about a lot of things beyond football. But this weekend, when he runs out to the roar of the Adelaide crowd, it will be his love of the game that captures the imagination of Crows supporters hoping for a few trademark McLeod moves – the one-handed pick up, the line-breaking cruise from half-back and the precision pass forward. Moves all fans of the game have come to love.

PHOTO: SEAN GARNSWORTHY/AFL PHOTOS

On a special weekend for his people, unassuming Adelaide star Andrew McLeod is set to break new ground for his club. SH A NE McNA L LY

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the interview

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theinterview

Walking the talk He’s football’s most flamboyant figure, brilliant and exhilarating on the field; brash and opinionated off it. But on the eve of his 300th game, Jason Akermanis reveals the public perceptions of him can be misleading. BEN COL LINS

JASON AKERMANIS: 300 GAMES

he weather outside is much like the man – brisk, breezy and punctuated by plenty of grey areas. In an otherwise vacant auditorium at Whitten Oval’s Elite Learning Centre, Jason Akermanis appears comfortable in his skin. And why wouldn’t he be? On the eve of his 300th AFL game, the 32-year-old continues to belie the notion that this is likely to be his last season (he likes to think the door is “slightly ajar”), averaging 20 touches, two goals and four tackles in his seven appearances to be among the Western Bulldogs’ best-performed players. He’s rapt he has himself in his own Dream Team. However, Akermanis is decidedly uncomfortable with certain public perceptions that paint him as – well, let’s not

beat around the bush – an arrogant, self-centred big-mouth who places his own interests before those of the team. The infinite value of ‘Aker’ the player has never been questioned. A Brownlow Medal. Two best and fairests in star-studded Brisbane Lions’ sides. Stunning incarnations as a dashing defender, prolific midfielder and a damaging forward capable of drilling goals from any angle, with either foot, any distance up to 60 metres. And who could forget him snapping the winning goal against Collingwood in the 2002 Grand Final. Or bagging five goals in a brilliant display against the Pies the next year? Indeed, he’s an all-time great, and seemingly a certainty to one day be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. But for most of this decade,

questions have been raised about the wisdom of his typically forthright comments in his various media roles in television, radio and print. Despite what many people naturally assume, Akermanis does care about what other people think, and is somewhat concerned about the potential for what he regards as inaccurate perceptions of him as a person to overshadow his playing career. It’s one of many surprising contradictions in a man who has variously intrigued, exhilarated, frustrated, angered and always entertained people with his bigger-than-Texas persona. When told that this story would attempt to portray something of his personality and get inside his mind, he was enthusiastic: “Well no one has done it yet. People are too quick to box others into categories without ﬁnding out exactly what makes them tick.

That’s people for you. But you can’t box me.” Thankfully, he doesn’t mean ‘box’ in the physical sense, because he looks so sharp, fit and compact that he’d surely evade the best that came at him before landing the inevitable knockout blow. He is keen to knock perceptions on the head, though. There is an urgency within. “I’ve got one chance left to educate people about who I am,” he says. “If, at the end of it all, they still think I’m an idiot, that’s fine.” Akermanis is no idiot – at least not in the sense of pure intelligence. He speaks fluent Spanish and apparently has an IQ in the mid-130s – so, too, does his wife Megan, a speech therapist – which is believed to place them among the top few per cent of the population. When quizzed about it, Akermanis simply says: “Hey, don’t spoil

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theinterview

MAKING A POINT: While everyone

might have an opinion on Jason Akermanis, the man himself says he doesn’t care what others think – he just gets the job done. PHOTO: LACHLAN CUNNINGHAM/AFL PHOTOS

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the illusion. I’m happy for people to think I’m an idiot.” However, he is not happy about the “massive misconception” that he is a shameless individual. But he doesn’t become aggressive. He speaks – and obviously thinks – at a mile-a-minute, but all the while exudes a friendly, matter-of-factness. “Over the journey,” he explains, “I’ve given more to the group, more inside the club, more to the game than most, and been part of successful teams, yet you get lumped with that perception. “Am I missing something here? Do people think that success was just a ﬂuke? You still need to work well with people around you. “To get to 300 games, you have to be doing a lot of things right consistently. You don’t get there by being selﬁsh and undisciplined. No one could ever say I didn’t get the most out of myself.”

Tact is not my strength, but I actually think my biggest strength is dealing with people Asked if he is the type of teammate he would like to play alongside: he says: “Absolutely. If you ever question a player’s inﬂuence on others, look at his goal assists, tackles and defensive pressure. Most weeks I’m one of our best defensive players, and that was the case through the good years in Brisbane.

MANY FACES: As these photographs suggest, Jason Akermanis loves to play the role of showman. PHOTOS: LACHLAN CUNNINGHAM/AFL PHOTOS

“And off the field, I always treat my teammates better than they treat me. I’ve played with blokes you would physically have to stop to get them to acknowledge you – they wouldn’t give you the time of day because they just didn’t know how.” Akermanis is resigned to the fact he will never change the perceptions of some people. It doesn’t annoy him though. As he says several times during the course of a 40-minute interview, “That’s life.” “What people think of me is none of my business,” he says. “Unless you get on the inside and see what it’s all about, you’ll never know the truth. It’s easy to comment from afar and throw stones, but often you’ll be wrong and you’ll just look like a fool.” Akermanis doesn’t suffer fools. He inherited his brutal honesty from his late mother, Shona, who raised Jason and younger brother Rory on her own. It was a tough upbringing. “Women are notorious for talking a lot and communicating,” Akermanis says, “and you often find that kids who are raised by single mums tend to be talkative because the dad’s influence isn’t there. “Even though it hurt Mum at times to be so honest and open, she ENTERTAINER: Handstands

used to be ‘Aker’s’ postgame trademark, but he now rarely obliges.

had to be like that because she had to do both roles.” Honesty is perhaps Akermanis’ best and worst trait. Sometimes he simply can’t help himself. “It doesn’t win me many friends, but it gets things done,” he says.“Tact is not my strength, but I actually think my biggest strength is in dealing with people. “No one likes criticism. You can wrap it up in a pretty bow if you like. Or you can say: ‘Listen. Clearly we’ve got an issue here.’ In the long run, if you’re honest and you’re on the mark, people always will respect you for it. They cannot not respect you for it.” Akermanis believes he has ‘walked the talk’. “I think that will stick in people’s minds more than anything,” he says. “As long as you back it up, who cares? “I’ve singled out players a few times – I’ve picked my mark – when no one had really done it before. “We’re in the entertainment industry. I think it makes it more enjoyable watching football if someone has said: ‘Hey man, I’m going to take this guy on and beat him.’ It’s better than hearing boring stuff like: ‘He’s a good player; I really respect him’ – that’s boring as hell to people sitting at home.”

WATCH BEFORE THE GAME SATURDAY NIGHTS ON TEN

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

45 44 43 42 41 22

TIPSTERS

MICK Geelong Cats North Melbourne Carlton West Coast Eagles Richmond Sydney Swans St Kilda Hawthorn

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LEHMO Geelong Cats Fremantle Adelaide West Coast Eagles Essendon Sydney Swans St Kilda Hawthorn

DAVE Geelong Cats North Melbourne Carlton West Coast Eagles Essendon Sydney Swans St Kilda Hawthorn

STRAUCHANIE Western Bulldogs North Melbourne Adelaide West Coast Eagles Richmond Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions Melbourne

SAM Geelong Cats North Melbourne Carlton Collingwood Essendon Sydney Swans St Kilda Hawthorn

ANDY Geelong Cats North Melbourne Carlton Collingwood Essendon Port Adelaide St Kilda Hawthorn

is week special guest appearances by

JASON AKERMANIS & MARK THOMPSON

20/5/09 9:33:13 AM

20/5/09 2:56:23 PM

Getting the look

OLD HANDS:

Jason Akermanis is congratulated by fellow 300-gamer Brad Johnson.

One voice in Akermanis’ head says it can’t wait for him to retire, but another screams that it never wants him to stop – and “that’s the guy that keeps winning,” he says. When it’s over, he expects he’ll maintain a level of ﬁtness, recreate some of the camaraderie and competitive environment, but the one thing he’ll miss most is playing in front of crowds. “You can’t recreate the thrill of kicking a goal and hearing lots of noise and enjoying the moment with your teammates.” Akermanis astounds when he suggests he and his young family (he and Megan have two daughters: Charlotte, four, and Sienna, eight months) could disappear overseas, “never to be heard of again”. The US and Japan (which he has visited three times) would be potential destinations. But that’s only if his business interests go the way he hopes. One is a data protection device called Split Lock, which he says will disarm hackers. “Everyone will need it,” he says. “We’ve got to get it to the masses.” We ask him to pose with his hand over his mouth (as if to say “Oh my!”) as he did

after slotting a miraculous boundary-line goal against Geelong in round 13, 2005. He feigns confusion. “Nah, don’t remember it … kicked two like that. Don’t remember it … 35 touches, nine tackles, ﬁve goals. But they’re just stats? What are stats?” It seems no matter how hard he tries, the enigmatic one just can’t help himself. FAC T F I L E

Jason Akermanis Born: February 24, 1977 Recruited from: Mayne/Brisbane Lions Debut: Round 4, 1995 Height: 177cm Weight: 85kg Player Honours: Brownlow Medal 2001; Brisbane Lions best and fairest 1999 (equal), 2005; All-Australian 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004; International Rules Series 1999, 2000; Brisbane Lions premiership sides 2001, 2002, 2003; Jim Stynes Medal 1999 Brownlow Medal: career votes 97

The evolution of Jason Akermanis’ look has virtually coincided with his increasing self-assurance. Indeed, it is a perfect ﬁt for his outgoing nature. He started his AFL career with short red hair before growing bottle-enhanced blond locks, and has for several years cultivated a look that combines white-blond hair with a black goatee beard. Here’s his uninterrupted explanation: “It’s just been an evolution. Not something I’ve meant at any stage. “I remember the reason I originally got blond hair. At Brisbane, we had four redheads – Michael Voss, Justin Leppitsch, Ben Robbins and myself. Commentators always got us confused. “There’s a part of you that wants to be recognised if you’re playing well. You don’t want someone else getting the credit – that’s frustrating. “Then I noticed that Adam Heuskes really stood out with blond hair, so that’s what I did. “It was a bit streaky there for a while because I didn’t have a good hairdresser, but then

the hairdresser got better. Then I grew a big red goatee that was inconsistent in colour: it had red, black, strawberry-blond, auburn. “Then I was watching something that had that main guy from The Sopranos (James Gandolﬁni) and he had a beautiful, thick, black, one-coloured goatee. I thought: ‘That just looks so consistent.’ “When I saw my hairdresser, I said: ‘By the way, do you have any black tinge to do my beard?’ “I had the sides (of the goatee) for a while but they were too annoying and weren’t consistent, so I shaved them oﬀ and just had the ‘soup-strainer’ and the goatee. “But if you want to have a poke at my hairstyle, you would be surprised at how many players and coaches dye their hair because they’ve got greys in it. “All of the coaches who haven’t given in to the grey have theirs touched up. “Notice how none of my teammates bag me about it – because there’s a huge percentage of players who do it themselves. But no one talks about it.”

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20/5/09 4:23:18 PM

Relive the game over a meal in the Docklands. After the final siren, head into the Docklands and relive every kick, tackle and goal over a meal or a beer. With so many great pubs, bars and restaurants, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the perfect place to talk footy. And next week, why not kick off with a drink or bite to eat in the Docklands before the game? For ideas on where to go, visit thatsmelbourne.com.au

COM0050/D

injury report

IN GOOD HANDS: Players such as West Coast

star Daniel Kerr receive ﬁrst-class medical treatment before, during and after the game.

RESEARCH

Laws make game safer The AFL crackdown on head-high and front-on contact has led to the lowest incidence of head and neck injuries on record, according to the latest injury survey. MICH A EL LOV ET T

he annual comprehensive study on injuries in the AFL competition – the 2008 AFL Injury Report – has found that the 2008 season was the lowest year on record for the incidence of head and neck injuries. Overall injury prevalence rates across the 16 clubs remained virtually identical to 2007 levels, with injury incidence rates rising slightly while recurrence rates fell. The report by Dr John Orchard and Dr Hugh Seward, executive ofﬁcer of the AFL

Medical Officers’ Association, has identified there is an ongoing trend for AFL teams to be more conservative with injury, leading to greater severity (missed playing time) per injury but lower recurrence rates. The AFL’s football operations manager Adrian Anderson said it was extremely pleasing for the game to be able to report to parents the lowest incidence of head and neck injuries. This follows the reduced tolerance of head-high bumps and the introduction of a specific law banning front-on contact when a player has his head down over the ball.

AFL player rules and Tribunal guidelines stipulate that players are liable for head high contact caused by a bump where the player laying the bump had a realistic alternative to either contest the ball or tackle. “At the AFL level, we are extremely concerned about keeping the stars of the game on the ﬁeld, and understanding the ways we can best manage and treat injuries, knowing that our game is a contact sport,” Anderson said. “At the junior level, it is vital for us to ensure the safest possible playing environment for children to learn the game,

as injuries at junior level are much less severe and it is important that children are able to develop their skills while being protected by the rules of the game.” While hamstring strains remain the most common and most prevalent injury in the game at the elite level, groin injuries had dropped slightly against recent levels in 2007. Knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries continue to account for the largest amount of lost playing time for single injuries, while rates of knee posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries have AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au 85

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injury report continued to remain low since the introduction of the centre circle rule. There were only five reported PCL injuries in 2008, and although two of these occurred at centre bounce ruck duels, they were the first reported from a centre bounce since 2005. Anderson said all 16 AFL clubs continued to co-operate fully with the production of the injury survey and the AFL will continue to use the report as a basis for further investigation and research under the guidance of the AFL Research Board. “The AFL has worked very hard across our clubs, our medical officers, our rule makers and our junior development programs, to ensure that our game is able to keep players on the field and free of injury,” Anderson said. “The AFL is delighted to report that this year’s injury survey has shown us the lowest rate of head and neck injuries on record in terms of both incidence – 0.8 injuries per club per season – and prevalence – 2.2 missed games per club per season. “At all times, we want to reduce the risk of head and neck

B AC KG R O U N D

INJURY REPORT FACTS Historically, the AFL injury report is the world’s longest running publicly-released injury survey in sport. The survey has run for 17 seasons, achieving 100 per cent participation and compliance over the past 12 seasons. The survey has led directly and indirectly to dozens of published studies and interventions which have improved the safety of the AFL competition (e.g. ruck rule changes to decrease PCL injuries).

PROTECTED: The AFL’s stance on front-on contact aims to protect

players such as Brady Rawlings who are in this position.

injuries, via the AFL Commission and the Laws of the Game committee, and the clubs and players are extremely supportive of protecting players whose primary goal is to win the ball.” The report said serious knee ACL injuries had remained at similar levels in 2008 to the 2007 report, while clubs are more conservative with initial injuries.

“The injury recurrence rate of 13 per cent fell from the level of 16 per cent in 2007 and has generally shown a decline over the last 12 years,” the report said. “Average injury severity has been creeping up slightly over the same time period, with the inference that team medical staff have become more conservative over the last decade – keeping

players out for longer and achieving a lower recurrence rate because of this. “Notable ﬁndings to report for injury incidence in 2008 include that the rates of concussion and facial fractures were very low and continue to demonstrate a long-term decline. “The rate of shoulder sprains/ dislocations was higher than usual while the injury incidence for the majority of other categories was similar to the long-term averages.”

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86 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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time on Answer man

AFL history guru Col Hutchinson answers your queries

At the end of 2008, Richmond delisted rookie Clayton Collard, who played just one senior match (for Fremantle in 2007). How many players have ended their careers with a single game? JOSEPH WALTON, COOLGARDIE, WA CH: Surprisingly, of the 11,181

SHORT CAREER:

Former Fitzroy coach Mike Nunan is among the 1058 players to play one AFL/VFL game.

appearance under special conditions for Richmond in 1971. A registered Sturt player in South Australia at the time, he was completing national service training in Victoria.

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

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

Are you, or do you know, a descendant of former player William Joseph McSpeerin? McSpeerin may have been born in Ireland and ﬁrst played for Fitzroy in the VFA in 1884. Regarded as a versatile champion, he represented the Roys until the end of 1904. During his 126-match League career, he was a member of

p92

NAME GAME

Working two jobs

One-hit wonders

players at AFL level since the beginning of the 1897 season, and are no longer registered, 1058 managed to play a single match. That represents 9.46 per cent of all senior players. Among notable ‘one-match wonders’ are two Stawell Gift winners, Dave Strickland (1900) and Ron McCann (1936), who gained selection for St Kilda and Collingwood respectively. Michael Nunan, who coached Fitzroy for most of the 1996 season, booted three goals in his only

NAB AF RISINGL STAR

the 1898-99 and 1904 premiership teams, was his team’s leading goalscorer in 1899 and captained the club in 1901 and 1902. He died on June 3, 1943. His great nephew, Shane McSpeerin, represented Melbourne from 1971 until 1973.

Should you have any information regarding Bill McSpeerin, including his date of birth, height and weight, contact Col Hutchinson on (03) 9643 1929 or col.hutchinson@aﬂ.com.au.

Names indicating an occupation have often been discussed here. However, it is unusual for a person to have both given and family names as occupational names. Such a player is Adelaide’s Taylor Walker. Taylor is a variation of “tailor” which, coming ultimately from Latin taliare (“to cut”), has been a trade in all ages and appears in many languages as a surname; for example, Saint Adam Schneider’s surname is the German word for a tailor. Walker is an old name for a fuller. A fuller cleaned and thickened raw cloth by beating it and trampling it in water. In Roman times, urine was usually used as a cleaning agent by fullers. “Walker”, from the Old English wealcan (“walk”/“tread”) was the usual word for a fuller in the west and north of England in the Middle Ages, but as a surname it is now widespread. Twenty-eight other Walkers and four Fullers have played League football. KEVAN CARROLL

88 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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COLLECTABLES WITH RICK MILNE

‘Arch’ value to grow A weekly look at collectables, memorabilia and all footy things stored in boxes and garages. RICK’S RARITY

I have a signed-and-framed Glenn Archer Shinboner of the Century jumper and was wondering how much it would be worth. ANTHONY, VIA EMAIL RM: Archer is regarded as

PRECIOUS: As Shinboner of

the Century, Glenn Archer memorabilia holds its value.

one of the most fearless footballers to pull on a jumper, so memorabilia relating to the great North Melbourne champion holds its value well. You would be looking at a minimum of $1500, but probably closer to $2000. Also, the jumper should increase in value down the track. I have kept Fremantle membership cards from the Dockers’ inaugural season of 1995. Do these have any value? BE, VIA EMAIL RM: Not too many fans would

have kept the lot, so I believe they would have an average price of $10. I have a set of club ﬁxtures issued by The Age in 1986. Each carries the club colours on the front. Value? JAMES, VIA EMAIL RM: These are fairly common.

Earlier versions sell well, but your complete set would sell for $60.

I found a Coca-Cola bottle top with an image of St Kilda’s Ross Oakley on the bottom. Is this the same person who was CEO of the AFL? DARYL, VIA EMAIL RM: Yes, it is the same Ross

Oakley, who played 62 games with the Saints from

1962-66. These tops were issued in their thousands in 1963, and again in 1968. There were 20 featured players for each club in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. They sell for about $20 each.

Ray Gabelich was a great Collingwood favourite, best remembered for his 50-metre run and goal in the 1964 Grand Final against Melbourne when the Magpies almost pinched the ﬂag. Unfortunately for Collingwood, Melbourne’s Neil Crompton kicked a late winning goal. Gabelich played in the Magpies’ 1958 premiership side, was equal third in the 1959 Brownlow Medal and won Collingwood’s 1960 best and d fairest. ffaires i This rare photograph h is a superb reminder of the champion Magpie ruckman.

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.

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90 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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NAB AFL RISING STAR

Hitting top gear Promising young St Kilda midﬁelder Jarryn Geary is reaping the rewards of a tough pre-season. A NDR EW WA L L ACE

rowing up alongside four football-mad brothers in the football heartland of Bendigo was always going to guarantee Jarryn Geary would have an unshakable love of the game. Geary fondly remembers watching eldest sibling Daniel playing for the Bendigo Pioneers in western Victoria, and throwing himself into backyard scraps, with his impressive development at the Eaglehawk Football Club culminating in a best and fairest with the Pioneers and a shot at being drafted at the end of 2007. However, a broken arm in his top-age year possibly ruined Geary’s draft chances, and it was only with pick No. 58 in the 2007 NAB AFL Rookie Draft that the youngster found his football home at St Kilda. Elevated to the senior list and playing mainly as a defender, Geary made his debut in round one last year and held his place for eight of the first 13 games, before his form tapered towards the end of the year. He did not feature in the finals campaign. “I was playing OK in patches, but then I’d go missing in games – I was too inconsistent at that stage,” Geary said. A rugged pre-season campaign improved the 20-year-old’s fitness, strength and confidence, leading coach Ross Lyon to entrust him with increased responsibility and time in the midfield. Geary has not let Lyon down,

CONSISTENT:

Improved fitness, strength and confidence has seen Jarryn Geary blossom in the midfield this season.

NAB AFL Rising Star nominees Round 1 – Daniel Rich (BL) Round 2 – David Zaharakis (Ess) Round 3 – Patrick Dangerﬁeld (Adel) Round 4 – Jaxson Barham (Coll) Round 5 – Garry Moss (Haw) Round 6 – Stephen Hill (Frem) Round 7 – Jack Ziebell (NM) Round 8 – Jarryn Geary (StK) HIGH FIVE

Although only average height for an AFL player (183cm), Geary towered over teammates and opponents as a junior, often playing in the ruck. 2 As a Hawthorn fan growing up, he used to idolise Jason Dunstall and Shane Crawford. 3 Lives with fellow Saints Sean Dempster, who he describes as a superb cook, and David Armitage, who allegedly is terrible. Used to play cricket 4 with father Damien and his brothers at Sedgwick Cricket Club.

I’ve just got to get out there, tackle hard and tick oﬀ the role that’s asked of me. We’re all about pressure playing every game this season, and averaging 24 possessions in the past ﬁve rounds. Geary’s latest effort against Essendon earned him a nomination for the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star award. “It’s pretty surprising.I didn’t expect anything to be honest, but it’s

obviously nice recognition to receive,” Geary said. “It clearly helps with the team going so well at the moment – everyone’s happy and it’s a good place to be.” As he found with brothers Daniel, Shannon, Kallen and Eli, internal competition can be healthy, and Geary has pushed himself to greater heights, thanks to friendly rivalries with teammates Robert Eddy and Clinton Jones, who also arrived at the club as rookies. Not one to set speciﬁc goals, Geary is focused on following St Kilda’s successful team ethos.

Pre-game ritual involves drinking a (small) bottle of Coke in the car on the way to the ground.

“I’ve just got to get out there, tackle hard and tick off the role that’s asked of me,” he said. “We’re all about pressure at the moment.”

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

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NAB Community Indigenous

Supporting young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to reach their potential One program which helps to realise this is NAB AFL Auskick. It represents everything we love about footy. As part of Indigenous Round, this week’s NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year nominee is Benjamin Ogden from Woodroffe, Northern Territory. Congratulations Ben.

NAB’s Reconciliation Action Plan is committed to building a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, their culture and their aspirations.

To find out more about NAB’s Indigenous and AFL Auskick programs go to nab.com.au/indigenous and nab.com.au/auskick

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TALKING POINT

It’s in the blood I A Port Lincoln club has proved an amazing breeding ground for the AFL. PETER A RGEN T

t’s invigorating to see Indigenous players displaying their unique brand of football. Melbourne’s Aaron Davey pin-pointing a pass 45 metres down the ground to a teammate, North Melbourne’s Daniel Wells dashing out of defence after taking a strong one-grab mark or Carlton’s Eddie Betts snapping a brilliant goal from an acute angle make the football purists salivate. These AFL players have a strong connection to an Indigenous club from the South Australian fishing village of Port Lincoln – the Mallee Park Peckers on the Eyre Peninsula, eight hours drive by car from Adelaide. The club was formed in 1981 and can claim a link to no fewer than 12 AFL players. Mallee Park quickly became the most dominant force in the Port Lincoln Football League, winning its inaugural flag in just its fifth season, with names including Johncock, Miller, Betts, Wells, Pickett, Burgoyne, Thomas and Davey. The 1985 Grand Final between Mallee Park and Waybacks highlighted the special attributes associated with Indigenous football. In a fast, free-flowing game, both teams kicked seven goals in the first term, with 46 majors booted in the match. Mallee Park won, 24.21 (165) to 22.9 (141). Betts’ father Eddie senior played on the wing, while Adelaide defender Graham Johncock’s dad Barry, or ‘Jack’ as he known in the Eyre Peninsula football community, was stationed at centre half-back. North Melbourne goal sneak Lindsay Thomas’ uncle Max kicked five goals from centre half-forward. Wells’ father Leonard played in defence, alongside Byron Pickett snr,

CONNECTED: Melbourne

star Aaron Davey is one of several Indigenous players with a family link to Mallee Park.

People from all over the coast ast would come and watch Mallee Park play this exciting form of football. As kids, we’d look forward rward to Saturday ADELAIDE DEFENDER GRAHAM JOHNCOCK

the father of 2004 Norm Smith medallist Byron Pickett, and Norm Pickett, Byron jnr’s uncle. Fabian Davey, the uncle of Aaron and Alwyn Davey, played as a forward pocket, rotating on the ball. He kicked 74 goals that year. Also featuring in Mallee Park’s premiership team were Michael and Tony Burgoyne, the uncles of Port Adelaide stars Peter and Shaun Burgoyne, and Harry Miller snr, father of former Hawk utility Harry jnr. “All the players who are currently on an AFL list from Mallee Park had a father or uncle play in that game,” said club president Joe Burgoyne, a past

IN THE SAME MOULD: The father

of Carlton forward Eddie Betts, Eddie snr, was a premiership player a generation ago.

mpion champion er and player miership coach. premiership The club played vibrant, “The cking football with a lot attacking all movement, with of ball the players backing each other. Most of the Mallee “Most k footballers descend Park m the Koonibba from ion, and we still have mission, ry strong afﬁliation a very h them.” with

From 1985-2001, the Peckers dominated the competition, winning 11 A grade premierships, along with a number of others in lower grades. Graham Johncock, then just a slightly built 16-year-old, was among the best in the club’s 10th senior ﬂag in 1999, when it beat the Waybacks by 44 points. “The players of my dad’s era played a totally different brand of football than other local teams – a highly skilful, fast, running style of game,” Johncock explained. “People from all over the coast would come and watch Mallee Park play this exciting form of football. “As kids, we’d look forward to Saturday. I loved watching Fabian Davey, my dad and uncle Harry Miller play and we’d be on the boundary trying to recreate their feats, taking marks and kicking to each other. “When we get a chance to get back to Port Lincoln between our busy program, we always try and get out to the club – whether it’s to run some water or just to have a chat to the lads.” With immense pride, many o of the Mallee Park’ Park’s 1985 premiership players will be looking loo forward to the cur current gener generation disp displaying the their skills in tthis we weekend’s celeb celebration round. They w will be watchin watching as their extraordinary feats and sublime sk skills are replicated by the their own at the highest level. Peter Argent g is a South Aust Australianbased freelance writer.

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