AFL Record, Round 5, 2010 by The Slattery Media Group

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

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

ON THE RISE: West Coast’s emerging young ruckman Nic Naitanui is the round four nomination for the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star award after an inspired display against Essendon last Friday night.

Regulars

Features 57

Steven Salopek

Port star has the power of positive thinking.

Anzac Day debuts

A day to remember for four players.

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

Moments of the decade

How the Swans ended 72 years of heartache.

THIS WEEK’S COVERS The national cover features sailors and airmen playing an impromptu game at Ti-Tree Wells Camp in Alice Springs during World War II. There is also a special tribute cover for the Sydney-West Coast game, recognising the HMAS Sydney II. IMAGE SUPPLIED BY AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL: NEGATIVE NUMBER 067034

Backchat

Your say on the football world.

The Bounce

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

Matchday

Stats, history and line-ups.

Dream Team

Mr Fantasy, our Dream Team expert.

Answer Man

Kids’ Corner

NAB AFL Rising Star

Talking Point

Ted Hopkins on Malcolm Blight’s star system.

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feedback

Your say on the world of football

EDITOR’S LETTER

That one day in October?

Home, sweet home

West Coast’s win over Essendon don again highlighted the Eagles’’ dominance at home and the Bombers’ difﬁculty winning on ba, the road. Similarly, the Gabba, SCG and AAMI Stadium are quite often fortresses for theirr respective home teams. d Geelong is notoriously hard d to beat at Skilled Stadium, and me even Hawthorn’s second home m) in Launceston (Aurora Stadium) seems to give it an edge. Home ground advantage st for seems to be a thing of the past based games between Melbourne-based clubs, which mostly play theirr CG home games at either the MCG ever, or Etihad Stadium. It is, however, well and truly alive when a Melbourne-based team plays a non-Victorian team. BILL VELDMEYER, UPPER COOMERA, QLD.

Slowing the game

After all the discussion on changing the interchange system, I like the idea of having two substitutes and two interchange players on the bench. This would reduce the number of rotations, slowing the game speed. It would also reduce the pressure on players who leave with a concussion to come back on to the ground to give teammates a rest. Under a ‘substitute’ system, a concussed player could be substituted. This would reduce the danger of players incurring serious brain injury. DANIEL McCABE, ADELAIDE, SA.

Two clubs, clubs one goal Re the story ‘The Power

of One?’ published in the round three edition: The recent Power-Magpies merger plan rejected by the SANFL clubs and Commission was designed to reestablish “one club” and reunite all Port supporters for the benefit of both teams and the SANFL. We therefore currently have to continue operating separately and independently in most respects but, where possible, both continue to try and work together efficiently and unite all Port supporters in both competitions. The fact is that, despite our respective current financial difficulties and challenges, both Port Adelaide clubs intend to continue operating

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

4 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

well bey b beyond 2010. h are ar continuing Both to address ad ddr their anc situations fina nancial (in conjunction con with SA thee SANFL) and are co nfid confi dent of long and su ucce successful futures. In fact, this yyear already, the Mag M Magpies have ssub substantially inc increased their me membership, spo sponsorship and fu fundraising in income, as we well as match attendances, from last year and recent years, and still have substantial equity in our long-term lease of the gaming venue at the Prince of Wales Hotel at Queenstown, as well as an interest (shared with the Power) in the Port Club gaming venue at Alberton Oval (where both clubs continue to train). JOHN FIRTH, PRESIDENT, PORT ADELAIDE MAGPIES FOOTBALL CLUB

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� With Gold Coast joining the competition next season, the AFL has floated the possibility of an October Grand Final in a raft of suggestions put to the clubs for discussion. Other proposals include starting the season several weeks earlier and playing split rounds earlier in the season. The AFL also is looking at how it might alter the format of the NAB Cup pre-season competition to cater for 17 clubs. Several Melbourne radio stations were quick to call for fans’ opinions on the possibility of Grand Finals being played in October – and not on the last Saturday in September. Predictably, there were suggestions yet another of the game’s traditions was being sacrificed. Twenty-four of the 113 Grand Finals have been played in October, because of draws, calendar quirks or simply because it suited circumstances at the time. Many more have been played on days other than the ‘Last Saturday in September’. Granted, there is the ‘Last Saturday’ concept, but pragmatic matters including the availability of venues at either end of a season, having to schedule more games once new clubs are introduced and the need to balance fairness and equity with commercial considerations must come before a quirky romantic notion of a game having to be played on a specific day. After all, the Grand Final is not the Melbourne Cup. PETER DI SISTO

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

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VIEWS NEWS FIRST PERSON FACTS DATA CULTURE

RED HOT: Young Melbourne defender Jordie McKenzie is repaying the Demons’ faith with a bright start to the season.

MELBOURNE’S OTHER NO. 1 TURNS UP THE HEAT

Young Demon tackling his task with relish PETER RYA N

here’s a No. 1 pick at Melbourne receiving very little publicity. His name is Jordie McKenzie and he has not missed a game this season. Adelaide chased the 19-year-old at the end of last year, such was his promise, but there was never any doubt, according to McKenzie, that he was staying at the Demons. “They were good enough to give me an opportunity so I want

to try to repay the faith they have put in me,” he said. McKenzie’s claim to the top-of-the-charts status is as the ﬁrst player selected in the 2009 NAB AFL Rookie Draft (held at the end of 2008), hardly a headline-grabbing feat. Last year, he broke through to play three games, one of 22 of the 75 players (29 per cent) chosen in that rookie draft to play at AFL level last season. So enthused was Melbourne about

McKenzie’s prospects that the club’s general manager of football operations Chris Connolly offered him an early reward. He told the tough on-baller he could graduate from No. 49, the number he wore last season, to jumper 13, previously worn by Adem Yze and Allen Jakovich and premiership players Max Spittle and Les Jones. “I jumped at the chance to be given a jumper with such a proud history,” said McKenzie, who hails from Terang-Mortlake in Victoria’s western district. McKenzie is part of a team that has won its past two games and sits just outside the eight.

Any assessment of the club’s form is necessarily skewed; the club’s victories against the winless Adelaide and Richmond make its numbers look good. McKenzie knows this, and his mature and realistic outlook as to where the club sits is a good indication of the culture the Demons are creating. “No one is getting too far ahead of themselves. We know we have a long way to go. We know we’ve taken a few steps in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go,” he said. McKenzie identiﬁes the team’s defensive aspects as the main CON T IN U ED NE X T PAGE

AFL RECORD visit aﬂ record.com.au 7

the bounce

improvement this season. “The big one is the pressure we have been putting on all over the ground. We are applying a lot more pressure and have been able to cause turnovers,” he said. “It has been one of our strengths and something we worked on over the off-season.” Melbourne leads the AFL (equal with Essendon) for tackles with 299 after four rounds and McKenzie leads the competition with 35, one of three Demons in the top-six. James McDonald is third with 33 and Brent Moloney is equal sixth with 26. This is a young team beginning to take shape. McKenzie could be an important component. For all the value placed on early draft picks and progressive trading (it’s worth remembering this weekend, when the Demons meet the Brisbane Lions, that promising defender Jack Grimes came from the draft pick Melbourne received after trading Travis Johnstone to the Lions), it is the gems that come through the rookie draft that can make the difference in today’s footy. Finding good ones is a bonus, like picking up trumps in the kitty while playing the card game 500. As Melbourne captain and once-rookie McDonald nears the end of his career, the club might have found a replacement: the hard-tackling, humble McKenzie. “I’ve obviously got a long way to go though, so it has been good to get a game early and now I know I have to keep it up,” he said.

CHALLENGE

Time to sting Crows into action SH A NE McNA L LY

delaide players might want to consider a film night to overcome their woes. They could try to find a copy of the 1973 multiple Oscar-winning classic The Sting, which carried the tagline “All it takes is a little confidence”. It’s a simple message that could turn around the Crows’ fortunes after a 0-4 start. Last weekend, Ben Rutten, an All-Australian, bounced when he didn’t have the confidence to release the ball in the second quarter against Carlton, was tackled by Eddie Betts, and gave the Blues a goal. Scott Thompson dropped an uncontested third-quarter mark on the 50m line that might have cost the Crows a vital comeback goal. Andrew McLeod was one of the few with any poise but, when he dished the ball out from half-back a few minutes earlier, his teammates had none. The fumble led to a Carlton goal just 16 seconds after half-time. Even the normally assured Tyson Edwards was indecisive and turned the ball over. Then there were the missed set shots and other misses that resulted in a 6.19 scoreline.

TOUGH TIMES: Adelaide coach Neil Craig believes everyone has to take responsibility for the Crows’ poor start to the season.

It was indicative of a group that didn’t have the confidence to do the basics and ended up finding countless ways to lose possession. Right now, the Crows are a shadow of the team that finished last year with the promise it could be a force in 2010. They are struggling to score, managing an AFL-low 233 points in four matches, a shade under 10 goals a game. Coach Neil Craig probably wasn’t thinking about classic

movies when he spoke after last week’s match, but he indicated all involved needed to ﬁnd a way forward. “This is probably the most difﬁcult time we’ll go through as a playing group and a coaching group,” Craig said. “We just need to make sure we accept our part of the responsibility and to get it better. “We’re a fair way off where we need to be. “We’ve got to make sure we utilise this time the best we possibly can.”

An old twist on time management � St Kilda coach Ross Lyon’s idea of playing two 45-minute halves is not a new one. In fact, the game was played in Victoria in two halves until 1886, when it became a four-quarter contest. Here is a timeline of time-related moments in the game:

NEWS TRACKER

1866 � Time limit for matches introduced. Team scoring most goals declared the winner. Field umpires acted as timekeepers.

1869 � A 100-minute time limit introduced, with team leading after elapsed time declared winner.

1875 � All senior matches required to be started on time.

This year’s NAB AFL Draft and an AFL industry conference will be held on the Gold Coast, from November 17-19.

8 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

TRAILBLAZER JAMIE PI

Pi’s passion leads to Chinese broadcast

Adelaide’s slow start � The Crows are 0-4 for the third time in the club’s history, having also lost their opening four matches in 2000 (they were 0-5 that season before ﬁnishing 9-13) and 2004. Adelaide started slowly in 1997-98, losing three of four games in both seasons before rebounding to win both premierships. Only once since joining the competition in 1991 have the Crows been perfect after four matches – that was in 1996, when they ended the year with eight wins.

� It didn’t take long for Jamie Pi to realise the importance of football when he migrated to Melbourne with his family from China in 1993. As a 12-year-old who knew no English and whose parents worked in a restaurant, Pi spent two terms at a language centre before moving to Dandenong High School in the city’s outer south-east. He soon noticed a group of boys playing what appeared to him a strange sport during lunchtime breaks, and how people gravitated towards the one with the ball. Soon enough, Pi joined in the lunchtime kick-to-kick sessions with a stranger who became his best friend, sparking a love affair with Australian Football that continues to grow. This weekend, 16 years after he attended his first AFL match, Pi is set to broadcast his first game (the Melbourne-Brisbane Lions match at the MCG) for Chinese community radio station 3CW. Pi, a small business banking specialist, will broadcast the match in Mandarin. A keen Collingwood supporter, Pi became involved with the radio station in 2005 when he was in a role promoting Melbourne Football Club to

+ ( * )

mimicking the style of 3AW caller Brian Taylor, whom he met last week for some pre-call tips. Pi knows that, in football, you get back what you put in. The game has been good for him, and now he is returning the favour. “I like to attribute a lot of my personal success to football. Through footy, I met my best mate, made a lot of good friends and learned the English language,” Pi says. “I have learned about perseverance and conﬁdence and living a healthy lifestyle and being ﬁt. It’s given me an opportunity to give something back and I’m doing that now.” Pi’s broadcast of the DemonsLions match can be heard in Victoria on 1341 on the AM dial. Some 5000 international students are expected to attend the match as part of a ticketing promotion conducted by the AFL and Monash and La Trobe universities. Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions will play an exhibition game (the Kaspersky Cup – AFL Shanghai Showdown) in China, on October 17. CALLUM TWOMEY

D@E

1886 � Game ﬁrst played with four 25-minute quarters. (In 1887, 50 minutes per half in June and July, and 60 minutes in May, August and September.)

NEWS TRACKER

the Asian community. From there, it “snowballed” – he was interviewed on the station’s Sunday afternoon sports program, Sports Magazine, and has become a regular guest during the football season. Now, he ﬁnds himself in the commentator’s chair. Pi’s involvement in grassroots football is just as impressive. In 2007, the 29-year-old was involved in establishing an all-Asian team in the Victorian Amateur Football Association’s Club 18 division while playing for Box Hill North. Aimed at those who were “afraid of the mainstream and not too sure of themselves”, the team’s numbers grew and, in 2008, an all-Asian club was formed (the Southern Dragons) to play in the Southern Football League. This season, the club has three teams and more than 120 registered players – an overwhelming success due in no small part to Pi’s passion and enthusiasm for the game and his community. In the lead-up to this weekend, Pi did several phantom calls,

1887 � Timekeepers and bell system introduced, helping umpires. (From 1887-1993, game played with four 25-minute quarters.)

1994 � Playing time for each quarter amended to 20 minutes plus time-on, instead of 25 plus time-on.

1995 � Revised system for adding time-on. Recorded when boundary or goal umpire signal, until next act of play.

West Coast’s Daniel Kerr expected to miss three months after surgery for a hamstring injury. AFL RECORD visit aﬂ record.com.au 9

the bounce

WHITE’S MARK PURE GOLD

The myth of momentum

SWAN SOARS: Sydney Swans forward Jesse

White thrilled the crowd at Etihad Stadium last Sunday with this speccie over Roos defender Lachlan Hansen (far left).

IMAGE: COLLEEN PETCH/HERALD SUN

� Sydney Swans forward Jesse White took a mark last week that is sure to be one of the contenders for the Hungry Jack’s AFL Mark of the Year. Here are his thoughts on the big grab: “There are times when everything falls into place in going for a mark, and this was one of them. Everything seemed aligned. North’s Lachie Hansen was sitting under the ball and I knew I had a pretty clear run at it for a leap. As I

NEWS TRACKER

of things,” he said when asked about the issue. “Those seven goals were created by probably 35 different things. I’m more concerned about addressing the things we’re not doing well. PETER RYA N “Each goal they scored – omentum is one of apart from some good Swans those football words individual performances – were that means nothing, due to our players not playing but has become part their role at that particular of the vernacular. time, so I’m more interested The liberal use of such words in addressing those individual lock the unsuspecting on a fast aspects rather than any sort of track to myth creation. In effect, momentum shift.” if you believe in momentum, you It’s a wise assessment from are letting emotion take over Scott. He’s not letting superstition from reality. This is a dangerous have its head. No doubt a space for sporting teams or connection between previous individuals (in teams) to enter. success and future success exists. Talent (and/or a myriad of Confidence can and does kick factors such as wind direction) in. But good teams overcome might determine the odds of one setbacks, retaining self-belief team as likely to kick the next rather than succumbing to doubt. goal (for example if Geelong, Scott is stating it as it is: when with the wind at its back, is a team kicks consecutive goals, playing members of the AFL a good opponent with mentally Record office in a scratch strong players responds. match the odds would They make something be short that the happen. They retain Cats would belief in their I’m more kick the next skills and their concerned about goal and the training and addressing the next and the their team’s things we’re not next) but the structures and fact a team hang tough. doing well kicks goals They kick the NORTH MELBOURNE COACH BRAD SCOTT consecutively goal when the (presuming all chance arises. They other conditions take a mark in defence stay the same) or win the ball from the does not alter the normal headcentre. In effect, they remain to-head odds of either of two in the moment and rise to the evenly matched teams booting challenge. They don’t look up at the next score. the coach’s box and yell Despite that truth, the word for help. momentum keeps rearing up However, fans often expect when one team kicks a couple of a rapid response, as though goals consecutively, as though coaches can turn opposition suddenly the fact one team goals on and off like taps. has kicked a goal puts it at an Think about it. If coaches advantage in mathematical could have such an influence, terms when the ball is bounced. would they wait until the In reality, the only possible opposition has kicked advantage is psychological. consecutive goals before The comments North reaching into the bottom of Melbourne coach Brad Scott the drawer and grabbing that made after last week’s loss to file marked: ‘How we kick the Sydney Swans, when the goals while they don’t. Use in Kangaroos conceded the last an emergency!’ seven goals of the game, Coaches can (and do), of shows he understands this course, implement plans in such reality better than most: “I’m not situations to allow their players a great believer in those sorts to regain their sense of belief WORK IN PROGRESS

rose for the ball, I knew I was in the right position and kept telling myself not to drop the ball. Luckily, it stuck, but the mark came at such a critical stage of the match (halfway through the third quarter with the Swans leading by just ﬁve points) that I knew the job was only half done and that I had to then concentrate hard on my shot for goal. I was rapt when I kicked the goal as it helped the team in such a tight situation.” JIM MAIN

Team GWS’s South African recruit Bayanda Sobetwa arrives in Sydney to start training with the club.

10 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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the bounce

on the ﬁeld. At times last year, Melbourne put two extra players in defence each time they had two consecutive goals kicked against them. But, despite the call to throw numbers back being a supporter cliché, you don’t teach much (or learn much about your players) doing that. Such responses are more indicators that a team lacks mental toughness and a ploy is needed to stop psychology taking hold and a sense of doom permeating through the team once the opposition kicks consecutive goals. Let’s repeat it again: one goal being kicked does not mean another necessarily follows. Unless you start to believe it will. There are moments, of course, when defensive action is suitable and sensible. If you are protecting a lead in the ﬁnal minutes, then a different response might be needed, but mid-game, the best coaches maintain faith in their game-plans. They see how certain players respond to being beaten and who can kick the necessary goal when the opportunity arises. They will see who sticks to structures when the pressure is on and who goes into self-preservation mode. Strong coaches will not make things easier just to save face. That’s like taking an iron from the tee every time. Clubs with

a strong learning culture will grab the driver from the tee and stare down uncertainty and the possibility of failure in order to get better. Scott’s response shows he can cut through conventional wisdom. His team will face reality, all the time, every time. It’s a good sign.

LATE STARTER:

James Podsiadly is making his mark in the AFL at the ripe old age of 28.

LIVING HIS DREAM

Atkins was on the mark with ‘Pods’

MICH A EL LOV ET T

ormer Footscray onballer Simon Atkins was a good judge on the football ﬁeld and, it appears, a better one off it. Atkins, in his sixth season as coach of VFL club Werribee, guided veteran Geelong rookie James Podsiadly through four of those seasons and was amazed that no AFL club had snapped up the big left-footer. “He (Podsiadly) has got power, he’s got strength, he’s quick, takes a pack mark and usually his goal conversion is really good,” Atkins said in 2008, after Podsiadly won the J.J. Liston Trophy for best player in the VFL. “Someone needed to take a chance; it would not even have

been a gamble. If he had been taken as an older footballer, the club would have been rewarded for it. In an AFL environment, he would have improved enormously because he would have been a full-time footballer.” Prophetic words? When Atkins made those comments, Podsiadly was a ‘mere’ 26; now he’s 28 and living his dream of playing at AFL level after Geelong gave him a chance in last year’s rookie draft.

Last Sunday, as Podsiadly made his way to the interchange bench late in Geelong’s 95-point mauling of Port Adelaide, he was given a standing ovation by the Cats’ faithful after kicking ﬁve goals and taking a game-high 11 marks in just his second match. He mused later he thought Gary Ablett was walking to the bench at the same time. It’s been a remarkable journey for the popular forward, who

THE PREMIERSHIP QUARTER

� Last weekend, Geelong kicked 11.7 (73) in the third quarter against Port Adelaide at Skilled Stadium. “An outstanding third quarter, wasn’t it?” coach Mark Thompson said after the win. Hey Mark, you asked the question. So here’s the answer. Geelong’s effort last week was the equal 14th best third quarter in history, equal to the Cats’ effort in round two, 1989, when they booted the same score line against the West Coast Eagles, also at home. The effort against Port was Geelong’s third-best score in NEWS TRACKER

any quarter. Its best two are: 14.3 (87) in the last quarter against the Brisbane Bears, in round seven, 1992, at Carrara. 12.6 (78) in the last last la las stt term, also against stt the tth hee Brisbane Bears att Carrara, Carr Ca arrra rar ara ra, a,, in round 15, 1989.. Geelong’s third d quarter qua qu qua art arte rte ter er th he equal he eeq qu qua ual all last Sunday was the 40th highest score ree in na quarter. Other teams amss have am hav ha have avvee in a quarter qu qua quar art rte ter err scored 73 points in 11 times.

Adelaide has placed Brad Moran on its long-term injury list.

12 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

TOP 10 BES BEST ST THIRD-QUARTER SCORES 13.4 (82)

Essendon E v Footscray

Round 22, 1982 (Western Oval)

13.2 (80)

S South Melbourne v Carlton

Round 13, 1934 (Lake Oval)

12.5 (77)

C Collingwood v Carlton Round 4, 1969 (Princes Park)

12.5 (77) 12.4 (76)

N North Melbourne v Footscray S South Melbourne v North Melbourne

Round 8, 1983 (Arden St Oval) Round 22, 1971 (Lake Oval)

12.4 (76)

H Hawthorn v St Kilda

Round 7, 1985 (Princes Park)

12.4 (76)

S Sydney Swans v West Coast

Round 16, 1987 (SCG)

11 10 (76) (76) Hawthorn H 11.10 v Fitzroy

Round 21, 1991 (Princes Park)

12.3 (75)

F Fitzroy v Melbourne

Round 17, 1979 (Waverley Park)

12.3 (75)

H Hawthorn v Geelong

Round 21, 1986 (Princes Park)

12.3 (75)

C Collingwood v South Melbourne

Round 22, 1970 (Victoria Park)

RUNNING RIOT: Gary Ablett starred in the

Cats’ brilliant third-quarter onslaught.

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VIEWS | NEWS | FIRST PERSON | FACTS | DATA | CULTURE had a cult-like following in the VFL but was spurned at every AFL door until the Cats came knocking late last year. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt that Podsiadly was on their doorstep â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he left Werribee at the end of 2008 to join Geelongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VFL side last season. One of the reasons he went to Geelong was to work with the Catsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ďŹ tness and conditioning staff, while captaining the VFL side. He has followed a similar path, albeit at an older age, to former Geelong defender Matthew Egan, the 2007 All-Australian defender who came via the VFL system and also had a background in tennis. Podsiadly was an emerging talent on the Victorian tennis circuit and did not play his ďŹ rst game of competitive football until he was 17. His long journey started in 1999 when he was rookie-listed by Essendon. He lasted a year at Windy Hill before he was rookielisted by Collingwood in 2001, playing three pre-season games. After 12 months, Podsiadly was moved on, with his next chance coming in 2005 when he did a pre-season with the Western Bulldogs. He tried his luck at several clubs only to be knocked back again. Podsiadly stuck with the VFL, ďŹ rst at Williamstown, then Werribee and ďŹ nally Geelong. Now he has cracked it with one of the strongest clubs in the AFL. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s some story.

the bounce

MILESTONES ROUND 5

VALE

Brewer and Linton were sharpshooters

AFL 200 Club Jonathan Brown Brisbane Lions

150 Games Andrew Welsh Essendon

PETER RYA N

an Brewer, full-forward in Collingwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous 1958 premiership side, passed away on April 15, aged 73. Brewer kicked 164 goals in 84 games with the Magpies, leading the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goalkicking in 1957 (with 26) and 1958 (73). He won the Coleman Medal in 1958 as the Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading goalkicker, an award he received retrospectively. When the 1958 team was inducted into the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall of Fame in 2008, Brewer accepted the honour on behalf of his teammates, his pride evident as he spent the night wearing an old jumper from the era over his suit. Brewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest bag of goals came in round two, 1958, when he kicked eight of his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11. He also booted six against Melbourne in round 10 that year in front of 99,346 people, still the largest home and away crowd. Brewer kicked two goals in the 1958 Grand Final and also played as a reserve in the 1960 Grand Final, a day when

SAD TIME: Collingwood is mourning the passing of Ian Brewer.

Collingwood kicked only two goals in the loss to Melbourne. He ďŹ nished with Collingwood a year later. After trying out with St Kilda â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where his cousin Alan Morrow played â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and failing to play a senior game, he continued senior football with Claremont in Western Australia and Norwood in South Australia, and then was captain-coach at Victorian country club Wangaratta Rovers. He ďŹ nished his career after returning to play three games with Norwood in 1970. Former Footscray player Alby Linton died on April 11, aged 83. The lightly built rover played 53 matches and kicked 46 goals from 1947-52 and was the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading goalkicker (equal) in 1951 with 23. Linton, the son of Alby â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Curlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Linton, who played 30 games for North Melbourne and three for Victoria in the 1920s, played in one ďŹ nal.

100 Games Richard Tambling Richmond Steven Dodd Fremantle

50 Games Paul DuďŹ&#x192;eld Fremantle Mitch Clark Brisbane Lions Matt Campbell North Melbourne Scott Harding Port Adelaide Josh Kennedy West Coast

50 Games Coached Matthew Knights Essendon The list includes those not necessarily selected but on the verge of milestones.

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Home team v visitors tonight

AFL RECORD visit aďŹ&#x201A; record.com.au 15

the bounce

MEDIA MILESTONE

Walsh has found his true calling MICH A EL LOV ET T

ike any country recruit, Peter Walsh was a nervous young man as he drove from Ballarat to the Lake Oval in 1978 to make his VFL debut. But he wasn’t carrying a new pair of boots or freshly starched shorts in his bag. Just his binoculars, a couple of pens and a scrapbook containing facts and figures about the round four clash between South Melbourne and Fitzroy. As he has done for every one of the 997 games he has called since, Walsh went home and dutifully added the scores, best players and goalkickers to a scrapbook. “I’ll look it up for you,” he said, flicking through the first of 15 scrapbooks he has filled. “Fitzroy won (by 19 points) and (Bob) Beecroft kicked 10 goals, and have a look at this … Garry Wilson kicked seven for Fitzroy as well.” Some 32 years on and Walsh, who today calls football for ABC Radio from his home base in Adelaide, is on the verge of calling his 1000th match.

Walsh had been calling games in the Ballarat Football League for local station 3BA when the ABC approached him in 1978 to work on a part-time basis. It gave him the chance to operate alongside household names of the day – Graham ‘Smokey’ Dawson, Peter Booth, Clarke Hansen, Tim Lane and ABC doyen Dick Mason, a man who called a spade a spade and certainly not a shovel. “I remember rolling up on the ﬁrst day and I asked him (Mason): ‘What do I call you on air?’ He looked at me and ﬁred back: ‘Call me Dick, but when we are off air, it’s Mr Mason’,” Walsh said. By 1981, Walsh’s energetic style had attracted the attention of Geelong station 3GL and, for the next four years, he worked with Ted Whitten, exclusively covering Cats’ games.

“Ted was like a second father to me,” Walsh said. “He was just fantastic to work with and be around.” The ABC came calling again, this time at the end of the 1984 season, offering Walsh a full-time position in its sports department based in Hobart. It was a wide-ranging role, covering cricket, basketball, rowing and athletics, as well as calling football in the statewide competition in Tasmania. “I remember some very cold afternoons down there. There was one game we were calling in Devonport and, it was raining so heavily, they had to stop the game.” After returning from the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Walsh was offered the chance to move to Adelaide for the ABC, where he has worked alongside fellow

long-serving caller Roger Wills, covering Adelaide and Port Adelaide games. In summer, he stands out like a beacon walking around the Adelaide Oval covering domestic and international cricket in his famous ‘loud’ shirts. “I started wearing them when I moved to Adelaide, more just to stir up the locals than anything,” he said. During the cricket season, Walsh aims to get well-known international cricketers and identities to put on one of his shirts – and he proudly reels off his list of ‘scalps’. “I’ve got Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Stephen Fleming, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Mark Waugh and Craig McDermott to name a few. The list goes on!” he said. Even recently retired Adelaide Oval curator Les Burdett, popular Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle and Test umpire Billy Bowden have donned his shirts. “I love collecting the shirts and have about 50 in the cupboard. I got Joel Garner to wear one in the West Indies and he loved it.” The cool autumn Adelaide days and nights means Walsh will be more suitably attired when he calls his 999th game this weekend (Port Adelaide-St Kilda) and, ﬁttingly, his 1000th match will be next week’s showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

L I O N S G O T H E D I S TA N C E BIG FINISH: NISH H: Michael

� The Brisbane Lions sit second on the lladder after the ﬁrst four rounds, and for tthat they can thank their ability to overrun o opponents in the last quarter. In three of their four wins this year, tthe Lions have outscored their opponents iin the last quarter, by an average of 2 25.3 points. In two of those games, they came from b behind, from a two-point deﬁcit against West Coast in round one and from seven W p points down against Carlton in round two. In the other game, last Saturday night’s cclash against the Western Bulldogs, the m match was still in the balance, with the Lions leading by six points. L

telli was one Rischitelli ny Lions of the man many oing strongly still going in the ﬁnall term eek. last week.

Brisbane’s dominant last quarters Round 1 v West Coast

7.6 (48) to 2.2 (14)

Round 2 v Carlton

6.4 (40) to 2.2 (14)

Round 4 v Western Bulldogs 3.5 (23) to 1.1 (7) TOTAL MARGIN 76 points, at an average 25.3 a game

The only time Brisbane has been outscored in the ﬁnal term this year – by 18 points, against Port Adelaide in round three – it held a match-winning 45-point lead at the last break. NICK BOWEN

NEWS TRACKER

Fremantle’s Hayden Ballantyne extends contract with club to the end of the 2012 season.

16 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

the bounce

PLAYERS WE LOVED ROUND FOUR CHRIS JUDD, CARLTON � Nothing should surprise football watchers in relation to Judd. We’ve seen it all so many times before; the ﬂash, the dash, the hard-ball get, the clearance, the zig-zag run and the delivery. Last week, in Judd’s ﬁrst match of 2010 following a suspension incurred last season, Adelaide copped the brunt of him at his best, the king of the contested possession. Of Judd’s 30 disposals, half were contested. He had nine tackles, and the most inside-50 entries of any player on the ground (seven). It was a remarkable return, and no coincidence that Carlton played its best game of the year with its skipper leading the way. Did anyone expect anything less?

with his two goals a display of his natural talent. The 19-yearold twice swooped on the loose ball, snapping truly both times – and celebrated like an excited debutant might, with a dual ﬁst pump followed by congratulatory pats on the head from teammates. His third goal was a brilliant setshot from deep in the pocket, kicked with a minimum of fuss. At the other end, Moore showed why he is so highly rated within Richmond circles, using his pace, agility and strength in an attempt to hold the Tigers’ backline together. Astbury and Moore are part of the future, so take note Tiger fans.

WELCOME BACK: Carlton captain

Chris Judd starred in his ﬁrst game for the 2010 season.

SHINING LIGHT:

Young forward David Astbury gladdened Tiger hearts with three goals on debut.

DAVID ASTBURY AND KELVIN MOORE, RICHMOND � Nobody is under any illusions about Richmond’s sstruggles, and the work the club needs to do to become consistently competitive. A few players from last

week’s loss to Melbourne, however, might have helped brighten the mood of Tiger fans. First-gamer Astbury and Moore (69 matches) were the obvious positives, at either end of the ground. Astbury excited, especially in the ﬁrst quarter,

JARED BRENNAN, BRISBANE LIONS � Brennan is one of those players you watch in the expectation they will do something you don’t expect. And when they do, it’s everything you hoped for. Brennan showed us several of his ‘tricks’ against the Western Bulldogs last week, superior skills that he displays almost weekly. On several occasions, he had the ball ﬁrmly stuck in his left hand, waving it around and past opponents, switching across ground and, plainly, playing dangerously. It’s what Brennan does best. CALLUM TWOMEY

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AFL RECORD visit aﬂ record.com.au 17

the bounce

A N Z AC DAY 2 010 BEST OF ENEMIES

Seeing rivalry from the other side NICK BOW EN

he Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles forged one of the great modern rivalries in the mid-2000s. Squaring off in two consecutive Grand Finals, the Swans won the 2005 premiership by four points before the Eagles hit back to win the following year’s flag by one point (see ‘Moments of the Decade’ on pages 68-69). Most remarkably, though, in six matches from the 2005 second qualifying final to round one of 2007, just 13 points separated the teams. The Eagles won four of those games and the Swans two. In three of them, the winning margin was one point. Ruckman Mark Seaby played for the Eagles in all of those games, except the 2006 first qualifying final.

those games knowing they were going to come down to the wire. Even if we were ahead, we knew Sydney SYDNEY RUCKMAN MARK SEABY was just going to keep fighting and fighting. But I’m all for Sydney now and am looking forward to trying to get the side over the line.” That said, Seaby admits it will be tough playing against his former ruck partner Dean Cox. “He’s still one of the premier ruckmen of the competition,” he says. “I’ve never gone head to head with him before in a competitive game, but I learnt a lot training with him over five or six years and I’ve got to credit him with a lot of my development.” After eight years and 102 games at the Eagles, Seaby is enjoying life with the Swans leave some players with mixed and a new ruck partnership with emotions, Seaby is firmly former Cat Shane Mumford. focused on Saturday’s match. “We’re both youngish players “It would be little different (Seaby turns 26 on May 1, going up against the Eagles no Mumford is 23) and I think matter who I was playing for we’re having the impact the club because I’ve got a lot of good needs, but we need to maintain friends there still,” Seaby says. our consistency for the entire “It was a great rivalry. season,” he says. You always went into

I’ve got to credit him (Dean Cox) with a lot of my development

CHALLENGE: Sydney’s Mark Seaby will be up against his old side West Coast this week.

Traded to the Swans at the end of last season, Seaby will face former teammates as the enemy this Saturday, when his new club hosts West Coast at the SCG in the ﬁrst HMAS Sydney II commemorative match (see story below). But, while switching sides in such a ﬁerce rivalry may

SWANS, EAGLES TO HONOUR LOST SEAMEN � This weekend’s Sydney Swans-West Coast match will see the two clubs play the inaugural HMAS Sydney II commemorative match. HMAS Sydney II was a World War II cruiser with a proud and distinguished record in combat in the Mediterranean in 1940, including the sinking of the Italian

Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni. Back on duties in Australian waters, it was with a profound sense of loss to the nation that she was sunk with all 645 crew in a mutually destructive engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran on November 19, 1941, oﬀ the northern coast of Western Australia. The fate of HMAS Sydney II and her crew remained a mystery until she was found on March 16, 2008, sitting upright on the ocean ﬂoor, 2.5km deep and about 180km west of Shark Bay, Western Australia.

Her discovery solved a 67-year mystery and brought a measure of peace to the families of those lost. Since her discovery by the Finding Sydney Foundation, many commemorative events have been held across the nation to bring a close to an unﬁnished chapter in Australia’s history. The Swans and Eagles will play an annual HMAS Sydney II commemorative match, recognising the courage and ingenuity in adversity of those who served on it, free and independent spirits who

became a team formed by the bonds of mateship. The Finding Sydney Foundation has donated a commemorative perpetual trophy, made in the form of a ship’s battle honour board showing Sydney’s distinct badge and campaign and battle honours in polished bronze on a jarrah base and backboard. The foundation is also providing a perpetual trophy for the player who shows “the greatest courage and skill in adversity, teamwork and ﬁghting spirit”.

HONOURED: Sydney and West Coast will play for a perpetual trophy named after the HMAS Sydney II (above).

NEWS TRACKER

Football fans encouraged to contribute to the Anzac Day Raise a Glass appeal, via raiseaglass.com.au.

18 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

AFL RECORD visit aﬂ record.com.au 18

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the bounce

A N Z AC DAY 2 010

PERSONAL CONNECTION: The

great grandfather of Dockers star Luke McPharlin (right) was wounded at Gallipoli.

had to amputate it. Fortunately, he went on to live a pretty full life after that. “Obviously, his story has given me a significant link to the Len Hall game.” McPharlin said Fremantle players were honoured to take part in the match, in its 15th NICK BOW EN year, something reflected in the he annual Len Hall Dockers’ strong record in the Game has special clashes – they have won nine of significance for the 14. Fremantle defender “It’s a pretty significant Luke McPharlin. occasion for the club, just being Fremantle’s tribute match able to honour our servicemen to Australian war veterans is and women and show our named in honour of Western respect for their sacrifices,” Australia’s last Gallipoli he said. veteran Len Hall “It certainly stirs a (1897-1999), bit of emotion and a member us to bring It certainly stirs allows of the 10th out our best on a bit of emotion Light Horse the day.” Regiment and This year’s and allows us one of the last match will to bring out our men to leave be the eighth best on the day Gallipoli. played on Anzac FREMANTLE DEFENDER McPharlin’s Day, something LUKE McPHARLIN great grandfather McPharlin also served in said added to the Gallipoli, but lost a leg atmosphere. “I’m sure we’ll almost immediately on get an enormous crowd and to his arrival. have that minute’s silence before “He was actually in the the game will be very special, as original landings at Gallipoli it always is,” he said. but he got shot pretty much This year’s game will pay after getting off the boat and particular tribute to servicemen was carted off after that,” and women in the Korean McPharlin said. War. The 60th anniversary “He got shot in the leg, which of the start of the war falls he lost in the end because they on June 25 this year. FAMILY TIES

McPharlin has Hall connection

Players jump to troops’ support

NEWS TRACKER

� Some 90 players from Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle and Richmond have signed jumpers with messages of support for Australian servicemen and women operating in 13 posts around the world. The jumper-signing exercise was a joint initiative of AFL clubs, Telstra and the Australian Defence Force as part of Telstra’s Message to the Troops campaign. Pictured are Corporal David Cantley (wearing the

Dockers jumper) and Craftsman Robert Vagg, who are serving in the International Stabilisation Force in East Timor. They were photographed at the APOD Base in Dili. There are more than 3000 Australian Defence Force personnel serving overseas and supporting Australia’s border protection. Footy fans are encouraged to send messages to the troops, via SMS (0447 877 678 until 11pm EST on Sunday, April 25) or online at telstra.com/anzacday.

Mitch Morton (Richmond), Stephen Milne (St Kilda) and Carl Peterson (Hawthorn) round four nominees for Panasonic AFL Goal of the Year.

20 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

The 2010 Raise a Glass Appeal starts 01/02/10 and ends 01/06/10. The Returned and Services League of Australia Ltd, GPO Box 303, Canberra ACT 2601, Tel: 02 6248 7199. Legacy Coordinating Council Inc., Box 368 GPO, Melbourne VIC, 3001, Tel: 03 9650 0213. Fosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Australia Ltd (ABN 76 004 056 106), 77 Southbank Blvd, Southbank VIC 3006. Consumer Enquiries: 1800 007 282. Fax: +61 3 9633 2002. Email: fosters@custhelp.com.au Web: www.fostersgroup.com 36023F02

the bounce

A N Z AC DAY 2 010 REMEMBERED

Knight of the air J IM M A IN

lthough champion rover Jim Knight played for both Geelong and Carlton just before and during World War II, he was held in such high esteem at Princes Park that the Blues paid him an extraordinary tribute after he was killed in World War II. Carlton donated money towards the Jim Knight Memorial Trophy, instigated by the Knight family, to be awarded annually to the Cats’ best and fairest in conjunction with the Carji Greeves Medal. Knight started his career with Geelong in 1939 and played 42 games until the club ceased playing from 1942-44 because of travel restrictions. He crossed to Carlton and played 15 games for the Blues over the 1942-43 seasons.

Knight was not available for many games in 1942 as he had been accepted for aircrew training in the RAAF, and eventually graduated as a pilot. Tragically, however, Flying Ofﬁcer Knight was killed on October 11 the following year, when the front-wheel of his Boston aircraft hit a pot-hole during take-off on a tarmac in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.

Eyewitness Laurie C Crouch, from a different a aircrew, wrote in his d diary: “The plane flipped ov on its back. The two over gu gunners got out but the pi (Knight) was trapped. pilot Th plane caught fire and The ex exploded in a huge ball of fire ... poor bugger, he didn’t sta a chance.” stand K Knight was 25 when he wa killed. He is buried at was the Bomana War Cemetery, Por Moresby. Port A prodigiously talented juni footballer, Knight junior joine Geelong from the joined loca First Barwon Sea Scouts local and played in the club’s 1938 reser reserves premiership side. He progressed to become one of the VFL’s finest rovers and Hec de Lacy in The Sporting Globe once described him as “clean and as fair as his hair”. Appropriately, this Anzac weekend, Geelong and Carlton meet at the MCG. JIM MAIN IS THE CO-AUTHOR OF FALLEN: THE ULTIMATE HEROES, WRITTEN WITH DAVID ALLEN.

SNAPSHOT

Football on Anzac Day � Football was ﬁrst played on Anzac Day in 1960, when Fitzroy beat Carlton at Brunswick Street Oval and Melbourne defeated St Kilda at the Junction Oval. According to AFL records, 106 matches have been played on Anzac Day, with a full round of games having played on the one day on several occasions (1964, 1970 and 1981). The ﬁrst night match played on April 25 was in 1986, when North Melbourne was too strong for the Cats at the MCG. It was the second match of a double-header, with the Sydney Swans beating Melbourne earlier. Richmond has booted the highest score on Anzac Day, kicking 29.25 (199) to defeat Fitzroy 11.15 (81), at the MCG in 1980. SEE FEATURE STARTING PAGE 62.

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POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING Port Adelaide midﬁelder Steven Salopek has had to deal with more than his share of adversity in his AFL career, but he has no time for self-pity. As he approaches his 100th game next weekend, he says there are far more important things in life. NICK BOW EN

teven even Salopek has learnt learn not to sweat over the little lit le things hings in life. Like injury, for example. shoulders Dislocated shoulders, a bruised tibia, achilles achille tendinitis, osteitis pubis, ankle and knee problems, and one minor hamstring strain, along with a bout of glandular glandula fever in 2004, have kept him from playing more than 16 games in all bar one of his hi seven completed AFL seasons. seasons a When trying to establish himself at Port Adelaide after his selection at No No. 6 in the 2002 National AFL Draft, the th injury njury setbacks made it hard to build momentum in his first three seasons. seasons After playing 21 of a possible 22 games and finishing sixth in the Power’s best and fairest in 2006, he continued his excellent form in 2007 and 2008 – when he got on the field. In 2007, he missed eight games, but returned to be one of Port Adelaide’s best in the fina nalss campaign that took the Power into the Grand Final, which they lost to Geelong. In 2008, his best season, he finished equal sixth in the best and fairest, despite missing seven of the last nine games with achilles tendinitis. tendinitis That condition also significantly interrupted his following prepre season. When the 2009 season started, a shoulder injury injur and then osteitis pubis AFL RECORD visit afl record.com.au 57

STEVEN SALOPEK When the AFL Record phoned Salopek last week, one of life’s more important things, his 14-month-old son Louis, was happily ‘chatting’ in the background. After learning about some of Louis’ newfound talents – chief among them hiding the various remote controls in the Salopek household – we decided to defer our interview until Salopek’s wife, Alice, returned from the gym. In our subsequent 30-minute talk, Salopek spoke of how the joys – and demands – of fatherhood had helped put football in its proper perspective. Sadly, his perspective has also been shaped by his mother’s death about a year before he was drafted by the Power. With his loss still raw, Salopek then had to say goodbye to his father, Nick, sister, Danielle, and brother, Jason, at the end of 2002 when he left his family home in Melbourne’s outer south-eastern suburbs for Adelaide. “I’d only been to Adelaide once before for a day or two with the AIS-AFL Academy,” Salopek says. “Moving there was different and a bit daunting. I had just turned 17, and it was pretty difficult leaving Dad and my brother and sister at home after mum had passed away. It was a tough time for me and them, but playing AFL was what I’d wanted to do since I was a young kid.” It was It’s a testament to Salopek’s resilience that pretty difficult he was able to cope leaving Dad and with that period in my brother and his life. The fact his friend and Victoria sister at home Metro teammate after Mum had Stephen Gilham was passed away – while drafted by Port Adelaide not severe at the same time helped enough to keep him settle into his him off the field for new home city, the pair living more than two games – affected together for three years before his running, agility, kicking and, Gilham moved to Hawthorn. ultimately, confidence so much The same resilience has that, for the first time since helped him put last season’s 2005, he was dropped to the injury and form woes behind SANFL – three times in the him and start 2010 in strong second half of the year. form. Playing predominantly It was quite a comedown for in the midfield again after a player who just the previous playing across half-back in season had been touted by 2009, Salopek has not dipped the South Australian media below 20 possessions a game. as a possible successor to then Solid against North Melbourne captain Warren Tredrea, but and West Coast in rounds one 58 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

REALIST: Stephen Salopek says injuries

are part of the game. “If I didn’t want to get injured, I would have played golf or something without contact.”

Salopek is not one for self-pity. “It’s been really frustrating, always being struck down with something, and it’s normally been things that have come out of the blue – most of my injuries have been impact ones,” he says. “Unfortunately, injury is a part of football for most players – if I didn’t want to get injured, I would have played golf or something without contact. “Besides, there are a lot more important things – and a lot worse things – in life, so how can I complain about missing two or three weeks?”

FACT FILE

Steven Salopek

Born: June 21, 1985 Recruited from: Narre Warren/Dandenong U18 Debut: Round 1, 2003, v West Coast Height: 184cm Weight: 85kg Games: 98 Goals: 45 Brownlow Medal: Career votes 9

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STEVEN SALOPEK

HAVING FUN: N: Steven Salopek hed and conﬁdent says he is refreshed after a big pre-season and is oying his football. enjoying

and two, he was wa Port’s best player in its round ro three loss to the Brisbane Lions with 29 possessions an and two goals. And, in the disappointing dis 95-point loss to Geelong last Sunday, he was wa again among Port’s best. part attributes his Salopek partly good early form to being fit. “Just staying on the park and being able to train and not having a sore shoulder sh and sore groins has been a massive bonus for me this year year,” he says. “I feel refresh refreshed and confident in my body. And An I was able to pre have a big pre-season, which bel I’m a big believer in.” Salopek says Jenny William a psychologist Williams, sis of Port coach and sister Mark Williams, has also played an im important part in h start to the his y year, helping him improve his mental preparation for games. Jenny, who has been a major influence on Salopek’s career since helping h him complete high school when he first arrived in Adelaide, has, along a with former Australian women’s wom basketball coach Jan Stirli Stirling, implemented a new leadersh leadership program at Port Adelaide this se season. In that new rrole, she has helped Salopek take a more positive attitude attitud on to the field this year.

“Confidence was the main issue for me last year. Obviously, like most players, I set high standards and, if I didn’t reach them, I would get pretty down in the dumps,” Salopek says. “But Jenny and I have really evaluated that and put a few structures in place for myself not to let those things play on my mind, so I can have some fun out there and enjoy my football. “I’ve been doing a bit of visualisation and relaxation before games – just chilling out – that’s the main thing that’s been helping me.” Salopek’s return to form coincided with a promising start to the season by Port Adelaide. Impressive in the NAB Cup, where they lost a close semifinal to the Western Bulldogs, the Power won their first two games, against North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium in round one and the Eagles at Subiaco in round two. Two disappointing losses have followed but Salopek is confident the young side will learn from them. “We think with the gamestyle we’ve been playing, if we can keep our tackle count and pressure up, we can challenge the top sides,” he says. And in further good news for Power fans, Salopek is happily settled in Adelaide and hopes to stay at Alberton Oval for the remainder of his career. “Alice, Louis and I have a great home (in one of Adelaide’s western seaside suburbs) and a great group of friends nearby, which is so important. This is where our life is now,” he says.

SALOPEK ON... Brother Jason’s football � “The one negative thing about living in Adelaide is I miss seeing Jason play football, which is hard, especially this year when he’s started playing for the Dandenong Stingrays (where Salopek was recruited from) in the TAC Cup. He’s a lot skinnier than I was, plays on-ball/half-forward, runs all day, has got some tricks and has really good disposal. I stay in touch with his progress as much as can, staying back after Victorian games to watch his matches whenever I can. But when I don’t see him play, I tend to ring Dad to get the full story because Jason’s the type of guy who big-notes himself.”

60 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

Nicknames � “I was called ‘Wombat’ in 2005 or ‘06 when I shaved my head and came back in OK, but not great, nick. Everyone thought I looked like a little wombat with my shaved head and big backside. Brendon Lade also made up “Ron Burgundy” (after the Will Ferrell character in the ﬁlm Anchorman: The Legend of Ron T Bu Burgundy). At the ttime, I had a bit of red dye in my hair that must ha have looked a b bit it b burgundy.”

Mark Williams � “He’s definitely left-field. Some of the ideas he comes up with are just amazing. He doesn’t stop thinking about football and how we can get better. He brings out the best in the players but his care for the group and their partners and kids is just outstanding. He’s been terrific for me.”

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ANZAC DAY FOOTBAL FOOTBALL

WHY IS SO SPECI A L Making your AFL debut is an unforgettable occasion for any young footballer. When that debut happens to be in an Anzac Day blockbuster in front of a full houseat the MCG, it is an even more amazing experience. KAREN LYON

62 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

nzac Day has become the biggest day of the AFL home and away season. A day when Australia’s war heroes are honoured and history is remembered. On the ﬁeld, it has become a day of high drama and big crowds as traditional rivals Collingwood and Essendon meet. This year, two other matches will also be played: Hawthorn-North Melbourne in Launceston and FremantleRichmond in Perth. The Anzacs also will be recognised before other matches this weekend. Football’s modern Anzac Day tradition started in 1995, when the Magpies and Bombers fought out a dramatic draw

in front of 94,825 people, the second highest attendance for a home and away game in history. Since then, more than 1.2 million fans have packed into the MCG to watch the two teams play on Anzac Day. On the biggest stage outside September, nine young men have made their debuts in front of massive crowds on one of the year’s most emotional football days. Some have already gone on to different careers; others are still making their way in the game. Here, four who played their ﬁrst AFL game on Anzac Day – Scott Lucas, Matthew Banks, Sharrod Wellingham and Brent Macaffer – share their memories. The roar of the crowd, the emotions stirred by the playing

of the Last Post, the intensity of the contest and the privilege of being part of the day are common themes in their stories. Despite their positions on the ladder or the strength of their lists at the time, the MagpiesBombers contests have often been tight and tough. Sunday’s meeting will break a deadlock, with both clubs having won seven matches since the draw in 1995. For the first time in a decadeand-a-half, Lucas will sit in the crowd without any commitments to the Bombers. Lucas, who retired last year, said the first five minutes of an Anzac Day match had the same intensity as a final. “You hate to say that players lift for this match – they are going all out for all games – but with all the build-up and hype of the week, it often sees upsets.”

SCOTT LUCAS, ESSENDON DEBUT: Round 5, 1996 – Collingwood won by 12 points TOTAL AFL GAMES: 270 ANZAC DAY GAMES: 12

“I remember at the start of the week thinking I might have been a chance to play as the guys had been beaten pretty badly by Adelaide the week before. ‘Sheeds’ (Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy) came up to me at training and just said: ‘Enjoy your game, you are in’. I was very edgy; I would always get nervous before a game. I was a bit disappointed that never changed, even later in my career. From memory we would always have a dedicated speech about the Anzac legend and that evolved over the years but, in my ﬁrst year, I think it was Sheeds who gave the speech. I remember the roar of the crowd as we ran out on to the ground. It was deafening and so distracting. As your career progresses, you learn not to notice the crowd so much, but that day it was one aspect I won’t forget. Every year, you’d get goosebumps during the Last Post. The silence is deafening,

Every year, you would get goosebumps during the Last Post SCOTT LUCAS

ON EDGE: Former

Essendon star Scott Lucas, who retired last year, said the first five minutes of an Anzac Day clash had the same intensity as a final.

it’s special – and not just in your first game. You get to realise you are making a small contribution to a significant day that honours so many people. You are quite external to all the activities taking place on the ground. You are in your bubble, in some ways an aside from the day. As a player, you can never fully immerse yourself in the events of the day, as you are there to win a game of football. But in my first game, I was just happy to be there, to get a kick and a touch. The expectations on your first day are pretty small really. You can enjoy it more than most games; there is no incredible pressure to perform. I remember a lot of the game – I know that Collingwood won. Shane Watson was my opponent and I played on

AFL RECORD visit aﬂ record.com.au 63

ANZAC DAY FOOTBALL the forward ﬂank. I remember the disappointment at the end of the day, but also I remember having realised a dream. I was not too pleased with the result, but pleased I had got a game. My career had started and there was a sense of achievement. I will go (this year) and it will be a great chance for me to enjoy the day and the event without the pressure to perform. You absolutely know that you have been privileged to be part of the day, to be part of the building (of an AFL tradition) and that is explained to you, not that it needs much explaining. It is a privilege that in some way, you have helped recognise the people who have built such a special day.”

PRIVILEGED: Defender er ed Matthew Banks played just three AFL gamess for o of the Bombers, but two them were on Anzac Day.

Without doubt, it was a privilege to be associated with a club like Essendon and to be involved in an event of that magnitude. I go to the Anzac Day game every year and, sometimes there is some mild frustration that I’m still not out there, but there is an air of satisfaction that I had the privilege of being out there.”

MATTHEW BANKS, ESSENDON DEBUT: Round 5, 1997 – Collingwood won by 29 points TOTAL AFL GAMES: 3 ANZAC DAY GAMES: 2

“There was talk a couple of weeks before that I might be playing on Saverio Rocca on Anzac Day. He was the leading goalkicker at the time with 29. He had kicked nine goals on Anzac Day (two years earlier, and six the year before). Sheeds told me on the Monday that I was playing. There were natural nerves and the coaches always told us that it was good to be a little bit nervous. The most nerve-racking thing was all the talking to ex-coaches and friends dropping by the house during the week. I didn’t get much sleep during the week; I think I had about two hours sleep the night before the match. I remember going out for the warm-up and it was just the most amazing build-up. To play out there in front of that crowd, there is just no comparison. Just talking about being out there sends a shiver down my spine. It was really eerie actually, with the army and the bugle player on the ﬁeld. During the Last Post, your mind just wanders, trying to think what it would have been like during the wars. The Rocca brothers (Saverio and Anthony) jostled me in the goalsquare before the game, just to warm me up. They 64 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

SHARROD WELLINGHAM COLLINGWOOD DEBUT: Round 6, 2008 – Collingwood won by 73 points TOTAL AFL GAMES: 32 ANZAC DAY GAMES: 1

Just talking about being out there sends a shiver down my spine MATTHEW BANKS

were just big softies really, so it didn’t work, but I remember Dean Wallis coming over to take on Anthony. Sheeds used to say he needed a gorilla to play on a gorilla! It’s a fairly high-pressure position at full-back and, if you make a mistake, it’s a goal. Luckily, Sav missed a few in the ﬁrst half. My lasting memory of the day is the coach coming up to me at the end saying, ‘You did well, son.’ Sav only kicked two goals and I had a big smile on my face.

I played in three games, two on Anzac Day and one in Adelaide against (Tony) Modra. I think my average crowd must have been about 80,000. Looking back, not too many can say they have done that. People used to come up to me and say, ‘You were the Anzac Day specialist’. It used to frustrate me. Now that I have done a few things successfully (Banks has made his mark investing), I realise I am just lucky to have been involved in football.

“It was all pretty quick for me. I didn’t find out I was going to play until the day before. Anthony Rocca was out with an ankle injury, I think. So it was a pretty normal week for me, and that really helped with my preparation. It meant I didn’t have long to wait and I didn’t get too nervous before the game. My family had to catch the midnight horror (a flight from Perth) to get to the game. They were picked up from the airport and taken straight to the MCG. They were in a function and they just loved it. The warm-up was really drawn out because of the events on the ground and I was thinking, ‘Can we just get this game started?’ I was running out on to the ground and I had a massive smile on my face. I was next to Josh Fraser, and he said: ‘Son, stop smiling and switch on, we have got a game to play.’ I will always remember it was an amazing day; the sky was black, the lights were on and the grass was so green. The excitement just took over. I was just so pumped to be playing my first game. And then it dawned on me during the

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ANZAC DAY FOOTBALL Last Post that it was a really big day. The hairs started to stand up on the back of my neck. I remember standing there in complete silence. The bugle was being played and it was an amazing moment. (Collingwood coach) Mick (Malthouse) loves introducing players on Anzac Day and he said to me: ‘Make sure you do what you have been doing; you have earned your spot.’ It all blurred into a massive day and the game was just a small part of it, but my ﬁrst touch was a pass on the wing to Tyson Goldsack. I remember walking off the ground extremely happy we had won; it had become a blow out, but it was extremely tough. I was thinking, ‘How many more of these am I going to play?’ and then not being able to wait for the next game.

CALM AND COLLECTED:

Collingwood youngster Brent Macaﬀer tried to relax and enjoy the experience.

BRENT T MACAFFE MACAFFER COLLINGWOOD COLLIN NGWOOD DEBUT: DEBUT:Round Round 5, 2009 20 – Essendo Essendon on won by ﬁve points TOTAL A AFL GAMES GAMES: 7 ANZAC DAY GAME GAMES: 1

“I found d out I was playing tw wo days before bef two the game. I was gettin getting a massage and Mick (Malthouse) walked up to me and put out h his hand. I wasn’t su sure what was happenin happening and he said: ‘Congratu ‘Congratulations, you are in the team.’ I couldn’t could stop thinking about making my debut on Anzac Day in fro front of so many people. T The older boys were just telling me to relax a and enjoy the day and the t experience. I just didn didn’t know what tto expect. The night before I could onl ly get about four or five only hour rs sleep. I went w to bed hours with b butterflies a and I just kept playing g the game over in my head. I ttried to slee sleep as much as I coul ld in the m could morning and had breakfast breakfast befo before going to PUMPED: Magpie midfielder Sharrod Wellingham said the significance of the occasion dawned on him during the Last Post.

66 6 6 A AFL AF FL RECORD visit aﬂ record.com.au FL

It was all a bit surreal. That roar – there is nothing quite like it BRENT MACAFFER

the game. In the warm-up, you could feel the crowd building. I know it is said a lot, but during the Last Post you could hear a pin drop and I was taking in the silence before the huge roar of the crowd. I remember thinking, ‘I’m in front of a lot of people here.’ It was all a bit surreal. That roar – there is nothing quite like it. During the build-up, I was thinking about what Anzac Day is, and during the minute of silence I was trying to keep calm and relaxed. ‘Maxy’ (Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell) was telling me to get my mind back on the job. There were just so many feelings. The crowd was cheering and it was amazing, but weird in a way. Growing up, I always wanted to play AFL football. I watched the big occasions like Anzac Day games and ﬁnals. You think it won’t happen to you. We had the game won with three or four minutes to go,

but on the last kick of the day it was gone (the Bombers having come back from 14 points down to steal the points). There was such disappointment to have not won a game we should have won, but it was a huge relief to have played. It deﬁnitely makes it really special that my debut was on Anzac Day. I remember Dad after the game. He has been an Essendon supporter all his life and he was happy Essendon got the win but, most of all, he was really proud of me playing.”

Others to debut in CollingwoodEssendon Anzac Day games > JASON WILD Collingwood, 1995 > DEAN SOLOMON Essendon, 1998 > CRAIG JACOTINE Collingwood, 1999 > CAMERON CLOKE Collingwood, 2004 > TRAVIS CLOKE Collingwood, 2005

Moments of the

2000-09

The mark that clinched a ﬂag

Leo Barry will be forever remembered for his heroics in the ﬁnal seconds of the 2005 Grand Final. ASHLEY BROW NE

“

ox throws it on to the left, one last roll of the dice for the Eagles ... Leo Barry you star!” If Mike Williamson’s “Jesaulenko! You beauty!” is the most famous piece of football commentary, then Stephen Quartermain’s call of the last act of the 2005 Sydney Swans-West Coast Grand Final can’t be that far behind. In it, the Channel Ten commentator described the huge pack mark taken by Barry in the final seconds of the game, a mark that preserved Sydney’s four-point lead and delivered the Swans a premiership. And not just any premiership. It was, as Quartermain added for posterity a few moments later (not that anybody didn’t already know), the first by the Swans for 72 years. The club had won three as South Melbourne, but this was the first since its challenging move to Sydney in 1982, and meant the premiership flag had flown from the town hall of every capital city on the

Australian mainland. It was a landmark day for Australia’s indigenous football code. The last quarter of the 2005 Grand Final went for 32 minutes, remarkably long considering just four goals were kicked. But that was what you got at the time from the Swans, who were happy to force contest after contest in a bid to play matches on their terms. It was gut-wrenching for the neutrals among the 91,828 at the ground and millions watching on television, so you can only imagine the jangled nerves of those who supported either team. And when, with just seconds to go, West Coast ruckman Dean Cox brought the ball back into play with a long kick from the boundary line just past the wing, it would have come as no surprise to anyone had one of the Eagles forwards marked the ball and had the opportunity to kick the winning goal after the ﬁnal siren. Barry took up the story in an interview with the Herald Sun in 2007. “We didn’t know how

much time was left. I didn’t know who was there or who else was going for the mark. I just ﬂew for the ball . . . it was one of those moments I’ll always ﬂash back to and certainly cherish,” Barry said. “I never heard the siren. The fans were going berserk . . . it was an amazing feeling. That realisation of all that hard work you’ve put in. We’d actually won.” It sparked scenes of jubilation rarely seen at the MCG, even

by Grand Final day standards. The greatest Swan of all, triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton, bounded on to the MCG within seconds of the final siren to share in the glory. Fellow Brownlow winner Barry Round, the club’s figurehead when it first made the move to Sydney, was just metres behind him. The flag was celebrated with gusto in Sydney, which revelled in having the premiership team of the one-time ‘Victorian’ sport.

Three other Swans-Eagles thrillers 2005 QUALIFYING FINAL, SUBIACO West Coast 10.9 (69) Sydney Swans 10.5 (65) � West Coast capitalised on its home ground advantage with a scintillating t t g final te tterm, e , but only just. The Eagles trailed by 14 points at the last break but kicked five final-quarter goals. Dean Cox (right) was the hero with two important late marks in defence. 68 AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au

2006 QUALIFYING FINAL, SUBIACO West Coast 12.12 (84) Sydney Swans 13.7 (85) � This one might be best remembered for Michael O’Loughlin’s animated interaction with an Eagles supporter during a goal celebration. In an incredible twist, West Coast turned the tables three weeks later in the Grand Final, with the ﬁnal scores the same as this game.

2007 ROUND ONE, ANZ STADIUM Sydney Swans 10.13 (73) West Coast 11.8 (74) � Just when we thought we’d seen the best of the rivalry, their match in the ﬁrst round of 2007 was another one-point margin, again in the Eagles’ favour. West Coast captain Chris Judd was tthe diﬀerence, w with 27 touches a and two goals.

But it was also welcomed up and down the main streets of South Melbourne and Albert Park. There was a time when the Swans virtually disowned their former Victorian heritage but, when Richard Colless became chairman and the club moved away from private ownership, the club sought to actively embrace its Victorian constituency. For many years, Swans fans, be they in New South Wales or Victoria, had little reason to cheer their red and white. However, the journey to the top started when coaching legend Ron Barassi was lured from retirement to coach the club in 1993, and he l d the laid h ffoundations d ffor Rodney d Eade to turn the club into a regular ﬁnalist. But it was Paul Roos, the Fitzroy champion who played

I just ﬂew for the ball ... it was one of those moments I’ll always ﬂash back to and certainly cherish LEO BARRY

the last few years of his career with the Swans, who guided the club through the ﬁnal steps of the journey as coach. In 2003-04, the Swans contended, and in 2005, they broke through, but not without a few dramas along the way. After losing to the Eagles at Subiaco by four points in the qualifying ﬁnal, the

Swans appeared headed for a straight-sets exit from the finals against Geelong at the SCG when some last-minute heroics from Nick Davis, including a freak snap goal, delivered a miracle semi-final win. Then, in the preliminary final, the Swans trailed warm favourite St Kilda by four points at the final change before burying the Saints with seven unanswered goals in the final quarter. Then they had to sweat on a Tribunal appearance by star full-forward Barry Hall. The Grand Final was low-scoring and tight, just like both clubs liked it. West Coast led by 20 points at half-time, but the Swans reeled it in, albeit slowly, to claim the long overdue – and popular – premiership win.

T H E A F T E R M AT H

� West Coast’s qualifying final win over Sydney in 2005 was the first of six straight games between the clubs that was decided by less than a goal. With their rivalry at its strongest, the clubs played off for the flag again in 2006, with the 97,431 fans in attendance again strapping themselves in for another close and dour encounter. And they weren’t disappointed, with the E Eagles – fittingly, considering their part in cons the rrivalry – winning by one point, p poi nt again after taking the early lead and then being reele reeled in by the Swans. Both teams have been Bo rebuilding phases since in re their glory days a few years back, but the rivalry year remains as keen as ever rema and tthe games still close. Sydney has won the past Sydn meetings, both by two m points. Who would bet five p against another nail-biter again weekend? this w

AT LONG LAST: Swans coach Paul Roos and captain Barry Hall raise the 2005 premiership cup, ending a 72-year drought for the club.

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AFL RECORD visit aﬂ record.com.au 69

Col Hutchinson

timeon Our AFL history guru answers your queries.

No stopping AFL’s ironmen

NAME GAME

Street Str S tr talk

How many current players have played more than 100 games in succession? A. POLLOCK, SOUTH YARRA, VIC

CH: Eight players are involved

in unbroken sequences of 100 or more appearances. Sydney’s Brett Kirk has played 180 consecutive games, starting in round 15, 2002. Kane Cornes (153 successive matches for Port Adelaide from round 17, 2003), Tarkyn Lockyer (136 for Collingwood from round 10, 2004), Darren Jolly (117 for Sydney and Collingwood from round eight, 2005), David Mundy (112 for Fremantle from debut in round six, 2005), Jude Bolton (111 for Sydney from round 14, 2005), Matthew Boyd (107 for the Western Bulldogs from round 16, 2005) and Kade

Carllton from Simpson (101 for Carlton 5) are tthe he other round 15, 2005) mers. durable performers.

WRITE TO ANSWER WER MAN N The Slattery Media dia Grou Group up 140 Harbour Esplanade lanade Docklands, 3008 or ema email il michaell@slatterymedia.com rymedia a.com

INDESTRUCTIBLE:

Swan Brett Kirk has played 180 games in succession, while the Power’s Kane Cornes (left) has played 153 in a row.

AFL mystery men Joseph Thomas Marr � Born on August 9, 1880, Marr played 27 matches for Carlton from 1900-02, before transferring to Essendon for 14 more in one season. He originally came from the Richmond City club.

George Wilkinson Stewart � Stewart made just two senior appearances for Carlton at the start of the 1909 season as a ﬂanker after coming from Eaglehawk in the Bendigo region. He was born on June 19, 1888.

Kevin Hunt � Recruited from Pyramid Hill in Northern Victoria, the 174cm, 73kg wingman represented the Blues in guernsey No. 27 four times in 1954. He died about 1985, aged 51.

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

70 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

� In 1974-75, Major-General Alan A lan Stretton managed the crisis ccris ris wrought by Cyclone Tracy in Darwin. Legend Trac T had it that in 1947 he had h another crisis on his hands: ano a playing full-back for St play p Kilda Kild K ild on Melbourne’s Fred Fanning Fan F an as the latter booted goals, still an AFL/VFL 118 8g rreco eco Unfortunately for record. tthe hee legend, history shows h Stretton was omitted for Stre S tthat h match – having “held” hat Fan F Fanning to 10 goals earlier the year. The surname in n th Stretton is a variation of Stre S t Stratton, a name which, this Stra S tra year, yyear ear has made its maiden appearance on League app a pp lists li i with Hawthorn’s Ben ists Stra S Stratton. Stratton derives the medieval words ffrom r rom strœt (“street”) and tun sstrœ (“ ““en (“enclosure”/”village”) and may m ay have denoted someone living on the main street of a village. Strœt in turn came from the Latin word strata (covered), which occurred in the phrase via strata (a sealed road). The surname of ex-Cat and Bulldog Peter Street once the equal tallest player in the AFL, is from the same source. KEVAN CARROLL

timeon

Rick Milne

COLLECTABLES

The Brady bunch

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

RICK’S RARITY

I found a couple of old swap cards and wondered if they are of any value. They are of Hawthorn’s Ted Fletcher and North Melbourne’s John Brady, and both cards are in good condition. On the reverse of each card, it reads: “Champion Footballers from Kornies.” DAVID BANNISTER, ELTHAM, VIC.

RM: These are part of a set of

48 cards issued by Kornies breakfast cereal in 1954 and I grew up collecting them. In perfect condition, they are worth $50 each.

My team is the Fremantle Dockers and I already have the autographs of Michael Barlow, Matt de Boer and Alex Silvagni. JOSH (AGED 11), VIA EMAIL.

RM: Well done, Josh! You have the signatures of three exciting Dockers, with your team on the rise. Keep collecting and maybe you will have the signatures of future Brownlow Medal winners and/or premiership players. Sorting out accumulated memorabilia, I found two Football Records, one for the drawn North-Collingwood Grand Final and the replay. They are in very good condition and I wonder if they have any value? RUTH BISHOP, BRIGHTON, VIC.

KORNIES KINGS: Hawthorn’s

Ted Fletcher (left) and North Melbourne’s John Brady featured in the 1954 Kornies collection.

RM: These were sold in their

thousands but most Kanga fans would have kept theirs as souvenirs of North’s second premiership. Both editions sell for about $40.

I am an avid collector of anything to do with Ben Cousins. I have a framed match-worn and signed jumper from his last season with West Coast, and one from his debut season with Richmond last year. I was wondering

whether you have any contacts who have player jumpers, but mainly focusing on Cousins or other Eagle players? I have been looking everywhere but the number of items has dried up.

� In 1956, radio station 3DB and The Sporting Globe assembled star players from the past to take part in a light-hearted match with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital. And what players! There were ﬁve Brownlow Medal winners in Herbie Matthews, Bert Deacon, Dick Reynolds, Bill Morris and Allan Ruthven, as well as Jack Dyer, Harry Collier, Ron Todd and Fred Fanning. There also was a goalkicking competition featuring Todd, d, Harry Ha y Vallence, Jack ck k Titus and John h hn Coleman. This is is autographed d match program is a beauty and iss worth moree than $500.

DANIEL, VIA EMAIL

RM: There is always going

to be ﬁerce competition for Cousins items, but please regard this small item as a free advertisement and if anyone can help, they can contact me through this column.

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

WATCH BEFORE THE GAME SATURDAY NIGHTS ON TEN

beforethegame.com.au L ADDER SAM 23 ANDY 20 LEHMO 20 DAVE 20 FITZY 19 MICK 16

TIPSTERS

FITZY Western Bulldogs Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions St Kilda Collingwood Hawthorn Fremantle Geelong

72 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

MICK Western Bulldogs Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions St Kilda Collingwood Hawthorn Richmond Geelong

SAM Western Bulldogs Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions St Kilda Collingwood Hawthorn Fremantle Geelong

DAVE Western Bulldogs Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions St Kilda Collingwood Hawthorn Fremantle Carlton

LEHMO Western Bulldogs Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions St Kilda Collingwood Hawthorn Fremantle Geelong

ANDY Western Bulldogs Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions St Kilda Collingwood Hawthorn Fremantle Geelong

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timeon

KIDS’ CORNER

IVE F TO FIND

Sudoku

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

LEON DAVIS E

A N

L S

V L I

D D S A

O E

N I

QUICK QUESTIONS

1 Which AFL clubs did Port Adelaide coach

Mark Williams play for? 2 How many premierships have the Bulldogs lldogs won?

n 3 Which VFL club did Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell play for?

D V

4 This former Carlton champion is now

the club’s president. 5 Collingwood forward Paul Medhurst

A I S

started his AFL career with which club? b?

THIS WEEK’S ANSWERS SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Yellow on Bryce Gibbs’ right boot changed to blue; bandage removed from his teammate Simon White’s right wrist; red removed from fence signage in the background; Gibbs’ leggings changed to red; blue stripe on White’s shorts removed. 5 QUICK QUESTIONS: 1. Collingwood and Brisbane Bears 2. One, in 1954; 3. Box Hill Hawks; 4. Stephen Kernahan; 5. Fremantle. B IG G MOUTH: MOU MOUT M MO O H: BIG SCRAMBLED SCRA SC S CRA AM MBLE BLE LE L ED FO FOOTBALLER: OTBA BALLER ER: ER CRYPTIC CRYP C RYP YPTIC TIIC T C FOOTBALLERS: FOOT FO F OO OO OT TBALLERS: LE

74 AFL RECORD RE R EC CO COR OR O RD visit RD viis vvis isit it aﬂ aﬂrecord.com.au record..co om m.a .a au

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NAB AFL RISING STAR

Mopping up his rivals West Coast youngster Nic Naitanui’s freakish skills have everyone talking.

C A L LU M T WOMEY

2010 NAB AFL Rising Star Nominees

pparently Nic Naitanui has most fans around the country fooled. When the super-athletic West Coast ruckman follows up his ruckwork by chasing the ball and breaking away with a clearance in the fashion of a star rover – like precious few ruckmen have done before – Naitanui isn’t doing it instinctively. He’s merely “mopping up” his own mess. “When I stuff up a tap-out, I put the onus on myself to clean it up. It gets me angry when I don’t place the hit-out in the right spot, and I put the blame on myself so I have to go and mop it up,” Naitanui said with a laugh. “That drives me to do what I do”. What Naitanui does has every supporter excited. The 19-year-old, of Fijian descent, has been the talk of the football world following his brilliant round four effort against Essendon last week, I’m not one for which he received to read the papers the NAB AFL Rising and get caught up Star nomination. Despite gathering in the attention, only 13 possessions, but I can’t really he was close to the hide in Perth most inﬂuential player NIC NAITANUI on the ground, with his Naitanui said. pace, strength and huge “I haven’t vertical leap dominating his even played a Bombers’ opponents. full season yet (Naitanui He said being the focus of played 10 games last year), and national football conversation there is a bit more expectation had been strange. on me, but I guess it’s better “I don’t really pay too much than sitting on a list, playing attention to it, but it is kind of no games and having no weird. I’m not one to read the expectations on you.” papers and get caught up in In his debut year, Naitanui the attention, but I can’t really showed glimpses of his inﬁnite hide in Perth at the moment,” talent but, as a skinny ruckman,

Round 1 – Chris Yarran (Carl) Round 2 – Daniel Hannebery (Syd) Round 3 – Ryan Bastinac (NM) Round 4 – Nic Naitanui (WCE)

THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW 1

Naitanui has a twin brother, Mark.

2 He grew up in the same

street as Chris Yarran (now at Carlton) and Michael Walters (Fremantle).

3 He enjoys playing

the piano, as well as going for a surf.

A STAR IS BORN:

Young West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui has the football world at his feet.

he was out-bodied on several occasions. He remembers the Eagles’ round 14 loss to Melbourne somewhat fondly, at least for what he learned. “I really look up to the other ruckmen in the competition and what they’ve done, but in terms of being out-bodied, Mark Jamar has probably been the best example the last two or three times I’ve played Melbourne. I rate him pretty

highly, and I’ve found it pretty tough,” Naitanui said. “It has, however, made me think about my ruckwork more. I think my third AFL game was against Melbourne and I faced Jamar and he was really jumping into me. “Over pre-season it was something I was really conscious of improving, so I thank him for that.” Chatty and a bit cheeky, Naitanui said there were a number of aspects of his game he had to improve, including how to play when forward. “I’m nowhere near where I want to be just yet,” Naitanui said.

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

76 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

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LAST LINE

Applying data laterally

Reliance ce rs a on stars blight on the system he observations of Malcolm Blight (right) are formed with a unique perspective: star North Melbourne forward and premiership player, coach of Geelong in three losing Grand Finals, followed by dual premierships coaching Adelaide. No less spectacular was his brief stint as coach of St Kilda and controversial dismissal. Recently, during a television broadcast, I heard Blight repeat a familiar view of his: “Even stars have bad days” and then cautioning an over-reliance on “star systems”. I had been (and still am) intrigued by his comments on star systems, and welcomed the opportunity to discuss the subject with him. Personal experiences of star systems had shaped my understanding of football. As a youngster, I passionately barracked for South Melbourne. I recall crying unbearably when South would lose – and I cried a lot. Salvation was an extreme devotion to the Swans’ lone and exceptional star, triple Brownlow medallist Bobby Skilton. In my book, he was best on ground every time he played and never made a clanger. No doubt many who have followed teams consistently ﬁnishing at the bottom of the ladder feel this binding scenario of regular disappointment and adulation. Perhaps the most recent example is Richmond fans and the special emotions 78 AFL RECORD visit aﬂrecord.com.au

INSPIRED:

Malcolm Blight’s move of star midﬁelder Darren Jarman to full-forward resulted in 11 goals and two ﬂags for the Crows.

they attributed to Matthew to contribute their respective Richardson. Ultimately, this is talents. Blight acknowledged one spectrum of a star system, similar sentiments, but went a situation where the ranks of further to explain his particular the stars available to a team are issues with star systems. spread too thinly and the back“At Geelong, we played in up troops struggle to fill the gap. three losing Grand Finals. These Alternatively, Blight’s were good teams but, like any experiences are at team, it was critical to the other end of win or at least stay on the spectrum. even terms in the Blessed midfield,” he said. It’s best if the with super “I felt we lost star fi ts within the talent, his those Grand system, rather association Finals mainly is with because our than the star star-studded midfield was becoming the teams during beaten on the day system his playing era and this exposed and coaching our defence, which involvements at was not blessed with Geelong and Adelaide. super talent. My conversation with him “We had the stars in the started with me mentioning the midfield,” he said, referring to stark contrast I found between players the calibre of Brownlow barracking for South Melbourne medallist Paul Couch, Mark and then, as a recruit, walking Bairstow and Garry ‘Buddha’ into Carlton and confronting a Hocking, “but there was not locker room of genuine stars. much I could do about it. We There was awe but, had a lot of players in the team importantly, it was immediately who had developed into set drilled into me the ‘team’ roles and I couldn’t change was the star attraction and things around that much. everyone involved was required “I’m of the view, if a star is

struggling on the day, get him to play a different role and at least take out someone important from the opposition.” At Adelaide, he immediately took measures to make sure the same circumstances did not repeat. Consequently, a crop of midfield stars, including Mark Ricciuto, Mark Bickley, Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin and Darren Jarman, spent various times rotating in different roles, either forward or back. “Ben Hart was marvellous in defence,” he said, “because he was just as brilliant attending small and tall players. As a defender, Nigel Smart could easily be switched into attack.” In two winning Grand Finals, Blight’s tactical moves are legendary, including the unexpected and successful matchup of McLeod playing in the centre on Saint Robert Harvey, ruckman David Pittman at centre half-back on Stewart Loewe, Ricciuto switching to half-back against North Melbourne and Jarman bobbing up at fullforward for a combined 11 goals in the two wins. Based on this reasoning – and casting an eye to the present – Blight is convinced that, of the controversial trade of Brendan Fevola from Carlton to the Brisbane Lions and Daniel Bradshaw from the Lions to the Sydney Swans, it is the Swans who have benefited most. “Both are outstanding forwards who have kicked a similar number of goals over distinguished careers,” he said. “But Bradshaw is the far better proposition. He is adaptable. He can play defence as well as attack. It’s best if the star fits within the system, rather than the star becoming the system.” TED HOPKINS IS A CARLTON PREMIERSHIP PLAYER AND FOUNDER OF CHAMPION DATA. HIS CURRENT PROJECT IS TEDSPORT, A HIGH PERFORMANCE DATA ANALYSIS AND CONSULTING SERVICE.

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