At the Trough Rd 10

AFL – News, Reviews, Injuries and Tactics are all discussed “At the Trough” with Schitty.

Lay off the dribblers!

Peter Daicos was widely regarded as a magician. The Macedonian Marvel. His control over the ball bordered on the supernatural and he was seen as a freak of nature, one out of the box whose feats would never been seen again.

It is very hard to disagree when you watch the replays of his dribble goals from the boundary line. Especially when compared to the dour, lead up full forwards who were his peers. If Daicos was ever pressed hard in a pocket the football world watched in anticipation and the great man rarely let us down.

Daicos was a pioneer, the first in a long line of players who wowed their fans with their ability to find the goal mouth from the most impossible of positions. The modern football spectator is a bit spoilt in this regard as impossible snaps from the pocket have become par for the course. It happens in almost every game and often more than once. There are plenty of reasons why the dribble goal has become the norm. The deliberate out of bounds rule has encouraged players to utilize their skill and attack the goal mouth as opposed to the good old days where the ball would be forced across the line and you would try and create a chance from the stoppage. Defenders are coached to force their opponents towards the boundary line and to protect the dangerous space in front of goals which makes the centering ball, the team oriented option, a risky play. The players practice these kicks for hours on end and given the general skill level of the competition it is easy to see why these attempts get two thumbs up more often than one. Such is the legacy of Daicos. He taught the football world that the Sherrin will bend against the rotation and all you need to do is start it on the right track. Much the same as a ten foot downhill slider.

In many respects it is easier to control the ball when kicking in this fashion than when trying to elevate the seed. Especially from extreme angles. This has translated into what we are seeing today, players running into an open goal now prefer to keep the ball low and drive it through the goals because it is in fact, easier to control. Commentators get on their high horse about players finishing in this fashion “why would you kick it along the ground?”I wonder what his coach is thinking?” I reckon he’s probably thinking, good goal, now get another kick. On the very rare occasion that a player misses one of these shots all hell breaks loose. Kick it in the air they cry, like no one ever missed from the goal square before. The long and short of it is players finish with a grubber kick because that is how they feel comfortable disposing of the ball and more often than not they get the desired result. I for one would rather see the Riolis, the Daisys and the Milnes of this world backing their ability than conforming to Robert Walls idea of football propriety.

Farewell Carrara.

On Saturday night we witnessed the opening of the AFL’s newest venue, Metricon Stadium. The home of the Gold Coast Suns. And isn’t it a corker. The redevelopment of Carrara has been an unheralded success. Let’s just hope that the players don’t get soft sitting on the cushioned, couch style benches.

A few facts about Metricon.

• At 8.5 metres high x 23 metres in width, the high-Definition LED scoreboard is one of the largest in Australia
• The stadium has been fitted with 450 metres of solar panelling which is already producing solar energy.
• The installation of solar panelling will generate approximately 275,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per annum, or approximately twenty per cent of the stadium’s total electricity needs.
• There are currently 200 workers onsite, while up to 1,100 will have been employed throughout the construction phase.
• Up to 700 jobs will be created per event at Metricon Stadium.
• Metricon Stadiums 25,000 capacity comprises 23,500 seats and 1,500 standing room. With the addition of a permanent roof for the Southern Stand, over 75% of seats will be undercover.
• Total cost of stadium re-development is $144.2 million. This funding is made up of: Queensland Government ($71.9m), Commonwealth Government ($36m), Gold Coast City Council ($23m) and the AFL ($13.3m)

Most importantly, Metricon Stadium will be the venue where we see the progression and eventual rise to power of the Gold Coast Suns. Memories will be created, both good and bad. It has already started, on Saturday I was watching the game at my local with 20 or so lads from my football club. As the ball was squared up to centre half forward we all realised that it was Hunt on the end. We stood as one, and cheered the way only half drunk football fans can. Go Hunt, go son, drill it…YOU LITTLE BEAUTY!!! GET AROUND HIM!!! The collective cheer of everyone in the bar brought service to a stand still and from what we’ve seen of the Suns so far, there’ll be plenty more where that came from.

I’ll Rant and Rave!

I’m usually one of the first to have a dig at a bloke when he is out of form. Not from any position of authority but usually because it is a shitload of fun. At times over the journey I have found the need to be critical of Boomer Harvey. He went through his diving / acting phase which I found to be amusing. I recall a sunny afternoon at Manuka oval when the Roos were battling it out against the Dogs and right in front of my eyes Boomer got hit by a sniper, not the Matthew Lloyd kind, the Tom Berenger kind. He went down like the proverbial bag and continued to writhe around like Rivaldo on acid for about a minute. When he realised there was no one within 50 metres of him he got up and injected himself into the game. He went on to kick 2 team lifting goals and got his side across the line. Such is the impact of the man when he decides to turn it on. When Dermott Brereton, a man who I have idolised for the better part of my existence, called Boomer’s leadership into dispute I felt compared to have a say. Boomer is a champion of the game, 310 games and counting, 5 times club best and fairest, 4 time all Australian, Premiership player, EJ Whitten medalist, the list goes on. Sure he has his bad days, has been prone to the odd Swan Lake impression session and can have the blinkers on around goal but that didn’t stop Kevin Bartlett from Legend Status. Pull it in Dermott, you’ve had your turn.

Blues hard nut Mitch Robinson called the Dees soft this week. No shit. Brent Moloney aside they have lacked intensity at the contest in every game this year. I’m not sure what Jack Watts sees when he looks in the mirror but if he thinks he sees a committed footballer then ASADA should come knocking. They will come out firing in the wake of this and I’ve had a flutter based on it but I for one think the attitude shift will be short lived and the Demons, who promised so much, will continue to be a yard short of fulfilling their potential.

Mick Malthouse is a great football coach. What he has done for the evolution of the game over the last thirty years can’t be dismissed and he should be lauded for his contribution. Mick Malthouse is also a bitter, twisted, arrogant old twit who should work hard on improving his inner monologue before he says something so ridiculous that it completely ruins his credibility. To call Addam Maric a cheat was quite possibly one of the stupidest things anyone other than me has ever said. Over his 800 plus game career as a player and coach Mick still hasn’t become accustomed to the art of “stealing an advantage” or as Leigh Matthews put it, gamesmanship. No one who has ever played the game seriously has been within the rules 100 percent of the time. Steve Johnson took the biggest dive in history on Saturday night. Cheating dog or smart forward? Simon Black, the most decorated player in our game, chest passed it to Banfield last week and the resultant goal won them the game.  I didn’t see him put his hand up. Nor should he. And it happens at all levels of football.  I remember playing in a University game years ago and my side was in front by a couple in the dying seconds. An opposition player had a snap on goals and Donkey, one of our back pockets, cried “Touched, play on!” The field umpire wasn’t sure but it was good enough for the goal umpire who tapped the dukes together and a point was awarded. We won the game. Trying to pull the wool over the umpires eyes has been a part of our game since day one. For Mick who is one of the most respected people in the sport to have a crack at a 20 year old kid for doing what all before him have tried was out of order. An apology should be issued but Mick answers to Mick alone.

In the Box.

Chris Scott: Wasn’t happy with an eleven goal win against the Gold Coast on Saturday night mainly due to their lack of intensity in the first half. Will be happy to have a game at Skilled this week to iron out a few bugs and set the standard again. Gave Stevie J a rev for a seven goal effort so has set the bar high.

Mick Malthouse: The Pies are travelling along nicely at the moment. Still generating enough scoring opportunities to win comfortably in the absence of some important players. Will send Swan and Jolly to Arizona for some high altitude training and rehab over the next few weeks to get them firing for the second half of the season.  

Alistair Clarkson: Clarko showed a nice tactical switch on Sunday with the Hawks utilizing their foot skills to penetrate the press rather than push the handball and try to run through. 119 more marks than their opposition showed that they were able to maintain possession and starve their opponents of opportunity. Will be interesting to see how it evolves.

Brett Ratten: Must thank his lucky stars every night for Judd and Murphy whose dash and polish through the guts has been pivotal to the Blues success this year. Has hinted that he will not rush Kruezer back and that is a luxury few can afford. Interesting to see how he is swinging Waite back and forth so often not allowing the opposition the settle.

James Hird: Has shown he is a bit edgy this week by his willingness to play Watson only 20 days after a Hamstring strain. I think he might be a bit worried about the Dees this week in the wake of Mitch Robinson’s comments.  Well positioned moving into the second half of the year but needs a more even spread of the workload through the midfield.

John Longmire: Got through another close game and he’ll take every one he can get without Mumford. Would be pleased with the out put of McGlynn and Grundy, especially after he was towelled the week before, but must be concerned about the lack of genuine, consistent impact that Goodes and Kennedy are having.

John Worsfold: A reality check last week against the Pies. I think it has come at a good time for West Coast who now know what is required to compete with the big dogs. A grounding defeat can often provide a spark and I don’t think Woosha will mind dropping that one.

Mark Harvey: Harveyis sitting at the foot of his bed, head in his hands praying that he doesn’t loose another player to injury. Fremantle will most likely loose until Sandi returns but have enough wins to still be a chance in 2011.

Damien Hardwick: All the talk this week has been about whether Richmond should have sold the home game to Darwin. Hardwick would be thinking about how his players can play like champions one week and be so ordinary the next. Needs to find some consistency.

Dean Bailey: The Dees need to prove a point this week. To their fans and to themselves. They have the opportunity to answer some critics this week but Bailey knows getting his sides credibility back is more than a one week task. Scully back will help but it might take him a few to get up to speed.

Ross Lyon: Back to back wins for the Saints would have a seen a shift in moral but the hole is deep and the road is hard. Collingwood this week in the grand final replay replay. Should be enough motivation for them but they could be missing some key personnel.

Rodney Eade: Was pulled to bits by the Hawks last week and couldn’t find the answers. Known widely as a leader of men, Rocket must be doing his nut trying to figure out Brian Lake. Has put his heart and soul into the Dogs but they are really struggling.

Neil Craig: I’d like to tell you where Neil Craig is up to but the man himself held one of the best press conferences in recent memory at the weekend and I can’t do him justice. If you haven’t had the pleasure, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb8t_0he1qI

Brad Scott: Can’t seem to get his boys across the line. Is clearly doing the right things in terms of structure and positional play but they just can’t get it done on the scoreboard. Not much Scotty can do from the box when Lindsey Thomas keeps missing from the goal square.

Michael Voss: Boom. Back to back wins for Vossy has released some pressure and the Lions are starting to play some good footy. They’ll beat Sydney at the Gabba this week to go 3 and 7 and with Freo and Richmond faltering they could still be a chance.

Matthew Primus: Needed the win on the weekend and fought hard for it. The worst thing for the Power is that they have to play at home this week. The weight of expectation will be high and with the club declaring itself virtually insolvent this week they need another win to stop the implosion.

Guy McKenna: Had his first true home game at Metricon on Saturday night and played exceptionally well. Would be disappointed with the drop off after half time but to be in front of the competition leaders into the third term would have been a buzz. Would be wrapped in his players reaction to Hunt’s goal and it shows he has them playing as a team.

The Drum…

Champion Full Forward Daniel Bradshaw is set to announce his retirement after 231 games and 524 goals for Brisabane and the Swans. Bradshaw has struggled to overcome a knee injury that has plagued him for the past 5 seasons and the writing is on the wall for the dual premiership player. All the best for the future Braddy.

Collingwood have already bought the tickets for Dane Swan and Darren Jolly to spend two weeks in Arizona getting some altitude training and rehab. Would be nice to have their bankroll.

Mitch Clark’s current run of form will at some dollars to his next contract but the mail is that it wont be at the Lions. By all reports the versatile Ruck / Forward is pining for the West Coast and will come to an agreement that sees him return home to Fremantle at the end of the year.

Who are we in the Red, White and Blue…

Many moons ago I used to occasionally don the boots for the Girral West Wyalong Bulldogs. Because I am allowed to do whatever I want I’ve decided that we’ll follow their season as they battle for the Northern Riverina League Premiership…

The mighty Bulldogs had a well deserved spell last week with the bye. This Saturday they are holding a charity event “Bulldogs Bark at Cancer” at the West Wyalong Recreation oval. Gate proceeds and raffle receipts as well as other fund raising monies will all go to a worthy cause so if you are in the area pop on down and join me for a stubby and cheer on the Doggies as they make their charge towards the finals.

Hi – Five:

5: Karmichael Hunt: There were definitely better performances on the weekend but I can’t remember a situation that captivated the football world in quite the same way as Hunt’s goal on the weekend. The lead up, the goal it self and most importantly the reaction of his team mates. They love him up there and it is starting to show. He works hard and is improving every week.

4: Chris Judd: The dual Brownlow medalist is in ominous form again this year. His will to win coupled with his unique ability to keep his eyes on the ball in traffic make him almost impossible to stop. 31 touches and 12 tackles set the tone for the Blues.

3: Scott Thompson: His side didn’t get the 4 points but it wasn’t because Thompson let down. 36 disposals including 19 contested possessions. 6 tackles and 9 clearances made his effort in the middle almost a lone hand for the Crows. Imagine where they’d be without his efforts this year.

2: Daniel Merritt: Outwardly his stats don’t look that incredible but his effectiveness and impact on the game should earn him the 3 votes. 9 intercept marks to go with 15 spoils makes Daniel Merritt a hard man to get past. He is probably the premier defender in the comp at the moment.

1: Dale Thomas: Daisey’s performance had some pundits calling him the best player in the game. He had 30 touches and two cracking goals. Throw in a hanger and a hand full of clearances and Thomas is the complete package. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he is the best player in the comp but if his current form holds it could be a valid argument.

Thanks to Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the photo