At the Trough Rd 16
AFL – News, Reviews, Injuries and Tactics are all discussed “At the Trough”
with Schitty.
Vale Allan Jeans: Allan “Yabbie” Jeans is a true icon of our game. An original inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame he coached St Kilda to their only premiership success and was the architect of the greatest dynasty in the modern era coaching Hawthorn through the 1980s. Known for his oratory skill and motivational techniques, Jeans was a leader of men. He coached a total of 575 matches in the VFL / AFL from 1961-1992.
Jeans played 77 matches for St Kilda during the late 60s and was a serviceable player. He took the reins as head coach in 1961 and his journey at the Saints would last for the next 16 years encompassing the Clubs only premiership triumph to date. After losing the 1965 Grand Final Jeans rallied his troops and combined with the inspirational leadership of Doc Baldock was able to lead the Saints to victory in 1966. He was named St Kilda Coach of the Century in 2000.
After a 4 year break from football Jeans to the job as Coach of the Hawthorn football club and began what would become the greatest run of success since Norm Smith’s Demons in the 1950’s. From 1982 the Hawks would taste September action for 13 consecutive seasons including 7 straight Grand Finals from 1983-89. Premierships in 83, 86, 88 and 89 were the crowning glory of Jeans career. Although caretaker coach Allan Joyce held the reigns in 88 whilst Yabbie took a year off due to a brain injury, it was surely Jeans team and game plan that won the Hawks that Flag as well.
He shaped the careers and the lives of legendary players like Platten, Dunstall, Buckenara, Ayres and Brereton, the latter of which has recently commented that he held a bond with Jeans as strong as the relationship he had with his own father. Such was the respect that was afforded to Yabbie.
Allan Jeans passed away on 13 July 2011 after a long battle with illness. His passing is mourned by the entire football community as we farewell an immortal of the game.
Rest in Peace Yabbie. You are a true legend.
Scullduggery: It has been widely reported that Tom Scully has been offered a Million dollars a season to join with the GWS. The Giants have obviously set their sights on the Demons young tyro and in the wake of re-signings and rejections from other possible targets it is now apparent that Scully is the man that the Giants hope to build their midfield around. What has me flummoxed is the sheer scale of the offer. Gary Ablett was offered massive coin, he was also widely regarded as the premier player in the competition, a Brownlow Medalist and a dual premiership player. Scully is 20 years old and has played just 26 games at the top level. He currently ranks third amongst the Demons midfielders with less than 50 games experience behind Trengove and Gysberts. There is no way Melbourne can justify making an offer of more than $400,000 per season for 3 years. It would be a slap in the face to every other player on the Demons list if they offered Scully $600,000+ to try and get him to stay. The kid is simply not worth it yet.
Melbourne don’t have the benefit of being able to offer him the Carlton / Visy style third party arrangement that lines Judd’s contract with about a quarter mill a year either after the AFL announced that they are cracking down on third party payments. Their pin-up boy is still allowed to collect his cardboard cash, just no one else.
I’ll Rant and Rave!
You weak prick! Fuck you Gus Monfries! I’ve never rated you as player and now you don’t even rate as a human being. Hold a press conference and come out with your arrogant little smirk and tell the football world you took some dives. NO SHIT! Anyone who has ever had to watch you play knows that. Staging for a free kick is one thing but when that action gets another player rubbed out, you owe it to the game to take your medicine and say that straight away. Not after the player has served his two week ban. Don’t worry Gus, something tells me you wont need to dive anymore, you’ll get belted from pillar to post for the rest of your meaningless career.
You can’t be serious: Word just in that Collingwood defender Heath Shaw has been handed a 14 match ban for betting on football results. The most specific was when he used inside knowledge to back team Captain, Nick Maxwell – normally a defender, for the first goal in round 10 knowing that he was starting up forward. The penalty is adequate I feel but here’s the rub. Six of the 14 weeks are suspended which means that Shaw will be eligible to play in the first final for Collingwood and most probably play in a premiership side. What a joke. If you are going to make a statement then you can’t allow that player to play finals football, it defies logic. Rub him out for the rest of the season, and any other players involved.
Hi – Five:
5: Brent Stanton: Much maligned this season it has been revealed that Stanton as played the last 6 weeks with a cracked collar bone. It explains his reluctance to do the inside work but he showed his class on Saturday with 27 telling possessions – 7 contested, 4 clearances a goal and a round high 13 tackles. Bomber fans will hopefully take it a bit easier on their whipping boy after this performance.
4: Ryan O’Keefe: ROK continued his stellar form so far this season with 31 disposals – 17 contested, 4 tackles, 8 clearances and 7 inside 50’s. He has emerged as Sydney’s premier midfielder this year and with the majority of their ball winners still under 23 years of age he has shouldered the extra workload with aplomb.
3: Luke Hodge: Hodgey kicked the opening goal of the game and was unstoppable from there. Following up a 40 possession game against the Pies with 31 touches – 16 contested at 80 percent efficiency, 6 tackles, 8 clearances and a goal to quell the resurgent Lions and keep the Hawks safely in the top four.
2: Dale Thomas: Subbed off at the end of the third quarter with a thigh complaint Daisey was still able to amass 26 touches – 16 contested, 6 marks including a hanger in the goal square, 5 clearances and three goals. He might not be the best midfielder in the comp but he sure is good. If Scully is worth a Million I love to know what they are waving under Thomas’s nose..
1: Nick Dal Santo: A return to form for the fleet footed running machine from St Kilda. 36 quality disposals – 15 of them contested, 8 clearances, 5 tackles and a couple of goals. Set the standard for the Saints on the weekend and has been a massive part of their mid season revival.
Thanks to Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the photo
