AFL Record, Round 11, 2011 by The Slattery Media Group

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE NE OF THE AFL GAME

P58 HOW LUKE BALL CHANGED HIS GAME 22 rounds but new pre-season format for 2012

P12

THE BOUNCING BOMBER David Zaharakis

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features 57 PEARCE HANLEY

The Lions defender is going ahead in leaps and bounds. MICHAEL WHITING reports.

64 DAVID ZAHARAKIS

The young Essendon forward is a ball of energy. CALLUM TWOMEY reports.

regulars 4 11 25 53 70 74 76

Backchat The Bounce Matchday Dream Team Answer Man Kids’ Corner NAB AFL Rising Star

St Kilda’s Jack Steven.

78 Talking Point Round 11 milestones

A Accuracy is not an issue for Steve Johnson and Matthew S Pavlich, says Ted Hopkins. P

THIS WEEK’S COVER David Zaharakis is one of several rising Essendon stars shaping the new-look Bombers.

LUKE BALL

No fear, no frills, no regrets.

CO COVER PHOTO: MICHAEL WILLSON COVER PHOTO EDITOR: GINNY PIKE CO

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EDITOR’S LETTER

A learning experience

» The reaction from some NIGHT TO REMEMBER:

The AFL’s newest venue, Metricon Stadium, was oﬃcially opened in a glittering ceremony last week.

A shining showpiece

What a fantastic opening game at Metricon Stadium last Saturday night. The stadium is magniﬁcent. The facilities are ﬁrst-class and the seats are close to the action. I have never missed an AFL/VFL game at Carrara and, at this rate, I don’t want to. The Suns put on a good showing, too. The ground has come a long way since the Bears played Fitzroy in 1987. TIM BORTEN, MONTEREY KEYS QLD.

Teething problems

Could someone please let Gold Coast/Metricon Stadium management know they need to display the score for the whole game and not just when the Suns are ahead. It was pretty hard to follow when the scoreboard was blank for most

GENERAL MANAGER, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS Darren Birch AFL CORPORATE BUSINESS MANAGER Richard Simkiss AFL RECORD MANAGING EDITOR Geoﬀ Slattery AFL RECORD EDITOR Peter Di Sisto

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of the second half. Other than that, it’s a fantastic facility. BRETT POMROY, VIA EMAIL.

Response from Gold Coast CEO Travis Auld: This was actually

caused by an issue with the feed from Champion Data. As a result, we had to remove the Champion feed and manually update the scores. This meant we were without a score on the screen for a period of time.

Time to stand up, Demons

As a disappointed and disheartened Melbourne supporter, I have few expectations left for a season that promised so much. Forget about talent and potential. How about we concentrate on hard work and endeavour? Down the track,

PRODUCTION EDITOR Michael Lovett WRITERS Nick Bowen, Ben Collins, George Farrugia, Katrina Gill, Luke Holmesby, Ted Hopkins, Ian Kenins, Peter Ryan, Callum Twomey, Michael Whiting SUB-EDITORS Gary Hancock, Howard Kotton, Michael Stevens STATISTICIAN Cameron Sinclair CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Hutchison

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these noble goals may result in skill and ﬁtness improvement (what have you been doing for the past 12 months?) But, more importantly, out of the blood, sweat and tears may come pride and determination. I don’t need a ﬂag to keep me going, but I do need to see an honest performance where the players stand up, have a go and do their best. Jim Stynes deserves no less. KATE, MENTONE, VIC.

HAVE YOUR SAY

The best letter each round nd will receive the 2011 AFL Record Season Guide. Email aﬂrecordeditor@ slatterymedia.com or write to AFL Record, Slattery Media Group, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC, 3008.

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to Richmond’s loss to Port Adelaide in Darwin last weekend was curious, to say the least. The Tigers ‘hosted’ the game at TIO Stadium, having struck a deal to play several home matches at the venue over the next few seasons. The club wants to eradicate debt in order to be able to invest further in its football department, and the Darwin deal provides it with significant financial returns while also fitting in with the AFL’s desire to fixture matches in the Top End. Critics of the plan said the Tigers were “giving up” a win in exchange for a financial return. The ‘logic’ was that the Tigers would easily have won had the game been played at the MCG, considering their recent good form (and Port’s poor efforts) and their growing status as an emerging team. If only football were that predictable. Richmond played and applied itself poorly, as coach Damien Hardwick acknowledged. The Tigers, Hardwick said, learned a valuable lesson le fr from their failure on the night. For a club learning and developing on and a off the field, sometimes a o kick in the pants is exactly k what’s needed. w PETER DI SISTO P

PRINTED BY PMP Print ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO The Editor, AFL Record, Ground Floor, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, Victoria, 3008. T: (03) 9627 2600 F: (03) 9627 2650 E: peterd@slatterymedia.com AFL RECORD, VOL. 100, ROUND 11, 2011 Copyright. ACN No. 004 155 211. ISSN 1444-2973, Print Post approved PP320258/00109

SNAPSHOT Round 10 Gold Coast v Geelong Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast They probably locked horns at training over the best part of a decade but Geelong captain Cameron Ling and his opposite number, Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett, have never met like this on the ﬁeld before. Ablett came up against his old club last Saturday night and went head-to-head with several former teammates as the Suns stole an early break. Gold Coast was playing the ﬁrst match at its redeveloped home ground, now called Metricon Stadium (pictured right). Karmichael Hunt was also the toast of the locals after his long goal in the second term, but the Cats restored order and after the game paid homage to their former champ. MICHAEL LOVETT PHOTOS: LACHLAN CUNNINGHAM, JASON O’BRIEN/AFL PHOTOS

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POWERING ON

Port Adelaide’s future is assured, says the AFL.

DALE THOMAS

Why we love watching a genuis at work.

HAPPY HAWK

Whoever goes there (Hobart) will have a captive audience

Michael Osborne is making money while we sleep.

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THE

When pressed, Hawks are happy to play keepings-oﬀ NICK BOW EN

SAFETY FIRST: Hawthorn

defenders, such as Brent Guerra, are choosing to kick to position in the backline, rather than handball.

he biggest tactical challenge facing teams in 2011 has been combating the forward press. The tactic of pushing zones of players up the ground to keep opposition teams locked in their forward 50 was pioneered by St Kilda in 2009 and taken to another level by Collingwood last season. In 2011, this aggressive brand of defence has spread across the competition, forcing all clubs to come up with strategic antidotes. Almost universally, teams have decided handball, especially in their defensive 50, is high-risk and to be used only sparingly. Last season, the kick-to-handball ratio of nine of the competition’s 16 teams – Geelong, Essendon, North Melbourne, Adelaide, Melbourne, Fremantle, St Kilda, Richmond and West Coast – did not exceed 1.2 kicks to every handball. But this season, just two clubs – Fremantle

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Melbourne’s Austin Wonaeamirri has been granted a leave of absence to return home to the Tiwi Islands. Melbo

and new team Gold Coast – have had kick-to-handball ratios below 1.2:1. And all of last year’s teams bar the Western Bulldogs are kicking the ball more often. The other ploy teams have commonly employed this year has been kicking the ball long along the boundary line, over the top of opposition zones. But Hawthorn is bucking this long-kicking trend. Like the rest of the competition, the Hawks have become increasingly wary of handballing in their defensive 50. But rather than risk kicking long to a contest, more and more they are trying to hit close targets with short kicks. The effectiveness of Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson’s game-plan was evident against the Bulldogs last Sunday. The Hawks had the ball in their possession 53 per cent of the game, while the Bulldogs had it just 31 per cent of the time. The Hawks also racked up 305 uncontested possessions, while limiting the Bulldogs to just 175. It was a continuation of Hawthorn’s play against the Sydney Swans the previous round. In that match, the Hawks controlled the ball 45 per cent of the time to the Swans’ 37 per cent, while they led the uncontested-possession count 260-183. A look at some of this year’s key statistical measures (see table below) shows the Hawks have registered marked increases in short kicks, effective

kicks, marks and uncontested possessions – they lead the competition in each category. After the win against the Bulldogs, Clarkson gave an insight into the Hawks’ keepings-off mindset this season. “We needed to control the ball against the Dogs,” Clarkson said. “If you give them possession of the footy, they can cut you to pieces with their feet.” However, Clarkson suggested the Hawks were still trying to ﬁnd the right tempo for their new game-plan.

I don’t mind it because they (Hawthorn) do have beautiful tiful iful foot skills lss PAUL ROOS

“I reckon we’ve gone too quickly (in previous games),” he said. “We were a little too patient today. I thought (at times) we balll could have moved the ball forward to free options and didn’t take them.” ns Former Sydney Swans n coach Paul Roos is a fan of the Hawks’ new game-plan. “What Hawthorn is doing now is probably very different from

everyone else and I don’t mind it because they do have beautiful foot skills,” Roos said on Fox Sports’ On The Couch. “The Doggies just couldn’t get it back off them, the Swans had trouble getting it off them (the week before). And we also saw when the Doggies got three goals in a row, they shut the game down. The Dogs would have been getting frustrated. “I actually like the game style – it’s really effective.” Roos acknowledged the effectiveness of the Hawks’ strategy was heavily reliant on players who kick well. So injuries to defenders such as Brent Guerra and Grant Birchall could affect the Hawks’ ability to move the ball outside their defensive 50. But Roos did not see why the strategy could not stand up against the competition’s better team m teams. Altho o Although its highhigh-possession natu u made it risky, nature the more fashionable lon n long-kicking strategy als s carried the risk also tha a opposition sides that coul l win the ball could and sswitch play back thr o through the centre co r corridor, Roos said.

REBOUND: Grant Birchall provides defensive rebound by foot for the Hawks.

Evolution of a game style – selected key Hawthorn statistics 2008

2009

2010

2011

Long kicks

41.6 (6)

35.8 (13)

47 (8)

48.3 (16)

Short kicks

102.4 (3)

86.5(12)

83.7 (9)

111.9 (1)

72 (1)

67.4 (4)

67.2 (6)

71.2 (1)

Handballs

172.5 (2)

185.9 (4)

153.6 (15)

164.7 (2)

Kick-to-handball ratio

1.17:1 (15)

1:1 (14)

1.30:1 (eql 2)

1.42 (6)

Marks

114.3 (2)

93.4 (13)

94.1 (8)

114.1 (1)

Mark, play on %

43.8 (6)

44.8 (eql 3)

35 (15)

35.4 (13)

Uncontested marks

103.4 (2)

86.1 (10)

83.4 (7)

102.6 (1)

Eﬀective kicks %

Contested marks

11 (2)

7.2 (16)

10.7 (eql 10)

11.6 (eql 11)

Uncontested poss

265.8 (2)

251.3 (5)

219.6 (13)

256.1 (1)

70.8 (1)

68 (eql 2)

62.7 (10)

64.6 (1)

Uncontested poss % Contested poss

109.6 (15)

118.1 (15)

130.6 (12)

140.2 (12)

Contested poss %

29.2 (16)

32 (eql 13)

37.3 (7)

35.4 (17)

Statistics courtesy of Champion Data. Unless otherwise indicated, ﬁgures represent averages per game.

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PORT ADELAIDE’S REBUILD

Power’s future assured, says AFL M A R K M ACGUGA N A ND K ATR INA GIL L

FL CEO Andrew Demetriou has moved to assure Port Adelaide supporters their club’s long-term future is safe, saying the League remains fully committed to sustaining two teams in South Australia. The AFL released a statement earlier this week following reports of the club’s board-level uncertainty stemming from its difficult financial position. “It is the AFL’s clear position that the best model for our national competition, and for football in South Australia, is to have two strong, well-run clubs in the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide, delivering 22 matches per season for football fans in the state,” Demetriou said in the statement. “We want to assure members and supporters of Port Adelaide Football Club that the AFL is committed to the long-term future of the club, and will continue to closely work with both the club and the SANFL to identify what further steps need to be taken to ensure the club’s health off the field, and to enable it to compete strongly in the most challenging sporting stage in Australia.” Under the terms of the AFL’s new broadcast deal, the League is committed to providing nine matches a round for the next five years, starting next season. Demetriou said the AFL had been kept well informed about the state of the Power’s finances and would continue to work with the SANFL, the licensee for the club, to find solutions. “The AFL is aware of the short- and long-term strategies for Port Adelaide Football Club, and the club is continuing to work to improve its long-term financial viability,” he said.

Hawthorn midﬁelder Chance Bateman set to be sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury.

MILESTONES ROUND 11

AFL LIFE MEMBERSHIP (300 TOTAL GAMES)

Barry Hall Western Bulldogs

AFL 200 CLUB

RESCUE JOB: Port Adelaide president Brett Duncanson (left), is conﬁdent the redeveloped Adelaide Oval will be the club’s saviour when games are played there from 2014.

It was reported in The Advertiser on Tuesday that the SANFL had declared it could no longer afford to underwrite the Power and that it could take over the running of the club. At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, South Australian Football Commission chairman John Olsen conﬁrmed the SANFL, which is $27 million in debt and borrowed $4 million to underwrite Port Adelaide last year, had “reached the limit” on the amount of money it could borrow to prop up the “cash-strangled” club. However, Olsen dismissed claims Port Adelaide would be the subject of a takeover, saying the SANFL would continue to control the licences of both South Australian-based AFL clubs. “The SANFL has borrowed extensively over the course of the last year or two to directly support Port Adelaide Football Club,” Olsen said. “The simple fact is we have reached the limit of what we are able to borrow to provide cash injection for Port Adelaide.” The Adelaide Oval redevelopment, which will see AFL games played at the inner-city venue from 2014, was given the green light to proceed by South Australian Cricket Association members at a historic vote earlier this month and is being viewed as the light at the end of the tunnel for both the Crows and the Power, who ranked 15th and

16th respectively in the AFL for stadium yield last year. Since the vote, the focus has turned to minimising the short-term pain for the two clubs at AAMI Stadium, where attendances continue to fall. Already this season, the Power has had its second- and third-lowest home attendances since joining the AFL in 1997. The move to Adelaide Oval is expected to generate up to an extra $3.5 million a

The AFL is aware of the short- and longterm strategies for Port ANDREW DEMETRIOU

year for each of the South Australian-based clubs through projected increases in attendances, membership and corporate support. Major building on the project is expected to start at the end of the cricket season next March. Port Adelaide president Brett Duncanson said the ongoing discussions with the SANFL and AFL were aimed at helping the club lay the foundation for the “bridge to Adelaide Oval”. “What’s really pleasing and important today is to understand

Sam Mitchell Ha H Hawthorn Micha ae Gardiner Michael St Kilda S

that we’re turning this club around,” Duncanson said. “None of us thought that we could do it overnight, but to have a $2.5 million turnaround in 12 months ... I’m not sure any other club could do that. “It’s a journey to Adelaide Oval. This is all about putting the building blocks in place to ensure we get to Adelaide Oval in a very strong position.” Duncanson confirmed reports three board members – Darryl Wakelin, John Hood and Jane Jeffreys – had resigned but denied speculation of a disagreement at board level. Duncanson also confirmed forensic accountant John Irving, who was appointed by the SANFL to oversee the club’s finances last June, had left his position. And he dismissed claims his own position as president was under threat, saying he would “see this through”. He also denied reports club CEO Mark Haysman’s future was under a cloud. Haysman attended the press conference but did not speak. The AFL, SANFL and Port Adelaide will continue to work together to establish a ‘framework’ that will ensure the club’s long-term survival. Details of the level of the AFL’s financial support are expected to be revealed within a fortnight.

200 0 GAMES 200 Steven Ste ev Baker St Kilda S Gary Ga ar Ablett Gold Go ol Coast

150 15 GAMES

Brent Stanton Essendon Ray Chamberlain umpire

MES 100 GAMES Matt Rosa sa West Coast st Shannon Byrnes yrnes Geelong g Hamish McIntosh ntosh h North Melbourne ournee

50 GAMES ES

Shane Stewart umpire

50 CLUB GAMES Leigh Brown Collingwood The list includes those not necessarily selected but on the verge of milestones.

THIS IS AN EDITED VERSION OF A STORY THAT FIRST APPEARED ON AFL.COM.AU.

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This year’s E.J. Whitten charity game to be played at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, July 6.

FANS GET THEIR WAY

MORE EXPOSURE: Fans in regional

centres will see NAB Cup action in 2011, as they did for this NAB Challenge game between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in Bunbury this year.

Status quo on ﬁxture, ﬁnal eight system M A R K M ACGUGA N

he final eight is here to stay – for now. The AFL announced on Wednesday it has resisted the temptation to increase the number of teams qualifying for the finals, and will keep the current final-eight system for at least the next two seasons. Despite the addition of an 18th team (Greater Western Sydney) to the competition in 2012, the home and away fixture of 22 matches per club is also certain to remain until the end of 2013. The four-week NAB Cup has survived, too, albeit in a slightly different form. The AFL’s chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said the AFL Commission approved the executive’s recommendation to stick with the current finals and home and away models at a meeting last Friday. “The introduction of the new teams, the Gold Coast Suns and the Greater Western Sydney Giants, combined with the creation of a new match schedule for the

broadcasting of games within the next five-year television contract, has introduced significant new complexity into the fixture process,” he said. “It was therefore recommended there be no change to the existing 22-round home and away season.” McLachlan said the fixture process would focus on maximising exposure for all teams. “The AFL will have an increased focus on fixture optimisation, and will look closely at on- and off-field equalisation across all of the 18 clubs,” he said.

It was recommended there be no change to the existing season GILLON McLACHLAN

The retention of the final eight is a win for football followers, who rejected the idea of an extended finals series when surveyed by afl.com.au last year.

Of more than 4200 responses to the survey, 69 per cent of fans were in favour of keeping the status quo, with 16.5 per cent supporting an expansion to a final 10 and the remaining 14.5 per cent suggesting other options. McLachlan said the decision taken reflected this feedback, but the AFL remained open to looking at the fixture and finals system structure in the future. The tweaked NAB Cup pre-season format will see a repeat of this season’s six groups of three playing two shortened pool matches on one day or night in the first round. However, rather than reverting to a knockout format from round two, all teams will play full-scale matches in rounds two and three. The schedule for these matches will be released no later than November, allowing teams to better prepare for and promote their games, and will continue to be played at a mixture of metropolitan and regional venues across the country. The two best-performed teams from the opening three rounds will then play in the NAB Cup Grand Final, with the other 16 clubs to play full-scale practice matches. As many clubs as possible will have this last match scheduled in their home state, the AFL indicated.

When they’re not playing... PLAYER

Whose autograph did you get as a kid:

Best advice received:

If you weren’t a footballer, what would d you like to be:

F Favourite TV show:

Matthew Scarlett Geelong

Gavin Wanganeen ganeen

It w was from my daughter: Do Don’t say naughty words

A builder

E Eastbound & Down

Ben Reid Collingwood

d James Hird

Ha Hate to lose

NBA p playerr

S archy Sons of Anarchy

Troy Chaplin Port Adelaide

Paul Salmon on

Yo ’t burn You can’t the candle dle at both ends bo ds

player NBA p

Modern Family

Angus Monfries Essendon

Tony Modra

The harder you work, the Th luckier you get

A lottery winner

MasterCheff

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Fremantle midﬁelder Michael Barlow to return this weekend via WAFL reserves after long layoﬀ with a broken leg. eg.

ponderings Unravelling the pros and cons of the advantage rule

t’s easy to ﬂip your lid when the advantage rule is invoked. Watching players waltz out of a stoppage like they are footy’s equivalent of Steven Bradbury is frustrating if they are on the opposing team. We’ve seen it happen on numerous occasions, the latest last weekend when the Brisbane Lions’ Jack Redden took advantage at a stoppage against Adelaide to assist a Mitch Clark goal. The advantage rule suffers in such moments, its comic effect lost on many as players look like a bunch of cars approaching an intersection with the lights on amber: uncertain, hesitant, with the person taking the initiative reaping a great reward. In round eight, Hawthorn’s Shane Savage seemed to be auditioning for the Benny Hill Show when he stopped, went, turned around and then kicked a behind after being paid advantage. Most advantage calls, however, go unnoticed, with an average of four being made each game. In 2011, according to Champion Data, 11.5 per cent of frees awarded (3204) have had advantage called (340). This is only slightly up on last season (9.4 per cent) but fewer than in 2008 and 2009 (see table). Under the new rule, most advantage calls seem fair and logical, most occurring in the general run of play, the ball spilling from a marking contest or a tackle. The questionable moments occur mainly around stoppages, where most players appear programmed to stop like sheep dogs at the sound of a whistle,

peter ryan

particularly if they don’t have the ball in their hands. In many cases, the advantage is being gained at stoppages because the team that has conceded the free kick stops, thus creating an advantage that might not have existed other than because the whistle has sounded (or more accurately because players have stopped after hearing the whistle). Some players still think the rule is unfair, the advantage/disadvantage too great when things go awry. However, the AFL believes the officiating error made late in the Collingwood-Geelong game in round eight when Scott Pendlebury continued on with play and kicked a goal only for the umpire to bring it back has focused everyone’s mind. In the past two weeks, players have become more definite when wishing to indicate they don’t want to take advantage. After the Pendlebury event, the AFL confirmed the rule would remain in place for 2011 so everyone, whether they like it or not, had better get used to its implications. That’s the reality. The challenges remaining for players is how to defend the

potential advantage when it’s not going your team’s way and also what to do when the whistle sounds and the ball is in your possession. Conventional wisdom, easier said than done, is to continue as normal when you haven’t got the ball, avoiding the free ride Pendlebury, Savage, Redden, Mathew Stokes, Allen Christensen and others have taken advantage of. If a player has the ball put down his throat, then the whistle is no excuse for his opponent to stop. Keeping the pressure on is possible because few 50m penalties are being paid in these instances. No player has had a 50m awarded against him for tackling a player trying to sneak the advantage, with eight 50s awarded this season for players kicking the ball downﬁeld (but none after a stoppage). Another one, paid against North Melbourne’s Scott McMahon against the Lions, was partly caused by McMahon’s fear that Todd Banﬁeld would swoop on it and take advantage if he left it alone. The decision is harder for players with the ball in hand. They have to assess the

TAKING ADVANTAGE: THE STATS Round

Frees

Advantage

365

12.3%

368

11.7%

335

11.9%

288

10.8%

285

11.9%

294

10.2%

326

11.7%

321

10.9%

324

12.3%

298

11.4%

320.4

37.0

11.5%

AFL Average 2010 Average

9.4%

2009 Average

10.8%

2008 Average

12.3%

2007 Average

13.0% SOURCE: CHAMPION DATA

situation quickly and make a decision with real ramifications. There is no double-dipping as was the case under the old rule. Players with the ball this season have equally gained from the advantage and muffed the advantage. The umpires are letting chains of play happen naturally, calling the ball back without awarding 50 if the team that has infringed has possession, but has not kicked downfield. So players can take a calculated gamble as they do every time they play on. If not comfortable with that, they should stay within their limitations, living like cricketers who say they never run on a misfield. Carlton’s Chris Judd and the Lions’ Simon Black generally keep moving when the whistle goes, hustling to gain an advantage for their team, confident they won’t give away 50 if they don’t dispose of the ball by foot until they hear the advantage call. Pendlebury took a punt in round eight but it was educated, assessing the potential risk and consequence. He believed Collingwood had the free and he knew the chance of kicking a goal outweighed the risk of conceding a 50m penalty, given the position of the stoppage, on the edge of Collingwood’s 50m arc. So he went for it. West Coast coach John Worsfold admitted after round eight he had instructed his players to not take the advantage option within range of goal unless they had a clear shot. Worsfold knows some easy goals are being kicked under the new rule, but opportunities are also being lost. The challenge for coaches and players is to rely on instinct or create a strict policy when it comes to the advantage rule. A good system, well drilled, may win them a final, or not lose them one via poor decisions. It’s just another dilemma for coaching panels to unravel.

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North Melbourne’s Michael Firrito accepts one-match suspension for rough conduct on Sydney Swan Ryan O’Keefe.

SOME THINGS WE LOVED FROM ROUND 10 DALE THOMAS: INSTINCTIVE GENIUS

handball from Black. Taking two bounces through the middle of the ground, he burnt oﬀ Crow Brent Reilly, and then handballed to Tom Rockliﬀ. Two possessions later, Mitch Clark goaled. It’s the type of play that makes a team unpredictable to opposition presses and zones. It’s why Hanley’s value to the Lions increases with every game.

» Last season, many experts

raved that Dale Thomas was the most improved player in the AFL. The challenge for the star Collingwood midfielder was to provide a sufficient encore performance, and not only has he done that but he has taken his game to a new level, prompting St Kilda coach Ross Lyon to ponder on Melbourne radio station SEN whether the brilliant Magpie is the best player in the competition. Many of those lucky enough to watch Thomas light up the MCG against West Coast last Sunday would probably be inclined to agree with Lyon. Best-afield in a nine-goal win, the blond speedster gathered 30 possessions (including 21 kicks) and kicked two goals. But, as has become the case with Thomas, it wasn’t the statistics but their substance that was most telling. (Incidentally, he’s averaging 25 touches a game this season.) His first goal, in the opening term, came from a mid-air banana kick at close range; his second, just before half-time, was a kick reserved for only the most skilled performers – a left-foot boomerang from the boundary 40m out – and will vie for the Panasonic AFL Goal of the Year. In between, Thomas also submitted his nomination for the Hungry Jack’s AFL Mark of the Week, launching himself on to the back of Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui. These were but a few examples of the high-octane football Thomas is now producing on a regular basis. Regardless off whether wheether he is the game’s best player, yer, he h certainly seems the most watc watchable. chable.

KARMICHAEL L HUNT’S GOAL L

» High-proﬁle rugby ugbyy

convert Karmichael ael Hunt H has been the subject ject of intense scrutiny, and much criticism, since starting tartiing his AFL career with the Gold G Coast Suns. But in n one on ne exquisite moment, nt,

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SEE MICHAEL WHITING’S FEATURE STORY ON PAGE 57.

THE JUDD JUGGERNAUT

with one smooth yet explosive act, Hunt might well have turned the tide of public opinion. Last week, when the Suns confronted undefeated league leader Geelong in their first match at the new Metricon Stadium at Carrara, much pre-match talk centred on Suns skipper Gary Ablett playing against his former teammates for the first time. This was a huge occasion for all involved, not least of all for poster-boy eightgamer Hunt. Just two-and-a-half minutes before half-time, with the Suns clinging to a surprise four-point lead, Hunt ran to a dangerous position forward of centre where he commanded, and received, a perfectly weighted footweigh pass from Michael frrom M Rischitelli. Riscchitel Hunt produced H p a short burst sh hort b of speed before sp peed b steadying and, ssteady from outside f the t 50 50m arc, launched laun nched a droppuntt that sailed straight stra aight over o the goall umpire’s head ump and a couple coup of rows back. It w his first was hi

goal in the AFL, and the kind of team-lifting goal that even Nathan Buckley in his prime would have been proud to claim. A delighted Hunt was mobbed by teammates as he made his way back to his position in defence. The celebration, like the goal, was something to behold.

PEARCE HANLEY

» Before this season, Irishman

Pearce Hanley had played 12 games in three seasons with the Brisbane Lions. In 2011, the defender has not missed a game. But it’s been what he has done in those games that has stood out. Quick and prepared to take on the opposition, Hanley has become the Lions’ chief attacking defender. The oﬀensive drive Hanley has given the Lions this year is borne out by statistics: he is ranked second in the competition for rebound 50s (54, one behind Port Adelaide’s Alipate Carlile) and leads the Lions for bounces (21), having more than tripled the tally of his next-best teammate (Simon Black, six). But Hanley’s verve is best witnessed live. Early in the second half of last Sunday’s game against Adelaide, Hanley ran on to a

» Carlton skipper Chris Judd recently admitted he has lost the explosive power that characterised his West Coast days. Where he once left opponents in his wake after three or four steps, nowadays he is quick rather than turbo-charged. But as champions do, the two-time Brownlow medallist has adapted. Now when he wins the ball – something he has never had any trouble doing – his best work is often done setting up teammates. Last Friday night’s win against Melbourne was a good example. At the 10-minute mark of the third quarter, Melbourne teammates Stefan Martin and Jordie McKenzie looked set to raffle a loose ball on the wing, when Judd bored in low and hard and, in one motion, grabbed the ball, turned and shot a long handball over his shoulder. He put the ball into space near Carlton’s half-forward line, with Marc Murphy ultimately missing a shot at goal. Less than 10 minutes later, Murphy kicked long and high into Carlton’s forward 50. Working Melbourne opponent Joel Macdonald off the ball with his hip, Judd dd trapped Murphy’s kick with a soft left hand and n hit nd Andrew Walker allker with a handpasss that t set him up for fo or an easy goal. sssages Both passages of play were ree as impressive as a ud dd has anything Judd done on thee field. NICK BOWEN AND BEN COLLINS

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Last round’s Gold Coast-Geelong match was the highest-rating Saturday night game this year, drawing 891,333 viewers.

NEW BUSINESS

COMFORTABLE: Michael Osborne

says he has always likes his pyjamas ... now he makes them.

Fashionable Hawk a real sleepy head I A N K ENINS

awthorn forward Michael Osborne isn’t the type to get caught napping on the field, but he does think a lot about sleep and rest and what he’s wearing while doing so. Late last year, Osborne, along with friend and now business partner Andrew Prowse, launched a sleepwear label called sleep’n round. Osborne is one of a rare breed of men unafraid to admit: “I always loved my pyjamas. Getting home, having a shower, chucking the pyjamas on and sitting on the couch.” As a youngster, Osborne said he never envisaged sleepwear as an employment opportunity, “but it’s an exciting industry and it’s a nice job to have, working for yourself, having freedom and being able to create, and it is something I could see myself doing full-time after footy.” Both Osborne and Prowse have studied finance and first considered some kind of fashion label a few years ago. “We saw a bit of a hole in the market – there’s not a thousand pyjama labels out there and we thought that’s something we could explore a bit more.” They looked at the online market and other sleepwear lines and saw a need for clothing that was “flexible and comfortable to wear after work or training – something you can wear when you get home and when you go to bed. And we wanted something different than just a T-shirt label that a lot of footballers have tried and not many have gone too far with.”

OU D I D YW ? O KN

AFL RECORD

During the development “We go for cotton because phase, friends and family of it’s good quality and breathable Osborne and Prowse were asked and feels good against the skin,” to look out for and take photos he said. of interesting sleepwear designs Osborne said he is hands-on when travelling overseas. with the operation in the The two fashion-conscious little spare time he has away business partners also bounce from football. ideas off friends with a more He helps out with supplies in qualified the Melbourne eye, with the warehouse, final design a gets samples combination made, tries of elements them out, of the above and makes incorporated alterations into their after feedback own ideas. from friends “It’s not a and family. range that’s The label colourful or has was launched MICHAEL OSBORNE pictures on it online late that you don’t last year want to be seen in,” Osborne said. as an affordable way to The two have travelled to Bali develop the brand without and China in search of fabrics storefront overheads. and order their material from a “Most businesses don’t do well ree years in the warehouse they visited earlier in the first three se, so, while I’m still this year in Chen Zhen, in build-up phase, north-east China. playing footy,, we’ll progress the

We wanted something diﬀerent than just a T-shirt label

label as far as we can, but as far as expectations go, we just want to get the label out there and get people aware of it and enjoying the product,” he said. Osborne said he and Prowse were pleasantly surprised by their Christmas and post-February sales. Osborne has also learned a lot about marketing, ﬁnance and design and said he was “looking at starting a graphic design course pretty soon that will help the label”. He said some of his teammates were a bit surprised by his secondary career choice, but after giving away a few freebies, he said some were sold. “Others love the stuff I gave them.” And none more so than Xavier Ellis. “He tells me every week where he’s been in them – the Mexican takeaway store, Woolworths, the petrol station, and he said he doesn’t look out of place.”

» Last week was the ﬁrst time since round 15 of 2005 (against ainst Collingwood at th the he own kicking a goal. Thee Gabba) that the Brisbane Lions won without Jonathan Brown Lions drew with Essendon in round 19 of 2009, with Brown n kicking ﬁve behinds.

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Melbourne’s Aaron Davey to miss up to two months after scans revealed his knee injury was worse than ﬁrst thought.

PRESSURE IN THE EXTREME

TOUGH DECISION:

Daniel Wells had to decide whether to rush a behind or create a goal late in the game last week.

When trying to win is paramount NICK BOW EN

very now and then footballers are forced to make split-second decisions that can determine the result of games. North Melbourne midﬁelder Daniel Wells faced such a decision late in last Saturday’s game against the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium. With less than three minutes remaining in the match, the Kangaroos were one point down when the ball was kicked to a Drew Petrie-Heath Grundy marking contest at the top of North’s goalsquare. When the ball reached Petrie and Grundy, Wells was running, surrounded by ﬁve Swans who were all about 10m from the ball.

As Petrie brought the ball to ground, teammate Lachie Hansen picked up the crumbs, but fumbled, allowing Grundy to force the ball towards the goal line. By this time, Wells had burst on to the scene. Running in from behind Grundy, he reached the ball when it was just centimetres from the goal line. This was the instant he had a decision to make.

He could have forced the ball through for a rushed behind, which would have levelled the scores. However, there were still almost three minutes of play remaining. A rushed behind would have put the ball back in the Swans’ hands, giving them the chance to launch a counter-attack from the kick-in. Wells’ other option – the one he took – was to try to keep the

ball in play, in the hope his team could score a goal and take the lead. With teammate Aaron Edwards a couple of metres behind him to his left, Wells tried to paddle the ball back to him, but it bounced off Edwards’ feet into the behind post. As such, there was no score and the ball was thrown in from the boundary. As we now know, the Kangaroos did not score again – or be in a similar position to rush a behind – so the Swans escaped with a one-point win. With the beneﬁt of hindsight, some will argue Wells should have rushed a behind when he had the chance. But no one can say the Kangaroos would have hung on for a draw if Wells had done so. There was too much time left in the game; either team could have scored again. In any event, you’d imagine North coach Brad Scott and Kangaroos supporters could live with Wells’ thinking at this pivotal moment. Who can complain when one of their players tries to win a game, rather than save it?

Great on paper. Even better on air. The mo most entertaining team in footy and you’ll only hear them on 3AW. Your ga game. Your station. www.facebook.com/3AWFootball ww

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AFL RECORD

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Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo signs A igns contract extension with the club.

JOHNSON ON TRACK

Cat feasting on goals up north MICH A EL LOV ET T

eelong star Steve Johnson is on track to become the greatest goalkicker in Queensland from a club other than the Brisbane Lions or the Gold Coast Suns. Based on form and likely longevity, Johnson is set to pass some of the great spearheads of the game who have kicked the most goals for a visiting club at the Gabba and Metricon Stadium (formerly Carrara). Johnson’s seven goals against the Suns last week – his ﬁrst outing at Metricon Stadium – took him into the top 10 on the list of non-Lions/ Suns goalkickers at the two Queensland venues. Johnson also became just the third individual since Gary Ablett snr in 1996 (against West

AFL RECORD

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Coast) to kick seven goals or more in a game for the Cats. Kent Kingsley produced hauls of eight goals (in 2006 against North Melbourne) and seven goals (in 2004 against Essendon) and Cameron Mooney also kicked seven against North Melbourne in 2008. Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall tops the list with 22 goals at the Gabba and 31 at Carrara for a total of 53. Then follows Saverio Rocca, who kicked 31 for Collingwood and North Melbourne at the Gabba, and four in his sole appearance for the Magpies at Carrara in 1992.

Ablett snr also had a liking for Carrara, kicking 25 goals in four games and eight goals in his only game at the Gabba in 1993. In more recent times, Matthew Richardson kicked 31 goals at the Gabba, Matthew Lloyd slotted 30 and Barry Hall has 28 at the Lions’ home ground. Richardson and Lloyd never played at Carrara but Hall is due to play there in round 14. Former Brisbane star Alastair Lynch (295) holds the overall record for most goals at the Gabba and ex-Brisbane Bear Brad Hardie (98) holds the overall record at Carrara.

MOST GOALS IN QUEENSLAND (NON-LIONS/SUNS) Goals/games Goals/games Total Average ge at Gabba at Carrara Jason Dunstall (Haw) 22/4 31/5 53 5.9 Saverio Rocca (Coll/NM) 31/9 4/1 35 3.5 Gary Ablett snr (Geel) 8/1 25/4 33 6.6 Matthew Richardson (Rich) 31/10 – 31 3.1 Chris Grant (WB) 19/11 11/3 30 2.1 Matthew Lloyd (Ess) 30/10 – 30 3.0 Barry Hall (St K, Syd, WB) 28/10 – 28 2.8 David Neitz (Melb) 24/12 4/1 28 2.1 Steve Johnson (Geel) 20/5 7/1 27 4.5 Stephen Kernahan (Carl) 14/3 13/4 27 3.8

Player

NORTHERN FORCE:

Steve Johnson has a career average of two goals a game but averages 4.5 goals a game in Queensland.

Gold Coast defender Karmichael Hunt accepts one-match suspension for forceful contact on Geelongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nathan Vardy. NEW HORIZON: North Melbourne

PUSH FOR HOBART

would like to play two home games in Hobart and build a strong membership base as Hawthorn has done playing at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Roos still conďŹ dent of Tassie green light NICK BOW EN

orth Melbourne remains conďŹ dent it will play games in Hobart from next season, despite the Tasmanian Government delaying a decision on the proposal for another week. The Tasmanian cabinet met on Monday to consider the AFLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal for the Roos to play two â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homes a season at Bellerive Oval from 2012-14. It has been widely reported the deal will net North Melbourne about $500,000 a match, but, although the Hobart Chamber Of Commerce, Hobart City Council and local businesses have agreed to fund half of

those costs, the Government has yet to commit. After Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting, Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said she expected a decision would be made next week. Ms Giddings acknowledged playing AFL games in Hobart â&#x20AC;&#x153;could bring signiďŹ cant economic beneďŹ ts to Tasmanian businesses, particularly in the winter monthsâ&#x20AC;?.

Whoever goes there (Hobart) will have a captive audience JAMES BRAYSHAW

But she said the Government was facing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;tough budget situationâ&#x20AC;? and needed time to consider all relevant factors before making its decision. North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw said recently on The Footy Show he was conďŹ dent the deal would go ahead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great (place), Hobart, and the venue is ready to go, so I reckon it will be a winner,â&#x20AC;? Brayshaw said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are 250,000 people down there who have never seen AFL football live, so whoever goes there will have a captive audience.â&#x20AC;? Hawthorn recently renegotiated its deal to play â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; matches at Aurora Stadium in Launceston. The Hawks have been hosting matches in Tasmania since 2001 and this year play four home and away matches at the ground. The club has built a strong membership base in Tasmania.

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MELBOURNEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN AFL RECORD

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North Melbourne defender Daniel Pratt to miss a month with a broken bone in his right hand. d.

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

SMART MOVE:

Port Adelaide players such as Travis Boak wore wristbands in the humid conditions.

» There were a few nervous moments in the lead-up to last Saturday night’s Richmond-Port Adelaide match in Darwin, when two light towers failed. The outage threatened to delay the start of the game, but it went ahead as scheduled after power was restored. However, one of the towers went out again in the final minute of the first quarter. The game continued until the quarter-time break when officials frantically rushed around to sort out the problem. All four light towers remained in working order for the rest of the game. AFL match manager Scott Taylor said after the game that proceedings would have carried on as normal if one of the four towers stayed out of action, but the match would have been stopped if two of them were not working. In such an event, players would come off the ground for no longer than 60 minutes. A longer delay would have seen the match called off. Had the game been stopped in the first half, it would have been abandoned, but if the malfunction occurred in the second half, the team in front at the time would have been deemed the winner. The drama revived memories of 1996 when a blackout at Waverley Park brought the St KildaEssendon round 10 game to a standstill, with the match being concluded several days later on the Tuesday night.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Power know-how wins the day

LUKE HOLMESBY THIS IS AN EDITED VERSION OF A STORY THAT FIRST APPEARED ON AFL.COM.AU.

AFL RECORD

K ATR INA GIL L

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efore the game between Richmond and Port Adelaide at Darwin’s TIO Stadium last Saturday night, the only people talking up the battling South Australian club as having any sort of advantage over the in-form Tigers were the Power players themselves. The odds were against the ‘visiting’ Port Adelaide team snapping a ﬁve-game losing streak at a venue where it had lost in its past four attempts, and the Tiger faithful didn’t seem too fazed by the club’s decision to ‘sell’ a home game and improve its bottom line. However, after the fact, it was a different story. Richmond’s shock 15-point loss prompted questions as to whether the Power, who had previously played six games in the unique Darwin conditions compared to Richmond’s none, did actually hold an advantage, and whether the result would

have been different if the game had been played at the Tigers’ ‘real’ home, the MCG. It is impossible to measure intangibles such as know-how, but Port Adelaide’s preparation for the game suggested the club had learned something from its previous bad experiences in the slippery, energy-sapping conditions. The Power, who have committed to playing two away games in Darwin each season for the next three years, arrived in the Top End a day earlier than in the past and completed their ﬁnal training session at TIO Stadium.

Our boys dropped fewer marks, fumbled a lot less and got the four points DANYLE PEARCE

The club organised sweatbands and even gloves for players who requested them, with most choosing to wear at least one sweatband on their wrist during the game.

In contrast, none of the Richmond players sported wristbands or gloves. The Power’s approach appeared to pay off, with their players handling the ball far better than their opponents. “A lot of our players have been up here before and, for the players who haven’t, we just gave them a word of advice and told them what the conditions could be like,” Power midﬁelder Danyle Pearce said after the game. “It got slippery there early and you could see the balls slipping through hands, missed marks and stuff like that. “It was great that our boys dropped fewer marks, fumbled a lot less and got the four points.” Coach Damien Hardwick lamented Richmond’s ball use and handling skills after the game, but refused to blame his team’s unfamiliarity with the venue as an excuse. The Tigers, who attempted to simulate the conditions by training in heat chambers in the lead-up to the clash, had planned a dress rehearsal for their trip to Darwin with a game against the Indigenous All-Stars at the venue in February. However, inclement weather meant the match did not go ahead.

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Former Collingwood player, Irishman Marty Clarke, reportedly considering a return to the AFL.

AFTER THE GRAND FINAL

MORE JOY: Scott Pendlebury and the Magpies have continued on where they left oﬀ in 2010.

Pies prosper while the Saints slide BEN COL LINS

of the heavy work and created so many paths and opportunities for teammates. The lack of midfield ball and quality delivery has naturally contributed to skipper Nick Riewoldt battling the first significant slump of his career. That the Saints were able to belt Fremantle in Perth with Riewoldt goalless and Stephen Milne managing just one was, in many ways, g g sign. g an encouraging pite the But, desp despite imp proved Saints’ improved P form, the Pies incrrease should increase distancce the distance th he between the two teams during this round’s Grand Final rematch.

othing separated Collingwood and St Kilda during last year’s drawn Grand Final, but since that fateful day, the Magpies have put considerable distance between themselves and the Saints. Of course, the ﬁrst sign of this trend emerged the week after the draw, when the Pies triumphed by 56 points to claim the 2010 premiership. The gap has continued to widen this season, with Collingwood 8-1 and second on the AFL ladder, while the Saints languish in 11th spot with just 3½ wins from their nine games. In League history, it’s the equal-fourth biggest gap between two reigning Grand Finalists after 10 rounds of the following season. The Saints have bridged the gap over the past fortnight after defeating Melbourne and

Fremantle. Before that, the Pies were still second, but the Saints were 15th (which would have comfortably been a record if the status quo remained). Much has been made of the challenges coach Ross Lyon has faced in keeping his players hungry after coming agonisingly close to premiership glory twice in as many seasons. However, many of the Saints’ problems appear to trace back to the loss of veteran hard nut and drawn Grand Final hero Lenny Hayes to a knee reconstruction.

FLUCTUATING FORTUNES

Biggest gap between reigning Grand Finalists 10 rounds into the next season ason

The absence of Hayes has impacted more severely upon the Saints than most of us had initially imagined. It is perhaps no coincidence that fellow Grand Final warrior Brendon Goddard has endured a form slump of almost inconceivable proportions, and that chief ball-carriers Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna have also performed below the high standards they have set in recent seasons. Little wonder, either, considering Hayes did much

BIG LOSS: The

Saints have sorely missed Lenny Hayes, who has a serious knee injury.

Gap (in ladder positions)

Season

Reigning premier (ladder pos)

Runner-up (ladder pos)

Gap in premiership points

Eventual gap (placings & premiership points)

2004

Brisbane Lions (3rd)

Collingwood (14th)

16pts (28/12)

11 (2nd/13th) & 32pts (64/32)

2001

Essendon (1st)

Melbourne (11th)

12pts (32/20)

9 (2nd/11th) & 28pts (68/40)

1982

Carlton (1st)

Collingwood (11th)

30pts (34/4)

9 (1st/10th) & 50pts (66/16)

2011

Collingwood (2nd)

St Kilda (11th)

18pts (32/14)

1991

Collingwood (11th)

Essendon (2nd)

14pts (28/14)

1 (6th/7th) & 2pts (52/50)

1961

Melbourne (1st)

Collingwood (10th)

16pts (32/16)

6 (3rd/9th) & 28pts (50/22)

1942

Melbourne 10th)

Essendon (1st)

24pts (36/12)

7 (1st/8th) & 28pts (52/24)

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PEARCE HANLEY

Dashing Irishman learning from his mistakes Pearce Hanley has had the last laugh as he cements a place in the Brisbane Lions defence. MICH A EL W HITING

hen Pearce Hanley first played reserves football for the Brisbane Lions in 2008, he routinely gave his teammates something to laugh about. And it had nothing to do with his Irish humour. After not having his first real kick of a Sherrin until signing a two-year deal with the Lions in late 2007, the 22-year-old readily admits to routinely making mistakes that had his s. mates in stitches. Although not keen to ctly wh hat he was elaborate on exactly what earning doing wrong, it was a le learning ed him m well. period that served come an a integral Hanley has become th hat has part of the Lions team that es and is in won its past two matche matches viving its i season. the process of reviving efendeer has The dashing defender posals a match averaged 23 disposals nth and d is ninth over the past month nning bounces bounces in the AFL in running (21) and 10th in marks (60). g “In my first 10 or 15 games (in on’t think th hink I went the reserves), I don’t withou ut making through a game without ng the boys a mistake or giving ugh at,”” he said. something to laugh ried to “But as I went on, I tr tried es and I’ve sort limit the mistakes g now, of got them out of my game m still creep c in.” but a few of them c After a sketchyy first couple pered by b of seasons hampered ies, Hanley Ha anley hamstring injuries, own hi is spot started to nail down his 10, towards the end of 201 2010, playing the finall eight matches. ll ninee this He has played all i all – season – a total of 21 in ael Voss Voss and coach Michael ore impressed imp pressed could not be more ment. by his development. “He really got some he end of o last momentum at the ju ust settled year and felt likee he’d just ys thought into that role. Wee alway always h make coming into this year he’d p,” Vosss said. a natural step up,”

“When any player has a turn of speed, and they can win their own one-on-one footy, and break lines – he does that – when we’re looking to add run into our team, it’s certainly enormous to have another one of those, that’s for sure.”

You can’t play the Irish card. You have to be just another player who p performs PEARCE HANLEY

FINDING HIS FEET:

Pearce Hanley has added pace and run to the Lions’ defence.

Then-Lions football manager Graeme Allan recruited Hanley after he starred at the 2006 under-17 International Rules Series in Australia. Allan went to Hanley’s hometown of Ballaghaderreen in County Mayo the following year to ofﬁcially sign him. Hanley had watched the Australian game since the age of 13 – ironically following the Lions – and continued to watch the development of fellow Irishmen Tadhg Kennelly (a premiership player with the Sydney Swans) and later Marty Clarke (who played for Collingwood before returning home). Coming from th he cold of the Ireland to the blaz ing sunshine blazing of Brisbane was a h huge step for Hanley and he said it was initially a tough on ne. one. But after livin ng with living welfare dev velopment development managerr Craig Lamber rt’s family, Lambert’s then m moving out wit th fellow with Irishm man Colm Irishman Begl ley, the jovial Begley, Han nley started Hanley fee ling right feeling at h home. “J Just being “Just away ffrom family and frien ds would friends have been the toughest thing,” he said d. said. “I obviously struggled s at the start with training and the weather but bu ut being away from family w was tough. Craig was C vvery good and Colm had been tthrough it all himself a and he was a a massive help. m “It was ccompletely different to what I was w used to back home. The weather wea ather hit

me bad. I should have got some sponsorship from a sunscreen company because I was keeping them in business.” After his early troubles, no one is laughing now as Hanley’s trademark run-and-bounce style has become a nice fit for a more settled Lions back six. “At the start, you learn the basics and it’s just about getting out there and playing games,” he said. “But as you get older and get a few more years into you, you can’t play the Irish card any more and, if you want to play a role in the team, you have to limit your mistakes and just be another player who performs well and helps the team win. “It’s taken me about four years to do that.” Hanley said finishing last season in the AFL team gave him the belief he could mix it at the top level. Although still prone to the odd turnover – one cost the Lions a goal against Adelaide – Hanley said he had learned to get over his errors and continue his attacking philosophy. “That’s probably the main part of my game and why I’m in the team; it’s what I did growing up,” he said. “I like to take care of my opponent first, but ‘Vossy’ definitely encourages it. I made a mistake at the weekend but he said ‘Keep doing it’. Vossy has been very good and he’s been backing me 100 per cent. “At the start, I was dwelling on things, but you get found out if you dwell and go into your shell.” Although his footy continues to flourish, Hanley’s endeavours off-field haven’t quite been so adventurous. “I was thinking of taking up surfing but I’m awfully scared of sharks,” he said. “I thought about taking guitar lessons but that fell through. I’ll stick with the footy. Stick to what I know.” AFL RECORD AF

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RESPECTED FIGURE: Luke Ball’s appetite for the contest and passion for the game have made him universally admired. PHOTO: MICHAEL WILLSON/AFL PHOTOS

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CHANGING HIS GAME

No fear, no frills, no regrets Luke Ball’s reinvention as a courageous contested ball-winner and clever user has seen him continue to prosper in the modern game, his reputation as one of the most valuable and respected players intact. PETER RYA N

f any footballer deserves a no-nonsense piece written about him, it is Collingwood premiership player Luke Ball. He is a no-nonsense footballer in an era when nonsense seems to surround us. Take Dale Thomas’s brilliant left-foot banana goal last week. His silent partner in the production was Ball, on his knees, scrambling for the contested ball, his sharp lefthanded handball ﬁred from the ground to a lurking Thomas. That’s an image Collingwood supporters have come to know in the 33 games Ball has played for the club since crossing from St Kilda at the end of 2009. Ball has become one of those players to be appreciated, a footballer’s footballer like Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell, the Brisbane Lions’ Simon Black,

Essendon’s Jobe Watson, North Melbourne’s Andrew Swallow or Ball’s cousin, Sydney Swan Josh Kennedy. Ball is the sort of player whose genius lies in his ability (and courage) to ﬁnd, win and then dispense of the ball. He can push a contested ball into space for Collingwood’s swarm of runners to pounce, like the bloke opening the bag of helium balloons and watching them head skywards. Such players make a big difference, without being ﬂashy. What is interesting about Ball, however, is that he wasn’t born to be such a player. “When I was drafted, I was actually one of the quickest guys over 20m,” he said. Such was Ball’s athletic prowess as a junior, his test results from the 2001 AFL Draft Camp have recently

been published in an AFL youth coaching manual as an example of the draft camp proﬁle of an outstanding athlete and potential AFL player. He carried the perfect physical dimensions for a midﬁelder, had good anaerobic power scores and skinfold measurements that showed he was in excellent shape. What strikes the reader instantly, however, was Ball’s speed. He was in the top three per cent at the camp, recording a 20m sprint time of 2.85 seconds. The AFL average in the 20m sprint test at the camp is now 3.03 seconds. Now, glimpses of Ball’s pace off the mark are mostly seen when he charges through a stoppage, hitting the contest with the ferocious intent only a man trying to smash down a door can match.

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LUKE BALL “I certainly had to change my game a bit, struggling with groin injuries,” Ball said. He became the sort of player who reads the game, works the angles, ﬁnds space and hunts the ball. And he worked to become better at performing the skills he needed to be that sort of player. “One thing these days with the speed of the game and the pressure others put on is being clean and being a one-touch player,” he said. “I guess typically (if) you are not an outside or really quick player, that becomes extra important. “It’s something, not only myself, but a lot of players do a lot of work on. It’s something that’s pretty easy to control, too. “There’s a lot of talk these days about training services guys controlling your load, but getting as many touches of the footy as you can during the week is something that’s very controllable and something I certainly subscribe to.” Reinventing oneself is a process all footballers must go through if they are going to forge a long career in the game, recognising what they are rather than what they might have been expected to be. Self-belief and a capacity for hard work are the ingredients required to adapt. Ball has both. He was impressed with comments Carlton player Brock McLean made after the game last weekend on ABC Radio about reinventing himself and the challenges facing a player who knows he still has plenty to offer but not in the same manner he may have been expected to early in his career. You get the sense he understands the process McLean (an ‘inside’ player trying to broaden his repertoire) is working through.

FACT FILE

LUKE BALL

TRUE VALUE:

Ball is glad that kicking eﬀectiveness measures now take into account pressure on the kicker.

“That’s your reality sometimes. If your body doesn’t let you do what maybe you once could have or what your mind is telling it to do, you have to work out a way around that and work out a way you can still be a very effective player and play a good role for the team within your capabilities,” Ball said. Ball’s role at Collingwood has been so critical to its improvement. He is an extractor at stoppages, a clean centresquare player who can also force the ball forward under pressure. He would keep his feet in a raging river and his tackles stick. The Magpies’ dominance in the inside-50 count since the arrival of Ball and Darren Jolly is no coincidence. That duo’s presence, alongside Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan, has made them a super starting four, the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young of the centre bounce.

They also have a good supporting cast in Thomas, Sharrod Wellingham, Alan Didak, Cameron Wood, Leigh Brown and Jarryd Blair, who can share the load with Heath Shaw’s run off the wing also important. Although everyone knows that winning centre clearances is critical, particularly with the forward press capable of trapping the ball inside 50 once it’s forward, those who are specialists inside that space are pivotal. “It’s always a pretty high-pressured environment in there,” Ball said. “Rarely these days do you get the ruckman shoving the ball down your throat and you are on the ﬂy and streaming out of there. “A lot of times these days it’s really about who can get their hands on it cleanly and clear and kick it forward.”

Born: May 25, 1984 Recruited from: Xavier College/Sandringham U18/St Kilda Debut: Round 1, 2003 v North Melbourne Height: 183cm Weight: 83kg Games: 175 Goals: 71 Player honours: St Kilda best & fairest 2005 (equal); St Kilda 2nd best & fairest 2004; All-Australian 2005; International Rules 2004; Rising Star nominee 2003; Collingwood premiership side 2010; Collingwood pre-season premiership side 2011; St Kilda pre-season premiership sides 2004, 2008; St Kilda captain 2006, co-captain 2007 Brownlow Medal: career votes 32

Collingwood knew Ball was very good at kicking the ball forward under pressure, gaining metres, clearing the ball into space. His kicking effectiveness might have appeared low on paper, but the old system of measuring kicks did not incorporate pressure into the equation as well as Champion Data does in 2011. Ball’s teammate Ben Johnson said earlier in the season when discussing kicking that Ball was one player marked hard in that area outside the club, despite everyone in the team understanding where and how he was getting his touches, and therefore understanding his true value. Ball said he is glad Champion Data’s change takes into account the pressure a player is under when disposing of the ball.

LUKE BALL

TIMELINE 2001 » Selected by St Kilda at No. 2 in draft after impressing in the TAC Cup.

2005

2009

» Wins

» Narrowly misses out

St Kilda’s best and fairest.

on a premiership with St Kilda before leaving for Collingwood. 2007

» After a year as St Kilda’s

captain, announced co-captain along with Lenny Hayes (right) and Nick Riewoldt.

2010

» Wins premiership

medal against his old side in ﬁrst year as a Collingwood player.

LUKE BALL Of course, it would sell Ball short to paint him as someone who only looks good up close. He has kicked six goals straight this season and uses the ball well enough when in space, but his elite moments come in contests. Ball’s determination to succeed becomes even more evident when the subject turns to his courage. When asked whether throwing himself into spaces where the outcome is uncertain has always been part of his make-up, he said he wasn’t sure. He knows he was lightly framed growing up and said he never had the attitude someone such as Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown seems to have been born with. Ball just trained himself to become the player he is, making what seems to mere mortals a startling admission, one that might come with a ‘Don’t try this at home’ warning. “In the early days, I can remember I used to visualise myself doing courageous things before a game. Even to the extent where you visualise yourself being carried off on a stretcher. I know that sounds funny but those sorts of things you try to train the mind as much as you can,” he said. “It’s something I used to use as a bit of a trigger and probably still do every now and again. I know that sounds pretty extreme, but it’s picturing yourself taking the hit and getting hurt and then bouncing back from that.” Hearing Ball articulate such a process is fascinating, but he follows the comment with a very realistic appraisal of where the

notion of courage should ﬁt in the football landscape. He wondered whether what players are prepared to do might be going too far. The incident an Toovey ran back where Alan arging pack two weeks into a charging gs to Ball’s mind as he ago springs thinks outt loud. times, the “Sometimes, ons wee expectations ayers to o put on players hat do things like th that ch and d is too much es you are a sometimes better off being ather smarter rather ng than being us,” courageous,” he said. It is g reassuring to hear rds Ball’s words because anyonee Tooveey watching Toovey from the stands or the felt sick for a next half hour as ried forr they worried re. Balll his welfare. was admitted he was g probably getting hrough h smarter through u could necessity,, as you man ny hits only take so many ad. to the head. ittle bitt better “I’m a little approach in the wayy I approach kle. The a contest or tack tackle. y are danger is when you gam me and fatigued in a game g whatt comes stop doing ,” he said. sa aid. naturally,” atigue is i a Such fatigue ave with the concern clubs ha have w substitutee rule, wondering whether playerss with tired nd, imp portantly, bodies (and, importantly,

A voice of reason

Players’ Association. ation He is vice-president of that organisation and one of the most sensible advocates of the long-term programs players are aiming to establish through collective bargaining discussions. Although he understands the media focus will fall on player payments, he is just as focused on endeavours to establish programs that educate players beyond their ﬁrst season (when players take part in the AFL apprenticeship scheme).

» An understanding of a football life (his dad Ray was a former League player and selector for the Sydney Swans in the 1980s) as well as a sharp brain (his ENTER score when he graduated from Xavier College was in the high 90s and he is chipping away at a commerce degree online at Monash University) made Luke Ball an ideal candidate to become involved in the AFL 62

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d minds) are more likely fatigued to find themselves unable to extract themselves from dangerous positions. Ball is well qualified to expand on such issues. His football pedigree is impeccable; the grandson of wingman Felix game Russo, who played 14 games 1 and with St Kilda from 1950-51 was described by The Age as “a b beautifully built fter athlete” af after making his debut. His fatherr played 55 Ray Ball played nce games in defen defence for Richmond (12 So outh games) and South (43 3) Melbourne (43) w from 1969-74, while R his uncle Peter Russo hard-runn ning was a hard-running 1 on-baller, whose 162 Hawth horn games with Hawthorn included the 1978 and premiership ps (and 1986 premierships s). He five Grand Finals Finals). ended his careerr with 33 games for St Kilda. other Ball’s older bro brother 1 Matthew played 17 BRING IT ON:

Ball is looking forward to this week’s encounter against his old side St Kilda.

Ball said the demands on young players often means that non-football work can drop oﬀ in their second and third years, so the idea is to create a structure that sees such players involved in programs that provide them with experience and qualiﬁcations to use beyond football, particularly important if their AFL careers end suddenly. For those who make it past the average tenure of an AFL player (about four seasons), Ball said an annuity program would

t Hawks from games with the 2004-06, while their cousin Josh Kennedy is forging a career with the Sydney Swans, reborn after leaving the Hawks. w No wonder Ball’s sister Sophie alw has always joked that she had no choice but to like football. “That al that was spoken about was all around the dinner table growing Ba said. up,” Ball The only glimpse Ball has o his dad on the football seen of ﬁeld is on a footy card and Ray is apparently not one to reliv relive past deeds. “He doesn’t like talking about h played too much. We’ve when he s never seen footage. I don’t know wheth he’s hiding it from us or whether B said jokingly. not,” Ball w lucky growing up. Dad “I was al was always happy to be out ba kicking the footy and the back giving me, and my older brother wel advice.” as well, Rem Remarkably, with all ho the hoopla and hype that surrou surrounded his departure from Sa the Saints, it is a topic that has becom old news quickly. become This weekend will be six time he has played the sixth agains the Saints since his against depart departure. As always, his comm comments are positive. w be a good game. They “It will were a always going to bounce a back again and get back into form,” he said. Ball knows all about bounc bouncing back. He’s shown ca that capacity again and again. Such is life in the ranks of those q with quick hands and quick minds in the AFL, Ball now the co in a relay race in which vital cog onc might have run the he once anchor leg.

assist lo long-term players to make a successful transition out of football and into the working world. Although, inevitably, media focuses on the hard-luck stories, even the most prepared individuals can ﬁnd the transition discomforting. Ball said the AFLPA and, he thinks, the AFL, recognise resolving such issues will make the game stronger and an even more attractive proposition for elite athletes.

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ZAHAR AR The Bomber with the bounce in his step Footy at Windy Hill is not all Greek for the boy from Eltham. C A L LU M T WOMEY

hen he walks, David Zaharakis has an obvious bounce in his step. Watch him for just a minute and you’ll see it. With his arms dragging slightly by his sides, Zaharakis walks on his toes rather than his heels and, instead of staying straight-legged, bends at the knees. It produces a bobbing effect with each motion, a spring off the ground with every stride. It’s a gait – almost a strut, but not quite – which has earned the short, solidly built Essendon forward with the dark eyes and shaved head the quiet ribbing of friends. But it’s one that suits the 21-year-old’s vibrant personality perfectly. “A lot of people mention it,” Zaharakis said, grinning, when we met this week. “My mates give me a bit of flak about it, but the walk is probably a reflection of how I am. I’m a really upbeat person.” That’s true. And Zaharakis – he introduced himself as Dave, but is just as commonly known as ‘Zacka’, a nickname on the number plates on his first car – has reason to be feeling good. This season, Zaharakis has become a key player for the Bombers. In many ways, he is symbolic of Essendon’s improvement, a young player who has risen sharply with a big and productive pre-season campaign. It is Zaharakis’ balance that is central to his football. But what is

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most striking is his ability to juggle the pressures of professional sport with the enjoyment of it. He hasn’t forgotten how to have fun. Zaharakis’ inherent enthusiasm is obvious when he speaks. When we met at Essendon’s Windy Hill headquarters last Sunday before a training session, Zaharakis was in a chatty mood. Actually, he usually is. He says it comes from his parents, John and Sandy. “I’ve got a lot of values from them. Mum’s very carefree and easygoing and I get that from her. But then I get my determination and stern side from my Dad, who’s a really upfront man,” he says. “At least that’s what Mum says.” The Zaharakis name – perhaps the best roll-off-your-tongue foursyllable surname in the AFL – is of Greek origin. John, who works at a travel company in Melbourne as the head of conferences and events, arrived from Greece in 1961, when he was five. John’s father, Arthur Zaharakis, had moved here a year earlier to earn enough money to pay for the ship fares for his wife Sofia, John and daughter Anna to also leave their village of Siatista, situated in the mountainous north of Greece near the city of Kozani, and set up in Australia. Arthur passed away before David was drafted in 2008, and Sofia died last year, but would eagerly watch Essendon games on television or listen on radio waiting for the

Zaharakis name to be called alled out by commentators. She was full of pride when it was. On the other side of the he family, Sandy’s grandfather, Gus us Heidke, served as a Light Horseman man in Gallipoli in the Great War. The football pedigree is non-existent, n-existent, with John playing somee hockey, and Sandy being a sprinter. nter. “She claims I got my pace from om her,” David says. But Zaharakis kis has made things happen on his own. Football became serious ous for Zaharakis when he made de the Vic Metro under-16s squad. Before that, he had played junior ior footy for Eltham in Victoria’s northern suburbs, while also representing resenting Marcellin College at school hool level. He had been selected d in a couple couplle of Northern Knights preliminary eliminary teams as a 15-year-old in n the TAC Cup system, but, perhaps ps due to his h size – “I was a pretty raw w kid,” he says – he was never a real al standout. standou ut. “It was always a dream m to play in the AFL, but that’s alll it was, a dream. It’s not reality when you’ree young,” Zaharakis says. s. “Until that Victorian team, eam, it was all about enjoying g it and having fun. That’s probably when I really thought I could makee something of footy.” In 2007, as an under-age -age draft prospect, Zaharakis nominated minated for the draft but was overlooked. verlooked. He had had a reasonable le season, mixing his time with the he Knights in the TAC Cup and Marcellin arcellin in

R RAKIS It is a reﬂection of how I am ... I’m really upbeat

DAVID ZAHARAKIS

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ZAHARAKIS school competition, but queries about his kicking meant no club took a risk on him as a bottom-age draftee. So he went back to the Knights and became even more focused. His kicking improved, he was appointed captain of the club, co-captain of the Vic Metro team with Michael Hurley (also a Knights teammate and the player Essendon selected with pick No. 5 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft), and made the Under-18 All-Australian team. Being drafted by Essendon with pick No. 23 at the end of 2008, and joining Hurley at the club, was his reward. Coming to a club you ve “Coming you’ve barracked for your whole life and then becoming g a player is pretty special. It was bizarre walking through the doors and seeing Matthew

Lloyd and Scott Lucas, and I was in awe of them,” he says. But he wasn’t daunted. He would pick up Hurley from the neighbouring suburb of Macleod every day (Hurley hadn’t yet got his licence), and during each drive they’d talk about how much hard work it was going to be, “but not hard in a sense that we couldn’t do it”. It surprised Zaharakis how much time the players actually spent at the club. He admits he had no real idea of what to expect when he was drafted but, in his ﬁrst year, he threw himself into everything at the club. “I was going hell for leather, leather,” he recalls. His 2009 season started quickly, q y, and ended abruptly. p y After missing selection in round one, he played for the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL, picking up 30 possessions and kicking seven goals in a performance that demanded AFL selection. He made his AFL debut the next week against Fremantle, collecting 21 disposals and winning the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination. And then, three weeks later, he famously kicked the winning goal on Anzac Day. Lloyd, who was then his

FINDING HIS FEET:

David Zaharakis is growing in conﬁdence in his third season with the Bombers.

AFL AFL AF L RECORD RECO RE RECOR CO CORD COR OR RD

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captain, says it was his debut “We did know that we’ve game, rather than his heroics got a lot of talent in this list against Collingwood, which and if we worked hard, things stood out to people at the club. could happen.” “It was as good a debut as Things are happening at the you’ll see. He broke the lines and club this season. The Bombers gave us everything we needed have taken control of a revised that day,” Lloyd says. game-plan under new coach But, by June, his season was James Hird, and Zaharakis fits over. After developing osteitis the Essendon prototype of quick, pubis, an injury caused by skilful players perfectly. overuse, he sat out the second Though he started his career half of the year. He’s learned to as a wingman, he has grown into be aware of the a dynamic triggers that forward signal overwork. capable of “That year, playing in the I’d come out on midfield. He’s th the track and classy by foot, jus just want to marks well be involved in over his head ev everything, but for a player yo you’ve just got of his size to manage your (“I’m 182cm DAVID ZAHARAKIS bo body and not let it on a good ge get on top of you,” day”), and, he says. invariably, he makes the right “And, when you get time decision with ball in hand. aw away from footy, you need His first meeting with Hird, he to just relax.” says, “set the tone” for a summer It was an approach he took into of hard work, which has led to 20 2010. He played 20 games and Essendon’s rise up the ladder. kic kicked 19 goals before injuring There’s a confidence at Essendon his knee against Collingwood now, an instilled belief that if the in round 20. He was clearly system is followed closely, then on one of the club’s bright sparks things will fall into place. in a gloomy season. But despite “I don’t think anyone’s Es Essendon’s tumultuous season, eyes wavered off ‘Hirdy’ at wh which saw it finish 14th and any time in the first meeting. rep replace its entire coaching panel, He had some stern words Za Zaharakis says he knew the club about the program and where wa was capable of better. he thought we could go,” says “I always stay positive, and we Zaharakis, who has played 39 we were losing games, but the boys games for the club. did didn’t seem too down. We were “He’s a man you listen to and dis disappointed we were losing, but we have great respect for him. co coming to the club wasn’t as bad He bleeds red and black. as everyone said it was,” he says. “We didn’t put any expectations “We stuck together and on ourselves coming into the we knew we had a special season because we didn’t know gr group, but we just weren’t where we wanted to finish. We just pla playing good footy. wanted to improve and develop. “We knew if we could play some good footy – it’s that old FACT FILE cliché, isn’t it? – then the world would be our oyster.” DAVID ZAHARAKIS But does the improvement Born: February 21, 1990 this year make him think a Recruited from: Eltham/ premiership is a bit closer than Marcellin College/Northern U18 anyone previously imagined? Debut: Round 2, 2009 “It would be nice to win one,” v Fremantle Zaharakis says, “but we’re not going to put a day or year on Height: 182cm Weight: 79kg when we’re going to win a flag.” Games: 39 Goals: 44 Zaharakis is clever enough Player honours: NAB AFL not to make any outlandish Rising Star nominee 2009 statements. He understands how expectations in football

Coming to a club you’ve barracked for your whole life is pretty special

ZAHARAKIS

can be dangerous. Growing up a football person breeds this type of awareness. Growing up, he loved the game like most passionate supporters do. He is an MCC member and went to games every weekend, and not necessarily just Essendon ones. But now it’s a different love, a more refined one built on the continual striving for success and professional satisfaction. What’s most refreshing about Zaharakis is his honesty. Most players, it seems, have aspirations to play permanently in the midfield, but not him. People at his junior club in Eltham remember him for always loving a goal. That clearly hasn’t changed, evidenced by his grinning, finger-twirling, arms-in-the-air celebrations after four second-half goals against the Brisbane Lions in round eight.

“Everyone keeps asking me and saying ‘We know you want to play in the midfield’, but if I do that, it takes away my forward game,” he says. “I have been playing forward with stints in the midfield, but I don’t want to lose my ability as a forward and play straight in the midfield. I think over my career, I’ll always do a mix of both.” This year, he’s benefiting from a tough pre-season that resulted in him putting on extra kilograms of muscle and improving his endurance. His specialty – goalkicking – has also improved. Last year, he kicked 19 goals and 18 behinds. This year, he’s slotted 18.11. “I’m a lot more confident around goal to actually take shots. I put the onus on myself if I get the ball inside 50 to take responsibility and kick the goal.

I worked on that a lot over summer,” he says. He is also fast becoming Essendon’s newest media star and, in our conversation, it is easy to see why. He is a natural. He is on radio, television and Twitter, and does his own video diary on Essendon’s website. During a recent update, fans were taken into the Zaharakis family home, where David still lives with his parents and older sisters Jessica, 24, and Carrie, 22, and their legion of pets. Even at an in-house ﬁlming session at the club in March, Zaharakis was the standout performer of the group of Bombers to reel off club taglines and read promotions. But it’s not simply a PR exercise. “I’m a pretty easy person to talk to and I’m not shy in front of the camera. I know a lot of

CROWD FAVOURITE: Zaharakis is building a reputation for his celebrations after kicking goals.

players don’t like doing media, but I think it’s good,” he says. It’s attention he’ll need to get used to. After a ﬂying start to his career, Zaharakis has spent the past two years gradually getting better at the things he wasn’t good at, as well as improving his strengths. Now, he’s being considered an emerging star of the competition. People are interested in him. He is popular – Essendon supporters like him because he was once one of them (as well as the fact he can play) – he’s smart and he’s ambitious. And he is more than happy expressing that lively personality on the ﬁeld. “You’ve got to enjoy it while it lasts,” Zaharakis says, smiling.

TRIBUTE TO ROLE MODEL ‘RAMA’ T

B Bombers to answer Call a To T Arms » This round’s Essendon-

M Melbourne match marks the ﬁfth annual Call To Arms g game, an Essendon initiative d developed following Adam R Ramanauskas’ cancer battles. The Call To Arms campaign iis a Cancer Council awareness program that encourages p players, administrators and p ssupporters of all sporting ccodes to wear a yellow armband to raise funds to a ﬁght cancer in men.

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“It is a real privilege that the club continues to be involved in a game like this,” Ramanauskas said this week. “But I think the club realises its responsibility with causes like this, and they can really have a signiﬁcant impact on the wider community.” When he was undergoing treatment in 2006, Ramanauskas’ teammates wore the yellow armbands as a show of support. It contravened AFL rules at the time and the club was ﬁned $20,000, but it led to the introduction of the annual game.

“It was an unbelievable show of support for me and it gave me a real boost when I was at a very low point. Sport was my life, but it was also a really important factor in my recovery,” Ramanauskas said. David Zaharakis said the game was one of the highlights of the Essendon season each year. “It’s a big game for everyone at the club,” Zaharakis said. “Adam’s been a role model for everyone who has gone through cancer, especially being able to come back and play good footy like he did.” For more information, visit calltoarms.com.au.

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Our AFL history guru answers your queries.

col hutchinson NAME GAME

Ancient and Modern » Brisbane Lions forward

UNIQUE: Brad (left)

and Chris Scott are the only twins to coach at AFL level.

No brotherly love

We know the Scott brothers, Brad (North Melbourne) and Chris (Geelong) have become the ﬁrst pair of twins to coach at AFL level. Do you know if there have been any cases of twins coaching in state competitions? DAVE CLEMENT, APPLECROSS, WA

CH: In 1994, the twin Solin

brothers were opposing coaches in the West Australian Football League. Robert was in charge of East Perth and Tony guided Subiaco. The

clubs met three times that season, with Tony claiming wins in all three encounters – round six at the WACA by 70 points, round 12 at Perth Oval by 58 points, and round 19 at Subiaco Oval in a keenly contested match by 14 points. WRITE TO ANSWER MAN The Slattery Media Group, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, 3008 or email michaell@slatterymedia.com

Aaron Cornelius has a mixture of two old cultures, the biblical and the ancient, in his name. In the Bible, Aaron was the brother of Moses. The origin of Aaron, though probably Egyptian, is uncertain, though some scholars have it deriving from the Hebrew har-on meaning “mountain of strength” – a label any sportsman would welcome. There are eight players named Aaron on AFL lists as the trend towards Old Testament names continues (e.g., Joshua, Jacob, Joel, Isaac, Nathan etc.). Cornelius is an old and famous Roman family name. Its origins, too, are uncertain, but it is possibly connected with the Latin cornu meaning “horn”. In England, it came into use as a given name in the 16th century, partly due to Dutch inﬂuence. The most obvious old Roman name in League football belonged to 1942 Essendon premiership player Jack Caesar (Caesar means “the hairy one”) whose nickname was, of course, ‘Jules’. KEVAN CARROLL

GENUINE SENIOR FOOTBALLERS » Seven players who made their League debut exactly a century ago lived to be in their 90s. One of them was Dan Hanley, from Golden Point in Ballarat, who

made the ﬁrst of his 67 appearances for Essendon in round 10, 1911, aged 28. The reliable defender gained selection in winning Grand Final

teams in his ﬁrst two years with the Dons and retired after his fourth season to join the army. He was 93 when he passed away on December 1, 1976.

Do you know of other senior players who are close to 90 or older, or who reached such an age before calling it a day? Should you have such information, contact Col Hutchinson on (03) 9643 1929 or col.hutchinson@aﬂ.com.au. 70

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GET YOUR AFL CLUB PRINTS NOW Now available in selected Kodak Express and Oﬃceworks stores

ALL TEAMS AVAILABLE NOW ON THE KODAK PICTURE KIOSK

AFL Photos available at the following Oﬃceworks stores: VIC South Melbourne, Fitzroy Maribyrnong, Chadstone, Preston, Highett, Frankston, Geelong, Doncaster, Ferntree Gully, Dandenong, Mornington, Ringwood, Mildura, Coburg, Taylors Lakes, Carnegie, Pakenham, Keysborough, Wodonga NSW Five Dock, Dee Why, Fairy Meadow, Newcastle West, Glebe, Gosford, Bondi Junction, North Ryde, Old Guildford, Wetherill Park, Hoxton Park, Warners Bay, Rutherford, Orange, Fyshwick, Tuggeranong QLD Southport, Maroochydore, Windsor, Mt Gravatt, Milton, Hermit Park, Cairns, Morayﬁeld, Virginia, Browns Plains, Hervey Bay, Strathpine SA Keswick, Prospect WA Subiaco, Osborne Park, Fremantle, Joondalup, Albany, Jandakot TAS Hobart, Launceston NT Darwin

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rick milne

Ask the expert about all your footy memorabilia. A client of mine has three Grand Final medallions, which he believes were handed to the premiership players after the matches. He is looking for what they are worth as he may sell them. He has Richmond (1969 and nd 1973) Hawthorn (1976).

RICK’S RARITY

» Not only was Foster (Fos)

W Williams a great South Australian footballer, he was Au an even greater coach. He played in West Adelaide’s 1947 pl pr premiership and from 1950-58 an and 1962-73, guided Port Adelaide to nine premierships. Ad Fa Father to Mark Williams, Fos fe features on this 1958 postcard issued as a fundraiser by a iss Woodville Home for Disabled W Children. Ch hildr It is worth $200 plus.

MICHAEL SPRING, VIA EMAIL

RM: These were made available e

to the general public, Michael. They sell for about $200 each.

I have Kevin Bartlett’s lace-up guernsey from the 1973 (or ’74) Grand Final – can’t remember which. It has a torn section at the front, which occurred in the last quarter when he avoided a tackle on the boundary. What are your thoughts? STUART GLACKEN, VIA EMAIL

RM: Stuart, ﬁrst off I’d get

Kevin to sign it for you, and tell you when he wore it. Then I’d say you’ve got some pretty good value. $1500 plus. Editor’s note: please contact the AFL Record if you would like to get in contact with the Bartlett family about the jumper’s authenticity.

I have a 1909 Carlton Football Club membership ticket. The card has been clipped around the edges for games attended. Inside has the list of games and the Carlton president, committee secretary,

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PREMIERSHIP COLLECTABLES: One

reader has Grand Final medallions (above) and another has the lace-up guernsey worn by Tiger champion Kevin Bartlett to premiership glory.

etc. Condition is fair. Does this ticket have any monetary value? GREG SHERMAN VIA EMAIL

RM: Yes, Greg, it does. Early

VFL membership cards sell for very good prices. Given that yours is in only fair condition, I would value it at $300. If it was in better condition, you could expect at least $750.

I have a set of Cazaly Classics (1994) footy cards from the Herald Sun in perfect condition. How much would they be worth? GARRY McKENZIE, BURLEIGH, QLD.

RM: Garry, these were

hugely successful at the time of issue. Thus, there are still hundreds of sets doing the rounds. Maybe $30.

CONTACT T 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.

BRAINS

answers at bottom of page

Spot the 7 DIFFERENCES between the 2 cards

Use the picto-clues to find out the AFL player’s name!

Can you guess this AFL Player’s NICKNAME?

_______ ___________

Which of these Adelaide Crow's stars reached 300 games faster than anyone in AFL history? A. Andrew McLeod B. Ben Hart C. Tyson Edwards D. Mark Ricciuto

NEW! Silver

CODE cards

and enter codes to play

Answers: 1. backwards Carlton logo, glasses, missing Nike logo, Camry logo, green Carlton logo on guernsey, extra leg, “Carlton Blues” on same side 2. Patrick Dangerfield 3. Chappy 4. D

_____

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SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

FIVE TO FIND

Official AFL Colouring Books out now Great Players, Great Marks and Great Skills make up the new three-part series of AFL activity colouring books. Every AFL team is covered, as well as a selection of superstar players, including Dale Thomas, Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt, Chris Judd, Lance Franklin and Jack Riewoldt. Next to each colouring outline is a matching full colour photograph, along with statistics and information on the featured player.

ONLY

EACH

Available now from AFL stores. Visit footybookclub.com for more information.

Take the time to colour in Dale Thomas

THIS WEEK’S ANSWERS

Great Players, Great Marks and Great Skills are a must-have for every junior footy fan.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Bandage removed from Daniel Merrett’s lower calf; thumb removed from hand around Merrett’s waist; white outline removed from the No. 8 on Graham Johncock’s back; Merrett’s ear removed; leggings on Crow player’s leg on left extended.

Scrambled Sc S crra am mb blleed Footballer: Fo F oot otb ba all ller er: Cryptic Cr C ryyp pti tiicc Footballers: Fo F oo ottb ba alllleerrss:: BI B IG MOUTH: MO M OU UT TH H:: BIG 74 AFL L RECORD R EC RECO RE CO COR ORD OR RD visit viis vvis isit it afl afl flrec record.com.au rree ord.com.au

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Jack Steven is leading a youth uth

nab afl rising star

push at St Kilda. K LUK E HOLMESBY

he downside of being such a well-performed team for an extended period is that it can be hard to get a look in from the fringes. St Kilda has reached at least the penultimate week of the ﬁnals in each of the past three years, but the phrase ‘Saints youngster’ has been a rarity. In the 82 rounds since Sam Gilbert was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star in 2007, only Jarryn Geary in 2009 has earned a nomination in the red, white and black. But that trend looks to be changing this year, with the Saints’ youth push seeing Jack Steven become the round 10 nomination for the award. Steven’s nomination comes on the back of two 27-possession games in the wins over Melbourne and Fremantle. He said he was unaware the Saints had been so poorly represented in the list of NAB AFL Rising Star nominees in recent seasons, but predicted that was set to change. “I guess it’s because we’ve had such a strong team with a lot of experienced players,” Steven said. “‘Sippo’ (Arryn Siposs) is going pretty well at the moment. He seems a likely type. Tommy Lynch came in for his second game last week and there are a few of the other younger boys who are looking good.” In his fourth season on the Saints list, Steven is only just eligible for the Rising Star award as he had nine games to his name at the start of the season. The maximum allowed is 10. He

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2011 NAB AFL RISING STAR NOMINEES Round 1 Dyson Heppell (ESS) Round 2 Luke Shuey (WCE) Round 3 Mitch Duncan (GEEL) Round 4 Jasper Pittard (PA) Round 5 Brandon Matera (GCS) Round 6 Jack Darling (WCE) Round 7 Zac Smith (GCS) Round 8 Shane Savage (HAW) Round 9 Reece Conca (RICH) Round 10 Jack Steven (STK)

THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW CALL UP: Jack Steven

has showcased his talent after the season-ending injury to Lenny Hayes.

also just made the age cut-off, having turned 21 in March. Although every potential rising star says they didn’t expect to be nominated, Steven genuinely didn’t as he assumed he was ineligible until he got the good news on Monday. “I didn’t know if I was able to be nominated. I didn’t know what the rules were. It was a little bit of a surprise.” One of the catalysts for Steven’s good form in the St Kilda midﬁeld was a moment that was devastating for many of the Saints faithful. Lenny Hayes’ season-ending knee injury in round two earned Steven a call-up the following week, opening up a midﬁeld position he has made his own. As with any player his size, Steven prefers to play in the

middle, but said he was quickly learning what it took to cope with the workload. “I probably just need to work on my general ﬁtness and getting used to playing in the middle. It’s a big effort playing there all day,” he said. “I normally play as a small forward but, with Lenny going down and the team not going as well, it’s opened up a chance for me to have a go in the midﬁeld over the past couple of months. “At the moment, my body has been holding up. I’ve had a few troubles with my groins but, lately, it’s been pretty good and hopefully it stays like that.” Steven’s home life has also given him an insight into the demands of top-level football.

Steven grew up in Lorne on Victoria’s famous surf coast and completed year 12 after being drafted by the Saints. He attended St Bede’s Mentone, 15 minutes from Moorabbin, for his ﬁnal year of schooling.

He made his debut in 2009 against Hawthorn, the week the Saints rested several of their stars in the lead-up to the ﬁnals. They still won.

He wears the No. 3 made famous at St Kilda by Brownlow medallist Ross Smith and former captain Nathan Burke.

He shares a Brighton home with teammates Steven Baker and Zac Dawson, both of whom have shown the way in preparation. “‘Bakes’ does everything right and, living with him, you learn how to do everything properly and what is expected,” he said.

Each week throughout the home and away season, a panel of judges will select the nominee for the 2011 NAB AFL Rising Star. At the completion of the season, one outstanding player will be chosen as the 2011 NAB AFL Rising Star winner. He will receive an investment folio, a dedicated personal banker, a financial planner and the Ron Evans Medal, all courtesy of the NAB. The NAB Rising Star award is the final stage of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.

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Applying data laterally to analyse and understand the modern game.

Criticism of elite pair way oﬀ the mark

wo players were recently the subject of headlines as the ‘worst’ shots for goal in the competition: Geelong’s Steve Johnson and Fremantle’s Matthew Pavlich. The Herald Sun newspaper report, based on shots for goals in the ﬁrst eight rounds, went much further than nominating familiar measures of a player’s goals and behinds and out-ofbounds-on-the-full shots. It announced a new criteria accounting for the ‘goals a player should have kicked, but didn’t’. Consequently, the report demoted both players to the very bottom of the heap. Details of the criteria and methodology used in the report appeared rather sketchy. It also struck me how small the report’s data sample was, which is also a worry. In the case of Johnson’s demotion, the sample number for analysis was a mere 17 scoring shots and six that did not make the distance (or were out-of-bounds or rushed). Johnson had certainly been off-target in the early rounds, scoring a disappointing 4.13. However, signs the skilled Cat would soon produce goals few others could invent were evident in his round eight match-winning goal late in the nail-biting ﬁnish against Collingwood.

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ALL CLASS: Matthew Pavlich is a proven performer whether he is in the midﬁeld or up forward for the Dockers.

The next week, when it looked like Carlton would take control, Johnson nailed two classics that kept Geelong in touch, and then, as he did the previous week, scored the match-winner in an equally close ﬁnish. Last week against Gold Coast, he scored 7.3. As mentioned in last week’s column about St Kilda’s scoring woes, the law of averages says unusual outlier statistics, over time, invariably revert to the norm. By the end of the season, it’s more than likely Johnson’s scoring ‘yips’ will be ironed out and his conversion rate will look more like it has in previous seasons. The report prompted me to take a closer look at how the two players measure up based on their records for the previous four years (2007-10). In summary, both are standouts, belonging to a unique and celebrated class of footballer – elite forwards who are equally dangerous in the midﬁeld. Although they have different styles, their respective numbers

for critical categories for the roles they play (goals, inside-50 entries and disposals) are similar, and unmatched by any other in the competition. Pavlich is beautiful to watch. Upstanding, strongly built and handsome, he has the capacity to transform himself from power forward to midfield dynamo, almost instantly. You can see his actions unfolding clearly; there are not too many tricks, yet opponents still gasp, not knowing how to stop him. In stark contrast, Johnson is medium-tallish, wispy and angular and can sometimes even look like he’s about to doze off. Yet in the one breath, he can dazzle and deflate. Trying to fathom how he does this is among football’s finest treats. He can do freakish things. Like Pavlich, his work rate in the midfield is often overlooked. Both are high on the list of players who set up their forwards inside 50 with exquisite delivery from the midfield. From 2007-10, Pavlich played 81 games and Johnson 85.

Each averaged 19 disposals a game. Pavlich averaged 4.5 inside-50 entries, ranked 14th in the competition, and Johnson 4.1, ranked 22nd in that period. Their main purpose, however, is to kick goals and, for this period, Pavlich ranked fourth for the most goals with an impressive conversion of 63 per cent, while Johnson ranked seventh with a respectable 59.8 per cent rating. Aside from the stats, there is another way of judging how dangerous these two players are, and that is via simple observation. Both players continue to receive close attention from their respective opponents. I doubt opposition coaches and players have got that wrong. Both have set precedents, with only two other players near them as peers. Sydney Swans dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes had a slightly higher average in the last four seasons for disposals a game (20) and inside-50 entries (4.6), but trailed in goals with a ranking of 28th for the period. Hawthorn’s Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin ranked first for goals but did less in the midfield, averaging 15 disposals a game and 2.3 inside-50 entries. But look out for Franklin this season. He is genuinely challenging Johnson and Pavlich as the best elite forward also capable of roaming the midfield and causing extreme damage. The trio is in a special class. They play on the high-risk edge. And even if what they try sometimes doesn’t come off, I still know what I would prefer to see. TED HOPKINS IS A CARLTON PREMIERSHIP PLAYER AND FOUNDER OF CHAMPION DATA. HIS BOOK THE STATS REVOLUTION (SLATTERY MEDIA GROUP) WAS RELEASED LAST MONTH AND IS AVAILABLE VIA FOOTYBOOKCLUB.COM.

BOUNDARY LINE? WHAT BOUNDARY LINE? NEW FJ CRUISER.

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