Page 68 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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TOP FOUR COULD BE SETTLED
■ It is a bold prediction this far from the Finals but the current top four teams seem to be ahead of the rest. Who could challenge them? If Carlton is a query have a look at their draw for the next four games and realistically they should win all four as they meet Port Adelaide at AAMI then Brisbane, Sydney and WCE all at Etihad Stadium. And Matty Kreuzer is set to return. Round 10 proved conclusively my point in AFL games and a ‘two horse’ race the favourites do not always win. We supposed experts all tipped the eight favourites and crashed badly on Fremantle, Richmond and Adelaide. I’m pleased with my best bets with ‘points in starts’ as I suggested you back St Kilda and Brisbane so I hope you punters had a decent collect. The results highlighted several other points worthy of comment. Take the coveted Brownlow Medal Award and we must query two of the favourites. Will Marc Murphy rob Chris Judd of his third medal and over at Magpie land will Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas do likewise to the 2009-10 favourite Dane Swan? The ‘play-on’ interpretation was again a problem and will continue to be so until it reverts back to the umpire’s sole control. The current situation is like asking the road traffic police and the courts to automatically accept the ‘penalised’ driver’s version of events as to why he speeded up. As too was the umpires’ bouncing of the ball in the centre circle. It was recalled far too often for the compulsory ‘throw-up’, appropriate terminology for the ‘older men in white’ who knew how to keep it straight and fair. My concern as the present day umpires, because of the lack of numbers and inability to recruit, are a protected species they will get their way, as they have been agitating for, to ‘cut-out’ the bounce altogether. This would be ‘sacrilegious’ as this art is unique to our game. Prior to the season’s start many media headline hunters believed at season’s end Carlton would appoint Mick Malthouse to replace Brett Ratten as coach. They’ve dropped off that prediction now the Blues are in the top four and a chance for the flag. But as ‘true’ football stirrers the same reporters have Mick being inundated with offers from Melbourne, Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, his old team WCE and even Brisbane. Jonathon Brown’s return from injury has doused that rumour and similarly much cold water has also put out the fires for John Worsfold with his Eagles improving form. I’m sure Mick doesn’t need to turn back the clock and return to the Bulldogs. So it is down to Melbourne as I imagine the Malthouse family doesn’t need or want another shift interstate. Mick it will be a ‘real test for your best’ as twelve have tried and failed, including the great Ron Barassi, since the heady days of Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes and Norm Smith with their multiple premierships, the last in 1964, 47 years ago. TOP FOUR IS SORTING ITSELF OUT The recent results suggest the Final Four is taking shape with Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Carlton breaking clear of the opposition.
Harry Beitzel
ways is a carbon copy of Scotland. Brent started with Port Adelaide, then St Kilda and has now played over 100 games with the Hawks. He has impeccable delivery by foot and hand. Round 11 Games Friday (N) Essendon v Melbourne MCG Sat Geelong v West Bulldogs Skilled Stadium Sat WCE v Gold Coast Suns PS Perth Sat (N) Brisbane v Sydney Swans Sun North Melbourne v Adelaide Gabba Crows Etihad Stadium Sat (N) Collingwood v St Kilda Sun (T) Port Adelaide v Carlton MCG AAMI Stadium Sun (E) Hawthorn v Fremantle BYE Richmond MCG June 5 - Harry Beitzel
● South African Mtutuzeli Hlomela is challenging the comments of Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett. His open letter is published, courtesy AFLBigPond Network.
www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel Here is the Ladder: Geelong 40 Pts; Collingwood 36Pts; Hawthorn 32 Pts; Carlton 30 Pts; then follow, Swans 26 Pts; Essendon 22 Pts; WCE & Freo 20 Pts (the 8); Richmond 18; Melbourne & Saints 14; Western Bulldogs & Adelaide 12; North Melb/ Brisbane/Port Adelaide & GCSuns 8Pts. The next 4 Rounds Top 8 are:Geel v Bulldogs (SS), v Haw, v St Kilda both at MCG, Crows at (SS). Collingwood v St Kilda, v Melbourne both at MCG, Bye and Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium Homebush. Hawthorn v Freo, v Geelong both MCG, v GCSuns at Aurora Stadium Launceston, v Essendon at ‘G’. Carlton v Port Adel AAMI, v Brisbane, v Swans, v WCE all at Etihad Stadium. Swans v Brisbane Gabba, v Richmond SCG, v Carlton ES, v Collingwood ANZ Stadium Homebush. Essendon v Melb at ‘G’, v Freo at WA, v North Melb ES, v Hawthorn MCG. WCE v GCSuns at WA, v Adelaide AS, v Port Adel at WA, v Carlton at Etihad. Fremantle v Haw at ‘G’, v Essendon at WA, v Melbourne ‘G’, v Brisbane at WA. The fight for 5 to 8 positions will be keen with Richmond, St Kilda and Brisbane all with claims. Fremantle has hit a hole and needs Matthew Pavlich to hit form and Aaron Sandilands and Michael Barlow back from injury. Geelong is dicing with a loss giving away starts and must be thrilled with the outstanding form of their experienced players especially Steve Johnson with his seven goals against the GCSuns. And The Bombers are back next Friday night. Hawthorn is impressive and all their midfielders are on fire – all the Hawks need now is for ‘Buddy’ Franklin to kick straight. From what looked like a ‘one horse’ race with Collingwood virtually unchallengeable the AFL now has a real competition. And the Saints Nick Riewoldt has hardly fired a shot so far this season so with Brendon Goddard there is plenty of improvement to come. Last week I mentioned the ‘under the radar’ performance of Carlton’s Heath Scotland and barely touched on another favourite of mine, the Hawks’ Brent Guerra who in many
Melbourne
Observer
Footy Extra
OPEN LETTER TO JEFF KENNETT ■ South African representative Mtutuzeli Hlomela says Jeff Kennett should advocate, not denigrate, Australian football development overseas: Dear Mr Kennett, As someone who fell in love with your game and has worked tirelessly to develop it in South Africa, I, with all due respect, was very disappointed to read your comments in the Herald Sun suggesting we in South Africa and the rest of the world are wasting our time. The game has become everyone's game, not only Australia's, and I invite you to take some time in August to go and witness the AFL International Cup. It's a magnificent event that is full of colour and cultural diversity; things I think are great for the game. It will also show you how the game has grown internationally in the last decade despite minimal resources in some countries. I also invite you to come to South Africa, to see for yourself how the game has grown and also the number of people whose lives it has changed, people who have developed a genuine passion and love for it. Australian football has a place in the world and we have embraced it. I'm not trying to be sentimental, what the game is doing to and for people outside of Australia is real and it is not a waste of time. Nelson Mandela said, "sport has the power to unite enemies" and an example of this is the Peace Team, an Australian football team comprised of Israelis and Palestinians, something unheard of in other sports. “Through hard work and genuine belief, people have made the Peace Team work and its members aren't only teammates, but have become friends and brothers. I think the AFL should be congratulated for having the vision to take Australian football to other parts of the world. “They're making it possible for the rest of world to be part of what I feel is the world's greatest game and also an opportunity to test themselves
● Mtutuzeli Hlomela against the best. One of my dreams Franklin kicks another 100 goals like is to see South Africa play Australia he did in 2008 at Docklands, I was in an official Test match at the MCG lucky enough to be there to witness it. in 25 years, and I believe that dream Kindest regards, will come true looking at what we've Mtutuzeli Hlomela achieved in the past five years. (Johannesburg, South Africa) Mr Kennett, I thought I should share with you what I thought of your ■ Harry Beitzel adds: I like Jeff comments in the Herald Sun, but most Kennett but we disagree on this importantly, what I feel about this fan- aspect. I’ve declared for the tastic game. past few years the AFL’s future I think I speak for the entire inter- recruiting area will NOT be Irenational community who's caught the land nor the world Rugby/Basbug when I say, we love the game ketball converts but South Afand we've made it ours - do not take it rica. away. More especially as our game International growth is in the best is being fashioned for the fast, interest of the game and I'm sure deep athletic bodies such as the Afdown in your heart you want what is ricans. best for the game. There will be thousands of As an influential figure and a cus- kids from impoverished backtodian of the game I encourage you to grounds who will relish the opadvocate the international agenda. portunity to learn the skills and The seed has been planted on fertile play our game. soil, please help with the nurturing and Just as we’ve enjoyed an Abgrowth of the sport. Spread the joy! origine explosion into the elite I thank you and wish to meet level standby for the African inyou one day. Good luck with the rest vasion. of the season and I hope Buddy - HB