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E N T E R TA I N M E N T
Legends to rock Grand Final A NDR EW WA L L ACE
T
he competing teams may not yet be decided, but the AFL has locked in the off-field line-up for the Grand Final pre-match entertainment in a fortnight’s time. Following the performance by Powderfinger last year, Australian rock legends Jimmy Barnes and Mark Seymour will be the headline musical acts this season, an appropriate choice considering both have produced hits that have transcended into Australian Football anthems. Barnes has been a staple of the Australian music industry for 30 years, and this week stepped into the record books by securing his ninth No. 1 Australian Record Industry
SHOW-STOPPERS: Jimmy Barnes (left) and the cast from Jersey Boys will perform at this year’s Grand Final.
Association (ARIA) album as a solo artist with his latest album The Rhythms and The Blues. Combined with his four chart toppers from his Cold Chisel days, Barnes has had more No. 1 albums in Australia than any other artist. For 18 years, Seymour was lead singer of hugely successful Melbourne band Hunters and Collectors. The band enjoyed cult status among football fans, with its hit Holy Grail becoming
an unofficial footy anthem. Seymour recently released his fifth solo album, Westgate. Barnes and Seymour will be joined by another household name, Paul Kelly, to perform post-match entertainment at Centre Square, the corporate hospitality village located in Birrarung Marr. “Our thanks to CUB and Carlton Natural Blonde for bringing these two icons to the last Saturday in September,”
said Paul Waldren, the AFL’s general manager of marketing and commercial operations. Also this year, the cast of Melbourne stage show Jersey Boys, including Bobby Fox, Scott Johnson, Glaston Toft and Stephen Mahy, will perform the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, in front of a likley crowd in excess of 100,000 and an estimated global television audience of 100 million.
A N A LY S I S
THE GODFATHER OF STATS
Ted Hopkins
Founder of Champion Data and Carlton premiership player GOOD KICKS WORTH PURE GOLD The Godfather salutes NAB Rising Star winner Daniel Rich. Those who witnessed his blistering final quarter for the Brisbane Lions against Carlton at the Gabba last weekend could see why he received the award. Rich had a mere five kicks for the final quarter. The three he had forward of centre were instrumental in turning the tide in favour of Brisbane, and confirming a Godfather golden rule: good kicks are worth their weight in gold. Brisbane obtained a bargain recruiting Rich at No. 7 last year. His potential was outlined in the fourth edition of AFL Prospectus: “A proven ball winner … apart from his kicking, Rich’s ability to regularly deliver the ball inside 50, apply pressure on the opposition, impact the scoreboard and win the ball at stoppages are elite.”
FINALS FACTS
A THIRD NORM SMITH? At the AMMI Stadium match between Adelaide and Essendon, fans were treated to the sublime foot skills of veteran champion Andrew McLeod. Frankly, if McLeod – already famous for his silky skills and winning successive Norm Smith Medals and d premiership medallions allions in 1997-98 – keepss going at the current ratee of knots, the Adelaide de flyer could easily bag a third Norm Smith. McLeod and Adelaide havee responded in admirable irable bl fashion since losing ng to Collingwood at home ome by 21 points in round und 19. Opponents beware ware – McLeod has returned ned to the peak form of past seasons, returning to his former ormer midfield hunting territory.
Crows stepping up the tempo ROUNDS 12-19 Uncontested Possessions Contested Possessions ROUNDS 20-23 Uncontested Unconteste Possessions Possession Contested Contes Con tested ted Possessions Possession
Adelaide
Opposition
Difference
286
270
+16
114
112
+2
Adelaide
Opposition
Difference
290
254
+26
121
109
+12
In the past four games, he averaged eight inside 50s and 11 unique score involvements in Adelaide scoring chains, representing 33 per cent of the team’s total scoring. No other player in the competition has had the overall scoring influence. Of his 23 inside-50 kicks in the past four games,
an exceptional 83 per cent have been retained by a teammate. Adelaide’s increased tempo in the past four games compared to rounds 12-19 is highlighted above. Note the recent jump in uncontested and contested possessions differences between the Crows and their opposition.
INFLUENTIAL: Andrew McLeod
has been a key for the Crows.
Demon Frank Adams and Hawks Chris Mew and Chris Langford share the record for playing in the most consecutive finals series (11). AFL RECORD visit aflrecord.com.au 47
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9/9/09 7:17:40 PM