Giant Perspective Required

I got fed up with 'league heads' like Rebecca Wilson (columnist for the Daily Telegraph) having a go at the GWS Giants using flagrant falsehoods and hyperbole.  So I wrote her a letter. 

Take home message is to get some perspective.  Can't find the link to her article.  It was entitled 'No Marks For Giant Folly' from July 13th 2013.

Dear Rebecca,

I am disappointed by your article entitled 'No Marks For Giant Folly' dated  Saturday July 13th 2013.

My disappointment from people like yourself, who are from north and south of the border, is that you wrote off the venture from the start.  Never open to the idea for a second AFL team in Sydney.

People that share your opinion need a large dose of perspective.  We have a team that is two years old, that has made vast improvement in those two years and will make a vast improvement again next year.

You have written off the Giants before they are able to get a foothold.  So of course to you they have no hope.  Shame you didn't ask the players who have expressed the opposite view.  Many have signed on to extended contracts because of their belief that good things will come.

I'm glad David Matthews is standing up for the club.  He is a very switched on CEO and will take this club to great things but your colleagues choose to disrespect him and his role by your lack of perspective.

I'm doubting your knowledge of the game and how it's played.  I'm also unsure if you have an appreciation for how hard the game is to play at the highest level.

I see the skill the Giants have and how they just lack a bit of polish.  This will come with experience and recruitment.  Both of which will be addressed by the end of the season.  One player will make a huge difference.  Your claim otherwise is ridiculous.

Also ridiculous is your claim that the powers that be thought Israel Folau would set the place on fire and win a Brownlow.  Perhaps hyperbole on your part but still far from the truth.

Rest assured this will be a great club.  But you have to start somewhere. 

Tim Haynes

Giant Targets

I am excited about the future of the GWS Giants.  Although I am concerned that recurring heavy losses on the field will have a negative impact on the mindset of the young team.  We all like to win but persevering through the hard times will make success sweeter.

The Giants tried to woo some experienced players through their trade concessions.  The mini draft was designed to entice clubs to trade players for the best 17 year olds in the country.  Instead they enticed clubs with high draft picks to trade.  Thus the Giants have a raft of talented young players but little experience.

This will be addressed come the end of the season through trade and free agency.  They have some money to throw around now that Israel Folau has gone back to his native habitat.

No doubt a big play will be made for Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin.  The biggest free agency target this season.  Though, I’m not sold that he will leave Hawthorn.

Trade period will be interesting as it’s doubtful there will be the same focus on maintaining draft picks.  The number 1 pick could be on the table.  But it will have a bee a fantastic deal to part with it.  It will be a bold club that attempts to make this trade work.

Most of the young Giants have been exposed to the AFL.  This gives them some currency on the trade market.  Certainly other clubs have taken notice.  Richmond allegedly made a play for Dom Tyson last year without success.

It’s a necessity that the Giants list shrinks gradually in the coming years.  The Giants can’t keep all their talented youngsters.  Who they decide to keep and whom they get will be very interesting.

Recruitment Now The Key

The performances of the young GWS Giants team in the newly formed NEAFL Eastern Conference have been impressive. It gives an idea of where the team is at regarding their development.

Results have been largely successful. They have dominated the Gold Coast reserves yet were dominated by the Sydney Swans reserves. A bit of mixed bag but there is genuine class amongst the group. At the moment they sit second on the ladder.

This year the team has consisted of predominantly 18 year olds. Remaining as they are there would no doubt they will get flogged and hurt badly when upgraded to the AFL. GWS has a great skeleton but lacking the spine of mature key position players.

Recruitment is important. GWS is allowed certain concessions to lure players from other clubs. Just about any player coming off contract has been speculated for a move. I overheard an official saying, “don’t believe everything you hear in the media” in regards to the signing of AFL players. Time will tell. Right now they van talk but not put pen to paper until the end of the season

But whom can they get? I don’t see much use going for players that are merely disgruntled by their former club. These players wont have the drive to do well and will be chasing the cash. Their bad attitude will leave the club worse off and lighter in the pocket.

Admittedly, the Gold Coast probably has a greater geographical appeal, the coast, sun, sand, surf, etc. But GWS has Kevin Sheedy. Most would aspire to play under him. I was excited just to get a photo with him.

I wont be surprised if GWS recruits heavily from the strong second tier competitions such as the VFL, SANFL and WAFL. Plenty of keen, skilful players with mature strong bodies.

A word on Israel Folau. Can kick, can mark, but too often seems lost in the forward line and needs to improve his talk and his work rate. He has time on his side too.

Look forward to the interesting news come September and October. Not forgetting the draft in November.

NEAFL Footy Action

The NEAFL stands for North Eastern Australian Football League. It’s a newly formed league that includes teams from the ACT and Queensland state leagues. It’s also a platform for NSW and Qld AFL teams to develop their reserve grade players.

I had the joy of experiencing the Greater Western Sydney Giants play the Gold Coast Suns in a NEAFL match at the magnificent Blacktown Olympic Park.


I had heard about the team’s achievements in this league. I’d watched some youtube footage of rugby league recruit, Israel Folau. I’d read about the results so I knew they had some success and won most of their games. But for this footy purist there is nothing like getting to the ground and watching the team play.

I was impressed. The Giants actually dominated most of the play with their flair and run. I was expecting more from the Suns as some of their players have already gained AFL experience. Perhaps the constant tinkering with the senior line-up created a lack of cohesion in the reserve grade.

GWS looked tight as a unit and worked well as a team. Despite lacking some key position height and bulk they owned the momentum for all put half of the third quarter where they allowed Gold Coast back into the game.

Gold Coast had ruckmen rotating off the bench yet the sole recognised ruckman for GWS, Jonathon Giles, dominated all of his opponents giving GWS first use of the ball and hitting to advantage with ease. He had some back up from a top up player whose name wasn’t in the program.

The forth quarter could have gone either way. Gold Coast was close enough to threaten. A young team is always more vulnerable to crack under such pressure.

Class wins out in crunch situations, and GWS already has some classy young players. Dylan Sheil bobbed up to kick the first two goals of the forth quarter to regain the ascendancy. From that point it was a forgone conclusion. Remember the name, Dylan Sheil, he will be a star for the club.

I look forward to the next opportunity to see GWS play. I recommend you do it too. Even for Swans fans like me. Rugby League fans welcome too.

There Is Light

Took a drive down to Canberra with brother Danny to see the 18th AFL team, the Greater Western Sydney Giants, play Carlton at Manuka Oval.

It was a very one-sided contest, going down by 157 points. Just looking at the margin ignores many other factors that should excite the footy fans in the west of Sydney.

Take into account that there was a team from the highest level against one from a second tier competition. Also take into account that the average age of the giants players was 18. The oldest players were 23 years old.

It’s obvious that the Giants aren’t up to the speed of the top competition, yet. The players are very skilled but have not come across such an opposition before. They looked rushed which led to skill errors and turnovers. Some passages of play were brilliant, which demonstrates the potential this squad has.

Recruitment at seasons end will be interesting to watch. The difference some experienced AFL players will make to this line up will be amazing. The right players can be the difference between being competitive and a season of floggings.

Boom rugby league signing, Israel Folau, is still yet to play. The cynic in me thinks he is being protected from the media glare during the nab cup. Although the official word is that he is still getting over an injury. Whatever the reason his involvement will be crucial as the team was lacking big bodies in key positions. Can he play? Only time will tell. He has been given every chance with being coached one on one by team of the century full back, Stephen Silvagni.

What the giants need is more games like this and the injection of the right experienced players. Both will come, which makes the future of this club very exciting.

Fizzer

Let’s get something out of the way early, I don’t like Collingwood. Who does? Except for Collingwood members and supporters.

So it’s understandable that when I scored a ticket for the Geelong Vs Collingwood preliminary final that I went hoping for Geelong to give Collingwood a football lesson. How disappointed I was.

From the outset it was obvious. The umpiring was going Collingwood’s way, as was the bounce of the ball. To rub salt into my wounded heart, Collingwood were skillful, had better decision-making and tackled ruthlessly. Geelong was never in it, Collingwood never let them have a sniff.

Geelong constantly made mistakes, as the pressure was intense. So intense that there became the perception of pressure when there wasn’t any.

Geelong got a few goals back in the last quarter but it was little consolation as Collingwood had long gone into autopilot. You just can’t give the best team in the competition a 10-goal lead and expect to get away with it, I don’t care who you are.

The Geelong dynasty is in danger of being declared officially over. Cameron Ling looked slow, Ottens made no impact and has one year left maximum. Gary Ablett’s apparent move to the Gold Coast won’t help either.

An Ablett departure would draw the curtain on Geelong’s era of dominance. He was the only Geelong player that could say they had a positive influence on the game that night. Some rapid infusion of youth might be necessary as those stalwarts that were so important to their success are on the decline.

The years ahead will bring opportunities for other teams to start their own dynasty. Just please, not Collingwood.

The Defection

A couple of weeks ago it was hard to avoid the news about Israel Folau’s signing with new AFL franchise, known as Team GWS.

I was actually hoping that the rumours would not come to fruition and he would continue to play rugby league. But he will be an Aussie Rules player as of 2011 and I hope he realises the enormity of the task.

There will be a pressure on him to perform from day 1. He is on pay similar to the biggest stars in our game, yet he is foreign to most of the core skills and will have to severely get out of his rugby league tactical frame of mind. Karmichael Hunt will prove just how hard it will be to adjust.

The high marks he takes out on the wing from a cross field kick are celebrated in rugby league. In Aussie Rules they are nothing special. Anyone can leap over a stationary defender to mark the ball, it’s regulation stuff. Although of all the league players he does get the most height.

Time will tell whether the money was worth it. I can see him going back to rugby league in four years time, and he will be welcomed back with open arms despite what some commenter’s will tell you should happen. They have done as much for many rugby union returners.

I wish him well, the success of the team is riding on him.

Conflicted

It was put to me recently that there was no way I could call myself a Sydney Swans fan, as I have done for 17 years, while giving any form of support to the new GWS franchise preparing to join the AFL in 2011.

I have proclaimed that I am a Swans fan for life after a childhood of changing teams on a whim as a rugby league fan.

With GWS one has to look at the bigger picture and put parochialism to one side. Ask what is best for the game. If GWS doesn’t get enough members it will be embarrassing for all fans in this region, and I don’t want the doomsayers to be right. So I will be buying a membership and attending a few games. I might stop short of buying merchandise even though I love ‘the merch’.

I will be doing all this because I enjoy Australian Rules football first and foremost. My support of the Swans comes after this. I have played, coached, umpired since I was 10. It’s officially my sport, there is no other for me.

I understand there would be some conflicts in the hearts of fellow Swans supporters, especially in this region. I believe it is more important for the game to put aside parochialism for a little while and buy a membership of GWS when they come up for sale. In the meantime ‘Sign up for Sheedy’.

Footy Evangelism

Aussie Rules Football is my game (in case you haven’t noticed).

Getting people interested in AFL in western Sydney has to be the biggest challenge since the move of South Melbourne to Sydney way back in 1981. Hopefully learning from those mistakes will create a greater resolve to do things right to make sure the new team (without an official name at the moment) launches as well as possible.

Everyone seems to label this area rugby league heartland. I think league supporters are relying on this adage to maintain their stronghold. However the AFL is cashed up and proactive, spending money on grounds both for professional teams and local teams. Meanwhile the rugby league has been largely inactive and is disorganised with its leadership. Phil Gould has been most critical.

Rugby league is a very different sport and its supporters seem unable (or unwilling) to understand a different sport. They seem to be very rigid to their rules and can’t handle the multi directional nature of Aussie rules.

This is only one aspect of the recruitment of supporters because largely rugby league supporters will stay loyal to league, or at best be a part time supporter of Aussie rules.

There is a large migrant population that are new to Australia and in an effort to assimilate to their new home they send their kids to play the real footy. With long running controversy about the size disparity of junior league players the Auskick program offers a safe and fun alternative for parents to send their children as the physical aspect is introduced gradually.

It is hard to create a passionate supporter out of nowhere. Team GWS has to start from the ground up. Hence their strong efforts to entrench community links. A citizenship ceremony at half time of the Sydney Vs Carlton pre season match at Blacktown I thought was very clever. Those people will remember that game forever and have a positive emotional attachment to the game.

Attaining Kevin Sheedy as coach for the next three years was a massive coup. His marketing ability is priceless. He recently became a league supporter to win (save) the league supporters, heard that method before anyone? He stated that he would buy a membership to the four western Sydney rugby league clubs, if they would let him. Rugby league officials reaction to this only assists in giving greater publicity.

Above all there is a need to stay positive and think about the game before any team support.

Whinging Victorians

A few years ago there were moans and groans of grievance from supporters and administrators alike regarding the domination interstate teams were having in the AFL. Non-Victorian teams had won premierships from 2001 to 2006 as well as three years of complete non-Victorian grand finals from 2004 to 2006.

But now after three years of Victorian domination I don’t see the same adolescent behaviour directed at them. We all must be above all that and won’t stoop to that level.

Personally I have enjoyed every Grand Final I have watched, regardless of who was playing. We have a very even competition in the AFL, which lends well to fantastic viewing. St Kilda and Geelong definitely provided excitement.

It’s as if the Victorians want to be able to control the success of interstate clubs. They conveniently forget that the competition would have died if it weren’t for the national push starting with the Sydney Swans in 1981.

They struggle to see the betterment of the game as the number one priority. Victorian teams are dominating now but like most things, success is cyclical. The jury is still out about whether a team has to “bottom out” before having a tilt at a premiership. Are they going to whinge all over again when the next non-Victorian teams takes their precious grand final?

Fair Weather Fans

I recently went to a game in Melbourne between Essendon and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. I was blown away by the passion of these fans. They knew when to cheer and did so with immense gusto. It left me a bit disappointed to come home and go to a game in Sydney. If there is ever a reason why a Western Sydney team won’t get off the ground it will be because of the temperament of footy fans in Sydney.

Sydney fans across all codes aren’t 'diehard' enough, they won’t show if the weather is poor. If the finances are tight it will be the footy club membership that will be the first to go.

AFL fans in Sydney still have a lot to learn when it comes to supporting their team. We are too polite. We seem too afraid to make noise, or we just don’t know when is the appropriate time. We are still learning the game, as most are first generation AFL fans. Melbourne residents have had the sport ingrained into them for 100 years.

AFL in Western Sydney

The Australian Football League wants a new team in the west of Sydney. It will never work say many. The AFL is being bold in this new venture and will make it work.

Some Victorian teams are on the verge of bankruptcy and can possibly see the writing on the wall: relocate or die. It is an unpopular notion. It was hard in 1981 when South Melbourne moved to Sydney and it will be just as hard today. But that’s the reality. No team wants to relocate to Sydney or the Gold Coast to guarantee their survival so the AFL will form new teams.

The new team on the Gold Coast appears well on track to join the competition in 2011. There is more conjecture about the proposed second team in Sydney. Most of the detractors come from south of the border. In the Inside Football magazine, respected journalist and football historian, Russell Holmesby (St Kilda fan), states “the AFL has to see sense and abandon the West Sydney concept.” Premiership player with North Melbourne, Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan, in the same publication suggests that having a team in western Sydney is “getting further away for the AFL.”

Wait ten years is what I’m hearing from too many. The AFL is cashed up and Rugby League is in crisis with their own problems. Strike while we can. Think it will go down the drain? Then buy a membership when the club is launched to help it get off the ground, even if you are a devout Swans fan like myself.

It is the same Victorian clubs bagging the idea that will benefit hugely when a new TV rights deal is agreed upon in the near future. Kudos to Andrew Demetriou.

Embarking on Umpiring

This year I had decided not to play footy after having a horror year with quad injuries in which I only managed to play 3 games. It wasn’t until late in the pre season that I decided to attend a training night to become an official club umpire.

The Club Umpire program is a new initiative by the AFL in which each club needs to provide an umpire for certain grades. I like the program as it creates a manageable step for former players and others to have a go at umpiring before taking the leap and joining the umpiring squad.

I have since completed 2 games and have a new understanding and an appreciation for the job of umpiring. It is bloody hard!! So think twice before abusing match officials. Consider how you would like to cop abuse and how you would go making all the decisions. I find myself sticking up for the umpires a lot more now when watching on from the sidelines and dubious calls arise.

Yes I get some decisions wrong, but ultimately I am new to the caper and am trying my best. If everyone were to give this a go I think there would be much more respect for umpires.

Judd Factor A Joke

It appears increasingly evident that we have a bunch of untouchables in the AFL. These untouchables never get free kicks payed against them yet get so many payed towards them. Most are deserved but frequently enough you wonder whether the adjudication would have changed had it been any other player. More serious incidents are dealt with leniency by the Match Review Committee and the Judiciary, if it even makes it that far.

West Coast’s Chris Judd is one such untouchable. He was involved in an incident last weekend in West Coast’s loss to Hawthorn in Tasmania. He was reported for eye gouging Campbell Brown after being tackled. Video shows him clearly clawing at the face of Brown near his eyes. Whether he was gouging is hard to tell. One thing is for sure, Campbell Brown is no softie so for him to react the way he did he had to be at the very least contacted in the eye region.

Jeff Farmer from Fremantle got suspended for eye gouging earlier this season for 6 weeks, and I clearly remember Barry Hall a few years ago getting 5 weeks for merely clawing at the face of Port Adelaide’s Matthew Primus.

Judd was given a one-week suspension if he were to take the early guilty plea. He decided to contest the charge and ended up being let off by the tribunal. For Judd to face the tribunal contesting a possible one-week suspension for eye gouging is simply ridiculous. Even taking into account his relatively clean record, a very serious charge of eye gouging deserves at least four weeks as a starting point. I wouldn’t have cared if he got it down to one or two in contesting the charge but from what I saw he deserved to be rubbed out for some amount of time.

It’s one set of rules for some, another set for everyone else.

Supporting Laundry

You could say that we’re not really supporting players just the clothing that they wear.

Tony Lockett

Famous for winning a match off his own boot for St Kilda. This is despite being down by about 50 pts at three quarter time. It was one of the greatest comebacks in St Kilda’s history. Big Plugger also didn’t hold back when dealing with the hard-core supporters at the Members End, giving them a verbal spray after putting St Kilda in front nearing the end of the game.

Infamous for one of the ugliest incidents ever seen on the SCG. Swans player, Peter Caven, was leading towards the ball about to take a mark. That was until Lockett’s elbow connected with Caven’s face and he was out for the count with multiple fractures to his face not a mention a massive bought of concussion. Lockett for his trouble received an 8-week suspension.

Tony Lockett came to Sydney in 1995 and led the revival of the AFL in Sydney by kicking tonnes (100 goals in a season) in multiple seasons. He was a star winning the Coleman Medal in 1996 and 1998. An All Australian in 1995 and 1996. He kicked the match winning point in the 1996 Preliminary Final against Essendon to gain entry into the Grand Final. He then went on to kick 6 goals in the losing Grand Final against North Melbourne.

Wayne Schwass

I remember him having a cheap shot at Swan Troy Luff in the 1996 Grand Final. I took and immediate dislike to him and of North Melbourne.

Schwass came to Sydney via a trade at the end of 1997. He went on to play some of his finest games. His damaging left foot penetrated into the forward line.

Peter “Spida” Everitt

I always found him gregarious, arrogant and a big show off with the way he did his hair and the significant ink work that he has had done. Also he managed to rip apart games due to his height and radar like accuracy in front of goal.

He ‘finally’ joined Sydney via a trade at the end of last year with Hawthorn. The move is starting to pay dividends as Spida’s dominance has led to two good victories in consecutive weeks against finals fanciers Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.


I didn’t like all three players. That was before they whacked on the red and white. All of a sudden they look like better people. They were never really bad people in the first place, but their sins were definitely forgiven. Especially when they became match winners for the right team.

Write Them Off At Your Peril

I have unlocked the key the success of the Sydney Swans.......

Write them off!!

The more the media jumps down their throats as being no good it seems the better they play. In their consecutive grand final years no one really rated them as a force to be reckoned with. Who could forget that in the first of those years the Swans took away the premiership. I certainly can’t being in Melbourne at the time.

Come the following year the media still didn’t rate them as a quality outfit. This feeling was exaggerated after a sluggish start to the season. Headlines proclaiming “premiership hangover” dominated the papers as their first win came in unconvincing fashion in round three against Carlton.

One recent example of writing off the Swans comes from a Podcast named Mondayitis. Mondayitis is my favourite Podcast, it it’s a review of the previous weekends AFL action and a preview of the coming weeks games. On Monday 14th May, senior writer for sportal.com.au and commentator on Mondayitis, Paul Gough, stated that the Swans were “in trouble.” Just one media personality to start to write off the Swans.

But what happened the following match against ladder leaders Port Adelaide??
Well the Swans won didn’t they. Of course they did, because everyone had written them off after two ordinary losses to North Melbourne and St Kilda.

Now the challenge is to keep winning whilst being written off.

PUFWE 07

For a reminder of what PUFWE stands for then check here.

The Game

Sydney 14.11-(95) Vs Kangaroos 16.15-(111)

The game is the only compulsory activity of the weekend. After all the choice of weekend is purely determined on when Sydney are playing on the Saturday night in Melbourne.

Unfortunately for the second time in the three years of PUFWE tours the Swans have played possibly their worst game of the entire season. There is a lot of this season left to play but in 2005 (the Premiership year) we definitely saw their worst game. Pessimism set in very early, after quarter time when the score went 7 goals to 1. A big finish made it exciting in the but no one should give away a 6-goal head start and get away with it. Kangaroos were rightful winners.

The Sights

Brunswick Street
A trendy area that could possibly be equated to Newtown in Sydney. For some reason I feel very comfortable walking down Brunswick Street but wouldn’t be feeling so good about walking down the main street of Newtown.

One of our group (the girl) wanted to do some shopping so this day was dedicated to that pursuit. Luckily for the two blokes (me being one) we didn’t enter every single outlet.

The Old Melbourne Gaol
A surprisingly successful visit as we all enjoyed the history that it brings. There is a lot to read which doesn’t appeal to all but it is very rewarding in the end if you put in the hard yards. It’s most famous as the place Ned Kelly was hanged after the shootout at Glenrowan. Three hours later, our legs are sore and our minds full of knowledge.

Eateries

The Retro
A traditional spot for us to visit. Famous for their cakes of generous proportions.

The Tin Pot
Another traditional place for us to visit for Sunday breakfast. Highly recommended comes the BLT deluxe, although other items on the menu are well worth trying also.

The Vege Bar
Recommended by our hosts but rejected by two out of three of the visitors. Nothing against vegetables, they are a side dish, nothing more, nothing less.

Our Hosts

Mr & Mrs Campbell – always generous and gracious when we invade the south.

Splinter Case

The AFL has a chronic case of fence sitting at the moment. In the recent Headland/Selwood insulting language case they didn’t punish either Adam Selwood or Des Headland for their part in the incident.

One has to be in the wrong.

Selwood reportedly referred to a tattoo on Headland’s arm of his six year old daughter and made crude comments. Selwood admitted to saying, "What's that sl** on your arm, I was with a girl like that the other night". Other alleged comments from Selwood are being vehemently denied.

Des Headland obviously wears this tattoo of with pride and took these comments personally and retaliated. Who wouldn’t react to such a disgusting comment?

Why wasn't Selwood punished for what he admitted to saying, which was still deplorable? Or if they couldn’t find Selwood guilty then Headland should have been suspended for striking after not being able to control his temper. Instead the AFL tribunal let both off the hook. Selwood’s case was “not sustained” while Headland was cleared of all his charges due to what the tribunal jury called "exceptional and compelling circumstances by way of provocation".

West Coast Eagles CEO, Trevor Nisbett, speaks glowingly of his player (on afl.com.au) despite his admission at the tribunal

"He's an outstanding character. He played for Australia last year. He comes from an impeccable family and has a wonderful record with charities. He's a long-term leader and his character is unquestionable. His record stands alone. He hasn't been reported at any level and he's a very fair player and is hard at the ball."

At a time when the Eagles have issues with player behaviour the CEO is praising a player who admitted to insulting language. Surely what he needs to do is counsel Selwood at the very least and even suspend him for a game. Show the public and the rest of the team that these misdemeanours are unacceptable from anyone. Even those with a glowing reputation and background.

There is the unwritten rule that what happens on the field stays on the field. A lot of what is said on the field the players let slide. Selwood crossed the line and all other players needed a statement by the AFL and West Coast Eagle as to where that line shall stand.

Auskick'n Along

This year I am embarking on a new adventure and a new challenge. Late last year I was approached to become the Auskick coordinator for my junior club. This involves taking kids (boys and girls) 7 and younger through all the skills involved in the wonderful game of Australian Rules Football. All this is done in a fun and non-competitive environment.

There has been a bit of hype about my appointment. Firstly there was the big sell to get me to accept. I was sold easily. I said I’d do it for a polo shirt and a trip to the SCG for the kids to play at half time. I’ve already been given the polo shirt. Then there was the spiel about me at the Presentation day to try and convince parents to sign up their kids. To top it off I check out their website recently and find this. Not to mention the ad in the local paper (Parramatta Sun 31/1/07).


I had coached the U/9’s many years ago and I was enthused to see most of that team still playing and winning awards at their annual presentation last year. Considering this is something I’m keen to make a career it’s probably a good opportunity to create a network with the AFL NSW/ACT.

An Attitude Problem

I caught myself eavesdropping today while waiting in line for a haircut. I overheard a bloke in a rather one-way conversation with the barber talking about how dull and boring AFL was, in particular the Swans v Dockers game the previous night. He also decided to be original and comment on the tight shorts (that haven’t been tight since the eighties by the way).

“They just kick the ball,” he said. “Then a pack of 5 blokes jump up and try to catch it,” he continued. Others would argue that all games are based on simple objectives and that is what makes them great, for example:

• Rugby League – placing the ball across a line
• Soccer – kicking a ball through a rectangle
• Basketball – bouncing a ball and trying to get it into a little hoop

As for being dull and boring, well we can apply that cynical and negative comment to all sports as well if we so felt like it. But that’s just plain immature. I know, because I did just that when I was young and immature.

It really gets to me sometimes hearing people bag another person’s sport. Not just when it is my own sport in the firing line. Perhaps I take it too personally because I’m an AFL nut. But on the flipside I’m not going to bag out a League fan for example. I wouldn’t even bag out Soccer, although I have gone close. Maybe this gentleman is paying AFL the ultimate compliment because he feels the need to bring it down to make himself feel good.