Crawford Should Have Gone Out On Top

Shane Crawford has decided to go another year after coming down from the high of a premiership win.

I feel he has made a mistake as next year holds no guarantees for his fitness for starters, as well as Hawthorn's ability to maintain the momentum gained from this season.

Every player would love to go out a winner on Grand Final Day. Crawford had the chance to do that and he has potentially thrown away a great opportunity. Next year he could realistically succumb to a season ending injury half way through the season. 34 is not an old man by life expectancy standards, but it is old by professional sporting standards. An old body at this level, the way the game is played these days, is more susceptible to injury.

I wish him well for next season as he has been a great player for Hawthorn.

The NRL Grand Final

Manly 40 defeated Melbourne 0

Pre Game Entertainment
I really enjoyed the entertainment. For a grand final you really need bands that can rock it out, and you can't get much better than The Living End and Jon Stevens fro Noiseworks. It was very colourful with groups of dancers representing all 16 teams. The fireworks for The Living End was absolutely amazing.

Amazing to see a navy helicopter land on the middle of the field. Such a great display of precision control in the cockpit.

First Half
very tight, could have gone either way at any time. Israel Folau was proving damaging on the right side. He was just so hard to tackle. Manly got the only 2 tries in the first half. Both were very fortuitous.

Second Half
No one saw that coming. Expecting to see Melbourne fight back hard. Instead Manly had their measure and put on consecutive tries in quick time. I was flabagasted yet happy for Manly and all their fans that surrounded us.

Presentation
I thought Matt Orford would have won the Churchill Medal, but I have no qualms about the eventual winner.

Kevin Rudd was there but he always looks out of his depth when he is attending sporting events. He managed to get the obligatory boo's for political leaders.

Beaver Fever
Probably the main reason for supporting Manly. I loved watching him play, especially at State of Origin level. He was always very reliable and versatile. A player that definately deserved to go out on a high.

More Factors To Consider

Poor crowd at Sydney's ANZ Stadium for the Elimination Final - almost 20,000, the worst since the 1920's.

Some like Tony Jones and Billy Brownless on Ch 9's Wide World of Sport would suggest that the AFL should be very worried about by this when they are trying to plant a new team in Sydney's west. This sounds like a very Victorian thing to say as they still want to keep the game to themselves. Any additional team from outside Victoria takes the game further and further away from Victorian domination.

I acknowledge that 20,000 is an ordinary attendance figure, but don't simply blame the fans.

How about these other factors:

• We had two of the worst days for ages in regards to rain
• Sydney limped into the finals with other results helping us in a big way
• Economic situation can't be discounted - whether it be real or perceived
• North Melbourne is not a big drawcard - even in Melbourne

Last but not least......

• The non existent promotion from the AFL - let's face it, there are too many things to do in Sydney to go to something that no one knows is on.

Spreading The Word

Some pessimists say why waste money spreading the word when teams can play to packed crowds in Australia. This was especially the case when Adelaide and Collingwood played a pre season game in the United Arab Emirates. What a waste they would say, 50,000 would have shown up to watch the match at the MCG or AAMI Stadium.

I think it is great that other countries are grasping onto our game as it is truly the best game in the world. But by not having an international presence we also run the risk of being swallowed by the only truly international football code - Soccer.

Not many would know that we actually have an International Cup in Australian Rules Football. In fact 16 countries will be competing.


The best part being that these teams are made up completely of players from the country they represent. These are home grown footy players. Not Aussie expats as is the case in alot of overseas competitions.

Keep an eye on World Footy News for updates on matches throughout the tournament.

Rugby League In Crisis

You know that something must be going on when the NRL Footy Show talks seriously about their sport for one and a half hours with few ad breaks.

It was stated that the SBW exodus will be a catalyst for change. A change that has been long overdue. What those changes will be is hard to say. At the moment everyone seems to be willing to pass the responsibility for change into the hands of NRL CEO David Gallop. A job that no one wants as the drastic measures that may need to be taken would include a reduction in teams and the relocation of others.

The ramifications could be huge. I'm not the best fan of league as I got into AFL in a big way after the Super League war of the mid 90's. But i know for sure that if the Parramatta Eels were to disappear from the competition that my interest in League will become non existent. I'm sure there's more die hard Eels supporters that would do the same. Take away their team and the game just doesn't do it for them anymore.

Couldn't Do A Thing Right

Picture this:

You're playing a team that you should beat, but instead of enjoying a fine display of skill and ability you end up wincing at every turnover, grimacing at every mark inside fifty dropped, and possibly the hardest to watch, the shots at goal that hit the post - oh the pain.

It was so bad that there was an exciting game of Rugby on another channel. It gave me some relief and a much needed boost to the spirits as the Wallabies got up.

The Swans just couldn't do a thing right. Adelaide are one of the most injury depleted teams yet we couldn't:

• Get in front position in marking contests
• Be first to the ball when it was on the ground
• String cleans possessions together consistently
• Give defensive pressure in our forward line
• Create run in our backline
• Kick straight at goal (I've never seen so many posters in one game by one team, must have been at least 6)

It's hard to determine where we will go from here on in. If we play like that there's no doubt we will slide. Although that is where we deserve to be, on that performance we shouldn't even be forth. It was inept, and just after I give Collingwood a bake as well

Some Things Never Change

Why on earth does Collingwood even bother convincing people that they are contenders for a Premiership?

They have one good win when they dominated Sydney at ANZ Stadium and then they think they are all that. But of course, subsequent losses to North Melbourne and Essendon mean they will remain as filler for the top 8.

How anyone can lose to Essendon with the state they are in is beyond me. But, yet Collingwood find a way. Not only was it a loss, it was a comprehensive loss.

A message to Collingwood - Stop pretending to be taken seriously

NRL Caught Napping

Blacktown City Council is building a stadium in the Olympic Park Precinct. Local rugby league clubs are now disgusted by move, taking their disappointment out on the Council. Rooty Hill Dragons club secretary, Don Milides, was quoted in the Daily Telegraph,

“They are building up another code while letting down a code that has supported them for years.

Anger that is misguided if you are to take the word of Blacktown Mayor, Leo Kelly.

"They (NRL) have been sitting on their hands," Kelly said. "A lot of the supporters like the old traditional teams like Balmain and Western Suburbs have switched codes and are now following AFL, strangely enough. We've had negotiations with them (NRL). They've retreated to their north shore bunker and we are waiting for them to come back."

So while the bleeding hearts of “Rugby League Heartland” bleat and moan about an AFL infiltration, their ruling body continues to be caught “sitting on its hands.”

Bloody Queenslanders!!!!

Somehow they always manage to steal a try from nothing, a little dummy and a simple pass and Billy Slater is in with 10 minutes to go. We just never looked likely of crossing their line. Some comment.

• If Nate Myles' spear tackle on Ben Cross is not worthy of a send off then we shall never see another send off ever in the game of Rugby League. Tony Archer left his manhood in the change rooms at half time because that was time for him to make a big call. The stage was set, the worst tackle I have seen in a long time, a blue, only for things to cool down and Archer weakly crosses his arms to say it is on report. I think that if Cross had stayed down with serious neck damage then the result may have been different.
• I thought Mick Crocker had a hard head, it takes a lot to rattle him. But he got rattled tonight by the oblique spheriod in projectile motion. As in not an opposition player but the ball as it left Mitchell Pearce's boot. Surely to be the only thing amusing from a NSW point of view.
• Too many NSW players did not perform. I am referring to Jarryd Hayne, Joel Monaghan, Braith Anasta. Wake up fella if you want to be there next year.
• Tries from kicks, a huge beef of mine. What is declared highly skillful in Rugby League is regulation in my main game of Aussie Rules. Anyone can jump over a stationary opposition player. What is skillful in League is being able to move the ball through the hands and bamboozle defensive lines. Pearce and Anasta just didn't have it and resorted to kicking the ball to the wings where well protected Queenslanders such as Slater, Inglis and Folau caught with ease and advanced in metres.
• Only after Queensland scored with 10 minutes to go did NSW finally decide to throw the ball around a bit in an effort to score. But it was all too little too late.

Doing It Too Comfortably

Round 12
Sydney 14.18.102 def St Kilda 9.13.67

Round 13
Sydney 17.12.114 def Melbourne 11.8.74

For the last two games I have been impressed with my team's performances. Although I have a slight fear that it has been just a bit too easily. Even though both teams challenged at some stage during each game the Swans were comfortable throughout.

I am slightly worried because playing comfortably won't be enough against the likes of Colingwood, Hawthorn, Adelaide and Geelong. All teams that we have to play in the second half of the season on the run to the finals.

Collingwood and Adelaide are considered "bogey sides" for us as well, so it will take an extra special effort to overcome the opposition in those games.

Although all my worrying could end up to be ill founded and the Swans could rise to the challenge and come into the finals full of momentum.

We Stole That

Sydney Swans 12.11 (83) def West Coast Eagles 11.12 (78)

Ten goals to three in the second half, but I still think we stole it from a team that played so intensely in the first half. The intensity may have cost the Eagles as it is near impossible to maintain the pressure for a full game. Sydney, as they did little in the first half had the legs to finish the game on a high.

A few comments:

• The Goodes report - didn't look as malicious as most this season, but the head has become untouchable. Not sure whether he will get rubbed out, I suspect not.
• The Staker goal - did appear that the ball was over the line when he kicked it, but the goal ump was right there
• The Bolton goal - I suspect the Perth media will jump on this as a wrong decision. One umpire said he ducked but then he was taken to ground. Something had to be paid, either for holding or incorrect disposal.
• Daniel Kerr - played like the class midfielder that he should be, instead of the 3rd string ball winner, definitely BOG for me.
• Adam Hunter's kicking - much like his hairstyle, it left a lot to be desired. Some misses came at crucial times when momentum was in the balance. All were fairly easy chances.
  

The Last Two Weeks

Saturday 24th May
Sydney 16.9.105 Def Port Adelaide 14.10.94

Just when I thought we had run out of legs we find another gear in what was the first really exciting game I have seen for the Swans this year. So exciting that when Jarred Moore kicked the goal to bring us level again I literally jumped from my chair. The injury of Power sharpshooter, Brent Ebert, late in the game probably helped as they lacked their best performer up forward when it mattered. Somehow we were able to make some breaks from the half back line and use the ball wisely when faced with a vacant forward line. Plus a clever banana from Tim Schmidt and smart roving by Jarred McVeigh and it was game over. Disappointing to see Port Adelaide fans leaving before the game had finished. Surely the traffic isn't that bad in Adelaide.

Sunday 1st June
Sydney 21.13.139 Def Richmond 8.9.57

Watched the entire first half and that was enough to know the result. Words like rout and clinic came to mind as Goodes ran rings around opponents with consummate ease. Jolly and Everitt worked in tandem in the ruck and were able to palm to advantage to easily. Richmond's disposal was sloppy and often led to turn overs. I was impressed with the tackling of Martin Mattner as well as his left foot. Henry Playfair is showing some promise up forward, although I'm not sure where he fits when Barry Hall returns in a few weeks. I think Playfair has done enough to stay in the team. But then who to omit?

So we have the best percentage in the competition yet we are in 5th place on the ladder. Even without the draw against the Kangaroos we would only be 4th. Three very winnable games before meeting Collingwood. Have to win all three if we are to solidify a position in the top four and gather momentum into the Collingwood game. Should be a cracker.

Points To Proove

Interesting to hear the controversy that usually follows the selection of a New South Wales or Queensland State of Origin team. This year is no different with the omissions of Braith Anasta and Scott Prince in their respective teams Five-eighth positions. Some might say that Brett Finch was a bit stiff not to get the halfback spot for NSW.

Those unfortunate not to be selected usually use that as motivation to go into the next game for their club with exceptional vigour. They have a point to prove and it is always interesting to see who is able to successfully make their point and who fails.

I was watching tonights game between Parramatta and Sydney. Parramatta were clear favourites based on the fact that 4 of the Rooster's starting forwards were unavailable due to S of O commitments. Brett Finch should have dominated, disappointingly he didn't. Braith Anasta had a Man of the Match performance to send notice to NSW selectors.

Hall of Fame Tribute Match

What a great game to watch. The best of the best showing what they've got. Some of the passages of play were just magical. Isn't that why we had State of Origin Football in the first place. I'm sure with the excitement surrounding this game that the idea will come up again. Probably to no avail but who really knows.

Every team that was represented seemed to be a winner with no one having a really bad game. Judd was quiet throughout and Kerr got injured early. From a Sydney point of view we had 4 players represented, 2 for each team. I was a bit concerned early as Goodes was very quiet and Bolton took a hit from Brown. Bolton got up straight away and continued and Goodes started to make an impact, especially with being third up in ruck contests.

With no serious injuries coming from the event I think all fans should be happy with their players.

One Spurt the Difference

I know it's a bit late in the week to be doing a review of the game that occurred on Sunday, but hey, only the Hall of Fame game this week.

Pretty simple analysis actually of the Swans v Bulldogs game. Sydney let the Dogs kick 7 goals straight in the 2nd quarter to turn a 15 point lead into a 22 point deficit. Unsurprisingly the margin was 18 points in the end. I wouldn't to give the worst team in the league a 22 point head start yet we let a quality running outfit like the Bulldogs get ahead of us.

Ultimately, 22 points isn't a big lead in the scheme of things, but when you are trying to play catch up footy for one half against a good team it makes your task of winning that much harder.

Sydney came close but the Bulldogs were able to coast home in the end maintaining the buffer they created in the 2nd quarter.

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.

Just A Tad Concerned

I am very glad to put the whole Barry Hall incident in the past. But as a result we are lacking a key forward and I felt the lack of forward structure was evident in the game against North Melbourne. Hall's absence means that the opposition's top defender will go on our No. 2 forward, which is at the moment Michael O'Loughlin or rookie Jesse White. Henry Playfair is named in the team to play the Bulldogs which is probably good timing and Peter Everitt's return couldn't be more perfect. He can ad another option up front as well as providing Darren Jolly with much needed assistance. Haven't seen Playfair play so hard to gauge the effect he will have on the forward structure.

Not really disappointed to see Nick Davis given the boot for the game. He hasn't set the world on fire and we definately need players like him firing at the right end of the season. He is a proven match winner.

The Bulldogs are on fire at the moment so while my heart will always say Swans, my head is leaning towards the Doggies.

The Hall KO

Just in case you didn't see it.

Courtesy of Dave's Football Blog

Blowout & Blowup

Well an impressive performance by the Swans over an understrength Eagles outfit. Our stars seem to be warming up nicely with new guys hitting their straps earlier than expected.

Michael O' Loughlin was my BOG showing agility, awareness and most importantly for a key forward, clean hands in contested marks.

The game was really over well before the final siren with the Swans dominating in every contest and outscoring their opponents in every quarter.

Unfortunately a Brain spasm by Barry Hall has marred the night and left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth. In case you weren't watching he clocked opponent Brent Staker square in the chin. Staker was not to be seen for the rest of the night as I think he was sent back to Perth time.

My guess is that he will at least 3-4 weeks. Perhaps the only thing in his favour is the fact that he wasn't facing Staker so it can't be called a "King Hit" where Rugby Leagues players in recent years have received 8 - 12 weeks.

He may be out injured anyway after running into the fence late in the game.

Time will tell, dare i be optimistic?

Looking the Goods

One of the more exciting games I have seen the Swans play was their most recent win against the Brisbane Lions. We led all the way without having a comfortable margin.

Much has been said about our trading of premiership players Schneider and Dempster, but it seems to have had the desired affect as the praise on our rookie players continues to grow.

Craig Bird, Kieran Jack and Ed Barlow have all impressed those commentating the games this year. It has been encouraging as a fan because like most I was left scratching my head at trade time also. Barlow's dodge and weave and bullet pass to Barry Hall's chest was most inspiring.

People are finally taking notice and giving us a bit of respect after being widely tipped to slide to the bottom half of the ladder. Season is still young of course.

I'm looking forward to the challenge of the Eagles, the first game I will be seeing live this season.

Get Off Our Case

So how come every game that's ends up in a tight low scoring struggle the Swans get the blame for it? Boring Swans style footy you might hear.

Last weeke against St Kilda, again the Swans were blamed for it turning into a dire struggle. Even though it was St Kilda that started the flooding tactics.

People don't believe that the Swans can play free flowing hight scoring footy. Well I don't think I have to say anything to that, 22 goals and a 68 point margin against Port Adelaide kind of says it all.

Round One Loss

It's hard to make something out of the Swans first round loss to St Kilda. Not much is usually expected by the perennial slow starters. It was slow scoring but turned out to be an exciting finish somehow. Good thing too, I was about to call it a waste of a Saturday night.

Impressive form by some of the rookies. Malcolm Blight was particularly taken by Kieran Jack which must be a good thing. Also Jared Moore started well if he is to entrench himself in the senior line up.

The weeks ahead will be the biggest test to see if we will have a slide as is predicted in the mass media.

Dumping of Pre Season

I personally love the pre season. It's a chance to have a good look at the young up and coming players on the list. It's hard to find that potential development of of players. Especially in Sydney where those not playing senior footy play in the Canberra league which is stronger than the local Sydney comp yet a lot weaker than an other 2nd tier competitions in the country. Our reserves win and win easily pretty much every week.

I feel that people call to scrap the pre season after their team cops a season ending knee injury. I don't know if it's really the case but it seems that there have been more this pre season than any proceeding years. And I would have fair reason to call for the scrapping as the Swans have lost 2 players to serious knee injuries.

If it's altered what would happen? Shorten it? Well that would leave little room for any form of competition, only a couple of practice matches. And imagine if clubs were inflicted with season ending injuries in these matches. They would be calling for an end to pre season.

Face the facts, clubs need the pre season and I think the competition needs it as well.

A Second Sydney Team

It's exciting to hear the AFL talk with some purpose about a second team in Sydney. Will it work? Well people have mixed feelings. Some say we should wait up to 20 years. That's being very pessimistic I feel but one this is for sure and that is it can't be rushed into and the right people need to be put in place to make sure it won't fall over. After all, a lot of money will be invested in such a venture. Everyone know how much North Melbourne we offered to move to the Gold Coast, we're talking big bickies. A new stadium will be built in the Blacktown area where the team would be based.

Eddie McGuire has piped up, as he tends to do, to put in his contribution. I am suspicious about his motives, perhaps it means his beloved Collingwood will have to travel more than five times in a season and take some revenue from them, oh dear.

I'm excited, bring it on.

The Numbers Game

When it's the off season when I am starved of footy news the smallest things interest me greatly. one of these are the number changes. That is who has changed their number and what number have the rookies been given. I was glad to hear this year that two numbers previously retired have been filled.

• #14 - Craig Bird
• #11 - Ed Barlow

They talk about pressure taking over a club legend's number, but surely the pressure builds the longer it is out of action.

Other new players to the fold

• #13 - Patrick Vespremi
• #15 - Kieran Jack (elevated rookie)
• #26 - Henry Playfair (traded from Geelong)
• #29 - Martin Mattner (traded from Adelaide)
• #38 - Brett Meredith
  

New Captain

Craig Bolton has become the new co-captain in place of Barry Hall, but why have thee captains in the firt place. Having a "leadership group" is a relatively new phenomenon and has generally been accepted as a good thing. So then if there is a bunch of leaders at every club then is there a need for three captains. Perhaps I'm an old traditionalist (at 26) but I like the idea of one captain. But good on Craig Bolton for his elevated status.

What A Tool

Wayne Carey, congratulations you have nullified everything you accomplished on the field with your history of violence and plain stupidity coming back to bite you on the bum. Why someone wanted to marry you, have your child or even just have a fling is beyond me. A brief look at the facts:

• Cheated on wife with best mates wife - needless to say they're no longer best mates
• Taken back by wife only to abandon her with their two month old baby
• Glasses model/grid girl/ girl friend while on holiday in Miami
• Violent towards police and is maced and later arrested
• Waiting to face trial in Miami

Basically I won't be disappointed if he ends up in Miami prison. His days of doing whatever he wants because he's a footy star are well and truly over. It's time for this child to grow up.

Starved

I am wasting away here waiting for interesting news on my team, the Swans. The player movements keeps me interested during October and then the anticipation of the draft holds me over till the end of November. Since then the biggest news stories have been Steve Johnson from Geelong being caught speeding and Nathan Ablett, also from Geelong prematurely giving the game away.

I want to here about pre season. I'd even be happy to find out what number changes there have been with new players coming to the fold. Anything, please!!