Yesterday afternoon the attention of the Australian soccer world was fixed, of all places, on Ljubljana, Slovenia to learn of the appointment of the new Socceroos coach, German, Holger Osieck.
Those who tuned in to the announcement have been waiting and speculating on this hiring even before the World Cup began after it had become clear that Verbeek neither wanted the job (or was likely to retain the gig) post-South Africa.
In recent times frustration had increased as we headed toward our first post-Pim engagement in Slovenia with the less than appropriate circumstance of an interim coach in charge.
However frustration was eased when FFA Head Honcho Frank Lowy confirmed the appointment via satellite from Slovenia to a room full of soccer journalists in Sydney. As ever Lowy was agitated, uncomfortable and unreasonably angry at the conference and instead of breaking the news about the man sitting to his right he was initially and seemingly far more concerned about a technical glitch which Frank insisted was causing him to continually hear his own voice in his ears. Ahh, billionaires....
But in reality perhaps Frank had every reason to be a little irritated. After all by my estimations the local time in Slovenia was around six in the morning while more importantly for Frank its both his money and his footballing reputation on the line here. It was his final decision which will not so much determine how enormous soccer will become in this country (because it will with or without him) but a decision which will very much determine how quickly it happens.
At this stage I'm of the opinion Osieck's hiring will indeed get us there much quicker.
Now I'll be the first to raise my hand to declare that the moment I heard Osieck's name I had to start googling. And I bet I wasn't the only one. And truth be told his Wikipedia entry isn't all that glowing. Not in comparison with the Le Guens, Pekeremans and Bielsas of the world who had continually been linked with the job. But then again, should it?
After all did Australia want or need their most important hiring of all time to be someone who's already had a more important, more illustrious position? I don't think so. Sort of like hiring Del Bosque now. Indeed in hiring the 61 year-old Osieck we've handed the Homberg born Virgo the biggest and most scrutinised national coaching job in this country and in turn the biggest job he'll ever hold in his professional life. Which is something, seeing as though we may scoff that Osieck's most high profile pre-Socceroo job was his time in charge of the Canadian national team, it was an appointment in which he did bring Canada their greatest footballing triumph by was winning the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup. A tournament the Maple Leafs had never won, and haven't won since, and one achieved through shocking regional super power Mexico in the semi final. Osieck's other major appointment, that of Japanese club giants Urwawa Red Diamonds was significantly successful, finishing just two points from the top in his inaugural J-League season before triumphing in the Asian Champions League the following year, guiding the Tokyo club undefeated and to their first and only ACL crown. Osieck got them back to the semi finals of the ACL a year later. Since he left Urawa in 2008 they've neither returned to play ACL football or finished any higher than 6th in the league. To say he's being missed in both Canada and at Urawa would be quite an understatement.
Osieck looked calm and composed, confident and receptive in his press conference yesterday. He handled Frank's petulance with a wry smile and when asked questions by the Australian media he fielded them without the veil of scorn which marked his predecessor's public appearances. He spoke glowingly of the Asian football region which he of course knows well and thanked the FFA for launching the A-League which Osieck's sure to be far more engaged with. When he fielded questions about defensive orientated football Osieck stated that he's taken the job with no rigid technical ideas, and that it was in fact the players and talent at his disposal who would largely determine how the team plays. More than anything Osieck stressed adaptability and individuality. As in the ability to be able to attack when necessary and to defend accordingly. The triumph of individuality will no doubt be music to the likes of Nicky Carle and Alex Brosque who's chances of being part of our 2011 Asian Cup campaign have certainly been done no harm.
Osieck's hiring is exciting for the Soccerooos and provides all of us who care deeply about soccer in this country great hope. Now's the time to neither glorify or criticise what either of the previous two Dutchmen were about or even to speculate on the seven identities of the men who didn't get the job. Perhaps we should instead take comfort in Lowy's final words which stated that he'd indeed contacted German football leviathan Franz Beckenbauer in recent weeks but only to question him regarding Osieck. Beckenbauer gave him a glowing endorsement.
For the moment, and like we did with Hiddink and Verbeek we need to hand over the keys and let the coach go about his very important business. If we don't like what he's doing we'll reserve the right to criticise. Hopefully it won't be for a very long time, if at all, and if so it'll preferably be received in the spirit it was intended. For now however Osieck's got the Asian Cup to prepare for in January which will be an assignment of critical importance.
Congratulations Holger Osieck and welcome to the Socceroos.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Troubling signs for Fremantle
Fremantle has spent the entire 2010 season in the top 4, an area of the ladder the Dockers are historically unfamiliar with. Eleven wins so far, an attacking game which is ranked 3rd for points scored and 2nd for kicking the ball long, and on the back of having faith in its promoted youth, its brave and commendable use of the rookie list and through the continued excellence of Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands. It's form which has resulted in a contract extension for coach Harvey and a re-evaluation about the potential of this habitually underperforming club. Unfortunately for the Dockers however it's by looking at the club's performance in the ever important contested football category which may signal that their time in the top 4 may be running out.
As it stands the Dockers are allowing their opponents an average advantage of 8.9 contested possessions per game, an area where only the free falling Brisbane Lions are fairing worse. Most alarming for the Dockers is that in the past decade only 17 teams have finished their campaigns conceding more than 8 contested possessions a game to their opponents. Only 2 of those 17 went on to play finals. Significantly, only one (the Bulldogs in 2006) went on to win a match in September, and only to be bundled out the following week by 12 goals. The inability to win 50-50 ball at this level has more often than not spelled failure for most teams.
The Dockers have won the contested count in just 5 of their matches this season. They've only two players ranked in the league's top 50 for winning contested ball. Their highest ranked was rookie sensation Michael Barlow whose sickening knee injury has ruled him out for the rest of the season. Next best is Sandilands who at 211cm tall really shouldn't be the man relied upon to win the type of ball generally fought for at ground level. The Docker's third best performer in the contested possession stakes is Pavlich who's surely much better served plying his trade in the forward line where without his 44 goals, Fremantle's position in the top 4, let alone the 8, would be suspect.
Fremantle's admirable youth, run and long ball attributes won't take them far without being complimented by at least a moderately effective contested possession game, particularly down the stretch. They will play finals in 2010 however if they don't improve their ability to win contested possession significantly, then they've no solid claims to trouble anyone once there.
As it stands the Dockers are allowing their opponents an average advantage of 8.9 contested possessions per game, an area where only the free falling Brisbane Lions are fairing worse. Most alarming for the Dockers is that in the past decade only 17 teams have finished their campaigns conceding more than 8 contested possessions a game to their opponents. Only 2 of those 17 went on to play finals. Significantly, only one (the Bulldogs in 2006) went on to win a match in September, and only to be bundled out the following week by 12 goals. The inability to win 50-50 ball at this level has more often than not spelled failure for most teams.
The Dockers have won the contested count in just 5 of their matches this season. They've only two players ranked in the league's top 50 for winning contested ball. Their highest ranked was rookie sensation Michael Barlow whose sickening knee injury has ruled him out for the rest of the season. Next best is Sandilands who at 211cm tall really shouldn't be the man relied upon to win the type of ball generally fought for at ground level. The Docker's third best performer in the contested possession stakes is Pavlich who's surely much better served plying his trade in the forward line where without his 44 goals, Fremantle's position in the top 4, let alone the 8, would be suspect.
Fremantle's admirable youth, run and long ball attributes won't take them far without being complimented by at least a moderately effective contested possession game, particularly down the stretch. They will play finals in 2010 however if they don't improve their ability to win contested possession significantly, then they've no solid claims to trouble anyone once there.
Monday, April 26, 2010
AFL Power Rankings after Round Five
1 Geelong (3-2)
Might seem silly that the Cats who are 7th on the ladder are still on top of the power rankings however at this stage I don’t see any other team who’d justify holding the number one spot. Looked a little slow, a little old and less imaginative in their loss to the Blues however only a week before beat Port by nearly 100 points. After this week's game against the Tigers Geelong have matches against Sydney, Brisbane and Collingwood which means that by this time next month we’ll know precisely whether or not the Cats are worthy of top spot and premiership favouritism.
2 St.Kilda (4-1)
The Saints first loss of the year however understandably some significant concerns after your team kicks just 6 goals and takes 3 marks inside 50. Truth be told these concern will exist until Riewoldt returns. Regardless the Saints do seem to be a little down on last year. They’ve won the inside 50 count just twice this season while every other team currently in the eight has scored more points than them. Very tough games coming up against the Dogs and Carlton. Have given away more free kicks than any other team, averaging 6 more than they did last year.
3 Collingwood (4-1)
Third on the ladder, third in the power rankings and genuine claims on being the league’s premier defensive team, third for points against and top of the pops in regards to tackling. Though they’re also quite dynamic going forward where they boast the best spread of goal kickers in the competition. In fact the Pies are averaging just under 100 points a game this year yet there’s not a player on their list who’s kicked more than 8 for the season. Much better games from some of their bigger forwards such as Cloke and Dawes who yesterday combined for 6 goals.
4 Fremantle (4-1)
Appear to be a legitimate top 4 team despite its early problems against the Tigers yesterday. Sandilands continues to excel while Pavlich looks as good as ever having already kicked 19 goals this year. Only Geelong have scored more than Freo this season, yet the Dockers are ranked 13th for total disposals illustrating just how direct they've been. Should account for West Coast this week before much tougher assignments against Brisbane, Collingwood and Sydney.
5 Sydney (4-1)
Sitting atop the actual ladder however 5th on the power rankings thanks largely to the quality of teams they’ve defeated, which hasn’t been much and who’ve combined for a 3-17 record on the year. The Swans are however unquestionably setting the pace from a defensive standpoint. Easily took care of the Eagles on Saturday where for the 3rd consecutive week granted their opponents less than 180 uncontested possessions which is testament to its intense defensive pressure. Going forward the Swans look just as good. Only 3 players in the league have kicked more than Bradshaw this year while White stepped up this weekend to post 3. Brisbane, Geelong, the Dogs and Freo over the next 4 weeks and set to give us the perfect indication of just where Sydney stands.
6 Brisbane (4-1)
Disappointing loss by the Lions who blew a golden chance to go top and remain undefeated. Take nothing away from the Demons however the Lions were decidedly down in all the areas which had previously helped them to their 4-0 start, most notably getting the ball inside 50, where they managed just 50 on Saturday night, down from the league leading 60 they’d been achieving. Like the Swans and the Dockers will be entering a tough section of their draw with a trip to Sydney this week followed by home games against Geelong and Freo.
7 Carlton (3-2)
Wow! Completely outplayed one of the best teams of all time today and with Judd back for his second game of the year the Blues appear to be a really good side. Are in the 8, only the Swans have won more quarters than Carlton this season while the Blues have yet to lose the tackle count in any of their 5 games. Have a tough couple of weeks coming up with games against Collingwood and the Saints however you’d think a 3-4 record would be a good return from what was unquestionably the hardest draw handed out.
8 Western Bulldogs (3-2)
A solid win by the Dogs however like Sydney some serious questions over the quality of the teams they’ve beaten. In the Bulldogs case we’re talking about a combined 1-14. Barry Hall’s been brilliant while Eade should be praised for going with Roughead and Grant, both of whom performed very well on Friday night. The Dogs are ranked 14th in the competition for tackles, which is an area they’ve won just twice this year. Enormous game against the Saints this week.
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9 Melbourne (3-2)
Outside of the eight by percentage only and on the back of there straight wins for the first time since the 2006 season. Brilliant to see Melbourne’s improvement which has been based largely on the back of a renewed defensive commitment. Only Sydney, St.Kilda and Collingwood have allowed less points this year while only two teams have conceded less marks inside 50 this season. They’re also the league’s top tackling team outside of Collingwood and have 3 players (McKenzie, McDonald and Moloney) who have all registered more than 30 tackles for the season. Yet to lose a last quarter where they're giving up just 12 points.
10 Port Adelaide (3-2)
Produced one of the season's biggest surprises by beating the Saints on Saturday night, six days after losing to Geelong by almost 100 points. Have quietly moved to 3-2 and like Melbourne are out of the 8 only on percentage. 6 of their next 8 games are against teams not currently in the 8.
11 North melbourne (2-3)
Would be rapt with winning their 2nd game of the year and if you take out their 100 point loss to the Saints on Easter Saturday would have a 2-2 record with a decent percentage and be worthy of the same excitement currently being generated about the Demons. Like Melbourne they’re younger players are proving to be amongst the most exciting in the league. 2 of their next 3 games are against teams not currently in the 8.
12 Hawthorn (1-4)
What can one say about God’s gift to football? Since they won the 2008 premiership only Richmond and Melbourne and have lost more matches than the Hawks. Will sight a tough draw and key injuries however it was precisely the same excuses for the bulk of last season. Will be happy to be playing Essendon this week yet would have been thinking he same when they were scheduled to play North yesterday. Have lost each of their last quarters this season.
13 West Coast (1-4)
Bought back to Earth after their maiden win with a comprehensive loss to Sydney. Only Richmond and Adelaide have won less quarters than the Eagles this year, while only the Tigers have taken less marks inside 50. On the positive side of things 4 of their next 6 games are in Perth. To be any chance of making finals they’ll have to win at least 3 of them. Yet to win a final quarter where they're giving up almost 6 goals.
14 Essendon (1-4)
You’d probably need to go back at least 30 years to find a worse Bomber team or one seemingly so far away from a flag. In defense they look short and inexperienced and only Richmond have conceded more points. Their midfield seems one paced and devoid of class and have this year twice given up more than 60 inside 50’s which is something no team in the league has done. They look to have gone backwards in the ruck while their forward line looks inept, not once this year having kicked more than 100 points. Scott Gumbleton's performance yesterday (18 touches, 10 marks and 2 goals) against a really good team definitely represents the most encouraging sign for a team well off the pace.
15 Adelaide (0-5)
Looking just as bad as the Tigers and have in fact scored less points. The only positive for the Crows is that their next three games are all against teams neither in the 8 or likely to play finals. Tippet did retrun to some form by kicking 3 goals against the Bulldogs.
16 Richmond (0-6)
Still winless but a much improved effort by the Tigers yesterday where they were able to kick 6 first quarter goals against a good Freo team. A much better all round defensive effort as well where they won both the tackle and contested possession counts and where they allowed Fremantle just 229 uncontested possessions, almost 80 less than what they've been giving up on the year.
Might seem silly that the Cats who are 7th on the ladder are still on top of the power rankings however at this stage I don’t see any other team who’d justify holding the number one spot. Looked a little slow, a little old and less imaginative in their loss to the Blues however only a week before beat Port by nearly 100 points. After this week's game against the Tigers Geelong have matches against Sydney, Brisbane and Collingwood which means that by this time next month we’ll know precisely whether or not the Cats are worthy of top spot and premiership favouritism.
2 St.Kilda (4-1)
The Saints first loss of the year however understandably some significant concerns after your team kicks just 6 goals and takes 3 marks inside 50. Truth be told these concern will exist until Riewoldt returns. Regardless the Saints do seem to be a little down on last year. They’ve won the inside 50 count just twice this season while every other team currently in the eight has scored more points than them. Very tough games coming up against the Dogs and Carlton. Have given away more free kicks than any other team, averaging 6 more than they did last year.
3 Collingwood (4-1)
Third on the ladder, third in the power rankings and genuine claims on being the league’s premier defensive team, third for points against and top of the pops in regards to tackling. Though they’re also quite dynamic going forward where they boast the best spread of goal kickers in the competition. In fact the Pies are averaging just under 100 points a game this year yet there’s not a player on their list who’s kicked more than 8 for the season. Much better games from some of their bigger forwards such as Cloke and Dawes who yesterday combined for 6 goals.
4 Fremantle (4-1)
Appear to be a legitimate top 4 team despite its early problems against the Tigers yesterday. Sandilands continues to excel while Pavlich looks as good as ever having already kicked 19 goals this year. Only Geelong have scored more than Freo this season, yet the Dockers are ranked 13th for total disposals illustrating just how direct they've been. Should account for West Coast this week before much tougher assignments against Brisbane, Collingwood and Sydney.
5 Sydney (4-1)
Sitting atop the actual ladder however 5th on the power rankings thanks largely to the quality of teams they’ve defeated, which hasn’t been much and who’ve combined for a 3-17 record on the year. The Swans are however unquestionably setting the pace from a defensive standpoint. Easily took care of the Eagles on Saturday where for the 3rd consecutive week granted their opponents less than 180 uncontested possessions which is testament to its intense defensive pressure. Going forward the Swans look just as good. Only 3 players in the league have kicked more than Bradshaw this year while White stepped up this weekend to post 3. Brisbane, Geelong, the Dogs and Freo over the next 4 weeks and set to give us the perfect indication of just where Sydney stands.
6 Brisbane (4-1)
Disappointing loss by the Lions who blew a golden chance to go top and remain undefeated. Take nothing away from the Demons however the Lions were decidedly down in all the areas which had previously helped them to their 4-0 start, most notably getting the ball inside 50, where they managed just 50 on Saturday night, down from the league leading 60 they’d been achieving. Like the Swans and the Dockers will be entering a tough section of their draw with a trip to Sydney this week followed by home games against Geelong and Freo.
7 Carlton (3-2)
Wow! Completely outplayed one of the best teams of all time today and with Judd back for his second game of the year the Blues appear to be a really good side. Are in the 8, only the Swans have won more quarters than Carlton this season while the Blues have yet to lose the tackle count in any of their 5 games. Have a tough couple of weeks coming up with games against Collingwood and the Saints however you’d think a 3-4 record would be a good return from what was unquestionably the hardest draw handed out.
8 Western Bulldogs (3-2)
A solid win by the Dogs however like Sydney some serious questions over the quality of the teams they’ve beaten. In the Bulldogs case we’re talking about a combined 1-14. Barry Hall’s been brilliant while Eade should be praised for going with Roughead and Grant, both of whom performed very well on Friday night. The Dogs are ranked 14th in the competition for tackles, which is an area they’ve won just twice this year. Enormous game against the Saints this week.
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9 Melbourne (3-2)
Outside of the eight by percentage only and on the back of there straight wins for the first time since the 2006 season. Brilliant to see Melbourne’s improvement which has been based largely on the back of a renewed defensive commitment. Only Sydney, St.Kilda and Collingwood have allowed less points this year while only two teams have conceded less marks inside 50 this season. They’re also the league’s top tackling team outside of Collingwood and have 3 players (McKenzie, McDonald and Moloney) who have all registered more than 30 tackles for the season. Yet to lose a last quarter where they're giving up just 12 points.
10 Port Adelaide (3-2)
Produced one of the season's biggest surprises by beating the Saints on Saturday night, six days after losing to Geelong by almost 100 points. Have quietly moved to 3-2 and like Melbourne are out of the 8 only on percentage. 6 of their next 8 games are against teams not currently in the 8.
11 North melbourne (2-3)
Would be rapt with winning their 2nd game of the year and if you take out their 100 point loss to the Saints on Easter Saturday would have a 2-2 record with a decent percentage and be worthy of the same excitement currently being generated about the Demons. Like Melbourne they’re younger players are proving to be amongst the most exciting in the league. 2 of their next 3 games are against teams not currently in the 8.
12 Hawthorn (1-4)
What can one say about God’s gift to football? Since they won the 2008 premiership only Richmond and Melbourne and have lost more matches than the Hawks. Will sight a tough draw and key injuries however it was precisely the same excuses for the bulk of last season. Will be happy to be playing Essendon this week yet would have been thinking he same when they were scheduled to play North yesterday. Have lost each of their last quarters this season.
13 West Coast (1-4)
Bought back to Earth after their maiden win with a comprehensive loss to Sydney. Only Richmond and Adelaide have won less quarters than the Eagles this year, while only the Tigers have taken less marks inside 50. On the positive side of things 4 of their next 6 games are in Perth. To be any chance of making finals they’ll have to win at least 3 of them. Yet to win a final quarter where they're giving up almost 6 goals.
14 Essendon (1-4)
You’d probably need to go back at least 30 years to find a worse Bomber team or one seemingly so far away from a flag. In defense they look short and inexperienced and only Richmond have conceded more points. Their midfield seems one paced and devoid of class and have this year twice given up more than 60 inside 50’s which is something no team in the league has done. They look to have gone backwards in the ruck while their forward line looks inept, not once this year having kicked more than 100 points. Scott Gumbleton's performance yesterday (18 touches, 10 marks and 2 goals) against a really good team definitely represents the most encouraging sign for a team well off the pace.
15 Adelaide (0-5)
Looking just as bad as the Tigers and have in fact scored less points. The only positive for the Crows is that their next three games are all against teams neither in the 8 or likely to play finals. Tippet did retrun to some form by kicking 3 goals against the Bulldogs.
16 Richmond (0-6)
Still winless but a much improved effort by the Tigers yesterday where they were able to kick 6 first quarter goals against a good Freo team. A much better all round defensive effort as well where they won both the tackle and contested possession counts and where they allowed Fremantle just 229 uncontested possessions, almost 80 less than what they've been giving up on the year.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
AFL Power Rankings after Round 4
1 Geelong (3-1)
Comprehensive performance by the reigning premiers beating the Power by almost 100 points yesterday. Had five players who scored multiple goals, while the Cats claimed a staggering 479 possessions for the game, 128 more than Port. Defensively the Cats returned to their brilliant best allowing just 4 marks inside 50, a remarkably low 37 inside 50 entries which netted Port just 10 goals for the match.
2 St.Kilda (4-0)
Excellent win by the Saints in their first week of life without Riewoldt. Full credit to Lyon and co who experimented with a variety of forward combinations in the absence of the skipper and of course the suspended Koschitzke. The Saints kicked sixteen goals against the considerably improved Dockers with Goddard and Mllne kicking 10 between them while Dal Santo was suburb, often drifting forward himself and kicking 2 goals to go with his 35 disposals. Only 5 players have averaged more touches than his 29 possessions per game this year.
3 Brisbane (4-0)
Their first real test of the year against the Bulldogs and the Lions passed with flying colours. Truth be told Brisbane were quite brilliant in its victory over the pre-season winners on Saturday night. Brown and Fevola once again proving the most damaging forward combination in the league combining for 6.7, (they've kicked 32 between in 4 games so far) which helped Brisbane for the fourth consecutive week score over 100 points, something the club hasn't done since mid 2005. Brisbane had 33 more inside 50's than the Dogs and really should have won by a lot more. Won't face another team who made the finals last year until they host Geelong in round 8.
4 Fremantle (3-1)
The Dockers first loss of the year against the Saints did nothing to stain what's been a remarkable turnaround. Really took the game to the Saints for three quarters yesterday exhibiting a defensive side rarely witnessed in Freo teams over the years. After playing four finalists from last year over their first four games Freo have an easier section of their draw coming up with games against Richmond and West Coast which should move the Dockers to 5-1.
5 Collingwood (3-1)
A position under Fremantle based on the two clubs performances against ladder leader StKilda. The Pies will be rapt with their demolition of the Hawks on Saturday night which was highlighted by 38 scoring shots (though the bulk inaccurate) and 70 inside 50's which was 37 more than the Hawks. Collingwood laid 24 more tackles than than Hawthorn and won the contested possession tally quite convincingly. Still some small queries about the Pies, once again beaten in the ruck however a better performance by Jolly who did kick a couple of goals. Big questions also over their lack of a power forward however probably have the best set of small forwards in the league with Davis, Thomas, Didak and Medhurst always dangerous and collectively combining for 10 goals. Are averaging an incredibly poor 17 behinds per game which is second to no one in the competition.
6 Sydney (3-1)
A 40 point win by the Swans, their third in a row, and this time achieved with a return to the kind of commitment to defensive pressure and harassment they pioneered. Kept North to a season low 280 possessions which produced just 8 goals and and limited North to just 10 marks inside 50. Kirk and Bolton combined for 24 tackles which is more than a third of what the entire North team achieved. Will be extremely encouraged by the form of second year player Dan Hanneberry who topped the Swans possession tally with 27, while they'll of course be rapt with the form of their most prized recruit, Daniel Bradshaw who kicked four on Saturday to go with the 4 he kicked the week before. After this week's game face Brisbane, Geelong and the Bulldogs. The Swans are giving up just 209 uncontested possessions a game this year which is second only to the Saints.
7 Western Bulldogs (2-2)
Extremely disappointing performance by the Dogs failing once again against quality opposition. The Dogs now find themselves 2 games adrift from the top clubs and should have probably lost by a lot more on Saturday night seeing as they had 33 less inside 50 entries and 17 less scoring shots than the Lions. Their trademark free flowing, precise kicking was again foiled, with a kicking efficiency of just 64% while accumulating a season low 202 uncontested possessions, an area so important for the Dogs.
8 Hawthorn (1-3)
In a small hole at 1-3 however have had to play 3 games in 12 days and against 3 teams who were all preliminary finalists last year. The workload and some key injuries caught up with the Hawks on Saturday night and despite a further injury setback to another of their costly off season acquisitions the Hawks will need to regroup as they desperately need to beat North this week. Will have Franklin, and quite possible Sewell back.
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9 Carlton (2-2)
It seems as though it's a one week good, one week bad proposition when it comes to the Blues this year. Were brilliant in their demolition of Adelaide on Saturday and relished having Judd back in the team. In fact the Carlton midfield looks quite solid when you consider they have the luxury of floating Gibbs, Murphy, Simpson and Walker through in addition to first year player Kane Lucas who once again gathered more than 20 touches in just his second game. Have got Geelong, Collingwood and Stkilda over the next 3 weeks which will give us a perfect idea of just where Carlton are seeing as so far their 2 wins have comes against teams yet to win a game themselves.
10 Melbourne (2-2)
Quite incredible that Melbourne are presently out of the 8 only on percentage and could be as high as 6th had it not been for their one point loss to the Pies on Easter Saturday. Easily accounted for the Tigers yesterday scoring 133 points which is their second highest tally since round 2, 2005. Like the Blues, their 2 wins have both come against teams who haven't won a game themselves however the Demons will be rapt with some of the key areas they've focused on, chief among them tackling where Melbourne rank 2nd in the league, while only 4 teams have conceded less points than them this year.
11 West Coast (1-3)
Very important win by the Eagles, their first of the year, and showing signs that they might not be as bad as originally thought. Great return to form by Cox who had 19 touches and 30 hitouts, while Priddis continued his excellent form with another 30 possession game. The Eagles don't play another team who made the finals last year until round 9 when they host StKilda.
12 Essendon (1-3)
Very bad performance against the Eagles, with some respectability salvaged in the last quarter when they kicked 5 goals to 2. Apart from that it was a pedestrian performance by the Bombers who for the fourth week in a row failed to kick 100 points with questions again being asked of their forward line with Williams and Gumbleton combining for just 14 possessions and 1 goal. They'd also be very concerned with the form of Paddy Ryder who's numbers are well down across the board.
13 Port Adelaide (2-2)
Smashed by almost 100 points yesterday by the Cats which exposed many of their deficiencies. Mainly Port can't really get their hands on the ball this year. They're ranked 14th for total disposals, 15th for marks and dead last for hitouts. They've also given away more free kicks than any other side and along with Essendon and and the Tigers are the only team to not post 100 points in game this year, while only Richmond have conceded more points. Are scheduled in with a date with the Saints this week.
14 North Melbourne (1-3)
Their third loss of the season on Saturday, scoring just 60 points and looking quite dull across the board. Had a measly 280 touches against the Swans on Saturday which is consistent with their form so far as they're ranked second last in that category. A good sign for the Roos is that some of their best players this season have been first and second year personnel in Anthony, Ziebell and Basticnac.
15 Adelaide (0-4)
Hard to believe that this is a team who've played finals in the past 5 seasons. Are averaging just seven goals this year which is dead last in the competition while they've also laid fewer tackles than any other team. Kurt Tippet's kicked just 1 goal this year. Some relief after this weeks game against the Dogs with games against Port, Richmond and North all scheduled.
16 Richmond (0-4)
These guys are really bad. If I could pick just one area that stands out it would be the 303 uncontested possessions they're giving up per game. 303! The next worse is North on 256. They're next two matches are against Freo in Perth followed by Geelong.
Comprehensive performance by the reigning premiers beating the Power by almost 100 points yesterday. Had five players who scored multiple goals, while the Cats claimed a staggering 479 possessions for the game, 128 more than Port. Defensively the Cats returned to their brilliant best allowing just 4 marks inside 50, a remarkably low 37 inside 50 entries which netted Port just 10 goals for the match.
2 St.Kilda (4-0)
Excellent win by the Saints in their first week of life without Riewoldt. Full credit to Lyon and co who experimented with a variety of forward combinations in the absence of the skipper and of course the suspended Koschitzke. The Saints kicked sixteen goals against the considerably improved Dockers with Goddard and Mllne kicking 10 between them while Dal Santo was suburb, often drifting forward himself and kicking 2 goals to go with his 35 disposals. Only 5 players have averaged more touches than his 29 possessions per game this year.
3 Brisbane (4-0)
Their first real test of the year against the Bulldogs and the Lions passed with flying colours. Truth be told Brisbane were quite brilliant in its victory over the pre-season winners on Saturday night. Brown and Fevola once again proving the most damaging forward combination in the league combining for 6.7, (they've kicked 32 between in 4 games so far) which helped Brisbane for the fourth consecutive week score over 100 points, something the club hasn't done since mid 2005. Brisbane had 33 more inside 50's than the Dogs and really should have won by a lot more. Won't face another team who made the finals last year until they host Geelong in round 8.
4 Fremantle (3-1)
The Dockers first loss of the year against the Saints did nothing to stain what's been a remarkable turnaround. Really took the game to the Saints for three quarters yesterday exhibiting a defensive side rarely witnessed in Freo teams over the years. After playing four finalists from last year over their first four games Freo have an easier section of their draw coming up with games against Richmond and West Coast which should move the Dockers to 5-1.
5 Collingwood (3-1)
A position under Fremantle based on the two clubs performances against ladder leader StKilda. The Pies will be rapt with their demolition of the Hawks on Saturday night which was highlighted by 38 scoring shots (though the bulk inaccurate) and 70 inside 50's which was 37 more than the Hawks. Collingwood laid 24 more tackles than than Hawthorn and won the contested possession tally quite convincingly. Still some small queries about the Pies, once again beaten in the ruck however a better performance by Jolly who did kick a couple of goals. Big questions also over their lack of a power forward however probably have the best set of small forwards in the league with Davis, Thomas, Didak and Medhurst always dangerous and collectively combining for 10 goals. Are averaging an incredibly poor 17 behinds per game which is second to no one in the competition.
6 Sydney (3-1)
A 40 point win by the Swans, their third in a row, and this time achieved with a return to the kind of commitment to defensive pressure and harassment they pioneered. Kept North to a season low 280 possessions which produced just 8 goals and and limited North to just 10 marks inside 50. Kirk and Bolton combined for 24 tackles which is more than a third of what the entire North team achieved. Will be extremely encouraged by the form of second year player Dan Hanneberry who topped the Swans possession tally with 27, while they'll of course be rapt with the form of their most prized recruit, Daniel Bradshaw who kicked four on Saturday to go with the 4 he kicked the week before. After this week's game face Brisbane, Geelong and the Bulldogs. The Swans are giving up just 209 uncontested possessions a game this year which is second only to the Saints.
7 Western Bulldogs (2-2)
Extremely disappointing performance by the Dogs failing once again against quality opposition. The Dogs now find themselves 2 games adrift from the top clubs and should have probably lost by a lot more on Saturday night seeing as they had 33 less inside 50 entries and 17 less scoring shots than the Lions. Their trademark free flowing, precise kicking was again foiled, with a kicking efficiency of just 64% while accumulating a season low 202 uncontested possessions, an area so important for the Dogs.
8 Hawthorn (1-3)
In a small hole at 1-3 however have had to play 3 games in 12 days and against 3 teams who were all preliminary finalists last year. The workload and some key injuries caught up with the Hawks on Saturday night and despite a further injury setback to another of their costly off season acquisitions the Hawks will need to regroup as they desperately need to beat North this week. Will have Franklin, and quite possible Sewell back.
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9 Carlton (2-2)
It seems as though it's a one week good, one week bad proposition when it comes to the Blues this year. Were brilliant in their demolition of Adelaide on Saturday and relished having Judd back in the team. In fact the Carlton midfield looks quite solid when you consider they have the luxury of floating Gibbs, Murphy, Simpson and Walker through in addition to first year player Kane Lucas who once again gathered more than 20 touches in just his second game. Have got Geelong, Collingwood and Stkilda over the next 3 weeks which will give us a perfect idea of just where Carlton are seeing as so far their 2 wins have comes against teams yet to win a game themselves.
10 Melbourne (2-2)
Quite incredible that Melbourne are presently out of the 8 only on percentage and could be as high as 6th had it not been for their one point loss to the Pies on Easter Saturday. Easily accounted for the Tigers yesterday scoring 133 points which is their second highest tally since round 2, 2005. Like the Blues, their 2 wins have both come against teams who haven't won a game themselves however the Demons will be rapt with some of the key areas they've focused on, chief among them tackling where Melbourne rank 2nd in the league, while only 4 teams have conceded less points than them this year.
11 West Coast (1-3)
Very important win by the Eagles, their first of the year, and showing signs that they might not be as bad as originally thought. Great return to form by Cox who had 19 touches and 30 hitouts, while Priddis continued his excellent form with another 30 possession game. The Eagles don't play another team who made the finals last year until round 9 when they host StKilda.
12 Essendon (1-3)
Very bad performance against the Eagles, with some respectability salvaged in the last quarter when they kicked 5 goals to 2. Apart from that it was a pedestrian performance by the Bombers who for the fourth week in a row failed to kick 100 points with questions again being asked of their forward line with Williams and Gumbleton combining for just 14 possessions and 1 goal. They'd also be very concerned with the form of Paddy Ryder who's numbers are well down across the board.
13 Port Adelaide (2-2)
Smashed by almost 100 points yesterday by the Cats which exposed many of their deficiencies. Mainly Port can't really get their hands on the ball this year. They're ranked 14th for total disposals, 15th for marks and dead last for hitouts. They've also given away more free kicks than any other side and along with Essendon and and the Tigers are the only team to not post 100 points in game this year, while only Richmond have conceded more points. Are scheduled in with a date with the Saints this week.
14 North Melbourne (1-3)
Their third loss of the season on Saturday, scoring just 60 points and looking quite dull across the board. Had a measly 280 touches against the Swans on Saturday which is consistent with their form so far as they're ranked second last in that category. A good sign for the Roos is that some of their best players this season have been first and second year personnel in Anthony, Ziebell and Basticnac.
15 Adelaide (0-4)
Hard to believe that this is a team who've played finals in the past 5 seasons. Are averaging just seven goals this year which is dead last in the competition while they've also laid fewer tackles than any other team. Kurt Tippet's kicked just 1 goal this year. Some relief after this weeks game against the Dogs with games against Port, Richmond and North all scheduled.
16 Richmond (0-4)
These guys are really bad. If I could pick just one area that stands out it would be the 303 uncontested possessions they're giving up per game. 303! The next worse is North on 256. They're next two matches are against Freo in Perth followed by Geelong.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Mitch Langerak and the German deal that fell through
If reports are to be believed Melbourne Victory Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak was offered a half a million dollar deal to join German club Borussia Dortmund. The offer was then rejected by the Victory leaving Langerak extremely disappointed at his club and the temporary halt to his dreams of playing in Europe.
If this is the case the Victory's stance would constitute its most despicable behaviour yet toward one its players. Which to be fair to the Melbourne club has so far been relatively decent over its brief five year history.
I'm ordinarily reluctant to join the chorus of people in this country who insist the slightest hint of Australian football talent immediately leave and pursue a career in Europe, irregardless of the destination. And though I'm not denying a better quality of football does exist in Europe, parts of Europe at least, I strongly disagree with leaving at such an age and for the first club who comes calling, be it in Sweden, Turkey, Russia or in many of the other European leagues surely not profoundly better than our own. The Mitch Langerak case however is different.
First and foremost when a club as prestigious as Borussia Dortmund inquires about a player's services the public naturally takes note. Or it should. In Dortmund we're talking about a giant of German football who have six times been crowned Bundesliga champion (only three clubs in German football history have been more successful) while only 13 years ago they conquered Europe itself by winning the Champions League. We're talking about a club who has the biggest stadium in Germany and a club who averages more than 77,000 to its home games which is second to no one in Europe. A club who's currently fourth in this season's Bundesliga and who could again be playing Champions League, or at least Europa League football in as little as six months.
The very fact that Dortmund was even aware of the Victory's existence should have been treated as a great honour by the young A-League club. For Melbourne to tell them to come back in a year with a better offer is downright deplorable.
Mitch Langerak is ready to go to Europe. Unlike many outfield players who leave Australia looking like they could still play for the under 14's, Langerak is a player who needs little more physical development. At 6 foot 3 he appears as a giant in the Victory goal equipped with a temperament and composure which belie his twenty-one years. In Melbourne's most recent failed Asian Champions League campaign Langerak has far and away proven to be the Victory's best player conceding just three goals in the four matches he's played, looking both comfortable on the big stage and as though he very much wants to be there. Something which unfortunately can't be said for the bulk of Langerak's teammates.
Having already made the move from Bundaberg to Melbourne and the the seamless transition to number one goalkeeper in Australia's biggest club, a move to Germany wouldn't be that difficult for a player such as Langerak who seems to take everything in his stride. While he should feel secure in the success Australian goalkeepers have had in top tier Europe with the likes of Bosnich and Schwarzer, Kalac and Federici being able to forge strong international careers much quicker than their outfield contemporaries.
The Victory should have proudly accepted Dortmund's offer and Mitch Langerak should already be in Germany amongst his new teammates and relishing being a part of a team on the brink of returning to the Champions League. Instead we're left scratching our heads at Melbourne's greedy stance and regretting that the future Socceroos goalkeeper has to wait possibly another year to realise his dream. That the deal didn't go down really is a great shame.
If this is the case the Victory's stance would constitute its most despicable behaviour yet toward one its players. Which to be fair to the Melbourne club has so far been relatively decent over its brief five year history.
I'm ordinarily reluctant to join the chorus of people in this country who insist the slightest hint of Australian football talent immediately leave and pursue a career in Europe, irregardless of the destination. And though I'm not denying a better quality of football does exist in Europe, parts of Europe at least, I strongly disagree with leaving at such an age and for the first club who comes calling, be it in Sweden, Turkey, Russia or in many of the other European leagues surely not profoundly better than our own. The Mitch Langerak case however is different.
First and foremost when a club as prestigious as Borussia Dortmund inquires about a player's services the public naturally takes note. Or it should. In Dortmund we're talking about a giant of German football who have six times been crowned Bundesliga champion (only three clubs in German football history have been more successful) while only 13 years ago they conquered Europe itself by winning the Champions League. We're talking about a club who has the biggest stadium in Germany and a club who averages more than 77,000 to its home games which is second to no one in Europe. A club who's currently fourth in this season's Bundesliga and who could again be playing Champions League, or at least Europa League football in as little as six months.
The very fact that Dortmund was even aware of the Victory's existence should have been treated as a great honour by the young A-League club. For Melbourne to tell them to come back in a year with a better offer is downright deplorable.
Mitch Langerak is ready to go to Europe. Unlike many outfield players who leave Australia looking like they could still play for the under 14's, Langerak is a player who needs little more physical development. At 6 foot 3 he appears as a giant in the Victory goal equipped with a temperament and composure which belie his twenty-one years. In Melbourne's most recent failed Asian Champions League campaign Langerak has far and away proven to be the Victory's best player conceding just three goals in the four matches he's played, looking both comfortable on the big stage and as though he very much wants to be there. Something which unfortunately can't be said for the bulk of Langerak's teammates.
Having already made the move from Bundaberg to Melbourne and the the seamless transition to number one goalkeeper in Australia's biggest club, a move to Germany wouldn't be that difficult for a player such as Langerak who seems to take everything in his stride. While he should feel secure in the success Australian goalkeepers have had in top tier Europe with the likes of Bosnich and Schwarzer, Kalac and Federici being able to forge strong international careers much quicker than their outfield contemporaries.
The Victory should have proudly accepted Dortmund's offer and Mitch Langerak should already be in Germany amongst his new teammates and relishing being a part of a team on the brink of returning to the Champions League. Instead we're left scratching our heads at Melbourne's greedy stance and regretting that the future Socceroos goalkeeper has to wait possibly another year to realise his dream. That the deal didn't go down really is a great shame.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
When the Cloke gets beyond a joke
If Collingwood are to be a legitimate contender for this year's premiership, which the composition of their list suggests is a possibility, as does playing four straight seasons of finals, then there's certain players with big reputations who really need to start delivering. Chief among them is Travis Cloke.
This is Cloke's sixth season now, a player who won Collingwood's Best and Fairest at just twenty years of age and in the same season the Pies lost a preliminary final by less than a goal. Prior to this season he was linked with a big money move to the Gold Coast and whether this was a ploy by his manager (who also happens to be Cloke's father) to secure a better deal from his current employers is unknown, yet the fact remains that few in the football world were shocked by the big forward being linked with such a move. When in reality we probably should have. And that’s a problem, because Cloke, like his team, have the potential to be a lot better than they often are.
At 196cm and more than 100kgs Cloke moves really well for his size. He does have speed, he rarely gets injured and has an excellent set of hands. No other player in the Collingwood forward line possesses his unique traits. Not many in the entire league do to be honest. However after six years at Collingwood he's failed to take advantage of his enviable attributes with the kind of regularity which defines champions. He’s never kicked more than 40 in a season, he often gets lost on the wings while most alarmingly he seems, after six years, to have done nothing to correct what’s one of the most obviously flawed kicking actions in the game. An action which in his early years appeared awkward and clumsy but which we thought would be ironed out and amended. It hasn’t and Cloke’s still no better than a 50/50 proposition in front of goal. When he gets it front of goal.
After 103 games, Cloke's kicked 120 goals and 122 behinds with a great number missing completely or falling short. Those are poor, terribly inefficient numbers. He’s kicked 3 goals or more on just 16 occasions. In short, Cloke’s good for a good game every 6 or so matches. West Coast’s Mark LeCras, taken three spots before Cloke in the ‘04 draft and standing almost 15cm shorter, has kicked 3 or more 28 times, proving almost 20% more accurate over his career. While he’s played only 59 matches and for a team significantly worse than Collingwood.
At the rate Cloke’s going Collingwood would be thinking that if the Gold Coast are indeed prepared to offer him the kind of money being rumoured it might save them the indignity of getting rid of yet another Cloke from their club. After this long the Pies would surely be questioning whether a bidding war with the Gold Coast is at all worth the trouble for a player who is clearly letting them down.
What will happen to Travis Cloke is of course unclear however what is certain is that 2010 is a huge year for both him and his club. Both hugely talented, however if both can’t deliver this year, changes will inevitably follow. Thankfully for both they’ve a few more months to get things right.
This is Cloke's sixth season now, a player who won Collingwood's Best and Fairest at just twenty years of age and in the same season the Pies lost a preliminary final by less than a goal. Prior to this season he was linked with a big money move to the Gold Coast and whether this was a ploy by his manager (who also happens to be Cloke's father) to secure a better deal from his current employers is unknown, yet the fact remains that few in the football world were shocked by the big forward being linked with such a move. When in reality we probably should have. And that’s a problem, because Cloke, like his team, have the potential to be a lot better than they often are.
At 196cm and more than 100kgs Cloke moves really well for his size. He does have speed, he rarely gets injured and has an excellent set of hands. No other player in the Collingwood forward line possesses his unique traits. Not many in the entire league do to be honest. However after six years at Collingwood he's failed to take advantage of his enviable attributes with the kind of regularity which defines champions. He’s never kicked more than 40 in a season, he often gets lost on the wings while most alarmingly he seems, after six years, to have done nothing to correct what’s one of the most obviously flawed kicking actions in the game. An action which in his early years appeared awkward and clumsy but which we thought would be ironed out and amended. It hasn’t and Cloke’s still no better than a 50/50 proposition in front of goal. When he gets it front of goal.
After 103 games, Cloke's kicked 120 goals and 122 behinds with a great number missing completely or falling short. Those are poor, terribly inefficient numbers. He’s kicked 3 goals or more on just 16 occasions. In short, Cloke’s good for a good game every 6 or so matches. West Coast’s Mark LeCras, taken three spots before Cloke in the ‘04 draft and standing almost 15cm shorter, has kicked 3 or more 28 times, proving almost 20% more accurate over his career. While he’s played only 59 matches and for a team significantly worse than Collingwood.
At the rate Cloke’s going Collingwood would be thinking that if the Gold Coast are indeed prepared to offer him the kind of money being rumoured it might save them the indignity of getting rid of yet another Cloke from their club. After this long the Pies would surely be questioning whether a bidding war with the Gold Coast is at all worth the trouble for a player who is clearly letting them down.
What will happen to Travis Cloke is of course unclear however what is certain is that 2010 is a huge year for both him and his club. Both hugely talented, however if both can’t deliver this year, changes will inevitably follow. Thankfully for both they’ve a few more months to get things right.
Monday, April 12, 2010
AFL Power Rankings after round 3
1 Geelong (2-1)
The Cats first loss of the year, a seven point defeat to the high flying Dockers can be partially excused seeing as it did come off a six day break and with a handful of their best and most experienced players missing. Achieved many of their key statistical indicators such as having an abundance of the ball (winning both the tackle count and contested possession) along with big games from the likes of Ablett (33 touches, 4 goals) and Chapman (28 touches and 3 goals). Most of the Cats' concerns however would be in defence. On the one hand would be furious to have blown a three quarter time lead whilst equally concerning would be the 18 goals they let through yesterday. In fact of Geelong's 25 games last year, they conceded more than 90 points just 8 times. They've let in more than 90 in each of their 3 games this year.
2 StKilda (3-0)
Have lost their captain and superstar for an indefinite period of time however for the moment should bask in what was one of the Saints very best wins. StKilda were absolute brilliant against Collingwood with their defensive pressure reaching another level of excellence. They harassed Collingwood all night restricting the Pies to just 4 goals and keeping the Pies to a season low 50% kicking efficiency. Equally impressive they kept Collingwood to just 192 uncontested possessions, the 4th best reading of the year and a sign of how little space and time the Saints granted their opposition. Yes, Riewoldt's injury will hamper the Saints in the short term however if there defensive application remains, they should remain in reasonably good shape.
3 Bulldogs (2-1)
Another imperfect showing by the Dogs yesterday however they were able to prevail in a bruising encounter thanks largely to their last quarter in which they were able to kick 6 goals from under 90 possessions. Prior to the last quarter the Dogs had kicked just 8 from more than 300. For the second week in a row the Bulldogs were excellent from a defensive standpoint winning the tackle and contested possession counts while keeping the Hawks to less than 25% inside 50 efficiency, down from the 33% against Collingwood in round 1. They've also conceded just 15 marks inside 50 over the last two weeks. Big test in Brisbane next week.
4 Fremantle (3-0)
3 zip for the first time in the club's mostly unremarkable history, having reached the mark with wins over three teams who all played finals last year. Were again very direct and very efficient throughout in their win over the Cats, helped by continually having first use of the ball at stoppages thanks to ruck dominance of Sandilands. Achieved a better than 70% kicking efficiency for the second week straight. Paul Duffield the most recent Docker to put his hand up for attention thanks to a 12 possession last quarter which also saw him kick the sealing goal while Hill and Morabito are truly shaping as blue chip draft stocks. Pavlich was once agin supurb with 26 touches and 5 goals.
5 Brisbane Lions (3-0)
Undefeated and playing fairly good football thanks largely to Jonathan Brown who has kicked 17 goals in 3 games. However in reality their draw hasn't exactly pitted them against any team reasonably considered as possible finalists so questions of the Lions will still remain. In each of their 3 games have had less possession than their opponents yet are second in the league for total inside 50's which is saying something about the direct style of football Voss has his team playing and which would needless to say be best suited to their enviable forward set up. We'll have a much clearer indication of where the Lions are after they play the Bulldogs at home this week, the same team who belted them in the finals last September.
6 Collingwood (2-1)
Big opportunity blown by the pies to go 3 zip and beat the Saints without Riewoldt who's proven their tormentor in recent games. Instead the Pies produced one of the most inefficient games in recent memory kicking just 4 goals (and seventeen behinds), and having a kicking efficiency of just 50% coupled with an inside 50 efficiency of just 8%. Also saw their vaunted ruck division beaten for a third straight week while they seem to be continually let down in big games from players such as Davis and Cloke. Face a big test against Hawthorn to justify the attention given to them after their very impressive round 1 win over the Bulldogs.
7 Sydney (2-1)
Clinical victory over to the Tigers which once again displayed their various goal avenues (they've got 7 players averaging a goal or more game this year, up from 4 last year) whilst still showcasing the defensive prowess the Swans have always been famed for. Won the tackles and contested possessions again whilst constricting the Tigers to just 181 uncontested touches, an incredibly low tally. They've had just 23 marks taken against them inside 50 this year and would be very encouraged by the form of its younger players such as Hannebery who's averaging more than 20 disposals as well as excitement machine Leroy Jetta. Should soon move to 4-1 with upcoming and probable wins against North and West Coast.
8 Hawthorn (1-2)
Were quite admirable in their loss to the bulldogs yesterday after a six day break and after such a bruising Easter Monday clash against Geelong. However a loss is a loss and we were all quite forgiving of the Hawks after last week's defeat and the excuses simply can't keep rolling out, as they did for the bulk of last year. Franklin went goal-less yesterday (he kicked just 2 the week before) while Brett Renouf looks very much overworked in the ruck, for the third week in a row losing the hit out count. Rioli was simply brilliant (21 touches, 4 goals) while it's encouraging that Clarkson is prepared to give a go to so many of his untried players. Will have a real battle on its hand trying to avoid going 1-3 when they play Collingwood this week who'll be desperate to atone for the poor form they've had in the last two weeks.
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9 Port Adelaide (2-1)
Still in the top 8 on the ladder however probably there on borrowed time and thanks to playing North and West Coast in the first two weeks. There's no doubting that Port are a more accountable and better defensive team this year however they're most definitely lacking in class all over the park, whilst like Hawthorn seem to have some serious concerns in the ruck. They don't seem to have many goal kicking avenues either while they're kicking efficiency has failed to crack 61% this year making them the only team in the AFL to have failed to get above that mark. Their next two matches are against Geelong and StKilda.
10 Essendon (1-2)
Won their first game on Saturday night against the Blues in a match they dominated in almost every area. Had some questions about their forward set up over their first two matches however Williams kicked four against Carlton while Gumbleton looked quite good. Watson and Stanton have had three really productive weeks while Houli's first game of the season netted him 25 touches. When you consider they did play Geelong and Fremantle in the first two weeks the criticism of the Bombers may have been a little premature. A winnable game this week against the Eagles in Perth followed by the ANZAC Day showdown against Collingwood will give us the perfect idea of precisely where Knights has his highly scrutinised team.
11 Carlton (1-2)
Looked pretty bad against Essendon on Saturday night with some doubts really starting to be raised about their ability to score gaols in the wake of Fevola's departure. Had nearly a hundred less possessions than Essendon on Saturday night while for the second week in a row their kicking efficiency failed to climb over 60%. Are badly missing Judd (he returns this week) while they really do need to sort their forward problems out. For me Kreuzer having yet to kick a goal this year should be of utmost concern for Ratten.
12 Melbourne (1-2)
Who knows what we'd be saying about the Demons had they not lost to Collingwood by just a point on Easter Saturday? For now they'd be rapt to have beaten the Crows particularly seeing as they looked headed for their third straight loss and consequently another season of misery. Instead the Demons have a real chance at their second win when they play Richmond this Sunday. Once again much better contributions from their older brigade with James McDonald and Cameron Bruce joining the likes of Davey, Moloney, Jones and Joel McDonald as older players to have really picked up the slack in the wake of their insipid round one loss to Hawthorn. To say nothing of Jamar who has been excellent in the ruck this season. Trengrove again looked impressive with 23 touches while Scully contributed 18. It should also be noted that Melbourne laid 29 more tackles than Adelaide and won the contested possession count, two areas Melbourne are proving to be amongst the best in the competition in.
13 North Melbourne (1-2)
Would be rapt to have won their first game under Brad Scott who seems to be a coach with his head very much on his shoulders. Like Melbourne needed some of their older players to improve in the wake of their 104 point loss the week before and they did with Harvey and Wells accumulating 77 touches between them while Hale kicked 3 goals. Some of their younger players looked good with Ziebell and Anthony again impressing while Bastinac looks a real find for a first year player. Like the Bombers who play the Eagles this week the Roos would like to at least think they're a chance of being 2-2 with a home game against the Swans.
14 Adelaide (0-3)
It looks like it's going to be a really long year for Adelaide going on their first 3 games and having been beaten by three teams who failed to make the finals last year. They're averaging less than 60 points a game this season while a host of other statistic do little more to paint a nicer picture. For the moment Neil Craig needs to be left alone with this team however it is worth noting that the Crows were struggling early last year having won just 3 of their first 8 games yet it was a home game against Carlton when they changed things around. So all might not be lost.
15 West Coast (0-3)
Might be the biggest disappointment of the year thus far, losing their first three games (for the first time in their history) in fairly uninspiring fashion. Have taken an incredibly low 20 marks inside 50 this year which would indicate a forward structure that is giving them no chance of winning matches, raising again the question of why Quentin Lynch isn’t in the team. Again, a lot to be excited about with Natanui however even that's a story that is quickly getting a little old. Big game against Essendon at home this week.
16 Richmond (0-3)
Again beaten badly and shown to be one of the very worst teams in recent memory. Can’t seem to get their hands on the ball, for the second week failing to gain more than 300 touches. Have taken a deplorably low 18 marks inside 50 this season while they've been beaten in the tackle and contested possession count in all 3 of their matches. The form of of Dustin Martin is something to be excited about, news that Tiger players went on a drunken rampage in the wake of yet another pitiful loss isn't.
The Cats first loss of the year, a seven point defeat to the high flying Dockers can be partially excused seeing as it did come off a six day break and with a handful of their best and most experienced players missing. Achieved many of their key statistical indicators such as having an abundance of the ball (winning both the tackle count and contested possession) along with big games from the likes of Ablett (33 touches, 4 goals) and Chapman (28 touches and 3 goals). Most of the Cats' concerns however would be in defence. On the one hand would be furious to have blown a three quarter time lead whilst equally concerning would be the 18 goals they let through yesterday. In fact of Geelong's 25 games last year, they conceded more than 90 points just 8 times. They've let in more than 90 in each of their 3 games this year.
2 StKilda (3-0)
Have lost their captain and superstar for an indefinite period of time however for the moment should bask in what was one of the Saints very best wins. StKilda were absolute brilliant against Collingwood with their defensive pressure reaching another level of excellence. They harassed Collingwood all night restricting the Pies to just 4 goals and keeping the Pies to a season low 50% kicking efficiency. Equally impressive they kept Collingwood to just 192 uncontested possessions, the 4th best reading of the year and a sign of how little space and time the Saints granted their opposition. Yes, Riewoldt's injury will hamper the Saints in the short term however if there defensive application remains, they should remain in reasonably good shape.
3 Bulldogs (2-1)
Another imperfect showing by the Dogs yesterday however they were able to prevail in a bruising encounter thanks largely to their last quarter in which they were able to kick 6 goals from under 90 possessions. Prior to the last quarter the Dogs had kicked just 8 from more than 300. For the second week in a row the Bulldogs were excellent from a defensive standpoint winning the tackle and contested possession counts while keeping the Hawks to less than 25% inside 50 efficiency, down from the 33% against Collingwood in round 1. They've also conceded just 15 marks inside 50 over the last two weeks. Big test in Brisbane next week.
4 Fremantle (3-0)
3 zip for the first time in the club's mostly unremarkable history, having reached the mark with wins over three teams who all played finals last year. Were again very direct and very efficient throughout in their win over the Cats, helped by continually having first use of the ball at stoppages thanks to ruck dominance of Sandilands. Achieved a better than 70% kicking efficiency for the second week straight. Paul Duffield the most recent Docker to put his hand up for attention thanks to a 12 possession last quarter which also saw him kick the sealing goal while Hill and Morabito are truly shaping as blue chip draft stocks. Pavlich was once agin supurb with 26 touches and 5 goals.
5 Brisbane Lions (3-0)
Undefeated and playing fairly good football thanks largely to Jonathan Brown who has kicked 17 goals in 3 games. However in reality their draw hasn't exactly pitted them against any team reasonably considered as possible finalists so questions of the Lions will still remain. In each of their 3 games have had less possession than their opponents yet are second in the league for total inside 50's which is saying something about the direct style of football Voss has his team playing and which would needless to say be best suited to their enviable forward set up. We'll have a much clearer indication of where the Lions are after they play the Bulldogs at home this week, the same team who belted them in the finals last September.
6 Collingwood (2-1)
Big opportunity blown by the pies to go 3 zip and beat the Saints without Riewoldt who's proven their tormentor in recent games. Instead the Pies produced one of the most inefficient games in recent memory kicking just 4 goals (and seventeen behinds), and having a kicking efficiency of just 50% coupled with an inside 50 efficiency of just 8%. Also saw their vaunted ruck division beaten for a third straight week while they seem to be continually let down in big games from players such as Davis and Cloke. Face a big test against Hawthorn to justify the attention given to them after their very impressive round 1 win over the Bulldogs.
7 Sydney (2-1)
Clinical victory over to the Tigers which once again displayed their various goal avenues (they've got 7 players averaging a goal or more game this year, up from 4 last year) whilst still showcasing the defensive prowess the Swans have always been famed for. Won the tackles and contested possessions again whilst constricting the Tigers to just 181 uncontested touches, an incredibly low tally. They've had just 23 marks taken against them inside 50 this year and would be very encouraged by the form of its younger players such as Hannebery who's averaging more than 20 disposals as well as excitement machine Leroy Jetta. Should soon move to 4-1 with upcoming and probable wins against North and West Coast.
8 Hawthorn (1-2)
Were quite admirable in their loss to the bulldogs yesterday after a six day break and after such a bruising Easter Monday clash against Geelong. However a loss is a loss and we were all quite forgiving of the Hawks after last week's defeat and the excuses simply can't keep rolling out, as they did for the bulk of last year. Franklin went goal-less yesterday (he kicked just 2 the week before) while Brett Renouf looks very much overworked in the ruck, for the third week in a row losing the hit out count. Rioli was simply brilliant (21 touches, 4 goals) while it's encouraging that Clarkson is prepared to give a go to so many of his untried players. Will have a real battle on its hand trying to avoid going 1-3 when they play Collingwood this week who'll be desperate to atone for the poor form they've had in the last two weeks.
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9 Port Adelaide (2-1)
Still in the top 8 on the ladder however probably there on borrowed time and thanks to playing North and West Coast in the first two weeks. There's no doubting that Port are a more accountable and better defensive team this year however they're most definitely lacking in class all over the park, whilst like Hawthorn seem to have some serious concerns in the ruck. They don't seem to have many goal kicking avenues either while they're kicking efficiency has failed to crack 61% this year making them the only team in the AFL to have failed to get above that mark. Their next two matches are against Geelong and StKilda.
10 Essendon (1-2)
Won their first game on Saturday night against the Blues in a match they dominated in almost every area. Had some questions about their forward set up over their first two matches however Williams kicked four against Carlton while Gumbleton looked quite good. Watson and Stanton have had three really productive weeks while Houli's first game of the season netted him 25 touches. When you consider they did play Geelong and Fremantle in the first two weeks the criticism of the Bombers may have been a little premature. A winnable game this week against the Eagles in Perth followed by the ANZAC Day showdown against Collingwood will give us the perfect idea of precisely where Knights has his highly scrutinised team.
11 Carlton (1-2)
Looked pretty bad against Essendon on Saturday night with some doubts really starting to be raised about their ability to score gaols in the wake of Fevola's departure. Had nearly a hundred less possessions than Essendon on Saturday night while for the second week in a row their kicking efficiency failed to climb over 60%. Are badly missing Judd (he returns this week) while they really do need to sort their forward problems out. For me Kreuzer having yet to kick a goal this year should be of utmost concern for Ratten.
12 Melbourne (1-2)
Who knows what we'd be saying about the Demons had they not lost to Collingwood by just a point on Easter Saturday? For now they'd be rapt to have beaten the Crows particularly seeing as they looked headed for their third straight loss and consequently another season of misery. Instead the Demons have a real chance at their second win when they play Richmond this Sunday. Once again much better contributions from their older brigade with James McDonald and Cameron Bruce joining the likes of Davey, Moloney, Jones and Joel McDonald as older players to have really picked up the slack in the wake of their insipid round one loss to Hawthorn. To say nothing of Jamar who has been excellent in the ruck this season. Trengrove again looked impressive with 23 touches while Scully contributed 18. It should also be noted that Melbourne laid 29 more tackles than Adelaide and won the contested possession count, two areas Melbourne are proving to be amongst the best in the competition in.
13 North Melbourne (1-2)
Would be rapt to have won their first game under Brad Scott who seems to be a coach with his head very much on his shoulders. Like Melbourne needed some of their older players to improve in the wake of their 104 point loss the week before and they did with Harvey and Wells accumulating 77 touches between them while Hale kicked 3 goals. Some of their younger players looked good with Ziebell and Anthony again impressing while Bastinac looks a real find for a first year player. Like the Bombers who play the Eagles this week the Roos would like to at least think they're a chance of being 2-2 with a home game against the Swans.
14 Adelaide (0-3)
It looks like it's going to be a really long year for Adelaide going on their first 3 games and having been beaten by three teams who failed to make the finals last year. They're averaging less than 60 points a game this season while a host of other statistic do little more to paint a nicer picture. For the moment Neil Craig needs to be left alone with this team however it is worth noting that the Crows were struggling early last year having won just 3 of their first 8 games yet it was a home game against Carlton when they changed things around. So all might not be lost.
15 West Coast (0-3)
Might be the biggest disappointment of the year thus far, losing their first three games (for the first time in their history) in fairly uninspiring fashion. Have taken an incredibly low 20 marks inside 50 this year which would indicate a forward structure that is giving them no chance of winning matches, raising again the question of why Quentin Lynch isn’t in the team. Again, a lot to be excited about with Natanui however even that's a story that is quickly getting a little old. Big game against Essendon at home this week.
16 Richmond (0-3)
Again beaten badly and shown to be one of the very worst teams in recent memory. Can’t seem to get their hands on the ball, for the second week failing to gain more than 300 touches. Have taken a deplorably low 18 marks inside 50 this season while they've been beaten in the tackle and contested possession count in all 3 of their matches. The form of of Dustin Martin is something to be excited about, news that Tiger players went on a drunken rampage in the wake of yet another pitiful loss isn't.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Things I'd love to know but never will. Part 1
While watching the Hawthorn-Geelong game on Easter Monday the cameras panned and found Western Bulldogs' coach Rodney Eade in the crowd, no doubt taking notes on next week's opponent Hawthorn. I however was particularly intrigued by the sight of Rocket wearing a Chicago Cubs baseball hat. What I need to know is precisely under what circumstances that particular hat came to rest on Eade's head.
Like the Bulldogs the Chicago Cubs absolutely and unequivocally qualify as a tortured sporting franchise. Maybe more than the Dogs. Definitely more in fact. Which is saying something. They haven't won a World Series since 1908 and have been jinxed countless times along the way, often falling at the final hurdle and under the most bizarre of circumstances. Think black cats (seriously) running onto the field just prior to important pitches in big games in addition to weird, nerdy, CIA looking guys leaning over the fence and catching home run bound balls just before they leave the park and you might get a better understanding of what the Cubs have endured. In fact type in anything on Google pertaining to 'curse' and 'Chicago Cubs' and you'll find endless information regarding their calamities. For the not so sporting inclined Sufjan Stevens' album 'Illinois' makes reference to the curse on the album's cover.
Sure, these kinds of things haven't exactly happened to the Dogs however we (I mean they) have lost 6 preliminary finals in the last 25 years (three of them by less than two goals) and like the Cubs have been waiting a bloody long time for another premiership. In fact in US sports no club has waited longer for a championship than the Cubs while the Bulldogs have been carrying around the same ball and chain in Australia for fifty-six and half years now.
I just want to know whether Rocket had purposely procured that particular hat as some sort of show of solidarity with the Cubs or whether it's because the Cubs' colours are red, white and blue or whether it was simply because Monday was a sunny day and Rocket had just stopped in at Rebel on the way to the MCG and picked up the first hat he saw. It's important we find out. I also wonder if Rocket knew that the Cub's opening game of the season on Tuesday resulted in a 16-5 loss in Atlanta? Or whether Cubs' fans knew the Bulldogs coach in faraway Melbourne was wearing their team's hat?
Rocket get rid of that hat as quickly as possible and then perform some sort of cleansing ritual if need be. You don't mess with curses.
(You won't believe me but just as I typed that final full stop I got a really weird pain that ran up my arm and into my ear which then ran across my shoulders, kind of mimicking a cat running along the top of a fence.)
Like the Bulldogs the Chicago Cubs absolutely and unequivocally qualify as a tortured sporting franchise. Maybe more than the Dogs. Definitely more in fact. Which is saying something. They haven't won a World Series since 1908 and have been jinxed countless times along the way, often falling at the final hurdle and under the most bizarre of circumstances. Think black cats (seriously) running onto the field just prior to important pitches in big games in addition to weird, nerdy, CIA looking guys leaning over the fence and catching home run bound balls just before they leave the park and you might get a better understanding of what the Cubs have endured. In fact type in anything on Google pertaining to 'curse' and 'Chicago Cubs' and you'll find endless information regarding their calamities. For the not so sporting inclined Sufjan Stevens' album 'Illinois' makes reference to the curse on the album's cover.
Sure, these kinds of things haven't exactly happened to the Dogs however we (I mean they) have lost 6 preliminary finals in the last 25 years (three of them by less than two goals) and like the Cubs have been waiting a bloody long time for another premiership. In fact in US sports no club has waited longer for a championship than the Cubs while the Bulldogs have been carrying around the same ball and chain in Australia for fifty-six and half years now.
I just want to know whether Rocket had purposely procured that particular hat as some sort of show of solidarity with the Cubs or whether it's because the Cubs' colours are red, white and blue or whether it was simply because Monday was a sunny day and Rocket had just stopped in at Rebel on the way to the MCG and picked up the first hat he saw. It's important we find out. I also wonder if Rocket knew that the Cub's opening game of the season on Tuesday resulted in a 16-5 loss in Atlanta? Or whether Cubs' fans knew the Bulldogs coach in faraway Melbourne was wearing their team's hat?
Rocket get rid of that hat as quickly as possible and then perform some sort of cleansing ritual if need be. You don't mess with curses.
(You won't believe me but just as I typed that final full stop I got a really weird pain that ran up my arm and into my ear which then ran across my shoulders, kind of mimicking a cat running along the top of a fence.)
Cavs still have plenty to play for
The NBA playoffs start next weekend and though the identity of most of the teams are known, there's still the smaller matter of positioning to be played out. In the West, spots 2 through to 8 are still subject to change while the East's most pressing matter pertains to the final playoff spot and an inevitable first round match-up with Cleveland. For the record that poison chalice is currently being fought out between Toronto and Chicago, both 23 games adrift of the Cavs.
And what of those Cavs? For the bulk of the season they've led the East and maintained the NBA's best record. They've beaten the Lakers twice, have lost at home just once since early January and hold the league's healthiest points differential. Last Friday they won their 60th game for the season and in the process became only the sixth team in the last 20 years to record back to back 60 win seasons. They've done it all this season and have looked super impressive along the way. They even added two time NBA all-star Antawn Jamison six weeks ago. For nothing.
With a 6 game break at the top of the East and the number 1 spot already secured the Cavs could be excused for taking their foot off the pedal in preparation for the most important post-season in Cleveland professional sporting history. That's if they weren't intent on achieving something quite remarkable beforehand. Legitimate history in fact.
Only once in NBA history has a team posted back to back seasons of at least 64 wins. That honour goes to the Chicago Bulls who with Micheal Jordan at the peak of his already phenomenal powers had a 72 win '95-96 season which was capped off by a championship. The following year the Bulls won 69 games and were once again crowned champion. With 61 wins already in the bank Cleveland have 4 games remaining and need to win only 3 to join the Bulls in the conversation of two thoroughly commanding seasons. Their schedule's not ludicrous, Lebron's still averaging more than 38 minutes while only last night the Cavs posted their largest win in 8 outings. There's no evidence they're slowing down. Ironically Cleveland's final game push will start tomorrow where they play none other than the Bulls, in Chicago, themselves of course fighting for consecutive post-season appearances.
The Cavs will no doubt be all too aware that achieving 64 wins will mean nothing if they fail to land Cleveland their first ever NBA Championship in addition to being in a better position to re-sign the world's best and most marketable athlete. For the moment however what is on the table is an opportunity to do something only one of the greatest sporting organisations of all time have done. And then they can start concentrating on that championship.
And what of those Cavs? For the bulk of the season they've led the East and maintained the NBA's best record. They've beaten the Lakers twice, have lost at home just once since early January and hold the league's healthiest points differential. Last Friday they won their 60th game for the season and in the process became only the sixth team in the last 20 years to record back to back 60 win seasons. They've done it all this season and have looked super impressive along the way. They even added two time NBA all-star Antawn Jamison six weeks ago. For nothing.
With a 6 game break at the top of the East and the number 1 spot already secured the Cavs could be excused for taking their foot off the pedal in preparation for the most important post-season in Cleveland professional sporting history. That's if they weren't intent on achieving something quite remarkable beforehand. Legitimate history in fact.
Only once in NBA history has a team posted back to back seasons of at least 64 wins. That honour goes to the Chicago Bulls who with Micheal Jordan at the peak of his already phenomenal powers had a 72 win '95-96 season which was capped off by a championship. The following year the Bulls won 69 games and were once again crowned champion. With 61 wins already in the bank Cleveland have 4 games remaining and need to win only 3 to join the Bulls in the conversation of two thoroughly commanding seasons. Their schedule's not ludicrous, Lebron's still averaging more than 38 minutes while only last night the Cavs posted their largest win in 8 outings. There's no evidence they're slowing down. Ironically Cleveland's final game push will start tomorrow where they play none other than the Bulls, in Chicago, themselves of course fighting for consecutive post-season appearances.
The Cavs will no doubt be all too aware that achieving 64 wins will mean nothing if they fail to land Cleveland their first ever NBA Championship in addition to being in a better position to re-sign the world's best and most marketable athlete. For the moment however what is on the table is an opportunity to do something only one of the greatest sporting organisations of all time have done. And then they can start concentrating on that championship.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Saints can live without Kosi. They've got Goddard
It took just a few minutes into the Saints' opening game of the year for Justin Koschitzke to clean up Sydney's Nick Malceski, at the time over the ball, unbalanced and oblivious to Koschitzke who was heading straight for his head. Malceski was knocked out, Kosi was rubbed out for three games. A stupid act from a clumsy player.
The Saints did go onto to win the contest by eight points on the back of a typical gritty performance assisted greatly by Riewoldt's four goals. In the 85% game time Kosi was granted in that opener he gathered just 9 touches and kicked 2 majors. A near identical performance to his below-par Grand Final last September.
When Kosi's suspension was confirmed days later I couldn't help but think of what a great opportunity this would be for the Saints, particularly seeing as they were up against North and at the Docklands where they rarely lose. A chance to experiment with different attacking formations but most importantly an opportunity to send Brendan Goddard forward where I maintain he's a far more dangerous proposition for Saints' opponents than when he's loose at half back.
It's not as though I dislike Koschitzke or don't see him as a viable part of the Saints lineup. Its just that I think the big forward is ill-suited to the modern game. He's cumbersome, very slow, offers little defensively, gives away a lot of free kicks and gets suspended too often. To be fair to Kosi, he is capable of taking the occasional pack mark and though he's kicked 173 goals, is at at average of just 1.2 a game which for a guy who spends the bulk of his life at full forward, is simply not good enough. His problems are exacerbated when he's not taking marks or kicking goals seeing as he offers little elsewhere. Last year when the Saints won 22 of 25 games Kosi was ranked 26th on the Saints roster for disposals and 29 of 30 for tackles, registering just 30 for the year in a team that tackles in its sleep.
As expected the Saints mauled the Kangaroos last Saturday, by more than a 100 points, controlling every aspect of the game but most importantly having five players who scored multiples, a feat StKilda achieved just once last year. Importantly, Goddard kicked 4, (in addition to his 29 disposals) and was given the freedom to operate as a forward for the bulk of the game. Granted, the Saints were only pitted against North and Saturday was only the third time Goddard has kicked more than three in match however if the Saints are determined to atone for last September's misery I truly feel Lyon needs to keep Goddard closer to goal. It adds a much more dangerous dimension to the Saints going forward while he's much more productive than Koschitzke.
Goddard's a tremendous player who I view as being very much in the mould of Adam Goodes. Incredibly balanced, a fierce competitor, focused, disciplined and blessed with a beautiful kick. My concern is that all of these skills go to waste with Goddard collecting an abundance of cheap ball across half back. Why can't Lyon deploy him in a similar fashion to the way Goodes is utilised by the Swans which is effectively as a half forward flanker armed with a licence to go into the midfield or as deep forward as he likes. After seven seasons and in a team with no player who can fulfill this role, now's the time for Goddard to make it his. After 139 games, the 60 goals he's kicked isn't enough while having kicked multiples just nine times poses little threat to opposition teams such as the Cats who'll be only too happy to see him continue life in the backline.
This Friday night against the Pies will be a solid test of just how Ross Lyon views his forward set up. In a big game against a really good team and with Kosi once again missing I wonder if he'll grant Goddard the same offensive freedom he had against the Roos? And if it works again will he keep him there?
The Saints did go onto to win the contest by eight points on the back of a typical gritty performance assisted greatly by Riewoldt's four goals. In the 85% game time Kosi was granted in that opener he gathered just 9 touches and kicked 2 majors. A near identical performance to his below-par Grand Final last September.
When Kosi's suspension was confirmed days later I couldn't help but think of what a great opportunity this would be for the Saints, particularly seeing as they were up against North and at the Docklands where they rarely lose. A chance to experiment with different attacking formations but most importantly an opportunity to send Brendan Goddard forward where I maintain he's a far more dangerous proposition for Saints' opponents than when he's loose at half back.
It's not as though I dislike Koschitzke or don't see him as a viable part of the Saints lineup. Its just that I think the big forward is ill-suited to the modern game. He's cumbersome, very slow, offers little defensively, gives away a lot of free kicks and gets suspended too often. To be fair to Kosi, he is capable of taking the occasional pack mark and though he's kicked 173 goals, is at at average of just 1.2 a game which for a guy who spends the bulk of his life at full forward, is simply not good enough. His problems are exacerbated when he's not taking marks or kicking goals seeing as he offers little elsewhere. Last year when the Saints won 22 of 25 games Kosi was ranked 26th on the Saints roster for disposals and 29 of 30 for tackles, registering just 30 for the year in a team that tackles in its sleep.
As expected the Saints mauled the Kangaroos last Saturday, by more than a 100 points, controlling every aspect of the game but most importantly having five players who scored multiples, a feat StKilda achieved just once last year. Importantly, Goddard kicked 4, (in addition to his 29 disposals) and was given the freedom to operate as a forward for the bulk of the game. Granted, the Saints were only pitted against North and Saturday was only the third time Goddard has kicked more than three in match however if the Saints are determined to atone for last September's misery I truly feel Lyon needs to keep Goddard closer to goal. It adds a much more dangerous dimension to the Saints going forward while he's much more productive than Koschitzke.
Goddard's a tremendous player who I view as being very much in the mould of Adam Goodes. Incredibly balanced, a fierce competitor, focused, disciplined and blessed with a beautiful kick. My concern is that all of these skills go to waste with Goddard collecting an abundance of cheap ball across half back. Why can't Lyon deploy him in a similar fashion to the way Goodes is utilised by the Swans which is effectively as a half forward flanker armed with a licence to go into the midfield or as deep forward as he likes. After seven seasons and in a team with no player who can fulfill this role, now's the time for Goddard to make it his. After 139 games, the 60 goals he's kicked isn't enough while having kicked multiples just nine times poses little threat to opposition teams such as the Cats who'll be only too happy to see him continue life in the backline.
This Friday night against the Pies will be a solid test of just how Ross Lyon views his forward set up. In a big game against a really good team and with Kosi once again missing I wonder if he'll grant Goddard the same offensive freedom he had against the Roos? And if it works again will he keep him there?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
AFL Power Rankings after Round 2
1 Geelong (2-0)
Another improbable win by the Cats who once again found themselves down at three quarter time. All of Geelong's very best qualities that make the Cats one of the greats of all time were on show on Easter Monday against the Hawks who they eventually wore out, winning both the contested possession and tackle counts. Full credit to Thompson for getting games into first year player Mitch Duncan who looked impressive in addition to Motlop who unfortunately looks to have seriously injured a shoulder.
2 StKilda (2-0)
Comprehensively mauled the Kangaroos accentuating the sizable gap amongst the best and worst teams in the AFL. Smashed North in almost every area of the game and had five players with multiple goals which is always a great sign for the Saints who rely very much on Nick Riewoldt who himself kicked 7. Massive game for the Saints against Collingwood this Friday night.
3 Collingwood (2-0)
Though disturbing to have beaten the Demons by only a point, Collingwood would still be happy to be two zip. A huge test this Friday night against the Saints who've ended their last two finals campaigns. A couple of alarming signs were the Pie's kicking efficiency falling a significant 13% while they took just 9 marks inside 50, down from 22 the week before. Also got very little production from either Jolly or Fraser with just 11 possessions between them.
4 Western Bulldogs (1-1)
A return to the winner's circle thanks to a 72 point drubbing of the Tigers. Rodney Eade was still a little grumpy with the performance though he'd have to be content that the Dogs returned to the same sort of tackling intensity displayed during the pre-season, registering 23 more than they did in round one. In fact the Bulldogs were quite dominant in defense on Sunday conceding just 48 points, allowing only 4 marks inside 50, having it in there themselves 32 more times and winning every quarter for the match. Eade would still be upset that the Dogs' famed kicking skills failed to crack 70% for the second week running while the team still made some silly errors. They did give away three 50 metre penalties which is unacceptable and at times could have been accused of being too Barry Hall conscious.
5 Hawthorn (1-1)
A lot to take out of a match where they lost by just nine points to the reigning premier and with a couple of their stars such as Franklin and Rioli still underdone while they're of course still missing Sewell and Borgoyne. Were once again smashed in the ruck and they will be concerned with their last quarter which again, like last week, produced just two goals. We'll know just we're the Hawks are after consecutive games against the Bulldogs and Collingwood.
6 Brisbane (2-0)
Once again behind at three quarter time yet came back to win against the Blues. Beaten in most statistical areas by Carlton yet won thanks to the brilliance of Brown. In fact Brown and Fevola have accounted for more than half the Lions goals so far and although the question has been solved somewhat as to whether the two can operate together, the next question will be whether they can win without at least one of them firing. Away to Port this week followed by a home game against the Dogs.
7 Sydney (1-1)
As exciting as the Swans have been in some time with a genuine freshness about this year's team. A rare victory over Adelaide where they exposed many of the Crows flaws while showcasing plenty of their own strengths. Same determined Swans who once again won both the contested possession and tackle count in addition to a refreshingly exuberant attacking display which produced 18 goals of which Goodes contributed just one. Should easily account for Richmond this week and with North and West Coast to follow would seriously rate their chances of being 4-1 going into their round 6 home game against Brisbane. Have allowed just 16 marks inside 50 this season.
8 Fremantle (2-0)
The competition's surprise packet who've won their opening two games for the first time in 13 years. Plenty to like about the free flowing Dockers who once again thoroughly dominated in the ruck thanks to Sandilands and who's possession tally was again topped by a couple of rookie listed players in Barlow and Broughton. For the second week in a row the Dockers kept their opponents goalless in the last quarter while their 17 goals from 60 inside 50's was again very impressive. This Sunday's match against the Geelong will be enormous.
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9 Port Adelaide (2-0)
A surprising 2 zip after coming from behind at three quarter time to beat the Eagles in Perth on Saturday night. The Power have been tenacious in their defense, making 87 tackles and keeping West Coast to a deplorable 56% kicking efficiency for the game. Have conceded a phenomenally low 10 marks inside 50 so far this year. Will be interesting to see how they handle the Lions who've taken a league high 33 marks in the same part of the ground.
10 Carlton (1-1)
Though they could very well be 2-0 if not for one of Jonathon Brown's most incredible matches the Blues will be content that they're certainly going about things the right way. For the second game in a row and in the absence of Judd the Blues have managed to win in almost every statistical category on offer with maybe their only fault being the very poor 58% kicking efficiency had last Thursday night and which was reflected in the 12.16 they kicked. For the moment don't seem to be missing Fevola with 6 guys averaging more than a 1.5 goals a game. They had just 2 who could claim that last year.
11 Adelaide (0-2)
For the moment the AFL's mystery team who have slipped to zip-2 on the back of two really poor performances. For the second week in a row failed to kick more than 12 goals and failed to crawl above 25% insofar as inside 50 efficiency is concerned. It is a mystery because the Crows were at one point considered one of the best teams in the competition last year and quite frankly look to be one of the worst this season going on their first two games. Another poor display by Kurt Tippet who managed just 7 touches and no goals. The bright spot was surely Patrick Dangerfield who kicked 5 second half goals. Wold be very happy to have Melbourne and Carlton (at home) scheduled in for their next two games.
12 Essendon (0-2)
Very concerning loss for the Bombers who were once again run all over in the last quarter. They received some plaudits last week for taking the game to Geelong and leading for a large part of the match however were this week were quite poor all match. They're daring play doesn't seem to be paying off at the moment where for the second week in a row they've failed to break 60% kicking efficiency while the forward set up in the absence of Lloyd and Lucas seems all at sea. The bombers scored just 9 goals from 55 inside 50's which translates to a deplorable 16.1% inside 50 efficiency. Not sure why Neagle was dropped seeing as Hurley was still out. Mark Williams' stats should once again be highlighted. 9 touches, no goals and just 1 tackle in 86% game time.
13 West Coast (0-2)
Horrible signs for the Eagles who once again blew a three quarter time lead on Saturday night against Port. This time in front of their home fans. Like the Bombers seem to have no real forward set up while its baffling as to why Quentin Lynch was dropped, more so in light of the season low 3 inside 50 marks they managed for the night and just 12 goals they scored from their 60 inside 50 entries. Both areas not helped by the awful 55% kicking efficiency. For the second week in a row were also comprehensively beaten in the tackle count. Worsfold again made less than 100 interchanges. Like Patrick Dangerfield of the Crows, Nic Natanui was a clear stand out for the Eagles gathering more than 20 touches and accounting for more than a fifth of the Eagles' clearances for the night. Will be at least pleased to have drawn North and Essendon in the next two weeks.
14 Melbourne (0-2)
Much improved showing by the Demons who nearly pulled off one of the shocks of the year losing by just a point to Collingwood. Lifted in all areas and would be particularly pleased with the better displays from some of their more experienced players such as Davey, Moloney, Jones and the recently acquired Joel Macdonald, while Jamar was very impressive in the ruck for the second week in a row. Could well win their next two games against Adelaide and Richmond which is then followed by home games against Brisbane and North. Very interesting that the team made a round high 137 interchanges compared with the round one low of 84 the week before.
15 North Melbourne (0-2)
Not much to say when a team loses by more than 100 points and has almost all of their deficiencies highlighted. Spotlight must again go on some of the more senior players such as Wells, Hale and McIntosh who all once again had sub-par games. The less said about North's performances the better however some of the low lights include just 11 marks taken inside 50 this year and just 79 inside 50s which has produced just 18 goals. At this rate the Roos are shaping as a definite wooden spoon contender.
16 Richmond (0-2)
Beaten comprehensively for a second week running and like the Roos not a heap to be excited about. Like North have taken just 11 marks inside 50 this year and have just 84 inside 50's which has produced only 16 goals. Have probably one of the worst forward lines in recent memory which looks even worse when Jack Riewoldt produces the kind of performance he had against the Bulldogs which netted just 10 touches, 3 marks and no goals. Their future is no doubt Cotchin and Dustin Martin, the latter one of Richmond's best in just his second game with 21 possessions and 8 clearances.
Another improbable win by the Cats who once again found themselves down at three quarter time. All of Geelong's very best qualities that make the Cats one of the greats of all time were on show on Easter Monday against the Hawks who they eventually wore out, winning both the contested possession and tackle counts. Full credit to Thompson for getting games into first year player Mitch Duncan who looked impressive in addition to Motlop who unfortunately looks to have seriously injured a shoulder.
2 StKilda (2-0)
Comprehensively mauled the Kangaroos accentuating the sizable gap amongst the best and worst teams in the AFL. Smashed North in almost every area of the game and had five players with multiple goals which is always a great sign for the Saints who rely very much on Nick Riewoldt who himself kicked 7. Massive game for the Saints against Collingwood this Friday night.
3 Collingwood (2-0)
Though disturbing to have beaten the Demons by only a point, Collingwood would still be happy to be two zip. A huge test this Friday night against the Saints who've ended their last two finals campaigns. A couple of alarming signs were the Pie's kicking efficiency falling a significant 13% while they took just 9 marks inside 50, down from 22 the week before. Also got very little production from either Jolly or Fraser with just 11 possessions between them.
4 Western Bulldogs (1-1)
A return to the winner's circle thanks to a 72 point drubbing of the Tigers. Rodney Eade was still a little grumpy with the performance though he'd have to be content that the Dogs returned to the same sort of tackling intensity displayed during the pre-season, registering 23 more than they did in round one. In fact the Bulldogs were quite dominant in defense on Sunday conceding just 48 points, allowing only 4 marks inside 50, having it in there themselves 32 more times and winning every quarter for the match. Eade would still be upset that the Dogs' famed kicking skills failed to crack 70% for the second week running while the team still made some silly errors. They did give away three 50 metre penalties which is unacceptable and at times could have been accused of being too Barry Hall conscious.
5 Hawthorn (1-1)
A lot to take out of a match where they lost by just nine points to the reigning premier and with a couple of their stars such as Franklin and Rioli still underdone while they're of course still missing Sewell and Borgoyne. Were once again smashed in the ruck and they will be concerned with their last quarter which again, like last week, produced just two goals. We'll know just we're the Hawks are after consecutive games against the Bulldogs and Collingwood.
6 Brisbane (2-0)
Once again behind at three quarter time yet came back to win against the Blues. Beaten in most statistical areas by Carlton yet won thanks to the brilliance of Brown. In fact Brown and Fevola have accounted for more than half the Lions goals so far and although the question has been solved somewhat as to whether the two can operate together, the next question will be whether they can win without at least one of them firing. Away to Port this week followed by a home game against the Dogs.
7 Sydney (1-1)
As exciting as the Swans have been in some time with a genuine freshness about this year's team. A rare victory over Adelaide where they exposed many of the Crows flaws while showcasing plenty of their own strengths. Same determined Swans who once again won both the contested possession and tackle count in addition to a refreshingly exuberant attacking display which produced 18 goals of which Goodes contributed just one. Should easily account for Richmond this week and with North and West Coast to follow would seriously rate their chances of being 4-1 going into their round 6 home game against Brisbane. Have allowed just 16 marks inside 50 this season.
8 Fremantle (2-0)
The competition's surprise packet who've won their opening two games for the first time in 13 years. Plenty to like about the free flowing Dockers who once again thoroughly dominated in the ruck thanks to Sandilands and who's possession tally was again topped by a couple of rookie listed players in Barlow and Broughton. For the second week in a row the Dockers kept their opponents goalless in the last quarter while their 17 goals from 60 inside 50's was again very impressive. This Sunday's match against the Geelong will be enormous.
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9 Port Adelaide (2-0)
A surprising 2 zip after coming from behind at three quarter time to beat the Eagles in Perth on Saturday night. The Power have been tenacious in their defense, making 87 tackles and keeping West Coast to a deplorable 56% kicking efficiency for the game. Have conceded a phenomenally low 10 marks inside 50 so far this year. Will be interesting to see how they handle the Lions who've taken a league high 33 marks in the same part of the ground.
10 Carlton (1-1)
Though they could very well be 2-0 if not for one of Jonathon Brown's most incredible matches the Blues will be content that they're certainly going about things the right way. For the second game in a row and in the absence of Judd the Blues have managed to win in almost every statistical category on offer with maybe their only fault being the very poor 58% kicking efficiency had last Thursday night and which was reflected in the 12.16 they kicked. For the moment don't seem to be missing Fevola with 6 guys averaging more than a 1.5 goals a game. They had just 2 who could claim that last year.
11 Adelaide (0-2)
For the moment the AFL's mystery team who have slipped to zip-2 on the back of two really poor performances. For the second week in a row failed to kick more than 12 goals and failed to crawl above 25% insofar as inside 50 efficiency is concerned. It is a mystery because the Crows were at one point considered one of the best teams in the competition last year and quite frankly look to be one of the worst this season going on their first two games. Another poor display by Kurt Tippet who managed just 7 touches and no goals. The bright spot was surely Patrick Dangerfield who kicked 5 second half goals. Wold be very happy to have Melbourne and Carlton (at home) scheduled in for their next two games.
12 Essendon (0-2)
Very concerning loss for the Bombers who were once again run all over in the last quarter. They received some plaudits last week for taking the game to Geelong and leading for a large part of the match however were this week were quite poor all match. They're daring play doesn't seem to be paying off at the moment where for the second week in a row they've failed to break 60% kicking efficiency while the forward set up in the absence of Lloyd and Lucas seems all at sea. The bombers scored just 9 goals from 55 inside 50's which translates to a deplorable 16.1% inside 50 efficiency. Not sure why Neagle was dropped seeing as Hurley was still out. Mark Williams' stats should once again be highlighted. 9 touches, no goals and just 1 tackle in 86% game time.
13 West Coast (0-2)
Horrible signs for the Eagles who once again blew a three quarter time lead on Saturday night against Port. This time in front of their home fans. Like the Bombers seem to have no real forward set up while its baffling as to why Quentin Lynch was dropped, more so in light of the season low 3 inside 50 marks they managed for the night and just 12 goals they scored from their 60 inside 50 entries. Both areas not helped by the awful 55% kicking efficiency. For the second week in a row were also comprehensively beaten in the tackle count. Worsfold again made less than 100 interchanges. Like Patrick Dangerfield of the Crows, Nic Natanui was a clear stand out for the Eagles gathering more than 20 touches and accounting for more than a fifth of the Eagles' clearances for the night. Will be at least pleased to have drawn North and Essendon in the next two weeks.
14 Melbourne (0-2)
Much improved showing by the Demons who nearly pulled off one of the shocks of the year losing by just a point to Collingwood. Lifted in all areas and would be particularly pleased with the better displays from some of their more experienced players such as Davey, Moloney, Jones and the recently acquired Joel Macdonald, while Jamar was very impressive in the ruck for the second week in a row. Could well win their next two games against Adelaide and Richmond which is then followed by home games against Brisbane and North. Very interesting that the team made a round high 137 interchanges compared with the round one low of 84 the week before.
15 North Melbourne (0-2)
Not much to say when a team loses by more than 100 points and has almost all of their deficiencies highlighted. Spotlight must again go on some of the more senior players such as Wells, Hale and McIntosh who all once again had sub-par games. The less said about North's performances the better however some of the low lights include just 11 marks taken inside 50 this year and just 79 inside 50s which has produced just 18 goals. At this rate the Roos are shaping as a definite wooden spoon contender.
16 Richmond (0-2)
Beaten comprehensively for a second week running and like the Roos not a heap to be excited about. Like North have taken just 11 marks inside 50 this year and have just 84 inside 50's which has produced only 16 goals. Have probably one of the worst forward lines in recent memory which looks even worse when Jack Riewoldt produces the kind of performance he had against the Bulldogs which netted just 10 touches, 3 marks and no goals. Their future is no doubt Cotchin and Dustin Martin, the latter one of Richmond's best in just his second game with 21 possessions and 8 clearances.
Brisbane Roar's teenage exodus not good for anyone
On Easter Saturday news broke that Brisbane Roar trio and Socceroo hopefuls Tommy Oar, Micheal Zullo and Adam Sarota had all signed three to five year contracts with Dutch side FC Utrecht after two week training stints with the mid-table club.
Though particularly disappointed with the moves my thoughts on the signings have nothing to do with the ability of either of the players in question. To be sure, Tommy Oar is probably the most exciting Socceroo prospect Australia has had in the last ten or so years while Zullo has always looked like a bright prospect with a similar game to Oar. Sarota was only twelve months ago named A-League Youth League Player of the Year. Their talent can't be questioned.
What can be however, and what should be, is why these guys have signed now, at such a young age and for such a middle of the road team in a league surely not substantially better than our own. The answer of course can be found within what's a highly corrosive and extremely dangerous adulation of Europe at the very top of the Australian football hierarchy. It's a problem that's existed for years and which has hurt domestic soccer in this country for too long. It got worse under Hiddink, it's spiraled out of control under Verbeek.
The fact is that if you're a young soccer player in Australia with above average talent and with Socceroo aspirations you're encouraged to leave. Players are convinced that the quality of play is markedly better in the likes of Russia and Turkey where the wages are of course far larger. What's rarely taken into account by either the national team or the player agents is the effect the departure has on either the A-League or the individual. The latter often often finding themselves either sitting on the bench or playing for that team's reserves. Rarely, if ever, has the instant success of Viduka or Kewell been replicated so quickly.
All three players that signed for Utrecht over the Easter weekend would have been better served playing for at least one more year in Australia. Their games could have improved while their highlight reel would have looked even more impressive to their European suitors as they carved up what we're continually told is such an inferior competition. The same competition of course which Zullo has played in 53 times and scored just twice and the same competition where Sarota has been selected to play just a handful of matches.
These guys should have waited. But then again, its not as though they would have been given the best advice. Maybe instead of listening to Pim or their agents they would have been better off talking to the likes of Adrian Leijer or Scott Jamieson who I'm sure would have told them to hold their horses.
Though particularly disappointed with the moves my thoughts on the signings have nothing to do with the ability of either of the players in question. To be sure, Tommy Oar is probably the most exciting Socceroo prospect Australia has had in the last ten or so years while Zullo has always looked like a bright prospect with a similar game to Oar. Sarota was only twelve months ago named A-League Youth League Player of the Year. Their talent can't be questioned.
What can be however, and what should be, is why these guys have signed now, at such a young age and for such a middle of the road team in a league surely not substantially better than our own. The answer of course can be found within what's a highly corrosive and extremely dangerous adulation of Europe at the very top of the Australian football hierarchy. It's a problem that's existed for years and which has hurt domestic soccer in this country for too long. It got worse under Hiddink, it's spiraled out of control under Verbeek.
The fact is that if you're a young soccer player in Australia with above average talent and with Socceroo aspirations you're encouraged to leave. Players are convinced that the quality of play is markedly better in the likes of Russia and Turkey where the wages are of course far larger. What's rarely taken into account by either the national team or the player agents is the effect the departure has on either the A-League or the individual. The latter often often finding themselves either sitting on the bench or playing for that team's reserves. Rarely, if ever, has the instant success of Viduka or Kewell been replicated so quickly.
All three players that signed for Utrecht over the Easter weekend would have been better served playing for at least one more year in Australia. Their games could have improved while their highlight reel would have looked even more impressive to their European suitors as they carved up what we're continually told is such an inferior competition. The same competition of course which Zullo has played in 53 times and scored just twice and the same competition where Sarota has been selected to play just a handful of matches.
These guys should have waited. But then again, its not as though they would have been given the best advice. Maybe instead of listening to Pim or their agents they would have been better off talking to the likes of Adrian Leijer or Scott Jamieson who I'm sure would have told them to hold their horses.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Healthy signs for a new A-league team
Though they've yet to play a game and haven't even conducted their first training session the Melbourne Heart are going about their entrance into the A-League in exemplary fashion. Yesterday they stepped things up another notch by confirming the signing of John Aloisi, an event in itself with the former Socceroo showing off the Heart's impressive red and white strip to the scores of journalists who attended the announcement. The backdrop provided by the simply stunning Rectangular Stadium on Swan Street, itself almost complete and set to be the home of the A-League's eleventh club.
That the signing of a player who to be fair to Aloisi is past his prime and who's signed for just one season could be greeted by such fanfare and receive such media attention is something the A-League could have only dreamed of, particularly so amid the start of the AFL and months out from the commencement of its own season.
Of course there will be problems for the Heart and not everything will go as smoothly and appear so as exciting as it did yesterday. For instance they'll enter the A-League at a very delicate time for Australian domestic soccer where the bulk of its clubs aren't exactly making money and where attendances outside of Melbourne, and to an extent Sydney, have fallen slightly. They'll be equally concerned at the plight of the two most recent A-League expansion franchises with North Queensland Fury being for the moment financially propped up by the FFA, while the Gold Coast experienced dismal crowds all season with rumours persisting that their billionaire owner Clive Palmer is eager to sell.
For now however the Heart are doing precisely the right thing by assembling a squad capable of immediately competing with the likes of the Victory and Sydney FC and are doing so with an astute, systematic and balanced approach to player signings. Quite unlike the Gold Coast and North Queensland who built their squads either with a disproportionate emphasis on attack or by putting too many of their eggs in the one basket. It's for these reasons the Heart began assembling their squad from the back, adding Matt Thompson and Dean Heffernan, two players capable of fulfilling a number of roles but most home in defense. The trend continued when they recently captured the signatures of arguably the A-League's best and most experienced shot stopper in Clint Bolton and weeks later adding Socceroo central defender Simon Colosimo.
If nothing else, yesterday's parading of Aloisi reminded the football world that the Heart are both determined to be relevant in a sporting city never short of action and that they are indeed capable of attracting the big names. By adding a proven striker in Aloisi they've also demonstrated they haven't forgotten about the importance of scoring goals as the additions of Wayne Srhoj and Jason Hoffman have already proven but in which would never have generated the same interest as yesterday's event.
It really is testament to the Melbourne Heart that we're still talking about domestic soccer weeks after the Grand Final and months out from the new season. By signing Aloisi the Heart have ensured they remain in the headlines, particularly at a time when the Victory are reeling from a heartbreaking Grand Final loss along with the failure of their ACL campaign.
Just imagine what will happen if they do convince Mark Viduka to sign?
That the signing of a player who to be fair to Aloisi is past his prime and who's signed for just one season could be greeted by such fanfare and receive such media attention is something the A-League could have only dreamed of, particularly so amid the start of the AFL and months out from the commencement of its own season.
Of course there will be problems for the Heart and not everything will go as smoothly and appear so as exciting as it did yesterday. For instance they'll enter the A-League at a very delicate time for Australian domestic soccer where the bulk of its clubs aren't exactly making money and where attendances outside of Melbourne, and to an extent Sydney, have fallen slightly. They'll be equally concerned at the plight of the two most recent A-League expansion franchises with North Queensland Fury being for the moment financially propped up by the FFA, while the Gold Coast experienced dismal crowds all season with rumours persisting that their billionaire owner Clive Palmer is eager to sell.
For now however the Heart are doing precisely the right thing by assembling a squad capable of immediately competing with the likes of the Victory and Sydney FC and are doing so with an astute, systematic and balanced approach to player signings. Quite unlike the Gold Coast and North Queensland who built their squads either with a disproportionate emphasis on attack or by putting too many of their eggs in the one basket. It's for these reasons the Heart began assembling their squad from the back, adding Matt Thompson and Dean Heffernan, two players capable of fulfilling a number of roles but most home in defense. The trend continued when they recently captured the signatures of arguably the A-League's best and most experienced shot stopper in Clint Bolton and weeks later adding Socceroo central defender Simon Colosimo.
If nothing else, yesterday's parading of Aloisi reminded the football world that the Heart are both determined to be relevant in a sporting city never short of action and that they are indeed capable of attracting the big names. By adding a proven striker in Aloisi they've also demonstrated they haven't forgotten about the importance of scoring goals as the additions of Wayne Srhoj and Jason Hoffman have already proven but in which would never have generated the same interest as yesterday's event.
It really is testament to the Melbourne Heart that we're still talking about domestic soccer weeks after the Grand Final and months out from the new season. By signing Aloisi the Heart have ensured they remain in the headlines, particularly at a time when the Victory are reeling from a heartbreaking Grand Final loss along with the failure of their ACL campaign.
Just imagine what will happen if they do convince Mark Viduka to sign?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
AFL Power Rankings after Round One
1 Geelong
-Fielded a team with 11 players with 150 or more games. Only Collingwood (10), the Dogs (8), Sydney and StKilda (7 each) had anywhere near that kind of experience.
-Had 94 more possessions (36 more in the last quarter) than the Bombers. The 2nd largest discrepancy of the round.
-Their 8 goal last quarter was the largest final term of the round.
-7 players who scored multiple goals. Highest spread of the round.
-Had 23 more hitouts than Essendon. The highest difference of the round.
2 StKilda
-Laid 77 tackles, the third highest of the round.
-Took just 5 marks inside 50. The lowest tally of the round.
-Were the only team to lose the inside 50 count (45-48) and still win.
-Along with Geelong were the only team to lose the contested possession count and still win.
3 Collingwood
-Kicking efficiency of 75% was the highest recorded for the round.
-22 Marks inside 50 was the highest of the round.
-19 goals from 58 inside 50's represented the second most efficient offense of the round.
-Four players (Didak, Swan, Davis, Medhurst) with 3 or more goals. Largest spread of the round.
-Took 21 bounces. By far the most recorded.
-8 goal first quarter was the best for the round.
4 Bulldogs
-Conceded 129 points, the highest score of the round. Only once last year did the Dogs let in more points.
-Laid just 47 tackles, the lowest recorded for the round.
-Were the only team to not score a goal from less than 15 metres.
-13 goals from 58 inside 50's was amongst the least effective offensive performances of the round.
5 Hawthorn
-Conceded just 61 points. The lowest of the round.
-Had 18 more inside 50's than Melbourne. The highest discrepancy for the round.
-Took 50 more marks than Melbourne.
6 Brisbane
-20 marks inside 50 were the second highest for the round.
-Kicked 4 goals from outside 50, second only to Fremantle's 6.
-Along with Geelong the only team to be trailing at three quarter time, yet still win.
-Seven goal last quarter, bettered only by Geelong's 8.
7 Carlton
-Had 137 possessions more than Richmond, the highest discrepancy of the round, while 432 was the second highest total for the round.
-Along with Geelong and Fremantle were the only team to have more than 300 uncontested possessions.
-78% effectiveness for total disposals. Equal highest with Collingwood.
-6 players who scored multiple goals. 2nd highest spread for the round.
-No goals conceded in last quarter. Only Fremantle achieved this.
-Laid 78 tackles. Second most for the round.
8 Fremantle
-Had more (314) uncontested possessions than any other team.
-Along with Carlton were the only team to not concede a goal in the last quarter.
-Had 17 more hitouts than Adelaide. Only Geelong had a greater difference against its opposition. Also 50% of their hitouts weer deemed effective. Easily the best of the round, with West Coast the next best with 29%.
-Scored 6 goals from outside 50. The most of the round.
-Gregg Broughton had 13 last quarter possessions. Only Gary Ablett recorded the same last quarter number.
-17 goals from 44 inside 50's was the most efficient of the round.
9 Essendon
-Along with Sydney were the only team to have more contested possession and still lose.
-Along with West Coast the only team to be leading at three quarter time and still lose.
-Gumbleton and Neagle combined for just 12 touches, 4 marks and 1 goal.
-Very poor 58% kicking efficiency, the second lowest only to Port Adelaide's 57%, which was recorded in far worse playing conditions.
-In 93% game time Mark Williams did not lay a tackle, accumulated just 8 touches and failed to score a goal.
10 Sydney
-Along with Essendon were the only team to win the contested possession count and still lose.
-Bradshaw and White combined for just 17 touches, 6 marks and 2 goals.
-Were the only team to have more inside 50's than their opponent and still lose.
11 Adelaide
-Along with Richmond were the only team to not score a goal in the last quarter.
-62 points was the second lowest for the round. Only Melbourne scored less.
-Kurt Tippet had just 8 touches and 1 goal for the match.
-Made the 2nd least amount of interchanges for the round. And had 34 less than their opposition. Easily the biggest discrepancy of the round.
-Just 3 goals from general play was along with Melbourne the lowest recorded for the round.
12 Port Adelaide
-Recorded 86 tackles. The most for the round.
-16 0f their 22 players had less than 100 games experience. The most for the round.
-Were the only team to win without a player kicking more than 2 goals.
-Along with Richmond were the only team to have less than 200 uncontested possessions. They had 185.
13 West Coast
-Laid only 52 tackles. The 2nd lest amount for the round.
-Had only 9 marks inside 50.
-Along with Essendon were the only team to be leading at three quarter time and still lose.
14 North Melbourne
-7 marks inside 50 were the second lowest for the round.
-David Hale had just 4 possessions after spending 100% of the match on the field. He did however kick 2 goals.
-Ryan Bastinac (along with Melbourne's Trengrove and Scully) was the only player taken in last November's National Draft to have more than 20 possessions.
-Made 39 last quarter interchanges, the most by any team. Scored 5 goals to 2 in the last quarter.
15 Richmond
-Had only 170 uncontested possessions. The least for the round.
-Along with Adelaide the only team to not score a goal in the last quarter.
-Only scored 1 goal from a mark. The least for the round.
-Had just seven marks inside 50. Only StKlda had fewer.
-With 295, were the only team to register less than 300 possessions.
16 Melbourne
-8 goals from 44 inside 50's means they were the only team with a less than 20% scoring efficiency.
-Had scored just 1 goal to half time. Their final score of 61 was the lowest of the round.
-Made just 84 interchanges. Easily the lowest for the round and staggering from a team who had scored just 3 points to quarter time. In fact made just 19 first quarter changes, once again the fewest.
-Scored only 3 goals from general play. Along with Adelaide, the lowest for the round.
-Had 50 less marks than Hawks.
-Had a round high 18 less inside 50 forward entries than their opponents.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Rotten Orange
After two and half years Socceroos' coach Pim Verbeek yesterday confirmed what everyone knew was coming. That following the World Cup he'd be stepping down as coach and looking for a move to club football. More than likely in Europe. Like our previous Dutch Head Honcho we'll probably never see him again. We'll hear of the clubs he'll be rumoured to go to and eventually the one he'll sign with. And from a distance, and in the early hours, like we do with Gus' stomach and his inexplicable tan, we'll watch as Pim gets pastier and pastier and as that insipid tuft of hair doggedly fights on.
Nasty, I know. And cheap. But I got sick of Pim, just as I got sick of Hiddink.
Nasty, I know. And cheap. But I got sick of Pim, just as I got sick of Hiddink.
The obsession with all things orange in regards to soccer in this country happened by accident and became ingrained. Maybe this is what happens with all accidents. Ramifications. In our case, something incredible happened, but also unforgivable. We qualified for two consecutive World Cups, became a good team without being great and made the national team something everybody who plays soccer in this country desperate to be apart of. To be sure, the Socceroos now constitute the most closely followed and scrutinised national sporting team in the country, something completely unthinkable ten years ago. Yet despite this, despite the miracles of Germany and Pim's uninspiring negotiation through Asia we've all been left with a slightly unsavoury feeling about the both of them. And I think its time to we admit it. That we got swindled.
Gus came here for money and left for money. Pim got the job because of his connection with Gus, because he was Dutch and like Gus, got paid a whole heap of cash. While he was here he got progressively more prickly as fans, the media and Socceroo wannabes all became increasingly frustrated by Pim's rigid and impenetrable fortress, both strategically and personally. The former revolving around a game more concerned with stopping goals then scoring them, the latter categorised by being cold and aloof.
However what was more disturbing than Pim's tactical conservatism, admirable for teams unaccustomed to success and when playing teams far more accomplished (not Oman or Indonesia), was Verbeek's utter scorn for the A-League which was astonishingly allowed to prevail and continue unchecked.
When Verbeek landed the Socceroo job all he had to do in regards to the A-League was pretend he liked it. To piss in our pockets. Instead he arrived, walked straight through the house and into the backyard to treat the prize dogs locked away in the backyard and to get them ready for show. Which granted, was what he was paid for. When we gently asked him while he stroked Lucas Neill behind the ears or scratched Brett Emerton's chin whether he'd like to have a look at some of the younger pups he robotically answered by telling us they'd be better off in Europe. Indeed for two and half years Pim did his best to imply that all that was wonderful about soccer resided in Europe, in the process treating the A-League as some sort of laughable impostor. When he did attend A-League games he looked to be there under sufferance and seemed thoroughly disinterested, often tucked away at the back of a grand stand and hidden behind a pair of dark sun glasses. European designed no doubt. He created a culture of fear amongst World Cup hopefuls that if they were plying their trade in Australia they stood no chance of selection. When you think about the only decent thing Verbeek ever did for the A-League was waiting 48 hours until after last Saturday's engrossing Grand Final to reveal to Australia that he'll be moving on.
When Verbeek landed the Socceroo job all he had to do in regards to the A-League was pretend he liked it. To piss in our pockets. Instead he arrived, walked straight through the house and into the backyard to treat the prize dogs locked away in the backyard and to get them ready for show. Which granted, was what he was paid for. When we gently asked him while he stroked Lucas Neill behind the ears or scratched Brett Emerton's chin whether he'd like to have a look at some of the younger pups he robotically answered by telling us they'd be better off in Europe. Indeed for two and half years Pim did his best to imply that all that was wonderful about soccer resided in Europe, in the process treating the A-League as some sort of laughable impostor. When he did attend A-League games he looked to be there under sufferance and seemed thoroughly disinterested, often tucked away at the back of a grand stand and hidden behind a pair of dark sun glasses. European designed no doubt. He created a culture of fear amongst World Cup hopefuls that if they were plying their trade in Australia they stood no chance of selection. When you think about the only decent thing Verbeek ever did for the A-League was waiting 48 hours until after last Saturday's engrossing Grand Final to reveal to Australia that he'll be moving on.
The next coach of the Socceroos won't be known until sometime after the World Cup. At this stage Ben Buckley has given no indication whether Football Australia will again go Dutch, or as hoped, look elsewhere. For the moment the only noises the FFA are making in regards to future Socceroos' coaching is that the disastrous scenario of a care taker coach at January's Asian Cup will be avoided. And thank heavens as the last time we tried this our interim coach Graham Arnold led the team to a disappointing campaign which lasted no longer than the second round and which will be remembered for a bitter spat amongst its heat addled players.
Whoever is hired by the FFA should be warned that Australia is absolutely determined to have a successful domestic league in this country, one in which we've already worked hard at for five years and which is indeed growing, but which like all infants is still quite delicate. We need the successful candidate to be patient with the A-League but more importantly to work closely with it and to be supportive of it. And to of course impart his ideas to it.
Moreover our next coach may have no other choice, as it will be players from this very competition which he'll need to call upon for the Socceroos' first major post-World Cup international engagement in next January's Asian Cup. And what better scenario for a healthy working relationship between the A-League and our new national coach to be forged.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
By Scott, I was wrong. Asia can wait
My last blog entry concerned the brilliant piece written by Scott McIntyre and appearing on the SBS website this week whereby Melbourne Victory's motivation for tonight's A-League Grand Final against Sydney FC was questioned. McIntyre argued that the following Tuesday's Asian Champions League encounter against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale was of more importance than the A-League from both a prestige and financial standpoint. The article was highly engaging however what was most noteworthy was the bravado and left of centre nature of the piece where McIntyre went so far, and with due cause, to suggest the Victory field a diluted line up so as to have a better chance on Tuesday night.
I was quite taken with the article, so much so that I squeezed in every free moment at work on Thursday to churn out far too many words which did nothing more than re-state McIntyre's stance. And I ultimately agreed. However I've thought a lot about the matter since, in addition to my laborious re-hash, and I felt I needed to say that I now disagree. I was wrong. Asia can wait.
Tonight's A-League Grand Final between Melbourne and Sydney FC may well constitute the most important domestic game of soccer yet to be played in Australia. Just as important for Melbourne it represents an opportunity to definitively confirm its dominance of the sport within this country and to add yet another Championship to its already enviable trophy cabinet.
For now, and within an ACL campaign already in trouble, the Victory should do everything in its power to secure victory tonight. If that means playing the best team Ernie Merrick thinks fit, then so be it, for what's at stake tonight is of equal or more importance than Tuesday. Win and Melbourne has its third A-League championship, a gap that at the very best could only be at minimum equalled by this time 2012. In other words unequivocal bragging rights for at least another two years. Lose however and Sydney would not only draw equal with Melbourne on two championships, but also claim its first Premiership-Championship double, a feat only only Melbourne can boast to have achieved. And twice at that.
Etihad Stadium will be packed to the rafters tonight in one of the last games the Victory will have at the venue before moving to its more impressive home ground on Swan Street. The TV audience will also be enormous for a clash that never lets down, with two teams who don't particularly like each other and between coaches with sharply different football philosophies. And surely that's great for football in Australia.
Melbourne simply isn't ready to dominate Asia in the same way they've dominated the A-League. Its first two ACL games have certainly proven this. However in any city who've become accustomed to success there exists a desire to have such success transferred as far as possible. For Melbourne this means Asia. And potentially the Club World Cup.
For now however, really, dinner needs to be properly eaten, and enjoyed, before we even start thinking about desert.
I was quite taken with the article, so much so that I squeezed in every free moment at work on Thursday to churn out far too many words which did nothing more than re-state McIntyre's stance. And I ultimately agreed. However I've thought a lot about the matter since, in addition to my laborious re-hash, and I felt I needed to say that I now disagree. I was wrong. Asia can wait.
Tonight's A-League Grand Final between Melbourne and Sydney FC may well constitute the most important domestic game of soccer yet to be played in Australia. Just as important for Melbourne it represents an opportunity to definitively confirm its dominance of the sport within this country and to add yet another Championship to its already enviable trophy cabinet.
For now, and within an ACL campaign already in trouble, the Victory should do everything in its power to secure victory tonight. If that means playing the best team Ernie Merrick thinks fit, then so be it, for what's at stake tonight is of equal or more importance than Tuesday. Win and Melbourne has its third A-League championship, a gap that at the very best could only be at minimum equalled by this time 2012. In other words unequivocal bragging rights for at least another two years. Lose however and Sydney would not only draw equal with Melbourne on two championships, but also claim its first Premiership-Championship double, a feat only only Melbourne can boast to have achieved. And twice at that.
Etihad Stadium will be packed to the rafters tonight in one of the last games the Victory will have at the venue before moving to its more impressive home ground on Swan Street. The TV audience will also be enormous for a clash that never lets down, with two teams who don't particularly like each other and between coaches with sharply different football philosophies. And surely that's great for football in Australia.
Melbourne simply isn't ready to dominate Asia in the same way they've dominated the A-League. Its first two ACL games have certainly proven this. However in any city who've become accustomed to success there exists a desire to have such success transferred as far as possible. For Melbourne this means Asia. And potentially the Club World Cup.
For now however, really, dinner needs to be properly eaten, and enjoyed, before we even start thinking about desert.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
By Scott, you're right
One of the more thought provoking pieces of sports writing this week concerned Scott McIntyre's article regarding Saturday's A-League Grand Final between the Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. More specifically, McIntyre's contention that Melbourne should in fact field a team predominately comprising youth league players in order to focus on its critical Asian Champions League encounter against Kawasaki Frontale, due to be played in Japan just days after the A-League finale.
Unfortunately however many sports enthusiasts in Australia will view McIntyre's argument as akin to blasphemy or downright lunacy and regard the piece as something which could only emerge from a sport so many in this country are yet to fully comprehend or appreciate. And this is a tremendous shame.
McIntyre's interests lie in Asia and so too should those of the two Australian clubs who qualify for the Asian Champions League each year. He's written and covered Asian football for some time now, particular within Japan, and was recently responsible for one of the only Asian Champions League previews to be found in Australia thanks to his impressive, two part ACL preview which appeared on the SBS website a few weeks ago. In it, McIntyre provided an intriguing insight into the 32 clubs competing in this year's ACL and generated the kind of excitement the mainstream media, in Melbourne at least, are not prepared to invest in.
Like many others McIntyre would be thrilled at the rise of the A-League in addition to the fact that its clubs now engage in the region's most prestigious club competition and, in Adelaide United's case, achieve some success. Participation in the ACL is crucial for soccer in this country and the A-League both in terms of making Australia relevant and respected in Asia and because of the millions of dollars such participation can generate. To say nothing of actually winning the tournament and the further riches that would come the winners' way due to qualifying for December's Club World Cup.
Only a few months ago in an interview with the Age Merrick claimed his biggest disappointments as Victory coach was failure to progress out of the group stage at its one and only appearance in the ACL back in 2008. If that is the case, and Merrick's disappointment was as acute as it sounded, then why wouldn't he be doing everything in his power to rectify that, quite possibly by creating a situation where Melbourne would be particularly careful with the team it selects Saturday night against Sydney. Which would perhaps be as simple as keeping three or four of his best players on the bench, only to be be deployed late in the game, and only if the Victory desperately needed them.
Scott McIntyre should be commended for writing the kind of article rarely written in Australia and for rallying for what at first appears as a radical proposal but which in actual fact has plenty of merit. By no means does Melbourne have to deliberately lose, nor does the A-League Grand Final have to have any of its lustre taken away. It just happens that the Melbourne Victory has a particularly important ACL assignment in Japan just a few days later, the kind of assignment Melbourne shouldn't take for granted as qualification for the Champions League will become a lot more difficult once the A-League expansion is solidified.
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Spurs are (quite possibly) back
The San Antonio Spurs are finally starting to find their feet this season, having won 8 of their last 10 matches and reminding us there still might be life, and maybe even yet another championship run, left in those old, wily Texan legs.
The Spurs this week have back to back games in Florida against Miami and Orlando which will give us a great idea as to whether the Spurs are really indeed back to their championship calibre best, or rather just beating up on the extremely poor opponents their schedule has bestowed upon them of late.
The Spurs are playing their best basketball all year, with their line-up, despite being without '07 finals MVP Tony Parker, finally starting to have a discernible structure about it. Over that eight game span they've lost only to divisional rival Houston and the NBA's best, Cleveland, both road games, and by just 5 and 2 points respectively. During that same span they've conceded 100 just twice, while in the other 8 games they've had a defense that has averaged giving up just over 90. In other words we're talking about the way the Spurs used to go about defense. This season they've been giving up a very un-San Antonio like 101 points per game.
So what else has changed? Well for starters impressive second year guard George Hill has had more minutes as a result of Parker's injury and the young second round pick has relished his increased responsibilities. His numbers in every category have increased over the last month or so. Richard Jefferson's another who has improved of late. The $14 million a year off season acquisition has been much maligned all season however he's also stepped up his game after returning to the starting line up in recent weeks and has topped the Spurs rebounding no less than 4 times in the past 5 games, a feat the former Net hadn't accomplished all season. Even the forgotten Matt Bonner has returned, popping up to top score 21 points while Tim Duncan was able to get some always appreciated bench time in the Spurs most recent rout of the Clippers.
Whether the Spurs most recent form is a a product of sheer coincidence thanks to its recent schedule of a product of a tailored campaign designed to start hitting its peak right now, just one month out from the playoffs, will become a little clearer by week's end. At present the Spurs have just an inkling of that champion look about them, which first and foremost is recognised by its stingy defense and rebounding (now ranked 3rd in the league), pillars which for Popovich's teams have always ensured the Spurs are a threat come the playoffs.
The Spurs this week have back to back games in Florida against Miami and Orlando which will give us a great idea as to whether the Spurs are really indeed back to their championship calibre best, or rather just beating up on the extremely poor opponents their schedule has bestowed upon them of late.
The Spurs are playing their best basketball all year, with their line-up, despite being without '07 finals MVP Tony Parker, finally starting to have a discernible structure about it. Over that eight game span they've lost only to divisional rival Houston and the NBA's best, Cleveland, both road games, and by just 5 and 2 points respectively. During that same span they've conceded 100 just twice, while in the other 8 games they've had a defense that has averaged giving up just over 90. In other words we're talking about the way the Spurs used to go about defense. This season they've been giving up a very un-San Antonio like 101 points per game.
So what else has changed? Well for starters impressive second year guard George Hill has had more minutes as a result of Parker's injury and the young second round pick has relished his increased responsibilities. His numbers in every category have increased over the last month or so. Richard Jefferson's another who has improved of late. The $14 million a year off season acquisition has been much maligned all season however he's also stepped up his game after returning to the starting line up in recent weeks and has topped the Spurs rebounding no less than 4 times in the past 5 games, a feat the former Net hadn't accomplished all season. Even the forgotten Matt Bonner has returned, popping up to top score 21 points while Tim Duncan was able to get some always appreciated bench time in the Spurs most recent rout of the Clippers.
Whether the Spurs most recent form is a a product of sheer coincidence thanks to its recent schedule of a product of a tailored campaign designed to start hitting its peak right now, just one month out from the playoffs, will become a little clearer by week's end. At present the Spurs have just an inkling of that champion look about them, which first and foremost is recognised by its stingy defense and rebounding (now ranked 3rd in the league), pillars which for Popovich's teams have always ensured the Spurs are a threat come the playoffs.
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