Murray MiddletonNAB Cup - Week One
February 18th 2008 02:05
Welcome to 'AFL Uncensored' - a blog that offers an informed, objective and uncensored analysis of the greatest game in the world.
In the wake of the first round of NAB Cup matches there have been several talking points:
1. Malceski and Hasleby suffer serious knee injuries
The one variable that AFL clubs cannot control is luck. In Sunday's match between Sydney and Hawthorn at Launceston, Nick Malceski suffered a season-ending knee injury in an innocuous incident. Over the past two years Malceski has developed into a key member of Sydney's defence. He has a potent left foot and, along side Tadgh Kennely, has given the Swans great run from defence. Malceski wil be sorely missed. The Swans have endured a great run with injuries over the past three years. Perhaps Malceski's injury is a bad omen? Look for Marty Mattner - recruited from the Adelaide Crows - to fill Malceski's position.
According to insiders at the Fremantly Dockers, Paul Hasleby was flying. He had endured his best pre-season to date and many pundits were tipping Hasleby as an outsider for the Brownlow Medal. It is likely that Hasleby will miss the entire season. This is a huge blow to Fremantle's hopes of making amends for one of the most dissapointing season's on record. In Hasleby's absence the likes of J.Carr, Headland, Black and the ageing Peter Bell will have to share the load. Byron Shammer must now spend more time in the midfield. He is a talented player who has promised a great deal, but - like his club - delivered precious little.
2. Geelong's title defence
The Cats looked menacing in their 71-point demolition of Melbourne at Kardinia Park. Steve Johnson picked up where he left off in the Grand Final and the forward line functioned well in the absence of the retired Nathan Abblett. It is difficult to imagine a Grand Final without Geelong. They were the best team in the competition by a long way last year. And there is room for improvement. Tom Hawkins is in great shape and should be able to slot into the forward line. A return of between 20-30 goals would be a success for Hawkins, who seems destined to be one of the stars of the future. The Cats still have a great list, with a wonderful balance of youth (Hawkins, Selwood, Varcoe), experience (Milburn, Scarlett, Mooney, Ottens) and exciting talent (Abblett, Bartel, S.Johnson, Corey). The window of opportunity is well and truly alive.
3. St.Kilda's ruck stocks
Over the past five years much has been spoken about the Saints ruck stocks. Previous coach Grant Thomas didn't believe in the necessity of a tap-ruckman. Instead, the Saints persisted with a long list of recycled ruckmen - Monkhorst, Capuano, Knobel, Brooks, Ackland, M.Clarke. At ages 28 and 29, are Steven King and Michael Gardiner another two names to add to the list? It is the great unknown. Both ruckmen have completed a full pre-season, which is encouraging for the Saints. However both King and Gardiner have played very little football over the past four seasons. There are big question marks hanging over their ability to complete a full season.
Realistically, the Saints need one of King and Gardiner to play every week. This would free Justin Koschitzke up to play alongside the rejuvenated Fraser Gehrig in the goal square. So far Steven King has looked in great shape. His skin folds are down and he seems determined to prove to the football public (rather than Geelong) that he has two years of good football left in him. Michael Gardiner has laboured in his two matches so far. The important thing, as far as the club is concerned, is that he has got through the games unscathed. But Gardiner appears to have lost a lot of his spring. If King and Gardiner cannot cope with the workload, the Saints will be forced to rely on the likes of Rix and Blake once more, which doesn't bode well for supporters.
Stay tuned for weekly posts of 'AFL Uncensored'. In the lead-up to the season proper there will be an assessment of each of the 16 teams, including: the best 22, the young guns to watch, the room to improve, and a prediuction as to where your side will finish in 2008.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
In the wake of the first round of NAB Cup matches there have been several talking points:
1. Malceski and Hasleby suffer serious knee injuries
The one variable that AFL clubs cannot control is luck. In Sunday's match between Sydney and Hawthorn at Launceston, Nick Malceski suffered a season-ending knee injury in an innocuous incident. Over the past two years Malceski has developed into a key member of Sydney's defence. He has a potent left foot and, along side Tadgh Kennely, has given the Swans great run from defence. Malceski wil be sorely missed. The Swans have endured a great run with injuries over the past three years. Perhaps Malceski's injury is a bad omen? Look for Marty Mattner - recruited from the Adelaide Crows - to fill Malceski's position.
According to insiders at the Fremantly Dockers, Paul Hasleby was flying. He had endured his best pre-season to date and many pundits were tipping Hasleby as an outsider for the Brownlow Medal. It is likely that Hasleby will miss the entire season. This is a huge blow to Fremantle's hopes of making amends for one of the most dissapointing season's on record. In Hasleby's absence the likes of J.Carr, Headland, Black and the ageing Peter Bell will have to share the load. Byron Shammer must now spend more time in the midfield. He is a talented player who has promised a great deal, but - like his club - delivered precious little.
2. Geelong's title defence
The Cats looked menacing in their 71-point demolition of Melbourne at Kardinia Park. Steve Johnson picked up where he left off in the Grand Final and the forward line functioned well in the absence of the retired Nathan Abblett. It is difficult to imagine a Grand Final without Geelong. They were the best team in the competition by a long way last year. And there is room for improvement. Tom Hawkins is in great shape and should be able to slot into the forward line. A return of between 20-30 goals would be a success for Hawkins, who seems destined to be one of the stars of the future. The Cats still have a great list, with a wonderful balance of youth (Hawkins, Selwood, Varcoe), experience (Milburn, Scarlett, Mooney, Ottens) and exciting talent (Abblett, Bartel, S.Johnson, Corey). The window of opportunity is well and truly alive.
3. St.Kilda's ruck stocks
Over the past five years much has been spoken about the Saints ruck stocks. Previous coach Grant Thomas didn't believe in the necessity of a tap-ruckman. Instead, the Saints persisted with a long list of recycled ruckmen - Monkhorst, Capuano, Knobel, Brooks, Ackland, M.Clarke. At ages 28 and 29, are Steven King and Michael Gardiner another two names to add to the list? It is the great unknown. Both ruckmen have completed a full pre-season, which is encouraging for the Saints. However both King and Gardiner have played very little football over the past four seasons. There are big question marks hanging over their ability to complete a full season.
Realistically, the Saints need one of King and Gardiner to play every week. This would free Justin Koschitzke up to play alongside the rejuvenated Fraser Gehrig in the goal square. So far Steven King has looked in great shape. His skin folds are down and he seems determined to prove to the football public (rather than Geelong) that he has two years of good football left in him. Michael Gardiner has laboured in his two matches so far. The important thing, as far as the club is concerned, is that he has got through the games unscathed. But Gardiner appears to have lost a lot of his spring. If King and Gardiner cannot cope with the workload, the Saints will be forced to rely on the likes of Rix and Blake once more, which doesn't bode well for supporters.
Stay tuned for weekly posts of 'AFL Uncensored'. In the lead-up to the season proper there will be an assessment of each of the 16 teams, including: the best 22, the young guns to watch, the room to improve, and a prediuction as to where your side will finish in 2008.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
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Comment by Harry
Sydney Diary
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Comment by Anonymous
The Swans will finish between 5th and 10th. The premiership window is probably closed, although Sydney are a remarkably well-drilled, selfless team. The performance against Hawthorn was encouraging.
-MM