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Terry Wallace and the Tigers

Wed, 20 May 2009 22:11:33 +0800

[digg=http://digg.com/other_sports/Terry_Wallace_and_the_Tigers] OK, so clearly this is the last season that Terry Wallace is going to be coaching the Richmond Tigers. After their disastrous 1-7 start to the season and the turmoil that happened this week with the news that he was sacked, then that he wasn't... it's all just getting out of hand. I know the media can sometimes cause problems by the paparazzi-style reporting, but clearly there's great unhappiness with Wallace within the club. And it's also pretty clear that the Tigers are not going to be playing in September, so Wallace's chances of coaching the team in 2010 are, well, 0%. OK, to be safe, let's just say 1%. Either way, it's low! My thinking is, though, why keep a coach on for the remainder of the season when there really is no chance he'll coach them next year? It doesn't help player morale, it doesn't satisfy the supporter-base and it certainly doesn't help putting the media to rest. Fair enough that last point really shouldn't be a reason to base decisions on, but keeping Wallace on when he won't be there next year is a lose-lose way to proceed. They should just go the way Carlton did a few seasons back - get in a new coach, evaluate his performance and then determine how you go forward in 2010 at the end of the 2009 season. There is just nothing to be gained from uncertainty. And currently, that's the situation at Richmond!

Anzac Day 2009: What a day, what a game!

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:13:12 +0800

Being a passionate Essendon supporter, I just have to say that for me Anzac Day 2009 will not be forgotten quickly. The memory and spirit and bravery of the Anzacs is what the day commemorates and we should never, ever forget that... but the game that the day produced, well, wow! It was one for the ages. My friends will tell you that I'm an optimistic sort of guy. If my team is down by 30 points and there's 5 minutes left, I still have hope! But that was really pushed today (well, technically yesterday since it's 12:01am as I write these words). We were only down by 14 points, but so much was going against us that I almost gave up hope. We looked dreadful and unmotivated in the 4th quarter, we let the Pies take a 14 point lead with about 5 minutes left and, to top it off, it had just started raining. I thought there wasn't a chance. After Jetta goaled, though, my optimism picked up. 2 goals! 2 goals is all we needed. You can score 2 goals in 30 seconds I thought. Then when Dyson slotted a brilliant goal 50m out on the boundary and I saw him running in, fist pumping trying to rally the boys I really started feeling it. There had to be time left! I was so devastated when Jetta ran into a seemingly open goal only to fumble the slippery ball that I thought our golden opportunity had come and gone. But when Zaharakis marked on the 50 and played on (I still can't believe he played on!), I thought, "just kick a point dammit, a draw is better than a loss!" But alas, the life-long Bomber supporter slotted it straight through the middle, with only seconds left, all while getting bumped in mid-air. It was unbelievable. Unimaginable. Unreal! So another chapter has truly been added to this Anzac Day rivalry. I sometimes thought whether the club would be the same without Sheedy and Hird... but today I think I got the answer. As long as our boys put in the effort, the supporters will be there through thick and thin. And as long as this effort is true, new champions will be born and the mighty Essendon Football Club will continue strong! Well played boys!

Pav to Essendon

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:50:56 +0800

With the murmurings surrounding Matthew Pavlich and how he should be traded out from Fremantle (It's time for Pavlich to leave and Harvey rejects Pav trade), I am asking all footy fans to cheer loud and proud for whichever team is playing against Fremantle. And particularly Essendon fans. As a mighty Bomber supporter, the more losses Fremantle racks up, the more chance I think there is of Pavlich getting fed up and demanding to be traded (if he isn't already). And, I think what better club to make your new home than Essendon. Let's face it, we are all sick and tired of Eddie and Collingwood, so forget them. Carlton have already snagged a big-name player in Chris Judd, so they can sit this one out. Melbourne... well, who wants to go there (hehe, sorry, had to find a way to take a stab at the poor Demon fans). Hawthorn and Geelong are out because no one wants to see them getting better. What else is left? The mighty red and black! Pavlich, if you are listening (psst... if you know Pavlich, please email him this), Essendon fans would embrace you with open arms. It would be a perfect transition from an aging Matthew Lloyd (whom I love!) to a peaking Matthew Pavlich. Please Mr Pavlich, come to Essendon! We'll help you get that Premiership Cup you've been dreaming of!

Same old story

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:15:53 +0800

So after the first three rounds of the AFL season, what have we learnt? Well, some things have not changed from last year - Geelong is darn good, the coaches at Richmond and Fremantle are under the pump and Victorian teams are still in control. However, there have been some nice little surprises along the way - St Kilda is finally meeting expectations (maybe even exceeding them), Carlton is on the map again and Voss is looking good as head coach of his beloved Brisbane Lions.

Geelong is good. No argument there so let's move on.
Terry Wallace, after himself declaring that he'll be under the pump if Richmond don't make the finals in 2009, is clearly in a deep, deep hole. Sitting dead last on the AFL ladder, Richmond, although showing glimpses of life, have looked pretty awful. One thing on their side is that they've come up against pretty good opposition - Carlton, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs. That said, 0-3 looks bad no matter how you display it. Fremantle coach Mark Harvey, also sitting at 0-3, will too be feeling a little hot under the collar after his team failed to capitalise on a last quarter lead against Adelaide and look set to have another horrid year.
I know Hawthorn are reigning premiers, but it's no doubt Geelong is the team to beat again this year. Although Hawthorn looked shaky to start 2009, they have a lot of talent that you cannot ignore. The Western Bulldogs still look hot and now St Kilda has joined the fray but there's still a lack of interstate challenges. Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Adelaide are currently in the Top 8 but you wouldn't put your lunch money on them being serious contenders.
So onto the nice surprises for 2009 and St Kilda lead the way there. On top of the AFL ladder and with a percentage of 172, if that team can stay healthy, they'll go a long way to finally winning the premiership all their fans believe is well overdue.
Carlton has announced itself strongly to start season 2009, albeit with a little hiccup against arch-rival Essendon. Carlton's midfield is packed with young talent and led brilliantly by one of the best - Chris Judd. If their youngsters can follow Judd's lead with credibility and the team stays disciplined, the sky is the limit for the not-so-old dark navy Blues.
And finally the Lions. Are they a real chance? Well, let's be blunt - no. Long term, though, if Voss can keep on building for two or three year's and continue blooding these young guns the side seems to keep producing, they'll no doubt be up there again for a shot at the flag. They seem to have more potential than any other non-Victorian team.

Now bring on round 4!