No loafing on Saturday night. Sydney definitely did not drop off their work rate like they did last week against the GWS Giants. From the very beginning, the Swans grabbed a hold of the game and never let it out of their grasp. For all intents and purposes it was a classic case of “catch -up” football for the Crows. They were never allowed to dominate the forward battle thanks to resolute defending by the Swans backline. Dane Rampe was superb on Taylor Walker. Rampe didn’t gain many possessions (16 disposals) but his defensive work on Walker was one for the football purist. Subtle spoils, close marking and throw in a distinct height advantage on Walker’s behalf made Rampe’s contribution to the win all that more significant. The inclusions of Jeremy Laidler and Toby Nankervis worked. Nankervis was very competitive against Sam “Sauce” Jacobs. In fact Sydney won the hit-out count 47-42. Laidler played well at the back and gained 21 possessions. The linchpin of the Swans victory in our opinion and leading by example yet again was Josh Kennedy. 42 possessions, 4 tackles, Kennedy threw himself into the contest.In one play, he tried to chase down Crows speedster Charlie Cameron. It was the classic never give up on the chase as Cameron who looked to be easily breaking away from Kennedy, fumbled the ball and the attacking play was snuffed out thanks to Kennedy’s persistence. It was a gutsy effory by Josh considering the very nasty knock he received last week from Giant Steve Johnson. During the final moments of the last quarter Josh after an attempted chase, slipped and lay on his back and appeared to be genuinely exhausted as he had given his all on Saturday night.
You’re hot!.Scott Thompson of Adelaide yells out to Kyle Hartigan as Sydney’s Josh Kennedy pounces.Photo: Jodie Newell
This time Buddy stayed back. Lance Franklin didn’t go much further than the 50 metre arc area for the majority of the game except for the usual push up the ground when the ball is out of the attacking zone. Franklin slotted a couple of goals from his favorite position on the SCG being on the left hand side on the top of the 50 metre arc. Like a golfer with a slice, he curved the ball back from left to right and was deadly accurate from this spot. You get the feeling Lance is about to explode sometime in this finals series. Sure four goals is great, but you wish for something more from Lance, i.e. the super excitement factor. Hopefully that will happen against Geelong on Friday at the MCG for the preliminary final. A much better game than last week.
Lance Franklin played a better game this week against Adelaide booting 4 goals.Photo: Jodie Newell
Big Guns in the press box. The finals always brings out the big names to the press box. We bumped into Brownlow medalist and three-time premiership captain of the Brisbane Lions Michael Voss in the service elevator. He was accompanied by “The Fountain of Youth” Anthony Hudson who we’d best describe as the “Dorian Gray” of the AFL game callers. Not only are his youthful looks eternal, his enthusiasm in calling the game is the same. Vossy and Huddo were heading to the SEN radio box to call the action. BT or “The Colonel” as we like to dub Brian Taylor paid a visit to the media box. He said g’day to all assembled as he made a cup of tea before calling the big game on the Seven Network. We told BT that we thought his Colonel Sanders fancy dress look on the Footy Show a few years ago, was one of the best-ever as BT looked sensational in the white pressed linens,obligatory bucket of fried chicken, silver hair do and black shoe-lace Southern styled tie. Brian quipped he had to thank the magnificent Channel 9 make-up department for the superb appearance. Another bloke who hasn’t aged and looks like he could hop the fence and “don the sash” for the Essendon Bombers, Matthew Lloyd was also in Sydney for the game for 3AW radio. We joked that this week’s Open Mike interview was the highest-ever rated episode, to which Lloydie dryly said ‘Was it really?” with a grin. In all seriousness, it was a great episode and Matthew’s frankness and honesty was refreshing. It’s important to hear from the primary sources of our game and I wish there was more historical content on the Fox Footy channel. The Open Mike shows are first class oral histories. Another person we said g’day to was 3AW’s Dr Peter Larkins who surely must be racking up the frequent flyer points this week. The night before, he was in Melbourne covering the Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn game at the MCG. Dr Larkin’s medical insights into the game over the years have really helped the average football fan understand the nature of injuries and how they affect footballers.
It was a real pleasure to talk with football scribe Michelangelo Rucci of the Adelaide Advertiser before the game. We spoke about the 1970’s & 1980’s South Australian Football league. Being a former Victorian, I never really knew much about the SANFL, as we “arrogant” Victorians thought the Aussie Rules world was purely all about the then VFL. The great thing about the internet now is the ability to watch a lot of SANFL finals and great games from years passed. The crowds and intensity from those years are incredible and just as good as the “tribal” suburban era that I experienced in the old VFL. The only South Australian players I ever really got to see before the national competition were players like Malcolm Blight, Russell Ebert, Mark Williams, Robert Klomp and Tony McGuinness. Michelangelo told us about the Port Adelaide football club of that era and also of the legendary Fos Williams. What a legend Williams must have been, an incredible 7 flags as a player, 9 flags as a coach for Port Adelaide. The Power could use a guy like that these days!. Another subject I brought up was the disappearance of the two children Joanne Ratcliffe aged 11 and Kirste Gordon aged 4. Tragically whilst at a football game between North Adelaide and Norwood at the Adelaide Oval in August of 1973, the girls were abducted and were never seen again.The loss did affect myself and my sisters in Victoria. It was big news then and was on our TV sets and newspapers. We were school aged children and our parents repeatedly told us to watch out for strangers and to never talk or engage with anyone who acted or looked suspicious.It was an awful tragedy and the heartache felt by the parents must have been unbearable. To this day the case remains unsolved. On a more positive note it was really cool to see Michelangelo’s approach in questioning Crows coach Don Pyke at the post-game presser. He asked questions clearly and concisely about the reasons behind the Crows loss and continually probed the coach for answers.If only I could ask questions just as clearly as that. I could have used that skill and some a few weeks ago when I was “hammered” by Fremantle coach Ross Lyon when I nervously mumbled and stumbled on a question. Mumbles Newell! aka Mumbles from the Dick Tracy cartoon show!
Mumbles at the Wheel. I did my “Mumbles” impersonation a couple of weeks ago when I stumbled on a question to Freo coach Ross Lyon a couple of weeks ago. Pic from Dick Tracy 1960 cartoon.
Plenty of Crows fans in the Emerald City. The Adelaide fans travel well to games interstate and there were plenty in attendance at the Sydney Cricket Ground. When Eddie Betts finally got into the game in the 3rd quarter a distinct “Eddie Eddie” chant rang around the ground and it was loud. Later the Swans fans would counter that with the classic “Sydney, Sydney” chant. The Adelaide cheer squad really gave a colourful sight behind the goals at the Paddington end. I really liked the Taylor Walker, Tex & Co banner styled like the Texaco logo that was held aloft among the flags and streamers. It was a nice touch.A big congrats to the Adelaide fans for turning up in such big numbers and adding to the magnificent atmosphere on Saturday night at the SCG.
The Adelaide Crows cheer squad gave a colorful sight at the SCG on Saturday.Photo: Jodie Newell
Heen’s is back. Isaac Heeney didn’t have his best game last week, he wasn’t alone. Come Saturday night against the Crows his exciting, hard at the ball approach was back on show. It still is hard to believe this lad has played only 30+ games. He punches well above his weight when it comes to marking in a pack amidst taller opponents. In the final quarter it was interesting to watch Heeney’s set up when kicking at goal. He was aiming at the goals at the Randwick end and executed a perfect shot that went through for a goal. Maybe one day, he’ll be required to kick an important score after the siren. I guess all footballers dream of such a scenario.
Isaac Heeny aiming for goal set up. Yes, he kicked it!. Photos: Jodie Newell
Night games = late finish = dangerous getting home It may be OK for TV scheduling but I’ve never been a fan of late night AFL games. Reason? I dread catching the bus home. One the walk to Paddington is littered with drunks mostly men aged in the early 30’s and they are aggressive and rude. “How’s it going luv” or “Why dont you talk to me?” or “What a stuck up bitch you must be” when you refuse to do so. It’s unbelievable and feral out there at night. I’m not against blokes being blokes having a few quiet ones and being rowdy, but please leave people alone who simply just want to get home. Then when you get on the bus you have to put up with the drunks. I don’t know why the bus driver’s shouldn’t show more discretion when it’s clear people are inebriated or carry on bottles of wine half full or even hip flasks. The past couple of weeks I’ve feared for my safety as you get eyed and ogled by young blokes aged 23 and under who put their arms around the back of your seat and laugh with their mates..It’s a jungle out there.I cannot remember a time like it is now where people have no respect for other people’s spaces, they have no respect for people and ultimately have no respect for themselves. And I am no teetotaler. I harken back to a bloke who lived in my street in Melbourne when I was a teenager.He was a retired man, a returned serviceman who loved nothing more than his Footscray Bulldogs, his local RSL club and his beers. You’d see him regularly on a late afternoon tram, full as a boot. But he would never harass women, he wouldn’t swear, he would stagger home, but never harm anyone. I got it, in a strange way he got it to. But today’s batch of 20/30somethings cant handle a beer and cant manage themselves when they do partake. Kidults, they are in full force late on a Friday / Saturday night in the Eastern suburbs and it’s scary.
