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Clinton Young of Hawthorn has his number taken during the NAB Cup match between the Hawthron Hawks and the Melbourne Demons at Aurora Stadium. Slattery Images
The long wait ends this Friday night when AFL footy returns with the NAB Cup kicking off in Perth. But after a dramatic off-season the new campaign will offer plenty of subplots to keep everybody interested and the pre-season competition presents us with our first insights into it all.
Indeed, this season’s Trade Week was one of the most busy in history, while further inroads on expansion, international recruitment, off-field player misbehaviour and the AFL’s annual rule tinkering will throw plenty into the mix for 2010.
Nevertheless the AFL’s pre-season tournament, the NAB Cup, still gets observed with a raised eyebrow by many who disregard the competition as a meaningless kick-around. Bizarre rules like the ‘supergoal’ and the regular unavailability of star players certainly degrades the pre-season competition.
But I’m a believer that there’s plenty to get excited about with this year’s pre-season (maybe as a result of the long wait!) but here’s why.
The New Power Forwards
Two of the big questions going into the 2010 AFL season will be ‘how will Brisbane effectively operate with Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola up forward?’ and ‘can Barry Hall give the Bulldogs what they need as their premiership window nears an end?’
Again, the pre-season should offer the fans a glimpse of what to expect.
The Lions will be observed with much curiousity in AFL circles after the arrival of Fevola to combine with Brown up forward. They will both demand the ball, so coach Michael Voss will need to find a system to accommodate them both. Indeed, if Voss is tempted into using them in tandom in pre-season it’ll be interesting to see if they can fully utilise their dangerous artillery.
Elsewhere, new Bulldogs bigman Hall got through his first competitive hit-out in his side’s intra-club match last weekend with ‘a controlled display of aggression’. He also booted two goals, which would be nice every week for Dogs fans.
At 33-years-young, Hall is near the end, perhaps like the Dogs’ premiership window, so his progress in solving Footscray’s perennial big forward problem will be important. Coach Rodney Eade has admitted Hall has ‘still got a bit to go’.
The Rule Changes
The AFL announced four trial rule changes for the NAB Cup, although the most interesting two are allowing boundary umpires to pay free-kicks for holding at stoppages and the tinkering of the advantage rule whereby a player, not the umpre, decides if there is an advantage.
On the former, I have my concerns about what offering power to more officials will do for consistency, although that power will admittedly be limited to stoppages. On the other hand, holding and contact at stoppages (which essentially stems from tagging) is denying good players the footy which isn’t what the fans want. It is worth a try.
On the latter, I’ve always had a grievance with players being allowed two shots on goal or a second chance under the current advantage rule. But whether or not the change results in confusion remains to be seen. That’s the worry.
The Youngsters on the Rise
It’s always difficult to predict which youngsters will step up to the AFL grade before a ball has even bounced but there’s been plenty of positive signs from a few already.
Brisbane’s Jack Redden, who played 10 games last season, appeared a talented kid, but that was just his problem… he appeared to be a kid. He’s bulked up in the off-season and could follow in Daniel Rich’s footsteps and become a star.
Elsewhere, newly drafted youngsters Anthony Morabito and Dustin Martin, at Fremantle and Richmond respectively, are reportedly ready for senior level, with the former definitely possessing immediate quality.
And Freo’s Stephen Hill along with Collingwood pair Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom have all put on weight, while Bulldogs athletic forward Liam Jones is being talked up after completing his school commitments.
The Internationals
The AFL’s international rookie rule began to be exploited during the off-season and St Kilda’s move to lure former Gaelic All Stars Young Footballer of the Year Tommy Walsh from Ireland was arguably the biggest signing.
All reports from St Kilda during pre-season suggest the lad from County Kerry is picking up the game well and adjusting quicker than expected. Considering he’s only 21-years-old and boasts a wonderful record back in Ireland, he is quite a talent and could be anything.
Collingwood’s big American import Seamus McNamara could get a chance in the NAB Cup. In the wake of Kevin Sheedy’s comments on recruiting Americans, McNamara’s progress will be eagerly monitored.
The Venues
With expansion the hot topic at AFL headquarters, the first round NAB Cup clash between Sydney and Carlton will be played out in the new Greater West Sydney HQ at Blacktown Olympic Park.
It is the first senior match to be played there and it’ll be very interesting to see the reception it gets.
Elsewhere, there will be two NAB Challenge games in Southport on the Gold Coast, rather than at Carrara, which again offers a good glimpse into the future of the game as expansion nears.
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