Carlton players wrap up Brisbane forward Brendan Fevola. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Carlton has shown that whilst it was a difficult decision to trade Brendan Fevola, it was one that needed to be made, as it’s clear they are now reaping the rewards.
In the season post the Brendan Fevola-era, the Blues are placed fifth on the ladder, two spots higher than last year. They have had an even spread of goal kickers in Fevola’s absence, without the off field drama.
Irishman Setanta O’hAilpin has been Carlton’s main contributor booting 24 goals so far this season. Alongside the Irishman are teammates Marc Murphy, Eddie Betts, Ryan Houlihan, Jarrad Waite, Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett who have all contributed more than ten goals to date this season.
Fevola’s departure has enabled the Carlton Football club to induce youth within their squad under the excellent leadership skills of Chris Judd.
Chris Judd’s leadership at the 2009 Brownlow Medal count was questioned; when it was discovered that Channel Nine’s Footy Show had recorded a heavily intoxicated Fevola on the Brownlow Medal street talk.
Judd is an outstanding leader who shows through example how professional athletes must conduct themselves in the public eye.
On the evening of the Brownlow Medal count, there was more than just one authoritative figure of the Carlton Football Club who could’ve pulled Fev into line and sent him up to his room that evening.
It’s ridiculous to suggest that it was Judd’s sole responsibility to move the six foot unit out of the Crown Palladium.
Judd said Fevola had “embarrassed himself again and his family and the entire football club and it’s becoming a regular occurrence,” on grand final eve.
Finally, the Blues had enough.
It was a decision that no one at the Carlton Football Club wanted to make, but it was inevitable that the Blues star forward had to move on.
Fevola was traded to the Brisbane Lions along with second round draft pick. In return Carlton received Lachlan Henderson and Brisbane’s first round draft pick.
“I acknowledge that this is largely of my own doing, I remain remorseful for the events of the past ten days and once again apologise to those people I have let down – especially family and friends,” Fevola said after being put up for trade.
Brendan Fevola has moved to Brisbane to play second fiddle to power forward Jonathan Brown. The duo were looking very dangerous until Brown suffered an injury, which is expected to be his troubled groin. Fevola has now passed Brown taking the lead of Brisbane’s goal kicking table, booting 39 goals for the season.
Moving to the sunshine state was the best for the troubled 29 year-old as he was not only able to concentrate on his footy, but escape the Melbourne media scrutiny. Similarly is the case with Fremantle’s Chris Tarrant.
Tarrant was the Collingwood Football Club’s talented forward for eight years, but had to learn to deal with the public attention that the club attracts from a very early age.
The All-Australian was the cult hero down at Collingwood, but it was the right decision for Taz to depart the Pies and seek a new home elsewhere. It was believed that Tarrant wanted to leave the club. Captain at the time, Nathan Buckley, said “I didn’t want him to stay if he didn’t want to be there.”
Tarrant still had great pace, versatility and good hands for an overhead mark, but his delivery to the jumping jack was poor.
It was time for Mick Malthouse and the coaching panel to rejuvenate the side with youth that would not only take them to a finals campaign, but to win on that last day in September.
Collingwood traded Chris Tarrant for Paul Medhurst and number eight pick in the national draft (Ben Reid).
Tarrant had moved up to the Fremantle forward line in the hope of complementing Matthew Pavlich. His form was average in Dockers colours, and was not living up to his true expectation as a high quality forward.
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey decided to move the out of form forward to defence after being consulted by assistant Chris Scott.
Tarrant has said that he has been “really enjoying” playing down back. He has played against the best forwards in the competition and rejuvenated his career.
”As a backman, your first priority is to beat your opponent. If you can do that, you can set up and create,” Tarrant said.
Four years following the trade, Mick Malthouse has transformed the team into a young competitive side that looks dangerous heading into September, with the potential to do some damage.
Whilst Travis Cloke is considered to be Tarrant’s replacement as the power forward, Cloke is complemented with a string of accurate young midfielders and small forwards to contribute to the Pies scoreboard.
Fevola’s wife, Alex, moved back to Melbourne two months ago, and will be partnered up with Arsen Kishishian competing in Channel Seven’s Dancing with the stars.
David Wirrpunda is also taking to centre stage in the new series.
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