Gary Ablett of the Gold Coast Suns addresses the media during a press conference at Crown Casino in Melbourne. Slattery Images
No matter how you spin it, 2010 has been a year of controversy and drama in the AFL, both on and off the field. Football has certainly been no stranger to the front page. Now, as the year comes to a close – fittingly, with a nude photo scandal still making headlines – it’s time for a reflection on the biggest stories in the game.
There are some notable omissions from the following list. The likes of Brendan Fevola, Andrew Lovett and Steve Baker will have to be content with honourable mentions.
However, this is just one man’s top ten. Feel free to throw in your own contributions or put together a list of your own.
10. The Essendon-Hird-Thompson coaching saga – After months of speculation and denial, the Bombers landed their coaching “dream team” by bringing home favourite sons James Hird and Mark Thompson this off-season. However, the lead-up to both appointments could’ve been handled better.
There was Hird’s comments while Matthew Knights was still coach that he held an ambition “deep in my heart” to coach the Bombers himself, and his weekly (albeit unconvincing) denials to Mike Sheahan on On The Couch.
Then there was Thompson’s confession to Geelong that he was “burnt out” – and the later confession he actually wasn’t – plus his constant calls for loyalty among Cats players during the year and the phone records that indicated he’d been in contact with Essendon as far back as July.
9. Mick Malthouse’s clash with Stephen Milne – It’s unusual enough to see a coach of an AFL club approach a player of the opposing team at quarter time. However, to see a coach (Collingwood’s Malthouse) call a player (St Kilda’s Milne) a “f***ing rapist” back in Round 3 was more than just a little surprising.
Initially, Malthouse denied any wrongdoing, and he was backed up by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, however the knee-jerk response from those in black and white only ensured the saga dragged on well after the final siren on that fateful Friday night. Malthouse, Milne and Pies assistant Paul Licuria were all hit with fines over the incident.
8. The emergence of mature-age recruits – While they weren’t exactly front page material like other members of this list, Fremantle’s Michael Barlow and Geelong’s James Podsiadly were definitely the feel-good stories of 2010 and as a result, they thoroughly deserve a mention.
Barlow was plucked from VFL club Werribee and became an instant star in his 33-possession debut. He went on to be a big part of the Dockers’ resurgence in 2010 – right up until breaking his leg in an unfortunate incident in Round 14.
28 year-old Podsiadly had to wait even longer for his AFL debut, but he certainly made the most of it. Cementing his spot in the best 22 of the reigning premiers, he delighted fans at Skilled Stadium with multiple five-goal hauls and a total of 49 majors for the year.
7. The Israel Folau signing – Like the Karmichael Hunt announcement a year previous, GWS’ declaration it had landed NRL star Folau to play for the expansion club was major news all over the country, not to mention one of the biggest discussion points on The Roar this year.
While GWS coach Kevin Sheedy is confident Folau can make the transition to Aussie Rules, the size of his contract was questioned by many in the game – including Leigh Matthews, Michael Voss and The Roar’s own Troy Chaplin.
6. Jason Akermanis – Aker’s final season in the AFL was never far from the spotlight. To off-set the impact of a smaller playing contract, the Western Bulldogs allowed Akermanis to take up extra media commitments in 2010 – a move that was, in hindsight, a recipe for disaster.
Whether it was a controversial column on gay footballers in the paper or harsh criticisms of VFL opponents on radio, Aker found himself in hot water constantly. The trouble caused by his media work, combined with what the Dogs called “repeated breaches of trust”, led to his eventual departure from Whitten Oval and, unsurprisingly, even more Aker headlines.
5. Mathew Stokes, Michael Johnson and Travis Tuck – The AFL’s illicit drugs policy was given a stern public test this year with three cases involving players and drugs playing out in the media.
The first was Geelong’s Mathew Stokes, who pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and had a trafficking charge dropped. In May, Michael Johnson was dropped from Fremantle’s leadership group, fined and suspended after also being charged by police with possession of cocaine.
Then, on the eve of the finals, Hawthorn’s Travis Tuck became the first player to be hit with a third strike under the league’s illicit drug policy. A tribunal sitting determined Tuck’s drug use was not recreational, but a by-product of clinical depression, and he was hit with a 12-game suspension.
4. Ben Cousins – The final season of Cousins’ career had plenty of drama. It started with rumours (never substantiated) of both a relapse and an alcohol problem. It continued when he was admitted to hospital and put in an induced coma after what was said to be an adverse reaction to a sleeping pill.
Towards the end of the season, though, came Cousins’ retirement and the biggest story of them all, the airing of his two-part documentary that went into detail about his drug use. The doco, which also delved into the former West Coast star’s relationship with the AFL and authorities, was a huge talking point all over the country.
3. St Kilda nude photo scandal – The game was well and truly rocked last week when a 17 year-old girl posted photos of naked St Kilda stars on Facebook, which quickly spread across the internet. The girl earlier this year was reported to have fallen pregnant after having sex with Saints players and claimed releasing the photos was an act of revenge.
St Kilda and captain Nick Riewoldt, who was one of the exposed players, were forced into damage control. They stressed that the photos were not distributed with the consent of the players and that they were taken by teammate Sam Gilbert, who stored them on a laptop that was later accessed by the girl.
The girl claimed to have 21 photos in total and was threatening to release them all. However, last Friday in court she agreed to delete the images. That’s not to say the saga is over yet – she’s promising a book that will tell her side of the story.
2. Gary Ablett to the Gold Coast – All year, the question was, “Will he, won’t he?” The footy world was speculating as to whether Gary Ablett would leave Geelong to join the AFL’s 17th club, the Gold Coast Suns. A massive multi-million dollar deal was reportedly on the table, but there was doubt over whether Gazza would leave the successful Cats.
As the saga continued to drag out, the consensus among fans and the media was that the 2009 Brownlow medallist was headed north. But it wasn’t just those outside the club speculating. Apparently Mark Thompson and Ablett were not on speaking terms for most of the season after a heated discussion on Ablett not re-signing with the Cats.
In October – under two weeks after Geelong’s season ended – it was made official, Ablett became a Sun.
1. Drawn Grand Final – No matter how big other stories have been, 2010 will always be remembered for only the third drawn grand final ever. Much like the mere mention of 1977 in AFL circles evokes memories of the North Melbourne and Collingwood stalemate, decades from now 2010 will send minds back to Collingwood and St Kilda, tied at 68 points apiece.
From Brendon Goddard’s mark to that frantic final minute to the stunned silence at the final siren to Nick Maxwell’s post-game comments, the 2010 decider had drama that simply couldn’t be scripted. Then came the fallout afterwards – from cancelled best and fairest nights to new ticketing arrangements to the debate over the merits of having the replay at all.
A week later came the replay, which provided even more moments that will be remembered – notably, Heath Shaw’s goal square smother on Nick Riewoldt and the obvious, Collingwood ending their 20-year premiership drought.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Latest news on Ablett - he wore the full Gold Coast playing strip for the first time just the other day: http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=106778
DB
Guest
from a Cats fan perspective (read from the bottom if you like the suspense of 10:1) 1. Ablett leaving to the Gc 2. Thompson leaving for Essendon 3. revealtions of Thompson and Ablett not talking for most of the year 4. Stokes on trumped up drug charges 5. poor performance against Collingwood in Prelim 6. Selwood signing 7. The J.Pod 8. S Johnsons / Baker Incedent 9. the Mooney "Push in the Back" 10. Frank costa says goodbye HM. Cameron Ling announced as Captain, Selwood wins Carji Greeves Emergence of Varcoe, Ottens out for most of the season,
Rob McLean
Guest
That's gold Nick! I like the tongue in cheek twist on the SA AFL news. Even this week I had to laugh, one of the news channels ran an informative story on Jay Schulz and how he has turned himself around! Interesting, maybe, during the actual season but now, at Xmas time?????? Seriously... I love the AFL but the quality of footy reporting in this state sometimes has me wondering. Go Collingwood! ;)
Westcoast929406
Guest
Have to say its good news to see more international footy supporters starting to emerge in the AFL world and on here. In circa 2001/2003 they were a bit thin on the ground, however the Inaugral International Cup held in Melbourne in 2002 was an eye opener to the AFL Executive. They were not sure it appears who was arriving from distant lands - But who did arrive showed their enthusiasm for our sport, which continues today despite big obstacles at times. On another point the International Cup winners should be handed the Tom Wills Trophy - To follow the other footy codes so as to speak. With the trophy there should be a short summary of Tom Wills and his life - Which is interesting to say the least.
ruckroverr
Guest
Whether the AFL recruiting tests are the best way to assess players potential or just better to look at their match performance - is a good debate, though some combination presumably is best indicator. But for me the Oceania Youth Cup plus the performance of South Pacific in the under-16 championships would have to rate in the top 4 of the AFL's top 10. In 5 years time it is likely that 2010 will be seen as a watershed for Australian Football becoming a major sport in Oceania. Making up a century of lost time since when the game was for a couple of decades called "Australasian Rules Football" before Rugby took over north-eastern Australia and NZ and thence the Pacific. The dovetailing of Folau and Hunt transfers and the rise of Natainui with the growth in Oceania and the good showing in front of AFL talent scouts means this is no flash in the pan.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Fussball you appear to be making the argument that the recruitment staff only rely on the results of the draft camp. It's a false premise. Those who are most likely to end up top 80 or so in the draft are invited to the draft camp - after they have excelled that season in their respective comps. But as history tells us, and this goes for most sports, those that excel in the junior grades are not necessarily the same ones who are going to excel at the senior grades. The draft camp has become a means to enable the recruitment staff to gather more info, especially those who are 50/50, or where the clubs have a few possible picks lined up with the first couple. There is absolutely nothing wrong with gathering the most info possible. Going back to the kicking test - why have it? 1. You aren't necessarily going to get the true measure of what the player is capable of at junior level, especially in terms of decision making and execution under pressure. 2. You aren't necessarily going to get to see the full range of scenarios you may be interested in, in fact, it's extremely unlikely that you will. 3. By the time the players make the draft camp, the scouts will have a reasonable handle on the player's kicking ability both sides, but this newish test is putting the spotlight on it, especially quick and accurate execution in split second decision making, target relatively unseen. What's more, they are all doing the same thing - it's competitive, and most importantly, lots of eyes are on your every kick - and that counts for a fair bit. A lot more is getting tested than just the ability to hit a target.
Redb
Roar Guru
As do I Big Al. In recent years testing has included specific skills type testing not just those based on athletic ability.
Koops
Guest
I agree, and it's a first, but i think the recruiters are out there, the good ones are !. But there is nothing better than a actual game situation, but on the other hand, testing fitness, speed and ball skills doesn't hurt either and all is weighed up. I coach a young team, and when football finished this year, i asked them what they were up to ........... some are playing basketball, some cricket, a few surf life saving, a few indoor beach volleyball and indoor soccer and outdoor cricket and i think it's fantastic. But from a football coaching POV, surf lifesaving will bring a great fitness base, basketball will bring good hand eye co-ord and good vision in traffic, indoor soccer should bring good strengths on both sides of the body for kicking and cricket will bring kids down hanging out to get back into footy hopefully. ( i do actually like cricket)
Koops
Guest
I think if you get through junior footy without something like that, or even a lot worse happening, you are very lucky.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
MLF 1. I never said passing the kicking test allows you to play elite Aussie Rules. I simply said that "hitting the target consistently" was my kicking test - no need for Buckley to invent a new one. 2. That's why the good recruiting staff should be out there every week-end - in freezing cold, in the middle of nowhere - watching players actually play the Game. A contrived situation in a laboratory using a "beep test" or "vertical leap" or "Lloyd's handball" is not a reflection of how a player will perform under real match conditions.
BigAl
Guest
Come on Red, be fair ! - Fuss makes valid points. But as MLF says ' ... the hit rate of draft selections has never been higher ' - which is the bottom line in the process. I also agree with the hope that many, many more 'unknown/mature' players get into the AFL.
Bob
Guest
Should they invent the Liberatore 'knee in the groin' test or the Rick Kennedy 'miss the ball punch the back of the hands' test. Takes a lot more than being able to jump high, run fast or win a kicking accuracy test to become a good AFL player.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
"either you can hit a target consistently with a real ball, or you can't" 1. I can hit a target, but I can't (and could not) play AFL standard. 2. There's a world of difference between hitting a target playing kick to kick with your mate, and doing it under game conditions. I've seen plenty of champions out on the training track, but none of them ever played AFL standard.
Redb
Roar Guru
Like you have any clue :)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Why would it matter how Greg Williams, Ian Stewart, Darrel Baldock, Bob Skilton, etc. scored on "the vertical leap" and "the beep test"? They were all elite Aussie Rules players b/c of they had exceptional technical ability & tactical awareness, which could be seen by simply watching them play and train.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Lloyd's handball test" ... you're kidding, right? I reckon only Lucas and K Bartlett would know less about the handball technique than Matthew Lloyd! A "Barry Cable Handball test" or "Greg Williams Handball test" would have some credibility. I'm flabbergasted that they had to invent "a kicking test" ... either you can hit a target consistently with a real ball, or you can't - that's the test. In my opinion, sports science should be used to improve technique, and identify technical or conditioning deficiencies ... NOT to determine whether someone is capable of playing sport at the elite level.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
The fact remains that if you are deficient in a range of athletic attributes, you can't play AFL level, it's really not all that difficult to understand. The J-Pod and Barlow are great stories, may more come in as mature players, but by the same token, the hit rate of draft selections has never been higher. All that aside, you can never fully account for injury susceptibility, personal motivation, team fit, etc, etc
Redb
Roar Guru
Also tested in Tonga: Buckley's kicking test Lloyd's handball test Both of which were introduced in the 2-3 years to recognize that athletes alone are not good enough. A better balance than in the past for sure. Re James Hird, he was injured for many of the U18's games and therefore recruiters barely saw him.
Nick the second
Guest
Walt nice pick up, I dont follow the crows but merely suggesting the quality of what is news worthy in the state. How do say tongue in cheek? Regards
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
What is the relevance of all these tests? How does it make you a better Aussie Rules player? How would Greg Williams, Wayne Carey, Leigh Matthews, Bob Skilton, Ted Whitten have performed with these tests, I wonder? In my opinion, the over-reliance on irrelevant sports science testing is the reason why so many AFL players are technically deficient and why technically proficient players such as Michael Barlow, James Podsiadly, etc. are overlooked but prove to be excellent AFL players because ... they can actually play the game! The incompetence of AFL recruiters and their methodologies is probably highlighted by James Hird not being selected until pick number 79 in the 1990 AFL draft - one of the last to be picked! So many technically gifted Aussie Rules players, are overlooked b/c they don't satisfy irrelevant sports science criteria, including: Chris Grant picked at No.105 in 1988; Scott Burns at No.90 in 1992; Brent Harvey at No. 47 in 1995; Brendan Fevola at No.38 in 1998; Ryan O’Keefe at No.54 in 1999.