View Full Version : Shattock over Headland....is anyone surprised?
BrisGirl
19 Apr 2002, 11:22
I must admit to being a little surprised over Shattock, not because Shattock doesn't deserve it, only that I thought Des would be the next one off the rank.
Is Des not performing in the 2's, or is it about height and match-ups against Bulldogs?
Maverick
19 Apr 2002, 11:36
Shattock has been reported as being in the best couple of players the past couple of weeks.
Whereas Des has been around 4th best each week.
So based on this, they have gone with Shattock.
The frustrating part for me, is that Des was in our best 18, and an injury has forced him out, and he again has to prove himself through the reserves.
I am hoping he will be back soon.
Originally posted by Maverick
The frustrating part for me, is that Des was in our best 18, and an injury has forced him out, and he again has to prove himself through the reserves.
I agree that Headland is unlucky not to be in the side, due to injury, as during the pre-season, he looked to be holding a senior spot.
However, I still believe that he is very much a fringe player (like the others I mentioned in the thread "Fringe Players"), and likewise, I don't believe he is in our best 18. It will take more than just coming back from injury, and being the best in the 2's, to see him in our best 22, let alone our best 18.
Considering the following team is pretty much a clear example of our best 18 (IMO), I can't see where Headland would fit in (and who you'd take out), if he is indeed in that best side. (Note: I haven't even put D.White in the starting 18 either).
B: M.Pike, M.Michael, M.Ashcroft
HB: C.Scott, J.Leppitsch, C.Johnson
C: J.Akermanis, M.Voss, N.Lappin
HF: T.Notting, J.Brown, C.McRae
F: D.Bradshaw, A.Lynch, L.Power
Foll: B.McDonald, S.Black, B.Scott
I reckon Headland will have to prove himself off the bench, Mav.
Originally posted by BrisGirl
I must admit to being a little surprised over Shattock, not because Shattock doesn't deserve it, only that I thought Des would be the next one off the rank.
Is Des not performing in the 2's, or is it about height and match-ups against Bulldogs?
I reckon if Shattock has been performing in the 2's, then he more then deserves another shot.
Shattock has always been impressive, in terms of his attitude and willingness to have a real go - it's just been his application that has let him down. Perhaps he is up to taking the next step.
Personally, I see him as being capable of taking over the role that M.Ashcroft currently has.
Frosty_1
19 Apr 2002, 12:04
Mav!
THAT'S FOOTBALL!
Maverick
19 Apr 2002, 12:55
Just to clarify my point a little, I agree Stocka that it is debateable whether Headland would be in the starting 18.
However, before his injury, I believe he was in front of players such as McRae & McGrath and a couple of others for a spot in the team. His injury came at a bad time.
The "best 18" or 22 for that matter, can change over a couple of weeks....ie the form of players such as B Scott, McGrath, Fly etc over a 2-4 week period can determine whether they are in our best team or not.
The key point is: the difference between player 15 - 25 in our team is marginal, and form at a given point in time should determine the pecking order, notwithstanding Lethal playing favourites.
Originally posted by Maverick
Just to clarify my point a little, I agree Stocka that it is debateable whether Headland would be in the starting 18.
However, before his injury, I believe he was in front of players such as McRae & McGrath and a couple of others for a spot in the team. His injury came at a bad time.
Agree.
Originally posted by Maverick
The "best 18" or 22 for that matter, can change over a couple of weeks....ie the form of players such as B Scott, McGrath, Fly etc over a 2-4 week period can determine whether they are in our best team or not.
The key point is: the difference between player 15 - 25 in our team is marginal, and form at a given point in time should determine the pecking order, notwithstanding Lethal playing favourites.
You're right Mav. It wasn't that long ago that we were in the starting 18. In fact, I don't even know why we were dropped to begin with.
Beausgirl43
19 Apr 2002, 14:36
Just a quick question!
How many of you have actually seen a ressies game this year to comment on who should or shouldn't be playing in the senior team this week?
My guess is that all of you are from interstate ... except Frosty.
:mad: :rolleyes: :confused: :o
cheers ... Kaz :)
Mr Ripper
19 Apr 2002, 14:48
Having seen the Mr. Magoos strutting their stuff last week, I'd have to say Des still needs another week or two down there before coming under serious consideration for senior selection. Going OK, but just a little shy of being "in form".
Shatts, on the other hand, is flying.
Originally posted by Beausgirl43
Just a quick question!
How many of you have actually seen a ressies game this year to comment on who should or shouldn't be playing in the senior team this week?
My guess is that all of you are from interstate ... except Frosty.
:mad: :rolleyes: :confused: :o
cheers ... Kaz :)
Well, the Lions website gives a run-down on reserves games every week, as the comments from some of the more astute BF posters who see the 2's games. This gives some indication from which to make a conclusion.
Similarly, there has also been some indication from those who we have seen in the pre-season, and also in the regular season.
Likewise, it's also a question over team requirements, and team balance, and the knowledge that you have of a player's abilities to fill a role, and perform at the level required.
When it comes to Maverick and myself, you can trust that whatever you read is coming from the greatest football minds available.
Mr Ripper
19 Apr 2002, 17:34
Originally posted by Stocka
When it comes to Maverick and myself, you can trust that whatever you read is coming from the greatest football minds available. ...apart from Maverick. :cool:
Frosty_1
19 Apr 2002, 18:31
Agreed again Steve!
And didn't they put on a display last week?
Not to mention Darren's 11.
I think Redlands have gone backwards from last year.
The Reserves are looking rather awesome at the minute.
Originally posted by Mr Ripper
...apart from Maverick. :cool:
Yes, on second thoughts, I think you might be right.
keatings_gal
21 Apr 2002, 20:25
welll..... awesome.....
FROSTY.......
nup....
we lost today.... (WAH WAH WAH)
i can't believe it.....
the fact of having so many injuries all at the same time and the reserves players being taken to replace them.....
& having to have 10 fill in players.... just took us down today.....
we played well & super coach was happy with how we did considering the consequences.... but we did lose round 1 last year & still ended up winning the premiership
i believe that luke weller was one of the best today....
he played just about every position there has possibly ever been...& did it all well..... for a player who usually has tea & scones in teh back line,,,,, who then has to go & play on the ball for 3/4 for the day.... i was very proud.....
but michael martin showed so much courage today.... he hurt his knee... but got back out there & finished the game out...
i will do more when i have more time
Lionel Lyon
27 Apr 2002, 04:45
Interesting article on Des at the Lions' site. As we all know, Headland played most of last year (unlucky to miss the GF), but this year zip. Clearly it's not an easy time to get a guernsey. Fortunately, he's still got a +ve attitude and, given that he's got his own family now and that his parents now live with him in QLD, relocation allegedly is not an inviting prospect (would you blame him, though, if he tried to get a game elsewhere?). The article:
http://lions.com.au/default.asp?pg=...articleid=31177
Determined to show his worth
lions.com.au
1:43:06 PM Fri 26 April, 2002
Leading football writer from The West Australian newspaper Mark Duffield speaks to former Perth boy Des Headland about the fight to break into the Brisbane Lions’ super-strong line-up and his determination to succeed…
Memo Des Headland: ring Damien Martyn. We don't know how much "Marto" knows about football but he knows a fair bit about how you feel at the moment.
Martyn, remember, was Australian cricket's man in waiting for the best part of two years before being given an opportunity to show his enormous batting gift in the Test arena.
Right now Headland is a former No. 1 draft pick who everyone believes can play but can't be shoehorned into Brisbane's senior team.
He again missed out on making a Brisbane team which is seeking a 21st consecutive victory against West Coast at Subiaco Oval tomorrow.
He dearly wanted to play a match in his home city, although his family have since followed him to Brisbane. He is, however, more determined than ever to eventually get selected and to succeed.
If you had told Headland when he was 17 that he would still be waiting for his big AFL break at 21, he would have laughed at you.
He was widely tipped as the No. 1 pick months before the 1998 draft. At the national under-18 titles in Adelaide, some of the talent scouts took to referring to Headland as "the big Mac". Then they would wink and say "the one with the lot".
That week, with the eyes of the nation's AFL heavyweights on him, Headland managed a goal which would have done both Peter Daicos and Pele proud, a 25m volley out of the air in WA's thrilling last-day victory over Victoria metro. There was no denying the talent.
Headland says he was probably more confident at that age than he is now.
"At 17 I was playing good football for Subiaco, often against AFL players coming back to the WAFL," he said. "My confidence was high and I would look at the AFL and think I could play at that level.
"I have had to learn about the AFL the hard way. I have lost the way I played a bit. I used to take a lot of marks over packs. At this level your first job is to learn to play your role."
Headland admits that in the search for that role, he may have lost some of his natural flair. Now, his first task is to show he can play the role. The second is to rediscover the flair.
His first games at Brisbane in 1999 were promising, although his rookie year was wrecked by a thigh problem which kept him sidelined, on and off, for 12 weeks.
He played nine games in 2000. Last year he managed 20 of Brisbane's 25 games. The five he missed? Round two, round three, the qualifying final, preliminary final and the grand final.
That is the sort of disappointment that makes or breaks most people and throughout the 2002 pre-season, it appeared to have been the making of Headland.
"It is the best I have been since I have been here," Headland said of his pre-season fitness.
Shane Johnson, the Lions player development manager, agreed. "Des has provided himself with the opportunity to be a very good AFL player," he said. "He just needs the chance to get into the side. I can't say when that will happen but when he does, I am confident he will do well."
Headland's fitness, he said, had improved dramatically.
"When Des got here, his endurance was below what was required at AFL level. Most people at the club think he is now well suited to a role at half back, midfield or half forward."
But just before round one, his thigh tightened up. Wary of the lay-off in 1999, he was rested immediately.
There was no tear, not even a strain. But it took three weeks and acupuncture before the tension in the muscle released and in the time that it took Headland to heal, fellow West Aussie Ashley McGrath jumped past him in the long queue for selection. He has since played all four games for the Lions this year.
Meanwhile, Headland is working his way back to fitness and touch in the Lion Cubs, Brisbane's QAFL team.
"It is very frustrating, knowing that I was there all last year and missed out on the finals," Headland said.
If Headland is homesick, he is not letting on. He has his family and there are no complaints about the club which has another three West Aussies in the squad - Simon Black, Beau McDonald and Richard Hadley - while fitness coach Craig Starcevich is another Sandgroper. There are regular debates about whose WAFL team is going best and, right now, one thing in Headland's favour is that the Lions head the WAFL table.
At 21, he's only a little older than the young draftee who breezed in four years ago, but much wiser. And, he says, much more determined.
The tough thing about Brisbane, he says, is fighting for your place in the queue. That can affect your confidence.
You get the feeling Headland wants to prove as much to himself as he does to the Lions. The best thing about it is that you get to learn off some of the best. He now includes Black in that group of role models.
"When you train with blokes like Vossy and Blacky you realise what makes them great players," he said. "It is the way they train and the way they work themselves."
Headland has gradually discovered the benefits of hard work himself. The prodigious natural talent learnt that not everything that came naturally to him was good for an AFL player.
"My genes gave me a big upper body and skinny legs," he said. "It didn't matter when I was a kid, always skinny and fit. Since I have been here I have had to work really hard on leg power and losing weight off the top."
He comes out of contract at the end of the season. and Johnson knows that players starved of opportunity often seek them somewhere else.
"Our senior group are probably best described as young veterans, all playing in the prime of their career," he said. "This happens in AFL football and here we have the go-home factor all the time because a lot of players are from elsewhere."
"Ben Robbins (West Coast, then Brisbane, now the Kangaroos) was a terrific player here but just couldn't crack it for a regular spot in the midfield."
However, neither Headland nor manager Wayne Loxley are talking of shifting. He is settled in Brisbane. He and partner Chantelle have a baby daughter Madison and are expecting a second child later this year.
Headland, in his fourth season, knows there is too much to gain, and lose by dropping his head and wasting this year.
"You do get frustrated, but you can't let that affect your game," he said. "Some players step straight in, others take five years."
Johnson was quick to point out that the number of games Headland played in 2001 showed the Lions believed in his ability.
"He has got to be regarded as a borderline player at the moment," he said. "But that is a borderline player with the potential to live up to his No. 1 draft selection, there is no doubt about that."