The Coon Dog
16 Jun 2007, 08:25
Gilbee opts not to face new ball (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21911700%255E19742,00.html)
The Herald Sun - 16 June
SO MUCH for the allure of a shiny new Sherrin.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5527983,00.jpg
Ideal kicking action: Lindsay Gilbee
Lindsay Gilbee, the consummate kicking professional, likens a fresh Sherrin to a new cricket bat that needs playing in.
That means the Bulldogs kick-in expert will avoid dipping into the bucket of new balls behind the goals if he can.
"I wish they could bring back the days where you could just use one footy. You go to the bucket and you get a new one out and it's like a rock," Gilbee said.
"I just found a few years ago when you had one ball the whole day, the ball was better in the last quarter than it was in the first quarter.
"It's like knocking a cricket bat in - you're going to just go out there, hit it in the middle and it's going to come off every time."
With the new quick kick-in rule, several balls are available behind the goals. Players no longer have to wait for the goal umpire to wave the flags, or for the ball to be delivered back from the crowd.
Although Gilbee has no complaints overall with the balls, he said there were unavoidable variances.
When you make a living out of pin-point passes through crowded defensive zones, it can be the difference between a takeaway or a turnover.
"Some balls are harder than others. Some are more pointy than others," Gilbee said.
"I'll usually try and get the same ball that was kicked through so I don't have to get a newer one out of the bucket.
"If it's deep into the crowd, I'll go to the bucket so I can get the ball in as quick as I can."
The Herald Sun - 16 June
SO MUCH for the allure of a shiny new Sherrin.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5527983,00.jpg
Ideal kicking action: Lindsay Gilbee
Lindsay Gilbee, the consummate kicking professional, likens a fresh Sherrin to a new cricket bat that needs playing in.
That means the Bulldogs kick-in expert will avoid dipping into the bucket of new balls behind the goals if he can.
"I wish they could bring back the days where you could just use one footy. You go to the bucket and you get a new one out and it's like a rock," Gilbee said.
"I just found a few years ago when you had one ball the whole day, the ball was better in the last quarter than it was in the first quarter.
"It's like knocking a cricket bat in - you're going to just go out there, hit it in the middle and it's going to come off every time."
With the new quick kick-in rule, several balls are available behind the goals. Players no longer have to wait for the goal umpire to wave the flags, or for the ball to be delivered back from the crowd.
Although Gilbee has no complaints overall with the balls, he said there were unavoidable variances.
When you make a living out of pin-point passes through crowded defensive zones, it can be the difference between a takeaway or a turnover.
"Some balls are harder than others. Some are more pointy than others," Gilbee said.
"I'll usually try and get the same ball that was kicked through so I don't have to get a newer one out of the bucket.
"If it's deep into the crowd, I'll go to the bucket so I can get the ball in as quick as I can."