Des Headland

[jo_lions]

Well there's enough been written on the main board about Headland's little brain implosion last night, so I won't get into the merits of that here. However, the whole incident has just reminded me of how upset I was to lose him at the end of 2002. After such a good run in the Brownlow in a premiership year I really thought we would really come to regret losing him (not that there was much we could do about it).

The benefit of hindsight is useful, as always, but talk about a blessing in disguise! Has struggled without a first class midfield around him, battled injuries and been exposed as soft, both physically and mentally.

In the Headland trade (I believe) we ended up with pick 3 (Jared Brennan). JB hasn't exactly been immune from criticism himself but, 4 years on, I think it's safe to say we got the better end of the deal. If nothing else JB is at least genuinely committed to the footy club and is currently holding a spot in our best 22. Doubt we'd be saying that about Des in 2007.

Don't take this as me simply taking the opportunity to have a cheap shot at Des. However it is a prime example of a silver lining to what was at the time quite a grey cloud.

 

[Quigley]

Des I have thought really hasn't come on as he should. He was a first class talent who I think would have been better served to stay in Brisbane. I am not sure if the distractions of home got to him but he should have been a better player than he has shown.

 

[Grimreepah]

The go home factor does not mean that's where you play your best footy. Perhaps he is just too comfortable in his surroundings.

 

[Snoochems]

I was thinking the same thing too as I was watching Freo struggle against WCE.

Similar thoughts were going through my head about Mal Michael when essendon lost the unlosable.

 

[ZoBlitz]

Regardless of what happened between Dessie and the Lions, I'd like to see him get back to his 2002 form (although not when Freo are playing us) just because he was playing such exciting football back then and it was just great to watch.

Unfortunately I don't think he will, at least not at Freo.

 

[roostersgal4eva]

at least he went cause of family reasons

he wasnt as bad as aka/mal when they left

 

[Ruse]

real credit would really have to go to leigh. he just seems to be able to get the most out of players. i reckon if JB2 and Strawb were at richmond they would've been disasters and quite possibly been spat on by now.

 

[Warwick]

Was the best player in the competition during the second half of 2002 (including finals).

What happened?

 

[J.Hetfield]

If somebody had a go about my six year old daughter i would rip their head off too reguardless of the ramifications...Good on Des i say..

 

[campbell]

If somebody had a go about my six year old daughter i would rip their head off too reguardless of the ramifications...Good on Des i say..

exactly.
Imagine if someone said that to Johnno or Whitey or even Vossy.All hell would have broken loose.

 

[POBT]

One is not connected to the other. Headland has been an inconsistent performer long before Saturday night. A shame - a great player to watch when firing.

 

[John]

Why is this thread being hi jacked away from what Jo originally intended?
The issue of what was or was not said between him and Sellwood is outside the scope of this thread.
It is certainly not my place to tell lions supporters what to talk about but I would suggest that it is an issue that is worth steering clear from on this board. There is plenty of threads on the main board.

As to Des. IMO he is not the same player he was. Why? No idea. Why does anyone lose form or not kick on as much as one expects? With hind site the #3 pick for Brennan looks good.

 

[LuckyLuke]

Was the best player in the competition during the second half of 2002 (including finals).

What happened?

Got 16 Browny points didn't he?

In regards to the trade, didn't we also get Carracella in the same trade? I remember it being a three way deal between Freo, Essendon and us. Or was that with Cupido?

 

[kimp]

I htink it was Caracella.

Dessy was my favourite player that year. We started Des's Headland and everything.

We were very disappointed when he left after saying after the GF that he wasn't definately staying.

I just guess different people have different priorities and his gf had a huge influence on his decisions.

Dessie's form since goes to prove how good Leigh is.

 

[Warwick]

Got 16 Browny points didn't he?

In regards to the trade, didn't we also get Carracella in the same trade? I remember it being a three way deal between Freo, Essendon and us. Or was that with Cupido?

I thought we got a couple of picks. Didn't we snare Selwood with the other pick? I'll have to go back and check what the trade was.

 

[Lady Lawrence]

the whole Dessy saga and the Mal saga were very much the same for me. Spoke to Dessy at B&F and he definitely wasn't going anywhere, loved Brisbane, loved the Lions etc etc and then wallop!

Spent ages chatting to Mal at U Bar after B&F and he was all retirement, the foundation etc etc and then wallop!

Guess I simply shouldn't talk to anyone ever again!!

And Kimp was a massive rap for Dessy I remember sending her a heap of Dessy heads to make the headland - was a great initiative and such a shame the way it all turned out.

 

[POBT]

the whole Dessy saga and the Mal saga were very much the same for me. Spoke to Dessy at B&F and he definitely wasn't going anywhere, loved Brisbane, loved the Lions etc etc and then wallop!

Spent ages chatting to Mal at U Bar after B&F and he was all retirement, the foundation etc etc and then wallop!

Guess I simply shouldn't talk to anyone ever again!!

And Kimp was a massive rap for Dessy I remember sending her a heap of Dessy heads to make the headland - was a great initiative and such a shame the way it all turned out.

LL = Jinx

LL: I was talking to George Bush Jnr and he was all appeasement, Saddam's not a bad bloke, no WMD etc etc and then, wallop!

 

[Sherman_11]

Got 16 Browny points didn't he?

In regards to the trade, didn't we also get Carracella in the same trade? I remember it being a three way deal between Freo, Essendon and us. Or was that with Cupido?

Yeah that's right.

We got Carracella and Brennan (pick 3)

Essendon got Cupido and Mcphee

Freo got Headland and a couple of draft picks

Essendon may have gotten a draft pick too, but i'm not 100% sure.
If someone know's the offical trade can they please post it?

 

[Crimso]

Was the best player in the competition during the second half of 2002 (including finals).

What happened?

Was a good running outside receiver for us, has almost a whole team of like players to compete with in Freo.

 

[Grimreepah]

From memory I think we lost pick 15 and Headland and gained pick 3, pick 19 and Caracella.

 

[lionbear]

I think it will be intresting to see how he goes once he has aplayed a full injury free season.

Think his skills are great perhaps needs to work hard on the track to keep fitness levels up, but I think he can, if has a injury free season, get his fitness to a maximum get to the levels of 2002.

From what I read in Brisbane Books, players like Voss and Lappin had a major influence on his 2002 season I think he has missed that quality around him. But I am sure if he plays all the remaining 19 games and Freo are in the finals he will be a dangerous player.

 

[Warwick]

But I am sure if he plays all the remaining 19 games and Freo are in the finals he will be a dangerous player.

Out of the equation now.

 

[Sherman_11]

From memory I think we lost pick 15 and Headland and gained pick 3, pick 19 and Caracella.

It just occurred to me that this would have been pick 5 when we recieved it.

Thanks Carlton

 

[The Flying Belgian]

And Kimp was a massive rap for Dessy I remember sending her a heap of Dessy heads to make the headland - was a great initiative and such a shame the way it all turned out.

I remember that. Dunno what happened with the head though.

 

[T Factor]

Hi All

Just some info on the JB trades etc in 2002

Des Hedland was traded for picks 3 (Jared Brennan) and 19 (Troy Selwood)

I think Damian Cupido was traded for Blake Caracella as a straight trade

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_AFL_Draft

useful link on the AFL drafts

T Factor