Excellent Michael Barlow article.

[Moo]

Imagine how much je is adding to the culture and work ethic around the place too.

If you were a young bloke struggling to come to terms with being on an AFL list he would be your poster boy.

The worm has turned.

 

[leungtl]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/97081/default.aspx

Barlow plays down Charlie chat

FREMANTLE sensation Michael Barlow is keeping his feet firmly on the ground as his debut season climbs to new heights, shrugging off hype that he could become just the third player to win the Brownlow Medal in his first AFL season.

Barlow, who was re-signed by Fremantle until the end of 2012 after just two games, is enjoying a record-breaking debut year that has seen him win more possessions (337) in his first 12 games than anyone before him.

One of the quotes that made me quite happy:
"It's definitely a collective environment - we, not I, here at Fremantle."

 

[hedgehog]

^^^^^^^^^

Barlow just comes across as a great bloke in all of these articles, just class personified. I am just so glad we've got him.

 

[loopa]

Check out the full press conference on the Freo website. He is a champ!

 

[Redgum]

Michael has quite a few years on Pav, you think he could be captain one day? I reckon he'd be a beauty

 

[Wee Jessies]

Michael has quite a few years on Pav, you think he could be captain one day? I reckon he'd be a beauty

I was watching an interview on FTV with Hase and I was thinking the same thing. Intelligent, hard working and level headed probably out of him and Duff for next Freo captain.

 

[Clay Davis]

I watched the media conference. Very good.

But who was that plonker who kept asking barbed questions about Freo, etc? Asked a question about why the media haven't had access to him and another about whether Mundy was leaving.

You could really sense the bitterness.

 

[chinggis77]

What an awesome article. Hope he wins the brownlow, but even if he doesn't it's still the story of the year...

How's Kyle Hardingham going at the Bombers?

Ha ha, yeah I think we often forget that the maligned Mcphee deal inadvertantly gave us Barlow.

Hardingham trains with Freo and is promised to be picked up in the pre-season draft.

Barlow trains with Essendon and is promised to be picked up in the pre-season draft.

Mcphee wants out - Harvs grabs the chance and convinces him to move west, Hardingham lucks out and Mcphee gets picked up in the pre-season draft.

Then the great mystery: Essendon pick Hardingham in the pre-season draft instead of Barlow, whether through spite or because they had a genuine belief that Hardingham was a better option (i.e. defender to replace Mcphee), who knows.

Barlow is then free to be picked up by us with our first pick.

We pick up an A-grader and reasonable player in Mcphee. Essendon loses a first 18 player and picks up a guy yet to crack a game. I.e. we get better an simultaneously weaken an opposition team. Coup of the year!

 

[salim malik]

I got into a stoush with Salim last year about who would get the upgrade Barlow or De Boer based on how impressed I was after seeing that highlight reel but you're right, I definitely didn't think he'd go as well as he has!

I wanted to wait and see how he went under the pressure of a game but any doubts were dispelled in the first NAB game ,he,s a deadset champ and works as hard on the track as in a game,great role model,great pick up and I love the guy
And kudos to you scham for picking it up so early

 

[salim malik]

Poor Salim, good training reports but no eye for talent.

Although did say something special happening at pre season and we would make the finals

 

[theGav56]

Although did say something special happening at pre season and we would make the finals

What are your thoughts on Barlow's role in that Salim? That is, would we be looking to make the finals without him on the list?

 

[Dormammu]

We pick up an A-grader and reasonable player in Mcphee. Essendon loses a first 18 player and picks up a guy yet to crack a game. I.e. we get better an simultaneously weaken an opposition team. Coup of the year!

A double reach-around - a great read C77, and something useful to throw back at the Bummers next time they start off with their Lucas/Lloyd bullshit.

 

[Cameron_K]

I watched the media conference. Very good.

But who was that plonker who kept asking barbed questions about Freo, etc? Asked a question about why the media haven't had access to him and another about whether Mundy was leaving.

You could really sense the bitterness.

That was Peter Vlahos from 6PR/9

 

[masai]

That was Peter Vlahos from 6PR/9

Redneck Radio.

 

[salim malik]

What are your thoughts on Barlow's role in that Salim? That is, would we be looking to make the finals without him on the list?

My original observations didnt factor in Barlowe at all as part of a finals berth,to be honest can understand why he wasnt picked up previously
Apart from his runs in the longer distant trials,he worked hard but looked unremarkable on the track,didnt seem to have an afterburner to break lines ,just a one paced gate ala Shane Tuck, his kicks were a little up and under and without a great deal of distance.Thought he would be rookie listed but didnt dream he would have the impact he has had.Guess the one thing that cant be factored in is inbuilt footy smarts and knowing were to go to get a kick.Barlowes the perfect example of Footy player over athlete.
Thought we would make the eight after watching the pre season with the squads determination,camaraderie and hard work.Veteran support staff were saying that in Freos history they hadnt seen a squad work as hard or have such determination and a buzz about them.
When Haze and Des who are not noted to be blessed with stamina early on in training are finishing well up in the distance runs something special is in the wind
I believe the emergence of Barlowe and to a lesser extent Silvagni and Fyfe have elevated the club to a top four position but with or without them we still would have finished 7-8

 

[free at last]

Just had a look at Barlow's odds for the Brownlow.Ablett fav,Hodge 2nd fav then Barlow 3rd fav.I can't believe we have someone that's going to give the Brownlow a shake ,especially in 2010.No wonder our team has boosted.(Biggest midfield in the AFL)

 

[Moo]

Ha ha, yeah I think we often forget that the maligned Mcphee deal inadvertantly gave us Barlow.

Hardingham trains with Freo and is promised to be picked up in the pre-season draft.

Barlow trains with Essendon and is promised to be picked up in the pre-season draft.

Mcphee wants out - Harvs grabs the chance and convinces him to move west, Hardingham lucks out and Mcphee gets picked up in the pre-season draft.

Then the great mystery: Essendon pick Hardingham in the pre-season draft instead of Barlow, whether through spite or because they had a genuine belief that Hardingham was a better option (i.e. defender to replace Mcphee), who knows.

Barlow is then free to be picked up by us with our first pick.

We pick up an A-grader and reasonable player in Mcphee. Essendon loses a first 18 player and picks up a guy yet to crack a game. I.e. we get better an simultaneously weaken an opposition team. Coup of the year!

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