Grand Final - Dandenong v Calder

[footyman]

Many were surprised that Cannons made the Grand Final and then won the Premiership. I think in twelve years time, when we reflect on the AFL careers of a number of the Cannon’s boys from Friday night, this will be rated one of the great TAC teams.

You may well be right. The Cannons have had some great teams over the years though. I still rate the 2001 Grand Final team as their best. Even though Brent Reilly missed with injury the team featured David Rodan, Andrew Welsh, James Kelly, Dane Swan and Ryan Crowley who have gone onto have long AFL careers, had powerful KPPs in Jordan Barham, Adam Winter, Kade Carey and Brian Ashton, as well as other really solid players like Bo Nixon, Matt Fitzgerald, Sam Young, Scott Howard, Eric Kuret. Was a super team that one.

Since then, the Cannons have had many draftees but too few have had long AFL careers. The 2002 and 2004 drafts were good numbers wise, but most had short life spans in the AFL. I think being from "Calder" and being part of successful teams might have made a few players look better than they were.

I am what you have described as a Bigfooty “lurker”. I am heavily involved with a local junior club. My interest in TAC is solely based on watching the progress of boys from our club. Very myopic, but that’s life. Ninety percent of posts on Bigfooty have this “myopic” perspective.

I don't mind the 'lurkers' but the board needs contributors otherwise the 'lurkers' won't have anything to read. My one wish would be for the 'lurkers' to contribute something once in a while, the forum would be much better for it.

Footyman, keep up your good work. You drive Bigfooty. Your posts are informed, insightful and broadly based.

Finally, Footyman keep up with your talent identification. Luke Mitchell is one of your success stories. You nominated him at under 15 level and supported him over the last few years. He has proven you right! Remember, this year AFL Victoria did not even rate him in the best 80 metro TAC players - didn’t even crack a practice game. Mitchell’s team orientated contribution and support of Temal during the finals, has meant he was one of the most influential TAC players of 2009.

Thanks for the compliment. There's no doubt Mitchell has received a fair few mentions from me this year, no bias cos I don't even know the bloke, but he's had a fairly good run of "positive press" from me. Don't worry I've already got a gun for 2011 worked out, he'll be the one I ramble on about for the next year or two!

 

[Tailypo]

yeah i was impressed with watson aswell, but im not sure about how accountable he is, didnt see him spoil or beat his opponent very often

Really? Seemed to me that he spoiled well more often than not. I will watch the replay though, maybe I'm wrong.