For once I think Lethal's got it right!
Lappin selection staggers Matthews
10:01:39 AM Wed 10 September, 2003
afl.com.au
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews has said he’s amazed by the selection of Nigel Lappin on the half back flank in the 2003 All-Australian team, and suggested that Sydney’s Leo Barry may have been a more appropriate choice.
Matthews said it doesn’t make sense to select a player for a particular position when the player has barely played there.
“Nigel Lappin, wonderful player, has been picked on the half back flank and I reckon he’s played there for two or three quarters the whole year,” Matthews told Sport927.
“If you wanted to put Nigel Lappin in the midfield, he deserves that. But I don’t know how you can pop a bloke on the half back flank who hasn’t played there.”
“It would be like saying Matty Lloyd would make a good centre half-back, but he never plays there,” he said.
“What about Leo Barry who has had a magnificent year for Sydney. Not good – magnificent. He’s been one of the blokes who’s lifted them up to where they are I would’ve thought.”
Sport927 program host and All Australian selector Kevin Bartlett responded that the selection panel found it very hard to pick half back flankers, and Matthews conceded that the process will inevitably throw up selections that will prompt hot debate.
“It’s a consensus team and I don’t think any of us could complain about that because if anyone picked a team, we would pick a certain 22, but you’ve got six or seven people,” Matthews said.
“We can debate it, but we can’t say - you’re wrong.”
Excellent year Leo & we ain't done yet!!
Lappin selection staggers Matthews
10:01:39 AM Wed 10 September, 2003
afl.com.au
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews has said he’s amazed by the selection of Nigel Lappin on the half back flank in the 2003 All-Australian team, and suggested that Sydney’s Leo Barry may have been a more appropriate choice.
Matthews said it doesn’t make sense to select a player for a particular position when the player has barely played there.
“Nigel Lappin, wonderful player, has been picked on the half back flank and I reckon he’s played there for two or three quarters the whole year,” Matthews told Sport927.
“If you wanted to put Nigel Lappin in the midfield, he deserves that. But I don’t know how you can pop a bloke on the half back flank who hasn’t played there.”
“It would be like saying Matty Lloyd would make a good centre half-back, but he never plays there,” he said.
“What about Leo Barry who has had a magnificent year for Sydney. Not good – magnificent. He’s been one of the blokes who’s lifted them up to where they are I would’ve thought.”
Sport927 program host and All Australian selector Kevin Bartlett responded that the selection panel found it very hard to pick half back flankers, and Matthews conceded that the process will inevitably throw up selections that will prompt hot debate.
“It’s a consensus team and I don’t think any of us could complain about that because if anyone picked a team, we would pick a certain 22, but you’ve got six or seven people,” Matthews said.
“We can debate it, but we can’t say - you’re wrong.”
Excellent year Leo & we ain't done yet!!
