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Collingwood Mid-Season Preview
What was looking like an impressive future at Lexus Centre, The Collingwood Football Club has continued on it’s horrid run since a successful, or close to, successful era following the 2002/03 seasons. When a team is stuck on the bottom end of the AFL Ladder, there is always those negatives that are the topic to talk about for not only fans, but the football followers. But I am sure that despite the heartache of, well, certainly assumed, that once again the club won’t make it into September, every year positives are found that in the long-term, are certainly spotted.
This year has seen our star players once again battle out injuries. This time around, the injuries are long-term and by all means though, have affected the results and performance of the team. Nathan Buckley injured his hamstring two times last season and once again, the third time in 10 months, in the pre-season during an intra-club match in Sydney’s western suburbs. Making an early than expected return to the track the doubt was on Nathan, and ofcourse, that hamstring. During a disappointing result in the Round one match, not only 4 points were lost, but the injury, the hamstring injury that put Buckley’s career in doubt, but should make a steady return next half. Anthony Rocca was another injury that affected the side’s performance. A 3-goal first quarter on a Friday Night against the rampaging Roos, in round four has put his season on hold, and his return remains indefinite. I guess while putting some excuses on the plate, they aren’t excuses, they are football, and it is a recipe that you don’t like for a football team your madly in love with, so I guess I may as well continue on the matters of what other negatives we have seen this year. 4 wins and 8 losses is not something you like to see, but at one stage it was 1 win and 7 losses. We appeared on the bottom of the AFL Ladder, but recently have climbed from that position. Shane Woewodin’s form slump from a runners-up in the Copeland Trophy to a serious spray from upset veteran coach Mick Malthouse during a huddle, or let’s say, three quarter time break in the ANZAC day clash against Essendon which resulted in another loss. But as I said earlier, let’s brush away those negatives and look at the positives. Rhyce Shaw ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on Queen’s Birthday just before the break and requires a knee reconstruction and has added heartache to fans all over the country who has admired each step of improvement.
Collingwood has had several debutants this year. The experimented promoted rookie David Fanning made some impact, yet just didn’t cut it at AFL Level, but it is not to say there is no more future for him at the club. Adam Iacobucci was a small man who provided something, and will provide more, but is spending time developing with 2 senior games under his belt. Ben Davies was the replacement on the senior list for Nathan Buckley and decided to make it useful with him getting a run at AFL Level on 3 occasions. First round draft pick in the 2004 National Draft, Chris Egan has shown us potential and well, excitement with his bounce, ability, agility and by standing out on the field. I guess you can call it a somewhat moral victory for what looked like more disgust to recruiting staff when Egan had his first three kicks at AFL Level manage to be signalled out on the full on each occasion, but built on the mishaps by keeping his spot before being suspended after 4 games. Sean Rusling who made his debut in a winning side last month has also showed promise as an athletic full forward that is a con to relieve full-forward Chris Tarrant, but the story of the debutantes in 2005 is the third brother in the mix, Travis Cloke. An outstanding debut on ANZAC day has turned the football world to be drawn to the skills of the big man. An amazing start to the career of the 18 year old who is studying year 12 at the same time representing the best sporting club in the land down under, he has helped the side in many ways. One is standing out and another is performing, but the biggest is fulfilling the void left by injured star vice-captain Anthony Rocca. Big shoes to fill have been filled in other words, and the rising star nominee is continuing with consistency week in, week out. Recruit Blake Caracella is another player who has had a stellar season. 5 goal haul against unbeaten West Coast to help home the biggest upset of the 2005 season, then saw another 5 goal haul a week later the next year against the Hawks. He has had a major contribution to the bright end of things, kicking 26.13 for the season in his 12 matches. Growing confidence in Nick Maxwell and Julian Rowe is another thing to admire. The improving skills of football name Rhyce Shaw has been a huge recognition, but when he was close to a Copeland Trophy, the injury mentioned above will see him miss the rest of the year. A big step his effectiveness has been exceptional and his hard work, determination, form and improvement is beyond expectation. Stand in skipper James Clement, the Copeland trophy winner from 2004 has once again dominated from the back pocket. An All-Australian last season, It is assured that he will be there once again this year when selection takes place in September. He has lead from the front as a leader and a footballer and has rarely got beaten.
I guess in a disappointing start to the season, there is always some good and bad that goes along with any result, and we can only reflect on the good and remember or forget the negatives. 2005 is not over, but there is a long way to go if it is to be kept alive.
SO FAR IN NUMBERS
Played: 12
Won: 4
Lost: 8
Drawn: 0
Position: 13th
Played every game: 10
(12 games)
Brodie Holland, Chad Morrison,
James Clement, Blake Caracella,
Shane O'Bree, Shane Wakelin,
Scott Burns, Paul Licuria, Rhyce
Shaw, Tarkyn Lockyer.
AFL debuts
(Games played in brackets)
R1: David Fanning (4)
R5: Travis Cloke (8)
R6: Adam Iacobucci (2)
R7: Ben Davies (3)
R8: Chris Egan (4)
R10: Sean Rusling (3)
Kicks: Paul Licuria (169)
Handballs: Paul Licuria (129)
Disposals: Paul Licuria (298)
Marks: Paul Licuria (75)
Tackles: Shane O'Bree (48)
Inside 50's: Paul Licuria (50)
Clearances: Scott Burns (42)
Hitouts: Cameron Cloke (97)
Clangers: Paul Licuria (41)
Frees For: James Clement / Blake Caracella (15)
Frees Against: Paul Licuria (17)
Time On Ground: James Clement (1453 minutes)
Goal kickers
Chris Tarrant - 27.17
Blake Caracella - 26.13
Alan Didak - 17.2
Scott Burns - 10.4
Travis Cloke - 8.11
Ranking Points
Paul Licuria - 1380 (ave. 115)
Brodie Holland - 1156 (ave. 96)
Scott Burns - 1142 (ave. 95)
Shane O'Bree - 1139 (ave. 91)
Blake Caracella - 1077 (ave. 90)
Impact Rating
Paul Licuria - 114.1
Brodie Holland - 106.6
Shane O'Bree - 103.2
Scott Burns - 101.4
Ben Johnson - 94.4
PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES – 2005 AFL SEASON
Since 1999, Michael Robinson has a Player of the Year award for the AFL Season. Votes are given for each and every AFL game during the Home and Away season in a 5-4-3-2-1 voting system. Previous winners of this award include Luke Darcy, Anthony Koutoufides, Simon Black and last years first tie for first place between Warren Tredrea and Nick Riewoldt.
James Clement – 17
Paul Licuria – 13
Blake Caracella – 9
Rhyce Shaw – 6
Ben Johnson – 5
Scott Burns – 4
Brodie Holland – 4
Simon Prestigiacomo – 4
Jason Cloke – 3
Tarkyn Lockyer – 3
Chris Tarrant – 3
Alan Didak – 2
Dane Swan – 2
Anthony Rocca – 1
What was looking like an impressive future at Lexus Centre, The Collingwood Football Club has continued on it’s horrid run since a successful, or close to, successful era following the 2002/03 seasons. When a team is stuck on the bottom end of the AFL Ladder, there is always those negatives that are the topic to talk about for not only fans, but the football followers. But I am sure that despite the heartache of, well, certainly assumed, that once again the club won’t make it into September, every year positives are found that in the long-term, are certainly spotted.
This year has seen our star players once again battle out injuries. This time around, the injuries are long-term and by all means though, have affected the results and performance of the team. Nathan Buckley injured his hamstring two times last season and once again, the third time in 10 months, in the pre-season during an intra-club match in Sydney’s western suburbs. Making an early than expected return to the track the doubt was on Nathan, and ofcourse, that hamstring. During a disappointing result in the Round one match, not only 4 points were lost, but the injury, the hamstring injury that put Buckley’s career in doubt, but should make a steady return next half. Anthony Rocca was another injury that affected the side’s performance. A 3-goal first quarter on a Friday Night against the rampaging Roos, in round four has put his season on hold, and his return remains indefinite. I guess while putting some excuses on the plate, they aren’t excuses, they are football, and it is a recipe that you don’t like for a football team your madly in love with, so I guess I may as well continue on the matters of what other negatives we have seen this year. 4 wins and 8 losses is not something you like to see, but at one stage it was 1 win and 7 losses. We appeared on the bottom of the AFL Ladder, but recently have climbed from that position. Shane Woewodin’s form slump from a runners-up in the Copeland Trophy to a serious spray from upset veteran coach Mick Malthouse during a huddle, or let’s say, three quarter time break in the ANZAC day clash against Essendon which resulted in another loss. But as I said earlier, let’s brush away those negatives and look at the positives. Rhyce Shaw ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on Queen’s Birthday just before the break and requires a knee reconstruction and has added heartache to fans all over the country who has admired each step of improvement.
Collingwood has had several debutants this year. The experimented promoted rookie David Fanning made some impact, yet just didn’t cut it at AFL Level, but it is not to say there is no more future for him at the club. Adam Iacobucci was a small man who provided something, and will provide more, but is spending time developing with 2 senior games under his belt. Ben Davies was the replacement on the senior list for Nathan Buckley and decided to make it useful with him getting a run at AFL Level on 3 occasions. First round draft pick in the 2004 National Draft, Chris Egan has shown us potential and well, excitement with his bounce, ability, agility and by standing out on the field. I guess you can call it a somewhat moral victory for what looked like more disgust to recruiting staff when Egan had his first three kicks at AFL Level manage to be signalled out on the full on each occasion, but built on the mishaps by keeping his spot before being suspended after 4 games. Sean Rusling who made his debut in a winning side last month has also showed promise as an athletic full forward that is a con to relieve full-forward Chris Tarrant, but the story of the debutantes in 2005 is the third brother in the mix, Travis Cloke. An outstanding debut on ANZAC day has turned the football world to be drawn to the skills of the big man. An amazing start to the career of the 18 year old who is studying year 12 at the same time representing the best sporting club in the land down under, he has helped the side in many ways. One is standing out and another is performing, but the biggest is fulfilling the void left by injured star vice-captain Anthony Rocca. Big shoes to fill have been filled in other words, and the rising star nominee is continuing with consistency week in, week out. Recruit Blake Caracella is another player who has had a stellar season. 5 goal haul against unbeaten West Coast to help home the biggest upset of the 2005 season, then saw another 5 goal haul a week later the next year against the Hawks. He has had a major contribution to the bright end of things, kicking 26.13 for the season in his 12 matches. Growing confidence in Nick Maxwell and Julian Rowe is another thing to admire. The improving skills of football name Rhyce Shaw has been a huge recognition, but when he was close to a Copeland Trophy, the injury mentioned above will see him miss the rest of the year. A big step his effectiveness has been exceptional and his hard work, determination, form and improvement is beyond expectation. Stand in skipper James Clement, the Copeland trophy winner from 2004 has once again dominated from the back pocket. An All-Australian last season, It is assured that he will be there once again this year when selection takes place in September. He has lead from the front as a leader and a footballer and has rarely got beaten.
I guess in a disappointing start to the season, there is always some good and bad that goes along with any result, and we can only reflect on the good and remember or forget the negatives. 2005 is not over, but there is a long way to go if it is to be kept alive.
SO FAR IN NUMBERS
Played: 12
Won: 4
Lost: 8
Drawn: 0
Position: 13th
Played every game: 10
(12 games)
Brodie Holland, Chad Morrison,
James Clement, Blake Caracella,
Shane O'Bree, Shane Wakelin,
Scott Burns, Paul Licuria, Rhyce
Shaw, Tarkyn Lockyer.
AFL debuts
(Games played in brackets)
R1: David Fanning (4)
R5: Travis Cloke (8)
R6: Adam Iacobucci (2)
R7: Ben Davies (3)
R8: Chris Egan (4)
R10: Sean Rusling (3)
Kicks: Paul Licuria (169)
Handballs: Paul Licuria (129)
Disposals: Paul Licuria (298)
Marks: Paul Licuria (75)
Tackles: Shane O'Bree (48)
Inside 50's: Paul Licuria (50)
Clearances: Scott Burns (42)
Hitouts: Cameron Cloke (97)
Clangers: Paul Licuria (41)
Frees For: James Clement / Blake Caracella (15)
Frees Against: Paul Licuria (17)
Time On Ground: James Clement (1453 minutes)
Goal kickers
Chris Tarrant - 27.17
Blake Caracella - 26.13
Alan Didak - 17.2
Scott Burns - 10.4
Travis Cloke - 8.11
Ranking Points
Paul Licuria - 1380 (ave. 115)
Brodie Holland - 1156 (ave. 96)
Scott Burns - 1142 (ave. 95)
Shane O'Bree - 1139 (ave. 91)
Blake Caracella - 1077 (ave. 90)
Impact Rating
Paul Licuria - 114.1
Brodie Holland - 106.6
Shane O'Bree - 103.2
Scott Burns - 101.4
Ben Johnson - 94.4
PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES – 2005 AFL SEASON
Since 1999, Michael Robinson has a Player of the Year award for the AFL Season. Votes are given for each and every AFL game during the Home and Away season in a 5-4-3-2-1 voting system. Previous winners of this award include Luke Darcy, Anthony Koutoufides, Simon Black and last years first tie for first place between Warren Tredrea and Nick Riewoldt.
James Clement – 17
Paul Licuria – 13
Blake Caracella – 9
Rhyce Shaw – 6
Ben Johnson – 5
Scott Burns – 4
Brodie Holland – 4
Simon Prestigiacomo – 4
Jason Cloke – 3
Tarkyn Lockyer – 3
Chris Tarrant – 3
Alan Didak – 2
Dane Swan – 2
Anthony Rocca – 1

