Best and Worst of 2011
Posted by Hamish McLachlan for General AFL - Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:23
The big prize -
After thinking the Pies were unbeatable midway through the season things have changed remarkably.
The Pies have gone from being an unstoppable machine to a machine with a few broken parts. The Hawks almost knocked them off last Friday night, and ever since they played the Lions in Rd 22, I’ve felt they have looked beatable.
Geelong on the other hand have been spectacular in the finals. The youngsters are playing fearless, fast football. The Pies injuries are mounting, and in particular, after speaking to a couple of the Hawks today, they feel Pie's ruckman Darren Jolly who they believe is so influential, will be well off top fitness.
After thinking that the Pies couldn't be beaten 8 weeks ago, I think the Cats will get home and sadly for Mick Malthouse, his final game won’t be the fairytale he deserves.
Where now for Mick?
I had a great chat with Mick on Game Day on Sunday morning and again at the coaches awards last night. In my mind, this Saturday will be his last game. Fact.
He's had a wonderful career. This will be his eighth Grand Final in 28 years, he'll have coached 50 finals and if he wins on Saturday, 27 finals victories, the latter an equal record with Jock McHale.
Even for career coaches like Mick, there is an end. I think he's comfortable with the end being this Saturday afternoon. I think he'll find himself in the media next year, radio and television, and I think he'll enjoy and be exceptional at it.
The challenge of rebuilding a club is enormous and a win this weekend would be a perfect way to finish the season and put the cue in the rack. Lose and it's still been an enormous run and I wish Mick well wherever he goes.
Highs and lows -
Lowlights:
The only lowlight for me this year was inevitable and it was the number of games that were big blow-outs. None of us like to watch massacres but this year we saw plenty of them.
Unfortunately we're going to see more in the next few years while the two new teams in the Suns and GWS settle in to the league. Everyone expected some pain through the expansion and everyone expected the Suns to get belted occasionally.
Highlights:
Too many to list. The 'big mark' had a renaissance leaving commentators calling "mark of the year" on almost a weekly basis.
The ability of the players to conjure goals from impossible positions continues to surprise, delight and amaze.
I love the way that the West Coast Eagles stuck it up every football scribe and went from spoon to fourth. And all those who said John Worsfold should be given the arse watched him win Coach of the Year last night at the AFL Coaches Association Awards. Terrific.
Hard to keep highlights to under 5000 words, but gee it's a great game and we're all privileged to be a part of it.
After thinking the Pies were unbeatable midway through the season things have changed remarkably.
The Pies have gone from being an unstoppable machine to a machine with a few broken parts. The Hawks almost knocked them off last Friday night, and ever since they played the Lions in Rd 22, I’ve felt they have looked beatable.
Geelong on the other hand have been spectacular in the finals. The youngsters are playing fearless, fast football. The Pies injuries are mounting, and in particular, after speaking to a couple of the Hawks today, they feel Pie's ruckman Darren Jolly who they believe is so influential, will be well off top fitness.
After thinking that the Pies couldn't be beaten 8 weeks ago, I think the Cats will get home and sadly for Mick Malthouse, his final game won’t be the fairytale he deserves.
Where now for Mick?
I had a great chat with Mick on Game Day on Sunday morning and again at the coaches awards last night. In my mind, this Saturday will be his last game. Fact.
He's had a wonderful career. This will be his eighth Grand Final in 28 years, he'll have coached 50 finals and if he wins on Saturday, 27 finals victories, the latter an equal record with Jock McHale.
Even for career coaches like Mick, there is an end. I think he's comfortable with the end being this Saturday afternoon. I think he'll find himself in the media next year, radio and television, and I think he'll enjoy and be exceptional at it.
The challenge of rebuilding a club is enormous and a win this weekend would be a perfect way to finish the season and put the cue in the rack. Lose and it's still been an enormous run and I wish Mick well wherever he goes.
Highs and lows -
Lowlights:
The only lowlight for me this year was inevitable and it was the number of games that were big blow-outs. None of us like to watch massacres but this year we saw plenty of them.
Unfortunately we're going to see more in the next few years while the two new teams in the Suns and GWS settle in to the league. Everyone expected some pain through the expansion and everyone expected the Suns to get belted occasionally.
Highlights:
Too many to list. The 'big mark' had a renaissance leaving commentators calling "mark of the year" on almost a weekly basis.
The ability of the players to conjure goals from impossible positions continues to surprise, delight and amaze.
I love the way that the West Coast Eagles stuck it up every football scribe and went from spoon to fourth. And all those who said John Worsfold should be given the arse watched him win Coach of the Year last night at the AFL Coaches Association Awards. Terrific.
Hard to keep highlights to under 5000 words, but gee it's a great game and we're all privileged to be a part of it.
4 Comments
goong history tell us hawthorn were a very powerful side in the 80 s and 90's but not much cash so you need to check your facts bud:)
ReplyWas mick one of the most overated coachs of all time? You tell me !! 1) Not only has Mick coached at two teams with inflated cheque books both West coast & Collingwood, but to add to that advantage Westcoast had the whole of Western Australia to pick from in the early days and guess what 2 flags in 3 years. Go figure lots of cash and an endless talent pool...yeah it must be the coach...Hmmm 2) If we look at every Grand final winner in the past 30 years (besides Port adelaide) they all were powerful clubs with excess cash to throw around at not only great players but to buy the best facilities. 3) Mick won one grandfinal after leaving West coast in almost 12 years please someone tell...
ReplyEr, Hamish - your Hilights section was about 4,900 words short of 5,000 so not much to worry about there in keeping it under the word limit.
ReplySo long as he dosnt go to Carlton I'm good. Don't think he would lower his class to do so
Reply