Nick Harber

Interest in the AFL has risen to new levels in recent years with more and more fans entering competitions such as SuperCoach and DreamTeam. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, each participant gets to pick a squad of players, choose a team name and watch their players rack up points each week in the form of kicks, marks and tackles etc.

These "fantasy" compeitions have created unprecedented interest across each AFL round. Ten years ago, for instance, a footy fan would have been more than happy for his team to get the four points on the weekend and their favourite player provide a few highlights. Many footy fans these days are concerned not only with their team winning, but also wants to see each of their "fanatasy" team players dominating for their respective teams. The unusual situation quite often occurs now where a once one-eyed footy follower will accept an opposition goal if it is kicked by one of their players. So, while many football followers want to be a super coach and build a dream team, they must surely know where their heart lies....

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Are the Blues back?

April 21st 2008 12:29

After recording their first win for the season last week, the Blues backed it up with another in round five with a 33 point win over Melbourne. With two wins from five games, there are indications that the Blues are on the improve but to what extent?

Chris Judd has been exactly what the carlton midfield required - class. The return of Nick Stevens has also helped strengthen the midfield and this is an area that they have performed strongly so far this season. With Fevola in career best form up forward and their scoring rate up from last year, this just leaves the defence. With Waite going back to take the bigger opposition forwards, there are signs of more stability. Thornton has been released to the half back and is enjoying the freedom and picking up plenty of the ball. The likes of Jamieson and Bower, though, are young and inexperienced. While they have been quite solid to date, they lack experience and will struggle to hold the more potent forward lines. It is this young and inexperienced backline that will be the measuring stick for the Blues this year. If they stick to their task then the Blues can start to rise up the ladder this year. If they fail to match it with the better forward lines then the Blues may have to wait a year longer before they start the climb from the bottom of the ladder.

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All drawn out...

April 21st 2008 12:11

The draw between Richmond and the Bulldogs on the weekend has again raised the debate about the pros and cons of extra time. The hollow feeling that follows a draw can be avoided if, as happens in the finals, extra time is added to ensure a result. Sure, there will be an "unlucky" loser but at least there will be a winner. The excitement created by ten minutes of extra time would force all supporters to the edge of their seat....ten minutes of no holds barred football with four points on the line.

There has also been some discussion about the merits of a "shootout" to decide a drawn game. Imagine the situation where two teams have just played out ten minutes of extra time and scores are still level. The pressure would continue to build as each team selects five players to take a shot at goal from the fifty metre line. Similar to a penalty shootout in soccer, the crowd would be hanging on every kick. It would showcase the kicking skills of the elite players under real pressure. And the result. Well, that is what you would get, a winner and a loser...

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