AFL: Baby Giants taking steps in the right direction

GWS Guernsey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They might be finishing just their second season in the AFL, but the Greater Western Sydney Giants have shown they will not go down without a fight.  Under the guidance of veteran Kevin Sheedy, the new boys in town have pushed some of the powerhouse teams until they can go no further.

With GWS coming towards the end of its second season in the AFL, the hype that surrounds the young brigade in the side is no secret.  The likes of Jeremy Cameron, who has blossomed this year in the forward line, and Dylan Shiel are fast becoming the core of the Giants side.

AFL: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns: Round 15 Preview

Brisbane Lions logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In March, not many people would have foreseen this game to be much entertainment.  The Gold Coast Suns, entering their third year in the competition, have now exceeded all expectations, and have taken the long handle to the likes of powerhouse teams Hawthorn and Essendon.  Against another struggling team in the Brisbane Lions, the Suns shape up as a real contender at the Gabba.

AFL: Brisbane Lions: Players in Focus: Brent Staker and Rohan Bewick

The past few years have seen a plethora of talent signed up to the Brisbane Lions.  Perhaps the results have not gone entirely the way of the maroon, blue, and gold, but in Brent Staker and Rohan Bewick, there are two gems who are critical to the next generation of the Lions.

Brent Staker v Essendon, May 18, 2013 (photo mine)

Staker

The former West Coast Eagle has been at the Lions for almost four years, but a series of long injuries have curbed both his impact and playing time at the club.

AFL: Essendon v Brisbane Lions: Round 8 Preview

Essendon Football Club (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Overview

Essendon and the Lions are sitting at polar opposite positions on the ladder.  The Bombers have found a rejuvenated strength and belief in 2013, culminating in six victories in the first seven rounds, losing only to powerhouse team Geelong.  The Lions just have not found the gear that they shifted into during the pre-season, and it has proved costly.

Running the ball down the ground, and an incredibly solid backline have been key assets to the Bombers roaring start to the season.  By finding space and not giving their opponents a chance, there is a huge belief in the red and black army.

Have a look at the Lions, and recent weeks have had “danger” written all over them.  There is huge potential on the list, but not being able to stay with opponents for a full game and being caught in defence has caused Michael Voss‘ tenure to become somewhat fragile.

AFL: MCG set alight as Bombers outclass Magpies

A jubilant Jobe Watson after his teams win (Source: AFL.com.au)

ANZAC Day once again provided a spectacular stage for football, and this time, the Bombers found something special in front of a huge crowd.

Red and black dominated the hallowed turf as Jobe Watson skippered an emotion-charged Essendon outfit to a romping 46 point victory over Collingwood on Thursday.

In fighting ANZAC spirit, Essendon small forward David Zaharakis ran rings around the Magpie defenders to finish with four outstanding goals and the ANZAC Day Medal, as Essendon triumphed 121-75.

With a huge 93,373 packed tightly into the MCG, it took 15 minutes of game time before the goal drought was broken by Zaharakis.  Calamity ensued for the majority of the first quarter, as no one properly cleared the ball away from the contests and stoppages, with plenty of kicks intercepted.  Kicking “yips” plagued the Magpies throughout the game, with Jarryd Blair registering the black and white army’s first goal five minutes out from quarter time.  Sitting high on the back of an Essendon pack, Blair reached with outstretched arms, before going back and calmly slotting the ball through the big sticks.

AFL: The dire need for better monitoring

Melbourne Demons 2009 team (sourced from Google Images)

If the AFL has taught us one thing in these past two weeks, it is the fact that they are seemingly wish to avoid any meaningful discussion about worrying issues in the league.

Andrew Demetriou – in panel discussions, newspaper articles, and press conferences – clearly did not think that tanking was something that existed, for one.  Add this line of thinking  to the Essendon drug saga, and you have formed a mountain out of a molehill.

Granted, both are concerning issues, but the way they have been handled rings alarm bells that something is wrong.