Johncock, Grover to play century-and-a-half of gamesFOR the second week running, Indigenous AFL footballers will share milestones in the same round, with AFL players Graham Johncock (Adelaide) and Antoni Grover (Fremantle) notching up significant numbers today and tonight.
Last week saw Port Adelaide's Daniel Motlop and Melbourne's Aaron Davey play their respective 100th games opposed to each other. Now it's Grover's and Johncock's turn, bring up the big 15-0, though just not opposed to each other.
For Johncock (pictured), it's been a bumpy ride to his 150th, and he's big enough to admit that, too. Last season was perhaps the low point of his career. He was sent back to play in the SANFL after failing to meet 'the necessary standards' of preparing to play in the AFL.
Thankfully for himself, his club and for fans of his straight-down-the-line style of play which has served the Crows well, Johncock came back a better man. He attended a lifestyle management course and received personal counselling, which he has obviously taken on board.
"It has definitely changed the way I feel about footy and life in general," Johncock said. "I feel you need to have these sorts of ups and downs in life. It can't always be smooth sailing and it gave me a bit of a wake-up call. I'm really enjoying my footy this year, and I don't often say it, but I actually enjoyed pre-season for once.
"I definitely feel happier and more energetic around the club than I did last year. The boys and the coaches have actually commented on it, which is good for them and good for me."
Tragically, one the eve of Round 1 this year, his mum passed away. Johncock was given time off to go home for the funeral to be with family in Port Lincoln. He returned for Round 2 and played well despite the Crows losing to St Kilda.
Grover feeling 'young, fresher than ever'FREMANTLE's influx of youngsters in yet another period of rebuilding at the club has not made key defender-turned-occasional forward Antoni Grover feel 'old'. Rather, the 29-year-old says he's feeling better than ever and is feeding off of the energy the young brigade have brought at the club.
The one-time Dockers rookie will earn club life membership when he plays his 150th game tonight, just the second Indigenous player to receive the honour, behind Troy Cook.
"You talk about changing of the guard and keeping the young boys in line, and also feeding off the young guys," Grover said. "We want them to make us feel young so we can just really enjoy our football still. We are blooding young blokes who are showing a bit and hopefully we can fast track them and develop them as soon as possible."
Grover said he is appreciating the forward role coach Mark Harvey has given him and that it was refreshing change after 'chasing ass' in the backline in 140-odd games.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Last Modified on 18/04/2009 01:39