Franklin in front in AFL goalkickingIF gun Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin is faltering, we'd like to see just how good he is when he's firing. For despite his patchy form after 10 rounds, the 2008 Coleman Medal winner -- Aboriginal football's first -- has taken outright lead in the AFL's goalkicking for the first time this season.
Franklin's three goals against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday propelled him to the top of the leaderboard. He now has 34 goals, which is well below the 50 he booted up to Round 10 last year in which he eventually tallied 102 majors in the home and away season (plus 11 in the finals), becoming the first player in 10 seasons to score a century of goals.
Even so, team-mate Chance Bateman said Franklin is putting too much pressure on himself to repeat his 2008 heroics.
"If you compare it to last year, I think you're going to be disappointed most years," Bateman said post-match on Sunday. "Last year was an outstanding year for him and I don't think there's been many full-forwards in the game who've been able to repeat that sort of effort.
"He definitely puts pressure on himself, he knows that he's pretty important to us and he likes to take that challenge on himself so he does get a bit disappointed in himself sometimes but that's part of being the player he is."
Franklin's goal-scoring efforts on Sunday were overshadowed by that of emerging superstar, team-mate Cyril Rioli, whose five majors were the most for his team, including a pearler from the boundary.
Rioli has been a shining light in the Hawks' stop-start season. He hasn't missed a game, or a beat, since his debut in Round 1 last year. This season, he's averaged 17 possessions per game, well ahead of his 13.8 in 2008. Rioli's five goals on Sunday, including one nominated for goal of the year, pushed his tally to 15. His total last year in 25 games was 24.
Pair nominated for highlight reelRIOLI and Fremantle's Des Headland were this week nominated for mark/goal of the year. Headland, in just his second game back launched himself over Richmond's Dean Polo at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night to take a great mark to earn his first nomination.
2009 Goal of the Year nominationsRound 10
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) Clever snap along the ground
Round 7
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) Spoil, side-step then kicked a great goal
Round 6
Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) Followed-up and kicked a brilliant snap
Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) Prodigious goal from 55 metres late in the game
Round 4
Andrew Lovett (Essendon) Kicked truly on the run from centre bounce
Round 3
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) Baulked two opponents then goaled
Round 2
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) Evaded 3 opposition players before snapping a goal
2009 Mark of the Year nominationsRound 10
Des Headland (Fremantle) Strong leap and mark over Dean Polo
Round 9
Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon) Climbed high taking a spectacular pack mark
Patrick Ryder (Essendon) Yet another big leap and great mark
Round 7
Patrick Ryder (Essendon) Big leap and spectacular mark over Sam Mitchell
Round 4Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) Brilliant leap over Campbell Brown
Round 2
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) Spectacular leap over two opponents
* Click these links to view the nominated goals:
Goal of the Year; and marks:
AFL Mark of the Year.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Last Modified on 02/06/2009 13:35