Build-up towards the big day begins nowWELL, here we are then. September. The first day of spring. More importantly, it's finals time in the AFL when dreams are at once crushed and realised with equal force.
At least 20 Aboriginal footballers will play key roles in their side's chances this month, with perhaps Collingwood's Leon Davis and Brisbane's Ashley McGrath the top two whose respective roles are important to their club's chances.
With the exception of the 1995 Grand Final, Aboriginal footballers have played in every season decider since 1992. And with the exception of '95 and also 1996, Aboriginal footballers have shared in AFL premierships since West Coast pair Chris Lewis and Peter Matera won with the Eagles in 1992 over Geelong.
Here's how the 2009 Top 8 finished after Round 22 at the weekend:
1. ST KILDA
2. GEELONG
3. WESTERN BULLDOGS
4. COLLINGWOOD
5. ADELAIDE
6. BRISBANE
7. CARLTON
8. ESSENDON
And this is how the finals will begin, starting on Friday night:
Friday night
1st Elimination FinalAdelaide v Essendon
at AAMI Stadium, Adelaide
Saturday
1st Qualifying FinalGeelong v Western Bulldogs
at the MCG, Melbourne
Saturday night
2nd Elimination FinalBrisbane v Carlton
at the 'Gabba, Brisbane
Sunday
2nd Qualifying FinalSt Kilda v Collingwood
at the MCG, Melbourne
As it stands, all eight clubs have Indigenous players in their first choice 22, so, barring injury and/or suspension, come Grand Final day (Saturday, September 26), our people will be represented on the premiership dais by any one of the following:
St KildaRaphael Clarke, Xavier Clarke, Ross Tangutalum.
GeelongNathan Djerrkura, Steven Motlop, Mathew Stokes, Adam Varcoe, Travis Varcoe.
Western BulldogsJarrod Harbrow, Josh Hill, Liam Jones, Malcolm Lynch, Brennan Stack.
CollingwoodJohn Bennell, Anthony Corrie, Shannon Cox, Leon Davis, Brad Dick, Sharrod Wellingham.
AdelaideTony Armstrong, Jonathon Griffin, Jarrhan Jacky, Graham Johncock, Jared Petrenko, Andrew McLeod.
BrisbaneAshley McGrath, Rhan Hooper, Albert Proud, Jason Roe, Sam Sheldon.
CarltonJoe Anderson, Eddie Betts, Jefferey Garlett, Andrew Walker, Chris Yarran.
EssendonJarrod Atkinson, Alwyn Davey, Courtenay Dempsey, Leroy Jetta, Andrew Lovett, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Patrick Ryder.
However, of these players, it is important note that St Kilda's Xavier Clarke and Ross Tungatalum will most definitely not play for the Saints this month; Clarke is recovering from knee surgery and Tungatalum, a rookie, hasn't played a senior game in this, his first season in the AFL system. That leaves Xav's younger brother Raphael Clarke carrying the flag and he's been a regular fixture in the strong Saints line-up for most of the season.
Geelong will most likely rely on just Mathew Stokes and Travis Varcoe, back soon from injury, this month, with Trav's younger brother Adam a rookie and Nathan Djerrkura slugging it out in the VFL.
The Western Bulldogs' Josh Hill and Jarrod Harbrow have become important players to their side's structures. Hill's a worrying match-up for opposition teams with his athleticism and aerial abilities and Harbrow's dash and carry from the backline gives his side that spark from defence, plus he can also negate a small forward. Brennan Stack's four-goal cameo against Fremantle in Round 18 could keep him at the forefront of his coaches' mind should the need arise, while schoolboy Liam Jones has yet to make his AFL debut, concentrating on school footy with Scotch College.
Magpie magician Leon Davis is key to his side's midfield and expect him to loom large this month. One would expect Collingwood pair Brad Dick and Sharrod Wellingham had done enough to have secured their places in the Magpies' line-up but coach Mick Malthouse has publicly stated no one player's spot is assured following their loss to the Bulldogs at the weekend. Utility Shannon Cox has been out of favour with Malthouse recently but he's there as a back-up. Anthony Corrie has only played three games this season and will not be sighted this month.
Adelaide veteran Andrew McLeod enters his 10th finals series and the sports science-minded Crows have the Torres Strait champion primed for September. Cool defender Graham Johncock has cemented his spot in the backline but Jonathon Griffin will find it hard to force his way back in the run-on side. Jarrhan Jacky has just returned to the SANFL and Tony Armstrong will most likely not see September action, nor will Jared Petrenko.
Ash McGrath is one of Brisbane's most important players this season. His breaking of the lines from defence coupled with his penetrating kicks has seen the Nyoongar man from WA loom as one of the Lions' keys. Sam Sheldon played well over the past few weeks and should retain his spot in the Lions line-up. Jason Roe received a recall recently and he has battled manfully. Rhan Hooper hasn't been sighted since Round 14 but he kicked six goals for the Lions' QAFL side and injury seems to have ended Albert Proud's time at the club.
Things will be interesting at Carlton. Goalsneak Eddie Betts' absence from the Blues last Saturday highlighted his importance to his side's line-up. The Blues were limp against Adelaide and they missed Betts' brilliance after he was dropped for the game ater turning up late to a recovery session, along with Jefferey Garlett, whose four goals the week before was his best return in his debut year. Replacement Chris Yarran had 14 possessions and kicked the solitary goal. Andrew Walker continues his steady improvement after returning from shoulder surgery but Joe Anderson has just played three games this season, the last against Melbourne in Round 21.
Essendon were mortally wounded today after ruckman Paddy Ryder was suspended for one match following Saturday's spiteful match with Hawthorn. Around the ground, however, Jarrod Atkinson is playing with spark and verve while Andrew Lovett is always dangerous given space. His cousin/brother Nathan Lovett-Murray often picks up key forwards. Leroy Jetta has been in and out of the side this season and should the Bombers somehow get past the Crows, he could loom as a 'horses for courses' selection. The Bombers hope Courtenay Dempsey could be fit for a return if the Bombers progress past this weekend.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Last Modified on 01/09/2009 21:51