CARLTON FORWARD Brendan Fevola has slapped a self-imposed alcohol ban on himself for the rest of his career.
It can only be a good move.
A number of Lions decided during 2001-2003 to go without alcohol until the season was over. They reaped the rewards (three flags in a row!).
Such bans are a terrific thing for teams that really want to go places; who want to ensure there is a good mechanism for recovery from games and everything is done as well as it can be to ensure the team's success.
Lions coach Leigh Matthews instructed his players not to touch alcohol following this year's round one trip to Perth. Given the Lions had just
a six-day break after the West Coast game, this was just a necessity. On those rare occasions when teams have an eight-day break, that is
probably the time for a player to have a drink or two.
But if a player goes outside the rules, I think it lets down the culture and the professionalism of the place.
ONLY TWO rounds in, and there is already a big gap between the top and bottom brackets.
I find it amazing the difference in list management and the development in different clubs with their players. The Lions have finished outside the eight the past few seasons but they haven't really dropped away, and they look ready to challenge again this year. It comes down to list management and the ones that are doing the talent scouting and the coaching.
There is obviously a gaping hole down at Melbourne in terms of those areas, and the recruiting and type of players they have got down there.
After the first two weeks, I believe Geelong is still a cut above the rest, but the Hawks have shown they are one of the three or four teams who can seriously challenge the Cats -- especially with Lance Franklin leading the way up forward.
You hear talk about Jonathan Brown being the most important player in the competi-tion, but Franklin is one of those guys who is an all-round player -- he has got height, agility and is almost the coach's night-mare to match up on. I believe he is the most dangerous player in the competition today.
I WILL be the first to admit that I had written the Lions off at three-quarter time against the Pies last Friday night.
But they found something in the last quarter, while Colling-wood looked like they were trying to save the game -- they just didn't have the run.
But I don't think the Lions will get over the Swans at the Gabba. The red and whites have been a real challenge for Brisbane since 2004, and
to have any chance, Brisbane really have to take them on, move the ball quickly and put them under pressure.
Last Modified on 27/11/2008 10:34