Reinventing Players
June 25th 2008 04:01
Every team has one (some have more than one) - a total spud that makes you cringe when the ball heads in their direction. One that makes you wonder if he's the coach's nephew - how else could you explain his appearance in the lineup?
Invariably, players like this get delisted. Maybe there are already too many players in a particular position, or maybe they are detrimental to team harmony. Who knows. Either way, it comes as a total shock to the team's fans when another team actually picks them up. Or even trades for them!
What becomes more of a shock is finding out that this new home has actually turned the one-time hack into a solid contributor, often in a position you wouldn't have dreamed of a few years back. The following are some key notables that have turned things around at their new clubs.
Ted Richards - Sydney via Essendon
Sydney have a knack for improving fringe players, this is just one example. If a bloke struggles to get a game for the Bombers, you'd think there was no chance of fitting them into a premiership-contending side like the Swans. Nevertheless, up pops Richards who has gone from fringe player to a regular starter for Sydney, and is playing well at that. He fits perfectly into their smaller, quicker defence which includes Craig Bolton (another one who couldn't get a game further north at the Lions before switching), Kennelly, Mattner (a converted Crow) and Malceski. Bombers fans might well be gobsmacked that any defence with Richards in its core could be so comfortably the strongest in the league.
Cameron Mooney - Geelong via Kangaroos
Let go by North Mrlbourne, Mooney found a home at Skilled Stadium and went on to lead his forwardline to a flag. Despite still occasionally succumbing to his temper, it is much more controlled than it used to be and 'Cam' is a reliable marking option in attack. He has kicked 28 goals last year, and had 24 score assists as well, a product of the team-oriented mindset that has underpinned Geelong's success.
Brent Guerra - Hawthorn via Port Adelaide and St Kilda
Started at Port as an attacking midfielder, then had a stint at St Kilda as a hard, goal-kicking small forward. How that translates into running defender is anybody's guess! But full credit to Alastair Clarkson who has transformed Guerra into the experienced, level-headed backman that Hawks need. His 11 first-quarter touches demonstrated just how much the Hawks missed his absence through a hamstring injury and just how important he is to the team's run from defence. All of which is a far cry from what we saw in his earlier career, particularly at the Saints.
David Rodan - Port Adelaide via Richmond
A well-documented success story. Starting as a crumbing forward, the Power have transformed Rodan into a pacey and skillful midfielder, playing each game this year and averaging 16 disposals, two tackles and a goal per game despite their poor performance. He kicked ten more goals from the midfield last year than in any complete season up forward with the Tigers! He suffered some injury setbacks, but ultimately appears to be thriving in the environment that pays him more respect as a footballer.
Anthony Rocca - Collingwood via Sydney
A star for the Pies who may have had the same effect in Sydney had he not signalled his desire to leave. Nowadays he is recognised as a genuine matchwinner with an ageing body the major factor stopping him. He exceeded 50 goals in 2006 and 2007, and has averaged at least five marks per game in every full season since 1999. He probably won't return to his best football again, but we haven't seen the last 60 metre set shot go through at post height.
Those are five that spring to my mind. Please feel free to comment below if you can think of others who fit this mould.
Invariably, players like this get delisted. Maybe there are already too many players in a particular position, or maybe they are detrimental to team harmony. Who knows. Either way, it comes as a total shock to the team's fans when another team actually picks them up. Or even trades for them!
What becomes more of a shock is finding out that this new home has actually turned the one-time hack into a solid contributor, often in a position you wouldn't have dreamed of a few years back. The following are some key notables that have turned things around at their new clubs.
Ted Richards - Sydney via Essendon
Sydney have a knack for improving fringe players, this is just one example. If a bloke struggles to get a game for the Bombers, you'd think there was no chance of fitting them into a premiership-contending side like the Swans. Nevertheless, up pops Richards who has gone from fringe player to a regular starter for Sydney, and is playing well at that. He fits perfectly into their smaller, quicker defence which includes Craig Bolton (another one who couldn't get a game further north at the Lions before switching), Kennelly, Mattner (a converted Crow) and Malceski. Bombers fans might well be gobsmacked that any defence with Richards in its core could be so comfortably the strongest in the league.
Cameron Mooney - Geelong via Kangaroos
Let go by North Mrlbourne, Mooney found a home at Skilled Stadium and went on to lead his forwardline to a flag. Despite still occasionally succumbing to his temper, it is much more controlled than it used to be and 'Cam' is a reliable marking option in attack. He has kicked 28 goals last year, and had 24 score assists as well, a product of the team-oriented mindset that has underpinned Geelong's success.
Brent Guerra - Hawthorn via Port Adelaide and St Kilda
Started at Port as an attacking midfielder, then had a stint at St Kilda as a hard, goal-kicking small forward. How that translates into running defender is anybody's guess! But full credit to Alastair Clarkson who has transformed Guerra into the experienced, level-headed backman that Hawks need. His 11 first-quarter touches demonstrated just how much the Hawks missed his absence through a hamstring injury and just how important he is to the team's run from defence. All of which is a far cry from what we saw in his earlier career, particularly at the Saints.
David Rodan - Port Adelaide via Richmond
A well-documented success story. Starting as a crumbing forward, the Power have transformed Rodan into a pacey and skillful midfielder, playing each game this year and averaging 16 disposals, two tackles and a goal per game despite their poor performance. He kicked ten more goals from the midfield last year than in any complete season up forward with the Tigers! He suffered some injury setbacks, but ultimately appears to be thriving in the environment that pays him more respect as a footballer.
Anthony Rocca - Collingwood via Sydney
A star for the Pies who may have had the same effect in Sydney had he not signalled his desire to leave. Nowadays he is recognised as a genuine matchwinner with an ageing body the major factor stopping him. He exceeded 50 goals in 2006 and 2007, and has averaged at least five marks per game in every full season since 1999. He probably won't return to his best football again, but we haven't seen the last 60 metre set shot go through at post height.
Those are five that spring to my mind. Please feel free to comment below if you can think of others who fit this mould.
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