Nick Bendel
The 2008 AFL season in review (five months early)
April 27th 2008 07:13
For the diligent scientist, not even six years of observance would provide enough time to allow conclusions to be drawn about particular phenomena. For the hack journalist, however, no more than six weeks are needed to be able to take stock of the Australian Football League.
Clearly, there is no better team to watch than Geelong. Besides boasting the competition’s most impressive list, their diversity of hairstyles is striking. Any outfit that can combine the defence of the endearingly-tousled Matthew Scarlett, the versatility of the impressively-bearded Max Rooke, the relentlessness of the extravagantly-locked Cameron Ling, and the end-to-end brilliance of the increasingly bald Gary Ablett, is going to be attractive.
Clearly, there is no poorer team than Melbourne. Burdened with a porous defence, an undermanned midfield and a glaring skills deficiency, only the most loyal of Demons’ supporters or the most parochial of opposition supporters could enjoy watching this rabble. Nathan Carroll’s luxuriant handlebar moustache provides scant consolation.
The real story of the season, though, has been Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin. His lively style, enviable athleticism and capacity for kicking remarkable goals seem to have captured everybody’s imagination. Indeed, so prodigious are the Hawthorn forward’s talents that one scarcely notices his functional hairdo.
Yet even his most ardent admirers must be becoming increasingly nauseous at the relentless Buddy Mania. And it is a disease that seems to be spreading at an alarming rate. And no wonder- commentators salivate when he touches the ball; media personalities drool at his very mention; journalists reporting on his Herculean feats routinely saturate their keyboards with slobber. With all that sputum flying through the air, how could fans and pundits not become infected by Buddy Mania?
However, there has been one team that has largely managed to sneak under the radar: the Sydney Swans. You will not find flamboyant mops, ostentatious facial hair or even communicable diseases amongst this lot. What you will discover, though, is a group of well-drilled, hard working and disciplined players, who may play a dour game, but who know how to win. Come the last Saturday in September, it might not be a bunch of feral Cats or a dose of Buddy love garnering the plaudits, but a gaggle of Swans.
Clearly, there is no better team to watch than Geelong. Besides boasting the competition’s most impressive list, their diversity of hairstyles is striking. Any outfit that can combine the defence of the endearingly-tousled Matthew Scarlett, the versatility of the impressively-bearded Max Rooke, the relentlessness of the extravagantly-locked Cameron Ling, and the end-to-end brilliance of the increasingly bald Gary Ablett, is going to be attractive.
Clearly, there is no poorer team than Melbourne. Burdened with a porous defence, an undermanned midfield and a glaring skills deficiency, only the most loyal of Demons’ supporters or the most parochial of opposition supporters could enjoy watching this rabble. Nathan Carroll’s luxuriant handlebar moustache provides scant consolation.
The real story of the season, though, has been Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin. His lively style, enviable athleticism and capacity for kicking remarkable goals seem to have captured everybody’s imagination. Indeed, so prodigious are the Hawthorn forward’s talents that one scarcely notices his functional hairdo.
Yet even his most ardent admirers must be becoming increasingly nauseous at the relentless Buddy Mania. And it is a disease that seems to be spreading at an alarming rate. And no wonder- commentators salivate when he touches the ball; media personalities drool at his very mention; journalists reporting on his Herculean feats routinely saturate their keyboards with slobber. With all that sputum flying through the air, how could fans and pundits not become infected by Buddy Mania?
However, there has been one team that has largely managed to sneak under the radar: the Sydney Swans. You will not find flamboyant mops, ostentatious facial hair or even communicable diseases amongst this lot. What you will discover, though, is a group of well-drilled, hard working and disciplined players, who may play a dour game, but who know how to win. Come the last Saturday in September, it might not be a bunch of feral Cats or a dose of Buddy love garnering the plaudits, but a gaggle of Swans.
| 74 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Harry
World Art
Sydney Diary
Personals
Video Games
Brisbane Diarystar
Zoo Parent
Great post. Really enjoyed it