REACHING FOR THE STARS by The Oracle

There were two AFL games played in Melbourne yesterday. The one between Carlton and Collingwood attracted a crowd of 80,310 to the MCG and the other, between Richmond and Melbourne, a modest 27,348 to Telstra Dome. The results of both were decided by star players in the winning teams - in Carlton's case it was the result of an eight goal performance from full forward Brendan Fevola and in Richmond's case it was from wingman, come forward, come backman Matthew Richardson.

Without a doubt, Richardson was the difference between the two sides at the Docklands; he instigated the Tigers' comeback with two goals when they were in danger of falling away and trailling by 21 points late in the opening quarter, he was instrumental in his team's 16 minutes of sheer dominance in the second quarter when they scored eight unanswered goals after Melbourne scored the first of the term and he took a number of timely saving marks deep in defence when the Demons looked like stealing the game near the end. The rest of the time, he went well enough but he really made things happen when they mattered the most and he finished with five goals.

That's a star!

The rest of the time, which was about 75% of the game, Melbourne was the better team but it was the lack of a single player with star quality and the ability to stamp his name on the game that, as happens ever so often with the Demons, proved to be its undoing.

The young Melbourne side had its best start for the season with five goals for the opening term but all of its good work was undone in the second quarter when the entire team went into hibernation and reverted to all of the sins and omissions of the very dark days early in the season when they performed so miserably against the Hawks and the Bulldogs in the opening two rounds.

By half time the Tigers held a lead of 38 points and appeared headed for a victory of mammoth proportions after a devastating eight goal burst brought about by complete dominance of the midfield and the Richardson effect.

But Melbourne fought back with a counter offensive of its own and narrowed the deficit to 19 points at the last change. That they did so was due to the efforts of Brock McLean, with face swathed in bandages, who came out with a burst to retake control of the midfield and the uncharacteristically quiet Aaron Davey, who ignited the game with a sparkling running goal followed by the mark of year and then a goal to give the team a sniff.

The Demon surge continued in the final quarter and they drew to within 8 points as it all came down to an arm wrestle which was eventually won by the Tigers with the last two goals of the game.

Melbourne was well served by midfielders Brad Green, Cameron Bruce and the run and carrry of Paul Wheatley whose persistence throughout the game was important. Nathan Jones and Matthew Bate also flashed in and out of the play while Clint Bartram showed some glimpses of the form he was capable of producing in his debut season before his injury woes began.

Brad Miller's three goal performance might pale into insignificance when measured next to that of Richo but it was nevertheless an important contribution. Miller had to go far and wide to get his possessions but his kicking for goal in terms of both depth and accuracy have improved markedly this year. He was however, Melbourne's only forward target in an attack bereft of players capable of taking a contested mark in the way that Richardson does for the Tigers. That is understandable in view of the demise of David Neitz and injuries to Russell Robertson, Ben Holland and Michael Newton - the latter is coming back from injury through the Sandringham reserves of all places!

In a game dominated by Richmond's star, a special mention must be made of two players from Melbourne who might aspire to such greatness at some stage in the future. Colin Garland's breathtaking improvement continues and I sense that some day soon we will look at how his game has developed and marvel at the inspiration behind giving him the very special number 20 at this club to wear on his back. The dash and poise that he is showing week in and week out is something that we rarely see from young players who have graced the football field on such few occasions. He can only get better and better.

And so too will Cale Morton, although his performance at the Telstra Dome was admittedly flawed by some poor disposal and decision making. Having seen him hit targets with pinpoint precision and kick goals prodigiously from long distances on his way to winning the highest individual honours at last year's national under 18 championships, I'm willing to cut him a fair amount of slack. The lad is still only eighteen years old but showed that he can really find the football - 20 possessions with only 64% of game time - is a handy result in anyone's language. He's a fantastic work in progress and, with a year or two's experience and a few extra kilograms on his upper body and shoulders, Morton will be a very special player for the club.

Melbourne did not achieve victory against the Tigers at the Dome yesterday - not even an honourable defeat. However, the Demons showed that they have the potential and the material to one day reach for the stars. The voyage has begun.

Melbourne 5.3.33 6.5.41 11.8.74 14.10.94

Richmond 3.6.24 11.13.79 13.15.93 16.20.116

Goals

Melbourne Miller 3 Bartram Bruce Davey 2 Bate Garland Green White Wonaeamirri

Richmond Richardson 5 Brown 3 Cotchin Hyde Moore Morton Polak Simmonds Tuck White

Best

Melbourne McLean Garland Wheatley Bruce Jones Bate

Richmond Richardson Deledio Brown Tuck Foley

Injuries

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Umpires Sully Nicholls Ryan

Crowd 27,348 at Telstra Dome

Excellent point about the lack of star quality players at the club. However, where do you get stars from and why haven't we able to produce them over the years in the way other clubs have?

Excellent point about the lack of star quality players at the club. However, where do you get stars from and why haven't we able to produce them over the years in the way other clubs have?

i'm sure if someone had the specific recipe then every club would be well on the way to producing 22 stars.

i think it is a combination of natural skills, athletic abilities, drive and endeavour and work ethic combined with the right coaching and motivation, and often a splash of technology and development.

also i think there is a whole lot of luck that has to go into it.

consider a range of afl stars from the past decade. they range from you tall athletic freaks, some have strength, some have agility. some were short and slow with great hands, some had all the time in the world and could pinpoint targets others never saw. some stars had pace to burn to break the lines, others have strength in their hips to break the tackles.

almost all could hurt opposition teams by both hand and foot, and almost all hurt opposition teams on the scoreboard - goal kicking forwards or mids, running defensive players who either set up goals or drift forward and snare a couple, or genuine KPD who will hurt the opposition by preventing their goal kickers from scoring.

genuine stars of the game are rarely lazy around the training track. often some are described as needing a rev up by team mates or coaching staff to get the most out of their natural abilities, and this can help them cross the line from potential to star.

i think there is definetly an element of right place right time about this development also. if a player is played out of position he might struggle. if a player is competing for a position with another player he may excel and surpass expectations (if he has the drive) or he may struggle and not come on as hoped. remember, lots of players have excelled at afl level after appearing to just go at vfl level...

i'm sure if someone had the specific recipe then every club would be well on the way to producing 22 stars....

Scott Thompson has been the closest player we've had to a 'star' since Gary Lyon and David Schwartz, it's just a pity that the culture of the club wasn't strong enough at the time to influence his decision to stay.

Excellent point about the lack of star quality players at the club. However, where do you get stars from and why haven't we able to produce them over the years in the way other clubs have?

I know plenty have said these words about other players before hand, but i've got really good feeling about Morton. He had a ditry day, disposal wise, on Sunday, but as the Oracle said the fact he got plenty of it gives me great hope for the future with him.

There was a Melbourne supporter sitting a could of seats down from me bagging the crap out of him, i said to him we've got to get him off the ground, he said to me, "he's a dud for sure", i refrained from having a go at him but he's young and clearly got plenty of talent.

Excellent point about the lack of star quality players at the club. However, where do you get stars from and why haven't we able to produce them over the years in the way other clubs have?

Dees can follow Carlton's Blueprint.

KEY MELBOURNE forward Brad Miller says his struggling club can take heart from the recent performances of Carlton as the Demons try to edge their way up the AFL ladder.

While Melbourne’s on-field woes have only been more recent, Miller said the Blues’ recent surge – Carlton leapt into the top eight at the weekend after a spirited win over Collingwood – would provide hope for the Demons.

“Absolutely, I saw them yesterday and that was an awesome result,” Miller said.

“They’ve sort of put number one and two draft picks in the bank for the last three or four years, and with two or three years’ experience they’re starting to develop and become a really good team.

“It’s positive, it [success] just comes in cycles.”

This was from the Club's latest email.

Picks 1, 17 and 18 will be a nice start.

Picks 1, 17 and 18 will be a nice start.

Throw in Pick one in PSD and it gets better.

So all we have to do to become successful is to be crap for another 2 years...

Great thinking Brad.

So all we have to do to become successful is to be crap for another 2 years...

Great thinking Brad.

Thats a bit unfair. To me it relates more to using a few good picks well and young talent like Murphy, Kreuzer and Gibbs etc coming good, or in our case Morton, Grimes, Aussie, McNamara, Cheney, Maric, Newton, Garland, Dunn, Jones, Bate etc.

Obviously one bad year will help.

Thats a bit unfair. To me it relates more to using a few good picks well and young talent like Murphy, Kreuzer and Gibbs etc coming good, or in our case Morton, Grimes, Aussie, McNamara, Cheney,Maric, Newton, Garland, Dunn, Jones, Bate etc.

Obviously one bad year will help.

Exactly. All he is saying is that success comes in cycles. It happens to almost any club.

With proper list management, we can be back on top as well.

Personally, I love Brad coming out and being a spokesman for the club.

Thats a bit unfair. To me it relates more to using a few good picks well and young talent like Murphy, Kreuzer and Gibbs etc coming good, or in our case Morton, Grimes, Aussie, McNamara, Cheney,Maric, Newton, Garland, Dunn, Jones, Bate etc.

Obviously one bad year will help.

Carlton has received the last three number one picks, as well as a plethora of other 1st rounders. We have a long way to go to match their run.

Carlton has received the last three number one picks, as well as a plethora of other 1st rounders. We have a long way to go to match their run.

Also, agreed!

It's all Brad Millers fault. Sack him!

There is only one more 'fair' draft for the near forseeable future. So unlike the baggers.. its this year only. Then its all hands to deck. Apositive is that Miller can indeed be inspired into action.

But lets not get too carried away

Carlton has received the last three number one picks, as well as a plethora of other 1st rounders. We have a long way to go to match their run.

Yes, Carlton have had a load of picks, but remember they have also butchered quite a few high selections (even more than we did 2000-2002!) and have collected a few basic players rather than stars with other highish picks.

And you have to remember there is also a huge hole in the Blues recruiting history due to both the draft penalties they suffered and the attempts to recycle players to cover the immediate problem.

Not all of these players below are duds, obviously, but let's not suggest it isn't possible to do quite a bit better with these picks.

As well as Judd (which was effectively 3 high draft picks spent), Murphy, Gibbs and Kreuzer there has been the following players, none of whom you could call stars, frankly.

Eg.

2006 pick 17 Shaun Hampson

pick 19 Shaun Grigg

2005 pick 4 Joshua Kennedy (is now "one third" of Chris Judd)

pick 20 Paul Bower

2004 pick 9 Jordon Russell

pick 25 Adam Hartlett

2003 pick 2 Andrew Walker

(and that's it for early picks for them this year)

2002 (no early picks)

2001 (no early picks)

2000 pick 4 Luke Livingston

pick 11 Trent Sporn

pick 15 Simon Wiggins

After you look at this list, tell me where Carlton would be if just a few of their best players were hurt? Gone. Gone... and Gone.

Recruit better than Carlton, YES WE CAN!

Yes, Carlton have had a load of picks, but remember they have also butchered quite a few high selections (even more than we did 2000-2002!) and have collected a few basic players rather than stars with other highish picks.

Too early to make a call on Hampson and Grigg, and your assessment of Andrew Walker is unfair. And you also conveniently left out Nick Stevens being picked up in the PSD.

Just remember that Judd and Stevens both shunned us for the Blues.

.........

Good summation of things DD. Stevens is a mixed blessing for Carlton. Talented but lazy and tad selfish. Would they go out to recruit him now? I doubt it. Still he was a fortunate by-product for the Blues as a PSD that arose from a stalemate with Port.