THE COACH AND THE DISCIPLE by Whispering Jack

Luke Norman was drafted by the Melbourne Football Club as a 22 year old from Wangaratta at selection 68 in the 1994 National Draft. He made his debut (along with a 17 year old Jeff Farmer) in the opening round the following year at the MCG against Geelong at Kardinia Park in the first of six losses on the trot for the Demons.

Norman was a burly defender who was a real goer but he was always going to battle at the elite level after making a relatively late start at the age of 23. He played the first nine games of 1995, but after that his career stalled and he struggled even to get a game in a team that was decimated by injuries to key players in David Schwartz, Garry Lyon, Stephen Tingay and Paul Prymke and the temporary defection to the tennis coaching circuit of Todd Viney. Norman played the last of his 16 games on what could have turned out a sad night for the Melbourne Football Club - the final round of the 1996 when the Demons took on the Hawks in what might have been the swansong for both of them had the merger not failed.

Nevertheless, it was the end for Luke Norman's brief stint in the AFL. He disappeared off our radar but has re-emerged as the coach of SANFL club Sturt where he has them in the finals in his first senior year. And like his former teammate Graeme Yeats, who coaches Tom Scully at the Dandenong Stingrays, one of Norman's charges is an exciting prospective early draft pick who might also be headed to the Demons via the national draft.

That player is Jack Trengove was skipper of SA in the recent Under 18 National Championships and was picked alongside Scully as an on baller in the Under 18 All Australian team.

Last year, Norman was reserves coach with the Double Blues and he guided them to a premiership. Trengove was in the team which won that flag, having been plucked out of the Under 17 team that tasted a grand final victory the week before.

Sturt won 14 games during the regular season this year but school and state duties kept Trengove out of the senior side until after the Under 18 championships. Since making his debut in July, the youngster has missed only one game (due to school duties at Prince Alfred College) and has averaged well over 20 disposals per game in the midfield and on a forward flank. He picked up the SANFL equivalent of a rising star nomination with a 30-possession effort in just his second game.

The Double Blues were unlucky in last week's qualifying final against Central District. With three time SANFL leading goal kicker Brant Chambers missing through injury, they led for most of the day and were locked together late into time on when a Bulldog forward kicked the winning goal.

Thanks to a friend from Adelaide I was able to view a tape of the game in which Trengove was a solid contributor all day and was named in his team's three best playing in the graveyard half forward flank position. The game was a dour struggle, tough and hard and was a great test for the young teenager. He wasn't as prolific a ball winner as his previous statistics suggested but he showed great composure under finals pressure and still managed to get the ball 15 times, displayed clean hands, crisp disposal and a cool head and booted two goals at vital stages of the game. Both of them were gems. He was right at home playing against the men and has the engine, the skills and the body to move straight into AFL next year.

Just to add a little to the Melbourne connection, one of Trengove's teammates was former Demon Jace Bode who played on a half back flank. Today, they will be back at AAMI Stadium playing in the first semi final against Norman's old side Woodville-West Torrens. For viewers who catch the game on SA's ABC1, one of the commentators will be former North Melbourne, Collingwood and Melbourne player Robert Pyman who had a season with the Demons in 1997.

Melbourne and Sturt have a little bit of history. In the late 1960's the Demons were reported to be chasing two Double Blues stars in ruckman Dean Ottens and speedy Aboriginal winger Michael Graham but, despite the time and effort put in by Melbourne Secretary Jim Cardwell, neither of them could be tempted across the border. The Demons did however, manage to snare a multiple Sturt premiership player of the sixties in John "Diamond Jim" Tilbrook in 1971 but his career was brief and unspectacular. Graham's cousin Colin played around 30 games for the club in the mid seventies and one of Ottens' sons Luke also had a short injury interrupted stint at the club in the late nineties. They could have drafted the other Ottens, Brad who will be playing for a second premiership with Geelong next Saturday, with first pick in 1997 but chose Travis Johnstone instead. The Demons even drafted a midfielder by the name of Judd from Sturt but unlike his namesake, Ben Judd who was drafted at 39 in the 1992 pre season draft, never played a single game of AFL football.

The Demons did manage to strike it lucky with the recruitment of midfielder Todd Viney who came across from Sturt in 1987 who played 233 games with the club, won the best and fairest in 1993 and 1998 and was skipper in 1998-9. His brother Jay, also from Sturt, joined him for a while in late eighties and early nineties.

Although one can't say with certainty at this stage whether Jack Trengove will join the list of Sturt players who have gone on to play for Melbourne, he must be a fair chance to be taken with the club's second pick in the national draft (I've already pencilled Scully in as #1 without consulting Barry Prendergast). However, I think it could be said without much fear of contradiction and with all due respect to his current coach, that this youngster's career at the elite level of the game will be longer and more successful in terms of team and personal achievement than that of his current mentor Luke Norman who battled through some of those dark days during his time at Melbourne.

I was at that Geelong game in '94. I remember seeing the young Jeffrey Farmer and saying to a fellow Demon supporter that the Wizard was, "too small, too light, out of his league and will never make it at AFL level." - Lucky I'm not the MFC recruitment officer!!!!

.....anyway.... I've gone completely cold on Butcher and hope to God that we don't waste a pick and the development resources on him.

Always fascinating to read the back stories Yes I can recall Diamond Jim.. quite the bit of hype without the 'r ball ( bole ) as I recall

thanks again WJ. Am sure Barry will concur with you regards Pick 2

Edited September 19, 200915 yr by belzebub59

Thanks again WJ. Isn't there a poster named "Diamond Jim Tilbrook?"

Jack Trengove has kicked an early goal in the semi final. Sturt 2.1.13 to WWT 1.0.6.

Jack Trengove has kicked an early goal in the semi final. Sturt 2.1.13 to WWT 1.0.6.

At quarter time Sturt dominating 5.3.33 to 1.0.6. Trengove looks the goods!

Just a quick update on Trengove.Playing today at AAMI stadium in Sturts league side against the Eagles in the 1st semi final.Trengove lined up on HFF & its currently half way through the 2nd quarter.Listening on net while doing some work so cant tell you exactly how many touches Trengove has had but i can tell you some of the comments Chris Mcdermott & Stephen Rowe have been saying.Comparing him to Bryce Gibbs saying hes in the same mould as him & is every bit as good as him,saying that everything he touches turns to gold & that hes pure silk.Kicks beautifully well on both left & right & is great in the air & on the deck as he has shown several times today.The kid is sensational & LUke Norman has said he will easily be a 200+ game player at AFL,Mcdermott & Rowe agree.1 play he got the ball on the wing & dodged 3 players like they were standing still,he took 2 bounces & ran the ball in hitting the FF lace out on the chest.Mcdermott said he dodged the 1st player then re-assesed,realised there was no options forward so side stepped another then another until waiting for someone to present,said he looks like he has so much time.Ill try & find out his stats at half time but i know hes had at least 6 kicks & a few handballs & has kicked a goal

Just a quick update on Trengove.Playing today at AAMI stadium in Sturts league side against the Eagles in the 1st semi final.Trengove lined up on HFF & its currently half way through the 2nd quarter.Listening on net while doing some work so cant tell you exactly how many touches Trengove has had but i can tell you some of the comments Chris Mcdermott & Stephen Rowe have been saying.Comparing him to Bryce Gibbs saying hes in the same mould as him & is every bit as good as him,saying that everything he touches turns to gold & that hes pure silk.Kicks beautifully well on both left & right & is great in the air & on the deck as he has shown several times today.The kid is sensational & LUke Norman has said he will easily be a 200+ game player at AFL,Mcdermott & Rowe agree.1 play he got the ball on the wing & dodged 3 players like they were standing still,he took 2 bounces & ran the ball in hitting the FF lace out on the chest.Mcdermott said he dodged the 1st player then re-assesed,realised there was no options forward so side stepped another then another until waiting for someone to present,said he looks like he has so much time.Ill try & find out his stats at half time but i know hes had at least 6 kicks & a few handballs & has kicked a goal

At the half, Double Blues 8.8.56 to Eagles 2.4.16.

thanks again dee man, every bit of info is well appreciated.

Eagles coming back but Sturt still 25 points in front.

yeh thanks very much for the updates! this kid will be a star.. the dees have to take him at 2.. our midfield would be set for years after scully and trengove!

can you give us the link to the radio station? cheers

3/4 Time

Sturt 9.11.65

Eagles 5.10.40

Double Blues into the Preliminary Final. Final score:

Sturt 12.16.88

Eagles 11.12.78

I'll try to get some info from my sources as to how Trengove went after half time.

Double Blues into the Preliminary Final. Final score:

Sturt 12.16.88

Eagles 11.12.78

thanks again for updates-how many did Jack kick- only the one- did he play HFF AND SOMETIME IN THE MID.PLS ADVISE

Double Blues into the Preliminary Final. Final score:

Sturt 12.16.88

Eagles 11.12.78

I'll try to get some info from my sources as to how Trengove went after half time.

Sorry guys i had to leave today so didnt listen to the game after the half.I heard the end scores & heard Trengoves name mentioned as having a good game.Sturt will be playing next week again so ill get back to you on the time but the radio station web site is www.5aa.com .au Also the game was on Foxtel on channel 102 i think but it was on a hour delay & thats been the case with all the games so id guess next week would be the same

Sorry guys i had to leave today so didnt listen to the game after the half.I heard the end scores & heard Trengoves name mentioned as having a good game.Sturt will be playing next week again so ill get back to you on the time but the radio station web site is www.5aa.com .au Also the game was on Foxtel on channel 102 i think but it was on a hour delay & thats been the case with all the games so id guess next week would be the same

Actually that's SA's ABC channel and you won't get the programme in Victoria.

From all accounts Jack played well off half forward, set up a number of targets, showed his skills and kicked the one goal early in the game.

Sturt's opponent in the Preliminary Final will be Glenelg who suffered a narrow shock defeat at the hands of Central District in the later game.

Actually that's SA's ABC channel and you won't get the programme in Victoria.

From all accounts Jack played well off half forward, set up a number of targets, showed his skills and kicked the one goal early in the game.

I saw bits of the game as well and the commentators liked the way he worked hard to finish off plays and work to space today. I just like the fact that he is a 2 sided player and reasonably well developed for a youngster.

At the half, Double Blues 8.8.56 to Eagles 2.4.16.

Ah, the Class injection our midfield needs, Scully & Trengove on the double.

McLean/Jones/Moloney/Davey/Sylvia/Morton/Scully/Trengove Magnificent 8 - Melbourne Midfield 2010+

Double Blues into the Preliminary Final. Final score:

Sturt 12.16.88

Eagles 11.12.78

I'll try to get some info from my sources as to how Trengove went after half time.

Cheers C

Great to see Trenny (and Scully) getting some good finals type experience under their belt, which is invaluable... but..

as i mentioned with Scully, they're not going to get a chance for a break b4 the Draft Camps, as their years are still finishing off

and with Morabitos thigh injury it may be a misleading carnival (still, Scullys a lock-in obviously, but the other two)

worrying even further about it..

Will Trengove choose to miss the camps if Sturt make the GF next week??

Id wanna see everyone up against everyone, on as level a playing field as possible!

I think too many people think draft camp results mean alot.... I think they make a little bit of difference for player at pick 50+ but the top ten go on football ability... If they have bad endurance or poor strength the club will work on those when they arrive...

If trengove and scully missed draft camp and morabitos attended and blitzed the result do you think it would change the results.... I don't, these guys get state tested ever year from under 16

If trengove and scully missed draft camp and morabitos attended and blitzed the result do you think it would change the results.... I don't, these guys get state tested ever year from under 16

Yeah it could change the results.

Look at J. Watts. He came from nowhere last year- if he had a shite Draft Camp we may not have picked him- & his great draft camp performance was probably the clincher for BP and Co. to say, 'He's ours'..

If scully and trenny miss it and Moro or someone else 'there-abouts' blitzes..

it might mean we take scully and Moro/someone else.. but trenny/missing player may be better than ALL and we wont get to see it against everyone elses results.

Some of these kids are growing by the minute! (apparantly Morabito has shot up a few more cms in recent months)

The camps will be Up-to-the-minute information and the Dees having the earliest picks need to be the most prepared.

Repeat: Id wanna see EVERYONE there, up against EVERYONE else! (if i were BP and Co..)

I think too many people think draft camp results mean alot.... I think they make a little bit of difference for player at pick 50+

Yep. I think sometimes recruiters do tend to go with what's in vogue as well. For example, Daniher's all-too-well known interview where he explained the reason Aaron Davey was taken so late was because Davis had a terrible GF that year, and small indigenous kids were out of vogue.

Apply that to this year's best first year player in Rich. His draft camp made him a slider, while pure football ability would have seen him at pick 3 most likely.

The exception to what you say above, I think, is where the club couldn't choose between Nicnat and Watts. One had possibly the biggest upside you've ever seen in a player, while the other had oodles of talent. They were neck and neck, so the club says, and when they finally made the choice, I feel like without the draft camp brilliance, they might have had greater difficulty. 2008, though, was a year where there were probably up to 8 players who all had claims on the number 1 spot, and there wasn't much between all of them. The camp can be useful in this regard. Past that, though... I think the results of these athletic tests are almost useless.

so anyone know trengove's stats from today?

Actually that's SA's ABC channel and you won't get the programme in Victoria.

In previous years I'm pretty sure I've seen the SANFL Grand Final on the ABC (maybe ABC2) in Vic so I reckon there's a fair shot we'll get a look at him if it's next week. Is it?

so anyone know trengove's stats from today?

According to a report on Ology he was named in the best with 19 disposals and one goal. Not bad for a kid playing in a final.