SWANS defender Paul Bevan has revealed that with seven qualifying games remaining, his club has bowed to the credo that ‘the season starts now’.
Knee-knocking that a top four position will go a-begging if they don’t right the wrongs that saw them slip to the Pies and Hawks, the Sydneysiders are vowing to take a fresh approach to the coming weeks.
And The Four Points is itching to see how literally the Swannies, a club so respected for its discipline and, well, right-wronging, take it.
Send Nick Malceski off to MacGyver for another nip-tuck? Hope not. Have just 18 players on the ground for every game? Sounds promising. Hail the sportsmanship of Barry Hall when he group-hugs a backline? Now we’re talking!
ONE OF the competition’s most talented players has shown an incredible soft side in answering questions from his adoring fans.
In a stormy week where the tribunal was forced to throw the book at Fremantle’s Dean Solomon and knuckle-rap Eagle Daniel Kerr, as injuries, injuries, injuries littered the headlines, Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is a beacon.
A man whose favourite TV show is Home and Away, recalls The Sandlot Kids as his top childhood movie and loves the way Delta Goodrem sings is sensitive personified.
(He also mentions something about Gladiator, but forgive him – Buddy has to be a little bit ‘tough guy’.)
Now where was I? Ah, yes. 'Dear Buddy, should I water my petunias twice a day…?'
ON THE topic of fan mail, His Manager to the Players Ricky Nixon mentioned in a candid interview with afl.com.au’s Ben ‘Broady’ Broad that he feared for his life on his recent trip to Ireland.
Say what?! Tongue in cheek, Ricky. Phew, you scared The Four Points. Anyway, why would someone consider a surprise 'note' under the hotel room door with all that promises the Seamuses, Paddys and Liams?
AFL clubs are to benefit, the Gaelic game will continue on a jolly road and, with a wave of local cheer, Nixon could become the new Boomtown Rat.
Live Aid dates to follow.
WHILE the best young Irish talent prepare for the Nixon experiment, The Four Points has punched another significant occasion into his faithful PalmPilot.
From Wednesday, August 27 the crème-de-la-crème of international footballers will make their mark in sunny-wintry-springy Melbourne.
The Four Points’ favourite Australian football team outside of Australia, the mighty Swedish Elks (go Elks, psss!), will lock horns (big horns, psss!) with the Irish Warriors in a blockbuster at Royal Park.
With the Papua New Guinea Mosquitoes, the US Revolution, New Zealand Falcons, All Japan Samurais and Finland Icebreakers ('So, play footy often?') joining others – rumour has it the Gold Coast franchise is re-considering its own shortlist to match the ripping nicknames.
Then again, with former Dees coach Neale Daniher heading up its coaching selection panel, there mightn’t be time to give it too much thought.
One of the criteria for the job: aspirations to coach at senior AFL level. That narrows it down to about 100,000.
'Dear Mr Daniher, The Four Points wishes to apply for the position advertised…'
What to look out for on afl.com.au this Friday:
The facts
Brian Royal at Tigerland. Gavin Crosisca at Blueland. Al Clarkson at Hawkland. More news from Swanland and Lionland. See what has to be said right here.
The forecast
Our answer to Al Roker, that man Ben ‘Broady’ Broad braves sleet, snow and sunshine to predict the big happenings of the weekend.
The fever
Think of economical midfielders as Dr Dream Team gets out the latex gloves and lollipops.
The final teams
A close look at names and numbers as Sunday’s six sides land from around 5pm.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
