SOMETIMES it’s not what a coach says, but how he says it.
Western Bulldogs players appreciated the message at Manuka Oval on Sunday when coach Rodney Eade delivered one of the more calculated, side-splitting rants ever seen on a football field.
The picture says a thousand words as Eade, knowing his men were a little flat and likely jet-lagged after the long haul from Melbourne to Canberra, needed a pep-up.
So what did Rocket do? A bit of the ol’ glasses up and down by themselves trick of course.
Eade’s hilarity certainly hit the spot, with his team booting eight second-quarter goals to turn a quarter-time deficit into a commanding lead.
The veteran coach even went as far as to say he’d been planning his gag “for a few weeks”.
Brad Johnson and Scott Welsh, who been keeled over in stitches at the quarter-time huddle, were among the Swans’ destroyers. Well done Rocket, a masterstroke indeed.
2: Let’s all go to the lobby
There were bright lights, plenty of snacks and even a big screen.
But unfortunately for Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews – who said Saturday night’s clash with North Melbourne reminded him of a movie such as Deja Vu – this one didn’t have a happy ending.
In the Hollywood movie, of course, Denzel Washington plays the hero.
However there was no Denzel to save the day for Lethal’s lads at the Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday evening, with Jonathan Brown doing his best in the starring role with five goals.
But not even that was enough for the Queenslanders as Brown, while doing a fine job, came up short in dragging his team across the line.
3: The game changes quickly, doesn’t it?
A few weeks back it was all about the basics, now Matthew Lloyd is back among the ‘Superforwards’ of the AFL who can leap packs in a single bound – according to coach Matthew Knights.
But Knights’ post-match comments are a far different slant from those earlier in the season when his skipper was struggling.
“You can’t expect Matthew Lloyd just to come out and kick bags of six, seven, eight [goals] anymore,” Knights said when his captain was down on form.
“I don’t think it’s realistic to have those expectations.
“I don’t think … that happens too often in the modern game unless you’re wearing No.23 and you’ve got brown and yellow.”
Which begs the question, was that Buddy in disguise at the MCG on Saturday?
4: Shouldering the load
Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia would be a little sore today.
The Crows’ matchwinner copped a whack on the scone while he’s also suffering from what’s known as a touch of Kennelly-itis, where one’s shoulder is prone to popping in and out of its socket.
It’s a good thing the Blues didn’t really have a crack at the crafty goalkicker, as Carlton coach Brett Ratten insisted they wouldn’t last week.
That got us thinking here about some of the great sporting surprises.
Like Rocky Balboa fighting right-handed against Apollo Creed, Martina Hingis serving underarm to Steffi Graf in the 1999 French Open final and Dipak Patel opening the bowling for New Zealand in the 1992 World Cup.
Coming up today on afl.com.au
Tom Wills Round
Who was Tom Wills why does he have a round named after him and why is AFL legend Ron Barrasi talking about him this morning at the MCG. Stay tuned to find out.
Hawks flying
Premiership 'certainties' [according to their fans at least] Hawthorn are putting up a mystery player at lunchtime on the eve of Shane Crawford's 300th game.
Port calling
Our resident Adelaide guru Katrina Gill will bring us all the latest from Alberton Oval after the Power's narrow loss to St Kilda.
Analyse this
The Supercat Ben Broad analyses the teams that are in the hunt for the finals and the key moments that can change a season.
The wisdom of Lethal
The sage of all things football, the player of the century, four time premiership coach and all-round interesting guy Leigh Matthews fronts the press this afternoon to give his views on the latest issues in the game.
All this and more today on afl.com.au
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
