Another riveting, pulsating game – another 20 goals to the Blues – but, unfortunately, another close loss after giving up the lead. But yes, on the plus side… another Play of the Week! This one goes to a senior Blue, Captain Whitnall, for a couple of great plays and goals against the Kangaroos at Carrara.
Play of the Week for two of those goals, Lance - which one was your favourite - the tackle and roost or the inside outside torp?
I think I’ll go the inside outside torp – that one was a bit more flukey than the goal. I was going for a backwards banana, but it was purely accidental the way it came out – it sort of floated through just near the right hand goal post, but swung in late.
What sort of kick was that - a drop punt, torp or banana?
Inside outside torp works for me!
For the other goal, as captain, why didn’t you kick to the top of the square?
Haha, I didn’t see anything on offer and they had a lot of players back at that point in time. So I thought, it was right on my distance range, I knew I could get it if I kicked it sweetly. And it came off.
We noticed on the weekend at the end of a couple of quarters you went into defence for the last 5 minutes. Is that a set strategy or does Denis give you scope to do that if it's necessary?
A bit of both actually – it started from the Coaches Box as they had noticed that we’ve been giving up goals late in quarters recently. So I was asked to look at it and go down there if needed – it didn’t work this time though.
Do you work on forward set-ups that create space for Fevola? We've noticedyourself and Fish often push up to the wing to present.
Definitely, but not just for Fevola – we work on a lot of set-ups to create space for each other. At Half-Forward we’re likely to push up to the wings at times to create space behind us, for all the other guys up forward.
Are the players & coaching staff having regular discussions/practice sessions to try to learn how best to deal with the push in the back rule?
At the start of the year, yes, but we haven’t gone over it again – we all know the rule. It is a little frustrating, some get paid and some don’t, some umpires are harder on it than others, but it should work itself out.
Earlier in the year, we were coming back from large deficits to win by running out the game in the 2nd half. It has been the reverse recently. What has happened?
We’ve been spending a lot of energy in the first halves, but it’s just us making mistakes out there. I don’t think fitness is the issue – it’s making mistakes at important times and then that can cost you. Making mistakes and seeing the ball fly back over your head can sometimes get the players down.
How is Denis Pagan responding to the recent losses. We have led at half time only to be overrun? What's the message he has to turn it around?
I think he’s a little frustrated by it, but also he recognises that we’re playing good footy which is a good positive for all of us. We’re playing good footy more often, and eventually 4 points will come.
Where do you think you can add most value to the team and b) Where do you prefer to line up? Are they always the same thing?
Centre Half Forward, especially these days with Jason Saddington standing up at Centre Half Back and Thornton back on the Full Back line. Once the back line is settled and set-up my spot has to be in the forward line.
Being put into the ruck just before half time in the Essendon game appears to have been the turning point in your season...would you agree?
Yes, you could say that. I had a few quiet weeks to start with…didn’t I? ... but then in that game I got my hand on the ball as an around-the-ground ruckman. It was great to get to run around a bit – any chance to get on to the ball.
You were ready to play senior footy at a young age. Players like Josh Kennedy, Hartlett, etc, should they be played in the AFL or blooded in the VFL?
I was lucky at the time I think, coming in to a team with lots of senior players around me. It’s hard for young players to play at this level at 17 or 18 these days. The old saying of ‘doing an apprenticeship’ works for some young guys – a year or 2 in the Reserves is sometimes required.
How has the game changed for you since your debut?
A lot quicker, a lot quicker for sure.
As a father-son draftee, would you encourage your kids to play footy? Will you take them down to Auskick or take them straight down to Cramer St and give them to Barry Mitchell to develop?
Haha, it’s their choice but they’ve picked up Auskick now and it’s great for them.
Back in our VFL writing days, we used to see you down at Cramer St a lot. Who's impressing you in the Bullants & do you go & watch when you can?
Yeah, I like to go whenever I can – it’s good to see the young players play but also, it’s probably good for them to see the senior players around showing an interest in them.
I think its Hartlett and Kennedy, 2 guys you’ll see this week. I guess I pay more of an interest in the key position guys, because that’s where I play, but these 2 guys impress me. Kennedy had a stint in the ruck last weekend, which is good for him, but he’s still growing so we’ll see how big he gets.
Your family, especially your Dad, were/are Diamond Valley football icons. How do you feel about the DVFL becoming the Northern Football League, and what do you make of your old club the Lalor Bloods? They've gone backward in recent years haven't they?
I heard about that the other day actually – I didn’t know about the name change. At the moment though, Lalor aren’t doing too well – they’re down in second division. I like to get back down to watch them when I can.
And you play cricket still?
Yes, I still play some cricket – I go back on weekends and play with friends over summer – I played 6 games last year. You see, cricket is on Saturdays and in the pre-season we don’t train on weekends, so it’s a free day. I play more as a batsman these days – I’ve given up the bowling.
Lance’s return to form has been welcomed by Blues fans across the country, and if he can pull out party tricks like he did last weekend, we’re hoping he’s not too far away from his next feat of magic – 4 POINTS!
