Well, my hopes were dashed – how about yours? Round 12 was indeed a long time ago, and our attention should be turned to beating that Purple-Stuck-In-the-Media team out west, but we had to complete a Play of the Week write-up for the Hawthorn game. And when it came to that cold, foggy night from the other week, Mike & Dan turned to our only Tasmanian who did a few nice things in those oh-so-Tasmanian conditions…
Simon, you win this week’s Play of the Week, but as that was over a week ago, can you actually remember much of the game?
Well, we’ve pretty much tried to forget it really. Sure we did our review straight after, but we’ve tried to move on as a team.
You've been nominated for Play of the Week because of a few things; a big mark on the wing, some nice touches, getting 3 shots on goal which is unusual for you, but since the game we've been trying to erase the game from our memories – can you remember those bits of the game?
I remember a couple of those things, but really, the game seemed to be over very quickly – they thrashed us. I also remember being a little quieter in the second half.
You play up forward but you aren’t a goalkicker – in fact, you kicked your first goal for the year against the Hawks – how does that work?
Well, I try to lead-up the ground as much as I can, and generally play in a wing / half forward position. If we move it in quick enough it can be hard to get back to a goal scoring position in time. But really, we’ve got blokes like Fev, who consistently scores and leads out as an option, Fisher with his 2 to 3 goals a game, and Waitey – and really – they’re much better options than me down there.
Your first stint this year seemed a little underwhelming, then you had the hamstring tightness – but since then you’ve been in pretty good form. What’s the go?
I came into the team too early this year. I had a limited pre-season but put my hand up for Round 1 – but I wasn’t ready. Things happened for me against
10 marks and 23 possessions against Port almost won the Play of the Week that week, but in a tight decision it went to Houlihan for 3 goals from yourself and Waite. That was a pretty good game to watch – how did you feel out there?
I think we got a little too excited out there – but it was great to be a part of it. In my time at the Club there really hasn’t been a game like it, that we were so far up that the game was ours, and it was exciting to know that the game was ours.
What does it mean when Pagan says ‘We may have got ahead of ourselves?’ Surely the players knew we were still in the Bottom 8 and playing a top team?
Yes, we did, but I think it means we stopped thinking about the basic parts of football and started getting too advanced. We were thinking about the shots on goal from 50 metres out, and the fancy stuff, but not doing the blue collar things that the fans and press probably don’t pick up on so much, but we should know we have to do.
We've noticed your contested marking a lot more in the last couple of years - is this something you were strong at as a junior or have you been working with coaching staff at the club to develop it?
I was a pretty handy mark as a junior actually, but I don’t think I ever really had the confidence with my hands early on. It’s a big jump up from junior footy. These days I’m continually out there to attack the ball.
2006 was a breakthrough year for you – you actually doubled your possession count on the year before. Was it the game plan, playing forward, maturity or what?
Actually I think it was in 2005 that the change happened – I played about 6 or 7 games for the Bullants at Centre Half Forward. I got a lot of confidence in learning where to run, where to get the ball, by continually running around and seeking the ball.
You were studying Education at
Yes, still studying part time. It’s an undergrad course and it should take me a few more years yet. I’d like to do it a lot quicker but all the lectures are at the same time as our training, and my Uni takes attendance, so it’s hard to fit in.
Are your fingers still stinging from the Riccardi kick in 2002?
(Laughs) Well, that was a while ago so no – but I touched it.
I’m Tasmanian, coming from
Ahh, that’s where Brad Green is from. Actually, of these Tassie gags, I’ve heard them all, there is nothing new in any of them. If someone came up with a new Tassie joke I’d probably laugh along with it…
Good answer – I agree. We must be related…
I’m sure we are…
The writers at ‘Mike & Dan’ wish it to be known that only ‘Mike’ is Tasmanian and we can confirm that ‘Dan’ is not Mike’s second head.
As a Tassie boy, would you want a team from the Apple Isle represented in State of
All the recent talk seems to have left
Probably a game like that would stir up all the old ‘Should it be at Bellerive or York Park’ issues – us Tasmanians have a North v South thing that never seems to end.
Like Cascade v Boags eh?
Exactly.
Your wife, Loudy Tourky, will hopefully be diving in the
Yes, the Olympics will be on so I’ll have to get used to seeing her on TV.
Our forwards are still behind teams like Essendon in knowing how to dive for free kicks. Can Loudy help?
(Laughs) Not just yet – Diving is a little more complicated than what some of the other teams get up to. But if you see me do an Inward 3 ½ after a push in the back, you’ll know where it comes from!
What's Patrick up to now? Is he still playing?
He tried in the SANFL, but he’s a Policeman now and the SANFL competition is very professional these days – you’d need to be down at the club every day. He’s gone up country instead, playing for Border Districts.
In closing, we like to ask our
Yes,
Very impressive, for bonus points can you name the No. 34’s to play in a Premiership for
That’s a good one – Robertson definitely played in 2 or 3, and I’m sure Marcou did too.
Outstanding knowledge there – for the full history of the jumper click here.
Many of the other
