The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 54

16 SPORT The Sunday Age FOOTBALL 1 July 1990 SPORT 17, PSSST SPECIAL EYEBROW-RAISERS OF JUNE rmn i SdCH vtt Tna Mi iLJIK JilUllili UP THERE WITH Mlg THE REATS i ftXi: if Back to his best Collingwood's Mick What ttlPV uuctra InnUinff fnr a hM iui uoai. neon: iwi Mram By Mike Sheahan FiR more than 20 years, Graham Farmer and John Nlcholls have been revered as masters of the art of ruck-work. No one who values his or her credibility has dared suggest a challenger. Even as one of Simon Madden's keenest admirers, I never went further than to rate him "the best since Farmer and Madden has taken the giant final step into exalted company, and the endorsement comes from the legends themselves. "I would say Madden is up there with John Nlcholls and Graham Farmer," Farmer said from Perth this week.

Nlcholls said: "Farmer certainly was the best I've seen, but I'd rate Madden very close." Bill Goggin, Farmer's rover at Gee-long and Maddens coach at interstate level; Bob Davis, Farmer's coach at Geelong, and John Newman, the most respected ruck coach among AFL clubs and Farmer's protege at Geelong, also rank Madden with the big two, the Big Cat and Big Nick. Madden's best afield performance in Tuesday's Victoria-Western Australia game prompted widespread praise. The fact that he outpointed John Ironmonger hardly mattered: It was the class, leadership and durability that earned the plaudits from those who count Madden, 32, registered 34 hit-outs, -took nine marks and collected 14 kicks only 72 hours after playing for Essendon on the Gold Coast He added Simpson and Whitten medals as best afield and best Victorian to the Norm Smith Medal he won in the 198S Grand Final, when the Bombers were premiers. He has played 11 of a possible 13 games this year for a total of 337, second only to Michael Tuck among the current players and six more than Nlcholls, who set a VFL record before retiring In 1974, Madden's first scflson Nlcholls said: "He's still the best ruckman in Australia at 32." The former Carlton champion believed he played his best football from 23 to 28. "Once I got past 30, 1 lost a yard and a few inches from my spring." As powerful as those thighs might have been, it got harder and harder to propel what was a massive frame.

Nlcholls, who played at 189 centimetres, was nine centimetres shorter than Madden, but probably the same number of kilograms heavier. Madden has been the best athlete of the trio and certainly the best in statistical terms, but Farmer and Nlcholls remain in a class of their own for their "presence" on the ground, an intangible that can have a profound effect on a team's performance. As Davis said: "When you're playing against Madden, you know you're in for a tough game because he's such a good player. When you were up against Carlton and Big John, you knew you were in for a tough game, and you knew it was probably going to be terrifying, too. It was much the same with 'Poliy'i but a lot of people didn't know how tbogh he was, and he had a special effect on the team." June: when football becomes a mid-season grind.

No early euphoria. No sniff of September. Just hard toiling, But Stove PMkbi found a group of players whose performances for the month raised the eyebrows. WeU done, feilas. MICHAEL McGUANE Colllngwood ruck-rover "A good, fun fellow," was how some-body at Victoria Park described Mick McGuane.

How true. McGuane spent most of 1989 having too much good fun and as result gained a few un- -wanted kilos and bis football suffered. Too many late nights spent having a quite ale with mates or por- Ing over form guides. And it was not looking much better when this season -started. In fact.

It was only a month ago that he was playing reserves foot- ball. Well, talk about turning things around. McGuane is now playing the type of football we saw in large doses in 1988. He not only raised our eye-brows, but also those of the state se- lectors who turned to him, against Western Australia, to provide the run they were looking for. McGuane did not let them down, as proved by his 35 possessions and near best-on-ground performance.

MARK HARVEY Essendon half-forward Who knows more about the trials and tribulations of Mark Harvey than his mum, Janice Harvey. After all, she Is the one he comes home to at night. She is the one who picks him up from hospital after knee operations or ankle surgery. She is the one who tells him to stop moping around the house because he is out injured, or tells him to quieten down because he is excited about getting a kick again. It's like that" she told us.

"He's -not the easiest person to live with. no, he's probably not that bad. It's just that he has a lot of pressure on him, what with people expecting him to be playing the way he started his career. Injuries make him go very quiet and he sits around doing nothing. That makes him pretty difficult to live with and be has been pretty difficult to live with for quite a while." But what about now? June was, after all, a pretty good month for her son.

"Yes, it was, but I think he still has a long way to go. His disposition has improved a lot" ANDY COLLINS Hawthorn defenderrover When Anriv rnlllnc Arrlusrf dringham in 1985, as a 19-year-old, uavuig oeea uiscouragea oy Hawthorn, was it another case of a young kid faillne tn fulfil his rinam nlou VFL football? No, says his then coach at Sandringham, Bob Keddie, because CnllllM hurl nilA niialltv that stood him apart "He was so determined to play VFL footy. It was incredible. When I coached Hawthorn's -under 19s, I bad control of Dermott Brereton. Collins had as much determination to succeed as Dermott, even When his mmr vu oirn Kn.l.- nua QWIU UUI.I.

wards. Al) he wanted was to play just one senior, game." Collins won the i. best and fairest and played in STEPHEN TINGAY Melbourne wingman The record books say Stephen Tingay joined Melbourne from Sbepparton, which is partly true. They omit to say that he never actually played for Sbepparton, at least not for the seniors, only the thirds. Former North Melbourne player and now Shepparton coach Xavier Tanner remembers the now 19-year-old Tingay as a skinny kid with a lackadaisical style.

"He was skilful but never looked as though he was trying very hard," Tanner said. "One minute he would run in and kick a 50-metre goal with his left foot the next he would kick a 50-metre goal with his right He liked a goal." Tingay was signed by Melbourne out of the thirds, along with John Ahem. Tanner was hoping both would stay in Shepparton in 1988 to finish their BSC, but they opted for Melbourne High. "We could have done with them in the seniors in '88," Tanner said. "We lost the grand final that PAUL HARDING St Kllda ruckman On the surface, it would seem that Hawthorn made a blunder when it opted to clear Harding to St Kilda before the 1989 season, in return for Its pick in the March draft But the Hawks do not see it that way.

Because -of salary cap limitations, and the fact that it had a promising ruckman in Greg Dear, Hawthorn was forced to make a decision between an out-of-form Western Australian who was struggling to come to terms with liv- ing in Victoria, and Dear, one of the competition's bright ruck prospects. To keep both might in hindsight have been a proposition, but at the time, the Hawks also had Paul Ab- bott, whom they considered more versatile than Harding. Abbott went on to break his leg and miss most of the '89 season, while Harding went off to Moorabbln and now carries the Saints' ruck division. KEN HINKLEY Geelong half-forward You will notice that Malcolm Blight Is a bit thin on top these days. That is because he has been watching Ken Hinkiey shoot for goal too often.

In his past two games, Hinkiey has kicked 4.13, and Geelong has lost both by narrow margins. Apparently, he used to kick a lot of points last season in the reserves, too. But we are prepared to be a little more forgiving than the coach and we have Included Hinkiey in our June eyebrow-raisers because he has that touch of magic. Picked up in the 1989 draft from Camperdown and after a stint at Fitzroy that ended because he did not like city life, Hinkiey is on the 'verge of being something special; he just needs to take that next step. An exciting mark and a quick mind, he actually looks to be a-good kick.

The trouble is, he misses too many that he should kick. The other thing against him is his build. He will be as thin as Michael Tuck all his life. The question is whether be will develop, physically and mentally, to wear the hard knocks better than he does at the But we reckon the 23-year-old hasa better future than Blighty's hairline. KeePjn2reat company: Simon Madden, the game's most productive goal-kicking ruckman and easily the best big cm u.

ura ma, uiaws lavuiaoie comparisons wren racnons and farmer. Nichoas: opponents always knew they were hi for a tougti time. Madden Is significant He Is a 300-game ruckman, ruck coach at Haw- thorn after coaching at Essendon, Geelong and Richmond, and has rat- ed Farmer in a category of his own for more than 25 years. "The more we discuss the pair of them, the closer we get to a line-ball decision," Newman said. While he believed that Madden matched Farmer for technique and versatility in 'general play, he believed that Nlcholls and Farmer exerted greater leadership influence.

Bob Davis, who speaks of Farmer in reverential tones, said: "Simon Madden certainly reminds me of the two champions (Farmer and Nlcholls). There's no doubt he's in their class, but I still don't think there's any doubt that Polly was the best "You've got to remember that Polly couldn't jump or land with his right leg after he hurt his knee (in 1962). "I'd have Nlcholls and Madden equal. Simon looks more stylish, but when you were playing against Nick, you knew you were ttt-for a terrible afternoon," Davis said with a shake of the bead, recalling the broken noses and headaches dispensed by the Carlton champion during three decades. Fanner, acknowledged by commentators and the public for his fairness and concentration on the ball, said the only difference between himself and Madden was In the area of aggression.

"I don't know if Madden's as dirty as I was," he said" in a shock revelation. "When I played, if you were assaulted, you were able to assault the other person back. "You didn't have to go seeking revenge as a ruckman; you always got your chance." Asked for Madden's weaknesses, Farmer said: "I don't know of any." Farmer's friends say he genuinely rates himfiAlf the prefltpot mrlrmnn In II 0 IV THEY COMPARE Farmer: not-spectacular, but in a class of his 'Newman said Madden ranked with his illustrious predecessors on the score of talent and technique, but added that Farmer and Nlch )lls had greater presence and, therefore, exerted greater influence on a game. Farmer, the player who redefined ruck work during the 1960s, said there was a string of similarities between himself and Madden. "He probably comes as close to me as you could get." It wasn't arrogance; simply a statement of fact Like bis longtime Western Australian teammate, Barry Cable, Farmer believes in telling it as it is, and sees no reason to play coy about his prominent place in football history.

Like Farmer before him, Madden Is a left-footer and left-hander, a Jumper, a strong mark and a capable forward. He has been the best mark of the trio and quite clearly the most productive forward. Farmer's handball was superior while Nlcholls was a magnificent palmer of the ball and a natural on-field leader. Goggin said: "They (Madden and Farmer) are very similar. They both give people around them enormous opportunities to be in the game." He declined to rank them.

"Champions -would be champions in any era," Goggin said. Farmer and Nlcholls both were careful to avoid criticism, direct or implied, of ruckmen such as their underrated contemporary John Schultz, another two Brownlow medallists, Len Thompson and Gary Dempsey, and Carlton premiership captain Mike Fitzpatrick. But they left no doubt that they regarded Madden as superior. No ruckman in league history has been more productive as a goal-kicker. He kicked six goals against North Melbourne as a 16-year-old in his fourth league game and six against Carlton in the Anzac Day thriller at VFL Park in 1975 in front of 77,770 people.

His progressive, total of 512 goals ranks him in the topi i 25 goalkickers ever. Newman's acknowledgment of McGuane gave the state selectors has helped bim turn in such an eye-. brow-raising June. "Playing in the backilne forced me to concentrate for 120 minutes and that has helped a lot" the giant Saint said this week. "I've learned to appreciate how a centre half-back feels and plays, and that has brought discipline and concentration into my game." Loewe peaked during round 13 in June when he dragged down 16 marks against Melbourne and was awarded a perfect 10 votes by the 'Sunday Age' reviewer of that game, Laurie Serafini.

"It's confidence," Loewe said. "Getting your hands on the ball breeds confidence. Ken (Sheldon) and Huddo (Peter Hudson) have helped build up my confidence by giving me more latitude and responsibility. TRENT NICHOLS Richmond rover If you passed Trent Nichols In the street would you recognise him? Probably not but put a Richmond jumper on him and he is certainly eyebrow-raising material. One of the four Tasmanian success stories from the 1986 draft the others are Darren Prltchard, Matthew Armstrong and Steven Febey Nichols was spotted by most clubs In the Teal Cup competition where he made All-Australian selection.

After a promising 1988, the young rover broke an arm In round three last season against Melbourne and did not return to senior action until the end of the year. This season, responsibility fell back on bim when captain and No. 1 rover Dale Welghtman found himself with Injury worries- The 21-year-old Nichols responded magnificently. its premiership team. "He was very young during bis initial time at Hawthorn," Keddie said.

"His skills were down a little and the club didn't see an immediate future for bim. He veloped at Sandringham and five or six games into the '86 season, after he played a stunning game against Brunswick, Hawthorn Invited him back." The rest is history; two AFL premlershlps and state selection. MATTHEW KNIGHTS Richmond centreman The Tigers were pretty confident they were on a winner with Knights when the 17-year-old arrived at Punt Rd from Merbein, near Mildura, In 1988 to play with the under 19s. By the end of that first season, Knights had finished third in the Tigers' under 19s best and fairest, won their reserves best and fairest and polled votes in the seniors best and fairest Last year be finished fifth In the senior count and this season has established himself as one of the In- form centremen In the competition. Knights can look slow, but try count-ing the number of times he gets caught "He has fantastic evasive skills," said one Richmond insider.

No wonder he is Richmond's leading disposer of the football this season. STEWART LOEWE St Kllda centre half-forward Throughout the (preseason; Stewart i Loewe played at centre, half-back. It was' that, as much as anything, that JOHN N1CH0LLS SIMON MADDEN GRAHAM FARMER Years; 1957-74 Years; 1974-? Years: 1962-67 Games: 331 Games: 337 Games: 101; Goals: 307 (av. 0.92) Goals: 812 (av. 1.51) Goals: 65 (av.

0.64) Captain: 1963, 1968-74 Captain: 1980-81 Captain; 1965-67 Premlershlps; 1968.70,72 Premtershlps: 19845 Premlershlps: 1963 Best and falrestw 1959. '63, Best and falrests: 1977, '79, Best and fakests: '834 1963-64 i -v Sheahan says: Farmer was a perfectionist. Geelong believed he could lift Its team of the early 1960s to a premiership, and that is what happened in 1963. Rarely has anyone in football looked so authoritative. Farmer was hot spectacular, but he was and tough, too." Sheahan says: He has looked something special since his debut as a schoolDoy In an Essendon team coached by Des Tuddenham.

Kevin Murray was playing then. He has been a magnificent mark from then until now, and has been artistic in the ruck. has not been a memorable era for ruckmen, but he has been the best by far. Sheahan Says: You need only to talk to Carlton's former premiership rover Adrian Gallagher to appreciate Nlcholls' worth to the Blues. Gallagher still bows his head when "Big John's" name comes ud in conversation.

He was awesome: a nu6e man. tough and indestructible Grand. Ftriai day, 1973 when 'Richmond Laurie Fowler puthirn, to football hlstorv. His willineness to i Embrace Madden as an equal Is proof the. qualify of the Essendon champion.

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