A different game altogether
April 24th 2008 03:42
They have played in five grand finals and won two, share two Brownlow Medals, have three ANZAC Day medals, two Norm Smith Medals, 11 best-and-fairests, Captained both Club and Country, named in the Teams of the Century and been All-Australian VIce-Captain on two seperate occasions.
But tomorrow, both James Hird and Nathan Buckley will not be running out wearing their respective team's colours, combatting against one another. It will be the first time in over a decade that the two superstars of the Collingwood and Essendon Football Clubs will not be making their presence felt on the hallowed MCG.
Hird has averaged 24 diposals in his 10 ANZAC Day matches, and in a team is currently being struck by injuries, his aura on the field will be missed. His reading of the play was exceptional, knowing exactly where to be and what to do with the ball once in his possession.
Bombers Coach Matthew Knights has hinted that Hird may be invited to play a special role in the final build-up to the match.
"James and I speak on the phone every two or three weeks and I will give him a call at some stage this week," Knights told The Age.
"Whether he'll be involved in Friday, we'll leave that to Friday. But someone (of) the ilk of James, the legacy he's left and the iconic figure he is, you never know, we may get him involved."
Buckley, on the other hand, always had an influence in every ANZAC Day match, starring in the middle of the ground or up forward. His rough-and-tough nature and attraction to the ball made him the best in the game. With superior kicking skills, opposition coaches were bamboozled as who to put on him.
Whether Buckley will also play a special role in tomorrow's game, it will depend up to Magpies' Coach Mick Malthouse. One thing is for sure, the match will not be the same. We will see the new generation of Hird's and Buckley's representing their club's with pride, as well as the diggers.
But tomorrow, both James Hird and Nathan Buckley will not be running out wearing their respective team's colours, combatting against one another. It will be the first time in over a decade that the two superstars of the Collingwood and Essendon Football Clubs will not be making their presence felt on the hallowed MCG.
Hird has averaged 24 diposals in his 10 ANZAC Day matches, and in a team is currently being struck by injuries, his aura on the field will be missed. His reading of the play was exceptional, knowing exactly where to be and what to do with the ball once in his possession.
Bombers Coach Matthew Knights has hinted that Hird may be invited to play a special role in the final build-up to the match.
"James and I speak on the phone every two or three weeks and I will give him a call at some stage this week," Knights told The Age.
"Whether he'll be involved in Friday, we'll leave that to Friday. But someone (of) the ilk of James, the legacy he's left and the iconic figure he is, you never know, we may get him involved."
Buckley, on the other hand, always had an influence in every ANZAC Day match, starring in the middle of the ground or up forward. His rough-and-tough nature and attraction to the ball made him the best in the game. With superior kicking skills, opposition coaches were bamboozled as who to put on him.
Whether Buckley will also play a special role in tomorrow's game, it will depend up to Magpies' Coach Mick Malthouse. One thing is for sure, the match will not be the same. We will see the new generation of Hird's and Buckley's representing their club's with pride, as well as the diggers.
| 56 |
| Vote |
Comment by Harry
Sydney Diary
Personals
Brisbane Diarystar
Zoo Parent