The Hall of Fame tribute match that takes place tonight, hopefully re-ignites a bit of passion for the State of Origin concept. I personally would like to see it back but that is the traditionalist in me. I think that the Rugby League code markets their State Of Origins very well. And I would rather see the Sandgropers (W.A) kick a Vic than see the A.F.L continue with a much maligned International Rules series.
Dream Team Line up
But enough about that, the real question is why I think will the Dream Team win over the Victorian team. Obviously in terms of an emotional advantage I think the players of the Victorian side have gained the upperhand in this. They actually get to play for the Big V and not a new combined concept called the ‘Dream Team’. So for them it is really a matter of state pride.
The Dream Team on the other hand will be playing on the motivation of beating the Victorians. And even though the team comprises of W.A, Qld, S.A and International players they will be united in their determination to beat the Big V. Lets face it, everybody likes to beat the Victorians.
Looking at the line ups it is good to see a majority of stars make themselves available to play in this game even though the easy option would be to have the week off.
Both teams have a large squad to pick from and the final teams won’t be fully known till actually game day.
There will be some great match ups on the Saturday night, with some players hoping to be fit enough to play in the game. On the both sides there are injury clouds over Jonathan Brown, Garry Ablett jnr, Adam Cooney to name but a few.
The Dream Team line up so far is as follows;
Coach: M.Williams
Captain: A.Mcleod
F : B.Burton L.Franklin L.Davis
HF: S.Goodwin C.Mooney D.Motlop
C: M.Richardson D.Kerr S.Burgoyne
HB: A.McLeod M.Pavlich A.Cooney
B: G.Johncock B.Rutten C.Bolton
Rucks : D.Cox, P.Burgoyne, K.Cornes
Interchange : N.Bock, J.Charman, J.Corey, M.Stokes, B.Kirk, R.Griffen
Emergencies : N.Bassett, D.Cross, C.Enright
The Dream Team midfield
The Big V may have a midfield loaded with stars and medal winners but I like the work man style of players that the Dream Team have. Names like Brett Kirk, Joel Corey and Ryan Griffen are some of the most under rated footballers going around in the A.F.L today. They have big motors and complement this with outstanding skill. And they are not even starting on the ground!
Dean Cox might be playing off one leg but a Dean Cox on one leg is better than most players on both. Not only is he an outstanding ruckman but its like having an extra midfielder out there. He will receive good support from Charman. We all know Kerr’s dogman in and under approach to getting the ball, but I am really looking forward to seeing Matthew Richardson in the center. I think he will be the X-factor in this huge game.
The Dream Team Backline
Like the old saying goes the best form of attack is defense. And my haven’t the Dream Team got the most attacking back line I have ever seen. Its enough to make any coach sleep easy at night knowing you have Andrew McLeod, Matthew Pavlich, Adam Cooney, Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, and Craig Bolton down back guarding goals. At the very least this group of players will stop the Big V Forwards in their paths. At their most damaging, players like Pavlich, Cooney , Mcleod and co. will be creating goals and making their opponents literally chase them for the ball.
The Dream Team Forward Line
Lance Franklin and co. could run amok
This is where the game will be won for the Dream Team. The Big V have Fevola, Bradshaw, and Brown who are quite good on the lead but I believe they are too predictable as forwards. Lance Franklin, Leon Davis, Daniel Motlop, Brett Burton, Simon Goodwin and Cam Mooney all have that X-Factor. These forwards have speed, take a great mark, have a sound kick.
But what sets them apart from the Big V’s forwards is that they can produce spectacular match winning moments. When the game is on the line they have that freakish ability to mark and/or kick from any place that falls within that painted white line. In what could be a close game it just takes that little bit more, something special to get a team over the line.
The Coaches
Mark Williams and co. could coach this team literally blind folded. When you get to this level of playing elite, I don’t think there is much except for a game plan, to coach these players in. What i do like about ‘Choco’ Williams is that he has that passion and stubbornness in him. He is a proud (sometimes arrogant) coach but I believe its this emotion that he will bring to the players who make up the Dream Team.
The result of the Hall of Tribute Match is..
It will be close I am predicting.
The Dream Team have that X-Factor and freakish ability that I think will get them over the line and at the very least will make it a very entertaining game.
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May 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Yes the Dream Team does have the X-factor which is important but the midfield will be were it is won. The Dream teams midfield is indeed workmanlike which will I think be the key, yes their forward line is amazing but you know what you will get with Kirk, Cornes, Corey, Kerr, Coxy and co.
I hope these match ups occur.
Kerr v Judd
Richardson v Goodes
Buddy v Croad
Scarlett v Mooney
Brown v Pav
Jermayns last blog post..Flying Colours - Bliss N Eso
May 10th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Those match ups would be a dream but I can see that there might be a lot of rotating tags,with multiple player match ups.
It should be interesting….
May 10th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Go the Vics !!!!
May 12th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Yawn!
What a boring game, no passion, no biffs, no EJ Whitten medal and only 69 odd thousand turn out?
Its no wonder the AFL has decided it is only a once off.
Jermayns last blog post..Flying Colours - Bliss N Eso