GVGjr
13-02-2008, 04:27 AM
Dogs, Kangas desperate for a win (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23205040-19742,00.html)
IT'S A refreshing change: two clubs heading into a NAB Cup fixture with honourable intentions.
In truth, neither the Western Bulldogs nor the Kangaroos has the luxury of going through the motions. Whenever.
The Bulldogs endured such a dismal second half in 2007, they will be excited to win the toss at TIO Stadium here on Friday night; the Kangas simply are playing for their future. More than ever.
As Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said on arrival here yesterday: "They're (the Roos) probably one side that's as hungry as we are to do well.
"In many ways, we'd rather have that first up, and, if we can win that, fantastic, because they're going to be up and running.
"The way our guys have trained, especially over the last three weeks when we've done competitive work, it's been fairly spirited.
"I would think they're looking forward to playing their first game."
The dampener is the weather.
Geelong and Port Adelaide played an AFL version of water polo here a year ago, and the forecast is for similar conditions this time.
One veteran local said last night: "It will belt down for the game, you can just about guarantee that."
Which raises the question of why the AFL persists in scheduling the Darwin fixture deep in the wet season.
The rain was so heavy when the Cats touched down last year, they were forced to spend more than three hours on the tarmac.
The game the following day was played on a virtual lake.
At the risk of further upsetting Victoria's beleaguered farmers and gardeners, a good hour's rainfall here can produce 150mm.
"That (torrential rain) would be disappointing," Eade said. "The AFL wants to take the football to the people, and the rain makes it difficult.
He would be much happier in Darwin's famous heat and humidity.
"The heat doesn't worry us too much; it's a state of mind."
Eade said the weather would determine his line-up and strategy.
Only Daniel Giansiracusa and Wayde Skipper have been left behind, to concentrate on their rehabilitation from injuries.
Eade said he was open to the idea of employing Jason Akermanis as a run-with player.
Akermanis, confident of a better year after a solid pre-season campaign, fancies the role of running with opposition stars and hurting them going the other way.
Ryan Griffin was an absentee from training last night because of personal reasons, but will fly to Darwin tomorrow and will play Friday night.
The Kangaroos will also fly in tomorrow and are expected to field close to their best team.
Coach Dean Laidley told the Northern Territory News last week: "To me, the NAB Cup is a very good competition that offers every team great preparation.
"Every game of footy you play, you go out to win and it will be no different for us in Darwin."
No complaints from Laidley about travel, interchange numbers or rotations. Yep, refreshing.
IT'S A refreshing change: two clubs heading into a NAB Cup fixture with honourable intentions.
In truth, neither the Western Bulldogs nor the Kangaroos has the luxury of going through the motions. Whenever.
The Bulldogs endured such a dismal second half in 2007, they will be excited to win the toss at TIO Stadium here on Friday night; the Kangas simply are playing for their future. More than ever.
As Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said on arrival here yesterday: "They're (the Roos) probably one side that's as hungry as we are to do well.
"In many ways, we'd rather have that first up, and, if we can win that, fantastic, because they're going to be up and running.
"The way our guys have trained, especially over the last three weeks when we've done competitive work, it's been fairly spirited.
"I would think they're looking forward to playing their first game."
The dampener is the weather.
Geelong and Port Adelaide played an AFL version of water polo here a year ago, and the forecast is for similar conditions this time.
One veteran local said last night: "It will belt down for the game, you can just about guarantee that."
Which raises the question of why the AFL persists in scheduling the Darwin fixture deep in the wet season.
The rain was so heavy when the Cats touched down last year, they were forced to spend more than three hours on the tarmac.
The game the following day was played on a virtual lake.
At the risk of further upsetting Victoria's beleaguered farmers and gardeners, a good hour's rainfall here can produce 150mm.
"That (torrential rain) would be disappointing," Eade said. "The AFL wants to take the football to the people, and the rain makes it difficult.
He would be much happier in Darwin's famous heat and humidity.
"The heat doesn't worry us too much; it's a state of mind."
Eade said the weather would determine his line-up and strategy.
Only Daniel Giansiracusa and Wayde Skipper have been left behind, to concentrate on their rehabilitation from injuries.
Eade said he was open to the idea of employing Jason Akermanis as a run-with player.
Akermanis, confident of a better year after a solid pre-season campaign, fancies the role of running with opposition stars and hurting them going the other way.
Ryan Griffin was an absentee from training last night because of personal reasons, but will fly to Darwin tomorrow and will play Friday night.
The Kangaroos will also fly in tomorrow and are expected to field close to their best team.
Coach Dean Laidley told the Northern Territory News last week: "To me, the NAB Cup is a very good competition that offers every team great preparation.
"Every game of footy you play, you go out to win and it will be no different for us in Darwin."
No complaints from Laidley about travel, interchange numbers or rotations. Yep, refreshing.