Interview With Todd Curley

[The Coon Dog]

Todd Curley
1994 Collingwood – 3 games, 1 goal
1996 – 2001 – Western Bulldogs – 115 games, 47 goals

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/TheCoonDog/Other%20stuff/1557939.jpg


TCD: Hi Todd & congratulations on your appointment as a midfield coach with the Dockers.

TC: Thank you, I’m looking forward to it.

Is or has coaching always been a desire for you.

Yes & taking on the midfield role at Fremantle, along with Barry Mitchell, provides me with a great opportunity to get into coaching.

Enjoyed your time coaching West Perth for the past 3 seasons?

Yes, very much.

How did you go?

We made the finals in 2 of the 3 years & just missed out in the other year.

Let’s go back to the start. Where did you grow up?

I was born in Perth.

Who did you follow in the WAFL?

My Dad used to play for West Perth so I followed them.

Did you have a VFL side?

North Melbourne, only because of all the WA boys over there at the time.

So you were always going to play for West Perth?

Yes, I was zoned there & started with the colts & then spent 3 years with the seniors.

You were drafted by Collingwood in 1991, but only came across to Victoria in 1994, why was that?

I was very light as a youngster & I just wanted to put a bit of weight on before I came over.

Can you recall your first game?

Yes, it was round 3 at the MCG against the Bulldogs. Terry Wheeler had been sacked during the week & it was Alan Joyce’s first game. It was an ordinary day weather wise & we beat the Bulldogs by a point.

I do recall that game. Who did you play on?

Danny Southern was my opponent that day. I knew him from our days in Perth.

So what happened at the end of 1994?

I was delisted, so I headed back to West Perth. Whilst I was disappointed I couldn’t do much about it so I set my sights on having a good year in 1995. As it turned out I played well & we won the Premiership.

At the end of 1995 you were drafted by the Western Bulldogs. Was that a surprise?

A little bit as I had spoken much more with other clubs. I was 12 months older & much wiser for the experience. I wasn’t going to take things for granted the second time.

Who were some of the better players in your time at the Bulldogs?

* Scott Wynd – He was a great leader both on & off the field & was tremendous, particularly for guys who came from the country or interstate.
* Scott West – Just his ability week in week out to get first hands on the ball & he was being sat on most weeks too.
* Chris Grant – For a bloke who was 6 foot 5, he could also do all the things that smaller players could.
* Brad Johnson – Pound for pound he was as strong as they come.

What about some of the players you played on?

I usually got the oppositions mid sized forwards, but the 3 that spring to minnd are:

* Mark Mercuri – He was deceptively quick & just had the ability to read the game well.
* Michael & Voss & Mark Riccuitto – Hard to separate these 2. They were both just the complete package, super strong & could do it all, either hand, either foot.

Most people remember you for your collision with umpire Keiron Nicholls. What’s your take on it.

Gee, I’ve answered this a few times over the years, but I just didn’t see him. At that time the AFL had decided to crack down on player/umpire collisions, so my timing wasn’t great.

You were suspended by the tribunal for 4 weeks, but subsequently had it downgraded to 2 weeks. Did this scar you in any way?

No, not really, it was unfortunate that whilst I was out, others were afforded an opportunity & they acquitted themselves quite well. Unfortunately I came out of contract at the end of that season & Plough was looking to bring in new players.

West Perth?

Yes, headed home & played for 4 years from 2002-2006. My wife was from Perth so that made things easier in that regard.

Any Children?

Yes, Paula & I have a 2 year old daughter Thalia.

Todd, thanks so much for your time & good luck in your new role, apart from round 1 when the Bulldogs come over.

Thank you, yeah it should be good & it’ll be nice to catch up with a few old faces.

[craigsahibee]

[QUOTE=The Coon Dog;68018]

Can you recall your first game?

Yes, it was round 3 at the MCG against the Bulldogs. Terry Wheeler had been sacked during the week & it was Alan Joyce’s first game. It was an ordinary day weather wise & we beat the Bulldogs by a point.
QUOTE]

I may be wrong, but when Alan Joyce wasn forced out and Wallace took over, didn't we also play Collingwood at the G and lose by a point. The after game speech was the famous "I'll spew up speech" from the Year of The Dog.

[The Coon Dog]

I may be wrong, but when Alan Joyce wasn forced out and Wallace took over, didn't we also play Collingwood at the G and lose by a point. The after game speech was the famous "I'll spew up speech" from the Year of The Dog.
That was round 17, 1996. We lost by a goal.

[Sockeye Salmon]

That was round 17, 1996. We lost by a goal.

I did the Melbourne supporter thing that game and went to Falls Creek. Me and a mate were sitting on the quad chair when I looked at my watch and saw it was just after 2.30.

"Quarter time" I said. Then, just having a laugh because we had no idea at all, I put on my best Ian Major voice and said "Footscray 8-3-51 lead Collingwood 1-2-8".

The actual score at the time was Collingwood 8-3-51 to Footscray 1-1-7. Bugger.

[craigsahibee]

That was round 17, 1996. We lost by a goal.

I knew it was later in the season and 2 years later but the comparison of the opponent and the result/margin was a little freaky. Joyce could rightly have been given his marching orders after round 2 of '96 after consecutive beltings from Brisbane (round 1) and the "Roos in Round 2.

[The Coon Dog]

Found this by GVGjr in the archives (http://www.woof.net.au/forum/archive/index.php?t-13.html):

'Todd Curley will always be known best for one infamous incident - making contact with umpire Kieron Nicholls towards the end on 2001. Although it was a fairly innocent enough incident - Curley appeared to be looking down and, upon looking up at the last minute was unable to avoid contact - the tribunal decided to make an example of him but slapping him with a 4 week ban. Although this was later reduced to 2 weeks on appeal, he never seemed to regain his confidence and 2001 was his last season of senior AFL football. His case wasn't helped at the first hearing with Nicholls' testimony, claiming the player's actions were "bordering on an intentional act in that he prepared himself for the bump on me just prior to contact". Many in the media slammed Nicholls for his testimony, given the accidental nature of the incident.'

[aker39]

I was ashamed to be part of the umpiring fraternity after this incident.

It was clear to everyone other than Kieron, that it was an accident.

The reason for the hardline was because it was thought that earlier in the year Dimma had deliberatly run in to John Harvey. They decided to put an end to it, and as GVGjr has said, Todd was the bunny.

[Fossie 32]

Despicable act by the AFL. Good if Todd was not affected by it.......

Thanks for the interview TCD.
:)

[ReLoad]

The week after Todd got rubbed out we played over in Adelaide ( i think it was against port?) , and sitting just to the left of the goals witht eh cheer squad at the "Poor tasting Beer end" and "not fit for human consumption meat pie end" We made a big banner "FREE TODD CURLEY" got a few giggles, but porr Todd was never the same.

Was or was that not another Ian Collins special?