GVGjr
05-04-2007, 05:38 AM
Brad cops a Rocket (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21507863%255E19775,00.html)
WESTERN Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson could have been excused for thinking he'd built up enough bonus points in the opening round to escape a blast from coach Rodney Eade.
However it was a case of think again for Johnson, who booted eight goals on Sunday against Geelong. It was Johnson's pursuit of a ninth goal in the dying minutes of the match that caused Eade to bristle a little.
Rather than kick to Jason Akermanis alone in the goalsquare, Johnson unsuccessfully attempted to snap it through.
Johnson, speaking at yesterday's MCG training session, admitted the coach had a "chat" to him.
"It was well deserved," he said. "I said to Rocket that I didn't see him (Akermanis) because anyone would have spotted up a teammate in the goalsquare. Unfortunately I didn't see him and missed the shot and deservedly I copped my desserts during the week.
"And you know when Rocket is serious, especially about things like that. You have to learn from that."
Johnson said he agreed with Eade that Adelaide, after a surprise Round 1 loss to Essendon, would be most dangerous at the MCG on Sunday.
"They are an excellent side who have been well and truly entrenched in the top four for three or four years, so they will be looking to bounce back," he said.
"It's what you would expect but we'll be looking to counter that and keep the winning form together."
It has been a double celebrations this week for Eade, who had his 49th birthday yesterday, with players surprising him with a cake after training.
Eade, on Sunday, becomes the 12th man in league history to play 200 or more games and coach 200 games.
"I didn't realise it was this weekend," Eade said. "I haven't even thought about it. Like players, I think milestones are really a thing to reflect on."
Eade said Akermanis's 250th game was a bigger milestone.
It will be a big day for Akermanis -- who played 248 of his games for the Brisbane Lions -- with 25 of his family on hand for the occasion.
"You remember the 13-year journey that you had to get to here. That's probably the thing I think about," Akermanis said.
"As much as I would have loved to have played more games at this club with this group, that's just not how it is. I'm only into my second game.
"It's good though, from my family's point of view. I'll get my daughter to come out there through the banner, she would have done it last year had it been last year, but I get my chance down here, on the 'G." Akermanis, who won the 2001 Brownlow Medal, rated the first and third of his premierships with the Lions as his career highlights, but he's also been happy to conquer the battle with his mind.
"It's been OK. Just within your mind, it's a tough game for you psychologically. It's so bad some games because you're in front of this big arena and you've stuffed up and everyone is making fun of you. You can't escape it," he said.
"But it's something you learn to deal with. It's not easy and that's the hardest thing, dealing with yourself."
WESTERN Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson could have been excused for thinking he'd built up enough bonus points in the opening round to escape a blast from coach Rodney Eade.
However it was a case of think again for Johnson, who booted eight goals on Sunday against Geelong. It was Johnson's pursuit of a ninth goal in the dying minutes of the match that caused Eade to bristle a little.
Rather than kick to Jason Akermanis alone in the goalsquare, Johnson unsuccessfully attempted to snap it through.
Johnson, speaking at yesterday's MCG training session, admitted the coach had a "chat" to him.
"It was well deserved," he said. "I said to Rocket that I didn't see him (Akermanis) because anyone would have spotted up a teammate in the goalsquare. Unfortunately I didn't see him and missed the shot and deservedly I copped my desserts during the week.
"And you know when Rocket is serious, especially about things like that. You have to learn from that."
Johnson said he agreed with Eade that Adelaide, after a surprise Round 1 loss to Essendon, would be most dangerous at the MCG on Sunday.
"They are an excellent side who have been well and truly entrenched in the top four for three or four years, so they will be looking to bounce back," he said.
"It's what you would expect but we'll be looking to counter that and keep the winning form together."
It has been a double celebrations this week for Eade, who had his 49th birthday yesterday, with players surprising him with a cake after training.
Eade, on Sunday, becomes the 12th man in league history to play 200 or more games and coach 200 games.
"I didn't realise it was this weekend," Eade said. "I haven't even thought about it. Like players, I think milestones are really a thing to reflect on."
Eade said Akermanis's 250th game was a bigger milestone.
It will be a big day for Akermanis -- who played 248 of his games for the Brisbane Lions -- with 25 of his family on hand for the occasion.
"You remember the 13-year journey that you had to get to here. That's probably the thing I think about," Akermanis said.
"As much as I would have loved to have played more games at this club with this group, that's just not how it is. I'm only into my second game.
"It's good though, from my family's point of view. I'll get my daughter to come out there through the banner, she would have done it last year had it been last year, but I get my chance down here, on the 'G." Akermanis, who won the 2001 Brownlow Medal, rated the first and third of his premierships with the Lions as his career highlights, but he's also been happy to conquer the battle with his mind.
"It's been OK. Just within your mind, it's a tough game for you psychologically. It's so bad some games because you're in front of this big arena and you've stuffed up and everyone is making fun of you. You can't escape it," he said.
"But it's something you learn to deal with. It's not easy and that's the hardest thing, dealing with yourself."