Tweet
I am currently about halfway through Southern Sky, Western Oval which is Martin Flanagan's book about the Bulldogs' 1993 season -- a year which began with high hopes and ended (spoilers!) in the sacking of Terry Wheeler as coach.
Given that Martin Flanagan is apparently set to write a book about our premiership season (love typing those words...), I was keen to see what sort of a job he made of the earlier volume (thanks to Bornadog for tracking it down for me, btw!), and even though I haven't yet finished reading it, I'd love people's views on a couple of things.
Firstly, Flanagan's writing is just a joy to read. Some samples: "(Brad) Hardie was thick-set and pale with red hair; on the field he looked like a bread van surrounded by sports cars..."
" (the weights coach) gloried in (Chris) Grant's build in the way that architects glory in fine buildings they have constructed. His shoulder muscles bulged like plates in a suit of armour."
There are gems on every page, and this is a team I barely know anything about (apart from what I've gleaned on WOOF). I can't wait to read what he says about the current squad, players I know better. This is the team of Libba the first, Steve Wallis, Marc Hunter, whose sons have succeeded where they fell agonisingly short. It also features young players Chris Grant, Scott West, Leon Cameron and (surprise!) Luke Beveridge.
Before reading this book, I knew nothing about Terry Wheeler. But it strikes me that he seems to be a similar coach to Luke Beveridge in some ways: a self-confessed 'emotional guy' who was just as likely to quote 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' as Teddy Whitten. An unconventional coach who encouraged the team to sky-dive together to build courage and bonding. A coach who emphasised the positive and encouraged players to play to their strengths and take their opportunities.
Could Beveridge have been influenced by Wheeler in his own coaching style? Any thoughts?
Given that Martin Flanagan is apparently set to write a book about our premiership season (love typing those words...), I was keen to see what sort of a job he made of the earlier volume (thanks to Bornadog for tracking it down for me, btw!), and even though I haven't yet finished reading it, I'd love people's views on a couple of things.
Firstly, Flanagan's writing is just a joy to read. Some samples: "(Brad) Hardie was thick-set and pale with red hair; on the field he looked like a bread van surrounded by sports cars..."
" (the weights coach) gloried in (Chris) Grant's build in the way that architects glory in fine buildings they have constructed. His shoulder muscles bulged like plates in a suit of armour."
There are gems on every page, and this is a team I barely know anything about (apart from what I've gleaned on WOOF). I can't wait to read what he says about the current squad, players I know better. This is the team of Libba the first, Steve Wallis, Marc Hunter, whose sons have succeeded where they fell agonisingly short. It also features young players Chris Grant, Scott West, Leon Cameron and (surprise!) Luke Beveridge.
Before reading this book, I knew nothing about Terry Wheeler. But it strikes me that he seems to be a similar coach to Luke Beveridge in some ways: a self-confessed 'emotional guy' who was just as likely to quote 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' as Teddy Whitten. An unconventional coach who encouraged the team to sky-dive together to build courage and bonding. A coach who emphasised the positive and encouraged players to play to their strengths and take their opportunities.
Could Beveridge have been influenced by Wheeler in his own coaching style? Any thoughts?
Comment