Glen AtwellDanyle Pearce 11 votes better than Heath Shaw? The AFL Rising Star is a debacle…
September 7th 2006 14:33
Welcome back to Sport Talk.
Had everything in this world been well and good, the sixth instalment of the knee reconstruction series would have been posted today.
But everything is not fine and dandy. Enter the AFL.
Danyle Pearce was awarded the AFL Rising Star award on Wednesday in a landslide victory. Pearce, a highly talented Port Adelaide player, beat Tiger Andrew Raines and Magpie Heath Shaw for the award.
Before beginning, a disclaimer; this writer is not a Collingwood supporter, not an NRL official and NOT on the All-Australian selection panel.
The NAB Rising Star is awarded on the voting result of a nine-person panel, who select their top five rising stars nominated throughout the AFL home and away season. The winner is the nominee who receives the most votes.
This is how the “expert” panel ranked this year’s AFL rising stars:
1. Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) - 43
2. Andrew Raines (Richmond) - 33
3. Heath Shaw (Collingwood) - 32
4. Marc Murphy (Carlton) - 13
5. Clint Bartram (Melbourne) - 7
6. Grant Birchall (Hawthorn) - 5
7. Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane) - 1
8. Dale Thomas (Collingwood) - 1
So just who did the voting? Widely perceived legends of the game, who know a thing or two about what it takes to shine? Past champions who shed blood, sweat and tears battling through the ranks of the VFL/AFL?
No. Not at all.
Who then?
Andrew Demetriou, Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Gerard Healy, Mark Bickley, Kevin Bartlett, Robert Walls, Chris Mainwaring and Kevin Sheehan.
The first three names are perhaps the most disturbing. Demetriou, Anderson and Austin; all AFL officials.
This is where the alarm bells start to sound.
Shouldn’t AFL administrators be more concerned with managing and developing the product they sell, rather than casting votes to decide the rising star award?
This is not an AFL bashing session, but why must the league operators force themselves on the outcomes of on-field awards?
Aren’t these awards better off in the hands of past players and former greats?
When Adrian Anderson retires, he will be fondly remembered, that’s all good and well - but he won’t go down in history as “one of the games best ever operation managers”, and it is unlikely his off-field career would pave the way for a gold-dipped statue to be cemented in his memory outside the MCG.
Why the voting panel isn’t comprised solely of the people, who make our game great, remains a mystery. Sure Andrew Demetriou does a great job, yes he works from 7 till 7, but his greatness is not measured in the same dimension as James Hird.
Why aren’t names such as Jason Dunstall, Wayne Carey, Garry Lyon, Tony Lockett, Peter Sumich, Michael Long and Gavin Wanganeen put ahead of AFL white collars on the ‘deserve to vote’ list.
Chris Mainwaring? What the? Indeed a great player, and arguably one of the all time best from the west - but how much of Heath Shaw and Andrew Raines could he have seen?
The rising star is an award that deserves to be voted on by respected personalities who have had an in-depth involvement in the game. Caroline Wilson would have a better idea than Rod Austin.
Adrian Anderson gave Dale Thomas a single vote; it was the only vote Thomas received. That’s right; Thomas, one of the AFL’s most exciting talents in 2006 polled only one, solitary vote.
One word; disgraceful. But on the other hand, it’s one more vote than unlucky Tiger Dean Polo polled.
Heath Shaw received five votes from only one panel member, Kevin Bartlett. Fitting, perhaps, considering Bartlett is the most deserving of his seat on such an important voting table.
Shaw was among Collingwood’s most consistent performer in the second half of the season. Shaw ran, contested the ball, marked strongly, backed himself and kicked accurately.
Heath Shaw was the best AFL rising star in 2006. Marc Murphy deserved more than 13 votes and Dean Polo warranted at least a single mention.
Pearce was a deserving winner, very deserving, but he was not 10 votes better than Shaw and Raines.
Here’s a radical suggestion, how about putting the fate of the rising star award in the hands of the AFL coaches? Each chooses their top five and the winner is crowned.
Too simple? It would add more credibility to the award. Then again, it is rumoured that one of Kevin Sheedy’s Martians will chair the All-Australian selection from next year.
This is the AFL. Never say never.
Had everything in this world been well and good, the sixth instalment of the knee reconstruction series would have been posted today.
But everything is not fine and dandy. Enter the AFL.
Danyle Pearce was awarded the AFL Rising Star award on Wednesday in a landslide victory. Pearce, a highly talented Port Adelaide player, beat Tiger Andrew Raines and Magpie Heath Shaw for the award.
Before beginning, a disclaimer; this writer is not a Collingwood supporter, not an NRL official and NOT on the All-Australian selection panel.
The NAB Rising Star is awarded on the voting result of a nine-person panel, who select their top five rising stars nominated throughout the AFL home and away season. The winner is the nominee who receives the most votes.
This is how the “expert” panel ranked this year’s AFL rising stars:
1. Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) - 43
2. Andrew Raines (Richmond) - 33
3. Heath Shaw (Collingwood) - 32
4. Marc Murphy (Carlton) - 13
5. Clint Bartram (Melbourne) - 7
6. Grant Birchall (Hawthorn) - 5
7. Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane) - 1
8. Dale Thomas (Collingwood) - 1
So just who did the voting? Widely perceived legends of the game, who know a thing or two about what it takes to shine? Past champions who shed blood, sweat and tears battling through the ranks of the VFL/AFL?
No. Not at all.
Who then?
Andrew Demetriou, Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Gerard Healy, Mark Bickley, Kevin Bartlett, Robert Walls, Chris Mainwaring and Kevin Sheehan.
The first three names are perhaps the most disturbing. Demetriou, Anderson and Austin; all AFL officials.
This is where the alarm bells start to sound.
Shouldn’t AFL administrators be more concerned with managing and developing the product they sell, rather than casting votes to decide the rising star award?
This is not an AFL bashing session, but why must the league operators force themselves on the outcomes of on-field awards?
Aren’t these awards better off in the hands of past players and former greats?
When Adrian Anderson retires, he will be fondly remembered, that’s all good and well - but he won’t go down in history as “one of the games best ever operation managers”, and it is unlikely his off-field career would pave the way for a gold-dipped statue to be cemented in his memory outside the MCG.
Why the voting panel isn’t comprised solely of the people, who make our game great, remains a mystery. Sure Andrew Demetriou does a great job, yes he works from 7 till 7, but his greatness is not measured in the same dimension as James Hird.
Why aren’t names such as Jason Dunstall, Wayne Carey, Garry Lyon, Tony Lockett, Peter Sumich, Michael Long and Gavin Wanganeen put ahead of AFL white collars on the ‘deserve to vote’ list.
Chris Mainwaring? What the? Indeed a great player, and arguably one of the all time best from the west - but how much of Heath Shaw and Andrew Raines could he have seen?
The rising star is an award that deserves to be voted on by respected personalities who have had an in-depth involvement in the game. Caroline Wilson would have a better idea than Rod Austin.
Adrian Anderson gave Dale Thomas a single vote; it was the only vote Thomas received. That’s right; Thomas, one of the AFL’s most exciting talents in 2006 polled only one, solitary vote.
One word; disgraceful. But on the other hand, it’s one more vote than unlucky Tiger Dean Polo polled.
Heath Shaw received five votes from only one panel member, Kevin Bartlett. Fitting, perhaps, considering Bartlett is the most deserving of his seat on such an important voting table.
Shaw was among Collingwood’s most consistent performer in the second half of the season. Shaw ran, contested the ball, marked strongly, backed himself and kicked accurately.
Heath Shaw was the best AFL rising star in 2006. Marc Murphy deserved more than 13 votes and Dean Polo warranted at least a single mention.
Pearce was a deserving winner, very deserving, but he was not 10 votes better than Shaw and Raines.
Here’s a radical suggestion, how about putting the fate of the rising star award in the hands of the AFL coaches? Each chooses their top five and the winner is crowned.
Too simple? It would add more credibility to the award. Then again, it is rumoured that one of Kevin Sheedy’s Martians will chair the All-Australian selection from next year.
This is the AFL. Never say never.
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