Punt the pedestrian pre-game show
The pre-game entertainment at AFL Grand Finals is always the subject of much debate and the league is usually criticised for its lack of imagination and dearth of quality acts. This year it relied upon proven performers John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes and Mark Seymour. They are three quality acts, but everyone in the ground had seen them many times before. Once again the AFL delivered a show that didn’t surprise or inspire anyone at the game or at home. Instead of luring some absolute stars from the global stage, the AFL brought us a man flying around the stadium in a space outfit. Advance Australia Fair was then sung by the cast members of Jersey Boys in a harmonic style. But when the national anthem is being performed I want it sung the way it was written and not interpreted like a barbershop quartet. The AFL has an amazing product and it still surprises me that the lead-up to the game on Grand Final day is amateurish in so many ways. We should be paying the big dollars to get the big entertainers to launch the game in the most astonishing and groundbreaking fashion. Compare the package America’s National Football League puts together at the Super Bowl with what the AFL is able to wrangle and I think you’ll agree the US glitz is truly in another league. The pre-game entertainment rated no more than a five out of 10.

Opportunity knocks
How many times do we say it: if you don’t take your chances you will live to regret it. A dramatic loss is even more painful when opportunities were fumbled away at critical moments in the game. To see a team work so hard to put itself in a winning position and not be able to close the deal due to a lack of composure under pressure is devastating. For the individuals who miss these chances the experience can haunt them for the rest of their days. Failing on the biggest stage under pressure is every sportsman’s worst nightmare and most would agree that it affects not only mentally suspect athletes, but also some of the proven greats. St Kilda will be feeling sick about the opportunities that it let slip last Saturday. The best side didn’t win on the weekend. It was the team that performed best under pressure that prevailed. No one knows if the Saints will get another shot at a Grand Final any time soon. But if they do they had better be ready to take their chances.

Big trouble on tap
Long gone are the days when players used to run out in a game on the weekend and then go out and get smashed that night. Back then many would train with a hangover the next day, maybe get on the sauce again one night during the week, and then play again the following weekend. But there is such scrutiny of players by their clubs, peers and the general public now. With huge wages and the game being evermore professional binge drinking is unacceptable. And yet some are still making horrible decisions under the influence of alcohol. There are no excuses for this behaviour. If you mess up on the grog you will suffer the consequences. All AFL players need to know this, understand it and accept it for what it is. Young men who haven’t touched a drop all year need to realise that going crazy at the end of the season will almost certainly end in disaster. The clubs, which are trying to educate these players, are probably fighting a losing battle because of a combination of hormones, temptations and a culture that has been built up over many years. I am yet to meet anyone who makes better decisions while under the influence of alcohol. I guess some people will never learn.

Clubs still hard at it
Most AFL players will now be enjoying a well-earned six-week break before it all starts again with another tough pre-season. But for the football departments at their clubs this is the busiest time of the year. Teams are sifting through the young prospects in the TAC Cup competition as they attempt to lock in their draft strategy while also examining their trade options. For recruiters and coaches the building of the list is time consuming and career defining – especially if you get it wrong. AFL clubs estimate that each draft pick represents a $250,000 investment. This means that those selected must give value back to the club by playing senior football for many years. Football is spoken about every day of the year at your club and decisions are made on an ongoing basis that will hopefully improve the side. Just because a game isn’t being played on the weekend doesn’t mean you’re club isn’t working tirelessly to get stronger.

Crystal ball gazing
I see the bookmakers have posted Geelong as the early premiership favourite for next season. The Cats’ record of 65 wins and 10 losses in their past 75 games is nothing short of extraordinary. But with an ageing list and a couple of retirements imminent I’m not sure if they should head the betting market. St Kilda is going to get better and has youth on its side. The Western Bulldogs will certainly be hungry after suffering another agonising preliminary final loss and if they are able to recruit Barry Hall they may have the final piece of their premiership puzzle. Adelaide showed in the second half of the year that it is certainly on the improve and many expect the Crows to be even sharper next season. And don’t leave Collingwood and Carlton out of flag calculations. But there is a lot of water to go under the bridge in trade week and the draft before we can be certain of where sides are at. I think I’ll wait until Christmas before passing judgment.

THE OX