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Changing Dimensions by Matt Harrington, Radio Sport 927 3 May 2002 The way the AFL game has developed, it is commonly believed there is no longer space for one-dimensional players. With the competitiveness of each clubs' list, thanks to the draft and salary cap, the days of a one-position player are supposed to be over. New-age players are required to be agile, fast, skilful and be able to adapt to the ever-changing game. Some clubs have taken this a step further, drafting athletes and tutoring them to be the stars of the future. No longer will a player be able to ply his trade as just a back pocket, centreman or permanent forward pocket. However, as is the case with every generation some players can be an exception to the rule. St Kilda's Stephen Milne is one of those players who laughs in the face of this common belief. He is, by his own admission, a permanent forward pocket, nothing more. So much for the theory players of today have to be adaptable. He continues to thrive, impressing and exciting fans each week with his flare and knack for the big sticks. Milne believes being one-dimensional is what has got him where he is today. Milne's number one asset is simple; he just knows where the goals are. That's all, that's his only secret. "I have basically played in the forward pocket my whole life,'' Milne said earlier this week as he prepared for this week's crunch game against Collingwood. His affinity for knowing where the tall timber stands is unbelievable. So much so, you could walk Milne inside a forward 50m-arc blindfolded, spin him around five or six times and he'd still more than likely slot one through off a step. He has a rare talent that the Saints plan to cash in on fully.
In his short, but highly exciting, 22-game career, Milne has kicked a goal in all, but three of his matches. A fine return, something any team would regularly want up forward. Playing players in regular positions more often actually may help some teams find consistency. Some club's performances vary unbelievably from week to week, could this have to do with coaches throwing players around the park all the time? Some players must feel like yo-yos and envy Milne's stability. The fact that he has now become a regular senior player at St Kilda, is a testament to the belief shown by his coaches. If Milne continues to star, and kick goals, maybe other coaches will look to the past, and find the best position for a player and give him a chance to prove his worth. Although the game has changed and its all about match-ups, most coaches take that to the extreme by making excessive changes to their line-ups regularly. Look at Brisbane and Essendon, both have great recent records, and both have very settled line-ups with players having a set role. Imagine turning up for work each day and be given a different task. Then once you start to get the hang of it, your role changes again. It wouldn't be the most ideal work place, would it? How high would morale be? "The last two weeks with some of the young guys coming up playing their second or third games and playing good footy already, has been a positive. Hopefully between now and 18months - 2years time, with the development of us younger players we will be a top four contender. There are a lot of good signs down here." How's that, for morale. Milne has kicked 37 goals from his 22 games. Not a bad return from a rookie, who was overlooked in the draft after kicking more than 100 goals in his two season with the Dandenong Stingrays in the under-18 TAC Cup competition. This could be a reason why he's a crowd favourite with the Saints faithful, Milne's making a fist of it against the odds, against a common belief of the people who ``know''. How many goals will it take from Milne for AFL coaching staff to concede there's still a chance for one-dimensional players? No matter what happens, Milne will continue to do what he does best - hurting the opposition on the scoreboard. Balls and All.....this month • The Greatest Show on Earth Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Mind Games Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Racing's New Frontier Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Defining Moment Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • The Sleeping Giant Matt Harrington, 23 May 2002 • Unfulfilled Potential Matt Harrington, 21 May 2002 • Time To Act Matt Harrington, 16 May 2002 • Football, Witchcraft and Flying Saucers Matt Harrington, 9 May 2002 • Changing Dimensions Matt Harrington, 3 May 2002 | ||||
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