Valenti's Second Chance?

                                                     (Copyright © 2011, Sportingpulse.com)

Very few footballers get second chances. Sport can certainly be cruel and unrelenting. Shane Valenti’s prolific rise as one of the VFL’s top players has not gone unnoticed, as he has been an integral part of Port Melbourne’s midfield and stellar undefeated season this year. Only time will tell, but as history shows, he may well be on selectors’ radars once again.

An appetizing addition to any midfield, which would go without saying, Valenti would love nothing more than to get another shot at the big time.

“I’ve proven I could play [AFL],” he said.

“To get another chance would be great.”

“To know I can play it and be comfortable at that level is pretty reassuring.”

The Melbourne Demons selected the midfielder at pick 57 in the 2007 NAB AFL Rookie Draft and made his mark at the club as a tough, ruthless ball winner, but was later delisted at the end of the 2009 season after managing only six senior games.

“I didn’t feel out of place when I was playing for Melbourne,” he said.

“To get the flick was obviously very disappointing because I thought I had made some inroads throughout that year in my football.”

With a rise of mature age recruits in the VFL, drafting more senior talent to compliment the youth found in the National Draft is becoming a more feasible option to clubs who want to find a more direct route to success, which in essence may provide the right opportunity at the right time for Valenti.

“It’s shifting that way, there are only a certain number of 17 or 18 year olds around,” he said.

“I think teams who are searching for success straight away who have time, but are looking at the premiership window pretty soon don’t necessarily want to always develop just 17 or 18 year kids because it’s tough.

“You can see with the likes of Podsiadly, Barlow and now Curnow and those sorts of players that there is room for those kinds of VFL players to come in and play a role in AFL sides.”

With an incredible undefeated season to date, the Boroughs have been ruthless in their domination of the competition. The likes of Valenti, Nathan Batsanis and Sam Dwyer have led the way through the midfield, with Valenti singling out the rise in confidence between the playing group as a contributing factor to their success.

“I think it is mostly confidence,” he said.

“Definitely the addition of Wayde Skipper, Patrick Rose and Jake Edwards, they have made the side a lot stronger, and created greater depth in the list.

“I think the maturity of the players has also played a big factor. We have seven or eight players who have played five or six years of VFL football.

“Playing together so long you start to learn how each other work, and we are starting to click as a team.”

At only 24, accolades including the JJ Liston Medal and being named in the VFL Team of the Year in 2010 are further reasons to show why Shane Valenti will continue to hover under selectors’ radars this season, and in years to come.

One of the key factors Valenti points to in his success are those who have mentored and nurtured his development throughout his years at Sandringham and Port Melbourne.

“Probably the first one that comes to mind is Mark Williams, the coach of Sandringham when I first started there. He played a big part in getting me a shot at Melbourne.

“Gary Ayres has also been fantastic. He is one of the best coaches I have had, he says it how it is, is brutally honest, and is a really good manager of people. He is a very knowledgeable man and has obviously coached at the top level.”

With the season nearing the business end, and a second chance to play at an AFL level still an inviting prospect, Valenti’s persevering attitude continues to serve him well. The ultimate focus at Port Melbourne he believes is eyeing off a second opportunity at winning another premiership.

“Obviously they haven’t had success for some time, and we are all working towards that, it’s not about individuals down at Port Melbourne at the moment, we are trying to win that premiership that we have been waiting so long for.”

“All eyes are on the VFL finals, if we can play well, and get some success, it will go a long way to getting some of our players a shot at an AFL level again.”

Feel free to leave comments guys, follow my blog, or you can follow me on Twitter @bplucas8 covering each week in the VFL with play-by-play coverage!

- B

Lockyer Living The Dream

                                        (Copyright © 2011, Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Tarkyn Lockyer’s playing days are over. After twelve years in the AFL for Collingwood, a new chapter has begun. He has been thrown into the deep end this year in his new role as coach of their VFL side, and is relishing the opportunity to able to live and breath his dream, football.

Honest, astute and committed are some of the words that ex-team mate and now Collingwood VFL General Manager Paul Licuria has used to describe this once prolific midfielder – and for good reason.

Having played in two grand finals for Collingwood, and missing another two from injury, in addition to a Jason McCartney Medal awarded to him for courageousness in 2009, Lockyer has quite the resume. His experience, knowledge and exceptional rapport he has with his players will only continue to provide great benefits to a club on the rise.

“I just jumped straight in, I coached when I was a kid, but I wouldn’t really classify that as coaching. I have spent a fair bit of time with Mick [Malthouse] and the other coaches here at Collingwood, so they have had a fair understanding of my game knowledge, and clearly showed a lot of faith in me, so it was really good to get a big pat on the back from them,” Lockyer said.

“I certainly feel it is advantageous at the moment because I have got a really good rapport with my players. I have spent a lot of time with them as a peer as a player myself, so therefore I know them fairly well, and from that regard I think it helps me really well to relate and communicate to them.”

After beginning his coaching this season, Lockyer has had big shoes to fill. He has been following closely in the footsteps of Collingwood hall of famer Gavin Brown, and has drawn on inspiration and styles from those who have led the way before him, including Collingwood AFL coach Mick Malthouse.

“I think you take a little bit of any coach you play under, you try and work out what works and what doesn’t work, but you also have to understand your own personality, and you put your own slant on the way you want to coach, I definitely think I have done that.”

“Certainly there are elements of the way I coach that has Mick about it, Browny, numerous different people I have been around that have helped me out along my journey. At the end of the day though, I am my own person, and I try and coach the way that suits me.”

“My favourite player though when I was a kid was Chris Mainwaring, I loved him. But you can certainly draw inspiration from a lot of greats, you don’t have to look to far to find some really good success stories.”

Whilst drawing on inspiration from many different fields, Lockyers’ mentors reside in those who have followed his development from his playing days, Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, and former captain and teammate, Nathan Buckley.

“They have been sensational, particularly early on Mick was a really good mentor to give me pointers on how to go about it, getting feedback from the other coaches was terrific from day one.”

“The other good thing was the fact that they just threw me into the deep end, I was straight into taking training drills, obviously coaching my own VFL side, I had my own group of VFL players, and as far as the AFL side of things goes, they threw me into the deep end there so that was really good.”

Stepping into a new role is never easy, and can be full of trepidation and marred by scrutiny. There are many difficulties that a new coach always faces, but with every season there is a journey.

“It’s been challenging from time to time, the thing about our VFL side is that we are a tool used to primarily get our players to eventually play AFL football. So from that regard, we are coaching these guys to get them ready, they are the challenges first and foremost.”

Lockyer’s desire to breed the youth within the side shows his dedication to coaching, but also his understanding of the importance of a strong VFL and AFL alignment; Geelong and Collingwood, the two teams who are leading the way.

Collingwood’s decision to move away from an alignment from Williamstown and form one club at the end of the 2007 season has only provided dividends.

“When you look at the successful teams over the last couple of years, I don’t think there is much coincidence, we have had so many rookie listed players who played in our premiership side last year, and I think there is no secret as to why Geelong has been so successful in past seasons.”

“St. Kilda and Hawthorn are another two who have very strong alignments with their VFL sides, but certainly we feel it is very advantageous in fielding a stand-alone side.”

“We don’t necessarily have the added pressure which may come from VFL clubs, the pressure is not there to win games necessarily.”

The 2011 VFL season is now drawing to a close, and Lockyer’s performance on paper may not look exceptional, but is commendable in his first season, considering the youth and inexperience he is fielding. However there is much promise, as through his coaching and strong determination he plans to generate consistency in building the list over the next few years.

“We have been a little bit patchy I suppose, we have had some big losses those couple of weeks against Werribee and Bendigo which were really disappointing, but I think those two games in particular aside, I think that we are a really young group and we are learning.”

“Some of the things they have done is really pleasing, we have seen some really big improvement from our younger VFL guys, but it is just about trying to get them consistent every week.”

With team contributions from talented developing younger players like Fasolo, Farmer, Ugle and Perham, Lockyer stresses that teamwork must be utilised and is critical in order order to win games, stressing that individual moments of brilliance are not the key.

“We want to demonstrate a style of football, and I suppose when you look at the Collingwood Football Club we pride ourselves on our defensive pressure, and I think first and foremost that is where our guys need to realise what they have to do for the side.”

“Mick [Malthouse] and the other coaches are really trying to push the fact that we don’t necessarily look at the best player, people get the opportunity to play senior football if they can demonstrate they can play the role for us.”

With dominant sides like Port Melbourne and Williamstown continuing to set the benchmark in the competition, Lockyer is assured that the VFL still remains strong, and that despite the lack of AFL alignments, it creates room for improvement and diversity in the competition for future years.

“When you have got clubs such as Williamstown, Port Melbourne and Coburg that have been around for so long and have a rich line of heritage and tradition, it would be really disappointing to lose that system.”

“When you see a side like Port Melbourne playing such good strong football, who are not aligned to an AFL club, I think seeing something like that is really healthy for the competition. I think the competition [VFL] in general is travelling pretty well.”

Feel free to leave comments guys, follow my blog, or you can follow me on Twitter @bplucas8 covering each week in the VFL with play-by-play coverage!

- B

Foo Fighters Gig Review

In the middle of June this year, I visited the awesome city of Berlin, and had the privilege to venture into one of Berlin's most popular, buzzing open-air music venues, the Kindl-Bühne Wuhlheide. At this venue I saw the electric rock 'n' rollers, the Foo Fighters, who I hadn't seen before and blew my mind, playing their new album released in 2011, 'Wasting light' and many of their greatest hits! An international concert should be on everyone's to do list, and Germany is definetely the place to do it! Check out my gig review published on Upstart: the magazine for emerging journalists!

Here is an excerpt:
"Away from home, the setting of the very popular concert venue was the Kindl-Bühne Wuhlheide, in an open air stadium in a secluded forest. Pretzel, bratwurst and beer stands provided the perfect atmosphere for a sold out rock concert in front of 15,000 adoring fans."

The Link: http://www.upstart.net.au/2011/06/27/foo-fighters-review/

Leave a comment and let me know what you think! :)

Happy Reading!

You can also follow me on twitter @bplucas8 and also follow my blog! Would love everyone to get on board and support!


sparkadiar@hotmail.com

- B

Knock Out

Have a look at my latest article on Upstart, the magazine for emerging journalists, as I take a look at the inconsistency in the AFL's new concussion rule. Feel free to leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts!

 (Picture Copyright of Channel Seven)

                         (Jack Trengove's controversial tackle on Patrick Dangerfield)


Here is an excerpt:
"The AFL needs to step back and create consistency from a range of perspectives to preserve the game’s integrity. This needs to start at the end of this season. Otherwise this rule will bring the game into disrepute."


The Link: http://www.upstart.net.au/2011/06/01/knock-out/


Leave a comment and let me know what you think! :)

Happy Reading!

You can also follow me on twitter @bplucas8 and also follow my blog! Would love everyone to get on board and support!


sparkadiar@hotmail.com

- B

Melbourne Must Make Stand

Here is my latest article published on Upstart, the magazine for emerging journalists, following my recent TV review of the Little Britain boys new production, Come Fly With Me, which you can find lower down on my feed if you want to have a read!


This article however is on the Melbourne Football Club, and their recent troubles, as I suggest that it is time to put the past behind them and play for their rich heritage, loyal supporters & members, and for themselves as they face St Kilda this weekend in the AFL. If you love sport or just reading, this one is for you! Go Dees!

                                        (Picture copyright of AFL photos)
               (A dejected Colin Garland in Melbourne's 'insipid' loss to West Coast)

Here is an excerpt:
"It has been five years since Melbourne last made a finals series, 11 years since it made a grand final and 47 years since it won a premiership. Success has certainly eluded the boys from the Junction Oval.

The heat is now firmly on this proud football club. However it must stand up. The time to ‘fuel the fire’ has arrived."

The Link: http://www.upstart.net.au/2011/05/19/melbourne-must-make-stand/

Leave a comment guys & gals and let me know what you think! :)

Happy Reading!

You can also follow me on twitter @bplucas8 and also follow my blog! Would love everyone to get on board and support!

Send me an email and share your thoughts on my piece or other articles of interest that you want to share and I can link them up on the switchboard! :)

sparkadiar@hotmail.com

- B

Brad Gotch: Still Gotch the Passion

A week ago, I caught up with Brad Gotch the VFL coach of the Casey Scorpions to find that his passion for coaching is well and truly alive, an amazing man to still have the same fire in his eyes after 250 games and an illustrious career! Congratulations again! Being passionate about what you love doing is easily relateable, which is why I think everyone would find this a good read!


If you have a love for football though, this one is certainly for you!


Here is an excerpt:


"Brad Gotch is a man who after twelve seasons as a coach at a VFL level could be viewed as past his prime. By many standards, you could see a man after such a tenure as having lost the passion to coach. However, take my word for it, all you need to do is speak to the man in order to see the fire in his eyes. It is clear the passion to do what he loves is still well and truly alight, even after 250 games."

Photo copyright of Robert Prezioso

The Link: http://bit.ly/mypuIa

Send your articles and thoughts on this piece or any others to sparkadiar@hotmail.com and we can put up some links on the switchboard! Enjoy reading!

- B

Come Fly With Me: Breaking all the Rules

The Little Britain boys returned on monday night in their new production, that throws the rule book out the door. I reviewed there new show, and had it published on Upstart, the magazine for emerging journalists, check it out, feel free to leave your comments and thoughts! :)

It is titled 'TV Review - Come Fly With Me'

Tune in to the next episode, which is full of laughter, Mondays on Channel Nine at 8pm!

                                       (Image Copyright of Come Fly With Me 2010)

Here is the first paragraph if you need some enticing to read!

"Cross-dressing, homophobic, racist, and abusive. It has been a while, but the Little Britain boys are back breaking all the rules, and this time with their airport spin off ‘mockumentary’ Come Fly With Me, which aired on Channel Nine on Monday at 8pm."

If you have been enticed, head to Upstart Magazine!

http://www.upstart.net.au/2011/05/17/tv-review-—-come-fly-with-me/

Also feel free to email me on anything surrounding the show or things that add a spark to your life! :)

sparkadiar@hotmail.com

- B

Angry Boys: Not for the faint of heart

      (Ruth Sims - aka "Gran") image copyright of Angry Boys

Politically incorrect, crude and brash. Australian comedian Chris Lilley has done it again, this time with his 12-episode ‘mockumentary,’ Angry Boys, the first of which aired on the ABC last Wednesday.

If you are not fond of swearing, racism and stereotypical portrayals, then this show probably is not for you. Nonetheless, Chris Lilley has followed up from his two previous television series We Can be Heroes (2006) and Summer Heights High (2007), in groundbreaking style. If you have liked either of those, then stay tuned.

TV ratings listed the first episode of the show as number three on the night with 1.4 million viewers tuning in, the highest rating show on the ABC this year, following behind Australia’s Got Talent and Masterchef.

Chris Lilley’s new hit show not only shot the ratings to pieces for the ABC, but also became a hot topic on Twitter, with some praising his satirical genius, and others frowning on his political incorrectness and swearing, some choosing to watch other programming.

Not a heavily publicised Australian television figure, Chris Lilley is put simply, a genius. A man who writes, produces and composes much of the score on the grand piano for this series is outstanding in itself – but yet again we forget he acts, starring as six intriguing and very controversial characters. Do they fit the stereotypes? I’ll let you decide.

The episode which only aired for half an hour, showcased only half of the shows’ characters, which began with the two characters Daniel and Nathan Sims, who shocked audiences in Lilley’s first production We Can Be Heroes.

 

These two boys who we are first introduced to as an audience are confronting, the typical bogan and country folk stereotype with potty mouths, some of Lilley’s political incorrectness shining through. Daniel pokes fun at his deaf brother Nathan at every opportunity who he donated an ear drum to, is a self-proclaimed surfer who lounges around the farm and does “doughies” and “mainies” in various forms throughout his town. Nathan, his mentally unstable brother, on the other hand, is an avid skater who is constantly oppressed by Daniel, doing the majority of his communication with his middle finger.

Ruth Sims aka Gran, pictured above, is the grandmother of the two Sims’ boys who we meet in the opening, is definitely by far the best of Lilley’s inceptions into the story to date. Gran works at a local juvenile detention facility looking after “bad boys.” Her job description on paper is an officer, but also a sports coach, a chef, a games coordinator, a psychiatrist, a surrogate family, a mum and a grandma in her lengthy account of her role.

Despite her racism and abuse, as one of the most controversial of the characters, she acts as comfort for many of the detainees who have nowhere left to go, and a supporter of her two grandsons over Skype. Labelling black people “coco pops,” and aboriginals as “petrol sniffers” are a few of the many risqué satirical labels Lilley utilises at his disposal.

The real life shaky camera shots in conjunction with still shots add to the realism of the story, as you cannot help but feel you become immersed within the story, and connected to many of the characters by the conclusion.

Lilley’s first edition of this 12-episode production is definitely crossing the line for many people. Although, if you are willing to give it a shot and put aside the coarse nature and language of the characters that are stereotyped, you will certainly find it a good way to spend a Wednesday night, at least for me anyway.

 Let me know your thoughts on the piece or any other things that add a spark to your life, send them to sparkadiar@hotmail.com ! :)

Melbourne V Sydney Preview - Round 1

(Image copyright of Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)

Recent injuries to midfielders Jordie McKenzie, Cale Morton and Tom Scully has put a dent in Melbourne’s 2011 AFL campaign hopes, as Melbourne is set to face the Sydney Swans this Sunday.

Melbourne’s injuries will not help the young Demons list, after previous seasons plagued by injury has made their task of improving as a team under coach Dean Bailey difficult.

The Demons will also be without All-Australian defender James Frawley come Sunday, after tearing his pectorial muscle, but is expected to return in the next few weeks.

Whilst the Swans will be without power forward Daniel Bradshaw with a knee injury and Nick Malceski, Swans veteran Craig Bolton has been forced to retire due to an achilles injury.

But much of the focus lies on the young Demons, who under coach Dean Bailey’s final contracted year have growing expectations, as the Swans will attempt to make amends for last years 73 point hiding at the hands of Melbourne.

"We should be confident in approaching round one," Bailey said.

“"No club wants an injury list at all but they're part of the game so it's more about the 22 players who are going to play on Sunday rather than those who aren't," he said.

The improvement will come with more games into our players, so they create a great deal of synergy,” Bailey said. Up forward leading goal kicker Brad Green will provide the Demons with much fire, after booting 55 goals last year in a career-best season.

Whilst, dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes will provide potency up forward for the Swans after a 44 goal haul last year.

New Sydney coach John Longmire agrees that the lack of key players from both sides will affect both teams, but stressed that the result will be decided by the team synergy, scoring power and defensive capabilities.

“We’re yet to finalise the selection, there’s a few things going through our heads,” Longmire said.

“Their form’s been solid and we’re expecting a talented team who can really score heavily when they need to,” Longmire said about Sunday’s opponents.

“You can’t - no matter who you play - come mentally unprepared to play football and Melbourne really showed that last year and really showed us up,” Longmire said.

“When you get a few key injuries, you get tested, you get stretched, and you find some holes in your side, but this year it’s been a really competitive pre-season with guys fighting for positions,” said Swans Utility Ryan O’Keefe ahead of Sunday.

“I can see from the next, younger tier of players that it has been a growth pre-season for them, so it’s exciting to see how they benefit and how they perform this year,” O’Keefe said.

However, whilst injuries will have their price to some of both the teams key players, the debut of young demons prospect Luke Tapscott will get Demons fans excited.

"It was pretty frustrating. When I did my hip in the pre-season last year it was a big setback for me," Tapscott said.

Head to head the Demons have 92 wins and the Swans 106 wins, with one draw between the two sides.

The two sides will meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

Let me know your thoughts on the piece or anything in general that adds a spark to your life! Send them to sparkadiar@hotmail.com :)

Ellen Gandy: 'Swimming Behind Enemy Lines'

‘English swimmer, Ellen Gandy, has always been drawn to water, whether falling into ponds or striving for Olympic glory. Brendan Lucas spoke to her in Melbourne.’

Since putting on the red, white and blue, Ellen Gandy never looked back. Gandy has always been a swimming fanatic, competing in her first Olympics at the age of 16. Following the Beijing Olympics at last year’s Commonwealth Games, Gandy appears well on her way to gold at the London Olympics.

Originally from Bromley, England, Gandy currently lives in Melbourne. Her lively and positive attitude is a testament to the hurdles she has overcome. Recently, I caught up with Ellen after success in Dehli. She told me about her journey, her heroes, and her rivalry with the Australian team. 

Travelling can be a daunting experience for the first time. [Why did you leave your hometown? Was it difficult settling into a new environment?]

"Our lives here are polar opposites from what they were in England. We left because my dad got a job at the Melbourne Airport.

It was incredibly daunting moving. The first year was the worst. I was training full time, so I decided to take the year off school, and focus on that, which meant that I didn’t mix with many people outside of my swimming squad. I was pretty lonely. But once we were in our house and things felt more permanent, it was fine."

Did you always have a love of swimming as a child, if so, how has your passion been sparked, and has it evolved over time. When did you realise you would pursue this talent?

"I used to run into the sea when I was a little kid, even when it was 15 degrees. I always seemed to fall into ponds. I don’t know if that was a love for water, or just clumsiness!

My passion for swimming evolved between the ages of 11 and 13. I began to get some recognition for my training and won about nine national gold medals. I realised I was actually rated in the country and I started getting the confidence that maybe I could take my passion further."

Swimming behind enemy lines can spark rivalry. [What is it that you like about this rivalry? Are you British or Australian at heart?]

"The first time I ever put on my Olympic tracksuit I looked in the mirror with my mum and I can’t explain the happiness I felt wearing my red, white and blue. I have always swum for England, and for the immediate future I cannot see myself representing any other country. The rivalry in training is the healthy rivalry of sport. I now know a lot of the Aussies and they are all so good to me. Although I would never class us as enemies, wearing the green and gold could never give me the feeling that swimming for England does."

The Beijing Olympics and the Delhi Commonwealth Games have been a big part of your swimming journey. [How have these results influenced your swimming? What did you learn from your experiences, were there any setbacks?]

"Only experience can prepare you for a major international meet. The pressure is daunting. The Olympics were my first major international meet. I wasn’t ready for that 200 fly - I absolutely bombed. I was at the Olympics for experience; I was only 16 after all! When I feel like quitting, I hold on to the fact that I have another opportunity in a year to qualify and do it again.

This time around I made not only the finals - but medal. I overcame a huge mental hurdle. I was ready because I knew the feeling of pressure I was going to feel. I knew my family and friends were watching, and I didn’t let it phase me this time. I hope I can take what I learnt in Delhi and also at the European championships, and move a step forward again next year."

Who are some of your heroes, and what role have your family played in influencing you to believe that you can be successful?

"The people I look up to most are my family. My sister, Vicky, inspires me everyday, and keeps me grounded. I admire anyone who goes for a goal and who really commits, but I can’t say one specific sporting person stands out to me. Undoubtedly, the people who have impacted on my swimming the most are my parents. For them to give up so much, to take us to all those sessions, is just the best support I could ever have."

You are now attending Carey Baptist Grammar School. [What made you come to Carey, and how has it helped spark your desire for further education? What are some of you future goals and aspirations?]

"A lot of my training partners had gone to Carey before me, so I knew they understood the demands of swimming. Phil De Young, our principal, was amazing. I remember him telling me to follow my dream. I'm hoping to go to Monash University next year to study global arts. I have an ambition to work for the UN in some capacity.

My goal has always been success at the Olympics. That is my dream. Next year, the focus is on the World champs in Shanghai, I have to qualify for that in March next year, and then it’s full steam ahead to the Olympic trials early in 2012.’

I haven’t looked past London 2012, who knows what the future holds."




A Big thank you to Ellen for making this possible during her studies, keep your eye out on this young star in the pool!


Would love to hear your thoughts on this piece and any other news, ideas or thoughts for sparkadiar send them to sparkadiar@hotmail.com