AFL State of Origin Football Part 3 - Graham Moss and Alex Jesaulenko Medal
In part 1 we looked at a bit of history if AFL State of Origin, and then in Part 2 we relived the EJ Whitten and Fos Williams Medalists. In the final part to my State of Origin series I will bring you the Graham Moss and Alex Jesaulenko Medalists and also some more highlight packages.
Graham Moss Medalists
Awarded to the best Western Australian player in State of Origin matches
1995 - Tony Evan (West Coast Eagles)
1996 - Derek Kickett (Syd)
1997 - Scott Cummings (Port Adelaide)
1998 - Peter Bell (North Melb)
Alex Jesaulenko Medalists
Awarded to the best Allies player in State of Origin matches
1995 - Ryan O’Connor (Ess)
1996 - Matthew Richardson (Rich)
1997 - Nathan Buckley (Coll)
1998 - Shane Crawford (Haw)
Lets now relive some of the games in State of Origin.
AFL State of Origin Football Part 2 - EJ Whitten & Foss Williams Medalists
In Part 1 of AFL State of Origin Football I brought you a bit of AFL State of Origin histroy. In Part 2 I will go though the the EJ Whitten and Foss Williams Medalists. There have been may great players and some would argue not so great players that have pulled on the Victorian and South Australian gurnsey’s. You could probably argue the same point when it comes to EJ Whitten and Foss Williams medalists.
David Calthorpe would have to be my pick of the players that has won an EJ Whitten Medal that I think How the hell did he win that!. He is not what you would call a great player in the history of our game, especially with those little stumpy legs, but he can tell his grand kids that he has won an EJ Whitten medal, a great honour.
EJ Whitten Medalists
(awarded to the best Victorian Player in State of Origin matches):
1985 - Paul Roos (Fitz)
1986 - Dale Weightman (Rich)
1986 - Kevin Walsh (Ess)
1987 - Greg Williams (Syd)
1987 - Chris Langford (Haw)
1988 - Paul Roos (Syd)
1988 - Greard Healy (Syd)
1989 - Gavin Brown (Coll)
1989 - Jason Dunstall (Haw)
1990 - Simon Madden (Ess)
1990 - Dale Weightman (Rich)
1991 - Barry Mitchell (Sys)
1991 - Alan Ezard (Ess)
1992 - Stewart Lowe (St K)
1992 - Robert Harvey (St K)
1993 - Chris Langford (Haw)
1993 - Robert Harvey (St K)
AFL set to suspend it’s stars
The AFL have said they are going to ban players from playing the following week after the Victoria vs Dream Team game if they are selected and refuse to play in the game.
The game is to be the showcase of the AFL’s 150 years of Australian Rules Football celebrations and reiterates the fact that the AFL want, and need this to be a success or else they leave themselves open to never ending critisism. The understanding is that if a player is selected and then becomes ineligible he will not be able to play for his club the next week. There has to be some sort of middle ground for the situation where a player has a legitimate injury.
Considering the backbone of the side will be made up from the All-Australian team of 2007, Geelong is set to have about 7-8 players from their side playing in the game, look out if a couple of them go down with an injury and can’t play Richmond the following week. But with Mark Thompson as coach it will be interesting to see how he handles his Geelong players during the game.
Cornes labels “All Star” game an absolute disgrace
Prominent South Australian football identity Graham Cornes is “molten with rage” after the AFL’s decision to hold a Victorian vs The Rest game as par of the 150 year birthday celebrations. Comments like this would only come from a perocial South Australian wouldn’t they?
I was listening to an interview he did and he came out with comments like “players would be embarrased with the jumper which would look like a lollipop netball guernsey.”
The best one though was “They are supposed to pull it on with pride. I wouldn’t spit on it,” he said.
He cannot honestly believe that if the AFL get 80,000 people to the MCG on May 10, which they will do easily provided the players and clubs are supportive of the game which from all reports they are, that they will only be there to watch the players wearing the “Big V”.
I for one will be eagerly awaiting how the “All Stars” Team shapes up, there is nothing surer than them wanting to SMASH the Vics ! which will be definatley reinforced by coach Mark Williams. On the flip side the Vic’s wanting to prove that we are the best footballing state in Australia, and with Kevin Sheedy part of the coaching team, there will be some old school state vs state talk thats for sure.
The AFL announches Victoria versus All-Stars game
Is this the rebirth of state of origin football? Well I hope so, there was nothing better than watching the old Victoria vs South Australia or Victoria vs Western Australia clashes. This will be a much anticipated match from all AFL fans. It’s a great decision from the AFL and I hope that all the players and their clubs are supportive of the game. There is nothing better than seeing the best of the best showcase their talents and maybe even a it the old fashioned biffo that we used to see.
The game will take place during the first mid season break on May 10th under light at the MCG. Mark Thompson has been named coach of Victoria and Kevin Sheedy will make a comeback to the coaching arena as his assistant. On the other side will sit Mark Williams, with Neil Daniher as his assistant.
Big man Jonathan Brown has been already named captain of Victoria while Andrew Mcleod has been name caption of the “Dream Team”.
The squads should be announced by Round 3 or 4. As Victorian Coach Mark Thompson said the game is in Round 7 so the players are not really ready for a break anyway so they should be all made available, and from what the AFL have said they have has a great response from the players, coaches and clubs.
Lets hope this type of game becomes a permanent fixture.
Go the Vics.
