IN THEIR WORDS – LAINE RASMUSSEN ROUND 20

IN REVIEWING our performance each week, we are always trying to identify areas in which we can improve. We were dissatisfied with how we finished in front of goal against East Perth, and hence made a focus of this at our Tuesday night training.

Last week’s goal kicking practice, however, clearly had little effect. Despite the conditions, we missed many gettable shots on goal to finish kicking 15.14 for the game.

Jay ‘The Sprinkler’ Van Berlo was particularly disappointed with his effort from 22m out in front, which narrowly squeezed in for a behind. A great director of people, Jay has made a good habit of popping up ahead of the play and has contributed well to our scoring. If he was indeed a device used to spray water, and his game GPS was the reticulation system, the defensive 50 would resemble the Simpson Desert. So rarely is he seen within the confines of the arc, the only thing known to be drier than the roots of Nick Rodda’s trunk is his sense of humour. 

The goal kicking also had little effect as again I was able to kick truly, taking my career goal kicking efficiency to 83%. Current AFL players of a similar echelon include Tory Dickson (Western Bulldogs – 74%), Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne/Dairy Farmer – 72%) and Ben McEvoy (Hawthorn – 71%). These numbers generated increased interest from forwards coach Craig Smoker, however the return of Paul Sanzone, his (fake?) tan, and my distaste for Matt Fowler have ensured I stay grounded in the defensive half.

Venturing too deep into the forward-line also led to me injuring my hamstring, another potential sign that I am not destined to be a goal kicker. Carrying an injury means being part of the rehab group at training. It’s always hard not to be on the track with the rest of the boys, but we are lucky to have the aptly named ‘Shayne Zanetti Memorial Rehabilitation Facility’ in the north-west corner of the gym dedicated to getting us fit to play.

Our fantastic staff ensure our programs are well tailored to our specific injuries. This has been quite difficult in Kris Shannon’s case however, where no true pathology has been found. What at first appeared a season ending injury was found to be cramp, with scans revealing a possible link to his heart. The same facility has orchestrated the return of Rohan Kerr, who sustained a potentially season ending back injury in Round 11. I wish him all the best for the weekend’s game.

Laine Rasmussen