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#gerard way sydney 2015
smeagles · 1 year
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Soundwave Sydney 2015
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gerardpilled · 1 year
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organization tags
Links to tags for specific shows from 2022 and years from before that! All dates are formatted in the standard American way.
I did this mainly for my own reference, but any issues, please let me know!
Posts in which I couldn't remember/identify precise years have been tagged with the era (ex. "revenge") but posts that do have years are not also tagged with eras. I might be off for some of them, sorry. Most of these are in relation to Gerard, again sorry.
If there aren't any posts under the tag that means I haven't tagged anything yet and/or I am in the process of changing over tags :)
pre-2001
bullets
2001
2002
2003
revenge
2004
2005
black parade (bp)
2006
2007
2008
2009
danger days (dd)
2010
2011
2012
post-break up
2013 Hesitant Alien (ha)
2014
2015
post-HA ("mr netflix")
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022 shows
eden (5/16), eden 2 (5/17)
mk (5/19), mk 2 (5/21), mk 3 (5/22)
dublin (5/24), dublin 2 (5/25)
warrington (5/27)
cardiff (5/28)
glasgow (5/30)
paris (6/1)
rotterdam (6/2)
bologna (6/4)
munich (6/6)
budapest (6/7)
warsaw (6/9)
prague (6/11)
berlin (6/12)
stockholm (6/14)
bonn (6/17), bonn 2 (6/18)
North America
okc (8/20)
san antonio (8/21)
nashville (8/23)
cincinnati (8/24)
raleigh (8/26)
elmont (8/27)
philadelphia (8/29)
albany (8/30)
uncasville (9/1)
montreal (9/2)
toronto (9/4), toronto 2 (9/5)
boston (9/7), boston 2 (9/8)
brooklyn (9/10), brooklyn 2 (9/11)
detroit (9/13)
st paul (9/15)
chicago [(riot fest) (9/16)]
atlanta (9/18)
newark (9/20), newark 2 (9/21)
dover [(firefly) (9/23)]
sunrise (9/24)
houston (9/27)
dallas (9/28)
denver (9/30)
portland (10/2)
tacoma (10/3)
oakland (10/5)
vegas (10/7)
sacramento (10/8)
la 1 (10/11), la 2 (10/12), la 3 (10/14), la 4 (10/15), la 5 (10/17)
wwwy 2 (10/23), wwwy 3 (10/29)
mexico (11/18)
Oceania/Asia (2023)
Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau (3/11)
Brisbane (3/13), Brisbane 2 (3/14)
Melbourne (3/16), Melbourne 2 (3/17)
Sydney (3/19), Sydney 2 (3/20)
Tokyo (3/25)
Osaka (3/26)
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livejournallegacy · 8 months
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It's been eight bitter years since I've been seeing your face Gerard Way performing in Sydney - 28 Feb 2015 || 19 Mar 2023
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tmcastandcrew · 6 years
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Hollywood star Simon Baker said he had no acting ambitions at first
April 28, 2018
Thank you  @YohkoTheHunter
Huge Interview ahead >>
He was working as a pool attendant at the newly opened Sanctuary Cove resort. Any spare time, any spare thought, was spent chasing waves on the Gold Coast, and crashing with his surfie mates at their fibro shack which backed on to the beach at Surfers Paradise. It was the twilight of the 1980s and Simon Baker, a carefree school graduate, had no idea, and no real cares, about what lay ahead.
“No, no, no, I didn’t have any acting dreams,” the now 48-year-old father-of-three insists when U on Sunday sits down with him at the plush QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise for a chat about his latest film, Breath, based on Tim Winton’s novel.
It’s about 30 years since Baker lived here. In the interim, his ruggedly handsome face, sharp blue eyes and self-deprecating smile have taken him all the way to Hollywood Boulevard, where he has his own star on the sidewalk; and seen him receive critical acclaim, and an adoring fan base for his movie roles (Red Planet,The Devil Wears Prada and Margin Call) and television gigs (The Guardian, and his most famous role as maverick police consultant Patrick Jane on The Mentalist).
Not surprisingly, this same natural charm led to Baker’s first acting opportunity which came by accident rather than by design. And it happened in Brisbane.
“We were going camping,” he says, setting up the story of how he and a mate were driving up from the Coast when his friend said they had to make a slight detour into Brisbane because he had an audition for a TV ad.
“My friend told me I could wait in the car or come in and hang out; so I came into the waiting room and the casting woman came in with a clipboard and said to me ‘Have you signed in’ and I said: ‘Oh no, I’m just here with a friend’, and she said, ‘why don’t you sign in and go in’.
“I had never done drama or improvisation before. I was used to knocking around with my mates – a bit of jive talk on the beach, on the streets, that’s all,’’ he laughs.
Needless to say he got the gig. Two years later he landed a job on the Australian TV soapie E Street (“I wasn’t trying for it,’’ he again insists) playing fresh-faced Constable Sam Farrell. It was on that series that he met his future wife, Gold Coast-raised actor Rebecca Rigg.
Baker apologises in advance for eating during our chat. His mop of boyish golden-curled hair and grey flecked-stubble is lit with a wide grin, and deep laugh before he proceeds to wolf down a salad wrap and some fruit pieces. He is refuelling after making the most of a rare break from promotional duties at last week’s Queensland premiere of Breath at the Gold Coast Film Festival, to catch up for “a quick paddle with the boys’’.
The boys are Samson Coulter and Ben Spence who play the lead roles of Pikelet, 13, and Loonie, 14, in the film. Baker co-wrote, co-produced and co-stars in Breath which is also his directorial debut.
As a father of two teenage boys himself, Baker has developed a strong bond with his young proteges with Coulter from Sydney and Spence from Western Australia.
Baker’s own family are never far from his mind, and, at an exclusive U on Sundayphoto shoot earlier at Burleigh Heads, he was keen to capture a shot of the stunning beach scene to show his tribe at home. He celebrates 20 years of marriage this year to Rigg and the couple has three children, Stella Breeze, 24, Claude Blue, 19, and Harry Friday, 16.
He says all of his children go for a “paddle now and then’’ but it is his youngest Harry, who has inherited his father’s passion for surfing.
“It’s a great joy in seeing him (Harry) surf and catch waves,’’ he explains. “I like seeing him gain trust and physical confidence in himself; to trust his wits in certain situations, because that is what a lot of what surfing teaches you.’’
Baker explains he tries to find the right balance between encouraging Harry and ensuring he doesn’t pressure his son to tackle challenging waves he is not yet ready for, because “you can’t push them into those things’’. He says it is important that Harry develops his surfing skills at his own pace.
This caring fatherly approach is the opposite pathway taken by his character “Sando’’ in the coming of age film Breath. The adrenaline-junkie Sando is former world professional surfing star Bill Sanderson who becomes like a “guru’’ to his “wide-eyed disciples’’ Bruce “Pikelet” Pike and best friend Ivan “Loonie” Loon.
Pikelet and Loonie, under the tutelage of Sando, learn to surf increasingly bigger and more dangerous monster waves as Sando conditions their minds and bodies to pursue the extraordinary. Pikelet’s parents, played by Richard Roxburgh and Rachael Blake, remain oblivious to their son’s adventures, as Sando lures, even bullies, them on his increasingly perilous missions.
Roxburgh says Baker is a natural director, and an excellent mentor to the young novice actors.
“I was attracted to working with Simon because I’ve always thought he was a lovely bloke, a terrific actor, and I thought he would work really well with the young actors,’’ he says.
Roxburgh says his role as the staid and reserved father becomes a counterpoint to Baker’s risk-taking and larger-than-life Sando.
“My character is part of the domestic backdrop, I’m often at the garden shed, being very kindly and terribly worried about my son’s wellbeing. I know something is wrong, but I cannot identify it,’’ Roxburgh says.
When Sando and Loonie go overseas on a big-wave excursion, an unsettled Pikelet starts spending unhealthy periods of time alone with Sando’s headstrong wife Eva (Elizabeth Debecki), who carries a permanent knee injury from competitive aerial skiing.
“The film is about the anguish of parenting, of being a parent and watching your son moving and shifting away, being pulled away from you in this strong current and the terrible fear that goes with that,’’ Roxburgh says.
It took Sydney-based Baker a year to cast the two leading actors after a social media call-out to competent surfers netted thousands of entries from around the country including many from Queensland’s Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Baker, who did much of his own surfing, is surprised that Winton envisaged him as Sando for the film version of his 2009 Miles Franklin Award winner and much-loved bestseller.
“I suppose I don’t know too many actors who surf, there’s a few that have a paddle,’’ Baker says. “I’m at that point, where it is sort of getting sad, because my body is not keeping up with what my heart and mind want to do, sometimes it’s humiliating and sometimes it’s exhilarating.’’
When producing partner Mark Johnson (Breaking Bad) gave Baker the novel to read in 2015 he was immediately smitten and secretly harboured dreams to direct a film adaptation. Baker has directed several episodes of his television shows, including The Mentalist, over the years.
“We started meeting with a few different directors and started developing the script and at one point Mark turned around and literally said ‘has it occurred to you, that you should direct this film’ and I said ‘Yes’,’’ Baker says.
He did have doubts and he worried about time constraints, but then his seven-year contract on The Mentalist ended.
He has devoted several years to bringing the film to the screen including extensive scouting of the Western Australia coast, where the novel is set, and finding the perfect locations on the southern coastline at Denmark and Ocean Beach.
Baker enlisted “colourful’’ Brisbane-based screenwriter Gerard Lee (Top of the Lake) to help with the film script.
“I knew I had to reduce it down to certain key thematic moments and hone in on those and the story, I had to let go of the book in a lot of ways,’’ he says.
Tasmanian-born Baker sees some similarities with his own childhood, growing up in Lennox Heads, on the northern NSW coast, and spending plenty of time at the beach with his surfing buddies. The former Ballina High School student admits he was more like the reserved and restrained Pikelet than the confident and thrillseeking Loonie or Sando.
“I grew up riding around with a pushbike with my mates, discovering the ocean and surfing,’’ Baker says. “There are a lot of parallels there with the book but there are obvious parallels with a lot of people who grew up in Australia.’’
Roxburgh agrees: “Tim Winton can really write about water, especially about the nature of water: what it is; what it does for us; and what it is to be with it; and to live with such a passion for it.’’
It was while growing up that Baker first developed a love for going to the movies.
“As a kid I would go to see a movie and I would be instantly transported by the story and characters. You go, ‘oh wow, I would like to do that one day’,’’ he says.
The 1957 American classic Old Yeller, about a young boy and his ill-fated dog, profoundly affected him as a Year 3 student.
“It’s funny because I watched Old Yeller with my kids 10 years ago and they were saying ‘why are you making us watch this?’,’’ he says. “It’s so heartbreaking and powerful. I can track back the emotional impact that cinema has had on me over the years to that point.
“I still get so excited about going to the movies, getting a choc-top, sitting in that dark room and letting a film take me away.’’
Baker grew up as Simon Denny – the name of his stepfather – but changed it to Simon Denny Baker after reuniting with his birth father as an adult. He later dropped the Denny part.
In 1993 he won the Logie for most popular new talent and then appeared in Home and Away (as James Hudson: 1993-1994) and Heartbreak High (as Tom Summers: 1996).
Baker and Rigg – who married in 1998 after five years of living together – decided to try their luck in the US, which became their base for 18 years.
Soon after arriving, he landed a role as troubled gay actor Matt Reynolds in the Oscar-winning LA Confidential (1998) and a couple of years later snared the key role of lawyer Nick Fallin in the television series The Guardian (2001-2004).
But it was his role as the cheeky and sharp-minded former conman Patrick Jane on The Mentalist (2008-15) which saw an astronomic popularity rise, especially among women. It was rumoured he signed a contract that delivered a payment of $US30 million for his role as Jane. Some 17 million watched the final episode of The Mentalist in the US alone.
His rising profile also led to contracts promoting prestigious French perfume house Givenchy as well as Longines watches.
“I take my hat off to Simon, and others, who have moved to America and have achieved over there,’’ Roxburgh says.
For Baker, his focus is not on the past but on the future, and that continues to look bright with the actor recently optioning Winton’s latest novel The Shepherd’s Hut.
“You should read it,’’ suggests Baker, flashing that trademark winning smile once more.
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lucidentia-sb · 6 years
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'Breath’ a labor of love for ‘Mentalist’ star Simon Baker 
Actor Simon Baker was 7 or 8 years old the first time he saw surfing on television, and thought, “I want to do that.”
The Bakers lived in Sydney, far from any beach, but soon moved to the coast. His parents told young Simon that he could start surfing at 15, but by 10, he was stashing a board at a mate’s house. He would leave the house at dawn, telling his mom and dad that he was off to play cricket. When he got home late in the afternoon, he would frantically hide the bits of sand that he inevitably tracked into the house. By the time his parents caught on to what he was doing, he was entering surf competitions.
It was far too late to order their son to stop doing what he loved.
It is little wonder then that Baker chose Aussie Tim Winton’s 2008 coming-of-age novel “Breath” as his feature directing debut, even co-writing the screenplay with Gerard Lee. The book relates the tale of 13-year-old Pikelet and 14-year-old Loonie, tyro surfers who come under the tutelage of former pro surfer Sando, who leads them into ever deeper, ever more dangerous waters.
“The book is probably the best literary depiction of being in the ocean and having a relationship with the ocean as a surfer that I’ve ever read,” says Baker in conversation at the Toronto International Film Festival, where “Breath” had its world premiere.
Baker plays Sando, casting newcomers Samson Coulter as Pikelet and Ben Spence as Loonie — teenagers who had never acted before, but who began surfing before they were in grade school. Finding the boys was one of Baker’s biggest challenges. Whoever won the roles had to be able to act and surf. He concentrated on finding surfers with potential. He put out a casting call on social media, inviting youths to record themselves surfing and performing a short scene (which filmmakers provided).
With casting director Nikki Barrett vetting the submissions, Baker looked at 250 kids from all around Australia, eventually inviting six to a weekend workshop, from which Coulter and Spence emerged.
“People say, ‘What were you thinking, casting no-actors? That must have been a nightmare,’” Baker says. “It really wasn’t. The learning curve at that age is tremendous if you have the right attitude and you’re willing and not afraid. These guys had that in spades.
“With this story, if you think about the character of Sando and him being a sort of mentor figure for these two young guys, he takes them into this new world. Pretty much, (I’m doing) that as a director, casting these two young guys who had never acted before. It was paralleling life, in a way."
Baker began developing the script for “Breath" in 2010, in the early seasons of his hit CBS TV show “The Mentalist.” The actor relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1990s, finding early fortune with his first film, a small role in “L.A. Confidential.” (He laughs, recalling that he thought he had it made, only to see his next three films not be released.) But after starring in three American series (“The Guardian” and “Smith” were the others) and appearing in such films as “The Devil Wears Prada,” “The Killer Inside Me” and “Margin Call,” he was ready to go home. He boarded a plane for Sydney the day “The Mentalist” wrapped in 2015. He opened his production office for “Breath” the next day.
“People have asked for years what I miss most about Australia,” Baker says. “What I’ve always missed is the environment, all those physical elements that are in this film. Those were the things I really craved when I lived in California. California has its own beauty, but the sights and the smells and the tastes of the air on the coast of Australia is in my DNA.”
That was something Baker sought to capture in “Breath,” along with a realistic experience of surfing. At 48, he’s been surfing for nearly four decades. He recalls the 1991 thriller “Point Break,” and the last scene where Patrick Swayze goes out one last time to meet a monster wave on Australia’s wild coast — only the audience doesn’t see him catch that wave.
“You’ve got to see the character go from the land into the water and be able to be with him in an intimate way in those moments," Baker says, “and then be able to go wide and see the treachery of the environment. I wanted it to feel like a real experience.”
photo source - KCRW on Twitter
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getseriouser · 6 years
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20 THOUGHTS: Two Weeks Doth a Season Make
ALRIGHT. So we’ve all played two games now, the Suns and Roos have played at least one outside of a swimming pool, we can start to make some long-lasting judgement.
 The Bulldogs are staring down a full rebuild, Gold Coast have turned it around and can now match the personnel prowess of the Giants and going by Monday’s centre square performance Geelong must surely end up premiers?
 April Premiers, righto. When the Melbourne supporters start to pack the ski gear into the back of the Land Rover, then let’s chat.
 1.       The Western Bulldogs. How much is that supposed post-flag offseason playing a role the best part of 18 months later? Sure, it was a 7th placed finish with an over and beyond September in their glory year, but again its two weeks, last week was colours lowered but we are not off their bus completely, save your wooden spoon bets.
 2.       This column continues to be buoyed by Fremantle. Much better on the weekend, their talented kids look fantastic, Blakely had 30, Ryan had 22 in defence, Brayshaw is showing a bit, Cerra kicked two goals, those two had nine tackles between them, Fyfe, Neale look good and Walters and Wilson are proper x-factors.
 3.       Also worth noting that we were originally wrong about the number of Perth games for the Dockers, it’s not just the standard eleven home games plus an away game to West Coast, its thirteen all up – the Gold Coast host Freo at Optus this week. Thirteen games in Perth, this is more than set up for the Dockers to rebound nicely in 2018.
 4.       Port look very industrious. Matched the Swans for grunt in their home opener and that’s two years in a row they've got that scalp. Back home this week for a soft kill with Brisbane, this is all shaping up very well at Alberton.
 5.       Clarko, moving people around, finding the right role, failing fast, motivation, development, all that – genius. This Hawthorn side still holds several guns in their arsenal, a number of premiership players to that matter, but the way he coaches that side extracts maximum performance out of the available resources, more than any other club going around clearly.
 6.       How about Geelong? Should have won although the umpires, Burgoyne's soft tissue and goal posts helped their cause too. But, Ablett 35 touches, Dangerfield 31, Selwood 29, teams are going to have to shut down one. Daniel Howe was on Selwood but didn't do enough. Ablett looks far too rejuvenated that it’s going to cause opponents issues if they don't curtail the engine room. If they can, the Cats don’t possess too much else.
 7.       If you didn’t know the backstory of the infamous starting three mids for Geelong, watched the game on Monday unencumbered, you would be excused for thinking Ablett is their best player. All the rage on Dangerfield vs. Martin, but if Ablett is fit enough (seemingly so) and has found a new lease on life being back home (clearly looks that way), maybe its back to 2015 and it’s a Ablett vs. Fyfe conversation again?
 8.       Tom Mitchell - 40 touches, two goals, four tackles. Supposedly on six Charlie votes, getting a tonne of exposure. Clayton Oliver though, 35 touches, eight tackles up in Brisbane. One is 25 next month, one is 21 in July. Still a no brainer for me.
 9.       Jaryd Roughead, big shout out to him. Cancer, overcome, and that speaks for itself on its own merits of course, but five shots on goal Monday, looked really good particularly late in the game, last year played 22 games coming back to footy and really picked up as the season came to an end kicking five in the final round. He has three seasons of over 70 goals in his career, only Buddy has done that as well, so he is a genuine star of the game who could really influence a Hawks side aiming to make finals and then do damage from there.
 10.   Good Friday - North and Footscray worked well last year, nothing against St Kilda (aside from their performance of course though, we'll cover that next) but last year felt like the making of something, great game, crowd over 40k, should have got another run. This threat of 'well performed sides' from now on is off the mark, I would go back to North and Footscray and give it three years. It should definitely stay with North, so in that case its commit to one regular opponent not rotate their opponents through.
 11.   So, the Saints. Did ok Round One then followed up with a stinker. Why? Membrey obviously had cricket finals so now that’s all wrapped up he can put the boots on. He averages four marks inside 50 a game, which is fantastic, but for such little impact. Nathan Brown is a good stopper, a premiership player, but is no longer a modern, effective defender and can be exploited. Jake Carlisle, has he gelled as a Saint yet? Not sure. He has had his disruptions but still looks a shadow, and then there's Paddy McCartin. Bless him, still only young, but he looks years off. Chuck in a midfield that yes, has Jack Steven, but Seb Ross and David Armitage don't hurt enough and it falls away big time. They were popping rubber bands at Josh Kelly for a reason.
 12.   Bryce Gibbs is just such a nice piece for this Crows side. 35 touches first up, 28 touches and a goal against Richmond, he is an All-Australian player if he stays fit. Amazing addition.
 13.   On All-Australian, going the early crow, or Magpie, but with some level of objectivity. Two games in Max Gawn would be the AA ruckman easily, no question, but Brodie Grundy, still only 23, in his 84th game had 20 touches, 45 hitouts, eight clearances, three tackles and kicked two straight. Their best player, most important player, perhaps both. He will be a strong AA contender all year.
 14.   The Pies were a little stiff on the weekend, two on the bench, no-one over six foot in the forward line, a little luck and it’s a big scalp, 1-1 into the Carlton game, it’s a whole new story. But the Pies, whilst without luck, at times the last couple seasons need to do better at making their own luck. As an example, Hawthorn definitely makes their own luck it seems, making moves, minimising errors, and they're maybe on the bounce back, perhaps overlapping Collingwood in the process? Jeremy Howe forward during games more often, things like that are required, can’t resign to same old same old, tried hard though..
 15.   Gerard Whateley interviews Nathan Buckley weekly on his radio program. Gerard was coy enough to raise Tom Lynch kicking eight on the weekend, and a normally very assured, calculated and not easily ambushed Buckley didn’t do a great job of avoiding any ‘reading between the lines’ from his responses. Short, sarcastic answers, deliberately avoiding the obvious reality, obvious narrative. Conceded that “I don’t think there's many clubs that would say that they can't do with a marking tall forward. He is a very aerobic, hard running tall forward as well – they don't grow on trees. I reckon he be well sought after.” It suggests the Pies think he is gettable, coming home, and they remain in the running which would not extend to too many clubs, or indeed have him.
 16.   Buddy watch, 12 goals already, I expect another decent bag in the Sydney Derby this weekend, talk of a ton this year is premature, but the Coleman-Brownlow double, don’t tell me you missed out when I lobbed it on all of you back in March. Utter. Value.
 17.   Credit to those down at Arden Street. The Kangas have bottomed out, got a tonne of cash, and yes, apparently asking Andrew Gaff how much he misses living in Melbourne, but Ben Brown up front, a lot of decent depth through the midfield, not a lot of star power, but it’s even, Robbie Tarrant is horrendously underrated, good kids, if you’re a Roos fan, stick fat, they’ll be ok.
 18.   A few non-footy to finish, let’s wrap the cricket up. Firstly, David Warner, couple concluding takeaways. He has ball-tampered at least throughout the South Africa series, that’s how Bancroft got caught. AB De Villiers got suspicious of Warner in the first few tests, texted his old captain now commentator Graeme Smith to watch Warner with the ball. Cluey to this Warner then courageously flipped his conduct onto Bancroft in Cape Town when the cameras would be following the ball from Paine to the bowler and low and behold, here we are.
 19.   Hiring Roxy Jacenko, a Sydney-based magazine PR pest, having wife Candice do a tell-all with News Limited, the delayed and then train wreck press conference, he will now be lost to Australian cricket and despite all the good he has a cricketer and person has done, he has made his bed he will now lie in it. Smith and Bancroft made progress to redemption upon arriving home, Warner has gone the other way sadly.
 20.   The Test Team from here? Head to England and play County Cricket. Yes the next nine months looks good, tests against minnows or against Asian countries at home, ripe conditions to succeed. But with an Ashes over there in 15 months, if I’m Burns, Renshaw, or anyone on the fringe, Kurtis Patterson, Jake Doran, get over to England, smash out a big county season with a mass of runs, and you’ll do well to be back there next year on an Ashes tour.
 (originally published April 6)
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hollywoodtriangle · 6 years
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Ed Nordholm Confirms Jeremy Borash Is Joining WWE; Comments On EC3 & Bobby Lashley’s Futures, More
Photo Credit: Impact Wrestling
Newsweek has a new article out featuring comments from Impact Wrestling executives Ed Nordholm, Scott D’Amore and Don Callis.
We have included some highlights below, the full article can be read HERE
Related: Rockstar Spud Comments On Drake Maverick’s Debut
On Jeremy Borash leaving Impact Wrestling and reportedly joining WWE:
“[Borash] is leaving and joining the WWE,” Nordholm told Newsweek. “We wish him all the best. He’s a talented guy and has been with the company forever. But we have a lot of talented guys—change is good and it gives other guys a chance to step up.”
“This company has historically given new people opportunities,” said D’Amore. “We always wish Jeremy well. I got one of my first breaks [from him]—Jeremy hired me to be a producer at World Wrestling All-Stars. But we have editors on our team who don’t get the notoriety that Jeremy does. We have great players ready to step up.”
On EC3 leaving Impact and appearing at NXT Takeover:
“He’s a talented guy, but change is good,” said Callis. “Yes, EC3 left, but [standout independent wrestler] Brian Cage came in, Johnny Impact came in, Austin Aries returned.”
D’Amore told Newsweek that Impact and EC3—real name Michael Hutter—agreed to part ways before the end of the wrestler’s contract with the company.
“His contract was not up. He came to us, we had a frank discussion about where he saw himself going,” said D’Amore. “We decided to sit down and work something out that worked for us on how we’d wrap up this portion of his career.
“I didn’t watch NXTTakeOver but when he showed up on screen and my phone started blowing up, I texted him: ‘Congratulations. All the best to you. You’ve got nothing but love and support from us here. And if you need anything, you know where we are.’ And he wrote back the same thing.”
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On Bobby Lashley’s future following his Impact departure:
“Bobby is free to figure out what he wants to do next, whether it be wrestling or mixed martial arts. We wish him all the best,” said Nordholm. “He’s a great talent, it’s foolish to say, ‘No, we wouldn’t want to retain him,’ but he has his own ambitions about what he thinks is good for him next in his career.”
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump talks with his protege ECW Heavyweight champion Bobby Lashley before the match at Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump with help from Bobby Lashley and Steve Austin cuts Vince McMahon’s hair after winning the “Battle of the Billionaires” match at Wrestlemania 23. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and Bobby Lashley shave Vince McMahon’s head after Lashely defeated Umaga in the “Battle of the Billionaires” match at Ford Field at Wrestlemania 23. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and Bobby Lashley leave the ring after winning the “Battle of the Billionaires” match at Ford Field at Wrestlemania 23. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley celebrates his victory over Umaga in the main event of the night “Hair vs. Hair” Donald Trump vs. Vince McMahon during WrestleMania 23 at Detroit’s Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley during Donald Trump and WWE News Conference for WrestleMania 23 – March 28, 2007 at Trump Tower in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump, Stone Cold Steve Austin and WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley get ready to shave Vince McMahon’s head after McMahons lost the main event of the night, “Hair vs. Hair”, between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit’s Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley celebrate their victory over Vince McMahon at the main event of the night, “Hair vs. Hair”, between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit’s Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley carries Vince McMahon back into the ring to recieve his haircut from Donald Trump after McMahon lost the main event of the night, “Hair vs. Hair”, between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit’s Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley carries Vince McMahon back into the ring to recieve his haircut from Donald Trump after McMahon lost the main event of the night, “Hair vs. Hair”, between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit’s Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley during Donald Trump and WWE News Conference for WrestleMania 23 – March 28, 2007 at Trump Tower in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley during Sci Fi Channel 2007 Upfront Party at STK in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
AURORA, CO – MAY 27: MMA fighter Bobby Lashley warms-up during a training session at the American Top Team Altitude martial arts facility May 27, 2015. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
AURORA, CO – MAY 27: MMA fighter Bobby Lashley, right, lightly spars with fellow MMA fighter Alex Huddleston during a training session at the American Top Team Altitude martial arts facility May 27, 2015. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
AURORA, CO – MAY 27: MMA fighter Bobby Lashley, left, lightly spars with fellow MMA fighter Alex Huddleston during a training session at the American Top Team Altitude martial arts facility May 27, 2015. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
30 JAN 2010: Bobby Lashley has his hands on his hips and is wide eyed after defeating Wes Sims during Showtime Sport’s Strikeforce Miami Fight Card at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
NEW YORK – MARCH 28: Wrestler Bobby Lashley attends the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
NEW YORK – MARCH 28: Wrestler Bobby Lashley attends the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
NEW YORK – MARCH 28: Wrestler Bobby Lashley attends the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
DETROIT – APRIL 1: WWE chairman Vince McMahon (C) has his head shaved by Donald Trump (L) and Bobby Lashley (R) while being held down by ”Stone Cold” Steve Austin after losing a bet in the Battle of the Billionaires at the 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment’s Wrestlemania at Ford Field on April 1, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan. Umaga was representing McMahon in the match when he lost to Bobby Lashley who was representing Trump. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
DETROIT – APRIL 1: WWE chairman Vince McMahon gets carried back to the ring to have his head shaved after losing a bet to Donald Trump in the Battle of the Billionaires at the 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment’s Wrestlemania April 1, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Umaga, who was representing McMahon in the match, lost to Bobby Lashley, who was representing Trump, so McMahon lost the bet. The event drew more than 75,000 wrestling fans. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump with help from Bobby Lashley and Steve Austin cuts Vince McMahon’s hair after winning the “Battle of the Billionaires” match at Wrestlemania 23. at the Wrestlemania 23 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagi
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10: WWE wrestlers Bobby Lashley (L) and Torrie Wilson arrive at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids? Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10: WWE Diva wrestler Torrie Wilson (R) and WWE RAW Wrestler Bobby Lashley arrive at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids’ Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10:WWE Wrestlers Bobby Lashley and Torrie Wilson pose at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids’ Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10: WWE wrestlers Bobby Lashley (L) and Torrie Wilson (R) and TV personality Rove McManus pose at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids’ Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10: WWE wrestlers Bobby Lashley (L) and Torrie Wilson (R) and TV personalities Rove McManus and Andrew G pose at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids’ Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
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footyplusau · 7 years
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Mid-season All Australian contenders
WITH the 2017 season at its halfway mark, AFL.com.au reporters have turned their minds to naming each club’s contenders for the Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.
Eddie Betts: The superstar forward is on track for his third straight All Australian jumper. The 30-year-old is third on the goalkicking chart with 32 this season, and he’s also in the top 20 for goal assists.
Sam Jacobs: The star ruckman is arguably having the best season of his career. Jacobs is leading the competition in hit-outs with 459 (41.7 per game) and is in the top-15 for contested marks.
Rory Laird: An All Australian nominee for the past two years, the running defender is building a resume too good to ignore. He’s first in effective disposals, fourth in disposals (347 at 31.6 per game) and fourth for rebound 50s.
Tom Lynch: The high half-forward is having another consistent season, averaging 19.6 disposals and 7.1 marks per game. Lynch is also in the top 20 for goal assists. The former Saint was an All Australian nominee for the first time last season.
Rory Sloane: The tenacious midfielder leads the League for tackles, he’s fourth in contested possessions and seventh in clearances. But Sloane’s influence has been blunted in recent weeks with teams employing a tagger on last year’s All Australian vice-captain.
Daniel Talia: The key defender is putting together another strong season. Rarely beaten in one-on-one contests and takes the opposition’s best forward every week. Was an All Australian in 2014 and 2016. – Lee Gaskin
Dayne Beams: Returning after 18 months out with knee and shoulder problems, the Lions’ skipper is already back to his best. Brilliant inside and outside the contest, he’s averaging 30 disposals.
Tom Rockliff: A shoulder injury has halted his progress, but Rockliff has had his head down and bum up this season. One of the competition’s best ball winners, he leads the AFL in average clearances (10).
Dayne Zorko: Flies under the radar, but the dual best and fairest winner is having another brilliant season. Has kicked 14 goals to go with 26 touches a game – not a bad combination. – Michael Whiting
Sam Docherty: The Blues’ defensive general leads the AFL in marks (95) and the club in kicks (216) and intercept possessions (68). Made the All Australian squad last year and has performed even better this season.
Matthew Kreuzer: Faces stiff competition for the ruck spot, but is in career-best form. Plays as an extra midfielder after the ruck contest, using his mobility and athleticism to advantage. Huge work rate.
Marc Murphy: The skipper has made a stunning return from injury this season, averaging 30.2 disposals a game, and is probably leading Carlton’s best and fairest award after 10 games. Was an All Australian in 2011. – Howard Kotton
Carlton captain Marc Murphy continues to lead from the front. Picture: AFL Photos
Brodie Grundy: The young South Australian has developed into one of the most consistent ruckmen in the competition, impressing with his fierce competitive nature and ball-winning ability. Averaging 18.4 touches – elite for big men. Exhibit A was his effort to once again beat Giants monster Shane Mumford.
Jeremy Howe: The Pies’ best chance for All Australian honours, the high-flying former Demon has become one of the AFL’s best intercept players and kicks off half-back. Averaging 21 touches and leads the Pies in contested marks, rebounds and overall game time.
Scott Pendlebury: The Magpies’ skipper has already entered the realm of all-time great and could be on the way to equalling coach Nathan Buckley’s club-record six best and fairests. Averaging 29 touches, five clearances and six tackles and has helped lift his team over the line a couple of times.
Adam Treloar: Gerard Healy has referred to it as “the Treloar factor” – the blond ball magnet’s ability to continue to run and create late in quarters and games when most others are flagging. Averaging 30.8 touches (a club high), seven tackles, six clearances and a goal. – Ben Collins
Joe Daniher: Daniher has spearheaded Essendon’s forward line and is on track for a career-best tally of goals this year with 30 to his name so far. He has produced match-winning performances on several occasions and is rising into being a genuine star.
Orazio Fantasia: Few would have predicted Fantasia to be in the frame for All Australian contention at the start of the season, but he has already kicked 25 goals (only Toby Greene and Eddie Betts have booted more as small forwards). Fantasia gets plenty of opportunities and makes the most of them.
Michael Hurley: Hurley started the season slowly but his past six weeks have been excellent as he has regained top form. His commanding presence in defence and ability to cut off forward forays and start an attacking move for the Bombers has been excellent, and he is averaging more disposals (23 a game) than in his 2015 All Australian season.
Zach Merrett: The Essendon best and fairest winner was unlucky not to be in the squad of 40 last year but surely gets in this season. The midfielder has averaged 31 disposals a game (third overall in the competition for touches), and his sharp left-foot kicking and damaging work at the clearances makes him a standout option. – Callum Twomey
Bradley Hill: Had two quieter weeks against Carlton and Adelaide, but Hill’s form before that helped revive Freo’s season. The triple-premiership ex-Hawk’s drive from a wing has been invaluable, and he’s averaging a career-best 23 disposals and has booted eight goals.
Lachie Neale: Was unlucky to miss out on last year’s All Australian side after collecting a record-breaking 737 possessions and has become more damaging this season, slotting 11 goals while averaging 27 touches.
Aaron Sandilands: Was last All Australian in 2014 and is averaging similar disposal (12) and better hit-out (45.7) numbers – although he hasn’t hit the scoreboard this year (eight goals in 2014). Freo’s past two losses without Sandilands has underlined his importance. – Travis King
Patrick Dangerfield: The football world would be staggered if the Brownlow medallist is not handed his fifth All Australian guernsey in September. Heads the Cats in so many categories – clearances, disposals and contested possessions – and is second in scoring involvements and metres gained with an average of 450.4 per game, and third for goals (22).
Mitch Duncan: Much improved season from the 25-year-old, who is embracing more responsibility as an inside midfielder. Plays third fiddle to the ‘Dangerwood’ show, but deserves consideration for his first AA honour for his work at the clearances and also on the attack, while he leads his team for marks (83).
Joel Selwood: Typically tough season from the captain, and possibly his best yet. Is averaging 29.2 disposals a game and is equal first with Dangerfield for tackles, plus the five-time All Australian is first at the Cats for score involvements.
Zach Tuohy: Has averaged 26.4 possessions across 11 games and leads the Cats for rebound 50s (62) and metres gained (average of 485.1m per game). Showed he’s more than just a rebounder against Adelaide with a strong defensive game against Eddie Betts. – Jennifer Phelan 
Could Mitch Duncan make the All Australian team for the first time? Picture: AFL Photos
Gary Ablett: Has pushed aside the speculation surrounding his future to produce another terrific season. Now 33 and fresh off a second shoulder surgery, Ablett is racking up 32 disposals a game and is a driving force in any Suns success.
Jarrod Harbrow: Has run into some off-field strife, but Harbrow is in the best three for the Suns this season. In the form of his career, the 28-year-old is locking down defensively, running hard and playing direct from the back 50.
Tom Lynch: Not quite up to the same level as his 2016 season, but Lynch is still a towering figure in Gold Coast’s forward line. Facing double-teams most week, he has kicked 25 goals and added 11 assists.
Steven May: Struggled early and missed two weeks with a hamstring problem, but the co-captain is getting better each week. Plays on talls and smalls and is a creative ball user from the defensive 50. – Michael Whiting
Jeremy Cameron: Equal leader of the Coleman Medal race with 34 majors, he’s booted multiple goals in nine of 11 games and is on track to better the 62 goals he kicked when named All Australian in 2013.
Phil Davis: The co-captain has taken on and beaten the best tall forwards in the game, with Lance Franklin, Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon all quelled this year.
Toby Greene: Has backed up last year’s All Australian debut and club champion honours with another big season, and is on track for career highs in goals and goal assists.
Josh Kelly: Despite the heavy media scrutiny over his contract status, the midfielder has launched himself into the elite bracket this year, averaging 29.4 possessions and 6.6 tackles per game.
Shane Mumford: The most intimidating ruckman in the game has been exceptional again this year, with his physical presence a major factor in the Giants’ ladder-leading season.
Tom Scully: The gifted runner has averaged 23.9 touches off the wing and has continued to be dangerous offensively with eight goals from 10 games.
Zac Williams: One of the best attacking half-backs in the League, Williams has averaged 23.3 disposals this year, and shown his versatility by having an impact through the midfield. – Adam Curley
Tom Mitchell: The only Hawk with genuine claims for All Australian selection, Mitchell has averaged an AFL-high 34.9 disposals in his 11 games for the club since crossing from Sydney at the end of last year. He is seventh for contested possessions in the competition with 14.7 per game. Has been a brilliant acquisition for Hawthorn, but may struggle to push out the bigger names for a final spot in the team. – Ashley Browne
Jeff Garlett: Garlett has put together a stellar season for Melbourne. The speedy forward has kicked a team-leading 25 goals in the most consistent season of his career. The small forward is also ranked second in the AFL out of general forwards for forward-half pressure points. 
Michael Hibberd: Missed the first four games due to an Achilles injury, but has been on fire ever since and has picked up where Jayden Hunt left off at the start of the year. The former Bomber has to be considered as one of the recruits of the year after averaging a career-high 28.8 disposals and an AFL-leading 7.3 rebound 50s per game.
Neville Jetta: Criminally underrated, but Jetta is one of Simon Goodwin’s most dependable players. The defender regularly gets the match-up on the opposition’s most dangerous forward and has consistently curtailed their influence. Has also improved the offensive side of his game over past seasons. 
Clayton Oliver: Would be leading Melbourne’s best and fairest at the halfway point of the season in a breakout second year at AFL level. Oliver improved his fitness levels dramatically over the off-season and it has fed into his game. The emerging onballer is averaging 30.9 disposals, with six games above 30 touches or more. – Ben Guthrie
Young Demon Clayton Oliver has emerged as a standout in his second season. Picture: AFL Photos
Robbie Tarrant: The star Roo made the shortlist last year and has been very good again in 2017, in tandem with Scott Thompson and Lachie Hansen. Tarrant rates elite for disposals, metres gained and rebound 50s among key defenders, and concedes only 1.8 goals per game. – Marc McGowan
Charlie Dixon: The much-maligned key forward is starting to realise his immense potential. Leads the League in contested marks and is in the top 20 for goals (24) and goal assists.
Brad Ebert: The 200-game veteran is having a career-best season, averaging career highs in disposals (27 per game) and tackles (eight per game). Extremely tough at the contest.
Robbie Gray: An All Australian in 2014 and 2015 as a midfielder, Gray has turned himself back into a dangerous small forward. He’s second in the League in goal assists to go with 24 goals in 10 games.
Tom Jonas: The key defender is in career-best form. Jonas shut down Gold Coast star Tom Lynch in round eight and rarely has his colours lowered.
Patrick Ryder: The Power look a different side with Ryder in the ruck. Ryder’s athleticism and tap work gives the Power midfielders first use of the ball. – Lee Gaskin
Trent Cotchin: The captain is back to the 2012 form that saw him eventually awarded the Brownlow Medal, leading with his actions and playing a more attacking style. He leads the Tigers for tackles with 73 (No.8 in the AFL) and is standing up in big moments of games. 
Dustin Martin: A superstar of the competition, Martin has dominated games with his ball winning, strength in contests and attacking flair. Ranked top 10 in the AFL for disposals (29.9 a game), clearances (6.7) and contested possessions (14.5), and No.2 for metres gained (564.4 a game). Has kicked 16 goals (only Patrick Dangerfield has kicked more among the top-20 possession winners). 
Alex Rance: The game’s best defender can still shut down his man when he needs to, but his intercept game has gone to a new level. Ranks No.1 in the AFL for intercept possessions (9.0 a game) and has lifted his metres gained from 213.2 a game in 2016 to 300.9 to be a more attacking threat. – Nathan Schmook
Star defender Alex Rance continues to lead the Tigers’ back six. Picture: AFL Photos
Dylan Roberton: The intercepting backman is a gun at winning the ball and sending it forward. He averages 25.4 disposals and 485m gained per game. West Coast’s Elliot Yeo is the only other general defender to rate elite for disposals, metres gained and intercept possessions (a general defender being anyone other than a key backman).
Seb Ross: Alan Richardson’s main man when it comes to limiting the opposition’s key midfielder, Ross is also ranked elite for disposals, clearances and uncontested possessions, and above average for metres gained, contested possessions, score involvements and pressure acts. – Dinny Navaratnam
Lance Franklin: On track for his seventh All Australian jumper after booting 32 goals from his first 10 games, and leads the competition with 9.5 score involvements per game.
Josh Kennedy: The skipper has maintained his high standards despite his team’s rough start with 29 touches per game, and is top five in the League for contested possessions and clearances.
Jake Lloyd: A bolter, he averages 27.4 disposals and 4.8 rebound 50s per game despite being knocked out early in his last outing, and has taken over the sweeper role with Jarrad McVeigh out injured. – Adam Curley
Josh Kennedy: West Coast’s forward 50 supply has dried up this season, but Kennedy – who missed last round with a calf injury – shares the lead for what would be his third successive Coleman Medal with 34 majors.
Jeremy McGovern: Earned a maiden All Australian gong last year and is enjoying another fine campaign. He is fourth in the competition for contested marks (24) and marks (87) and is the linchpin of West Coast’s defence. 
Luke Shuey: The reigning club champion made the 40-man squad last year and is finding more of the ball, averaging 28 disposals. His clearance work (5.7), tackling (6.5) and pace are vital for the Eagles’ engine room.
Elliot Yeo: Is fulfilling his immense potential after being settled into a role at half-back, with stints pinch-hitting in midfield or attack. His aerial ability (95 marks, equal AFL No.1), penetrating kick and speed are weapons and he is ranked elite for disposals (25.1), metres gained and intercept possessions for a general defender. – Travis King
Eagle Elliot Yeo has stepped up his game in season 2017. Picture: AFL Photos
Marcus Bontempelli: The 2016 All Australian and club best and fairest is borderline to make this year’s squad. While he’s averaging 23 disposals, six tackles and a goal a game, the star 21-year-old hasn’t displayed the same form that saw him play a critical role in the club’s premiership success.
Luke Dahlhaus: The hardworking midfielder has been heralded as an All Australian candidate in recent seasons without getting any recognition.  But by averaging 27 disposals and four tackles per game in 2017, the former rookie may finally get the nod.
Easton Wood: Named All Australian for the first time in 2015, the Dogs’ vice-captain is one the AFL’s most reliable defenders. He rarely plays a bad game, and is leading the club in contested marks (17) and intercept possessions (67). – Ryan Davidson
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smeagles · 1 year
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Gerard Way opening for The Smashing Pumpkins | Big Top, Luna Park, Sydney | February 25th 2015
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footyplusau · 7 years
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How Power rediscovered their spark
PORT Adelaide’s performance in the first two rounds has made everyone sit up and take notice.
Port smashed the Sydney Swans around the ball in its season-opener to record its first win at the SCG in eight attempts since round two, 2006.
The Power then backed that up by thrashing a dysfunctional Fremantle by 89 points at Adelaide Oval last Sunday.
After two rounds, Port Adelaide is the third-best in the competition at restricting opposition ball movement, behind only Melbourne and Adelaide.
Port has allowed the opposition to get inside 50 from its defensive midfield only 27 per cent of the time, an AFL-best rating; the competition average is 42.4 per cent.
It has conceded just 58 points per 100 turnovers, also ranked first, and appears to have shrugged off the appearance of being under siege to again being a side that hunts.
Port starts round three in top spot, and threatening to deliver on the potential it showed in Ken Hinkley’s first two years as coach, when it emerged from nowhere in 2012 to a kick short of a Grand Final in 2014.
That it retreated just as quickly to middle-of-the-road mediocrity in 2015-16 (22 wins from 44 matches) – too often turning simple things into disaster with ordinary ball use – remains one of the game’s modern mysteries.
Although no one at the club wants to tempt fate this early in the season – preferring to let actions speak louder than words – it appears a pre-season of tinkering has the Power motor purring again.
That re-assembling began soon after last season ended with Port in 10th spot, with the football department dissecting every aspect of the team’s planning, preparation and execution.
Justin Westhoff and the Power felt the pain often in 2016. Picture: AFL Photos
The review started with an internal belief that while the components were at hand, the way they had been put together was not quite right.
Moreover, it was underpinned by an understanding that the 2013 version Hinkley took over and skipper Travis Boak first led was a completely different beast.
Although there no longer existed the gulf in leadership Hinkley found when he arrived, problems arose when the high-achieving duo’s habits did not change quickly enough between 2013-16 to reflect the club’s growth and, in a business sense, maturity.
Both finished last season tired, observers describing the skipper as “cooked” after his efforts to remain a conduit between a sometimes-confused playing group and frustrated senior club officials.
The confusion had come as more and more elements were added to a once-simple game plan in an effort to get the team firing again.
Losing – despite enormous effort – caused frustration, and everyone in the football department was mentally and physically drained.
During an off-season trip to the United States, Boak and a few teammates watched the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks train, noting with interest how much fun the players were having.
A commitment was made to bring enjoyment back to training.
Although the players respected Hinkley’s uncompromising nature and direct feedback, they missed seeing some of the coach’s smiling side.
The coach, who had absorbed much of the pressure of the past two years, began to listen.
Hinkley was open to change – and to evolving as a leader and coach.
Experienced midfielder Brad Ebert reinforced the point on radio station 5AA recently, noting the coach “has tried to adjust a little bit to the playing group. [He’s] enjoying his job and enjoying what he is doing. The ability to have a bit of fun with the boys as well has really improved.”
Assistant coach Matthew Nicks became senior assistant and took more responsibility for the pre-season training program, allowing Hinkley more one-on-one time with his players.
Hinkley has been freed up to talk to his troops. Picture: AFL Photos
Anything in the football program considered beyond its use by date was discarded, as Hinkley became more open to suggestions about positional changes, using his experience to assess their merits with an open mind.
Could Charlie Dixon pinch-hit in the ruck? Should Hamish Hartlett run off half back? Could Chad Wingard fulfill a desire to push into the midfield?
Coaching sessions with players were taped and reviewed to engender improvement and sharpen communication.
The concept of mindfulness became a priority, with players encouraged to remain in the moment – rather than drifting towards possible outcomes – which fostered a more positive mindset.
Gerard Murphy, who worked with Hinkley when he was an assistant coach during a premiership era at Geelong, was recruited to run the leadership program. This took the load off football manager Chris Davies, allowing him to narrow his focus.
Players already had a voice, but they now had a better-managed forum to express it.
Training became shorter and sharper, the focus on kicking as a major area improvement.
Coaches identified specific kicks for specific moments, aiming to register a small percentage increase in execution.
Instead of having match simulation meander along, specific passages of play were repeated again and again at different tempos, with the squad being taught when to go fast in attack, as was its habit, and when it was OK to slow play down.
At times, the squad split into two so all players could participate in the same drill either side of the ground. This resulted in improved execution and skills and allowed more opportunities for players to kick during training.
More game-based training took players into positions that forced them to make decisions about their kicking.
The shift in the game to developing power-based athletes saw players do more explosive running, with metres covered per minute just one of the measures gaining precedence.
After all, the game had changed markedly since 2014, when uncapped interchange rotations were still in place.
Port’s defensive set-up, thought to have pressed too high at times in the past two years, was also simplified.
List changes helped shift the dynamic too, with ex-Bombers Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries returning from their season-long bans, and new faces Joe Atley, Willem Drew, Brett Eddy, Todd Marshall and Sam Powell-Pepper replacing John Butcher, Cam O’Shea, Alipate Carlile, Kane Mitchell and Paul Stewart.
The departing stalwarts were popular among teammates, but the coach had ridden many of them hard in 2016. Although their ability limited them at times, the coach’s intense glare had worn their teammates down.
Paddy Ryder’s return has given Port new impetus. Picture: AFL Photos
The club’s return to the draft after a couple of years spent shopping at the trade table brought new energy too, with Powell-Pepper (pick 18) the most obvious reward from that to date.
Ryder returned to the ruck, Jackson Trengove headed forward and Jared Polec’s availability (after just two games in 2016) because of a foot injury has provided some run.
The additions have also allowed Robbie Gray to push forward (he kicked six goals and had 30 touches in round two), while the understated Ollie Wines’ form was comparable to Richmond’s Dustin Martin in the first two rounds, earning him 18 coaches votes to make him equal leader with Essendon’s Zach Merrett.
It’s way too early to make any rash predictions, for missing finals might yet become Port Adelaide’s lot in 2017. However, lots of little changes appear to be adding up to marked improvement.
But everyone – from the chairman/breakfast television show host making big statements to the quietly-spoken Powell-Pepper – appears to be benefiting.
When Hinkley spoke to AFL.com.au in February, he said some aspects of what the club faced reminded him of his time with the Cats, before they put it together in 2007 after a crisis-inducing 2006 season.
“We’re looking to emerge a little bit more from that shadow of not quite [being] sure who we are,” he said.  
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