Kirk's done enough for shot at All-Australian selection
30 July 2003 Herald Sun
By MICHAEL HORAN
BRETT Kirk is very much in contention for All-Australian selection, according to selector Gerard Healy.
Kirk, who last weekend cut another superstar down to size when he effectively blanketed Fremantle captain Peter Bell and amassed 18 possessions himself, to earn best afield status, is not out of the mix just because he is regarded primarily as a tagger.
Kirk, 27, held Bell to three possessions in the first half and 15 for the game to help the Swans to a 14-point win over the Dockers.
"We consider everybody, particularly blokes who have had outstanding seasons like him," Healy said yesterday.
"There's is no issue as such. There is really just one question: Who has had the best season for each and every position?
"As far as midfielders are concerned -- and he would come into the midfield group -- he obviously plays a different, distinctive role to a Voss or a Buckley and only fate will determine whether he continues to play as well on good players as he did last week.
"You can argue that Josh Carr did the same on Michael Voss (on Saturday night).
"All of those guys are worthy contenders and have had great seasons."
Traditionally, the star who shakes the tag and does his thing, rather than the stopper, has been the candidate for selection, but Healy insisted there was nothing to stop a tagger who has had a great year winning All-Australian honours.
Using Kirk as a prime example, Healy pointed out why.
"In some respects you can assess how well he plays far better than some other midfielders have gone," he said.
"If someone has had 30 possessions and kicked three goals and was up against someone who's had 30 and kicked two goals, a lot of people give both players votes, but with Kirk it's pretty easy to see how he's gone.
"That's why he is a player who already has been discussed highly at selection. If he continues this form, he will no doubt press for selection.
"Having said that, there is the issue of where does Brett Kirk play? Is he going to get the centre position? The answer to that is 'no'. That will be Nathan Buckley or Michael Voss or someone like that.
"But there are about four or five or six midfield positions, including a couple on the bench and there is no reason why he won't be considered for one of those positions."
30 July 2003 Herald Sun
By MICHAEL HORAN
BRETT Kirk is very much in contention for All-Australian selection, according to selector Gerard Healy.
Kirk, who last weekend cut another superstar down to size when he effectively blanketed Fremantle captain Peter Bell and amassed 18 possessions himself, to earn best afield status, is not out of the mix just because he is regarded primarily as a tagger.
Kirk, 27, held Bell to three possessions in the first half and 15 for the game to help the Swans to a 14-point win over the Dockers.
"We consider everybody, particularly blokes who have had outstanding seasons like him," Healy said yesterday.
"There's is no issue as such. There is really just one question: Who has had the best season for each and every position?
"As far as midfielders are concerned -- and he would come into the midfield group -- he obviously plays a different, distinctive role to a Voss or a Buckley and only fate will determine whether he continues to play as well on good players as he did last week.
"You can argue that Josh Carr did the same on Michael Voss (on Saturday night).
"All of those guys are worthy contenders and have had great seasons."
Traditionally, the star who shakes the tag and does his thing, rather than the stopper, has been the candidate for selection, but Healy insisted there was nothing to stop a tagger who has had a great year winning All-Australian honours.
Using Kirk as a prime example, Healy pointed out why.
"In some respects you can assess how well he plays far better than some other midfielders have gone," he said.
"If someone has had 30 possessions and kicked three goals and was up against someone who's had 30 and kicked two goals, a lot of people give both players votes, but with Kirk it's pretty easy to see how he's gone.
"That's why he is a player who already has been discussed highly at selection. If he continues this form, he will no doubt press for selection.
"Having said that, there is the issue of where does Brett Kirk play? Is he going to get the centre position? The answer to that is 'no'. That will be Nathan Buckley or Michael Voss or someone like that.
"But there are about four or five or six midfield positions, including a couple on the bench and there is no reason why he won't be considered for one of those positions."
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