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Star-track role a long trek for Kirk
22 August 2003 Herald Sun
By JON ANDERSON
IN TAGGING terms, the Brett Kirk-Nathan Buckley match-up is the AFL equivalent of the epic heavyweight clashes between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Big challenge: Swan Brett Kirk will face his greatest challenge when he pits his stopping skills against Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley.
Kirk and Buckley have been the best in their respective roles this year.
For Kirk, that has been to re-invent himself from a little-known flanker to the game's premier run-with player.
Kirk has come so far that there are those at Sydney still shaking their heads at his progress, while others push for his inclusion in the All-Australian side in a specialist role.
His career was effectively dead and buried after the 2001 season and while he'll never say it publicly, even coach Paul Roos thought Kirk would struggle.
On Saturday the super-fit commerce graduate will face his greatest challenge when he pits his stopping skills against Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley.
Kirk has taken them all on this year, the onball elite in the form of Peter Bell, Simon Black, Ben Cousins, Shane Crawford, Lenny Hayes, Kane Johnson, Nigel Lappin and Nick Stevens.
Some have taken him away from the action, such as Johnson and Crawford, but to date Kirk has shown no chinks in his armour.
"I'm not uncomfortable being taken into our defence," Kirk said yesterday when it was pointed out Buckley could do just that.
"My four key areas are concentration, discipline, focus and pressure."
Kirk displayed all of those attributes when pitted against Buckley at Telstra Dome in Round 6.
Buckley had 31 possessions and, while he played well, not many of his kicks and handballs were gathered without Kirk being on his ginger.
Those who saw that game would have seen the Magpie captain regularly tackled to the ground, something that Kirk is making an artform.
He leads the AFL in tackles with 112 (Docker Troy Cook is second on 94) and, unlike some of his ilk, still manages to get plenty of the ball.
"Buckley worked really hard, but at least I was on him a lot," Kirk said. "In fairness, he was still able to get his arms free."
Asked to nominate the onballers who run the most, Kirk can't separate Shane Crawford and Ben Cousins.
Kirk credits coach Paul Roos with helping him become a regular contributor.
"He has instilled a lot of confidence into my game," he said. "I'm enjoying my football and my role is helping the team so that is satisfying."
=====================================
In the commentary against the Lions, Dennis Commeti said that 'every week for Kirk is like a Star Trek.'
Dwayne Russell replies, "He used to be the Captain and now he is just a Cling-on."
BRILLIANT!!
Best line of the year
22 August 2003 Herald Sun
By JON ANDERSON
IN TAGGING terms, the Brett Kirk-Nathan Buckley match-up is the AFL equivalent of the epic heavyweight clashes between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Big challenge: Swan Brett Kirk will face his greatest challenge when he pits his stopping skills against Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley.
Kirk and Buckley have been the best in their respective roles this year.
For Kirk, that has been to re-invent himself from a little-known flanker to the game's premier run-with player.
Kirk has come so far that there are those at Sydney still shaking their heads at his progress, while others push for his inclusion in the All-Australian side in a specialist role.
His career was effectively dead and buried after the 2001 season and while he'll never say it publicly, even coach Paul Roos thought Kirk would struggle.
On Saturday the super-fit commerce graduate will face his greatest challenge when he pits his stopping skills against Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley.
Kirk has taken them all on this year, the onball elite in the form of Peter Bell, Simon Black, Ben Cousins, Shane Crawford, Lenny Hayes, Kane Johnson, Nigel Lappin and Nick Stevens.
Some have taken him away from the action, such as Johnson and Crawford, but to date Kirk has shown no chinks in his armour.
"I'm not uncomfortable being taken into our defence," Kirk said yesterday when it was pointed out Buckley could do just that.
"My four key areas are concentration, discipline, focus and pressure."
Kirk displayed all of those attributes when pitted against Buckley at Telstra Dome in Round 6.
Buckley had 31 possessions and, while he played well, not many of his kicks and handballs were gathered without Kirk being on his ginger.
Those who saw that game would have seen the Magpie captain regularly tackled to the ground, something that Kirk is making an artform.
He leads the AFL in tackles with 112 (Docker Troy Cook is second on 94) and, unlike some of his ilk, still manages to get plenty of the ball.
"Buckley worked really hard, but at least I was on him a lot," Kirk said. "In fairness, he was still able to get his arms free."
Asked to nominate the onballers who run the most, Kirk can't separate Shane Crawford and Ben Cousins.
Kirk credits coach Paul Roos with helping him become a regular contributor.
"He has instilled a lot of confidence into my game," he said. "I'm enjoying my football and my role is helping the team so that is satisfying."
=====================================
In the commentary against the Lions, Dennis Commeti said that 'every week for Kirk is like a Star Trek.'
Dwayne Russell replies, "He used to be the Captain and now he is just a Cling-on."
BRILLIANT!!
Best line of the year
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