Comments we can do without

by MICHAEL STEVEN

IN Australia ignorance is no excuse.

Those of us in Melbourne will know that Dwayne Russell has quickly become one of the higher profile AFL callers and commentators. But why? His overly dramatic calling is more suited to 3AW and his after match comments seem to show why he never actually made it as a player. He doesn't understand the game.

A beautiful example of his inability to understand what happens on the ground was broadcast on Channel 9's Sunday morning football show. Russell said that although Anthony Rocca played OK he did not influence the result.

After Port Adelaide's initial four goal onslaught in the first 10-15 minutes, Anthony Rocca was taken off the bench and placed at centre half forward. He then had eight kicks, nine handballs, five marks, three tackles and no clangers. He was awarded two free kicks but gave none away. He drove the ball into the 50 metre zone five times and cleared it from defence three times. And these statistics do not show the 30 metre pin point punch to Glen Freeborn which resulted in a goal to Leon Davis or the clever overhead tap on to Tarkyn Lockyer which resulted in another goal after some power running by Collingwood's first year half back Ryan Lonie.

Rocca took a mark in the goal square and calmly handballed it over his head to Leon for another. He broke packs open throughout the game to enable others to exploit the Magpies significant pace advantage. And furthermore he completely changed the set up of Port's backline which was so dominant before Rocca entered the fray. Collingwood outscored Port Adelaide by five goals when Rocca was on the ground. Port outscored Collingwood by four goals to nothing when Rocca was not on the ground.

You might have a nice sounding voice Dwayne but stick to calling games, not commenting on them, please.

Editor's note: And another thing Dwayne. Stop calling Damien Peverill "Sniffer". It's not funny.

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