AFL Rising Star Award: A Two Horse Race

In my opinion, the Rising Star award is obviously a two horse race between Luke Shuey and Dyson Heppell. Sure there are great talents who'se names will come up such as Zac Smith, Jack Darling, Jack Steven, David Swallow and Allen Christensen, but none of these players have had the same infleunce as Shuey and Heppell. There has also been a huge outcry, of whether the rules should be changed. This is because Shuey is a third year player, who has been crippled by injuries, and personaly problems, and and Heppell is a first year player.Eligibility criteria aside, anyone who thinks Heppell should win hasn't seen Shuey play enough. He is directly influencing results far more than Heppell. On the flipside it's also unfair to have a potential superstar ineligible to win the award because he was unlucky with injury in his first two seasons. An interesting point is that a Victorian judge for the rising star commented that he thought Heppell would win, simply becuase he hasnt seen Shuey play much as compared to Heppell. As a one eyed eagles fan, this does make me a little angry, as this clearly is not fair. As the award is called Rising star not rookie of the year award i think its unfair that because Shuey was unlucky and was injured and had personal trauma he should of never rised and become a star? The award is about break out seasons by players under 21 that havent been exposed to many afl senior games experience. My gut feeling is that Heppell will win it. Still, its not the be all and end all of existance, and I am sure Eagles fans have many good years to look forward to from the Shuperman.

Arsenal's New Signings- Will it Save Them?

Arsenal signed a number of new players, and I'm sure Arsene Wegner will hope it will add stability to Arsenal's already fragile line-up. Star midfielder Mikel Arteta, left back Andre Santos , centre back Per Metresacker and Israli international Yossi Benayoun and Chu Yung Park complete the signings for the gunners. While it may not solve Arsenal's problems, I beleive the signings were definately needed, as Arsenal were crying out for a solid influence down back. While i honestly dont beleive that the Gunners are a chance for the title, i think they can definately win back the respect of many people, when the were flogged by Man Utd. The season is definately not over.

Arsenal: On the Downward Spiral?

After Arsenals 8-2 flogging at the hands of Manchester United, it provoked a very spirited , and angry response from Arsenal fans, directed at both Arsene Wegner, and the inexperienced line-up that took to the pitch. For mine, the bulk of the blame has to go to Arsene. His refusal to spend the millions of $$$ that Arsenal received for the transfers of Clichy, Nasri, and Fabregas has resulted in the once mighty gunners getting an absolute flogging. Arsenal have gaping holes everywhere you look on the field. The only way to eradicate this problem, will be to spend big. I beleive their biggest problem is their non-existent back line. Number one on the shopping list, has to be a quality centre-back. Although, ill-discipline has been responsible for part of the problems this year. To add to this, Carl Jenkinson was red carded in this weekends game, which leaves another question mark for Wegner as he tries to figure out his replacement. Time will tell, but Arsenal really do seem to be looking very shaky at the moment.

The Weekend That Was: My Spin On All Things Sport (26th- 28th August)

Wow, what a intense sporting weekend. The Eagles just got over the line, The Wallabies skipped past The All Blacks, but the biggest sporting result for mine was Arsenal's 8-2 masscre at the hands of United! Ok, so we all knew Arsenal had major problems, given the recent departures of Fabregas and Nasri, but 8-2!?! Wow, looks like Arsenal are in much deeper water than everyone thought they were. Check out my next couple posts for more details on the weekend that was.