How to play on one leg: Birchall

Hawthorn Grant Birchall in full flight working onto his penetrating left boot. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GRANT Birchall is renowned for having one of most penetrating left-foot kicks in the AFL.

But the Hawthorn defender has been hiding a dark secret.

"I kick left, but absolutely everything else I do is right," Birchall said.

"I'm not sure where my left foot came from, to be honest.

"My dad played quite a bit of footy when he was younger, but he was a right-footer and a completely different player to what I am.

"So I'm not sure. I might just be one out of the box, I think."

Surely not everything else is done right-handed, such is his proficiency with the left foot.

"Everything," Birchall said.

"I played basketball as a kid and dribbled right-handed, shot right-handed. I play golf right-handed. In backyard cricket I bat and bowl right-handed.

"It's really bizarre. I don't know where the left peg came from, absolutely no idea."

The 25-year-old goes as far as to admit he never felt comfortable kicking with his right foot during his junior days and it still feels unnatural.

Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

It shows. Champion Data stats reveal Birchall had 277 kicks last season, but just three with his right foot.

It was similar in 2011: 327 kicks, four on his right.

Compare him with teammate Sam Mitchell - apparently a right-footer - who Champion Data says is the most balanced player in the AFL based on kicking foot.

Last year Mitchell kicked more times on his non-preferred foot - 125 of his 240 kicks were on his left foot (note: Champion Data says the stats don't include quick kicks out of the bottom of a pack).

Birchall said: "I'm more comfortable now obviously (on the right) because I've practised it a fair bit at training.

"But it's never come naturally. I'd always go left side, all the time.

"Until you practise it and get used to kicking on the opposite foot, it doesn't feel right."

Issues with his right foot aside, Birchall's left boot remains a lethal weapon in Hawthorn's attacking arsenal.

The half-back hits targets from 55m with consummate ease and his ability to kick a goal from outside the arc makes him a difficult opponent to mark.

So what's the secret? Leg weights?

"Not a lot of leg weights. It's just all come naturally, I think," Birchall said.

"I always used to kick the footy in the backyard. Every day when I came home from school, I'd go into the backyard and kick the footy around.

"I was always training and just continually kicking a footy, so that might be a reason why."

EVERY footballer has an idol growing up and Birchall was no different.

"I was a Saints supporter, so I just loved Robert Harvey," he said. "I just loved the way he went about it. I used to watch him all the time.

"I stayed up late for those Brownlow nights as a kid and was really excited to see whether he won it or not."

Harvey remains Birchall's idol, but the Hawk said he had never met the dual Brownlow medallist.

"He's got the same manager as I have, but I've never run in to him," he said.

"It would absolutely give me a buzz if I got to meet him. It'd bring back a lot of memories from when I was a kid. Most of my family are all pretty big fans of the Saints, so I'd love to meet him one day and have a chat."

Ironically, Birchall played a key role in Harvey's AFL farewell, picking up 23 disposals in the 2008 preliminary final win against St Kilda - Harvey's last game.

"But we cheered him off and that was pretty cool," he said.

Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

The next week Hawthorn defeated Geelong to win its first flag since 1991. Not surprisingly Birchall rates it as his most memorable career moment.

The Hawks have since failed to beat the Cats in nine consecutive outings.

Asked if a win against Geelong was a mental hurdle the Hawks needed to clear in order to win another flag, Birchall laughed.

"Maybe it'd be a bit of a mental release so that everyone can get off our backs," he said.

But he turned serious when talking about playing Chris Scott's men in Round 1.

"We always really look forward to playing against them, but they've just always, for some reason, found that little bit extra or that little bit of class or experience, whatever it might be, to get over the top of us," Birchall said.

"There's been a fair bit of talk about it obviously, and we've got them first-up this year.

"Hopefully we can get the job done against them. We're due."

Birchall said he had not been able to bring himself to watch a replay of last year's Grand Final loss to Sydney. The memories, he said, weren't pleasant.

In contrast, it is no surprise he has watched the DVD of the 2008 triumph several times.

Birchall said the plan this year was "absolutely" to add another Grand Final DVD to his collection, which places pressure on him and his club.

The pressure would have been there anyway on an individual level, given his 2012 season culminated in him making his first All-Australian team.

Birchall said it was a huge honour to be named alongside some of the greats of the modern game, but you sense the tag of "All-Australian" doesn't sit comfortably with him.

"I just want to be a good teammate and do my bit for the side," he said.

"I'm not really fussed about all the other stuff. If it comes, fantastic, but if it doesn't then it doesn't faze me at all."

Birchall acknowledged the pressures that came with the need to back up with an even better season.

"There's always pressure to perform," he said. "So I guess that's the challenge for me this year, to try and repeat and have an even better year than last year. I'm looking forward to that in a way, but there's always a little bit of pressure on everyone to perform each week or otherwise you're under the spotlight."

BIRCHALL is a happy Hawk. He signed a three-year deal last year tying him to the club until the end of the 2015 season.

But if he were born in another time, a time when a team from his native Tasmania played in the AFL, you get the feeling he would be tempted to leave.

"I'd absolutely love to see a Tassie side in the AFL," he said.

"I reckon it would be fantastic for the competition, but just to sustain it on the financial side of things would obviously be difficult."

The hypothetical debate in Tasmania is where a team would be based if it was to ever come to fruition.

Hobart is the capital, but Launceston has always been the state's AFL home, hosting Hawthorn several times a year for more than a decade and St Kilda in the early 2000s.

Given the links with the Hawks and the fact he was born and raised just outside the northern town of Devonport, Birchall is happy to nominate Launceston.

"I'm pretty comfortable with Aurora Stadium up north, so it'd be nice if it was based there," he said. "But I couldn't complain either way, I guess. If it just happened, it would be great for the competition.

"There's always that little bit of rivalry between the north and south. But I think, at the end of the day, if it did happen, everyone would get around it."

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Poke in the eye for rich clubs

Carlton pokie king Bruce Mathieson when asked about the Bulldogs' proposed plan: "I don't know anything about it - but it doesn't seem right to me." Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON would be the biggest loser under a radical "pokies tax" scheme proposed by the cash-strapped Western Bulldogs.

The plan would see the spoils of bumper gaming revenues shared by all AFL clubs.

The proposal comes after the AFL this week proposed a fan tax to charge supporters more to attend blockbuster matches.

In a submission to the league released by the Dogs yesterday, the club said: "The growth in scale of, and dependency on, poker-machine revenue in AFL clubs, and the growing revenue differentials between larger and smaller Victorian franchises in this area, have been to the detriment of the competition.

"The Western Bulldogs believe that a system in which club poker machine profits over a certain proportion of gross club revenue were contributed to a common pool for equitable distribution, would be a preferable model for a 'luxury tax' and might have the additional benefit of reducing the incentive of clubs to increase their own dependence, and their fans' exposure, to poker machine use."

The Bulldogs control just 45 poker machines compared with Carlton's arsenal of 360 gaming machines.

Rivers of gold are flowing into Visy Park thanks to the five pokies venues gifted to the club by pokies king and Blues powerbroker Bruce Mathieson.

The club's annual report reveals revenues from gaming topped $4.5 million last year and will soar again this year because of changes to legislation.

Asked about the Bulldogs' plan yesterday, Mr Mathieson said: "I don't know anything about it - but it doesn't seem right to me."

"But I'll leave it up to the club. They actually own the licences," Mathieson said.

Nine out of 10 Victorian AFL clubs control gaming machines.

North Melbourne, which has adopted a no-gambling policy under president James Brayshaw, is the only club without them.

Hawthorn's single pokies venue - Vegas at Waverley Gardens - is one of Victoria's most profitable.

Punters lost $11.69 million there last year.

Another Bulldogs proposal involves the centralisation of some funds derived from the sale of club memberships.

But the Dogs said they were opposed to a luxury tax on football department spending.

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Fasolo, Goldsack get through

Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo in full flight during the Magpies intra-club match. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD assistant coach Robert Harvey has praised the return of Tyson Goldsack and Alex Fasolo from injury in yesterday's intra-club match.

Fasolo (foot) and Goldsack (knee) had their first hitout of the pre-season in warm conditions at Victoria Park as the Magpies prepared for next week's trip to Perth.

Harvey also singled out recruits Ben Kennedy and Adam Oxley. "I think everyone had their moments, particularly a few of the young guys," Harvey said.

"It was good to see Adam Oxley do well, and Ben Kennedy was pretty good.

"Alex Fasolo and Tyson Goldsack coming back from injury were really good as well.

"There was a lot to like about everything we saw so now we've got to keep chipping away and getting better."

With the temperature hitting 32C in Melbourne yesterday, Harvey said the Magpies had chosen to play in the heat to prepare for the likely conditions they would face next Sunday.

The Magpies take on West Coast at Patersons Stadium in their second-round NAB Cup clash. "We deliberately played at this time because it's something that we may face potentially next week," Harvey told collingwoodfc. com.au

"I just think it was a pretty good hitout in tough conditions and we stepped it up a bit today."

Key forward Quinten Lynch kicked four goals, including three in the first quarter.

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Roos pass early test

North Melbourne finish the NAB Cup triple-header against Melbourne and Richmond undefeated while the Tigers prove too good for the Demons.

Kangaroos ruckman Majak Daw soars high above Melbourne big man Mark Jamar. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

A GOAL in the last minute against Richmond handed North Melbourne a double dose of that winning feeling last night to start its season.

Aaron Black, who played only four games last year, maintained his composure to steer through a set shot from 40m with 40 seconds left of a thrilling shootout at Etihad Stadium.

It was the first time the Kangaroos had been in front since veteran Brent Harvey booted a goal in the opening minutes of the third game of the triangular NAB Cup opening round.

North Melbourne benefited from the rest after holding on to edge Melbourne by two points in the first match.

Richmond, which beat the Demons by 15 points in game two, came oh so close to going home with the 2-0 record after a quick kick from Shane Edwards was offline for a behind with eight seconds left.

Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

The Roos' tall targets looked ominous. Significantly, Drew Petrie, Robbie Tarrant and Lachie Hansen managed goals against the Demons to underline the danger.

And the trio were given plenty of room to run on to a pass or work one-out with opponents, with a crumbing forward, such as Harvey or Lindsay Thomas, the only other teammate inside the forward 50 for most of the night.

Tiger fans had plenty to cheer - such as an early break from the centre when Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin shared the ball to find Jack Riewoldt on the lead for the opening goal of their first game against the Dees.

There was an urgency and hardness from the Tigers at the ball and the ball-carrier, from players such as Shane Tuck and Steven Morris.

Richmond should have put Melbourne to the sword by far more than 15 points.

The eager Tigers dominated possession, but were wasteful as much as the Demons defence stood firm, particularly in the second half.

They finished with a lopsided 26-12 inside-50 advantage, but the winning margin was inflated by Bashar Houli's first-half nine-pointer.

Melbourne seemed poised to pinch the opening game against the Roos after rebounding around the city wing in the final seconds.

Jeremy Howe marked just outside 50 and a super-goal would have done the trick. But he chipped a pass to new boy Dean Kent, who didn't get the chance to give off the ball to someone outside 50 as the final siren sounded.

At least the recruit from country Western Australia went back and slotted the goal from 45m to cut the margin to two points.

The Demons' new key forward Chris Dawes didn't get many opportunities and was generally double-teamed every time he ventured to a contest. But he worked hard and was rewarded in the second half against the Roos when he helped set up a Howe goal.

Demons coach Mark Neeld said later they had to find a way to give the former Magpie quicker delivery.

Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

NORTH MELBOURNE with Gilbert Gardiner

NEW TRICKS
THE Kangaroos kamikaze style was again on display last night with Shaun Atley and Ben Jacobs pivotal in its execution. Not only was Jacobs used as the go-to man coming out of defence, he drifted forward, setting up goals while kicking a super goal of his own.

YOUNG BLOOD
MAJAK Daw provided the first highlight of the night taking a classic pack mark early against Melbourne. The Sudanese-born developing ruckman also set up a Kangaroos super goal with a deft tap to skipper Andrew Swallow charging out of a stoppage. Daniel Currie showed plenty against Richmond dominating the hit outs 12-7.

SUPERCOACH
DEFENDER Sam Wright ($395,700) got plenty of the football against Melbourne last night. He picked up 12 touches at 91 per cent efficiency. Jacobs ($309,200) showed promise while Swallow ($585,100) dominated in the clinches.

Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE

NEW TRICKS
MELBOURNE took a liking to bombing the ball inside 50 towards marking targets Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes and young gun Jesse Hogan. Shannon Byrnes and Aaron Davey looked dangerous swooping on the spillages off half forward.

YOUNG BLOOD
JACK Viney lived up to the hype charging into packs and winning his own ball last night. Key forward Jesse Hogan, 18, not eligible to play senior footy until 2014, stamped his authority with strong marks and a classic goal.

SUPERCOACH
HIGH-flying Demon Jeremy Howe ($423,400) provided a strong marking target inside the arc while WAFL product Dean Kent ($109,500) was solid in the midfield. Viney ($109,500) is an obvious investment at rock bottom price.

Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

RICHMOND

NEW TRICKS
NOT a lot different about how the Tigers went about their business last night with Trent Cotchin and Co in the midfield seeking out spearhead Jack Riewoldt. Bachar Houli provided heaps dash off half back.

YOUNG BLOOD
ONBALLER Nick Vlastuin was the pick of the Tiger cubs holding his own against Melbourne. Defender Steven Morris picked up where he left off last year using his speed to break the lines. Dustin Martin provided plenty of spark out of the midfield setting up many of the Tigers' attacking bursts.

SUPERCOACH
VLASTUIN ($159,500) is a steal as a dual position (midfield/defender) player. The young gun attacked the contest hard winning his share of clearances. Tigers star Brett Deledio ($624,100) had the ball on a string while Ivan Maric ($606,900) dominated the stoppages last night.

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Dees delight with young trio

Melbourne players mob Jesse Hogan after he kicked his first goal, a corker from deep in the pocket. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CAN you imagine the sense of relief when the guillotine jams inches short of your neck?

When all you hear is the dry click in the chamber instead of the bullet you expected?

Melbourne fans have lived that experience this week, fretting over their club's very existence until the tanking saga came to a comical, grinding halt.

Of course lightning rarely strikes twice, so it was too much to think the Demons could conjure a NAB Cup victory in their first hitout of the year.

Getty Images Source: Getty Images

But for Melbourne fans last night, there was not only cause for hope, there was reinforcement of what they would have lost had the tanking inquiry been quick and lethal.
Melbourne had the chance for a Jimmy Bartel-Joel Selwood style supergoal to snatch a win against North Melbourne when draftee Dean Kent marked 40m out with the Dees eight points down in the dying seconds of game one.

He failed to handball to a teammate outside 50, instead taking the six-point option.

But the short-term pain was quickly replaced by the dawning reality that draft stars Jack Viney, Jimmy Toumpas and Jesse Hogan will be immense for this club for the next 12-14 years.

It was that trio the Demons could have lost had tanking's smoking gun been quickly found, robbing Melbourne of its 2012 national draft picks.

Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

The trio lit up Etihad Stadium in different ways. Viney had his nose in the trough as an inside midfielder, No.4 pick Toumpas kicked a polished goal and sparkling leading forward Hogan frustrating fans only in that he cannot play AFL until next year.

Melbourne still has plenty of issues that need addressing, including a disposal imbalance of minus 76 against their opponents in 80 minutes of footy.

The energy of that first game fell away against a polished Richmond side. But last night, as Jack Watts steadied the ship at centre half-back, Chris Dawes led to some clever spots and the Demons surged back against North, the first-game fight was just about enough.

It was that kind of night, with enough to like from all three clubs in the disjointed triple-header format where only the first game matches teams of equal levels of fatigue.

The night was alive until the final seconds, as Richmond's Shane Edwards failed with the triple-header's last possession to snatch back the lead against North Melbourne.

While Melbourne was dodging the tanking bullet, the Roos were forging ahead with key re-signings, and the hits kept coming last night.

Recruits Ben Jacobs and Jordan Gysberts showed plenty, Sam Wright and Shaun Atley look ready to step up again, and Majak Daw's continued highlights showed he has what it takes at this level.

His soaring defensive mark might have been the night's highlight, until in the second game he ran at Richmond's Steven Morris, left him reeling with a don't-argue, then goaled on the run from 30m.

North beat Melbourne without much impact from Drew Petrie or Brent Harvey and with Daniel Wells absent, then that trio stepped up in the win against Richmond.

The Tigers did just enough against Melbourne, and when they was 13 points up 17 minutes into the game against the Roos, they looked a good thing.

Soon they had lost the lead, but Dustin Martin looked trim, hungry and dangerous, and Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio all took control at times.

Of perhaps more interest was first-round draft pick Nick Vlastuin's classy blind turn and attack on the footy, and Tyrone Vickery's encouraging return after a season ruined by shoulder issues.

The Tigers lost another close game, but on a night when the three games were decided by just 21 points, everyone went home happy.

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Anti-Nixon vibe no joke

No joke: Former footballer and sports agent Ricky Nixon is to perform his stand-up routine "Chicken Train" at the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne. Picture: Josie Hayden Source: Leader

It's been no comedy routine in the real world for Ricky Nixon in the past few years. Picture: Derrick Den Hollander Source: Herald Sun

RICKY Nixon can only laugh at the reaction since it became public he would do stand-up comedy gigs in Melbourne next month.

There has been a caustic outpouring from many local comedians, and a move from Melbourne International Comedy Festival organisers to distance themselves from his show.

Some comedians have privately welcomed him, and yet others have welcomed the chance to write new material about him.

"I didn't anticipate the industry reaction," Nixon said.

"I haven't even stood up to tell a single joke yet and some people have rushed to demean me and slag off at me. Some comedians grizzled and moaned and felt the need to have a crack and make it personal."

In the meantime he has had contact from the Gold Coast, Perth and Adelaide trying to organise gigs, and an offer to book a series of shows in Bali. His list of Facebook friends has grown from 300 to almost 3000.

On Thursday, at the exact same time the Melbourne comedy festival was officially being launched at the Arts Centre, Nixon was across town at the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne working on knocking the rough edges off his novice "Chicken Train" routine.

It includes anecdotes from his AFL playing days with Carlton, St Kilda and Hawthorn and his time as a player agent managing the likes of Gary Ablett Snr, Wayne Carey and Ben Cousins.

Radical tax footy's hot seat

But there is also a more solemn section of the show, in which he discusses his personal crises and how his life spiralled out of control.

"This exercise is not about me trying to make a career as a comedian. I'm trying to be me and give an insight of what I've been through and hopefully at the same time people can come along and have a laugh," the 49-year-old said.

"I want to try to get across what I've been through and that I can laugh at myself. And to get across that I know there's no one else to blame for the situation I was in other than myself."

Nixon said he believed baring his soul before an audience would help him get on with the next phase of his life.

"I realised that if I was going to get my health, my ambition and my values back I had to take on something that was going to be a big challenge.

"It's actually about doing what Australians used to do well, and that is to have a go. Because these days the preoccupation seems to be about having a go at someone rather than just having a go.

"It's two years since I made the mistake of going to a hotel room when I shouldn't have, and people still want me to pay the price. Well I'm getting down from the cross because somebody else needs the wood.

"Nobody's been kicked in the head over the past two years more than I have, but I'm trying to move on with my life and do it by having a laugh at myself.

"(Former Richmond player) Matthew Richardson taught me the greatest part of this whole exercise, and that is that when Richo decided to start laughing at himself every one else began to laugh along with him.

"He tells a very good story about missing a shot at training and some bloke yelling over the fence that he was the worst kick in the world. Richo replied 'Yeah I am' and it defused any angst or tension. And that's stuck with me."

Nixon's first show is at the Comic's Lounge on Sunday March 24 at 2.10pm. Tickets go on sale on Monday.

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Radical tax footy's hot seat

Possible 2014 full rollout: The AFL wants to trial variable pricing, where there are different prices for different games that are set, and dynamic pricing, where the price can change daily, weekly and even right up to match time.. Picture: Jay Town Source: Herald Sun

At low-demand games, premium seating could be offered for the price of a regular seat. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL will trial its radical blockbuster pricing strategy this season, with a view to it being implemented in 2014.

The league could not say what games would be affected this year, but AFL commercial operations chief Darren Birch has met clubs and will consult stadium and ticketing officials today.

While the league said clubs backed a new ticket structure, it is unclear if they all support the prospect that the extra revenue generated could go to poorer clubs as part of the AFL's club equalisation strategy.

Birch said the Collingwood-Essendon Anzac Day match - arguably the biggest game in the home-and-away season - would not necessarily be subject to variable pricing.

"We might say Anzac Day's a game where we don't do dynamic or variable pricing because there's only a small amount of tickets available to the general public because the members take up the majority of those tickets," he said.

Carlton, Richmond, Hawthorn and Geelong are other clubs that play blockbuster games likely to be affected by higher prices for some seat categories.

The league wants to trial variable pricing, where there are different prices for different games that are set, and dynamic pricing, where the price can change daily, weekly and even right up to match time.

Birch said the AFL wanted fans to buy memberships, which would remove the risk of gate price fluctuations.

The AFL's Birch revealed:

NOT all clubs would be involved in the ticket trial.

FOR blockbuster games, there could be up to 10 ticket price categories. At the MCG now, there are just two categories for non-finals.

SEVERAL seat category prices could increase at big games, but the worst seats could be cheaper.

AT low-demand games, premium seating could be offered for the price of a regular seat.

EARLY-BIRD buyers could be rewarded with cheaper prices.

THE new ticketing system could be in place next year.

Birch would not speculate on the size of possible ticket price hikes for blockbusters.

Signed form may save Dons

"The very, very, back seat on level four (at the MCG), which at the moment is $36, may actually be $30 or may actually be $25," he said.

Longmire 'wasted' MCG's best seat

"But, conversely, on the other side, a level-two seat on the 50m line under cover, which is a very good seat, at the moment sells for $47. That might be $60.

Swans produce a pair of Jacks

"It's not just about on your blockbusters whether you're able to generate more revenue. It's all about how do you give the best experience to fans across a whole range of games.

Kennett: Demetriou's time is up

"Prices will go up, prices will go down, even within the one game.

"If we get our pricing model right we'll provide more choice. You might not pay the same for the same seat. You might pay a little bit less for nearly as good a seat or you might pay a little bit more for a better seat that you've never had access to before."

Birch said the AFL was not in the business of ripping people off.

"We want to maximise attendances, we want to maximise the value proposition to our fans and we also want to make sure that we protect the members and fans who become members and commit early," he said.

"We also want to make sure that those who buy in advance get some degree of advantage.

"If they don't want the variability of pricing at the gate, the one way to absolutely ensure that is to become a member."

The AFL raised the variable pricing model in a paper on equalisation sent to clubs.

Geelong supported the concept, but Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the move would hit fans in the hip pocket.

Birch said a decision on where increased revenue from ticket reforms would go would be made later this year.

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Longmire 'wasted' MCG's best seat

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, left, lifts the premiership cup with captain Jarrad McVeigh after last year's grand final. Source: Herald Sun

JOHN Longmire is happy to concede he wasted the best seat in the house on Grand Final day.

As an enraptured crowd watched a thriller, the Sydney coach was locked in match-day mode.

What were his thoughts when Daniel Hannebery plunged into the mouth of the beast, marking against the flight as Sam Reid and David Hale simultaneously crunched him?

"I was just concerned he might have got himself injured," Longmire said.

And when Lewis Jetta turned on the afterburners, sprinting away from Cyril Rioli on the centre wing?

"I didn't notice it until after the game. It wasn't something I appreciated at the time," he said.

It was a mighty game, full of stunning achievements such as Buddy's brilliance; Mike Pyke's incredible last term; Adam Goodes' miracle goals on one leg; and Hannebury's constant last-term interventions.

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire shakes hands with the umpires before the grand final.

And it was up for grabs until Nick Malceski's sealer with 34 seconds remaining.

Longmire refused to exhale with relief until six seconds remained, when Hannebery intercepted a handball to parry Hawthorn's last attacking thrust.

Yet as the months since that game have unfolded, Longmire's appreciation for its sheer quality and drama has grown immeasurably.

Radical tax footy's hot seat

As Longmire says of Hannebury's mark: "It wasn't until you look back on it after the game that you realise what an incredible effort it was, going back against a ruckman and a centre half-forward.

"I look back on it and it was an incredible Grand Final from both teams, just having a crack and playing really good footy.

"It is amazing the difference 10 points can make or a couple of minutes of footy.

Sydney coach John Longmire, left, in a sea of red-and-white as the players celebrate the 2012 premiership.

"Hawthorn won some important stats, and both teams had momentum at times in the game, and it could so easily have gone either way."

But for all his team's extraordinary defensive intent and unrelenting pressure, Longmire is honest enough to admit this game was something of a heist given the amazing statistics that were in Hawthorn's favour.

Sydney has always conceded territory to opponents, but did Longmire think his side could win with a staggering 18 fewer inside-50s and only 38 per cent of game time in their forward half?

"Not really," he said.

"That's what keeps us on edge, the few areas of the game that we didn't get right.

"Some things went OK for us, and our players played an unbelievable pressure game of footy, with 110 tackles and some things went our way which were really important when you have statistics like that which don't go our way.

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, centre, with captain Jarrad McVeigh and Adam Goodes at the victory parade through George St, Sydney.

"Our pressure stats were so crucial and our ability to kick straight, too. We lost the contested ball really well, we lost clearances, and we lost inside-50s.

"But we make no apologies that over a long period of time we have had a strong focus on defence.

"We think that (type of) footy stands up in finals, and when you get numbers like that in a Grand Final from a defensive point of view, that's what we hang our hats on from week to week."

Longmire's concession stacks up with numbers hard to believe.

Champion Data stats show Sydney had a 5-19 centre-clearance imbalance, lost clearances 35-58, inside 50s 43-61, and had 18 more turnovers coming out of the back half than Hawthorn.

They also had five fewer scoring shots than Hawthorn - 21 (14.7) to 26 (11.15).

We make no apologies that over a long period of time we have had a strong focus on defence

So how did Sydney win it?

Through straight kicking, a game-plan based on pressure that dragged Hawthorn down to 43 per cent kicking efficiency and 40 forward-half turnovers, and 26 more total tackles ... and a bucketload of individual brilliance.

Take Canadian former rugby union star Pyke, whose herculean last quarter included the soccered kick forward that eventually allowed Malceski to kick the sealer.

"He rucked unchanged for 22 minutes (in the last term) and at one stage ran across to the boundary and it wasn't until he saw Mummy (the injured Shane Mumford) sitting there in the red vest that he realised there was no interchange for him, so he turned around and ran back on," Longmire said.

"From where he's come from four years ago never having seen an AFL game, what he has done is a real credit to him."

Or Ryan O'Keefe, whose 15 tackles, 28 touches and job on Sam Mitchell saw him win the Norm Smith ahead of Franklin (3.4 and 24 touches), McVeigh (21 touches, two goals) and Hannebery (29 possessions, one goal).

Longmire says now he can't split the three midfield stars on their performance.

"There were a few pretty close together. McVeigh is up there, and O'Keefe and Hannebery. Not in any particular order, but they all played great games," he said.

Look up the last two minutes on Youtube, admire Bruce McAvaney's stupendous call, and consider Hannebury's impact.

He picks Jordan Lewis's pocket at half-back with 2.05 minutes left, handballs to Malceski for the sealer, and twice is involved in the last passage of play when Hawthorn tries for that last hail Mary.

"His ability to do that in the course of the game but also to keep running as hard as he did deep into the last quarter was incredible," Longmire said.

"There was 34 seconds on the clock (after Malceski's goal put Sydney 10 points up), and I remember looking at the (coaches) box and there wasn't any celebration. When Hanners got that intercept with six seconds to go, I thought, that was it. It was the first time I relaxed."

He says now he was always confident Mumford would pass a fitness test on his hamstring, even if rumours of a late change swept the MCG on game morning.

"When he went off the training track I was concerned. But to the doctor and physio's credit they said he would be OK. And they said that when I asked them a number of times - on Thursday and again after the (Grand Final) parade on Friday, and he was.

"He went into the game not 100 per cent but in good enough to do a really good job for three and a bit quarters."

So why is John Longmire prepared to discuss the Grand Final triumph when a year before him Chris Scott would barely mention his side's 2011 premiership win.

Probably, because despite his admiration for the 44 players assembled that day, he has already moved on.

In fact, it took him less than 48 hours.

By the Monday after the Grand Final he was flying to interview Kurt Tippett, determined to improve his list.

By then, he had scrutinised those Grand Final statistics and realised his side needed to improve.

"I don't think (the premiership) changes what you should do the next year. I read a comment from Hawthorn that they needed to respond. Well it's a response from us, too. We know we need to get better and just because you won by 10 points doesn't mean you have an entitlement to sit back and relax.

"Obviously, it was a wonderful experience for us all, but it doesn't change the approach to the off-season."

The litmus test of his list's determination to go back to the well this year came on the first day of pre-season.

"For me it was the first group of players that came back. (Sam) Reid and Jetta and (Luke) Parker and Alex Johnson and Jed Lamb, the young kids came back in such good condition, and from the first training session they were up and going really well.

"You are not quite sure with younger players how they will respond and react and whether they will want to get better.

"It is great to achieve a premiership but it doesn't mean it will automatically happen again.

"To see those 19 and 20 year olds come back in good condition, it was a good sign."

Sydney might have its veterans in Goodes, McVeigh, O'Keefe, Ted Richards, Jude Bolton and co, yet the nucleus is young and promising.

And when you add Tippett, it is astounding that they are not prohibitive odds to repeat the dose.

Longmire is excited by that young group, even if other vibrant talents in Gary Rohan and Tom Mitchell, missed most of last season with injury and seem long-term projects.

Can Sydney improve?

"I hope so," Longmire said.

"First of all, you have got to, because history suggests everyone else does. But Reid is 21, Hannebery and Parker are 20 or 21, Lewis Jetta is still young. Josh Kennedy is still only 24.

"We think a number have still got really good footy ahead of them."

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Demetriou's time is up: Kennett

Former Victorian Premier and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says AFL chief Andrew Demetriou should consider stepping down from the top job. Picture: David Caird. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has launched a scathing attack on the culture of the AFL, declaring Andrew Demetriou's time as boss is up.

The former Premier last night made the call in the wake of the Melbourne tanking fallout and Essendon drugs investigation, which is still ongoing.

An impassioned Kennett lay the blame at the feet of Demetriou and said it was time for the AFL Commission to act.

"The culture is wrong - it needs improving ," Kennett said on Channel Nine's Footy Classified.

"It is a culture of defence and, at times, of intimidation.

"I think the AFL Commission should be seriously considering after 10 years , and because there have been these acts occurring on his watch, they should be addressing the culture."

Radical tax footy's hot seat

Kennett has long been a supporter of Demtriou.

But he said the time for change had become apparent over the past fortnight.

Signed form may save Dons

"I have always said publicly I get on with Andrew Demetriou - I like him and his style and believe 80 per cent they have done well.

"I think the halo has slipped dramatically over the last few weeks."

Kennett said Demetriou was responsible for the incidents that have tarnished the game in recent times.

"Andrew has been overseeing the culture for 10 years," he said.

"Gill (AFL second-in charge Gillon McLachlan), as his deputy, has been there most of that time.

"We're discussing issues now which are pulling the game apart."

McLachlan is seen by all to be Demetriou's successor when the chief executive position becomes vacant.

But Kennett, who has always believed people should not stay too long in the top job of any organisation, said it may take an outsider to clean up the mess.

"If I were the AFL Commission, I'd be advertising widely and encouraging as many to offer," he said.

"You might have to bring someone in to address the culture."

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Two years for Dees to pay fine

Dean Bailey cannot have any coaching or player role with Adelaide, where he is an assistant coach, for the first 16 rounds of the season.  Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE has been given two years to pay the $500,000 fine imposed on the club this week following an investigation into tanking claims.

The fine - the third biggest handed down in AFL history - will be paid in two instalments.

One-third of it is expected to be payable by the end of this year and the balance by the end of 2014.

An AFL spokesman said yesterday the league and Melbourne were working through the details of paying the fine.

"It will be paid in two payments," he said.

"It might be that two-thirds is paid this year and one-third next year or the other way around," the spokesman said.

"Details of the payment is still being worked out."

The fine will go into the AFL's consolidated revenue, and not to charity as some people have suggested.

Radical tax footy's hot seat

Melbourne revealed a modest profit of $19,000 for the 2012 season at the club's annual general meeting earlier this month.

Late club president Jim Stynes led campaigns to rid the club of its multi-million-dollar debt.

The AFL ruled after its seven-month investigation that Melbourne did not tank in 2009 to gain draft benefits.

Signed form may save Dons

But former Melbourne football department boss Chris Connolly and former coach Dean Bailey received suspensions for their involvement for acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the AFL.

Connolly, who ran the club's Foundation Heroes fundraising arm that has raised millions to bring Melbourne's debt under control, cannot work for Melbourne for 12 months, while Bailey cannot have any coaching or player role with Adelaide, where he is an assistant coach, for the first 16 rounds of the season.

It's understood that Connolly is a good chance of continuing his commentary role on Friday night football with ABC radio.

He has been given full support by his colleagues in the ABC's sports department.

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