Team is almost all ME

Watching the last quarter of the Hawthorn v. Carlton game in round 22, it was hard to escape the conclusion that Brendan Fevola plays predominantly for himself. As the end of his football year crept ever closer, Fevola’s feverish, nay, almost manic, efforts to gain possession of the ball to kick his hundredth goal were almost comical — had they not been such a sad reflection on the man’s motivations.

At the other end, by way of contrast, was a more team-oriented player. Admittedly, with quarters and weeks to spare, Franklin could afford to be sanguine, but it’s difficult to imagine him making such a spectacle of himself.

I suspect Carlton will struggle to make a real impact on the competition while Fevola remains within their ranks. One selfish apple can taint the whole barrel — as the Tigers know to their cost.