2011 opens with controversy

Happy New Year AussieRulesBloggers!

This morning we have cause to remember a TV documentary, The Draft, that aired around eleven years ago.

In that documentary, shining a light inside the 1998 AFL National Draft, three players were highlighted — Adam Ramanauskas, Des Headland and Brendan Fevola.

Headland was taken at #1 by Brisbane with a priority pick, Ramanauskas at #12, the Bombers’ second pick, and Fevola at #38.

In a result reminiscent of Michael Apted’s famous 7 up series of TV documentaries, Ramanauskas was clearly the most level-headed of the trio.

Fast-forward to early 2011 and all three players have had their ups and downs.

Headland was a prominent member of Brisbane’s 2002 Premiership team, was traded to Fremantle at the end of 2002 and otherwise had a fairly chequered career defined by inconsistency for a total of 117 games.

Ramanauskas, a Premiership player in 2000, is a revered elder statesman of the Bombers and a shining example to those battling adversity, having twice returned to the field following cancer treatment. Ramanauskas has been a prominent member of the Bombers’ game-day support team since his retirement at the end of 2008 with a  total of 163 games.

Fevola is a two-time competition leading goalkicker and three-time All Australian. One of the competition’s best key position forwards, Fevola has never been far from controversy and this continues into 2011. We can only wonder what part his personality has played in his on-field success — and controversies — and dream of what he might have achieved without it. Aussie Rules immortality perhaps?