Hard boiled's top 5 lairs Mark Stevens
From: Herald Sun
April 03, 2011 6:58PMTHE lair is alive. In an era of structures, processes and playing the percentages it is refreshing to know there are still renegades playing like it's 1985.
1. The Showboat filesTHE lair is alive.
In an era of structures, processes and playing the percentages it is refreshing to know there are still renegades playing like it's 1985.
Mitch Morton, god bless him, is the most recent example.
Deep in time-on in the final term, with Richmond needing a goal to get back in front, the ball was pumped to the top of the goalsquare.
Coaches these days want a fair contest. If the forward can not mark it within his limitations, they wanted it "spiked" to the ground to create chaos on the possibility of a lethal crumb.
Morton, still high on confidence after taking a hanger in the third term, tried to impersonate Michael "Disco" Roach and take mark of the year.
It was spectacular, yet stupid. Morton got nowhere near it and gave away a silly "in the back" free to St Kilda, which was able to clear it.
Make no mistake, the coach Damien Hardwick would have been furious.
But it is a careful balancing act. After Morton took mark of the night in the third, he should have gone back and slotted the goal from 40m. After all, he is a superb set shot.
Instead, as if he had messages from a string of coaches ringing in his ear, Morton took a risk and squared it to Trent Cotchin. It was nice team play, but "Cotch" missed.
If Hardwick is as sharp as we think he is, Morton would have copped no more than a quiet reminder of obligations to the team after the untimely last term fly.
It is that natural exuberance that makes Morton so unpredictable and dangerous ... and also the No.1. lair in the game.
Hard Boiled's top 5 lairs1. Mitch Morton (Richmond): For the reasons above. Carrying on Nathan Brown's legacy at Punt Rd.
2. Daniel Motlop (Port): Would rather try a reverse torp than a routine drop punt.
3. Jared Brennan (Suns): Spare us the one-handed stuff. You needed to do more last night.
4. Steve Johnson (Geel): Revels in doing the easy things the hard way. Good enough to get away with it.
5. Stephen Milne (St K): Loves kicking around corners. At his best when adventurous, like McEnroue when he was angry.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hard-boileds-top-5-lairs/story-e6frf9jf-1226032872578
