Robert Walls | March 22, 2008
AS WE enter round one of a new season, 10 of the biggest names in football do so with fear and trepidation. As footballers, their careers, reputations and self-esteem are at risk. Some have been slowed down by age and injury. Others have not gone to the next level as was expected. The list is full of premiership players, All-Australians, best-and-fairest winners and club captains. Some will never reach their previous heights of glory and will be frustrated bit players. Some will leave the league in the next 12 months and, hopefully, some will resurrect their careers. They are:
JASON AKERMANIS Western Bulldogs
"AKA" admits he has played "crap" football over the past two seasons. At 31, he can't afford a third season of ordinary football, or it will be all over. And that would be a shame for the Bulldogs, who have invested heavily in the triple premiership player from the Brisbane Lions. It's time for Aka to shut his mouth and let his football do the talking. In his first season with the Dogs, too often he ran at half-pace and waited out wide to receive. Time to win his own ball and the respect that will come from doing that.BRENDAN FEVOLA Carlton
"FEV" is 27 and into his 10th season. Despite that, he has not learnt much. Too many selfish and stupid on- and off-field acts have tarnished his and his club's reputation. One more muck-up and he is out. I doubt he has the discipline to control himself, so don't expect Fevola to wear the navy blue jumper for much longer.BARRY HALL Sydney
"BIG Bad" endured a frustrating 2007 season. His numbers were down in all areas, as his body failed him. A long rest, surgery and a relinquishing of the responsibilities of captaincy might freshen Hall up for one more tilt as being a dominant forward, but I wouldn't bet on it. At 31 and with a lot of miles on the clock, the big fella seems to have lost the ability and the desire to win contested ball. Too often, he leads too wide to non-dangerous areas of the ground.LUKE BALL St Kilda
IT IS a massive year in the career of the 23-year-old Saints midfielder. Injuries have restricted him, as they have Chris Judd and Luke Hodge, the two young men he shared top billing with in the famous 2001 national draft. The bottom line is that the other two are way ahead of him six years down the track. Judd is a superstar, Hodge is a star and Ball is neither. To be, Ball has to build a bigger motor and kick more goals.NATHAN BROWN Richmond
I LOVED watching Brown play at his best. He had balance, poise, smarts, attitude and was lethal on that left foot. Then he broke his leg. It was tragic for all, especially the Tigers, who had invested heavily. The horrific injury cost Brown two years of his prime. Now, aged 30, can the former Bulldog excite us once more? There were promising signs late last year. However, if Brown's body doesn't allow him to perform at his best, he could walk away from the game, as I doubt the proud footballer would settle for second-best.JOSH FRASER Collingwood
IT'S hard to believe that it was more than eight years ago that the kid from Mansfield was taken by the Pies as the No. 1 draft pick. And we still don't know whether he is better than a "good, ordinary player." He often looks laconic. Fraser is smart and skilled, but is he desperately determined to spend all he has got for the Magpie cause? For a player entering his ninth season, too many questions hang over his head.CHRIS TARRANT Fremantle
"TARRANT the tease", is what could well be written on this man's football epitaph when his playing days are over. In a career that has spanned more than a decade, plenty has been promised, but not much delivered. In crunch games, he has failed to perform well and kick the vital goals. As a prime forward focus, he has averaged fewer than two goals a game, primarily because he seeks the easy ball out wide on the wings, rather than in the tougher, more dangerous centre corridor. In his debut season with the Dockers, where he missed one game, Tarrant didn't feature in his team's top 10. Disappointing, that.WARREN TREDREA Port Adelaide
THE Port Adelaide skipper used to be a superstar. Now he is not. For a decade, Tredrea was the focus of his team's forward line. Now he is not. Despite leading his team into last year's grand final, Tredrea was embarrassed with his output. Knee injuries robbed him of his leap and flexibility. The four-time All-Australian and triple best-and-fairest couldn't make his team's top 10. For a man who prides himself on his achievements, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow. From now on, he will be pretty much anchored to the goal square. If he can adapt to his new role, he could be good for three years; if not, there will be great memories to look back on.MICHAEL GARDINER St Kilda
AT HIS best was a gun ruckman and better than handy forward. That was a long time ago. In fact, it was back in 2003, when he made All-Australian. Since then there have been dozens of downs and few ups. Eyebrows were raised last year when St Kilda punted on the former Eagle. Foot injuries prevented him from playing a senior game. His career looked over, but coach Ross Lyon kept the faith and kept the giant on the list. But surely it is now or never. If Gardiner doesn't contribute in at least a dozen games in 2008, it has to be arrivederci.ADEM YZE Melbourne
THE Demon utility will need a minor miracle to occur to ensure 2008 isn't his 14th and final season in the big time. Melbourne has half a dozen players the wrong side of 30. Yze is one of them. New coach Dean Bailey will have a close look at the oldies and tip most of them at season's end. Yze a year ago was on track to beat Jim Stynes' most games consecutively played record but fell in a hole and played only eight senior games. He has dedicated the best part of his life to the Demons. It is hoped he can end his career on a high.
