It’s Business Time!

As the 2011 AFL season draws towards a close, this weekend sees two massive knockout games which genuinely could go either way. Injuries play a massive part in trying to determine who will get over the line this week. There is nothing more frustrating than getting injured at key times and missing big games; I was pretty lucky when I was a player, but there were times when I played when I was probably lucky to get on the park. You know that those under an injury cloud will do everything that they possibly can to get out there, especially at finals time.
Buddy Franklin is probably the best power forward since Wayne Carey, and with his injury, Sydney will be confident of an upset victory. Roughead is already out injured, and big David Hale may have to settle down in the forward line. Buddy has been named in the side, but they have to prepare a contingency plan if he can’t get up for it. I would be playing Cyril Rioli out of full forward, at least for the first quarter, to try and spark some brilliance.
Ryan O’Keeffe is under a slight cloud for Sydney as well, but for the Bloods, the big story is Adam Goodes. 300 games under his belt, and the way he is running around at the moment, you would think he could notch up another 300! It’s a tribute to the big fella that he is still performing so well, in genuine Brownlow contention and leading his side deep into September. It’s gonna be a ripper of a game.
Meanwhile, one of my old clubs is heading out west to tackle the eagles in Perth. Carlton will miss Matty Kreuzer and Bryce Gibbs, but they do have depth in their squad, and whoever comes in will be desperate to do a good job. Zach Tuohy has got the nod, and his leg speed could be crucial on the big oval west; Carlton have plenty of depth in the talls department, and Warnock will be keen to show he can take the number one ruckman mantle this week after starring against Essendon. I am still surprised that Shaun Hampson wasn’t picked as well to try and minimise the effect of the eagle’s superstar ruckmen.
West Coast took the conservative approach in ruling Daniel Kerr out of last week’s loss to Collingwood, and in subbing Dean Cox after he hurt his back. Cox has returned to All-Australian form this year, and we all know how devastating Kerr can be when he is on song. I think that the Eagles have done the smart thing by wrapping their boys in cotton wool last week. I think that they will be too strong for the Bluebaggers, but if big Setanta kicks a couple early and Eddie Betts can get amongst the footy, don’t rule them out.
Honestly, I can’t see any of these teams seriously challenging Geelong or the Pies, but it’s still gonna be a great weekend of footy – it’s business time!

Corey McKernan played at the highest level of AFL for over a decade and was part of the North Melbourne Premiership teams in 1996 and 1999. Individually Corey won the AFLPA MVP Award in 1996 and also tied for the Brownlow that same year but was ineligible due to suspension. He is a former All Australian, Best and Fairest winner and leading goal kicker. Corey finished his career on 237 matches.

Corey McKernan proves that there is a life after professional sport for Australian athletes. Since retiring in 2005, he developed his strong passion for sport into his dream job with the creation of CM Ultimate Events. CM Ultimate Events have hosted international tours to events such as the Super Bowl, US Masters, The Ashes and FA Cup.

CM Ultimate Events also offer Grand Final Packages featuring events such as the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast, the CMUE Grand Final Eve Lunch at Etihad Stadium, an intimate dinner hosted by Wayne Carey and Glen Jakovich and Grand Final tickets. For more information, visit www.cmultimateevents.com

About Corey McKernan

Corey McKernan, former AFL footballer of the North Melbourne Kangaroos and Carlton Blues, has established himself as a successful entrepreneur. Corey proved to the public that there is a life after sport for Australian athletes. Athletes have a strong emotional attachment to their sport which has developed over years of building an identity linked to their success on the field, so upon retirement, many athletes can feel a sense of loss if appropriate planning has not occurred prior to retirement. Since retiring from the Kangaroos in 2005, Corey McKernan has developed his strong passion for sport into his dream job by establishing his events company, Corey McKernan Ultimate Events. The philosophy is simple; to deliver value for money experiences within the sporting/entertainment arena, providing clients with privileged access and attention to detail never thought possible. ‘My planning for life after football started whilst I was playing as I had great role models who were past footballers, like Steve Wallis and Craig Kelly. I wanted to do something I really enjoyed and I knew that my long-term vision was to work on the biggest events in Australia and around the world. Many lessons from football still apply on a daily basis; hard work, passion, belief and structure. If athletes can apply the same discipline post retirement that they were taught within their sporting careers then it can provide a much greater chance of success in whatever you choose to do after retirement’ said Corey McKernan. Corey McKernan played at the highest level of AFL for over a decade. McKernan was part of the Premiership teams in 1996 and 1999 that saw the Kangaroos as ‘the team’ of the 90’s. Individually Corey won AFLPA MVP Award in 1996 voted by the players and also tied for the Brownlow that same year but was ineligible due to suspension. During his brief stint at Carlton he won the club’s best and fairest award in 2002.

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