Collingwood star Dane Swan is a natural for the Han Solo role. Source: HeraldSun
YOU may have noticed a distinct Star Wars flavour about this week's round of footy.
While the AFL isn't officially calling it Star Wars Round, characters from the famous film series are popping up at press conferences and photo opps and clubs are flogging Star Wars T-shirts and merchandise (although original plans to feature Mick Malthouse as Darth Vader were binned by the Blues).
It's all to coincide with Sunday May 4 — international Star Wars Day: "May the fourth be with you".
It got us to thinking what a footy team from the Star Wars universe might look like.
To get us started, we've matched each character to a current AFL player — via similarities in playing style rather than appearances, it must be said.
Geelong players (from left) Jordan Murdoch, James Kelly and George Burbury get into the spirit of the Star Wars themed-round. Picture: Mitch Bear Source: News Corp Australia
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, from the backline ...
FULL-BACKS
Joel Patfull (Brisbane Lions)
Stormtrooper: A reliable defender and dual best-and-fairest winner who gets the job done every week with little fanfare and even less recognition.
Dustin Fletcher (Essendon)
General Grievous: The ageless stalwart of Essendon's backline. At times, seems to have four arms as he manages to find a way to spoil his opponents.
Josh Gibson (Hawthorn)
Imperial Guard: Stands like a sentinel in the Hawks' defensive 50m. Constantly at attention and ready to unleash a timely fist.
The multi-limbed General Grievous would be tough to beat in one-on-one contests. Source: Supplied
HALF-BACKS
Corey Enright (Geelong)
Wedge Antilles: Like the Rebel Alliance general, Enright launches guerilla raids on the enemy from the half-back line.
Luke McPharlin (Fremantle)
Admiral Ackbar: It's a trap! ... sorry we couldn't help ourselves. McPharlin marshals the stingiest defence in the league. He bears no resemblance to a giant fish.
Ryan Crowley (Fremantle)
Darth Maul: Appears at his opponent's side like a malevolent shadow and cuts them down. Can pinch an opponent 300 times without an umpire noticing.
Which of these two guys would you rather have standing next to you at a centre bounce? Source: Supplied
CENTRES
Dale Thomas (Carlton)
Anakin Skywalker: We're not saying Carlton is the dark side ... but many Collingwood fans believe Daisy gave up his soul.
Chris Judd (Carlton)
Darth Vader: Was once the pin-up boy of the AFL but as he's got older has used some dark tactics (pressure points and chicken wings). Anakin and Darth are both at Carlton ... just sayin.
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Boba Fett: Willing to get his hands dirty to get the job done. A ruthless leader who can escape a tackle with a simple shrug of his shoulders.
Boba Fett is a clone and Joel is one of four Selwoods to play AFL. Coincidence? Source: Supplied
HALF-FORWARDS
Lenny Hayes (St Kilda)
Obi-Wan Kenobi: The veteran has done his apprenticeship and is now a midfield master. As he nears the end, he is passing on his wisdom to the Saints bunch of young guns.
Tyrone Vickery (Richmond)
Jar Jar Binks: Tall, clumsy and often criticised. Sorry Tyrone, but you fit the bill perfectly.
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
Ewok: Small and dangerous. Is there a better way to describe Cyril? Defenders never know when he will strike.
Weesa not kicking any goals. That's why you no liking us meesa thinks. Source: Supplied
FULL-FORWARDS
Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle)
R2-D2: The Fremantle goalsneak is handy in a fight but is perhaps best known for annoying his rivals into a state of despair possibly (although we can't confirm this) with high-pitched beeping noises.
Travis Cloke (Collingwood)
Chewbacca: An old fashioned "gorilla" full-forward, Cloke can handle two defenders at once. Few are brave enough to stand in his way. He hasn't yet pulled a defender's arms out of his sockets after a loss, but it's not a huge stretch of the imagination.
Will Minson (Western Bulldogs)
C-3PO: The droid is fluent in six million forms of communication. Will can speak two languages. We think that's close enough. Regarded as the smartest footballer going around.
R-2 says the chances of victory are 725 ... to one. Source: HeraldSun
RUCKS
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)
Wookie: The Dockers big man gets a game for one simple reason: He was very nearly in an actual Star Wars movie. Gerard Whately revealed on AFL360 this week that the 211cm Sandilands was reportedly offered a contract to play a wookie on the big screen before Fremantle picked him in the wookie — sorry, rookie draft.
Dane Swan (Collingwood)
Han Solo: The quintessential rebel. Swan is one of the few characters left in the AFL with his various tattoos and famous training standards.
Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
Luke Skywalker: It has been many years since young Ablett stepped out of the shadow of his famous father. The hero of the AFL, Gaz can pick up 30 touches with ease and kick goals from 50m out as easily as bulls-eyeing womp rats.
Gary Ablett thrives in any conditions. Source: HeraldSun
COACH
Paul Roos (Melbourne)
Yoda: Verging on legendary status after delivering Sydney its first premiership since 1933 and arriving at Melbourne with huge expectations. Hired to mentor the Demons' talented but directionless youngsters.
Paul Roos' message to Demon fans is simple: Patience you must have. Source: HeraldSun
Magpie goes Solo in AFL Star Wars epic
This article
Magpie goes Solo in AFL Star Wars epic
can be opened in url
http://aflnewstop.blogspot.com/2014/05/magpie-goes-solo-in-afl-star-wars-epic.html
Magpie goes Solo in AFL Star Wars epic
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar