Stewart Loewe tries to pull off a mark in front of Bruce Lindner in 1992. Picture: Mark Brake. Source: Supplied
BRUCE Lindner was a high-marking forward whose nickname, ``The President'', alluded to how good he could be on game day. He played 66 games for Geelong and returned 139 goals before returning to Adelaide and be a member of the original Crows team. He played 19 goals for Adelaide and kicked 27 goals. Lindner was also an important player for West Adelaide at the beginning and the end of his career.
Mark Bickley, Rod Jameson and Bruce Lindner in 1991. Picture: Advertiser Library.
JF: What are you up to these days, Bruce?
BL: I'm involved in the wine industry, with company called ..... and we represent about 30 wineries, both domestic and international. It's a wonderful industry even though it makes me drink too much.
JF: What about football — have you been involved since you finished playing?
BL: I was on the board at West Adelaide for a while but that's a while back. Now I've focused more on life outside of football: golf, fishing, relaxing et cetera.
JF: What do you play off (handicap wise), at golf?
BL: Three at the moment.
JF: That's good golf. Do you still love football, the game?
BL: I still love the game; I've always loved the game. Like many I'm reticent about how it's going in terms of style and that and things that have evolved. But we'll reach an equilibrium at some stage. As far as sport, I still believe it's the most exciting and challenging sport in the world.
Lindner takes a screamer for the Cats. Source: News Limited
JF: Did you find it hard to retire, when you knew your day had come?
BL: I did in the sense of, you know, it had been such a big part of my life for a long time and it had been all I wanted to do from the age of about six or seven. All I had wanted to do was to play football. And I was lucky enough to play, which was more good luck than good management. But when you suddenly don't have it there, there's a void. But I was lucky enough that I was given the opportunity to work with Channel 7 and still be involved. That let you wean off the sport a bit. The other think I missed was competing against somebody each week and competing against a team each week. It was a bit of a loss. It was hard to adjust sometimes. But you find other outlets. Mine were through the media and stuff like golf.
JF: I think we've just about covered this, but what other sports do you like?
BL: I like a number of sports but the more athletic sports have to take a bit of a back seat because my ankles and my knees and my back aren't as good as they used to be. So golf gives me an opportunity (to compete).
Lindner smashes the ball away. Source: Supplied
JF: Loaded question, I guess, but is the game better now or was it better when you played? What was the better era of football?
BL: I guess it's a bit like looking at the Hollywood starlets in the days gone by. They've changed quite considerably. In their day they were the best things going around and I guess football is a bit the same way. The era you grow up in is the one you think was the most gorgeous around. But there's no doubt it's still the most demanding sport.
JF: Do you still keep in touch with former teammates and the old clubs?
BL: I do, and that's probably one of the greatest legacies of playing football: the friend that you make along the way and people that you meet. Like life, you have some close friends and some acquaintances. But I love it when we're all in a room and catch up.
Lindner stretches ahead of a training session. Source: Supplied
JF: We've got a new chief executive about to take his seat at AFL House. What are the most pressing issues for the game?
BL: It's such a professional sport now but there has to be a balance between the AFL and grassroots (football). It's got to be a product that everyone enjoys. And if you put it out of reach for people, the game won't survive.
JF: Who do you like these days, out of the players?
BL: The Sloanes (Adelaide's Rory Sloane) but I also love watching forwards who can dominate in front of goals. Cyril Rioli, players who are able to turn a game. They're the ones people pay their money to go and watch.
JF: There have been a few rule changes since you finished. Good ones and bad ones?
BL: Umpires are human and make mistakes. I would just like them to be more consistent, because sometimes games are umpired completely differently.
JF: Who wins the flag this year?
BL: I think Sydney. If you look at it from the same perspective to why the Crows, in theory, should improve their form with Taylor Walker coming back, even though after a knee you're normally not back to your best until your second year (after returning). If you're able to have
From left to right, Gavin Crosisca, Scott Hodges, Bruce Lindner and Gary Pert go up for the ball. Picture: Advertiser Library Source: Supplied
Kurt Tippett and Tex Walker in your forward line at the moment you'd think the Adelaide Crows would be a top-four side. If you add Kurt Tippett and (Lance) `Buddy' Franklin to a forward line to what is already a pretty good side, I think they'll go certainly top four, probably top two, and then on the day it depends on what happens. But I think Sydney is probably the safest bet to win the Grand Final.
