David HardingMagpies want muddy match
September 4th 2010 09:35
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
by Adam Smith
NORTH Hobart playing-coach Clinton Brown has spent enough time with Devonport counterpart Errol Bourn to know all about the crafty mind games he can play.
But Bourn's ramping up the pressure ahead of today's third elimination final at Devonport Oval is like water off a duck's back to the Demons leader.
Brown played in four premierships with the Magpies coach during Burnie's golden NTFL run from 2001-05 including the last under Bourn when he coached the Dockers to the last of their flags before Launceston took over.
If the weather forecast for today holds true the match is likely to turn into a rain-soaked slugfest, something Bourn believes will play into his side's hands.
"I went and watched them play Glenorchy who were very undermanned but they ran the ball really nicely and I think the weather tomorrow might play a significant role," Bourn said yesterday.
"It's meant to bucket down, so that might curb them a bit.
"We've got a few bigger bodies that might suit that guys like Matthew Smith, who is a good wet-weather player, "Snapper" [captain Kurt Heazlewood] is a resilient player, Rhys Colbeck is a proven wet-weather player it could work in our favour."
However, Brown laughed off suggestions North Hobart would be picking lighter bodies and, if it does rain, extracting the ball from regular stoppages will be crucial.
The Demons have their own enforcers, such as Ken Hall, Matthew Creese and big ruckman Matthew Muir, to dominate if the game clogs up.
"They've still got guys like Rhys Mott and Quade Byard. I'm not sure where he [Bourn] is coming from there," Brown said.
"He has played a big part in my footy career.
"I've taken a lot off Errol, both positive and negative in the way I approach things.
"He comes across as a bit of a weird character and tries to put people off but he is a very smooth and smart operator behind the scenes."
The Demons will be up early for the 1pm start to be on the bus leaving Hobart at 6.30am.
Brown admits it is a far from ideal preparation for a cut-throat final.
by Adam Smith
NORTH Hobart playing-coach Clinton Brown has spent enough time with Devonport counterpart Errol Bourn to know all about the crafty mind games he can play.
But Bourn's ramping up the pressure ahead of today's third elimination final at Devonport Oval is like water off a duck's back to the Demons leader.
Brown played in four premierships with the Magpies coach during Burnie's golden NTFL run from 2001-05 including the last under Bourn when he coached the Dockers to the last of their flags before Launceston took over.
If the weather forecast for today holds true the match is likely to turn into a rain-soaked slugfest, something Bourn believes will play into his side's hands.
"I went and watched them play Glenorchy who were very undermanned but they ran the ball really nicely and I think the weather tomorrow might play a significant role," Bourn said yesterday.
"It's meant to bucket down, so that might curb them a bit.
"We've got a few bigger bodies that might suit that guys like Matthew Smith, who is a good wet-weather player, "Snapper" [captain Kurt Heazlewood] is a resilient player, Rhys Colbeck is a proven wet-weather player it could work in our favour."
However, Brown laughed off suggestions North Hobart would be picking lighter bodies and, if it does rain, extracting the ball from regular stoppages will be crucial.
The Demons have their own enforcers, such as Ken Hall, Matthew Creese and big ruckman Matthew Muir, to dominate if the game clogs up.
"They've still got guys like Rhys Mott and Quade Byard. I'm not sure where he [Bourn] is coming from there," Brown said.
"He has played a big part in my footy career.
"I've taken a lot off Errol, both positive and negative in the way I approach things.
"He comes across as a bit of a weird character and tries to put people off but he is a very smooth and smart operator behind the scenes."
The Demons will be up early for the 1pm start to be on the bus leaving Hobart at 6.30am.
Brown admits it is a far from ideal preparation for a cut-throat final.
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