By CASEY NEILL
GREATER Dandenong businesses raised thousands of dollars for Make-A-Wish last Wednesday – and got an expert tip for the Grand Final to boot.
Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce held its annual Grand Final Charity Lunch at Sandhurst Club in Skye on 25 September.
Silent auctions and a live auction – including $2000 in bidding for nothing but a tax deduction – brought in cash to grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The event had raised just under $50,000 for Make-A-Wish in the past five years, which made up to 12 wishes come true.
Make-A-Wish volunteer Lawrie Leeman said travel wishes were the most popular – usually to Disneyland or the Gold Coast – followed by requests for items such as pets and cubbyhouses.
He said kids also regularly wished to meet people, like the Wiggles or footballers, or to be someone for a day, like a zookeeper or fireman.
Guest speaker Brad Scott took the coaching reins at North Melbourne in 2009.
He said 2013 was a tough season for Kangaroos supporters.
“We lost 10 games by under 16 points, six or seven by under a goal,” he said.
But he said the season proved they could match it with the competition’s top sides.
“We’re really confident with the direction we’re going,” he said.
“We need to convert our hard work into more consistent performances over 120 minutes.”
Scott’s hoping to bolster the side’s midfield through off-season recruiting.
“We’re very interested in (St Kilda’s) Nick Dal Santo,” he said.
“What I’d like to do is add some experience to guide them through.”
The club’s also in discussions with Carlton goal-sneak Eddie Betts.
“We didn’t approach Eddie. Eddie’s men approached us,” he said.
“We think he could be another good fit.
“But you speak to 20 players and one deal or none get done.”
Scott said his coach during his Brisbane playing days, Leigh Matthews, shaped a lot of his football thinking and, in turn, the Roos.
“We’ve got a really enviable culture,” he said.
“They’re terrific young men and they’re really grounded.
“That’s something that Leigh really instilled in me.
“He’s revered. I was in awe of him the first three years I was there.”
Brisbane finished last in 1998, even with the big names on its list that would star in its three consecutive grand finals just a few years down the track.
Then Matthews arrived with a vision.
“In three years we turned it around,” Scott said.
“That was an unbelievable era for me and our team.
“Leigh Matthews never made it about him.
“This was about our club and trying to turn it around.”
Matthews had a battle on his hand with big names such as Jason Akermanis, Michael Voss, Justin Leppitsch, Alastair Lynch and Jonathan Brown.
“Leigh was able to take that group and mould them together,” Scott said.
Leppitsch was named the new Brisbane coach just moments before Scott took the microphone.
“He’s got a smart footy brain,” he said.
But his former team mate replaced another – Voss.
“I’m bitterly disappointed,” Scott said.
“I thought he had them on the right track.
“He’s in the coaching wilderness now.
“It’s another sign of how cutthroat this game is.”
Scott said media scrutiny put incredible pressure on coaches and players. There are more than 600 players on senior lists and more than 1200 AFL-accredited journalists.
He gave the example of AFL journalist Mike Sheehan’s claim last week that Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson would leave the club after the Grand Final no matter the result, with West Coast his likely destination.
“I’d be really surprised. I certainly hope it happens because Hawthorn would be easy to beat next year,” he joked.
“Media organisations can make statements as if they’re fact.
“If they have any doubt they’ll run it.
“If it doesn’t happen after the Grand Final Mike Sheehan won’t be held to account.
“They make a name for themselves if they’re right.”
And the pressure doesn’t get any bigger than the big dance.
Players often say they’ll treat the Grand Final like any other game.
“But you get a rude shock on game day,” Scott said.
“Your schedule completely gets thrown out.”
He said being the Melbourne team was not a huge advantage for the Hawks.
“The interstate team has won more often than not,” he said.
“When you get to Grand Final day, everything’s different.
“The home ground advantage is not so significant.”
But he still tipped the Hawks, who beat his side during the season at far from their best.
“Just after 2pm on a Saturday at the MCG is where Hawthorn thrives,” he said.
“I go to the grand final hoping the best team wins and in my opinion the best team’s Hawthorn.”
