Sheedy sees 40 goals for Folau

Updated February 03, 2012 18:28:48

At least one bookmaker is betting Israel Folau will not boot more than 10 goals in his first AFL season but Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy has more faith in the rugby league convert.

The veteran coach reiterated on Friday that Folau is a certain starter for the round one derby against Sydney Swans at the Olympic stadium and feels the 22-year-old will succeed despite the doubters.

"He's a player that every time you left a challenge, he'd lift and have a go at it," Sheedy told reporters at a press conference marking 50 days until the March 24 clash between the Giants and Swans.

"I think Israel's become a better player through the training; kicked over 30 goals last year and probably would have kicked 40 if we hadn't have played him down the back half for four or five games.

"I think that he'll play all the NAB Cup games. He needs every game to get into playing against AFL-standard players.

"You just don't know. If he kicks two goals a game, plays every game - that's 40-odd - that's a good effort in his first year."

While Folau eagerly awaits the first big challenge of his AFL career a man who has been there and done it all, Swans legend Adam Goodes, says expectations should not be too high.

Despite Folau having represented Australia in rugby league, played grand finals and State of Origin matches, he is still just an AFL rookie according to the dual Brownlow medallist.

"I think the way I see Izzy, he's just like any first-year player coming into our footy group," Goodes said.

"If he was on my team I'd hate to put any expectations on him other than to go out and play well.

"If he takes a couple of marks and, like Sheeds says, gets a couple of goals a game then that's him playing his role.

"That's all Izzy can expect - to go out there in his first game and play as well for his team-mates and be a bit of a target in that forward line."

Goodes' coach John Longmire jokingly suggested the veteran Swan could find himself marking Folau in the historic derby clash.

But whoever he finds himself up against, Folau expects the game to be just as big as anything he experienced in his rugby league career.

"It's just as important, the build-up to this game," Folau said.

"On a personal level it's pretty big for myself.

"It's going to be a long year for myself ... but I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge."

The first step in establishing a rivalry between the two clubs was taken on Friday with the announcement of a medal named in honour of Swans' great Brett Kirk for the best-on-ground in the fixture.

Goodes says he is eagerly anticipating playing in the first intra-city derby of his long career.

"I've never had it before so I'm definitely excited," he said.

"You see the teams in Adelaide and Perth ... even the Suns against Brisbane last year ... I just thought it was fantastic."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, blacktown-2148

First posted February 03, 2012 18:12:27

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Walker on his way to six goals for Carlton

Published:Sunday, June 5, 2011 7:31 AEST

Andrew Walker of the Blues attempts a mark in front of Michael Pettigrew of the Power during the round 11 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Carlton Blues at Football Park on June 5, 2011 in Adelaide.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, sa, port-adelaide-5015, vic, carlton-3053

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Folau kicks four goals

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Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Broadcast: 22/05/2011

Reporter: Barrie Cassidy

Former NRL star Israel Folau scored four goals for Greater Western Sydney in their AFL clash against Queanbeyan.

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Bags of goals, big scores and beatings

Several high scores were recorded around the South East during the weekend's football round along with many individual goal tallies in double figures in near perfect conditions.

Western Border Football League

West Gambier went down to Portland and signified that the premiership race is an open one. West started well but Portland through the efforts of strong men Heath Brown and Marcus England reeled them in during the 2nd qtr to hold a 2 pt lead at the main break.

James Imbi was more than a handful for the West defenders and he booted 6 goals but he had plenty of others making contributions. Portland edged further ahead in the 3rd qtr but the game was still open at the last change when Portland led by 8pts.

Steve Wenman and livewire forward Jarrod Ryan were doing plenty to keep West in touch and ruckman, Tim O'Brien was doing well but Portland had a greater spread of good players and booted 6 goals to 3 in the last qtr to win by 24 pts.

Brown, England and Imbi were best for Portland. Wenman, O'Brien, Ryan and Daniel Richardson were West's best but it was around the midfield where Portland set up the win.

Arch rivals Hamilton and Imperials went toe to toe in a match that belied their places on the ladder. A margin of two goals separated the teams at ? time with Hamilton in front. Aaron Gepp in the ruck and Shane Hanson up forward were good for Hamilton but Imps weren't out of the contest.

Their youngsters continued to run and take on the opposition and despite trailing by 8 pts at ? time they drew to within a kick late in the game but just fell short by 2 pts. Gepp, Hanson Jeremy Holmes and Josh Kearney played well for Hamilton. Matt Newell, Jason McIntosh, Tim Meulendyks and Hugh Douglas with 4 goals all but got Imps home. East Gambier had a training run against a numbers ravaged Heywood. The game was over as a contest in minutes and East led by 123 pts at ? time.

They continued to pile on the goals and ran out winners by 234 pts. Chris Povey slotted through 10 goals Ross Carpenter and Chris Anderson got 7 and 5 respectively.

Millicent remain winless after North Gambier thrashed them by 94 pts. Both teams had plenty of incentive with Millicent's Steve Duldig celebrating 200 games and Norths' Garth Willoughby playing his 300th.

Coach Justin McConnell returned after injury and was on the end of many forward moves and kicked 5 goals in the 1st qtr. North dominated around the stoppages and went further ahead in the 2nd qtr as Millicent had scarcely a good player, only Duldig and captain Jon Agnew were trying hard but North had greater numbers at every contest.

Five quick goals to start the 3rd qtr sealed Millicent's fate and North led by 79 pts at ? time. Millicent managed three goals in the last qtr but they look under-done and have running players out injured. Nor on the other hand finished strongly with Nick Blachut outstanding around the midfield, Jamie O'Neil defended brilliantly from full-back, David Nulty in the ruck, Kurzman and Perry across the centre had stacks of kicks. Millicent hardly had anything but Steve Duldig and Jon Agnew tried very hard on a disappointing day.

South Gambier were in no mood to be threatened by an improving Casterton. Veteran forward Leigh Capewell had a day out to bag 11 goals and give away at least 5 others. South bolted to a 44 pt lead by qtr-time and even though Casterton battled hard in the middle qtrs the margin never got closer. The effort took its toll and South slammed on another 7 goals in the last qtr to win easily by 88 pts. Capewell was best afield for South ahead of Luke Foran, running machines Tim Stringer and Simon Berkefeld.

Brad Vassal was named best for Casterton despite close attention from South's Chris Williams, he is a classy player without doubt, Dylan Ryan, Brandon Currie and coach Grant Coxon tried hard but South had too much talent.

Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League

It took a big 2nd half by Kybyolite to overcome a determined Kaniva-Leeor United. KLU stormed to a 43 pt lead at ? time after playing some exciting football to kick 7 goals to nil in the 2nd term.

Jon Hicks, Brad McCabe and Dylan Williams drove the play and Vivian and Baxter finished it off with goals. A huge upset looked likely but the fightback came early as Kyby booted 8 goals with Mark Slotegraaf and Ryan Woite lifting around midfield. At ? time Kyby took a narrow lead of 2 pts and the game was still wide open Both sides scored four last qtr goals but it was Kyby that held together for a win but it was KLU who did everything right but came away with nothing.

Better players for Kyby were Chris Hanley, Slotegraaf, William Miles and Woite. KLU, not far from a win, had good games from Hicks, McCabe, Williams, Baxter and Matt Skrypek. Mundulla smashed Kingston by 171 pts, the Saints second thrashing in two rounds. The Moots dominated from the start with players queuing up to kick goals. Heath Thorpe finished with 9 and Grady Obst got 7 in a best on ground performance.

Mundulla led by 87 pts at ? time and proceeded to power away with an equally strong finish. Other good players for Mundulla were Sam Luckett, Jake McGrice, Dan Mead and Tyne Excell but everyone could have been named. Kingston have barely raised a yelp so far but Kirby Scott, Paul Bott and Josh Gould battled hard. Padthaway had a morale boosting start to the season with a good 45 pt win over last weeks giant-killers Border Districts.

Scores were in touch throughout the 1st three qtrs of an entertaining game with the Lions holding a narrow lead at each change. The last qtr saw Padthaway kicked with 8 goals to two and win comfortably. Recruit Jason Degabrielle was outstanding for the Lions and booted 4 goals, key forward Matt Lampard booted 7 and veteran Mark Edwards showed great leadership. Borders disappointed at the finish. Clint Barras, Dylan Moore and Jarred Hirst were Borders best and Paul Smith booted 5 goals.

Penola were again slow to get moving and Llucindale had the game wrapped up by ? time when they led by 43 pts. Forwards Travis Ware and Sam Mardling were strong targets and midfielders Kyle Press and Dan McCarthy continually drove the ball forward. Lucindale kicked further ahead in the 3rd term. The last term was just a formality as Lucindale eased up and Penola kicked 6 late goals but Lucindale won easily by 37 pts.

Ware, Press and Tim Walsh were best for Llucindale. Alex Moore, coach Luke Duncan and Paul Mullen tried to lift Ppenola but too many players were down on form.

Mid South East Football League

They're were no close finishes in the MSE but 2 games were competitive for 3 qtrs. Mt Burr crushed Ttantanoola with a 9 goal burst in the 1st qtr and toyed with them in the next three. Adam Weise and former Tant star junior Jack Gregory booted 6 goals each to be powerful spearheads.

Peter Guyett and Dale Bowering were in everything for Mt Burr and midfielders Brodie Hennink and Clint Gallio did well. Only former Western Border players Lyndon Smith and Cam Viney showed out for Tant as Mt Burr romped in by 97 pts. Port MacDonnell led throughout over close neighbour Kongorong, they kicked away near ? time but withstood a fightback in the 3rd when Kongorong closed to within 8 pts. Brad Cordy led the challenge along with Bronson Saffin and Leigh Jenkin.

The effort wasn't sustained however and Port Mac kicked away in the last to win by 28 pts. Steve Noble stood out for Pt Mac ahead of Zac Williams and Tobbei Kennett, clever forward Brodie Murdoch kicked 4 goals for the winners. Kalangadoo blew Nangwarry away to win easily by 136 pts. The Mules brothers, Jon and Chris dominated the game and set up many opportunities for the forwards. Matt Doody, 8 and six goals each to Matt Gray and Aaron Ilsley were too much for Nangwarry to overcome.

Hatherleigh started well against Glencoe but they gradually overtaken. Glencoe took a 16 pt lead to ? time and kicked away in the finish as much as Hatherleigh faded. Jace Weaver stood out for Glencoe and booted 8 goals, he had good support from Tom Edwards, Braiden Treacey and Bryn Weaver. Hatherleigh veterans Matt Faulkner and Simon Beggs were best for the losers but they ran out of legs at the end and Glencoe won comfortably by 34 pts

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