Marngrook Footy Show

"Gilly" was rapt to see Sydney's speedy youngster Lewis Jetta finally kick the first goal of what shapes as a brilliant AFL career.

Unbelievably, Jetta's goal in the big win over Hawthorn at the SCG came after he'd kicked 19 behinds in succession.

Yep, that's right ... 19 behinds in a row.

"Gilly" was thrilled to see Jetta's teammates rush in to congratulate the young gun.

"When he kicked his goal, everyone ran over to him," he said.

"The players love playing with him. He's a bit of a cult figure."

Marngrook Footy Show host Grant Hansen was delighted to congratulate former VFL field umpire and occasional panel member Glenn James on his latest award.

Proud to be named the umpire in the Indigenous Team of the Century selected a few years ago, Glenn is celebrating being inducted into the VFL/AFL Umpires Association Hall of Fame.

Grant is extremely proud of Glenn's achievements in umpiring.

"He's the best umpire the game has seen. Just the ask the players he umpired. They loved Glenn James," he said. 

No wonder ... Grant and Glenn are cousins.

A magnificent six-goal display from Carlton's forward with the freakish skills Jeff Garlett certainly impressed Marngrook Footy Show host Grant Hansen and panel members Gilbert McAdam, Ronnie Burns and Alan Thorpe.

They awarded Garlett the maximum 12 votes for round 19 in the Marngrook Footy Show/NITV Deadly Player of the Year.

"Gilly" is confident Garlett can develop into a star performer for the Blues after his career-best display in the big win over Essendon in front of a big crowd at the MCG.

"That's got to give him a lot of confidence," he said.

Garlett gathered 16 possessions, including eight contested as well as finishing with four inside 50s.

North Melbourne star Daniel Wells received four votes and Collingwood young gun Sharrod Wellingham received three votes.

Alan Thorpe loves the smooth-moving style of Wells.

"If Daniel Wells played every game, he could win the Brownlow," he said.

Sydney champ Adam Goodes leads the voting on 45 votes from Wells on 38, Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin on 35, Carlton's Andrew Walker on 33 and Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli on 30.

Marngrook Footy Show panel member Alan Thorpe can't wait for the finals-like blockbuster between the Western Bulldogs and Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

"It's going to be a cracker," he said.

"Thorpie" is predicting a win forthe Bulldogs, especially if Daniel Giansiracusa can continue his terrific recent form.

"He's been fantastic. He had 30 possessions in the wet in the win over Adelaide (At AAMI Stadium) and kicked five goals in a big win in the previous round," he said.

"Thorpie" also praised the form of first-year one-time rookie-listed midfielder Brodie Moles as well as the "leg speed" of veteran Nathan Eagleton in the gutsy win over the Crows.

He described Paul Chapman as an X Factor for the Cats.

The pressure is on the reigning premier after a poor performance against Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday night.

Marngrook Footy Show host Grant Hansen focused on Geelong's lack of pace against the Magpies.

"They look like they're off the boil," he said.

Grant is tipping his beloved Bulldogs.

Gilbert McAdam and Ronnie Burns are tipping the Cats to bounce back.

But "Gilly" had a word of warning for Geelong coach Mark Thompson when it comes to the forward-line.

"I reckon he's got to make a choice ... Podsiadly or Mooney,"

Special guest and Footscray star winger/half-back flanker Stephen Power of the late 1960s and '70s paid tribute to the depth of Rodney Eade's squad.

Hawthorn great Shane Crawford enjoyed a fairytale finish to his star-studded career.

The 1999 Brownlow Medal winner and four-time best and fairest winner played a starring role as the Hawks stunned the Cats on grand final day to win the 2008 premiership.

It was the champ's 305th and last game.

Respected and loved by all footy fans, Crawford is excited about the release of a fabulous book that celebrates his extraordinary life.

Released by Penguin Australia and written with the help of experienced sports journalist Glenn McFarlane, "Shane Crawford That's What I'm Talking About" is certain to prove extremely popular among footy fans (especially those with brown and gold in their hearts).

Crawford's inspirational story is not so much about his notable career with Hawthorn, but his humble beginnings.

Before he had reached high school, Crawford had lived in three different states as his beloved mother Dianne uprooted the family to escape his alcoholic father.

Not surprisingly, football was the dominant things in Crawford's life and he knew from an early age that he wanted it to be his career.

Collingwood identities are lining up to appear on the increasingly popular Marngrook Footy Show as the famous club sits on top of the AFL ladder.
The cheersquad's passionate "Joffa" Corfe will try and keep a lid on the ladder leader's premiership chances this Thursday night.
Special guests in recent weeks have included Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and his boyhood hero and goalkicking machine of the 1960s and '70s Peter McKenna.
Young gun Sharrod Wellington will appear on next week's show.
"Collingwood is the talk of the town and good on them. Micky Malthouse is doing a wonderful job as coach. I've dubbed them the Flagpies," Hansen said.
The Marngrook Footy Show airs live around Australia on Foxtel's NITV channel 180 and Channel 31 in Melbourne from 7.30 to 9.30.

Geelong has suffered a big blow with centre half-back Harry Taylor being ruled out of the blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Taylor hurt his shoulder after some friendly fire with teammate Joel Corey in the loss to Collingwood at the MCG.

The Cats will welcome back pacey half-back David Wojcinski, who was a late withdrawal from the big clash against the Magpies with achilles tendon soreness.

Strong-marking forward James Podsiadly faces the axe after a quiet performance against Collingwood. 

He was shut out of the action by the close-checking Simon Prestigiacomo and managed just one goal.

Podsiadly has been in terrific form in games at Skilled Stadium, but has struggled in games at the MCG. 

Essendon assistant coaches Scott Camporeale and Ashley Prescott will step down from their positions at the end of the 2010 season.

The pair plan to relocate to South Australia and Western Australia respectively, for family reasons.
Camporeale has spent three years as an assistant coach at Essendon following a successful AFL career in which he played 233 games with Carlton and Essendon. Camporeale was part of Carlton’s 1995 Premiership side and named All-Australian in 2000.
Prescott also joined the Bombers as an assistant coach in 2008 after previously holding senior coaching positions at Clontarf Indigenous Football Academy and Claremont Football Club.

The former Richmond and Fremantle player tallied 118 AFL games from 1993 to  2001.
Coach Matthew Knights thanked the pair for their contribution to the club and wished them well in their future endeavours.
“Scott and Ash have been integral to the development of our young group and we are grateful for the role they have played over the past three years,” Knights said.
“We understand that both of the guys are raising young families and it is important that they do what is best for them.
“Both Scott and Ash have formed many strong friendships over their time here and they will be most certainly be missed around the place and we wish them the best of luck for their careers post-Essendon.”

Sydney's two-time Brownlow Medal winner Adam Goodes could be on his way to back-to-back Marngrook Footy Show/NITV Deadly Player of the Year awards.

He has moved to 44 points - nine ahead of Hawthorn's Lance Franklin on 35.

The follows North Melbourne's Daniel Wells on 34, Carlton's Andrew Walker on 33 and Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli on 30.

Goodes polled five votes for his terrific display as the Swans lost to Geelong at ANZ Stadium in the recent 18th round.

Deadly Player of the round was Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce, who starred in the shock win over Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium.

He kicked two crucial goals in the low-scoring game.

Pearce finished with 19 possessions, including seven contested and six clearances, as well as five inside 50s.

What an absolutely sensational guest Collingwood legend Peter McKenna was on the Marngrook Footy Show, which airs around Australia on Foxtel's NITV channel (channel 180) on Thursday night's from 7.30 to 9.30.

The goalkicking machine was thrilled with his special guest appearance.

"I'm honoured to be on the best football program in Australia," he said.

"Everyone knows that. (It's) the real football show.

"All my mates watch it."

Host Grant Hansen couldn't contain his delight to have McKenna on his show.

Even though Grant barracked for the Bulldogs, he loved watching McKenna strut his stuff in front of the big sticks.

"When I was a kid, you were my idol," he said.

"I barracked for Peter McKenna."

Grant added: "You were bigger than The Beatles."

McKenna replied: "I had the same hair cut."

McKenna recalled supporting Essendon as a young boy.

"I was a mad-Essendon supporter as a kid," he said.

"My great hero was ... I didn't see him play, but he was my hero - (full forward) John Coleman, the famous John Coleman as a real little kid."

He also mentioned centre half-forward Ken Fraser and "rough and tough" centre half-back "Bluey" Shelton as other favourites.

McKenna answered honestly when quizzed about Collingwood's infamous fade-out after half-time in the 1970 grand final against Carlton.