The CoodabeenChampions Quality Street
11 May 2002
The careers of some footballers resemble old fashioned cracker nights. These blokes start off with a big bang. The blast of a string of penny bungers. They hit a plateau as if the wick doesn't light on a sky rocket with its stem in a milk bottle. After moving to other leagues players can flourish like catherine wheels showering colourful sparks.
One began in dynamite fashion. Jason Daniltchenko. From Bayswater in the far east. An area that generated such Kangaroos as Micky Passmore and Matthew Larkin and Darren Crocker. The Roos nabbed the 189 centimetre 89 kilogram powerhouse who could go forward or back or in the midfield. This incandescence was not over endowed with pace but had great judgement and could tear the leather off the ball with long kicking. The Shinboners gave their blond recruit the number 25 jumper that had been worn by Xavier Tanner and Donald McDonald.
JD made his senior debut in 1993 at the age of 17. He set his team alight with courageous marking and explosive left foot kicking. Two games in his first season. Had some knee trouble that extinguished some fire. Made a few starts in 1994. In '95 9 games for a total of 13. Jase mostly ran out of defence pumping the Sherrin long to the then centre half forward. During 1996 the career of number 25 soared. The Ansett Cup game against the Swans. The big guy took a gutsy mark just forward of the wing at Manuka. Played on and unleashed a bomb. Straight through the centre. Andrew Dunkley shook his head in disbelief.
Round 10. Queens Birthday. Roos versus Footscray at the MCG. Daniltchenko provided pyrotechnics. 10 minutes into the second the nut dropped sharply from a McKernan kick forward. The Dan man a contested clamp. A set shot goal from 40 on a 45. In the shadows of half time he switched on the hurricane lamp. Grabbed the ball off the hands of a pack then unleashed a 55 metre bomb. The goal umpire's hat was dislodged as he watched the leather sail through the tall perpendiculars. 15 minutes into the third the snow top another pack mark. Goal from 50. The new star on fire. The last stanza. Dr J on a lead at half forward received a pass from Schwass. Two and five played on and a 45 metre goal. 25 minutes in he received a handpass from Crocker. Major. Roos winners 12.17 to 10.9. JD five snags. A scintillating performance.
Round 14. The Boners hosted Carlton at the MCG. The vertical stripes in control by half time thanks to Daniltchenko shielding the ball in the square while holding off two defenders then a swivel and soccer goal. Similar to Viduka at Leeds. The Kangas home 21.18 to 13.11.
Round 20. The Crows at Football Park. Late in the second an incendiary six pointer from Jaso. North victorious. 10.16 to 10.10. Then tragedy hit. The poor fellow damaged his knee. Kept him out of the finals and the grand final the Roos won. After 29 games for 18 goals the candles went out on the Daniltchenko cake at Arden Street. Hawthorn selected him with 1998 pre season pick 9. Jason accepted the number 25. Injured a knee in a practice match. Reconstruction. Missed out on senior selection through '99. The Hawks released him without a senior appearance.
The Daniltchenko light shone in the direction of Balwyn in the Southern Football League. He dominated. Gigantic marks and goals. He's now firing with Corowa-Rutherglen in the Ovens and Murray.
Jason Daniltchenko? A luminosity.