Dukes of depth - Saturday 8 July 2000
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Magicians are exciting because they can make something out
of nothing. David Copperfield makes people appear out of
thin air. Lots of times in public Muhammad Ali turned a
handkerchief into an egg. Certain footballers have the magic
touch. We never saw enough show stopping talent from Ashley
Blurton.
Ash had been a performer extraordinaire since the age of 17 with top Weststar club West Perth. There was no sleight of hand or conjuring about his drafting by the Eagles with 1994 national pick 37. For a youngster he had complete skills. Plus courage and endurance. The Coasters gave their recruit the number 32 jumper once worn by 1985 Sandover Medallist and later Collingwood player Murray Wrensted. The gifted Blurton showed impressive form in 1995 practice matches. His feet and hands were quicker than the eye. He continued to cast a spell over the ball in Ansett Cup games. AB played the first three games of the season. In the midfield had the ball mesmerised against Collingwood at the MCG in round 2. For example as Mark Richardson was about to kick the Sherrin out of a pack, Blurton intercepted the thing en route to the boot and in the one action handpassed forward to Mainwaring who kicked into the Marie Corelli of the leading Sumich. The big full forward goaled from 40 metres directly in front. Eagles won narrowly 11.14 to 11.10. The following week the encounter with the Kangaroos at the WACA. It was as if Blurton was Parer the magician and Bernard rolled into one. Twice when the ball was near the boundary line he had the presence of mind to soccer the ball up. Once it fell into the arms of Heady. He dodged an opponent and kicked a clever major on the left. The second wave of the magic wand was pure class. Midway through the last quarter, he grabbed the ball had a bounce and pretended he was going to kick long to the top of the square. As North defenders rushed back to make their back 50 resemble Flinders Street at rush hour, Blurton deftly chipped the ball over to Drew Banfield alone and unattended. Number 6 and easy 6 pointer from 40. Then for some strange reason, the A man disappeared from view in the Eagles line up. He had a nagging ankle injury but it was nothing major. Blurton returned to the West Perth Falcons and starred every week. He revealed a high level of persistence and patience. Ashley bounced back for the 1996 round 2 encounter with Brisbane at the WACA. With Sumich stationed on the goal line, the number 32 was given a licence to move into the front half. He used the smoke and mirrors on his midfield opponents. In the second and third terms, he darted forward and drove through goals. Not enough to prevent a defeat 11.11 to 16.7. Blurton found himself back with the Falcons. There was no illusion about Richmond's interest in the talented Ashley. At the end of 1997, the Tigers gave West Coast again draft pick 37 to secure the midfielder who had had 10 games in the firsts. The Punt Roaders gave him the number 24 guernsey made famous by Andy Goodwin and Bill Barrot. Blurton played seven senior games in the unaccustomed position of back pocket. He was more at home in the midfield but it was mostly in the seconds over the last 11 rounds of 1998. Ash the Dash was promoted for round 1 of 1999. Melbourne at the MCG. Set up a goal for Campbell and took a gutsy mark for a set shot goal. But he went back to the twos. Always a class support act. Alas Ashley Blurton was dropped off by the Tiges at the end of last season. A total of 20 senior games with two clubs. He had 25 in the Richmond seconds and a stellar career at West Perth. He's in WA starring for Weststar club Peel Thunder. A man that used the old abracadabra on the football. |
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