Dukes of depth - Saturday 20 May 2000
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A lot of clubs have a habit that's harder to break than Duncan Kellaway's
concentration. Since the draft first appeared in 1986, a given team tends
to select a player with a history of dominating against it. For example
Melbourne going for Saint David Grant in 1995. And St Kilda targeting
Darren Flanigan in 1991. When Tony Francis was at Collingwood he always
starred against the Moorabbinites whether he was in good form or bad. No
wonder the Saints snapped him up in 1999 with pre season pick number 7. At
Fitzroy, Richard Osborne used to win games off his own Grosby in matches
with Sydney. It might as well have been written in neon on the main drag
of Las Vegas that the Swans would choose Ozzy with 1993 pre season pick
number 1. The list goes on to infinity - perhaps beyond.
In the modern era one selection stands out like the beards from ZZ Top. That was Geelong's 1998 trade for ex Fitzroy and Brisbane Lions speedster Scott Bamford. Now this frail looking North Adelaide player went to Fitzroy in 1995 as national draft selection 4. He was as genuine as a Levi's label during 1996 the Roys' last season. Despite his diminutive 68 kilogram frame and his amazing resemblance to Bon Scott, Bamford was noted for his clearances from centre bounces. He also had the knack of accelerating away from a pack then steadying and ramming home a goal. He seemed to reserve his best football for games against Geelong. In Round 13 at the then Western Oval, the B machine was on fire. His best on ground performance included a stack of clearances from the middle and three goals. Because of Scotty, the Cats had trouble overcoming the Roy Boys. The visitors only made sure of those 4 points from halfway through the final stanza. Bamford was a Fitzroy player included in the Brisbane Lions squad for the 1997 season. The little guy was in more trouble than Indiana Jones getting a regular gig in the Ones. He played quite a bit of football with the QFL Lions team. It was natural as muesli that Bamford was rushed into the seniors for the 1998 symbolic Round 13 game against the Cats at then Kardinia Park. As far as Geelong is concerned, you can often tell what the final result will be from the first 15 minutes of the match. If that opening term of football could have been known by another name it would have been called Scott Bamford. The jockey framed fella with blistering pace played merry hell with the Geelong defence. Over the first ten he had two goals on the board. The Lions cleared out to a four goal lead and maintained it for the rest of that dark cold afternoon. At the end of 1998 the Cats were only too willing to aim for Bamford. They saw him as an answer to a pace problem in the midfield. The Bon boy's speed was exceptional. But people wondered if he could stand up to the rigours of an entire season. Early on no worries. The Cats started 1999 with 5 straight wins. Bamford was instrumental at using his speed to pierce opposition walls across half back. He kicked an important running goal every week. Then came the Hawthorn game at Shell. Cats lost by 2 points 14.16 to 14.14. Not a memorable two hours for SB. The following week Geelong v. Freo at Subiaco. The Cats skipped out to a 31 point lead at quarter time. They switched on the cruise control as the Modra inspired Dockers seized the initiative in term 2. When the game was in the balance halfway through the third, Bamford grabbed the ball and broke away heading directly for goal. Somehow there may not have been voice or he didn't hear it, but the speed machine got mown down by big player James Clement. Holding the ball. Freo took control and won 16.20 to 15.9. Scotty lost some confidence after that. Went to the Reserves to build his fluency. He had some senior games on the interchange and came on as fresh legs for 10 minutes before returning to the bench. However he was delisted at the end of the year. Scott Bamford played 59 games in the Ones between '95 and '99. He had 44 in the Dues. This season Scotty is back where his journey started. Performing brilliantly with North Adelaide. His career has gone round in a circle like a Westons wagon wheel. But the Bamford blinders were always against Geelong. |
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