The CoodabeenChampions Quality Street
1 June 2002
Some footballers are famous for taking a season by the scruff of the neck. Gary Ablett in 1993. Kicked 124 goals. James Hird 1996. Chris Grant 1997. Andrew McLeod last year. What do these men share? Class. Matchwinning ability.
One player that could crack a game wide open was Julian Kirzner. From Central Under 18s via Ajax in the Ammos. Brilliant football came as naturally as organic fruit. JK was 188 centimetres and a solid 85 kilos. Essendon selected him with 1993 national draft pick 36. The Bombers gave Kirzner the number 40 jumper. An unfortunate recent history. Anton Grbac dominated a pre season night game. But he was cut down by serious injury. One of the first to have a knee reconstruction when that surgery was in its infancy. The number was also worn by Adrian Burns who promised so much until released to St Kilda. 40 then went to East Perth star Tim Williams who was 1996 national draft pick 21. Never settled at Windy Hill.
At full forward in the Don seconds Kirzner was a goal kicking giant. Snags from all angles. Cast a spell over games. Finished second on the 1994 Rezzies goal kicking with 60. The J's patience and mastery were rewarded by a senior appearance. A monster match. Round 24 against Carlton at the MCG. The young forward performed a Sherrin concerto. Early in the second special K took a great contested mark reminiscent of Terry Daniher. Julian chose the right option by passing to Darren Bewick who goaled on the run. Halfway through the third Kirzner slipped away from Silvagni and marked on a long lead. A handpass to Peter Cransberg and he majored from 45. A number 40 grab in the last was a byword for courage. Kicked long to the top of the square. David Grenvold sausage from a goal mouth scramble. Bombers won. 12.8 to 9.8.
This was the last senior appearance for Kirzner at Essendon. Starved of opportunities he crossed to Carlton. There he chalked up goals on the stats blackboard. But no ones action eventuated. The Blues had Kernahan and Spalding. JK then tried his luck on the Kangaroos rookie list. He was elevated in 1997.
Round 8. Roos versus Port at Optus. 20 minutes into the second Port defenders sought to rush a behind. Somehow Kirzner got his boot to the ball for a freakish soccer goal. During the third he took a pack mark 40 metres out. As Dr J kicked the goal umpire reached for the two flags. And in the last another six pointer from 45 on an acute angle. Roos home 19.14 to 15.10. The K played two more senior games at Arden Street. He was then delisted.
Kirzner joined North Ballarat in the VFL. Kicked bags of goals. Crucial goals. He helped the Roosters to the finals. Then injuries hit. After two seasons he disappeared like John Stonehouse.
Somewhere Julian Kirzner will be taking games of football by the throat.