From The Armchair #6 - Lovett, Which No.13 Will He Be?

By No32
Andrew Lovett, and excitement machine has been struggling over the past few seasons with injuries and off field issues culminating with a team suspension of which he has just finished serving.

His comeback match to senior level was against Carlton, Round 3. He was nothing less than electric and brought back many fond memories of days gone by when another No.13 of indiginous decent would light up the hallowed turf of the MCG in one of the great Grand Final performances in the last 20 years.

Andy Lovett came onto the scene with a bolt of lightning and speed back in 2005, he was the pre-cursor to the speed machine midfield outfit now blessing the Essendon list, which was a far cry from the slowfield we had back then.

Matthew Knights has challenged Andrew Lovett to become the player he has threatened to be in flashes, to stop teasing the supporters and also himself with the possibilities of his talent if harnessed. As with many uber-talented is they sit back on their heels and carve out a career based on their natural ability and not working harder to get the most out of that natural talent. One such player who comes to mind is Damian Cupido.

He also wore the No.13, and many like myself thought he could be much like Michael Long. He was adept on his left and right foot (from good range also), he had a good strong body, excellent pace, not super quick but he was strong and elusive. His break out year was his first at Essendon when he kicked 40 goals from the small fwd position and his game on Anzac Day 03 for a return of 12 kicks, 4 tackles and 5 goals on a day where young James also kicked a bag and won another Anzac Day medal. He booted another 5 against Geelong in Round 13. Cupido was 21 years old by this game and 20 or so games under his belt, right there and then he could have become ANYTHING. Unfortunately we can only say he now has become NOTHING, just another sad case of a player not working hard enough away from the game to prepare, practice and train to give themselves the best oppourtunity to play their best football. Damian Cupido thought he would get by on talent alone. Maybe in 1993, but not in 2003 and sadly by the end of 2005 he was delisted and never to be seen again running around on an AFL list. He is still only 26 years old. Too Little Too Late.

I hope this stands to jolt Lovett how short ones career can become with complacency, and I am hopeful he is reminded of the person who wore the number before him and what they achieved, NOTHING and look at the person who wore the number before Cupido and what they achieved because they applied themself to their craft, to their club and to their own self respect.

Andrew Lovett has had one super game, his challenge is to produce these games on a more regular basis. To become an electrifying game breaking excitement machine. Lovett can live by the sword and die by the sword and at the age of 25 he does not have anymore chances or lives left to give. Under the Knights regime you either sink or swim as the belief I see from Knights if the player cannot fit into the “Team” he cannot be part of it. The TEAM and the CULTURE is more important than any one player. Gone are the days of accepting mis-dimeanours from mercurial players in the hope they will fall into line. History says they will never fall into line, it’s then upto the club to decide on what sacrifice they are willing to make as it can make or break a football club

Lets hope Essendon never have to make that decision with Lovett.

Posted 10 April 08 in News