BomberBlitz.com Exclusive Interview - Tristan Cartledge

BomberBlitz – From what age did you seriously want to be an AFL footballer?
Tristan Cartledge – Probably since I was 15 – started playing when I was about 12, but I also played a lot of basketball when I was younger
BB – Were you any good?!
TC – Played a bit for Vic Country!
BB – Cool!
TC – There’s more development available for football though, than basketball. Plus I was tall for football, but not really for basketball! A lot of guys played junior basketball, then started playing footy….. you get your mates saying, come and have a game, and get drawn towards the social aspect!!
BB – And are there any guys from Ballarat that you played with that are now in the AFL?
TC – Adcock, and Brennan

BB – Who were your football heroes when you where a kid, and who did you support? Who are your ruck idols?
TC – sheepish grin well I was actually a Collingwood supporter as a kid! But it was still great beating Collingwood last week!
BB – Collingwood!! Obviously family forced?!
TC – Yeah, Mum was Collingwood, and Dad was Essendon…. and he was filthy that I barracked for Collingwood! Tried to convert me, few bribes here and there!
BB – So your footy hero…
TC – Millane. Plus the other footballers that were good to watch, like Carey and Ablett
BB – And what about ruck idols?
TC – Jeff White

BB – How much has learning the art of ruckwork off the likes of Barnes and Madden helped in your development? How do you think you are progressing as a ruckman?
TC – They’re huge!! I have lunch with Barnsey a fair bit, and he says he wishes he had a ruck coach when he was younger – he didn’t get as much guidance, just had to learn his own way.
BB – You would have been able to learn a bit from Barnesy about positioning around the ground too, knowing where to run?
TC – Definitely…. even sometimes when he’s out running, get some comments under the breath!!
BB – And you feel like you’re developing ok?
TC – I’m just taking it step by step, gradually getting better. This year I’ve definitely felt like I’m getting somewhere, whereas the first year was just getting used to being at the club, and last year was a shit year with injuries!
BB – Speaking of injuries, how has the knee been?
TC – Yeah, no problems, all good!

BB – Of the rucks currently at Essendon, who do you think is the best tap ruckman?
TC – Well, have to say myself, don’t I!! grins

BB – Has Matty Allan been a good source of rucking tips and tricks?
TC – Yes – he’s a very good bloke, but also an all Australian ruck, and he’s definitely passed on a lot of knowledge.

BB – The timing of your leap during a ruck contest is obviously something that’s been difficult to get right. Do you find that simulations at training come anywhere near an actual match situation, or have you learnt more from match experience?
TC – More from the matches – there are so many factors you need to learn about, and to expect the unexpected
BB – Would you like to see changes made to the bounce around the ground?
TC – I don’t think they should get rid of the bounce – it’s tradition! Definitely need to keep it at the start of the game and after goals – maybe throw it up around the ground.

BB – What sort of impact has the change to the centre circle rules had for your game? Do you think it has been an advantage for your natural rucking style?
TC – Yeah probably – because I have a good vertical leap. It’s taken all this year to get used to – when the ball is bounced straight up, it’s easier, but it’s difficult when it goes sideways and bounces on your head – before, you had extra room to run in and around, whereas now you’re a sitting duck!

BB – Well, speaking of vertical leaps, that leads to our next question!! At the draft camp they said you had very good results in vertical leap – do you know what the results were? How do David Hille and Jason Laycock compare?
TC – Umm… I think… might have been 71cm?
BB – How exactly do they measure it?
TC – They measure how high you can reach, then measure how high you can jump and hit, and it’s the difference between the two.
BB – And who were some of the others that year that did well?
TC – Wells was one of them… and Harper, the guy from Perth who had leukaemia
BB – And Hille and Chook – how do they compare?
TC – They’re both pretty good – Jason is probably a bit better than Hille.
BB – So can you grab a coin off the top of the backboard?
TC – Yeah… oh, off the top of the backboard??? No way! But I can dunk!
BB – That’s all that matters!

BB – During the round 16 game against Collingwood, Dennis Cometti commented that “you must have a trampoline in your socks” because he was impressed with your vertical leap! How do you respond to such positive feedback given that it’s only the beginning of your career?
TC – chuckles yeah, I heard that on my tape the other day! It’s always good to hear stuff like that!

BB – Before the Collingwood V Essendon game, the commentators said that Sheeds took you for a walk around the boundary line. Can you give us the gist of what he said to you?
TC – It was on the Thursday, and we had a walk and a chat. Sheeds talked about stepping up, and playing senior footy and staying in the team. Also about not getting caught up in the noise of the crowd and the stadium, to stay focussed, and how playing in the big games against Carlton and Collingwood were good games to play in to work on that!

BB – Did it make rucking a bit easier that week having the players you have played with all year at Bendigo in the centre with you like Winderlich, Dyson, Nash and Monfries?
TC – smiles yeah, did feel a bit like a Bendigo team! You get to know each others games so well. Especially having Gus and Licha in the centre, they know my signals really well!

BB – What was going through your mind as you broke the tackle and shot at your first goal?
TC – Actually I was a bit shocked when it went through! I thought I was going to get tackled, so put the ball onto my boot! Got a bit of stick from the boys that I didn’t celebrate the goal, but I’m not about to start running the boundary line giving high fives… I’ll leave that to Cupes! grins

BB – Justin Madden has his bed specially built for him (so he can stretch out, in case anyone is wondering!) Do you think you might have to do the same?
TC – no… I’ve got a queen size bed, but I might have to buy a king size. The queen size is ok, but I reckon the king size would be about perfect!!

BB – If you weren’t a ruckman, which other spot would you like to claim as your own? Did you play anywhere else while you were growing up?
TC – I played CHF & FF in the juniors. I was the tall guy, and they’d just sit the ball on my head! Don’t mind playing forward, but I’d have to improve my accuracy – I think I’ve kicked something like 9 16 this year!!!

BB – Can you tell us what Sheeds has done for you to progress your career?
TC – He’s been pretty good… I think I’m on his good side! laughs Yeah, he’s nurtured me a bit, looks after me…. actually I think Sheeds must have told Barnesy to tag me around the club, cos he’s always there, telling me stuff, passing on info!

BB – What’s your routine before a game? Does it differ from VFL to AFL? Do you have any superstitions?
TC – No real superstitions – nothing like Gus and his tape!! I try not to vary the routine… if we’re playing in Bendigo, we stay in apartments up there, and just watch the footy on tv, play cards. Just relax and keep the fluids up, turn my phone off

BB – Turn your phone off! Very dedicated to a quiet night!
TC – Yeah, well, still get some mates messaging, saying good luck for the game, that sort of thing!

BB – If you were to captain would you pick heads or tales… and why?
TC – Tails never fails!

BB – Are you single? Do you prefer blondes, red-heads, or brunettes?
TC – Yes… and brunettes!

BB – Could you go out with someone 40cm short than you?! She’s going to kill me for asking you this!!
TC – laughs Ummm….. if she’s a nice girl, yes!

BB – If we had a player called Horse at the club, would you be worried that he would always be in front of you?
TC – laughs I’d be more worried if he was behind me!!!
BB – laughing very true!! Has anyone ever nicknamed you “Dunna”?<br>
TC – laughing again no, haven’t heard that one! I’ve had “Shark” “Arthroscope” and “Torn”!!

BB – Lloydy apparently likes the breezers! What do you drink?
TC – Bourbon!
BB – Oh, excellent choice! Ok, next question – So… how ‘bout them Knicks?

TC – chuckling what??
BB – laughing that’s the next question!! “How ‘bout them Knicks?”!!
TC – shakes head well, how are they doing…. they’re doing shit! Actually, who’s that guy that’s come over…. (Editor’s note…. the guys break into discussion about which basketball players are where, who’s done what, etc etc … I just sit there, and wait for it to run its course!!)

BB – What’s your favourite movie? If someone made a film of your life, who would you like to play the lead role?
TC – Anchorman!! I live with Nashy and Johnsy, and I bought it last month. I reckon we’ve watched it 10-15 times – we’ve even started talking to each other in Anchorman quotes!!
BB – chuckles fair enough!! And which actor would you pick?
TC – Anyone but Tom Cruise!!

BB – Do you think Sam Lane is hot?
TC – Yeah, she’s alright!! Who asked that question? Wasn’t Sam was it?!!

BB – Can you tell us your secret talent? We promise not to tell anyone!
TC – No, said it before, will say it again, it’s a secret!!

BB – According to your profile you like That 70s show – who’s your favourite character and why?
TC – Ashton Kutcher – he’s just so dumb, he’s a 70’s version of Kepler!! laughs

BB – laughing And how is it working out living with Nashy and Courtney?
TC – Good. My parents are only an hour away, so sometimes they come down and help…

BB – laughing how much help do you need!!!
TC – grins well, Mum might do some cleaning… and if I’m sick, they can send soup!!!

BB – Your pre-season photo – what were you thinking?
TC – grins that was a shocker wasn’t it! Seven of us went to Torquay the day before, and we were like “nah, we won’t get burnt” and we were soooo red!!

BB – Is she really going out with him? Is she really gonna take him home tonight????
TC – shakes head no idea!!

BB – Do you like Michael Buble?
TC – That’s that jazz guy, isn’t it? No, not a big fan!
BB – chuckles good answer, the next question was “If yes, are you ashamed to admit that?”!!
TC – grins

BB – Which song do you think Kepler Bradley would sing if he was on Australian Idol?
TC – a John Farnham song – “Burn for You” – he’s got it as his ring tone!!!

BB – Who is your favourite big brother housemate? Do you agree Christie looks like the Beast from Beauty and the Beast?
TC – Hot Dogs and Dean were good fun… Melanie, she’s alright! Christie… no, don’t think she’s that attractive!

BB – If you could hold a Guinness World Record, what would it be for?
TC – Did you see that girl who broke the record for limbo on roller skates? That’s what I’d like to hold the record for! Don’t think there’s much chance though!!!

BB – Are you a cinnamon, iced or jam centred type donut man?
TC – Cinnamon

BB – Three words to describe yourself?
TC – Fun…. nice….. and tall!

BB – What is your favourite colour M&M?
TC – Blue

BB – Do you think milk should be added to coffee prior to boiling water or after?
TC – After!

BB – Shorts or pants man?
TC – Pants

BB – Shoes or thongs? look under the table ok, thongs! What is it with you guys and thongs in the middle of winter!!
TC – Lets me air my feet out after training!!!

BB – chuckles oooookay! Now we’ve got some word associations for you! I say a word or name, you say what comes to mind!
TC – nods

BB – James Hird
TC – Freak!

BB – The National Draft
TC – Lottery

BB – Ted Richards
TC – chuckles Unique!

BB – Ballarat
TC – Cold

BB – Super Goal
TC – Rocca

BB – Holly Valance
TC – Hot!

BB – Pigs Bladder
TC – Disgusting

BB – Bree
TC – girls name

BB – Lloyd and Breezers
TC – Alleged!

BB – Dick Reynolds
TC – Great player

BB – Gary O’Donnell
TC – Smart

BB – Debut game
TC – Exciting

BB – Mark Johnson
TC – Tough

BB – Training
TC – Fun

BB – Kevin Sheedy
TC – Very unique!!

BB – That’s all the questions! Thanks heaps Tristan, this was great!!
TC – No worries!!

Posted 27 July 05 in News