Massie blossoms into prototype footballer - The Australian
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premiership player Andrew Eccles, but was diagnosed with a mild form of
chronic fatigue syndrome at the ...
Massie blossoms into prototype footballer
Andrew McGarry
June 16, 2006
WHEN former Carlton coach David Parkin caught up with Kris Massie last
weekend, it was with a sense of pride and relief that he noted the
changes in the youngster he coached from 1998 to 2000.
In Brisbane to cover the Lions game against the Crows on Saturday
night, Parkin spoke to Massie and found him relaxed and happy with
Adelaide, an impression confirmed by his performance in difficult
conditions at the Gabba.
Massie led his team's possession count against Brisbane with 25, took
eight marks and made three tackles in a close to best-on-ground
display.
Parkin was delighted that his former charge had blossomed into a
serious AFL player, after years of being maligned by fans and critics.
Massie started out in juniors for Edithvale-Aspendale in Melbourne's
south-east, then represented the Dandenong Stingrays before being
drafted at No.7 in the 1997 draft by Carlton, behind the likes of
Travis Johnstone, Brad Ottens, Trent Croad and Luke Power.
"He was a very high draftee, a lovely kid who wasn't really part of
this world, a natural athlete who played footy without too much
thought," Parkin said.
"Kris struggled with the rigours of professional football (at Carlton).
He never came to grips with the concentration and preparation needed
for that level of football. The last couple of years was very
frustrating, because you could see he had major potential, but the
application wasn't up to the mark.
"I must admit that by the time I retired I thought Kris was never going
to realise that potential, so no one is more delighted than me at how
he has gone this year."
Massie's time at Carlton was interrupted by injuries and form slides.
At various times he had a knee injury, osteitis pubis, a broken leg and
a fractured cheekbone. Massie was traded at the end of 2001 after only
43 games for the club.
He was sent to Gary Ayres' Crows in exchange for Adelaide premiership
player Andrew Eccles, but was diagnosed with a mild form of chronic
fatigue syndrome at the end of 2002.
After putting together occasional runs of solid performances under
Ayres and Neil Craig, Massie was given what amounted to a last chance
this year with a one-year contract extension at the Crows.
Inspired by the opportunity, he trained hard in pre-season and was
rewarded in round three when he was a late replacement for the injured
Martin Mattner.
He had a solid game, holding his spot for the next week, and has gone
from strength to strength. Craig has shown the confidence to give him a
holding role on leading opposition forwards, culminating in the
Brisbane game where he was asked to run with Lions captain Michael
Voss.
Parkin is delighted at the improvement in Massie's play.
"The performances he's given and the consistency he's shown are the
result of him maturing as a young man," he said.
"I've known Neil (Craig) for 20 years. You'd like to think that he
would get some of the kudos for seeing that Kris needed to be rewarded
a bit, trusted a bit."
Parkin said Massie, like Ian Perrie, Scott Stevens and Matthew Bode,
had stood up in the last 12 months after being hammered by the critics.
He applauded the steel and focus that Massie had attained after several
years in the league.
"(This year) he's brought a tenacity, there's been a consistency about
his play," he said. "Every minute of every quarter of every game, he
doesn't drift, he's been one of the most consistent people in the
(Crows) side."
Parkin believes Massie, who played for the love of the game without
thought of the realities of the game, has now transformed into the
prototype modern AFL footballer.
"These days you need (at every club) a dozen blokes who are about 6ft
2in, run quickly, are good on their feet, have a reasonable tank and
have the versatility to play a role anywhere from full-back to
full-forward," he said. "I think Kris probably brings the current
template (of an AFL player) to the Crows."
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