Ash: To be honest I’m not that upset about not going. I’m looking at the positive angle in that I’m getting closer to coming back and I’m just looking forward to doing the hard work at training this week to try and be right for the following weekend. In answer to the second part of your question, we haven’t beaten the Eagles in Perth that often, but any win in Perth – against West Coast or the Dockers - is a good win.
G’day Ash. I can’t understand why the AFL won’t play games on Good Friday. I feel it would be as massive as an Anzac Day game to play on the Friday night. What do you reckon? – Gav from Bendigo, Vic
Ash: Nothing really gets done on Good Friday because it’s a religious day, and I’ve got to admit, I’m happy sitting around and relaxing. We’ve already got the Easter Thursday night game and Easter Monday, so not having a Good Friday game helps stretch the footy out over the weekend. Sorry mate, but I’m not real big on that one.
Hello Ashley. I love reading your column. Can you give me a good and unbiased tip for this year’s Brownlow Medal? – Shelley from Kenmore, Qld
Ash: Thanks for reading my column, Shelley, I’m glad you like it. Put my ‘Neutral Ash’ hat on, I’ve got to say that Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett Junior could dominate the Brownlow again. Having watched them and the Cats play through the NAB Cup on telly, they’re hard to go past. Browny would be a chance, but I wouldn’t rule out Daniel Kerr either. He seems to have got himself and his life in order, and he could blitz if the other two don’t.
Hey Ash. I’m a Geelong supporter but I like the stuff you write in your column. Serious, do you reckon the Cats can be as good as your Lions team of 01-02-03? – Jimmy from Corio, Vic
Ash: This is great – two people who like my column! Yeah, I think they look like they can give that era a good run. They will need some luck with injuries because from memory we only had about 29 players in total play in the three premierships. Time will tell.
Hey Ash. Do you find it hard to understand the Irish boys when they come to the club. They sure seem to talk fast. – Jennie from Gaythorne, Qld
Ash: That’s a good one. I sat down and had a bit of a chat with Pearce Hanley this week and I just sat there and nodded my head for most of the time. Sometimes he looked at me with a bit of a blank face, so obviously I was nodding my head at the wrong time! They are a really good bunch, the Irish boys, but sometimes we do get a laugh out of them.
