Kako urged to lift defensive pressure amid goalless spell
Promising Essendon small forward Isaac Kako should focus on the defensive side of his game to unlock his potential, teammate Peter Wright says.
Kako was one of the most exciting players in last year's draft - a member of the Bombers' Next Generation Academy who booted four goals in a pre-season match against Geelong in February.
But the No.13 draft pick has been held goalless for his past three matches, and is averaging 10.2 disposals per match.
Wright said the team wanted to get the ball into Kako's hands as much as possible because of his ability to make something of his possessions, but the small forward should be focusing on chasing pressure and tackles.
'For him, it's just bringing that real defensive mindset. I think that's how small forwards really get into the game,' Wright told reporters outside the MCG on Monday ahead of Essendon's Sunday night clash with Carlton.
'Clearly, Isaac's someone with just a tremendous amount of talent. We love playing with him,' Wright said. 'If he can just bring that consistent pressure, I think the rest of his game will flow from that and he'll play a really important team role.'
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The tall forward said the upcoming game was a big opportunity in a tight competition, and he relished the King's Birthday eve timeslot against one of Essendon's greatest rivals.
'Any time you get two big Melbourne clubs playing against each other, you feel that extra bit of pressure and expectation from your supporter base,' he said. 'I think on Sunday night it's going to be a massive crowd, and that adds to the atmosphere. Where we both are on the ladder, it obviously means a lot to both teams.'
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The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Magpies ponder selection posers for King's Birthday
Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion." Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion." Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion."
West Australian
9 hours ago
- West Australian
Essendon great Tim Watson says Neale Daniher had to overcome his headstrong attitude in MND fight
Neale Daniher has had to conquer a headstrong attitude to fight his brave battle against motor neurone disease, says former teammate and close friend Tim Watson. AFL great Watson says the honesty with which his former Essendon teammate has spoken about his health plight — and his resolve not to let it dictate his life —is why the Big Freeze has been such a success. The annual fundraiser, centred around the King's Birthday clash between a side Daniher coached to a grand final, Melbourne, and one of its fierce rivals, Collingwood, has raised more than $115 million in just over a decade. Heading into the 11th Big Freeze on Monday, Watson revealed why Daniher, the 2025 Australian of the Year, had become such an icon. 'I think because of his authenticity. I think people saw that this was something that was real —this person wasn't doing anything for himself. He was doing something for a cause,' Watson told The Nightly. 'I think that resonated with people. In a world where there's so much manufacturing of image, I think people could see that this bloke was 100 per cent authentic and real. And he did it with humour as well — he was self-deprecating. 'The way that he framed it as 'slaying the beast', the way he spoke just appealed to people, and they all just wanted to jump on board the cause.' Watson said the Bombers' youngest-ever captain (1982) never shied away from the challenges and evolved as a person during his MND fight. 'He was very headstrong,' Watson said. 'He had a lot of setbacks in his own career. There's something about him. There's this different Neale that has appeared with this. He's been a remarkable human being. I think it's just astounding how he's conducted himself.' 'I think it's about the positivity, about the way that he's spun it,' Watson said. After being diagnosed in 2013 with the incurable disease, which degenerates motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord robbing the sufferer of the ability to move and talk, Daniher has been determined to find a cure. 'Even yesterday, in his address to Melbourne, it wasn't about 'woe is me' or dwelling on the negative, but saying, 'what's something positive I can do?' No matter how miserable it might look, how can I spin that around? 'He's definitely done that and demonstrated that to everybody — that no matter what the diagnosis might be and how poorly he felt at times … I think it did take him a while when he was first diagnosed to find some sort of way of dealing with it internally. And then the way that he's been able to do that publicly — I think he's just been like a beacon of optimism and inspiration for so many people.' Daniher's playing career was derailed by injuries that saw him miss out on playing in Essendon's flag-winning teams of 1984 and 1985. He did finally win a flag with the Bombers as an assistant coach in 1993. He features on tonight's episode of Unfiltered on Channel 7 , where he shares a rare insight into the lowest point of his career and the personal news that got him 'out of his funk.' The interview was conducted over several weeks, with Hamish McLachlan and Daniher exchanging text messages. Daniher responded using his eye-gaze machine, which makes his voice sound like it used to. Daniher played 66 games in three years for Essendon between 1979 and 1981, but injuries restricted him to just 16 more before he retired. Essendon were the reigning premiers, and Daniher had dreams of lifting the premiership cup that in 1985 when disaster struck in mid-week game. 'Footy gives you great highs and tragic lows, that's for sure. The lowest I felt as a player would have been in 1985,' Daniher said. 'I was making another comeback after two ACL knee injuries and the Bombers were the reigning premiers. I had just made my way back into the team. 'We had a mid-season competition involving interstate teams. I was asked to back up and play in Adelaide. In retrospect, that was a dumb idea. I wasn't ready to play three games in seven days. 'During the second quarter, I got caught in a pack, landed awkwardly, and did my knee again. This time it was my good knee. I was lying on a cold floor with ice on my knee in foreign rooms, on my own, as the sounds of the game continued without me. 'I knew my playing career was done at the elite level, and my crack at September — and maybe a flag — was over.' Daniher added that the impending birth of his first child helped him get out of the injury heartbreak. 'What broke me out of the funk was that I had married Jan earlier that year. Not much later, we received news that we would have our first child, Lauren. That definitely helped me realise that life was more than the number on my back.' Watson said being able to be hear his own voice would be terrific for his mate. 'I think it must be really great for him because of the frustration when you can't speak. For his words to be delivered in the way they can be — it must be a great thing for him. It might just alleviate some of that frustration,' he said. Watson was one of the first sliders to plunge into the icy waters, which has now become a rite of passage for sporting figures and celebrities during the Big Freeze. He said he didn't have any great words of advice for the 2025 sliders announced so far: Peter Daicos, Matt Shirvington, Ariarne Titmus, Mark Taylor, Matt Nable, and Liz Watson. 'Nothing really prepares people for how cold it feels when you first land,' he said. 'It awakens every sense, but it's over in the blink of an eye too. It's a really great experience.' Melbourne will be up against it in upsetting the red-hot Pies, but Watson said the Demons, coming off a loss to St Kilda, would 'rise to the occasion.' 'It's a big game. It doesn't really matter where they are on the ladder,' Watson said. 'There's a lot of tradition and rivalry associated with this game, and the fact that it means so much beyond the football field as well. It's celebrating something bigger than football. 'Melbourne will be trying to do the best they possibly can — not just for Neale, but for the game itself.' Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan featuring football legend and FIGHTMND Founder, Neale Daniher 9.30pm straight after The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus. COVERAGE OF THE BIG FREEZE STARTS 2PM MONDAY AEDT ON 7 AND 7PLUS TO DONATE BY BUYING A DIGITAL BIG FREEZE BEANIE CLICK HERE
7NEWS
9 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Essendon great Tim Watson says Neale Daniher had to overcome his headstrong attitude in MND fight
Neale Daniher has had to conquer a headstrong attitude to fight his brave battle against motor neurone disease, says former teammate and close friend Tim Watson. AFL great Watson says the honesty with which his former Essendon teammate has spoken about his health plight — and his resolve not to let it dictate his life —is why the Big Freeze has been such a success. The annual fundraiser, centred around the King's Birthday clash between a side Daniher coached to a grand final, Melbourne, and one of its fierce rivals, Collingwood, has raised more than $115 million in just over a decade. Heading into the 11th Big Freeze on Monday, Watson revealed why Daniher, the 2025 Australian of the Year, had become such an icon. 'I think because of his authenticity. I think people saw that this was something that was real —this person wasn't doing anything for himself. He was doing something for a cause,' Watson told The Nightly. 'I think that resonated with people. In a world where there's so much manufacturing of image, I think people could see that this bloke was 100 per cent authentic and real. And he did it with humour as well — he was self-deprecating. 'The way that he framed it as 'slaying the beast', the way he spoke just appealed to people, and they all just wanted to jump on board the cause.' Watson said the Bombers' youngest-ever captain (1982) never shied away from the challenges and evolved as a person during his MND fight. 'He was very headstrong,' Watson said. 'He had a lot of setbacks in his own career. There's something about him. There's this different Neale that has appeared with this. He's been a remarkable human being. I think it's just astounding how he's conducted himself.' 'I think it's about the positivity, about the way that he's spun it,' Watson said. After being diagnosed in 2013 with the incurable disease, which degenerates motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord robbing the sufferer of the ability to move and talk, Daniher has been determined to find a cure. 'Even yesterday, in his address to Melbourne, it wasn't about 'woe is me' or dwelling on the negative, but saying, 'what's something positive I can do?' No matter how miserable it might look, how can I spin that around? 'He's definitely done that and demonstrated that to everybody — that no matter what the diagnosis might be and how poorly he felt at times … I think it did take him a while when he was first diagnosed to find some sort of way of dealing with it internally. And then the way that he's been able to do that publicly — I think he's just been like a beacon of optimism and inspiration for so many people.' Daniher's playing career was derailed by injuries that saw him miss out on playing in Essendon's flag-winning teams of 1984 and 1985. He did finally win a flag with the Bombers as an assistant coach in 1993. He features on tonight's episode of Unfiltered on Channel 7 , where he shares a rare insight into the lowest point of his career and the personal news that got him 'out of his funk.' The interview was conducted over several weeks, with Hamish McLachlan and Daniher exchanging text messages. Daniher responded using his eye-gaze machine, which makes his voice sound like it used to. Daniher played 66 games in three years for Essendon between 1979 and 1981, but injuries restricted him to just 16 more before he retired. Essendon were the reigning premiers, and Daniher had dreams of lifting the premiership cup that in 1985 when disaster struck in mid-week game. 'Footy gives you great highs and tragic lows, that's for sure. The lowest I felt as a player would have been in 1985,' Daniher said. 'I was making another comeback after two ACL knee injuries and the Bombers were the reigning premiers. I had just made my way back into the team. 'We had a mid-season competition involving interstate teams. I was asked to back up and play in Adelaide. In retrospect, that was a dumb idea. I wasn't ready to play three games in seven days. 'During the second quarter, I got caught in a pack, landed awkwardly, and did my knee again. This time it was my good knee. I was lying on a cold floor with ice on my knee in foreign rooms, on my own, as the sounds of the game continued without me. 'I knew my playing career was done at the elite level, and my crack at September — and maybe a flag — was over.' Daniher added that the impending birth of his first child helped him get out of the injury heartbreak. 'What broke me out of the funk was that I had married Jan earlier that year. Not much later, we received news that we would have our first child, Lauren. That definitely helped me realise that life was more than the number on my back.' Watson said being able to be hear his own voice would be terrific for his mate. 'I think it must be really great for him because of the frustration when you can't speak. For his words to be delivered in the way they can be — it must be a great thing for him. It might just alleviate some of that frustration,' he said. Watson was one of the first sliders to plunge into the icy waters, which has now become a rite of passage for sporting figures and celebrities during the Big Freeze. He said he didn't have any great words of advice for the 2025 sliders announced so far: Peter Daicos, Matt Shirvington, Ariarne Titmus, Mark Taylor, Matt Nable, and Liz Watson. 'Nothing really prepares people for how cold it feels when you first land,' he said. 'It awakens every sense, but it's over in the blink of an eye too. It's a really great experience.' Melbourne will be up against it in upsetting the red-hot Pies, but Watson said the Demons, coming off a loss to St Kilda, would 'rise to the occasion.' 'It's a big game. It doesn't really matter where they are on the ladder,' Watson said. 'There's a lot of tradition and rivalry associated with this game, and the fact that it means so much beyond the football field as well. It's celebrating something bigger than football. 'Melbourne will be trying to do the best they possibly can — not just for Neale, but for the game itself.'
