On Saturday evening in Adelaide, Carlton and Port Adelaide put on the AFL version of that iconic Aussie show – in the same timeslot, on the same network.
Of the 52 players who took to the field on late Saturday afternoon, just eight were aged over 25.
The Power’s young squad was fielded by choice, as they were resting a host of senior players; Carlton’s was fielded more by necessity, as the Blues seek to rebuild their list in search of the club’s 17th premiership.
The Blues debuted five players on Saturday, to add to the host of juniors blooded by the club over the past three years.
Of the five debutants, most eyes were on No.1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer, 18, who was used sparingly, but showed his class and agility with a great goal with his first touch.
The other debutants all showed equally heartening signs – wingman Dennis Armfield, 21, from Swan Districts had a fine first half; Jake Edwards, 20, presented willingly up forward; and rookie-listed David Ellard provided plenty of zip. But it was former Adelaide-listed defender Darren Pfeiffer who surprised the most.
A first-round selection at the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, Pfeiffer, 20, spent two years with Adelaide before being cut last year with just one NAB Cup match to his name.
But his 18-possession, high-energy game as a half-forward and onballer gave Blues fans hope that they might have jagged another potential star, and drew plaudits from his coach, Brett Ratten.
“Darren’s an interesting one,” Ratten said after the game. “[He's] very hard at it, puts his head over the ball, wins a lot of the footy, and doesn’t shirk too many issues. His performance tonight ... he was a real shining light for us.”
Pfeiffer himself was grateful for the opportunity to show his wares. He says while he’s working just as hard this year as when at Adelaide, he’s adopted a new mindset with the Blues.
“I worked really hard when I was out at Adelaide and thought I was playing some good footy last year (for Norwood in the SANFL). But I think I perhaps do have a different mindset coming to Carlton. It’s a lot different (to Adelaide).
“We’re a young group, learning together. I’m looking forward to sticking with the group as we grow and have a bit of success. I think that will be a great feeling.
“To win tonight was great – it’s great to get one on the board. When you win everyone plays pretty well, and I was lucky enough to get on the end of it a bit tonight.”
Pfeiffer’s role at half-forward was different to the way he was used in Adelaide, where he was cast as a half-back.
“I’ve always thought I was able to play half-forward, but never really got much of an opportunity,” Pfeiffer said. “It’s just good for the confidence to be able to go into different positions and be able to perform.”
Landing at Carlton in the middle of ‘Judd fever’ has been an interesting experience, but the Judd influence on the club is already undeniable.
“Just the way he goes about things. He definitely leads by example,” says Pfeiffer.
“He’s won a premiership; just by being there he creates excitement for the public and for the players. We’re getting plenty of people out to training, and that may be because of Chris. But it’s definitely positive.”
The excitement at Carlton is also based around the improvement of other young players, such as unheralded ruckman Shaun Hampson.
While the much-anticipated debut of Kreuzer took the headlines, it was the 201cm Hampson, playing just his third match, who would have generated more excitement for Blues fans, rucking well and sealing the game with a 45-metre goal late in the last quarter.
“Hampo’s had a great pre-season,” said Pfeiffer. “He really hasn’t been in the game that long and he’s learning every week. The way he flew for a few marks and brought them down, and his intensity around the ball, it was really good to see. He’s going to be great this year and in years to come.”
