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cino
SotS Media Liaison
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
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Location: Stuck between South and West
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 Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:53 am Post subject: Lindsay Gilbee happy to reject NFL punt |
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| Quote: | Lindsay Gilbee happy to reject NFL punt
Jackie Epstein | February 15, 2009 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25054179-19775,00.html
LINDSAY Gilbee has revealed how he turned his back on the chance to become an NFL punter to pursue his AFL premiership dream. Twelve months ago, the Bulldogs defender had offers to trial in the US, but believed it was too great a risk to quit football.
Even watching former Geelong captain Ben Graham punting for Arizona in the Superbowl two weeks ago was not enough to make him regret his decision.
"I could have gone over and got a trial, I know that, but I wanted to stay here and play with my mates and achieve some things that I think we can achieve in the next few years," Gilbee said.
"That was my main aim and I thought it was a lot to give up to go to a place that wasn't guaranteed.
"I look at Ben and think he's probably achieved more than he ever dreamed of. But for a guy who is that good a kick to get cut three times, it makes you think how good you probably have to be."
Gilbee is renowned for his long and accurate kicking and has marshalled the club's kick-outs for years.
At the time of the offer, he was also negotiating a new Bulldogs contract.
"You do think, 'Gee, what if?' But, to be honest, you couldn't find a happier person in where I am now . . . and what I'm hoping to achieve as a team with this footy club," Gilbee said.
"I'm not saying I wouldn't love to have a go. One day I would love to have a crack at it, but certainly now's not the time.
"It'll take a lot to pull me away from my love of this game and the people at this football club.
"In the immediate future, I don't even think about it. I love watching the (American) game.
"Tom Williams is the biggest fan going around so, after training, we watched the last quarter of the Superbowl and it was great."
Gilbee has never spoken to Graham, but admires his courage in pursuing an NFL career. Gilbee hasn't kicked an NFL ball for almost a year. His focus is on playing football for at least another three years.
As for this year, Gilbee rates this pre-season one of his best ever.
"I'd like to play as long as I can," Gilbee, 27, said. "I'm contracted until the end of next year and I'll be 28 when I'm out of contract.
"I'd love to play for another three years after that, at a minimum. I think my body's very good and has been in good shape for a long time.
"This is probably the best pre-season I've had in quite some time - at least since the 2004-2005 season.
"Touch wood, I haven't missed a session and it's also been the toughest pre-season I've done as an individual and with a team.
"Bill Davoren, our head of fitness, has been absolutely fantastic. He's been innovative; he brought ideas to training that have never been used before (in AFL).
"We've always been a quick running side, but we just need to maintain our fitness in games for longer. Having a triathlon background and having trained (triple world champion triathlete) Emma Snowsill to her gold medal, Bill's brought a lot to the club and certainly a hard edge." |
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amnesiac
Scott West
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Definitely made the right decision. It's not an easy game over there, and to risk a) his AFL career and biggest contract of his career and b) a genuine chance of an AFL premiership woudl've been a big move.
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TommyGun
Shaun Higgins
Joined: 25 Sep 2008
Posts: 97
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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| amnesiac wrote: | | Definitely made the right decision. It's not an easy game over there, and to risk a) his AFL career and biggest contract of his career and b) a genuine chance of an AFL premiership woudl've been a big move. |
I'm not too sure if Gilbee would be suited as a punter anyway, whilst he hits the spot 99.999% of the time, what is he like with a torp? Anthony Rocca would be ideal as a punter, he can launch a mighty torp from 60 metres out and split the middle, i'm not too sure Gilbee has that same penetration in his kicking.
Ben Graham however, i remember oine game at Whitten where he launched a kick out from full back and hitting the ground around the centre square. |
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cino
SotS Media Liaison
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2145
Location: Stuck between South and West
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:56 am Post subject: |
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I wish I understood NFL better, but to be honest, I could care less about it. I like Gilbs' exactly where he is: in the red, white and blue.
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Furtanken
Adam Cooney
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
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Location: Bat Country
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:58 am Post subject: |
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He looked like he put on a few kg too.
He looked mean.
I like it.
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i_love_d-mac
Cameron Wight
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 719
Location: ......bRaYbRoOk.......
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:51 am Post subject: |
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gilbee looked pretty awesome the other night
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DoggyOutWest
Peter Street
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 1478
Location: Soon: Kings Park!
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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I just love how our boys are turning down other offers.
They must be as excited and confident as we are.
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