Players Steeled: Malthouse
The Age
Saturday August 9, 2008
COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse said the scandal involving Heath Shaw and Alan Didak had not only galvanised the club against the rest of the football world but opened the door for two more talented youngsters to establish themselves in Magpie colours.
Asked whether the team had been steeled by events of the past week ahead of tonight's critical match against St Kilda, Malthouse said: "I don't think there's much doubt about the fact that they've been galvanised. "Collingwood supporters are generally very galvanised in regard to the way they're perceived anyway . . . no one wants to see Collingwood succeed except Collingwood people."Players were determined to move on from the controversy and focus on a game that could define their season. Controversy erupted when it was revealed Didak was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Shaw that crashed into stationary vehicles last weekend. Shaw had earlier denied Didak was in the car.The suspended players have been replaced by debutants Chris Dawes, a key forward who missed most of last season with a knee reconstruction, and 18-year-old midfielder John McCarthy. "They were just waiting for the right doors to open," Malthouse said. "I would like to think the quality of those players is such that they will be around the club for a long time."Malthouse has also left the door ajar for seasoned midfielder Shane O'Bree to play against the Saints, despite being left out of the original side because of a thigh strain.Anthony Rocca is also eyeing a return before the end of the home-and-away season.
© 2008 The Age
