Reality Bites - A quick stroll through what is happening in sport locally, nationally and across the world

Reality Bites - A quick stroll through what is happening in sport locally, nationally and across the world.

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NORWOOD Football Club great WALLY MILLER was not in Melbourne at the AFL launch last week to accept his AFL life membership, but the reception from the floor towards his honour was certainly exceptional.

Miller was among eight new AFL life members. He was acknowledged for his “special services to the game” across almost 50 years.

Miller played 64 SANFL league games for Norwood from 1958-1961 and is known for his strong record in the game’s administration, particularly at The Parade. He took charge of the front office at Norwood from 1974-1976 and - after showing little interest in the AFL’s growth - joined the Adelaide Football Club board in the 1990s.

NEW “GOV”

AFL football boss Steve Hocking’s 6-6-6 starting positions - with the demand for one-on-one match-ups between forwards and defenders - is thought to work against the great sweepers and intercept defenders such as West Coast premiership hero JEREMY McGOVERN.

So the “Gov” has reacted.

Previously described by team-mate Sam Butler as having the “sloppiest rig in the AFL”, McGovern admits he has lost a “few kegs” from his frame in the summer.

“A little bit (to do with the new rules) and probably the new type of players coming in,” McGovern explained. “They’ve got a good aerobic base when they come in and you put them in an AFL system and they get even better. So I’ve got to try to keep up with the young blokes fanging around the field.”

SURELY NOT

MIKE Gundy is an American college football coach. His file is loaded with controversy. He created headlines last year when he tried to dictate which headlines were to be written of his Oklahoma State football team.

It was not the first time Gundy had played heavy with the media. This time Gundy threatened to cut off press access to players if reporters asked the wrong question.

This is never a smart move in the land of free speech where the First Amendment to the US Constitution underpins a free media.

Australian football has had its bullies as coaches, administrators and even players. Just two years ago Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley wanted Brownlow Medallist Brad Hardie to have his AFL media credentials revoked for a rather misunderstood comment on Fremantle coach Ross Lyon.

Stand-over tactics to thwart the media have never succeeded.

It is most appropriate that the AFL - and not its 18 league clubs - is responsible for the allocation of media credentials to cover the national league. More so after one club chairman recently told his colleagues at an AFL meeting in Melbourne last week how his club has put the media under control in his home city ...

Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring 3-0 during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match against Atletico Madrid at the Juventus stadium in Turin.

KINGS OF EUROPE

CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Atletico Madrid - to revive Juventus in the Champions League play-offs - keeps alive the long-running debate as to the world’s greatest footballer.

Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, who scored two goals and two assists in Barcelona’s slaying of Lyon?

The question might be put to the test on the pitch with Juventus and Barcelona still capable of playing in the Champions League final in Madrid in June in the new Atletico Madrid stadium. This would mark the fourth time Ronaldo and Messi have been on the same Champions League pitch with Messi leading the head-to-head count 2-1.

Former England manager and former Italian international Fabio Capello endorses the theme of Messi being the better player. He says: “Ronaldo’s an extraordinary footballer, but Messi is a genius.

“There are three geniuses in football: Pele, Maradona and Messi. Period. Ronaldo is very strong as he lets you win everything, but Messi is a genius and something else.

“I faced Messi when he was 16 years old and I was amazed. He did the same things he does today, but 20 years younger because he was born a genius.

“He invents things that others don’t see. Ronaldo has made himself a champion, but not a genius.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I understand where they (NRL rugby league) are at and obviously it’s a very tough period. Our (AFL) players make mistakes, they’re not going to get everything right. But by and large, I’m very proud of the playing group.”

AFL chief executive GILLON McLACHLAN finding comfort after a summer of total contrast to his NRL colleagues.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

My 13 y/o granddaughter lives in Canberra and is going to play AFL this year , so I have just purchased her first football , for me thats certainly a "times they are a changing" moment.

— Leigh Matthews (@LeighRMatthews) March 16, 2019

AUSTRALIAN football Legend LEIGH MATTHEWS