Tony Scott’s thoughts

Nice to hear from Tony Scott weighing in on the discussion. Tony is one of the best players to watch and living proof that short guys can still rule the court. He started off as a libero but has moved on to playing as a setter or passer-hitter for the Mt Lofty League club.

Playing for SA, Tony earned all-star selection in both 2001 & 2002. But his best trick would have to be his ability to ampi-dexterously hit. While there are plenty of players who can swing at a ball with their non-preferred arm if it’s out of reach, Tony could actually hit balls with both arms with the correct approach and footwork. Watch him in a hitting warmup if you get the chance. He alternates arms and you wouldn’t be able to tell if he’s right handed or left handed (he’s right handed, and i’m sure his left arm spike isn’t quite as good, but the technique is definitely there!).

Tony has pointed out that his “Second” U17 team that won bronze in 2000 were actually the U16 state schoolboys team getting some extra practice before their own tournament later that year. Just goes to show that sometimes the best kids in a generation can be stronger than the second string of an older bunch of kids. That said, this team had some remarkable talent in it like Brad Tutton, Travis Moran, Tony Scott, Josh Urbanski and Luke Hunyadi. Speaking to Eldo, his U16 girls also competed in the same tournament, losing the bronze playoff. They would have to be the two strongest “Second” teams we’ve fielded, and the only ones to play off for medals.

They’ve kept State and U16s separate since then and schoolboys/schoolgirls teams didn’t compete when AJVC was held in Adelaide in 2005. Instead they fielded third teams with kids that were the same age or a bit younger. All got very confusing. But the point is, having the U16s involved might have pushed the top sides to be stronger, since the quality of scrimmaging would have been much more competitive.

Tony also brings up a good point about having a separate division for weaker teams. Seems it works for the AFL with its national carnivals. From what he’s implying though, the weaker non-traditional states like NSW and QLD play in a second division. If we were to introduce a 2nd division, could we see weaker states play in it, and states like Vic who have had multiple teams medal get TWO teams playing in Div 1?

Furthermore does it all have to be at the same event? Sally brought up that having less teams would also mean we could limit the referees to only the best ones, and have a higher quality tournament all round. There are plenty of other tournaments out there too.

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Cheers for that Huy, yeh the team was entirely the U/16 school boys team and apparently it took quiet a bit of convincing from John / dad to get us into the tournament and only because it was in adelaide. I think we may be the only “second” team to medal? may not still be the case?

the tournament provided excellent warm-up competition before we went undefeated (without losing a set) in the u/16 champs. team consisted of:

• Travis Moran
• Luke Hunyadi
• Zev Costi
• Daniel Clark
• Josh Urbanski
• Brad Tutton
• Alex Fimeri
• Tom Gale
• Toby Suter
• Tony Scott

im pretty sure that is everyone…

yeh u/16 is defintely a better program, i think some valid points have been made on your blog by people in regard to state second teams. I was a firm believer in having only 1 state team…however i think a tiered system of division 1 & 2 (like AFL have with dominant states Vic,SA,WA in Div 1 & non-footballing states in Div 2) and allowing kids an actual chance of winning a match at a national championships is the best option. caters for both sides of the argument in 1 tournament!!

anyways keep up the blogging!!

tony