I filled in the census last night and quickly answered most of the questions. It was fairly easy stuff, even for a footballer.

However, there were two questions where I got stuck - which is quite embarrassing considering there are no wrong answers, but somehow I found a way to get stuck.

Here are the questions I struggled with:

Question 39
What are the main tasks that the person usually performs in the occupation?

I was a bit unsure how to answer this one. I could put down that I’m a footballer but ‘footballer’ is such a broad term now in Australia.

To be specific I’m an Aussie Rules footballer, and not of the soccer or rugby league/union ilk. (Side note - pretty happy with myself about using the word ‘ilk’ in that last sentence).

But simply writing footballer doesn’t really describe ‘the main tasks’ involved with my job. So as a footballer what are my main tasks?

I could put down “kicking a football”, but kicking a football is a pretty lame description.

I’m a full back/centre half back and as we are always told to defend first, I thought I should put down something that encapsulates my defensive role.

For example “preventing the full forward from kicking goals”, or “trying to stop the opposition from scoring”.

Sam Reid could put “jumping on people and pulling down marks” and Jude Bolton could describe his tasks as “diving head first into packs”.

Question 43
What are the main goods produced or main services provided by the employers business?

I guess that footballers don’t produce goods, and that we’re really a service provider.

From one perspective you might say we provide entertainment, but I’m sure there are a few people out there who might say after so many close games this year that we also provide a heart and anxiety test as well.
My “main service provided” could be punching the ball away from my opponent or “preventing opposition shots on goal’’.

Adam Goodes’ services would be something far more glamorous like “dominating opponents” or “frustrating opposition coaches”, and Josh Kennedy’s would be “extracting the ball from stoppages”.

Anyway, they were the questions I struggled with on census night. However I didn’t put too much thought into them as most of my time is being spent looking towards this weekend and our important game against Richmond on Sunday.

I’ll be out to “prevent my opponent from scoring” and everyone else will be out to provide their service for the team too.

We’re back on the MCG for only the second time this year and we’re all looking forward to it.

Hope you can come along and cheer us on!

Ted Richards
@richards_report