AFL Round 6
At the MCG:
Collingwood 5.3 11.7 15.12 23.16.154
Essendon 5.2 6.6 7.7 12.9.81
The Pies corrected following a few wobbly weeks and thumped an ordinary Bommer side. Despite the late withdrawal of Anfernee Rocca, the Maggies booted 23 goals thanks chiefly to Anzac Medallist Paul 'Medallist' Medhurst, in the fantasy form of his career. Travis Cloke cashed in late. This game should mark the end of any honeymoon period enjoyed by new Don coach Matty Knights. His runnin' handball game came unstuck too often and Knights made some very odd match-up decisions which didn't work. The absence of General Sheedy and Captain Hird on Anzac Day gave the Dons a vulnerable appearance and sure enough, the Dons played the decaying Rome to the Pies' swarming mob of Vandals and Goths. The Poise replaced Rocca, Ben Reid (thigh strain) and Brodie Holland (achilles tendonitis) with Nick Maxwell, back from suspension, young rover Ryan Cook and debutant Sharrod Wellingham, a gangling flanker from Perth. Luckless Bommer Alwyn Davey suffered a serious knee injury at training and was out of their side, replaced by 'enigmatic' blonde forward Courtney Johns.
Yes, some strange match-ups in the Don backline. As Rocca wasn't there, the Poise put wingman Tarkyn Lockyer at full-forward and he found himself opposed by lumbering veteran Mal Michael. Midfielder Jason Winderlich opposed Medhurst while big goose Courtney Johns started in defence, against Scott Pendlebury. Knighta tried Dustin Fletcher in attack to start with. Plenty of goals in the first few minutes, big Don Jason Laycock converted from a rubbish free kick, Poi 'Neon' Leon Davis punted 'em forward from the restart, Pendlebury gathered and handballed for running Ben Johnson to drill it through. Not for the last time, an attempted Don handballing move through the centre broke down under pressure and from the turnover Cloke handballed for an easy Lockyer slot. The Dons replied, good work from Jobe Watson got the ball forward, Poi backman Wakelin leaped early and Matty Lloyd held an easy grab, he majored. Don Henry Slattery's poor kick-in went straight to Maggie Marty Clarke, he centered a pass for Medhurst to mark and boot truly. Ben Johnson had a free at the restart and found leading Medhurst again, he majored again and the Poise led by 12 points. It slowed down a bit. Fletcher marked but missed a shot, a bit later big man David Hille found some space and passes went to Adam Ramanauskas, to Andrew Welsh and finally Lloyd, lurking alone in the goal-square. Lloydy booted his second, a bit later Heath Shaw gave the Dons a goal by handballing directly to Andrew Lovett, he gave the ball to Jay Nash, who's uncertainly poked punt bounced through. Shaw punched the ground a bit in anger, after that. Later on Kyle Reimers passed to wide-leading Fletcher, who steered a terrific kick for full points. Three straight goals for the Bummers and they led by 7 points. Don man Johns was reported for clattering, late, into the back of marking Pendlebury. The Pies reclaimed the lead, Davis dropped an uncontested mark but Medhurst and Pendlebury recovered the ball, Davis marked at the second opportunity and converted from 40m. A late Fletcher miss had the Poise a point up at the first change. The second term was tighter to start with, but the Scragpies began to control the ball. The Dons' running handball didn't work and they found themselves defending a lot. They did manage the first goal of the term, Reimers roved Lloyd's contest and squeezed through a tiny gap between pack and point-post to run into the goal-square and jab it through. The Dons led by 6 points and worked hard for a while to hold to Pies out. Twelve minutes into the stanza Alan Didak lobbed an uncertain kick to nobody, Dale Thomas collected it on-the-bounce and snapped a left-foot sausage to level the scores. Thomas, quiet 'til now, was involved in the next Pie thrust in which Josh Fraser found leading Cloke, he marked and hammered an enormous 65m kick for a goal. A bit later Don Winderlich collected a throw-in but his handpass was intercepted by Tyson Goldsack, the Poi man booted his career-first sausage. The Pies led by 12 points and were pressing, following a coupla behinds each they made it tell with three goals in the last three minutes of the half. A series of handpasses from a throw-in got the ball to Medhurst, he snapped a lairy over-the-shoulder major. The Poise cleared the restart, Nathan Brown (who'd followed Fletcher) gathered and handballed to Rhyce Shaw, onto Lockyer for an easy goal. Medhurst dropped an easy grab but Bomma Welsh's bad clearing kick sat up, allowing Dane Swan to spoil Stanton, collect the ball and drill a goal. Winderlich missed a long shot on the siren, the Magpoise led by 32 points at the long break.
To start the second half Don backman Paddy Ryder went forward and Johns picked up Ryder's erstwhile opponent, Travis Cloke. Fletcher stayed forward. The third term started slowly with plenty of mistakes from both sides, Pies Medhurst (again) and Didak spilled marks on-the-lead while the Bommerz struggled to get the ball beyond half-forward. The Poise got their act together after a while, Pendlebury did well to release Wellingham, he ran inside 50 and found Lockyer alone for a straightforward goal. Then Cloke booted one, marking behind disoriented Johns. The Pies led by a healthy 46 points now. Essadun managed their first goal since the early second term, a tough effort from Stanton to win the ball allowed Ryder to kick long, Heath Shaw biffed Welsh in the head and Welsh free-kicked a major. But at the following centre-bounce Poi ruckman Cameron Wood tapped the ball to Shane O'Bree, he passed for leading Medhurst to mark and convert. Fletcher retreated to defence. Just before the final break Pendlebury, who played very well, started a move and then slipped forward to mark 35m out. His poor kick dropped short but Medhurst rode team-mate Swan and Bomma Slattery for a big grab by the goal-post, then executed one of them arrogant banana-kicks for a goal just to rub it in. The Poise led by 53 points at the last change and it'd been over for a while. Goals tumbled through in a low-pressure last quarter, Bommer Lovett cleared the opening bounce and Stanton held a strong grab against Heath Shaw at CHF, he majored. Then Pie Wood kicked one after a good, contested mark against Ryder. At the subsequent centre-bounce Don Slattery's handpass under pressure was intercepted by Didak, he galloped clear and booted a major. When Medhurst booted one from the boundary-line, 50m out - he could do no wrong - the Maggies led by 66 points. The Dons fought back a bit, Ricky Dyson sank a huge kick for full points and Michael, shifted forward, converted following a good grab over Pie junior Brown. Good play from Winderlich created a mark and goal for Lloyd and the gap was down to 49 points. But Collywood rattled home with 5 of the last 6 goals, Cloke kicked three of 'em with some strong pack marks, bullocking Medhurst aside for one of them. Davis booted the other two with a big roost and luckily-bouncing snap respectively. Johns, given relief, kicked the one Don major in that period but overall he and they were thrashed.
Paul Medhurst (17 disposals, 8 marks, 6 goals) got the Medal, surely Jim Hird or Nathan Buckley would spin in their graves if they were dead. Steak Knives was very good, to give him his due. Scott Pendlebury (33 touches, 11 marks) was very good switching between on-ball and half-back, especially after half-time. Dane Swan (22 handlings, 11 marks, a goal) was a reliable presence and Ben Johnson (22 possies, a goal) was terrific early. Travis Cloke (14 marks, 17 kicks, 5 goals) came to the party late and Rhyce Shaw (19 touches, 10 marks) did a terrific job on Andrew Lovett. Harry O'Brien (13 possies) did well on McPhee and Shane O'Bree (26 dispsoals) was an effective rover again. Leon Davis (17 touches) and Tarkyn Lockyer (13 with 7 marks) booted 3 goals each. The Dons' best were Brent Stanton (25 disposals, a goal) and efficient ball-winner Jobe Watson (30 possessions). Jay Nash (23 touches, a goal) was okay and Nathan Lovett-Murray did pretty well on Davis, before the Pie man's two late goals. David Hille (11 touches, 23 hit-outs) was a battler in the ruck and Paddy Ryder did alright against Cloke before being moved away. Matty Lloyd kicked 3 goals. Matty Knights wasn't happy. "I believe as a coach, we did go back into our shells (after quarter-time), which is disappointing because you say to your younger players that they must take up the slack when you have got a few out . . . but I thought today, we probably did go back in our shell a bit. It was disappointing that we didn't make a stand, when we had the opportunity. It was a very disappointing day. It was unacceptable, the way we played." Mick Malthouse wasn't getting excited. "I thought all players contributed. Geelong are the trendsetters, they have wonderful contributions right across the board, and if you're going to be a contender to make the eight, and that's our goal at the moment - we can't get ahead of ourselves at three and three so we're hardly setting the world on fire - then you must have a capacity to play from one to 22. Otherwise you end up carrying blokes that are just not delivering and that then takes away from your goal set of having players interchange at the right time and passing the baton."
At Subiaco:
Fremantle 3.6 8.6 12.8 13.10.88
Geelong 1.1 8.4 8.7 13.11.89
Heart-breaking loss for Freo, who tried terrifically hard but just failed to go the distance against the relentless Cats. In fact Freo are a lot like the old Geelong. They produce a big effort in big games but wander 'round like lethargic zombies against teams they should beat. Some late injuries didn't help the Dokkers. The Cats were lucky victors, as coach Bomber Thompson admitted afterwards. But they did do well to come back at the end. Freo had one change from last week, Matthew Carr dropped for forward Ryan Murphy. The Catters showed no respect for reputation by dropping Max Rooke along with Brent Prismall and ruckman Trent West, juniors Harry Taylor and Ryan Gamble returned and rookie-listed ruckman Shane Mumford was given an AFL debut, he's from Bunyip. Cam Mooney played his 150th game.
At last, the Shockers were fired up. Ryan Crowley was typical, tagging Gary Ablett he knocked the Cat man down at every opportunity and went after the ball like a maniac. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands was very good, he even dropped the knees into a prostrate Ablett to help out. The Cats assisted Freo by having Taylor pick up Matty Pavlich, while Matthew Scarlett was allowed to 'run free'. Pavlich kicked the first two goals, both from strong marks in front of Taylor. Crowley and Shaun McManus missed shots and Dean Solomon postered. The kick-in from the last of these went out for a throw-in, Sandilands grabbed it and tumbled a kick forward. Solomon outmaneuvered Josh Hunt for a mark and goal, Freo led by 20 points. At the restart Dokker Steven Dodd was caught in possession and Cat James Kelly's free-kick went to leading Mooney, he majored. But the Dockulators were going in hard, tackling furiously across half-forward to hold the Pu55ies up. Michael Johnson picked up a bucket of touches in rebounding. Pavlich and Johnson saw long efforts hook wide and McManus postered right on the siren, but they were clearly the better side at quarter-time, leading by 17 points. And it continued into the second stanza. Early on Pavlich spoiled from behind, received the ball back from Scot Thornton and ran clear to dob a long sausage. Marcus Drum used a 50m penalty to switch flanks and find Garrick Ibbotson 50m out, he majored with a long punt. Ibbotson was good here, he's a find. Freo attacked again and Pavlich saw his handpass smothered, but was able to tackle the Cat who gathered the ball, Mathew Stokes, and win a free for 'bawl'. Red-hot but the umps love Pav and he booted another goal. Eight minutes in Stokes kicked a point, Geelong's first score of the term. Soon Jeff 'Wiz' Farmer used a free to set Peter Bell running, he kicked long and Solomon launched himself for big grab over Hunt, a good match-up for Freo. Solly converted and Freo led by 39 points, with seven goals to one. Cat Joel Corey got a free at the restart, the ball went wide to Andrew Mackie and he passed for leading Steve Johnson to mark and boot a goal. But Freo replied quickly, Farmer booting a long goal with a free, his arms hit on a lead. The Cats were wilting under fierce pressure, Paul Chapman heard footsteps, fumbled and pulled out of a contest with Dodd. Weaky. A Freo mistake gave the Pu55ies a break, Dan Gilmore's clanger led to Cameron Ling kicking perfectly for Darren Milburn to mark in traffic, he converted. Prior to the following centre bounce, Ablett fell to earth writhing. Josh Carr'd elbowed him in the stomach, allegedly. Looked like a blatant dive on TV. The resulting free-kick led to another goal for Steve Johnson and suddenly, the Pu55ies cut loose. Joel Selwood was instrumental, he sharked Sandilands's tap at the subsequent centre-bounce, sprinted clear and booted long, Chapman doubled back to mark, play-on and snap a sausage. Within a minute Ibbotson coughed up in a tackle and Ling found Ablett in rare space, he ran clear and bagged a long goal with the help of Mooney's shepherd. In the next minute Selwood did brilliantly to mark Stokes's kick with-the-flight, burst through and pass for Mooney to mark and boot another goal. And in the final seconds of the half Mackie's smart switching kick found David Wojcinski in plenty of space, Wojcinski sped forward and speared a major. The Cats'd kicked 6 goals in the last 8 minutes of the quarter and cut their deficit to 2 points at half-time.
The script says the Cats simply go further ahead in these situations, but they didn't. Freo continued to apply great tackling pressure, especially to Cats trying to run out of defence. As commentator Nathan Buckley pointed out, Jeelong were being forced wide, slowly, instead of racing the ball through the corridor as is their wont. The Dockerators had success of their own, Murphy was lucky to be awarded a soft free-kick after he spilled a mark, he majored. Cat skipper Tom Harley twanged a hamstring and had to depart. A bit later Dokka junior Clayton Hinkley gave advancing Crowley a hospital handpass, luckily Crowley slipped and was clouted in the head by Hunt. Crowley free-kicked another goal and Freo led by 15 points. Farmer and Sandilands forced the ball forward for the Dokkers, Cat Taylor tried to punch the ball out of bounds but instead sent it directly to Shocker rover Rhys Palmer, who slotted a tight-angle sausage. And soon Sandilands snapped a close-range goal, playing-on after marking Murphy's kick to send the Dokkers to a 27-point lead. Time-on loomed when Geelong managed their first score of the quarter, Gamble missing a snap from 5m. Freo rushed a coupla behinds to lead by 25 points at the last change. But Geelong dug deep, the excellent Selwood again the vital man. Hard to believe he's 19 years old and hasn't played 50 games yet. A good build-up early in the final stanza saw Mooney mark on a long lead, he turned and passed for leading Chapman to mark and boot truly. A bit later a throw-in cleared the ruckmen, Steve Johnson swept up the ball and snapped it through on his left boot. Selwood steamed clear of the restart but his long shot missed. No mind, soon good play from Selwood set up Tom Hawkins to out-mark the skinnier Drum and boot another Cat goal, eight minutes in and the Cats trailed by 6 points. McManus was sent to tag Selwood and Freo hung tough, but they were tiring rapidly. Roger Hayden, who'd done a good stopping job on Jimmy Bartel, was off with a injury and a knee problem restricted Dodd. Soon Kelly roved a throw-in for the Katz and his pass was marked by Mooney, the big Pu55y converted to level the scores. The Cats attacked again and Bartel snapped a behind, they led. The next few minutes saw some slogging play, mostly in Geelong's attacking half. Freo supporters were excited when a rare attack saw Solomon's shot head goal-ward, but Selwood got back and touched it through. Time-on approached when Mooney did well to gather an under-hit pass, play-on and kick long, Hawkins roved his own contest and handballed for Stokes to snap a major, to have the Catters 8 points up. Freo were being tackled out of it now but Palmer's great blind-turn under heavy pressure landed him in unexpected space, Palmer's long punt was marked by a back-pedalling Pavlich who booted a goal. Cats by 2 points. With just over a minute left Pavlich marked on-the-lead, 40m out on the left flank but his shot slapped into the right-hand post. Serenity now! From the kick-in Selwood punted out on-the-full, but some ump confusion over the identity of the Freo man to take the free saw a valuable 10 seconds tick by. Only 4 seconds remained when Byron Schammer drove the ball in, Cat Harry Taylor marked it.
Joel Selwood (26 disposals) sparked the Cats into action and Joel Corey (35 possessions) was good throughout. Running backmen Darren Milburn (22 touches, a goal) and Corey Enright (24 possies) were important and they had some class in attack with Steve Johnson (8 marks, 14 disposals, 3 goals) and Cameron Mooney (10 marks, 16 touches, 3 goals). Half-forward James Kelly (22 touches, 10 tackles) wasn't bad and after a very slow start, Paul 'Footsteps' Chapman (14 possies, 5 marks 2 goals) did some useful things at the end. For the Dockers Aaron Sandilands (24 disposals, 42 hit-outs, 6 marks, a goal) was great and Matthew Pavlich (21 touches, 8 marks, 5 goals) had his best game against Geelong. Peter Bell (31 possies, 8 marks) worked manfully and Garrick Ibbotson (27 handlings, 6 marks, a goal), playing as a ruck-rover or half-forward, was very good. Ryan Crowley (15 possies, a goal) typified the attitude and had the better of Ablett, Scot Thornton (22 disposals, 9 marks) provided some run off half-back as did Michael Johnson (27 touches, 10 marks). Dean Solomon (21 possies, 2 goals) fired a bit, too. In the press conference Mark Harvey looked like he might cry or punch someone, or both. He wasn't happy about the missing 10 seconds. "There are areas of the game that I can't go into, but I'm angry and so is the club. I can't go into what it is, though. Outside of that, it was a good performance. I'll wait on the AFL's response to what happened with the time clock. We were just outside the forward 50 when it happened. Everyone knows about it and I'll await their response. There are a lot of things going around in my head at the moment that bewilder me." He was positive about the performance. "Sandilands played the best game he has for this footy club and he should be recognised. Not that it's about individuals, but he gave the team a terrific sense of combatant direction that we needed. Some of our other guys are growing in stature. Ibbotson's game was terrific, Rhys (Palmer) kept coming and never gave in and Michael Johnson had a lot of the ball, but in the end it takes us to 1-5." 'Bomber' Thompson reckoned "We probably didn't deserve to win, but we end up going away with the four points. Fremantle were absolutely fantastic, they threw everything at us, and we were just a little bit off. We had two fantastic quarters where the game opened up and we scored easy goals, which we've shown an ability to do, and we're very, very proud of the fact that we've got away with the points . . . I think there's a deep-down belief and a will - a belief that they have the ability to do it, and a will and the desire to come over here and win the game. They like winning."
At the MCG:
Carlton 5.7 7.11 9.13 11.15.81
Adelaide 3.3 6.7 12.11 16.15.111
Fevola cooled and so did the Bluies as a classier Camry outfit prevailed at the 'G. Fev's problems were numerous, decent opponents, unhelpful umpiring and his own inaccuracy. But the game showed this Bloo side have a way to go. The Corollas were pretty good on a ground where they struggle, allegedly. The game was sealed in the end by one of them very annoying double-goals, which sent the Bloo fans mad. In picking the Blooze made three changes to the side victorious over Melbun, Jordan Bannister (hamstring) and Richard Hadley (groin) withdrew while Setanta O'hAilpin was dropped again, in came Bryce Gibbs, Adam Hartlett and debutant Steven Browne, a flanker from West Perth. One change for the Cressidas, rover Chris Knights in for his first game of the season at the expense of last weeks' junior debutant, Jarrhan Jacky.
The Blues started very well, with players swooping around Fevola. The Fev was opposed by Ben Rutten, the Camry man got a spoil in their first contest but roving Bloo Eddie Betts soccered a goal from 25m out. A minute later Jordan Russell planted a fierce tackle on Camry Robert 'Don't Call Me' Shirley, the ball spilled free and Marc Murphy collected to slot a goal. The Blues led by 12 points. The Cows got on the board as they motored downfield from a kick-in, Brett 'Birdbrain' Burton worked opponent Michael Jamison under the ball, doubled back to collect it and slot a major. Scott Thompson and Burton kicked behinds before a good pass from Nathan Bassett found leading Jason Porplyzia for a mark and major, leveling the scores. The Bluies ran into bother as Bret Thornton limped off with knee trouble, he didn't return. Nick Stevens stabbed a pass over Fevola's head but lurking Brad Fisher scooped up the ball and snapped a nice goal. Adam Hartlett missed with a soft free, wasting a great build-up by Betts and Judd, from the kick-in the Cressidas swept forward again and Nathan Bock capped a long three-bounce run with a well-taken sausage. The Blooze led by a point but finished the stanza strongly, Nick Stevens had a free at the restart and passed for leading Fevola to mark and thump it home from 50m. Heath Scotland and Jordan Russell missed poorly and Juddy postered from a tight angle, after racing away from a throw-in. The Camrys were flooding and Fisher lobbed a speculative bomb to a big pack at CHF, Judd's roving handpass set up Betts for a goal sending the Bluesers 16 points ahead. Late in the term Burton executed a great pick-up and long run but his lairy left-foot snap clipped the post. The Blues led by 16 points at quarter time. The visitors had struggled in attack, relying heavily on Burton, so ruckman Kurt Tippett and Andrew McLeod pushed forward for the second stanza. It paid immediate dividend as Tippett converted from a juggled mark, McLeod won the ball at the restart and Burton forced the ball further forward. Simon Goodwin gathered and handballed for Richard Douglas to snap a major. A minute later Goodwin milked a dubious free-kick for an illegal shepherd, he passed to leading Burton, mark and goal. Three majors in-a-row for Addleaid and they led by 4 points. The Bluies adapted to a slower pace and a lengthy stalemate evolved. Eventually the Blues stabbed a steady series of passes about, until Shaun Grigg found Adam Bentick 50m out, he sent it onwards for unopposed Steven Browne to mark and convert - not his first kick. After some tough work the Blooze won the ball from the restart, Kade Simpson honoured Fevola's lead but the Big Fev missed, for the first time in 9 shots. Late in the half Fisher lobbed a very high kick from a ball-up, Betts flew for a mark but couldn't hold it and roving ruckman Cameron Cloke soccered a close-range major. Bluies by 10 points at orange time.
Fevola and the Blooze seemingly caught a break at the start of the third Mario, Camry full-back Rutten didn't emerge as he'd suffered a corked buttock. Makes defecating difficult. Addleaid coach Craig made a curious decision to place rebound man Bock on Fevola and also move Ken McGregor to defence, McGregor'd barely touched the ball in the first half. Burton missed an early shot but Gibbs messed up the kick-in, Goodwin won the agget, exchanged handballs with McLeod and snapped a goal. A minute later young Bloo Matthew Kreuzer telegraphed a switching kick in defence, Porplyzia intercepted to mark it and boot another goal, the Camrys led by 3 points. Bock was doing well on Fevola, Judd was similarly silenced by Shirley and the Blues struggled going forward. After a while Simpson led up to mark Betts's pass and slot a terrific goal from a tough angle. The game entered a sloppy phase with some poor kicking, wayward efforts on goal from Douglas and Grigg and an awful miss from Goodwin. Blue man Russell lined up a free-kick and booted into the man on the mark. The Coronas made a break towards the end of the term, Burton was spoiled as he led but the Corollas recovered the ball and Shirley handballed for Burton to boot a goal. An Andrew Carrazzo clanger gave 'em another chance, Bernie Vince punted the Cows forward and a few handballs ended with Michael Doughty snapping truly. Tyson Edwards won the following centre-clearance, McLeod showed terrific skill to win the ball, speed away from opponent Russell and snap a superb left-foot major. A bit later Graham 'Stiffy' Johncock ran down Judd with a great chase and tackle, the resulting turnover led to a goal for Douglas and the Cows had jumped to a 22-point lead. The Bluies managed a reply, good work from Cloke and Bentick got the ball to Nick Stevens in space, he steered it home from the flank. Betts won the subsequent centre-break, Fevola marked his pass but missed again. Betts himself marked 20m out but fractionally after the siren, the Camrys led by 16 points at the final change. The Blues'd lost a second player, Hartlett with yet another of the hamstring injuries which've plagued his young career. Into the final stanza and Camry Brad Symes missed a coupla early shots, leading Fevola had his arms chopped by Bock but the ump waved play-on and Fev went mad. The Cows crept further ahead from a throw-in, Tippett's quick, short kick came to Burton and he snapped a good over-the-shoulder major. Addleaid led by 24 points and the game was slipping away from the Bluesers, Bloo man Darren Pfeiffer reported at this stage for blundering awkwardly (rather than deliberately) into the head of Johncock as the Camry crouched over the ball. No harm done to Stiffy. Judd gave his side hope, drilling a running goal following good handballs from Stevens and Betts to create the chance. But now came the double-goal, Camry Vince put in a couple of brave efforts to take the ball forward and from the second won a free for Pfeiffer's high contact, Vince goaled. No trouble there but as Vince's kick sailed through, frustrated Bloo backman Jarrad Waite punched the ball into the crowd. It's time-wasting by the rules and the ump awarded Douglas an immediate free-kick for a second six-pointer, sending the Corollas a handy 31 points ahead. Bloo fans were furious and their team kinda deflated. Fevola missed another set-shot, taking his tally to 1.3, and the Cows moved afield from the kick-in. Edwards was involved twice in a move completed by Tippett's goal-square mark and major. Fisher postered from point-blank, from the kick-in Johncock ran into trouble and was caught by Judd and Fevola. The ump awarded Judd the free-kick, he booted a consolation goal while Fev argued with the ump that it should've been his kick.
Even performance from the Camrys, Brett 'Birdman' Burton (5 marks, 17 disposals, 4 goals) was very handy in attack and Andrew McLeod (24 disposals, a goal) made some telling interventions. Up in the middle Tyson Edwards (29 touches) worked hard and Simon Goodwin (21 touches, 6 marks, a goal) was again a damaging half-forward with occasional stints on the ball. Nathan Bock (22 possies, 9 marks, a goal) was terrific down back, as a rebounder early and Fevola's opponent later. Robert Shirley (21 disposals) kept Judd quiet, with help from Nathan Van Berlo (17 handlings). Richard Douglas (16 disposals, 3 goals) was handy in attack, Jason Porplyzia and Kurt Tippett kicked 2 goals each. The Blues' best were probably Nick Stevens (24 disposals, 10 marks, a goal) and Eddie Betts (16 touches, 2 goals), as usual Andrew Carrazzo (24 possies) motored about to get the ball and ruckman Cameron Cloke (14 touches, 6 marks, a goal) worked hard again. Marc Murphy (24 possies, 10 marks, a goal) was okay although could kick a bit better, Paul Bower (18 disposals, 8 marks) did well at CHB on McGregor early and rover Adam Bentick (20 touches) wasn't bad. Chris Judd (15 disposals) bagged 2 late goals and Fevola finished with 1.3 from 4 marks, 6 kicks. Brett Ratten focused on the early losses of Thornton and Hartlett. "If you lose one player in the first-half your winning chances go down by around 17 per cent (where does this come from?), so we lost two, so I don't know what that percentage takes us, but it does have an impact there, but that's the way footy is," Ratten said. "Do we call for the extra interchange? I don't know . . . Did we rotate enough? We had 57 rotations to their 64 and the boys (coaching staff) were talking about the rotations . . . but we had a ruckman (Cameron Cloke) on the bench and we had Steven Browne cramping on the bench. That makes it pretty tough to start throwing players around willy-nilly . . . " Neil Craig said "The thing I liked about our whole squad today was their persistence. We were in a bit of trouble early and they had to hold their nerve to keep at the game that we want to play and keep competitive, but calm. I know that sounds stupid, but you need to have a calmness but still keep the competitiveness that drives you; I was really pleased with the way our squad did that. I thought Carlton's pressure [in the first half] was outstanding and their capacity to get to us very quickly was as good as probably we've had [to face] for the year."
At Docklands:
Footscray 7.3 11.6 19.10 20.14.134
West Coast 4.1 8.3 9.4 11.8.74
Even John Worsfold now admits the finals are (all but) gorn for his bedraggled Eagles, thumped here by the unbeaten Doggies in an often spiteful game. Tagging was the main talking point afterwards, as Bully Matthew Boyd clung to Daniel Kerr like a leech and frustrated Kerr head-butted Scott West way off the ball. As a 'kiss' it was more Glasgow than Eskimo and Kerr should be set for a tribunal-induced spell. Knee injuries to Adam Hunter and Shannon Hurn compounded their misery. Otherwise it was as-you-were for the rampant, free-scoring Bulldogs, who have some tougher challenges ahead. As you may have gleaned West was back for the Bulldogs after a few weeks out with knee soreness, Jarrod Harbrow made way for him. The Weegs made four changes following their latest home loss, regulars Chad Fletcher, Mark Nicoski and Mark Seaby were axed along with junior Matt Spangher. Brent Staker returned from his Hall-induced concussion and youngsters Brad Ebert and Will Schofield were given chances, along with ex-Blue Josh Kennedy making his Weegle debut, the man they got for Judd.
The Eegs were fired up early, with the WA press on their backs and a record of physically intimidating younger Doggy teams. In the build-up Jason Akermanis had suggested Michael Braun used steroids in the past and had to apologise, Hurn and Beau Waters gave Aker some pre-bounce attention while Boyd clamped onto Kerr in a manner barely legal but rarely punished by the umps. David Wirrpanda bagged the opening goal but Adam Cooney replied for the Dogs quickly, intercepting Hunter's wayward handpass. Quinten Lynch hammered a long shot home to restore the Eegs' one-goal lead but then Akermanis and Robert Murphy converted free-kicks, Murphy's the result of being whacked by Staker which earned him a report and provoked an official melee. Kerr had head-butted West just before that, fuelling the fire. The game settled after the blue and Murphy and Akermanis added further goals prior to the first break, Mitch Hahn and Nathan Eagleton also got on the board for the Dogs. The Eegs stayed in touch with majors from forwards Ben McKinley and Chad Jones. The Weevils gave some cheek early in the second term, with Kerr and Tyson Stenglein winning some midfield possession and their revamped forward structure showing some potential, Josh Kennedy proving a more than useful CHF. Kerr roved to snap an early goal and won a free to clear the restart, Andrew Embley passed for leading Chad Jones to mark and bag a second and reduce the Pups' lead to 7 points. Murphy responded with his third goal for the Doggies, but McKinley roved his own contest and handballed for Braun to snap it through and again cut the gap to 7 points. The Bullies steadied as Hahn converted a free-kick, clattered in a marking contest, and Scott Welsh soccered a sausage from Akermanis's kick. The Dogs led by 19 points, goals from Eagle McKinley and Doggy Cooney had 'em 21 points ahead at the long break. The floodgates opened in the third. The Pups bombarded the sticks early but came up with 1.4, Akermanis with the goal from a strong grab in the pocket. The Dogs led by 29 points before Welsh marked and converted, Akermanis goaled again from close range and the Dogs had jumped 43 points clear. The Eegs had lost Hunter and Hurn at this stage, down to 20 men. Doggy Cameron Wight hammered a running shot home to make it 48 points the diff before Lynch kicked a goal for the Eegs. But the Pups rattled through four goals in time-on, including two for Daniel 'Guido' Giansiracusa to have the locals 66 points ahead at the last change. They eased up in the final term but the Eeegs managed just two goals in 23 minutes, before Lindsay Gilbee kicked one right at the end.
Half-forward Robert Murphy (13 marks, 23 kicks, 4 goals) was very good for the Doggies, with the supply coming from in-form duo Adam Cooney (27 disposals, 2 goals) and Daniel Cross (32 touches, 12 marks). Matthew Boyd (25 disposals) did well against Kerr and, as he often does, Jason Akermanis (20 touches, 8 marks, 4 goals) played well after getting himself into trouble beforehand. Cameron Wight (17 touches, 9 marks, a goal) and Ryan Griffen (18 disposals) were decent running backmen. Daniel Giansiracusa, Mitch Hahn and Scott Welsh kicked 2 goals each. Tough backman Beau Waters (16 disposals) and new man Josh Kennedy (11 marks, 15 disposals, a goal) were the Eegs' best, with Andrew Embley (24 possies, 7 marks) and Tyson Stenglein (14 touches) battling midfield. Chad Jones (7 marks, 8 kicks, 3 goals) looked good in attack and Dean 'Big' Cox (20 disposals, 21 hit-outs) and Dan Kerr (22 possies, a goal) were handy early, before fading. Adam Selwood (19 disposals, 8 marks) played alright. Ben McKinley and Quinten Lynch kicked 2 goals each. Worsfold, he's a glass-half-full man. "We're going to win a premiership in the near future," Worsfold said. "I think we're . . . building a club that currently stands as one of the most successful in the competition in the period that it's been in the competition - that has the potential to grow in that area. Football changes every year. We've faced some massive challenges in the past two to three years, and we'll get on (with it)." On the tagging of Kerr, he said "Kerry was smashed up, he had players coming at him from every direction, so I don't know if he was reacting too much, but you can't react when somebody hits you from behind or blindsides you from the side. Is it worth it to fly the flag for Daniel Kerr? There are some times when you do have to pay the price." 'Rocket' Eade said "It's a very even competition and teams are going to be hurt when you get injuries and we're going to get them too. You just need to take wins when you get them. I think teams build them in blocks at stages, and you'll have blocks of losses. In the first six weeks, we made a block of six because we were playing in Melbourne for six weeks. Our next six weeks is pretty tough; we're on the road and against good teams. The fact that we've got a pretty tough run in the next six weeks meant we had to have these in the bank, and I think the next six weeks will be a good test for us."
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 3.2 6.5 10.7 12.10.82
St. Kilda 0.2 3.4 7.5 9.7.61
The knives'll be out again for Ross Lyon and his Sainters, after a very poor effort against their bogey side Port. The Powder have now won 11 of their last 12 encounters with Sinkilda and before this one Port coach 'Choco' Williams knew want to expect - "It'll be like playing the Swans a coupla years ago," he said. A Saint-supporting mate reckons his side are physically intimidated by the Flowers and are too soft in general. And don't get him started on Lyon's Swans' duplicate, flood-and-chip game plan. It looks like the Sainter players haven't bought into the plan either. A correction, last week I quoted Williams as saying Port were "the best 1-4 side in history", he actually said 0-4 side (in reference to pre-game confidence). Nerds hit the history books and discovered the 1975 North Melbourne lost the first four and went on to win the flag, setting the bar fairly high for Choco and his lads. One late change to Port's first winning side of the year, Nathan Krakouer pulling out and replaced by Danyle Pearce, dropped for the first time in his career last week. The Saints lost ruckman Steven King (hamstring) and youngster Sam Gilbert (shoulder) while Clint Jones was dropped, in came ruckman Michael Rix and feisty small man Steven Baker for their first games of 08, Shane Birss was recalled too.
This was a pretty terrible game and the first quarter was the worst of the four. A cold, blustery wind and spongy, rain-soaked surface didn't help but the Saints' flooding tactics made a significant contribution. Some truly woeful kicking was the main feature of the korter, you wouldn't want to be a forward in this game. Twenty minutes dragged by with a rushed behind each to show, Chad Cornes provided some entertainment by crashing into a few Saints - they do try to rough-up the Stainers - but Chadley broke a finger and had to depart (he returned later with his hand taped up, what a guy). Just into time-on Saint Charlie Gardiner committed the game's 75th clanger and Port's Warren Tredrea punted long, Daniel Motlop out-marked angry Brendon Goddard and booted a goal. A minute later Goddard marked in the defensive goal-square but his ambitious clearing kick dropped for Pearce to mark, he stabbed a pass to leading Tredrea for a mark and major. And with less than 10 seconds remaining in the quarter Sinkilda backman Sam Fisher made a terrible decision to kick to a contest, Port's Dom Cassisi gathered the ball and handpassed for Travis Boak to slot a running major. Port had grabbed a late 18-point lead. Brendon Lade fisted the Sherrin forward from the opening bounce of le deuxieme trimestre, Shaun Burgoyne tapped-on, received a very slick handpass from Tredrea and raced clear to boot a great goal. A bit later Tredrea led up to mark Tom Logan's pass, Tredders lobbed a kick into the flood but it found Lade amongst Sainter midgets like Ball, Milne and Montagna. Lade marked and converted and Port led by 30 points, the Stainers still without a goal. Brett Ebert missed a shot after a great effort by David Rodan to set him up. Stinkilda finally opened their account, Xavier Clarke won the ball from a throw-in and chipped a kick in front of leading Nick Riewoldt, his man Troy Chaplin slipped over allowing Riewoldt to gather, turn and run into the open goal. A bit later Goddard ignored the plan and kicked long to Jason Blake in the centre, the ball went to Jason Gram and his awful, toed mongrel punt flopped into Justin Koschitzke's arms. 'Kosi' converted and Port's lead was reduced to 20 points. But a bit later Chad Cornes leaped over a ball-up to punch the ball to running Boak, his 'sack of flour' kick drifted through for a goal. The umps helped Sinkilda out, plucking a free to Xavier Clarke out of an ugly, slippery scrap for the ball at half-forward. A mystery 50m penalty gave Clarke an unmissable shot. As if the game wasn't tedious enough, Port did some keepings-off late in the quarter, before Ebert sliced a shot on-the-full after the siren. Port led by 19 points at half-time.
Sinkilda's Nick Dal Santo had been thrashed by Kane Cornes in the first half, reinforcing the idea Dal's a front-running softy who disappears in the tough going. Dal Santo's praises have been sung many times in this missive, but there's evidence to support the theory. Dal Santo started the second half on the bench, replaced by David Armitage. Steven Baker was playing in a back-pocket, on Motlop which seemed strange. Anyway, Port scored the first goal of the third term as Cassisi used a free-kick to find Justin Westhoff on the flank, he handballed inside for running Michael Pettigrew to thump a long sausage. The Saints fired a bit now, winning some centre-clearances with Koschitzke in the ruck. Kosi won the next centre-break and kicked long, Riewoldt held a good grab and booted a major. Milne postered with a free-kick before Riewoldt led up onto the wing for a grab and handballed quickly to Birss, he passed to Clarke and he onto leading Armitage for a mark and major. The Stainers won another centre-clearance and Leigh Montagna punted long, Riewoldt was awarded a very soft free in the goal-square and popped it through. Three straight for the Sainters and they trailed by 7 points only. But Port had the reply, Rodan's long, speedy run exhausted chasers before he handballed to Boak, a short pass saw Tredrea mark and Sainter backman Max Hudghton unleash some abuse on team-mate Matt 'Goose' Maguire. Tredders converted. A bit later Boak shrugged off a weak Clarke tackle and kicked for Motlop to out-mark Baker deep in the pocket. Motlop steered a great goal from a very tight angle and Port led by 19 points again. Now Sinkilda managed to execute Lyon's plan for the first and only time, a slow build-up of short passes, twice featuring Riewoldt, ended with Gram marking 30m out and he duly converted. Again Port had a reply, Ebert majoring from a technically correct but very soft free for on-the-shoulder against Goddard. Motlop added to his enigma status but hitting the post from 25m right in front, and the Saints closed the quarter with some ridiculous circle-work inside their attacking 50 as they tried to deliver a short pass to an unopposed man. They didn't and Port led by 20 points at the final change. Any optimism felt by Stainer supporters was probably erased early in the last, Goddard dithered poorly in defence and was palpably caught in possession by Motlop, who goaled with the resulting free to send Port 26 points up. Tredrea and Westhoff missed shots before the Saints grabbed some hope with some champagne comedy. Rodan stood still and watched Gram mark the ball, Gram kicked wide and tired Riewoldt soccered the ball towards the goal-square - it went straight through Lade's legs and Montagna soccered a goal. The Saints were 21 points down and made a bit of an effort, the game opening up at last and Port's recent history of fade-outs on folks' minds. But Port resisted a moderate Saint challenge and after a while Port's Cassisi roved a ball-up to snap truly on his left boot and seal it. In the final minute Koschitzke bagged a consolation goal, gathering the ball from his own contest.
Kane Cornes was very good in this game, picking up 33 touches while restricting Dal Santo to 13. He won the Peter Badcoe VC Medal, an Anzac Day-related thingy. Ruck-rover Steven Salopek (29 touches, 7 marks) also played well and Dom Cassisi (25 touches, 10 tackles, a goal) was handy in the tough going. Warren Tredrea (11 marks, 15 disposals, 2 goals) was the best big man on the ground and Peter Burgoyne (27 possies) and Troy Chaplin (21 disposals, 8 marks) did some rebounding, Chaplin also restricted Riewoldt pretty well. Daniel Motlop (6 marks, 8 kicks, 3 goals) was useful in attack and Travis Boak (14 possies, 2 goals) played alright too. Decent Saints were few, Lenny Hayes (31 disposals) tried hard and Jason Gram (26 touches, a goal) was alright, Leigh Montagna (26 possies, a goal) wasn't the worst but didn't do enough either. Brendon Goddard (21 touches, 10 marks) was okay in the last line, on Ebert and Nick Riewoldt (4 marks, 11 disposals, 3 goals) battled away in attack, he wasn't bad. Justin Koschitzke kicked 2 goals. Ross Lyon is analytical. "The first quarter, I thought we were a bit conservative with our ball use. And the turnovers were costly. There were three direct turnover goals. Then after that the scoring was equal all the way through. We fought on. We won the ground ball, won the tackles. And I thought when we moved the ball quick and we penetrated we had them under some pressure. (But) that's how I'd probably sum it up - some soft turnover goals, allowing some classy stoppage goals. And they just had a bit more weight of numbers through the midfield." Hm. Choco reckoned "We're thrilled to be able to beat a quality side and to keep their score down pretty well. Coming back from Perth with a lot of people thinking the trip would have a negative effect on us and that St Kilda would be able to run over the top of us – we get a lot of confidence out of that. St Kilda is a quality side and they have some brilliant players and a fantastic forward line. We had to play for the whole time and it was never going to be a complete domination." He went on to praise Chad Cornes at length, for playing on with a broken finger.
At the Gabba:
Brisbane 3.6 10.13 15.17 19.23.137
Melbourne 2.1 5.2 8.3 13.7.85
Brisbun's inaccuracy prevented an even worse massacre for the Dees, the Lyin's jumping into the eight with what's rapidly becoming a percentage-boosting bye against Melbun. Daniel Bradshaw bagged another 6 goals on a weekend where his Coleman Medal competitors Franklin and Fevola could only manage one each. Melbun haven't even come close to winning a game, after watching the Saints the previous evening it got me wondering about designed game-plans and over-coaching. Surely you fit tactics and strategy to complement your players' strengths and cover their weaknesses, not bolt a pre-determined plan onto everyone; "Oh, let's all play like Geelong/Sydney/West Coast." Anyway. The Lyin' side here was without Colm Begley (thigh strain) and dropped pair Ashley McGrath (harsh) and Troy Selwood. In came Scott Harding, Lachy Henderson and first-gamer James Polkinghorne, a rover from Coburg and nephew of former Hawk David. The Dees lost Matthew Whelan, suspended for biffing Fevola, and captain David Neitz for at least 8 weeks with a neck injury. In came Brad Miller and defender Matthew Warnock.
Watched the first half, before the Swans came on. Proceedings were depressingly familiar for Dee fans, clunky running handball moves in which a bloke would run along, prop and handpass to guy standing still beside or, sometimes, behind him. It was a very warm 31 degrees in Brisbane and their big man Jonathan Brown started in attack this time, after playing all of last week on-the-ball against Horforn, for which Matthews apologized after the game. Jared Brennan missed with the game's first shot but Brock McLean's hospital handpass from the kick-in turned over possession and Lyin' Rhan Hooper stabbed a pass for Travis Johnstone to mark and boot a goal. Musta felt good against the old side. In a pattern to be repeated many times, the Dees turned over coming outta defence with mad handball, but Anthony Corrie missed the shot, the same sequence then saw Simon Black kick a point. Good play from Corrie and Tim Notting's drilled, laser pass set up Brown for a mark and goal, Brisbun led by 15 points. The Dees got on the board with Nathan Jones's flying snap from a throw-in. Then some classy handling and finessing by Brennan on the boundary set up Brown for another mark and goal, the Lyin's led by 16 points. Demun ruckman Jeff White had a free at the restart, he passed wide to Brent Moloney and another set up Jones for a with-the-flight mark and goal. The Brians led by 10 points and some fairly ragged footy closed the quarter, twice the Dees bombed long to the goal-square only to see unopposed Lyin's mark easily - where was Robbo? Jones missed a third shot at the sticks for Melbun and at the other end Brown sliced on-the-full to end the stanza. The second term started more promisingly with consecutive goals to Lyin' Hooper, the first as he raced clear of the opening bounce and slotted, the second a lucky free-kick for high contact from White as Hooper blatantly ducked into the big Dee's tackle. Slick handballs from Black and ruckman Jamie Charman set up a long goal for Corrie, then Jed Adcock converted a free-kick after he was knocked over while shepherding for Luke Power. Four quick goals for Brizzy and they led by 35 points. Brad Green pulled one back for the Deez, set up by a pass from Robertson. But Hooper responded with his third goal of the quarter, a good mark in front of Lynden Dunn. A bit later Daniel Bradshaw kicked his first goal of the day, from a strong mark against Nathan 'The Cougar' Carroll. Brissy led by 41 points now. Dees Dunn and Green combined to create a goal for Austin Wonaeamirri, there followed a farcical sequence in which the Lyin's would kick a behind, the Dees would mess up and turn over on the kick-in and the Lyin's would kick another behind. Four times this happened, before the Demuns finally worked the ball clear and Wonaeamirri snaggled another goal. Corrie kicked a major to end the quarter, the Lyin's led by 41 points at half-time.
Didn't see much after that, Brisbun dominated most of the third term and led by 63 points just prior to time-on, with Bradshaw having kicked two goals and Corrie one amongst a few points. Wonaeamirri kicked a third goal, and Melbun's first score of the quarter, at the 21-minute mark when he marked on the wing, played on with a bounce and thumped it home. But quickly Bradshaw majored again, leading to mark Brown's pass, and Justin Sherman's run created a fourth goal for Hooper. Dees Robertson and Jones booted goals very late to slash the Deez deficit to 57 points at the last change. Into the final quarter and the chief interest was to see how many goals Bradshaw could kick, the answer was two more. Colin Sylvia booted a couple for the Dees as they at last played with some freedom, either the lack of pressure from Brisbun or a 'nothing left to lose' attitude from themselves. As the paper noted, the Dees are already at that stage in general.
Rover Simon Black (36 disposals) was a ball-magnet again for the Lyin's but most impressive have been Anthony Corrie's (18 touches, 3 goals) performances on a wing so far, after his career was in the balance last season. Daniel Bradshaw (5 marks, 14 handlings, 6 goals) got going after a slow start and Rhan Hooper (15 touches, 4 goals) was an excellent foil in attack, as was Jared Brennan (23 disposals, 9 marks, 0.3) from a forward flank. Luke Power (29 touches) was busy, Joel Macdonald (24 disposals) did some rebounding and Joel Patfull was pretty good on Robertson. Travis Johnstone bagged 2 goals but wouldn't have excited Matthews much again with only 15 touches, Jonathan Brown kicked 2 goals but was generally well-held by Jared Rivers. The Dees' best was Nathan Jones (24 disposals, 4 goals) with Austin Wonaeamirri (10 touches, 3 goals) lively up forward. Half-back Daniel Bell (24 touches, 8 marks) was okay and Jared Rivers (18 touches) good on Brown, Brad Green (25 possies, 9 marks, a goal) was reasonably effective as he pushed forward and Colin Sylvia (19 touches, 2 goals) was okay later. Brad Miller kicked 2 goals. Dee coach Dean Bailey locked up his lads for 45 minutes afterwards. ''It's all about skill execution and how it's costing games,'' he said. ''We turned the ball over and they made us pay. Our skill level and handball and decision making was pretty ordinary for large parts of the game and they kicked lots of goals from our turnovers. When you turn the ball over and it goes straight to the opposition team, whoever they are, they're going to counter attack against you without any pressure at all.'' Lethal Leigh looked ahead to the trip to Kardinia Park. "I think it's the best team we'll have taken down there in a couple of years, in terms of the shape we are in and how we are playing," Matthews said. "I believe we can win. Geelong only won by a point this week and by their own standards they've probably been a bit bursty, they've played some fantastic five minutes but they've been a bit patchy through the four quarters of the last two or three games." Ah, no 'if it bleeds we can kill it', then.
At Docklands:
North Melbourne 1.2 3.7 7.9 9.10.64
Sydney 3.5 4.7 6.10 8.16.64
'Drawn Together' was The Age's headline, a cable-TV watching sub editor no doubt. In a typically grinding, pack-bound Sinney game the Kangers appeared winners when they led by 17 points early in the last quarter, the Bloods finished like Casino Prince but managed to score four consecutive behinds when 4 points down. Or maybe the last of those, Brett Kirk's snap supposedly touched through by Michael Firrito, was a goal with 'Dorito' apparently handling it well behind the line. Or maybe not. Both coaches seemed fairly happy with the draw, Roos with the comeback while Laidley reckoned his mob were exhausted in the final ten minutes. The Ruse made three changes to their side in selection, Daniel Pratt was suspended for clobbering Josh Fraser last week while Leigh Brown (hand) and Jesse Smith (calf strain) weren't available, but Jess Sinclair returned for his first game this season. Scott Thompson and Ed Sansbury were called up. The Swans regained Tadhg Kennelly and selected big man Jesse White for his AFL debut, he's from Southport on the Gold Coast. They replaced dropped pair Luke Brennan and Nick Smith.
The game was played in classical Swans style, which meant a feast for those enamoured of ball-ups and throw-ins. Synney ruckman Darren Jolly booted an early goal before their flood and chip about took hold. Norf went nowhere, twelve minutes elapsed before Nathan Thompson kicked a point for them. Swan spearhead Mick O'Loughlin burned a certain goal when he slipped over in the goal-square and Adam Goodes's pass sailed harmlessly out for a throw-in. A bit later Jarred Moore battled hard to win the pill from a throw-in, Brett 'Captain' Kirk lobbed a smart kick for Craig Bird to mark and punt for a goal, his career first. The Swans won the ball from the restart and Kirk, very good in this one, passed for Nick Davis to mark but he missed poorly. As he has done all season. The Swans were well in control despite a modest 15-point lead. Sam Power kicked a second point for Norf but they got a goal soon, Power kicked quickly forward from a ball-up and Corey Jones held a with-the-flight grab, he majored. But Kieran Jack punted the Bloods forward from the restart, Davis held a good mark and goaled after the siren. Siddey led 15 points at the first break. Ed Lower replaced Leigh Harding as Davis's opponent for the second Mario. Good play from Amon Buchanan and Lewis Roberts-Thomson's pass got the ball to leading Goodes in the pocket, he steered a great kick for a goal and the Swans led by 20 points. North'd struggled to get any running going to 'break the lines', but eventually they did manage a quick rebound after O'Loughlin spilled a mark and Power again passed for leading Nathan Thompson to mark and boot a sausage. A bit later Adam Simpson and Brady Rawlings combined to run the ball forward, Thompson again marked on a lead and majored. The Swans' lead was down to 7 points and Davis's poster from 20m out didn't help. Norf scored a coupla late behinds but the main incident in the concluding minutes of the half was Roo forward Aaron Edwards breaking his ankle when falling awkwardly from a marking contest. Ow. Swans by a goal at the long break.
North appeared the better side in the third term, their defenders rebounding well. Early on Thompson held a mark on a long lead and dished off a handpass to Rawlings, his long kick spilled from Jones's contest but Matt Campbell roved and sped into the goal-square to blast it through from point-blank. It was Campbell's first kick as the small Roo forwards were smothered by Siddey's defensive claustrophobia. Swans O'Loughlin and Jolly missed after marking. On the fourth of consecutive ball-ups in their forward-line Roo Harding snapped a goal and the Kangers led for the first time, by 3 points. The Bloods attacked from the restart, a series of handballs ended by Moore's pass to leading O'Loughlin, he converted. Roo Simpson missed a long shot and a bit later consecutive free-kicks to Jones, then David Hale saw the latter's kick hit the post. Justice, Hale's free was rubbish. But a minute later a Hale mark and goal put Norf ahead again, the chance created by Daniel Wells's good grab and a stupid 50m penalty against Jude Bolton. The Bloods hit back again, Jude Bolton using a free-kick to centre the ball and Goodes steamed out for a good grab and long major. And then the Ruse again, they won the subsequent centre-clearance and Brent Harvey's speed and coolness created a banana-ed goal for Hamish McIntosh. Jude Bolton drew jeers from the Norf supporters by sending two set shots out-on-the-full in the last minute, the Kangaz led by 5 points at the last change. Siddey supporters were fuming early in the last when awful decisions to grant free-kicks to Drew Petrie, then Harvey, led to a mark and goal for Hale. No controversy about the next Norf goal, Harvey tumbled a kick forward from the restart and Corey Jones dived to clutch a decent mark and boot truly. The Ruse led by 17 points and were going well. As time-on loomed they were still alright, behinds from Moore and O'Loughlin had featured before a goal-bound Campbell snap was just touched through by Ted Richards. Tadhg Kennelly raised the Bloods' temperature to provoke a comeback, his smart run and long kick created pressure, Kirk roved the pack and handballed for O'Loughlin to snap a major. Buchanan and Jack combined to win the ball at the restart, O'Loughlin lurked behind the pack to mark Jack's long kick, play-on and snap another sausage. The Kanger lead was down to 4 points. Siddey had all the momentum against a tiring Norf but they couldn't land the knockout blow. Ed Barlow missed a long shot and a Ryan O'Keefe snap went wide, a minute later O'Keefe did very well to win a contested ball and handpass to Moore, he missed. As time ticked down Goodes burst clear of some ragged pursuit and handballed to Kirk, his snap was accurate but Firrito leaped to just touch it through, although the TV angle suggested otherwise. The goal-ump was probably correct. There was 1:05 remaining and no further score, Ruse Harvey and Rawlings celebrated on the final siren but didn't know the score, obviously. They were quickly alerted.
Defenders were North's better players, led by Michael Firrito (14 disposals, 6 marks), Drew Petrie (22 touches, 12 marks) and Ed Lower (12 touches) on Davis. Brent Harvey (22 disposals, 7 marks) was game in the centre again, gradually shaking off Kieran Jack's tag and Adam Simpson (19 possies) was okay. Nathan Thompson (7 marks, 12 touches, 2 goals) offered a target, Corey Jones and David Hale chimed in with 2 goals each. Brett 'Captain' Kirk (23 disposals) was great for the Swans and Adam Goodes (21 touches, 7 marks, 2 goals) showed vastly improved form. Tadhg Kennelly (18 possies) sparked the late comeback and Paul Bevan (14 disposals) had a terrific game against Shannon Grant. Kieran Jack (13 touches) had a good duel with Harvey and ol' Mick O'Loughlin (13 handlings, 6 marks, 3 goals) proved a handy spearhead again. Roosy pondered Kirk's late snap. "A few of the players said they thought it went through," he said. "I'm just hearing what people are saying out there, I spoke to my wife she thought it was a goal. She saw it on tele and the commentators thought it was a goal, but I haven't seen it and that's just one incident in a game . . . I believe in the draw . . . two points often at the end of the season can be like four points anyway, so I think sometimes a draw's as good as a win. I'd hate to send the players back out after the siren goes and play an extra whatever minutes." Laidley said "When you lose Aaron Edwards, and we had two guys standing in the goal square [late] who basically couldn't go (Thompson and Hale were 'cramping and spent', apparently). The reality is these days when you lose players, your chances [of winning] decrease (by 17% per player, apparently). We had to make sure that we kept rotating as much as we possibly could, but in the end we were out on our feet. It was [about] 50 possessions to 100 in the last quarter, so perhaps we stole it. We wanted to keep as much run in the midfield as we could, but in the end we got over-powered."
At the MCG:
Hawthorn 4.7 6.12 10.18 14.22.106
Richmond 4.1 6.1 11.4 15.4.94
Horforn's ridiculous inaccuracy flatters Richmun, but this was a pretty entertaining game as the handball-happy Tiges had a decent crack. The Horks were too good though. The Tiggers accidentally uncovered the secret to stopping Buddy Franklin; let him have shots from 25m out. Franklin scored a bizarre 1.7 and ended the day with a shoulder injury, although it mightn't be that serious. One change for the Hawks after last week's win in Brisbun, Ben McGlynn in for his first game of the season at the expense of Tim Clarke. No change for the Tiges after their draw with the Dogs.
Most of the opening quarter, indeed opening half, was played in the Hawks' attack. The Tiges keep on indulging in circular handball in defence until they turn it over under pressure. If Plough reckons that's not the plan, then why do they do it? As foreshadowed in the press, the Tiges had new wingman Matthew Richardson dropping back to help out Kel Moore on Franklin, with others flooding back to make a triple-team quite often. But it was Hawk Jarryd Roughead who provided the early trouble, missing a coupla snapshots and Luke Hodge kicked a point as well. Another Tige turnover led to the first goal, Hodge passing for Cyril Rioli to mark and handball over-the-top for a Franklin tap-through. His only goal, as it turned out. Jordan Lewis missed a set shot before a second Orc major, Tige Jake King ludicrously penalized for 'bawl' as he bounced it while Mark Williams had a fingernail on his jumper. Williams converted. Hodge and Sam Mitchell combined to win the following centre-clearance and Roughead seized a strong pack-mark, he goaled. All Hawks as they led by 21 points. Franklin led, marked and missed before the Tiges got going, Brett Deledio's good grab and pass to Chris Newman allowed 'em to attack at last and Newman's kick found Mitch Morton alone for a mark and major. A good rebound brought another Toig thrust and after some tough scrap at half-forward the ball squirted out to Nathan Brown, he snapped truly. Franklin missed another set shot but the Orcs recovered the kick-in and Xavier Ellis jabbed a very short pass to Clint Young, he majored. Hawks by 17 points but the Tiges pinched a coupla late ones, Nathan Foley lobbed a kick forward from a ball-up and Kane Johnson roved Jack Riewoldt's contest to snap one, ruckman Adam Pattison had a free at the restart and kicked wide to Morton, he lobbed a pass for Shane Tuck to mark and score with a very good kick. Late in the term Tige Matt White was whacked by McGlynn while marking. Thuggery, it's the Hawks' thing. The Hawkers led by 6 points at the first break. The second term saw the Tiges do a lot of defending against the scattergun Hawks. Hodge soared over Kane Johnson for a big grab on a Tige kick-in, but missed the shot after landing heavily. Franklin missed again and a bit later was penalized for running too far without bouncing. Roughead missed a sitter as the Tiges were flooding heavily now. Eighteen minutes in McGlynn broke it by taking a gutsy with-the-flight mark as Richo bore down and booting long to the goal-square, Roughead was awarded a free for Tuck's holding and couldn't miss from 5m. A minute later a good, slick Awk move ended with Rick Ladson's pass to leading Michael Osborne, ahead of Franklin. Osborne converted and the Horks led by 22 points. Again the Tiges bagged a coupla late sausages, Richard Tambling held a one-handed with-the-flight mark of Jordan McMahon's kick and hooked it through from a tight angle. A minute later Nathan Brown was spoiled in a marking attempt but recovered the ball, dummied a pair of tacklers and booted a terrific goal. Yet another Franklin miss had the Hawks literally 11 points ahead at the long break, 6.12 to 6.1.
The Orcs continued to pummel through behinds to start the third, Ladson missed a coupla times (once from a ridiculous free) as did Lewis and Franklin, of course. Amongst those Roughead kicked a goal, seizing an emphatic grab from Shane Crawford's well-weighted kick. The Orcs led by 19 points when the Tiges got going, at last managing to move the ball with some fluidity. Morton used a free-kick, elbowed in the head by Brent Guerra, to pass for leading Richardson to mark and convert - he was having a run at full-forward now. A minute later Johnson speared a pass over leading Richardson's head but Riewoldt gathered the ball and snapped it through, reducing the Hawk lead to 7 points. The Orcs responded through the very good Rioli. Gathering the ball from Franklin's contest, 25m out on the boundary, Rioli slipped through a coupla tackles and dribbly-snapped a miraculous, left-footed Daicosian ripper through the big sticks. Commentators campaigned throughout this game for a Rising Star nomination for Rioli, it's amazing he hasn't had one yet. The Tiges kept coming though, a good move ended with Foley kicking to Richardson alone in the goal-square and he popped it through, Graham Polak won the ball away from the restart and kicked for Riewoldt to hold a good grab. Riewoldt passed onwards for Brown to mark and convert, the Hawk lead was down to a point. Franklin missed yet again and the Tiges advanced from the kick-in, Morton passed for Jay Schulz to mark and boot a goal to put the Toigs in front, by 4 points. They'd kicked 5 of the previous 6 majors but the Orcs steadied late. Tige McMahon clangered a kick-in to McGlynn, he jabbed a pass for Williams to mark and punt truly. Mitchell and Crawford combined to win the ball from a throw-in, Crawford's high punt wobbled into a pocket but Roughead's smart tap-on set up an easy goal for McGlynn. Still the Hawks at three-korter-time, by 8 points. The final stanza was a fairly exciting goal-for-goal term. Good work from Troy 'Snake' Simmonds and Brett Deledio sent Richmun forward from the opening bounce, Riewoldt's soccer effort was helped through for a goal by Richo's shin. A great mark by Rioli set up a shot for Franklin - he missed again. A minute later Osborne leaped for a good grab at CHF, he majored and Horforn led by 9 points. Williams missed a coupla shots before the Toigs pressed again, Schulz hacked a quick kick forward and Richardson had a free for Trent Croad's holding. Richo slotted, Hawks by 5. Another pack-clearance by Mitchell saw the Orcs reply, Rioli roved Franklin's contest and snapped truly. Then the Tiges, a swift rebound ending with Riewoldt finding Morton in plenty of space, he played on and raised the twin calicoes. The Hawks clung to their 5-point lead before a pair of Roughead goals sealed it, prior to the first some fierce tackling on the wing with the whistle surprisingly silent (or not, depending on your point of view) ended with Ladson emerging with the ball, he ran clear and passed to leading Roughead, mark and goal. The Awks won the following centre-break and Mitchell passed for leading Roughead to mark and convert again, having Horforn 18 points ahead with 4 minutes to go. Franklin hurt his shoulder in a contest and was benched for safety purposes, Deledio booted a late goal for the Tiggers.
In the end Jarryd Roughead (6 marks, 11 kicks, 5 goals) was the Hawks' match-winner, upfield Sam Mitchell (28 disposals) and Luke Hodge (31 touches, 8 tackles) did very well on the ball, with Sewell and Bateman beaten. Rick Ladson (24 handlings, 7 marks), ostensibly Richo's opponent when he played on a wing, played well and Michael Osborne (26 touches, 10 marks, 2 goals) was a dangerous forward. Shane Crawford (25 disposals) and Grant Birchall (20 possies) played quite well. Mark Williams kicked 2.3 and Cyril Rioli 2 goals from 19 touches, Franklin 1.7 from 5 marks and 11 kicks. Ol' man Matty Richardson galloped all over the place for the Tiges to finish with 13 marks, 27 disposals and 4 goals. Brett Deledio (30 disposals, a goal) played well as did on-ballers Nathan Foley (26 disposals) and Shane Tuck (33 touches with 25 handballs, a goal), the latter closing Sewell down. Jake King (29 handlings, 11 marks) played well in defence again and Nathan Brown's ability (22 disposals, 3 goals) was handy, Kane Johnson (31 possies) was busy but handball-happy (23 of 'em). Richard Tambling (18 touches, a goal) was good once more. Mitch Morton (15 touches, 7 marks 2 goals) did well up forward. Wallace decided the Hawks were too good. "I think they have taken the game to another level and it is a credit to their coaching staff and to the playing group. Probably this time last year we weren't that ready for it but this time around we knew how they were going to play it," Wallace said. "We had Plan A in place and it fell apart very quickly and it looked like we were going to get beaten by a dozen goals if we kept going down that pathway. I watched Adelaide get beaten by them a couple of weeks ago and they just beat (Adelaide) quite comfortably and people got frustrated by either kicking down a line and having it pushed very wide or by taking them on through the middle of the ground where their handball action comes into the game." Al Clarkson addressed the inaccuracy. "We were forced wide pretty well because of their numbers behind the ball, and that was good play by Richmond and it is something we need to work on. We still had 23 or 24 marks inside our 50, which is usually a pretty big indicator you are going to kick a big score. But, we were forced wide and a lot of those shots were from too wide. We need to learn how to square the ball up a little bit once we do take a mark inside 50. We were taking a few pot shots from time to time, and it just meant that your conversion rate is nowhere near as good as if you have those shots from the centre of the oval." He then criticized the Tiges' flooding, saying it cost them the game.
Ladder after Round 6
Pts. % Next Week
Geelong 24 146.2 Brisbane (Kardinia Park, Saturday)
Hawthorn 24 139.4 Collingwood (MCG, Saturday)
Footscray 22 139.1 Sydney (SCG, Sunday)
Adelaide 16 115.5 North Melbourne (Football Park, Sat. night)
Sydney 14 124.3 Footscray (SCG, Sunday)
North Melbourne 14 104.5 Adelaide (Football Park, Sat. night)
Collingwood 12 119.7 Hawthorn (MCG, Saturday)
Brisbane 12 104.9 Geelong (Kardinia Park, Saturday)
------------------------------------------------
St. Kilda 12 95.9 Richmond (Docklands, Sat. night)
Richmond 10 99.5 St. Kilda (Docklands, Sat. night)
Carlton 8 90.8 West Coast (Subiaco, Fri. night)
Port Adelaide 8 90.7 Essendon (Docklands, Sunday)
Essendon 8 77.9 Port Adelaide (Docklands, Sunday)
Fremantle 4 82.1 Melbourne (MCG, Sunday)
West Coast 4 66.9 Carlton (Subiaco, Fri. night)
Melbourne 0 54.3 Fremantle (MCG, Sunday)
Cheers, Tim.
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