AFL Round 12
At Docklands:
Essendon 4.6 7.11 11.14 16.17.113
West Coast 4.1 6.6 9.11 13.13.91
Handy effort by the Dons, recording a win over the schizo-Eagles. Decent at home but awful away, the Eegs were accused of tanking this one as senior men Michael Braun and Chad Fletcher were dropped and Daniel Kerr withdrew late. The Dons didn't have Andrew Lovett, a good midfielder in recent weeks. The Dons tended to shade possession and general play, but the Weevils were good at converting attack into points. In fact they galloped to an early 14-point lead on the back of goals from David Wirrpanda, Andrew Embley, Brent Staker and Adam Hunter. The Bommers hit back with three majors in time-on from big men Scott Lucas, Jason Laycock and David Hille, the last a running bomb with one second remaining in the term. Wirrpanda kicked the first of the second with a 50m penalty against opponent Adam Ramanauskas, Wirrpanda's first had also been a free against Rama. There followed a few misses each, including a poor one from Embley, before Wirrpanda snaggled another and the Weevils led by 5 points. Again the Dons responded late, Nathan Lovett-Murray pounced on an errant Wiggle kick to snap one, Jay Neagle converted a free after a long run from Kyle Reimers set him up, Hille slipped forward to mark Welsh's pass and convert. Two poor, late misses from Embley again ensured the Bommers led by 11 points at the long break. Hille and Sam Lonergan won the ball from the opening bounce of the third, Lucas clutched a good grab and majored. But Wirrpanda continued to trouble the Dons, he bagged his fourth now after a short pass from Mark LeCras. Hille responded presently for the Dons, roving Lloyd's contest, and the Bummers ground slowly clear as they kicked lotsa points, although Angus Monfries managed a goal. Essadun led by a handy 25 points before the Eegs hit back again. Hunter reeled in a one-handed mark, with shepherding from Mark Seaby, and it led to a sausage for Beau Wilkes. Hunter himself and Wirrpanda missed shots before Lloydy got one for Essadun, picked out by Jobe Watson's pass. Bomma coach Matty Knights responded to heavy recent criticism of Lloyd by reckoning Lloyd was too old and banged-up to kick bags of goals anymore. But he did move Lloydy out to half-forward here to get him more involved. The Dons led by 23 points but Hunter majored from a free-kick, the Weegs scored a coupla behinds and the Dons executed some wobbly but effective keepings-off to maintain their 15-point advantage at the final change. Hille, Brent Stanton and Lloyd got the ball away from the opening bounce of the ultimate stanza, Neagle fired a handpass for Ramanauskas to slot a major and the Dons led by 21. The Weegs kept hanging' around, Quinten Lynch bullocked clear of a ruck contest and kicked towards Hunter, a free later and LeCras was snapping truly. 15 the diff again before the Dons' old hands came to the rescue. Laycock and Lonergan combined for a centre-clearance and Lloyd got a big leap in to ride and mark over Wilkes and convert. Folks said it was 'vintage' Lloyd, but he didn't dive for a free. A minute later Lucas gathered Stanton's kick on-the-bounce and dobbed one, the Dons'd eased out to 27-point lead. The Weegs didn't give up, LeCras kicked the next goal but answering sausages from Reimers and a bullocking ripper from Neagle sealed it beyond doubt. Was there jacket-waving? I dunno. Hille (27 disposals, 22 hit-outs, 9 marks, 3 goals) was outstanding for the Dons and midfield men Angus Monfries, Brent Stanton and Sam Lonergan were effective, ol' Dustin Fletcher was grateful not to confront Franklin this week while Neagle and Lucas (3 goals each) were handy. Kyle Reimers played well and Lloydy (21 touches, 9 marks, 2 goals) made himself useful. Wirrpanda (11 kicks, 5 marks, 4 goals) was very effective for the Weegs with juniors Jamie McNamara and Chris Masten battling midfield, Dean 'Big' Cox (14 touches, 29 hit-outs) was decent in a good battle with Hille while Matt Priddis and Tyson Stenglein were okay. Lynch was their leading possession-getter with 20, telling a tale. Hunter and LeCras finished with 3 goals each. Knights decided to give Lloyd a wrap for his leadership while Worsfold said his young-ish side was "progressing well."
At the MCG:
Footscray 2.6 7.12 12.15 19.17.131
Brisbane 3.2 5.4 8.4 10.8.68
The Bulldogs are more than keeping up in this amazing three-way battle for the flag (at this stage anyway). Brisbun arrived with four straight wins under the belt and "playing as well as we have for a few years," according to Matthews, but the Dogs' new-found toughness around the ball capped by the continued great form of Jason Akermanis put paid to the Lyin's emphatically. The scoreboard flattered 'em a bit, for three-and-a-half quarters anyway. The Brians didn't have injured Dan Bradshaw, of course, but it probably didn't matter. Bully spearhead Scott Welsh booted the opening goal after Lyin' Joel Patfull clangered a kick-in straight to Aker. Big Lyin' Jonathan Brown gave Brian Lake and the Dogs some early trouble, he booted the Lyin's first two majors from a strong grab and a free against Lake, respectively. Wayward Pup shooting, rushed behinds and a Jared Brennan goal allowed the Lyin's a narrow lead at korter-time. The order began to establish itself in the second as Bully centreman Adam Cooney had the ball on a string, with Matthew Boyd and Nathan Eagleton also going well. Welsh soccered pack-spillage from point-blank for his second and, amongst some more points, Brad Johnson converted from a noice leaping grab and Dylan Addison saw his quick snap taking a handy bounce over two Lyin's to raise the twin calicoes. Simon Black managed a major for the Lyin's, found by Cheynee Stiller's wobbly pass. But Robert Murphy responded with two great running goals for the Dawgs, both direct from centre-clearances engineered by Ben Hudson and Cooney. Footyscray led by 25 points but a poached goal from Rhan Hooper broke their run, the term petered out with more behinds. Dogs by 20 points at the long break. Great 'footy thinking' from Ryan Griffen and Akermanis set up an easy mark and goal for the latter early in the third. Lyin' ruckman Charman cleared the restart with a free and Brown marked well in front of Lake, although the Footyscray man was generally going alright by now. Brown goaled, but Welsh replied quickly with typically nimble roving of himself. Akermanis led deep into the pocket for a mark and steered a terrific drop-punt for full points - more satisfying than the dribbly-kick - and the Bullpups led 32 points. Jed Adcock pulled one back for the Brians but the Puppies dominated the remainder of the quarter, goals for Cooney and Johnson (the latter from an idiomatic, late-arriving grab in the goal-square) expanded the Pups' lead to 41 points. Running Lyin' Josh Drummond thundered a great, long sausage to end the term, against the run of play, and the Lyin's provided interest with two quick majors to start the last. Brown's tap-on allowed Hooper to slot one in the first 20 seconds, when Anthony Corrie converted after marking Black's free-kick Brisbun were a nominal chance, 23 points behind. But soon Farren Ray snapped a steadier for the Dogs, after Hudson and Johnson won a contested ball, then Akermanis booted a ripper from just inside 50 close to the boundary, right in front of the old Bay 13. The floodgates opened and Callan Ward, Hahn, Johnson and of course Welsh cashed in with late majors. Cooney (37 disposals, 2 goals) was terrific for the Dogs, ably supported by Boyd (32 touches), Eagleton and Daniel Cross, directly opposed to Black. Akermanis (20 possies, 3 goals) was very good again and Hudson a winner in the ruck, Griffen played well too. Scott Welsh finished with 5 goals including the final two, Johnson bagged 3 goals and Murphy 2. Better Lyin's included Luke Power (33 disposals), Josh Drummond (28, a goal), Stiller and Adcock. Jonathan Brown (12 marks, 22 touches, 3 goals) worked further up the ground as the game progressed, Rhan Hooper kicked 2 goals. Travis Johnstone departed early with hamstring trouble (what is it with the Lyin's?) while other decent players like Tim Notting and Jared Brennan were very quiet. Matthews said his side were "overwhelmed . . . they creamed us." Eade sort-of agreed, calling this the Pups' best win of the season to date. Big game against the Pies next Sunday.
At Subiaco:
Fremantle 5.3 9.8 13.11 18.12.120
North Melbourne 0.4 3.6 3.10 9.13.67
Ha ha! Dangerous Freo thumped the Kangers for a much-overdue win, dumping Norf outta the eight but letting the Blues in, so it wasn't all up-side. Matthew Pavlich booted 8 goals to sink the poor old Ruse, 8.2 in fact for 'Postman Pav' as the local paper'd dubbed him. His penchant for hitting the post during a those final-quarter chokes, you see. North had Daniel Wells back but apart from their hard veterans, few Ruse fired a shot until it was over. Injuries (no Thompson, Jones, or 'rested' Shannon Grant here) are a partial excuse. And worse, ruckman Hamish McIntosh became the latest victim of the Subiaco knee graveyard. Freo fired outta the blocks with a revamped midfield featuring Jeff Farmer and recalled men Byron Schammer and Ryley Dunn, the latter in for his first game of '08. Chris Tarrant booted a good goal to start and then Pavlich booted his first, a good mark from Dunn's dubious kick. David Mundy snaggled one as the Shockers led by 16 points. Norf 'scored' some rushed behinds before Freo steamed to the end of the korter, Pavlich out-marked Michael Firrito from another Dunn kick and converted, Brett Peake's long run and handballs from Pav and Mundy allowed Farmer to dob one. The Dokkers blazed a few point towards the end of the term, leading by 29. Roo McIntosh hurt his knee at the opening bounce of the second term, a hyper-extension from what I saw. The Dockerators wasted a few chances and the Ruse kinda counter-attacked, Lindsay Thomas booting consecutive goals from Wells's handball and his own great grab, respectively. Norf trailed by 18 points, Docker Tarrant gathered lanky ruckman Warnock's kick and handballed for Peter Bell to drill a major, but Norf scored again as Matt Campbell gathered near the boundary, turned and eluded Roger Hayden and slotted a terrific goal. The Kangers trailed by 19 points but some pressure was wasted by their junior WA-born forward Josh Smith, who missed a sitter and then rubber-chested a mark when well ahead of his man. Sure enough Warnock tapped a throw-in behind him for Rhys Palmer to dob a major, then Pavlich kicked consecutive goals. The first was created by a pass from Chris Mayne, the next came as Pav gathered Crowley's kick on the bounce, wheeled away from Josh Gibson and slotted it through. Dokkas by 38 points at half-time, as the threat of another disappearing act hung in the air. Handily for the locals Norf couldn't mount anything like the requisite pressure and Freo moved further ahead in the third. Garrick Ibbotson collected Ryan Murphy's handpass to boot a long, running sausage, in between misses from Ruse Harvey and Wells. Pavlich stepped up again with the next three goals; a free kick for arm-chopping, a good, strong grab and then a pass from Tarrant and 50m penalty against the frustrated Ruse. Freo led 60 points mid-way through the korter, the remainder of which featured a lotta points. Yes, the Dockerators lost the final term but when you start 61 points ahead, it doesn't really matter. It helped when Pavlich and Tarrant kicked majors in the first five minutes, Dockulaters by 73 points before the cue went in the rack and the Ruse scored some late goals. Pavlich (17 disposals, 8 marks, 8.2) was the star with excellent efforts from 'Wiz' Farmer (27 touches, 2 goals as a rover), Luke McPharlin leading a very tight defence, midfielders Byron Schammer, Ryan Crowley and Dean Solomon were handy. Aaron Sandilands controlled the skies, Tarrant booted 2 goals. Roo leaders Brent Harvey (29 possies, a goal), Daniel Wells (23 handlings) and Adam Simpson battled hard, youngster Gavin Urquhart was alright and Drew Petrie fired late. Thomas kicked 2 goals. Laidley blamed youth for his side's fluctuating form. Last week he said Shannon Grant (rested here) would never be dropped while he was coach. Mark Harvey indulged in an I-told-you-so moment, re his "dangerous" label. You suspect they'll be rare.
At the SCG:
Sydney 3.5 7.9 12.16 14.18.102
St. Kilda 2.2 3.7 8.9 9.13.67
Taught us nothing new about either side, although the Swans' brief record against ex-assistant coach Lyon wasn't good coming in. The Sainter coach blamed 'low confidence' for his side's performance, unconvincingly. Stinkilda try hard but are kinda plodding, the ball's moved pretty slowly and the forward-line is completely disorganized, relying too heavily on Nick Riewoldt. Admittedly the Saints were missing Justin Koschitzke (knee) and Matthew Ferguson but there's no spark, no energy, no excitement when the Saints play. In contrast the Swans know exactly how to enact their plan and play on their short, wide ground, they were very impressive again. This was Barry Hall's first game back from his 7-week suspension for biffing Weegirl Staker, sure enough Bazza marked in the opening 90 seconds to great acclaim, but missed the shot. Lotsa tackling and ball-ups in the opening minutes, as you expect in these games, before Riewoldt, curiously bandage-free, scrambled the game's first goal through from close range. Later he marked 45m out on a tough angle, he produced a decent kick which postered. O'Keefe snapped truly for the Swans to get their first and later Mick O'Loughlin majored, set up by a good bit of play from Adam Goodes who mystifyingly (or not) escaped suspension for clattering Adam Selwood's head last week. A ridiculous decision, even Paul Roos reckoned it was worth a week (although he could say that, couldn't he?). Goodes may as well take a gun out there and shoot the opposition, like in that opening scene of 'The Last Boy Scout'. Anyway, Hall booted a 50m goal late in the first to give the Bloods a 9-point lead, the Saints did alright early in the second and drew level when Riewoldt marked 55m out and set up a major for Charlie Gardiner. But the Swans thrashed the Saints in centre-clearances all night, they won the next and Goodes slotted a goal from a tough angle, Jarrad McVeigh bagged one and Hall converted after out-marking Max Hudghton, Sinney jumping clear. After a string of misses, O'Keefe's late major had 'em 26 points ahead at the long break. The third term was the most interesting, the Stains mounting a challenge. Brendon Goddard and Jason Gram gave 'em some run and both Gardiners booted an early goal from a mark, ruckman Michael was pretty good in this game. Some classical Swan running handball allowed O'Keefe to reply but Charlie Gardiner kicked another from a free. A Siddey centre-clearance and Jarred Moore marked and converted, then Goddard thumped a long set-shot home and Sinkilda were there-abouts, 15 points behind. Goodes and Craig Bolton missed poorly for the Swans before ex-Siddey man Adam Schneider slotted a good one, created by Sam Fisher, and the Stains were 11 points down. But the Swans finished the quarter with a decisive three-goal burst, Goodes shifting forward a big factor. There were a few behinds, including a laughable miss from Henry Playfair, before Goodes plucked a strong grab in front of Jason Blake and booted truly. Typical tackle-busting running from young Moore set up a snapped major for Craig Bird, a centre-break and free-kick later and O'Loughlin was converting from a mark on-the-lead. The Swans'd spurted to a 31-point lead at the final change. The motions were gone through in the final Mario, the highlight being Darren Jolly's big goal-square screamer and simple tap-through. Siddey won it on-ball with Brett Kirk (26 touches) and Jarrad McVeigh (28 disposals, a goal) very good, Kieran Jack (18 possies) tagged Nick Dal Santo out of it. Adam Goodes (2 goals) makes crucial interventions and Ryan O'Keefe and Mick O'Loughlin (3 goals each) were good in attack. Barry Hall's comeback (11 marks, 2 goals) was impressive. Gram (17 disposals), Goddard (19 touches and a goal) and Lenny Hayes tried hard for the Saints, as did Nick Riewoldt (8 marks, 20 possies, 1.3), forced to cover too much territory. Charlie Gardiner (3 goals) gave 'em something in attack, Milne very quiet. Michael Gardiner wasn't bad but hurt his hammy again. Lyon decided to work on 'confidence' and suggested playing younger blokes; the Saints have had the fewest debutants of any side in the leeg over the past 5 years. Roos was very happy to have Hall back.
At Football Park:
Adelaide 2.4 5.7 8.10 10.12.72
Hawthorn 2.3 5.5 8.7 11.10.76
Another big win for the Hawks with all the news centering around Lance 'Buddy' Franklin again. Beaten by Nathan Bock, Buddy kicked a crucial late goal and managed to get himself reported early in the second quarter for shoulder-ing Kurt Tippett's head as the latter bent over the ball. Looked worse than it was, he's been offered a reprimand which'll rule out the Brownlow but allow Buddy to play next week. Brisbun forward Jonathan Brown came out on Franklin's side ("fair dinkum, it was like a fly hitting his head"). Anyway, this was a tense, tough game of footy very typical of many home Camry encounters. Both coaches manned up heavily in midfield and defence with 'rolling zones', as mentioned Franklin struggled early against the excellent Bock. He and Graham 'Stiffy' Johncock, running from the back, did well for the Camrys as did Scott Thompson and Simon Goodwin midfield. But the Cows squandered some early pressure with poor shooting, after Porplyzia's miss Hawk Rick Ladson's kick-in was intercepted by McLeod, then Thompson did well to chip a pass to Bernie Vince and he majored. Luke Jericho missed a shot but again McLeod recovered the ball from the kick-in and Jericho marked and goaled, Camrys by 15 points. Eight minutes in and good work from big Awks Roughead and Campbell set up a mark and goal for Michael Osborne, a bit later Cyril Rioli converted from a decent grab and the Hawks were 3 points down. Franklin missed three times prior to the korter's end. The second started well for the locals, Thompson cleared the opening bounce and then ran ahead where he received a free and stabbed a 6-metre pass for Tyson Edwards to mark and convert. Richard Douglas majored with a 50m penalty and the Cressidas led by 13 points. Franklin created a quick reply for Mark Williams, before the game entered a tough, tight spell during which Franklin was reported. Roughead led out to mark Osborne's pass and kick a goal to break the goal-less quarter-hour, into time-on and Williams slotted from a tight angle to put the Orcs 3 points up, before Buddy kicked another point. Corona Thompson's shot went cross-the-face but Jericho gathered and passed back for Porplyzia to mark and convert, the Cows took a lead into the long rest. Horks'd lost Chance Bateman with a hamstring injury and the Camrys Nathan Bassett with a shoulder problem. Awk coach Clarkson moved Franklin to defence for the start of the third. Sam Mitchell tidied a rapid handballing move with a great kick for full points and the Orcs led again, by 5 points. But Douglas kicked another goal from a 50m penalty, against repeat offender Jordan Lewis. Just before time-on Porplyzia bagged an opportunistic goal, Griffin, Edwards and Goodwin combined to win the following centre-clearance and Porplyzia snaggled another, sending the Camrys 13 points ahead. But Roughead responded with a brace of his own, the first after gathering a loose ball and swapping handpasses with Franklin, the second coming from a good running move and Grant Birchall's pass. Coronas Van Berlo and Vince missed prior to the final change which left the Cressidas in front by 3 points. The final stanza opened with tense, missed shots from Franklin, Goodwin and Hork Williams, the Cows advanced from the kick-in of Williams's point and eventually Porplyzia passed for Edwards to mark and convert, the locals by 8. A few minutes later Franklin kicked his first goal, a free. Jericho restored the Cows' 8-point lead, lurking into the pocket to offer Porplyzia a target. Then debutant (I think) Orc ruckman Brent Renouf won a hit-out, Hodge and Lewis moved the ball on and Osborne ran clear to boot a long sausage, reducing the margin to 2 points again. Soon Hodge put the Orcs in front, Campbell Brown kicked riskily to Young but he marked, drove it in and Hodge coolly sidestepped a coupla tackles before slotting. Behinds to Edwards and Franklin were the only remaining scores. Usual suspects Hodge (28 touches, a goal), Mitchell and Lewis led the tough battle for the Hawks, Campbell Brown (23 handlings, 12 marks) played well off half-back and Jarryd Roughead (7 marks, 18 possies, 3 goals) was their best forward. Xavier Ellis was a handy runner, Mark Williams and Michael Osborne kicked 2 handy goals each. Nathan Bock (35 touches, 16 marks) was terrific on Franklin for the Camrys, Johncock, Thompson (33 disposals, 11 marks) and Goodwin were good. Ruckman Ivan Maric and Tyson Edwards played well. Jason Porplyzia (22 handlings, 3 goals) was useful up forward, Douglas and Jericho bagged 2 goals each. Addleaid coach Craig much preferred his teams' effort here compared to the weak one in Launceston 8 rounds ago, but wasn't happy with the poor shooting for goal. Clarkson was rapt with a rare win at Foopall Park and praised his team-leaders Hodge, Mitchell and Brown. And Franklin.
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 3.5 7.9 13.14 15.18.108
Port Adelaide 2.2 3.6 4.6 7.7.49
Port thought it'd be a good idea to 'rough up' the Cats. It wasn't. The Flowers hopped into Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett but didn't go after the footy quite so well. Ablett snapped the opening goal but the Powder hit the front, briefly, with consecutive goals from Warren Tredrea and Shaun Burgoyne, both slotted from marks in the identical spot in the pocket. Points accumulated for a bit as fights broke out, Peter Burgoyne trying to shred Steve Johnson's guernsey. Then the Cats fought hard to force the ball forward from a ball-up and 100-gamer Max Rooke soccered a major. Paul Chapman soared for big grab, couldn't hold it but found the ball upon landing and snapped truly, the Pu55ies led by 9 points at the first break. Cats made a quick start to the second, helped by Port's stoopid aggression. Ablett marked and opponent Kane Cornes dropped the knees into his back, a 50m penalty and Ablett passed for Andrew Mackie to mark and convert. At the restart Shaun Burgoyne clobbered Selwood, a free. Mooney marked on-the-lead 60m out and stabbed a short pass to leading Chapman, Michael Wilson threw Chappie to the ground as afters, adding a 50m penalty and Chapman popped it through from point-blank. Cats by 21 points. Johnson was the only un-focussed Cat, reported for head-butting Troy Chaplin. Nothing happened for a bit after that, save a few behinds but the Powder had real trouble advancing beyond the centre. In time-on Harry Taylor's long switching kick led to a running blast for six points from Chapman, Motlop replied for Port, bouncing a shot through from 55m. Mooney missed a coupla times for the Cats before Ling kicked a late one, Jahlong by 27 points at half-time. The Katz really put the hammer down after the long beak as Varcoe, Johnson, Stokes and Lonergan all booted majors in the first ten minutes, expanding the lead to 51 points. Motlop threaded a great shot through from the pocket after leading to mark Tredrea's pass, but the Pu55ies kicked on as Chapman snapped another and runnin' backman Brent Prismall lurked forward to boot one. Prismall was in the side to replace hamstrung Matty Scarlett. Cats by 62 points at the last break, Port rover David Rodan booted a long goal early in the last Mario and a few minutes later Motlop kicked his third. The Cats eased off a bit but Ablett's great chase and tackle forced a turnover, leading to goal for Johnson. The locals greatly enjoyed the rare sight of Mark Blake booting a goal, on-the-run from 50 no less after accepting Ling's handpass. You know you've been thrashed when that happens. Ablett (32 disposals, a goal) and Selwood (30 touches) impressed with their toughness but it was Joel Corey (34 possies) who did the most damage, given an extraordinary rein by Chad Cornes. Chapman (22 handlings, 4 goals) enjoyed the atmosphere and Mackie was also given plenty of space to roam, Ling and Johnson (2 goals) worked hard. Steven Salopek (32 touches) and Rodan (2 goals) did a bit for the visitors, 'true hard man' Michael Wilson okay and Daniel Motlop was the only attacking weapon with 3 goals. 'Choco' Williams could only bow to the better side. He called the Cats "the best team we've played by a long way" and noted his midfielders had been well beaten. Again. Thompson said he was proud of the way his lads played and didn't get sucked in by the punchy Powder. He was also very happy about the way his Scarlett-less backline conceded only 7 goals, although Port had just 39 inside-50s for the game. Nowhere near enough.
At the MCG:
Collingwood 1.4 5.8 9.13 12.17.89
Carlton 2.7 3.10 9.13 17.17.119
The Bluies completed a double over the Magpoise, Brendan Fevola booting 8 goals as the 'baggers also jumped into the eight. Mick Malthouse stayed true to form, whingeing about the umpiring as his Maggies continue along their erratic path. Travis Cloke managed to get reported for elbowing Michael Jamison in the head, too. Fevola was in the action early, kicking a point in the opening 20 seconds before bagging the first goal with a mark on-the-lead and 50m penalty against his man Nathan Brown. Fev would go on to kick 2.4 in the first term but the Pies were stifled by some hard running and tackling from the Bluies. As happens often these days, Heath Shaw was tagged (by Bryce Gibbs) and the Poise had real trouble generated any run with Dane Swan also quiet early. Poi Dale Thomas kicked the first goal of the second, leading to mark Ben Johnson's pass. Fevola took his tally to 2.5 before Lockyer majored for the Poise and they led, by 2 points. The Bluies couldn't put possession on the board but now got a long, running goal from backman Bret Thornton, the second of his career apparently. But the Pies appeared to be working better now, Swan converted a free-kick from close range (his only kick of the first half) and some tough roving from Paul 'Megastar' Medhurst earned him a major, the Maggies led by 10 points at the long break. They started the third stanza well, Rhyce Shaw's long kick allowed Medhurst to mark in the pocket and Steak Knives slotted it through, a few minutes later Shane O'Bree collected Fraser's hurried shot and snapped truly. Collywood led by 23 points. Bloo skipper Chris Judd was vital in winning the following centre-clearance and Eddie Betts set up a goal for Heath Scotland. Medhurst, going well, missed a shot but Swan recovered Gibbs's kick-in and handballed to Alan Didak, he jabbed a pass back to Medhurst who made no mistake this time. Pies by 24. The Poise going well but there came the first of a coupla incidents which angered Malthouse later, Medhurst was denied a mark in the goal-square for a front-on push - looked like he held his position. The Blue wingman Kade Simpson kicked a couple behinds before Jarrad Waite slipped forward for a mark and goal, young Blueser Dennis Armfield slotted one soon after tough work from Marc Murphy and Fevola to win the ball. The gap was back to 10 points. Cloke thundered a terrific running goal from the flank to send the Pies 16 points ahead but then came Malthouse-baiting incident no. 2 as Bloo Brad Fisher was awarded a quite ridiculous free kick for in-the-back in the goal-square. Poor ol' Shane Wakelin stared at the reply in befuddlement as Fisher lobbed it through. Fevola fired now with two late goals, from a strong grab and a free respectively and with Swan missing twice at the other end, scores were level at the final change. As last week, Judd and Murphy powered the Bluies along in the final term. 'Neon' Leon Davis put the Pies 5 points ahead with a goal early in the last, capping a sweeping move from a kick-in. Tight for a few minutes before Fevola kicked a terrific 'Jarman', tackled in the goal-square by Brown he managed to hook a major while lying on his back. Swan snapped the Poise back into the lead after roving to Fraser at a throw-in, but Fevola sausaged again from Judd's speared left-foot pass. Simon Wiggins bagged a smart goal and a minute later Fev got another good one, tackling Brown and stripping the ball as the Pie tried to run clear, then leaping up and snapping it home. The Bluies led by 13 points with a fair bit of momentum now. A Medhurst goal kept the Pies alive but the Bluesers replied rapidly with Waite slotting from the flank and Bentick's tough handball allowing Nick Stevens to dob one. The Blues were 20 points up and late majors from Scotland and Fevola added icing. Fevola kicked 8.6 from 22 disposals and 10 marks, should help his contract negotiations along. Murphy (31 disposals) and Judd (25) were excellent again and Scotland (2 goals) fired against his old club. Jarrad Waite (2 goals) roamed effectively and the ruck pair of Cameron Cloke (another ex-Pie) and Matthew Kreuzer were winners. Better Pies were Dane Swan, who finished with 27 touches and 2.3, Medhurst with 4 goals (21 touches, 11 marks) and running Rhyce Shaw (19 possies). Travis Cloke covered a bit of territory but managed just the one goal, Ben Johnson and Nick Maxwell were okay. Malthouse whinged about lots of things, those umpiring decisions which "robbed momentum", his lack of a midfield star like Judd since Bucks retired, Heath Shaw having to 'work through' being tagged. But he also praised the Bluies as the better side on the day. Ratten dared to dream about finals and gave Fevola a wrap. The Blues could maintain the momentum with Essadun and the Tigers coming up. The Pies have the Bulldogs and the Swans in Sydney. Not so easy.
At Docklands:
Richmond 3.6 11.13 13.15 16.20.116
Melbourne 5.3 6.5 11.8 14.10.94
Very similar to last week for the Tiges, the difference being the Dees aren't anywhere near as good as the Camrys. Nevertheless Melbun got within 8 points in the last stanza after trailing by 38 at half-time; with new president Jim Stynes looking on, they appeared likely winners but some tired disposal errors allowed the Tiges to steady and win it. Melbun won the opening term as Richmun butchered the ball going forward, the Dees were very good running and rebounding from defence with Paul Wheatley and Cameron Bruce the leaders. Brad Miller kicked a great goal from the boundary, Bruce and Clint Bartram booted a couple each to see the Demuns lead by 19 points prior to two late goals from Tige veteran Matty Richardson, both from very good grabs. The Tiges seized control and won the game with a barrage of eight goals in 16 minutes in the second korter. Brett Deledio was brilliant in midfield with Shane Tuck winning a stack of contested ball. Richardson kicked a couple more goals, with big man Troy 'Snake' Simmonds and Nathan Brown joining in - Brown, playing his 200th AFL game, started the run with a great over-the-shoulder snap. Sweeping the ball forward with great speed, the Tiges romped to a 38-point lead which could've been more if they'd kicked straighter, Jay Schulz missing a shot after the half-time siren. The Dees'd played some tempo football towards the end of the half and began to work into it in the third. Brock McLean and Colin Sylvia lifted their ball-winning intensity, the Tiges' run again disappeared alarmingly. Dee Aaron Davey fired in attack, bouncing a long shot home and later converting after riding a defensive Richo for a big speccie. Young Dee Colin Garland was also useful up front, he majored from a grab and Brad Green got one after Toig backman Kel Moore dropped a mark in the goal-square. The Demuns cut the diff to 13 points but Richo, of course, booted a handy late sausage for the Tiges, following a diving with-the-flight grab. Melbin ruckman Jeff White goaled from a rubbish free early in the last and the Dees were on the way. Austin Wonaeamirri completed an end-to-end move with a mark on-the-lead and goal and the Dees were 8 points down. But a poor James Frawley handpass in the centre caused a turnover from which Tigger Brown snapped truly on the right and a bit later Mitch Morton steered a great goal from out wide. Matthew Bate kicked one for the Deez but the Tiges won the following centre-clearance, Tuck slotted on-the-run and they were safe. Richardson dropped back to take some late grabs in the defensive goal-square. Brett Deledio (29 disposals, 10 marks) probably tied for the Tiges' best with Richardson (18 marks, 5 goals), Shane Tuck and Nathan Brown (3 goals) were also pretty good with handy efforts from Chris Newman, Richard Tambling and Trent Cotchin. Mitch Morton kicked 2 goals. Runnin' backman Paul Wheatley (29 touches, 11 marks) and Cameron Bruce (29 possies, 2 goals) were pretty good for the Dees with rover Brock McLean tough, Colin Sylvia, Brad Miller (3 goals) and Brad Green were useful. Davey and Bartram kicked 2 goals each. Dean Bailey lamented he didn't have a power forward like Richo (i.e. Neitz or Robertson) and the missing sixteen minutes in the second term. Tigger coach 'Plough' Wallace tempted fate by looking ahead to some 'easier' games. There are no easy games for the Tiges.
Ladder after Round 12
Pts. % Next Round
Geelong 44 132.1 West Coast (Subiaco, Sat. night)
Hawthorn 44 131.2 North Melbourne (MCG, Saturday)
Footscray 42 132.8 Collingwood (MCG, Sunday)
Sydney 34 135.0 Melbourne (Manuka Oval, Sunday)
Adelaide 32 118.9 Brisbane (Gabba, Sat. night)
Collingwood 28 120.2 Footscray (MCG, Sunday)
Brisbane 28 106.0 Adelaide (Gabba, Sat. night)
Carlton 24 95.0 Essendon (Docklands, Sunday)
------------------------------------------------
North Melbourne 22 92.2 Hawthorn (MCG, Saturday)
St. Kilda 20 95.1 Fremantle (Docklands, Fri. night)
Richmond 18 91.7 Port Adelaide (Football Park, Saturday)
Port Adelaide 16 94.8 Richmond (Football Park, Saturday)
Essendon 12 73.1 Carlton (Docklands, Sunday)
Fremantle 8 89.7 St. Kilda (Docklands, Fri. night)
West Coast 8 73.5 Geelong (Subiaco, Sat. night)
Melbourne 4 62.1 Sydney (Manuka Oval, Sunday)
Cheers, Tim.
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