AFL Round 14 Part 1
At the MCG:
Hawthorn 4.8 10.8 11.15 18.18.126
West Coast 0.4 4.8 7.11 9.15.69
Fitful, often lazy effort from the Horks, probably caused by the impending break. In post-game interviews, the key word was 'break', as Dennis Commetti noted. Yet they still accounted for the rubbish Eagles by 10 goals. John Worsfold's Zen-like approach to the awful footy served up by his lads ("It's all a learning experience on the road to success" etc.) is annoying the heck outta Weevil supporters, who want their coach to at least appear to be upset. The Horkers' performance featured some familiar tropes; a lotta goals from Roughead and Franklin; injuries to key midfielders (Lewis and Crawford); and a bloke getting reported. Crawford was back from a leg problem for the Hawks, along with backman Trent Croad and Tim Clarke, at the expense of Stuart Dew (groin) and dropped pair Travis Tuck and Tim Boyle. The Weegs made their usual bucket of changes, Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun were dropped again while injuries forced David Wirrpanda (back), Sam Butler (groin) and Brett Jones (knee) out of the side. Incoming were Steven Armstrong, Ryan Davis, Jaymie Graham, Jamie McNamara and Brent Staker.
Sluggish opening. Weegs Daniel Kerr and Matt Priddis racked up the stats without doing much to hurt the Horks. Kerr was stung by a stingray at the recovery session the next morning. He's okay. The highlight of the opening ten minutes was Hawk Michael Osborne's big ride and speccie over Andrew Embley, on the wing. Otherwise there was a barrage of behinds, of course Lance 'Buddy' Franklin kicked one of 'em, Mark Williams missed too while Weegs McKinley and Kerr were off-target. Ten minutes in a wayward tap-on from Weeg backman Beau Wilkes went straight to Roughead, he snapped it through for a goal. Franklin was penalized a coupla times for pushing opponent Darren Glass in marking contests and McKinley missed poorly again, following a great grab over Thomas Murphy. Roughead booted a woeful behind after a terrific grab sandwiched between Eagles Wilkes and Quinten Lynch. Then a snappy series of Horforn handballs, including a 30m one from Hodge, found Shane Crawford running through the centre and Crawf's long effort bounced through for full points. The Horks led by 13 points. Roughead soccered a behind and as they brought the ball in the Weegs made an awful move, Wilkes tried to centre the ball from the back-pocket and shanked his kick straight to Osborne, who booted a goal. It wasn't a random poor decision but apparently a strategy as a few minutes later Mark Nicoski did the same thing, his centering kick on the defensive 50m line missed target Davis and spilled to Hodge who ran clear and slotted a major. Horforn led by 28 points at the first break. Ashley Hansen opened the Weegs' goal-account early in the second, following a terrific one-grab pack-mark. The Weegs proceeded to lock the ball in their forward half for several minutes but went nowhere with every player on the ground compacted into the Hoks' defensive half. There was an absurd amount of handball, at one point about twenty in a row without a kick. The Hawks refused to run or kick it out of their half, lairizing a bit. Eventually Cyril Rioli found space to sprint clear, he kicked long and Franklin held a back-pedalling goal-square grab against Glass. Buddy popped it through. The Hawks lost Jordan Lewis at this stage, with a thigh strain. Kerr cleared the restart after that Franklin goal and passed to leading Hansen, who booted a very good goal from 50m. Dean 'Big' Cox and Priddis combined to win the next centre-clearance, Priddis's very high kick spilled from a pack and some tough battling from Mark LeCras allowed McKinley to snap a goal. LeCras had won the ball ahead of three Hawks and the local side appeared uninterested as their lead was cut to 14 points. But they fired up a bit now, Sam Mitchell won the next centre-break and Franklin steamed out to hold a juggling mark, he converted. Soon the Horks had another from a stoppage, Rick Ladson kicked 'em forward from a ball-up and the pill fell from Franklin and Glass's contest, Roughead soccered it through. Adam Hunter missed a shot for the Eegs prior to Roughead booting another major for the Hawks, attacking the ball and contest furiously to clutch terrific two-grab mark, battering Staker aside in the process. Roughead thumped it home from 50m and the Hawks led by 31 points. Priddis won the next centre-break for the Weegs and Hunter had a goal-square free-kick for Croad's head-lock, Hunter lobbed it through. A minute later a decent brawl erupted at the Horks' CHB spot, featuring Franklin, Glass, Croad and Hunter. The ump waved play-on and Awks Rioli and Jarryd Morton found themselves in oceans of space to advance the ball, Roughead was also completely alone to mark Morton's kick and boot his third major of the korter. Commentator Nathan Buckley made odd comments regarding Franklin and his wrestle-torn guernsey, leading Commetti to comment Bucks had a 'man crush' on Buddy. In the dying minutes Hawk ruckman Brent Renouf held a very good with-the-flight mark in defence and initiated a rebound, Grant Birchall's smart kick found Osborne in space and he passed to Franklin, leading into the pocket. Buddy banana-ed it through on the left boot and the Hawks led by 37 points, 36 at half-time.
The Hawks dropped the intensity again in the third quarter. Hansen kicked an early goal for the Eegs, leading to mark Davis's pass and then receiving a 50m penalty for being knocked over by Gilham. A few minutes later Hansen was involved again, leading up to mark Kerr's pass and then centering a kick towards Staker, who was awarded a free for arm-chopping. Staker goaled. The Hawks were slow and lairy, plus Renouf managed to get himself reported for an ugly elbow to Adam Selwood's head. Selwood gets hit a lot. The free from that hit was marked strongly by Hunter at half-forward, he dished off to Priddis whose kick found Cox marking alone, 30m out. Cox converted and the Weegs had kicked three unanswered majors to trail by 19 points. The Hawks did a little better, but managed a few behinds only. Just into time-on Roughead ventured down back to mark Guerra's kick-in, then Crawford was involved a coupla times as the ball went towards Franklin. Buddy juggled a grab against Glass and booted a goal, but the term petered out in a flurry of behinds to leave the Weegs a nominal, if not real, threat as they trailed by 28 points at the last change. No doubt the Orcs got a bit of a rev from Clarkson and they played a lot better in the final term, assisted by some appalling errors from the Weegs. The Coasters had tried to run the ball with handball all night and they were not successful. Lynch had proved a particularly useless defender, he manhandled Roughead in the opening minute of the last to concede a free-kick and goal to the big Fanta-pants Orc. Hunter missed awfully for the Eegs before consecutive goals from Luke Hodge, who'd been off the ground for most of the third having his calves and hammys massaged. A great tap-on from Roughead allowed Hodge to bag the first of those, after Priddis missed a shot for the Weegs the Hawks took the ball end-to-end and Roughead again recovered his own spilled to ball to handpass to Hodge, who punted truly. Orcs by 44 points now. Williams converted from the pocket, set up by Franklin, then Roughead was gifted a major by a very short pass from Ladson, who could've kicked it himself. Hawks by 56 points. Hansen booted his fourth goal for the Eegs, Franklin soon got his fifth, majors from McKinley and Birchall rounded out the night. Crawford had departed with more ankle trouble, at least he's got a fortnight to get it right.
Big Jarryd Roughead (9 marks, 21 disposals, 6 goals) attacked the ball with exemplary aggression and confidence, he was very good with assistance from Lance Franklin (6 marks, 14 touches, 5 goals) who argued with Glass and the umps a bit. Shane Crawford (24 possies, a goal), very good early, and Luke Hodge (23 touches, 6 marks, 3 goals) were the Hawks' classiest midfielders with Sam Mitchell (27 possessions) working hard. Trent Croad (20 disposals, 13 marks) played well down back, he took some very good grabs and half-back Grant Birchall (27 possies, 10 marks, a goal) and sprightly Cyril Rioli (16 touches) were handy. For the Weegles Matthew Priddis (45 disposals with 30 handballs) and Daniel Kerr (40 disposals, 21 handballs) racked up big stats, lots of pointless 1-metre handpasses. Dean Cox (22 disposals, 27 hit-outs, a goal) is a warrior for their cause and Ash Hansen (10 marks, 14 disposals, 4 goals) played well in attack, young midfielders Ryan Davis (19 touches) and Tim Houlihan (17 possies) weren't bad. Ben McKinley kicked 2 goals. Worsfold maintained the positive vibes. "I was really pleased with their workrate tonight - really pleased," he said. "I thought it was pretty much at the level I would expect from them, where they're at. In the first quarter we missed a couple of opportunities to get a couple of goals on the board early, and that's where we've got to keep working hard, grabbing opportunities, because the really good sides hurt you on your mistakes, and they don't get hurt as much on their mistakes. That's pretty much the way I saw the game pan out tonight - they really capitalised on any turnovers we had, and their two big marking forwards were very good. You don't like to have big losses, but you're talking about the workrate, and that was up tonight." Okay. Al Clarkson talked break. "It's been a tough fourteen weeks and we're looking forward to the break. If we'd asked for a 10-goal win at the start of the game we would certainly have taken it," he said. "We knew they were going to be a bit more spirited than they were last week because they would have been really disappointed with their effort at home against the Cats . . . Over the course of the last five weeks we've had Bateman out of the side, Sewell out of the side, Crawford hasn't played much footy, (Ben) McGlynn hasn't played much, (Tim) Clarke missed last week - a lot of our premier runners in the game have been missing a lot of footy. To show the type of spirit we did in the last quarter to run away with the victory was a real credit to the group."
At the MCG:
Richmond 2.7 7.9 10.13 12.16.88
Carlton 1.5 5.9 10.12 17.16.118
Yes, the Blues shoved it back down the Tiges' throats. Their Judd-less midfield out-played the Tiges' comprehensively after half-time, to record a very good win. It was a big week for the Tigers, celebrating the 100th anniversary of joining the league in 1908. Apart from the obligatory club function the Toigs had targeted this game, calling for a crowd of 100,000, symbolically as the 'G can't hold that many (they got 73, not bad). More immediately, coach Plough Wallace had called this a "line in the sand" game (he actually used those words), a win against a peer necessary to confirm the Tiges' progress. As yer Tigger fan has learned over the years, heaping pressure on the Big Pu55ies is one way to ensure their failure. There was more bad news for the Tigers, Graham Polak hit by a tram later that night. Polak's badly injured, apparently, with significant brain injury. Best wishes to him and his family. The way this game unfolded was the mirror-image of the round one clash between the two - same margin, even. In selection the Tiges regained captain Kane Johnson and recalled Jake King, they replaced Luke McGuane (hamstring) and dropped junior Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls. The Bluies indeed went in without Chris Judd, suffering the after-effects of his head-clash with Matty Lloyd. Junior Dennis Armfield was out with a broken finger, the two replaced by Jake Edwards and Joe Anderson.
The Tiges appeared in their original jumpers, yellow-and-black stripes. Very nervy opening from both sides, the Tiggers especially, who played with numbers back. Plenty of points were kicked early, including three terrible misses from Nathan Brown who frustrated the bejeezus outta Tiger supporters. Not only was Brown hopelessly inaccurate, his opponent Andrew Carrazzo had about 700 kicks in the game. For the Blues Simon Wiggins missed a long, early shot and Brendan Fevola, forced to lead wide in a congested Bloo forward-line, missed a very tough shot from the boundary. The kick-in from that Fev behind spilled from a pack to Bluie Setanta O'hAilpin, he stabbed a short pass for Brad Fisher to mark and steer a good kick through for the game's first goal, fifteen minutes in. The Bluesers led by 5 points. Brown's third miss soon followed, plus a long behind from Tige Chris Newman. The Blues messed up the kick-in from that behind, Tige Trent Cotchin gathered and passed for Mitch Morton to mark 15m out, he played-on and hooked it through. Fevola cleaned up his second opposition defender in as many weeks, ramming into Graham Polak's chest with his knee. Polak was okay, for the time being anyway. In the final minute good play from Nathan Foley sent the ball to Troy Simmonds, he stabbed a very short pass to Brett Deledio. The Toiga man converted after the siren and Richmun led by 8 points at the first break. The Tiges opened a bit of a gap early in the second, although (Bloo-loving) commentator David Parkin questioned the ability of their midfielders to sustain the running which flooding-and-rebound attack requires. Smart play from Richardson and Chris Hyde sent Jordan McMahon clear, he lobbed a kick for Cleve Hughes to hold a with-the-flight mark and boot a major. Frustration mounted for Fevola, he was well-spoiled by opponent Kel Moore when a goal-square grab appeared certain, then Fisher's poor pass denied Fev a mark 20m out. But Fev stayed focussed. The Tiges got a goal from a rebound, good work from Shane Tuck and Adam Pattison set up Simmonds for a mark close-in, allowed after Bloo Anderson staged awfully for a free. Simmonds slotted and Richmun led by 18 points, but the men who'd propelled their early form, Deledio and Foley, were disappearing. Marc Murphy cleared the restart following the Simmonds goal, Fisher gathered and got a dribbly-kick away while being tackled. The ball rolled into the goal-square where Jake Edwards arrived to soccer it through. Fisher missed poorly following a mark on-the-lead, then the Bluies moved swiftly on a rebound. Eddie Betts led long to mark in the centre, he gave a quick handball to Nick Stevens who passed for leading Fevola to mark and convert. A bit later Bryce Gibbs, playing well, roved a throw-in and handballed for Shaun Grigg to boot truly, them three quick goals had the Blues in front by a point. Stevens, Adam Bentick and Gibbs were winning the contested ball now. The Tiges responded, the very impressive Cotchin held a diving mark and kicked for Polak to out-mark Bloo defender Jamison and steer a noice goal from a tricky angle. Joel Bowden wandered indecisively on a three-bounce run before chipping a pass for Hughes to hold a strong grab, the young Tige converted and Richmun led by 11 points. The Bluies defended well for bit before they managed to run clear, Fisher kicked for Fevola to hold a very good mark, he had to stand and wait for the ball while the pack descended. Fev majored. Tige Hughes missed a shot but a moment later he out-marked O'hAilpin and had another go, booting a skilful goal after the siren. The Big Pu55ies led by 12 points at half-time.
The Bloos have been criticized for looking for Fevola too often, so as against Port, young ruckman Matthew Kreuzer started the third term in attack. But it was a winning, running midfield that swung things their way. Jarrad Waite was doing well against Richardson too, although Richo struggled to get into the game in general. Tigger Brown missed again early in the third, after Stevens was very harshly done for holding-the-ball. A minute later Stevens drilled a good running goal, created by Fisher's excellent pick-up and handpass. A Fisher snap hit the post prior to another Bluie goal, Kreuzer's lobbed pass to Bentick didn't travel 15m but Bentick got a handball to Gibbs who snapped truly. A bit later Stevens's superb smother and handpass allowed Fisher to dribble a goal through, the 'baggers had kicked the first three sausages of the third and led by 5 points. The Tiges reverted to some tempo football, a slow series of chipped passes ended with the ball in Polak's hands at half-forward, he lobbed a handpass for Richardson to gather and bounce a kick through from the flank. Soon a handy bounce allowed Deledio to collect the agget, he passed for leading Morton to mark on the 50m line. Morton played-on and walloped it home, two quick goals for the Tiges and they led by 6 points. Back came the Bluesers, Anderson punted 'em forward and Fevola couldn't mark under intense pressure from Moore, but Betts roved and scrambled it through while being tackled. A very good effort. Betts's banana-kick from the boundary postered before the Toigs attacked again, Hyde drove a low kick in and Morton marked strongly in front of Browne, he majored. The Blues answered, Edwards was awarded a very soft free-kick and he handballed to Heath Scotland, a long kick and Cameron Cloke clutched an emphatic pack-mark, he converted. The Blues led by a point. Simmonds missed a shot for the Tiges and f$%^ing Nathan Brown missed yet again after the siren, leaving the Tiges a point up at the final change. The Bluies rolled over 'em in the last. The Tiges' lead crept up to 3 points - yes, Brown missed again - before the Bluies got moving. Richmun lost Richardson to a hamstring strain, just to complete the day. Fevola missed a shot before Stevens extracted the ball from a pack and Fisher tapped-on for Gibbs to slot a goal, to put the Blues ahead by 5 points. Kade Simpson handballed his free to Wiggins, he punted long and Moore got under the ball, allowing Fevola an easy mark and sausage roll. A swift rebound allowed Simpson to run clear and kick to the top o' the 'square, Wiggins clutched a strong grab and popped it through. Kreuzer grabbed the ball at the subsequent centre-bounce and booted Carton into attack, Betts and Wiggins set up a goal-square poke-through for Fevola. Stevens won the ball from the next centre-bounce, Gibbs lobbed a short pass for Murphy to mark and convert. Five in-a-row for yer Bluesers and they led by 29 points, it was over. A rare, slick Tige move broke the run, Jack Riewoldt booting a long major. But yet another Stevens centre-bounce win brought the rapid Bloo reply, Polak dropped a mark and Betts pounced to snap truly. Tige skipper Johnson and young Bluie Gibbs bagged goals in the closing minutes.
Nick Stevens (26 disposals, a goal) led the Blues admirably in Judd's absence, his work at stoppages terrific. Bryce Gibbs (20 touches, 3 goals) did very well on-the-ball against Foley and Adam Bentick (25 disposals) was good in-tight as well. Andrew Carrazzo (29 touches, 7 marks) ran free from Brown and Heath Scotland (24 possessions) was busy too. Down back Jarrad Waite (16 touches, 8 marks) kept Richo on a tight rein, Bret Thornton (19 touches, 5 marks) played well. Up front Brad Fisher (15 possies, 8 marks, 2 goals) and Brendan Fevola (6 marks, 10 touches, 4 goals) did well. Eddie Betts kicked 2 goals. On the Toiga side defenders Joel Bowden (32 disposals, 7 marks) and Chris Newman (20 touches) were about the best, they saw a lot of the ball. Kel Moore (14 possies) did very well on Fevola, considering. Dean Polo (23 disposals), on Marc Murphy, was the Tiges' only midfield winner, Brett Deledio (30 touches, 11 marks, a goal) and Nathan Foley (26 possies) had a lot of the ball but not enough influence. Jordan McMahon (25 handlings) was okay, young forwards Mitch Morton (13 touches, 8 marks, 3 goals) and Cleve Hughes (7 marks, 3 goals) were decent value. Brown finished with 0.6. Wallace said "We were outworked by a hard-running side on the day. I thought we marginally held sway in the first two quarters . . . but only just marginally. You could see it coming in the third quarter and it was a matter of whether we could re-adjust ourselves at three quarter-time. But it seemed very much that when the game was lost, the game was lost, and I thought that that was disappointing." He had praise for Moore, Cotchin, Morton and Hughes and was asked about the Tiges' season to date. "We just haven't beaten a side above us and that's been the whole crux of the season so far. Where we are is probably where we are at exactly this point in time." Ratten said "I could [see it coming]. I think our last quarters have been outstanding for probably about the last month. We've given teams a head start and reeled them in or really closed the gap pretty quickly. I think the boys' belief in themselves and their teammates to be able to run out games is just increasing every time we do it . . . We've seen Nick (lead the side) throughout the year, but with Chris out it really highlighted his impact on the game. We'd send messages down and everything would get done. He'd just orchestrate it and organise players to get the situation that we needed. He was outstanding." He was asked about finals (the Blues in the eight at this point, before the Saints won later-on). "I said it once and I'm not saying it [again] . . . We need to work on the process of winning games, and winning two games in a row would be a fantastic start for us."
At Carrara:
North Melbourne 4.4 6.7 8.11 9.15.69
St. Kilda 0.3 4.3 6.7 12.12.84
Ross Lyon has seen the light, maybe. Hopefully. His Saints abandoned their tediously slow and ineffective game-plan and actually ran the ball. The result, following a slow start, was arguably their best win of the season. Norf once again managed to mix their form, after appearing set for a big win halfway through the second term they faded poorly, especially the midfielders. The forward-line as hopeless too and they dropped outta the eight, replaced by the Saints. The Ruse made one change to the side victorious over the Hawks, Sam Power returning at the expense of Ed Lower. The Stains recalled 'chastened' Nick Dal Santo and Stephen Milne, along with Justin Koschitzke returning from injury. They replaced hamstrung Lenny Hayes and dropped juniors Ben McEvoy and Jarryn Geary.
As with many games this weekend the pace here was sluggish and skills sloppy, especially early. Players already on holiday, mentally. The Saints continually ran into trouble and coughed up possession with wayward handball, not used to running football. Norf turned over kicking into the forward-line. A quarter-hour elapsed with a few ragged behinds, before a Kanga burst. Saint man Luke Ball made a poor decision to centre the ball on his half-back line, Roo Nathan Thompson intercepted and handballed to Brent Harvey who scooted clear and speared it through. The Ruse won the ball away from the restart and Drew Petrie clutched a solid pack-mark 40m out, he punted truly. At the next centre-bounce Ball hacked a quick kick away, but it went straight to Roo Matt Campbell. He swapped handballs with Rawlings and passed to unopposed David Hale who kicked a decent major. A minute later Lindsay Thomas's centering kick was a shocker but it eluded Sam Fisher and the busy Campbell pounced to snap it home, North led by 25 points at the first break. The Sainters stuck to their rusty guns, early in the second term Sam Fisher tried to run afield after exchanging handballs with Montagna, but he ran straight into Dan Harris's tackle. 'Bawl' and Harris dished off to Harvey, he kicked long and little Campbell juggled a two-grab mark and popped it through. The Kangers led by 31 points and the Stainers were goal-less, further running moves came hopelessly unstuck due mainly to telegraphed, hospital handballs. Ol' Robert Harvey vented his frustration over a wayward pass. Norf could only manufacture a coupla behinds, their lead extending to 33 points. But they looked set for 10-goal win at this stage. Nick Riewoldt, again roaming about from a wing, got the Sainters going. He won a contested ball and got high kick away under pressure, Stephen Milne had lurked ahead of the play to take an easy mark 15m out and pop it through for the Stains' first goal. A bit later Riewoldt led up for a mark on the wing and the normal Sinkilda plan was enacted, some very slow passing about the place until Goddard passed for leading Riewoldt to mark and steer a good shot through from the flank. It'd been Riewoldt's third lead in the passage of play, exhausting opponent Shannon Watt. Sainter backman Max Hudghton was awarded a free in the last line and kicked to the wing, where Riewoldt clutched a top grab. He handballed to Andrew McQualter, who kicked long and David Armitage held a with-the-flight grab as he ran into a 'paddock' set-up. Armitage majored and the Saints had cut the margin to 15 points. McQualter was tagging Brent Harvey, who'd had the ball on a string early, while Norf's other key early winner, Adam Simpson, was disappearing too. Roo Corey Jones was spoiled as he led and the ball went to Sainter Jason Gram, he sped forward and speared an excellent centering pass to junior Robert Eddy, who duly sausaged. Norf were only 9 points ahead now, the Saints with four consecutive goals. The Ruse broke the run late, Simpson lobbed a pass towards Jones, he couldn't mark but roving Campbell stabbed a very good left-footed goal. The Kangers led by 15 points at the long break.
As the Ramones almost said, third stanza, same as the first. For a few minutes, anyway. Plenty of ragged rubbish until Norf managed a goal, Hale sent a high pass optimistically towards Campbell, he couldn't mark but Leigh Harding scooped up the ball with some skill and snapped a very good goal. The Kangers led by 23 points. A Koschitzke snap hit the post, almost his first kick. A bit later Sam Fisher roved a throw-in and saw his quick snap bounce through, reducing the gap to 16 points. Both sides struggled to score for a while, Matt Riggio just missed for Norf and a goal-bound Ball shot was just touched thru for the Sainters. Sinkilda's Jarryd Allen and Rue Nathan Thompson both missed following big pack-marks. Finally Sinkilda men Harvey and Ball worked the pill clear of a ball-up, Montagna drove a long kick in, Milne roved Kosi's contest and dribbly-snapped it through from a tight angle. Daniel Wells had the reply for the Kangers, spearing a superb running goal after swapping handballs with Harding. The Ruse were still 16 points ahead but they'd had less of the ball. In the closing minutes Sinkilda played keepings-off 'tempo-football' for some reason. They were losing. Don't they have scoreboards in Queensland? The Sainters rolled over 'em in the final stanza. Koschitzke missed early and there was a rushed point before Petrie was caught in a decent tackle from big Sainter man Steven King, who was rewarded with a free and a rubbish 50 penalty because Josh Gibson didn't return the ball quickly enough. What? King majored and the Norf lead was down to 8 points. North cleared the restart but Campbell missed a shot, Dal Santo did likewise for the Saints. Soon Dal Santo did well to gather and centre a kick towards McQualter, he threaded a great pass to Koschitzke who marked and finally booted accurately. Roo Michael Firrito's risky kick to a contest was picked off by Ball, he punted to CHF where Riewoldt seized a great grab and played-on smartly to find Koschitzke alone. The accident-prone big man booted another goal and the Saints led, by 4 points. A bit later there was a throw-in in the Saints' forward pocket when oh no! The interchange steward jogged onto the field. Saints Ball and McQualter had messed up and under the new rules Norf had a shot at goal from 30m out, Harris punted truly and the Ruse led again, by 2 points. Commentators wailed and gnashed teeth about the implications of it all, but the Saints had all the momentum. They soon went ahead again from a throw-in, Koschitzke tapped to Ball, he handballed to Montagna whose very high snap sailed through for full points. The Saints loved this runnin' stuff now and a good move ended with Milne stabbing it home, then Clint Jones hacked the ball forward from a throw-in and Milne again scrambled it through from close range. The Sainters led by 17 points with about six minutes to go, but there were no more goals. The Kangers couldn't get forward of the centre.
Local boy Nick Riewoldt (14 marks, 24 disposals, a goal) powered the Saints to victory, with Luke Ball (26 possies) and handball-receive king Leigh Montagna (25 disposals, a goal) also very good. Runnin' Jason Gram (15 disposals) and aged Robert Harvey (20 handlings) contributed while Stephen Milne (11 disposals, 4 goals) and Justin Koschitzke (19 touches, 8 marks, 2 goals) came to the party late. The Sainter backline was tight, Max Hudghton (15 handlings, 9 marks) doing the job on Thompson while Sean Dempster (20 touches, 9 marks) and Sam Gilbert (13 possessions) were reasonable value. Brent Harvey (29 disposals, 1.3) and Adam Simpson (32 touches) started well for Norf but disappeared, similarly Matt Campbell (18 possies, 5 marks, 3 goals) and Shannon Grant (20 touches, 6 marks) began well but faded. Brady Rawlings (23 disposals) was okay and Josh Gibson (21 handlings), freed from a 'big' defensive job, was handy. As usual Daniel Wells (25 touches, a goal) provided moments of class, but they were too few. Dean Laidley wasn't happy. "It's really disappointing for us and really disappointing for the supporters that the team can play so well one week and then can't perform the next," Laidley said. "It's the break now and time to assess guys who are consistently inconsistent - not so much the young guys, who we have got to keep playing, but the guys who have been around for a while. We're going to have a look at Todd Goldstein and give Ben Ross some time (who?). It's Jeckyll and Hyde (at the moment) and we can't stand for that. We have to make changes and we certainly will." Ross Lyon was happy. "Our leaders stood up - Riewoldt, Harvey and Hudghton - and our emerging leaders like Montagna and Dal Santo really lifted," Lyon said. "You can call it effort, spirit, resolve, whatever, but their actions were really positive. They didn't worry about the result, they just kept giving everything . . . I take responsibility for the first quarter. I think they misconstrued some instructions and that made it seem hesitant and unaccountable at times. There were a few turnover goals in the back 50 and that made us shaky and hesitant, but I took full responsibility and said 'look, if you fix this, this and this, we'll get going. To their credit they started to win the contested ball and lifted their tackling pressure and I thought we moved the ball forward a lot more quickly which enabled us to score."
At Marrara Oval:
Footscray 3.4 11.9 16.12 20.15.135
Port Adelaide 2.2 4.6 9.10 11.15.81
Straightforward win for the Bulldogs in the Darwin heat saw them ascend to the top o' the ladder (Geelong playing their round 14 game next week). As Port coach Mark Williams intimated last week, the Powder have put the cue in the rack for 2008, reflected in their team selection. Core veterans Brendon Lade and Michael Wilson were dropped, Chad Cornes was sent for needed repair work on a calf muscle, Peter Burgoyne damaged a hamstring last week while regular midfielders Steven Salopek (achilles injury) and Travis Boak (groin strain) were also left out, although you suspect if this game'd been 'live' they would've played. There was more, Matt Thomas was suspended for clattering Joel Bowden last week. Coming into the second-string Powder side were Justin Westhoff, Nathan Lonie, Greg Bentley, Fabian Deluca, Paul Stewart, Adam Thomson and Damon White. A 'Snaffle' rep side. The Bullpups made two changes, 'local' Josh Hill and forward Stephen Tiller recalled to replace injured Tom Williams (shoulder) and dropped junior Callan Ward - spared the long interstate trip.
The Doggies started slowly in the muggy Darwin evening, in fact the Power did most of the early attacking in a congested midfield. David Rodan and Kane Cornes, two of the few remaining senior men, were busy. Rodan booted the opening goal, playing-on after marking Shaun Burgoyne's pass. Burgoyne himself and Brett Ebert missed shots before the Pups opened their account, Brad Johnson snapping it through from the pocket after gathering Farren Ray's kick. Jason Akermanis got one after leading to mark Danny 'Guido' Giansiracusa's pass and the Dogs led by 7 points. Port stringbean Justin Westhoff replied with a goal for them, picked out by Damon White's long pass. Westhoff converted, something he's had trouble doing this season. Johnson responded with another goal for the Dogs, leading out to mark Scott Welsh's free-kick and the Bullies led by 8 points at the first break. Both sides were allowed off the ground at quarter-breaks to take advantage of the 'cool room', an air-conditioned tent. But only the Bulldogs did so. Ah, Port and their adolescent ideas about 'toughness'. Welsh kicked a major early in the second Mario, after Daniel Cross collected Lonie's kick-in and handballed to Aker, who stabbed a pass to leading Welsh. Port's talented small forward Robbie Gray missed poorly following a decent grab, a few minutes later Pup Ryan Griffen marked wide on the flank, played-on with a bounce and roosted a terrific goal. The Bullies led by 21 points as the game assumed an expected pattern. Port won the ball from the restart, Adam Thomson kicked towards leading Westhoff who was clattered by Hargrave and Westhoff free-kicked a major. Soon Thomson booted a sausage, a great running blast from 50m and the Flowers were just 9 points down. Port were winning their share of the ball, but not doing enough with it. A few behinds ensued before Mitch Hahn and Griffen combined to set up Welsh for a strong, diving grab and goal. Just prior to time-on Port's rarely-seen ruckman Fabian Deluca missed a set-shot for goal, the Dogs advanced from the kick-in. Johnson lobbed a kick into a 'paddock' ahead of Akermanis and Burgoyne, Aker paddled the ball along under pressure from Burgoyne, realized he couldn't pick it up so had a left-footed soccer kick at it, the ball rolled through for a goal. It triggered a late, tropical downpour of goals for the Dawgs. Starting on centre-wing Griffen ended a three-bounce run with a superb 50m goal, Ray collected Akermanis's handpass and snapped truly from the pocket and Johnson bagged his third with a typically strong grab over Tom Logan. Soon Johnson marked Akermanis's pass on a tough angle and stabbed a pass back to Nathan Eagleton, The Bald Man converted and the Dogs led by 45 points. Who didn't need the cool tent again? Late in the term Port man Daniel Motlop had a chance but was wrapped up in a superb tackle from Dale Morris.
The remainder of the game was reasonably close but there was only gonna be one result. Port's Gray got on-target early in the third, with a free-kick, answered soon by Welsh's simple conversion from 25m, found alone by Johnson's pass. Quick ball-movement by Danyle Pearce and Ebert allowed Michael Pettigrew to mark in the pocket and he converted. The Bullies had the answer again, Josh Hill majoring after a terrific, leaping grab in front of the pack. Rodan sprinted through the centre for Port and kicked to Warren Tredrea in the pocket, Tredders gathered and handballed for Dean Brogan to tap-through. A few behinds ensued before the Pooer exerted a bit of scoreboard pressure on the Pups. Hahn free-kicked a goal for the Dogs but soon Nathan Lonie thundered one of them long, raking left-foot running goals he and his brother are famous for. They usually produce one per game. Often it's their only kick. A long Lonie punt (okay, he had 2 kicks) led to a clever tight-angle snap from Gray and Port were 32 points down. But then Giansiracusa and Akermanis booted late six-pointers for Footyscray, Aker's a flying snap which sailed through as the siren sounded. The Bullies led by 44 points at three-quarter time and Akermanis forced the ball forward from the opening bounce of the final term, gathered and launched a punt from 50m which raised the twin calicoes too. Aker's back. The remainder of the game was anti-climactic, there was some Bronx cheering as Tredrea booted some belated goals and Dogs Boyd and Gilbee got one each. The humidity took its' toll as the game slowed markedly in the final ten minutes, the prevailing attitude being 'please can the siren go so I can get off and have a beer'. Especially for Motlop, toweled up by Morris he spent the final minutes trying to dong someone.
No doubt Jason Akermanis (19 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals) was the star for the locals but Ryan Griffen (20 touches, 11 marks, 2 goals) was very damaging too with his relentless running and long kicking. Bulldog defenders Dale Morris (16 disposals, Motlop goal-less), Dylan Addison (18 touches, 7 marks) and Ryan Hargrave (25 possies, 12 marks) were very good and Brian Lake (21 handlings) stopped Tredrea. In the midfield Daniel Cross (34 disposals) and Matthew Boyd (26 touches, a goal) worked into it steadily, following a slow start. Brad Johnson (19 possies, 9 marks, 3 goals) played well, he's just one of several forward stars now. Well, two. Scott Welsh kicked 3 goals and Josh Hill bagged 2. For Port Kane Cornes (41 disposals, 7 marks) worked hard against Adam Cooney (who had 33 touches) and David Rodan (23 handlings, a goal) did some damage, Dom Cassisi (22 disposals with 18 handballs) battled way. Robbie Gray (19 possies, 4 marks, 2 goals) was their most effective forward, an indictment on Ebert and Tredrea especially. Justin Westhoff (5 kicks, 2 goals) did a bit early. Adam Thomson (20 disposals, a goal) and Nathan Lonie (20 touches, a goal) weren't bad. Mark Williams adopted a Worsfold-like mindset. "I thought obviously we lost by nine goals but we won the hard ball gets and we won the tackles and I think the inside 50s were the same," he said. "We dominated stoppages, we won goals from stoppages; unfortunately, we kicked 4.9 from there but there were a lot of positives from the game. I was pretty impressed by some of the new players who came in, who probably played good in bits but didn't really dominate. At half time, it was a real challenge for the players and I thought the second half of the game we really fought out well . . . It was disappointing to lose but the method of how we played and the competitiveness we showed was good for our club." Asked about the dropped players, he said "I'm not going to guarantee spots." Okay. 'Rocket' Eade was asked about looking down over all he surveys (i.e. being top of the ladder). "I don't think that really matters at this stage; it's just good to head into the break with a win. It puts us where we want to be and it was good to get through the game. It was pretty tough after half time, our second-quarter break was able to break the game open. Full credit to Port, they were good after half time, they really fought hard and it was pretty tough after half time. The break has just come at the right time for us. You see Hawthorn, they had a few players have injuries and teams are just starting to feel the pinch. We've been fortunate with our injuries but we've just had a few players who are just getting to the line at this stage, so the break has come at just the right time."
At the MCG:
Melbourne 5.4 6.6 9.8 14.9.93
Brisbane 2.3 5.9 7.12 13.14.92
Leigh Matthews's slightly bored pre-game interview was instructive. "Yeah, they've only won one game but they're still dangerous, I suppose. You'd say seven or eight times out of ten we'd beat them, we just have to make sure this is one of the eight times and not one of the two." But it was one of the two. Melbun didn't play especially well but they tried very hard and wanted the ball and the win more than the Lyin's did. The Lyin's woke up in the final term and led by 11 points with three minutes to go, but the Demuns lifted to win it, they deserved it too. It was a superb finish. Jim Stynes was all emotional. Three changes for the Dees coming in, Jeff White was dropped for the first time in his ten-year Melbun career - Bailey's not a fan. James 'Junior' McDonald (groin) was unavailable while James Frawley was dropped too, in came Simon Buckley, Shane Valenti and debutant Stefan Martin, a beefy backman from VFL club Sandringham. The Lyin's welcomed spearhead Daniel Bradshaw back from his hamstring injury, Justin Sherman also returned while Lachie Henderson and Cheynee Stiller were dropped.
The Demons played this home game in Brisbane until recently. Here Melbun profited from two simple but effective moves. Brad Green played loose in defence ahead of Lyin' men Brown and Bradshaw, while Lynden Dunn tagged Simon Black who may or may not be suffering from osteitis pubis. Plus the Deez went in like rats up the proverbial drainpipe while the Lyin's didn't, at least not early. They did score an ominous opening goal, Bradshaw roved his own contest and lobbed a left-footed kick goal-wards, Jonathan Brown dropped back to mark in the goal-square and pop it through. Soon Brad Miller, very good on the day, kicked Melbun's first from a strong grab of Dunn's kick. Brisbun went ahead again, confronted by a heavy flood they went backwards until running backman Joel Patfull took 'em on, weaving through traffic to steer a very good major. The Dees had the answer again, they recovered the ball from a kick-in and Miller lobbed a kick ahead of Austin Wonaeamirri who collected the ball and, with a shepherd from Cam Bruce, slotted a very good major from a tight angle. The Demuns led by a point and not much happened for a while as a huge under-10s-type pack followed the ball around. Eventually Miller kicked another goal, Wonaeamirri doing well to win the ball and handpass to Simon Buckley, another to Miller allowed a simple slot. At the subsequent, wonky centre-bounce Clint Bartram back-handed the ball forward for the Dees, Miller gathered, ran clear and punted another major. Miller on fire as Melbun led by 14 points. Rhan Hooper missed a shot for the Brians and Dee Brock McLean had to be carried off after twisting his ankle. He returned after half-time. Late on Dee Paul Johnson stabbed a pass to Paul Wheatley on the flank, he chipped further ahead for leading Colin Sylvia to mark and punt accurately. Melbun went to the first break leading by 19 points, it'd been their best first-quarter of the season in scoreboard terms. The second stanza was kinda slogging, Lyin's Power and Hooper missed early shots before Melbun bagged another goal. Shane Valenti shrugged a tackle and sent the ball wide to Matty Whelan, he passed for leading Sylvia to mark and boot truly. The Dees led by 23 points now. A quiet patch with a few behinds, Green's loose role at the back was frustrating Brown in particular, but the Lyin's soon had a break with three consecutive goals from free kicks. Brown kicked the first, clearly held down by opponent Matthew Warnock as Green drifted in front to spoil. Trust the plan, Matty. Brown majored. The Lyin's advanced from the restart, Brisbun's Jared Brennan collected the ball and was tackled fiercely by Whelan. 'Bawl' cried the Dee crowd and the whistle blew - for a free to Lyin' Bradshaw, held off-the-ball by Green. Dee fans went mad as Bradshaw converted. Brennan won the Sherrin away from the next centre-bounce, Tim Notting sent a pass in towards Michael Rischitelli who was spoiled by Jace Bode - illegally according to the lime-green maggot and Rischitelli free-kicked a goal. Dee fans out of their minds with apoplexy as their lads' lead was down to 6 points. Brown managed a mark but he missed and then the Lyin's managed an interchange mistake, Power and Justin Sherman the guilty parties. But the Dees created history by becoming the first team not to score a goal from the infringement, Wheatley hooking wide from 30m. Okay, there's only been three such frees, but still. The half staggered to a finish with a series of hospital hand- and foot-passes from both sides, very little running was going on. In the final seconds Brown marked Corrie's cross-goal shot on the point-line but hooked his kick into the post. Melbun clung to a 3-point lead at the long break.
The third term continued in the same vein. Generally the Demuns would fight very hard to win the ball, then cough it up, then fight hard to win it back etc. The Lyin' men were almost spectators, apart from the hard-working Luke Power. As in the second term the Lisbon Brians missed some early chances, Rischitelli and Bradshaw the culprits. Sylvia also kicked a point for Melburn. A few minutes ticked by before Dee ruckman Mark Jamar ran down Sherman with a great tackle. The Shermanator gets caught a lot. Jamar handballed to McLean who punted the Deez forward, Bate won a goal-square free for on-the-shoulder and he booted a goal. Melbun led by 9 points. More battling, scrappy midfield footy with more Lyin' points. Finally the Deez strung some foot-passes together and Bate led out wide to mark McLean's pass. Bate chipped ahead to find Bruce alone 40m out, Bruce booted a great goal from a tough angle. Shortly Bate collected a loose ball and handballed to Paul Johnson, he lobbed a short left-footer for Sylvia to clutch a strong grab under pressure. Sylvia sausaged and the Deez were a handy 20 points ahead. Brisbun, goal-less in the quarter, managed two late majors. The first was gifted by Melbun as Valenti, under pressure in his own back-pocket, whacked an off-balance punt across the goal and out on-the-full. Corrie stabbed the free to Hooper, alone 15m out and he popped it through. Rischitelli won the ball from the restart and kicked long, Bradshaw held a very good back-pedaling mark in the goal-square and also lobbed a six-pointer. The Lyin's trailed by 8 points at the final rest and were given a fair blast by Matthews.
For the ultimate Mario Josh Drummond was sent forward to make Green accountable. Hooper missed an early shot following a fantastic tackle on Warnock, but a minute later Hooper kicked a goal, thanks to smart lead-up work by Drummond and Sherman. Melbun's lead was down to a point but they soon answered, Chris Johnson found Miller's wide lead, he centered a pass to Green who played-on as Drummond slipped over and walloped a long major. Brisbun goaled again after Dee Whelan smacked lazy kick from defence, Drummond passed to Power who stabbed a pass for Brown to grab strongly in front of Warnock. Brown majored. Soon Brown put the Lyin's ahead with a superb goal, threaded through from the pocket after he'd seen off Warnock in a battle for the ball. But Demun Paul Johnson, in the ruck now, got the ball to Wheatley at the restart, he walloped a long kick forward and Sylvia was awarded a free for shepherding against Rob Copeland. Sylvia converted and the Demons led by a point again. Melbun had another chance after Dunn marked on the wing and the Brisbane doctor ran through the mark - a 50m penalty, but Dunn missed. After Matthews finishes with him, the physician may need to heal himself. Ha! The Deez were fighting desperately now, a great collective effort to win the ball sent it towards Wonaeamiri whose jumper was tugged tightly by a desperate, diving Ash McGrath. Wonaeamirri broke free and advantage allowed for him to run right in and slam the ball high into the stands, the Dees celebrated as they led by 8 points. But the Lyin's were energized too, now. Brown was leading, he gathered Hooper's wobbly kick, slipped away from Warnock and smacked a great goal. Lyin' Mitch Clark limped off with an injured knee. Green tried to rush a point for the Lyin's but missed and forced the ball out-of-bounds - deliberate, but Charman missed with the tight-angle free. Sherman was run down again by a long, committed chase from big man Paul Johnson, right in front of the Members' which had them on their feet. But Drummond did superbly to mark Johnson's kick. Bradshaw wasn't paid a three-grab marking attempt close-in and Brown appeared certain to boot a goal after ducking through a tackle, but he spilled the ball. It was great, intense stuff now. Corrie and the unstoppable Power ran the Lyin's into attack again and Bradshaw led into the pocket to mark Power's pass, he steered it home from the tricky angle and Brisbun led by 5 points. A minute later Dee Aaron Davey copped whack in the head as he dived after the ball, but the ump waved play-on. Dee fans were again in high dudgeon and when the Lyin's went forward and Bradshaw won a softish free for being held by Colin Garland, they were screaming. Bradshaw majored and the Lyin's led by 11 points with about three minutes to go. But the Dees weren't done. Davey roved a ball-up and fired a handpass to Bruce, he curled a terrific snap for full-points. Wonaeamirri snapped on-the-full but the Dees forced a ball-up from Brisbun's free. Simon Black fumbled and Bate got a kick away, Miller clutched a great goal-square mark amongst plenty of flailing arms. Miller popped it through and the Demuns led by a point, with 1:08 on the clock. They forced two throw-ins and three ball-ups before Wonaeamirri sprinted clear and handballed to Green, he booted a goal fractionally after the siren sounded, so it didn't count.
Brad Green (15 marks, 30 disposals, a goal) did a great job in the defensive 'hole' for Melbun. Brad Miller (16 touches, 8 marks, 4 goals) had a day out and running defenders Paul Wheatley (31 possies, 8 marks), Chris Johnson (33 disposals, 11 marks) and Matthew Whelan (32 handlings, 13 marks) were all very good. That's a lotta rebounding. Cameron Bruce (24 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals) was an effective roamer and Lynden Dunn (17 touches) limited Black's effectiveness. In attack Austin Wonaeamirri (12 possies, 2 goals) was energetic as ever, his dad was in the crowd for the first time. Colin Sylvia (18 possies, 5 marks, 4 goals) was handy too. The Lyin's had two stand-outs in Luke Power (32 possessions) and Jonathan Brown (8 marks, 15 disposals, 5 goals) but the others struggled a bit. Jared Brennan (15 touches) and Michael Rischitelli (21 disposals, a goal) were decent battlers on-the-ball and Simon Black (23 possies) won some clearances. Troy Selwood (17 possies) was okay but there were a lot of quiet Lyin's. Dan Bradshaw (10 disposals, 3 marks) kicked 4 goals. Leigh Matthews was asked to comment on the Dees scoring points from a Brisbun interchange mistake and the club physio conceding a 50m penalty. There was also a Bradshaw shot called on-the-full when it appeared to score a behind. "Sometimes, you know, sometimes you have an interchange shot at goal and a physio runs across the mark or something and you have two free kicks against you, it's sort of a bit of an indication of the type of day that's being had," said Lethal. "We sort of scrounged our way back and I guess when you're 11 points in front with a few minutes to go, it's doubly disappointing that you lose from that position because we almost could have scrambled a win from a pretty ordinary performance." He acknowledged Melbun were the more committed, intense side. Dean Bailey never smiles. "The game's played right out until . . . the siren goes and whatever happens in that last three minutes was always going to tell a good story," Bailey said. "They got in front and to our guys' credit, they just decided they didn't want to lose - they just didn't want to lose and they wanted to do everything they could to win the game and the players fought it out to the last 75 seconds when it was stoppage, stoppage, stoppage, stoppage and I thought it was really impressive. The desperation in amongst those 18 players around the footy could've gone either way, but I thought the players were very committed right to the end, which was good." He went on to praise Miller, McLean and Paul Johnson.
At Subiaco:
Fremantle 2.5 7.6 8.9 13.13.91
Essendon 3.2 7.5 11.9 14.11.95
Or Essadun versus Essadun. Another terrific last quarter here, the Bommers prevailing thanks to a better all-round effort and the Dokkers' over-reliance on Matty Pavlich to kick their goals. Folks are saying the Dons are a chance to make the eight. Eh? They've no hope, despite a run of winnable games ahead. Freo can't achieve anything this season, but they had an admirable crack here. Thoughts are turning to the list and trade time, with unsigned Victorians David Mundy and Robert Warnock attracting interest. Should be shopping for a new coach. Anyway. The Dokka side had four changes from the one beaten by Stinkilda, Michael Johnson (ankle) and Luke McPharlin (bruised ribs) were unavailable while Jeff Farmer and Ryan Murphy were dropped. Farmer was axed for not turning up to training after a night out with Antoni Grover, who did make it to said session. There'd been speculation former Don Mark Johnson would be dropped with his 200th game due, but Mr. Sunshine was retained and duly achieved the milestone. A great effort, well done. Incoming Shockers were Steven Dodd, Scot Thornton, junior rover Clayton Hinkley and first-gamer Josh Head, a 25-year-old tall, running defender from South Fremantle. The Dons recalled veteran Damien Peverill along with Ricky Dyson to replace injured pair Henry Slattery (broken cheekbone) and Jay Neagle (?).
Another slow start here. Freo blazed some early points as the had they better of the early going, in the eleventh minute Bomma Mark McVeigh received Jason Laycock's handball from a ball-up and slotted from a tricky angle but close-in, the Dons' first shot and they were 3 points ahead. Chris Tarrant kicked the Dockerators' fourth point before they scored a goal, the energetic Chris Mayne marked on the point-line and played-on to snap it through. McVeigh and Jobe Watson combined to win the ball from the restart for the Dons, ex-Dokka Adam McPhee gathered and handballed for Leroy Jetta to pass to Adam Ramanauskas in the pocket, he poked it through. 'Rama' played as a forward here. A bit later Matty Lloyd bagged a goal, dropping back to mark hard-running Jetta's kick close-in and the Bommers led by 9 points. A good rebound, passing move by the Dokkas ended with Matty Pavlich stabbing an inboard pass for junior Clayton Hinkley to mark, he converted. Essadun led by 3 points at the first break. The Dokkers did very well in the early second term, Rhys 'Rising Star' Palmer again prominent. Bomma McPhee missed an early shot and new Dokka Josh Head played-on from the kick-in, punting long to the wing where Palmer held an excellent mark under pressure. Palmer kicked to the centre where Head had run on to mark and boot ahead again, Tarrant directed his spoil down to Pavlich who snapped an excellent goal. "That's a planned move," reckoned commentator Glenn Jakovich. A planned move involving a contested mark by a rover? Big Aaron Sandilands marked 20m out and missed, as he usually does but the Dockulaters recovered the kick-in and Palmer punted forward, Mayne tapped-on for Pavlich to snap it through again. Soon Freo were attacking again and Dons Dustin Fletcher and Jobe Watson found themselves fighting for the ball, it spilled to Mayne who was clouted in the head by Jay Nash. Mayne free-kicked a goal. McPhee missed a shot for the Dons and Freo worked the kick-in the length of the field, running backmen Scot Thornton and Head set up Pavlich for a strong grab against Fletcher and goal. Freo led by a handy 20 points now. The Dons fought back, powered by ruckman David Hille. Hille cleverly intercepted Sandilands's tap at a throw-in and bagged a very good sausage. Tarrant restored Freo's 20-point lead, slotting from a tricky angle after marking Josh Carr's pass. McPhee responded with an excellent goal, handballing to McVeigh and then running hard to mark McVeigh's kick with-the-flight and boot truly from 45m. Freo ran into significant injury trouble now, losing Roger Hayden and Ryley Dunn to hamstring injuries. Hille kicked long to find Lloyd leading wide on the flank, Lloydy played-on quickly to find Brent Stanton marking alone 20m out and Stanton converted. Late in the term Hille majored from a mystery rucking free and the Dons'd cut the margin back to a point, but in the final moments Fletcher suffered a broken hand and didn't return for the second half.
A mostly tight third term prior to a late Essadun burst. The Dons had a coupla rushed points early before Nash held a good contested mark on the wing and punted towards CHF, Monfries roved Lloyd's contest and passed for leading Stanton to mark in the pocket. Stanton steered a very good goal and the Dons led by 7 points. Scott Lucas's previous appearance at Subiaco saw him bag six or seven goals in a quarter, but he was terrible here, dropping marks while also shoving opponents in the back, unpenalised as 'Gerhard' Healy pointed out. The Dokkers lost another man, Ryan Crowley suffering badly bruised ribs as he fell awkwardly from a marking contest. Owch. Matty Lloyd soared for big grab over Sandilands of all people, using his hands as a boost it appeared. But from the chance it created Adam Ramanauskas sliced on-the-full. A few more points ensued before Dokker ruckman Robert Warnock fired a mad handpass towards out-numbered Pavlich, who was good enough to gather the ball under heavy pressure and handball to Peter Bell. Bell stabbed a short pass to Dean Solomon, who marked while being biffed by Kyle Reimers. Solly majored and had words with Reimers as Essadun led by 2 points now. Tarrant and Pavlich missed sitters for Freo to level the scores before the Dons got a run-on. A great move from the kick-in of the Pav miss ended with Ramanauskas roving Lloyd's contest and snapping a terrific major. A minute later Dokka backman Mundy fired a handball to no-one while tackled, Mark McVeigh gathered and passed to leading Monfries, he centered a pass to unopposed Leroy Jetta who lobbed a handball over the top to Lucas for a goal-square tap-through. Watson took the ball from the restart and handballed to Reimers, from his long punt Lloyd was poised for a two-grabber but Jetta whipped the ball away from Lloydy's second grab and handballed again for Sam Lonergan to poke it through. Them three late sausages had the Bombouts 18 points ahead at the final break. From a rugged scrap for the ball at the opening bounce of the last korter, Palmer handballed and Clayton Hinkley kicked to Pavlich's lead, the Freo hero marked and majored. Freo supporters fired up but the Dons replied quickly, Peverill punted to CHF from a throw-in and Reimers charged in to seize an emphatic mark, hit the ground running and slam it through. A minute later slick handballs from Watson and Ramanauskas set up Andrew Lovett for a long sausage roll and the Bummers led by 24 points, the biggest lead to date. They just relaxed a bit and Freo worked back, a good handpass from Mayne allowed Josh Carr to boot a tremendous running goal from the flank. Sandilands missed a set shot again and Pavlich was done for a throw as he tapped the ball ahead of himself, very harsh. Soon Carr led up to mark 55m out and he kicked towards Sandilands who couldn't mark but Pavlich gathered the spillage with some great roving, gave Laycock a big don't argue and blasted the pill through from point-blank. Jetta missed a shot for the Dons and Freo took the kick-in the length of the field, Solomon passed to leading Tarrant and he kicked for leading Pavlich to mark in the pocket. Pav steered it through and the Dons' lead was down to 6 points. Jetta came to the Dons' aid with a good spoil on Peake to win the ball, Jetta swapped handpasses with Andrew Welsh and mongrelled a kick forward which Lucas read best to mark and convert. A minute later Lloydy missed poorly to have the Bommerz 13 points ahead. Freo pressed hard, desperate now. Essadun defenders rushed a coupla behinds and Ibbotson kicked a point. The pressure told on Pavlich as he dropped a mark but roving Peake collected the ball and handballed to Tarrant in the pocket, Taz calmly slotted it home and the Dons led by 4 points, 1:20 to go. The Dokkers went forward from the restart and there was a fearsome clash between Schammer and McPhee, a fantastic and admirable shoulder-to-shoulder collision as both went for the ball. But Bomma Stanton emerged with the Sherrin and the Dons held on.
Mark McVeigh (36 disposals, a goal) was a tremendous leader for the Dons with Jobe Watson (36 touches too) prolific around packs. Brent Stanton (19 possies, 2 goals) was pretty busy, Leroy Jetta (14 disposals) did some telling things and Andrew Lovett (22 handlings, 7 marks, a goal) continued his decent form as a midfielder too. Rebounding half-back Nathan Lovett-Murray (19 touches) played well and Adam McPhee (10 marks, 22 possies, a goal) played well across half-forward, with that terrific late contest. Lots of Dons made decent if not outstanding contributions. David Hille, Scott Lucas and Adam Ramanauskas kicked 2 goals each. Freo's effort again revolved around Matty Pavlich (18 disposals, 7 marks, 6 goals), with Aaron Sandilands (25 disposals, 6 marks, 45 hit-outs) also a force. Chris Mayne (22 touches, 7 marks, 2 goals) worked hard across half-forward and Dean Solomon (21 handlings, 8 marks, a goal) played well against his old side, Mark Johnson didn't do much so at least he's consistent. Peter Bell (20 possessions) and Rhys Palmer (19 touches, 6 marks) worked hard and Antoni Grover did decently against Lloydy. Byron Schammer (20 disposals) deserves mention for that terrific final-minute effort against the bigger McPhee. Chris Tarrant kicked 2 goals. Mark Harvey mentioned the Dockers had lost seven games by less than 17 points, or something like that. "Our players were off their feet, but to outscore them in the last quarter typified what they are about, and that's how hard they should work for the rest of the season. There were moments like the Byron Schammer collision with (Adam) McPhee that I want them to keep in their game," he said. "I don't want them looking at the excuses and make that the priority; it has to hurt that we continually lose by a small margin. You can never accept that, and that's the first thing I will explain to them before going onto other things. When things turn around, they will be able to draw upon what we've been through, and in the not-too-distant future this will help the playing group mentally, and they will also understand what is required physically." Matty Knights also focused on that final clash between McPhee and Schammer. "What do you say? After about 99 per cent of the game and you get two individuals who run at the ball like they did. That's why it's such a great game. That players can commit themselves to contests like that, similar to last week when Judd and Lloyd clashed . . . From our perspective, (we're) really proud of Adam to commit himself like that. He's a very courageous player . . . It's great to have a win, great to string three wins together. It's a real credit to our players. It would have been easy for them when we went through a tough patch to go into their shells, but their spirit has been amazing on the training track. And when you've got a young side, they just keep generating their own energy, and that's been a real plus for us over the last month. My mantra (mantra?) as a coach is develop the Essendon footy club and go after the vision of bringing a young group together aggressively."
Ladder after part-Round 14
Pts. % Next Week
Footscray 50 133.4 Bye
Geelong 48 143.5 Adelaide (Football Park, Fri. night)
Hawthorn 48 129.3 Bye
Sydney 38 136.5 Collingwood (Stadium Australia, Sat. night)
Adelaide 32 116.3 Geelong (Football Park, Fri. night)
Brisbane 32 106.1 Bye
Collingwood 28 117.8 Sydney (Stadium Australia, Sat. night)
St. Kilda 28 97.3 Bye
------------------------------------------------
Carlton 28 95.4 Bye
North Melbourne 26 94.0 Bye
Richmond 22 91.3 Bye
Essendon 20 77.0 Bye
Port Adelaide 16 95.0 Bye
Fremantle 8 89.6 Bye
West Coast 8 66.5 Bye
Melbourne 8 64.4 Bye
Cheers, Tim.
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