AFL Round 17
At the MCG:
Hawthorn 3.2 6.5 9.8 11.11.77
Geelong 6.3 8.10 9.12 12.16.88
Just as I sat down to type this, a footy crashed through the window. It must've been kicked by Lance Franklin, or Luke Hodge, or Jarryd Roughead, or Luke Hodge, or Campbell Brown, or Luke Hodge. Hodge's wife was due to have (and since has had) their first child, so he might've been distracted. The Hawks had chances to win this Grand Final Preview but as you may've gathered, they didn't take 'em. The Cats battled through and given they didn't have Ablett, Ling, Darren Milburn or Paul Chapman after half time (hamstring - 16 possies and 2 goals until then), it was a very good win for them. Jahlong are a bit hateable though, with their ridiculous over-use of handball, fairy-step running and kicks-round-corners. The Hawks made one 'surprise' change to the side beaten by Sinkilda, small forward Cameron Stokes - cousin to Cat Mathew - replacing Jarryd Morton. The Cats lost Milburn (gastro) and replaced him with David Johnson.
Big crowd, over 86,000 turned up. A record for a home-and-away game not featuring Essadun or Collywood, McAvaney said. Most of 'em were Hawks and they reserved most passion for opposition free-kicks, which concern your average Hawk supporter more than any other facet of the game. Cameron Stokes and Campbell Brown started in attack for the Orcs, trying to limit the rebound run of Scarlett, Mackie, Enright et al. Franklin had some early chances but gave away a free and missed a tight-angle shot when he could've had a 50m penalty. The Cats scored from their first chance, Orc backman Croad spilled a mark and roving Cam Mooney handballed to running Ryan Gamble, another to Mathew Stokes for an easy poke-through. Horforn replied from the restart as Brown's pass hit Franklin on-the-lead, Buddy converted. Mooney had an air-swing at a ball in the goal-square and the Awks cleared, but a running, handballing move broke down as big ruckman Simon Taylor was caught red-hot, Cat Corey Enright's long kick cleared the pack and Steve Johnson soccered a point-blank sausage. Cats by 7 points. The Horks replied as Chance Bateman marked 50m out, the Cat on the mark ran off to cover Franklin so Bateman played-on and slotted. The Pu55ies now got a run-on, the only one of the game. Mooney led very wide for a grab and handballed on for Chapman to run in and blast through. Some tough defending and a slick rebound ended with Travis Varcoe passing to leading Mooney, he converted. A bit later Bateman was done for deliberate out-of-bounds as he tried to rush a point under pressure, and missed. Chapman punted a close-range major from that, then Roughead clattered into the back of Pu55y defender Harry Taylor and gave away an obvious free. As Roughead argued Enright kicked long, Steve Johnson roved Brad Ottens's contest and sped clear to stab it through. Four unanswered goals and the Katz led by 25 points. Horforn responded late with a good defensive rebound of their own, Sam Mitchell kicked into space for Rioli to gather, cut back and kick for Mark Williams to mark on the edge of the 'square. Willo majored and the Cat lead was 19 points at the first break. The Hawks did better in the second term, lifting their intensity. Roughead was on-target early, leading to mark Bateman's pass and thundering it through from 50m. The Pu55ys' handball obsession began to hurt them, a turnover leading to a mark for Franklin but he just missed. Not for the last time, the Catz made a mess of the kick-in and Joel Corey was caught in possession, Brown free-kicked a goal and the Cat lead was down to 7 points. They hung tough for a while, until the Hawks' own fiddling brought them trouble. Chapman punted long and Ryan Gamble took a hit to force a goal-square spoil, roving Jimmy Bartel snapped a major. A bit later Roughead took a defensive mark and was just touched by Mooney afterwards, a farcically soft 50m penalty ensued. Mooney vented his opinion and a downfield free-kick was awarded too, allowing Franklin a point-blank goal. The Cat lead was 7 points again. Chapman and Stokes missed poorly for the Cats. Commentator Tim Watson said the Cats had lost the 'dareness' of the first term. What? Franklin postered with a shot, the Pu55ies whipped downfield from the kick-in but Gamble missed woefully. Chapman twanged his hamstring in that move and his night was over. Late-on the Cats had another attack but Rooke hacked a kick on-the-full. Hork backman Brent Guerra played-on from the free and his telegraphed handball exchange with Xavier Ellis fell apart under pressure from Matty Stokes, Gamble snapped a goal. Cats by 17 points at half-time.
The Hawks again pressed in the third term, but didn't capitalise. A steady build-up led to an early goal, Thomas Murphy ran ahead and passed for leading Roughead to mark and boot truly. He's always good from 40+. Mitchell had a free at the restart after Ottens tried to remove his head, Mitchell sent the ball wide to Williams whose long kick was marked strongly by Brown, close-in. Brown majored and the Hawks trailed by 5 points. A few minutes later Bateman ran out of defence for Horforn but, spying no option ahead, doubled back and attempted a switching kick - except it was a shocker, dropping for Corey Enright to sweep up and blast through for a Pu55y major. Oops. The Horks cleared the restart, Brown took another tough if dubious mark (replay showed the ball was touched in flight by Hunt), but he missed from 20m. Plenty of rugged stuff and tackling for the next few minutes, the Hawks lost Osborne for a little while after he and Mitchell clashed heads diving for the pill. Then a few minutes belonged to Buddy Franklin. He missed a shot after a strong mark under pressure from Scarlett, the Cat full-back had curbed his normal running game to pay Buddy close attention. Great work from Rioli to set up the chance, incidentally. A minute later Franklin leaped over Harley to mark Bateman's lobbed kick, but he missed again. Sure enough another opportunity came soon, Franklin leading into the pocket to mark Guerra's pass. This time Buddy went for the banana-kick, from 30m mind you, it wasn't very good but wobbled and Kernahan-ed through for a goal. Rioli rode Harry Taylor for a superb speccie on the wing but at the last change the Cats led by 4 points, despite being outplayed for most of the term. The pattern continued into the final stanza, the Orcs cleared the opening bounce, Brown punted forward, Franklin gathered the ball at pace and handballed off to Williams who slotted. Horforn led, by 2 points. Ladson missed a set shot before the Katz had a chance, Joel Selwood was tackled high and a 50m penalty was added to the free as Murphy plunged in late, Selwood dished off to Bartel who thumped it through. Momentum shifted now as the Cats began to dominate possession, but they overused the ball hopelessly, especially in their forward-line. Just have a shot, fer Richo's sake. They did, eventually, a free from Roughead's out-on-the-full swept downfield - James Kelly was tough - and Stokes found Rooke alone for a mark and goal. The Cats led by 11 points, it became 13 as the Hawk defenders rushed a coupla points. Hork Williams led up for a mark 50m out, he dished off to Hodge whose un-preferred right boot sent the ball mongrelling for a point. But the Cats dithered awfully from the kick-in and Rooke was mown down by Rioli, Franklin collected the spilled ball and popped it through. Cats by 6 points as the Orcs cut their own throats. Brown missed another set-shot from 20m, terrible. A minute later the Hawks were chipping side-to-side in the face of a Cat flood when Hodge clangered a kick, again with the right foot, straight to Joel Corey. A handpass to Gamble, a kick and Steve Johnson was marking with the flight, he converted. That was it, the Cats 11 points ahead and home.
Some tough efforts on-the-ball for the Katz, Jimmy Bartel (36 disposals, 2 goals) and Joel Corey (30 touches) had plenty of it while James Kelly (25 possessions) and Joel Selwood (31 handlings) won some hard balls. Runnin' Corey Enright (35 possessions, a goal) was handy as was Paul Chapman (16 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals) before injured. Mathew Stokes (21 disposals, 7 marks, a goal) was an important, busy forward and Steve Johnson bagged 3 goals. Horforn skipper Sam Mitchell (33 disposals) inspired their better moments and Chance Bateman (28 handlings, 8 marks, a goal) wasn't bad, Brad Sewell (22 disposals) showed something like his best after two middling games back. Mark Williams (17 disposals, 11 marks, 2 goals) and Lance Franklin (13 possessions, 8 marks, 4.5) worked hard in attack and there was some great pressure from Cyril Rioli (16 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles) and Campbell Brown (13 touches, 7 marks, 2.3), although Brown's later misses were killers. Jordan Lewis (30 disposals) was alright, Jarryd Roughead kicked 2 goals. How 'bout them misses, Clarko? "It was more to do with the opportunities we had going inside the 50 from the midfield where we either grubbered kicks or didn't give our forwards the chance to take possession of the ball . . . Geelong demonstrated at the crunch of the game that they are just a little bit more polished than we are at the present time." He relished the atmosphere. "You just can't buy that type of opportunity. Over 85,000 people, against a quality opponent against Geelong who have taken all before them for 18 months. There's some sides trying to narrow the gap on them and we are one of them. We are not quite there yet, but we've got a young group and plenty of upside. We know they are the measuring stick and we are chasing hard." He also bagged one of the umps. Bomber Thompson was proud of his lads. "It was pretty tough, we didn't have everything go right for us," Thompson said. "We were playing a pretty good team, and we lost momentum a few times, and regained it. In the end I just thought our will to win was better than the opposition's, especially by some of our midfielders . . . I think what they said to us in the end – and to the footy world – was that they didn't want to lose this game of footy. They probably went over and above the call of duty, some of them, to help this team get over the line. Enright, Joel Corey, Bartel, Selwood, David Johnson to a point – there were a lot of guys who just wanted to win the game of footy. Steve Johnson I should put in there too – I never mention him. I don't think it really counts for that much, because when we play Hawthorn or the Bulldogs again, the teams will be different . . . We didn't win it convincingly. We never crushed them, it was a really tight affair, so they should be pretty proud of their efforts too, Hawthorn. They're a good football team and we respect them."
At the MCG:
Essendon 5.7 7.10 12.11 19.14.128
Collingwood 1.3 6.7 9.10 11.14.80
It's the dream of your Magpoi fan for their side to face and eliminate flag flavourites and their bunnies Geelong in September. But at the current rate of Poi progress, they won't be playing Geelong again this season. A lazy effort saw 'em well-beaten by the Bommers, who have improved under Matty Knights. The Dons used their poor performance on Anzac Day as motivation and they did very well. The umpires gave the Bommers a hand, too. In selection the Bommas had Dustin Fletcher return, he replaced Jay Neagle (ankle). In the lead-up Knights had complained of an extensive injury-list at Essadun, but it's not clear what he's on about. Mark McVeigh and Andrew Lovett were the only senior men missing here, Lovett deliberately left out for disciplinary reasons. Fringe-types like Johns, Daniher, Hislop etc. don't count, surely? Anyway. Despite Malthouse's 'names' last week he made just one change to the side beaten by North, Leon Davis returning at the expense of Tyson Goldsack. Mick went into a lengthy explanation of why Josh Fraser continues to play in the VFL, something to do with medical advice on rucking ability. They'd know.
Early signs were not good for the Pies. Commentator Mal Blight reckoned Heath Shaw was Collywood's 'barometer' and H. Shaw's first act was to fumble a handpass from Dale Thomas, Bomma ruckman David Hille gathered and handballed for Matty Lloyd to slot a goal. A minute later Pie Davis made a flappy one-handed marking attempt and spilled it, from the resulting ball-up Hille tapped to Leroy Jetta, he handballed for Andrew Welsh to snap a major. Quickly, the Dons were 12 points ahead and the Poise looked very sluggish indeed. Hille plucked a throw-in and snapped it into the post before Welsh kicked a second goal, marking Damien Peverill's pass. At the restart Welsh was tackled without the ball by his tagging assignment, Scott Pendlebury, earning a free plus a 50m penalty against Pendlebury, dropping a knee into Welsh's back. Welsh goaled again and the Dons led by 26 points, the Pies not having scored at this stage. Fletcher obligingly rushed a point for them before Welsh's tackle forced the hapless Pendlebury into a throw, Welsh passed his free to leading Lloyd who passed on quickly for Angus Monfries to mark and boot a major. The Dons led by 33 points and maybe made an error at this point by benching the white-hot Welsh for a rest. The Poise stemmed the bleeding and even managed a goal, Scott Burns roved a throw-in and found comical baldy John Anthony alone at CHF, he kicked smartly for Travis Cloke to hold a with-the-flight grab and convert. But the term ended with a heavy Pie flood weathering Essadun pressure. Don forward Scott Lucas was reported for punching Harry O'Brien in the ribs, a remarkably soft charge which'll be withdrawn, surely. The Bombouts led by 28 points at the first break. The Scraggies woke up a bit after the break. Cloke used an early free-kick to find Dane Swan alone 30m out, Swan handballed for Alan Didak to poke it through from point-blank. Cloke and ruckman Cameron Wood missed tough, tight-angle shots before Paul 'Megastar' Medhurst, who'd been shackled by Fletcher, exerted some influence. With a lucky free-kick Medhurst stabbed a smart centering kick for Anthony to run onto, mark and convert. A minute later Medhurst slipped a tackle and passed for leading Cloke to mark and punt truly. Poi ruckman Chris Bryan had a free at the restart, clattered by useless Laycock, Bryan's wide kick forward was collected and centered by Medhurst again, on-rushing Bryan gathered and slipped a clever handpass for Leon Davis to snap it home. Four consecutive goals for the Poise and they trailed by 2 points. Hille replaced Laycock in the Bommer ruck and at the next centre-bounce Hille soccered the ball ahead, Monfries marked and kicked for back-pedalling Lloyd to mark behind Wakelin. Lloydy majored to stop the Poi run. Hille also engineered the next centre-clearance for the Bummers, Brent Stanton out-marked Rhyce Shaw and booted another, the Dons led by 14 points. Monfries missed a shot before Pie Pendlebury was awarded a free at a ball-up, Pendlebury's first kick towards leading Cloke saw the Pie man awarded a free for being held by Ryder, Cloke majored. Lloyd had a couple of late shots for a behind and an on-the-full respectively, Davis missed a tough shot after the siren where the Dons led by 9 points.
Agile Sharrod Wellingham cleared the opening bounce of the third term for the Maggies, Didak roved Swan's contest and Dids's low left-footer bounced through for a sausage, reducing the Don lead to 3 points. But the Dons now put on an umpire-assisted surge. Monfries started it with ride on and big grab over Wood, Monfries landed flat on his back and was winded momentarily before popping it through. Welsh punted the Bummers into attack from the restart, the ball rolled loose and Pie Thomas was punished, dubiously, for a kick-in-danger as Lloyd reached for the ball. Lloydy converted. Soon the Dons attacked again, Didak collected the ball and was tackled high by Jetta, the whistle blew for a free to Dids - oh, no it didn't, Didak was penalised for a high fend-off on Jetta and the Essadun man free-kicked a goal. The Pies were being killed in the centre though, Bommer Sam Lonergan won the next clearance, his kick was collected by Monfries, a handball to Peverill and one from him saw Nathan Lovett-Murray slotting it through. Lloyd missed awfully after great play from Jobe Watson to set him up, but a minute later a slick rebound saw Ricky Dyson kick long, Kyle Reimers marked over Tarkyn Lockyer and booted a sausage roll. Five straight majors for the Bombouts and they led by 32 points. Didak had been reported for a retaliatory jumper-punch on Henry Slattery. "The Pies are still in this, they need at least the next two goals," said Blighty. Prescient. Some smart roving from Burns allowed him to find Swan in space, he kicked for Anthony to hold a strong grab in front of Michael and boot a goal. Stanton's clangered kick gave the Poise another chance, Cloke drove a kick in and Davis leaped for a good mark over Watson, 'Neon Leon' majored and the Don lead was cut to 21 points. Cloke missed awfully and Swan missed a harder shot prior to the final break, leaving the Bommers 19 points ahead. A behind each to start the final stanza before Medhurst led very wide for a grab and slotted a typically Megastar-ian ripper from the boundary-line, but that proved to be the extent of the Magpoi challenge. Lovett-Murray's clever punt set up Reimers for a with-the-flight mark and goal, a minute later Reimers booted another after Hille barged through a throw-in and handballed to set him up. Adam McPhee, who'd been very quiet, had a free kick when shepherded out of a marking contest by O'Bree, plus a 50m penalty as Anthony kicked the ball away. McPhee converted and the Dons led by 31 points. The probable sealer came soon as Heath 'Barometer' Shaw's telegraphed kick-in to O'Bree was spoiled by Reimers, the orange-booted Don gathered and saw his banana-snap take a very handy right-angle bounce for a goal. Lloyd majored from a free a moment later to have the Bommers a hefty 41 points ahead. A Medhurst goal broke the Dons' run but McPhee replied presently, taking a kick for Ryder who'd been winded taking a big pack-mark. Hille's late grab and goal added percentage.
Bommer tagger Andrew Welsh (29 disposals, 4 goals) is in a career purple patch, while ruckman David Hille (24 touches, 6 marks, a goal) is spoken of as an All-Australian. Jobe Watson (a healthy 41 disposals) did very well on the ball, with the help of runnin' Brent Stanton (24 possies, 5 marks, a goal), old plodder Damien Peverill (20 touches) and the excellent Sam Lonergan (22 possies). Up forward Angus Monfries (14 touches, 9 marks, 2 goals) kept 'barometer' Heath Shaw out of the game and Matty Lloyd (17 handlings, 10 marks, 4 goals) gave worry to Wakelin. Dustin Fletcher (15 handlings) was solid against Medhurst and Knighta's man Kyle Reimers (11 kicks, 4 marks, 3 goals) bobbed up late. Adam McPhee kicked 2 goals. Collywood's best was CHB Harry O'Brien (11 disposals), who gave Scott Lucas an absolute hiding. Other Pies were fitful, Travis Cloke (11 marks, 16 disposals, 3 goals (3.3)) worked hard as did Dane Swan (26 possessions). Dale Thomas (21 handlings) and Scott Burns (18 touches, 5 marks) were alright too. Sharrod Wellingham (17 disposals) gave 'em a bit of drive. Alan Didak, John Anthony, Paul Medhurst and Leon Davis kicked 2 goals each. Malthouse questioned his side's ability. "Quite frankly, I don't know whether we're good enough. We just haven't got the cattle at the moment playing well enough at either end of the ground. Perhaps, more importantly, in the middle. The clearance rate (34 to 38) was good in the middle, but there was nothing clean out of it. (Essadun) have been one of the form sides. They've won four out of five games and lost by four points . . . We're not surprised (the Bommers played well), none of the players are surprised. Essendon was very good, we were very ordinary . . . We never really got to the stage of putting enough together. We just seemed to give up soft goals, and once you give up soft goals, the momentum shifts . . . You can only chase so many times. You can come at a side and if you get in front, you might be able to hold. But if you don't quite get there, and they kick away again, which they did, we didn't have any answers." Knights said "I thought it was a significant result today and full credit to the 22 players that represented us today and also to the rest of the playing list. We were really disappointed [after the Richmond loss] and we could have got deflated, but they trained really professionally this week - not only the 22 that played, but the whole list, so it was a great win for the club today." The whole list? So it's true, there are no injuries. "We just felt we had to keep the speed on the game," Knighta continued. "We executed well; we planned to come here today and play it on our terms and beat Collingwood and it was a good result." He went on to praise Monfries and Welsh for their 'miraculous' recoveries from last week. How 'bout that?
At Subiaco:
West Coast 2.3 6.5 9.11 15.13.103
St. Kilda 4.5 6.6 9.9 12.14.86
The Weevils upset tipsters everywhere by actually trying. How dare they! But the Weegs were embarrassed by their very poor home effort against the Tiges a fortnight ago and tanking now won't achieve much - last week's National Under-18 championships suggested two of the top three draft picks will be WA kids anyway. Also stacking up was the recent record between these two, with the Eegs having won 5 of the last 6 - perhaps irrelevant given recent form. The Saints were leading comfortably in the early second term before collapsing in the face of a bit of pressure. But the fact the Pies, Lyin's and Swans all lost too helped 'em out. A strange weekend, it was. The Wiggles made four changes to the side, Michael Braun, Steven Armstrong, Mark Seaby and junior backman Matthew Spangher came in to replace Josh Kennedy (knee), skipper Darren Glass (thigh) and dropped pair Tim Houlihan and Ryan Davis. One change for the Sainters, ex-Weeg Michael Gardiner recalled to replace suspended Justin Koschitzke.
A crowd of just over 34,000 seems pretty decent to me, but apparently it was the Weegs' smallest home attendance in six years. The Saints began well enough. Nick Riewoldt, with young Spangher as an opponent, booted the opening goal with a mark and 50m penalty, a bit later Stephen Milne bagged one with a good grab close-in. Brendon Goddard thumped a running shot home from 50m, when Leigh Montagna did similarly the Sainters led by 23 points. But the bad signs were there as Riewoldt missed a couple of shots, producing a pair of those awfully mis-hit punts. The Weegs were going alright midfield but struggled in attack, new middleman Brent Staker booted their first goal deep into time-on, slotting from the pocket. A minute later Brad Ebert converted a free-kick and the Weegs trailed by 14 points at the first break. A sloppy opening to the second term saw both sides burn the ball going forward. Saint Clint Jones appeared to have done so again when he raced through the centre and mongrelled a kick forward, but Robert Eddy's smart tap-on allowed Riewoldt to gather and snap a major. A coupla minutes later Milne sharked Dean 'Big' Cox's tap at a throw-in and whipped it through, the Stains led by 26 points. But the Weegs ground back, led by a lot of running from Staker. A long Staker run and punt allowed Mark LeCras to take a grab behind Sam Gilbert, LeCras majored. The Saints ran into injury trouble as full-back Max Hudghton limped off with a torn calf muscle, a minute later a good chain of Weeg handballs ended with Ebert, his shot was smothered by Jason Blake but Ebert collected the rebound and banana-ed it through. Quinten Lynch was in the midfield now, he crashed a pack and sent the ball wide where Staker embarked on a four-bounce run and thumped a long goal. The Weeg crowd came to life "after weeks of depressed stupor", to quote The Age, as their lads trailed by 8 points. LeCras missed a shot before Andrew Embley intercepted a Sam Fisher kick, Braun centered a pass for Ben McKinley to mark and convert. The Eegs had cut their deficit to a point at the long break.
The Saints moved Blake to the ruck again for the third, as last week. Jones won the ball away from the opening bounce and some tough handball from Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes set up Luke Ball for a snapped major. Plenty of points for both sides over the next few minutes, as the midfields battled. Eventually the Stainers found a way through, Blake battled to win the ball and handpass for David Armitage to poke a point-blank major. The Saints led by 12 points. Mark Nicoski missed badly for the Weegs before LeCras led wide and was shoved meatily in the back by Aaron Fiora. A side with Fiora in a key defensive role had structural problems. LeCras threaded his free-kick superbly for a goal, Montagna's fumble at the restart allowed the Weegs to clear and Lynch's smothered snap rebounded to Ebert, he booted a goal. The Weegs led for the first time, by a point. Sainter Jason Gram and LeCras missed shots. Stainer Ball tumbled a kick forward from a ball-up at half-back, Milne ran onto it and sped away on a four-bounce run, completed by a pass to Riewoldt for a mark and goal. Eric Mackenzie was Riewoldt's opponent now. Saints by 5 points but the Weegs had the final say in the term, Lynch had a free and kicked long, Mark Seaby roved his own contest and snapped truly. Eegs by 2 points at the last change. They drew first blood in the final term, Tyson Stenglein marked strongly in the centre and dished off to Beau Wilkes, from his kick LeCras clutched a good grab (Fiora!) and booted a goal. The Saints pressed a bit, forcing the Eegs to rush a couple of behinds. From the kick-in of the second Gardiner spoiled well, Milne gathered and passed to Riewoldt, leading into the pocket. Riewoldt steered it through skillfully and scores were level. A moment later Clint Jones could've put the Saints ahead, but his running shot sprayed on-the-full. Soon Wiggle Lynch marked 60m out and in a more expected mode, hammered anuge kick for a goal. Wilkes's strong spoil on Riewoldt initiated a Weeg defensive rebound, Lynch passed to Staker on the 50m line and he kicked quickly, the punt dropped through for a goal. Cox, who'd worked tremendously hard as usual, limped off with cramp but the locals pressed on. Scott Selwood marked on the wing and was crudely clattered by late-arriving Goddard, a 50m penalty and Selwood majored, the Weegs led by 17 points. Seaby cleared the restart with a free-kick, he passed towards Ash Hansen who was dragged down by Goddard, the Saint man not a little frustrated. Hansen handballed to Nicoski who walloped it through. The Weegs led by 23 points into time-on, they were home. LeCras made sure with the next major, a free-kick from the flank. Gram booted a running goal and Riewoldt a late one for the Saints.
The Weegs' re-jigged and unlikely midfield combination of Brad Ebert (25 disposals, 3 goals), Brent Staker (22 touches, 6 marks, 3 goals) and Quinten Lynch (28 possessions, 9 marks, a goal) carried the day. Michael Braun (27 handlings, 7 marks) played his best game for a while and Dean Cox (18 possies, 7 marks, 27 hit-outs) was terrific, youngster Jamie McNamara (19 disposals) was pretty good too. Mark LeCras (7 marks, 11 kicks, 4 goals) did the job in attack while backmen Beau Wilkes (14 disposals, 4 marks) and Eric Mackenzie (12 handlings) played well. The Saints' best were Nick Riewoldt (16 disposals, 10 marks, 5 goals) and Lenny Hayes (31 touches). Rebound men Brendon Goddard (26 possies, 8 marks, a goal) and Sam Fisher (28 touches, 12 marks) saw a bit of the ball and Leigh Montagna (22 possies, a goal) was alright, junior Robert Eddy (15 disposals, 7 marks) did some good things. Stephen Milne bagged 2 goals. Ross Lyon said "(The game) goes for four quarters and you need to deliver for four quarters. So we got a start, which you want in this state (to) silence the crowd a little bit. But they gradually ran their way in and the crowd come back in and they really lifted in the last quarter . . . I'm loathe to offer excuses (i.e. Hudghton injury) because I thought they were, in the end, the better team on the day. We lost Hudghton in the first five minutes which structurally put us under some pressure on what is a big ground. It really put us under pressure (with) the ability to manipulate the midfield, but again I'm loathe to make excuses because at the end of the day I thought we had opportunities. I thought we slaughtered the footy (with) a lot of clanger kicks. We won the contested ball, we tackled pretty well, as did they. I thought some of their good players we controlled in Priddis and Embley, and even Cox wasn't enormous (oo-er). But they had a couple who got under the guard and they got momentum and we couldn't quite wrestle it back." More generic rosy-future stuff from Worsfold. "[It was] four quarters of intense work, there's no doubt about that," he said. "Today it was a slow start, but they didn't lose their focus on maintaining that work-rate. Our focus is on keeping our voice up, keeping positive, regardless of what is happening on the scoreboard, and keeping the teamwork up. It's about supporting each other through tough times, through adversity, and keeping focused on (the idea) that if you can do it now you're going to do it easily when things are going well." He also spent some time giving Staker a wrap.
At Docklands:
Richmond 2.2 8.4 10.7 18.9.117
Brisbane 3.6 7.8 13.14 16.18.114
Tigger Joel Bowden won the game again, this time by kicking a goal for his side rather than scoring a coupla behinds for the opposition. Ironical. The momentum in this game swung wildly, but the last korter was a cracker. Richmun's football director of the last six years, Greg Miller, was sacked on Monday, inviting the same old stories about the cut-throat Tigers. At least Caroline Wilson will be happy. The upshot for the Lyin's was a third straight loss in Melbourne, all against teams below them on the ladder. With the mid-table congesting, it was unhelpful. The Tigger side here welcomed Matty Richardson back from his hamstring injury and recalled Daniel Jackson, they replaced Cleve Hughes (back injury) and the axed Dean Polo. The Lyin's regained Jed Adcock and called up Justin 'The Shermanator' Sherman. Out, dropped, went Rhan Hooper and Scott Harding.
Strange, tactical beginning. Tige coach Terry Wallace has expressed admiration for the Hawks' 'cluster' or 15-man zone play and the Toigs tried to ape it here, but not very well. It leaves backmen exposed and Brisbun's big forwards started well, Dan Bradshaw ran onto a loose ball and saw his left-foot snap bounce through for the opening goal. Bradshaw had two more shots in the next five minutes but missed both. The Tiges barely crossed their attacking 50m line prior to their first goal, good work from Nathan Foley and Matt White sent Bowden into space, he passed to leading Brett Deledio for a grab, another short pass set up Nathan Brown for the major. Bradshaw and Jonathan Brown worried the Tiges but the former's inaccuracy let 'em off the hook, Bradshaw seeing an accurate snap touched through and missing again from a set shot. Matty Richardson, busy already, led long for a grab and then lobbed a smart kick for Deledio to mark with-the-flight, Deledio converted and the Tiges led by 4 points. The Lyin's began to convert though, Travis Johnstone free-kicked a goal after a high fend-off from Bowden. Ruckman Jamie Charman got a ride and 'secondary lift' on Adam Pattison to hover for a classical speccie, the Lyin's went forward and Simon Black lobbed a wide kick for Jonathan Brown to mark on the boundary, he threaded it through. Anthony Corrie hooked an after-the-siren shot on-the-full, the Lyin's led by 10 points at the first break. The Lyin's spurted clear at the start of the second, reflecting their edge in general play. Brown spilled a mark on-the-lead but recovered the pill and stabbed a clever pass for Sherman to mark with-the-flight, 'The Shermanator' majored. Josh Drummond loped clear on a defensive rebound and passed to leading Rob Copeland, Drummond ran on to accept Copeland's handpass and drill a long sausage. The Lisbon Brians led by 22 points. But the Tiges seem to specialize in big second quarters and they fired now, led by superb on-ball efforts from Shane Tuck and Kane Johnson. Junior Trent Cotchin was twice involved in setting up a mark and goal for Nathan Brown, a bit later the Toiger Brown collected a throw-in and kicked smartly cross-field for leading Jack Riewoldt to mark and convert. The Tiges forced the ball clear of the restart and Mitch Morton won a lucky free, buckling at the knees so Adcock's tackle slipped high. Morton majored and the Lyin' lead was cut to 4 points. The Brians replied through a great effort from Jonathan Brown, nudging Kel Moore under the ball, gathering, running clear and slotting it home from 45m. But the Toigers kept coming, classy finessing from Cotchin saw him elude trouble and pass to Deledio, another to Shane Edwards followed and his kick to Bowden brought a goal. Foley sped clear of the next centre-bounce but his running punt hit the post. Jay Schulz led wide for a diving mark, Tigger ruckman Troy 'Snake' Simmonds got run at Schulz's kick and plucked a big pack-grab, he goaled and the Toigs led by 3 points. White's gutsy mark led to another grab and major for Riewoldt as the Tigger surge continued, but the Lyin's halted the run before the break. Drummond's smart kick allowed the very quiet (to this stage) Jared Brennan to mark behind Schulz and boot a six-pointer, reducing the Tige lead to 2 points at half-time.
As much as the Tiges dominate second quarters, they play like poo in thirds. Midfield rotations probably have something to do with it. Brisbun wrested control of the stoppage-clearances, in which they'd been belted, with Charman, Black and Brennan prominent. But poor conversion cost the Lyin's on the night, Jon Brown, Adcock and Luke Power all kicked behinds and there was a rushed one before the Lyin's scored a six-pointer. Toiga Chris Newman's awful handball to no-one caused a turnover, Bradd Dalziell found Bradshaw alone for a mark and goal. The Lyin's led by 8 points. Corrie did very well to win the ball from the restart and Black lobbed a running major. Jonathan Brown's shot hit the post, soon Brennan's smother initiated a sweeping move ending with busy Jason Roe's pass finding Corrie unattended, he marked and sausaged and the Lyin's led by 21 points. The Tiges managed to arrest their slide, momentarily. Schulz missed a long set shot, more worryingly 'bad Richo' emerged as he hooked awfully after marking 20m out. Ouch. But Schulz got on-target soon afterwards, marking Deledio's pass. Brisbun led by 13 points and Black showed considerable skill to win the following centre-clearance, he handballed to Johnstone who swapped handballs with Power before spearing a running major. Mistakes littered Tigger game and Luke McGuane clangered a clearing kick straight to Brennan, he centered the ball to Jonathan Brown for an easy grab and goal. The Lyin's were in full charge as a pressure-free rebound move allowed Adcock to kick long, Bradshaw was spoiled but roved his own contest and handballed for Copeland to snap it through. The Lyin's looked home at this stage, leading by 31 points. Good play from Tambling created a late major for Tigger Nathan Brown, leaving the Brians 25 points ahead at the last change.
But the Tiges exploded in the ultimate Mario, led by old Richo and Joel Bowden, shifted forward. The first few minutes were a bit listless, before Kane Johnson hacked a punt forward from a throw-in and Richardson seized a strong grab, breaths were held as Richo majored. A bit later Deledio and Jordan McMahon worked the ball clear of a throw-in and Richardson held a diving grab, he handballed for Brown to poke it through from point-blank. Soon the Tiges advanced again, Johnson fired a mad handball to nobody but Lyin' junior Tom Collier was caught in possession by Bowden, who free-kicked a goal. McMahon and Johnson combined to find Richardson marking on-the-lead, big Richo majored again and the gap was down to 2 points. Foley raced clear of the restart and looked for Richo's lead, he spilled the grab but managed to get a handball to Matt White, who sped into an open goal and slammed it into the stands to put the Big Pu55ies in front. The desperate Lyin's forced a rushed behind from the next Richmun thrust but Power's telegraphed kick-in was picked off by Bowden, he stabbed a major from 20m out. The Tiges led by 11 points, having scored six goals in twelve minutes. A Morton snap rolled wide, making the Tige lead two goals exactly. Brisbun advanced from the kick-in and Notting's kick found Charman in an unbelievable amount of space at CHF, the big man played-on and booted truly. The Lyin's enjoyed a decent few minutes, but Cheynee Stiller missed poorly with a set-shot and Jon Brown's snap from the boundary hooked wide. Ash McGrath stepped up for the banana-benders, he capped a rebound move with a pass to leading Bradshaw who booted a major, McGrath also manufactured the next rebound and running Sherman swapped handballs with Rischitelli before lobbing it through. Brisbun led again, by 8 points. Tiger Foley won the next centre-clearance and kicked wide to leading Riewoldt, he passed towards unstoppable Richo who was held back by Merrett. Richo free-kicked a goal. Brisbun's McGrath passed for Jon Brown to mark 55m out, but Brown's shot was touched through on the line. Clearly, Brisbun fans, it was. A bit later Tige Moore held a strong grab in the last line, the Tiges swept downfield and Tambling passed for leading Bowden to mark and put the Tiges ahead for the final time. Huzzah!
Swapped from an on-ball role to a half-back runner, Richard Tambling (27 disposals, 6 marks) played one of his best games for the Tiges. Matty Richardson (22 disposals, 17 marks, 3 goals) made a welcome return and Brett Deledio (26 touches, a goal) worked hard for three quarters (excluding the third, many Tiges fit in that category). Forward-deployed Joel Bowden (19 possies, 7 marks, 4 goals) and on-ball Kane Johnson (31 handlings, 15 marks) were handy and Nathan Brown (21 handlings, 8 marks, 4 goals) was an important forward too. Shane Tuck (29 possies) played well in the first half especially and Nathan Foley (26 disposals) had a big last quarter, after being well-tagged by Stiller for most of it. Jack Riewoldt kicked 2 goals. Runnin' half-back Josh Drummond (21 disposals, a goal) and ruck-rover Simon Black (20 handlings, a goal) led the Lyin's, with Travis Johnstone (18 disposals, 2 goals), Luke Power (18 touches) and rebound man Joel Patfull (15 possies) very good at times. Jonathan Brown (8 marks, 15 disposals, 3.4) improved as the game progressed, Daniel Bradshaw (11 touches, 5 marks, 3.2) could've done better. Bradd Dalziell (18 possies) found the ball again, Justin Sherman kicked 2 goals. Not surprisingly, Matthews blamed the inaccurate shooting. "Unfortunately the last quarter says it all. Richmond were in control of the game and they kick 8.2 where in the third quarter we kicked 6.6, so unless you dominate the game you can't kick inaccurately and win . . . We made some bad defensive errors; sometimes the opposition wins the game and sometimes you lose it. Given where we were at three-quarter time we obviously lost it with some bad cough-ups of possession and some really bad turnovers that got them some pretty cheap goals. (In the last quarter) they just got the ball. That's why games ebb and flow. People ask why; well, it's which team is getting the footy in the crunches." Wallace had a different take on it. "It was a great win in the fact that it was probably nearly gone a couple of times," he said. "That's why I thought it was a great win - the blokes just refused to allow it to be gone, and to me that's the most pleasing aspect of the win. The spirit was great. We played in the game last week where we just got over the line but in different circumstances - we probably controlled the game last week for most of the game, where this week we looked out of it, probably on a couple of occasions . . . I didn't think we played well for the first three quarters. I clearly wasn't pleased at all going to any of the quarter time, half time or three-quarter time huddles, with the group. I just didn't think we had played a great game of footy."
At the SCG:
Sydney 2.3 4.8 4.12 6.17.53
Adelaide 3.6 8.7 8.10 11.11.77
Made a late decision to stay home and watch the Tiges' game. Pulled the correct rein there. The Camrys arrested their losing streak by out-boring the Swans, a coma-inducing snooze fest to be sure. But winning excuses everything. Cressida forward Jason Porplyzia's season-ending dislocated shoulder healed remarkably quickly, he not only played here but ended up the key performer. Injuries are more of a problem for the Bloods, Mick O'Loughlin (ankle) and Leo Barry (hamstring) were out of the side which scraped in against the Blues, while Playfair and Goodes struggled through this one. O'Loughlin and Barry were replaced by Barry Hall and (shudder) Ben Mathews, the former deemed a psycho no longer, with Siddey's injuries suddenly a problem. Still no Nick Davis though, who last week announced he was moving to the Eagles next year, to the genuine surprise of everyone including the Eegs. Porplyzia, Nick Gill and David Mackay came into the Corolla side, replacing Graham 'Stiffy' Johncock who was dropped for form reasons and for "failing to prepare himself in a professional manner." Luke Jericho (hamstring) and Kris Massie ('flu) missed out too.
The Cows made their plan clear early, with about 15 blokes playing in the back half. With the SCG soaked by rain, it worked pretty well. The Swans did score an early goal, Jarred Moore kicked long and ruckman Darren Jolly leaped for a big pack-mark, he converted. The next quarter-hour saw a few behinds scored, including three in-a-row from Camrys Edwards, Goodwin and Porplyzia. Barry Hall also missed his first shot, he struggled in the Cows' flood and with close attention from Ben Rutten. Into time-on and the Camrys scored a goal, Gill had his arms taken on a lead and he free-kicked into the path of Bryce Campbell, who gathered and slotted. A minute later former Swan Scott Stevens held a strong defensive grab for the Corollas, he kicked into the centre where Michael Doughty got the ball, he punted towards Gill who gathered and handballed for Goodwin to slot a goal. Soon Gill booted a goal of his own, following a decent grab of Rob Shirley's pass and the Camrys led by 14 points. Jude Bolton won the next centre-clearance for the Swans, Jarrad McVeigh dropped Bolton's pass but Bolton had a second go at the ball, handballing for Luke Ablett to boot a goal. The Coronas led by 8 points at korter-time. The first fifteen minutes of the second term were tedious slog. Eventually Camry Bernie Vince did something, passing to Brad Moran in the centre, running on to receive Moran's handpass and kicking for Porplyzia to out-maneuver Ted Richards for a grab and goal. A few minutes later Goodwin converted a dubious free-kick from 15m out and the Camrys led by 20 points. Jolly tapped the subsequent centre-bounce to Ablett, he kicked wide where Matt O'Dwyer handballed to busy Ryan O'Keefe. O'Keefe's wobbly kick was collected by Kieran Jack, he handballed for Craig Bird to slot a major. A bit later the Swans constructed a rare running, handballing move and O'Dwyer marked Ablett's pass 55m out, a 50m penalty gifted the second-gamer his first goal. The Camry lead was back to 8 points but they spurted late. Kurt Tippett tapped a ball-up smartly for David Mackay to snaggle a sausage, then Nathan Bassett swapped passes with Stevens and kicked long, Porplyzia roved Tippett's contest and snapped it through. Shortly 'The Porpoise' Porplyzia booted his third goal of the term, a goal-square tap-through after Chris Knights intercepted Bevan's lobbed kick and drove a long one in. The Camrys led by 25 points then and 23 at half-time.
The third Mario featured no goals, the Swans did the bulk of the attacking but became mired in the Corollas' flood, the Bloods also proved remarkably good at hitting the post. An apparent Mattner goal was called a point after it was deemed to have grazed the post, the Swans were also denied a point when the field-ump neglected to give the all-clear to the goalie. It wasn't their night. Adam Goodes was being very quiet again, still struggling with a groin problem and Shirley's tag. Meanwhile Henry Playfair'd hurt a hamstring. Addelaid still led by 22 points as the final stanza commenced. Early-on Porplyzia led up to mark Campbell's pass, he handballed off to Brad Symes who thumped a very good running major. Bloods McVeigh and Hall missed shots before blonde Cressida Mackay ran from defence and kicked long to Knights on the attacking side of the wing, Knights kicked for lurking Porplyzia to mark on his chest and boot another goal. The visitors led by 31 points and the game was over. In time-on Hall free-kicked a goal but a minute later Porplyzia booted his fifth goal, found alone again by Symes's pass. Porplyzia 'plays high' and runs into the forward-line as the ball arrives, making him difficult for backmen to pick up. Ben Mathews booted a belated goal for Siddey.
Jason Porplyzia (12 disposals, 6 marks, 5 goals) made the difference for the Camrys, with some willing midfield workers in Bernie Vince (25 disposals, 6 marks) and Tyson Edwards (27 handlings, 7 marks). The Cows' defence was very tight, led by Nathan Bassett (20 touches, 9 marks) and Ben Rutten (18 handlings, 6 marks on Hall). Andrew McLeod (23 disposals) did some handy running, as did Chris Knights (27 disposals, 11 marks) and Robert Shirley (18 possies). Simon Goodwin bagged 2 goals. Ryan O'Keefe (35 disposals, 8 marks) worked very hard for the Swans, but didn't kick any goals. Brett 'Captain' Kirk (27 touches) slogged it out, Tadhg Kennelly (23 possies) and Craig Bird (16 touches, a goal) weren't bad. Some others had a bit of the ball, but not much effect. Paul Roos pounced on the injury excuse. "The concern is more the health of the team than tonight's result," Roos said. "I don't think you can win in this competition with an unhealthy team so that's probably the biggest challenge for this week, picking a team that's healthy . . . I guess there is probably a real gap between the top three teams and then the rest." Asked about Siddey's poor record against the Camrys, Roos said "it's like a voodoo-hex or something. We've probably kicked more points against Adelaide than any team we've played . . . But certainly at the moment we're struggling to put a healthy team on the field." He said Goodes probably wouldn't play next week, against the Bulldogs in Canberra. Big game. Neil Craig said "[In] four out of the last five weeks, we've been ahead at half time but haven't been able to maintain the level of effort, for the want of a better word. Tonight, it was there for the whole game against a side that's also recognised for that part of their game. To do it against Sydney, with our circumstances, with our squad that we've got at the moment - I'm sure our supporters would have a smile on their faces, as they should have . . . The easy option for Jason (Porplyzia) would have been to opt out and have an operation. The decision was not to do that. It says a lot about Jason Porplyzia and it says a lot about his feeling that he has for the playing group . . . I think all we need to worry about is that we haven't been disastrous for five weeks, even though we didn't get the results we wanted. Tonight we saw a level that we need to play at. The challenge for our group now will be to continue to play at that level for that length of time."
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 0.3 6.5 11.6 15.11.101
Fremantle 6.3 8.6 15.9 20.9.129
If you'd backed Freo, well done. No-one would've picked 'em to win without Matthew Pavlich, let alone kick 20 goals. But they did. Mark Harvey reckoned the Dockers can 'shape the eight', they just need to play a side in contention. Port played their Grand Final last week and started very slowly, but this game featured all the hallmarks of their season, particularly a very leaky defence. Port made some selection decisions, as expected Chad Cornes was sent for season-ending surgery on a shoulder and knee while Brendon Lade was dropped along with Adam Thomson. Injured Peter Burgoyne was subject to club suspension for turning up to training in an 'inappropriate condition'. In came Toby Thurstans, Fabian Deluca and Travis Boak. Docker champion Pavlich missed with knee soreness, being rested for next weeks' Derby. Brock O'Brien (hamstring) and Andrew Browne (calf) were also out of the side victorious over Melbun, replacements were Rhys Palmer, Ryan Murphy and Paul Duffield.
Freo started with the aid of a decent breeze, but Port's lethargy helped them along too. Dokka David Mundy's centering kick led to the opening goal, beefy spearhead Ryan Murphy crashed the pack and the ball spilled for Mark Johnson to snap a goal. A bit later Power full-back Thurstans clangered a kick-in straight to Josh Carr, who popped it through. Last week Port made noises about recruiting Carr back to Port, annoying the Freo folks a bit. How unlike Mark Williams, eh? Jeff 'Wiz' Farmer missed a running shot, the Powder managed some attacks but Daniel Motlop's left-foot dribbler rolled wide and Justin Westhoff missed a set shot. Commentator Glen Jakovich didn't like Motlop's 'selfishness'. The Dokkers swept downfield from the kick-in of the Westhoff point, leading Luke McPharlin had his arms slapped down by Thurstans so the ball smacked into McPharlin's head. McPharlin free-kicked a goal and Freo led by 18 points. Backman Antoni Grover held a good mark in front of Tredrea and was pulled back afterwards, a soft 50m penalty resulted and Grover booted a major. A defensive rebound featuring tall runners Scot Thornton and Mundy ended with the latter's pass to leading McPharlin, he marked and converted. Farmer sped down the outer wing with a three-bounce run and centered a kick towards Murphy, he couldn't mark but Carr roved and handballed to on-running Farmer, who stabbed a short pass to Aaron Sandilands. The ruckman goaled and Freo led by 36 points. Port got moving in the second korter, breeze at their backs now. Shaun Burgoyne drove a long kick in and Dean Brogan was manhandled by the Dokka backmen, he free-kicked a goal. Chris Mayne missed a shot for Freo and the Flowers advanced from the kick-in, Burgoyne again drove the ball inside 50, Brett Ebert roved himself and handballed for Westhoff to slot a goal with a checkside (i.e. banana) kick. A bit later some complicated handpassing set up Nathan Lonie for a shot, it dropped short but Westhoff marked in front of the goal-post and checkside-slotted again. Danyle Pearce punted towards leading Warren Tredrea who marked strongly against Steven Dodd, Tredders converted and the Freo lead was down to 13 points. It was 12 before Dokker Mark Johnson broke the run, barging his way through a pack to bang a goal. Port kept coming, Salopek held a good mark on the wing and dished off to Lonie, he thumped a huge wind-assisted punt which backpedalling Tredrea marked over Dodd, Tredders converted. Ryan Murphy free-kicked one for Freo, clattered by Troy Chaplin as he led to Chris Tarrant's pass. Tredrea bagged another one for the Powder, Westhoff's grubbered checkside pass bounced up handily for Tredrea to collect, he executed a checkside himself which bounced through. Checksides! Motlop marked on a tight angle, played-on and baulked himself into trouble, losing the ball. Jakovich saw red. "That's so selfish - he should be benched for the rest of the game!" Hard man, Jako. Fremandle led by 13 points at half-time.
The Dockulaters had the wind again in the third term, but Port began well. Burgoyne ran clear of the opening bounce and kicked long, Westhoff held a strong grab over Dodd, played-on and stabbed it through. A minute later and Westhoff converted again from a good, strong pack mark - about his first one of the year - as Freo's lead was cut to 2 points. The wind helped Freo a minute later, Michael Johnson's massive clearing punt found Farmer on the wing, Wiz ran and handballed inboard to Schammer, his long kick dropped in the goal-square for Shaun McManus to soccer through. Port kept comin', as Pearce shepherded for Lonie he slipped and was clouted high by McManus, a fortunate downfield free-kick was awarded for Tredrea to convert. Some good tackling from Motlop won the ball at half-forward for Port, Kane Cornes fired a handpass for Cassisi to bag a goal and the Power led, by 3 points. The Shockers responded well, although this is about the stage Port fade out most weeks. Palmer was clouted high and dished off his free to Garrick Ibbotson, a long punt and Tarrant marked over Chaplin, he converted. Brett Peake sped clear of the restart and his wind-driven kick sailed through for full points. A bit later Sandilands flipped a throw-in out the back, Tarrant gathered and handballed for Mayne to wheel about and lob it through. Freo led by 15 points. The Powder pulled one back, Cassisi roved a throw-in and handballed to Pearce amongst a picket-line of Dockers, but somehow Pearce managed to get an accurate snap away. The Dockers, united, can often be defeated but not today. Peake walloped another long kick forward from the subsequent centre-bounce, it bounced out of bounds but Mundy grabbed the throw-in and scrambled a major. A moment later Peake involved himself again, collecting a kick-in and punting long towards marauding Josh Head. The Freo man marked on 50m and was knocked over, but was allowed to jump up and play-on, booting a major. Sandilands and Palmer combined to win the following centre-clearance, Tarrant and Peake were also involved in creating a running sausage for Ibbotson. Sandilands's long miss had the Dockers a healthy 27 points ahead at the last change. Poort were coming home with the wind though and scored an early major, Westhoff's slick handpass setting up Cassisi. Freo responded with a length of field move from a kick-in, passes from Mundy to Michael Johnson to Mayne ending with Crowley's easy mark and goal. Port scored next, Burgoyne's long breeze-pushed kick clearing Westhoff and Head and bouncing through for full points. Peake punted the Dokkas into attack again from the next centre-bounce, Port backman Carlile got a big spoil on McPharlin but the ball went straight to Crowley again, who snapped it through. Freo by 26 points. Port pressed on but couldn't score consecutive goals. Tredrea marked on a long lead and kicked quickly, Motlop gave Duffield a hefty but un-penalised shove-in-the-back to mark and convert. But Tarrant did well to find Palmer marking on a tight angle, the Freo junior checksided it through. Motlop marked and majored again for Port, after Michael Pettigrew broke two tackles and handballed to Logan to create the chance. Port trailed by 18 points at this stage. But a Kane Cornes fumble at the restart allowed Mundy to clear for the Shockers, Farmer took an easy grab and handballed for Mark Johnson to poke it through from point-blank. The following, wobbly centre-bounce allowed Port's Fabian Deluca to win a tap against Sandilands, eliciting Bronx cheering from the Port fans. But Freo man Thornton bagged the final goal, completing a long series of chipped passes.
Freo rover Byron Schammer (27 disposals, 4 marks) played very well, due to a new 'relaxing' technique he'd discovered. Wonder if it's like Johnny Drama's, from 'Entourage'? Ryan Crowley (28 touches, 8 marks, 2 goals) was handy as was restored junior Rhys Palmer (31 handlings, a goal). Big Aaron Sandilands (15 touches, 5 marks, 35 hit-outs, a goal) dominated ball-ups and Mark Johnson (13 disposals, 3 goals) did the job in attack. David Mundy (18 possies, a goal) was useful in a midfield role as was Brett Peake (14 touches, a goal) and Josh Carr (24 touches, a goal) reminded Port folks of his abilities. Luke McPharlin kicked 2 goals, altogether sixteen Dockers kicked majors. Port's prolific Kane Cornes (39 possessions) and pack-battler Dom Cassisi (28 handlings, 2 goals) were their best, with pleasing late-season form from big forwards Justin Westhoff (11 possies, 7 marks, 4 goals) and Warren Tredrea (11 handlings, 6 marks, 4 goals), although it's since emerged Tredrea is also bound for the surgery and an early end to the year. Danyle Pearce (25 possies, a goal) and Steven Salopek (23 disposals) were alright, Daniel Motlop kicked 2 late goals. "Congratulations to Harvs and to Fremantle, obviously, they wanted that win more than us; I'm not sure why," 'Choco' Williams said. "I certainly thought they came to play a lot more than us and they were more into it and switched on, but then again, they did have the wind [in the first quarter]. I thought we gave our players an opportunity to show something, so that they could stamp their name and position on the team for next year, but certainly there are a lot of undecided positions following today's result. The players that stand up and really stand out, you can put a big tick next to. Some of the others that haven't performed [today], it doesn't necessarily mean that will be the case all the time. But it does say to me that those players out of contract at other clubs; we'd be really keen to talk to them pretty soon." Yep, they'll be queuing up to go to Port. Harvs said "We've been getting close over a number of games. The boys have been putting in a lot of effort to redeem what's been a pretty frustrating year and they're starting to see the rewards now - albeit too late, so we're not getting carried away. But to play today without Matthew Pavlich and have 15 or 16 goal-kickers - which is the most ever I think of any Fremantle side - is a step forward. Whilst Port has had a frustrating season themselves, they did play in the Grand Final last year and they have got a deadly midfield. To see us fight that situation off (Port hitting the front) is pleasing. We speak about the spirit and the ethos of the footy club, and what we want to stand for. It's moments like that which present themselves in a game where we've got to extend what we do, and we did that today."
At the MCG:
Melbourne 1.3 3.4 6.8 10.10.70
North Melbourne 7.3 9.6 11.9 14.14.98
With the rest of the top eight determined to lose, Norf were the big winners over the weekend with this unremarkable victory over the Dees. The Kangers moved up to fifth. The game itself wasn't especially notable ("No injuries, four points," said Laidley afterwards) and the Ruse battled after a terrific first quarter. Laidley'd asked for an 'A-game' but he didn't get it throughout. The Dees tried hard after the first break, a little too hard at times. Often too many men would commit to a contest, leaving opponents free to receive the ball. Last week the Jim Stynes Melbun board sacked CEO Paul McNamee, an appointee of the previous Gardner regime who'd been in the job four months. As Leaping Larry put it, "the timing was unfair as McNamee had just returned from Wimpleton (sic). Imagine what he could've done for the Dees if he'd been there a full year and attended all four tennis Grand Slams?" In selection here the Demuns lost in-form Paul Wheatley (calf strain) and small forward Austin Wonaeamirri ("injured", it says here), in came James 'Junior' McDonald and long-legged midfielder Addam Maric for his AFL debut, he's from Greenvale. Not sure of his relation to the Camry's Ivan. The Ruse had Blake Grima replace Ben Ross (ankle). Sam Power played his 100th game.
Bitterly cold, drizzly day at the 'G. The Kangers had a great first quarter as Brent 'Boomer' Harvey and Adam Simpson sizzled midfield and Corey Jones reaped the rewards. Harvey bagged the first goal after David Hale, a decent target, roved himself and handballed to Grant, he did likewise for 'Boomer' to slot. The Deez answered as Paul Johnson led long to mark Simon Buckley's pass, Johnson lobbed a short kick for Brad Miller to mark unopposed and convert. But the Ruse dominated the rest of the Mario. Brady Rawlings drove a long kick towards Hale, Daniel Wells roved the contest and handballed for Corey Jones to bag a goal. Last week Tim Lane reckoned Wells resembles Cuban 400m runner of the 1970s Alberto Juantorena. Wikipedia tells me Juantorena was nicknamed 'White Lightening'(?) and 'The Horse'. Options for Wells to consider. Simpson punted Norf forward again and Corey Jones maneuvered Bell under the ball, gathered and bagged a noice one from 40m. A minute later Leigh Harding marked at half-back and had a 50m penalty, he kicked for Corey Jones to out-mark Bell and boot a third straight major, the Kangers led by 19 points. Daniel Pratt gathered in defence and kicked to 'Shagger' Grant on the wing, he in turn passed to Jones on a long lead. Jones had another crack at the sticks, it dropped short but Drew Petrie soccered a goal. The Norf goals kept comin', Rawlings kicked a free to CHF and again Hale brought the ball to ground and handballed for Harvey to bag his second goal. Rawlings worked hard to win the ball from a throw-in and passed to Grima in the centre, he kicked long and big Hale was able to hold the greasy ball for a mark, he majored. The Ruse led by 36 points at the first break. The Dees lifted a bit thereon and maintained a flood to slow the Kangers. Corey Jones was closed down by Matthew Warnock. Early-on Demuns Chris Johnson and Nathan Jones were heavily involved in a lengthy move, ending with Jones's pass to leading Miller, he marked and majored. The Kangers replied, a Demun turnover allowed Norf backman Josh Gibson to loop a long handpass to Matt Campbell, he sped inside 50m and slotted. Tight for a bit until the Deez managed another defensive rebound, Colin Sylvia did well to get the pill to Paul Johnson and he passed for leading Miller again to mark and convert. The Ruse led by 32 points. Just prior to time-on the Kangers capitalized on another Dee error, ruckman Todd Goldstein gathered and handballed for running Lindsay Thomas to spear a six-pointer. The Ruse led by a healthy 38 points at the long break.
More of the same in the third quatrain. Corey Jones's smart knock-on led to an early Roo goal, Dan Harris kicked long and Thomas marked close-in, played-on and poked it home. More slogging minutes before the Demuns answered, a good effort from Sylvia got the ball to Shane Valenti, he passed for leading Aaron Davey to mark and boot truly from 35m. Quick answer for Norf, Gibson's kick finding Corey Jones alone for a mark and straightforward major. The Kangers led by 44 points at this stage. Melbun had been awful at getting the ball inside attacking 50 but they did a bit now. Dee tagger Lynden Dunn engaged in some handbags with his man, Harvey, and Dunn managed to get himself reported, twice in the space of 30s. TV showed Harvey was acting-up to get a free(s). Dees Miller and Cameron Bruce missed shots before Paul Johnson kicked long again, the ball cleared Sylvia's contest and Michael Newton pursued the agget. Newton gathered near the boundary-line and executed a left-foot dribbly-kick which bounced and rolled ever-so-slowly through the big sticks. It was like watching Dale Thomas or Daniel Motlop in slow-motion. If they were 195cm and unco-ordinated. A goal it was though, a minute later 'Junior' McDonald played-on to advantage through a high tackle and kicked for Newton to mark in front of Firrito, Newton booted a more conventional major and the Dee fans found their voices as Melbun trailed by 31 points at the final change. They were roused more when Valenti kicked the first goal of the ultimate stanza, a free-kick after being decapitated by Firrito. Norf responded quickly, Petrie won the ball from the next centre-bounce and Sam Power kicked towards leading Thomas, who was held back by Whelan. Thomas free-kicked a major, Norf by 31 again. The Deez kept coming, Bruce clutched a good grab on the forward flank and dished off to running Paul Johnson, he slotted nicely from a tricky angle. The Dees bullocked the ball forward from the subsequent centre-bounce and McDonald lobbed a kick, as he moved to it Sylvia had his arms taken by Firrito and Sylvia free-kicked a sausage. Dee fans excited as their lads were 19 points down. Norf had the answer as Harvey cleared a throw-in and kicked towards leading Thomas, who didn't mark as he coodabeen killed by oncoming Davey. To be fair to Davey he pulled out at the last minute, but still gave Thomas a hefty head-on bump. Another free-kick goal, to Thomas. Melbun closed the gap again, Paul Johnson's fierce tackle at a ball-up forced the ball loose and Cale Morton snapped a sausage, Norf by 20. The Dee challenge was finally put to rest in an awful sequence, Petrie missed poorly with a soft free-kick but the telegraphed Dee kick-in saw Simpson ride Davey for a big grab - but he also missed, from 25m. Bruce, I think it was, tried to play-on from the next kick-in but procrastinated and was run down by Hale, Thomas swept up the loose ball and blasted a goal. That was it.
Brent Harvey (27 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals) reminded folks he was considered a Brownlow contender early in the season, before the meedya began drooling over Gablett. Lindsay Thomas (18 touches, 4 marks, 5 goals) saved their bacon in the end and Corey Jones (18 possies, 7 marks, 4 goals) helped create the big lead, both benefitting from the fine work of David Hale (14 handlings, 9 marks, 1.3) in unhelpful conditions. Adam Simpson (30 disposals), Josh Gibson (21 touches, 5 marks) and Daniel Wells (26 touches, 9 marks) were useful too. Melbun's best were Nathan Jones (26 disposals), built for the wet, and Aaron Davey (23 touches, 5 marks, a goal). James McDonald (26 disposals, 6 marks) made a decent return and junior Simon Buckley (27 possessions, 10 marks) played well, Shane Valenti (22 possies, 7 marks, a goal) is a tough, pacy small man. Ruckman Paul Johnson (20 disposals, 5 marks, 14 hit-outs, a goal) is having a belated break-through year. Brad Miller kicked 3 early goals, Michael Newton bagged 2 goals. Bailey said "It was a really poor start, seven goals to one at quarter time was really ordinary. But they (Ruse) were pretty good. They moved the ball pretty well . . . again it was some of our poor decision-making and their counter attack at really good speed. We started off poorly and from then on it was catch-up for the rest of the game." What about Dunn's double-reporting? "Dunny's (snigger) concentration probably lapsed for three seconds or two seconds but that's all it takes," Bailey said. "But he's a very determined, very competitive beast, Lynden. So we took him off and had a chat to him and said 'I'm going to put you back on him mate, and you've just got to concentrate harder and have your positioning correct, that's all'. Dean Laidley was asked if the potential ladder-boost of the victory had proved extra motivation for the Kangers. "We spoke about not getting caught up in that sort of stuff. Our task today was to come out here and beat Melbourne, and that's what we did, which was very pleasing . . . Looking at the results over the weekend, with no injuries and four points, I think it's probably critical at this stage of the year. I thought our first quarter was pretty good, but they wanted to throw a heap of players behind the footy and we were holding our line and they were holding their line. That's when you get ugly footy, when those sorts of things happen." Big game against Brisbun on the Gold Coast next week.
At Docklands:
Footscray 3.3 10.4 15.6 15.8.98
Carlton 2.4 5.8 12.13 18.18.126
The big question from this game: is there a television commentator who doesn't barrack for Carlton? 'Gerhard' Healy and 'Dwaynepipe' Russell willed the Blues to victory, despite no clear association with the Bluesers. Healy worships Chris Judd but Russell's enthusiasm was harder to fathom; finanacial, maybe. Anyway, the Bluies rattled home as they've often done this season, with a furious amount of running to overwhelm the Dogs. If it were the Tour de France, the Blues'd be tested relentlessly. For the second week running the Bulldogs faded badly, they led by 37 points halfway through the third term but fell right away. It was about this time last season the Bulldogs fell apart and while losing to the Cats last week was no disaster, this loss will furrow the brow of yer Doggy fan. One selection change for the Dogs, Josh Hill returning at the expense of Stephen Tiller. One for the Blooze, Stephen Browne called up to replace Adam Bentick. Judd played his 150th AFL game and Simon Wiggins played his 100th for Carlton, it's taken a long time for him to get there.
The Bullies appeared in old-style Footscray guernseys and black shorts in honour of Ted Whitten, who would've been 75 last week. But it was an odd look, giving 'em the appearance of suburban reserves team. Bully coach 'Rocket' Eade elected not to tag Bloo men Judd and Nick Stevens, as most sides do, having his midfielders go head-to-head. Judd duly cleared the opening bounce of the game and ran down to kick its' first score, a point. The Bullies scored the opening goal, Brad Johnson with a free-kick when held down by Jarrad Waite. Ryan Hargrave missed after intercepting a Bloo clearing kick and Brendan Fevola missed his first shot, a tight-angle snap. Bloo Kade Simpson under-hit a pass to Judd, but the Carlton hero gathered and handballed back to Simpson, whose better second kick found Matthew Kreuzer alone for a mark and goal. Scores level. A bit later Simon Wiggins leaped for the kinda strong grab which has typified the better moments of his career, Wiggins majored and it were Blooze by 6. They missed a couple and the Dawgs came back, Dylan Addison passed for leading Daniel 'Guido' Giansiracusa to mark in the pocket and boot a very noice sausage. Soon a Carrazzo turnover allowed Johnson to find Giansiracusa on-the-lead again, he chipped wide for Jarrod Harbrow to mark and convert. The Dogs led by 4 points. Fevola lived up to his idiom, leading to take a grab and shoved over by frustrated opponent Brian Lake, adding a 50m penalty. Fevola couldn't resist giving Lake a little jab, the Bulldog dropped as if shot and the ump reversed the kick. Ratten and Fev had a word at quarter-time as the Dogs led by 5 points. Bulldog Robert Murphy had an early chance in the second, a free against Thornton and he kicked long, Mitch Hahn bulldozed through some weak tackling and bagged a major. A diving Waite 'gully catch' of a mark led to the Bloo reply, the ball went to Judd and his spearing pass hit leading Fevola for the mark and conversion. "That mark (Waite's) was like watching Bruce Yardley," said Danny Frawley, revealing both his age and the fact he hasn't watched any cricket for 25 years. Bulldog Nathan Eagleton was crucified in a terrible 'bawl' decision from the ump, insult was added with a 50m penalty when Eagleton didn't release the ball quickly enough. Wiggins accepted the charity goal and the Bluies led by a point. But the Bulldogs had the edge at this stage, Murphy threaded a terrific pass to find Scott Welsh in traffic, he handballed off for running Lindsay Gilbee to thump a long sausage. A bit later dithering Bloo Browne was run down by Welsh, the Bulldog's free-kick saw Josh Hill leaping for a big grab, he majored. The whistle blew at the next centre-bounce and everyone stopped, except Harbrow who ran clear as 'advantage' was called and drilled a goal. The Dogs led by 16 points. Judd missed poorly and Healy, unable to accept his hero was fallible, made some feeble excuse. The Bulldog kick-in was poor though and Eddie Betts won the ball, creating a snapped goal for Wiggins. But Giansiracusa punted the Puppies into attack from the restart and Will Minson marked strongly in front of Waite, Minson goaled. The frenetic pace slowed towards the end of the half. Fevola missed a long shot and the Pups advanced from the kick-in, Cooney ran and kicked long over Hahn, Johnson roved and steered a terrific left-foot snap through from a tough angle. And on they went, with one second on the clock Murphy marked Hargrave's pass and converted after the siren, the Bulldogs led by 26 points at orange time.
The Bullpups kicked clear in the early third. There was a square-up for the earlier Eagleton decision as Carrazzo was crucified for 'bawl', making it a real Calvary for ball-winners. Hahn free-kicked the goal. Minson missed poorly following a big pack-mark, the Blues advanced from the kick-in. Heath Scotland fumbled but was also tripped, his free went over Fevola's head but roving Judd gathered and slotted. Johnson sliced a shot on-the-full but then a lucky rebound allowed Daniel Cross to run forward with ball, he handballed to Johnson who was on-target this time. A minute later Farren Ray picked out Matthew Boyd with a smart kick, Boyd converted. The Bulldogs led by 37 points but goals were tumbling through so often, it didn't seem decisive. Handy, though. The Bluies pulled a coupla goals back, Marc Murphy kicked long for back-running Fevola to mark by the point-post, Fev played-on and hooked it through. Judd punted the Blooze into attack from the restart and Wiggins was awarded a free for falling over, the umps were celebrating his 100th too. Wiggins majored and the Doggy lead was 25 points. Goals alternated for a while, Hill got one for the Bullies following a great Welsh mark against three Bluesers. Betts threw the ball to a few team-mates, got it back and passed for Scotland to mark and convert. The non-stop scoring halted momentarily. Good play from Dale Morris and Harbrow set up a point-blank goal for Hahn and the Bullpups led by 31 points. But the Bluebaggers began to get a run-on now, Judd, Marc Murphy and Stevens leading the way. Fevola marked on a long lead and hooked a quick, terrible pass straight to Bulldog Ray. But Ray's handpass was intercepted by Marc Murphy, who ran right in and stabbed it through. Judd won another centre-clearance and handballed wide to running Waite, a pass to leading Fevola, mark and goal. A minute later young Dog Andrejs Everitt was caught in possession, Kreuzer free-kicked a goal. A pair of late behinds (?) and the Blues were only 11 points down at the last change. Eade gave his men a spray but the Bluie momentum continued into the last Mario. And just to weaken the Bullies further, Addison did his knee early in the final term. He's facing a reconstruction, terrible luck for bloke. Fevola missed a coupla set shots, the second coming from yet another disgraceful 'bawl' decision against Bulldog Cross who showed great courage in diving after the Sherrin. 'They' are killing the game. A good Bloo move involving Simpson and Jordan Russell ended with an accurate pass to Fevola, he majored this time and the Doggy lead was down to 3 points. Their situation was precarious, looking very tired. Bryce Gibbs won the next centre-clearance and handballed to Stevens, his pass dropped neatly for leading Fevola to mark and punt yet another to put the Bluesers in front. A minute later Simpson grubbered a clever kick for Betts to run onto, gather and race inside 50. Despairing Doggy ruckman Ben Hudson dived at Betts's ankles, to no avail as Betts slotted and the Bloo fans were outta their minds at this stage. Robert Murphy missed a shot, a bit later Marc Murphy roved a ball-up and handballed for Kreuzer to snap truly. Judd burst through some weak Bulldog tackling with gritted teeth and a dismissive fend, passing to leading Fevola for his third goal of the term. Carton led by 20 points in a Navy Blue fantasy land. Fevola and Cloke missed sitters before Stevens completed proceedings with the Bluies' ninth straight goal.
Rocket's decision not to tag Chris Judd (32 disposals, a goal) or Nick Stevens (31 touches, a goal) didn't work out. Brendan Fevola (16 touches, 12 marks, 6 goals (6.5)) showed his worst and best in the same game. Marc Murphy (28 possessions, 8 marks, a goal) was good too and Simon Wiggins (17 possies, 6 marks, 4 goals) enjoyed his milestone. Andrew Carrazzo (29 handlings, 8 marks) and Heath Scotland (27 disposals, 9 marks, a goal) were handy as was Jarrad Waite (24 handlings, 8 marks). Matthew Kreuzer bagged 3 goals. Daniel Cross (27 disposals, 5 marks) worked very hard for the Dogs but the others made fitful contributions. Adam Cooney (24 disposals) had good numbers but not enough influence, Lindsay Gilbee (22 touches, 6 marks, a goal) and Matthew Boyd (22 disposals, 7 marks, a goal) is in the same category. Brad Johnson (16 possies, 6 marks, 3 goals) started well but faded, Ryan Griffen (21 handlings, 7 marks) was alright. Mitch Hahn booted 3 goals, Josh Hill and Jarrod Harbrow kicked 2 each. Jason Akermanis was very quiet again, 8 disposals and no goals. "Full credit to the opposition, they played very well, but we seemed to get away from some basic things at times," Eade said. "Obviously we looked pretty tired in the end, for whatever reason. We made some basic errors but got away from some fundamentals that served us well in the first two and a half quarters. It's something we'll need to look at. I'm not too sure of the reason at this stage. But it's certainly an area of concern that we need to address. They (Bulldogs) certainly seemed to be running with heavy legs and the opposition were running on top of the ground. We (Bulldogs) were six goals up halfway through the third quarter so we had some good bits of play. Our forwards were looking dangerous for a period but with a lack of good delivery and some poor efforts up there as well, it took the gloss off their games." Was he worried? "We were able to eke some wins out early, which is going to serve us well going into September, and some teams who couldn't (fire) early on are starting to play well. The fight for at least the last four finals spots is up for grabs." Brett Ratten continues to rank his wins, not bad for a bloke who's had eight in his career. "Our patterns were pretty clear from the box and the players were adhering to instructions. We just couldn't finish some of our work early, but we got the reward late . . . It's right up there in the top three [wins] I think. We squandered our chances in front of goal when we could have put them under some pressure and we talked about our inside 50 kicks and how we used the ball [at half time]. We had to change that up and we did and we got the result. I think we went a little bit longer in the last and we got some one on ones because of that, but they were zoning off and trying to get back into Brendan's space. To the boys' credit we got our hands on the ball around the stoppages and away we went and we used the ball very well . . . I was just so pleased for Simon Wiggins. He's a player who has gone through the ups and downs of football."
Ladder after Round 17
Pts. % Next Week
Geelong 64 151.7 Richmond (Docklands, Sat. night)
Footscray 54 123.1 Sydney (Manuka Oval, Sunday)
Hawthorn 52 123.1 Collingwood (MCG, Fri. night)
Sydney 42 120.0 Footscray (Manuka Oval, Sunday)
North Melbourne 38 97.8 Brisbane (Carrara, Sat. night)
Collingwood 36 113.5 Hawthorn (MCG, Fri. night)
Adelaide 36 106.2 Carlton (Football Park, Saturday)
Brisbane 36 105.3 North Melbourne (Carrara, Sat. night)
------------------------------------------------
St. Kilda 36 100.6 Port Adelaide (Docklands, Sunday)
Richmond 34 97.3 Geelong (Docklands, Sat. night)
Carlton 32 96.0 Adelaide (Football Park, Saturday)
Essendon 28 86.0 Melbourne (MCG, Saturday)
Port Adelaide 20 92.1 St. Kilda (Docklands, Sunday)
Fremantle 16 91.8 West Coast (Subiaco, Sunday)
West Coast 12 67.1 Fremantle (Subiaco, Sunday)
Melbourne 8 64.6 Essendon (MCG, Saturday)
Cheers, Tim.
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