AFL Round 21
At Docklands:
Footscray 3.3 10.6 19.8 23.13.151
Essendon 3.4 5.8 9.11 15.15.105
Easy win for the Bulldogs, they couldn't help it really. Essadun were missing plenty of players and their reasonable, early pressure gradually waned. A better side would've troubled the Dogs on this effort but still, it was handy for the Dogs to throw off the slump and to have Mitch Hahn bag a career-best 6 goals. The Bullies were forced into a coupla late changes with Farren Ray and Lindsay Gilbee contracting 'flu, although it was suggested Gilbee had a sore hammy. The pair were replaced by Andrejs Everitt and Shaun Higgins, the latter returning from an early-season ankle injury. A few weeks ago Matty Knights's claims of an injury crisis at Bommerland were met with skepticism, but coming in here the Dons did have a few out. Dustin Fletcher (groin), Courtney Dempsey (fractured leg), David Hille (broken hand), Leroy Jetta (hip) and Jason Laycock (ankle) were unavailable following the Dons' loss to the Camrys. Replacements were Jason Johnson, for his valedictory games, Mark McVeigh returning from hamstring trouble, Heath Hocking, young ruckman Tom Bellchambers and debutant Cale Hooker, a tall lad from East Fremantle. If only he was Steve Hooker, eh? The Dons had 26 to choose from, they claimed. Last week Damien Peverill was added to the list of surplus Dons, he wants to play on at another club. Good luck to him, he'll need it. Adam Ramanauskas is going to retire.
Essadun challenged for the first 40-or-so minutes, with a committed display of tackling and aggression at the ball. Ruckman Tom Bellchambers and rovers Andrew Welsh and Brent Stanton gave 'em edge in clearances. By the way, the game featured four boundary-umpires for the first time, which is something which will feature in every finals game. Bomma skipper Matty Lloyd booted an early, 50m goal after leading to take a grab of Adam McPhee's pass, a few minutes later Don Henry Slattery produced the game's second score, a behind. The Bullies advanced from the kick-in and Ryan Griffen accelerated away from Don Heath Hocking, Griffen passed for leading Rob Murphy to mark and thread it through from a tight angle. Murphy set up the next goal, leading long to take a grab and kicking quickly where Mitch Hahn marked strongly in front of the pack. Hahn majored. Tight for a bit, Cooney missed poorly for the Dogs before Jason Akermanis slotted a running goal, thanks to a great handball exchange with Ryan Hargrave. The Pups led by 11 points. The Dons struck back, Stanton dropped a mark on-the-lead but gathered the ball and lobbed a kick to the goal-square. Paddy Ryder, who'd started in attack again, was clearly held down but the ump allowed advantage for Nathan Lovett-Murray to soccer a goal. A bit later Doggy Josh Hill dithered awfully in the centre and was caught red-hot, Andrew Welsh collected the spilled ball for the Dons and handpassed for McPhee to run inside 50 and boot a long major, leveling the scores. The Dogs made a few mistakes as commentators noted their lack of rebound run, caused by the absence of 'receivers' Gilbee and Ray. Folks bag 'em but they're important. The Bommers led by a point at korter-time and early in the second stanza junior Rhys Magin missed with a snap, at the other end Hahn wasn't paid a juggled but clear mark about 10m out. McVeigh did well to win the ball on the boundary, he lobbed a kick to the top o' the 'square where Lloyd roved his own contest and snapped it through. The Bombouts led by 7 points. The Dogs replied as Hahn's good handball got the pill to Brad Johnson, he stabbed a centering pass for Adam Cooney to mark and convert. Essadun's Welsh won the ball at the restart and kicked long, Hargrave made a weak attempt at a mark and dropped it, team-mate Brian Lake's handball spilled to Don Sam Lonergan who snaggled a major and the Dons led by 7 points again. McVeigh gave Hargrave some stick over that, but the Dogs began to move the ball more smoothly now and raise their tackling intensity. Lloydy flew high for a screamer but spilled it, the Bullies produced a scrappily effective rebound and Nathan Eagleton drilled a running goal. Hahn roved a ball-up and had a snap, it missed but he was bumped afterwards by Lovett-Murray and Hahn goaled from the resulting, softy free-kick, which put the Dogs in front by 4 points. Essadun managed a rushed behind and Stanton postered, then Bulldog rover Daniel Cross caught Jay Nash with a great tackle, the ball went to Matthew Boyd who passed wide to Harbrow, he played-on and drove a low kick for full points. The Pups scored a coupla behinds before junior Callan Ward lobbed a punt in and Johnson had the 'sit' to jump and hold a decent pack-mark, Johnno converted. Cooney used a free-kick to set up Scott Welsh for a mark and goal, soon Brad Johnson majored again from a free-kick as regular Don opponent Slattery clambered all over him. The Dogs'd kicked out to a 28-point lead at half-time.
The third term followed a similar pattern to the second. The Dons were competitive early before Bellchambers, who'd rucked well, began to tire and experienced Doggy ruckman Ben Hudson asserted himself, as did Cross and Boyd. Hahn and Will Minson produced the goods in attack. Lloyd kicked the first goal of the third, with a diving mark of Jobe Watson's smart pass. The Doggy lead was reduced to 22 points. Hahn booted another goal with a strong grab in front of Mal Michael. When announcing his retirement last week, Michael reckoned players "with my body-type can't play any more." Maybe he meant body-weight. Or body-jumping ability. Murphy missed for the Dogs following a good move, a bit later Bomma Angus Monfries was paid a dubious diving mark and he kicked to the 'square, Stanton roved the pack and produced an excellent over-the-head snap for a major. Dogs by 23 as the floodgates parted. Hahn executed a good pick-up and shoved off Stanton's tackle, Hahn handballed for Akermanis to spear a running sausage. A minute later Hahn charged out wide to clutch another grab, clattering team-mate Johnson in the process (although Johnno is a drama-queen). Hahn booted long and Minson seized a big pack-mark, he converted. Cross lobbed a skilful cross-field kick for running Griffen to mark in-stride, Griffen booted long and Hahn plucked another tough mark, Hahn majored and the Dogs led by 41 points. The Dons' running game had stopped and they were bombing it forward unsuccessfully to static men, from which the Bulldogs rebounded. Hahn's tackle stripped the ball from isolated, panicky Hocking and the Bulldog hard-man free-kicked a major. Griffen galloped down the wing with a bounce and drove a kick to the goal-mouth again, Minson bullocked off young Don Cale Hooker, held an easy mark and popped it through. Lonergan snapped a tight-angle shot into the post for Essadun before Hooker's handpass was intercepted by Minson, he handballed to Giansiracusa and another to Akermanis put another six-pointer on the board. The Bullpups led by 58 points now, they'd kicked six straight. The Bommers stopped the run-on, Andrew Lovett and Lloyd combined smartly to set up a mark and goal for Monfries. Bellchambers tapped the next centre-bounce to Watson, a handball to Stanton and his pass hit leading Michael, who'd been switched into attack as Ryder retreated to defence. Mal majored and the Dogs' lead was back to 46 points. But the Doggies had the last word, Scott Welsh's clever handpass was placed for Brad Johnson to run onto, collect and bounce a kick through for a goal. A bit later McVeigh's wild handball was gathered by Cooney, again Johnson'd run ahead to receive and punt accurately. Dogs by 57 at the final change. Essadun fought on in the last, McVeigh snapped an early goal after shrugging Cooney's tackle, Michael's goal-line shepherding helped too. Shortly Doggy Welsh led up to mark on the 50m line, he kicked to the opposite flank where Matthew Boyd marked and converted. Mal Michael managed to hit the post from close-in but a minute later he booted a second goal, pushing off Lake to take a clever mark of Lloyd's kick. The Dons trailed by 52 points, Stanton's long run ended with a 'pass' which bisected Michael and Lloyd and sailed on-the-full. The Don forwards weren't happy. McVeigh's clever interception set up a mark and shot for Slattery, but he postered. Now the Bullies surged again, Minson's big hit from a ball-up was gathered by Akermanis and he thumped a 50m goal off the left boot. Next Akermanis placed a free-kick for Scott Welsh to clutch a decent, running grab (Buckley: "That's a lovely mark"). Welsh converted. The Dogs were awarded a rubbish free at the restart and advantage was allowed for Akermanis to spurt clear, he lobbed a kick for Hahn to seize another very good mark between Hooker and Lovett-Murray. Baptism of fire for Hooker as Hahn booted his sixth, the Bulldogs led by 70 points. They eased up and the Dons scored the final four goals, Nash and Stanton both benefitted from 50m penalties and Dyson ran by Michael to collect Mal's handpass and pop through a sausage. Matty Lloyd led up to mark Ramanauskas's pass and boot the final goal.
Great game from Mitch Hahn (16 touches, 8 marks, 6 goals) against his callow opponents, in midfield Adam Cooney (28 disposals, 8 marks, a goal) shaded a battle with McVeigh and Daniel Cross (29 disposals), Ryan Griffen (19 possies, 7 marks) and Robert Murphy (18 disposals, 10 marks, a goal) were handy. Brian Lake (22 disposals, 6 marks) enjoyed a free role in defence and big Will Minson (10 touches, 21 hit-outs, 2 goals) was a presence in attack and relieving Hudson in the ruck. Brad Johnson (19 handlings, 4 marks, 4 goals) and Jason Akermanis (17 possies, 4 goals) were decent, Scott Welsh kicked 2 goals. Brent Stanton (28 disposals, 2 goals) was probably the Dons' best and Matthew Lloyd (18 possessions, 11 marks, 4 goals) worked hard up around half-forward again. Mark McVeigh (21 touches, a goal) won the ball and harassed Johnson and Cooney. Jason Johnson (26 disposals, 6 marks) started well but faded dramatically after half-time, although he wasn't alone amongst Dons there. Angus Monfries (21 handlings, 9 marks, a goal) did alright and Tom Bellchambers (11 disposals, 8 hit-outs) impressed as a tap-ruckman, he did a few other good things too. Mal Michael kicked 2 goals. Matty Knights gave the Dogs a wrap. "I think you should be wary of the Western Bulldogs," he said. "They played some cracking football early in the year. They did beat Hawthorn in Tasmania and they were sparkling that day. Come the first final I think they are going to be a very capable football team. They don't have many injury concerns, which is important for this time of year. Their foot skills are very good . . . I wouldn't be underestimating them if I was playing them in a final." On his own side he said "I've been dealing with both boys (Pev and Jason Johnson) and they have amazing character to do what they've done for the last 12 weeks. It's good for Rhys Magin, Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers to know how revered Jason and Pev are. It is going to be a big celebration for us this weekend. We celebrate the careers of two wonderful people and we hope to give them a great send-off." 'Rocket' Eade picked at problems. "We need to use the ball a bit more efficiently and a bit more productively," he said. "In finals footy every little bit counts. The last 10 minutes we dropped away a bit. The last four goals were disappointing but when we hit targets, that's when we broke the game open. I think there were some good signs from individuals who have been down a little bit. And guys who turned the corner last week. It was another upwards game for them, so it was pleasing all round . . . Certainly if he (Hahn) does play well we do play well, but whether he is the barometer . . . I'd like to think we are a bit more of an even side than that. His marking tonight was pleasing and once he clunked a couple he gained that confidence to actually go for them again. Hopefully he can take that confidence level forward the next few weeks."
At the MCG:
Richmond 3.6 8.8 11.12 15.15.105
Fremantle 5.1 10.3 13.5 15.8.98
The Tiggers made hard work of this victory over the Shockers, but in the end scrapped to keep their slim September hopes alive - until the Mag-lies and Stainers won later, rendering the result meaningless in finals terms. The Dockulaters could add another under-three-goal loss to their burgeoning pile, and another final-quarter fade. As Jon Voight said in "Runaway Train' (pointing to his head), "It's all up here." On paper the Toigs were firm favourites, given their motivation and the late withdrawal of Freo hero Matty Pavlich (a 'hot spot' in his foot). But Freo had some excellent performances and typically, Richmen won enough possession to win a couple of games but gave a decent percentage of 'em to Freo men. The Tiges made one change to the side which beat the Orcs, Nathan Foley returning at the expense of Dean Polo. For the Dokkers Antoni Grover (shoulder) and Andrew Browne (dropped) joined Pav on the sidelines, but Des Headland indeed returned for his first game since the very early season, Josh Carr was back too and Ryan Murphy called up. During the week Mark Johnson announced he'll become the fifth Docker to retire at the season's end, a great player with the Bommerz and he's done the job he was hired to do with Freo, unfortunately the rest of the side hasn't.
Freo started very well, driven by the clearance dominance of Aaron Sandilands and Josh Carr. That pair won the pill from the opening bounce, Headland marked Carr's pass and received a 50m penalty for, um, something. Des popped it through, welcome back. Michael Johnson, also very good in the first fifteen minutes, recovered his own fumble and tapped-on smartly for Adam Campbell to drill a pass to Marcus Drum in traffic, Drum converted. Sandilands and Carr won a clearance again and Headland marked Carr's pass again, this time Headland chipped ahead for Campbell to mark and convert. An early 18-point lead for Freo. The Tiges woke up as Dan Jackson executed a smart pick-up and handball to Brett Deledio, he stabbed a centering kick for Mitch Morton to mark right in-front, Morton majored. Freo scored again, Mick Johnson executed a 360-degree blind-turn and stabbed a pass for leading Ryan Murphy to mark and convert. The Tiges replied, Kel Moore's good defensive spoil led to a running, handballing rebound completed by Shane Edwards's handpass to Deledio, who thumped it home from 40m. A bit later Freo's otherwise good Paul Duffield dropped a kick-in and Tige Trent Cotchin gathered, he handballed for Nathan Foley to slot a running sausage and the Shocker's lead was down to 3 points. Jackson, Daniel Connors and Richard Tambling missed shots for the Tiges, leveling the scores. But late in the term Jeff 'Wiz' Farmer embarked on a running rebound for the Dockulaters and found Michael Johnson alone, he passed inboard for unattended Rhys Palmer to mark 30m out. Palmer goaled and Freo led by 6 points, Brett Peake had a shot after the siren which was punched through by the Tige defenders but they count - Freo by 7 points at the first break. Given the pattern of the opening Mario, it was assumed the Tiges had started slowly and would soon assert control. In the early second Edwards won the ball well and Morton lobbed a kick for back-pedalling Troy 'Snake' Simmonds to mark, Simmonds majored. The Tiges scored a behind to level the scores, Freo's runner was inside the defensive 50 during their kick-in, which is against some obscure rule. The resulting Richmun free-kick led to a long goal for Shane Tuck and the Tiges led by 6 points. But the Dokkaz were going alright. A slick move from a kick-in was finished by Campbell's centering pass to leading Mark Johnson, he converted a straightforward shot. Campbell missed a sitter, from 10m, following a good with-the-flight grab but a minute later Tigger man Jay Schulz's clearing kick went over Chris Newman's head and straight to Dokka Scot Thornton, Newman grabbed Thornton which is a 50m penalty, sometimes. It was this time and Thornton goaled, Freo led by 7 points again. Mark Johnson sprayed a tight-angle shot on-the-full but soon another Schulz clanger gave Sandilands the ball, a centering pass allowed David Mundy to mark 30m out right in front, and give Jordan McMahon some verbals for some reason. Mundy's major had the visitors 13 points ahead, goals alternated for a while now as neither side could control the middle. Freo's Drum fumbled on a rebound and Tige Matt White did well to force the ball clear of a pack, Morton's left-foot dribbly-snap took curling, rolling bounces for a goal. A minute later Carr soccered the ball clear of a contest and it went to Duffield, he speared a pass for leading Mark Johnson to clutch strongly in front of the eyes and boot a goal. The Tiges manufactured a centre-clearance and Daniel Connors bagged a major, the Shockers restored the 13-point lead from a ball-up as Sandilands tapped to Palmer and his tumbling kick was marked close-in by Kepler Bradley, playing in-front. He converted. Tuck had a free at the next centre-bounce, he punted forward where Jack Riewoldt roved the pack and handballed for Deledio to snap truly. Richo's long miss after the siren saw Freo still 7 points ahead at the long break.
The third term was similar, early Tige pressure, later Freo comeback. Riewoldt won the ball from the opening bounce and Simmonds passed to Morton, he lobbed a high kick from 50m to the goal-square where Jackson roved the pack and snapped truly. Richo led, marked and made a hash of it (well, he kicked a point) before 'Wiz' helped the Tiges out. Garrick Ibbotson had just taken a good defensive mark when Farmer kneed a prostrate Edwards in the head, off the ball but right in front of the ump. The result was a free-kick to Morton, Ibbotson's opponent in the contest, plus a 50m penalty for Farmer's carry-on, allowing Morton a simple goal. Farmer trotted to the bench as the odds on a new contract got longer. Richardson missed another shot before Newman lobbed a high kick to the top o' the 'square and Tuck was allowed to take a pack-mark, too easily. Tuck's sausage had the Tiges 13 points ahead and it appeared the momentum-shift had occurred. At the following centre-bounce Tuck was caught in possession and Duffield drove his free-kick long, Murphy marked at the back of the pack and booted accurately. Freo's Roger Hayden took some terrific contested, saving marks in defence to hold out the Tiges, the Dockers managed another attack and Carr roved a big pack, he was ridden to the ground by McMahon and Carr free-kicked a goal. The Toiga lead was back to a point. The Tiges wasted some more possession before Mark Johnson did well on a rebound for Freo, the ball went wide where Peake held a very good mark against Newman. Peake steered an excellent goal from the boundary-line and the Dockerators led again, by 4 points. Freo ran the clock down to three-quarter time, at which point they led by 5 points. During the break Tigger coach Wallace suggested his men take the time to kick to blokes in guernseys coloured the same as their own. There were a couple of false starts for the Tiges. Schulz, now in attack, charged out to take a big grab but missed and Deledio didn't make the distance from 55m. Mark Johnson's mis-kick went straight to Tuck, he handballed to Joel Bowden who kicked towards Morton, he couldn't mark but roving Richardson got a snap away and it bounced through for a goal, the Big Pu55ies led by 2 points. Poor Byron Schammer missed an absolute sitter for Freo, at the other end roving Tiger Edwards raced into an open goal but was run down superbly by Duffield. Tambling centered a pass to Connors, he handballed over-the-top for Newman to run inside 50m and boot a long sausage. A behind each before Richardson marked wide on the flank and was allowed an 8m pass to Deledio, Deledio waited a bit before stabbing a low pass for leading Richardson to clutch and finally convert. The Tiggers led by 13 points. A bit later good work from Cotchin got the ball to Toiga captain Kane Johnson, he lobbed a high kick in and Dodd's spoil spilled to Schulz who whipped a snap through off the right boot. The Tiggers led by a game-high 19 points and you felt it was over. A touched Morton shot made it 20 points the diff but the Dockers constructed a good move from the resulting kick-in. Schammer's smart switching-kick found Mayne in plenty of space, he passed for leading Bradley to mark and thump a very good punt for a goal. Farmer blew a chance by fumbling a (very hot) handpass from Peake, but a minute later two very lazy efforts from Bowden allowed Schammer to collect the ball and kick to the 'square, Mark Johnson was shoved out of the contest by Thursfield and Mr. Sunshine free-kicked a goal. Now the Tiges were only 8 points up with about three minutes to go. A disappointing miss from Ryan Crowley wasted Freo's last chance though, and the Tiges played keepings-off 'til the siren.
The Tiges should thank ruck-rover Shane Tuck (31 disposals, 12 marks, 2 goals), who's in great form. The others were kinda spasmodic, Brett Deledio (23 possies, 9 marks, 2 goals) was pretty good and Matthew Richardson (18 touches, 10 marks, 2 goals) came good in the last quarter after being beaten by Luke McPharlin for the first three. Chris Newman (16 possies, 5 marks, a goal) was solid as usual and there were handy efforts from Daniel Jackson (23 handlings, 6 marks, a goal), Trent Cotchin (17 disposals) and Richard Tambling (17 handlings, 7 marks). Mitch Morton bagged 3 goals. Freo had two stand-out performances from rebounding back-pocket Roger Hayden (25 disposals, 12 marks) and Paul Duffield (28 touches, 6 marks), who reveled in an on-ball role. Adam Campbell (13 touches, 7 marks, a goal) again showed promise as a key forward and Byron Schammer (19 handlings, 7 marks) did a good job on Nathan Foley. Aaron Sandilands (9 touches, 28 hit-outs) was a big influence as usual and Mark Johnson (11 touches, 4 marks, 3 goals) was decent value. As several knowledgeable pundits have pointed out, Rhys Palmer (18 touches, 8 marks, a goal) needs to improve his disposal, kicking especially. Kepler Bradley and Ryan Murphy kicked 2 goals each. Harvs showed frustration. "For a start we've got 15 or 16 players out and you can include the retirements in there as well . . . You've got young players in there who have played the majority of the year and we have guys that have carried the load for the majority of the season . . . We controlled most of the game today [but] I don't want to commend losing, I don't want to commend that. There are frustrating periods in the game where we just don't handle it well, now there are different reasons for that and if you go over what I say when we lose by these small margins you'll see a lot of the same stuff that I say and I'm not getting away from that . . . I think the whole season has given us cause for optimism, but there's a lot of things we have to tidy up in our game if we think that we're going to be anywhere near the top sides." 'Plough' Wallace said "From our point-of-view, we didn't think we played well. Particularly at half time, we had a lot of senior players that hadn't had a lot of footy and were down, which happens at times. But you don't always play well, and it's not always on your terms . . . But in the last quarter our boys found a way to win the game, which was the most important thing . . . I know they got close to us again at the end, but we came from seven or eight points behind at three-quarter time and got ourselves nearly three goals in front, so that's a fair turnaround when you're not playing great footy. I just thought we controlled the tempo in (the last quarter), and probably showed more control than what we had."
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 6.6 9.10 10.17 18.21.129
Melbourne 1.0 2.4 4.8 7.9.51
The Flowers roused themselves for their third home win of the season, over an insipid Melbun. Folks thought the Deez might challenge a bit, given they'd beaten West Coast last week, but they were awful. More interesting for Port were off-field developments with the resignations of president Greg Boulton, who's been in the post since the Port Power's inception, and their CEO whose name escapes me. In team selection Port regained Dean Brogan and Daniel Motlop following injury and called up Paul Stewart and Marlon Motlop for his first game, he's Daniel's cousin from the Wanderers club in the NT. Those four replaced Robbie Gray (ankle), Michael Pettigrew (shoulder) and dropped juniors Mitchell Farmer and Ryan Williams. The Demuns sent Paul Johnson for season-ending hip surgery and dropped youngsters Addam Maric, Shane Valenti and James Frawley. In came Lynden Dunn, Colin Garland and experienced men Jeff White and Adem Yze. White and Yze have been told they're not required next year.
Port, wearing a new all-teal with lightening-bolt guernsey, commenced with the aid of the breeze and set about it. Shaun Burgoyne used a free-kick to find leading Daniel Motlop for an early mark and goal, Port missed a couple of shots. Dee defender Matthew Warnock got in front of Justin Westhoff but couldn't hold a difficult, diving mark, J. Westhoff scooped up the ball and handpassed for Danyle Pearce to snap truly. Port constructed a complex handballing move until Marlon Motlop passed to Peter Burgoyne 60m out, some confusion by the Dees on the mark allowed Burgoyne to creep forward and thump a wind-assisted sausage. Matthew Westhoff missed consecutive shots to have Port leading by 23 points, 3.5 to nuthin'. The Deez got on the board as Peter Burgoyne's misdirected handball went to Jeff White, he handballed to James 'Junior' McDonald whose pass found Brad Miller alone, 30m out. Miller goaled and the Dees trailed by 17 points. But it was one against the tide, Port man Tom Logan held a tough mark in the centre and dished off to running Dom Cassisi, his kick was placed for Daniel Motlop to mark and convert. A fairly lazy clearing kick from Brad Green, I think, was gathered by Powerman Jacob Surjan, great shepherding from Logan allowed Surjan to run and punt to goal-square where Dan Motlop roved the pack and poked it through. Leading Peter Burgoyne dropped Justin Westhoff's pass but Burgoyne was awarded a pretty weak free for 'interference' from Bartram, P. Burgoyne's goal had Port 36 points ahead at the first break. Melbun had the breeze but closed the game down at the start of the second term. Seven straight behinds were scored (four for the Deez) before, ten minutes in, Port man Damon White ran clear of defence and kicked long, Daniel Motlop marked running across half-forward and booted a goal. A bit later Melbun's Mark Jamar fisted a ball-up in his back-line towards the goals for some reason, Port's David Rodan fought off McDonald to gather the ball and stab it through. The Flowers led by 47 points now. The Deez scored a second goal (huzzah!), good work from Yze and Simon Buckley got the ball to Jeff White, he lobbed a punt to the goal-square where Cameron Bruce took a very good mark over Stewart and converted. But a Dee mistake gifted Port the final goal of the half, Colin Garland's pass from defence went over Bate's head and Rodan marked, D-Rod passed for leading Justin Westhoff to mark and boot truly. Port led by 48 points at the long rest.
The third term was another tight, low scoring battle, the breeze and Port's hopeless goal-shooting contributing. Four minutes in Peter Burgoyne, who played on-the-ball for most of this one, ran clear of a throw-in and kicked towards brother Shaun, his man Dunn got a good spoil on and also tackled S. Burgoyne well too, but Burgoyne was allowed a dubious over-head handball and Matthew Westhoff stabbed a close-range goal. A minute later Melbun's Miller marked 50m out and lobbed a kick towards a big pack, the ball spilled and roving Austin Wonaeamirri snapped a very good left-footed goal. Port led by 48 points again and over the next twenty-odd minutes eight consecutive behinds were scored, to be fair a couple were rushed. Late in the stanza leading Demun Matthew Bate couldn't hold a tough marking chance, but Yze gathered the ball and handpassed back to Bate, who ran inside 50 and booted a noice long goal. The Dees had won the quarter, at least, and trailed by 45 points at three-quarter-time. But the Powder floodgates opened in the last. The fourth Mario started off with more Port behinds before Peter Burgoyne wobbled a kick forward, Brendon Lade gathered on-the-bounce, wheeled away from Stefan Martin and snapped a sausage roll. A quick move involving P. Burgoyne and Logan allowed Damon White to kick long and Lade marked in front of Garland, he booted another. Cassisi centered a pass to Logan who proceeded to lob a kick into the pocket, Daniel Motlop out-marked Dan Bell and slotted from the tricky angle. Logan tumbled a kick forward from the following centre-bounce, Demun Buckley gathered but his handball put Matty Whelan under plenty of pressure, Pearce slung Whelan aside and Rodan handballed back to running Pearce, who goaled. Ten minutes in and Port led by 70 points. A scoring lull followed, before the Dees managed a goal as Jamar juggled a mark over Brogan and popped it through from 15m. Port's Pearce marked 35m out and chipped a pass ahead for Justin Westhoff to mark and convert, Bruce and Bate combined to win the ball from the restart for the Deez and a big spoil by Port's White spilled to Melbun's White, he handballed for Miller to stab it through from point-blank. Demun Buckley forced the ball clear of a ball-up only for Cassisi to collect it and punch a low kick for a goal, Shaun Burgoyne shoved Dunn in the back and still dropped the mark, but was allowed to handball for Matty Westhoff to snap one. Travis Boak drove a long kick in, it somehow bounced past Lade and Martin and trickled through for a goal. Martin wasn't happy about that. Proceedings closed with Demun Cale Morton chipping a hospital pass towards Colin Sylvia, Jamar recovered the spoiled ball and handpassed back to Morton who punted for Michael Newton to mark and convert. Port triumphed by 78 points.
Peter Burgoyne (37 disposals, 2 goals) has spent the last two seasons playing off a half-back flank, with his future in the balance he was restored to an on-ball role here and enjoyed it greatly. Dom Cassisi (34 touches, a goal) and Tom Logan (29 possies, 6 marks) also did very well midfield, in attack Daniel Motlop (16 possies, 8 marks, 5 goals) appreciated the rapid delivery and low pressure. Shaun Burgoyne (25 possessions) and Danyle Pearce (22 touches, 2 goals) also did alright midfield and Dean Brogan (17 handlings, 4 marks, 18 hit-outs) rucked solidly. Kane Cornes had 32 disposals including 23 handballs. Justin Westhoff, Matthew Westhoff and Brendon Lade kicked 2 goals each. Melbun had decent service from runnin' backman Paul Wheatley (31 disposals, 7 marks) and feisty midfielder Simon Buckley (32 touches, 9 marks). They had a lot of defending to do and Matthew Whelan (15 touches), Daniel Bell (17 disposals, limited Motlop to one goal) and Colin Garland (17 handlings, 6 marks) weren't too bad. Colin Sylvia (25 handlings, 7 marks) and Cale Morton (26 disposals, 10 marks) saw a bit of it, Brad Miller kicked 2 goals. Dean Bailey wasn't happy. "It was really poor - really poor," Bailey said. "Not competitive enough for long enough. That would be in our top three or four really poor efforts I would have thought for the whole year - back to the Bulldogs and Hawthorn games at the start of the year. We just didn't look in the game. We missed tackles every time we turned the ball over; we couldn't hit a target with our skills. We were flat-footed. [It was] really disappointing. We lacked in a lot of areas today. We were fortunate that we actually were not beaten by more I would think." What about injuries, inexperience etc.? "At the end of the day that's no excuse - age, games played, all those things are no excuse, you just expect people to be competitive. You expect players to be competitive on the ground and we weren't today. 'Choco' Williams said "We haven't lost the focus, the desire, the confidence or even the courage, if you like, to pick the side we said we were going to pick and to play with a little bit of experimentation. I looked at the opposition and we had a less-experienced group than they did and I think the age group was very similar, so a little bit of what we saw today is something we'll be able to progress with very quickly into next year. We've certainly got much more confidence in picking people like Marlon and Matthew Westhoff, who would never have had the opportunity if we'd stuck with the tried and true, or the stronger bodies and the more experience. That courage will be paid back ten-fold next year and we look forward to the blossoming."
At the Gabba:
Brisbane 3.4 7.9 16.12 16.13.109
Carlton 7.2 11.3 12.4 18.7.115
The Lisbon Brians made a late bid for the most disappointing side of the year with a spectacular, terrible final-quarter fade-out to blow their finals chances for 2008. The Lyin's coughed up a 32 point-lead in the final stanza, almost identical to the game against the Tigers and similar to what happened against North at Carrara. The Bluebaggers are good at final-stanza comebacks, but the Lyin's collapsibility complimented it perfectly. In the end victories by the Pies and Saints ended the Bluies' slender finals hopes too. Leigh Matthews's coaching again came under fire, as he refused to put men behind the ball or apparently do anything to halt the opposition run-on. In selection the Brians called up Anthony Corrie and first-gamer Pearce Hanley, an Irish rookie from Ballaghaderreen, County Mayo. Making way was the Lyin's other Irishman, Colm Begley, and Albert Proud. The Bluesers lost Simon Wiggins (calf strain), Michael Jamison ('flu), rested Stephen Browne and dropped Jason Saddington. In came Paul Bower, Adam Bentick, Joe Anderson and Ryan Houlihan, the last's first game in ages after overcoming a hip problem.
A quick start from the fast-running Bloo midfield. Andrew Walker drilled a top 40m, centering pass for leading Brendan Fevola to mark, Fev lobbed a quick kick over-the-top for Nick Stevens to mark, he played-on and stabbed it through. Lazy Lyin' Jed Adcock was caught in possession by Chris Judd, Juddy drove his free-kick long and Cameron Cloke clutched a strong grab in front of the pack, he goaled. Cloke spent a lot of time in attack here, to lessen the Bluies' Fev-focus. Brisbun's usual suspects got them moving, Jonathan Brown lobbed a pass into the pocket for leading Daniel Bradshaw to mark, Braddles threaded a great kick from the boundary-line between the big sticks for a major. A minute later, as Brown and Simon Black battled hard to win the ball, the whistle blew for a mystery off-ball free to Luke Power. The Lyin' man converted and scores were level. The Blues were going well though, Lyin' ruckman Jamie Charman's tap from a ball-up spilled to Cloke, he handballed for Ryan Houlihan to snap truly off the left boot. A bit later Cloke got a ride on Lyin' man Merrett to take a HUGE grab and boot his second goal, from a secondary centre-bounce Cloke smashed the ball forward and Bryce Gibbs fired a lightening handpass to running Houlihan, who speared another sausage. This all happened in the first ten minutes, the Bluies led by 18 points. The game tightened for a bit and a few behinds were scored, before beefy Lyin' first-gamer Pearce Hanley kicked long to the pocket, Bradshaw gathered the ball and his left-foot snap took a very handy bounce for full points. The Bluies led by 13 points but they scored late, a weak handpass put Adcock under pressure and he scrambled a kick clear, straight to Bloo Heath Scotland. He kicked towards leading Fevola who couldn't mark but roving Houlihan poached his third goal. A minute later Merrett's spoil went to Shaun Grigg, he handballed to Judd who went long and Fevola clutched a very good mark against Jason Roe. Fev slotted and the Bluesers led by 24 points at korter-time. Brisbun woke up for the second stanza and they dominated the first ten minutes. Brown held a very good mark against opponent Jarrad Waite and steered a great kick for a goal from a tricky angle. A minute later Judd was running clear in defence but, bizarrely, ran straight at and into Power whom he appeared not to see. On TV they blamed Juddy's recent concussions. Power had a free for 'bawl' and booted a goal. Of course the Lyin's had managed to miss a handful of shots amongst those goals and after the ten minutes they'd cut their deficit to 6 points. The Blooze responded thanks to a purple-patch from Brad Fisher. Andrew Carrazzo drove a low, wobbly kick forward, Fisher appeared set to mark on the point-line but was clattered front-on by Hanley. A free-kick and Fisher hooked a left-foot punt through for a major. Backman Paul Bower ran through the centre to receive a handpass and boot long, Fisher leaped to seize a grab in front of Fevola and kick another. A minute later Kade Simpson passed towards leading Fisher who marked strongly in front of Roe, Fisher walloped it through from the flank for his third straight major and the Bluies led by 23 points. The Lyin's rallied a bit, Matthew Moody roved Bradshaw's contest and stabbed a centering kick for Anthony Corrie to mark right in front of the sticks, he popped it through. After a prolonged battle in the centre Bloo Scotland won the agget and sent it wide to Walker, he drove a terrific long kick for Marc Murphy to mark running with-the-flight, play-on and steer through the big posts. But big Jon Brown booted the final goal of the korter following another strong grab, leaving the Lyin's 18 points behind at orange-time.
Brisbun came out to control the third stanza, driven by Black and Jared Brennan, their final-quarter motor last week. And the twin towers, er, thrusted on. Bradshaw free-kicked an early goal after being palpably pulled back by Bret Thornton, a bit later Brown battled two Bluies to get a short, 20m kick away. Bradshaw had the sit to mark over Kreuzer and he majored again. Joel Macdonald displayed a bit of class to win the ball and evade trouble, he handballed to Ash McGrath who speared a superb pass onto the chest of leading Bradshaw. Braddles booted his third straight to cut Carton's lead to a point. The Bluesers managed a goal, Adam Bentick planted a great tackle on Black and Scotland swept up the loosed ball, a handball to Judd and another to Walker led to a major for 'Max'. But the momentum was with the Lyin's, Corrie snapped a fantastic six-pointer from a goal-mouth ball-up. A behind leveled the scores, Bloo Waite's long kick-in went straight to Black, he passed into the pocket for Rhan Hooper to mark and punt a major. The Lyin's led by 6 points. Macdonald and Corrie missed shots prior to a late Lyin' surge. Bradshaw kicked yet another goal from a ridiculous free-kick at a throw-in, Corrie sliced an attempted roost from 50m but Brown played in-front to mark it and bag a sausage roll. The Brians won the following centre-clearance and McGrath again drilled a pass onto Bradshaw's chest, Bradshaw was 55m out and lobbed a kick for Brown to mark behind Waite, Browny threaded it through. Brennan hacked a punt forward from the next restart, Brown collected the bouncing ball and handballed for running Michael Rischitelli to spear it home. Yes, the Lyin's led by 32 points at the final rest. But halfway through the final quarter, their lead was gone. Typically, Judd, Nick Stevens and the very good Murphy took control around packs for the Bluies and supplied the forwards. Brisbun's run disappeared, they can't or don't spread the load. In the opening minute of the ultimate Mario Bloo Simpson advanced but before he could dispose of the Sherrin the whistle blew, Fevola was being held by Patfull. Fev free-kicked a goal, a bit later Cloke and Merrett collapsed at a throw-in and Cloke was awarded a free, he majored. Square-ups for earlier Lyin' frees. From a ball-up Gibbs handpassed to Murphy and he went long, Fevola soared but couldn't mark, roving Waite gathered and he slotted a goal. In two-and-a-half minutes of playing time, the Blues'd cut the gap to 14 points. Waite had gone forward, obviously, replaced by Bower as Brown's man. The game was tight for a few minutes as Brisbun fought, but they didn't get beyond the centre. No run. Then from a throw-in Grigg lobbed a handball clear and Murphy snapped a left-foot major. In the centre Brown couldn't control the ball on the ground and Murphy swept it up, exchanged handballs with Grigg and passed for leading Cloke to mark, Clokey majored. The Bluesers advanced again, Fevola's rain-maker of a snap dropped into the goal-square where young Lyin' Hanley gathered but, tackled by Waite, he threw the ball away. Waite free-kicked a goal and Carton led by 4 points, with six goals in ten minutes. Waite's second goal was the last of the game, in the remaining time Fevola missed a couple of shots and with about the Lyin's first inside-50 of the term Travis Johnstone kicked a running point. Johnstone had 8 disposals in total and was absolutely useless.
Carton's on-ball triumvirate of Nick Stevens (35 disposals, 11 marks, a goal), Marc Murphy (27 touches, 6 marks, 2 goals) and Chris Judd (33 possessions) led the way again. Cameron Cloke (13 possies, 7 marks, 4 goals) gave 'em an important alternative source of goals and Ryan Houlihan (19 disposals, 3 goals) was great early. Shaun Grigg (21 disposals) and Bryce Gibbs (21 touches) were handy runners. Brad Fisher bagged 3 goals, Fevola and Jarrad Waite snaggled 2 goals each. Fev needs 8 for the ton next week, against Hawthorn. Brisbun's leaders were ruck-rover Simon Black (24 disposals) and spearhead Daniel Bradshaw (9 touches, 4 marks, 6 goals), with CHF Jonathan Brown (16 handlings, 8 marks, 4 goals) also pretty good. Bradshaw needs, er, 27 goals for the ton. Jared Brennan (23 handlings, 8 marks) and Bradd Dalziell (32 touches) gave some midfield run but disappeared at the end. Joel Patfull (12 touches) did reasonably well against Fevola. Luke Power and Anthony Corrie booted 2 goals each, but blokes like Corrie, Johnstone and Adcock need to do a lot more. Matthews said "It's a hollow feeling when you get to that point and when you are five goals in front at three-quarter-time, it's even more hollow. I don't believe in 'should be (winners).' You either do or you don't, unless you are very unlucky. Carlton kicked 18.4 off the boot and they earned the win. We earned the right to be in front at three-quarter time but I don't believe that 'should haves' count." Cut to the chase - should you have moved men behind the ball, or done something to protect the lead, Lethal? "We just weren't getting possession to stop it (the Bluies' run-on)," Matthews said. "They kicked goals, then the ball came back to the centre for the bounce, then they would clear the ball out of the centre bounce. Maybe we could have put 18 blokes in the back half. In the third quarter we won virtually every centre bounce and scored. But for the first 10 minutes of the last quarter - there were only six centre bounces in the quarter and they were all in that first 10 minutes - they got every one." Brett Ratten increased the focus on the opposition. He does that. "We'd seen through the Kangaroos game and the Richmond game, even with a lead they'd keep playing quick footy and you had a chance to get the ball back if you pressured them up . . . They were in front of the Kangaroos by a couple of goals with two-and-a-half minutes left and they lost that game. So if you can get the ball in your hands you can score on them because they want to play quick momentum footy . . . I think our players have shown over the last 10 weeks that if we're a chance we can come back and hit the scoreboard and they grow very quickly."
At Docklands:
Collingwood 8.3 11.6 15.8 18.10.118
Sydney 2.3 4.3 6.7 10.13.73
If the Pies can find another Shaw to sack, they could challenge for the flag. Whatever the reason, Collywood's turn-around in form since the Porky Pies saga has been remarkable, to the point where they're challenging for fourth now. Siddey are travelling in the opposite direction, yes there've been some injury problems but their recent form is terrible. Brisbun's final-quarter collapse in the simultaneous contest ensured the Swans a finals appearance, but they look set for an early, inglorious exit; although the Swans can still finish fourth, given a very unlikely sequence of events next weekend. After this game coach Paul Roos admitted it might be time for some major changes to his ageing side. In selection here the Pies replaced Dale Thomas (calf muscle strain) and Nathan Brown (rested) with Sharrod Wellingham and Shannon Cox. The Swans axed regular Luke Ablett along with Nic Fosdike and Nick Malceski from the team beaten by the Cats, Leapin' Leo Barry returned from injury while youngsters Kieran Jack and Patrick Veszpremi were recalled.
Siddey have a poor recent record against the Poise and they tried a new set-up here, with backmen Ted Richards and Tadhg Kennelly plus Brett 'Captain' Kirk starting in the forward-line. But it was an explosive opening from the Poise, who were very much 'on'. First goal came from a free-kick for holding-the-ball plucked from a stack of players, both Boltons punished apparently. 'Neon' Leon Davis punted the major. A minute later Scott Pendlebury did well to weave through traffic and handball to Scott Burns, he hooked a kick to the top of the 'square which caught the Siddey defenders running back and Poi junior John McCarthy marked on his chest, he goaled. The Swans' disposal was terrible, typified when Kirk clangered an attacking kick to Dane Swan, the ball went to McCarthy who exchanged foot-passes with Paul Medhurst and then speared a pass to Pendlebury, who slotted from the flank. Medhurst missed a shot after marking strongly in front of Leo Barry, but as the Swans advanced from the kick-in Barry's poor pass was collected by Poi Wellingham, a handball to Josh Fraser and his pass was marked by John Anthony on a sharp lead. Anthony steered a very good kick from a tight angle for full points. Adam Goodes retreated to defence for Sidderney. An attempted switching move in the Bloods' defence came unstuck when Lewis Roberts-Thomson's awful pass went behind and dropped short of Heath Grundy, Anthony pounced and the Swan man was done for 'bawl', Anthony goaled. The Pies led by 31 points, 5.1 to nought. The Swans finally managed an attack, Amon Buchanan produced a good run but another poor kick, over leading Barry Hall's head. In the aftermath Pat Veszpremi was clouted high and he majored from the resulting free-kick. The Poise carried on, Shannon Cox finessed smartly before kicking long and Travis Cloke held a good grab at the back of the pack, he majored. At the other end Hall received an accurate pass at last but missed. He was simmering already. A minute later a Swan rebound broke down under pressure and panicky Roberts-Thomson soccered the ball forward, Hall gathered, crashed through a coupla tackles, wheeled about and snapped a terrific goal from 40m. But it was a momentary release of pressure on the Hall psycho-valve. Pie Chris Dawes won a free at a throw-in and kicked long, Anthony got a big ride but only put up one hand, usefully the ball spilled to Davis who snapped truly. Late in the term Marty Clarke's tough win got the ball to Medhurst on a long lead, 'Megastar' jabbed a short pass to leading Cloke who thundered it home from 50m. Collywood led by 35 points then and exactly six goals at the first break. No change in the early second term, Poi rover Shane O'Bree was clobbered by Jude Bolton and handballed his free to ruckman Chris Bryan, he punted long where Cloke won a free for being held by Barry. Cloke goaled. From the restart Davis drove a kick wide to unopposed Ryan Cook, he centered a pass which O'Bree gathered and snapped truly. The Bloods had lifted, gradually stopping the Pie run-on but not manufacturing much in the way of fluid footy themselves - poor, hesitant disposal and general errors continued, Pie pressure contributing. Eventually the Maglies put together a good move, Cloke led to mark in the pocket, his shot hooked across the goal but Medhurst launched himself for a big grab and banana-ed it through from the tough angle. The Scragpies led by 54 points now, more than enough on what'd occurred so far. Goodes was shifted onto the ball. Siddey produced a scrappy move of under-pressure handballs until Jarred Moore was tackled high by Goldsack, a free-kick, and was then slung to the ground by Maxwell, a 50m penalty. Moore kicked a goal. Barry Hall, who'd tangled with opponent Wakelin a few times already, charged in and tackled Pie Cox on the wing, a great effort but Hall decided to give Cox a head-lock and a few verbals as afters, causing the ump to reverse his decision. It led to a (missed) shot from Cook and Psycho-Barry jogged to the bench. He returned very soon but his first involvement was to receive another under-hit pass from Buchanan and clatter into the crazy-brave Cox again, conceding another free. Kennelly, a shadow of the player he was, elected to bounce the ball when tackled, it looked terrible. Late in the stanza the Swans put together a decent move and Darren Jolly marked alone, 30m out. He goaled after the half-time siren, at which time the Pies led by 45 points.
After all that, the second half was an anti-climax. We watched a while to see if the Swans could do anything. Early on Kirk passed to leading Hall on 50m, he chipped to Buchanan 30m out who elected to try another pass to, er, someone. But it was intercepted by O'Bree, the Pies rebounded smoothly and Cook passed to leading Cloke who thumped it through from 50m. The Swans advanced from the subsequent centre-bounce, Goodes flew for a grab but spilled it, Hall's roving handpass was intercepted by Burns and again the Poise swept afield, involving good efforts from Davis, Anthony and Cook. Cloke tumbled a kick into the goal-mouth where Clarke gathered, eluded tacklers and snapped it through. The Poise led by 56 points now and we switched to the Lyin's/Bluesers game, more relevant to our team. According to various reports the Pies scored the next two goals, Pendlebury passed poorly towards Burns but the Pie skipper won the ball anyway and handballed back to oncoming Pendlebury, who chipped a pass for Swan to mark and punt accurately from 45m. Clarke and Hall kicked points before, in time-on, Cloke roved his own contest and handballed for Tarkyn Lockyer to drive it through from 50m. The Pies led by 68 points now and probably eased up, as the Swans kicked two late goals. Ryan O'Keefe had a long shot and Goodes ran back to mark unopposed in the goal-square, he popped it through. Marty Mattner tidied his own mess and passed to Jude Bolton 60m out, he stabbed a pass for leading Hall to mark and thump home from a tough position. Hall missed the quarter's last shot to have the Swans 55 points behind. Into the last and Josh Fraser had an early shot following a mark on-the-lead, it dropped short but Cox clutched a very good grab and popped it through. Five minutes later Swan Paul Bevan's switching kick found Buchanan in space, he lobbed a punt for Hall to mark strongly in front of Wakelin and convert. A dicey Buchanan pass also led to the next goal, for roving Moore. The Pie defenders rushed a series of points for the Swans prior to some late goals, Kennelly pounced on a rare Pie error to set up a mark and goal for Kieran Jack, A minute later Cloke converted a free-kick, held down by struggling Barry. Moore booted his third with the aid of a free and 50m penalty, Pie backman Tyson Goldsack booted the game's final sausage.
The Pies' in-form midfielders Leon Davis (22 disposals, 2 goals) and Dane Swan (31 touches, 10 marks, a goal) had very good games again, with some class provided by Scott Pendlebury (28 handlings, a goal). Travis Cloke (15 touches, 7 marks, 5 goals) was excellent in attack once more and lanky wingman Shannon Cox (20 possessions, 6 marks, a goal) had a bit of a break-through game. Harry O'Brien (21 disposals, 7 marks) and Tyson Goldsack (10 handlings, a goal) on O'Keefe led a tight defence and there was decent effort from Shane O'Bree (24 handlings, a goal). John Anthony kicked 2 goals. Jude Bolton (29 disposals) was Siddey's most consistent trier, with Barry Hall (15 touches, 7 marks, 3 goals) and Brett Kirk (24 possessions) improving after half-time, Hall calmed down and 'focussed'. Marty Mattner (20 possies, 10 tackles) and Amon Buchanan (20 handlings, 6 marks) tried to get some run going, but their kicking was very ordinary. Jarred Moore managed 3 goals. Roos reached for the injury excuse. "In '05, we didn't have a lot of injuries and in '06 the West Coast Eagles were the same and last year Geelong. So in order to be a very good team - top one or two or [winning] the premiership - you do rely on your best players. This year has been a lot more challenging. It's tough when blokes aren't playing, but that's just the way footy is . . . You'd think we'd come ready to play (tonight), but obviously at the moment the effort is just not there. It's disappointing, because it's a big game and you're playing for higher stakes, but the guys are incapable of coming with the required intensity to compete at AFL football the way it's played now." Why are the Swans so rubbish against Collywood? "In a way it's a compliment to us, because they respect us as a footy team and they get themselves up to play us and they play at a very high level when they play against us." That's also rubbish. Malthouse waxed philosophical. "I don't know whether there has been a line drawn (since Porky Pies), but we've been pretty good in the past three weeks," he said. "Today, we were 40-odd years younger than Sydney . . . you give a lot of experience away but what you do end up having is players, like Goldsack - he had nine tackles, and he's in his second year of footy. O'Bree has been there for 10 to 12 years and he has seven tackles. It's a confidence we're spreading the load, and that's been pretty evident in the last three weeks." He also reached for a pre-emptive injury/absent players excuse, before adding "It's not easy when you haven't got that consistency of those players playing together . . . We've had to reinvent ourselves, and sometimes you do that over a pre-season. We've had to do it through the season under massive pressure. I think the boys have done very well to readjust. I don't know how far we're going to go, how we're going to go next week, but the more we play this group together, the better we're going to get."
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 3.3 10.6 13.10 17.13.115
North Melbourne 4.3 6.4 9.4 13.4.82
"It was just a quiet, dull day," was not-at-all arrogant Cat coach Bomber Thompson's verdict on a hard-working win over the Kangers. North's prime-movers struggled but they were kept in it by an amazing 8 goals from David Hale, which had Roo man Dean Laidley comparing Hale to Wayne Carey. Steady. Despite the loss, Norf are likely to finish fourth by beating the Powder next weekend, and thus play Geelong again in the qualifying final. They'd be a hope if the game is fixtured at Docklands, where the Ruse go best. In selection here the Cats welcomed the return of Matthew Scarlett, Paul Chapman and Darren Milburn from various ailments, but they lost Mathew Stokes and James Kelly to 'general soreness' while the unfortunate Ryan Gamble was dropped. Ruckman Brad 'The Traitor' Ottens played his 200th AFL game. North regained ruckman Hamish McIntosh from a strained knee ligament which'd kept him out for about 10 games and Scott Thompson was given a chance, they replaced the dropped Leigh Brown and Matt Campbell who was out due to an ankle injury and also personal problems, apparently. Afterwards, Laidley gave the impression he'd wanted Campbell to play.
The Ruse started alright, by making the most of their forward-50 entries. As expected Cat stopper Cameron Ling lined up on Brownlow favourite Brent 'Boomer' Harvey while Norf had Brady Rawlings tag Geelong's Brownlow favourite, Gary Ablett. The Cats goaled first, ruckman Mark Blake marked in the centre and handballed to running Chapman, he booted long and Ottens held a strong pack-mark with a bit of shepherding from Lonergan. Ottens converted. Norf answered as Corey Jones marked wide on the flank and lobbed a smart kick into space, David Hale took a diving grab and punted his first. A great bit of play from Michael Firrito soon set up another chance for Hale, he missed. But Cat Andrew Mackie went over the line on the kick-in, Hale was shepherded out from the resulting ball-up by Harry Taylor and Hale free-kicked an easy major, giving Norf a 7-point lead. Steve Johnson missed poorly for the Cats but as North came out from the kick-in their Gavin Urquhart hesitated fatally, he was wrapped up by Jimmy Bartel who stabbed his resulting free-kick to Chapman, who goaled. A point each before Joel Corey held an excellent grab against Firrito, he handballed to Joel Selwood who chipped a pass to Blake, 40m out. Blake dished off a handpass to Ling who curled a snap through and the Pu55ies led by a goal. A bit later Ablett complained to the ump about Rawlings's close-checking. "I know he's niggling you, you've just got to be better that that," advised the official. Okay then. Norf advanced again and Josh Gibson's centering pass found Jones alone 30m out, he goaled to level the scores. Late in the stanza Hale converted a goal-square free-kick, held down by Mackie, and the Kangers had a 6-point lead at the first break. The game stayed tight into the second term, the Ruse midfielders were struggling but their defence was holding up well and as mentioned, they scored from nearly every inside-50. Early in the second a good Cat move broke down with, typically, too much handball, in the end Chapman was forced into a snap from the boundary which bounced through with some pretty hefty shepherding from Cameron Mooney. Roo man Daniel Wells won the ball from the restart and handpassed to Harvey, he kicked long where Hale bullocked off Taylor and clutched a terrific grab sandwiched between Scarlett and Harley. Hale converted and Norf led by 6 again, Scarlett now replaced Taylor as Hale's man. The big Rue proceeded to mark on a lead but miss. The Katz advanced from the kick-in and Ottens won a free for being held back by Lachie Hansen, Otttens goaled and Norf led by a point. The next few minutes were pretty tough with a lot of tackling and ball-ups, but the Cats' domination of possession finally caused some scoring. Rue Adam Simpson's hanging pass towards Jones allowed Scarlett to get a big spoil in, Brent Prismall swept up the pill and passed to Johnson on the 50m line, Johnson played-on and booted a goal. A skilful series of passes from Mackie to Max Rooke and to Tom Lonergan sent the ball in long, Mooney marked at the back of the pack and popped it through. About this stage Norf man Sam Power, running with the flight of the ball, was cleaned up by Rooke's elbow. Rooke was coming in the opposite direction and clearly took his eyes off the ball, intent on clobbering Power. Rooke's very lucky to be offered a week only, there was some suggestion he was pushed into the collision by a North man. Power was assisted off as a clearing kick from Daniel Pratt was intercepted by Corey, he passed to leading Mooney who played-on quickly to find Lonergan for a diving mark, Lonergan sausaged. Some strong Cat tackling forced a Norf turnover and Johnson lobbed a terrific handpass for Prismall to gather, he booted long where Mooney nudged Shannon Watt under the ball and marked in the goal-square, Mooney stabbed it through. Five unanswered goals from the Pu55ies and they led by 25 points. Norf halted the run-on, Jess Sinclair punted towards Hale who was clattered by over-zealous Harley, Hale free-kicked another goal. But the Katz had the final say, from the restart Steve Johnson's pass found leading Lonergan, he kicked quickly to Mooney who was spoiled by Watt but roving Shannon Byrnes handballed for Chapman to snap truly. The Cats led by 26 points at the long break.
That late second-quarter burst from the Catters proved decisive. The third term was a bit of a slog as Norf battled away, five minutes in makeshift Roo ruckman Drew Petrie held a good defensive mark and Kangers rebounded, Shannon Grant stabbed a pass for Corey Jones to mark out wide and Jones lobbed a punt forward where Lindsay Thomas marked on his chest, Thomas converted. Five minutes later Steve Johnson roved a throw-in and hacked a kick across half-forward, Prismall gathered and lobbed a pass for Chapman to hold a decent grab under pressure from team-mate Bartel. Chapman goaled. More tight play preceded a goal-surge, a good handpass from Byrnes released Selwood and his centering kick allowed Mooney to run onto the ball for a chest-mark and major. A minute later Corey was taken to ground by Harvey's tackle, not only did the ump allow that, he also kept the whistle quiet as Corey rolled over before handballing to Ling who snapped a goal. The Cats led by a healthy 41 points now but the Kangers replied late, Hansen found Jones in plenty of space - he didn't appear to have an opponent - Jones ran to 50m and mongrelled a flat punt forward but Hale seized another very good grab on the point-line and banana-ed a kick for a goal. Sinclair also produced a terrible kick into the 50 but Thomas, Hansen and Grant worked hard to retain possession and Leigh Harding chipped a pass for McIntosh to mark in the pocket, the big man steered a punt for full points and the Ruse hung around, 29 points down at the final change. Goals alternated in the final term as the Ruse provided nuisance value but never threatened to win. Early on Hale bagged his next goal, following a diving mark of Thomas's tumbling kick as Scarlett trailed behind. Norf trailed by 24 points but some ragged errors wasted some opportunities and after Corey tidied one, the ball went to Corey Enright, he passed for leading Mooney to mark and boot a major. Norf won the following centre-clearance, Daniel Harris sent the ball wide to Sinclair, he kicked into CHF where leading Hale clutched yet another terrific mark amongst three flailing Cat defenders. Hale's subsequent major again reduced the margin to 24 points. There was a vaudevillian sequence in which Firrito's switching-kick was intercepted by Chapman, who then clangered his kick straight to Harding, who played-on and was caught by Chapman, who booted his subsequent free-kick straight to Gibson. A bit later Cat Steve Johnson marked on the attacking wing and Firrito was penalized for not retreating on-the-mark, a 50m penalty. Johnson goaled as Firrito argued his case, culminating in 'flipping the bird' to the umpire, who didn't appreciate it and awarded Johnson another kick, immediately. Johnson missed, so no 'double goal'. The Cats led by 31 points now, Mooney missed a sitter before McIntosh's bullocking effort set up a long goal for Roo Harris. Corey effectively cleared the ball from the restart and passed to leading Mooney, his long punt to the goal-square saw Ottens take a strong grab and pop it through. Rooke's free-kicked goal made it 38 points to the Catters before Thomas bagged a late consolation goal for the Shinboners.
The Cats won the midfield battle where Cameron Ling (29 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals) had the better of Harvey and Jimmy Bartel (37 disposals, 11 marks) and Joel Corey (37 touches, 9 marks) continued excellent recent form. At the pointy end Paul Chapman (25 touches, 8 marks, 4 goals) made a welcome return and Cameron Mooney (16 handlings, 10 marks, 4 goals) was also good, Brad Ottens (15 possessions, 4 marks, 22 hit-outs, 3 goals) enjoyed his milestone. Gary Ablett's effectiveness was limited by Rawlings but he still managed 29 disposals, including 21 handballs. Steve Johnson kicked 2 goals. No doubt about North's best, David Hale booted an outstanding 8.2 from 8 marks and 12 kicks. Daniel Pratt (27 disposals, 8 marks) played very well in the backline and Daniel Wells (28 disposals, 6 marks) stood out in a beaten midfield, Michael Firrito (21 touches, 7 marks) was very good running off half-back again. Apart from those four the Kangers didn't have a winner. Brent Harvey's numbers were reasonable (22 disposals) but he did little damage and Ling out-played him, Lindsay Thomas bagged 2 goals. Laidley drew positives. "A lot of our boys were down, but there were a lot of positives. David Hale's game was probably the best game I've seen by a North Melbourne player in a long, long time and I thought he was outstanding," Laidley said. "There were a few positives. Lots of sides have come down here and been on the end of some beltings and we have as well. We really missed Matty Campbell, I thought, so I think we can improve a helluva lot and they are also an extremely good side. I don't think some of our boys played at the standard required, but again, you've got to look at the opposition and the opposition is first class - let's not beat around the bush. They're very talented, they're well drilled, they're well coached, they're very disciplined and I don't think you can ask for much more than that." He went on to enthuse about Hale some more. Bomber Thompson said "We won by 33 points, it wasn't our best game of footy, it wasn't our worst. It was just a workmanlike effort against a pretty good team and a pretty good result. It was just a quiet, dull day. I thought North Melbourne Footy Club were pretty good. [They're] honest, they turn up and they played. We just seemed to have their measure for most of the day." Geelong's massive edge in possession and inside-50s was pointed out. "I thought that's probably the worst we've kicked the ball in a long while," Bomber said. He went on the promise the Eagles "their hardest match of the year" next week. Given the Katz beat 'em by 150 points at Subiaco, that's gonna be one hard game.
At Docklands:
St. Kilda 1.4 7.6 9.11 13.17.95
Adelaide 3.4 4.5 6.9 6.11.47
Once the Pies had disposed of the Swans the previous night, this emerged as the key game of the weekend regarding the final eight. In the end the Saints saw off the Camrys in the expected tough, defence-dominated battle, Sinkilda securing their own finals spot and ensuring the Tiges, Bluies and Lyin's would miss out. The Camrys' attacking problems were laid bare here, confirming the opinion they're good at thumping the weak and mediocre (e.g. Essadun, Richmun) but are found out against the better teams; if Sinkilda are one of those. The Saints are certainly a much better outfit at Docklands than anywhere else. In selection here the Stains made one change to the side victorious in Perf, Shane Birss replacing Andrew McQualter. The Camrys had Chris Knights return at the expense of Bryce Campbell.
Jogging out for his 379th game, Sinkilda legend Robert Harvey was accorded a 'guard of honour' by current and former team-mates as this was Sinkilda's final home game of 2008 (and potentially his second-last ever). Handy for the Saints to crank up the emotion in a vital game, too. But the Saints didn't start very well, beaten in the contested ball early. The Camrys started as they finished last week, Nick Gill led up for a mark 70m out and wobbled a poor kick in, but Scott Stevens juggled a grab behind Koschitzke and booted a goal. A minute or two later Robert 'Don't Call Me' Shirley roved a throw-in and handballed to Brad Symes, he tumbled a kick forward to no-one but Knights plucked the loose ball, ran clear and slotted. An early 12-point lead for the Cows, an off-target Stiffy Johncock snap and a rushed point extended it to 14. Nick Riewoldt fired for the Saints, hugging an idiomatic with-the-flight, into-the-pack mark to his chest but then slicing on-the-full. Another Riewoldt snap bounced through for a point, Cow man Andrew McLeod played-on from the kick-in with a coupla bounces and kicked long to the wing, Richard Douglas marked and also sped away with a coupla bounces, Johncock gathered Douglas's kick on-the-bounce and was coat-hangered by Jason Blake. Johncock free-kicked a goal and the Corollas' day had peaked early as they led by 19 points. The Saints advanced unsteadily with an under-pressure handballing move, which broke down. Luckily Lenny Hayes gathered and lobbed a handball into Harvey's path, Harvs collected to much cheering and chipped a kick for leading Riewoldt to mark. Big 'Rooey' majored. The remainder of the korter featured much erratic kicking into forward lines and rebounding, with a few behinds each. The Cressidas led by 12 points at the first break. Sinkilda lifted their intensity in the second. They had an early goal as Jason Gram ran and kicked long, Riewoldt clutched a very good mark in the goal-square and popped it through. A minute later Stephen Milne gathered pack-spillage on the wing, raced inside 50 with two bounces and chipped a pass for Charlie Gardiner to mark and convert. The Saints trailed by a point but the Camrys replied quickly, Brad Moran punted a long kick to the goal-square and Douglas roved the pack to snap a terrific over-the-shoulder sausage. The Stains pressed on, Koschitzke missed with a free and James Gwilt snapped a tight-angle shot into the post. Then Stainer fans were beside themselves as Harvey threw Moran to the ground with a strong tackle, Moran was kinda harshly done for 'bawl' but yer Sinkilda fans didn't care, roaring loudly as Harvey converted his free-kick for a goal to put Stinkilda ahead, by a point. Clint Jones handballed for running Raphael Clark to collect and pass to leading Riewoldt, Moran 'held on' after Riewoldt marked and a 50m penalty resulted, presenting the Saint hero an un-missable shot. The Cows' disposal was subject to intense Saint pressure and Douglas's hacked clearing kick went straight to Koschitzke, a switching move involving Steven King and Gram allowed Riewoldt to mark on-the-lead again, he chipped ahead for the very good Brendon Goddard to mark easily and boot a goal. Gardiner drove a long kick towards three Camrys but Ivan Maric, in front, spilled the mark and roving Saint Leigh Montagna gathered, a rapid series of handballs ended with Milne snapping truly. Great burst from the Saints had 'em 19 points ahead at half-time.
The Cows were finding it very difficult to get forward, Scott Thompson began the third quarter in attack with Simon Goodwin reverting to midfield. Thompson delivered early, following a series of slow short passes Addleaid's Symes went long, Saint man Sean Dempster clambered all over team-mate Blake, removing both from the action and the ball came to Thompson who snapped a major. Saint Adam Schneider postered with a fairly easy set-shot but as the Corollas moved out from the kick-in Kris Massie hesitated fatally and was wrapped-up by Schneider. 'Bawl' against the upset Massie who claimed to have got a handpass away, if he did it was too subtle. Schneider converted this time and the Saints led by 20 points. Thompson scored again for the Camrys, Maric had a free at a throw-in and mongreled a kick into the centre, Douglas did well to win it and handball to Knights, he passed for leading Thompson to mark and punt accurately. Thompson, with his head shaved, missed a shot soon afterwards and Milne postered following a good Saint move to set him up. The pressure was telling on the visitors, three times Camry men bombed the ball in to lone Sinkilda backmen, marking easily. Milne missed another shot and then marked 20m out, right in front. Low on shooting confidence, Milne handballed insanely to Schneider and two Adleaid men in the goal-square, luckily for him Schneider managed to win the ball and handpass back to Milne who snapped it through. The Saints led by 20 points again, Robert Eddy and Milne kicked behinds. Late in the term Harvey found the ball in the back-pocket - cheer! - and sliced a poor switching-kick across goal where Moran marked - groan! But the big Corona missed. Their 'forwards' were terrible here, although the service was equally bad. Craig reshuffled again for the last quarter, Nathan Bock went forward, Scott Stevens back and Thompson returned to midfield. But it made no difference, the Saints applied great pressure everywhere. An early rebound started with Montagna winning the ball and ended with him handballing for Hayes to run inside 50 with a dummy before steering a goal through from the flank. Edwards postered for the Camrys. Sam Fisher cut off a Cow thrust and passed to Gwilt, he passed on to Schneider who thumped it home from 55m - or so the goal-ump said, the TV showed the ball clipped the inside of the goal-post. The Saints led by 31 points now, it was well over. They scored a couple more points before a tired Maric was caught in possession by Gram, who played-on from the resulting free and thundered it home. Koschitzke slapped a ball-up goal-wards, he and Gwilt won the Sherrin and Birss handballed for Goddard to snap it through. The Saints led by 45 points, there were no more goals, quite a few more points but the Sainters tackled hard right 'til the end. Late-on Birss was hit high by Knights, who was reported but has been cleared.
The Sainters' defence was very good, led by the terrific Brendon Goddard (30 disposals, 13 marks, 2 goals) who also had some stints on-the-ball. Sam Fisher (23 touches, 9 marks) and Sam Gilbert (17 handlings, 9 marks) were also very good down back, along with running half-backs Jason Gram (29 handlings, a goal) and Raphael Clarke (19 possessions). Further afield Leigh Montagna (31 disposals, 10 marks) was excellent on-the-ball and Steven King (11 handlings, 21 hit-outs) rucked solidly, up forward Nick Riewoldt (14 possies, 12 marks, 3 goals) and Stephen Milne (2 goals) were good, Adam Schneider (2 goals) too. Rebounding Addleaid backmen Andrew McLeod (26 touches, 6 marks) and Nathan Bock (21 handlings, 7 marks), who was on Riewoldt, were very good for them. Scott Thompson (16 disposals, 2 goals) and Brad Symes (25 possies) played well, Kris Massie (26 handlings, 9 marks) and Tyson Edwards (22 possessions) were solid. But as a side the Camrys were out-toughed, as Craig acknowledged. "We have to step up in a lot of areas from what we saw today and what you know in finals is that, because of the physicality of it, you need to be really good at it. We've been good at it in the past, but we got exposed today, just like any other football club can. We're no different to any other football club and if that [physicality] is not in order we'll get the result that we got today." He was asked about injuries and a light training week they'd had. "Personnel wasn't our issue today, please believe me, it's the way we went about our whole play all over the ground; we were really poor after quarter time," Craig said. "I was more disappointed with our inside 50s. I think it was 37 for the game and very few clubs can survive on that sort of volume; we certainly can't. We've been pretty good in that area in the last couple of weeks, but the way St Kilda played us was very good." Ross Lyon was asked how he felt having secured a finals berth, and his job. "I haven't really given it any thought, really," he lied. "We've got round 22 to come. It's obviously pleasing for the club but coaches seem to be so short-term. We discussed after the game what we did wrong and where we need to improve, and it's an important seven days to recover . . . Our clearance work in the first quarter was poor; we got smacked around the clearances and our defence made some really bad errors and Adelaide was good enough to capitalise on them. Once we started matching them around the clearances and lifting out tackle pressure, we got into the game. It was a strong team contribution that everyone will walk out the door thinking; 'I gave a bit today and when it wasn't going my way, I fought on'."
At Subiaco:
West Coast 1.1 4.3 7.6 9.8.62
Hawthorn 4.4 7.6 16.10 19.19.133
Interest centered primarily on Lance 'Buddy' Franklin's race to boot 100 goals, starting on 94 here he 'only' managed 4 goals, with Wiggle backman Darren Glass doing a decent job. So that leaves, um, two to get against the Bluesers next week - in the same game Bloo spearhead Brendan Fevola needs 8 to crack to ton, a bit more difficult. But check the odds . . . The Weegs were celebrating Michael Braun's final game for the club, the tough, honest wingman played 228 games for the Weegs including their 2006 premiership side. Braun has been targeted with allegations of steroid use, as his physique developed very quickly early in his career, but these are rubbish most likely. Envy. In selection the Eegs regained Ashley Hansen and Sam Butler from injury, replacing Brad Ebert (soreness) and Mark LeCras (groin strain). The Hawks called up Cameron Stokes, Clint Young and ruckman Brent Renouf, they replaced suspended Luke Hodge (one game for biffing Deledio), ill Robert Campbell and Xavier Ellis ('flu both).
Sluggish first half before the Hawks put on a goal barrage in the third quarter. Franklin lined up on a wing, Clarko trying to lessen the hype and pressure, with Matt Spangher as an opponent. The Weegs opened the scoring as Chad Fletcher picked out leading Mark Seaby with a good pass, the big Weeg converted. The Awks replied presently as Weegle Beau Wilkes clangered awfully to allow Campbell Brown to poke it through from close-in, a bit later Quinten Lynch messed up a kick-in and Michael Osborne handballed for Young to slot one, the Orcs led by 8 points. Franklin was at full-forward now and in time-on he bagged his first, plucking the pill from a throw-in to snap it through. A bit later Brent Guerra caught Spangher in possession, Guerra punted his free-kick to leading Franklin who duly thundered it home from 50m. Of course Franklin missed a shot from 35m, right in front, to leave the Hawks 21 points ahead at the first break. Signs were ominous in the early second, ruckman Simon Taylor kicked long towards Franklin, he couldn't mark but roving Chance Bateman snaggled a goal. A coupla minutes later Glass was penalized for hitting Franklin's arms in a contest, Weeg Scott Selwood soccered the ball away adding a 50m penalty and Franklin blasted the ball into the stands, he had three of the six already as Horforn led by 31 points. But the Weegs rallied a bit, their Ben McKinley converted a free-kick and soon McKinley booted another, with a strong mark of Spangher's long punt. Hawks by 19 points. Their Brown booted a second goal following a tough mark 30m out, Roughead and Guerra missed before Weevil Dean 'Big' Cox tapped a throw-in for Steven Armstrong to snap a goal. The pair are good at those. The Horks led by 21 points at half-time.
Goal explosion in the third, but Glass stayed tight on Buddy. Horforn managed a goal in the first thirty seconds, Mark Williams led out to mark Sewell's long kick, Willo played-on, wheeled about with a bounce and drilled it through. Franklin missed a shot before McKinley kicked his third goal for the Eegs, thumped through from 50m after marking Butler's pass. The Awks scored the next three goals, Cyril Rioli completed his long run with a lobbed kick for Roughead to mark and convert, the Orcs took a kick-in end-to-end and Brown generously donated a goal he could've kicked to Cameron Stokes, then Renouf tapped a ball-up down to Sewell who slotted from the flank. Horforn led by 38 points as the Wiggle resistance crumbled, Roughead and Williams missed before running Young accepted Jordan Lewis's handball and saw his punt from 65m bounce through the big sticks. Franklin managed an under-pressure, half-smothered snap which fell way short but Brown gathered, waltzed through some astoundingly weak Wiggle tackling and snapped truly. Young led up to mark Shane Crawford's centering kick, Young handballed for Grant Birchall to run inside 50 and spear it through. They were kickin' 'em from everywhere and Buddy came to the party, roosting a free-kick superbly from the junction of the 50m and boundary-lines between the tall posts. He always gets the difficult ones. Williams got a ride on Wilkes, I think, to take a big speccie and slot one, the Hawks led by 70 points having scored seven unanswered goals. The Eegs scored a coupla late ones, Lynch collected pack spillage and there was a bit of frustration in his thunderous kick from at least 65 m, which bounced at a friendly angle for a goal. Cox and Fletcher won the ball from a throw-in and Ryan Davis slotted a goal, a late Franklin behind had the Hawks 58 points up at the final change. The sizeable Hawk support in the crowd, and a few Wiggle supporters no doubt, wanted Buddy to get the last two. But Glass wouldn't allow it, and neither would Eric Mackenzie who replaced the fatigued Weevil skipper after about ten minutes of the final Mario. Davis kicked a second major following a determined effort by Butler to win the ball, a few minutes later Weeg Andrew Embley clangered a kick-in straight to Roughead who majored. Franklin booted two more behinds, amongst a slew of 'em over the next quarter-hour as players tired, it'd been a fast game. In time-on Brown, Embley and Williams bagged majors for their respective sides. Braun departed through a 'guard of honour' of players from both teams.
Hawthorn's superior midfield was led by Jordan Lewis (33 disposals), who had a very good game, and Shane Crawford (29 touches, 7 marks). Brent Guerra (32 possies, 8 marks) did a heap of rebounding and Sam Mitchell (34 possies) won plenty of the ball too, he was also 'looked at' for coat-hangering Priddis, I think, although no charges were laid. Grant Birchall (28 disposals, 6 marks, a goal) and Brad Sewell (33 handlings, 7 marks, a goal) did okay and in attack Mark Williams (8 marks, 10 kicks, 3 goals) and Campbell Brown (3 marks, 9 touches, 4 goals) were the main men. Franklin finished with 4.5 from 13 disposals and just 3 marks, earning Darren Glass (9 touches) some credit. Jarryd Roughead and Clint Young kicked 2 goals each. The Weegles also had decent efforts from Matthew Priddis (31 disposals), Chad Fletcher (31 touches) and Dean Cox (22 possies, 31 hit-outs), while their young forward Ben McKinley (8 touches, 3 marks, 3 goals) did okay again. Backman Eric Mackenzie (16 disposals, 11 marks) is also a promising type, Ryan Davis kicked 2 goals. More happy-clappy spin from Worsfold. "(Hawthorn) had to work hard for their win today, there's no doubt about that," Worsfold said. "I'm very confident that this is such a great opportunity for our young players - they'll be so much more advanced going in to next season and for their careers. I'm also very confident that the players that we'll have available next year, our key players, will be able to take it up to some of these good sides. (So) we look forward to trying to put Geelong under a heap of pressure like we tried to do with Hawthorn today." Good luck with that. Clarkson promised no round-22 relaxation. "We'll select the best side that we've got available," Clarkson said. "I think that good form is needed to go into September and we won't be resting any guys next week unless the medicos tell us that that's what's needed. But we've come out of (today's game) pretty fresh. We go into the finals in a top-four spot which gives us the double chance. So it means that we can approach the finals series with a fair amount of confidence. And we want to go as deep as we possibly can into September and we think that when we play our best footy we can acquit ourselves well against any opposition."
Ladder after Round 21
Pts. % Next Week
Geelong 80 158.1 West Coast (Kardinia Park, Saturday)
Hawthorn 64 128.9 Carlton (Docklands, Sat. night)
Footscray 62 119.8 Adelaide (Football Park, Saturday)
North Melbourne 50 100.5 Port Adelaide (MCG, Saturday)
Collingwood 48 112.9 Fremantle (Subiaco, Fri. night)
Adelaide 48 109.6 Footscray (Football Park, Saturday)
St. Kilda 48 105.1 Essendon (Docklands, Sunday)
Sydney 46 109.5 Brisbane (SCG, Sat. night)
------------------------------------------------
Richmond 42 93.8 Melbourne (MCG, Sunday)
Brisbane 40 100.8 Sydney (SCG, Sat. night)
Carlton 40 97.3 Hawthorn (Docklands, Sat. night)
Essendon 32 85.0 St. Kilda (Docklands, Sunday)
Port Adelaide 24 92.2 North Melbourne (MCG, Saturday)
Fremantle 20 92.4 Collingwood (Subiaco, Fri. night)
West Coast 16 67.7 Geelong (Kardinia Park, Saturday)
Melbourne 12 64.0 Richmond (MCG, Sunday)
Cheers, Tim.
The AFL Review is sent via an automatic email list. To join or leave the list is easy.
Please visit our website at http://www.footy.com.au/fts/newsletters.htm
OR
If you have difficulty with the above please email lists@footy.com.au
