AFL Round 20
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 4.4 8.5 10.12 10.15.75
Collingwood 5.3 9.6 13.7 16.10.106
Solid, smart win for the resurrected Pies. They tackled hard and moved the ball forward quickly, the win going a long way towards securing a finals berth. In a pre-game press conference Malthouse hammered the press over the Shaw/Didak drink-drive'n'lie incident, falling into line with most Poi supporters who see the entire thing as meedya conspiracy. Watch for the Pies to 'walk back' the punishment over the next few weeks. This game saw a better effort from Port than last week, but a typical move involved 47 handballs back towards their own goal, then a turnover kick. Collywood pressure had a bit to do with it. Last Thursday Port coach Mark 'Choco' Williams mentioned he'd like to coach a Melbourne club one day, but would sign a new Port contract "if offered." Injuries forced Choco into further experimentation, in selection here he recalled Toby Thurstans, Robbie Gray, Brendon Lade and Travis Boak and picked Matthew Westhoff, brother of Justin, for his AFL debut. Outgoing for Port were Dean Brogan (shoulder), Daniel Motlop (groin), Nick Salter (back) and dropped pair Fabian Deluca and Paul Stewart. Very harsh on Stewart. One change for the Maggies, Shane O'Bree returning at the expense of Sharrod Wellingham. Veteran defender Shane Wakelin played his 250th AFL game, a great effort from the train-travelling battler.
Port retiree Michael 'Wilbur' Wilson did a lap of honour beforehand. Despite kicking into the breeze the Magpoise did better early. New Powderman Matthew Westhoff, with a very similar tall, skinny, gangling build to his brother, missed with the first scoring chance. Port had the first goal as Pie Nathan Brown was pushed off his kick, a great tap-on from Justin Westhoff allowed Dom Cassisi to run inside 50m and boot a long goal. Cassisi helped Collywood score their first as he scragged Scott Pendlebury at a ball-up, a free-kick which Travis Cloke marked strongly in front of Troy Chaplin, Cloke steered it through with a great kick from the dead pocket. A bit later 'Neon' Leon Davis skillfully scooped a loose ball and jabbed a pass to unopposed Josh Fraser, he converted and the Pies led by 8 points. Port men Lade and Shaun Burgoyne combined to clear the restart, the pair were brilliant all night. Port's troubles came after they won clearances but on this occasion Burgoyne punted long, Brett Ebert collected pack spillage and snapped truly. The Pies kicked away a bit, they indulged in a series of backwards handballs until Scott Burns had space to kick long, Cloke held a good grab again in front of Damon White this time and bagged a major. A minute later O'Bree collected a loose ball and handballed for running Marty Clarke to boot a long sausage, then Port were paralysed by a late 'advantage' call from a ball-up and Tarkyn Lockyer raced clear to have a running shot, the wind held it up but Dale Thomas marked on the goal-line and popped it through. The Poise led by 19 points. Port managed a late fight-back, a laborious series of passes ended with Cassisi lobbing a kick to the 'square, Pie Harry O'Brien tried to mark from behind and couldn't, Powerman David Rodan's roving handball set up a point-blank tap-through for Jacob Surjan. A Justin Westhoff snap postered before Toby Thurstans, who played as a forward here, won a free for a throw and a 50m penalty against Paul Medhurst, who kicked the ball away anticipating advantage from a Pie free. Thurstans's easy goal left the Pies 5 points ahead at korter-time. Lade and Shaun Burgoyne combined to clear the opening bounce of the second stanza and Burgoyne chipped a smart kick for Ebert to mark with-the-flight, Ebert goaled to put Port in front. But in general Port moved the ball with much slowness and a huge amount of dicky handball, to the great frustration of their supporters. Port man Tom Logan made a ridiculous 'speccie' attempt to grab a clearing kick, Pieman Dane Swan tidied and Davis stabbed a centering kick for Ryan Cook to mark and boot a long goal. A bit later Pie forward John Anthony seemed to damage his shoulder when he landed heavily following a diving smother. Anthony trotted towards the bench with a trainer but peeled off when Davis won a free upfield, Davis passed to unopposed Anthony who duly marked and converted. Next week some ar5ehole journo will demand a rule banning 'foxing'. Port's Boak clangered a terrible kick straight to Medhurst, he hacked clear and Cloke gathered in acres of space. Cloke galloped down the wing with three bounces and banged a long kick in, Nick Maxwell had the sit, marked well and sausaged. Cloke missed, after out-marking White again who wasn't working out as a defender. A minute later the excellent Davis's tackle on Surjan forced the ball loose, Lockyer gathered and kicked for Swan to mark and boot a major. The Pies led by 24 points. Again Port responded late, Wakelin was done for 'deliberate' and Thurstans centered the free where Robbie Gray held a good mark, he converted. Rain began to fall as Gray led up to mark 55m out, he kicked quickly and cleverly for leading Thurstans to mark and boot another goal. Deep in time-on Kane Cornes tumbled a kick forward from a throw-in, Gray again gathered and got another quick punt away which Matthew Westhoff marked, he played-on and slotted. Port had cut their deficit to 7 points at half-time.
The rain had stopped by the time the third quarter commenced, Dale Thomas on the bench with knee soreness. Port started well with Lade and Shaun Burgoyne still dominating clearances but Pord continued to move the ball too slowly, allowing the Scraggies to get back and congest the Flowers' forward-line. And often Gray found himself one-out against the big men. A couple of early chances were wasted before the Pies transferred a kick-in quickly down the ground - they understood. Swan roved Chris Dawes's contest, lobbed a handball intended for Lockyer but which Swan ended up collecting himself, ran inside 50 with a bounce and speared a great goal. The Powder replied presently as Lade won a tap from a throw-in, tackled Swan (who gathered it) and Thurstans grabbed the ball and handpassed for Danyle Pearce to poke it through. The Pies led by 5 points. Lade missed with a straightforward snap - he was angry - and again the Maggies moved smoothly ahead from the kick-in, Lockyer punted forward where Anthony won a clear free for over-the-shoulder. Anthony steered another very good kick between the big sticks. The Pies had some umpiring luck, Fraser marked deep in defence thanks to a hefty, un-penalized shove on Justin Westhoff, soon Chris Bryan was awarded an idiotic free at a ball-up. From it Maxwell and Swan sent the Pies forward and Cloke roved Dawes's contest to jab it through from the goal-square. A bit later Lade's poor kick allowed O'Bree to gather in the centre, he handballed to Dawes who wobbled a punt forward and Swan juggled a two-grabber in front of Cornes. Swan, having a good night, booted truly and the Maggies led by 22 points. Port again made a late effort but Gray missed poorly following a great effort from Shaun Burgoyne to set him up, then Justin Westhoff postered from a tough angle. Poi Tyson Goldsack 'Bowdened' the resulting kick-in, he actually kicked the next one but mongrelled it low for Cornes to mark. Cornes booted a 50m goal and Port were thereabouts, trailing by 13 points at the final change. Drizzle returned for the final Mario. The Maglies put pressure on with two rapid goals. Cloke held a decent grab again, his shot sliced across-the-face and was punched clear by Port backmen, but Davis gathered and hooked a superb snap through from the boundary-line. Medhurst led long for a mark on the wing, he handballed inside and Clarke drove a long kick forward. John McCarthy roved Nathan Brown's contest and the Poi junior McCarthy booted a goal. The Pies led by 25 points now. Logan missed a sitter for Port and Shaun Burgoyne delivered a decent shoulder-bump to O'Bree's head. It'll be looked-at. A few minutes later Peter Burgoyne's attempted switching-kick was picked off by Cloke, he wound up and hammered a long, wind-assisted punt from inside the centre-square which cleared Thomas and Pettigrew and bounced through for a goal. The Pies led by 29 points, it was over. Collywood slowed the tempo and ran the clock, Medhurst dropping back to further frustrate the low-scoring Powder. As the game petered out Cloke and Pendlebury missed following good marks, with 30 seconds to go Wakelin snuck forward and had a left-foot shot, but there was no fairytale, Crawford-like milestone goal for him. 'Cause he's a full-back and not good enough.
Pie midfielders 'Neon' Leon Davis (28 disposals, 8 marks, a goal) and Dane Swan (15 touches, 6 marks, 3 goals) had terrific games, Davis showing he can be great value in the middle. Travis Cloke (19 possies, 7 marks, 4 goals) was a constantly dangerous forward and Nick Maxwell (17 touches, 7 marks, a goal) and Marty Clarke (21 disposals, a goal) led a very tight defence, with Harry O'Brien spoiling furiously as always. Tarkyn Lockyer (23 handlings) scuttled about busily as a link-man and Shane O'Bree (21 disposals) wasn't bad. John Anthony kicked 2 goals. Ruck-rover Shaun Burgoyne (33 disposals) was terrific for Port, his best game in a long, long time. Brendon Lade (22 touches, 7 marks, 35 hit-outs) also produced at last and they received good support early from Dom Cassisi (25 disposals - 11 in the first quarter - and a goal) and, after a slow start, Danyle Pearce (19 possies, a goal). Jacob Surjan (19 possessions, a goal) wasn't bad and Robbie Gray (13 touches, 6 marks, a goal) gave 'em something in attack. Toby Thurstans and Brett Ebert kicked 2 goals each. Williams said "I thought we got quite a good response from our players from last week's disappointing game. To go inside 50m the same number of times as Collingwood and to win the hardball-gets and the clearances was good. The shots on goal were pretty similar and we were really disappointed to score 2.10 in the second half of the game . . . Our skills were terrible and, probably, three or four times without pressure on we kicked the ball straight to them and they kicked goals." He then gave Peter Burgoyne some curry, pointing out P. Burgoyne is un-contracted beyond the season's end. Malthouse said "Under the circumstances, with a couple of blokes who couldn't go back on the ground (not quite true). . . and given we've still got a very, very young side, if there's a 'W' next to your name at round 20 you take it. I'm not going to feel as bad as last week (eh?) given the fact there was a lot of effort displayed tonight." He praised the games of Davis, Cloke and Dawes and even Shaun Burgoyne, and was asked if the Pies had done enough to reach the finals. "I've no idea. It's round 20. It may not be anywhere near enough, it may well be enough. The ladder is so insignificant. It's round 22 you look at it and go that's where we finished. How would I know more than anyone else? I'm just a mere coach. All I do is look at the game next week - I don't worry about how many wins we've got and how many we haven't got. I've got no idea if it's enough, and what's it mean anyway? It's the furthest thing from my mind because I can't control it." Classic Mick.
At Docklands:
Essendon 1.2 4.7 6.10 10.13.73
Adelaide 3.4 7.8 13.10 19.15.129
Last year the Camrys had to win their last three to make the eight, and they did. Twelve months later and the Camrys are again hitting their straps at the right time of the season, impressive in this first-ever victory over the Bummers in Melbourne. Movement at Windy Hill last week as Jason Johnson and Mal Michael announced they'll be retiring at the season's end, Johnson will be selected for the final two games. Knights also said Courtney Johns will be delisted, after the big man did his knee in the VFL last month. Injuries have basically ruined any chance Johns had at a career, he's looking into suing over the state of the Port Melbourne ground where his latest mishap occurred. In selection here the Dons made one change, Damien Peverill returning at the expense of Heath Hocking (leg injury). Bomma captain Matthew Lloyd played his 250th game for the Dons, another great milestone for an enduring champion. The Cows regained Brent Reilly and selected Patrick Dangerfield for his AFL debut, he's a strongly-built and very quick teenager from Moggs Creek in western Vic. The pair replaced Bernie Vince (hamstring) and the dropped Andy Otten.
Knights experimented with his side, starting Paddy Ryder, Jobe Watson and Jason Laycock in attack. Having Watson outta the middle back-fired a bit as the Camrys dominated centre-clearances. The Dons scored the opening goal, following a tough series of ball-ups David Hille won a free and lobbed it in, Corolla man Brad Symes roved the pack but dithered a bit and was tackled strongly by Ryder, 'bawl' and Ryder free-kicked a major. Lotsa packs and ball-ups for the next few minutes, then Symes kicked short towards leading Nick Gill who gathered on the bounce and handballed back to running Symes, another to Graham 'Stiffy' Johncock and he thumped it home. Gill, too quick for Mal Michael, led, marked and missed - he can't kick too well - before Scott Stevens booted a goal for the Camrys with a ridiculously soft free-kick for holding against Lovett-Murray. You could mount a case for NFL-style video-challenge from that. The Dons now encountered the first of two significant injury set-backs as the luckless Courtenay Dempsey was carried off, it turned out he's sustained a stress fracture of the shin. Terrible year he's had. Ryder missed a set shot before the excellent Tyson Edwards and Nathan Van Berlo combined to clear a throw-in, Symes passed to leading Johncock on the 50 and Stiffy lobbed a handball for Brad Moran to slot an easy major. A coupla rushed behinds had the Cows 14 points up at the first break. The second term was reasonably competitive, the Dons managed some early attacking pressure but accumulated three rushed points before Andrew Lovett sped forward and passed to Brent Stanton, he squared a kick towards Matty Lloyd who was spoiled illegally by Simon Goodwin. Lloydy free-kicked a sausage. Soon Watson honoured Lloyd's long lead in to the centre, Lloyd kicked quickly for leading Hille to mark and the big man thumped it truly from 50m, reducing the Camry lead to a point. A Stanton miss leveled the scores before the Cows responded, Scott Thompson roved a pack and tumbled a kick forward where Simon Goodwin was ploughed into the turf by Michael and Slattery. A 50m penalty was awarded for, er, something and Goodwin had an easy conversion. In the build-up to that Laycock was apparently injured when 'tunnelled', although Laycock is flattened by sudden gusts of wind. He was alright. Not so good was Dustin Fletcher, who soon departed with a groin injury. Cressida man Thompson was held-back at a ball-up by Peverill and Thompson free-kicked a goal, the Camrys led by 12 points. The Dons scored a good goal, Ryder led up onto the wing for a mark, he kicked forward where Adam McPhee shrugged off Kris Massie to take a decent grab, McPhee kicked quickly to the top o' the 'square where Lloyd marked very easily. Lloydy popped it through. Then the Camrys again as Gill marked strongly over small Bomma Sam Lonergan, Gill passed to unopposed Goodwin for a mark and major. The Dons constructed a great move but Jay Nash's shot was touched on-the-line. Late in the term Camry Rob Shirley won the ball and sent Reilly forward, his kick was well-weighted for leading Pat Dangerfield to mark. Dangerfield goaled - it was his first kick - and the Camrys led by 19 points at half-time.
That margin expanded quickly in the third Mario as Corolla rovers Edwards and Van Berlo monstered pack-clearances. The Dons were down to 20 men, of course. Nick Gill was also useful, he led for an early grab and passed ahead to leading Goodwin, who played-on after marking and booted a great goal from the flank. A minute later Goodwin wasn't paid a three-grab mark over McPhee, who'd gone back as cover for Fletcher. Hille banana-ed a tight-angle shot into the post before Corona Richard Douglas roved a throw-in and snapped a sausage roll, extending the Camry lead to 30 points. The Camrys won the following centre-clearance and Michael paddled the ball out in the Dons' defence - deliberately so, the official decided. With the resulting free Dangerfield stabbed a pass to leading Gill, who booted a goal with an excellent kick from the flank. Another Addleaid centre-bounce win and Symes kicked long, big Maric leaped for an emphatic pack-mark and he converted. Stevens missed with a set-shot as Ryder also went back for the Dons now. Gill led up for another grab and handballed off to Reilly, his kick was placed for Stevens to hold a good mark, backing into trouble, and boot truly. The Camrys won the centre-clearance yet again and Nathan Bock ran up from half-back to receive Van Berlo's handpass and drive the ball forward, Stevens tapped-on and Gill did very well to gather the ball and snap it through. Six unanswered from the Camrys and they led by 55 points. Dangerfield missed before the Bommers scored a coupla late goals, Angus Monfries led wide for a grab and kicked towards Lloyd, Symes got a spoil in, deflected towards the sticks and the ball bounced up for Leroy Jetta to gather, he handballed for Hille to spear it through. A bit later Michael Doughty, roving a pack, was too slow in clearing and was well-tackled by McPhee, 'bawl' and McPhee free-kicked a goal. Lovett soccered a point from mid-air and Hille postered again, leaving the Corollas 42 points up at the final change. No-one saw the Dons coming back in a free-scoring last quarter. Classic Camry defensive rebounding set up an early goal, Nathan Bassett sent the ball wide to running Rutten, he galloped and kicked long and Johncock collected pack-spillage for an easy snapped sausage. Bomma Watson managed to hit the post from 15m, a minute later the Dons manufactured a good move from a kick-in, Lloyd spilled a one-handed marking attempt but got a handball away to Monfries, another from him set up a tap-through goal for Lovett-Murray, reducing the Cows' lead to 42 points. Gill now had a purple patch for Adderlayed, Don Lonergan coughed the ball up in Dangerfield's tackle and Gill gathered, he ran and hacked an awful punt towards the sticks which bounced at right-angles and rolled through for full points. The Caows won another centre-break and Ryder went up too early, clambering all over Gill who converted the resulting free-kick. Camrys by 54. Rhys Magin snapped a good goal for the Dons, set up by Monfries, before Gill missed consecutive shots for the Camrys. Then McPhee clangered a clearing kick straight to Andrew McLeod, who thumped it through from 50. Lovett's long run and kick allowed Lloyd to pluck a satisfying goal-square mark over Rutten, Lloydy lobbed it through. Gill led and marked again but kicked into the man on-the-mark, a moment later Gill ran back to take a goal-square mark of Bock's long kick/shot had an un-missable kick. Douglas converted from a mark to have the visitors 62 points up. Dons Hille, Watson and Peverill combined to win the following centre-clearance and Laycock marked 40m out, he goaled. Late, irrelevant goals are his go.
The Camry on-ballers were terrific, thought Tyson Edwards (19 disposals) was great early, later Nathan Van Berlo (26 touches) and Scott Thompson (31 handlings, a goal) were also very good. Brad Symes (26 possies, 7 marks) wandered about to good effect again. The Camrys are always searching for goals and Nick Gill (22 disposals, 11 marks, 5 goals) was useful not only kickin' 'em but setting 'em up. Brent Reilly (23 handlings, 7 marks) and running backman Nathan Bock (19 possies, 5 marks) were handy, as was Simon Goodwin (19 possies, 4 marks, 3 goals). Richard Douglas, forward-deployed Stiffy Johncock and Scott Stevens booted 2 goals each. Don midfielders Jay Nash (33 disposals) and Ricky Dyson (30 handlings) saw a lot of the ball, but most of it was 'on the way out'. Damien Peverill (33 possessions) was in a similar boat. David Hille (16 possies, 6 marks, 19 hit-outs, 2 goals) battled hard but finished with a broken hand, apparently. Brent Stanton (32 disposals) was okay, there were decent defensive efforts from Henry Slattery (13 possies) on Johncock and Angus Monfries (11 touches) in stopping McLeod. Matty Lloyd kicked 3 goals. Knights saw problems early. "We've just got to make sure we stand strong now and finish off the final two weeks and do our club proud," he said. "We're not going to make the eight so it's important we play well and try and pick up one or two games in the last two. I was pretty disappointed in our first 10-15 minutes. I didn't think we were playing team orientated football, we weren't getting to the contest quick enough and Adelaide was beating us to the punch. Their initiative was better and they were also good with their tackling and harassment. They really didn't give us much room to move, and I thought the first 10 minutes really set the scene for the rest of the day." He was offered the injury excuse. "We just can't keep our young people on the park this year, and it's frustrating. Some of them are soft tissues, but others are innocuous clashes or shoulders or knees or the odd stress fracture." He gave Lloydy a wrap. Neil Craig looked ahead to September. "It's satisfying for the whole club and I know it's really satisfying, as it should be, for the playing group because in the end the players deliver the product; not me or the management or the other coaches. It is great recognition for our playing group to be able to put that [talk of rebuilding] aside and just have really high expectations of themselves and be accountable to those expectations through their actions and not what they talk about. In that situation now, we get an opportunity to play at a higher level when the finals do come. It's when the best play the best and it's another level of competition so we'll find out a lot more about our squad throughout the finals series." On beating Essadun away for the first time, Craigy said "I'm really pleased for the playing group to be the first to do that; it's something that they take with them for the rest of their life. [It's] a fairly short history for our club, but it's good to do it for all our supporters . . . it was great for them to be able to experience a bit of history as well."
At the MCG:
Melbourne 1.3 5.7 8.12 11.13.79
West Coast 2.2 4.5 5.10 5.15.45
Not many times has a club, having being beaten by 22 goals the week before, when failing to score for the first 50 minutes, declared themselves 'certainties' the following week. Yet Dee president Jim Stynes did so in the lead-up to this, and punters agreed. Such is life when the bottom two clubs face off in round 20, with tanking talk rife. Surely the Dees would want to lose, ensuring the spoon and the first draft pick. Surely the Eegs would want to lose, and retain a priority pick. Both clubs were highly affronted by the suggestions. In the end the Deez triumphed in a predictably slow, sloppy game. Melbun made four changes in selection, strengthened by the return of Mark Jamar, Brad Miller, Daniel Bell and Michael Newton. They replaced Lynden Dunn ('flu), Chris Johnson (groin), Jeff White (knee) and the axed Nathan Caroll. Paul Johnson requires a hip operation, he played here but it was his last game for the season, apparently. The Wiggles lost David Wirrpanda (hamstring strain) and Ashley Hansen (rolled ankle), replacements were Brad Ebert and debutant Tony Notte, a stick-insect of a key forward from Swan Districts. Reports in Melbourne papers have Daniel Kerr looking for a new club.
Both sides over-used the ball and made disposal mistakes early, although the Dees had more of the ball. A damp, slippery surface didn't help. Over quarter of an hour passed prior to the first goal, Melbun led 0.3 to 0.1 when, after some ugly scramble, Jamie McNamara punted the Weegs forward, the ball clean-bowled Mark LeCras and Dan Bell but Ben McKinley ran through and just got his boot to the ball ahead of Dee James Frawley to soccer a goal. Melbun replied soonish, Colin Sylvia led wide, spilled a one-handed marking attempt but gathered and hooked a kick to the goal-square where Miller juggled a two-grabber, he converted. Dean 'Big' Cox missed a shot for the Eegs before they managed a late major. Matt Spangher fired a handpass inboard to Cox, his pass went over leading LeCras's head but Brad Ebert collected the ball and handballed for Steven Armstrong to snap truly. The Weegs led by 5 points at the first break and they opened a bit of a lead early in the second stanza. Andrew Embley speared a good pass to Armstrong in traffic, he kicked quickly into space for leading LeCras to mark easily and boot a major. Cox scooped up a loose ball and handpassed to Ebert, he punted forward where Quinten Lynch out-maneuvered Stefan Martin to hold a strong grab and punt a goal. Four minutes into the term and the Eegs led by 18 points, but they'd go on to score one more goal for the day. A few behinds were scored before the Deez steadied, Cameron Bruce got a good handball away under pressure and Miller lobbed a kick to the top o' the 'square where Matthew Bate juggled a mark, the Fanta pants majored. Embley's risky clearing kick into the corridor was picked off by Dee Matthew Warnock, he handballed to James 'Junior' McDonald who in turn jabbed a short kick to Sylvia, Sylvia ran to 50m and thumped a long sausage. A bit later Bruce rebounded from half-back with a three-bounce run and handballed to Austin Wonaeamirri, he passed to Paul Johnson who handballed back to on-running Bruce then booting a great goal, putting Melbun ahead. Cale Morton found McDonald in space and he kicked for leading Miller to hold a diving grab, Miller goaled and the Deez led by 8 points, their lead at half-time.
Melbun carried the pressure into the third korter, Matthew Whelan ran afield with a coupla bounces and kicked long, the ball bounced free as opponents wrestled. Bate gathered eventually and was held for a long time in a tackle before getting a handball away, recipient Newton hooked a kick to the goal-square where Clint Bartram marked alone, he popped it through. Bell, Bate and Paul Wheatley missed shots for the Deez (the Weegs managed a rushed behind) before Melbun's Simon Buckley weaved through trouble and kicked long, Newton read it to take an easy grab and punt a major. A bit later Sylvia ripped the Sherrin from McNamara's hands and handballed to Nathan Jones, he went long and back-running Bruce marked in front of team-mate Miller. Bruce managed to miss from 10m out but the ump decided Eegirl Mark Seaby was too close, so gave Bruce a 50m penalty and he converted this time. The Dees led by a healthy 26 points now. In time-on the Weegs made a slight effort, Michael Braun led wide for a grab, played-on and kicked to McKinley's lead, the Weegle man was shoved over by Warnock for a free-kick and McKinley threaded a great shot through from the pocket. But McKinley proceeded to miss two late chances and the Demuns led by 20 points at the last change. A 'highlight' of the early final quarter was a heavy collision between Weegl Beau Wilkes and Melbun's ruckman Mark Jamar, Wilkes had to be stretchered off but he's okay, apparently. But it subdued the game and the mood for some time. Seaby and Embley missed shots for the Eegs, not much happened for a while before Bruce and Wiggle Lynch kicked some more points. Twenty-one minutes into the term Weevil Matt Priddis had a chance from 50m, he elected to handpass to Lynch who blundered into a tackle and coughed the ball up to Demun Morton. The Dees rebounded and Wonaeamirri lobbed a kick for former Wiggle Paul Johnson to mark with-the-flight, PJ booted truly and sealed it for the Dees as they led by 23 points. McKinley added a point to his tally before rain began to tumble down. Bate executed a good pick-up and handpass to McDonald, he handballed to Buckley who kicked to CHF where Brad Green held a decent grab. Green chipped his kick ahead for Morton to run onto and pop through from point-blank. Green punted the game's final goal, benefitting from a smart switching move involving Jones and Buckley.
Melbun's leaders in Cameron Bruce (30 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals), Brad Green (27 touches, 10 marks, a goal), running half-back Paul Wheatley (36 possies, 12 marks) and ol' James McDonald (29 possessions, 10 marks) played very well, aided by a young kid in Cale Morton (30 handlings, 17 marks, a goal). Matthew Whelan (23 disposals, 8 marks) contributed some good running from defence and Simon Buckley (31 touches, 10 marks) played well too. They all over-used the ball a bit. Michael Newton kicked 2 goals. For the Eegs, former Deemun Steven Armstrong (31 touches, 10 marks, a goal) is showing some decent form as a rover and Dean Cox (24 disposals, 7 marks, 13 hit-outs) battled away again, Andrew Embley (39 disposals, 9 marks) collected plenty of touches. Eric Mackenzie (13 handlings, 5 marks) looks like a decent defender and Matthew Priddis (24 possessions) wasn't bad. Ben McKinley booted 2 goals. John Worsfold was asked what went wrong after they led by 18 points. "Not just the second quarter, really for the next three quarters we were just terrible," he said. "Well below what's expected, even with a fairly young side. It was not acceptable. You always learn about your group and your players, and you learn where you really sit. We know at times we can play good enough football to challenge teams, but we also know that to be able to do it week-in, week-out over the course of a whole season, we've got to improve in a massive amount of areas. I'm still very, very confident that we can do that very quickly. The immediate thing is that we can add in a lot of experience into our side going into next season with an available list. That side of it is positive - we're not going to line up with as young a side as we had today many times next year." True enough. Dean Bailey could savour a rare win. "It's important that our members and our supporters and our people who continually come to our games this year in a really tough year - it's nice that we can repay them to some degree - not that we've repaid them often during the year, obviously. The big test was going to be how we bounced back from last week and to the boys' credit, they worked hard during the week and they were really determined to come today and really try and wash away last week's effort. Hopefully our supporters and members will walk around with half-a-smile on their face, anyway, for the next week until we play Port Adelaide, but they've been with us for the whole year and they've gone though the tough times as much as we have.
At the Gabba:
Brisbane 3.3 6.4 8.8 13.12.90
Footscray 4.4 7.8 8.14 10.19.79
The Lyin's kept their September chances alive with an exciting if grinding comeback win over the inaccurate Dogs. The Bullies' late-season slump continued but again they don't have a lot to play for, with third spot guaranteed bar some extraordinary results over the final two games. In selection the Lyin's regained Joel Macdonald from injury and recalled Robert Copeland and Matthew Moody for his first game of the season, to replace the luckless Josh Drummond (thigh strain) and dropped-again Tim Notting and Lachie Henderson. Jonathan Brown's un-contracted status continues to excite the Melbourne press. The Bulldogs recalled Ben Hudson and Josh Hill at the expense of Peter Street and Stephen Tiller. The Dogs reckon Scott West will play before the season's end but he had a run with Williamstown on the weekend and limped badly on the TV footage shown. Still had 25-odd touches, though.
Bully coach Eade affects to be unconcerned about the Pups' slump in form, but they came out hard here. Smart work from Mitch Hahn created an early goal for Brad Johnson, then Daniel 'Guido' Giansiracusa pounced on an errant Lyin' handball to snap one and the Dogs led by 13 points. Brisbun hit back with two excellent rover's goals from Rhan Hooper, something he could do more often. Bulldog Ryan Griffen roved a big pack to snap a great left-footer, a bit later Lindsay Gilbee coasted through the centre to collect a handpass and thump a long goal and the Dogs led by 13 points again. Late in the stanza Lyin' Jed Adcock did a 360-turn in the centre and passed to leading Jonathan Brown, he marked and goaled and the Doggies led by 7 points at the first break. The Dogs extended their small lead into the second korter, Rob Murphy led wide for a mark and punted quickly to the top o' the 'square where Giansiracusa hauled down a terrific grab, he popped it through. Brisbern replied after Justin Sherman smothered Eagleton's kick in the centre and handballed to Travis Johnstone, he passed for leading Daniel Bradshaw to mark and get on the goal-sheet. Giansiracusa again majored for the Bullpups, from a diving mark on-the-lead and a bit later Dan Cross found leading Murphy with a neat pass, Murph banged it home and the Doggies led by 21 points. The Lyin's scored two important goals in time-on, Johnstone marked too easily in front of Farren Ray and kicked to the goal-square, Bradshaw wrestled two Dogs but Robbie Copeland arrived to soccer the spilled ball for a major. Hooper speared a pass onto the chest of leading Brown and the Lyin' skipper steered a good kick through from the pocket, the Dogs led by 10 points at orange-time.
The low-scoring third stanza proved crucial as the Doggies wasted their better performance with 1.6. Johnson and Hahn missed early chances before Matthew Boyd's wayward handball put Johnson under pressure, Johnno handballed out-of-bounds as deliberately as you like and Bradd Dalziell slotted the resulting free-kick beautifully for a goal to the Lyin's. There were a tight few minutes before Johnson atoned, nudging Macdonald under the ball to mark deep in the pocket and steer a very good kick for full points. A behind each before Lyin' 'Razzle Dazzle' Dalziell (commentator Matty Campbell's attempt at a nickname) ran down the wing with a few bounces and kicked to the goal-square, Brown seized an idiomatic with-the-flight mark and popped it through. Griffen and Boyd missed poorly for the Dogs but the Lyin's also finished the term with a barrage of behinds (well, three) to leave them a goal down exactly at the final break. Hooper leveled the scores in the first minute of the last quarter, following a strong overhead grab under some pressure. A coupla minutes later Dalziell, playing well again, slipped a handball for running Luke Power to drill it through and the Lyin's led by 6 points, the Dogs were in trouble now. A big last quarter from Jared Brennan on-the-ball helped the Lyin's along but the Bulldogs hit back quickly, Jarrod Harbrow roved Giansiracusa's unluckily-spilled marking attempt and sped into the open goal to spear it through, a minute later Cross's handball found Eagleton in oceans of space in the centre, the Bald Man ran to 50 and hammered a long sausage. The Bullies led by 5 points. The Lyin's responded, ruckman Jamie Charman tapped a throw-in over the back and Michael Rischitelli gathered, he ran clear to boot a great long goal. Earlier Rischitelli had been flattened by Jason Akermanis, producing much booing from the crowd. A long Sherman punt was marked by Bradshaw, after some bullocking prior to the ball's arrival, Braddles converted and the Lyin's led by 6 points. The Doggies lost some steam as Brisbun scored a string of behinds before Moody lobbed an intelligent handball inboard for running Joel Patfull to collect, Patfull jogged inside 50 before booting a goal to put the Lyin's 14 points up. There were over 8 minutes to go but the Doggies couldn't make inroads bar a couple of rushed behinds, Akermanis missed the game's final scoring chance. There was much rejoicing.
Unheralded Bradd Dalziell (27 disposals, 10 marks, a goal) played very well again, if he'd debuted earlier in the year he'd probably be Rising Star favourite by now. Joel Patfull (17 disposals, 8 marks, a goal) was very good running off half-back and in restricting Rob Murphy, experienced men Luke Power (22 possies, a goal) and Simon Black (22 disposals) worked hard as usual. Jonathan Brown (16 touches, 8 marks, 3 goals) and Daniel Bradshaw (12 handlings, 8 marks, 2 goals) had to do most of the forward-work again although Rhan Hooper (7 touches, 3 goals) made a vital contribution, Jared Brennan's big last quarter (11 of his total 17 possessions) was handy. Runnin' Bulldogs Adam Cooney (31 possessions) and Nathan Eagleton (26 disposals, 10 marks, a goal) enjoyed the dry, firm footing and Daniel 'Guido' Giansiracusa (16 touches, 5 marks, 3 goals) was excellent up forward. On-ballers Daniel Cross (22 disposals) and Matthew Boyd (26 handlings) were prominent and evergreen Brad Johnson (20 disposals, 9 marks, 2 goals) played well. But inaccuracy from Hahn (0.2), Akermanis (0.2 but better here with 20 disposals, a few mistakes though) and Griffen (1.2), plus 5 rushed points, produced that frustrating 10.19. "I thought our skill level and decision making was pretty poor and that included goalkicking," Eade said. "There was plenty of times where players were clear and free that we should have been able to hit, which we normally do, so that was one area that we need to work on. We should have been five goals up at half time and we should have put them away and good sides do that, but to Brisbane's credit they willed themselves over the line in the last quarter and they probably wanted it more than we did. But the set shots we had we should have been four or five up at half time and we had the first five shots of the third quarter and should have put them away so that was disappointing. We should have been able to kick 20-odd goals tonight." Leigh Matthews appreciated a reversal of fortune. "I thought the opposition kicked their way out of it a bit but that's poetic justice because we've kicked our way out of a couple of games in the last few weeks," Matthews said. "I didn't think we were necessarily the better team on the night. But we took our chances a little better and the fight to generate a win out of being behind and then to hold on in the last few minutes - that will be good for the self-confidence . . . As the game went on the Bulldogs started to play forward footy and if they didn't get the ball they got left behind. Whoever got the ball forward out of congestion was running into open space and our stoppage crew did a good at job making sure we took it away just as much as they did."
At Stadium Australia:
Sydney 4.1 6.4 8.5 14.10.94
Geelong 7.4 9.8 16.10 20.13.133
Saw the best, 'live' and they were very impressive. The Swans had a bit of a crack, tried to implement a running-handball game which didn't really work but it's the speed and precision of the Cats' ball-movement which is terrific to watch. Also they're not afraid to handball or kick to a contest, relying on the target to better his opponent, or at least be strong enough to remain upright in any tackle and keep his arms free to get the ball away. Or 'Crow throw' it, sometimes. Even the umps are in awe of the Cats, it seems. By the way, it's Essadun's 2000 season the Katz are seeking to emulate, not 2001 as I said last week. I'm sure they don't want to lose to the Lyin's in the Grand Final, that'd be pretty amazing if it did happen. In selection here the Cats made one late change, Travis Varcoe in for Matthew Scarlett (sore back). The Bloods had Amon Buchanan and Nick Malceski return from suspension and injury respectively and Nic Fosdike played his first game in ages, possibly this season, he's been injured too. Has some ridiculous Spida-like tatts, does Fosdike. They replaced dropped trio Luke Brennan, Patrick Veszpremi and Kieran Jack, harsh that last one.
Siddey started well enough, scoring the first goal. Luke Ablett realized Jared Crouch's pass to him was too short (i.e. not 15m) and Ablett fired a quick handball away to Brett 'James Tee' Kirk, who lobbed a good kick through for a major. Then the Pu55ies hit 'em, hard and often. Jimmy Bartel had a free at the restart and handballed immediately to Joel Selwood, he kicked long where Tom Lonergan was awarded a free for a shove from Heath Grundy. A worrying match-up, that one, as Lonergan goaled. Mathew Stokes missed a shot but Swan Marty Mattner's short, telegraphed kick-in was intercepted by Stokes, or would've been if not clattered by Bevan. Stokes free-kicked a goal. Gary Ablett, very busy early, drove a long punt to Cameron Mooney's lead, Mooney kicked towards wide-leading Lonergan who was allegedly interfered-with by Grundy. Lonergan banana-ed his free-kick through from the boundary. Soon the Cats were attacking again, Steve Johnson was running inside 50 when the whistle blew - apparently Mooney was being held off-ball by Roberts-Thomson. A mystifying decision as the ball wasn't going anywhere near the pair, but Mooney happily converted the free. The Katz then scored a goal without a free-kick, Mattner I think hacked a clearing kick aimlessly into the centre, the ball rebounded off Max Rooke and James Kelly gathered, he lobbed a pass in front of Gary Ablett for him to gather, race inside 50 with a bounce and spear it home. Nick Malceski tried to run the ball through the centre for the Swans but was mown down by Shannon Byrnes, a clear free for 'bawl' plus a completely unclear 50m penalty gave Byrnes an easy shot, he majored. Then came a great move, Bartel affected a very good spoil at half-back and Kelly collected the ball, he kicked long towards Lonergan's lead, Grundy spoiled but Byrnes collected the spillage, backed himself to run away from Malceski with two bounces and stab a terrific goal. Seven straight goals for Geelong and they led by 38 points, it was over already, we thought. Siddey managed a late, late rally. Jude Bolton won the ball well and it came to Mattner, he was tackled and handballed to Adam Goodes who went 360 in a tackle before handballing back to Mattner, who booted truly. Hard work. A minute later Buchanan produced an excellent gather and run, he handballed to Crouch who booted long and Barry Hall out-marked Harry Taylor and converted. In the dying moments Joel Corey's spoil on O'Keefe spilled backwards and Kirk passed for Hall to mark against Taylor again, Psycho-Bazza punted a long goal. The Swans were flattered to be 21 points down at quarter-time. The Swans drew closer with the first goal of the second Mario, Mattner's long pass found Buchanan and he stabbed a short one to leading Hall, another to Kirk set up the major. Siddey were 16 points down and we had an apparent contest. The Bloods closed the game down, forcing a lot of ball-ups and general stoppages. Only a handful of points were scored over the next ten-or-so minutes. After a while Mattner's under-pressure handpass missed the target and Cat Brent Prismall gathered, he handballed for Travis Varcoe to scoot clear, run inside 50 and stab a sausage. Confronted with a Swan flood, Cat Josh Hunt waited a very long time before stabbing a very short pass to Corey Enright, he immediately handballed off to running Gazza Ablett who burned off pursuers before booting a long goal. Jahlong led by 29 points. Kirk and Hall missed shots for Siddey, late in the stanza the Swarns forced the ball forward, O'Keefe had a snap which was smothered but the ball spilled to Goodes, he snapped truly. The Bloods had maintained parity, still 21 points behind at half-time.
Early in the third stanza Sinney ruckman Peter 'Spida' Everitt produced a rare, accurate kick, finding leading Hall wide-out on the flank. Hall punted long to the goal-square where Goodes roved his own contest and handballed for Jarred Moore to poke it through, the Swans trailed by 16 points again. Once more they battled to get closer, but their best efforts only stopped Cat run-ons, rather than exerting much attacking pressure of their own. Eventually the floodgates opened, again. Selwood hacked a punt forward from a throw-in, Swan backman Ted Richards fumbled a pick-up under pressure and Byrnes scooped the ball up, raced into the open goal and slotted. Mooney marked on a long lead, played-on and lobbed a lengthy handpass to running Prismall, his shot dropped through with goal-square shepherding from Lonergan. A bit later Steve Johnson collected Lonergan's pass, played-on and drove a low kick forward for Gary Ablett to mark strongly in front of the pack, Gablett converted. The Swans attempted a switching, handballing move in defence, Mattner hesitated fatally and was caught red-hot by Johnson, who free-kicked a major. The Swans' disintegration was complete when Everitt's attempt at a switching-kick in defence produced a ridiculous, high bomb, Mooney charged in to spoil poor Craig Bolton and handball to Lonergan for a goal-square tap-through. A precise series of hand- and foot-passes moved the ball rapidly to Corey, to Byrnes, to Mooney and finally to Johnson, who threaded a great goal from the pocket. That six-goal run had the Catters 53 points ahead and it was certainly over now. The Swans broke the run thanks to Hall plucking another strong mark against Taylor, Hall dished off to Buchanan who kicked to the 'square where Jarrad McVeigh trapped the ball skillfully before poking it through. But in the last minute of the stanza Pu55y Kelly played a one-two with Enright and passed wide to Johnson, he stabbed a centering kick for leading Mooney to mark and convert. The Katz led by 53 points at the last change. Plenty of goals in a low-pressure last term, Hall took a grab against both Taylor and Hunt to kick a very good early goal from a tough angle, a bit later Varcoe cleverly soccered pack-spillage ahead to buy himself space, Varcoe sprinted on the gather the ball and poke it through from close range. The Katz began to make some rare mistakes, Gary Ablett was actually caught! in possession, leading to a goal for Siddey's McVeigh, with the aid of a 50m penalty against Tom Harley. A poor Geelagong clearing kick allowed Fosdike to punt the Swans back into attack and Goodes collected the loose ball to snap one. Bartel seized an emphatic grab of Mooney's long punt to boot a major, Goodes held a strong grab in front of Hunt and handballed for Craig Bird to banana a shot through on-the-run. Mattner, who didn't have a good night, was again caught in his own backline and Ryan Gamble free-kicked the resulting major. Kirk intercepted an errant Cat punt to set up another mark and goal for Hall, a minute later Hall played-on after marking Jude Bolton's pass and slotted another. Cat ruckman Brad Ottens booted the final major, a great kick from the flank.
Consensus was Gary Ablett (32 disposals, 3 goals) pocketed the Brownlow votes, he was very quick and strong as usual. Jimmy Bartel (29 touches, 9 marks, a goal) produced a great effort on the ball and ruckman Brad Ottens (12 touches, 7 marks, 23 hit-outs, a goal) eclipsed a subdued Jolly and hopelessly slow, old Spida. Joel Corey (28 disposals, 6 marks) did a terrific job on O'Keefe, he was arguably BOG. Shannon Byrnes (18 touches, 3 goals) and Cameron Mooney (16 possies, 10 marks, 2 goals) were the Cats' best forwards, Corey Enright (24 disposals) and Joel Selwood (25 touches) weren't bad at all. Tom Lonergan kicked 3 goals, Travis Varcoe and Steve Johnson bagged 2 goals each. Barry Hall (17 disposals, 15 marks, 5 goals) was the Bloods' best, benefitting from being left one-out with young Taylor. Amon Buchanan (21 disposals, 7 marks) made a welcome return and Brett Kirk (23 touches, a goal) plugged away as usual, Jarred Moore (15 handlings, 2 goals) and Jude Bolton (21 touches) weren't bad. Paul Bevan (13 disposals) did a good job on Johnson early and slowed Ablett later. Adam Goodes, who rarely ventured far from the goal-square, booted 2 goals as did Jarrad McVeigh. Too good, said Roosy.
"They're the benchmark, no question. They're a cut above the rest of the competition by a fair margin. If they play their best, no-one will beat them. You can match them for periods but a game goes for 120 minutes and that's why they are so difficult to beat. We played periods of good footy but they have a lot of players in very good form. In the consistency of the 22 versus the 22, theirs is clearly better . . . The competition is designed for parity. It's Geelong's time. They're well coached and it just happens to be their time in the sun. We'd all like to have our day in the sun every year but that's not the reality of the salary cap." Bomber Thompson addressed the idea of being unbeatable. "I just know that on any given day, we can be beaten," Thompson said. "There's more than just skill; you need a lot of luck. But we're a good side when we play well, I agree with that part . . . [The Swans] are a big tackling team; they like to put lots of numbers around the ball and I thought our first quarter, to score seven goals, was outstanding. I love the way we've been starting games. They were certainly gearing up to have a good game against us and losing Matthew [Scarlett] really late didn't help the situation. We didn't have a spare backman to put in the side . . . but a few of the boys lifted and helped the defenders out and in the end to win by 39 points was an excellent result . . . I'd like more games like [tonight]. As many games like that we possibly could get. And I think North Melbourne will be a game like that. They're fighting for a top-four spot, so it'll be a very competitive game and I couldn't ask for a better one."
At the MCG:
Richmond 5.2 10.5 13.6 16.9.105
Hawthorn 2.5 4.10 7.15 10.16.76
Guaranteed a qualifying final against the Dogs by last week's win in Launceston, the Hawks have very little to motivate them at this stage of the season. And boy, did they play like it. The Orcs put in an semi-interested, error-strewn and effort, allowing the more committed but not exactly brilliant Tiges to record an upset win. Still, that's what we're constantly told; if you play at 95% instead of the full whack, you're gonna get beat. The Tiges put in an admirable effort after last week's shellacking from the Camrys and had a decent plan, so good luck to 'em. The Tiges' finals door opened a crack after the final siren, but virtually closed again after Stinkilda beat the Shockers. In selection here the Tiggers had to replace Nathans Foley and Brown (injured hips both), Adam Pattison (back) and the dropped Jake King. In came Jay Schulz, Dean Polo, Dan Connors and a Richmen debutant in former Bomma ruckman Tristan Cartledge. Matthew Richardson played his 300th game in all competitions. The Hawks had Michael Osborne return following injury, at the unfortunate expense of Cameron Stokes.
The Hawks' lethargy was evident early. Cyril Rioli missed a sitter prior to the Tiges opening the goal-scoring, Joel Bowden fumbled badly and caused a throw-in but Trent Cotchin gathered it and snapped truly. Horks Brad Sewell and Chance Bateman combined to clear the restart, the ball lobbed in front of leading Lance 'Buddy' Franklin who collected, wheeled away from his man Kel Moore and saw his grubbered left-foot banana roll through for a spectacular major. But the Orcs would prove themselves to be hopelessly Buddy-obsessed as the day progressed, as if getting Franklin to 100 goals is all that matters. Perhaps it is. Scores level before Toig ruckman Troy 'Snake' Simmonds lobbed a kick to the top o' the 'square where roving Shane Tuck won a dubious free for in-the-back, he goaled. Simmonds had a free at the restart and sent the ball wide to 'Sugar' Kane Johnson, he kicked in where Dan Connors was clattered by Trent Croad. Connors free-kicked a goal. The Tiges cleared the next centre-bounce as well, a complex string of handballs ended with Dan Jackson jabbing a pass for leading Bowden to mark, he booted a goal and the Tiges led by 18 points. The umps were whistle-happy early and Simmonds was reported for falling on Thomas Murphy, a stoopid booking. Plenty of frees over the next few minutes, Franklin missed a long shot following a decent mark, Sewell behinded after Tige Schulz clangered the ball to him and Schulz rushed one for the Orcs. After a bit the Tiges managed a decent rebound move and ruckman Cartledge lobbed a kick for Mitch Morton to clutch strongly against Guerra. Morton majored and the Tiges led by 21. Soon the Orcs advanced, Moore produced an excellent spoil on Franklin but accidentally soccered the loose ball on-the-full. Faced with a 50m shot from the boundary, with the fence preventing him running out to the left, Franklin produced a superb kick for full points. Of course, in the remaining minutes of the quarter Franklin sent an easier shot out-on-the-full and shanked a shocker for no score. Tiges by 15 at quarter-time. Tige Richardson missed a shot early in the second, the Awks advanced from the kick-in and Jordan Lewis marked on the forward-flank, there was a 50m penalty against Schulz for mark-encroachment and Lewis goaled. The Tiges responded, Morton was tripped by Campbell Brown and Morton hooked his free-kick in, it dropped into the goal-square where Richard Tambling roved Richardson's contest and soccer-volleyed it through. The Hawks majored next, Franklin gathered on-the-bounce and tumbled a kick forward, Osborne gathered and produced an amazing kick out of his ar5e really, from the boundary while being tackled, it sailed through. Horforn trailed by 11 points and at the restart Luke Hodge threw an elbow into Deledio's face, a typically thuggish effort which's earned Hodge a week off, potentially. The Tiges ground clear. Chris Newman drove a long kick forward, the ball spilled from a big pack and roving Shane Edwards snapped truly. Franklin missed again and with the kick-in Newman walloped a huge torpedo-punt to the wing, Matt White gathered for the Tiges and passed to Tambling, a handball to running Connors who went inside 50 with a dummy and slotted. Franklin, Dew and Crawford all missed fairly simple shots for Horforn before Tige Morton held a good grab 55m out and kicked long, Connors was shoved out of the contest by Lewis and Connors free-kicked his third goal, the Tiggers led by 25 points. The Tiges had a bit of luck for a late goal, the ball clearly out of bounds before Morton gathered and kicked to the 'square again, after some wrestling White wrenched the ball free and snapped it through. Tiges by 31 points at the long break.
The third term saw the Tigers answer every Hork challenge. Horforn scored a goal from the opening bounce, Mitchell cleared it and punted long, Franklin was allowed to shove Moore meatily in the back, gather the ball, run in and blast it through. A minute later Richardson produced an awful kick forward but Orc Luke Hodge dropped an uncontested mark, the Tiges had another go and this time Rick Ladson dropped a grab for the Hawks, Morton gathered and rolled a snap through from the boundary. Rioli missed terribly again and White postered for the Tiges before a Bowden clanger sent the ball to Franklin, he galloped along the boundary and centered a very good pass for running Rioli to mark in-stride and pop through. The Hawks trailed by 25 points but at the restart their ruckman Simon Taylor was penalized for clattering Cartledge, Hodge didn't return the ball so a 50m penalty resulted and Cartledge dobbed a major. Again the Awks closed as Osborne did well to win the ball and a series of handpasses got the ball to Bateman, who sold a coupla dummies before booting a decent sausage. There followed another series of Hawk behinds, two more from Franklin. Jarryd Roughead kicked five goals the last time these two met, but he saw one pass all day. Mark Williams and Rioli similarly were frozen out by the Orcs' Buddy-mania. With seconds remaining in the korter Cotchin roved a throw-in and punted the Tiges forward, Morton won a race to the ball with Stephen Gilham and Morton soccered one through from a tricky angle. The Big Pu55ies led by 27 points at the last change. Mitchell cleared the opening bounce of the final stanza and punted forward, three Tiges managed to spoil each other and Franklin collected the ball, he handballed for Campbell Brown to thump an easy major. Roughead snapped comically on-the-full but a minute later the Hawks advanced from a ball-up at half-back with a great series of handballs, Birchall drove a long kick in which cleared Brown but he pursued the ball, gathered and snapped a ripper off the left boot. The Orcs were thereabouts, 15 points down. The Tiges had a steadier as Dean Polo smothered Crawford's handpass, weaved cleverly clear and handballed to Brett Deledio who hammered it home from 50m. But Orc Taylor had a free at the restart and handballed to Birchall, he passed for leading Williams to mark and punt a very good 55m sausage. Tiggers by 15 points again. A bit later Hawk Mitchell was bumped as he attempted a switching kick, the ball went over target Dew's head and Jordan McMahon swept it up, he booted a noice goal. The Tiges had played at a deliberately slow tempo all day and now they went into over-drive, chipping the ball about half-back. Matty Richardson, who'd played back to double-team the Orc forwards, made a few tough efforts to spoil and/or win the ball, which won praise from the Tiger fans. Richo also racked up the stats. Franklin postered following a strong grab, a bit later Richardson, forward now, marked on a long lead and was awarded a 'sympathy' 50m penalty from the ump, against Croad who'd thrown Richo to the ground after the grab, allegedly. Richo majored. The Tiggers led by 28 points, there were over 5 minutes remaining but the Tigers chipped the ball about to retain possession and the Hawks weren't too interested in getting it off 'em.
Tige stats are inflated a bit due to the chip-about, but half-back Chris Newman (27 disposals, 13 marks) was very good against Rioli and wandering Matthew Richardson (29 possessions, 21 marks, a goal) was also very good value. Shane Tuck (36 touches, 6 marks, a goal) worked hard on-the-ball and Joel Bowden (38 touches, 21 marks, a goal) accumulated stats despite being banned from the defensive 50m apparently. Brett Deledio (29 possies, 10 marks, a goal) did well as did talented junior Daniel Connors (16 touches, 4 marks, 3 goals). Trent Cotchin (17 disposals, a goal) did some smart things and Jay Schulz (29 possies, 17 marks) was part of the keepings-off team. Mitch Morton kicked 3 goals. Hard to pick a Hawk winner, Sam Mitchell (28 disposals) inspired their better moments but his kicking was poor; Brad Sewell (24 touches) won a fair bit of it and it's hard to go past Lance Franklin's effort (20 disposals, 11 marks, 3.6). He's on 94 goals now. Jordan Lewis (26 touches, 11 marks, a goal), Rick Ladson (20 disposals) and Grant Birchall (20 possies, 8 marks) were busy and Campbell Brown (13 possies, 5 marks, 2 goals) was tough as usual. Clarkson was asked about the Buddy-centric team. "There were plenty of opportunities for all our forwards to have an impact on the game, and it was either due to the forwards' poor play or the midfielders' poor execution of the kick that disallowed us to do that," Clarko reckoned. "We're taking away a fair bit of credit to Richmond because I thought early on they were first class and really showed us how to play the game and win the hard footy." Was Buddy choking as he neared the ton? "He'll keep working at his game. It's not a focus for us, and I don't think it's too much of a focus for him at the present time," Clarko said. "We just want to generate enough footy into our forward line to give ourselves a chance to kick a big score. If he's on the end of them, great, if he's not, it doesn't concern us too much as long as Hawthorn are kicking goals. Unfortunately today, if you only kick 10, you're not going to win too many games of footy." What about the Orcs losing three of the last five? "We've won 15 games of footy, so we're not about to crucify ourselves over one game. Richmond, in my view, hunted the footy and had a lot more to play for early in the game, and it showed on the scoreboard very early." True. Tigger coach 'Plough' Wallace said "I thought it was probably our best, four quarter, disciplined, do the right things, nothing fancy, just get the job done, game that we've had . . . It shows what you can do in a week in footy. Last week we said we needed to win that one [to stay alive] . . . with that and our injuries, I thought we were the more beatable team today." What about the finals now? "I don't like looking at scoreboards and I don't like . . . having to stay awake at night trying to work out permutations and combinations [for the finals]." Just as well, as the Saints' win a few hours later made it academic.
At Docklands:
Carlton 6.3 9.3 10.5 14.6.90
North Melbourne 5.2 13.5 17.8 22.9.141
The Bluies' charge to the finals Juddered to a halt as they were well-beaten by the professional Ruse. After an explosive, Fevola-powered start the Blues were crushed by the Kangers' tougher tackling, keener defending and smarter ball-use. And their own Fev-mania. In winning Norf climbed up to fourth and the dubious honour of being pulverized by the Cats in week one of the finals, although the double-chance is worth it on balance. The Rooies get a warm-up at Kardinia Park next week and they're in form as good as at any time this decade. The Blooze named an unchanged side to that which thrashed Port, for "the most important game for the club in seven years" (B. Ratten). Norf had skipper Adam Simpson return and Leigh Brown was recalled, out went Nathan Thompson (ankle) and the axed Ed Lower.
The fired-up Bluesers stormed out, aided by some North mistakes. A dropped mark allowed Judd to win the ball at half-back, the Blooze swept forward and Andrew Walker kicked to leading Fevola, he caught it one-handed while holding off Josh Gibson and Fev thumped it home from 50m. A bit later Nick Stevens marked an errant Roo pass, Stevens ran on to receive Jason Saddington's handpass and kick long, Fevola and Matthew Kreuzer flew for the mark (plus a coupla Roos), Fevola soccer-kicked the spillage from mid-air and the ball sailed through for a major. Carton led by 12 points and yer Roo fans were slightly worried at this stage, I'd imagine. Norf knuckled down and scored a few points before a Blue switching-kick on a kick-in was anticipated and knocked down by Corey Jones, he handballed for Brown to snap it through. A bit later Jarrad Waite produced a great intercepting mark of his own and passed to Brad Fisher, he was clattered by Firrito but advantage allowed for roving Judd to slot a goal. The Blues led by 10 points. Norf responded again, Jess Sinclair centered a pass for unopposed Shannon Grant to mark 50m out, he lobbed a kick for 'Lethal' Leigh Harding, running across half-forward, to mark and convert. Walker missed a shot but on the way out Roo junior Lachie Hansen dropped a pass from Watt, Bloo Jordan Russell pounced and his wobbly snap bounced through for a goal. Not a great moment for Hansen, that. Bluesers by 11 points as goals alternated now. Roo Sam Power kicked to a big pack, Waite fisted the ball clear but it went straight to Grant, who snapped it through. Blooze Marc Murphy and Judd combined to clear the restart, Firrito dropped a mark he should've held and roving Fevola handballed for running Cameron Cloke to lob a major. Norf swept forward again, Brady Rawlings kicked long and as wrestling Jones and Thornton fell over, Norf big man David Hale was ploughed to earth by Saddington. Hale free-kicked a goal. Then the Bluies, Andrew Carrazzo clangered a kick forward because he was whacked in the head by Lindsay Thomas, a free for Carrazzo and he kicked quickly towards leading Fevola who was dragged down by Gibson. Fevola converted a free-kick. Thomas and Hansen atoned for earlier mistakes by combining for a major to the latter and the Blues led by 7 points at korter-time.
The Ruse clamped down after the break, cutting out the errors and winning around packs, where Brent Harvey and Daniel Harris were already going very well. Power and 'the revelation' Harding were very good running off half-back. And Fevola helped the Kangers too. Two quick Roo goals in the second, Daniel Wells sped by a throw-in, gathered Hale's tap and handballed to Scott McMahon for a simple goal-square tap-through. Roo ruckman Drew Petrie and Harvey combined to win the next centre-clearance, Harding kicked long and again Waite's spoil on Hale dropped for Grant to snap through. Norf led by a goal. Cloke soared for a terrific grab 20m from his defensive goal but soon Hale began to trouble Saddington. Petrie punted long and Hale marked alone 15m out as Saddington wandered into view afterwards, Hale majored. A bit later Jones's very ordinary centering kick bounced its way luckily through to Sinclair, he kicked long and Hale nudged Saddington under the ball to mark it, Hale slotted again. A Bluie handballing move came apart under pressure, Rawlings gathered and handballed for Grant to spear one. Five straight goals for Norf and they led by 26 points. Fevola gave the first sign of problems, spoiled by Gibson he lay flat on the ground while Gibson ran clear, received Hale's pass and passed in turn to leading Jones, who marked and slotted from the flank. Norf led by 32. Fev did good a minute later, leading to accept Murphy's pass and bang it home from 45m to break the Roo run. But Harding sped clear of the next centre-bounce and handballed wide to Hansen, who booted a very good major. The Blues stayed in touch, Kade Simpson marked 50m out and as Fevola whinged to the ump about Gibson's close-checking, Simpson chipped a pass to Cloke who marked and converted. Carton drew closer, Petrie was well-tackled by Stevens who passed to Kade Simpson, he fumbled but Stevens tidied and got the ball to Stephen Browne, he passed to leading Fevola who marked and majored. The Kangers' lead was 21 points. Late in the term Roo Dan Pratt stabbed a very short kick-in to Harding, Fevola decided the ball hadn't travelled 15m and wandered in to tackle the Roo man. Told it was a 50m penalty against him, Fev slapped the ball out of Harding's hands. Now it was a 100m penalty and Harding advanced to kick a goal, the Kangers led by 26 points at half-time. Ratten later defended Fevola's actions - "He thought it was his free-kick." Well that's alright, then.
North weren't threatened again. Carton made an early effort in the third, Kade Simpson wobbled a kick forward while tackled, the ball dropped from the pack and Kreuzer dived after it, the slower-reacting Power kneed him in the head giving Kreuzer a free-kick and goal. The Bluies trailed by 20 points but they didn't get any closer. Wells, Grant and Petrie kicked points for the Ruse and good work from Heath Scotland set up Fisher for a left-foot snap for the Blooze, but it was touched through. Hale roved his own contest and handballed to Rawlings, another to Thomas and then to Harvey allowed 'Boomer' to slot a goal. The Blueser's disposal became ragged, Thornton's lobbed clearing kick was intercepted by Firrito, he passed for leading Petrie to mark and boot a sausage roll. A minute later Fisher made a weak attempt to collect Simpson's equally poor, under-hit pass, the ball came to Roo Sinclair who passed to McMahon, he handballed smartly for running Harvey to coast inside 50 and boot another goal. The Kangers led by 40 points now. Bloo man Stevens passed for leading Fevola to hold a good mark under pressure from Gibson, Fevola proceeded to rub the ball in Gibson's face before going back and seeing his long punt hit the post. The Bluies had a decent spell but looked for Fevola on every attack, Fev was surrounded by Kanger defenders who usually cleared easily. Fev, Cloke and Kreuzer were all frustrated. With 6 seconds on the clock Norf had a ball-up in their forward-pocket, Lindsay Thomas roved it and snapped a superb left-foot goal from the boundary. The Ruse led by 45 points at the final change. Into the last and Fevola booted a terrific early goal, through from 50m after a mark on-the-lead. At the subsequent centre-bounce Petrie handballed to Harris, he booted long where Thomas juggled a chest-mark and majored. A good Roo move culminated in a free-kick for Corey Jones, held by Thornton, and Jones converted. The Kangers stopped scoring for a bit as they bombed it in and a difficult day for Bloo captain Judd got worse when he clashed heads with Sinclair, and had to depart. He's okay though. Hale pulled down a very good mark against Shaun Grigg and lobbed a pass afield for Harvey to mark and dob one, 'Boomer' turned provider a moment later with a slick pick-up and handball, Power handballed on to Rawlings who wobbled one through from 50m. His kick just missed ducking Adam Simpson's head. North's lead was 64 points now and they kept on, needing the percentage. Harding held a good grab and passed to Hansen, awarded a mark against late-arriving Judd. Hansen majored to have the Ruse 70 points ahead. Now the Ruse put the cue in the rack and the Bluies managed three late goals, two from Brad Fisher and Scotland kicked the other.
Possibly three Brownlow votes for favourite Brent Harvey (30 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals), he and Daniel Harris (27 touches, 5 marks) did very well on-the-ball, where the Blues assumed they'd have an advantage. Running half-back Leigh Harding (16 touches, 7 marks, 3 goals) is arguably the most improved player in the leeg and Sam Power (21 disposals) did well too, in attack David Hale (18 possies, 8 marks, 3 goals) and Shannon Grant (18 handlings, 6 marks, 3 goals) were handy. Michael Firrito (21 possies, 7 marks) played well again, sweeping across the backline while Brady Rawlings (27 touches, a goal) continued recent good form. Lachie Hansen, Corey Jones and Lindsay Thomas kicked 2 goals each. The Bluies could look to Chris Judd (23 disposals, a goal) again and Brendan Fevola (11 disposals, 5 marks, 6 goals) moved up to 90 goals for the season, just 4 behind Franklin. Marc Murphy (29 handlings, 6 marks) was busy and Jarrad Waite (15 touches, 6 marks) worked hard in defence, Andrew Walker (24 possessions) and Andrew Carrazzo (21 touches, 9 marks) were alright. Cameron Cloke and Brad Fisher kicked 2 goals each. Brett Ratten said "It's probably the biggest game we've had for seven years as a footy club and we got comprehensively beaten, especially at the contested footy. Stoppages have been our go [this year] and our work rate, but all in all they beat us inside the game and then they beat us outside as well. In that part of the game they absolutely toweled us, especially at centre bounces. They scored from their thrusts forward and they just did it really well and hit the scoreboard. Full credit to them, they're going to be a big problem for a lot of teams in September." Too much going to Fev? "I don't think it's Brendan's fault. I think each bloke is virtually the captain of the team when they've got the ball in their hands and they just need to use it a little bit differently at times," Ratts said. "Until other players start kicking three and four goals no-one's going to worry about playing on them and they'll just keep falling back into the hole [in front of Brendan]. If someone's got three goals behind their name the opposition start looking a little bit closer." Dean Laidley said "We were pretty sloppy in the first quarter to allow Carlton to kick some pretty easy goals and the way we turned over the footy - we haven't done that for a while. After we got together at quarter-time, we reset and I thought we were pretty good. We don't rely on a Fevola-type to kick a bagful of goals and if we can share the workload and have a good solid structure down there, which we've been able to have for most of the day, it's good. Whatever happens between now and the end of the year, we can put our hand over our heart and say: 'We're going to play in September, after today'. I just look at the young players that we've brought in over the last two years and we're really heading in the right direction. If you asked any of our supporters that - they would truly believe that, so regardless of [what happens for the rest of 2008], for these guys now to play in a finals series is going to be a wonderful opportunity for them."
At Subiaco:
Fremantle 4.3 7.4 8.11 9.15.69
St. Kilda 3.5 6.6 13.9 17.10.112
The axe was poised above Ross Lyon's neck and it'll stay there for now as the Saints won a must-win. Freo were backed into firm favouritism with their recent burst of form and the Saints having none, Stinkilda's Subiaco loss to the Weegles also a fresh memory. But again the Stainer leaders, Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, er, Adam Schneider stood up. Freo found themselves struggling to advance past half-forward or to stop Riewoldt. In pickin' the Shockers regained Jeff Farmer and Antoni Grover, but rumours Des Headland would play proved untrue. Outgoing were senior Freo men in Chris Tarrant (shoulder) and Josh Carr (groin strain). Sinkilda lost Aaron Fiora, suspended a game for biffing Pie teenager McCarthy last week, while Jarryn Geary was dropped. In came Charlie Gardiner and Raphael Clarke, the latter recalled following some personal problems.
A very warm winter's day in Perth, something also seen as not being in the Saints' favour. Recently retired Dokka Peter Bell did a pre-game lap of honour but Jeff 'Wiz' Farmer isn't taking the hint, the 33-year-old openly stating he wants another contract. Wiz was played off a half-back flank here and he was very busy early, as was hefty spearhead Adam Campbell. The Saints did well too in a decent opening. Their Adam Schneider missed an early shot before Sam Fisher, who was playing on Pavlich in midfield, roved Aaron Sandilands's tap from a throw-in and handballed to Schneider, who snapped truly this time. Small Saint Stephen Milne clashed heads with Grover and Milne came off worse, sustaining a fractured cheekbone. Milne played on, despite his right eye closing completely by the second half and his face becoming very swollen and more ugly than usual. You could ask whether Milne should've been on the ground, but as it turned out it was just as well for the Stains he stayed. Freo's Chris Mayne, who started in attack, postered and Riewoldt missed his first shot, to much cheering. Freo scored eventually as Pavlich passed towards leading Mayne, he gathered Pav's under-hit pass on-the-bounce and kicked backwards and inwards to Campbell on 50, who thumped it through. The Dockulaters cleared the restart and Luke McPharlin lobbed a kick for leading Campbell to mark over Hayes, Campbell booted another long major and Freo led by 5 points. Milne mis-kicked a low snap into Grover's back prior to a late flurry of scoring, Justin Koschitzke punted long towards Riewoldt and Steven Dodd and as they wrestled the Dokker fell over, Riewoldt gathered the pill and snapped it through. Sinkilda's Sam Gilbert was caught in possession and Garrick Ibbotson wobbled a kick forward for Freo, McPharlin collected it, sold a noice dummy and punted a goal off one step. Leigh Montagna booted the Stains forward from the next centre-bounce, Freo backman Michael Johnson rubber-chested a mark and Riewoldt gathered, he handballed for Schneider to slot another. The Dockulaters responded late, a terrible clearing kick from Saint Jason Gram went straight to David Mundy, he passed for Paul Duffield to take an easy mark and convert. Riewoldt shoved Dodd under the ball to take a late grab but missed awfully, leaving Freo 4 points ahead at korter-time. The Dockerators put some pressure on in the second, poor misses from Pavlich and Clint Jones preceded a Freo major, Farmer ran down from half-back to accept Rhys Palmer's handpass and kick for leading Campbell to take a diving grab, Campbell majored again with an excellent kick. Milne was denied a clear free 20m out before Palmer did well to get the ball to Byron Schammer, he passed for leading Pavlich to hold a strong grab under pressure and boot truly. Freo led by 16 points. Gram had a free-kick at the restart and handballed to Andrew McQualter, he chipped a pass to Raphael Clarke on 50m and Clarke booted a good, long sausage. But a moment later Pavlich restored the 16-point lead, goaling from Mark Johnson's pass. The Saints were butchering the ball going forward, typified when Rob Harvey marked well within range and gave Milne an absolute hospital handpass. But they sorted it late, Koschitzke roved Charlie Gardiner's contest and jabbed a smart centering kick for Harvey to mark 20m out, Harvs kicked it this time. Fisher held a mark in the defensive goal-square and the Stainers put together a good rebound, Harvey again opted for a pass to Milne but he was in space this time and Milne played-on and majored. Freo's lead was reduced to 4 points at half-time.
Riewoldt had done little in the first half, hampered by poor service and his injured hand, apparently. But Saint Nick fired in the third Mario. Hayes tumbled a kick forward from the opening bounce, Riewoldt gathered and slipped a handpass for running Schneider to spear a goal, putting the Saints in front. Sean Dempster booted a long, running point and Riewoldt missed another set shot before a good move ended with Clarke passing to Riewoldt right on the boundary, 50m out. Riewoldt quickly assessed options before thumping a superb kick for full points. Helped the confidence, no doubt. Hayes and Milne combined to clear the next centre-bounce, Freo's Scot Thornton dropped a mark and McQualter gathered, he lobbed a kick for Riewoldt to hold a with-the-flight mark running back into the pocket. He played-on and snapped it through. Farmer coughed up possession with a poor handball, the Saints produced a complex handballing move before Schneider slipped one to Milne, who threaded a major from a tough angle. The Dockers finally managed some attacking moves but scored a coupla behinds only. The Saints had a ball-up at half-forward and it bounced a second time, untouched, where Milne soccer-volleyed it from mid-air through the big posts. Classic Milney had produced Sinkilda's fifth straight goal - seven if you ignore half-time- and they led by 26 points. Freo moved afield smartly but Campbell chose to miss for the first time, handily for them the umpires found a mysteriously bizarre free-kick on the kick-in which gifted Ryan Crowley a shot from 25m out. He stabbed a short pass to Mundy who goaled. Fremandible lifted for a bit but again could only manage points. A complicated series of midfield passes by the Saints ended with Dempster kicking long, Riewoldt stayed down bravely to allow junior flanker Robert Eddy to fly, Harvey collected the spillage and handballed for Riewoldt to score full points with a terrific left-foot snap. Mark Johnson banana-ed a running snap on-the-full. "When he made a mistake once as a kid, his Mum smashed a guitar on his head," Dwayne Russsell reckoned. Sounds a bit Child Protection Services. The Saints produced another possession-heavy but reasonably quick move and James Gwilt kicked for Koschitzke to take a stretching grab, Kosi converted and the Saints led by 29 points. Farmer missed a shot for Freo and Riewoldt did too (er, for Sinkilda) following another great pack-grab. Stinkilda led by 28 points at the final change and carried right on into the last stanza. Early on Brendon Goddard held a good mark and handballed for running Schneider to slot another major. Farmer was awarded a free-kick and a 50m penalty but failed to make the distance from 40m. Won't have helped. Schneider tumbled a kick forward from a throw-in and running Eddy held a with-the-flight grab, he goaled. Shortly marauding backman Gilbert thundered a long, running sausage and the Stainers led by a healthy 45 points. Defender Dodd missed a shot for Freo before Riewoldt kicked another goal, a strong grab from close-in. Saints by 50 points, 15 minutes into the final korter and the game kinda wound down from there. Plenty of behinds before Pavlich booted a late goal.
Big games from Nick Riewoldt (22 disposals, 11 marks, 5.4) and Lenny Hayes (30 disposals, 7 marks) led the Saints after half-time, while small runners Adam Schneider (17 possessions, 4 goals) and Stephen Milne (16 touches, 5 marks, 3 goals), who did their share of midfield work, were very effective. Sam Fisher (25 disposals, 13 marks) did very well on Pavlich and there were solid efforts from Robert Harvey (20 possies, 7 marks, a goal) and Leigh Montagna (27 handlings, 6 marks). Brendon Goddard (24 disposals, 9 marks) was useful sweeping down back. With Pavlich subdued the Dokkers had Rising Star favourite Rhys Palmer (30 touches, 9 marks) win a stack of it and Jeff Farmer (27 disposals) did well running off half-back, although it's pretty easy to get a kick playing that role. Adam Campbell (6 marks, 7 kicks, 3 goals) was impressive when given service and Ryan Crowley (21 touches, 7 marks) tagged Dal Santo well, backman Michael Johnson (16 touches) wasn't bad on Koschitzke. Matty Pavlich kicked 3 goals but had just 10 touches. "We just allowed them to do what they wanted too easily. Whenever we looked like getting them on the counterattack there was fumbling, lack of composure and not enough understanding between one another. That led to crucial and easy mistakes," Mark Harvey said. "From where we've come from in the last month and to see the side go out and perform like that was disappointing. At times our guys weren't demanding enough on each other when St Kilda was kicking the ball around. They had a lot of uncontested marks and easy pathways to goal, especially after half time. We have too many guys that sit back and spectate in those circumstances." Harvey was asked why he didn't move the very quiet McPharlin back onto Riewoldt. "It (the Dodd-Riewoldt match up) was OK but at times it just came down too easily. Riewoldt has had a lot of shots on goal in the end but I wasn't happy with how it came down to him, which is reflective of the lack of effort further up the field . . . If we keep relying on the same handful of players it is going to take us a while to evolve. I'm trying to put it right on guys who are in situations that represent the value of the game and to see what they can do about it, which will be playing on the elite players in the competition." Fair enough. Ross Lyon said 'really' a lot. "Coming to Subiaco (on a) really hot day against a team in really good form, we knew we needed a really even team contribution and I thought we really got that today. Our leaders really stood up. Everyone led but in particular at the pointy end Riewoldt and Hayes were outstanding. We just persisted and persevered until the weight of numbers swung it our way . . . That's probably our best four-quarter performance today." He commented on Milney and his broken face. "He was fine. I was concerned because you've got a responsibility as coach not to put your players in danger but the medical opinion was that it was just puffed up and there was no health risk. He has his knockers. But he's been at St Kilda a while, he's a finals player, he's kicked 45 goals. Is he Wayne Carey? No, (well, there was that 'incident' involving him and Montagna) but he's got a role to play at St Kilda."
Ladder after Round 20
Pts. % Next Week
Geelong 76 159.1 North Melbourne (Kardinia Park, Sunday)
Hawthorn 60 125.8 West Coast (Subiaco, Sunday)
Footscray 58 118.5 Essendon (Docklands, Fri. night)
North Melbourne 50 102.2 Geelong (Kardinia Park, Sunday)
Adelaide 48 113.0 St. Kilda (Docklands, Sunday)
Collingwood 44 111.0 Sydney (Docklands, Sat. night)
St. Kilda 44 100.2 Adelaide (Docklands, Sunday)
------------------------------------------------
Brisbane 40 101.2 Carlton (Gabba, Sat. night)
Richmond 38 93.2 Fremantle (MCG, Saturday)
Carlton 36 96.9 Brisbane (Gabba, Sat. night)
Essendon 32 86.0 Footscray (Docklands, Fri. night)
Fremantle 20 94.1 Richmond (MCG, Saturday)
Port Adelaide 20 88.3 Melbourne (Football Park, Saturday)
West Coast 16 69.0 Hawthorn (Subiaco, Sunday)
Melbourne 12 65.4 Port Adelaide (Football Park, Saturday)
Cheers, Tim.
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