AFL Round 6
At Docklands:
Collingwood 4.6 12.8 15.11 19.13.127
The expected victory for Collywood over a depleted Norf side. The
The
The second half was a bit dull after the high-scoring first one. Medhurst didn't re-appear due to his ankle worries. The Maggies locked the ball into their attacking half for the first several minutes of the third term, Norf's only 'attack' coming from a terrible Shannon Watt kick raffled by three Poi defenders. The Scraggies broke through eventually, Roo backman Thompson's poor handpass to Gavin Urquhart's feet caused the latter to over-run the ball, Pie Macaffer scooped it up and handballed for Corrie to snap a major. More Pie pressure soon caused another Kanger defensive error, Davis mowing down Sam Power with a strong tackle and this time Pie Leigh Brown gathered the loosed ball, a coupla handballs later and Lockyer was poking it through from the goal-square. The Maggies led by 48 points. Norf improved a bit, Petrie missed with a free-kick before Harding punted long to allow Hamish McIntosh to take a grab over two Pies, McIntosh slotted it through. McIntosh, Edwards and Petrie looked dangerous when their team-mates could get the ball down to 'em, which wasn't often. Pie ruckman Josh Fraser dogged it again, kneed in the ribs by Petrie in a ruck contest, winded Fraser had to depart for a bit. Weaky. A bit later Roo Daniel Harris launched a flying elbow at Wellingham's head, handily the Pie man saw it coming and Harris didn't connect. Soon Pie Shane O'Bree punted towards Anthony who shoved off Thompson to take a mark and head-butt Thompson in the Niagaras - he might be suspended. Anthony steered one of his gun-barrel straight drop punts for a goal. This came amid a lengthy commentator discussion concerning use of legitimate body-strength in marking contests versus blatant push-outs, and who can tell the difference. Not many of us, umpires included, 'cause Cloke was allowed a clear push-out a few minutes later to take a mark, but he couldn't convert even with the aid of a 50m penalty. Roo Swallow and Pie Clarke came up with posters prior to the final change, the Maggies 47 points ahead. Late in the term Pie Anthony had conceded a silly 50m penalty, he was dragged and copped a ferocious spray from Malthouse, down at the bench waiting for the siren. Into the final term and Norf had an early goal, Michael Firrito marked in the centre and eager Corrie crept over the mark, a 50m penalty and 'Dorito' converted. Urquhart capped off a good move with a long miss and the Kangers were 40 points down. The Poise answered as Wellingham held a with-the-flight grab, played-on and weaved past defenders before slotting.
Pie midfielders enjoyed their night and forward-flanker Tarkyn Lockyer (25 disposals, 8 marks, 4 goals) was the chief beneficiary. 'Neon' Leon Davis (27 touches, 8 marks, 2 goals) also did well as Scott Pendlebury (31 possessions, 6 marks), Dane Swan (33 touches, 7 marks, a goal) and Sharrod Wellingham (23 handlings, 7 marks, a goal) ensured a constant supply of footy. Josh Fraser (25 disposals, 8 marks, 18 hit-outs) rebounded from Grant Thomas's ridiculous criticism of his 'bottle' to have a good game. Paul Medhurst (10 possies, 6 marks, a goal) was very good before being hurt and Anthony Corrie (20 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals) made a bright start to his Pie career, he'll play in tougher games though. Like St. Kilda this coming Monday. Consistent John Anthony booted 3 goals. The
At the MCG:
Hawthorn 5.0 9.2 11.9 16.10.106
Brendan Fevola hit the post from 20m with a very late, probably game-deciding shot. But it's hard to blame Fev, he bagged 8 goals as did Hork forward Jarryd Roughead in this ripper of a game. It was tough and hard-tackling all the way, the Horks' remarkable attacking efficiency made the difference but there wasn't a lot between the teams. In selection the Orcs' injury rotations continued as Clinton Young missed with hamstring damage but Brent Guerra and Michael Osborne returned from their problems. Cameron Stokes was dropped. Hawk president Jeff Kennett ended a 'feud' with the AFL following his criticism of umpires by paying a fine, but Kennett confirmed he's an ego attached to a mouth by promising more attacks on the leeg. One change for the Bluies, Chris Johnson was out with a thigh strain and replaced by a new man in rookie-listed Greg Bentley, a half-back who played 20-odd games for Port Adelaide but is from the
Big crowd of 69,000 at the 'G on a sunny but cool day. A lovely autumn day in
The third term mirrored the second as now it was the Hawks who couldn't put greater possession on the scoreboard. Brad Sewell led an intense midfield effort, the terrific Rioli was also handy. Chance Bateman, opposed by Stevens, was prominent early as he missed a set-shot but then set up a goal with a pass to Moss on the 50m line. Moss's opponent Dennis Armfield turned his back to establish the mark so Moss played-on and thumped a goal, the Hawkers led by 17 points. Rioli missed with a free-kick and a further, rushed point had the Horks 19 points up. The Bluies pushed back again, a collision between Orcs Osborne and Guerra allowed Betts to collect the ball on the attacking wing,
The Horks raised an effort with the game on the line, like a good side. They scored the opening goal of the final Mario, Rioli battled hard to win the pill and get a handpass away to Dew, he kicked long and there was Roughead dropping back to mark and pop it through from 15m. A bit later
Huge game from Jarryd Roughead (11 marks, 20 disposals, 8.2), whom many see as a more natural forward than
Alastair Clarkson confessed to having given up. "I thought we were shot. (Fevola) pegs them from 55m out; he kicked two 50m goals in the last quarter, and you expect he's going to nail one from 20m. That's just the luck of the draw. We're just pleased we did enough earlier in the game to get ourselves in front, and we move on to next week . . . We've just been scratching behind the ledger a little bit since the start of the season. We've got it back even with the card at 3-3, and we've come through the game reasonably injury-free, which is the first time since the grand final that we haven't had an injury during the game, or at training during the week. That will hopefully mean we can consolidate our position a little bit, but we've got a tough game against the Bombers on Friday night and we've only got six days to prepare."
At Subiaco:
West Coast 4.6 6.13 8.13 9.20.74
Fremantle 3.2 4.2 8.7 13.9.97
A
The Weegs enjoyed a good opening with Dean 'Big' Cox, Matty Priddis and Chris Masten winning plenty of the ball, Daniel Kerr was about too. The Weegs scored a goal in the first minute, Ash Hansen led long and wide for a grab, he punted into CHF where Adam Hunter was crashed to earth by Dokka backman Antoni Grover, although Hunter was playing for a free. Masten ran onto the loose ball and snapped a noice goal across-the-body. Freo replied shortly, Michael Johnson rode a fairly weak bump from Cox - he has a soft bump, I've heard - and Johnson tumbled a kick goal-wards which was rolling for a major before Scot Thornton arrived to soccer it through. Scores level but the Weegle points started to mount, Adam Selwood, Mark LeCras and Adam Cockie booted behinds (Johnson kicked one for Freo) before the Eegs managed another goal. Freo man Dean Solomon marked deep in defence but his kick was too low and snaffled by Hunter on-the-mark, Hunter snapped a goal. Solomon was suitably embarrassed as the Eegs led by 8 points. Freo bagged another against the flow, Stephen Hill took a with-the-flight mark, swerved around an oncoming Weeg, had a bounce and lobbed a long kick which bounced through for full points. Great stuff as the Weeg lead was reduced to 2 points. But Cox had a free at the restart and sent the ball wide to Matt Rosa, he passed to Masten who kicked into the goal-square where Brent Staker arrived to mark and slam it through. A bit later Kerr had a free 70m from goal and he dished off to Quinten Lynch, Lynch launched a bomb to the goal-square where Ben McKinley roved Hunter's contest and snapped a goal. The Weevils led by 14 points. The Shockers hung in there, some circle-work handball in the centre ended with Hasleby lobbing a kick forward and Ryan Crowley juggled a good grab in front of some blokes, amazingly
Freo improved after the break, Hasleby and Schammer started winning plenty of it midfield as did Pavlich, also shifted into the middle after a very quiet first half - the Dockulaters couldn't get the ball down to him. But the key difference was a lot more running and handball to break up the Weegs' tight marking and 'zones'. Kerr took little part in the half, suffering leg cramps and he threw-up a bit too. Dokker Johnson missed an early chance before a Freo running move ended with Clay Hinkley's kick to the goal-square, Ryan Murphy won a free for being shoved in the back by Mitch Brown and Murphy converted. Hill's running ability came to fore as Pavlich got a noice handball away and Hill sped clear with two bounces, drawing some Eegs before handballing over the top to Brett Peake, another to the goal-square set up David Mundy for a simple tap-through. The Weeg lead was down to 10 points but they had some relief as Pavlich ploughed Andrew Embley into the sandy Sooby surface at a ball-up 40m out. Embley free-kicked a goal. Hill raced clear of the following centre-bounce and kicked a long point. The Weegs moved clear with another Embley goal, a good running move allowed Hansen to kick into a hugely open space ahead of Embley, who ran onto the ball and had plenty of time to steady and stab it through. The Coasters led by 20 points. The Dockers finished the term strongly, some fierce tackling from Hasleby and Mundy won the ball and Schammer lobbed a kick forward, Weeg man Glass spilled a tough marking chance and after some scramble new Freo lad Matt de Boer bundled a kick for a six-pointer. Not pretty, but effective. The general inability to score was broken with the move of giant Aaron Sandilands to full-forward. Murphy led long into the centre and kicked long where big Sandilands towered over Glass to pluck a grab and convert. Hill's later point reduced the gap to a goal at the final break. The Weegs clung on, McKinley missed a shot early in the final term and Freo's Duffield stabbed the kick-in to Dodd, I think, he played-on too slowly and was pushed off his kick, the ball bounced for Eeg Shannon Hurn to collect and thump back 55m for a goal. The Weevils led by 13 points but Freo were running now. Murphy drove a long kick in and
Paul Hasleby (35 disposals, 7 marks) won the Glendinning Medal with second-half leather-magnetism. Byron Schammer (30 touches) and Stephen Hill (21 possies, 6 marks, 2 goals) were also very good midfield as was 'sweeper' Paul Duffield (34 handlings, 8 marks). Aaron Sandilands (16 disposals, 7 marks, 14 hit-outs, 2 goals) was shaded in the ruck by Cox but those goals were timely, and underline the fact Cox doesn't go forward and kick goals. Chris Tarrant (10 disposals) did a lotta defensive spoilin' and Steven Dodd (15 possies) did well on LeCras. Scot Thornton kicked 2 goals. For the Weegs Matthew Priddis (26 possessions, 8 tackles) battled hard on the ball and Adam Selwood (23 disposals, 6 tackles) was handy again, Dean 'Big' Cox (24 handlings, 19 hit-outs, 7 marks) was great early but his influence waned. Runnin' backmen David Wirrpanda (16 disposals) and Shannon Hurn (21 possies, a goal) were good and Eric Mackenzie (17 touches, 5 marks) had the better of Pavlich in he first half. Andrew Embley and Mark LeCras kicked 2 goals each. "We looked tired, we didn't run as hard as Fremantle in the second half," said unusually critical Weeg coach Worsfold. "They certainly got forward of us easily and exposed us. They ran harder and they were more attacking in that second half and we were flat-footed and looked second rate because they were more urgent. There are some key things that we need to look at (and) one was; did some of our players lower their intensity because of the different style that Fremantle played? If that's the case those players need to be able to answer questions about that . . . We missed opportunities in that first half. We were getting the ball in there and getting plenty of scoring shots, just not kicking goals. In the third quarter we were just smashed around the ground. We had no inside-50s so it wouldn't have mattered what (the forward) structure looked like. They were just sitting up there looking after a patch of turf with no ability to influence the game at all. Our use of the ball, our kicking skills are nowhere near as good as they should be. Our tackling is nowhere near as good as it should be and our ability to use the ball well going inside our forward 50, so there are three massive areas of work that we'll be doing." Mark Harvey is a winner. "You can look at it one or two ways - you could say that (the Weegs blew it with poor goal-kicking), or you could say that something came from within our team to provide the opportunity and the momentum and the belief,"
At the Gabba:
Essendon 1.3 4.7 5.12 9.14.68
After the excitement of Anzac Day the Dons reverted to the same sort of game they played against North; a fitful, stuttering effort with some terrible kicking for goal. In contrast the Brians were on-target with twin prongs Brown and Bradshaw booting 9.0 between them. Brisbun also sucker-punched the Bombouts by scoring six of their ten first-half goals in 'red time', the last coupla minutes of the quarter. Not a happy night for Bomma Dustin Fletcher, playing his 300th game. Fletcher hurt his lower leg during the third quarter, reports have varied on the seriousness. At first it was twisted, then it was a season-ending broken ankle, now it's a fractured leg which'll keep Fletch out for six weeks. Tough break for the gangling spoiling expert, who's had a great career. In selection the Lyin's made four changes to the team slaughtered in
Pretty sluggish opening with plenty of midfield congestion. Ten minutes in one behind had been scored, a miss from Matthew Lloyd again failing to score his 900th goal at his seventeenth attempt (approximately) since he kicked no. 899, a fortnight ago against Norf. Eventually Lyin' Daniel Bradshaw led right up into the centre to take a mark and lob a kick towards Jonathan Brown, who clutched a strong grab in front of opponent Adam McPhee. Brown booted truly. A bit later Fletcher got a big, classical Fletcher spoil in but Lyin' Scott Harding collected the ball and fed a handpass wide to Luke Power, who slotted a great goal from the flank. Power was playing as a forward to give the Brians more scoring options. Brisbun led by 11 points as time-on arrived and the Bommers finally scored a goal, a ball-up 25m from the sticks was fought over messily but finally Heath Hocking extracted the ball and jabbed a goal. Lyin's by 5 points but they scored three goals in the final five minutes of the stanza, Ashley McGrath's long kick found Troy Selwood for a stretching mark and Selwood's shot from 45m just dropped through for full points. A bit later Brown led long and wide for a mark and was allowed a long time to assess options before kicking for Jared Brennan to mark just inside the boundary. Brennan steered his kick through the big posts to the disbelief of Don supporters. Josh Drummond burst clear of the following centre-bounce and kicked long, Bradshaw nipped ahead of Tayte Pears to mark on his chest and boot a goal. The Lyin's had surged to a 23-point lead at the first break. The second term followed a similar pattern. Seven scoreless minutes ticked by until the Dons managed a rushed behind. The Lyin's advanced from the kick-in and Daniel Rich took a good with-the-flight mark at half-forward, Rich passed for leading Brown to mark and thump another 50m goal from out wide. Brisbun led by 28 points now. Lloyd and Scott Lucas were struggling again in the Bommer forward-line so Jason Winderlich had a run at full-forward and did a bit. The Bommaz won the pill from a ball-up and some handballs released flying Andrew Lovett, he ran and kicked long where Winderlich led out to clutch a good mark ahead of Joel Patfull. Winderlich goaled. Shortly he had another chance, Ricky Dyson kicked long and Winderlich held out Patfull, with a bit of guernsey-tugging, to take a good diving grab in the goal-square. Winderlich kicked another major and the Dons were alive as they trailed by 15 points. But during this good spell they failed to convert enough, serial offender Jobe Watson missed a snap he should've kicked and Henry Slattery missed too. The Lyin's responded as Don Nathan Lovett-Murray was tackled at a throw-in and fired off a wild handpass, Michael Rischitelli gathered and loosed a very slick handball-throw to Justin 'The Shermanator' Sherman, who snapped truly. But late goals again handed the Lyin's a significant advantage, three in the final three-and-a-half minutes of the half. Simon Black's great kick allowed McGrath to mark in-stride and handball to running Power, he drilled it through. Rich took the ball away from the restart and kicked long, Fletcher slipped allowing Scott Harding to take an uncontested mark and pop it through. Then Selwood had a free for being held back, Selwood passed for leading Brown to mark and thump another scarcely-believable kick home from the flank. The Brians had romped to a 36-point lead at half-time
A generally tight third term followed. A very good Courtenay Dempsey handball won the Bommas possession from the opening bounce, a couple more from Jetta and Watson sent Lovett clear and Lovett slotted a sausage. A great shot from Alwyn Davey was just touched on the line by Drummond, but the Lyin's responded presently. Bomma David Myers turned over midfield with a wayward handball and Lyin' Joel Macdonald gave the ball to Power, who scooted clear with three bounces and dobbed a goal. Brisbun led by 37 points. The next fifteen minutes saw a handful of behinds scored, the Dons lost Fletcher with his leg injury. But the Dons got a boost when Jetta tumbled a kick forward and Lloyd held a very good, tough grab as he backed into a pack. At last Lloydy booted the 900th goal of his career, only seven blokes in history (I think) have kicked more. The Lyin' lead was back to 32 points but they scored the next goal, Brown gathered an under-hit pass and handballed to the busy Travis Johnstone, he lobbed a centering kick for Rischitelli to mark and punt truly. Lucas and Lloyd added to the Bummers' burgeoning behind tally prior to the final break, the Lyin's led by 36 points. The Bombouts pressed again in the early final stanza, Brent Stanton won the pill from a ball-up and handballed to Winderlich, he passed for leading Lloyd to mark and boot truly. But Lloydy missed a subsequent shot and there was a poor set-shot behind from Angus Monfries. The Lyin's advanced from the kick-in of that point and a smart Rischitelli kick found Power alone, he jabbed a short pass to leading Brown who marked and Brown thundered an huge 50m punt for a goal, again from close to the boundary. Johnstone tumbled a punt forward from the next centre-bounce, James Polkinghorne gathered and handballed to Rischitelli who was tackled as he kicked. The ball dropped handily for Bradshaw to mark in front of Pears, a lesson for the kiddies there about playing in front as Roy and HG would say, or used to before they sold out to commercial radio. Bradshaw majored. A minute later Brennan punted long and Bradshaw leaped to take a very good grab over Pears and Harding, Bradshaw majored again and the Lyin's had spurted to a 47-point lead. All over. There were a few goals in junk-time, Lovett-Murray ran onto a loose ball to pot one for Essadun and Bradshaw bagged his third sausage of the last term, a great tight-angle kick after marking as others were distracted by flailing Hocking in front of 'em. David Zaharakis bagged a running goal from 50m, not quite as dramatic as last week. The metronomic Jonathan Brown thumped another huge goal from about 10m in from the boundary, Bummer Sam Lonergan booted a late major courtesy a very weak free for in-the-back.
Lyin' captain Jonathan Brown (24 disposals, 13 marks, 5 goals - 5.0) played a terrific game at CHF. Crusty-lookin' midfielder Travis Johnstone (28 possessions, 6 marks) is in good form and Simon Black (24 possessions) played well. Luke Power (24 handlings, 5 marks, 3 goals) did his job as an attacker and tagger Troy Selwood (24 touches, 10 marks, a goal) found a bit of the ball. Mitch Clark (15 possies, 5 marks, 26 hit-outs) performed credibly in the ruck. Spearhead Dan Bradshaw finished with 4 goals, three in the final term as mentioned. For the Bombouts Jobe Watson (36 disposals, 6 marks) found plenty of the ball and runnin' Nathan Lovett-Murray (20 handlings, a goal) played pretty well. Andrew Lovett (25 touches, a goal) used his pace to effect and Jason Winderlich (23 possessions, 11 marks, 2 goals) worked hard and provided a spark in attack. Heath Hocking (21 disposals, a goal) played well as a rebounding defender and Brent Stanton (27 disposals) found plenty of the ball again. Matty Lloyd (17 handlings, 6 marks, 2.3) played alright, missed a few shots. Scott Lucas struggled again, interesting to see him defended strongly by James Hird on TV Monday night. Matty Knights was asked about 'Anzac Day hangover'. "Anzac Day was fantastic to have a great victory . . . but I don't think it was a let-down," he said. "I think that's underselling the Brisbane Lions. They beat us in all areas. Their contested ball was terrific, their tackling was great. They were always half-a-step in front of us and converted well inside 50. They were very crisp and their finishing was brilliant (I'll say).
At
Port
Port's coasting win in Showdown Twennysix supported two theories, one recent, one long-held. The recent one, being thrashed by Sinkilda is good for you. The older one, that Craig's Camrys are too defensive. Adderlayed's measly total of 7 goals against the Demuns last week was defended by Craig as being a result of Melbun's flooding tactics and the weather, but in this game, as commentator Jason Dunstall pointed out, the Camrys had an extra man back and a four-man forward-line when they trailed by 7 goals midway through the final stanza. In addition to which, proven goal-kicker Scott Stevens spent most of this one in defence and experienced Corolla midfielders continued to slum it in the back-line while Port's midfield dominated. All of which fails to acknowledge Port's determined effort, they wanted it more and were better set-up. The Camry side which ground out victory over the Deez was unchanged while the Powder made two alterations, the most interesting of which was to drop Josh Carr - a message from coach Mark Williams to other Powdermen regarding consistency of effort, apparently. Nick Lower was also dropped to make way for Peter Burgoyne and Matt Thomas, both returning from suspension. I wrote last week that Sinkilda's Clint Jones did a great tagging job on Peter Burgoyne. It's pretty easy to stop a bloke getting a kick when he isn't playing.
The Corollas actually scored two quick goals to start the game, Port skipper Dom Cassisi won a free at the opening bounce but shanked his (lateral) kick awfully and it was intercepted by Camry Scott Stevens. He tapped-on to Kurt Tippett, he punted long and Jason Porplyzia reeled in a terrific one-handed mark, Porplyzia majored. A bit later Tyson Edwards stabbed a short kick from which Brent Reilly seized a strong grab on 50, he lobbed a pass into space for Scott Thompson to mark and convert and the Cows had jumped to a 12-point lead. But the Flowers got going as their on-ballers took charge, although the game was tough with much tackling and many ball-ups. Eventually David Rodan went for a weaving run and lobbed a kick for Daniel Motlop to leap and mark, Motlop was pretty relieved to kick a goal after his 'yips' of last week. A bit later a Camry runnin' move came unstuck as Dangerfield handballed inaccurately under pressure, the ball came to Rodan and he passed towards Chad Cornes. Cornes was spoiled but oncoming Rodan collected again and handballed to Motlop, he passed to leading Warren Tredrea for a mark and goal, which had Port in front by a point. The Camrys moved the ball too slowly and their attacking moves failed repeatedly under strong Power pressure. Port's Brett Ebert led into the centre for a mark and kicked quickly and long for Tredrea to mark behind Ben Rutten, Tredrea booted another goal. Tredrea soon had another shot, set up smartly by Pearce and Lade, but Tredders postered. Motlop missed a tight-angle banana, sorry, checkside kick late in the term as the Powder led by 10 points at quarter-time. They won the ball from the opening bounce of the second term, Danyle Pearce collected skillfully, sold a dummy and launched a long, accurate kick which back-running Motlop elected to mark right on the goal-line. He converted. Simon Goodwin was switched onto Motlop, replacing Andy Otten although the two Camrys swapped about thereon. Otten soon rushed a point, blatant, no free. This must be the first rule ever which is never enforced, but which everyone is terrified of breaking. The Camrys trailed by 16 points but managed a couple of goals against the run, the first came from a throw-in as Tippett tapped perfectly to Brent Reilly and his centering kick found Bernie Vince unopposed, Vince marked and kicked a good, long goal. Port's specialist Showdown hit-man Matt Thomas claimed a new victim, flattening callow Camry Myke Cook with a heavy bump. Addleaid's next goal was virtually identical to the previous, Tippett roved a throw-in and handballed to Nathan Van Berlo and he handballed to Vince again, Vince took his shot quickly and it dropped through for full points. The Power's lead was reduced to 4 points, they won the following centre-clearance and Tredrea marked but missed. Johncock thumped the kick-in long down the centre but Pord won the pill, ruckman Dean Brogan kicked forward where Tom Logan gathered and handballed over-the-top to Ebert alone in the goal-square, he slammed it through. The Camrys responded as Nathan Bock - booed heavily again - sent a pass very wide towards Dangerfield, he was spoiled but roving Porplyzia handballed to running Michael Doughty, who slotted a tremendous kick for full points from the flank. Port led by 5 points as Rodan won the subsequent centre-clearance with a tough handball, Steven Salopek gathered and passed to Chad Cornes, Chadley jabbed a pass for leading Tredrea to mark, sliding on his knees, and punt a major. A bit later Brogan shoveled the agget clear of a ball-up, Pearce tapped and bundled the ball along ahead of himself as he couldn't pick it up. He tapped it Tredrea finally, who gathered and handballed back to Pearce. Pearce then produced a superbly curling left-foot snap which swung late and just inside the left-hand goal-post, with which the camera was aligned beautifully to capture. The Powder led by 17 points. Adderlayed hung tough for a while but continued to struggle moving out of their defensive half. Port had to score again and they did, leading Ebert was spoiled as he went for Robbie Gray's pass but Ebert collected the ball and centered a pass back to on-running Gray. Gray made to play-on, but changed his mind as Johncock arrived quickly. Of course Johncock grabbed Gray and of course the ump dished out a 50m penalty, Gray popped it through from point-blank. The Powdermen led by 22 points at half-time.
The Corollas commenced the third stanza with Stevens shifted to the back-line, but he had no chance early. Peter Burgoyne took the ball away from the opening bounce and had a kick, it bounced freely and Gray tapped-on to Tredrea, he handballed for Chad Cornes to stab a fairly simple sausage. Port were 28 points ahead now, having scored four unanswered goals. The Camrys knuckled down, if they couldn't move the ball, at least they could tackle. Port's Salopek was done fairly harshly for 'bawl' in his own back-line and Cressida Jared Petrenko free-kicked a major, he wheeled away making a weird 'flying doves' gesture with his hands. Eh? The next few minutes were fairly tough as the Cows tried to force their way back, talented Port junior Hamish Hartlett departed with hamstring damage. Big Jon Griffin kicked a point for the Cows before the Flowers answered, Jacob Surjan hacked a clearing kick to the wing where Rodan gathered in plenty of space, D-Rod ran, had a bounce and gave the ball to Pearce, his long kick found Chad Cornes lurking alone in the pocket. The
Port ruckman-warrior Dean Brogan (16 disposals, 5 marks, 22 hit-outs) won the medal for best afield but many people thought wide-roving Chad Cornes (27 possies, 12 marks, 2 goals) was just as good. Steven Salopek (33 touches, 10 marks) won plenty of the ball midfield and in attack Daniel Motlop (20 possies, 8 marks, 3 goals) did some damage along with Warren Tredrea (18 disposals, 8 marks, 3 goals). Tredders hadn't kicked a Showdown goal for 2 years coming in. David Rodan (18 disposals) won some tough ball and Kane Cornes (37 possies, 6 marks) was busy enough. Robbie Gray finished with 3 goals, Danyle Pearce bagged 2 goals. Blonde rover Bernie Vince (29 disposals, 12 marks, 2 goals) was the Cows' best with running backman Nathan Bock (26 touches, 6 marks) a solid performer. Simon Goodwin (19 possessions, 4 marks) was alright in defence and Richard Douglas (24 handlings, 6 marks) played well, Scott Thompson (23 touches, 5 marks, a goal) was okay. Jason Porplyzia kicked 3 goals and there were 2 each from Pat Dangerfield and Jared Petrenko. "We were really poor at the stoppages. I haven't seen the stats yet, but the number of scores they (Port Adelaide) had from stoppages would've been a lot," Camry coach Neil Craig said. "We're slow at the moment in terms of moving the ball and we've got a lot of work to do. Some of our aerial work at both ends of the ground, which is contested ball in my view, was really poor - sub standard [in the] AFL. I think the scoreboard flattered us in the end . . . The thing that concerned us in the centre square, in particular, was their (Port Adelaide's) capacity to walk out of there without any pressure on them . . . The reality there is that we're capable of playing some really good football, but our capacity to complete it and stay with the task for long periods of time is a long way off the mark. There's only one way to overcome that and that's to keep the heat on yourself and keep demanding a standard that we know we can play at . . ." Port man Mark Williams addressed trouble at club. "Each week we will be judged on the last week's performance. You get the paper this morning and you see it's all about us and you think this club needs some solidarity from the playing group all the way through to the administration. We as a club are fully understanding of where we started last year. We were zero and four and we finished up 13th . . . You have to keep working at your game and that's what we've spent six months on. We spent a long time over pre-season trying to work out how to be better and we spent some time last week trying to make some little changes and I thought they were quite significant tonight. We are trying to work towards that perfect game plan, but it's never there, and next week there'll be something else we have to work on."
At the SCG:
Tight battle which the Swans won thanks to a strong first quarter, more class at both ends of the park and a goal-saving tackle from Marty Mattner halfway through the last quarter. Hurry, Jack Riewoldt, kick it, kick it, kick it . . . bah! The Tiges competed strongly in midfield for the middle two terms and a fair bit of the last, but couldn't score enough goals. The Swans made four changes to the team beaten by Freo, experienced forwards Barry Hall and Mick O'Loughlin returned, O'Loughlin for his first game since mid-2008. Jarred
Sunny and surprisingly dry SCG after some torrential rain in nearby Coogee the night before. The Swans won the contested ball and found space in which to run early and marauding Rhyce Shaw bagged the first goal, dummying around Tige Kel Moore who made a bit of a fool of himself by diving to smother Shaw's non-existent kick. Shaw's eventual punt brought up six points. Mick O'Loughlin missed with his first shot, a tight-angle effort, but Tige Brett Deledio's kick-in was collected by Malceski and set up an Amon Buchanan shot. It drifted 'cross-the-face where Barry Hall marked by the point-post and handballed for Jarred Moore to stab it through. The Swans led by 14 points at this stage, the Tiges had barely been forward of the centre and I was having uncomfortable flash-backs to the same fixture last year, in which Siddey scored twelve goals before the Tiges got one. Thankfully the Tiggers did score the next goal, Jack Riewoldt had a free in the centre and the ball went wide where
More of the same in the third, the Tiges' decent pressure saw them do the majority of the attacking but the Swans defended pretty well and were always dangerous going forward themselves. The Big Pu55ies scored the first goal as Robin Nahas gathered a bouncing ball on the attacking side of the centre square, turned sharply away from
No real stand-out for the Swans, their defence was tight led by a busy Ted Richards (22 possessions, 14 marks) and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (25 handlings, 9 marks), better moments came when Rhyce Shaw (25 touches, 6 marks, a goal) was allowed space to run. Brett Kirk (24 disposals) and Jude Bolton (20 touches, 6 marks) battled ruggedly on-the-ball but they weren't clear winners, junior Brett Meredith (12 disposals, 2 goals) was pretty handy. Scoring was a team effort with Ryan O'Keefe (22 possies, 4 marks) working hard to find form, Barry Hall (11 touches, 10 marks, 2 goals) and Mick O'Loughlin (9 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals) made decent returns, Jarred Moore and Kieran Jack kicked 2 goals each. For the Tigers combative midfielder Daniel Jackson (29 possessions) and defensive orchestrator Joel Bowden (28 disposals, 8 marks) have struck some good form and Richard Tambling (23 touches, 10 marks, 2 goals) played well, particularly early when the Tiges were struggling. Angus Graham (12 touches, 5 marks, 2 goals) gave a decent rucking performance and Shane Tuck (27 possies) battled hard on-the-ball, Matt White (17 disposals, 5 marks) was okay. Andrew Collins (24 disposals, 7 marks) bagged 2 goals. Terry Wallace clutched at straws. "We're still looking to play finals footy, and the competition is very, very even. We've just got to get to a stage when we get all our blokes available," Wallace said. "I thought when the contest was there today just at times we just didn't have enough polish and poise to just put the finishing touches. If we can get a few of those (players) back and if you can get on a roll and win, say, five games in a row, you make up ground quickly. That's still our aim and ambition." Okay. "(The first quarter) was bitterly disappointing," he continued, "but from that point onwards, our guys worked manfully around the stoppages and we really got ourselves back into the game . . . The old bulls (the Swans) were still able to butt its head strong enough to get the result. (Mattner's tackle on Riewoldt) was inspirational from their point of view . . . The ball transfers in the next couple of actions and goes to the other end, and from being level and all the momentum going our way suddenly we're two goals behind again. It was probably enough to inspire their team to get over the line." Paul Roos looked ahead to the Swans' next game. "[
At the MCG:
Gary Ablett's groin injury overshadowed the result, the prognosis isn't clear but Gazza's expected to miss about three weeks with it. Otherwise the Deez tried hard but were never going to overcome the Catters' handball-ballet, they were two short of 500 disposals here, a record apparently. Their inaccurate shooting flattered the Deez a little in the end. In selection the
Cat ruckman Mark Blake slapped the opening bounce forward, Ablett ran onto the bouncing ball, gathered, had a bounce himself and potted a 50m running goal. About eight seconds it took, some saying it's the fastest opening goal on record (for pedants, the goal-ump didn't signal until the 14-second mark). But the Melbun lads put on a determined tackling, chasing and general harassing effort and there wasn't another score for five-odd minutes, until Cat Paul Chapman thumped a long kick from defence and David Wojcinski did well to win it on the wing, he had a couple of bounces and kicked to the pocket where Cam Mooney clutched a decent grab in front of Matt Warnock. Mooney hooked it through from the tight angle and Jahlong led by 12 points. But the
Bit of a frustrating third term for the Pu55ies, their general dominance not reflected on the scoreboard as they managed 3.9. One of the (many) theories regarding the Cats' 2008 GF failure is their inability to kick accurately at the MCG, and this game supported it. Sure enough they opened the stanza with five consecutive behinds, including three from Rooke, before Chapman marked strongly and bravely under Corey Enright's lobbed kick, clattered as 'Chappy' was by Paul Johnson. Chapman goaled. Cats by 43 points after that, but the Deez responded quickly as Robertson led out to take a diving mark of
As you may have gleaned Paul Chapman (41 disposals, 12 marks, a goal) did a lot. So did Jimmy Bartel (41 disposals, 9 marks) and Joel Selwood (40 possessions, 5 marks) while forward Steve Johnson (20 handlings, 6 marks, 4 goals) was his usual busy self. Gary Ablett (25 disposals, a goal) was a bit down on his usual 40 touches but still played alright while Joel Corey (31 possessions, 9 tackles) and Corey Enright (33 possessions, 9 marks) were often involved. Cameron Mooney (7 marks, 10 kicks) took more responsibility for goal-shooting to modest effect with 3.3, Travis Varcoe and Max Rooke kicked 2 goals each. Midfielders Aaron Davey (30 disposals) and Brent Moloney (19 touches, 6 marks) worked hard for the Demuns, Brock McLean (26 possies, 5 marks) was quite good too. Russell Robertson (6 marks, 10 disposals, 3 goals) made an encouraging return and there were decent games from Nathan Jones (25 disposals), defender James Frawley (19 touches, 5 marks) and ruckman John Meesen (13 touches, 3 marks). Brad Miller bagged 2 last-quarter goals. Dean Bailey took a positive outlook. "It was good to win the last quarter, but our opportunities in the middle of the game we really need to make the most of them. There are good signs in the game. I don't think I can really question any of our players with their endeavour today. I still think they're working really hard and they're committed to each other, which is terrific. If we can build on that, we're moving forward, no doubt about that. The only frustration comes from where you see that players work really hard off the football to win it and there's a skill error under low pressure that costs us. If that's something we can improve, then the rest of it is just starting to formulate." No quote from Bomber Thompson, here's what David Wojcinski had to say. "I don't know what happened there (in the first quarter). We just didn't come out and play the right way and
At Docklands:
Footscray 1.4 4.5 7.8 11.10.76
St. Kilda 3.7 7.14 12.18 14.20.104
The Bulldogs became the latest side to be crushed by the Sinkilda juggernaut, the Saints striking the best form at the least helpful time of the season. But all the wins and the massive percentage will help 'em gain a top-four slot, essential if they're to have a chance at the flag. The Bullpups are in a bit of trouble now with three straight losses, stats show over the last three weeks they've committed the most turnovers in the competition. Questions are also being asked about their forward-line again, a perennial problem. It was an immediate problem here as the Dogs couldn't manufacture goals. The Doggy side was notionally strengthened with the return of Adam Cooney and Jason Akermanis from injury and suspension respectively, Andrejs Everitt was recalled. Out dropped went juniors Callan Ward and Jarrad Grant while Tom Williams (injured foot) was a late withdrawal. The Stainers had Justin Koschitzke return in place of Steven King (hamstring). Nick Dal Santo played his 150th game.
Bullies Brad Johnson and Josh Hill kicked a coupla points early, there were many behinds in the first bit of the game. The Saints scored the only goal in the first ten minutes, busy Brendon Goddard marked wide on the flank and measured a perfect centering pass to Dal Santo, who would've marked if not clattered front-on by Doggy Addison. Dal Santo free-kicked a major. But thereon there were a handful of missed chances from both sides, Saint Nick Riewoldt missing a simple shot and horribly shanking another, tight-angle effort out on-the-full. Koschitzke also missed a set-shot as the Saints' now typical tight manning-up and hard tackling stifled the Dogs' attempted free-running. The Dogs scored a goal after a bit, Lindsay Gilbee punted a very long kick from the back-flank of which Mitch Hahn took a very good grab, he punted quickly forward where Nathan Eagleton shoved off Steven Baker to collect the ball, run into the goal-mouth and bang it through. The Saints led by 2 points at this stage. More rushed points over the next few minutes until Stainer Zac Dawson was dragged down after disposal at the back of the centre-square, he got a free and a thirty metre 50m penalty which he dished off to lurking Goddard, who thumped a major. A very common Sinkilda set-play. Riewoldt scored another behind before a late Stainer goal, Sam Gilbert's long kick went over Riewoldt and attending Doggy defenders, Stephen Milne gathered and handballed poorly into the goal-square where Jarryn Geary over-ran the ball. Handily, Andrew McQualter arrived to soccer it through and the Sainters led by 15 points at the first break, not a fair reflection. The Bullpups raised their intensity at the start of quartier le deuxieme and determined to move the ball. Adam Cooney pinched the Sherrin from a prostrate Sainter and stabbed a pass towards Johnson, he collected on-the-bounce and fired a quick handball to running Akermanis, Aker snapped truly on the right boot. Riewoldt scored another behind before Liam Picken ran forward and lobbed a hopeful punt to the top o' the 'square, Hill mistimed his jump over Jason Blake and couldn't mark but Hill was alert enough to toe-poke the spilled ball for a major. The Satiners' lead was cut to 4 points, they were playing the high-pressure footy but it didn't convert into goals. Three more behinds came along before Michael Gardiner snaggled a sausage, James Gwilt's running left-foot punt forward was a floating wobbler but it dropped perfectly for unopposed Gardiner to mark 20m out, he dobbed it. Yet another point had the Saints 14 points ahead. The Dogs majored against the flow, Robert Murphy led out to mark and then kicked for Will Minson to take a decent grab between Saints Gilbert and Blake. The latter slapped the ball outta Minson's hands, a dopey concession of a 50m penalty and Minson majored from point-blank. Sainter Jason Gram blazed a running shot wide as the Stainers crawled along to 4.13. They were only 8 points in front but Riewoldt, taking plenty of grabs about the forward half, began to turn things around. He booted a goal at last after diving to mark Robert Eddy's flat, wobbling pass. Okay, then Riewoldt missed again before Adam Schneider snapped a major with some front-and-square roving to Riewoldt. A bit later Schneider stabbed a pass into the pocket and Riewoldt marked right on the boundary as the half-time siren sounded. 'Rooey' executed an exemplary banana-kick for full points, it seemed a turning-point in itself as the Saints would go on to kick more accurately in the second half. They led by 27 points at the long break.
Foot-a-scray gave some cheek in the early third Mario. Everitt chipped a kick into space for Hill to run out and mark, Hill booted a goal. The Saints replied as Baker, then Milne forced the ball forward while being tackled, under-pressure Gram lobbed a handball for Schneider to gather and blast through from 15m. Quick reply from the Dogs, Cooney played-on after marking and was tackled as he kicked, the ball mongrelled forward where Stainer Goddard fumbled and team-mate Sam Fisher was caught in possession, Puppy Shaun Higgins extracted the ball and dobbed one. The Dogs were being out-played but kept in touch, 21 points behind. Stinkilda slammed the door now, Milne gathered his own spoiled mark 70m out and handballed to running Gram, who went inside 50 with a bounce and slotted. Goddard twisted classily out of trouble and stabbed a kick for Riewoldt to leap and mark amongst three Bullies, Riewoldt majored. Higgins missed a chance for the Dogs before the Saints scored another, Bulldog backman Everitt's attempted clearing kick was half-smothered and lobbed 30m out from the goal, there was some scrap before the Bullies appeared to have cleared the ball - but no, their Daniel Cross was pinged for a throw in the middle of all that. Gwilt free-kicked a charitable goal while Cross fumed, the Satiners led by a healthy 38 points now. A few points over the next few minutes (yes, Rooey and Kosi contributed) before Bulldog Ryan Griffen thumped a hopeful punt to the goal-square, back-running Sainter (and ex-Bully) Farren Ray failed to hold a difficult marking chance and Minson arrived to gather and poke a major. The Sainters replied, Eddy passed for leading Koschitzke to haul down a grab in front of Jarrod Harbrow, who indeed looked like a midget under big 'Kosi'. Don't think that was the intended match-up. The Saints led by 40 points at the final change and went further ahead with the first goal of the last korter, Harbrow was penalized for an over-enthusiastic tackle on Milne and Milne chipped his free-kick for leading Riewoldt to mark and boot the sausage. Saints by 46 points but the Bullies fought the game out, at least. Minson actually ran away from Lenny Hayes, not a good look for Hayes, had a bounce and fired a handball wide into the path of Hill, he collected and steered a good kick for full points.
The Saints had a few good performers, Brendon Goddard (33 disposals, 9 marks, a goal) again roamed to great effect from half-forward and wingman Farren Ray (31 possessions, 11 marks) fired up against his old side. Nick Riewoldt (14 marks, 15 kicks, 4.5) enjoyed the midfield dominance of his team, once he got on-target. Sam Gilbert (21 touches, 6 marks, 7 tackles) performed well at CHB again and Michael Gardiner (11 touches, 5 marks, 23 hit-outs, a goal) has been very handy in the ruck, many folks sniggered when the Sainters offered him a contract but he's really come good this year. Leigh Montagna (20 disposals, 7 marks) and Clint Jones (21 handlings, 7 tackles) were useful midfielders and Zac Dawson (14 handlings, 5 marks) played well at full-back again; he'll face the Poise next week, maybe not nemesis Rocca, though. Adam Schneider bagged 3 goals. Doggy defender Ryan Hargrave (24 possessions, 7 marks) specialized in marking kick-ins, of which there were many although he played pretty well too. Matthew Boyd (23 touches) was their only prominent midfielder while good stopping jobs were done by Liam Picken (11 disposals) on Dal Santo and Jarrod Harbrow (20 possessions, 4 marks) on Milne. Shaun Higgins (16 touches, 4 marks, a goal) showed classy touches again and Jason Akermanis (20 handlings, 2 goals) plugged away, but it wasn't a great afternoon for the Pups. Josh Hill (13 touches, 4 marks) bagged 3 goals and Will Minson kicked 2. Unusually for 'Rocket' Eade, he took positives. "We can take some positives out of it, (Murph). They're on the top of the ladder, and St Kilda and
Ladder after Round 6
Pts. % Next Week
St. Kilda 24 195.0 Collingwood (Docklands, Mon. night)
Port
Collingwood 12 116.6 St. Kilda (Docklands, Mon. night)
Footscray 12 103.7
Hawthorn 12 100.0 Essendon (Docklands, Fri. night)
------------------------------------------------
Essendon 12 91.2 Hawthorn (Docklands, Fri. night)
West Coast 8 90.6 Melbourne (Subiaco, Sunday)
North Melbourne 8 79.8 Port
Fremantle 8 73.5
Cheers, Tim.
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