AFL Round 18
At Docklands:
The Kangers blew it. Four points down at three-quarter-time, they were exhorted to lift and 'do it for Simmo', retiring veteran Adam Simpson. But fourteen inside-fifties and ten shots at goal in the final stanza yielded 0.9 and an on-the-full and the Bluies took one more wonky step towards claiming a finals spot. The Bluesers didn't play much better than in their previous few games but did enough to gain the victory, especially in the third korter. Norf made two changes in selection, mercifully David Hale was dropped along with Ben Ross, in came backmen Nathan Grima and Daniel Pratt. Simpson injured a calf-muscle at training but played anyway, after the big build-up to his final game of 306. Simpson was also a dual premiership-winner and club champion and All-Australian in 2002. Neither speedy nor especially skilful, Simpson was a smart, dedicated professional, a mature leader and a leather-magnet ruck rover for the
The first half of this one was ragged, turnover-filled July football. As last week the Bluies kicked the ball appallingly, despite playing at a sluggish tempo and cutting out the running footy in order to concentrate on effective disposal. It didn't really work. Big early factor for the Bluies was a collision between defenders Bret Thornton and Paul Bower as they flew for the same grab, Bower twisted a knee and
The Bluebaggers made some changes for the third term,
Bloo rover Marc Murphy's very solid game (23 disposals, 6 marks) featured 4 priceless goals as the Bluies' big forwards struggled. Bryce Gibbs (24 touches, 7 marks, 2 goals) was also handy in that regard as was restored chubby Nick Stevens (25 possessions, 7 marks, 2 goals). Dennis Armfield (19 touches) provided some important running power after half-time and Bret Thornton (13 possies, 7 marks, 2 goals) proved a useful forward. Brendan Fevola (16 handlings, 9 marks, 3 goals (3.4)) was useful in a good battle with Thompson. Kanger skipper Brent 'Boomer'
At Docklands:
Footscray 5.2 12.4 14.6 17.9.111
Fremantle 1.6 5.8 8.11 11.14.80
The Dogs coasted in against the Dockulaters, who didn't want to win anyway. Right? I mean, they won the only game that matters last week and another victory'll deprive Freo of a priority pick. The meedya will be all over the round 20 game, Melbun v Fremandle at the MCG which could see teams composed of 17-year-olds slugging it out. But I digress. In selection here the Bulldawgs made three enforced changes to the side beaten by Sinkilda, Robert Murphy and Shaun Higgins were both out with hamstring trouble - short-term, the Dogs are saying - and Scott Welsh missed with an alleged ankle injury, or was possibly dropped 'cause he can't read a white-board. Incoming Doggies were Lindsay Gilbee, whose father died last week, Andrejs Everitt and junior Brennan Stack. Freo also made compulsory changes as Tim Ruffles (knee reco) and Brett Peake (rolled ankle) were unavailable while ruckman Zac Clarke was dropped, in came the literally Delicate Des Headland, junior Michael Walters and promising forward Chris Mayne, his first senior game of 2009 following plenty of injury trouble.
Bulldog champeen Brad Johnson broke the club record for most games with this, his 342nd appearance. As has became a Bulldog tradition, after Johnson broke the banner he received a handpassed Sherrin from previous record-holder Chris Grant, who in turn had gotten one from the prior holder once-removed, Doug Hawkins. Warm hugs and smiles all-round. In a press conference the preceding week Doggy coach 'Rocket' Rodney Eade had suggested Johnson could go on to play 400 games, while president Dave Smorgon announced "we've got a succession plan in place; Rocket will coach until 2015 and then Johnno will take over." A funny dig at Magpoi Prez McGuire's pompous announcements of the previous week. Anyway, once the game started the Doggies leaped to a 5-goal lead and pretty much stayed there. Daniel Cross and Adam Cooney, the Brownlow-Medallist latter subject to some recent criticism for under-performance, dominated clearances despite big Dokker Aaron Sandilands winning all the taps. Mitch Hahn and Will Minson bagged the opening goals followed by two from youngster Brennan Stack, a poacher's goal from point-blank and then a free-kick for a great tackle on Matt de Boer. He's got some ability, Stack. When Dokka Steven Dodd dithered hopelessly and was caught by Josh Hill, who booted a goal from the resulting free, the Doggies led by 29 points, 5.1 to 0.2. But the Dokkers began to get going, unfortunately Sandilands and Antoni Grover missed shots and there were a coupla rushed behinds before Chris Mayne kicked a goal after the korter-time siren, from a good grab in front of
After Akermanis kicked the opening goal of the third Mario - a very short pass from an unconfident Dylan Addison - the Dockerators mounted a type of challenge. Pinned on the boundary-line, Bradley whacked a hopeful roof-scraping punt into CHF where Sandilands marked all alone, eventually. He goaled. Pavlich then majored from a lead-and-mark and a bit later Grover kicked a very good goal after wheeling about and the Bulldawgs' lead was down to 26 points. Chris Tarrant, who was following Johnson around, missed a chance to make it 20 and the game slowed for a bit, just into time-on Akermanis snapped a goal from a ball-up 20m out and the Bullies took a 31-point lead into the final stanza. Still some footy to be played, then, but after Lake conceded a 50m penalty in the first minute of the korter, Freo's Stephen Hill could only hit the post with the shot. Hahn squared-up by postering at the other end but then Ward tidied an appallingly ragged, tired bit of play by snapping a goal, following a few minutes later Cross majored courtesy a ridiculous 50m penalty against Tarrant, whose hand slightly grazed the Bulldog's back after he marked on the wing. The Puppies led by 43 points after Cross's six-pointer and that was it. Stack extended the margin to 50 following a good, leaping grab over two other blokes, but the Dokkers slugged it out with the final three goals from Bradley, Hayden Ballantyne and Matt de Boer. Ballantyne was also reported for a dangerous head-high hit on a stooping Liam Picken, I think Ballantyne's copped a week or two for it. Dogs by 31 at the end and players from both teams lined-up to form an honour-guard for Brad Johnson.
Jason Akermanis (23 possessions, 5 marks, 8 tackles, 5 goals) has still got it, at least against the lower-ladder strugglers. The Dogs had plenty of workers midfield where Daniel Cross (35 disposals, 8 marks, a goal) and Matthew Boyd (28 touches) were most prominent, Adam Cooney (30 possies) started well too and Callan Ward (22 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals) was handy. Brennan Stack (15 touches, 5 marks, 4 goals) was a dangerous half-forward and Josh Hill (22 handlings, 3 marks, a goal), who plays in a very similar way, was handy too. Brad Johnson (23 disposals, 8 marks) was no more that serviceable in his milestone game, decent effort from Tarrant. Will Minson kicked 2 goals. Matthew Pavlich (30 possessions, 6 marks, 2 goals) worked hard for the Dokkers and half-back Greg Broughton (33 disposals, 11 marks) was pretty good again, although
At
The depleted Catters won another tight one, and picked up more injuries. Paul Chapman was the Pu55y hero here, kicking the final two goals of the game after the Katz found themselves 9 points down midway through the last korter. Chapman kicked 6 goals in total for the game but suffered more hamstring trouble as the Cats appear vulnerable now. Handily, Brad Ottens made a long-delayed return in the VFL this weekend. Adderlayed are in the midst of a tough run of fixtures but coach Neil Craig professed himself happy with this effort. Surely the four points would've been handier than a decent effort, Craigy. In picking here the Catters lost key backmen Matty Scarlett and Harry Taylor (groin strains both) and back-up defender Tom Lonergan (back injury) as well, on the positive side captain Tom Harley and forward Steve Johnson returned, Johnson having missed the last four games. Junior Tom Gillies was given another chance. Backman Darren 'Dasher' Milburn played his 250th game for the Cats, a terrific contributor to the club. One change for the Cressidas with Tyson Edwards returning at the expense of junior Brodie Martin, who tore knee ligaments in the Showdown and requires a reconstruction. Tough break.
The returned Steve Johnson was very busy in the early going for the Cats, he set up the opening goal with a wide lead and mark on the flank, playing-on and stabbing a short centering pass to leading Mathew Stokes who converted. But the Catters, kicking into a breeze to start with, proceeded to miss a few shots including the obligatory one from Cam Mooney. The Camrys soon scored from a ball-up at half-forward, Chris Knights got a punt away and Kurt Tippett marked it all alone, 30m out right in front. He majored. The Cats replied from a similar situation, a ball-up on their attacking 50m line and a handball went out the back to Corey Enright, he bombed a kick to the goal-square where Steve Johnson spilled the marking attempt but was then grabbed 'round the head by Corolla Andy Otten. Johnson stabbed the point-blank free for a goal and the Pu55ies led by 7 points again. The Cows, working hard with lotsa tackling midfield, replied after a bit. Tippett grabbed the pill from a ball-up at half-forward and hacked a quick kick away, it bounced and rolled towards the boundary in the forward-pocket where it was pursued by Brett 'Birdman'
The third term saw the Cats surge clear early, and the Cows peg 'em back late. Adderlayed scored an early goal as Corey's telegraphed handball, deep in the Catter back-line, set up Milburn to be mown down by Tippett, very much 'bawl' and Tippett free-kicked an easy major. The Catz answered as Johnson marked 50m out and dithered for a bit, before lobbing an apparent hospital-pass for Joel Selwood to try and mark with-the-flight. But tough kid Selwood did grab it as Doughty pulled out of the contest - he did arrive a bit late, I guess. Selwood majored and the Cats led by 18 points once more. Addle-aid pressed a bit but big men Tippett and Ivan Maric missed shots, prior to two Chapman goals opening a significant break. Good handballs from Steve Johnson and Enright got the ball to Varcoe and he stabbed a centering kick for Chapman to mark in traffic, Chapman majored. A bit later a wobbly clearing kick from the Cows' defence was gathered by Mooney, he handballed to running Chapman whose snap took a kind bounce right over Johnson and Simon Goodwin and through for the six-pointer. Geelagong led by a healthy 27 points now and the slightly worried Catter crowd began to relax a bit. But the Coronas roared back with the next four goals. Firstly they manufactured a decent move where Brent Reilly executed a rare, poor pass to leading Otten but he and Jason Porplyzia regained possession and gave the ball back to Reilly, who this time did deliver to leading Johncock and 'Stiffy' split the middle. A bit later Cat Andrew Mackie's long, clearing kick was marked by a back-running Doughty on the wing and he was bowled over afterwards by Varcoe, a 50m penalty from which Doughty booted a good, wind-assisted sausage roll. Then Tippett was allowed to grab the pill from a ball-up 20m out and snap it clean through. Shortly Scott Stevens led up to mark 60m out on the flank, he jabbed a short, inboard pass to Maric who handballed off to Reilly, Reilly whacked a punt home from 50m and the Geelong lead had been slashed to 2 points. The Cats broke the run with a late major, a smart kick from Selwood found Stokes in space and he lobbed a pass for unattended Ablett to mark 35m out, Gablett majored and the Cats clung to an 8-point lead at the last change.
The Camrys were certainly a chance going into the final term. After Pu55ies Hawkins and Johnson scored behinds early in the stanza, Camry man Reilly steamed clear of a ball-up on the wing and lobbed a kick for Burton to mark behind flapping Harley, 'Birdman' steered it through from the flank and the Cats' lead was reduced to 4 points. Shortly Stevens led up to mark Edwards's pass, Stevens passed ahead for leading Knights to mark and Knights punted gun-barrel straight from the flank to put the Camrys in front, by 2 points. Johncock ran off the back of the centre-square to collect the ball from the restart and kick out to the wing, Tippett's clever tap-back and a Porplyzia handball allowed Andrew McLeod to thump a kick forward and Stevens marked in traffic about 40m out. Great, long punt from Stevens raised the twin calicoes and the Corollas led by 8 points, having scored seven of the last eight goals in the game. The officials helped the Cats out, Mumford was awarded a free against Maric at the subsequent centre-bounce and he handballed off to Selwood, a long punt to the goal-square where Mooney had a free for being held back by Rutten, although Chapman took a good grab anyway. But it was Mooney's kick and he converted. The Cows replied soon enough, Porplyzia's hard cross-ground lead saw him mark wide on the attacking wing and he kicked quickly into the pocket where leading Burton marked on his chest, Burton converted again and a subsequent behind made the Camrys' lead 9 points, almost exactly half-way through the term. The kick-in from that behind went to Catter Cameron Ling and he booted the ball wide to the wing where, after some battle, Milburn emerged with the ball and booted long to the pocket where Mooney marked ahead of Rutten. Mooney handballed over-the-top to running Chapman who drilled it through from the tight angle. A bit later Enright had a free on the Cats' defensive 50m line and sent a long switching-kick to Simon Hogan on the wing, Hogan ran and passed ahead for Chapman to mark 60m out, Chappy played-on, ran to the 50m line and thumped a long, low kick which swerved perfectly between the big sticks. The Cats led by 3 points with a lengthy 7:48 remaining on the clock but the only score in that time was a behind from Adderlayed's Stevens as the Pu55ies clamped down on the game.
No doubt Paul Chapman (24 disposals, 8 marks, 6 goals) was the key player here, he hurt the hamstring in the first quarter but played on while it was warm. Jimmy Bartel (34 touches, 10 marks, a goal) played very well as did half-back Corey Enright (30 handlings) and rover Joel Selwood (26 disposals, 5 marks, a goal). Tom Harley (20 possies, 3 marks) worked to hold the back-line together and ruckman Shane Mumford (7 touches, 18 hit-outs, 10 tackles) continues to keep Mark Blake out of the side, Andrew Mackie (21 possessions) wasn't bad. Gary Ablett, well-held by Shirley, kicked 2 goals as did Cam Mooney. Classy Camry wingman Brent Reilly (29 disposals, 6 marks, a goal) was very good for them and forwards Brett Burton (6 marks, 6 kicks, 4 goals) and Kurt Tippett (14 touches, 2 marks, 4 goals) a constant worry for the depleted Cat defence. Graham 'Stiffy' Johncock (20 touches, 6 marks, a goal) ran off half-back to good effect and Simon Goodwin (35 disposals, 8 marks) continued his good form from last week. Robert Shirley (15 possies) did a good job on Ablett (21). "What do they say? 'Show me the money' and I can't show you any at the moment," Craig said. "We showed plenty of fight, no doubt about that, [particularly] in comparison to our St Kilda performance where our first quarter was outstanding and then gave pretty much nothing for the rest of the day. It was great recognition for our group to show real tenacity to hang in the game and persist, particularly when things got out of our control for a period of time. We get a lot of things out of it, but we're setting ourselves to be the best in the competition and we're still not there obviously. We came here to win, absolutely, and with the way the premiership table is it could end up being a costly loss for us . . . In terms of our persistence to keep trying to do what we need to do there is certainly a big improvement there against a top side . . . it (Camrys' ball-movement) broke down badly particularly when the game was tight toward the end and you need that ball movement that we will get better at." The tough fixtures, Craigy? "I'm sure a lot of our supporters would be saying that it is a really tough draw, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We're not over the line by any stretch of the imagination and we've got a tough draw, but from a bigger picture point of view the more we can play against high level competition, the quicker we'll develop." That's one way of looking at it. Bommer Thompson was asked if any of Scarlett, Taylor, Lonergan or Ottens would be playing next week. "We probably won't have any of them, really, I don't think at this early stage," he said. "But that's an early call without knowing too much . . . I thought (the Pu55y defenders) did remarkably well, especially early I thought they really beat their opponents. We were a little bit small compared to our opponents, but Milburn playing on a 200cm guy was outstanding. Mackie, until he got a real knock on his back, was sensational, Joel Corey - we wanted him down back and we also needed him in the midfield, so he's made a bit of a sacrifice. Generally I think we've coped well, but obviously we'd prefer to have Scarlett, Taylor and Lonergan back . . . We didn't play our best footy, we obviously lost a bit of talent from down back, but I enjoyed the closeness of the games. We've had three in about five weeks now, and it's a great experience. We did show a lot of character again to get up and win."
At the SCG:
St. Kilda 4.4 7.8 11.13 13.16.94
Terrific Bloods 'n' thunder game at the SCG in which the Sainters just maintained their unbeaten record, but the way things are going the experts see them as one game closer to an inevitable loss. For a side which has leaned heavily on the injury excuse in recent years the Stainers have had a very good run in that aspect, but here ruckman Steven King suffered a dislocated shoulder (he came back on and played, remarkably) and Leigh Montagna, who snapped the game-winning point, did something to his wrist. Siddey's performance was light-years better than their bumbling jog-about in
The Swans' midfield was up to its' hard-tackling, clamp-down best and Brett Kirk, Jarrad McVeigh and Jude Bolton ensured it'd be a tough, slow contest for the most part. The goals were slow in coming and the highlight of the early minutes was Koschitzke crashing full-tilt into a marking contest, as he does, but clattering team-mate Nick Riewoldt, who departed briefly with a cut head. The Saints managed the first goal eventually, a quickly-taken free-kick from Leigh Montagna which saw Sam Fisher kick to the goal-square where James Gwilt was glaringly alone, he marked and popped it through. A point each followed before Koschitzke led up into the centre to take a grab and dished off to ruckman Ben McEvoy, he handballed ahead to Jason Gram who, confronted by a wall of Swans, handballed back to running McEvoy who booted a long sausage. Situation normal for the Satins as they led by 11 points. The Swans got on the board when Rhyce Shaw's clearing kick found Craig Bird in space in the centre, Bird passed for leading Mick O'Loughlin to mark on the 50m line and, as this is outside Mick's range these days, he tried to milk a 50m penalty. No dice, but Bird had run-on and O'Loughlin chipped a pass to him, Bird booted a good goal from the 50m line, on the flank. The Saints replied after Brendon Goddard lobbed a centering kick for Koschitzke to crash another pack, roving Robert Eddy was slung off his attempted snap but Riewoldt gathered and his quick left-foot poke took a useful bounce to score full-points. Saints by 12. Swan Jude Bolton had a free at the restart and he passed for leading Jesse White to take a very easy grab - confusion in the Saints' backline there. White goaled and the Swans trailed by 6 points but there were two very late sausage rolls, Gram passed a free-kick wide to Eddy and he chipped a smart kick for hard-leading Stephen Milne to mark and boot a very good 45m goal, for a bloke who's often poor with such chances. But McVeigh won the ball from the following centre-bounce and thumped a long kick in where Adam Goodes had a free for over-the-shoulder against Fisher, Goodes majored and the Sainter lead was 6 points at the first break. McVeigh also won the pill from the opening bounce of the second term and lobbed a more under-pressure punt forward this time, handily Ed Barlow nipped ahead of Raphael Clarke to mark on his chest and boot truly, leveling the scores. McVeigh proceeded to miss a set-shot and the Sainters had a goal when King barrelled through a ball-up 20m out and jabbed it through, Sinkilda led by 5 points. Goals alternated for a bit, Goodes came up with a very good one for the Bloods after Max Hudghton spoiled his marking attempt, Goodes collected the agate, broke Fisher's pretty weak tackling effort and ran clear to banana-kick a beauty. The Sainters replied directly from the restart, a free-kick to Gram for being tackled 'round the head by Shaw plus a 50m penalty for, er, I dunno really. Gram dobbed it. Another centre-bounce and Swan Darren Jolly tapped it beautifully down to Luke Ablett, his handball was smothered but Kieren Jack emerged and punted forward. Goodes soared high, couldn't bring the mark down but Jack had run on impressively and he gathered the crumb before whacking a superb left-foot goal from just inside the 50. Scores level and it was very good. The scoring stopped for a bit before Koschitzke kicked a goal just into time-on, a strong grab of Goddard's pass on the 50m line and thumping kick from out on the flank. But the Bloods scored two late goals, Ablett drove a long kick towards White and Hudghton affected a typically gutsy front-on spoil, but Jarred Moore collected the spillage and handballed for Marty Mattner to poke it through from point-blank. A minute later - the 33rd of the stanza -
The Sainters shifted up a gear for the third stanza and appeared to take charge of the game. Coach Ross Lyon, who learned his trade under Roos at Syddey, got his lads to up the pressure even more and the Bloods found it hard to score. The Swarns lost O'Keefe with a whack in the ribs too, he returned but struggled. Former Swan, now Sainter Adam Schneider was very good in the korter, he booted the opening goal with a noice left-foot snap after roving Koschitzke's contest. Kosi'd been bumped cleverly under the ball by Lewis Roberts-Thomson. 'Clever' and 'LRT' don't appear often in a sentence together. King suffered his dislocated shoulder at the next centre-bounce, his arm pulled back over his head by entanglement with Jolly's arm. Owch. Jolly collected the ball but was dragged down, eventually, by Milne. Like a cheetah bringing down a water-buffalo. Milne stabbed his free to leading Riewoldt who marked and converted and the Stains led again, by 4 points. Tight for a bit with behind each scored before Schneider intervened again, Montagna led wide to mark on the defensive wing and then kicked long where Schneider held good mark in front of Nick Smith, then was dragged to the ground in a head-lock by the Swan junior. Incredibly there was no 50m penalty for that, but Schneider leaped up, raced inside the 50 and banged a great sausage. The Saints led by 10 points. A long, tough, pack-bound spell followed before, from a throw-in on the wing, McEvoy tapped down smartly to Goddard who weaved clear and lobbed a kick to the 50m line, Schneider and Andrew McQualter battled hard to win it for the Stainers before Schneider got a handball to McQualter in the clear, McQualter spurted away and majored. Sinkilda led by 15 points and attacked steadily to the end of the term, but Riewoldt (pretty ordinary here), Montagna and Fisher all kicked behinds. The Stainers seemed in control though, leading by 19 points at the last change. But the Swannies pressed hard into the final Mario. Ablett kicked a point before McVeigh marked wide on the wing and grimaced as he assessed the tight, man-on-man marking ahead. So McVeigh made to play-on and 'baulked' Nick Dal Santo on the mark, who crept over it and a 50m penalty resulted. No 50 for being slung to the ground in a head-lock, but one for stepping 10cm over the mark. McVeigh goaled. Tough, scoreless five minutes before Mattner was tackled solidly by Schneider in the centre and the ball spilled free to Swan Barlow, he kicked long where White roved his own contest and poked a close-range goal. The Stinkilda lead was down to 5 points. Possibly fired by that 50m penalty, Dal Santo provided the answer for the Stainers when Koschitzke's tap and McQualter's handball sent him clear from a ball-up 30m out and Dal Santo ran right in before banana-ing it through. But the Bloods kept coming, Montagna dived superbly to smother a
Wandering Brendon Goddard (29 disposals, 4 marks) used the ball beautifully for the Saints and Nick Dal Santo (28 touches, a goal) and Leigh Montagna (34 disposals, 6 marks, 0.3) were very solid workers. Adam Schneider (15 touches, 4 marks, 2 goals) was an important forward and Farren Ray (22 touches, 6 marks, 10 tackles) enjoyed the wide wings, Max Hudghton (14 touches, 8 marks) and Raphael Clarke (17 handlings) were good in defence. Nick Riewoldt and Andrew McQualter bagged 2 goals each, Riewoldt a wayward 2.3 as he was dogged by Craig Bolton. Adam Goodes (15 touches, 6 marks, 2 goals) was terrific for Siddey and Darren Jolly (4 possies, 33 hit-outs) great in the ruck, aided by King's injury. Kieren Jack (17 disposals, 8 tackles, a goal), Jarrad McVeigh (24 disposals, a goal) and Luke Ablett (16 handlings, 5 marks, 2 goals) were very good around packs, Brett Kirk and Lenny Hayes nullified each-other. Craig Bolton had the better of Riewoldt while Ed Barlow (23 touches, 4 marks, a goal) found space to run around. Jesse White kicked 3 goals. Paul Roos looked gutted when the siren sounded; the Swans really are finished now. "It was a great effort, " Roos said. "Obviously, we are going through a new phase but for some of the young guys it was a great experience." He went on to give White, Grundy, Smith, Barlow and Hannebery some praise, then said "They got a run on in the third quarter but we were able to get it back. They had the momentum so to come back in the last quarter with two men down (Bird hurt a shoulder in addition to O'Keefe's injury) was a great effort. It was probably our best effort for the season . . . I am sure teams will have a look at what we have done but every game is different and we played a really good game tonight. Any team that is going to beat (Sinkilda) is going to have to play at their best." Ross Lyon said "We just squeezed out of it so we were pleased to get the four points. A lot of credit to the Swans, they took it up to us . . . they'd go away thinking they're a reasonable team who should be able to fight out the year. But good teams win interstate and we think we're a good team so it's a fantastic effort . . . We knew (Siddey) were four victories and one loss at the SCG and that they start really well. They made the most of their opportunities with three goals in the last quarter and we invited them back into the game. Then it was on from that point. Teams get themselves up for us, we know that. We're going to be attacked. But what we know is we're preparing really well for finals football. And every game is like that. It's intense and hard and teams are throwing lots of different things at us and tonight they threw some things at us that we half expected."
At the MCG:
Collingwood 2.4 4.8 9.14 12.23.95
Rugged second half from the Pies enabled them to see off modern rivals Brisbun. Those who think the Lyin's rely too heavily on a handful (Brown, Black, Power) were given some ammunition here as Brown's fortunes mirrored his teams' during this one. The Maggies won with a big midfield effort after half-time, and their inaccuracy flattered the Lyin's in the end. The Poise made one, late tactical change as defender Tyson Goldsack replaced key forward Chris 'Rufus' Dawes, while the Brians were forced into four changes as Tim Notting (suspended), Tom Collier (knee), Pierce Hanley (hamstring) and Albert Proud (foot) were unavailable, in came Troy Selwood, Jason Roe and two juniors in wingman James Hawksley and first-gamer Tom Rockliff, a half-forward flanker from the Murray.
With hamstrung Daniel Bradshaw out (Bradshaw was selected here but 'withdrew', replaced by Roe), the Lyin's tried regular full-back Daniel Merrett at the spearhead. Brisbun and their skipper Jonathan Brown started very well, Brown's first strike a non-footballing one as he and opponent Simon Prestigiacomo clashed heads and Presti was knocked effectively unconscious, he staggered off. I say 'clashed heads' but it looked a bit like a calculated head-butt from Brown, who was crouching below Prestigiacomo and stood up, quickly. It was in a marking contest and no way you could say it was deliberate, but still. Merrett proceeded to kick the game's first goal as he pounced on a pretty ordinary handball from Pie Davis and grubbered a left-foot snap through. Jonathan Brown now had Leigh Brown as an opponent and boy did the Lyin' skipper lap that up, booting the next two goals with a mark on-the-lead followed by a tough goal-square grab against both Leigh Brown and Poi skipper Nick Maxwell. By the way, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is a staunch tanking-denier and as he explained away the Demuns' tank against Richmun the next day, said "Collingwood (sic) moved Leigh Brown onto Jonathan Brown on Saturday night and no-one said they were tanking." If you can spot a grain of sense in any part of that statement, write in. The Lyin's led by 18 points before the Poise began to wake up, Lyin' backman Roe rubber-chested a mark horribly and Dale Thomas lurked in to soccer a major, then give Roe some afters. Great guy, Thomas. But soon Jonathan Brown booted a third goal, reeling in a one-handed mark against the out-classed Leigh Brown and Malthouse, the coach on borrowed time, had to do something. Turn to Bucks? Paul 'Steak Knives' Medhurst kicked a goal for the Maggies following a strong grab at CHF, nice work from John Anthony to set it up, but Steak Knives had also missed twice in the term and the Lyin's led by 9 points at the first break. Malthouse's solution to his Brown problem was simply to double- or triple-team the Brians' captain, using Maxwell and occasionally ruckman Cameron Wood as well. Brown missed the first two shots of the second korter before the Pies' tactics clicked in, accompanied by a big lift in tackling and chasing pressure all over the ground. As they did last week, the Pies slowed the pace of the game to a crawl. Fifteen minutes elapsed before 'Neon' Leon Davis kicked the stanza's first goal, from a dubious free-kick against Luke Power as they waited for Cloke's long kick to arrive. Thomas snapped a noice one after eluding the ungainly Josh Drummond and the Poise led, by 4 points. But the Lyin's hit back late in the korter, Jonathan Brown sprinted away from his markers to take a diving grab and convert from the flank, Justin 'The Shermanator' Sherman potted a great running goal and Lyin' Mitch Clark soccered a long kick forward from the next centre-bounce, comical over-runs from both Maxwell and Heath Shaw led to an easy major for Lyin' Michael Rischitelli. The Lyin's led by 14 points at half-time.
But the Pies kept up the pressure after the break. It soon became obvious that Merrett wasn't much of a full-forward and Jared Brennan, who bagged 7 goals here against the Poise either last year or the year before, was being well-held by Harry O'Brien. Anthony booted the opening goal of the third, straight from the centre-bounce, with a big leap, ride and grab over Roe. Poi Scott Pendlebury had been involved twice in the build-up to that one and he'd have a great quarter, as would Davis and Alan 'Good Footballer but Lousy Bloke' Didak. Davis and Dane Swan (also pretty good) kicked points before Jaxson Barham's six-bounce run - with his long hair and mo', must've had older Poi fans sighing; although he didn't twang a hammy at the end of it - ended with a rubbish kick but eventually Davis gathered and snapped a great goal from the boundary-line. Lyin' Joel Macdonald played-on hesitantly from a kick-in and was palpably caught by Thomas, who free-kicked a goal and the Magpoise led by it. Pendlebury free-kicked a goal after the Lyin's piled upon him in a pack. Dayne Beams slipped forward to mark Ben Johnson's pass and convert, before the stanza petered out with behinds from Scraggies Davis and Anthony and a rushed one for the Lyin's; Sherman's early point had been their only other score for the term as the Magpiss led by 20 points at the final turnabout. Hardly insurmountable but the trend didn't favour the banana-benders. Didak bounced a snap through from a throw-in, in the first minute of the last Costanza and the Poise led by 26. The Maggies led by 29 when Brisbun broke their long goal-drought, it took Jonathan Brown to do it of course, with a free-kick for Leigh Brown's holding. Very little happened for the next ten minutes, Prestigiacomo returned to the fray to play in the forward-line and Presti's handball set up a major for Shane O'Bree, after which the Poise could start celebrating, if they weren't already, with a 31-point lead. Prestigiacomo himself would go on to have a couple of shots, but missed both to keep his 3-goal career tally intact. Cloke also missed twice after Beams snapped a goal, Jonathan Brown kicked a behind for the game's final score, to what I can imagine must've been much jeering.
The key Poise were all very good, hard-running Dane Swan (36 disposals, 4 marks, 0.3), now Brownlow Medal favourite allegedly, the skilful Scott Pendlebury (36 handlings, 6 marks, a goal) and lively forward 'Neon' Leon Davis (24 touches, 6 marks, 2 goals). Alan Didak (29 touches, 5 marks, a goal) and Dale Thomas (16 handlings, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 3 goals) were very good with the 'frontal pressure', coach-speak for forwards who chase and tackle. Nick Maxwell (13 possies, 7 marks) worked hard to help out Leigh Brown and get involved elsewhere too, Paul Medhurst (16 possies, 6 marks, 1.3) wasn't bad. Dayne Beams kicked 2 goals. The Lyin's had two clear stand-outs, Jonathan Brown (15 kicks, 14 marks, 5 goals (5.4)) and ruckman Mitch Clark (20 possessions, 5 marks, 31 hit-outs) who was terrific against former team-mate Wood. After that it's a bit of a lottery, Justin Sherman (24 disposals, a goal) tried to use his pace and Simon Black (27 possies, 7 marks) did a bit, Ashley McGrath (29 touches, 9 marks) did some rebound work. Joel Macdonald (26 handlings, 9 marks) wasn't bad. Michael Voss placed it in perspective. "We got a bit of a reality check as to where we exactly sit in the pecking order and for us to know where we need to go," Voss said. "It's a pretty clear indication of what we have to work on. I think in the first half our pressure around the ball was just first class. [But then] we started to become insular and we weren't helping each other out. They were able to get us hemmed-in the back half out of our kick-outs. We just couldn't get it out of that area and we weren't working together . . . What we are known for is a group that can maintain that intensity and force the opposition to win the ball through our relentless tackling and our attack on the ball (they are?). It just wasn't there for long enough. All those little principles that we like to be known for as a team, we weren't able to maintain that intensity over four quarters." Asked about the finals, Voss said "we have to earn out spot first." Malthouse did look ahead. "It is no longer good enough to say we want to make the eight. The goal must be, with four [games] to go, not to lose (a top-four) position. That in itself is the next phase," Malthouse said. "Certainly early on, the goal for every club is to win enough games to back history and say we're close enough to making the eight and let's make sure we do something else about it . . . We've played some big ones in the last few weeks and I think that [we need] to expose Barham, Wood, Sidebottom, Beams and those sort of players to the intensity as it gets closer to the end of the season. It is a good indicator whether they can actually stand up. Kids have a history of dropping away in the latter part of the year. We've looked after them. We haven't played them every game, we've sent them home and given them the breaks we thought they needed and hopefully from that it will give us some players when we need them. We've got 36 players we've used and really we're not embarrassed about playing any of them. It is so important they all get exposure at some stage."
At the MCG:
Jordan McMahon kicked a long sausage roll after the final siren to give Jade 'The Blade' Rawlings his third victory in seven games in charge of the Toigs. It was an exciting climax to a terrible game which didn't deserve it, but gave Rawlings some momentum in his bid to claim the Richmun job on a more permanent basis. Melbun were down to 19 fit men by the final quarter but their entire approach screamed tanking, if you believe in that sort of thing. Colin Sylvia, available again following suspension, was not selected despite being a clear BOG in the
Terrible game. There was a bit of blustery wind about but it didn't excuse the appalling service forwards from both sides received, or the handball madness. Despite appearing half-asleep the Toigs managed to control early phases but passes to Jack Riewoldt consistently dropped 10m in front of him, whereas those to Mitch Morton went over his head. The Tiges achieved the game's first score after about 9 minutes, good work on the wing from Jayden Post got the ball to Robin Nahas in some space and he stabbed a pass for leading Morton to clutch a low grab in the pocket - the left pocket, so hooky kick! Tiges by 6. Melbun's first chance at a score saw Brad Miller soccer on-the-full but a minute later James Frawley - he played in attack - tumbled an end-over-end kick forward and it bounced over the big men for Neville Jetta to gather and snap through. Riewoldt missed following a diving mark on-the-lead and the
At the opening bounce of the third Mario Dee ruckman Spencer 'tunneled' Vickery, but the Richmun man was penalized for some reason. From the free the ball came eventually to Deeman Jack Grimes, he passed for leading Miller to mark and convert. A bit later good work from Newman got the ball to wide-leading Morton, he kicked into CHF where Nahas roved the pack and snapped truly. Tiges by 5 again. The
Tigger Brett Deledio (24 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals) improved after half-time and Ben Cousins (27 touches) was pretty useful again. Daniel Jackson (22 possessions, 6 marks) played alright and Nathan Brown (21 possies, 5 marks, 3 goals) did a bit after the long break, Jake King (20 touches, 6 marks) drove Davey to distraction and provided some needed emotional input. Chris Newman (20 handlings) used the ball well. Mitch Morton kicked 2 goals. Melbun captain James 'Junior' McDonald (28 possessions, 9 marks) was about their best with Ricky Petterd (25 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals) and Nathan Jones (20 touches, a goal) working hard, Jack Grimes (20 disposals, 10 marks, a goal) confirmed his talent again. Matthew Bate (23 disposals, 8 marks, a goal) and Lynden Dunn (18 touches, 9 marks, 2 goals) were pretty decent and Brad Miller booted 2 goals. Dean Bailey was asked about tanking. "Those stories are going to be written, so there is not much that we can do about that," he said. Why didn't Sylvia play? "I've said since last year, when Colin Sylvia was playing half-back last year from round two or three, that since then we're trying to develop flexibility in players. He got suspended for three weeks and we decided as a match committee that to reward Colin by picking him wasn't the right thing to do". Bailey went on to describe the bizarre positional moves as being brought about because of the injuries and "experimenting". Why'd he leave the box early? "When I got up, I thought we won the game with five or six seconds to go. I heard the roar and McMahon's kicked their goal. I thought we won the footy game, so it's not often you get beaten with three or four seconds to go." "I stood up and I didn't know how to feel," Rawlings said of his feelings as McMahon lined-up. "I backed him in because he's a good kick. A few times today he made some bad decisions, but 40m out, right in front, he's pretty reliable in that situation. To have the courage to go back and kick that goal was excellent . . . It should be euphoric after the game. It should be one of the greatest feelings you've ever had. Unfortunately, because we couldn't play the way we've become accustomed to play over the last six weeks . . . there was a bit of positive press and blokes got some articles and things were going OK. That's what happens. It's like the cricketer who makes a hundred in his first innings, and goes out thinking the ball is going to be in the same spot at the same timing, and he gets knocked over for a duck. I thought we played (a) terrific style [last week], we got commended by you guys for how we played, we got caught up with it in ourselves, and then we rolled out this performance that for most of today was ordinary".
At
Port
Hawthorn 5.3 10.9 11.14 14.19.103
Port jumped into the eight with a win over the Hawks, whom they've beaten twice this season in two strange games of footy. The first was a pressure-free jog-about and this one was big on grunt and macho clobberin', but featured a horrendous error-rate. The Awks kinda blew it by kicking 4.10 in the second half with Bad Buddy Franklin contributing 2.7 for the day. Reports of the Horks' return may have been exaggerated as they face the Saints and Camrys now, although they'd be a chance in both. Port have Freo and
Horforn had a breeze to start with there. The clangers started early with Franklin delivering a hospital handpass towards Campbell Brown who was clobbered. A bit later Port's Toby Thurstans put the ball on the ground when tackled by Chance Bateman, Thurstans couldn't believe it when he was done for 'bawl' and Bateman passed for Brad Sewell to mark and goal. Bateman was very good in this game.
More of the same into quartier le deuxieme. Cyril Rioli scooted along the boundary-line and lobbed a centering pass towards leading Roughead, who juggled the mark including a bit of header-action before sausaging. Next came a distance-goal like Orc Whitecross's, Boak having a long punt forward and as Gray and Hawk Thomas Murphy wrestled, the ball bounced past them and rolled through for a 70m major to Boak. The Hawkers won the following centre-clearance and Xavier Ellis passed for leading Renouf to mark on the 50m line, he dished off a handball to Brent Guerra who dummied around Chad Cornes before thumping a long goal. Horforn led by 8 points after that but now wasted a few chances,
The third stanza proved crucial. Horforn scored an early goal, Brown marked at half-forward and handballed back to Bateman who sent a centering pass towards Grant Birchall, he was spoiled but McGlynn collected the ball and whacked a long, low kick for full points.
Port's midfielder Travis Boak (35 disposals, 8 marks, a goal) is having a bit of a breakout season and Chad Cornes (22 touches, 7 marks) benefitted from being left in a single position all game, which pundits have been demanding. David Rodan (25 possessions, 4 marks, 2 goals) was good again and Jacob Surjan (22 possies, 7 marks) played well. Mean Dean Brogan (21 touches, 8 marks, 17 hit-outs) led a dominant ruck effort and Shaun Burgoyne (26 possies, 4 marks, a goal) showed improved form. Robbie Gray (15 touches, 4 marks, 4 goals (4.4)) proved a handy forward while Justin Westhoff and Warren Tredrea kicked 3 goals each and Nick Salter kicked 2 goals. For the Orcs, Chance Bateman (27 disposals, 6 marks, a goal) was very good and Luke Hodge (21 touches, 3 marks, 2 goals) did pretty well. Sam Mitchell (28 disposals) got moving after a slow start and Campbell Brown (25 touches, 7 marks) threw himself into it, Grant Birchall (28 disposals) and Ben McGlynn (21 possies, 1.4) were pretty good. Lance Franklin, Brent Guerra and Jarryd Roughead kicked 2 goals each; Buddy 2.7. Clarkson was asked about the finals, again. "There are four games [left], and mathematically we're a chance," Clarkson said. "So until that's extinguished we'll keep having a crack at it . . . We won the clearances and had more inside 50s, but just kicked inaccurately. If we'd been able to take more of our chances we might have been able to put more pressure on the Port Adelaide side. Whilst they were able to retain scoreboard pressure on us, they continued to play their fast, free-flowing brand of footy, and we weren't able to suffocate that. When Port play their best footy, they like it to be a high-scoring game. When the game is played on those terms they're a pretty difficult side to beat, and that's what ended up happening." Mark 'Choco' Williams showed rare insight. "I wouldn't think I'd be taking my foot off the players' throats this week. There's a lot of frustration [associated with] being a team that can show their best by kicking 18 goals against Hawthorn and playing particularly exciting and desperate footy . . . then you think of the rubbish we served up last week. It takes a lot out of you. We, as a club, spend a hell of a lot of time each week trying to get the players up and that's rubbish as well. Each time we lose we'll go back and through the process again, but you'd like to think you could get on a roll. It's much more fun coming to work when you're on a roll rather than up and down all the time . . . We don't think we get beaten too often by skill. We get beaten because we don't continually push. We're too inconsistent within individuals, within quarters and within the team as well. If you get beaten, but you're having and that effort is there everyone walks away pretty satisfied. You can talk as much as you like between now and the next game, but it [is meaningless] until the next game comes. Talk is cheap and it doesn't equate to anything unless you deliver."
At Subiaco:
West Coast 4.2 8.6 11.7 14.11.95
Essendon 2.1 4.1 7.7 10.8.68
A third consecutive loss saw the Dons drop out of the eight, as in the loss to the Tiges they lacked intensity for a long time. With Matthew Lloyd (bruised heel) out of the side and Scott Lucas moving like an arthritic pensioner, the Dons' forward-line functioned poorly and the ragged but keen Weegles led all day to record a deserved win. The victory also disqualified the Weegles from a priority draft-pick this year, so there's no such thing as tanking, alright! The Dons now face Brisbun, then Sinkilda before returning to
This is the traditional jacket-(and scarf) twirling game and TV viewers were shown some highlights of such contests past, featuring Kevin Sheedy of course. Now the finals appear to be slipping from the Dons' grasp the internal sniping to which Matty Knights has been subjected will probably resurface, which is unfair. This game got off to a slow start, after a standard miss from Mark LeCras the Weegs produced some awful foot-passing, continually jabbing the ball short of the target. But the Dons couldn't capitalize, Lucas lumbering about hopelessly and Kyle Reimers willing but not good enough. Admittedly, the Weegs had many men back and were trying to work on the rebound. They broke through eventually, David Wirrpanda tidied another poor pass and handballed to Chris Masten, he kicked for leading Callum Wilson to mark and thump a good, long goal with his first kick in the game. Big lump of a bloke, Wilson. A bit later LeCras, who had a few runs in midfield here, intercepted Bommer Hocking's attempted pass to Neagle and then kicked quickly to Wirrpanda in a paddock, Wirrpanda booted long where Wilson eased Cale Hooker under the ball, doubled back to gather it and then poke a point-blank major. From a throw-in at half-forward Quinten Lynch and LeCras slapped the ball clear and Wirrpanda, busy early, snapped a goal to put the Eegs 20 points up. Long kicks to the designated forwards wasn't working for the Dons, so Adam McPhee did well when he jabbed a short, centering pass to Hocking 55m out who had space to run forward and boot a long goal. Sam Lonergan didn't look good when he pulled out of a with-the-flight marking chance about 30m out, it's unlike him to throw in short steps, but handily Jay Neagle snapped a goal and the Dons trailed by 7 points. At the following centre-bounce Essadun's Andrew Lovett was clattered by Matt Rosa and appeared to suffer a terrible cork thigh, Lovett was carried off but he was back soon enough. The Weegs scored a late goal as LeCras kicked smartly for Josh Kennedy to mark inside the centre-square, he punted wide where Shannon Hurn had just come off the bench and raced forward in plenty of space, drawing a man before handballing over the top for a McKinley poke-through. Eegs by 13 points at korter-time. The locals stretched the margin early in the second, a good move started with Nick Naitanui intercepting a centering Andrew Welsh kick in defence, Naitanui played-on and the ball went to the wing, Tim Houlihan produced a good handball and Matt Priddis slipped a tackle before Masten wobbled a kick forward which LeCras marked, played-on and hooked through. The Weegs used the bench again as Lynch rumbled onto the field to mark Andrew Embley's pass and bomb a punt to the goal-square, three Dons flew and three Weegs stayed down, the ball spilled and Kennedy jabbed a point-blank sausage. The Weegs led by 25 points and TV's Gerard Healy commented the Dons didn't look like a side playing for a finals berth. Young Don defender Michael Hurley took a strong saving grab and later effected a good spoil but the other end was the problem. Reimers dropped a mark in the centre, Angus Monfries roved and handballed to Lovett and he produced a great bit of play to weave through traffic and lob a terrific kick for running Brent Prismall to mark in-stride and drill for a major. The Eegs replied from the next centre-bounce, junior Tom Swift raced off the back of the centre-square, had a couple of bounces and thumped it through from 45m.
Knights shifted Scott Lucas to full-back for the second half, swapping him with Adam McPhee. There was, now, a lift in intensity from the Dons and they did some early attacking, Paddy Ryder missed with a good roving snap, Jobe Watson was off-target with a running shot and Nathan Lovett-Murray's mis-kicked effort dropped short and was marked by Hurn. But they got there eventually, benefitting from a mismatch when Neagle out-marked midfielder Patrick McGinnity and dobbed it. But the problem with McPhee as a forward soon became evident as he missed a simple shot following a very good mark. Poor old McPhee can't kick well at all. The Weegs steadied, Brad Ebert dived to intercept Courtenay Dempsey's risky centering kick and Ebert handballed to Masten, he kicked for McKinley, again alone ahead of play, to benefit from the turnover with a goal. A bit later Hocking kicked from the back-pocket to an out-numbered Ryder, the Eegs worked together as Lynch spoiled and LeCras roved, he ran clear and steered a goal. The Eegs led by 31 points now. Lynch hit the post with a shot after McPhee had a fresh-air swipe at mark but the Dons hung in there, Ryder marked the kick-in and handballed to Dustin Fletcher, his long punt was gathered by Hayden Skipworth who slipped a tackle and kicked to find Neagle mismatched again, by tagger Sam Butler. Neagle marked and goaled. A bit later Hocking had a free-kick when tackled without the agate by Wirrpanda, he dished off to Lucas who jabbed a pass for leading Ryder to mark and boot a great goal from the flank. The Dons trailed by 19 points. The Wiggles had the final say of the term, from an odd start as Masten swapped handballs with Bummer Henry Slattery - unintentionally as tackles caused the consecutive turnovers. Kennedy marked on 50 and lobbed a kick into the pocket where McKinley gathered, turned away from Tayte Pears and raced into the goal-square to poke it through. The Eegs led by 25 points at the last change. The Dons pressed on into the final term. Wiggle Kennedy snapped a point before McPhee jumped over the ruckmen at a throw-in on the wing and fisted the ball forward, Reimers gathered, raced clear with a coupla bounces and banged it home from 50m. Slattery missed with a free-kick, then Lonergan bullocked hard at a ball-up to force the pill clear and Skipworth handballed for Dempsey to slot a goal. The Dons trailed by 13 points but a frustrating period followed during which neither side could deliver a pass to their forwards. Finally Weeg Houlihan gathered a loose ball on the wing and chipped a good pass to LeCras 40m out, he could play-on and booted the six-pointer. Priddis and Don Ricky Dyson traded posters, prior to Eeg Scott Selwood blundering into a tackle at half-back and losing the ball. Lovett-Murray handballed for Welsh to boot a sausage and the Eegs' lead was reduced to 14 points. But they were runnin' out of time. The Eegs sealed it when McKinley marked in front of Fletcher, he converted and the Coasters led by 20 points with 3:30 on the clock. Swift provided the icing with a noicely-taken running goal.
Mark LeCras (26 disposals, 8 marks, 3 goals) was very good running off half-back between stints up forward, Adam Selwood (29 touches, 4 marks) continued his good form and Brad Ebert (28 possessions, 5 marks) is developing nicely as a running midfielder. Veteran-class wingman Andrew Embley (31 touches, 4 marks) was good and Ben McKinley (17 touches, 3 marks, 4 goals) kicked some goals at last, Chris Masten (25 disposals) wasn't bad. David Wirrpanda, Callum Wilson and Tom Swift kicked 2 goals each. No real stand-out for the Dons, Dustin Fletcher (27 disposals (24 kicks), 4 marks) mopped up classily in defence as usual and Jay Neagle (13 touches, 8 marks, 3 goals) tried to get the forward-half active, ruck-rover Jobe Watson (29 possies, 4 marks, 10 tackles) and Ricky Dyson (27 disposals, 7 marks) were good. Angus Monfries (23 possessions, 7 marks) worked hard to get the ball, quite a way from goal, and Michael Hurley (20 touches, 8 marks) demonstrated his ability. Kyle Reimers kicked 2 goals. "We're in a bit of a trough at the moment, and we've just got to back and work out why it happened - both this week and last week - and endeavour to get better," Knights said. "We were confident, we thought we'd play well, but we just didn't answer the call today - we were clearly out-pointed in so many areas. We've given ourselves an opportunity (to make the finals) by having a decent first half of the year, (and) I guess our destiny is still in our own hands if we're good enough. (But) this team can't concentrate on [winning] three of the four. We've just got to focus on playing better football - you've actually got to play decent footy to win footy games in this great competition. We've got a lot of work to do over the next couple of weeks to get moving again. If we play like we did today, we'll struggle to make it." Woosha addressed tanking straight up. "I'm certainly not interested in sending any messages to certain people. I'm very focused on building this young group of players to earn the rewards that will come to them fairly quickly," Worsfold said. "It's still going to be a tough road ahead for a little while, but we have some great talent coming through. I have no doubt that some of these players (now) in their first 10 or 20 games will play in a premiership together . . . We have the ability to (use running handball), but we also have patches where we are not so good, and there's been a lot of games this year where that has cost us. To take on the Bombers and see the players match that intensity was great. Handballing can be an extremely attacking weapon in today's game, and I thought we used it pretty well, and to break the game open at times."
Ladder after Round 18
Pts. % Next Week
St. Kilda 72 164.3 Hawthorn (
Footscray 48 124.5 West Coast (Docklands, Saturday)
Collingwood 48 117.7
Port
------------------------------------------------
Essendon 32 99.3 Brisbane (MCG, Sat. night)
Hawthorn 32 92.5 St. Kilda (
West Coast 20 89.1 Footscray (Docklands, Saturday)
Fremantle 16 73.1 Port
Cheers, Tim.
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