AFL Review Round 3
Collingwood 15.12.102 defeated Carlton 11.8.74
The result was as expected by those that understand their footy and Carlton supporters will go away thinking their team did okay because they didn't get rolled by 10 goals. Margin aside the result was still the same and Collingwood did enough to win the game in the second quarter. Centrelines probably broke even but the second tier Collingwood players were far too good. Shaw, Blair and O'Brien. A home and away record crowd turned up, some 88,000 plus, to see the Pies do what they do best lately – win. Funnily enough the coaches had opposite feelings to the result. Mick said he was unhappy and Ratten said he was happy? Go figure. The Pies face Richmond next week and Carlton have a tough one against a vastly improved Essendon a game at which you can expect another big crowd.
Western Bulldogs 18.14.122 defeated Gold Coast Suns 7.9.51
A fairly clinical display by the Western Bulldogs and the margin was under 100 points. Ablett back to his best with a great game for the Suns, Barry Hall kicked 5 and Cross finished with just under 40 possessions for the Bulldogs. It was just another game under the belts of the young Suns' players. Moving on. Commentary team thought the Bulldogs are not as good a team as they were a couple of years ago. With games won against Brisbane and the Suns it's hard to say because they were belted by Essendon in week 1. Where to the Suns? Well, they are not in the competition to win the flag this year. They just need the games experience including how to keep their banner together before the team emerges from the race. The Suns meet Melbourne next week and the Bulldogs will enjoy a bye.
Fremantle 11.13.79 defeated Adelaide Crows 7.12.54
Tipsters might have to rethink their assessment of either Fremantle or Adelaide based on that result. Sandilands injured and a few other key players out and the Dockers still accounted for the Crows easily. Pavlich broke the Fremantle playing record with his 239th game and some of their players really stood up in a game that not many gave them a chance of winning. Kepler Bradley, Ballantyne, Fyfe all contributed and Hill was in scintillating form. Adelaide beat the Hawks last week? How? They play the home derby against Port next week and Fremantle might be able to consolidate with a win over North at home.
Hawthorn 17.13.115 defeated Richmond 6.16.52
The game was virtually over at quarter time when the Hawks had a 6 goal lead. It didn't get better for the Tigers after that either and the final margin was just the 10 goals probably due to the wet weather. Pundits now have Hawthorn on the second rung for betting in the premiership stakes behind Collingwood. Richmond just doesn't have the players to really mix it with the top teams although a more spirited display will get them a better result. Buddy booted 5 and Roughead kicked 3 and when these two Hawthorn forwards can kick 8 goals between them they usually win. Considering the Tigers drew with St Kilda and Adelaide beat Hawthorn it sure makes tipping form hard to follow.
Sydney Swans 15.11.101 defeated West Coast 13.10.88
Sydney found some untapped energy in the last 10 minutes of the game to come from 2 goals down to kick the next 4 goals. The match was close all the way through which is the norm for these two teams but a home ground loss to a team of about equal standing is not a good result for the Eagles. Goodes and his experienced crew turned this game around in the last few minutes and there's nothing like experience to help you win the tight ones. Sydney will have to play even better to win their next game against Geelong and the Eagles fly to Hobart to be beaten by the Hawks.
Melbourne 12.10.82 defeated Brisbane 11.5.71
The Demons took a looonng time to get over the top of the Lions but were finally able to register their first win. Not a game you would put into your great games of footy DVD collection but for tipsters an expected result. Melbourne coach Bailey was not a happy camper stating that his team was just not applying itself regardless of the win. Liam Jurrah was a shining light up forward with 5 goals for the Dees and Luke Power kicked 4 for the Lions. Nice to have him back said Voss.
Geelong 17.20.122 defeated Port Adelaide 6.7.43
The Cats made a slow start as the youthful enthusiasm of Port players took it up to the Geelong team. But the Cats were able to grind the Power down and eventually run away with a percentage boosting victory which kind of made up for their last two close wins. Goal kickers were evenly spread with no Geelong player kicking more than 2. Kelley racked up 38 possessions and Selwood, back after concussion, had 34. There were 16 Cats who had 20 or more possessions which is an indication of their dominance. Boak and Pittard tried pretty hard for the Power. Geelong travel to Sydney and Port play their derby game against the Crows.
Essendon 21.10.136 defeated St Kilda 12.12.84
Good grief! There's something seriously wrong with both these teams which is going to make tipping hell. It seems the Bombers have come of age and based on that effort they could make the finals. The Saints are winless after 3 rounds! Last year's grand finalists – twice! Jobe Watson was Best On Ground with 33 possessions and 3 goals even though he was being tagged by Goddard, not a bad player himself at times. Reiwoldt was okay up front for the Saints until he smacked his head into the ground from a pack mark after which he did not contribute a lot, but, then again, neither did the rest of the team. Blockbuster next week for the Bombers against Carlton and I wouldn't be betting my mortgage payment on the Blues either in that game. Saints will be looking forward to their bye next week.
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