AFL Review Round 10
Carlton 13.15.93 defeated Melbourne 6.10 .46
Well it might have been a scrappy game but the Blues did a workmanlike job on the Demons and in anybody's language the score line indicates a hiding. Judd seems to be heading for another Brownlow and it's obvious that what he does gets noticed by the umpires. Where to for Melbourne from here? They seemed to be heading in the right direction last year but it looks like they have fallen off this season which may be due to injuries. Pre-season the rumour was that Carlton might challenge for a premiership within 5 years but at this stage they lack some class players through the spine. They are certainly top 4 material. Dean Bailey might be in his last year for Melbourne and I feel that Jimmy Stynes will never live to see them play finals. The Demons face Essendon coming off a bye and a loss to Richmond and Carlton will kill Port Adelaide next week.
Sydney 10.12.72 defeated North Melbourne 9.17.71
It was a close game and just the point separating the teams at the final siren. North had the ball in their forward line for the last 3 minutes and attempted to score even a point but the Swans held firm and a Grundy mark in the last 10 seconds was enough. Scott Thompson had the crowd and the commentators in raptures as he kicked 2 vital goals for the Kangaroos in the game and he was playing at full back. Not often that a full forward from a team can show the statistic of his fullback kicking 2 goals. Seems the Swans know how to win these tight games and I am sure that the Roos will not be happy with a 9.17 scoreline that shows 4 more shots on goal than Sydney. North plays Adelaide next week and Sydney meets Brisbane at the Gabba.
St Kilda 15.12.102 defeated Fremantle 7.14.46
The game was virtually over at half time when the Saints had a 45 point lead. That was almost the same margin as at the end of the game. St Kilda lost Goddard early with what looked like a serious injury and then lost Dempster who was knocked unconscious late in the game. Two wins in a row for the Saints helps their finals cause a lot better than this Fremantle loss does for their final hopes. Early in the 3rd quarter the Saints were 10 goals ahead due to Schneider booting 3 goals and Montagna putting in a great game winning mostly contested possessions. Ex Freo player Peake kicked 3 goals for the Saints and Schneider finished with 4. It was a dirty day for Fremantle. St Kilda will know whether they are back in the game when they play Collingwood next week and unfortunately Fremantle face a very good Hawthorn.
Geelong 21.13.139 defeated Gold Coast 10.13.73
At half time the Suns were ahead so it was a rather slow start for the Cats. But after half time Geelong kicked 13 goals to 1 by the Gold Coast which pretty well covers the final margin. The tip was a 99 point margin so just turn it upside down and you have it. Steve Johnson kicked 7 for the Cats, 4 of them in a dominant 3rd quarter and Podsiadly contributed 4. Ablett was unstoppable against his old club in the 1st quarter but obviously as the Suns were overrun so did the influence of Ablett lessen. Bartel and Selwood were again prominent for the Cats and ex rugby convert Karmichael Hunt even kicked a goal for Gold Coast. The Cats play the Western Bulldogs next week and Gold Coast fly to the other coast to play West Coast. Coast to coast footy right?
Port Adelaide 13.11.89 defeated Richmond 10.14.74
Well I hope somebody swabbed the Tigers after last week's win against Essendon or at least both Richmond and Port Adelaide get swabbed after this game. Results like this make tipping almost impossible. Enough said! The conditions as usual in Darwin were humid making the ball slippery but both teams had to contend with that and Port seemed to do it better. Gray booted 4 for the Power and Schultz 3 while for Richmond Tiger forward Reiwoldt, held for most of the game, kicked 3, two of them late in the game when the result was beyond doubt. The Tigers have a bye next week.
Brisbane 15.11.101 defeated Adelaide 8.13.61
Two wins in a row for the Lions so you would have to say that the return of Brown has had a major influence on Brisbane. I doubt Adelaide would have thought they could lose this game but lose it they did and were really hammered in the second half. Brisbane is off the bottom of the ladder. McGrath was the main instigator for the Lions with 4 goals for the game but kicked 3 in the second quarter to help the Lions to a half time lead. The Crows succumbed meekly to Brisbane as they did against Collingwood the week before. Watch out next week when they play North because they will probably turn the form around again! Frustrating.
Collingwood 16.9.105 defeated West Coast 7.10.52
A competitive first quarter even though the Pies led but from that point Collingwood proved to be far too good. The only interest in the final quarter was whether the Eagles could kick one more goal to equal or win the quarter as the Pies have lost only one last quarter in the season so far. They didn't! West Coast now knows just where they are in respect to their improvement. Thomas was brilliant for the Pies taking a screamer and kicking a possible goal of the year from the boundary. I can't say Collingwood was pretty good because Mick does not like the word 'pretty'. It was a big loss for West Coast who would have had game confidence after their spanking of the Western Bulldogs last week. They have the chance next week of resurrecting the loss when they play Gold Coast at Subiaco. If the Magpies can stay injury free they will certainly be there at the end.
Hawthorn 13.13.91 defeated Western Bulldogs 9.8.62
The Western Bulldogs never looked like winning this game. Hawthorn looks very good and they currently hold 3rd position on the ladder. The Bulldogs are really gone this season and need some spark to get them into the finals. Can the Hawks repeat their 2008 success? The fragility they showed in earlier rounds seems to be gone. Still many games to go. Hodge is coming back into frightening form even kicking 2 goals while playing across the back line. Giansiracusa played his 200th and was one of the best for the Bulldogs who never gave up but were just outclassed.
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