Bean Dailey Takes Charge: Season 2008

[Logger]

Definitely bring in Garland, can't lose the quality of Riv without bringing in a good replacement.

IN: Garland, White, Bartram
OUT: Johnson, Rivers, Wonna

Bartram was in the team and Wonna was out of it last week, I assume you want these swapped?

Any other team changes people want?

 

[Logger]

So I simmed this game during the bye week and then stuffed my wrist up so completely I've been typing one-handed ever since. For that reason I thought that a normal match report would be too difficult to type up, and decided to do a play-by-play commentary in the belief it wouldn't take so long. So now, two and a half weeks later, please enjoy (or not) our game against Brisbane:

Time| Lions - Demons | Commentary
\Q1:00 | 0-0 | Welcome to what is a very bright and sunny ‘Gabba this afternoon. It’s 26 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.
\Q1:00 | 0-0 | Both teams have warmed up and are as named. Despite Melbourne upgrading small forward Austin Wonaeamirri from the rookie list there were no late changes and he will watch from the sidelines.
\Q1:00 | 0-0 | Just about to get under way here. Melbourne look to have started with an extra man back to cover for the loss of Jared Rivers, with Brad Green lining up on the defensive side of the centre square.
\Q1:01 | 6-0 | Black with the first clearance, shovels it out to Rischitelli, chips it to Brown on the lead. And Brown puts it through with just 1 minute on the clock. Bad signs for the Dees early.
\Q1:02 | 6-0 | Another clearance for the Lions but Melbourne hold them up momentarily and force a ball up. Rischitelli swoops on the Charman tap and passes to Brown deep in the pocket.
\Q1:02 | 7-0 | Brown misses but Dailey's seen enough of him to be worried already. Garland is now standing on him, Warnock to Bradshaw, Frawley playing Garland's loose backman role.
\Q1:03 | 7-0 | Demons with more tackles (5) than possessions (4).
\Q1:03 | 7-0 | The ball has been bounced in the Lions pocket three times but now Power sharks a White tap and kicks it backward to Richitelli 35 out directly in front. Unselfish, could have had a snap. Green is down on the ground bleeding after that bounce...
\Q1:03 | 13-0 | Rischitelli kicks it. Demons yet to get it past the centre circle, already more than 2 goals down. Green looks a little dazed after that heavy hit by Brown at the bounce.
\Q1:04 | 13-6 | That's more like it! White taps it straight down to Jones running at full pelt, two bounces and handballs to Holland who sets sail from 45 and slots a very pretty goal. A quick reply is a good reply.
\Q1:05 | 19-6 | 5 minutes in and Brown has two. All sorts of problems for the Demons at the centre bounce. Lappin hasn't touched it thanks to James MacDonald's efforts but the other Lion mids are having a field day already!
\Q1:07 | 25-6 | Now Lappin has touched it, and he's kicked a goal. Demons defence looking lost without the mature Rivers to marshal them. Dailey sending Bruce back to join Green as extra men behind the ball.
\Q1:09 | 31-6 | This is heading into real danger territory for Melbourne, simply being outbodied. Brown drops a simple mark on the lead and still kicks the goal, after bumping Garland off the ball and having all the time in the world to straighten up and kick from 30m out.
\Q1:11 | 31-6 | Garland and Frawley now standing either side of Brown with an arm across him. Melbourne mids always second to the ball, turn it over whenever it does fall into their hands. Really worrying signs.
\Q1:13 | 31-6 | Halfway mark of the quarter, 11 inside 50s to 1.
\Q1:14 | 31-6 | Petterd gathers from a throw in on his back flank, uses McLean, gets it back from him, kicks it long into the 50m. Free to Robertson, not sure what for?
\Q1:14 | 31-12 | On second viewing, Robertson was clearly infringed in the marking contest. Bad work from Troy Selwood there. Robbo boots it just over the goal-square pack and Melbourne get one back.
\Q1:16 | 31-12 | Demons seem to have awoken. James MacDonald moved to Rischitelli who was causing all sorts of problems and McLean imposing himself around stoppages.
\Q1:17 | 31-12 | Play mostly around Melbourne forward flank. Great tackle by Maric forces a bounce 30m out directly in front.
\Q1:18 | 31-13 | Martin wins the hitout, roves his own tap, handpasses out wide to Maric who misses to the near side.
\Q1:19 | 31-13 | Melbourne won't let the Lions into their half of the ground. Morton baulks around one lion then coat-hangered by Stiller. Slow to get up.
\Q1:19 | 31-19 | Morton kicks the goal from 52m out. Nice long boot on that boy. Things looking up for the Dees.
\Q1:21 | 31-19 | Lions starting to get up and running again around the stoppages, of which there are a few at the moment.
\Q1:22 | 32-19 | Rushed behind to the Lions, Demons defence looks shaky.
\Q1:22 | 32-19 | Oh dear. Green's kick in was awful, straight to Bradshaw who kicks it straight out on the full.
\Q1:23 | 32-19 | Oh double dear. Bruce takes the kick in, puts Morton under pressure. Morton handballs blindly to Frawley who tries to kick the ball off the ground and has a fresh air shot. James MacDonald handballs it backwards to McLean who fails to rush it through for a behind and kicks it lace out to Notting, who's lining up now.
\Q1:24 | 38-19 | Goal. Well that puts the Dees out of their misery.
\Q1:25 | 39-19 | Not quite! Brennan on the burst misses to the left and then the siren goes before Melbourne need to run the gauntlet out of defence.
\Q1:25 | 39-19 | Brisbane 6.3.39 to Melbourne 3.1.19. A 20 point margin.
\Q1:25 | 39-19 | Brisbane's scorers: Brown 3.1, Rischitelli 1.0, Lappin 1.0, Notting 1.0, Brennan 0.1, 1 rushed behind.
\Q1:25 | 39-19 | Melbourne's scorers: Holland 1.0, Robertson 1.0, Morton 1.0, Maric 0.1
\Q1:25 | 39-19 | Despite making the inside 50 count more respectable, Melbourne have had 4 scoring shots to 10 and trail by 20 points. They look intimidated by the Lion's ferocity.
\Q1:25 | 39-19 | Brown, Rischitelli, Power and Notting great for the Lions. Jones, James MacDonald, McLean and Morton all ok for Melbourne.

 

[Logger]

Time| Lions - Demons | Commentary
\Q2:00 | 39-19 | Melbourne's spare men behind the ball did little to improve their rebounds or make Brisbane's forward entries any harder. Lets see if anything changes for the Demons this quarter...
\Q2:02 | 45-19 | Yeah... Nope. They hold it up in the middle for a little, before Black, Power and Bradshaw combined. Bradshaw handballs it off to Brennan who runs in and atones for the miss at the end of the first quarter.
\Q2:03 | 46-19 | Melbourne haven't won many centre clearances, and there's another decisive loss after Morton was ragdolled out of the area by Black. Brown marks but hands it off to Power who kicks a point.
\Q2:04 | 46-19 | Bruce is back in the midfield for Melbourne, Jones has gone back and is combining well with Frawley and Warnock to keep the ship afloat, but that's all the Dees can do at the moment. The ball is locked in Brisbane's 50.
\Q2:06 | 46-19 | A small chorus of boos rings out as Stiller marks a Bradshaw kick which can't have gone more than 7m. Lions deserve a goal here, however. A few chances were unlucky not to score.
\Q2:07 | 52-19 | And he's kicked it. Meanwhile, Captain Neitz has jogged into the backline and is one-on-one with Captain Brown. There's a match up if ever I've seen one.
\Q2:10 | 52-19 | Melbourne's defence has settled in the last couple of minutes but they're lacking options going forward. Bruce is looking a little disinterested after a couple of heavy bumps earlier in the game.
\Q2:11 | 52-19 | And just as I say that, Dailey moves Green up the ground. He gets on the end of a kick out of defence and puts together a good forward entry, but Newton drops the mark and Joel MacDonald gathers.
\Q2:12 | 53-19 | Bradshaw gets onto this but is lucky to get a point with that kick. Another kick out, another ineffective rebound. Brisbane crumbing every spilt mark and gathering every free ball. Melbourne have stopped the scoreboard slaughter but it's hardly an improvement in open play.
\Q2:14 | 59-19 | Melbourne finally clear the ball out of Brisbane's attacking zone only for Stiller to outmark Yze and kick a goal from long range.
\Q2:15 | 59-19 | Over the course of this quarter play has gradually crept back towards the centre of the ground, away from Brisbane's goals. Melbourne's defence less panicky, but still unable to get through Brisbane's midfield.
\Q2:17 | 59-19 | Take a bow Simon Buckley! He breaks two tackles and sits the ball up right on top of Drummond's head. Robbo's spring heels do the rest.
\Q2:18 | 59-25 | And Robertson gets his second. Demon's first score in 24 minutes.
\Q2:19 | 59-25 | The ball pings right back inside Brisbane's 50.
\Q2:20 | 59-31 | Colin Garland decides that if you can't kick or handball it out of your defensive 50, you'll just have to run it out. A slick 1-2 with James MacDonald and he runs to 55m, sets sail and kicks a magnificent goal. That's got the few Melbourne supporters here up on their feet. Consecutive goals to the Demons.
\Q2:20 | 59-31 | And the ball goes right back into Brisbane's 50.
\Q2:21 | 60-31 | Behind to Stiller. Time in Brisbane's half this quarter: 87%.
\Q2:22 | 61-31 | Bradshaw smashes through a pack, roves his own ball, but then hooks the kick horribly under pressure.
\Q2:22 | 62-31 | If there's one thing Melbourne have done well, it's not allow Brisbane a clear shot at goal. There's another behind to Brisbane through Power.
\Q2:23 | 62-31 | There's some heartening play from the Dees, nice build up gives Petterd a shot from 45 out on a tight angle.
\Q2:23 | 62-31 | Pinpoint pass to Sylvia, unmarked 10m out directly in front! Clever from Petterd, Sloppy by the Lions.
\Q2:24 | 62-32 | Well, Sylvia misses an unmissable shot. Brisbane have wasted their chances but unless Melbourne can capitalise on every shot they get they won't even get close!
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | Bradshaw with a free kick on the siren, 35m out directly in front. And now he misses everything!
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | Brisbane 9.8.62 to Melbourne 5.2.32. 30 point ball game.
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | Brisbane's scorers: Brown 3.1, Stiller 2.1, Brennan 1.1, Rischitelli 1.0, Lappin 1.0, Notting 1.0, Power 0.2, Bradshaw 0.2, 1 rushed behind
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | Melbourne's scorers: Robertson 2.0, Holland 1.0, Morton 1.0, Garland 1.0, Maric 0.1, Sylvia 0.1
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | The Lions were far too strong, far too fast and wanted the ball far too much for the Demons in that half. Brisbane have been playing a hard, aggressive brand of football all year and now it's starting to reap some rewards.
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | They've really done some work on the Demon's positioning around the stoppages, where they've been good so far this year.
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | Meanwhile, most things Melbourne have tried either haven't worked or have backfired. They started with a man behind the ball, which became two, which became three but crowding the backline only played into the Lion's hands.
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | When they tried to put some more targets up front, they were beaten by a Brisbane defence that didn't look at all threatened.
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | The old Lions in Power, Black and Lappin all did mostly as they pleased, while Notting was in everything up forward and Matthew Moody mopped up any attacks easily.
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | Frawley and Garland did their very best in the most trying of circumstances down back for the Dees, while David Neitz kept Jonathan Brown to just 1 handball once he was moved on to him.
\Q2:25 | 62-32 | Petterd was the only Demon forward of the centre square who has worried the Brisbane defenders. Adem Yze has 1 kick to his name for the game so far.

 

[Logger]

Time| Lions - Demons | Commentary
\Q3:00 | 62-32 | Melbourne will need to double their score in this quarter just to be a chance in this game. Let's see if they can do it.
\Q3:00 | 62-32 | Just waiting for the broadcasters to return from an ad break before we start...
\Q3:01 | 62-32 | A rare Melbourne centre clearance falls right into the hands of Joel MacDonald, and he rebounds competently.
\Q3:03 | 63-32 | The ball back where it's spent the majority of this game so far: embedded in Brisbane's attacking half. Frawley rushes it through the posts in the hope of getting some breathing room.
\Q3:05 | 69-32 | This is by turns encouraging and woeful by the Dees. Jones finds White all by himself in the middle of the ground, he plods along a bit before handpassing to Green, who finds himself with three Lions cornering him, handpasses into the back of James MacDonald, his namesake Joel picks it up, fires it in to White's man Charman, who kicks to Bradshaw, who finally finds the centre of the sticks. It all happened in about 20 seconds.
\Q3:07 | 70-32 | Lappin's shot is smothered off the boot but still manages to go between the big sticks. The Lions have more rebounds from their own 50 than the Demons do at this point, they're just handballing it around trying to find an opening.
\Q3:09 | 70-32 | The Demons are TRYING to match Brisbane as far as intensity around the ball goes but they just don't have the soldiers to pull it off convincingly.
\Q3:10 | 76-32 | Stefan Martin palms it down beautifully in the left pocket... to Sherman who kicks the goal.
\Q3:12 | 77-32 | Power clears from the centre bounce (again!) and kicks it deep into the Lion's attacking zone. Nothing doing for a minute or two as Melbourne continue to apply pretty good defensive pressure. Lappin drags the ball out of a stoppage and snaps a point.
\Q3:13 | 77-32 | Bradshaw has had a lot of the ball and a terrible case of the yips. That snap came off the wrong side of the boot and winds up out on the full in the second tier of the stands.
\Q3:13 | 78-32 | Brown takes a mark in front of Neitz but puts it out to the left hand side. He's been quiet since his opposing captain moved back on to him.
\Q3:14 | 79-32 | Lions taking it fairly easy at the moment, despite the ball being locked in their forwardline. Power, Black and Rischitelli all resting in the backline at the moment. Notting scrubs an awful shot through for a behind.
\Q3:15 | 79-32 | The Melbourne mids just refusing to run hard enough to provide a target outside the defensive 50. Brisbane forwards struggling in the hugely congested 50m to get clear to take a shot.
\Q3:16 | 85-32 | After an age of rolling scrum-work around Brisbane's forwardline, Warnock hoofs it forward, looking for the boundary and finding Charman. He gathers it right up against the boundary and decides to have a go from 55m out. Ecstatic celebrations from the big man as it wobbles through.
\Q3:17 | 85-32 | Replays of Leigh Matthews laughing hysterically at Charman's Goal of the Year contender and the prancing about it inspired being shown on the big screens.
\Q3:17 | 85-32 | Yze gets a free kick from the centre bounce. Free kick count of 8-18 in Melbourne's favour paints a picture of just how physical the Lions have been.
\Q3:18 | 85-38 | Bruce marks Yze's kick and puts it through for a very rare Demon goal. Both have been pretty quiet, though Yze is starting to find the ball a bit.
\Q3:19 | 86-38 | And now Bradshaw's kicked yet another behind. Melbourne's problem is that every time the ball leaves their 50m, the next kick either goes to space or the opposition. Brisbane's problem is that they can hardly buy a goal (2 out on the full, 3 haven't made the distance, 6 behinds and 3 goals)
\Q3:20 | 86-38 | Another headache for Bean Dailey, Cale Morton clutches at his left hamstring while running with the ball, hands it straight off to Rischitelli and fall flat on his face while Frawley marks the shot on goal on the right on the line.
\Q3:21 | 86-38 | Definite hammy for Morton as he;s helped off by the trainers. He's racked up quite a lot of possession today but hasn't had as much impact as the hype suggested he would.
\Q3:22 | 86-38 | Petterd the only real target Melbourne have going forward, he runs through the midfield, stops, props and hits Yze in the forwardline. Smart play.
\Q3:23 | 86-44 | Yze puts it through, he's added 7 disposals this quarter to the 1 he amassed in the first half.
\Q3:24 | 92-44 | Melbourne slaved away for that goal, only to let the Lions get one back through Brennan straight away to double their score again.
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | Brisbane 13.14.92 to Melbourne 7.2.44. 48 point margin.
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | Brisbane's scorers: Brown 3.2, Brennan 2.1, Stiller 2.1, Bradshaw 1.3, Lappin 1.1, Rischitelli 1.0, Notting 1.1, Sherman 1.0, Charman 1.0, Power 0.2, 3 rushed behinds
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | Melbourne's scorers: Robertson 2.0, Holland 1.0, Morton 1.0, Garland 1.0, Bruce 1.0, Yze 1.0, Maric 0.1, Sylvia 0.1
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | Only one thing stood between Brisbane and utter domination in that quarter: goal-kicking. It was awful, almost as awful as Melbourne attempting to get the ball forward.
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | 78% of the game so far has been in Brisbane's attacking half of the ground, and I'd wager an awful lot of that time has been in their 50m zone.
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | Melbourne's atrocious midfield has forced them into the classical paradox: flood the defensive 50 and have no one to kick it to when you rebound, or push players into the midfield and watch the Lions pile on goals.
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | Brock McLean and Nathan Jones are the only Demon mids to really have any impact around the stoppages despite Jeff White and youngster Stefan Martin being impressive in the ruck.
\Q3:25 | 92-44 | Meanwhile Yze's responded to whatever was said to him at half time and was one of the Demons' best in that quarter.

 

[Logger]

Time| Lions - Demons | Commentary
\Q4:00 | 92-44 | Bean Dailey very animated with his charges at the last break. You'd have to think that 8 unanswered goals is beyond them, but he was certainly demanding more effort and desperation.
\Q4:01 | 92-44 | Already a much improved start by Melbourne. Desperation at the ball.
\Q4:02 | 92-50 | First quarter so far Melbourne have scored first. Buckley clears a bounce on the wing and goes long. Holland takes the mark and converts the shot.
\Q4:03 | 92-50 | It's just a little thing, but that's the second time this quarter that Rischitelli has been caught holding the ball. He could have got away with the sort of cheek he just showed earlier in the game, but no longer.
\Q4:05 | 92-50 | Brisbane struggling to deal with the pressure Melbourne are bringing to bear on them, but the Dees are only evening up the contest, not winning it.
\Q4:06 | 98-50 | Well, there's one downside of Melbourne's higher numbers around the ball: when the Lions get it forward quickly they have a lot of open space to work with. The ball ends up with Rischitelli unopposed in the goalsquare and he bangs it through for his second.
\Q4:08 | 98-50 | Melbourne now running so hard that they're bringing the sort of numbers in their defensive 50 everywhere the ball goes. They look more threatening going forward but the Lions defense, previously untested, are proving a fine match.
\Q4:09 | 104-50 | Albert Proud manages to kick a goal from a quick rebound by the Lions. Melbourne look a much better side, but Brisbane are finally kicking the goals they missed earlier.
\Q4:11 | 104-50 | Some good play by Petterd just there but Newton just bombs it long into the 50.
\Q4:12 | 104-50 | And again, Petterd's angled chip to Sylvia opens up the ground, but his ruched hoof forward is far too easy for the Lions defence.
\Q4:13 | 110-50 | Power runs the length of the Vulture Street Wing and kicks a brilliant running goal. Great kick by Drummond to switch the play and find him out there.
\Q4:14 | 110-50 | The Demons' disposal has improved along with their intensity, despite their troubles going inside 50. Fewer footraces towards a bobbling ball, more crisp kicks straight to their target.
\Q4:14 | 110-50 | And just as I say that, Petterd honours a Robertson lead.
\Q4:15 | 110-56 | Wobbling shot on goal but it sneaks in and the Demons are getting some reward for their steps forward this quarter. Still 9 goals behind, though.
\Q4:17 | 110-56 | Much of the sting has gone out of this one from the Lions' point of view, they feel their second win of the season is secure. They're still much bigger and stronger than the Demons, though, and that counts for something.
\Q4:18 | 110-56 | Despite being guilty of a few of those long, harmless kicks into the forward 50, Stefan Martin continues to show his development. He's now gathering a fair bit of the ball across Melbourne's half-forward line, where the ball has spent a decent amount of time.
\Q4:18 | 110-57 | Speak of the Demon, Martin has a pop at goal from long range, but it's slapped through by Drummond.
\Q4:20 | 110-57 | Melbourne's interchange bench is glowing hot from overuse at the moment, with many players unused to the warm temperatures. There is also the fact that they seem to be working a lot harder than they were in the other quarters. In fact, they're on track to pass 100 interchanges, which would be the most this season so far.
\Q4:21 | 116-57 | Brown gets a free kick on Melbourne's 50m arc, kicks long to Brisbane's 50m arc, and he goes back to kick the goal. That's one way to beat Melbourne's numbers around the play.
\Q4:22 | 116-63 | Petterd has been mighty for Melbourne in this quarter. He kicks a well deserved goal with his 10th disposal in 20 minutes.
\Q4:23 | 116-63 | Both teams are just about out on their feet here, Brisbane from 3 quarters of extremely physical play, Melbourne from being on the receiving end of 3 quarters of extremely physical play, and then a quarter of hard running.
\Q4:24 | 116-64 | More clever play from Petterd, uses Green for a smart 1-2 then delivers the goal on a platter to Newton who tries to snap when a simple shot would have sufficed and sends it off to the right.
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | SIREN!
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | Brisbane 17.14.116 defeat Melbourne 10.4.64 by 52 points.
\Q4:25 | 116-64 | Brisbane's scorers: Brown 3.2, Brennan 2.1, Stiller 2.1, Bradshaw 2.3, Lappin 1.1, Rischitelli 2.0, Notting 1.1, Sherman 1.0, Charman 1.0, Proud 1.0, Power 1.2, 3 rushed behinds
\Q4:25 | 116-64 | Melbourne's scorers: Robertson 3.0, Holland 2.0, Morton 1.0, Garland 1.0, Bruce 1.0, Yze 1.0, Maric 0.1, Sylvia 0.1, Petterd 1.0, Newton 0.1, 1 Rushed Behind
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | An impressive performance by Brisbane, who continue their momentum from last week's breakthrough to post a resounding win against Melbourne.
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | Old hands Power, Lappin, Black and Brown all had great games, as did rising stars like Rischitelli and Joel MacDonald. Bradshaw was prolific despite his radar malfunctioning badly, while their entire backline held up well when tested, which was rarely, given their midfield's dominance.
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | Melbourne won't leave completely disheartened, however, with a much improved final quarter showing that they are capable of playing a tougher, harder running style of play.
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | The first three quarters, however, were deeply concerning, as they looked intimidated by Brisbane's physical approach and bigger bodies.
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | Almost completely surrendering hard-balls, terrible disposal under presser and without pressure and hesitant attacking play all played a part in Melbourne's capitulation.
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | Petterd was a lone light up forward, while Jones and McLean helped out the defenders admirably, much to the relief of guys like Garland and Frawley.
|Q4:25 | 116-64 | Thanks for joining us here at the 'Gabba this sunny Sunday afternoon!

 

[Logger]

I honestly didn't think we'd be less optimistic about Bean's Demons than the real thing this year, but that wasn't a good performance.

Stats:

Votes: Please post your 3,2,1 votes below!

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

So I simmed this game during the bye week and then stuffed my wrist up so completely I've been typing one-handed ever since.

Wow... I want to download what you were watching

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Love the score progression Logger.

Should be more from where that comes from.

 

[PerfectFooty]

did everybody else read the commentary in their heads as Dennis Commeti?
anyway great stuff, lions stuck around for a while but we put em away in the second half

 

[Logger]

Hey guys, if we could get some votes for the last game, that'd be great! In the meantime...


Weekly Round Up 6

Scores:
Bombers Outshoot and Outlast Pies
Magpies: 2.3 5.8 6.11 9.15.69
Bombers: 2.2 5.5 7.7 11.12.78

Cats Cream Dockers
Dockers: 2.3 3.4 5.10 9.12.66
Cats: 7.8 12.14 16.18 20.22.142

Shaky Adelaide Do Enough Against Blues
Blues: 2.3 6.5 8.7 10.8.68
Crows: 3.4 4.5 9.9 12.12.84

Bulldogs Play a Good Last Quarter!
Bulldogs: 3.6 5.7 8.9 16.11.107
Eagles: 2.2 4.6 6.8 11.11.77

Despicable St Kilda Stink in the Mud
Power: 2.2 5.7 7.7 9.13.67
Saints: 1.0 2.1 5.3 6.3.39

Deesappointment Against Brisbane
Lions: 6.3 9.8 13.14 17.14.116
Demons: 3.1 5.2 7.2 10.4.64

Roos Routed by Sydney
Kangaroos: 1.0 3.0 6.2 6.2.38
Swans: 2.6 7.8 9.12 14.15.99

McMahon Miss After the Siren Saves Hawks
Hawks: 3.5 6.9 8.14 12.17.89
Tigers: 2.4 3.6 6.8 12.13.85

Ladder:

Coleman Race:

1 S.Lucas      26
=2 M.Pavlich    25
=2 L.Franklin   25
=4 B.Hall       24
=4 M.Richardson 24

Injuries:
Mark Blake’s stress fracture in his foot has ruled him out for the foreseeable future, while Jobe Watson’s AC joint could rule him out for up to 8 weeks. Youngster Cale Morton and veteran Shane O’Bree both pulls hammys in their respective teams’ losses, while Andrew Mackie’s rolled ankle isn’t as bad as first thought and could see him return in a couple of weeks. Justin Koschitzke avoided any major injury from his sickening incident with Port defender Matt Thomas and should line up next week. Finally, both Matthew Whelan and Chance Bateman were both missing from their side’s training sessions and given a week off without explanation from their clubs. No word on what might be the problem with them.

Demons: J.Rivers – Pelvis (season), C.Morton – hamstring (4 weeks), B.Miller – Hamstring (2 weeks), M.Bate – Hamstring (1 weeks), M.Whelan – general soreness (test)
Others: J.Sellar [Ade] - Osteitis Pubis (indefinite), M.Osborne [Haw] – ACL knee (Season), R.Houlihan [Carl] – Osteitis Pubis (indefinite), S.Crawford [Haw] - Osteitis Pubis (indefinite),J.Watson [Ess] – shoulder (7-8 weeks), M.Blake [Geel] – stress fracture, foot (7-8 weeks), S.O’Bree [Coll] – hamstring (3-4 weeks), T.Croad [Haw] – hamstring (3-4 weeks), J.Adcock [Bris] – stress fracture, foot (4 weeks), D.Giansiracusa [WB] – hamstring (2-3 weeks), A.Mackie [Geel] – ankle (2-3 weeks), K.Pettifer [Rich] – quad (1-2 weeks), N.Bock [Adel] – hamstring (1 weeks), A.Goodes [Syd] – hamstring (1 weeks), L.Montagna [St.K] – corked thigh (test), D.Jackson [Rich] – corked thigh (test), J.Koschitzke [St.K] – concussion (test), C.Bateman [Haw] – general soreness (test)

Tribunal
Darren Milburn [Geel] reported for umpire contact. Cleared.
Milburn was contesting a ball up when pushed into the back of the umpire by his opponent, Ryan Crowley. Given a $900 fine, Milburn appealed and was cleared by the tribunal on the grounds that the contact was solely due to Crowley’s shepherding despite Milburn’s attempts to avoid the umpire.

Matt Thomas [PA] reported for rough contact on Justin Koschitzke. 3 week suspension.
Early in the first term, Thomas had tried to soccer the ball off the ground and out of his defensive 50 but the ball went only 10m along the ground. Chasing it down, he was beaten to the ball by Koschitzke who came from the opposite direction and put his head over the ball to gather it. Thomas collided heavily with his hip to the Saint’s head and neck, knocking him out and causing initial concern that Koschitzke may have suffered spinal injuries. Koschitzke was stretchered off the ground and rushed to hospital where he was cleared of any major injuries but took no further part in the game with a concussion. Thomas pleaded guilty.

Jonathan Brown [Bris] reported on video evidence of rough conduct on Brad Green. Dismissed.
Early in the first term, Green was left bleeding and dazed after a bounce in Brisbane’s forwardline. Footage of who had felled him was difficult to interpret and Brown successfully argued at the tribunal that it was impossible to prove beyond reasonable doubt that it had been him who had caused the damage to the back of Green’s head from the inconclusive footage. This was just one of a number of heavy clashes early in this game, no others were deemed worthy of a report by the tribunal.

Please Pick Me
This is the first in a series of articles about draft prospects. Today we focus on Ernest Turney, a versatile tall youngster some are touting as a number one draft pick in this year’s NAB National Draft.
Name: Ernest Turney
Age:18
Team: Dandenong Stingrays
Height: 191cm, Weight: 83kg
Strengths: pace, agility, ability to find the ball and read the play, versatility, leadership.
Weaknesses: not strong enough to play a key role at either end of the ground or win his own ball…yet.
Honours:
-Kevin Sheehan Medal (best player, Under-16s National Carnival) – 2006
-Captain Vic Metro, Under-16s National Carnival – 2006
-Under-age representative, Vic Metro, Under-18s National Carnival – 2007
-Captain Dandenong Stingrays - 2008
Plays Like: Tim Watson
What “Shifter” Sheehan Says: Tall, incredibly agile and fast. Boy does he know how to get the ball in his hands. Has played all over the field but excels as an outside midfielder. Is lightly built and will take a little while to adjust to AFL level but will be a 200 gamer, no problem.
What Ernest Says: I think I tend to play my best football just on the outer of packs, where I can use my speed to run away from opponents, but I’ve really worked hard to make sure I’m not just a one-dimensional player who’s fast but can’t do anything else. I feel like I’ve really improved my defensive work in the last year and I’m also dangerous around goals, but both of those aspects of my game can improve even more. I know I need to be more consistent from set shots and also learn when to spoil and when to mark down back.
I understand that I’ll need to bulk up if I do get drafted, but I feel my number one weapon is my pace, and I know that as a taller player I’ll bring something new to a few teams, so I haven’t done too much work with weights yet because I didn’t want to stunt my growth or impact on my running technique by doing the wrong sort of exercises. That’s one of the things I’m really looking forward to if I do get picked up by a team: having that support around you and learning how to be the best you can be. Because it’s just me and mum, I can’t really afford to have a gym membership or go to specialists if I have a niggle. I had to turn down a spot in the AIS academy because mum got sick. She felt bad but she’s done so much to support me and my football it was only right I give something back to her when she needed it.

I don’t even know if I will be drafted. I really hope I am but whenever someone asks if I think I’ll be pick one or two or whatever it makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want to feel like I’ve made it, I know I can get much better, and I’m really hungry to do so.

 

[PureFooty]

Geez, hope we can nab the kid, I can see it now...
'Player Number 4-4-2-7-1-6, Ernie Turney, Dandenong Stingrays.

 

[Logger]

Geez, hope we can nab the kid, I can see it now...
'Player Number 4-4-2-7-1-6, Ernie Turney, Dandenong Stingrays.

Ernie Turney is certain to get the Supermercado tick of approval for odd names, but I worry he's a little too similar to Cale Morton to take with our first pick. We'll see who else is available.

 

[Supermercado]

Might slip to our pick after we win the flag.