Demons get physical
By Peter Ker
February 28, 2004
Related:
Emma Quayle: Thompson takes to task with passion
MELBOURNE 1.4.4 1.6.5 1.10.7 1.11.12 (87) defeated WEST COAST 0.2.2 0.4.4 0.7.7 0.11.9 (75)
Nine-pointers: Melbourne: P Wheatley.
West Coast: Nil.
Goals: Melbourne: A Yze 2, A Davey, C Bruce, B Green, S Godfrey, S Thompson, B Miller, P Vardy, J White, D Neitz.
West Coast: A McDougall 2, D Cox, C Judd, P Johnson, D Chick, C Fletcher, B Cousins, C Chambers, S Butler, D Kerr.
Best: Melbourne: S Godfrey, D Neitz, C Bruce, C Heffernan, J White, C Bizzell.
West Coast: D Wirrpunda, D Cox, P Johnson, C Judd, A Embley.
Injuries: Melbourne: P Walsh (quadricep).
West Coast: Nil.
Reports: D Kerr (West Coast) reported by field umpire S Jeffery for striking P Wheatley (Melbourne) in in the final quarter).
Umpires: H Kennedy, M Vozzo, S Jeffrey.
Official crowd: 8,753 at Telstra Dome.
A committed and physical Melbourne side upheld its end of Neale Daniher's bargain last night with a comfortable 12-point victory over a fast-finishing West Coast.
Holding true to Daniher's promise from earlier in the week that Melbourne fans would see a competitive side if they bothered to turn up, the Demons led from the outset and were not seriously challenged on their way to a deserved Wizard Cup semi-final berth.
A crowd of 8753 - just short of what Daniher said would be acceptable - watched on as the Demons proved beyond doubt that they wanted the win more.
Paul Wheatley got things moving with a nine-point goal after five minutes. Goals from Brad Miller, Cameron Bruce and Simon Godfrey soon after had the visitors on the back foot.
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While the football was good, most encouraging for Melbourne supporters was the way the Demons - regularly criticised for being soft - threw themselves at the ball.
Scott Thompson, Cameron Bruce and Nathan Brown held sway in the midfield, with Chris Judd and Ben Cousins clearly not enjoying the physical approach from their opponents.
So hard were the Demons that a brawl broke out in the Eagles' forward line, a rare occurrence in Wizard Cup matches.
But it wasn't all grit. Russell Robertson filed an early application for mark of the year when he climbed magnificently over Brent Staker and Kasey Green just before quarter-time.
The Tasmanian slotted in nicely to a forward line that - on this occasion at least - had good balance.
With David Neitz, Robertson, Brad Green and Aaron Davey, the Demons have most of what they need - a centre half-forward being next on the shopping list.
Neitz's battle with Glen Jakovich was seriously one-sided, causing West Coast fans to wonder if the champion backman has played on for one season too many.
Davey was competitive against the class of David Wirrpunda, earning possessions well up the ground and kicking a goal in the third term.
Five goals clear early in the second term, the Demons kept the physical pressure coming.
A Neitz bump sent West Coast rookie Clancy Rudeforth to the changerooms on a stretcher, while the introduction of former Eagle Phil Read resulted - somewhat predictably - in Cousins being solidly upended. Melbourne fans can expect more of this from the former Eagle.
The tight confines of Telstra Dome made life more difficult than last week for West Coast's young forward line. Andrew McDougall struggled to get into the match, while Paul Johnson did not have the polish to finish off his work around half-forward.
Unlike last week when he kicked three goals in a sizzling first term against Collingwood, McDougall looked crowded and took until late in the third quarter to kick his first goal. He finished a disappointing night with a second goal midway through the final term.
Rookie Sam Butler kicked a goal with his first touch, but for the most part, the Eagles had little up forward.
Five goals in a pedestrian last quarter flattered the Eagles, who were well beaten on the night.
A handsome win, tough attack on the football and a few pieces for the highlight reel - it might only be February, but it is still a ride Melbourne fans should think seriously about taking.
To add to the Eagles' disappointment, Daniel Ker was reported late in the last quarter after making heavy contact with Wheatley.
By Peter Ker
February 28, 2004
Related:
Emma Quayle: Thompson takes to task with passion
MELBOURNE 1.4.4 1.6.5 1.10.7 1.11.12 (87) defeated WEST COAST 0.2.2 0.4.4 0.7.7 0.11.9 (75)
Nine-pointers: Melbourne: P Wheatley.
West Coast: Nil.
Goals: Melbourne: A Yze 2, A Davey, C Bruce, B Green, S Godfrey, S Thompson, B Miller, P Vardy, J White, D Neitz.
West Coast: A McDougall 2, D Cox, C Judd, P Johnson, D Chick, C Fletcher, B Cousins, C Chambers, S Butler, D Kerr.
Best: Melbourne: S Godfrey, D Neitz, C Bruce, C Heffernan, J White, C Bizzell.
West Coast: D Wirrpunda, D Cox, P Johnson, C Judd, A Embley.
Injuries: Melbourne: P Walsh (quadricep).
West Coast: Nil.
Reports: D Kerr (West Coast) reported by field umpire S Jeffery for striking P Wheatley (Melbourne) in in the final quarter).
Umpires: H Kennedy, M Vozzo, S Jeffrey.
Official crowd: 8,753 at Telstra Dome.
A committed and physical Melbourne side upheld its end of Neale Daniher's bargain last night with a comfortable 12-point victory over a fast-finishing West Coast.
Holding true to Daniher's promise from earlier in the week that Melbourne fans would see a competitive side if they bothered to turn up, the Demons led from the outset and were not seriously challenged on their way to a deserved Wizard Cup semi-final berth.
A crowd of 8753 - just short of what Daniher said would be acceptable - watched on as the Demons proved beyond doubt that they wanted the win more.
Paul Wheatley got things moving with a nine-point goal after five minutes. Goals from Brad Miller, Cameron Bruce and Simon Godfrey soon after had the visitors on the back foot.
advertisement
advertisement
While the football was good, most encouraging for Melbourne supporters was the way the Demons - regularly criticised for being soft - threw themselves at the ball.
Scott Thompson, Cameron Bruce and Nathan Brown held sway in the midfield, with Chris Judd and Ben Cousins clearly not enjoying the physical approach from their opponents.
So hard were the Demons that a brawl broke out in the Eagles' forward line, a rare occurrence in Wizard Cup matches.
But it wasn't all grit. Russell Robertson filed an early application for mark of the year when he climbed magnificently over Brent Staker and Kasey Green just before quarter-time.
The Tasmanian slotted in nicely to a forward line that - on this occasion at least - had good balance.
With David Neitz, Robertson, Brad Green and Aaron Davey, the Demons have most of what they need - a centre half-forward being next on the shopping list.
Neitz's battle with Glen Jakovich was seriously one-sided, causing West Coast fans to wonder if the champion backman has played on for one season too many.
Davey was competitive against the class of David Wirrpunda, earning possessions well up the ground and kicking a goal in the third term.
Five goals clear early in the second term, the Demons kept the physical pressure coming.
A Neitz bump sent West Coast rookie Clancy Rudeforth to the changerooms on a stretcher, while the introduction of former Eagle Phil Read resulted - somewhat predictably - in Cousins being solidly upended. Melbourne fans can expect more of this from the former Eagle.
The tight confines of Telstra Dome made life more difficult than last week for West Coast's young forward line. Andrew McDougall struggled to get into the match, while Paul Johnson did not have the polish to finish off his work around half-forward.
Unlike last week when he kicked three goals in a sizzling first term against Collingwood, McDougall looked crowded and took until late in the third quarter to kick his first goal. He finished a disappointing night with a second goal midway through the final term.
Rookie Sam Butler kicked a goal with his first touch, but for the most part, the Eagles had little up forward.
Five goals in a pedestrian last quarter flattered the Eagles, who were well beaten on the night.
A handsome win, tough attack on the football and a few pieces for the highlight reel - it might only be February, but it is still a ride Melbourne fans should think seriously about taking.
To add to the Eagles' disappointment, Daniel Ker was reported late in the last quarter after making heavy contact with Wheatley.
