AFL Round 5
At Colonial:
Footscray 3.3 5.6 12.9 16.14.110
Collingwood 5.4 10.8 12.10 17.16.118
Another good win for the Pies in a tough game against the Bulldogs. Some
pundits still don't think the Magpies have faced a true test, as the
Pups went in without Chris Grant, still recovering from his pinched
nerve, and injured forward Paul Hudson. All you can do is win. In
addition to Granty and Huddo, Bulldog Andrew Wills was out with
concussion. When asked to name a Bulldog teammate last week, he replied
"Kelvin Templeton". Replacements were Jose Romero, back from suspension,
Josh Mahoney and Christin Macri. Two changes for the Maggies, Ben
Johnson axed for winger James Wasley and Ukovic was a late withdrawal,
allowing ex-Tiger ruckman Steven McKee to make his Pie debut.
This was the first Colonial game to sell out and be broadcast live in
Melbourne, although the official crowd was 45,141 - some 7,000 below
capacity. Folks not bothering to attend once the live broadcast was
announced. A few AFL members mailed me during the week to point out it's
Medallion and Access Club members who sit in the sparsely-populated
middle tier, not they. The Pies dominated the early stages as they
focussed on the ball while the Dogs went the body. Winning it in the
centre through Williams and Buckley, Freeborn dobbed the first goal,
Williams snapped a beauty after Dog Hunter soccered it when he shoulda
picked it up, from the restart Willo tore away and handballed to send
Buckley in, Pies 3.2 to nort. If Shane Watson hadn't missed two sitters,
they'd have been further ahead. The Dogs started Brad Johnson at full
forward and he led well to Liberatore's pass for their first goal. Nick
Davis marked in the goalsquare for another Maggie major. The Bullies
finally got some ball, West goaled with a good kick and Macri's strong
tackle on the wing led to another Johnson six-pointer, cutting the Pies'
lead to 7 points. But the rampant Williams raced away for an excellent
major to give the Magpiss a 2-goal lead at the first break. Goals were
swapped in a feisty start to term two. Anthony Rocca, who'd been very
physical so far, was reported for biffing Craig Ellis but a moment later
Darcy whacked Rocca Jnr., who majored from the resulting free. Johnson
majored again for the Pups following an excellent goalsquare mark
against Burns, Sav Rocca replied for the Pies courtesy Buckley's pass.
After Bulldog Cox goaled, the Pies kicked clear. Their midfield won
clearly, but poor misses from Sav, Tarrant and Tony Rocca threatened to
waste the advantage before Buckley pushed forward for two very good
goals. Sav Rocca led, marked and majored on the siren to give the
Maggies a hefty 32 point lead at half-time.
Wallace pulled some key moves to start the second half. Bartlett had
come crashing back to earth - he was being thrashed by Mark Richardson -
and was benched, the Dogs went with an all-small forward line with Todd
Curley at full forward. Johnson moved to the midfield and picked up a
bundle of kicks, as did Dimattina. Kretiuk managed to slow Buckley and
Libber tightened on Williams. Curley's early goal was answered by Mark
The Poor Man's Richardson before the Dogs stormed back. Kolyniuk snapped
a nice goal on his left foot, Smith picked out Curley who marked
strongly and slotted, Pies by 19 points. Kolyniuk seemed set to mark 40m
out when clobbered by Burns, the ump allowed advantage for another
Curley goal. Cox roved the pack and snapped the difference down to 8
points, a bit later Mahoney made it just the one with a good lead and
mark. Magpie tyro Adkins showed the headiness of youth by selling two
dummies as he charged into goal, but ran out of space and got hammered
by Contessa. Richardson kicked on the full before Watson found Sav's
lead and he steadied the Pies. Freeborn and Watson missed badly before
Bulldog Cox held a very good grab and passed for Brad Johnson to boot
the margin down to a point at the last break.
And on went the Dogs in the early last. Kolyniuk put them in front from
opponent Lockyer's bad kick-in, Wynd and West combined to clear the
centre bounce and Eagleton speared a classic left-footer between the big
posts. Bullies by 12 points and the Pies appeared distinctly rattled. It
took the cool, old heads of Buckley and Williams and the speed of young
Adkins to steady 'em. Williams kicked a great set shot from the boundary
to cut the gap to a goal and there followed a stream of terrible misses,
from Tony Rocca, Wasley and Adkins, before Burns pushed forward and
converted a strong grab against Mahoney, 2 points the Pies' way. The
Pups nudged ahead again, Romero did well to handpass for Eagleton's
goal. Footscray by 5. A Williams point led to the ball being trapped in
the Dogs' backline, but more inaccurate shots from Lane, Wasley again
and Buckley (McAvaney: OOH THE CAPTAIN WILL DRILL THIS FOR CERTAIN)
sliced the lead to a point before, finally, Adkins ran in from Lane's
handpass and bisected the taller uprights. Maggies back ahead by 2.
Adkins then cleared the centre bounce and, as per last week, Anthony
Rocca pumped one from 55m to seal it. Curley kicked a good too-late
goal.
Buckley had a huge last quarter with 11 touches and his 2 second-quarter
goals were important, he was very good. 26 possessions, 9 marks and 3
goals altogether. Mark Richardson had a great game at CHB after
thrashing Bartlett early, ending with 16 kicks, 10 good marks and a
goal. Williams made spasmodic contributions but like Buckley had a big
last term, he had 18 disposals and 3 goals. Paul Licuria played well in
defence with 15 touches and skinny Damien Adkins (14 disposals, a goal)
got stuck into packs. Anthony Rocca (6 marks, 2 goals) intimidated the
opposition with some hard hits and made telling contributions and
Lockyer was good again. Sav Rocca kicked 3 goals. Bulldogs' best was
Brad Johnson who booted 4 goals, 3 early from full forward, and went on
to finish with 25 disposals from the wing and 10 marks. Rover Scott West
wasn't far behind, having 32 possessions and kicking a goal as he won
the ball around packs. Curley proved a handy makeshift forward with 4
goals and Simon Cox didn't do badly either with 2 goals from 5 marks.
Ellis played well in defence and there were useful games from Nathan
Brown (16 disposals) and Rohan Smith (18). Kolyniuk and Eagleton kicked
2 goals each. Wallace said "I just had a feeling in that second quarter
that something was going to break, and it broke their way. Buckley's 2
goals busted us open." Malthouse said "They were disappointed (at 3/4
time) the way they allowed the opposition to come back...the resolve was
there, so it's terrific to know you've got something left to give.
They'll have a go..." The Roos next week and the Bombers a week later
should be fun for them.
At the MCG:
Essendon 5.6 10.8 16.12 18.15.123
Carlton 1.2 3.6 8.7 15.9.99
Revenge for the Dons for their prelim loss was, in the end, a peripheral
facet of this game featuring much violence, a late Carlton resurgence, a
hefty 21 marks for Blue forward Lance Whitnall and Blue coach Dave
Parkin punching a supporter after the game. And another four points for
the undefeated Dons. Parkin spent all week explaining that he was in
charge of the team, but assistant Wayne Brittain was in control on match
days. Strange arrangement. In selection Essendon lost Mick Long with a
hip injury, on Wednesday Long penned an open letter to John Howard
condemning the government's denial of the 'stolen generation'. Prior and
Fraser were dropped, coming in were the three players dropped last week,
Denham, Caracella and Ramanauskas. The Blues axed the struggling Sexton,
Hickmott, Hulme and Nelson. In came Fletcher, Stephen Silvagni (who was
the best full back of the past century) and Glenn Manton for their first
games of the year plus a debutant, Scott Freeborn from Port Adelaide.
Yep, he's the brother of Magpie Glen.
A crowd of 64,658 saw Carlton kick the first goal and the Bombers rattle
on the next ten. Jason Johnson and Barnes in the middle powered 'em on
while Hird waltzed about winning kicks, Dean Solomon and Damian Harwick
starred in defence. Carlton did a fair imitation of those other famous
boys in blue, the Keystone Cops as they ran about blundering and running
into each other. Hird got a goal after Allan and Mansfield collided and
Massie received a fractured cheekbone after collecting Rice. Their
frustrations boiled over in the second quarter when Bommer Joe Misiti
had his jaw broken in an 'incident' with Fraser Brown. It sparked an
all-in blue in which Brown, Misiti and Dean Wallis were reported for
wrestling. Misiti had to depart and that saw a huge improvement in the
game of his opponent, Ratten. Whitnall had 10 marks by half-time but was
travelling well up the ground to get most of them, lessening the Blues'
potency near the sticks. After half time we saw the footy season proper
had started as Sheedy indulged his penchant for lunacy, sending first
Jim Hird, then Matthew Lloyd to play at CHB on Whitnall. As in the
prelim final of 99, Koutoufides lifted for a big second half and with
Ratten and Camporeale getting some kicks, Whitnall still winning, the
Blues got moving. Not that Essendon did much worse despite losing
Mercuri with a hamstring, Fletcher freed from defensive duties dobbed
some goals and Caracella got one as they extended their lead to 53
points by the final change. Carlton bagged the first four goals of the
last quarter and trailed by 29 points when Lucas juggled a mark in front
of Hotton and roosted a long goal. Carlton kept coming but an excellent
2-bounce run and goal from Ramanauskas ended their chances of winning.
Solomon did very well with 24 disposals, 9 marks and a goal, fellow
backman Hardwick was also handy with 23 touches. Scott Lucas continued
his stirling comeback with 3 goals from 15 kicks and 7 marks at CHF.
Hird had 22 touches with a goal. Noble Park's Adam Ramanauskas played
his best game to date with 14 possies and 2 goals. Jason Johnson had 23
handlings and Caracella won the ball 21 times across half-forward with
10 marks and 2 goals. Barnes, already being touted by Sheedy as the
recruit of the year, won the rucks in the first half. Lloyd kicked 3
goals and Fletcher 2. Headlines had Whitnall with 18 marks but the
unreliable Age stats credit him with 21, a huge tally. Big Red also had
a whopping 34 disposals and 4 goals. There can't be many games where a
CHF is that dominant but his team has just 24 shots at goal and get
beaten. Koutoufides had 35 disposals, 12 marks and a goal, Camporeale
pocketted a heap of kicks (22) once more. Ratten got 37 touches (20
handpasses) and a goal although as Dermie pointed out last week, his
normal possession is a tumbled 15m kick or blind handpass. Aaron Hamill
took 11 marks and bagged a goal up front. Fevola kicked 2 third-quarter
goals and Lappin bagged 2 goals as well. "It just seemed to be terribly
hard work, everything that we did for half a game...I think the second
half was a hell of an improvement," said Wayne Brittain's assistant. He
laughed off punching the spectator. "I couldn't fight my way out of a
wet paper bag." Sheedy said "We tried some things in the game that we
needed to try...We wanted to get players to get experience in positions
that they are not quite used to all the time." He blamed the last
quarter on tiredness from Esserdin's game in Perth two weeks ago. That
Sheeds. He's a larf.
At the Gabba:
Brisbane 5.5 8.13 13.17 17.20.122
Adelaide 3.1 9.5 11.8 13.14.92
Brisbane enjoyed a win over the calamity Crows in their first home game
of the year, viewed by a record high 26,395 at the resurfaced Gabba.
Adelaide did well to keep the margin under100 points, I suppose. Going
in there were eleven changes amongst the two sides. The Lions dropped
Richard Champion, Rusca, Kennedy, Notting and Luke Power. Returning were
Craig Bolton, Chris Johnson and Des Headland and they had two
first-gamers, forward Jonathon Brown from Geelong Falcons and Darwinian
half-back Aaron Shattock, from Darwin via the SANFL. Adelaide made six
changes after the Perth debacle, out went Burton, Ellen, Connell,
Johnson (injured), Eccles and McGregor. Nathan Bassett was back from
injury and they picked a bunch of youngsters, Beinke, Byrne, Stenglein
and two first-gamers too, ruckman Rhett Biglands from Woodville/West
Torrens and forward flanker Ricky O'Loughlin from Port Adelaide Magpies.
Ricky is Swan Michael's younger brother.
Haven’t a clue about play action, all I saw on brief TV highlights was
Al Lynch taking a series of strong grabs for the Lions, but he didn’t
kick too straight ending with 5.5 from 9 marks and 15 kicks. Matthews
commented that he was very happy with the backline, ex-Bulldog Michael
Martin did very well down there with 29 disposals (24 kicks). The Crows
led briefly, during the third quarter I think, during which Ayres
benched Mark Ricciuto, their best player on the night. The Crows got
close again in the final term, but couldn’t go on. Ricciuto finished
with 27 disposals and 2 goals, a fair effort. Scott Welsh kicked 4 goals
from 5 marks while other Camry midfielders Mark Bickley (28 disposals)
and Kym Koster (21 touches) played alright. Jarman kicked 3 goals from
18 touches and back flanker Simon Goodwin, a reliable type, had 18
handlings. Vardy kicked 2 goals. Biglands had a reasonable start in the
ruck, O’Loughlin failed to bother the statistician. Other goers for the
Lions included Mick Voss (26 disposals, a goal) and winger Nige Lappin
(24, a goal) while Daryl White was very good at CHB with 14 touches and
Molloy bulldozed around the forward line for 20 touches and 2 goals.
Beau McDonald and Shaun Hart also kicked 2 goals each. Brown is credited
with two tackles and a spoil, no possessions though, while Shattock had
6 touches. There ‘aint even a quote from the coaches, although Ayres is
reported as conceding the Crows don’t have the players to be competitive
with the best sides. Build up their confidence, Gazza.
At the WACA:
Fremantle 5.3 6.10 8.13 10.15.75
Melbourne 1.3 4.11 10.15 14.22.106
Not the greatest game but a good win for the improved Demons over a
Fremantle wasteful of possession in the grand manner. The Dockers have
lost all three home games and won twice away. Go figure. At pickin’ time
Fremantle made two compulsory alterations, Koops copped 2 weeks for
charging Torney which was upheld on appeal and ruckman Clem Michael
missed with injury, replacements were oft-injured defender Anthony Jones
and a debutant, centre half-forward Matthew Pavlich from Woodville/West
Torrens. Pavlich was drafted with the second of Freo's priority picks.
Melbourne made no change to the team which belted the Saints.
Fremantle started very well with Modra carrying on from last week,
kicking 3 goals in the first quarter and Pavlich got a goal too. McManus
and Hasleby were firing in the middle again, despite the Dockers
struggling in the ruck with Michael out. Melbourne were getting plenty
of it midfield through Woewodin and Powell, but they had nothing
happening in attack except Schwarz’s industry. Saw a bit of the second
quarter in which nothing happened, Modra got another sausage before
Melbourne dominated the latter stages but couldn’t Cronje a goal before
Walsh snapped a nice one, then two more good late majors arrived from
Schwarz and Robertson. After half time the Demons took control,
Leoncelli and Rigoni added bite in the middle, Grgic and Jim McDonald
booted a couple of goals each to put them ahead on the scoreboard as
well as the paddock. Cantered in from there.
Shane Woewodin’s excellent spell of form continued, the man from East
Fremantle had 33 disposals running the midfield. Cameron Bruce played
off half-back this time and continued to go very well with 17 touches
while hard-running Yze (23 disposals, 2 goals) and Powell (21
handlings) were part of a winning midfield. Russ Robertson added some
needed life to the forward line with 8 marks and 15 kicks, although 1.3
wasn’t the best return. He kicked the hardest shot, too. Peter Walsh was
a goer off half-back 23 touches and a goal. Schwarz kicked 3.3 from 20
possies with 8 marks, ruckman Jeff White (they’re still booing him over
there) finished with 10 marks and 15 disposals around the ground. Grgic
and James McDonald finished with 2 goals each. Fremantle’s best was the
angular defender Shane Parker, who played on Farmer and kept him to one
goal while having 18 touches himself. Paul Hasleby racked up 26
disposals (22 kicks) in the middle and ex-Demon Troy Longmuir fired
against his old side with 18 disposals, 7 marks. Midfielders McManus (28
disposals) and Black (21, a goal) did alright and Modra bagged 5 goals
from 9 kicks. Pavlich started brightly but faded, he kicked 2 goals.
Drum lamented their poor disposal again, while Daniher appreciated the
effort interstate.
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 4.3 11.6 15.15 24.18.162
West Coast 1.6 6.8 7.12 11.15.81
Geelong in dreamland as they had one of those perfect days, everything
going right for a Blightesque score, their highest for some time. When
David Mensch boots a swag of goals, the gods hafta be very kind. The
Weegs managed a clever 195-point turnaround from last weekend. They
always did alright at Kardinia under Malthouse. In selection the Cats
lost Buddha Hocking again with his troublesome hamstring and axed Paul
Corrigan for James Rahilly and Danny O'Brien. West Coast may have lost
Mitchell White for some time with knee trouble and Williams was dropped
for returning Dean Kemp and forward Andrew Donnelly.
Cats began well enough, King again winning in the ruck and speedy
youngsters Clarke and Spriggs instrumental in the centre, the place
where the Weegs’ dominance sprang from last week. Houlihan and Clarke
kicked some goals. Peter Matera had 8 touches in the first term for West
Ghost but they missed shots, Gehrig the chief offender. Mensch entered
the fray after quarter time and kicked a couple of goals as Geelong
booted the first four of the second quarter. Then came a weird bit as
the Eagles kicked five goals in seven minutes, Turnbull a factor with
some winning ruck play. The Matera brothers got a goal each and Rintoul
bagged one on the run. Their charge was halted though when Cat full back
Ben Graham ran the length of the field to dob a steadier, causing last
week’s Weegil hero Cummings to be dragged, much to the delight of the
locals. Geelong added two more goals before half time. Peter Matera and
his tagger Carl Steinfort were reported during the quarter for
wrestling. After half time the goals dried up for the Eegs, underlining
their heavy reliance on Cummings and Phil Matera for majors. And the
absence of Mitchell White, an important supply line. Mensch slotted a
banana-kick from the boundary line after he played on by accident as the
Cats rolled on. And it became a rout in the last, Mensch booted two more
and Spriggs punched the ball perfectly for Burns to slot his third goal,
Ronnie added another and Bizzell kicked one ? just a drop punt, no torp
? to add percentage.
Youthful speed marked a sea change in Geelong’s midfield as old timers
Hocking and Pickering appear to have had their day, at least as
on-ballers (I don’t think Pickering’s played a game this season). David
Clarke had 27 disposals (20 kicks) with a goal and David Spriggs 21
touches with a goal. Brad Sholl tidied up nicely in defence with 24
touches (21 kicks) while fellow backman Graham kept Cummings to one goal
and just one mark, a far cry from last week’s 14 and 15. And Graham
kicked a goal himself. David Mensch took 9 grabs and punted 6.1 from 9
kicks, forward flanker Houlihan had 26 touches and dobbed the one goal.
Ronnie Burns continued the most consistent spell of his career with 4
goals from 10 kicks, although he was reported for biffing Philip Read.
Bizzell kicked 3 goals and Paul Lynch 2. Thompson denied descriptions of
Blight-like "flair", describing his team as "workmanlike. I thought last
week we went a bit wide and a bit slow at times, but today it was back
the way we wanted." For West Coast rover Ben Cousins was the standout
with 31 disposals and a goal, forwards Chad Morrison (24 disposals, a
goal) and Gehrig (7 marks, 18 touches, 1.3) were handy and Turnbull
sparked the brief flurry, finishing with 14 handlings and 12 hitouts as
he quelled King. Not much else to mention though. They had eleven
goalkickers. Judgey said "When I actually thought we worked our way back
into the game, we just relaxed again or just didn’t play with the same
sort of commitment." Ken’s first Western Derby next weekend.
At the SCG:
North Melbourne 4.2 8.6 16.10 19.14.128
Sydney 5.5 10.9 14.10 18.12.120
The first of Norf’s four home games at the SCG this season saw them beat
the usual incumbents in a thrilling, high scoring game for the benefit
of just under 20,000. Next year, the Roos are committed to five home
games at the Olympic Stadium. The dozen or so who stroll along to the
80,000 capacity ground will create the electricity of a key stuck to a
kite. Down a sewer. Thank Otty they can play footy well. Three changes
for the Roos, recruit Leigh Colbert may miss six weeks with a bad
hamstring tear, Motlop also missed with a hamstring and ruckman Capuano
was out with a groin strain. The last of those meant a recall for Spider
Burton despite abysmal VFL form, also in were Gary Dhurrkay and Shannon
Watt. Sydney dropped experienced O'Brien and lost injured Jason Ball
(ankle) for youngster Jude Bolton and…someone else.
In fact the Swans were gutted at losing this game after being in control
for large sections. Mistakes cost them. With Schwass on fire against his
old club and O’Loughlin equally busy in attack, they skipped away in the
first half. The concentrated on maintaining possession and moving the
ball wide, avoiding the Kangas’ ‘long down the guts’ routine. Only Wayne
Carey, playing in a Hird-type roving role, kept the Kangarse in it.
Carey was widely expected to be a late withdrawal with inflammation of
the pubic symphysis but Pagan picked him on the basis that he could
stand up without wincing too much. Good move in the end. Winston Abraham
got into trouble in the first quarter when he appeared to gently push an
umpire, he was reported for it. Two late goals before half time, one
after a mistake by Swan Bolton, kept the Roos in touch. Syddey kicked
four of the first five goals in term three to skip 32 points clear and
the game was there for the taking. However the Roos slammed on seven
goals in thirteen minutes, David King and Peter Bell the architects.
King kicked his signature long, running goal where you swear his groin
and thigh muscles must tear. Harvey dished out handpasses. Shannon Grant
tied the scores and Bell put them in front. The final break was a chance
for the Swans to regroup, and they drew level 10 minutes into the last
quarter after goals from Maxfield and Barry. Yet a minute later
Cresswell turned the ball over to King, a pass to Carey saw the pubic
one goal for Norf. Dunkley’s typical mongrel punt from defence flopped
into the arms of McKernan, he punted to the goalsquare where Abraham
soccered in through and that was pretty much it. Might be Abraham’s last
kick for a while.
Very North’s little rover Peter Bell was about their best with a hefty
37 disposals (18 kicks, 19 handballs) and a goal tearing around the
centre. Carey led the way with 33 possessions (26 kicks), 12 marks and 3
goals. Slightly more telling than Whitnall. Shannon Grant booted 4 goals
from his 18 kicks and also took 13 marks, King had 28 disposals (13 in
the third quarter) and bagged 2 goals. Lively forward Brent Harvey got
the ball 25 times and also snaggled 2 goals. Down back Archer played
well and McKernan contributed a handy 3 goals from his 13 touches, just
3 marks. Dhurrkay also kicked 2 goals. After a below-average performance
last week Swan O’Loughlin was back to his best with 28 disposals setting
up the forwards, he also kicked 2 goals. Defender Ben Mathews is
improving, he had 15 touches off half-back and defender Brad Seymour had
a good game. After a big first half Schwass faded a bit but was still
effective with 19 handlings (16 kicks) and a goal, Cresswell (27
disposals, a goal) and Leo Barry (8 marks, 3 goals) were decent
performers. But the new-look Swans just miss the leadership and aura
provided by Lockett and Kelly. Fitzgerald and Luff kicked 2 goals each.
Eade opined "I think you’ve got to give them (Norf) their due, they’re a
good side, they make you pay if you make mistakes. But we made a lot of
errors, especially kicking errors." Pagan reckoned "The way Sydney
played us in the uncontested situation was very good, but when we played
them in the way we wanted to play them, in the contested situation, it
turned around and bore the results we wanted."
At Colonial:
St. Kilda 2.4 9.7 11.12 11.18.84
Richmond 3.1 5.3 12.7 17.8.110
There is real trouble at St. Kilda. The spineless, soul-less Saints
capitulated pathetically against the hard-working but hardly brilliant
Tigers who were missing four of their best players after quarter-time.
Tim Watson became the first coach this season to receive the dreaded
"full support" of the president during the week and he got it again
after this game, but what he or anyone can do to turn the Saints around
is a total mystery. In selection St. Kilda swung the axe, dropping Ryan,
Monkhorst, the struggling Aussi Jones and young Schwarze. Begley missed
with a shoulder injury, incoming were recalled Justin Peckett and Tony
Brown, Ben Walton, Jason Traianidis and David Sierakowski also got a
chance. On the morning of this game Richmond learned Matthew Richardson
will miss a year with his fractured foot and separated ligaments, Torney
was out concussed and Poyas was dropped. Wayne Campbell and Nick Daffy
were back and rover Mark Chaffey got a run.
Befitting two under-pressure strugglers, the first quarter was very
ordinary indeed as nervy players fumbled and turned over possession
regularly. Saint fans were driven mad by the umpiring, which favoured
the Tiges all day. Perhaps a Cronje-like deal there. Peckett roved a
throw-in for the first goal, Tiger Ottens at full forward replied
courtesy a free against Daryl Wakelin. St. Kilda were doing the better
but wasted it with some poor goalshooting, Everitt, at full forward
again with Loewe in the ruck, missed an easy shot after a mark - Ben
Holland was on him - and Hayes postered from point blank. Eventually
Everitt punted straight from close range, but late on Bowden goaled for
Richmond and Gale marked and slotted on the first siren to give them a
slender lead. However Campbell was off with his injured calf and so was
Daffy with a knee problem. Saints lost Andy Thompson, hammered by Andrew
Kellaway and later suffering back spasms. Much the same in the second.
Stakilda got two quick goals, Sierakoski a long shot from a free kick
and Hayes. Richmond struggled to answer, King dribbled a point from 10m
after a marvellous piece of skill to steal the ball. I'll never
understand why blokes kick it along the ground when shooting for goal.
Blame Daicos. Finally Ben Harrison drifted forward to blast one from the
goalsquare and Tivendale snapped arsily (?) from a tight angle. But the
Saints responded with their best spell of the game, stacking on five
consecutive goals. With reliable Nathan Burke very good in the centre
and Harvey going well, Everitt booted two of those, Brown roved to
Everitt for a sausage, Harvey roved perfectly at CHF to slot one and
Delaney did well to set up a long goal for Chad Davis. Richmond's only
joy was a towering screamer by David Bourke, who'd given Barry Hall a
fair beating to that point.
Richmond had been their own worst enemy. They'd been harder at the ball
and won more close-in contests than the Saints, but usually gave the
ball away with terrible kicking. Joel Bowden kicked the first goal of
the second half but soon Everitt kicked two more, one from a mark and
the other a good snap, and the Saints led by 34 points. That was their
last goal. Richmond's comeback wasn't sparked by anyone in particular,
although Rory Hilton's aggression, Andy Kellaway marshalling the defence
and classy Bowden were important. And Ottens kicking three consecutive
goals. First was from a free kick against battling Wakelin, then came a
good pass from Duncan Kellaway for a mark and slot and later three
Saints flew for the same ball, allowing Ottens to turn and soccer the
goal. Bowden blasted one from 50m, Andrew Kellaway pushed down to get a
sausage as well, Hilton marked and goaled from the pocket. St. Kilda's
attitude was communicated by Everitt, forced off under the blood rule he
dawdled off slowly instead of running off to get patched up and back
into the fray. The Saints were only a point down at the final change but
once Tiger Mills snapped a good goal amongst traffic, they always seemed
in trouble. Ottens soon bagged his fifth from a strong grab, the
Richmond defenders worked overtime to cut out Saint attacks. Sampson
speared a crowd-pleasing running goal and the final nails were banged in
by Leon Cameron, shifted to the forward pocket for two late sausages.
At Colonial:
Footscray 3.3 5.6 12.9 16.14.110
Collingwood 5.4 10.8 12.10 17.16.118
Another good win for the Pies in a tough game against the Bulldogs. Some
pundits still don't think the Magpies have faced a true test, as the
Pups went in without Chris Grant, still recovering from his pinched
nerve, and injured forward Paul Hudson. All you can do is win. In
addition to Granty and Huddo, Bulldog Andrew Wills was out with
concussion. When asked to name a Bulldog teammate last week, he replied
"Kelvin Templeton". Replacements were Jose Romero, back from suspension,
Josh Mahoney and Christin Macri. Two changes for the Maggies, Ben
Johnson axed for winger James Wasley and Ukovic was a late withdrawal,
allowing ex-Tiger ruckman Steven McKee to make his Pie debut.
This was the first Colonial game to sell out and be broadcast live in
Melbourne, although the official crowd was 45,141 - some 7,000 below
capacity. Folks not bothering to attend once the live broadcast was
announced. A few AFL members mailed me during the week to point out it's
Medallion and Access Club members who sit in the sparsely-populated
middle tier, not they. The Pies dominated the early stages as they
focussed on the ball while the Dogs went the body. Winning it in the
centre through Williams and Buckley, Freeborn dobbed the first goal,
Williams snapped a beauty after Dog Hunter soccered it when he shoulda
picked it up, from the restart Willo tore away and handballed to send
Buckley in, Pies 3.2 to nort. If Shane Watson hadn't missed two sitters,
they'd have been further ahead. The Dogs started Brad Johnson at full
forward and he led well to Liberatore's pass for their first goal. Nick
Davis marked in the goalsquare for another Maggie major. The Bullies
finally got some ball, West goaled with a good kick and Macri's strong
tackle on the wing led to another Johnson six-pointer, cutting the Pies'
lead to 7 points. But the rampant Williams raced away for an excellent
major to give the Magpiss a 2-goal lead at the first break. Goals were
swapped in a feisty start to term two. Anthony Rocca, who'd been very
physical so far, was reported for biffing Craig Ellis but a moment later
Darcy whacked Rocca Jnr., who majored from the resulting free. Johnson
majored again for the Pups following an excellent goalsquare mark
against Burns, Sav Rocca replied for the Pies courtesy Buckley's pass.
After Bulldog Cox goaled, the Pies kicked clear. Their midfield won
clearly, but poor misses from Sav, Tarrant and Tony Rocca threatened to
waste the advantage before Buckley pushed forward for two very good
goals. Sav Rocca led, marked and majored on the siren to give the
Maggies a hefty 32 point lead at half-time.
Wallace pulled some key moves to start the second half. Bartlett had
come crashing back to earth - he was being thrashed by Mark Richardson -
and was benched, the Dogs went with an all-small forward line with Todd
Curley at full forward. Johnson moved to the midfield and picked up a
bundle of kicks, as did Dimattina. Kretiuk managed to slow Buckley and
Libber tightened on Williams. Curley's early goal was answered by Mark
The Poor Man's Richardson before the Dogs stormed back. Kolyniuk snapped
a nice goal on his left foot, Smith picked out Curley who marked
strongly and slotted, Pies by 19 points. Kolyniuk seemed set to mark 40m
out when clobbered by Burns, the ump allowed advantage for another
Curley goal. Cox roved the pack and snapped the difference down to 8
points, a bit later Mahoney made it just the one with a good lead and
mark. Magpie tyro Adkins showed the headiness of youth by selling two
dummies as he charged into goal, but ran out of space and got hammered
by Contessa. Richardson kicked on the full before Watson found Sav's
lead and he steadied the Pies. Freeborn and Watson missed badly before
Bulldog Cox held a very good grab and passed for Brad Johnson to boot
the margin down to a point at the last break.
And on went the Dogs in the early last. Kolyniuk put them in front from
opponent Lockyer's bad kick-in, Wynd and West combined to clear the
centre bounce and Eagleton speared a classic left-footer between the big
posts. Bullies by 12 points and the Pies appeared distinctly rattled. It
took the cool, old heads of Buckley and Williams and the speed of young
Adkins to steady 'em. Williams kicked a great set shot from the boundary
to cut the gap to a goal and there followed a stream of terrible misses,
from Tony Rocca, Wasley and Adkins, before Burns pushed forward and
converted a strong grab against Mahoney, 2 points the Pies' way. The
Pups nudged ahead again, Romero did well to handpass for Eagleton's
goal. Footscray by 5. A Williams point led to the ball being trapped in
the Dogs' backline, but more inaccurate shots from Lane, Wasley again
and Buckley (McAvaney: OOH THE CAPTAIN WILL DRILL THIS FOR CERTAIN)
sliced the lead to a point before, finally, Adkins ran in from Lane's
handpass and bisected the taller uprights. Maggies back ahead by 2.
Adkins then cleared the centre bounce and, as per last week, Anthony
Rocca pumped one from 55m to seal it. Curley kicked a good too-late
goal.
Buckley had a huge last quarter with 11 touches and his 2 second-quarter
goals were important, he was very good. 26 possessions, 9 marks and 3
goals altogether. Mark Richardson had a great game at CHB after
thrashing Bartlett early, ending with 16 kicks, 10 good marks and a
goal. Williams made spasmodic contributions but like Buckley had a big
last term, he had 18 disposals and 3 goals. Paul Licuria played well in
defence with 15 touches and skinny Damien Adkins (14 disposals, a goal)
got stuck into packs. Anthony Rocca (6 marks, 2 goals) intimidated the
opposition with some hard hits and made telling contributions and
Lockyer was good again. Sav Rocca kicked 3 goals. Bulldogs' best was
Brad Johnson who booted 4 goals, 3 early from full forward, and went on
to finish with 25 disposals from the wing and 10 marks. Rover Scott West
wasn't far behind, having 32 possessions and kicking a goal as he won
the ball around packs. Curley proved a handy makeshift forward with 4
goals and Simon Cox didn't do badly either with 2 goals from 5 marks.
Ellis played well in defence and there were useful games from Nathan
Brown (16 disposals) and Rohan Smith (18). Kolyniuk and Eagleton kicked
2 goals each. Wallace said "I just had a feeling in that second quarter
that something was going to break, and it broke their way. Buckley's 2
goals busted us open." Malthouse said "They were disappointed (at 3/4
time) the way they allowed the opposition to come back...the resolve was
there, so it's terrific to know you've got something left to give.
They'll have a go..." The Roos next week and the Bombers a week later
should be fun for them.
At the MCG:
Essendon 5.6 10.8 16.12 18.15.123
Carlton 1.2 3.6 8.7 15.9.99
Revenge for the Dons for their prelim loss was, in the end, a peripheral
facet of this game featuring much violence, a late Carlton resurgence, a
hefty 21 marks for Blue forward Lance Whitnall and Blue coach Dave
Parkin punching a supporter after the game. And another four points for
the undefeated Dons. Parkin spent all week explaining that he was in
charge of the team, but assistant Wayne Brittain was in control on match
days. Strange arrangement. In selection Essendon lost Mick Long with a
hip injury, on Wednesday Long penned an open letter to John Howard
condemning the government's denial of the 'stolen generation'. Prior and
Fraser were dropped, coming in were the three players dropped last week,
Denham, Caracella and Ramanauskas. The Blues axed the struggling Sexton,
Hickmott, Hulme and Nelson. In came Fletcher, Stephen Silvagni (who was
the best full back of the past century) and Glenn Manton for their first
games of the year plus a debutant, Scott Freeborn from Port Adelaide.
Yep, he's the brother of Magpie Glen.
A crowd of 64,658 saw Carlton kick the first goal and the Bombers rattle
on the next ten. Jason Johnson and Barnes in the middle powered 'em on
while Hird waltzed about winning kicks, Dean Solomon and Damian Harwick
starred in defence. Carlton did a fair imitation of those other famous
boys in blue, the Keystone Cops as they ran about blundering and running
into each other. Hird got a goal after Allan and Mansfield collided and
Massie received a fractured cheekbone after collecting Rice. Their
frustrations boiled over in the second quarter when Bommer Joe Misiti
had his jaw broken in an 'incident' with Fraser Brown. It sparked an
all-in blue in which Brown, Misiti and Dean Wallis were reported for
wrestling. Misiti had to depart and that saw a huge improvement in the
game of his opponent, Ratten. Whitnall had 10 marks by half-time but was
travelling well up the ground to get most of them, lessening the Blues'
potency near the sticks. After half time we saw the footy season proper
had started as Sheedy indulged his penchant for lunacy, sending first
Jim Hird, then Matthew Lloyd to play at CHB on Whitnall. As in the
prelim final of 99, Koutoufides lifted for a big second half and with
Ratten and Camporeale getting some kicks, Whitnall still winning, the
Blues got moving. Not that Essendon did much worse despite losing
Mercuri with a hamstring, Fletcher freed from defensive duties dobbed
some goals and Caracella got one as they extended their lead to 53
points by the final change. Carlton bagged the first four goals of the
last quarter and trailed by 29 points when Lucas juggled a mark in front
of Hotton and roosted a long goal. Carlton kept coming but an excellent
2-bounce run and goal from Ramanauskas ended their chances of winning.
Solomon did very well with 24 disposals, 9 marks and a goal, fellow
backman Hardwick was also handy with 23 touches. Scott Lucas continued
his stirling comeback with 3 goals from 15 kicks and 7 marks at CHF.
Hird had 22 touches with a goal. Noble Park's Adam Ramanauskas played
his best game to date with 14 possies and 2 goals. Jason Johnson had 23
handlings and Caracella won the ball 21 times across half-forward with
10 marks and 2 goals. Barnes, already being touted by Sheedy as the
recruit of the year, won the rucks in the first half. Lloyd kicked 3
goals and Fletcher 2. Headlines had Whitnall with 18 marks but the
unreliable Age stats credit him with 21, a huge tally. Big Red also had
a whopping 34 disposals and 4 goals. There can't be many games where a
CHF is that dominant but his team has just 24 shots at goal and get
beaten. Koutoufides had 35 disposals, 12 marks and a goal, Camporeale
pocketted a heap of kicks (22) once more. Ratten got 37 touches (20
handpasses) and a goal although as Dermie pointed out last week, his
normal possession is a tumbled 15m kick or blind handpass. Aaron Hamill
took 11 marks and bagged a goal up front. Fevola kicked 2 third-quarter
goals and Lappin bagged 2 goals as well. "It just seemed to be terribly
hard work, everything that we did for half a game...I think the second
half was a hell of an improvement," said Wayne Brittain's assistant. He
laughed off punching the spectator. "I couldn't fight my way out of a
wet paper bag." Sheedy said "We tried some things in the game that we
needed to try...We wanted to get players to get experience in positions
that they are not quite used to all the time." He blamed the last
quarter on tiredness from Esserdin's game in Perth two weeks ago. That
Sheeds. He's a larf.
At the Gabba:
Brisbane 5.5 8.13 13.17 17.20.122
Adelaide 3.1 9.5 11.8 13.14.92
Brisbane enjoyed a win over the calamity Crows in their first home game
of the year, viewed by a record high 26,395 at the resurfaced Gabba.
Adelaide did well to keep the margin under100 points, I suppose. Going
in there were eleven changes amongst the two sides. The Lions dropped
Richard Champion, Rusca, Kennedy, Notting and Luke Power. Returning were
Craig Bolton, Chris Johnson and Des Headland and they had two
first-gamers, forward Jonathon Brown from Geelong Falcons and Darwinian
half-back Aaron Shattock, from Darwin via the SANFL. Adelaide made six
changes after the Perth debacle, out went Burton, Ellen, Connell,
Johnson (injured), Eccles and McGregor. Nathan Bassett was back from
injury and they picked a bunch of youngsters, Beinke, Byrne, Stenglein
and two first-gamers too, ruckman Rhett Biglands from Woodville/West
Torrens and forward flanker Ricky O'Loughlin from Port Adelaide Magpies.
Ricky is Swan Michael's younger brother.
Haven’t a clue about play action, all I saw on brief TV highlights was
Al Lynch taking a series of strong grabs for the Lions, but he didn’t
kick too straight ending with 5.5 from 9 marks and 15 kicks. Matthews
commented that he was very happy with the backline, ex-Bulldog Michael
Martin did very well down there with 29 disposals (24 kicks). The Crows
led briefly, during the third quarter I think, during which Ayres
benched Mark Ricciuto, their best player on the night. The Crows got
close again in the final term, but couldn’t go on. Ricciuto finished
with 27 disposals and 2 goals, a fair effort. Scott Welsh kicked 4 goals
from 5 marks while other Camry midfielders Mark Bickley (28 disposals)
and Kym Koster (21 touches) played alright. Jarman kicked 3 goals from
18 touches and back flanker Simon Goodwin, a reliable type, had 18
handlings. Vardy kicked 2 goals. Biglands had a reasonable start in the
ruck, O’Loughlin failed to bother the statistician. Other goers for the
Lions included Mick Voss (26 disposals, a goal) and winger Nige Lappin
(24, a goal) while Daryl White was very good at CHB with 14 touches and
Molloy bulldozed around the forward line for 20 touches and 2 goals.
Beau McDonald and Shaun Hart also kicked 2 goals each. Brown is credited
with two tackles and a spoil, no possessions though, while Shattock had
6 touches. There ‘aint even a quote from the coaches, although Ayres is
reported as conceding the Crows don’t have the players to be competitive
with the best sides. Build up their confidence, Gazza.
At the WACA:
Fremantle 5.3 6.10 8.13 10.15.75
Melbourne 1.3 4.11 10.15 14.22.106
Not the greatest game but a good win for the improved Demons over a
Fremantle wasteful of possession in the grand manner. The Dockers have
lost all three home games and won twice away. Go figure. At pickin’ time
Fremantle made two compulsory alterations, Koops copped 2 weeks for
charging Torney which was upheld on appeal and ruckman Clem Michael
missed with injury, replacements were oft-injured defender Anthony Jones
and a debutant, centre half-forward Matthew Pavlich from Woodville/West
Torrens. Pavlich was drafted with the second of Freo's priority picks.
Melbourne made no change to the team which belted the Saints.
Fremantle started very well with Modra carrying on from last week,
kicking 3 goals in the first quarter and Pavlich got a goal too. McManus
and Hasleby were firing in the middle again, despite the Dockers
struggling in the ruck with Michael out. Melbourne were getting plenty
of it midfield through Woewodin and Powell, but they had nothing
happening in attack except Schwarz’s industry. Saw a bit of the second
quarter in which nothing happened, Modra got another sausage before
Melbourne dominated the latter stages but couldn’t Cronje a goal before
Walsh snapped a nice one, then two more good late majors arrived from
Schwarz and Robertson. After half time the Demons took control,
Leoncelli and Rigoni added bite in the middle, Grgic and Jim McDonald
booted a couple of goals each to put them ahead on the scoreboard as
well as the paddock. Cantered in from there.
Shane Woewodin’s excellent spell of form continued, the man from East
Fremantle had 33 disposals running the midfield. Cameron Bruce played
off half-back this time and continued to go very well with 17 touches
while hard-running Yze (23 disposals, 2 goals) and Powell (21
handlings) were part of a winning midfield. Russ Robertson added some
needed life to the forward line with 8 marks and 15 kicks, although 1.3
wasn’t the best return. He kicked the hardest shot, too. Peter Walsh was
a goer off half-back 23 touches and a goal. Schwarz kicked 3.3 from 20
possies with 8 marks, ruckman Jeff White (they’re still booing him over
there) finished with 10 marks and 15 disposals around the ground. Grgic
and James McDonald finished with 2 goals each. Fremantle’s best was the
angular defender Shane Parker, who played on Farmer and kept him to one
goal while having 18 touches himself. Paul Hasleby racked up 26
disposals (22 kicks) in the middle and ex-Demon Troy Longmuir fired
against his old side with 18 disposals, 7 marks. Midfielders McManus (28
disposals) and Black (21, a goal) did alright and Modra bagged 5 goals
from 9 kicks. Pavlich started brightly but faded, he kicked 2 goals.
Drum lamented their poor disposal again, while Daniher appreciated the
effort interstate.
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 4.3 11.6 15.15 24.18.162
West Coast 1.6 6.8 7.12 11.15.81
Geelong in dreamland as they had one of those perfect days, everything
going right for a Blightesque score, their highest for some time. When
David Mensch boots a swag of goals, the gods hafta be very kind. The
Weegs managed a clever 195-point turnaround from last weekend. They
always did alright at Kardinia under Malthouse. In selection the Cats
lost Buddha Hocking again with his troublesome hamstring and axed Paul
Corrigan for James Rahilly and Danny O'Brien. West Coast may have lost
Mitchell White for some time with knee trouble and Williams was dropped
for returning Dean Kemp and forward Andrew Donnelly.
Cats began well enough, King again winning in the ruck and speedy
youngsters Clarke and Spriggs instrumental in the centre, the place
where the Weegs’ dominance sprang from last week. Houlihan and Clarke
kicked some goals. Peter Matera had 8 touches in the first term for West
Ghost but they missed shots, Gehrig the chief offender. Mensch entered
the fray after quarter time and kicked a couple of goals as Geelong
booted the first four of the second quarter. Then came a weird bit as
the Eagles kicked five goals in seven minutes, Turnbull a factor with
some winning ruck play. The Matera brothers got a goal each and Rintoul
bagged one on the run. Their charge was halted though when Cat full back
Ben Graham ran the length of the field to dob a steadier, causing last
week’s Weegil hero Cummings to be dragged, much to the delight of the
locals. Geelong added two more goals before half time. Peter Matera and
his tagger Carl Steinfort were reported during the quarter for
wrestling. After half time the goals dried up for the Eegs, underlining
their heavy reliance on Cummings and Phil Matera for majors. And the
absence of Mitchell White, an important supply line. Mensch slotted a
banana-kick from the boundary line after he played on by accident as the
Cats rolled on. And it became a rout in the last, Mensch booted two more
and Spriggs punched the ball perfectly for Burns to slot his third goal,
Ronnie added another and Bizzell kicked one ? just a drop punt, no torp
? to add percentage.
Youthful speed marked a sea change in Geelong’s midfield as old timers
Hocking and Pickering appear to have had their day, at least as
on-ballers (I don’t think Pickering’s played a game this season). David
Clarke had 27 disposals (20 kicks) with a goal and David Spriggs 21
touches with a goal. Brad Sholl tidied up nicely in defence with 24
touches (21 kicks) while fellow backman Graham kept Cummings to one goal
and just one mark, a far cry from last week’s 14 and 15. And Graham
kicked a goal himself. David Mensch took 9 grabs and punted 6.1 from 9
kicks, forward flanker Houlihan had 26 touches and dobbed the one goal.
Ronnie Burns continued the most consistent spell of his career with 4
goals from 10 kicks, although he was reported for biffing Philip Read.
Bizzell kicked 3 goals and Paul Lynch 2. Thompson denied descriptions of
Blight-like "flair", describing his team as "workmanlike. I thought last
week we went a bit wide and a bit slow at times, but today it was back
the way we wanted." For West Coast rover Ben Cousins was the standout
with 31 disposals and a goal, forwards Chad Morrison (24 disposals, a
goal) and Gehrig (7 marks, 18 touches, 1.3) were handy and Turnbull
sparked the brief flurry, finishing with 14 handlings and 12 hitouts as
he quelled King. Not much else to mention though. They had eleven
goalkickers. Judgey said "When I actually thought we worked our way back
into the game, we just relaxed again or just didn’t play with the same
sort of commitment." Ken’s first Western Derby next weekend.
At the SCG:
North Melbourne 4.2 8.6 16.10 19.14.128
Sydney 5.5 10.9 14.10 18.12.120
The first of Norf’s four home games at the SCG this season saw them beat
the usual incumbents in a thrilling, high scoring game for the benefit
of just under 20,000. Next year, the Roos are committed to five home
games at the Olympic Stadium. The dozen or so who stroll along to the
80,000 capacity ground will create the electricity of a key stuck to a
kite. Down a sewer. Thank Otty they can play footy well. Three changes
for the Roos, recruit Leigh Colbert may miss six weeks with a bad
hamstring tear, Motlop also missed with a hamstring and ruckman Capuano
was out with a groin strain. The last of those meant a recall for Spider
Burton despite abysmal VFL form, also in were Gary Dhurrkay and Shannon
Watt. Sydney dropped experienced O'Brien and lost injured Jason Ball
(ankle) for youngster Jude Bolton and…someone else.
In fact the Swans were gutted at losing this game after being in control
for large sections. Mistakes cost them. With Schwass on fire against his
old club and O’Loughlin equally busy in attack, they skipped away in the
first half. The concentrated on maintaining possession and moving the
ball wide, avoiding the Kangas’ ‘long down the guts’ routine. Only Wayne
Carey, playing in a Hird-type roving role, kept the Kangarse in it.
Carey was widely expected to be a late withdrawal with inflammation of
the pubic symphysis but Pagan picked him on the basis that he could
stand up without wincing too much. Good move in the end. Winston Abraham
got into trouble in the first quarter when he appeared to gently push an
umpire, he was reported for it. Two late goals before half time, one
after a mistake by Swan Bolton, kept the Roos in touch. Syddey kicked
four of the first five goals in term three to skip 32 points clear and
the game was there for the taking. However the Roos slammed on seven
goals in thirteen minutes, David King and Peter Bell the architects.
King kicked his signature long, running goal where you swear his groin
and thigh muscles must tear. Harvey dished out handpasses. Shannon Grant
tied the scores and Bell put them in front. The final break was a chance
for the Swans to regroup, and they drew level 10 minutes into the last
quarter after goals from Maxfield and Barry. Yet a minute later
Cresswell turned the ball over to King, a pass to Carey saw the pubic
one goal for Norf. Dunkley’s typical mongrel punt from defence flopped
into the arms of McKernan, he punted to the goalsquare where Abraham
soccered in through and that was pretty much it. Might be Abraham’s last
kick for a while.
Very North’s little rover Peter Bell was about their best with a hefty
37 disposals (18 kicks, 19 handballs) and a goal tearing around the
centre. Carey led the way with 33 possessions (26 kicks), 12 marks and 3
goals. Slightly more telling than Whitnall. Shannon Grant booted 4 goals
from his 18 kicks and also took 13 marks, King had 28 disposals (13 in
the third quarter) and bagged 2 goals. Lively forward Brent Harvey got
the ball 25 times and also snaggled 2 goals. Down back Archer played
well and McKernan contributed a handy 3 goals from his 13 touches, just
3 marks. Dhurrkay also kicked 2 goals. After a below-average performance
last week Swan O’Loughlin was back to his best with 28 disposals setting
up the forwards, he also kicked 2 goals. Defender Ben Mathews is
improving, he had 15 touches off half-back and defender Brad Seymour had
a good game. After a big first half Schwass faded a bit but was still
effective with 19 handlings (16 kicks) and a goal, Cresswell (27
disposals, a goal) and Leo Barry (8 marks, 3 goals) were decent
performers. But the new-look Swans just miss the leadership and aura
provided by Lockett and Kelly. Fitzgerald and Luff kicked 2 goals each.
Eade opined "I think you’ve got to give them (Norf) their due, they’re a
good side, they make you pay if you make mistakes. But we made a lot of
errors, especially kicking errors." Pagan reckoned "The way Sydney
played us in the uncontested situation was very good, but when we played
them in the way we wanted to play them, in the contested situation, it
turned around and bore the results we wanted."
At Colonial:
St. Kilda 2.4 9.7 11.12 11.18.84
Richmond 3.1 5.3 12.7 17.8.110
There is real trouble at St. Kilda. The spineless, soul-less Saints
capitulated pathetically against the hard-working but hardly brilliant
Tigers who were missing four of their best players after quarter-time.
Tim Watson became the first coach this season to receive the dreaded
"full support" of the president during the week and he got it again
after this game, but what he or anyone can do to turn the Saints around
is a total mystery. In selection St. Kilda swung the axe, dropping Ryan,
Monkhorst, the struggling Aussi Jones and young Schwarze. Begley missed
with a shoulder injury, incoming were recalled Justin Peckett and Tony
Brown, Ben Walton, Jason Traianidis and David Sierakowski also got a
chance. On the morning of this game Richmond learned Matthew Richardson
will miss a year with his fractured foot and separated ligaments, Torney
was out concussed and Poyas was dropped. Wayne Campbell and Nick Daffy
were back and rover Mark Chaffey got a run.
Befitting two under-pressure strugglers, the first quarter was very
ordinary indeed as nervy players fumbled and turned over possession
regularly. Saint fans were driven mad by the umpiring, which favoured
the Tiges all day. Perhaps a Cronje-like deal there. Peckett roved a
throw-in for the first goal, Tiger Ottens at full forward replied
courtesy a free against Daryl Wakelin. St. Kilda were doing the better
but wasted it with some poor goalshooting, Everitt, at full forward
again with Loewe in the ruck, missed an easy shot after a mark - Ben
Holland was on him - and Hayes postered from point blank. Eventually
Everitt punted straight from close range, but late on Bowden goaled for
Richmond and Gale marked and slotted on the first siren to give them a
slender lead. However Campbell was off with his injured calf and so was
Daffy with a knee problem. Saints lost Andy Thompson, hammered by Andrew
Kellaway and later suffering back spasms. Much the same in the second.
Stakilda got two quick goals, Sierakoski a long shot from a free kick
and Hayes. Richmond struggled to answer, King dribbled a point from 10m
after a marvellous piece of skill to steal the ball. I'll never
understand why blokes kick it along the ground when shooting for goal.
Blame Daicos. Finally Ben Harrison drifted forward to blast one from the
goalsquare and Tivendale snapped arsily (?) from a tight angle. But the
Saints responded with their best spell of the game, stacking on five
consecutive goals. With reliable Nathan Burke very good in the centre
and Harvey going well, Everitt booted two of those, Brown roved to
Everitt for a sausage, Harvey roved perfectly at CHF to slot one and
Delaney did well to set up a long goal for Chad Davis. Richmond's only
joy was a towering screamer by David Bourke, who'd given Barry Hall a
fair beating to that point.
Richmond had been their own worst enemy. They'd been harder at the ball
and won more close-in contests than the Saints, but usually gave the
ball away with terrible kicking. Joel Bowden kicked the first goal of
the second half but soon Everitt kicked two more, one from a mark and
the other a good snap, and the Saints led by 34 points. That was their
last goal. Richmond's comeback wasn't sparked by anyone in particular,
although Rory Hilton's aggression, Andy Kellaway marshalling the defence
and classy Bowden were important. And Ottens kicking three consecutive
goals. First was from a free kick against battling Wakelin, then came a
good pass from Duncan Kellaway for a mark and slot and later three
Saints flew for the same ball, allowing Ottens to turn and soccer the
goal. Bowden blasted one from 50m, Andrew Kellaway pushed down to get a
sausage as well, Hilton marked and goaled from the pocket. St. Kilda's
attitude was communicated by Everitt, forced off under the blood rule he
dawdled off slowly instead of running off to get patched up and back
into the fray. The Saints were only a point down at the final change but
once Tiger Mills snapped a good goal amongst traffic, they always seemed
in trouble. Ottens soon bagged his fifth from a strong grab, the
Richmond defenders worked overtime to cut out Saint attacks. Sampson
speared a crowd-pleasing running goal and the final nails were banged in
by Leon Cameron, shifted to the forward pocket for two late sausages.