AFL Round 8 Part 1
Bloody Channel Sieben. How come the thugby leeg fans could see a full
replay of the Melbourne Storm's game last night, yet the vastly
numerically (and intellectually) superior Melbourne footy fans saw
virtually nothing of their teams' efforts the same day? An hour of
highlights from two games, subtract ads and that's about 20 minutes of
action from each game. Shown at 5 o'clock when most people are still on
the way home. Ridiculous. Wake up fer Otty's sake.
A bit of history during the week with the retirement of the last
original West Coast Eagle, Chris Lewis. Lewis, struggling for fitness in
recent years, was suspended for umpire abuse in the Waffle a fortnight
back and decided he didn't need it. Lewis was a key Aboriginal sportsman
and a very good player, with 215 games in 14 seasons and an equally
infamous 14 tribunal appearances. Also retiring was Sydney small forward
Craig O'Brien, spitting the dummy a little after being dropped a
fortnight back. Obi played 112 games with St. Kilda and the Swans.
At the MCG:
North Melbourne 3.2 5.7 9.11 9.13.67
Hawthorn 5.3 8.8 12.16 18.20.128
Hawthorn took full advantage of a weakened North side in administering a
thorough belting. Wayne Carey was a widely-tipped 'late' withdrawal with
a chronic groin problem, he joined suspended Archer and injured Capuano,
Colbert and Stevens off the field. And the Roos turned in their worst
performance for many a year, in the words of one fan "since Schimma was
coach." That's taking a bit away from the Hawks though. Straighter
kicking, from Croad and Thompson in particular, and it could've been a
bigger win. Craig Sholl came in to replace Carey for North while
Hawthorn had Angelo Lekkas back from injury, Treleven was dropped.
An even start gave little indication of what was coming. Hawk Jade
Rawlings rode Abraham for a big grab, an early highlight before Hawthorn
got the first goal. Roo David King was caught in possession and Mark
Graham ran from defence to accept a handpass and slot on the run. Grant
equalised for North from a soft free kick and the Kangas led after
rookie Troy Makepeace converted a good mark. Two quick goals from
Hawthorn full forward Trent Croad, one from a lead and mark to Woods's
kick, the other a free against undersized opponent Blakey and the Hawks
led by a goal. King squared things with a great pick-up and spearing
punt but there were two late Horforn goals. Dixon did well to set up
Crawford, then full back Jon Hay ran down, engaged in a handballed 1-2
with Chick and slotted on the run. Signs weren't good for Norf. Their
midfield was struggling with Burton useless in the ruck, the Carey-less
forward line was hopeless as McKernan muffed his few opportunities. The
Hawthorn forwards enjoyed a bucket of chances as Woods, Rock and
Crawford pumped it down. Second term and Hawks were unlucky when Woods's
goalbound shot took an eccentric bounce, then Kanga Motlop snapped a
goal when Salmon should've had a free. McKernan took a mark but missed
for the first of several times. Ben Dixon snapped one for the Hawks
after two North backmen collided, Glen Bowyer roved in the goalsquare
and the Ones'n'Twos led by 19 points. Adam Lange grabbed a throw-in and
handballed for King to punt a Norf goal but just before the siren Dixon
recovered first from a marking contest and snapped a great left-footer.
North slipped further in the third. They were lucky early when Hawks'
kick-in following a Motlop point was marked by Chick, but the dopey ump
decided it was a half-volley. Play-on, Abraham goaled and had a laugh.
Croad and McKernan behinded from set shots before a North kick-in went
awry, Harford's good handpass sent Lekkas in for a goal. From the bounce
Crawford punted the Hawks forward, Croad gathered the loose ball and
snapped truly. Hawks by 26 points. Motlop replied for North with a
strong grab and long kick, but then Nick Holland burst into life. He and
Rock created a running sausage for Luke McCabe, then Holland held Mick
Martyn off, juggled a one-hander and thumped it through from 50m. Hawks
were storming forward, they missed three shots and led by 34 points.
North had to Do Something. Bell relieved the pressure with a mark and
goal, Sholl (who'd been on the bench a long time) grabbed a throw-in and
snapped truly. The Roos tried to fire up and dished out some off-ball
physicality. Horks Harford and Salmon were forced off with facial cuts.
But McKernan missed a vital shot just before 3/4 time. The equally
wayward (to that point) Nathan Thompson buried the Roos with the first
three goals of the last quarter. First pair were from strong marks
against the battling McCartney, the third after a good kick from Barry
Young sent McCabe in, he drew McCartney and handballed over the top for
Thompson to blast it outta the ground. Hawthorn by 7 goals exactly and
North did something they've not done for a long, long time. They folded.
Barlow converted a mark, Graham raced down for a goal and Holland
converted a dubious free kick. Mick Martyn, no doubt disgusted by it
all, departed with a late injury.
Hawthorn's win began in the middle where Roo discard Anthony Rock (27
possessions) was very good, Tony Woods had a big first half on the way
to 33 touches and Vandenberg was good again with 25 touches. In defence
Mark Graham stopped the likes of Lange and Hewitt with 29 disposals, 11
marks and 2 goals, Hay did well on McKernan. At the other end everyone
chipped in, Croad got the ball rolling before ending the game in
defence, he had 10 kicks and got 3 goals. Later contributions came from
Holland (11 marks, 19 touches, 2 goals) and Thompson (3 goals). Ben
Dixon was very good early, he had 19 touches and 2 goals. Didn't think
Norf coach Denis Pagan had a good game. Why leave McKernan at full
forward when they couldn't get it to him? Why have Martyn out of place
at CHB and McCartney at full back? Giving Welsh and Cam Mooney away for
Colbert is looking expensive at the moment. But they couldn't have
bargained for the injuries. Anyway. North rovers Peter Bell (27
disposals, a goal) and Brent Harvey (29) typified North in being busy
around packs but not visible when North needed run. Shannon Motlop was
the most consistently dangerous Roo forward with 13 kicks and 2 goals,
Shane Clayton (29 disposals) worked hard on a wing. Decent games from
Mick Martyn on Holland and Kingy was alright with 23 touches and 2
goals, although he coughed it up quite often. "We were sadly beaten in
midfield and our forwards couldn't make any impact," was Pagan's brief
but accurate summary. Schwab reckoned "I was pleased to win by ten goals
against a team like the Kangaroos, who have won ten of their last eleven
against our club."
At Colonial:
St. Kilda 1.2 5.5 8.7 10.8.68
Adelaide 3.4 7.8 9.15 14.24.108
After a couple of decent efforts the Sainters slipped back to a very
ordinary performance in a very ordinary game. They are very much "in
crisis" now. The Camrys had trouble finding the sticks in their first
visit to Docklands, but not too much trouble in winning. In selection
the Saints lost Barry Hall, suspended a week for head-butting Roo Adam
Simpson. The incident occurred right in front of umpire Bryan Sheehan,
who later claimed he "didn't see it" but laid the report after watching
the video. Some reckon Sheehan filled in the report after pressure from
umpires' director Jeff Gieschen. Whatever, Hall missed and was replaced
by Damian Ryan. No Rob Harvey again. The Crows lost young big man Ken
McGregor with a knee injury and dropped rookie Doughty, other youngsters
Perrie and Gallagher returned.
No hassle for the modest 20,125 folks getting in, Ian Collins personally
supervising the process with all booths fully manned. But there were
problems elsewhere. The ground, already regarded as too small, was
narrowed further to enable clearer vision from a small proportion of
seats. A pre-game power failure wiped out some of the lighting and one
of the scoreboards. The Saints are yet to receive any of the gate money
they're owed by the stadium operators. Here St. Kilda's on-field
performance was marred by a series of terrible disposal errors, the
'clanger' count reaching 44, a season-high for any team. There was quite
a swirly wind but kicking in from the Cows' many behinds proved an
especial problem for poor ol' Justin Peckett. Stakidla got the first
goal, Heatley with a good lead to Delaney's centering kick. The Corollas
had their first when Saint ruckman Everitt's poor kick from his own
goalsquare went to Rehn, onto Vardy for a running slot. Camrys ground
ahead with Matty Robran roaming free from half-back, seemingly without
an opponent as Loewe was at CHB on Rehn. Robran capped a 2-bounce run
with a goal, then set up the next sausage for Jarman. This came after
two aimless punts forward from Saint Traianidis were easily repelled.
Saints had two quick goals in the second term, a Knowles snap bounced
through and a quick handpass from prostrate Thompson saw Davis slot one.
The visitors kicked away though, a big grab from Biglands was punted
long where Welsh marked and converted, Robran again set one up for
Bickley. Perrie roved for a goalsquare tap-through and it was Cows by 28
points before two late goals from Everitt, a great running left-footer
and a snap following a don't argue on Robran, gave the Saints hope at
half-time.
Aderlayed got the first gol of term three, Vardy sweeping up a loose
ball. A series of Camry misses followed, the ball trapped in their
forward line as Peckett obligingly sent every kick-in towards an
opponent. Eventually the Saints ground the ball forward and Heatley
snapped truly from a handpass. When Vardy soccer-volleyed Bickley's long
kick for a six-pointer the Camrys were 26 points up again, but once more
the Stains found a bit. Loewe was now at CHF, Thompson majored on the
run then Burke found Loewe with a pass, Stewie handpassed for Everitt to
tap it through from point-blank. Crows by 14 points at the final brake.
Sinkilda scored the opening sausage of the final quarter, Thompson
centering the ball for speedy Fred Campbell on the lead and they were
only 8 points down. Ricciuto broke the run with an excellent goal,
thumping a huge kick from outside 50m after roving a throw-in. Loewe
marked and goaled the Satins were still just 9 points behind. However
the croweaters scored the last four goals, the best being Perrie's
fantastic left-foot set shot from the junction of 50m and boundary
lines, and full-back Bassett running down to take Bickley's pass in his
stride and ram it through. The worst was Welsh doing a Percy Jones
(almost), managing to throw the ball against the post and missing it
completely with his boot in a close-range attempt.
Big game for the Camrys from Matt Robran (24 disposals, 8 marks, a
goal), roaming about as the key defensive spots were well marshalled by
Ben Hart on Heatley and Nathan Bassett, who had 16 kicks and a goal.
Andy McLeod had a big last quarter with 11 touches, he had 30 for the
game. Ruckman Rhett Biglands showed a bit with 11 kicks and 6 marks,
captain Mark Bickley again threw himself courageously at the ball for 22
touches and a goal. Good peformances in attack from Peter Vardy (11
kicks, 3 goals) and Ian Perrie (11 kicks, 3 goals), Welsh and Ricciuto
kicked 2 goals each. Saints' best was Steven Sziller, detailed to tag
Ricciuto he did a good job (for three quarters anyway) and had 19
touches. Reliable Burkey was good again with 27 touches, Daryl Wakelin
took 10 marks in defence and Brett Knowles battled for 16 disposals.
Everitt kicked 3 goals from 10 kicks, Heatley booted 2. Peckett and
Traianidis were woeful. Coach Tim Watson put on an eccentric display in
the press conference, starting by stuffing his mouth with peanuts or
something, later indulging in lots of eye-rolling, snorting and
petulance in response to questions. "Our clearance over the centre from
kick-ins was something like 25 percent. Now, you want to be operating at
65 percent, so we fell really short there. There were some positives out
of the game...but the same things keep cropping up and we have just got
to keep addressing those issues." The media reps "felt" for Tim and
ex-coaches in the media criticised the wisdom of having press
conferences immediately after a game, which is baloney. If these blokes
reckon the media are tough, let's see 'em face a dozen paid-up club
members straight after a loss. Ayres said "If you are looking for an
advertisement for how you wanted our game to be played...you'd probably
say that wasn't a game to be boastful of..." Still, three wins on the
trot and an imminent relinquishng of the title League's Worst Coach.
At the WACA:
West Coast 4.6 8.9 9.15 15.18.108
Footscray 3.7 9.9 11.12 15.12.102
An intense, exciting game between these two modern rivals with both in a
bit of trouble, the Dogs moreso now after four straight losses. The
Eagles had goalsneak Phil Matera and forward Andrew Embley return from
injury, experienced Symmons and kid Glass got chances. Peter Matera
missed with a calf strain and last week's debutant Bennett was out with
a hand injury, Bellotti and Williams were dropped. The battling Bullies
had Dan Southern out through a knee injury, Dent and Macri were axed.
Incoming were ruckman Paul Dooley and some speed in Paul Dimattina and
Andrew Wills.
Chris Lewis led the Eegs out onto the ground, warmed up with them and
tossed the coin. The enmity was evident early as Bulldog forward Simon
Garlick received a free kick before the ball was bounced, bowled over by
Read. Garlick's shot postered. There were a lot of those, mainly from
the Weegs as they hit the woodwork three times before their first goal,
Phil Matera roving a throw-in. Before that the Dogs, who'd just plain
missed or had some long shots touched through, scored a nice running
goal from Nathan Brown. Goals (or as the sponsored cardboard signs held
by Eagle fans called them, "gorls") alternated. Gehrig snapped the
locals in front, Smith found Garlick on the lead for the reply. Cummings
roved a pack to stab home from close range, Bulldog Scott West dobbed a
free kick, ridden into the turf by Chad Fletcher. Eagle veteran Dean
Kemp completed the cycle from a very soft free. The Pups did better in
the second term. Grant was playing in defence, he and Wynd crowded the
Eagle forward line and made it very difficult for Cummings to lead.
There was a rotating set of small forwards and Romero and West won
around packs. Cummings goaled early but the Dogs scored four on the
trot, Brad Johnson twice with quick leads and Hudson with another. They
led by 13 points but Kemp cleared the bounce following Hudson's gol and
sent Wirrpunda away for a running sausage. However Hudson goaled again
with good bodywork to dispose of Metropolis, gggg's major had the
Bullies 19 points ahead. Weegle coach Judge pulled a key move, sending
McIntosh forward to play against Grant. McInpush marked immediately and
found leading Phil Matera. He golled and a bit later Kemp centred the
ball for Wirrpunda to hold a strong mark and roost a long sausage. As
players departed at half time a scuffle developed, umpire Sheehan
intervened and copped Gehrig’s arm in the moosh (accidentally). Down he
went for some time, groggy but alright.
The third quarter was a ripper, played at breakneck speed by players
zealous for the pill and unconcerned with personal safety. The lack of
goals made it all the more gripping. Several Eagles threatened to
explode early as a series of decisions went against them. Cummings had
to be benched for a calming chat. McIntosh goaled from a gutsy
backpedalling mark, West Coast led by 2 points. Not much scoring for a
long while, the ball hotter than a habanero with both defences
excellent. Eventually some terrific Bulldog play ended with Hudson
marking strongly over Metropolis and converting, Pups by 4 points. With
10 seconds to the final break Hudson scrambled the ball out to Eagleton
who slotted it from the flank on his trusty left boot. Footscray also
scored the first six-pointer of quartier quatre, Dimattina holding a
fingertip mark and spearing the pass to Rohan Smith, he majored with a
good kick. Dogs by 15 points but thereon they tired noticeably while
Cousins and Rintoul ran ever harder in the West Ghost midfield. Grant
was unlucky to be pinged for bawl while slung by McIntosh, who dobbed
the free kick. Embley's long shot was marked on the line by Gehrig. Dogs
by 3. Wirrpunda snapped the Eagles ahead, Cousins found Cummings on the
lead and he punted 'em 9 points up. A fantastic tackle and second-effort
smother by Wirrpunda went unrewarded when Matera missed the shot, but a
minute later a rapid break from defence by Cousins and Rintoul led to
Gehrig thumping truly on the run. Johnson appeared to have blown the
Pups' last chance when stubbing his toe on an easy running shot.
Immediately Wiggle ruckman Gardiner marked and majored. Weegles by 4
goals now. But the Bullies weren't done. Chris Grant switched to the
forward line. Wills snapped a great sausage, Brown did excellently to
get the ball to Grant, onto Ellis, over the top for Hudson - goal, 11
points behind. Wills sprinted down and passed to Garlick. 5 points with
a minute left, but Crabb and Kemp cleared the restart for the Eegs.
Gehrig missed a shot but no matter, it was over.
Drive in the middle was the key for the Weegs, plodding old Dean Kemp
was very good with 33 cunningly used disposals and a goal and Ben
Cousins is exhausting in simple viewing, running everywhere for 34
touches. Gardiner continues to improve in the ruck, 19 touches, 9 marks
and a goal. David Wirrpunda, who played on a wing this time, had a big
first half and finished with 14 kicks and 3 goals. McIntosh’s move
forward was a big move, he had 19 touches and kicked 2 goals in keeping
Grant honest. Nice efforts too from Gehrig (8 marks, 3 goals) and
muscular midfielder Chad Rintoul (21 possies). Jaxon Crabb's tag on
Romero after half time was also important. Cummings kicked 3 goals and
Phil Matera 2. Bulldogs also had very good performances midfield from
Jose Romero, for a half at least (31 disposals, a goal) and reliable
Scotty West (29, a goal). Chris Grant was a bulwark at CHB with 19
disposals and 8 marks, Kinglsey Hunter did well on Cummings and had 23
handlings, not bad. Hudson did brilliantly in attack for 5 goals from 11
kicks. Running Nathans Eagleton and Brown were very good, the former had
24 touches and kicked a goal, the latter 28 disposals and a goal too.
Garlick and Johnson kicked 2 goals each. They didn't quite make it and
are now down in the pack. No quotes available, sorry.
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 4.3 6.7 11.9 12.14.86
Melbourne 2.3 9.5 14.7 17.9.111
Melbourne confirmed their improvement while the Power can just about put
a line through the season, the Dees' seven-goal second-quarter blast
setting up the win. In selection four changes for Port, small forward
Matthew Bode had an ankle injury and CHB Darren Mead was out with a
migraine. Plenty of those down at Port these days. Michael Stevens and
Jared Poulton were axed, replacements were Danny Morton, Stew Dew,
Jarrad Schofield and a first-gamer, Joshua Carr from East Fremantle. One
significant change for the Dees, Jeff Farmer out with a hammy after
booting 7 last Sunday. He was replaced by Stephen Pitt, a 26-year-old
forward flanker playing his first game for the Dees following a stint
with Collingwood in 1996.
Port started alright, Tredrea threatening to tear Neitz apart while
Francis, Kingsley and Wilson pumped it forward. But by the second
quarter Melbourne took charge midfield with Woewodin, Powell and Adem
Yze getting plenty of kicks, Anthony McDonald did similarly and pushed
forward for some goals, Schwarz got involved and scored a few too
including a roosted bob from deep in the forward pocket just before
half-time. Power rallied in the third quarter, baldy centreman Josh
Francou and winger Nick Stevens having big terms. But they'd been let
down shooting for goal, Tredrea (of course) before half time and now
Roger James. Melbourne continued to win enough of it midfield, and move
forward quickly enough, to keep the goals coming.
Melbourne's excellent midfield carried the day in a reasonably even
battle, their ability to kick goals a crucial factor. Shane Woewodin had
32 disposals and kicked 2 goals, Stephen Powell got the pill 28 times
and kicked 1.4, Anthony McDonald booted 3 goals from 23 touches. Jeff
White carried the rucks with 35 hitouts, 8 marks and 14 handballs. In
the key positions Neitz had a good battle with Tredrea for 14 touches
and 9 marks, at CHF Schwarz booted 4 goals from 9 kicks, 6 marks.
Running defenders Rigoni and Steven Febey played well. Ben Beams kicked
2 goals. Port also had great midfield drive from Francou (33 disposals)
and Fabian Francis (21 touches). Tredrea kicked 1.3 and an
out-on-the-full from his 9 marks and 15 kicks, Roger James managed 1.3
also from his 12 kicks (10 after half-time). Brett Montgomery was
alright and there were handy efforts from Burgoyne (18 touches) and
Kingsley (19). Schofield kicked 3 goals from 9 kicks, there were 2 goals
each for Harwood and Primus. Williams scrambled for excuses. "We were
very conscious of the fact that Melbourne had a fantastic on-ball
group...and to match them in that department was good for us. (But) we
missed eight set shots from kickable positions and hit the post three
times." Even God hates them. Williams went on to point up Port's
injuries - Wanganeen, Bond, Lade, Cockatoo-Collins - and the fact that
some players have had babies. Hmm. Daniher dismissed the game with "We
were real happy to get away with the points" and promoted his club and
their upcoming game against the Bommernaut."We're playing the top team
at the people's oval, our home ground, so it's a real strong appeal to
all our members and supporters to come out and give us a lift..."
They've a good recent record against the Dons, too.
At Princes Park:
Carlton 4.2 8.6 15.9 16.13.109
Sydney 4.3 6.6 7.7 9.10.64
Bluies comfortable winners again over an interstate visitor, this time
the hapless Swans who tumbled outta the eight with their fifth
consecutive loss, the characteristic again being a weak third quarter.
Carlton continue to go well against the mediocre. Whether they can
compete with the best is another question. One change for the Blues,
Mick Mansfield recalled from the VFL with Ben Nelson out, back injury.
The Swans dropped Peter Filandia and Rohan Warfe for winger Nic Fosdike
and the big big man Ryan O'Connor.
A lacklustre first half, by all accounts. Camporeale, Ratten and the
redoubtable Andy McKay were very good for the Blues while the Swans' key
forwards were well-held, Jon Stevens and Schauble getting a couple of
goals each. The scores were level as the second quarter waned, but the
Swans' aerial weakness was highlighted by the presence of diminutive
Robbie Ahmat at full-forward. Two late Carlton goals established a lead
before the the big rest and after it one of those languidly dominating
performances from Koutoufides sealed the Swannies' fate. Kouta ambled
around the midfield for 13 possessions in the stanza with 6 marks, his
game typified by one-handed mark at CHF, a handpass to Lappin, reception
back from Lappin without moving (Carlton do a lot of that sort of thing)
and slot for a goal. Seven consecutive majors brought about a 51-point
lead late in the quarter. All that remained was a comfortable coast to
the line.
Kouta, who again started on the half-back line but played midfield after
half-time, collected a hefty 37 disposals with 13 marks and slotted 2
goals. Middlemen Camporeale (30 touches, 2 goals) and Ratten (34
disposals, a goal) were instrumental once more and the excellent Andy
McKay got the ball 34 times as well. In fact Carlton had 9 players get
20 touches or more, with 5 of those over 30 (Scott Freeborn the other)
as the Blues handled the ball 419 times. They like to fiddle while Kouta
roams. Ruckman Matty Allan had a good game with 18 disposals, 27 hitouts
and 2 goals to beat Stafford (O'Connor did alright later). Silvagni
stopped a variety of opponents in defence. Whitnall took 10 marks across
half-forward (no goals though). Lappin and Beaumont kicked 2 goals each.
Teenage forward Brendan Fevola has a bad case of the yips, he booted 1.4
from 5 marks. Best of the Swans were full-back Andrew Dunkley (22
disposals, 8 marks) and fellow defender Andrew Schauble, who pushed
forward for 2 goals and had 20 touches with 9 marks. Youngster Jude
Bolton burrowed into packs for 25 disposals and a goal, wingers Maxfield
(15 kicks) and Saddington (26 disposals) played alright, Saddington
switched onto Koutoufides in the last quarter to some effect. O'Connor
had a crack in the ruck after half-time and Schwass, playing a defensive
role on Bradley, got 24 possessions. Jon Stevens kicked 2 goals.
"Whether it's mental or physical...we've got to find some players who
want to work for four quarters, " began Eade. "Our first three games,
our third quarter was our best quarter, that tends to indicate it's
probably mental. I think we're a final-eight side...This year was always
going to be a transitional year." Love the way they say that with a
third of the season gone. Parkin said "We need to get a win against a
genuinely good side who are in form. I don't know we've done that to
this point." Whadda bout the Tiges, Parko?
At Colonial:
Geelong 1.3 5.4 10.8 11.11.77
Richmond 5.2 11.4 16.5 23.9.147
Missed the Tigers' best win in a long while because of a family
function, Otty-dammit. So if anyone has video...Geelong coach Thompson
later dismissed it as an off-day, but the Tiges rejoiced in a huge win
which catapulted them (however briefly) into the eight. In selection
Geelong replaced hamstrung Paul Lynch with unrelated Tristan and
Kilpatrick was a late withdrawal, Corrigan replaced him. Richmond gave
Ezra Poyas another chance and dropped Clay Sampson. Not before time.
Richmond powered out of the blocks led by Joel Bowden, whose 13
first-quarter possessions and 2 first-term goals set up the win. Ex-Cat
Biddiscombe and Rory Hilton got plenty of kicks from the half-back line
and wings, reborn Mark Chaffey was handy in defence. Ottens grabbed a
few marks in attack and away we...er, Richmond...went. In the second
term Ben Holland, restored to CHF after a few weeks in defence, took
some handy marks and kicked a couple of goals to keep the gap. By the
third term the Cats regrouped, Brenton Sanderson shrugged Knights to
have 5 kicks in the quarter and David Clarke got some touches in the
middle. But the "workmanlike" forwards were having a sickie, Mooney
invisible, Mensch struggling and Bizzell missed several chances.
Eventually Ben Graham was shunted forward and he got a goal when young
Fiora ran across the mark, conceding a 50m penalty. But Geelong needed
17 entries into their forward 50m for 5 goals, Richmond kicked the same
number of goals from just 8. When Knights cleared the opening bounce of
the last quarter for Rogers to mark and goal, there was only going to be
one result. Rogers kicked three more goals in the term and young Fiora
redeemed himself with a major too as the Tigres romped away.
Bowden led the way all the way, with a total of 30 disposals with 9
marks and the 2 early goals. Equally good was Chaffey in defence, at
last getting reward for effort with 27 disposals. Craig Biddiscombe had
24 touches and kicked a goal from half-back, Hilton had it 25 times and
also kicked a goal. Darren Gaspar kept Mooney to no marks or kicks, just
4 handballs, while having 14 touches himself and Andy Kellaway did well
again with 19 disposals and a goal against Stoneham. Brother Duncan
tagged Hocking and had 18 touches, Knights got the ball 23 times and
slowed Sanderson. Up front Rogers kicked 5 goals (4 in the last quarter)
from 8 kicks and Ottens managed 3 early goals with 5 marks. Ben Holland
also kicked 3 goals, Dragicevic and Greg Tivendale kicked 2 goals each.
Cats' best was probably teenage centreman David Spriggs, who ran fast
and often for 16 disposals and also kicked 2 goals. Brad Sholl had 14
kicks from the back pocket and Tom Harley provided Cat fans with an
early highlight, a gutsy second-quarter mark when heavily outnumbered.
Defender Tim McGrath was alright with 16 disposals and Mensch managed 2
goals from 5 marks. Houlihan battled for 19 disposals and a goal.
Bizzell kicked 0.4. Barry Stoneham kicked 2 goals. Thompson dismissed it
all. "I don't think every time you turn up for work you can do good work
all the time. Occasionally you are going to have a bad day and you want
to leave work early. I am sure we'll come out next week and be OK. It
was a good lesson and I’m sure the Geelong footy club will bounce back."
Not everyone works for 3 hours a week and gets paid a hundred grand a
year for doing so. Frawley was understandably happy. "I thought it was
our first four-quarter performance...we have always had passages of play
or a quarter, especially a quarter, where we have really let ourselves
down, so from that point of view we were really rapt..." He went on to
praise Holland. Goodonya Spud.
Bloody Channel Sieben. How come the thugby leeg fans could see a full
replay of the Melbourne Storm's game last night, yet the vastly
numerically (and intellectually) superior Melbourne footy fans saw
virtually nothing of their teams' efforts the same day? An hour of
highlights from two games, subtract ads and that's about 20 minutes of
action from each game. Shown at 5 o'clock when most people are still on
the way home. Ridiculous. Wake up fer Otty's sake.
A bit of history during the week with the retirement of the last
original West Coast Eagle, Chris Lewis. Lewis, struggling for fitness in
recent years, was suspended for umpire abuse in the Waffle a fortnight
back and decided he didn't need it. Lewis was a key Aboriginal sportsman
and a very good player, with 215 games in 14 seasons and an equally
infamous 14 tribunal appearances. Also retiring was Sydney small forward
Craig O'Brien, spitting the dummy a little after being dropped a
fortnight back. Obi played 112 games with St. Kilda and the Swans.
At the MCG:
North Melbourne 3.2 5.7 9.11 9.13.67
Hawthorn 5.3 8.8 12.16 18.20.128
Hawthorn took full advantage of a weakened North side in administering a
thorough belting. Wayne Carey was a widely-tipped 'late' withdrawal with
a chronic groin problem, he joined suspended Archer and injured Capuano,
Colbert and Stevens off the field. And the Roos turned in their worst
performance for many a year, in the words of one fan "since Schimma was
coach." That's taking a bit away from the Hawks though. Straighter
kicking, from Croad and Thompson in particular, and it could've been a
bigger win. Craig Sholl came in to replace Carey for North while
Hawthorn had Angelo Lekkas back from injury, Treleven was dropped.
An even start gave little indication of what was coming. Hawk Jade
Rawlings rode Abraham for a big grab, an early highlight before Hawthorn
got the first goal. Roo David King was caught in possession and Mark
Graham ran from defence to accept a handpass and slot on the run. Grant
equalised for North from a soft free kick and the Kangas led after
rookie Troy Makepeace converted a good mark. Two quick goals from
Hawthorn full forward Trent Croad, one from a lead and mark to Woods's
kick, the other a free against undersized opponent Blakey and the Hawks
led by a goal. King squared things with a great pick-up and spearing
punt but there were two late Horforn goals. Dixon did well to set up
Crawford, then full back Jon Hay ran down, engaged in a handballed 1-2
with Chick and slotted on the run. Signs weren't good for Norf. Their
midfield was struggling with Burton useless in the ruck, the Carey-less
forward line was hopeless as McKernan muffed his few opportunities. The
Hawthorn forwards enjoyed a bucket of chances as Woods, Rock and
Crawford pumped it down. Second term and Hawks were unlucky when Woods's
goalbound shot took an eccentric bounce, then Kanga Motlop snapped a
goal when Salmon should've had a free. McKernan took a mark but missed
for the first of several times. Ben Dixon snapped one for the Hawks
after two North backmen collided, Glen Bowyer roved in the goalsquare
and the Ones'n'Twos led by 19 points. Adam Lange grabbed a throw-in and
handballed for King to punt a Norf goal but just before the siren Dixon
recovered first from a marking contest and snapped a great left-footer.
North slipped further in the third. They were lucky early when Hawks'
kick-in following a Motlop point was marked by Chick, but the dopey ump
decided it was a half-volley. Play-on, Abraham goaled and had a laugh.
Croad and McKernan behinded from set shots before a North kick-in went
awry, Harford's good handpass sent Lekkas in for a goal. From the bounce
Crawford punted the Hawks forward, Croad gathered the loose ball and
snapped truly. Hawks by 26 points. Motlop replied for North with a
strong grab and long kick, but then Nick Holland burst into life. He and
Rock created a running sausage for Luke McCabe, then Holland held Mick
Martyn off, juggled a one-hander and thumped it through from 50m. Hawks
were storming forward, they missed three shots and led by 34 points.
North had to Do Something. Bell relieved the pressure with a mark and
goal, Sholl (who'd been on the bench a long time) grabbed a throw-in and
snapped truly. The Roos tried to fire up and dished out some off-ball
physicality. Horks Harford and Salmon were forced off with facial cuts.
But McKernan missed a vital shot just before 3/4 time. The equally
wayward (to that point) Nathan Thompson buried the Roos with the first
three goals of the last quarter. First pair were from strong marks
against the battling McCartney, the third after a good kick from Barry
Young sent McCabe in, he drew McCartney and handballed over the top for
Thompson to blast it outta the ground. Hawthorn by 7 goals exactly and
North did something they've not done for a long, long time. They folded.
Barlow converted a mark, Graham raced down for a goal and Holland
converted a dubious free kick. Mick Martyn, no doubt disgusted by it
all, departed with a late injury.
Hawthorn's win began in the middle where Roo discard Anthony Rock (27
possessions) was very good, Tony Woods had a big first half on the way
to 33 touches and Vandenberg was good again with 25 touches. In defence
Mark Graham stopped the likes of Lange and Hewitt with 29 disposals, 11
marks and 2 goals, Hay did well on McKernan. At the other end everyone
chipped in, Croad got the ball rolling before ending the game in
defence, he had 10 kicks and got 3 goals. Later contributions came from
Holland (11 marks, 19 touches, 2 goals) and Thompson (3 goals). Ben
Dixon was very good early, he had 19 touches and 2 goals. Didn't think
Norf coach Denis Pagan had a good game. Why leave McKernan at full
forward when they couldn't get it to him? Why have Martyn out of place
at CHB and McCartney at full back? Giving Welsh and Cam Mooney away for
Colbert is looking expensive at the moment. But they couldn't have
bargained for the injuries. Anyway. North rovers Peter Bell (27
disposals, a goal) and Brent Harvey (29) typified North in being busy
around packs but not visible when North needed run. Shannon Motlop was
the most consistently dangerous Roo forward with 13 kicks and 2 goals,
Shane Clayton (29 disposals) worked hard on a wing. Decent games from
Mick Martyn on Holland and Kingy was alright with 23 touches and 2
goals, although he coughed it up quite often. "We were sadly beaten in
midfield and our forwards couldn't make any impact," was Pagan's brief
but accurate summary. Schwab reckoned "I was pleased to win by ten goals
against a team like the Kangaroos, who have won ten of their last eleven
against our club."
At Colonial:
St. Kilda 1.2 5.5 8.7 10.8.68
Adelaide 3.4 7.8 9.15 14.24.108
After a couple of decent efforts the Sainters slipped back to a very
ordinary performance in a very ordinary game. They are very much "in
crisis" now. The Camrys had trouble finding the sticks in their first
visit to Docklands, but not too much trouble in winning. In selection
the Saints lost Barry Hall, suspended a week for head-butting Roo Adam
Simpson. The incident occurred right in front of umpire Bryan Sheehan,
who later claimed he "didn't see it" but laid the report after watching
the video. Some reckon Sheehan filled in the report after pressure from
umpires' director Jeff Gieschen. Whatever, Hall missed and was replaced
by Damian Ryan. No Rob Harvey again. The Crows lost young big man Ken
McGregor with a knee injury and dropped rookie Doughty, other youngsters
Perrie and Gallagher returned.
No hassle for the modest 20,125 folks getting in, Ian Collins personally
supervising the process with all booths fully manned. But there were
problems elsewhere. The ground, already regarded as too small, was
narrowed further to enable clearer vision from a small proportion of
seats. A pre-game power failure wiped out some of the lighting and one
of the scoreboards. The Saints are yet to receive any of the gate money
they're owed by the stadium operators. Here St. Kilda's on-field
performance was marred by a series of terrible disposal errors, the
'clanger' count reaching 44, a season-high for any team. There was quite
a swirly wind but kicking in from the Cows' many behinds proved an
especial problem for poor ol' Justin Peckett. Stakidla got the first
goal, Heatley with a good lead to Delaney's centering kick. The Corollas
had their first when Saint ruckman Everitt's poor kick from his own
goalsquare went to Rehn, onto Vardy for a running slot. Camrys ground
ahead with Matty Robran roaming free from half-back, seemingly without
an opponent as Loewe was at CHB on Rehn. Robran capped a 2-bounce run
with a goal, then set up the next sausage for Jarman. This came after
two aimless punts forward from Saint Traianidis were easily repelled.
Saints had two quick goals in the second term, a Knowles snap bounced
through and a quick handpass from prostrate Thompson saw Davis slot one.
The visitors kicked away though, a big grab from Biglands was punted
long where Welsh marked and converted, Robran again set one up for
Bickley. Perrie roved for a goalsquare tap-through and it was Cows by 28
points before two late goals from Everitt, a great running left-footer
and a snap following a don't argue on Robran, gave the Saints hope at
half-time.
Aderlayed got the first gol of term three, Vardy sweeping up a loose
ball. A series of Camry misses followed, the ball trapped in their
forward line as Peckett obligingly sent every kick-in towards an
opponent. Eventually the Saints ground the ball forward and Heatley
snapped truly from a handpass. When Vardy soccer-volleyed Bickley's long
kick for a six-pointer the Camrys were 26 points up again, but once more
the Stains found a bit. Loewe was now at CHF, Thompson majored on the
run then Burke found Loewe with a pass, Stewie handpassed for Everitt to
tap it through from point-blank. Crows by 14 points at the final brake.
Sinkilda scored the opening sausage of the final quarter, Thompson
centering the ball for speedy Fred Campbell on the lead and they were
only 8 points down. Ricciuto broke the run with an excellent goal,
thumping a huge kick from outside 50m after roving a throw-in. Loewe
marked and goaled the Satins were still just 9 points behind. However
the croweaters scored the last four goals, the best being Perrie's
fantastic left-foot set shot from the junction of 50m and boundary
lines, and full-back Bassett running down to take Bickley's pass in his
stride and ram it through. The worst was Welsh doing a Percy Jones
(almost), managing to throw the ball against the post and missing it
completely with his boot in a close-range attempt.
Big game for the Camrys from Matt Robran (24 disposals, 8 marks, a
goal), roaming about as the key defensive spots were well marshalled by
Ben Hart on Heatley and Nathan Bassett, who had 16 kicks and a goal.
Andy McLeod had a big last quarter with 11 touches, he had 30 for the
game. Ruckman Rhett Biglands showed a bit with 11 kicks and 6 marks,
captain Mark Bickley again threw himself courageously at the ball for 22
touches and a goal. Good peformances in attack from Peter Vardy (11
kicks, 3 goals) and Ian Perrie (11 kicks, 3 goals), Welsh and Ricciuto
kicked 2 goals each. Saints' best was Steven Sziller, detailed to tag
Ricciuto he did a good job (for three quarters anyway) and had 19
touches. Reliable Burkey was good again with 27 touches, Daryl Wakelin
took 10 marks in defence and Brett Knowles battled for 16 disposals.
Everitt kicked 3 goals from 10 kicks, Heatley booted 2. Peckett and
Traianidis were woeful. Coach Tim Watson put on an eccentric display in
the press conference, starting by stuffing his mouth with peanuts or
something, later indulging in lots of eye-rolling, snorting and
petulance in response to questions. "Our clearance over the centre from
kick-ins was something like 25 percent. Now, you want to be operating at
65 percent, so we fell really short there. There were some positives out
of the game...but the same things keep cropping up and we have just got
to keep addressing those issues." The media reps "felt" for Tim and
ex-coaches in the media criticised the wisdom of having press
conferences immediately after a game, which is baloney. If these blokes
reckon the media are tough, let's see 'em face a dozen paid-up club
members straight after a loss. Ayres said "If you are looking for an
advertisement for how you wanted our game to be played...you'd probably
say that wasn't a game to be boastful of..." Still, three wins on the
trot and an imminent relinquishng of the title League's Worst Coach.
At the WACA:
West Coast 4.6 8.9 9.15 15.18.108
Footscray 3.7 9.9 11.12 15.12.102
An intense, exciting game between these two modern rivals with both in a
bit of trouble, the Dogs moreso now after four straight losses. The
Eagles had goalsneak Phil Matera and forward Andrew Embley return from
injury, experienced Symmons and kid Glass got chances. Peter Matera
missed with a calf strain and last week's debutant Bennett was out with
a hand injury, Bellotti and Williams were dropped. The battling Bullies
had Dan Southern out through a knee injury, Dent and Macri were axed.
Incoming were ruckman Paul Dooley and some speed in Paul Dimattina and
Andrew Wills.
Chris Lewis led the Eegs out onto the ground, warmed up with them and
tossed the coin. The enmity was evident early as Bulldog forward Simon
Garlick received a free kick before the ball was bounced, bowled over by
Read. Garlick's shot postered. There were a lot of those, mainly from
the Weegs as they hit the woodwork three times before their first goal,
Phil Matera roving a throw-in. Before that the Dogs, who'd just plain
missed or had some long shots touched through, scored a nice running
goal from Nathan Brown. Goals (or as the sponsored cardboard signs held
by Eagle fans called them, "gorls") alternated. Gehrig snapped the
locals in front, Smith found Garlick on the lead for the reply. Cummings
roved a pack to stab home from close range, Bulldog Scott West dobbed a
free kick, ridden into the turf by Chad Fletcher. Eagle veteran Dean
Kemp completed the cycle from a very soft free. The Pups did better in
the second term. Grant was playing in defence, he and Wynd crowded the
Eagle forward line and made it very difficult for Cummings to lead.
There was a rotating set of small forwards and Romero and West won
around packs. Cummings goaled early but the Dogs scored four on the
trot, Brad Johnson twice with quick leads and Hudson with another. They
led by 13 points but Kemp cleared the bounce following Hudson's gol and
sent Wirrpunda away for a running sausage. However Hudson goaled again
with good bodywork to dispose of Metropolis, gggg's major had the
Bullies 19 points ahead. Weegle coach Judge pulled a key move, sending
McIntosh forward to play against Grant. McInpush marked immediately and
found leading Phil Matera. He golled and a bit later Kemp centred the
ball for Wirrpunda to hold a strong mark and roost a long sausage. As
players departed at half time a scuffle developed, umpire Sheehan
intervened and copped Gehrig’s arm in the moosh (accidentally). Down he
went for some time, groggy but alright.
The third quarter was a ripper, played at breakneck speed by players
zealous for the pill and unconcerned with personal safety. The lack of
goals made it all the more gripping. Several Eagles threatened to
explode early as a series of decisions went against them. Cummings had
to be benched for a calming chat. McIntosh goaled from a gutsy
backpedalling mark, West Coast led by 2 points. Not much scoring for a
long while, the ball hotter than a habanero with both defences
excellent. Eventually some terrific Bulldog play ended with Hudson
marking strongly over Metropolis and converting, Pups by 4 points. With
10 seconds to the final break Hudson scrambled the ball out to Eagleton
who slotted it from the flank on his trusty left boot. Footscray also
scored the first six-pointer of quartier quatre, Dimattina holding a
fingertip mark and spearing the pass to Rohan Smith, he majored with a
good kick. Dogs by 15 points but thereon they tired noticeably while
Cousins and Rintoul ran ever harder in the West Ghost midfield. Grant
was unlucky to be pinged for bawl while slung by McIntosh, who dobbed
the free kick. Embley's long shot was marked on the line by Gehrig. Dogs
by 3. Wirrpunda snapped the Eagles ahead, Cousins found Cummings on the
lead and he punted 'em 9 points up. A fantastic tackle and second-effort
smother by Wirrpunda went unrewarded when Matera missed the shot, but a
minute later a rapid break from defence by Cousins and Rintoul led to
Gehrig thumping truly on the run. Johnson appeared to have blown the
Pups' last chance when stubbing his toe on an easy running shot.
Immediately Wiggle ruckman Gardiner marked and majored. Weegles by 4
goals now. But the Bullies weren't done. Chris Grant switched to the
forward line. Wills snapped a great sausage, Brown did excellently to
get the ball to Grant, onto Ellis, over the top for Hudson - goal, 11
points behind. Wills sprinted down and passed to Garlick. 5 points with
a minute left, but Crabb and Kemp cleared the restart for the Eegs.
Gehrig missed a shot but no matter, it was over.
Drive in the middle was the key for the Weegs, plodding old Dean Kemp
was very good with 33 cunningly used disposals and a goal and Ben
Cousins is exhausting in simple viewing, running everywhere for 34
touches. Gardiner continues to improve in the ruck, 19 touches, 9 marks
and a goal. David Wirrpunda, who played on a wing this time, had a big
first half and finished with 14 kicks and 3 goals. McIntosh’s move
forward was a big move, he had 19 touches and kicked 2 goals in keeping
Grant honest. Nice efforts too from Gehrig (8 marks, 3 goals) and
muscular midfielder Chad Rintoul (21 possies). Jaxon Crabb's tag on
Romero after half time was also important. Cummings kicked 3 goals and
Phil Matera 2. Bulldogs also had very good performances midfield from
Jose Romero, for a half at least (31 disposals, a goal) and reliable
Scotty West (29, a goal). Chris Grant was a bulwark at CHB with 19
disposals and 8 marks, Kinglsey Hunter did well on Cummings and had 23
handlings, not bad. Hudson did brilliantly in attack for 5 goals from 11
kicks. Running Nathans Eagleton and Brown were very good, the former had
24 touches and kicked a goal, the latter 28 disposals and a goal too.
Garlick and Johnson kicked 2 goals each. They didn't quite make it and
are now down in the pack. No quotes available, sorry.
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 4.3 6.7 11.9 12.14.86
Melbourne 2.3 9.5 14.7 17.9.111
Melbourne confirmed their improvement while the Power can just about put
a line through the season, the Dees' seven-goal second-quarter blast
setting up the win. In selection four changes for Port, small forward
Matthew Bode had an ankle injury and CHB Darren Mead was out with a
migraine. Plenty of those down at Port these days. Michael Stevens and
Jared Poulton were axed, replacements were Danny Morton, Stew Dew,
Jarrad Schofield and a first-gamer, Joshua Carr from East Fremantle. One
significant change for the Dees, Jeff Farmer out with a hammy after
booting 7 last Sunday. He was replaced by Stephen Pitt, a 26-year-old
forward flanker playing his first game for the Dees following a stint
with Collingwood in 1996.
Port started alright, Tredrea threatening to tear Neitz apart while
Francis, Kingsley and Wilson pumped it forward. But by the second
quarter Melbourne took charge midfield with Woewodin, Powell and Adem
Yze getting plenty of kicks, Anthony McDonald did similarly and pushed
forward for some goals, Schwarz got involved and scored a few too
including a roosted bob from deep in the forward pocket just before
half-time. Power rallied in the third quarter, baldy centreman Josh
Francou and winger Nick Stevens having big terms. But they'd been let
down shooting for goal, Tredrea (of course) before half time and now
Roger James. Melbourne continued to win enough of it midfield, and move
forward quickly enough, to keep the goals coming.
Melbourne's excellent midfield carried the day in a reasonably even
battle, their ability to kick goals a crucial factor. Shane Woewodin had
32 disposals and kicked 2 goals, Stephen Powell got the pill 28 times
and kicked 1.4, Anthony McDonald booted 3 goals from 23 touches. Jeff
White carried the rucks with 35 hitouts, 8 marks and 14 handballs. In
the key positions Neitz had a good battle with Tredrea for 14 touches
and 9 marks, at CHF Schwarz booted 4 goals from 9 kicks, 6 marks.
Running defenders Rigoni and Steven Febey played well. Ben Beams kicked
2 goals. Port also had great midfield drive from Francou (33 disposals)
and Fabian Francis (21 touches). Tredrea kicked 1.3 and an
out-on-the-full from his 9 marks and 15 kicks, Roger James managed 1.3
also from his 12 kicks (10 after half-time). Brett Montgomery was
alright and there were handy efforts from Burgoyne (18 touches) and
Kingsley (19). Schofield kicked 3 goals from 9 kicks, there were 2 goals
each for Harwood and Primus. Williams scrambled for excuses. "We were
very conscious of the fact that Melbourne had a fantastic on-ball
group...and to match them in that department was good for us. (But) we
missed eight set shots from kickable positions and hit the post three
times." Even God hates them. Williams went on to point up Port's
injuries - Wanganeen, Bond, Lade, Cockatoo-Collins - and the fact that
some players have had babies. Hmm. Daniher dismissed the game with "We
were real happy to get away with the points" and promoted his club and
their upcoming game against the Bommernaut."We're playing the top team
at the people's oval, our home ground, so it's a real strong appeal to
all our members and supporters to come out and give us a lift..."
They've a good recent record against the Dons, too.
At Princes Park:
Carlton 4.2 8.6 15.9 16.13.109
Sydney 4.3 6.6 7.7 9.10.64
Bluies comfortable winners again over an interstate visitor, this time
the hapless Swans who tumbled outta the eight with their fifth
consecutive loss, the characteristic again being a weak third quarter.
Carlton continue to go well against the mediocre. Whether they can
compete with the best is another question. One change for the Blues,
Mick Mansfield recalled from the VFL with Ben Nelson out, back injury.
The Swans dropped Peter Filandia and Rohan Warfe for winger Nic Fosdike
and the big big man Ryan O'Connor.
A lacklustre first half, by all accounts. Camporeale, Ratten and the
redoubtable Andy McKay were very good for the Blues while the Swans' key
forwards were well-held, Jon Stevens and Schauble getting a couple of
goals each. The scores were level as the second quarter waned, but the
Swans' aerial weakness was highlighted by the presence of diminutive
Robbie Ahmat at full-forward. Two late Carlton goals established a lead
before the the big rest and after it one of those languidly dominating
performances from Koutoufides sealed the Swannies' fate. Kouta ambled
around the midfield for 13 possessions in the stanza with 6 marks, his
game typified by one-handed mark at CHF, a handpass to Lappin, reception
back from Lappin without moving (Carlton do a lot of that sort of thing)
and slot for a goal. Seven consecutive majors brought about a 51-point
lead late in the quarter. All that remained was a comfortable coast to
the line.
Kouta, who again started on the half-back line but played midfield after
half-time, collected a hefty 37 disposals with 13 marks and slotted 2
goals. Middlemen Camporeale (30 touches, 2 goals) and Ratten (34
disposals, a goal) were instrumental once more and the excellent Andy
McKay got the ball 34 times as well. In fact Carlton had 9 players get
20 touches or more, with 5 of those over 30 (Scott Freeborn the other)
as the Blues handled the ball 419 times. They like to fiddle while Kouta
roams. Ruckman Matty Allan had a good game with 18 disposals, 27 hitouts
and 2 goals to beat Stafford (O'Connor did alright later). Silvagni
stopped a variety of opponents in defence. Whitnall took 10 marks across
half-forward (no goals though). Lappin and Beaumont kicked 2 goals each.
Teenage forward Brendan Fevola has a bad case of the yips, he booted 1.4
from 5 marks. Best of the Swans were full-back Andrew Dunkley (22
disposals, 8 marks) and fellow defender Andrew Schauble, who pushed
forward for 2 goals and had 20 touches with 9 marks. Youngster Jude
Bolton burrowed into packs for 25 disposals and a goal, wingers Maxfield
(15 kicks) and Saddington (26 disposals) played alright, Saddington
switched onto Koutoufides in the last quarter to some effect. O'Connor
had a crack in the ruck after half-time and Schwass, playing a defensive
role on Bradley, got 24 possessions. Jon Stevens kicked 2 goals.
"Whether it's mental or physical...we've got to find some players who
want to work for four quarters, " began Eade. "Our first three games,
our third quarter was our best quarter, that tends to indicate it's
probably mental. I think we're a final-eight side...This year was always
going to be a transitional year." Love the way they say that with a
third of the season gone. Parkin said "We need to get a win against a
genuinely good side who are in form. I don't know we've done that to
this point." Whadda bout the Tiges, Parko?
At Colonial:
Geelong 1.3 5.4 10.8 11.11.77
Richmond 5.2 11.4 16.5 23.9.147
Missed the Tigers' best win in a long while because of a family
function, Otty-dammit. So if anyone has video...Geelong coach Thompson
later dismissed it as an off-day, but the Tiges rejoiced in a huge win
which catapulted them (however briefly) into the eight. In selection
Geelong replaced hamstrung Paul Lynch with unrelated Tristan and
Kilpatrick was a late withdrawal, Corrigan replaced him. Richmond gave
Ezra Poyas another chance and dropped Clay Sampson. Not before time.
Richmond powered out of the blocks led by Joel Bowden, whose 13
first-quarter possessions and 2 first-term goals set up the win. Ex-Cat
Biddiscombe and Rory Hilton got plenty of kicks from the half-back line
and wings, reborn Mark Chaffey was handy in defence. Ottens grabbed a
few marks in attack and away we...er, Richmond...went. In the second
term Ben Holland, restored to CHF after a few weeks in defence, took
some handy marks and kicked a couple of goals to keep the gap. By the
third term the Cats regrouped, Brenton Sanderson shrugged Knights to
have 5 kicks in the quarter and David Clarke got some touches in the
middle. But the "workmanlike" forwards were having a sickie, Mooney
invisible, Mensch struggling and Bizzell missed several chances.
Eventually Ben Graham was shunted forward and he got a goal when young
Fiora ran across the mark, conceding a 50m penalty. But Geelong needed
17 entries into their forward 50m for 5 goals, Richmond kicked the same
number of goals from just 8. When Knights cleared the opening bounce of
the last quarter for Rogers to mark and goal, there was only going to be
one result. Rogers kicked three more goals in the term and young Fiora
redeemed himself with a major too as the Tigres romped away.
Bowden led the way all the way, with a total of 30 disposals with 9
marks and the 2 early goals. Equally good was Chaffey in defence, at
last getting reward for effort with 27 disposals. Craig Biddiscombe had
24 touches and kicked a goal from half-back, Hilton had it 25 times and
also kicked a goal. Darren Gaspar kept Mooney to no marks or kicks, just
4 handballs, while having 14 touches himself and Andy Kellaway did well
again with 19 disposals and a goal against Stoneham. Brother Duncan
tagged Hocking and had 18 touches, Knights got the ball 23 times and
slowed Sanderson. Up front Rogers kicked 5 goals (4 in the last quarter)
from 8 kicks and Ottens managed 3 early goals with 5 marks. Ben Holland
also kicked 3 goals, Dragicevic and Greg Tivendale kicked 2 goals each.
Cats' best was probably teenage centreman David Spriggs, who ran fast
and often for 16 disposals and also kicked 2 goals. Brad Sholl had 14
kicks from the back pocket and Tom Harley provided Cat fans with an
early highlight, a gutsy second-quarter mark when heavily outnumbered.
Defender Tim McGrath was alright with 16 disposals and Mensch managed 2
goals from 5 marks. Houlihan battled for 19 disposals and a goal.
Bizzell kicked 0.4. Barry Stoneham kicked 2 goals. Thompson dismissed it
all. "I don't think every time you turn up for work you can do good work
all the time. Occasionally you are going to have a bad day and you want
to leave work early. I am sure we'll come out next week and be OK. It
was a good lesson and I’m sure the Geelong footy club will bounce back."
Not everyone works for 3 hours a week and gets paid a hundred grand a
year for doing so. Frawley was understandably happy. "I thought it was
our first four-quarter performance...we have always had passages of play
or a quarter, especially a quarter, where we have really let ourselves
down, so from that point of view we were really rapt..." He went on to
praise Holland. Goodonya Spud.