Well, Round 9, what a week it has been in football. We have seen Richmond finally knock off a ‘top team’, we saw the Western Bulldogs really push the Cats on Friday night in a game which some say should have been a Bulldogs win. Gold Coast were also a big surprise in some ways, they managed to stay within reach of Port Adelaide right up until half time.
Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Geelong were expected to come out of the blocks firing and looking to stamp their authority on the game early, they did so but the Bulldogs didn’t allow them to gain the upper hand. What ever Geelong threw at the Doggies, the Doggies matched it. Geelong still haven’t won more contested ball than their opponent this year, which would shock many after they have set the standard so high over the previous few seasons. Steve Johnson was a driving force on Friday night, steering Geelong home to a 20 point win. Johnson showed what he is capable of – just in case some people had forgotten. He managed 36 disposals and 14 marks, he wasn’t the only one who showed what they can do, Paul Chapman put his hand up when the Cats needed him with 27 disposals and 2 goals. In the end, the Bulldogs can be happy with what they saw on Friday night, their young kids have shown alot of potential and could be something special in a few years time. On this occasion it was the Cats by 20 points.
Geelong 3.5 6.9 9.9 14.11 (95)
Western Bulldogs 1.1 6.2 8.5 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Motlop 3, Chapman 2, Mackie, Selwood, West, T.Hunt, Bartel, Podsiadly
Western Bulldogs: Giansiracusa 3, Higgins 3, Dickson, Jones, Wallis, Liberatore, Skinner
BEST
Geelong: Johnson, Chapman, Corey, Enright, Scarlett, Selwood, Motlop, Mackie
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Griffen, Liberatore, Murphy, Hargrave, Minson, Austin
Richmond v Hawthorn
All week it had been in the news how Richmond managed 4 ‘honourable losses’ in 8 games this season. That wasn’t good enough for Richmond though, they wanted to prove to the competition they are capable of knocking off a ‘top team’, and that is exactly what happened. Hawks fans know that when Buddy Franklin is goalless at half-time, things aren’t going all too well and this was the case. The Hawks were being dominated at stoppages, and dominated in contested possessions. As well all now know, in order to win a game of football, you need to win the contested possessions. Jumpin’ Jack Reiwoldt silenced his critics and kicked 6.2, Ivan Maric continued his brilliant form with 18 disposals, 27 hitouts and one goal. For the Hawks, well there weren’t too many shining lights on this cold Saturday afternoon. Richmond ran out convincing 62 point winners.
“I thought the way we hunted the ball was really impressive,” Hardwick said.
“We were playing against a side that’s very, very good in that area; I think they were No.3 overall in contested possession differential.
“To win against a side like that in that sort of manner when I thought we hunted the ball really well, especially inside 50, I thought was good also.
“That was probably the most pleasing thing.”
Not going to post the whole thing, way to long don't want to clog up the thread. Check sig
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http://www.dionalessi.com/?p=72
Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Geelong were expected to come out of the blocks firing and looking to stamp their authority on the game early, they did so but the Bulldogs didn’t allow them to gain the upper hand. What ever Geelong threw at the Doggies, the Doggies matched it. Geelong still haven’t won more contested ball than their opponent this year, which would shock many after they have set the standard so high over the previous few seasons. Steve Johnson was a driving force on Friday night, steering Geelong home to a 20 point win. Johnson showed what he is capable of – just in case some people had forgotten. He managed 36 disposals and 14 marks, he wasn’t the only one who showed what they can do, Paul Chapman put his hand up when the Cats needed him with 27 disposals and 2 goals. In the end, the Bulldogs can be happy with what they saw on Friday night, their young kids have shown alot of potential and could be something special in a few years time. On this occasion it was the Cats by 20 points.
Geelong 3.5 6.9 9.9 14.11 (95)
Western Bulldogs 1.1 6.2 8.5 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Motlop 3, Chapman 2, Mackie, Selwood, West, T.Hunt, Bartel, Podsiadly
Western Bulldogs: Giansiracusa 3, Higgins 3, Dickson, Jones, Wallis, Liberatore, Skinner
BEST
Geelong: Johnson, Chapman, Corey, Enright, Scarlett, Selwood, Motlop, Mackie
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Griffen, Liberatore, Murphy, Hargrave, Minson, Austin
Richmond v Hawthorn
All week it had been in the news how Richmond managed 4 ‘honourable losses’ in 8 games this season. That wasn’t good enough for Richmond though, they wanted to prove to the competition they are capable of knocking off a ‘top team’, and that is exactly what happened. Hawks fans know that when Buddy Franklin is goalless at half-time, things aren’t going all too well and this was the case. The Hawks were being dominated at stoppages, and dominated in contested possessions. As well all now know, in order to win a game of football, you need to win the contested possessions. Jumpin’ Jack Reiwoldt silenced his critics and kicked 6.2, Ivan Maric continued his brilliant form with 18 disposals, 27 hitouts and one goal. For the Hawks, well there weren’t too many shining lights on this cold Saturday afternoon. Richmond ran out convincing 62 point winners.
“I thought the way we hunted the ball was really impressive,” Hardwick said.
“We were playing against a side that’s very, very good in that area; I think they were No.3 overall in contested possession differential.
“To win against a side like that in that sort of manner when I thought we hunted the ball really well, especially inside 50, I thought was good also.
“That was probably the most pleasing thing.”
Not going to post the whole thing, way to long don't want to clog up the thread. Check sig
_________________________________________
http://www.dionalessi.com/?p=72
