Total Aussie Rules: A Hawthorn Story.

[ELfooty]

After a slow pre-season inwhich the side only managed one practise match victory, we are ready for AFL Round 1, 2005.
Coach: ELfooty
Assistant Coach: Tony Liberatore
Recruitment Officer: Cooper Hildersley
Medical Staff: Jeffrey Coc 'ke
Administration: Paul Hawkes

In Round 1 we play Collingwood. The team..
FF: Crawford Williams Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Lekkas
C: Smith Hodge Bateman
HB: Lonie Hay Greene
FB: Brown Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Vandenberg Mitchell
Int: Lewis Brennan Ball Campbell

Everyone is fit and ready to go.

Haw: 15.13.103
Coll: 18.10.118
Goals: Crawford, Franklin, Barker, Vandenberg 2.
Best: Vandenberg, Hay, Crawford.

Poor start to the year. Last quarter flattered the scoreboard, we were lucky. Expect some hard yards on the training ground this week. Spida let down and was given a lesson by Josh Fraser and Robbie Campbell didn't help him too much. Danny Jacobs will miss next week for striking. Great performance by Richie Vandenberg in his first game as captain and Buddy Franklin had an awesome debut, 20 possesions, 9 marks and 2 goals. He'll be a player will Buddy.

League News
Brent Moloney will miss 3 weeks with a foot injury after Melbournes win over Richmond.
The season may be over for Xavier Clarke after he did his ACL in St Kildas loss.
Adam Schneider and Des Headland will miss 4 and 2 weeks through suspension.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 2 we play Carlton. The team..
FF: Crawford Williams Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Lekkas
C: Smith Hodge Bateman
HB: Lonie Hay Greene
FB: Brown Croad Boyle
Fol: Everitt Vandenberg Mitchell
Int: Lewis Brennan Ball Campbell

In: Tim Boyle (debut)
Out: Danny Jacobs (Suspended)

Haw: 14.13.97
Carl: 10.7.67
Goals: Lekkas 3, Williams, Mitchell, Franklin 2.
Best: Mitchell, Hay, Roughead.

Much better performance this week even if it was only Carlton. A very brutal match which saw Richie Vandenberg go off early with broken ribs and 4 players suspended through the match. Our boys Cam Brown and Trent Croad both got booked for striking the former receiving 4 weeks, the latter 1. Carlton lost B Fisher for striking for 2 weeks and I Prendergast for 1 week for charging (Richie's ribs???). Our ruck combination let down again but apart from that everyone else played well. Engouraging signs for Roughead named in the best in his 2nd game and Jono Hay is in some good form at Centre Half Back but his role will be harder next week with both Croad and Jacobs out.

League News
Jason Winderlich hurt his shoulder in his side's loss to Port and will miss 6 weeks.
Daniel Wells injured his back and will be out for 4 weeks after the Roos went down by 4 points to Brisbane.
Damien Adkins tore his hammy and will also miss 4 weeks as WCE went down to the swans by 5 points.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 3 we play St Kilda. The team..
FF: Crawford Williams Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Lekkas
C: Smith Hodge Bateman
HB: Lonie Hay Greene
FB: Ladson Jacobs Boyle
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Dixon Brennan Ball Campbell

In: Jacobs, Ladson, Dixon.
Out: Croad, Brown (Suspended) Vandenberg (injured)

Haw: 9.11.65
St K: 9.14.68
Goals: Roughead 3.
Best: Lonie, Jacobs, Crawford.

Devastated. 3 points. We kicked 4 goals to 0 in the first quarter. Poor effort to let them back in it. Good to see Jacobs in the best when I thought he still had another match of suspension. Everitt and Campbell both played alright games, which is what i want from Campbell but Spida must lift. Joel Smith strained his hamstring but should be right for next week if not the week after. Mark Williams is in a similar situation with his strained knee. Steven Greene will miss 2 weeks through suspension for elbowing and St Kildas Luke Ball got the same for the same. Tribunal is working well.

League News
Bad news for the bombers with Dustin Fletcher breaking his ankle during Essendons big win over Richmond, he will miss 8 weeks.
Big names continue to go down as Michael Voss broke his foot and Mick O'Laughlin tore his hamstring as Sydney beat Brisbane quite easily. Both will miss 4 weeks.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 4 we play Melbourne. The team..
FF: Ladson Holland Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Lekkas
C: Crawford Hodge Bateman
HB: Lonie Hay Sewell
FB: Ball Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Dixon Brennan Boyle Campbell

In: Holland, Sewell, Croad.
Out: Williams, Smith (Injured) Greene (Suspended)

Haw: 17.12.114
Melb: 18.16.124
Goals: Holland 4, Lekkas, Sewell, Roughead 2.
Best: Barker, Mitchell, Hodge.

It was only 10 points but we just never seemed in it. Were about 2 goals down throughout the match and there was never any need to get excited. Great to see the old Nick Holland come in and kick 4 goals, maybe he has still got it. We had noone capable of stopping Neitz and that hurt as he kicked 5. Everitt is getting better as the year goes on but Jeff White gave him a pounding today 36 v 14 in the hit outs column says it all, but Robbie Campbell's 3 hit outs may see him become the first unforced omission of the year.

League News
Alan Didak to miss 3 weeks with a strained knee in Collingwoods win over Richmond.
Essendon suffered another broken ankle as they thumped Sydney. Justin Murphy to miss 9 weeks.
Lots of injuries in the Adelaides win over Carlton. Brett Burton to miss 4 with a broken arm. Jordan Bannister 1 with a finger injury, Karl Norman 2 with a broken hand and Digby Morells season and perhaps career over after he did his ACL.
After beating the roos Geelong will lose Kane Tenace for a week with a strained groin and Henry Playfair for 2 weeks with a broken hand. Michael Wilson of Port joins Playfair and Norman on the 2 weeks with a broken hand list.
Michael Gardiner has been out for 1 for striking and Mathew Bishop for 2 for elbowing.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 5 we play Bulldogs. The team..
FF: Williams Holland Dixon
HF: Franklin Barker Lekkas
C: Crawford Hodge Bateman
HB: Lonie Hay Sewell
FB: Ball Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Vandenberg Mitchell
Int: Roughead Brennan Ladson Campbell

In: Williams, Vandenberg
Out: Boyle, Lewis (ommitted)

Haw: 14.7.91
Dogs: 18.12.120
Goals: Brennan 3, Barker, Mitchell, Holland 2.
Best: Barker, Jacobs, Brennan.

Put away by the doggies. I don't really wanna talk about it. Our season is now seemingly in big trouble. On the positive, no injuries. I may have to give Vandenberg a good shake, not a great return from the captain.

League News
Andrew Schauble broke his foot as Sydney beat Melbourne. 4 weeks.
A quite one for injuries. The tribunal were busy however.
J. Brennan Striking 4.
A. Jones Striking 3.
K. Simpson Striking 2.
B. Cousins Elbowing 4.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 6 we play Adelaide. The team..
FF: Lekkas Holland Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Dixon
C: Crawford Vandenberg Sewell
HB: Ball Hay Brennan
FB: Bateman Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Hodge Mitchell
Int: Williams Lewis Lonie Campbell

In: Lewis
Out: Ladson (ommitted)

Haw: 13.12.90
Ade: 12.15.87
Goals: Holland 3, Lekkas, Roughead, Dixon 2.
Best: Hay, Holland, Franklin.

The shake didn't do Richie to much good. Brad Sewell also had a shocker. But we won, we were lucky but it happened. Dutchy was good again. Jon Hay is having a great year, great to see Buddy in the best aswell. Ben Dixon played surprisingly well, and Hodgey and Willo were both solid performers. For the first time this year Peter Everitt was the best ruckman on the ground and to top off a good day I'd have to say Robbie Campbell was the 2nd best. Graham Johnco(k got suspended for 2 weeks then he got a broken foot so he won't be back for 4 weeks for the crows.

League News
Joel Bowden will miss 4 with a broken hand and in the same game brent Harvey was suspended for 4 for striking. Drew Petrie kicked 8 and Richo 6 in a high scoring game that saw kangaroos win by 23 points.
Shane Parker will miss Freo's next game after being found guilty of striking.
Damon White tore his hammy and will miss 4 weeks after his team put the dogs away by 10 goals.

 

[quiksilva]

Give Williams a run through the centre.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 7 we play Freo. The team..
FF: Lekkas Holland Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Dixon
C: Crawford Vandenberg Sewell
HB: Ball Hay Brennan
FB: Bateman Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Hodge Mitchell
Int: Williams Lewis Lonie Campbell


No Change

Haw: 3.12.30
Fre: 20.16.136
Goals: Barker, Williams, Vandenberg.
Best: Hay, Vandenberg, Crawford.

What can I say? I'd like to lay all the blame on Danny Jacobs.

League News
Jordan Russel broke his arm and will miss 5 weeks.
Marc Bullen broke his hand and will miss 3 weeks.
Mathew Richardson will miss a week from concussion.
Jarad Crouch broke his foot will miss 3.
Sav Rocca has a broken finger and will miss 1.
Adam Kingsley 3 weeks suspension for eye gauging.
Brad Ottens has torn a hammy and will miss 4.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 8 we play Sydney. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Dixon
C: Crawford Hodge Sewell
HB: Ball Hay Brennan
FB: Bateman Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Williams Miller Lonie Taylor

In: Taylor, Miller.
Out: Campbell, Vandenberg (Ommitted)

Haw: 17.14.116
Syd: 20.8.128
Goals: Franklin 5, Holland, Hodge 3.
Best: Crawford, Holland, Hodge.

A much better performance than last week. Still not good enough. Mark Williams lost the plot and hit someone. As a result he won’t be playing next week. Spida Everitt let down once again but Simon Taylor stepped up and was very good on his debut. Luke Brennan is struggling at AFL level, unlike Buddy Franklin who should have been in the best after his 5 goal 22 possession game, Sydney can be thankful he didn’t kick straight. Barry Hall destroyed us with 6 goals and they always had a comfortable lead.

League News
Eddie Betts to miss 2 with a strained knee.
Luke Darcy hurt his thigh in the doggies victory over Fremantle, he will miss 2 weeks.
Nathan Eagleton has been suspended for striking he will also miss 2 weeks.
Stuart Dew’s season is over after he went down with an ACL to sour Ports thumping of Richmond.
As Collingwood went down to Brisbane so did Brodie Holland and he wont be up for 3 weeks after straining his groin.
Geelong were hit hard by injury and suspension. Gary Ablett Jnr was suspended for a week thanks to some unduly rough play. Josh Hunt tore his hamstring and will miss 4 weeks and Mathew Egan could be out for 10 weeks after seriously injuring his back. To make matters worse they lost to Essendon.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 9 we play Essendon. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Roughead
HF: Franklin Barker Dixon
C: Crawford Hodge Sewell
HB: Ball Hay Brennan
FB: Bateman Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Murphy Miller Lonie Taylor

In: Murphy
Out: Williams (Suspended)

Haw: 15.17.107
Ess: 21.24.150
Goals: Holland 4, Roughead, Franklin, Hodge 2.
Best: Crawford, Holland, Hodge.

Very disappointing. The same 3 in the best as last week, Hodgey was inspirational. Again our goal kicking let us down badly but Essendon matched us on this. Another one of those games when we were just never in it, competitive but I doubt Essendon would have felt any real scoreboard pressure. Simon Taylor was good again and he really stood up when Spida broke his finger. Thomas Murphy was OK on debut; he rotated between the bench and the wing. Jarryd Roughead’s head butt will see him suspended for 3 weeks and Spida will be 50-50 for next week with his broken finger. Ben Dixon’s poor form will also make him 50-50 for next week.

League News
Mal Michael will miss a week for tripping.
Mark Stevens will miss 2 for charging.
Adam Goodes will be in doubt for next week with concussion.
Shane Morrison kicked 6 goals in a BOG game for the tigers.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 10 we play Port Adelaide. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Miller
HF: Franklin Barker Brennan
C: Crawford Hodge Sewell
HB: Ball Hay Smith
FB: Bateman Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Murphy Ladson Lonie Taylor

In: Ladson, Smith
Out: Roughead (suspended) Dixon (omitted)

Haw: 21.14.140
Port: 16.10.106
Goals: Bateman 3, Ball, Sewell, Crawford 2.
Best: Smith, Bateman, Lekkas.

Great game! Chance Bateman had a blinder. Tom Murphy kicked his first AFL goal but other than that didn’t see much time. Everitt broke even with Lade in the ruck which was good considering he went in with an injury cloud. Taylor backed him up well yet again. Lance Franklin will be in doubt next week after breaking some ribs in a heavy collision early in the game.

League News
Brian Harris will miss 3 weeks from striking in the bulldogs thumping of the kangaroos. The news didn’t get any better for the Roos with Shannon Grant doing his knee and will have surgery to repair his ACL and he will not play again this year.
Brendan Fevola strained his knee and will miss next week.
Anthony Rocca will miss 8 weeks after breaking his collarbone in collingwood’s heart breaking one point loss to the swans.
Jeff Farmer and Kent Kingsley both had injury scares but both should play next week.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 11 we play Geelong. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Lewis
HF: Williams Barker Dawson
C: Crawford Hodge Clarke
HB: Osborne Hay Smith
FB: Bateman Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Vandenberg Mitchell
Int: Thurgood Brown Lonie Taylor

In: Williams, Thurgood, Dawson, Clarke, Osborne, Brown, Vandenberg.
Out: Franklin (Injured) Miller, Sewell, Ball, Ladson, Murphy, Brennan. (Omitted)

Haw: 17.14.116
Geel: 25.10.160
Goals: Taylor, Hodge 3, Dawson, Holland 2.
Best: Williams, Hodge, Barker.

So many changes, yet not a positive change. Hate to say it but poor coaching really. I shouldn’t have brought all the big names in at once. Zac Dawson had a productive 2 goal debut. Mark Williams found some form. Peter Everitt beat his opponent and Simon Taylor is showing more signs every week. On the bad side however. Andrew Mackie kicked 7 goals and destroyed Trent Croad. They dominated the whole match, start to finish. Campbell Brown managed one handball in his return game.

League News
Nick Dal Santo broke his arm and will miss 4 weeks and the saints will also will be with out Captain Nick Riewoldt for 3 weeks after he was found guilty of elbowing. Jamie Charman will miss 2 weeks because of a torn hamstring.
Shaun Burgoyne will miss 4 weeks through a back injury.
Darren Jolly received a corked thigh and will miss one week.
Leon Davis will miss 2 weeks caused by broken ribs, whilst Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley will miss 6 weeks after seriously injuring his back.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 12 we play Kangaroos. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Lewis
HF: Williams Barker Franklin
C: Crawford Hodge Clarke
HB: Osborne Hay Smith
FB: Bateman Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Vandenberg Mitchell
Int: Thurgood Brown Lonie Taylor

In: Franklin
Out: Dawson (Omitted)

Haw: 13.22.100
Kang: 7.11.53
Goals: Franklin 5, Williams, Holland 2.
Best: Lewis, Franklin, Lonie.

Great win this week, we bounced back well. Buddy Franklin made an excellent return from injury should have kicked 10. Nathan Lonie was down last week but back to his best this week. Jordan Lewis played perhaps his best ever game. Inaccurate kicking was a major problem, the villains being Nick Holland 2.6, Luke Hodge 0.3, Buddy Franklin 5.4 and Sam Mitchell 0.4. We should have won by a lot more.

League News
Tyson Edwards will miss 2 weeks with a back injury.
No one will be surprised to learn Cam Mooney has received a 4 week striking suspension.
Scot Camporeale will miss a week with a corked thigh.
After a scare Alan Didak will play this week.
Richo and the G-Train kicked bags of 6 in their team’s victories.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 13 we play Brisbane. The team...
FF: Lekkas Williams Holland
HF: Crawford Barker Franklin
C: Bateman Hodge Clarke
HB: Lonie Hay Smith
FB: Brown Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Thurgood Ball Vandenberg Taylor

In: Ball
Out: Osborne (Omitted)

Haw: 9.10.64
Bris: 18.15.123
Goals: Holland, Crawford 2.
Best: Everitt, Crawford, Hay.

A close game at half time. We didn’t come out to play in the 2nd half and the expected result was achieved. A thumping. Spida was our best and this time he did it without much help from Simon Taylor who had a day to forget. Matthew Ball, Angelo Lekkas, Josh Thurgood and Mark Williams all had shockers as well. Danny Jacobs, Captain Vandenberg and Nick Holland were also below their capabilities by a long way. Luke Hodge, Joel Smith and Buddy Franklin were all hard done by not be amongst the best. Jonathon Brown was their best but considering what Brown is capable of Jon Hay did well and got the ball a bit himself. Expect a huge improvement next week.

League News
David Teague will miss 2 weeks with broken ribs and Daniel Cross 2 with a strained knee after the dogs just got over the line over the blues.
News just gets worse for the magpies in spite of their big win over the crows, Woewodin will miss a week through striking and Chad Morrison will be in doubt over a foot injury. For the crows Josh Kreuger won’t play again this year after seriously hurting his back.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 14 we play Richmond. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Ladson
HF: Crawford Barker Franklin
C: Bateman Hodge Clarke
HB: Lonie Hay Smith
FB: Brown Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Thurgood Ball Vandenberg Campbell

In: Campbell, Ladosn
Out: Taylor, Williams (Omitted)

Haw: 18.13.121
Rich: 12.11.83
Goals: Holland 5, Barker 4, Mitchell 3.
Best: Holland, Barker, Mitchell.

The huge improvement came in the last quarter as we ran away with the match. Sam Mitchell was sensational. Peter Everitt is well and truly back in form now, the oldtimers Barker and Holland leading the way up forward. Unfortunately still too many passangers… Campbell, Ball, Thurgood, VANDENBERG, Croad, Brown, Ladson and Smith all failed to have match impact. Croad had Richo kick 5 on him which is not good enough. Chance Bateman will miss 2 weeks with a broken finger as we begin our finals run.

League News
Mark Riccuto’s brownlow hopes are over after he was hit with a 2 week suspension for charging.
Geelong’s Mathew McCarthy will miss 5 weeks after dislocating his shoulder.
Sean Dempster had an injury scare but has recovered from bruised ribs to pass the test to play this week.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 15 we play West Coast. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Ladson
HF: Crawford Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Clarke
HB: Lonie Hay Smith
FB: Brown Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Thurgood Ball Miller Campbell

In: Miller
Out: Bateman (Injured)

Haw: 15.9.99
WCE: 13.14.92
Goals: Lekkas, Barker, Holland, Franklin, Ladson 2.
Best: Everitt, Lekkas, Mitchell.

2 in a row. Good performance today maybe a bit lucky to benfit from some poor West Coast kicking but still 4 points. Peter Everitt best on ground by a long way, he’s really stood up of late. Good to see a come from behind win, we were in trouble at 3 quarter time and early in the last but we came through with our heads held high. Behind Everitt it was just a good team effort and we beat them all over. Lets hope we can make it 3 in a row! Tim Clarke is the latest to break a finger and he will be doubtful for next week.

League News
Simon Goodwin will miss the next 4 weeks after breaking his foot in Adelaide’s 2 point win over Richmond. Jamie Charman broke his arm and will miss 6 weeks. Peter Burgoyne will also miss 6 weeks with a torn hamstring. After losing to Essendon, Melbourne now must deal with David Neitz’s serious back injury which could see the dees without their skipper for 10 weeks.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 16 we play Collingwood. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Ladson
HF: Crawford Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Clarke
HB: Lonie Hay Smith
FB: Brown Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Thurgood Ball Miller Campbell

No Change

Haw: 21.16.142
Coll: 10.7.67
Goals: Holland 7, Barker 3, Lekkas, Hodge 2.
Best: Everitt, Smith, Lewis.

Is there a better feeling? A hatrick of wins including this thumping of Collingwood. A great team effort, only Nick Holland’s 7 goals stood out. Young Jordan Lewis was great for a first year player and played his best game today. We just destroyed them everywhere and will be hoping to do something similar next week. To top things off no injuries our way.

League News
The season looks over for Shane Birss after he broke his leg as his side got thumped by St Kilda.
Brett Voss will miss 3 through suspension.
Geelong didn’t just lose the game to West Coast they also lost Joel Corey to a hamstring injury for 4 weeks.
Melbourne’s win over Richmond was soured by a finger injury to Brent Moloney, he shouldn’t miss over a week!

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 17 we play Carlton. The team...
FF: Lekkas Holland Ladson
HF: Crawford Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Clarke
HB: Lonie Hay Smith
FB: Osborne Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Roughead Ball Miller Campbell

In: Roughead, Osborne
Out: Thurgood, Brown (Omitted)

Haw: 10.11.71
Carl: 15.7.97
Goals: Holland 4.
Best: Lonie, Hodge, Lekkas.

The winning streak ends at Carlton. That hurts. Everitt won the hit outs but didn’t have his usual effect across the ground, Barnaby French beat him soundly in that department. Hodge was our best, in a bad, bad game. Shane Crawford and Rick Ladson were poor as the small forwards and Michael Osborne failed to justify his inclusion. Tim Clarke should have done a better job tagging either Stevens or Koutafidis out of the game as both destroyed us. There will be no changes forced through injury this week but there will be changes.

League News
Adam Cooney will miss 4 weeks through a back injury sustained in the draw between the dogs and the tigers.
Corey Enright will miss a week because of his reckless trip.
Byron Schammer will miss a week because of a strained calf.
Robert Copeland will miss 3 weeks with a broken hand.
Leigh Colbert will miss a week for charging.

 

[ablettjnr]

Man, how many injuries can Geelong get in one season, real or simulated!!!

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 18 we play St Kilda. The team...
FF: Lekkas Williams Holland
HF: Kane Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Clarke
HB: Lonie Hay Smith
FB: Osborne Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Roughead Ball Crawford Campbell

In: Williams, Kane
Out: Ladson, Miller (Omitted)

Haw: 13.12.90
St K: 12.9.81
Goals: Lekkas, Williams, Kane, Barker, Vandenberg 2.
Best: Croad, Barker, Hodge.

Back on the winner’s list and back in the finals hunt. Good all round performance against a team we could have been forgiven for losing to. It won’t be easy to make the finals but it is possible and we will sure as hell try. Ben Kane played very well in his first game for the season and if he can keep that sort of form up might be able to turn himself in to trade bait. It was also good to see the captain Richard Vandenberg play perhaps his best game of the season and hopefully he’s coming good at the right time. It was another good game with no injuries or reports for either team.

League News
Geelong only just beat Carlton but their woes continue as Jimmy Bartel will miss 5 weeks after an elbowing suspension. For the blues Scot Camporeale will miss just as long with a back injury.
Sydney managed another win but only just over the lions that will now be with out Luke Power for 5 weeks after he broke his jaw.
If being thumped by the bulldogs was not enough, Melbourne has also lost Clint Bizzel for 4 weeks after he tore his hamstring.
Ken McGregor’s 7 goals couldn’t save Adelaide from receiving a 10 goal loss to Fremantle.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 19 we play Melbourne. The team...
FF: Lekkas Williams Holland
HF: Kane Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Clarke
HB: Lonie Hay Smith
FB: Osborne Croad Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Roughead Ball Crawford Campbell

In: No
Out: Change

Haw: 8.15.63
Melb: 8.9.57
Goals: Kane 3, Holland 2.
Best: Mitchell, Everitt, Clarke.

Happy with this 6 point win even though it should have been a 6 goal win. Our kicking let us down again Nick Holland was the major villain with 2.5, Ben Kane had another good game and is really impressing at this level. The news isn’t all good though with 2 of our best players for today out, Tim Clarke dislocated his shoulder and could miss 5 weeks, whilst Peter Everitt has received a 2 match ban for elbowing. Spida’s suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time. There is now a lot of pressure on Robbie Campbell and Simon Taylor to help us to the finals these next two weeks and it will be a great effort if they can.

League News
Port Adelaide beat St Kilda comfortably but will be without Shaun Burgoyne for the rest of the season after he ruptured his ACL ligament and will be sidelined for quiet a while. Also Gavin Wanganeen will miss 2 weeks after being struck with a striking suspension.
Ken McGregor will miss 2 weeks with a back injury and Bret Thornton 4 weeks with a broken foot.
Will Minson will miss 3 weeks with a strained groin. Sydney will be without Mick O’Laughlin this week after he rolled his ankle in the swans’ big win over Essendon.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 20 we play the Bulldogs. The team...
FF: Lekkas Williams Holland
HF: Kane Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Bateman
HB: Dixon Hay Smith
FB: Osborne Croad Jacobs
Fol: Taylor Lewis Mitchell
Int: Dawson Brown Crawford Campbell

In: Taylor, Bateman, Dixon, Dawson, Brown
Out: Everitt (Suspended) Clarke (Injured) Lonie, Roughead, Ball (Omitted)

Haw: 15.10.100
WB: 17.10.112
Goals: Lekkas 3, Hodge, Williams, Franklin, Bateman 2.
Best: Bateman, Hodge, Franklin.

A very disappointing result which may well have ruined our finals chances. The loss of Peter Everitt was very big, Luke Darcy dominated the ruck. Simon Taylor fought back gallantly but Campbell failed to help at all. The game was lost in the 3rd quarter when our 2 goal lead was turned into a 4 goal deficit. Michael Osborne’s season will rely on us making the finals after he went down with a back injury. Chance Bateman was our best in his return game, whilst Jon Hay and Luke Hodge continued their great seasons. We simply cannot afford to lose again this year if we wish to play finals football, and even then we need sopme luck.

League News
Brendon Lade’s season if over thanks to a broken jaw sustained in his sides win over Geelong.
In Melbourne’s win over Sydney, Adem Yze strained his quadrocep and will miss a week, whilst James McDonald will miss 4 weeks with a broken hand. For Sydney Nic Fosdike tore a hamstring and will be out for the season.
Chris Grant received a 2 match banning for striking in the Bulldogs, win.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 21 we play Adelaide. The team...
FF: Lekkas Williams Holland
HF: Kane Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Bateman
HB: Dixon Hay Smith
FB: Brown Croad Jacobs
Fol: Taylor Lewis Mitchell
Int: Dawson Beaumont Crawford Campbell

In: Beaumont
Out: Osborne (Injured)

Haw: 14.21.105
Ade: 13.12.90
Goals: Williams 3, Lekkas, Holland 2.
Best: Franklin, Mitchell, Taylor.

A good win. We were lead well by great performances from the youngsters, especially Franklin and Taylor. It was a close game right through, thanks yet again to our poor goal kicking. Again the villain was Nick Holland with 2.7 simply not AFL standard kicking. Mark Williams wasn’t much better with 3.5. With one match to go we are a very slight chance to make the 8, we will need a huge win and also for Brisbane to have a huge loss. It’s a funny game football so we won’t be giving in just yet. It will be tougher though after Trent Croad earnt himself a 4 week holiday for striking.

League News
David Hale was the negative from the roos’ win over Richmond; he will miss 1 week for charging.
Matty Lappin will most likely miss a week with a quad injury.
Brian Harris of the bulldogs will miss 3 weeks for striking.
Chad Fletcher was another tribunal victim and will miss 2 for charging.
Micahel Voss received a week for eye gauging.
To top off a busy week at the tribunal Sydney midfielder Paul Williams will miss 4 weeks for elbowing.

 

[ELfooty]

In Round 22 we play Fremantle. The team...
FF: Lekkas Williams Holland
HF: Kane Barker Franklin
C: Vandenberg Hodge Bateman
HB: Dixon Hay Smith
FB: Brown Scott Jacobs
Fol: Everitt Lewis Mitchell
Int: Dawson Beaumont Crawford Taylor

In: Everitt, Scott
Out: Croad (suspension) Campbell

Haw: 19.8.122
Fre: 14.16.100
Goals: Holland 5, Lekkas, Bateman, Hodge 2.
Best: Hodge, Everitt, Smith.

Sweet revenge. It wasn’t enough to make the finals as the lions got a win aswell, but it was nice to make up for the 100 point belting we received earlier in the year. Peter Everitt made an awesome return. Doug Scott was alright on debut from full back. Joel Smith injured his quad late in the game but that’s nothing too bad. Luke Hodge played another great game and may have secured the Best and Fairest. I’m reasonably happy with the season 9th is well above my expectations for this list. I’m looking forward to better things next year.

League News
Graham Polak got 5 weeks for striking.
Josh Hunt is back on the injury list this time for 2 weeks after straining his groin. In the same game Paul Wheatley has earnt a 6 week suspension for kicking.
Ryan O’Keefe got a one match suspension for striking. James Hird may miss the first week of finals because of concussion. St Kilda’s Bret Voss has a broken ankle and would miss 11 weeks.

 

[ELfooty]

The Ladder.
Port Adelaide 64
Melbourne 64
Sydney 64
West Coast 60
Essendon 50
Collingwood 50
Bulldogs 50
Brisbane 48
Hawthorn 44
St Kilda 40
Geelong 38
Carlton 36
Fremantle 28
Richmond 24
Kangaroos 24
Adelaide 20