Tim's Report - Round 13

I can't get that Joe Cocker song out of my head...

Bring back Royce Hart
And Tony Free
Because the Tigers
Have many injuries
Royce is on his farm, in Tassie
Freezer will be OK, with a new knee
Bring back Royce Haaarrrt
And Tony Free.

Biggest story of the week began last Monday morning at 3:30 AM outside the Melbourne casino. Kangaroos Winston Abraham, Shannon Motlop and two other blokes identified only as "AFL players" got into a fight with some Maoris. Not too clever. Abraham copped a bit of a hiding and hopped on a flight to Perth three hours later, only returning on Friday morning. Needless to say he was dropped for the Sunday game against Essendon, and played in Norf's VFL team on Saturday sporting a black eye and swollen cheek. The matter's not over as one of the 'civilians' involved in the fight had his jaw broken and is pressing charges, the entire incident was captured on the casino's security video so Winny could be in trouble.

More Colonial-bashing. Richmond made a loss on their round 4 game against Fremantle, attended by 23,600. Clubs were told they'd need to attract between 16 and 18 thousand to break even, but now the ground managers are only paying out if over 28,000 turn up. That's well over any other venue. At Melbourne president Joe Gutnick clarified his position over Jewish players. The club can draft them, but he'd have to quit as president on religious grounds. Hmm. He promised continuing financial support should the situation arise. And ratbag journo Patrick Smith, thankfully dispatched to The Australian, made allegations of racism at Geelong when he reported the club had a list that distinguished Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal players on draft day last year. They club denied any such thing. On with the footy.

At Colonial:

Bloody Ricciuto. Bloody Dragicevic. Bloody injuries. Bloody Cows. It's hard to admit but the Crows just deserved to win as they fought back against a freight-train Tiger finish to move closer to the eight. More injuries for the Tigers, it'll be hard for them to maintain their form at this rate. In selection the Tigers lost forward Matt Rogers for up to six weeks with strained knee ligaments, Rory Hilton returned from suspension to replace him. The Camrys were weakened by injuries to Kane Johnson and Brett Burton, both hamstrings, in came Andrew Eccles and Kym Koster. Nigel Smart played his 200th game for Aderlayed, the first man to play 200 for the Crows.

Went along with the original footy report man Jeremy Leggoe, on a visit back home with a few of his mates. We had a great night, apart from the Tigers losing, of course. Jeremy sounds remarkably like Dennis Cometti. Must be the Perth accent. The game was close most of the night with the lead changing fifteen times. We missed the first few minutes, including Tiger Campbell having his night ended abruptly by a heavy bump from Bickley. Shoulder. It was virtually goal-for-goal all the first half, Vardy kicked some early goals for the Cows while Ottens and Holland were dangerous for Richmond. The Corollas missed a few set shots, Marsh, Ricciuto and Vardy. The Tiges led late-on before Knights's poor centering kick went to Vardy and he made no mistake. Knights atoned for his error by snapping a couple of goals from the forward pocket to start the second term, Smart was pushed back onto him. The Corollas kept pace with goals from Goodwin, O'Loughlin and more for Vardy, James and Edwards getting plenty of the ball.

For the second half Tiger coach Frawley placed Gaspar on Vardy. Early on Tiger rover Clinton King's season came to an end with a broken leg. Broderick kicked an early goal to put the Tigers in front, Vardy replied with a long set shot for the Cressidas. More swapped majors before the Camrys gained control. A long punt to the goalsquare saw an off-balance Gaspar spoil Vardy, but the Crow recovered first and goaled to put Adelaide in front by 4 points. A brief moment later Goodwin gallopped downfield to collect a handpass and slot and the visitors led by 10 points, the biggest margin so far. Now the Camrys dominated and the Tigres defended grimly, more wayward goalshooting from the croweaters preventing the margin expanding much. Scott Welsh marked as the siren honked, but his point left the door ajar for the Tigers. However the Crows went further ahead in the early last, Bickley booted a goal and Vardy's handpass saw Welsh snap truly (they combine very well), the Cows sported a handy 26-point lead. But the Tiges fought back. Brendon Gale marked strongly at CHF and after advice from his brother, the runner, punted truly. Tivendale goaled from a set shot. Fiora raced downfield with 3 bounces but got a little overexcited and kicked poorly. Torney looked to give a handpass but decided on a snap and did it well. The (Richmond) crowd was roaring now. Bowden went to play on after a mark, looked to have messed it up but passed to Broderick, his major narrowed the gap to a point. Knights's right-foot pass found Ben Holland, he deliberated and put Richmond ahead. The Tiges were all over the Camrys, Mark Dragicevic marked strongly 35m out, no angle. He missed, crucially. Tiges by a goal. After Goodwin postered Ricciuto powered the Camrys to victory, he won about five vital touches in the last 2 minutes. Clearing a pack on the wing his kick found Crowell, he passed to Welsh alone 15m out. Welsh's kick just squeezed through, Camrys by a point. Ricciuto cleared the centre bounce - Adelaide's first of the quarter - Gaspar and Vardy wrestled, ball spilled, Vardy gathered and was hauled down by Gaspar but Welsh arrived just in time to collect Vardy's handpass and thump it through. The Cows gained possession from the bounce again and ran the clock down before Stenglein marked within range, the siren went. Stenglein missed, but his team had won. I blame Jeremy...

It was quality rather than quantity which told in a fast, tough game. Peter Vardy was very good with 6 goals from 8 kicks, plus a couple given away. Mark Ricciuto was important, as mentioned, with 25 touches in the middle and halfback Simon Goodwin continued his good form 26 disposals and 2 goals. Nige Smart was serviceable in his milestone game with 19 touches while stopping Knights, Scott Welsh lurked for 4 goals, 3 in the last quarter. Mark Bickley (23 touches) and Tyson Edwards (21, a goal) worked hard in the packs, Eccles (20 touches) made a good return. Better Tigers included hard-working winger Joel Bowden (26 disposals, 10 marks) and reliable backman Leon Cameron (22 possies), unusually goals came from veteran small men Matthew Knights (17 touches, 3 goals) and Paul Broderick (22 disposals, 3 goals). Backmen Rory Hilton (22 disps) and Mark Chaffey (24 touches) were good, Ben Holland (9 marks, 2 goals) was handy in the air. James White (12 touches, a goal) looks useful. Two goals each for Ottens, Torney and Tivendale. "We've won a lot of close games but Adelaide were too good, too good all night and had we won the game we would have pinched it," said Frawley. "Probably our style of play was what I was disappointed in." He refused to concede injuries were a problem. Ayres said "I suppose the main thing I wanted the players to get out of the game tonight, besides the win, was some respect...we've had it tarnished over what happened last year and obviously the bad start to the season, but if we're going to get some respect and credibility we have to beat sides like Richmond." With five fit players...

At the MCG:

No doubt the Blues are Essadun's biggest threat after they belted the Demons, a team who've beaten Carlton regularly in recent seasons. Dee coach Neale Daniher, who signed a new two-year contract during the week (that's why they lost), made comparisons with 1998 when the Demons copped a couple of mid-year thumpings before going on to a preliminary final. In pickin' the Demons regained Cameron The Bruce and erratic Travis Johnstone, out dropped went Brad Green and Alistair Nicholson. The Blues made one change, axing kid Ryan Houlihan for fit-again Scott Freeborn. Blue defender Michael Sexton, an All-Australian who's been struggling for form recently, played his 200th game.

Melbourne's strategy was to crowd around the ball and prevent Ratten, Camporeale, Bradley, McKay, Hickmott and the other Blues from their free running. It made for dull but reasonably effective footy on their part. Blue Whitnall scored the first goal, luckily after the ball tumbled between five other players. Demon Peter Walsh, who did so well on Camporeale early that the Blue was benched (for a minute), booted their first gol with a great shot. Hamill goaled for Carton, Melbun ruckman White levelled the scores with a long shot. The Demons attacked agin but Koutoufides, who'd started in defence, marked about 15m out from his own goal. Schwarz was 50m-penalised for encroachment, he whinged about it and was done for another 50m. Koutoufides goaled from his mark at full-back. But the Dees were going alright, good work from Neitz (at CHB) and A. McDonald created a goal for Bruce, McDonald himself goaled and the Dees led by 8 points. Carlton grabbed the quarter-time lead with two late goals, a snap from Franchina and Hotton following a mark. Melbourne continued their tactics into the second, after Neitz drifted forward for a mark and goal from Farmer's pass there was no score for 17 minutes. Eventually the match turned when Walsh, the best afield to that point, was forced off with injured ribs. Carlton banged on four goals in as many minutes, Camporeale tidying up from Whitnall's poor pass, Hotton with a handpass to Hickmott, then Hickmott turned provider for running Beaumont, a clinical Blue build-up was completed with Ratten's pass to leading Whitnall, sausage. Whitnall postered just before the mid-game siren.

Melbourne started the second half brightly. Schwarz marked and goaled in the first minute, cutting the Bloo lead to 3 goals, then Woewodin burst through the centre and passed to White. But the Big Dee missed and that was the last we saw of Melbun. A quick running goal from Ratten and Hickmott's accurate snap extended the Bluebaggers' lead to 29 points. Leoncelli pulled one back with a great snap, but direct from the restart Bradley ran clear and found Fletcher on a flank, his excellent kick raised the twin calicoes. Fletcher set up the next goal for Whitnall, another archetypal hard-running, ball-sharing build-up saw Camporeale extend the Bloo lead to 41 points. A Demon centre clearance and Schwarz goal hicupped proceedings before Franchina bagged his second major. A series of Blue misses was the only blemish as they dominated. Late in the term Schwarz lobbed a shot from 50m to the top of the goalsquare, teammate Robertson marked but postered from 15m. What appeared an easy Blue win became a rout in the last quarter. Camporeale slotted one from the boundary line, Kouta's handpass gave one to Hamill, Hickmott goaled and the Blooze led by ten goals. Hickmott kicked another two sausages for the quarter and Allan bagged three, including one after the final siren, as Carlton massacred the Demons. Just as well Joe couldn't attend.

Carrothead forward Adrian Hickmott was a fair pick-up for the Blues, his three final-term goals gave him a total of 5 for the game, on top of 23 disposals on a forward flank. Koutoufides was almost omnipotent this week, playing mainly in defence or on the ball against Neitz, Powell or Leoncelli he amassed 31 diposals, 8 marks and 2 goals. Unbackable for the Brownlow. Half-back Andy McKay was very good once more with 21 touches and the usual on-ball crew, Ratten (29 touches, a goal), Bradley (32 possies) and Camporeale (26 disposals, 4 goals) were to the fore again. Whitnall and Allan kicked 3 goals each, Allan winning rucks. Wayne Brittain reckoned their best was skinny flanker Simon Fletcher (19 disposals, a goal), he was good in the tough first half. Hamill and Franchina kicked 2 goals each. Melbourne midfielder Shane Woewodin (25 disposals) tried very hard, fellow runners Steve Febey (17 touches), Stephen Powell (23) and Guy Rigoni (26) battled tenaciously, especially before half time. Peter Walsh deserves a mention for his 13 disposals and goal in less than a half. Schwarz was their only multiple goalkicker with 2 but he was pretty ordinary, as was White. Daniher said "We are a young side that has lost its way...we are probably not that strong a club to be able to win games week after week after week, but what we have to do is face the challenge that other clubs have." Parkin reckoned "I was very nervous about Melbourne because over the last decade they have been able to run us and manipulate us and match us up and beat us on too many occasions. I think we are a better team than they and this was the day we had to stand up and show that." Parko's much more upbeat than last year, with reason.

At Football Park:

During the week someone was offering $1.76 million Australian ($4.50 US) to solve some nerdy maths problems. Surely Eddie 'I'm Already A Millionaire' McGuire would pay that much to solve the five year-old Mystery Magpie Midyear Slump. The Power's improved form paid off while the miserable Maggies recorded their eighth consecutive loss, the longest losing streak of Mick Malthouse's career. Port had captain Gavin Wanganeen back at last, but lost Shane Bond for the rest of the year with torn knee ligaments. The Magpies had multiple droppings again, Baynes, Jacotine, Smith and Wasley. Scott Burns returned from injury, Ben Kinnear and Tyson Lane were promoted (like Wasley they're either dropped or promoted each week) along with a first-gamer, Andrew Dimattina from Essadun's supp list and the rookie list. He's the younger brother of Bulldog Paul. Room was made for him by de-listing the hapless Michael Clark. Still no Sav, whom I'd seen on TV earlier in the day lumbering about against Frankston.

Cold, windy and wet at Foopall Park again. Port started with the breeze and after Collinwood retained possession for the first few minutes, Port kicked the first goal when feather-weight Burgoyne outbustled Lockyer for a mark. The Pies' first came as busy Adkins passed well for Michael to mark and kick very well from a tricky angle. But Port were generally better with James and Francou getting plenty of the ball, Wanganeen ran afield and kicked for Burgoyne to mark and convert again, Lockwood marked and goaled too and James postered before the first siren. The Real Magpies failed to make much impression with the wind in term two, although Adkins gave them some drive and Gav Brown did a bit in attack. Browny kicked a goal after Power's Francis turned it over, after that not much happened for a while apart from a spectacular collision between Powermen Montgomery and Bassett. They were OK. Eventually Montgomery ventured forward and centered the ball for fellow backman Paxman to leap for a big grab and goal, Port by 15 points. Buckley, again struggling, was sent forward and responded with a mark and goal for the Pies as his tagger, Kingsley, departed with an ankle injury. Wilson picked up Bucks. Late in the term Port's Mead punted to the goalsquare where Tredrea (remember him?) marked in a pack and hooked a goal, still Port by 15. The first of several heavy showers arrived as Tredrea postered on the big break.

The segend harf began with Tony Rocca toe-poking a left foot sausage but Port then moved clear. In heavy rain young Guerra snapped a left-foot major (he's from Bendigo in central Victoria, not the outer western suburbs as I said last week). Chris Tarrant missed a set shot for the Scraggies, a fairly crucial miss it seemed as a nice Francis handpass sent Montgomery in for a running goal, then a Burgoyne grubber skidded wide but the Pies' kick-in went wrong and Burgoyne atoned with a major. The Pies trailed by 30 points and they'd only kicked 29, but dragged themselves back into it with three quick goals. Orchard Daicosed one, Adkins kicked a great goal with a mark, play-on and lovely into-the-wind punt, from the bounce Williams booted forward, Brown chest-marked and converted the margin back to 12 points. Tredrea had a long shot given a touched-point but it appeared to be touched behind the line by lazy Lane, although if Seven folk are serious about these things they could get a camera in line with the goals. Port withstood some heavy Pie pressure before Tredrea's handpass sent Guerra into the abandoned Pie defensive 50m for an easy goal. The last korter now and after Power's Lockwood booted an early sausage his team attacked constantly for no reward. After a while a Pie kick-in was taken by Mark Richardson, he worked it onto Ukovic, a long punt was collected by Leon Davis who handballed to passing Brown, Pie gol. Back to 2 goals the diff. Port cleared the centre bounce and Francou had a long shot which swung wide, although the goal ump awarded full points. Luckily the field ump over-ruled. Never mind, a bit later Francis steered a fantastic running shot from the boundary and Port led by 19 points. Mal Michael gave the Pies a sniff with a free-kick goal against Nick Stevens for bawwll, a rule interpreted with a dreadful lack of consistency in this game. Finally Lockwood sealed it for Port with a good snap from a throw-in, Ukovic kicked a good goal for the Pies with 30 seconds remaining.

No standout player on view, but Port's disciplined and aggressive play was typified by Michael Wilson (13 disposals) who flattened Tony Rocca with a big bump early and went on to play well on Buckley. Across the midfield Josh Francou (23 disposals), Nick Stevens (25) Roger James (25 touches, 10 in the first quarter) played well, rover Peter Burgoyne continues to get the ball in attack, he kicked 3 goals from 15 kicks. Brent Guerra showed a bit with 2 goals from 11 disposals, Brett Montgomery played well again with 13 touches and sneaking down for a goal. Bowen Lockwood bagged 3 goals from 8 kicks, Fabian Francis was handy off half-back with 24 disposals and a goal. Wily Pie veteran Gav Brown was their most dangerous player with 3 goals from 14 touches and 6 marks, he was the entire forward line it seemed. Damian Adkins (25 touches, a goal) was the other Pie spark, a bloke whose love of footy oozes from every pore. Rupert Betheras played well out of defence for 18 disposals, Shane O'Bree got it 22 times in the centre but was of limited effectiveness, as was Nathan Buckley (27 disposals, a goal). Bucks took it upon himself during the week to improve, but he didn't really. Mal Michael kicked 2 goals. Malthouse said "I thought we were pretty disappointing at various stages right throughout the game. I didn't think we really grabbed hold of the things we spoke about at half-time."Mark Williams said "I thought in the scheme of things we could have won by a lot tonight. Things didn't go our way but we still worked our way through it and that was really pleasing for the players."

At the Gabba:

Not much can be read into this result as the Eagles were forced to field a very weak side. The sight of fresh-faced teenagers, bony shoulders protruding from their guernseys, lining up alongside Lynch, Molloy, Voss and other Brisbane veterans can't have been encouraging for your average Weegle fan. And although the final margin was similar to last year's fixture, this Lion side has some convincing to do before they can be rated with vintage 1999. The Lions themselves had a few changes, regaining Michael Voss, Chris Scott and Steve Lawrence from injured spells, Dan Bradshaw was recalled from the QAFL to bolster the forward line along with Richard Champion. But they missed midfielder Black with a thigh strain and Picken with a knee, Kennedy, Shattock and Martin were axed. Now the Weagles - they were without Fraser Gehrig (knee), Scott Cummings (thigh), Peter Matera (hamstring), Phil Matera ('flu), Guy McKenna (back), Drew Banfield (thigh) and Callum Chambers (dropped). The entire forward line and most of the midfield, with Cousins and Wirrpunda already missing. Replacements were Jaxon Crabb, Andrew Embley (back from suspension), Chad Fletcher, Nick Stone, Todd Holmes and two debutants, David Antonowicz from the Western Jets and North Warrnambool's David Haynes. Eagles Daniel Metropolis and Chad Morrison played their 100th games.

The Eagles did alright in the first quarter, with Metropolis and Turnbull in the key forward spots, McIntosh and Jakovich supporting the back. Goals alternated, for West Coast Gardiner, Metropolis, Morrison and Turnbull majored from marks, Read punted his first goal of the year. At the other end the Weegs had trouble with Bradshaw who booted three first-term goals, one a good snap, one an easy tap-through created by Lynch's hard work, the other from a lead and mark. Bolton capped off an end-to-end move from a kick-in and Lynch needed two attempts to soccer one. The expected Lion domination emerged in the second quarter. Bradshaw marked Lawrence's miskick and goaled, Lynch spilled a mark on the lead but Power arrived to rove and convert. Jakovich and Jones missed shots in a brief spell of West Coast attacking as Kemp weaved some magic, then Mick Voss goaled for the Brians. Channel Seven's Brisbane man, Matthew Campbell, told us Voss's new nickname was "Maximus" from the Gladiator movie, as he likes hanging about with lots of other men wearing leather tunics. Allegedly. Metropolis sausaged from a weak free kick cutting the margin back to 12 points, but the Lions booted four unanswered sausage rolls to the end of the half, Lappin (nice grab), Voss (mark and 50m penalty), Lynch (free for holding against McIntosh) and Champion (mark).

Hart and Akermanis combined to create Bradshaw's fourth goal, early third quarter and the Lyin's led by 41 points, the commentators started talking percentage. But to the Wiggles' credit they raised an effort. Fletcher roved a throw-in and snapped truly, Turnbull booted consecutive goals from skilful marks, Donnelly snapped a major and the Lion lead had been slashed to 17 points. A terrific roving goal from Brisbane junior Cupido halted the Eagle advance, but Embley replied quickly with a great snap. Brisbane ended the contest with the next five goals, starting with Bradshaw's one-handed mark against Glass. Mal Blight was fairly critical of Bradshaw. Must have a link with Richmond. Bradshaw's handpass set up an easy goal for Molloy, just on, then Lynch found Cupido alone in the goalsquare and he added to the tally, Champion tapped on for Hart to major and Akermanis got one. Dull last quarter in which it rained soft goals for the Lions. McIntosh was off with a knee injury, leaving a very undersized and inexperienced Eagle eighteen on the field.

Most Lions got plenty of the ball, but standouts included winger Nigel Lappin (26 disposals, 2 goals), tagger Shaun Hart (21 touches, a goal) who kept Kemp generally quiet and Mal's mate Dan Bradshaw who booted 7 goals from 10 kicks, 5 marks. To be fair to Mal, Bradshaw is a frontrunner and his opponents in this game were second-stringer Nick Stone and skinny rookie Darren Glass, hardly testing. Speedy Jason Akermanis (22 touches, a goal) was good and Damien Cupido (9 disposals, 3 goals) opened a full box of tricks once coming on in the third quarter, one-handed marks, blind-turns, speedy dashes etc. Al Lynch booted 4 goals and did alright against McIntosh, Voss, Power and Molloy booted 2 each as twelve Lions got on the scoresheet. For the Eegs Glen Jakovich (20 possessions, 10 marks) boxed on stoically against Champion at CHB and did well, Josh Wooden (27 touches) battled in the middle and ruckman Michael Gardiner played better than Lion McDonald. Ryan Turnbull did alright as a makeshift forward with 4 goals and Metropolis was decent in his milestone game, bagging 2 goals from full forward before shifting to defence later. Chad Rintoul (22 disposals) began well. Of the rookies David Haynes (1 goal) showed a bit. Judge said "I thought we were pretty good until the twenty-minute mark of the third quarter. Whether it was inexperience or a lack of effort I was disappointed with the end result." Matthews concurred. "They certainly were at us early and it took a fair while to get clear. The margin blew out when all hope was gone."

At the SCG:

At last the Swans managed a full four quarters at home, triumphant over the inconsistent Hawks. A win would’ve pushed the Hawks up into seventh, but they didn’t win. The Bloods had made noises during the week about a huge spending spree come the off-season. Wonder where they're getting the handout - er - money for that. In picking for this game the Swans regained skipper Dunkley and defender Daniel McPherson for his first game of the year I think. Dropped were Gerard Bennett and somebody else. The Hawks dumped Michael Collica and brought in Lance Picioane for his first game with the club, he played four with the Camrys.

Goal-for-goal first half with no clear pattern. Shane Crawford capped off a good Hork build-up for the first, then Salmon's comically bad handpass led to Swan Nicks snapping their opening sausage. Nathan Thompson, allegedly a target for the Blood money, marked and converted for Hawthorn and a terrific 25m handpass from Dixon at the next bounce sent Joel Smith in for a goal, Horforn by 12 points. Sydney centreman Cresswell, sporting an ordinary peroxide job on the hair, cleared the next restart and found O'Loughlin for a mark and goal. Jude Bolton snapped the first of several good majors and scores were level. Rock punted the Hawks ahead again before another excellent Bolton poaching effort all but tied it up at the first break. The Mayblooms' Dixon missed a couple of shots to start term two before Ball marked and goaled for Siddey, putting them 3 points up. They attacked again but two Swans spoiled each other going for the same mark, the turnover led to an easy goal for Hawk Barlow. The next two centre clearances led to goals directly, Sydney's O'Loughlin with a mark, Harford's handpass sent Smith away for Hawthorn. The Hawks led by 9 points after Salmon majored but a terrific back-pedalling mark by Swan Schauble in the teeth of the Hawk goal ended up in a good running major for Robbie AhMat. Some nice Rock roving allowed Thompson to restore the 2-goal Hawk lead at the long break.

The third quarter commenced with Bolton sweeping up a loose pill for his third goal, but soon enough Hawk Dan Chick roved brilliantly and snapped truly to keep the Hawks 11 points up. They seemed to have an answer to every Swan move. Would the Swannies collapse after half-time again? Nup. Nicks sped along a flank to spear a good sausage, Crouch lurked downfield to kick one and the Swans led by a point. Bolton crashed into Lekkas and forced the ball forward for Barry to goal, Swans by 7 points. O'Loughlin extended the lead with a couple of goals and it looked like the Swans were going to break through at last. Barker's late goal, after Dunkley clocked him and got reported, seemed a last gasp. Holland was at CHB after Schauble thrashed him and Thompson couldn't get it, Croad weren't a factor either. Swans cruised in as Adam Goodes grabbed a series of marks up forward in the last quarter, but kicked 1.2. At least he started getting it.

Many fine contributors for the winners. Winger Jason Saddington played his best game in a while for 27 disposals, Jude Bolton was compared to Paul Kelly after his tough, aggressive game earned him 22 touches and 3 goals. Wayne Schwass had 37 disposals and together with Jared Crouch (18, a goal) teamed up to contain Crawford. Andrew Schauble played arguably the most important part, beating Holland. Matthew Nicks had 22 disposals and booted 2 goals, Mick O'Loughlin bagged 5 goals from 11 kicks with 6 marks. Hawthorn's better players were their runners, half-forward Kris Barlow (27 disposals, a goal), midfielders Dan Harford (27 touches) and Anthony Rock (19, a goal) and Shane Crawford (17 disposals, a goal) wasn't bad. Forward flanker Joel Smith's good form continued with 13 kicks and 2 goals, winger Glen Bowyer was alright. But their much-fabled 'spine' let 'em down, Thompson bagged 2 goals but held only 4 marks. "We could have jumped to seventh on the ladder so it was very disappointing that we wasted the opportunity," said Schwab, "It was not good from a team with a lot to play for. I don't think we had a clear winner today." A relieved Eade said "Except for last week - which was an aberration with our effort - we've only had two poor games. We copped a bit of flak but today was just reward for the players sticking together and for the commitment that they've shown."

At the MCG:

The quarter-time score tells you all need to know about The Grand Final That Should Have Been, as this game was billed. Today's papers have a picture of the premiership cup with the words "Here Dons, Take It". Arr, there's some work to go yet. North had a go, in every sense of the word, during the third quarter but seem to be behind the Blues and Dons this year. It's assumed the Bombers will go through unbeaten, their next challenge (barring 'hangover' from this) would appear to be the round 20 game against Carlton. Just the one change for the Bommernaut, Dean Wallis available again after injury, youngster Henneman made way for him. As well as Abraham the Roos lost Leigh Colbert for a month with strained knee ligaments, replacements were Adam Lange and John Spaull, a tall first-gamer from Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula.

In the build-up, overshadowed by Abraham's antics, Don coach Sheedy tried to claim underdog status, while Roo assistant Tony Elshaug (why him?) launched the Dons-are-suspect-under-pressure line. Carey fulfilled pre-match predictions by starting in defence, but there could've been three of him out there for all it mattered. It were all Bommers. They tackled hard, harassed the Roo midfielders and with no Carey up forward, were too tall and strong for the Roo attackers. Blumfield chipped forward for Lucas to mark and boot the opening goal. Kanga backman McCartney's centering kick went to Bommer Barnes, Jim Hird licked his fingers before marking Barnes's kick and converting. The Harbourroos' first attack turned into and end-to-end Bommer move begun and completed by Jason Johnson with a long goal, an advantage decision allowed Barnard to find Barnes alone in the goalsquare. Long wobbled a kick forward but Mercuri tidied and found Alessio all alone, 35m out. Essadun firty-five, Norf nuffin. Hird, everywhere with Blakey trailing, kicked for Caracella to mark and sausage. Roo Grant tumbled a blind kick from the back, straight to Hird who punted long for Mercuri to mark and six-point from point blank.

Predictably the Kangas worked much harder in the second stanza and managed a couple of early goals, but the Dons could've romped away had they kicked straight. Ramanauskas, Moorcroft and Lucas all pointed from relatively straightforward shots. Carey, now at CHF, marked strongly, played on and launched a long shot which bounced wide. Hird was benched - very briefly - for a poor kick which led to a major for Roo Bell. But late Don majors from Lucas and Ramanauskas meant they won the quarter. Skip forward to the third term and after some Hird class created a goal for Lucas, putting the Bummers 68 points up, the Kangas gave a yelp. McKernan got a rare kick, Carey shunted Fletcher aside to grab it, told Fletch all about it and goaled. Lange caught Heffernan in tackle, won a free and converted, some tough work from Carey led to an easy goal for Rawlings. The Roos were still 50 points down but they started to run harder, tackle harder, sledge harder. Rawlings marked in the centre and was dragged down by Barnard, a 50m penalty and as players jogged forward, it as on. Carey, Wallis, McKernan and Fletcher started brawling in the goalsquare. Rawlings sprayed his kick out on the full, but the umps allowed play to continue and as the ball lobbed towards the goals, the blue-ing quartet broke and McKernan marked and sausaged. It started again and players came from everywhere to join in. The Dons are sensitive to the 'soft' allegations and it was interesting to see three or four of 'em take on Carey. Reports for Roos McCartney and Archer and Don Hardwick. No surprise there, but more might be forthcoming. North continued to go alright, Carey marked again within range but postered. The 3/4 siren allowed the Dons to regain their composure and they coasted in as both teams booted four goals in the final term. Final siren confirmed the Dons as just the fifth team in VFL/AFL history to start a season with thirteen straight wins and the first to do so for 44 years. The Kangas will take that little third quarter spell away.

Gotta hand it to Jim Hird again, dominant at the beginning when the game was won he ended with 31 disposals, 10 marks and a goal. Also in the middle Joe Misiti got the ball 34 times and booted a goal as he saw off Simpson and Bell, Blake Caracella eluded opponents again across half-forward for 22 touches, 9 marks and 2 goals. The much-improved Justin Blumfield was great either on the ball or pushing forward for 22 possessions and a goal, tough Mark Johnson had 21 handlings. Praise also to the rugged backline, Fletcher, Hardwick and Wellman. Scott Lucas booted 3 goals but he and Caracella were the Dons' only multiple goalscorers, they still managed 17 despite Lloyd (7 marks, 1.4) being well-held by Mick Martyn. Martyn was about North's best player on the day along with fellow defender Byron Pickett (18 touches, 8 marks). Wayne Carey (9 marks, 15 disposals, a goal) put himself about at least and John Blakey got a few good touches (21) once relieved of the Hird job. But they were beaten in the middle again. Lange ended with 2 goals in the last quarter for a total of 3, Bell and McKernan kicked 2 each and Spaull joined the list of blokes to boot a goal with their first kick in league footy, a great left-foot snap. Pagan said "We were pretty disappointing at the start." No kidding. "We have got a lot of work to do. We reckon we can turn it around, we have been in situations like this in 1997...there is so much scope for improvement. There are some sides that are not going to improve much more...we know we can improve. Sheedy reckoned "We haven't had a start like that against a class team like the Kangaroos...we are really pleased with that." He then made the usual attempts to keep the lid on it, they "hadn't achieved anything yet", history says they are "certain" to lose a game at some stage, etc. We'll keep an eye out.

At Colonial:

A dollop of good fortune helped the Cats withstand another withering Bulldog comeback and hop into third spot. If only the Bullies could play that way all the game. The Cats made one change from their massive win over the Pies, James Rahilly came in as a late replacement for David Spriggs. The Pups must've read last week's report because they selected a lad to make his AFL debut, Luke Penney from Oakleigh. But they did drop a youngster, Mark Alvey.

The Cats powered out courtesy a winning midfield of King, Riccardi and Hocking. The Bullies scored the first goal, Darcy's handpass to Smith who twisted and turned before a good left-foot shot. But the Cats seemed keener, faster and more committed. Riccardi roved a bounce at CHF to snap one, Mooney marked (!), sold the dummy and sausaged, Clarke's speed away from the centre saw him dob a beauty. Jason Snell lurked near the sticks to cap off upfield winners. Bartlett and busy Eagleton ,managed some majors for the Bullies, but King tapped perfectly for Adam Houlihan to finish a good quarter for the Cats. And so it continued in the second term, Bizzell opened with a roving goal. Bulldog Nathan Eagleton, playing well, banged a running major but soon Ling's lightening handpass allowed Riccardi to boot a right-foot goal and Snell extended the lead to 47 points. A couple more classical running left-footers from Eagleton narrowed that margin before Bizzell again marked King's tumbling kick to give the Cats a seven-goal half-time lead. As per last week the Pups got going in the second half, Romero, West, Liberatore (13 possessions in the third quarter) and Johnson lifted while Eagleton kept on kicking goals. Quick goals to Romero, Eagleton and Grant got them moving. Ling combined with Riccardi for a running left-foot goal but Eagleton bagged another, then West centered the ball for Eagleton who ran in a very wide circle to get on his trusty left boot and drill yet another major. From the restart Darcy punted forward, Wynd spilled a one-handed marking attempt but Brad Johnson arrived to volley through spectacularly. The margin was down to 15 points before Darcy's poor kick created a turnover for Cat King to mark and goal just before the final break.

On came the Bulldogs. First goal of the final term came from Hudson via Grant's dinked pass. Houlihan restored the Cats' 21-point buffer with a lovely left-foot snap from the boundary line, but at the other end Wynd fisted a throw-in towards a vacant goalsquare, Eagleton arrived to blast it through. Johnson took a terrific wrong-way mark, onto Dimattina, pass to leading Smith and he punted the gap down to 9 points. Eagleton finally missed a shot before the Cats steadied courtesy a free kick to Mensch, his punt to the goalsquare was marked far too easily by Houlihan, goal. Dimattina wasted a Puppy chance with a bad kick and Smith should’ve had a free when placed in a headlock before Eagleton swooped again, handballing for Andy Wills to race into an open goal. Nine points the diff and soon Dimattina made it three, capping off some great lead-up work from Chris Grant. The Bullies attacked again but were held up by a soft free to Cat Tom Harley. Like last week Garry Hocking provided the Cats' ninth life with an admirably determined rover's goal from a bounce. Back to 9 points up and they clung on doggedly. Grant might’ve had a free kick when held, Bizzell dived full-length to touch Johnson's goalbound dribbler, as the Cats played keepings-off Sanderson fell over in his own goalsquare, panicked and lost the ball but someone - couldn't see who - managed a great smother on Rohan Smith. The Cats prevailed.

The hardy Cat followers won the game with their first-half efforts, ol' Buddha Hocking (22 disposals, a goal), ruckman Steven King (35 hitouts, 16 disposals, a goal) and Peter Riccardi (19 disposals, 3 goals). Lively forward Clint Bizzell was handy with 9 marks, 18 touches and 4 goals, Adam Houlihan's sudden burst of form continued with 4 goals from 17 touches including two handy majors in the last quarter. Brenton Sanderson was generally good despite his late error (blame the surface), he had 18 touches. Jason Snell poached 3 goals. Special mention for James Rahilly who had 8 of his 11 touches in the last quarter and provided plenty of run for the tiring Cats. Full-back Ben Graham had 22 touches and Harley did a good job on Grant, but the Bulldog CHB still contributed. Did I mention Nathan Eagleton? He booted 7 goals from 15 kicks for the Bulldogs. Why did the Power get ridda him? Otherwise it was the Bulldog midfielders who almost pinched it, Scott West (35 disposals) again, Jose Romero with 30 disposals and a goal, 21 after half-time, the excellent Brad Johnson with 24 touches and a goal, ol' Tony Liberatore with 25 possies. Chris Grant struggled with just 4 marks against Harley but still managed 3 goals and gave a couple away, Smith bagged 2 goals. Brown and Curley were alright. Wallace called his players "lazy" for their first-half efforts. "For a side to kick fourteen goals in a half really is an indictment on our group. We had a pretty poor start to the season and had just started to make our way in the competition and to come out and do that is bitterly disappointing...our supporters ought to be very, very disappointed with what they were served up today." Like the Cat fans last week. Thompson said "On a few occasions this year under pressure our guys have handled that same situation very well. I think it's great to win games by big margins but you don't learn much by them...When you play games like this, under pressure, it's when you find out what your men are made of..."

At Subiaco:

The Dockers ended their horror streak with a win over a much-depleted St. Kilda in a poor game. With the Power's win the Saints tumbled back to the ladder's foot and might stay there given their injuries. They went in without big men Peter Everitt, out for possibly the rest of the season with a knee injury, Stewart Loewe who copped three weeks for biffing Jason Johnson last Friday although he broke his hand in the same incident and will miss four weeks anyway, and defender Daryl Wakelin who received a two-week suspension for clouting Steven Alessio, upheld on appeal. Replacements were David Sierakowski, Joe McLaren and Brad Campbell. The Dockers lost forward Clive Waterhouse (hamstring) and winger Luke Toia (back) from last weekend but regained spearhead Tony Modra and Brad Bootsma earned a recall.

Like the line in today's Age. "These two crippled teams went at it in the brilliant sunshine at Subiaco and some of us had to watch". Freo attacked the ball a bit harder while the poor old Saints were fairly dreadful. Saw Troy Cook boot the first goal for Freo before going out for a drink, he and Troy Longmuir were busy in the first half as was Jason Norrish with 12 touches in the first quarter. By half time it was more-or-less over with Freo's nine goals to one. The Saints made some sort of charge in the third quarter, youngsters Beetham and Knowles won some kicks, Hall and Sierakowski booted some goals from the key forward positions. Dokker Hasleby wore a heavy bump to set up a goal for Dodd to steady the home team and they managed to stay ahead of Stinklilda to the end.

Plaudits won by Docker rover Troy Cook, who worked hard for his 31 possessions and 3 goals, forward flanker Troy Longmuir with 25 disposals, 11 marks and goal and winger James Walker, who gave Jones a bit of a hiding with 28 possies. Paul Hasleby (27 touches, a goal) showed his natural ability again. Big men Dan Bandy, 12 marks and 26 disposals at CHB and ruckman Clem Michael (20 hitouts, 14 disposals) were handy contributors. Fewster and Modra booted 2 goals each. Few to mention for the Sainters, Sierakowski did alright in attack to boot 4 goals from 9 marks, 12 kicks. Rob Harvey (30 disposals) and Nathan Burke (24) worked against the tide on the ball, Max Hudghton did well to keep Modra down to 4 marks and 2 goals although Mods missed three. Caydn Beetham impressed a bit with 16 disposals. Barry Hall kicked 2 goals. Watson tried to define rock-bottom. "It is difficult to differentiate when you actually hit the bottom. I think the first half was as poor as we've played." At least they had one bit of good news last week, president Andrew Plympton promising to stay on for a few more years after making noises about quitting. Freo coach Drum said "It is good to be back winning, but the season is still looking pretty sick. The good thing was that the boys learnt to push themselves really hard." Jeremy reckons John Worsfold is a certainty to replace Drummy at the end of the year. Barring nine consecutive wins, of course.

Ladder after Round Thirteen

Cheers,
Tim.

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