Round 10

Fremantle coach Damian Drum was sacked during the week, eventually. Apparently the sequence of events was thus: Fremantle board decides to sack Drum; appalling leak sees everyone in Australia learn of sacking within an hour, except Drum; Fremantle board has to ask Waffle board to rubber-stamp decision, delaying announcement; Drum officially told of sacking the next day after being asked about it by every football journo in Australia. The Dockers were savagely criticised for their handling of the affair. Chairman Ross McLean, Drum's chief supporter, took responsibility for the bumbled sacking although it probably wasn't his fault. The idiot(s) on the board who leaked are the one(s) everyone's after. Drum said "The sheer lies that have been spoken to me in the last three weeks...I will never forget the lies. It's a sad indictment on the people I've been talking to." Drum coached Freo in 53 games for 13 wins, not the greatest record although he did guide them to their equal-best ladder placing last season (twelfth) and first-ever derby win. Drummy is replaced until the end of 2001 by the Dockers' inaugural captain, Ben Allan.

Melbourne's internal strife continued. Perhaps Joe Gutnick could try the Nepalese Royal Family strategy. During the week Gutnick held a rally in East St. Kilda to gain the member's signatures needed to force an extraordinary general meeting. But he also gave an undertaking not to call the meeting until the end of the year and also held off announcing his running mates. This was a result of a deal with the existing Melbourne board, who also agreed not to do anything until the end of the year. Incensed at the deal board member Alan Stockdale, Gutnick's chief rival, resigned immediately and promised to start his own campaign. On Saturday night Gutnick sat with the cheer squad again.

Folks in Britain (the country, not the Carlton coach) might like to go along and see The Footy Show In London on June 28th. Ring 207 494 5094 for info and/or tickets.

At Colonial:

Time at last for the Kangas to inflict some final-quarter pain instead of receiving it, kicking away from the lethargic Bulldogs. The Pups' highly stylised chip-it-short game plan fell apart in the face of some intense Roo tackling and congested midfield. Or perhaps the Dogs were tired from travelling, something they'd mentioned during the week. Just the one change in selection between the two sides, a biggy with Norf recalling Wayne Carey. They lost Adam Lange with a broken hand.

Hadn't previously noted that Channel Seven start their Friday-night telecast showing us a dominatrix trapped in a video store. Setting a high standard for the Packers' TV station next season. Carey lined up at the true CHF position and Chris Grant ran to him, it could've been a terrific clash. In the event Grant swapped with Matt Croft after quarter-time and Carey got hurt again. Early stages were tough and tight, clogged up in midfield, before Roo Sav Rocca gathered a loose
pill and passed to David King who booted the opening goal. For the first term the Dogs took their chances and had a bit more luck with the umpires (frees 7-1 their way). Footscray's opening goal came from a ruck-free at a throw-in on the wing plus mystery 50m penalty, Roo Joe McLaren the offender for both. Luke Darcy goaled. Rocca and Brent Harvey missed set shots for Norf before a deliberate Bulldog build-up saw Kingsley Hunter convert from a short lead and mark. Certain epicurians might be attracted by the Dogs' 'slow football'. Another set of intricate handpasses on the wing released Nathan Brown inside 50m, he slotted a left-foot beauty and the Pups led by 10 points at the first break.

Thereon the Siddeyroos crowded around packs and hurled themselves into a series of vice-like tackles, Anthony Stevens and Byron Pickett leading the way. Brent Harvey ran a lot. The Bulldogs' ball-movement became so slow and haphazard their forwards didn't stand a chance. Carey started the second stanza by completely muffing a set-shot for goal, then dropping a goal-line mark. But Corey McKernan did better, gathering Pickett's kick and wobbling a low mongrel-punt for a goal. Bulldog Brad Johnson sped away from the following centre-bounce, ran inside 50m and speared the ball home. Unfortunately he neglected to bounce it while running and was penalised. Kanga John Blakey kicked long where McKernan roved the pack and snapped a major to level the scores. In the same incident Carey managed to roll his left ankle, quite badly, by stepping on Craig Ellis's foot and Carey's evening ended. Six weeks they reckon. North were pressing now, their Shannon Grant and Rocca both kicked on-the-full and McKernan postered. Tony Liberatore and Adam Simpson had an altercation after the McKernan behind and McKernan somehow won a free kick, which he converted for his third straight major. The Kangarse attacked again, McKernan was crunched in a pack but Sav roved and snapped truly. Then Sav missed again before Pickett gathered pack spillage and snapped a great goal. The Roos led by 22 points. Bulldog
Hunter narrowed it by a point on the half-time siren.

North's second-half collapse last Friday night hung over the resumption, so the Ruse went about it with renewed vigour. McKernan again got them going, punting truly from Shane Clayton's pass. Leigh Colbert sent them forward from the restart and Pickett swooped superbly with a full-pace gather and kick ahead of Harvey, the small Roo evaded tacklers and blasted it through from point-blank. With Carey gone, Bulldog Chris Grant had shifted forward but he behinded and a long Rohan Smith shot was touched through before Norf goaled again. Their junior Corey Jones marked very well and drove the ball to CHF where Pickett took an easy
grab and converted. The Roos had kicked the last eight goals of the game and led by 38 points. The effort had taken its toll though, the Roos' running dropped off and the Dogs won some midfield possession. Nathan Brown broke their goal-less run following a smart mark, then Chris Grant free-kicked a major. Yet another McKernan goal, a high bomb from 55m shepherded home, provided respite for Norf but from the restart Liberatore won a free and his kick was very well marked and converted by Chris Grant. Simon Garlick weaved through traffic and found Brown on the lead, Brown sausaged again and Garlick himself narrowed the gap to 13 points before the final break. However a rest proved to be just what the Roos needed. An intensive double-effort by Shannon Grant allowed Brady Rawlings to snap the opening goal of the final term. Brad Johnson was denied a reply by illegal goalsquare shepherding, then the Pups turned-over coming from defence and Jason McCartney found Clayton all alone 20m out, Clayton majored. Two incidents in the next minute were indicative, David King exploded through the centre and speared a low punt for a goal, his signature move (also featuring one bounce in 50m but who needs consistency, eh?), then Anthony Stevens dived full-length to smother hesitant Rohan Smith's kick. There was only going to be one result then. For the record McKernan and Sav proceeded to convert from strong marks and Simpson bagged one, extending the Roo lead to 49 points with six consecutive goals for the stanza. The teams split the remaining six goals.

The media was excited by the effort of Corey McKernan, endlessly contrasting it to his stat-less game against the Tigers a month ago. Big Corey booted 6 goals from 7 marks and 11 kicks. However it was in the middle where the big differences occurred, with aggressive ball-attack from Anthony Stevens (30 disposals) and Shannon Grant (21 touches), Grant was opposed to Scott West. Also there was the speed of Brent Harvey who kicked 2 goals to go with his 26 possies and the speed plus 9 ferocious tackles of Byron Pickett, who also bagged 2 goals from his 17 possessions. There were some other good jobs too, defenders Glenn Archer and John Blakey were their usual solid selves and young Shannon Watt (13 touches) drew some praise from Seven specialists Walls and Brereton. Sav
Rocca ended up kicking 3.2 and Dave King bagged 2 goals from the back pocket again, he had 17 kicks. The Bulldogs' best were their skipper Chris Grant, who had the best of early skirmishes with Carey and later worked hard in attack for 3 goals from 18 disposals and 7 marks, and the classy Nathan Brown who also kicked 3 goals from 13 touches. Few others were good, Kingsley Hunter did alright swapping between attack and defence for 17 touches, 7 marks and a goal. Matt Croft played reasonably in defence and Brad Johnson boxed on for 17 possies despite a nightmare in front of the stix. Scott West handled the ball 25 times but had very little influence, Libba enjoyed the close-in stuff for 18 touches. No coach's quotes in the paper, unfortunately.

At Princes Park:

West Coast have some injuries but they can't be blamed fully for this appalling shellacking the Eegs copped at Princes Park. Kenny Judge mumbled something about the unavailable afterwards but there was enough Eagle talent playing to be more competitive than this. No change in selection for the Bloos, the Eagles lost Drew Banfield with strained knee ligaments and Dean Kemp (thigh) and Richard Taylor (concussion) were late withdrawals. Bit of a dent in the midfield, that. Replacements were tubby spearhead Scott Cummings and small forward Mark Merenda, both back from injury, plus flanker David Haynes. Blue defender Glenn Manton chalked up his 150th game.

At least the Eegs could be thankful that Carlton didn't kick straight. Eagle Cummings kicked the first score of the game, a behind. It turned out to be his only kick. Soon Carlton were rolling forward with experienced centremen Scott Camporeale and Craig Bradley collecting a dozen possessions each in the first quarter. Campo opened the scoring, Simon Beaumont drifted forward again to boot a left-foot banana goal and Steve Silvagni, in game 299, weaved along carrying the ball one-handed, Kouta-style, before slotting on the run. Lance Whitnall bustled for a mark and the Blues were on their way. Amongst all that the Eagles had scored a goal, the third one of the match actually, Rowan Jones roving a pack and snapping close-in. The Bloos' seven-goal to four-point second term removed any doubt about the result and had folks searching the record books. Camporeale had another eleven touches for the stanza, giving him 23 disposals by half-time. Across half-back Beaumont and Andy McKay easily repelled Eagle thusts. Whitnall bagged a couple more goals and late in the term sent a kick forward from half-back, players watched it bounce about ‘til Jordan Doering trotted through to gather and sausage. Brendan Fevola pursued the ball along the boundary to gather and run into the goalsquare, Ryan Houlihan snaggled one as well. The Bluebaggers' intensity dropped a little in the third term, a relatively even one on the scoreboard. Michael Gardiner, one the few Eagles to stand out, drifted forward for a mark and goal and 'Punched' Chad Fletcher got one as well, thus the Eagles moved past the infamous 1.12 they kicked at Windy Hill in 1989. But the Blues rallied for the final term with Anthony Koutoufides getting involved midfield and Brendan Fevola having a purple patch in attack, he hauled down seven marks in the final term but kicked 2.4. The Eegs could be happy for that small mercy.

Scott Camporeale slowed after half-time to end with 29 possessions (21 kicks) and a goal, but he was the main architect of the win. Along with Ol' Man Bradley (24 disposals, a goal) and pack burrower Brett Ratten (24 disposals, a goal) they dominated the midfield area. Once again the in-form Simon Beaumont played very well, 20 disposals and seven marks across half back and he kicked 3 more goals. Fellow back flanker Andrew McKay (19 touches, 6 marks) was also rock-solid . One of the few Blues to enjoy a real contest was ruckman Mark Porter, he did well for 14 touches and 6 marks in a break-even battle with Michael Gardiner. Up front Lance Whitnall moved about well for 11 marks, 20 disposals and 3 goals (3.3), Brendan Fevola kicked 3.5 from 9 marks and 11 kicks. Steve Silvagni, Matt Lappin and Darren Hulme kicked 2 goals each. Eagle following duo Michael Gardiner (17 disposals, 9 marks, a goal) and captain Ben Cousins (23 disposals) tried hard all afternoon, Cousins often opposed to Camporeale. Daniel Kerr again belied his light frame and 17 years to gather 16 possessions in a good effort and back-flanker Greg Harding played alright. Not much to be said for the rest, David Wirrpunda started well but injured an ankle in the second half, Chad Morrison got a little bit of the ball and Jakovich did reasonably against Whitnall after half-time. Most derision was reserved for forwards Cummings and Wilson, one kick each. Ken Judge saw blackness all around. "I was discouraged by today's performance. Last week there were some positives. There weren't a lot of positives there today. We're pretty low, make no mistake about that...(but) we're not going to be walking around thinking this is acceptable, or that we're happy with it...We've got a lot of work to do." Wayne Brittain said "While we played well today, there are many areas of our game we can still improve on...we probably should have kicked thirty goals today."

At the MCG:

Suddenly the Horks don't look so hot. After being carpet-Bombed last week the collateral damage in the form of injuries saw them struggle against the hard-running Port midfield, bolstered by the return of ruckman and captain Matthew Primus from strained knee ligaments after just 14 days. In contrast the Hawks were without their no. 1 ruckman, Shaun Rehn (calf strain), captain and centreman Shane Crawford (knee and ankle strains) and ruck-rover Daniel Chick (hamstring). Not good although they did regain defenders Jade Rawlings and Jon Hay and on-baller Tony Woods. Also in was small forward Chance Bateman, to
replace dropped Matthew Dent. Port selected Kane Cornes for his AFL debut, the Glenelg son of Graeme and brother of Chad. Port's omissions were Dean Brogan and Brent Guerra.

This was an ordinary game in a weekend featuring much low-quality football. Backline flooding was blamed for much of it, which will no doubt add momentum to the push for some new rules to counteract it. The Horks were the main flood controllers in this game, after scoring an early goal via Trent Croad. But with Power captain Matt Primus dominating in the ruck against the battling Hawk line-up of Nathan Thonpson and Brett O'Farrell, the visitors soon got moving. They kicked
the next three goals from running midfielders Peter Burgoyne, Nick Stevens and Roger James, then Primus himself goaled from a doubtful free kick and 50m penalty against Hawk complaints. The defensive Hawks were forced into that pattern perhaps by the absence of Crawford and Chick and they did manage a couple more goals before the first break, defender Jon Hay soccering one home from 30m. A more open second term ensued but plenty of skill errors from both sides continued a frustrating afternoon for the 28,000 punters present. Jon Hay again produced the highlight with thumping shot from inside the centre square which sailed through for a Hork major. The other Hawk forwards suffered from slow and wayward service, Ben Dixon and John Barker travelled well up the ground to get the ball. For Port Gav Wanganeen and Che Cockatoo-Collins provided classy touches for sausages. Port broke clear with four unanswered goals in the third term. James and Wanganeen booted one each, Stew Dew ran along the boundary-line into the goalsquare to blast it through and backman Brett Montgomery scored the other. They led by 36 points before Horks Ben Dixon and Angelo Lekkas goaled within a minute of each other at the end of the stanza. Barker missed an even later chance, but the Hawks had a bit of momentum going into the last. However a couple of early Port goals in the terminal term, a runner from Peter Burgoyne and a silky bit of weaving and snap from Wanganeen, snuffed out any Horforn chance.

The rapid recovery of Matt Primus was completed with a winning performance in the ruck, Primus won 32 hitouts from Port's total of 41, compared to the Hawks' team total of 21. Primus also had 15 disposals and kicked a goal. Hard-running Nick Stevens played very well again, booting 3 goals to cap off his 33 disposals and 8 marks, fellow follower Josh Francou was busy again with 27 disposals. In attack Che Cockatoo-Collins (9 marks, 21 disposals, a goal) and Gavin Wanganeen (15 kicks, 8 marks, 3 goals) had the skills to make a difference on an average day. Of the other Port midfielders Adam Kingsley (27 disposals, 8 marks) and defender Brett Montgomery (24 touches, a goal) were prominent. Peter Burgoyne was back to his poaching best with 3 goals, Roger James and Stuart Dew kicked 2 goals each. It wasn't a great day for Hawthorn, their best tended to be backmen as the ball was down there most often. Jonathan Hay lined up on Warren Tredrea, the Port forward played well enough but Hay was good with 21 disposals, 8 marks and 2 goals. Half-back Joel Smith ran forward again for 19 touches (16 kicks) and tall defender Jade Rawlings came back with 16 disposals and 10 marks. Not much else to excite, Daniel Harford gathered 22 touches but
was opposed to Stevens, Angelo Lekkas was busy with 21 disposals and kicking 2 goals, John Barker took 9 marks but didn't kick a goal and was reported for striking Primus. Trent Croad kicked 2 goals. Peter Schwab referred to his team's injuries, obliquely. "Someone asked me a few weeks ago if I've got sympathy for anyone else in the competition (i.e. West Coast) and you can't because no-one's got it for you. We'd like to feel sorry for ourselves but that doesn't get us anywhere." Mark Williams said "We're really pleased to take on such quality opposition on the MCG and come up with a win, but we have to wait until round
fifteen, when we've played everyone, to have a real feel of where we're going this year. Right now we've won more games than we did last year, so certainly we've improved." An eye on the contract, Mark? 

At Colonial:

Mal Blight took the Saints back out onto the ground for a warm-down and debriefing after another horrendous fade-out. Blight played it down..."We've had so many soft-tissue injuries our fitness people thought we'd try this." The Saints did suffer some late injuries again but they clearly stop running in the final quarter, like a team of Formula One drivers instructed to pull aside and let the faster guys overtake. Melbun were happy to break their three-game losing streak. In picking the Saints lost Fraser Gehrig (groin strain), Aussi Jones (hamstring) and Matthew Capuano (knee) while Troy Schwarze and Brett Knowles were axed. They had a few decent players return though in Barry Hall, Steven Lawrence and Tony Delaney, also called up were ruckman Tim Elliott and back-flanker Jason Blake. Melbourne also made a few changes, injuries causing the absences of defender Anthony Ingerson (knee) and midfielders Travis Johnstone (groin) and Guy Rigoni (?), experienced backman Steven Febey was dropped. Ruckman Troy Simmonds returned for his first game of 2001, he was the one KO'd by Michael Long in the Grand Final (although Essadun supporters will claim Simmonds was actually knocked out in earlier incident which was his own fault...). Other Demon inclusions were Matthew Collins, chunky flanker Chris Lamb and a first-gamer, centreman Scott Thompson from Port Adelaide Magpies. Thompson was the Dees' first-round draft pick last October.

The balance of power ebbed and flowed throughout, until the last quarter. The TV coverage started mid-second stanza, when the Saints had gone out hard and were pegged back. Missing key defenders Gehrig and Hudghton they were forced to play Justin Koschitzke at CHB and flanker Jason Blake at full-back on Neitz. Saint ruckman Peter Everitt had been busy, rover Craig Callaghan had bagged a couple of goals. The Gutnicks were well-served by Adem Yze and Dan Ward. Stakilda led by three points when Demon James McDonald found freshly-introduced Brad Green on the lead, he marked and converted and Melbun led. St. Kilda nudged ahead again when Robbie Powell was awarded a mark taken well outside the boundary line, Powell played-on and hooked it through. Dee Shane Woewodin forced another lead-change with a strong grab and kick, just before the break solid work from Saint James Begley created a goal for Craig Callaghan and the Stains led by that amount.

More see-saw action in the third. Dee rookie Scott Thompson goaled from a softish free-kick to level the scores before Saint captain Robert Harvey inspired a period of St. Kilda ascendancy. On fire in the middle, Harvey set up Powell for a goal. Stewie Loewe perpetrated a terrible miss but atoned a minute later, marking Harvey's long kick in the goalsquare. The Dees turned-over under pressure and it was Harvey again finding Aaron Hamill on the lead, Hamill smacked it through from 50m and St. Kilda led by 20 points. It's not entirely clear how the Dees came back, perhaps it was Everitt going for a rest. Whatever, a tough effort and handpass from the Demon Dan Ward sent Russ Robertson on a 3-bounce run into an open goal. Then their Cameron Bruce bagged consecutive majors, strong marks from the passes of Green and Yze respectively. A Paul Wheatley poster levelled the scores as Saint Steven Lawrence trudged off with yet another hamstring complaint. Nevertheless Stakilda responded, Everitt tapped perfectly at a throw-in for Andy Thompson to gather and spear a sausage. Then the Saints Thompson and Hamill worked hard to find Everitt on the lead, he converted. And right on the three-quarter-time siren Barry Hall reeled in a one-handed grab and
goaled, Stakilda led by 19 points at the final change.

But recent history caused Saint unease which increased when Stewie Loewe and Nathan Burke failed to appear for the final term, knee problems for both. Demons Jeff White, Adem Yze and Brad Green powered the Demon surge. Early doors Green clutched a good mark from Woewodin's high kick and hooked it through from a very tight angle. Bazza Hall replied for Stakilda, marking Andy Thompson's pass. At the following centre bounce Saint Brett Moyle was caught, the ball spilled and Melbun's Ward found Wheatley for a goal. St. Kilda still led by 12 points before an umpire-driven two-goal turnaround. Dee backman Nathan Brown was clearly caught in possession just 20m from his defensive goal, right in front. Readers, it's the most obvious dropping-the-ball I've ever seen. However umpire Andrea Bocelli waved play-on and the ball raced to the opposite end, Brad Green goaled. St. Kilda led by 6 points instead of 18. Dee ruckman White found Green again on the lead, he converted a very difficult tight-angle shot to level the scores. A Callaghan miss edged the Stains ahead again before Melbourne unleashed an avalanche of goals. First Saint Hamill was tackled, allowing Jim McDonald to set-up Ward. From the centre-bounce Yze passed to David Schwarz. He goaled. Yze again found David Neitz with a long kick, another Dee sausage and they led by 18 points. Blight sent Burke limping into the fray to no effect as a series of handpasses allowed Simon Godfrey to raise both flags. Dan Ward hooked a kick under pressure and Neitz marked it, his subsequent goal put Melbun 31 points clear. The pace slackened, Hall wasted a golden St. Kilda chance with a stupid snap allowing a Demon smother. Neitz extended the Dees' lead before Caydn Beetham kicked a late, irrelevant goal for the Saints.

Erratic but tireless Melbourne winger Adem Yze could claim BOG honours, he had 26 disposals (24 kicks) and supplied endless chances for his forwards at the end. My favourite was the excellent running defender Matthew Whelan, another great performance featuring 20 disposals, his speed is very handy for the Dees. Fellow backman Nathan Brown (24 touches, 9 marks) also provided much rebound. Across the centre Anthony McDonald (18 possies, a goal) and Daniel Ward (19, a goal) played well. David Neitz swapped between the forward and back lines, but did most damage at full-forward with 4 goals from 8 marks. Brad Green kicked 4 second-half goals from 5 kicks, lively flanker Cameron Bruce was busy again with 3 goals from 14 touches. Russ Robertson and Shane Woewodin
kicked 2 goals each. Demon ruckman Jeff White (15 touches) had a good duel with Everitt. St. Kilda were led by the old reliables, Robert Harvey had a 14-possession third-quarter on the way to 28 disposals for the game, although he faded in the final term (along with the rest of the Saints). Nathan Burke (18 touches) ran a lot and they missed him at the end, forward Aaron Hamill also worked hard for 17 disposals, 7 marks and 2 goals. Ruckman Peter Everitt's form continues to improve, he kicked 2 goals and created several more from his 12 disposals. Andy Thompson did the stopping job on Shane Woewodin. Small man Craig Callaghan snaggled 3 goals from a forward pocket while Stewie Loewe, Barry Hall and Robbie Powell kicked 2 goals each. Mal Blight reckoned "We were in it for three-and-a-bit quarters so that was an improvement on last week I guess. I am really looking forward to playing Essendon next week." He wasn't being sarcastic. Dee coach Daniher said "I didn't think we were far away in recent games against Port Adelaide and Essendon, and tonight we kept battling away for three quarters and then in the final term they just really got some run going."

At the Gabba:

Injuries and their own hot-and-cold form finally caught up with the Dons as they were well-beaten by Brisbane. The Lions weren't brilliant but they were physical and adhered rigidly to a game plan more keepings-off than attack - 'slow football' again. Leigh Matthews's well-publicised motivational use of the Arnie Schwarzenegger flick 'Predator' ("If it bleeds, we can kill it") may start a whole new trend. Clearly Danny Frawley has already screened Kindergarden Cop for the Tiges. In selection Brisbane made four changes, Luke Power was out with a re-injured groin and ruckman Beau McDonald withdrew with a hamstring problem while Aaron Shattock and Marcus Picken were dropped. Experienced runners Craig McRae and Shaun Hart returned along with Craig Bolton and rookie ruckman Jamie Charman. It was the Bombers' changes which were of more concern, ruckman John Barnes (knee) and Gary Moorcroft (?) were late withdrawals, joining under-rated Justin Blumfield who will miss a couple of months with strained knee ligaments. However they did regain Dustin Fletcher and flanker Chris Heffernan, the latter in for his first game since a bad pre-season leg injury. Ruckman David Hille was recalled. Brisbane flanker Martin Pike played his 150th game and Don
Jason Johnson his 50th. 

Brisbane started with some unusual match-ups - rover Marcus Ashcroft on James Hird, flanker Chris Scott against Scott Lucas - but their following division was vastly more experienced than the Dons’ and the Lions were quite aggressive, led by teenage forward Jonathon Brown. He intercepted Adam Ramanauskas's cross-goal pass for the opening major. Bommer Lucas managed to miss a couple of shots before Sean Wellman marked a Lion kick-in and returned the ball to leading Matthew Lloyd for the Dons' first goal. Lion Jon Brown continued to charge about, he took a Careyesque with-the-flight pack mark to kick another goal, then Craig McRae free-kicked a major when tripped by Dustin Fletcher, who was reported for the infringement. Might get a week at most. There'd been some strange umpiring which continued into the second term, Bomber Lloyd wasn't paid a clear mark but was quick enough to lob a kick forward, Ramanauskas marked and converted from the goalsquare. The Lyin's led by 6 points and responded quickly, deriving a lot of run from backmen Chris Johnson and the Scott twins. Jason Akermanis booted long for Al Lynch to outmark Fletcher and goal, Akermanis also created the next goal for Simon Black after Don Dean Rioli was caught in possession. Jon Brown won a mysterious free-kick at a ball-up, then a 50m penalty when Bummer Dean Solomon complained about it. Easy third goal for Browny and Brizzy led by 24 points. The Bombouts sent Dustin Fletcher forward and Aaron Henneman to full-back on Lynch. No immediate effect though as Lynch roved a ball-up and snapped a miraculous goal from the boundary to give the locals a 5-goal lead. Bomber captain Jim Hird had been in the wars, his head swathed in bandages due to an early head-wound he missed an easy shot, then dislocated a finger. Not the greatest half of Essadun football.

The Lions' determination to retain possession at all costs was much in evidence after half-time. At one stage seven short-passes were completed with the ball returning to its' point-of-origin. Dull but effective as just such a build-up led to the first goal of the half, Shaun Hart tumbling a kick forward for ruckman Clark Keating to mark and sausage. Essadun's Fletcher had remained in attack and he marked Ramanauskas's long kick for an answering major. A minute later Fletcher marked on the lead but missed the shot and at the other end Craig McRae gathered a ruck-tap and thumped through Brisbun's ninth goal, they led by 34 points. The Bummers derived a goal direct from the subsequent centre-bounce, Solomon with a great snap from Mark McVeigh's handpass. They enjoyed a good attacking spell for a while, but didn't punish the Brians. A too-casual Fletcher spilled a mark, Paul Barnard and Jim Hird missed fairly easy shots. Finally the Dons scored a six-pointer, Solomon half-throwing the ball to Jason Johnson for the goal. The first time they'd managed consecutive goals, Brisbane led by 21 points. The Lions went forward from the restart and luckless Henneman saw his good spoil lob into Lynch's arms, the Brisbun veteran snapped truly. Bomber Lloyd made the margin 21 points again, goaling from a dubious free-kick for holding. A similarly doubtful free allowed the Lyin's to get the first goal of the the final term, to the previously bench-bound Daniel Bradshaw. Their Keating wasn't awarded a mark in the goalsquare, shepherding against Lynch, the Dons whipped the ball end-to-end where Lloyd marked and goaled with an excellent kick. Straight from the restart the Dons attacked, McVeigh handballed for a Corey McGrath goal and the Dons were 15 points down, the closest they'd been for a long time. The Lions had the answers though, Martin Pike found Bradshaw with a pass and Bradshaw goaled, then Akermanis slotted a wonderful left-foot shot on the run. Aker had a big final quarter. The Dons had another go, Hird goaled from a free-kick and direct from the centre-bounce Mark Johnson hit Lloyd's chest, laces-out. But Lloydy missed and that was pretty much it. Brisbane played the slowest of slow footy until Chris Johnson bombed to the goalsquare where Tim Notting roved for the major. A minute later Lynch collected a half-volley and twisted away from Henneman to boot the sealer, Lions by 33 points. Jason Johnson snapped a late consolation major for Essadun.

The Lions' best was ruck-rover Simon Black, a cool user of the ball under pressure around packs and a relentless runner, he had 27 disposals and kicked a goal. Co-follower Michael Voss was on and off the ground with a hand problem but he had 25 touches, they had a considerable advantage over Don juniors McVeigh, Peverill etc. Chris Johnson was excellent running from defence with 24 disposals and 9 marks, assisted by Chris (18 touches) and Brad (22 handlings) Scott. In attack Jonathan Brown set the tone with 3 first-half goals and a bit of aggression, he ended with 8 marks and 15 disposals. Wingman Nigel Lappin worked hard
for 27 possies and Jason Akermanis had a good duel with Damien Peverill, Aker ended with 19 touches and a goal with 8 disposals in the last quarter. Marcus Ashcroft stuck close on Hird while Al Lynch was highly efficient at full-forward, bagging 4 goals from 5 kicks. Craig McRae and Dan Bradshaw kicked 2 goals each. Few Dons stood out, centreman Jason Johnson was their most experienced midfielder in the game and ended with a team-high 18 disposals and 2 goals. Damien Peverill (15 touches) did well against Akermanis and Matt Lloyd battled hard for 3 goals from 10 kicks, 7 marks. Adam Ramanauskas (16 touches, a goal) and James Hird (17 disposals, a goal) were alright although Hird isn't too reliable in front of the posts these days, he kicked 1.3. Kev Sheedy was brief. "It
gives us something to work with, no doubt. Full credit to Brisbane, they played very well," he said. A Bomber praising the opposition after a loss - we'd best frame that comment. Leigh Matthews said "Because it's Essendon, and they're so hard to beat, this one will stay in the memory more than most. It was a bit of a fillip for the belief in our side because we hadn't been able to beat a top opposition for two-and-a-half years."

At Colonial:

Players and umpires went down all over the place but by the end it was the battered Swans emerging with the points in a slogging contest, their best effort for nearly two months. Former Pie Paul Williams booted the sealer for Siddey, just like Sav did for Norf a few weeks ago. Dontcha jus love it? Collingwood supporters should note the date: Sunday June 3. Their Nathan Buckley departed with a hamstring strain during the second term, but the Swans were down to 18 men by the end with four left on the field with problems. In picking the Magpies were forced into two changes, losing tagger Carl Steinfort (rolled ankle) and ruckman Steven
McKee (shoulder). Replacements were Andrew Ukovic and Andrew Dimattina. The Swans recalled Jon Stevens after suspension and speedy Heath James,
they replaced the suspended ruckman Jason Ball and dropped backman Ryan O'Keefe.

The Swans were fired up and, led by some aggressive Paul Williams running, they booted three quick goals. Adam Goodes, Dan McPherson and Jude Bolton kicked the majors, Goodes and Mick O'Loughlin covering plenty of territory. Wayne Schwass and Dale Lewis were also prominent early. We had another umpire collision, ump Scott Jeffrey ran right across Swan Matthew Nicks resulting in a heavy clash, both went down. In accordance with the stupid rule, Collingwood got a free kick even though the collision was Jeffrey's fault. Pie skipper Buckley had 8 possessions before limping off with 'hamstring soreness', officially. His disappearance fired the Bloods and slowed the Pies, Siddey scored four rapid goals in the second term before a late Collingwood surge, Chris Tarrant and Tony Rocca getting some late goals. The second stanza was more notable for further injuries, Pie Jarrod Molloy soared for a huge grab and landed on Swan skipper Andrew Dunkley, crushing the unfortunate Swan. He was carried off. Daryn Cresswell tore a calf muscle and Heath James a hamstring. So the Maggies felt they were a chance going into the second half. However it was Sydney again who stole the initiative, early third-term goals to Dan McPherson and Jon Stevens gave them a four-goal lead. Chris Tarrant pulled one back for the Pies, struggling to find a way through the Swans' packed backline. Superb skill and a dollop of luck from Adam Goodes, a one-handed mark and soccered centering kick, allowed O'Loughlin to reply for the Swans. Late in the term 'Neon' Leon Davis booted a ripper for the Poise and they were again within striking distance at the start of the final term. By now the Siddeysiders' bench was non-operable, winger Nic Fosdike having done an ankle. On the field Matthew Nicks had a sore calf, Brett Kirk a sore knee and Ben Mathews a sore head. The Swans defended more zealously than ever and the ball lobbed aimlessly between the half-back lines for 12 minutes until Williams burst downfield and blasted one home from 50m, in trademark style. That put the Swans 27 points up. Two minutes later Ukovic goaled for Collenwood, but inaccuracy from Leon Davis, Molloy and Ukovic cost 'em any chance.

Aging runners Wayne Schwass (27 disposals, a goal) and Paul Williams (25 handlings, a goal) led a committed Sydney team with some hard running and good ball-use. Schwassy seems to play well at Colonial. Leo Barry did some excellent rebounding work off half-back with 9 marks and 21 possessions. Dan McPherson proved a useful half-forward changing on the ball, bagging 2 goals from his 22 disposals and Dale Lewis used the ball cleverly from his 18 kicks, he also took 10 marks and kicked a goal. Skilled forwards Michael O'Loughlin (21 touches, 8 marks, a goal) and Adam Goodes (12 disposals, 2 goals) worked hard. Two of the Pies' best were forwards despite their meagre tally, Jarrod Molloy's job isn't to kick goals but 'create space', Pie fans will tell you ad nauseum. Molloy took 9 marks and had 27 disposals but contributed one behind to the scoreboard. The scoring was left to Chris Tarrant, who booted 3 goals from 9 marks, 9 kicks. Running half-backs Paul Licuria (18 disposals) and James Clement (12 kicks, 7 marks) made handy contributions and honest Tarkyn Lockyer (21 disposals) battled away in the middle. Tony Rocca kicked 2 goals. But this was another of those games were the Pies just didn't get it together, Buckley's absence obviously a factor. Mick
Malthouse said "I thought...that we were pretty undisciplined in our game plan today, not necessarily the plan itself but the strategies within the game plan, we just didn't adhere to them as we would have liked. If that comes back to leadership, that's a shame because we thought we'd recruited fairly well in that area to complement Nathan...at the end of the day Sydney beat us because they were better than us. They used the ball better when they had to and we missed shots." Rod Eade was happy. "To win with four players who couldn't come back on and probably two or three who shouldn't have been out there in the end, I thought we really toughed it out. It's close to the most courageous win I've been involved with."

At Football Park:

This was a very ordinary game and the locals placed the blame squarely on the Cats for their extensive backline flooding. No mention of the Camrys' own shonky forward-line set-up or poor ball-use. Still, the Corollas won and the winners get to write the history. In selection the Camrys made one change, dropping unfortunate Stuart Bown to recall defender Nathan Bassett. The Cats lost Glenn Kilpatrick, suspended for biffing Duncan Kellaway last week, and Garry Hocking with more knee trouble. Forward Marcus Baldwin was axed. However lively Ronnie Burns returned from suspension and forward Mitchell White from injury, skinny David Wojcinski was called up.

The weather was sunny and there was no wind to speak of, a bit of a damp surface but no real excuse for the poor game. It was fairly open at first, Adelaide's Simon Goodwin scored the opening goal and there was a bit of attacking from both teams, Justin Murphy missed badly for Geelong before Darren Milburn and Ben Graham did well to set up David Clarke for a close-range major. Crow forward Bryan Beinke led well for two marks, but missed both shots - difficult ones from 50m, it must be added. From the second of those the Cats whipped the ball the length of the field and Adam Houlihan goaled. Houlihan was to become the latest forward to benefit from Darren Jarman's reluctance to do any defending as part of his defensive role. Jars did get a lot of the ball though, as did Andy McLeod although McLeod showed a remarkable ability to kick the ball straight to Geelong defenders. Camry Pete Vardy shot on the full and Cat skipper Ben Graham missed poorly before Brett Burton ran through the middle and dished a handpass to Andy McLeod, he goaled. The second quarter was dreadful. The ball spent 90% of the time in Adelaide's forward line, but they couldn't manage to capitalise. It's true that Geelong flooded back - they didn't look like scoring and on the rare
occasions they cleared their defensive 50m, Crow Ben Hart sent it back. But Adelaide's ball use was equally terrible, often kicking to outnumbered team-mates or just plain anywhere. Ayres seemed reluctant to shift Burton forward or use giant Ben Marsh off the bench, so they had no marking target. Their two goals came from a free kick for holding-the-ball against Brad Sholl - a bit of umpire frustration there - converted by Tyson Edwards, and a roving snap from Beinke. Brett
Burton provided the best highlight, a great ride and grab over Cat rover David Spriggs.

After half-time the match improved marginally, Geelong kicked two early goals from Clint Bizzell and Ben Graham to get within 6 points. Mr. Third Quarter didn't do much this time (except kick a goal) but Kane Johnson did, McLeod and Ricciuto continued to go well complementing the excellent rucking game of Matthew Clarke. He was outpointing last week's Geelong match-winner, Steven King. The Crows steadied with goals from Clarke, Johnson and Edwards to stay well ahead in the context of the low-scoring slog. Geelong managed a comeback of sorts again in the early final stanza, kicking two early goals once more. David Mensch, who'd struggled to get the ball all afternoon, finally escaped Mark Stevens to take a few marks and kick a goal and Ben Graham scored another. The
Crows led by 12 points when two gritty smothers by the Cressidas in their own backline, Andrew Crowell on Mitch White and Matt Robran on Clint Bizzell - led to a turnover which saw Ben Marsh, on the field at last, convert at the other end. It stayed fairly tight, The Cows scored another but further Cat majors from Mensch and Tom Harley narrowed the gap to 12 points again. With 90 seconds remaining Jeelong's Kent Kingsley marked 20 metres out, directly in front. He hit the post and
the Cows escaped to a sixth win and upward ladder movement.

Ayresey reckoned that Matthew Clarke played his best game for the Crows, the tap specialist engineered 27 hitouts to Geelong's 14, kicked a goal and importantly prevented King from doing much. Ben Hart was terrific in defence, spoiling his opponent on the rare occasions that was necessary and charging upfield for 17 kicks. Brett Burton gets a mention simply because he's very good, 20 disposals and 12 marks. Midfielders Tyson Edwards (21 disposals. 10 marks, 2 goals) and Andrew McLeod 25 touches, a goal) get a mention through weight of possession and half-back Darren Jarman collected 24 possessions, using the ball beautifully again. Whether you think that's worth letting his opponent run wild is a lengthy debate. Tagger Tyson Stenglein kept Burns very quiet and Mark
Ricciuto was handy enough with 23 disposals and 7 marks. Simon Goodwin kicked 2 goals. Geelong's best was the speedy and durable rover David Spriggs (27 disposals), often at breakdowns and about the only Cat to run towards goals. As mentioned Adam Houlihan was opposed to Jarman and had 19 disposals, took 11 marks and kicked a goal. Wasn't on the winning side though. Back-pocket Brenton Sanderson played well for 7 marks and 11 disposals, spoiling the Crow thrusts. Midfielders David Clarke (20 disposals, a goal) and Justin Murphy (23 possies) did a bit. Murphy often appears to be running at quarter-speed. David Mensch and Ben Graham ended with 2 goals each. Bomber Thompson denied his team had come to flood. "It wasn't anything we spoke about. It's just generally what happens in footy. It wasn't that we came here to stop them scoring. We came here to win the game of footy. Even at half-time I said 'Let's get out there and have a crack at it.'" On the game Bomber said "We didn't have a great second quarter...After half time I thought it was a much better performance. When Kingsley kicked that point...you never know what might have happened. We were stiff in the end but the better side won on the day. I think they got four goals from free kicks. In a low-scoring game that's a huge amount, isn't it?" Gary Ayres said "That first half showed two pretty desperate teams...we always looked a probably two or three-goal better side...but we allowed them to rebound quickly on some occasions and score another goal, which made our life a bit more difficult." On flooding he reckoned "If that (flooding) is good for football, we're not doing ourselves justice. Purely and simply, Geelong were playing a game plan which tried to cut our space down. Obviously we made some errors and didn't use the ball well, but when you've got thirty players inside the forward fifty it's pretty hard to get a score."

At Subiaco:

Damian Drum's parting words to his players were "If you want to do anything for me, beat Richmond on Sunday." Obviously they were prepared to do as much as they'd done for the preceeding nine weeks as the beleaguered Tiges ran out comfortable winners, allowing Danny Frawley to express the same sentiment as Rod Eade and Bomber Thompson before him: "Phew". Ben Allan's first team selection at Fremantle saw him drop inconsistent big man Daniel Bandy, a Drum regular, along with Troy Longmuir and Luke Toia. Clive Waterhouse missed with a strained hamstring and defender Anthony Jones was also unavailable (back). Peter
Bell, Brad Dodd and Antoni Grover were available again after injury while winger James Walker and defender Matthew Carr were recalled from the Waffle. The Tigers axed four, Steven Sziller, David Bourke, Andrew Krakouer and Ty Zantuck. Paul Broderick and Nick Daffy were recalled from the VFL along with Royce Vardy and talented half-forward Andrew Mills for his first game of the season.

We in Victoria were provided with 5 minutes of TV highlights and the second half on the radio, neither of which I was able to see or hear. So it's the print meedya for me. Ben Allan's Dockers lined up with Daniel Schell at full-forward, Matthew Pavlich at full-back, Walker on a wing and ex-Tiger Ashley Prescott tagging Matthew Knights. The Pavlich move was forced by a thumb injury which hampers his marking, apparently. Anyway the first half was tightish, the Dockers made mistakes again but Walker and Shaun McManus sent enough supply to give them some chances. For the Tiggers Wayne Campbell and Greg Tivendale were busy enough, in attack again Brad Ottens took a few grabs but didn't do a lot of scoring. Brad Dodd came off the Freo bench just before quarter-time and kicked two goals either side of the first break before wrenching his knee and departing for the day. He was soon joined by backman Leigh Brown (elbow). The game was still up for grabs at three-quarter time when Allan gambled and sent Pavlich forward. Ottens cut loose, hauling down seven marks and booting two goals in the final stanza as the Tigers kicked clear.

Brad Ottens's final stats read 13 marks, 13 kicks (unlucky for Fremantle, a-ha-ha!) and 3 goals, the games' dominant big-man. The Tiges derived midfield possession from in-form Greg Tivendale (20 disposals, a goal), Joel Bowden (also 20 disposals and a goal) and skipper Wayne Campbell (26 disposals and a goal). In defence Jason Torney mopped up tidily to have 21 possessions and Darren Gaspar did a good job on the Freo forwards. Duncan Kellaway did an exemplary stopping job on Adrian Fletcher, they had 14 disposals each. For the Dokkas captain Shaun McManus led the way with 21 disposals in the centre, he was good. James Walker relished his return with plenty of speed and 21 disposals too. Ashley Prescott restricted Knights to just 4 possessions. Young half-back Adam McPhee impressed again with 15 disposals and 7 marks, older team-mates Dale Kickett (13 disposals) and Peter Bell (30 disposals) worked hard. But errors, poor decisions and the traditional Freo problems didn't disappear with Drummy. Brad Dodd and Daniel Schell kicked 2 goals each. Allan wasn't afraid to individualise. "Shane Parker let us down and let himself down...Brendan Fewster looked great one minute and shocking the next." Overall he said "It wasn't great and there were similar traits, their skill levels were poor. It wasn't good enough. A couple of things we talked about such as defensive run, we got five out of ten for and we are not happy with that...When you've got the ball and the half-forward is presenting up to you and you kick it over his head, that doesn't help." Anyone can see the problem Benny - how can you fix it? (apart from pulling on the boots yourself, as Jeremy Leggoe suggested). Tiger hero Brad Ottens said "It was obviously a big week for them and we were under a lot of pressure too. We'd lost three in a row and if we'd lost today, we would have been right behind the eight-ball. But we knew Justin Longmuir (Freo ruckman) would be under the pump...it was basically him against me, Ray Hall and Brendon Gale...we thought we could wear him down, he had no-one to back him up." Too true. There's a plague of injuries in Western Australia.

Ladder after Round 10:

Cheers,

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