2003 Regular Season, Round 9

A seminar concerning ump-bumping was held two weeks ago, at which it was concluded that players and umpires would never collide if the umps wore gaudily-coloured shirts and socks. So at last weeks' Sydney/Geelong game the officials wore gold (possibly gold lame, although I can't be sure) and this week, at Pies/Saints, the umps were in shocking pink or something. Still, no collisions occurred in those games so perhaps the 'boffins' were right.

At Docklands:

Port made short work of the Dons. The Flowers' pace, and Warren Tredrea, was too much for Essadun who continue to look very ordinary indeed without the injured Hird, Lloyd, Fletcher and Ramanauskas. Last week Hird was diagnosed with a blood clot in his corked calf and there were brief suggestions he had deep vein thrombosis, which proved false. Hirdy is certain he'll play next game but the others are a few weeks away yet. The Bombouts made two changes to the side victorious over the Horks, as expected Paul Barnard copped a two-game suspension for whacking Luke Hodge last week and James Davies was dropped, Dean Rioli returned to the side and Marc Bullen was called up. Port do have Matthew Primus and Josh Francou out, of course. They arrived here without forward Chad Cornes, suspended two games for dropping his knee into a prone Jess Sinclair last weekend. Port appealed, only to have their 'new' case dismissed in four minutes. AFL investigations officer Rick Lewis called Port's appeal "the most amateurish smoke and mirrors trick I've ever seen", which got the Port folk even more upset. Brett Montgomery returned from injury to replace Cornes.

The Dons were in trouble right from the start, as Port CHF Warren Tredrea outmarked Mark Bolton and punted a goal. Tredrea had a hand in the next major too, kicked by Josh Carr. That was it for Bolton, although he'd return to Tredrea later as the Dons struggled to match-up against the big Port forward. Essadun worked into it. After flattening Port's Adam Kingsley off the ball, Dean Rioli wobbled a torpedo forward, Mark Mercuri held a good chest-mark and converted. Port's Dean Brogan made an awful mess of a chance before youngster Ted Richards emerged for the Bommers. Playing at full-forward, Richards postered with a set shot before roving to big man David Hille and grubbing a snap for full points. That put the Dons 2 points up, before Brogan marked for Port and handballed to create an easy Shaun Burgoyne goal. Don Damien Cupido majored from a free-kick then Port's Che Cockatoo-Collins marked Damien Hardwick's mongrelled kick and converted to complete the first-term scoring. Not much scoring in the early second stanza, with the Dons controlling play. They managed the first goal, eventually, with Marc Bullen kicking long for Ted Richards to hold a good grab and convert. But Port followed up with the first significant break of the evening, booting the next five goals. Their Byron Pickett had a fair hand in it, although it was Port's control of the centre through ruckman Brendon Lade and rovers Roger James and Jarrad Schofield that were the main factors. Pickett's free kick for 'bawl' against Sean Wellman allowed him to find Peter Burgoyne for a mark and goal. James and Wakelin missed long shots for the Pooer before Bummer Mark Johnson's error allowed Cockatoo-Collins to find Pickett for a mark and goal. Then Tredrea converted from another strong grab. Some bumbling Don play and a turnover led to Schofield finding Pickett on the lead for a mark and major, then Pickett ran from the wing to the goal-square to rove Dean Brogan's contest and snap a sausage. Port led by 29 points. As the TV folk pointed out often in this period, Byron Pickett didn't appear to have an opponent. I think it was supposed to be Andrew Welsh. Bummer forward Scott Lucas snapped a much-needed sausage for them, but Joe Misiti's terrible handpass allowed Tredrea to boot his third goal before the main break.

Port cruised clear in the early third term. Their Dean Brogan goaled from the classical Mystery Rucking Free. The Dons had brought Cory McGrath on to play in a forward-pocket, he snapped an answering major from a ball-up. However the Dons' lack of height in defence, or skilled height, saw consecutive Port goals from marking Tredrea and Brogan again. The Power led by 41 points. A classy Mark Mercuri gather and pass set up Marc Bullen's first career goal for the Bummers, once again Port had the answer as Roger James roved to resting Lade and soccer-volleyed a spectacular major. Now the Dons mounted a bit of challenge, with youngsters Bullen, Richards and McGrath to the fore. Ted Richards won a free-kick and found McGrath on the lead, he converted. As McGrath marked, team-mate Welsh and the Powers' Hardwick collided behind him, leaving Hardwick struggling with a corked thigh. His night was over. Richards gathered a loose ball in front of a lethargic Cockatoo-Collins and hooked it 'round for McGrath to mark and convert again. Mark Johnson cleared the next centre-bounce, McGrath steamed out to mark and line-up for his third goal in as many minutes. He missed though, and the Dons trailed by 28 points. The Power took the kick-in down the ground - aided by a free-kick to Cockatoo-Collins - where Stephen Paxman marked and goaled. But the Dons managed the final major of the term, from a roving Joe Misiti. They were still 28 points behind as the final term commenced. The Dons were 'fired up' apparently. Damien Peverill booted the stanza's opening sausage from a dubious mark, then McGrath and Richards combined to set up a running major for Bullen. The Dons trailed by just 15 points now. Port had some relief when their Che Cockatoo-Collins was ridden into the ground by Dean Solomon and won a free. As C-C got up he poked Solomon in the stomach, Solomon responded by slapping C-C about the head. The non-wisdom of Solomon gave away a 50m penalty and goal to Cockatoo-Collins. A minute later Mark Mercuri was crunched by Peter Burgoyne in a head-on collision, a groggy Mercuri was stretchered off. Port piled on the next six goals to end the contest. Warren Tredrea booted three of the next four goals, a superb snap and two more strong grabs over the hapless Bolton. Schofield set up a sausage roll for Shaun Burgoyne, Cockatoo-Collins snapped a nice one, Tredrea marked 20m out but unselfishly handballed for an easy goal to Brendon Lade. Port had galloped 57 points clear. Bommers Jason Johnson and Jason Winderlich and Port's Pickett kicked some goals in 'junk time'.

Port's very good centre half-forward Warren Tredrea won many plaudits for his 7 goals from 10 marks and 16 kicks. The supply came from the folks upfield, where Roger James (23 disposals, a goal) and Jarrad Schofield (20 disposals with 17 kicks) were very good, with Josh Carr (17 touches, a goal) only a little further behind. The absence of no. 1 ruckman Matthew Primus is being more than adequately covered by Brendon Lade (15 possessions, a goal and 30 hit-outs). The busy rover Peter Burgoyne (22 touches, a goal) played well, as per usual Gavin Wanganeen's speedy runs from defence were handy. Byron Pickett cruised about half-forward to boot 4 goals from 17 touches, Che Cockatoo-Collins (17 handlings, 3 goals) proved an annoyance to the Bommers in several senses of the word. Shaun Burgoyne and Dean Brogan kicked 2 goals each. Essadun didn't have a clear winner although Mark Johnson (23 touches) and Jason Johnson (20 touches) tried very hard. The more pleasing parts were probably to do with their youngsters, Marc Bullen had 20 disposals, kicked 2 goals and did well against Port's Nick Stevens, Cory McGrath (3 goals from 9 possies) added some life to the forward-line and Ted Richards (3 marks, 9 kicks, 2 goals) showed a bit, although he won't be keeping Matty Lloyd out of the side just yet. If anything, the Dons' senior players were the disappointments. Joe Misiti got the ball plenty of times (32) but his ability to hurt the opposition is doubtful. Mark Mercuri (15 possies, a goal) was spasmodic, Dean Rioli and Scott Lucas quiet. "Port are a very, very good side; they're going to be up there with another chance. But I'd like to see them up against a good side," began Kev Sheedy. "I think we're not a good side at the present time with the players that we've probably got in the side. We're really just trying to put the next best five or six kids in and give them as much grounding as we can this year." Before demanding that Collingwood wear an alternative 'away' guernsey next weekend, Mark Williams said "I thought there was a pretty fair spread of good players from our side. Tredrea, everyone will like to write the story he kicked straighter tonight (er, yes, 7.1) and it makes it a helluva lot more easier game. He was wonderful, he led from the front...I thought the Aboriginal boys were fantastic, they pretty well ripped them apart."

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At Princes Park:

Are the Lyin's taking the urine, or what? The Blues led by 34 points midway through the second stanza and kicked the first major of the third term to lead by 17. From that point Brisbun piled on seventeen goals to the Bluies' two, handing the 'baggers a thirteen-goal hiding. Ouch. Carlton had two changes to the side which scraped past the Doggies last weekend, Anthony Franchina and Simon Wiggins were axed for Jarrad Waite, returning after suspension and debutant Karl Norman, a 19-year-old tall defender from Wangaratta. The Lyin's welcomed Jonathan Brown and ruckman Beau McDonald back into the side and called up Robert Copeland. Out went Shane Morrison and Dylan McLaren dropped, while promising junior Jared Brennan withdrew with the 'flu. There was speculation that Michael Voss wouldn't play, suffering 'fluid on the knee', but he did. Did he ever.

The early going was scrappy, with the Lions often slipping on the unfamiliar damp surface and Carlton tackling hard. The Bluesers also had a coupla handy efforts from Matty Lappin, restored to a forward flank for this one, and Jarrad Waite who gave Jason Akermanis an early bath. Full-back Mick Martyn was strong enough to counter Al Lynch's wrestling. The visitors did score the first two goals mid-way through the first term, CHF Jonathan Brown roved a pack and looped a handpass for backman Chris Johnson to score the major. Brown himself booted the next, roving a pack. But the Bluies had late reward for their effort, Darren Hulme passed to Matt Lappin who benefited from a 50m penalty to kick the Bluesers' first. Blu skipper Brett Ratten followed up with a left-foot snap from Adrian Hickmott's handpass, right before the first siren the Bloos took Scott Camporeale's kick-in via Andy McKay, Anthony Koutoufides and Waite to Hickmott, who converted from a free-kick. And the Blues went on with it in the second term. Lappin and half-back McKay were very good, young Karl Norman showed a bit in defence. Blue fans' hearts were in their mouths as Brendan Fevola galumphed along the wing, bouncing the ball, but he delivered a decent pass for Matt Lappin to boot his second goal. Then Hulme found Jarrad Waite in acres of space, Waitey thumped it home from 45m. The Blues won the following centre-clearance for Corey McKernan to mark and goal, within a minute McKernan majored again with a terrific high snap. The Blues led by 30 points at this stage, with Brisbun barely entering their attacking half. When they did ex-Bommer Blake Caracella came up with a behind and a poster, before Blue Karl Norman found Fevola on the lead. Fevola sausaged, Carlton's eighth unanswered major placing them 34 points up. And Brisbane lost Jonathan Brown, arguably their best player to that point, with a torn hamstring. Radio commentator Sam Newman told listeners "Don't worry, Brisbane will win this by six goals." He was wrong, as it turned out. They won by thirteen. Lyin' veterans Martin Pike and Shaun Hart trundled on, Lyin' middlemen Simon Black and Mick Voss began to win the ball. Hart booted the game's next goal, Black won the following centre-clearance and Pike marked strongly at CHF, he converted. A minute later Pike slotted a superb shot from in front of the 'ski-jump' stand. And Pikey had a hand in the next Brisbun goal, booting long for Voss to mark and handball over-the-top where Craig McRae had a tap-through. Four quick Lion goals had narrowed their deficit to 11 points at half-time. Can you see where this is going?

In the first minute of the third stanza the Blues' McKernan marked strongly and punted a major, to have Carlton 17 points ahead. The premiers scored the next ten goals. Hart, shifted onto Matty Lappin, Black and Voss were the driving forces. Up forward Pike continued to trouble the Blues and Blake Caracella came to life. A Brisbun goal narrowed the Blue lead to 5 points, then Akermanis conjured a superb left-foot snap to put Brisbane in front. A Luke Power goal and two more accurate snaps from battling old Pikey extended the lead. Chris Johnson charged down from defence, he was driving the Lyin's on and bagged a coupla goals. Carlton players excelled at colliding with one-another. Wonder if Pagan drills them in it at training. The loss of full-back Mal Michael (calf strain) barely hampered the rampaging Brians. By three-quarter time an 11-point deficit had become a 34-point lead. On the Lyin's went, kicking the first two goals of the final stanza before the Bluies finally broke the run with an Adrian Hickmott major. But the reigning premiers piled on the percentage in the last. Akermanis departed to rest a tight hamstring, but Dan Bradshaw pranced on and kicked a coule of final-term sausages, Luke Power kicked three in the last as the Lyin's poured forward to complete an awesome demonstration of their power.

After a slow start against Ratten, Lion rover Simon Black ended with 31 disposals - 16 in the last quarter - and a raking left-foot goal. Uber-captain Michael Voss (31 handlings, 10 marks) was a potent force and Chris Johnson came running outta defence for 24 touches (18 kicks), 8 marks and 3 goals. The older bench-men were crucial for the Lyin's, Martin Pike finished with 4 goals from his 7 marks and 19 disposals, Shaun Hart (28 disposals, 11 marks, 2 goals) was not only a very effective ball-user but slowed the dangerous Matty Lappin. Brad Scott (28 disposals) was good when the heat was on in the second term. Luke Power booted 4 goals from 21 kicks, Blake Caracella (26 disposals, 8 marks, a goal) probably did enough to avoid being dropped this time. Jason Akermanis and Daniel Bradshaw kicked 2 goals each. A lot of the Lions had a lot of the ball, as a team Brisbane had 98 more disposals and 61 more marks than Carlton, a reflection of the way the Lions travelled far and wide to find space. The Blues' better players included half-forward Matty Lappin (24 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals) who worked hard, a wandering Anthony Koutoufides (23 disposals) and ruck-rover Brett Ratten (17 handlings, a goal). Corey McKernan (5 marks, 11 kicks, 4 goals) proved a useful forward target again and was complemented by Adrian Hickmott (15 touches, 7 marks, 2 goals) although 'Hickey' missed three times. Scott Camporeale (20 disposals) wasn’t bad. Andrew McKay (14 disposals) and Jarrad Waite (17 touches, a goal) started well but disappeared in the second half. Denis Pagan said "They (Brisbane) are an outstanding side and the benchmark of the competition and to get pole-axed in the second half the way we did, you would have to say that they were our toughest opposition this year so far. It is very frustrating for us as a group to do so well early and to serve up such inept football in the second half." Of the second-half blitz, Leigh Matthews reckoned "Everyone played better. We hung onto the ball a little bit better, we kicked a bit shorter, really we started to win the ball out of the contests, I mean that's where any game of footy starts. Instead of kicking it into our forward line and getting rebounded we tended to kick the ball shorter, use each other through the middle of the ground and as the game went on our team were able to run into space much better."

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At the MCG:

Retiring AFL boss Wayne Jackson fed Victorian paranoia as he appeared in the Dockers' rooms post-match to join in singing their song, arm-in-arm with Freo chairman Captain Pugwash (actually it's Rick Hart). Jacko protested he visited many teams' rooms after victories, but had never been photographed before. Sure, Jacko. Freo's fourth consecutive win continued their historical charge towards their first-ever finals. The under-manned Demons were very poor again, it is clearly a 'down' year in their cycle. In selection, the Dees regained Nathan Brown. They also named ruckman Jeff White, two weeks after he suffered a six-week knee injury. But White didn't play. Brown replaced the hamstrung Cameron Bruce. No change for the mega-successful Dockers.

Freo galloped away with wingman Matthew Carr and the rebounding backman Roger Hayden having big first-terms. Melbun had a bit of the ball, but with David Neitz effectively double-teamed by Robert Haddrill and young Freo backman Graham Polak and Russell Robertson marshalled by Dion Woods, they had trouble scoring. Polak took 5 marks in the first term as he dropped bravely into the 'hole' in front of Neitz. Lithe Dokka Steven Koops and tall forward Clive Waterhouse kicked first-stanza goals for Freo, ex-Demon Jeff Farmer bagged one he clearly thought had missed. Starting the second stanza Dee coach Neale Daniher spread his height resources thinly in an attempt to stir his attack, moving Clint Bizzell to CHF. After tall Shockers Trent Croad and Troy Simmonds kicked majors, Bizzell returned to defence. Docker Antoni Grover bounced the ball once during a 40m-run and passed to Farmer, 'Wizard' dobbed it and the Docks led by 33 points. The Dees fired up a bit through Nathan Brown and Daniel Ward, Matthew Whelan was switched onto Carr to good effect. David Neitz finally found some speed and space, he booted three consecutive goals to get the Dees firing. Further majors from Brown and Brad Green saw the Dees close to within a goal by the long break. Freo had lost Farmer with a groin strain, while Hayden, Matthew Pavlich and giant Aaron Sandilands were carrying leg injuries. Early in the third stanza Demon winger Chris Heffernan sold a dummy and slotted a left-footer to put the Dees in front. Fremantle sides of previous years would've folded at this point but their big forwards stood up against the dwarfish Dee defenders. After a very quiet first half, Justin Longmuir plucked a grab over hapless Demon kid Ryan Ferguson and booted his first gol. Longmuir booted two more goals in the term, both from marks, the ever bigger Sandilands bagged one and junior rover Byron Schammer potted a nice one as the Shockers pulled inexorably clear. Melbun battled to stay in touch, but Haddrill had re-established control over Neitz. The Dee fans were unhappy when the umpire disallowed an 'advantage' goal to Peter Vardy, in order to hand Adem Yze a 50m penalty. Yze missed.

Just before three-quarter-time Polak marked strongly in front of Neitz and Haddrill, the frustrated Dee skipper decide to grapple with Polak and a minor melee developed as Dokkas defended their young team-mate. 'Neita' emerged with a shredded guernsey and in the huddle during the break slumped away from his team-mates. One of them, Russ Robertson, attempted to lighten the mood by tipping a bit of water down Neita's neck. Neita nearly took Robbo's head off. Timing, it is. The Demons came out fired for a final crack, but things didn't work out. Ruckman Mark Jamar missed poorly from a free-kick, Paul Wheatley ran into goal only to fumble and drop the ball for no apparent reason. A Russ Robertson shot hit the post. A minute later Robertson out-bustled Dion Woods to mark Ward's long kick and punt truly at last, the Dees trailed by 13 points. Melbun fans were apoplectic when Neitz drifted back to contest a mark, only to be dragged down by Haddrill. No free. The ball bounced through for a point, the Docks took the ball end-to-end, Neitz was still haranguing the umpire as Schammer roved the pack and handballed for Longmuir to dribble a goal. Within a minute Longmuir was majoring again from a lead and mark, it was over with Freo 24 points ahead. The Dees missed a coupla shots and Freo’s Sandilands kicked on-the-full from 20m before Longmuir bagged yet another sausage from a goal-square speccie. Time for Wayne Jackson to clear his vocal chords and sing "I'm out to destroy Victorian football." Probably.

Big Justin Longmuir ended with 6 second-half goals from 7 marks and 10 kicks. He's back to some form after a fairly poor 2002. Wingman Matthew Carr was a bit quiet in the second half but ended with 27 disposals, 10 marks and a goal with Peter Bell (26 possessions) and the busy Shaun McManus (24 handlings) also good in the midfield. Once again the 'no-name' defence did well with Dion Woods (12 touches) having the better of in-form Robertson, Graham Polak plucking 10 marks and having 17 touches and Roger Hayden (17 disposals, 8 tackles) doing well before his injury. Former players haunted the Demons in ruckman Troy Simmonds (11 disposals, a goal and a comprehensive win in hit-outs) and Jeff Farmer (9 touches, 2 goals). Steven Koops also kicked 2 goals. Reliable Dee half-back Nathan Brown had 32 disposals and kicked 2 goals, he'd be their best player so far in a miserable 2003 for the Fuchsias. Angst-ridden skipper David Neitz did well to boot 4 goals from 5 marks and 10 kicks, Daniel Ward (26 disposals) was the best of a disappointing midfield. A Dee-supporting mate informs me that Dee president Gabriel Szondy was most vocal in his criticism of Messrs. Armstrong and Leoncelli, in particular. Matthew Whelan (21 touches with 15 handpasses) did well against Carr. Once again the height-and-weight challenged backline buckled under pressure, where Clint Bizzell (20 disposals) was alright as a rebounder. But he never gets the main stopping jobs, they're always left to battling juniors Ferguson and Brad Miller. Strange. Simon Godfrey produced his tagging effort on Paul Hasleby, Russ Robertson kicked 2 goals. "It was one we had to win and we weren't able to do that today...We're short of key position players and we'll continue to develop them, simple as that. We can't have a mid-season draft or go and grow them from anywhere," said Daniher. In that regard, Al Nicholson is due back soon. Chris Connolly continued to hold the lid down. "They would be getting ahead of themselves if they predicted a top-four finish...I don't think Fremantle is going to win the premiership."

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At Docklands:

Unstoppable Chris Tarrant led the Pies to a handsome victory over the Saints, a team the Poise have beaten on a regular basis for some years now. After a month of middling efforts the Magpies produced their best form (or as some Pie-loving journos have it, their 'true' form) while the youthful nature of some components of the Sainter side, most notably their back-line and ruck, was cruelly exposed. Or perhaps it can all be blamed on post-Perth disease. In selection the Poise lost ruckman Steven McKee with knee soreness while tall defender Simon Prestigiacomo suffered a punctured lung in the Pies' loss to West Coast last week. They were replaced by Jason Cloke and Tristen Walker. The Saints were also without a couple of key big blokes in defender Max Hudghton (hamstring) and ruckman/forward Justin Koschitzke (ankle). In came Troy Schwarze and Brett Voss. Magpie midfielder Paul Licuria played his 100th game.

In front of a sell-out 46,000 the Saints ran out in their very ordinary yellow guernseys again, while the bump-proof umpires were in bright red, making for an unusual sight. Pie defender Rhyce Shaw carried the embroidered letters 'BR' above his guernsey number (22), a tribute to ailing Collingwood legend Bob Rose. The opening fifteen minutes were even except in one crucial aspect; both teams had managed six shots at goal, however the Pies were 3.3 and the Saints 0.6. Satin winger Heath Black thought he'd snapped the game's first major, but the goal ump disagreed. Further poor misses from Nick Riewoldt, Fraser Gehrig and Brett Voss had the Saints under pressure. By the six-shots-each stage Pie forward Tarrant had already kicked a goal, set up by Andrew Williams's terrific smother on Tarrant's opponent, Schwarze. The curly-headed Saint was all at sea against Tarrant, who took five marks and kicked two goals in the first korter. Saint champion Robert Harvey had been sent out to tag Nathan Buckley, a move which backfired spectacularly as Buckley had a great first term, capped off by a booming running goal. Scott Burns was equally busy in the middle, he bagged a goal as did 'Neon' Leon Davis. By korter-time the Pies led by 46 points and Stainer coach Grant Thomas had work to do. After blasting his lads, Thomas moved the useless Matthew Capuano out of the ruck and replaced him with the vertically-challenged but solidly-built Matthew Maguire. Harvey was released from his tagging role, Nathan Burke and Lenny Hayes started to get the ball. They were helped by Malthouse's decision to 'rest' Buckley and Burns. Fraser Gehrig fired up forward, booting three second-term goals as the Saints mounted a come-back. Stephen Milne and Nick Riewoldt also became effective forwards as the Sainters closed the gap to 19 points by the long break. But Buckley and Burns returned to the fray for the third stanza. After a close-ish first part of the third Mario the Pies skipped clear with three of the last four goals of the term. Buckley was terrific and Tarrant pulled down an amazing ten grabs for the quarter and booted two more goals, his fast leading doing for Schwarze and young Brendon Goddard was given a go. To no discernable effect. Buckley booted a coupla goals, so did Licuria as the Maggies re-established control by the final break. Despite a few scuffles with frustrated Sainters they romped away from the tiring Saints in the last, Matty Lokan shifted forward for the Poise and booted a couple of sausages to rub it in. Saint captain Aaron Hamill, who failed to record a kick on the night (five handpasses), ended as Tarrant's minder.

Chris Tarrant finished the game with a hefty 17 marks, from which he garnered 22 disposals (18 kicks) and 6 goals. Not bad at all. The supply came from Scott Burns (28 disposals, a goal) and Nathan Buckley (27 disposals, 3 goals) while battling Andrew Williams (13 touches and 2 goals) played well as a 'forward tagger'. Pie fans would've been pleased with form shown by forward Leon Davis (17 disposals, 3 goals) and ruckman Josh Fraser (13 disposals, 8 marks) who won those contests very well - admittedly against limited opposition. Rhyce Shaw (16 disposals) mopped up effectively across half-back while Jason Cloke (11 touches, 6 marks) did the job on Hamill, who was hampered by a foot injury apparently. Paul Licuria bagged 3 goals along with 21 touches in his milestone game while Matthew Lokan finished with 2 goals. The Saints again relied on Fraser Gehrig in attack, he booted another 5 goals from 7 marks and 12 kicks. Fellow big-man Nick Riewoldt (8 marks, 16 disposals, 3 goals) worked hard across half-forward. The Saints were generally out-gunned in midfield but Lenny Hayes (24 disposals) did quite well, Rob Harvey had one brief, useful burst while Andrew Thompson and youngster Luke Ball were very quiet. Brett Voss (12 touches) was tough across half-forward while Matt Maguire gave them a bit in the ruck, and kicked a goal. But it was a fairly ordinary performance overall from the Saints. "I think we dropped our bundle from midway through the first quarter after kicking six behinds and they were three-three," said Grant Thomas. "Collingwood played very hard, very tough pressure footy...To the guys' credit, they played a terrific second quarter. I had a serious crack at them and they responded really well, but we couldn't sustain it." Jet-lag from Perth. Mick Malthouse said "At least we got off to a good start. They had a couple of kicks for goal that they possibly should have got, but the net result would have been us in front at quarter-time anyway so that was a nice little turnaround." Asked about next week's game against Port, Mick said "They can't really avenge that (final loss last year) until they play another final...I suppose we've got a lot to play for. I think there's a fair rivalry between the clubs and it should continue."

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At Subiaco:

After settling in at a friend's cable-equipped domicile, we were welcomed to the TV coverage by a tonsorially-challenged sandgroper informing us the Tigers had suffered the late withdrawals of Greg Stafford (knee soreness) and Mark Coughlan (rolled ankle). Resisting an urge to return home immediately, I stayed and watched the Eagles cruise to victory over the battling Tiger unit. The Wiggles' wayward kicking for goal flattered the Tiges. The Eagles came in missing Daniel Chick (calf strain) and defender Ashley McIntosh (knee), so I suppose they weren't full-strength either. Glen Jakovich returned following his heart trouble and Kane Munro was recalled. The Tigers were allegedly strengthened with the return of Wayne Campbell and Adam Houlihan, although it soon became clear Campbell was not fit. Eagle man Michael Braun played his 100th game, he's had at least one knee reconstruction.

The Weegs' second-biggest crowd of the season, 40,313, turned up for an official sell-out. With none of their three ruckmen available, the Tigers started bit-parts big man Royce Vardy in the ruck. He tried very hard, to little effect. Jakovich, whom my mate had dubbed 'Robocop', started at CHF and snapped the opening goal. Robocop had a very good first term against Tigger Andrew Kellaway, while the Tiges' main tall defender, Darren Gaspar, was matched against pacy midget Phil Matera. It took Frawley a while to sort that one. But the Tiges had a bit of early penetration thanks to centreman Kane Johnson and Aaron Fiora running off a back-flank. Their Tim Fleming lurked forward to kick an answering goal. Two rapid Eeg majors followed, to Andrew Embley I think and CHB Darren Glass. Glass had followed his opponent Matthew Richardson down the ground, completing a very ordinary first ten minutes for the widely-despised Richo. But soon the unco Tiger had his revenge, punting a superb goal from the junction of 50m and boundary-lines. Matthew Rogers slotted a major and Wayne Campbell grabbed a throw-in and snapped a high sausage to put the Tiges in front. Campbell had started on the bench and after that kick returned there, where he stayed for most of the evening. So much for Frawley's "unfit players will not be selected" statement of two weeks ago, although the club say that Campbell 'twinged' the injured calf muscle with his first kick and was rested thereon as a precaution. Richardson booted another goal to put the Tiges 9 points ahead before Robocop led, marked and converted. From the opening bounce of the second stanza, the Tigers went forward where Fleming lurked to boot his second major and the Tiges led by 9 points again. The Eegs kicked the next eleven goals of the game. Five came now in a rapid burst. Their Dean Cox dominated the ruck against the game but hopelessly outclassed Vardy, feeding the likes of Ben Cousins (mainly). Rowan Jones was very good on a wing. Tiger Gaspar was belatedly switched onto Jakovich, soon to be benched. But the Weevil forward David Haynes played very well, not a big bloke but a fast lead and good grab. Not the straightest kick, though. Nevertheless he kicked two goals in the second, Phil Matera bagged a goal as well and Jones kicked one. There was some dreadful umpiring. Weegel Kasey Green won a free-kick on the wing, the umpire pointed the wrong way for the kick, then allowed Green to play on from 10m in front of the mark and set up Matera's major. The Weegs led by 22 points before the Tigers managed to close the game down for the final five minutes of the half. Fiora took a terrific hanging screamer over some Wiggle, which was good.

The Wiggles streamed outta the middle from the opening bounce of the third term, their Ashley Sampi led, marked and converted. There was to be no renewed Tigger effort. Wiggle midfield domination was complete as Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr joined in with Cousins. Dean Cox took over rucking duties and Michael Gardiner pushed forward for a mark and goal, Haynes and Sampi continued to play well in the Eegal forward line. Five more unanswered Weevil goals, following that korter-opener to Sampi, had the locals leading by 60 points before the Tiges managed a late run-on as Cox departed for a rest. Matty Richardson kicked consecutive goals, one after a turnover by his opponent Glass. Kayne Pettifer scored with a good long punt as did Kane Johnson. Four consecutive Tiger majors had us thinking 'Hawthorn' all over again. Late in the term the Wiggle Jones roved a goal-square pack and stabbed it through from close range, only for the goal-ump to signal it'd been touched by a diving Ty Zantuck. Field umpire Hitler invited the true and honest chap to inspect the replay on the giant video screen, but the bastion of accuracy maintained his decision. Two quick Matera goals in the early final term rendered that alleged 'error' irrelevant, before players wound down to the siren. The Tigers benched Richardson for preservation reasons.

Very impressive performance from the Eegs at Fortress Subiaco. Ben Cousins has been carrying some sort of leg injury but may be over it, Cousins had 26 disposals and played very well. The Eagles were very even in midfield, Rowan Jones (19 disposals, a goal), Chris Judd (19 touches) and Daniel Kerr (18 handlings) were all good in there. They were carried along by Michael Gardiner (15 touches, 8 marks, a goal) and Dean Cox, who had 63 hit-outs between them to the Tiges' total of 16. Ouch. Up forward David Haynes impressed with 8 marks, 15 kicks and 4 goals. Phil Matera was very efficient in snaggling 5 goals from his 8 kicks, Glen 'Robocop' Jakovich was quiet after quarter-time but still finished with 3 goals from 5 marks and 14 disposals. Ashley Sampi kicked 2 goals. The Tigers' better players included half-back Mark Chaffey (16 disposals) and centreman Kane Johnson (25 touches, a goal), both of whom had some impact. So did Matthew Richardson, who kicked 4 goals from his 5 marks and 10 kicks. Richo was also called upon to do some ruck-work. Not that he was very good at it. Wingmen Joel Bowden (22 disposals, 8 marks) and Greg Tivendale (19 possies, 9 marks) weren't bad, neither was Darren Gaspar. Royce Vardy (14 possies) bravely rucked the entire game. And was slaughtered. Tim Fleming kicked 2 goals. Allowing for their undermanned side, the Tiges still seem to approach interstate assignments as a damage-limitation exercise. If they do make the finals an interstate game is almost certain, so the coaching staff had better wise up. "We have been able to cover our injuries in the past but we were probably unable to tonight, but we didn't take our chances," began Frawley. Eh? They had double the number of shots we did, Danny. "We just have to make sure we go back with our tails between our legs and respond positively, like we did after our other two losses." Wiggle coach John Worsfold said "I was extremely nervous about playing another team which was also in really good form and if we dropped this game, we were right back in the pack again. We were probably a bit loose in the first quarter and let Richmond get off to a pretty good start."

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At Manuka Oval (Canberra):

North caused a bit of an upset at their alternative home, ending the Swans' winning streak and redressing a recent head-to-head record which was very much in the Swans' favour. Clearly the Kangas love Manuka - although the 'Fortress Manuka' tag in the paper is a bit much. The Ruse did lose to the Wiggles at their last appearance here. In selection the Kangaroos were able to recall Glenn Archer and Sav Rocca, and also called up Daniel Harris, but suffered the late withdrawals of Manuka specialist Shannon Grant (hamstring) and Shane Clayton (probably dropped). Also out were dropped pair Mark Porter and Ben Robbins, highly-rated junior Daniel Wells returned to the side. The Bloods surprised a little by dumping regular defender Jason Saddington along with Jarrad Sundqvist, while Daryn Cresswell was a late pull-out with a calf strain. Replacements were Matthew Nicks, Ryan O'Keefe and Scott Stevens.

The crowd, 13,832, mightn't seem great until you realise that's a full house at Manuka. The Kangas were away swiftly as their Corey Jones and Brent Harvey scored rapid goals, while the Swans were attacked by a dose of the fumbles. The Bloods' usual running game and following dominance were stifled by the rucking of Kanga Matthew 'Spider' Burton and Brady Rawlings's excellent effort on Paul Williams. However some Swans, notably Brett Kirk, did a bit in midfield early and Barry Hall provided the finishing touch with all three of the Bloods' first-stanza goals. For the Ruse Brent Harvey also finished up with three goals in the opening term. When Archer booted the Ruse seventh goal in the early second stanza they led by 23 points with a handy 7.1 from eight shots. The game became a bit of a slog from there, with only six goals kicked in total 'til three-quarter-time. Adam Goodes and Stuart Maxfield struggled to lift the Swannies, but they found scoring difficult. The Kangas continued to make chances, but their goal-shooting went awry too. A major from their Daniel Harris had the Kangarse leading by 41 points midway through the third, before Nick Davis broke the Bloods' long scoring drought with a sausage late in the term thanks to a poor kick-in from Kanga Troy Makepeace. A Swan fightback of sorts emerged in the final Mario Lanza with consecutive goals from Adam Schneider, Davis and Barry Hall, the Bloods got as close as 19 points. Goodes missed with snap and Leo Barry caused a turnover with a 'hospital' handpass to Jason Ball, Kanga Spider Burton collected the ball and punted forward where Drew Petrie snaggled a relieving sausage for Norf. Goodes muffed another chance to complete a forgettable day for Siddey.

Brady Rawlings has been a fringe player at Norf but he played very well here, gathering 24 disposals and pushing the Kangas into attack while restricting Williams to just 12 possies, and no goals. The lively Brent Harvey worked very hard as usual for 26 touches (17 kicks) and those 3 first-quarter goals, fellow midfield hard-heads in Adam Simpson (19 touches) and Anthony Stevens (19 disposals) also played well. Half-forward Corey Jones (6 marks, 10 kicks, 3 goals) continues to impress while battling Daniel Harris (13 touches, 8 tackles, a goal) produced the hard-tackling, negating on-ball effort required by Laidley's game-plan. Tall men Drew Petrie (5 marks, 13 kicks, a goal) and Sav Rocca (3 marks, 6 kicks, a goal) worked hard up forward. Matthew 'Spider' Burton tapped well in the ruck. The Swans were best-served by the in-form Adam Goodes, their leading possession-winner with 23, plus 6 marks. Captain Stuart Maxfield (19 disposals with 15 kicks) battled hard to get the side moving, with some assistance from Tadhg Kennelly (19 touches). Backman Leo Barry (5 marks, 17 disposals) worked hard and Barry Hall did well to boot 4 goals from 5 marks and 8 kicks. Nick Davis fired briefly to kick 2 goals, but overall it was a forgettable day for the Swannies. "We didn't play that well, I thought North came to play today and played some pretty good footy and were probably a bit better than a four-goal better side. They were probably a bit stiff we got so close in the end," said Paul Roos, probably. Dean Laidley opined "We thought if we got a reasonable start it would be to our advantage because Sydney would have a fair bit of confidence over the last month. To let them get away to a flyer, it would have been hard to reel them back."

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At Football Park:

Without his brand new forwards, Camry coach Gary Ayres finds himself in the familiar position of trying to turn possession into points on the scoreboard. His hard-running men struggled for a long time against the equally-enduring Bulldogs, and had to produce a huge final term to overcome the unfortunate Dogs who slumped to an eighth straight loss, their worst run in seventeen years. The Dogs are trying very hard and have come some way since their terrible effort against Freo a fortnight back. Can't crack it for a win, though. In selection the Camrys made just one change, injured Ronnie Burns (groin strain) replaced by Kris Massie. The Bullies axed supporter scapegoat Nathan Eagleton and young tall Wade Skipper to recall Shane Birss and give ruckman Nick Bruton his AFL debut. Bruton is a tall but thin 20-year-old from Diggers Rest.

The Bulldogs are fairly similar to the current Camry line-up in that they don't have many tall blokes and rely heavily on running power. Superb defensive rebounding from the likes of Rohan Smith and Lindsay Gilbee, good play across the centre from Mitch Hahn, Jordan McMahon and Paul Dimattina helped the Pups be more than competitive early-on. For the Camrys, a rampant Andrew McLeod and handy Simon Goodwin kept them alive early, they also did the majority of the Camry's goal-scoring in the first half. The Dogs lined up with Nathan Brown and Brad Johnson in attack again, with Brian Harris playing in the goal-square. They did enough to have the Dogs leading by 18 points midway through the second term and the crowd rather quiet, before late goals from Camrys Ian Perrie and Rhett Biglands narrowed it to 4 points by the long break. Alright, I didn't see much of the first half.

Starting the third term, Bullie coach Peter Rohde sent Daniel Giansiracusa to tag McLeod and 'Guido' did very well. McLeod didn't touch the ball for the quarter. The Dogs cleared the opening bounce and Scott West nipped forward for a goal. Chris Ladhams replied for the Corollas with a good roving snap. But the Bullies majored again, a hard-running Paul Dimattina and Mitch Hahn handpass sent Simon Garlick in for a goal. The Cressidas reduced the margin to less than a goal again as Mark Ricciuto sausaged. But the Dogs controlled the latter half of the stanza. Brian Harris snapped a good goal to put them 9 points up. Camry James Begley, playing well on a wing, managed to kick on-the-full with a long shot and a minute later Ricciuto postered. Rohan Smith played on from the kick-in, exchanged passes with Dimattina and carried on down the ground to set up a goal for Patrick Bowden, a superb effort from Smithy. Hahn punted the Pups into attack again and Harris flew spectacularly over Ben Hart. Harris couldn't hold the grab but Johnson roved and handballed for an easy goal to Nathan Brown. The Pups led by 20 points and continued to do all the attacking, missing some gettable shots to take a 23-point lead into the final Mario. During the break Ayres could be seen, and heard, giving his men a right old spray. They came out suitably energized for the final term. The Camrys scored the 'vital' first goal, Ricciuto leading and seizing a typically strong grab from Ben Hart's kick. He converted. The Pups did score the next goal, from a lurking Borwn, to regain a 22-point lead. But the Camrys rolled over them, led by experienced hands Mark Bickley, Mark Ricciuto and Andy McLeod. From the restart after Brown's goal, Bickley punted the Cows forward where redeployed full-back Nathan Bassett took a nice pack-mark and majored. McLeod stormed clear from the next centre-bounce, but missed with his speared punt. No mind, soon Ian Perrie led onto the flank, marked and handballed for Ricciuto to boot a terrific goal from just inside 50m. Ruckman Matthew Clarke had a hand in the next two goals, Simon Goodwin roved a ball-up and sausaged to cut the Bully lead to 3 points, then McLeod roved to Clarke at a throw-in and majored to put the Camrys in front. "The Bulldogs can still win this, they just need a goal," opined the commentators. Unfortunately for the Dogs, none was forthcoming. Camry Jason Torney took a terrific mark at CHF and booted another goal for them, to lead by 9 points. A minute later Bulldog Smith stormed outta defence to try and set something up, but McLeod read his intentions and chased Smithy down with a superb tackle. And Smith further soured what was a very good game overall for him when his kick-in was pinched by Michael Doughty from a static Gilbee and returned for a goal.

Despite his touch-less third term Andrew McLeod was still very good overall for the Camrys, with 26 disposals (20 kicks) and 3 goals. Simon Goodwin had 24 disposals and booted 4 goals, disputing BOG honours with the speedy McLeod. Around packs Mark Bickley (20 touches) was very good and James Begley proved a more than useful winger with 13 marks and 27 possessions. Up forward Mark Ricciuto (24 touches, 3 goals) was a reliable alternative to Carey and co. Ruckman Matthew Clarke had some of the ball for a change (15 disposals) and his ruck-work was top quality as per usual. Tyson Edwards (22 disposals) was useful as was Kris Massie (11 marks, 22 disposals, a goal). As indicated Rohan Smith played a terrific game for Footscray with 28 disposals and a goal charging outta defence. Centreman Mitchell Hahn (18 disposals, 7 marks) has really improved. Rover Scott West (25 touches, a goal) was good and Brad Johnson (10 marks, 23 disposals, a goal) played very well as a sort of long-leading forward pocket, while Nathan Brown stayed closer to the sticks to bag 4 goals from 6 marks and 9 kicks. Wingmen Jordan McMahon (23 touches, a goal) and Paul Dimattina (24 disposals) played well, while Lindsay Gilbee (21 touches, a goal) was a handy half-back. Brian Harris kicked 2 goals. Frustrated Rohde said "Clearly, we played a lot of good footy for a long time. We controlled the game. I thought in the first half, we probably had a few match-up problems and a few things not going our way early, but we hung in there and kept getting the score on the board and, I thought, in the third quarter we dominated the game...we probably just struggled to run the ball in the last quarter. The Crows were outstanding in the way they ran the footy, especially in that middle part of the last quarter...maybe confidence is part of that. We didn't quite break the lines enough in the last quarter and get the ball in deep." Rohde foreshadowed the return of more experienced, taller players over coming weeks. Gary Ayres said "You've got to give credit to the Bulldogs...they played pretty well. They nailed their chances when they needed to and they just kept the heat on us. We're very thankful (to win) after dropping the last two."

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At Docklands:

The Cats threw the monkey off their backs with victory over the hopeless Hawks. During the preceding week embattled Hawk coach Peter Schwab had quoted Victorian-era English writer G.K. Chesterton - something along the lines of we're in a small boat in the middle of the sea and we're all in it together, or something. Unfortunately for Schwabby, some of his shipmates want to throw him overboard. Hawk skipper Shane Crawford also came under fire for his banal media work, although how much of that criticism is motivated by anti-Channel Nine/Eddie jealousy is open for debate. But enough of the Hawks, the Catters deserve praise. Their recent form had been reasonably good and no doubt they were keen to avenge last year's final-round loss to Hawthorn, which cost 'em a finals berth. In selection the Cats were notably strengthened in regaining forward Cameron Mooney and ruckman Steven King along with youngster Charlie Gardiner and David Spriggs. They replaced David Wojcinski (ankle) and dropped trio Steve Johnson, Brent Grgic and Kent Kingsley - bit of a surprise, that last one. The Hawks made multiple changes again, two forced with injuries to ruckman David Loats (stress fractures in his foot) and Luke Hodge (broken thumb). Brett Johnson, Rick Ladson and Tim Clarke were dropped - players the Hawks' ex-football director David Parkin had named as being "too skinny" in a critical article last week. In came the fatter - er, more solid Daniel Harford, Sam Mitchell and Ben Kane while Jonathan Hay and Nathan Lonie returned from injury.

The Cats moved quickly to a two-goal lead and stayed there-about all day. Gary Ablett Junior was their early driving force, winning the hard ball and sending it forward. Young Matt McCarthy was a useful forward early for Jeelong and Cam Mooney snapped a lairy goal over his head, Ablett drilled a nice set-shot. The Hawks' set-up was fairly obvious, with Spider Everitt and Nathan Thompson swapping between ruck and full-forward, supplemented by Nick Holland at CHF. As Schwab had promised the side returned somewhat to the set-up of two years ago, with Ben Dixon and Campbell Brown playing in attack and Jade Rawlings in defence (Brown wasn't playing two years ago, but whatever). But they had trouble kicking goals all day, thanks to the efforts of Cat defenders Matthew Scarlett and Tom Harley. The Hawks made a bit of a charge in the second term, Brown converted from a mark and another goal from Kris Barlow followed rapidly due to a centre-clearance. Ben Dixon, playing well, soared over Cat backman Brenton Sanderson for a great hanging screamer and majored. Ablett had kicked a brilliant running goal for the Cats during the second and King bagged one, but the Horks had closed to within 3 points at the long break. But some Hawk bumbling and solid Cat play maintained the men from Sleepy Hollow’s slender lead in the third. Further goals from Dixon kept the Hawks in it, but Paul Chapman bagged a goal for the Cats and Will Slade soccered one for Geelong after two Hawks collided in the Cats' goal-square and Hork Angelo Lekkas over-ran the ball. When Peter Riccardi banged a long set-shot for full points late in the term, the Cats led by 17 points. Cat centreman Joel Corey cleared the opening bounce of the final stanza, Hawk backman Hay shovelled the ball out-of-bounds and was done for 'deliberate'. The free-kick led to a snapped goal for big Cat Ben Graham and the Catters led by 23 points. The Hawks never looked like winning after that. Geelong's David Clarke, Cam Mooney and Paul Chapman all missed long shots as the Cats dominated territory and possession, before McCarthy coolly found Riccardi alone at CHF, Riccardi punted truly to have the Cats 32 points up. Hawthorn belatedly came to life, Nick Holland plucked two good grabs but missed both shots, Ben Kane and Joel Smith also behinded before Cat forward Graham marked a tumbling kick and handballed for an easy goal to Mooney. Graham also had a hand in the next goal, a thumping running shot from Joel Corey. The Cats were cruising with a 41-point lead before Hawk Dixon threaded a great but irrelevant left-foot banana goal just before the final siren.

Reward at last for the battling Cats, with Matthew Scarlett putting in a great effort at full-back. Scarlett not only restricted his significantly larger opponents Thompson and Everitt to one goal each, but also collected 16 possessions with 6 marks. Gary Ablett Junior (17 disposals, 2 goals) was terrific early, his influence dimmed after half-time as he was tagged by Richie Vandenberg. Centreman Joel Corey (31 disposals, a goal) played well again and the solid Paul Chapman (13 kicks, 2 goals) is also in good form. Ruckman Steven King (15 disposals, a goal) made a welcome return and big Ben Graham (5 marks, 13 kicks, 2 goals) provided further evidence that he is better value as a forward. Jarad Rooke (13 touches, a goal) played decently as Crawford's tagger. Corey Enright (22 disposals) and Cameron Ling (also 22 handlings) were their usual useful selves. Goals came from a variety of sources, with Cameron Mooney, Peter Riccardi and Matt McCarthy each kicking two. Erratic forward Ben Dixon was probably the Hawks' best out of a small pool of candidates, Dixon booted 4 goals from 9 marks and 11 kicks. Joel Smith (19 disposals) played well off half-back and CHB Jade Rawlings (6 marks, 17 disposals) proved that he is good value anywhere on the ground. Shane Crawford (18 possessions with 11 handpasses, a goal) was alright if a little curtailed by Rooke. Chance Bateman (15 touches, a goal) showed a bit while Ben Kane was good in the last quarter. Peter Schwab said "We tried hard, we just weren't good enough on the day. They were much better than us in winning the footy. I thought they were very good at contested balls." Regarding his future, Schwab said "I've made my position clear. I think it would be weakness of character for me to walk away." Geelong coach Mark 'Bomber' Thompson said "There was a lot of pressure walking into the ground today, on myself, the players and people around the footy club. Every game we've played, we've been in a competitive position, which is why I haven't been too negative or hard on our players. I think generally they've tried their best. Even today, we had a young side out there, I think it was twelve or thirteen guys out there with less than fifty games experience. So to get so close in every game and not drop your bundle after what's happened to us is a credit to the players and the club."

Cheers,

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