by Tim Murphy
Jet-lag, work, the conspiracy of it. Better late than never, I s’pose.
At Docklands:
St. Kilda 5.5 9.8 10.9 14.14.98
West Coast 1.1 6.4 11.9 16.10.106
Big result as the Weegs confirmed a top-four finish and potential home final in week one (depending on what Port do next week) while the Stainers slid out of the eight, their fate is now out of their hands. They need Collywood to beat the Camrys tomorrow night or they’re done. The Weegs came in as outsiders here, missing Daniel Kerr with an injured finger which’ll keep him out until Grand Final day (should they make it), Dan Chick and Andrew Embley were also absent. Duly the Satiners started very well, a Lenny Hayes pass set up the opening goal for Brett Voss and Nick Riewoldt’s classy pick-up and handball allowed Xavier Clarke a snap which, luckily, bounced over Gehrig and Glass and through for a goal. Riewoldt later set up a noice major for Luke Ball, the Wiggles’ only first-term joy came from Quinten Lynch, converting from David Wirrpanda’s pass. Trailing by 28 points at the first break, the Weegs bagged the first three goals of the second term. Wirrpanda booted two of ‘em, from a mark and a close-range soccer kick. But the Stainers rallied with the next three, including terrific goals from Leigh Fisher and Aaron Fiora. They still led by 22 points at the long break. The Weevils lifted in the third led by rover Matthew Priddis, Dean ‘Big’ Cox and spearhead Lynch. Weeg Chad Fletcher’s early goal was answered by a Gehrig major, the Weegs got the next four. A Priddis sausage cut the gap to a goal and Wirrpanda’s third leveled the scores, before the Weegs took a 6-point lead into the final Mario. Despite Judd limping about and Hansen hurting a hamstring, the Weegs pressed on into the final term. Lynch plucked a goal-square grab to boot the opening sausage and the Coasters scored another to take a 17-point lead. The Sainters lifted and when Justin Koschitzke converted following a big grab, they’d cut the margin to 4 points. Lynch again steadied the Weegs, with a left-foot snap. Under 30 seconds to go when Koschitzke gave the Saints hope again, converting from another mark to cut the gap to 2 points. But the Weevils went forward from the restart, Mark LeCras gathered the ball, sold a dummy and whipped it through on his left boot, with 5 seconds on the clock. Eegs by 8 points. Priddis (36 disposals) and Lynch (5 goals) were excellent for the Weegs, while Darren Glass restricted Gehrig to 2 goals, Ben Cousins (returning from a hamstring problem), Cox and Wirrpanda (3 goals) were all very good. The useful LeCras also booted 3 goals. The Saints were led by Lenny Hayes (30 touches) and Nick Riewoldt (4 goals) while Nick Dal Santo, leather-magnet backman Sam Fisher and Raphael Clarke were all good. Justin Koschitzke bagged 3 goals. Key final round for both teams.
At Docklands:
North Melbourne 3.8 9.11 17.14 24.17.161
Carlton 2.2 4.9 8.11 11.13.79
More news came from off-field events rather than on. Roo coach Dean Laidley is still angling for an improved contract from his club and said his board “wasn’t committed to winning a premiership”, amid speculation the Ruse will announce a permanent move to the Gold Coast in coming weeks. Meanwhile a heap of fringe Blues (retired Kouta, coterie man John Elliott) are urging their lads to lose to the Dees next week, thus securing two early draft-picks. Increasingly autocratic AFL chief Andrew Demetriou fumed at the attitude, but it was his organization which viewed loss of draft picks as a punishment for the Bluies’ salary-cap breaches, so he comes across as a hypocrite. Anyway, this was Glenn Archer’s 307th game for North, which made him the club’s leader for most games played as he overtook Wayne Schimmelbusch. Rather different players physically but very similar attitudes. Archer is supposed to be playing his final game next week but has been pretty good this season and may go on. The Bluesers’ attitude was shown in selection where they left out Fevola, Matty Lappin and Ryan Houlihan, blokes who might’ve played if they wanted to win. Lappin has since announced his immediate retirement. The skinny bloke played 251 games split between the Saints (55) and the Blues, and despite some average form in the last two years he’s been a terrific player for Carlton as a forward, defender and midfielder. Lappin was their Bluies’ leading goal-kicker in 2001 and an All-Australian in 2004. In this game, Norf dominated from pillar to post. Inaccuracy prevented a bigger quarter-time lead, the Ruse kicking five behinds before David Hale notched their first goal, Ed Sansbury and Andrew Swallow added to the tally. Setanta O’hAilpin booted one of the Blues’ two first-term majors, with a strong lead and mark. The Ruse hit their straps in the second term with 6 goals, including four from Aaron Edwards. In contrast the Blues’ two goals were scrappy soccered efforts from Bryce Gibbs and Ryan Jackson. A goal-fest third term followed but the Ruse still increased their lead from 32 to 57 points in the stanza, and they piled on another 7 goals to 3 in the last term for their biggest win of the season. Added some needed percentage, too. Brownlow contender Brent Harvey, silky Daniel Wells, Ed Sansbury (3 goals), rugged backman Daniel Pratt, Drew Petrie ( 4 goals), Edwards (4 goals), Dan Harris and Hamish McIntosh were amongst the Kangers’ best. Better Bluies included rover Adam Bentick, Jarrad Waite ( 3 goals), Andrews Walker and Carrazzo and ruckman Cain Ackland. Lance Whitnall was alright and bagged 2 goals.
At Subiaco:
Fremantle 5.4 14.6 18.7 22.12.144
Melbourne 5.4 6.7 9.13 12.13.85
Freo’s loss to the Saints a week earlier ended their finals hopes, although they still retain an outside chance if an extraordinary conjunction of events occurs this weekend. After an even first term here they thumped the hapless Demons, who are ending the season as they began it, with a bucket of injury worries. All grist to the game no-one wants to win, when they play Carton this week. Freo gave a pre-game lap of honour to retiring man Shane Parker, out with a hammy, while Troy Cook will also hang ‘em up after the final game next week. Peter Bell will also give it away it seems, despite the club being keen for him to continue. Parker is the clubs’ games record-holder with 237 and he played in their very first game I think, back in 1996. Parker, a defender from the Stephen Silvagni school of grappling and tugging, is a Docker icon. The Dees have two men set for retirement, Nathan Brown and Clint Bizzell, with a question on several of their aging players including ruckman Jeff White and David Neitz. Both of them want to go on. The big question is who’ll coach these clubs next year, Mark Harvey would be a cert to be appointed by the Dokkas while the Deez are supposed to announce someone next week. Kev Sheedy is a front-runner along with his assistants Damien Hardwick and Dean Bailey. The Dokkers have also approached Sheedy to ‘mentor’ Harvey, apparently. In this game the Dees began well, capitalizing on the sloppy disposal which has featured all too often in Freo’s disappointing season. The Dokkers had started defender Luke McPharlin in attack and he booted two late first-term goals to level the scores at the break. Melbun’s pressure disappeared in the second term and the Shockers capitalized to ram through seven straight goals and nine for the korter, galloping to a 47-point lead at the long rest. McPharlin and Matty Pavlich were busy. The Demuns’ skipper Neitz kicked the first two goals of the third as they rallied, but the Fuchsias went on to miss a few shots and Jeff ‘Wiz’ Farmer bagged a coupla free-kick goals to steady Freo. The locals cruised to victory in a half-paced final term. Re-signed Pavlich (14 marks, 3 goals) was very good for Freo, as were Farmer (3 goals), Bell, running backman David Mundy and McPharlin (5 goals). Brett Peake and new man Andrew Foster kicked 2 goals each. Russ Robertson (3 goals) tried hard for the Dees up forward, Brown and Brock McLean battled away as did Colin Sylvia and Cameron Bruce, although Sylvia finished injured as did Neitz. The Dees reckon they’ve 25 to pick from for next week’s game against the Bluies.
At the MCG:
Collingwood 3.6 9.8 12.10 15.11.101
Sydney 4.0 7.4 8.6 11.10.76
“A window slammed shut on Saturday night”, was how a Swans-supporting mate viewed this result. The Saints’ earlier loss guaranteed the Swans’ finals participation regardless of the result here, but they’re not carrying the same relentless momentum into September as they have in previous years. In contrast the Pies appeared to arrest a recent slide with this very good victory, Nathan Buckley playing his first game of the year. Bucks set up the opening goal with a very good pass to Dale Thomas. Scott Burns, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury led a very good midfield effort early, forward Sean Rusling took 5 marks in the first term but was off-target with 1.3. Chris Bryan also bagged one for the Poise. The Bloods were very efficient in attack with four goals from as many shots, Brett ‘Captain’ Kirk, Nick Davis, Darren Jolly and Barry Hall with the scores. Into the second and Swan Ryan O’Keefe and Hall bagged goals, sandwiching one for Pie ‘Steak Knives’ Medhurst, to give the Bloods a one-goal lead. But now Rusling finally got on-target with consecutive majors for the Maggies, the second from a very good grab. Anthony Rocca, who been poor and benched already, came to life with two quick majors as the Magpiss got moving. Jim Clement marked in the centre and thundered a 65-metre major to send the Pies 16 points ahead at the long break. The third term was tough as the Bloods tried to impose themselves, Adam Goodes playing very well. Eight minutes in Pie Swan bagged a goal to extend their lead, Hall answered for Siddey after Irishman Marty Clarke forgot that we bounce the ball while running in our game. Late-arriving Rocca clobbered Goodes in a marking contest, but has since escaped suspension. Lucky. Mick O’Loughlin fell heavily and left the field, coughing blood. The Poi defenders stood up well and late goals to Alan ‘Murderer’s Mate’ Didak and Rocca had the Poise 28 points up at the final turnabout. Goals alternated as the Bloods pressed on in the last, Adam Schneider’s early six-pointer was answered by Rusling, just after Amon Buchanan was reported for flattening Clarke. Buchanan’s got a week. Davis majored for the Bloods but a Burns goal just before time-on sealed it. Pendlebury iced the cake before a late Hall sausage. Swan (27 touches) and Pendlebury (23) were very good midfield for Collywood and the return of Rusling (4 goals) has been timely. Shane Wakelin and Tyson Goldsack were very good in defence and Nathan Buckley (15 touches, a goal) provided a lift. Rocca kicked 3 goals. Goodes (33 disposals, 12 marks) was outstanding for the Bloods, with support from Kirk, Jude Bolton and Nick Malceski. Barry Hall booted 4 goals and Nick Davis 2.
At Football Park:
Adelaide 3.2 6.7 10.13 12.14.86
Brisbane 3.0 3.1 5.8 8.12.60
The Camrys jumped back into the eight with this solid win over the improved Lyin’s. The Brisbun men’s tilt at the finals may be over as they’re relying on Richmun beating the Saints next week (and a Pie victory over the Cows) to get in while they themselves have to defeat the Cats on the rebound. Camry hero Mark Ricciuto is retiring at the season’s end and he was given a big reception in what may’ve been his final home outing. Brisbun had their retirement-bound Chris Scott in for a run. The Corollas and their midfield dominated early minutes but scoreboard reward was slow in coming, until Scott Thompson bagged one. Ricciuto waddled on and his heavy bump on Rischitelli led to another major, for Scott Welsh. Nick Gill bagged one but the Lyin’s fought back late with goals from Jonathan Brown and Tim Notting. Brown was effectively double-teamed by Ben Rutten and Scott Stevens, but it was in the midfield where the Lyin’s really struggled. The Camrys ground forward in the second, Gill converted early from a with-the-flight mark and later intercepted a kick-in to set up a major for Simon Goodwin. Nathan Bock dribbled one through to complete a scrappy quarter and have the Cows 24 points ahead at the long break. Similar in the third Mario, Goodwin booted an early goal but the rest of the term was a bit of a grind, with the Cows failing to capitalise on the lion’s share of possession (see what I did?). Lyin’ man Simon Black had been tagged out of it by Robert ‘Don’t Call Me’ Shirley, Black shifted forward to boot a coupla goals and break Brisbun’s scoring drought. But some excitement came late in the term as Cressidas Burton and Johncock converted from big marks, having the locals 35 points up at the final change. Classy play from Andrew McLeod set up an early goal for Jason Porplyzia in the last, to seal it for the Camrys. Late consolation for Brisbun. Goodwin (31 touches, 2 goals) was terrific for Addleaid, as were Shirley on Black, McLeod (33 touches, a goal), zoning-off defender Stevens and Rutten on Brown, ruckman Ben Hudson and midfielders Thompson and Brent Reilly. Luke Power was a midfield winner for the Lyin’s, Jed Adcock, full back Daniel Merrett (on Welsh) and Troy Selwood were okay for Brisbun. Black and Rob Copeland kicked 2 goals each, Brown one.
At the Docklands:
Hawthorn 1.7 6.9 13.14 22.19.151
Footscray 5.3 8.3 10.6 10.7.67
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s ridiculous 2.11 was the main highlight of this otherwise emphatic Hawk win over the weak Doggies. The Bulldogs capitulated meekly after half-time, they can’t make the eight and afterwards coach Rodney ‘Rocket’ Eade was pondering the need for a complete revamp of his side and strategy. The game started well for the Dogs, booting the first five goals on the back of the midfield work of Scott West, Daniel Cross and Nathan Eagleton. Farren Ray, Lindsay Gilbee, Luke Darcy, Rob Murphy and Wayde Skipper all booted majors for the Pups while, at the other end, Franklin was busy kicking 0.6 in the first quarter. Jarryd Roughead eventually broke the Hawks’ drought. The Orcs lifted in the second term as their ruckmen dominated, giving Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis the opportunities. Hawk Rick Ladson bagged the only sausage in the opening ten minutes before the floodgates opened. Late majors for Dogs Gilbee and Akermanis helped the Dogs maintain a 9-point lead at the long break. But it was one-way traffic after half-time, Luke Hodge was brilliant for the Hawks in the third and Franklin finally got on-target with a couple of goals, Lewis bagged a brace too. Ruckman Robert Campbell went forward and with Roughead terrorized the Pups’ defence. And the margin really blew out in the final term as Hodge booted four goals and 200th-gamer Ben Dixon got a couple to add to the fun. Hodge finished with 6 goals in total and 33 disposals in a brilliant effort, Lewis (29 touches and 4 goals), Mitchell (38 handlings), Brad Sewell and Shane Crawford were all very good. Campbell Brown and Robert Campbell played well and Franklin (14 marks) deserves mention at least. Roughead and Dixon kicked 3 goals each. West, Eagleton and Cross were the Dogs’ best and backman Brian Harris wasn’t bad. Darcy, Gilbee and Dan Giansiracusa kicked 2 goals each. The Dogs have two confirmed retirees in Darcy and Matty Robbins, injured Chris Grant is considering his future.
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 2.1 8.4 10.7 15.11.101
Port Adelaide 5.2 9.3 13.8 16.10.106
East of Bordertown folk regard Port coach Mark Williams as a bit of a d*ckhead, but that’d be premiership-winning d-head to you and me. And credit Williams here for engineering Jahlong’s first loss in four months, in the build-up he’d ramped up the game by calling the Cats ‘chokers’ and gee-ing up his own lads in the process. So two consecutive last-gasp wins for the Powder have ‘em in line for a top-four finish and potential home finals. Maybe their supporters will turn out to see them play, now. The Cats had excuses with key midfielders Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood and Cameron Ling absent. But still. The Power began very well with the Corneses and Shaun Burgoyne very good while Dom Cassisi tagged Gary Ablett closely. Cat Steve Johnson booted the opening goal, marking Andrew Mackie’s pass. Geelong got the second too but the Power got going, good work from Warren Tredrea set up a major for Brett Ebert and a David Johnson mistake led to a goal for Port’s Steven Salopek. Shaun Burgoyne snapped a beauty and Tredrea converted from a mark and Port led by 19 points at the first break. The Cats hit back in the second term as Gablett, Steve Johnson and Corey Enright imposed themselves. Johnson set up an early goal for Nathan Ablett. Shaun Burgoyne did classily to create a strong grab and goal for Ebert, S. Burgoyne himself snapped a ripper from a ball-up and Port led by 18 points. But Nathan Ablett bagged the next two goals and after Gary Ablett set up a running goal for Matty Stokes, the Cyats led by a point. Shaun Burgoyne came to the Powder’s relief again, his pass setting up a goal for Justin Westhoff to have the Flowers 5 points up at the long break. The Power again controlled the third term, a thumpingly long goal from Daniel Motlop giving them an 18-point lead before Mackie replied for the Cats. Shaun Burgoyne bobbed up again, his strong tackle on Wojcinski earning a free which he converted, late in the term Michael Pettigrew played on to create a mark and goal for Tredrea. Ebert’s major early in the final term had Port 25 points up, before the Cats charged back. James Kelly bagged a goal and then Steve Johnson intercepted a kick-in to reduce Port’s lead to 12 points. Then Kelly over-ran the ball and Ebert set up a shot for Motlop, which he kicked along the ground and through from about 45 metres. On came the Cats, Steve Johnson bagged another from a free-kick against Troy Chaplin and a bit later Johnson marked, played-on with a handpass and Paul Chapman majored. The Cats were 6 points down then and 5 when Gary Ablett conjured a superb goal, he gathered Brad Ottens’s handpass and facing a wall of Port defenders, Gablett shimmied inside two Powermen and baulked past another, strolled clear of trouble and stabbed it through to a rapturous reception. Including himself. Cats by a point but with seconds remaining Cat backman Henry Playfair was caught in possession by Thurstans, the ball spilled free and Cassisi pounced to wobble it home from 25m. Port home by 5 points. Shaun Burgoyne (23 touches, 3 goals) was very good for Port, as were Kane Cornes, Chad Cornes (33 touches each), Brendon Lade, Salopek and backman Thurstans. Ebert and Motlop finished with 3 goals each. Gary Ablett was the Cats’ best, with Matty Scarlett, Andrew Mackie, Steve Johnson (3 goals), Enright and Ottens good. Nathan Ablett kicked 3 goals and Stokes 2.
At the MCG:
Richmond 3.3 7.9 10.15 17.17.119
Essendon 5.3 7.5 9.11 13.14.92
A hefty 88,500 crammed into the ‘G on a Sunday evening to farewell James Hird and Kevin Sheedy. This was the last Melbourne appearance-in-anger for both as the Dons’ final game of the home-and-aways is in Perth. And the loss here ended any finals chance for the Dons. I’ll talk more about both Essadun men next week, but the Tiges spoiled the party here and emphasized the Dons are an ordinary unit. Full on emotion, the Dons started well. An early touch for Hird prompted a huge roar from the Bomma-dominated crowd, but soon Tige icon Matty Richardson jabbed a close-range goal, but Hird and Matty Lloyd were prominent and bagged goals. Jack Riewoldt wobbled a long shot home for the Tiges before Hird goaled just before the first break to have Essadun 12 points up. The Tiges missed a few early chances in the second before Chris Newman booted accurately but David Hille replied for the Dons. Kayne Pettifer majored for the Tiges after a hotly-disputed one-handed mark, Richo produced an awful shot but soon set up a goal for Nathan Brown to put the Toigs ahead. Bomma Scott Camporeale suffered a serious, career-threatening knee injury in the second term. If he wasn’t going to be delisted anyway. Richmun led by 4 points at the long break and held sway during an ordinary third stanza in which the Tiges kicked 3.6 to the Dons’ 2.6. Essadun had an early goal before majors from Brett Deledio, Pettifer and Greg Tivendale had the Tiges grinding ahead. Richo produced more goal-shooting buffoonery but he was getting a lot of the ball across half-forward. Hird set up a late goal for Lloyd to have the Dons 10 points down at the final change, they’d lost more players in Jay Nash and Courtenay Dempsey, who’d been playing well. The Tiges moves steadily clear of the depleted, error-prone Bombers in the last term. The Tiges’ older players were good, Joel Bowden and skipper Kane Johnson with 33 touches, Brett Deledio (21 handlings, 2 goals) is a very classy type. Matty Richardson finished with 15 marks and 1.4 plus two on-the-full, Kayne Pettifer (12 marks, 26 disposals, 2 goals) and Chris Newman were good. Luke McGuane and Kel Moore were handy in defence. Speedy youngsters Andrew Lovett and Dempsey were good for the Dons, Lloyd led his team with 4 goals and Hird (18 touches, 2 goals) was a solid contributor. Nathan Lovett-Murray, Hille and Brent Stanton were okay for the Dons. “It’s been an amazing ride but I’m spent, I’m tired and I’m gone,” said Hirdy.
Ladder after Round Twenty One
Pts. % Next Week
Geelong 68 153.6 Brisbane (Gabba, Sat. night)
Port Adelaide 56 112.5 Fremantle (Football Park, Sat. night)
West Coast 56 112.1 Essendon (Subiaco, Saturday)
Hawthorn 52 118.3 Sydney (SCG, Sunday)
North Melbourne 52 106.4 Footscray (Docklands, Sunday)
Collingwood 52 102.0 Adelaide (Docklands, Fri. night)
Sydney 46 116.0 Hawthorn (SCG, Sunday)
Adelaide 44 109.2 Collingwood (Docklands, Fri. night)
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St. Kilda 42 95.8 Richmond (MCG, Saturday)
Brisbane 40 108.2 Geelong (Gabba, Sat. night)
Fremantle 40 104.2 Port Adelaide (Football Park, Sat. night)
Essendon 40 91.1 West Coast (Subiaco, Saturday)
Footscray 38 87.3 North Melbourne (Docklands, Sunday)
Melbourne 16 75.8 Carlton (MCG, Sunday)
Carlton 16 74.3 Melbourne (MCG, Sunday)
Richmond 14 76.6 St. Kilda (MCG, Saturday)
Cheers, Tim.
Article last changed on Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 8:44 AM EDT
