Lance Franklin

Grand Final Day Events and Timeline 2011

admincms — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:14:57 -0500

The following is the time line for the the Grand Final day events including key times for match and TV related activities. All times are listed first in Australian AEST and then in US EDT. This is based on information from the AFL, AFANA, press reports and past history. This story will be periodically updated with late information.

Start Time AEST	Start Time US EDT	End Time AEST	End Time US EDT	Event	US / Can Network Coverage
10:00 AM	8:00 PM	12:30 PM	10:30 PM	Season in Review / Grand Final Day from the MCG (Relayed from Ch. Ten Australia) 3AW radio pregame begins	ESPN3.com (TV Internet only at this time)
11:00 AM	9:00 PM			SEN radio pregame begins	Same as above.
12:00 NN	10:00 PM			Gillette AFL Grand Final Sprint heats; K-Rock and Triple M radio pregame begins	Same
12:10 PM	12:20 PM	10:10 PM	10:20 PM	AIS Academy Squad and Photograph; TAC Cup presentation and photo	Same
12:30 PM	10:30 PM	1:30 PM	11:30 PM	Grand Final Preview (Relayed from Ch. Ten Australia)	Same
12:55 PM	10:55 PM			Delivery of match footballs to Umpires	Same
1.00 PM	11:00 PM			On field pre-match set up; ABC radio pregame begins	Same
1.10 PM	1.25 PM	11:10 PM	11:25 PM	Preliminary on field warm up opportunity for competing clubs	Same
1:25 PM	11:25 PM			Stage and sound set in centre square	Same
1:30 PM	2:00 PM	11:30 PM	12:00 MN	Pre match entertainment featuring Meat Loaf. Retiring players presentation follows in around the ground motorcade. See list below this timeline. TSN.ca joins the coverage.	ESPN3.com / TSN.ca (TV Internet only at this time)
1:31 PM	11:31 PM			Team highlights on screen and on banners	Same
1:35 PM	11:35 PM			Meat Loaf performs.	Same
1:46 PM	11:46 PM			Legends, retiring players, medallists, and greats introduced (time approximate)	Same
1:51 PM	11:51 PM			Performance of team songs	Same
2.00 PM	12:00 MN			Pre-match entertainment concludes	Same
2:00 PM	2:08 PM	12:00 MN	12:08 AM	Arena cleared and reset, ESPN2 joins the TV coverage. Channel 10 Australia is the lead broadcaster and the commentary team is lead by Stephen Quartermain, Matthew Lloyd, Anthony Hudson and Luke Darcy.	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com / TSN.ca
2:10 PM	12:10 AM			Aircraft fly over (not confirmed)	Same as above
2:12 PM	12:12 AM			Cheer squads and banners set	Same
2.15 PM	12:15 AM			Umpires enter the arena on cue (Bret Rosebury, Shaun Ryan, Chris Donlon, Matt Stevic emergency)	Same
2.16 PM	12:16 AM			Geelong Cats enter the arena on cue & team photo	Same
2.19 PM	12:19 AM			Collingwood enters the arena on cue & team photo	Same
2.27 PM	12:27 AM			Australian National Anthem ("Advance Australia Fair") sung by Vanessa Amorosi	Same
2.28 PM	12:28 AM			Two sirens sound and Toss of Coin	Same
2.30 PM	12:30 AM			2011 Toyota AFL Grand Final commences	Same
3:30 PM	1:30 AM			TSN joins the live coverage.	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com / TSN / TSN.ca
3.40 PM	1:40 AM			(times approx.) Half time (22 mins) – Gillette AFL Grand Final Sprint; NAB AFL Auskick kids perform; Gillette promotion	Same
5:15 PM	3:15 AM			(times approx.) End of match; AFL Grand Final presentations	Same
				Alex Jesaulenko will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning Grand Final coach and Michael Long will present the Norm Smith Medal to this year's best on ground during the Grand Final.
				Runners up team captain to dais; Norm Smith Medallist to dais; Winning team captain to dais, Premiership medallions presented by NAB AFL Auskick competitors. Premiership Cup presented by either Murray Weideman if Collingwood wins and and Doug Wade if Geelong wins followed by team photo.
5:30 PM	3:30 AM			ESPN2 coverage ends, other networks continue	ESPN3.com / TSN / TSN.ca
6:00 PM	4:00 AM			Post match events and television coverage concludes including on ESPN3.com, TSN, and TSN.ca. Radio coverage on Triple M concludes, other radio continues.	Radio only from this point
6:00 PM	4:00 AM			After Match Concert begins at Federation Square, performance by Adam 12	Same as above.
6:10 PM	4:10 AM			Media Conference - Runners Up	Same
6:35 PM	4:35 AM			Media Conference - Premiers	Same
7:00 PM	5:00 AM			All radio coverage concludes.	None
7:30 PM	5:30 AM			Premiers depart MCG for presentation at Federation Square	None
8:00 PM	6:00 AM			Presentation of Winning Team at Federation Square	None

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES, RETIRING GREATS, MEDALLISTS, and AWARDS

Hall of Fame
Horrie Gorringe (deceased)
Nathan Buckley
James Hird
Mark Ricciuto
Michael Voss
Tony Charlton (media)

Retiring Greats
Craig Bolton *
Daniel Bradshaw *
Mitch Hahn *
Ryan Houlihan *
Tadhg Kennelly *
Steven King *
Tarkyn Lockyer *
Simon Prestigiacomo *
Hayden Kennedy (umpire)
Michael Vozzo (umpire)
* in around the ground motorcade prior to match.

Coleman Medallist
Lance Franklin

Brownlow Medallist
Dane Swan

Rising Star
Dyson Heppell

Pies Defy Hawks In Thriller

janetl — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:22:07 -0500

Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from Australia

A disappointed Hawthorn side will rue the impact of poor kicking on goal and a lack of desperation in the final quarter against Collingwood in the first Preliminary Final. The Hawks had been on top of the much-fancied Minor Premiers for most of the first three quarters but are now doomed to wonder what might have been as the more determined Pies’ outfit looks forward to a Grand Final against Geelong next Saturday.

It was the first time in history that Collingwood and Hawthorn had clashed in the Preliminary Final. Both teams started close to full strength with Hawks’ stars Lance Franklin and Josh Gibson much-talked about after excellent games in the Semi-Final against Carlton. Ben Reid and Dale Thomas were important inclusions for Collingwood with their selection in the All-Australian team during the week underlining how crucial they are to their side’s chances for consecutive Premierships.

Momentum was with the Hawks during the first quarter but they could not get the advantage on the scoreboard. The quarter was high intensity and pressure football at its best. The Hawks’ risky short kicks and indirect play proved troublesome to Collingwood who seemed thrown either by the occasion or by the Hawks’ tactics. Travis Cloke was a target up forward for the Pies and Franklin loomed, as usual, as a danger man for Hawthorn.

Collingwood star duo Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury gained prominence in the second quarter. Hawthorn had early chances but both Cyril Rioli and Brendan Whitecross missed easy shots before Franklin took a strong grab against Tarrant and scored a major. Minutes later, he loomed large again in front of the goal posts and Hawthorn took a 13 point lead. Collingwood could not find the time or the space to get their running game going but Darren Jolly was awarded a free kick and converted. At the half time break, it was an absorbing contest with a small eight point lead to Hawthorn.

Hawthorn’s Brent Guerra scored the opening goal in the third quarter and when the Pies’ skipper Nick Maxwell was caught holding the ball minutes later, Sam Mitchell put another goal through for the Hawks to provide a 21 point buffer. The upset of the Finals was brewing but the Pies were not done with and goals to Leon Davis and Cloke brought the margin back to 11 points. A superb goal to Rioli gave the Hawks the ascendancy at the final break but missed opportunities by Puopolo, Burgoyne and Hodge would have put the game almost beyond doubt. As it was, the misses gave Collingwood the small window of opportunity it needed.

With early last quarter goals to Chris Dawes and Davis, the Pies were closing with the margin back to four points. Captain Luke Hodge kicked one for the Hawks before Swan booted a brilliant goal from a stoppage deep in the forward pocket. When Cloke took a strong pack mark with seven minutes to go, Collingwood took the lead and fans were on the edge of their seats. Franklin conjured a remarkable goal out of nothing and the Hawks were back in front. It was heart-stopping football and everything fans could hope for from a Final. Just when it looked like Hawthorn might get over the line, Luke Ball snapped a goal from another stoppage and the Pies stole the lead. Hawthorn had one more attacking move but as Rioli charged across the centre line with the ball, Dale Thomas, very down on form to this point, chased hard and caught him holding the ball.

It was game, set and a Grand Final appearance for Collingwood. As Dane Swan said in his Brownlow Medal acceptance speech on the Monday night after the thriller, good teams find a way to win even when they don’t play well. Such was Collingwood’s performance and they now move into solid contention for consecutive Premierships under Mick Malthouse in his final game as coach. Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn coach, was devastated after the game and acknowledged the fact that the Hawks did not play four quarters of football and had effectively denied themselves the win.

Scoreboard
Collingwood: 2.3 3.5 5.6 10.8  (68)
Hawthorm:    2.4 4.7 7.11 9.11 (65)

Best players
Collingwood: Cloke, Swan, Pendlebury, Ball, Tarrant
Hawthorn:    Burgoyne, Sewell, Lewis, Mitchell, Hodge

Hungry Hawks Over Sluggish Swans

janetl — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:36:01 -0500

Brook Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA from Australia

Hawthorn will meet Collingwood in a Preliminary Final after comfortably defeating Sydney by 36 points at the MCG on Friday night. The Hawks dominated the contest early and at one stage in the third quarter held a 46 point lead before the Swans fought back. In Adam Goodes’ 300th game the Sydneysiders worked their way back to trail by just 18 points late in the third quarter. However Hawthorn showed poise under pressure to wrest back the initiative and cruise home with a six goal victory.

All the talk leading up to the game surrounded Hawthorn star forward Buddy Franklin and whether he would play after jarring his knee against Geelong in the Qualifying Final. Not only did Buddy play, he appeared unhindered by the injury and ran out the game strongly with three final quarter goals. Sydney had injury concerns of its own, with up and coming midfielder Daniel Hannebery being pronounced fit to play after injuring his shoulder in the Swans' surprise win over St Kilda. Unfortunately for Sydney, Hannebery dislocated his shoulder again and was subbed off in the third quarter.

In the first quarter the Hawks jumped the Swans and completely dominated play. Max Bailey kicked the first goal after a Ben Reid miss for the Swans, and from then on the Hawks continually forged forward with little resistance from the out-of-sorts Sydney defense. Hawthorn’s poor finishing was the only thing keeping the Swans in the game. The wayward Hawks had kicked five points and only one goal before Michael Osborne managed a second goal after a Swans defensive mix-up. The star for Hawthorn was Isaac Smith who racked up 11 first quarter possessions after a ten touch first quarter last week against Geelong. After a Paul Puopolo goal, the Hawks went into the quarter time break with a 22 point lead and a whopping 43 more possessions than the hapless Swans.

It was much of the same as the second quarter got underway. Despite dominating the inside 50 entries, Hawthorn did not hit the scoreboard until Puopolo goaled again in the sixth minute. The Swans fought back with a goal to Shane Mumford, but classy Hawk midfielder Shaun Burgoyne replied to restore the comfortable buffer. After an uncharacteristically slow start, Adam Goodes imposed himself on the contest with a couple of second quarter goals but the Swans could not stop the Hawks from scoring. Puopolo kicked his third goal followed by some good work by Cyril Rioli. The icing on the cake was a sensational Luke Hodge goal from the boundary to extend the Hawks lead to a massive 40 points at the half time break.

When a Chance Bateman goal early in the third quarter extended the Hawks lead to 46 points, the game looked over as a contest. Hannebery was replaced by substitute Luke Parker who immediately had an influence on the Swans’ flagging fortunes. Goals to Matt Spangher and the retiring Tadgh Kennelly made the scoreboard look a little less lopsided before livewire Gary Rohan announced himself with a great mark and goal. X factor Josh Kennedy was seemingly everywhere for the Swans, and when the red-headed Rohan passed to Ryan O’Keefe for another goal, an amazing 20 minutes of play had completely turned the game on its head as the Swans trailed by just 18 points.

After dominating all but 20 minutes of the game, Hawks’ fans could be forgiven for being nervous at the change with a three goal lead but under the pump from a rejuvenated Swans outfit. They would have breathed a collective sigh of relief when Liam Shiels kicked the first goal of the final quarter to regain the momentum. 300-gamer Goodes replied for the Swans to keep the contest alive before Franklin put his stamp on the game with two close range goals to get the Hawks home. Franklin added another to extend the Hawthorn lead to a comfortable 36 points as the siren sounded. The final margin was a fair reflection of Hawthorn’s control of the game barring the 20 minute blitz from the Swans in the third quarter.

Josh Gibson controlled the Hawthorn defense brilliantly with 21 spoils (an AFL record) while the unheralded Hawthron ruck division broke even with the highly rated Mumford. For Sydney, it was a tough end for the retiring Kennelly and a bitter end to game 300 for Goodes. It was also the 12th loss in 14 contests at the MCG for the Swans, a trend coach John Longmire will be keen to reverse in 2012 and beyond.

The Hawks will face Premiership favorites Collingwood in the first Preliminary Final in what should be a ripping contest to decide who plays in the Grand Final against the winner of the Geelong versus West Coast battle.

Scoreboard
Hawthorn 3.5 10.5 12.6 19.8 (122)
Sydney   0.1  4.1  9.6 13.8 (86)

Best players
Hawthorn: Gibson, Hodge, Mitchell, Smith, Burgoyne, Hale, Franklin, Puopolo
Sydney:   Kennedy, Mumford, Goodes, McVeigh, Shaw

Cats Unbeaten

janetl — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 07:48:57 -0500

Jamie Kloeden reporting for AFANA from Adelaide, South Australia

With half the season completed, Geelong remain unbeaten on top of the Ladder but only after a strong challenge from the Hawks. The Round 12 match was hyped as one of the biggest clashes of the year so far and a free flowing, high scoring start to the game certainly had people looking forward to a tight contest.

James Podsiadly was the big star early, dominating the game inside Geelong’s attacking 50 and giving Hawks’ defender Josh Gibson a lesson in overhead marking. Liam Shiels dominated the stoppages for the Hawks and was an absolute ball magnet with 13 first term touches but it was the Podsiadly-led Cats who went into the first change with a 19 point lead.

A free kick count of 12 to one in the Cats’ favor had Hawthorn fans voicing plenty of negative opinions towards the umpires but they soon changed their tune as the tide turned. Hawthorn rattled off five goals in a row to hit the lead in the second quarter and grab hold of the game. Geelong’s one big advantage was again Podsiadly who had 5 goals before the hapless Gibson was moved on in favor of Ryan Schoenmakers. At the long break, the big Geelong cult figure had half a dozen majors and even with the early onslaught from the Hawks, Geelong maintained a six point lead.

After half time, Hawthorn’s former captain Sam Mitchell and the sublimely skilled Cyril Rioli set up Shane Savage for an early goal to tie the score. The combined dominance of the Hawks midfielders at the clearances and their tight defense held the Cats goalless. It looked like Alastair Clarkson's men were eyeing off an upset. With Schoenmakers limiting the influence on Podsiadly, the Cats looked much less threatening up forward and needed someone to stand up in a big way to get them back into the contest. Hawthorn led by 17 points at the final break and was threatening to run away with the game.

Enter Joel Selwood, the Geelong midfielder whose onfield presence belies his years. Selwood showed exactly why he is rated so highly amongst the football fraternity. Assisted by James Kelly, Corey Enright and the freakishly-talented Steve Johnson, Selwood went about getting the Cats back in front. His attack at the ball was ferocious in the final term and he became a target across half forward where he was able to set up two of the three final quarter Geelong goals. Making the task even more difficult for Hawthorn was a severe Achilles injury to big forward and ruckman Jarryd Roughhead who now seems likely to watch the rest of the 2011 season from the sidelines. As with all good sides, the Hawks never gave up and, with less than a minute on the clock and only fine points down, they pushed forward for one last foray into their attacking zone. Unfortunately for Hawks’ fans, Lance (Buddy) Franklin was worked under the ball while on his lead and the Geelong defenders were able to clear the danger zone as the siren sounded. As Franklin went to ground, every one of the 63,476 fans in attendance had their hearts in their mouths, waiting to see if an umpire’s whistle would sound and set up the kick after the siren for the win. However there was no free kick and the Cats walked away with a classic five point victory.

Scoreboard
Geelong  5.2 10.2 10.6 13.10 (88)
Hawthorn 2.1  9.2 13.5 13.5  (83)

Best
Geelong:  J Podsiadly, C Enright, J Kelly, J Selwood, S Johnson
Hawthorn: L Sheils, S Mitchell, L Franklin, B Sewell, C Rioli

Hawks Demolish Demons

rickb — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:42:41 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from the MCG, Melbourne

Hawthorn has had the edge on the Melbourne Demons over their last six matches and much was expected from them in this clash. Melbourne was coming off a draw against Sydney, while Hawthorn was winless after a discouraging finish against Adelaide in Round 1. Even so the match odds were heavily in favor of Hawthorn coming into the game.

Hawthorn started full of running and hit their targets with slick handball and precision kicking. Jarryd Roughead scored the first goal when he took a strong mark and played on into the 10 meter square. The play was on Hawthorn’s terms early but they were frustratingly inaccurate on goal and could not make an impact on the scoreboard. Melbourne, on the other hand, made the most of every opportunity when they went forward. Goals to Lynden Dunn, Aaron Davey and Jack Watts had the predominately Hawthorn crowd silent. Shaun Burgoyne scored late in the quarter for the Hawks to give them a one point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Melbourne got out of the blocks early starting the second quarter with multiple goal scorers. First Brad Green, then Liam Jurrah and finally big ruckman Mark Jamar goaled to round out the triple play. Hawthorn had stopped running and leading up to the ball while Melbourne seemed to have found extra leg speed and were at the drop of every ball. Green was gifted another goal on an assist from Jurrah who had marked in the goal square and hand passed over his head. Jack Trengove snapped from 40 yards out to score Melbourne’s fifth goal in a row. At this point the siren couldn’t sound quickly enough for the Hawthorn players who were being run ragged. Chance Bateman scored the Hawks’ first goal in more than 30 minutes to add some respectability to the scoreline, but when the half ended the Hawks were still trailing by 19 points.

Coach Alistair Clarkson must have given the Hawks a roasting during the major break. His team came out and played one of the most one-sided third quarters in recent AFL history. With the exception of Ricky Petterd’s goal at the Demons’ end, the entire game was played in Hawthorn’s forward half. An eight goal eleven to one goal one quarter blew the Demons out of the water. Lance (Buddy) Franklin came alive, covering the ground from one end to the other and kicking two fine goals. He was assisted by young Hawk Matt s**kling who contributed two majors of his own. Cameron Bruce (the ex-Melbourne veteran, traded this year to Hawthorn after a contract dispute), Rick Ladson, Cyril Rioli and Roughead added goals to the tally and the game was effectively over. A 19 point deficit had been turned around to a 33 point Hawthorn lead when the quarter ended.

The Hawks didn’t take their foot off the gas in the final quarter. Burgoyne was on fire and kicked three goals. One in particular was spectacular as he stopped the ball soccer style, gathered it, spun out of a pack and kicked truly for a goal. A couple of consolation goals by the stunned Demons made the scoreboard slightly more respectable but their decent first half performance was completely eclipsed by the stunning second half turned on by the Hawks.

Hawthorn looked back to their 2008 Premiership best and players like Rioli, Franklin and Burgoyne seem set to trouble other sides in 2011. The Demons looked fast and hungry in the first half but dropped badly off the pace and were completely outclassed when it counted. This game will have the club looking for answers and doing a lot of soul-searching in the week to come.

Scoreboard
Hawthorn  2.8 3.13 11.24 16.26 (122)
Melbourne 3.1 8.2  9.3   12.5  (77)

Best Players
Hawthorn C Rioli, L Franklin, S Burgoyne, M s**kling, S Mitchell
Melbourne N Jones, A Davey, C Sylvia, L Tapscott, J Grimes

Dockers Cats And Hawks Announce Awards

Lisa Albergo — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:45:16 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Geelong's 2007 Rising Star winner Joel Selwood has added another award to his bulging trophy cabinet with his first best and fairest award. Selwood polled a whopping 667 votes, 20 votes ahead of 2009 winner Gary Ablett. He was named as best on ground by the match committee in six of the 24 games he played this year.

It was a tough night for the club, with Coach Mark Thompson making an emotional speech after informing the club he needed a break. Gary Ablett, who is departing for the Gold Coast, received a standing ovation and thanked the club and his teammates. Club president Frank Costa, who has overseen the club's on and off-field success in partnership with Thompson and CEO Brian Cook, also announced that he would be stepping down.

The Voting: five members of the match committee can award a maximum of 10 votes to a maximum of 10 players per game.

Top Ten
Joel Selwood - 667
Gary Ablett - 647
James Kelly - 589
Corey Enright - 576
Paul Chapman - 565
Jimmy Bartel - 560
Cameron Ling - 460
Steve Johnson - 414
Travis Varcoe - 365 (20)
Matthew Scarlett - 338 (18)

Other Awards:
Best Clubman: Tom Lonergan
Community Champion Award: Nathan Djerrkura and Travis Varcoe
Leading Goalkicker: Steve Johnson
Best First Year Player: James Podsiadly

Source: afl.com.au

Docker midfielder David Mundy has won the club's 2010 best and fairest award. Mundy polled 190 votes to finish ahead of 2009 winner Aaron Sandilands. Coming in third was Matthew Pavlich who has won a record five club awards. Mundy, who just signed a new four year contract, had his best season this year. He played 22 games and averaged 22 disposals per game. He provided an excellent target for Sandilands' ruck taps and was an excellent ball winner whose precision ball delivery skills were a highlight of his game. Sandilands and Mundy were running neck-and-neck until the finals series when Mundy pulled ahead.

The voting is done by the coaching staff who award votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis with the top votes being awarded for an exceptional performance. (Note: full voting details are not available).

Other Awards:
Best First Year Player: Michael Barlow
Best Clubman: Matt de Boer
Life Membership: Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin

Source: Luke Morfesse, Club Media Release

Hawthorn's Luke Hodge has won the 2010 Peter Crimmins Award. He polled 167 votes to finish 45 votes ahead of star forward Lance Franklin on 122 votes. 2009 winner Sam Mitchell finished third with 112 votes. It was also announced that Hodge would be taking over the captaincy from Mitchell next season. Of the 22 games he played for the year, the voting panel judged him the best in eight of those games. Hodge was also named All-Australian for a third time, having previously been named in 2005 and 2008.

The medal is named in honor of former champion captain Peter Crimmins who played in Hawthorn's 1971 premiership team. Crimmins missed the 1974 season due to cancer treatment. He returned to play a few games in 1975 but the cancer returned and he had to undergo further treatment. He listened to the Hawks Grand Final win in 1976 from his sickbed. A number of his teammates visited him later that evening with the Premiership Cup. A few days later, Crimmins passed away. His widow Gwen was at the ceremony to present the medal.

The Voting: four members of the Match Committee can award up to 4 votes per player per game. The maximum number of votes a player can receive per game is 16.

Top 10
Luke Hodge - 167
Lance Franklin - 122
Sam Mitchell - 112
Cyril Rioli - 110
Jordan Lewis - 90
Ben Stratton - 87
Shaun Burgoyne -86
Jarryd Roughead - 85
Brent Guerra - 83
Brent Renouf - 81

Other Awards:
Best First Year Player - Ben Stratton
Most Improved Player: Brent Renouf
Most Consistent Player: Luke Hodge
Best Clubman: Tom Murphy

Source: Clinton Brown, Club Media Release

Seven Newcomers For All-Australian

Lisa Albergo — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:55:08 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA

On the Monday following the Semi-Finals, the AFL held its All-Australian ceremony. Richmond's Jack Riewoldt was presented with the Coleman Medal as the AFL's leading goalkicker for the season, Melbourne's Liam Jurrah was awarded Mark of the Year and Lance Franklin was awarded Goal of the Year.

Once again, it was the star players who dominated selection with just seven players being named for the first time. Collingwood, Geelong, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs were represented by a combined total of 14 players.

2009 All-Australians Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman, Corey Enright, Brendon Goddard, Chris Judd, Brian Lake, Leigh Montagna, Aaron Sandilands, Joel Selwood and Dane Swan were again named this year. Judd tops the list as this year represents the fifth time he has been selected. 2010 is the fourth consecutive year that Gary Ablett has been named. Following him are Geelong's Corey Enright and Docker Aaron Sandilands with three consecutive placings.

THE TEAM:
B: James Frawley (MELB), Brian Lake (WB), Corey Enright (GEEL)
HB: Brendon Goddard (STK), Harry Taylor (GEEL), Harry O’Brien (COL)
C: Leigh Montagna (STK), Luke Hodge (HAW) Captain, Joel Selwood (GEEL)
HB:: Alan Didak (COL), Lance Franklin (HAW), Paul Chapman (GEEL)
HF: Barry Hall (WB), Jack Riewoldt (RICH), Mark LeCras (WCE)
R: Aaron Sandilands (FRE), Dane Swan (COL), Gary Ablett (GEEL) Vice-Captain

Interchange: Mark Jamar (MELB), Steve Johnson (GEEL), Chris Judd (CARL), Scott Pendlebury (COL)

All-Australian player details:

James Frawley, first time selected. 21 games in 2010, 234 kicks, 123 marks, 157 handballs, averaged 11.1 kicks, 5.9 marks, 7.5 handballs per game, one goal, one behind, 10 clearances, 21 inside 50m, 102 rebound 50m (third in the AFL)

Brian Lake, previously selected in 2009. 22 games in 2010, 316 kicks, 218 marks (first in the AFL), 162 handballs, averaged 14.4 kicks, 9.9 marks, 7.4 handballs; 10 goals, six behinds, one clearance, 28 inside 50m, 93 rebound 50m (sixth in the AFL)

Corey Enright, previously selected 2008, 2009. 21 games in 2010, 329 kicks (sixth in the AFL), 124 marks, 198 handballs, averaging 15.7 kicks, 5.9 marks, 9.4 handballs; one goal, one behind, 19 clearances, 34 inside 50m, 85 rebound 50m

Brendon Goddard, previously selected 2009. 21 games in 2010. 306 kicks, 150 marks (seventh in the AFL), 303 handballs (tenth in the AFL), averaged 14.6 kicks, 7.1 marks, 14.4 handballs; 20 goals, eight behinds, 70 clearances, 84 inside 50m, 56 rebound 50m

Harry Taylor, first time selected. 20 games in 2010, 168 kicks, 144 marks, 180 handballs, averaged 8.4 kicks, 7.2 marks, 9.0 handballs; two goals three behinds, three clearances, 15 inside 50m, 75 rebound 50m

Harry O’Brien, Collingwood, first time selected. 22 games in 2010, 225 kicks, 86 marks, 124 handballs, averaged 10.2 kicks, 3.9 marks, 5.6 handballs; four goals, four behinds, six clearances, 35 inside 50m, 70 rebound 50m

Leigh Montagna, previously selected 2009. 22 games in 2010, 378 kicks (second in the AFL), 103 marks, 275 handballs, averaged 17.2 kicks, 4.7 marks, 12.5 handballs; 17 goals, 15 behinds, 102 clearances, 112 inside 50m (first in the AFL), 36 rebound 50m

Luke Hodge, previously selected 2005, 2008. 21 games in 2010, 324 kicks (seventh in the AFL), 85 marks, 207 handballs, averaged 15.4 kicks, 4.0 marks, 9.9 handballs. 15 goals, 11 behinds. 102 clearances (10th in the AFL), 96 inside 50m, 57 rebound 50m

Joel Selwood, previously selected 2009. 21 games in 2010, 253 kicks, 100 marks, 351 handballs (fifth in the AFL), averaged 12.0 kicks, 4.8 marks, 16.7 handballs; eight goals, seven behinds, 105 clearances (ninth in the AFL), 98 inside 50m, 38 rebound 50m

Alan Didak, previously selected 2006. 20 games in 2010, 300 kicks, 84 marks, 204 handballs, averaged 15.0 kicks, 4.2 marks, 10.2 handballs; 35 goals, 17 behinds, 61 clearances, 96 inside 50m, 20 rebound 50m

Lance Franklin, previously selected 2008. 17 games in 2010, 196 kicks, 93 marks, 111 handballs, averaged 11.5 kicks, 5.5 marks, 6.5 handballs; 62 goals (fourth in the AFL), 42 behinds, nine clearances, 52 inside 50m, seven rebound 50m

Paul Chapman, previously selected 2009. 21 games in 2010, 362 kicks (third in the AFL), 118 marks, 236 handballs, averaged 17.2 kicks, 5.6 marks, 11.2 handballs; 21 goals, 14 behinds, 68 clearances, 8 inside 50m (sixth in the AFL), 53 rebound 50m

Barry Hall, previously selected 2004, 2005, 2006. 21 games in 2010, 170 kicks, 129 marks, 71 handballs, averaged 8.1 kicks, 6.1 marks, 3.4 handballs; 73 goals (second in the AFL), 31 behinds, six clearances, 32 inside 50m

Jack Riewoldt, first time selected. 22 games in 2010, 219 kicks, 123 marks, 37 handballs, averaged 10.0 kicks, 5.6 marks, 1.7 handballs; 78 goals (first in the AFL), 39 behinds, 10 clearances, 41 inside 50m, one rebound 50m

Mark LeCras, first time selected. 21 games in 2010, 213 kicks, 97 marks, 73 handballs, averaged 10.1 kicks, 4.6 marks, 3.5 handballs; 63 goals (third in the AFL), 24 behinds, 20 clearances, 56 inside 50m, seven rebound 50m

Aaron Sandilands, previously selected 2008, 2009. 19 games in 2010, 113 kicks, 83 marks, 208 handballs, averaged 5.9 kicks, 4.4 marks, 10.9 handballs. 686 hit outs (first in the AFL) averaging 36.1 per game. 12 goals, five behinds, 82 clearances, 45 inside 50m, 23 rebound 50m

Dane Swan, Collingwood, previously selected 2009. 22 games in 2010, 418 kicks (first in the AFL), 124 marks, 283 handballs, averaged 19.0 kicks, 5.6 marks, 12.9 handballs; 18 goals, 22 behinds. 116 clearances (fifth in the AFL), 108 inside 50m (fifth in the AFL), 52 rebound 50m

Gary Ablett, previously selected 2007, 2008, 2009. 21 games in 2010, 300 kicks, 97 marks, 359 handballs (fourth in the AFL), averaged 14.3 kicks, 4.6 marks, 17.1 handballs; 44 goals, 23 behinds. 107 clearances (eighth in the AFL), 101 inside 50m (10th in the AFL), 27 rebound 50m

Mark Jamar, first time selected. 22 games in 2010, 66 kicks, 69 marks, 207 handballs, averaged 3.0 kicks, 3.1 marks, 9.4 handballs. 643 hit outs (second in the AFL), averaged 29.2 per game; 12 goals, four behinds, 65 clearances, 12 inside 50m, eight rebound 50m

Steve Johnson, previously selected 2007, 2008. 19 games in 2010, 240 kicks, 95 marks, 104 handballs, averaged 12.6 kicks, 5.0 marks, 5.5 handballs. 57 goals (fifth in the AFL), 32 behinds, 22 clearances, 63 inside 50m, 11 rebound 50m

Chris Judd, previously selected 2004, 2006, 2008 (captain), 2009, 19 games in 2010, 274 kicks, 58 marks, 236 handballs, averaged, 14.4 kicks, 3.1 marks, 12.4 handballs; 14 goals, nine behinds. 122 clearances (third in the AFL), 100 inside 50m, 39 rebound 50m

Scott Pendlebury, first time selected. 22 games in 2010. 284 kicks, 101 marks, 305 handballs (eighth in the AFL), averaging 12.9 kicks, 4.6 marks, 13.9 handballs; 13 goals, 13 behinds. 79 clearances, 77 inside 50m, 27 rebound 50m

Statistical explanations

Marks: catch of the ball

Clearance: winning the ball to team advantage after a stoppage in play such as a boundary throw-in or ball-up around the ground

Inside 50 (meters or 55 yards): delivering the ball by hand or foot into the team's scoring area, noted by the white line arc on the field at either end of the ground

Rebound 50 meters (55 yards): a player running, kicking or handballing out of the opposition's scoring area (noted by the white line arc at either end of the field)

Hit-out: stat exclusive to ruckmen. Refers to the ruckman tapping the ball out at center bounces, boundary throw-ins by the umpire, and/or ball-ups after a stop in play around the ground due the ball being locked up among a pack of players

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Dockers Win Elimination Final

dwoodley — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:22:06 -0500

David Woodley reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

Fremantle played a terrific brand of Finals football to extract revenge on Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval in the second Elimination Final. The Hawks were never in the game as the Dockers shut down their playmakers, keeping Lance Franklin to just 2 goals for the game. Match photographs from the game can be seen by following the link. You can see the match photographs from the game by clicking on the links.

http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2010_preliminary_and_qualifying_finals/2010_elimination_final_fremantle_v_h

Dockers Deliver For Purple Haze

rickb — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:43:59 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

In the second Elimination Final, the Hawthorn Hawks traveled west to take on the Fremantle Dockers. Paul Hasleby, who announced his retirement effective from the end of the season, was a surprise omission from the side. Fremantle had decided on youth and vigor over Hasleby’s Finals' experience. A few weeks earlier, these two teams played in Tasmania where the Hawks humiliated the Dockers in one of the biggest thrashings of the season. Although Fremantle had rested their top ten players for that game in preparation for this occasion, there should have been a psychological edge for the Hawks after that encounter

Missed opportunities for both teams in the first part of the game resulted in points when goals were both needed and kickable. It took 15 minutes of play until Greg Broughton stood up and kicked the first goal for the Dockers. With the majority of the possessions, the home team looked menacing. Adam McPhee made a poor choice from a long way out, electing to take a marginal shot on goal instead of centering the ball to big Aaron Sandilands at the top of the square. Hawthorn looked out of sorts and it wasn’t until deep into the first quarter that Buddy Franklin kicked their first goal from right in front with a good read of the ball as it went over a pack. This gave the Hawks some impetus to lift their work rate and they started to look like the team that beat the Premiership favorites Collingwood last week.

Coupled with some poor disposal and basic kicking errors by the Dockers, the Hawks were poised to put their stamp on the game if they could only make the most of their opportunities. Against the run of play, Anthony Morabito took off from the wing and ran 60 meters to slot home a telling goal for the home team. Morabito was aided by a monster shepherd from Sandilands, who flattened the Hawk player chasing just as he was closing in to tackle. Sandilands kicked a major of his own soon after when he was awarded a free kick in a ruck contest. When Chris Mayne marked at the back of a pack and booted a goal, the Dockers were on a roll and led by 17 points at the end of the first quarter.

Hawthorn went on the back foot and if not for the steady work in defense by Luke Hodge and good midfield work by Shaun Burgoyne and Sam Mitchell, the margin would have been greater. Towards the end of the first quarter, Sandilands injured his knee in a clash with opposing ruckman Wayde Skipper. Fremantle took no chances and moved Michael Johnson into the ruck and Sandilands to full forward. The game was much more static in this quarter, a slow affair with poor skills on display. The Hawks looked sluggish and in contrast the Dockers started to get on top with more aggressive play. Michael Walters, a newcomer to the Dockers already making his presence known, took a sensational mark and goaled from a David Mundy pass.

Matthew Pavlich finally got the monkey off his back with a snap on goal from 50 meters out to take the Dockers to a four goal lead. At this point Hawthorn was down two men. Cyril Rioli had pulled a hamstring and was sitting with ice on his leg in the dugout and Xavier Ellis was in the medical rooms after severely twisting his right ankle. For a club that relies heavily on rotations through the bench to keep up their fast pace, this was a major setback. With substandard goal kicking - only one in a quarter and a half of football - added to the mix, the Hawks were not looking good. Jarryd Roughead gave supporters some hope when he earned a free kick in front of goals but he sprayed the kick wide and barely scraped it through for a point. Hawthorn had kicked their lowest ever half time score in a Final, a meager 17 points, an ignominious record in the history of the club. They trailed the Dockers by 23 points.

Johnson again started in the ruck in the third term and it wasn’t long before the Dockers had a stranglehold on the game. The silky skills of Stephen Hill were on display when he twice took possession of the ball and ran through the lines for shots on goal. The first time he elected to kick on goal - and miss - rather than pass the ball to Sandilands at the top of the square. The next time he was more accurate and suddenly the game looked all over. A Ryan Crowley free kick resulted in another goal much to the delight of the home crowd who started to chant the “Fre-o … Fre-o …” victory cry. Consecutive goals to Buddy Franklin and Roughhead had fans less enthusiastic as memories of the “Freo fade” scenarios of past matches reared their head. McPhee steadied the Freo ship with a snap and goal from a ruck contest on the forward line and from there on in, Fremantle had no doubts. Pavlich and Mundy converted chances to give the home side the biggest lead of the match, 42 points. Although it would be very difficult for the Hawks to climb back from this deficit, coach Alistar Clarkson was not throwing in the towel. He moved Franklin into the center to free him from the vice-like grip of dogged Docker defender Luke McPharlin, who had effectively shut him out of the game.

Hawthorn scored first in the final quarter when Roughead converted from a free kick in the goal square. The subsequent center bounce saw a slick move from Dockers ruckman Johnson. He tapped the ball to Mundy who passed neatly to Matt DeBoer in front of goals. DeBoer, although courageous and hard at the ball, is a woeful set shot and he failed to make the most of his opportunity, kicking a point. Brendan Whitecross sprinted 70 meters to be on the end of a pass from Clinton Young and he scored the next goal for the Hawks. When Rick Ladson drilled a clever goal from deep in the left pocket, the nervous frisson that had previously passed through the home crowd returned. Chris Mayne scored a goal from 30 meters out after marking a pass from Nathan Fyfe to settle the Dockers. Roger Hayden, who was having a very ordinary day on the halfback line, kicked poorly in the latter part of the game to give Roughead a mark and goal. Alex Silvagni sealed the game for the Dockers when he marked and scored a goal with minutes left to play. The faithful purple haze stayed well after the siren to cheer their team off the ground.

Fremantle now move into the second semi-final to take on the Geelong Cats. Although they defeated the Cats in their last encounter, it will be an away game and the Dockers will start very much the underdogs against the reigning Premiers. The soon to be retired Paul Hasleby, dressed in a suit and tie after not being picked to play, gave a half time address to the home fans and did a lap of honor around the ground to a standing ovation. It was his last appearance at Subiaco Oval although he may still be in contention for selection next week if the Dockers injury list is big. For the Hawks, it was a bitter end to a season which had been on the upturn for much of the latter part of the year. They are left to ponder whether their year was a success or a failure.

Scoreboard
Fremantle: 4.3 6.4  12.7 14.10 (94)
Hawthorn:  1.4 1.11 4.13  8.6  (64)

Best players:
Fremantle: D Mundy, C Mayne, L McPharlin, A McPhee, M Pavlich
Hawthorn:  L Hodge, S Mitchell, S Burgoyne, J Roughead, J Gibson

Malthouse Fined for Verbal Stoush

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:41:39 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL

While no charges were laid, Collingwood Coach Mick Malthouse and his assistant Paul Licuria as well as Saint Stephen Milne were all fined for a fiery verbal exchange at one of the breaks during the Friday night game. Licuria referred to Milne as a rapist (a reference to a non-incident many years ago in which a woman made false allegations against Milne and another teammate), someone's sexual preference was alleged, and Milne called Malthouse old. All parties later apologized, with Malthouse admitting he should have known better. The apologies were accepted all around and both clubs considered the matter closed. However, despite St. Kilda not lodging a formal complaint, the AFL stepped in and slapped all three with fines. Malthouse copped the biggest fine to the tune of $7500. Milne and Licuria were fined $3500 each.

Charges Laid:

Andrew Swallow (NM), making negligent contact with an umpire. It is his second offense which incurs a $2400 fine. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $1800. In summary, he can accept an $1800 sanction with an early plea.

Mitch Clark (BRIS), striking Port Adelaide's Jackson Trengove: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, Level Three offense, 225 demerits and a two game suspension. He has no record and accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and a one game suspension.

Ashley McGrath (BRIS), misconduct for unreasonable and unnecessary contact to the face of Port Adelaide's Cameron Cloke: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. He has no record and accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and a one game suspension. .

Kieren Jack (SYD), negligent contact with an umpire. It is his first offense which incurs a fine of $1200. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Dustin Martin (RICH), bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Sydney's Josh Kennedy: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He has no record and accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Chance Bateman (HAW), wrestling Bulldog Shaun Higgins. It is his second offense which incurs a $2400 fine. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $1800.

Lance Franklin (HAW), rough conduct offense against Bulldog Jason Akermanis: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He has a prior record of two games suspended within the past three years which increases the penalty 20% to 150 demerits. He also has 25 demerits held over from the past year, further increasing the penalty to 175 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 131.25 demerits and a one game suspension with 31.25 demerits held over toward his future record.

Hayden Ballantyne (FRE), pinching Geelong's Gary Ablett. It is his first offense which incurs a fine of $1200. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

The match day report against West Coast’s Ashley Hansen for striking North Melbourne’s Daniel Wells was assessed by the Match Review Panel. The MRP ruled that Hansen’s arm was extended in a tackling motion, not a striking motion and that the force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offense and dismissed the report. .

The contact between three Melbourne players and Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield, who suffered a minor neck injury as a result, was also reviewed to determine if a report was warranted. The MRP ruled that Dangerfield was in possession of the ball and attempting to break through a pack of players when he was gang tackled by several Melbourne players. The panel further determined that the tackle did not sling Dangerfield to the ground, but only forced him forward, thus not a reportable offense.

The MRP also reviewed the collision between Bulldog Jarrod Harbrow and Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis to determine if a charge was warranted. The MRP ruled that both players had their eyes on the ball only at all times prior to the collision, deeming it a legitimate attempt by Harbrow to prevent Lewis from marking the ball, and therefore not warranting a charge.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release