Channel 9

And The Saints Go Marching In

densham — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:53:19 -0500

Kim Densham, in Melbourne, Reporting for AFANA.

The Saints versus The Pies was the only game in town. Even though the Dogs were going up against the Swans, the invasion of the interstate interloper and its Sydney v Melbourne rivalries was not enough to dominate Melbourne town’s parochial media. The sought after action was the media drama as the coaches played ‘Ducks and Drakes’ and both Clubs delivered! The old master, Malthouse, pontificated and rambled on vaguely about Captain Scott Burns' availability for Saturdays 'do or die' Qualifying Final, and waxed obscure with mumblings about Cameron Cloke’s rumored glandular fever. This week, he stuck to the facts and just the facts - Burns was injured, Burns was recovering, Burns was a possibility to play - it just depended on the ‘whether’- whether he was fit or not! – thanks Mick! Ross Lyons on the other hand went down the cloak and dagger pathway...closed training sessions, coy about injuries and whether Ball would ‘play ball’ or not. The extent of his obfuscation drove Tony Jones, to have Channel Nine's media helicopter buzz St Kilda's mid week training session. News footage showed Ball training in his number 14, once the helicopter was spotted Ball made a beeline for the change rooms, ripping off his jumper as he went. Minutes later the number 14 Guernsey appeared on the training track. It was being worn by a decoy. Both Burns and Ball were named in the starting team line up. Both names appear as "outs" on the final team sheets. This match was game number 381 for the mercurial and evergreen Robert Harvey and would be the end of a dynasty –could the Saints win for ‘Harv’s’?- Would it be his last game now that he had announced his end of season retirement?

The brilliant spring day saw the evening sky fade from light orange through the rainbow settling on a brilliant deep starry blue. Out in the car park the fans enjoying the pleasant evening air, BBQ’s and car boot picnics the order of the day, the recent rains turned the grassed reserve an emerald green, the trees providing welcome shade, the mouthwatering smell of onions wafted in the breeze. The general hubbub of the teeming crowd adding a soothing soundtrack that belied the fans nervousness, mate against mate, family alliances tested, and acquaintances suspended for the game. All the pressures of life concentrated in the game’s outcome. In the morning’s harsh glare, life will be either, bitter or sweet for a day.

The game was expected to be ferocious, tackles hard, the running fast, marks would be earned, and goals could be close. Tonight the teams started pretty evenly matched and a blow out unlikely. Collingwood acting captain - Josh Fraser won the toss but the Saints got the opening bounce. The ball was immediately locked up, a center square pile on as players committed to the breakdown. Elsewhere on the ground, like frisky antelope in season, players locked horns, body on body taking hits, intimidating jumper punches, stares and glares, like wow! – psych out!. Clinton Jones wearing Leon Davis like a glove with some very tight marking. Milne mothered by Rhyce Shaw and John Anthony being physical on Goddard. What would the coach’s tactics be? The Saints won two quick frees in succession but failed to capitalize on the scoreboard, on the way out a weak and uncommitted tackle by Milne – lacking courage, let the Pies off the hook and a run through the center by Davis to Lockyer, long ball into the square, cut off and marked by the Saints defense, the rebound ball went out to the veteran Harvey, trade mark 20 meter chip pass, pinpoint accuracy to Justin ‘Kosi’ Koschitzki, sublime service! and the St Kilda forward lined up 40 meters out with a slight angle and bagged goal number 29 for the season. Pies pressured, as the Saints dominated around the ground, leading the key stats – 8 to 4 in contested possessions, 16 to 8 in effective handball passes, and playing on 5 times more often.

The center bounce was won by Fraser, tap ball to Lockyer, who ran through traffic and passed to Cloke, onto Medhurst who marked and lined up for goal number 50 but missed to the right, in the pack Maxwell took a strong contested mark right on the ‘behind line’. Absolutely no angle, the Saints defense cut the ‘run around’ kick option off with a line of defenders guarding the breakaway attempt. Leaving Maxwell to kick, either, a banana or the ‘right foot’ snap – not easy choices for the right footer. Maxwell stepped back, lined up for his run and kicked the ball left footed, out on the full in the opposite forward pocket – missed the lot. A quick throw in by the boundary umpires caught the ruckmen napping. The ball was gathered by Daisy Thomas who was a bit hit and miss, he sent a long ball back in and this time Lockyer was flattened by a gang of three Saints boys. Free kick! Lockyer delivered – Goal! Saints bundled it out of the center, the loose ball pounced on by Nick Dal Santo but went awry, blowing a chance and breaking the Saints run. Seventeen minutes into the quarter the ball is kicked into space, the big engine of Nick Riewoldt ran Brown off his feet, marked with ease, time and all the room he needed – tactically Malthouse was behind – Ross Lyon taking the honors. He dropped an extra man into the defensive zone, Malthouse playing a man on man style put a Collingwood player up forward to man up-the result a crowded Collingwood forward line – tall Saints defenders, a midfield able to crumb the defensive hit outs and start the run for goal. The forward 50 arc was wide open, leaving the hard running Riewoldt and Kosi free to command the space, lead and receive from the likes of Harvey, Jones and Dal Santo. Would the Collinwood tactic of kicking a long bomb forward to Cloke, Medhurst and Anthony deliver some much needed goals? Meanwhile Harry O won the center clearance, handballed perfectly into the stride of Davis, arriving at speed, long ball in towards Cloke, cut off by Fisher who fed the ball out to the wing – Gilbert and then Jones who switched play to Harvey who saw Riewoldt doubling back, defender trailing, pass centimeter perfect on the chest of Nick Riewoldt who bagged his second in a matter of four minutes. All of St Kilda's goals from set kicks.

The hit out was won by Jones; he played the ball back to Fisher who kicked to Harvey. Collingwood pressure forced the mercurial Harvey to play backwards; the ball got transferred from the Southern wing anti clockwise around the ground to the Northern end back pocket. From here it moved forward to Dal Santo, almost in the center and about 40 meters from where Harvey first chipped backwards. Dal Santo off a short one step run up punted a wobbly ball towards goal; it hit the post to register the Saints first behind for the game. From the kick out Collingwood moved the ball deftly from O’Bree to the Irishman Clarke, a handball to Fraser on the move, he turned the ball inside to Cox, chip kick to McCarthy, quickly onto Shaw who squared it to Jack and onto Davis, who from inside 50 with his back to the goal, did an overhead snap to Jack who had run on into a contest with Saint Harvey, using his knee on Harvey, Anthony rose and held a pressure mark, 30 meters out from goal. He walked back and slotted home goal number 27 for the season. Pies still in touch and the lead had changed six times. Riewoldt aced one more for the quarter and the Saints led by two points at the break. The second quarter started as it finished, both teams running hard and disciplined but making costly ball handling errors. Goddard’s handball out of the centre was intercepted by Goldsack and Collingwood scored the opening goal. No side had kicked two in a row! Eddy won a free out of the ruck, the kick found Montagna, who played on quickly to Hayes. The ball was punched out by Grant. The throw in was deep in Magpie territory, came off hands to O’Bree and got worked to Lockyer and onto Medhurst. The passage of play was blow for blow – goal for goal, like a prize fight – bare knuckle contest, hard and brutal, all up 11 players from both sides playing team tag in midfield zone. Kosi was being worked over by Wakelin and gave away three frees in 3 minutes in retaliation and was reported for a rough play swing tackle. 13 minutes in Riewoldt playing a captain’s game added to the score line. Collingwood were unable to penetrate their forward 50 as the Saints the cut out the long balls in from the midfield, they were however able to work the ball into the crowded defense on occasions and after Anthony missed to the right the scores were locked at 30 all, when the Milne scored the next, the goal for goal run was broken. The momentum had shifted as the Saints played tempo footy out of the backline, playing kick to kick drawing the Pies into their zone and then kicking into the open space honoring the forwards lead. In the Saints backline, Clarke had a blinder and Jones’ defending was tighter than the Alamo, the ball spilled out to Gwilt and was worked up the Northern wing to Dal Santo onto Milne, who snapped on the run kicking his second in a row and the Saints fourth, in the context it was considered a break away. The Saints had cut off nine out of twelve longs kicks into the defensive zone, Collingwood paying heavily for poor kicking, both into the forward 50 and in front of goal.

Malthouse seemed at loose ends during the quarter breaks, wandering without purpose, staring over at the Saints huddle, it seemed, eyeing nothing in particular but everything at once. The huddle seemed to take care of itself in some loose end way. Over at the Saints, the difference was palpable. Lyon looked in control, oblivious to everything around him but the task at hand. His players had purpose and focus. In the end the difference between the two sides was one of degrees, three degrees of separation, firstly, Riewoldt’s aerial wizardry, accurate kicking and captain’s game – with a bag of five goals! Secondly, Ross Lyon outfoxed the Silver Fox. He drilled his team into playing a game that would be irresistible to Mick, ensuring that the extra man in defense would be picked up, creating heavy traffic up forward for the Pies. The Pies strength was now their Achilles heel. Their discipline and preparation was the force that slowed them down in the very area that they needed run. This created open spaces where the Saints needed it most, allowing Riewoldt, Kosi and Milne to play unencumbered, take marks and kick goals from set shots. The Saints had the discipline to stick to their pre-game strategy, and hold their structure. Thirdly, in defense the Saints tall timber exploited the Pies lack of adaptability seemingly unable to change their ‘long kick into the forward 50’ game plan, enabling the defenders to pick off the long balls in and frustrate the Magpie forwards and the Saints Go Marching in… to the Semi Finals and another date with…the Cats!

St Kilda 17.4 (106) 
Collingwood 9.18 (72)

Goal scorers

Riewoldt 5, Milne 3, Koschitzke 3, Gram 2, Dal Santo, Schneider, Gwilt, McQualter
Anthony, Brown, Clarke, Cloke, Goldsack, Lockyer, McCarthy, Medhurst, Swan

Subprime Crisis Hits Underperforming Pies!

densham — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:00:29 -0500

Kim Densham, in Melbourne, reporting for AFANA.

For the second week in a row, Lions champion, Jonathan Brown sat on Channel 9’s “The Footy Show” and wrote off the Bombers. The rest of the panel unanimously agreed. On sentiment, at least the Pies would be a ‘shoo-in’ to win. All week though, the buildup, the media interest and talk back radio was about Friday night’s, ‘mid season Grand Final’, the top of the table clash between the Cats and the Hawks. However, Saturday afternoon’s encounter between the two Melbourne powerhouse clubs was not without its media interest. During the week, Essendon Coach Matthew Knights announced that the Bombers had only 26 or 28, fit players from which to choose his 22. Pies coach Michael Malthouse suggested Knights improve his arithmetic. Pointing out that more players were available for selection and were at first team training, even though they may still only be playing in the Victorian Football League (VFL) side- the Bendigo Bombers, saying he believed it to be nearer to 35 available players. The niggle was on, the mind games, of which Mick is a master, having previously made obscure references to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, in relation to game tactics and outcomes. With former Essendon Coach Kevin Sheedy, the two had elevated pre match ‘gamesmanship’ to an art form, each trying to outdo the other. This was new territory for Knights and certainly drew the barbed response from Malthouse…Game On! After a bitterly cold Friday night, Melbourne was again frost bitten in the morning and by the time the Collingwood faithful and die-hard Bomber fans flooded toward the MCG for the 2pm kick off, the park was being gently moistened with a light drizzle of rain. Hmmm! The pitch would be slippery, an interesting test of skills for the hard tackling, accurate kicking Pies and for the quick handballing, play on Bombers. Anticipation was building!

Collingwood – Essendon games divided families, put friendships on hold and made enemies temporary allies; battle lines drawn! Today was about the ‘guernsey’ [the team jumper], the tribe, the colors and the win! Winners would have bragging rights for the week and a week is a long time in ‘footy’. The Bombers were missing the talents of Dempsey, Davey, Winderlich, Gumbleton, Lovett, Houli and Jay Neagle. Collingwood were missing defender Tyson Goldsack, Vice-captain Josh Fraser, Anthony Rocca, Brodie Holland and Prestigiacomo. As the throng wound their way into the ‘G, the home crowd was a buzzing with excitement, Essendon had won five of its past six games. Both teams had suffered a loss last week, Essendon controversially to Richmond – with the Tiger defender, Joel Bowden, conceding two points, by handballing two rushed behinds - winding down the clock in the final minute and the Magpies -going down to the unfashionable ‘Roos’- had also lost 3 of their last 5. The silent mantra from opposing fans was “please let this be our game”. A roar as the cheer squad banners went up, visiting team first. The Collingwood banner talked of the ‘Bombers needing parachutes’ and Essendon told of ‘soaring high and the Pies taking a dive’. Within minutes the Collingwood team burst through their banner and headed to the goal square at the city end, the Magpie cheer squad – home of the Collingwood Social Club. Soon after the Bombers burst through theirs and headed to the Punt Rd end, the home game crowd extending a deafening welcome. Friendly banter between rival mates, evaporated – replaced by steely determination and unspoken prayers for success.

The captains shook hands and the umpire trio of James, Head and Donlon, welcomed the boys. Visiting Magpie Captain, Scott Burns lost the toss and Matthew Lloyd chose to kick toward the Punt Rd end. As the teams lined up Knights had a few mismatches up his sleeve, Lucas, Lovett-Murray and Laycock headed to the bench – a bold move starting without the gun – Scott Lucas. Up forward - a ‘V’ formation, the Essendon forwards manned up, with Kyle “MacReimy” Reimers in the goal square [in a radio interview earlier, Bomber strongman, Mark McVeigh, spilled the beans and told the listeners that because of his ‘rugged’ looks and golden boots – his team mates called him - MacReimy], Monfries and Jetta were spread across the 50m arc. This was ingenuous, the Magpie defenders were forced to man up, the zone defense, would not be effective as the defenders were too far apart to cover for each other and…and no Lloyd up front! Essendon’s Coleman medalist playing across half forward. Daring tactics for the second week in a row. In defense, Ryder was on Cloke; Fletch on Medhurst, in the center, dominant ruckman David Hille was up against Collingwood's 29 gamer, Cameron Wood. From the opening roar, these two protagonists braced for a mammoth conflict. The siren sounded and the umpire strode in for the opening bounce. Collingwood made the early running across the midfield and wing areas; however, they were unable to penetrate the 50m arc. At the breakdowns, Essendon moved the ball, as they had all season – very quickly and at every opportunity, through the middle, the engine room of Watson, Peverill, Lovett-Murray, Lonergan and Welsh hand passing with deftness and ease. Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, the Bombers were up by two goals – Lloyd opening, shortly afterwards Welsh added and as Collingwood was readjusting to the match ups, Lucas and Laycock came on in the seventh minute and changed the team structure. During this quarter, Thomas racked up some minor possession but was ineffectual and Peverill kept Collingwood’s Swan quiet. Across the board, the Pies only had 29 disposals. Essendon had five inside 50’s to Collingwood's two; the difference was the conversion rate, Bombers capitalizing on each occasion, Collingwood scoreless for most of the term. At the break, Bombers led 37 points to 9 for Collingwood.

Malthouse strode onto the pitch; steam rising in the cool night air, after that ragged first quarter performance a ‘bake’ was on. Collingwood, looking for a top four spot had not put anywhere near the required effort into their game. Paul Medhurst had a short intense one on one session with the coach; he stood forlornly, hands on hips, taking on board Mick’s direction. After 30 minutes of bruising action and blistering pace, bodies strewn on the turf in various states of repair, physios working furiously on tired legs. Mick’s quarter time ‘bake’ paid off, the Pies dominated from the opening minute. They now, had forward structure, Cloke and Medhurst were presenting and the leads honored. Medhurst opened with his first major. Pies had come out motivated, stung into action and set up five unanswered goals. Their midfield dominant by winning the contested ball, backed up with accurate kicking. The Dons had stopped chasing and looked tired. Was fitness coming into play after the lightning pace of the opening term? The momentum had swung the Magpies way, while Laycock was in the ruck, his game was ineffectual and the coach dragged him. Hille back on. Momentum changed - Hille won the contest, long kick forward, the mark taken by Lloyd, who kicked the Dons first for the term, 17 minutes into the quarter. Within seconds, Stanton kicked another but Cloke not done yet and added his third shortly thereafter. The Pies staged a mini comeback and in the dying seconds of the half, the ball ended up in the Collingwood forward 50, in the hands of Leon Davis, the siren sounded as he lined up for a shot at goal to reduce Essendon’s lead to just 4 points. Bombers fans stood as one, the noise deafening, as Davis prepared, he looked unsettled, took his steps and kicked for goal, the ball soared up high, seemingly straight - heading for a major score, the noise then rose to a crescendo, the fans behind the goal delirious as the ball hit the post. Mass relief at the halftime break … time for some refreshments’! The margin reduced by one point, significantly it brought the points deficit back into single figures. After being behind by 26 points, the Pies were on the comeback trail. The Bombers defensive efforts not helped by Laycock’s contribution – no short kicks, no long kicks, no assists, no goals, no marks…just one single, lonely solitary handball…after an hour of football…fans not happy with the effort!.

The third quarter it seemed would be the mental quarter. The first team to crack under the pressure would lose. The Collingwood players had not been giving 100% to this point in the game, operating at about “30 cents in the dollar”! Were they saving themselves for the finals run? Did they feel contempt for the young Bombers; did they feel they could just turn up and win? Was big match fatigue catching up on them? Whatever the answer, it would still be a mental game from here on out. Malthouse energized the Pies, Wood prevailing in the opening ruck contest, ball quickly forward to Didak, Pies open the scoring – 15 seconds into the third quarter, quick action, accurate kicking to the lead – trademark Magpies. Collingwood’s effort made it seem that they could apply the gas and haul the Bombers in at will. Momentarily caught off guard, Essendon regrouped and kicked the next four – ten furious, frenetic, hardball minutes – body on body, the forward ‘V’ formation exposing the small Magpie defenders. Laycock must have undergone some serious half time reprogramming - he came out committed, more energy with an increased work rate. In the second half his ruck work improved, he was quickly into the stoppages; had a chance at goal and took a couple of marks. His efforts gave Hille respite and the chance to recharge. When Lloyd kicked his fourth, the Dons were up by five goals, it took until the 22-minute mark before the now lethargic Magpies kicked their second for the quarter. It seemed that Collingwood needed to be 4 or 5 goals down before they were stung into action, when they did they played ominous footy and ran all over the Dons. By the end of the quarter, they had cut the margin to 19 points.

Tactically Knights was ahead and the final term was no exception. An injury laden Lucas kept on a short leash by Magpie, Harry O’ Brien, was restricted to a couple of touches- but more importantly, Lucas had taken a powerful defender out of the game. Medhurst opened the scoring in the final term; the Bombers opened the ‘after burners’ and left Collingwood chasing their vapor trail. Essendon winning by 48 points, it could have been more, as the usually safe hands of Lloyd dropped two easy marks in his bread and butter range. The final session saw ‘MacReimy’ score two of his three majors, taking leaping marks and running on to receive a tap down ball from Hille to drill a low bouncing ball into the Collingwood cheer squad at speed, shushing the animated Magpie fans. In the end, Collingwood had it all to play for – a spot in to top four, but underperformed, playing ‘subprime footy’- crisis time for the Lexus Center [Collingwood’s home]. Highlights for this match; young Bomber Atkinson on debut and Jobe Watson having a career high 41 possessions and one punter in the crowd of 64,785 had the lucky raffle ticket, number 1625 winning the big screen TV, capping off a great day for the Bombers.

Essendon 19.14 (128)
Collingwood 11.14 (80)
GOALS
Essendon: Welsh 4, Lloyd 4, Reimers 3, Monfries 2, McPhee 2, Stanton, Jetta, Lovett-Murray, Hille
Collingwood: Cloke 3, Didak 2, Anthony 2, Davis 2, Medhurst 2
BEST
Essendon: Welsh, Watson, Peverill, Lloyd, Hille, Fletcher, Reimers, Monfries.
Collingwood: Cloke, Thomas, O'Brien, Maxwell, O'Bree, Burns.
INJURIES
Essendon: Lucas (back, knee)
Collingwood: R. Shaw (heavy knock)
Reports: Lucas (Essendon) reported by umpire James for striking O'Brien (Collingwood) in the first quarter, Davis (Collingwood) reported for front-on contact on Watson in the second quarter, Didak (Collingwood) reported by umpire James for striking Slattery (Essendon) in the third quarter
Umpires: Donlon, James, Head
Official Crowd: 64,785.