Photos

Lightning Strikes Again

densham — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:26:55 -0600

By Kim Densham in Melbourne for AFANA

A week is a long time in football, the saying goes, well try 40 years. It's about that long since the League trialled a shortened version of the game with a round robin format called the Lightning Premiership. Decades later and for the early rounds of the NAB Cup the lightning format was back.

This link takes you to the action: http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2011_season/2011_nab_cup/nab_essendon_v_brisbane_v_st_kilda/14-1557

It was the first time ever that Brownlow Medalists coached against each other (Michael Voss and James Hird) and that twins coached against each other (the Scott brothers for Geelong and North Mebourne).

In a much hyped and anticipated coaching debut by James Hird, the Bombers, coming off a tough preseason training regime, came out guns blazing and blitzed an undermanned Brisbane Lions. In the two 20 minute quarters match format, the Lions were held scoreless until halfway through the second quarter. At the change-over Essendon went off for a break and the Saints came on to face the stunned Lions.

During the break, a charity match was played between former Essendon and Brisbane legends, a spectacle that saw Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas line up next to each other to face off against Brisbane Premiership defender and former Bomber team mate, Mal Michaels. The National Australia Bank donated cash for goals and the match jumpers were auctioned off on EBay, to raise funds for the victims of the recent devastating floods in Queensland and Victoria.

The second half brought no respite for the Lions against the Saints, who came out and applied pressure in their first hit out since losing to Collingwood in the 2010 Grand Final. Voss has some work on his hands this season, but still has a few key senior players to return. At the change the Lions took a breather and it was Essendon versus St Kilda. Once again the Bombers proved to be a bogey side and came over the top of an understrength Saints outfit which was clearly missing Nick Riewoldt and a few other big guns.

All in all it was an exciting night for James Hird, the Bombers and the Essendon faithful, with the Bombers moving through to the next round. Hird has an unblemished 100% success record, with one win from one game.

Premiership Glory

densham — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:41:15 -0600

Kim Densham reporting for AFANA from Melbourne

The 2010 Grand Final between St Kilda and Collingwood had all the drama of Australia's real reality television, Australian Rules Football. The last Saturday of September delivered an anti-climax in a drawn match. Under the current AFL rules, a replay was called and had to be played the following week.

Both teams were deflated and the mind game was about who would bounce back better, quicker and able to take advantage of the new opportunity for Premiership glory. After the draw the week before, Collingwood ran out convincing winners and the Saints were left to contemplate how close they came to a different ending.

For all the action, drama and emotion go to the following link and check out all the images from the Grand Final replay.

http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2010_grand_final/14-1552

Geelong By Three And A Half Quarters

densham — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:29:19 -0500

Kim Densham reporting for AFANA from Melbourne

Friday night in Melbourne during September's AFL Finals football and the place to be is the home of football, the MCG. The Geelong Cats were raging favorites, and underdogs the Fremantle Dockers were playing just their first game of the season at the G.

During the pre-game warm up, the coaches' facial expressions told the story of the evening. Mark Thompson was smiling and joking with his assistants, signing autographs and watching the Freo players going through their paces. Mark Harvey, grim-faced and expressionless, looked like a man under pressure.

After the formalities of the Australian National Anthem, the game got underway. By half way through the first quarter it was game over. Geelong kicked ten goals in each half and played exhibition football. Fremantle's youth and inexperience were exposed under the relentless pressure and superior skill of the reigning Premiers.

For all the action in photographs, go to the link below:

http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2010_preliminary_and_qualifying_finals/2010_sf_02_geelong_v_fremantle/14-13

Lions Maul Bombers

densham — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:06:40 -0500

Kim Densham reporting for AFANA from Melbourne

It was Jonathan Brown's 200th game of AFL football. Injuries had plagued the Lions' champion for most of the season but today he was fighting fit and raring to go. The Bombers were in a shambles with 14 losses for the season. Coach Matthew Knights was under intense media scrutiny and speculation about his future at Essendon was rife.

This was the backdrop to a critical game for Essendon and the punters know that the Lions always get up for milestone games and this match would be no exception.

Click here for all the match's highlights and milestones.

http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2010_photo_essays/round_21_essendon_v_brisbane/14-1232

Images Posted From The 2009 Grand Final Between Geelong And St Kilda

densham — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:42:29 -0500

By Kim Densham in Melbourne for AFANA

A Photo Essay of the action from a classic bruising encounter between 2009 minor premiers, St Kilda and season runners up Geelong. The Full Gallery is here http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2009_grand_final/2009_grand_final_match/14-808

Photos From 2008 International Series: Australia v Ireland Match #2

admincms — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:57:51 -0500

We have a new set of match photos posted from the Australia v Ireland International Series second and final match in our gallery. Here are a few samples of the great photos taken by our photojournalists in Melbourne:

To see the full size photos and the full gallery click on the above link, any photo, or the link on the side menu.

Photos From 2008 Grand Final Posted: Geelong v Hawthorn

admincms — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:43:43 -0500

We have a new set of match photos posted from the 2008 Grand Final match between Geelong and Hawthorn in our gallery. Here are a few samples of the great photos taken by our photojournalists in Melbourne:

To see the full size photos and the full gallery click on the above link, any photo, or the link on the side menu.

Photos From Preliminary Final Posted: Hawthorn v St. Kilda

admincms — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:34:26 -0500

We have a new set of match photos posted from the Preliminary final match between Hawthorn and St. Kilda, 2008, in our gallery. Here are a few samples of the great photos taken by our photojournalists in Melbourne:

To see the full size photos and the full gallery click on the above link, any photo, or the link on the side menu.

Photos From Round 17 Posted: Geelong v Hawthorn

admincms — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:02:15 -0500

We have a new set of match photos posted from the Geelong v Hawthorn match, Round 17, 2008, in our gallery. Here are a few samples of the great photos taken by our photojournalists in Melbourne:

To see the full size photos and the full gallery click on the above link, any photo, or the link on the side menu.