Pictures

Saints March On

densham — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 05:14:22 -0600

Kim Densham reporting from Melbourne for AFANA

It rained all Saturday, in stark contrast to Friday night when the Magpies played under summer skies with the roof open at Etihad and Melbourne looked resplendent as the world's second most livable city. Today she was in a different mood. As the wintery winds swirled and the rain pitched down at skewed angles, there was a sense of foreboding in the air.

The pregame warm up routines were just that, no hint of the extraordinary or of what lay ahead. Check out the action at: http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2011_season/2011_nab_cup/nab_qf_geelong_v_st_kilda/14-1593

Saint Kilda opened the preseason tournament with a similar intensity to their 2010 Finals campaign. Although the scars are not fully evident yet there seems to be a air of steely resolve, an inner smarting and an itch that will take the home and away season to be fully scratched. Tonight they came out with captain Nick Reiwoldt at the helm, the ship steadied and nearly at full strength, ready for the depleted Cats. Led out by new captain Joel Selwood, Geelong seemed to have enough familiar faces but with two obvious and noticeable omissions, Coach Bomber Thompson and former player Gary Ablett ( now dubbed Goldcoast Gary).

Despite winning the tap out from the opening bounce, the Cats were lacking and were found wanting on more than one occasion. The well-drilled Saints outfit was taking no prisoners, tackling with intent and ferocity, playing with focus, drive and determination. In the opening quarter it was apparent to the handful of fans who braved the fickle Melbourne weather that the seasoned confidence and slick 'hand to foot to team mate' movement that was vintage Geelong was not quite as polished as we had seen in the past two seasons. It was also apparent that St Kilda had come out to play. Brendan Goddard staked himself a favorite for Brownlow Medal even at this early stage of the season. The new recruits and a new look taller forward structure, trialled during last weeks win over the Swans, were looking very dangerous.

By the three quarter break the game was over. Barring an injury, the die had been cast and like the foul weather, the Cats had to find some inner resolve and play out the final session before the long ride down the barren freeway home. Hopefully the big name outs will return to add structure to the season proper for Geelong. For St Kilda the fate of the draw has pitted them against Essendon. Let the mind games begin.

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

Bombers Le Crying

densham — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:45:00 -0500

by Kim Densham for AFANA in Melbourne

For all the Round 15 Action Photos click here:

http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2010_photo_essays/round_16_essendon_v_west_coast_eagles/14-1057

Last week's dramatic demolition by the Adelaide Crows left Essendon reeling and Bomber coach Matthew Knights under siege. With all quarters weighing into the debate, some fans and media were calling for his head, others for a game plan change. This week was renewal time for the Bomber squad.

Media presenters and fans alike were expecting big things from Essendon. The result was a 32 point drubbing at the hands of League cellar dwellers West Coast, a record breaking 12 goal bag to Eagle full forward Mark LeCras and the lowest Essendon home crowd ever at the stadium.

Bomber fans were stunned into dismal silence for all but the opening few minutes. The demoralized team walked off to jeers and chants of "have some heart Essendon".

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.