Aaron Sandilands

Blues Carve Up Dockers

rickb — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:01:35 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Carlton effectively ended Fremantle’s Finals’ hopes in a comprehensive demolition at Patersons Stadium in Round 21. Fremantle had won the last 12 of 14 encounters with Carlton and got off to a great start winning the ball from the first bounce down. Aaron Sandilands was back after injury and tapped the ball down for a Matthew Pavlich clearance. Pavlich chased up his own kick to goal within the first 30 seconds of the game. Eddie Betts squared up quickly with a snap on goal after roving the pack and Carlton went on to kick the next four in a row. Betts got his second goal after marking a spearing pass 30 yards out, while Dennis Armfield and Matthew Kreuzer turned the bolts tighter with goals of their own. Carlton looked speedier all over the ground and the Dockers could not get the ball moving out of their back line. Their defensive pressure was simply not in the same league as Carlton’s and poor foot passing skills let them down time and time again. Zac Clarke gave the Dockers their second goal after a strong mark. The Dockers were flooding back to help the defense and, as a result, had no one to kick to when they got the ball. Alex Silvagni was moved forward and kicked the Dockers' third goal but that was all they could manage for the quarter. When Carlton kicked the next two majors, one after the siren, the Dockers were behind by 17 points.

In the second quarter, Fremantle had their first goal taken off them when one umpire signaled a mark to Luke McPharlin and the other signaled a free kick for a push in the back to the opposition. McPharlin played on to kick a goal but it was disallowed when the umpires conferred. Both teams missed relatively easy shots on goal so this quarter was a low scoring affair. The game could have been decided much sooner if Mitch Robinson and Kade Simpson had made the most of their opportunities. It was a determined Betts who showed the visitors the way to the goals. His courage when marking and his swiftness on the ground made the difference for Carlton in the forward line. One spark for Fremantle was Hayden Ballantyne. Although he had not had much impact on the game so far it was not through lack of effort. He roved the ball from a Sandilands’ tap down and kicked an important goal for the Dockers. With nearly three times more scoring shots for the half, Carlton had extended their lead to 26 points at the half time break.

When the third quarter got started it was clear that Carlton players were more desperate and hungry for the ball than the Dockers. They were prepared to run hard and make space for their team mates. Chris Judd continued to rack up possessions and his first goal lit the Blues up. They kicked the next two including a miracle goal from Jeffrey Garlett in his 50th game. The ease with which Carlton was finding free players running forward only emphasized the lack of pressure by the Dockers. A goal to Michael Johnson against the flow of play seemed to wake up the home team temporarily. Fremantle kicked the next two goals to give them three in a row and an opportunity to mount a challenge. Andrew Walker put the Dockers back in their box when he took the mark of the round and kicked a goal after the siren. The Blues were 33 points up when the quarter ended.

Carlton put Fremantle to the sword at the start of the final quarter. They kicked four in a row to snuff out any hope that the Dockers might steal the win. Bret Thornton left the field with a huge egg on his eye after a hard clash that left the Blues one player down. His courage in the contest allowed Betts to kick his fifth goal after the ball spilled free. Betts got his sixth soon after to make him the leading goal kicker for the match. Fremantle’s speedster Ballantyne was tireless in his attempts to get his side back in the game. He marked and scored to stem the flow of goals but there was no real hope left for the Dockers. Although they scored three of the next four goals, the game was well and truly done and dusted. The Blues ran out comfortable 30 point winners with the final score line flattering the Dockers. Carlton had ten more scoring shots than the Dockers and could have decided the game earlier had they kicked straight.

Fremantle needs some good fortune to make the Final Eight and is relying on the teams above them to lose every game which seems unlikely. Carlton is only two points ahead of the West Coast Eagles on the Ladder. With a bye in Round 23 and the Eagles with what looks to be an easier run to the Finals, Carlton may be challenged to keep a place in the Top Four.

Scoreboard
Fremantle: 3.0 4.2   7.7  12.13  (85)
Carlton:   5.5 7.10 11.16 16.19 (115)

Best Players
Fremantle: Silvagni, Clarke, Faulks, Ballantyne, Barlow
Carlton:   Judd, Betts, Murphy, Gibbs, Garlett

Dockers Hunt Down Lions

rickb — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:22:56 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Fremantle kept its Finals' hopes intact with a convincing win over the Brisbane Lions at Patersons Stadium in Round 14. The Dockers were without Michael Barlow who pulled up sore after his comeback game last week, but Alex Silvagni was back to add some muscle in defense. Brisbane had been doing well since the return of bruising full forward and captain Jonathon Brown, but had their worries without classy midfielder Drew Banfield in the team.

The umpires were red hot on holding the ball decisions, awarding many free kicks in the first quarter. Brown started with dash, kicking the first two goals, one as a result of a free kick against Matthew Pavlich right in front of goal. Ryan Crowley goaled for the Dockers after a strong mark 30 yards out. Each team was making skill errors in the wet, slippery conditions, but both were running to give team mates a target. Daniel Rich, back on his home turf, kicked a confident 55 yard goal to punish the Dockers for their wasteful attempts in front of the big sticks at the other end of the ground. Bryce Retzlaff took a great mark and kicked a goal for Brisbane, but it was Chris Mayne who took the honors in the dying minutes of the quarter. He was inspirational as he tackled and took the ball to ground to enable Pavlich to kick a 60 yard goal. The missed shots in front of goals had cost Fremantle badly. They had seven scoring opportunities to five but found themselves trailing by eight points at the break.

Pavlich began to find some of his old form and provided a spearhead in the Fremantle attacking zone. Although the Lions were dominating the ball clearances seven to one, their 52% kicking efficiency was letting them down. Rich kicked the Lions’ first goal for the term, but the Dockers answered with two and were starting to dominate on the scoreboard. Patrick Karnezis, in only his third game for Brisbane, took the game on and goaled after a good run and mark in the forward pocket. James Polkinghorne added another after some confusion by Fremantle in the back half and the visitors began to dominate the game. They went into the long break 11 points up and had the momentum when the siren sounded.

Fremantle kicked the first two goals of the second half to get the game back on an even keel. Michael Johnson was relishing his chance to play forward and snapped a goal from 40 yards out. Greg Broughton converted next on the end of a good handball from Pavlich. Rowan Bewick steadied Brisbane with a goal while Clayton Hinkley goaled for Fremantle to make the most of his chances in only his fifth game. When Pavlich kicked his fourth goal, the crowd sensed a Fremantle win and started the “Freo, Freo” chant. They were soon silenced when Jack Reddin stood front and square in a marking contest and kicked a crumbing goal. Karnezis was substituted for rookie Ryan Harwood to give the Lions a bit more run in the center. Pavlich kicked his fifth goal while Tom Rockliff evened it up after a free kick given up by Dylan Roberton. Fremantle won the third quarter to take a slender three point lead into the final term.

In this match it was the fourth quarter that decided the result. The Dockers had not won a final quarter in their past six matches but this all changed in an instant. Fremantle were all over their opponents with 17 to two inside 50 meters, ten to zero scoring shots, ten to two clearances, 39 to 15 disposals and 20 to seven contested possessions in this quarter alone. In effect, the Dockers buried the Lions who could not get their hands on the ball. Brisbane had 12 players who did not get a ball disposal during the quarter. Broughton kicked his second goal after a poor kick-in by Ashley McGrath. Brisbane looked all at sea and when Nick Lower kicked Fremantle’s 12th goal, the game was over. If Fremantle had kicked straighter, the result would have been decided much earlier.

The only down side of the game for the home side was the recurrence of Aaron Sandilands’ foot injury, which threatens to put him out of the game for another month. The Dockers struggle to win when he is not in the team so fans are hoping for the minimum time out. With a relatively easy game next week against the Gold Coast Suns and then a bye, Fremantle should get their season back on track. Brisbane’s season appears well and truly over and they now must look to blooding some junior players to give them the confidence and experience to play in the big league.

To look at Dave Woodley's photos of this game, go to:

http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2011_season/2011_s...

Scoreboard
Fremantle: 2.5 5.6 10.8 12.16 (88)
Brisbane:  4.1 7.5 10.5 10.5  (65)

Best Players
Fremantle: M Pavlich, G Broughton, N Fyfe, A Silvagni, C Mayne
Brisbane:  S Black, B Stiller, A McGrath, D Rich, T Rockliff

Dockers Defeat Lackluster Bombers

rickb — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:08:43 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium

Fremantle has been on a downward slide without star ruckman Aaron Sandilands, missing for the last three games with a foot injury. The Dockers have lost their last six games without him in the team. Essendon has also had a topsy-turvy month and were coming off an upset loss to the lowly Melbourne Demons last round.

A fast-starting Fremantle took the game on early with the first two goals. Tendai Mazungu, playing in only his third game, showed class beyond his years when he took a strong mark in a pack and converted from 20 yards out. Ryan Crowley followed his lead when he read the ball off a pack to kick the Dockers’ second. Paddy Ryder steadied Essendon with a mark and goal against the tide of play. Unfortunately for the Bombers this was the first and last spark for the quarter. Hayden Ballantyne kicked the next major for Fremantle before disaster struck. Star midfielder David Mundy hobbled off with the help of trainers and it was later discovered that he had broken his fibula and will be out for at least four weeks. Nate Fyfe was the next in line for a goal and Chris Mayne added to the Bombers’ woes with a mark and goal after a run, bounce and carry up the members' wing by Ballantyne. After a recent slump in form, Matthew Pavlich played a solid role with a mark and goal conversion to move Fremantle out to a 30 point lead. With Fremantle swarming over the contested ball, it was a case of one team working hard while the other team spectated. Michael Johnson should have rubbed more salt into the Bombers’ wounds just before the quarter siren. He took his fifth mark for the quarter but missed an easy shot on goal. The Dockers went into the break 32 points ahead and full of confidence.

Johnson redeemed himself with a goal early in the second quarter when he found himself on the end of a brilliant Ballantyne handball. It was all one-way traffic when Pavlich scored his second after taking the ball out of a pack and dribbling it through the goal posts. Leroy Jetta was one Bomber who was tireless in his running, and he was rewarded for his efforts when he scored Essendon’s first goal in 45 minutes. The Bombers had slowed the bleeding but didn’t take advantage of their opportunities in front of goal. They could have put the heat right back on the Dockers who showed last week that they can be brittle when under pressure. Ryan Crowley twisted the knife when he scored a goal for the Dockers after four Bomber misses in a row. Fremantle went into the main break with a 40 point lead.

Dustin Fletcher did not return to the field after half time, having injured a hamstring towards the end of the second quarter. He was replaced by substitute Alex Brown. This was a huge blow for Essendon as Fletcher is always a stalwart in defense and his presence would be sorely missed. Fremantle was still hunting in packs and full of fire despite being a man down with Mundy taken to hospital. The Dockers kicked the first three goals to start the second half. Essendon had stopped running and looked like they had conceded the game. The home crowd was looking forward to the humiliation of their Victorian rivals. The magic of this game is that every contest is open to possession from either side and Essendon suddenly started to run and claw their way back into the match. Nathan Lovett-Murray started the comeback with a goal and Ryder followed up quickly after a turnover by the usually perfect Fyfe. After chasing down a casual effort by Cale Hooker in defense, Johnson kicked his second and gave the Dockers a chance to regroup. Mark Harvey’s pre-game move of Johnson to the forward line after some recent mediocre displays in defense proved a good strategy. Ryder again showed his aerial skills with a big mark and goal before the siren to give the Bombers an ounce of hope going into the final quarter although they were a huge 47 points down.

In last week’s round, Fremantle looked to be unassailable with a 26 point lead against Hawthorn in the early minutes of the last quarter but they were overrun in the end. There was the possibility of an instant replay this week as Essendon entered the final term with their tails up. Fremantle appeared to be flat and for the first time in the game, they were not running as Essendon was. If gasoline were the currency in this match then Fremantle had hit the red line, and because Essendon had spent so little in the first part of the game, they were running on half a tank of high octane. The Bombers started the last quarter like a house on fire. Travis Colyer kicked a goal and when Ryder followed up they were back to within 35 points. Although this is a fair margin to overcome in a final quarter, Essendon looked capable. When Hurley received from Lovett-Murray and kicked another goal, the Bombers looked dangerous and ripe to take down the stunned Dockers. Livewire Lewis Jetta scored again from a ruck tap and within minutes the Bombers had silenced the Fremantle fans as they sensed an upset brewing. Essendon had kicked the last seven out of eight goals and the Dockers were clinging to the ropes when fan favorite Keppler Bradley rose to the occasion and kicked a goal. Mazungu kicked the sealer minutes later and the Dockers ran out winners by 34 points. Considering that at one stage they had a 59 point lead, it was a closer finish than they would have liked.

The cavalry is arriving soon for Fremantle with Michael Barlow, Roger Hayden, Aaron Sandilands, Alex Silvagni and Nick Suban coming back into the side in the next week or two. This should bolster their chances of a Finals berth as they head into some critical mid-season games. Although Essendon started the season in fantastic form, they have a tough draw in the next three rounds and may struggle to secure a Finals berth if they don’t recapture that form and their earlier endeavor.

Scoreboard
Fremantle: 6.3 9.4 13.6 15.8  (98)
Essendon:  1.1 2.6  5.7  9.10 (64)

Best Players
Fremantle: N Fyfe, H Ballantyne, G Ibbotson, M Johnson, M Pavlich
Essendon:  L Jetta, D Hille, J Watson, P Ryder, Howlett

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

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

Magpie Swan Soars With Peers

Lisa Albergo — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:47:35 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

After the first round of the Finals was completed, the AFL Players Association held their annual awards ceremony. Unlike other League awards, the Leigh Matthews Trophy winner is nominated and voted for by his peers. Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan was the runaway winner with 972 votes, well ahead of runner-up Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) and third placed Gary Ablett Jnr (562 votes). Docker Aaron Sandilands (279) and Geelong's Joel Selwood (166) rounded out the top five. Swan is the first Magpie to win the award since Darren Milane in 1990, the last year Collingwood won the premiership under the coaching of Leigh Matthews. Milane was tragically killed in a car accident in 1991.

The AFLPA award recognizes versatility, skill, leadership, respect for teammates and opponents alike and the ability to play under pressure. Swan, in accepting the award, said he was humbled and honored to win this award which is so well-respected by all the players. He described winning it as one of the highest honors in football.

Swan has had an amazing season, playing all 22 games and averaging 32 possessions per game. He had 34 possessions against Hawthorn in Round 22 and is the first player in League history to have 30 or more in 11 consecutive games. One reporter, covering a Collingwood game, once remarked of Swan, "Does he ever stop running?"

Swan was also voted player of the year by the Herald Sun.

Other Awards:
Robert Rose Most Courageous Award: Luke Hodge (200 votes), Joel Selwood (173), Lenny Hayes (STK, 125)

Best First Year Player: Fremantle's Michael Barlow (442 votes), Dustin Martin (Richmond, 129), Tom Scully (Melbourne, 49)

Best Captain: Brett Kirk (Sydney, 142 votes), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane, 75), Chris Judd (Carlton, 73), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle, 58)

Source: Ben Hart: AFLPA Medie Release

Round 21 Injury

Lisa Albergo — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:07:33 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

ADELAIDE
Simon Goodwin, ankle, retired*
Andrew McLeod, knee, indefinite
Brett Burton, ankle, retired*
Chris Knights, hamstring, ongoing assessment
Bernie Vince, knee, season
Jonathon Griffin, ankle, ongoing assessment
Tony Armstrong, hamstring, 1 week
Sam Shaw, back, indefinite
Brad Moran, knee, 1 week
Andy Otten, knee, season
Daniel Talia, knee, season
James Craig, hamstring, season
Jared Petrenko, foot, season, long term injury list

*Goodwin and Burton, both of whom announced previously that they would retire at the end of the year, were hoping to recover from their respective injuries in time to see out the season. Both have failed to recover and have retired early.

Source: David Burtenshaw, Club Media Release; sen.com.au

BRISBANE
Matt Maguire, ankle, ongoing assessment
Xavier Clarke, hamstring, test
Bart McCulloch, hamstring, test
Broc McCauley, groin, season
Andrew Raines, quad, season
Brendan Fevola, groin, season
Josh Drummond, knee, season
Jamie Charman, ankle, season
Callum Bartlett, knee, season
Mitch Golby, knee, season
Matt Austin, leg, season
Donald Barry, sinus, season
Albert Proud, illness, test

Source: Sam Lord, Club Media Release

CARLTON
Matthew Kreuzer, knee, season
Kane Lucas, hamstring, season, long term injury list
Brock McLean, knee, test
Rhys O’Keeffe, back, indefinite
Simon White, hip, season
Ryan Houlihan, arthroscopic knee surgery, season

Source: Stephen Wilson, Club Media Release; afl.com.au

COLLINGWOOD
Leon Davis, quad, test
Brad Dick, shoulder, season
Tom Hunter, neck, 4-6 weeks
Ben Reid, quad, test
Simon Prestigiacomo, thigh, test

Source: afl.com.au

ESSENDON
Nathan Lovett-Murray, back, test
Bachar Houli, knee, test
Jason Winderlich, hand, test
Scott Gumbleton, broken ribs, season
Mark Williams, ankle, season
Alwyn Davey, arm, season
David Zaharakis, knee, season
Darcy Daniher, adductor tendonitis, season
Jason Laycock, foot, season
Taite Silverlock, broken leg, season
Anthony Long, hamstring, season
Tayte Pears, pancreatic surgery, season, long term injury list
Ricky Dyson, knee, test

Source: Cara Pelchen, Club Media Release

FREMANTLE
Hayden Ballantyne, foot, 1-2 weeks
Michael Barlow, broken leg, season
Chris Hall, hip surgery, long term injury list
Aaron Sandilands, foot, test
Alex Silvagni, groin, test
Chris Tarrant, knee, 2-3 weeks
Matthew Pavlich, soreness
Adam McPhee, soreness
Roger Hayden, soreness
David Mundy, soreness
Stephen Hill, soreness
Anthony Morabito, soreness
Nathan Fyfe, soreness

Source: afl.com.au

GEELONG
Mark Blake, hamstring, test
Mitch Brown, shoulder, season, long term injury list
Cameron Ling, hamstring, test
Tom Lonergan, virus, test
Max Rooke, knee, test
Jesse Stringer, hip, season
Adam Varcoe, knee, season

Source: afl.com.au

HAWTHORN
Max Bailey, knee, ongoing assessment
Clinton Young, knee, test
Rhan Hooper, soreness

Source: Leah Mirabella, Club Media Release, afl.com.au

MELBOURNE
Aaron Davey, broken leg, season
Max Gawn, knee, season
Jack Grimes, hamstring, season
Jordan Gysberts, back, season
Neville Jetta, shoulder, season
Stefan Martin, hip, season, long term injury list
John Meesen, foot, season
Ricky Petterd, shoulder, season
Jake Spencer, back, season
Luke Tapscott, shoulder, test
Joel Macdonald, ankle, test

Source: afl.com.au

NORTH MELBOURNE
Todd Goldstein, calf, 1 week
Robbie Tarrant, thumb, test
Ed Lower, broken collarbone, indefinite
Jack Ziebell, broken leg, season
Ben Ross, hip/groin, indefinite, long term injury list
Aaron Black, hip, indefinite
Drew Petrie, foot, indefinite
Liam Anthony, shoulder, indefinite
Lindsay Thomas, knee surgery, season

Source: Rob Burton, Club Media Release, afl.com.au

PORT ADELAIDE
Chad Cornes, finger, season, long term injury list
Hamish Hartlett, quad, season
Matt Lobbe, hamstring, test
Steven Salopek, dislocated shoulder, season, long term injury list
Jacob Surjan, knee, season
Tom Logan, concussion, test

Souce: Daniel Norton, Club Media Release, afl.com.au

RICHMOND
Matt Dea, foot, test
Mitch Farmer, knee, season
Nathan Foley, leg, season
Ben Griffiths, shoulder, season
Tom Hislop, patella (kneecap), season
Luke McGuane, groin, season
Jordan McMahon, ankle, 1 week
Richard Tambling, leg, season
Adam Thomson, groin, season
Tyrone Vickery, hip, season
Daniel Jackson, leg, test

Source: afl.com.au

ST KILDA
Steven Baker, toe fracture, season
Raphael Clarke, hamstring tendon, long term injury list
Zac Dawson, hand, test
Michael Gardiner, hamstring tightness, test
Steven King, hamstring strain, test
Jesse Smith, ankle, season long term injury list
Robert Eddy, hand, Lenny Hayes, back, test

Source: Vanessa Gigliotti, Club Media Release; afl.com.au

SYDNEY SWANS
Craig Bird, foot, 1 week
Craig Bolton, achilles, 2-3 weeks
Daniel Bradshaw, knee, 1-2 weeks
Ben McGlynn, cheekbone, 2-3 weeks
Jake Orreal, back, season
Lewis Roberts-Thomson, hamstring, 1 week
Mark Seaby, ankle, season
Kristen Thornton, hamstring, test
Jarred Moore, concussion, test

Source: afl.com.au

WEST COAST
Darren Glass, abdomen, season
Mark Nicoski, shoulder, season
Daniel Kerr, hamstring, season
Bradd Dalziell, finger, season, long term injury list
Sam Butler, foot, season
Brett Jones, fractured cheekbone, season
Mitch Brown, groin, season
Adam Selwood, AC joint (shoulder), 1 week
Brad Sheppard, AC joint, 1 week
Ashley Hansen, hip, test
Matt Priddis, ankle, test

Source: Anna Carew-Reid, Club Media Release

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Ayce Cordy, shoulder, season
Shaun Higgins, calf, 2-3 weeks
Sam Reid, shoulder, season
Shane Thorne, knee, 3 weeks
Stephen Tiller, abductor, 1 week
Easton Wood, hamstring, 2 weeks

Source: David McNamara, Club Media Release

Fair Dinkum Dockers

janetl — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:02:26 -0500

Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

A dazzling four quarter display of precision teamwork by the Fremantle Dockers thrilled their fans and dished out a formidable football lesson to the down and out West Coast Eagles. So complete was Fremantle’s dominance that it is difficult to see how the Eagles can bounce back and challenge sufficiently in their last four games to climb off the bottom of the Ladder.

In perfect football conditions, the Dockers threw everything at their hometown rivals with memories of past Derbies, famous for their tough and sometimes brutal nature, in the news all week long. With Eagle Brad Ebert playing his 50th game, Luke McPharlin celebrating his 150th game for the Dockers, a spot in the Top Four in Fremantle’s sights and the Wooden Spoon beckoning West Coast for the first time in the club’s history, there was plenty on the line. The loss of Shannon Hurn before the game did not help West Coast’s prospects but games played at Subiaco Oval are unpredictable and fans’ hopes were set for a gripping spectacle.

A spectacle it was from start to finish as Fremantle turned on the skill and class from the first bouncedown. David Mundy was in spectacular touch and forward thrusts came quickly with the likes of Paul Hasleby, Roger Hayden, Nathan Fyfe and Matt De Boer throwing themselves at the contest in superb fashion. There were seven unanswered goals for the Dockers who were electric while the Eagles looked slow and disorganized, managing a mere three points for the quarter. In a highlight, newcomer Justin Bollenhagen scored his first goal in AFL football in his first game for the Dockers. There was bad news too when brilliant Fremantle defender Chris Tarrant injured his knee and took no further part in the game, his season and potentially his football career in doubt.

Mark LeCras finally got West Coast on the scoreboard but not before Mundy scored first for the Dockers. LeCras made the most of Tarrant’s departure to kick another two goals for the quarter but it was to no avail. Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands provided opportunity after opportunity to his on ball players who ran harder at the contest and were more desperate than the opposition. West Coast simply had no answer to the class and superior skills of Hayden Ballantyne, Matthew Pavlich and Stephen Hill and looked every bit the bottom team in the competition.

A more even third quarter gave the Eagles some self-respect but inflicted no damage on the scoreline. Again Fremantle’s pace made the Eagles look slow and they were continually caught holding the ball under the enormous pressure exerted on them all over the ground. Ballantyne was outstanding in his best quarter yet for the Dockers, proving himself as one of the recruits of the year. Mark LeCras scored another two goals for West Coast and Andrew Strijk and Nic Naitanui also came into the game and scored goals.

By the final quarter the only question was how big the winning margin would be. Fremantle kept the ante up and brilliant goals came from Hasleby, Ballantyne (three), Hill and Jesse Crichton. Fremantle’s endeavor was vastly superior to that shown by West Coast even late in the game. In the end, it was a 75 point thumping by Fremantle, their best winning margin ever.

Aaron Sandilands was awarded the Ross Glendinning Medal for the best player afield and Fremantle returned to the form which saw them in the Top Four for much of the early part of the season. Young Dockers Greg Broughton, Nathan Fyfe and Matt De Boer played their best games for the season. With a reasonable run home against North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium), Sydney (home), Hawthorn (Aurora Stadium in Tasmania) and Carlton (home) it is feasible for Fremantle to make the Top Four. West Coast play Brisbane in Round 19 in what will be billed as the battle for the Wooden Spoon.

Scoreboard
Fremantle:  7.6 13.8 18.12 24.16 (160)
West Coast: 0.3  4.4  9.5  13.7  (85)

Best
Fremantle: H Ballantyne, A Sandilands, M Pavlich, N Fyfe, M De Boer, N Suban, D Mundy
West Coast: M LeCras, B Waters, D Cox, M Priddis, A Strijk

Saints Supreme

rickb — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:55:22 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

In the highly anticipated Round 12 game between third and fourth placed teams on the Ladder, St Kilda traveled to Perth for the second time in a month to take on the in form Fremantle Dockers. The home side was the slight favorite with the betting money but the Saints' powerhouse should never be underestimated. A loss to either side would end any chance to vie for the title of Minor Premier at the end of the home and away season. With so much at stake for both clubs, the stage was set for a close and exciting game.

Stephen Milne, in his 200th game, demonstrated some fancy footwork to score the first goal, side-stepping three opponents to get the Saints off to a cracking start. Justin Koschitzke followed quickly to put Fremantle so far on the back foot that for the first six minutes of the match they failed to move the ball into their 50 meter zone. Adam Schneider and Andrew McQualter increased the St Kilda lead before the feisty Hayden Ballantyne scored the first goal for the Dockers off a rare Saints' turnover. At this stage the Dockers’ kicking efficiency was at a dismal 50 per cent. The Saints put on a display of power football going inside their 50 meter zone 15 times to the Dockers’ five. Just as the game was in danger of slipping away late in the first quarter, Fremantle got back to basics with some fierce tackling of the ball carrier. Michael Barlow goaled from a free kick after he trapped the ball deep in the forward line, bringing Schneider to the ground holding the ball.

St Kilda continued to dominate the general play in the second quarter but could not increase their scoreboard pressure. Fremantle players were sluggish and tentative in their forward moves, kicking high and long from the half-forward line and hoping for a miracle. Instead they got contested balls and congested stoppages. Again Milne stepped up and scored three goals to have the Saints take a 25 point lead into the half time break.

Both sides increased their pressure and tackle count in the third quarter. The Dockers had the dream opening when Kepler Bradley kicked his first goal from a 50 meter penalty. The dream was shortlived as the Saints kicked the next three goals to open up a 37 point lead and looked ripe to take the game apart. The Dockers were determined to stay in the game and with the help of 38,500 fans they rallied to score the next two goals, giving them some chance as they went into the last quarter.

Matthew Pavlich had arguably the worst game of his career so far but grabbed a great mark and scored the first goal of the final quarter from 35 meters out to give the Dockers the start they needed. Paul Duffield and Anthony Morabito scored the next two goals to draw the Dockers within 16 points. It was all too late however, and when Schneider sealed the result with a late goal, the Dockers had only themselves to blame.

The Saints ran out winners by 18 points and with Collingwood only managing a draw against Melbourne, St Kilda is now in second place on the Ladder. Fremantle maintains a tenuous grip on fourth place and next week may well see them fighting to maintain their place in the Top Four. The Saints look like the team of old and, if they maintain the style of game they have produced in recent weeks, will be a genuine threat for the flag.

Scoreboard
Fremantle 2.1 4.5  7.6 10.7  (67)
St Kilda  4.2 8.6 11.7 12.13 (85)

Best
Fremantle: H, Ballantyne, A Sandilands, M Barlow, P Haselby,
           C Tarrant
St Kilda:  B Goddard, S Milne, S Gilbert, C Jones, A Schneider

Crows And A Tiger Announce Retirements

Lisa Albergo — Sat, 29 May 2010 10:58:00 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin announced last week that 2010 would be his final season. In making the announcement, he said he had spoken with Coach Neil Craig after the Round Nine match and felt it was the right time. He also said he still felt good mentally and physically but that might not be true next year. He conceded he was slowing down a bit while the game was getting faster. He has been considering retirement for the past month and decided he wanted to go out on his own terms and feel as if he were leaving with a "...bit left in him". He also opted to make the announcement now so he could focus on leading the team and not be distracted by speculation about his career.

Goodwin also acknowledged and thanked the club for their help and support when he was battling a gambling addiction. In 2007, he was fined $40,000 with $20,000 suspended for placing bets on AFL games. He said his gambling had been getting out of control and if it were not for the club, especially Coach Neil Craig and CEO Stephen Trigg, he is not sure where he would be. With the club's help, he went through intensive counseling and rehabilitation and said it helped him turn his life around.

Craig said that Goodwin was the greatest captain in the club's short history, not only because of his playing achievements, but also because of what it took for him to arrive where he is today on both a playing and personal level. Craig also praised Goodwin's professionalism and described him as exceptional in the way he is leading the club through what is probably their worst season since joining the AFL in 1991 (to date their worst was 1999 when they finished in 13th place after winning the 1998 Grand Final - ed.)

SIMON GOODWIN
Drafted via 1995 Preseason Draft
DEBUT: 1995
GAMES: 269 (through Round 10)
GOALS: 160 (through Round 10)
HONORS: Best & Fairest 2000, 2005-06; Best & Fairest runner-up 2007-08; All-Australian 2000-01, 2005-06, 2008; International Rules 2000-01; premierships 1997-98; preseason premiership 2003; Michael Tuck Medal 2006 (best on ground in preseason Grand Final); captain since 2008

Just a few days after Goodwin announced he would retire, teammate Tyson Edwards was told that he was not going to be selected for the Round 10 match against St. Kilda. As a result, he decided to retire immediately. Struggling for form this season, the 33-year old was also told by Coach Neil Craig that his poor form did not warrant selection for a farewell game against Fremantle next week. However, supporter backlash, the fact that Adelaide has no chance of making the finals, and a chat with both Edwards and club CEO Stephen Trigg, Craig had a change of heart. Normally a stickler for his own strict selection criteria, Craig said giving Edwards a farewell game and a chance to say goodbye to supporters and give supporters a chance to cheer him off was the right thing to do. In making the announcement that Edwards would play, Craig said, "''In an industry that is cut-throat, highly professional and shows..little sentiment...we have the capacity to show care and a...sense of belonging..."' .

Edwards himself admitted that he was unable to get back to his best and that it would be better for the club that he retire and allow a younger player to come in and develop. He also said he just wanted to enjoy his final game, soak up the atmosphere of it, thank the fans, and try to play his best in his final match. He would like to be remembered as consistent and reliable.

Trigg had nothing but praise for Edwards, describing him as one of the greats of the game who would be remembered for his consistency, durability, and talent. He also said that Edwards had been an exemplary player and person who is well-loved by all at the club.

TYSON EDWARDS
Drafted from SANFL club West Adelaide in 1995
DEBUT: 1995
GAMES: 320
GOALS: 190
PREMIERSHIPS: 1997, 1998, 2003 (preseason)
HONORS: Best & Fairest runner-up 2002-2004, International Rules 2002

Tiger Troy Simmonds played his last game against Port Adelaide in Round 10. Simmonds said a chronic knee problem which has plagued him for the past 18 months led to the decision to call it quits. He believes he has gotten the best out of himself and leaves the game with no regrets, despite falling just 3 games shy of 200. Although he will be focusing on his own business which he started several years ago, he also wants to help mentor the club's young ruckmen Tyrone Vickery, Angus Graham, and Andrew Browne.

Simmonds said he learned a lot about himself when he had a serious health scare in 2007. After battling an ankle injury which restricted him to just 10 games for the year, he missed the last four after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his lungs. He says the near-fatal scare gave him a whole new outlook on life and that it taught him not to take anything for granted.

Simmonds also said he would like to be remembered for his character and who he is. Of all the players he has played with in his three-club career (Fremantle, Essendon, and Richmond), he nominated retired Tiger Matthew Richardson as the best player he played with and said that former Bulldog ruckman Luke Darcy and Docker giant Aaron Sandilands were two of his toughest opponents.

Simmonds was originally selected by Melbourne in the 1999 Preseason Draft. He was then traded to Fremantle at the end of 2001. Fremantle traded him to Richmond at the end of 2004.

TROY SIMMONDS
DEBUT: 1999
GAMES: 39 at Melbourne, 64 at Fremantle, 94 games at Richmond
GOALS: 192 goals

Source: sen.com.au, theage.com.au, 2010 AFL Season Guide