AFL Talks about 2001 TV Coverage and CUB to Sponsor Marks and Goals

G'Day Footy Fans -

GENERAL NEWS

TV News
The AFL last week gave its first briefing regarding coverage by the consortium next year. Some key points:
Channel 10 will air a delayed telecast of 2 Victorian teams on Saturday afternoons. Plans also are for a live telecasts of a Vic team playing interstate.
Foxtel will show a Melbourne game on pay-per-view.
Nine will air delayed telecasts on Friday nights.
On Sundays, Nine will show two games - one live interstate and one delayed telecast of a Melbourne match.
Channel 10 will have the finals for the first 5 years, with Nine and Ten rotating after that time.
The Brownlow Awards will alternate between Nine and Ten.
Telstra will encompass all 16 clubs at the AFL site, including the 4 clubs - Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton, and the Bulldogs - which signed with Sportsview, though their share of the profits will be smaller.
Operations manager has had talks with the VFL and how the Saturday afternoon telecasts will affect that competition's attendance.
The AFL is hoping to have next year's schedule set by August and has already asked clubs to submit their scheduling "wish lists".

The AFL met with Channel Seven over several issues last week: the fact that several games had no goal-end cameras and broadcasts of matches in NSW and QLD. Melbourne-based Sydney and Brisbane fans missed out on the Round 1 games as they were not televised. Both the AFL and Seven were flooded with calls from angry supporters. The matches were shown in Sydney and Brisbane on late-night replays.
The fact that there was no camera footage of an incident between Collingwood's Paul Licuria and Hawthorn's Aaron Lord led to the Tribunal investigation being dropped after extensive interviews with players. Seven has now promised that full camera compliment will be at all matches.
Seven stated it would reconsider its policy of coverage in the northern states.

CUB Marks & Goals
Carlton and United Breweries will sponsor this year's Mark and Goal of the Year. A panel will select the best from each round with a grand winner for each at the end of the year. This also is causing some tension between Seven and the AFL, as Seven is running its own competition, sponsored by rival brewery Toohey's.

Whitehead Case Causes MD Concerns
Adrian Whitehead's case against Carlton and its club doctor could lead to the AFLPA and AFL setting up a code of practice which will govern AFL club doctors. The main focus would be how players are treated for injury during a match - with the use of painkillers and external assistive devices. Dr. Peter Larkins, vice-president of the Australian College of Sports Physicians (and Geelong doctor for 13 years), said that a comprehensive discussion of a player's injury and a judgment of informal consent would be almost impossible during matches, but there should be guidelines for certain situations where a player would defer to a doctor's judgment. There has never been a set policy regarding the use of painkillers during a match to allow a player to continue playing when hurt.
AFLPA boss Rob Kerr also believes a comprehensive end of year medical for all players would be useful so players could have a record of their injuries, treatments, and rehabilitation - especially when they finally retire.
A working party of medical and legal staff has already been formed to work on the new code and guidelines.

MILESTONES
100 games -- Michael Mansfield, Carlton
150 games -- Anthony Ingerson, Melbourne
50 games -- Heath Black, Fremantle
100 club games -- Todd Curley, Western Bulldogs
70th Anniversary -- Richmond's Hall of Fame Legend Jack Dyer made his debut
in Round Two of the 1931 season, going on to play 312 matches in all and
winning six club best and fairests. Due to the later start to seasons in the
early part of the century, Round Two in 1931 was actually played on May 9.
900 wins -- Sydney's next victory will be the 900th win for South
Melbourne/Sydney in VFL/AFL history.
Collingwood's Anthony Rocca would have made it game #100 this weekend but was dropped from the side for poor form.
(Thanks Rob - Lisa)

TRIBUNAL
Geelong's Steven King was cleared of a striking charge when the panel gave him the benefit of the doubt. King stated his hit on Eagle David Sierakowski was accidental when he tried to spoil the Eagle's marking attempt.
His teammates Justin Murphy and Cameron Mooney were not so lucky with Murphy outed for one game and Mooney two. Mooney also pleaded accidental contract with Eagle ruckman Michael Gardiner as he tried to smother Gardiner's hit-out. The panel ruled his action as reckless and unnecessary. The reporting umpire stated video showed Gardiner to have tapped the ball away well before Mooney made contact.
Murphy pleaded guilty to striking Ben Cousins, but said he was only trying to knock Cousins' arms away as the two grappled during a first term scuffle.

Collingwood's Chad Rintoul and Fremantle's Jason Norrish were also cleared of charging and rough play respectively. Rintoul was cleared of charging Hawk Nick Holland as he collided with both Holland and teammate Steve McKee when the pair were contesting a bounce. Holland testified there was no contact, but McKee sported a black eye and several stitches from the collision.

Jason Norrish had been charged after colliding with Carlton's Darren Hulme, forcing Hulme to be stretchered from the ground. Hulme said he did not remember the incident, but stated after seeing video footage, he probably had dropped his head. Norrish said he was only trying to bump Hulme over the line to force a throw-in.

Hawk Aaron Lord and Magpie Scott Burns accepted the automatic $1200 fine for wrestling.

Essendon's Mark Johnson was cleared of charging Roo Shannon Grant. The panel judged his hip-and-shoulder to be within the rules. Johnson stated after the hearing that players were still confused about the rule.

Port Adelaide's Brent Guerra did not have to face the panel over a clash with Brisbane's Jason Akermanis. There was no evidence to show that Guerra struck Akermanis after taking a mark.

TEAM NEWS

ST KILDA
Held a gala celebration to name its Team of The Century. The selection panel consisted of its current football director Grant Thomas, former club captain (current Richmond Coach Danny Frawley), historian Russell Holmesby, 1940s player Ken Walker, and its only premiership coach, Allan Jeans. The selectors used several criteria in finalizing the team, including service to the club with a minimum of 100 games, awards and personal recognition, and level of success the club enjoyed during the player's service. Over 1400 people attended the black-tie affair.
The winners:
Darrel Baldock was named captain, with Allan Jeans selected coach.
Three current St Kilda players - captain Robert Harvey and former captains Nathan Burke and Stewart Loewe - were named in the Team of the Century.
Backs: Barry Lawrence, Verdun Howell, Kevin Neale
Half-Backs: Trevor Barker, Neil Roberts, Daryl Griffiths
Centre: Nicky Winmar, Ian Stewart, Lance Oswald
Half-Forwards: Stewart Loewe, Darrel Baldock (c), Wilbur "Bill" Mohr
Forwards: David McNamara, Tony Lockett, Nathan Burke
Followers: Carl Ditterich, Robert Harvey, Ross Smith
Interchange: Barry Breen, Ian Morrow, Bob Murray, Jim Ross
Coach: Allan Jeans

PLAYER STATISTICS
BACKS: Barry Lawrence (1969-76, 126 games, 80 goals, VC 1973, Capt. 1974-75);
Verdun Howell (1958-68, 159 games, 55 goals, B&F 1959, VC 1963-68); Kevin Neale
1965-77, 256 games, 303 goals, 1966 premiership team, leading goalkicker 1967-69, VC 1975-77
HALF BACKS: Trevor Barker (1975-89, 231 games, 133 goals, VC 1980-82, Capt. 1983-86, B&F 1976, 1981); Neil Roberts (1952-62, 170 games, 39 goals, VC 1957-58, Capt. 1959-62, B&F 1955, 1958 Brownlow), Daryl Griffiths (1963-70, 123 games, 38 goals); Nicky Winmar (1987-1998, 2340 games, 283 goals, All-Australian 1991, B&F 1989, 1995, leading goalkicker 1988); Ian Stewart (1963-70, 129 games, 24 goals, B&F 1964, 1966); Lance Oswald (1957-63, 107 games, 102 goals, B&F 1960-61)
HALF FORWARDS: Stewart Loewe (1986 - current, 295 games, 559 goals, co-capt 1996-98, B&F 1990, All-Aust. 1990-92; Darrel Baldock (1962-68, 119 games, 236 goals, capt. 1963-68, B&F 1962-63, 1965, All-Aust. 1962, 1966, 1669), Wilbur 'Bill' Mohr (1929-41, 195 games, 736 goals, VC 1936, 1938, capt. 1937, B&F 1932, 1936, capt. 1937, B&F 1932, 1936)
FORWARDS: David McNamara (1905-23, 122 games, 187 goals, Champion of The Colony 1907, 1914); Tony Lockett (1983-94, 183 games, 898 goals, B&F 1987, 1991, 1987 Brownlow, Coleman Medal 1987 & 1991, All-Aust. 1991-92); Nathan Burke (1987-current, 293 games, 107 goals, capt. 1996-2000, B&F 1993, 1996, 1999, All-Aust. 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999)
FOLLOWERS: Carl Ditterich (1963-78, 203 games, 56 goals, VC 1969-70, Capt. 1976-1977, B&F 1968); Robert Harvey (1988-current, 237 games, 137 goals, VC 1996-2000, capt. 2001, B&F 1992, 1994, 1997-98, Brownlow 1997-98, All-Aust. 1992, 1994-98); Ross Smith (1961-75, 234 games, 231 goals, capt. 1970-72,
Coach: 1977, B&F 1967, 1971, Brownlow 1967, premiership team 1966)
INTERCHANGE: Barry Breen (1965-82, 301 games, 307 goals, VC 1978, Capt 1979); Alan Morrow (1957-66, 163 games, 150 goals, premiership 1966); Bob Murray
(1963-74, 153 games, 14 goals, B&F 1969, All-Aust. 1969, premiership 1966); Jim Ross (1946-54, 139 games, 171 goals, B&F 1949, 1951, 1952, All-Aust. 1958)
COACH: Allan Jeans (1961-76, 1966 premiership coach, premiership coach at Hawthorn 1983, 1986, 1989
Other player details: Winmar 21 games & 34 goals with Western Bulldogs; Stewart 78 games & 55 goals with Richmond; Lockett 95 games & 459 goals with Sydney;
Ditterich 82 games & 44 goals with Melbourne

Current Saint Barry Hall is the latest to be a sinner. He was arrested last week outside a night club in the wee hours after a brawl. Police said he was drunk at the time. Operations manager Brian Waldron said Hall did not appear drunk when he bailed him out. The club has ordered Hall to undergo counseling, following the policy of the new administration and Coach Malcolm Blight, for first offenders. Although Hall has been involved in past indiscretions, part of the new policy is a clean slate for everyone under the new regime.

COLLINGWOOD
Met with the league and a mediator last week and is close to an out of court settlement in its dispute with Delaware North Catering.

RICHMOND
Defender Duncan Kellaway returned to the seniors this week. Clinton King will miss 4-6 weeks with a foot injury suffered in Round 1. The injury is similar to, but as serious, as the one suffered by Matt Richardson last year.

MELBOURNE
Jeff Farmer missed again this week with a hamstring injury. Rookie Darren Jolly debuted. Jolly was named to the interchange bench for this week's match.

ADELAIDE
Evan Hewitt missed this week with an ankle injury, but Ben Hart and Rhett Biglands returned to the side, and Matthew Bode made his debut with his new team.
Darren Jarman (calf), Peter Vardy (knee), Brett Burton (collarbone), Kane Johnson (hamstring), and Andrew Eccles (knee) are all at least 2 weeks away from resuming. Adam Richardson (knee) will return to action via SANFL side West Adelaide.

GEELONG
More sponsorship trouble as one of its sponsors, a department store, has gone into liquidation. The club could lose up to $50,000. The club still managed to pay $500,000 of its $2.5 million debt.

PORT ADELAIDE
Rookie Kane Cornes could make his senior debut sooner than later if he keeps up the form he showed last week in an SANFL team. His 28-possession game included 9 kicks and 3 goals. The team's coach had nothing but praise for the 18 year old saying he showed great poise, skill, balance, and courage on the field.

Warren Tredrea has recovered from his knee injury and returned this week.

ESSENDON
Chairman Graeme McMahon has called on all supporters of footy to join in pressuring for the sale of Waverley. He said the money from the sale was badly needed not just at AFL level, but also at suburban and country levels, where clubs were struggling and collapsing.

Scott Lucas notched up his 150th goal last week in the match against the Roos, and Matthew Lloyd is now in the top 10 of Essendon's all-time goal kickers. His 4 goals this weekend shot him past 10th placed Tom Reynolds (1937-1944, 109 games, 362 goals.

Membership has surpassed 34,000. The club could break the 35,000 barrier. They had 34,556 members last season, an all-time high.

HAWTHORN
Sold over 1700 memberships last week, boosting the number to 24,200.

The will hold its Team of The Century launch tomorrow at the Hawthorn Social Club.
The official announcement will be a gala affair at the Crown Casino on April 27. Full-forward candidates Peter Hudson and Jason Dunstall will help host the launch tomorrow.

WCE
Scott Cummings missed this week. He was replaced by second year player Adam Hunter.
David Sierakowski was cleared of any major knee damage but will still miss 3 weeks. He was injured during his clash with Geelong's Steven King. Darren Glass is out for 8 weeks with a fractured ankle.
Dean Kemp also missed with a hamstring injury.

SYDNEY
Spoke to the AFL regarding precautions for the heat in Perth this weekend. The match between them and the Eagles was moved from 2:10 to 12:10 to accommodate a live broadcast in NSW. The players underwent a 3-day regimen of hydration to prepare for extreme temperatures. Ice vests and fans for the changerooms were also on order.

Michael O'Loughlin, out of contract at the end of the year, has had his contract extended through 2003 at $400,000 per year. He has reached almost cult status among the red and white faithful and has been a crowd favorite since day 1. Media manager Stephen Brassel said O'Loughlin was great for marketing. He also does a lot of community work and was a role model in both the Aboriginal and general communities.

CARLTON
Brett Backwell missed this week with a corked thigh, but Adrian Hickmott returned from a minor knee injury.

KANGAROOS
The Roos are looking at the possibility of playing some games in Tasmania next year. The club has already formed an alliance with a Tasmanian league, providing resources and players for projects in exchange for potential new members and new marketing ventures. They have two home games at the SCG this year and play PA and StK at Manuka Oval. They are also scheduled to meet Collingwood at the SCG in Round 22.

GENERAL SILLINESS
And the betting is still going strong for the first coach sacking. Fremantle's Damian Drum seems to be the current favorite with two bets of $1000 and $5000 at 5/1 being placed last week. Following close behind Drum are Adelaide's Gary Ayres at 3.50, WCE's Ken Judge at $4.50. mark Williams ($21) and mark Thompson ($34) are low on the list with the rest pulling at $51.

With the St. Kilda Team Of The Century being named, it is fitting that there be a good yarn about one the club's more colorful characters - Kevin "Cowboy" Neale. It was sometime during the 80's and Neale was enjoying a beer in the presidents' room at Glenferrie Oval (home of the Hawks) when he was confronted by a disgruntled board member:
Board Member: Hey, Cowboy, what are you doing here? You're the bloke who gave Huddo (Hawk Peter Hudson) 9 stitches in the `71 Grand Final".
Neale (takes a swig of his beer): Nah, it was 11."

On to the scores:

ESS 7.4 11.6 18.7 23.7 (145)
PA 3.1 6.4 9.6 16.11 (107)
GOALS: ESS - Lloyd 4, Hird 3, McVeigh 3, Caracella 2, Fletcher 2, Lucas, Wellman, Jacobs, Solomon, Barnes, Ramanauskas, Barnard, Alessio, M. Johnson; PA - Dew 6, Cockatoo-Collins 4, Tredrea 3, James, Carr, Francou
BEST: ESS - Hird, McVeigh, Fletcher, Wellman, Caracella, Misiti; PA - Dew, Cockatoo-Collins, Francou, Kingsley, Primus

INJURY: ESS - Rioli (hamstring); PA -Wilson (knock to head)

REPORTS: PA - Francou (striking)

UMPIRES: Goldspink, Morris, Schmitt

ATTENDANCE: 34,918 at Colonial Stadium

Port was not intimidated by Essendon and made the Bombers earn their keep.
In the opening 15 minutes of the match, Port matched the Bombers for force at the ball and put pressure on the reigning premiers in defence and attack.
Essendon does not panic. The Bombers just weathered the storm and then set about completing their demolition. Tredrea, back from his knee injury, kicked the first goal less than a minute into the match. Two more to Dew extended Port's lead to 11 points, but then the Bombers unleashed their onslaught. The Essendon defence, lead by Dustin Fletcher, stood tall and its forwards placed such pressure on the Port back line that the mistakes started to come. Essendon kicked the last six goals of the quarter and turned the deficit into a 27-point lead in little more than 10 minutes.
Former Bombers Gavin Wanganeen and Che Cockatoo-Collins were both creative in front of goal and Darryl Wakelin was holding glamor full-forward Matthew Lloyd at the other end. Michael Long worked hard in the forward line, setting up scoring chances for teammates while a less than 100% Hird was still too much for Wilson. The second quarter turned into something of a slugfest with Port hanging on to allow the Bombers to extend their lead only by 5 more points. The Power, in a bid to stop the Bombers' run-on, flooded the back line and slowed the pace of the match. It did not help because Port could not take its chances and the Bombers again cut loose with 7 goals in the 3rd term to put Port away. Lloyd was held goalless by Wakelin until the 3rd term, but then chimed in with 3 goals, the third coming just before the siren to put the Bombers 10 goals up at 3/4 time. The match was secure and the Bombers started the final quarter with three of the night's best - Hird, Fletcher and Justin Blumfield - all on the bench. When Fletcher did take the field again, it was only to give Mark Mercuri a rest. Midfielder Josh Francou and captain Matthew Primus worked hard for the Power, while defender Adam Kingsley achieved the difficult task of shutting down Essendon utility Mark Mercuri.
A quintessential piece of play by Hird pretty much summed up the night, though. His third goal just before halftime was a beaut - pressured by a Port defender, he calmly scooped up the ball, blind-turned and snapped through the middle as if he was having fun at training. Che Cockatoo-Collins also had a less than textbook kick for goal in the second term when he snapped one with his pants nearly down around his knees, courtesy of an opponent's tackle. He celebrated the score with a victory dance that would have done justice to a touchdown scorer in an American football game. The final term was little more than a practice run for Essendon as Sheedy sent some of his goalless players up forward just for the fun of it.
WB 4.0 7.2 11.6 17.9 (111)
RICH 2.4 4.7 5.9 9.15 (69)
GOALS: WB - Grant 4, Smith 3, Johnson 2, Hudson 2, Bartlett 2, West, Darcy, Brown, Romero; RICH - Richardson 2, Hilton, D. Kellaway, Ottens, Dragicevic, Fiora, Hall, Gale
BEST: WB - Smith, West, Grant, Johnson, Harrison, Croft, Cox; RICH - Hilton, Tivendale, Cameron, D. Kellaway, Richardson

INJURY: RICH - Bourke (knee) replaced in selected side by M Dragicevic, Ottens, (ankle), Daffy (strained knee), Holland (corked thigh)

UMPIRES: McLaren, Rosebury, McInerney

ATTENDANCE: 36,427 at MCG

The match started with some fireworks early when Tiger Matthew Knights came off second best in a clash with Bulldog scragger Tony Liberatore. A bloodied Knights hauled himself to his feet and had a go at Libba as more players rushed in, led by Tiger captain Wayne Campbell. Campbell also went at Libba and both, along with Knights were sent off under the blood rule. But Knights had some choice words as he left the field, hurling abuse in the direction of the Bulldog bench. The stoush didn't last long, but it seemed to unsettle the Tigers as the Dogs were able to focus better on the business at hand, and take an 8 point lead at quarter time, thanks partly to two frees against Campbell which resulted in Bulldog goals. The Bulldog midfield, led by Smith, West, and Johnson, turned in a stellar performance, running hard and giving the forwards plenty of scoring chances. The Dog defence, often dismissed for its lack of height, held firm as the Tiger quartet of Richardson, Ottens, Gale, and Holland managed just 4 goals between them for the match. The Tigers lost Nick Daffy early on with a leg injury and Ottens was gone in the 3rd term with an injury.
The Tigers trailed all day and continued to give away free kicks and coughed up costly turnovers. The 8-point lead stretched to 13 at 1/2 time. A four goal to one 3rd term gave the Dogs a comfortable buffer of 33 points at 3/4 time. 6 more in the final term buried the Tigers.

HAW 5.2 8.5 15.7 16.11 (107)
CARL 4.5 4.9 6.12 11.15 (81)
GOALS: HAW - Barker 3, Hay 2, Chick 2, Croad 2, Crawford, Picioane, Lord, Bowyer, Clarke, Lekkas, Rehn; CARL - Hickmott 2, Camporeale 2, Fevola 2, Beaumont 2, Silvagni, Lappin, Allan
BEST: HAW - Hay, Chick, Croad, Thompson, Harford, McPharlin; CARL - Koutoufides, Hickmott, Ratten

INJURY: HAW - Holland (thigh), Harford (concussion), Woods (hamstring), Chick (ankle); CARL - Hickmott (cut eye)

UMPIRES: Mitchell, Howlett, Coates

ATTENDANCE: 27,597 at Optus Oval

The Hawks overcame a slow start as the Blues kicked the 4 of the first five goals to take control of the match in the second and third quarters where they kicked ten goals to the Blues’ two. The Blues' defence seemed to unravel after Silvagni collided with a point post late in the first term and an early three goal lead turned into a 3 point deficit at 1/4 time. Strong running and defence from Hawthorn stymied the Blues as they failed to register a goal in the 2nd term while Hawthorn booted three for a 20-point lead at time. The midfield of Chick, Harford, and Crawford combined with the ruck work of Rehn continually pumped the ball to strong forwards Hay, Croad and Barker. Ratten was cut out of the action by Woods, Chick was a major headache for Camporeale and other Blue midfielder in his way, Tallis and Crawford kept Bradley quiet. With the midfield shut down and Rawlings sticking close to Whitnall, the Carlton could do little up forward. As quickly as the Blues managed to scoop the ball out of defence, Hawthorn just as quickly sent it flying back to their forward line. The Hawks set up the win with a 7 goal 3rd term blitz. Silvagni came back on and alternated between defence and attack. Hay and Koutoufides battled each other, but it was Hay who had the advantage over an underdone Kouta. Carlton managed to outscore the Hawks 5 goals to 1 in the final term, but it only made the final margin less embarrassing for the boys in blue.

BRIS 3.8 7.13 13.14 17.16 (118)
KANG 2.3 6.6 7.8 8.10 (58)
GOALS: BRIS - Keating 3, Leppitsch 3, Cupido 2, Michael 2, Ashcroft, Black, Notting, Picken, Robbins, Scott, Voss; KANG - Rocca 5, Clayton 2, McCartney
BEST: BRIS - Keating, Brown, Ashcroft, Hart, Michael, Voss; KANG - Stevens, Harris, Pickett, Rocca

INJURY: BRIS - Leppitsch (shoulder)

UMPIRES: Ellis, Sheehan, Nash

ATTENDANCE: 2970 at the Gabba

Lion Coach Leigh Matthews last week bemoaned the poor performance of his forward line, but his fears may have been for naught this round. With Carey absent, Lions coach Leigh Matthews sprung a surprise at the start of the game switching Mal Michael from fullback to full forward, Alastair Lynch from full forward to the backline on Roos big man Corey McKernan. While the score should have been better than an 11 point lead at 1/4 time, but for poor kicking. The waywardness continued in the second term with the Lions only notching a 13 point lead by 1/2 time. Centre halfback Justin Leppitsch had the job of minding Sav Rocca. While Lynch did some good things early on and Michael kicked two goals, the Lions' inaccuracy in front of goal and Rocca's four first half goals kept the Roos in the game. But then the floodgates opened as the Lions rammed home 6 goals to 1 in the third term to hold a 42 point lead at 3/4 time. Late in the second quarter Matthews switched Michael on to Rocca, restricting him to one more goal while Leppitsch at full forward booted three in the third quarter. Four goals to one in the final term was just the icing on the cake. Brown, with 22 possessions and 10 marks for the game, and Keating (nine marks, 15 hit outs and three goals) were stand outs while captain Michael Voss, defender Chris Scott and midfielders Simon Black and Marcus Ashcroft contributed well. Kangaroo rover Daniel Harris tried along with Rocca but the Roos' big names McKernan and prized Geelong recruit Leigh Colbert had woeful games. The injured/suspended trio of Carey, Martyn, and Harvey should all return to the side next week. And not a moment too soon for the Roos.

SYD 4.2 12.8 14.9 15.14 (104)
WCE 3.1 5.3 10.8 13.11 (89)
GOALS: SYD - Ahmat 3, Goodes, 3, Ball 2, O'Loughlin 2, Cresswell, Kirk, Schauble, Stafford, Williams; WCE - Taylor 3, Wilson 2, Braun, Fletcher, Gardiner, Kerr, McIntosh, Merenda, Prior, Wirrpunda
BEST: SYD - Saddington, Goodes, Maxfield, Williams, Schauble, Ball; WCE - Cousins, Gardiner, Fletcher, Kerr, Collica, Taylor

INJURY: WCE - Jakovich (shoulder), Morrison (hamstring)

UMPIRES: Kennedy, Vozzo, Humphrey-Smith

ATTENDANCE: 32673

This was very much a game of two halves as Sydney was in blistering form for the first two terms with 12 goals to five to lead by 47 points at half time. But then it was Sydney's turn to fade as the Eagles fought back to kick five goals to 2 in the 3rd term to cut the deficit to a more manageable 25 points at 3/4 time. But the Eagles failed to capitalize, missing 3 or 4 easy scoring shots in the final term, including Wirrpunda kick which went out on full. Prior to the match, Sydney coach Rodney Eade had refused to concede his side had an advantage down the spine, saying the match would be won in the midfield. During the Eagle rally, Fletcher roamed at will picking up 11 possessions and quelling the dangerous Schwass. Eagles captain Ben Cousins also ran riot, picking up 10 kicks for the quarter and leading by example. Stafford went back into the ruck and Cresswell onto the ball. Schwass got back in the game with 10 possessions as Crouch held Cousins in check. O'Loughlin was a great target up forward along with Ball (10 marks) and Goodes, while Williams starred in the center with 18 touches and nine tackles. The Eagles were a slightly battered and bruised side with Jakovich, Braun, Munro, Merenda, and Morrison all coming off injured. Merenda, despite the injury, returned to the fray in the final term. Jakovich has been cleared of serious injury and should be able to play next week, as should Morrison.

GEEL 2.4 4.6 12.10 17.13 (115)
StK 6.1 8.4 9.8 13.8 (86)
GOALS: GEEL - Burns 5, Mensch 3, J. Mooney 2, White 2, Houlihan, Kilpatrick, Milburn, Riccardi, Snell; StK - Hamill 3, Harvey 3, Callaghan 2, Everitt 2, Beetham, Loewe, Moyle
BEST: GEEL - King, Burns, Scarlett, Milburn, Mensch, Spriggs, J. Mooney, White; StK - Harvey, Loewe, Moyle, Callaghan

UMPIRES: Allen, Dore, Wenn

ATTENDANCE: 33687

The magic of Ronnie Burns inspired Geelong's thrilling second half comeback win over St Kilda. The Saints, as usual, opened well with six goals to two for a 1/4 time lead of 21 points. An even second term raised the 1/2 time margin by a solitary point. But then the Saints seemed to fall back into old bad habits as the brilliance of Burns swung the game the Cats way when he booted two goals and set up another in his team's third term onslaught of eight goals to one, turning the 22 point half-time deficit into a 20 point three quarter time lead. Mooney and White also were strong up forward for the Cats. Burns first goal of the 3rd term came in the first minute, an amazing goal off the outside off his right boot. A minute later he outmarked Loewe to set up White for another goal. Geelong was also well-served by ruckman Steven King, who stopped numerous Saints' forward thrusts while inexperienced defender Matthew Scarlett played the game of his life on dangerman Peter Everitt, restricting him to only two goals.

COL 3.3 7.7 12.11 15.15 (105)
FRE 3.3 5.5 8.9 13.10 (88)
GOALS: COL - Fraser 4, Holland 3, Rintoul 2, Buckley, Dimattina, Freeborn, Molloy, Steinfort, Tarrant; FRE - Pavlich 5, Modra 3, Bell, Carr, Cook, Haselby, J. Longmuir
BEST: COL - Buckley, Fraser, Tarrant, O'Bree, Licuria, Richardson; FRE - Bootsma, Bell, J. Longmuir, Pavlich, Jones

INJURY: COL - urns (back related hamstring) A Ukovic (hamstring).

UMPIRES: McBurney, Hanley, Harvey

ATTENDANCE: 26,067 at Colonial

The brilliance of captain Nathan Buckley and better big men proved the difference. Buckley picked up 32 kicks and 14 handballs in the middle, easily dismissing minders Shane Parker, later moved onto Fraser, and then Matthew Carr. Finally Bootsma had a spell on Buckley, but to no avail. The match started with an even first quarter, former Eagle Chad Rintoul opened the scoring with a goal from just inside the 50-metre line. It was during a sloppy second quarter that the Magpies put their noses in front when Fraser kicked a goal within the opening minute.
Buckley's first goal of the match, 14 minutes into the last quarter, gave his side a decisive 23-point lead. The Magpies should have been at least five goals up at half-time, but wasted several chances on the way to a 14-point lead. When Matthew Pavlich kicked the first goal of the third term, Fremantle was within eight points, but three goals to the Magpies gave them another buffer. Buckley was ably assisted in the middle by McKee, whose tireless efforts in the ruck allowed Josh Fraser to remain forward with Tarrant, who took 7 marks in the 3rd term, running Leigh Brown ragged. Fremantle remarkably trailed by only 16 points 10 minutes into the final term after a goal from Paul Hasleby, but Buckley's major killed off the challenge. Buckley's 41st possession set up Dimattina for a goal and a Magpie lead of 29 points late in the final term.

MELB 3.3 9.6 11.10 12.11 (83)
ADE 2.3 3.7 7.11 11.14 (80)
GOALS: MELB - Robertson 3, Schwarz 2, Bruce 2, Leoncelli 2, Neitz, Yze, Beams; ADE - Welsh 4, Robran, Stenglein, Bode, McLeod, Ladhams, Edwards, Goodwin
BEST: MELB - Leoncelli, Robertson, Yze, Schwarz, A. McDonald, White; ADE -Welsh, Bickley, Ladhams, Shirley, Edwards, Goodwin

UMPIRES: McKenzie, Rowe, James

ATTENDANCE: 35,653 at Football Park

Melbourne outclassed Adelaide in the first half but had to resist a spirited fightback by the Crows in wet, slippery conditions at Football Park. The Demons had the better of the first quarter for a one goal lead. But a 6 goal to 1 2nd term gave the Dees a 35-point half-time lead. But then Crows fought back to outscore the Demons 4.4 to 2.4 in the third term to trail by just 23 points at 3/4 time. The Crows came out firing in the final term 4.3 to 0.1 through most of the final term. A goal to Simon Goodwin with 30 seconds on the clock almost assured Adelaide of a win, but in stepped Leoncelli to pounce on a Schwarz boundary tap-in and goal on the run from 40 meters with 3 seconds left to seal the Demon victory. Peter Walsh repeatedly rebounded strongly from defence, Jeff White rucked well and worked hard in field play, and Russell Robertson and David Schwarz provided marking targets up forward. Adelaide's powerful third quarter was partly inspired by Andrew McLeod, who had been kept on a tight rein by Daniel Ward for most of the first half. Four of the Crows' other chief playmakers - Goodwin, Mark Bickley, Tyson Edwards and Ben Hart (who started on the bench) - also climbed into the game more. Matthew Clarke's ruck work also was important in Adelaide's comeback. His departure from the game for much of the second quarter coincided with a five-goal surge by Melbourne.

 

STANDINGS
	W	L	For	Agst	Perc
ESS	2	0	291	168	173.21	8
GEEL	2	0	230	135	170.37	8
SYD	2	0	230	163	141.10	8
HAW	2	0	192	162	118.52	8
BRIS	1	1	211	157	134.39	4
WB	1	1	218	181	120.44	4
COL	1	1	186	173	107.51	4
RICH	1	1	203	214	94.86	4
StK	1	1	198	222	89.19	4
CARL	1	1	200	225	88.89	4
MELB	1	1	186	214	86.92	4
PA	1	1	206	238	86.55	4
FRE	0	2	206	224	91.96	0
ADE	2	0	154	209	73.68	0
WCE	0	2	138	219	63.01	0
KANG	0	2	119	264	45.08	0

GOALS
Grant	(WB)	8
Lloyd	(ESS)	8
Modra	(FRE)	8
Che C-C	(PA)	7
Dew	(PA)	7
Pavlich	(FRE)	7
Richardson	(RICH)	7
Fraser	(COL)	6
Schwarz	(MELB)	6
Welsh	(ADE)	6
Barnard	(ESS)	5
Everitt	(STK)	5
Johnson	(WB)	5
Cresswell	(SYD)	4
Cupido	(BRIS)	4

Brisbane's Damian Cupido is the Round 1 Ansett Rising Star nominee. He kicked 4.2 and had 13 disposals in the loss to Port Adelaide.

And that's it for this week.

GO BLUES!!

Lisa