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Players Push on CBA

 

The AFLPA met with a number of players' agents last week to discuss issues for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement which is currently being negotiated between the Association and the AFL. One issue on the agenda is a form of limited free agency.   At the time it was signed, the current CBA was hailed as bringing substantial improvement to player wages and benefits, but now is considered to be weak and Gale said players will fight harder this time for what they want and not accept what the AFL believes to be appropriate.

One item which the AFLPA will discuss - again - is a limited form of free agency which would allow players the freedom to change clubs after 8 years at one club.   As for pay increases, the AFLPA could push for a 26% raise over 5 years starting with 11%, then 5% and 4% the following two years, and then 3% in the 2 remaining years. The meeting did not adopt a resolution on player payments, but merely discussed a negotiation position.  Another issue raised was the re-introduction of a midseason draft (started in 1990, scrapped after 1993) to allow clubs more flexibility to cover injuries and strengthen their lists. A provision for clubs to take one mature-age rookie in their quota of six rookie players each year looks likely to be endorsed by the AFL.

 

Negotiations between the league and the AFLPA have stalled with the player association rejecting two and five year offers from the AFL. The negotiations have been complicated by the clubs' demand that they receive $2 million each, per season, for the next five years. The bulk of the clubs believe they are entitled to a far greater share of the $780 million the league secured in the new television rights deal. These complications have forced the deadline to be pushed back from June 30 to the end of July.

 

Bomber CEO Peter Jackson warned against players pushing for too much of a pay raise, saying that the combination of high player salaries and the success of the Socceroos in the World Cup could have a long term impact which would see soccer overtake footy in popularity.
He said it was vital to ensure that the new $750 million TV rights deal was not used to finance massive salary increases and individual club interests, and instead invest "...in the future and grassroots participation."
  

On the other side of the fence, Brisbane's Jonathan Brown said he did not think the player demands were unrealistic and that he would support a preseason player strike if it came down to it. Brown, interviewed on footy radio station SEN, said that player raises over the past 5-5 years had not increased much compared to the revenues of the AFL.
Brown believes that the new rules make the game harder on players, curtailing their longevity in the game and that they deserved "a reasonable cut". 

 

Story Source: Melbourne Age & Herald Sun

 

GENERAL NEWS

 

Midseason Report

The AFL released details of its midseason review last week and the results are excellent, despite the unavailability of the MCG early in the season and some clubs still struggling onfield and off.

Membership has hit an all time high with almost 517,000 fans buying memberships - which, according to Andrew Demetriou, represents 1 in every 39 Australians. It also represents a 1.95% increase and beating the 506,509 recorded memberships in 2005.

Demetriou said at the half-way mark of the AFL season, indicators showed that participation and Auskick registrations were also heading for record levels and praised fans for their ongoing support and passion for the game, especially in light of the Commonwealth Games and Soccer World Cup.

 

Other features of the mid-year review are:

 

Adelaide has become the first AFL club to crack the 50,000 member mark, joining West Coast, Geelong, Sydney, and the Bulldogs in setting membership records.

Participation in football (measured by involvement for at least 6 weeks) is up and is expected to grow by 5% in 2006 to a total of 566,755 participants in 2006 after a similar rise in 2005.

Auskick registrations are on the rise in all states and territories with a forecast increase of at least 6% in 2006 to a total of 147,244.

Attendances to the end of round 12 are the second best year on record, with 3,419,145 spectators. This is the second-best attendance total to this point of a season in the game's history, behind only the tally of 3,495,008 to Round 12, 2005. 

 

Cumulative average national television audience for each round of eight matches is 4.15 million metro viewers and 1.25 million regional viewers.

Collingwood has experienced a 40% attendance increase in 2006 and has the highest average attendance of the 16 clubs. 
The attendance at Telstra Stadium for the Sydney/Collingwood game was that ground's second best ever. 

 

While the game is again experiencing record levels of support and popularity, Demetriou acknowledged the new and real challenge of soccer and admitted some advertising and sponsorship money would be lost to its rival.

He said that the challenges from other football codes - soccer and rugby - will keep everyone at league and club level about how to sustain that momentum.

 

Demetriou revealed that the league has bought a new computer program from the NFL which will help scheduling for next year. The draw, which is normally completed by August, can now be tweaked well into October, after the finals and Grand Finals. This will allow the league to alter the schedule to set up more compelling games.  

Demetriou confirmed there would be more 5pm games on Sundays but was tepid on the idea of Monday night football after one raging success and one relative flop.

Radio station SEN is almost certain to broadcast football next year, although all broadcasters, except the ABC, will pay a significantly higher price than previously. 

 

On the downside, 6 of the 10 Victorian clubs suffered a drop in membership, most only marginal dips, but Carlton suffered an alarming 15% drop. 

 

Collingwood underpins much of the AFL's successful season - topping the membership of Victorian clubs, having the highest attendances at matches and the most visited website. 

The Magpies' average crowd is fractionally shy of 60,000 a game, almost 20,000 more than its nearest rival Adelaide (played to full houses at the smaller capacity AAMI Stadium).


LEAGUE TRENDS
Total AFL crowds to round 12 at 3,419,145, second-highest behind last year.

 

The top five crowds this season all feature Collingwood — the best is the Anzac Day game with Essendon (91,234).

 

Average weekly television viewers slightly down on last year's record.

 

The AFL website has increased 36 per cent in unique browsers from last year.

 

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

 

U18 Results

 

VIC Metro  4.4   9.6   13.10   17.13 (115)
SA         3.1   4.2     7.5   8.8 (56)
QLD	23.14 (152)
NSW/ACT    5.6 (36) 
NT    14.11 (95)
TAS     9.5 (59) 

Jumpin' Jack Hawkins was a high flying CHB for Geelong 1973-81. According to the Encyclopedia of League Footballers, he wasn't the most reliable kick going around. Not so his son Tom, a 196 cm full forward who starred for Vic Metro with 19 disposals, 6 goals, and a dozen marks. He is already being compared to a young Tony Lockett and with a Jonathan Brown like physique. He is powerful, has strong hands, quick off the mark, agile, and has a menacing presence in attack.  

And the Cats, who have been bereft of such a forward option  - with perhaps the exception of Cameron Mooney - since the retirement of Gary Ablett, Sr., have first claim on young Hawkins under the father/son rule.

Retired Kangaroo Jason McCartney, now an assistant coach at the Australian Institute of Sport where he has worked with Hawkins, had a one-word summary: "Star".

Although Hawkins comes from NSW, he was allowed to play for Vic Metro as he is attending Melbourne Grammar boarding school.

He will be the 4th player in recent times the Cats have been able to claim under the father/son rule as they gained Matthew Scarlett and the Ablett brothers under the rule.

 

South Australia also had its share of young stars. Bryce Gibbs and James Sellar, both touted as top draft picks come November, were impressive. Gibbs was brilliant with 34 possessions, including 18 kicks and 16 handballs. He took seven marks and had nine clearances as well. Sellar had an outstanding second half with 22 disposals. 

Vic Country 	13.8 (86)
SA                8.7 (55) 

Bryce Gibbs was again one of the best performers for SA. 

Vic Metro 12.16 (88)
WA         9.18 (72) 

Tom Hawkins was BOG for Vic Metro with 3 goals and 9 marks.

SA    9.11 (65)
WA     4.9 (33)
Vic Metro      4.10 (34)
Vic Country    2.9 (21) 

Victoria Metro won the Division One title, remaining undefeated during the Championships.

  

The Larke Medal for the Division One best and fairest was awarded to Tom Hawkins from Sandringham/Melbourne Grammar/Finley.

 

 Bryce Gibbs was again one of the best on ground for South Australia and was named as one of the overall MVPs for the  tournament.

NT          14.22 (106)
NSW/ACT     15.8 (98) 
QLD    12.16 (88)
TAS     7.7 (49) 

Jack Riewoldt kicked 2 goals for Tasmania and one of the best on ground.

 

Queensland won the Division Two title remaining undefeated during the Championships. Queensland last won Division Two in 1999.

 

Sources: Melbourne Age & afl.com.au, Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release

 

ALFPA Restrictions On Kids
The AFLPA and its accredited agents have agreed to a new rule which prohibits agents from offering a junior player a contract until he turns 17 and is eligible for the next draft.

The AFLPA has also introduced a standardized contract which agents can use. 

Agents are still allowed to contact potential draftees to build relationships and allow the players to get to know them and be better equipped to choose an agent to their liking. However, agents contacting those players must still abide by the existing regulations which stipulate that the agents must contact the junior players through their clubs and also write to their parents. Agents are prohibited from speaking with the players during the U18 tournament and during school exams. They are also prohibited from presenting gifts to the players which could be viewed as enticements. One agent was sanctioned last year after presenting an autographed cricket bat to a young player. The agent, who apologized for his gaff, was exonerated after explaining that there had been no ulterior motive.

The AFLPA believes their standardized contract will ease parents' concerns and alleviate their need to seek legal advice. The contract contains the AFLPA logo.  

 

Source: Melbourne Age

 

Website Concern

The AFLPA demanded the removal of photos of footballers from a gay website and threatened legal action if they remained. The photos, posted from other sources, showed players in various states of undress, in changerooms, and in showers.

The site was started 4 years ago and included a tipping competition and a best looking and fairest competition.

The site administrator has reluctantly removed the photo gallery, but visitors to the site are not happy, saying the issue revolved around homophobia. However, an AFLPA lawyer said it was not about players being concerned about association with a gay website but a matter of privacy and the AFLPA felt some of the photos - such as one of Shannon Grant from the waist up in a shower and holding a premiership cup - could be construed as defamatory.

 

Source: Melbourne Age

 

TRIBUNAL
Charges Laid:    


Daniel Harris (KANG), striking Carlton's Eddie Betts: negligent conduct (1), low impact (1), in play (0) and high contact (2)., equaling 4 points, a Level One offense, 75 demerits. and a reprimand. Harris accepted the penalty, reducing it 25% to 42.19 demerits and a reprimand, with the demerits held over toward his future record.  

 

Josh Gibson (KANG), striking Carlton's Simon Wiggins: intentional conduct (3), low impact (1), in play (0), and body contact (1), equaling 5 points, a Level 2 offense, 125 demerits, and a 1 game suspension. He has no existing good or bad record and accepted an early plea, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.  

 

Story Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

 

MILESTONES  
250 games: Peter Everitt (HAW) & Shannon Grant (KANG)
50 games: Charlie Gardiner & David Johnson (GEEL), Nathan Lovett-Murray (ESS), David Hale (KANG), Jared Rivers, Melbourne (MELB), Mark McGough (StK)
50 club games: David Teague (CARL), Josh Mahoney (PA) 

 

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

 

TEAM NEWS

 

HAWTHORN
Xavier Ellis, the #3 draft pick who has been sidelined with a foot injury, finally got his chance and starred for Box Hill last weekend. Playing off the bench, Ellis had 18 touches and showed no signs of the injury which has plagued him since preseason.

 

Injury Update:

Danny Jacobs, hamstring, season

Michael Osborne, foot, season

 

Sources: Melbourne Age & Kristi High, Club Media Release       

 

RICHMOND

The club announced last week that Australian Finance Group (AFG) will again be a co-sponsor for 2007. AFG, Australia’s largest mortgage brokering group and one of the world’s top three mortgage networks, established its partnership with the Tigers in 2005.

 

Box Hill played against the Coburg Tigers last week. While Xavier Ellis looked the good for the Hawks, Tiger Jay Schulz did his chances of a recall no harm with an impressive display up forward with strong leading and marking, and booting six goals, several of them from long range.

 

Injury Update:
Will Thursfield & Mark Coughlan, knee, season 

 

Membership: 29,302 as of 6/25.

 

Sources: Melbourne Age & Glynis Smalley, Club Media Release

  

PORT ADELAIDE

Injury Update:
Josh Francou, knee , on-going assessment

 

Source: Daniel Bryant, Club Media Release

 

ADELAIDE

CEO Steven Trigg has been awarded the 3rd annual Graeme Samuel Scholarship, named for the long-serving AFL Commissioner. The $20,000 award allows the recipient to undertake post-graduate studies from an educational facility endorsed by the AFL.

Andrew Demetriou said Mr Trigg was chosen from a field of outstanding applicants from around Australia, based on the following selection criteria: the recipient to be specifically working in the business and administration discipline of football; has at least five years work experience generally, including at least two in the Australian Football industry; has an ambition to work long term in the football industry; has demonstrated the capacity to be progressive with his/her current vocation and be able to demonstrate examples of initiative and innovation.

Trigg played SANFL football with North Adelaide and Central Districts and captained Central. He had a career in management and also worked as a media presenter before being appointed Adelaide's Membership and Communication Manager. He was appointed club CEO in 2001. 

Demetriou had this to say about Trigg, "Steven is an extremely deserving winner of this scholarship, with an outstanding track record with the Crows, and this awards aims to assist him further his career development in the business and administration of football."

Previous winners of the Graeme Samuel scholarship are Trevor Nisbett (West Coast, 2004) and Geoff Walsh (Kangaroos, 2005).

 

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

 

The SANFL has committed $5.5 million for the redevelopment and upgrade of AAMI Stadium, home to the Crows and Port Adelaide Power. The plans have been endorsed by the SA state government.

 

Innovative training methods have been reported previously, but Coach Neil Craig has come up with yet one more idea to increase the team's efficiency - a frightening thought for the opposition teams - except perhaps the Eagles.

Now some of the players have been outfitted with sophisticated skull caps which had speakers in the ears and looked similar to boxing training gear, allowing Coach Craig to issue instructions from the other end of the ground.

The caps, which have yet to be named or priced, were invented by a NSW company and were trialed at Adelaide for the first time last week. Ken McGregor, Trent Hentschel, Jason Porplyzia and Hayden Skipworth were the proverbial guinea pigs and, according to winger Brett Burton who returns from a hamstring injury this week, they looked like "dills" wearing the caps. 

Burton said the caps enhanced communication on the large AAMI Stadium ground and said they worked better than the mobile phones used by the coaching staff several weeks ago.

 

Injury Update:

Chris Knights, quad, 1 week

Richard Douglas & Ian Perrie, knee, 3 weeks

Nathan Bock & Darren Pfeiffer, back, 2 weeks

Ben Hart, broken arm, 3 weeks

Nathan Van Berlo, broken collarbone, 6 weeks

Ben Hudson, knee rehab, 6 weeks

 

Source: Melbourne Age & David Brakenshaw, Club Media Release;  Desiree Szlazak, SANFL Media Release 

 

SYDNEY

The club has recorded 32,000 members for the first time in its history, just days before the June 30 cut-off date. 

 

Jared Crouch has played 194 consecutive games from his debut against Collingwood in Round 7, 1998. That in itself is a league record and he had every chance of breaking Jim Stynes' consecutive games record of 244.

However, his streak has come to an end as he was a late withdrawal this week due to a shoulder injury, leaving Demon Adem Yze the most likely player to break Stynes' record. Yze has played 214 consecutive games while Swan Adam Goodes has 156 consecutive games next to his name.

 
Injury Update: 
Nick Malceski, hamstring, 1 week
Andrew Ericksen, shoulder, 2 weeks

 

Source: afl.com.au & Stephen Brassel, Club Media Release

 

MELBOURNE

Injury Update:
Clint Bizzell, leg, 1-2 weeks

 

Source: Leigh Newton, Club Media Release

 

KANGAROOS

Injury Update:

Tim Hutchison, groin, indefinite

 

Membership: 23,280 as of June 23
 
Source: Matt Harrington, Club Media Release

 

ESSENDON

 

The club last week made some drastic changes to its football department, after identifying the areas of player development, recruiting, and sports science/technology as areas which needed major reforms. The changes are:

 

Recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro, whose talent-spotting abilities are well regarded at the club, will be removed of his welfare duties, with the club hiring a new welfare manager, allowing Dodoro to concentrate fully on recruiting in what looms as the most critical draft and post-season period in the club's recent history. Dodoro has also relinquished his match-day duty of sitting on the bench to help the coaching panel.

Dodoro will also play a key role in pursuing uncontracted players from other clubs, with Sheedy hopeful of securing a young uncontracted player via the preseason draft.

 

Essendon will also appoint one of its coaches to the position of development coach and is considering handing Bendigo Bomber coach Matthew Knights the job.  

Knights has impressed with his work with younger players, and would continue to coach Bendigo if he did acquire the development role.

 

The Bombers are also reviewing ways in which they can gain an edge in sports science and other technology-based areas.

 

James Hird (hamstring) and Dustin Fletcher (groin) returned this week.


Injury Update:
Jason Laycock, knee, 6-8 weeks
Dean Rioli, knee, 7 weeks
Jason Winderlich, fractured fibula, 7 weeks
Lachlan McKinnon & Aaron Henneman, shoulder reconstruction, season
Matthew Lloyd, hamstring, season

Adam Ramanauskas, cancer treatment, indefinite 

 

Membership: 36,038 as of 6/26

 

Source: Melbourne Age & Emma Robinson, Club Media Release

 

CARLTON

Several weeks ago, the club submitted a request for financial assistance to the AFL. Last week, the AFL has granted that request and the club will receive more than $1 million.

Carlton also asked the league to rethink the new rule regarding priority picks - which now stipulates that a team cannot win more than 4 games in each of 2 consecutive seasons. The AFL refused that request and Carlton's draw with Port Adelaide last year has made them ineligible for any priority selections.

 

Carlton's decline in membership this season is significant among the various factors that have forced it to seek an AFL lifeline. The Blues posted a record membership of 33,534 in 2005 after winning the pre-season competition (then the Wizard Cup) - and a more competitive 2004 - but the membership, unsurprisingly, has fallen by about 5000 this year in the wake of its second wooden spoon. The Blues had budgeted for 30,000-31,000 members this year.

 

Injury Update:

Paul Bower, knee, 2 weeks

Brad Fisher, shoulder, 3-4 weeks

Jarrad Waite, knee, 3-4 weeks

Anthony Koutoufides, broken hand, 4 weeks

Troy Longmuir, shoulder, 6-8 weeks

Justin Davies, back, indefinite

Jason Saddington, knee, ongoing assessment

 

Source: Melbourne Age & Stephen Wilson, Club Media Release

 

COLLINGWOOD 

Harry O'Brien has been elevated from the rookie list to the senior list as a replacement for Blake Caracella, who has been placed on the long term injury list. 


Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

 

BRISBANE

Injury Update:
Mitch Clark, OP, indefinite
Chris Johnson, OP surgery, 6-8 weeks
Ash McGrath, hamstring tear, 7 weeks
Richard Hadley, Anthony Corrie, Joel McDonald, Pat Garner, ACL rupture, knee reco, season
Jonathan Brown, stress fractures in lower back, 4 weeks

Chris Scott, hip,  long term injury list, indefinite
Beau McDonald, hamstring, 4-6 weeks
Nigel Lappin, ankle, 4-5 weeks 


10 Years Ago 
The Lions played Carlton just once in 1997, at Optus Oval in Round 11, after wins over Geelong and Sydney. 
The encouraging signs from the previous weeks quickly disappeared though, as Richard Champion, Andrew Bews and Chris Scott joined a rapidly growing injury list. The Blues raced to a four-goal lead at the first break and the Lions were unable to get any closer than 19 points thereafter.
The final margin was a frustrating 21 points, with coach John Northey admitting afterwards that the team was always close enough to have a chance of snatching victory, but never looked like achieving that.
Craig Bradley was everywhere to gather 39 possessions for Carlton and Luke O’Sullivan had 28, while Danny Dickfos was resolute in defence and Matthew Clarke in the ruck for the Lions.  

 

Source: Julie Rackstraw, Club Media Release

 

WEST COAST

John Worsfold has signed a new two year performance based contract, but offers made to Ashley Hansen, Matt Rosa, Adam Selwood, and Brent Staker due to the demands being made by their Melbourne based agents, whom club CEO Trevor Nisbett labeled as greedy and more interested in dollar figures than long-term tenure and security for their clients. .

Hansen's negotiations have been deferred to the end of the season, while 3 year deals for the others have been cut back to 2 years. Those could be completed by next week.

All were asking for hefty pay raises, but the club is already under salary cap pressure because of the team depth and could face the prospect of losing out of contract players at the end of the year, especially to struggling clubs such as Essendon who would seriously look at going after them.

 

Ruckman Michael Gardiner finally earned a recall to the senior side after a long banishment to the WAFL. Gardiner was dropped from the seniors early in the year for disciplinary reasons, but recently assured Coach John Worsfold that he is committed to the team and will abide by club rules. He has also regained the form which saw him become one of the most dominant ruckmen in the competition several years ago.  

Chris Judd returned this week from injury but the Eagles lost Beau Waters to a hip injury and Matt Rosa remained sidelined with concussion.

 

Injury Update: 

Brad Smith, knee, season

Damien Adkins, broken leg, season

Matthew Spangher, groin, 2 weeks

 

Source: Perth Now, afl.com.au & Gary Stocks, Club Media Release

 

ST KILDA

Injury Update:

Jason Blake, left hamstring, 1 week

Aaron Hamill, right PCL sprain, 2 weeks

Robert Harvey, hamstring, 1 week

Lenny Hayes, knee reconstruction, season

Justin Koschitzke, skull fracture, indefinite

Andrew Thompson, fractured vertebra in back, 1 week

Fergus Watts, fractured ankle, indefinite

 

Membership: 32,312 as of 6/27

 

Source: Georgie Fidge, Club Media Release

 

GEELONG

Gary Ablett, Sr was back in the news and in court again last week. This time, he was the plaintiff after being attacked in a car lot. Ablett, who had just been released from the hospital but was still outfitted with a catheter to combat a bone infection stemming from his recent accident, testified that he was looking at cars when confronted by Vyasa Dev Ofthesea, 31, who claimed that Ablett's daughter Natasha, who has known the defendant for 15 years, had stolen $200 from his brother's girlfriend. He demanded the money from Ablett.

Ofthesea repeatedly hit Ablett with a belt buckle, punched him, and was verbally abusive. Ablett managed to fend him off and flagged down a passerby to call police.

Ofthesea, who claims to be a black belt in karate, was charged with attempted robbery, assault with intent to rob, intentionally causing injury and unlawful assault with a weapon.

Ablett, who had the catheter ripped from his chest, was treated for minor cuts at a local hospital.
Ofthesea, who has a history of drug use and violence, was denied bail after a magistrate said he feared Mr Ofthesea was a public danger. Det-Sgt Robert Sodomaco of Geelong CIU said he feared Mr Ofthesea would re-offend if released on bail. There was evidence that he had smoked marijuana and had been drinking before the fight.

Natasha Ablett, 23, was convicted last month of attempted robbery, assault by kicking and recklessly causing injury over an attack on a shop assistant. She was released on an 18-month community-based order and fined $1500.

Geelong president Frank Costa said the alleged attacker was lucky Ablett was unwell and that if Ablett hadn't been ill, he would have "....picked him up and thrown him over the roof of the car yard..." 

Club president Frank Costa said the club would like to help Ablett in any way possible and has invited him down to the club to have a chat.

 

Tom Harley (foot) and Jarad Rooke (shoulder) returned this week, while Charlie Gardner and Peter Riccardi lined up in the VFL. 

 

Source: Perth Now & Melbourne Age

 

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The official cut off date for recorded memberships was Friday June, 30 and with just a few minutes to spare, the Bulldogs recorded a new record of 26,002 members. The Dogs needed just 140 more supporters to sign on at the start of business on Friday. Member #26,000 was recorded at 4:58 PM.

The club had budgeted for 26,000 and the figures better the 2005 tally of 21,924 which was overtaken in April of this year. The official membership number of 26,002 does not include over 4,000 Victoria University members who have joined the Bulldogs through a number of membership packages via the Student Affiliation program with the university.

The cut off, designated by the league, does not prohibit fans from buying memberships for the remainder of the year.

CEO Campbell Rose said it was a significant achievement for the Club and praised all supporters who signed on as members in 2006. 

 

Daniel Giansiracusa (hamstring) returned after 3 weeks out.

 

Source: Shaun Anderson, Club Media Release

 

FREMANTLE

Debuted Marcus Drum this week with Drum named to the interchange. Out of the side are  

Robert Haddrill (knee), Luke McPharlin (ankle), Aaron Sandilands (leg) and Paul Duffield (ankle). 

 

Peter Bell (calf), Justin Longmuir (bruised knee) and Graham Polak (groin strain) all returned this week.  

 

Source: Fremantle website

 

GENERAL SILLINESS

 

A very corny and juvenile riddle:

 

Q: Which Eagle is most feared by Tigers and Hawks?

A: Adam HUNTER

 

Kangaroo Daniel Wells says one of the funniest things he has ever seen was Glenn Archer with his new reading glasses.

 

Source: Round 12 AFL Record

 

On to the scores:

 

The game between St. Kilda and Hawthorn this week was played for the annual Blue Ribbon Cup, established in 1999, to honor police officers killed in the line of duty.
The Blue Ribbon Cup was commissioned in memory of murdered Victoria Police officers Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller.  Both died after being shot at Moorabbin in August of 1998.  

The Saints are the reigning Cup holders, having won it for the past three years.  Each year the best on ground for each club is presented with a Silk-Miller Memorial medal.

Players and on-field officials will wear reflective blue and white checkered armbands as a mark of respect for all police members killed in the line of duty.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation has designed commemorative medals that will be presented to all players. The silver medals have the Victoria Police badge surrounded by the wording “Blue Ribbon Cup – Saints vs Hawks”, flanked on the sides with both clubs’ colors.

Each year the best on ground for each club is presented with a gold Silk-Miller Memorial medal.

The Blue Ribbon Cup and Best on Ground medals were presented by 8-year old James Miller, the son of Senior Constable Rodney Miller. James was just 7 weeks old when his father was killed and he is a keen Hawthorn supporter. Other members of the Silk & Miller families presented players with the silver commemorative medals.  

KANG    4.4     5.8   12.9     14.12 (96)
ESS     2.3     6.7    9.8     13.11 (89)
GOALS: KANG - Thompson 4, Rocca 2, Sinclair 2,
Wells, Schwarze, Grant, Corey Jones, Makepeace, Hale;
ESS - Lucas 2, Lovett-Murray 2, Hird 2, Reynolds,
Solomon, Bolton, Camporeale, McPhee, J. Johnson, Lee
BEST: KANG - Harvey, Thompson, Grant, Simpson,
Makepeace, Harding, Wells; ESS - Stanton, Hille,
Watson, Welsh, Hird, Dyson, Camporeale

INJURY: KANG - Pratt (corked knee)


CHANGES: ESS- Johns (virus) replaced in selected side by Cartledge, Slattery (virus) replaced in selected side by J. Johnson

 

UMPIRES: McBurney, Schmitt, Jeffery

 

CROWD: 33,747 at Telstra Dome

 

Costly skill errors from Essendon was matched by some wayward kicking by the Kangaroos, with Grant missing two easy shots on goal after Thompson booted the opener, thanks to Bomber errors. McVeigh, Stanton, Dyson, and Mark Johnson were all offenders, turning the ball over under little pressure and one turnover gifted Wells the next goal midway through the term. Thompson, who had 4 marks to that stage, was running Fletcher ragged. And Fletcher may well have been feeling the effects of a heavy knock to the ribs, although he saw out the game. It took another 5 minutes before Hird soccered through Essendon's first goal. Then a Heffernan kick was smothered and Grant goaled to give the Kangaroos a 15 point lead but Solomon goaled to keep the margin close before another Bomber error allowed Corey Jones to mark close to the boundary near a point post. He managed to curl the ball through to give the Roos a 13 point lead at 1/4 time.

Ben Schwarze,, younger brother of Saint Troy, began the 2nd term in fine style, getting the ball from Wells and snapping a brilliant running goal before Thompson collided heavily with a goal post after again out-marking Fletcher. While Thompson shook off the fuzzies, Essendon lifted with goals to Lucas and Lovett-Murray before Bolton, Jason Johnson, and Reynolds all missed shots which would have given the Bombers a handy lead. But Corey Jones blew a golden opportunity when he missed from close range after being awarded a 50 meter penalty for Solomon getting too heated with an umpire. Essendon fared little better as they raced into attack from the kick in only for Reynolds to miss. Bolton straightened things up when he flew over Archer for a mark and leveled the scores. It didn't last long as Thompson took a strong leading mark 45 meters out. His kick fell short but Rocca was front and center in the square to take the grab 8 meters out. But he missed and the Roos led by just 1 point before Lovett-Murray crumbed a goal to give Essendon a 5 point lead at 1/2 time.

A free to Brady Rawlings at the start of the 3rd term handed the lead back to the Roos when Thompson marked and converted from 35 meters. Scores were level again when Lucas hit the post, but the Bombers wrested back the lead with first a point to Stanton, then a goal to Reynolds. Jones missed again before Lucas goaled from a free kick which left Archer fuming at the umpire. Makepeace and Camporeale traded goals before the Kangaroos finally shook off the tenacious Bombers with goals to Sinclair, Rocca from 50m, and Hale putting some scoreboard distance between them. Rocca was at it again when he took a screamer over Fletcher and booted his second 50m bomb. Thompson finished off the good work to give the Kangaroos a 19 point lead at 3/4 time.

Thompson got the first of the final term for the Kangaroos, but McPhee replied soon after. The Kangaroos were again letting themselves down in front of goal with Grant and Rawlings missing shots which would have sealed the match. Jason Johnson then ran into an open goal to put Essendon within 14 points, but Camporeale turned the ball over and Sinclair made the Bombers pay. But Essendon kept coming with Hird goaling to bring the margin back to 13 points. It became a scrap as both sides fought for the ball, but the Kangaroos held off Essendon for much of the remainder of the term, with the Bombers having the last kick - a 50 meter goal after the siren to youngster Andrew Lee.

For the Kangaroos, it was the usual suspects of Harvey (32/11), Grant (21/9), Simpson (22/7), Wells (15), and Makepeace (17/6) leading the way with Harding (19/5) contributing well off the bench.

For Essendon, Hille (32 hitouts) dominated the center, while Stanton (34/14), Dyson (18/4), Camporeale (21), and Jason Johnson (26/6) found plenty of the ball. Watson (24/7) and Welsh (20/5) worked hard in defense while Lucas (14 kicks, 9 marks) was a focal point in attack.  

MELB    5.1    7.5    13.10    18.12 (120)
PA      3.3    6.5      9.5    12.10 (82)
GOALS: MELB - Neitz 5, Robertson 3, Green 2,
Davey 2, McLean 2, Yze 2, White; PA - S. Burgoyne 3,
Mahoney 3, Dew 2, K. Cornes, Symes, Cassisi, Pettigrew
BEST: MELB - Bruce, McLean, Yze, Johnstone, Green, Neitz,
McDonald, White; PA - S. Burgoyne, K. Cornes, Mahoney,
Motlop, Dew, Symes, Thurstans, P. Burgoyne
INJURY: PA - C. Cornes (ribs) 

UMPIRES - Adam Davis, Shane McInerney, Stuart Wenn

 

CROWD - 24,283

  

The Demons made their intentions clear from the outset when Neitz booted 2 goals inside the first 5 minutes of the game. But Port was not going to go down without a fight - at least not early on as Mahoney got one back for Port. 
The Demons were working harder and combining better, but couldn't break away from a determined Port and the rest of term became a goal for goal arm wrestle with the Demons leading by 10 points at 1/4 time.

Soon after the 2nd term got under way, Davey got into a scrap near the boundary, won the ball, and got it to White who had pushed forward to goal from point blank range. Again, Port came back swinging with Kane Cornes and Shaun Burgoyne chiming in with goals to level the scores midway through the term. Yze, who had been busy across half forward, took advantage of a holding the ball penalty against Symes to give the Demons a 6 point lead at 1/2 time.

The start of the 3rd term saw both sides guilty of errors with Neitz and Robertson both missing shots on goal and both sides turning the ball over under pressure. Port was the first to pounce when Symes forced Rivers to drop the ball and goaled from the free kick to get Port within 1 point. The Demons then seized control and Yze started things off. From the ensuing bounce, Neitz marked and goaled. Then Cassisi was dispossessed in the middle. and McDonald, Johnstone, and Bruce combined to again find Neitz as Melbourne raced out to a 20 point lead. Chad Cornes was benched after being unable to curtail Bruce and Brogan coughed up the ball after a free kick to Mahoney. The Dees couldn't capitalize this time with Neitz managing just a point before Robertson missed everything. Port recovered briefly for a goal to Mahoney. But McLean answered for Melbourne on either side of misses from Dunn and Yze. Pettigrew got it back for Port but Green replied kind for the Dees. Green was in the thick of it minutes later with a screamer and kicked to a leading Neitz but his 50 meter shot went out on the full. Rivers took a breather from defense to dash forward for a point. The Dees attacked again and the goal of the day was soccered through by Davey, who was close by when teammate Pickett fumbled as he was running toward goal. It gave the Demons a 29 point lead at 3/4 time. 

The Demons put the game beyond doubt with a four goal burst in the first half of the final term. Port rallied late after misses to Dew, McLean, and Davey with Dew making amends a few minutes later. White won the ball out of the center and Robertson goaled to ensure the win. Late goals to Shaun Burgoyne and Mahoney flattered Port on the scoreboard. 

For the Demons, McDonald (22), McLean (24/5), Green (22/9), and Johnstone (23/8) benefited from the ruck dominance of White (18 hitouts, 16/6) and Jamar (13 hitouts). Davey (10 kicks) was always a danger off between wing and half forward with his second efforts and defensive pressure, opening the way for Neitz (12 kicks, 8 marks), Bruce (29/7), Robertson (7 kicks, 4 marks), and Yze (24/7).

For Port, Brogan (13 hitouts) and Lade (13 hitouts) battled to curtail the damage of White and Jamar, while Kane Cornes (25/6), Peter Burgoyne (21), and Thomson drove the midfield. Mahoney (2/7) and (20/11), and Dew (20/8) were targets in attack in the absence of Tredrea while Motlop buzzed around their feet in a forward pocket. Symes (28) was excellent across halfback opposed to Yze while Shaun Burgoyne (28) was in defense and attack. 

STK   5.7   10.9   16.13   18.17 (125)
HAW   0.1    3.3     3.6     8.7 (55)
GOALS: StK - Gehrig 5, Riewoldt 4, Harvey 3, Voss 2,
Milne 2, Baker, Fiora; HAW - Dixon 2, Barker, Bateman,
Franklin, Croad, Vandenberg, Brennan
BEST: StK - Harvey, Dal Santo, Hudghton, Voss, Maguire,
Riewoldt, Gehrig, Milne; HAW - Mitchell, Roughead, Hodge, Brown, Birchall, Hodge, Vandenberg

 INJURY: StK - Schwarze (hamstring); HAW - Guerra (gashed head) 

REPORTS: HAW - Guerra for unduly rough play against Dal Santo

 UMPIRES: Margetts, Donlon, Ryan 

CROWD: 33,869 at Telstra Dome 

The opening term was a bruising hard hitting encounter and tempers flared before the first bounce with the emergency umpire running out to quell a dust up in the Saints' forward line.  The intensity remained with Guerra's hit on Dal Santo causing another scuffle. But the Saints settled better and proved to good and slick for a disappointing Hawthorn. A 50 meter penalty against Campbell gave the Saints their first goal through Voss and the Saints never looked back as goals to Gehrig, Riewoldt, Harvey, and Milne had them in the box seat. The Saints could have been much further in front but for inaccuracy in front of goal, but with the Hawks unable to manage more than a point, the Saints were still 6 goals clear at 1/4 time.

The Hawks fired early in the 2nd term with goals to Barker and Bateman, but the Saints quickly regained control with a pair from Gehrig. Voss and Riewoldt chipped in with one each before Franklin fired a shot for the Hawks. Baker's goal late in the term handed the Saints a 48 point lead at 1/2 time.

The margin blew out to 68 points when Ladson offended twice in a minute. He was briefly off the hook when Ackland missed, but his kick in went straight to Milne for a goal. , allowing Milne to goal. and Fiora to goal. Then Fiora and Harvey joined the party. Things went from bad to worse for the Hawks as the Saints piled on 3 more goals to hold a massive 85 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Saints looked like setting a new high score record against the Hawks when a Croad goal was sandwiched in between 2 more to Gehrig. But the Hawks finally came to life and booted 4 goals in a five minute burst - one to Vandenberg, two to Dixon, and one to Brennan. 

The Hawks have not beaten the Saints since Round 13, 2002, and have won only one out of five matches at Telstra Dome this season. The Saints, however, continue to make the Dome their own fortress, having won 5 out of 7 there this season.  

For the Saints, Harvey (24) showed no signs of the hamstring injury which sidelined him for 2 weeks. Dal Santo (21/8) and Voss (17/12) provided plenty of support, while Gehrig (9 kicks, 9 marks) and Riewoldt (18/14) grabbed just about everything that came forward, as did Milne (16/9). The final margin would have been a complete humiliation had they kicked straighter. Hudghton (17/6) and Maguire (23/7) marshaled a near impassable defense and provided constant rebound.  

BRISBANE     1.5    4.9    6.18   8.23 (71)
CARLTON:     2.0    4.6     6.8  7.14 (56)
GOALS: BRIS - Bradshaw 2, B. Scott, Power, Pask,
Harding, Copeland, Stiller; CARL - Deluca, Fevola 2,
Bentick Lappin, Stevens
BEST: BRIS - Stiller, Black, Power, Sherman,
Rischitelli, Patfull; CARL - Blackwell, Scotland,
Simpson, Stevens, Wiggins, Bentick 

INJURY: CARL - Murphy (shoulder)


CHANGES: BRIS - Adcock (quad) replaced in selected side by Pask

 

UMPIRES:  Head, Avon, Nicholls


CROWD: 29,516 at the Gabba

 

Carlton could have pinched a badly needed win if they'd kick straighter. If Brisbane had kicked straight, it would have been a complete and utter slaughter and the game over by the first break. The opening term was one to forget with horrendous kicking, skill errors from both sides, and even the umpires getting in on the act with a number of soft and dubious free kicks. At least the Blues had their kicking boots on for the term with Bentick and Deluca popping through goals on either side of a Bradshaw goal. Brisbane peppered the goals but were woefully inaccurate, leaving the Blues with a 1 point lead at 1/4 time. The only highlight for the term was Bradshaw's near screamer high above Whitnall, but he dropped the ball on his way down before crashing to the turf. Carlton sufferer a blow when Marc Murphy injured his shoulder late in the term after being tackled by Copeland. He tried to play on, but was out of the game after the break.

The Lions looked set to break the game open early in the 2nd term when Scott, Power, and Pask goaled in quick burst. Deluca got one back for Carlton. Then Fevola, who still appeared hampered by knee soreness, finally got his mitts on the ball with a good leading mark and sent through a booming 51 meter goal to help the Blues claw their way back into the game. And they were helped by Brisbane's sprayed shots. They had their own chances to snatch the lead, but were equally wayward with Fevola missing two in a row. And Walker muffed his chance, kicking out on the full. Russell had one late chance to give Carlton the lead, but his miss left Brisbane 3 points clear at 1/2 time.

It was more of the same in the 3rd term with Brisbane squandering one shot after another but the Blues were doing the same. It wasn't until midterm that Bradshaw goaled to give the Lions a bit of breathing space. But the Lions couldn't put Carlton away as Pask and Harding both missed before Copeland powered home a goal from 50m to give the Lions a 19 point lead. Another miss to Power was followed by a goal to Lappin. After another miss by Brisbane's Roe, Fevola goaled from a free kick. This combined with yet one more miss to Patfull for the Lions left Brisbane clinging to a 10 point lead at 3/4 time.

The goalkicking woes continued in through the final term with one miss after another from both sides. Stevens goaled midway through the term to put the Blues within 3 points midway through the term. But young Lion Harding found the space and wherewithal to run into an open goal to ease the pressure and 4-gamer Stiller made a dash from halfback to goal and seal a scrappy win for Brisbane. 

To give an indication of just how bad some of the play was, at one stage late in the 3rd term, 12 straight behinds had been kicked between the two teams. And there were 80 ineffective kicks and 41 clangers.

There were a few good players for both sides. For the Lions, Power (27), Stiller, 28/8), and Rischitelli (22) cruised the midfield, while Patfull (18/7) and Sherman (25) provided support to Bradshaw (11 kicks, 7 marks). Charman (22 hitouts) broke even with French (17 hitouts in the ruck.

For Carlton, Stevens (29/8) and Simpson (25/14) were prolific ballwinners in the middle, Blackwell (26/9) and Wiggins (21/11) provided forward options with Fevola (7 kicks, 3 marks) being well contained by Michael, while Scotland (29/7) and Bentick (20/7) provided drive from defense.   

SYD    1.3    4.7    6.15    12.19 (91)
FRE    3.4    5.4     8.4      9.4 (58)
GOALS: SYD - Davis 4, Schneider 3, O'Loughlin 2,
McVeigh 2, Vogels; FRE - Pavlich 4, Murphy 2, Bell,
Crowley, J. Carr
BEST: SYD - Schneider, O'Loughlin, Roberts-Thomson,
Bevan, Davis; FRE - Pavlich, Cook, Bell, Parker,
M. Carr 

CHANGES: Crouch (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Moore

 

UMPIRES: Vozzo, Woodcock, Goldspink

 

CROWD: 24,114 at the Sydney Cricket Ground

 

The Dockers were full of running at the start against an uncharacteristically flat-looking Sydney and the dangerous Pavlich lurking up forward. Jolly was controlling the hitouts, but the Swans were unable to capitalize and Parker was keeping a tight rein on Hall who missed two early shots on goal. At the other end, Murphy floated forward to boot the game's first goal and Pavlich then kicked 2 in succession with the second a brilliant snap from the pocket to give the Dockers a 19 point lead. Schneider got the Swans on the board late in the term but it was the Dockers by 13 points at 1/4 time. 

Bell extended that lead within the first few minutes of the 2nd term, but the Swans lifted 

with Fosdike providing some run. Goals to Davis and O'Loughlin slashed the margin to a goal, but Crowley goaled from a free kick before Davis finished off the term but the Swans still trailed by 3 points at 1/2 time. 

While Swan playmakers Jude Bolton and Kirk were having forgettable games, Dockers McManus and Hasleby were winning the ball out of the center but neither side to establish a clear break over the other. McVeigh took advantage of two Dockers spoiling each other in the goal square to goal and put the Swans in front midway through the term. The Dockers then put on a burst of 3 goals in 5 minutes. First it was Pavlich from a free kick and another from 50 after taking a pass from Bell from the next bounce. Josh Carr then marked a Bevan kick to give the Dockers a 7 point lead. O'Loughlin stepped up and goaled from a tight angle to put Sydney within 1 point at 3/4 time. 

Sydney shook off its lethargy and came alive early in the final term with a goal to Vogel giving them the lead. Schneider then ran in and goaled from 25 meters and moments later chipped the ball to a running McVeigh. McVeigh slammed home another from 45m on the run to snuff out any chance of a Docker revival. Murphy Murphy fired one last shot for the Dockers, but Davis finished strongly for the Swans with 2 final goals.  

For the Swans, Jolly (27 hitouts) was excellent in the ruck with defender Lewis-Thompson (8 hitouts) providing support. Bevan (13/4) and Schneider (17), while Davis (17/6), (17), O'Keefe (15/6) and O'Loughlin (19/7) were dangerous in attack.

For the Dockers, Bell (13), Cook (12), McManus (14/6) and Matthew Carr (14/6) battled in the midfield while Parker did well in defense. Debutant Marcus Drum was reasonable off the bench with 7 kicks, 2 handballs, and 4 marks.  

ADE    3.6   10.12   14.17   21.21 (147)
GEEL   2.4     4.5     5.6     8.7 (55)
GOALS: ADE - Burton 5, Ricciuto 5, Porplyzia 2,
Hentschel 2, Edwards, Thompson, Goodwin, Bode, Biglands,
McGregor, McLeod; GEEL - Ottens 2, Milburn, Kingsley,
G. Ablett, Chapman, Kelly, Stokes
BEST: ADE - Burton, Edwards, Doughty, McLeod,
Mattner, Johncock, Bassett, Goodwin; GEEL - Enright,
Chapman, Milburn, Wojcinski 

INJURY: ADE - Porplyzia (hip); GEEL - Kelly (back)

 

UMPIRES: James, Chamberlain, Pannell

 

CROWD: 41,752 at AAMI Stadium

 

Some of the training methods employed by the Crows have been reported previously, and the results were on full display as they completely dominated from the start with efficient ball use and hard running, The Crows were kicking against a stiff breeze in the first term, but they paid scant attention to it with Edwards registering the first goal from a 40m set shot. Geelong worked its way into the game with Mooney setting up Milburn for a goal, but the Crows hit back with goals to Ricciuto and Thompson before Kingsley added one from close range to cut the Crow lead to 8 points at 1/4 time.

The Cats matched the Crows early in the 2nd. After Burton booted the first for the term, Gary Ablett chipped in with a running goal in one of the few good passages of play from Geelong. Burton answered only for Chapman to do the same to keep the Cats alive. After that, the Crows took over as they ran in numbers, moved the ball quickly, and kicked long. Four goals in 9 minutes - to Goodwin, Hentschel and 2 to Porplyzia - ended the game as a contest. Bode added a late one and the Crows cruised into 1/2 time with a 43 point lead.

The Crows' dominance continued in the 3rd term, but it took them 10 minutes to score their

next goal, a set shot to Ricciuto. Kelly got the Cats' only goal for the term while Burton, Porplyzia, and Biglands continued the demolition, setting up a massive 71 point lead at 3/4 time.

The final term continued the misery for the Cats as Hentschel booted one and Burton bobbed up again for 2 more before the Cats broke through for a rare goal to Stokes. But the Crows, as they had done for the previous 3 terms, simply upped the ante with 3 goals in reply, 2 of those to Ricciuto. Ottens added 2 more late in the term, only for McLeod to punctuate the win with one of his own to give the Crows their biggest ever win over the Cats, bettering a 91-point belting in 1992.

The Crows had winners everywhere. Edwards (30/7), McLeod (27/11), Bassett (23/11), and Johncock 26/9) provided plenty of rebound from defense, while Goodwin (25), Doughty (25/8), and Mattner (25/9) were dangerous in the middle. Once again, the Crows showed they didn't need to rely on any one individual up forward with McGregor (11/6), Ricciuto (10 kicks, 9 marks), Hentschel (16/6), and Burton (20/10) all lively in attack, with the Birdman Burton again living up to his name with a spectacular hanger in the goal square. 

For the Cats, Enright (30), Chapman (28/8), Milburn (26/8) were Geelong's best, while Ling (23) and Wojcinski (19) off the bench also gave a yelp.   

RICH   4.5    9.9    11.12    13.14 (92)
COL    0.2    1.2      3.4      6.9 (45)
GOALS: RICH - Krakouer 3, Schulz 3, Brown 2, Tuck 2,
Tambling, Pettifer, Polo; COL - Rocca 3, Didak 3
BEST: RICH - P. Bowden, J. Bowden, Raines, Tambling,
Kellaway, Brown, Tuck, Krakouer; COL - Clement,
Johnson, Buckley, Burns, R. Shaw 

INJURY: RICH - Newman (broken leg); COL - Davis (corked thigh)

CHANGES: RICH - Hall replaced in selected side by Krakouer; COL - Morrison, Thomas replaced in selected side by Wakelin, Swan


REPORTS: COL - O'Brien for allegedly striking Pettifer

 

UMPIRES: Kennedy, McLaren, Meredith

 

CROWD: 63,016 at the MCG

 

The first half was played in persistent rain and once again the Tigers proved themselves wet weather specialists as they adapted to the conditions, put their heads over the ball, and played on at all costs. Schulz scored Richmond's first after an off-the-ball incident brought him to point-blank range and saw O'Brien reported. Brown then found Tambling dead in front and defied the wet conditions minutes later booting one of his own from 50m out. A dust up which will certainly be scrutinized by the MRP was soon followed by a goal to Krakouer, who got on the end of a Deledio miskick and the Tigers led by 27 points at 1/4 time.

Didak made the most a rare Tiger defensive error to post Collingwood's only goal for the half at the start of the 2nd term. Shortly after, the Tigers lost Newman who had to be stretchered off. The loss failed to deter Richmond with Pettifer beginning a run of 5 goals. Brown was next in line followed by Tuck. The last two goals were gifted to Richmond via Collingwood clangers.The first came when Burns chasing a loose ball, knocked it out of his own reach and into the path of an oncoming Krakouer. Then, just before the break, the usually sure-footed Clement was dashing out of defense to be part of one of the few cohesive passages of play Collingwood could muster. He slipped just as he kicked the ball and rather than hitting its intended goalsquare target ricocheted Richmond's way, allowing Tuck to sweep it forward and goal. It gave the Tigers a 55 point lead at 1/2 time.  

The rain abated during the break and Richmond slowed up a bit as conditions improved.  Rocca kept Collingwood's slim hopes alive with a goal to start the 3rd term, but Schulz took a strong grab and goaled with Krakouer sending through another to end the Pie hopes. Rocca battled on with one more, but the Tigers were still 56 points clear at 3/4 time. The Pies won the final term, kicking 3 goals to 2, but were never in the hunt. 

For Richmond, Simmonds (19 hitouts) broke even with Fraser in the ruck, but the Tiger midfield of Foley (20), Tuck (20/5), and Johnson (18/4) made better use of their possessions. Patrick Bowden (25/5), Kellaway (24), and Raines (18/9) constantly drove the Tigers into attack from defense with Joel Bowden (25/5) restricting Tarrant (9 kicks, 7 marks), while Brown (20/7), Krakouer (15), and Tambling (24/6) were excellent up forward.

For the Pies, Clement (19/9) and Rhyce Shaw (26/9) battled hard in defense but lacked support while Johnson (29/12), Buckley (26/6), and Burns (21/8) did their best in the center. 

WB      4.2    4.8    8.10    10.13 (73)
WCE     2.5    4.7    4.11     8.16 (64)
GOALS: WB - Johnson 4, Skipper 2, Cooney, Smith,
Hargrave, Montgomery; WCE - Hunter, Embley 2, Judd,
Staker, Selwood, Glass

BEST: WB - West, Johnson, Gilbee, Griffen, Eagleton, Giansiracusa; WCE - Glass, Wirrpanda, Judd, Fletcher, Embley

 

INJURY: WB - Higgins (fractured/dislocated right elbow);

WCE - Cox (broken collarbone)

 

CHANGES: WCE -  Braun replaced in selected side by Armstrong

 

UMPIRES: Allen, Grun, Stevic

 

CROWD: 40,375 at Subiaco Oval

 

These two teams, with their pacy and skilled midfields are probably the best suited to the wide open space of Subiaco, but it was that pace which produced uncharacteristic skill errors. It was pinch-hitter forward Hunter who got the Eagles started but the Dogs, looking every bit a finals contender, hit back with 4 unanswered goals - two of them to livewire forward Johnson, giving the Dogs a 15 point lead. Judd, in his first game back, was sent forward for a rest and goaled to reduce the margin to 9 points at 1/4 time.

The 2nd term began much as the first with sloppy play and errors as the ball flew end to end at a hectic pace. And the Dogs, known this year for high scoring, momentarily forgot how to kick goals, scoring a string of behinds for the term while Staker goaled from point blank range and Hunter was at the foot of a marking contest to level the scores. A late point to West - the Dogs' 6th for the term - gave the Dogs a 1 point lead at 1/2 time. 

The trend was reversed in the 3rd term as the Dogs jumped the Eagles early with goals to Skipper, Johnson, and Cooney giving the Dogs a 19 point break. The Eagles began to get on top through the middle, but couldn't convert their chances against a solid Dog defense which allowed just 4 points for the term. And when Smith rammed home another, the Dogs were 23 points in front at 3/4 time.

Johnson had a chance, two in fact, to seal the win for the Dogs, but missed before Embley got the all-important opening goal of the final term. Johnson made amends soon after. Then disaster struck when Cox was forced off the ground with a badly injured arm after a heavy collision with Cooney, leaving the ruck work to freshly re-instated Gardiner. The Eagles kept coming but one early chance was spoiled when Jones gave away a free kick in attack, allowing the Dogs to clear. Selwood marked strongly and found Hunter whose kick hit the post. Another attacking foray was spoiled when Harris rushed through a point but the Eagles refused to lie down as Selwood and Embley goaled, giving them hope of a third great escape for the season. Another chance was thwarted when Harris spoiled Hunter's attempted mark and the Dogs got of a jail. Montgomery kicked the sealer in time-on. Glass was shifted forward with immediate results, slashing the margin to just 10 points. A rushed point by the Dogs was the final score, as the Dogs brought the Eagles' Subiaco streak to a halt. This was the first time the Eagles have lost on home soil since Round 19, 2002 - a 6 point loss to Melbourne. It was also the first time the Dogs have won at the ground since Round 9, 2001 when they thrashed the Eagles 18.17 (125) to 11.11 (77).

For the Bulldogs, West (40/8) was amazing around the ground and at stoppages, while  Gilbee (29/9),  Cross (27/12), Eagleton (27/12), and Boyd (25/6) also ran amuck. Johnson (22/9) and Giansiracusa (18/10) found plenty of the ball across half forward while Gilbee (29/9) and Griffen (21) provided plenty of run off half back.

For the Eagles, Cousins (22), Fletcher (28/4) and Judd 22/5) powered the midfield while Cox (16 hitouts, 12/5) and Gardiner (15 hitouts, 11/5) combined well in the ruck. Glass (16) and Wirrpanda (20/6) worked hard in defense, while Embley (17/8) and Hunter (15/5) were targets in attack. Lynch (16 kicks, 7 marks) was well held by Harris, managing just 2 behinds for his efforts. 

STANDINGS
W     L    FOR     AGST     %       PTS
ADE    11    2    1445     845   171.01     44  
WCE    10    3    1268    1100   115.27     40  
COL   9    4    1439    1164   123.63     36  
MELB   9    4    1336    1148   116.38     36  
WB      9    4    1427    1242   114.9      36  
SYD     8    5    1286    1049   122.59     32 
StK     7    6    1172    1046   112.05     28  
RICH    7    6    1092    1305    83.68     28
PA      6    7    1265    1354    93.43     24  
FRE     6    7    1050 1225    85.71     24  
GEEL    5    8    1182 1208    97.85     20  
BRIS    5    8    1166 1258    92.69     20  
HAW    5    8    1036 1312    78.96     20  
KANG    4    9    1080 1315    82.13     16  
CARL    2   11    1019 1333    76.44      8  
ESS     1   12    1106 1465    75.49      4 
GOALS
Brendan Fevola (CARL)     50 
Barry Hall (SYD)          44 
Anthony Rocca (COL)       40 
Brad Johnson (WB)         40 
Matthew Pavlich (FRE)     36 
Nick Riewoldt (StK)       36 
Mark Ricciuto (ADE)       35 
Jonathan Brown (BRIS)     35 
David Neitz (MELB)        35 
Mark Williams (HAW)       33 
 

Source: afl.com.au, Melbourne Age, author notes from live broadcasts, AFL 2002, AFL 2003

 

Hawk Clinton Young is the Round 12 Rising Star nominee. Young played 5 games last season and was elevated from the rookie list in October and has played 8 games so far this season.  
His performance against Richmond in Round 12 was best to date as he collected 24 possessions (21 kicks and 13 marks) against Tiger veteran Andrew Kellaway. 
Standing 189cm, Young has found his place on the wing, with his ability to run, carry the ball and deliver it with a long left foot kick a highlight of his game. 
Young debuted in Round 16 last season against the Kangaroos and played against one of his childhood heroes in Glenn Archer.  
Young was a member of the Vic Country 2003 U18 team and was drafted from North Ballarat.

 

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release

 

And that's it for this week.

GO BLUES!!

Lisa
AFANA
Chicago

Article last changed on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 12:21 AM EDT


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