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by Lisa, reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The Australian Federal Government has urged the AFL to review its current anti-drug policy, abandon the secret testings, and reveal the names of players caught.  Federal Minister Rod Kemp, who was one of the forces behind the push to adopt WADA' policy, said the AFL's current system of sanctions and reporting were "out of touch with community expectations". He said the government had "zero tolerance of doping in sport".  Relations between the AFL and the Federal Government became fractured when the league initially balked at signing WADA's code, but was eventually forced to do so under threat of losing government funding on multiple projects.

Kemp went on to say he believed clubs would want to know the names of players who tested positive, while an opposition senator said the AFL's current policies undermined the government's zero tolerance approach. The AFL's stance on confidentiality has also been criticized by International Olympic Committee member Kevan Gosper.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

GENERAL NEWS
Rising Star
Eagle Mark LeCras is the Round 22 Rising Star nominee.  LeCras is in his second year with the Eagles but played just 3 games last year after being selected in the 2004 Draft.   LeCras had a day out against the Tigers in Round 22 with 22 possessions, 10 marks, and 5 goals. He has averaged 11 possessions a game this year and is the second Eagle to be nominated behind teammate Matt Rosa (Round 10).   Ben Cousins won the award in 1996, the only Eagle to do so.

Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce was voted this year's Rising Star winner.    Pearce received a maximum 5 votes from 8 of the 9 judges to finish with a total of 43 votes.   Pearce was elevated from the rookie list in 2005, making his debut in Round 18. He held his spot for the rest of the season, including Port's 2 finals matches and played all 22 games this season, averaging 19 possessions a game. He also has kicked the most goals (12) of the nominees.

Pearce hails from the Adelaide suburb Edwardstown and represented SA in the 2004 Under 18 Championships. He also attended the AFL Draft Camp that year and had excellent results in the 20 meter sprint, agility run, and running vertical jump.   Despite his impressive junior record, he was overlooked in the draft because of poor ball-handling skills. He later discovered he was short-sighted and contact lenses improved this area of his game. Port then selected him for their rookie list in 2005, He was named Port's best first year player in 2005.   Along with Richmond’s Nathan Foley, Pearce was the shortest nominee at 5'8" and has worked hard in the gym to bulk up his lean 143 lb frame to 163 lbs.

Port Adelaide Coach Mark Williams praised Pearce’s win, saying, “What a fantastic journey Danyle has had in his short career. He missed being drafted, got rookie-listed and then upgraded, and has since been able to play as exciting a brand of football as you could hope to see from a young player. To be justifiably rewarded with the NAB AFL Rising Star is a fantastic achievement. We’re absolutely thrilled for Danyle and it is certainly great for our club to have had two Rising Star winners in our first 10 years. Danyle plays in a way that excites not just Port Adelaide supporters but football fans in general. He runs hard, he carries the ball, he’s fast, he’s agile, he can tackle, he wins clearances, he kicks the ball inside-50 and kicks goals. He can do everything you want from a player and is someone young players can look at and say, ‘gee he’s only little and he’s only skinny’. It just says that AFL football is for everyone. He respects what his teammates do for him and works fantastically well with the midfield group. (Assistant coaches) Phil Walsh and Matty Primus have done exceptionally well to improve his understanding of the game.”

The selection panel for the award is Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Gerard Healy, Mark Bickley, Kevin Bartlett, Robert Walls, Chris Mainwaring, and Kevin Sheehan (rising star selector only).

2006 Voting:
Danyle Pearce (PA)        43
Andrew Raines (RICH)      33
Heath Shaw (COL)          32
Marc Murphy (CARL)        13
Clint Bartram (MELB)       7
Grant Birchall (HAW)       5
Michael Rischitelli (BRIS) 1
Dale Thomas (COL)          1

Source: Melbourne Age, Hitaf Rasheed. & Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Grand Final Presenters
Andrew Demetriou officially took possession of this year's Premiership cup from long-time supplier, Cash's, and also announced this year's presenters for all the September awards.

Four-time premiership coach Allan Jeans will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning Grand Final coach while 1984 Norm Smith Medallist Bill Duckworth will present the Norm Smith Medal to this year's best on ground in the Grand Final.   Former Footscray Premiership full forward Jack Collins, who twice topped the league's goalkicking in the 1950s, will present the John Coleman Medal to Carlton's Brendan Fevola.

The Premiership Cup will be presented to the winning team by a legend of the club, with the presenters to be confirmed once the Grand Final teams are known.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Hammond In For Evans
Former Adelaide chairman and current commissioner Bob Hammond has been appointed temporary Commission Chairman while Ron Evans recuperates from surgery.   Hammond joined the AFL Commission in 2001 after previously serving as the inaugural Adelaide Crows chairman from 1991-2000. Hammond is expected to remain chairman until the end of the 2006 season.

Source: afl.com

New Rookie Rule
Beginning with this year's draft, each club will now be allowed to select a rookie player who is 23 or older provided the player is in a competition affiliated with the AFL. It is currently an in principle agreement, which will go into effect once the new CBA is completed. Another change to the rookie system will allow clubs to relist a rookie player for 3 years as opposed to the present rule which states a player must go back into the rookie draft after 2 years.

Source: Melbourne Age

No Scalping in SA
South Australian MP Nick Xenophon has introduced a bill to outlaw the scalping of tickets to all public events. Should it be passed, anyone caught scalping tickets will face fines of up to $5000. The new laws would follow similar legislation already covering major sporting events in Victoria. He hoped his bill would receive bipartisan support.

His call to crack down on scalping follows Cricket Australia's move to crack down on scalpers selling tickets to this summer's Ashes Test series by canceling suspect tickets.   Already there has been some scalping attempts with one seller posting 2 tickets on ebay for this week's game between Fremantle and Adelaide. The price listed was $199, almost double the normal cost. The same seller also listed tickets to Kylie Minogue concerts and tickets to the Melbourne and Adelaide Ashes Tests.

Source: Adelaide Advertiser

Pre-Season Tips
At the annual season launch, which features all 16 club captains gathered at the MCG for a group photo, the captains were asked to give some predictions about the coming season. In hindsight, here the results from those questions:

Among the questions was:
'Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's Top Eight?' and 'Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?'

Collingwood received just one vote from a rival captain to qualify for this year's finals while Melbourne was selected by five captains. Geelong received 14 votes to make the finals while Adelaide, West Coast, and St Kilda were unanimous selections for September action.   For the Grand Final to be played at the MCG on September 30, the voting was split with Adelaide receiving 10 votes as the other team in the competition, aside from their own, most likely to reach the Grand Final with St Kilda receiving the other six votes.

The full voting was:
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight? (16 times seven selections)
Adelaide (15), Brisbane Lions (10), Carlton (nil), Collingwood (one), Essendon (two), Fremantle (seven), Geelong (14), Hawthorn (nil), Kangaroos (four), Melbourne (five), Port Adelaide (four), Richmond (two), Sydney (12), St Kilda (15), West Coast (15), Western Bulldogs (six).

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

2006 Attendances
The 2006 season recorded the 2nd highest attendance record in league history, with 6,204,056 fans ticking over the turnstiles. The best ever attendance was reached last year with 6,283,788 fans attending games. Round 22 of this year brought 298,729 fans out to games.

Andrew Demetriou said the result was outstanding in light of the unavailability of the MCG for the first month of the season, due to the Commonwealth games, and the limited capacities of the grounds in Darwin, Carrara, Launceston, and Canberra.  Demetriou said the league expected to break the all-time record in 2007 with the G available for the full season.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

TRIBUNAL
Charges Laid:

Brock McLean (MELB), engaging in rough conduct against Adelaide's Scott Stevens: negligent conduct (1), medium impact (2), in play (0), and high contact (2), equaling 5 points, a Level 2 offense, 125 demerits, and a 1 game suspension. He has a clean record and accepted the ruling, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand.

Shane Crawford (HAW), abusive language towards an umpire for abusing boundary umpire Chris Steinman. It was his first offense, drawing a fine of $1200. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

The match day report laid against Kangaroo Glenn Archer was reviewed. It was the view of the Match Review Panel (MRP) that Archer's action on Lockyer was not considered to be a strike and no further action was required.

Contact between Glenn Archer and umpire Kieron Nicholls was reviewed and deemed accidental by the MRP, with no further action required.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

TEAM NEWS

WEST COAST
Andrew Embley consulted a speech pathologist due to a mystery throat ailment which started as a sore throat after Round 19. He is also battling a shoulder injury. The throat condition worsened to the point where he could not speak above a whisper. Other than the throat symptoms - and shoulder - he said he feels fine.

Injury Update:
Brad Smith, knee, season
Damien Adkins, broken leg, season
Mark Nicoski, ankle, 2 weeks
Andrew Embley (shoulder), 1 week
Daniel Kerr, calf strain, 1 week

Source: Melbourne Age & Gary Stocks, Club Media Release

ADELAIDE
Club CEO Steven Trigg wants more Grand Final tickets for fans of the competing clubs and has urged the AFL to allocate more than the current 25,000 tickets which are set aside for members of the competing clubs. He believes the current allocation leaves too many supporters out in the cold and suggested that non competing clubs receive only 500 instead of the current 1000, which would free up an extra 7000 for fans who have a vested interest in the game.

He conceded clubs generated revenue from selling Grand Final tickets or adding them to lucrative sponsorship packages, but said this could be offset by funds from the AFL's new broadcast rights deal.

In response, Patrick Keane said AFL's Grand Final ticket allocation for the MCG was: one-quarter for MCC members; one-quarter for AFL members; one-quarter for participating clubs; one-eighth for non-competing clubs, and one-eighth for life members and other major contributors to the game.

While he is not out of the woods yet, Mark Ricciuto is making a steady recovery from the virus which struck him several weeks ago. He is hoping to get the all-clear to begin training as soon as next week and is still undergoing blood tests every other day as doctors monitor his progress. Should he be cleared for training next week, he is a chance to play in the preliminary final should the Crows advance that far.

Injury Update:
Andrew McLeod, foot, indefinite
Mark Ricciuto, virus, indefinite
Brett Burton, hamstring, 2-3 weeks
Trent Hentschel, knee, season
Ben Hart, Achilles tendon, indefinite
Ken McGregor, hamstring, 2-3 weeks
John Hinge, hamstring, season
Chris Knights, quad, season
Hayden Skipworth, hamstring, indefinite
Luke Jericho, shoulder, season

Source: Adelaide Advertiser, Melbourne Age, & afl.com

ST KILDA
Max Hudghton (ankle), Justin Peckett (rested) and Stephen Powell (rested) all returned this week, but last week's surprise packet Barry Brooks was dropped this week. Michael Rix came in to share the ruck duties with Justin Koschitzke.

Injury Update:
Lenny Hayes, knee reconstruction, season
Matt Maguire, broken leg, season
Fergus Watts, ankle, season

Source: Melbourne Age & Georgie Fidge, Club Media Release

FREMANTLE
Paul Hasleby (abdominal strain) and Ryan Murphy (foot) returned this week.

Source: afl.com

COLLINGWOOD
Racing champion Peter Brock, a long time Magpie supporter and former board member, was killed last week in a road rally. The players wore black armbands in this week's finals match in his memory.

Recalled Dale Thomas from the VFL after a 4 goal effort last week showed he has fully recovered from his broken collarbone.

Source: afl.com & Nicki Malady, Club Media Release
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Veteran Rohan Smith announced last week that he would retire at the end of this season.

Having played his first game with the Bulldogs in 1992 after being recruited from Bulldogs' zone and enters the finals campaign with 298 games to his name.

Smith, who grew up living in western suburbs as a child, has long been viewed as a favorite son of the club and a player who has shown dedication and passion for the Western Bulldogs throughout his career.

Should the Bulldogs fail to advance, Smith is not fussed about the possibility of bowing out one game shy of the 300 mark and said he felt privileged to have played so many games throughout his career.

Player Honors:
3rd Best & Fairest 1996, 1999 (equal), 2003; All-Australian 1997, 2003; International Rules Series 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003; Leading Goal Kicker 2000 (42); Best Team Person 1997, 2002; EJ Whitten Medal 1998

Injury Update:
Luke Darcy, Robert Murphy, Tim Walsh, Adam Morgan, Mitch Hahn, knee reconstruction, season
Tom Williams, ankle, season

Source: Shaun Anderson, Club Media Release

MELBOURNE
Regained Byron Pickett (hamstring), Matthew Whelan (hamstring), and Ben Holland (corked thigh) returned from injury this week.

Clint Bartram's injury is worse than originally thought with scans revealing torn ankle ligaments.
Injury Update:
Clint Bartram, ankle, season
Brent Moloney & Heath Neville, groin, season
Paul Johnson & Andrew Gianfagna, shoulder, season

Source: Melbourne Age & Leigh Newton, Club Media Release

SYDNEY
Backup ruckman Paul Chambers has quit the club, citing a lack of passion. However, the club will give the 24-year-old some time off to consider his future before deciding anything.

Injury Update:
Ryan Brabazon, wrist, season
Jarred Moore, thumb, season

Source: Melbourne Age & Stephen Brassel, Cub Media Release

HAWTHORN
Ruckman Peter Everitt has walked out on the club after failing to come to terms for a new contract. Everitt, who is out of contract, wanted a two year deal, but the club refused to budge on its one year offer.

Coach Alastair Clarkson said Everitt's playing talent would be missed but the Hawks only wanted players who were prepared to commit themselves to the club and the direction it was heading. Despite the failure, the parting has been amicable and the club will seek to arrange a suitable trade.

Last year, with one season left on his contract, Everitt hinted that he wanted to go to Sydney and the Swans could again be in the picture as they could be the club most likely to offer Everitt a multi-year contract.

Source: Melbourne Age

BRISBANE
Daryn Cresswell has resigned as assistant coach in order to see out a senior coaching role elsewhere. Cresswell, who played 244 games with Sydney, stepped straight into coaching when he retired, spending 2004 with Geelong and then joining the Lions last year. Cresswell will return to Victoria where he believes there are more opportunities.

Cresswell leaves with the Lions’ best wishes, having spent two years working with the club’s midfield and forward groups.

Cresswell shared added responsibilities at the Brisbane this year, gaining valuable experience as co-coach of the Suncoast Lions with John Blakey.

The Lions have already begun culling their list as they prepare for the draft in a few months' time. Veteran ruckman Clark Keating, along with Jayden Attard, rookie Marty Pask, and Luke Forsyth all being delisted. The future of Anthony Corrie, who missed the season due to a knee reconstruction, is also in doubt.

Keating, a powerhouse player, managed just 139 games since 1996 in an injury-riddled career. He played only 7 games this season and his battle with injuries was part of the reason the club decided to let him go. He may seek to continue his career elsewhere.

Brisbane is keen to develop Cameron Wood into the second ruckman beneath Jamie Charman, with 203-centimeter rookie Leonard Clark likely to be promoted to the senior list.

Keating's departure follows the recent retirements of Justin Leppitsch and Brad Scott and the troubled departure of Jason Akermanis, who is seeking to finish his career with a Melbourne-based club. Akermanis, who was considered by some to be somewhat of a football pariah, could get his wish of playing in Melbourne. He recently met with Essendon and Melbourne and last week met with Bulldog Coach Rodney Eade and club president David Smorgon. Both were impressed with Akermanis and Eade believes his talent, enthusiasm, and experience would be good for the club. Eade said he spoke to the team's leadership group and they were positive about the possibility of having Akermanis as a teammate.

Source: Melbourne Age

RICHMOND
Darren Gaspar, who managed just 8 games this year, has been offered a one year contract, but defender Football director Greg Miller said Gaspar was still a big part of Richmond's future and the club will continue to offer Gaspar one year deals.

However, fellow defender Andrew Kellaway has rejected a new deal after being told his on-field role would be limited next year. Kellaway, 31, wants to play for one more season, and has told his manager Ricky Nixon to begin sounding out other clubs. If any show interest, Kellaway would nominate for the preseason draft.

Source: Melbourne Age

PORT ADELAIDE
Not only did Danyle Pearce win the Rising Star Award, but Port scored a double when David Linsen, Port's NSW scholarship recruit, won the Sydney AFL Rising Star Award.

The award was voted on by the coaches of the Sydney AFL clubs, and he was also presented with a $500 check from the NAB toward his football career.

Linsen, who plays for the Western Suburbs AFC, has had a breakthrough year in 2006, his first year of senior football. He ranks second in his club’s goalkicking and 12th in the league overall and has moved into the midfield after starting out as a crumbing forward.

Power recruiting officer Geoff Morris has resigned, citing a need for change and a new challenge as the reason behind his decision. He said he felt it was the right time to move on while he still had something to offer elsewhere and wants to remain in the football industry.

Morris has been with the club since its entry into the AFL, starting in a development role back in 1996 working with specific players in the SANFL. He continued in the role for the club’s first nine years in the AFL and last year moved full time into recruiting. Power chief executive John James said the club appreciated Morris’s contribution.

Morris 1997 and the 2004 premiership season were highlights of his time with the club. He specifically mentioned the first Showdown with cross-town rival Adelaide, the club's first AFL win (against the Bulldogs), and of course the premiership.

He believes the team will bounce back from the poor 2006 season and be a force over the next 5-6 years. Morris will remain with the club as it prepares for this year's draft

Source: Hitaf Rasheed, Club Media Release

CARLTON
The club held a lengthy board meeting last week with the tenure of Denis Pagan one of the main topics on the agenda. While the board agreed to retain Pagan, despite a presentation from Northern Bullants coach Barry Mitchell, long time assistant Tony Elshaug and fitness/conditioning coach Peter Mulkearns were let go. The board also offered an assistant position to former champion Stephen Silvagni. Silvagni has yet to accept and it is believes he will only do so on the condition that the club completely revamp the football department. He has recommended the appointment of Brisbane football manager Graeme Allan, who is contracted with the Lions for two more years.

Pagan admitted the past 6 months had been the toughest in his long playing and coaching career, but believes that the club can become a force one more. Toward that end, he said the belief in one another has to be restored and the club needs to be united on and off the field.

Former player Fraser Brown has recently been critical of the administration, saying the entire board should be dumped. To that end, he is considering presenting himself on a ticket to challenge the board at the club's AGM in December. He has also advocated the dumping of Denis Pagan as coach. Two of his former teammates, Craig Bradley and Greg Williams, are believed to be potential candidates on his ticket.

Brown said he did not understand why directors Stephen Kernahan and Adrian Gleeson, who first recommended that Pagan be dismissed and, had reversed their opinion. Last week, the board first voted 7-3 to sack Pagan, but reversed that vote at a second board meeting. Fraser said he does not believe the current administration can take the club forward over the next several years.

Former champ Brett Ratten, however, disagrees with Brown on Coach Pagan, and has expressed a desire to return to the club as part of the coaching staff. He said in a radio interview that he has already sent his CV to all the Melbourne based clubs and has heard from several. He also said he thinks the club needs outsiders from other clubs on board to give different perspectives regarding club cultures and game plans.

Former Carlton president John Elliott weighed in on the issue as well. Although he did not advocate the dumping of the entire board, which he called inept, he believes most of the current members should be dumped.

Elliott conceded Coach Denis Pagan had a "disappointing" season in 2006, but added that Pagan just did not have a strong list with which to work.

Lance Whitnall won his first Best & Fairest last week. Whitnall polled 174 votes to take out the John Nicholls Medal, 10 votes ahead of Brendan Fevola and 18 ahead of Heath Scotland.
Whitnall, runner-up in 1998 as a 19-year-old and third last year, played every game this season, primarily in defense, and is considered a strong chance for All-Australian selection.

Fevola kicked 84 goals in a season which also yielded his first Coleman Medal, while Scotland, the club's leading possession-getter, had his best season at Carlton since crossing from Collingwood at the end of 2003.

Whitnall said winning the award was another highlight in what he believes to be his best season in his 10 year career. He also expressed elation at the fact he joins former past champions who won the award.

2006 John Nicholls Medal voting (the club adopted a 5-4-3-2-1 system this year, with four lots of votes collected each round):

Lance Whitnall      174
Brendan Fevola      164
Heath Scotland      146
Kade Simpson        105
Nick Stevens         93
Andrew Walker        91
Bret Thornton        90
Matthew Lappin       84
Marc Murphy          82
Anthony Koutoufides  57

Best First Year Player - Marc Murphy
Best Clubman - David Teague
Past Players Encouragement Award - Setanta O'hAilpin

Adam Bentick collected the Women of Carlton Player Ambassador of the Year Award for his on-field efforts and work within the community.

Source: afl.com & Melbourne Age

GEELONG
Ben Graham, in just his second season as a New York Jet, has been named captain of one of the specialist teams. The voting was done by his teammates.

Brad Ottens was caught DUI last week and faces a fine and the loss of his driver's license for up to 11 months. The club will also take disciplinary action under the AFL's code of conduct.

Source: newsday.com & Kevin Diggerson, Club Media Release

KANGAROOS
Sav Rocca has taken his first step toward an NFL career by signing a 3 month contract to play with a German team which is affiliated with the Buffalo Bills, who brokered the deal.

The club held its awards ceremony last week and midfielder Brady Rawlings took out the Syd Barker Award for the second time. Rawlings polled in 12 of his 22 games to finish with 41 votes.

Rawlings was a shining light for the Kangaroos this season as tough, tagging midfielder.  Some of his more impressive scalps included Bulldog Scott West, Brisbane's Simon Black, Adelaide's Tyson Edwards, Geelong's Joel Corey, and Port's Shaun Burgoyne. Al fell victim to Rawlings in an impressive 5 week stretch Rounds 12-16.

Rawlings, 25, held West to just 3 kicks in round 12 and followed that stifling effort by reducing Black to 2 kicks, Edwards to 5 kicks, Corey to 6 kicks and Power ball-winner Burgoyne to 7 kicks. While negating his opponents, he averaged 20 possessions a game, was 10th in marks for the Roos with 109 and was seventh in tackles with 52.

Rawlings joins other Kangaroo greats including Allen Aylett, Noel Teasdale, Barry Davis, Ross Glendinning, and Anthony Stevens as multiple Syd Barker Medalists.

Taken with the 15th pick in the 1998 National Draft, Rawlings has represented Australia in the International Series against Ireland in 2004 shortly after claiming his first B&F.

Syd Barker Voting 2006 (all players receive 1 vote for each game. The 4 match committee members can then award a maximum of 20 votes to players, with no limit on how many players can receive votes):

Brady Rawlings    41 
Nathan Thompson   40
Daniel Wells      40
Daniel Harris     38
Brent Harvey      38
Drew Petrie       38
Corey Jones       34
Adam Simpson      31
Jess Sinclair     21
Daniel Pratt      29

Other Awards:
Best Clubman: Adam Simpson
Trainers Award: Andrew Swallow
Northerners Award (voted on courage, commitment and teamwork): Daniel Harris
Jason McCartney Jumper: Brady Rawlings
Vice-Presidents’ Rookie of the Year: Andrew Swallow
Cheer Squad Award: Daniel Harris

Source: afl.com

On to the scores:

MELB  2.2   3.4   8.5   13.12 (90)
STK   5.4   6.6   9.8   10.12 (72)

GOALS: MELB - Neitz 4, McLean 2, Miller, McDonald, Bruce, Robertson, Pickett, Bate, Yze; STK - Gehrig 3, Milne 2, Riewoldt 2, Koschitzke, Peckett, Baker
BEST: MELB - McLean, Neitz, Bruce, Green, McDonald, White, Carroll, Pickett; STK - Riewoldt, Harvey, Goddard, Baker, S. Fisher, Milne, Ball, Gehrig

INJURY: MELB - Jamar (broken foot), Whelan (shoulder); STK - R. Clarke (hamstring), Gehrig (ankle), X. Clarke (back), Harvey (hamstring)

Jamar will miss the rest of the season

REPORTS: STK - Thompson (StK) for rough conduct against Bruce

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Schmitt, Goldspink

CROWD: 67,528 at the MCG

A free kick just after the first bounce allowed the Saints to clear the ball. Gehrig gathered the ball and then found Milne who drilled it from 22 yards. A few minutes later, Whelan earned a free, allowing the Demons to clear and move the ball quickly to the other end to a waiting Neitz who won the contest and leveled the scores. Gehrig marked as the Saints won the next bounce, but he missed from 50 meters out and on a tight angle. The Saints got it again only to have their efforts thwarted as the Demons rushed a point, then cleared the ball with Miller getting on the end of it to give the Demons a 4 point lead. The Saints regained the lead when Gehrig got away from Holland to mark and goal from another tight angle just 35 meters out. Gehrig did again 3 minutes later and the Saints were out to an 8 point lead. Three times lucky, it would seem as Gehrig got it again and the Saints drew out to a 14 point lead midway through the term as the rain began to fall. Carroll replaced Holland on the G-Train. But the Saints had plenty of other options as the 35 year old 22 year old Harvey trapped the ball in a forward pocket, got around Sylvia and found Milne for another goal. In between, the Saints peppered the goals as Riewoldt and Koschitzke both missed shots which would have left the Demons reeling. As it was, the Saints led by 20 points at 1/4 time.

Harvey was proving to experienced for Sylvia, who was replaced by Bruce. The Saints looked set to continue the dominance with players going in hard at the ball and man. Whelan was confined to the bench inside the first minute after getting cleaned up by Thompson. As the rain continued, Carroll infringed on Riewoldt and he converted from 22 yards. However, goals became a precious commodity in the wet. Both sides again peppered the goals, resulting in a handful of points to both. The Saints suffered their first casualty when Koschitzke was forced to the bench after getting crunched by McLean. Then it was St. Kilda's turn to concede a goal, this time to Neitz who was held by Hudghton, reducing St. Kilda's lead to 19 points. Milne got the next free but could manage only a point as well, leaving the Saints with a 20 point lead again at 1/2 time.

The St. Kilda rooms looked more like a casualty ward at the break as Gehrig appeared to have rolled an ankle in a tackle just before time, Voss hurt himself when he dived courageously for a mark, and Xavier Clarke was out of action.

White Voss, Gehrig, and eventually Koschitzke returned at various stages during the 3rd term, Gehrig appeared to struggle and Voss seemed less than 100%. The Demons took full advantage of the mounting injury toll to slam on the first 3 goals and by halfway through the term were within 2 points. Riewoldt then missed from 50 and Milne hit the post. Riewoldt made amends a few minutes later with a strong mark and goal, then Riewoldt and Milne combined with Kosi marking and extending the Saint lead to 16 points. Peckett then earned a free and a 55 yard penalty and the Saints were out to a 22 point lead, but also suffered another blow when Raphael Clarke joined his brother on the bench with a hamstring injury.

Hudghton held onto Neitz, who goaled from the free, then Pickett crumbed a goal to again cut the Saint lead. Sylvia kicked a point and the Dees trailed by just 9 points at 3/4 time.

Inaccuracy crept into the game as both sides missed chances. Harvey and Peckett managed behinds and Neitz hit the post twice. It was 10 minutes before the next goal and it went St. Kilda's way when Davey compounded his infringement with a 55 yard penalty which put Baker in the goal square and gave the Saints a 15 point lead. Davey was dragged briefly for a chat with Coach Daniher. In the meantime, the Demons began to work their way back into the game against the tiring and wounded Saints. Bate was first up as he accepted a Johnstone pass to again put the Dees within 9 points. McLean picked off a Goddard kick, passed to Bruce, who gave it back to McLean and the Demons were again within 2 points. Davey was back on and produced a bit of magic. Gathering the ball on the boundary, he powered away from several Saint defenders to set up Neitz for the goal which put the Demons in front. Miller, Pickett, and Bruce kicked consecutive points to put the Demons 7 points in front. Harvey's poster made the difference one straight kick with 5 minutes left. Bruce intercepted a Fisher kick but also missed before a desperate Hudghton caught McLean around the neck.

The goal virtually sealed the match for the Demons and Yze iced it with one final goal to give the Demons their first finals win since 2002. It was also Melbourne's ninth victory from 11 encounters against the Saints and it is the third time the Demons have knocked off St Kilda in three finals. It was also Melbourne's 11th win from 12 matches at the MCG this year.

For the Demons, Green (29/6), McDonald (20/6), and McLean (25) were superb in the middle as they buzzed around White's 30 hitouts. Bruce (29/9) was excellent through the middle and across half back as he battled Harvey, while Carroll (10/5) also did well in defense. Neitz (9 kicks, 3 marks) and Pickett (15/4) were crucial in attack.

For the Saints, Harvey (20/6) never stopped though Bruce restricted him in the second half. Ball (25/7) and Baker (19/7) found plenty of the ball in the midfield while Goddard (23/7) tried to create opportunities across half forward for Riewoldt (20/8), Gehrig (5 kicks, 5 marks), and Milne (14/7). Sam Fisher (19/6) was solid in defense.

ADE   1.3   3.8   5.12   10.16 (76)
FRE   4.2   5.2    7.4     7.4 (46)

GOALS: ADE - Bock 2, Torney 2, Biglands 2, Clarke, Reilly, Welsh, Perrie; FRE - Farmer 2, Pavlich 2, Crowley, Black, Cook

BEST: ADE - Doughty, Reilly, Torney, Thompson, Edwards, Bassett, Stevens, Bock, Johncock, Bode, Porplyzia, Mattner;
FRE - Black, Bell, Johnson, J. Carr, McPharlin, Headland, McManus

INJURY: FRE - Grover (back)

CHANGES: FRE - Polak replaced in selected side by Hasleby

UMPIRES - Chamberlain, Ellis, McInerney

CROWD - 42,208 at AAMI Stadium

A howling wind toward one end of the ground made life difficult for both sides. Bell won the toss for the Dockers, giving them first use of the stiff breeze and they didn't waste it as Crowley goaled just 3 minutes into the match. A few minutes later, Farmer was on the end of a lightning-quick transition from defense to give the Dockers a 2 goal lead. Perrie missed a golden opportunity from close range and Doughty hit the post. The Dockers, who were playing with a skill level and commitment not seen since they last made the finals, then slammed through two more as Pavlich out-positioned Stevens and Black roosted one in from 55 yards. Biglands then got his hands on the ball, ducked around Grover, and slotted a banana goal which had the home crowd on its feet, but it was the Dockers by 17 points at 1/4 time.

Adelaide now had the wind at their back and began to dominate the possessions. Their defense also stood firm and the Crows worked their way back into the game as a ruck infringement handed Clarke a goal. Minutes later, Reilly was the recipient of a chain of handpasses and the Crows were within striking distance late in the term before Farmer bobbed up to force Rutten to throw the ball. The free kick gave the Dockers a 7 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Crows were then able to halt the Dockers' run to a degree in the 3rd term to minimize the damage they could do kicking with the wind again. And it took until midway through the term for the Dockers to score a goal, coming when tough nut Cook forced a turnover and pounced.

Moments later, the umpires picked out a free kick from a collision between Pavlich and Shirley. The goal restored the Dockers' 16 point lead. The Crows hit back through Bock as the term drew to a close. He marked deep in a forward pocket, and somehow managed to slot an amazing goal into the teeth of the wind. He was again in the right place at the right time when the ball came in and soccered it 10 meters past a desperately lunging Mundy to put the Crows within 4 points at 3/4 time.

The Crows hit the front 6 minutes into the final term when Welsh marked in between 2 defenders and goaled from close range. The Crows then proceeded to hold the Dockers completely scoreless for the term as they added 4.4 to take the win and the week's break.

For the Crows, Edwards (20), Porplyzia (15/5), and Mattner (15) were the ballwinners in the midfield, while Doughty (22/8), Bassett (25/11), Torney (22/7), Johncock (25/8), and Stevens (20/7) were at their miserly best in defense. Reilly (23/6), Thompson (30/9), Bock (17/7), and Bode (20/6) patrolled the forward lines with aplomb.

For the Dockers, Black (33/12), Bell (24), Headland (19), and McManus (17/6) worked hard in the midfield while Johnson (26/18) and McPharlin (15/9) were the best of the defenders.

SYD   3.2   7.3   10.6   13.7 (85)
WCE   2.3   4.6    9.9   12.12 (84)

GOALS: SYD - Hall 5, O'Loughlin 4, Schneider 2, Kirk, Goodes; WCE - Waters 2, Lynch 2, Hunter 2, Judd 2, Staker, Stenglein, Cousins, Armstrong

BEST: SYD - Hall, O'Loughlin, Kirk, Schneider, McVeigh, Richards, Goodes; WCE - Judd, R. Jones, Cousins, Hunter, Cox, Selwood, Wirrpanda, B. Jones
INJURY: WCE - Chick (ankle)

CHANGES: WCE - Seaby replaced in selected side by Brett Jones

REPORTS: WCE - Chick for rough conduct on Malceski
UMPIRES: Vozzo, McBurney, Ryan

CROWD: 43,116 at Subiaco Oval

Waters got the Eagles off to a flyer with the opening 2 goals of the match. For all their attack, which they did often in the early stages of the opening term, the Eagles should have buried Sydney, but could not as Cousins, LeCras, and Staker all missed. It took the Swans well into the term to register their first goal through O'Loughlin. Doyle won the next center bounce and the Swans again raced forward where O'Loughlin marked on the lead and goaled. Kirk was then on the end of a pass and slotted one from 45 meters to give Sydney a 4 point lead. A behind to Hall made it 5 points at 1/4 time.

Goodes made it a one goal difference when he hit the post at the top of the 2nd term. Ablett was moved onto Judd for a spell as Goodes pushed forward of center and Kirk won a free in the middle. A string of hand and foot passes saw the Swans advance. But it was Wirrpanda who gifted them the next goal with his late hit on O'Loughlin earned a 50 meter penalty, taking O'Loughlin to the goal square. The Swans raced forward yet again and again Wirrpanda fouled, this time on Hall - bang, another goal. After anther miss to Cousins, Staker finally found the big sticks for the Eagles. It didn't take long for the Swans to reply through Goodes, only for the Eagles to reply through Stenglein. The Eagles next attack was foiled when Kennelly rushed a point. The Swans surged once more and Hall took another grab. This time he was hard against the boundary about 27 yards meters out. He took his time and cooly threaded the goal to give Sydney a 15 point lead at 1/2 time.

An early 3rd term goal to Schneider stretched Sydney's lead to 22 points before a big bump from Chick on Malceski inspired the Eagles into action. A soft free to Hunter followed by a great running effort from Judd reduced Sydney's lead midway through the term. Hall snagged the ball out of a pack for the next goal to ease the pressure on Sydney, but Lynch jagged 2 in 2 minutes narrowed the Swan lead to 4 points. The advantage see-sawed for the rest of the term and so did the lead as both sides threw themselves in where angels fear to tread.

Hunter's next goal handed the Eagles a 2 point lead but Hall goaled soon after to out Sydney 3 points in front. Hunter blew another chance when he dropped a mark and the Swan defense conceded a point. O'Loughlin didn't do much better as he hit the post but it was enough for Sydney to hold onto a 3 point lead at 3/4 time and set up a heart-stopping final term.

The intensity lifted several notches as the final term got underway and it went blow for blow. Schneider kicked a point, but Cousins goaled to give the Eagles a 2 point lead. Cousins and Judd teamed up for a blistering run to get the ball into Chick, but his kick from beyond 55 yards was touched on the line by the desperate Sydney defense. The midfield battle raged as each side tried to break clear of the other. Chick hobbled off with an ankle injury and O'Loughlin appeared to be hampered by a groin injury suffered in the 2nd term. Malceski drifted back to a defensive mark and the Swans raced forward again. Schneider goaled and it was the Swans by 3 points. A point to the wayward Eagles cut it back to just 2 points. A throw in close to the Eagles' goal was won again by Judd and the Eagles took a 4 point lead. From the bounce, O'Keefe took kicked it long to a waiting Hall and the Swans stole back a 2 point lead. From the next bounce, Armstrong got his first touch of the game, but it was a vital one as he raced in to goal and the Eagles were back in front by 4 points. A behind to Wirrpanda made it 5 points with just minutes remaining. The Swans got the ball into their attacking zone once more and managed to keep it locked in close to their goal, fighting desperately. Banfield tried to clear the ball, but was spoiled and O'Loughlin swooped in to gather it and ran into an open goal. It was Sydney by a point. From there, the Swans dug deep to muster all the resolve they could to fend off another Eagle attack and hold out for their first win at Subiaco since 2001.

For Sydney, Kirk (20/5) and Goodes (20) patrolled the midfield while McVeigh (5 kicks) sacrificed his own game to curb the influence of Cousins. Richards (8 kicks, 6 marks) provided great support to Kennelly (22/7) in defense, while O'Keefe (16/9), O'Loughlin (15/9), and Schneider (15/8) added devastating punch to an all-out attack where Hall (15 kicks, 12 marks) stole the show. Doyle (13 hitouts) and Jolly (18 hitouts) kept pace with a rampant Cox (39 hitouts).

For the Eagles, Judd (34), Cousins (19), and Brett Jones (16) were tireless in the midfield, while Wirrpanda (17) and Selwood (22/6) battled in defense. Hunter (12/4) was the best of the inaccurate forwards.

WB    4.2   8.7   14.10   18.13 (121)
COL   5.6   6.9    6.13   11.14 (80)

GOALS: WB - Montgomery 4, Cooney 3, Robbins 3, Ray 2, Gilbee 2, Giansiracusa, Johnson, Smith, Minson; COL - Tarrant 3, Holland 2, Rocca, Egan, Fraser, Licuria, Lockyer, Rusling

BEST: WB - West, Cross, Ray, Cooney, Morris, Montgomery, Johnson, Giansiracusa, Grant; Griffen, Street, Boyd; COL - R. Shaw, Johnson, Clement, Fraser, H. Shaw, Buckley, Prestigiacomo

INJURY: WB - Gilbee (ankle)

CHANGES: COL - Wakelin replaced in selected side by Rusling

UMPIRES: Kennedy, Allen, Jeffery

CROWD - 84,284 at the MCG

The game got off to a fiery start when Holland smashed into Montgomery off the ball, an incident sure to attract the attention of the Match Review Panel. Gilbee was off inside the opening minute after a collision with Lockyer, but he returned later in the term. Montgomery recovered from his clash enough to soccer through a Robbins fumble for the opening goal. A minute later, Brad Johnson marked 50 meters out, played on, and booted the next goal. It sparked the Pies into action. They began winning the ball out of the center to deprive the Dogs, who seemed to struggle to find any rhythm. Fraser started things off, marking a Tarrant pass and converting. Tarrant got the next one from close range. A poor kick in a few minutes later caused West to fumble, allowing Egan to swoop onto the loose ball and slot another point blank goal. Rusling nailed the next from 50 and Lockyer finished off with a tight angle shot from 20 meters to give the Pies a 15 point lead. Cooney and Ray goaled late in the term, leaving Collingwood just 10 points clear at 1/4 time.

The breakneck pace continued in the second term, but scoring dried up as both teams couldn't find reliable avenues to goal. The Dogs finally settled and got their running game going as West, Cross, and Boyd began dominating in the midfield. Cooney finally kicked a goal midway through the term from a free kick. Robbins then marked in front of Clement and goaled from 55 yards to give the Dogs a narrow lead. Rocca goaled 5 minutes later to restore Collingwood's lead, but it was short lived as Montgomery slipped away from Holland for an over the shoulder snap. He did it again 5 minutes later and the Dogs were out to a 10 point lead at 1/2 time. The Pies had their chances during the term, but missed shots which could have kept them in front.

Collingwood slowed to a walk in the 3rd term, as the Bulldogs just kept running, delivering, and hitting targets. They made the Pies look slow and flat-footed as they ran Collingwood ragged. Giansiracusa began what would be an avalanche just one minute into the 3rd term. Cooney chimed in a few minutes later. Tarrant missed another but so did Montgomery and Robbins. Montgomery got amongst the goals again midway through the term with a great diving mark in the goal square and the Dogs were out to a 27 point lead. Brad Johnson led up the ground to take delivery and launched a long bomb to Minson in the goal square. He was never going to miss from just 2 meters out. Gilbee got in on the fun when he dashed downfield from defense to take another goal square mark. Gilbee nailed another a minute later to give the Dogs a 45 point lead at 3/4 time.

The final term was a non-event, except for the delirious Bulldog fans. Griffen and Robbins stretched the lead even further with quick goals early in the final term. The Pies tried, but just could not convert as Rocca missed, then Fraser's shot hit the behind post to be ruled out on the full. Holland finally got one back for the Pies, their first since the 2nd term. Licuria booted another soon after, but every time the Pies raised even a modicum of a challenge, the Dogs replied. Smith goaled from a spillage created by a West tackle, and his teammates mobbed him in game #299. Tarrant's goal was nullified by one to Montgomery but the Pies tried once more with goals to Tarrant and Holland in junk time. Brad Johnson took one last shot but it was touched on the line by Lonie. Minutes later the siren sounded and the Dogs celebrated as Smith was greeted by his family on the ground. It made for an emotional scene, knowing he and teammate West would reach the magical 300 game mark together next week.

For the Bulldogs, West (36/7) was a constant ball magnet in the packs, as Cooney (15/4), Cross (32/7), Ray (27/6) cut a swathe through the midfield. Grant (13/4) led an air tight defense alongside Griffen (18/5) and Morris (16/6). Street (15 hitouts) and Minson (12 hitouts) combined well in the ruck while Giansiracusa ((23/8), Johnson (25/6), Boyd (29/4), and Montgomery (8 kicks, 5 marks) were constant targets in attack.

For Collingwood, Rhyce Shaw (25/8) was best in the midfield but lacked support, while Johnson (25/5), Clement (19/6), Prestigiacomo (12/5), and Heath Shaw (14/6) tried but were overwhelmed in a defense under siege. Buckley (23/9) was solid as always across half
forward.

Next week, it will be Fremantle vs. Melbourne on Friday and West Coast vs. the Western Bulldogs on Saturday. Both games will be played in Perth.

Source: Melbourne Age, afl.com, & author notes from live broadcasts

Article last changed on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 10:23 AM EDT


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