by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
BRIS 2.4 7.7 11.11 15.12 (102)
STK 2.3 3.4 6.6 7.8 (50)
GOALS: BRIS - Brown 5, Sherman 3, Black 2, Patfull 2, McGrath, Stiller, Johnson; StK - Fiora 2, Koschitzke 2, Milne, Montagna, Birss
BEST: BRIS - Rischitelli, Sherman, Stiller, Power, Black; StK - Fiora, Gram, Dal Santo, S. Fisher;
INJURY: StK - Hudghton (quad) - Hudghton will miss 2-3 weeks
CHANGES: BRIS - Lappin (thigh) and Roe (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Mills and Allan
UMPIRES: Vozzo, K. Nicholls, Jeffery
CROWD: 28,266 at the Gabba
Prior to the game, the retired Michael Voss walked a lap of honor while the big screen showed highlights of his career. Afterward, the new-look Lions appeared like the Lions' of old as they easily accounted for the Saints, especially when veteran defender Hudghton came off injured near the end of a relatively even first term. Only a point separated the teams at 1/4 time.
Hudghton's loss left an already depleted defense even thinner. Sam Fisher remained opposed to Brown, Gram stayed with Sherman, and Leigh Fisher stuck with Chris Johnson However, the Saints moved Goddard from the forward line into defense. But in doing so, they robbed their forward half of much needed support with young Lion defender Merrett keeping Gehrig well contained. With the Lion midfield of Black, Stiller, and Rischitelli running hard, and Brown in awesome form, the Lions booted goals to one for the term to lead by 21 points at 1/2 time.
Goddard was moved back to the forward line at the start of the third term and the Saints kicked into gear with three of the first four goals to be within 16 points. But the Lions replied with the next three to Johnson, Sherman, and Brown to take a 35 point lead at 3/4 time.
The Lions finished off the Saints early in the final term with a further three goals. St. Kilda managed one midway through the term, but the Lions added the final two for a convincing win. it was Brisbane's first victory over the Saints since the 2005 Easter match.
SYD 4.0 6.6 10.7 13.10 (88)
RICH 1.1 5.2 10.3 11.6 (72)
GOALS: SYD - O'Loughlin 2, Everitt 2, Malceski 2, Hall, O'Keefe, Buchanan, C. Bolton, Kennelly, Schmidt, Jolly;
RICH - Richardson 2, Schulz 2, Hyde 2, Tambling 2, J. Bowden, Tivendale, Foley
BEST: SYD - Everitt, Malceski, Mathews, Buchanan, Goodes, Kennelly, Barry; RICH - Deledio, J. Bowden, Hyde, Polak, Tivendale, Moore, Tambling
INJURY: SYD - Hall (knee)
UMPIRES: Meredith, Pennell, Wenn
CROWD: 37,985 at MCG
The Swans jumped the Tigers early for a four goal lead, but suffered a setback when Hall collided with Tiger defender Gaspar in the opening term. He was on and off the ground after that and was hampered by the injury. He finished the game on the bench. But Sydney still held a 17 point lead at 1/4 time.
Better play by the Tigers and missed opportunities by the Swans saw Richmond get within striking distance of Sydney in the second term. Five goals by Richmond to Sydney's 2.6 had the Tigers within 10 points at 1/2 time.
Richmond came out firing in the third term. They became bolder in their play, were prepared to run, and take risks. They kicked two early goals in the term to steal the lead. Sydney regained the lead when Schmidt goaled from a free kick. The sides traded goals for the remainder of the term and despite the Tigers outscoring Sydney, the Swans still held a narrow four point lead at 3/4 time.
The Tigers again stole the lead early in the final term, but it was the only goal Richmond scored for the term while Sydney booted the last three of the game to seal the win.
Sydney ruckman Peter Everitt dominated out of the middle with 27 hitouts and 15 possessions while Kennelly provided his usual run from defense to set up Sydney's attack.
For the Tigers, Deledio and Hyde tried hard n the midfield, while Joel Bowden did well across halfback and Moore kept O'Keefe quiet.
WCE 3.2 7.6 10.11 12.15 (87)
COL 4.3 8.4 10.8 11.9 (75)
GOALS: WCE - Wirrpanda 3, Judd 2, Kerr, Lynch, Braun, Armstrong, Stenglein, Staker, Rosa; COL - Rocca 4, Davis 3, Johnson, O'Bree, R. Shaw, Burns
BEST: WCE - Kerr, Judd, Wirrpanda, Stenglein, B. Jones;
COL - H. Shaw, Rocca, Maxwell, Davis, Swan
REPORTS: COL - Rocca for charging Graham
UMPIRES: Margetts, Stevic, Avon
CROWD: 40,413 at Subiaco
The evening had started with the unfurling of the Eagles' premiership flag — or rather the landing of it, as it came in attached to a parachutist
Prior to the game, the retired Drew Banfield took a lap of honor to farewell the fans and a parachutist delivered the premiership flag for unfurling. In an unusual move by West Coast, defender David Wirrpanda was positioned in the forward line. And he did not disappoint, kicking the first two goals of the game. Kerr put through the next goal from a free kick and the Eagles looked set to cruise to an easy win. Wirrpanda's second goal could be a contender for goal of the year when he was close to the boundary line on a difficult angle and had opposition players bearing down on him. Collingwood came back hard in the second part of the term and did it in style with three very long kicks for goal. First up was Rocca from 60 meters (71 yards). Then Johnson kicked one from 55 meters (60 yards) and O'Bree chimed in with another from 50 meters (55 yards). When Rhyce Shaw kicked one late in term, it gave the Magpies a seven point lead at 1/4 time.
Collingwood took that momentum into the second term, with Davis kicking two goals, but the Eagles also kicked a couple to stay right in the game. Rocca launched another long goal and Davis kicked another for the term to give the Pies a 13 point lead. Wirrpanda's late goal had the Eagles within 4 points at 1/2 time.
A kick from Rocca at the start of the third was picked off by the Eagles and they made no mistake with a goal to take back the lead. Rocca made amends with two goals of his own to restore Collingwood's lead. But two more goals to the Eagles, the second kicked by Judd, gave them a 3 point lead at 3/4 time.
Collingwood extended that lead with a goal in the first part of the final term, but again the Eagles fought back to halt Collingwood's run. It took until halfway through the term for the Eagles to register a goal through Staker. Rosa kicked the winning goal a few minutes later and the Eagles held off the Magpies with some strong defending.
GEEL 4.6 10.8 19.13 24.18 (162)
CARL 3.2 5.6 7.9 12.12 (84)
GOALS: Mooney 5, N. Ablett 5, Hawkins 3, G. Ablett 2, Varcoe 2, Ling 2, Ottens, Hunt, Selwood, Byrnes, Wojcinski; CARL - Betts 3, Fisher 2, Carrazzo 2, Walker, Murphy, Whitnall, Ackland, Stevens
BEST: GEEL - G. Ablett, Wojcinski, Scarlett, Ottens, Bartel, Byrnes, N. Ablett; CARL - Murphy, Walker, Scotland
INJURY: GEEL - D. Johnson (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Hunt; CARL - Russell (cut head)
CROWD: 41,113 at the Telstra Dome
For years, the Cats have had trouble finding the right combination of players on which to structure their forward line. On this performance, one would have to say they just may have finally gotten what they need.
The placing of Mooney up forward, the development of Nathan Ablett, and the addition of debutant Hawkins proved a winning formula. It allowed Ottens to stay in the center where he dominated the ruck, as his hitouts provided a steady supply of the ball to the likes of Ling, Bartel, Mackie, and Gary Ablett. It all added up to a quick start for the Cats who jumped out to an early lead. Carlton managed to stay close in the opening term, thanks to their three goals and some poor kicking for goal by the Cats, who led by 1 points at 1/4 time.
Varcoe ducked around Carlton defender Thornton early in the second term for a goal with his first league kick to extend Geelong's lead. And the floodgates opened, The Cat attack was relentless and the Carlton defense under siege. The midfielders were running Carlton ragged and also slotting goals from everywhere. They hammered Carlton with six goals to two for a commanding 32 point lead at 1/2 time.
As if that were not enough, young Hawkins finally got his hands on the ball to score a goal with his first league kick. It was one of nine Geelong kicked for the term to smash Carlton's spirit and take a 76 point lead at 3/4 time.
By the start of the final term, Whitnall was in defense instead of the forward line as Carlton tried to stem the tide, but to no avail. The Cats piled on 3 more goals to Carlton's two, the third from Hawkins giving the Cats a 99 point lead. Betts kicked three goals in the final stages of the term, but it still left the Cats with their biggest ever score and winning margin against Carlton. Geelong's previous highest score against Carlton of 22.12 came 1925, while the previous record margin of 73 points was set in 1933.
Geelong had winners everywhere with Scarlett restricting Fevola to just six touches and 2 points, Wojcinski running well out of defense, Bartel and Gary Ablett leading the midfield charge, and Nathan Ablett, Varcoe, Mooney, and Hawkins providing massive firepower forward. Carlton Coach Denis Pagan said Hawkins reminded him of a young Tony Lockett.
For Carlton, Scotland and Stevens tried valiantly through the midfield. Houlihan, O'hAilpin, and Murphy, battled against the odds in defense, while Fisher and Fevola tried up forward. Carlton Coach Denis Pagan praised Cat forward Hawkins, saying he looked like a young Tony Lockett.
ADE 4.5 8.10 14.12 16.14 (110)
WB 4.1 5.2 6.5 11.6 (72)
GOLAS: ADE - Welsh 4, Bock 4, Stevens 3, Perrie 2, Van Berlo, Bode, Reilly; WB - Higgins 3, Johnson 2, Cooney 2, Murphy, Boyd, Griffen, McDougall
BEST: ADE - Edwards, McLeod, Welsh, Bock, Goodwin, Knights; WB - West, McMahon, Cross
INJURY: ADE - Johncock (ankle), Shirley (suspected broken hand); WB - Akermanis (hamstring)
Akermanis will miss two weeks
UMPIRES: Grun, Head, Chamberlain
CROWD: 27,199 at the MCG
A disciplined Adelaide brought the running game of the Bulldogs undone. The Crows pressured the Bulldogs, preventing them from using the ball effectively and went long and direct into their own attacking area to the waiting Bock, Welsh, and Stevens. Murphy goaled early in the opening term for the Dogs, and it proved to be an even affair with the Crows ahead by four points at 1/4 time.
Bock goaled early in the second term for the Crows, but that was answered with an excellent goal on the run from Higgins. Bock added his second a few minutes later, followed by one to Perrie, giving the Crows a 16 point lead. After adding a fourth goal, the Crows continued the onslaught, but their last scoring chances netted just four points as they went to 1/2 time with a 26 point lead.
Adelaide broke the game open in the third term as they piled on six goals to one for the term. Bulldog forward Johnson, who kicked eight goals last week, was well held and Andrew McLeod was superb across half-back as he repelled the Dogs and drove the Crows into attack with his rebounding run. The Crows led by 55 points at 3/4 time.
The Bulldogs finally got some run going in the final term to outscore the Crows 5 goals to one. Not enough to overtake the Crows, but it at least flattered them a bit on the scoreboard.
ESS 5.2 8.5 15.6 19.8 (122)
FRE 2.3 6.5 12.8 17.10 (112)
GOALS: ESS - Lucas 5, Lloyd 4, McVeigh 2, Davey, Hird, Jetta, Laycock, Lovett, Monfries, Slattery, Stanton; FRE - Pavlich 4, Tarrant 4, Bell 2, M. Carr, J. Carr, Crowley, Gilmore, Hasleby, Peake, Solomon
BEST: ESS - Lucas, McPhee, Stanton, Lloyd, Winderlich, McVeigh; FRE - Pavlich, Tarrant, Bell, Sandilands, M. Carr
INJURY: FRE - Peake (fractured collarbone) - Peake will miss 4-6 weeks
REPORTS: FRE - Solomon for striking Monfries
UMPIRES: Donlon, McBurney, McInerney
CROWD: 32,623 at Telstra Dome
This game was a battle of the forwards - Lucas and Lloyd at one end for the Bombers, Pavlich and Tarrant at the other for the Dockers. But it was Essendon who played the better game, aided by some ill-timed undisciplined passages from Fremantle. But the Dockers pushed Essendon all the way. Lloyd and Lucas, however, proved a handful for the Docker defenders as Essendon kicked five goals to two in the first term to lead by 17 points at 1/4 time.
The goalfest continued in the second term, with the Dockers adding 4 goals to Essendon's three. It left the Dockers just two goals down and a chance.
And they almost did it in the third term after the Bombers added several goals to lead by 22 points. Pavlich and Tarrant cut loose up forward with Tarrant kicking three goals and setting up Pavlich for another to give Fremantle the lead. Essendon rallied to kick three of the next four goals to take back the lead. Two late goals to Lucas gave the Bombers a 16 point lead at 3/4 time.
Fremantle continued to challenge in the final term but Essendon responded with four goals to Fremantle's three. Lloyd's late goal had Essendon 22 points clear, but the Dockers kickers kicked two consolation goals to slash the final margin.
PA 2.7 8.12 13.18 17.20 (122)
KANG 3.5 7.8 11.10 15.14 (104)
GOALS: PA - Ebert 5, S. Burgoyne 2, P. Burgoyne 2, Pearce 2, Mahoney 2, Rodan 2, Lonie, Krakouer; KANG - Jones 4, Harvey 4, Hale 2, Edwards, Simpson, Wells, Sinclair, Thomas
BEST: PA - S. Burgoyne, Ebert, Salopek, Pearce, Surjan, Brogan, P. Burgoyne; KANG - Harvey, Jones, Wells, Sinclair, Simpson
Umpires: M. Nicholls, Kamolins, Ellis
CROWD: 25,054 at AAMI Stadium
Port welcomed back the run of Peter Burgoyne, who has not played since a hamstring injury in the middle of last season. Alongside the speedy Pearce and Mahoney, and with the help of Brogan;s work in the ruck, Port had plenty of scoring opportunities early, despite the absence of key forward Tredrea. The only hint of his absence was some early inaccuracy in front of goal which allowed the Kangaroos to take a 3 point lead at 1/4 time as they kicked 3 goals to 2.
Port's wayward ways continued in the second term, but they still had enough to boot 6 goals along with their five goals. The loss of Nathan Thompson came back to haunt the Kangaroos, as it probably will for the entire season. It was left to Jones to keep the Kangaroos from falling further behind, as he kicked all of their goals for the term. Port added six, including a burst of four in 12 minutes which helped them to a 10 point lead at 1/2 time.
By midway through the third term, Port had skipped out to a 32 point lead, thanks to the dominance of Brogan and the midfield brigade. Harvey bagged two late goals for the Kangaroos to cut Port's lead to 15 points at 3/4 time.
Harvey was awarded a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) at the start of the final term and the resulting goal had the Kangaroos within 10 points once more. The Kangaroos continued to stay in touch, kicking two goals to Port's three to set up a tense finish. But it was Port who finished on top with late goals to Peter Burgoyne and Krakouer ensuring the win.
HAW 2.4 7.8 15.9 17.14 (116)
MELB 4.5 5.7 10.10 14.10 (94)
GOALS: HAW - Williams 6, Boyle 3, Dixon 2, Croad 2, Crawford, McGlynn, Franklin, Young; MELB - Miller 3, Moloney 2, Godfrey 2, Jamar 2, Bate, Neitz, Ward, Robertson, White
BEST: HAW - Sewell, Ladson, Williams, Mitchell, Campbell, Lewis; MELB - Bruce, McDonald, Miller, Bate, Brown
INJURY: MELB - Neitz (knee), Robertson (knee) - Neitz will miss 2-3 weeks, Robertson to be assessed
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Sully, Ryan
CROWD: 43,197 at the MCG
Melbourne had the early initiative as they controlled the midfield through the first part of the first term, and with Bruce, Neitz, and Miller firing up forward kicked four of the first five goals.But disaster hit the Demons early, when Neitz had to come off halfway through the term with a knee injury. And the Hawks, through youthful exuberance, hard tackling, and man-on-man tactics kept the pressure on to trail by just 13 points at 1/4 time.
Hawk Coach Alistair Clarkson did some reshuffling of the troops at the break, and the Hawks really fired in the second term. The ferocious tackling, hard running, work when the ball hit the ground, and shut down of key Demon playmakers saw the Hawks nail five goals to one for the term to reverse the scoreline for their own 13 point lead at 1/2 time.
With Sewell doing a job on Johnstone, Ladson shutting down Davey and rebounding the ball from defense, and Campbell having the better of White and Jamar in the ruck, Hawthorn continued its dominance in the third term. And the likes of Mitchell, Hodge, Crawford, and young gun McGlynn made the forward line had plenty of chances. It resulted in an eight goal surge by the Hawks. The Demons managed two late goals, but the Hawks still led by 29 points at 3/4 time.
The Demons sparked in the early in the final term to boot four unanswered goals to get within seven points of the Hawks late in the final term. Any chance of overcoming the Hawks was blown when Boyle was slung to the ground after taking a mark. The 50-meter penalty (55 yards) put in the goalsquare for a certain goal and the Hawks added one more for a solid win.
STANDINGS
W L FOR AGST % PTS
BRIS 2 0 171 94 181.91 8
ESS 2 0 227 186 122.04 8
PA 2 0 243 209 116.27 8
WCE 2 0 161 148 108.78 8
GEEL 1 1 255 197 129.44 4
SYD 1 1 161 146 110.27 4
ADE 1 1 184 177 103.95 4
HAW 1 1 160 163 98.16 4
COL 1 1 157 166 94.58 4
WB 1 1 185 203 91.13 4
STK 1 1 143 164 87.20 4
CARL 1 1 199 260 76.54 4
KANG 0 2 183 204 89.71 0
FRE 0 2 217 243 89.30 0
RICH 0 2 170 203 83.74 0
MELB 0 2 156 209 74.64 0
GOALS
Lucas (ESS) 12
Johnson (WB) 10
Pavlich (FRE) 9
Cooney (WB) 8
Ebert (PA) 8
N. Ablett (GEEL) 8
Bock (ADE) 7
Harvey (KANG) 6
Brown (BRIS) 6
Lloyd (ESS) 6
Jones (KANG) 6
Tarrant (FRE) 6
Essendon's Patrick Ryder is the Round One Rising Star nominee. Ryder played in defense opposed to Adelaide's Nathan Bock and Ian Perrie. He showed great agility, skill, and composure under pressure.
Ryder was Essendon's first draft selection in 2005 and debuted in Round One, 2006. He attended the Clontarf Academy in West Australia and represented WA in the Under 16 and Under 18 tournaments and was named Under 18 All-Australian ruckman in 2005. He was also a member of the AIS-AFL Academy in 2005 and was a member of the junior squad which traveled to Ireland for the international series.
He played one season with East Fremantle in the WAFL before being drafted and is the first Essendon player to win a nomination since Jason Laycock in Round 5, 2005.
Source: Melbourne Age, afl.com.au, Herald Sun, & Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release
Article last changed on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 9:08 AM EDT
