Round Four Scores

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

WB    6.4  10.8   12.11   20.12 (132) 
RICH  4.2   5.5    8.13   14.16 (100) 

GOALS: WB - Darcy 4, Murphy 4, Cooney 4, Robbins 2, Higgins 2, Hargrave, Giansiracusa, Boyd, Johnson; RICH - Polak 3, Hyde 3, Richardson 3, Schulz 2, P. Bowden, Tivendale, Tuck

BEST: WB - Cooney, Boyd, West, Griffen, Murphy, McMahon, Gilbee; RICH - Foley, Raines, Hyde, J. Bowden, Tuck, Polak, Johnson

REPORTS: WB - Murphy for high contact on Raines

UMPIRES: Chamberlain, Margetts, Vozzo

CROWD: 36,821 at MCG

Bulldogs Luke Darcy (2 seasons) and Robert Murphy (2006 season) have both missed huge chunks of football due to knee reconstructions. But one would never know it based on their outing against the Tigers. With Minson handling the ruck duties, it allowed the Dogs the luxury of having Darcy in attack for the entire match. And a good thing it was with Joel Bowden keeping ace forward Brad Johnson under wraps. The Dogs also had plenty of other options with Murphy and Robbins alongside Darcy. Throw in goalkicking midfielders Cooney and Higgins, it made for a pretty potent combination. Darcy started proceedings with 2 goals, followed by Murphy and Robbins. The Tigers put up a good fight with four goals of their own, but two more to the Dogs gave them a 16 point lead at 1/4 time.

The Bulldogs kept their running game going in the second term as well as their prowess in front of goal. The Tigers tried to defend, forcing a number of rushed behinds, but the Dogs still managed to pile on four goals to one, with Darcy kicking two more and the Tigers spraying a number of attempts on goal. It left the Dogs with a handy 33 point lead at 1/2 time.

Murphy goaled early in the third term to extend the Bulldog lead to 38 points. The Tigers wayward ways in front of goal continued in the term, although they did manage to outscore the Dogs three goals to two, not enough for a serious challenge as it left the Dogs with a 22 point lead at 3/4 time.

A Tiger goal early in the final term cut the lead to 15 points. The Tigers rallied briefly to again challenge but the Bulldogs responded with an eight goal to six term to keep the Tigers winless.

ESS   1.2   7.3   11.8   15.9 (99)
STK   2.4   4.6    7.9   9.14 (68)

GOALS: ESS - Lloyd 3, Lucas 3, Monfries, Peverill, Lovett, Slattery, Stanton, Laycock, Davey, Ryder, Fletcher; STK - Riewoldt 4, Milne 3, Blake, Harvey

BEST: ESS - Peverill, Stanton, Davey, McPhee, Lovett, Fletcher; STK - Harvey, Hayes, Goddard, Riewoldt, Blake, Gram

UMPIRES: Kennedy, M. Nicholls, Jeffery

CROWD: 47,605 at Telstra Dome

The Saints started the better of the two sides, with Harvey, Dal Santo, and Hayes controlling the midfield. However, with Gehrig suspended and McPhee dominating across Essendon's half back line, goals were hard to come by. It made for a low-scoring opening term but the Saints went to 1/4 time with an eight point lead.

That slender lead came at cost with St. Kilda's undermanned defense becoming even more so with the loss of full back Fisher.

The Bombers started to get on top in the second term with Peverill and Stanton finding plenty of the ball and finding targets all over the ground. Up forward, Lucas and Lloyd showed too much strength and ability for the Saint defense. Others to spark the Bombers were youngsters Ryder and Davey, who is showing as much speed and talent as his Demon brother. Ryder provided constant drive from defense, and the Bombers put plenty of pressure on the Saints to force turnovers. It resulted in a seven goal spree for Essendon to St. Kilda;s two, giving the Bombers a 15 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Bombers continued to dominate through most of the third term, kicking six of the first seven goals. Two of those came from defenders Ryder and Fletcher. Ryder flew high for mark (catch of the ball), ran forward and goaled from 50 meters (55 yards). Fletcher also let fly from 60 meters (66 yards). Davey goaled from a free kick. Milne got one for the Saints, then Davey ran down Goddard, forcing a turnover and setting up another goal for Essendon, who led by 23 points at 3/4 time.

Essendon blew the game out of the Saints' reach in the final term, with four quick goals in a seven-minute burst. One of those goals came via another fine move from Davey. Just as the Saints appeared to be surging, he laid a brilliant tackle on Gwilt, which helped set Lloyd up for a goal. The Saints could manage only two goals for the term.

PA   3.3   7.7   9.9   12.12 (84)
COL  3.5   7.9   9.10   9.12 (66)

GOALS: PA - Ebert 3, S. Burgoyne 2, Mahoney 2, Wilson 2, White, C. Cornes, Rodan; COL - Rocca 2, Pendlebury 2, Swan 2, Johnson, Davis, Maxwell

BEST: PA - C. Cornes, Wilson, Lade, Ebert, K. Cornes, S. Burgoyne, Rodan; COL - Thomas, H. Shaw, R. Shaw, Lockyer, Pendlebury, Johnson, Burns

INJURY: COL - Licuria (hamstring), Burns (knee), Prestigiacomo (groin), Thomas (ankle)

UMPIRES: Allen, Grun, Head

CROWD: 35,355 at MCG

Light rain made for slippery conditions, but Port's skill and speed through the midfield won out. But it was a hard fought contest with the Magpies putting up plenty of fight for the first three terms. Lade controlled the ruck, Chad Cornes patrolled the defense to cut off the Magpies up forward and Shaun Burgoyne and Wilson led a strong running midfield.

Collingwood stayed right with Port with Heath and Rhys Shaw, and Burns working hard in the middle, An even opening term saw the Magpies leading by two points at 1/4 time.

The second term also was close with both sides kicking four goals apiece and the margin remained the same in Collingwood's favor at 1/2 time.

The Magpies skipped out to a 15 point lead through two goals to Swan early in the third term, but from there Port took over. Goals were still hard to come by in the wet weather, as Port kicked only two of their own for the term, but they held Collingwood to just a handful of points from there on to trail by just one point at 3/4 time.

Port held the Magpies goalless in the final term. A strong tackle by Chad Cornes set up Mahoney for a goal to give Port a seven point lead. Wilson snapped a goal midway through the term which virtually sealed the win while Rodan added a third just for good measure.

ADE   3.2   6.5   8.6    9.7 (61)
SYD   0.4   1.6   5.10  5.14 (44)

GOALS: ADE - Burton 3, Welsh 2, Bock, Porplyzia, Edwards, Perrie; SYD - Jolly 2, O'Loughlin 2, Hall

BEST: ADE - McLeod, Thompson, Rutten, Doughty, Goodwin, Knights; SYD - O'Keefe, Kennelly, J. Bolton, Kirk, Malceski, Jolly

INJURY: SYD - Buchanan (left knee)

UMPIRES: Donlon, Rosebury, McInerney

CROWD 43,752 at AAMI Stadium

Adelaide played Sydney on Sydney's terms, with tight one-one contests and close checking of their opponents to constantly pressure the Swans into errors. Rutten had the better of Hall up forward, while Goodwin and Torney limited the influence of Goodes and Kirk in the middle. McLeod again starred as he provided plenty of run from defense to set up Adelaide for attacking moves. The Crows effectively strangled Sydney into submission, holding them to just 4 points in the first term while kicking three of their own for a 16 point lead at 1/4 time. To that stage, Hall had one shot on goal from a free kick - which he missed.

Hall made amends early in the second term when he outbustled Rutten and goaled. But goals to Bock, Porplyzia, and Edwards along with some errant kicking from the Swans had Adelaide out to a 29 point lead at 1/2 time.

Sydney fought back with the first three goals of the third term, including two to Jolly in the space of a few minutes. However, the Crows kept their cool and kept the pressure right on Sydney forcing them into more errors while kicking two of the last three goals for the term for a 14 point lead at 3/4 time.

While such a lead is not insurmountable as the Swans have shown in the past, this time they could not make any further inroads on the scoreboard. They were able to limit the Crows to a solitary goal, but the tight Crow defense held Sydney goalless again for a hard fought win.

KANG   5.4   6.6   7.13   12.15 (87)
BRIS   1.6   5.9   6.13    8.15 (63)

GOALS: KANG - L. Brown 3, Wells 2, Sinclair, McIntosh, Harvey, Petrie, Harris, Jones, Thomas; BRIS - McGrath 2, Black 2, J. Brown, Notting, Johnson, Harding

BEST: KANG - McIntosh, Rawlings, Wells, Simpson, Brown, Archer; BRIS - Notting, Black, Brennan, McGrath, Harding, Power

INJURY: KANG - Thomas (ribs); BRIS - Lappin (thigh) replaced in selected side by Moody

UMPIRES: Stevic, Kamolins, K. Nicholls

CROWD: 11,133 at Gold Coast Stadium

The Roos jumped the Lions in the opening term. While the Lions struggled in front of goal - Jonathan Brown sprayed two shots himself - the Kangaroos had five individual goal kickers for the term. When Petrie soccered through the last goal of the term with just seconds remaining on the clock, the Kangaroos had a 22 point lead at 1/4 time.

The Lions rallied in the second term with goals to Harding and Black to cut the Kangaroo lead. This time it was the Kangaroos who were having trouble winning the ball in the middle while Adcock and Brennan constantly drove the ball out of defense. Johnson goaled to have the Lions within 10 points before a Harvey goal gave the Roos some breathing space. Notting bobbed up with a long bomb from the boundary to have the Lions within three points at 1/2 time.

During the break, dew had settled on the ground which made things a bit slippery in the second half and both sides seemed to drop their skill levels in the conditions. The scoring dried up in the third term, save for a handful of points for both sides and a late goal to Leigh Brown for the Kangaroos, who led by six points at 3/4 time.

McIntosh goaled early in the final term to give the Roos a 12 point lead, but Jonathan Brown brought the margin back to six with a goal of his own. Leigh Brown added two of his own to keep extend the Kangaroo lead before McGrath pulled one back for the Lions. However, late goals to Sinclair and Wells sealed the win for the Kangaroos.

FRE   5.2   10.5   17.8    21.11 (137)
MELB  3.5    4.9    9.11   13.14 (92)

GOALS: FRE - Pavlich 6, Headland 3, Webster 3, Sandilands 2, Tarrant 2, Campbell, J. Carr, Crowley, Gilmore, McManus;
MELB - Dunn 3, Miller 3, Davey 2, Bate, Jamar, McDonald, Pickett, Yze

BEST: FRE - Pavlich, Headland, Hasleby, J. Carr, McManus, Sandilands; MELB - Yze, McDonald, Green, Brown, Davey, Bruce
INJURY: FRE - Cook replaced in selected side by Campbell; MELB - Johnstone (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Sylvia, Moloney (groin) replaced in selected side by Bate, Whelan (hamstring), Jones (ankle), Bell (concussion), Brown (calf), Wheatley (shoulder)

UMPIRES: Farmer, Ellis, Avon

CROWD: 16,654 at the MCG

The Demons started well enough, matching the Dockers goal for goal through the first half of the opening term,. but Pavlich, McManus, and Tarrant capped it off with three consecutive goals to give the Dockers a nine point lead at 1/4 time.

The Demons' woes, which started before the bounce with the loss of Johnstone and Moloney, continued in the second term. Already with Neitz, Robertson, McLean, and Bartram sidelined with injury, they lost Whelan and Jones in the second term. The injury toll depleted Melbourne's interchange bench so much that Coach Neale Daniher had no one to rotate on and off the ground. The Dockers took full advantage, slamming though five goals to one to set up a 32 point lead at 1/2 time.

Melbourne tried hard despite their lack of personnel, managing a couple of goals to cut the Docker lead to 22 points midway through the third term, but the Dockers seized control with Headland and Pavlich kicking two goals apiece. closing the gap to 22 points midway through the third term. Pavlich was the star of the term with four of his side's seven goals as the Dockers cruised to 3/4 time with a 45 point lead.

The Demons and the Dockers broke even in the final term, with each side kicking four goals and four points each.

WCE   5.2   6.8   9.11   14.16 (100)
CARL  1.2   2.6   3.11    4.15 (39)

GOALS: WCE - Wirrpanda 4, Hansen 4, Kerr 2, Cox, Hurn, Armstrong, Waters; CARL - Lappin, Fisher, Scotland, Fevola

BEST: WCE - Wirrpanda, Judd, Kerr, Glass, B. Jones;
CARL - Lappin, Scotland, O'hAilpin, Simpson, Bentick

REPORTS: CARL - Fevola striking Stenglein

UMPIRES: McBurney, Sully, Pannell

CROWD: 41,016 at Subiaco Oval

A torrential downpour hit just as the ball was bounced to commence the game, but the Eagles paid it no mind. Judd and Kerr were again masters in the middle, with ample support from Rowan and Brett Jones, and Stenglein. Wirrpanda, who has made his name as a dashing defender, played the game up forward where he caused plenty of headaches for the Carlton defenders.He kicked the Eagles' first goal and West Coast proceeded to add four more for the term and never looked like being overtaken. Lappin kicked Carlton's only goal for the term, leaving the Eagles with a four goal lead at 1/4 time.

Wirrpanda started the second term with another goal. Carlton tried to work their way into the game, but couldn't dent the scoreboard, except for several behinds, As the rain continued, so did the Eagle dominance. But they were having their own problems in front of goal. Fisher got Carlton's only goal late in the term, and the Eagles held a 26 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Eagles extended their lead even further in the third term and were helped by Carlton's poor kicking for goal with the Blues adding only one for the term to West Coast's two. The Eagles were out to a six goal lead at 3/4 time.

The route continued in the final term with the Eagles again restricting Carlton to a solitary goal while slamming through 5 of their own in one of the most lop-sided contests so far this season.

HAW   0.3  4.7  8.9   10.16 (76)
GEEL  3.3  4.8  8.13   9.18 (72)

GOALS: HAW - Williams 3, Boyle, Guerra, Franklin, Young, Taylor, Ellis, Crawford; GEEL - G. Ablett 2, Stokes 2, Kelly 2, Ling, Wojcinski, Milburn

BEST: HAW - Hodge, Guerra, Crawford, Sewell, Jacobs, Young; GEEL - G. Ablett, Bartel, Milburn, Enright, Ling, Mackie

INJURY: HAW - Young (shoulder), Ladson (ankle) replaced in selected side by McGlynn; GEEL - G. Ablett (corked calf)

REPORTS: GEEL - Hunt for charging Crawford

UMPIRES: Meredith, Wenn, Ryan

CROWD: 17,120 at Aurora Stadium

The Cats had the wind at their backs to start the game and used it well, kicking the only three goals for the term. Last week's stars Hawkins, Nathan Ablett, and Mooney struggled in the conditions, so it was left to the likes of Stokes and Ablett up forward. With Ling blanketing Mitchell, the Cats were able to take a three goal lead at 1/4 time.

Hodge was moved from defense to the center to start the second term and it helped spark the Hawks into action. They, too, used the wind well to kick four goals to one for the term to get within one point of the Cats at 1/2 time.

The Hawks then took over in the third term and were able to kick four goals into the wind, but the Cats also kicked four goals. They should have kicked more, but missed a number of chances which would have given them a better lead. As it was, they led by just 4 points at 3/4 time.

The Hawks grabbed the lead midway through the final term but had to withstand a late challenge from the Cats. With the wind still blowing, the Hawks kicked three consecutive points to inch to a five point lead. Stokes had a chance to win the game for the Cats, but missed from close range, cutting the lead to one point. The Cats had one more chance but Hawk ruckman Simon Taylor took a game saving mark deep in defense with just seconds remaining to deprive the Cats.

STANDINGS 
      W   L   FOR   AGST    %      PTS
WCE   4   0   362   257   140.85   16
ESS   3   1   448   379   118.20   12
ADE   3   1   332   284   116.9    12
PA    3   1   390   362   107.73   12
HAW   3   1   327   305   107.21   12
GEEL  2   2   436   330   132.12    8
BRIS  2   2   303   277   109.38    8
SYD   2   2   301   276   109.05    8

COL   2   2   338   340    99.41    8
STK   2   2   327   329    99.39    8
WB    2   2   383   419    91.41    8
CARL  2   2   363   482    75.31    8
FRE   1   3   424   436    97.25    4
KANG  1   3   340   358    94.97    4
RICH  0   4   360   450    80       0
MELB  0   4   305   455    67.03    0

Corrected GOALS after Round Three

Lucas (ESS)       15
B. Johnson (WB)   13
Lloyd (ESS)       12
Fevola (CARL)     11
Pavlich (FRE)     11
M. Williams (HAW) 10
J. Brown (BRIS)    9
Mooney (GEEL)      9
Harvey (KANG)      9
Ebert (PA)         9

GOALS - after Round Four

Lucas (ESS)       18
Pavlich (FRE)     17
Lloyd (ESS)       15
B. Johnson (WB)   14
M. Williams       13
Fevola (CARL)     12
Ebert (PA)        12
Richardson (RICH) 11
J. Brown (BRIS)   10
Harvey (KANG)     10
Welsh (ADE)       10

Source: Melbourne Age, Herald Sun, afl.com.au

Geelong's Tom Hawkins is the Round Three Rising Star nominee for his four goal performance against Melbourne last week. In his Round 2 debut against Carlton, he kicked three goals.

Just 20 years old, Hawkins is already an imposing 197 cm (6'4") and 105 kg (231 lbs). He came to the Cats under the father-son rule, as his father Jack played 182 games for Geelong 1973-81.

Hawkins was a member of the 2005 AIS-AFL Academy and starred in the 2006 Under-18 tournament. His standout performance was against South Australia with 15 marks and six goals. He won the Larke Medal as the best Division One player and won All-Australian selection at full forward.

Hawkins hails from Finley, NSW, which also the hometown of Hawk star Shane Crawford.

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release