AFL Round 4
by Tim Murphy
At the MCG:
Richmond 4.2 5.5 8.13 14.16.100
Footscray 6.4 10.8 12.11 20.12.132
The Doggies corrected course with a straightforward win over the struggling Tigers. When the game was open and free-flowing, in the first, early second and last quarters, the Pups romped clear. The game was tighter and tougher in the middle stanzas and the Tiges made inroads. But in the end they weren’t good enough to capitalize on possession, the Tiges’ 0-4 start is their worst to a season since 1991, when they collected the spoon. In picking here the Tiggers recalled former Bulldog Patrick Bowden and selected two debutants, shortish but speedy midfielders Jake King from VFL affiliate Coburg and North Adelaide’s Shane Edwards. They replaced injured Kel Moore (groin) and dropped pair Adam Pattison and Cam Howat. Footscray also had two first-gamers, Queensland-born big lad Tom Williams making a delayed debut following two years of foot injuries and lithe wingman Jarrod Harbrow, elevated from the rookie list. Matty Robbins came in as a late replacement for Daniel Cross (groin), other missing Dogs were injured Sam Power (hamstring tightness) and axed Peter Street. Doggy Jordan McMahon played his 100th game.
Some niggle between these clubs over the last few weeks, Tiger coach Wallace wrote a newspaper article congratulating himself on assembling the current Bulldog team. Boofhead Bulldog president David Smorgon responded by denouncing Wallace and former Bulldog (and injured current Tiger) Nathan Brown as a “mercenary”. The opening quarter was an open, attacking game which suited the Bulldogs. Captain Luke Darcy free-kicked the opening goal, tackled high by Luke McGuane. Tigger Patrick Bowden responded courtesy a mark on-the-lead to Shane Tuck’s pass. But the Pups swept forward. Darcy slotted a great kick from a tight angle after sliding to mark Robbins’s pass, a minute later Darcy’s tap at a throw-in allowed Adam Cooney to snaggle a goal as Tigers collided and fell over. Scott West’s low free-kick rebounded from Darcy’s contest and Daniel Giansiracusa roved to snap a major. A bit later Tige backman Darren Gaspar led Darcy to the ball but was baulked by onrushing Eagleton, the pill slipped by and Darcy gathered, snapped truly. His third goal had the Pups ahead by 26 points. The panicky Tiges steadied a bit, misses from Richard Tambling and Matty Richardson were followed by Richardson free-kicking a goal, shepherded out of a contest by opponent Brian Harris. ‘Twas the 700th goal of Richo’s career. But a minute later Richo turned villain, conceding a free-kick with a crude tackle on Matthew Boyd, Kayne Pettifer added a 50m penalty and Boyd set up running backman Ryan Hargrave for a goal. The Tiges boxed on, Greg Tivendale free-kicked a goal after Doggy debutant Tom Williams was caught in possession, Tige Dean Polo cleared the restart with a long kick and Richo bustled Harris aside for a strong grab and conversion. Dogs by 14 points at the first break. But the Bulldogs continued on with some rapid footy and tough tackling in the second stanza. The under-pressure Tiges went handball-happy. In the first minute Tiger rover Nathan Foley was caught in possession, a turnover leading to snapped goal for Bullpup Robbins. Tivendale’s fumble saw Doggy Lindsay Gilbee driving the ball long, Darcy seized an emphatic mark over Gaspar and punted truly. Another defensive rebound from a Richo-centered pack saw McMahon find Robert Murphy on-the-lead, he converted. A minute later Murphy missed woefully from point-blank, but the Pups just had to wait for another Tige turnover. Sure enough it came from their skipper Kane Johnson, leading to a free-kicked goal for Robbins, ploughed by Raines. The Dogs were cruising with a 39-point lead. Richardson managed a grab but hooked his shot horribly amongst much derisory jeering. Doggy Cameron Wight dropped an uncontested mark from the kick-in and then grabbed Tuck around the head. Tuck booted a major from the resulting free. The half petered out amongst a plethora of turnovers from both sides, the key incident Murphy being reported for accidentally kneeing Raines in the head. Murph shouldn’t have to worry. Dogs by 33 points at the half.
Bully Matthew Boyd cleared the opening bounce of the second half and his punt forward saw Murphy awarded a free-kick in the marking contest, he booted another. Dogs by 39 points. But the Tiggers improved from this point, working hard to close down Footyscray’s run and choke ‘em off across half-forward. Despite controlling possession the Tigers slaughtered the ball going forward, bombing to outnumbered Richo or, indeed, nobody. Following ten minutes, several burned chances and behinds they managed a goal eventually. Graham Polak marked on the wing and was shoved over by late-arriving Wight, a 50m penalty moving Polak close enough to boot a sausage. A minute later young Tige Shane Edwards hooked a shot but Troy Simmonds marked by the point-post and stabbed the ball back for Chris Hyde to boot a goal, consecutive majors had the Big Pussies 25 points down. A Nathan Foley shot hit the post and the Pups moved swiftly from the kick-in, Shaun Higgins capped a 3-bounce run with a terrific running goal. But it was against the run of play and as time ticked down a smart kick from Andy Krakouer allowed Polak to mark right in front and stab it through after the siren, the Tiggers trailed by 22 points at the final change. A burst of speed from Foley sent the ball forward early in the final Mario, Polak juggled a marking chance and slotted the ball home from close range. A minute later Polak had another shot, intercepting McMahon’s cross-field kick. Polak missed but the Tiges appeared a threat, trailing by 15 points. The Dogs steadied with two quick goals, for the first skinny winger Farren Ray was unaccountably allowed to take a pack-mark and dish off a handpass to Murphy, on to Robbins for an easy major. A minute later Tige backman Raines was punished with extreme prejudice for ‘deliberate’ out-of-bounds, the quickly-taken free led to Murphy snapping a left-foot sausage. The Pups led by 27 points as the game began to open up again and goals arrived regularly. Some good, snappy handball led to a goal for Tiger Hyde and they stayed in touch, but the Dogs effectively sealed it with the next three goals, also scored quickly. Good play from Boyd cleared the next centre-bounce and Adam Cooney converted from a mark, Boyd also created the next goal as his smother of Krakouer’s kick saw the ball rebound to Higgins, who snapped truly. A rapid rebound from defence led to an easy major for Murphy and the Dogs led by 39 points, it was over. Still plenty of time left though. Richmond’s Jay Schulz kicked his first goal of the night following a good, strong grab but there followed consecutive goals for Bulldog Cooney, the first created by Murphy’s terrific pass, the next from Darcy’s centre-clearance and Will Minson’s tap-on. The Bullies led by 45 points. The margin was pegged back by majors from Hyde and Schulz, there followed a deserved goal for Bulldog Boyd and a desultory one for Richo rounded out the night.
Best news for the Doggies was the return to form of forwards Luke Darcy (6 marks, 11 disposals, 4 goals), terrific in the first half, and Robert Murphy (8 marks, 17 touches, 4 goals), good later on. As always the Dogs had great running efforts from Matthew Boyd (22 disposals, a goal), very good in the centre, Adam Cooney (17 touches, 4 goals) was lively and Scott West (35 possessions), Jordan McMahon (23 disposals) and Lindsay Gilbee (24 handlings) all played well. Matty Robbins and Shaun Higgins kicked 2 goals each. He’s a player, the lad Higgins. The Tiges had two standouts in hyperactive rover Nathan ‘Axel’ Foley (31 disposals) and Joel Bowden (19 touches, 7 marks) did a terrific job on Brad Johnson. Chris Hyde (18 touches, 3 goals) and Andrew Raines (30 possessions) played quite well and big man Graham Polak (8 marks, 16 disposals, 3 goals) spearheaded their best period. Shane Tuck (31 touches, a goal) was alright. Matty Richardson kicked 3 goals and Jay Schulz bagged 2 late goals. Despite being 0-4 Wallace said it “wasn’t time to panic. To the point of view on effort and work levels I didn't have any problems with our guys at all," he said. "We were beaten on execution. The opposition were far better in those areas. I thought we butchered a lot of opportunities (in the third quarter) to make ourselves closer on the scoreboard." Indeed. ‘Rocket’ Eade reckoned "Full credit to our guys to be able to answer that (Tiges’ third quarter comeback) and kick some good goals and find a bit in the legs and it was pleasing some good players, like Coons, lifted and Murph kicked a couple of good goals. The win was really set up in that first half and our pressure really opened the game up and hopefully we can maintain that."
At Docklands:
St. Kilda 2.4 4.6 7.9 9.14.68
Essendon 1.2 7.3 11.8 15.9.99
Good comeback from the Dons, after they blew an 8-goal lead last weekend. Essadun worked very hard around packs, their chief area of deficiency against the Bluies, to worry the Saints out of it. But there’s no doubt Sinkilda played poorly - sloppy disposal, fumbling, continually caught in possession or missing the target. No doubt the Bomma pressure played a part, but this Sinkilda performance was very similar to the half-asleep one against Brisbane a fortnight ago. A Jekyll-and-Hyde team, they are. The Saints are also below full-strength, key defender Sam Fisher was injured early here which didn’t help. Coming in they’d lost Fraser Gehrig, suspended a week for punching Bulldog Brian Harris in the stomach, ruckman Barry Brooks (hamstring) and axed Clint Jones. In came co-captain Luke Ball, wearing a padded helmet following a two-week break with concussion, ruckman Matthew Clarke and flanker James Gwilt. One late change for the Bombers, Aryan forward Courtney Johns replacing Jason Winderlich (hamstring).
The roof was closed but the surface wet and slippery, as the roof had been open half-an-hour beforehand when a thunderstorm arrived, raising Sainter coach Ross Lyon’s ire. Very tight, cagey opening term as both sides put plenty of men in defence. There was a lot of short-passing and standing about with the ball, peering ahead for an option. The Stains had most of the possession though, as ol’ ‘Banger’ Harvey and Lenny Hayes won the ball in contests. Ruckman Michael Rix and winger Leigh Montagna missed shots before Steven Baker kicked long and Jason Blake drifted in for a good pack-mark, he majored. A long behind from Brendon Goddard made it 1.3 to nought before the Dons got on the board, Angus Monfries honoured Scott Lucas’s very wide lead but Lucas scored full points with a terrific kick from the tight angle. It continued tight for a while. “If you’re watching on TV you probably can’t see the numbers behind the ball,” said, um, TV commentator Liam Pickering. The Saints lost full-back Sam Fisher with back or hamstring trouble at this point, with injured Hudghton and Maguire missing already it put ‘em under pressure down there. But before the term ended Nick Riewoldt kicked an excellent goal from the boundary-line, set up by short passes from Nick Dal Santo and Andrew McQualter. Saints by 8 points at the first break. For the second term Blake went to full-back on Bommer skipper Matthew Lloyd and running flanker Jason Gram picked up Lucas. Sheeds, the cunning strategist, moved the tall Johns and ruckman Jason Laycock forward. But the key turnabout was the Dons beginning to win the contested ball, with Damien Peverill and Brent Stanton crucial. Skilful Don CHB Paddy Ryder started building the momentum by sweeping up a loose ball and driving a kick for a goal from 50m. A minute later Alwyn Davey free-kicked a goal, kneed in the head by Xavier Clarke. ‘X-Factor’ had a terrible game. Davey’s goal gave the Dons the lead, the Saints pinched it back from the restart as Dal Santo’s kick cleared the pack and roving Stephen Milne stabbed it home. But the Dons were moving. Davey’s superb chase and tackle on Goddard forced a turnover, Lloyd passed for Lucas to mark and convert. Xavier Clarke was penalized for ‘deliberate’, Lloyd played on from the free-kick and snapped it through. Lloydy entered the top-10 goal-scorers of all-time with that, his 779th major. The Bommers won the ball from the restart and good play from Davey saw Laycock hold a strong pack-grab and punt truly from 20m. Saint co-captain Riewoldt shanked on-the-full from a set shot, from the free-kick Andrew Lovett sped forward and passed to Courtney Johns, he passed to leading Henry Slattery who marked and goaled. Essington led by 20 points. Jobe Watson ran clear of the next centre-bounce but his shot hooked wide. Can’t kick too well, Jobby. The Stains grabbed a late goal, Xavier Clarke did well to elude tacklers and punt forward, Milne tapped on smartly for Riewoldt to jab it through from point-blank. The Dons by 15 points at half-time.
The Dons scored the first goal of quartier tres, Saint Montagna caught hopelessly in possession as he failed to hear the ump’s play-on call. Lloyd collected the loosed ball and passed for leading Lovett to mark and convert. The Stainers worked hard to keep in touch, a goal-square ball-up was tapped too easily by Justin Koschitzke for Riewoldt to snap a sausage roll. The Bombouts responded as a good move ended with Lloyd receiving a softish free-kick against tangling Goddard, Lloydy majored. Dons by 21 points. A series of incidents warmed the crowd. Lovett was whacked behind play by Goddard without immediate consequence. Riewoldt wasn’t paid a juggling mark (correctly), but Stainer fans were angry about it anyway. Blake soccered the ball away from danger and it trickled out, 40m away. Deliberate. Tempers raised as Riewoldt held a mark on-the-lead and passed for leading Milne to grab, he converted and the Stains were 16 points down. The Bummers missed a coupla shots before an awful clanger from their junior Leroy Jetta gave Riewoldt the ball, he punted forward, Don backman Adam McPhee dropped a mark and Milne pounced again. Essadun 11 points ahead. The Dons steadied thanks to a stupendous running torpedo-punt from Dustin Fletcher, collecting Lloyd’s dished-off handpass Fletcher launched the massive kick from 60m and it sailed through post-high. Wonderful to see as the Dons led by 17 points. A coupla misses each before Peverill snapped a goal from a throw-in, the Bombouts led by 23 points. Into the final korter and Lovett and Milne missed shots for their respective sides before the Stainers drew closer again, a series of chipped passes ended with Ball finding Harvey in the pocket and ‘Banger’ threaded a good kick for a major. The Saints still hovered 17 points behind. The Dons slammed the door. Another great chase’n’tackle from Davey, on Gwilt, forced the ball loose and Lloyd bagged a goal. Peverill punted the Dons forward from the restart, Lucas roved Lloyd’s contest and banana-snapped a major. The Bommers led by 29 points, the greatest difference so far. Koschitzke missed poorly for the Satiners before Bomma Monfries converted from a mark on-the-lead, then a defensive rebound was completed with Stanton’s excellent running sausage from 50m. The Bombers were well home now, leading by 40 points. A snapped major from Riewoldt reduced the gap to 34 points and the Dons went into shutdown mode, there were eight minutes remaining but you couldn’t blame them. A coupla behinds for the Saints were all that occurred in the period. Oh, and Mark McVeigh ‘flipping the bird’ to some Sinkilda supporters. It’ll be a fine. Or recruitment by the Eagles.
Keys for the Dons were the ball-winning abilities of battling Damien Peverill (32 disposals, a goal) and the more athletic Brent Stanton (33 touches, 10 marks, a goal). Alwyn Davey had few possessions (12 disposals, a goal) but his speed and tackling set up at least 2 goals, he ‘set the tone.’ See, I said skinny teenagers could make the difference, er . . . Andrew Lovett (19 touches, 1.4) played well but could kick straighter and Adam McPhee (30 touches, 14 marks) and ‘Dustbin’ Fletcher (26 handlings, 13 marks, a goal) did plenty of defensive rebounding, Fletcher has one hand on goal-of-the-year surely. Paddy Ryder showed clear, exciting ability as a CHB. Matthew Lloyd (5 marks, 14 touches, 3 goals) worked hard about the forward-line, Scott Lucas bagged 3 goals. Robert Harvey (26 disposals, a goal) and Lenny Hayes (28 touches) worked hard for the Saints, gratifying for them to see Hayes get the ball. But they had a two-man forward-line in Nick Riewoldt (5 marks, 16 disposals, 4 goals) and Stephen Milne (16 touches, 3 goals), poor conversion from their inside-50s - they had more than the Bommers, I think. Jason Gram (21 possies) did pretty well running off Lucas and Brendon Goddard (24 touches, 9 marks) was okay, as was Jason Blake (8 marks, 14 touches, a goal) on Lloyd. Only quote I can find from Lyon is whingeing about the roof being open and causing the wet surface. Although he conceded it didn’t affect Lucas and Lloyd too much. Lyon also commented on the spate of hamstring troubles at Moorabbin. Thomas’s old ‘training services’ up to their tricks. Sheeds defended McVeigh’s gesture (“don’t sanitise the game . . . it might’ve been directed at a friend of his”) and looked forward to Anzac Day.
At the MCG:
Collingwood 3.5 7.9 9.10 9.12.66
Port Adelaide 3.3 7.7 9.9 12.12.84
Wet-weather slog and the Pies were the only people in Melbourne unhappy to see the rain. Port are kinda used to it from playing in ankle-deep water in Darwin. Injuries for the Poise as the game progressed contributed to them running outta steam, the Power pretty much controlled it in the last quarter and victory was matter of time. Two changes for the Poise in selection, James Clement and Ben Johnson returning at the expense of injured Paul Medhurst (groin) and dropped Shane Wakelin. Port lost ruckman Dean Brogan for several weeks with damaged ankle ligaments, he was replaced by defender Brad Symes.
It was relatively dry early, light but steady rain having started half-an-hour beforehand, and the big forwards were able to perform. Anthony Rocca kicked two goals in the first quarter for the Poise and the Power’s short but speedy spearhead Brett Ebert also got a couple. Relations on both sides played well, the Shaws (cousins) rebounding strongly from the backline for Collywood, the brothers Burgoyne were very good for Port. The Maggies led by 2 points at the first break. Still tight in the second term, Scott Pendlebury bagged a coupla goals for the Pies and they managed a bit of a lead, but Ebert scored another for the Flowers. Rocca was reported for a front-on collision with Dom Cassisi. Port’s Shaun Burgoyne kicked two goals for the term, his second just before the half-time siren reducing the Pie lead to 2 points at the long break. Collywood’s Dane Swan scored consecutive sausages early in the third Mario to give the Pies a 15-point lead and they appeared set to take control. But they lost some running power with injuries to Dale Thomas (ankle) and Paul Licuria (hamstring), both returned but weren’t fully fit, especially Thomas. The increasing dampness brought wet-weather specialists into play, like Port’s nuggetty David Rodan. Goals from Damon White and Josh Mahoney cut the Pie lead back to a point at the final change. The key act was the move of Chad Cornes onto the ball for the final quarter, Chadley produced a 13-disposal final term which propelled the Power ever forward. Cornes’s most important intervention was a great tackle on Ben Johnson in the centre of the ground, which forced a turnover and Port went forward, Mahoney bagged a goal. A bit later Michael Wilson gathered a loose ball to boot a good major and Rodan sealed it with a snap from a throw-in.
Chad Cornes made the difference in the end, with Brendon Lade also excellent, rucking ‘solo’. Solid efforts from Michael Wilson and Kane Cornes were handy and Brett Ebert was an important forward in the first half. Shaun Burgoyne provided some class and David Rodan loves the wet. Josh Mahoney bagged 2 goals. Young Pie Wearmouth lookalike Dale Thomas was very good for them and his rolled ankle was costly. Heath Shaw and Rhyce Shaw were good running from defence and other running Magpies were useful contributors, like wingmen Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury and Ben Johnson. Three wingmen. Anthony Rocca booted 2 goals but wasn’t sighted after half-time, Dane Swan kicked 2 goals. Mick Malthouse blamed poor ball-handling. "They (Pies) had several opportunities to be clean with the football and get it off to the right option and perhaps snag a goal. (Port's) goals kicked were too easy, they were clean goals. They didn't have a lot of guys around them. They took marks, went back and kicked goals and we really had to work hard for our goals. At three-quarter time I thought if we could convert the half chances into full chances we'd win the game of football, but nothing came our way." Mick then had to ponder constructing a fit side for Anzac Day. Mark Williams was happy. "It was tough conditions. Collingwood provided fantastic competition all day and for our guys to tough it out and believe in themselves and basically get in front for the first time, in the last quarter, was terrific for us."
At Carrara Oval:
North Melbourne 5.4 6.6 7.13 12.15.87
Brisbane 1.6 5.9 6.13 8.15.63
Crucial win for the Kangers in their first home game on the Gold Coast, the first of ten over the next three years. The issue of the Roos’ future was thrown onto centre stage last week when AFL head Andrew Demetriou and his cowering minions allegedly met in secret with a select group of Kangaroo shareholders. Anti-move folk, headed by board member and long-time Roo man Ron Joseph, screamed conspiracy, prompting all sorts of spin and denials from Demetriou, Roo president Graham Duff and co. “There’s no secret agenda to move the Kangaroos to the Gold Coast permanently,” said Demetriou. At least not yet, he might have added. Unwisely, Laidley joined in, urging unity. The timing of it all was no accident, probably. Brisbun coach Leigh Matthews stoked the pot by labelling Gold Coast locals who bought Kangaroo memberships as “gullible”. In selection the Ruse welcomed Glenn Archer back and called up midfielder Blake Grima, they replaced injured big-man David Hale (hamstring soreness) and dropped Eddie Sansbury. Two changes for the Lyin’s too, ruckman Jamie Charman and defender Jason Roe returning at the expense of Beau McDonald and Wayde Mills.
A future ‘derby’ played in front of a sell-out crowd of 11,000. Brisbun often have trouble with accuracy and they did here early, Luke Power had a chance smothered through, Simon Black won the ball on the kick-in but missed. From that kick-in the Ruse managed their first thrust, Shannon Grant picked out Lindsay Thomas with a good pass and young Roo Thomas booted a goal - he was pretty happy about it. Another move from a kick-in (rushed Lyin’ point) brought another Kanga major, Matt Campbell’s high kick spilled from the pack and Leigh Brown roved to snap a goal. Norf led by 9 points. Lyin’ giant Jonathan Brown had two marks and set-shots in the next minute but missed both, the second a simple chance from 25m, right in front. He had a shocker in front of the posts. Finally Black kicked a goal for them, created by Chris Johnson’s tough contest and Joel Patfull’s handpass. The Ruse responded as Corey Jones threaded a great free-kick through from the boundary-line. A bit later Archer ploughed into a pack and got a handpass away, Daniel Harris dobbed a good major and the Gold Coast Kangers led by 13 points. Now they missed a few shots before, in the dying seconds, Brady Rawlings punted a long kick forward which cleared the pack and Drew Petrie shinned it over the line, after a mulligan. Ugly but effective, Norf led by 22 points at the first change. Brisbun were winning their share of the ball with their everyone-run-everywhere style and they managed to kick a bit straighter in the second stanza. Scott Harding snapped a terrific goal early and a minute later Black dobbed one as the Brians came back. Brown gave up shooting himself and passed off for Chris Johnson to mark and covert, the Roo lead was cut to 2 points. Roo rover Brent Harvey drilled a running goal to give his side some respite but Lyin’ Tim Notting converted a great, long set-shot late in the quarter to have the Lyin’s 3 points down at half-time.
The third term was tighter as the pace of the game slowed, descending dew made it slippery and both sides struggled to convert chances. Norf had an early goal as captain Adam Simpson held a gutsy running mark and played on with a long kick, Leigh Brown held a goal-square grab in a pack and popped it through. North by 9 points. Jonathan Brown continued to burn chances, he attempted to stab it low through a vacant ‘square but the ball trickled wide, a minute later he missed a set-shot from the pocket. Things weren’t much better at the other end for the Ruse, they missed several shots and Corey Jones dropped two uncontested chest-marks within 30m of goal - he looked like a kid trying (and failing) to mark an adult-sized ball. The ball arrived high on both occasions and Jones should’ve used his hands, but wasn’t confident with the wet Sherrin. Frustrated, big Jon Brown crashed a pack and the ball spilled free for Ash McGrath to snaggle a goal and the Lyin’s were a goal down going into the final term. Early in it Kanger ruckman Hamish McIntosh showed some agility to boot a major and set the Ruse two goals ahead. Jonathan Brown marked again and finally kicked accurately, reducing the Rue lead to 6 points once more. Lindsay Thomas was clattered in contest and departed with badly bruised, possibly broken ribs. Up stepped Leigh Brown again for Norf, bagging two goals to extend their lead to 18 points. Brisbun pulled one back but Jess Sinclair replied for the Northerners and when Daniel Wells thumped one home on-the-run, Very North Melbourne had sealed victory.
The Kangas had a great game from improving ruckman Hamish McIntosh (18 hit-outs, 20 disposals, a goal), with Daniel Wells (29 disposals, 2 goals) producing an excellent running game. Old hand Brady Rawlings (24 touches) was very good and captain Adam Simpson (26 possies) played well. In attack Leigh Brown (5 marks, 13 disposals, 3 goals) provided scoring power, he should be more consistent. Glenn Archer (21 touches) threw himself about in typical fashion. A few reports mention full-forward Aaron Edwards - cannot, for the life of me, see why. Brisbun veterans Simon Black (25 disposals, 2 goals) and wingman Tim Notting (29 handlings, a goal) played well, once again Jared Brennan (15 disposals) provided good drive from CHB. Ash McGrath (9 touches, 2 goals) played the small forward role very well again and midfielders Scott Harding (11 handlings, a goal) and Luke Power (23 possies) were okay. Jonathan Brown finished with 1.5 from his 8 marks and 14 disposals. Owch. Matthews reckoned Brown had “an off night” in front of the sticks. "I don't think we played well but we were competitive. We didn't make it easy for the opposition," Lethal continued. "It was really like wet weather footy, because of the dew on the surface. The Kangaroos were able to get the ball clear from congestion and Daniel Wells was probably the one guy on the ground who, when he got the ball in a bit of space, was able to really carry and use it. A lot of other players got good numbers but he was the elite ball carrier and we couldn't quite match that." Dean Laidley said "It's a massive relief for the players and probably for my family because it has been a pretty tough month." What? What’s it got to do with you? "Their work ethic was great (the Roo players, I assume he means, not his family), but we still opened the gate for the opposition so many times." Geezus.
At Football Park:
Adelaide 3.2 6.5 8.6 9.7.61
Sydney 0.4 1.6 5.10 5.14.44
In the contest of tough, intense, defensive football, the Camrys triumphed. The Camrys out-Sydneyed Sydney, it was suggested. It was, in fact, Mick Malthouse who first said “It’s not goals for, it’s goals against which worry me.” Siddey embraced this idea a while ago and the Cows have gotten on board more recently. But it’s working, so why not? This was the Cressidas’ eighth win in the last nine games against the Swans. Yet it’s the Bloods who have two GF appearances and a flag in that period, something the TV folk suggested may irk the croweaters. The Swans should blame very poor shooting for goal, something which affects them from time to time “Five fourteen isn’t going to win many games,” said Paul Roos afterwards. In selection the Camrys were unchanged, full-back Ben Rutten passing a late fitness test. The Swans regained Jared Crouch from an extended spell with ankle problems, he replaced injured Sean Dempster (knee). Leapin’ Leo Barry played his 200th game.
Siddey’s inaccuracy was a problem from the start, they controlled the ball in the opening minutes but both Jarrad McVeigh and Barry Hall missed set shots from 30m. Of course wayward Camry forward Ian Perrie missed his first chance, following a terrific pack-mark. Andrew McLeod helped set up the opening major, he intercepted Ryan O’Keefe’s handpass and chipped the ball to Scott Welsh, who was bowled over by late-arriving Ted Richards. A 50m penalty moved Welsh from 80 to 30m out, he converted. Swan forward Hall missed another set shot, a soft free-kick against Rutten. Adam Goodes missed the target with a handpass, losing the ball and then flattened Nathan Van Berlo, conceding a downfield free-kick. Brett ‘Birdman’ Burton had played on and snapped a great goal anyway. Goodes had an ordinary night and was involved in the next Corona goal, caught by a great chase and tackle from Jason Porplyzia. The turnover led to a mark and long, accurate punt from Burton and the Camrys led by 16 points. They held out a decent attacking spell from Siddey to the end of the korter. The early second Mario saw another set-shot behind for the Swans, O’Keefe missing after good play between he and McVeigh to create the chance. Finally the Bloods managed a goal, Goodes kicked long and Hall out-bustled Rutten for a chest-mark, Bazza played-on and rammed it through. A minute later Burton postered following a terrific grab at the head of a pack. Tight for a while before Siddey’s Amon Buchanan ran about 30m forgetting to bounce the ball - he was penalized. The Cows went forward and Nathan Bock won a free-kick for being pulled down by Richards - Bock majored, the Camrys led by 17. There followed another poor miss from the Swans by Jude Bolton, an uncontested mark 30m out, directly in front. Unforgiveable. The Camrys established a large lead in context with two late goals, a good kick from Michael Doughty picked out Perrie’s lead, he in turn passed to find Porplyzia on the lead, Porplyzia converted. Late in the term some fierce Camry tackling in their forward-line forced the Swans to cough it up and Tyson Edwards snapped a top sausage. Camrys by 29 points at the long break, the Swans with one goal for the half.
The third term followed the trend for the Swans, the first scoring opportunity saw Buchanan hook a tough set-shot out on-the-full. According to the TV folk the Swans had used the break to tell themselves “We’re the hardest-running side in the league, no-one can out-run us.” Indeed, they began to run. Good handpasses from Tadhg Kennelly to Hall to Adam Schneider ended with Schneider’s kick to find Mick O’Loughlin alone in the goal-square, he couldn’t miss and didn’t. Another snappy running, handpassing move led to Ben Mathews centering the ball for all-alone Darren Jolly to mark, he goaled and the Swans were 16 points down. The Bloods won the ball away from the restart and Crouch’s long kick found Jolly again, he booted another goal and it were 10 points the diff. Some anxiety amongst the sold-out home crowd now. Schneider missed a difficult shot and the Camry defenders rushed a behind, narrowing the gap to 8 points. Burton, who played very well on the night, came to the Corollas’ aid with a very good pack-mark of Brent Reilly’s long kick. Or maybe it was a bit lucky, a replay showing Burton with eyes closed during the contest. ‘Birdman’ punted a major from close range. The Swans kept up the pressure, another well-constructed move with slick handpassing leading to O’Loughlin gathering Tim Schmidt’s smothered kick and snapping over-the-shoulder, it bounced through. The Cows led by 8 points. Edwards won the ball at the restart and Welsh ran out to mark his quick kick, Welsh thumped it through from 55m and the Cows led by 14 points. Welsh missed an easier shot a minute later and the Camrys weathered more pressure to end the stanza, full-back Rutten with some terrific, strong spoils on Hall. Into the final term and Synney pressed on, Brett ‘Captain’ Kirk had been smothered by Simon Goodwin most of the night, Kirk lifted now. But the Swans lost Buchanan early with what could be a nasty knee injury. It was certainly tough, a shuddering collision between Van Berlo and Goodes had the crowd gasping. Addleaid managed a crucial goal about 6 minutes in, ruckman Ben Hudson managed a quick, wobbly kick forward from a ball-up and Perrie held a good grab against Richards, amazingly Perrie booted truly from 30m. The Cows had a very handy 20-point lead. The Swans went on missing, O’Keefe had a long shot rushed through but their last chance probably came when O’Loughlin failed to convert from 20m out in the pocket. The normally phlegmatic Roos was shown with head-in-hands, frustrated. The Swans’ big running effort was taking its’ toll and the Camrys increasingly controlled the ball, McLeod running off half-back. He’s in superb form. The match was given some symmetry by Hall and McVeigh missing set-shots in the final few minutes, to much Bronx-cheering from the local fans.
The sublime Andrew McLeod (28 disposals) continued on his rebounding way, with handy running-from-defence support from Scott Thompson (24 touches) and Brent Reilly (24 touches, 12 marks). Ben Rutten (17 disposals, 6 marks) did a very good job on wayward Barry Hall and Jason Torney (10 touches) shadowed a struggling Goodes. Further afield Simon Goodwin (19 handlings) kept Brett Kirk out of it for three quarters and Tyson Edwards (13 kicks, a goal) was quite good. Brett Burton (6 marks, 10 kicks, 3 goals) was handy up forward, Scott Welsh kicked 2 goals. Rivalling McLeod for BOG honours was Swan Ryan O’Keefe (24 disposals, 12 marks), who had the ball on a string from a forward flank. The Swans also had running power behind the ball with Tadhg Kennelly (23 handlings, 11 marks) and Nick Malceski (20 disposals) seeing plenty of it. Big Darren Jolly (7 marks, 12 disposals, 2 goals) was their only attacking threat really and Jude Bolton (22 touches) played well, as did Leo Barry. Michael O’Loughlin kicked 2 goals. "They play a zone defence so you know what is going to happen," Roos said. "You understand that when you are playing Adelaide it is not going to be a high-scoring game. You have just got to take your chances , particularly when you have set shots from 20-30m directly in front. We had to kick those goals. We didn't. That's why we ended up losing." Craig was asked about the Cows’ record against the Swans. "The style of footy we play is not dissimilar to Sydney's so, I don't know, but we're very happy with the result because we've got a huge respect for where Sydney stand in the competition," he said.
At York Park:
Hawthorn 0.3 4.7 8.9 10.16.76
Geelong 3.3 4.8 8.13 9.18.72
The Tassie Hawks kicked off their new sponsorship deal with the Apple Isle by defeating their favourite biatches, the Pussies. The Cats’ miserable 2006 season was book-ended by two hefty losses to the Hawks and there was plenty of talking from Cat coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson leading up to this game. “It will probably be more of an ugly game than it will be a fashionable, pretty game because that's just the way Hawthorn tend to set up and we need to set up that way. We probably won't win the game kicking 18, 16 goals - we might hopefully win the game by kicking a lot less. It might end up being a 10 goal-all game because of the way Hawthorn play.” How almost-prophetic. In truth the Hawks won this game, played in difficult, windy conditions, because they ran and tackled harder than the Catters did - very 2006. In selection the Hawks regained Chance Bateman, improving stopper Rick Ladson missed with leg trouble. The Cats welcomed ruckman and deposed captain Steven King into the side and last week’s late withdrawal Nathan Ablett was back, they replaced injured Brad Ottens (hip) and the dropped Travis Varcoe.
A whinge about the TV coverage, it’s been notable so far this season that both Channel Seven and Foxtel are spending the minimum amount. Foxtel viewers here missed the first coupla minutes as ads for thugby league were shown, then we had another five minutes without sound or graphics - a local power failure was blamed. When everything was up-and-running it was a bright but windy day in Launceston and the Cats had first use of the breeze. Duly the Cats did the early scoring, Andrew Mackie and Gary Ablett Jnr. missed long shots and Nathan Ablett hooked one on-the-full. Cameron Ling kicked a goal eventually, slipping forward to mark David Wojcinski’s free-kick. Wojcinski was also involved in the next goal, his pass finding Darren Milburn who delivered to Gablett on-the-lead. Gary Ablett majored and the Cats led by 13 points. It was apparent already that kicking goals into the breeze was going to be difficult, if not impossible from more than 25m out. Nathan Ablett and Cam Mooney spoiled each other in a marking contest as the Cats had all the chances. A set shot for Hawk Ben Dixon was blown off-course, Cat backman Matthew Egan jabbed the kick-in directly to Hawk Jordan Lewis but he missed poorly. A bit later Cat Joel Corey roved a throw-in and centered the ball to Wojcinski, his 70m wind-assisted punt bounced through for full points. The Cats had just about scored par with an 18-point lead by the first break. The Orcs’ turn with the breeze in the second term and they had an early chance as Cat Josh Hunt jumped on Tim Boyle’s head, but Boyle missed badly with the free-kick. A bit later a good move with multiple handpassing ended with Brad Sewell finding Boyle alone, he played-on for an easy slot. Mark Williams and Jarryd Roughead behinded from set shots. The Cats were struggling to breach half-forward, Mackie’s shot hit the post before the Horks attacked again and ‘Buddy’ Franklin kicked wide for leading Williams to hold a grab. Williams goaled with a terrific kick from the boundary, the Cats led by 4 points. Cat fans got worry as Gary Ablett limped off with knee trouble but he returned soon enough. More behinds arrived for both teams, the Hawks advanced from a kick-in and a huge wind-powered punt from wingman Clint Young landed in the goal-square, Williams roved the pack and stabbed it home. Cats still a point ahead, they advanced with a laborious handpassing move until Brent Prismall kicked long, Gary Ablett won a free-kick for an over-the-shoulder tackle from Michael Osborne - only 15m out and Gablett majored, Cats by a goal. The Horks pegged ‘em back late, Luke Hodge drove a long kick forward, Ben McGlynn roved the pack and handballed for Brent Guerra to snap a noice left-footer. Cats by a point at half-time.
Goals arrived at both ends in the third term, the four the Horks kicked against the wind were probably decisive. They ran and tackled more than Geelong. If you’re wondering about Tomahawk, he’d not been a factor - the wind rendered tall forwards ineffective. Nathan Ablett managed an early mark but postered. The Orcs scored, good handling from Grant Birchall enabled a pass to Osborne, he punted forward and Franklin plucked a good grab over Egan - just 15m out and ‘Buddy’ majored. Cat Hunt was reported for clattering into Shane Crawford. A good spoil from Hodge and a quick handpass from Mitchell saw Young drill a kick from the flank for a sausage and Horforn led by 10 points. Not what the Cats anticipated. Matthew Stokes booted a goal for them, after marking Cam Mooney’s free-kick. The Hawks replied as Williams shrugged off the bigger Matthew Scarlett to gather the ball on-the-bounce, turn sharply and stab it home - very good. A goal for the Cats, Jimmy Bartel found Gary Ablett on-the-lead, he passed in turn for James Kelly to convert. Jahlong cleared the restart, Mooney led out to hold a good grab but he missed. The Cats were gaining momentum though, Nathan Ablett kicked wide to find his brother who finessed cleverly and handballed for Stokes to run in and blast it through. The Katz led by 3 points. The Hawks replied through an unlikely source, ruckman Simon Taylor collected McGlynn’s handpass and Taylor’s flat, drifting punt bounced through for a goal. The Cats needed to score with-the-wind, they managed a coupla behinds before Paul Chapman forced a Hawk turnover on a kick-in and Milburn snapped a major. Cats by 5 points, reduced to 4 at the final change. A lot of points were scored in the final term. Misses from Hawks Crawford, Franklin and Osborne slowly closed the gap before great work from Gary Ablett to rove his own ball got the pill to Chapman, he centered with a pass for Kelly to mark and slot it through. A lifting team goal had the Cats 8 points ahead. Hork Ben Dixon forced a point for his mob, a Gablett miss and a rushed point followed for the Catters before an awful handpass from Cat King gifted the ball to Crawford, he raced away and booted a goal. A minute later Mitchell, breaking free of Corey’s tag, kicked to unmarked Hodge at CHF, his long handpass found Xavier Ellis alone for an easy tap-through. Ellis’s first-ever goal had the Hawks ahead, by 2 points. The Cats were appearing very tired now and the Hawks pressed on with the breeze. But all they scored were behinds, a couple from Franklin and poor set shot from Ellis. With 2 minutes remaining Stokes had a chance for the Cats but his snap was blown wide. The kick-in was poor but all the Cats could do was force some ball-ups, eventually cleared by the Hawks when Chapman was buried under a pack and pinged for ‘bawl’. A last-line mark from Taylor snuffed out the very last Cat opportunity and the siren sounded presently, not a given at York Park.
The roaming, long-kicking Hawk midfielders played very well, led by Luke Hodge (29 touches, 11 marks) playing off the Cats’ loose man, Darren Milburn. Runners like Shane Crawford (26 touches, a goal), Clint Young (14 handlings, a goal) and Jordan Lewis (26 disposals) enjoyed the open space of the big ground. Brad Sewell (18 handlings) tagged Paul Chapman closely and hard-man Brent Guerra (28 possies, a goal) was handy too. Scoring goals was difficult so the 3 goals bagged by Mark Williams (1 mark, 5 kicks) were handy. The Cats’ best was tenacious half-forward Gary Ablett Jnr. (17 disposals, 2 goals), built for the conditions. Cameron Ling (22 possies, a goal) produced a very good stopping effort on Sam Mitchell and Jimmy Bartel (31 possessions) was good. Darren Milburn (26 handlings, a goal) was almost as effective as ‘opponent’ Hodge (but not quite) and Corey Enright (27 touches) had a lot of ball off half-back, Andrew Mackie (21 touches, 7 marks) was a useful half-forward. The vaunted big forwards, Mooney, Hawkins and Nathan Ablett, didn’t produce a single goal. Mathew Stokes and James Kelly booted 2 goals each. What now Bomber? "Gary Ablett just pushed on and wanted to win the game desperately, there were some great individual efforts," Thompson said. "We had some guys out there who were absolutely fantastic . . . but we also had some guys who were down and didn't play well and that was probably the reason why we didn't win." Vague. Al Clarkson responded to Thompson’s pre-game comments. "It does not concern us too much. The game last night in Adelaide, Sydney kicked five goals 14. It was an absorbing contest, though. When you are up the top of the ladder, they are absorbing contests. When you have been cellar dwellers like we have been for some time, it is a terrible game of footy. (Bomber) was not too far off the mark, 10 goals each, just a real grinding game, both sides were more prepared to take the game on a bit.”
At the MCG:
Melbourne 3.5 4.5 9.11 13.14.92
Fremantle 5.2 10.5 17.8 21.11.137
There can’t be many sides who’ve gone from premiership contenders to also-rans in the first month of the season, but that’s what’s happened to the injury-stricken Demons. Their problems got worse this week, with midfielders Travis Johnstone (hamstring) and Brent Moloney (groin) having to withdraw before this game and match-ending injuries during the contest for Matthew Whelan and Nathan Jones. It was all the previously winless Freo could do to open their account, and they added some percentage as well. Des Headland was playing after being charged with striking and wrestling Wiggle Adam Selwood last week. The tribunal decided Selwood’s verbal provocation, derogatory remarks regarding Headland’s tattoo of his daughter, precluded Headland being suspended. Selwood was reported too, but he wasn’t punished either. Eh? Joining Johnstone and Moloney out of the Dee side were axed pair Ben Holland and Ryan Ferguson, the Dees did have some handy players return though in a tubby Byron Pickett, Lynden Dunn and Colin Sylvia, while veteran Clint Bizzell was recalled from the wilderness of the VFL. Cameron Bruce played his 150th game. The Dokkas lost Justin Longmuir and Andrew Browne to hamstring injuries and Troy Cook was left out. Heath Black came in for his first game of the season, along with Luke Webster and Adam Campbell for his second-ever game, nearly a year after his first. Paul Hasleby played his 150th game.
A fairly even opening at the ‘G, the Dees actually led by a few points before the Dockers kicked clear late in the first quarter. Forwards Matthew Pavlich and Chris Tarrant were already troubling the Deez, Pavlich took 5 marks and kicked 2 goals in the first term and was soon double-teamed by Nathan ‘The Cougar’ Carroll and ol’ Clint Bizzell. Tarrant managed a goal in the first quarter too. The Dokkers bagged five consecutive goals in the second quarter, as Dee defenders swarmed around Pavlich it left space for other goal-kickers, like Luke Webster and Adam Campbell. In the middle Paul Hasleby was playing terrifically well, assisted by Shaun McManus and a fired-up Des Headland - and while the home crowd in WA were cheering Adam Selwood’s every touch, at the ‘G the Dee supporters booed Headland’s every possession. They got to boo often. Melbun’s cause wasn’t helped by Daniel Bell, Tarrant’s opponent, departing with concussion and Whelan twanging a hamstring before quarter-time. Bell returned later as the Deez ran out of players. On-baller Nathan Jones turned an ankle in the second term and his day ended too. At least the Deez scored the final goal of the half, Adem Yze with a miracle banana-snap from the boundary. He played well on the day.
Watched the second half. The Dees gave some cheek early in the third stanza as goals began to rain through, at both ends. Melbun scored the first two goals, for the second Yze kicked high to the goal-square and Lynden Dunn soccered the pack-spilled ball through. Dee fans mildly excited as they trailed by 22 points. McManus cleared the restart for Freo and kicked long, Tarrant marked strongly - and sliced on-the-full. As the paper remarked, Tazza had his Collingwood boots on. Freo responded soon enough though, poor ol’ Deemun Bizzell dropped an easy mark, Josh Carr swept the ball up and passed to unattended Aaron Sandilands, he lumbered in to drill it home. McManus forged clear of the centre-bounce again and kicked to Pavlich, who held very good mark between his two Dee opponents and punted truly. Pavlich soon booted another, marking Headland’s pass and the Shockers had moved 39 points clear. A very good snap from Headland just missed before more effort from Melbun, Brad Green drove the ball long and Dunn bullocked Luke McPharlin aside to trap the ball and snaggle a good sausage. Freo’s Black was very harshly done for ‘bawl’ at the restart, Matthew Bate drove the free-kick long and big Mark Jamar plucked a goal-square grab, he converted. A typically ridiculous but successful effort from Yze set up the next major, Yze soccer-volleyed a loose ball right on the boundary back into play, Miller and Dunn kept it alive and Bate snapped truly. The Deez still there, 22 points behind. Freo responded again, Headland thumped a free-kick against Bizzell for a 50m goal, then Headland bagged another after Dee ruckman and ‘extra defender’ Jeff White was caught in possession. Amongst all that Dee Paul Wheatley departed with a shoulder injury, but he was soon back as the Dees had run out of fit players. Pavlich booted another goal, a free-kick against Nathan ‘The Cougar’ Carroll and Pav added a fourth for the quarter before the siren, picked out by a superb kick from Peter Bell. Freo by 45 points and early in the final term it went to 51, Pavlich fought hard in a pack and appeared the throw the ball out to Tarrant, who popped it through. Tarrant missed another set shot before more encouragement for Dee fans in what’ll be a long season. Dokka full-back McPharlin flew for a big speccie but dropped it and Miller stayed down to snap a goal. James ‘Junior’ McDonald dobbed a running major and a smart kick from Green allowed Miller to mark in the goal-square, he thumped it into the stands. Three consecutive goals for the Deez, the deficit 35 points. Freo kicked away again, old hands Solomon and Tarrant set up an easy mark and conversion for Josh Carr, then Headland snaggled a very good goal from a snap on-the-run. Headland wheeled away kissing his hand and touching the infamous tattoo of his daughter, in response to continuous booing from the Dee supporters. Commentator Denis Commetti groaned and , when asked to explain, went off on a bizarre tirade against rap music. What? Demon Miller and Docker Sandilands kicked goals prior to the final siren.
Matty Pavlich is quite good, here he bagged 6 goals from 12 marks and 22 disposals. Supply came from an excellent Paul Hasleby (a massive 37 disposals) and reborn Shaun McManus (31 touches, a goal). Des Headland (29 possessions, 9 marks, 3 goals) was held to have played his best game in a Docker guernsey - even Commetti agreed with that. Perhaps the Dokka hierarchy could arrange ‘provocation’ every week. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands (16 disposals, a million hit-outs, 2 goals) and ruck-rover Josh Carr (23 touches, a goal) were good, there was a handy return for Luke Webster (15 touches, 3 goals). Chris Tarrant (9 marks, 16 disposals, 2.3 and an on-the-full) was busy, if inaccurate. Melbun could be pleased about overdue form from Adem Yze (38 disposals, 9 marks, a goal), Aaron Davey (21 touches, 2 goals) was better too. Being embarrassed by his Bomber brother at the minute. Brad Green (25 possies) and James McDonald (28 handlings, a goal) plugged away and there’s no doubt forward Lynden Dunn (11 touches, 3 goals) has ability. Brad Miller (4 marks, 15 disposals, 3 goals) was alright too. What else could Daniher talk about? "It's very frustrating for our team and frustrating for the coaching staff that we just haven't got the ammunition at the moment to take this competition on. I feel disappointed for the players, I feel disappointed for the supporters, I feel disappointed that we can't put on the show that we wanted to put on. We trained all pre-season to put on a show and get our fans excited, and unfortunately we haven't been given the opportunity to be able to do that. It's a testing time for everyone involved with our footy club and we'll find out what we're made of I guess, from the board level to the coach, how he handles it, how our players handle it and how our supporters handle it." Only quote from Connolly relates to Headland. "It is hard to measure the impact that type of week would have on any individual," he said. "There was every chance (of a letdown), particularly from the physical sense. He didn't sleep the first two nights after the (Derby) game, he was very flat. Then the emotion of the (tribunal) result and the rollercoaster there . . . he should be proud of himself."
At Subiaco:
West Coast 5.2 6.8 9.11 14.16.100
Carlton 1.2 2.6 3.11 4.15.39
The Bluies play pretty well at Subiaco usually, but they were thoroughly outplayed by the Evil Eagles this time. The Eagles enhanced their reputation as ar5eholes last week, with Adam Selwood reported by the match review committee for his sledging of Des Headland in the Derby, prompting Headland to try and bludgeon Selwood to death. Headland was reported too, of course, but after hearing Selwood’s evidence - he called Headland’s tattoo of his daughter “s**t”, not her a “s1ut” directly, as Des thought - both went unpunished. As heads were scratched over what that meant, the leeg also slapped a heavy fine on Michael Braun for dropping the f-word in his speech accepting the Glendinning Medal, the Eagles having issued a paltry fine themselves and joked about the matter. The upshot was the AFL are not happy with the Eagles’ behaviour in general and have invited their officials to a riot-act reading in Melbourne this week. The Weegle side here was unchanged from the Derby. In a shock for the Bluesers, Nick Stevens will miss the remainder of the season with a prolapsed disc in his neck, a long-standing injury which requires surgery. Horrible luck. Stevens was replaced by first-gamer Joe Anderson, a tough back-flanker from Darwin.
Bizarre beginning to the game as a thunderstorm broke over the ground. God passing judgment on them Evil Eagles. The Eegs cleared the opening bounce and David Wirrpanda bagged a goal. Andrew Embley and Daniel Kerr missed shots as rain bucketed down and thunder rumbled in the background. Kerr and Chris Judd were too fast to be hit by lightening. Leading Quinten Lynch gathered the ball on-the-bounce and handballed for ‘Big’ Cox to snap a terrific goal and the Weevils led by 13 points. Carlton had barely attacked, but scored a behind, before Weeg Ash Hansen booted a terrific goal from the boundary-line from Wirrpanda’s pass. It was hailing now as the Weegs led by 18 points, the skinny Blueser youngsters were not appreciating the conditions. They managed a rushed behind but started to improve as the storm passed and sun emerged. Matty Lappin won a softish free-kick for being dived-on by Mark Seaby, Lappin banana-ed a great goal. The Weegs had the final say though, Wirrpanda drifted in to clutch a strong grab of Kerr’s tumbling kick and boot his second goal, then Kerr snapped a classy goal himself after roving a throw-in. Wiggles by 24 points at the first break and they’d gone an entire quarter without anyone OD’ing, drunk-driving, audibly swearing or visibly sledging an opponent. In case you were wondering about the siege mentality, Selwood’s every touch was being cheered wildly by the Weeg supporters. Wirrpanda snaggled another goal early in the second stanza, Kerr again punted ‘em forward and Bloo full-back Setanta O’hAilpin missed the ball completely with his two-handed punch, lurking Wirrpanda soccered it through. Frustrated Bloo spearhead Brendan Fevola was reported for elbowing Tyson Stenglein in the head, it looked worse than it was. Stenglein responded by pointing out the scoreboard - that’s more like the arrogant, unlovable Eegs we know. Fevola proceeded to miss his first shot for goal, to general delight. The Eeg supporters had little entertainment otherwise in a slogging second term as the Bluies dug in, Lappin and Heath Scotland playing well. Both sides missed a few before a good play from Scotland and Lappin set up a mark for Brad Fisher, he converted and the Weegs were 22 points ahead. Fevola missed another set shot, but the Weegs blazed five behinds prior to the long break.
Bright sunshine greeted the players for the start of the third term - God on a break. The Blues were a little upset by early events, Jarrad Waite appeared to have stabbed a goal through from close range but the ump decided it was a touched point. Thanks to the cheapskate coverage, we had no replay to judge for ourselves. A bit later Fevola should’ve had a free right in front, but didn’t get one. Ah well. The Bluies had held the Weegs out for a while but couldn’t persist without scoreboard pressure of their own, eventually the Weegs got going again. From a kick-in they advanced, Lynch marked on a long lead and thundered a mammoth kick to the goal-square. Back-pedalling Hansen marked on his chest and popped it through. Long-kicking became the fashion, Shannon Hurn walloped a huge running punt for full points. Wirrpanda booted another goal, found by Matt Rosa’s good pass. The Wiggles led by 41 points. A great bit of play by Michael Braun, overtaking Cameron Cloke twice, set up a shot for Rowan Jones but he missed. A goal for Heath Scotland was welcome for the Bluies, they sped forward from the restart but Marc Murphy sliced wide. An even six goals separated the teams at the final change. The Eegs lairized a bit in the final quarter. Hansen booted another goal in the first minute, a bit later Steven Armstrong booted a sausage. Eddie Betts missed poorly for the Bluies before Kerr soccered a major from a bit of pack-battling, the Weegs led by 53 points. There wasn’t any scoring for quite a while as players tired, the game being settled. Fevola managed a goal to much booing. But there was still time for an outrageous falling-backwards banana-goal from Hansen to provide the final act.
Hard to go past the Eegs’ champion on-ballers, both Chris Judd (35 disposals) and Daniel Kerr (28 touches, 2 goals) had 10 touches each in the first quarter and went on winning the ball, despite numerous opponents. David Wirrpanda (4 marks, 14 kicks, 4 goals) is enjoying his new role as a forward and Darren Glass deserves kudos for keeping Fevola to one goal, although Fev didn’t have many opportunities. Half-back Brett Jones (30 touches) played well and Michael Braun (27 handlings) wasn’t bad. Ashley Hansen enjoyed his afternoon with 4 goals from 8 marks and 15 disposals. Better Bluies included inspirational Matthew Lappin (29 disposals, a goal) and hard-working Heath Scotland (23 touches, a goal). Wingman Kade Simpson (20 touches) saw a bit of the ball and Setanta O’hAilpin (13 touches, 4 marks) did alright on Lynch, aided by the Weeg’s inaccuracy. Rover Adam Bentick (17 handlings) boxed on. Denis Pagan stated the obvious. "Their start to the game was sensational, and we just never recovered from that. We were just smashed by a very good side, and I just can't think of too many winners on the day, and I thought we were better than that - but it is a good reality check." John Worsfold said "We are very happy to be flexible (up forward). Wirra is a very good player, whether he is forward or back for us - he is integral to the way we play our team." Not very interesting, but what else is he going to say?.
Ladder after Round Four
Pts. % Next Week
West Coast 16 140.9 Richmond (MCG, Saturday)
Essendon 12 118.2 Collingwood (MCG, Wednesday)
Adelaide 12 116.9 Fremantle (Subiaco, Sunday)
Port Adelaide 12 107.7 St. Kilda (Football Park, Fri. night)
Hawthorn 12 107.2 Footscray (MCG, Sunday)
Geelong 8 132.1 North Melbourne (Kardinia Park, Sunday)
Brisbane 8 109.4 Carlton (Docklands, Sat. night)
Sydney 8 109.1 Melbourne (SCG, Sat. night)
---------------------------
Collingwood 8 99.4 Essendon (MCG, Wednesday)
St. Kilda 8 99.4 Port Adelaide (Football Park, Fri. night)
Footscray 8 91.4 Hawthorn (MCG, Sunday)
Carlton 8 75.3 Brisbane (Docklands, Sat. night)
Fremantle 4 97.2 Adelaide (Subiaco, Sunday)
North Melbourne 4 95.0 Geelong (Kardinia Park, Sunday)
Richmond 0 80.0 West Coast (MCG, Saturday)
Melbourne 0 67.0 Sydney (SCG, Sat. night)
Cheers, Tim.
Article last changed on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 4:05 PM EDT
