AFL Round 5 Part 2
by Tim Murphy
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 4.2 5.6 11.12 14.12.96
St. Kilda 1.2 3.3 3.4 6.7.43
Port splashed their way to a big victory in a rain-saturated game at Foopall Park. Sinkilda are pretty awful interstate, something pointed out beforehand by sacked coach Grant Thomas. Collected more injuries too, Lenny Hayes suffering a broken collarbone. But Port are the side performing better than predicted so far, and several folks had them making the eight. Having most of your best players fit and in form is a big factor, as Sinkilda can only rue. In selection here Port named Dean Brogan but he wasn’t fit, in came Troy Chaplin at the expense of Tom Logan. Port full-back and former Saint Darryl Wakelin played his 250th game. The Sainters made a number of changes, losing another key defender in Sam Fisher (hamstring) while James Gwilt and ruckman Michael Rix were dropped. Fraser Gehrig returned from suspension, Brett Voss was called up for his first game this season along with junior Sam Gilbert.
It’d rained all day in Addleaid and as this game commenced it was still precipitating steadily. While the ball was still relatively dry, the Pooer manufactured a footballing move, short passes ending with Damon White marking on-the-lead and booting a goal. The Saints replied with more traditional wet-weather footy, Nick Riewoldt soccered the ball into the goal-square where Stephen Milne arrived to soccer it through. Port were already moving the ball more directly and with greater skill, Warren Tredrea postered following a good grab before a poor kick from Stainer Jason Gram caused a turnover, leading to a running goal for Port’s wet-weather specialist David Rodan. The rain began to bucket down with Biblical intensity as Michael Wilson punted long and Tredrea held a too-easy chest-mark 15m out, he converted and Port led by 13 points. Wilson’s night was over a minute later, with a pectoral muscle torn in a tackle. Weaky. At the other end Riewoldt hooked a shot on-the-full. It was really rainin’ heavily as players slithered about, but in the final thirty seconds Port managed what may’ve been a crucial goal if they hadn’t gone on to dominate the rest of the game. Michael Pettigrew lobbed a high kick in, it slipped behind the pack and Shaun Burgoyne sped through to stab a goal. Port by 18 points at the first change. Sinkilda’s only decent period came in the first few minutes of the second stanza, Brett Voss bagging two goals. The Stainers scored a rushed point from the opening bounce, the kick-in was poor and Sainta Luke Ball handballed for Voss to boot a running sausage. A minute later Voss roved G-Train’s contest and had a snap, it rebounded off a Port defender back to Voss who dribbled it through with his second attempt. Sinkilda trailed by 5 points but entered their attacking 50 three more times for the quarter. Port did all the attackin’. The Pooey fans were angered when Stainer Leigh Fisher managed to get away with a ‘deliberate’ and a blatant throw within a minute. Then again, Lenny Hayes had his head crushed by Shaun Burgoyne without consequence. It seemed unlikely another goal would be scored before Flower ruckman Brendon Lade found some space and punted long to the goal-square, Tredrea held an excellent mark against two Sainters and played-on to jab it through. Port led by 12 points and scored a couple more behinds prior to the end of the half, one a poor miss from the otherwise busy Chad Cornes. Riewoldt was having a difficult time, not enhanced by being kicked meatily in the face by Peter Burgoyne. The Pooey by 15 points at half-time.
The rain had eased towards the end of the first half but was falling as heavily as ever by the commencement of the third korter. Wind had sprung up too, aiding Port. From a throw-in deep in the back-pocket, Ball tumbled a hurried clearing kick for the Saints but it went straight to Port’s Brad Symes, who booted a goal. Again the weather made you think goals would be very difficult to come by, but Port’s midfield, restrained by some tagging and opposition from Sinkilda in the first half, began to win all the ball. Shaun Burgoyne was shaking off Steven Baker’s tag, he missed badly with a set-shot but a minute later completed a soccer move, Nathan Krakouer then Burgyone himself hacked the ball forward off-the-ground, Brett Ebert actually picked it up and handballed for Burgoyne to scramble it through from close range. Ebert followed sequence, booting a tight-angle behind before Tredrea’s smart kick found Ebert in acres of space to run into the goal-mouth and soccer-hack it through. Port led by 36 points now and Sinkilda hadn’t scored since the second of Voss’s goals, 3 minutes into the second quarter. Their Andrew Thompson was struggling with a knee injury and now Lenny Hayes departed, his right collarbone broken by a heavy but textbook bump from Pettigrew. Ol’ Robert Harvey was left to carry the burden. Gehrig took a mark on a long lead, his kick forward was gathered by Andrew McQualter who booted a behind, both events bringing jeering from Port fans. The Saints’ first score for 50 minutes, that point. From the kick-in Wakelin was allowed to literally walk for 70m, touching the ball to the ground occasionally, as Sainters backed off to cover opponents - not very well, as Wakelin eventually kicked the ball to Tredrea, whose long punt in turn led to Chaplin soccering a major from the goal-square. Riewoldt helped out, attempting to force a rushed behind he’d knocked the ball into Chaplin’s path. With the Saints firmly in rabble territory Peter Burgoyne bagged a major with the aid of a 50m penalty. Shaun Burgoyne cleared the restart and Ebert marked on the forward-flank, he centered the ball to Lade who chipped to unattended Tredrea, through went another and Port led by 56 points at the final change. The Saints at least managed some goals in the final stanza, the rain easing to moderate rather than teeming. Milne kicked ‘em forward early, Lade missed the ball completely with a two-fisted punch and Brendon Goddard lurked in to stab a goal. Port responded with goals from Ebert, a free-kick for holding against Fisher, and Steven Salopek who played in front to mark Peter Burgoyne’s high, wobbly punt. Port by 62 points. Voss free-kicked his third goal, Rodan bagged one with a good piece of roving for Port before Milne pounced on an errant, tired Port kick-in to ensure the Saints won the quarter.
An even contribution across the Port side. Midfielders Chad Cornes (32 disposals) and Kane Cornes (28 touches) were consistently good all night and Steven Salopek (24 handlings, a goal) was terrific in the first half. Shaun Burgoyne (21 possies, 2 goals) played very well in the second half, once he’d shrugged off Baker. Big forward Warren Tredrea (7 marks, 11 kicks, 3 goals) was terrific in unhelpful conditions. In defence Darryl Wakelin (18 disposals, 11 marks) enjoyed his milestone by defeating a typically lethargic Gehrig and Troy Chaplin (16 touches, 8 marks, a goal) had the better of Riewoldt, who didn’t enjoy the conditions. Brett Ebert and David Rodan kicked 2 goals each. The Stainers’ best was Robert Harvey (31 disposals), comfortably, a worry in some ways. Brendon Goddard (21 touches, 10 marks, a goal) won some of the ball and Nick Dal Santo (25 possessions) did a little bit, Lenny Hayes (16 touches) was playing okay until injured. Brett Voss (5 marks, 18 possies, 3 goals) spearheaded their best period. Matty Clarke (27 hit-outs) rucked okay against Lade. Stephen Milne bagged 2 goals. "The only positive out of it was at three-quarter-time we really could have rolled over totally, and just for the club's sake and the team we had an aim to win the (last) quarter and they did that," said Sinkilda coach Ross Lyon. "It showed that there is some fight in the group and ability to respond." He went on to criticize Gehrig for “not playing in front” and lamented the injuries to the side’s key defenders. Mark Williams said “The game was always going to be tough, especially in these conditions, and losing Michael Wilson, one of our hardest players and fittest on-ballers, made it difficult for the rotations. So to get that result for our club, we’re really pleased. I thought everyone contributed. I thought the backs did a wonderful job keeping them (St Kilda’s forwards) down . . . Everyone would be very proud of themselves tonight and the win certainly gives us a good start to the season.”
At the MCG:
Richmond 5.3 6.4 8.7 11.12.76
West Coast 2.6 8.10 10.13 14.15.99
For the fourth time in five, the Tigers tried hard and were in with a winning chance in the final quarter, before being out-played and over-run. You suspect the Weegles spend most of games like these in third gear, managing to shift up when required. Such periods came in the second quarter, after a fast Tiger start, and again in the final ten minutes. Too good. The Weevils’ off-field dramas overshadowed the game, on Sunday they received an official dressing-down from the AFL Commission over their “arrogance and disrespect shown to the football community.” The Weegle hierarchy formally apologized. No penalty, but they’re “on notice” with loss of premiership points and draft sanctions are on the table if they don’t clean up their act. On Monday morning Ben Cousins returned from drug rehab in California. Amongst speculation Cousins could be playing again in a few weeks, the Weegs stressed Cousins was “not coming back to play.” Yet. Officially, Cousins remains under club suspension for missing training. Compare with the Australian Rugby Union, who banned Wendell Sailor for 2 years when he tested positive to cocaine use. But I digress. In selection here the Tiges got a bit tough, axing regulars Dean Polo, probably for his ridiculous ‘Tiger’ hairstyle, and Andrew Krakouer along with Patrick Bowden again. In came juniors Cleve Hughes, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls and forgotten man Daniel Jackson. No change for the Weegles.
The first quarter was all about small Tiger forward Richard Tambling. Criticized recently for underperformance, most notably by the idiot Garry Lyon, Tambling booted 4 first-quarter goals. The Weegs scored the opening goal direct from the first bounce, through Rowan Jones and a minute later David Wirrpanda bagged one. Ominous and thoughts turned to Richmun’s round 22 hiding from the Weegs last year. ‘Plough’ swung a few moves including Richo into the ruck. But the Tiges bagen to attack the ball hard and run quickly through the ‘corridor’. Tambling’s first two goals came quickly, scores were level before two more Tambling goals arrived in rapid succession. For the first he stooped to collect a loose ball and was kneed in the head by Tyson Stenglein, a free-kick and a goal for Tambling and a report for Stenglein. The next completed an excellent end-to-end move by the Tigers, with Richardson’s mark and handpass sending Tambling in for the easy conversion.. Both sides missed shots, Toiga Jay Schulz kicked all three of their first-term behinds despite a clear ability to mark the ball. The Tigers led by 9 points and as the Weegs continued to miss shots the Tiges grabbed another goal before the first break, Chris Hyde’s pass picked out unattended Daniel Jackson for a diving mark and he converted. Tiggers by 15 points at the first break. Cleve Hughes marked and booted the first goal of the second korter and the Tiggers led by 21 points,. But the Weegs knuckled down. They slowed the tempo, played tighter and used their bigger, mature bodies to put pressure on the Tiges. Daniel Kerr and Andrew Embley started to win plenty of the ball, so did Adam Selwood who was switched onto Tambling. Big Quinten Lynch began to score goals, bagging three of ‘em in an unbroken Weevil sequence of six. Even full-back Darren Glass snuck down to bag one. The umpires were also driving the Tiges to distraction with a string of frees to the Weegs. By halftime the Weevils led the game by 18 points and the free-kick count 17-6. As the players departed for the break Tigga captain Kane Johnson let fly at the umps, which may prove costly.
The third quarter was tighter. A great if somewhat desperate torpedo-punt goal from Tige Brett Deledio narrowed the deficit to 11 points, but a few minutes later Lynch marked on a long lead and thundered a huge kick for a 65m goal, the Weegs led by 17 again. Lynch missed an easier, 50m shot a minute later before a major from Adam Hunter extended the Weegle lead to 24 points. The Tigers mightn’t be very good but they do try hard, a classic case coming when Jay Schulz clutched a very good mark, only to boot his fourth behind. Richo must’ve taken over as goal-kicking coach. The Tiges stayed in touch with a goal soon after. Graham Polak, playing very well at CHB, held an excellent pack-mark and set Tambling running, he passed for Hughes who played on quickly and thumped it through. Wiggles by 17 points, their Michael ‘F..king’ Braun should’ve bagged an easy goal prior to the final break but missed appallingly. When the Weevils scored the first goal of the final term, you felt the floodgates may open. Selwood kicked long and Hunter held an uncontested mark 20m out as Tige backmen stood about watching. Hunter converted, Weegs by 24 points. Yet the Tiggers raised an effort. Nathan Foley and Shane Tuck combined to clear the restart, Kayne Pettifer led to mark Tuck’s pass and punt truly. A minute later Oakley-Nicholls centered the ball smartly for Hughes to mark, he played-on and thumped it home from 55m. The Tiges trailed by 10 points, they cleared the restart and defending Selwood was caught in possession by Jake King’s tackle. ‘Bawl’, but King hooked his shot on-the-full. King partially redeemed himself a minute later with a tough effort to win the ball, Pettifer lobbed a high kick goal-wards, it spilled from the pack and Joel Bowden snapped a major. The Tiges kinda excited, 4 points behind. The Eegs should’ve had a relieving goal when Bowden, tackled by Judd, clearly threw the ball away, 20m out from the Weeg goal. But no whistle. Rosa kicked a point before the Tiges had a chance to go ahead. Oakley-Nicholls marked 50m out, not confident of kicking the distance he lobbed the ball to the top of the ‘square. The Weegs won the ball, rebounded and Rowan Jones passed to leading Ashley Hansen, who held a good grab under pressure and booted a goal. The Wiggles won the ball from the subsequent centre-bounce and Rowan Jones was involved again, this time finding Wirrpanda with a pass. He goaled. The Eegs led by 17 points once more and it was over. Richardson moved to the backline and took a few grabs, but the heat went outta the game before Hansen bagged another goal, with another good grab. Hansen managed another mark in the final minute, but missed. Drug-filled cheats.
The Selwoods are seen as having “a point to make” following the Headland incident. Adam Selwood (32 disposals) was very good here and quelled Tambling after quarter-time, Daniel Kerr (28 touches) was a key ball-winner after the first break. Wingmen Andrew Embley (34 possies, 9 marks) and Matt Rosa (22 possies, 7 marks) played alright too. Up forward there were key efforts from Ashley Hansen (5 marks, 9 kicks, 3 goals), Quinten Lynch (6 marks, 9 kicks, 4 goals) and David Wirrpanda (19 disposals, 7 marks, 3 goals). Chris Judd (21 possessions) was okay although curtailed a bit by Kane Johnson. Adam Hunter kicked 2 goals. The Tiges received a terrific effort from Graham Polak (12 marks, 21 disposals) at CHB and his flankers Chris Newman (21 disposals, 9 marks) and Andrew Raines (25 possessions) were good. Running man Brett Deledio (19 disposals, a goal) and the livewire Richard Tambling (16 disposals, 4 goals) made important contributions, Matty Richardson (14 marks, 18 disposals) moved about the field and worked hard. Rebounding backman Joel Bowden (33 touches, 10 marks, a goal) was useful. Young forward Cleve Hughes (6 marks, 12 touches, 3 goals) showed signs of ability. Wallace echoed the thoughts of many. "We're just about fed up with honourable losses, I've got to say. I thought our supporter base today was terrific with the players at the end of the game. I know they are as frustrated as we are to be in that position, and I thought they were magnificent to the guys. What we spoke about at the end of the game was about how the guys can't be accepting of that. If we get to that stage and all of a sudden the arm-wrestle is on in the last quarter and the game is there to be taken, if our blokes start thinking that they're going to get a pat on the back whether they get the result or not, that's not where we're going as a team." Or he’ll spew up. John Worsfold was asked exclusively about how the Weegs would deal with the coming stern word from the Commission. He extracted the urine a bit. "If a player makes an error of judgement, a mistake, and learns from it, they're better off. That's how you gain wisdom, really. We've had a few players that have learned lessons, certainly. Adam Selwood has learned that sledging can be taken a different way, and you've got to be careful. We all learn. I've learned about more things to warn the players about. When a player wins an award and all of a sudden accepts it on ground, you've got to forewarn them that there is a camera on ground and the microphone is linked to something. You're not talking to your teammates. I think we are going to be better people for it."
At Docklands:
Carlton 5.6 14.8 17.11 18.16.124
Brisbane 6.1 13.1 18.4 21.10.136
Terrifically entertaining game, with the ball whipped end-to-end at a furious pace and goals rattling through every minute in an amazing first half. Typically Pagan-esque in it’s design, the Bluies’ attacking game plan eventually foundered on their mistakes, particularly an awful collision between defenders which allowed Brisbun to score the crucial first goal of a tight final term. The Lyin’s are going well now with three wins from the first five, Leigh Matthews’s ‘don’t look back’ approach to team-rebuilding drawing praise. In team selection the Bluies lost forward Brad Fisher with a fractured cheekbone, he’ll be out for 4-6 weeks. He was replaced by second-gamer Ryan Jackson. The Lyin’s dropped ruckman Cameron Wood and running player Matthew Moody for ruckman Beau McDonald and running player Marcus Allan.
The goal avalanche started early, within 40 seconds Bloo Kade Simpson played on from a free-kick and bounced it through from 50m. A bit later Lance Whitnall, playing at CHF, collected a loose ball, sold a noice dummy and snapped truly to great delight from Blueser fans. Whitnall was ‘back’, for a while, as he led smartly, took grabs and worked hard. At the other end Brisbun juggernaut Jonathan Brown was taking marks and he’d also been to goal-kicking school during the week, bagging one in the first quarter, ruckman Jamie Charman booted a couple too. The Bluies might’ve led at quarter-time if it weren’t for some poor misses, from Eddie Betts in particular. The Lyin’s led by a point at the first break. Sixteen goals, and just two behinds, were scored in an amazing second stanza. The Bluesers opened with a three-goal burst, Whitnall held a two-grab mark on a lead and booted truly. Consecutive centre-clearances led to consecutive goals for Cameron Cloke, the first from roving to Fevola, the second a free-kick for off-ball holding. The Bluies led by 17 points. The Lyin’s had barely touched the ball in that sequence but some scrambling and pack-battling led to Luke Power snapping a major. Whitnall responded with another mark and goal, found by Matty Lappin’s smart kick. The laconic Jared Brennan was replaced by Jason Roe as Whitnall’s opponent. The Lyin’s crept closer as Jon Brown imposed himself again, he was all alone to mark and convert from Richard Hadley’s pass, a minute later Brown set up a mark and major for Joel Patfull. Great kick from Patfull. The Blues booted the next two sausages, Eddie Betts bagged the first and the crowd was roaring their approval following the second, a great effort from Andrew Walker setting up a running roost for Kade Simpson. Carton by 17 points again. Heath Scotland soiled the scorebook with the term’s first behind, but now the balance tipped Brisbun’s way as Chris Johnson shifted forward. Johnson led to mark on the 50m line and quickly chip a pass to Power, he converted. Good work from Johnson to keep the ball alive also created the next goal, Ashley McGrath snapping truly. Ben Fixter punted ‘em forward from the next centre-bounce, Brown bustled opponents aside for an emphatic grab and major to level the scores. And then Carlton found a bit. Lyin’ Roe spilled a difficult marking chance and lurking Fevola snapped truly from close range. Marc Murphy won the subsequent centre-clearance and kicked long, Betts roved the pack, finessed smartly and snapped a great goal. A minute later Betts booted an even better goal, collecting the loose ball and lobbing it through from 45m. The Blooze led by 19 points but the Lyin’s scored the final goal of the term, Johnson doing smartly to win the ball, dummy and centre a pass for Cheynee Stiller to mark, 15m out right in front. He converted after the siren. Phew.
The pace of scoring slowed moderately in the third term. Lyin’ Jason Roe booted the first major, running onto a loose ball 55m out and thumping it home. The Lisbon Brians proceeded to burn a few chances before Fevola soared for a big grab over the back of the pack, marking Walker’s badly sliced shot. Fev converted, Bluies by 13. A minute later Fevola led and marked on the 50m line, but opted to pass to Murphy whose shot hit the post. Poor option for long-kickin’ Fev. The Lyin’s began to control the game now, through Simon Black, Luke Power and a more functional forward-line. Tim Notting majored from a free-kick, ridden into the ground by Bret Thornton. Patfull free-kicked the Lyin’s forward again and big Jamie Charman roved Brown’s contest to boot a long major. Robert Copeland kicked the Brians into attack from the restart, young Bryce Gibbs spoiled well on McGrath but the ball spilled for Notting to blast it through from point-blank. The Lyin’s led, by 4 points. Young Lyin’ Colm Begley forced a turnover and Black punted ‘em forward again, his well-placed kick finding Patfull for a mark and major. The Bluies needed something. Fevola marked, played-on and sprayed it hopelessly wide, but a minute later a great handpass from Murphy allowed Simpson to boot an excellent left-footed goal. Brisbane’s score was a phenomenally accurate 18.1 at this stage but now Chris Johnson and Jon Brown missed comparatively easy set shots. Some smart finesse from Simpson got the ball to Cloke, he goaled and the Bluebaggers were in front again, by 2 points. Before the final change Brown missed again from a tough angle. They were falling apart. In contrast to the previous quarters, the final term saw goals hard to come by. Tiredness was the chief reason, from the frenetic pace of the game. Carlton scored three consecutive behinds to take a 4-point lead, followed by three in-a-row for Brisbun. Brown should’ve been paid a terrific mark before one of them. Twelve minutes in came the key moment, after some rugged scrambling in attack Lyin’ Justin Sherman lobbed a kick towards the goal-square. Three Bluie defenders camped under the ball, but for some reason Scotland tried to out-mark taller team-mate Setanta O’hAilpin. The ball spilled and before Simpson could react, McGrath sped in and soccered a goal. Brisbun led by 5 points. Ben Fixter won the ball at the restart and passed to Brown, he stabbed a pass to leading Johnson who converted. The Lyin’s won the ball at the restart and Power speared the ball to Johnson again, he goaled again and suddenly the Lyin’s were 17 points ahead. The Lyin’s scored a couple more points before the Bluies roused for one last effort, their fans were furious when first Fevola, then Lappin were denied free-kicks in range of the sticks. But their only remaining joy was a goal after the final siren for Lappin.
There are a lot of Lyin’ cubs but the old(er) men made the key difference, dominant Jonathan Brown (15 marks, 27 disposals, 3 goals) at CHF and Simon Black (26 disposals) and Luke Power (26 touches, 2 goals) in midfield, Chris Johnson (8 marks, 16 possies, 3 goals) at full-forward and wingman Tim Notting (17 touches, 2 goals). Of the younger brigade the running of Cheynee Stiller (28 disposals, 12 marks, a goal) and the work from big man Jamie Charman (10 touches, 3 goals) were important. Forward-flanker Joel Patfull (7 marks, 8 kicks, 2 goals) was handy. Ashley McGrath kicked 2 goals. The Blooze could be happy about the run provided by Ryan Houlihan (29 disposals), Kade Simpson (18 possessions, 3 goals) and Heath Scotland (25 touches, 7 marks), back-flanker Andrew Walker (15 possies, a goal) was pretty good too. Lance Whitnall (17 disposals, 11 marks, 3 goals) was terrific early but wasn’t a factor after half-time, the combined effects of unfitness and Roe. Eddie Betts (13 touches, 3 goals) worked hard in attack and Matty Lappin (19 handlings, a goal) wasn’t bad. Brendan Fevola kicked 3 goals and spent most of the night whinging to the umpires, Cameron Cloke also bagged 3 goals. Denis Pagan pondered the efforts of the respective captains. "(Whitnall) was terrific and we're so pleased for 'Red' because he's been to hell and back . . . he looked like the 'Red' of old." On Brisbun’s Brown, Pagan said “Fancy playing full-forward and having 26 possessions, that was probably the difference between the two sides . . . (but) I'm not disappointed with Setanta (O’hAilpin, Brown’s opponent all night). He's always going to get better. When Setanta's got 60 games under his belt, he's going to be one of the best defenders in the game. Unfortunately we can't give him another 40 in one week." Leigh Matthews said "(Brown's) been pretty good. I mean he's been double-teamed almost every game we've played. We rearranged our forward line a little bit tonight to make it harder to double team him and that may have worked . . . Carlton had the tougher preparation. They played the twilight game in Perth last Sunday afternoon, so that was a short week for them after coming off Subiaco, so I was always hoping that would mean that they would have a tough game to play the game out strongly," he said.
At the SCG:
Sydney 6.2 10.5 12.7 17.7.109
Melbourne 1.2 4.4 6.9 8.12.60
The most predictable result of the weekend (except the West Ghost win, maybe) as the Swans accounted for Sandringham. Melbun’s awful injury karma infected the seemingly indestructible Swans as Tadhg Kennelly and Luke Ablett received knee injuries in this game. With Amon Buchanan also missing (knee cartilage, a late withdrawal here) the Swans’ midfield could be struggling in coming weeks. The Bloods called up junior rover Jarred Moore to replace Buchanan and Nick Davis returned from a foot injury, at the expense of Heath Grundy. The cursed Demons made six changes. Latest fallen were Matthew Whelan (hamstring), Brad Green (hamstring), Nathan Jones (ankle) and Paul Wheatley (shoulder) while Daniher was brave enough to drop out-of-form Daniel Ward and the seemingly past-it Clint Bizzell. The Dees had a few decent players return in Travis Johnstone, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers, Chris Johnson was called up and two players given their AFL debuts, lanky half-back Ricky Petterd from Broadbeach in Queensland and full-forward Colin Garland from North Hobart.
The game was almost decided after 5 minutes, by which time Siddey had three goals. The Deez lined up in unusual formation, regular CHF Brad Miller started at full-back on Barry Hall and the forward-line featured Lynden Dunn, half-back Daniel Bell, Travis Johnstone, rover Colin Sylvia and, er, number 15, which turned out to be first-gamer Petterd. Miller decided to engage in some chest-bumping and slapsies with Hall, which opened a cut on the side of Hall’s head but otherwise backfired spectacularly. Hall bustled Miller aside to take an early grab and drive the ball into the goal-square, where Nick Malceski arrived to bag a goal. Within a minute Hall out-marked Miller again and centered his pass where Jude Bolton marked and converted. After their appalling waywardness last week, the Swans had clearly done a lot of goal-shooting practice. The Dees scored a rushed point and Malceski was allowed to run a long way from the kick-in, his three-bounce journey ending with a goal-square mark for Ryan O’Keefe, he majored. Siddey by 17 points and you couldn’t see how the Dees might score a goal, not allowing for a mystery umpiring decision - which they received within the next minute, Dunn the beneficiary. But it was one-way traffic, Hall was thrashing Miller and he marked on a long lead, stabbed short pass to Davis and then led downfield to accept Davis’s return pass and boot a deserved goal. Soon Hall was marking again and dishing off a subtle handpass for Adam Goodes to boot a running sausage. Darren Jolly marked 50m out and his mis-hit inswinger wobbled through for a goal. Siddey led by 30 points at quarter-time and Daniher was shown working furiously on his magnetic board throughout the break. The bathed Miller went forward and Nathan ‘The Cougar’ Carroll picked up Hall, young Colin Garland went to full-forward and Ricky Petterd to defence, Johnstone midfield. The Dees did better in the remainder of the game, Cameron Bruce, Aaron Davey and Petterd all playing well. Davey ran down Jared Crouch with a great tackle early in the second stanza, his family’s signature move. Davey walloped the free-kick for a 50m goal. Barry Hall was the game’s dominant figure though and soon booted his second goal with a strong mark in front of Carroll. Melbun continued to work hard, Miller marked Byron Pickett’s high kick and was dragged down after by Leo Barry, a 50m penalty enabling Miller to boot a major. From a kick-in Davey embarked on a run and kicked long to Matthew Bate, who gathered the ball and punted a remarkable 50m goal off two steps. The Deez were a minor threat, 19 points behind. The Bloods responded, Nick Davis kicked a goal with a soft free-kick against Johnstone, Hall was in front of Carroll to mark Ablett’s mongrelled kick and convert from a tough angle. A poor kick back towards goal by Dee Nathan Brown was intercepted by Jarrad McVeigh, he rammed it through and the Swans had jumped to a 38-point lead, becoming 37 at half-time with Jeff White’s miss.
Difficult to maintain interest in the second half, the crowd spent much of it being depressed by the injuries to Kennelly and Ablett or trying to initiate Mexican waves. Deemun Bell missed woefully with an early set-shot before two quick Siddey goals, the first was quick snap from Adam Schneider, the second Hall out-marked two Dees and handballed for Davis to snap it home. The Swans led by 48 points. The game entered a quiet, scoreless phase for while, until Davey latched onto a loose ball and drilled a low kick for a major for the Dees. The Swans’ injuries occurred about now, Kennelly was slung in Pickett’s tackle and Kennelly’s right leg was caught underneath, slow-motion replays showed the Irishman’s knee dislocating. Straight off, in a lot of pain but the Swans reckon he’ll be back in three weeks. Davey’s pass set up Cameron Bruce for a mark and goal, the Swans’ lead reduced to 37 points at this stage. Now Ablett hurt his knee, hyper-extending it as he dived for a loose ball. His night was over too, although the injury mightn’t be as bad as Kennelly’s. The Swans’ doctor reckons he (er, Ablett) could play next week. The Dees kicked a string of long-distance points as a quiet, almost mournful mood settled on the Swans in the wake of the injuries. The final term also started slowly, with only a rushed Dee behind scored in the first 6 minutes. They were a theoretical chance, trailing by 33 points. But O’Loughlin’s fierce tackle on young Dee Chris Johnson broke the drought, Jarred Moore collecting the loose ball to stab it through. In quick succession Brett ‘Captain’ Kirk bagged a sausage, set up by Hall, then Hall himself booted a 55m goal after marking Adam Schneider’s pass. The Swans led by 51 points and Hall was benched, his night’s work done. Davey and O’Loughlin kicked goals for their respective sides and the scoring ended with a deserved goal for Demon Ricky Petterd, who’d played very well on his debut. Very quiet Swan Adam Goodes was carrying a left shoulder injury and had also clattered niggling opponent Simon Godfrey off-the-ball, which might see Goodes given a holiday.
Big Bad Bustling Barry Hall (8 marks, 11 disposals, 4 goals) set the tone, with some good work upfield from ball-winner Brett ‘Captain’ Kirk (32 touches, a goal) and busy runner Nick Malceski (28 disposals, 12 marks, a goal). Ben Mathews tagged Travis Johnstone out of it and Ryan O’Keefe (18 possies, a goal) and Jude Bolton (24 handlings, a goal) played well. There were some marauding runs from defence by Leo Barry (17 disposals) and handy wing-play from Jarrad McVeigh (18 touches, a goal). Ruckman Darren Jolly (34 hit-outs, 11 possies, a goal) punished his old side. Adam Schneider and Nick Davis bagged 2 goals each. Cameron Bruce (27 disposals, 11 marks, a goal) was probably Melbun’s best player but Aaron Davey (23 handlings, 3 goals) was very good too. Ricky Petterd (20 disposals, a goal) produced a remarkably assured debut performance from a back flank and Brent Moloney (27 touches) was okay. Simon Godfrey (18 disposals incl. 14 handballs) ensured Goodes’s modest season to date continued. Neale Daniher said "I thought we were at our worst in the first 20 minutes and that's something we need to address. They really jumped us, picked a stronger team than us and really blew us away in the first quarter and smashed us in the clearances. From a coaching point of view it was good our team didn't give up. After then I thought we made it reasonably competitive.” Perhaps if you played blokes in the correct positions. Roosy said "It was a great effort to run over the top of them. It was a great win . . . when you are going so well and you lose a couple of blokes it can swing the momentum.” On Kennelly’s injury: “Sometimes you can do that (dislocate a knee) and play on. We saw Crezza (former Sydney Swans midfielder Daryn Cresswell) do that a few years ago and play the next week." Hmm.
At the MCG:
Hawthorn 3.7 7.11 10.13 13.15.93
Footscray 5.2 11.4 16.7 16.14.110
Hard to judge where the Bulldogs are at the moment. They’ve had two expected but unconvincing wins over the hopeless Toigs and undermanned Horks. But the Dogs have won and once again here Luke Darcy and Robert Murphy were handy. Horforn, missing key position men Croad, Jacobs, Williams and Smith, tried hard but were often their own worst enemy with some poor disposal and discipline. ‘Buddy’ Franklin played well, though. The Hawks will be without full-forward Mark Williams for the next six weeks, knee trouble, Clint Young (broken hand) and Danny Jacobs (hamstring) missed too. Replacements here were returning Rick Ladson, Tom Murphy and newly-shorn Josh Thurgood. In contrast the Bulldogs were strengthened by the return of Jason Akermanis, Daniel Cross and Sam Power from injury, they replaced juniors Tom Williams, Jarrod Harbrow and Dylan Addison.
On an overcast day the Horks started very well, but not as well as they could’ve. Poor kicking for goal was the problem, Michael Osborne sliced a hurried snap before Sam Mitchell picked out leading Franklin with a pass, ‘Buddy’ converted. Jarryd Roughead held a mark and chipped a pass intended for Tim Boyle, it went over his head but Franklin lurked ahead of the ball in his usual style to soccer another. Ben Dixon and Boyle proceeded to miss simple set-shots as the Horks led by 15 points, the Dogs yet to score. Darcy opened their account with a goal following a strong grab over the Orcs’ stand-in full-back, Stephen Gilham. The Hawkers won the following centre-break, Boyle marked and missed again. But they were going okay, Chance Bateman sent them forward and after the ball spilled from Roughead’s contest, the Hawks’ uber-tagger Brad Sewell snaggled a sausage. Sewell was opposed to Adam Cooney. Hawks by 10 points but the Bullies started to get their running game going, plus they had a significant advantage in their forward-line. Leading Matty Robbins took an enormous dive when nudged slightly by Grant Birchall, the free-kick was awarded and Robbins goaled. The Dogs won the following centre-clearance and good play by Shaun Higgins allowed Robert Murphy a very high, accurate snap to put the Pups ahead, by 2 points. Darcy marked again but missed woefully, the Horks scored a coupla more behinds before Akermanis’s long kick picked out ‘Guido’ Giansiracusa, he centered the ball for Sam Power to mark and major. Dogs by 8 points, Franklin won a free-kick just before the siren but missed the shot after it, he was ‘congratulated’ by Brian Harris. Hawk fans were angered early in the second quarter when Ladson was pinged for ‘deliberate’ after pushing the ball into the behind-post. From the free-kick Bulldog Farren Ray bagged a goal, the Doggies led by 13 points. The Hoks responded, a string of handballs ending with Ladson’s pass to Franklin 50m out, he played-on and thumped his third goal. Shane Crawford missed with a snap but Luke Hodge spoiled the Bully kick-in and Roughead snapped a major, leveling the scores. The Dogs began to rebound quickly and kick long to their forwards, Akermanis often involved. Rob Murphy out-maneuvered his Hawk namesake Tom and snapped a left-footed major, a textbook flowing move ended with a mark and sausage roll for Higgins and Footyscray led by 12 points. Sensing a shoot-out would end badly for them, the Hawks reverted to their slow, ‘ugly’ game which so confounds Geelong. The game slowed for a while before the umps awarded a dubious mark to Rob Murphy, as he and Hawk ruckman Simon Taylor grabbed the ball simultaneously. Murphy was in front, I suppose. He passed to Higgins, who goaled and the Dogs led by 18 points. The Hoks hit back, Osborne flew for a big grab, spilled it but roving Boyle snapped a goal. At the restart Akermanis was caught in Hodge’s tackle (oh matron) and Xavier Ellis punted the Hawkers forward, Roughead bagged a rover’s goal. The Dogs’ lead was back to 6 points but they scored the next two majors, for the first Rob Murphy anticipated Brent Guerra’s handpass, intercepted it and booted accurately. A free to Brad Johnson set up a stereotypical running bomb for Lindsay Gilbee and the Pups led by 18 once more, Hawk Ladson missed poorly before the long interval.
The Pups pulled clear in the third stanza. The Hawks missed yet another simple shot, Dixon, before Bateman scooped a loose ball with some skill and snapped a good major. The Doggies led by 10 points. Cooney managed to escape Sewell and snap a goal after Giansiracusa’s long kick spilled from Darcy’s contest, but the Hawks narrowed the gap again from the restart. Hodge won a free and sent the ball via Ben McGlynn to leading Franklin, he marked and converted once more. Tight for a while but the Hawks squandered scoring chances. Too often they bombed the ball in, allowing ‘zoned’ Bully defenders a quick, easy rebound. A Hawk kick on-the-full resulted in Bully Daniel Cross finding Brad Johnson on-the-lead, he goaled. A defensive rebound and Giansiracusa’s kick was marked very well by Darcy, he goaled. The Bullies recovered a Horforn kick-in and Power set up a running goal for Nathan Eagleton. A bit later Farren Ray led very wide, marking Giansiracusa’s pass right on the boundary. Ray played-on and nonchalantly hooked it through the big sticks with his left boot. Four unanswered goals and the Bulldawgs led by 36 points, 6 goals in the common tongue. Hodge managed a centre-clearance and Franklin won a free-kick, held by Ryan Hargrave. Another goal for ‘Buddy’ resulted but the Orcs were 5 goals down at the final change. Strange final term ensued, in which the Dogs failed to kick a goal. They opened the korter with five straight behinds, two kicked by Darcy including an unmissable slice into the post. After a while Hork McGlynn worked hard to send the ball forward and usual defender Campbell Brown leaped for a good goal-square mark, he majored. The Hawks were still 29 points down, and 30 again when Scott West missed a shot. Drizzle started to fall on tiring players. An over-elaborate Doggy handballing sequence broke down and Hodge snapped a goal. The Hawkers were mounting some sort of challenge, Roughead missed a shot before a good Hawk move ended with Brown passing to Franklin on a wide lead. Franklin slotted his sixth goal from a tricky angle and Horforn were 17 points behind with about 5 minutes to go. The Dogs drained the clock. Brown hammered Hargrave with a great bump but missed with a long punt, Crawford marked 30m out but attempted an ill-advised pass which led to a turnover. That was about it.
Solid work for the Doggies from rovers Scott West (41 disposals and 13 marks, sheesh) and Daniel Cross (31 possessions), taking on prolific Hawks Mitchell and Lewis head-to-head. Full-back Brian Harris (27 disposals, 15 marks) ‘zoned off’ to swallow errant Hawk attacks and running men Jason Akermanis (20 touches) and Lindsay Gilbee (30 handlings, a goal) hit the Horks on the rebound. Akermanis’s form would be encouraging, he was clearly unfit on debut. Shaun Higgins (10 touches, 3 goals) impressed again and Robert Murphy (5 marks, 15 touches, 3 goals) was handy up front too, Luke Darcy and Farren Ray kicked 2 goals each (Darcy 2.4). Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin booted 6 goals from 5 marks and 12 disposals, he was a standout for Hawthorn and I’m starting to believe the hype. He actually took marks here, which is important. Jordan Lewis (36 touches) won a mountain of touches and half-back Rick Ladson (30 handlings) played well, as did defender Campbell Brown (17 touches, 7 marks, a goal) and Brad Sewell (20 disposals, a goal) claimed Cooney’s scalp. Shane Crawford (29 possessions) plugged away and Chance Bateman (15 disposals, a goal) did a bit. Jarryd Roughead kicked 2 goals. Al Clarkson remained positive. "A lot of the key things we look for throughout the course of a game like clearances, inside 50s, good rebound and that sort of stuff, we were able to achieve . . . (but) you need to convert your opportunities when you get them." ‘Rocket’ Eade had a bit of a whinge about the umpiring (frees 25-12 to Hawkthorn) and a bizarre incident when Robbins was paid, then ‘unpaid’ a mark. On the game he said “There’s some parts of our game we need to get better. Having said that, we’re winning. It keeps us on track.”
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 4.3 6.8 10.10 15.12.102
North Melbourne 6.3 12.5 15.7 18.10.118
Hands up. Who was fooled? It’s the same old soft, weak p*ssy Cats. And they themselves agree. “We didn't respect the game (or) our opposition, they played better football, they were tougher and it was a mentally weak thing to do to come out and play the last forty minutes like we wanted to win the game," Cat coach ‘Bombout’ Thompson said afterwards. "It's happened a few times now and I think there are some boys that don't want to be part of it. And we just don't want it to happen ever again, I am over it.” Indeed the Kangers are hardly a brilliant side but they won this game because they wanted it more than Geelong did. The Cats managed a half-ar5ed comeback towards the end but any other result would’ve been a travesty. There was of course more stuff about Shinboner spirit and what a relief it all was for Dean Laidley and his family. Laidley didn’t ask to be attacked publicly by Wayne Carey, but enough about the pressure he’s under. There are sixteen coaches under pressure. Including Bombout. In pickin’ the Cats called up junior midfielders Travis Varcoe and Joel Selwood, they replace axed Josh Hunt and . The Ruse replaced injured junior forward Lindsay Thomas (torn chest muscle) with a first-gamer, midfielder Leigh Adams from eastern Melbourne and the rookie list. Norf are stockpiling blokes called Leigh. There’s a good coach named that.
The Ruse were committed from the start, led by a terrific following effort from captain Adam Simpson, supported by rover Daniel Harris and rapidly improving ruckman Hamish McIntosh. They didn’t try to find tall forward targets, limited by an early injury to Corey Jones, but scored goals on-the-run including three in the first quarter to speedy Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey. In defence Josh Gibson and Michael Firrito manned up on ‘Tomahawk’ and Nathan Ablett. Simpson’s first touch, ironically a fumble, allowed Varcoe to boot a goal for the Cats but thereafter they struggled, only Mooney able to find much of the ball and kick a coupla goals. Norf led by 12 points at the first change and romped clear in the second term as Simpson and Harris continued to win all the contested ball. Daniel Wells and Andrew Swallow got involved, Shannon Grant bagged a coupla goals as the Ruse moved clear to a 33-point lead at the long break.
You’d think the Cats would’ve emerged fired-up for the third term, but it wasn’t obvious. The Roos cleared the opening bounce, Leigh Brown was clattered and awarded a free but advantage was allowed for Matt Campbell to boot a goal. Another Kanga centre-clearance followed, Cat Andrew Mackie dropped the ball cold when tackled but went unpenalised. No mind, a bit later Campbell and Grant did well to send the ball towards Aaron Edwards who was manhandled by Scarlett, a free-kick resulted and Edwards majored. A chill breeze blew tumbleweeds across graveyard-quiet Kardinia Park as the Kangers led by 45 points. The Katz began to make an effort. Nathan Ablett converted from a mark on-the-lead, the Catters cleared the restart and under-pressure Roo backman Josh Gibson was done for ‘bawl’, Mathew Stokes free-kicked a sausage. Another centre-bounce win for the Cats followed, Paul Chapman drove the ball forward and Cam Mooney climbed the pack for a great grab, he goaled. The Cats were 26 points down. Mooney soon marked again, 30m out, but played on with a handpass to Stokes who was caught in possession. Norf slowed the tempo and sent Glenn Archer to bolster the last line of defence. After a while relief was provided by a terrific long goal, kicked under decent pressure by Blake Grima. A behind from Edwards gave the Ruse a 34-point lead, more than they led by at half-time as McAvaney pointed out. But a good move by the Cats ended with Jimmy Bartel marking and dishing off to Mackie, his long shot bounced through for a goal and the Ruse had to work hard subsequently to maintain their 28-point lead at the final change. Into the ultimate quarter and again the Ruse began well, Daniel Harris punted long and Campbell roved the goal-square pack to snap it through. Mooney missed a set shot and the Cats moved Cameron Ling to full-forward. Ling responded with a goal, a free-kick against Archer for holding. ‘Cling’ would prove very good at winning those. Norf had the answer, Harris roved a throw-in and fired a handpass to Andrew Swallow, he steered it through. “Bite on that,” punned Bruce. The Roos led by 33 points. The Cats kept coming, Mooney converted from a mark on-the-lead and after Norf’s Brown soccered a shot into the post, the Cats moved swiftly downfield from the kick-in where Ling won another free-kick for marking interference, this time against Michael Firrito. Ling goaled again, reducing the Roo lead to 22 points. Cat fans were angry when a coupla umpiring decisions didn’t go their way and one in Selwood’s favour was reversed, but their side received a better run from the officials than Norf. Sure enough Ling was soon awarded another free-kick in the goal-mouth, against a furious Firrito who hurled his mouthguard way in disgust. Ling converted for the third time and the Pussies were 16 points down with about 5 minutes remaining. Roo Daniel Wells sped away from the restart and had a long go, it hooked wide. Soon under-pressure Roo skipper Adam Simpson lost the ball and Bartel bagged a goal, the Catters were 11 points behind. Mooney dived to mark Gary Ablett’s pass but he missed the shot from 40m, probably their last chance. Wells very much enjoyed snapping a goal from a throw-in just prior to the final siren.
Superb effort from Adam Simpson (41 disposals, a goal) drove the Ruse along, with ruckman Hamish McIntosh (22 possessions, a goal) exposing Steven King yet again and rover Daniel Harris (23 touches with 17 handballs) very good in packs. The move of Michael Firrito (19 disposals) to full-back is working well, even if he was ‘sucked in’ by Ling a coupla times. Young rover Andrew Swallow (20 possessions, 2 goals) played the best game of his brief career so far and silky Daniel Wells (15 kicks, 2 goals) was good. Veteran runner Brent Harvey (15 touches, 3 goals) got the ball rolling and defensive hard-men Daniel Pratt and Glenn Archer worried the soft Cats out of it. Matt Campbell and Shannon Grant kicked 2 goals each. Better Cats included Paul Chapman (32 touches, a goal), who propelled their comeback, and Jimmy Bartel (25 disposals, 3 goals) who was good all afternoon while third-gamer Joel Selwood (25 handlings, 9 tackles) was excellent. Full-back Matthew Scarlett (8 marks, 15 touches) wasn’t bad and ruck-rover Joel Corey (29 disposals) played decently, Cameron Ling (25 possies, 3 goals) gave ‘em a lift at the end. Cameron Mooney (7 marks, 13 disposals, 3 goals) was their only effective big forward. Travis Varcoe kicked 2 goals. We’ve heard from Bomber. What about Chapman? "It does make you angry because sometimes it feels as though you go out and do everything you can and then there are some blokes there who aren't doing everything they possibly can. You just need a committed 22 players working as hard as they can for the team and then we will win more games than not.” But to the victor etc. Laidley said the Ruse were playing like he did, Laidley’s nickname as a player - Junkyard Dog - sums it up. "That's a part of our trademark to hunt and I thought we did that really well today," he said. "I like to think there is a fair amount of improvement with the people we've got in the side and the games which they've played. Now, my imprimatur, or my stamp on these guys has got to be that. It was the way I played football and it's the way I expect them to play football. And the guys who don't do it, they're going to struggle to play."
At the MCG:
Fremantle 2.3 3.7 5.13 7.16.58
Adelaide 3.0 4.2 6.5 8.9.57
Plus ca change. This was the third time Freo and the boring, boring Camrys had been involved in a one-point result. The night before, Jeff Farmer had behaved in a typically West Australian way, allegedly assaulting a nightclub bouncer. That’s barely a crime, but in the current climate the Dokkers reacted by suspending Farmer until round 13 - Wizard was already serving a six-game leeg-imposed suspension for eye-gouging Roo Daniel Pratt in the pre-season comp. But back to the on-field stuff. The Cows’ win-by-attrition plan almost worked again, but came unstuck as Freo’s weight of possession finally told. Freo missed a heap of shots and probably deserved the win in the end. They certainly needed it. The Dockers made two changes to the side which thumped the hapless Dees. Tall, running backman Michael Johnson was in for his first game of the season, returning from a punitive four-game suspension for head-high contact in a pre-season game. Troy Cook was recalled too, but Shane Parker missed his first game since 1995 or something with a groin injury. Adam Campbell was dropped. Shaun McManus played his 200th game for the club, a great achievement for the oft-criticized midfielder. One change for the Cressidas, Robert Shirley replacing injured Matthew Bode.
The Cows set up in typical fashion, 547 blokes in the backline relying on the speed of Andrew McLeod and a few others to run it out. Except McLeod was tagged closely here by Luke Webster. With Ben Rutten and Nathan Bassett double-teaming and shutting down Matthew Pavlich all afternoon, it set the Dokkers a task. They won inside 50s 15 to 8 in the first quarter but them 8 forays brought the Caows goals from Ian Perrie, Scott Stevens and busy Scott Thompson. Chris Tarrant snapped an early major for the Shockers and the very good Ryan Crowley got one as the Camrys carried a 3-point lead into the first change. Only one goal each in the second stanza, Stevens kicked another for the Cressidas after somehow out-marking the giant Aaron Sandilands. The Camrys’ run had been hampered by a game-ending injury to Brent Reilly, after a while Troy Cook bagged a goal for ‘em and the Corollas led by a point at the long break.
More of the same in the third Mario. A coupla behinds each were scored in a rugged twelve minutes before Jason Porplyzia honoured Nathan Bock’s lead, Bock held a good grab ahead of Antoni Grover and booted a goal. The Cows led by 5 points. Freo answered fairly quickly, Camry junior Richard Douglas was caught by Luke Webster and the ball spilled loose, advantage allowed for Dean Solomon to snap a goal. Freo by a point. Des Headland dropped an easy mark on-the-lead before a major typical of the game, the ball disappeared under a big pack at the Camrys’ CHF, eventually forced out by their Hudson and Nathan Van Berlo snapped a good goal. Cows by 5. Some fierce Docker tackling created a shot for Grover, he postered. A bit later Ryan Crowley’s high kick was punched away from Tarrant, but Cook read it perfectly to gather and snap through. Freo by 2 points, Webster and Stevens scored behinds before the final change. Early in the final term Cook free-kicked a sausage, Simon Goodwin throwing the ball away in Cook’s tough tackle. The Shockers led by 7 points. Freo backman Roger Hayden, playing very well, rushed a behind for the Coronas and there was some tough play for a bit before the croweaters drew level, Stevens roved Brett Burton’s contest and snapped truly. Headland missed a running shot. Some rapid handball under intense pressure sent the Dockers forward, raggedly, but Tarrant did very well to spot unattended Peter Bell on the other side of the ground and kick neatly to him. Bell tried to milk a 50m penalty, unsuccessfully, but goaled anyway. Freo by 7. Solomon hit the post with a set shot and at the other end Scott Thompson’s high snap just faded wide. With 7 minutes to go, Freo started to play a bit of keepings-off. Camry man Bernie Vince had a golden opportunity when awarded a free-kick for in-the-back, but he missed from 25m. Three minutes on the clock and from a ball-up Porplyzia tumbled a kick forward, Ian Perrie marked in front of Grover. One of the most unreliable shots in the leeg steered it through to level the scores. Freo appeared to be running the clock down for a draw, McPharlin held some very timely grabs in the last line. The Dockulaters got forward in time. Only fifteen seconds remained when Tarrant jumped high at a ball-up and fisted the ball goal-wards, Webster grabbed the Sherrin and managed a snapped behind. Matty Pavlich marked the long Camry kick-in and held the ball ‘til the siren.
It was Troy Cook’s (8 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 goals) type of game and he revelled in it, Luke Webster (15 disposals) was not only the last-second hero but he did very well to nullify McLeod. Otherwise Dokka defenders were prevalent including the very good Roger Hayden (20 disposals) and David Mundy (25 possessions), Steven Dodd on Brett Burton and Antoni Grover (16 touches). Paul Hasleby (23 handlings) plugged away in a congested midfield as did Shaun McManus (20 disposals) and Peter Bell (21 touches, a goal). Dean Solomon (15 disposals, 12 tackles, a goal) was handy too. The Crowns’ running men in Scott Thompson (29 disposals, a goal), Nathan Van Berlo (24 touches, a goal) and Tyson Edwards (26 possies) played well. Scott Stevens (5 marks, 10 kicks, 3 goals) continues to be a very useful, old-fashioned ‘utility’ and Ben Rutten deserves praise for his game on Pavlich, although he had help from Bassett. Chris Knights (27 disposals) impressed too. Ian Perrie kicked 2 goals. Can’t they play another way? “It’s disappointing, but it’s a loss by one point and I always say there’s an element of luck in results like that. Not to denigrate the result, but it could’ve gone either way,” said Neil Craig. Not if your game-plan is designed for results of under a goal either way. Chris Connolly said “It was an important win, a relieving win in a tough contest. We had to go to the Gabba next week, so this game was important. We’re now only a game from fourth place on the ladder and hopefully this will kick-start out season.”
Ladder after Round Five
Pts. % Next Week
West Coast 20 138.4 Footscray (Subiaco, Saturday)
Port Adelaide 16 120.0 Melbourne (MCG, Sunday)
Sydney 12 122.0 North Melbourne (Docklands, Sat. night)
Adelaide 12 113.7 Collingwood (Football Park, Sat. night)
Essendon 12 111.2 Hawthorn (MCG, Saturday)
Brisbane 12 109.5 Fremantle (Gabba, Sunday)
Collingwood 12 103.3 Adelaide (Football Park, Sat. night)
Hawthorn 12 101.2 Essendon (MCG, Saturday)
---------------------------
Footscray 12 96.3 West Coast (Subiaco, Saturday)
Geelong 8 120.1 Richmond (Docklands, Sunday)
North Melbourne 8 99.6 Sydney (Docklands, Sat. night)
Fremantle 8 97.8 Brisbane (Gabba, Sunday)
St. Kilda 8 87.1 Carlton (Docklands, Fri. night)
Carlton 8 78.8 St. Kilda (Docklands, Fri. night)
Richmond 0 79.4 Geelong (Docklands, Sunday)
Melbourne 0 64.7 Port Adelaide (MCG, Sunday)
Cheers, Tim.
Article last changed on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 4:08 PM EDT
