Sorry, been busier than Alan Didak’s spin team.
At Docklands:
Essendon 8.3 12.5 14.8 19.11.125
Melbourne 2.2 9.4 16.9 18.15.123
Events move quickly in football. Exactly a week before this game, the Demuns were whispering about the finals. Last Saturday morning, after a disgraceful first half and subsequent loss to the previously winless Tiges, Melbun president Paul Gardner announced a “full review of the coaching position.” Unsubtle and not appreciated by Dee coach Neale Daniher. By Tuesday, Daniher announced he’d be leaving the Dees at the end of the week. “It’s been disappointing, it’s been ten years, it’s time to go,” said Daniher. He’d taken the Dees to the finals in six of those ten seasons, including the 2000 Grand Final. Daniher’s honesty, above all else, plain speaking and wry humour ensured he’s liked and respected by just about everyone. The Dees’ failure to capture a flag in his time is blamed more on his softy players. Most assume Neale’ll be back coaching soon, possibly at Fremantle, where he was an assistant, or maybe to replace Sheeds with the Bombers. In the short term his Melbun replacement is current deputy, sandgroper Mark Riley whom Daniher brought over from the Dockers. So this was Daniher’s last game in charge of the Demons and the lads couldn’t quite manage to get across the line, the Bommers again extracting an almost-inexplicable last-gasp victory. How do they do it? The Dons even messed up selection, incorporating a clearly unfit Brent Stanton along with Scott Camporeale and Andrew Lovett. They replaced suspended ruckman David Hille and axed pair Chris Heffernan and Angus Monfries. Four changes for Daniher’s last side, Adem Yze went for a hernia operation, Ben Holland picked up a broken nose somewhere while Byron Pickett and junior James Frawley were dropped. Skipper David Neitz and Travis Johnstone returned from injury, Nathan Brown was recalled and tall forward Michael Newton given an AFL debut, he’s from Whorouly in the Mallee.
The Dons started very well, winning the crucial contested ball. Bomma ruckman Jason Laycock thrashed Melbun’s Jeff White, one of many all-too-typical Dees who simply don’t try hard enough, often enough. James Hird and Jason Johnson won the ball consistently, setting the Dons on their way. Matty Lloyd bagged the opening goal after marking Jay Nash’s pass, a minute later Jason Winderlich dropped Dustin Fletcher’s long kick but recovered and hooked a pass for Mark McVeigh to grab and convert. Dons by 11 points. Melbun got on the board when Neitz marked on a hard lead and jabbed a pass for the unlikely Simon Godfrey to grab and kick truly. Neitz was reportedly ‘angry’ over the manner of Daniher’s departure. The Demuns lost Daniel Bell at this point, suffering a hamstring injury after a heavy collision with his opponent, Scott Lucas. Immediately Lucas kicked two goals, both from marks although prior to the second his hands appeared to be right in Clint Bizzell’s back. Love the rule. Lloyd postered before Alwyn Davey collected the ball from a throw-in and stabbed it through, Essadun led by 24 points. The Dees had a goal, Cameron Bruce spilled Aaron Davey’s pass but re-gathered and banana-snapped it through. Very much against the flow. The Dons scored a goal typical of this period, Laycock tapped a throw-in to Watson, he handballed to Stanton, his pass went to Hird who thumped it home from 55m. Jason Johnson cleared the restart and Camporeale passed for Lloyd to mark and boot another, the 800th goal of Lloydy’s career. Fair effort. A Laycock tap set up another Don major for running Andrew Lovett and the Bombouts led by 37 points at the first break. Momentum turned one-eighty in the second term as a chastised White made an effort, Demons James ‘Junior’ McDonald and Travis Johnstone began to win on-the-ball. Laycock being benched for a rest helped, too. The Dees had an early break as first-gamer Michael Newton was awarded a doubtful free on the point-line, he passed across goal for Aaron Davey to mark and pop it through. After some scramble at CHF Colin Sylvia snapped a major. Lucas postered prior to another Dee major, under-pressure Nathan Brown wobbled a kick forward and it dropped for Ricky Petterd to grab and tumble-punt home. The Dees were 19 points down and kept comin’, Daniel Ward’s long kick eluded wrestling Russ Robertson and Mark Johnson and bounced through, a minute later Dee Paul Johnson intercepted Stanton’s feeble kick and created a running sausage roll for Johnstone. Five unanswered goals from Melbun and they were 7 points down. A free-kick to Hird led to the Dons breaking the run, McVeigh leaped for a big grab over the Davey brothers and majored. Then came a truly extraordinary event; James Hird was penalized for holding-the-ball. Shocked, Hirdy floored tackler Ward and a 50m penalty was added. No Melbun goal resulted but the Dees had another soon enough, Don Andrew Welsh clangered a kick straight to Neitz and Neita’s left-foot shot bounced through. Lucas hooked horribly on-the-full before Bruce drove the Dees forward again, roving Sylvia handballed for Neitz to snap another left-foot sausage. The Dees were 2 points down and an Aaron Davey miss narrowed it to one. But the Dons somehow bagged three goals in time-on. Lloyd scored with a terrific set-shot from wide out, the Dons cleared the restart and smart kicks from Hird, then Nash set up a mark and goal for Lucas. Adam McPhee exchanged passes with Watson then passed for leading Laycock to mark and convert with a good kick, the Dons had jumped 19 points ahead by half-time.
That brief Don spurt seemed barely real as the Demuns continued to dominate into the third stanza. Sylvia did well to set up an early scoring chance, Robertson couldn’t hold a grab under pressure from Mark Johnson but as the ball dropped Robbo soccered it off the ground, it rolled through from fully 30m out. Aaron Davey and Newton missed with snaps before Demon Davey drilled a low kick for Robertson to mark in the goal-square and stab it through. The Bommer lead was reduced to 5 points and the Deez moved ahead, inevitably. Brock McLean chipped a kick into Godfrey’s path, he gathered and handballed for Sylvia to snap it through. Good play from Aaron Davey and Matthew Bate set up Newton for a mark and his first goal, the Dees led by 7 points with four consecutive majors. But the Dons rallied through effort. Welsh’s very good spoil on Bate saw the ball come to Lloyd, he handballed for a McPhee tap-through. The Deez replied as Petterd, about to play-on after marking, benefitted from late-arriving Hird anticipating the call - a 50m penalty and Petterd goald. Back came the Dons as Laycock plucked a big goal-square pack-grab and popped it through. Could’ve been his arrival, this. The Dees established a bit of a lead late, Aaron Davey did well to find Robertson on-the-lead, Robbo majored. Brown marked Newton’s long kick and stabbed a pass inboard for Bate to mark and convert, Melbun led by 14 points. Lloyd played for and won a late free-kick but missed, sparking some handbags between him and opponent Nathan ‘The Cougar’ Carroll; Lloyd’s subsequently been suspended for it.. Tiredness was a major factor in the final term as neither side could seal it. Early in the korter Dee McLean collected a throw-in and ran back into his own goal-square, not sure what to do, and was tackled by Lucas. The ball spilled and Lloyd soccered a goal. Soon the Dees rebounded smartly and Brown passed for leading Neitz to mark and convert, Melbun led by 14 points again. Back came the Dons as a lucky bounce allowed Lucas to gain possession, his kick cleared Lloyd and Carroll but speeding Lovett collected and dribbled a low kick through. Not much happened for a few minutes. Lloyd wasn’t awarded an obvious two-grab mark in the goal-square, the goal ump decided (wrongly) his second grab was over the line. Dee debutant Newton dropped an uncontested mark 40m out, a terrible effort. Dees Neitz and Robertson both took very good marks but neither converted. With about four-and-a-half minutes to go Melbun’s Davey stripped the ball from Peverill, sped away from trouble and speared a low major to send the Dees 17 points clear, it felt like a sealer. But no. The Bombouts won possession at the restart and Mark Bolton tumbled a kick forward, the Dons’ Davey sped onto the loose ball and slammed it into the stands. Er, for a goal. A mirror image suggested McAvaney, as the Dee lead was cut to 11. Melbun’s Brown rushed a point for the Dons, to give his side the ball, but Bolton retrieved the Dees’ kick-in for Essadun, by tripping Bruce it appeared. No whistle and Lucas marked over Bizzell, he converted. Melbun by 4 points. The Dees tried to run the clock down but when hapless Brown simply fell and lay on the loose pill he was done for ‘bawl’ of course, the free went to leading Lloyd, his long kick dropped from a goal-square pack and roving Lucas stabbed it through. There were 6 seconds remaining when that happened. As Doug Hawkins would say, there’s no sediment in football, but Daniher walked off with his arms around Neitz and Robbo to an ovation from Dee fans.
If there’s a key to the Dons’ series of improbably narrow wins, it’s the ball-winning ability of veteran James Hird (23 disposals, a goal) and the good form of fellow seniors Scott Lucas (19 touches, 9 marks, 5 goals), Matty Lloyd (16 possies, 10 marks, 4 goals) and defender Dustin Fletcher (18 possies, 5 marks). One youngster to emerge here was ruckman Jason Laycock (28 hit-outs, 14 disposals, 2 goals), as important as anyone in the Don victory. He and Hille together should be useful. Adam McPhee (18 disposals, 7 marks, a goal) played well and there was a useful effort from Mark McVeigh (15 touches, 5 marks, 2 goals). Alwyn Davey and Andrew Lovett kicked 2 goals each. The Dees were lifted after quarter-time by reigning club champion James McDonald (26 disposals) and Travis Johnstone (22 possies, a goal), Colin Sylvia (16 handlings, 2 goals) was very good in the second half. Running backman Daniel Ward (17 possies, a goal) tried very hard as did Aaron Davey (17 touches, 2 goals), winning the battle of the speedy brothers. Matthew Bate (17 possies, 3 marks, a goal) was useful. Still-injured David Neitz (6 marks, 11 kicks, 3 goals) tried hard, Russ Robertson (6 marks, 12 kicks, 3 goals) made spasmodic contributions and Ricky Petterd (11 touches, 2 goals) was alright. “It was a bit of a morgue (in the rooms afterwards) actually but we had a beer each and that changed the feel in the room and that was important,” Daniher said. “It didn’t look too good in the first quarter, I thought I might have overcooked them again but I was really proud of the way they got back into the game. It was more a game for them than me in a sense and I just wanted them to feel good about themselves. It's not often a coach gets the last game and knows it’s the last game so it’s very tough on the players. What comes with that is a bit of the guilts, so I just needed to settle them a bit at quarter time. They were fantastic after that. Win, lose or draw, I was just happy they could walk off with their heads high. I don’t know how emotional I am. It’s been a good journey and I just told them now they have to get on with it. My time is up I just wanted to spend 10 minutes with them.” Kev Sheedy wasn’t happy. “It was a game where we were very fortunate to win. It was a disappointing performance, to be honest, and we have to get our minds right about playing four quarters. You just cannot front up and play well in the first quarter like that and let a team get back in the game by half time. We play Geelong and the Western Bulldogs to round off the 15 games against the 15 opponents and we are just going to have to look at our side and make some changes. We got everything right in a sensational first quarter but our attitude just slipped in that second quarter. You wouldn’t want to do it against Geelong or Western Bulldogs . . . (But) we’ve got some grit. When we are getting beaten we are also dangerous. Don’t go thinking that we won’t be having a crack and coming back at you.” On Daniher, whom Sheedy coached as a player at Essadun, Sheeds said “He’s a class bloke, a class person. He got to the finals for six of those years and he got to a Grand Final with one of the youngest teams ever in the history of the game and copped a team (Sheedy’s Essendon) that nearly won every match for the season and was one of the most exciting one-year teams ever. They are hard to get to . . . Good luck Neale. Great bloke and top class coach.” Indeed.
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 5.1 9.4 11.8 13.9.87
Sydney 2.1 2.5 5.8 10.9.69
The Catters continued on their winning way against the hapless Swans down at wintry Kardinia Park. Nevertheless Siddey coach Paul Roos pronounced himself happy with the effort, as the Bloods got within 11 points in the last quarter. Siddey’d left Barry Hall out for this one with a groin injury which sounds suspiciously like osteitis pubis. Anyways it was wet ‘n’ windy and the Cats dominated as against Brisbun, Gary Ablett Jnr (23 disposals, 2 goals) and Steve Johnson (15 touches, 3 goals) very good again. Plenty of runnin’ came from Corey Enright (24 disposals, 9 marks) and Paul Chapman (17 touches, a goal). The Swans made Ryan O’Keefe (2 goals) their main forward target, it didn’t work out well as Andrew Mackie (22 touches, 8 marks) did a good job on him. The Cats were 7 goals up at half-time but’d lost Max Rooke (hammy) and Jimmy Bartel with concussion, he went to hospital but is alright apparently. Third-quarter stalemate before the Swans got moving in the last, Brett Kirk (33 disposals) was joined in making an effort by Adam Goodes (31 touches) and Nick Malceski (26 possies). Luke Ablett (19 touches, a goal), Darren Jolly, Mick O’Loughlin and Tim Schmidt (2 goals) kicked the first four goals of the final Mario to bring about the 11-point deficit, before Gablett and Steve Johnson steadied the Catters. Other good Cats on the day were Cameron Mooney (7 marks, 4 goals), Darren Milburn (23 touches) and Joel Corey (26 handlings, a goal). Jude Bolton (21 touches) and Leo Barry (16 handlings, 7 marks) were alright for the Swans. Said Paul Roos “I was really happy after the game, I think last week everybody could tell I was disappointed, but I just felt it was unlikely we were going to come down here and just flick the switch early and get back into really good form. I think we can take a lot of positives out of that and we need to carry that momentum forward for the next nine games.” ‘Bomber’ Thompson said "To be nine goals up at half-time . . . it was an excellent effort. To see the game through, we always thought it was going to be a worry. We knew that we were going to run out of troops. When you see the Sydney Swans have four blokes sitting on the edge of the ground waiting to come on, you know that you're going to be mowed over, and we nearly got mowed over. It showed terrific character to snap that rhythm and score a couple of goals."
At Subiaco:
Fremantle 4.3 10.7 18.8 27.11.173
Carlton 5.4 6.6 8.11 13.18.96
Strong sense of déjà vu here as a remodeled Freo side emerged from the mid-season break with a thumping win over poor ol’ Carlton. The haven’t-we-been-here-before feeling was enhanced by the antics of pea-brained Bloo full-forward Brendan Fevola, who produced a petulant, narky display and as a result was suspended afterwards by the Bluies, for one game. He was literally told to go away and think about it. Freo’s win and bonus big score was the least they required, facing a tricky away game to the Swans next week. The Dockers rang the changes in selection, as they did this time last year. Jeff ‘Wiz’ Farmer, Shane Parker and Ryan Murphy were recalled from the Waffle wilderness, rover Byron Schammer finally overcame a series of injury worries for his first game of the season (it was Farmer’s too, following 12 weeks of suspension), Luke McPharlin also returned from injury and Robert Warnock replaced late withdrawal Aaron Sandilands. Outgoing were Brett Peake (broken collarbone), dropped trio Troy Cook, James Walker and Ryan Crowley and forward Chris Tarrant, whom Freo suspended (with some reluctance, apparently) for one game, following his trouser-less punch-up in a Darwin nightclub a fortnight ago. The visiting Bluesers arrived without captain Lance Whitnall (knee soreness) and Andrew Walker (shoulder) while Luke Blackwell was axed, small forward Eddie Betts returned from a hamstring injury while rookies Adam Hartlett and Ross Young were recalled.
A lot of goals were kicked. Freo romped away with a coupla Des Headland goals (he’d finish with 5 goals from 20 disposals and 9 marks), the second coming from consecutive 50m penalties conceded by Fevola. There was a superbly desperate major from Farmer, fighting and crawling his way to the goal-line. ‘Wiz’ (14 kicks, 6 marks) loved his return, going on to bag 4 goals. But the Bluies fought back with a flood of late majors from Matty Lappin, Ross Young (12 touches, 2 goals), Setanta O’hAilpin and Adam Bentick (19 possies, a goal) to take a 7-point lead at the first break. Matty Pavlich (14 marks, 21 disposals, 4 goals) and hard-tackling Dean Solomon (12 marks, 22 handlings, a goal) powered the Dokka’s 6 goal-to-one second term and Freo didn’t look back. Paul Hasleby, Matthew Carr and rebounding backmen Michael Johnson and Roger Hayden gave their forwards plenty of ammo. Late in the term Fevola attempted (and failed) with a torpedo-shot for goal from 70m, ignoring Marc Murphy (23 possessions) completely clear at CHF. Fev spent much of the remainder on the bench. Freo led by 25 points at the long break and more of the same came in the third, Farmer banana-snapped a great goal after busting some tackles and backmen Scott Thornton, Steven Dodd (23 touches, 10 marks, a goal) and Antoni Grover joined in the scoring fun. Bloo man Jarrad Waite (6 marks, 10 kicks, 5 goals) bagged the final goal of the third but Freo veteran Shane Parker slotted a very rare sausage to start the last, Peter Bell (19 touches, 4 goals in total) went on to kick 3 goals in the final Mario. Waite booted some consolation goals for the Bluies, Andrew Carrazzo (26 disposals) was probably their best on the day. Ruckman Robert Warnock (16 hit-outs, 16 disposals) did very well for Freo, Thornton bagged 2 majors. Denis Pagan said "We're pretty disappointed - whenever we looked threatening early in the game, we turned it over with a bodgy kick or an ineffective handball. To think we've had 57 entries (into the 50), I think the Dockers had 53 or something, they smashed us. Centre bounces, clearances around the ground; we won more than our share, but when they got a sniff, they started running, and we couldn't keep up with them . . . We know we have to get run into the side, and we've just got to see if there's any young blokes who play in our VFL side tomorrow who are prepared to run. That's probably been evident in (the last two) games." Freo have gotta look forward. Said skipper Matty Pavlich "Being 5-7 just after the halfway point wasn't acceptable, so (Carlton) was a much-needed win and also good to win by the margin we did in the end. We are just worrying about what we can control, and that is training hard and focusing on playing and, in all honesty, that is what we have been considering. The morale has been upbeat, training has been sparky . . . there is going to be speculation about things outside the club (Tarrant, Connolly’s future etc.), we can just be focused on things we can control."
At Docklands:
St. Kilda 5.1 8.7 11.13 17.15.117
Richmond 5.1 9.5 11.9 15.10.100
The meedya’s telling me I should be happy with the Tiges’ effort in this entertaining game against the steadily improving Stainers. Yes, it was a good game. Yes, the Tiges did play well. But geezus - why was Andrew Raines left on Nick Riewoldt all game, Plough? He’s half the size of the Saints’ big blonde boofhead, fer Richo’s sake. Why did we get Polak, if not to play on big geese like Riewoldt? Anyway. Following three tight quarters the Saints blasted away early in the final term, the size and experience of Riewoldt and Fraser ‘Bourbon Train’ Gehrig finally telling. Sinkilda booted five goals in eight minutes to establish the match-winning break, before Richmun scored some late consolation. The Satins collected yet more injury worries though, full-back Max Hudghton twanged his hammy again and big man Justin Koschitzke didn’t play here, also a damaged hammy following his best game of the season last week. All too typical. In selection Gehrig returned for the Saints in Kosi’s place, the Tiggers lost Andrew Krakouer (strained ankle) and dropped Cleve Hughes, in came Shane Edwards and ruckman Troy ‘Snake’ Simmonds returned from injury.
The Stainers began very well, with a coupla goals including one for Fraser Gehrig (12 marks, 14 kicks, 5 goals) where he ‘pushed off’ after marking and slotted. Hates the set-shot, does Bourbon Train. The Toigs then booted four in-a-row thanks to some superb centre-clearances from Nathan Foley (21 disposals, 2 goals), one leading to a fantastic solo goal, the other set up a mark and major for Kayne Pettifer (9 marks, 15 possies, 4 goals). Pettifer kicked another and his tap-on allowed Matty Richardson (12 marks, 16 kicks, 3 goals) to bag one. The Tiges led by 12 points but the Saints got the last two majors of the korter from Jason Gram (20 touches, 8 marks, 2 goals) and Aaron Fiora, I think. Hudghton did his hammy early in the second and Sam Fisher switched onto Richo, the big Tige galoot immediately bustled Fisher aside for a mark and close-range goal but a bit later Nick Riewoldt (8 marks, 22 handlings, 4 goals) scored full points with an amazingly arsey mid-air volley. Little Tige Shane Edwards took a doubtful but exciting grab over a pack to bag a sausage. Big men Gehrig and Richo continued to go alright for their respective sides and it wasn’t until the final quarter the Stains kicked clear. Sainter Leigh Montagna (35 handlings, a goal) was terrific in the final term, he bagged a very good second major of the korter after Stephen Milne had marked, played-on and banana-snapped it through for the first. Foley got another from a centre-clearance but then Riewoldt bullocked Raines aside for a couple and Gehrig converted from a mark on-the-lead, the Saints led by 26 points. Nathan Brown (19 touches, 9 marks, 3 goals) and Pettifer got some late consolation for the Toigs. Other decent Sainters included Robert Harvey (28 possies) in game 351 and Lenny Hayes (22 handlings, a goal). Joel Bowden (31 disposals, 10 marks), ruckman Adam Pattison (18 handlings) and defender Jake King (16 kicks, 11 marks) were okay for the Tiggers. Raines on Riewoldt, Plough? “Graham (Polak) can play those roles as well and has played them. We played Port Adelaide a few weeks ago and he played on Tredrea, so he can take those sorts of roles. We just thought that the way Nick plays the game and with his ability to get up high on the lead that it might have taken Graham out of the picture a little bit, so that's why we went with Andrew for the match-up on this occasion," spun Wallace. Bah. Ross Lyon’s keeping a lid on. "We're not even talking about the eight. We set ourselves to earn a little bit of respect back that had been hard-earned. We felt that it waned and that's been our primary focus, quarter by quarter, minute by minute, working to claw back some respect." Aaron Hamill and Matt Maguire resumed in the VFL last weekend.
At the Gabba:
Brisbane 3.4 5.10 8.15 15.15.105
Port Adelaide 2.3 9.5 14.7 17.10.112
At three-quarter-time the Powder were cruising to victory against Brisbun, on recent form the worst side in the comp. But the Lyin’s somehow strung together 7 unanswered goals in the final term to give the Pooey a bit of a fright before they prevailed. The Brisbun side here had Luke Power return from injury and gave a debut to rookie-listed backman Daniel Dzufer from local club Northern Eagles. Robbie Copeland and Jason Roe were dropped. Port had forward Daniel Motlop return from his shoulder injury, Greg Bentley and Nathan Lonie came back but Steven Salopek suffered a broken ankle last week, apparently, while Brad Symes and Damon White were axed.
Power (Luke, that is) was very good early and propelled a decent Brissy start, scoring the first 3 goals, but the visitors steadied and a late goal to David Rodan cut the Lyin’ lead to 7 points at the first break. Port forwards Daniel Motlop (13 marks, 17 disposals, 6 goals) and Justin Westhoff (5 marks, 10 disposals, 3 goals) dominated the second term, with Peter Burgoyne (31 touches), Shaun Burgoyne (28 handlings, a goal) and Chad Cornes (32 possies, 12 marks, a goal) very good midfield. Motlop produced an impossible wrong-side banana-goal from 50m amongst his two for the quarter. Late Brian goals from Mick Rischitelli and Jared Brennan, the latter moved away from Westhoff, cut the Power lead to 19 points at the long break. Flowers Rodan, Motlop and Robert Gray bagged the first three majors of the third term to send Port 37 points clear and they looked home, a coupla Brisbun goals kept ‘em in touch but Motlop booted another sumptuous running goal, from 60m on the boundary, awing the crowd again. Motlop also booted the first goal of the final term which gave Port a 40-point lead and seemed the final nail in the camel’s glasshouse, or something. But the Lyin’s, receiving a lift from Jonathan Brown (11 marks, 16 disposals, 4 goals) and Josh Drummond (28 touches, 8 marks, 2 goals), booted the next 7 goals. Details in the meedya are sketchy but the last of them, free-kicked by Brown for ‘bawl’ against Chad Cornes, leveled the scores. But Chadley won the following centre-clearance and passed to Brett Ebert, who won a softish 50m penalty to make a goal a certainty and spare Port’s blushes. It was Motlop’s night but Danyle Pearce (22 touches, a goal) also played well for Port and Dom Cassisi (25 touches) was handy, Rodan kicked 2 goals. Nigel Lappin (36 disposals) was very good for Brisbun, Jed Adcock (20 possies) and Joel Macdonald (21 touches) weren’t bad. Tim Notting kicked 3 goals, Brennan and Jamie Charman booted 2 each. Lethal saw positive signs. I thought . . . we didn't get a victory but we got some of the building blocks to get a victory. We're now in a situation where we have to encourage and persevere but we also can’t accept mediocrity either . . . Kicking is the basic part of the game. Our ball skills have not been good enough in the recent period of time. One of the things we have embarked on is having more pressure at training so that the game pressure doesn't hit them between they eyes. We just need to be better as a whole group in that area.” ‘Choco’ Williams said “Teams that kick straight obviously have a good chance of winning. I thought we kicked straight and Brisbane didn’t. In the last quarter, it looked like it was an avalanche but we kicked 3 goals 3 and they kicked 7 goals so, it was pretty similar scoring shots. It was a tough night, having come from the break and coming up to Brisbane. A lot of our players have never played here (Gabba) before. To beat Brisbane at any time is terrific. Obviously they’re in a development phase, the same as us. We’re 8 (wins) and 5 (losses), so we’re moving ahead.
At Football Park:
Adelaide 4.3 6.6 8.10 10.14.74
West Coast 3.3 7.7 11.10 14.11.95
The Camrys are the Weagles’ biatches and the trend continued here. The Cows have been put out of the last two finals series by the Wiggles and (should they get that far again) won’t fancy facing their nemesis (or is it nemeses?) in the finals. It was an encouraging performance from the depleted Weegs and a prelude to the return of Ben Cousins - on TV last Monday Worsfold hinted heavily that Cousins could return to action as soon at this next round, at home to Brisbane. The Camry side here had one change, runner Brent Reilly returning at the expense of yo-yoing Luke Jericho. The Weegs were still undermanned midfield, Judd still absent and joined by Tyson Stenglein (knee soreness), Dan Chick (groin) and forward Brent Staker (‘leg’ injury) while junior Mitch Morton was dropped. Some handy Weegs returned though, including Norm Smith Medallist Andrew Embley, Chad Fletcher and Steven Armstrong. Tall forward Chad Jones - brother of Brett - made his Weegle debut, he played a handful of games for Norf. That’s three Joneses with the Eegs now.
Opposing ruckmen in Weeg Mark Seaby and Camry Ben Hudson bagged the opening goals, both from frees in a dour first term. The Camrys managed a one-goal lead by quarter time but the Wiggles made the first break with four consecutive majors. ‘Big’ Cox (25 disposals, 11 marks, 28 hit-outs), Seaby (16 touches, 4 marks, 3 goals), Chad Fletcher (30 handlings, a goal) and Andrew Embley did very well midfield and big Chad Jones (4 marks, 6 kicks, 3 goals) proved a useful forward. He was helped by an ankle injury for opponent Nathan Bassett, who could be out for a while. The Weegs led by 20 points prior to late Camry majors from Nathans Bock and Van Berlo (25 disposals, a goal). Bock and Ken McGregor provided more goals early in the third to give the Cows a lead but the Weagles, exerting strong pressure all over the ground, worked back. They were helped by the Camrys absolutely slaughtering the ball inside attacking 50, which frustrated Craigy no end. Two terrific snaps from Mark LeCras (5 kicks, 3 goals) and another from Chad Jones nudged the Weegs ahead, Jones also managed to hit the post twice in the term. Daniel Kerr (32 possies) was very good in this period and Darren Glass shut down the Camry forwards. The Coasters had an 18-point lead at the final change and majors from LeCras and Seaby pretty much ended the contest early in the last korter. Beau Waters (29 possies) and Adam Hunter (29 touches, 15 marks) played pretty well for the Weegs, Embley bagged 2 goals in his return. Better Camrys not mentioned already included rebound backmen Andrew McLeod (21 handlings) and Graham ‘Stiffy’ Johncock (20 possies), Jason Torney (21 touches, a goal) and Tyson Edwards (26 disposals). Full-back Ben Rutten (16 handballs) was okay too, on Lynch. McGregor, Bock and Scott Stevens kicked 2 goals each. Neil Craig blamed poor skills. "Our kicking in particular but also some of our handballs was sub-standard. Some of that's caused by opposition pressure, but there were too many occasions today where there was no opposition pressure and it was just really poor execution. After a period of time, unless you've got enormous mental strength, that tends to sap people and in the end that showed up,” Craig said. “One of the end products of that was our lack of ability to go into the forward line with any sort of pattern or conviction . . . We need to beat West Coast and the sooner the better.” Indeed. Worsfold lapped it up. “We’re in a pretty good position. The key thing is we still have to play our best football, which I don’t think we have [yet], regardless of personnel over the last two or three weeks. But today was back to the work rate we know we can play at . . . Good players can come in after having been out for a long period of time and have an impact. The players are looking forward to having (Cousins) back as part of the group. They know that he’s now made a commitment to join them again and be part of it. They want to see him continue on and be the great young man that we know he can be.” Drug-takin’ cheat.
At the MCG:
North Melbourne 8.2 12.5 15.6 17.9.111
Footscray 4.4 6.7 8.13 11.19.85
Teams return from the mid-season break either fully recharged or half-asleep. The Ruse and Bulldogs fulfilled those respective roles on a big day for Norf. It was Glenn Archer’s 300th game and the Ruse had organised a big function to celebrate the Shinboner of the Century’s achievement. Archer’s the sort of player every supporter loves, a fully committed bloke who’s been tremendously loyal and, perhaps importantly these days, is a model citizen. The Ruse had gathered champion past players (Wayne Carey included) and a gaggle of celebrity fans, e.g. Ricky Ponting, for Arch’s big day and the Kangas responded accordingly against the sluggish Dogs. The Bullies have a real challenge to make the eight now. In pickin’ the Kangas had Daniel Wells return from his knee injury, Kasey Green and Scott McMahon were called up too. Out were Aaron Edwards (knee soreness) and dropped pair Matt Campbell and Ed Sansbury. The Bulldogs had veteran Chris Grant in for his first game of the season and Sam Power was recalled, they replaced injured Rob Murphy (hamstring) and Nathan Eagleton, suspended 2 games for a lovely left cross to Tarrant’s jaw in Darwin. I’d give Eagleton 2 games’ pay bonus.
Archer ran on with his four kids, through anuge banner and an honour guard of 300 kiddies wearing no. 11 guernseys. Norf coach Dean Laidley surprised by springing a spectacularly successful move. Usual backman Drew Petrie started at full-forward and booted an amazing six goals in the first quarter - including the first four of the game. The first came early, Petrie leading to mark Hamish McIntosh’s pass and convert. Bullpups Jarrod Harbrow and Brad Johnson dribbly-snapped behinds. A great effort from Dan Harris won the ball for the Kangers, David Hale kicked smartly for Petrie to mark in front of Chris Grant and boot another. A minute later Brent Harvey lobbed a free kick towards a mismatch, Petrie marking over Bully ruck-rover Matthew Boyd. Number three. Roo fans roared in delight as Archer crashed heavily into Danny Giansiracusa for a typically full-blooded spoil, cracking Guido’s head open in the process. Ed Lower lobbed a kick forward and Petrie soared over Hale and Brian Harris for a big grab, he converted again. Petrie’s handpass set up the next goal, Corey Jones gathered and was tackled crudely by Harbrow. Jones free-kicked a sausage and the Ruse led by 29 points. Soon Petrie had yet another, his fifth, after roving Leigh Brown’s contest and snapping from close range. Six goals to none and the Kangers led by 35 points, much of the drive coming from McIntosh, Harvey and Adam Simpson in the middle. Doggy champion Scott West hadn’t started on the ball for some reason, but he did win the ball at this point and a wobbly punt dropped for Farren Ray to mark and boot their first goal. But Petrie came to the fore again, rebounding Jess Sinclair passed to Jones and he passed on for Petrie to mark and boot no. 6. The Doggies finished the term well, Giansiracusa with a bandaged head hooked a quick centering kick and Grant juggled a mark, he majored. Shaun Higgins exchanged handballs with Akermanis and kicked long, Giansiracusa held a diving grab and converted. The Dogs were 24 points behind. Norf had another, West was tackled by Roo Scott McMahon and Brown scooped the loose ball to snap truly. Dog Lindsay Gilbee missed a set shot but from the kick-in Roo Harvey sent the ball on-the-full, Gilbee had the free-kick, played on and slotted. The Kangers led by 23 points at the first break. Wells kicked an early goal in the second stanza, the Bullies were trying a bit now but Power and Cooney missed some fairly easy shots. Tough efforts from Akermanis and Power to win the ball set up a snapped major for Johnson and the Dogs were 20 points down. A bit later Norf’s Kasey Green held a strong grab and dished off to Sinclair, he centered a pass for unstoppable Petrie to mark and boot truly again. Petrie’s seventh was also his last goal for the afternoon as lax opponent Brian Harris and the game finally tightened up, but Petrie’d more than done his job. After a few scoreless minutes Bully Brad Johnson conjured a clever over-the-head snap on the goal-line and the Dogs were 21 points down. Slow again for a while but Laidley managed another good move, sending Scott McMahon forward. The Ruse McMahon bagged two goals in time-on, both from strong marks, and the Kangas led by a healthy 34 points at the long break.
The Dogs had trouble converting, into the third and Chris Grant hooked poorly wide from a mark, Mitch Hahn’s long shot was touched on-the-line. Then Bully backman Ryan Hargrave threw the ball away while being tackled by Sinclair, the Norf man free-kicked a major and the Ruse were a hefty 38 points ahead. The Dogs ploughed on, Higgins showed speed and skill to win the ball and get it to Giansiracusa, Guido curled a great, high snap through the big sticks. But the Pups couldn’t establish momentum, the Ruse replied when Brady Rawlings was awarded a soft free-kick while wrestling with West for the ball, disbelieving West gave the ump an earful and a 50m penalty was added. Norf by 37 points, Bulldog Grant postered from a tough angle before the game entered a slow, tedious phase, not helped by a sudden rain shower. Flocks of seagulls occasionally obscured the TV coverage, the actual birds that is. Not the Eighties one-hit wonders. After a while Petrie got the ball in much space on the wing and kicked into a paddock ahead of Hale and Jones, opposed by only Hargrave. Hale gathered and handballed over Hargrave’s head to Jones, who jabbed it through from the goal-square. North led by 43 points but the Dogs managed a late goal, Cooney did well to create a running mark for Higgins, he converted. Norf by 36 at the final change. The Dogs threatened vaguely again in the final term, some early behinds from Hargrave and a rushed before Giansiracusa ran onto a loose ball in the goal-square and poked it through. A point each before Brian Harris held a strong grab in the last line, he punted long to Higgins in the centre, he kicked quickly for Johnson to mark, play-on and boot a sausage. It’s a simple game as the Bullies won the following centre-clearance and Norf backman Daniel Pratt, very good on the day, was forced to rush a behind. The Pups were 21 points down, as close as they’d get. An attack broke down and Roo Harvey carried the ball clear on a rebound, his kick spilled from the pack and Petrie handballed back to oncoming Harvey, who booted a great goal from 50m on the flank. Jones saw a shot touched through following a fantastically gutsy backpedalling grab, but a bit later Harvey banana-snapped a great goal and the Ruse led by 34 points again. Gilbee cleared the restart for the Dogs and Grant’s handpass set up an accurate snap for Hahn, but the game petered out with a coupla behinds from Harbrow and a tight-angle miss from Giansiracusa.
Drew Petrie’s early burst (he finished with 9 marks, 14 disposals and 7 goals) pretty much won it for Norf. Brent Harvey (27 touches, 10 marks, 2 goals) was terrific again and together with ruckman Hamish McIntosh (20 touches, 9 marks, 14 hit-outs) and ruck-roving captain Adam Simpson (27 handlings), the quartet provided the early momentum. Brady Rawlings (19 possies, a goal) subdued West and Corey Jones (20 touches, 2 goals) was a useful second banana in attack. Daniel Pratt (17 touches, 7 marks) was very good in defence, with ol’ Glenn Archer (22 disposals, 7 marks) doing pretty well in his milestone game. Chased the ball a bit, eh. Jess Sinclair (21 handlings, 8 marks, a goal) was handy too and Scott McMahon bagged 2 goals. The Bullies’ best was either hard-working ruck-rover Matthew Boyd (31 disposals) or half-forward Daniel ‘Guido’ Giansiracusa (27 touches, 6 marks, 3 goals). Adam Cooney (25 handlings, 10 tackles, 0.3) was good in the undermanned (for the Dogs) midfield and Brad Johnson (5 marks, 12 kicks, 3 goals) did what he could with limited chances. Jason Akermanis (19 possies), Lindsay Gilbee (15 handlings, a goal) and Jordan McMahon (19 touches) were okay. ‘Rocket’ wasn’t happy with his backmen, Harris in particular. "We went back in at quarter-time to the rooms, got his (Harris’s) head, and sc**wed it back on for him . . . Except for the start, which was poor, I thought our effort after quarter-time was pretty good and I think at times we actually challenged. We had a bit of pressure on them but missed chances kicking at goal. We had more scoring shots and I thought we controlled the play in the second half. For whatever reason our skills weren't there and they certainly hurt us. Errors at the wrong time and certainly in front of goal." Dean Laidley focused on Arch. “In some way it probably repays the deeds that Glenn’s done over the years and it was really important today that we focused on those deeds rather than the occasion,” Laidley said. “Arch in himself and the club did it very well with the organisation off the field so it made particularly my job that little bit easier to be able to focus the group to the task at hand. You want to honour and respect a performance for an individual who’s reaching that milestone, but you can’t get caught up and say ‘we want to kill them, we want to do this, we want to do that’. If you forget about winning the football and putting some pressure on the opposition and then finishing off your work, you can get lost in that moment. That was the key to the game today; the way the boys were able to get themselves to the right level and to a man I thought they were very good at it. The boys were very good for an exceptional player and I’m sure he’ll remember this day for a long time.”
At Docklands:
Collingwood 3.5 6.9 9.12 12.15.87
Hawthorn 4.2 7.4 11.5 15.5.95
Terrific match-of-the-round which lived up to the hype. Some truths were confirmed. The Pies can’t kick straight enough to save themselves. The Hawks can run a lot. And between them, these sides have a plethora of young future champions. The occasion was given extra frisson by a huge, sell-out crowd and the off-field antics of Pie Alan Didak, who’d been ‘present’ during a drunken shootin’ spree in the northern suburbs of Melbourne with Hell’s Angel Christopher Hudson. Two weeks later Hudson (allegedly) shot three people, killing one, in the city. We found out ‘cause the wallopers interviewed Didak as a witness. Unsurprisingly the Maggies didn’t punish Didak at all, officially because he hadn’t broken the law or a ‘club rule’. But since then, public outrage has driven them to a succession of mealy-mouthed press conferences where Didak’s promised to never go out or drink beer again, or some nonsense. The incident will probably hasten the AFL’s introduction of a code-of-conduct, above club selfishness. Didak had to play because the Pies were without Anthony Rocca, suspended two games for clattering Swan Dempster last week. Junior Danny Stanley was dropped, replacements were Paul Medhurst and first-gamer Ben Reid, a tall forward from Wangaratta Rovers and son of former Bulldog and Blue Bruce Reid. The Orcs had Lance Franklin return from injury, in place of axed defender Danny Jacobs. Bit of surprise, that.
Exciting goal-for-goal contest most of the way. Young Pie debutant Ben Reid took an early mark on-the-lead but missed, joining the not-so-select group to score a point with their first kick in footy. The Hawks had a coupla early goals, handballs from roving Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead allowed Clint Young to boot the first. Pie Ben Johnson postered before Hawk Sam Mitchell kicked long, Roughead seized a great pack-mark and booted truly. Horforn led by 9 points and the undermanned Poi backline appeared in trouble against the Orcs’ triple towers Roughead, Franklin and Tim Boyle. Pie Shannon Cox missed with a flying snap prior to their first goal, Brodie Holland lobbed a kick forward and ‘Neon’ Leon Davis leaped for a big grab on the point-line, he passed back for Dale Thomas to mark and convert. A bit later junior Poi backman Tyson Goldsack coughed up possession with a poor kick, Hork Campbell Brown chipped a kick for unattended Shane Crawford to mark and boot truly. The game was being played at a frenetic pace between two relentless running sides, after a few misses each the Poise managed a goal. A chain of running handballs ended with Paul Licuria’s long kick, Travis Cloke marked on a tough angle and wisely passed inboard for second-gamer Marty Clarke to grab and punt a career-first sausage. Young Reid was tackled ‘round the head by Brent Guerra at a throw-in, Reid free-kicked his first-ever goal and the Poise led by 3 points. But the Hawks grabbed the lead back prior to the first break, Michael Osborne flew for a big mark, couldn’t hold it but recovered and handballed for ‘Buddy’ Franklin to snap truly. The Maggies went ahead again with the first goal of the second term, from Medhurst I think. Clarke excited the crowd with a ‘Gaelic’ soccer kick of 50m but Hawk Chance Bateman collected the ball and passed to Rick Ladson in the centre, Pie Thomas crept over the mark and a 50m penalty allowed Ladson an easy major. A bit later Hawk Young mopped up in defence but his poor handpass allowed Cloke to win the ball, he handballed for the murderer’s friend Alan Didak to snap a sausage. Didak gave a subdued performance, his every touch booed heavily by Hawk fans and cheered by the Poi fans. Ben McGlynn’s clever handpass allowed Osborne to snap truly, Hawks ahead again by 2 points. Franklin sliced a set-shot on-the-full and Pie ‘Steak Knives’ Medhurst missed a shot. A smart build-up from Bateman and Osborne led to a mark and goal for leading Boyle and Horforn led by 7. Back came the Maggies as Reid marked, lifting his foot to protect himself and booting oncoming Hawk ruckman Campbell in the stomach. Reid then passed for leading Cloke to mark and as a novelty, kick straight for a change. Horks by a point at orange-time.
The Hawks strained to break clear in the second half. Their hard-running, skilful midfield was generally (but not greatly) better than the Poise but Horforn often slaughtered the ball going forward. The Poise charged manically about the field but attacked hesitantly, badly missing Rocca. Roughead bagged the opening goal of the third with another strong grab. The Poise levelled the scores after Davis roved the ball skilfully and lobbed a smart kick for Clarke to mark with-the-fight, the Irishman converted. As Franklin raced into an open goal, he had a bounce, fumbled and lost the ball, Collywood cleared. There was a period with lots of side-to-side ‘switching’. Medhurst missed a shot, the Hawks moved swiftly from the kick-in and good work from Xavier Ellis and McGlynn sent the ball to leading Franklin, he held on this time and majored. Horks by 6 points. At the restart Cloke’s very good chase and tackle on Young forced a turnover, Licuria passed to Clarke and late-arriving Trent Croad conceded a 50m penalty. Clarke booted his third major and scores were level again. The Hawk forwards were too close together and competing for the same ball, said Gerhard Healy, they had to spread out. They did, Joel Smith’s long kick was well-marked by Boyle, he converted. Franklin out-marked Goldsack and booted another, the Horks led by a comparatively huge 12 points. The Pies pressed on, they cleared the next centre-bounce but Davis missed a running shot, a minute later Josh Fraser chipped a pass for wide-leading Medhurst to mark on the boundary-line. Amazingly, Steak Knives booted a terrific goal and the Hork lead was back to 5 points. Boyle tore his left hamstring wincingly late in the term, poor bloke. The final stanza began slowly. After a few minutes the Horks constructed a rapid running, handballing move from a throw-in, completed by Brad Sewell’s pass to leading Franklin. Buddy majored. A bit later tired Pie ruckman Fraser clangered a kick directly to opponent Simon Taylor, a coupla handpasses later Crawford was drilling a goal. The Orcs led by 16 points, seemingly decisive. It was suggested the Maggies’ best forwards, Davis, Thomas and the murderer’s friend, needed to do something. They did, Thomas’s good run resulted in Didak blasting a trucking company, um, major from point-blank. A bit later Thomas’s tackle on Smith caused a turnover and Poi Ben Johnson mongrelled a kick forward, Davis did very well to scoop it up, swivel about and snap a very good goal. The Hawks were only 3 points ahead now and Fraser won the ball at the restart, following some scramble at CHF Dane Swan hooked a kick to Thomas alone in the goal-square, he thumped it home. Pies ahead by 3 points. The Hawks didn’t panic. The ball appeared to be out-of-bounds prior to their steadier, Lewis centered with a pass to Bateman, he played-on and kicked for Osborne to hold a strong grab and convert. Soon Smith drove a long kick in and Roughead rode Pie Nick Maxwell for a great mark, Roughead booted a goal. The Horks were 9 points up. A poster from Johnson was probably the Poise final chance, the Horcs forced a series of throw-ins and ran the clock down ‘til the end.
The Hawk midfield shaded it with Sam Mitchell (28 disposals), Shane Crawford (25 disposals, 2 goals), Clint Young (26 handlings, a goal) and Ben McGlynn (26 possies, 12 marks) all doing well. Chance Bateman (20 touches) ran relentlessly and provided great defensive pressure. The forwards cashed in against the understrength Poi backline, Jarryd Roughead (4 marks, 9 disposals, 3 goals) was very good against ol’ Wakelin and following a slow start Lane ‘Buddy’ Franklin (4 marks, 8 possies, 4 goals) overwhelmed Goldsack. Michael Osborne (12 touches, 2 goals) ‘plays tall’ and Brad Sewell (20 possies) had a good battle with Pendlebury - bit of a compliment for the Pie man. Tim Boyle kicked 2 goals but might be gone for a while with the torn hammy. Hard-workin’ Dane Swan (30 disposals, 13 marks) was probably the Poise best and Marty Clarke (19 possies, 6 marks, 3 goals) was very good again, he’s bit of a find the lad. Tarkyn Lockyer (23 handlings, 10 marks), Heath Shaw (29 handlings, 11 marks) and Nick Maxwell (14 possies, 8 marks) worked hard to shore up the backline. Leon Davis (20 possies, a goal) provided some inspiration forward of the centre and wingmen Scott Pendlebury (23 disposals) and Ben Johnson (19 handlings) weren’t bad. Paul Medhurst, Dale Thomas and Alan The Murderer’s Friend Didak booted 2 goals each. Malthouse was ‘Collingwood equivocal’, a familiar mode. "It doesn't make any difference whether you lack [experience] or not. The simple fact is, you've got 22 out there; there's no use worrying about who's not out there. You worry about that when they're ready for selection and then we'll make some decisions. You play the side you've got . . . If they (injured players) don't come back, quite frankly, I'm excited and have the faith to play this group of players. [The Hawks] had 20 shots for goal and had 54 [forward 50] entrances. The boys were very, very good. They kept them under a 50 per cent strike rate. We went forward 49 times and had 27. That's the difference; we didn't put enough pressure on them on the scoreboard. I just reckon we were just a little bit, not blasé, but a little bit too clever in the first half. There was a couple of times where we just didn't take the obvious option, or the team option. I'm not saying they were selfish, but we just tried to create things that weren't there. So we put enormous pressure on ourselves in the first half by being a point down when we really had opportunities to score, not easy goals, but have better placed positioning for goals. Then, you chase your tail. It was always going to happen, young players coming into the side and particularly playing key positions and hard-leading positions.” Al Clarkson dared to dream, a bit. “We didn’t handle the pressure of that type of physical game three weeks ago against the Sydney Swans, and we showed a bit of maturity to bounce back this week. We always knew with the events the way they unfolded during the week that Collingwood was going to come out with plenty of spirit because they are a very, very proud club. It was terrific that our players were able to respond. We really got challenged halfway through the last quarter when they kicked three quick goals and got in front, and we were able to compose ourselves and get a couple back and win the game. That was particularly pleasing . . . There’s genuine belief in one another and the direction we are going, and that’s been particularly evident this year. We’ve worked hard as a footy club, and a lot of strategic effort has gone into repositioning our club. We’ve still got a long, long way to go. Slowly we are starting to see the benefit of some really good decisions at selection and draft over the last two or three years . . . When we’ve mathematically cemented our spot in terms of playing finals footy, then I’ll discuss (them). It’s been a quite a unique season, and I think you are going to require more wins than ever (to get in). If you lose two games in a row you drop from second to out of the eight. We’ll talk about finals when we’ve slotted 13 wins, and at the moment we’ve got nine. So, even if everything went perfect for us, it’s still a month away.”
Ladder after Round Thirteen
Pts. % Next Week
Geelong 40 153.2 Essendon (Docklands, Fri. night)
Hawthorn 36 121.3 Adelaide (Football Park, Sat. night)
West Coast 36 121.2 Brisbane (Subiaco, Sat. night)
Collingwood 32 106.1 St. Kilda (MCG, Saturday)
Essendon 32 103.2 Geelong (Docklands, Fri. night)
Port Adelaide 32 100.3 Footscray (Docklands, Saturday)
North Melbourne 32 99.2 Richmond (Docklands, Sunday)
Adelaide 28 108.5 Hawthorn (Football Park, Sat. night)
---------------------------
Footscray 28 98.1 Port Adelaide (Docklands, Saturday)
Sydney 24 107.8 Fremantle (SCG, Sunday)
Fremantle 24 103.4 Sydney (SCG, Sunday)
St. Kilda 24 91.0 Collingwood (MCG, Saturday)
Brisbane 18 89.5 West Coast (Subiaco, Sat. night)
Carlton 16 78.7 Melbourne (MCG, Sunday)
Melbourne 8 77.8 Carlton (MCG, Sunday)
Richmond 6 78.4 North Melbourne (Docklands, Sunday)
Cheers, Tim.
Article last changed on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 10:18 AM EDT
