by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Shane O'Bree returned for Collingwood after missing a week with a knee injury. The Pies were without Alan Didak (hip) and Ryan Lonie (groin). The club opted to rest young Irishman Martin Clarke this week.
Chris Johnson finally made his long awaited return for Brisbane. It is his first game since a foot injury last season threatened his career. Brisbane wore a Fitzroy jumper in this week's game. Fitting, as Chris Johnson is the only current active player to have played with Fitzroy before the merger.
Travis Johnstone (hamstring), Russell Robertson (back spasms), James Frawley (foot) and Colin Sylvia all returned from injury for the Demons this week. Missing for Melbourne were Simon Godfrey (knee) and Matthew Bate (corked thigh).
Andrew Walker (shoulder) returned for Carlton this week.
Fabian Deluca replaced the injured Dean Brogan (back) as back up ruckman to Brendon Lade for Port Adelaide.
Leo Barry (hamstring) and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (foot) were due to return for the Swans this week, but were late withdrawals from the selected team. Thomson has been playing well in the reserves and this would have been his first senior game for the season.
West Coast has lost Daniel Chick (fractured larynx) and Beau Waters (broken finger) this week.
The Saints were bolstered by the return of Luke Ball (groin) this week.
Glenn Archer (flu) returned for the Kangaroos this week.
Matthew Carr (general soreness) missed for the Dockers this week.
Richmond lost Troy Simmonds after he was hospitalized for several days last week with a respiratory virus.
RICH 6.4 11.4 15.5 18.8 (116)
COL 3.3 9.8 12.10 14.12 (96)
GOALS: RICH - Deledio 5, Polak 2, Richardson 2, Pettifer 2, Tuck, Brown, Tivendale, Pattison, Edwards, Howat, Foley; COL - Medhurst 3, Rocca 3, Thomas 2, Davis 2, Lockyer, Swan, Burns, R. Shaw
BEST: RICH - Foley, Deledio, Bowden, King, Jackson, Tuck, Newman, Richardson; COL - Lockyer, Burns, Thomas, R. Shaw
REPORTS: COL - Johnson for striking and wrestling Jackson
UMPIRES: Kennedy, Ryan, Woodcock
CROWD: 39,550 at MCG
Both sides had everything to play for. Collingwood is still trying to keep their finals hopes alive while the Tigers were determined to win t least one more game for the season. From the first bounce, it seemed the Tigers wanted it more. They ran harder, attacked the ball harder and had plenty of contributors. Young Foley was instrumental from the start. He won the ball from the first bounce and delivered it to Polak for the opening goal. A minute later, the Tigers got their second goal in almost a repeat of the first. Lockyer broke the run with a goal for Collingwood, but the Tigers were quick to reply through Tuck. Richmond bagged three of the next five goals to lead by 19 points at 1/4 time.
The Magpies cut Richmond's lead early in the second term with goals to Rocca and Davis. The Tigers again were quick to reply when Richardson goaled from a free kick. Then Brown pulled off one of the plays of the match. Fraser had just won the ball at a ruck contest, only to have it smothered off his boot and stolen by Brown. Brown followed up with another Tiger goal. Two minutes later, Tivendale goaled to give the Tigers a 24 point lead. Collingwood surged back into the match, kicking four of the next six goals with Burns and Davis notching the last two of the term, leaving Richmond just eight points clear at 1/2 time.
Collingwood snatched the lead 10 minutes into the third term with goals to Rocca and Medhurst. Midway through the term, Edwards goaled for the Tigers to level the scores. The next 10 minutes proved to be a stalemate with the battle raging in the middle. The Tigers finally broke through the Magpie lines with Deledio, Howat, and Richardson firing in successive goals to give Richmond an 18 point lead. A late goal to Collingwood brought the margin back to 13 points at 3/4 time.
The Tigers ended any chance of a Magpie comeback early in the final term. Deleido, who starred throughout, beat out Clement and drilled home the first goal from 45 meters (47 yards). Then Tuck dished off a handball to Foley in the center. He took off and kicked a gem on the run from 40 meters (42 yards). Pettifer's goal gave the Tigers a 32 point lead and virtually sealed the win. The Magpies managed the last two goals of the match to flatter themselves on the scoreboard.
A malfunctioning PA system meant the Richmond song could not be played, but it didn't matter as Tiger fans belted out the song long and hard to celebrate the win. The players handed out balls to the jubilant fans and the entire playing group gathered to thank the Richmond cheer squad.
HAW 4.3 7.4 14.8 17.13 (115)
BRIS 3.4 7.9 9.10 13.13 (91)
GOALS: HAW - Franklin 5, Dixon 3, Roughead 3, Hodge 2, Bateman, Boyle, McGlynn, Young; BRIS - Brown 6, Power 2, Stiller 2, Charman, Copeland, Hooper
BEST: HAW - Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Franklin, Birchall, Crawford, Brown; BRIS - Brown, Power, Adcock, Charman, Lappin, Begley
INJURY: HAW - Vandenberg (knee); BRIS - Charman (finger)
UMPIRES: Allen, Wenn, Avon
CROWD: 39,007 at MCG
The youthful exuberance of the Hawks and Lions was on display from the outset. Both sides were willing to run, take risks and give themselves every chance of scoring freely. Everyone was concentrating on the ball and no one seemed interested in playing man on man football. While such free flowing football produced plenty of excitement, it was also cause for a number of turnovers, especially in the first term. The Lions looked better in the first part of the term kicking four goals to grab a handy lead. Late in the term, three Brisbane turnovers resulted in three Hawk goals and a five point lead to Hawthorn at 1/4 time.
The second term was less free flowing as the two midfields manned up on each other. It was also a virtual shootout between Brown for the Lions and Franklin for the Hawks. They were the only two goalkickers for the term. Brown booted four and Franklin three. Both provided something for the highlights reel in starkly contrasting styles. Midway through the term, Brown blasted through a pack of players to get the ball and kick a goal. In the dying seconds of the term, Brisbane had the lead. Boyle ended up on his backside, but still managed to pass the ball to a running teammate who kicked to Franklin. Franklin was hard up against the boundary on a difficult angle and a long way from goal. The siren sounded and his curling kick after the siren cut Brisbane's lead to five points at 1/2 time.
Brown could find himself coming under scrutiny as sparked an all-in brawl when he cannoned into Franklin as the teams left the field.
The Hawks seized control in the third term, winning the ball everywhere and starving Brisbane of opportunities. Hodge, Mitchell, and Bateman were pivotal during the term, keeping the pressure on to chase and tackle when not in possession of the ball. When they did have the ball, it was all out attack as the Hawks piled on seven goals to two to set up a win with a 28 point lead at 3/4 time.
The Hawks kept the Lions at bay in the final term. Midway through the term, Mitchell pumped a handball to Bateman who kicked a goal on the run, giving the Hawks a 43 point lead and the win. Brisbane outscored the Hawks four goals to three, but were never going to catch Hawthorn.
PA 4.3 10.7 11.11 17.14 (116)
CARL 0.3 4.6 12.8 14.9 (93)
GOALS: PA - Westhoff 4, S. Burgoyne 2, Motlop 2, Boak 2, K. Cornes 2, Ebert, Lade, Thomson, Cassisi, Wilson; CARL - Fevola 4, Fisher 3, Simpson 2, Saddington, S. O'hAilpin, Betts, Waite, Carrazzo
BEST: PA - K. Cornes, Wilson, S. Burgoyne, Westhoff, Lade, Cassisi, Boak; CARL - Simpson, Scotland, Waite, Fisher, Fevola
INJURY: CARL - Houlihan (corked thigh)
REPORTS: PA - Motlop for allegedly striking Thornton
UMPIRES: Farmer, Margetts, Chamberlain
CROWD: 27,603 at AAMI Stadium
There is an old saying about the spirit being willing. The Blues may certainly have the spirit but can't seem to back it up with the skills required to wn games. Port wasn't at its sharpest at the start, but Carlton errors and turnovers gifted them plenty of goals, including four to zip in the first term. The Blues' measly three points gave Port a four goal lead at 1/4 time.
Carlton fought their way back into the game in the second term, but once more turnovers proved costly. They made up for their early poor showing with four goals but Port slammed through six to take a 37 point lead at 1/2 time.
A goal to Westhoff early in the third term blew Port's lead out to 44 points and another thrashing looked to be headed Carlton's way. Suddenly, the Blues came to life. They began to win the ball better, they were cleaner in their ball use and were able to provide some space for Fevola. He worked hard to bring teammates into the contest and kicked Carlton's first of the term. Simpson followed with one, then Saddington and Carrazzof chimed in. Six goals to Port's one gave Carlton an unlikely three point lead at 3/4 time.
Then Carlton got a case of the jitters in the final term. Goals to Cassisi, Westhoff, Wilson, and Lade put the game beyond Carlton's reach. The Blues kicked two for the term but Port also kicked a further two.
MELB 5.2 10.7 16.11 19.15 (129)
WB 4.4 5.9 7.13 12.15 (87)
GOALS: MELB - Holland 4, Robertson 3, Davey 3, Dunn 2, Pickett 2, Jones, Sylvia, Green, Newton, Wheatley; WB - Higgins 5, Murphy 3, Ray, Eagleton, Hargrave, Tiller
BEST:MELB - Holland, Jones, Johnstone, Green, White, Carroll; WB - Cross, West, Higgins, Murphy, Cooney, Harris
INJURY: WB - Grant (knee)
UMPIRES: McBurney, M. Nicholls, Kamolins
CROWD: 18,946 at Telstra Dome
Melbourne looked the better team from the start, kicking three of the first four goals, two of them coming to makeshift forward Holland. The Bulldogs suffered a major blow early in the term when the lost Grant. Already without Brad Johnson, a late withdrawal due to a hamstring, the Dogs were hard pressed at both ends of the ground. The Dogs managed three of the next five, but still trailed Melbourne by five points at 1/4 time.
The Bulldogs worked overtime to stay in the game and made some ground in the second term. They hit the front with five goals to one. After that the Demons took over, kicking the next four goals to break the game open. Two of those goals came to livewire forward Davey as the Dees took a 28 point lead at 1/2 time.
Melbounre buried the Bulldogs and all but dashed their finals hopes for the season in the third term. White was on top in the ruck in game #250 while Johnstone and Green were also prominent. After the Dogs kicked an early goal, the Demons went on an 18 minute rampage, slamming through six unanswered goals to break the game open. By the time they were done, the lead was out to a massive 59 points. The best the Dogs could do was one more goal for the term, leaving the Demons 52 points in front at 3/4 time.
The Dogs fought out the match with a five goal to three final term, but it was a futile effort.
SYD 2.2 5.5 9.7 12.10 (82)
STK 3.4 5.5 8.9 9.11 (65)
GOALS: SYD - McVeigh 3, Schneider, Fosdike, Everitt, Ablett, O'Loughlin, Mathews, Davis, Schmidt, Malceski; STK - Gehrig 2, Milne 2, Riewoldt, Attard, Dal Santo, X. Clarke, Hayes
BEST: SYD - C. Bolton, Goodes, McVeigh, Buchanan, Mathews, Kennelly; STK - Montagna, Hayes, Hudghton, Harvey, Riewoldt, X. Clarke
UMPIRES: Donlon, McLaren, McInerney
CROWD: 63,369 at Telstra Stadium
The Sydney defense was expected to struggle without Leo Barry and it showed early when Gehrig goaled from the opening bounce. Hudghton had Hall well-covered throughout the match, but McVeigh bobbed up for two goals in succession in term to give the Swans an early lead. Gehrig kicked another goal midway through the term and the Saints were out to an eight point lead at 1/4 time.
The Swans tightened up their defensive efforts and used the ball better in the second term. While Riewoldt and Gehrig were held in check, the Saints still found a few ways to goal, as did the Swans. Sydney came out on top with Schneider, Fosdike, and Everitt kicking three goals to St. Kilda's two,. leaving the scores level at 1/2 time.
Dal Santo got the scoring underway in the third term with an excellent kick from 50 meters (55 yards), but the Swans replied with harder running and their typical hard-nosed man-on-man play. Ablett and O'Loughlin kicked consecutive goals to restore Sydney's lead, but the Saints took it back with another goal. The teams traded goals again before Davis marked right on siren. In scenes reminiscent of his 2005 semi-final heroics, he put the goal to give Sydney a four point lead at 3/4 time.
The Swans really got down to business in the final term as they flooded back to block St. Kilda's attack. Elsewhere, they manned up again to halt St. Kilda's run and pressure and rattle the Saints. Mathews booted a goal, but Milne snapped one to keep the Saints in touch. Midway through the term, McVeigh juggled a mark and kicked a goal to give the Swans an 11 point lead. The Swans continued to control the game on their terms and kicked one more goal late in the term to seal the win.
FRE 5.2 10.4 14.10 21.14 (140)
ESS 4.7 7.10 8.10 11.11 (77)
GOALS: FRE - Pavlich 6, Tarrant 3, Farmer 3, Bell 3, Solomon 2, Warnock, Gilmore, J. Carr, McPharlin; ESS - Lloyd 5, Gumbleton 2, Lovett, Monfries, Lucas, Hille
BEST: FRE - Pavlich, Hasleby, Bell, Gilmore, Solomon, Johnson; ESS - Fletcher, Lloyd, Monfries, Lovett-Murray, Winderlich
INJURY: FRE - McPharlin (broken nose)
UMPIRES: Stevic, Grun, Goldspink
CROWD: 38,274 at Subiaco Oval
The Bombers were lively early but poor decision making and skill errors proved costly. After Lovett kicked the first goal of the match, two 50-meter penalties against McVeigh and Welsh handed the Dockers easy goals. McVeigh cannoned into Warnock after he had been paid a free kick, then Welsh mouthed off to the umpire after a free kick had been awarded to Tarrant. Neither team could establish a clear break as the Bombers seemingly had forgotten their kicking boots. Fremantle had no such worries with Pavlich, Farmer, and Tarrant too good in attack. Freo kicked another three to grab a decent lead before Essendon finally found a way to kick the last three of the term to be within two goals at 1/4 time. break with the Bombers squandering their chances in attack, while Fremantle made the most of its forward thrusts. Despite this, the Bombers found three goals in time-on to bring the margin back to within one point at 1/4 time.
The Dockers maintained control and the pressure in the second term. Michael was no match for Pavlich while Hasleby led the midfield charge. The Dockers then went on goal spree, sparked by a Farmer bomb from 60 meters (64 yards). Solomon dashed forward to kick his first goal against his old side. Three more goals, the last from Bell, had the Dockers out to a 31 point lead before Essendon added three late goals to cut the lead to 12 points at 1/2 time.
Fremantle took complete control in the third term, with Solomon and Peter Bell holding sway in the midfield and Pavlich running the Bomber defense ragged. They piled on another four straight goals before Essendon could score one. That solitary goal came late in the term from Lloyd and the Dockers were out to a six goal lead at 3/4 time.
The Dockers completely blitzed the Bombers in the final term with a seven goal to three scoring spree.
WCE 4.4 9.9 13.14 17.17 (119)
KANG 4.4 8.7 11.10 15.12 (102)
GOALS: WCE - Priddis 2, Lynch 2, Rosa 2, Hansen 2, Embley 2, Judd, Kerr, Seaby, Cox, Armstrong, Hunter, Wirrpanda; KANG - Petrie 2, Jones 2, Sansbury 2, McMahon 2, Sinclair, Smith, Archer, Thomas, Green, Harvey, Hale
BEST: WCE - Kerr, Cox, Cousins, Hansen, Hunter, Priddis; KANG - Archer, Petrie, Smith, Rawlings,. Simpson, McIntosh
INJURY: WCE - Embley (hamstring), Judd (groin), LeCras (hip)
REPORTS: WCE - Lynch for charging Smith
UMPIRES: Vozzo, James, Head
CROWD: 26,113 at Telstra Dome
The first term was goal for goal, point for point. The lead swapped six times and was tied three times in the term. The scores remained deadlocked at 1/4 time.
Embley was creating havoc up forward for the Eagles and saw off three different Kangaroo opponents before going off injured. Judd's ongoing groin problems saw him shifted from his customary role in the middle to the forward line. The Eagles opened the game up in the second term and grabbed a 27 point lead. The Kangaroos charged back with three late goals to trail by just eight points at 1/2 time.
The Kangaroos blew it in the third term. Three of the Eagles' four goals came from free kicks. The Eagles also fared better in the midfield wit Kerr, Priddis, Stenglein and Cousins beating the Kangaroos to the ball. Kerr burned off several opponents, including Wells and Sansbury. Although they managed three goals, the Eagles had four on the board for the term to lead by 16 points at 3/4 time.
The Kangaroos were still in it, trailing by 12 points midway through the final term. The normally reliable Grant and Petrie missed gettable goals which could have gotten the Kangaroos within shouting distance of victory. The Kangaroos found enough to muster four goals for the term, but so did the Eagles with goals to Cox and Wirrpanda sealing the win.
GEEL 5.3 6.5 11.8 15.13 (103)
ADE 1.0 4.2 6.7 10.10 (70)
GOALS: GEEL - G. Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Selwood 2, N. Ablett, C. Enright, S. Johnson, Kelly, Ling, Mackie, Mooney, Ottens, Scarlett; ADE - Porplyzia 3, Burton 2, Gill, Goodwin, Jericho, McLeod, Perrie
BEST: GEEL - Bartel, Corey, Selwood, Mooney, Scarlett, Harley; ADE - Goodwin, Johncock, Burton, Bock, Torney, Porplyzia
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Ellis, K. Nicholls
INJURY: GEEL - Blake (soreness) replaced in selected side by Varcoe; ADE - Welsh (shin) replaced in selected side by Jericho
CROWD: 21,267 at Skilled Stadium
The Cats owned this game from the get-go. The Ablett brothers and Bartel had four goals on the board before Adelaide could even get the ball forward. Bartel and Corey were ruling the midfield. The suspension to Adelaide's Hudson (for breaking curfew) left the inexperienced Meesen and Maric at the mercy of Ottens and King in the ruck. The Crows first and only goal for the term came via a free kick to Goodwin, while the Cats added a fifth goal to lead by 27 points at 1/4 time.
The second term was a different story. Adelaide lifted and worked harder to get back into the game. The defense held firm while Burton kicked two goals and Porplyzia one. The Cats would have been held to their first goalless term of the season had it not been for defender Scarlett scooting forward for a goal right on the siren. It gave the Cats a 15 point lead at 1/2 time.
Perrie goaled early in the final term to cut Geelong's lead to nine points. Adelaide, kicking into the wind, then muffed three shots which could have given them the lead. Geelong then proceeded to kick four straight goals. A goal each for the remainder of the term had Geelong in front by 31 points at 3/4 time.
An even final term kept Geelong as flag favorites and the Crows at bay.
STANDINGS
W L D FOR AGST % PTS
GEEL 16 3 0 2178 1364 159.7 64
HAW 12 7 0 1795 1560 115.1 48
PA 12 7 0 2003 1770 113.2 48
WCE 12 7 0 1807 1627 111.1 48
KANG 12 7 0 1774 1708 103.9 48
SYD 11 8 0 1751 1465 119.5 44
COL 11 8 0 1754 1752 100.1 44
BRIS 9 9 1 1760 1591 110.6 38
STK 9 9 1 1548 1647 94.0 38
WB 9 9 1 1878 2054 91.4 38
ADE 9 10 0 1594 1504 106.0 36
FRE 9 10 0 1929 1870 103.2 36
ESS 9 10 0 1850 2035 90.9 36
MELB 4 15 0 1596 2085 76.5 16
CARL 4 15 0 1872 2492 75.1 16
RICH 2 16 1 1661 2226 74.6 10
GOALS
Brown (BRIS) 69
Pavlich (FRE) 62
Fevola (CARL) 59
Franklin (HAW) 58
Johnson (WB) 53
Lucas (ESS) 52
Lloyd (ESS) 51
Source: Melbourne Age & Herald Sun
Bulldog Tom Williams is the Round 18 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
He debuted in Round Four and has played nine games as a defender. In last week's tied game against St. Kilda, he had 12 kicks, 12 marks, and managed to find time to slip forward for a goal.
Williams has a background in rugby and played only 15 games of Aussie Rules before being drafted by the Bulldogs in 2004. Versatile and athletic, Tom and was also a fine swimmer, cricketer, basketballer and cross-country runner. His father Steve, played rugby league with a club called Parramatta 1975-76 and was a co-founder of the Brisbane Broncos.
He has battled injury since joining the Bulldogs and missed the entire 2006 season after having surgery for the second time on a broken navicular bone in his left foot.
Tom is the Western Bulldogs’ second Rising Star nominee this season following Shaun Higgins in Round Eight.
Source: Michelle Clyne
Shane O'Bree returned for Collingwood after missing a week with a knee injury. The Pies were without Alan Didak (hip) and Ryan Lonie (groin). The club opted to rest young Irishman Martin Clarke this week.
Chris Johnson finally made his long awaited return for Brisbane. It is his first game since a foot injury last season threatened his career. Brisbane wore a Fitzroy jumper in this week's game. Fitting, as Chris Johnson is the only current active player to have played with Fitzroy before the merger.
Travis Johnstone (hamstring), Russell Robertson (back spasms), James Frawley (foot) and Colin Sylvia all returned from injury for the Demons this week. Missing for Melbourne were Simon Godfrey (knee) and Matthew Bate (corked thigh).
Andrew Walker (shoulder) returned for Carlton this week.
Fabian Deluca replaced the injured Dean Brogan (back) as back up ruckman to Brendon Lade for Port Adelaide.
Leo Barry (hamstring) and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (foot) were due to return for the Swans this week, but were late withdrawals from the selected team. Thomson has been playing well in the reserves and this would have been his first senior game for the season.
West Coast has lost Daniel Chick (fractured larynx) and Beau Waters (broken finger) this week.
The Saints were bolstered by the return of Luke Ball (groin) this week.
Glenn Archer (flu) returned for the Kangaroos this week.
Matthew Carr (general soreness) missed for the Dockers this week.
Richmond lost Troy Simmonds after he was hospitalized for several days last week with a respiratory virus.
RICH 6.4 11.4 15.5 18.8 (116)
COL 3.3 9.8 12.10 14.12 (96)
GOALS: RICH - Deledio 5, Polak 2, Richardson 2, Pettifer 2, Tuck, Brown, Tivendale, Pattison, Edwards, Howat, Foley; COL - Medhurst 3, Rocca 3, Thomas 2, Davis 2, Lockyer, Swan, Burns, R. Shaw
BEST: RICH - Foley, Deledio, Bowden, King, Jackson, Tuck, Newman, Richardson; COL - Lockyer, Burns, Thomas, R. Shaw
REPORTS: COL - Johnson for striking and wrestling Jackson
UMPIRES: Kennedy, Ryan, Woodcock
CROWD: 39,550 at MCG
Both sides had everything to play for. Collingwood is still trying to keep their finals hopes alive while the Tigers were determined to win t least one more game for the season. From the first bounce, it seemed the Tigers wanted it more. They ran harder, attacked the ball harder and had plenty of contributors. Young Foley was instrumental from the start. He won the ball from the first bounce and delivered it to Polak for the opening goal. A minute later, the Tigers got their second goal in almost a repeat of the first. Lockyer broke the run with a goal for Collingwood, but the Tigers were quick to reply through Tuck. Richmond bagged three of the next five goals to lead by 19 points at 1/4 time.
The Magpies cut Richmond's lead early in the second term with goals to Rocca and Davis. The Tigers again were quick to reply when Richardson goaled from a free kick. Then Brown pulled off one of the plays of the match. Fraser had just won the ball at a ruck contest, only to have it smothered off his boot and stolen by Brown. Brown followed up with another Tiger goal. Two minutes later, Tivendale goaled to give the Tigers a 24 point lead. Collingwood surged back into the match, kicking four of the next six goals with Burns and Davis notching the last two of the term, leaving Richmond just eight points clear at 1/2 time.
Collingwood snatched the lead 10 minutes into the third term with goals to Rocca and Medhurst. Midway through the term, Edwards goaled for the Tigers to level the scores. The next 10 minutes proved to be a stalemate with the battle raging in the middle. The Tigers finally broke through the Magpie lines with Deledio, Howat, and Richardson firing in successive goals to give Richmond an 18 point lead. A late goal to Collingwood brought the margin back to 13 points at 3/4 time.
The Tigers ended any chance of a Magpie comeback early in the final term. Deleido, who starred throughout, beat out Clement and drilled home the first goal from 45 meters (47 yards). Then Tuck dished off a handball to Foley in the center. He took off and kicked a gem on the run from 40 meters (42 yards). Pettifer's goal gave the Tigers a 32 point lead and virtually sealed the win. The Magpies managed the last two goals of the match to flatter themselves on the scoreboard.
A malfunctioning PA system meant the Richmond song could not be played, but it didn't matter as Tiger fans belted out the song long and hard to celebrate the win. The players handed out balls to the jubilant fans and the entire playing group gathered to thank the Richmond cheer squad.
HAW 4.3 7.4 14.8 17.13 (115)
BRIS 3.4 7.9 9.10 13.13 (91)
GOALS: HAW - Franklin 5, Dixon 3, Roughead 3, Hodge 2, Bateman, Boyle, McGlynn, Young; BRIS - Brown 6, Power 2, Stiller 2, Charman, Copeland, Hooper
BEST: HAW - Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Franklin, Birchall, Crawford, Brown; BRIS - Brown, Power, Adcock, Charman, Lappin, Begley
INJURY: HAW - Vandenberg (knee); BRIS - Charman (finger)
UMPIRES: Allen, Wenn, Avon
CROWD: 39,007 at MCG
The youthful exuberance of the Hawks and Lions was on display from the outset. Both sides were willing to run, take risks and give themselves every chance of scoring freely. Everyone was concentrating on the ball and no one seemed interested in playing man on man football. While such free flowing football produced plenty of excitement, it was also cause for a number of turnovers, especially in the first term. The Lions looked better in the first part of the term kicking four goals to grab a handy lead. Late in the term, three Brisbane turnovers resulted in three Hawk goals and a five point lead to Hawthorn at 1/4 time.
The second term was less free flowing as the two midfields manned up on each other. It was also a virtual shootout between Brown for the Lions and Franklin for the Hawks. They were the only two goalkickers for the term. Brown booted four and Franklin three. Both provided something for the highlights reel in starkly contrasting styles. Midway through the term, Brown blasted through a pack of players to get the ball and kick a goal. In the dying seconds of the term, Brisbane had the lead. Boyle ended up on his backside, but still managed to pass the ball to a running teammate who kicked to Franklin. Franklin was hard up against the boundary on a difficult angle and a long way from goal. The siren sounded and his curling kick after the siren cut Brisbane's lead to five points at 1/2 time.
Brown could find himself coming under scrutiny as sparked an all-in brawl when he cannoned into Franklin as the teams left the field.
The Hawks seized control in the third term, winning the ball everywhere and starving Brisbane of opportunities. Hodge, Mitchell, and Bateman were pivotal during the term, keeping the pressure on to chase and tackle when not in possession of the ball. When they did have the ball, it was all out attack as the Hawks piled on seven goals to two to set up a win with a 28 point lead at 3/4 time.
The Hawks kept the Lions at bay in the final term. Midway through the term, Mitchell pumped a handball to Bateman who kicked a goal on the run, giving the Hawks a 43 point lead and the win. Brisbane outscored the Hawks four goals to three, but were never going to catch Hawthorn.
PA 4.3 10.7 11.11 17.14 (116)
CARL 0.3 4.6 12.8 14.9 (93)
GOALS: PA - Westhoff 4, S. Burgoyne 2, Motlop 2, Boak 2, K. Cornes 2, Ebert, Lade, Thomson, Cassisi, Wilson; CARL - Fevola 4, Fisher 3, Simpson 2, Saddington, S. O'hAilpin, Betts, Waite, Carrazzo
BEST: PA - K. Cornes, Wilson, S. Burgoyne, Westhoff, Lade, Cassisi, Boak; CARL - Simpson, Scotland, Waite, Fisher, Fevola
INJURY: CARL - Houlihan (corked thigh)
REPORTS: PA - Motlop for allegedly striking Thornton
UMPIRES: Farmer, Margetts, Chamberlain
CROWD: 27,603 at AAMI Stadium
There is an old saying about the spirit being willing. The Blues may certainly have the spirit but can't seem to back it up with the skills required to wn games. Port wasn't at its sharpest at the start, but Carlton errors and turnovers gifted them plenty of goals, including four to zip in the first term. The Blues' measly three points gave Port a four goal lead at 1/4 time.
Carlton fought their way back into the game in the second term, but once more turnovers proved costly. They made up for their early poor showing with four goals but Port slammed through six to take a 37 point lead at 1/2 time.
A goal to Westhoff early in the third term blew Port's lead out to 44 points and another thrashing looked to be headed Carlton's way. Suddenly, the Blues came to life. They began to win the ball better, they were cleaner in their ball use and were able to provide some space for Fevola. He worked hard to bring teammates into the contest and kicked Carlton's first of the term. Simpson followed with one, then Saddington and Carrazzof chimed in. Six goals to Port's one gave Carlton an unlikely three point lead at 3/4 time.
Then Carlton got a case of the jitters in the final term. Goals to Cassisi, Westhoff, Wilson, and Lade put the game beyond Carlton's reach. The Blues kicked two for the term but Port also kicked a further two.
MELB 5.2 10.7 16.11 19.15 (129)
WB 4.4 5.9 7.13 12.15 (87)
GOALS: MELB - Holland 4, Robertson 3, Davey 3, Dunn 2, Pickett 2, Jones, Sylvia, Green, Newton, Wheatley; WB - Higgins 5, Murphy 3, Ray, Eagleton, Hargrave, Tiller
BEST:MELB - Holland, Jones, Johnstone, Green, White, Carroll; WB - Cross, West, Higgins, Murphy, Cooney, Harris
INJURY: WB - Grant (knee)
UMPIRES: McBurney, M. Nicholls, Kamolins
CROWD: 18,946 at Telstra Dome
Melbourne looked the better team from the start, kicking three of the first four goals, two of them coming to makeshift forward Holland. The Bulldogs suffered a major blow early in the term when the lost Grant. Already without Brad Johnson, a late withdrawal due to a hamstring, the Dogs were hard pressed at both ends of the ground. The Dogs managed three of the next five, but still trailed Melbourne by five points at 1/4 time.
The Bulldogs worked overtime to stay in the game and made some ground in the second term. They hit the front with five goals to one. After that the Demons took over, kicking the next four goals to break the game open. Two of those goals came to livewire forward Davey as the Dees took a 28 point lead at 1/2 time.
Melbounre buried the Bulldogs and all but dashed their finals hopes for the season in the third term. White was on top in the ruck in game #250 while Johnstone and Green were also prominent. After the Dogs kicked an early goal, the Demons went on an 18 minute rampage, slamming through six unanswered goals to break the game open. By the time they were done, the lead was out to a massive 59 points. The best the Dogs could do was one more goal for the term, leaving the Demons 52 points in front at 3/4 time.
The Dogs fought out the match with a five goal to three final term, but it was a futile effort.
SYD 2.2 5.5 9.7 12.10 (82)
STK 3.4 5.5 8.9 9.11 (65)
GOALS: SYD - McVeigh 3, Schneider, Fosdike, Everitt, Ablett, O'Loughlin, Mathews, Davis, Schmidt, Malceski; STK - Gehrig 2, Milne 2, Riewoldt, Attard, Dal Santo, X. Clarke, Hayes
BEST: SYD - C. Bolton, Goodes, McVeigh, Buchanan, Mathews, Kennelly; STK - Montagna, Hayes, Hudghton, Harvey, Riewoldt, X. Clarke
UMPIRES: Donlon, McLaren, McInerney
CROWD: 63,369 at Telstra Stadium
The Sydney defense was expected to struggle without Leo Barry and it showed early when Gehrig goaled from the opening bounce. Hudghton had Hall well-covered throughout the match, but McVeigh bobbed up for two goals in succession in term to give the Swans an early lead. Gehrig kicked another goal midway through the term and the Saints were out to an eight point lead at 1/4 time.
The Swans tightened up their defensive efforts and used the ball better in the second term. While Riewoldt and Gehrig were held in check, the Saints still found a few ways to goal, as did the Swans. Sydney came out on top with Schneider, Fosdike, and Everitt kicking three goals to St. Kilda's two,. leaving the scores level at 1/2 time.
Dal Santo got the scoring underway in the third term with an excellent kick from 50 meters (55 yards), but the Swans replied with harder running and their typical hard-nosed man-on-man play. Ablett and O'Loughlin kicked consecutive goals to restore Sydney's lead, but the Saints took it back with another goal. The teams traded goals again before Davis marked right on siren. In scenes reminiscent of his 2005 semi-final heroics, he put the goal to give Sydney a four point lead at 3/4 time.
The Swans really got down to business in the final term as they flooded back to block St. Kilda's attack. Elsewhere, they manned up again to halt St. Kilda's run and pressure and rattle the Saints. Mathews booted a goal, but Milne snapped one to keep the Saints in touch. Midway through the term, McVeigh juggled a mark and kicked a goal to give the Swans an 11 point lead. The Swans continued to control the game on their terms and kicked one more goal late in the term to seal the win.
FRE 5.2 10.4 14.10 21.14 (140)
ESS 4.7 7.10 8.10 11.11 (77)
GOALS: FRE - Pavlich 6, Tarrant 3, Farmer 3, Bell 3, Solomon 2, Warnock, Gilmore, J. Carr, McPharlin; ESS - Lloyd 5, Gumbleton 2, Lovett, Monfries, Lucas, Hille
BEST: FRE - Pavlich, Hasleby, Bell, Gilmore, Solomon, Johnson; ESS - Fletcher, Lloyd, Monfries, Lovett-Murray, Winderlich
INJURY: FRE - McPharlin (broken nose)
UMPIRES: Stevic, Grun, Goldspink
CROWD: 38,274 at Subiaco Oval
The Bombers were lively early but poor decision making and skill errors proved costly. After Lovett kicked the first goal of the match, two 50-meter penalties against McVeigh and Welsh handed the Dockers easy goals. McVeigh cannoned into Warnock after he had been paid a free kick, then Welsh mouthed off to the umpire after a free kick had been awarded to Tarrant. Neither team could establish a clear break as the Bombers seemingly had forgotten their kicking boots. Fremantle had no such worries with Pavlich, Farmer, and Tarrant too good in attack. Freo kicked another three to grab a decent lead before Essendon finally found a way to kick the last three of the term to be within two goals at 1/4 time. break with the Bombers squandering their chances in attack, while Fremantle made the most of its forward thrusts. Despite this, the Bombers found three goals in time-on to bring the margin back to within one point at 1/4 time.
The Dockers maintained control and the pressure in the second term. Michael was no match for Pavlich while Hasleby led the midfield charge. The Dockers then went on goal spree, sparked by a Farmer bomb from 60 meters (64 yards). Solomon dashed forward to kick his first goal against his old side. Three more goals, the last from Bell, had the Dockers out to a 31 point lead before Essendon added three late goals to cut the lead to 12 points at 1/2 time.
Fremantle took complete control in the third term, with Solomon and Peter Bell holding sway in the midfield and Pavlich running the Bomber defense ragged. They piled on another four straight goals before Essendon could score one. That solitary goal came late in the term from Lloyd and the Dockers were out to a six goal lead at 3/4 time.
The Dockers completely blitzed the Bombers in the final term with a seven goal to three scoring spree.
WCE 4.4 9.9 13.14 17.17 (119)
KANG 4.4 8.7 11.10 15.12 (102)
GOALS: WCE - Priddis 2, Lynch 2, Rosa 2, Hansen 2, Embley 2, Judd, Kerr, Seaby, Cox, Armstrong, Hunter, Wirrpanda; KANG - Petrie 2, Jones 2, Sansbury 2, McMahon 2, Sinclair, Smith, Archer, Thomas, Green, Harvey, Hale
BEST: WCE - Kerr, Cox, Cousins, Hansen, Hunter, Priddis; KANG - Archer, Petrie, Smith, Rawlings,. Simpson, McIntosh
INJURY: WCE - Embley (hamstring), Judd (groin), LeCras (hip)
REPORTS: WCE - Lynch for charging Smith
UMPIRES: Vozzo, James, Head
CROWD: 26,113 at Telstra Dome
The first term was goal for goal, point for point. The lead swapped six times and was tied three times in the term. The scores remained deadlocked at 1/4 time.
Embley was creating havoc up forward for the Eagles and saw off three different Kangaroo opponents before going off injured. Judd's ongoing groin problems saw him shifted from his customary role in the middle to the forward line. The Eagles opened the game up in the second term and grabbed a 27 point lead. The Kangaroos charged back with three late goals to trail by just eight points at 1/2 time.
The Kangaroos blew it in the third term. Three of the Eagles' four goals came from free kicks. The Eagles also fared better in the midfield wit Kerr, Priddis, Stenglein and Cousins beating the Kangaroos to the ball. Kerr burned off several opponents, including Wells and Sansbury. Although they managed three goals, the Eagles had four on the board for the term to lead by 16 points at 3/4 time.
The Kangaroos were still in it, trailing by 12 points midway through the final term. The normally reliable Grant and Petrie missed gettable goals which could have gotten the Kangaroos within shouting distance of victory. The Kangaroos found enough to muster four goals for the term, but so did the Eagles with goals to Cox and Wirrpanda sealing the win.
GEEL 5.3 6.5 11.8 15.13 (103)
ADE 1.0 4.2 6.7 10.10 (70)
GOALS: GEEL - G. Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Selwood 2, N. Ablett, C. Enright, S. Johnson, Kelly, Ling, Mackie, Mooney, Ottens, Scarlett; ADE - Porplyzia 3, Burton 2, Gill, Goodwin, Jericho, McLeod, Perrie
BEST: GEEL - Bartel, Corey, Selwood, Mooney, Scarlett, Harley; ADE - Goodwin, Johncock, Burton, Bock, Torney, Porplyzia
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Ellis, K. Nicholls
INJURY: GEEL - Blake (soreness) replaced in selected side by Varcoe; ADE - Welsh (shin) replaced in selected side by Jericho
CROWD: 21,267 at Skilled Stadium
The Cats owned this game from the get-go. The Ablett brothers and Bartel had four goals on the board before Adelaide could even get the ball forward. Bartel and Corey were ruling the midfield. The suspension to Adelaide's Hudson (for breaking curfew) left the inexperienced Meesen and Maric at the mercy of Ottens and King in the ruck. The Crows first and only goal for the term came via a free kick to Goodwin, while the Cats added a fifth goal to lead by 27 points at 1/4 time.
The second term was a different story. Adelaide lifted and worked harder to get back into the game. The defense held firm while Burton kicked two goals and Porplyzia one. The Cats would have been held to their first goalless term of the season had it not been for defender Scarlett scooting forward for a goal right on the siren. It gave the Cats a 15 point lead at 1/2 time.
Perrie goaled early in the final term to cut Geelong's lead to nine points. Adelaide, kicking into the wind, then muffed three shots which could have given them the lead. Geelong then proceeded to kick four straight goals. A goal each for the remainder of the term had Geelong in front by 31 points at 3/4 time.
An even final term kept Geelong as flag favorites and the Crows at bay.
STANDINGS
W L D FOR AGST % PTS
GEEL 16 3 0 2178 1364 159.7 64
HAW 12 7 0 1795 1560 115.1 48
PA 12 7 0 2003 1770 113.2 48
WCE 12 7 0 1807 1627 111.1 48
KANG 12 7 0 1774 1708 103.9 48
SYD 11 8 0 1751 1465 119.5 44
COL 11 8 0 1754 1752 100.1 44
BRIS 9 9 1 1760 1591 110.6 38
STK 9 9 1 1548 1647 94.0 38
WB 9 9 1 1878 2054 91.4 38
ADE 9 10 0 1594 1504 106.0 36
FRE 9 10 0 1929 1870 103.2 36
ESS 9 10 0 1850 2035 90.9 36
MELB 4 15 0 1596 2085 76.5 16
CARL 4 15 0 1872 2492 75.1 16
RICH 2 16 1 1661 2226 74.6 10
GOALS
Brown (BRIS) 69
Pavlich (FRE) 62
Fevola (CARL) 59
Franklin (HAW) 58
Johnson (WB) 53
Lucas (ESS) 52
Lloyd (ESS) 51
Source: Melbourne Age & Herald Sun
Bulldog Tom Williams is the Round 18 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
He debuted in Round Four and has played nine games as a defender. In last week's tied game against St. Kilda, he had 12 kicks, 12 marks, and managed to find time to slip forward for a goal.
Williams has a background in rugby and played only 15 games of Aussie Rules before being drafted by the Bulldogs in 2004. Versatile and athletic, Tom and was also a fine swimmer, cricketer, basketballer and cross-country runner. His father Steve, played rugby league with a club called Parramatta 1975-76 and was a co-founder of the Brisbane Broncos.
He has battled injury since joining the Bulldogs and missed the entire 2006 season after having surgery for the second time on a broken navicular bone in his left foot.
Tom is the Western Bulldogs’ second Rising Star nominee this season following Shaun Higgins in Round Eight.
Source: Michelle Clyne
Article last changed on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 12:54 AM EDT
