At the MCG:
Richmond 6.4 11.4 15.5 18.8.116
Collingwood 3.3 9.8 12.10 14.12.96
I gotta come to the other side of the world for the Tiges to win? The Pies limped into the finals last year, got thumped and eliminated by the Bullies and history is beginning to repeat. The Tiggers began with regular defender Graham Polak and flanker Brett Deledio in the forward-line and both men bagged two first-quarter goals - Polak the first two of the game - in a rapid Toiger start. The Pies improved in the second and third terms but the accurate Tiges kept scoring goals. Collywood grabbed the lead early in the third term, a goal from Dale Thomas featuring - he was about their best player in a tired, half-pace midfield. The Tiges did enough the stay 2 goals ahead at the final change and then booted the first three sausages of the final stanza to go 32 points up - they hung on. Deledio finished with 5 goals, Nathan Foley, Joel Bowden (on Rocca), Jake King, Daniel Jackson, Shane Tuck and Chris Newman all played well for the Tiges. Matty Richardson kicked 2 goals. Better Pies included Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Burns, Dale Thomas and Rhyce Shaw. Rocca and Paul Medhurst kicked 3 goals each. The Pies have Melbourne next week, who beat 'em earlier in the year. And it's Neitz's 300th.
At the MCG:
Hawthorn 4.3 7.4 13.8 17.13.115
Brisbane 3.4 7.9 9.10 13.13.91
Midfield shootout in which the Hawks made fewer mistakes and ended the Lyin's winning streak. Three late Lyin' errors allowed Horforn three late first-term goals to take the lead. Respective forwards Jonathan Brown (6 goals in total) and Lance Franklin (5 goals) dominated a lively second term, capped by a melee erupting as the little league kiddies scampered onto the ground. But the Brians relied too much on Brown and with Jared Brennan shut down by Campbell Brown, the Lyin's struggled to keep up. In contrast the Orcs had Jarryd Roughead, Ben Dixon (3 goals each) and restored Tim Boyle (one) to kick majors. With a winning midfield led by Luke Hodge (2 goals) and Sam Mitchell, the Hawks bagged 7 goals to 2 in the third term and led by 43 points halfway through the final Mario, thanks to a terrific running goal from Chance Bateman. The Brians scored some late consolation. Brent Guerra, Grant Birchall and Brad Sewell also played well for the Hawks, Brown was assisted by Jed Adcock, Rhan Hooper, Jamie Charman, Luke Power (2 goals) and Nigel Lappin for Brisbun.
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 4.3 10.7 11.11 17.14.116
Carlton 0.3 4.6 12.8 14.9.93
Another respectable loss for the Bluies and a bonus too with the Demuns winning, moving the Blooze down the ladder and up the order for draft picks. The Bluies seemed on the way to a pounding, trailing by 44 points early in the third term, before blasting 8 consecutive goals - including four from Brendan Fevola, his final total. The Blues led by 3 points at the final change, but Port bagged the first two goals of the final stanza to take a 9-point lead and they steadied to go on and win it. Port's hefty half-time lead was built on dominating possession and pouncing on Bloo mistakes. Kane Cornes, Michael Wilson, junior Travis Boak and Shaun Burgoyne were all good, David Rodan played well again and Justin Westhoff booted 4 goals. Better Bluies included stand-in captain Kade Simpson, who's done very well since taking the role, Brad Fisher (3 goals), Heath Scotland, Marc Murphy, Jarrad Waite at CHB and Fevola. The biggest winner may prove to be Blue coach Brett Ratten, who's getting it just right; increased intensity and no wins. Port's handy draw had them up to third.
At Docklands:
Melbourne 5.2 10.7 16.11 19.15.129
Footscray 4.4 5.9 7.13 12.15.87
The Dogs slipped back in the race for what'll be eighth now, they've had a draw only in the last four games now. Losing to the Demons was not what they needed. Interim Dee coach Mark Riley's now responsible for half their wins this season, and for moving the Dees above Carlton on the ladder. Injuries dog the Dogs with Brad Johnson out beforehand and Chris Grant departing early with a knee problem. Grant's man Ben Holland (4 goals in total) went on to add some threat to the Dee attack, along with Russ Robertson (3 goals) and Aaron Davey, the latter man back from suspension kicking all three of his goals in the first half. The Dees six in-a-row barrage to start the third term ended the contest, with the Pups adding some late majors. The Dee midfield appeared very quick compared to that of Footyscray, with Deez Nathan Jones, Travis Johnstone, Brad Green and Colin Sylvia all very good. Ruckman Jeff White, in his 250th, and backman Cougar Carroll were handy too. Standouts for the Dogs included leather-magnets Daniel Cross and Scott West, plus forwards Shaun Higgins (5 goals) and Robert Murphy (3 goals). But not many other contributors, Adam Cooney and Brian Harris (on Neitz) were okay. The Dogs stayed in touch with eighth as the sides around them lost, but they have a tough draw ahead.
At Stadium Australia:
Sydney 2.2 5.5 9.7 12.10.82
St. Kilda 3.4 5.5 8.9 9.11.65
Typical Siddey as they stifled and beat the Saints, in the process the Swans consolidated their place in the eight. Sinkilda forwards Gehrig and Riewoldt began well, Gehrig booted his side's first two goals and with Siddey still missing Leo Barry, the locals appeared troubled. Barry Hall was blanketed by Max Hudghton but up stepped Jarrad McVeigh to boot a pair of first-term sausages for the Bloods. By the second term most big forwards were struggling on the long, narrow StadOz layout and midfielders traded goals for their respective sides. Slowly the Swans tackled and forced themselves ahead in the third, with a late major from Nick Davis sending them 4 points ahead. Tight in t eh final term until McVeigh booted his thord goal to send the Swans 11 points up, they'd sealed it. McVeigh was very good for Sinney, he's had a good season, so was backman Craig Bolton on Riewoldt, runnin' Adam Goodes, Tadhg Kennelly and Amon Buchanan. McVeigh was their only multiple goal-kicker. For the Stains Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Hudghton, Robert Harvey, Riewoldt and Xavier Clarke were all decent. Gehrig and Milne kicked 2 goals each. Hard for the Saints now with their poor percentage, and tough (albeit home) games against the two WA sides coming up.
At Docklands:
North Melbourne 4.4 8.7 11.10 15.12.102
West Coast 4.4 9.9 13.14 17.17.119
A pretty good game by all accounts. The Ruse kinda blew it as they missed twice when trailing by 11 points halfway through the last quarter, Shannon Grant yet again a culprit along with Drew Petrie. Then Wiggle Dean 'Big' Cox bagged a ridiculously skilful rover's goal, David Wirrpanda converted from a one-handed mark and the Weegs were home. Before then the balance of power shifted regularly, the Weegs led by 5 goals just before time-on in the second, but the Ruse bagged three late goals including one for Jesse Smith after Quinty Lynch kneed him in the back (and was reported). Norf got the first two sausages of the third but the Weegs got four of the next five majors - three from frees including a reversed decision against Michael Firrito. The Eegs led by 23 points in the last stanza before majors from Kangers Sansbury and Archer cut the gap to 11. Then Grant and Petrie stuffed it up. Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr were great for the Eegs, along with Cox, Ashley Hansen, Adam Hunter and Matt Priddis. Andrew Embley hurt his knee, though. Archer, Petrie, Smith and Brady Rawlings (on Judd) were all good for Norf, as were Adam Simpson and Hamish McIntosh.
At Kardinia Park:
Geelong 5.3 6.5 11.8 15.13.103
Adelaide 1.0 4.2 6.7 10.10.70
The Katz secured top spot with consecutive win 14, over a hard-working but outclassed Camry side. A trailing breeze and Jimmy Bartel powered Jeelong's rapid start, Bartel had 11 touches and 2 goals in the opening stanza and the Cats led by 27 points at the first break. The Cows had the wind in the second and Graham Johncock and Nathan Bock produced some great running from defence. Goals from Burton and Jason Porplyzia got them going and helped reduce the deficit to 15 points at the long rest. Ian Perrie's major early in the third saw the Cyats only 9 points up, but then Porplyzia and Perrie missed shots, Cat man Cam Mooney bagged one and set up two others and the Cats kicked away. The Cressidas had the wind again in the final term and scored the first three sausages, but a major from Andrew Mackie steadied Jahlong and they ran out 33-point victors. Bartel, Joel Selwood, Matty Scarlett, Corey Enright, Joel Corey and Tom Harley were best for the Cats, Johncock, Simon Goodwin, Bock, Tyson Edwards, Brett Burton and Scott Stevens were better performers for the Corollas. Porplyzia kicked 3 goals.
At Subiaco:
Fremantle 5.2 10.4 14.10 21.14.140
Essendon 4.7 7.10 8.10 11.11.77
Once it's been confirmed a coach is going, there's no point hanging around. Kev Sheedy is already talking to the Demons about a job there next year. But perhaps the Bombouts were just an ordinary side all along. Mark Harvey would've enjoyed it as this win as it put his Shockers back with a chance to make the finals and him personally in a very strong position to coach the Bommers or Dokkers. The WA men are keen apparently, and even happier now Matty Pavlich has re-signed. No return to SA for him. Essadun started very well here, with Dustbin Fetcher running riot from the back, but the Don forwards couldn't kick straight. They also produced their customary 'intimidation', giving away 50m penalties and goals with verbals directed at the umps. Dokka full-back Luke McPharlin copped a broken nose in a marking contest and went forward after half-time, Bommer Scott Lucas followed him and the Dons promptly stopped scoring. The Dokkers were a bit wayward in the third but blunderbuss Chris Tarrant produced a ridiculous goal from the boundary, Pavlich and Jeff Farmer began to cash in as the Dockulaters raced away in the last. Paul Hasleby has improved markedly since Connolly left, he was very good for the locals as were Daniel Gilmore, Peter Bell (3 goals), Pavlich (5 goals), ex-Don Dean Solomon enjoyed it as did Michael Johnson. Tarrant and Farmer kicked 3 goals each. Fletcher was probably the Dons' best but finished on the bench, Matty Lloyd (5 goals), Angus Monfries, Nathan Lovett-Murray and Jason Winderlich were good for the Dons. Scott Gumbleton kicked 2 goals. Sheedy conceded finals were a 'remote' chance for the Dons now, although they do have Carlton and Richmond in the next three games.
Ladder after Round Nineteen
Pts. % Next Week
Geelong 64 159.7 North Melbourne (Docklands, Sunday)
Hawthorn 48 115.1 Port Adelaide (York Park, Sunday)
Port Adelaide 48 113.2 Hawthorn (York Park, Sunday)
West Coast 48 111.1 Richmond (Subiaco, Sat. night)
North Melbourne 48 103.9 Geelong (Docklands, Sunday)
Sydney 44 119.5 Brisbane (Gabba, Sat. night)
Collingwood 44 100.1 Melbourne (MCG, Fri. night)
Brisbane 38 110.6 Sydney (Gabba, Sat. night)
---------------------------
St. Kilda 38 94.0 Fremantle (Docklands, Saturday)
Footscray 38 91.4 Adelaide (Football Park, Sunday)
Adelaide 36 106.0 Footscray (Football Park, Sunday)
Fremantle 36 103.2 St. Kilda (Docklands, Saturday)
Essendon 36 90.9 Carlton (MCG, Saturday)
Melbourne 16 76.5 Collingwood (MCG, Fri. night)
Carlton 16 75.1 Essendon (MCG, Saturday)
Richmond 10 74.6 West Coast (Subiaco, Sat. night)
Cheers, Tim.
Article last changed on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 11:27 PM EDT
