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CBA First, Clubs Second

The league will not commit to the annual dividend sum for the 16 clubs until negotiations are concluded with the AFLPA over the new CBA, which is now expected to be a done deal by the end of July. It is believed the clubs were pushing for a $32 million disbursement, but may get half or less that sum.

 

As for the CBA negotiations, it is likely the AFLPA will get the pay raises it wanted over the next 5 years. The pay raises will be incremental with a 7% raise in 2007 and 2008, then 5%, 4%, and 4% over the following 3 years. The players' retirement

fund is expected to swell to $30 million between 2007 and 2011 and the league could sink an extra $30 million into game development in QLD and NSW.

 

Source: Melbourne Age

 

GENERAL NEWS


80s Flashback

Round 16 this week was the last of the themed rounds for the year, celebrating the 1980s, the decade which saw Warwick Capper's tight shorts, the Swans relocating to Sydney, and the entry of West Coast and Brisbane into the competition.   

 

The Heritage Round and the lead up featured:  

Heritage Guernseys: Clubs wore 1980s guernseys with Brisbane using the original gold and maroon, Melbourne in royal blue and red, and Essendon donning red shorts. Adelaide’s guernsey reflected its grassroots with colors from all SANFL clubs represented. 

 

Electrifying Eighties CD & DVD: The AFL and Liberation music have produced a double disc pack featuring a CD with great Australian 80s rock and a DVD of the Electrifying Eighties. It is available at AFL Stores, K-Mart, Target and Big W for $24.95.

 

Brian Mannix and the Number One Draft Picks: Brian Mannix from the legendary 80s band The Uncanny X-Men has formed a band featuring current AFL players. The band, Brian Mannix and the Number One Draft Picks, played gigs during the week performing iconic 80s songs.The band includes Russell Robertson (Melbourne), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Tom Harley (Geelong), Andrew Walker (Carlton), Luke Brennan (Hawthorn) and Stuart Wenn (AFL Umpire). Russell Robertson, an accomplished guitarist and singer, has a band of his own which plays regular gigs around Melbourne when his schedule permits.

 

Carlton Draught 80s Retro Rules party: was held last Wednesday and featured music, familiar faces, and fashion from the era with the above named band also performing. 
  

AFL Record: The Round 16 AFL Record cover featured a collage of every cover from every round from the 1980s. It includes an Electrifying Eighties poster with iconic images from the decade featuring controversial, courageous and colorful players. 

 

afl.com.au & Club Websites: featured highlight packages of key events, a pod cast with Brian Mannix, and info about the clubs during the 80s.

 

25 Years in Sydney Celebration: Past and present players attended a cocktail party in Sydney last week to celebrate the club's quarter century in Sydney.  

 

And as part of the celebrations, afl.com writer Matt Burgan selected his own team of the 80s: 


B: Andrew Bews     Chris Langford     Gary Ayres
HB: Bruce Doull     Ross Glendinning  Michael Tuck
C: Robert Flower    Greg Williams     Doug Hawkins
HF: Gary Ablett     Dermott Brereton  Wayne Johnston
F: Peter Daicos     Tony Lockett      Jason Dunstall
R: Simon Madden     Gerard Healy      Dale Weightman
I/C: Paul Roos      Tim Watson
EMG: Terry Daniher, Wayne Schimmelbusch, Justin Madden 

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release & afl.com.au

 

Guernseys For Locals

In 2003, the AFL began a program to show its continued support for grass roots footy. The Guernsey Donation program involves the donation of signed guernseys to the community clubs and schools from which the year's draftees came from.

Each player drafted this year was asked to nominate their club and over 100 clubs will receive guernseys. Since its inception, over 1000 guernseys have been distributed to clubs and schools across the country. 2006 will see the following clubs recognized:

 

VICTORIA:

Beverley Hills FC, Marc Murphy (CARL); Melton; Jake Edwards (CARL) & Scott Pendlebury (COL); Greensborough; Ryan Jackson (CARL); Sale FC; Craig Flint (CARL); Drouin FC, Sam Iles (COL); Ocean Grove FC, Danny Stanley (COL) & Clint Bartram (MELB); Rosebud FC,  Ryan Cook (COL) & Greg Bentley (PA); Diamond Creek, John Anthony (COL); Rowville, Daniel Nicholls (COL); Lakes Entrance, Xavier Ellis (HAW); Silvertown FC, Beau Dowler (HAW); Shepparton United, Beau Muston (HAW); Berwick FC, Travis Tuck (HAW); South Croydon FC, Lucas Markovic (HAW); Wentworth, Ben McGlynn (HAW); Traralgon Jay Neagle (ESS); Melbourne High School Old Boys, Lachlan McKinnon (ESS), Mooroolbark FC, Heath Hocking (ESS); Best Post Hill, Matthew Fireman (ESS); St Mary’s (Seymour), Tim O’Keefe (ESS); Sunbury Lions JFC, Matthew White (RICH); Old Carey, Cameron Howat (RICH); Murtoa JFC, Leonard Clark (BRIS); Congupna FC; Marcus Drum (FRE), Tim Looby (PA); Brighton Grammar, Robert Warnock (FRE); Newton FC, Shaun Higgins (WB); Mt. Eliza FC, Nathan Jones (MELB); St Paul’s FC, Simon Buckley (MELB); East Brighton JFC, Simon Phillips (SYD); Hampton Rovers, Daniel Hughes(MELB); Wallan, Shane Neaves (MELB); Ivanhoe Grammar, Andre Gianfagna (MELB); Wonthaggi, Trent West (GEEL); North Ballarat FC, Stephen Owen (GEEL); Broadford FC, Richard Douglas (ADE); De La Salle, Adrian Banaddio (ADE); Echuca, Djaran Whyman (KANG); Murrumbeena JFC, Matt Thomas (PA); Wangaratta Rovers FC, Alipate Carlile (PA); Tyabb FC; Justin Sweeney (STK); MacLeod JFC, Cathal Corr (STK); Carey Grammar, Matthew Laidlaw (SYD); Colac FC, Jonathon Simpkin (SYD); St Bernard’s, James Wall (SYD); Eltham, Paul Currie (SYD);  Yarrambat JFC, Benjamin McKinley (WCE); Kew Rovers,Matthew Spangher (WCE)

 

WEST AUSTRALIA:  

Northampton, Joshua Kennedy (CARL); North Mandurah FC; Paul Bower (CARL); Cranbrook FC; Alan Toovey (COL); Kojanup JFC, Shannon Cox (COL); Forrestfield FC, Max Bailey(HAW); Rovers FC, Patrick Ryder (ESS); North Cobras, Jarrad Oakley (RICH); Swanview FC, Travis Casserley (RICH); Riverton FC, Mitchell Clark (BRIS); Bullcreek-Leeming FC,  Garrick Ibbotson (FRE); Waroona, Matt Riggio (KANG); Rossmoyne FC, Andrew Swallow (KANG); Harvey Brunswick, Kristin Thornton (SYD); Serrento-Duncraig JFC, Matthew Priddis (WCE); North Albany FC, Ryan Brabazon (SYD) 

 

TASMANIA:  

Clarence, Sam Iles (COL) & Heath Neville (MELB); Devonport, Grant Birchall (HAW); Beauty Point Tigers, Samuel Lonergan (ESS); Currie, Angus Graham (RICH); Longford JFC, Todd Grima (GEEL) 

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:  

Blackfriars FC, Luke McEntee (HAW); Lobethal FC, Cleve Hughes (RICH); Magill Primary School, Joel Patfull (BRIS); Kenilworth FC, Jace Bode (MELB); Smithfield FC, Travis Varcoe (GEEL); Mt Burr FC, Ryan Gamble (GEEL); Sacred Heart College, Jason Porplyzia (ADE);  Birdwood FC, Dareen Pfeiffer (ADE); CMS Crows at Mintleton, Bernie Vince (ADE); South Gowler, Alan Obst (ADE); Flagstaff FC, Brad Sugars (ADE); Keith FC, Tom Redden (ADE);  Strathalbyn FC, Sam Elliott (ADE); Naracoorte FC, Timothy Hutchison (KANG); Prince Alfred College, Ed Lower (KANG); Walkerville FC, Nick Lower (PA); St Andrews Primary, Hugh Minson (PA); Kapunda FC, Jonathon Giles (PA); St Peters College, Thomas Rischbieth (PA); Sacred Heart JFC, Phillip Raymond (STK); Angaston FC, Shannon Hurn WCE) 

 

QUEENSLAND:  

Mununda Hawks, Courtney Dempsey (ESS); Caloundra FC, Austin Lucy (ESS); Coolangatta JFC, Wayde Mills (BRIS); Sam Gilbert (STK); Ipswich Eagles JFC, Rhan Hooper (BRIS);  Northern Eagles, Cheynee Stiller (BRIS); Redlands, Michael West (WB)

 

 

NEW SOUTH WALES:  

Bankstown Districts FC, Dylan Addison (WB); Pennant Hills, Kieran Jack (SYD); Tathra, Ed Barlow (SYD); North Albury, Adam Prior (SYD); Walla Walla, Sam Rowe (SYD) 

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY: 

Palmerston Magpies, Matthew Stokes (GEEL) 

 

Many, if not all, of these draftees, will visit their old clubs to make the presentations in person over the coming weeks.

 

Source: Asha Burns, AFL Media Release


SANFL Kicks For Charity

SA Brewing, the league's major sponsor, offered $50 for each goal kicked this weekend, with the money going to the Gladstone Appeal, which raises funds to assist those affected by  
the May 9 factory explosion. 

 

More funds will be raised at a $120 per person luncheon on July 28. Andrew Demetriou will be the keynote speaker and SA's greatest team of country recruits since 1945 will be named during the luncheon.

 

There will be several items auctioned off at the luncheon with the biggest prize having been secured by AFL Commissioner and Appeal Chairman Bob Hammond: a package called "Four Days of Footy Heaven" which includes, along with air travel,  two tickets to all the AFL premium events during Grand Final week - from the concerts, the breakfast, the pre-game lunch at the MCG and after-match party, golf day, the Grand Final Footy Show and, most importantly, two VIP seats at the GF. 

 

Also to be tested at the luncheon is which of the two SA-based AFL clubs has fans with deeper pockets for charity. A match-race auction will feature a Crow guernsey signed by all 4 of its club captains (Chris McDermott, Tony McGuinness, Mark Bickley and Mark Ricciuto) and a similarly autographed Power guernsey with the signatures of Gavin Wanganeen, Matthew Primus and Warren Tredrea.

There will also be a lottery drawing on Oct. 8 during half time of the SANFL Grand Final with details to be released later.

Source: Adelaide Advertiser

 

Final Memberships

The Crows, who are setting some onfield records with their dominance, have also set an off field record in recording over 50,000 members to become the first club in history to do so.

Although official membership tallies closed on June 30, the league released the final tallies just last week and reported a 2.49% increase on last year's figures. The overall membership tally is  519,126, up from the 2005 total of 506,509.

Andrew Demetriou paid tribute to the clubs for their hard work and also to the supporters for showing their passion and commitment for the game. 

 

Nine clubs - Adelaide, Fremantle, Geelong, the Kangaroos, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs - all had increased their memberships from 2005.

Sydney was also a big winner with an increase of 21.7% to 30,382 members after winning its first premiership in 72 years, while the Western Bulldogs lifted their tally by more than 18% to more than 26,000 members.

 

The final tallies were (with 2005 numbers in parentheses):

 

ADE - 50,138 (43,256)

WCE - 44,138 (42,406)

COL - 38,038 (38,612);

FRE - 35,666 (34,178)

PA - 35,648 (36,834)

ESS - 32,511 )32,734)

STK - 32,327 (32,043)

GEEL - 32,290 (30,821)

 SYD - 30,382 (24,955)

RICH - 29,406 (28,029)

CARL - 28,756 (33,534)

HAW - 28,003 (29,261)

BRIS - 26,459 (28,913)

WB - 26,042 (21,974)

MELB - 24,698 (24,805)

KANG - 24,624 (24,154)

 

Source: afl.com.au 

 

London Game Set

This year's London exhibition game will be between Port Adelaide and Geelong at the London Oval.on October 21. It will be Port's first overseas exhibition and Geelong's first since it played in the USA and Canada between 1988-91.

 

Source:: alf.com.au 

 

Under 16s Results: 


TAS       15.13 (103)    NT  16.17 (113)
NSW/ACT   11.12 (78)     QLD 12.5  (77)   

WA           18.17 (125) Vic Metro    15.17 (125)
Vic Country  11.8  (74)   SA          10.4  (64) 

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release

 

TRIBUNAL

 

Charges laid:

Joel Bowden (RICH), striking Demon Daniel Ward: reckless (2), medium impact (2), in play (0), and high contact (2), equaling 6 points, 225 demerits, a Level 3 offense, and a 2 match suspension. His clean record reduces the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and he accepted an early plea, reducing this a further 25% to 126.56 demerits and a 1 game suspension.

 

The Tigers took Bowden's case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the classifications of reckless conduct and medium impact reduced to negligent and low. Player advocate Michael Tovey argued that Ward had received a "glancing blow" that didn't force his head backwards, and that Bowden's knuckle had connected with a thin area of skin prone to splitting. Bowden said his "prime objective was to spoil the ball" and that he thought he had a "realistic chance to spoil the ball forward, run in and pick it up".  AFL counsel Will Houghton argued Bowden had arrived late to the contest and went in with a clenched fist.

 

In his defense, the Tigers pointed to Bowden's clean record over his 206 game career, his only blemish being a fine for wrestling in 1997. Then there are the B&F awards in 2004-05, 2005 All-Australian honors, his role as VP of the AFLPA, and his current nomination by the club for an AFL Community Award for his charity work with homeless children and in the indigenous community.

 

Tovey said the Tribunal should take into consideration his status as a positive community role model and told the panel that Bowden is working with Collingwood's Paul Licuria to establish a player group to help drug addicts and the homeless.

 

Former Tiger player Mervyn Keane was brought in as a character witness and described Bowden as "a man of great character and integrity", who had "demonstrated a great sense of fair play". 

However, the panel was not swayed and upheld the original findings of the MRP, leaving Bowden's one game suspension intact.

 

Adam McPhee (ESS), striking Saint Robert Harvey: reckless (2), high impact (3), in play (0), and high contact (2), equaling 7 points, 325 demerits, and a 3 game suspension. His good record reduced this 25% to 243.75 demerits, and he accepted, reducing it a further 25% to 182.81 demerits and a 1 game suspension.

 

Cameron Mooney (GEEL), striking Port's Josh Mahoney: reckless (2), medium impact (2), in play (0), and body contact (1), equaling 5 points, 125 demerits, and a 1 game suspension. This was increased to 200 demerits and a 2 game suspension because of his previous record  Mooney accepted, bringing the penalty down to 150 demerits and a 1 game suspension. 

 

Several Hawthorn players claimed that Crow Simon Goodwin "stomped" on Peter Everitt's foot, forcing him from the ground. However, there was no video footage of the alleged clash, and there was no other footage showing that Goodwin was no where near the incident. As a result Goodwin was cleared of any possible wrongdoing. Goodwin was also cleared over an incident with Clinton Young, with the MRP ruling that Goodwin had made contact with Young's back and not his head. 

 

Saint Justin Koschitzke faced the VFL Tribunal and was suspended for 1 game for making contact with an umpire. The Tribunal ruled that it had a duty of care to protect umpires from injury and deemed Koschitzke's contact with field umpire Josh Krull to be "quite severe".

 

Koschitzke, who pleaded guilty, argued he was not aware of where the umpire would be positioned after he threw the ball up because of a difference between AFL and VFL umpiring protocols. In the AFL, umpires back out towards the boundary once they have bounced the ball or thrown it up, whereas VFL umpires back out of ball-ups towards the center of the ground.

Koschitzke, who suffered a lacerated lip and concussion as a result of the incident, had no recollection of the incident and his evidence was delivered by his player advocate, Sean Carroll.

 

Several days before the hearing a Brisbane optometrist, who has worked extensively with players in all codes of football, as well as netball and cricket, said Koschitzke should not be suspended as his sole focus was for the ball and that his recent injury could have affected his peripheral vision when he concentrated on the ball only.  Admitting that he was not familiar with the AFL's rules, Dr. Patrick Gerry said that news footage he had seen of the incident showed that Koschitzke had his eyes on the ball at all times and that concentration could momentarily reduce his peripheral focus. 

 

Source: Melbourne Age & afl.com

 

MILESTONES   

300 games, fastest and second-youngest in history:  Mark Ricciuto (ADE) played his 300th senior game this week, since making his debut on April 30, 1993 in Round 6 of that season. His time span of 13 years and 83 days to reach the 300-game milestone is the fastest in the history of the game, eclipsing the previous record of Carlton's Craig Bradley, who reached his 300th game after 13 years, 94 days as an AFL player. Marcus Ashcroft, who reached 300 games after 13 years and 349 days, is the only other player in the history of the game to reach 300 games inside 14 years. Mark will also be the second-youngest player in the history of the game to reach 300 games, achieving the milestone at 31 years and 44 days, behind only Essendon's Simon Madden (30 years, 233 days) and ahead of Russell Greene (31 years, 76 days), Nathan Burke (31 years, 102 days) and Marcus Ashcroft (31 years, 228 days). Finally, Mark became the 19th player in the history of the game to reach 300 games.

Port Adelaide's Gavin Wanganeen (300 games), Adelaide's Ben Hart (306 games) and Sydney's Paul Williams (306 games) also reached the 300 game mark this season. 

 

200 games: Joel Smith (HAW), Anthony Rocca (COL), Brett Montgomery (WB)

150 games: Tim Notting (BRIS)

150 matches as captain: Nathan Buckley (COL)

100 games: Adam McPhee & David Hille (ESS), Drew Petrie (KANG), Daniel Giansiracusa (WB)

100 games coached: Paul Roos (SYD)

50 games coached: Neil Craig (ADE)

50 games umpired: Matthew Nicholls

50 games: Charlie Gardiner (GEEL), Mark McGough (STK), Mark Seaby (WCE), Brent Stanton (ESS)
50 club games: David Teague (CARL)

 

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release 


TEAM NEWS

 

WEST COAST
Ruckman Michael Gardiner may well have played his last game with the exasperated Eagles after yet one more incident last week. According to reports, Gardiner had a few drinks at home, then decided to go for some takeout food shortly before midnight. 

Somewhere along the way in a Perth suburb, he lost control of his V8 Commodore, jumped a median strip, plowed into a street sign, then hit a lamp post, and two other cars. While Gardiner escaped with nothing more than a black eye and some bruises, his car and one of the two he hit were totaled. He has been charged by police for drunk driving, with possible other charges in relation to the damage to follow.

 

Gardiner, who only recently earned a recall from the WAFL after a February breach of team discipline saw him banished to Claremont, has been fined $5000 by the club and again banished. Club CEO Trevor Nisbett told Gardiner it was unlikely he would play for the club again, with his contract up at the end of the year. Nisbett also said Gardiner was being treated for depression, but Gardiner denied he was being treated for depression.

 

In February, he was suspended for drinking the night before a game, but Nisbett said this time was worse as Gardiner was also taking medication for his injured foot.

 

A frustrated Coach John Worsfold said it would be up to Gardiner whether he wants to continue at Claremont in the WAFL. While Claremont coach Ashley Prescott has no qualms about including Gardiner in the team, Worsfold said it would take a miracle for the troubled ruckman to regain the trust and respect of the mach committee and playing group.

 

Gardiner has transgressed before. In 2002 he was the subject of a club inquiry over allegations he bought recreational drugs after claims he had been caught in a police sting. Gardiner was not named, but the club said police and senior officials had not uncovered evidence of drug-taking. In May of last year, he and Ben Cousins were questioned by police after a gangland shootout in a Perth nightclub. While neither were at the club at the time, both had spoken to several people involved in the shooting by phone and both were warned by the Eagle hierarchy about associating with known underworld figures. Cousins was also in hot water earlier this year after fleeing from a police checkpoint known as a "booze bus" with the fallout resulting in him giving up the captaincy.

 

Gardiner is not without supporters, however, with former Eagle Coach Ken Judge saying the club should not cut off its nose to spite its face by dumping the disgraced ruckman. And his father, Renny (also his manager), says Gardiner has been unfairly labeled as the league's wild child and is critical of the rumors and innuendo - especially about alleged drug use - which have surrounded his son who, Dad admits, likes to "live in the fast lane". He also admits his son will have to cope with the mistakes he has made and perhaps has not handled things as well as he should have. He also said the unfounded rumors were upsetting to the family.

 

Life as an Eagle may be over, but several clubs have already expressed interest in Gardiner and the Eagles will retain him on the list so they can work out a possible trade.
 

Injury Update:  

Brad Smith, knee, season 
Damien Adkins, broken leg, season
Mark Nicoski, ankle, 5 weeks
Dean Cox, fractured collarbone, 4 weeks
Matthew Spangher, groin, 2 weeks
Chad Fletcher, hamstring, 2 weeks

 

Ben Cousins missed this week with the official word saying he is being rested, but it is believed he has been struggling recently because of a rib injury.

   

Source: Melbourne Age, afl.com.au; Gary Stocks, Club Media release

 

ADELAIDE

Originally, Andrew McLeod was  going to wait until the end of year to have surgery on a bursa in his foot. The problem has not settled as well as hoped and it was decided that McLeod should have the bursa removed now, so he can return for finals. He is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after the surgery on Monday. 

 

Ben Hart (broken arm) returned to this week

 

Source: alf.com.au
 

ESSENDON

This week saw yet one more addition to the injury list, but for once it wasn't a player. It was Coach Kevin Sheedy who required a shoulder reconstruction after a collision with Dean Solomon at training last week. Assistant coach Gary O'Donnell filled the breach.

 

Coach Kevin Sheedy's predecessor Barry Davis was inducted into the club's hall of fame at a gala cocktail party last week. Davis also served as club captain, was a premiership player, and won the club's B&F 3 times. 

 

Davis, a superb half back flanker and then ruck rover, arrived at the club from Essendon High School and debuted in Round 2, 1961, starting his career as a half forward. It was the beginning of an impressive 12 year career that spanned 218 games and included two premierships. Wearing the #32 guernsey, Davis captained Essendon in 1970 and 1971 before becoming vice-captain to Des Tuddenham in 1972. He had also been vice captain in 1969.

Davis was a footballing perfectionist - mild-mannered, unassuming and well behaved on and off the field. He was cool under pressure and had a good combination of pace and strength with outstanding natural talent. Not only was he a brilliant mark but one of the best kicks in the game. He was part of one of Essendon's best ever backlines with Alex Epis and Ian Shelton and starred on the half back flank in the 1962 premiership win and again in the 1965 premiership victory.

Davis returned to the club in 1978 as senior coach, holding the post until 1980, making his exit after saying he would vacate the position if the Bombers failed to make the finals.   

 

His career honors include: Best First Year Player (1961), Most Consistent Player (1966), Best Team Man (1967), EFC Life member (1970), Team of the Century (1997), Champion of Essendon 2002 (Ranked 15), Runner-up Brownlow Medallist (1969, 1971) and AFL Hall of Fame Inductee (1997).

 

Barry Davis Fact File:

Born: 9/15/43; Recruited from Essendon High School; Debut - Round 2, 1961 against St. Kilda; Final game vs STK in EF 1972; Games: 218; EFC Goals: 63; Premiership player 1962 ,1965; Grand Final appearances: 1962,1965,1968; Finals appearances: 12; Essendon captain 1970-71 (40 games); Essendon VC 1969,1972;  Coach 1978-80; Essendon B&F: 1968, 1969, 1971; Top 5 B&F finishes 1968 -1972; top 5 Brownlow medal finishes 1969, 1971
Victorian Representative: 1967-1972; career Brownlow votes 96

 

Congratulations to Scott and Ally Camporeale, proud parents of twin boys, Lucas Scott and Benjamin James.

 

Injury Update:
Jay Neagle, leg, 1 week
James Hird, strained calf, 2 weeks
Dean Rioli, knee, 2 weeks
Tim O’Keefe, shoulder, 4 weeks
Jason Winderlich, fracture, fibula, 4 weeks
Jason Laycock, knee, 5 weeks
Heath Hocking, foot, season
Lachlan McKinnon & Aaron Henneman, shoulder reconstructions, season
Matthew Lloyd, hamstring tear, season

Adam Ramanauskas, cancer, indefinite

 

Angus Monfries (calf) returned this week.   

 

Source: Melbourne Age & Emma Robinson, Club Media Release

  

HAWTHORN

Josh Kennedy, son of John, Jnr, and grandson of John, Sr will become the first 3rd generation Hawk in the history of the club when he is selected under the father/son rule at draft time.

Fittingly, the announcement was made with young Josh surrounded by the 7 premiership cups dad and grandpa helped win for the club.

 

Kennedy snr coached the Hawks in 298 games and steered the club to its first three premierships. He was at the helm from 1960 to 1963 and again from 1967 to 1976. His strict, disciplinarian style and rousing speeches are the stuff of legend and his boot camp style training methods saw the Hawks become known as Kennedy's Commandos. His son played 241 games between 1979 and 1991, is 11th on Hawthorn's list for most games played and was a member of the 1983, 1986, 1988 and 1989 premiership sides.

 

Josh played just 9 games for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup last, but his skills and performances were enough to see him finish second in the club B&F count.

 

A versatile player with a strong body, the youngest of the Kennedy clan has already been identified by the Hawks as capable of playing half-back, half-forward or in the midfield.

 

Josh said he knows that getting drafted is just the first step with plenty of hard work to come. His father agreed, saying it was now up to his son to make his own impression upon the club.

Seated beneath a painting of Hawthorn's team of the century and with coach Alastair Clarkson at his side, Kennedy said it was "a huge privilege" to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

 

With other stalwarts of "the family club" looking on, including Allan Jeans and David Parkin, Kennedy snr said the club was "a big part of my life, John's too, and I hope it will be just as big a part of Josh's life".

 

Clarkson said he was delighted Kennedy had committed to the Hawks but was quick to agree that Josh would have some work ahead of him before making his debut.

 

Brilliant forward Mark Williams was in court last week to face driving charges from last October. He pleaded guilty on 2 charges of driving on a suspended license. He also pled guilty to speeding - 94km in a 50 km zone - and a charge of careless driving.

 

The prosecution told the court that a cyclist crashed into the back of Williams' car after he stopped to answer his phone. A constable testified that Williams did help the cyclist and left his contact information at the scene and also told the court that Williams was unaware that his license had been suspended the previous May after police saw him speeding in April but were unable to catch him. After that incident, Williams sought help from the club and donated $3000 to charity and did some volunteer work.

 

The prosecuting attorney said that Williams would benefit more from speaking with accident victims than going to jail and that it was more a case of poor judgement than bad character, while Williams' defense attorney argued that he was a public role model who was ashamed over the incidents as well as an inspiration as an Aboriginal who was succeeding as an AFL footballer.

 

The judge was lenient, fining Williams $1500 donation to the Road Trauma Awareness charity, suspending his license for a further 6 months,  ordering him to take a  Road Trauma Awareness Course, and not re-offend.

 

Outside the court, Williams apologized to his family, teammates and supporters. The club had previously dealt with the matter when it happened earlier in the year.

 

(In another case, former Kangaroo/Blue) Corey McKernan was fined $1000 for driving while disqualified and for using his mobile phone at the same time.


Richard Vandenberg (virus), Brent Guerra (suspension), Shane Crawford (shin) and defender Joel Smith (hamstring) all returned this week.

 

Injury Update:

Tim Clarke, foot, 3 weeks

 

Source: Melbourne Age & Kristi High, Club Media Release

 

FREMANTLE 

Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon does not want any more games involving Fremantle at Launceston's Aurora Stadium because of poor attendances. The Dockers, who have won just one of six games since 2002 at the ground, are averaging less than 15,000 spectators and account for the 5 worst attended games. Fremantle's two games at Aurora Stadium this year have been little better: with just 13,862 fans at the Round 1 game against Hawthorn and only  15,281 fans at the controversial win over the Saints, when the siren was not heard. In contrast, the Richmond/Hawthorn game this year drew a capacity crowd of 21,000.

 

Premier Lennon is conducting talks with the AFL over next year's schedule.  The Tasmanian Government has spent up to $2.5 million a year since 2001 underwriting the games, giving  St Kilda and Hawthorn incentives worth up to $400,000 a game to play some of their home games in Tasmania.

 

Fremantle chairman Rick Hart said he was disappointed with Lennon. He as the club has worked hard to promote the game in Tasmania, working with its Tasmanian affiliate, the Burnie Dockers. Hart said the club would speak the AFL about not giving them any more games in Tasmania.

 

Heath Black (hip) returned to the side this week

 

Source: afl.com.au & Melbourne Age via West Australian

 

RICHMOND
Forward Matthew Richardson may frustrate teammates, coaches, and supporters with his sometimes erratic goalkicking, but it seems now "owns" the MCG goalsquares. When he kicked his second goal of the game, it was #392 at the ground, 1 better than the record 391 goals set by Matthew Lloyd.

However, it is most likely that Lloyd will again reign supreme someday when he returns next year. And he could again remain the King of The G as, at 28, he is 3 years younger than Richo. But the Tigers have 4 more games at the MCG, giving Richo plenty of time to put some space between himself and Lloyd for the time being.

 

Richardson has a total of 664 goals from 227 games (not including this round) which puts him 3rd on the club's all-time list behind Jack 'Skinny" Titus (970) and Kevin Bartlett (778).

 

Danny Meyer, a late withdrawal because of the flu in Round 14, came in this week for the suspended Joel Bowden.

 

Source: afl.com.au

 

CARLTON
The AFL and Carlton signed off on a financial agreement last week which will see the AFL give the club a $1.5 million interest fee loan and an additional $500,000 from the Special Assistance Fund.  Despite the current board reducing the debt from $12 million to less than $7 million, the club was still facing a massive cash flow shortage at the end of the month and required immediate assistance.

 

Andrew Demetriou, who described Carlton as an integral part of the competition, praised the club's leadership and said the AFL would continue to support its efforts to turn around the club's fortunes.  

 

As part of the AFL-approved financial package: 

 

*the $1.5 million loan will need to be paid back by October 31, 2008, but that term could be reduced depending on the AFL distributions for 2007-11. 


*the $500,000 grant will pay for the maintenance of MC Labour Park which is used as an AFL training venue and also by the AFL umpires, the TAC Cup competition and the under-18s championships.
 

 

*the AFL will provide external advisers to work with the club to accelerate its financial turnaround   

*provision of specialist AFL-appointed external resources to work with the Carlton administration to develop an effective turnaround strategy


*preparation of a detailed annual Business Plan which clearly shows how the Club will improve its financial position and set it on the path to a sustainable future


*preparation of a budget showing significant financial improvement over the previous year


*provision of monthly financial statements to the AFL and a monthly meeting with AFL executives to ensure the budget and business plans are being achieved


*working with the AFL and other relevant parties to determine the best use of the MC Labour Park facility for the AFL industry

 

Current AFL Commissioner and former Carlton player Mike Fitzpatrick will sit in on board meetings as an independent observer and use his  financial and corporate management expertise available to the Board.

 

Club president Graham Smorgon believes that, with the assistance package, the club can be profitable within two years and that the annual AFL distribution would also make a significant difference. At a press conference shortly after he met with league officials, Smorgon was asked if the club would have made it through 2006 and replied that it would have been a difficult stretch.

 

Smorgon said a significant drop in returns from home matches as a consequence of falling attendances and a downturn in corporate hospitality and the sale of merchandise were at the heart of the club's financial problems, with gate receipts and sponsorship/fundraising down about $800,000 each. He urged members to get out to games and support the club.

 

Anthony Koutoufides (broken wrist) and Jarrad Waite (knee) returned to action this week

 

Injury Update:

Justin Davies, back, indefinite

Troy Longmuir, shoulder, 4-5 weeks

Marc Murphy, shoulder, season

Jason Saddington, knee, season   

 

Congratulations to Brendon and Alex Fevola on the birth of their daughter Leni Jay Fevola on Friday

 

Source: afl.com; Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release; Stephen Wilson, Club Media Release 

 

PORT ADELAIDE
Youngsters Brad Symes and Adam Thomson both signed new two-year deals last week. The duo managed just 3 games between them in 2005, but have played most of the games this year to be a big part of the team's revival.

Symes, 21, won the Rising Star nomination for Round 9 this year for his assured play across halfback. and was drafted from Central District in 2003. 

 

Thomson, 20, is an inside midfielder who sits high in the list of the club’s clearance winners this year. He was a first round draft selection (No. 11 overall) in the 2004 Draft and hails from Murray Bridge. 

 

Coach Mark Williams said the duo had impressed him in 2006 with consistent performances and looked forward to what they could offer in the future. He also praised their determination, work ethic, and willingness to learn and develop.

Young ruckman Fabian Deluca (brother to Carlton's Adrian) also signed a new two year contract earlier in the season.  

 

Ruckman Dean Brogan has been charged with assault over the recent airport incident in which he struck a belligerent Adelaide Crow fan. He will be due in court next month.

 

Injury Update: 

Matthew Bishop, pectoral muscle, 1 week

Dean Brogan, ankle, 3 weeks

Peter Burgoyne, hamstring tear, season

Fabian Deluca, broken hand (SANFL), 3 weeks

Josh Francou, knee, ongoing assessment, indefinite

 

Chad Cornes (ribs/lung) was cleared to play this week.

 

Source: afl.com.au & Hitaf Rasheed, Club Media Release 

 

COLLINGWOOD

Brodie Holland (Achilles tendonitis) returned after 5 weeks out. Also back was Simon Prestigiacomo (shoulder) after being a late withdrawal last week.

 

Source: afl.com.au

 

GEELONG

Peter Riccardi (ankle) is one step closer to a return, being named as an emergency this week.

 

Source: Melbourne Age

 

MELBOURNE

Injury Update:

Paul Johnson, shoulder reconstruction, season              

Andre Gianfagna, shoulder, to be assessed  

 

Source: Leigh Newton, Club Media Release

 

BRISBANE

Early in the week, the club announced that Jason Akermanis would be dropped this week for yet one more media breach. In an interview, he said that defender Mal Michael, who was rested for personal reasons, was on the verge of retirement. Several weeks ago, Akermanis publicly proclaimed it was highly unlikely that he would be with the club next season. He may well get his wish. Shortly after the game this weekend, Coach Leigh Matthews said Akermanis has been given a leave of absence from the club for the remainder of the season.

 

Captain Michael Voss, who sits on the match committee, was interviewed on radio and said that it wasn't only Akermanis' breach of club confidences in the press, but his on field actions as well. Voss, without going into great detail, said there were a number of behind the scenes issues to which the public was not privy and that Akermanis often failed to properly execute his on field roles.

 

Coach Leigh Matthews, despite Akers constant breaches, has hinted that an apology from Jason to the club and his teammates would go a long way toward mending a few fences.

 

Injury Update: 

Mitch Clark, OP, indefinite
Chris Johnson, OP, 3-5 weeks

Ashley McGrath, hamstring tear, 4 weeks
Richard Hadley, Pat Garner, Joel McDonald, Anthony Corrie, knee reco, season

Jonathan Brown, hip/stress fracture in lower back, 2 weeks
Chris Scott, hip, long term injury list, indefinite
Michael Rischitelli, shoulder, 3-4 weeks 
Beau McDonald, hamstring tear, 2-3 weeks

Nigel Lappin, ankle, on long term injury list, 2 weeks
Colm Begley, thigh, thigh strain, 2-3 weeks
Lenny Clark, corked thigh, 2-3 weeks

 

Regained Clark Keating (foot), Jason Roe (hamstring), and Ben Fixter (hamstring) this week.


10 Years Ago 
Back in 1997, an injury-stricken Brisbane made short work of the Hawks at the Gabba after losing to them earlier in the season when a Hawk youngster by the name of Brad Scott tagged reigning Brownlow Medallist Michael Voss out of the game. Revenge was sweet for the Lions, who were super efficient with their forward 50m entries with a 21.15 (141) to 11.5 (71) victory in Round 18.

Eighteen-year-old Daniel Bradshaw booted 7 goals while ruckman Matthew Clarke ran rival Paul Salmon off his feet.

Steven Lawrence and Justin Leppitsch both booted four goals, Jason Akermanis kicked three in his 50th senior game. Tristan Lynch was the Lions’ leading possession winner with 27 and Adrian Fletcher had 24, while Scott collected 17 for Hawthorn behind Richard Taylor (27), Shane Crawford (20) and Matthew Robran (20).

 

20 Years Ago
The Brisbane Bears played Hawthorn once in their debut season of 1987 – and just as well. The Hawks, a powerhouse of the decade who would go on to play in the Grand Final that year,  belted the struggling Bears 24.21 (165) to 11.4 (70) at Carrara, with Coorparoo product Jason Dunstall booting 11 goals himself against the new team from his old state. With Dunstall unstoppable on the lead and receiving perfect delivery from the reigning premiers’ midfield, the Hawks booted 7.3 to 1.1 in the opening term to end the game as a contest.

 

Source: Julie Rackstraw, Club Media Release  

 

KANGAROOS

The AFL and the Kangaroos could find themselves facing some resistance from Gold Coast based rugby team The Titans over the Kangaroos' deal to play games at Carrara. The NRL club has accused the AFL of "deliberate interference" with the rugby team also slated to play games at the ground. Michael Searle, the club's managing director, said the Titans could lose up to $1 million and accused the AFL of "pushing" the Kangaroos into the area to block plans to have the oval reconfigured into a rectangle for rugby games.

 

While the Titans are planning to shift to a new $100 million ground in 2008, Searle said the AFL's presence would decrease the capacity of the ground by up to 3000, costing the club money.  

 

Police are investigating a suspicious fire at the club's Arden Street HQ, which destroyed coaching offices and a players' lounge. Damage is estimated to be at about $150,000.

Detectives have declared part of the training ground a crime scene and are investigating possible links to a suspicious fire in May which destroyed a shed and two vans - one of which had been donated by veteran defender Glenn Archer. Also lost in the fire were some club records and training gear.

Preliminary reports suggest arson with investigators saying material was piled up and set alight. Important club records, football boots and training equipment are among the items lost in the fire.

 

Membership: Final 2006 tally: 24,624.

 

Ed Lower debuted this week

 
Injury Update:

Tim Hutchison, groin, indefinite
Glenn Archer, shoulder, 4-5 weeks
 
Source: Source: Melbourne Age & Matt Harrington, Club Media Release 

 

ST KILDA

Information gathered from the 2000 AFL draft camp now suggests that Justin Koschitzke's injuries may have a physiological explanation. According to an article in the Melbourne Age, while Kosi was a standout in many areas, his scores for peripheral awareness, reaction time, and decision making were well below the average of 5-6 out of 10. He scored 3 out of 10 for peripheral awareness, one out of 10 for his reaction time capabilities and two out of 10 for decision making. By comparison, Nick Riewoldt, who also attended the 2000 camp, scored 5 out of 10 for peripheral awareness.

 

While Koschitzke has had an unfortunate run of physical injuries, he was previously sighted for making contact with AFL umpire Shane McInerney last year and fined $2400. And Bulldog Giansiracusa, with whom he had his head-on collision this year, said he was surprised that Koschitzke did not see his side-on approach before the collision which fractured Kosi's skull.


Injury Update:

Raphael Clarke, quad, 2-3 weeks

Aaron Hamill, knee, 3-4 weeks.

Lenny Hayes, knee reco, season 

Fergus Watts, fractured ankle, 1-2 weeks

 

Xavier Clarke (hip) and Andrew Thompson (shoulder) both missed this week, but Jason Blake and Troy Schwarze (hamstrings) both returned to the lineup.

 

Source: afl.com.au, Melbourne Age & Georgie Fidge, Club Media Release

 

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Luke Darcy, Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Tim Walsh, Adam Morgan, knee, season
Shaun Higgins, elbow, 2-4 weeks
Brett Montgomery, calf, 2-4 weeks
Tom Williams, foot, 1 week
Daniel Giansiracusa, hamstring, 1-2 weeks

 

Source: Shaun Anderson, Club Media Release

 

SYDNEY
Injury Update:

Jarred Moore, thumb, 4-5 weeks

 

Source: Stephen Brassel, Club Media Release

 

RICHMOND

Injury Update:
Trent Knobel, ankle, 1-2 weeks

Will Thursfield  & Mark Coughlan, knee, season

Chris Newman, broken leg, season

Brent Hartigan, foot, 6 weeks

 

Source: Glynis Smalley, Club Media Release

 

GENERAL SILLINESS
With Saint Justin Koschitzke's horror run of injury and misfortune being well-documented, the sports humor site the Bladder couldn't resist having a bit of fun with it all. The completely made up and outrageous article tells how Kosi has signed a Hollywood contract for a Laurel and Hardy remake. Kosi will portray Laurel opposite Danny DeVito as Hardy and all Kosi has to do, according to the story, is do what he does anyway - fall down, walk into things, and generally hurt himself, then look surprised when it happens. The story caps off with a mention that VFL umpire Jason Krull (with whom Kosi collided last week) will play Hardy's boss who keeps walking backwards into Hardy's way.


  

On to the scores:

 

Richmond & Melbourne played for the Berry Street Cup this week, the 21st time the 2 teams have done so. the charity match, played this year at the MCG, supports Victoria’s largest independent child and family welfare organization. Berry Street Victoria has been protecting children and strengthening families in Victoria for over 129 years. Their focus is to increase life chances and choices for children and young people at risk, or who have experienced the trauma of family violence, child abuse and neglect. Every year, the foundation helps over  5,000 children, young people and families.

 

Source: Leigh Newton, Club Media Release

 

For those of you who defy sleep to listen to games, this from AFANA's Melbourne reporter, Johnson: there is a comedy footy-themed show called Before The Game which can be heard over the internet on Nova FM Melbourne. The show is aired on Channel Ten and simulcast at Nova's website https://www.nova100.com.au/nova100. Before the Game geneind out mrally starts at 6.30pm AEST (4.30am US eastern time) and goes for 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the starting time of Ten's Saturday night broadcast. 


Source: Johnson Leung, AFANA, Melbourne 

ADE      4.3    7.6     14.7   19.10 (124)
KANG     1.3    4.4      6.8    7.10 (52)
GOALS: ADE - Ricciuto 5, McGregor 4, Bode 2, Biglands 2, Thompson 2, Burton, 
Bock,  Stevens, Torney; KANG - Harvey 2, Grant, Thompson, Pratt, Hale, Swallow
BEST: ADE - McLeod, Goodwin, Ricciuto, Bassett, Massie, Johncock, McGregor, 
Doughty, Thompson, Stevens; KANG -Grant, Wells, Harris, Simpson, Harvey, 
Corey Jones, Brady Rawlings

UMPIRES: Donlon, James, Ellis

ATTENDANCE: 47,487 at AAMI Stadium

When BIglands goaled from the first bounce inside the first two minutes of the game, another thrashing seemed imminent, especially when Schwarze and Harding both missed shots on goal, with Harding's coming from almost point blank range after he picked off Johncock's kick-in. The Kangaroos were matching the Crows and tried to dictate terms by playing a possession game. But it backfired as the Crows simply waited out the Kangaroos and forced turnovers when the opportunity presented itself. Adelaide's first goal came as a result of one of those turnovers when Wells coughed up the ball in the middle.

Ricciuto marked and blasted home a crowd rousing goal from 50 meters out. Nathan Thompson finally got the Kangas on the board midway through the term as McLeod was shifted forward to mined the dangerous Wells. A free kick to McGregor brought up another Crow goal. Harvey then had a shot but missed, and again the Crows pounced at the kick in with Bode kicking to Ricciuto on a lead and he snapped another from 20 meters. The Crows maintained control through the remainder of the term, with Burton and Torney adding points, and the Kangaroos then rushing one to give Adelaide a 3 goal lead at 1/4 time.

 

Adelaide kept control throughout much of the 2nd term after Pratt opened with a goal for the Kangaroos. The tackling and pressure continued from the well-drilled Crows, who kept their cool in the face of the Kangaroos playing keepings off. Again,when the Kangaroos erred, the Crows were ruthless as a Sinclair turnover resulted in another goal to Ricciuto early in the term. The Crows had chances to bury the Roos as they continued to control the game with goals to Bock and Biglands extending their lead. The Kangaroos finally found enough cohesion and run for Grant and Hale to boot successive goals late in the term to cut Adelaide's lead to 20 points at 1/2 time.

 

The early stages of the 3rd term belied what was to come with the Kangaroos making the Crows work hard in the middle and the Crows simply riding the storm. It took almost 10 minutes before the first goal was scored - to Harvey to give the Kangaroos a sniff. Bode replied soon after, only for Harvey to bob up again. This time it was Burton who answered for the Crows and the floodgates opened as the Crows proceeded to demolish the Roos with the next 5 goals, two of them coming from frees to McGregor and the Crows were out to a 47 point lead at 3/4 time.

The hammering continued in the final term as the Crows added 5 goals to 1 to take a firm grip on top spot and celebrate Ricciuto's 300th in style. Roo thanked the supporters over the ground's public address system before being chaired from the field by close friends Goodwin and Burton.

 

For the Crows, McLeod (25) across half back was again brilliant as was Johncock (18/3) and Stevens (17/9). Bassett (24/7) was superb in defense also, while Goodwin (22) slowly worked his way into the game despite the attentions of Sinclair while Doughty stood out on a wing. In attack, Ricciuto (10 kicks 6 marks), Massie (21/3), McGregor (10 kicks, 6 marks), and Thompson (18/4) gave the Roo defense a torrid time.

 

For the Kangaroos, Brady Rawlings (27/7) shut down Edwards, while Wells (28/6), Harris (23/7), and Simpson (25/10) battled to keep up with the Crows. Grant 34/8), Harvey (29/14), and Corey Jones (23/9) did all they could in attack to keep the Roos in it.  


ESS    4.2    9.4    13.6    16.9 (105)
CARL   5.3    8.5    11.13   15.15 (105)
GOALS: ESS - Lucas 6, Stanton 2, Monfries 2, Lovett, McVeigh, 
Peverill, M. Johnson, Lee, Hille; CARL - Fevola 5, Betts 3, 
Koutoufides 2, Bryan, Simpson, Walker, Houlihan, Bannister
BEST: ESS - Lucas, Stanton, Peverill, Welsh, Hille, McVeigh, 
Lovett, Camporeale; CARL -  Fevola, Scotland, Stevens, Betts, 
S. O'hAilpin, Koutoufides, Simpson, Blackwell 

CHANGES: CARL - Wiggins (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Russell

UMPIRES: Schmitt, Margetts, Avon


CROWD: 49,181 at the MCG

 

Fevola celebrated his first goal and new status of fatherhood with a baby-rocking motion. But it wasn't long after that the game turned into the Lucas show as he threatened to become a one-man demolition squad. Whitnall had the job, but Lucas was simply too mobile and strong in the air as he constantly peeled off to lead hard and mark strongly. After Lovett missed several shots, Lucas turned on an absolute clinic as he marked just about everything coming his way to boot 3 goals in the space of 10 minutes as Essendon scooted out to a handy lead before Houlihan finally got on the end of a Fevola-Bentick pass.

Goals to Walker and and Betts gave the Blues a 5 point lead. The Blues attacked again with Waite finding Kouta but he was 45 meters out on a tight angle and missed. From the kick-in, the Blues recovered and Fevola goaled off one step from a ball up. Lucas goaled late to keep Carlton honest and a point to Simpson gave Carlton a 7 point lead at 1/4 time.

 

Mark Johnson goaled from a free kick to start the 2nd term and Houlihan's kick was touched on the line. Lee goaled a minute later to give the Bombers a 4 point lead. The lead was back in Carlton's hands when Simpson goaled soon after. The lead continued to see-saw as the momentum continued to shift back and forth, not to mention the turnovers. When Stanton goaled midterm, Essendon looked to be in control and did most of the attacking with Lucas still finding plenty of the ball and a goal from 35 meters out gave the Bombers a 10 point lead. But the Blues fought back and matched Essendon goal for goal with Koutoufides and Lucas kicking the last 4 goals of the term. Carlton could have snatched the lead, but some wayward kicking for goal and trailed by 5 points at 1/2 time.

 

Lovett and Stanton goaled early in the 3rd term to give the Bombers an 18 point lead, the biggest of the game and seemed to have the early running. Again Carlton refused to submit and began to gain the edge, but again wayward kicking was letting them down before Bryan finally nailed one from long range to cut Essendon's lead. Whitnall was moved forward and Thornton took over the job on Lucas.

Another miss to Carlton was followed by the Blues pressuring Welsh into rushing a point, then Waite's hurried kick hit the post. It was left to Fevola late in the term to goal, cutting Essendon's lead to 1 point. He goaled minutes later from another ball-up to wrench back the lead for Carlton. Simpson then missed and Peverill goaled to level the scores before Kouta kicked a point to give Carlton the lead once more. Essendon replied with McVeigh marking, then kicking a goal after the siren to put the Bombers 5 points clear at 3/4 time.

 

Carlton looked headed for another final term fade out when Monfries and McVeigh goaled early to give the Bombers another 3 goal break. Waite couldn't make any inroads with 2 straight misses. But a goal to Fevola brought the margin back to 10 points moments later.

 

Another rushed point and a Lucas miss made it a 2 goal difference. It stayed that way when Bannister and Hille swapped goals, but Betts kicked 2 in the space of a few minutes to level the scores. Carlton had one more chance when Betts got to the ball, only to have it smothered by Solomon with just seconds remaining. 

 

For Essendon, Peverill (30/9), Stanton (24/9), Lovett (16/5), and Camporeale (17) feasted on the ruckwork of Hille (27 hitouts), while Lucas (22/11) starred up forward and Welsh (30/8) and McVeigh (18/5) mopped up across half forward.

 

For Carlton, Kouta (20/4), Stevens (28) and Blackwell (19) cruised the midfield with support from Scotland (28/7) running from defense. Thornton restricted Lucas to just one goal when shifted onto to him and Sentanta O'hAilpin (15/5) was solid in defense, despite some skill errors - not unexpected from an emerging Irish recruit. Simpson (22/7) and Betts (8 kicks, 4 marks) provided great support in opening up space for Fevola (11 kicks, 7 marks), who is shaping as a warm favorite for the Coleman Medal.  


COL     3.3   10.7    12.11    19.13 (127)
WCE     5.5    8.8    10.11    13.12 (90)
GOALS: COL - Tarrant 4, O'Bree 3, Buckley 2, Egan 2, Fraser 
2, Holland, Davies, Didak, Thomas, Rocca, Swan; WCE - Seaby 3, 
Staker 2, Lynch 2, Kerr, Butler, Wirrpanda, McDougall, Braun, 
Waters
BEST: COL - Fraser, Buckley, Johnson, Egan, Holland, O'Bree, 
Tarrant, Prestigiacomo, Burns, H. Shaw, Thomas; WCE - Kerr, Judd, 
Embley, Seaby, Wirrpanda, Glass, Rowan Jones, Chick

INJURY: COL - Wakelin (hamstring); WCE - Hunter (knee)
Hunter will miss up to a month with a medial ligament strain

CHANGES: COL - Licuria (soreness) replaced in selected side by Davies; 
WCE - Hansen (illness) replaced in selected side by McDougall

UMPIRES: Kennedy, Nicholls, Goldspink

CROWD: 38,777 at Telstra Dome 

The difference in this match was the return of injured players Holland and Prestigiacomo and a return to form of Fraser, the much maligned Tarrant, and O'Bree. There was also the injury factor to the Eagles, not to mention the banishment of bad boy Michael Gardiner. With Cox out injured, it left the relatively inexperienced Seaby to face Fraser who relished the opportunity. And the entire Collingwood side seemed to regain the form which saw them get off to a flyer earlier in the season.

 

The Eagles enjoyed the better of the play in the opening term, but failed to make the most of their chances. Seaby and Egan kicked goals early, but then it became a high pressure game through the middle and it wasn't until midway through the term that another goal was posted. It came in the form of a 3 goal burst by the Eagles but the Pies hit back with 2 of the last 3 goals of the term, leaving the Eagles just 14 points in front at 1/4 time.

 

Three goals to the Pies through Buckley, Fraser, and Davies at the start of the 2nd term got Collingwood in front. Then it was West Coast's turn with Seaby booting two on either side of a Tarrant goal, then a screamer from Kerr wrenched back the lead for the Eagles, but Fraser and O'Bree ended the term with goals and it was Collingwood by 11 points at 1/2 time. The 7 goal to 3 2nd term was the Pies' best since their 7 goal 2nd term haul against the Bulldogs in Round 9.

 

The 3rd term was a low-scoring scrap as the Eagles challenged, only to be halted by the Pies. Butler's goal at the top of the term narrowed the Pie lead, but it was restored by O'Bree. Wirrpanda goaled, only to have Tarrant finish off the term to leave the Pies 2 goals up at 3/4 time.

 

The Eagles have pulled off some Houdini-like escapes this season, but when Tarrant, Didak, and Tarrant kicked successive goals to start the final term, it left the Eagles with little hope for a miracle comeback. Braun and McDougall booted goals around one to Buckley to give the Eagles a sniff, but it was all over when the Pies slammed home 3 of the last 4 goals.

 

For the Pies, Fraser (26 hitouts, 18/12) enjoyed one of his best games for the year, while Buckley (21/5) starred on a wing, Holland (17/5) provided grunt at the stoppages, and Egan (22/8), Burns (19/7), and O'Bree (15) drove the midfield. Johnson (24/5) and Heath Shaw (18/9) provided plenty of run out of defense, while Prestigiacomo was solid in defense and Tarrant (14 kicks, 11 marks) and Thomas (18/4) were dangerous in attack.  

 

For the Eagles, Judd (23) was at his best once more in the middle with support from Kerr (30) and Embley (21/7). Glass (16/4) worked hard at fullback while Wirrpanda (14)mopped up acroos halfback, and Rowan Jones battled across half forward. Seaby (24 hitouts, 15/4) ran himself ragged against Fraser.


SYD     4.3    7.8    12.13    14.17 (101)
RICH    2.0    4.6      5.9     7.11 (53)
GOALS: SYD - Grundy 3, O'Keefe 3, O'Loughlin 3, Hall 2, Goodes, 
Phillips, Buchanan; RICH - Schulz 2, Brown 2, Polo, Bowden, Meyer
BEST: SYD - Grundy, O'Keefe, J. Bolton, Grundy, Roberts-Thomson, 
Goodes, Kennelly; RICH - K. Johnson, Foley, Simmonds, Pettifer, Schulz

INJURY: SYD - Kirk (concussion)

CHANGES: SYD - Mathews (soreness) replaced in the selected side by Grundy 
(debut); RICH - Pattison replaced in the selected side by Rodan

UMPIRES: McBurney, Allen, Woodcock

CROWD: 28,371 at the Sydney Cricket Ground 

After the loss to the Eagles last week, Coach Paul Roos said the Swans could not win the premiership this year and there are some in the footy community who believe the team has lost the hunger and that total 'x' factor which took them to the ultimate prize last year. Early in the game, it looked like the Swans were set to play the type of game they love but which the AFL suits hate - a scrap with the Swans doing everything to choke the opposition. O'Keefe finally slipped away from Kellaway 5 minutes in to get the ball in space and register the first goal. It was another 10 minutes before the next goal was posted to Tiger Schulz, but O'Keefe again got away from Kellaway as the Swans cleared the ball out of defense and found him 50 meters out. The Swans were dominating play but the Tigers were stopping them in front of goal and when Schulz boomed one in from 50 the Tigers were within 3 points.  But late goals to Hall and first-gamer Grundy gave Sydney a comfortable 15 point lead at 1/4 time.

 

The Swans looked set to run away with the game when they kicked the opening 3 goals for a 32 point lead. O'Keefe continued to be a ball magnet, Goodes had the better of Polo, and then Hall chimed in for his only goal of the game. But the Tigers refused to lie down, and with Johnson and the rugged Foley working hard they were still a chance. They were still struggling in front of goal, but Brown goaled from 50 as did Polo after evading Goodes to cut the Swan lead to 20 points at 1/2 time.

 

Any chance the Tigers might have had was quickly snuffed out when White was pinged for running too far with the ball, setting up debutant Grundy for an easy goal from 35 meters. Grundy popped up again a few minutes later to make the Swan lead 32 points. The previously quiet O'Loughlin broke free for 2 goals and then 2nd gamer Phillips crumbed the ball off a pack at the edge of the goal square and the Swans were out to a massive 52 point lead. Patrick Bowden booted one after the siren, but the margin was still a hefty 46 points at 3/4 time.

 

The Tigers kicked the first two of the final term but the Swans answered in style to cap off the game when Buchanan pulled off a midair soccer kick reminiscent of Kangaroo Daniel Wells' Jackie Chan impersonation of a few years ago.  an Amon Buchanan World Cup soccer goal a highlight - and ran out easy winners.

 

The Swans had an even spread of contributors around the ground, with Goodes (16/9) leading out of the center, Kennelly (17/6) and Craig Bolton (14/5) charging out of the Roberts-Thompson led defense, and Jude Bolton ((24/6) and O'Keefe (19/11) busy in attack. While O'Loughlin (8 kicks, 7 marks) was quelled by Kellaway, the Swans may have found another forward gem in Grundy.(15 kicks, 7 marks) who buzzed around the forward line and always looked dangerous.

 

For Richmond, Simmonds (35 hitouts) had a day out in the ruck with Johnson (28/9) working hard in the middle. Schulz (7 kicks, 7 marks) and Pettifer (16/7) tried hard in attack as did Foley (16/5) in a forward pocket. Kellaway (16/6) did well in stopping O'Loughlin but the Swan defense restricted Richardson to just 7 kicks and 4 marks.  


BRIS   1.4    5.9    11.12    11.18 (84)
HAW    5.3    8.3    10.6     11.8 (74)
GOALS: BRIS - Bradshaw 4, Charman 2, Drummond, Moody, Power, 
Hooper, Brennan; HAW - Franklin 3, Williams, Bateman, Croad, 
Dixon, Vandenberg, Ladson, Hodge, Campbell BEST: BRIS - Power, 
Sherman, Voss, Black, Keating, Charman, Roe; HAW - Brown, 
Hodge, Ladson, Franklin, Mitchell, Sewell

INJURY: BRIS - Selwood (gluteal tightness); HAW - Williams 
(bruised ribs, corked hip)

CHANGES: HAW - Everitt (foot) replaced in selected side by Taylor

UMPIRES: Davis, Head, Meredith

CROWD: 26,738 at the Gabba 

The Hawks jumped a flat and dispirited looking Brisbane outfit - perhaps too distracted by the Akermanis off-field dramas. By midway through the first term, the Hawks had surged to a handy lead on the back of 5 unanswered goals, the first to Williams in the first minute of the game. Bateman followed with a clever goal and when Hodge shepherded through a long bomb from Croad, Hawthorn looked much the better side. Dixon and Vandenberg added a pair before Bradshaw finally put one through late in the term and Hawthorn was 23 points up at 1/4 time.

 

The Lions began to claw their way back into the game in the 2nd term with both sides going  goal for goal with Franklin roving a pack for an early shot. The Lions squandered a number of opportunities in front of goal. Rischitelli, Charman, Hooper, and Voss all missed gettable shots from well inside 50. Hawthorn made the better of its limited opportunities, but suffered a blow when Williams copped an accidental knee to the ribs from Michael and struggled for the rest of the match. Roe and Sherman were prominent in the term, kicking long out of defense while Power worked tirelessly in the middle.

Goals were few and far between early in the term with Drummond and Franklin kicking early shots. It wasn't until halfway through that the Lions posted one through Moody, only to have Ladson and Hodge reply 10 minutes later. Bradshaw and Power kicked late goals to put the Lions within 12 points at 1/2 time.

 

At the start of the 3rd, Keating took over the ruck duties, freeing Charman to move forward to provide a second option to Bradshaw. Young Hooper was also wreaking havoc with his fierce tackling and off the ball pressure to create opportunities for teammates. Keating proved a tower of strength in the ruck in the absence of the injured Everitt while Charman matched the Hawk efforts of Franklin and Campbell with 2 goals of his own. Hopper put the Lions even closer and was soon followed by 2 to Bradshaw, the second coming after a slick pass from Drummond and putting the Lions in front for the first time in the game. Brennan added one more to give the Lions a 2 goal lead at 3/4 time.

 

The final term turned into a low-scoring scrap with the only goal going to Franklin halfway through the term. Franklin was later penalized in a dubious decision for interfering with an opponent after a mark and the Lions hung on for the win.

 

For the Lions, Keating (25 hitouts) was excellent in his first game back from injury and provided plenty of strength around the ground. Charman (17 hitouts, 17/7) was also key. Power (38/8), Black (27/5), and Voss (27/6) were the usual suspects in the middle, while Roe (19/9)helped launch plenty of attacks from defense. Sherman (33/12) and Bradshaw (16/5) were twin towers up forward while Hooper (13, 5 tackles) put in an eye-catcher off the bench.

 

For the Hawks, Hodge (19), Mitchell (20), and Ladson (19) were handy in the middle, while Brown (23/12) and Sewell (19/5) battled hard in defense and Franklin (16) was lively in attack.  


GEEL    2.3    7.4    11.8    13.12 (90) 
WB      4.2    8.3    11.8    13.11 (89) 
GOALS: GEEL - Chapman 3, S Johnson 2, Ottens 2, Kelly, Egan, 
McCarthy, Rooke, Ling, Corey; WB - Johnson 5, Baird 2, Gilbee 
2, McMahon, Robbins, Harris, Grant
BEST: GEEL - Chapman, Scarlett, Ling, Rooke, Ottens, Corey, 
Enright, Hunt, Kelly; WB -  Johnson, Cross, Eagleton, Griffen, 
Gilbee, McMahon, Grant

UMPIRES: Stevic, McLaren, Chamberlain

CROWD: 39,417 at Telstra Dome

Both sides came to play and put on an awesome display of running, courage, pressure, and skill. McCarthy fired the first shot for the Cats, but the hard-running Dogs were soon on top with Baird and Brad Johnson hitting back. Then Harris stormed out of defense and unleashed a long kick from 50 meters out on a wing. Steve Johnson pulled one back for the Cats, but  the Bulldogs again showed harder running and more desperation. Ablett's chance was foiled when he was run down by a determined Griffen across half forward and the Dogs finished off with a goal to Gilbee to hold an 11 point lead at 1/4 time.

 

After Steve Johnson narrowed that lead at the start of the 2nd term, Baird was in the thick of the action for one of the many highlights of the game. He found himself trapped by 3 opponents hard up against a forward pocket boundary, threw the ball onto his boot, and watched dribble past a desperate Mackie lunge and over the goal line. Steve Johnson's next goal soon after was more straightforward and kept the Cats in touch.  Then it was Brad Johnson, who was giving Harley a torrid time, who fired twice for the Dogs to give them a 23 point lead. The Cats then fired back with 3 quick goals to Rooke, Ling, and Kelly before the Dogs put on another fine running display with Eagleton barreling down a wing and sending the ball to Robbins for a goal. Then Chapman took a big grab in the dying seconds and kicked a goal after the siren to put the Cats within 5 points at 1/2 time.

 

The Geelong resurgence continued at the start of the 3rd term with Chapman again in the thick of it to give the Cats a 1 point lead. Ottens then marked strongly and it was Geelong by 7 points. The hard running and desperation continued as both sides went at it hammer and tongs and the ball flew from end to end. McMahon's kick was marked by a diving Brad Johnson for a goal. At the other end, Steve Johnson's hurried soccer kick went through only for a point, and Brad Johnson missed at the other end. Ottens fared little better when his 50 meter punt fell short and was punched through. Brad Johnson stopped the run of misses when he marked and converted from 40 meters and put the Dogs 4 points in front. From the bounce, Bartel sent the Cats into attack where Chapman broke a tackle, kicked long and had the goal shepherded through by Ottens. Cats by 2 points.

The pressure cooker atmosphere went up several more notches without letup and by midterm, players from both sides looked exhausted but kept pushing at every turn. Griffen, Ottens, and Bartel blazed away for points. Ray missed 2 in succession before Egan marked and goaled to give the Cats a 7 point lead. Minson won the hitout with Eagleton snaffling the ball and again finding Brad Johnson on the lead. When Ray missed again, scores were level at 3/4 time.

 

The error count of the term is indicative of just how exhausted the players were and of the relentless pressure they inflicted upon one another. The Cats had 42 clangers and the Dogs had 34.

At the start of the final term, Harley was replaced by Scarlett on Brad Johnson to some effect and Grant was moved from the backline into attack for the Dogs. And it was the Cats who seized the early advantage with Ottens goaling from the bounce. Corey then missed, but followed up a minute later with another goal to give the Cats some breathing room. But the Dogs weren't finished as Morris earned a free and a 50 meter penalty in defense and the Dogs were away again with Eagleton and Boyd combining to find Gilbee, who cut the Cat lead to 7 points.

The sheer desperation and will to win overcame the obvious fatigue as both sides continued to fight. Whenever one side challenged, the other somehow found enough to stave off the attack. Midway through the term, the Dogs fought off a Cat surge and cleared the ball to attack where Brad Johnson swooped on to the contest for a goal to put the Dogs within a point. Mackie and Brad Johnson both had chances to give their side an advantage, but both missed from tight angles. Bulldog youngster McCormack leveled the scores with another point. And so it continued with Ottens, Grant, then Gilbee managing nothing but behinds to keep the scores locked up as the time ticked away and the defenses stood tall to repel opposition attacks. Then finally, with just over 1 minute remaining, Ottens marked a Cooney kick from 50 meters out. His shot went wide to give the Cats a precarious 1 point lead. With the seconds slipping away, the Dogs fought as hard as they could, but the Cats forced several stoppages and throw-ins to run the clock down.

 

For the Cats, Corey (28/4), Ling (25/10), Kelly (26/6), and Enright (32/6) led the midfield charge, while Scarlett (34/13), Rooke (22/7), and Hunt (23/3) stood tall in defense. Chapman

(17/8) and Steve Johnson (20/8) fired in attack.

 

For the valiant Dogs, Eagleton (24/3) and Cross (20/5) ran themselves ragged in the middle, while Johnson (18 kicks, 10 marks) was everywhere across half forward, and Gilbee (26/5) and Griffen (20) worked overtime across half back.  


STK    3.4     6.7    7.11     8.16 (64)
PA     0.2     2.5    6.10     8.12 (60) 
GOALS: STK - Gehrig 3, Riewoldt 2, Milne, Harvey, Blake; 
PA - PA - Mahoney 2, Motlop, White, Salopek, Pearce, K. Cornes, 
Ebert
BEST: STK - Dal Santo, Gram, S. Fisher, Voss, Goddard, L. Fisher, 
Harvey, Gehrig; PA - C. Cornes, K. Cornes, Symes, Lade, S. Burgoyne, 
Salopek

CHANGES: PA - Tredrea (knee) replaced in selected side by Logan

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Sully, Wenn


CROWD: 16,588 at Aurora Stadium

 

Port was at a clear disadvantage with the loss of Tredrea before the match, leaving them bereft of a reliable tall target while the Saints had no such problem with dynamic duo Gehrig and Riewoldt. Early on, it didn't seem to matter with both teams throwing players behind the ball and playing a scrappy brand of football which saw them miss targets and chip the ball around. Neither side could get an early break, with 5 points being kicked before Gehrig kicked long to Riewoldt for the first goal halfway through the term. Gehrig and Milne added the only other goals for the term to lead by 20 points at 1/4 time.

 

St Kilda was out to a 26 point advantage early in the second term, when Riewoldt kicked another. Port finally got their first goal through Motlop and a goal to Mahoney kept Port in the contest. But Harvey and Gehrig both goaled to give the Saints a 26 point break at 1/2 time.

 

Port came out a different side in the 3rd term with Lade dominating the ruck to give the likes of Burgoyne, Pearce, Symes, and Kane Cornes first use of the ball. They began to run the lines better and kicked 4 goals to 1 for the term to trail by just 7 points at 3/4 time.

 

The final term was marred by skill errors and several controversial umpire decisions. Blake opened the scoring with a goal early in the term. Then Thurstans took a great juggling mark while grappling with Saint defender Hudghton. It appeared both players were holding onto each other, but it was Hudghton who emerged with the free kick. Kane Cornes finally got a Port goal midway through the term. A few minutes later, Gehrig's kick for goal was ruled to have missed. Both sides wasted chances to seal the match with Gehrig missing on the run from just a few meters, then again from 45 out. When Ebert goaled with 2 minutes left, Port was just 5 points down. The biggest miss came after the siren. Motlop took a massive screamer over a pack just 25 meters out just before the siren. His kick after the siren missed, handing St. Kilda their first win over the Power since 2000.

 

For the Saints, Voss (25/14), Harvey (23/8), and Goddard (21/11) found plenty of the ball in the midfield, while Gram (21/11), Leigh Fisher (22/11), and Sam Fisher (28/18) helped starve the Port attack. Gehrig (9 kicks, 6 marks) and Riewoldt (13/7) combined well up forward.

 

For Port, Lade (33 hitouts, 12/6) continued his fine form in the ruck and around the ground, feeding the ball out to Shaun Burgoyne (24/6), Salopek (21/6), and Kane Cornes(33/10). Symes (33/17) and Chad Cornes (31/14) made the Saint forwards work for every touch. 


FRE     4.2    8.3    12.4    15.6 (96)
MELB    4.3    4.7    5.12    9.13 (67)
GOALS: FRE - Pavlich 3, Farmer, Crowley 2, Gilmore, 
Peake, Sandilands, McManus, Headland, Webster, Murphy, Schammer; 
MELB - Davey 3, Dunn, Robertson 2, Johnstone, Jamar
BEST: FRE - M. Carr, Hayden, Sandilands, Black, McManus Peake, 
McPharlin, Pavlich, Webster; MELB - Johnstone, McDonald, Yze, 
Green, Godfrey, Bruce, Carroll, Holland

CHANGES: FRE - Hasleby and Longmuir replaced in selected side by Black and Gilmore

REPORTS: FRE - Headland for striking Godfrey; MELB - Green for headbutting Crowley


UMPIRES: Vozzo, Ryan, Jeffery


CROWD: 36,244 at Subiaco Oval

 

In a fiery start, Headland was reported before the opening bounce for striking Melbourne's Simon Godfrey. And the Demons looked set to continue their winning ways when Dunn posted the first goal, but the Dockers replied quickly through Farmer. McDonald missed a chance to give the Dees the lead. Not so Robertson when he soared high over a pack to haul in yet another spectacular grab. His goal leveled the scores. Farmer got his second when Pavlich won a throw in contest. The Dockers continued to win the ball the out of the center with giant ruckman Sandilands constantly feeding the ball out to his runners. Peake and Gilmore both goaled to give the Dockers a 12 point lead late in the term, but the Demons reeled them in with the last 2 goals of the term to lead by a point at 1/4 time.

 

The second term belonged to Fremantle as Melbourne failed to register a goal while the Dockers added four of their own. Sandilands kick-started the term with a goal from the first bounce, and Pickett didn't help matters when he conceded a 50 meter penalty for a late bump on McManus, taking the Docker 10 meters to goal. Fremantle was controlling the midfield and continually pumped the ball forward. The Dees defended stoutly but it didn't stop Headland from marking strongly to goal. Green then let his frustration get the better of him, and headbutted Crowley, gifting Crowley a goal to give the Dockers a 20 point lead at 1/2 time.  In a tribute to the 1980s heritage round, a brief scuffle involving the entire squads of both teams broke out as they headed to the rooms. 

 

Melbourne needed a spark after the break and it was livewire Davey who supplied it just one minute into the 3rd term with the Dees' first goal since the opening term. But Fremantle held its grip on the match to kick 4 unanswered goals - 2 of them to Pavlich - for a 34 point lead at 3/4 time.

 

Goals to Murphy and Schammer blew the lead out to 47 points half way through the final term before the Demons finally got a bit of a run on to kick 4 of the last 5 goals of the game, but it wasn't enough to overhaul the Dockers.

 

For Fremantle, Hayden (21/5) was excellent as he restricted the dangerous Davey, while McPharlin (22/7) kept Neitz goalless. Sandilands (34 hitouts, 12/5) work went a long way to the win, while Black (31/6), McManus (22/7), Peake (27/8), and Webster (18/6) enjoyed an armchair ride from Sandilands dominance. Pavlich (13/6) gave the Demon defense plenty of headaches.

For Melbourne, White (17 hitouts, 16/8) and Jamar (11 hitouts) tried hard in the ruck, while Johnstone (29/7), McDonald (27/3), Green (24/11), and Godfrey (21/4) toiled in the middle. Yze (26/6), and Bruce (18/5) were best in a ball starved attack, while Holland (12/3) and Carroll (13/4) tried to stem the purple attack.

 


STANDINGS

            W     L    D    FOR     AGST        %        PTS  
ADE        14     2         1779     1032     172.38     56  
WCE        12     4         1539     1396     110.24     48  
MELB       11     5         1571     1386     113.35     44  
COL        10     6         1733     1495     115.92     40  
STK        10     6         1432     1240     115.48     40  
WB         10     6         1708     1506     113.41     40  
SYD         9     7         1514     1270     119.21     36  
FRE         9     7         1390     1484      93.67     36  

GEEL        8     8         1482     1432     103.49     32  
RICH        8     8         1289     1530      84.25     32  
BRIS        7     9         1425     1514      94.12     28  
PA          6    10         1437     1578      91.06     24  
KANG        5    11         1310     1606      81.57     20  
HAW         5    11         1287     1619      79.49     20  
CARL        2    13    1    1281     1690      75.8      10  
ESS         1    14    1    1370     1769      77.44      6 

GOALS
Brendan Fevola (CARL)  60 
Barry Hall (SYD)       50 
Brad Johnson (WB)      48 
Matthew Pavlich (FRE)  47 
Anthony Rocca (COL)    43 
Nick Riewoldt (STK)    43 
Mark Ricciuto (ADE)    42 
Daniel Bradshaw (BRIS) 41 
Nathan Thompson (KANG) 41 
Fraser Gehrig (STK)    41 

Source: Melbourne Age, afl.com.au,and
author notes from live broadcasts

Brisbane's Matthew Moody is the Round 15 Rising Star nominee, to be the Lions' 3rd this season behind Michael Rischitelli (Round 8) and Cheynee Stiller (Round 13). 

Named in Brisbane’s best, Matthew collected 22 disposals (18 disposals in the second half) and also kicked a goal in the Lions’ one-point win over the Kangaroos. His pace and consistent running played a big role in the win.

 

Matthew (20) is now enjoying consistency in the Lions’ senior line-up. He debuted in Round 6, 2005 and he while he was named an emergency 10 times, finished the year with six AFL matches. Last weekend was Matt’s twelfth AFL game in season 2006. 


Matthew was Brisbane's second round selection (23rd overall) in the 2003 Draft. He had a stellar junior career, representing WA at the 2002 and 2003 U18 championships and was vice-captain in 2003. He was a member of 2001 AIS-AFL Academy intake and was named an Under 18 All-Australian in 2002.

 

He hails from Kelmscott Junior Football Club in Perth and captained South Fremantle’s Under 18 side and played senior football for South Fremantle before relocating to Brisbane.

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release  

And that's it for this week.

GO BLUES!!

Lisa
AFANA
Chicago

Article last changed on Saturday, June 03, 2017 - 8:00 AM EDT


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