AFL Weekly Review Round 20 2006

AFL Round 20

At Football Park:

Port Adelaide  3.4    9.6    12.8    12.15.87

Collingwood    6.5   10.10   10.13   12.17.89

Exciting game, Pie Alan Didak slotting a major with 20 seconds to go to put Collywood ahead. Thus the Poise confirmed finals participation, missing out was a mathematical if not realistic possibility going in. Beforehand Power coach Mark Williams had claimed indifference to the result, even breaking a taboo by suggesting a loss would be preferable from a draft perspective. Typical ‘Choco’ bullpoo, the depleted Pooer tried hard. Flower fans will wonder about a last-quarter Danyle Pearce shot which the goal-ump decided had grazed the inside of the post. Wouldn’t have dislodged the bails. In selection Williams stuck to his agenda, sending last week’s match-winner Michael Pettigrew for shoulder surgery which didn’t appear pressing in Darwin. Michael Wilson tore a hammy chasing Brad Johnson last week and forward Damon White (‘flu) was a late withdrawal. In came Darryl Wakelin, long-absent midfielder Adam Kingsley and first-gamer Ryan Willits, a strapping young big man from St. Mary’s in northern Melbourne. Four changes for the Pies, they rested the struggling Chris Tarrant, explaining he had shin soreness. Simon Prestigiacomo missed with a bruised calf and Ryan Lonie with, er, something. Scott Pendlebury was dropped. Replacements were Shane Wakelin, Rhyce Shaw, Sean Rusling and Harry O’Brien. Bucks captained the Poise for the 154th time, breaking Syd Coventry’s club record.

The Scraggies revamped their heavily-criticized forward-line, as well as leaving Tarrant out form-lite Anthony Rocca started on the bench with Sean Rusling at full-forward. The Power, even weaker in attack without White, managed a coupla early behinds before Nathan Buckley’s cool play sent the ball into Shane O’Bree’s path, O’Bree gathered and slotted the opener. Port replied from a familiar move, a throw-in on the forward-flank which Brendon Lade flipped behind him, Shaun Burgoyne was there to collect the ball and spear it through. A rapid series of short passes ended with Tarkyn Lockyer booting a goal for the Poise. Port forward Josh Mahoney wasn’t paid a mark as he wrestled with O’Brien, a bit later Port’s Brett Ebert was awarded a free for holding at a throw-in, he converted. Port led by a point at this stage but they’d had the bulk of play, the Poise were more efficient in attack with Buckley’s skill creating the chances. Lockyer’s handpass sent Travis Cloke clear, he jogged along indecisively before finally curling a good kick for a goal. Buckley speared a pass onto the chest of leading Rusling, he goaled and the Maggies led by 12 points. Pie Paul Licuria was reported for tripping Jacob Surjan, a bit later Port man Chad Cornes collected Fatty Dew’s handpass and snapped a good goal under pressure. Buckley intervened again, passing to Lockyer wide, he centered the ball for running Heath Shaw to blast home from 50m. Buckley had a free-kick at the restart, he passed for speedy Rusling to mark ahead of Matthew Bishop and ‘Slinger’ booted his second goal, the Poise led by 17 points. Handy, although the Pies had a lost a coupla players already, Shane Wakelin with an ankle problem and O’Brien hurt his leg in a collision with team-mate Jason Cloke. The Pies moved further ahead in the early second stanza, Rusling marked on-the-lead again and chipped a pass for unattended Josh Fraser to mark and convert. Rusling himself booted the next goal, from Dane Swan’s pass. The Maggies led by 31 points and were cruising, but Malthouse made the mistake of bringing Rocca on. Suddenly the forward-line became a lot more static. Port moved Darryl Wakelin forward and discovered their own speedy, leading man in Brett Ebert. Ebert marked 50m out and passed for Burgoyne to boot a major. Rocca managed a mark but missed very poorly, soon Buckley emerged again and set up a Ben Johnson mark 50m out, he thumped a sausage. Poise by 33 points. At the restart Darryl Wakelin tumbled a kick forward, Burgoyne handpassed for Tom Logan to snap a goal. A bit later Wakelin marked 60m out and kicked into a ‘Pagan’s Paddock’ type-arrangement for Ebert to run onto the loose ball and stab it home. A superb burst of speed from Burgoyne saw him blaze past Pies and kick long, Ebert collected the ball and snapped another major. Soon Ebert made it three-in-row, out-marking junior opponent Sam Iles and punting the gap down to 11 points. Port had a run-on, Pearce won the ball at the restart and found red-hot Ebert again, his pass created a goal for Steven Salopek. Five unanswered goals for the Pooer and they trailed by 5 points. Bucks intervened, winning a free-kick for being slung to the ground and a 50m penalty when Surjan and Ebert argued about it. Bucks majored, Pies by 11 points at the long break.

The third term was a lot tighter. Collywood continued to struggle in attack, Rusling tired and Rocca lumbered while Alan Didak had been closed down by Dom Cassisi. At the other end the obvious move came, James Clement shifted onto Ebert. Rocca missed an early shot. A bit later Travis Cloke was caught in possession in the centre, from the turnover the ball went to Lade at CHF, he passed for leading Toby Thurstans to mark and punt a major. The Poise lead was down to 5 points. Lade was the key figure in the term, hovering around CHF while Dean Brogan did most of the ruck-work. Ebert missed with a roving snap before Lade held a good grab over Jason Cloke and centered the ball to Burgoyne, he dished a handpass for Kane Cornes to snap a sausage. That goal put Port ahead, by 2 points. A minute later Lade marked again at CHF and was coat-hangered late by Johnson, big Lade wasn’t happy about it and but was quite happy to boot a goal from the resulting 50m penalty. The Pooer led by 8 points. No majors in the remaining 10 minutes of the term, the Poise went goal-less in the quarter as Port led by 7 points at the final change. Goals continued to be rare as rocking horse poo into the last Mario. Port kicked points, including Pearce’s running shot which everyone but the goal-ump though a major - it’d just shaved the inside of the goal-post, apparently. Didak snapped a point for the Maggies. Fatty Dew hit the post with a free-kick, Heath Shaw’s kick-in was marked by Port’s impressive Greg Bentley but he missed too. Rusling kicked a point. There were four-and-a-half minutes to go and Port led by 9 points when the Poise attacked again, Buckley rode Troy Chaplin to take a very good grab and boot their first goal of the half. Soon Scott Burns had a golden opportunity to claim the lead for the Poise, but drilled it into the post from 15m, prompting Malthouse into headphone-hurling fury. Port attacked from the kick-in, Ebert’s high kick spilled from the pack but under-pressure Chaplin could only scramble a behind. The Poise went forward from that kick-in, Johnson roved the pack and handballed to Rocca, he lobbed a short pass for Didak to mark, 35m out on a 45-degree angle. With 20 seconds on the clock Didak converted calmly and wheeled away to give the Port supporters a one-fingered salute, for which he’s been fined. The Poise led by 3-points. Lade rumbled forward from the following centre-bounce and launched a long bomb - it missed. The siren was greeted with much jubilation by Poi fans.

Superb ball-use and fantastic dying-minutes grab from Nathan Buckley (26 disposals, 9 marks, 2 goals), the former Port man’s every touch booed heartily. Youngster Heath Shaw (33 touches, 11 marks, a goal) continued his fine season and Ben Johnson (30 disposals, a goal) was good. Apart from those three the Poise had honest contributors with Brodie Holland (29 possies), Paul Licuria (27 handlings) and Tarkyn Lockyer (16 touches, 9 marks, a goal). Sean Rusling (7 marks, 8 kicks, 3 goals) showed much ability although he tired after half-time. Port were driven along by the midfield group of brilliant Shaun Burgoyne (28 disposals, 2 goals), Kane Cornes (29 touches, a goal) and ruckman Brendon Lade (16 possies, 9 marks, a goal) again. Brett Ebert (7 marks, 15 kicks, 4.3) was a dangerous forward, Dom Cassisi did well on Didak (until the very end) and Steven Salopek (24 touches, a goal) wasn’t bad. Mark Williams said "Obviously we were disappointed to lose, but the boys fought it out. There was a position where we could have been a long way down. Unfortunately, Surjan hurt his shoulder, which didn't help us. Both sides had some injuries and you had to cope with it and get on with it. It was pretty close and obviously they are right up the top of the ladder, so it was a good indication to our players that they are on the move and moving forward, which is good to see." Mick Malthouse had calmed down by the press conference. “It’s a great thing to win the game in the end. We were pretty good early, faded away, but don't under-estimate Port. We were hurt badly by losing two key backs early in the match . . . in modern football you lose a lot of flexibility. I thought we almost went into a shell and thought, 'we've had the lead, they've come back at us but we'll get it back'. Perhaps we were taught a lesson in the third quarter."       

At Kardinia Park:

Geelong  5.3   7.4   11.5   14.6.90
Sydney   3.1   6.2    7.4    9.9.63

It was all what coodabeen with Geelong’s seventh victory in the last ten games, and an impressive one over an in-form finals participant. If the Pussies hadn’t lost seven of the first ten things might’ve been different. I don’t know what sacked fitness advisor Loris Bortolacci (sic) did at Geelong but the Catters are trying to blame the entire season on him - now they reckon he leaked the Cats’ game plan to other clubs. Jeelong came in here still with a chance to make the eight, needing the Bulldogs to be beaten, heavily, by the Cows in the simultaneous game at the ‘G. Things didn’t work out in that regard. The Swans lost because the Cats stopped their forwards, but Roosy wasn’t overly concerned. They won’t be playing the Pussies again and Siddey’s last two games are at home to Brisbun and the Bluesers, probable percentage-boosters both. In selection the Catters regained Jarad Rooke and Jimmy Bartel and called up Kane Tenace and Tom Lonergan. Peter Riccardi was out for the final time with his strained hamstring while David Wojcinski, Henry Playfair and Mark Blake were dumped. The Swans made no change.

The key factor in the Cats’ win was Matthew Scarlett’s ability to stop Barry Hall, while important efforts also came from Jarad Rooke on Adam Goodes and Darren Milburn against Ryan O’Keefe. The expected tough, pack-bound contest started that way, several minutes elapsed before Brad Ottens climbed on Jude Bolton (kneeing him meatily in the head) to mark Mooney’s centering kick and boot the Cats’ first major. Mooney managed to hit someone again, Amon Buchanan in the stomach. He’s not very bright, really. Got two weeks, bringing his season to premature end. Luke Ablett, playing well for Siddey at the home of the Abletts (it’s Drouin really, but you know) drove a long kick  which eluded the pack and lurking Heath Grundy snaggled a goal. Ottens kicked another goal, again set up by Mooney, and Tom Lonergan crept to the goal-square for an easy mark and tap-through. Pussies by 14 points but first-quarter specialist Grundy bagged another goal for the Swans, Luke Ablett doing very well to set him up again. Late in the term Cat David Johnson crashed into a pack and got a handball away for Brent Prismall to boot a very good sausage, Cats by 14 points at the first change. Jimmy Bartel used a free-kick to slot a terrific goal from the boundary-line early in the second and the Katz led by 20 points. Scoring became difficult, Swan Jude Bolton managed full points with a flying snap after collecting Nick Malceski’s handpass. The meedya’s favourite cowardly Cat Josh Hunt replied with a low dribbly-kick for a major and the Catters were still 20 points ahead. The Bloods tied up the game and pegged ‘em back late, Ryan O’Keefe marked strongly against Scarlett and booted a sausage, Ted Richards stayed down at a contest and watched two Cats spoil each other, Richards collected the Sherrin and booted truly. Ottens sliced a free-kick on-the-full and the Cat lead was down to 8 points at half-time.

Despite no contribution thus far from Hall or O’Loughlin and a modest one from Goodes, the Bloods appeared to be grinding the Katz down in the third term. Early in the third ruckman Darren Jolly tapped smartly at a throw-in, Nic Fosdike handballed and O’Loughlin bagged a goal with his third touch. The Cat lead down to 2 points and it got down to a point, the Siddeysiders starting to control the game. The locals were a-feared but had relief just before time-on, Steve Johnson led to mark Milburn’s pass and boot a goal. A bit later Swan Malceski kicked poorly when switching play at half-back, Paul Chapman intercepted and handballed for running Mooney to thread it through from a tight angle. Ottens, in the ruck now, kicked long and David Johnson hurled himself backwards into a pack for a fantastic grab, on the ground he handballed for Gary Ablett to run clear and slam a sausage. The run-on wasn’t finished, at a throw-in Steve Johnson was caught high by Buchanan and free-kicked a goal after the siren, the Katz had jumped to a 25-point lead at three-korter-time. The Swans loomed again, early in the final stanza O’Keefe kicked into attack and the loose ball was collected by Grundy, he handballed for O’Loughlin to bag a major. Prismall and ‘Captain’ Kirk missed shots for their respective sides before Joel Corey drove a long punt towards Ottens, Rooke roved the contest and slotted a tight-angle goal. Catters by 25 points again. A minute later Ottens free-kicked a major, shepherded out of a contest by Goodes, and the Pussies were home with a 31-point margin now. A superb run from Goodes through the centre of the ground led to an O’Loughlin mark and goal, nudging Harley under the ball but O’Loughlin’s free-kick miss with 4:30 remaining ended any Swan hope. A good pass from Prismall enabled Corey to sink a long, running punt for six points to end the day on a high for the Katz.      

Terrific effort from Jarad Rooke (18 disposals, a goal) against Goodes, who was still a good player for Siddey. Matthew Scarlett kept Hall goal-less and to 6 touches, with help. Darren Milburn (20 touches, a goal) was good against O’Keefe and up forward Paul Chapman (24 possies, 8 marks) and Cameron Mooney (11 marks, 14 disposals, a goal) played well. Joel Corey (26 touches, a goal) was his consistent self in midfield. Brad Ottens (3 marks, 6 kicks, 3 goals) played a solid game, Steve Johnson bagged 2 goals. Luke Ablett (20 disposals) continued his fine recent form from a wing for Siddey and Ryan O’Keefe (16 disposals, 2 goals) ran about to decent effect, Adam Goodes (28 possessions) still played well, especially after half-time. Amon Buchanan (18 handlings) and Jude Bolton (17 touches) battled away midfield, Darren Jolly rucked solidly. Mick O’Loughlin finished with 3 goals and Heath Grundy 2 - both in the first quarter, again. Paul Roos said "They (Geelong) have been in pretty good form and I watched them play last week and when they get an even contribution from all of their players - which they did today - they're a good side. I think they played particularly well and when they are playing like that - I think everyone knows they are a good side - it's just that they've had an indifferent season, but they've got some quality players that played well today." ‘Bomber’ Thompson was asked about the finals yet again. "It's not that frustrating because I'm very much used to it. I think about it and now I'm over it. I'm just looking forward to playing Melbourne next week here and then Hawthorn and then probably going on holidays for a little while, then looking forward to 2007. I haven't been talking about finals, I thought we blew our chance last week against St Kilda."

At the MCG:

Footscray  3.4   5.5    11.7     16.9.105
Adelaide   1.4   6.11   10.12    14.14.98

Terrific win for the Bulldogs in a great game. ‘Rocket’ Eade called it the best win he’d been involved with . . . since the last time he said that in round 13. The Camrys seemed in control, leading by 5 goals halfway through the third quarter but the Dogs fought back strongly. The four points ensured finals footy for the Dogs, something maybe in jeopardy with the Dawgs’ tough run home and the Catters beating Siddey. Aderlayed’s loss cast more doubt over their credentials as premiership favourites. They’re still under-strength but the Crobots had the game in hand, then suddenly went all keepings-off and defensive, surrendering control and momentum. Poor tactics. The effects of the recent hard training were raised again, although Neil Craig said the Cows had ‘rested’ last week. According to Eade the Bulldogs had 24 fit players to choose from, the side here without Nathan Eagleton (hamstring) and the dropped Kieran McGuiness, replaced by Cameron Wight and debutant midfielder Dylan Addison from the St. George club in NSW. Mixed news for the Cressidas, Mark Ricciuto, Ben Hart and Rhett Biglands returned but Nathan Bassett (bruised hip) and Ken McGregor (hamstring) missed out. Hayden Skipworth was also into the side, juniors Ivan Maric and Jason Porplyzia were dropped.

A rare visit to the ‘G for the Cows, the fixture recalling the preliminary finals of ’97 and ’98. A contrast in styles early as the Dogs attempted to run the ball, the Camrys had defenders Ben Rutten and Nathan Bock stationed deep in attack and kicked long to ‘em. Ricciuto started on the bench as the Camrys dominated early but lost Skipworth with a    . After Bock missed a shot and a rushed Corolla behind the Dogs scored some quick goals. Scott West, Will Minson and Adam Cooney scrambled the ball forward, Brad Johnson scooped it up in the goal-square and snapped it through. Sam Power drove the ball long, Farren Ray marked 20m out, with handy shepherding from Minson, and booted truly. Matty Robbins caught Hart in possession but missed with the resulting free-kick, the Bullies led by 12 points. Matthew Bode free-kicked the Camrys’ first goal, taking the shot for groggy Bock after he’d been clobbered head-on by Dale Morris. But the Dogs replied quickly, some hard running from Cooney and handballs exchanged with Ryan Griffen ended with Cooney booting a great running goal. The latter stages of the quarter saw the game tighten, a tumbling Ricciuto punt bounced through for a behind and a long shot from Rhett Biglands hit the post, Robbins missed two shots for the Dogs including a poster. Bullies by 12 points at the first break. The Camrys began to impose their will after korter-time, rebounding strongly off half-back through Graham Johncock, primarily. Bock booted an early goal, Nathan Van Berlo and Scott Welsh missed shots as the Dogs’ lead was cut to 3 points. The Dogs responded, Cooney’s good tackle forced the ball loose, Griffen bounced out of a tackle and his quick snap bounced through with (illegal) shepherding from Power. A bit later Scott Welsh was in front to mark Shirley’s quick kick from a ball-up, Welsh converted and it was 3 points the diff again. A rapid Camry rebound saw Michael Doughty kick long, Trent Hentschel clutched a good goal-mouth grab and played-on to jab it through, the Coronas led by 3 points. The Cows cleared the restart, Hentschel gathered the loose pill at half-forward and snapped a great sausage. The Dogs replied, some bumbling by Minson forced the ball forward, eventually he handballed for Cooney to boot a goal. The Camrys weren’t cashing in on a good spell, Hentschel marked on a tight angle but missed with a banana-kick, the Dogs messed up the kick-in as Brian Harris fumbled but the Cows scored another behind. Late in the term Bock gathered the ball wide on the flank and stabbed a smart low pass for leading Bode  to mark, he majored and the Camrys led by 12 points at the long rest.

Addleaid skipped clear in the early third Mario, from the centre-bounce Hentschel booted another major. Johnson bagged an answering goal for the Dogs, courtesy good roving handballs from Power and Shane Birss. On went the Crobots, with Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards and a midfield Ricciuto featuring ominously. Bully ruckman Peter Street tripped Marty Mattner, his free-kick was delivered to leading Welsh who marked and converted. Poor ‘ol Streety was involved in the next Camry goal, he won the ball with a great smother but was then pushed off his own kick, Mattner punted the ball forward and after some handballs Hentschel snapped truly. The Camrys led by 24 points, Ricciuto won the following centre-clearance and Edwards led for an easy grab and major - Cows by 30 points. Fantastic end-to-end running from Johncock wasn’t rewarded as ‘Stiffy’ missed his shot, but the croweaters were in full control. The Pups got a major against the run, Camry Scott Stevens was whacked in the head in the build-up but the umps ignored it, Smith’s smart handpass allowed the hard-workin’ Cooney to steer a major. A bit later Ray did well to get the ball to leading Johnson 50m out, his long kick to the ‘square was marked by Smith, nudging out his man. Smith converted and the Dogs trailed by 19 points, their supporters finding some voice. The Cows started to go all-defensive, chipping the ball around in the backline, slowing the game and declining to attack - a dubious strategy which invites the opposition to attack. The Bulldogs obliged. Rugged play from Matthew Boyd won the ball for Footscray, Daniel Cross punted forward under-pressure and Cooney, who’d run ahead of the play, marked and blasted an easy sausage roll. A minute later Boyd booted the Bullies into attack again, a handy bounce saw the ball elude Camry defenders and lob into Smith’s arms, his left-foot snap brought full points. Four straight Doggy goals had narrowed the gap to 6 points, a minute later Edwards’s slip allowed Cam Faulkner to find Johnson on-the-lead, Johnno thumped it home to level the scores. Griffen’s long behind had the Pups ahead by the final change. The Dogs carried the momentum into the final term. Robbins pursued the ball doggedly into the pocket and drew a push in-the-back from Kris Massie, Robbins free-kicked a major. Cross won the ball from the restart, his kick dropped into space and Camry hero Andrew McLeod showed a clear lack of cojones as he pulled away from oncoming Robbins, whose handpass allowed Boyd to boot a running major. Seven goals without reply from the Dogs now, they led by 13 points. The Camrys woke up, Ricciuto marked 60m out and booted to the ‘square where, inexplicably, Welsh was alone. Easy sausage. Now the Dogs slowed the game down and played possession footy. Robbins kicked a goal with a great mark against opponent Johncock, the Camrys replied with a good move completed by Hentschel’s pass to leading Bode, he converted. The Dogs were tackling hard but the Cows worked the ball into the clear with handball, Biglands slotted a great (if ar5ey) goal from the boundary-line and the Dogs’ lead was down to 2 points. A minute later Ricciuto’s long pass found Biglands marking on the flank, dopey Street ran in and harassed him, an automatic 50m penalty. Biglands goaled, Addleaid led by 4 points and remorseful Street was benched. The Puppys weren’t to be denied though, great rebound running from Cooney and foot-to-the-floor Johnson got the ball to Jordan McMahon, his long shot bounced home for full points, over and around desperate Hart and Johncock. Dogs by 2 points, Welsh missed a snap for the Cows and the Dogs bumbled about for a few minutes clinging to their one-point lead. Cooney snapped a goal right on the siren and oh boy, the Puppies and their supporters were very happy.    

Adam Cooney’s had a patchy season for the Bulldogs but he was fantastic here, running hard all day for 33 disposals, 10 marks and 5 goals. Scott West, dare one say a robotic runner, bobbed up everywhere for a personal-best 45 possessions. Elsewhere Brad Johnson (20 touches, 6 marks, 3 goals) was very good again and Daniel Cross (31 disposals) and Matthew Boyd (29 touches with 20 handballs, a goal) were solid on-ballers. Running backman Jordan McMahon (23 possies, a goal) played well and Sam Power (14 touches) was good on Ricciuto, was a bit tough too. Rohan Smith and Matty Robbins kicked 2 goals each. For the Camrys Graham ‘Stiffy’ Johncock (27 disposals) was a key running player, especially in the first half, while Andrew McLeod (25 touches) and Simon Goodwin (35 handlings) were prominent. Up forward Trent ‘Potential’ Hentschel (7 marks, 11 kicks, 4 goals) was always dangerous, Matthew Bode too (16 touches, 3 goals), while Scott Welsh (8 marks, 10 kicks, 3 goals) is showing good signs. Tyson Edwards (27 possies, a goal) gave his usual professional effort, Rhett Biglands kicked 2 goals. The Camrys mistake was to let the Bulldogs up off the floor. The Cows’ve lost three of the last four now, with a Showdown next week. "Our challenge now is to get back in the next two weeks to the level we want to take into the finals,"  said Craigy. "We need to improve significantly in the finals and it's important we use the next two weeks to play the kind of football we know we can play. We have put some good periods of play together in the last two weeks but it's our ability to be consistent with it that needs to be looked at . . . At one stage we did lead by five goals and not that I think we got complacent but you would like to think you could hold them out." Eade said "I said after the West Coast game that it was probably the best win I've been involved with, but I think this probably goes past it, at home-and-away level, even when I was playing. I think today we had 24 fit players to pick from, against the best team in the competition, who were on the rebound. To be five goals down, then to get back and win it, was just full credit to the guys. It was a fantastic effort."

At Docklands:

Essendon   3.2    6.6    9.14   15.16.106
Hawthorn   8.5   16.7   18.8    19.10.124

James Hird’s Tribute Game didn’t go so well, his Bombers blown off the ground in the first half. Last week Hirdy announced he’d be playing on next season - because the Dons can “win a premiership”. Guffaws all around. The Hawks’ game was very similar to last week, setting off at a furious pace they were apparently on the way to a huge win by half-time, but dropped off sharply in the second half and were in slight danger of losing in the final minutes. The quality of the opposition over the past fortnight may’ve been modest, but the young Hawks are on their way. The Bommer side had Dean Solomon return and Dean Rioli was recalled for AFL game 99, the Dons’ll get him to 100 before the end of the year when Rioli will retire. They replaced Jay Nash (foot injury) and Scott Camporeale (calf strain). One change for the Horks, Jarryd Roughead returning at the expense of youngster Beau Dowler. Beforehand John Barker announced his retirement, the gutsy key position man who’s been cut down by injuries played 167 games in 13 seasons, starting with Fitzroy in 1994 and moving on as one of the ‘select 8’ with Brisbane, then Horforn.

Hird’s tribute game involved lots of kiddies wearing no. 5 guernseys, who got in for free. Extra tribute took place at a lavish function Sunday night. The Hawks focused on the task at hand, playing-on at every opportunity with lots of running handball, going at a fearsome pace. Very Bulldogs. Trent Croad lined up in defence again, on Scott Lucas. Horc Tim Clarke roved a pack to bag the opening goal and a bit later Robert Campbell’s great tap at a ball-up allowed skipper Richie Vandenberg to snap the second. Promising Don spearhead Courtney Johns sprayed a chance out-of-bounds, ignoring unmarked Hirdy. No! A superbly weighted handpass from Luke Hodge allowed Chance Bateman to collect the ball at speed, accelerate some more and boot a terrific running goal, the Hawkers led by 18 points. The Bommaz won the ball away from the restart and went wide, Jobe Watson marked and passed to Gus Monfries to boot the Dons’ first major. Goals alternated a bit, Roughead converted from a mark on-the-lead to Vandenberg’s pass, Don Damien Peverill majored from a mystery free-kick, Roughead bagged another goal from a free, off-the-ball holding against Mark Johnson. Hawks still by 18 points, they put a spurt on late in the term. Grant Birchall ran from the back and kicked long, Lance ‘Bluddy’ Franklin roved his own contest and bagged a six-pointer. Rebounding Croad passed to Shane Crawford, Crawf played-on, sold a nice dummy to round Jason Johnson and wobbled a very good runnin’ sausage. Hawk tagger Brad Sewell had a free at the restart, a handpass to Bateman and leading Mark Williams accepted the ball, he majored. Hawks by 36 points, but just before the first break a solid Dean Solomon tackle and Mark McVeigh’s pass set up a mark and goal for Rioli. Horcs by 32 points at the first change, the margin expanded rapidly with Ben Dixon booting three goals in the first three minutes of the second stanza. The first came from a lead-and-mark to Hodge’s speared pass, the third a doubling-back mark of Crawford’s long kick and tight-angle hook-through. Blinked and missed the second. Campbell Brown and Birchall combined to send the Orcs forward again, Franklin won a free against Dustin Fletcher for holding and booted another. Just to compound things for the Dons, Fletcher hurt his delicate hamstring in the contest and his night (and season) were over with Horforn leading by 57 points. Johns retreated to full-back and the Bombouts managed to stem the flow, unselfish work from Lucas allowed Hird to dribbly-snap a goal. A bit later Andrew Welsh sent his free-kick wide to Mark Johnson, he did well to find Brent Stanton for a mark and major. The Hawks began to run out of puff now and the game slowed, to the Dons’ benefit. The Hawks still played the better footy, Hird wellied an aimless kick from defence straight to Brent Guerra, he placed a very good kick for Rick Ladson to grab and punt through from 10m. Quickly Roughead snapped a sausage, roving Williams’s big speccie attempt. Shoulda been an Essadun free-kick there. Williams stayed down at the next contest and sure enough he got to bag the rover’s goal this time, the Horks led by 62 points. Lucas banana-kicked a major for the Dons after marking Lovett-Murray’s long kick by the goal-post, but Vandenberg sent the Orcs forward from the restart and Franklin held a strong grab at the head of the pack, he majored. Horforn led by 61 points at half-time.

The Bommers came out with some energy after half-time, but wasted a good spell with 3.8 in the third Mario. David Hille punted them forward from the opening bounce, Lucas shoved Croad aside for a mark and goal. Lucas proceeded to lead hard, mark well and kick appallingly, he booted three behinds in the next five minutes. Mark Bolton kicked one too and McVeigh missed a set-shot. Finally Hird roved a pack and handballed for Watson to snap truly. The Bummers were trying hard, forcing the Horks into errors with committed chasing and tackling. Bateman fumbled under such pressure and McVeigh passed to Lucas again, this time the big left-foot galumpher kicked straight and the Horks led by 40 points. The Don crowd fired a bit as Hird snapped on-the-full and was roughed-up by Brown, Jason Johnson elbowed Sam Mitchell in the orchestras as Essadun responded to adversity in their traditional way. Horforn replied with two quick goals,    Vandenberg popped it through to cap off some snappy handballs, then Birchall exchanged handpasses with Clarke and kicked long, Franklin held a very good mark on the point-line and banana-ed it through. The Hawks led by 48 points or exactly eight goals at the final break. Vandenberg expanded it to nine early in the final stanza, with a free-kick after Solomon dropped his knees into the prostrate Hawk. That was Horforn’s final goal of the game as the Dons ground steadily closer. Lovett-Murray lined up a shot from 40m but Hird and Hodge altercated downfield, causing the ump to reverse the kick and give it to Hodge. The ball came back quickly and Hird’s pass found Monfries for a mark and goal, after which Hird, Hodge and Brown engaged in discussions. McPhee and McVeigh combined at the restart to deliver the agget to Lucas, he converted. Mark Bolton lurked behind the pack to collect Stanton’s long kick and boot a major, Rioli postered with a shot. A minute later Rioli’s long-kick was goal-bound, Hird elected to mark it in the goal-square and boot the sausage himself. Hodge had dived late to spoil (successfully, I thought) and again Hirdy told Hodge all about it. What a fine example to the myriad kids sporting Hirdy’s number. “Dad, why is James Hird yelling ‘café’?” The Horc lead was down to 30 points at this stage and after Monfries booted another major it was 24 points the diff, with six-and-a-half minutes remaining. The Hawkers went into shutdown mode, but still the Dons came closer. A slow and laborious build-up, featuring Peverill a coupla times, ended with McVeigh snapping truly. 18 points and 4 minutes was the equation, Jason Johnson and Hird collaborated to win a centre-clearance and Lucas was awarded a debatable mark. True to form, he missed the shot and the Hawkers hung on.

The Hawks’ running midfielders were all very good, Richie Vandenberg (18 disposals, 3 goals) playing very well with Shane Crawford (29 touches, a goal), pack-scouting Sam Mitchell (34 possies, 13 marks) and pacy Chance Bateman (25 disposals, a goal) all handy. Grant Birchall (23 touches) was good too. Luke Hodge (34 disposals, 12 marks) orchestrated from half-back again, also played on Hird for most of it. Twin youth spearheads Lance Franklin (9 touches, 3 goals) and Jarryd Roughead (9 touches, 4 marks, 4 goals) served notice of their potential, Campbell Brown (21 handlings) provided some grunt. Ben Dixon (6 marks, 7 kicks, 3 goals) fired for a bit, Mark Williams kicked 2 goals. James Hird (29 disposals, 2 goals) was probably the Dons’ best on the night, although like all Dons he had a quiet first half. Jobe Watson (21 disposals) worked hard and Brent Stanton (27 possies, a goal) was okay, Scott Lucas (11 marks, 15 kicks, 4.4) could’ve kicked straighter. Gus Monfries (17 touches, 3 goals), Jason Johnson (23 touches) and Ricky Dyson (16 disposals) were alright. Sheeds conceded the Hawks had a clear edge in leg-speed, and went on to say "When you know what the opposition will be thinking about, you'd be saying, 'well we've got to get out here and play well in the first quarter'. At least start to get some sort of balance in the game but it wasn't to be. Full credit to them. But I'm glad we actually come back and made a severe game of it at the end. We showed a bit of character but (it was) not very smart to go out and play like that in the first half." Al Clarkson said "We were able to mount enough scoreboard pressure in the first half that meant that it was going to be tough for them to get back from there. It was Hirdy's testimonial and I was expecting Sheedy to give them a fair bake at half time. They really had a good reason to play well tonight. Our boys ran so hard in the first half and it was a real credit to them that they got the reward."

At Subiaco:

Fremantle   6.4   9.5   14.10   17.12.114
St. Kilda   2.1   2.4    5.8     7.14.56

No, the ladder isn’t upside-down. Purple haze! Docker magic! Get on the bandwagon! Seven in-a-row and top four beckons for the outta control Shockers, facing A HUGE Derby next week. A few injuries here were the worst aspect of a great win, hamstring twinges for Farmer, Hayden and Daniel Gilmore. Not what’s needed. The Saints were quite awful, absolutely hopeless in midfield and with nothing across half-forward as Nick Riewoldt inexplicably galloped all over the place. What is Thomas doing? There’s an argument the Saints have slipped since last year, their fans always point to the injuries. More of them here too, for Jason Gram and Andrew Thompson. One change to the Freo side here, backman Antoni Grover replacing Ryan Murphy (foot). The Saints had Steven Baker and Leigh Fisher back from suspension and injury, respectively, they replaced Cain Ackland and the dropped James Gwilt. Stalwart Sainter Justin ‘Frankie’ Peckett played his 250th game, a great effort. As commentator Tim Lane noted, Peckett started playing before the Dockers existed. 

Some history to this fixture of course, the siren fiasco in Launceston earlier this year, Justin Longmuir’s after-the-siren winner in Perth last season and before that Aaron Hamill’s controversial free-kicked behind to decide the game, again in Tassie. Prior to this one there’d been plenty of rain in Perth and the Sooby surface was damp and shifting. Blonde Sainter Barbie Nick Riewoldt lined-up on-the-ball while Brett Voss was at half-forward, again ruckman Michael Rix started at CHB. Folks had thought Gehrig-baiter Antoni Grover would pick up the Stainer full-forward, but he didn’t, Luke McPharlin was at full-back. The Saints started well enough, good combination between Rob Harvey and Riewoldt got the ball 45m from goal, whereupon Justin Koschitzke was awarded an off-ball free-kick for holding against Grover. ‘Kosi’ converted. A bit later good work from the busy Sam Fisher set up a juggling with-the-flight mark for Riewoldt, he drilled a good kick through and the Sainters led by 12 points. The high point of their night. Justin Longmuir got the Dokkers moving, he tumbled a rolling, inswinging kick for a goal after Matty Pavlich extracted the ball from a pack. Freo skipper Peter Bell ran from defence, exchanged passes with Steven Dodd and then kicked to leading Longmuir, he booted another major and the Dorkers led by a point. The Wiz Show arrived. Pavlich bullocked in a tackle and got a handpass off to Byron Schammer, he lobbed a handball for Jeff Farmer to collect on-the-run and slam through. Des Headland soccered the ball forward on the greasy surface, Saint man Baker fumbled and his opponent, Farmer, scooped the Sherrin and snapped a very good major. Freo led by 14 points. The Saints attacked from the restart but Luke Ball missed a shot. Soon Bell was kicking long (for him), Farmer juggled a good two-grabber, leapt up and thumped a kick home through an empty goal-square - then went to shove Koschitzke about, for some reason. Leigh Fisher was switched onto Wizard, to little immediate effect. At a throw-in Saint man Max Hudghton was caught in possession, Longmuir handballed for Farmer to race in and blast another. Four in-a-row for The Wiz, six unanswered for Freo and they led by 27 points at the first break. On it went in the second stanza. Bell dropped a mark but was allowed to gather the ball, wheel through 360 and deliver a clever handball for Headland to dob a running major. Dokkers by 33 points. The Saints had a plan to run the ball quickly and leave plenty of leading space for Gehrig, with Riewoldt and Koschitzke operating up-the-ground. But they couldn’t run, Riewoldt was quickly exhausted and the Freo half-back line dominated. G-Train was starved of opportunity. The Saints did slow the game and the Freo scoring for a while, helped by Farmer departing with a hamstring twinge. But they couldn’t score themselves. Freo scored the next major, Brett Peake sliced a kick badly but Shaun McManus held a gutsy with-the-flight mark and booted the goal. Leigh Fisher could’ve gone harder in the contest. Saint Sam Fisher kicked on-the-full under pressure from Pavlich, the free-kick went to Heath Black and back to Pavlich for a mark and goal. Karma associated with Freo’s ninth consecutive goal, they led by 43 points at half-time.

The Sainters attempted some re-organisation for the second half, G-Train and Riewoldt started as twin spearheads with Brendon Goddard hovering at CHF. Their goal-drought broke early, Docker Dodd unlucky as he claimed a mark from a touched kick-in and was done for ‘bawl’. Rob Harvey free-kicked the major. Peake missed a shot before Gehrig kicked another Sainter goal, a free against McPharlin for holding off-the-ball. They’d cut the deficit to 36 points. The Dockers responded, a coupla behinds before Heath Black intercepted a Sainter kick-in, he passed for unopposed Pavlich to mark in the forward-pocket and steer it through. Another speculative Sainter punt was swallowed by Dodd at CHB, the ball rebounded and Longmuir flew for a big grab - didn’t hold it, but Headland gathered the crumb and stabbed a major. Riewoldt was shifted into the ruck now, a pointless exercise really as no-one in the Stinkilda side, or in the AFL for that matter, can out-reach Sandilands. Riewoldt’s first act in his new role was to cough up a handball under pressure, leading to a running goal for Schammer. The Dockulaters led by 57 points now. Gehrig free-kicked another goal for the Sainters, pulled down by McPharlin, but the locals had the final say of the korter. Headland drove the ball in, Sainter Nick Dal Santo spilled a mark and Matthew Carr snapped a major. Dokkers by 56 points at the final break, four of Sinkilda’s five goals had come from free-kicks. Not much interest in the final stanza, the game well over. Percentage is important for Freo, though. A cool, rolling move ended with McManus dobbing a much-appreciated goal, Freo led by 62 points. Bell committed a rare turnover and Gehrig led for a mark at CHF, he chipped a pass for Dal Santo to mark and convert. Goddard excited even the locals, launching a mammoth torpedo-punt for a goal from 60m - only 60m, but the ball went through-post-high and landed a long way back in the stands. The Dokkers’ lead ‘slashed’ to 49 points but they booted the final two sausage rolls, from the centre-bounce after the Goddard monster Black, Bell and Longmuir combined to get McManus the ball, he weaved around traffic and drilled it through. Schammer bagged another to complete a very good night for the Fremantle Foodee Club.

Big night for Freo veteran Shaun McManus (28 disposals, 3 goals), he and Peter Bell (23 touches) led the way. Luke McPharlin (28 disposals and a huge 20 marks) had a ton of the ball from full-back, rebounding and restricting Gehrig to 2 goals. David Mundy’s efforts (24 touches, 9 marks) mopping up and rebounding from defence were excellent again. Jeff Farmer (7 kicks, 4 goals) set the Dockers alight and big Aaron Sandilands (34 hit-outs, 10 disposals) controlled the rucks. Matthew Pavlich (17 touches, 8 marks, 3 goals) was professional, he had a good battle with Sam Fisher. Heath Black (27 possies) was useful again. Justin Longmuir, Des Headland and Byron Schammer kicked 2 goals each. Best Saint was probably the over-used Nick Riewoldt (14 marks, 22 disposals, a goal). Rob Harvey (29 touches, a goal) had a fair bit of the ball but his clear lack of pace is becoming a problem, the papers today suggest Thomas is keen for Harvs to retire at the end of the season - sacrilege! Sam Fisher (24 possies, 8 marks) was good against Pavlich and Brendon Goddard (22 handlings, 6 marks) deserves mention for his humungous goal, at least. Jason Gram (18 disposals) was busy ‘til he twanged a hamstring, too. Andrew Thompson hurt a groin as well to complete a miserable night for the Saints. Fraser Gehrig free-kicked 2 goals. "We just got hit by a truck I suppose,” said Grant Thomas colourfully. “I'm not going to defend our position any way, shape or form. Fremantle were just sensational. They were just terrific. They just worked us far too hard - a bit like West Coast when they came over and played us a few weeks ago. It just seems against the elite running sides that are on top of the ground and really prepared to gut run, we've struggled. (But) we'll bounce back like we always have. Just full credit to Fremantle and Chris (Connolly) because he's been under the pump left, right and centre . . . I think he's a terrific coach." The terrific coach said "I think everyone will know what's on offer mathematically (referring to the top four), but the focus is on the Eagles and nothing else. We've got to stay focused on playing good football under pressure and train appropriately. At this time of the year the players should be proud of themselves with that effort."             

At the Gabba:

Brisbane    1.2   5.6    6.8     7.10.52
West Coast  1.5   8.8   11.15   16.18.114

Big Quinten Lynch booted a career-best 8 goals as the Weegs jumped to the top o’ the ladder. The Wiggles have a great recent record at the Gabba and were very short odds to win here. Only their forward inadequacies (Lynch apart) prevented a bigger margin. The Derby next week is their toughest remaining assignment before September. Brisbun were seriously undermanned but surely Lethal can do something about their Brown-less, two-man forward line. Recall Akermanis? In selection the Lyin’s made four changes to the side thumped by Richmond, Michael Voss, Josh Drummond and Jared Brennan returned and an AFL debut was given to Colm Begley, an Irishman from Laios who arrived last year on some sort of AFL-backed scheme clearly not run by the Immigration Dept. Those guys replaced Scott Harding, Ben Fixter, Marty Pask and Marcus Allan. The Weevils had to replace Ashley Hansen (strained calf muscle) and Dan Chick (suspended for biffing Jess Sinclair), in came Drew Banfield and Brett Jones.

A very warm day in Brisbane, the ice-vests and fans for the interchange benches were out. First quarter was tedious as both sides struggled in attack, the Lyin’s relied heavily on Dan Bradshaw and inexperienced Rhan Hooper again. The Weegs couldn’t kick straight, Brent Staker continuing his yips from last week with a shot falling short from 40m, then a behind in the first ten minutes. The Lyin’s scored the first goal, Josh Drummond with a free-kick after being ploughed into the turf by ‘Junior Woosha’ Beau Waters. Tyson Stenglein roved a throw-in to boot the Eegs’ first. The only other highlight of the opening term was a terrific with-the-flight, one-handed mark by Lyin’ Rob Copeland. He chickened out of a similar, in fact easier grab last week which cost a goal. Things got moving in the second quarter, early Ben Cousins intercepted a telegraphed kick from Clark Keating and passed for Mark Seaby to mark and convert. Amusingly, Keating’s clanger came as commentator ‘Dwaynepipe’ Russell was heaping praise upon the veteran Lyin’ ruckman. A bit later great pack-battling by Eeg Ashley Sampi forced the ball into Rowan Jones’s path, he scrambled a great goal from a tight angle. Andrew Embley had his shorts pulled down by tackling Daniel Merrett, no doubt introducing welcome fresh air on a sweaty day. A bit later Eeg Sam Butler ran down Lyin’ Cheynee Stiller, from the turnover Michael Braun passed for leading Lynch to mark and boot his first goal. Brennan missed a long shot for the Lyin’s before Lynch kicked his second goal, a strong grab in front of Merrett. The Weegs had moved into a 26-point lead with four unanswered majors. The Brians had some luck as Troy Selwood’s kick while being tackled dropped for Bradshaw to mark, he majored. Steven Armstrong’s long bomb bounced home for an answering goal for the Eegs. Lyin’ ruck-rover Simon Black took it upon himself to score the goals, Cousins was hammered by Voss and Black dobbed a running goal from the turnover. Junior Brisbun ruckman Cameron Wood tapped the ball perfectly at the restart, for Black to gather, run clear and boot another. The Weegle lead was reduced to 15 points. Cousins cleared the next centre-bounce and kicked wide to leading Lynch, who marked as Merrett slipped over. Lynch booted very good sausage from the boundary-line. A bit happening now, form Weeg Daniel Kerr was being tagged very effectively by Troy Selwood and at the next centre-bounce Kerr’s frustration boiled over, he biffed Selwood, conceding a free-kick and then verballed the umpire, adding 50m and a goal to Selwood. Kerr then altercated with Luke Power and a double-goal scenario appeared, but Power missed the shot. David Wirrpanda thundered a huge torpedo for the kick-in, Chris Judd marked it on the wing. The ball went to Eegle Adam Selwood, Troy’s twin, who mongrelled a kick into the pocket. It bounced at right-angles into Lynch’s hands, he slotted his fourth goal of the quarter. Eegs by 20 points at half-time.

The game was rarely as exciting again. Lynch kicked the first goal of the third term, accepting Cousin’s pass after a great piece of running from the Weegs’ de facto skipper. Mal Michael, who gives the impression he’d rather be watching paint dry, had switched onto Lynch now. The Lyin’s had no luck from the umps as Drummond wasn’t paid a tough mark or free-kick when hammered head-on by Stenglein, in the same bit of play Wirrpanda was clearly caught by Hooper, but play-on was waved again. Hope the AFL geese were listening for good TV discussion of the Drummond / Stenglein clash by Brereton, Commetti and Russell. Skill from Voss and Power set up a with-the-flight mark for Bradshaw, he booted a goal. The Weegs led by 22 points, they scored a few behinds before Adam Selwood kicked a goal, the chance coming after Voss kicked on-the-full under pressure. In the final minute Lynch marked Butler’s pass and booted another, the Coasters led by 37 points at the final change having booted 3.7 for the quarter. A Lynch shot hit the post early in the final stanza, Merrett was his opponent again. Staker’s good roving handpass allowed Andrew Embley to snap a goal. A minute later Embley missed an easy shot following a tough mark, but soon Lynch slotted a great goal from the boundary, completing a running, handpassing move. One of them days. Before long Lynch booted no. 8 with a goal-square grab of Adam Selwood’s long kick and the Weevils led by 56 points, running away from the tiring Lyin’s. Bradshaw punted a goal from a mark on-the-lead, good play from Power set him up. The Weegs bagged the final two goals though, Seaby hooked a good kick from a very tight angle after marking on the point-line, then Embley converted a mark.

Quinten Lynch’s stats were 6 marks, 16 disposals (11 kicks) and 8.2. Peaking a month early. With Kerr and Judd very quiet, the midfield was led by Ben Cousins (28 disposals) and Sam Butler (27 touches), he was very good. Michael Braun (35 possies) had a lot of the ball as always and Dean Cox (29 touches, 11 marks) loped around effectively. Adam Selwood (21 handlings, a goal) played well off half-back and David Wirrpanda (31 possessions) was also a useful rebound man, on Hooper. Darren Glass won most of his contests with Bradshaw, the Lyin’s poor, lobbed delivery helping the Weevil man. Andrew Embley bagged 3 goals and Mark Seaby kicked 2. Luke Power (22 touches) tried very hard for the Lyin’s as did Simon Black (26 possies, 2 goals). Troy Selwood (21 disposals, a goal) restricted Kerr to 4 disposals, amazing. Mick Voss (25 touches) plugged away and young defenders Cheynee Stiller (22 handlings) and Jed Adcock (19 touches on Sampi) were okay. Colm Begley showed some ability. Dan Bradshaw kicked 3 goals. "A hot sunny Brisbane afternoon is almost the last conditions you'd want to play the Eagles in - and it's been that way for a few years now. They were too good for us," Leigh Matthews said. "The Eagles hold onto the ball really well and they spread so well. They have five handpasses and then they release the sixth bloke and he's off - they did that really well. I said that to the guys after the game. Anyone who complains about us training too hard should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves, because that's the level you have to run at.” John Worsfold couldn’t wait to get to the airport. "It was hard work against a side who are trying to shut the game down as much as they could. But we were able to win quite comfortably. We ran hard and worked for each other and overall it was quite pleasing, with plenty to learn as well." Big game next Sundy.

At Docklands:

Carlton   5.2    8.6   13.7    14.11.95
Richmond  4.3   13.5   16.13   21.14.140

A finals-irrelevant clash which produced plenty of goals and another win for the Tigers, allowing them to at least match the ten victories achieved in Wallace’s first year. Richmun entered the round with a very slender chance of September action, but the Bulldogs’ win the previous day ended all hope. Winning is good, though. Especially against Carlton. The Blooze blew it with a lax second quarter, conceding 9 goals. As last week they made belated attempts at a comeback but couldn’t properly capitalize on good periods. Two changes for the Blues in selection, Simon Wiggins returned and Jesse Smith was called up from the rookie list for his AFL debut, he’s a flanker-type and not related to North’s Jesse Smith. They replaced axed pair Jordan Russell and Luke Blackwell. After much deliberation, Bloo icon Anthony Koutoufides announced he’d play next season - not as captain, though. The Toigs were unchanged following their big win over Brisbun last week.

A sunny day at the roof-open Docklands. Carlton began well, Lance Whitnall drifted down from defence, where he was playing loose, to mark Ryan Houlihan’s pass and boot the opener. Houlihan himself slotted a runner and the Blooze led by 12 points. Jay Schulz bagged the Tiges’ first from a mark after he and Richardson almost collided, the Tiges were playing the ‘forest of galoots’ forward set-up again with Richardson, Schulz and Greg Stafford in attack, supplemented by ruckman Troy Simmonds. But Carlton held the early sway. Setanta O’hAilpin gave indications he can play with a coupla good running, bouncing forays from half-back.  Kade Simpson passed for Jarrad Waite to mark and convert, then ruckman Barnaby French also found space for an unattended grab and major. The Bluies led by 19 points. Bloo spearhead Brendan Fevola, opposed by Joel Bowden and a few others usually, had a coupla early shots but missed both. The Tiggers hit back late, Richardson seized a good mark in front of Bret Thornton and booted truly, then Andrew Krakouer bagged one. Stafford reached over Whitnall to mark and convert but a Bloo goal for Andrew Walker had the ‘baggers 5 points up at the first break. The Tiges stormed clear with a seven-goal blast to open the second term. Stafford started with a goal from a mark, a bit later Greg Tivendale marked wide on the flank, stepped inside and curled an excellent left-footer for a major, the Tiges led by 7 points. Richard Tambling drove a kick in, Bloo Walker climbed high to spoil but punched the ball into the goal-square where Nathan Foley soccered it through for the Tiges. Shane Tuck converted from a goal-square mark as the Tiges kicked long to the tall timber. Tigger skipper Kane Johnson held a tough mark in the centre and handballed to running Brett Deledio, he exchanged handpasses with Mark Chaffey and slotted a great sausage. Kayne Pettifer led to mark on the 50m line and was shoved over by Walker, a weak 50m penalty gave Pettifer a simple conversion. The Toigs led by 38 points now. Fevola booted a belated first goal for the Bluesers, a free kick for holding against Ray Hall. But the Tiges cleared the restart and Schulz led for a mark and major. Fevola was awake now, he snapped a behind before Andrew Carrazzo found him with a pass, Fev thundered it through from 55m. A bit later Koutoufides collected the ball from a throw-in and kicked for Fevola to grab again, another major for Fev reduced the Tiges’ lead to 25 points. Bluey fans were excited but Walker and Cory McGrath missed with close-range snaps, late in the term Tivendale lobbed a kick for Stafford to take a two-grab mark over O’hAilpin who was certain he’d touched it, bejeezus. Staf converted and the Toigs led by 29 points at orange time.

The contest kinda ebbed-and-flowed after that. Early in the third stanza Richardson marked 35m out, dead in front and hooked woeful kick on-the-full. Carrazzo roved a throw-in and handballed for Blooman Eddie Betts to race in and blast a point-blank goal, reducing Carton’s deficit to 25 points again. The Tiges responded with the next three sausages, Richardson couldn’t hold a mark close-in but good pressure from Krakouer and Tambling forced the defending Blooze into error, Krakouer handballed for Richo to snap it through. Tivendale reeled in a one-handed, with-the-flight mark and played-on to slot a great running goal from the boundary. A series of short passes ended with Dean Polo finding Richardson marking on a tight angle, true to form he kicked accurately from this much tougher shot and the Tiges had eased out to a 44-point lead. The Bluies came again, Jarrad Waite led long for a mark and delivered a good pass to lurking Whitnall, he converted. The Tiggers began to kick points and the Blues hurt ‘em from the kick-ins, Kouta kicked long and out-positioned Fevola tapped the ball down smartly for Waite to bag a sausage. From another kick-in Koutoufides roved a contest, swapped handballs with Simpson and steered a very good running major. Late in the term the Bluesers were pressing again, Whitnall dropped a simple mark but roving Adam Bentick handballed for steaming ruckman Chris Bryan to slam it through. Four unanswered goals for the Blooze and they trailed by 24 points at the final change. The break allowed the Toigs to recompose, Chaffey passed for Stafford to mark and boot the opening goal of the closing Mario. Blue Bryan should’ve had a mark or a free in the lead-up to that, the Bloo fans weren’t happy. Krakouer snapped a goal with a superb piece of front-and-square roving, at the restart Tigger Troy Simmonds won the tap and dashed forward 40m to receive Deledio’s pass, mark and mongrel a goal. The Tiges led by 42 points and were home now. The sting went outta the game, there was some terrible forward-line play from both sides for several minutes, booting the ball carelessly to opposition defenders. Eventually Blue Bentick slotted a good running goal. Whitnall and Waite missed poorly for the Bluesers before Pettifer converted from a mark on-the-lead for Richmun, in the final minute Andrew Raines thumped a huge running goal to ice the cake for the Tigers - young Raines’s first-ever goal.

The Tigers’ old-fashioned footy was enabled by the running of Brett Deledio (22 disposals, a goal), Shane Tuck (22 touches, a goal) and Andrew Raines (24 possies, a goal) from half-back, fed the ball by Nathan Foley (20 handlings, a goal) and Kane Johnson (17 possies), who stopped another man in Nick Stevens. The forest of talls in attack did the job, Greg Stafford (6 marks, 8 kicks, 4 goals), Matthew Richardson (11 marks, 16 kicks, 3.5) and Jay Schulz (4 marks, 2 goals). Joel Bowden (22 touches), Patrick Bowden (20 disposals) and Ray Hall teamed up to tackle the Blue forwards. Andrew Krakouer snagged 3 goals, Greg Tivendale and Kayne Pettifer kicked 2 goals each. The Bluies’ best was hard-working on-baller Heath Scotland (26 disposals) and Anthony Koutoufides (23 touches, a goal) showed enthusiasm - weight off the mind. Lance Whitnall (12 marks, 23 handlings, 2 goals), Kouta’s likely successor as skipper, worked diligently from half-back to half-forward and ruckman Barnaby French (13 touches, 21 hit-outs, a goal) was alright. Andrew Walker (20 handlings, a goal) galloped about enthusiastically. A sluggish Fevola kicked 3.5 - he was knocked out last week, I suppose. Jarrad Waite kicked 2 goals. "I've said it a lot of times, we've played percentages of games (all year),” said Den Pagan. “We go to sleep for 20 minutes in the second quarter, the game's all over, we compete for the rest of it, but at the end of the day, that's the difference. I think a few of our young guys - they've tried as hard as they possibly can and you can't be critical - (but) a few of them looked tired today. I don't know whether that's got anything to do with a long season, but we'll be able to have a talk to them during the week and perhaps assess that." Terry Wallace said "We were desperate to make sure that we did no worse than last year's performance, we thought we'd developed more younger players. We probably had a lot more seniority last year where we've got those kids coming through and playing a lot more footy this year. So to equal (10 wins for the year), we thought was a win anyway, and to better it will be a bonus. We're now into bonus territory."     

At the MCG:

North Melbourne  4.3   9.6   11.8   12.10.82
Melbourne        2.3   6.4   14.9   20.12.132

Another great comeback win to complete an exciting round of footy, the Demuns converting a 27-point second-quarter deficit into a 50-point victory. Skipper David Neitz led the way, booting 8 goals and returning Aaron Davey was also a significant factor. Late knee injuries to Matthew Bate and Jared Rivers aren’t as serious as first thought. Thus Melbun jumped back to third on the ladder but they have tough away games against Geelong and the Camrys to finish. The Kangers are a bit easy to roll over when leading - the Swans did it Canberra earlier in the year - but they’re already looking to next year as they say. Duly, captain Adam Simpson (groin soreness) and Daniel Pratt (shoulder surgery) finished their seasons last weekend in Perth, replaced here by rookie Ed Lower and Troy Makepeace. Glenn Archer, missing the past 3 months with a dislocated shoulder, was selected to play but didn’t. ‘Arch’ has confirmed he wants to play next year, though. Sav Rocca played his 100th game for the Ruse, adding to 156 with the Poise. The Deez were strengthened with the return of Davey, Travis Johnstone, Matthew Whelan and Russell Robertson while Daniel Bell was called up. They replaced luckless Ryan Ferguson (knee trouble) and the axed Lynden Dunn, Chris Johnson, Shannon Motlop and Nathan Brown.

The Ruse were away quickly, two goals in five minutes for big Nathan Thompson completing some energetic work from juniors Ed Lower and Andrew Swallow. Lower bagged a major himself and the Ruse led by 19 points. Neitz, then Davey sausaged for the Deez but Roo defender Drew Petrie did well on Neitz early, running off the Melbun full-forward to good effect. Eddie Sansbury roved Thommo’s contest to snap truly and the Kangas led by 12 points at the first break. On they went in the second, Jess Sinclair directed traffic for Leigh Brown to kick to Michael Firrito and ‘Dorito’ converted. Petrie ran down the ground and torpedoed long, ‘Lethal’ Leigh Harding marked it and goaled. The Kangas moved to a 27-point lead over the lethargic Deez, who were so lethargic the Demun fans began ringing to check skiing conditions. Neitz kicked a goal just on half-time to pull the margin back to 20 points.

Dee coach Neale Daniher gave one of his more fearsome blasts during the break and the Dees pulled their collective fingers out in the third term. Neitz and Davey were the keys, early on Davey intercepted Brown’s handpass and snapped it through. Good work from Petrie and Daniel Wells set up an answering goal for Kasey Green and Norf led by 20 points. From the restart Travis Johnstone burst clear for Deez and found leading Neitz, he missed. But Melburne recovered the kick-in, Nathan Jones booted long and Davey roved the back o’ the pack to snap another. Johnstone and Brock McLean were playing very well for Melbun. After a tightish spell Brad Green bagged a goal to reduce the margin to that, then Neitz led, marked and converted to have the Deez a point ahead. Rocca missed a shot for the Ruse and from the kick-in Neitz ended up with the ball, his accurate over-the-shoulder snap had the Deez 13 points ahead. One-way traffic as Davey lobbed it through off two steps from 55m. The Kangas yelped, Rocca passed for ruckman David Hale to mark and convert. But the Demuns advanced from the following centre-bounce, Neitz plucked a one-handed mark in front of the hapless Petrie and slotted after the three-korter-time siren, the Dees led by 19 points. Of their eight third-Mario goals Neitz had kicked four and Davey three. Shannon Watt lined up on Neita for the final term but the momentum had well-and-truly swung now. Dee Brad Miller missed a coupla early shots before Brad Green delivered to leading Neitz again, he hammered a superb kick through from a difficult angle. The Dees led by 28 points and all fight was gone from the Ruse, their cause not helped by groin trouble for Thompson. Melbun had some injury worries now, Matthew Bate limped off after an innocuous clash of knees with Brown and after Cam Bruce snapped a close-range major, Neitz departed with groin soreness. Then Jared Rivers staggered off, after landing awkwardly from a marking contest. Melbun led by 39 points at that stage, after Adem Yze kicked a goal to complete a length-of-field move involving Miller, Clint Bartram and Bruce. Russ Robertson, still feeling his shoulder, kicked two late goals and Simon Godfrey got one as the Demuns coasted in. Turns out Neitz and Rivers are okay and Bate should be right for the finals.   

David Neitz finished with 8.4 from 11 marks and 13 kicks and Aaron Davey 4 goals from 12 disposals, they were handy. Brad Green (25 touches, a goal) is back to some good form and Brock McLean (36 possessions) goes well too. James McDonald (27 handlings) stuck to his task on Wells and could land a B & F, young Nathan Jones (25 disposals) landed a Rising Star nomination. Backman Matthew Whelan (22 touches with 18 handpasses) was good and key defenders Ben Holland and Nathan Carroll (9 marks, 20 disposals) did well on Thompson and Rocca respectively. Russ Robertson and Adem Yze kicked 2 goals each. For the Kangas runnin’ Brent Harvey (33 disposals) battled hard and taggers Michael Firrito (18 touches, a goal) and Brady Rawlings (22 possessions) were good. Jess Sinclair (24 touches, a goal) was honest off half-back and David Hale (13 touches, 2 goals) played well. He and Ben Schwarze (11 disposals) are ones for the future. Nathan Thompson and Sav Rocca finished with 2 goals each. "We just couldn't get our hands on the ball. (They had) 100 possessions more than us in the second half," Dean Laidley said. "So we knew that to put them under any sort of pressure, we had to win the footy and we did that in the first half and we did that really well . . . I thought the first half - the way we played and the way we moved the football - I thought it was very good." Neale Daniher reckoned "It all looked pretty grim there at half-time and we were a shambles really (in the first half). But we got our act together and the second half was a real contrast to the first half. We addressed the state of mind at half-time more than anything tactically. Sometimes it is just about your state of mind and you can't play 0-0 soccer and hope you get a goal at the end and win." Unless you’re the Swans.

Ladder after Round Twenty

                 Pts.    %    Next Week
West Coast       64    121.1    Fremantle (Subiaco, Sunday)    
Adelaide         60    144.6    Port Adelaide (Football Park, Sunday)
Melbourne        52    114.4    Geelong (Kardinia Park, Saturday)    
Fremantle        52    102.8    West Coast (Subiaco, Sunday)
Sydney           48    120.6    Brisbane (Stadium Australia, Sat. night)
Collingwood      48    115.0    Carlton (MCG, Sunday)    
St. Kilda        48    113.8    Footscray (Docklands, Fri. night)   
Footscray        48    108.7    St. Kilda (Docklands, Fri. night)    
----------------------------
Geelong          40    102.3    Melbourne (Kardinia Park, Saturday)
Richmond         40     87.8    Essendon (Docklands, Sat. night)
Port Adelaide    28     90.9    Adelaide (Football Park, Sunday)
Brisbane         28     85.9    Sydney (Stadium Australia, Sat. night)
North Melbourne  28     83.6    Hawthorn (York Park, Saturday)
Hawthorn         28     80.9    North Melbourne (York Park, Saturday)
Essendon         14     81.3    Richmond (Docklands, Sat. night)     
Carlton          14     77.0    Collingwood (MCG, Sunday)    

Cheers, Tim.