Round Nine Scores

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

David Neitz (knee), Russell Robertson (knee) and Brock McLean (foot) returned to play this week for Melbourne, but Colin Sylvia (hamstring), Matthew Whelan (foot) and Ryan Ferguson (thumb) all missed.

After being ruled out for 3-4 weeks with a fractured eye socket, Matthew Richardson was a shock inclusion for the Tigers this week. Richardson suffered the facial fracture just last week. Also coming into the side this week was Jack Riewoldt for his senior debut. He is cousin to St. Kilda's Nick Riewoldt.

Adelaide regained Graham Johncock, Brent Reilly and Jason Porplyzia but lost Brett Burton and Richard Douglas to injury.

Kangaroo defender Glenn Archer returned this week, after missing last week due to his daughter being hospitalized with a heart condition.

Adam Hartlett debuted for Carlton this week with Eddie Betts sidelined with a hamstring injury.

St Kilda regained co-captain Lenny Hayes and ruckman Matthew Clarke from injury this week but Leigh Montagna missed with a jaw injury.

The Dockers regained Paul Hasleby from injury and small forward Clayton Collard debuted.

Brisbane's Chris Johnson returned from injury.

Tom Harley (finger tendon) returned this week for the Cats.

FRE  6.6   8.6    10.9   15.11 (101)
STK  1.4   2.11   5.16    6.19 (55)

GOALS: FRE - Bell 3, Pavlich 3, Tarrant 3, Cook, Headland, Johnson, Solomon, Black, Collard; STK - Dal Santo, Gehrig, Gilbert, Koschitzke, Riewoldt, Rix

BEST: FRE - Bell, Hasleby, Johnson, Sandilands, Headland; STK - Dal Santo, Hayes, Gilbert, Riewoldt, Koschitzke

INJURY: STK - Harvey (hamstring); Harvey will miss at least four weeks

REPORTS: FRE - Johnson for high contact against Koschitzke

UMPIRES: Margetts, Chamberlain, McInerney

CROWD: 39,034 at Subiaco Oval

The injury depleted Saints were just no match for the Dockers. The Saints came to Perth with just 25 fit players and were dealt another massive blow late in the opening term when Harvey had to be helped from the ground with a severe hamstring injury. The Dockers dominated the term with Sandilands controlling the ruck and feeding the ball out to Hasleby, Bell and co. Up forward, Tarrant and Pavlich were too strong for the Saint defense. The Saints had their chances, but Riewoldt's skills seemed to desert him while Gehrig was kept in check by the Docker defense. The Dockers blasted through the first three goals. This week being the round which celebrates the Aboriginal contribution to the game, it was only fitting that Troy Cook kicked the Dockers' first goal. They added three more before Gehrig got St. Kilda's only goal for the term. The Dockers added two more to lead by 32 points at 1/4 time.

The Dockers then got sloppy in the second term, turning the ball over to allow the Saints plenty of scoring chances. The Saints couldn't finish off the work, managing just one goal from seven scoring shots while the Dockers kept themselves in front with two goals of their own to lead by 27 points at 1/2 time.

The Saints fired somewhat in the third term with Dal Santo and Ball working hard in the midfield and Riewoldt having the better of Dodd. They slashed Freo's lead with three goals, but the Dockers added two of their own. Black raced downfield from defense and got the ball near the boundary line. He threaded the proverbial eye of a needle with a very difficult tight angle goal from about 30 yards, then debutant Collard made his second league kick count with a goal to give the Dockers a 23 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Dockers iced the win with the first four goals of the final term and the game finished with both sided adding just one more goal each.

COL   5.2   8.7   12.10   18.12 (120)
BRIS  4.4   7.6    11.7   13.9 (87)

GOALS: COL - Davis 3, Burns 2, Pendlebury 2, Fraser 2, Didak 2, Cloke 2, Medhurst, Swan, Johnson, O'Bree, Lockyer;
BRIS - Clark 5, McGrath 2, Power 2, Brown 2, Patfull, Black

BEST: COL - Lockyer, Johnson, O'Bree, Burns, Prestigiacomo, Pendlebury; BRIS - Black, Clark, Power, Charman, Notting, Stiller

INJURY: COL - Bryan (toe) replaced in selected side by Richards; BRIS - Johnson (foot) replaced in selected side by Roe, McGrath (knee), Adcock (concussion)

UMPIRES: Kennedy, M Nicholls, Woodcock

CROWD: 32,225 at the Gabba

The Lions were off to a fine start with McGrath kicking a brilliant goal on the run. Power followed up with another before Fraser kicked the Pies' first from a free kick. Fraser then went into ruck and Swan was shifted from defense to the midfield. The changes paid off for the Pies as they began to get on top, winning the ball out of the center and making the most of their chances with goals to Burns and Medhurst. The Lions hit back with another goal to McGrath. Collingwood added three more goals to Brisbane's one for a four point lead at 1/4 time.

Collingwood got the early break in the second term when Pendlebury pounced on a Lappin error and a goal; to Davis had the Pies 16 points in front. Rocca, who left his kicking boots at home, missed a gettable shot from close range and the Lions charged back Black was running amok in the midfield to help drive the Lions into attack. Clark fired in two of Brisbane's three goals, but the Pies nailed one more for the term to lead by seven points at 1/2 time.

Clark blasted through two more goals for the Lions at the start of the third term before Maxwell was moved to Brown and Prestigiacomo took over on Clark. Brisbane was briefly able to stop Collingwood from running the ball out of defense with Copeland shifted onto Heath Shaw. Adcock was keeping a tight rein on dangerous Magpie goalsneak Didak. Adcock had to leave the ground late in the term after coming off second best in a collision with Rocca. Collingwood then piled on four goals of the next six goals to take a nine point lead at 3/4 time.

The Lions had a chance to cut the lead even further but Brown's kick on goal hit the post and the Pies cleared it for a goal to Swan. Didak booted another before the Lions kicked two of their own, but the Magpies finished the game off with the last four goals to seal their first Gabba win since 1996.

HAW   5.3   5.6   12.7   15.9 (99)
WCE   2.2   5.6    6.9   8.16 (64)

GOALS: HAW - Hodge 3, Boyle 3, Lewis 2, Franklin, Osborne, Smith, Jacobs, Mitchell, Crawford, Ladson; WCE - LeCras 3, Seaby 2, Lynch, R Jones, Hurn

BEST: HAW - Hodge, McGlynn, Lewis, Birchall, Sewell, Young; WCE - R. Jones, Fletcher, Braun, Judd, Selwood, Staker

INJURY: HAW - Dixon (knee) replaced in the selected side by Jacobs; WCE - Chick (calf) replaced in the selected side by LeCras, Hansen (finger)

Hansen will require surgery to repair a ruptured tendon and will miss at least two months

UMPIRES: Ellis, Jeffery, Rosebury

CROWD: 18,112 at Aurora Stadium

The Hawks just may have found their own fortress in Tasmania. The young team took it right up to the reigning champs and bested them at their own game in windy conditions. The wind favored one end of the ground over the other and the Hawks had first use of the stiff breeze

Sewell was matched up against Eagle star Judd and kept his influence to a minimum. He even stole the ball at the first contest between them to help set up the first goal. Boyle was dynamic in the middle as well, and kicked a pair goals in the term, Bateman then won the ball in the midst of a pack and set up Mitchell for another goal. However, it didn't faze the Eagles as they hit back with Lynch bombing in a long goal from 50 meters (55 yards) and LeCras goaled after intercepting a wayward Birchall handball. The Hawks added two late goals to lead by 19 points at 1/4 time.

The Eagles made use of exactly the same tactics Hawthorn had earlier used when they had the wind at their backs in the second term. The tall forward line of Lynch, Seaby, and Hunter took delivery of the ball from the likes of Judd, Hunter, and Rowan Jones to blast through three goals of their own while the defense and the wind conspired to hold the Hawks to just one goal and handful of points to level the scores at 1/2 time.

The Eagles goaled and a point midway through the third term gave them the lead and Hawthorn appeared as if they might be fading. However, as the old saying goes, looks can be deceiving. Midfield dynamo Hodge was the inspiration and had plenty of help from the likes of Sewell, Lewis,  Bateman, and Mitchell. Hodge was shifted into a more forward role when the Hawks attacked and dropped back behind the play when the Eagles were in possession. His first goal came when he got hold of the ball, ran toward the boundary, and fired it in on his non-preferred right foot. Minutes later, he kicked an almost identical goal. Late in the term, he capitalized on an error from Wirrpanda and kicked another goal giving the Hawks a 28 point lead.

By that time the Hawks had kicked six unanswered goals. Jordan Lewis kicked a late goal, taking Hawthorn's lead out to 34 points at 3/4 time.

The Eagles developed a reputation for big comebacks last year, but without key playmakers Kerr, Embley, and Cousins, it was not be this time as the Hawks booted three goals to two in the final term.

ESS    3.4   5.9   7.14   12.20 (92)
RICH   2.3   6.6   10.9   12.12 (84)

GOALS: ESS - Lucas 3, Lloyd 3, Hille 2, Dyson, Davey, McPhee, Fletcher; RICH - Richardson 4, Jackson 3, Krakouer 2, Deledio, Pattison, Tambling

BEST: ESS - Lucas, Watson, Hird, Stanton, McPhee; RICH - Deledio, Richardson, Polak, Thursfield, Newman

INJURY: ESS - Davey (concussion); RICH - Polo (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Kingsley

UMPIRES: Farmer, Allen, Meredith

CROWD: 61,837 at the MCG

Richmond was poised to take out its first win the year, but the Bombers had other ideas. Essendon did better in the opening term to lead by seven points at 1/4 time.

The rest of the match was another story as the Tigers fired to overtake Essendon. Richardson was firing up forward and had support from youngster Jackson as well as Krakouer and Deledio. They kicked four goals to Essendon's two for the term to hold a narrow three point lead at 1/2 time.

The Tigers took their momentum into the third term which was a repeat of the second with Deledio leading the midfield charge and the Tigers again outscoring the Bombers four goals to two. It set them up with a 13 point lead at 3/4 time.

Richmond continued to fire in the final term. Midway through, Richardson kicked his fourth goal to give the Tigers an 18 point lead. The Bombers fired back with three goals to level the scores late in the match. Richardson caught the ball and kicked what would have been a tie-breaking goal, but the goal was disallowed when Richo was penalized for hands in the back (of an opponent). Richardson was furious and his wrath incurred a 50 meter (55 yard penalty). The Bombers then put the match in their keeping with Jason Johnson and Houli kicking one point each before Lloyd goaled after the siren.

Tigers fans were incensed and one Richmond fan had to be restrained by security when he tried to run onto the ground.

Bomber Coach Kevin Sheedy, who has already been penalized for criticizing umpire decisions, refused to comment on the controversial decision while Tiger Coach Terry Wallace took a philosophical view, saying the inexperience of his younger players caused them to lose possession of the ball at a crucial moment.

Indigenous Tiger Andrew Krakouer reached two milestones in the match, with his first of two goals giving him 100 in his 100th senior match.

ADE   2.5   8.10   12.12   15.15 (105)
CARL  5.2    5.4   11.11   12.14 (86)

GOALS: ADE - Welsh 4, Jericho 3, Porplyzia 3, Reilly 2, Shirley, Perrie, Bock; CARL - Waite 4, Fisher 2, Fevola 2, Koutoufides 2, Whitnall, Scotland

BEST: ADE - Goodwin, Thompson, Shirley, Hudson, Reilly, Rutten; CARL - Koutoufides, Waite, Lappin, Scotland, Houlihan, Walker, O'hAilpin

INJURY: ADE - Griffin (ankle)

REPORTS: CARL - Lappin for allegedly attempting to trip Torney

UMPIRES: Donlon, McBurney, Head
\
CROWD: 27,504 at Telstra Dome

The Blues got off to a flying start, kicking three goals in the first five minutes of the game. Fevola got the first courtesy of a free kick. Waite gathered a loose ball off the ground and fired in a handball to Scotland for the next. Waite got his own a minute later to give the Blues a three goal lead. It took the Crows 11 minutes into the term to register a goal. By that time, Griffin was off injured, leaving Hudson to shoulder the ruck duties on his own against Ackland and Kennedy. Carlton kicked two of the next three goals to lead by 15 points at 1/4 time.

The Crows got going in the second term, putting the Carlton defense under pressure. Two goals to Porplyzia and one to Bock saw Adelaide take a one point lead. The Crows extended their lead with another two goals, the second to Reilly from a free kick against Simpson for bumping Reilly behind play. Carlton seemed to wilt under the pressure with poor decision making and Fevola appeared to struggle with a thigh injury. Late in the term, Jericho streamed downfield and let fly from beyond 50 meters (55 yards). The ball sailed beyond the reach of a diving Scotland and the Crows, who held Carlton goalless, were out to a 24 point lead at 1/2 time

Carlton was right back in it with three goals at the start of the third term to get within five points. Waite was proving a handful up forward for Carlton while Koutoufides also helped spark the Blues. Carrazzo kept Stenglein quiet and young Gibbs was working hard to keep McLeod quiet. Adelaide hit back with four goals of their own to regain the lead. Carlton kicked the next two, including one to Kouta to cut Adelaide's lead to seven points at 3/4 time.

Carlton kicked a goal and a few points to steal the lead early in the final term, but Adelaide defenders Torney, Mattner, and Bassett took control to halt Carlton's attack and work the ball out of defense and into attack. Adelaide forward Welsh had just nine kicks for the game, but made three of them count in the final term, kicking three goals to give Adelaide the win.

KANG   3.5   7.7   8.14   10.19 (79)
MELB   2.4   4.8   4.10   11.12 (78)

GOALS: KANG - Grant 5, Jones 2, Thomas, Swallow, Campbell; MELB - Neitz 4, Robertson 3, Bruce 2, Jones, Green

BEST: KANG - Harvey, Swallow, Grant, Simpson, Rawlings, Harris; MELB - Bruce, Bizzell, Carroll, Brown, McDonald, Jones

INJURY: MELB - Yze (groin) replaced in selected side by McLean, Bate (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Brown

UMPIRES: McLaren, Kamolins, Pannell

CROWD: 30,662 at the MCG

The Kangaroos were in control for most of the game and should have blown the Demons away but for some poor kicking at goal. The Demons' accuracy wasn't much better, and with the Kangaroo defense quelling Neitz, the Kangaroos still managed three goals to two for a seven point lead at 1/4 time.

The Kangaroos maintained their control in the second term. Melbourne kicked just two for the term, but it was Grant who starred. He kicked all four of the Kangaroos' goals, giving his side a 17 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Kangaroos were still well in control in the third term, but their accuracy deserted them as they kicked just one goal for eight scoring shots. It was enough, however, as they held the Demons to just two points to lead by 28 points at 3/4 time.

The Demons looked gone when Campbell kicked the opening goal of the final term to extend the lead to 35 points. The Demons finally came to life in the term. Green started the run with a strong tackle on Smith and goaled from the free kick. Neitz finally shook off the shackles of the Kangaroo defense to boot three goals to get the Demons right back in the game. Robertson also contributed a goal. Then Jones, one of the main offenders early on with four missed shots for goal, gave the Demons the lead with a long goal late in the term since the first quarter. With less than two minutes remaining, Jones missed and the Demons had a chance to kick the ball into attack. But Johnstone, shanked the kick, sending it over the boundary line. From the resultant throw-in, young Kangaroo Swallow took possession of the ball and took off. He kicked the ball from 50 meters (55 yards) and just cleared a lunging Jones. Jones claimed to have touched the ball before it crossed the boundary line, but the goal umpire disagreed and the goal was allowed, giving the Kangaroos the narrowest of victories.

GEEL   5.4   13.9   14.15    16.20 (116)
PA     1.3    2.4    4.10     8.12 (60)

GOALS: GEEL - Rooke 3, Bartel 2, Johnson 2, Mooney 2, Wojcinski 2, G. Ablett, Varcoe, N. Ablett, Stokes, Ling;
PA - Rodan 2, Tredrea, Ebert, P. Burgoyne, S. Burgoyne, Cassisi, Krakouer

BEST: GEEL - Corey, G. Ablett, Bartel, Milburn, Tenace, Enright; PA - C. Cornes, K. Cornes, Ebert, Surjan, S. Burgoyne, Salopek

INJURY: PA - Motlop (shoulder)

UMPIRES: James, Stevic, Avon

CROWD: 26,465 at AAMI Stadium

Several weeks ago, Geelong Coach Mark Thompson publicly labeled the Cats as mentally weak. Since then, they have barnstormed the league, humiliating Richmond, then upsetting the Eagles. Port has been a surprise packet this season with its mix of youth and experience. So has Geelong and they simply overpowered Port in wet conditions.

The Cats fired from the outset with Ottens doing well in the ruck against Lade, and the Cat midfield of Bartel, Corey, Milburn, and Gary Ablett getting plenty of the ball. Steve Johnson, Stokes, and Wojcinski posed problems up forward, and Scarlett went against Ebert. Port's cause was not helped when they lost Motlop inside the first minute of the match. They also made several uncharacteristic errors, including two very bad
kick-ins which led to two of Geelong's five goals for the term. Port couldn't get past Geelong's defense either with just one goal for the term, leaving the Cats 25 points in front at 1/4 time.

Stokes and Ling both goaled for Geelong within the opening minutes of the second term, but Tredrea goaled to halt the Geelong's run. It was brief as the Cats responded with goals to Mooney and Johnson for a 43 point lead. The barrage continued in the final minutes of the term as the Cats piled four more goals to lead by 71 points at 1/2 time.

Doubtless implored to show some more fight for the remainder of the game, Port chipped away at the Cats, although only two goals' worth for the term. Yet, they managed to restrict the Cats to one, but the Cats sill had an impressive 55 point lead at 3/4 time.

Port was able to fight back to outscore the Cats four goals to two in the final term, but the damage had been done in the first half.

SYD   5.4   10.6   12.8   15.10 (100)
WB    3.3    4.4    6.7    8.9 (57)

GOALS: SYD - O'Loughlin 4, Schneider 3, Jolly 3, Buchanan, Hall, Malceski, Everitt, McVeigh; WB - Robbins 3, Johnson 2, Ray, Hahn, Akermanis

BEST: SYD - Everitt, Jolly, Goodes, O'Loughlin, Schneider, Malceski, Kirk; WB - Harris, Johnson, Eagleton, Cross

INJURY: SYD - Kennelly (virus) replaced in selected side by Dempster, Davis (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Grundy, Crouch (hamstring); WB - McDougall replaced in selected side by Robbins

UMPIRES: Vozzo, Ryan, K. Nicholls

CROWD: 14,517 at Manuka Oval

This game could be described as grunt vs speed. It was the grunt of the Swans which halted the Bulldogs. There was also the hard work of Jolly and Everitt vs. Wight, Darcy, and Street in the ruck. Then there was Goodes, who had no definitive position on the field but still had a definitive say in the outcome. Crouch, until coming off injured, renewed his battle with Akermanis while Kirk stuck like glue to West. The Swan midfield held sway, while Bulldogs Higgins, Ray, and Giansiracusa never got near it in a first term which saw the Swans kick five goals to three for a 13 point lead at 1/4 time.

The Bulldogs opened the second term with a goal but the Swans kicked the next five without so much as yelp from the Bulldogs. Two of those went to O'Loughlin and the Swans led by 38 points at 1/2 time.

Cooney and Akermanis were relegated to defense at the start of the third term. It worked for the Swans as Cooney was penalized for holding the ball. Schneider goaled to extend Sydney's lead to 43 points. The Dogs kicked two goals to Sydney's one for the remainder of the term, leaving the Swans with a 37 point lead at 3/4 time.

Sydney sealed the win with a three goal to two final term.

STANDINGS

       W   L    FOR    AGST      %     PTS
WCE    7   2    809     663   122.02    28
GEEL   6   3   1079     712   151.54    24
ADE    6   3    755     673   112.18    24
HAW    6   3    802     715   112.17    24
COL    6   3    860     798   107.77    24
KANG   6   3    912     858   106.29    24
PA     6   3    824     785   104.97    24
SYD    5   4    794     688   115.41    20

ESS    5   4    937     869   107.83    20
WB     5   4    859     897    95.76    20
FRE    4   5    823     842    97.74    16
BRIS   4   5    778     823    94.53    16
STK    4   5    691     751    92.01    16
CARL   2   7    880    1114    78.99     8
MELB   0   9    680     968    70.25     0
RICH   0   9    750    1077    69.64     0

GOALS
Fevola (CARL)     32
Lucas (ESS)       28
Pavlich (FRE)     27
Franklin (HAW)    26
Lloyd (ESS)       24
Johnson (WB)      24
Welsh (ADE)       23
Richardson (RICH) 22
Mooney (GEEL)     21
Hall (SYD)        21
Grant (KANG)      21

Source: Melbourne Age & Herald Sun

Bulldog Shaun Higgins is the Round Eight Rising Star nominee. Higgins was instrumental in the come from behind win over Collingwood with four goals. Higgins, 19, has played every game this season and has kicked 14 goals in eight matches to develop a reputation as a dangerous small forward.

Described by coach Rodney Eade as an intuitive and natural footballer, his role alongside Brad Johnson and Luke Darcy has given Bulldogs supporters plenty to cheer about.

Higgins played for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup competition and represented Vic Country in the 2005 Under-18 Championships and was named in the 2005 TAC Team of the Year. He was drafted to the Bulldogs in 2005, debuted in 2006 and played five games before an elbow injury ended his season.

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release