by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Chris Grant (hamstring) was hopeful of playing this week, but was ruled out late in the week. Stephen Tiller made his debut for the Bulldogs.
Geelong lost Paul Chapman (adductor strain) but regained Nathan Ablett (injury) and Matthew Scarlett (flu).
The Dockers regained giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands for what is a crucial encounter for them, but lost Steven Dodd (shoulder) this week.
The Swans regained Barry Hall (groin) and Tadhg Kennelly (knee). Former Hawk Luke Brennan played his first game for the Swans this week.
Daniel Connors debuted for the Tigers this week.
St. Kilda regained ruckman Matthew Clarke (back), who has not played since Round Nine. He came in for the suspended Justin Koschitzke.
The Kangaroos regained Daniel Wells (knee).
Melbourne regained Cameron Bruce from injury.
Carlton's Brendan Fevola has recovered surprisingly well from a thigh injury to play this week. He was expected to miss several weeks after being diagnosed on Monday with a muscle tear. However, a second scan later in the week showed no tear.
Hawthorn welcomed back Richie Vandenberg for just his second game of the year. Vandenberg has been playing for the past three weeks in the VFL after recovering from a shoulder injury early in the season. He was also hampered with hamstring and back injuries.
The Power replaced the injured Robbie Gray with Nathan Krakouer. Warren Tredrea (knee) failed to pass a late week fitness test and missed this week.
Essendon selected key forward Scott Gumbleton, the No. 2 pick in last year's national draft, for his debut this week. The Bombers also regained midfielder Jason Winderlich from a hamstring injury, but Tom Hislop missed with an ankle injury.
Adelaide debuted midfielder Bryce Campbell and forward Nick Gill this week.
WCE 4.4 11.9 15.11 24.14 (158)
WB 2.5 4.7 6.12 9.17 (71)
GOALS: WCE - Lynch 5, Staker 4, LeCras 3, Judd 2, Hansen 2, Embley 2, Kerr, Seaby, Cousins, Priddis, Hurn, Hunter;
WB - Tiller 2, Ray, Eagleton, Giansiracusa, Akermanis, Hargrave, Skipper, Wight
BEST: Kerr, Judd, Lynch, Cox, Cousins, Braun; WB - Johnson, Hargrave, Boyd, Skipper, Ray, Everitt
CHANGES: WB - West (groin) replaced in selected side by Hill (debut)
UMPIRES: McBurney, Woodcock, Jeffery
CROWD: 30,900 at Telstra Dome
The only time the injury-depleted Dogs led was when Giansiracusa kicked the opening goal of the game from the first bounce. From there, it was a rampant West Coast. The midfield of Kerr, Cousins, Judd, and Embley shredded the Bulldogs. Fullback Glass had the better of Johnson. Lynch, Staker, and Hansen up forward were too much for the Bulldog defense as Eagles slammed on four goals to one for the rest of the term to lead by 11 points at 14 time.
The Eagles extended their lead with two of the first three goals of the second term. Eagleton scored the Bulldogs' third goal from a Darcy pass and kicked it from beyond 50 meters (55 yards). The Eagles then stepped up a gear, forcing the Dogs into turnovers. Cousins ran everywhere to contest the ball, Kerr racked up ball possessions at will, and the Dogs just could find no way to kick a winning score. Staker kicked two goals. Judd goaled on the run. When LeCras and Priddis goaled to end the term, the Eagles were in front by 44 points at 1/2 time.
Young Tiller got an early goal in the third term as the Dogs tried to challenge. They had no lack of scoring chances in the term, but kicked five consecutive behinds while the Eagles added two goals. Ray broke the run with a goal but late goals to Staker and Seaby gave the Eagles a 53 point lead at 3/4 time.
The Eagles slammed on five goals in the first 10 minutes of the final term. Late in the term. The Dogs managed just one of the next four as the margin blew out to 100 points. The Bulldogs avoided a triple-digit defeat with the last two goals of the match.
For the Eagles, Kerr picked up 34 ball possessions, Judd 20, and Cousins 29.
In stark contrast, key playmakers Darcy (seven), Murphy (eight) and McMahon (nine) barely got near the ball. Boyd was one of few effective Bulldogs with 32 possessions opposed to Kerr.
STK 5.4 10.7 14.12 16.15 (111)
CARL 6.1 7.3 9.7 15.11 (101)
GOALS: STK - Gehrig 6, Riewoldt 4, Milne 2,Baker, Birss,Dal Santo, Blake; CARL - Fevola 5, Fisher 3, S. O'hAilpin 2, Ackland, Lappin, Bower, Bannister, Saddington
BEST: STK - Riewoldt, Hayes, Gehrig, Dal Santo, Fisher; CARL - Murphy, Carrazzo, Betts, Fevola, Jackson
UMPIRES: Ellis, M. Nichols, Meredith
INJURY: CARL - Wiggins (hamstring), Koutoufides (leg)
CROWD: 32,327 at Telstra Dome
Brett Ratten said last week he wanted to instill some spirit back into the team. After losing the past five games by a combined total of over 300 points, this week he seems to have achieved his first goal. The Blues got off to a great start with Fevola sparking a three goal run early the first term before the Saints hit back with goals to Gehrig and Riewoldt. Three each for the rest of the term had the Blues in front by three points at 1/4 time
The Blues remained competitive through the second term but were no match for the firepower of Riewoldt and Gehrig up forward. The Saint defense got right on top of Carlton as well, restricting them to just one goal for the term while the Saints kicked five to lead by 22 points at 1/2 time.
The Blues cut the Saint lead with the first two goals of the third term, but the Saints blew the game open with the next four goals. The term proved to be decisive as the Saints led by 35 points at 3/4 time.
The Saints appeared to have the game wrapped up, but Carlton rallied with a six goal to two final term. Gibbs had a chance to slice the lead even more when he earned a free kick with less than a minute remaining. He missed for just a point and the Saints maintained control until the siren.
Afterward, Ratten said he was pleased with the performance, saying it didn't matter if mistakes were made as long as there was an effort. Some of Ratten's match-ups were also impressive, with Marc Murphy quelling dangerous midfielder Leigh Montagna and rookie Ryan Jackson restricting veteran Harvey.
The only hitch to his first game as coach, besides the loss, was the phone going dead for several minutes in the coaches' box. Ratten was forced to use headphones briefly to keep in touch with the bench.
GEEL 6.4 8.11 12.18 20.20 (140)
FRE 1.3 4.5 8.9 10.12 (72)
GOALS: GEEL - Stokes 5, Mooney 2, Kelly 2, S. Johnson 2, Milburn, Byrnes, Enright, Ling, Hunt, N. Ablett, Wojcinski, G. Ablett, Harley; FRE - Pavlich 4, Headland 2, Hayden, Tarrant, Mundy, Farmer
BEST: GEEL - G. Ablett, S. Johnson, Ling, Mooney, Stokes, Milburn; FRE - McPharlin, J. Carr, M. Carr, Pavlich, Hayden
UMPIRES: Margetts, McLaren, Avon
CROWD: 36,741 at Subiaco Oval
Geelong Coach Mark Thompson and Fremantle Coach Mark Harvey were once teammates at Essendon. Sentimentality has no place in the race for a finals berth as Thompson's Cats were relentless against the Dockers. Geelong's 12th consecutive win virtually ended any hope for the Dockers to see September action.
The Dockers shot themselves in the foot with some shocking errors, especially in defense. An unmanned Milburn was allowed to run into the goalsquare for Geelong's first goal just two minutes into the game. The Cats were in total control from thereon while the Dockers were in disarray. Mooney kicked two for the term and set up teammates for others as the Cats pummeled Fremantle with six goals to one to lead by 31 points at 1/4 time.
The Dockers were marginally better in the second term and the Cats missed a few shots on goal which would have put Freo right out of the contest. Docker errors continued as they could make little inroads on the scoreboard. They may have won the term three goals to two but they still trailed the Cats by 30 points at 1/2 time.
Fremantle lifted early in the third term with quick goals to Tarrant and Mundy reducing the Cat lead to 19 points. The Cats then stamped their authority on the game. Geelong kicked the next four goals, two of them to Stokes and led by 33 points at 3/4 time. .
Stokes took a pass from Johnson to add another goal at the top of the final term. It was the first of eight for the Cats. The Dockers managed just two for the term to go down in their biggest loss of the season.
Gary Ablett put on another virtuoso display with 31 ball possessions. He is a favorite for the Brownlow. Young Stokes' five goals was a career high tally. Mooney was a powerhouse up forward as well while Ling shut down Bell and Steve Johnson (26 possessions, 14 marks) also was a strong contributor.
BRIS 7.6 11.13 16.15 22.17 (149)
COL 1.3 3.7 5.12 7.14 (56)
GOALS: BRIS - Brennan 7, Adcock 4, Brown 3, Hooper 3, Charman 2, Black, Roe, Rischitelli; COL - Maxwell 4, Rocca, Cloke, H. Shaw
BEST: BRIS - Black, Brennan, Adcock, Brown, Hooper, Charman; COL - H. Shaw, Swan, O'Bree, Thomas, Maxwell, Clarke
INJURY: COL - Pendlebury (leg)
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Rosebury, Grun
CROWD: 45,096 at the MCG
Brown did it last week and now it looks as if the Lions have another ace forward to relieve their reliance on Brown. Against the hapless Blues, Brown kicked more goals off his own boot than the entire Carlton side combined. Brennan came close this week. The young forward was on fire early with three of Brisbane's seven goals in the first term. The potent forward line enjoyed excellent delivery from a rampant midfield led by Black. He had plenty of help from Power, Lappin and Adcock who all found plenty of the ball with Charman doing well in the ruck. Collingwood simply had no answers as the Lions led by 37 points at 1/4 time.
Brennan, who saw off three different opponents in O'Brien, Swan and Goldsack, added two more goals in the second term. Had the Lions kicked straighter, it would have been even uglier for Collingwood. It didn't matter as the Pies kicked just one goal while another two to the Lions gave them a massive 54 point lead at 1/2 time.
Young forward Hooper provided a match highlight early in the third term when he used his speed to break a tackle and kick the ball to teammate Copeland. Copeland's attempted mark (catch of the ball) was spoiled, the ball spilled free and Hooper ran in to swoop on the loose ball and kick one of Brisbane's five goals for the term. The Pies kicked just two for the term, leaving Brisbane 69 points in front at 3/4 time.
The Lions roared home in the final term, kicking a further six goals to Collingwood's two. It was the highest score and biggest winning margin ever recorded by Brisbane against Collingwood and was easily the Magpies' biggest defeat of the season, their previous worst being a 33 point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Round Eight.
The dominance of Brennan up forward is a big relief with Coach Leigh Matthews previously concerned by the over-reliance of the team on Brown. Brown was still quite effective as he hauled in 12 marks and combined beautifully with Brennan and Hooper.
For Collingwood, Heath Shaw, Swan and Shane O'Bree worked hard, and Dale Thomas provided some dash. moments of his typical dash. Maxwell did well up forward with his four second half goals.
SYD 4.3 9.5 16.7 21.12 (138)
RICH 3.2 6.7 9.9 10.12 (72)
GOALS: SYD - Hall 6, Davis 4, Schneider 3, O'Keefe 2, Everitt 2, Jolly, Schmidt, J. Bolton, Bevan; RICH - Brown 3, Hughes 2, Edwards, Riewoldt, Pettifer, Krakouer, Moore
BEST: SYD - SYD - Hall, Goodes, Jolly, C. Bolton, J. Bolton, Davis, McVeigh; RICH - Newman, Brown, Thursfield, Edwards, Tuck
UMPIRES: Chamberlain, Head, Hendrie
CROWD: 23,199 at the SCG
Just a month ago, there were concerns that Barry Hall would miss the rest of the season with a groin problem. He showed no evidence of injury as he was back to his bustling best and gave young defender McGuane a bath. The Swans were expected to crush the Tigers and looked on track early when Everitt kicked the first two goals. By midway through the first term, the Swans had three on the board for an 18 point lead. The Tigers finally got one on the board only to have Sydney reply at the other end. Brown and Edwards kicked the last two goals to cut Sydney's lead to seven points at 1/4 time.
Sydney threatened to blow the game apart with Hall kicking a further three goals. The Tigers pulled one back but Sydney was once more quick to reply, this time with two goals. Again the Tigers grabbed the last two goals of the term to trail by just 17 points at 1/2 time.
The Swans blew the Tigers away with four goals in the first half of the third term. At one point in the term, McGuane tired, but was brushed aside by Hall like, as one radio commentator put it, "a pesky fly". Hall finished off by getting his hands on the ball and kicking a goal. Goodes conceded a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) and Krakouer kicked a goal. The incident sparked a bit of a push and shove and Tiger players ran in to remonstrate with Goodes while Sydney players came to his defense. Things quickly settled down and the Swans got back to business with three of the last four goals to take a 40 point lead at 3/4 time.
If the game wasn't over by then, it was when the Swans rattled on several goals early in the final term to take a 10 goal lead. The Tigers fought out the losing battle but their one measly goal was no match for the five kicked by the determined Swans.
ESS 6.2 10.4 14.6 18.9 (117)
ADE 5.3 10.4 12.7 16.9 (105)
GOALS: ESS - Lloyd 5, M. Johnson 3, McVeigh 2, Welsh 2, Watson, Ramanauskas, Peverill, Lovett-Murray, Winderlich, Dyson; ADE - McGregor 4, Burton 4, Welsh 3, Edwards, Torney, Maric, Goodwin, Gill
BEST: ESS - Watson, Hille, McVeigh, Peverill, Lovett-Murray, Stanton; ADE - Edwards, Bock, Thompson, Goodwin, McLeod, McGregor
INJURY: ESS - Fletcher (knee) replaced in selected side by Bradley; ADE - Torney (back), Massie (concussion)
UMPRES: Donlon, Allen, Wenn
CROWD: 35,010 at Telstra Dome
It was a game worthy of the dramas of the past week, with the club announcing on Wednesday that Coach Kevin Sheedy won't be there next season. Both sides are desperate to keep their finals hopes alive, and play from both sides reflected their determination. The game was played at finals intensity and featured plenty of errors, but also both sides running hard and attacking strongly.
The first term started as goal for goal and point for point shootout. Then the Bombers threatened to blow the game apart. Lucas was blanketed by Bode, but Lloyd was red-hot as he kicked three goals for the term to help his side to a 24 point lead. It didn't last long, as the Crows hit back with four of the next five goals to cut Essendon's lead to just five points at 1/4 time.
The second term was equally frenetic. McGregor, Burton and Welsh were giving the Essendon defense headaches. While Lloyd was the main man for the Bombers up forward, the Bomber midfield was proving equally effective with goals. The lead changed several times throughout the term and were tied at 1/2 time.
The shootout continued early in the third term with neither side able to break clear. Once again, the lead changed several times and scores were leveled twice. Essendon slowly worked their way on top and kicked the last two goals of the term for an 11 point lead at 3/4 time.
Those last two goals would prove crucial in the end. Adelaide again grabbed the lead with three of first five goals of the term. Then both sides missed several chances. Essendon finally sealed the win with three unanswered goals. Adelaide got the last of the game to left just two goals short in the end. Adelaide has now lost 11 straight games to Essendon in Melbourne.
KANG 2.5 8.7 11.10 16.12 (108)
HAW 1.2 3.6 4.11 10.11 (71)
GOALS: KANG - Jones 7, Petrie 2, Sansbury 2, Whyman 2, McIntosh, Edwards, Harvey; HAW - Croad 2, Dowler 2, Roughead, Hodge, Dixon, Vandenberg, McGlynn, Young
BEST: KANG - Jones, Harvey, McIntosh, Harris, Firrito, Archer; HAW - Hodge, Bateman, Crawford, Lewis, Young, Sewell
INJURY: KANG - Wells (knee) replaced in selected side by Edwards, Firrito (jarred back); HAW - Crawford (knee), Franklin (illness) replaced in selected side by Dowler, Mitchell (calf) replaced in selected side by Tuck
REPORTS: HAW - Lewis for allegedly striking Harris
UMPIRES: McInerney, Ryan, K. Nicholls
CROWD: 19,114 at Aurora Stadium
The Hawks were always going struggle with key forwards Franklin and Williams missing in action. They also missed the run and workrate of Mitchell in the midfield. Those absences were telling as the Hawks chipped the ball around while a near full strength Kangaroo side ran rampant. Harvey and Grant ran amok as the Kangaroos kicked long and direct into their forward line. The first term was a scrap with Jones kicking both goals for the Kangaroos in the term. They could have been much further ahead but for some poor kicking on goal. In restricting the Hawks to just one goal, it was still enough to be nine points clear at 1/4 time.
The second term started evenly enough with both teams adding two goals apiece. The Kangaroos still held a nine point lead midway through the term. However, it all went sour for the Hawks when a Lewis temper tantrum proved costly. After being penalized for holding the ball, Lewis remonstrated a bit too vehemently with the umpire to give away a 50 meter penalty (55 yards). He then took a swing at Kangaroo Harris, resulting in another 50 meter penalty. It took Jones within point blank range, setting the Kangaroos off to a four goal run. The next two came from second-gamer Djaran Whyman. By this time, the Hawks were attempting to staunch the flow by crowding the Kangaroos' forward line. Despite the congestion, ruckman McIntosh found a hole to mark (catch) the ball unopposed and kick the goal which put the Kangaroos 31 points clear at 1/2 time.
The Kangaroos added the first two goals of the third term. The first was a brilliant snap by Petrie while falling to the ground in the goal square. Then next came from Harvey as the Kangaroos scooted out to a 41 point lead. The scoring dried up for much of the term before Young kicked a late goal for the Hawks. There was just time enough left in the term for the Kangaroos to find Jones at the other end. His goal restored the Kangaroos' 41 point lead at 3/4 time.
With the game virtually over, the final term turned into a shootout. Hawthorn won the term with six consolation goals but the Kangaroos held them at bay with five of their own. Jones continued his goal spree with two while Edwards put himself in contention for mark of the year with a high-flying grab in the goalsquare over Gilham.
PA 8.3 11.6 19.10 25.13 (163)
MELB 2.3 6.6 7.7 11.8 (74)
GOALS: PA - C. Cornes 6, Ebert 6, S. Burgoyne 4, Rodan 3, Motlop 2, Westhoff, K. Cornes, Lade, Chaplin; MELB - Robertson 2, Green 2, Bate 2, Newton 2, Neitz, Bruce, Holland
BEST: PA - C. Cornes, P. Burgoyne, Cassisi, Lade, Brogan, S. Burgoyne, K. Cornes, Wilson; MELB - Green, McDonald, Brown, Wheatley
CHANGES: PA - Tredrea (knee) replaced in selected side by Thomson
REPORTS: PA - Thurstans for allegedly striking McDonald
UMPRES: Kennedy, Sully, Fila
CROWD: 23,485 at AAMI Stadium
IN the absence of Tredrea, Port restructured its forward line. Everywhere man Chad Cornes, Peter Burgoyne, David Rodan and Brett Ebert made for a potent forward combination. The Demons were in big trouble from the outset. Ebert goaled within 20 seconds of the first bounce, then Rodan and Motlop made it three goals to nil inside four minutes. Lade and Brogan worked in tandem to dominate the ruck contests while Peter Burgoyne was key in launching Port attacks from defense. Wilson, Kane Cornes and Cassisi provided plenty of midfield drive and helped repel Melbourne attacks. By the end of the term, Port had blasted through five more goals to Melbourne's two for a 36 point lead at 1/4 time.
The second term was less inspiring for Port. Several errors allowed Melbourne to put up a modicum of resistance to win the term four goals to three. Port still had the game well in hand with a five goal lead at 1/2 time.
Port eliminated those mistakes in the third term. They continued to pound the hapless Demons with another eight goal term. Melbourne somewhere, somehow managed to conjure at least one goal for the term. Port had the game won with a 75 point lead at 3/4 time.
Port eased back in the final term but just barely. They finished off the Demons with six goals to four. Had they not gone into cruise mode, they could have bettered the 91 point margin against the Eagles two weeks ago. However, the 89 point thumping is still their biggest ever over the Demons.
STANDINGS
W L D FOR AGST % PTS
GEEL 14 3 0 1936 1225 158.04 56
KANG 12 5 0 1632 1512 107.94 48
PA 11 6 0 1823 1604 113.65 44
WCE 11 6 0 1591 1401 113.56 44
HAW 10 7 0 1561 1413 110.47 40
COL 10 7 0 1538 1540 99.87 40
SYD 9 8 0 1557 1336 116.54 36
ESS 9 8 0 1717 1776 96.68 36
STK 9 8 0 1398 1480 94.46 36
WB 9 8 0 1706 1840 92.72 36
BRIS 8 8 1 1592 1436 110.86 34
ADE 8 9 0 1451 1336 108.61 32
FRE 7 10 0 1665 1696 98.17 28
CARL 4 13 0 1683 2257 74.57 16
MELB 3 14 0 1403 1886 74.39 12
RICH 1 15 1 1476 1991 74.13 6
GOALS
Pavlich (FRE) 54
Brown (BRIS) 53
Johnson (WB) 52
Lucas (ESS) 50
Franklin (HAW) 49
Fevola (CARL) 49
Lloyd (ESS) 44
Gehrig (STK) 42
Source: Melbourne Age & Herald Sun
St; Kilda's Sam Gilbert is the Round 16 Rising Star nominee.
Gilbert debuted in Round Eight last year, but played only one more game after that. This year, he has not missed a game since Round Five. Playing on the more experienced Ben Dixon last week, he impressed with 22 ball possessions and 12 marks to be among St. Kilda's best.
He has learned the game quickly, as he has played for only six years after spending much of his youth as a rugby player. He switched to Australian Rules at age 14, joining Gold Coast club Southport. He played in Southport's 2005 premiership and impressed recruiters playing for Queensland's junior team. He later attended the AFL Draft Camp and was drafted by the Saints in 2005.
Sam is St Kilda’s first Rising Star nominee since Raphael Clarke in Round 22, 2005.
Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release
Article last changed on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 11:23 AM EDT
