Round 4 Summary and Scores

by Lisa Albergo, reporting for AFANA from Chicago.

Here is the Round 4 summary. 

WB    5.4    10.6    13.8    19.14 (128)
ESS   1.2     7.7    14.12   14.14 (98) 

GOALS: WB - Welsh 3, Giansiracusa 2, Griffen 2, Akermanis 2, Minson 2, Harbrow 2, Murphy, Johnson, Hahn, Eagleton, Cooney, Lake; ESS - Stanton 3, McVeigh 2, Hille 2, Davey 2, Winderlich, Lovett, Laycock, Reimers, Lovett-Murray

BEST: WB - Cooney, Akermanis, Cross, Minson, Boyd, Hargrave; ESS - Fletcher, Stanton, McVeigh, Hille, Reimers, Lovett

INJURY: ESS - Lonergan (hamstring), McVeigh (hamstring), Monfries (food poisoning) replaced in selected side by Pears

UMPIRES: Stevic, McLaren, Head CROWD 47,641 at Telstra Dome The game was full of fast running from start to finish.

Clearly the Bombers missed the presence of Lloyd and Lucas, leaving it to others to kick goals. The Bulldogs had the better start, winning the ball out of the center and forcing the Bombers into skill errors. Their first goal came through Hahn who evaded an attempted tackle by Nash. Johnson booted the next one from a turnover followed by Griffen. Essendon finally got on the board before Welsh intercepted an errant Michael pass for the Bulldogs fourth goal. The Bulldogs added one more goal for the term to lead by 26 points at 1/4 time. Essendon fought back in the second term, but every time they challenged and threatened the Bulldog lead, the Bulldogs responded to keep the Bombers at bay. Essendon was courageous in the fightback with Laycock (cut tongue) and Watson (nose) having to come off periodically under the blood rule. Essendon also squandered a number of chances which could have given them the lead. They actually got within five points midway through the term. Although Essendon outscored the more accurate Bulldogs with six goals to five, they still trailed by 17 points at 1/2 time. The Bombers fired in the third term and continued their hard running. Fletcher was a key in defense while Hille and Laycock worked hard in ruck as well as going forward at times. Ryder was also handy when he spelled Laycock and Hille in the middle. Essendon continued to apply the pressure and threatened to run the Bulldogs off their legs. The Bombers kicked seven goals to three to lead by 10 points at 3/4 time. Reimers missed a chance to extend the Bomber lead early in the final term. Minson's goal then had the Dogs within five points. Harbrow goaled to restore the Bulldog lead. Minson was crucial in the term as he controlled the ruck and later kicked another goal. When Cross and Griffen goaled, the result was sealed. Essendon failed to kick a goal for the term while the Dogs added six to remain undefeated.

GEEL     4.0     10.6     17.9       21.10 (136)
STK      4.7      7.8     10.11      13.16 (94)

GOALS: GEEL - Johnson 4, Mooney 3, Hawkins 3, Kelly 2, Stokes 2, Wojcinski 2, Gamble, Chapman, Ling, Selwood, Hunt; STK - Riewoldt 3, Koschitzke 3, Gilbert 2, Milne 2, Gehrig 2, Fisher

BEST: GEEL - Scarlett, Corey, Kelly, Bartel, Ling, Selwood, Ablett, Hunt; STK - Hayes, Riewoldt, Ball, Montagna, Goddard

INJURY: STK - X. Clarke (heavy knock), Harvey (corked thigh) CHANGES: STK - Schneider (hamstring) replaced in side by Jones REPORTS: GEEL - Gamble for striking Dal Santo UMPIRES: Rosebury, Chamberlain, Meredith CROWD: 44,368 at Telstra Dome St. Kilda showed the Cats they weren't the only ones with a strong midfield and potent forward line. At least through the first term, anyway. Hayes, Harvey and Dal Santo matched the power of the Geelong midfield to give their forwards plenty of scoring opportunities. They dominated the early stages of the opening term. While Scarlett did well in restricting Gehrig, The Saints wasted numerous shots on goal and could have had a handy lead. As it was, they kicked a poor 4.7 to Geelong's four goals for the term. Those seven points were the difference at 1/4 time. The Saints had injury concerns in the second term with both Harvey and Xavier Clarke forced off. Both returned to the field but Harvey was hampered. It allowed the likes of Bartel, Corey and Ling to take over. Their work through the center helped set up three rapid fire goals to take the lead. Johnson's kick then hit the post and the Saints rebounded from the kick in for a goal to Koschitzke to level the scores. The Cats slammed through the next three. The Saints kicked the last two for the term to cut Geelong's lead to 16 points at 1/2 time. Gehrig got away from Scarlett early in the third term to kick one of his two goals for the match. Again, the Cats replied in ruthless fashion. Hawkins booted two goals, one from a strong mark (catch of the ball). Ling gathered a loose ball to slot another. Wojcinski drifted forward from defense to slot a goal on the run. Further goals to Stokes and Joel Selwood had the Cats well in front. The Saints managed just two more for the term, leaving the Cats with a 40 point lead at 3/4 time. Koschitzke goaled to start the final term but Riewoldt missed. Had he kicked a goal, the Saints would have been within thirty points. A goal to Mooney was followed by one to Milne, but the Saints were unable to make up any more scoring ground as the Cats kicked three of the last four goals to keep their winning streak intact.

KANG    4.8    8.11    13.15    18.19 (127) 
MELB    1.0    3.6       5.10     11.13 (79)

GOALS: KANG - Thompson 5, Edwards 3, Thomas 3, Campbell 2, Jones 2, Grant, Harvey, Smith; MELB - Robertson 3, Wonaeamirri 2, Davey, Dunn, Jamar, McLean, Wheatley, White

BEST: KANG - Harvey, Wells, Rawlings, Thompson, Edwards, Power, Campbell, Firrito; MELB - Davey, McDonald, Green

INJURY: KANG - Gibson (knee)

REPORTS: MELB - Miller for charging

UMPIRES: Farmer, Armstrong, McInerney

CROWD: 23,427 at the MCG

The Kangaroos could have and should have put this game to bed by the first break. It took until late in the first term for them to register a goal after kicking seven straight points. Once they found their kicking boots, that was it for a lackluster Melbourne. The Kangaroos proceeded to kick three of the next four goals to set up a 26 point lead at 1/4 time.
The Kangaroos extended their lead to 45 points with the first three goals of the second term before the Demons managed a pair of goals. Just two more goals were scored for the term, one to each side, but it was the Kangaroos who held a 36 point lead at 1/2 time.

With Thompson patrolling the forward line and Harvey running rampant through the midfield, the Demons had no answer for the more skilled and committed Kangaroos. Edwards and Jones gave plenty of support to Thompson against the Demon defense. The Kangaroos kicked five goals to two, setting up a 53 point lead at 3/4 time.

The only bright spots for Melbourne were outscoring the Kangaroos six goals to five in the final term and the performance of Davey. Davey, playing in the midfield instead of his customary role up forward, had 20 possessions along with his two goals.

SYD    4.2     8.6    12.8     16.11 (107)
WCE    1.2     2.3     4.5      5.15 (45) 

GOALS: SYD - O'Loughlin 4, McVeigh 2, Barlow 2, Hall, Mattner, Goodes, O'Keefe, Kirk, J. Bolton, Jolly, Jack; WCE - McKinley 4, Armstrong

BEST: SYD - Kennelly, Jack, Barry, Mattner, Kirk, Richards, O'Loughlin, O'Keefe; WCE - Rosa, McKinley

INJURY: SYD - Hall (broken wrist). Grundy (foot) replaced in selected side by Brennan;
WCE - Staker (concussion, bruised jaw); Embley (ill) replaced in selected side by Nicoski

REPORTS: SYD - Hall for allegedly striking Staker

UMPIRES: Kennedy, Donlon, Wenn

CROWD 44,235 at ANZ Stadium

It was a badly depleted Eagle outfit which took on a Sydney team which is flying high at the moment. Unlike previous seasons in which the Swans have been slow starters, the Swans were just too good and capitalized on the absence of key Eagles. O’Loughlin was at his elusive best and opened the Swan scoring with a pair of goals after the Eagles had kicked a point. Mattner goaled soon after. It was late in the term when Hall flattened Staker with a punch to the jaw in an incident behind play. Sydney added a fourth goal before McKinley finally goaled for the Eagles. Sydney held an 18 point lead at 1/4 time.

McKinley goaled early in the second term to be the only goalkicker for West Coast for the first half. While O’Loughlin and Hall were dominant in the goalsquare, Sydney did not rely on them alone to kick goals. The midfielders were also chipping in as McVeigh, Goodes, and Kirk joined O’Keefe on the scoreboard to give the Swans a 39 point lead at 1/2 time.

If the game wasn't over at 1/2 time, it was by the last break after the Swans added another four goals through Jude Bolton, Jolly, Jack and O'Loughlin. The Eagles added just two goals for the term and the Swans led by 51 points at 3/4 time.

The Swans finished off the Eagles with a four goal to one final term. it was the biggest margin between the two teams in a long time. Four of their past five games have had margins totaling just five points. It was late in the game that Hall injured his wrist when he accidentally crashed into an advertising board, which also broke.

BRIS   2.2     4.6      9.10      18.16 (124)
PA     6.3    10.5     15.7       16.8 (104)

GOALS: BRIS - Bradshaw 5, Brown 4, Corrie, Mills, Black, Rischitelli, Adcock, Notting, Johnstone, Stiller, Hooper; PA - C. Cornes 2, Tredrea 2, Rodan 2, Surjan 2, Westhoff, Brogan, S. Burgoyne, K Cornes, Cassisi, Salopek, Pearce, Ebert

BEST: BRIS - Black, Brown, Johnstone, Macdonald, Power, Bradshaw, Sherman; PA - Salopek, C. Cornes, P. Burgoyne, Surjan, Rodan

INJURY: BRIS - Charman (calf) replaced in selected side by Mills; PA - Thomas (torn ligaments, left ankle)

UMPIRES: Margetts, H. Ryan, S. Ryan

CROWD: 25,205 at AAMI Stadium

Young ruckman Leuenberger had to shoulder the load on his own with the withdrawal of Charman. Against the experienced duo of Brogan and Lade, it seemed he would be well-beaten in the ruck and around the ground. It started that way as Brogan and Lade did dominate while Chad Cornes and Rodan were creating havoc in the midfield. As a result, Port had the first four goals on the board before the Lions could respond.

Lappin had a chance to add a third goal for Brisbane late in the term when he stole the ball from Thurstans. He was caught by Salopek who duly kicked a Power goal. The next goal came in a freakish way. Chad Cornes' kick for goal seemed destined to hit the post but hit the goal umpire instead and bounced through for a goal, giving Port a 25 point lead at 1/4 time.

Port was not at their best in the second term, but Brown and Bradshaw missed several kicks for goal which could have severely dented Port's lead. The Lions still managed two goals to Port's three as Port held onto a comfortable lead. Port was the beneficiary of another fluke error late in the term. This time it was Pearce who picked off a Johnstone handball and goaled from 50 meters (55 yards) to give Port a 35 point lead at 1/2 time.

Port kept Brisbane at arm's length through much of the third term. Rain began pouring down late in the term as Port extended their lead to 47 points. It didn't dampen Brisbane's spirit as they added several goals for the term to cut Port's lead to 33 points at 3/4 time.

Brisbane found that x-factor in the final term. Bradshaw and Brown had been well held by Port's defense through much of the game. Port had also limited the midfield supply. Stiller, Black and Johnstone began to assert themselves more. Stiller and Johnstone kicked a pair of goals to further erode Port's lead. Brisbane then went on a rampage reminiscent of their dominant 2001-04 seasons. They kicked five goals to snatch the lead late in the term. Shaun Burgoyne goaled to get Port to within seven points, but that was as close as Port got as Bradshaw and Brown added another two goals to seal victory.

CARL     6.0    10.2    12.6    17.9 (111)
COL      3.4     6.6     7.9    13.10 (88)

GOALS: CARL - Fevola 7, Fisher 2, Gibbs, Simpson, Hadley, Grigg, O'hAilpin, Betts, Stevens, Pfeiffer;
COL - Davis 2, Thomas 2, Brown 2, Didak, Medhurst, Pendlebury, Clarke, Rocca, Cloke, Swan

BEST: CARL - Fevola, Waite, Gibbs, Murphy, Carrazzo, Fisher, Simpson; COL - Swan, Lockyer, Johnson, H. Shaw, Didak

UMPIRES: McBurney, Sully, Jeffery

REPORTS: CARL - Stevens for striking Didak

CROWD: 77,873 at the MCG

Carlton avoided setting a new losing streak record and Fevola was one of the architects. He was just too strong and too good against young defender O'Brien. O'Brien was eventually replaced by the equally young and inexperienced Brown. Fevola had plenty of help up forward and the midfield led by Stevens and Judd. O'hAilpin kicked Carlton's first goal but the Pies were quick to reply. Midway through the term, a Maxwell bump on Murphy started a melee. Murphy won the resultant free kick and the Blues proceeded to punish the Magpies with five goals and a 26 point lead. The Magpies at times were their own worst enemy, giving away several 50 meter penalties (55 yards) which led to Carlton goals. Brown and Didak goaled late in the term to cut Carlton's lead to 14 points at 1/4 time.

The second term went goal for goal with Scotland and Murphy having a say in several Carlton goals. Both were winning plenty of the ball in the midfield while the Carlton defense quelled Rocca. Stevens also got in among the goal action late in the term to give the Blues a 20 point lead at 1/2 time.

The scoring dried up somewhat in the third term after Fevola kicked one less than a minute after the start of play. It was almost 10 minutes before Hadley snagged the next one for Carlton. Midway through the term, Medhurst kicked his only goal for the match and the last for the term as the Blues took a 27 point lead at 3/4 time.

Fevola virtually sealed the win with three goals at the start of the final term. Collingwood then staged a mini-rally. Fevola set up Grigg for a goal amidst Collingwood's four with four to hang onto to a 17 point lead. Enter Fevola again with another goal. Collingwood kicked two more for the term, but it wasn't enough to catch Carlton.

The win was Carlton's first since they downed Port Adelaide in Round 11 last year. It was also Brett Ratten's first win as Carlton coach.

HAW     3.4     8.5    14.8    17.12 (114)
ADE     2.2     5.5     8.7    10.10 (70)

 GOALS: HAW - Franklin 6, Williams 3, Bateman 2, Roughead, Crawford, Young, Hodge, Clarke, Rioli;
ADE - Burton 2, Stevens 2, Thompson, Edwards, Symes, McGregor, Vince, Goodwin

BEST: HAW - Franklin, Guerra, Bateman, Hodge, Rioli, Young; ADE - Edwards, Doughty, Burton, Bock, Goodwin, Symes

UMPIRES: Vozzo, M. Nicholls, J Schmitt

CROWD: 15,124 at Aurora Stadium

Hawthorn played a disciplined man-on-man game, preventing the Crows from moving the ball into attack. The Crows did the same in the first term. It made for a low-scoring term, but didn't stop Franklin and Williams. With Hodge, Bateman, Rioli and Birchall running hard through the midfield and Guerra setting up plenty of moves from defense, the Hawks found enough to outscore the Crows to lead by eight points at 1/4 time.

The second term was reasonably even with both sides kicking three goals each. Franklin was again a force in the term and although the Crows were more accurate, Hawthorn still led by three goals at 1/2 time.

Bateman, playing his 100th game, was a standout in the third term. He gathered the ball plenty of times and kicked the first goal before setting up Williams for the next Hawk goal. Three more goals to Adelaide's one opened up a 44 point lead before the Crows booted two more for the term, leaving the Hawks with a 37 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Hawks saw off the Crows with a three goal to two final term to be one of three teams to remain undefeated.

RICH    5.7    10.11    14.13    20.17 (137) 
FRE     3.3     6.7      8.9     10.13 (73)

 GOALS: RICH - Richardson 4, Hyde 3, Tambling 3, Morton 2, Brown 2, Newman, Polak, McMahon, Deledio, Edwards, Tuck; FRE - Pavlich 3, McPharlin 2, Tarrant, Mayne, Farmer, Crowley, Bell

BEST: RICH - Richardson, Foley, Johnson, McMahon, Simmonds, Polak; FRE - McPharlin, Pavlich, Bell, Gilmore

UMPIRES: Fila, Ellis, Keating

CROWD: 37,541 at Subiaco Oval

The Tigers employed the unusual tactic of putting Richardson on wing. It is not the first time Richo has played as a midfielder. It was done several years ago with telling effect. The Tigers were the first to the board from the opening bounce through Newman. Tarrant kicked the Dockers' first a few minutes later. Shortly after that, he and Solomon collided. Solomon was knocked unconscious and had to be stretchered off the ground.

He then gave away a meter (55 yard) penalty for a high hit on Moore. It was the opening the Tigers needed. Foley and Johnson were prominent as was Richardson with two goals. The Tigers added two more goals for the term while the Dockers kicked just three. Polak and White had chances to give the Tigers a bigger lead but missed, leaving the Tigers with a 17 point lead at 1/4 time.

Sandilands was winning the ruck contests for Fremantle but the Dockers were unable to take advantage of his good work with the Tigers holding sway in the midfield. Richmond again missed a number of shots on goal which could have completely buried the Dockers, but still added five goals to three for a 28 point lead at 1/2 time.

Solomon returned to the fray for the second half, but the Tigers continued to dominate the Dockers. The temperature cooled a bit from the near 80 degrees it was at the start but the Tigers turned up the onfield heat with four goals to one to increase their lead. Crowley kicked a late goal, but the Tigers still led by 40 points at 3/4 time.

Bell opened the final term with a goal for Fremantle. Any hope of Docker revival was smashed by the Tigers who kicked six of the last seven goals for an emphatic win.

GOALS
Franklin (HAW)      21
Fevola (CARL)       19
Bradshaw (BRIS)     16 
Brown (BRIS)        13 
Goodwin (ADE)       13 
Jones (KANG)        12 

Sources: Melbourne Age, herald Sun, afl.com.au, author notes from live broadcasts