by Lisa Albergo, reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Round 5 Match Results:
STK 5.3 12.9 14.12 18.15 (123) ESS 3.0 6.1 12.1 14.3 (87)
GOALS: STK - Riewoldt 3, Koschitzke 2, Armitage 2, Ball 2, Milne 2, C. Gardiner 2, King, Clarke, Montagna, Dempster, Hayes; ESS - Houli 2, Lovett 2, McPhee 2, Stanton 2, Pears, Ramanauskas, Welsh, Nash, Laycock, Ryder
BEST: STK - Harvey, Hudghton, Dal Santo, S. Fisher, Hayes, Goddard, Milne; ESS - Houli, B Stanton, Watson, Reimers, Lovett, Hille
INJURY: STK - King (hamstring/back spasm), Dal Santo (shoulder)
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Nicholls, Jeffery
CROWD: 46,792 at Telstra Dome
An out of form Gehrig was omitted from this game but the Saints still had enough firepower up forward through Riewoldt, Koschitzke and Milne and first year player Armitage. The forwards were also getting excellent delivery of the ball from midfielders Harvey, Hayes and Dal Santo. King got the Saints going with the first goal of the game as the midfield was in control to set up a five goal to three term to give the Saints a 15 point lead at 14 time.
St. Kilda's dominance continued in the second term. Hudghton was holding Lloyd in check while Sam Fisher set up plenty of attacking moves with his run out of defense. With Lloyd contained and Lucas out injured, Essendon had no easy path to goal. The Saints constantly pumped the ball forward and slammed on seven goals to three for the term to lead by 44 points at 1/2 time.
The Saint lead was out to 51 points when Koschitzke kicked the opening goal of the third term. Staring down the barrel of an embarrassing loss, the Bombers rallied and stunned the Saints in an amazing comeback which got them right back in the game. Stanton, Houli and McPhee lifted as the Bombers fought back. McPhee's goal started a run of six for Essendon. Lovett, Laycock, Nash, Pears and Ryder all kicked goals to reduce St. Kilda's lead to just 16 points. St. Kilda steadied with the next two goals, the last to Riewoldt which gave the Saints a 23 point lead at 3/4 time.
Milne, who was busy throughout the game, kicked two goals early in the final term to virtually seal the win. Lloyd had a rare chance to reduce the margin but missed. Armitage and Riewoldt also kicked goals in the term while the Bombers kicked just two.
GEEL 6.2 7.8 8.13 16.18 (114) SYD 1.2 6.7 7.9 10.12 (72)
GOALS: GEEL - S. Johnson 4, Stokes 4, Ablett 3, Bartel 2, Hunt, Mooney, Wojcinski; SYD - Barlow 2, Moore 2, Ablett, Bevan, J. Bolton, Davis, Jolly, O'Keefe
BEST: GEEL - Ablett, Bartel, S. Johnson, Scarlett, Chapman, Stokes; SYD - Jolly, McVeigh, Mattner, Kirk, Moore
INJURY: SYD - Kennelly (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Brennan
UMPIRES: McBurney, Rosebury, Ellis
CROWD: 24,368 at Skilled Stadium
Another Geelong belting appeared imminent early in this game. With Hall suspended and Kennelly missing through injury, it was always going to be a monumental task for the Swans. There was no stopping the Cats in the first term as they played their "take all comers" game. Steve Johnson and Wojcinski did much of the damage with two goals apiece in the term, sandwiched around one to Jude Bolton for the Swans. Stokes and Bartel added two more to give the Cats a five goal lead at 1/4 time.
Geelong found the going a bit tougher in the second term as Sydney played their lock down style of game to stymie Geelong's running game. Jolly booted the first for Sydney early in the term, followed by Davis and Barlow. Despite low key performances from Goodes and O'Loughlin, the Swans continued to work their way back into the game with two more goals for the term while the Cats added just one through Stokes for a seven point lead at 1/2 time.
The third term was an arm wrestle as the Swans continued their efforts to halt Geelong. Neither side could break away from the other for a clear advantage and the only two goals for the term came with just a few minutes remaining. Bevan goaled first to have the Swans within three points before Bartel goaled just before the siren to restore Geelong's 10 point lead at 3/4 time.
Moore goaled from a free kick at the start of the final term to again have the Swans within three points. Gary Ablett, who played inspired football through the term, kicked the next two for the Cats. Johnson and Luke Ablett (Gary's cousin) both goaled to maintain the status quo. Moore kicked another to reduce the Cat lead to just 11 points midway through the term. It was the last Sydney goal for the game. Enter Gary Ablett again as he intercepted a wayward Sydney kick from defense. He handballed to Hunt who slotted a goal on the run. Ablett kicked another to ensure the win and came off for a rest as the Cats added a sixth for the term to remain unbeaten.
HAW 4.5 10.9 14.13 19.16 (130) BRIS 5.3 9.7 14.11 17.16 (118)
GOALS: HAW - Franklin 8, Rioli 2, Williams 2, Young, Sewell, Roughead, Ellis, Osborne, Mitchell, Hodge; BRIS - Bradshaw 7, McGrath 2, Johnstone 2, Hooper, Adcock, Leuenberger, Charman, Begley, Corrie
BEST: HAW - Franklin, Birchall, Mitchell, Crawford, Rioli; BRIS - Bradshaw, Adcock, Power, Black, Corrie
INJURY: BRIS - Lappin (achilles tightness) replaced in selected side by Copeland
REPORTS: BRIS - Brown for rough conduct against Mitchell
UMPRES: Farmer, Chamberlain, McInerney
CROWD: 30,019 at the Gabba
Franklin and Bradshaw were the stars of this game with both turning in massive performances for their respective sides. The pair had plenty of support as well as benefiting from excellent midfield work. Mitchell and Crawford were outstanding for Hawthorn while Black and Power were equally impressive for the Lions. It was the Hawks who were first to the board with Franklin kicking the first two goals. However, Brisbane fired back with five of the next seven goals to lead by four points at 1/4 time.
The two forwards were in the thick of the action again in the second term adding goals for their respective sides. Brisbane powerhouse Jonathan Brown split his time between the center and center half forward for much of the game and nearly sparked a brawl with a late hit on Mitchell. It cost him a 50 meter (55 yards) penalty and handed the Hawks another goal. The two sides were neck and neck through most of the term with the Hawks booting five goals to four. Franklin nailed his third goal of the game just before the siren to give the Hawks an eight point lead at 1/2 time.
Nothing separated the Hawks and Lions through much of the third term. Franklin booted two more in the term, his second coming through a free kick. At one stage, Hawthorn's 14 point lead was their biggest of the game. Brisbane continued to stay right with them and outscored the Hawks five goals to four to cut the margin to just two points at 3/4 time.
Franklin added two goals in two minutes to start the final term and give Hawthorn some breathing room. Williams took a big mark (catch of the ball) and goaled and the game looked as good as over. Brisbane surged again to get close with three of the next four goals before Hodge sealed the win with a long range goal late in the term.
NM 3.4 5.9 9.12 16.16 (112) COL 2.4 8.6 10.11 15.15 (105)
GOALS: NM - Grant 3, Thomas 3, Campbell 3, Lower 2, Thompson 2, Simpson, Jones, Hale; COL - Medhurst 5, Fraser 4, Davis 2, Didak, Pendlebury, R. Shaw, Rocca
BEST: NM - Harvey, Grant, Harding, Thomas, Wells, Firrito; COL - Didak, Fraser, Lockyer, Medhurst, R. Shaw, Pendlebury
REPORTS: NM - Pratt for allegedly charging Fraser
UMPIRES: Donlon, Kennedy, Sully
CROWD: 51,990 at the MCG
If there is any certainty in football, it is never underestimate or write off the Kangaroos. The first term was relatively even with both sides guilty of some skill errors, but it was the Roos who came out on top with a one goal lead at 1/4 time.
The Kangaroos could have put Collingwood away in the second term, but for some woeful kicking for goal. Jones was the biggest offender, missing several set shots on goal while the Pies continued to attack. Despite the inaccuracy, the Kangaroos hung on to the lead with two of the first three goals for the term. Collingwood then got to work with a burst of five goals. Medhurst was involved in several, kicking two himself and feeding the ball to Swan for another. The Kangaroos had more chances to slash the lead late in the term, but their last three shots on goal all missed, leaving the Pies with a five point lead at 1/2 time.
The Magpies again squandered scoring opportunities in the third term but still held their lead. The Kangaroos also missed several crucial shots in the term. They still managed to outscore the Pies four goals to two. It slashed Collingwood's lead to just five points at 3/4 time.
The Magpies kicked two of first three goals to start the final term. Then Lockyer set up Davis who kicked a goal on the run. He was again involved in the next goal, beating out Kangaroo ruckman McIntosh for a mark (catch of the ball) and got it to Medhurst. His goal gave the Pies a 12 point lead. Fraser's goal midway through the term gave the Magpies a 21 point lead. In between more missed scoring chances, the Kangaroos rallied. They began winning more of the ball out of the middle and sent it forward where Thompson worked hard to give fellow forwards Thomas, Lower and Campbell the space they needed. Thomas and Campbell were particularly good, kicking two goals to have the Kangaroos within four points. With less than five minutes remaining, Grant took a mark well out from goal. Collingwood defender O'Brien then conceded a 50 meter (55 yards) penalty when he crashed into Grant. Grant, who had missed a similar kick in Round One last year and cost his team the game, made no mistake. His goal put the Kangaroos two points ahead. Lower then kicked a lucky bouncing goal and the lead was out to eight points. Another 50 meter penalty against Pratt gave Medhurst a chance to goal to again tighten up the scores before Didak missed his chance to restore Collingwood's lead. The Kangaroos won the ball again and Grant got the ball to Campbell in the dying seconds for the matchwinning goal.
ADE 3.4 6.6 8.13 12.16 (88) FRE 1.1 2.5 6.9 10.11 (71)
GOALS: ADE - Goodwin 3, Burton 3, Porplyzia 2, McLeod 2, Tippett, Thompson; FRE - Farmer 3, Johnson 2, McPharlin 2, Hinkley, Thornton, Solomon
BEST: ADE - McLeod, Bock, Goodwin, Burton, Symes, Porplyzia; FRE - Palmer, Hayden, Dodd, Drum, Bell, Ibbotson
UMPIRES: McLaren, Head, Avon
CROWD: 39,554 at AAMI Stadium
The Adelaide defense was at their miserly best with McLeod, Rutten, Doughty, Bassett and Symes keeping the Dockers out of the contest for much of the first half. Pavlich was goalless against Bock. The Crows also had plenty of options up forward. Goodwin was again assigned a role in the forward line rather than his customary midfield position. Except for some inaccuracy, the Crows should have a bigger lead. Both sides applied plenty of pressure through the middle, causing errors and turnovers. Debutant Hinkley kicked Fremantle's only goal for the term. His goal was also his first league kick. However, the Crows kicked three for the term to lead by 15 points at 1/4 time.
Although Docker ruckman Sandilands was winning the majority of the center hitouts, the more experienced Crow midfield had the ascendency. This time it was the Dockers who found kicking goals difficult while the more accurate Crows added three more to Fremantle's one, giving them a 25 point lead at 1/2 time.
Forward Pavlich was shifted into the midfield to help give the Dockers some spark. He combined well with young midfielders Palmer, Ibbotson and Drum. Their hard work combined with more inaccuracy from the Crows kept the Dockers in the game with four goals to two for the term. Despite Adelaide's kicking woes, they still led by 16 points at 3/4 time.
Porplyzia goaled at the start of the final term to give the Crows a 32 point lead. The Dockers continued to fight back with goals to McPharlin, Solomon and Johnson whittling down Adelaide's lead. That was as close the Dockers got. They managed just one more goal for the term while two goals to McLeod and a pair to Burton and Welsh ensured victory.
WB 4.10 9.11 12.14 19.16 (130) RICH 4.2 9.3 15.8 20.10 (130)
GOALS: WB - Gilbee 3, Minson 3, Johnson 2, Murphy, Cross, Hahn, Giansiracusa, Hudson, Griffen, Cooney, Hill, Akermanis, Hargrave, Lake; RICH - Brown 3, Riewoldt 3, Richardson 3, Deledio 2, S Edwards 2, Morton 2, Schulz, Hyde, White, Simmonds, Polak
BEST: WB - Boyd, Akermanis, Lake, Cross, Cooney, Hahn. Richmond: Johnson, Richardson, Deledio, Foley, Tambling, Schulz
UMPIRES: Meredith, Ryan, Armstrong
CROWD: 37,767 at Telstra Dome
The Bulldogs should have had this game won by the first break but were inexcusable in front of goal. Four goals from 14 scoring shots tell the story. Welsh was one of the main culprits, kicking just three points. The term see-sawed as the lead changed several times before a late goal to Hudson gave the Dogs an eight point lead at 1/4 time.
Brad Johnson's two goals at the start of the second term gave the Dogs a 20 point lead before the Tigers again took over. Former Bulldog Nathan Brown kicked pair. The Dogs kept the Tigers at bay with three goals midway through the term. Just one more goal to each side late in the term kept the Dogs in front by eight points at 1/2 time.
Scores again fluctuated in the third term. There were several lead changes and scores were tied several times until late in the term before goals to Edwards and Riewoldt gave the Tigers a 12 point lead at 3/4 time.
The Tigers extended their lead to 24 points with goals to Richardson and Brown early in the final term. That lead was slashed to just seven points with goals to Giansiracusa, Griffen and Minson. Riewoldt goaled again for the Tigers to relieve the pressure. Simmonds goaled late in the term to give Richmond a 19 point lead. King, with less than five minutes remaining, gathered the ball in defense but had no teammate nearby and stepped across the goal line, reducing the Bulldog lead to exactly three goals. That lone action would prove critical in the end as Cross and Murphy then goaled to reduce the Tiger lead to just six points.
The Bulldogs charged again from the bounce. Lake flew for the ball, took the catch but crashed hard to the ground and fell over an opponent. Unable to take his kick, the umpire designated Minson to take over. Minson didn't miss and with 14 seconds remaining, the scores were level. The ball came back to the center for one last bounce and one last play which resulted in a free kick to the Tigers. Schulz kicked long toward a waiting Brown but the siren sounded before he could catch it.
CARL 3.3 10.6 12.10 15.11 (101) MELB 1.3 4.5 4.9 9.14 (68)
GOALS: CARL - Fevola 7, Judd 3, Murphy, Kreuzer, Fisher, O'hAilpin, Pfeiffer; MELB - Green 4, Robertson 2, McDonald, Jones, Jamar
BEST: CARL - Judd, Fevola, Thornton, Cloke, Murphy; MELB - Green, Bruce, McDonald, Robertson, McLean
INJURY: CARL - Gibbs (back soreness) replaced in selected side by Bentick; MELB - Neitz (neck)
REPORTS: CARL - Thornton (Carlton) for striking Bartram; MELB - Whelan for striking Fevola
UMPIRES Schmitt, Stevic, Stewart
CROWD 44,159 at MCG
This game beggars questions. Are the Demons really that bad or has Carlton improved that much? Perhaps a bit of both as the Demons looked dispirited and uncommitted from the outset as Carlton outplayed them all over the ground. Judd was back to his awesome best and showed it when he unleashed a monster kick for a 60 meter goal (65 yards). By the time McDonald kicked Melbourne's only goal for the term, Fevola had two and the Blues led by two goals at 1/4 time.
The Demons found enough to kick three of the first four goals early in the second term to tie the scores. By then, Neitz was off after being injured in a Waite tackle. Pfeiffer goaled via a 50 meter penalty against Moloney and the Blues never looked back. Rivers was no match for Fevola as Carlton slammed through five more goals for a 37 point lead at 1/2 time.
The third term was low-scoring for both teams. One of Carlton's two goals came from a free kick to Fevola against Whelan. It was the last thing the Demons needed as they were held to just four points for the term as Carlton increased their lead to 49 points at 3/4 time.
Carlton took their foot off the gas in the final term, allowing the Demons five goals for the term after kicking just three more themselves. By that time, the game was effectively over as a contest.
PA 2.7 10.11 15.11 19.14 (128) WCE 3.3 5.4 9.5 16.8 (104)
GOALS: PA - Motlop 4, Ebert 4, S. Burgoyne 3, Thomson 2, Tredrea 2, Lade, Westhoff, Cassisi, Rodan; WCE - McKinley 5, Wirrpanda 2, A Selwood 2, Lynch 2, Cox, Armstrong, Spangher, Jones, Kerr
BEST: PA - K. Cornes, S. Burgoyne, Rodan, Motlop, Cassisi; WCE - McKinley, A. Selwood, Embley, Wirrpanda
UMPIRES: Ryan, Wenn, K. Nicholls
CROWD: 38,302 at Subiaco Oval
The Eagles looked a shadow of their former selves and were unable to counter Port. Kane Cornes ran with Kerr and restricted his influence. Port was slow in getting started after McKinley and Motlop traded goals. Port was wasteful as Salopek, Burgoyne and Motlop all missed kicks for goal. McKinley and Cox added two more goals for the Eagles while Port added just one more for the term, giving the Eagles a three point lead at 1/4 time.
The Port midfield dominated the second term, constantly winning the ball through the middle and sending it forward. Motlop, Tredrea and Shaun Burgoyne did most of the damage with two goals each. Thomson added another. Port added eight goals to two for the term to take a 37 point lead at 1/2 time.
The Port bombardment continued in the third term as they raced out to a 49 point lead before the Eagles put up a modicum of resistance. Spangher, Chad Jones and Lynch goaled to cut Port's lead to 31 points. Port kicked three of the next four goals for a 42 point lead at 3/4 time.
Last week, Port capitulated to Brisbane after conceding a huge lead. They did it again in this game, allowing the Eagles to outscore them with a seven goal to four final term. Luckily, their lead was too great to overcome.
GOALS Franklin (HAW) 29 Fevola (CARL) 26 Bradshaw (BRIS) 23 Goodwin (ADE) 16 Richardson (RICH) 15 Burton (ADE) 14
Sources: Melbourne Age, Herald Sun, afl.com.au
Article last changed on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 2:35 PM EDT
