Round 10 Scores

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

ADE   1.6   4.7   7.16    9.20 (74) 
ESS   3.3   5.5    7.6   10.9  (69)

GOALS: ADE - Adelaide: Porplyzia 2, Burton 2, Maric, Johncock, Douglas, Thompson, Reilly; ESS - McPhee 3, Winderlich 2, McVeigh, Lloyd, Monfries, Myers, Lonergan

BEST: ADE - Burton, Thompson, Bock, Goodwin, Porplyzia, Rutten, Douglas; ESS - Winderlich, Lovett, McPhee, Myers, Fletcher, Monfries

INJURY: ESS - Hislop (shoulder), Jay Neagle (foot) replaced in selected side by Pears

UMPIRES: McLaren, Nicholls, Meredith

CROWD: 41,897 at AAMI Stadium

The banner hoisted by the Essendon cheer squad before the match stated the Bombers had come to play. And did they ever play. They kept the Crows from running free and won as much of the ball as their opponents. Lucas was a welcome addition to the Bomber side after a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a knee injury. Although he and Lloyd were well-covered by Rutten and Bock, there were plenty of others who dashed forward to score. The young Bombers threw themselves at ball and man with reckless abandon as the Crows piled on the pressure. The Crows' biggest problem was in front of goal. They constantly peppered the goals but were woefully off-target. Burton was one of the biggest offenders early. To half time, he had five scoring chances. Two were points, one fell short of goal, one went to an opposition player, and one was out of bounds. It was almost five minutes into the match before McPhee had Essendon's first goal Winderlich and McVeigh added two more a few minutes later. Essendon also missed several chances to extend their lead before Maric registered Essendon's first goal late in the term to have the Crows within eight points. Hille then kicked a point to give the Bombers a 9 point lead at 1/4 time.

The Crows did better in the second term with Bock creating drive from defense and the midfield winning and clearing more of the ball. Burton still couldn't find the target and Fletcher was giving young Crow forward Tippett a serious pasting. Johncock was moved forward and he and Porplyzia kicked two early goals which gave the Crows a four point lead. Winderlich goaled and it was Essendon by two points. The midfield and defensive battles continued to rage in the low-scoring term. Douglas and Lloyd kicked two late goals for their respective sides changing the lead several more times, but it was Essendon by four points at 1/2 time.

Goodwin kicked a point to start the third term and from the kick-in, the Bombers raced the ball to the other end for a goal to Monfries. From the ensuing bounce, the Bombers won the ball again. Meyers took away Hille's tap, passed to Winderlich, and continued to run forward to get the ball back again and slot a goal to give the Bombers a 15 point lead. Adelaide continued their own surge forward but for little reward. Maric, van Berlo, and Reilly all missed crucial shots on goal and Essendon's defense withstood the barrage to rush through another pair of points. Finally, midway through the term, Burton found his range to kick a goal after several more misses from the Crows. It gave the Crows a five point lead. Lovett then had his chance to put the Bombers back in front as he ran into an unguarded goal but he missed. Burton then set up Thompson for a goal and it was the Crows by 10 points at 3/4 time.

A point to Lonergan and a goal to McPhee early in the final term reduced Adelaide's lead to just three points. A late tackle on Porplyzia by Pears resulted in a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) and a goal to Porplyzia. The intensity of the game went up several notches as both sides fought ferociously to gain an advantage. Jetta missed from a free kick after running down Bassett. Hille and Douglas also missed. The pressure from both sides mounted, resulting in several turnovers before McPhee marked (caught the ball) and goaled to cut Adelaide's lead to just 3 points once more. Reilly and Lonergan goaled, leaving the margin at nine points with just a few minutes remaining. Adelaide attacked once more, but the Bomber defense held firm to force a point. Adelaide by four points. With just one minute remaining, the Crows had one final chance when Douglas marked the ball but his kick from 45 meters (50 yards), but he managed just a point, giving the Bombers one last chance. That chance didn't happen as the Crows fought desperately to hold off a brave and gallant Essendon in the dying seconds.

WB   3.2   8.8   12.11   15.16 (106) 
HAW  2.2   5.2    9.2     12.2 (74) 

GOALS: WB - Welsh 4, Cooney 2, Griffen 2, Boyd, Giansiracusa, Akermanis, Gilbee, Eagleton, Johnson, Minson; HAW - Franklin 5, Roughead 4, Young, Taylor, Campbell

BEST: WB - Akermanis, Cooney, Murphy, Boyd, Gilbee, Lake, Welsh, Griffen, Hudson; HAW - Franklin, Lewis, Morton

NJURY: WB - Callan (hamstring)

REPORTS: WB - Murphy for rough conduct against Ellis (Hawthorn)

UMPIRES: McBurney, Kennedy, Ellis

CROWD: 19,378

The Bulldogs have added another facet to their fast, free-running game. That facet is fierce tackling. When they didn't have the ball, they harassed Hawthorn out of it. The Hawks were first to the scoreboard with Franklin setting up Roughead. The Bulldogs then kicked two of the next three goals and had a third for the term to lead by six points at 1/4 time.

The Hawks grabbed a four point lead early in the second term when two bad turnovers allowed Franklin to goal twice. The Bulldogs regrouped and regained their composure to kick three goals midway through the term to regain the lead. The Dogs lost Johnson late in the term as he had to come from the ground with a cut above his eye. He returned to action after half-time but it didn't stop the Bulldogs who slammed through three of the next four goals and added two late in the term to lead by 24 points at 1/2 time.

The Hawks rallied in the third term with goals to Roughead, Franklin and Taylor to get within eight points of the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs regained control, especially in the midfield and kicked four of the next five goals for a 27 point lead at 3/4 time.

With Cooney, Akermanis, Cross and Boyd leading the way, the Bulldogs maintained their control. Had they kicked straighter, the final margin could have been greater. Both sides added three goals for the term, but the Dogs' second term burst made the difference and brought Hawthorn's streak to an end.

COL   5.5   12.8   19.10   27.11 (173)
WCE   1.4    7.6    8.8    10.13 (73)

GOALS: COL - Medhurst 5, Davis 3, Didak 3, Thomas 3, Cloke 3, Pendlebury 2, Swan 2, Maxwell, O'Bree, Cox, R. Shaw, Lockyer, Fraser; WCE - Lynch 3, Cox 2, Kerr, Waters, Kennedy, McKinley, Armstrong

BEST: COL - Swan, Davis, Pendlebury, Didak, Thomas, Cloke; WCE - Cox, Priddis, Kerr, Kennedy, Embley, Lynch

INJURY: COL - Rocca (soreness) replaced in selected side by Cox; WCE - Kerr (ankle), Schofield (ankle)

UMPIRES: James, Grun, Wenn

CROWD: 52,968 at the MCG

The Magpies, full of confidence after downing Geelong, owned this game from go to whoa. The Eagles appear a mere shadow of the side which took out the 2006 premiership. Although Eagle ruckman Cox was winning the hit-outs in the middle, he had little support as Collingwood had winners everywhere. From the opening the bounce, the Pies got the ball to Pendlebury who outmuscled Embley for the first goal. Both Cox and Lynch missed chances to even up the scores before Collingwood's second goal which came when Embley's kick out of defense was intercepted by Medhurst. The Magpies kicked three of the next four to lead by 25 points at 1/4 time.

Cloke and O'Bree goaled early in the second term to push the margin out to 27 points before the Eagles finally stirred. They showed some fight to kick six goals to two, reducing the lead to 24 points. Thomas provided a bit for the highlight reel to close out the term. He won the ball in defense and took off for a four-bounce run downfield before slamming through a goal from 30 meters (33 yards) to give the Pies a 3 point lead at 1/2 time.

Thomas was at it again early in the third term with a wobbly goal to extend Collingwood's lead even further. It only got worse for the Eagles as Collingwood virtually ended the game as a contest. A further six goals to the Eagles' one left the Pies with a 68 point lead at 3/4 time.

The final term was a mere formality as well as a percentage booster for the Pies. They added another eight for the term. Medhurst starred with four of those goals while the Eagles could manage only two. The final margin was Collingwood's biggest ever against the Eagles. Makes it hard to believe these two sides ended last year's semi-final in a tie, forcing extra time with the Pies emerging victorious in a thriller.

BRIS   4.7   11.12   15.17   18.21 (129)
NM    2.2     6.2    12.3    15.8 (98)

GOALS: BRIS - Bradshaw 6, Brown 6, Sherman 2, Notting, Johnstone, Charman, Corrie; NM - Harvey 3, Petrie 3, Campbell 3, McMahon, Hale, Pratt, McIntosh, Harris, Jones

BEST: BRIS - Black, Brown, Power, Notting, Bradshaw, Charman, Merrett; NM - Pratt, Simpson, Harvey, Harris, McIntosh, Urquhart

INJURY: BRIS - Roe (hamstring), McGrath (hamstring) Drummond (hamstring)

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Armstrong, McInerney

CROWD: 22,118 at the Gabba

Once again, it was the Bradshaw and Brown show as the Lions comfortably accounted for the tenacious Kangaroos. However, Brown and several teammates also squandered a number of chances in front of goal. Brown could easily have racked up a double digit goal tally but kicked seven points along with his six goals. The Kangaroos jumped the Lions early with two of the first three goals. After several more misses from both sides, Brown and Notting added a pair of goals to give Brisbane a 17 point lead at 1/4 time.

With Black cutting a swathe through the midfield, Brown, Bradshaw and Johnstone kicked goals to extend the Lions' lead even further. It was goal for goal through the middle of the term and Harvey's brilliant goal on the run had the Kangaroos within 24 points. Charman and Sherman restored Brisbane's more than handy lead. It would have been even bigger had Johnstone and Brown kicked straight. Bradshaw didn't miss, giving the Lions a 40 point lead at 1/2 time.

That lead evaporated in the third term with goals to Pratt, McIntosh and Petrie reducing the gap to 22 points. Brown, Harvey and Brown again goaled. It was Brown's 300th career goal but then Brown sent a scare through the Brisbane camp. He landed heavily from a marking contest (contest to catch the ball) and had to be assisted from the ground by trainers. It was just the opening the Kangaroos needed. While the Lions missed gettable shots, the Kangaroos banged through two goals through Petrie and Campbell to be within 19 points. By this time, Brown has emerged from the rooms. While he was on the sidelines, Bradshaw filled the void with 2 goals. Misses by both sides late in the term left the Lions with a 32 point lead at 3/4 time.

Both sides continued their wayward kicking for goal in the final term. The Lions added 3.4 while the Kangaroos kicked 3.5, leaving the Lions with a comfortable win.

GEEL   2.7   7.10   13.18   19.19 (133)
CARL   2.2    6.3    6.4    12.5  (77) 

GOALS: GEEL - Johnson 5, Stokes 4, Byrnes 3, Lonergan 2, Rooke, Milburn, Mackie, Bartel, Varcoe; CARL - Fevola 3, Betts 2, Gibbs 2, Judd, Cloke, Scotland, Stevens, Wiggins

BEST: GEEL - Johnson, Ablett, Corey, Bartel, Stokes, Byrnes, Milburn, Scarlett; CARL - Judd, Carrazzo, Armfield, O’hAilpin, Gibbs, Stevens

INJURY: GEEL - Mooney (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Lonergan

UMPIRES: Farmer, Ryan, Avon

CROWD: 46,231 at Telstra Dome

Carlton may not be in the same class (yet) as the Cats, but they at least put up reasonable fight for the first hour or so. Blake and Ottens dominated the ruck contests while the Cat defense was as tight as ever. The Cats had a number of chances early to blow Carlton away before nailing their first goal. Judd goaled a few minutes later to level the scores and Fevola actually had the Blues in front briefly with the next goal. Byrnes again leveled the scores with a goal for the Cats. Geelong then proceeded to miss 4 consecutive shots on goal, leaving them with just a four point lead at 1/4 time.

Johnson goaled early in the second term, but again Carlton fought back to steal a two point lead with goals to Fevola and Cloke. It would prove to be the last time Carlton would be in front. In between more missed chances, Stokes kicked two and Rooke added one goals to increase Geelong's lead to 17 points. The Cat inaccuracy continued as the Blues kept coming to kick two of the last three goals to trail by just 13 points at 1/2 time.

The Cats broke the game open in the third term. With Ablett, Corey, Ling and Bartel controlling the midfield, the Cats completely overran the Blues. Most of the term saw the ball stay within Geelong's attacking zone as they piled on six goals. The Blues can't even take credit for their only score of the term as it was a solitary point rushed through by Geelong's defense. The game was as good as over with the Cats in front by 56 points at 3/4 time.

The Blues looked much better in the final term and were able to break even with the Cats. Both sides scored six goals for the term, but the damage had been done in the previous term.

SYD   6.4   13.7   16.11   21.13 (139)
RICH  0.2    1.6    4.7     8.9  (57) 

GOALS: SYD - Buchanan 3, McVeigh 3, O'Loughlin 3, Bird 2, Goodes 2, Playfair 2, Ablett, Bevan, C. Bolton, Malceski, Moore, O'Keefe; RICH - Deledio 2, Bowden, Brown, Cotchin, Foley, Moore, Schultz

BEST: SYD - Barry, Bird, Buchanan, Goodes, Jolly, Kirk, Mattner, O'Keefe, C. Bolton; RICH - Deledio, Newman, Bowden, Richardson

INJURY: RICH - Johnson (knee)

UMPIRES: Nicholls, Jeffery, Schmitt

CROWD: 26,852 at SCG

To say the Tigers were lamentable would be an understatement. All the promising signs of previous weeks vanished in a sea of red and white as the Swans completely dominated the game. Whatever the Swans did turned to gold, while the Tigers couldn't take a trick. The Swans tackled and harassed when they didn't have the ball, which wasn't very often. When the did have the ball, they ran in waves to surge forward and worked for each other. Richmond's skills were pathetic as they constantly turned the ball over, missed targets with their kicks and handballs and just could not put the score on the board. Sydney's first score came through a rushed point by the Tigers. Then Buchanan goaled before Richmond rushed another point. Everitt's miss was followed by goals to Malceski and Buchanan again. Richardson, who again started the game on a wing, moved to the forward line in an attempt to give the Tigers a forward target. It was to no avail as the Swans continued to take the ball away and slammed through three more goals. One was an absolute gem from Goodes. From the bounce, he won the ball dashed forward and kicked from the edge of the center square for a massive goal. Richmond finally got enough of the ball to go forward several times but Foley kicked out of bounds. Edwards finally registered the Tigers first point. Richardson then had his chance from just a few yards out, but hit the post and the Swans led by 38 points at 1/4 time.

The Swans continued the barrage in the second term and the Tigers continued to fumble, stumble and turn the ball over. By midway through the term, the Swans had added five goals to one point. O'Keefe missed for the Swans as did Richardson again for the Tigers before young forward Cotchin finally put through a goal for the Tigers. The Swans wasted little time in negating that with a goal to O'Loughlin. Hyde hit the post and from the kick-in, the Swans again got the ball and O'Loughlin set up O'Keefe for a goal to give the Swans a 73 point lead at 1/2 time.

A light rain started coming down in the third term, but it didn't dampen the Swans although they did seem to take their foot off the pedal as the Tigers rallied. O'Loughlin goaled early in the term before the Tigers kicked consecutive goals for the first time in the game. Any thoughts of a turnaround were quickly snuffed out with goals to Bevan and Bird. Richmond's Moore snagged late goal for the Tigers, but the Swans were still in command with a 76 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Swans continued to increase their lead with goals to McVeigh and Jack at the start of the final term. The Tigers again found enough to add three straight goals. Schulz's chance to add a fourth for the Tigers was foiled with the Sydney defense touching the ball on the line. Playfair then goaled from a free kick before the Tigers again managed consecutive goals. Those were matched with goals to McVeigh and Bird in the dying minutes of the game.

PA   2.1   8.3   10.5    16.7 (103)
FRE  5.1   5.7    9.13   10.15 (75)

GOALS: PA - Motlop 5, Tredrea 3, Rodan 2, Westhoff 2, Lade, Salopek, Pearce, Gray; FRE - Sandilands 2, Pavlich, Black, Farmer, Grover, McPharlin, Thornton, Crowley, Ibbotson

BEST: PA - Rodan, Logan, K Cornes, Motlop, Logan, Salopek, Pearce; FRE - Palmer, Crowley, Sandilands, Bradley, Johnson

INJURY: PA - C. Cornes (cut ear), Salopek (cut head), Pettigrew (hamstring), Cassisi replaced in selected side by Stewart; FRE - Mayne (cut head), Bell replaced in selected side by Byron Schammer

UMPIRES: Margetts, Ryan, Chamberlain

CROWD: 34,236 at Subiaco Oval

Although Port had the luxury of rotating Lade and Brogan through the ruck against Sandilands, the Freo giant won plenty of hitouts and also went forward to give Port's defense more trouble. It was Port who started better with Lade reading the play perfectly to scoop the ball from a pack for the first goal. A defensive error by the Dockers gave the Power a second goal. The Docker midfield had the better of Port's runners and Sandilands added two goals of his own. Pavlich, Black and Farmer each added a goal to give the Dockers an 18 point lead at 1/4 time.

The Dockers lost Mayne in the first minute of the second term when he collided with Salopek and had to be stretchered off. Salopek was treated on the sidelines and soon re-entered the fray. He, Kane Cornes, Surjan and Rodan got on top of the Dockers, who had plenty of chances, but missed everything. Chad Cornes moved forward to act as a decoy while Tredrea broke away from the close checking of Grover to kick three of Port's six goals for the term. Fremantle's only goal for the term was disallowed when Bradley was penalized for holding and Port raced it the other way and Motlop goaled to give the Power a 14 point lead at 1/2 time.

After Port kicked two early goals to stretch their lead in the third term, the Dockers took over in the midfield and fired in three goals to level the scores. The Dockers again had chances to increase their lead but missed crucial shots on goal. Both Farmer and Pavlich were two of the offenders, leaving the Dockers with just a two point lead at 3/4 time.

Port regained the lead early in the final term with a freakish dribbling goal from Motlop. Ibbotson goaled to put the Dockers in front once more but it went back to Port with a goal to Westhoff and Port never looked back. A bad error in defense from the normally reliable McManus handed Rodan an easy goal. The Dockers continued to attack but managed just one more point while Port ensured the win with goals to Gray, Westhoff and Motlop.

STK   5.4   10.6   12.12   19.15 (129)
MELB  2.2    3.4    3.6     7.8 (50)

GOALS: STK - Schneider 5, Milne 3, Birss 2, Koschitzke 2, Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Gram, Ball, Jones, Montagna, Dempster; MELB - Yze 3, Dunn, Robertson, Sylvia, Bruce

BEST: STK - Ball, Fisher, Gram, Dal Santo, Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt; MELB - McDonald, McLean, Bruce, Warnock, Garland

INJURY: MELB - Robertson (ruptured achilles), Bate (hand)

Robertson will miss the rest of the season

UMPIRES: Stevic, Stewart, Head

CROWD: 27,854 at Telstra Dome

Coach Ross Lyon lambasted his players for being soft against Brisbane last week and the Saints responded with a harder edge this week. Although Melbourne came out intent on putting up a fight, their skills often lagged behind their desires. Young defender Garland matched up Riewoldt and did well to hold the Saint superstar to just one goal, Riewoldt still gave him a tough time as he dragged down 13 marks (ball catches) and helped set up three of the Saints' first five goals. He was constant strength in the forward line alongside Koschitzke as their work off the ball helped create opportunities for teammates. Ball, Dal Santo and Montagna were constant ball winners in the middle and restricted the Demon midfield while the defense of Hudghton, Baker and Gram repelled Melbourne attacks. It all added up to a five goal to two opening term for a St. Kilda lead of 20 points at 1/4 time.

The Saints briefly lost Blake early in the second term, but continued to dominate the Demons. Small forwards Jones, Milne and Schneider again benefited from the work of Koschitzke and Riewoldt. The Saints kicked five unanswered goals before Robertson kicked Melbourne's only goal just before the break, leaving the Saints with a 44 point lead at 1/2 time.

St. Kilda must have left their kicking boots in the rooms at half time and it was only their wayward kicking which kept Melbourne in the game. Fortunately, the Saint defense continued to hold firm to restrict the Demons to just one point. Melbourne suffered a massive blow when Robertson literally crawled from the ground in pain before being assisted by trainers. Schneider and Birss added two goals for the Saints to give them a 10 goal lead at 3/4 time.

With the result well beyond doubt, Melbourne managed four goals in the final term. It was little consolation as the Saints piled on a further seven to continue Melbourne's dismal season.

GOALS
Franklin (HAW)  50
Bradshaw (BRIS) 43
Fevola (CARL)   40
Brown (BRIS)    33
Roughead (HAW)  32
Pavlich (FRE)   31

Source: Melbourne Age, Herald Sun, afl.com.au, author notes from live broadcasts