Round 12 Scores

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

ESS  4.6   7.11   11.14   16.17 (113)
WCE  4.1   6.6     9.11   13.13 (91)

GOALS: ESS - Hille 3, Lucas 3, Neagle 3, Lloyd 2, Laycock, Lovett-Murray, Monfries, Ramanauskas, Reimers; WCE - Wirrpanda 4, LeCras 3, Hunter 3, Embley, Wilkes, Staker

BEST: ESS - Hille, Reimers, Watson, Lonergan, Welsh, McPhee; WCE - Wirrpanda, Embley, LeCras, Selwood, Stenglein

INJURY: ESS - Lovett (gastro) replaced in selected side by Atkinson; WCE - Kerr (calf) replaced in selected side by McNamara

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Chamberlain, Jeffery

CROWD: 33,386 at Telstra Dome

Both teams had plenty to play for in this match as both try to lift themselves from the nether regions of the bottom eight. The spirits, minds and bodies were certainly willing in the opening stages of the game, but the skills fell a bit short with several glaring errors before the first goal. Essendon wasted chances in the first term while Wirrpanda kicked two goals from penalties against Ramanauskas. Ironically, Wirrpanda was the one who helped keep the Eagles in the game but what effect would he have had if he gone back to defense? With Hille working hard in the ruck and around the ground, and contributions from Monfries, Stanton, Reimers and Fletcher, Essendon pulled away from the Eagles late in the first term to lead by 5 points at 1/4 time.

Essendon continued to chase and tackle as did the Eagles in the second. This time, both teams squandered chances in front of goal. The Eagles kicked two of the first three goals to steal the lead midway through the term. Essendon continued to bombard the goals and finally nailed the last three through Lovett-Murray, Neagle and Hille to take an 11 point lead at 1/2 time.

At one stage of the third term, Essendon was out to a 23 point lead before goals to Wirrpanda, Wilkes and Hunter narrowed the gap. Essendon's four goals for the term to the Eagles' three had the Bombers out to a 15 point lead at 3/4 time.

Ramanauskas kicked the first goal of the final term for the Bombers and although the Eagles continued to fight back, Essendon pulled away. Lloyd's goal, after a spectacular high-flying mark (catch of the ball) pretty much sealed the win. While the Eagles kicked four goals for the term, it wasn't enough to catch the Bombers who kicked five.

WB    2.6   7.12   12.15   19.17 (131)
BRIS  3.2   5.4     8.4    10.8 (68)

GOALS: WB - Welsh 5, Akermanis 3, Johnson 3, Cooney 2, Murphy 2, Addison, Hahn, Ray, Ward; BRIS - Brown 3, Hooper 2, Adcock, Black, Brennan, Corrie, Drummond

BEST: WB - Cooney, Akermanis, Boyd, Griffen, Murphy, Johnson, Welsh, Hargrave; BRIS - Power, Drummond, Brown, Charman, Adcock

INJURY: WB - Giansiracusa (cut head), Griffen (corked thigh); BRIS - Rischitelli (hip) replaced in selected side by Polkinghorne

UMPIRES: Donlon, Stevic, McInerney

CROWD: 39,320 at MCG

The strength of the Bulldogs is their hard-running, free-scoring midfield. Coach Rodney Eade admitted one weakness was winning and clearing the ball from throw-ins and ball-ups. Not this time, as the Dogs matched their hard running with excellent ball-winning skills. The likes of Cooney, Griffen, Boyd and Cross appeared as if they had brought their own balls to the game. Lake was a rock in defense, containing the dangerous Brown, who kicked two of the Lions' three first term goals. Hudson and Minson combined to dominate the ruck contests, giving their runners plenty of chances to get the ball forward. The Dogs had plenty more scoring chances in the term, but couldn't put the score on the board with just two goals, leaving the Lions with a two point lead at 1/4 time.

The Bulldogs took control in the second term and really broke the game open. Only inaccuracy in front of goal kept the margin from blowing out even more. Still, five goals to two for the term was enough as the Dogs established a 20 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Bulldogs continued to dominate in the third term. They won more of the ball, tackled more and constantly pumped the ball forward. The Dogs lost Akermanis in the term with a hand injury but he did come back in the second half. It didn't stop the Bulldogs who had too many options for Brisbane counter. They kicked five unanswered goals for the term. One of those goals was a typical Akermanis special when he got the ball near the boundary and kicked a tight-angle goal from a long way out. Brisbane staged a mini-rally late in the term with three goals to cut the Bulldog margin to 35 points at 3/4 time.

The Brisbane surge continued in the final term with the first three goals as the Lions got within 23 points. The Bulldogs quickly snuffed out that rally with goals to Ray, Akermanis and Ward. The Bulldogs then proceeded to blitz the Lions for percentage booster. Hahn and Johnson added goals. In the dying minutes of the game, Welsh goaled and then was awarded a free kick in the goalsquare to a second and the Dogs' seventh for the term.

FRE   5.3   9.8   13.11   18.12 (120)
NM    0.4   3.6    3.10    9.13 (67)

GOALS: FRE - Pavlich 8, Tarrant 2, Farmer 2, Bell, Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, Mayne, Mundy, Palmer; NM - Thomas 2, Brown, Campbell, Harding, Harvey, Lower, Petrie, Power

BEST: FRE - Pavlich, Farmer, McPharlin, Solomon, Tarrant, Hayden, Schammer; NM - Harvey, Simpson, Wells, Petrie, Power

INJURY: NM - North Melbourne: Hamish McIntosh (knee), Shannon Grant replaced in selected side by Leigh Brown

McIntosh could miss up to 10 weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury, virtually ruling him out for the rest of the season.

UMPIRES: McBurney, Fila, Meredith

CROWD: 34,105 at Subiaco Oval

The Kangaroos went into the game without key forwards Thompson and Jones and were also missing dynamo Grant. Their absence was telling as the scoring was left to a smaller forward line. The Docker defense of Hayden, McPharlin and Grover not only kept the Kangaroos goalless in the first term, but also set up plenty of plays from the back line. At the other end, Pavlich proved too good for Firrito, kicking two of Fremantle's five goals for the term to help his side to a 29 point lead at 1/4 time.

It was at the start of the second term when McIntosh hurt his knee, leaving Hale to shoulder the ruck work. Kangaroo Coach Dean Laidley had implored his team to lift in the second term and they did just that early on. Wells set up Thomas for North's first goal and Thomas was in the thick of things again when he flew high to mark (catch the ball) and kick his team's second, cutting the Docker lead to three goals.The Dockers proceeded to kick four of the next five goals for a 38 point lead at 1/2 time.

Pavlich had four goals to half time and Firrito was replaced by Gibson, who fared no better. With Sandilands giving his midfielders an armchair ride, the Dockers - and Pavlich continued the onslaught. Ibbotson started the third term with a goal from a Kangaroo turnover. From there, it was the Pavlich show with three goals in less than 10 minutes. His first came from a free kick, then Palmer won the ball in the middle and fired it in to Pavlich. Pavlich then was awarded a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) and the Dockers were out to a 61 point lead at 3/4 time.

Pavlich and Tarrant kicked the opening two goals of the final term, but the Kangaroos showed some fight with goals to Petrie, Lower, Brown and Harding. It was all for naught. Although the Kangaroos added two more for the term so did the Dockers through Mayne and Farmer.

SYD  3.5   7.9   12.16   14.18 (102)
STK  2.2   3.5    8.9     9.13 (67) 

GOALS: SYD - O'Keefe 3, O'Loughlin 3, Hall 2, Goodes 2, McVeigh, Moore, Bird, Jolly; STK - C. Gardiner 3, Riewoldt, Dal Santo, M. Gardiner, Goddard, Schneider, Milne

BEST: SYD - Swans: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, Goodes, Kirk, Jack, McVeigh; STK - Hayes, Gram, Riewoldt, Jones, M. Gardiner, Dal Santo

INJURY: SYD - Everitt (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Bird; STK - Dempster (leg), M. Gardiner (hamstring), Koschitzke (knee) replaced in selected side by C. Gardiner, Ferguson replaced in selected side by McQualter

UMPIRES: James, Kamolins, Avon

CROWD: 25,996 at the SCG

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Well, the Sydney crowd emphasized that when Kirk found Hall in the opening minute of the game with a resounding roar to welcome the big fella back from his seven week layoff from suspension and injury. Unfortunately, that layoff may have made him a bit rusty as he sprayed his kick for goal. It took until almost midway through the term for the first goal which went St. Kilda's way through Riewoldt. O'Keefe and Dal Santo goaled for their respective sides before O'Loughlin and Hall each goaled to give the Sydney Swans a nine point lead at 1/4 time.

The Saints came out determined in the second half and could have taken the lead if not for misses from Goddard and Blake. Riewoldt wasn't much better in front of goal when he got the ball. It was left to Charlie Gardiner to level the scores midway through the term. The Saints worked hard to stay with the Swans around the ground, but the Swans were much more potent up forward, especially when Goodes pushed into attack. He goaled to restore Sydney's lead before O'Loughlin set up McVeigh for another. Hall and O'Keefe goaled late in the term and Sydney was in front by 26 points at 1/2 time.

The Saints did well early in the third term to restrict the Swans while Gram set up the Gardiner boys for a each to be within 13 points. Goodes, Kirk, Jack, and Bird continued to work hard for the Swans who added two goals of their own. Former Swan Schneider goaled to bring the Saints within 11 points. The Swans steadied with goals to Goodes, Bird and O'Loughlin giving them a 31 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Saints continued to squander chances in the final term and were unable to catch the fast finishing Sydney who added two more for the term.

HAW   2.3   5.5   8.7    11.10 (76)
ADE   2.4   5.7   8.10   10.12 (72)

GOALS: HAW - Roughead 3, Williams 2, Osborne 2, Franklin, Rioli, Hodge, Mitchell; ADE - Porplyzia 3, Edwards 2, Douglas 2, Jericho 2, Vince

BEST: HAW - Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Brown, Roughead, Ellis;
ADE - Bock, Johncock, Thompson, Goodwin, Maric, Edwards

INJURY: HAW - Croad (hip) replaced in selected side by Murphy, Bateman (hamstring), Morton (corked thigh); ADE - Reilly (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Otten, Bassett (neck)

REPORTS: HAW - Franklin for alleged rough conduct on Doughty (Adelaide)

UMPIRES: Vozzo, Wenn, Mollison

CROWD: 44,559 at AAMI Stadium

Both coaches employed interesting set-ups. The Crows, when they had the ball, deployed five defenders through the midfield while the midfielders pushed forward into Adelaide's attacking zone. The Hawks countered by having only three players in defense when Adelaide had the ball. As a result, both sides applied plenty of pressure, but it was Adelaide who had the early advantage as they kicked most of their entire first term score in the first five minutes of the game. The Hawks finally began to win the ball and worked their way back into the game. Franklin was well contained by Bock but the Hawks still managed two goals of their own. Adelaide added one more behind to lead by a solitary point at 1/4 time.

Edwards and Douglas goaled early in the second term, but the Hawks replied soon after through Williams. Shortly after, Franklin was reported and then Williams goaled again to give Hawthorn the lead. Porplyzia's goal stole the lead back for Adelaide, while Franklin ran further afield in an effort to win the ball and get away from Bock. The Crows lost Bassett in the term with injury and wasted several more chances to pull away from Hawthorn. Nor could the Hawks break clear in the low-scoring term which netted just two goals for each side, leaving the Crows with a narrow two point lead at 1/2 time.

A goal early in the third term gave Hawthorn the lead. Franklin relished the absence of Bock and continued running further afield to create opportunities. A golden chance was missed when Lewis gave away a 50 meter penalty (55 yards), gifting a goal to the Crows. Despite the absence of Bock and Bassett, the Crow defense continued to apply the pressure, clearing a Roughead pass intended for Williams. Late in the term, Porplyzia kicked two goals, only for Roughead to make amends with two of his own to get the Hawks within three points at 3/4 time.

Both teams kept the pressure on in the final term and both missed crucial shots on goal early which could have swung the game either way. Finally, Edwards broke the drought with a goal to keep Adelaide in front. Franklin, who had registered only six behinds to that stage, boomed through a goal from over 50 yards to spark the Hawks. He won the ball a few minutes later, but his pass to Roughead was spoiled by Adelaide and Jericho goaled for the Crows to give Adelaide an eight point lead. Osborne goaled a minute later and it back to a two point margin. Williams had a chance to kick the sealer, but a downfield free kick to the Crows negated his goal. From there, it was a midfield tussle for several minutes before Hodge pounced on a loose ball and goaled to give Hawthorn the lead. Franklin missed from a kick on the run a few minutes later, but the Hawks maintained possession to run the clock down to protect their lead.

CARL  2.7   3.10   9.13   17.17 (119)
COL   1.4   5.8    9.13   12.17 (89)

GOALS: CARL - Fevola 8, Scotland 2, Waite 2, Thornton, Armfield, Fisher, Stevens, Wiggins; COL - Medhurst 4, Swan 2, T Cloke, Burns, O'Bree, Thomas, Lockyer, Davis

BEST: CARL - Fevola, Murphy, Judd, Scotland, Waite, Kreuzer, C. Cloke. Collingwood: Swan, Medhurst, R Shaw, T. Cloke, Johnson, Maxwell

UMPIRES: Farmer, Kennedy, Schmitt

CROWD: 80,310 at the MCG

Fevola was badly out of sorts for the first half and Judd was ineffective early, partly due to the close attention from Rhyce Shaw and the appearance of struggling with a possible groin injury. Egan and Fraser were getting the better of young Hampson and Kreuzer in the ruck. Carlton's biggest weakness in recent times has been a thin defense. Lately, O'hAilpin, Jamison and Thornton have begun gelling in the back line. Waite was also stationed in defense for the first half. Up forward, Collingwood seemed to have the advantage with Thomas, Didak and Davis all dangerous pathways to goal. Carlton's main focal point was Fevola. Both teams were fired early but couldn't put the score on the board. For Carlton, Fevola and Murphy were two main offenders. For Collingwood it was Reid. Fevola eventually bagged the first goal but then Murphy, Reid and Fevola again all missed. Fevola partially redeemed himself with a goal, only for Collingwood to reply through Burns for their only goal of the term. Then it was more points from Fevola, Murphy and Reid and a poster from Travis Cloke, leaving Carlton with a nine point lead at 1/4 time.

That lead was slashed to just three points when Thomas goaled at the start of the second term. Again more misses and rushed points seemed to be the order of the day before Lockyer goaled from a free kick to give the Magpies a two point lead. Collingwood attacked again from the kick in but the Carlton defense held firm to force a point before Thornton raced out of the back line to take a pass and kick his first goal of the season to put Carlton in front. Thomas missed a chance to restore the Magpie lead and Collingwood again forced a point. Collingwood regained the lead again when Swan goaled from another free kick. The Pies won the ball again from the next bounce and raced forward. The ball went to ground and when Stevens made what appeared to be a half-hearted effort, Medhurst swooped and goaled. One final forward thrust by the Magpies was again foiled by the Carlton defense and the Pies were left with a 10 point lead at 1/2 time.

In the first half, Fevola was not only missing his kicks for goal, but seemed to be displaying some of the poor attitude which saw him almost traded a year ago. That changed in the second half. Waite was moved from defense to attack in an effort to provide another goal kicking option. Betts was moved out to a wing where his speed and ballwinning skills could be put to good use. Travis Cloke hit the post again at the start of the third term, but Medhurst added another goal to extend Collingwood's lead. More misses from both sides followed before O'Bree and Scotland added goals. Medhurst was at it again soon after with a point and a goal to give Collingwood a 24 point lead. A year ago, it would probably have been enough for Carlton to curl up their toes and fall over. Not this time, with Gibbs getting away from Heath Shaw and Judd breaking free of Rhyce Shaw. Murphy, Stevens and Collingwood castoff Scotland also lifted to go in hard at man and ball. Simpson missed twice before goals to Waite and Armfield reduced Collingwood's lead. Travis Cloke got one back for Collingwood, but Fisher added a goal as did Fevola from a free kick to have Carlton within four points. Swan then missed twice to give the Magpies some breathing space. From the last kick in, the Blues raced the ball to the other end and Fevola goaled from another free kick to level the scores at 3/4 time.

Carlton went into attack at the start of the final term and took a one point lead when the Pies rushed through another point. Davis goaled less than a minute later and the Pies were back in front. Carlton attacked again and again but managed just a few points but stopped another Magpie goal with another forced point. A goal square scramble resulted in Fevola going to ground. Somehow, he still managed to get boot to ball and put through an amazing goal and the Blues were in front once more. The fourth lead change came less than midway through the term when Fraser won a throw in and Swan goaled. From the next bounce, Judd burst out of the center and again found Fevola whose goal again gave Carlton a two point lead. Davis missed, leaving the Pies trailing by a point. Judd then earned a free kick, got the ball to Russell who found Wiggins. But Wiggins was 55 yards out and he couldn't make the distance and the ball was knocked out of bounds. The throw-in was close to Carlton's goals and Wiggins made amends with a goal which put Carlton seven points in front. Jamison was awarded a free kick in defense and again the Blues, through Judd, Russell, and Kreuzer moved the ball quickly into attack and to a waiting Fevola and the Blues were out to a 13 point lead. It was 14 points when Collingwood rushed another behind. Medhurst goaled to keep the Pies in the game. The next midfield skirmish resulted in a Wiggins' tackle forcing a turnover to Carlton and Waite goaled to restore Carlton's 14 point lead with 6 minutes remaining. Stevens goaled a few minutes later to give the Blues their biggest lead yet. Swan again missed a shot on goal which might have given Collingwood some hope. Carlton sniffed victory, and pushed every inch of the way, stopping another Collingwood scoring attempt with another rushed behind. The game was all but over when Scotland goaled against his former team. From the next bounce, Carlton won the ball again and Fevola marked (caught the ball). The siren sounded as he lined up for goal number eight and iced the cake with a goal after the siren.

Unmanageable as it seemed at the start of the season, Carlton is now in the top eight for the first time since 2001.

RICH  3.6   11.13   13.15   16.20 (116)
MELB  5.3    6.5    11.8    14.10 (94)

GOALS: RICH - Richardson 5, Brown 3, Morton 2, Cotchin, Hyde, Polak, Simmonds, Tuck, M. White; MELB - Miller 3, Bartram 2, Bruce 2, Davey 2, Bate, Garland, Green, J. White, Wonaeamirri

BEST: RICH - Richardson, Deledio, Brown, Tuck, Cotchin, Polak;
MELB - Bruce, Wheatley, McLean, Miller, White, Garland

UMPIRES: Sully, M. Nicholls, Ryan

CROWD: 27,348 at Telstra Dome

Melbourne once again started well, but it was the Tigers who got on the board first with a goal to Hyde and a point to McMahon. The Demons then got their first through Bruce, after which followed a series of rushed points and missed shots on goal from both sides. McLean and Bruce were providing great drive for the Demons. Bartram, Bruce and Miller all goaled to give the Demons an unlikely lead. Richardson, who started on a wing and drifted between defense and attack added two late goals for the Tigers to cut Melbourne's lead to nine points at 1/4 time.

Miller, who has taken over as a key forward since the retirement of Neitz and the injury to Robertson, bombed in a long-range goal early in the second term to give the Demons a 15 point lead. A few minutes later, Bruce missed a chance to make it a 21 point margin and from there, the Tigers took over. Deledio, Tuck, Brown, Foley, Simmonds in the ruck led the charge. Wherever Richardson roamed, something invariable happened. Midway through the term, Brown snapped a goal which started the Tiger run. Melbourne was clinging to a 10 point lead, but then seemed to disappear from the game. One journalist described their fadeout as something akin to the notorious missing 18 minutes from the Watergate tapes or the old movie Lost Weekend. Richmond did as they pleased with goals to Polak and Richardson giving Richmond the lead. The barrage continued with goals to Richardson again, Matt White, Cotchin and Brown again. The goalfest came to an end with Simmonds, Riewoldt (Jack, that is, a cousin to St. Kilda's Nick) and Schulz all adding three points to close out the term and give Richmond a 38 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Demons returned to the game, so to speak in the third term and it showed. After misses from Dunn and Schulz, it took until midway through the term for a goal to be registered. The first went to Garland for the Demons. Simmonds added another for the Tigers but Melbourne rallied with a goal to Green and two to Davey. One of those came after the diminutive Davey soared over the towering Richardson for a spectacular mark (catch of the ball). .When Miller added a fourth the Demons, the Tiger lead was only 13 points. Richardson added one final goal for the term before the Demons added a point and the Tigers rushed a point and took a 19 point lead at 3/4 time.

Brown had a shot on goal early in the final term, but it was disallowed when the umpire ruled the ball had been thrown to him, much the disapproval of Tiger fans. Pattison gave away a free kick for slamming into Jeff White and the goal put Melbourne within 13 points. Wonaeamirri then got the ball, passed to Davey and dashed forward to take the ball back from Davey. His goal had the Demons within eight points. Points to Cotchin, Jones and Bowden followed and it was Richmond by just nine points. Brown and Morton sealed the win with late goals, Morton's coming with just three minutes remaining. Bate added one late consolation goal for the Demons.

GEEL  3.5   7.9   13.14   15.18 (108)
PA    2.2   3.6    4.6     7.7 (49)

GOALS: Chapman 4, S. Johnson 2, Rooke, Ablett, Mackie, Ling, Varcoe, Stokes, Lonergan, Prismall, Blake; PA - Motlop 3, Rodan 2, Tredrea, S. Burgoyne

BEST: GEEL - Selwood, Ottens, Corey, Mackie, Chapman, S. Johnson, Ablett, Ling; PA -Wilson, Motlop, Rodan, Logan, Brogan

INJURY: GEEL - MIlburn (cut face)

REPORTS: GEEL - Steve Johnson for headbutting Chaplin); PA - Daniel Motlop for striking Taylor

UMPIRES: Stewart, McLaren, Ellis

CROWD: 21,642 at Skilled Stadium

After consecutive losses to Carlton and Sydney, Port's season was on the line, if not over and they were determined to make a good showing. This they did early in the match, holding up Geelong for the first five minutes or so. Ablett got the Cats started with the opening goal. Soon after, Tredrea goaled for Port and the Power actually snagged the lead briefly with a goal to Shaun Burgoyne. Steve Johnson must have taken aggression lessons from former bad boy Mooney as he and several Port players went at each other before Rooke kicked an opportunistic goal. The Cats won the ball again and Chapman flew for the ball but dropped it. Somehow, he managed to recover it and kick another goal to give the Cats a nine point lead at 1/4 time.

The second term got off to a bad start for Port when Cornes gave away a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) to Ablett for a late hit after Ablett had marked. Ablett got the ball to Mackie and the Cats extended their lead. Another free kick, this time to Selwood for a high tackle helped set up Chapman. Wilson crashed into Chapman for another 50 meter penalty and Cat goal. Soon after, Johnson was in the umpire's book for his headbutt. Port finally found some run but could not capitalize, adding just three points midway through the term. Chapman added another Geelong goal before Motlop booted Port's only goal for the term. Ling capped off the term with another goal as Geelong raced out to a 27 point lead at 1/2 time.

The start of the third term was equally good for the Cats with Varcoe kicking the first goal and then getting off a pass to Steve Johnson. Cassisi's revenge for Johnson's earlier attention came at an inopportune time, with the Port midfielder conceding yet another 50 meter penalty and another Cat goal. Stokes and Lonergan joined in on the goal fest before Motlop broke Geelong's run of goals. Chapman and Prismall added goals late in the term to take Geelong out to a whopping 62 point lead at 3/4 time.

From the restart of play, Rodan goaled for Port and Motlop followed a few minutes later. The scoring dried up for the most part until midway through the term when Johnson goaled. Blake's long-range goal had Geelong fans in raptures. Port fired one final shot with a late goal to Rodan just before time and the Cats once again came away with a big win over the Power.

GOALS
Franklin (HAW) 60 
Fevola (CARL)  50 
Bradshaw (BRS) 43 
Pavlich (FRE)  42 
Brown (BRIS)   39 
Roughead (HAW) 38 

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