Round 16 Scores

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

NM   1.4   5.6   12.8   17.12 (114)
COL  3.3   7.7   10.10  14.12 (96)

GOALS: NM - Jones 3, Petrie 2, Goldstein 2, Grant 2, Campbell, Firrito, Thomas, Ross, Harvey, Pratt, Hale, McMahon; COL - Anthony 4, Wellingham 2, Medhurst 2, Pendlebury, Swan, Didak, O'Bree, Lockyer, Maxwell

BEST: NM - Petrie, Harvey, Wells, Pratt, Firrito, Campbell; COL - Pendlebury, Didak, Burns, R Shaw

UMPIRES: McBurney, James, Jeffery

CROWD: 46,610 at Telstra Dome

The game got off to a frenetic start with the ball whizzing from one end to the other, albeit without much effect. North had plenty of chances early but wasted them before Anthony caught Gibson with the ball and goaled from the free. It took until midway through the term for the Kangaroos to get their first goal through a free kick to Grant. From there, the Kangaroos again missed several chances to grab the lead while Collingwood added goals through Lockyer and Didak to take an 11 point lead at 1/4 time.

North hit back early in the second term with goals to Matt Thomas and Corey Jones. In between, they foiled an early Collingwood attempt with a rushed point. It all added up to the scores being level before Anthony, O'Bree and Wellingham goaled to give the Magpies an 18 point lead. Goldstein's goal cut the lead to just 12 points before Pendlebury and Petrie each goaled for their respective sides. The goals dried up after that with both sides managing just a few points between them, leaving Collingwood 13 points clear at 1/2 time.

The Kangaroos pretty much took over at the start of the third term. They chased, harassed, tackled and simply won more of the ball than Collingwood. They also put plenty of pressure on the Pies, forcing them into poor and hasty decisions as well as costly turnovers. Petrie was outstanding in the ruck to give his players first use of the ball. Jones and Firrito kicked early goals to have the Kangaroos within 1 point before a goal to Petrie gave the Kangaroos the lead. That lead was extended by a goal to Campbell. Maxwell and Medhurst kept the Pies in the contest with goals of their own to again level the scores midway through the term. Watt forced a point before Didak set up Swan for a goal to give the Pies a seven point lead. That lead vanished when a point to Grant and a goal to Goldstein once more leveled the scores. McMahon goaled for the Kangaroos and they again stopped Collingwood with several rushed points. Young Kangaroo Ross goaled just before the siren, giving North a 10 point lead at 3/4 time.

Another rushed point by the Kangaroos started the final term. From the kick in, Anthony goaled to have the Pies within a kick. Swan then booted a point to make the margin just two points. The kangaroos goaled again through a strong mark (catch of the ball) from Hale. Collingwood's defense again stood tall briefly with two rushed points but it was all for nought when Rhyce Shaw fumbled the ball. Jones and Pratt combined to set up Pratt for a goal to stretch North's lead. Harvey then set up Jones for another North goal and a 24 point lead. Wellingham goaled to reduce the margin to three goals, but Grant restored North's four goal lead soon after. Collingwood had a small chance when goals to Medhurst and then Anthony with three minutes remaining had the Pies within 12 points. O'Bree was then penalized for throwing the ball and his argument with the umpire cost him a 50 meter (55 yards) penalty and gifted a goal to Harvey to seal the game.

STK  3.1   6.3   14.5   18.11 (119)
HAW  5.4  10.7   12.8   13.11 (89)

GOALS: STK - Riewoldt 6, Blake 3, Schneider 2, Dal Santo 2, Dempster, Koschitzke, Jones, Gram, Milne; HAW - Williams 3, Franklin 3, Roughead 3, Hodge 2, Osborne 2

BEST: STK - Riewoldt, Blake, Dal Santo, Jones, Goddard; HAW - Hodge, Sewell, Williams, Osborne, Ellis

INJURY: HAW - Young (back tightness) replaced in selected side by Lewis

UMPIRES: McInerney, Meredith, Stewart

CROWD: 41,886 at Telstra Dome

There is an old saying about there being too much of a good thing. St. Kilda disregarded the old adage in the first term. They got plenty of the ball but overused it and went every which way on the ground except the directions which mattered - toward goal. Hawthorn had some small say in the proceedings as they kept the Saints from moving the ball effectively. The Hawks may have had less of the ball, but they made better use of it as they slammed on five goals to nil. Williams booted two of those opposed to Goddard, who was soon replaced by Graham. It wasn't until late in the term that Dempster kicked the Saints' first goal of the term. They added two more, including one to Riewoldt right at the siren, leaving the Hawks with a 15 point lead at 1/4 time.   The Hawks still looked to be the better side for much of the second term as King struggled in ruck. Although Gram had the better of Williams up forward, Franklin and Roughead still loomed as danger forwards for the Hawks. Hodge, Osborne and Sewell were getting the job done in the middle as the Hawks piled on five goals to two for a handy lead. Schneider kicked a late goal for the Saints who trailed the Hawks by 28 points at 1/2 time.

At the start of the third term, Blake replaced the struggling King in the ruck and it proved the turning point. Blake dominated the ruck duels to get the ball to the Saint midfielders. Hodge, who had been pivotal in the first half for the Hawks, barely got near the ball for the rest of the game. Blake not only controlled the ruck, but also pushed forward and kicked three of the Saints' eight goals for the term. The Saints seized control to play on at all costs. Hayes, Dal Santo, Montagna and Harvey starred through the center. Riewoldt's goal midway through the term, gave the Saints a lead they would not relinquish. Riewoldt also kicked three for the term while the Hawks could manage just two and the Saints found themselves nine points in front at 3/4 time.

The Saints continued their run in the final term, none more inspirational than Jones' chase and tackle on Franklin. Two more goals, including Riewoldt's sixth for the match, gave the Saints a 20 point lead. Gram and Milne iced the win while Osborne kicked Hawthorn's only goal for term.

BRIS  5.4   11.5   14.7   17.11 (113)
WCE   3.3    5.6    8.10   9.13 (67)

GOALS: BRIS - Bradshaw 4, Brown 3, Charman 3, Johnstone 2, Corrie 2, Drummond, Clark, McGrath; WCE - Lynch 2, LeCras 2, Hansen 2, McNamara, Wirrpanda, McKinley

BEST: BRIS - Drummond, Dalziell, Black, Charman, Corrie; WCE - Cox, Fletcher, Staker, Embley

INJURY: WCE - Glass (quad)

UMPIRES Nicholls, Ellis, Mollison

CROWD 27,784 at the Gabba

Dean Cox may be the best big man in the comp, but it counts for little when the support isn't there. Cox dominated the hit outs against Charman and played like a rover to gather plenty of the ball around the ground. His opponent Charman had plenty of support in the likes of matchwinners Black, Power and impressive debutant Dalziell. Brisbane had the better of the Eagles from the outset with West Coast's three first term goals all coming from free kicks, while the Lions kicked five to hold a 13 point lead at 1/4 time.  The Eagles were still in the contest midway through the second term with two of the first three goals. A goal to LeCras had the Eagles within five points, but the Lions took over with a little help from their opponents. Brown goaled from a free kick and 50 meter (55 yards) penalty after being driven into the turf by Selwood. Bradshaw kicked another and Charman booted two and the Lions were out to a 35 point lead at 1/2 time.

Brisbane put the result beyond doubt with the first three goals of the third term to lead by 53 points. The Eagles salvaged some pride with two goals but were never going to overhaul a 33 point deficit at 3/4 time.

McGrath and Corrie added a pair of goals to start the final term and seal the win for Brisbane. Both sides kicked just one more goal for the match. Debutant Bradd Dalziell also enters the record books for the most possessions (32) on debut, beating Docker Paul Hasleby.

GEEL  3.3   6.11   11.12   19.17 (131)
WB    3.3    7.5    9.9    10.10 (70)

GOALS: GEEL - Gamble 4, Johnson 3, Mooney 3, Bartel 2, Stokes 2, Mackie, Ottens, Taylor, Lonergan, Chapman; WB - Giansiracusa 3, Eagleton 2, Ray, Johnson, Hahn, Welsh, Lake

BEST: GEEL - Bartel, Mooney, Milburn, Scarlett, Corey, Gamble; WB - Gilbee, Cross, Eagleton, Giansiracusa, Murphy, Cooney

INJURIY: GEEL - Wojcinski (achilles) replaced in selected side by Gamble; WB - Johnson (ankle)

UMPIRES Donlon, Vozzo, Ryan

CROWD 24,801 at Skilled Stadium

For Geelong it was no Ling, no Ablett, no worries. Bartel, Enright, Corey and Selwood were more than capable, while Gamble did well in the absence of Ablett as a small running forward. The Dogs were no slouches as they were able to match the Cat midfield for the better of the game. Griffen, Cooney, Cross and Gilbee stayed right with their opponents and through much of the first term pressured the Cats into uncharacteristic errors. The Cats struck the first blow with a goal to Mooney. A 50 meter (55 yards) penalty against Chapman allowed Hargrave to set up Johnson for the Bulldogs first goal midway through the term and a one point lead. Steve Johnson goaled for the Cats only for Lake to reply with a long bomb for the Bulldogs. Scores were level late in the term when Giansiracusa goaled to give the Dogs a six point lead but a late goal to Ottens leveled the scores at 1/4 time.  The Dogs kept the pressure on through much of the second term and kicked two quick goals through Welsh from a 50 meter penalty against Scarlett and Hahn before Gamble goaled to cut the margin to five points. Chapman gave away consecutive 50 meter penalties taking Ray into the goalsquare to extend the Bulldog lead. Further goals to Mackie, Giansiracusa and Bartel from a free kick again leveled the scores at 1/2 time.

Geelong seized control in the third term with three unanswered goals through Stokes, Gamble and Steve Johnson. Giansiracusa broke the Cat run with a goal to give the Dogs some hope. A few minutes later, with the ground slippery from a light rain, Giansiracusa slipped when trying to receive a handball from Harbrow and Taylor intercepted and goaled to give the Cats a 16 point lead. Gamble booted another for the Cats before Eagleton kicked a late goal for the Dogs but it was the Cats by 15 points at 3/4 time.

The Cats blew the Dogs away early in the final term with goals to Chapman, Bartel and Gamble. The Dog defense seemed to wilt under the onslaught and the Cat midfield overran the Dog onball brigade. Further goals to Mooney, Steve Johnson, Lonergan and Mooney again blew the margin out to 10 goals. The Dogs managed just one goal for the term and Stokes added the Cats' eighth late in the term for an emphatic win.

RICH  5.2   11.5   12.9   16.12 (108)
ESS   3.2    7.5   13.7   15.14 (104)

GOALS: RICH - Morton 4, Brown 3, Deledio 3, Simmonds 2, Johnson, Tambling, Bowden, Hughes; ESS - Lucas 3, Stanton 2, Lloyd 2, Jetta 2, Reimers, Hille, Lonergan, Laycock, Slattery, Atkinson

BEST: RICH - Foley, Brown, Deledio, Simmonds, Tuck, Moore, McGuane; ESS - Hille, Watson, Stanton, Ryder, Reimers

INJURY: RICH - Connors replaced in selected side by Thursfield; ESS - Fletcher (ankle) replaced in selected side by Michael, Welsh (concussion), Monfries (ankle), Neagle (ankle)

UMPIRES Rosebury, Ryan, Head

CROWD 56,746 at the MCG

As expected from two teams in the lower half of the standings, the opening of the game was somewhat lackluster before the Tigers began attacking more efficiently than Essendon. Johnson got the Tigers' first goal followed by Deledio for a 12 point lead. It was goal for goal until late in the term when Simmonds and Morton kicked two for an 18 point lead to the Tigers. A late goal to Atkinson cut the Tiger lead to 12 points at 1/4 time.  Bowden scooted forward for the first goal of the second term but Jetta kicked one for the Bombers. Richmond then slammed through three straight goals to lead by 29 points. Lucas and Deledio traded goals before two to Stanton cut the Tiger lead. Morton's late goal gave the Tigers a 24 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Bombers rallied in the third term and the Tiger resolve seemed to disappear under the barrage. Jetta got the Bombers rolling with a goal within a few minutes of the start of play. Goal. to Lonergan, Reimers, Lucas and Slattery gave Essendon the lead. Lucas slotted another before Hughes kicked the Tigers' only goal for the term as Essendon took a four point lead at 3/4 time.

Lloyd goaled early in the final term to extend Essendon's lead but two goals to Brown had the Tigers in front.  Laycock goaled to again restore Essendon's lead. but a point to Johnson and a goal to Simmonds gave the Tigers a two point lead midway through the term. Johnson missed a chance to seal the game before Brown's goal gave the Tigers a nine point lead. Essendon had several chances to steal the win but Reimers, Laycock twice and Stanton all missed shorts on goal. It left the Bombers 6 points down with less than 30 seconds to play. It was up to Tiger defender Joel Bowden to take the kick in. He kicked to himself and took the ball over the line for a rushed point. The Tiger lead was just five points with 10 seconds left on the clock. Bowden had the kick in duty again and again took the ball over the line for another rushed point. With just two seconds remaining, it was enough to take the win and end Essendon's four game winning streak.

FRE   0.2   5.9   11.15   16.18 (114)
MELB  5.1   6.3    7.5    10.8 (68)

GOALS: FRE - Pavlich 5, McPharlin 3, Ibbotson, Schammer, J. Carr, McManus, O'Brien, Sandilands, Tarrant, Peake; MELB - Morton, 2 Miller 2, Bate 2, Newton 2, Johnson, Jamar

BEST: FRE - Pavlich, Schammer, Ibbotson, Crowley, McPharlin, McManus; MELB - Johnson, Wheatley, Buckley, Bruce, Bate, Jones

INJURY: FRE - O'Brien (hamstring)

UMPIRES: Kennedy, Hendrie, Avon

CROWD: 31,638 at Subiaco Oval

It was the Dockers of old in the first term with poor skills and shocking errors allowing the Demons to kick the first five goals of the match. The Dockers were so bad, they kicked just two points for the term and the Demons looked set for a big win with a 28 point lead at 1/4 time.  It seemed as if it would get even uglier for Fremantle when Jamar goaled at the start of the second term. Suddenly, the Dockers began to play and play better. Schammer and Pavlich led the way with Schammer in the midfield and Pavlich up forward. O'Brien cleaned up in defense and Mayne was dangerous up forward. Pavlich kicked two for the term while Ibbotson, Schammer and Carr also added one each to level the scores at 1/2 time.

Veteran McManus goaled at the start of the third term to give Fremantle the lead. Miller leveled the scores a minute later but O'Brien goaled once more before coming off injured. McPharlin, Sandilands added another and Pavlich kicked pair to give Fremantle a 34 point lead at 3/4 time.

Now it was getting ugly for the Demons and it only got worse when goals to Tarrant and Peake gave the Dockers a massive 46 point lead at the start of the final term. Bate got one back for Melbourne but he lead blew out to 59 points with two goals to McPharlin and one to Pavlich. Bate and Newton added two goals late in the term to bring the margin back to the final margin of 46 points.

PA   4.5   6.6   9.13   13.14 (92)
ADE  3.0   6.8   7.11   11.14 (80)

GOALS: PA - D. Motlop 4, Ebert 4, Pearce 3, Lonie, J. Westhoff; ADE - Goodwin 3, Stevens 2, Vince 2, Doughty 2, Tippett, Edwards

BEST: PA - Salopek, Cassisi, D. Motlop, S. Burgoyne, Pearce, Ebert, K. Cornes;
ADE - Doughty, Knights, Bassett, Symes

INJURY: ADE - Bassett (wrist), Knights (blurred vision)

UMPIRES:: Farmer, McLaren, Schmitt

CROWD: 31,662 at AAMI Stadium

Morning rains made the ground slippery but it didn't stop these two foes from putting up a ferocious contest. Goodwin and Motlop kicked the opening goals for their respective sides before the game turned into somewhat of a slog. Adelaide tried to apply pressure but Port absorbed it. Ebert, Motlop and Pearce added goals for Port. Stevens got one back for the Crows late in the term, but Adelaide trailed Port by 11 points at 1/4 time.   Adelaide lifted in the second term with Goodwin again kicking the opening goal. From there, it was goal for goal. While Port was somewhat inaccurate in the first term, Adelaide was even worse in the second. They could easily have had a more commanding lead. Of the eight points, only two were forced by Port and that was the margin at 1/2 time.

Points to Chaplin and Ebert at the start of the third term leveled the scores and the game became tight ad tough. Port rushed a point but Pearce kicked a point to again level the scores. Goodwin finally got the first goal of the term for Adelaide but Motlop replied soon after for Port. was proving an effective forward as he again booted the first goal of the third term. The Crows continued to apply the pressure and Port was unable to put the score on the board. four consecutive points gave tem a two point lead. Lonie had a shot on goal but the ball was marked (caught) by Massie right on the line. Lonie got the ball again and put it through to give Port a nine point lead. Ebert added a late goal and it was Port by 14 points at 3/4 time.

A Crow turnover at the start of the final term saw Motlop kick his fourth goal of the match to give Port a 20 point lead. The scoring dried up until late in the term when Stevens and Vince goaled to cut Port's lead to just 4 points with just over 10 minutes left to play. Port then sealed the match when Motlop set up Westhoff for a goal, followed by Pearce and Ebert. Moran kicked a late consolation goal for Adelaide.

SYD   2.1   8.5   14.10   18.13 (121)
CARL  5.5  10.9   15.9    18.11 (119)

GOALS: SYD - McVeigh 4, O'Keefe 3, Bevan 2, Moore 2, Jolly 2, Goodes 2, J. Bolton, Playfair, Roberts-Thomson; CARL - Fevola 5, Betts 3, Judd 2, Kreuzer, Fisher, Russell, Walker, Waite, Hartlett, Murphy, Grigg

BEST: SYD - J. Bolton, O'Keefe, Jolly, Moore, McVeigh, Mattner, Bevan; CARL - Gibbs, Fevola, Scotland, Murphy, Jamison, Betts, Carrazzo

INJURY: SYD - Malceski (calf) replaced in selected side by Grundy, Barry (hamstring), O'Loughlin (ankle), O'Keefe (ankle), Goodes (groin); CARL - Walker (shoulder), Fevola (corked thigh)

UMPIRES: Stevic, Chamberlain, Kamolins

CROWD: 38,401 at Telstra Dome

The much anticipated match up between Judd and Goodes did not happen. Instead, it was Gibbs who ran with Goodes and did a fine job to minimize Goodes' impact on the game. Kirk went head to head with Judd while Walker and Scotland were excellent through the middle and Fevola continued his good form up forward. The Blues held sway for much of the first half but wasted chances in the first term. Their five goals could have been more, but it was enough to give them a 22 point lead at 1/4 time.  Carlton continued to dominate for much of the second term, but again could not put the Swans away with wasteful kicking. Sydney rallied late in the term and did better up forward. Jude Bolton was a driving force through the midfield. Carlton still managed to kick five goals to four to keep themselves in front. Jack and Richards then set up McVeigh for the last two goals of the game to have Sydney within 16 points at 1/2 time.

Sydney fired in the third term with the first three goals to steal the lead midway through the term. Fevola added a pair to keep Carlton in the match. He set up two more for teammates and Carlton was back in front. The Swans surged again with three of the next four goals, cutting Carlton's lead to five points at 3/4 time.

Sydney was two players down going into the final term with the loss of O'Loughlin and Barry but still booted four goals to take 20 point lead. They clung to that lead until late in the term when Carlton staged a comeback, first through a goal to Betts and another to Fevola. With just a few minutes remaining, Carlton was within seven points. Betts scrounged a goal from a pack contest and the margin was just two points with 20 seconds remaining. Carlton had one last chance but needed to get their hands on the ball. It was not to be as Jude Bolton won a free kick and the Swans held possession and held on to the win.

GOALS
Lance Franklin (HAW)   73
Brendan Fevola (CARL)  73
Matthew Pavlich (FRE)  59
Daniel Bradshaw (BRIS) 55
Jonathan Brown (BRIS)  54
Jarryd Roughead (HAW)  52

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