After Geelong’s unbeaten run came to an end last week, the Cats suffered their second loss on the trot on Friday
night when they travelled to Perth to take on the resurgent West Coast and finished the game eight points in
arrears to the Eagles.
The Cats started well, and with four of the first five goals were 16 points in front as the clock ticked into time-on.
But the last ten minutes of the quarter saw the pendulum swing in favour of the home side, as the Eagles kicked
four unanswered goals to turn the deficit into a 10-point lead at quarter time.
In the second quarter, the Eagles took control of the contest, and for the first time all season the Cats were made
to look second-rate as they were blown away by a red-hot West Coast side. The Eagles kicked the first five goals
of the second quarter, racing to a 40-point lead; and even with the Cats scoring two late goals, the Eagles were
still 35 points in front at the long break.
But the Cats are a quality side, and the third quarter saw them fight back hard. A run of five goals to one for the
quarter saw the home side look flustered and under pressure, as a game that had looked theirs for the taking
during the second quarter tightened up. The margin had been narrowed to just 11 points at three-quarter time,
with the momentum having shifted in favour of the Cats and the contest still very much up in the air.
But the Eagles steadied, with the first two goals of the quarter putting the issue beyond doubt. The Cats scored
two late goals for the quarter, but would rue some missed shots earlier in the final term that could have made the
margin even closer and forced the Eagles into a panic. But the chance was gone, and the inspired Eagles shut
down the game in the final minutes as they hung on for a well-earned victory.
The final margin flattered Geelong, who in reality were never seriously in the contest. But more important than the
margin was the result, with the Eagles claiming the scalp of the ladder leaders to keep within reach of the top four
and the double-chance in the finals. But two losses in a row may just see the first signs of self-doubt for the Cats.
West Coast 5.5 11.7 12.10 14.12 (96)
Geelong 4.1 6.2 11.5 13.10 (88)
Goals : West Coast – M Nicoski 3, M LeCras 2, L Shuey 2, N Naitanui, J Kennedy, A Smith, T Swift,
B Ebert, D Cox, A Embley. Geelong – J Podsiadly 3, S Johnson 2, T Varcoe, J Bartel, B Ottens, C
Ling, J Kelly, P Chapman, D Wojcinski, D Menzel.
Best : West Coast – A Embley, M Priddis, B Ebert, D Cox, D Kerr, N Naitanui. Geelong – J Kelly, P
Chapman, J Bartel, C Ling, J Corey, S Johnson.
Injuries : West Coast – Nil. Geelong – Nil.
Substitutions : West Coast - T Swift replaced by K Stevens at three quarter time. Geelong - M
Duncan replaced by S Motlop in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Donlon, Margetts, Rosebury.
Crowd - 40,164 at Patersons Stadium.
Hawthorn had to work hard for three quarters to shake off the attentions of a persistent Brisbane side, but
theHawks eventually shrugged them off, pulling away to record a 42-point win at Aurora Stadium on Saturday
afternoon.
It was a cold and windy day in Tasmania, and the Lions won the toss and kicked with the wind in the first quarter.
But the Lions failed to make anything of the conditions, only kicking one goal for the quarter while the Hawks,
running into the wind, produced a return of five goals to race to a 24-point quarter time lead.
But the Lions lifted in the second term, and despite kicking into the wind, they played a smarter possession game
and slowly but surely worked their way back into the contest. They were helped by some easy missed shots by
the Hawks, but the Lions at least put some pressure on their more highly fancied opponents during the second
term, winning the quarter and reducing the margin to 13 points at half time.
night when they travelled to Perth to take on the resurgent West Coast and finished the game eight points in
arrears to the Eagles.
The Cats started well, and with four of the first five goals were 16 points in front as the clock ticked into time-on.
But the last ten minutes of the quarter saw the pendulum swing in favour of the home side, as the Eagles kicked
four unanswered goals to turn the deficit into a 10-point lead at quarter time.
In the second quarter, the Eagles took control of the contest, and for the first time all season the Cats were made
to look second-rate as they were blown away by a red-hot West Coast side. The Eagles kicked the first five goals
of the second quarter, racing to a 40-point lead; and even with the Cats scoring two late goals, the Eagles were
still 35 points in front at the long break.
But the Cats are a quality side, and the third quarter saw them fight back hard. A run of five goals to one for the
quarter saw the home side look flustered and under pressure, as a game that had looked theirs for the taking
during the second quarter tightened up. The margin had been narrowed to just 11 points at three-quarter time,
with the momentum having shifted in favour of the Cats and the contest still very much up in the air.
But the Eagles steadied, with the first two goals of the quarter putting the issue beyond doubt. The Cats scored
two late goals for the quarter, but would rue some missed shots earlier in the final term that could have made the
margin even closer and forced the Eagles into a panic. But the chance was gone, and the inspired Eagles shut
down the game in the final minutes as they hung on for a well-earned victory.
The final margin flattered Geelong, who in reality were never seriously in the contest. But more important than the
margin was the result, with the Eagles claiming the scalp of the ladder leaders to keep within reach of the top four
and the double-chance in the finals. But two losses in a row may just see the first signs of self-doubt for the Cats.
West Coast 5.5 11.7 12.10 14.12 (96)
Geelong 4.1 6.2 11.5 13.10 (88)
Goals : West Coast – M Nicoski 3, M LeCras 2, L Shuey 2, N Naitanui, J Kennedy, A Smith, T Swift,
B Ebert, D Cox, A Embley. Geelong – J Podsiadly 3, S Johnson 2, T Varcoe, J Bartel, B Ottens, C
Ling, J Kelly, P Chapman, D Wojcinski, D Menzel.
Best : West Coast – A Embley, M Priddis, B Ebert, D Cox, D Kerr, N Naitanui. Geelong – J Kelly, P
Chapman, J Bartel, C Ling, J Corey, S Johnson.
Injuries : West Coast – Nil. Geelong – Nil.
Substitutions : West Coast - T Swift replaced by K Stevens at three quarter time. Geelong - M
Duncan replaced by S Motlop in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Donlon, Margetts, Rosebury.
Crowd - 40,164 at Patersons Stadium.
Hawthorn had to work hard for three quarters to shake off the attentions of a persistent Brisbane side, but
theHawks eventually shrugged them off, pulling away to record a 42-point win at Aurora Stadium on Saturday
afternoon.
It was a cold and windy day in Tasmania, and the Lions won the toss and kicked with the wind in the first quarter.
But the Lions failed to make anything of the conditions, only kicking one goal for the quarter while the Hawks,
running into the wind, produced a return of five goals to race to a 24-point quarter time lead.
But the Lions lifted in the second term, and despite kicking into the wind, they played a smarter possession game
and slowly but surely worked their way back into the contest. They were helped by some easy missed shots by
the Hawks, but the Lions at least put some pressure on their more highly fancied opponents during the second
term, winning the quarter and reducing the margin to 13 points at half time.
2011 has been a struggle for the Lions for much of the season, but the Lions weren’t giving up in this
match without a fight. After two early goals to the Hawks, the Lions put up a run of four unanswered goals,
reducing the margin to just three points midway through the term and causing some frustration for the
Hawks. But, for all their hard work, the Lions were unable to take the lead and two late goals to the Hawks
extended the margin to 15 points at the last change.
Brisbane had worked hard to get back into the game, but could go no further; and the floodgates opened in
the final term. Finally the Hawks turned on some top-four football, putting the Lions to the sword as they
raced through six goals to one for the quarter, blowing the final margin out to a 42-point result that had
looked unlikely for most of the afternoon; a disappointing fadeout for the Lions, who deserved better after
their tenacious efforts in the middle quarters of the game.
Sam Mitchell was a ball magnet, finishing with 34 possessions, while Luke Hodge racked up 31. For the
Lions, Jack Redden with 32 touches and Simon Black with 30 worked hard all afternoon. The Hawks
maintain their position in the top four; but the struggling Lions remain stuck in 15th place.
Hawthorn 5.2 6.5 10.8 16.9 (105)
Brisbane 1.2 4.4 8.5 9.9 (63)
Goals : Hawthorn – L Franklin 3, D Hale 3, B Whitecross 2, P Puopolo 2, L Hodge, I Smith, L
Shiels, D Hale, M Osborne, B Guerra. Brisbane – J Brown 3, J Redden, P Karnezis 2, L
Power, S Sheldon.
Best : Hawthorn – L Hodge, S Mitchell, L Franklin, B Whitecross, X Ellis, L Shiels. Brisbane
– J Redden, S Black, J Brown, T Rockliff, M Leuenberger, L Power.
Injuries : Hawthorn – Nil. Brisbane – A McGrath (lower leg), J O'Brien replaced in selected
side by R Bewick.
Substitutions : Hawthorn – C Young (leg) replaced by R Milne in the fourth quarter.
Brisbane – B Retlaff replaced by R Bewick in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Kennedy, Grun, Pannell.
Crowd - 14,604 at Aurora Stadium.
A disastrous night for Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night saw the Suns held to just four
goals, their lowest score of the season to date. But worse news was a knee injury to captain and key
playmaker Gary Ablett; as the Suns went down by 70 points to Sydney.
Gold Coast were getting plenty of the ball early, but some poor finishing would let them down badly as they
kicked 1.6 for the quarter. At the other end, debutant Luke Parker kicked his first AFL goal with a 60 metre
torp. But late in the quarter, disaster struck for Gold Coast as Gary Ablett landed on his knee after a
marking contest and was assisted from the field.
The Swans led by 22 points at quarter time, and went on with the job in the second quarter. Gary Ablett
briefly returned to the field, his knee heavily strapped, but just a few minutes later with it being clear his
knee was no good, Ablett was forced to throw in the towel and was subbed out of the game. With four
goals to two for the quarter, the Swans were 37 points clear at half time.
The game lost its way during an underwhelming third quarter. Adam Goodes marked and goaled early, but
it would be the only goal of the quarter as the defences took over and there were few highlights in what
was a forgettable quarter of footy. The last quarter was slightly better, with the Swans kicking five goals to
one, extending the final margin to 70 points.
It wasn’t a game that reached any great heights, and the Swans were far too strong, especially when the
Suns were without Ablett. The Swans remain securely in the top eight, but the Suns after their 8th straight
defeat remain stuck on the bottom.
Sydney 5.4 9.7 10.12 15.16 (106)
Gold Coast 1.6 3.6 3.9 4.12 (36)
Goals : Sydney – S Reid 3, J McVeigh 3, A Goodes 2, L Parker 2, K Jack, N Malceski, B
McGlynn, L Roberts-Thomson, M Spangher. Gold Coast – D Swallow 2, S Iles, T Lynch.
Best : Sydney – A Goodes, J McVeigh, S Mumford, L Parker, B McGlynn, R O’Keefe. Gold
Coast – D Swallow, J Harbrow, J Wilkinson, T McKenzie, J Brennan, D Stanley.
Injuries : Sydney - C Bird (knee) replaced in selected side by J Moore. J Bolton (knee)
replaced in selected side by L Parker. Gold Coast - G Ablett (knee), J Fraser (foot) replaced
in selected side by C Dixon. M Shaw (general soreness) replaced in selected side by H Jolly,
C Brown (arm).
Substitutions : Sydney - J Moore replaced by L Jetta in the third quarter. Gold Coast - G
Ablett (knee) replaced by L Russell in the second quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Vozzo, Leppard, Jennings.
Crowd - 16,488 at Metricon Stadium.
It was close for three quarters, but the final term was a blowout; as Essendon took control during the last
quarter to record a 39-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.
The two teams started evenly matched, an entertaining and free-flowing opening term. The Tigers showed
greater accuracy, and although the Bombers had eight scoring shots to six, the Tigers held an eight-point
lead at quarter time. But there were fireworks at quarter time, a melee that saw no reports or injuries but
two Bombers having to have their jumpers replaced.
The second quarter was lower-scoring, just two goals apiece. The Tigers scored their two goals first, and
had threatened to get on top before the Bombers fought back later in the quarter. But the Tigers still held a
nine-point lead at half time, and during the third term that margin blew out to 23 points midway through the
quarter.
But the final hour of the game bore little resemblance to what had preceded it. The Tigers were ahead by
nine goals to five, but were unable to conjure up another goal of the remainder of the contest. Meanwhile,
Essendon players who were barely sighted to that point of the game began to pick up possessions and
get the Bombers back into the contest.
By three quarter time, the margin was back to three points after the Bombers had kicked the last three
goals of the third term. David Zaharakis with a long-range goal in the opening minute gave the Bombers
the lead for the first time, and there was no looking back. Zaharakis’ goal was the first of seven for the
quarter, completing a run of ten unanswered goals that turned the deficit into a comfortable win.
Brent Stanton was a dominant force in a best-on-ground performance, while David Zaharakis and Dyson
Heppell were also prominent for the Bombers. With the win, the Bombers retain their position in the top
eight. But for Richmond, the result was their third loss in a row, and they find themselves as the lowest-
placed Victorian club, their finals hopes slipping away.
Essendon 3.5 5.9 8.12 15.15 (105)
Richmond 5.1 7.6 9.9 9.12 (66)
Goals : Essendon – S Crameri 3, A Monfries 3, A Davey, D Heppell, D Hille, H Hocking, L
Jetta, M McVeigh, P Ryder, D Stanton, Zaharakis. Richmond – N Foley 2, D Martin 2, T
Cotchin, B Deledio, B Griffiths, J Riewoldt, T Vickery.
Best : Essendon – B Stanton, D Zaharakis, D Heppell, S Crameri, H Hocking, D Hille.
Richmond – T Cotchin, C Newman, T Vickery, N Foley, S Edwards, J Batchelor.
Injuries : Essendon – M Hurley (ribs), T Colyer (concussion). Richmond – Nil.
Substitutions : Essendon - T Colyer (concussion) replace by R Dyson in the third quarter.
Richmond – B Griffths replaced by T Hislop in the fourth quarter.
Reports - Nil. Umpires – M Stevic, S McInerney, J Armstrong.
Crowd – 55,442 at MCG.
Collingwood needed a win to move to top of the ladder, and were untroubled in achieving that as they
dominated from start to finish to record a 117-point win over North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday
afternoon.
The game was played in wet and windy conditions; and although the Kangaroos created a few scoring
chances early, they were unable to manage more than behinds from them. At the other end, the Magpies
were able to make more of their opportunities; and also created a highlight when Dale Thomas flew high
to take a spectacular mark on the half-forward line. The Magpies only had one more scoring shot than the
Kangaroos in the first term, but thanks to their superior accuracy held a 16-point lead at quarter time.
Two goals in the first two minutes of the second term continued the golden Magpie run, as the defending
champions took a stranglehold over the match. With a run of six goals to one for the quarter, the lead blew
out to 46 points at the long break.
The Magpies were in complete control of the contest, and the Kangaroos had no answers. And the rout
became even more pronounced in the second half, with twelve goals to one blowing the margin out to
three figures. It was a display of premiership football at its best, with the hapless Kangaroos unable to
compete against the red-hot Magpie juggernaut that rolled on relentlessly and ruthlessly.
Steele Sidebottom was a focal point up forward with four goals, while Dale Thomas kicked three before
going off with a knee complaint in the third term. Dane Swan dominated the midfield in a best-on-ground
performance, while Jarryd Blair and Heath Shaw were also prominent. But it was hard to find a Magpie
player who lowered his colours in a display that showed the vast gulf in class between premiership
contender Collingwood and finals challenger North Melbourne.
Collingwood 4.3 10.6 16.12 22.15 (147)
North Melbourne 1.5 2.8 3.9 3.12 (30)
Goals : Collingwood – S Sidebottom 4, J Blair 3, D Thomas 3, L Brown 3, D Swan 2, T Cloke
2, H Shaw, L Davis, S Wellingham, D Jolly, A Fasolo. North Melbourne – B Harvey 2, T
Goldstein.
Best : Collingwood – D Swan, J Blair, H Shaw, D Thomas, S Pendlebury, S Sidebottom.
North Melbourne – D Wells, T Goldstein, J Ziebell, A Swallow, L Adams, B Rawlings.
Injuries : Collingwood – D Thomas (knee). North Melbourne – L Hansen (ankle).
Substitutions : Collingwood - D Thomas (knee) replaced by A Fasolo in the third quarter.
North Melbourne - A Edwards replaced by L Anthony in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Farmer, Ryan, Mollison.
Crowd - 53,601 at MCG.
St Kilda won their second game on the trot, keeping themselves in finals contention, as they travelled to
Adelaide and took home a comfortable 56-point win over Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
As the players took their positions before the opening bounce, Nick Riewoldt copped a hit and was
awarded a free kick from directly in front; and the game started with Riewoldt’s goal, before the opening
bounce. A minute later, the Saints were on the board again, and would retain the lead for the entire
afternoon. A run of four goals to one for the opening term saw the Saints leading by 18 points at the first
change.
Jay Schulz, on the back of his seven-goal haul last week, went up and took the best mark of the afternoon
in the opening minute of the second term, and followed it up with the first goal of the quarter. But it was a
rare highlight for Port, who were out-possessed and out-pressured by the rampant Saints during the
second term. With five goals to three for the quarter, it was a 31-point lead to the Saints at the long break.
A firey opening to the third term saw a mellee break out, but there were no reports. The game was tighter
and more physical, but the Saints were still dictating terms and the Power were unable to compete. The
Power were held goal-less for the quarter as the Saints cruised to a 50-point three quarter time lead, and
the contest was beyond doubt. Even with the Power kicking four goals in the last term, they were unable to
win any of the quarters as the longer the game drew on, the bigger was St Kilda’s margin. Nick Riewoldt
and Ryan Gamble finished with four goals apiece, while Nick Dal Santo was a ball magnet with an
impressive 36 touches.
But it was another day of doom and gloom for the Power, their fifth loss in a row. And their support base
appears to be jumping off, with only 16,887 fans bothering to attend AAMI Stadium for the match.
St Kilda 4.2 9.3 12.6 17.7 (109)
Port Adelaide 1.2 4.2 4.4 8.5 (53)
Goals : St Kilda – N Riewoldt 4, R Gamble 4, S Milne 3, N Dal Santo 2, L Montagna, J
Steven, A Schneider, B Goddard. Port Adelaide – J Schulz 2, C Hitchcock 2, R Gray, D
Stewart, D Pearce, M Broadbent.
Best : St Kilda – N Dal Santo, B McEvoy, B Goddard, J Steven, R Gamble, N Riewoldt. Port
Adelaide – R Gray, T Logan, H Hartlett, D Cassisi, T Boak, K Cornes.
Injuries : St Kilda – Nil. Port Adelaide – J Trengove (forearm).
Substitutions : St Kilda - F Ray replaced by D Armitage in the third quarter. Port Adelaide
- D Rodan replaced by C Hitchcock in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - McBurney, Stewart, Dalgleish.
Crowd - 16,887 at AAMI Stadium.
The Western Bulldogs extended their winning streak to four games, getting back to within striking distance
of the top eight, when they completed a 27-point win over Carlton in the Sunday twilight game at Docklands.
The Blues were getting plenty of the ball during a low-scoring first quarter, but too many of their chances
sailed wide of the goals. A wasteful return of 2.7 for the quarter meant they were stuck with only a three-
point quarter time lead, when the run of play suggested the Blues’ lead should have been greater.
The Blues looked to have put their woes behind them when they raced through four goals in the first 10
minutes of the quarter, extending their lead to 27 points. But, unexpectedly, they could go no further. A
dribbling goal by Barry Hall, a grubber that ran 50 metres but eventually bounced through, sparked the
Bulldogs into action; and with a four-goal run of their own, the Bulldogs reduced the Carlton lead to just
two points at half time.
Andrew Hooper gave the Bulldogs the lead in the first minute of the third quarter, and momentum was
running their way. It was the start of a productive quarter for the Bulldogs, in which they kicked five goals to
two to turn their first half deficit into a 16-point lead at the last change. And although the Blues tried
desperately to get back into the contest in the final quarter, but for all their efforts could only manage a
single goal, as the Bulldogs cruised to victory.
Barry Hall finished with four goals, while Matthew Boyd, Callan Ward and Adam Cooney were prominent
performers for the Bulldogs. With the win, they find themselves just half a game out of the eight, and still a
chance to salvage a finals appearance out of what has been a disappointing season. Bryce Gibbs and
Chris Judd were ball magnets for the Blues, but their defeat sees them drop to fourth on the table.
Western Bulldogs 2.4 6.7 11.9 14.12 (96)
Carlton 2.7 6.9 8.11 9.15 (69)
Goals : Bulldogs – B Hall 4, R Griffen 2, A Hooper 2, L Gilbee, C Ward, A Cooney, L Jones, L
Dahlhaus, D Giansiracusa. Carlton – K Simpson 2, M Murphy, B Gibbs, M Robinson, E Betts,
A Joseph, D Ellard.
Best : Bulldogs – M Boyd, C Ward, A Cooney, R Griffen, S Higgins, E Wood, Carlton – B
Gibbs, C Judd, M Murphy, D Ellard, K Simpson, M Robinson.
Injuries : Bulldogs – Nil. Carlton - A Carrazzo replaced in selected side by A Joseph, J
Waite (groin).
Substitutions : Bulldogs - S Reid replaced by J Hill in the third quarter. Carlton - J Waite
(groin) replaced by J Russell in the second quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Nicholls, Chamberlain, Meredith.
Crowd - 38,582 at Etihad Stadium.
match without a fight. After two early goals to the Hawks, the Lions put up a run of four unanswered goals,
reducing the margin to just three points midway through the term and causing some frustration for the
Hawks. But, for all their hard work, the Lions were unable to take the lead and two late goals to the Hawks
extended the margin to 15 points at the last change.
Brisbane had worked hard to get back into the game, but could go no further; and the floodgates opened in
the final term. Finally the Hawks turned on some top-four football, putting the Lions to the sword as they
raced through six goals to one for the quarter, blowing the final margin out to a 42-point result that had
looked unlikely for most of the afternoon; a disappointing fadeout for the Lions, who deserved better after
their tenacious efforts in the middle quarters of the game.
Sam Mitchell was a ball magnet, finishing with 34 possessions, while Luke Hodge racked up 31. For the
Lions, Jack Redden with 32 touches and Simon Black with 30 worked hard all afternoon. The Hawks
maintain their position in the top four; but the struggling Lions remain stuck in 15th place.
Hawthorn 5.2 6.5 10.8 16.9 (105)
Brisbane 1.2 4.4 8.5 9.9 (63)
Goals : Hawthorn – L Franklin 3, D Hale 3, B Whitecross 2, P Puopolo 2, L Hodge, I Smith, L
Shiels, D Hale, M Osborne, B Guerra. Brisbane – J Brown 3, J Redden, P Karnezis 2, L
Power, S Sheldon.
Best : Hawthorn – L Hodge, S Mitchell, L Franklin, B Whitecross, X Ellis, L Shiels. Brisbane
– J Redden, S Black, J Brown, T Rockliff, M Leuenberger, L Power.
Injuries : Hawthorn – Nil. Brisbane – A McGrath (lower leg), J O'Brien replaced in selected
side by R Bewick.
Substitutions : Hawthorn – C Young (leg) replaced by R Milne in the fourth quarter.
Brisbane – B Retlaff replaced by R Bewick in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Kennedy, Grun, Pannell.
Crowd - 14,604 at Aurora Stadium.
A disastrous night for Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night saw the Suns held to just four
goals, their lowest score of the season to date. But worse news was a knee injury to captain and key
playmaker Gary Ablett; as the Suns went down by 70 points to Sydney.
Gold Coast were getting plenty of the ball early, but some poor finishing would let them down badly as they
kicked 1.6 for the quarter. At the other end, debutant Luke Parker kicked his first AFL goal with a 60 metre
torp. But late in the quarter, disaster struck for Gold Coast as Gary Ablett landed on his knee after a
marking contest and was assisted from the field.
The Swans led by 22 points at quarter time, and went on with the job in the second quarter. Gary Ablett
briefly returned to the field, his knee heavily strapped, but just a few minutes later with it being clear his
knee was no good, Ablett was forced to throw in the towel and was subbed out of the game. With four
goals to two for the quarter, the Swans were 37 points clear at half time.
The game lost its way during an underwhelming third quarter. Adam Goodes marked and goaled early, but
it would be the only goal of the quarter as the defences took over and there were few highlights in what
was a forgettable quarter of footy. The last quarter was slightly better, with the Swans kicking five goals to
one, extending the final margin to 70 points.
It wasn’t a game that reached any great heights, and the Swans were far too strong, especially when the
Suns were without Ablett. The Swans remain securely in the top eight, but the Suns after their 8th straight
defeat remain stuck on the bottom.
Sydney 5.4 9.7 10.12 15.16 (106)
Gold Coast 1.6 3.6 3.9 4.12 (36)
Goals : Sydney – S Reid 3, J McVeigh 3, A Goodes 2, L Parker 2, K Jack, N Malceski, B
McGlynn, L Roberts-Thomson, M Spangher. Gold Coast – D Swallow 2, S Iles, T Lynch.
Best : Sydney – A Goodes, J McVeigh, S Mumford, L Parker, B McGlynn, R O’Keefe. Gold
Coast – D Swallow, J Harbrow, J Wilkinson, T McKenzie, J Brennan, D Stanley.
Injuries : Sydney - C Bird (knee) replaced in selected side by J Moore. J Bolton (knee)
replaced in selected side by L Parker. Gold Coast - G Ablett (knee), J Fraser (foot) replaced
in selected side by C Dixon. M Shaw (general soreness) replaced in selected side by H Jolly,
C Brown (arm).
Substitutions : Sydney - J Moore replaced by L Jetta in the third quarter. Gold Coast - G
Ablett (knee) replaced by L Russell in the second quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Vozzo, Leppard, Jennings.
Crowd - 16,488 at Metricon Stadium.
It was close for three quarters, but the final term was a blowout; as Essendon took control during the last
quarter to record a 39-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.
The two teams started evenly matched, an entertaining and free-flowing opening term. The Tigers showed
greater accuracy, and although the Bombers had eight scoring shots to six, the Tigers held an eight-point
lead at quarter time. But there were fireworks at quarter time, a melee that saw no reports or injuries but
two Bombers having to have their jumpers replaced.
The second quarter was lower-scoring, just two goals apiece. The Tigers scored their two goals first, and
had threatened to get on top before the Bombers fought back later in the quarter. But the Tigers still held a
nine-point lead at half time, and during the third term that margin blew out to 23 points midway through the
quarter.
But the final hour of the game bore little resemblance to what had preceded it. The Tigers were ahead by
nine goals to five, but were unable to conjure up another goal of the remainder of the contest. Meanwhile,
Essendon players who were barely sighted to that point of the game began to pick up possessions and
get the Bombers back into the contest.
By three quarter time, the margin was back to three points after the Bombers had kicked the last three
goals of the third term. David Zaharakis with a long-range goal in the opening minute gave the Bombers
the lead for the first time, and there was no looking back. Zaharakis’ goal was the first of seven for the
quarter, completing a run of ten unanswered goals that turned the deficit into a comfortable win.
Brent Stanton was a dominant force in a best-on-ground performance, while David Zaharakis and Dyson
Heppell were also prominent for the Bombers. With the win, the Bombers retain their position in the top
eight. But for Richmond, the result was their third loss in a row, and they find themselves as the lowest-
placed Victorian club, their finals hopes slipping away.
Essendon 3.5 5.9 8.12 15.15 (105)
Richmond 5.1 7.6 9.9 9.12 (66)
Goals : Essendon – S Crameri 3, A Monfries 3, A Davey, D Heppell, D Hille, H Hocking, L
Jetta, M McVeigh, P Ryder, D Stanton, Zaharakis. Richmond – N Foley 2, D Martin 2, T
Cotchin, B Deledio, B Griffiths, J Riewoldt, T Vickery.
Best : Essendon – B Stanton, D Zaharakis, D Heppell, S Crameri, H Hocking, D Hille.
Richmond – T Cotchin, C Newman, T Vickery, N Foley, S Edwards, J Batchelor.
Injuries : Essendon – M Hurley (ribs), T Colyer (concussion). Richmond – Nil.
Substitutions : Essendon - T Colyer (concussion) replace by R Dyson in the third quarter.
Richmond – B Griffths replaced by T Hislop in the fourth quarter.
Reports - Nil. Umpires – M Stevic, S McInerney, J Armstrong.
Crowd – 55,442 at MCG.
Collingwood needed a win to move to top of the ladder, and were untroubled in achieving that as they
dominated from start to finish to record a 117-point win over North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday
afternoon.
The game was played in wet and windy conditions; and although the Kangaroos created a few scoring
chances early, they were unable to manage more than behinds from them. At the other end, the Magpies
were able to make more of their opportunities; and also created a highlight when Dale Thomas flew high
to take a spectacular mark on the half-forward line. The Magpies only had one more scoring shot than the
Kangaroos in the first term, but thanks to their superior accuracy held a 16-point lead at quarter time.
Two goals in the first two minutes of the second term continued the golden Magpie run, as the defending
champions took a stranglehold over the match. With a run of six goals to one for the quarter, the lead blew
out to 46 points at the long break.
The Magpies were in complete control of the contest, and the Kangaroos had no answers. And the rout
became even more pronounced in the second half, with twelve goals to one blowing the margin out to
three figures. It was a display of premiership football at its best, with the hapless Kangaroos unable to
compete against the red-hot Magpie juggernaut that rolled on relentlessly and ruthlessly.
Steele Sidebottom was a focal point up forward with four goals, while Dale Thomas kicked three before
going off with a knee complaint in the third term. Dane Swan dominated the midfield in a best-on-ground
performance, while Jarryd Blair and Heath Shaw were also prominent. But it was hard to find a Magpie
player who lowered his colours in a display that showed the vast gulf in class between premiership
contender Collingwood and finals challenger North Melbourne.
Collingwood 4.3 10.6 16.12 22.15 (147)
North Melbourne 1.5 2.8 3.9 3.12 (30)
Goals : Collingwood – S Sidebottom 4, J Blair 3, D Thomas 3, L Brown 3, D Swan 2, T Cloke
2, H Shaw, L Davis, S Wellingham, D Jolly, A Fasolo. North Melbourne – B Harvey 2, T
Goldstein.
Best : Collingwood – D Swan, J Blair, H Shaw, D Thomas, S Pendlebury, S Sidebottom.
North Melbourne – D Wells, T Goldstein, J Ziebell, A Swallow, L Adams, B Rawlings.
Injuries : Collingwood – D Thomas (knee). North Melbourne – L Hansen (ankle).
Substitutions : Collingwood - D Thomas (knee) replaced by A Fasolo in the third quarter.
North Melbourne - A Edwards replaced by L Anthony in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Farmer, Ryan, Mollison.
Crowd - 53,601 at MCG.
St Kilda won their second game on the trot, keeping themselves in finals contention, as they travelled to
Adelaide and took home a comfortable 56-point win over Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
As the players took their positions before the opening bounce, Nick Riewoldt copped a hit and was
awarded a free kick from directly in front; and the game started with Riewoldt’s goal, before the opening
bounce. A minute later, the Saints were on the board again, and would retain the lead for the entire
afternoon. A run of four goals to one for the opening term saw the Saints leading by 18 points at the first
change.
Jay Schulz, on the back of his seven-goal haul last week, went up and took the best mark of the afternoon
in the opening minute of the second term, and followed it up with the first goal of the quarter. But it was a
rare highlight for Port, who were out-possessed and out-pressured by the rampant Saints during the
second term. With five goals to three for the quarter, it was a 31-point lead to the Saints at the long break.
A firey opening to the third term saw a mellee break out, but there were no reports. The game was tighter
and more physical, but the Saints were still dictating terms and the Power were unable to compete. The
Power were held goal-less for the quarter as the Saints cruised to a 50-point three quarter time lead, and
the contest was beyond doubt. Even with the Power kicking four goals in the last term, they were unable to
win any of the quarters as the longer the game drew on, the bigger was St Kilda’s margin. Nick Riewoldt
and Ryan Gamble finished with four goals apiece, while Nick Dal Santo was a ball magnet with an
impressive 36 touches.
But it was another day of doom and gloom for the Power, their fifth loss in a row. And their support base
appears to be jumping off, with only 16,887 fans bothering to attend AAMI Stadium for the match.
St Kilda 4.2 9.3 12.6 17.7 (109)
Port Adelaide 1.2 4.2 4.4 8.5 (53)
Goals : St Kilda – N Riewoldt 4, R Gamble 4, S Milne 3, N Dal Santo 2, L Montagna, J
Steven, A Schneider, B Goddard. Port Adelaide – J Schulz 2, C Hitchcock 2, R Gray, D
Stewart, D Pearce, M Broadbent.
Best : St Kilda – N Dal Santo, B McEvoy, B Goddard, J Steven, R Gamble, N Riewoldt. Port
Adelaide – R Gray, T Logan, H Hartlett, D Cassisi, T Boak, K Cornes.
Injuries : St Kilda – Nil. Port Adelaide – J Trengove (forearm).
Substitutions : St Kilda - F Ray replaced by D Armitage in the third quarter. Port Adelaide
- D Rodan replaced by C Hitchcock in the third quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - McBurney, Stewart, Dalgleish.
Crowd - 16,887 at AAMI Stadium.
The Western Bulldogs extended their winning streak to four games, getting back to within striking distance
of the top eight, when they completed a 27-point win over Carlton in the Sunday twilight game at Docklands.
The Blues were getting plenty of the ball during a low-scoring first quarter, but too many of their chances
sailed wide of the goals. A wasteful return of 2.7 for the quarter meant they were stuck with only a three-
point quarter time lead, when the run of play suggested the Blues’ lead should have been greater.
The Blues looked to have put their woes behind them when they raced through four goals in the first 10
minutes of the quarter, extending their lead to 27 points. But, unexpectedly, they could go no further. A
dribbling goal by Barry Hall, a grubber that ran 50 metres but eventually bounced through, sparked the
Bulldogs into action; and with a four-goal run of their own, the Bulldogs reduced the Carlton lead to just
two points at half time.
Andrew Hooper gave the Bulldogs the lead in the first minute of the third quarter, and momentum was
running their way. It was the start of a productive quarter for the Bulldogs, in which they kicked five goals to
two to turn their first half deficit into a 16-point lead at the last change. And although the Blues tried
desperately to get back into the contest in the final quarter, but for all their efforts could only manage a
single goal, as the Bulldogs cruised to victory.
Barry Hall finished with four goals, while Matthew Boyd, Callan Ward and Adam Cooney were prominent
performers for the Bulldogs. With the win, they find themselves just half a game out of the eight, and still a
chance to salvage a finals appearance out of what has been a disappointing season. Bryce Gibbs and
Chris Judd were ball magnets for the Blues, but their defeat sees them drop to fourth on the table.
Western Bulldogs 2.4 6.7 11.9 14.12 (96)
Carlton 2.7 6.9 8.11 9.15 (69)
Goals : Bulldogs – B Hall 4, R Griffen 2, A Hooper 2, L Gilbee, C Ward, A Cooney, L Jones, L
Dahlhaus, D Giansiracusa. Carlton – K Simpson 2, M Murphy, B Gibbs, M Robinson, E Betts,
A Joseph, D Ellard.
Best : Bulldogs – M Boyd, C Ward, A Cooney, R Griffen, S Higgins, E Wood, Carlton – B
Gibbs, C Judd, M Murphy, D Ellard, K Simpson, M Robinson.
Injuries : Bulldogs – Nil. Carlton - A Carrazzo replaced in selected side by A Joseph, J
Waite (groin).
Substitutions : Bulldogs - S Reid replaced by J Hill in the third quarter. Carlton - J Waite
(groin) replaced by J Russell in the second quarter.
Reports – Nil. Umpires - Nicholls, Chamberlain, Meredith.
Crowd - 38,582 at Etihad Stadium.
|
HARBOURSPORT PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
West Coast v Geelong – A Embley (WCE) 6, J Kelly (Geel) 5, M Priddis (WCE) 4, P Chapman (Geel) 3, J Bartel (Geel) 2, B Ebert (WCE) 2, C
Ling (Geel) 1, D Cox (WCE) 1.
Hawthorn v Brisbane – L Hodge (Haw) 7, J Redden (Bris) 6, S Mitchell (Haw) 5, S Black (Bris) 3, L Franklin (Haw) 3, J Brown (Bris) 2, B
Whitecross (Haw) 2, T Rockliff (Bris) 1.
Gold Coast v Sydney – A Goodes (Syd) 7, D Swallow (GCst) 4, J McVeigh (Syd) 4, S Mumford (Syd) 3, L Parker (Syd) 3, J Harbrow (GCst) 1,
B McGlynn (Syd) 1.
Essendon v Richmond – B Stanton (Ess) 8, T Cotchin (Rich) 5, D Zaharakis (Ess) 4, D Heppell (Ess) 3, C Newman (Rich) 2, T Vickery
(Rich) 1, S Crameri (Ess) 1.
Collingwood v North Melbourne – D Swan (Coll) 10, J Blair (Coll) 7, H Shaw (Coll) 5, D Thomas (Coll) 4, S Pendlebury (Coll) 2.
Port Adelaide v St Kilda – N Dal Santo (St K) 8, R Gray (Port) 5, B McEvoy (St K) 4, B Goddard (St K) 3, T Logan (Port) 3, J Steven (St K) 2, R
Gamble (St K) 1.
Western Bulldogs v Carlton – B Gibbs (Carl) 7, M Boyd (WBul) 6, C Judd (Carl) 5, C Ward (WBul) 5, M Murphy (Carl) 2, A Cooney (WBul) 2, R
Griffen (WBul) 1.
West Coast v Geelong – A Embley (WCE) 6, J Kelly (Geel) 5, M Priddis (WCE) 4, P Chapman (Geel) 3, J Bartel (Geel) 2, B Ebert (WCE) 2, C
Ling (Geel) 1, D Cox (WCE) 1.
Hawthorn v Brisbane – L Hodge (Haw) 7, J Redden (Bris) 6, S Mitchell (Haw) 5, S Black (Bris) 3, L Franklin (Haw) 3, J Brown (Bris) 2, B
Whitecross (Haw) 2, T Rockliff (Bris) 1.
Gold Coast v Sydney – A Goodes (Syd) 7, D Swallow (GCst) 4, J McVeigh (Syd) 4, S Mumford (Syd) 3, L Parker (Syd) 3, J Harbrow (GCst) 1,
B McGlynn (Syd) 1.
Essendon v Richmond – B Stanton (Ess) 8, T Cotchin (Rich) 5, D Zaharakis (Ess) 4, D Heppell (Ess) 3, C Newman (Rich) 2, T Vickery
(Rich) 1, S Crameri (Ess) 1.
Collingwood v North Melbourne – D Swan (Coll) 10, J Blair (Coll) 7, H Shaw (Coll) 5, D Thomas (Coll) 4, S Pendlebury (Coll) 2.
Port Adelaide v St Kilda – N Dal Santo (St K) 8, R Gray (Port) 5, B McEvoy (St K) 4, B Goddard (St K) 3, T Logan (Port) 3, J Steven (St K) 2, R
Gamble (St K) 1.
Western Bulldogs v Carlton – B Gibbs (Carl) 7, M Boyd (WBul) 6, C Judd (Carl) 5, C Ward (WBul) 5, M Murphy (Carl) 2, A Cooney (WBul) 2, R
Griffen (WBul) 1.
LEADING GOALKICKERS :
46 - Jack Riewoldt (St K)
46 - Lance Franklin (Haw)
40 - Josh Kennedy (WCE)
40 - Travis Cloke (Coll)
37 - Andrew Walker (Carl)
35 - Jeff Garlett (Carl)
30 - Drew Petrie (NthM)
30 - Liam Jurrah (Melb)
30 - Daniel Giansiracusa (WBul)
29 - James Podsiadly (Geel)
28 - Stephen Milne (St K)
28 - Eddie Betts (Carl)
27 - Mark LeCras (WCE)
26 - Tyrone Vickery (Rich)
46 - Jack Riewoldt (St K)
46 - Lance Franklin (Haw)
40 - Josh Kennedy (WCE)
40 - Travis Cloke (Coll)
37 - Andrew Walker (Carl)
35 - Jeff Garlett (Carl)
30 - Drew Petrie (NthM)
30 - Liam Jurrah (Melb)
30 - Daniel Giansiracusa (WBul)
29 - James Podsiadly (Geel)
28 - Stephen Milne (St K)
28 - Eddie Betts (Carl)
27 - Mark LeCras (WCE)
26 - Tyrone Vickery (Rich)
| WEEK 17 FIXTURES Michael Shillito's tips in bold (87.5/124 to Date) Friday 15th July Adelaide v Essendon (8:10pm, AAMI Stadium) Saturday 16th July Richmond v Gold Coast (2:10pm, Cazaly's, Cairns Qld) Carlton v Collingwood (2:10pm, MCG) St Kilda v West Coast (7:10pm, Etihad Stadium) Melbourne v Port Adelaide (7:40pm, TIO Stad, Darwin) Sunday 17th July Sydney v Fremantle (1:10pm, SCG) Brisbane v Geelong (2:10pm, Gabba) North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs (4:40pm, Etihad) BYE - Hawthorn. |
| HARBOURSPORT PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Standings Dane Swan (Coll) - 63 Marc Murphy (Carl) - 62 Matthew Boyd (WBul) - 62 Sam Mitchell (Haw) - 57 Scott Pendlebury (Coll) - 54 Liam Shiels (Haw) - 51 Jack Redden (Bris) - 48 Scott Thompson (Adel) - 48 Steven Johnson (Geel) - 46 Dale Thomas (Coll) - 45 Gary Ablett (GCst) - 45 Nick Dal Santo (St K) - 43 Dean Cox (WCE) - 42 |
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