NAB09.html

Best of NAB Cup series 2009

Highest Scores

Pts	9, 6, 1pt	Final Scores	Where
143	4.16.11	PORT ADEL v Sydney 1.10.9–78	1R-Man
127	0.18.19	GEELONG v Collingwood 1.6.6–51	GF(n)-Dok
123	1.17.12	CARLTON v North Melb 0.11.4–70	1R(n)-Dok
119	1.17.8	GEELONG v Adelaide 2.9.12–84	1R(n)-Dok
116	1.15.17	COLLINGWOOD v West Coast 3.3.9–54	1R(n)-S
116	1.17.5	COLLINGWOOD v Essendon 3.6-10–73	1R(n)-S
112	2.13.16	CARLTON v Hawthorn 2.10.10–88	QF-Dok
97	1.13.10	COLLINGWOOD v Richmond 2.3.15–51	QF(n)-Dok
89	1.12.8	RICHMOND v Fremantle 5.5.11–86	1R(n)-S
88	2.10.10	HAWTHORN v Carlton 2.13.16–112	QF-Dok
86	5.5.11	FREMANTLE v Richmond 1.12.8–86	1R(n)-S
84	2.9.12	ADELAIDE v Geelong 1.17.8–119	1R(n)-Dok
84	2.9.12	GEELONG v Carlton 0.9.13–67	SF(n)-Dok
78	1.10.9	SYDNEY v Port Adel 4.16.11–143	1R-Man
73	3.6.10	ESSENDON v Collingwood 1.17.5–116	SF(n)-Dok
72	0.11.6	GEELONG v Port Adel 1.6.9–54	QF-FP
70	1.8.13	ESSENDON v West.B'dogs 1.8.12–69	1R(n)-Dok
70	0.11.4	NORTH MELB v Carlton 1.17.12–123	1R(n)-Dok

Lowest Scores

Pts	9, 6, 1pt	Final Scores	Where
51	1.6.6	COLLINGWOOD v Geelong 0.18.19–127	GF(n)-Dok
51	2.3.15	RICHMOND v Collingwood 1.13.10–97	QF(n)-Dok
54	3.3.9	WEST COAST v Collingwood 1.15.17	1R(n)-S
54	1.6.9	PORT ADEL v Geelong 0.11.6–72	QF-FP
56	0.8-8	ST KILDA v Brisbane 1.8.8–65	1R(n)-C
69	1.8.12	WEST.B'DOGS v Essendon 1.8.13–70	1R(n)-Dok
65	1.8.8	BRISBANE v St Kilda 0.8.8–56	1R(n)-C
65	1.7.14	BRISBANE v Essendon 0.9.13–67	QF(n)-Dok
66	1.8.9	MELBOURNE v Hawthorn 0.11.3-69	1R-YPL
67	0.9.13	ESSENDON v Brisbane 1.7.14–65	QF(n)-Dok
67	0.9.13	CARLTON v Geelong 2.9.12–84	SF(n)-Dok
69	0.11.3	HAWTHORN v Melbourne 1.8.9–66	1R-YPL

Greatest Winning Margins

76pts	GEELONG 0.18.19–127 v Col 1.6.6–51	GF(n)-Dok
65	PORT ADEL 4.16.11–143 v Syd 1.10.9–78	R1-Man
62	COLLINGWOOD 1.15.17–116 v WCE 3.3.9–65	R1(n)-S
53	CARLTON 1.17.12–123 v NM 0.11.4–70	R1(n)-Dok
46	COLLINGWOOD 1.13.10–97 v Rch 2.3.15–51	QF(n)-Dok
43	COLLINGWOOD 1.17.5–116 v Ess 3.6.10–73	SF(n)-Dok
35	GEELONG 1.17.8–119 v Ade 2.9.12–84	R1(n)-Dok
24	CARLTON 2.13.16–112 v Haw 2.10.10–88	QF-Dok
18	GEELONG 0.11.6–72 v PA 1.6.9–54	QF-FP
17	GEELONG 2.9.12–84 v Car 0.9.13–67	SF(n)-Dok
9	BRISBANE 1.8.8–65 v StK 0.8.8–56	R1(n)-C
3	RICHMOND 1.12.8–89 v Fre 5.5-11–86	R1(n)-S
3	HAWTHORN 0.11-3–69 v Mel 1.8.9–66	R1-YPL
2	ESSENDON 0.9.13–67 v Bri 1.7.14–65	QF(n)-Dok
1 pt	ESSENDON 1.8.13–70 v WB 1.8.12–69	R1(n)-Dok

Most recent One-Pointer

There have been 21 one-point results since the first in 1964.
The most recent —
Geelong 14.13-97 v North Melb 14.12-96	1997-SF-P
Adelaide 1.10.0.9–78 v Port Adelaide 0.11.0.11–77	2003-1R(n)-GP
Geelong 2.8.1.8–77 v Melbourne 2.8.0.10–76	2004-SF(n)-Dok
Brisbane 1.8.1.10–70 v Essendon 1.8.0.12–69	2006-1R-C
Collingwood 2.8.0.8–74 v St Kilda 1.9.0.10–73	2006-1R(n)-Dok
Essendon 1.8.13–70 v West.B'dogs 1.8.12–69	2009-1R(n)-Dok

Best Scores in Each Quarter, 2009

FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER

42pts	GEE v Mel 17	1R(n)-Dok	52pts	PA v Syd 15	1R-Man
40	COL v Ess 15	SF(n)-Dok	41	GEE v Col 1	GF(n)-Dok
38	FRE v Rch 20	1R(n)-S	39	CAR v NM 20	1R(n)-Dok
32	COL v WC 18	1R(n)-S	37	GEE v Ade 25	1R(n)-Dok
31	HAW v Car 10	QF-Dok	36	BRI v StK 2	1R(n)-C
29	MEL v Haw 24	1R-YPL	33	COL v WC 7	1R(n)-S
29	PA v Syd 18	1R-Man	31	CAR v Haw 15	QF-Dok
24	CAR v NM 13	1R(n)-Dok	27	COL v Ess 18	SF(n)-Dok
24	HAW v Mel 29	1R-YPL	25	ADE v Gee 37	1R(n)-Dok
23	GEE v Col 23	GF(n)-Dok	22	RCH v Col 14	QF(n)-Dok
23	COL v Gee 23	GF(n)-Dok	20	NM v Car 39	1R(n)-Dok
21	GEE v Car 8	SF(n)-Dok	19	ESS v WB 17	1R(n)-Dok
20	RCH v Fre 38	1R(n)-S	19	GEE v Car 17	SF(n)-Dok
20	COL v Rch 11	QF(n)-Dok	18	PA v Gee 18	QF-FP
20	ESS v Bri 13	QF(n)-Dok	18	GEE v PA 18	QF-FP
18	WC v Col 32	1R(n)-S	18	ESS v Col 27	SF(n)-Dok
18	SYD v PA 29	1R-Man	17	CAR v Gee 19	SF(n)-Dok
17	WB v Ess 15	1R(n)-Dok	17	WB v Ess 19	1R(n)-Dok
17	MEL v Gee 42	1R(n)-Dok	17	FRE v Rch 12	1R(n)-S
15	ESS v WB	1R(n)-Dok	15	SYD v PA 52	1R-Man
15	BRI v StK 9	1R(n)-C	15	HAW v Car 31	QF-Dok
15	ESS v Col 40	SF(n)-Dok	14	COL v Rch 22	QF(n)-Dok
14	GEE v PA 13	QF-FP	12	RCH v Fre 17	1R(n)-S
13	NM v Car 24	1R(n)-Dok	11	ESS v Bri 7	QF(n)-Dok
13	BRI v Ess 20	QF(n)-Dok	7	WC v Col 33	1R(n)-S
13	PA v Gee	QF-FP	7	HAW v Mel 7	1R-YPL
11	RCH v Col	QF(n)-Dok	7	MEL v Haw 7	1R-YPL
10	CAR v Haw 35	QF-Dok	7	BRI v Ess 11	QF(n)-Dok
8	CAR v Gee 21	SF(n)-Dok	2	STK v Bri 36	1R(n)-C
9	STK v Bri 15	1R(n)-C	1	COL v Gee 41	GF(n)-Dok

THIRD QUARTER

FOURTH QUARTER

48pts	CAR v Haw 32	QF-Dok	37pts	COL v Rch 3	QF(n)-Dok
40	CAR v NM 12	1R(n)-Dok	37	HAW v Mel 1	1R-YPL
32	HAW v Car 48	QF-Dok	33	PA v Syd 14	1R-Man
31	SYD v PA 29	1R(n)-S	32	GEE v Col 13	GF(n)-Dok
31	GEE v Col 14	GF(n)-Dok	27	FRE v Rch 27	1R(n)-S
30	COL v WC 18	1R(n)-S	27	RCH v Fre 27	1R(n)-S
30	RCH v Fre 4	1R(n)-S	27	ADE v Gee 15	1R(n)-Dok
30	COL v Ess 24	SF(n)-Dok	27	GEE v PA 19	QF-FP
29	MEL v Haw 1	1R-YPL	25	NM v Car 20	1R(n)-Dok
29	SYD v PA 31	1R-Man	24	CAR v Haw 6	QF-Dok
26	STK v Bri 12	1R(n)-C	24	GEE v Car 18	SF(n)-Dok
25	ESS v WB 14	1R(n)-Dok	21	COL v WC 11	1R(n)-S
25	GEE v Mel 15	1R(n)-Dok	21	WB v Ess 11	1R(n)-Dok
25	COL v Rch 15	QF(n)-Dok	21	ESS v Bri 20	QF(n)-Dok
25	BRI v Ess 15	QF(n)-Dok	20	CAR v NM 25	1R(n)-Dok
24	ESS v Col 30	SF(n)-Dok	20	BRI v Ess 21	QF(n)-Dok
24	CAR v Gee 20	SF(n)-Dok	19	STK v Bri 2	1R(n)-C
20	GEE v Car 24	SF(n)-Dok	19	PA v Gee 27	QF-FP
18	WC v Col 30	1R(n)-S	19	COL v Ess 16	SF(n)-Dok
15	MEL v Gee	1R(n)-Dok	18	CAR v Gee	SF(n)-Dok
15	RCH v Col 25	QF(n)-Dok	16	ESS v Col 19	SF(n)-Dok
15	ESS v Bri 25	QF(n)-Dok	15	GEE v Ade 27	1R(n)-Dok
14	WB v Ess 25	1R(n)-Dok	14	SYD v PA 33	1R-Man
14	COL v Gee 31	GF(n)-Dok	13	COL v Gee 32	GF(n)-Dok
13	GEE v PA 4	QF-FP	11	WC v Col 21	1R(n)-S
12	BRI v StK 26	1R(n)-C	11	ESS v WB 21	1R(n)-Dok
12	NM v Car 40	1R(n)-Dok	6	HAW v Car 24	QF-Dok
4	FRE v Rch 30	1R(n)-S	3	RCH v Col 38	QF(n)-Dok
4	PA v Gee 13	QF-FP	2	BRI v StK 19	1R(n)-C
1	HAW v Mel 29	1R-YPL	1	MEL v Haw 37	1R-YPL

Best in Goals – 2009 NAB Cup series

**9-point goals**
Players	Christian	Club	1R	QF	SF	GF	Total
FEVOLA	Brendan	Car	1	1	x	x	2
ABLETT	Gary	Gee	1	x	x	x	1
ATKINSON	Jarrod	Ess	1	x	x	x	1
BARTRAM	Clint	Mel	1	x	x	x	1
BATEMAN	Chance	Haw	x	1	x	x	1
BEAMS	Dayne	Col	x	x	1	x	1
BOLTON	Craig	Syd	1	x	x	x	1
BROWNE	Andrew	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
BRYAN	Chris	Col	x	x	x	1	1
CHAPMAN	Paul	Gee	x	x	1	x	1
CLARKE	Marty	Col	1	x	x	x	1
DIDAK	Alan	Col	x	1	x	x	1
DRUMMOND	Josh	Bri	1	x	x	x	1
DYSON	Ricky	Ess	x	x	1	x	1
GILL	Nick	WB	1	x	x	x	1
GRANT	Jarrad	WB	1	x	x	x	1
HARDING	Scott	Bri	x	1	x	x	1
HILL	Stephen	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
IBBOTSON	Garrick	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
KERR	Daniel	WCE	1	x	x	x	1
KIEL	Haydn	Haw	x	1	x	x	1
LADE	Brendon	PA	1	x	x	x	1
LAIDLER	Jeremy	Gee	x	x	x	1	1
LOGAN	Tom	PA	1	x	x	x	1
LLOYD	Matthew	Ess	x	x	1	x	1
MARIC	Ivan	Ade	1	x	x	x	1
McGINNITY	Patrick	WCE	1	x	x	x	1
McKINLEY	Ben	WCE	1	x	x	x	1
MEYER	Danny	PA	1	x	x	x	1
MOTLOP	Daniel	PA	x	1	x	x	1
MURPHY	Marc	Car	x	1	x	x	1
NEWMAN	Chris	Rch	x	1	x	x	1
PEARCE	Danyle	PA	1	x	x	x	1
RICHARDSON	Matthew	Rch	1	x	x	x	1
RYDER	Patrick	Ess	x	x	1	x	1
SCHAMMER	Byron	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
SOLOMON	Dean	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
WHITE	Matthew	Rch	x	1	x	x	1
			14	9	6	1	30

6-point goals – total below include *9-point goals*
Players	Christian	Club	1R	2R	SF	GF	Total
ROUGHEAD	Jarryd	Haw	5	6	x	x	11
ANTHONY	John	Col	2	1	7	x	10
FEVOLA	Brendan	Car	6*	4*	x	x	10*
STOKES	Mathew	Gee	7	x	x	2	9
LONERGAN	Tom	Gee	3	1	2	2	8
CLOKE	Cameron	Car	2	2	2	x	6
ABLETT	Gary	Gee	4*	x	1	3	8*
GAMBLE	Ryan	Gee	4	x	x	1	5
WESTHOFF	Justin	PA	4	1	x	x	5
BATE	Matthew	Mel	4	x	x	x	4
BETTS	Eddie	Car	1	1	2	x	4
CLARKE	Marty	Col	1*	x	2	1	4*
DIDAK	Alan	Col	x	2*	2	x	4*
JOHNSON	Brad	WB	4	x	x	x	4
JOHNSON	Steve	Gee	x	x	1	3	4
McVEIGH	Jarrad	Syd	4	x	x	x	4
MOTLOP	Daniel	PA	2	2*	x	x	4*
BRADSHAW	Daniel	Bri	x	3	x	x	3
BROWN	Nathan G	Rch	3	x	x	x	3
CHAPMAN	Paul	Gee	x	x	x	2	3*
CLARK	Mitchell	Bri	1	2	x	x	3
CLOKE	Travis	Col	x	1	1	1	3
HALE	David	NM	3	x	x	x	3
HARDING	Scott	Bri	3	x	x	x	3
JETTA	Leroy	Ess	2	1	x	x	3
MORTON	Mitch	Rch	3	x	x	x	3
MURPHY	Marc	Car	1	2*	x	x	3*
RICHARDSON	Matthew	Rch	2	1	x	x	3
SELWOOD	Joel	Gee	1	x	x	2	3
SIMPSON	Kade	Car	1	2	x	x	3
SKIPWORTH	Hayden	Ess	2	1	x	x	3
THOMAS	Dale	Col	x	x	1	2	3
THOMPSON	Wade	PA	3	x	x	x	3
TREDREA	Warren	PA	3	x	x	x	3
VARCOE	Travis	Gee	1	2	x	1	3
BARTEL	Jimmy	Gee	x	1	x	1	2
BARTRAM	Clint	Mel	2*	x	x	x	2*
BEAMS	Dayne	Col	x	1	x	1	2
BRYAN	Chris	Col	x	x	2	x	2
DAVIS	Leon	Col	1	x	1	x	2
DYSON	Ricky	Ess	x	x	1*	x	2
EDWARDS	Tyson	Ade	2	x	x	x	2
GARTLETT	Jeff	Car	2	x	x	x	2
GODDARD	Brendon	StK	2	x	x	x	2
HILLE	David	Ess	x	1	1	x	2
HAMPSON	Shaun	Car	x	1	1	x	2
JUDD	Chris	Car	1	1	x	x	2
KELLY	James	Gee	x	1	1	x	2
LOCKYER	Tarkyn	Col	x	1	1	x	2
LOVETT	Andrew	Ess	x	2	x	x	2
MILNE	Stephen	StK	2	x	x	x	2
NEAGLE	Jay	Ess	2	x	x	x	2
PEARCE	Danyle	PA	1*	1	x	x	2
PENDLEBURY	Scott	Col	x	1	1	x	2
RIEWOLDT	Jack	Rch	2	x	x	x	2
SHERMAN	Justin	Bri	1	1	x	x	2
SIMPSON	Scott	Gee	x	1	1	x	2
STAKER	Brent	WCE	2	x	x	x	2
STEVENS	Scott	Ade	2	x	x	x	2
STOKES	Cameron	Haw	2	x	x	x	2
THOMPSON	Wade	PA	x	2	x	x	2
WELLS	Daniel	NM	2	x	x	x	2
WIGGINS	Simon	Car	1	x	1	x	2
WILLIAMS	Mark	Haw	2	x	x	x	2
ZIEBELL	Jack	NM	2	x	x	x	2
BELLCHAMBERS	Tom	Ess	x	x	1	x	1
BENTLEY	Greg	Car	1	x	x	x	1
BOLTON	Jude	Syd	1	x	x	x	1
BRADLEY	Kepler	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
BROWN	Leigh	Col	x	1	x	x	1
BROWN	Nathan G	Rch	x	1	x	x	1
BROWN	Nathan J	Col	x	1	x	x	1
BROWNE	Stevens	Car	x	x	1	x	1
CASSISI	Domenic	PA	1	x	x	x	1
CLARKE	Raphael	StK	1	x	x	x	1
CORNELIUS	Aaron	Bri	1	x	x	x	1
CORNES	Chad	PA	1	x	x	x	1
COX	Dean	WCE	1	x	x	x	1
DAVENPORT	Jason	PA	1	x	x	x	1
DE BOER	Matthew	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
DEMPSEY	Courtenay	Fre	x	x	1	x	1
DEW	Stuart	Haw	1	x	x	x	1
DIDAK	Alan	Col	1	x	x	x	1
DJERRKURA	Nathan	Gee	x	1	x	x	1
DODD	Stephen	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
EAGLETON	Nathan	WB	1	x	x	x	1
FRASER	Josh	Col	x	1	x	x	1
EBERT	Brett	PA	1	x	x	x	1
GEARY	Jarryn	StK	1	x	x	x	1
GIBSON	Josh	NM	1	x	x	x	1
GOODES	Adam	Syd	1	x	x	x	1
GREEN	Brad	Mel	1	x	x	x	1
GRIGG	Shaun	Car	x	x	1	x	1
GROVER	Antoni	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
GUMBLETON	Scott	Ess	1	x	x	x	1
HARVEY	Brent	NM	1	x	x	x	1
HAWKINS	Tom	Gee	x	x	1	x	1
HENTSCHEL	Trent	Ade	1	x	x	x	1
HOCKING	Heath	Ess	x	1	x	x	1
HOGAN	Simon	Gee	1	x	x	x	1
HOOPER	Rhan	Bri	1	x	x	x	1
HOULI	Bachar	Ess	1	x	x	x	1
HOULIHAN	Ryan	Car	1	x	x	x	1
HUGHES	Cleve	Rch	1	x	x	x	1
JOHNSON	Ben	Col	1	x	x	x	1
JOHNSON	Chris	Car	1	x	x	x	1
JOHNSON	Paul	Mel	1	x	x	x	1
JOLLY	Darren	Syd	1	x	x	x	1
KENNEDY	Josh	Haw	x	1	x	x	1
LOWER	Ed	NM	1	x	x	x	1
LUCAS	Scott	NM	x	x	1	x	1
MACAFFER	Brent	Col	x	1	x	x	1
McCARTHY	John	Col	x	1	x	x	1
McEVOY	Ben	StK	1	x	x	x	1
McGLYNN	Ben	Haw	x	1	x	x	1
McGRATH	Ashley	Bri	x	1	x	x	1
McLEOD	Andrew	Ade	1	x	x	x	1
McLEAN	Brock	Mel	1	x	x	x	1
MONFRIES	Angus	Ess	x	1	x	x	1
MORTON	Jarryd	Haw	1	x	x	x	1
MOSS	Garry	Haw	x	1	x	x	1
MURPHY	Ryan	Fre	1	x	x	x	1
MYERS	David	Ess	x	1	x	x	1
NAHAS	Robin	Rch	1	x	x	x	1
NEAGLE	Jay	Ess	x	1	x	x	1
NOTTING	Tim	Bri	1	x	x	x	1
O'BREE	Shane	Col	x	x	x	1	1
O'DWYER	Matt	Syd	1	x	x	x	1
O'KEEFE	Ryan	Syd	1	x	x	x	1
OTTEN	Andy	Ade	1	x	x	x	1
ROBINSON	Mitch	Car	x	1	x	x	1
ROOKE	Max	Gee	x	x	1	x	1
SALOPEK	Steven	PA	x	1	x	x	1
SKIPPER	Wayde	WB	1	x	x	x	1
STACK	Brendan	WB	1	x	x	x	1
STEVEN	Jack	StK	1	x	x	x	1
SWAN	Dane	Col	x	1	x	x	1
TENACE	Kane	Gee	x	x	x	1	1
THOMAS	Lindsay	NM	1	x	x	x	1
THOMPSON	Scott	Ade	1	x	x	x	1
THORPE	Mitchell	Ade	x	1	x	x	1
TOOVEY	Alan	Col	x	1	x	x	1
VICKERY	Tyrone	Rch	x	1	x	x	1
WAITE	Jarrad	Car	x	1	x	x	1
WALKER	Taylor	Ade	1	x	x	x	1
WARD	Callan	WB	1	x	x	x	1
WHITE	Jesse	Syd	1	x	x	x	1
WILLIAMS	John	Ess	x	x	1	x	1
WOOD	Cameron	Col	1	x	x	x	1
YARRAN	Chris	Car	x	x	1	x	1
x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x

* includes 9-point goals	x	x	165	73	40	24	302

Sunday, February 8, 2009

NAB Cup opening
Magpies turn it on over young West Coast squad
Collingwood bad boys Heath Shaw and Alan Didak played starring roles as the Pies posted a ruthless 62-point win over West Coast in the opening NAB Cup pre-season match played on Saturday night at Subiaco Oval.

Fox Sports reported the Pies, missing just Paul Medhurst, Anthony Rocca and Sean Rusling from their best 22, had the game sewn up by half-time when they led by 40 points.

The 1.15.17–116 to 3.3.9–54 triumph set up a quarterfinal date with the winner of next week's Fremantle–Richmond clash, while West Coast will make the trek to Alice Springs for the fourth pre-season on the trot to take on the loser of Geelong–Adelaide.

Collingwood had winners all over the park, with Tarkyn Lockyer (three goals, 31 possessions), Ben Johnson (two goals) and Scott Pendlebury (31 touches) all playing crucial roles

Forward Travis Cloke recovered from a slow start to finish with four goals, while Shaw gathered 26 touches in his first match back since his drink-driving misdemeanour last year.

Shaw's partner in crime Didak was booed by parts of the 22,819 crowd throughout the match but put the distraction aside to gather 30 touches and kick a goal.

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 1
Collingwood v West Coast
Saturday (n), February 7, 2009 Subiaco Oval, 8.45pm AEDT, crowd: 22,819 Ground conditions: Good Weather: 23C, warm and sunny to start
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
COL	0.5.2 – 32	1.8.8 – 65	1.12.14 – 95	1.15.17 – 116
WCE	1.1.3 – 18	1.2.4 – 25	2.3.7 – 43	3.3.9 – 54
Goals: Collingwood: 9pts: Martin Clarke. 6pts: Travis Cloke 4, Tarkyn Lockyer 3, John Anthony 2, Leon Davis 2, Ben Johnson 2, Alan Didak, Cameron Wood. West Coast: 9pts: Patrick McGinnity, Daniel Kerr, Ben McKinley. 6pts: Brent Staker, 2, Dean Cox. Best: Collingwood: Tarkyn Lockyer, Alan Didak, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien. West Coast: Mark Nicoski, Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten, Tom Swift, Matt Priddis. Umpires: Chris Donlon, Hayden Kennedy, Dean Margetts, Justin Schmitt. Report: Nick Maxwell (Col) was charged with rough conduct against Patrick McGinnity (WCE) during Q1. The MRP assessed the incident as a Level Three offence because of the negligent contact, high impact and high contact. The MRP determined a three-match suspension. Collingwood sought the adjudication of the Tribunal. At the Tribunal hearing conducted on Tuesday, February 17, the two-hour hearing featured the unusual situation where, after 25 minutes of deliberation, the three-man jury called back the tribunal and asked for a clarification on the two questions they had to consider. The finding went against Maxwell who was suspended for four matches. Collingwood appealed, arguing the tribunal had erred in finding that Maxwell had alternatives in the controversial bumping case. At the Appeals Board hearing held on Friday morning, February 20, the tribunal verdict of a four-match suspension was overturned. Please also refer: Diary, February 21st, "Rule is virtually impossible to understand"

Saturday, February 14, 2009

NAB Cup Bushfire Appeal Match
Essendon pip Bulldogs in benefit thriller
Footy responds deeply to bushfire tragedy
Red Cross appeal passes $100 million

Essendon defeated the Western Bulldogs by one point in a thrilling AFL bushfire benefit game on Friday night at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium.

Adam McPhee's snap at goal with less than a minute left went through for the match-winning behind as the Bombers won the round-one pre-season game 1.8.13–70 to 1.8.12–69.

More than $1.2 million was raised at the game and immediately after the final siren, it was announced that the Red Cross appeal had hit an overall total of $100 million.

Victorian Premier John Brumby led a minute's silence before the bounce of the ball.

The round-one pre-season game between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon was scheduled for Friday night in Darwin. But the AFL quickly switched the game to Melbourne once the full horror of the fire disaster became apparent last Monday.

While there were hopes the game might attract a capacity crowd of more than 50,000, officials were still happy that around 37,000 tickets were pre-sold.

The crowd was posted as 35,123 and It appears some fans bought tickets as a donation and did not attend.

Mr Brumby told the crowd that the worst natural disaster in Australian history had claimed more than 180 lives and destroyed more than 1,800 homes. 7,000 people are homeless.

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 2 Bushfire Appeal Match
Western Bulldogs v Essendon
Friday (n), February 13, 2009 Docklands, 8.45pm AEDT; Roof: open; crowd: 35,123 Ground conditions: Good Weather: 22C, mild
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
WB	1.1.2–17 (2)	1.3.7–34 (–)	1.5.9–48	1.8.12–69
ESS	0.2.3–15	0.5.4–34 (–)	1.7.8–59 (11)	1.8.13–70 (1)
Goals: Essendon: 9pts: Jarrod Atkinson. 6pts: Leroy Jetta 2, Jay Neagle 2, Hayden Skipworth 2, Bachar Houli, Scott Gumbleton. West.B'dogs: 9pts: Jarrad Grant. 6pts: Brad Johnson 4, Callan Ward, Brennan Stack, Wayde Skipper, Nathan Eagleton. Best: Essendon: Jobe Watson, Andrew Lovett, Courtenay Dempsey, Hayden Skipworth, David Hille, Bachar Houli, Jay Neagle. West.B'dogs: Brad Johnson, Shaun Higgins, Matthew Boyd, Ben Hudson, Lindsay Gilbee, Jarrod Harbrow, Dale Morris. Umpires: Todd Keating, Stuart Wenn, Craig Hendrie, Michael Vozzo.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

NAB Cup
Lions survive Saints strong fight-back

Life as Brisbane Lions coach got off to a perfect start for Michael Voss at Carrara Oval on Saturday night. But it was hardly seamless.

In the end, the Lions knocked out defending champions St Kilda by nine points in an NAB Cup opener played in slippery conditions after two days of heavy rain on the Gold Coast.

However, Voss was made to sweat it out as the Saints came back from 40 points down at halftime to get within a super goal of a young Brisbane outfit in the dying minutes.

Like the rest of the 6,103-strong Gold Coast crowd, Voss was on the edge of his seat as he watched what looked like a runaway win suddenly become a tense arm wrestle.

After the Lions' second quarter blitz, the Saints kicked seven of the last eight goals including a Stephen Milne double to cut the deficit to just nine.

In a scenario that seemed impossible at halftime, Raphael Clarke's goal at the death ensured the Saints needed a super goal to at least tie.

But a Lions outfit boasting four draftees – including high profile top pick Daniel Rich – held on in the wet, much to Voss' relief – Yahoo! Sport

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 3
Brisbane Lions v St Kilda
Saturday (n), February 14, 2009 Carrara Oval, 8.45pm AEDT; crowd: 6,103 Ground conditions: Slippery from two days of heavy rain Weather: 24C, mild; showers into Q1
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
BRI	0.2.3–15 (6)	1.6.6–51 (40)	1.8.6–63 (26)	1.8.8–65 (9)
STK	0.1.3–9	0.1.5–11	0.5.7–37	0.8.8–56
Goals: Brisbane: 9pts: Josh Drummond. 6pts: Scott Harding 3, Tim Notting, Justin Sherman, Aaron Cornelius, Rhan Hooper, Mitchell Clark. St Kilda: 6pts: Stephen Milne 2, Brendon Goddard 2, Jarryn Geary, Raphael Clarke, Jack Steven, Ben McEvoy. Best: Brisbane: Travis Johnstone, Luke Brennan, Scott Harding, Bradd Dalziell, Josh Drummond. St Kilda: Brendon Goddard, Nick Dal Santo, Jarryn Geary, Luke Ball, Raphael Clarke. Umpires: Matt Stevic, Shaun Ryan, Troy Pannell, Ben Ryan. Report: Ashley McGrath (Bri) was cited with making forceful contact from front on with Brendon Goddard (StK) in Q3. The bump was assessed as negligent contact (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points) for a total of four activation points, which is classified as a Level One offence (125 demerit points). However, McGrath's existing good record over the past five years allows him to escape with a reprimand and 70.31 points to his future record. McGrath pleaded guilty and accepted the MRP penalty of a reprimand.

Monday, February 16, 2009

NAB Cup – Round 1
Richardson stars in Tiger triumph over Freo

Matthew Richardson put in a Herculean effort to lift Richmond to a pulsating three-point NAB Cup victory over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday night.

Yahoo! Sports reported the Tigers trailed by nine points at the 18-minute mark of the final quarter but Richardson kicked the final two goals of the match to lift Richmond to the triumph.

Richardson finished the match with 25 disposals, nine marks and three goals, with his scintillating start to the third quarter lifting the Tigers back into the contest after the Dockers had opened up a 23-point lead at halftime.

Richmond's win sets up a quarter-final showdown against Collingwood in a fortnight, while Fremantle will play the loser of Friday's North Melbourne–Carlton clash on February 28 at Manuka Oval.

Mitch Morton (three goals), Nathan Brown (three goals) and Jack Riewoldt (two goals) proved a handful around goal, while Nathan Foley (33 possessions) and Daniel Jackson (29 possessions) were prominent throughout.

Richardson, who gathered 25 possessions and booted four goals in Richmond's 64-point flogging of Fremantle in round four last year, once again proved to be the Dockers' nemesis.

The 276-game veteran was everywhere as Richmond kicked seven unanswered goals after halftime to take control of the match.

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 4
Fremantle v Richmond
Sunday (n), February 15, 2009 Subiaco Oval, 8.40pm AEDT; crowd: 14,517 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 26C, mild
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
FRE	2.3.2–38 (18)	3.4.4–55 (23)	3.4.8–59	5.5.11–86
RCH	1.1.5–20	1.3.5–32	1.8.5–62 (3)	1.12.8–89 (3)
Goals: Richmond: 9pts: Matthew Richardson. 6pts: Mitch Morton 3, Nathan G Brown 3; Jack Riewoldt 2, Matthew Richardson 2; Cleve Hughes, Robin Nahas. Fremantle: 9pts: Andrew Browne, Byron Schammer, Dean Solomon, Garrick Ibbotson, Stephen Hill. 6pts: Antoni Grover, Kepler Bradley, Matthew De Boer, Ryan Murphy, Steven Dodd. Best: Richmond: Matthew Richardson, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley, Jack Riewoldt, Nathan G Brown, Daniel Jackson. Fremantle: Roger Hayden, Dean Solomon, David Mundy, Hill, Matthew DeBoer, Andrew Browne, Aaron Sandilands. Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Simon Meredith, Jeff Dalgleish, Gavin Statham.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

NAB Cup – 1st round continues
Carlton pummel the Kangas by 53pts

Brendan Fevola kicked six goals as Carlton opened their NAB Cup campaign with a 53-point win over North Melbourne at Docklands Stadium on Friday night.

Fox Sports reported: It was a horror night for the vanquished Kangaroos as Daniel Pratt injured a shoulder in the 1.17.12–123 to 0.11.4–70 walkover.

Pratt was helped from the field in the third term after Fevola's knee cannoned into his back in a marking contest and was later rushed to hospital.

Carlton newcomer Chris Yarran, taken with the No.6 pick in last November's national draft, also limped from the field near the end of the first quarter when he rolled an ankle.

The Blues are widely-expected to break into the top eight this year and they were awesome as they steamrolled the Kangaroos.

Their ball movement out of the centre was first-rate and Fevola looks set for another big season.

With another six goals (5 and a nine-pointer) he took his career tally in the pre-season *night* series to 94. All-time leader for the series of matches is Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall who kicked 116, while Wayne Carey with North and Adelaide booted 96.

Perhaps the most worrying part of such a poor effort for North was the two teams were close to their best line-ups.

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 5
Carlton v North Melbourne
Friday (n), February 20, 2009 Docklands, 7.40pm AEDT; Roof: open; crowd: 24,711 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 20C, mild, partly cloudy
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
CAR	1.2.3–24 (11)	1.8.6–63 (30)	1.14.10–103 (58)	1.17.12–123 (53)
NM	0.2.1–13	0.5.3–33	0.7.3–45	0.11.4–70
Goals: Carlton: 9pts: Brendan Fevola. 6pts: Brendan Fevola 5.2, Cameron Cloke 2, Jeff Garlett 2, Chris Judd, Chris L Johnson, Marc Murphy, Simon Wiggins, Ryan Houlihan, Greg Bentley, Eddie Betts, Kade Simpson. North Melb: 6pts: David Hale 3, Daniel Wells 2, Jack Ziebell 2, Lindsay Thomas, Ed Lower, Josh Gibson, Brent Harvey. Best: Carlton: Brendan Fevola, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson, Nick Stevens, Ryan Houlihan, Shaun Grigg. North Melb: Daniel Wells, Sam Power, David Hale, Andrew Swallow, Leigh Harding, Jack Ziebell, Brent Harvey. Umpires: Scott Jeffery, Hayden Kennedy, Findlay.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

NAB Cup – 1st Round continues
Powerful Cats easily account for Crows

Midfield maestro Gary Ablett turned on a first-half master-class as Geelong trounced Adelaide by 35 points in the NAB Cup match at Docklands Stadium on Saturday night.

Yahoo! Sport reported: Playing their first competitive match since the shock loss to Hawthorn in the 2008 grand final, the Cats completely outclassed the Crows.

Ablett broke the game open in a stunning three-and-a-half minute burst shortly before quarter-time, when he kicked three goals including a stunning nine-pointer on the run and a spectacular snap while hemmed in on the boundary line.

He had a hand in just about every Geelong goal in the opening half, by which stage the Cats led by 37 points and the result was beyond doubt.

Ablett then spent much of the final two quarters resting at full-forward or on the bench, his job already done.

In a match played before a modest crowd of 10,320, the Cats were well-served by a multi-pronged attack, with Ryan Gamble booting four goals and Tom Lonergan and Mathew Stokes chiming in with three apiece.

They also held sway in the midfield, dominating the possessions count 408-319, with Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Joel Selwood and Ablett particularly prominent.

The Crows had few winners, although skipper Simon Goodwin and Chris Knights worked hard in the midfield and Scott Stevens capped off a solid display with two final-quarter goals.

Ruckman Ivan Maric and key forward Nick Gill booted super-goals for Adelaide.

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 7
Geelong v Adelaide
Saturday (n), February 21, 2009 Docklands, 7.40pm AEDT; Roof: open; crowd: 10,320 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 20C, fine
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
GEE	1.5.3–42 (25)	1.11.4–74 (37)	1.15.5–104 (47)	1.17.8–119 (35)
ADE	1.1.2–17	1.5.3–42	1.7.6–57	2.9.12–84
Goals: Geelong: 9pts: Gary Ablett. 6pts: Ryan Gamble 4, Mathew Stokes 3, Tom Lonergan 3, Gary Ablett 3, Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman, Simon Hogan, Travis Varcoe. Adelaide: 9pts: Ivan Maric, Nick Gill. 6pts: Tyson Edwards 2, Scott Stevens 2, Trent Hentschel, Andrew McLeod, Andy Otten, Scott Thompson, Taylor Walker. Best: Geelong: Gary Ablett, Ryan Gamble, Mathew Stokes, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor, Mark Blake. Adelaide: Simon Goodwin, Nathan Bock, Scott Stevens, Matthew Knights, Tyson Edwards. Umpires: ? McCarthy, Sam Hay, Stuart Wenn (inj.Q2), Michael Avon.

Hawks late charge flattens the Demons
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson admitted his side's last-gasp comeback win over Melbourne was probably undeserved, but that was of little solace to the Demons.

The reigning premiers' three-point NAB Cup victory over last year's wooden spooners at York Park in Launceston in the late Saturday afternoon clash was more galling for Melbourne than thrilling for the Hawks.

The Demons, who failed to win a game last pre-season to set the scene for a dreadful year, had the chance to start their 2009 campaign in ideal style when they led by 33 points at the last change.

But the Hawks stormed home with six unanswered goals, key forward Jarryd Roughead booting his fifth with five seconds on the clock to snatch the win.

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 6
Hawthorn v Melbourne
Saturday, February 21, 2009 York Park, 4.10pm AEDT, crowd: about 8,000 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 20C, mild, overcast
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
HAW	0.4.0–24	0.5.1–31	0.5.2–32	0.11.3–69 (3)
MEL	0.4.5–29 (5)	0.5.6–36 (5)	1.8.8–65 (33)	1.8.9–66
Goals: Hawthorn: 6pts: Jarryd Roughead 5.1, Cameron Stokes 2, Mark Williams 2, Jarryd Morton, Stuart Dew. Melbourne: 9pts: Clint Bartram. 6pts: Matthew Bate 4, Brad Green, Clint Bartram, Paul Johnson, Brock McLean. Best: Hawthorn: Sam Mitchell, Clint Young, Jarryd Roughead, Brad Sewell, Travis Tuck, Campbell Brown, Grant Birchall. Melbourne: Brock McLean, Brad Miller, Brad Green, Cameron Bruce, Clint Bartram, Matthew Bate, James Frawley. Umpires: Scott McLaren, Shane Stewart, Jacob Mollison, Chris Kamolins. Reports: Paul Johnson (Mel) for striking Sam Mitchell (Haw) in Q1. This charge was withdrawn. Clinton Young (Haw) for rough conduct on Aaron Davey (Mel) in Q1. The MRP charged Young with a Level One offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a possible one-match penalty. An early plea would reduced the penalty to a reprimand and 93.75 points to his future record. Young accepted guilt and the MRP penalty of a reprimand.

Monday, February 23, 2009

NAB Cup – 1st round
Port take an easy 65pt win over Swans

Sydney Swans remain winless in eight years of the AFL's pre-season competition after copping a 65-point beating at the hands of Port Adelaide at Manuka Oval on a fine Sunday afternoon in Canberra.

Fox Sports reported: The Power were rarely challenged in the NAB Cup match after taking the lead via a Chad Cornes goal late in the first quarter and ran away to win easily. By the end of the second quarter, Port were 48 points in front with nine goal kickers.

Sydney never looked winners despite coach Paul Roos picking a strong side.

With the loss came what appeared to be a serious injury to Ryan Brabazon, who was flung out of a seemingly innocuous contest only to be carried off on a stretcher with concussion in the third quarter.

For Port, serious shine was taken off the win after Daniel Motlop who was reported for charging when he jumped into Swans youngster Jesse White in the opening quarter.

Roos took advantage of the more lenient substitution laws, ringing plenty of changes for a side that appeared slow through the midfield and was thoroughly beaten at the contest.

Despite winning so convincingly, Port are unlikely to take much away from the game.

New skipper Domenic Cassisi was a standout in a strong team effort that included four super-goals and three goals to ageing former captain Warren Tredrea.

And rookie Wade Thompson was one of their best, showing pace and accurate kicking from inside the 50 to bag three goals.

2009 NAB CUP – 1st ROUND, GAME 8
Sydney v Port Adelaide
Sunday, February 22, 2009 Manuka Oval, 3.40pm AEDT; crowd: 5,397 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 27C, fine
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
SYD	1.1.3–18	1.3.6–33	1.8.7–64	1.10.9–78
PA	1.3.2–29 (11)	3.8.6–81 (48)	4.11.8–110 (46)	4.16.11–143 (65)
Goals: Port Adelaide: 9pts: Danyle Pearce, Danny Meyer, Tom Logan, Brendon Lade. 6pts: Justin Westhoff 4, Warren Tredrea 3, Wade Thompson 3, Daniel Motlop 2, Chad Cornes, Brett Ebert, Domenic Cassisi, Jason Davenport. Goals: Sydney: 9pts: Craig Bolton. 6pts: Jarrad McVeigh 4, Matt O'Dwyer, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton, Ryan O'Keefe, Darren Jolly, Jesse White. Best: Port Adelaide: Domenic Cassisi, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce, Peter Burgoyne, Tom Logan, Nathan Krakouer, Warren Tredrea. Sydney: Jarrad McVeigh, Rhyce Shaw, Ryan O’Keefe, Brett Kirk, Craig Bird, Adam Goodes. Umpires: Ray Chamberlain, Mathew Nicholls, Matthew Gestier, Michael Jennings. Report: Daniel Motlop (PA) for charging Jesse White (Syd) in Q1. The MRP charged Motlop with a Level One offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a possible one-match penalty. An early plea would reduced the penalty to a reprimand and 93.75 points to his future record. Motlop accepted guilt and the MRP penalty of a reprimand.

Friday, February 27, 2009

NAB Cup, Quarter Finals
Efficient Magpies too good for Richmond
Cousins shows out in good return to game

One of the biggest crowds to a pre-season game in Melbourne – 37,121 – attended Docklands Stadium on Thursday night with all eyes on Ben Cousins and he did not take long to show that despite all that has happened to him over the past two years, he can still find the footy.

Yahoo! Sport reported Cousins may have performed better than expected in his much-anticipated AFL comeback game on Thursday but the 2005 Brownlow Medallist's fine first-up effort after 17 months out of the game was not enough to lift a disappointing Richmond to victory in its NAB Cup quarter-final clash against Collingwood.

All eyes were on the former West Coast captain as he not only put on the Richmond colours for the first time but was playing his first match for 17 months – since the last of his 238 matches for the Eagles during the 2007 finals series – and his first since the lifting of his 12 month suspension following his much-publicised drug addiction in 2008.

But those doubting whether the now 30-year-old was worth the risk the Tigers took in reviving his career in December's pre-season draft were soon silenced as Cousins helped himself to seven possessions in the first term alone.

However despite Cousins' stellar comeback, the Tigers – of whom big things were expected this year even before Cousins' arrival in December – crashed to a 46-point defeat, going goalless in the final term.

In a game of numerous turnovers and with both sides constantly pushing extra players behind the play – which contributed to the poor spectacle – it was Collingwood's efficiency in attack which proved the difference as the Pies were not only far more accurate in front of goal but had a far greater spread of goalkickers.

The Tigers, as has been their problem for so long, were over reliant on veteran pair Matthew Richardson and Nathan Brown and despite having plenty of possession simply wasted chance after chance when they did finally get into attack.

2009 NAB CUP – QUARTER FINAL, GAME 9
Collingwood v Richmond
Thursday (n), February 26, 2009 Docklands, 7.10pm AEDT; Roof: open; crowd: 37,121 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 26C, mild night
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
COL	0.3.2–20 (9)	0.5.4–34 (1)	0.9.5–59 (11)	1.13.10–97 (46)
RCH	1.0.2–11	2.1.9–33	2.3.12–48	2.3.15–51
Goals: Collingwood: 9pts: Alan Didak. 6pts: John McCarthy, Josh Fraser, Scott Pendlebury, Brent Macaffer, Dayne Beams, Alan Didak, Tarkyn Lockyer, Leigh Brown, Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Alan Toovey, John Anthony, Nathan J Brown. Richmond: 9pts: Chris Newman, Matthew White. 6pts: Nathan G Brown, Tyrone Vickery, Matthew Richardson. Best: Collingwood: Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Shane O’Bree, Dayne Beams, Shannon Cox, Alan Toovey. Richmond: Nathan Foley, Nathan G Brown, Ben Cousins, Troy Simmonds, Andrew Raines, Adam Thomson, Alex Rance. Umpires: Chris Donlon, Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith, Shaun Ryan. Report: Shane O'Bree (Col) was cited with abusive language toward the emergency umpires in Q4. The MRP fined O'Bree $1200, reduced to $900 with an early plea. O'Bree admitted guilt and accepted the MRP fine of $900.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

NAB Cup, Quarter Finals
Essendon hold out the Lions by 2 points

Essendon has won a place in the NAB Cup semi-finals with a tight two-point win in a scrappy contest against the Brisbane Lions at Docklands on Friday night.

Angus Morgan reported for Sportal: After leading throughout, the Bombers were pegged back late before hanging on to win in what was a forgettable match despite the closeness.

The hosts appeared to be in control when they opened up a 19-point break mid-way through the final term before two quick goals to Mitch Clarke brought the Lions within striking distance.

Clarke, Scott Harding and youngster Jack Redden all missed with shots that would have given the visitors the lead, and potentially the win, in the closing minutes.

David Hille dominated at the stoppages to be best-afield while Hayden Skipworth and Jobe Watson earned plenty of the ball for Essendon.

Josh Drummond won a match-high 30 touches for the Lions for whom Daniel Bradshaw top-scored with three goals in his first competitive outing for 2009.

Brisbane found it difficult for much of the night to counter Essendon's rolling zone and when the inevitable turnover came, the Lions countered by getting numbers back in what amounted to a good old-fashioned flood.

The result was a congested, stagnant, stop-start contest that owed plenty to the needs of both coaches to tinker and experiment.

2009 NAB CUP – QUARTER FINAL, GAME 10
Essendon v Brisbane Lions
Friday (n), February 27, 2009 Docklands, 7.40pm AEDT; Roof: open; crowd: 12,260 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 32C, hot night
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
ESS	0.3.2–20 (7)	0.4.7–31 (11)	0.6.10–46 (1)	0.9.13–67 (2)
BRI	1.0.4–13	1.1.5– 20	1.5.6–45	1.7.14–65
Goals: Essendon: 6pts: Andrew Lovett 2, Jay Neagle, Heath Hocking, Angus Monfries, Hayden Skipworth, Leroy Jetta, David Myers, David Hille. Brisbane: 9pts: Scott Harding. 6pts: Daniel Bradshaw 3, Mitchell Clark 2, Justin Sherman, Ashley McGrath. Best: Essendon: Hayden Skipworth, David Hille, Andrew Lovett, Jason Winderlich, Jobe Watson, Matthew Lloyd, Sam Lonergan. Brisbane: Josh Drummond, Bradd Dalziell, Daniel Bradshaw, Ashley McGrath, Joel Macdonald, Jed Adcock. Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Scott Jeffery, (?) Findlay, Sam Hay.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

NAB Cup, Quarter Finals
Low-strength Cats deal with Port

Geelong muscled past Port Adelaide to advance to the NAB Cup semi-finals with an 18-point victory at Football Park in hot conditions on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats were ahead by a solitary point at half-time before pushing through the gears when it mattered to win by 18 points in front of a paltry crowd of 8,341.

Cats goalsneak Matthew Stokes played a large part in the result, showing both courage and opportunism in a four-goal performance, while upfield stalwarts Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly and Paul Chapman were also influential.

The Power were set back by an apparent AC joint injury to their first round pick at the 2008 national draft, Hamish Hartlett, who had his first pre-season interrupted by his recovery from a shoulder reconstruction in September last year.

Hartlett crumpled under contact with Geelong's Ryan Gamble, and was promptly handed a substitute's jumper to indicate he would not be back for the rest of the day.

Captain Dom Cassisi, Kane Cornes and Troy Chaplin all battled hard for Port, and young livewire Wade Thompson added another two goals to his three last week against Sydney.

Geelong took the field minus luminaries including Gary Ablett, Cameron Ling, Steve Johnson and Matthew Scarlett, but confidently dealt with a young, fast Port Adelaide combination.

2009 NAB CUP – QUARTER FINAL, GAME 11
Geelong v Port Adelaide
Saturday, February 28, 2009 Football Park, 3.40pm AEDT; crowd: 8,341 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 28C, fine, warm and windy
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
GEE	0.2.2–14 (1)	0.5.2–32 (1)	0.7.3–45 (10)	0.11.6–72 (18)
PA	0.2.1–13	0.5.1–31	0.5.5–35	1.6.9–54
Goals: Geelong: 6pts: Mathew Stokes 4, James Kelly, Nathan Djerrkura, Paul Chapman, Scott Simpson, Tom Lonergan, Jimmy Bartel, Travis Varcoe. Port Adelaide: 9pts: Daniel Motlop. 6pts: Wade Thompson 2, Danyle Pearce, Justin Westhoff, Daniel Motlop, Steven Salopek. Best: Geelong: Mathew Stokes, Jimmy Bartel, Paul Chapman, James Kelly, Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor. Port: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Josh Carr, Brendon Lade, Danyle Pearce, Chad Cornes, Daniel Motlop. Umpires: Justin Schmidt, Michael Avon, Mathew Nicholls, Todd Keating. Report: Danny Meyer (PA) reported by umpire Mathew Nicholls for bumping or making forceful contact with the front of David Johnson (Gee) in Q1. The MRP cleared Meyer of the charge.

Monday, March 2, 2009

NAB Cup, Quarter Finals
Slow-start Blues wear down the Hawks

Carlton are through to the semi-finals of the NAB Cup after beating Hawthorn by 24 points at Docklands Stadium late on Sunday afternoon.

Fox Sports reported: The Blues trailed by as much as five goals early in the second quarter, but had fought back by half-time and grabbed the lead during a seven-goal third term.

The victory set up a semi-final against Geelong at Docklands on Saturday night.

Brendan Fevola kicked four goals for Carlton, including a nine-pointer, and onballers Bryce Gibbs, Nick Stevens, Chris Judd and Marc Murphy were busy across the ground.

Jarryd Roughead booted 6.1 goals for the Hawks, who went in without almost half the side which won last year's premiership grand final.

Collingwood and Essendon will play the other semi-final, on Friday night, also at Docklands.

2009 NAB CUP – QUARTER FINAL, GAME 12
Carlton v Hawthorn
Sunday, March 1, 2009 Docklands, 4.40pm AEDT; Roof open; crowd: 19,111 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 19C, cloudy
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
CAR	0.1.4–10	1.4.8–41	2.10.11–89 (7)	2.13.16–112 (24)
HAW	0.5.5–35 (25)	0.7.8–50 (9)	2.9.10–82	2.10.10–88
Goals: Carlton: 9pts: Brendon Fevola, Marc Murphy. 6pts: Brendon Fevola 3, Cameron Cloke 2, Kade Simpson 2, Eddie Betts, Shaun Hampson, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Mitch Robinson, Jarrad Waite. Hawthorn: 9pts: Chance Bateman, Haydn Kiel. 6pts: Jarryd Roughead 6.1, Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Garry Moss, Mitchell Thorp. Best: Carlton: Brendon Fevola, Jarrad Waite, Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Nick Stevens, Chris Judd. Hawthorn: Jarryd Roughead, Travis Tuck, Sam Mitchell, Grant Birchall, Chance Bateman, Ben McGlynn, Garry Moss. Umpires: Scott McLaren, Ray Chamberlain, Michael Jennings.

NAB Challenge series (practice matches)

Saints overrun Bulldogs at Princes Park
St Kilda will hope to add another tall forward to an already imposing attack after Sam Gilbert impressed in Friday afternoon's practice match win over the Bulldogs ... Gilbert, who established himself last season as a defender, booted two goals to be the most effective forward in a scrappy match played in hot, windy conditions ... Justin Koschitzke also made good position and took several strong marks in his first game of the 2009 campaign, but let himself down with poor kicking ... the most pleasing factor for the two clubs, both preliminary finalists last season, last year, was the return of several key players ... Bulldog half-back Lindsay Gilbee fainted at half-time because of the heat but was fine after the match.
St Kilda 8.13-61 (Ball 2, Gilbert 2) best, Ball, Sam Fisher, Heyne, West.B'dogs 5.5-35 (5 singles) best, Cross, Hudson, Picken.
Friday afternoon at Princes Park: about 1200.

Q4 blitz lifts Eagles to 10 point win over Crows
A last-quarter blitz from Quinten Lynch inspired West Coast to a thrilling 10-point victory over Adelaide in Alice Springs ... the Eagles trailed by 14 points at the final change and appeared destined for defeat before Lynch turned the game on its head ... the 26-year-old exploded to prominence early in the final quarter, booting three goals in as many minutes to help secure the win.
West Coast 15.5-95 (Lynch 5) best, Lynch, Masten, Kerr, Adelaide 12.13-85 (Stevens 4) best, Stevens, Edwards, Reilly.
Friday night at Traeger Park, Alice Springs: no crowd reported.

Kangaroos flog Fremantle in Canberra
North Melbourne erased memories of last week's performance against Carlton by thrashing Fremantle by 97 points at Manuka Oval on Saturday afternoon ... stand-in coach Darren Crocker said the win was predictable given the way the Roos had prepared for the match ... the Kangas marched away from the Dockers with a seven-goal second term when their physical superiority began to show ... in the second half, Fremantle had nothing left to give and were virtual spectators to the onslaught ... the young Fremantle side toiled hard but was outmuscled and outrun by a desperate opposition clearly committed to putting on an improved display.
North Melb 23.11-149 (Petrie 5, Thomas 3, Ross 3) best, Thomas, Wells, Petrie, Fremantle 8.4-52 (Grover 2) best, Palmer, Crowley, Gilmore.
Saturday afternoon at Manuka Oval, Canberra: crowd: 1,661.

Swans clip Demons by eight points
New Sydney co-captain Adam Goodes and Melbourne onballer Colin Sylvia starred as the Swans won their practice match by eight points on Saturday at Princes Park ... Paul Johnson had a chance to put the Demons in front late but his shot for goal went wide for a behind – Nick Smith then goaled to seal the win for Sydney ... Goodes was outstanding, particularly with his clearances, and Demons coach Dean Bailey later rued that the Demons probably lost the game at the stoppages ... Sylvia kept improving as the game progressed, kicking two second-half goals and picking up 25 disposals as he showed the benefits of a solid pre-season ... it was a scrappy match, but Sydney coach Paul Roos saw it as an important hitout against young, eager opposition.
Sydney 9.9-63 (Barlow 2, Jude Bolton 2) best, Goodes, McVeigh, Jolly, Melbourne 8.7-55 (Sylvia 2) best, Grimes, Sylvia, Morton.
Umpires: Vozzo, Stratham, Geister, Ryan.
Saturday afternoon at Princes Park: (est) 2,000.

Back to the Diary

NAB Challenge (practice matches)

Friday, March 6
Brisbane 4.12-36 v Melbourne 11.7-73, Cazaly Oval, Cairns, 8.30pm AEDT
St Kilda 16.13-109 v Richmond 9.3-57 , City Oval, Shepparton, 7pm AEDT

Saturday, March 7
Sydney 16.12-108 v Western Bulldogs 12.9-81, Rouse Hill, 7pm AEDT
Adelaide 15.10-100 v Hawthorn 5.3-33, Berri Oval, Berri, 5pm AEDT
West Coast 16.10-106 v Fremantle 17.9-111, Subiaco Oval, 7.10pm, AEDT
Port Adelaide 17.14-116 v North Melbourne 11.13-79, Princes Park, 1.30pm AEDT

Saturday, March 7, 2009

NAB Cup, Semi-Finals
Magpies dominate Essendon

Collingwood youngster John Anthony starred with an impressive seven-goal haul as the Magpies cruised into the pre-season grand final by thrashing Essendon by 43 points in the NAB Cup semi-final played at Docklands on Friday night.

The Magpies dominated from the outset to continue their strong pre-season form after big wins over West Coast (62pts) and Richmond (46pts) in the previous rounds.

Yahoo! Sport reported Anthony was the clear standout, the 21-year-old key forward prospect building on the promise he showed in kicking 25 goals in the first 12 games of his career last season after his 2007 had been wiped out by a serious neck injury.

Leading by 34 points at the main break, the Magpies wrapped up the game in the third term, with Anthony adding three more goals to take his tally to five by the last change and stretch the buffer to 40 points.

The first two came from marks on the lead, but the third was the highlight, a superb mark flying into a goal square pack with the flight of the ball.

He added to his tally with trademark accuracy in the final term, posting majors from tight in each pocket, to the delight of the Collingwood fans.

There were plenty of other good signs from the Magpies, who dominated with their run and good ball use through the middle of the ground.

Irishman Marty Clarke racked up possessions and used the ball well by foot, while Alan Didak, Dane Swan, acting skipper Scott Pendlebury, Leon Davis and Dale Thomas put in typically classy showings.

First-year midfielders Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom also made handy contributions, while ruckman Chris Bryan showed some good signs with his marking around the ground and kicked two goals.

For the Bombers, there were few positives on a disappointing night.

One encouraging sign was that young running players Bachar Houli and Jason Winderlich, who both missed most of last season through injury, were two of Essendon's best.

2009 NAB CUP – SEMI-FINAL, GAME 13
Collingwood v Essendon
Friday (n), March 6, 2009 Docklands, 7.40pm AEDT; Roof: closed; crowd: 26,154 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 16C; chance of further showers after a top of 20C
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
COL	1.5.1–40 (25)	1.9.4–67 (34)	1..14.4–97 (40)	1.17.5–116 (43)
ESS	0.2.3–15	1.3.6–33	2.5.9–57	3.6.10–73
Goals: Collingwood: 9pts: Dayne Beams. 6pts: John Anthony 7.2, Chris Bryan 2, Dale Thomas 2, Alan Didak 2, Leon Davis, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke. Essendon: 9pts: Patrick Ryder, Ricky Dyson, Matthew Lloyd. 6pts: Ricky Dyson, John Williams, David Hille, Scott Lucas, Courtenay Dempsey, Tom Bellchambers. Best: Collingwood: John Anthony, Chris Bryan, Tyson Goldsack, Leon Davis, Alan Didak, Shannon Cox, Steele Sidebottom. Essendon: Ricky Dyson, Hille, Bachar Houli, Jason Winderlich, Brent Stanton. Umpires: Mathew Nicholls, Shaun Ryan, Scott Jeffery.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

NAB Cup, Semi-Finals
Blues fight hard but Cats win out in end

In a scrappy match on Saturday night at Docklands Stadium, the Cats were made to work hard by the under-strength Blues before emerging with a 17 point victory. It was a much closer game and crowd-pleasing contest than most pundits tipped.

Geelong now play Collingwood at the same venue in the NAB Cup final on Friday night. Collingwood beat Essendon in the other semi-final to book their place in the pre-season decider.

Geelong looked set to break their semi-final open early in the third quarter as they raced out to a 29-point lead with three of the terms first four goals.

But a young Carlton side, without several stars including Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola, stuck with last year's grand finalists throughout.

The Blues kicked the last three goals of the quarter to reduce the deficit to 11 points by the final change.

It took two Paul Chapman goals early in the fourth term – one a nine point super goal – to give the Cats breathing space.

Carlton then killed their own chances off with wasteful fourth quarter finishing, missing four good chances at goal late in the term.

Chapman starred in the final term and along with Cameron Ling and defender Harry Taylor were their side's best.

Young Carlton player Shaun Grigg impressed for the Blues in the absence of several key midfielders – Yahoo! Sport

2009 NAB CUP – SEMI-FINAL, GAME 14
Geelong v Carlton
Saturday (n), March 7, 2009 Docklands, 7.10pm AEDT; Roof: open; crowd: 15,305 Ground conditions: Generally good Weather: 18C; cloudy, after a top of 20C
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
GEE	0.3.3–21 (13)	1.4.7–40 (15)	1.7.9–60 (11)	2.9.12–84 (17)
CAR	0.1.2–8	0.3.7–25	0.7.7–49	0.9.13–67
Goals: Geelong: 9pts: Jeremy Laidler, Paul Chapman. 6pts: Tom Lonergan 2, Gary Ablett, Scott Simpson, Tom Hawkins, Max Rooke, Steve Johnson, James Kelly, Paul Chapman. Carlton: 6pts: Cameron Cloke 2, Eddie Betts 2, Shaun Hampson, Steven Browne, Chris Yarran, Simon Wiggins, Shaun Grigg. Best: Geelong: Harry Taylor, Paul Chapman, Josh Hunt, Cameron Ling, James Kelly, David Johnson, Brad Ottens. Carlton: Chris Johnson, Shaun Grigg, Richard Hadley, Cameron Cloke, Greg Bentley. Umpires: Scott McLaren, Chris Donlon, Michael Jennings.

<>

NAB Challenge series (practice matches)

Demons down Lions in torrential downpour
Brisbane coach Michael Voss says he hasn't spotted any "gaping holes" in his side ahead of the start of the AFL season, despite suffering a massive defeat at the hands of Melbourne in Cairns on Friday night ... the presence of Tropical Cyclone Hamish off the north Queensland coast meant Cazaly Stadium was subjected to a torrential downpour for most of the NAB Challenge game ... however, the Demons made the most of the dismal conditions to win easily by 37 points
Melbourne 11.7-73 (Newton 3) best, Newton, Warnock, Dunn, Brisbane 4.12-36 (4 x singles) best, Johnston, Adcock, Dalziell.
Umpires: Hayden Kennedy, Jacob Mollison, Ben Ryan.
Friday night at Cazaly Oval Cairns: about 4,000.

Saints control the Tigers at Shepparton
Richmond's Graham Polak made a successful comeback in the Tigers 52-point loss to St Kilda at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton on Friday night ... in the last quarter, St Kilda did as it pleased and eventually ran out winners by 52 points with Brendan Goddard booting his fourth goal as the final siren sounded to end the match ... he Tigers went into the NAB challenge match without 12 of its best 22, including Matthew Richardson, Nathan Brown, Nathan Foley and Ben Cousins, while St Kilda was missing skipper Nick Riewoldt, Steve Baker and Sean Dempster.
St Kilda 16.13-109 (Goddard 4, Koschitzke 3) best, Hayes, Goddard, Gilbert, Richmond 9.3-57 (Schultz 4) best, Tuck, Schultz, McMahon.
Friday night at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton: 7,000.

Swans find form against Bulldogs
Sydney spearhead Barry Hall limbered up for the 2009 AFL season with an imposing performance in his side's 27-point practice match win over the Western Bulldogs at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday night ... Hall booted four goals, handed off two others and bungled another major trying to be unselfish ... both sides played close to full strength outfits in the balmy conditions in front of a sell-out crowd of 3,600 at the brand new ground at Rouse Hill in Sydney's north-west.
Sydney 16.12-108 (Hall 4, Goodes 2, White 2) best, Hall, Jolly, C.Bolton, West.B'dogs 12.9-81 (Hill 3, Akermanis 2, Griffin 2) best, Griffin, Cooney, Murphy.
Umpires: Shane McInerney, Michael Vozzo, Chris Kamolins.
Saturday night at Bruce Purser Reserve, Rouse Hill: 3,600.

Crows trounce (Box Hill) Hawks at Berri
Adelaide and Hawthorn presented skeletons of regular sides in the practice match played at Berri Oval, near the Victorian border on Saturday afternoon ... the Hawks fielded only one player from their premiership winning side – backup ruckman Brent Renouf.
Adelaide 15.10-100 (Hentschel 4, Walker 3) best, Vince, Knights, Hentschel, Hawthorn 5.3-33 (5 x singles) best, Suckling, Kenna, Taylor.

Dockers snatch last ditch win over West Coast
Fremantle came from 25 points down late in the final quarter to snatch a thrilling five-point western derby Bushfire Appeal victory over West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night ... the Eagles appeared to have the fixture in the bag after Mark LeCras kicked his fifth goal to give West Coast a 106-81 lead at the 25-minute mark of the last term.

But Freo came home in a hurry, slamming through the final five goals of the match, three of which were kicked by Ryan Crowley who finished with four for the game while Kepler Bradley kicked three ... the Eagles surged to a 25-point lead late in the final quarter but, just as the game looked done and dusted, Fremantle stormed home and stole the win.

Fremantle 17.9-111 (Crowley 4, Bradley 3) best, Palmer, Gilmore, Crowley, West Coast 16.10-106 (LeCras 5, Lynch 2) best, McKinley, Brown, Spangher.
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Dean Margetts, Todd Keating.
Report: Adam Selwood (WCE) by umpire Brett Rosebury for striking Clayton Hinkley (Fre) in Q2. The MRP withdrew the charge.
Saturday night at Subiaco Oval: 20,002.

Port easily over North; David Hale boots five
Port Adelaide defeated North Melbourne by 37 points in a practice match at Princes Park on Saturday afternoon ... big man David Hale booted a bag of five for North, but he was the only multiple goalkicker for the Roos, and the Power had a much more even contribution in front of the big sticks ... Daniel Motlop snared three for the Power, and Justin Westhoff, Brett Ebert, Peter Burgoyne and Danyle Pearce all kicked two ... Midfielder Jason Davenport impressed for Port, along with teenager Nathan Krakouer, while Liam Anthony was among North's best in his third game for the club and Sam Power also stood out.
Port Adelaide 17.14-116 (Daniel Motlop 3) best, Davenport, Krakouer, S.Burgoyne, North Melb 11.13-79 (Hale 5) best, Anthony, Power, Rawlings.
Saturday afternoon at Princes Park.

Back to the Diary

Saturday, March 14, 2009

NAB Cup – Grand Final
Geelong crush Collingwood by 76 points

Geelong 0.18.19–127
Collingwood 1.6.6–51

Geelong enters the 2009 AFL season with an early piece of silverware after crushing the Magpies in the final of the NAB Cup at Docklands on Friday evening.

ABC Sport reported Joel Selwood was in scintillating form for the Cats as they brushed aside Collingwood in a punishing display.

He kicked two goals and collected 33 possessions in a best-on-ground performance, starring in a real team effort by Geelong.

There were eight goal kickers for last year's losing AFL grand finalists, who managed to put 76 points between themselves and Collingwood despite not registering any super goals.

Gary Ablett was superb on his way to three goals and 35 possessions, but his team's success was tempered by an apparent left knee injury to Josh Hunt who was taken to the dressing rooms in the first quarter after colliding with Collingwood's Paul Medhurst.

The Cats put the game beyond doubt in the second term, when they kicked 6.5 to one behind.

The Magpies had looked a chance with scores level at quarter time, but Geelong was in cruise control by half-time with a 40-point lead.

Celebrations were subdued after the preseason decider, but Geelong coach Mark Thompson must be pleased with the way his side put the foot on the accelerator and kept it there.

He took the focus off his team after the match, announcing that the club would donate $50,000 to the Victorian bushfires appeal.
__________

Geelong took $180,000 as the NAB Cup prize-winning purse, with $120,000 to the Magpies as runners-up.

2009 NAB CUP – GRAND FINAL, GAME 15
Collingwood v Geelong
Friday (n), March 13, 2009 Docklands, 7.45pm AEDT; Roof: open; crowd: 37,277 Ground conditions: Good; ball slippery from dew and humidity Weather: 22C; cloudy, after a top of 29C; Rain in Q4
	1/4 time	1/2 time	3/4 time	Final
COL	1.2.2–23 (–)	1.2.3–24	1.4.5–38	1.6.6–51
GEE	0.3.5–23 (–)	0.9.10–64 (40)	0.13.17–95 (57)	0.18.19–127 (76)
Goals: Geelong: 6pts: Gary Ablett 3, Steve Johnson 3, Joel Selwood 2, Paul Chapman 2, Tom Lonergan 2, Mathew Stokes 2, Ryan Gamble, Travis Varcoe, Kane Tenace, Jimmy Bartel. Collingwood: 9pts: Chris Bryan 6pts: Dale Thomas 2, Marty Clarke, Shane O'Bree, Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke. Best: Geelong: Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman, Harry Taylor, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Bartel. Collingwood: Shannon Cox, Dale Thomas, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury. Umpires: Scott McLaren, Scott Jeffery, Chris Donlon, Mathew Nicholls. Report: Chris Bryan (Col) for late contact on Joel Selwood (Gee) in Q2. This charge was withdrawn.

Martin Windsor-Black
Cats post record-equalling *night* victory
Geelong has recorded the equal highest winning margin in Melbourne – equalling Fitzroy's 76 point win 31 years ago against North Melbourne at Waverley – 9 points short of Port Adelaide's record at Football Park in 2001.

The 10 Biggest Night Series Grand Final Winning Margins (50+)
Sat Mar 17,2001, GF-FP PA 17.9-111 d Bri 3.8-26, 85pts
Tue Jun 20,1978, GF-P   Fit 13.18-96 d NM 2.8-20, 76pts
Fri Mar 13,2009, GF-Dok Gee 0.18.19-127 d Col 1.6.6-51, 76pts
Sat Mar 14,1992, GF-P   Haw 19.14-128 d Fit 8.15-63, 65pts
Wed Oct 2,1968, GF-AP Haw 16.15-111 d NM 6.14-50. 61pts
Sat Mar 23,1996, GF-P   StK 20.10-130 d Car 10.12-72, 58pts
Sat Mar 21,1997, GF-MCG Car 14.13-97 d Gee 5.10-40, 57pts
Mon Sep 26,1966, GF-AP NM 20.12-132 d Haw 12.7-79, 53pts
Mon Oct 7,1957, GF-AP SM 15.13-103 d Gee 8.4-52, 51pts
Tue Jul 24,1984 GF-P   Ess 13.11-89 d Syd 5.8-38, 51pts

Geelong fell 5 points short of North Melbourne's record Grand Final score in 1966.

Biggest Night Series Grand Final Scores

Mon Sep 26,1966, GF-AP NM 20.12-132 d Haw 12.7-79, 53pts
Sat Mar 23,1996, GF-P   StK 20.10-130 d Car 10.12-72, 58pts
Sat Mar 14,1992, GF-P   Haw 19.14-128 d Fit 8.15-63, 5pts
Fri Mar 13,2009, GF-Dok Gee 0.18.19-127 d Col 1.6.6-51, 76pts
Sat Feb 26,2000   GF-MCG Ess 16.21-117 d Kan 11.10-76, 41pts
Sat Mar 17,1990, GF-P   Ess 17.10-112 d NM 10.16-76, 36pts
Wed Oct 2,1968,   GF-AP Haw 16.15-111 d NM 6.14-50, 61pts
Sat Mar 17,2001   GF-FP PA 17.9-111 d Bri 3.8-26, 85pts
Sat Mar 12,2005, GF-Dok Car 1.14.2.12-111 d WCE 1.11.0.9-84, 27pts

Mon Sep 22,1958 GF-AP StK 16.13-109 d Car 15.11-101, 8pts

Regional Challenge series (practice matches)

Hawks run over Eagles at Princes Park
Hawthorn's Lance Franklin kicked 4.4 and picked up 26 possessions as the premiers enjoyed an effortless 31 point win over West Coast at Princes Park on Friday afternoon. Both sides struggled until half time when the Hawks led by by just one points before they broke free in the third term, holding the Eagles to only one goal.
Hawthorn 13.21-99 (Franklin 4) best, Mitchell, Sewell, Franklin, West Coast 8.13-61 (Lynch 2, Butler 2) best, Priddis, Kerr, Butler.
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Matt Stevic, Ray Chamberlain.
Friday afternoon at Princes Park: about 500.

Port easily account for the Saints
Port Adelaide showed plenty of speed and muscle to easily account for St Kilda in the Friday afternoon practice game played at Football Park. The Saints would have been bolstered by the satisfactory return from knee surgery by one of their key cogs Nick Riewoldt.
Port 17.11-113 Daniel Motlop 3, Gray 3, Ebert 3) best, Salopek, Westhoff, Gray, St Kilda 9.5-59 (Milne 2, Ball 2) best, Fisher, Ray, Ball
Umpires: Michael Avon, Shane McInerney, Jason Armstrong.
Friday afternoon at Football Park, West Lakes: about 4,000.

Well drilled Crows break Sydney apart
Sydney boasted a side lacking only Michael O'Loughlin and Leo Barry but had little to enthuse about as they broke down against the well-drilled Crows on Friday night at Football Park. The last term mattered little, with both seeking to end without injury when the Swans belatedly compiled their best play long after the issue was settled.
Adelaide 15.10-103 (Hentschel 3, Tippett 3, Walker 3) best, Goodwin, Vince, Johncock, Sydney 11.9-75 (Hall 4, O'Keefe 2) best, Hall, McVeigh, Kirk.
Umpires: Shaun Ryan, Heath Ryan, Craig Hendrie.
Friday night at Football Park: 7,626.

North Melb clip Essendon at QEO
A last quarter fightback with their better players in Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey, Ed Lower and Leigh Harding in flight helped North Melbourne to kick five unanswered goals and sneak home by 15 points from Essendon in the late Friday afternoon practice match played to a small crowd at QEO in Bendigo ... in a blow for the Bombers, Jobe Watson (knock to head) and David Myers (ankle) were grounded by quarter-time and Henry Slattery also left the field before halftime with an ankle injury and left the ground later on crutches ... in a positive for the Bombers, Andrew Lovett, Courtney Dempsey, Hayden Skipworth and Brent Stanton all had good games.
North Melbourne 17.14-116 (Lower 3) best, Firrito, Wells, Harvey, Essendon 15.10-100 (Lloyd 3) best, Skipworth, Lovett, Stanton.
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Michael Vozzo, Simon Meredith.
Friday evening at QEO Bendigo: about 2,500.

Tigers just hang on to beat Lions at Carrara
Despite dominating for much of the game, Richmond just hung on to beat North on Friday night at Carrara Oval on the Gold Coast. The Tigers were led by Nathan Brown (three goals), Matthew Richardson (20 possessions, 13 marks) and Ben Cousins (25 touches). Brisbane's big contributor was Daniel Bradshaw who kicked five goals but the Lions otherwise were wasteful entering their forward 50.
Richmond 12.13-85 (Brown 3) best, Richardson, Schulz, Deledio, Brisbane 11.4-70 (Bradshaw 5), best, Bradshaw, Drummond, Adcock.
Umpires: Stefan Grun, Mathew James, Stuart Wenn.
Friday night at Carrara: 4,369.

Bulldogs beat Demons on all counts at Casey Fields
Melbourne's pre-season has turned ugly, with defender Clint Bartram reported and three players including star forward Aaron Davey injured in a disappointing 38-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in their final practice match at Casey Fields on Saturday night ... Bartram will face the scrutiny of the match review panel for a front-on hit on Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa in the third quarter ... to make the Demons' day worse, Davey, defender Daniel Bell and Ricky Petterd all sustained injuries which could put them in doubt for round one – Davey has a heel injury, and was clearly in much discomfort as he tore off his boot before leaving the field assisted by two trainers – Bell has a suspected broken thumb, while midfielder Petterd has a corked hip ... with both sides near full strength, the Demons competed well with the Dogs for three quarters before falling away completely in the final term in rainy conditions.
Western Bulldogs 14.17-101 (Hill 3) best, Cross, Gilbee, Griffin, Melbourne 10.3-63 (Green 3) best, Green, Jones, McDonald.
Umpires: Hayden Kennedy, Jacob Mollison, Shane Stewart.
Report: Clint Bartram (Mel) for making front-on contact with Daniel Giansiracusa (WB) in Q4. The charge was withdrawn.
Saturday night at Casey Fields, about 2,500.

Fremantle trash Carlton at Bunbury
A four-goal haul to Brendan Fevola wasn't enough to lift Carlton over the line as Fremantle warmed up for the AFL season with a 43-point win over the Blues at Bunbury on Saturday night ... the Blues, boasting a near full strength side including skipper Chris Judd, were outgunned by the youthful Dockers ... Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich and midfielder Brett Peake booted three goals apiece for the home side, while David Mundy, Dean Solomon, Michael Johnson and Stephen Hill chipped in with two each.
But Fremantle coach Mark Harvey's experiment of using Chris Tarrant as a defender may have come to an end after the former `Pie was soundly beaten by Fevola ... Chris Yarran kicked two goals for the Blues, while Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson and Jordan Russell provided solid service in a losing cause.
Fremantle 20.6-136 (Pavlich 3, Peake 3) best, Pavlich, Mundy, Sandilands, Carlton 12.11-83 (Fevola 4, Yarran 2) best, Fevola, Murphy, Bower.
Umpires: Dean Margetts, Justin Schmidt, Todd Keating.
Saturday night at Bunbury.
Reports:
Nick Stevens (Car) was cited by the MRP for striking Nick Suban (Fre) in Q2. The MRP assessed the incident of intentionally striking as a two-match ban which can be reduced to a one match suspension with an early plea.
Carlton sought the adjudication of the Tribunal. On Tuesday night the Tribunal downgraded to the charge from intentional to reckless, Stevens however was suspended for one match.
Simon Wiggins (Car) reported by umpire Dean Margetts for rough conduct against Greg Broughton in Q3. This charge was dismissed.

Match 1	Match 2	Match 3	Match 4	Match 5	Match 6	Match 7	Match 8
Saturday, Feb 7	Friday, Feb 13(n)	Saturday Feb 14(n)	Sunday, Feb 15(n)	Friday Feb 20(n)	Saturday Feb 21	Saturday Feb 21(n)	Sunday, Feb 22
Subiaco Oval	Docklands	Carrara Oval	Subiaco Oval	Docklands	York Park	Docklands	Manuka Oval
8.45pm EDT	8.10pm EDT	8.40pm EDT	8.40pm EDT	7.40pm EDT	4.10pm EDT	7.10pm EDT	3.40pm EDT
Collingwood 1.15.17–116 West Coast 3.3.9–54	West.B'dogs 1.8.12–69 Essendon 1.8.13–70	Brisbane 1.8.8–65 St Kilda 0.8.8–56	Fremantle 5.5.11–86 Richmond 1.12.8–89	Carlton 1.17.12–123 North Melb 0.11.14–70	Hawthorn 0.11.3–69 Melbourne 1.8.9–66	Geelong 1.17.8–119 Adelaide 2.9.12–84	Sydney 1.10.9–78 Port Adelaide 4.16.11–143
*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

2009 NAB CUP, WEEK TWO, QUARTER FINALS, Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun, February 26-27-28, Mar 1
Thursday (Match #9) Docklands (n) 7.10pm EDT	Friday (Match #10) Docklands (n) 7.40pm EDT	Saturday (Match #11) Kardinia Park 3.40 EDT	Sunday (Match #12) Docklands 4.40pm EDT
Richmond 2.3.15–51 Collingwood 1.13.10–97	Essendon 0.9.13–67 Brisbane 1.7.14–65	Geelong 0.11.6–72 Port Adelaide 1.6.9–54	Carlton 2.13.16–112 Hawthorn 2.10.10–88
*	*	*	*

2009 NAB CUP, SEMI-FINALS, WEEK THREE, Friday-Saturday, March 6-7
Friday (Match #13)	Saturday (Match #14)
Collingwood 1.17.5–116 v Essendon 3.6.10–73 Docklands, 7.40pm	Geelong 2.9-12–84 v Carlton 0.9.13–67 Docklands, 7.10pm