| * |
Geelong slumped to their sixth
defeat in nine games when Essendon displayed finals-like intensity in the Friday night
tussle under the roof of Docklands Stadium where a bumper crowd of 47,122 attended.
While the match turned into a surprising arm-wrestle the Cats had the question
asked of them in the last quarter and they came up empty-handed as the Bombers ruthlessly
pressed home the advantage, Jason Phelan noted for Sportal.
Len Johnson in The Age reported: Scott Lucas
and Dustin Fletcher were superb at either end of the ground for the
winners, Lucas kicking six goals and Fletcher repelling attack after attack. The loss outs
further pressure on the Cats, who remain at least two wins short of clinching a place in
the finals, with their remaining four games – St Kilda (at Docklands), and three home
games at Geelong against Melbourne, West Coast and Richmond.
Sportal observed: Essendon came out firing, and was playing with nothing to lose
while Geelong should have been desperate to make amends for its humiliation at the hands
of the Bulldogs. Again, Geelong was less hungry than its opposition, and slightly
underestimated the ferocity that Essendon would come to play with. Essendon had Geelong
playing on its own terms by half time, and the Bomber forwards were holding their own as
the Cats lacked potency in attack.
Geelong defender Cameron Mooney was shifted in the third in a bid to
stack the forward line with talls, but the result favoured Essendon, as Lucas ran rampant
and added four goals to his total. A stunning final term from James Hird,
had Essendon claim its seventh victory for the season. Geelong was a shadow of the side
that recently looked like a genuine finals contender and has now dropped two very winnable
matches in as many weeks. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 1 |
| Essendon
v Geelong |
Friday
(n), July 29, 2005
Docklands, 7.40pm AEST, Roof: closed, crowd: 47,122
Conditions: Fair to good, sections of new turf apparent
Weather: 14C, no rain since 9am in CBD |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| ESS |
3.2-20 |
7.5-47 |
13.7-85
(7) |
16.11-107
(13) |
| GEE |
4.4-28
(8) |
8.7-55
(8) |
11.12-78 |
13.16-94 |
Goals: Essendon: Scott Lucas 6.1, Matthew Lloyd 3, James
Hird 2, Ricky Dyson, Ted Richards, Brent Stanton, David Hille, Mark Johnson.
Geelong: Kent Kingsley 3, Gary Ablett 2, James Kelly 2, Jimmy Bartel, Steve
Johnson, Paul Chapman, Brad Ottens, Peter Riccardi, Darren Milburn.
Best: Essendon: Scott Lucas, Nathan Lovett-Murray, James Hird, Damien Peverill,
Dustin Fletcher, Mark Johnson. Geelong: Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel,
Tenace, Kane Chapman, Matthew Scarlett.
Umpires (gold): Matt Stevic, Shane McInerney, Darren Goldspink.
Reports:
l Mark McVeigh (Ess) for striking Steve Johnson (Gee)
during half time. The MRP ruled a Level Two offence. The player can accept a one-game
suspension with an early plea. McVeigh accepted guit and the one match suspension.
l Mark McVeigh (Ess) for engaging in a melee at
half-time. McVeigh on a second offence which is normally a $3200 fine can accept a 25 per
cent reduction to a $2400 fine with an early plea. McVeigh accepted the finding and the
fine of $2400.
l Dean Solomon (Ess) for engaging in a melee at
half-time. Solomon on a second offence which normally is a $3200 fine can accept a 25 per
cent reduction to a $2400 fine with an early plea. Solomon accepted the finding and the
fine of $2400.
l Damien Peverill (Ess) for engaging in a melee at
half-time. Peverill on a second offence which normally is a $3200 fine can accept a 25 per
cent reduction to a $2400 fine with an early plea. Peverill accepted the finding and the
fine of $2400.
l Nathan Lovett-Murray (Ess) for engaging in a melee
at half-time. Lovett-Murray on a first offence which normally is a $2000 fine can accept a
25 per cent reduction to a $1500 fine with an early plea. Lovett-Murray accepted the
finding and the fine of $1500.
l Cameron Mooney (Gee) for engaging in a melee at
half-time. Mooney on a first offence which normally is a $2000 fine can accept a 25 per
cent reduction to a $1500 fine with an early plea. Mooney accepted the finding and the
fine of $1500.
l Cameron Ling (Gee) for engaging in a melee at
half-time. Ling on a first offence which normally is a $2000 fine can accept a 25 per cent
reduction to a $1500 fine with an early plea. Ling accepted the finding and the fine of
$1500. |
Melbourne crashed to its sixth
successive defeat and dropped out of the top eight for the first time this season when St
Kilda registered its biggest-ever win over the Demons under cloudy skies on Saturday
afternoon at the MCG – 39,584 attended. St Kilda in consecutive games has enjoyed
victories by 80, 69, 73 and 88 points.
The opening minute of play was marked by a tacky physical attack by Melbourne's
leadership group on the returning St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt who,
together with the addition of Aaron Hamill, Robert Harvey
and Luke Penny, presented close to the Saints best 22. St Kilda started
in scintillating fashion. While the Demons were playing the man, the Saints by the
nine-minute mark had four on the board, a 22-point lead and Melbourne was shell-shocked.
Mark Fuller reported in The Age: Although Russell
Robertson caused Penny early headaches with three smart goals, the quarter
belonged to Nick Dal Santo. The sublimely gifted left-footer conjured
four goals for the term, making fine profit from the havoc Hamill was wreaking across
half-forward and the demands Fraser Gehrig and Riewoldt placed
on the Melbourne defence. His fourth, which he nailed in heavy traffic by raising his arms
above two tacklers and snapping it between them with his left boot, gave St Kilda a
three-goal lead at the first change, 8.3 to 5.3.
Melbourne captain David Neitz might well have been shut out of the ground
by an immoveable blue-coat, so well was he shut out by Max Hudghton,
while at the other end, in contrast, Gehrig was beginning to break the shackles of the
inexperienced Nathan Carroll. He kicked two goals as the Saints doubled
the quarter-time margin by the main break.
And so the platform was laid for perhaps the year's most complete third-term assault. With
Justin Koschitzke laying it on a plate for Luke Ball to
dominate the clearances, the Saints ran amok with a 10-goal spree that made a mockery out
of Melbourne's early bluster. Having lost its way and, perhaps, its dignity, Melbourne
also has lost (among others) Cameron Bruce for up to a month with a knee
injury. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 2 |
| Melbourne
v St Kilda |
Saturday,
July 30, 2005
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 39,584
Conditions: Good – lights on in Q3
Weather: 14C, cloudy |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| MEL |
5.3-33 |
7.6-48 |
11.6-72 |
13.10-88 |
| STK |
8.3-51
(18) |
13.6-84
(36) |
23.12-150
(78) |
27.14-176
(88) |
Goals: St Kilda: Fraser Gehrig 7.1, Nick Dal Santo 5.0,
Leigh Montagna 3, Brent Guerra 2, Justin Koschitzke 2, Luke Ball, Aaron Hamill, Lenny
Hayes, Matt Maguire, Stephen Milne, Stephen Powell, Nick Riewoldt, Brett Voss.
Melbourne: Russell Robertson 6.0, Adem Yze 3, Brad Miller 2, Brent Moloney, Paul
Wheatley.
Best: St Kilda: Nick Dal Santo, Fraser Gehrig, Lenny Hayes, Max Hudghton, Aaron
Hamill, Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke, Robert Harvey, Steven Baker. Melbourne:
Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley, Brent Moloney, Brad Miller, Jeff White.
Umpires (gold): Michael Vozzo, Adam Davis, Scott McLaren.
Report:
Matthew Whelan (Mel) for engaging in rough conduct against Andrew
Thompson (StK) during the first quarter. The MRP assessed the action as a Level
Three offence. Whelan with a five-year good record can accept a one-game suspension with
an early plea. Whelan accepted the finding and the one match suspension. |
West Coast struggled for half
the game yet in spite of indifferent kicking – 12 goals from 41 shots – they
were comfortable victors over 15th-placed Hawthorn in fine and sunny conditions at Subiaco
Oval on Saturday afternoon. The 48-point win brought the Eagles its 16th win of the season
and the 19th consecutive win on their home turf.
Digby Beacham for the Sunday Times noted: Hawthorn's decision to
implement its characteristic, possession-based game-plan wasn't a surprise, nor was the
sub-standard skill level when a team – on this occasion, the lowly placed Hawks
– flood heavily. Hawthorn, as it has been for most of the season, was brave, but it
was the Eagles' greater spread of talent that overwhelmed a young opponent. Four goals in
13 minutes at the start of the final term emphasised their superiority.
Mark Duffield in The Age observed: Ben Cousins had 29
possessions and put himself in the running for even more Brownlow votes. He got
outstanding support from Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr
while Dean Cox scored a clear points win over All-Australian ruck rival Peter
Everitt to complete the engine room dominance. Hawthorn's best players were those
running from defence. Daniel Chick won his battle with Mark
Williams and Phil Matera overcame poor kicking to finish with
three goals. Luke Hodge had 35 possessions, Danny Jacobs
25 and Tim Clarke did well on Chad Fletcher to be among
the Hawks' best.
West Coast won by eight goals but the performance was far from convincing and the
out-of-sorts Eagles, only a month from the finals were held to just one goal in the third
term. Enough to make coach John Worsfold and his coaching team think
deeply. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 3 |
| West
Coast v Hawthorn |
Saturday,
July 30, 2005
Subiaco Oval, 4.10pm AEST, crowd: 39,412
Conditions: Good
Weather: 18C, fine and sunny |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| WCE |
3.8-26
(16) |
7.11-53
(30) |
8.15-63
(21) |
12.25-97
(48) |
| HAW |
1.4-10 |
3.5-23 |
6.6-42 |
7.7-49 |
Goals: West Coast: Phillip Matera 3, Dean Cox 2, Mark
Nicoski 2, Brent Staker, Andrew McDougall, Ashley Sampi, Ben Cousins, Adam Selwood. Hawthorn:
Mark Williams 2, Clinton Young, Nathan Lonie, Lance Franklin, Danny Jacobs, Ben Dixon.
Best: West Coast: Dean Cox, Ben Cousins, Chris Judd, David Wirrpunda, Darren Glass,
Mark Nicoski. Hawthorn: Joel Smith, Luke Hodge, Danny Jacobs, Shane Crawford, Tim
Clarke, Jordan Lewis.
Umpires (red): Justin Schmitt, Craig Hendrie, Derek Woodcock.
Report:
Ashley Sampi (WC) reported by umpire Craig Hendrie for
engaging in rough conduct against Jordan Lewis (Haw) during the third
quarter. The MRP assessed the action as a Level One offence. The player with no applicable
good or bad record was offered a reprimand and 93.75 points toward his future record with
an early plea. The player accepted finding and the reprimand. |
The Western Bulldogs continued
their giant-killing run on Saturday night at Docklands with a 28-point win that has
severely dented the top four chances of the Brisbane Lions. GREG BAUM noted for The
Age: In a match that rode the mighty tides that govern modern football, the Bulldogs
kicked eight unanswered goals in the second quarter to establish a 47-point lead over the
Lions, surrendered it all by halfway through the last quarter, then kicked eight more
goals without even a behind in reply to secure victory – even then, there was time
for three consolation goals for the Lions.
Sportal recorded: Bulldog Brad Johnson played the game
of his life in his 250th milestone, and was closely supported by midfielders
Daniel Giansiracusa and Daniel Cross. Defender Brian
Harris kept Lions spearhead Jonathan Brown goalless, while Matthew
Robbins and Johnson topped the goalkicking for the Dogs with five apiece. Veteran
Lion Nigel Lappin was good for the visitors, as was Simon Black,
but they couldn't keep up with the intensity at which the Dogs played.
The first half saw the Dogs play with confidence, and their relentless pressure allowed
for a nine-goal-to-four second term to set up a half-time lead of 34 points. But Brisbane
came out a different side in the second half. It doubled its influence, and got the first
three goals of the third. By three-quarter time, the visitors had managed to whittle the
tiring Dogs' lead back to 10 points.
Greg Baum concluded: Sometimes in a big comeback, the hardest goal of all
is the one to move into the lead; it seems so improbable. Daniel Bradshaw hit
the post with one attempt to take the lead, Chris Johnson was too
ambitious with a chip into the goalsquare soon afterwards. At length, Justin
Sherman put Brisbane in front, and celebrated as if he were Lleyton
Hewitt and this was the Davis Cup.
But every so slightly, the balance of power had shifted again, Robbins and Black traded
goals and the lead, Scott West momentarily shook Troy Selwood's
vigilant tag and suddenly the Dogs were rampant again. Johnson kicked a goal as much with
250 games of instinct as his foot. Will Minson joined in, Nathan
Eagleton cashed in on an uncharacteristic moment of vulnerability in the Lions'
backline and Chris Grant put the seal on the win by dodging two defenders
and goaling with his left foot. To Grant and the exultant Johnson, it must have felt like
the good old days. To Giansiracusa, Ryan Hargrave and Ryan
Griffen, if must have felt like the good old days to come. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 4 |
| Western
Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions |
Saturday
(n), July 30, 2005
Docklands, 7.10pm AEST, Roof: closed, crowd: 29,200
Conditions: Fair to good, sections of new turf apparent
Weather: 14C, cloudy – no rain in CBD since 9am |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| WB |
4.6-30
(7) |
13.7-85
(34) |
14.10-94
(10) |
23.13-151
(28) |
| BRI |
3.5-23 |
7.9-51 |
12.12-84 |
18.15-123 |
Goals: West.B'dogs: Matthew Robbins 5.0, Brad Johnson
5.0, Chris Grant 4, Daniel Giansiracusa 2, Nathan Eagleton 2, Ryan Hargrave, Mitch Hahn,
Wayde Skipper, Will Minson, Farren Ray. Brisbane: Simon Black 3, Michael
Rischitelli 2, Tim Notting 2, Darryl White 2, Ashley McGrath 2, Nigel Lappin, Michael
Voss, Jed Adcock, Anthony Corrie, Daniel Bradshaw, Jamie Charman, Justin Sherman.
Best: West.B'dogs: Brad Johnson, Daniel Giansiracusa, Matthew Robbins, Brian
Harris, Mitch Hahn, Daniel Cross. Brisbane: Simon Black, Nigel Lappin, Luke Power,
Tim Notting, Ashley McGrath, Darryl White.
Umpires (gold): Brett Allen, Kieron Nicholls, Troy Pannell. |
A stunning three-minute
three-goal burst by Adelaide at the start of the third quarter denied Sydney a chance to
pull off a remarkable upset at Football Park on Saturday night in front of a near-capacity
45,629 fans. Sydney were in control for three of the four quarters but it wasn't enough as
the Crows took a two-game buffer in second place on the ladder. It was Adelaide's ninth
win in its past 10 matches and a club-record six in a row, beating five straight in 1992,
1997 and 2002.
Alan Shiell for Sportal noted: The Crows transformed a half-time
deficit of eight points into a 17-point lead at three-quarter time, and they added just
two behinds to 1.6 in the final term to get a seven point victory. Full forward Scott
Welsh snared three of Adelaide's five third-term goals and Andrew
McLeod's strong finish also was crucial for the Crows. Adam Goodes
was Sydney's last-term goalkicker and close to his Brownlow best as best afield with a
match-high 33 disposals (23 kicks, 10 handballs).
Ashley Porter reported for The Age: The first half was certainly
the tougher of the persistent arm wrestle, and Sydney won the early points when it
tirelessly shut Adelaide's key playmakers out of the game. Mark Ricciuto
had just three disposals up to half-time as Brett Kirk wore him closely;
McLeod was covered by Amon Buchanan; Luke Ablett was
outstanding against Scott Thompson; and Simon Goodwin
had it a little easier against Paul Williams. Significantly, Kirk picked
up 14 disposals while containing Ricciuto, and it was perhaps the difference between the
sides in a half where kicks were hard to find. Another key factor of this incredibly tight
first half was the fact that Barry Hall had not scored. His contest with Ben
Rutten, possibly the full-back of the season, was terrific.
Adelaide kicked only three goals in 60 minutes of play in the first half, but it took only
three minutes to kick another three to start the third quarter with two goals from Welsh
and another from Simon Goodwin. The run continued with goals to Graham
Johncock and Welsh – his third – and the Crows looked back into
control. Adelaide showed its poor trait this season with a fade-out in the last quarter
with just two behinds, while Sydney cost itself dearly by kicking 1.6. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 5 |
| Adelaide
v Sydney |
Saturday
(n), July 30, 2005
Football Park, 7.40pm AEST, crowd: 45,629
Conditions: Good
Weather: 13C, clear |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| ADE |
1.0-6 |
3.2-20 |
8.4-52
(17) |
8.6-54
(7) |
| SYD |
2.1-13
(7) |
4.4-28
(8) |
5.5-35 |
6.11-47 |
Goals: Adelaide: Scott Welsh 3, Ken McGregor, Mark
Ricciuto, Brett Burton, Simon Goodwin, Graham Johncock. Sydney: Michael O'Loughlin
2, Ben Mathews, Amon Buchanan, Nick Davis, Adam Goodes.
Best: Adelaide: Nathan Bock, Ben Hart, Tyson Edwards, Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten,
Brett Burton. Sydney: Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk, Amon Buchanan, Ben Mathews, Ryan
O'Keefe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson.
Umpires (white): Hayden Kennedy, Matthew Head, Stuart Wenn. |
The amazing
Shinboner spirit shone brightly again on Sunday afternoon when the Kangas came back from a
40-point half-time deficit to floor Port Adelaide at Manuka Oval in Canberra. The Roos
beat Port by four points to jump to fifth place and consign the reigning premiers to miss
the finals for the first time since 2000.
Sportal's review of the match recorded: Port seemed to have set up a
comfortable win through the midfield movement of Kane Cornes, Peter
Burgoyne, Gavin Wanganeen, Stuart Dew, Domenic
Cassisi and Roger James, and the defensive run and anticipation
of Shaun Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Michael Wilson
and Brett Montgomery. The on-ball influence of ruckman Brendon
Lade and the forward-power of four-goal forward Warren Tredrea
were equally important, and Danyle Pearce made a promising debut with two
clever goals.
But ultimately, the Roos prospered on the characteristic courage and the inspirational
work of Corey Jones, Leigh Colbert, Glenn Archer,
Jess Sinclair, Daniel Harris and Daniel Wells.
Jones was best-on-ground with five goals, 21 disposals and 12 marks, while teammate Wells
also shone with 21 touches.
Matt Burgan noted for afl.com.au: The first quarter was hardly a
collectors' item, but that mattered little for Port Adelaide, as it broke away to lead by
19 points at quarter time. By half-time, Port had extended the lead to 40 points.
The Kangaroos staged an outstanding comeback in the third term, booting seven goals to
two. Although Port led twice by 40 points during the third, the Roos started a streak of
six straight when Jones added his second for the match – his third got his side to
within four points. But when Dean Brogan goaled it gave Port breathing
space by 10 points at the last change. Port jumped back with two quick goals to start the
final quarter. But the Kangas answered with four in a row – including two from Saverio
Rocca and Jones – they hit the front for the first time at the 20-minute
mark. Karen Lyon reported in The Age: It was nail-biting time as
Troy Makepeace from the midfield set up a beautiful goal to Rocca to give
the Roos the lead for the first time with six minutes left. Kane Cornes goaled to retrieve
the lead for Port. Daniel Harris emerged from the mudpit in the centre to
shoot a laser-like handball to Makepeace, who weaved his way through the congestion, took
two bounces and kicked truly from 50 metres. Wilson had a last gasp chance for Port but he
missed with his shot – the Shinboners by four points. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 6 |
| Kangaroos
v Port Adelaide |
Sunday,
July 31, 2005
Manuka Oval, 1.10pm AEST, crowd: about 10,431
Conditions: Soft, slippery, muddy cricket pitch area
Weather: 15C, mostly sunny |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| KAN |
1.2-8 |
3.3-21 |
10.7-67 |
15.10-100
(4) |
| PA |
4.3-27
(19) |
9.7-61
(40) |
11.11-77
(10) |
14.12-96 |
Goals: Kangaroos: Corey Jones 5.1, Saverio Rocca 2, Glenn
Archer, John Baird, Michael Firrito, Shannon Grant, Leigh Harding, Troy Makepeace, Drew
Petrie, Daniel Wells. Port: Warren Tredrea 4, Kane Cornes 2, Danyle Pearce 2,
Michael Pettigrew 2, Dean Brogan, Adam Kingsley, Brendon Lade, Josh Mahoney.
Best: Kangaroos: Corey Jones, Daniel Wells, Jess Sinclair, Glenn Archer, Daniel
Harris, Troy Makepeace. Port: Shaun Burgoyne, Kane Cornes, Warren Tredrea, Stuart
Dew, Brendon Lade, Gavin Wanganeen.
Umpires (gold): Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan, Scott Jeffrey. |
Fremantle regained a place in
the top eight with a 13 point victory over Collingwood on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.
MELISSA RYAN noted in The Age: Now the task will be to stay there. In the final
month of the season, the Dockers face Richmond, West Coast and St Kilda at Subiaco
followed by Port Adelaide (at Football Park).
Jason Phelan noted for afl.com.au: The match was a fascinating contest between
two conflicting style with the Pies eager to close the game down with a tight,
close-checking approach and the Dockers keen to get into space and move the ball quickly.
Fremantle was never able to shake off the determined Pies and had to withstand a late
comeback before securing the points.
Sportal recorded the match: The Magpies challenged throughout, and fought with
more vengeance that the last time these two side met, when Fremantle triumphed by
112points. Both sides took turns attacking in the first half, and Collingwood was wasteful
in front of goal, spraying eight behinds to the Dockers' three. While the Pies used the
ball better than the Dockers throughout the game, their inaccuracy seriously cost them,
particularly in the third term when the lead was theirs for the taking. Docker Matthew
Pavlich finished the afternoon with five goals, while Paul Medhurst
gave the visitors an alternative target up forward and slotted three of his own.
In his 250th milestone, Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley played a solid
game both in the midfield and up forward, bit it was Paul Licuria who
stole the show with a four-goal haul. Collingwood young ruckman David Fanning
tried hard, but was sorely beaten by Aaron Sandilands and Justin
Longmuir, and his inexperience saw the youngster give away several free kicks.
Michael Horan concluded in the Herald Sun: The Pies won the
second and third terms to start the last quarter dead level, despite a five-goal haul to
that point from Pavlich and also in spite of missed chances inside the arc. Right up to
the late two minutes of the game – after Chris Tarrant goaled from a
free kick to reduce the margin to seven points – the Magpie faithful harboured hopes
of stealing the game. A free kick inside 50 that gave best-afield Josh Carr
his second goal of the term was the death knell 30 seconds before the final siren made it
official. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 7 |
| Collingwood
v Fremantle |
Sunday,
July 31, 2005
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 26,586
Conditions: Good
Weather: 16C, sunny breaks |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| COL |
2.4-16 |
5.8-38 |
9.11-65
(–) |
12.13-85 |
| FRE |
4.3-27
(11) |
7.3-45
(7) |
10.5-65
(–) |
15.8-98
(13) |
Goals: Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich 5.1, Paul Medhurst 3,
Josh Carr 2, Aaron Sandilands, Antoni Grover, Luke McPharlin, Heath Black, Des Headland. Collingwood:
Paul Licuria 4, Chris Tarrant 3, Nathan Buckley 2, Shane O'Bree, Dane Swan, Brodie
Holland.
Best: Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich, Josh Carr, Antoni Grover, Peter Bell, Troy Cook,
Paul Hasleby. Collingwood: Paul Licuria, Nathan Buckley, Brodie Holland, Shane
Wakelin, James Clement, Tarkyn Lockyer.
Umpires (red): Mathew James, Stefan Grun, Chris Kamolins.
Report:
Chris Tarrant (Col) for striking Matthew Carr (Fre) during the
second quarter. The MRP assessed the action as a Level Four offence. Tarrant's penalty was
increased by 20 per cent due to a two-game suspension (2004-R11) and was offered a
three-game suspension with an early plea. Tarrant faces a five-match suspension if he
contests the charge at the Tribunal. Tarrant took the matter before the Tribunal. The
Tribunal found him guilty of the charge and suspended him for one match. The medium impact
charge remained unaltered, however, the demerit points were reduced from 150 to 112.5
points. |
Carlton produced its best
performance of the season to snap its 11-game losing streak and send Richmond's finals
hopes diving under the open-roofed Docklands Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Blues
blitzed the Tigers in the opening term and controlled the match from then on to cruise to
victory.
Paul Gough observed proceedings for afl.com.au: The Tigers went into the game
with everything to play for, knowing a win could have put them in seventh place and a game
clear inside the top eight with four rounds remaining. Even before Matthew
Richardson was carried off on a stretcher at the 19-minute mark of the first
term, the Tigers were three goals adrift as they played poorly for the second successive
week.
Sportal reported: The experienced Carlton heads proved decisive with Anthony
Koutoufides and Nick Stevens, who also kicked four goals,
controlling the midfield, Lance Whitnall providing a command performance
across half back and any number of players willing to contribute on the scoreboard. For
the Tigers, Kayne Pettifer and Shane Tuck battled hard,
but they were beaten in almost every position on the ground.
Richmond closed the gap to less than a goal with the first two majors of the second term,
but the Blues, playing the more efficient football, kicked four of the next five,
including two from Stevens on their way to a 20-point half-time lead. The Blues began the
second half in similar vein with goals to Brendan Fevola and Stevens
inside the opening three minutes. The Tigers were under immense pressure and by the time Brett
Deledio kicked their first for the quarter, 18 minutes in, the Blues had already
added four of their six for the term en route to a 40-point lead at the final change. The
Tigers kicked five goals to four in the final term, as the Blues revelled in the fact
their long drought was over. |
| 2005 — ROUND 18 — GAME 8 |
| Carlton
v Richmond |
Sunday,
July 31, 2005
Docklands, 2.10pm AEST, Roof: open; crowd: 34,925
Conditions: tba
Weather: 16C, sunny breaks |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| CAR |
7.0-42
(19) |
12.4-76
(20) |
18.6-114
(40) |
22.9-141
(35) |
| RCH |
3.5-23 |
8.8-56 |
11.8-74 |
16.10-106 |
Goals: Carlton: Nick Stevens 4, Brendan Fevola 4, Jarrad
Waite 3, Brad Fisher 3, Troy Longmuir 2, Anthony Koutoufides 2, Digby Morrell 2, Heath
Scotland, Chris Bryan. Richmond: Troy Simmonds 3, Greg Stafford 2, Richard Tambling
2, Brett Deledio 2, Kelvin Moore 2, Kayne Pettifer 2, Mark Coughlan 2, Hilton.
Best: Carlton: Nick Stevens, Anthony Koutoufides, Lance Whitnall, Kade Simpson,
Heath Scotland, Andrew Carrazzo, Brad Fisher, Jarrad Waite. Richmond: Kayne
Pettifer, Rory Hilton, Brent Hartigan, Shane Tuck.
Umpires (gold): Jason Quigley, Martin Ellis, Kieron Nicholls. |
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