| * |
The words "nail-biting
final" are often used and must again be when digesting the result on Friday night of
the West Coast-Sydney qualifying final played before a full house of 43,302 spectators at
Subiaco Oval. The Swans led by 14 points early in the final term, but some glaring misses
from the visitors and some generous umpiring decisions conspired to allow the Eagles to
snatch victory in the final term.
The Age reported: A controversial free kick for shepherding against
Sydney defender Leo Barry handed West Coast's Tyson Stenglein
a vital goal midway through the last quarter. That was one of three Eagles goals that came
from free kicks in a tight contest. On Perth radio on Saturday morning AFL umpires'
director Jeff Gieschen admitted that umpire Shane McInerney
had been "wrong" – "It's an incorrect free kick, an incorrect reversal
to Stenglein (who had moved into the path of Barry)," Gieschen told George
Grljusich on 6PR. "The umpire processed it wrong – Stenglein was
entitled to stand the mark, which he was, and Leo Barry's entitled to run past, to run
down field to receive the ball or to make some space."
Yet, at the same time, the Swans will bemoan their own errors, particularly a poor
clearance from defence by Lewis Roberts-Thomson that gave Eagle Adam
Hunter an easy goal in the same quarter. But for the Swans, it was that sort of
night. A goal here, a handball there and the Swans could have within one victory of the
grand final.
Sportal assessed the match where West Coast's midfield was simply superb. Led by
their four starting midfielders Chris Judd (30 possessions), Ben
Cousins (29), Chad Fletcher (26) and Daniel Kerr
(24), the home side had stronger legs particularly in the final term. Sydney was not
disgraced, and its own midfield was dictated by Brett Kirk and Paul
Williams, while Tadhg Kennelly provided speed from defence, Amon
Buchanan worked tirelessly, while Michael O'Loughlin was
terrific up forward.
Swans skipper Barry Hall had a night out to forget as he managed only ten
possessions and two goals, after being closely checked by Darren Glass.
The game was played in such a gridlock that neither side was able to stage a surge, and
both sides played with desperation as they traded goals in a nail-biting final stanza.
The match attracted 1.93 million TV viewers around Australia, the biggest rating
program this year behind the Lleyton Hewitt-Marat Safin Australian Open tennis final. |
| 2005 — 2nd QUALIFYING FINAL — GAME 1 |
| West
Coast v Sydney |
Friday
(n), September 2, 2005
Subiaco Oval, 8.30pm AEST, crowd: 43,302
Conditions: Good, though slippery at times
Weather: 16C, after a fine and mild day |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| WCE |
4.1-25
(6) |
5.4-34
(2) |
5.7-37 |
10.9-69
(4) |
| SYD |
3.1-19 |
5.2-32 |
8.3-51
(14) |
10.5-65 |
Goals: West Coast: Adam Hunter 2, Ashley Sampi 2, Michael
Gardiner 2, Daniel Kerr, Mark Seaby, Ashley Hansen, Tyson Stenglein.
Sydney: Nick Davis 3, Michael O'Loughlin 3, Barry Hall 2, Ryan O'Keefe, Adam
Schneider.
Best: West Coast: Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, Ben Cousins, Adam Hunter, Mark Nicoski,
David Wirrpunda. Sydney: Brett Kirk, Nick Davis, Craig Bolton, Amon Buchanan, Adam
Goodes, Michael O'Loughlin.
Umpires (white): Scott McLaren, Derek Woodcock, Shane McInerney. |
In a surprisingly one-sided
contest, the result was effectively known at half-time when Geelong eliminated Melbourne
from the premiership race in generally good but dark conditions at the MCG on Saturday
afternoon in front of 65,018 fans. Geelong profited from an excellent team contribution,
including several who have returned from injury in recent weeks, while the Dees ran out of
luck.
Martin Blake observed for The Age that Geelong's Cameron Mooney cannot
have had many better days in his seven-year career. Surprisingly starting in the centre
square alongside Steven King (meaning Geelong technically had two ruckmen
in for the first bounce), Mooney began with a flurry and scarcely let up. His final
numbers – 26 disposals, 11 marks, two goals – told only part of the tale, for
they didn't reflect the way he elevated the intensity of his teammates with his
bull-at-the-gate approach. He was Mr Everywhere. When King took his
much-needed breathers on the bench, Mooney rucked. When King was on the ground in combat
with Jeff White, Mooney drifted across half-back, setting up Geelong's
attacks.
Scott Spits reported for afl.com.au: Injuries clearly didn't
help the Demons (Melbourne skipper David Neitz was a late withdrawal) but
the resurgent Cats fully deserved their massive victory. They were harder at the ball when
the match was up for grabs while the Dees appeared tired from the start after three
thrilling victories just to grab a spot in the top eight.
Mark Harding noted in the Sunday Herald Sun: The Cats had zip
from the opening bounce – Jimmy Bartel was a prolific ballgetter,
picking up 30 possessions, and he was well supported by Cameron Ling and Joel
Corey. Gary Ablett provided the excitement and class of the
game. His 19 possessions were always at full pace and his three goals were fantastic. Darren
Milburn was tireless, mainly across half-back and Josh Hunt fought
back on Aaron Davey to combine with Matthew Scarlett and
Tom Harley in destroying the Demons' attack. The Cats did not have one
player who failed to make a contribution.
Melbourne, in contrast, had many passengers and although the Demons made the finals, they
will have a summer of hard decisions. The Demons forward line was too reliant on Russell
Robertson who was great in the first half, kicking four of their six goals from
limited chances. But Scarlett got on top of him and buried him in the second half. There
were only a handful of Demons who could hold their heads high at the end of the game,
notably defenders Nathan Carroll and Nathan Brown and
perhaps Brent Moloney. |
| 2005 — 2nd ELIMINATION FINAL — GAME 2 |
| Geelong
v Melbourne |
Saturday,
September 3, 2005
MCG, 2.30pm AEST, crowd: 65,018
Conditions: Generally good, lights on Q3, rain in Q3
Weather: 16C, overcast |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| GEE |
5.4-34
(19) |
12.5-77
(37) |
16.8-104
(62) |
18.8-116
(55) |
| MEL |
2.3-15 |
6.4-40 |
6.6-42 |
9.7-61 |
Goals: Geelong: James Kelly 3, Gary Ablett 3, Cameron
Mooney 2, Cameron Ling 2, Andrew Mackie 2, Henry Playfair 2, Kent Kingsley, Kane Tenace,
Nathan Ablett, Steve Johnson. Melbourne: Russell Robertson 4, Paul Wheatley 2, Ben
Holland, Aaron Davey, Adem Yze.
Best: Geelong: Cameron Mooney, Darren Milburn, Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel, Cameron
Ling, Jared Rooke. Melbourne: Nathan Carroll, Nathan Brown, Brent Moloney, Russell
Robertson.
Umpires (gold):Schmitt, Wenn, Goldspink.
Report:
Steve Johnson (Gee) reported by umpire Darren Goldspink for
engaging in rough play against Ben Holland (Mel) during the first
quarter. The charge was withdrawn following a review by the MRP. |
St Kilda stunned minor premier
Adelaide and ended its 10-match winning streak with a thrilling eight-point win in a hard,
slogging qualifying final in soft and slippery conditions at Football Park on Saturday
night to a sell-out 48,768 spectators.
Sportal noted veteran St Kilda midfielder Robert Harvey
was the star for the victors, kicking three goals for the match including what was the
game-winner with five minutes to go in a tense final term when the scores were level.
Harvey (in his 316th match) finished with a game-high 31 disposals, gathered 11 marks to
inspire the Saints to a win.
Alan Shiell reported for afl.com.au: The Saints achieved their
victory despite ace forwards Fraser Gehrig and Aaron Hamill being
well blanketed by Ben Rutten and Nathan Bassett
respectively. Centre half-forward Ken McGregor kicked the first four of
the Crows' eight goals and received good support from Ian Perrie.
On an arena sodden by steady rain throughout the day, the Crows got away to the better
start thanks to three opening-term goals by McGregor which earned Adelaide an 15-point
lead at the first break. But the Saints hit back with a five-goal second term while
holding the Crows goalless. After an even third quarter in which the Saints managed to
extend its 16 point half-time lead to 20, the parochial crowd urged the Crows on to a
final quarter comeback and the players responded.
Adelaide suddenly dominated the clearances from the centre and banged on 3.2 without reply
to level the scores 11 minutes into the final term. The goals came from Simon
Goodwin, Scott Welsh and Graham Johncock. Eight
minutes later Harvey ran on to a Nick Dal Santo chip, then goaled for the
Saints from deep in the right forward pocket, and James Gwilt (in only
his second AFL game) added a point, which should have been a goal, to leave the Crows
seven points down with about six minutes left. Nick Riewoldt kicked the
last score of the match – another behind – and crowd's eerie silence signalled
it was all over. |
| 2005 — 1st QUALIFYING FINAL — GAME 3 |
| Adelaide
v St Kilda |
Saturday
(n), September 3, 2005
Football Park, 7.30pm AEST, crowd: 48,768
Conditions: Fair, soft and slippery
Weather: 12C, after 32mm of rain |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| ADE |
3.3-21
(15) |
3.5-23 |
5.7-37 |
8.9-57 |
| STK |
1.0-6 |
6.3-39
(16) |
9.3-57
(20) |
10.5-65
(8) |
Goals: St Kilda: Robert Harvey 3, Nick Riewoldt 2, James
Gwilt 2, Luke Ball, Stephen Milne, Jason Blake. Adelaide: Ken McGregor 4, Robert
Shirley, Simon Goodwin, Scott Welsh, Graham Johncock.
Best: St Kilda: Robert Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes, Austinn Jones, Sam
Fisher, Luke Ball. Adelaide: Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett, Simon Goodwin, Ken
McGregor, Tyson Edwards, Andrew McLeod, Graham Johncock.
Umpires (gold): Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan. |
After a season when the media,
the fans and seemingly the team itself had given up its premiership defence, Port Adelaide
humbled the Kangaroos at Docklands on a sunny Sunday afternoon with one of its best
performances for the year to beat the Roos by the stunning margin of 87 points.
Paul Gough noted for Sportal: It was only the third time Port has kicked
20 goals for the season and only the second time the club has won three games in
succession, the year in which they only snuck into eighth place by beating Fremantle in
the last home-and-away game of the season. Port's forward line simply monstered the
outclassed Kangaroos before just 25,195 fans – the lowest finals crowd in Melbourne
since 1942.
Port Adelaide skipper Warren Tredrea, so often criticised for finals
performances early in his 178-game career, played easily his best game in September with a
match-winning 13 mark, four goal effort. He was backed up by Brendon Lade
and Josh Mahoney – both also booting four – while the Power
midfield was clearly the dominant force.
Chad Cornes finished with 22 disposals, Adam Kingsley
with 26, Josh Francou 24, and the intimidation levels were high as the
majority of Kangaroos went completely into their shells – their effectiveness
rendered useless. At the end of the day, the Roos lacked hunger and just had too many
passengers, with each line of their whiteboard comprehensively stomped on.
After a relatively even first term, Port simply blew the Kangaroos away with a
six-goal-to-one second term that was immediately backed up by an eight-goal-to-three third
quarter display. The half-time margin had drifted out to 26 points, and the Roos looked
set to ignite as they slammed the two first goals of the third stanza to get within 14
points.
But any hope of a Kangaroo stampede were quashed when the Power then turned it on to nail
8.3 for the term to break at three-quarter time with a 57-point lead. The avalanche
continued in the last quarter, as the Power rammed the win home with another
six-goal-to-one finish as the shattered Kangaroos were eliminated. |
| 2005 — 1st ELIMINATION FINAL — GAME 4 |
| Kangaroos
v Port Adelaide |
Sunday,
September 4, 2005
Docklands, 2.30pm AEST, Roof: open, crowd: 25,195
Conditions: Good
Weather: 15C, fine and sunny |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| KAN |
6.6-42
(5) |
7.7-49 |
10.9-69 |
11.11-77 |
| PA |
6.1-37 |
12.3-75
(26) |
20.6-126
(57) |
26.8-164
(87) |
Goals: Port Adelaide: Brendon Lade 4, Josh Mahoney 4,
Warren Tredrea 4, Michael Pettigrew 3, Dean Brogan 2, Adam Kingsley 2, Stuart Dew, Brett
Montgomery, Matthew Bishop, Danyle Pearce, Gavin Wanganeen, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek. Kangaroos:
Corey Jones 3, Saverio Rocca 2, Nathan Thompson 2, Brady Rawlings, Daniel Wells, Lance
Picioane, Leigh Harding.
Best: Port Adelaide: Warren Tredrea, Adam Kingsley, Brendon Lade, Michael
Pettigrew, Josh Mahoney, Brett Montgomery. Kangaroos: Jess Sinclair, Corey Jones,
Daniel Wells, Daniel Harris.
Umpires (gold): Hayden Kennedy, Brett Allen, Scott Jeffery.
Reports:
l Domenic Cassisi (PA) cited with
a first offence for making negligent contact with umpire Hayden Kennedy
during the third quarter. Cassisi can accept a $2400 fine with an early plea. A first
offence for making negligent contact with an umpire is a $3200 fine. An early plea reduces
the penalty by 25 per cent to a $2400 fine. Cassisi accepted guilt and the MRP fine of
$2400.
l Leigh Colbert (Kan) cited with
wrestling Chad Cornes (PA) during the third quarter. Colbert can accept a
$900 fine with an early plea. A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 fine. An early plea
reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 fine. Colbert accepted guilt and the MRP fine
of $900.
l Glenn Archer (Kan) cited with
wrestling Chad Cornes (PA) during the third quarter. Archer can accept a
$900 fine with an early plea. A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 fine. An early plea
reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 fine. Archer accepted guilt and the MRP fine
of $900.
l Drew Petrie (Kan) cited with
wrestling Peter Burgoyne (PA) during the third quarter. Petrie can accept
a $900 fine with an early plea. A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 fine. An early
plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 fine. Petrie accepted guilt and the MRP
fine of $900.
l Peter Burgoyne (PA) cited with
wrestling Leigh Colbert (Kan) during the third quarter. Colbert can
accept a $900 fine with an early plea. A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 fine. An
early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 fine. Burgoyne accepted guilt and
the MRP fine of $900. |
|
|
