| * |
Friendless a fortnight ago,
Richmond put their second win on the board by accounting for Carlton in an error-filled
contest at the MCG on Friday night in front of 54,815 fans. In the words of DENIS PAGAN,
the Blues played "kamikaze-style" football, the coach at a loss to explain the
errors that saw his team surrender a five-goal-to-three lead at quarter-time.
Malcolm Conn was unforgiving in his comments in The Australian
of the slaughter of AFL football. "There are no excuses for fully professional
footballers. It's not like the old days when carpenters, brickies and labourers knocked
off at 4.30pm after a full day's work, gathered up the gladstone bag and caught the tram
to training. Now all footballers do is play
football. They train all summer, spend half their life at the club learning skills and
drills, then watch videos and look at whiteboards to find out where they should kick the
ball."
Lyall Johnson in The Age reported: Richmond
might have come away with the four premiership points, but coach Terry Wallace
said that he had not seen a game with worse skill errors. He gave his players an A for
effort but a Z for their use of the ball.
Conn noted: Richmond completely dominated the game after quarter-time but simply could not
hurt Carlton on the scoreboard to run away with the match. Matthew Richardson
was the leading light with his usual blend of brilliance, frustration and dodgy decision
making. He took a couple of early high-flying marks, dropped a couple of easy chest marks,
kicked some good goals, missed some easy ones, did some brave body work, broke open packs,
never stopped chasing and finished with 3.5. He had 24 possessions, took 12 marks, and, on
a good night, he could have sunk the Blues by himself.
Fox Sports reported: Carlton sabotaged its opportunities with
plenty of bad skill errors. There was numerous missed targets around the ground and key
forward Brendan Fevola was as wasteful as Richardson, kicking 2.4. The
Tigers were generally well-served by Greg Tivendale, Brett
Deledio, Mark Coughlan and Shane Tuck. Defender
Heath Scotland was best for the Blues, while skipper Anthony
Koutoufides did some solid work in the midfield and Ryan Houlihan
showed more polish than most other players on the ground. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 1 |
| Richmond v Carlton |
Friday (n), April 28, 2006
MCG, 7.40pm AEST, crowd: 54,815
Conditions: Good
Weather: 19C, fine & clear; rain began start of Q4 |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| RCH |
2.3-15 |
7.12-54 |
11.15-81 (14) |
12.20-92 (8) |
| CAR |
5.4-34 (19) |
8.7-55 (1) |
9.13-67 |
11.18-84 |
Goals: Richmond:
Matthew Richardson 3, Kayne Pettifer 2, Greg Tivendale 2, Andrew Krakouer 2, Chris Hyde 2,
Nathan Foley. Carlton: Jarrad Waite 3, Brendan Fevola 2, Lance Whitnall, Anthony
Koutoufides, Marc Murphy, Andrew Walker, Adrian Deluca, Eddie Betts.
Best: Richmond: Matthew Richardson, Kayne Pettifer, Chris Hyde, Andrew Raines,
Shane Tuck, Mark Coughlan, Joel Bowden. Carlton: Andrew Walker, Heath Scotland,
Anthony Koutoufides, Kade Simpson, Lance Whitnall, Marc Murphy, Ryan Houlihan.
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Martin Ellis, Scott Jeffery. |
Melbourne and the Kangaroos, two
sides desperate to keep their season alive went to the brink on Saturday afternoon at the
MCG. The Demons denied the Kangas by four points, to win their second game of the year
while the blue and white remain at 15th place with only one victory from five starts.
John Salvado for Fox Sports reported Nathan
Thompson shaped as a probable hero as the forward booted five goals, the last of
which drew the Roos level deep in the final quarter. Thompson barely a minute later pulled
down the best of his eight marks for the day, only to see his shot slip wide. That left
the door open for the Demons midfielder James McDonald to bob up as the
unlikely matchwinner at the other end, roving the ball off the pack and snapping truly. by
that stage, Thompson had taken himself from the ground, convinced he could giver no more.
Matt Burgan noted for Sportal: Adem Yze
(four goals) and Aaron Davey (three) were outstanding all day for the
Dees, while Cameron Bruce, Byron Pickett and McDonald
continued their impressive starts to the season. Majors were at a premium early in the
match, but the Roos had the better of the early going and managed two goals in the opening
term to Russell Robertson's one for the Demons.
Melbourne trailed by seven points as the second quarter began when they piled on five
unanswered goals to storm to the lead. Yze was instrumental in the turnaround with three
majors for the term as the lead stretched out to 24 points before the Roos gathered
themselves to stop the run-on and go into the half 20 points down. It was the Kangaroos
turn to put on a scoring spurt in the third, with the first four goals putting them in
front. Two from Thompson helped the Shinboners out to a three-point lead at the last
change.
It looked like the Kangaroos were home after they kicked the first two majors of the last
quarter, but Davey leapt into action with two goals to draw the sides level, before
McDonald sealed the result. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 2 |
| Melbourne v Kangaroos |
Saturday, April 29, 2006
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 30,392
Conditions: Good
Weather: 16C, high cloud |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| MEL |
1.3-9 |
7.5-47 (20) |
9.9-63 |
13.12-90 (4) |
| KAN |
2.4-16 (7) |
3.9-27 |
9.12-66 (3) |
12.14-86 |
Goals: Melbourne:
Adem Yze 4, Aaron Davey 3, Paul Wheatley, James McDonald, Russell Robertson, Brad Green,
Travis Johnstone, Matthew Bate. Kangaroos: Nathan Thompson 5.3, Brent Harvey 2,
Kasey Green 2, Shannon Grant, David Hale, Daniel Pratt.
Best: Melbourne: Byron Pickett, Adem Yze, Aaron Davey, Brad Green, Cameron Bruce,
James McDonald, Travis Johnstone. Kangaroos: Adam Simpson, Shannon Grant, Nathan
Thompson, Leigh Brown, Brent Harvey, Troy Makepeace, Firrito.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Ray Chamberlain, Stuart Wenn.
Reports:
Adem Yze (Melbourne) and Jess Sinclair (Kangaroos) were cited
for wrestling. The MRP issued both players with fines of $900. Yze and
Sinclair accepted the fines imposed. |
Sitting on top of the ladder
after four successive wins, the Western Bulldogs received a savage reality check at
Football Park on Saturday afternoon when Adelaide crushed them by 77 points. There was
nothing new in Adelaide's game – it simply reverted to the old basics of playing
man-on-man, and having the skills and an adventurous spirit to take its chances when they
came.
Ashley Porter noted for The Age: The Crows were
without Brett Burton (suspended) and Ian Perrie (knee)
and on the morning was forced to leave out captain Mark Ricciuto
(hamstring) and Scott Thompson (groin). They were replaced by Jason
Porplyzia, who was a most unlikely match top goalkicker with three in his AFL
debut, and Hayden Skipworth. To win with six first-picked players out
echoed former Malcolm Blight's "star" theory relating to the
danger of a team pinning its hopes on one or two players.
Alan Shiell observed for Sportal: The Bulldogs
struggled to adapt to the softer surface and windy conditions in Adelaide and were
comprehensively outplayed by the classy, well-drilled Crows, who have undeniable claims to
early premiership favouritism. Significantly, Adelaide won the centre clearances 18 to 10
and had big winners in midfielders Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards,
Brent Reilly and Michael Doughty, as well as rebounding
defenders Andrew McLeod, Ben Hart, Martin
Mattner, Graham Johncock, Kris Massie and Nathan
Bassett. The brilliant McLeod (29) and ageless Hart shared 54 disposals.
And the Crows had no fewer than 14 individual goalkickers, including Ben Rutten,
last year's All-Australian full-back, who played full-forward in the absence of Ricciuto.
It was not Adelaide's finest performance, but it ranks highly because of its exceptional
teamwork, tenacity and ability to apply game tactics conducive to beating the opposition
– manning up to prevent the short, low-kicking style. If there there was winning
quarter it was the second when Adelaide refused to give the Bulldogs any advantage with
the breeze, and levelled the team score. Adelaide refused to relent with its pressure, and
ultimately consumed the Bulldogs with a quality team performance. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 3 |
| Adelaide v Western
Bulldogs |
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Football Park, 3.10pm AEST, crowd: 41,057
Conditions: Good
Weather: 19C, cloudy, rain threatening, strong cross breeze |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| ADE |
6.5-41 (33) |
8.9-57 (39) |
14.10-94 (53) |
20.12-132 (77) |
| WB |
1.2-8 |
2.6-18 |
5.11-41 |
7.13-55 |
Goals: Adelaide:
Jason Porplyzia 3, Simon Goodwin 2, Martin Mattner 2, Brent Reilly 2, Rhett Biglands 2,
Trent Hentschel, Matthew Bode, Bernie Vince, Hayden Skipworth, Tyson Edwards, Michael
Doughty, Ben Rutten, Robert Shirley, Ken McGregor. West.B'dogs: Adam Cooney
2, Farren Ray 2, Matthew Robbins, Brad Johnson, Daniel Giansiracusa.
Best: Adelaide: Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Tyson Edwards, Martin Mattner, Ben
Hart, Brent Reilly, Michael Doughty, Graham Johncock. West.B'dogs: Lindsay
Gilbee, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen, Scott West, Rohan Smith.
Umpires: Scott McLaren, Stefan Grun, Derek Woodcock. |
Four-goal hauls from BARRY HALL
and ADAM SCHNEIDER helped Sydney to their second victory of the season and handed Geelong
its third consecutive loss in the match played at Stadium Australia at Homebush on a clear
Saturday night to a crowd of 37,032.
The surface of the ground, the focus of much media attention in the days prior to
the game went unnoticed, following the laying of new sections of some 1100sqm of turf.
After trailing by a goal at quarter-time, the Swans rallied in the second piling on a
wasteful 4.8 and restricting Geelong to a single goal when the game could have been over.
They dominated the third term going out to a 32-point lead but found it hard to finish off
their opponents and Geelong pegged back the deficit to four goals at the last change.
David Sygall reported in The Age: A sniff of
victory the Cats took into the final quarter became a stench when they began with two
goals to put them within 12 points. But that was as close as it got. A brilliant left-foot
snap about his body by Hall brought the house down. Schneider's goal just a minute later
brought down the curtains Geelong's challenge and Adam Goodes' second
began the Sydney party.
By the end, Schneider had kicked four goals, Hall 4.2 and even defender Craig
Bolton got in on the act with two long-range goals at important times. For
Geelong, Paul Chapman (his 100th game) kicked three, as did full-forward
for the night Cameron Mooney, who also helped Charlie Gardiner
with a couple – Gary Ablett was also among Geelong's best. Jude
Bolton had an outstanding match for the Swans with 25 possessions while Irishman Tadhg
Kennelly continued his fine return with 20 touches. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 4 |
| Sydney v Geelong |
Saturday (n), April 29,
2006
Stadium Australia Homebush, 7.10pm AEST, crowd: 37,032
Conditions: Good, following relaying of turf
Weather: 19C, clear and mild |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| SYD |
3.3-21 |
7.11-53 (20) |
11.16-82 (24) |
15.17-107 (22) |
| GEE |
4.3-27 (6) |
5.3-33 |
9.4-58 |
13.7-85 |
Goals: Sydney:
Adam Schneider 4.0, Barry Hall 4.2, Craig Bolton 2, Adam Goodes 2, Jude Bolton, Ryan
O'Keefe, Michael O'Loughlin. Geelong: Cameron Mooney 3, Paul Chapman 3, Charlie
Gardiner 2, Gary Ablett 2, Cameron Ling, Jarad Rooke, Darren Milburn.
Best: Sydney: Adam Schneider, Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin, Ryan O'Keefe, Paul
Williams, Jude Bolton. Geelong: Cameron Mooney, Jimmy Bartel, Paul Chapman, Corey
Enright.
Umpires: Brett Allen, Simon Meredith, Shaun Ryan.
Report:
Paul Chapman (Geelong) was cited for striking Leo Barry (Sydney)
during the fourth quarter. The MRP issued a reprimand for a Level One offence. Chapman
accepted the reprimand and 56.35 points towards his future record. |
West Coast maintained its hoodoo
over the Brisbane Lions with another comprehensive win on Saturday night in fine and mild
conditions at Subiaco Oval. Captain CHRIS JUDD chose LEIGH MATTHEWS' 400th AFL match as
coach to unload both barrels on his once-great but now ageing side. Judd ran up 39
possessions and four goals as the Eagles turned a competitive first half into a
second-half stroll on its way to a 59-point win. The Eagles simply blew the Lions away.
Tim Clarke for Fox Sports wrote: Judd's
sparkling performance revived memories of his single-handed destruction of the Lions in
2003, and it was made all the more impressive as it was achieved without the presence of Ben
Cousins (injured) and Daniel Kerr, the latter falling victim to
flu.
Justin Chadwick observed for Sportal: Big man Dean
Cox dominated the ruck, while Chad Fletcher (21 possessions), Rowan
Jones (24), Tyson Stenglein (20) and Andrew Embley
were prolific throughout the night.
Simon Black was Brisbane's biggest ball-winner with 32 disposals, while Luke
Power (19 touches), Tim Notting (20), Justin Sherman
(25) and Daniel Bradshaw (21) were also prominent. Jonathan Brown
worked tirelessly up forward finishing with two goals and 21 possessions – but lacked
genuine support and delivery from his midfield.
Mark Duffield for The West Australian noted:
The Lions snatched the lead briefly in the first quarter on the back of goals from Brown
and Chris Johnson answering a massive goal from almost 60m by Eagles
debutant Shannon Hurn before West Coast asserted itself to take an
eight-point lead into quarter time. Then, after the Eagles had opened a 22-point lead five
minutes into the second quarter, three Brisbane goals in succession dragged them within
three points. Brown's battle with Adam Hunter was a highlight of the
half, while Judd's 19-possession half made Jason Akermanis' return to a
defence role a tough one.
Akermanis went from tagger to the tagged after half-time when he moved to a wing and got
picked up by Stenglein. But if that provided some relief for him, it provided little for
the Lions, as Judd's fourth goal 10 minutes into the third quarter left West Coast 27
points clear and in control of the match. By three-quarter-time the lead was 34 points and
by midway though the final term was 46 and climbing.
The best news for Brisbane was the Beau McDonald got through his first
game since 2003. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 5 |
| West Coast v Brisbane |
Saturday (n), April 29,
2006
Subiaco Oval, 7.40pm AEST, crowd: 40,519
Conditions: Good
Weather: 17C, fine and mild |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| WCE |
5.4-34 (8) |
9.7-61 (15) |
13.12-90 (32) |
18.14-122 (59) |
| BRI |
4.2-26 |
7.4-46 |
8.8-56 |
9.9-63 |
Goals: West
Coast: Chris Judd 4, Daniel Chick 3, Dean Cox 2, Adam Hunter 2, Josh Wooden, Shannon
Hurn, Brent Staker, Quinten Lynch, Jaymie Graham, Andrew Embley, Adam Selwood. Brisbane:
Ashley McGrath 2, Jonathan Brown 2, Chris Johnson, Luke Power, Jamie Charman, Mitchell
Clark, Tim Notting.
BEST – West Coast: Chris Judd, Adam Hunter, Dean Cox, Michael Braun, Andrew
Embley, Tyson Stenglein. Brisbane: Chris Johnson, Jonathan Brown, Luke Power, Tim
Notting, Ashley McGrath, Simon Black.
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Matthew Head, Darren Goldspink.
Report:
Beau Waters (West Coast) cited with a Level Four offence for engaging in
rough conduct against Robert Copeland (Brisbane) during the fourth
quarter. The MRP assessed a three-match suspension. However, Waters can accept a two-match
suspension with an early plea. On Monday afternoon, Waters accepted the MRP's two-match
suspension. |
An overcast Sunday at York Park
in Launceston clouded one of the most controversial matches played in 110 seasons of
League history. Match time elapsed with scores 94-93 in favour of Fremantle. From the
failure of umpires to hear the final siren, play was allowed to continue during which St
Kilda's STEVEN BAKER received a free kick from which a behind resulted tying the match at
94-all. Baker however was bumped illegally after his shot at goal and was offered another
kick which again was off-target – still 94-all.
Fremantle lodged a protest within minutes and on Wednesday after a League investigation
the Dockers were declared winners of the match, 14.10-94 to 13.15-93, their first victory
on Tasmanian soil. It was the third occasion the outcome of a League match has been
altered – others were in 1900 and 1909.
Martin Black reported for The Age: For much of
the match the Dockers outplayed St Kilda. The Saints squandered a three-goal breeze in the
first quarter to surrender the initiative to Freo, and were scarcely in the game at all
until the last 15 minutes.
Matthew Pavlich was another problem, for the Saints could not find a
match-up for Fremantle's best player. He began in the middle at centre bounces, then
drifted forward. Sam Fisher had a crack at him and later Matthew
Maguire. In an error-riddled game Pavlich scarcely made a mistake, feeding off
half-chances. He kicked six goals in a virtuoso performance and was clearly best afield.St Kilda was not without valour. At the centre bounces, the
undersized Jason Blake played one of the games of his career, conceding
20 centimetres in height to Aaron Sandilands but actually winning that
duel, picking up 25 disposals around the ground; occasionally hoisting himself on to his
opponent's shoulders to get first hands on the football.
Elsewhere Thomas's team butchered the football going
through the middle, making life impossible for Nick Riewoldt and Fraser
Gehrig. When the latter tackled Fremantle's Michael Johnson in
the third quarter after the Docker had marked in defence – Gehrig thought that
Johnson was playing on – he conceded one 50-metre penalty, then another after he
remonstrated with an approaching Docker, and then another, so that Johnson would be gifted
a goal. At this point Thomas took Gehrig off and Riewoldt, who had been subdued by
Johnson, also sat on the pine for a few minutes.
At this point St Kilda appeared to have no hope. But Stephen
Milne chipped in with a couple of goals, Lenny Hayes and Luke
Ball began to make an impact and then, on the stroke of three-quarter time, Luke
McPharlin inexplicably missed a set shot from just 15 metres out. Fremantle did
not know how to win.
Enter Pavlich, whose snapped goal at the start of the final
quarter gave his team some breathing space. But then Gehrig came back and kicked a goal
and Nick Dal Santo followed up. Further goals to Allan Murray and Leigh
Montagna made it a contest again as the dramatic final minutes were played out. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 6 |
| St Kilda v Fremantle |
Sunday, April 30, 2006
York Park, 1.10pm AEST, crowd: 15,282
Conditions: Good
Weather: 15C, overcast; breeze to northern goal |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| STK |
2.5-17 |
6.7-43 |
9.9-63 |
13.15-93 |
| FRE |
5.2-32 (15) |
10.5-65 (22) |
12.7-79 (16) |
14.10-94 (1) |
Goals: St
Kilda: Fraser Gehrig 3, Brett Voss 2, Jason Blake 2, Stephen Milne 2, Nick Dal Santo,
Allan Murray, Leigh Montagna, Nick Riewoldt. Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich 6.1, Jeff
Farmer 3, Luke McPharlin 2, Daniel Gilmore, Des Headland, Michael Johnson.
Best: St Kilda: Jason Blake, Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Sam Fisher, Brett Voss,
Robert Harvey. Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich, Michael Johnson, Jeff Farmer, Peter
Bell, Josh Carr.
Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Hayden Kennedy, Matthew Nicholls.
Reports:
l Max Hudghton (St Kilda) cited for misconduct in that he
spat at Luke McPharlin (Fremantle) during the first quarter. A first
offence for misconduct in spitting is a $3200 fine, but an early plea would reduced the
penalty by 25 per cent to a $2400 fine. Hudghton admitted guilt and accepted the MRP fine
of $2400.
l Jeff Farmer (Fremantle) cited with a Level Four offence for striking Robert
Harvey (St Kilda) during the first quarter. The MRP assessed a three-match
suspension. However, Farmer can accept a two-match suspension with an early plea. Farmer
took his case to the Tribunal. The defence successfully argued the action by Farmer was
reckless conduct rather then intentional. The Tribunal suspended Farmer for one match.
l Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) cited with a Level Three offence for striking Steven
Dodd (Fremantle) during the first quarter. Hayes drew a total of six activation
points which was increased because of the previous two-match ban. Hayes with an early plea
is offered a one-match suspension. Hayes took his case to the Tribunal which was unable to
view the incident as it was not captured on video. After a short deliberation the Tribunal
found Hayes had no case to answer.
l Fraser Gehrig (St Kilda) was reported by umpire Hayden Kennedy for
striking Josh Carr (Fremantle) during the first quarter. The MRP assessed
Gehrig's actions as a pushing motion rather than a strike and cleared Gehrig of the
charge. |
Collingwood's third-term goal
blitz propelled it to an emphatic 41 point victory over Port Adelaide under the closed
roof of Docklands on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The Magpies dismantled Port in what is
called the "premiership" quarter. The Magpies with their best start to a season
for six years hold third place on the ladder.
Sportal noted: Scores were level one minute into the second
half, but Port were powerless to stop the Magpies' awesome eight-goal avalanche that blew
the margin out to 49 points in the space of 20 minutes. Nathan Buckley
kicked three goals in that period and added another to finish with 20 possessions and 10
marks, while Anthony Rocca was the dominant forward, booting five.
Peter Walsh and Kane Cornes were important for the Power
with 34 touches each and Brendon Lade carried the rucks superbly to
finish with 22 hitouts and 19 disposals. Chad Cornes was also solid in
the centre – Cornes had 26 disposals despite receiving a nasty blow to the face in
the second quarter.
Lyall Johnson noted for The Age: Ben
Johnson, Paul Licuria and Scott Burns and the
Collingwood midfield were unstoppable in the third quarter, dominating the stoppages and
running forward and back in numbers. Kicks were precise, and Ryan Lonie's
second goal of the match on the run from outside the 50m arc was a gem, bettering even his
first goal, which was a running shot from 55 metres. But it was the Magpies' endeavour and
the one-percenters that really set them above the Power.
Warren Tredrea, down by his standards, was worn like a glove by Simon
Prestigiacomo. Port would be bitterly disappointed with its second-half
capitulation but also the fact they failed to capitalise in its second quarter dominance
and trailed at half-time. With the sting gone out of the game, Port outscored Collingwood
in the last, but there was never any doubt about the eventual outcome. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 7 |
| Collingwood v Port
Adelaide |
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Docklands, 2.10pm AEST, Roof closed; crowd: 32,276
Conditions: Good
Weather: 15C, rain |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| COL |
6.0-36 (11) |
8.2-50 (1) |
16.6-102 |
18.12-120 (41) |
| PA |
4.1-25 |
7.7-49 |
8.9-57 |
11.13-79 |
Goals: Collingwood:
Anthony Rocca 5.0, Chris Tarrant 4, Nathan Buckley 4, Shane O'Bree 2, Ryan Lonie
2, Dane Swan. Port: Warren Tredrea 2, Peter Burgoyne 2, Brendon Lade, Nathan
Lonie, Stuart Dew, Danyle Pearce, Peter Walsh, Steven Salopek, Kane Cornes.
Best: Collingwood: Nathan Buckley, Anthony Rocca, Ben Johnson, Paul Licuria, James
Clement, Heath Shaw, Josh Fraser. Port: Kane Cornes, Peter Walsh, Chad Cornes,
Steven Salopek.
Umpires: Kieron Nicholls, Shane McInerney, Troy Pannell. |
Hawthorn's revival continued on
a wet Sunday afternoon at the MCG when they survived a tense last four minutes in driving
rain to beat Essendon by one point. It was the Hawks' fourth win in five games to start
the 2006 – one less win that they achieved for all of last year in ALASTAIR
CLARKSON's first year as coach.
Paul Gough observed the match for Sportal: Once
again the Bombers, who have now lost four games in a row since beating reigning premiers
Sydney in the opening game, played well without winning just as they did in the past two
matches against the Bulldogs and Collingwood. This was a courageous effort from Essendon
considering the Bombers had only a five-day break coming into the game – following
the Anzac Day match against Collingwood – while the Hawks had enjoyed a nine-day
break.
And when Hawthorn led by nine points at the last change, Essendon could have been excused
for being overrun in the final term particularly which had been played in wet conditions
following following heavy pre-match rain. But as the rain pelted down in the final term it
took a moment of sheer brilliance from the Hawks' pocket dynamo in attack Mark
Williams to win the game for the home side.
The Bombers had led since the 11-minute mark after kicking the first three goals of the
final term and just as Chris Heffernan snapped the goal to put Essendon
in front, the rain began to pour. Suddenly Essendon's one-goal lead looked huge as the
Hawks tried in the next 13 minutes to get the goal they needed to get back in front. But
just as it looked impossible for any player to take a clean mark – let alone one of
the smallest players on the ground – Williams took a great overhead, contested mark
in front of Henry Slattery at the 24-minute mark. The Hawks' leading
goalkicker of last year then coolly converted from 45 metres out directly in front, which
in itself was a tough task in the worst conditions seen at any AFL game this year.
Williams' goal, his third of the game on a day when he kicked poorly – 3.4 –
gave the Hawks a one-point lead which they held onto for the last three minutes as
virtually every player was on the ball at the final siren with the ball just 30 metres out
from the Essendon goal.
Former skipper Shane Crawford played a blinder for Hawthorn, racking up
25 disposals, while Peter Everitt crucially lowered the colours of
Essendon big man David Hille with 20 possessions and one goal. |
| 2006
— ROUND 5 — GAME 8 |
| Hawthorn v Essendon |
Sunday, April 30, 2006
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 40,179
Conditions: Slippery ball
Weather: 15C, pre-match rain; light, then heavy rain in Q4 |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| HAW |
1.4-10 |
6.5-41 |
11.7-73 (9) |
12.12-84 (1) |
| ESS |
4.2-26 (16) |
7.5-47 (6) |
9.10-64 |
12.11-83 |
Goals: Hawthorn:
Mark Williams 3, Ben Dixon, 2 Tim Clarke 2, Peter Everitt, Shane Crawford, Richard
Vandenberg, Trent Croad, Campbell Brown. Essendon: Scott Lucas 3, James Hird 2,
Andrew Lovett 2, Jason Winderlich, Kepler Bradley, David Hille, Mark Bolton, Chris
Heffernan.
Best: Hawthorn: Tim Clarke, Shane Crawford, Mark Williams, Ben Dixon, Joel Smith,
Richard Vandenberg. Essendon: James Hird, Jason Johnson, Adam McPhee,
Andrew Lovett, Jobe Watson, Mark Bolton.
Umpires: Mathew James, Justin Schmitt, Chris Kamolins. |
|
|
