| * |
After three successive defeats
Geelong returned to the winners' list with a comfortable 42-point victory over a spirited
Essendon at Docklands Stadium on Friday night. The Bombers have now lost 10-straight, the
worst run of defeat in a season for the club since 1933.
Although scratchy early and still a long way off their best, the Cats gained
their second win in nine matches in the haze under the closed roof. Geelong kicked the
opening five goals and booted another six on the trot either side of half-time to set up a
handsome victory by seven goals.
Sportal reported: Geelong had a number of standout performers
– Gary Ablett booted four goals, while Matthew Scarlett
starred down back. Key ball-winners Paul Chapman, Joel Corey
and Jimmy Bartel combined for 89 disposals. Dustin Fletcher
was Essendon's best, while Jason Johnson bounced back strongly gathering
33 disposals, after a two-match stint in the VFL with the Bendigo Bombers.
After Geelong's strong start the Bombers hit back in the second term and got to within 11
points, until the Cats upped the ante with five unanswered goals and took a 43-point lead
into half-time. When Brad Ottens goaled to open the second-half scoring
Geelong went out to a 50-point lead at the eight minute mark.
Leading by a similar margin last week against the Eagles, the Cats' faithful would have
been forgiven for a sense of déjà vu when the Bombers lifted to boot the next three
goals of the game, narrowing the deficit to 31 points. However, two bits of Gary
Ablett magic allowed the Cats to avoid the staggers and enter the final term with
a 41-point advantage.
An Angus Monfries snap in the opening minute gave the Bombers hope but Cameron
Mooney snuffed that out moments later and when the mercurial Steve
Johnson defied physics with his checkside kick on goal the Cats had an
unassailable 50-point lead. The Bombers refused to give in, however, unlike last week, the
Cats did not buckle and Matthew Stokes' third goal and another from Steve
Johnson ensured there would not be another costly fadeout. |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 1 |
| Geelong v Essendon |
Friday (n), June 9, 2006
Docklands, 7.40pm AEST, Roof: closed, crowd: 43,600
Conditions: Good
Weather: 10C, cold |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| GEE |
6.3-39 (24) |
12.5-77 (43) |
16.6-102 (41) |
20.10-130 (42) |
| ESS |
2.3-15 |
5.4-34 |
9.7-61 |
13.10-88 |
Goals: Geelong:
Gary Ablett 4, Steve Johnson 3, Cameron Mooney 3, Mathew Stokes 3, Corey Enright 2, Paul
Chapman, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn, Brad Ottens. Essendon: Scott
Lucas 3, Angus Monfries 2, Courtenay Dempsey, Ricky Dyson, David Hille, Courtney Johns,
Jayson Laycock, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Adam McPhee, Joel Reynolds.
Best: Geelong: Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman, Joel Corey, Matthew Scarlett, Jimmy
Bartel, Cameron Ling. Essendon: Dustin Fletcher, Jason Johnson, Mark Johnson, Scott
Lucas, Angus Monfries, Jayson Laycock.
Umpires: Brett Allen, Stuart Wenn, Troy Pannell.
Report:
Jimmy Bartel (Gee) was charged with rough conduct against Damien Peverill
(Ess) during the fourth quarter. The MRP ruled that Bartel due to his previous suspensions
within the last three years on an early guilty plea be suspended for one match. Geelong
sought adjudication of the AFL Tribunal. After Bartel's charge was downgraded from
reckless to negligent, to 61.87 points equating to a reprimand, the Tribunal did not
suspend the player. |
Richmond continued its
resurgence with a 35-point win over the Kangaroos on a cold and foggy Saturday afternoon
at the MCG – it was the Tigers' sixth win from their past eight matches and its first
against the Kangas since 2001.
The Kangaroos led Richmond by four points at the first break but after then the
Tigers wore down the 'Roos with their running play in each of the three remaining
quarters. It was Richmond's overall team effort that set them apart from the Roos, who now
languish at only two wins from 11 starts and their fifth consecutive loss.
The Bowden boys, Patrick and Joel, were dominant in defence for Richmond and finished with
26 possessions and a goal each, while Nathan Thompson was the key forward
on the ground with five goals for the Kangaroos.
Sportal's Matt Burgan reported: After seven lead changes early
in the match, the Tigers took hold of the match at the 13-minute mark of the second term,
when Chris Hyde answered. From that point, they never looked back.
Kayne Pettifer was terrific with four goals, while big man Troy
Simmonds continued his underrated season in the ruck, and Andy Kellaway
was a fine contributor.
Nathan Brown, in his comeback match – he had not played since round
three after difficulties with the leg he broke badly last season – came on at the
nine-minute mark of the first quarter and finished the match with two goals and 14
disposals. For the Roos, Thompson was clearly his side's best player – while Brent
Harvey, Adam Simpson and Daniel Harris all won
more than 20 touches
Lyall Johnson summarised for The Age: The
Tigers iced the game in the third when they booted six goals to four. Showing no signs he
was impeded by his leg, Brown was magnificent and had a hand in two early goals with a
deft kick, handball receive and pass to Greg Tivendale, followed by a
brilliant backwards handball to Greg Stafford who found Pettifer along in
the goal square. For good measure he then kicked one of his own to propel the Tigers away. |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 2 |
| Richmond v Kangaroos |
Saturday, June 10, 2006
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 42,841
Conditions: Heavy dew, light fog
Weather: 8C, following heavy morning fog |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| RCH |
3.2-20 |
7.5-47 (14) |
13.8-86 (28) |
15.12-102 (35) |
| KAN |
3.6-24 (4) |
4.9-33 |
8.10-58 |
9.13-67 |
Goals: Richmond:
Kayne Pettifer 4, Nathan G Brown 2, Danny Meyer 2, Patrick Bowden, Greg Tivendale, Troy
Simmonds, Andrew Kellaway, Andrew Krakouer, Chris Hyde, Joel Bowden. Kangaroos:
Thompson 5.4, Corey Jones, Kasey Green, Jade Rawlings, Brent Harvey.
Best: Richmond: Patrick Bowden, Troy Simmonds, Joel Bowden, Kayne Pettifer, Brett
Deledio, Andrew Raines, Shane Tuck, Greg Tivendale. Kangaroos: Nathan Thompson,
Daniel Harris, Daniel Wells, Adam Simpson, Daniel Pratt, Brett Harvey.
Umpires: Chris Kamolins, Shaun Ryan, Kieron Nicholls.
Report:
Jade Rawlings (Kan) was charged with rough conduct against Richard
Tambling (Rch) during the first quarter. The MRP ruled that Rawlings due to his
existing five-year good record on an early guilty plea be suspended for one match.
Rawling's club sought adjudication of the AFL Tribunal. The Tribunal found Rawlings guilty
of the charge and suspended him for one match. |
In a hard slog
on a rain-sodden Gabba surface, Adelaide grafted out a 15-point win on Saturday night over
Brisbane who looked for much of the match they could pinch a victory. The Lions, who were
minus injured key forward JONATHAN BROWN, jumped out of the blocks early, then staged a
gutsy last-quarter fightback.
The Age reported: Defying the omens, the Lions looked the better
side early, with Luke Power kicking a clever goal out of a goal-square
pack inside the first minute of the match as the Lions settled quickly into hard and
direct wet-weather football. When Jason Akermanis snapped a reflex goal
after unintentionally smothering an Andrew McLeod kick, you got the
feeling this might be the Lions' night after all. The Crows went to the first break with
just four behinds and were struggling to find any system in their play. Worse, Mark
Ricciuto was battling a groin problem, and spent most of the first half receiving
treatment on the bench.
The match became a dour arm wrestle in the second quarter,
as the sodden conditions began to take their toll on both sides. Ken McGregor
finally opened Adelaide's account in the fifth minute, and the Crows slowly began to work
their way back into the game. Although both sides sprayed numerous opportunities in front
of goal, the Lions were left to rue a series of dropped marks, while majors to Brent
Reilly and Trent Hentschel had the Crows hard on the home side's
heels. Only the reborn Akermanis held the Crows at bay, bringing up his 300th goal with a
brilliant soccer shot from the behind post.
The Crows began to take control of the game in the third
quarter, making the Lions pay for a series of unforced errors. Hentschel began to work
rookie defender Jason Roe over, nailing two more goals, and after
Ricciuto returned to snap a beauty, Adelaide looked safe.
While Lions tagger Troy Selwood was
limiting Simon Goodwin's influence, the Crows were getting fine
contributions from Nathan Bassett, Tyson Edwards and Scott
Stevens. But Adelaide still had to hold off a spirited Lions charge in the last
quarter, as captain Michael Voss, in his 200th game in charge, did his
best to drag his team over the line with a big last quarter.
Michael Rischitelli gave the Lions a sniff
in the 10th minute and when Daniel Bradshaw kicked his first minutes
later, the home crowd found its voice. A piece of brilliance from McLeod cleared the Crows
out again before Akermanis – playing perhaps his best game in a troubled year –
put the ball out in front of Roe, who made the margin three points late in the game.
But the Crows steadied, with cool set shots from Graham
Johncock and Scott Thompson sealing the deal. |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 3 |
| Brisbane v Adelaide |
Saturday (n), June 10,
2006
BCG (Gabba), 7.10pm AEST, crowd: 27,516
Conditions: Wet
Weather: 20C, rained all night |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| BRI |
3.3-21 (17) |
4.8-32 (7) |
5.11-41 |
8.12-60 |
| ADE |
0.4-4 |
3.7-25 |
7.13-55 (14) |
10.15-75 (15) |
Goals: Adelaide:
Trent Hentschel 3, Ken McGregor, Brent Reilly, Mark Ricciuto, Brett Burton, Andrew McLeod,
Graham Johncock, Scott Thompson. Brisbane: Jason Akermanis 3, Luke Power, Matthew
Moody, Michael Rischitelli, Daniel Bradshaw, Jason Roe.
Best: Adelaide: Nathan Bassett, Tyson Edwards, Trent Hentschel, Scott Stevens,
Michael Doughty, Graham Johncock, Andrew McLeod. Brisbane: Luke Power, Jason
Akermanis, Simon Black, Tim Notting, Michael Voss, Robbie Copeland, Justin Sherman.
Umpires: Scott McLaren, Jason Quigley, Matthew Head. |
Fourth-placed Sydney and St
Kilda (8th) fought out one of the toughest games of the season on Saturday night, drenched
in continuous pelting rain at the SCG. A hardy 31,146 watched the scrap which ended in a
thrilling two-point win for the Saints.
The Age observed: St Kilda was presented with a challenge in dreadful
conditions against a Sydney team that is fierce, committed and courageous, and happy to
have the game reduced to that sort of contest. But the Saints came to play; better around
the ball all night, they eked out the win they so desperately needed.
Ben Broad noted for Sportal: The Saints looked to be
cruising as they maintained a comfortable three-goal lead for most of the evening. But the
Swans, reminiscent of last year's famous Second Semi-Final win over Geelong, made a late
charge.
Leading by 13 points at the last break, Brett Kirk kicked the opening
goal of the final term at the 19-minute mark, and when Adam Schneider
kicked his third at the 29-minute mark he cut the deficit to just two points. But that's
as close as the home side got. There was to be no fairytale finish this time, as the
Saints held firm in the dying minutes despite Sydney throwing everything at them. It took Nick
Riewoldt's almost unblieveable contested mark in the goal mouth as the clock
ticked up to 33 minutes to finish it.
The much-anticipated rematch between Matt Maguire and Barry Hall
was a lopsided affair, with the Saint enjoying a night out over the unusually quiet Hall.
Sam Fisher, Riewoldt and Luke Ball, who
copped a heavy knock and was stretchered from the field early in the final term, were
other standouts for the winners in a victory that lifted them back into the top eight.
Sydney was best served by Adam Goodes, Kirk and Jude Bolton,
while Schneider helped lead the Swans' revival with three of their last four goals. |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 4 |
| Sydney v St Kilda |
Saturday (n), June 10,
2006
SCG, 7.10pm AEST, crowd: 31,146
Conditions: Wet, heavy rain in Q2 and Q3
Weather: 14C, rained all night |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| SYD |
0.1-1 |
3.3-21 |
5.5-35 |
7.8-50 |
| STK |
2.3-15 (14) |
5.5-35 (14) |
7.6-48 (13) |
7.10-52 (2) |
Goals: St
Kilda: Fraser Gehrig 3, Michael Rix, Brendon Goddard, Jason Blake, Leigh Montagna.
Sydney: Adam Schneider 3, Barry Hall, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jarrad McVeigh, Brett
Kirk.
Best: St Kilda: Sam Fisher, Matt Maguire, Nick Riewoldt, Luke Ball, Brendon
Goddard. Sydney: Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton, Adam Schneider.
Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Justin Schmitt, Martin Ellis.
Reports:
l
Steven Baker (StK) was charged with wrestling Jude Bolton (Syd)
during the second quarter. The MRP ruled that Baker on his second such offence be fined
$1800 subject to early plea. Baker admitted guilt and accepted the MRP fine of $1800.
l Jude Bolton (Syd) was charged with wrestling Steven Baker
(StK) during the second quarter. The MRP ruled that on his first such offence be fined
$900. Bolton admitted guilt and accepted the MRP fine of $900. |
Port Adelaide won its third
successive match when it thumped Hawthorn by 96 points under mostly cloudy skies on Sunday
afternoon at Football Park. The final margin still wasn't Port's biggest win against the
Hawks – that remains at 117 points only 12 months ago – same place, same time.
Alan Shiell viewed the match for Sportal: Inflicting
Hawthorn's sixth straight loss, Port played a slick, free-flowing running game while
Hawthorn struggled to gain any sort of momentum and made far too many mistakes – and
not always because of the pressure exerted by the Power.
Fast-developing Port youngsters Steven Salopek, Jacob Surjan,
Danyle Pearce, Brad Symes, Michael Pettigrew,
Brett Ebert, Troy Chaplin and Adam Thomson
all played prominent roles in the party-time exhibition.
Salopek, Pearce and Ebert (two each), Surjan (one) and Pettigrew (three) shared 10 of
Port's 22 goals and were five of Port's 14 goalkickers. Defender Michael Wilson
produced the most memorable of the goals – a stunning, running feat that started from
half-back.
Brendon Lade, enjoying a superb season, was a force in ruck and around
the ground, Chad and Kane Cornes had a significant
influence, as usual, wherever they roamed – while opposed to Luke Hodge
and Sam Mitchell respectively – and Warren Tredrea
played with more confidence and freedom than he had since returning from his knee injury.
Tredrea kicked 3.3 and took 16 marks.
Chance Bateman, Tim Clarke, Brad Sewell,
Hodge, Campbell Brown, Rick Ladson and Ben
McGlynn were among the hardest-working Hawks, but, collectively, the visitors
rarely gelled while scrambling their lowest score this season. Ruckman Peter
Everitt while winning 12 hit-outs spent the final quarter on the bench with his
right ankle in an ice pack.
Port coach Mark Williams was again pleased with the form of his younger
players and well satisfied that the Power had beaten Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn in its
past three matches after winning only two of its first eight this season. |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 5 |
| Port Adelaide v Hawthorn |
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Football Park, 1.10pm AEST, crowd: 24,511
Conditions: Generally good
Weather: 12C, cool, early sunshine, then cloudy |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| PA |
8.2-50 (37) |
15.4-94 (78) |
18.10-118 (83) |
22.13-145 (96) |
| HAW |
2.1-13 |
2.4-16 |
5.5-35 |
7.7-49 |
Goals: Port:
Warren Tredrea 3, Michael Pettigrew 3, Stuart Dew 2, Brett Ebert 2, Steven Salopek 2,
Danyle Pearce 2, Nathan Lonie, Michael Wilson, Toby Thurstans, Chad Cornes, Brendon Lade,
Jacob Surjan, Adam Thompson, Josh Mahoney. Hawthorn: John Barker 2, Mark Williams,
Tim Clarke, Jordan Lewis, Robert Campbell, Ben Dixon.
Best: Port: Warren Tredrea, Brendon Lade, Steven Salopek, Chad Cornes, Jacob
Surjan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce. Hawthorn: Tim Clarke, Luke Hodge, Chance
Bateman, Campbell Brown.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Adam Davis, Shane McInerney. |
The effects of a virus which
swept through the Western Bulldogs' camp during the week failed to show up on the
scoreboard when they posted their seventh win of the season, downing Fremantle by 14
points at Docklands on a cold Sunday afternoon – the roof was closed. The win brought
to an end four successive losses to the Dockers.
The Bulldogs survived a late charge from Fremantle, who, with the game seemingly out of
reach and with only one fit player on the bench, kicked three late goals to close the gap
to 14 points – missing several gettable shots.
The surge failed to erase the fact that for most of the match the Bulldogs boasted a
multitude of skilful ball-carriers led by Adam Cooney who was outstanding
with 27 touches and two goals, and he was well supported by Scott West
(29 touches) and Daniel Cross (22).
The Bulldogs burst out of the blocks. Just five minutes in, the Dogs had three goals and a
17-point advantage. But Fremantle hit back with four in a row and by quarter-time the
visitors had a five-point lead. The Dockers led by 11 points early in the second quarter,
but it proved to be the Bulldogs' term with them booting six goals to to two and lead by
19 points at half-time.
Matthew Pavlich kept his side in touch early in the second half, but a
further four goals to two, resulted in a 28-point buffer for the Bulldogs. Although the
Doggies led by 34 points in the final term, the Dockers hit back with the last three
goals, but it was too late. Fremantle finished with one more scoring shot, while Paul
Medhurst – although he was prominent – finished with 1.5.
Jason Phelan observed for Sportal – Josh
Carr and Paul Hasleby were the standouts for Fremantle with 26
and 25 disposals respectively, but the Dockers will be counting the cost of the loss with Antoni
Grover (shoulder), Graham Polak (abductor) and Daniel
Gilmore (knee) all knocked of the match. Bulldog veteran Chris Grant
also sustained a right knee injury in the third quarter.
At their best, the Doggies were too classy for Freo with Cooney, Jordan McMahon
and Nathan Eagleton damaging through the middle of the ground, while Brad
Johnson booted three goals. |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 6 |
| Western Bulldogs v
Fremantle |
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Docklands, 2.10pm AEST, Roof: closed, crowd: 23,805
Conditions: Good
Weather: 11C, cold, showers |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| WB |
4.4-28 |
10.6-66 (19) |
14.7-91 (28) |
15.10-100 (14) |
| FRE |
5.3-33 (5) |
7.5-47 |
9.9-63 |
12.14-86 |
Goals: West.B'dogs:
Brad Johnson 3, Matthew Boyd 2, Adam Cooney 2, Matthew Robbins 2, Nathan Eagleton, Shaun
Higgins, Jordan McMahon, Farren Ray, Wayde Skipper, Rohan Smith. Fremantle: Matthew
Pavlich 3, Luke McPharlin 2, Heath Black, Jeff Farmer, Paul Hasleby, Des Headland, Paul
Medhurst, Brett Peake, Aaron Sandilands.
Best: West.B'dogs: Cooney, West, Lindsay Gilbee, Brad Johnson, Matthew Boyd, Jordan
McMahon. Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich, David Mundy, Josh Carr, Paul Hasleby, Des
Headland, Paul Medhurst.
Umpires: Stefan Grun, Derek Woodcock, Darren Goldspink. |
West Coast produced its second
miracle comeback in as many weeks in their 10 point defeat of a valiant Carlton at Subiaco
Oval on a fine and mild Sunday afternoon before 40,090 ecstatic fans.
Trailing by 28 points after Nick Stevens kicked Carlton's 15th goal 10
minutes into the last quarter, when the Eagles looked destined to lose to a Victorian side
in Perth for the first time in nearly four years – Melbourne were the last to do so
in August 2002.
Digby Beecham recorded proceedings for the Herald Sun:
The struggling Blues entered the clash against the ladder-leading West Coast on the
front foot, and led at every change and looked on target to post a stunning victory.
Ultimately the formline held true when the Eagles, for the second time in successive
weeks, climbed from the canvas to leave an opponent stunned and the rest of the
competition wondering just what needs to be done to deny John Worsfold's
team.
Restricted to eight goals for the first three terms, West Coast erupted in the last 32min
15sec, piling on 8.4 to 2.1 for a 10-point victory. Adam Hunter kicked
the final goal of last weekend's thriller at Geelong, capping off a comeback from 54
points down, the eighth biggest turnaround in VFL-AFL history. On Sunday he kicked four of
his team's last nine goals after being swung forward from centre half-back.
Carlton, which led by as much as 44 points early in the third quarter (9min), started to
feel the pinch late in the third term, but was still in possession of a 28-point lead in
the 11th minute after a brilliant Nick Stevens goal.
The Eagles then kicked the next six goals, stand-in skipper Andrew Embley's
first at the 28-minute mark putting his team ahead for the first time since early in the
first term. Embley's goal followed a wonderful effort by Ben Cousins
– last year's Brownlow medallist laying a tackle on Heath Scotland
and then streaming inside-40m to kick a super goal. Cousins and Chad Fletcher,
along with Adam Selwood, spearheaded a brilliant midfield that
overwhelmed the gallant Blues.
It was obvious shortly after the opening bounce that West Coast wasn't switched on and the
Blues with Brendan Fevola up for the battle, running hard. Fevola would
finished with 6.2, while young gun Marc Murphy was outstanding early and
amassed 27 possessions, eight clearances and a goal.
Carlton dared to dream and was nearly rewarded with one of the greatest upsets seen in
recent times. However, the Eagles responded magnificently and proved that they can win
from anywhere. |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 7 |
| West Coast v Carlton |
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Subiaco Oval, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 40,090
Conditions: Good
Weather: 20C, fine and sunny |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| WCE |
3.3-21 |
5.6-36 |
8.11-59 |
16.15-111 (10) |
| CAR |
6.2-38 (17) |
9.8-62 (26) |
13.10-88 (29) |
15.11-101 |
Goals: West
Coast: Adam Hunter 4, Quinten Lynch 3, Andrew Embley 2, Rowan Jones, Brent Staker,
Ashley Hansen, Mark Nicoski, David Wirrpanda, Daniel Chick, Ben Cousins. Carlton:
Brendan Fevola 6.1, Eddie Betts 3, Simon Wiggins 2, Heath Scotland 2, Marc Murphy, Nick
Stevens.
Best: West Coast: Adam Hunter, Matt Rosa, David Wirrpanda, Andrew Embley, Michael
Braun, Ben Cousins. Carlton: Brendan Fevola, Lance Whitnall, Eddie Betts, Heath
Scotland, Marc Murphy, Ryan Houlihan, Nick Stevens.
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Dean Margetts, Craig Hendrie.
Report:
Ryan Houlihan (Car) was charged with rough conduct against Matt Rosa
(WCE) during the third quarter. The MRP ruled that Houlihan due to his existing five-year
good record on an early plea be suspended for one match. Carlton sought adjudication of
the AFL Tribunal. Due to the mid-season bye and player breaks the hearing was delayed for
one week. On June 20 the Tribunal heard the case. Houlihan was found not guilty of the
charge. |
The eagerly awaited Queen's
Birthday meeting of two major premiership aspirants brought 78,773 people to the MCG on a
cool and grey Monday. In an entertaining match Melbourne were emphatic victors over
Collingwood by 47 points.
The Demons set up the win in the second and third terms, booting six goals to three in the
second and seven to four in the third, thanks to a dominant midfield and an even spread of
goalkickers.
Rohan Connolly for The Age reported at the
first bounce, Collingwood's Shane O'Bree won the clearance and pumped the
ball long to the teeth of goal, where Leon Davis pounced on the crumbs
and snapped brilliantly. At the restart, it was Melbourne's turn, the Demons' Byron
Pickett missing what should have been the equaliser only 1½ minutes in.The pattern had been set, and close to 80,000 people settled in for
an afternoon of fast, flowing, skilful football. They got it, too, the only qualifier
being that it was all played by the one side.
Melbourne had turned on some scintillating stuff at times
during the past couple of months as it turned around a start of 0-3, but the Demons took
it to another level yesterday, harder at the contest than Collingwood, quicker across the
ground and, most significantly, much better at using the ball they'd worked hard to win.
For The Australian, Chip Le
Grand observed: The new Melbourne is most spectacularly typified by Aaron
Davey and his preparedness to run players down anywhere from deep in defence to
his own goal mouth. More powerful still is the cumulative effect of half a dozen Melbourne
forwards willing to chase and tackle and a newly accountable midfield.
Applied yesterday, this meant that free-running Magpies
like Ben Johnson, O'Bree and Heath Shaw were kept well
below their usual possession tallies and Collingwood, in general, was starved of the ball.
Collingwood is the highest possession team in the competition but against Melbourne, it
found neither the room to run, nor space to create.
Collingwood has the most efficient forward line in the
competition but yesterday it could not function. Ben Holland proved a
physical match for Anthony Rocca, and Chris Tarrant was
well beaten by Cameron Bruce, with some help from Nathan Carroll.
Nathan Buckley, after kicking six goals last week in a starring forward
role, was reduced to rummaging for kicks in his own half. Alan Didak and Leon
Davis did their part but lacked for support from the remainder of the Magpies.
The flipside was that Melbourne rarely missed. As
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse summed it up: "Melbourne was far
better in delivery, run, smartness, clearances and, you can't give them the ball anywhere
near 50, because they will knock it over."
In summary, Mike Sheahan concluded in the Herald Sun:
As a contest, it lasted little more than 40 minutes. As an exhibition of Melbourne's
skill, passion, aggression and ambition, it ran the scheduled 120 minutes.
The Demons kicked 22.9 against a team with the fourth-best defence in the competition
going into the game. Collingwood, which had been averaging better than 18 goals, was held
to 14 in the worst of its three losses this year.
So, after starting the season with three losses, Melbourne has recovered to sit boldly and
ominously on 7-4 at the half-way mark.
Melbourne coach Neale Daniher was keeping a lid on things – "We
passed with flying colours but what does that mean in eight weeks time," he said.
"We're not getting carried away with anything." |
| 2006
— ROUND 11 — GAME 8 |
| Melbourne v Collingwood |
Monday, June 12, 2006
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 78,773
Conditions: Generally good – lights on in Q1
Weather: 12C, cool, grey, showers forecast but held off |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| MEL |
4.2-26 (9) |
10.3-63 (26) |
17.7-109 (47) |
22.9-141 (47) |
| COL |
2.5-17 |
5.7-37 |
9.8-62 |
14.10-94 |
Goals: Melbourne:
Adem Yze 4, Aaron Davey 3, David Neitz 3, Byron Pickett 3, Jared Rivers 2, Cameron Bruce
2, Russell Robertson, Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn, Travis Johnstone, Mark Jamar. Collingwood:
Leon Davis 3, Alan Didak 2, Dale Thomas 2, Chris Tarrant 2, Tarkyn Lockyer, Josh Fraser,
Scott Pendlebury, Scott Burns, Anthony Rocca.
Best: Melbourne: Travis Johnstone, Cameron Bruce, Aaron Davey, Byron Pickett, Adem
Yze, Ben Holland, Nathan Carroll. Collingwood: James Clement, Alan Didak, Josh
Fraser.
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Mathew James, Matt Stevic. |
|
|
