| * |
Collingwood's ALAN DIDAK made
the headlines twice in the same week – the fact that he had an argument with his
girlfriend at a nightclub which the Herald Sun featured on a front page was
quickly erased when Didak kicked the Magpies to a thrilling win over Port Adelaide with
just 19 seconds remaining in the match at Football Park on Friday night was of far greater
significance, as it kept Collingwood in the race for the finals.
Nathan Buckley celebrated his club-record 154th match as Collingwood's
captain with an inspiring 26 possessions and by distributing the ball immaculately to
team-mates before grabbing a spectacular mark over Troy Chaplin from
which he goaled 20 minutes into the final quarter, cutting Port's lead to three points.
Until Buckley's last goal, Port had outscored the Magpies 8.9 to 1.9 from halfway through
the second quarter.
Ashley Porter reviewed the game for The Age: Collingwood's
mettle was tested early and it seemed appropriate that Buckley figured prominently in the
Magpies' charge against the odds. With Chris Tarrant rested from the
match, and Anthony Rocca starting off on the bench, a huge responsibility
was given to Sean Rusling, playing just his eighth game. Buckley twice
found the 19-year-old with bullet-like passes, and under pressure Rusling slotted two
crucial goals to give Collingwood a 19-point lead at quarter-time.
There was another significant moment at the third-minute of the second term when Ryan
Willits, who became the eighth player to make his debut for Port this season,
dropped what should have been a regulation mark, only to see Collingwood swoop and again
find Rusling who kicked his third and the Pies' eighth goal for a 31-point lead.
Everything was going Collingwood's way, but the Power staged a stunning recovery starting
from an appalling fumble one-metre out by Collingwood full-back Shane Wakelin.
Port kicked the next seven goals, thanks largely to an outstanding individual effort by Brett
Ebert. Perhaps more than most players at Port, he was under immense pressure
because of his consistent inability to kick goals, but he display his true character by
kicking three straight during this particular Port burst, as well as feeding Steven
Salopek another.
Rocca had another dirty night out, missing three set shots up to late in the third term,
but he was not alone as teammates missed their targets by metres, failed to pick up
players and overall, to work hard enough as Port led by seven points at the last change
after a goalless third term by Collingwood.
In a furious finish, Collingwood came out the lucky victors by two points, but it was
hardly a performance by a side trying to claim a top-four spot. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 1 |
| Port Adelaide v
Collingwood |
Friday (n), August 18,
2006
Football Park, 8.40pm AEST, crowd: 30,281
Conditions: Good, dew later
Weather: 12C, light shower activity |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| PA |
3.4-22 |
9.6-60 |
12.8-80 (7) |
12.15-87 |
| COL |
6.5-41 (19) |
10.10-70 (10) |
10.13-73 |
12.17-89 (2) |
Goals: Collingwood:
Sean Rusling 3, Nathan Buckley 2, Shane O'Bree, Tarkyn Lockyer, Travis Cloke, Heath Shaw,
Josh Fraser, Ben Johnson, Alan Didak. Port: Brett Ebert 4, Shaun Burgoyne 2, Chad
Cornes, Tom Logan, Steven Salopek, Toby Thurstans, Kane Cornes, Brendon Lade.
Best: Collingwood: Nathan Buckley, Ben Johnson, Heath Shaw, Brodie Holland, Paul
Licuria, Rhyce Shaw. Port: Shaun Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Kane Cornes, Steven
Salopek, Brett Ebert, Bendon Lade, Dean Brogan.
Umpires: - Mathew James, Jason Quigley, Justin Schmitt.
Reports:
l Paul
Licuria (Col) was reported on match day by umpire Mathew James
for tripping Jacob Surjan (PA) during the first quarter. The MRP found
Licuria was wrong-footed by the sideways movement of Surjan. Licuria's leg
extended, but it was only to balance himself and was not judged to be a tripping action.
It was therefore not considered to be a reportable offence.
l
Alan Didak was cited with a first offence of making an obscene gesture to the
crowd during the fourth quarter. The player can accept a $900 fine with an early plea.
Didak admitted guilt and the fine of $900 imposed by the MRP.
l Scott Burns (Col) was cited with a Level One offence of engaging in
rough conduct against Domenic Cassisi (PA) during the second quarter.
Burns, who has no applicable good or bad record, was offered a reprimand with an
early plea. Burns admitted guilt and the MRP penalty of a reprimand drawing 56.25 demerit
points to his record. |
For 2½ quarters, the Cats and
Swans were locked in an arm-wrestle on Saturday afternoon at Kardinia Park, with Sydney's
renowned tackling being pitted against a team that was desperate to redeem itself after a
season that has not gone to plan. Geelong broke Sydney's grip with four unanswered goals
in the last 10 minutes of the third quarter to lead by 25 points. The Swans never
recovered save for two goals from MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN in the last term as the Cats went
away with a 27-point victory over the reigning premiers. Geelong's win meant nothing other
than for pride as other results slammed the door shut on their chances.
Jon Ralph observed in the Sunday Herald Sun: All
day the Cats committed themselves to a fierce attack on the ball that rivalled, then
overwhelmed the visitors. Leading the charge was Jarad Rooke, who went to
work on Brownlow fancy Adam Goodes and lifted his teammates with his
tackling and rugged tagging.
All day Sydney was strangely wayward – more than a quarter of its kicks were
ineffective – and it meant Barry Hall was smashed by Matthew
Scarlett from the outset. While Goodes amassed 28 touches with his hard running,
Sydney never looked likely to break free. Jude Bolton collided with Brad
Otten's knee early and never threatened, Brett Kirk had nine
clearances but no telling impact and Luke Ablett's field
kicking was the highlight of his 20 touches. But Sydney looked flat in dropping a chance
to sew up third spot and secure the double chance.
Geelong's hallmark, as is so often the case when its players are on, was its evenness
across the board. And at least we can't accuse Cameron Mooney of
inconsistency. He finished the day with plaudits for being the catalyst for the
third-quarter charge, dulled a little by by the expectation he will be reported for a
clumsy shepherd that became a needless punch on Amon Buchanan.
We can acclaim Geelong for a wonderful performances, or keep searching for the reasons as
to why it came too late in the season. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 2 |
| Geelong v Sydney |
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Kardinia Park, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 21,775
Conditions: Good
Weather: 14C, overcast |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| GEE |
5.3-33 |
7.4-46 (8) |
11.5-71 (25) |
14.6-90 (27) |
| SYD |
3.1-19 |
6.2-38 |
7.4-46 |
9.9-63 |
Goals: Geelong:
Brad Ottens 3, Steve Johnson 2, Darren Milburn, Tom Lonergan, Brent Prismall, Jimmy
Bartel, Josh Hunt, Cameron Mooney, Gary Ablett, Jarad Rooke, Joel Corey. Sydney:
Michael O'Loughlin 3, Heath Grundy 2, Ryan O'Keefe 2, Jude Bolton, Ted Richards.
Best: Geelong: Jarad Rooke, Paul Chapman, Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Cameron
Mooney, Brad Ottens, Joel Corey. Sydney: Adam Goodes, Ryan O'Keefe, Darren Jolly,
Brett Kirk, Amon Buchanan, Jude Bolton.
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Ray Chamberlain, Shaun Ryan.
Report:
Cameron Mooney (Gee) was cited with a Level Three striking offence against Amon
Buchanan (Syd) during the first quarter. An existing poor record and residual
points failed to reduce a two-match suspension even with an early plea. Mooney admitted
guilt and accepted the MRP suspension of two matches. 256.88 demerit points were added to
Mooney's record. It was his fourth suspension of the season. |
The Western Bulldogs staged a
gutsy comeback to knock Adelaide off top position with a vital two-point victory in a
thriller on Saturday afternoon at the MCG. The Doggies 12th win of the season will almost
certainly qualify the club for its appearance in the finals in six years.
Paul Gough recorded for Sportal: Just as they
have done all season, the Bulldogs did it the hard way – making a mockery of the fact
they had just a six-day break after playing Port in the heat and humidity of Darwin the
previous week to run all over the Crows after having trailed by five goals early in the
third quarter.
The Bulldogs were magnificently led by Scott West and Adam Cooney,
with the pair arguably playing the best games of their careers in totally dominating the
Crows. Considering West was playing his 296th game and is a seven-time best and fairest
winner that is some statement but he did help himself to a staggering season-high 45
possessions and constantly won the hard ball.
Cooney, playing just his 54th game, reminded everyone of just why he has been tipped for
greatness since the time he was taken at pick No.1 in the 2003 NAB AFL National Draft. The
20-year-old South Australian kicked a career-best five goals, sparking not only the
Bulldogs' third quarter comeback but then standing tall when the game was on the line in
the dying minutes. It was Cooney's fifth goal – snapped out of a pack with just
seconds remaining – that sealed the emotional win as the Dogs had desperately clung
to a one-point lead in the final minutes.
Rod Nicholson noted in the Sunday Herald Sun: This
was finals pressure football, with both teams aware of the high stakes. However, contrary
to popular belief, it was the Dogs who ran out the game to snatch victory. The Bulldogs
won on endeavour and courage, and the Crows lost as yet again their rigid game-plan was
exposed. In recent matches opponents have put pressure on the Crows' defence by not
kicking long into the forward line, allowing Andrew McLeod and Graham
Johncock to run the ball out and turn defence into attack.
Also the opposition has run through the centre corridor to put extreme pressure on the
Crows' defence. The Crows don't seem to have plan B to counter this, and yet again they
paid the price.
The victory goal, in fact, was a classic example. The ball came out of the Dogs' defence,
was run through where Brad Johnson handballed to Jordan McMahon
for a goal. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 3 |
| Western Bulldogs v
Adelaide |
Saturday, August 19, 2006
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 29,988
Conditions: Good
Weather: 15C, overcast |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| WB |
3.4-22 (12) |
5.5-35 |
11.7-73 (1) |
16.9-105 (7) |
| ADE |
1.4-10 |
6.11-47 (12) |
10.12-72 |
14.14-98 |
Goals: West.B'dogs:
Adam Cooney 5.1, Brad Johnson 3, Rohan Smith 2, Matthew Robbins 2, Ryan Griffen, Matthew
Boyd, Farren Ray, Jordan McMahon. Adelaide: Trent Hentschel 4, Scott Welsh 3,
Matthew Bode 3, Rhett Biglands 2, Nathan Bock, Tyson Edwards.
Best: West.B'dogs: Adam Cooney, Scott West, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, Daniel
Harris, Matthew Robbins, Jordan McMahon. Adelaide: Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod,
Tyson Edwards, Trent Hentschel, Matthew Bode, Rhett Biglands, Graham Johncock.
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Brett Allan, Scott Jeffery. |
Hawthorn defeated Essendon twice
in a season for the first time in 15 years when the Bombers withered under a first half
blitz at Docklands on Saturday night. The Hawks led by 61 points at half-time, but like
they did the previous week against Carlton they took their foot off the pedal in the
second half.
This was a match of contrasting halves. The Hawks dominated the first half with their
willingness to run hard and create, however the Dons buckled down in the second half and
did more than put respectability on the scoreboard. So well were they playing, they sent
palpitations through Hawthorn supporters when they slammed on six unanswered goals in the
final term to creep within 18 points.
Len Johnson reported in The Age: When James
Hird, Angus Monfries and Mark McVeigh kicked
goals in quick succession late in the final term, it seemed that Essendon might even get
up for a famous victory. The feeling was even stronger when Scott Lucas
let fly from near the 50-metre line, but it dissipated as his shot went wide. In the end,
Essendon might well rue a wasteful third quarter that brought only three goals from 11
scoring shots while Hawthorn got two from three – and scarcely more forward entries.
Hawthorn had a good spread of scorers. Jarryd Roughead kicked four goals,
Lance Franklin and Ben Dixon three apiece, Mark
Williams two. Skipper Richard Vandenberg chipped in with three
from the midfield.
Chance Bateman was good on a wing, Shane Crawford and Sam
Mitchell got plenty of the ball and Luke Hodge set up play well
from deep in defence.
Hird was good all night for Essendon, finishing with 29 possessions and two goals. Lucas
kicked four goals and hauled in 11 marks and Brent Stanton was one of the
few to match Hawthorn's run all night. Nathan Lovett-Murray was effective
at either end of the ground. But it was a game that did more to confirm absent skipper Matthew
Lloyd's view that Hird can be an invaluable player in an improving side next year
than Hird's that he has a chance at another premiership medallion. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 4 |
| Essendon v Hawthorn |
Saturday (n), August 19,
2006
Docklands, 7.10pm AEST, Roof: closed, crowd: 44,275
Conditions: Good
Weather: 14C, overcast |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| ESS |
3.2-20 |
6.6-42 |
9.14-68 |
15.16-106 |
| HAW |
8.5-53 (33) |
16.7-103 (61) |
18.8-116 (48) |
19.10-124 (18) |
Goals: Hawthorn:
Jarryd Roughead 4, Ben Dixon 3, Richard Vandenberg 3, Lane Franklin 3, Mark Williams 2,
Rick Ladson, Shane Crawford, Chance Bateman, Tim Clarke. Essendon: Scott Lucas 4,
Angus Monfries 3, James Hird 2, Jobe Watson, Mark McVeigh, Damien Peverill, Brent Stanton,
Dean Rioli, Mark Bolton.
Best: Hawthorn: Shane Crawford, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman, Luke Hodge, Joel
Smith, Campbell Brown, Ben Dixon, Grant Birchall. Essendon: James Hird, Jobe
Watson, Brent Stanton, David Hille, Ricky Dyson, Scott Lucas.
Umpires: Hayden Kennedy, Matt Stevic, Michael Avon.
Report:
Jason Johnson (Ess) was cited with a Level Three striking offence against Sam
Mitchell (Haw) during the first quarter. The MRP noted Johnson's five-year good
record and offered a one-match suspension on an early plea. Essendon sought the
adjudication of the Tribunal. The Tribunal found Johnson guilty of intentionally striking
Mitchell with an elbow to the groin area and upheld the MRP suspension of one match. |
Fremantle
climbed into the top four and continued its excellent finish to the season with a clinical
58-point thumping of St Kilda in slippery conditions at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night. A
downpour of rain just prior to the opening bounce ensured a scrappy contest early, and it
was St Kilda who made the best of the early going with two goals inside the opening four
minutes of the match.
Rohan Connolly reviewed the game for The Age: St
Kilda came out with a flurry of punches, and landed a couple of handy blows with the first
two goals of the game. The Dockers soaked up that early pressure, then poured on their
own. And some more. And then some.
It wasn't just the nine unanswered goals that followed
before the half-time siren. It was the way the Dockers went about taking St Kilda apart.
They harassed, ran harder, hit harder, and had a greater appetite for the contest. You
could sense it from the moment Matthew Pavlich threw himself at a
contested ball to tap on to Justin Longmuir, who put Freo on the board.
It was more strong, bullocking work from Pavlich which set up the Dockers' third goal.
That was Jeff Farmer's first. By the time he'd kicked his fourth, 11
minutes later, this fight was over. And it was the brilliant small forward's burst which
contained all the elements that are going into giving this team such an imposing look
heading into September.
Justin Chadwick observed for Sportal:
Fierce tackling, slick ball movement and a play-on-at-all-cost mindset was the
catalyst behind Fremantle's win. The Saints' normally-potent forward line was suffocated
all night while in contrast the Dockers' enjoyed plenty of room to manoeuvre in attack.
It was Fremantle's seventh consecutive win – a new club record – and lifts it to
third spot on the ladder and guarantees a finals berth for just the second time in its
12-year history.
Luke McPharlin outmuscled, outmanoeuvred and outsmarted Fraser
Gehrig all night, keeping the Saints spearhead to just two goals, while
collecting 28 touches and an amazing 20 marks of his own.
David Mundy, Antoni Grover, Michael Johnson
and Shane Parker did not give an inch to their opponents in defence,
while giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands dominated the ruck, amassing 35
hit-outs. Freo captain Peter Bell (23 touches) and veteran Shaun
McManus (28 disposals, three goals) led brilliantly from the middle, while Heath
Black and Brett Peake provided plenty of run and spark.
It was hard to find a winner for the Saints, but Nick Riewoldt never gave
up and finished with 22 possessions and 14 marks, while Robert Harvey was
at his ball-winning best with 29 touches, and Brendon Goddard made sure
he made it to the highlight reel with a massive torpedo goal late in the match. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 5 |
| Fremantle v St Kilda |
Saturday (n), August 19,
2006
Subiaco Oval, 7.40pm AEST, crowd: 39,069
Conditions: Fair – slippery from rain before start of the match
Weather: 16C, rain late in Q4 |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| FRE |
6.4-40 (27) |
9.5-59 (43) |
14.10-94 (56) |
17.12-114 (58) |
| STK |
2.1-13 |
2.4-16 |
5.8-38 |
7.14-56 |
Goals: Fremantle:
Jeff Farmer 4, Matthew Pavlich 3, Shaun McManus 3, Justin Longmuir 2, Des Headland 2,
Byron Schammer 2, Matthew Carr. St Kilda: Fraser Gehrig 2, Justin Koschitzke, Nick
Riewoldt, Robert Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Brendon Goddard.
Best: Fremantle: Shaun McManus, Luke McPharlin, Peter Bell, Aaron Sandilands, Jeff
Farmer, David Mundy, Heath Black. St Kilda: Robert Harvey, Nick Riewoldt, Sam
Fisher, Brendon Goddard, Jason Gram.
Umpires: Derek Woodcock, Shane McInerney, Darren Goldspink. |
West Coast returned to the top
of the ladder, a game clear, after taking the Brisbane Lions apart in warm and sunny
conditions on Sunday afternoon at the Gabba. Even more impressively, the Eagles carried
off the 62-point victory without major contributions from two of their biggest midfield
guns.
Andrew Stafford reported in The Age: The
previously white-hot Daniel Kerr was eclipsed by Troy Selwood,
who held his opponent to just four possessions, while Chris Judd managed
just 10 against perhaps the Lions' quickest runner Justin Sherman.
Instead, it was Michael Braun who again slipped under the radar. Trailed
mostly by Irish debutant Colm Begley, Braun helped himself to 35
possessions.
Simon White noted for Sportal: Brisbane may
have scored the first goal but from then on it was the Eagles and their the brilliant Ben
Cousins who were in control – even if their dominance of play didn't
necessarily show up on the scoreboard. Cousins gathered a game-high 35 possessions and his
tireless running exemplified the brand of play that allowed West Coast to rack up 113 more
disposals than their hosts.
Capitalising most notably on West Coast's glut of possession was full-forward Quinten
Lynch, who booted a career-best eight goals. Ocassionaly maligned for not holding
enough marks, Lynch had no such trouble against the Lions, leading hard and out-pointing Daniel
Merrett and later Mal Michael.
The contest was virtually over by the end of a third quarter in which West Coast outscored
the Lions three goals to one to lead by 37 points at the final change. But just for good
measure John Worsfold made sure of matters in the fourth term, with Lynch
adding his seventh and eighth goals and Andrew Embley providing a glimpse
of his sublime skills with a well crafted snap around his body from 35m.
Aside from Cousins and Lynch, David Wirrpanda was a star for the Eagles,
constantly mopping up around half-back and providing plenty of forward thrust amidst his
30 disposals. Chad Fletcher and Braun were both prolific, Dean
Cox continued his solid progress back to top form since returning from a broken
collarbone and Darren Glass won his duel with Daniel Bradshaw
at full-back. Glass's cause was aided by the Lions' often lofted delivery into the forward
line, meaning spoiling opportunities aplenty for the West Coast custodian.
For the Lions it was difficult to go past the contributions of Selwood, who added Kerr to
a list of "kills" that includes Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and
Melbourne's Travis Johnstone. The usual suspects of Simon Black,
Michael Voss and Luke Power battled hard, Cheynee
Stiller worked hard and Jed Adcock was solid in defence, playing
mostly on Ashley Sampi. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 6 |
| Brisbane v West Coast |
Sunday, August 20, 2006
BCG, 1.10pm AEST, crowd: 23,764
Conditions: Good
Weather: 25C, warm and sunny |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| BRI |
1.2-8 |
5.6-36 |
6.8-44 |
7.10-52 |
| WCE |
1.5-11 (3) |
8.8-56 (20) |
11.15-81 (37) |
16.18-114 (62) |
Goals: West
Coast: Quinten Lynch 8.2, Andrew Embley 3, Mark Seaby 2, Tyson Stenglein, Rowan Jones,
Adam Selwood. Brisbane: Daniel Bradshaw 3, Simon Black 2, Josh Drummond, Troy
Selwood.
Best: West Coast: Quinten Lynch, Michael Braun, Dean Cox, Ben Cousins, David
Wirrpanda, Chad Fletcher, Jaymie Graham, Adam Selwood. Brisbane: Simon Black, Troy
Selwood, Luke Power, Michael Voss, Cheynee Stiller, Jed Adcock.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Simon Meredith, Stuart Wenn. |
Richmond supporters would have
left Sunday's match with quite a bit of hope in their hearts following a good showing from
the emerging Punt Road talent with a 45 point win over Carlton in fine and sunny
conditions at Docklands Stadium.
Jason Phelan noted for Sportal that Richmond's
youngsters were prominent with Andrew Raines (24 touches) and Brett
Deledio (22 disposals) among the best, while Greg Stafford had a
good day up forward with four goals. For the Blues, Heath Scotland was
top possession winner with 26 and Brendan Fevola top-scored with three
majors.
Bruce Matthews in the Herald Sun was delighted
to observe: What was this strange game that Richmond and Carlton revealed ... a fast break
from the ce4ntre, long kick to a marking forward, goal and bring it back to the centre to
do it all again. No chipping sideways, none of the infuriating no-risk policy of waiting
for an unmarked teammate, even it that meant going backwards. And no sign of flooding.
This was a Sunday shootout, and old-style tribal rivalry that at least for one afternoon
allowed everyone to forget how the game in this town has been hijacked by interstate
football powers.
Sportal observed it was fast, it was direct, and while it wasn't
without errors, the game was an entertaining encounter as the Tiger cubs again stood tall
with Nathan Foley and Raines making their presence felt while Greg
Tivendale impressed with two goals and 18 possessions. Richmond captain Kane
Johnson did well to blanket Blues midfielder Nick Stevens while
in-form defender Joel Bowden kept Fevola to only three goals.
Carlton got off to the better start, however, and led at the first change, but a
seven-goal burst to the Tigers in the second term set up a margin that was difficult to
reel in. A Matthew Richardson point midway through the third blew the
margin out to 45 points and the Tigers were in the box seat. Then, a major to Whitnall
kicked-started four unanswered Carlton goals and the Blues were back in it.
Carlton was holding on as it entered the final stanza and had only a 24-point deficit to
account for, but a bake by Richmond coach Terry Wallace at three-quarter
time appeared to do the trick as the Tigers ignited and ran home strongly. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 7 |
| Carlton v Richmond |
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Docklands, 2.10pm AEST, Roof: open, crowd: 37,094
Conditions: Good
Weather: 16C, fine and sunny |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| CAR |
5.2-32 (5) |
8.6-54 |
13.7-85 |
14.11-95 |
| RCH |
4.3-27 |
13.5-83 (29) |
16.13-109 (24) |
21.14-140 (45) |
Goals: Richmond:
Greg Stafford 4, Matthew Richardson 3, Andrew Krakouer 3, Jay Schulz 2, Kayne Pettifer 2,
Greg Tivendale 2, Nathan Foley, Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio, Troy Simmonds, Andrew Raines. Carlton:
Brendan Fevola 3, Lance Whitnall 2, Jarrad Waite 2, Ryan Houlihan, Barnaby French, Andrew
Walker, Eddie Betts, Anthony Koutoufides, Chris Bryan, Adam Bentick.
Best: Richmond: Andrew Raines, Nathan Foley, Brett Deledio, Kane Johnson, Joel
Bowden, Chris Hyde, Matthew Richardson. Carlton: Heath Scotland, Anthony
Koutoufides, Barnaby French, Lance Whitnall, Matthew Lappin, Brendan Fevola.
Umpires: Stefan Grun, Martin Ellis, Craig Hendrie.
Report:
Simon Wiggins (Car) was charged on match day by umpire Martin
Ellis for charging Brett Deledio (Rch) during the fourth
quarter. The MRP offered a reprimand with an early plea. Wiggins admitted guilt and
accepted the one-match suspension and 87.89 points towards his record. |
With a final margin of 50 points
it is difficult to accept that at the 16-minute mark of the second term on Sunday
afternoon at the MCG, it looked as if Melbourne could slip to seventh on the ladder and
was in danger of missing the final eight.
Lyall Johnson suggested in The Age that just when the
Melbourne faithful were getting out their mobiles to book the chalet for some late
September snow action – as surely a loss to the Kangaroos would have ruled out grand
final contention – the second half saw them overcome, then snuff out, a Roos unit
that simply came to a standstill.
The Demons were so lacklustre and uncommitted until half-time that their six uninspiring
goals and 20-point deficit to the more determined Kangaroos was flattering to say the
least. But after a verbal spray that Neale Daniher was coy about
recounting, the Demons put on 14 goals in the second half in an impressive display.
Matt Burgan reported for Sportal that Melbourne
skipper David Neitz produced a stunning eight-goal match-winning
performance to help his side end a two-match losing streak and put his team back into
third position.
The comeback was soured when it lost three players in the final term with injuries – Matthew
Bate (knee), Jared Rivers (knee) and Neitz (hip). But despite
the disappointing end, it was a fine comeback inspired by Neitz who slammed on four goals
during the third term and five goals in the second half. Neitz's fifth
for the day at the 18-minute mark of the third quarter put Melbourne in front for the
first time and from that point, the Demons never looked back.
Neitz had plenty of assistance from Aaron Davey, who made an exciting
return from a hamstring injury with four goals, and between them, Neitz and Davey have
kicked 89 goals this season. The pair thrived on the midfield supply of Brock
McLean (who accumulated a career-best 36 disposals), James McDonald
and Brad Green after the Kangaroos – through Michael Firrito,
Brent Harvey and Brady Rawlings – had controlled
the first half. In the second half, Melbourne 100 more possessions as they virtually did
as they pleased. |
| 2006
— ROUND 20 — GAME 8 |
| Kangaroos v Melbourne |
Sunday, August 20, 2006
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 29,457
Conditions: Good
Weather: 16C, fine and sunny |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| KAN |
4.3-27 (12) |
9.6-60 (20) |
11.8-74 |
12.10-82 |
| MEL |
2.3-15 |
6.4-40 |
14.9-93 (19) |
20.12-132 (50) |
Goals: Melbourne:
David Neitz 8.4, Aaron Davey 4, Adem Yze 2, Russell Robertson 2, Daniel Ward, Brad Green,
Cameron Bruce, Simon Godfrey. Kangaroos: Nathan Thompson 2, David Hale 2, Saverio
Rocca 2, Jess Sinclair, Kasey Green, Michael Firrito, Ed Lower, Eddie Sansbury, Leigh
Harding.
Best: Melbourne: David Neitz, Brad Green, Brock McLean, Aaron Davey, James
McDonald, Matthew Bate, Matthew Whelan. Kangaroos: Michael Firrito, Brady Rawlings,
Brent Harvey, David Hale, Ben Schwarze, Jess Sinclair.
Umpires: Scott McLaren, Mathew Nicholls, Matthew Head. |
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