| * |
Fremantle continued
its topsy turvy season when they lashed the injury-hit St Kilda on a
fair Friday night at Subiaco Oval in front of a strong contingent of
Docker fans. Freo bolted out of the blocks with a six-goal-to-one
opening term, and although the Saints got to within 15 points late in
the third term, the Dockers kicked away in the last quarter to be
comfortable winners.
Justin Chadwick reported for Sportal: The Saints
landed in Perth on Tuesday with only 25 fit players and in another
bitter blow 22 minutes into the opening term, 349-game veteran Robert
Harvey strained his left hamstring and took no further part in the
game and will miss at least a month of footy.
The Age noted: St Kilda supporters held their breath when
injury-prone big man Justin Koschitzke copped a heavy knock from
Docker Michael Johnson in the third quarter. Kosi was initially
stunned by the blow, but was able to take his free kick and didn't leave
the ground, while Johnson was cleared of wrong-doing from the MRP video
review on Monday.
There was plenty of indigenous magic on display, all from Fremantle, but
at the end of the night it was hard to tell if the 46-point Dockers win
represented the start of a reconciliation with the team's pre-season
potential or just the win they should have had at home against an
undermanned opponent.
Peter Bell led Fremantle from the front with 32 disposals and
three goals, while Chris Tarrant and Matthew Pavlich
combined for six goals. For the Saints, Nick Riewoldt was good
with 23 touches, 10 marks and a goal, while Nick Dal Santo,
Lenny Hayes and Luke Ball tried hard all night. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME
1 |
|
Fremantle v St Kilda |
Friday (n),
May 25, 2007
Subiaco Oval, 7.40pm AEST, crowd:
39,034
Conditions: Good
Weather: 18C, generally good; some dew; no intrusion of
showers |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| FRE |
6.6-42 (32) |
8.6-54 (31) |
10.9-69 (23) |
15.11-101 (46) |
| STK |
1.4-10 |
2.11-23 |
5.16-46 |
6.19-55 |
Goals:
Fremantle: Matthew
Pavlich 3, Chris Tarrant 3, Peter Bell 3, Heath Black,
Troy Cook, Des Headland, Michael Johnson, Dean Solomon,
Clayton Collard. St Kilda: Fraser Gehrig, Nick
Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke, Nick Dal Santo, Sam
Gilbert, Michael Rix.
Best: Fremantle: Peter Bell, Paul Hasleby,
Matthew Pavlich, Heath Black, Chris Tarrant, Roger
Hayden, Michael Johnson. St Kilda: Lenny Hayes,
Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Fisher, Sam
Gilbert.
Umpires: Dean Margetts, Ray Chamberlain, Shane
McInerney.
Reports:
l
Michael Johnson (Fre) by umpire Ray
Chamberlain for allegedly striking Justin
Koschitzke (StK) in Q3. The MRP did not proceed with
this charge.
l
Heath Black (Fre) was cited by the MRP for rough conduct against
Andrew McQualter (StK) in Q4. Black admitted guilt and accepted the
reprimand imposed by the MRP. |
Adelaide was made to
work hard to overcome Carlton on Saturday afternoon in the sunshine at
Docklands. The Blues, who had trailed by four goals at half-time, fought
back in the second half to hit the lead in the last quarter.
Sam Lienert reported for the AFL website: But the Crows steadied
with Scott Welsh kicking the last three goals of the match in a
10-minute burst to seal a 19-point victory – he had only kicked one goal
in the first three quarters.
Angus Morgan noted for Sportal: The Crows set up the win
with a six-goal-to-nil second quarter to inflict the Blues' sixth
successive defeat. But, Carlton led by the mercurial Jarrad Waite
who top scored with four goals playing primarily from the goalsquare,
Waite revelled in his attacking role while Anthony Koutoufides
turned a cameo into something more substantial with 22 possessions and
two goals while adding some much-needed grunt in the middle of the park.
Adelaide's victory, their third straight, was set up by the dominance of
their midfielders. The Crows had the top six possession-winners for the
match, illustrating their control at ground level. Acting captain
Simon Goodwin was superb all day, with great help from Scott
Thompson, Robert Shirley, Michael Doughty and Brent
Rielly.
Adelaide ruckman Ben Hudson's ascendancy over Carlton's Cain
Ackland was also crucial, with the Crows, control of the centre
square meaning the Blues had to launch may of their attacks from
half-back.
Not to be overlooked was the hard work for the Blues by Heath
Scotland, Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson; and
Carlton's ability to rise to the challenge when all seemed lost. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME 2 |
|
Carlton v Adelaide |
Saturday,
May 26, 2007
Docklands, 2.10pm AEST, Roof: open, crowd: 27,504
Conditions: Good
Weather: 18C, fine |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| CAR |
5.2-32 (15) |
5.4-34 |
11.11-77 |
12.14-86 |
| ADE |
2.5-17 |
8.10-58 (24) |
12.12-84 (7) |
15.15-105
(19) |
Goals: Adelaide:
Scott Welsh 4, Jason Porplyzia 3, Luke Jericho 3, Brent Reilly 2, Nathan
Bock, Robert Shirley, Ian Perrie. Carlton: Jarrad Waite 4,
Anthony Koutoufides 2, Brendon Fevola 2, Brad Fisher 2, Lance Whitnall,
Heath Scotland.
Best: Adelaide: Simon Goodwin, Robert Shirley, Luke Jericho, Ben
Hudson, Scott Welsh, Brent Reilly, Scott Thompson. Carlton:
Jarrad Waite, Marc Murphy, Anthony Koutoufides, Adam Bentick, Bryce
Gibbs.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Stephen McBurney, Matthew Head.
Reports:
l
Matthew Lappin (Car) reported by umpire Matthew Head
for attempting to trip Jason Torney (Ade) during Q3. The MRP
did not proceed with this charge.
l
Martin Mattner (Ade) was cited by the MRP for tripping Luke Blackwell
in Q4. Mattner admitted guilt and accepted the reprimand imposed by
the MRP. |
Hawthorn posted one of
its most significant wins of the season when it beat reigning premier
West Coast at York Park in Launceston on a fine but windy Saturday
afternoon. The win was well-supported by the pro-Hawthorn crowd of a
18,112 fans.
Adam Copper in the AAP report for the AFL website reported: The
Hawks started well with the first three majors of the game, and aided by
a wind to the scoreboard goal, held a 19-point lead at the first change.
The Eagles whittled that down and Adam Hunter's snapped behind on
the siren levelled the scores at the main break.
Justin Chadwick observed for Sportal: The Eagles led by a
single point 11 minutes into the third term before Luke Hodge
turned the match on its head. Hodge sparked Hawthorn's dominant run with
three goals for the term as the Hawks raced out to a match-winning
34-point lead at the final change. The Hawks ensured there would be no
West Coast comeback in the final quarter. They kicked the first goals of
the last term – to Shane Crawford – and actually out scored the
Eagles by a point against the wind.
Hodge was best afield and finished the match with 23 possessions and
three goals, while Brent Guerra (27 touches), Jordon Lewis
(26 touches, two goals), Ben McGlynn, Brad Sewell and
Tim Boyle (three goals) were crucial to the win.
For West Coast, Chad Fletcher (36 touches), Michael Braun
(27) and Matt Priddis (31) were prominent through the middle, but
the trio lacked support from a forward line that never looked like
kicking a winning score. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME 3 |
| Hawthorn v West
Coast |
Saturday,
May 26, 2007
York Park, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 18,112
Conditions: Very good, but windy
Weather: 18C, fine |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| HAW |
5.3-33 (19) |
5.6-36 (–) |
12.7-79 (34) |
15.9-99
(35) |
| WCE |
2.2-14 |
5.6-36 (–) |
6.9-45 |
8.16-64 |
Goals: Hawthorn: Luke Hodge 3, Tim Boyle 3, Jordan Lewis
2, Danny Jacobs, Joel Smith, Michael Osborne, Lance Franklin, Sam
Mitchell, Rick Ladson, Shane Crawford. West Coast: Mark LeCras 3,
Mark Seaby 2, Quinten Lynch, Rowan Jones, Shannon Hurn.
Best: Hawthorn: Luke Hodge, Brent Guerra, Brad Sewell, Jordan
Lewis, Ben McGlynn, Grant Birchall, Clinton Young. West Coast:
Michael Braun, Chad Fletcher, Matt Priddis, Chris Judd, Brent Staker,
Mark LeCras.
Umpires: Martin Ellis, Brett Rosebury, Scott Jeffery.
Report:
Chris Judd (WCE) was cited by the MRP for eye-gouging Campbell Brown
(Haw) during Q3. The incident was assessed as negligent conduct with low
impact and high contact accruing a total of 137.50 activation points and
with an early plea, will be reduced to 103.13 points, carrying a one-match
ban. West Coast sought the adjudication of the Tribunal. On Tuesday night
after deliberating for some 12 minutes the Tribunal jury ruled the case
unproven and Judd not guilty. |
Several milestones
were celebrated on Saturday night at the Gabba – chief one was
Collingwood's first win over the Lions in Brisbane since 1995 and their
first night victory from seven attempts at the venue. To cap it all, it
was just the fourth win in 13 meetings with the Lions since Mick
Malthouse took charge of the Pies in 2000.
Andrew Stafford reported for The Age: For the Lions,
Mitch Clark provided the foil Jonathan Brown has been lacking
to kick five goals, but Brown himself was well beaten by Simon
Prestigiacomo.
Simon Black put in a massive effort for this 200th game for the
Lions, compiling a game-high 37 possessions (two short of his
personal-best), while Brodie Holland – named captain in his 150th
game for the Magpies – was serviceable with 22 disposals after starting
on the bench.
But is was Alan Didak who provided the spark the Magpies needed
in the final term, after being well beaten by Jed Adcock earlier
in the game. Didak's two final-quarter goals opened up a 20-point break
for the Magpies and Brisbane, who had stayed in touch throughout,
eventually ran out of legs as Collingwood piled on four more to ice the
match.
Marc Fox in his summary for Sportal noted the win by the
Pies was smoothed by the inventiveness of Leon Davis, who has
performed well on the road this season – he passed 150 career goals with
his three-goal haul while veteran Scott Burns – the only
remaining Collingwood player involved in that previous Gabba victory –
booted two. Scott Pendlebury, Josh Fraser and Travis
Cloke also kicked two. Tarkyn Lockyer was under notice with
32 disposals, an equal career-high – he also grabbed 19 marks. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME 4 |
| Brisbane Lions v
Collingwood |
Saturday
(n),
May 26, 2007
BCG (Gabba), 7.15pm AEST,
crowd: 32,225
Conditions: Good; some dew
Weather: 18C, fine |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| BRI |
4.4-28 |
7.6-48 |
11.7-73 |
13.9-87 |
| COL |
5.2-32 (4) |
8.7-55 (7) |
12.10-82 (9) |
18.12-120
(33) |
Goals:
Collingwood: Leon Davis 3, Scott Burns 2, Scott
Pendlebury 2, Josh Fraser 2, Alan Didak 2, Travis Cloke 2, Paul
Medhurst, Dane Swan, Ben Johnson, Shane O'Bree, Tarkyn Lockyer.
Brisbane: Mitchell Clark 5.2, Ashley McGrath 2, Luke Power 2,
Jonathan Brown 2, Joel Patfull, Simon Black.
Best: Collingwood: Scott Pendlebury, Leon Davis, Tarkyn Lockyer,
Travis Cloke, Scott Burns, Ben Johnson.
Brisbane: Mitchell Clark, Simon Black, Luke Power, Tim
Notting.
Umpires: Hayden Kennedy, Matthew Nicholls, Derek Woodcock. |
The
important "Dreamtime at the 'G" event on Saturday night went close to
becoming a nightmare and was saved only by common sense. A crowd of 61,837
watched a single incident which emphasised the confusion on the
interpretation of the "hands-in-the-back" rule when the winless Richmond
and 10th-placed Essendon were matched for the 181st time in league
footy.
Roger Vaughan reporting for the AFL website wrote: The Tigers
should have scored their first win of the season, but the Bombers
stormed home with the last four goals of the match to win by eight
points.
When scores were locked at 84-all in the last quarter, Richmond failed
to score in the final three minutes from the point where from 50m out on
the forward flank Tiger forward Matthew Richardson played on and kicked a goal after he outmarked Essendon
opponent Mal Michael.
Umpire Brett Allen paid a free
kick against Richardson for having a hand on Michael's back in the
marking contest. He also paid a 50m penalty against the Tiger star for
playing on.
Brendon Cohen noted for Sportal: Essendon had a chance to
ice the game with just a minute remaining, but behinds to Jason
Johnson and Bachar Houli was enough to see it hit the front.
Matthew Lloyd then booted a goal after the siren to seal the
magnificent come-from-behind effort.
The incident involving Richardson was even more amazing when it is
realised that only eight days before in Adelaide, the Richmond forward
suffered a broken nose, a fractured eye socket
and 13 stitches in a gash above his left eye. From his 11 marks and 13
kicks he booted 4.2 for the night against Essendon in what must go down
as one of more surprising and courageous feats in footy. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME 5 |
| Richmond v
Essendon |
Saturday
(n),
May 26, 2007
MCG, 7.40pm AEST, crowd: 61,837
Conditions: Good; some dew
Weather: 18C, fine |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| RCH |
2.3-15 |
6.6-42 (3) |
10.9-69 (13) |
12.12-84 |
| ESS |
3.4-22 (7) |
5.9-39 |
7.14-56 |
12.20-92
(8) |
Goals:
Essendon: Scott Lucas 3, Matthew Lloyd 3, David Hille 2,
Alwyn Davey, Chad Fletcher, Ricky Dyson, Adam McPhee. Richmond:
Matthew Richardson 4, Daniel Jackson 3, Andrew Krakouer 2, Richard
Tambling, Brett Deledio, Adam Pattison.
Best: Essendon: Adam McPhee, Scott Lucas, Brent Stanton, Damien
Peverill, James Hird, Jobe Watson, Jason Winderlich.
Richmond: Brett Deledio, Graham Polak, Matthew Richardson, Joel
Bowden, Greg Tivendale, Andrew Raines.
Umpires: Luke Farmer, Brett Allen, Simon Meredith. |
On a picture-perfect
Canberra day the Sydney Swans pumped up their chances with a clinical
demolition of the Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval for a near-capacity
audience. The Swans, who were without late withdrawals Tadhg Kennelly
and Nick Davis, set up their victory with six unanswered goals
either side of half time against a Bulldog outfit which could not
activate their slick and skilful running game.
Tom Wald reported for the AFL website: Sydney's ruck duo of
Peter Everitt and Darren Jolly dominated the trio of Peter
Street, Luke Darcy and Cameron Wight on a dirty day
for the Dogs. They continually put the ball to their midfield's
advantage and also managed to boot four goals between them as the Swans
seized an early lead and were never threatened.
Jenny McAsey noted in The Australian: Sydney's tackling
and chasing was pivotal in stopping the Bulldogs smooth flow. While the
Dogs matched Sydney in contested possession, the Swans gang-tackled and
moved the ball quickly in the open spaces.
The Swans dominance and willingness to run for each other was evident in
the amount of uncontested possession they won, out-playing the Bulldogs
in an area where they are normally very good. They tallied 111
uncontested marks to the Dogs' 52 and always had a teammate running past
for the quick handball. The Dogs' best midfielders simply could not get
their hands on the ball, notably Scott West, who was kept to
starvation rations by Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk.
Jared Crouch, recalled to the Swans' team to renew acquaintances
with his old foe, Jason Akermanis, was more than a match for the
Bulldogs' big name recruit. Crouch repeatedly beat Akermanis in
one-on-one contests and kept him to seven possessions to half-time. Aker
got some relief when Crouch went off with an injured hamstring in the
third term. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME 6 |
| Western Bulldogs
v Sydney |
Sunday,
May 27, 2007
Manuka Oval, 1.10pm AEST, crowd: 14,517
Conditions: Very good
Weather: 15C, fine and clear; no breeze |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| WB |
3.3-21 |
4.4-28 |
6.7-43 |
8.9-57 |
| SYD |
5.4-34 (13) |
10.6-66 (38) |
12.8-80 (37) |
15.10-100
(43) |
Goals: Sydney: Michael O'Loughlin 4, Darren Jolly 3,
Adam Schneider 3, Amon Buchanan, Peter Everitt, Barry Hall, Nick
Malceski, Jarrad McVeigh. West.B'dogs: Matthew Robbins 3, Brad
Johnson 2, Jason Akermanis, Mitch Hahn, Farren Ray.
Best: Sydney: Brett Kirk, Peter Everitt, Nick Malceski, Luke
Ablett, Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin, Nic Fosdike. West.B'dogs:
Brad Johnson, Matthew Robbins, Nathan Eagleton.
Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Shaun Ryan,
Kieron Nicholls. |
The Kangaroos survived
a stunning last-quarter comeback from Melbourne to notch a thrilling
one-point victory on Sunday afternoon to more than 30,000 people at the
MCG.
Stephen Rielly observed in his article in The Age: A game
which had been forgettably dozing along for three quarters – it was
eight goals to four at the last change – erupted like a riot in the
last. That thankfully eclipsed all that preceded it and, in the
desperate last minutes, it appeared to give and then heartlessly take
back the Demons' first win of the season.
No-one saw the urgency, the madness coming. Five minutes into the last
term, the Kangaroos led by 35 points. To that point Melbourne had kicked
just four goals for the match. To win they would have to kick at least
six but to even think that they could seemed preposterous.
Then seven minutes into the final term, when the match was about to nod
off completely, Brad Green won a free-kick for a high tackle and
duly goaled, to keep it, it seemed, a blow-out at bay. A minute later,
David Neitz accepted a superb pass from Travis Johnstone
and also goaled. The margin was 23 points. Another major 90 seconds
later, from the Demon captain inspired four more in the next 14 minutes,
the last of them from Nathan Jones which had put the Dees in
front, for the first time since the earliest minutes of the first term,
by five points.
Bruce was pivotal to the rally. Rested for a significant time in the
third quarter, he went after the game as coach Neale Daniher had
implored his players do at the final break. Jones' goal had seen
Melbourne kick seven consecutive goals and a rushed behind a moments
later put their lead out to what seemed like an important six points
with just over three minutes to play.
With only 90 seconds to go, the Demons were still in front, although a
shank from Kangaroo Corey Jones by only five points. Fittingly,
though, the chaos was not yet over. Johnstone's kick-in after the Jones
behind didn't hit Bruce and the ball spilled over the boundary.
Critically, possession had been lost.
From the throw-in, the ball slipped over the back of the pack and
Andrew Swallow, the teenager who fell threw to pick 43 in the
national draft of 2005 because of concerns about his kicking, goaled on
the run from 54 metres with 74 seconds remaining. It was to be the
decisive kick.
"Footy sucks sometimes," said Daniher, who has lost games by six points,
five points and one point in the last month. This one, was lost even
though Melbourne kicked more goals than the opposition.
Which, if nothing else, sat comfortably with a bizarre game. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME 7 |
| Melbourne v
Kangaroos |
Sunday,
May 27, 2007
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 30,662
Conditions: Good; lights on in Q4
Weather: 18C, fine |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| MEL |
2.4-16 |
4.8-32 |
4.10-34 |
11.12-78 |
| KAN |
3.5-23 (7) |
7.7-49 (17) |
8.14-62 (28) |
10.19-79
(1) |
Goals: Kangaroos: Shannon Grant 5.3, Corey Jones 2,
Lindsay Thomas, Andrew Swallow, Matt Campbell. Melbourne: David
Neitz 4, Russell Robertson 3, Cameron Bruce 2, Nathan Jones, Brad Green.
Best: Kangaroos: Shannon Grant, Adam Simpson, Brent Harvey, Jess
Sinclair, Drew Petrie, Andrew Swallow, Josh Gibson, Brady Rawlings.
Melbourne: Cameron Bruce, Nathan Jones, Daniel Bell, James McDonald,
Nathan Carroll, Brock McLean, David Neitz.
Umpires: Scott McLaren, Chris Kamolins, Troy Pannell.
Reports:
l
Corey Jones (Kan) was cited by the MRP and found guilty of making
negligent contact with umpire Troy Pannell during Q2. North Melbourne
sought adjudication of the Tribunal which found Jones guilty of the
charge. Jones was fined $3200.
l
Brent Harvey (Kan) was cited for striking Simon Godfrey (Mel)
during Q1. North Melbourne sought adjudication of the Tribunal which
found Harvey guilty of the charge. Harvey was reprimanded. |
Geelong boosted its
premiership hopes with an embarrassingly easy win over Port Adelaide in
persistent light rain on Sunday night at Football Park where 26,465
hardy souls were present.
The Cats took over second spot on the ladder after winning its fourth
successive match when its caned Port Adelaide by 56 points after a
barn-storming eight goals in the second quarter. A century-plus win
seemed likely when Geelong led by an unassailable 71 points at
half-time, but the wayward Cats slewed off 3.11 in the second half and
were contented to leave it at that.
Geelong had winners everywhere, but none were more influential than
Jimmy Bartel (26 possessions, two goals), Joel Corey (29
touches, eight clearances), Darren Milburn and Gary Ablett,
while ruckman Brad Ottens (18 hit-outs, seven clearances) did
much of the hard work holding his own against All Australian Brendon
Lade (26 and three).
Alan Shiell summed up for Sportal: The Power thought its
31-point loss to Sydney at the SCG the previous Sunday was something of
a reality check, but this feeble effort – more so in a lopsided first
half – against a slicker, physically stronger Geelong was a humiliating
capitulation, not to mention a rude shock for a team that had won six of
its first six matches before losing to the Swans.
And Geelong would have won by more if it had not missed several easy
shots, although Port also butchered some chances.
The Cornes brothers were outstanding for Port, with Kane always a busy,
effective onballer, racking up 36 disposals, and Chad controlling centre
half-back in the first half before being shifted forward and onto the
ball after half-time.
And David Rodan, Danyle Pearce, Brendon Lade,
Jacob Surjan and Steven Salopek were also among the Power's
hardest battlers. |
|
2007 — ROUND 9 — GAME 8 |
| Port Adelaide v
Geelong |
Sunday
(n),
May 27, 2007
Football Park, 5.10pm AEST, crowd: 26,465
Conditions: Good; lights on from start
Weather: 18C, persistent light rain |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| PA |
1.3-9 |
2.4-16 |
4.10-34 |
8.12-60 |
| GEE |
5.4-34 (25) |
13.9-87 (71) |
14.15-99 (65) |
16.20-116
(56) |
Goals: Geelong: Max Rooke 3, Steve Johnson 2, Jimmy
Bartel 2, Cameron Mooney 2, David Wojcinski 2, Travis Varcoe, Nathan
Ablett, Mathew Stokes, Cameron Ling, Gary Ablett. Port: David
Rodan 2, Domenic Cassisi, Warren Tredrea, Peter Burgoyne, Shaun
Burgoyne, Brett Ebert, Nathan Krakouer.
Best: Geelong: Joel Corey, Gary Ablett, Kane Tenace, Jimmy
Bartel, Joshua Hunt, David Wojcinski, Corey Enright. Port: Kane
Cornes, Chad Cornes, David Rodan, Danyle Pearce, Brendon Lade.
Umpires: Mathew James, Matt Stevic, Michael Avon.
Reports:
l
Matt Thomas (PA) was cited for having engaged in rough conduct against
Andrew Mackie (Gee) in Q3. Thomas admitted guilt and accepted a
one-match suspension imposed by the MRP.
l
Mark Blake (Gee) was cited by the MRP for making negligent contact
with umpire Mathew James during Q2. Blake accepted guilt and a $2400 fine
imposed by the MRP. |
|
|
