| * |
St Kilda overcame a
terrible start and a series of late errors to claim a nail-biting
two-point win over Adelaide and keep its faint finals hopes alive in the
Friday night game played under the closed roof at Docklands Stadium. The
Saints clawed their way back from a 23-point deficit early in the second
quarter then held on for dear life in the dying stages to post arguably
their most important win of the season so far.
Key forward Nick Riewoldt was best afield for the Saints with 18
marks and two goals, while Fraser Gehrig booted four goals.
The Age reported how St Kilda started in dismal fashion, with
Adelaide holding a 17-point lead at the first change and extending it to
23 points with the opening goal of the second quarter. Crows midfielders
Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards and Scott Thompson, as
well as running defenders Andrew McLeod and Graham Johncock,
were given too much latitude allowing them to move the ball forward with
ease and precision. But the Saints lifted their workrate enormously in
the final three quarters, winning much more of the ball as well as
improving their tackling to put the Crows under constant pressure.
Robert Harvey, Lenny Hayes and Leigh Montagna had
enormous games in the midfield to lift their side, while unheralded
ex-Bulldog Shane Birss was also instrumental in the revival.
Running defenders Sam Fisher and Jason Gram also gave the
Saints plenty as they regularly moved forward.
Len Johnson in summary for The Age noted: The Saints had
it twice won in a thrilling final quarter, the first when a goal to
Justin Koschitzke put them two goals clear halfway through and then
again at the final siren. In between, the Crows came back with goals to
Brett Burton, who ran on to a desperate handball towards the goal
line by Leigh Fisher, and then a goal from 40 metres on an angle
by the accurate Scott Welsh. Welsh's third goal levelled the
scores and there were a number of match-winning acts performed in the
last five minutes. Crucially, the only scores were a rushed behind to
put St Kilda in front and then another behind by Gehrig right on the
final siren. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME
1 |
|
St Kilda v Adelaide |
Friday (n),
July 13, 2007
MCG, 7.40pm AEST, Roof: closed, crowd:
32,210
Conditions: Generally good
Weather: Outside 10C; cold, rain |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| STK |
2.3-15 |
6.8-44 (3) |
9.13-67 (5) |
11.16-82 (2) |
| ADE |
5.2-32 (17) |
6.5-41 |
9.8-62 |
12.8-80 |
Goals:
St Kilda: Fraser
Gehrig 4, Shane Birss 2, Stephen Milne 2, Nick Riewoldt
2, Justin Koschitzke. Adelaide: Scott Welsh 3,
Nathan Bock 2, Brett Burton 2, Mark Ricciuto 2, Ivan
Maric, Ken McGregor, Andrew McLeod.
Best: St Kilda: Nick Riewoldt, Sam Fisher, Justin
Koschitzke, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Robert Harvey,
Shane Birss. Adelaide: Andrew McLeod, Simon
Goodwin, Michael; Doughty, Chris Knights, Nathan Bock,
Scott Thompson.
Umpires: Scott McLaren, Shaun Ryan, Scott
Jeffery. |
A finals-sized
crowd of 85,497 attended the MCG on Saturday afternoon when fierce
rivals Geelong (1st place) played Collingwood (4th). A hard-fought
16-point win went to the Cats in the fine but cool conditions. While the
ground was soft in patches following rain during the week and on the
morning of the match, the game lived up to expectations with just nine
points separating the two sides 20 minutes into the final quarter.
Angus Morgan reported for Sportal: The Cats always held
the edge against the honest and hard-working Pies in a tough, open
contest. Geelong's Matthew Scarlett ran Anthony Rocca
ragged in a best-afield performance while Cameron Ling was no
less effective in keeping Dane Swan on a tight rein and snaring
two important goals in the process. Joel Corey was also the Cats'
best ball-winner with a game-high 34 disposals.
Travis Cloke was superb up forward for Collingwood with
four majors while stand-in skipper Tarkyn Lockyer (28 touches)
and Paul Licuria (27) were busy and productive.
Collingwood began well with the opening two goals but it was the Cats
who set the tone of the game by running their opponents ragged in the
first quarter-and-a-bit. Their hard running and constant attack brought
the last four goals of the first term and the first of the second, when
Steve Johnson cleverly baulked Tyson Goldsack and kicked a
simple major.
The Magpies got their own running game into order into the second
quarter and booted the next three goals, including a long bomb to Cloke
which put the Magpies in front. David Wojcinski restored
Geelong's lead with a snap that bounced over Collingwood's Martin
Clarke and then took an off-break spin through the goals – Geelong
never lost that lead.
Paul Chapman doubled the half-time margin by snapping truly just
14 seconds into the third quarter and Geelong held firm from there, with
both sides kicking three more goals for the second half. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME 2 |
| Geelong v
Collingwood |
Saturday,
July 14, 2007
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 85,497
Conditions: Soft in patches; lights on from half-time
Weather: 13C, morning showers; afternoon blue skies |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| GEE |
4.3-27 (11) |
7.5-47 (6) |
9.10-64 (14) |
11.14-80
(16) |
| COL |
2.4-16 |
6.5-41 |
7.8-50 |
9.10-64 |
Goals: Geelong:
Cameron Ling 2, Steve Johnson 2, Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes, Corey
Enright, David Wojcinski, Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman, Jimmy Bartel.
Collingwood: Travis Cloke 4, Paul Medhurst, Scott Burns, Tarkyn
Lockyer, Nick Maxwell, Saverio Rocca.
Best: Geelong: Matthew Scarlett, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Gary
Ablett, Joel Selwood, Cameron Mooney. Collingwood: Travis Cloke,
Heath Shaw, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury, Paul Licuria.
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Dean Margetts, Brett Rosebury. |
Reigning premier
West Coast were unmercifully crushed by Port Adelaide on a chilly but
generally sunny Saturday afternoon at Football Park. It was the sixth
loss in nine matches by the Eagles who were without eight of their
premiership players.
Alan Shiell noted for Sportal: The Power looked the winner
as early as the first quarter, in which it scored 5.9 to 1.1 and soared
to lead by 53 at half-time, 76 at the last break before completing a
valuable percentage-boosting victory by 91 points.
The Eagles wilted under the extreme pressure Port exerted throughout
four dominant quarters. West Coast had only two productive periods –
three-goal spurts early in the third quarter and late in the final term.
Otherwise they were comprehensively outplayed and outbustled by a
fierce, hungry Power.
Ashley Porter in summary for The Age noted: The Eagles,
like every side in the competition when struck by injuries, simply fell
apart, and just as they have punished weakened sides in similar trouble
in recent years, Port took its turn to wield the whip.
It is Port's winning performance – as opposed to the Eagles' sixth loss
in nine rounds – that should be the focus because it looked so good in
the way it moved the ball from defence, worked hard, and performed as a
unit. To record 23 scores to the Eagles' seven to half-time – when the
match was virtually over – was a damaging statistic. To finish with 43
to 17 showed it kept the foot on the accelerator. One wonders what the
margin could have been had Port kicked straight.
Steven Larkin noted for the AFL website: The injury-riddled
Eagles, who had just 26 players to choose from for the match, had few
winners and skipper Chris Judd was noticeably hobbled by a groin
injury. He spent the third quarter stationed at full-forward before
spectating from the bench for most of the last term. The only Eagles to
make a significant impact were midfielders Andrew Embley and
Rowan Jones. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME 3 |
|
Port Adelaide v West Coast |
Saturday,
July 14, 2007
Football Park, 3.10pm AEST, crowd: 27,879
Conditions: Generally good
Weather: 12C, mainly sunny |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| PA |
5.9-39 (32) |
10.13-73 (51) |
17.16-118
(76) |
22.21-153
(91) |
| WCE |
1.1-7 |
3.4-22 |
6.6-42 |
9.8-62 |
Goals: Port: Justin Westhoff 4, Chad Cornes 4, Daniel
Motlop 4, Warren Tredrea 3, Adam Thomson 2, Nathan Lonie, Brett Ebert,
Danyle Pearce, Brendon Lade, David Rodan. West Coast: Quinten
Lynch 3, Mark Seaby, Ben McKinley, Brett Jones, Dean Cox, Mark LeCras,
Steven Armstrong.
Best: Port: Chad Cornes, Domenic Cassisi, Kane Cornes, Peter
Burgoyne, Justin Westhoff, Nathan Lonie, Daniel Motlop, David Rodan,
Danyle Pearce. West Coast: Andrew Embley, Rowan Jones, Matt
Priddis, Quinten Lynch, Matt Rosa.
Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Matthew Head, Michael Avon. |
The Western Bulldogs
finished with an eight-goal flourish as it easily disposed of the
Bombers on Saturday night before a near-full 45,283 fans at Docklands
Stadium. The polished Doggies spoiled Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy's
VFL-AFL record-breaking 879th match as a player and coach.
Though far from their best, the Bulldogs simply had too much class and
poise in the end. Adam Cooney (31 possessions), skipper Brad
Johnson (five goals), Jason Akermanis (24 touches), Nathan
Eagleton (24), Matthew Boyd (24) and Daniel Giansiracusa
(23) all had plenty of the ball and featured in the 33-point win
with 12 Doggies getting their names on the scoresheet.
Brandon Cohen reported for Sportal: Damien Peverill
was excellent all night for the Bombers with 29 touches, while Jay
Nash had arguably his best game in the black-and-red with 22
disposals, six marks and seven inside 50s. Scott Lucas ended the
match with four goals, but he was a lone hand up forward with Matthew
Lloyd well held by Bulldog youngster Tom Williams.
The Herald Sun noted on Monday: Scott Camporeale made a
brilliant start to his 250th game, grabbing 10 touches in the opening
quarter as a key player in Essendon's recovery. He was the Bombers'
leading possession-winner in the first half and still going strong until
he limped off with a damaged patella tendon in the right knee 18 minutes
in the third term.
Bruce Matthews noted the Bulldogs in their 8-goal last
quarter had 100 disposals to 83 and won 39 contested possessions to 28.
And accuracy helps. From set shots the Dogs scored 11.4 while the Bomber
managed only 6.6. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME 4 |
| Essendon
v Western Bulldogs |
Saturday
(n),
July 14, 2007
Docklands, 7.10pm AEST,
Roof: closed; crowd: 45,283
Conditions: Good, some slip
Weather: Outside 9C – cold |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| ESS |
4.5-29 (1) |
5.10-40 |
9.12-66 |
14.14-98 |
| WB |
4.4-28 |
9.8-62 (22) |
12.9-81 (15) |
20.11-131
(33) |
Goals: West.B'dogs: Brad Johnson 5.2, Adam Cooney 3, Robert
Murphy 2, Nathan Eagleton 2, Lindsay Gilbee, Jason Akermanis, Andrejs
Everitt, Matthew Robbins, Jarrod Harbrow, Farren Ray, Shaun Higgins,
Mitch Hahn. Essendon: Scott Lucas 4, Nash 2, Monfries 2,
Ramanauskas, Lloyd, Michael, Stanton, Lovett-Murray, Lovett.
Best: West.B'dogs: Adam Cooney, Jason Akermanis, Nathan Eagleton,
Daniel Giansiracusa, Dale Morris. Essendon: Jobe Watson, Jason
Johnson, Mark Johnson, Jay Nash, Angus Monfries.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Brett Allen, Stuart Wenn. |
Brisbane made it two
on-the-trot when they comfortably disposed of Melbourne by 44 points in
cool but generally good conditions on Saturday night at the Gabba.
Perhaps the writing was on the wall before the game, when the Demons
arrived with their white away shorts rather than their blue home ones,
requiring an unusual late uniform change by the Lions, who had planned
to wear their white away jumper for Melbourne's annual *home* game in
Brisbane.
Laine Clark reported for the AFL webpage: Still buzzing from last
round's shock win over West Coast at Subiaco, the Lions picked up where
they left off to give the Demons hell from the outset. Brisbane banged
on 41 points before Nathan Brown finally broke Melbourne's
drought when he goaled at the 29th minute as the Lions went to the first
break ahead 6.5 to 1.0.
Jonathan Brown ran amok early, banging in four first quarter
goals before settling for six overall as the likes of Robert Copeland
(three majors) shared in the goal-fest. Only a late goal blitz by
Melbourne – who outscored Brisbane 7.2 to 4.4 in the final term – added
respectability to the scoreline.
Brown finished with 20 possessions in a great all-round display with
able assistance provided by Luke Power (27 disposals), Josh
Drummond (26) and Nigel Lappin (25).
Aaron Davey kicked four goals for Melbourne but was so closely
tagged he blotted his copybook by being cited for striking which brought
him two weeks of suspension from the MRP. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME 5 |
| Melbourne v
Brisbane Lions |
Saturday
(n),
July 14, 2007
BCG (Gabba), 7.10pm AEST, crowd: 22,708
Conditions: Generally good
Weather: 14C, mild |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| MEL |
1.0-6 |
3.4-22 |
5.8-38 |
12.10-82 |
| BRI |
6.5-41 (35) |
7.12-54 (32) |
14.14-98 (60) |
18.18-126
(44) |
Goals: Brisbane: Jonathan Brown 6.2, Robert Copeland 3, Jared
Brennan 2, Josh Drummond, Michael Rischitelli, Tim Notting, Luke Power,
Matthew Leuenberger, Ashley McGrath, Jed Adcock. Melbourne: Aaron
Davey 4, Jeff White 2, Nathan D Brown, Russell Robertson, Simon Godfrey,
Nathan Jones, Colin Sylvia, Brock McLean.
Best: Jonathan Brown, Luke Power, Nigel Lappin, Robert Copeland,
Josh Drummond. Melbourne: Aaron Davey, Nathan Brown, Brock
McLean, Jeff White, Paul Wheatley.
Umpires: Martin Ellis, Kieron Nicholls, Troy Pannell.
Reports:
l
Joel Macdonald (Bri) and Colin Sylvia (Mel)
reported by emergency umpire
Armstrong for wrestling during Q3.
The MRP decided against proceeding with these charges.
l
Aaron Davey (Mel) was cited for striking Troy Selwood
(Bri) with a right fist to the stomach in Q1. The MRP offered Davey a
two-match suspension with an early plea. Davey admitted guilt and
accepted the MRP penalty.
l
Simon Black (Bri) was cited for striking Simon Godfrey
(Mel) in Q2. The MRP offered Black a reprimand for an offence assessed
as high, negligent and of low impact. Black admitted guilty and accepted
the MRP penalty. |
Sydney regained a
place in the top eight following a big 62-point win over Carlton in
mainly sunny conditions on Sunday at the SCG before a crowd of 24,858.
The Swans kicked their highest score of the season and also registered
their best-ever tally of 210 games against the Blues. It was also the
10th successive Sydney win over Carlton who haven't won at the SCG since
1993.
Greg Buckle reported in the AFL webpage: The 14th-placed Blues
shocked the Sydney crowd by kicking the first four goals of the match
through Brendan Fevola, Jordan Bannister, Ryan Houlihan
and a stunning right-foot snap from Irish big man Setanta O'hAilpin
to take a 26-point break.
But after that lapse the Swans turned on free-flowing football, showing
some of the form that took them to successive grand finals. Ruckman
Peter Everitt had a great game, dominating the hitouts and winning
the ball quickly out of the centre. When not starring in the centre,
Everitt rested forward, and kicked four goals.
A three-goal second quarter from Nick Davis lifted Sydney into
their running game and kicking eight goals to two, the Swans took a
27-point lead into the main break. In a free-scoring third term, but
Blues kicked four of the first six goals, including two from the forward
pocket by Matthew Lappin.
Sydney steadied after some promising signs from the Blues and took a
five-goal lead into the last break. The Swans delighted the home town
crowd with another eight goals to finish, and Barry Hall
delivering his best return for weeks with 15 disposals, 6 marks and 4.2
to the score. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME 6 |
| Sydney v
Carlton |
Sunday,
July 15, 2007
SCG, 1.10pm AEST, crowd: 24,858
Conditions: Good
Weather: 14C, mainly sunny |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| SYD |
3.3-21 |
11.7-73 (27) |
17.9-111 (30) |
25.12-162
(62) |
| CAR |
5.3-33 (12) |
7.4-46 |
12.9-81 |
15.10-100 |
Goals: Sydney: Peter Everitt 4, Barry Hall 4, Nick Davis
3, Adam Schneider 3, Brett Kirk 2, Jarrad McVeigh 2, Nick Malceski 2,
Michael O'Loughlin 2, Darren Jolly, Nic Fosdike, Adam Goodes.
Carlton: Brad Fisher 3, Matthew Lappin 3, Brendan Fevola 2, Jordan
Bannister, Ryan Houlihan, Eddie Betts, Setanta O'hAilpin, Kade Simpson,
Anthony Koutoufides, Heath Scotland.
Best: Sydney: Peter Everitt, Nick Malceski, Brett Kirk, Jude
Bolton, Adam Schneider, Leo Barry. Carlton: Brad Fisher, Heath
Scotland, Brendan Fevola, Jordan Bannister, Marc Murphy.
Umpires: Hayden Kennedy, Chris Kamolins, Dean Meredith. |
After a slow start,
Hawthorn overpowered Richmond to win by a decisive 53-points on a mainly
sunny Sunday afternoon at the MCG for a crowd of 41,770. The Hawks – who
are now second, a game clear of a pack of four sides locked on nine wins
– played in fits and starts and, while not threatened after the first
term, took the best part of three quarters to shake off the
inexperienced Tigers.
Hawthorn played the more complete game, although it was one that rode on
a couple of scoring bursts. It was the better structured and disciplined
side that, irrespective of an early Richmond burst, did not lose
composure.
The Tigers were admirable for a half in endeavour and run, but still had
too few clear winners. They kept in touch with the game but after
half-time were never in it. Richmond found early opportunities through
Matthew Richardson and Jake King, before Shane Edwards
provided a flourish with a stylish blind turn and goal. When Jay
Schulz marked strongly and goaled Richmond led by three goals.
Hawthorn, however, remained unshaken. Sam Mitchell persisted in
the middle, with Shane Tuck nominally playing on him without
playing close to him. Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead
finished the game with nine goals between them – and "Buddy" Franklin
should have had several more but for wayward kicking – but it was
Mitchell who provided them with their opportunities. Two bursts in each
of the second and the third quarters from Mitchell were instrumental in
the Hawks kicking clear.
Andrew Wu in summary wrote in the AFL webpage: Richmond's errors
proved costly in the second half so much so that their demise was not
brought about by any bullet Hawthorn fired but rather from the blood
loss caused by constantly shooting one's self in the foot. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME 7 |
| Hawthorn v
Richmond |
Sunday,
July 15, 2007
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 41,770
Conditions: Generally good
Weather: 11C, early showers, afternoon sunshine |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| HAW |
4.2-26 |
9.7-61 (9) |
14.10-94 (28) |
19.15-129
(53) |
| RCH |
5.1-31 (56) |
8.4-52 |
10.6-66 |
11.10-76 |
Goals: Hawthorn: Jarryd Roughead 5.1, Lance Franklin 4,
Ben McGlynn 2, Campbell Brown, Robert Campbell, Shane Crawford, Ben
Dixon, Luke Hodge, Rick Ladson, Jordan Lewis, Mitch Thorp. Richmond:
Nathan G Brown 2, Kayne Pettifer 2, Jay Schulz 2, Shane Edwards, Kane
Johnson, King, Richardson, Tuck
Best: Hawthorn: Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughead, Shane Crawford,
Chance Bateman, Joel Smith, Campbell Brown. Richmond: Graham
Polak, Nathan Foley, Andrew Raines, Chris Newman.
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Stefan Grun, Darren Goldspink. |
The Kangaroos
climbed to third place on the ladder (equal 2nd) and left Fremantle's
chances for the finals in ruin after the Shinboners in an nail-biting
finish got over the line by four points on Sunday afternoon at Subiaco
Oval.
In a hard-fought battle, the visitors emerged victors in what was one of
the cliffhanger games of the year. Scott Thornton had the chance
to pinch a win for Freo with 60 seconds left, but missed a set shot.
Tim Clarke noted for the AFL webpage: Led by Shannon Grant
(24 possessions), Brent Harvey (25 touches, two goals) and
Adam Simpson (33 touches), the Kangas again defied pre-season
doomsayers to leave Dean Laidley looking towards September.
Ten minutes into the third term, the Dockers looked gone down by 23
points after Glenn Archer's first for the match and second goal
of the season. But after hanging on for most of the afternoon, Freo
suddenly realised quick ball movement could be the key, getting the
leather forward faster with instant results. Goals to skippers past and
present in Peter Bell and Matthew Pavlich sparked the
revival, with Chris Tarrant's second in between bringing the
deficit within a kick.
Three chances for the Dockers to take the lead came and went, with three
points the margin at the last break. When Ryan Crowley kicked a
goal 13 minutes in, it gave the Dockers their first lead since the
opening term, and looked to have saved the day. But Archer replied at
the other end, after Shaun McManus' needless free kick, and this
proved the difference in the end with Thorton's missed shot the last
real chance for the Dockers. |
|
2007 — ROUND 15 — GAME 8 |
|
Fremantle v Kangaroos |
Sunday,
July 15, 2007
Subiaco Oval, 2.40pm AEST, crowd: 37,002
Conditions: Good
Weather: 20C, fine, sunny and warm |
| |
1/4 time |
1/2 time |
3/4 time |
Final |
| FRE |
4.4-28 |
6.6-42 |
9.9-63 |
11.12-78 |
| KAN |
5.0-30 (2) |
7.5-47 (5) |
10.6-66 (3) |
12.10-82
(4) |
Goals: Kangaroos: Brent Harvey 2, Corey Jones 2, David
Hale 2, Glenn Archer 2, Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Harris, Ed Lower, Scott
McMahon. Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich 2 , Chris Tarrant 2, Peter
Bell 2, Des Headland 2, Ryan Murphy, Steven Dodd, Ryan Crowley.
Best: Kangaroos: Adam Simpson, Shannon Grant, Brent Harvey,
Michael Firrito, Shannon Watt, Glenn Archer, Brady Rawlings.
Fremantle: Aaron Sandilands, Peter Bell, Luke McPharlin, Antoni
Grover, Des Headland, Michael Johnson.
Umpires: Ray Chamberlain, Craig Hendrie, Shane McInerney.
Report:
Ryan Murphy (Fre) was cited for engaging in rough conduct against
Corey Jones (Kan) in Q3. The MRP offered Murphy a one-game
suspension with an early plea. Murphy admitted guilt and accepted the
MRP penalty. |
|
|
