| * |
A big crowd of 47,641 at Docklands on Friday night was entertained to a
pulsating match between two desperate rivals before the Western Bulldogs
in the final quarter blitzed a wounded Essendon outfit to win by five
goals.
Len Johnson reported in The Age: The Dogs did it with a degree of
comfort in the end, but they were shaken out of their skins as Essendon
kicked seven goals to three in the third term to convert a 17-point
half-time deficit to a 10-point lead.
Briefly, it seemed the final term would go the same way, but Kyle
Reimers put a running shot just wide and then Adam McPhee was
denied a running mark as the ball sprung free of his grasp as he hit the
ground. That was about it, as Essendon added only one more behind for
the quarter while the relieved Bulldogs scored six goals and as many
behinds.
Will Minson was an unlikely hero for the winners in the final
term, kicking two goals and dominating the ruck contests when the match
was still in the balance. He also won a couple of critical ground balls.
It was a match in which both teams sought to cover deficiencies. Without
key forwards Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas, Essendon
sought goals from unlikely sources. In the end, the Bombers were forced
increasingly to push ruckmen Jason Laycock and David Hille
forward and centre half-back Patrick Ryder into the ruck.
Andrew Wu of Sportal rated Jason
Akermanis as the Bulldogs' best player. The former Brisbane Lions
champion was, at times, back to his brilliant best. The penetration was
back in his kicking as was his ability to break the lines with his
blistering pace.
Jarrad McVeigh was shaping as Essendon's match-winner when he
injured his right hamstring in the second half. His injury ended the run
of the Bombers, who had shown for the most part they could find avenues
to goal in the absence of forward lynchpins Lucas and Lloyd.
Aided by a powerful opening by Ryan Griffen, whose overall game
did not reach the highlights of last week, and some sloppiness from
Mal Michael and Brent Stanton, the Bulldogs controlled
proceedings until early in the second term.
The move of McVeigh into attack in the third term proved a masterstroke.
After getting the better of Adam Cooney in the midfield, McVeigh
proved a handful for the normally reliable Dale Morris. The
left-footer, Essendon's gatekeeper in times of crisis, bagged two in two
minutes in a seven-goal Bomber blitzkrieg.
Remarkably, the Bulldogs were being run off their legs. Whenever the
ball hit the deck, it was the Bombers, usually through Alwyn Davey
who kicked one of the goals of the night and Andrew Lovett,
who scurried the ball away.
But injuries to McVeigh and Lonergan proved as welcome for Matthew
Knights as interest rate rises are to homeowners. They hit just when
the Bombers appeared to have a mortgage on the four points and enabled
the Bulldogs to win a game they seemed destined to lose. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 1 |
| Essendon v
Western Bulldogs |
Friday (n),
April 11, 2008
Docklands, 7.40pm AEST; Roof: closed; crowd: 47,641
Conditions: Good
Weather: 20C outside; rain periods |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| ESS |
1.2-8 |
6.5-41 |
7.5-47 |
14.14-98 |
| WB |
5.4-34 (26) |
10.6-66 (17) |
14.12-96 (10) |
19.14-128
(30) |
Goals:
WB'dogs: Scott Welsh 3, Jason Akermanis 2, Daniel Giansiracusa 2,
Ryan Griffen 2, Jarrod Harbrow 2, Will Minson 2, Adam Cooney, Nathan
Eagleton, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson, Brian Lake, Robert Murphy.
Essendon: Brent Stanton 3, Alwyn Davey 2, David Hille 2, Mark
McVeigh 2, Jason Laycock, Andrew Lovett, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Kyle
Reimers, Jason Winderlich.
Best: WB'dogs: Jason Akermanis, Daniel Cross, Ryan Griffen, Brian
Lake, Scott Welsh, Ben Hudson. Essendon: Dustin Fletcher, Mark
McVeigh, Brent Stanton, David Hille, Alwyn Davey, Patrick Ryder.
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Scott McLaren, Matthew Head.
Report:
Sam Lonergan (Ess) and Brad Johnson (WB) were cited
for making negligent contact with umpires in Q3. The MRP offered both
players fines of $1950 each with an early plea. Both Lonergan and
Johnson accepted guilt and the fines imposed. |
The roof of Docklands Stadium was open under an overcast sky on Saturday
afternoon when St Kilda faced the unbeaten premiers Geelong in front of
a good crowd of 44,368. The Saints in the pre-game had been subject to
very public questioning of their commitment as a team.
St Kilda dealt the first blow and were clearly the superior team in the
first quarter, then Geelong became acquainted with its A-Grade game and
put their stamp on the contest when they rammed home six unanswered
goals in the third quarter in just nine dazzling minutes.
Two goals to Tom Hawkins and majors from Cameron Ling,
Mathew Stokes, David Wojcinski and Joel Selwood had
Geelong sailing. When Steve Johnson kicked his third to push the
lead to 47 points, the Saints faced an ominous task with more than a
quarter to play.
The AFL website report recorded: They didn't lie down, as Justin
Koschitzke slotted his third goal to open the final term and captain
Nick Riewoldt worked hard to create scoring opportunities.
However, Riewoldt missed a crucial one of his own, sending the ball out
of bounds on the full when a true kick would have brought the deficit
under five goals. Lively small Stephen Milne replied to big Cat
Cameron Mooney's third goal until a third to Hawkins, one to
Josh Hunt and a fourth to Johnson with just minutes to play sealed
the match.
Geelong's brand of football was far more effective, offering quick reply
almost every time the Saints threatened to surge. Avenues to goal grew
with defenders Matthew Scarlett arguably the best player on the
ground and Darren Milburn working very well in connecting with
Geelong's midfielders and forwards.
The brigade of Ling (28 possessions), Joel Corey (29) and
Jimmy Bartel (31) was equally damaging, clinical in disposal and
well supported by Selwood (21) and James Kelly (18).
Saints Lenny Hayes had 19 possessions and Leigh Montagna
13 in a productive first half, and they continued those efforts until
the game was out to finish with 32 and 35 possessions respectively. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 2 |
| St Kilda v
Geelong |
Saturday,
April 12, 2008
Docklands, 2.10pm AEST; Roof: open; crowd: 44,368
Conditions: Good
Weather: 21C, fine, turning to overcast |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| STK |
4.7-31 (7) |
7.8-50 |
10.11-71 |
13.16-94 |
|
GEE |
4.0-24 |
10.6-66 (16) |
17.9-111 (40) |
21.10-136 (42) |
Goals:
Geelong: Steve Johnson 4, Cameron Mooney 3, Tom Hawkins 3, James Kelly
2, David Wojcinski 2, Mathew Stokes 2, Ryan Gamble, Paul Chapman,
Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, Josh Hunt. St Kilda: Nick Riewoldt 3, Justin
Koschitzke 3, Stephen Milne 2, Sam Gilbert 2, Fraser Gehrig 2, Leigh
Fisher.
Best: Geelong: James Kelly, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey,
Mathew Stokes, Matthew Scarlett. St Kilda: Lenny Hayes, Luke Ball,
Brendon Goddard, Steven King, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna.
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Ray Chamberlain, Simon Meredith.
Reports:
l
Cameron Mooney (Gee)
was cited by the MRP for tripping Leigh Montagna (StK) in Q3. The
incident was judged as intentional, of low impact and to the body, which
drew five activation points. An early plea would reduce that to 140.63,
but it would not be enough to beat a suspension. Geelong sought the
adjudication of the Tribunal. On Tuesday night the Tribunal downgraded
its guilty verdict to a reprimand.
l
Ryan Gamble (Gee) was
cited for striking Nick Dal Santo (StK) in Q2. The incident was
judged as intentional, low impact and high contact. Gamble was offered a
one match suspension with an early plea. The player accepted guilt and
the MRP judgement. |
North Melbourne emphasised the gap which exists between the top rated
teams and the also-rans by comprehensively accounting for a hapless
Melbourne in front of a paltry crowd of 23,427 at the MCG on Saturday
afternoon. The 48-point margin failed to reflect the discrepancy in
skill levels between the two sides.
Nick Sheridan noted in The Age: The Demons' lacklustre
performance will no doubt force another round of soul-searching, after
Dean Bailey's side again failed to show a convincing grasp of the
run-and-carry game plan.
Sheridan noted the damning stats in Melbourne's misuse of the ball it
had 363 disposals, almost 50 per cent less than its opponent, yet had 12
less scoring shots. Of those disposals a full 90 almost 25% were
ineffective or clangers. The Demons were saved from yet another
resounding walloping by the relative inaccuracy of its opponent, which
kicked 18.19, and the fact that North Melbourne, for the fourth week in
a row, was outscored in the final term.
Luke Buttigieg in his Sportal report noted: Brent
Harvey turned in another eye-catching display for North that's sure
to have caught the attention of the umpires, and Sam Power also
had a good day in midfield while Brady Rawlings limited the
impact of Brock McLean.
Michael Firrito, Daniel Pratt and Shannon Watt were
solid in the back half while Nathan Thompson booted five goals
and Aaron Edwards and Lindsay Thomas three each, with
Matt Campbell working hard up forward and finishing with two majors.
For Melbourne, Cameron Bruce tried hard in the first half trying
to set something up for his side but faded after the break as Brad
Green, James McDonald and Colin Sylvia took up where
he left off.
Jeff White and Mark Jamar dominated in the ruck, with
White also winning his share of the ball around the ground, while
Russell Robertson kicked three goals all in the last quarter and
Aaron Davey and Austin Wonaeamirri managed two each. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 3 |
| North Melb v
Melbourne |
Saturday,
April 12, 2008
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: 44,368
Conditions:
Good
Weather:
21C, fine, turning to overcast |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| NM |
4.8-32
(26) |
8.11-59
(35) |
13.15-93
(53) |
18.19-127 (48) |
|
MEL |
1.0-6 |
3.6-24 |
5.10-40 |
11.13-79 |
Goals: North Melb:
Nathan Thompson 5.1, Aaron Edwards 3, Lindsay Thomas 3, Corey Jones
2, Matt Campbell 2, Shannon Grant, Jesse Smith, Brett Harvey.
Melbourne: Russell Robertson 3, Aaron Davey 2, Austin
Wonaeamirri 2, Lynden Dunn, Brock McLean, Jeff White, Paul Wheatley.
Best: North Melb: Brent Harvey, Sam Power, Nathan Thompson,
Leigh Brown, Michael Firrito, Matt Campbell. Melbourne:
Cameron Bruce, Jeff White, James McDonald, Colin Sylvia, Paul
Wheatley.
Umpires: Luke Farmer, Jason Armstrong, Shane McInerney.
Report:
Brad Miller (Mel) was cited for rough conduct against Daniel
Pratt (NM). Even with an early plea a one-match suspension from
his prior record was inevitable. Miller accepted guilt and the MRP
judgement of suspension for one match. |
The Swans handed West Coast their third-straight defeat with an
effective 62-point drubbing at Stadium Australia at Homebush on Saturday
night in front of
a partisan crowd of 44,235. The undermanned Eagles simple had no answer
for the in-form Swans who continued to employ a more direct approach
with good effect.
Steve Orme reviewed proceedings for Sportal: New recruit
Martin Mattner
continued his impressive start to the season with 25 touches but he was
not alone - Ted Richards (23), Tadhg Kennelly (21), and Michael
O'Loughlin (four goals) among the pick of an impressive bunch.
In contrast West Coast's big guns had minimal impact Daniel Kerr
managing just 15 touches as he was well held by Kieran Jack Ben
McKinley's four goals as well as the performance of Matt Rosa (23), the
only bright spots on a dismal night for the 2006 Premiers.
The Swans' emphatic display was tarnished, however, by a moment of
madness from Barry Hall who was reported for striking Brent Staker with
a fearsome blow to the jaw which left the 23-year-old badly shaken late
in the first-term.
Staker played no further part in the match while Hall faces a lengthy
vacation, although the Sydney spearhead would probably have been absent
regardless, having injured his wrist during the last-quarter after
slamming into the boundary hoardings and some metal bars behind it.
Efficient work in the midfield, quick delivery to a keen and buoyant
forward line and often lethal execution in front of goal were the keys
to the Swans' success last night.
The Swans released the gas a bit in the final term, conceding
territorial advantage, but still adding salt to various Eagles wounds.
Former Hawk Luke Brennan performed well after coming in for the
injured Heath Grundy.
The Eagles had some excuses. Not only were they coming off consecutive
losses, they were depleted, without injured midfielder Matt Priddis,
David Wirrpanda and they'd dropped the out-of-form Brad Ebert
and premiership midfielder Chad Fletcher. Mark Nicoski had
also been cut, but had to be recalled when valuable wingman Andrew
Embley joined the list of sidelined players, succumbing to illness.
All-Australian ruckman Dean Cox was included, despite injuring
his foot last round and there was a cloud over captain Darren Glass,
but he took his place.
Nothing could stop the Swans from cleaning up last night. They are
running hot and celebrated Goodes' club record 195 consecutive games in
style. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 4 |
| Sydney v West
Coast |
Saturday
(n), April 12, 2008
Stadium Australia, Homebush, 7.10pm AEST; crowd: 44,235
Conditions: Patchy surface, slippery from dew
Weather: 20C, clear; showers developing |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
|
SYD |
4.2-26 (18) |
8.6-54 (39) |
12.8-80 (51) |
16.11-107 (62) |
| WCE |
1.2-8 |
2.3-15 |
4.5-29 |
5.15-45 |
Goals:
Sydney: Michael O'Loughlin 4, Jarrad McVeigh 2, Ed
Barlow 2, Barry Hall, Martin Mattner, Adam Goodes, Ryan O'Keefe, Brett
Kirk, Jude Bolton, Darren Jolly, Kieren Jack. West Coast: Ben
McKinley 4, Steven Armstrong.
Best: Sydney: Martin Mattner, Brett Kirk, Tadhg Kennelly, Adam
Goodes, Michael O'Loughlin. West Coast: Matt Rosa, Ben McKinley.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Hayden Kennedy, Stuart Wenn.
Report:
Barry Hall (Syd) was cited for striking Brent Staker (WCE)
in the first quarter. The MRP viewed the incident as intentional, high
contact, causing severe impact. The matter was referred to the AFL
Tribunal. Hall pleaded guilty at the Tribunal on Tuesday night where the
player was suspended for seven matches. Hall also carries 790 demerit
points, effectively another match for the next year in carry-over points
should he re-offend. |
Brisbane staged a remarkable comeback to record an amazing 20-point
victory over Port Adelaide on Saturday night at a bleak Football Park,
with only 25,205 braving the conditions. Trailing by as much as 47
points 24 minutes into the third quarter and combating a torrential
second-half downpour, the Lions rammed through 11 of the game's last 12
goals to win in front of the drowned and dumbstruck Power supporters.
Ashley Porter reported in The Age: When the Power again
raised the hopes of their fans of ending their 0-3 shocking start to the
season, by getting back to within seven points in the dying minutes,
Jonathan Brown demonstrated the leadership that Port was lacking and
sealed a most unlikely victory with a goal.
Port's dismal start to the season was furthered soured with a serious
ankle injury to Matt Thomas, who may miss five or six weeks.
Pre-match, Brisbane received a huge blow when ruckman Jamie Charman
withdrew because of a calf strain, and was replaced by Wayde Mills,
for just his 16th game since 2006.
The forced change seemed to prove a telling factor. Port was expected to
be stronger in ruck through Dean Brogan and Brendon Lade,
but when 19-year-old Matthew Leuenberger, playing his 13th match,
was given the big challenge, it became a bigger advantage. The young
Lion did a terrific job under the circumstances, but he was also
expected to drop back and work across half-back, and then follow the
ball, and Port unmercifully wore him down.
Such was the pressure on Brisbane in this area that coach Leigh
Matthews threw Brown on to the ball opposed to Chad Cornes
to add some strength to the midfield just 12 minutes into the game
when Port led 4.2 to a behind.
Yahoo! Sport noted: In the second quarter Port were inconsistent,
but a trio of missed shots by Brown and Daniel Bradshaw scotched
whatever momentum the Lions were developing and Port went into the main
break well clear.
The rain swamped the stadium late in the third term and hung around long
enough to make the Power's 47-point lead, 15.7 to 7.8, even more
definitive. Majors to Jed Adcock and Bradshaw before
three-quarter time reduced the margin to 33 points at the final break.
A burst of rain made handling conditions incredibly difficult but it
didn't stop Brisbane's momentum. A Tim Notting snap shot, a
Travis Johnstone grubber, and set shots to Bradshaw and Cheynee
Stiller saw the margin reduced to nine points. And the stunned crowd
were silenced further when Rhan Hooper from 50-metres put the
Lions in front 16 minutes into the last term.
Brisbane's newfound status as the more likely winners stung Port into
their only goal of the term through Shaun Burgoyne, but Brown and
Bradshaw both added to the tally the make the result safe. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 5 |
| Port Adelaide v
Brisbane |
Saturday
(n), April 12, 2008
Football Park, 7.40pm AEST, crowd: 25,205
Conditions: Good heavy rain in Q3 into Q4
Weather: 15C; rain developing |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| PA |
6.3-39 (25) |
10.5-65 (35) |
15.7-97 (33) |
16.8-104 |
|
BRI |
2.2-14 |
4.6-30 |
9.10-64 |
18.16-124 (20) |
Goals:
Brisbane: Daniel Bradshaw 5.5, Jonathan Brown 4, Anthony Corrie,
Wayde Mills, Simon Black, Michael Rischitelli, Jed Adcock, Tim Notting,
Travis Johnstone, Cheynee Stiller, Rhan Hooper. Port: Chad Cornes
2, Rodan 2, Tredrea 2, Surjan 2, Cassisi, Brogan, K.Cornes, Westhoff,
Ebert, Salopek, Pearce, S.Burgoyne.
Best: Brisbane: Simon Black, Daniel Bradshaw, Joel Macdonald,
Travis Johnstone, Luke Power, Justin Sherman, Anthony Corrie, Jonathan
Brown, Nigel Lappin. Port: Steven Salopek, Alipate Carlile, Chad
Cornes, Dean Brogan, David Rodan, Travis Boak.
Umpires: Dean Margetts, Heath Ryan, Shaun Ryan. |
In another
impressive performance, Hawthorn overpowered Adelaide in overcast
conditions at York Park on Sunday afternoon. The Hawks remain undefeated
League leaders after four rounds.
The Crows were handed their heaviest defeat since July 2006 and while
the Hawks didn't blow Adelaide out of the water their potent forward
line led by Lance Franklin (six goals) came under the spotlight
Franklin emerged as the difference between the two sides.
Andrew Wu reported the game for Sportal: As dominant as
Franklin was he made accomplished defenders Ben Rutten and
Nathan Bock look second rate it was far from a one-man show for
Hawthorn, who did not miss late withdrawals Sam Mitchell and
Tim Boyle.
Tim Clarke, Mitchell's late replacement, limited Andrew McLeod
to 21 largely meaningless touches, while Mark Williams, in his
first senior game in 12 months, underlined Hawthorn's embarrassment of
riches in attack with three goals.
Playing in his 100th game, Chance Bateman dictated proceedings on
his wing, while Brent Guerra relished playing as a spare man in
attack, thwarting many of Adelaide's forward thrusts.
The Crows appeared flat-footed from the word go. Bock was twice run down
by the speedy Cyril Rioli, whose defensive pressure was the theme
of Hawthorn's game.
With McLeod down and Graham Johncock also slightly off the boil,
the Crows could not generate any meaningful run from defence.That the
blue-collar Michael Doughty was Adelaide's best midfielder
highlighted how much the Crows battled to swing their running game into
gear.
It was then no surprise their forward line, with Simon Goodwin
quiet and Brett Burton reduced to cameo roles, was largely
impotent.
To the Crows' credit, they stuck manfully to their task despite never
appearing a winning chance, but teams will need more than honest toil
this year to disrupt Hawthorn's charge to the finals. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 6 |
| Hawthorn v
Adelaide |
Sunday,
April 13, 2008
York Park, 1.10pm AEST; crowd: 15,124
Conditions: Very good
Weather: 16C; overcast |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
| HAW |
3.4-22 (8) |
8.5-53 (18) |
14.8-92 (37) |
17.12-114
(44) |
|
ADE |
2.2-14 |
5.5-35 |
8.7-55 |
10.10-70 |
Goals:
Hawthorn: Lance Franklin 6.3, Mark Williams 3, Chance Bateman 2,
Tim Clarke, Shane Crawford, Luke Hodge, Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead,
Clinton Young. Adelaide: Brett Burton 2, Scott Stevens 2, Tyson
Edwards, Simon Goodwin, Ken McGregor, Brad Symes, Scott Thompson, Bernie
Vince.
Best: Hawthorn: Chance Bateman, Lance Franklin, Clinton Young,
Cyril Rioli, Brent Guerra, Luke Hodge. Adelaide: Michael Doughty,
Jason Porplyzia, Tyson Edwards, Brad Symes.
Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Kieron Nicholls, Justin Schmitt. |
The stain of
successive defeats over the past 10 months evaporated on Sunday
afternoon when Carlton broke their longest drought for 106 years to win
by 23 points over Collingwood before a bumper MCG attendance of 77,873.
Peter Hanlon noted in The Age: That the drought was broken
over Collingwood is galling enough for the Magpies, but the nature of
their performance did nothing to stem the black and white blood flow.
They were simply never in it.
Nine of their number failed to gather 10 touches for the day, a
miserable lot that included Anthony Rocca, Leon Davis and
Nathan J Brown, who all started in the forward 50, as well as
Nick Maxwell, whose afternoon began with a bump that made Marc
Murphy briefly levitate, and may come back to haunt him.
Paul Medhurst managed the bare 10 possessions, blanketed by the
impressive Michael Jamison, Dale Thomas only 11 and
Shane O'Bree 13. Too much fell to too few, and they did too little
with it; Dane Swan had 18 kicks, yet only five of them found
their target.
Paul Gough in his Sportal review commented: The Blues not
only returned to the winner's list in the most exciting fashion
imaginable sending their fans delirious with joy in the process but
showed that the future is indeed far from doom and gloom under their new
coach.
And while spearhead Brendan Fevola might have again been the hero
with seven goals including three in the final term as the Magpies
threatened a comeback after the Blues took control of the game with six
of the first seven goals of the game and led all day this win was
achieved mostly on the back of the Blues' youngsters.
While star skipper Chris Judd was a solid contributor, it was the
Blues' young guns that led the way with No.1 draft picks Marc Murphy and
Bryce Gibbs inspirational with his tackling and constant
pressure.
And in defence the Blues appear to have found another young gun in
Paul Bower who thrashed Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke
while Jarrad Waite did an equally fine job on Rocca.
Fittingly it was another Carlton youngster Shaun Grigg who sealed
victory by bouncing one through on the run at the 19-minute mark of the
last term to a roar that was probably heard in Darwin as Carlton fans
finally re-discovered just how much fun winning can be. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 7 |
| Carlton v
Collingwood |
Sunday,
April 13, 2008
MCG, 2.10pm AEST, crowd: near 77,873
Conditions: Good
Weather: 18C, overcast |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
|
CAR |
6.0-36 (14) |
10.2-62 (20) |
12.6-78 (27) |
17.9-111 (23) |
| COL |
3.4-22 |
6.6-42 |
7.9-51 |
13.10-88 |
Goals:
Carlton: Brendan Fevola 7.2, Brad Fisher 2, Bryce Gibbs, Richard
Hadley, Setanta O'hAilpin, Eddie Betts, Nick Stevens, Darren Pfeiffer,
Shaun Grigg, Kade Simpson. Collingwood: Nathan Brown 2, L Davis
2, Thomas 2, Didak, Medhurst, Pendlebury, Cloke, Swan, Clarke, Rocca.
Best: Carlton: Brendan Fevola, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Jarrad
Waite, Chris Judd, Heath Scotland, Nick Stevens, Bret Thornton.
Collingwood: Ben Johnson, Dane Swan, Shane Wakelin, Martin Clarke,
Rhyce Shaw.
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Damien Sully, Scott Jeffery.
Reports:
Nick Stevens (Car) reported by umpire Scott Jeffery for
striking Alan Didak (Col) in Q3. The charge was withdrawn.
Nick Maxwell (Col) was cited for intentionally striking Marc
Murphy (Car) in Q1. The incident drew a three-match suspension,
reduced to two by the 25 per cent good behaviour discount and ending as
one game with an early plea. The player accepted guilt and the MRP
suspension of one match. |
Richmond enjoyed a
morale-boosting victory when they slammed an embarrassed Fremantle by 64
points in fine and hot Sunday afternoon conditions at Subiaco Oval
37,531 came through the gate but more than half had gone home before the
final siren.
The Age reviewed Richmond's successful journey. The Tigers had
taken the criticism, pressure and the scorn across the Nullarbor, but
they smashed the Dockers in every department.
Led by four goals from the inspirational Matthew Richardson,
whose unfamiliar role on a wing was an inspired move by coach Terry
Wallace, Richmond led at every change and made a mockery of its
pre-match odds of $5.50.
And despite Fremantle not having travelled for three weeks, it was
Mark Harvey's troops who wilted in the 30-degree temperatures, with
Kane Johnson (36 possessions), Nathan Foley (seven scoring
assists) and Jordan McMahon (32 possessions) all impressive for
the Tigers.
Only Matthew Pavlich (three goals) and Luke McPharlin (two
goals) posed any consistent threat to Richmond and Peter Bell's
achievement of equalling Wayne Richardson's record as the West
Australian with most games in the VFL-AFL was overshadowed by an
alarming Fremantle fade out.
Wallace's immediate ploy of a six-man forward line and playing
Richardson wide sufficiently confused the Dockers to allow Chris
Newman to waltz to 50 metres and kick the first goal after 30
seconds.
After a week of scrutiny, Chris Tarrant's first action was
positive, with a good mark and a safe finish but it was followed by a
big blow, his accidental collision with best friend Dean Solomon
leaving the former Bomber out cold, and the Dockers a man down.
With Solomon off on a stretcher, Tarrant then left an unwanted mark on
an opponent, with Kelvin Moore caught high, leading to a 50-metre
penalty and likely scrutiny from the match review panel. And in between
Tarrant's highs and woes, Richmond dominated with Foley and Johnson
leading the charge.
Fremantle's age-old inability to capitalise on Aaron Sandilands'
ruck dominance was exposed by the Tigers, with their run through
midfield leaving the Dockers for dead. Despite more Tigers' misses,
Foley's continued silver service allowed the Tigers to increase the lead
to 28 points at the main break.
Fremantle got some good news with the return of Solomon after the break.
But with temperatures falling, the Tigers' dominance increased
Nathan Brown's increasing influence magnified in setting up
Richard Tambling with a daring look-away handpass. With Ryan
Crowley's goal reducing the three-quarter time margin to 40, Bell's
early major gave some hope until Richardson's fourth confirmed the
Tigers' first win in Perth since 2001. |
| 2008
— ROUND 4 — GAME 8 |
| Fremantle v
Richmond |
Sunday,
April 13, 2008
Football Park, 4.40pm AEST; crowd: 37,541
Conditions: Good
Weather: 30C, fine, sunny and hot |
| |
1/4
time |
1/2
time |
3/4
time |
Final |
|
FRE |
3.3-21 |
6.7-43 |
8.9-57 |
10.13-73 |
| RCH |
5.7-37 (16) |
10.11-71 (28) |
14.13-97 (40) |
20.17-137
(64) |
Goals:
Richmond: Matthew Richardson 4, Richard Tambling 3, Chris Hyde 3,
Nathan G Brown 2, Mitch Morton 2, Graham Polak, Jordan McMahon, Shane
Edwards, Brett Deledio, Chris Newman, Shane Tuck. Fremantle:
Matthew Pavlich 3, Luke McPharlin 2, Jeff Farmer, Chris Tarrant, Mayne,
Crowley, Bell.
Best: Richmond: Matthew Richardson, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley,
Troy Simmonds, Jordan McMahon, Richard Tambling, Nathan G Brown.
Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich, Luke McPharlin, Peter Bell, Daniel
Gilmore, Chris Mayne.
Umpires: Gary Fila, Martin Ellis, Todd Keating.
Report:
Stephen Dodd (Fre) was cited for tripping Jack Riewoldt
(Rch). The MRP offered Dodd a one-match suspension with an early plea.
Fremantle sought the adjudication of the Tribunal. On Tuesday night the
Tribunal downgraded its guilty verdict to a reprimand. |
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