AFL Semi Finals

So the top four are through and we get a repeat of last years'
Essendon/Carlton prelim. Should be good. Blue star and Brownlow
favourite Anthony Koutoufides is unlikely to play again this year,
although could be chance if Carlton make the Grand Final.

North Melbourne's thrashing last weekend had them under the microscope.
The Age's Rob Walls turned up the light to full power, saying Denis
Pagan should quit (or be sacked) despite the ink being barely dry on a
new 2-year contract with the Roos. He'd gotten all he could out of his
players, his message had worn off, the Roos' team leaders were too old
and finished said Wallsy. Wallsy has had a real go at coaches this year,
firstly Adelaide pair Gary Ayres and Mark Williams, now this. We all
remember Rob's coaching career, down at Richmond he is widely regarded
as a Carlton 'plant', before then Walls achieved not much at Brisbane
until he announced he was quitting. The Bears (as they were then)
suddenly won five straight to reach the finals for the first time. Prior
to the Bears, Rob was sacked by Carlton about half-a-season after
winning a premiership. And he invented the 'huddle' at Fitzroy. Wow.

Fremantle's naturally gifted ruck-rover Paul Hasleby won the Rising Star
Award, just ahead of speedy Bomber winger Adam Ramanauskas with Beau
McDonald, Brisbane's teenage ruckman, a fair way back in third. In
Adelaide there was more fallout at the Camrys, assistant coach Darel
Hart quit, looking for a more senior job, and on Friday twice
premiership ruckman Shaun Rehn announced his departure. Speculation is
that Rehn will form part of a four-way deal, he'll go to Hawthorn to
replace retiring Salmon, the Hawks'll send Daniel Chick to West Coast,
Weagle Fraser Gehrig will fetch up at Collingwood the Crows end up with
Pies Mal Michael and Saverio Rocca. There's still a long way to go, but
it sounds like a poor deal for the Maggies.

At the MCG:
North Melbourne  6.1   10.7   12.11   16.14.110
Hawthorn         2.2    5.3    9.7    15.10.100

Inevitably the Kangas hit back hard following their humiliation at the
hands of the Bommers last week, but their spluttering finish left a few
question marks over their credentials as genuine contenders. The Hawk
midfield was exposed for a lack of skill, but they rattled home well to
end an encouraging year. In selection the Roos axed Brett Chandler and
wingman Shane Clayton, a regular in 2000, while Mick Martyn was a late
withdrawal with knee soreness. In came spirits connoiseur Martin Pike
and forwards Adam Lange and Craig Sholl. Just one change for the Hawks,
half-forward Kris Barlow dropped for junior Brett Johnson. As things
eventuated it was the final game for Hawthorn ruckman Paul Salmon, a
total of 309 with exactly 100 for the Horks. The rest were played with
Essendon, the start of 'Fish's' career was incredible as he'd booted 63
goals thirteen games into the 1984 season before doing a knee against
Collingwood. Salmon was hounded out by the Don fans as he never
recaptured that sort of goalkicking form, and never got the run in the
ruck he deserved as the Madden brothers were favoured. The 1990 Grand
Final loss sealed his fate at Windy Hill, but Salmon went on to be a
great player for the Hawks, winning a best and fairest.

Norf were particularly aggressive early, with Dave King leading the way.
Unfortunately their Shannon Motlop broke his leg early on but rover
Peter Bell bagged the first goal, a wayward handpass from Hawk CHB Trent
Croad providing the chance in the first of several Hawk mistakes. Small
forward Shannon Grant kicked the next two, running into the open spaces
of Pagan's Paddock. Wayne Carey whipped through a superb goal on his
left foot, from the boundary, resting ruck Matt Capuano marked and
converted and the Roos had the first five. Hawthorn had enjoyed little
luck, Pike launched himself to touch through Daniel Harford's shot and a
Dan Chick effort bounced vertically to allow Corey McKernan to clear, an
accurate Ben Dixon snap was disallowed because of an off-the-ball
infringement. Hawk supporters were pretty unhappy with the umpiring
early too. But the Roos had set up well in defence. McKernan was back on
Nathan Thompson and keeping him quiet, John Blakey restricted last
weekend's Hork hero John Barker and Byron Pickett had 9 touches in the
first quarter. A centre clearance by Harford following Capuano's goal
set up the Hawk's opener, from a mark by Salmon, but Pickett crept
forward to bomb the Roos' sixth of the term. The Kanga stronghold
remained intact through the second term, early on Leigh Colbert roved a
pack and handballed for Grant to bounce a snap through on his left foot.
Winston Abraham outdid him when roving a ball beside the point-post,
running 30m away from the goals looking for a give-off before snapping a
corker. Hawthorn rallied briefly, Daniel Chick majored followed by Shane
Crawford and Norf's lead was cut to 20 points. Crawford dealt Pickett a
snide blow and the two were reported during a subsequent wrestle.
However the Harbourroos booted the last two goals of the half, Anthony
Stevens with the latter one to cap off his best half of footy for the
year.

The Hawkers set about their task after half-time. Tony Woods had 9 kicks
for the third term and the Hawks tightened up in defence, started to
deliver better up front. Nick Holland, one of the few Horforn winners to
date, marked and goaled early, then Barker handballed for Daniel Harford
and he punted the gap down to 22 points. But some Barry Young mediocrity
allowed Stuart Cochrane to sausage for the Roos, then Carey restored the
Kangas' 6-goal lead following a diving mark. The Hawks clung on, booting
the next two goals as Harford and Chick continued to battle hard. They
entered the final quarter 22 points down, quickly Holland goaled to cut
the margin to 16 points. More errors cost 'em though, a Barker turnover
allowed McKernan to gather, turn and bang one home. Grant then added his
fourth on the night and Carey hurled himself into a pack to clutch a
mark and punt it through. Norf looked safe, again, but the Hawks kept on
a comin'. Croad shifted forwards for two rapid marks and goals. Then
Crawford roved in the goalsquare to snap one and they were 16 behind
again. The Roos were defending desperately now, Abraham goaled for them
against the run of play. But Dan Chick ran forward to slot a goal,
another Chick shot was six-points-bound when Kanga Jason McCartney
launched himself for a great spoil. That left the Poo 'n' Wees 15 points
down. They attacked again and backman Jade Rawlings roved in the
goalsquare to stab a left-footer. Nine points the diff. The defining
moment, certainly a deflating one for Hork fans, came when Hawk
interchange player Joel Smith ran along the wing and decided he could
get around lumbering McKernan. He couldn't, McKernan's desperate tackle
won a free and the Roos clung on from there.

The Roos' best was their straight-ahead defender Byron Pickett, who had
18 disposals, took 7 marks, kicked a goal and had the better of a
physical duel with Crawford. The Kangas also did better midfield for
most of it, the first half especially, where Adam Simpson (26 touches, 9
marks), Peter Bell (37 touches, a goal) and Brent Harvey (26 disposals)
were far more effective than against the Bombers. Anthony Stevens (24
touches, a goal) also played well. At the back good efforts came from
Glen Archer, John Blakey, keeping Barker goalless and McKernan on
Thompson. Shannon Grant snaggled 4 goals from 14 kicks, Carey was
probably beaten by Croad and didn't jump too well with his groin problem
but still contributed 8 marks and 3 goals. Abraham kicked 2 goals. For
the Hawks Daniel Chick completed a fine season with a stirling midfield
effort, 25 disposals and a goal. The Hawks are hard at work trying to
re-sign him. Dan Harford played well too with 25 touches and a goal.
Tony Woods got it 28 times but his poor disposal was costly on several
occasions and he had plenty of mates in that area. At CHF Nick Holland
worked hard all game for 9 marks, 16 disposals and 3 goals. He has
signed up again. There were good efforts too from Glen Bowyer (16
touches, a goal) and Trent Croad who took 5 marks and kicked 2 goals in
the last quarter. Shane Crawford and Nathan Thompson kicked 2 goals
each. Most blamed Hawthorn's lack of midfield skill and Chick apart
they're a mixed bunch. Woods gets the ball a lot but often does nothing
with it, Harford is inconsistent and Rock getting on a bit. Crawford had
an average year following his Brownlow. And they'll need to replace
Salmon, despite Thompson's efforts. But Schwab has allowed them to play
with more freedom than Ken Judge and the rewards were there. "We are on
the rise, we are not going down," said Schwab. "We are going
somewhere...but we didn't use the ball as well as we should have." A
concise summation. Denis Pagan said "We had our backs against the wall
and we're just so proud of our players, our leaders, the way they showed
the way. They said enough is enough." They'd be a chance to beat the
Demons.

At the MCG:
Carlton   3.3   10.5   18.9   23.13.151
Brisbane  3.1    4.4    9.4    10.9.69

Easy win for the Blues over the poor Lions. Not all good news for them
though as Steve Silvagni did a hamstring in the third quarter and is a
doubtful starter next week. As in last year's prelim final the Lions
went in with key players absent, Chris Scott strained a hamstring last
week while Luke Power and Daniel Bradshaw were both late pull-outs.
Power also had a hamstring problem while Bradshaw opted to attend the
birth of his first child. Captain Michael Voss's wife was due to give
birth to twins, but Voss played. Given that Power and Bradshaw kicked
113 goals between them this season it blunted the Lion attack
considerably. The Blues had two alterations from the Melbun loss, Fraser
Brown was dropped and Dean Rice missed with a hamstring injury. Craig
Bradley returned with his hammy healed and junior Brett Backwell got a
chance. Brisbane recalled Tim Notting plus youngsters Damian Cupido and
Marcus Picken to replace their missing players.

The first quarter was tight, scrappy as the Lions concentrated on
avoiding mistakes. Eight minutes elapsed before Blue rover Darren Hulme
passed for Aaron Hamill to kick the first goal, Hamill got another in
the first term too. Brisbane counter-attacked, Jason Akermanis booted
their opener and Al Lynch the second. Matthew Lappin kicked Carlton
ahead before his cousin Nigel scored a major for Brizzy. Starting the
second term Lynch converted a free kick and the Lyin's led. Thereon the
Blues ground ahead though, half-back Andy McKay and half-forward Lappin
very busy while Scott Freeborn came on to tag Mick Voss. And Hamill gave
'em hell. He kicked his third sausage, Hulme with the pass again, to
restore the Bluebaggers' lead. McKay's high kick was well-marked by
resting ruckman Matty Allan for a goal, Lance Whitnall missed a shot
before kicking accurately from another Hulme pass. The Blues led by 15
points. Brisbane were falling down badly across half-forward, but they
had a good spell at this point upon which they failed to capitalise. Ben
Robbins missed a long shot, then Steve Lawrence marked on 50m and was
dragged down by the collar, by Bloo Franchina. A clear 50m penalty but
it wasn't awarded, Lawrence's shot fell short and was marked by Allan.
Then Lion ruckman Beau McDonald marked 25 out, on an angle, but he
missed. Nice play from Freeborn and Hulme got the ball forward for
Carlton, Brendan Fevola dived to spoil Daryl White, scoop the ball up
and snap truly. Three rapid Blue goals ended the half, and the Lions too
probably. Lappin got the ball to Whitnall, he handballed to Hamill who
hooked it through. Brett Ratten kicked forward from the restart, Lappin
played a one-two with Bradley and majored. And the Bloos cleared the
next centre bounce too, Lion defender Justin Leppitsch gathered but his
panicky kick went straight to Ratten, he handballed for Freeborn to
complete a good quarter with a goal.

The second half started ominously for Carlton supporters with a couple
of behinds. But soon a series of handpasses ended with Lappin passing to
Mark Porter, he converted. The Lions ended their lengthy goal drought
when Craig Bolton smacked one through from 50m. Bradley replied for
Carlton in spectacular fashion, racing onto Ratten's centering kick to
play-on, baulk and ram it through. Hamill bagged another sausage, rapid
handballs at the restart, from Ratten to Bradley to Franchina to
Camporeale saw the last-named roost the pill home. The Bloos by an
unassailable 57 points. Mick Voss had done a bit more with Freeborn off
(briefly), knee soreness, and Matthews had put Leppitsch up forward.
Leppa kicked consecutive goals, Voss supplying the second. The gap was
back to 46 points, Fevola missed an absolute sitter for Carlton and then
Voss booted Brisbane forward again, McDonald just about held a
goalsquare mark. A 50/50 thing but it wasn't paid when it might've been,
the Bloos whipped the ball to the other end where Fevola goaled. That
was it for the Brians. Allan and Camporeale combined to set up a sausage
for Ratten, Bradley cleared the middle and hit leading Hamill who punted
the lead beyond ten goals. Lions got one from Akermanis before Whitnall
kicked a great goal, marking strongly between two Lions, playing on and
walloping it through from 55m. Silvagni did his hamstring late in the
term, bending down awkwardly to pick up the ball. Bearing in mind last
Sunday's events there was no Carlton let-up in the final stanza. Allan's
handpass allowed Hamill to snap another goal, Fevola kicked more goals
and gave one to Allan with a nice throw. Leppitsch kicked the Lions'
only major of the term, a banana kick from close range.

Blue forward Aaron Hamill has had a very good season and his departure
at three-quarter time last week didn't help Carlton. Here Hamill booted
7 goals straight from 19 disposals with 6 marks, setting a couple up
too. Half-back Andy McKay's great year continued too, a hefty 28
disposals. In the ruck Matt Allan played his best game since returning
from knee trouble, 10 marks, 24 disposals, 13 hitouts and he kicked 3
goals. Matthew Lappin was very good, 22 disposals and 2 goals. In the
middle it was your usual types, Scott Camporeale (21 disposals, a goal)
and Craig Bradley enjoyed his return with 30 handlings and a goal.
Silvagni was good against Lynch until hurt, Whitnall (6 marks, 2 goals)
and Ratten (26 touches, a goal) made contributions despite the efforts
of opponents Marcus Ashcroft and Leppitsch. Fevola ended up with 4
goals, 4 behinds too. For Brisbane Michael Voss tried very hard with 28
disposals although he was curbed by Freeborn. Justin Leppitsch ended
with 4 second-half goals and did pretty well on Whitnall before then, he
took 11 marks and handled the ball 19 times. Few other Lion winners,
Jason Akermanis (29 disposals, 2 goals) boxed on and Daryl White played
alright at full-back with 10 marks and 19 possies. Simon Black had 22
disposals, Al Lynch kicked 2 goals. Brisbane's failure to win a
Melbourne final was the focus of Leigh Matthews's comments, ending a
strange season for them. A lop-sided fixture, inconsistency, off-field
indiscipline all hampered their progress, and the injuries in the finals
again. They do have a lot of talent there, though. "At this point of
their careers (for the young players), it reflects where they are; they
are not as bad as they were today. But you've got to win here, on this
ground, in front of this crowd." True. Dave Parkin said "It was nice to
come along and see they (Carlton) had come to play. We were going just
as hard at the finish as at the start." A big game next week. As Johnny
Elliott said "I think it's the Grand Final. That's how we're dealing
with it." What about, um, the Kangas and Melbourne? "They can think what
they like. Next week's the big one, Carlton and Essendon. If we beat
them next week, we'll claim it then and there." Ah Jack.