The following information is provided by Tim Murphy - [t.murphy@rmit.edu.au], distributed via news groups and email and is updated here Monday evenings after the weekends games. All credit for this information goes to Tim and is being used with permission.
A busy week. The AFL awarded the first-and-last-bidding rights for TV rights to Channel Seven for a handy $20 million, some of which will be distributed to clubs. Rival Channel Nine blew it with their refusal to show Monday night games live in Sydney and Brisbane - Monday nights are a big part of the future, apparently. Seven also agreed to underwrite the next TV contract (due 2001) and pump $100 million into the Docklands Stadium. Speaking of which, final plans for it were also revealed this week. It'll hold 52,000 in fully-roofed state-of-the art comfort. That's 25,000 less than Waverley. And you'll be paying for the comfort too, in games where a capacity crowd is expected there'll only be 5,000 tickets available to people arriving off the street. Richo knows what they'll charge for a reserve seat.
Richmond's Justin Charles was suspended for 16 matches for steroid abuse, but Richmond are keeping him despite pressure from sponsors to do otherwise. A tearful Charles apologised to teammates and supporters and thanked them for their support. Elsewhere the tribunal didn't do so well. Footscray lost Dimattina (2 weeks) for striking and Southern (1 week) for wrestling - Southern is the first player to be suspended for wrestling, normally punished by a fine. Although Danny's had a few fines in his career, must be a millionaire. Teammate Scott West was fined for wrestling. Hawk Raydon Tallis got just 1 week after pleading guilty to striking Dimattina, he also hit West with the same punch although the umpire "didn't see that", somehow. Richard Taylor got 2 weeks. St. Kilda's Stewart Loewe got off an attempted tripping charge, Lockett wasn't even reported after whacking Graham last week, to much surprise.
Richmond appointed Jeff Gieschen as senior coach on a 2-year contract, just like Wallsy had...Some end of season stats. The team receiving the most free kicks in the home-and-away round was Footscray (463) and Brisbane received the fewest (339). Melbourne conceded the most frees (452), Collingwood were the least penalised (348). Essendon used the most players, 41...ruckman Tim Williams was the only listed player not to play a senior game. Carlton, Fremantle and Melbourne were equal second-highest with 38, Geelong used the fewest (32), next were North Melbourne (33). Oh, and it's only Modra's first Coleman medal...he was the highest goalkicker in 1993 but Ablett led at the end of the home-and-away round that year. And Modra won't have the lowest season total for 25 years if he can overtake Michael Roach's 86 in 1981...now THERE was a full forward...
Footscray 9.2 12.5 14.7 18.11.119 Sydney 0.5 4.7 6.10 12.12.84
On a beautiful, sunny afternoon the hard Bulldogs were too good for the disorganised and sloppy Swans, who went out after not playing well for the last month. The win saw Footscray jump straight into a preliminary final after Geelong's loss on Sunday night. The other big news from this game was the dislocated shoulder suffered by key Footscray midfielder Jose Romero, his season is over. Sydney's Cresswell also hurt his shoulder. In initial selection Footscray replaced their suspended pair with Mark West and teenager Brown. Sydney lost Bayes with a hammy and dropped McPherson and Licuria. Orchard, Arnott and Lewis returned.
Liberatore again lined up on Kelly, but despite plenty of pre-match hype there was no "physicality" before the bounce or in the early stages. However it was over at quarter time. The Sydney defence was disorganised early with Roos failing to pick up Grant, Smith began at full forward for Footscray forcing Dunkley up the ground to follow James Cook. After Montgomery's early goal the next 10 minutes or so were fairly even, Lockett hit the post with a set shot and missed with a snap and Maxfield also missed a running shot. Footscray ruckman Wynd was dropping back into the "hole" in Plugger's leading area to good effect while Dent and Cameron mopped up superbly. Eventually an avalanche of Bulldog majors arrived. Grant snapped one and Smith bagged a pair at full forward, the second one set up by Grant's pass. Smith marked again and passed to Cox who goaled from the pocket. Wynd and Scott West were dominating centre clearances. Montgomery kicked a sausage after a superb weaving run. Sydney's Troy Cook departed with concussion. Swan Stefan Carey, who was to have a horror day, fumbled and Smith recovered, the ball ended with Footscray's Cook (now at full forward). Another goal. Next a terrible clearing kick from O'Loughlin tumbled into Smith's arms, he kicked to Cook and the Dogs had 8 goals to none. Hudson converted from the boundary right on the first siren.
It was just a matter of hanging on after that. The Swans kicked the first two goals of the second term, the first when Luff followed a poor kick from O'Loughlin and stabbed it through, then O'Loughlin goaled from close range. Cresswell was stretchered off after a heavy bump. The Swans got frustrated, Dunkley punched Cook in the head as the latter marked but the umpire ludicrously paid a push against the Bulldog, Lockett showed his frustration with Wynd by nearly decapitating the Footscray captain. Romero did his shoulder. Eventually Brad Johnson kicked a great goal after tackling Nicks and Grant took a strong grab and goaled, but Stafford and Lockett replied just before the main break. When Luff converted a free straight after the resumption a few suggested the Swans were in it (they trailed by 40), but Lockett missed a simple shot and Grant and Cook restored the 9-goal buffer. Footscray kicked 4 of the first 5 in the last term, a great snap from Hudson, a soccer effort from Cook, an inspiring running goal from Scott West and a snap by Brown, to kill off any thoughts of a Swan comeback. The Dogs eased up and Sydney kicked the last 5 goals, including 2 for Plugger.
Footscray skipper Scott Wynd was very good, winning 19 hitouts and giving first use from the middle to Scott West (27 disposals) and in the last quarter Mark West. Defenders Dent and Cameron were excellent in repelling the Swans and setting up attacks. Grant had 20 touches, 9 marks and 3 goals, seeing off Roos, Mooney and Carey. Smith was a key early and Johnson played well throughout, Darcy was a handy back-up to Wynd with 17 touches and 9 marks. Cook grabbed 10 marks and kicked 4 goals and Hudson 3. Dale Lewis was Sydney's best player with 27 disposals as Eade threw him about the ground, Luff did well in defence early before being moved to attack and kicking 2 goals. O'Brien, Kelly, Stevens and Shannon Grant won some kicks but had little influence overall, bolstering their stats in the final quarter. Lockett kicked 3 goals. "Our skills and decision-making were just deplorable," said Eade. "Nine goals down at quarter time, we still could have won if we had been able to make the basic skills right. How many times did we drop handballs...how many times did we handball to them?" Quite a few, Rocket. Trouble is they played that way for the last month. Wallace said "after the past couple of games the perception was we were in the finals because of our scragging, tagging and bagging. (This game) showed we can play at this level and has shown the football world." Indeed, although they'll miss Romero, the loss of whom Plough called "tragic".
Adelaide 4.4 6.10 10.10 14.15.99 West Coast 3.1 4.6 7.9 9.12.66
Tough, disciplined win by the Camrys in tricky, windy conditions (did I type that?). The Eagles continue to struggle with injury problems. Gardiner and McIntosh were late withdrawals from the side on Sunday (the match was switched from Saturday night because of Di's funeral) and Heady and McKenna went early on. Gehrig might be in trouble on video. Wooden was dropped from the original line-up and Grgic, Worsfold and Lewis came in. Adelaide lost Ricciuto with a recurrence of his groin problems and dropped Chalmers for Goodwin and Edwards.
Sumich won the toss for the Weegles and kicked with a strong breeze on a rain-softened Foopall Park. But the Camrys did better early, Bickley and Koster attacked the ball in the middle while McLeod, Ben Hart and Smart charged out of defence. Corolla Rintoul kicked the first goal after a strong mark, Pittman missed a sitter thanks to a gale-force gust as the locals dominated the first 10 minutes before the Weagles got going, Lewis snapped a good goal and Symmons and Gehrig used the wind to slot long kicks. Heady went off with a knee injury after an awkward collision. The Camrys hit back, Bond marked and was punched in the head by McKenna, Bond had an easy shot after the 50m penalty. Vardy kicked a good goal and Modra got another. West Coast defended well against the wind in the second term, Jakovich, Pete Matera and Worsfold did well and Lewis won kicks in the centre. But Adelaide defended with equal vigour, Hart everywhere. Eagle McKenna went off with a hammy. West Coast's turn with the breeze again in the third but again, they were outscored. The Crows kicked the first 2 goals of the quarter but the Eagles hit back with the next 3. When some strong work by Phil Matera set up a goal for Kemp the sandgropers trailed by 8 points. From the following bounce the locals won the ball and Jarman kicked long, Modra took a good mark after wrestling off Stone and goaled. Moments later a wild Lewis handpass on the wing was seized by Caven, he galloped forward and Modra took an excellent mark from behind the pack. Another goal and the Camrys enjoyed a 3-goal lead coming home with the wind, they duly strolled to the line.
Ben Hart had a great game for the Crows on half-back, collecting 24 kicks (17 in the first half) and kicking a goal. Fellow defenders Smart (12 kicks, also a goal), McLeod (20 disposals) and Caven were also winners. Captain Mark Bickley worked hard around packs for 31 touches. Rehn rucked well on a difficult day for big men and Koster was good on a wing. Modra kicked 3 goals, Rintoul and Bond got 2 each. Peter Matera was the Eagles' best, playing further afield than normal to win 24 possessions and kick 2 goals...the only multiple scorer for the Eags. Jakovich showed patches of his dominating best at CHB, particularly in the second half. Morrison showed some guts and go on half backand Banfield and Kemp worked hard in the centre but the West Coast had trouble scoring, as they have all year. Malthouse said "We had our opportunites, but we just didn't take them and Adelaide did. They were too good on the day. If a lot of things could go wrong (for us), those things went wrong." Ah, Murphy's Law. Blight said "I thought it was a pretty physical game. They're a tough side but I didn't think that would be the make or break. It was their skill versus our skill." Adelaide now have a semi-final against Geelong, not the best visitors at Football Park. Of West Coast's trip to the MCG to play North, Mick said "Being a non-Victorian side you are already under the pump to travel next week...but we've been down that track before...we'll have a crack at it, don't worry about that". Eh? You lost Mick. North won.
St. Kilda 4.5 5.10 13.12 20.15.135 Brisbane 3.1 6.9 9.9 13.11.89
The Saints booked their preliminary final berth with a good win after a test - and at a cost. Ruckman Everitt will miss the rest of the finals series with a fractured collarbone, leading goalkicker Heatley went off early with an knock on the achilles and Winmar was knocked out late in the game, the culmination of a running battle with Stephen Lawrence. The last two should recover in time. Brisbane certainly tried but they were outclassed, they were a bit lucky to be there in the first place. In initial selection St. Kilda lost Vidovic with his knee and surprisingly axed Young (probably fitness reasons), in came Sierakowski and Matthew Lappin. The Lions lost Champion with a calf strain and McRae with a groin, Lambert returned from injury and Trask also played.
St. Kilda won the toss and kicked with the breeze on a dark, wet Waverley day (although it didn't rain during the game). But Brisbane kicked the first two goals with Lawrence busy in the middle, Akermanis out-bustled Sziller for the first and Leppitsch kicked nicely after a lead. A great shot from Heatley got the Saints going and Everitt snapped a good goal, Winmar also snapped truly and Everitt marked in the goalsquare for another as we all nodded sagely and looked to a comfortable Saint win. But it changed quickly. Everitt went off after what seemed an innocuous, glancing bump from White. Tristan Lynch goaled for Brisbane. In the second Alves moved Loewe into the ruck. Then Heatley limped off in great pain (pinched nerve apparently) and the Lion defence lifted, headed by Al Lynch at full back. They moved the ball swiftly through Hart, Bamford and Akermanis. Akermanis kicked an early goal to close the gap. Saint full back Shanahan, goalless in 124 games, drifted forward and marked but he missed. Quick goals to Lawrence and Bradshaw (after Harvey was caught with the ball) gave the Lions a 10 point lead which could have been more had Bamford not hit the post twice. Harvey cleared the centre after Bradshaw's goal to set up a handy major for Rod Keogh.
Akermanis romped into an open goal early in the third stanza to put Brisbane 11 points up and ask St.Kilda the question. The Saints had Darryl Wakelin and Sierakowski in attack and Loewe continued in the ruck. Two dubious frees got the Saints back into it. Bamford was penalised for holding the ball after Jones raked it under him, Jones goaled. Wakelin led under the ball but flailed his arms impressively, the umpire fell for it much to Al Lynch's disgust. Wakelin goaled. No doubt about the Saints' next though, Keogh marked a kick-in, took off and speared a great left-footer through. Lawrence answered, after converting his free Lawrence decided to let Winmar know about it and the umpire gave St. Kilda a free kick in the centre which led to another good goal for Keogh. With Loewe doing very well and Harvey doing better, the home team added goals - Loewe got one and so did Winmar after fortuitously marking Thompson's miskick, Hall snapped a great goal after intercepting Lambert's handpass. Bradshaw got a good late goal for the Lions but St. Kilda appeared to have weathered the storm, an impression confirmed when Harvey slotted on his left foot early in the last quarter, shortly followed by a cheeky running torpedo from Lappin which floated to put Stakilda 40 points up. Pretty much goal-for-goal 'til the end, late-on Winmar was flattened by a superb bump from Lawrence and stretchered off.
Fittingly Loewe kicked 2 late goals to cap off a great game. He had 19 hitouts, took 10 marks, had 24 possessions and kicked 3 goals to carry the Saints to victory. Harvey had "only" 10 touches in the first half but finished with 35 to be important, Jones was very good on the wing again in a good duel with Bamford. Keogh's 3 goals came at a crucial time and he was part of the third quarter resurgence. Daniels and Peckett were handy, Shanahan kept Leppitsch to 1 goal. Burke had his standard 25 touches around and under packs. Alastair Lynch played very well at full back for the Lions, he was shifted to CHF late in the game...possibly too late. Akermanis ran hard for 18 disposals and 4 goals and Lawrence was good with 3 goals. Lawrence is the son of former St. Kilda player Barry Lawrence, but the Lions got him under the father-son rule because at the age of 48 or something Lawrence senior spent 1 game on the bench for a QAFL club...hmm. Still, no questioning his sons' loyalties. Dickfos was very good at the back and Hart (26 touches) and Fletcher (28) played well. Bradshaw kicked 3 goals. The end of an injury-riddled year for the Lions. Northey said "We had them under extreme pressure (in the first half)...the weight of experience we didn't have cost us." Nevertheless he felt the side had slipped this year "Some players floated along with the expectation, you know, 'we'll throw the switch when we're ready'. You just can't do that." Alves singled out Wakelin, Loewe and Keogh as the players who turned things around. "The fact is we played poorly (in the first half) but came back. You won't see us play poorly in the first half for the rest of the season." Let's hope so.
North Melbourne 3.4 6.9 8.10 11.13.79 Geelong 2.4 5.6 6.7 9.7.61
Uh-oh. We've not seen Wayne Carey do much this year. He missed the first 13 weeks with his dislocated shoulder and such was the tightness of the repair job that he's been jogging about with one arm since returning. But in another of the recent series of intense, gripping encounters between these two sides Carey was the dominant figure, grabbing 10 marks and booting 7 of his teams' 11 goals in the wet, slippery conditions. Geelong opened old wounds for their supporters, their bits-and-pieces forward line failing badly. In selection the Cats lost Derek Hall with a calf strain and axed Mensch and Hargreaves, but the equation was seemingly balanced by the returns of Colbert, Stoneham and Sanderson. North dropped three players after last week's loss (Mellington, Harvey and Laidley), replacements were Crocker, Freeborn and Rock.
Some unusual early match-ups, McKernan played on Barnes on the wing while North's Simpson tagged Geelong's half-back Brad Sholl. Geelong got drive from Hocking and Pickering in the middle and Milburn was busy on a forward flank, his long kick led to the first goal from a strong Lynch mark. Carey tapped the ball into Allison's path for the North reply and North got the next two goals as Pike and King ran from defence and Bell and Anthony Stevens did well in the middle. Allison got another goal, a doubtful downfield free after Bell made the most of a late, soft bump from Mansfield. Carey got his first after his opponent Graham's handpass rebounded off Scott. Lynch kicked a great running goal for the Cats. Milburn levelled the scores with a nice snap early in the second term but Carey replied after an excellent mark. Craig Sholl missed a couple of shots for North. Geelong closed to a point after a clever pass from Pickering set up Riccardi, but the Roos again answered when Barnes's infield kick was intercepted by McKernan, who handpassed to Carey. Ayres replaced Graham with Stoneham. Then it was the Cats again as McKinnon blasted a running goal, but North went in with a half-time lead after a sausage from 50m on the run by...um...er...Carey. He let Milburn know about it with some shoulder bumps and verbals. "He's a bit arrogant", said Robbo. Rule 10C anybody? The Cats were in trouble as the excellent Lynch departed with a thigh strain.
A thunderstorm at half time dumped plenty of rain on the ground and it rained through the early third quarter, which probably suited North. Nevertheless the Cats attacked vigorously and were rewarded early when Archer kicked Hocking in thigh as Buddha ran past, Archer was reported and conceded an automatic 50m penalty and a goal. But the Cats got little for further efforts and eventually Carey restored the Roos' momentum after roving a contest and snapping truly. The Kangas got a late bonus when Crocker was held while trying to lead for Carey and got a downfield free right in front. A 15-point lead at the final change seemed enough given the conditions and Geelong's impotent forward line. Things looked even bleaker for the lads from Sleepy Hollow when Carey marked and goaled early in the last. Geelong then spent eons handpassing and chipping the ball about in their backline, some rushed North behinds saw them lead by 24 points. Eventually McGrath roosted the ball clear to ironic cheers from Cat supporters and Pickering snapped a goal. Mansfield, now at full forward, soccered a major moments later and Geelong trailed by 12. But straight from the following bounce Carey won a free for being held and kicked another goal. That was just about it, although Geelong's King goaled from one of them incomprehensible ruck frees to add some late, brief hope, snuffed out when a Riccardi pass dropped short and the ball went to Carey, whose kick was well marked by Allison for the sealer.
Moving on from the omnipotent Carey, Archer played very well for North in defence although he might be in trouble with the report, Pike, King and Martyn also contributed to stopping the Cat forwards. Longmire did very well in the ruck despite conceding height to Steven King, Anthony Stevens (23 disposals) and Bell (24) worked hard and Allison's 3 goals were timely. But it's Carey who dominates today's papers...20 kicks, 10 marks, 3 handpasses, 7.0. Former Roo Liam Pickering was Geelong's best player, gathering 30 touches in the centre and kicking a goal, Hocking battled with 27 disposals and Milburn was good, especially early. Colbert and McGrath weren't bad. Strange that McGrath was never tried on Carey. But the Cats struggled in attack, Burns, Houlihan and Snell couldn't get the ball. Ayres singled out youngsters Milburn, Snell, Kilpatrick and Houlihan for not lifting in the finals. He also said "We didn't adapt to those rainy conditions, although we haven't played much in those this year." Hmm...did OK against Fremantle and Sydney as I recall. Pagan responded to the question "Is Carey the consummate big-game player?" with "that's certainly an understatement...we're a big-occasion team, we lifted our workrate four or five times higher than the regular season." A few teams will be looking over their shoulders now, although North have blown hot and cold this year. Geelong face a difficult trip to Adelaide, not their favourite venue.
Day Date Home Away Ground Details: -------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat 06-Sept Nth Melbourne West Coast MCG 2.30
Adelaide Geelong FP Night
Previous Weeks results and wrap-ups
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