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.
Grab your coat and your mug and your thermos and rug, 'cause it's football season and that's the reason it's the time of the year that we love. Strolling into headquarters on Sunday, I went to take up position on the wing only to run into a metal fence. The AFL Members section has magically doubled in size and now swallows half the Southern Stand. Later I passed a merchandising stand and perused the Richmond gear. A cheap polo shirt with an RFC monogram - $50. The Tiges' new away guernsey - $100. One-hundred Australian dollars for a flimsy, lycra piece of rubbish. My final query was over Essendon's mascot - it's a mosquito with a strange anal fixation. At least the game itself confirmed old truths - the Bombers are still the most over-rated team in the AFL.
North Melbourne 4.4 9.7 11.10 15.13.103 West Coast 2.4 7.7 13.10 15.11.101
A game which many tipped as the Grand Final preview - it's important to have one in the first round. North were impressive pre-season, the Midas touch with recruiting and their typical powerful finishing much in evidence. Most expect the Eagles to have a better year than last with an improved injury run. Mick Malthouse has been in classic form already, bagging the venues for Ansett Cup games ("It should be renamed the Melbourne Cup"). The Roos went in without injured players McKernan, Allison, Longmire and Roberts. Debuts were given to ex-Pie and Crow struggler Jason McCartney, exciting former Docker forward Winston Abraham, ex-Swan Shannon Grant and Sandover Medallist Brady Anderson. Just one new player for West Coast, East Fremantle rover Philip Read. Still no White or Mainwaring.
The game wasn't dissimilar to last year's semi-final. Jakovich nullified Carey and West Coast looked like winning before Phil Matera missed a sitter and the Roos stormed home in the last quarter. Early on Kemp did well in the middle and McKenna and Wooden drove from defence, Ball did well at full forward against the useless McCartney. North were kept alive by the hard work of Stevens and Bell and the superb leading and accurate kicking of full forward Craig Sholl. Even second term, the Weegles looked like breaking clear but North could rely on Worsfold to give a goal away from a free and a piece of Archer brilliance. The Eagles did kick clear in the third quarter, Heady starred on the forward flank, Jakovich beat Carey, Peter Matera and Morrison were good too as the men from Burswood took control. Five consecutive goals helped the Coasters to a handy lead and they still led by 16 points mid-way through the last quarter. But North are nothing if not resilient. Two quick goals cut the gap to 3 points before Phil Matera missed a snap, then North's Adam Simpson lauched a high snap which bounced through, aided by a desperate shepherd from Pike. The Kangas had pinched it.
North rover Anthony Stevens ran himself into the ground gathering 26 kicks, 3 handballs and a goal and Sholl kicked 5 goals from 17 kicks and 9 marks. The rest of the Roos played bit parts, Archer, Blakey and King worked hard for 20 touches each and Carey did a bit once moved to defence. Martyn quelled Gehrig although the West Coast forward still kicked 2 goals. For the visitors Peter Matera did his usual speedy, long-kicking bit off half back, Ball booted 4 goals and had 23 possessions - Weegle fans will hope he stays fit. Young runners Cousins and Braun played well and Gardiner won in the ruck against Capuano and Hewitt. Phil Matera kicked a couple of goals and Banfield ran hard for 17 touches. "North Melbourne are the best side in the comp, a very, very good side", said Malthouse. "When you hit a side like North, you've got to sustain it for a lot longer than we did. But we'll get better." Pagan, conceding "grand larceny", said "it was a pretty good effort by our blokes...we didn't play well, we fiddled around with the ball in the first half...I really have to admire our guys' persistence and perserverence." Several journos pointed out the win was very similar to North's round one over Adelaide in 1996, also after a night series win...of course, they went on to win the day flag too.
Carlton 1.4 3.9 7.10 10.13.73 Adelaide 5.3 7.3 8.7 9.9.63
Last year the Crows won the flag while Carlton missed the finals and lost nearly 1000 games worth of players over summer...Kernahan, Williams, Spalding, Hanna etc. Despite all that, this game was much the same as any of the previous encounters between these two at Princes Park - a low-scoring contest where the Cows led in the first half before wilting in the face of a bit of Blue pressure. Admittedly the premiers (it hurts to type that) have injury problems, missing Modra (out for most of the year), Robran, Jameson, Vardy and a number of others from their premiership team. It led to a slew of Adelaide debutants: former Melbourne and Norwood defender Nathan Bassett; ex-North forward Mark Stevens; Richmond and Norwood winger James Thiessen; and their first-round draft pick last year, rover Lance Picioane. Carlton began their year with two new players, forward Sean Charles from Melbourne and reserves rover Damien Lock.
Carlton have designated this a "rebuilding" year, meaning they expect to be pretty ordinary, and for the first half they were indeed very ordinary. They lined up with History's Greatest Full Back up forward, an arrangement expected to be the norm this year given the impotence of the Blues' attack last season. But the Bluies fumbled, bumbled, missed the target and dropped marks, something Parkin blamed on nerves. Things were compounded by Charles breaking his leg just before quarter time and Murphy, their best player in the first half, limping off with hammy late in the second term. The Crows had Tregenza and Ricciuto doing well and Grand Final hero Ellen winning the ball in defence. They also had problems in their undermanned attack, but still romped to a handy 27 point lead halfway through the second term when Stevens goaled. The Blues woke up at this point, Pearce thumped a goal from 50m and then contrived to kick out on the full from the goalsquare. Inspired by Koutoufides and Camporeale, Carlton added more goals in the third while the same makeshift Crow forwards that were so effective last September - Caven, Jarman, Ellen, Smart - struggled on a smaller ground against a strong defence. The Camrys still led at the last change and Bickley kicked the first goal of the final term, but with the ball trapped in their backline it was only a matter of time. Koutoufides closed the gap again with a one-grabber and goal from point blank and HGFB, well held by Bassett all day, took two typical diving, tumbling marks which led to goals for Clape and De Iulio. Jarman, frustrated, belted Camporeale and was reported.
Koutoufides was excellent, 31 disposals and 3 goals for the very talented but notoriously inconsistent wingman. Ratten (35 touches) and Lock worked hard on the ball and young Hulme did well on McLeod. Manton played well again at full back, on a variety of opponents, while Murphy had 25 touches in little over a half. For the losers Caven did reasonably about the ground and runners Ricciuto, Bickley and Koster and defender Ellen got plenty of the ball - and invariably chipped it to someone 15m away. Bassett won praise at full back. They had 9 goalkickers. Blight pondered the regular pattern of Camry games at Carlton..."Can anyone tell me why history keeps repeating itself in this game? I didn't think we were that good early, we were in trouble halfway through the second guarter...if they'd (Carlton) kicked straight we'd have been in trouble earlier." Parkin wasn't getting carried away. "We started very badly...we just stuck at it and made fewer errors." Time'll tell for both.
Collingwood 6.3 7.4 13.10 18.15.123 Hawthorn 2.5 7.6 10.10 12.12.84
This was our first taste of more TV-inspired fixturing, the Twilight Game - a 3:40 PM start with delayed coverage, which probably contributed to the disappointing crowd of 40,000. Or perhaps it was the clubs' prospects. Meedya experts expect these two to occupy the bottom pair of rungs come late August. Certainly massive list alterations over the summer and absolute poundings in the Ansett Cup first round suggested a long year ahead for both, but the Pies did OK here, displaying plenty of vigour and with their older players looking very fit. The Hawks weren't too good, their disposal was terrible, defence too small and forward-line tall and threatening but disorganised. Three weeks ago captain Jason Dunstall decided to play on, now the only bloke left from the Hawk's "golden era". They had three new players here, hyped draftee forward Trent Croad and ex-Brisbane pair Nathan Chapman and John Barker. Collingwood gave first games to former Hawthorn forward Shannon Gibson and nuggety Preston rover Frankie Raso.
After McDonald and Holland traded early, scrappy goals, the Scragpies' pressure and superior disposal - the story of the game - saw them grab a handy lead. A poor Salmon handpass led to a long goal for Buckley, Hawk Kappler dropped a mark and McDonald roved for another, Williams pounced on more sloppy defence, a rampant Buckley marked Burns's pass and converted, the Pies led by 21 points. Monkhorst was forced off with a damaged shoulder and replaced in the ruck by Anthony Rocca. Of course he'd already been benched, but Rocca Jnr. immediately took a big grab and went on to play pretty well. The Hawks had missed a few shots, Dunstall's first effort scraped in for a behind, but Justin Crawford kicked a goal before Pie Mahoney answered from a free. Hawthorn improved in the second term as they attacked the ball harder, Shane Crawford, Taylor and Graham won the ball. Goals from Krummel, Taylor - after a 50m against Pie skipper Brown - and Dunstall narrowed the gap to 4 points before Burns steadied Collingwood. Dunstall out-manouvered Brown for an excellent mark and goal and Hawthorn grabbed a half-time lead with a mark and goal from Holland.
The Maggies commenced the second half with 4 goals in 4 minutes from Crow, a roving Patterson and then two from Sav Rocca who'd been well held by Chapman 'til then. Sav's brother was winning at the centre bounce as an unfit Salmon sat on the bench, Buckley, Crosisca and Russell pounced on the wayward clearances of the Hawk defenders. Barker snapped a goal for the Hawks but a strong mark and goal from Anthony Rocca saw the Pies lead by 26 points as they dominated. Hawthorn managed to close the gap with goals from Dunstall (from a free) and Taylor while the Pies squandered chances before Sav goaled from a kind bounce late on. Sav, too big for Chapman, marked powerfully and converted again early in the last, Pies by 23. The Hawkers pressed, Dunstall screwed one through from the narrowest of angles but Lekkas missed a gettable set shot and more poor disposal blew other chances before Buckley marked over Lekkas, split the centre and that was it, more-or-less. Collingwood booted 3 more goals, the best of which was a barely believeable running shot from 65m by A. Rocca.
Buckley started the season in classic form, 26 kicks, 7 handpasses and 3 goals, he was particularly good in the first and third quarters. I seem to have mentioned the Roccas a lot but they were only a factor in the second half, Sav finished with 4 goals and Anthony 2. Schauble, who's put on some muscle, did well on Holland and Crosisca and Crow were good midfield, I liked the games of veterans Wright and Osborne across halfback. Rovers Richard Taylor (24 touches, 2 goals) and Shane Crawford (21) were Hawthorn's best, Lord contributed spasmodically and Dunstall did well to kick 4 goals from limited opportunities. He really needs a haircut, he looks like Krusty the Clown. Croad showed bit and McCabe wasn't the worst. Judge said "We worked hard to get back into it in the second quarter...they lifted the tempo in the third and we couldn't maintain ours." Shawry said "We've had a problem with them in the last few years, so it was pleasing to have a good win...we messed around with the ball in the first half, we had to streamline our ball use." No doubt every Pie supporter I meet this week will tell me they're certainties for the top four now.
St. Kilda 7.1 10.2 15.7 17.7.109 Geelong 2.2 8.4 8.8 13.13.91
Pundits are uncertain about the prospects for these two, but the pain of failure should drive both on. The Saints were a little unbalanced by the off-season departures of Shanahan and Smith over money, but another good pre-season campaign has set them up well. Geelong had a number of boardroom upheavels over summer and scoured Australia for a key forward after dismal peformances in attack in last year's finals. They came up with Eagle Brett Spinks, who debuted at full forward here. The Cats were without the injured Pickering and Colbert and suspended Sholl. The Saints, at full strength, had one new player, ex-Fremantle rover Gavin Mitchell.
Many Cat fans cried conspiracy after last years' finals losses and they might have reflected on their fortune here as the Saints booted a number of goals from between their collective buttocks in the first quarter. After the Cats kicked the first two, Saints Jones and Andy Thompson slotted long, running shots from the boundary and Beveridge and Heatley were successful with kicks off the ground from 25m. The Saints did have a strong Waverley wind though, Everitt dominating in the air and Jones blitzing on his wing. The only thing that went Geelong's way early on was the departure of Saint ball magnet Harvey with a "bruised chest" after an innocuous tackle by Mansfield. The latest theory on the best way to stop Harvey is to whack him early and often. What a cunning plan. The Cats improved in the second quarter, Sanderson and McGrath drove from defence and tagger Simpson quelled Jones. Spinks took some good marks and booted a couple of goals, Hocking and Snell chipped in and McKinnon blasted a huge wind-assisted goal. But the Saints sealed it in the third with 7 unanswered goals, the excellent Cripps and Peckett worked hard running from defence and Loewe and Heatley led the way in attack. Coming home with the wind, the Cats tried in the last with Burns snaggling a couple of goals but were killed off by some clever play by Winmar, who set up goals for Jones and Heatley.
Jason Cripps was very good on a half-back flank for the Saints, the no-nonsense defender picking up 27 touches and grabbing 10 marks. Peckett did well too and Hudghton, a very promising tall defender, was handy. Midfielders Jones, Brown and Thompson (3 goals) battled and in attack Loewe kicked 4 goals and Heatley 3. Running backman Sanderson was the Cats' best with 29 touches - 10 of which were contested possessions according to "The Age's" complicated new stats, an unusually high number, apparently. Snell and evergreen Hocking (2 goals) were effective further afield and Spinks had a pleasing start, taking 5 marks and kicking 4 goals on a tricky day for big men. King plugged away in the ruck against Everitt and Loewe. The Cats' other marking forwards, Barnes and Hall, were ineffective and copped criticism from Ayres. "It was disappointing, but when you look at the calibre of what we had to play and where we are with the group, there were positives". I think he's blaming the injuries and suspension. Stan was happy. "Our guys were outstanding...it was a quality performance...to come out and play the footy we played today against one of the quality sides...I was just thrilled."
Brisbane 3.4 6.5 7.8 10.12.72 Footscray 3.6 7.8 12.13 17.16.118
Sorry but I just can't use the name Western Bulldogs. It doesn't mean anything. The Dogs do mean business though, after predictable "97 was a flash-in-the pan" criticism they came out and soundly beat a supposed powerhouse, doing exactly what they did last year - going hard in and running all day (or night, in this case). Dunno about the Lions. The merger, which everyone said would make them a "superclub", has been a bit of an on-field fizzer with three of the eight Fitzroy blokes discarded over summer and only two of the others getting a regular game. And they seem to lack toughness since Merrett retired. Perhaps harsh, they were missing on-field leaders Champion, Molloy and Lambert here, all recovering from injury, plus Boyd. The Lions had two new players, ex-Hawthorn backman Brad Scott and draftee on-baller Simon Black, from East Fremantle. The Bulldogs had former Sydney winger Simon Garlick and Paul Dooley, a ruckman from Williamstown drafted in 1996, in for the injured Wynd who has a mysterious knee problem.
Even first half on the scoreboard but the Dogs were more effective around the ground, Scott West and Dimattina got plenty of the ball and Grant was again good at CHF, assisted by Hudson and the reprieved Minton-Connell. The excellent Ashcroft battled for the locals with partial help from Hart and Voss, but the Bullies were simply getting more of the ball. The Lions got upset over an early incident when Liberatore's opponent, Lawrence, left the field with a cut head. Just before half-time, Bulldog Dent clearly missed with a set shot but the goal ump signalled a major - it seems a lot of these goal umpiring mistakes happen at the Gabba. Leppitsch kicked 3 goals in the first half, but after half time Footscray eased clear. Croft tightened on the Lion spearhead while Brisbane were further hampered by the losses of McRae, Bews and Hart to injury. Footscray rover Kolyniuk booted a couple of goals and small forward Martin raced into an open goal for another, late in the term Southern came on to replace injured Minton-Connell at full forward and proceeded to kick 3 goals, one a bicycle kick that'd go down well in France later this year.
Footscray rover Scott West was very good, 30 disposals (15 of each) and a goal as he controlled midfield and also beat his direct opponent, Voss. Croft was good at full back and Dent, Cameron and Liberatore did well running from defence, even Hudson played well in attack with 3 goals - gee the Lions musta been poor. Darcy beat Clarke in the ruck. Southern and Kolyniuk also kicked 3 goals each. Winger Ashcroft was a standout for the Lions, 27 possessions, Voss contributed with 20 touches and Lappin wasn't bad although Northey moved him all over the place trying to get something happening. Old timers Hart and Bews weren't bad although both finished with leg muscle strains and Al Lynch did OK, he kicked 2 goals, Leppitsch finished with 3. Lion coach Northey launched a tirade. "We won't accept performances like that this year without some changes. I think that was the worst performance I've ever seen...it was a disgrace." An early blast worked for Blighty last year. Wallace lapped it up. "We genuinely believe we're a pretty good side." Indeed.
Port Adelaide 3.3 6.10 12.12 17.15.117 Sydney 6.1 12.2 17.2 20.4.124
Good win by the Swans in a tough and entertaining game. They've had a great off-season, the AFL is pushing football in Sydney in a big way, pouring a bucket of money in and sending the Brownlow count up there, and the Swans are saying they'll have to close membership after receiving "too many" applications. Picking up Schwass for Grant was a bonus. Didn't hear a lot about Port over summer, folks are running down their chances this year with the usual bunch of cliches..."no surprise to anyone now...predictable game plan...tougher draw etc etc." They had a multitude of delistings to bring their list into line with the rest of the league and did a bit of trading, Wanganeen sniped someone in a practice game and copped a hefty suspension which brought forth an extraordinary outburst from Cahill. Other than Wangers the home team were virtually full strength with four new players, experienced goalsneak Chris Naish from Richmond, ex-Fitzroy backman Danny Morton, defender Matthew Bode from Glenelg and draft pick Nick Stevens from Preston. The Swans were without Schwass and Dunkley, both serving suspensions from last year, and injured Brad Seymour. First-round draft pick Jason Saddington from Mitcham made his debut, along with ex-Collingwood small forward Robbie Ahmat.
The Swans burst from the blocks with 2 running goals in the opening minute from Maxfield and the Swans went in hard, outran the locals and stayed in front, silencing the rabid 35,000 locals. Kelly, Cresswell and Filandia, back from a knee reco, charged about the ground while the Flowers played catch-up footy, Eagleton and Burgoyne doing well up forward while Wilson and Lyle battled midfield. The gap extended in the second term, Barry set Filandia up for a couple of goals for the Swans and Cresswell cheekily volleyed a handpass from Lockett through, the only downside for Sydney a seemingly serious knee injury to Dale Lewis, although reports say it's not too bad. Forty points up midway through the third quarter, the Swans were cruising but Port lifted to kick the last 3 goals of the term and go in 20 points down. Naish kicked a good goal from a set shot early in the final term (the kind of shot he always missed for Richmond) and then set up a major for Francou, when Burgoyne snapped truly moments later the Flowers trailed by just 2 points. But then Kelly planted a pass on the leading Plugger's chest, he converted and when Filandia snapped another the Swans were seemingly safe again. But Port refused to lie down, Poole goaled from a ruck free and Eagleton roved a goalsquare pack and slammed it through, the gap was down to 2 points again. Cummings missed a tricky set shot and Lockett sealed it late on.
Little Filandia had a dream return, gathering 14 kicks and booting 5 goals buzzing around Lockett. Luff did well as a stand-in full back, holding Cummings to 2 goals, Warfe played well in defence and the ageless Roos got plenty of the ball again - 25 times with 7 marks. Stafford won in the ruck and Kelly (23 touches, 2 goals) and Cresswell (29, 2 goals) benefitted. Lockett, showing the benefit of a full and injury-free pre-season, bagged 4 goals and O'Loughlin picked up 3, Saddington made an excellent debut on the wing. For Port half-forwards Eagleton and Burgoyne played well, each kicked 4 goals and Eagleton had 26 touches altogether. Mead, their inaugural Best and Fairest, did well on Mooney at CHB and Naish did well in attack with 18 touches and 2 goals (and 3 points), Francou and Wilson worked hard midfield. Cahill blamed a poor first half, but was pleased by the fightback. "I thought Sydney were very physical", he said. "They ran harder than we did, they sprinted to open space and made opportunities". Eade was pretty happy. "It was a dogfight in the end. Port are certainly a side that hangs in there, it was a contest between two teams that had a red-hot go all day." He had kind words for Filandia, Saddington and Lockett, although Plugger wasn't happy with his own performance and some umpiring he copped.
Richmond 4.6 5.11 8.15 14.19.103 Essendon 3.1 9.3 10.7 13.11.89
The tenacious Tiges simply refused to be beaten and exposed the Bombers as a slow, disorganised and frankly not-very-good combination...OK, it's only round one but really the Bombers weren't too good. They've already got injury problems again, with Misiti, Young and Alessio set for long absences, Alessio with an injury seemingly unique to Essendon, a stress fracture of the foot. But Richmond went in with more worries, no forward line with Richardson and Bowden out with broken bones from the Ansett Cup and Bourke missing for the season with a shoulder reconstruction. Essendon had just one new player, first-round draftee Mark Bolton, a tall defender. Richmond gave debuts to former Eagle defender Ashley Blurton and first-round draft pick Brad Ottens, a ruckman/forward from Glenelg.
Richmond started well, showing far more speed and skill in midfield than the Bombers and getting first use of the ball as Gale beat the woeful Somerville in the ruck and Campbell, Knights and Broderick went well. But as expected there wasn't anyone in attack capable of getting the ball, Holland at full forward wasn't good enough and we didn't seem to have a CHF at all - I think it was supposed to be Harrison. The umpire helped out with a couple of shonky frees close in to Brendon Gale and Knights, but the tall Bomber guns threatened whenever the ball went forward, especially Lloyd. And that's what happened in the second quarter. Hird got away from Kellaway and helped set up Lloyd, who booted three goals for the term, Bewick got a couple too while Richmond's high, aimless punts into attack were generally thumped through for rushed behinds by Bomber defenders. But the Tiges were still shading it in midfield and they boxed on in the third quarter, Bulluss tightened on Lloyd, Kellaway lifted and the Bombers seemingly panicked, flooding the forward line and denying their tall men enough space. Goals from Powell, Moore and Daffy kept the Tiges alive. Ottens came on in the last and B. Gale went to CHF. O'Donnell kicked an early goal for the Dons but then the Tiges piled on 5 straight to grab the adavantage. Rogers kicked a running goal and another running slot from Campbell put Richmond in front. Holland marked and converted, Mick Gale got a freakish bounce for another and B. Gale snapped truly - Richmond led by an improbable 22 points. The Bombers had one last fling, Bewick kicked a running goal and Lloyd snapped another, but Richmond's determination was exemplified when Ryan ran down Bewick in a superb chase over 40m and won the free, grinding his stoopid carroty head into the turf...it was great to see. Harrison goaled moments later and sealed the win.
Matty Knights was superb for the Tiges, playing across half back and up into the centre, picking up 34 touches and using the ball magnificently as always. He even took an overhead mark. Campbell was busy although a bit spasmodic, the speed of Powell and the excellent Blurton was useful and Rogers and Daffy were good. Gaspar played very well across half back and Bulluss and Broderick were good too. B. Gale, Rogers and Broderick each kicked 2 goals. For the Bombers O'Donnell toiled in the centre and Symons and Hardwick won plenty of touches in defence, befitting the Dons' chip-it-about style. Fletcher did well - he oughta, he didn't have an opponent most of the game. Hird worked hard but never dominated apart from the second quarter. Lloyd and Bewick each kicked 4 goals. Sheedy stated what we've known for some time - the Bombers are over-rated. "I know a lot of people expect Essendon to win...maybe we've got a lot of work to do as a club before we actually deserve all the accolades." You said it baby. Get a proper ruckman and someone who can run while you're at it. The fully unleashed "Giesch" played things down...Richmond are still undermanned and have a lonq way to go. "We just kept working away trying to make something happen. The perserverance of the players was what stood out today." It was a stirring effort.
Fremantle 1.2 8.2 11.5 13.6.84 Melbourne 3.5 6.8 7.10 8.13.61
If there were a cup for PR and marketing, the Demons would have it. Their brand-new off field team relentlessly boosted the Dees all summer, phrases such as "renewal", "new era" and "great confidence" were bandied about and much play was made of their recruiting, with White, Shanahan and a no. 1 draft pick to hold up. They even managed a couple of Ansett Cup wins to enthuse the supporters. But this game, played in sweltering 32 degree heat in Perth, showed Melbourne still have a way to go. Fremantle have been the subject of official AFL "concern" over summer, with their membership seemingly stagnated around 20,000 and relatively small crowds continuing to front...18,500 yesterday, the lowest attendance of the round. They certainly cheer loudly though, coach Neesham will be hoping they've some finals to cheer in this year or he'll be out. Freo had four new players here, experienced, hard-headed runners Chris Bond from Richmond and Brisbane's Adrian Fletcher, plus draftees Clem Michael and Brad Dodd, from South and East Fremantle respectively. Freo lost O'Reilly and Mann before the game, replaced by Carroll and Clucas. Melbourne unveiled six new players, the most of any team in round one: their big-money signing Jeff White, up aqainst his old club; ex-Saint full back Jamie Shanahan; their no. 1 draft pick Travis Johnstone; midfielders Guy Rigoni from Myrtleford and ex-Eagle Craig Smoker and a guy called Hayden Lamaro - dunno much about him, but a great name.
Melbourne began the better in what was a pretty ordinary game of football. After Waterhouse opened the scoring with a nice goal for Freo, Demon Viney did well in the centre and Schwarz and Neitz marked strongly in attack. The busy Sinclair, who's done plenty of sunbathing over the break, goaled for the Dockers early in the second before Melbourne replied after a horrendous passage of football. Fletcher went to drive the home side into attack but his kicked skewed wide and Ingerson repelled, his kick went straight to opponent Chisholm who dropped it, then fumbled along before falling over. Viney recovered it and passed to Neitz who spilled an uncontested chest mark, but had time to recover and snap truly. Thankfully things improved thereon as the Dockers got their act together, Hunter raced away from the ponderous Shanahan to kick a goal (just like the Grand Final eh Jamie?) and Callaghan roved classically for another. Smith came on to replace the struggling White, the target of predictable derision from home supporters, and immediately kicked a goal. Melbourne led by 18 points but Freo proceeded to take a stranglehold on the game with 4 goals in the final 4 minutes of the half. Bandy, sporting ridiculous bleached hair, goaled from a mark and Wills banged through a long running shot, then Waterhouse kicked two, one after a throw from Bandy and the other set up more conventionally by Callaghan. That was pretty much it, both sides wilted in the heat as the match wore on but Freo never looked like losing.
The much-maligned Waterhouse had an excellent game for the Dockers at CHF, bagging 5 goals. Kickett was excellent again in defence with 24 disposals and Norrish, Fletcher and Dodd played well in midfield. Bond blanketed the potentially dangerous Jeff Farmer. Bandy outpointed White in the ruck and also kicked a couple of goals. For Melbourne Neitz (2 goals) and Schwarz both looked dangerous up forward although Neitz's opponent, Carroll, had already played a half in the Westar before being a late call-up. Viney, the Dees' new skipper with Lyon still an uncertain prospect, battled for 26 touches in the centre and Yze, Hopgood and Steven Febey did OK. Smith kicked 2 goals. "Our skills were shocking - we've got a lot of work to do", said new Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, formerly Neesham's assistant at Fremantle. Neesham was particularly relieved given that his captain and vice-captain pulled out before the game. "They were four hard-won points", he said.
Cheers, Tim.
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