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.
I was wrong about Hawthorn coach Ken Judge receiving the chairman's kiss-of-death in 2 or 3 weeks. He got it this week - "Ken has our full support." And of course the coach of the other winless side after 3, John Northey, also got the backing of his CEO with the media handily pointing out that John's in the final year of a 3-year deal. If we go back exactly one year, you'll remember Stan Alves was in the same position. And Essendon and Collingwood led the ladder. Didn't they go on from there, eh?
Footscray 3.5 10.9 13.15 16.23.119 Collingwood 4.4 6.5 9.5 13.7.85
Further early evidence that Footscray are quite good and the Pies aren't. And that legislation should be introduced banning Eddie McGuire from calling Magpie games. He's an absolute disgrace. The Bulldogs, installed as flag favourites this week, went in unchanged while Collingwood chopped Mahoney, Raso, Prestigiacomo, Matt Francis and Gibson, bringing in Monkhorst, Michael, Curran, Godden and first-round draftee Chris Tarrant, a 17-y-o key forward from Bendigo who kicked 5 in the ressies last week.
The Dogs played a George Michael song beforehand and they were forced to pull out all stops early on. Shane Watson did well for the visitors, kicking 3 goals in the first quarter, Anthony Rocca looked dangerous across half forward while the Bulldogs relied on some friendly umpiring and individual brilliance including a fantastic goal from Garlick. But crucially Collingwood's prime movers weren't involved , Liberatore (in his 200th game) tagged Paul Williams out of it and Buckley was smothered by Kretiuk and spent most of the game whinging to the umpires. It wasn't long before West, Dimattina and Romero took over in the centre. Two goals early in the second term put Footscray ahead before the Pies responded with a thumping kick from A. Rocca and another goal from McDonald after the Dogs muffed a kick-in. Then Dimattina initiated a spell of Puppy dominance, a long run from the former Sandringham man set up a mark and goal for Southern, then Dimattina himself kicked one after being allowed to shove Crosisca under the ball. Further goals from Kolyniuk and Dent put the Puppies well in charge at the long break and they could've wrapped it up in the third term if not for a poor 3.6, Rohan Smith the main offender. The Pies stayed in touch through Wright, McDonald and Buckley who lifted. Patterson and Crosisca played well in the final term and when Sav Rocca goaled the Maggies were in touch, at least on the scoreboard. But really the Bullies had dominated and snuffed the Pies out with goals from Hudson and Smith.
Footscray midfielders West (27 disposals, 1 goal), Romero (27 and 2) and Dimattina (26 and 1) controlled the game. Full back Croft became the latest defender to beat Sav Rocca, Kretiuk did well on Buckley although rumours suggested the Pie star wasn't fit, which Shaw denied. Martin played well again. Smith finished with 3 goals (and 4 behinds), Garlick and Hudson also kicked 2 each. Collingwood full back Mal Michael kept Cook goalless in a good effort and Brown quelled Grant, who was still effective. Monkhorst played well in the ruck but their most effective midfielder was Alex McDonald with 20 possessions, which sums up the Magpies' day. Watson finished with 3 goals and Sav 2. "I thought early in the last quarter we had a dip and maybe if we hadn't dropped a couple of marks we could have been closer," said Shaw. "But they probably should have whacked us pretty hard after that," he concluded, referring to the 3.8 the Dogs booted in the final term. Wallace was under no illusion. "I never felt...the game was ever in doubt. But it's one of those where you want to put them away when you have the opportunity."
Richmond 1.2 6.5 8.9 15.13.103 Hawthorn 7.0 10.3 12.6 15.7.97
In the pub afterwards a Hawk man started up with the "How many flags have you seen...Remember in the 80s when youse couldn't beat us," and most pathetically, "Are any of your players on the radio!!" I hope he enjoyed his mob's 11th straight loss and 6th in a row against Richmond. The Tiges made five changes from the Geelong game, Richardson, Powell (strained knee ligament) and Mick Gale were out injured, Knights got 2 weeks for hitting Spinks and Chaffey was dropped. In came Manfield, Bower, Nichols and two new Tigers, former Collingwood boozer Aaron James and midfielder John Rombotis, via Fitzroy and Port Adelaide. Hawthorn lost ruckman Paul Salmon with a broken cheekbone and dumped Tallis and Thompson, in came Daniel Harford, Bone and debutant Haydon Kilmartin, yet another Hawk from East Fremantle. Dunstall was selected but didn't play.
The weeklong glare of the media spotlight had warmed the Hawks' blood and they came charging out. Tiger ruckman Brendon Gale comfortably won hitouts against Lawrence but Hawthorn cleared the centre through the aggression of Taylor and the skill of Treleven. Nick Holland kicked a couple of early goals, Chick and Lloyd got the ball in attack and Croad, at full forward, also kicked a goal in the opening term. In defence Judge went with strength in numbers, with Barker and Hay doing well. More goals early in the second quarter, from Dixon and Holland, saw the Hawks lead by 8 goals before the Tiges woke up. Gaspar was moved to CHF and provided a marking target while Ben Holland realised that it's easier to get the ball if you lead a bit rather than stay in the square, he kicked two goals for the term. Campbell drifted forward for a couple of goals too. Hawthorn stayed well ahead in the third with more goals and Tiger Merenda departed with a knee problem, but Richmond were boosted in midfield by great efforts by Prescott and Broderick, Moore and Rombotis coming off the bench. Daffy set up a goal for Ben Holland to cut the Hawks¹ lead to 20 points. Benny Gale took a strong mark in the pocket and suffered a sudden hamstring cramp, allowing left-footer Broderick to convert the angled shot. Chick extended the Hawks' lead right on the siren, but on came Richmond.
After a couple of early misses in the final stanza, majors from Harrison and Gaspar reduced the margin to a goal. Lekkas snapped a point for the Hawks, that point became the difference when Richmond's Holland stabbed a goal through a crowded square. Ottens marked strongly but missed, scores level. Krummel put the Hawks in front again after finding space in attack, but scores were levelled again when a lightening handpass from Broderick sent Campbell away, he kicked while being tackled and the ball wobbled through. Then Harrison marked and goaled from outside 50 and Richmond led for the first time. The scoreboard was tied for the third time in the quarter when Hawk Chapman goaled after a nice grab over James. It was quite exciting. At the following bounce Bower fell over and won a charity free in keeping with Easter, the ubiquitous Harrison marked his kick and duly converted and the Tiges had a sealer moments later when Hawk defender McCabe panicked and kicked out on the full, Moore roved Holland's kick and slammed it through. Chick goaled on the siren.
It was the Bennys for Richmond. Benny Gale dominated the ruck with 24 disposals, 8 strong pack marks and 12 hitouts, he was excellent although Hawthorn really have no backup for Salmon. Ben Holland kicked 5 goals in his best game for Richmond, Ben Harrison finished with 13 kicks and 4 goals after a quiet first half - he's not a CHF. Prescott played very well throughout and Gaspar was good at both ends. Rombotis was good after coming on and Rogers stopped Shane Crawford. Campbell kicked 3 goals. For the Hawks Nick Holland had 22 touches, 9 marks and kicked 3 goals while playing CHF, CHB and in the ruck too. Chick was lively in attack wih 4 goals and Lloyd (26 touches) and Treleven (30) were good in the middle. Lekkas, Barker and Lawrence battled in defence. Judge didn't comment on the fadeout but said "I hope today steels them better, a few kids we had out there have experienced playing in a close game..." So it's come to this, losing narrowly is good. Gieschen said "One thing we are trying to do as a group is get that evenness, that consistency and never-give-up type of play that the Richmond of old are renowned for." Fine, but I'd prefer the lead-by-4-goals-all-day consistency.
Port Adelaide 1.1 2.5 5.8 10.9.69 North Melbourne 7.1 11.3 13.7 15.8.98
After their dream run last year you wouldn't have picked Port to lose their first two home games. They were unlucky against the inconceivably accurate Swans two weeks back but were given a comprehensive lesson here by the tough and professional Roos. The home side had just one alteration from their successful interstate trip, captain Gavin Wanganeen returned from pre-season suspension at the expense of Daniels. North regained McKernan after a fractured shin and Capuano too, Harvey came in as a late replacement for Longmire. Groom, Simpson and Rock were axed.
It was cool and wet at the Stade de Adelaide, rain tumbled down throughout which probably helped North, the best wet-weather side in the comp. They lined up with their normal configuration in such conditions, Carey at CHB and a small, speedy forward line. They went in much harder than Port and moved the ball forward first time by any means, as per normal. Port's Kingsley kicked the first goal, a nice running effort, but it was a long time and 9 North goals until their next. Brent Harvey kicked North's first after catching a dawdling Francis. Harvey then set up a comical goal for Blakey and added another for himself. Poole attempted to roughen Carey and came off second best, then an Abraham snap skidded through. Craig Sholl got in on the act with the next two goals, one after a free for on-the-full, the second after a cool pass from Archer and a 50m penalty against the rattled Flowers. Then Harvey bobbed up again, converting Bell's pass for maximum points, kicking the first goal of the second term after a great mark and then kicking into space for Blakey to race on and raise the twin calicos. The Roos led by 48 points and it was already over. Port spearhead Cummings, useless in the conditions as was Lade, finally broke the North scoring sequence after a free but Grant replied rapidly, then Harvey and Blakey combined to set up a goal for Stevens on half time.
To Port's credit they came out hard in the second half despite having no hope of winning, although North could be forgiven for already thinking ahead to a hot shower and perhaps a guick George Michael before the plane ride home. Cummings, who'd played the same role in proceedings as the Fallen Log had at Oakbank earlier in the day, was replaced by the more mobile Tredrea and Bode came on to lift the Pooer, they began tackling a bit harder and staunching North's relentless play-on style. Wanganeen kicked the first goal of the third and the excellent Eagleton got the next two as the Port supporters roared like there was still something at stake. McKernan entered for his first run, charging friskily about the forward line and two Abraham goals late in the term restored perspective. Harvey got another early in the final term before Port booted some late consolation goals, including two fine efforts from Tredrea.
North players can take a collective bow for planting 50 tackles to Port's 39. Individually, Brent Harvey grabbed his chance with both hands, bagging 5 goals from 14 kicks as well as giving a few away and Abraham kicked 4 goals from 15 kicks. Byron Pickett, a tough half-back recruited from Port Adelaide's reserves, was great for the Roos and Pike did a good stopping job on Wilson. Bell, Scott and Anderson worked hard midfield and Martyn slaughtered Cummings. Apart from ruckman Primus, who was great all night, Port's best emerged in the second half, on-ballers Dickie and Lyle, back pocket Kingsley and small forward Naish. Tredrea kicked 3 goals, all in the last quarter, and Eagleton got 2. Said Flower coach Cahill "Our start was atrocious, we do that too often. The disappointing thing about the first half was that their body strength at the ball was far superior to ours." Pagan stated "The biggest thing that helped us was our dismal showing and disappointing result last week...our attack on the ball was excellent and completely in contrast to last week."
Sydney 5.4 10.6 15.14 24.16.160 Geelong 0.5 2.11 3.14 7.15.57
Perhaps just desserts for Geelong, playing for the first time in their controversial and ridiculous away guernsey which is basically the same as Carlton's regular outfit with three thin white stripes across the chest. The socks were the worst part. Wonder if it comes with a matching handbag? It seemed to confuse the players, the Cats were basically unable to foot or handpass accurately to any teammate. They were duly belted by the Swans who had winners on every line. Sydney were initially unchanged but Carey was a late withdrawal, replaced by ex-Brisbane big man Brent Green. The Cats lost Spinks, suspended 3 weeks for thumping Torney last week, Snell was dropped and King was a late withdrawal with his ankle, but they regained Colbert and Lynch from injury and Barnes won a reprieve.
Main interest of the first quarter was the amazing inaccuracy of Tony Lockett who booted 1.4 from a series of easy shots. How can a bloke who's kicked over 1000 goals in 13 years forget how to kick 'em? Even though he was easily outmarking Graham, his fellow Swans eventually decided to ignore him and go for Barry or Mooney, or shoot from range, like Schwass and Kelly. The Swans got plenty of drive from half-back through McPherson and Nicks, Roos and Dunkley comfortably beat Stoneham and Mansfield in the Cats' key forward posts while Stafford, Cresswell and Kelly ruled across the centreline. O'Brien came on to bag a couple in the second quarter while Geelong managed a few attacks but low confidence led to a string of misses before Riccardi finally kicked their first goal 26 minutes in. But the Swans carried on in the third, Plugger abandoned the long, steady lining-up process to mark, turn and kick immediately - and it worked. He kicked two for the quarter and O'Loughlin bagged a nice one. Lockett, Roos and Stafford went off for rest in the final term and the Cats started it well with goals from Milburn, Simpson and Riccardi, but the Swans rallied. Green came off the bench to kick 2 goals and they eventually went 100 points in front with a six-pointer from the very good Leo Barry.
Best players for the Swans were half-back flankers McPherson (25 possessions) and Nicks (21), who repeatedly gathered the ball in defence, ran through to play a "one-two" in the centre and deliver to the forwards. Learned a bit off Schwass already. There were plenty of targets, Lockett, Barry and O'Loughlin each kicked 3 goals, Barry had 24 disposals altogether and led well for 7 marks. Cresswell also booted 3 amongst his 34 disposals against Hocking while Stafford beat Barnes and Mensch. Dunkley emphasised the Cats' weakness at full forward, at least without Spinks. Riccardi was the only Cat who could be said to have played well, with 29 touches and 3 goals. Mensch and Colbert tried hard, Hall got the ball a lot in the first half but didn't have much effect. Ayres trotted out the expected. "...disgraceful, pathetic and embarrassing, all that sort of stuff. There's a big difference between working hard and busting a gut, and today we didn't bust a gut." "Our tackling and pressure were fantastic. They've got the thought that they want to do it for each other, hopefully that will continue," said Eade. He reeled off a few players - Bayes, Arnott, Chapman - expected back soon.
St. Kilda 4.7 6.7 9.10 12.10.82 Adelaide 1.2 4.6 4.8 8.12.60
Revenge for the Saints, not so sweet given that there was a bit less at stake than last September and Cow fans would say their team is still significantly weaker than the flag winner. But nice all the same, especially after last week's mauling. In selection the Saints lost Cripps with a hammy and discarded Lappin, Cook and Healy, replacements were Daniels, Young, Beveridge and debutant Brett Knowles, drafted in 1996 from Gippsland. Adelaide brought in Downsborough and Johnson to replace injured Robran and dumped Edwards.
According to the cliche revenge is best served cold and Waverley turned on an appropriate day with wind and rain into the bargain. Saints won the toss and started with the breeze - crazy! The Crows got the first goal when Sampson was swarmed upon illegally by Saint defenders, but it was all St. Kilda 'til quarter time. Harvey shrugged off the attentions of his Grand Final opponent Johnson to gather 8 touches in the first term and create goals for Loewe and Heatley, while the Saints generally attacked the ball ferociously. In one passage a series of crunching hits and tackles led to Ricciuto losing his cool and throwing elbows and fists around like...Ricciuto. When the Camrys had the wind in the second term they sent Rintoul into the middle and he won a bucket of kicks, Jarman went to full forward where he didn't fare so well against Hudghton. Nevertheless goals arrived from Rintoul, Koster and Caven but the Saints got 2 against the run of play. Everitt marked in a deserted forward line and just before half time Thompson capitalised when the Crows messed up a switch of play to set up a goal for Harvey. Blight later identified these goals as the difference. Into the third term and the visitors concentrated on negative tactics against the breeze, but little Mitchell defied the elements to boot two goals including one from a pack mark. Knowles came on for his first run and did very well on Rintoul. Coming home Adelaide had a dip with goals from Connell and Jarman bringing them within 17 points and Ellen missed with a soccered shot, but then Burke kicked a steadier and the Saints were home. The Cows finished with a bench of Rehn, Jarman, Ricciuto and Smart.
Haven't mentioned Loewe much but he was very good with 24 touches, hauling down 10 marks in unhelpful conditions and kicking a goal as he shuffled between CHF and the ruck. Obviously not a final. Harvey (30 disposals) and Burke (24, 2 goals) were back to their best, assisted by Thompson in the middle. Winmar performed well running from defence while Hudghton and Peckett quelled Jarman and McLeod respectively. Knowles had a fine first game with 21 possessions in little over a half. Heatley, Everitt and Mitchell also kicked 2 goals each. For the premiers Bickley and Rintoul (21 touches each) worked hard in the middle and McLeod was effective in the second half after being moved to defence, Pittman was useful in the ruck against Saints' three-pronged assault (Everitt, Loewe, Sierakowski) and Smart played reasonably. On the wing Connell beat Jones and was his teams' only multiple goalkicker with 2. The Crows are missing key big men, forced to use the ordinary Downsborough at CHB but the non-contributions of those finishing on the bench didn't help. Blighty was a bit vague. "I thought it was a 50/50 game bar about three and a half minutes...and they won the toss. I'm great believer in that, kicking goals and getting momentum with the wind." Ah. Nothing to do with your mob only kicking 8 goals then, Mal. Alves played down the revenge bit. "Today was pretty important...firstly because of last week, but also because this is a side we've had to eat humble pie to...it was a step in the right direction."
Fremantle 0.4 5.6 8.7 10.7.67 West Coast 5.0 6.2 10.6 14.10.94
Probably the best WA derby so far as a game of football, even if the result and the reasons for it were familiar. The Eagles had too much skill and composure under pressure for the feisty but error-prone Dockers. Not the best build-up for Fremantle, coming off their 15-goal hiding in Adelaide and losing arguably their two best players, Kickett was lucky to get only 2 weeks for nearly killing Sampson last week and Waterhouse pulled out with a calf strain. In addition Hunter, Toia and Carroll were dropped. In came Mann, Sinclair, Clement, Koops and McGovern. West Coast lost Heady and Morrison to injury and dumped Donnelly, replacements were Evans, Read and Lovell.
Plenty physical early, enough to make Peter Matera lose his rag and earn an early benching. But the Eagles had an open forward line and direct midfielders, in contrast to Freo's crowded and disorganised forward half. There was also a surfeit of appallingly bad umpiring, from which the Dockers received most benefit. Phil Matera slipped away from Bond to kick the first goal from a mark and the superb Gehrig slotted the second after marking between the goal and point posts. Phil Matera ran down Gehrig's kick for the next and Braun drifted forward to kick a pair of nice, running goals too. The Dockers' launched many slow and haphazard attacks. But they stormed back in the second term, throwing themselves manically after the ball. Burton went into the ruck and took over, Bandy moved to CHF and Norrish and Dodd started to win in the middle. Clement booted the Dockers' first two, a good kick from a set shot and then a magnificent running snap from the boundary although TV showed the ball was clearly out before he picked it up. Wills and Dodd scored with running shots and Anderson put Freo in front just before half time to the delight of the pro-Docker crowd. To top it off, Worsfold went off after a spectacular knee in the head from Sinclair. The rattled Eagles had chances, Gehrig failed to score with either of 2 set shots from 40m directly in front and Phil Matera should have had a free at point blank range when wrestled to the ground by Bond. But Gehrig restored the Weegles' lead right on half time.
A more composed West Coast took the field for the second half, Cousins and Wooden came off the bench and won the ball in the middle and Jakovich became a force at the back. Burton's influence waned as he tired. Consecutive goals to Gehrig, Schofield and Braun stretched the Eags' lead to 4 goals and threatened to end the game but the Dockers clung on. Callaghan steered one through and Clement gained full points with another excellent kick. After Pete Matera turned over possession on the wing Mark Gale kicked superb goal from the junction of the 50m and boundary lines and cut the gap to 5 points before another Gehrig goal. The Dockers were fired in the 3/4 time huddle but Phil Matera kicked an early one in the final term and Gehrig again floated for a great mark in the goalsquare to pretty much end it. Lewis came off the bench to kick a goal in his 200th game and was chaired off after the siren, only the second Aborigine to reach the milestone.
Great game by Fraser Gehrig at CHF, he kicked 5 goals from 13 kicks and 12 marks and was simply too athletic for the dogged Shane Parker. Jakovich (19 disposals), McIntosh and McKenna were solid at the back and Braun (3 goals) and Schofield clinical midfield. Phil Matera played well after I bagged him last week, he kicked 3 goals. For the Dockers James Clement put on a great display of goalkicking with 5 majors from 14 kicks (he got the last 2 of the game). Norrish beat Pete Matera and Dodd tagged Kemp out of it, O'Reilly kept Ball goalless. Callaghan (28 touches) and Fletcher (25) battled midfield. The Dockers'll be a better side when Burton is fully fit. Neesham trotted out the usual reasons. "We had our opportunities and didn't take them. It's hard to win when you go into the 50m zone nineteen times to ten in the first quarter and kick four points." Malthouse wasn't overly impressed with his side. He labelled Pete Matera "dreadful" and said "I was disappointed with our preparation...younger players who didn't listen and older players who made a lot of noise, but didn't do a lot about it.² You still won, Mick.
Brisbane 2.4 4.6 9.13 12.15.87 Melbourne 4.4 10.7 12.8 15.10.100
A game which raised many questions. Should the game have been moved to a cooler night-time start? How good are Melbourne? Why are Brisbane so crap? Who let Matthew Campbell into the commentary box? The Lions foundered again in what was an ordinary game. They've got plenty of injuries and a very young and inexperienced side at present, out from last week went Bews with a hammy and Lappin was a late withdrawal, Robbins and Carter were dropped. In were Champion for his first game this year, Trask, Bamford and first-gamer Marcus Picken, son of Collingwood legend Billy. The Lions have already played 4 of their teenage draft picks. Despite winning last week Melbourne axed Kowal, Johnstone and Cockatoo-Collins, Smith missed with injury. They made room for Viney, Glen Lovett, Anthony McDonald and Robertson.
It was 27 degrees and 79% humidity when the game started. Melbourne were better throughout the first half. They did better in the centre through Leoncelli, Viney and Yze and while their big forwards didn't do much but a whole bunch of players stepped into the breach, including Farmer, Grgic, Leoncelli, Yze, Smoker and Stephen Febey. In contrast the Lions struggled when they went forward, Shanahan shackled Leppitsch and 3 of their 4 first-half goals came from small forward Johnson. Melbourne players took their guernseys off before leaving the ground at half time, and players on the bench wore ice-cooled jackets. Brisbane launched a comeback in the second half with Voss, Ashcroft and Chris Scott doing better and Dion Scott and Champion sent forward to help. Melbourne got a steadying goal early in the last quarter when Kennedy spilled a sitter in the goalsquare and Robertson pounced. But consecutive goals from Lawrence and Johnson brought the home team within 7 points before Melbourne were rescued by two goals in a minute, both from free kicks to Smoker. The first was fair enough as Smoker was ridden into the ground by Daryl White, but the second was rubbish. Smoker and Akermanis had a bit of pathetic push and shove after the ball went out in Melbourne's forward pocket, umpire no.6 caught the end of it and the Demon got an easy goal.
Smoker actually played pretty well with 4 goals from 11 possessions. Stephen Febey ran relentlessly from half back to gather 17 touches and kick 2 long goals. Yze, James McDonald and Rigoni played well midfield, Shanahan and Ingerson won in the key defensive posts and Stynes shaded Clarke. Neitz was the best of the big forwards. Michael Voss battled hard with 23 disposals for the Lions and small forwards Johnson (4 goals) and Lawrence (2 goals) weren't bad, Black and Tristan Lynch got a bit of the ball. Picken showed a cool head playing out of the back pocket. But they had too few winners and made too many mistakes. Northey continues to talk tough. "We're carrying too many in the team who are thinking of themselves rather than their teammates...and they're playing accordingly. It's something we have to rectify quickly..." But who to bring in, Swoop? Daniher blasted the playing conditions - the Dees' second hot one in three. "It's ridiculous the game being played in the middle of the day...I hope the AFL will have a good look at it." There's talk of switching day games to the night if the forecast temp is 28 or higher.
Carlton 3.3 5.5 10.7 14.14.98 Essendon 5.4 10.10 12.12 14.15.99
Terrific game in front of 68,000 to finish Easter, wayward goalshooting in the final term costing the fast-finishing Blues. Both were weakened by injury. Carlton lost Murphy, Bradley and Manton before the game, replaced by Anstey, Beaumont and Lock. The Bombers lost Symons (ankle), O'Connor, Hird (both hamstring) and Barnard (concussion), in came Berbakov, Olarenshaw, Cockatoo-Collins and first-gamer Simon Eastaugh, a ruckman from Richmond's reserves via Norwood.
The Blues had History's Greatest Full Back do his smothering, scragging thing on Lloyd at full back while Allan lined up at full forward. Carlton kicked the first two goals, both from Camporeale roving packs, but after Lloyd soccered the Bombers' first they were on their way. Bomford beat Ratten in the centre and Blumfield put Koutoufides out of it, Mercuri, Lucas and Fraser kicked goals. Blue coach Parkin moved Pearce to full forward and he kicked a couple of goals either side of quarter time, but the Dons stayed well in front as Cockatoo-Collins came on to kick 2 goals just before half time and could have been better if not for misses from Lloyd. Late in the third quarter Essaden led by 37 points, but Carlton finished the term well with 4 straight goals for Camporeale, Whitnall, De Iulio and Hogg. De Iulio's was one of them "double goals" when he was flattened off the ball - but it can't be right 'cause Sheeds told us Essendon don't do that sort of thing. Carlton's comeback continued into the final quarter, Pearce's early goal was answered by Cockatoo-Collins but then followed a classic Carlton goal, Lock's blind mongrel punt flopped into the arms of Allan, who converted. Porter and Ratten cleared the following bounce and found Anstey on half-forward, he drilled it and the Blues trailed by 4 points. Mercuri took a strong mark and relieved the pressure with a good goal but with their tails up the Blues pressed home. Misses from Pearce (his 5th) and a poor running effort from De Iulio eventually proved costly when Whitnall snapped a goal and the final score of the match with 3:30 left. Bomford took a good mark in defence and the Bombers ran the clock down with a series of short passes inside their defensive 50m. Parkin decried the tactic later, but if you 'aint got the ball you can't cry. At least Parkin admitted his side "didn't follow team rules and man up."
Skilled Don half-forward Mark Mercuri was excellent, with 23 touches, 5 marks and 3 goals. Blumfield kept close on Koutoufides, whom Parkin moved all over the ground in effort to break the tag. Bomford (26 disposals) and O'Donnell (24) were very good in the middle and Lucas and Cockatoo-Collins, with 3 goals each, were effective forwards. Lloyd kicked 1.5. Wellman was very good in defence with 21 touches and 6 marks. For Carlton Porter had a great game in the ruck and Camporeale was handy with 24 possessions and 3 goals. Ratten and Brown were useful in the middle after half time. Forwards Whitnall and Pearce were good and could have been better...the former kicked 3.3 and the latter 4.5. De Iulio and Sexton weren't bad. "We're slow, we need quick players and lots of them...it's still our achilles heel. We'll be praying for rain this week against Melbourne," said Parkin. Sheedy was all happy again. "I thought we were lucky...Carlton were fantastic. Between now and the year 2000 we're trying to develop a team that will match it with the big boys..." Eh? Not many coaches write the year off in round 3.
Cheers, Tim.
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