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.
The tribunal was very active again during the week, particularly on charging. For that offence Port spearhead Scott Cummings, Anthony Rocca of Collingwood and Brisbane's Dion Scott got 2, 2 and 3 weeks respectively, also outed were Lion Leppitsch, Hawk Graham and Bomber Somerville, all for striking, while North's Rock got 2 weeks for his deliberate trip on Norrish last week. The only bloke to get off was Sydney's Paul Kelly. Lucky.
The Docklands picture became a little clearer when Essendon signed a 25-year deal to play 7 home games a year there starting in 2000. Four "blockbusters" per year will be played at the 'G. The Bombers described the deal as financially "light years" ahead of their current MCC agreement. On matchdays Essendon will control 43,000 seats in the 54,000 capacity stadium costing between 5 -13 dollars. However figures showed that 8 Essendon home games last year attracted more than 54K - and the Bombers finished 14th. Of course, the number of people able to attend isn't the point of Docklands. It's deliberately small so that more matches will sell out and Channel 7 can broadcast football live in Melbourne.
Brisbane 4.3 7.5 11.6 13.8.86 Richmond 3.2 4.6 5.8 7.9.51
Took advantage of some frequent-flyer points and some kindly friends in Brisbane to witness my first interstate game. I saw an undermanned but cleverer Lion team outplay the undisciplined and poorly-skilled Tiger rabble who were virtually full-strength. Brisbane had lost the suspended D. Scott and Leppitsch, plus Trask, Clarke and Johnson to injury. A few good players missing there. Replacements were Akermanis, Clark Keating, McRae, Kennedy and debutant Rory Hilton. Richmond made two changes, Richardson returned from injury and winger Lionel Proctor from Preston was given his debut, Moore and Chaffey were dropped.
We were stationed on the Gabba hill, handy to the bar amongst a colourful mix - a bloke in full Geelong regalia and another in a mixture of Footscray and Richmond gear, a bloke who had a sign saying "I am woman - hear me roar". Spectators were genial and locals keen to converse. The stadium is quite small, apart from the main stand which covers about a third of the ground the rest has very little room for spectators. The ground itself is circular with very deep pockets, an odd shape which confounded the Tiges - not a difficult thing to do. Lion Al Lynch and Richmond's Holland both goaled early after good marks. Lynch was heavily tipped as a non-starter and the trainer was out after five minutes vigorously rubbing his left hamstring. Brisbane got a break through two skilful goals from Lappin, Richmond responded when Bowden marked 45m out and was crashed late by Champion - another charging report and after the 50m penalty, Bowden had an easy goal. But Brisbane had done their homework and a cluster of effective tags (Ashcroft on Daffy, Hart on Knights, Brad Scott on Campbell) shut down the Tiger midfield after quarter-time. Rain started falling in the second term, turning the firm, well-grassed surface into an ice-rink and really making my night. Richmond got plenty of the ball in the second stanza but didn't do a whole lot with it, continually running into the superb White at CHB. Sloppy kicks from Torney and Rogers allowed goals for White and Brad Scott and young ruckman McDonald got one from a ridiculous ruck free and 50m against Gale when he whinged about it. More of the same in the third, rain fell, Brisbane's midfield did better than the Tigers' and stupidity gifted Brisbane goals. McRae dobbed one after Bulluss pushed Al Lynch, Tristan Lynch had a tap-through thanks to Turner¹s 50m penalty. Right on 3/4 time B. Gale marked in his defensive goalsquare and kicked the ball straight to Akermanis, who calmly slotted. Bowden and Richardson kicked goals early in the final quarter, allowing us to yell encouragment rather than abuse, but Lawrence sealed it when he was able to spill a mark at CHF, but get up and kick the goal. The siren was a relief, both to us and the previously winless Lions.
Daryl White was superb for the Lions, it was a pleasure to watch him play. He starred at CHB and later in the ruck when the tubby Keating went off with injuries. He had 29 disposals, 8 of those unique effortless marks and kicked a goal. Voss, Hart (29 disposals each) and Ashcroft were very good midfield and Akermanis played his best game of the year with 27 touches and a goal. Dickfos was good against both Holland and Richardson and Lawrence a handy contributor. Al Lynch, McRae, Lappin and Brad Scott each kicked 2 goals. For Richmond wingman Bower was probably the best (20 disposals), Powell wasn't bad and Broderick showed some form at last with 17 disposals, Gaspar battled at the back. Campbell, Knights and Daffy all had reasonable numbers but didn't have much influence, Daffy winning a lot of rushed, aimless kicks and Knights forced almost to the back pocket. Two goals each for Richardson, Bowden and Holland. "We missed chances and wasted the ball", said Geisch, "and lacked small men when the rain came...we gave them those four of five goals which were probably the difference at the end." The Lions were better too, though. A relieved Northey spake: "We hadn't played that way for a long time...we'd done a lot of talking but tonight it wasn't only words. A song went with it." Singin' in the rain.
Geelong 5.0 7.4 11.9 13.12.90 Hawthorn 3.5 4.11 7.12 10.13.73
A better performance from the Cats, led by a very good performance from returning full forward Brett Spinks and un-Ayresian acrobatics from some others. The Hawks, going for their third straight win at Kardinia Park, would've benefitted from straighter kicking. In selection Geelong made their usual half-dozen changes, along with Spinks, Barnes was given a reprieve and Riccardi returned from injury, Lowther, Finocchiaro and South Warrnambool's James Rahilly were given chances. King was the most discussed axing. Hawthorn lost Graham to suspension and Treleven and Krummel to injury, in came Rawlings, Tallis and Hassall.
Geelong's midfield worked better early, especially the rapidly improving Pickering and Riccardi. Spinks booted three goals in the opening term, two from a long way out after strong marks. Hawk coach Judge had started 17-year-old Croad on him, not the cleverest of moves you'd reckon. Burns gobbled one of Spinks' crumbs for goal and Sholl did a cartwheel at CHF after goaling on the run. Dunstall kicked two early goals for the Hawks, who won plenty of the ball in the first term through Crawford, Harford and Woods. But they struggled to make headway and kicked inaccurately. Spinks booted another early in the second and Judge moved Jon Hay onto him. A bit of a slog thereon but Burns kicked a marvellous goal, gathering a bouncing ball one-handed and weaving away from a posse of tacklers to snap a great goal. Ronnie got another in the third and imitated Sholl's cartwheel - under Blight sure, but Ayres? Nevertheless the Hawks hung in as Lord finally kicked straight and it wasn't until the 22-mark of the final term when the Cats sealed it with another Spinks goal. Stoneham, in his 200th game, was chaired off.
Spinks finished with 6 goals from 9 marks and 10 kicks and may be the spearhead Geelong so desperately need. The other hero of the day was Barnes, who played very well in the ruck to eclipse Salmon in taking 12 marks and having 21 disposals. Pickering had 24 kicks in the centre and Riccardi was handy. Colbert and Sholl each kicked 2 goals drifting down from defence and Burns excited with 3 goals, Mensch did well again around the ground as the Cats double-teamed Salmon. Ex-Cat Aaron Lord was good for Hawthorn with 24 touches and 3 goals and Harford boxed on across half-back. Robran beat Stoneham at CHB and Hay kept Spinks to 2 goals after the Cat man¹s early flurry. Dunstall kicked 4.3 in a solid display and Salmon did well despite being shadowed by the Geelong pair. Judge said "We didn't play that well today. They were harder around the contests than we were...we just didn't get going." Asked about Croad on Spinks, Ken said "Do you want to murder kids or do you want to keep them up? That's one of the variables you've got to decide..." You chose poorly, Ken. Ayres praised Spinks and said "I don't know whether we've turned the corner but we've poked our nose around it. We had a focal point today and a bit more run in midfield...we also minimised our mistakes."
Footscray 4.4 6.9 10.14 13.19.97 Essendon 4.2 9.4 11.9 13.11.89
Not as close as it looks, the Dogs again failing to kick accurately for goal on their adopted home turf. Another second-half fade-out for the Dons, who are slipping out of touch although there's still a long way to go and Sheeds is relentlessly upbeat. Footscray lost Liberatore for the year and perhaps forever as the 32-year-old underwent a full knee reconstruction on Tuesday. Cook was also out with a shoulder injury. Kretiuk returned from injury and Minton-Connell and Brown were recalled. Essendon lost Somerville for 3 at the tribunal, probably a blessing. Selected were Eastaugh, Barnard and Doolan.
Essendon jumped out to boot the first four goals, two from Scott Lucas who galloped across half-forward in his ungainly fashion as O'Donnell and Bomford won centre clearances and Eastaugh did well against Wynd. But West and Romero fired the Dogs into 4 answering goals before quarter-time, some excellent efforts from Smith and Johnson amongst them. After an even start to the second quarter, a bizarre umpiring decision led to goal for Lloyd after Kretiuk had taken a good defensive mark and the Dons piled on another 3 in a matter of minutes, one each for Lloyd, Lucas and a one-step torp from Misiti. Wallace shuffled his side in the second half, sending Croft and Darcy into the forward line, removing Minton-Connell and placing Cameron and Brown on the ball as Romero struggled to shake O'Donnell. Hudson kicked an early goal and Darcy kicked some nice goals after strong marks. But Smith and Brown missed shots, Brown's awkward kicking style not helping, while Croft booted a couple on the full from 30m. Lloyd shepherded a long Lucas effort through just before the final break to give the Bombers the lead again. Footscray edged ahead in the last by kicking more behinds before an excellent running goal from Blumfield moved the Bombers ahead. Croft and Hudson kicked a behind and on-the-full repectively before Hudson made certain by shrugging off three tackles in the goalsquare, much to the Bomber fans' frustration, then Garlick kicked a nice goal to put the Dogs 7 points clear. But Essendon drew within a point when O'Connor snapped truly from close range. Kolyniuk speared the sealer with 40 seconds left.
Footscray's defenders did well, Cameron (25 touches) and Dent (17) drove the ball into attack and Kretiuk held Lloyd to 2 goals, Ellis at CHB was good on Lucas after the Bomber's fast start. West was superb again in the middle, one of the few rovers who genuinely roves packs. Nathan Brown picked up 28 disposals in the middle - and kicked 0.3. Kolyniuk kicked 3 goals and there were 2 for each of Smith, Darcy, Johnson and Hudson. The idiosyncratic Lucas finished with 22 kicks, 14 marks and 4 goals for Essendon, Wellman had another fine game at full back and O'Donnell tagged Romero out of it. Eastaugh, with 12 marks and 23 possessions played a cunning game against Wynd, dragging him wide to the flanks. Caracella wasn't bad and Solomon looks to have some ability. Lloyd, Blumfield and O'Connor kicked 2 majors each. Sheedy said "I think Western Bulldogs are the second-best team in the AFL and we were a kick off 'em most of the day...with an enormous amount of improvement to come, I think we can go somewhere." Only up at this stage. "When you give up a four-goal start and work your way back in, and you've had a lot more scoring shots than the opposition, I don't think we were lucky. It was a hard-fought, hard-working win," said Wallace.
Carlton 2.2 4.5 7.7 9.13.67 Collingwood 5.3 6.6 11.8 14.12.96
The Pies continue on their run of big-game success, here breaking a 7-game losing streak against Carlton in front of 70,000. Some worry though with Sav Rocca booked for walloping Rice. The Blues tried hard but their confidence is at an all-time low and their disposal, especially by foot, was a disgrace. Last time Parkin lost five straight at Carlton he was sacked. That was with better players than these, though. In selection the Blues regained Pearce from suspension but Silvagni didn't return, injuring his back at training. Collingwood regained Williams from injury to replace the suspended A. Rocca.
All Collingwood in the first term, Patterson and Williams prominent. Buckley lurked in front of the pack for an early goal and Mal Michael ran off the ponderous Allan, installed at full-forward, to do likewise. Sav booted a couple of early goals against the game but too-small Manton and Fuller bagged a major too. Camporeale got the Blues' first with a good effort almost in time-on in the first quarter. In the second term Carlton concentrated on closing the game down and stopping the flow, as they often have this year, and the game became pretty scrappy. A frustrated Sav smacked Rice in the head with his elbow and could be in trouble, Brown whacked Russell and he'll probably go too. Crosisca kicked the first goal of the term after nearly 20 minutes. For the Blues Hulme and Ratten got more of the ball and Bradley kicked a goal. Koutoufides was moved to full forward, where he kicked 6 against the Pies last year and slotted a casual snap. He could have had another one just before the long break but the umpire decided the ball had been touched in flight. Early in the third Magpie Watson finished off a great piece of running from Michael and Crosisca, immediately bagged another and Wild goaled after a strong mark as it appeared the Maggies would run away. But the Blues fought back, the hard-working Hamill bagged a sausage and Franchina and Camporeale kicked two more before Tarrant got a steadier for the Pies right on 3/4 time. Bradley tried hard to lift his side in the final quarter but the Blues' day was summed up when De Iulio grubbed a kick-in straight to Mahoney, who blasted through a goal in reply.
The rehabilitation of Monkhorst continues along with the Pies, he had the better of Porter and Allan with 16 touches, 11 hitouts and a goal. Williams and Russell were very good in the middle while McDonald and Wright mopped up at the back. Michael was excellent against the Blues' makeshift forwards, including the goalless Pearce. Patterson had 18 touches and did well on Ratten. Buckley got the ball a lot but his effectivness was limited by McKay. Sav Rocca kicked 4 goals and Watson 2. Winger Camporeale stood out for Carlton, one of the few skilled players with 16 touches and again the only multiple goalkicker with 2. Defenders Rice and McKay did well and Bradley tried hard with 18 kicks. Rover Hulme is a goer and Sexton stood up at CHB with 20 possessions. "It would be a long way short of the truth to say that Carlton is a flair-ful side at the moment," said Parkin. "On many occasions...I thought they made the correct decision where to use the ball, but the execution left a lot to be desired." Shaw said "We're just happy to get a win and turn a trend around which we've done for the third time this year."
Port Adelaide 5.5 9.9 10.15 13.18.96 Fremantle 2.3 4.5 7.5 9.6.60
Some suggestion during the week that Fremantle had "arrived", with their big wins over Essendon and North, membership creeping above 20,000 for the first time and another first here, an unchanged Docker side. But Football Park is not a place they enjoy arriving at and they were well beaten by a spirited Power coming off their bad loss to Melbourne. Port brought in Breuer, Lockwood and debutant forwards Nick Stevens from St. Mary's in Melbourne and Paul Evans from their SANFL side. Out were the suspended Cummings, James and couple of others were dropped.
Port leapt from the blocks thanks mainly to some inspired play from Wanganeen in the middle, Morton, Bond and Heuskes were also about early. Poole started at full-forward in Cummings' absence and kicked the first goal, Eagleton and Tredrea kicked some nice goals too. Freo got some drive from Callaghan and Dodd but they struggled in attack with Waterhouse and Clement closely attended by Mead and Paxman respectively. And things weren't helped when McManus fell awkwardly and did his recently reconstructed knee again, the prognosis is poor. In the second term Poole was replaced by Stevens who kicked two excellent goals for the quarter and Wanganeen kicked a magnificent goal. He cleared the centre with a couple of bounces and passed to the leading Stevens who was spoiled, but before you could say Who The Hell Is That? Wanganeen sped past to collect the crumb and ram the ball through the big sticks. Amazing. Anderson wobbled through a badly needed Docker major. To Freo's credit they came back in the third, Waterhouse shook off Mead to kick a couple of goals while O'Reilly and Shane Parker quietened the Power forwards. But Port's setback was temporary and Naish grubbed a goal in the last to seal it.
Wanganeen finished with 19 disposals and a goal and he got plenty of help midfield from Kingsley and Danny Morton, who both finished high up in a new stat category - "gathers". They had 11 and 13 each. Half-backs Heuskes and Bond were very good while Mead and Paxman beat their opponents. Stevens and Evans made excellent debuts which pleased Cahill with 2 goals each, Naish also kicked 2. For Freo Spider Burton hauled down an impressive 18 marks and rucked tirelessly against Primus and Lade, Wills (30 disposals, 1.3), Callaghan and Dodd played well across the centre and Harding wasn't bad off half-back. Mann, Waterhouse and Clement kicked 2 goals each. No quote from Neesham in the very ordinary match report in 'The Age' but Cahill is quoted praising Stevens' first-up effort. Pretty happy with the win, too.
Sydney 2.3 3.9 4.12 8.13.61 Melbourne 4.2 6.3 10.7 12.8.80
Tired of Queenslanders commenting on the irony of Sydney leading the AFL and Melbourne leading the rugby league, it was good to see some natural order restored. Heavy rain in Sydney over the weekend turned this game into a roll about in the slush, but you wouldn't have known it from the way the enthusiastic young Dees attacked their task against an impotent Swans attack. The late withdrawal of Lockett ('flu) might have something to do with that although he mightn't have been much use in the conditions. Filandia was also a late pull-out and O'Brien missed with a calf, Green, Arnott and Saddington were the replacements. Melbourne dropped Kowal and Johnstone, the latter was restored though when Smith withdrew. Leoncelli and Grgic also resumed.
The Demons won the game with two bursts of goals at the start of the first and third quarters. They were inspired by Garry Lyon, who kicked 2 early goals, while Yze was very busy, also chipping in with an early major. Daniher worked some effective tags, Hopgood kept Kelly to just 3 touches in the first 3 quarters while Leoncelli forced Schwass deep into defence for his kicks and stopped the Swan's dangerous running. Sydney raised their efforts in the second quarter and enjoyed a comfortable majority of possession, Cresswell, Schwass and Roos prominent and O'Loughlin got the ball up forward. But they messed about with it and any gains were cancelled by poor shooting and a soccered goal from Smoker. Another burst early in the third by Melbourne, with Viney the architect this time, ended the game. Schwarz snaggled one and Lyon goaled again, an excellent handpass from Smoker set up a goal for Farmer. Late in the term Swan Arnott stabbed a goal from a goalmouth scramble. Kelly was tried at full forward in the final term and he attempted to inspire a win. 'Kells' snapped and early goal, kicked another on the run moments later and then narrowly missed a set shot on an acute angle. Sydney were still well behind but the crowd found voice. They were silenced when Johnstone slithered a soccer kick through for a steadying goal and from the following bounce White should have sealed it when set up by Lyon's pass, but he hit the post. On came the Bloods, Bayes kicked a goal through a crowd of players and then Saddington roved Kelly's spoiled mark to convert and make the difference 11 points. Melbourne's sealer came when Smoker was whacked in the head by Stafford as he attempted to mark, he steered the free through the tall timbers.
Very good performance by the Dees, meedya experts are struggling to come to terms with their rapid turnaround - they've now won more games than they did all last year. Viney was excellent in the centre with 31 disposals and a goal and Adem Yze had 28 kicks and a goal from the wing. Hopgood did the job on Kelly and Leoncelli was effective on Schwass, handling 23 times himself. Woewodin and White were useful. Lyon showed class in booting 3 goals and Farmer, Schwarz and Smoker finished with 2 each. Daryn Cresswell was the Swans' standout midfielder as others struggled with 29 disposals and a goal. Jon Stevens had 14 kicks and a goal while stopping the in-form Stephen Febey, Roos and Schwass played OK. Maxfield wasn't bad and O'Loughlin got the ball a bit in attack but never threatened to kick goals. Nor did Mooney, Barry, Green or Dunkley, all tried. Eade offered no excuses. "We had our chances. Melbourne's defence was pretty good but we needed someone down there to kick goals. The difference...was the break they got at the start of the game," he said. Daniher lapped it up: "We're on a bit of a roll at the moment. It'll be interesting to see how we handle it. To beat the number one side away means it was a very good win."
North Melbourne 7.4 9.5 12.10 15.16.106 Adelaide 2.3 7.9 15.10 15.12.102
Mal Blight was upset as the umpires defied tradition and whistled up a storm in the tense final quarter of this game, awarding a succession of holding-the-ball decisions against the Crows who'd been the better side for the bulk of the day. "It's 30 years since I've seen six or seven holding-the-ball decisions in a quarter", said Mal. North were lucky, although they made their own. And they've got Carey. In selection the Roos lost Rock suspended and Longmire injured, in came Mellington and new player Stuart Cochrane from Central Districts in the SANFL. Adelaide have lost Mark Stevens for the season with torn knee ligaments, Downsborough and Bond were also out injured and Ellen was a late withdrawal. Ruckman Aaron Keating returned for his first game of the year as did Vardy after a fractured leg last year kept him out of the GF, also in were Ormond-Allen and Picioane.
The Crows kicked the first two goals, one a sublime effort from Jarman, but the Roos proceeded to pile on the next seven. Shannon Grant was everywhere, picking up 11 possessions in the first term, while Carey, restored to CHF, booted a couple of goals and Allison, Harvey and Anderson lurked dangerously. Pundits familiar with the Crows' Melbourne performances declared the game "all over" at the first change but the Camrys powered their way back admirably. Kane Johnson was successfully switched onto Grant and McLeod started to run damagingly off half-back, Rehn starred in the ruck, Keating did well at CHF and Jarman worked some magic at full forward - he booted 2 goals for the quarter and Brett James slotted a pair too. The lead swapped a couple of times early in the third term, Carey and McKernan threatened for North and Martyn dealt with Keating by punching the Adelaide man very hard in the head. Archer did well on Jarman. But Adelaide kicked clear late-on. Some exquisite handling from Jarman set up an easy goal for Ricciuto, Eccles goaled after a strong mark and Rintoul thumped a long major. Everything seemed right for an Adelaide victory, Neil Kerley told us interstate viewers.
But he'd reckoned without Carey - and the umpires. Wayne raised his game to Everestian heights in the last, marking some beauties all over the place and kicking an early goal. He was even awarded a non-mark 30m out, which had Kerley cutting across the commentators to yell "John Russo, John Russo!!" Carey missed the shot and the Crows still led, 2 goals up with 5 minutes left. But they'd wilted in the face of some ferocious North tackling, especially from Carey and Pickett who planted an absolute ripper on Sampson. The umpires were only too happy to oblige with frees, most of which were there although not many had been paid throughout the game, it must be said. Simpson goaled after a strong mark to cut the margin to 2 points, then the games' big talking point. With just under a minute left, a scrubby North kick forward was gathered on the bounce by the exhausted Rehn, right next to the behind post. He looked up to see North ruckman Hewitt bearing down. Rehn hugged the ball to his chest and ducked his head, Hewitt planted a tackle of questionable legality but umpire John Harvey was more influenced by Rehn's effort and awarded holding-the-ball. Hewitt passed to Bell on a better angle, who kicked the winner.
Carey was the omnipotent presence again for North, with 24 disposals and 12 marks. Kicking was a bit astray with 1.3 but he created a few goals. Pickett continues to impress on half-back, Grant was important early and finished with 25 touches and 2 goals. Stevens ran hard as always for 29 disposals while Blakey and Archer were excellent defenders. Sholl kicked 3 goals, Abraham and Hewitt 2 each. Despite his gutting end to the game ruckman Rehn was superb for Adelaide and the Channel Seven folk cried about the injustice of it all. Rehn had 29 touches, took 7 marks and had 24 hitouts. McLeod, Ricciuto and Bickley all had possessions in the high 20s in defence while Rintoul (13 kicks, 2 goals) and James (17 touches, 2 goals) were good in the middle. Smart did well too. Jarman kicked 4 goals and Eccles got 2. After deservedly questioning the umpiring, Blighty went on thus: "It's probably not a lot different to last year...I think Collingwood got us by a point. But we need a lot of things to go right from here because the top teams have kicked away a bit...I'd hate to see the word hangover (uh-oh)..." Pagan said "It's a funny thing with the guys at North Melbourne, they seem to wait until they're really challenged to show what they've got. I don't know why they do that."
West Coast 3.4 6.4 14.7 18.11.119 St. Kilda 3.2 8.8 10.13 18.13.121
Umpires were involved again at the finish here, obscuring a remarkable victory for the Saints in a pretty remarkable game. Afterwards Saint players and officials rated it the best they'd been involved in. St. Kilda journeyed west without Loewe, Burke, Hall, or Andy Thompson, all suffering injuries, Knowles was discarded and in came Cook, Cripps, Sziller, McLaren and first-gamer Ben Thompson, a flanker from Glenelg. The Weagles are now in a mini-crisis with three consecutive losses, two at home which can't have happened for a few years. In fairness they were also radically changed by injury, out from last week went Grgic, Worsfold, White, Braun and Kemp while Crabb and Stone were dropped. Replacements were Donnelly, Wooden, Heady, Schofield, Metropolis, Phil Matera and Lovell. Phew.
On a warm day (27), an even start with Phil Matera and McKenna about for the locals, while Everitt and Harvey drove the Saints forward. St. Kilda started with Daniel Healy alongside Heatley in attack while Hudghton lined up on Gehrig. West Coast had Banfield on Harvey. Saints drew away in the second term as Harvey had 12 possessions and Jones and Cripps, also in the centre, created opportunites. Heatley was benched early but Healy proved a real handful for McKenna, kicking two goals in the second term and Everitt was too tall for Eagle defenders as he drifted forward. The Eagles got a goal just before half time to cut the margin back to 2 goals. After a tight opening 5 minutes in the second half, the Eagles exploded with 5 goals in as many minutes. Donnelly snaffled one, then Gehrig finally outmarked Hudghton and goaled from close range. Donnelly arrived again to put the Eagles in front by a point, seconds later Gardiner thumped a huge kick between the large posts which got the crowd roaring like a fleet of jumbos. A terrific Gehrig tackle created a goal for Morrison and Phil Matera pounced when Banfield fumbled his pass to snap another goal. Gehrig snapped another goal to put West Coast 27 points up. St. Kilda replied with a Winmar goal but they looked dispirited and tired in the warm conditions. Donnelly kicked his third for the quarter, Healy managed a goal just before the final change.
Everitt went to full forward for the last term, sporting the Carl Ditterich look with his peroxide hair and white headband. He marked and goaled, but Donnelly bobbed up again with a strong mark goal and when Wooden kicked for Gehrig to do likewise, it seemed over with the Eags 24 points up. But the combination of Harvey in the middle and Everitt in front of goals proved crucial. Harvey cleared the next bounce and although Everitt spilled the mark, he recovered to handball for Healy to convert. Eagle Phil Matera goaled from a free, the Eagles by 27 points with 10 minutes left. Beveridge charged out of the next centre bounce to kick a running goal and moments later the Weegles were too cute coming out of defence, turning the ball over for yet another major to Healy. When Everitt twice marked and goaled on the back of centre clearances from Harvey, it was suddenly West Coast by 4 points. Now they looked just as tired as the Saints. But they got the next centre clearance and Lovell kicked a goal. Then Jones responded with a terrific effort for the Saints, gathering on centre wing, realising the tiredness of those around him and setting off on a successful solo run to the goalsquare. It was a 4-point game again with just on a minute left. From the next bounce Cripps put the Sainters into attack. McIntosh might have been penalised for pushing Everitt under the ball, but the pill trickled out of bounds next to the point post. McIntosh fell on the throw-in and raked the ball under himself and was grabbed by the Saints. Despite the ball popping out behind McIntosh, umpire Hayden Kennedy paid holding-the-ball. Ex-Docker Mitchell greatly enjoyed converting the free for maximum points and the Saints had won it.
Everitt was outstanding for the Saints with 17 possessions, 17 hitouts and 6 goals. Not just an ugly face. The unheralded Healy also kicked 6 goals and Harvey's endurance a telling factor, he got the ball 37 times.Jones was a key with 15 kicks and 2 goals, Hudghton and Shane Wakelin were good at the back and Winmar and Cripps handy. Jakovich was great for the Eagles at CHB and Donnelly kicked 5 goals, Banfield, Cousins and Pete Matera got plenty of the footy and used it well. Gehrig bagged 4 goals from 10 marks, Read was good. Acting Eagle captain McKenna said "It wasn't flash; five goals up. Good sides win from there and bad sides don't; today we were a bad side." Alves, who 'went sick' as the final siren rang, was effusive. "This game was won by courage and character, they never lost belief in themselves; they kept at it and that's why I'm so proud of them. It was the best win I've been associated with as a coach."
Cheers, Tim.
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