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.
AFL Round 14
In the post-McAlister era Collingwood
upheavals have been rare and minor, but that all changed this
week as the Pies and their troubles exploded across the Melbourne
media. First it emerged that a Pie official had approached former
Richmond champion and Collingwood player David Cloke over the
coaching position, further increasing the pressure on Tony Shaw. Shawry turned out for training
wearing a no. 33 guernsey, Cloke's old number. That was surpassed
the very next day when a high-profile Maggie supporter Eddie
McGuire and Channel Nine heir James Packer announced they were
going to "help out" down at Victoria Park. Despite
McGuire's statements, heard through his ubiquitous media positions,
that he was just getting "good, experienced people involved"
and had "no ambition whatsoever to run the club", their
actions were seen as an attempt by Channel Nine to gain control
of an AFL club, having failed to obtain the broadcast rights
to football in general last year. Matters weren't helped when
current Pie president Kevin Rose appeared to anoint Eddie as
his successor. We wait and see.
At the MCG:
North Melbourne 5.4 12.5 16.7 19.13.127
Essendon 4.0 8.6 11.10 16.13.109
Facing a tough run of games and
coming off consecutive losses, the Roos knuckled down and beat
the Dons with an aggressive attacking effort. Home viewers struggled
through some outrageously pro-Bomber commentary from Bruce and
co. In selection North lost Sholl and Crocker with leg muscle
injuries and Longmire went for a hernia operation, Mellington
was dropped. Full back Mick Martyn returned from injury, Simpson
and Welsh were recalled and the Roos had a new player, 17-year-old
key forward Shannon Watt from Ballarat. Big for a kid. Essendon
have lost Hird for at least 4 weeks with his hammy and O'Donnell
was a late withdrawal, in came Fletcher and Heffernan.
Even first term. North presented
a strong physical challenge, typified by Archer who belted Lloyd
in every sense of the word. The Roos also had an extremely open
forward line, to the extent that there was no player within their
attacking 50m unless the ball entered the forward half. Speedy
Harvey exploited the space to boot 3 first-quarter goals. Bombers
Lucas and Caracella, the latter at full forward, both goaled
from marks, Moorcroft kicked a long sausage after Kanga Stevens
was KO'd and Bewick got one after a nice blind turn. Norf established
a break by kicking the first three goals of the second term,
McCartney snuck forward to kick a long one, Carey passed for
Abraham and Grant goaled from close in. The Roos led by 27 points.
Goals were swapped after that, consecutive six-pointers after
marks for Lloyd and Lucas cut the margin to 13 points but North
replied when a clever long kick from Abraham found Scott unattended
10m out, then Harvey snapped truly. Lalich went to full forward
for the Dons and kicked a goal, but McKernan answered following
a good mark in the lee of half time.
Essendon players missed 3 kickable
shots to start the second half and were punished when a terrifically
hard attack on the ball by Pickett led
to a goal for Pike. The Bombers went forward again and indulged
in a ridiculous display of keepings off inside their own attacking
50m. You're supposed to kick it through them big, white posts.
With a bit of luck, North cleared the tangle and whipped it to
the other end where Grant's shot hit the post. Essendon were
away from the kick-in when Eastaugh was punished for shepherding
in a marking contest, but really for a lack of subtlety. From
the free Abraham took a spectacular juggling screamer and drilled
it, Blakey goaled straight from the next bounce and it was Norf
by 39 points. The Dons were kept in it by late goals from Barnard
and Calthorpe, the latter benefitting from Long pouncing on a
poor kick-in. But the Roos again kicked a burst of 3 majors to
start the last quarter, Carey setting up goals for Bell and Simpson,
Grant converted from a mark and North led by 39 points again.
Long and Lucas kicked what seemed consolation goals, but when
Lucas and Lloyd combined for Lloyd to scramble a goal the Bombers
were within 4 goals. But they failed to get much closer, North
wasting a hatful of chances to finish them off. Bewick was penalised
himself after staging for a free, which was fun. Eventually Lloyd
goaled with 3 minutes left and it was the Roos by 17, but moments
later Lucas missed a shot and North were home.
North got great drive from David
King in his 100th game, who had 23 kicks on the wing. Archer
was brilliant early and ended up a strong influence at the back
with 22 possessions, as was Martyn. Harvey exploited the open
forward line to boot 5 goals and Abraham enjoyed it too, he kicked
2 goals. Grant (20 disposals, 2 goals) and Stevens were good
midfield. McKernan kicked 2 goals, but spent much time off the
ground with back and hamstring problems. The Bombers again got
plenty off the ball - they led every stat category except goals
- but chipped around too much. Alessio dominated rucks with 26
disposals and 6 marks and Essendon comfortably won centre clearances.
But they battled in attack, Lucas did alright with 17 kicks,
12 marks and 4.3 and Lloyd gradually escaped from Archer to boot
4.4. Seven folk lamented their misses, ignoring North's collective
wasteful shooting in the last term. Calthorpe (27 touches, a
goal) and Mercuri (23, a goal) got the ball in the middle, Wellman
did a good job on Carey although the Roo man spent plenty of
time in defence. Fletcher and Barnard weren't bad. "There
will be a few changes this week because there deserves to be.
We've lost three in a row," observed Sheedy. "We want
people who want to win, not look good...In the end you go after
blokes that are going to go down the hard road with you."
A happier Pagan said "One area that really stood out was
our commitment, attack on the football, our work ethic, areas
where we'd been questioned and it was really of a high standard.
I thought our guys were fantastic in the contested situation."
At Princes Park:
Carlton 1.3 5.5 9.9 13.14.92
Hawthorn 5.3 9.6 10.8 11.10.76
The Blues prevailed in this battle
for the spoon. Their former home has become a nightmare venue
for the Hawks and especially for Jason Dunstall. Last year Pig
wrecked his knee here, this time it was a broken collarbone which
threatens to end his career, again. In selection Carlton resurrected
veteran Peter Dean and also brought in Anstey, Hulme missed with
a thigh strain and Bourke was discarded. Hawthorn defender Graham
was out with a fractured foot, replaced by Kilmartin.
The Hawks made their customary
fast start, Shane Crawford and Tallis were busy early and Kappler
won a bucket of kicks mopping up the Blues' wayward attacking
thrusts. Holland appreciated Parkin's move of playing Koutoufides
on him by kicking three early goals and Dunstall got one against
History's Greatest Full Back. The Hawks' lead grew to six goals
during the second quarter before Dunstall's injury, he flapped
at a ball while off balance and fell, HGFB fell on top of him.
It triggered a late Blue surge, Whitnall kicked two goals in
a minute and Allan another. Very late in the term S. Crawford
kicked a superb goal for Hawthorn, gathering in his own defensive
50m, taking off and exchanging handpasses with Tallis before
spearing the ball through from 35m. But the Blues kept coming
in the third quarter, Allan, Bradley and Hamill took charge in
the middle and Pearce made it tell on the board, kicking all
4 Blue goals for the stanza from some good leads and pinpoint
passing. Hawk Krummel opened the final term with a major but
Bradley worked hard to create an answering goal for De Iulio,
then seven minutes in Whitnall goaled to put Carlton ahead for
the first time. Twenty minutes of slog ensued as the Hawks battled,
but eventually De Iulio escaped to dob one from close range and
Pearce iced the cake.
Aging Blue skipper Bradley played
a blinder after a slow start, finishing with 35 possessions in
a classy centre display. Pearce snaggled 6 goals from 14 kicks
and 8 marks, he also missed 4 shots and Hamill played an excellent
second half. Allan won in the ruck against Salmon with 16 hitouts
and 10 handpasses, Ratten and Brown were contributors to a winning
Blue middle. Whitnall kicked 3 goals and has been compared to
Mark Maclure...damning with faint praise, surely? Sexton played
well in defence and Kouta actually did something, holding Holland
after quarter time. Kappler finished with 16 kicks across half-back
for Hawthorn and Krummel did well as a forward with 2 goals.
McCabe had 22 possessions in defence. Shane Crawford (2 goals)
and Lord battled in the centre against weight of numbers. Holland
kicked 3 goals. Judge said "They were just a bit tougher
than us, and they were good around contests...we got away to
a reasonable start, but I sensed they were a little better than
the way they started." Parkin reckoned "halfway through
the second quarter it was going to be an abysmal day. A lot of
individuals showed that they could resurrect a performance on
the day, which hasn't been our strength." It was their first
win over a Victorian side in a year.
At the MCG:
Richmond 6.1 12.6 15.7 23.7.145
Fremantle 2.1 2.4 5.6 8.7.55
Stories appeared during the week
expressing the AFL's frustration with the Dockers' inability
to match the Eagles' off-field performance. Fremantle supporters
are more likely to be frustrated with their club¹s inability
to get the on-field basics right. This extremely ordinary performance
surely ended their chances of finals this year. Richmond, a decent
side, were simply too big and too good. The Tigers dropped Rombotis,
James and Torney from last week, bringing in Campbell after suspension,
Funcke and first-gamer Justin Plapp, who came from the Dockers
- the Burnie Dockers in Tasmania that is, ha ha...Fremantle surprisingly
axed key forwards Waterhouse and Hunter, giant Burton returned
along with Koops.
On a freezingly cold day Fremantle
started decently, Burton cut off the Tiges' first attack and
the Dockers ran the ball to the other end where Clement marked
and converted. But soon the Tigers' greater strength and height
told, after a couple of sighting shots Richardson outbustled
Parker to kick Richmond's first 3 goals, Bowden marked and kicked
truly, Evans booted a nice goal after a strong grab from Bowden's
miskick. Docker defender Jones took a great speccie over Evans
but injured himself trying to repeat it, Mann converted after
Bulluss stupidly pushed him in the back. The pattern continued
in the second, Freo ran into dead areas and kicked or handpassed
in a random direction rather than looking for a teammate. They
rarely crossed into attack, except to kick the ball to Rogers
or Andy Kellaway. Bowden and Holland kicked some goals, then
Richardson booted 3 more, including one from a shonky free against
the increasingly desperate Parker. At half time we retreated
to the TAB under the stands to escape the icy wind. Tiger Ryan
got in on the goalscoring act with 2 early majors in the third
term, but the Dockers improved a bit. O'Reilly was finally shifted
onto Richardson and Sinclair lifted, Clem Michael did a bit at
full forward. Norrish and Callaghan kicked good running goals
and their Holland got one. New Tiger Plapp came on for his first
run to much acclaim, after starting at CHB he shifted to the
forward pocket in the last term and proceeded to kick 3 goals
and give one away for Daffy, Broderick kicked a clinical running
goal as the margin blew out.
Haven't mentioned Richmond's
midfielders but they had a picnic, Campbell had 32 disposals,
Knights 30, Daffy 28 and a goal, Powell and Broderick 25 touches
each. B. Gale managed to shade Burton, who went off with a knee,
and Bandy in the ruck. Richardson finished with 7 goals from
16 kicks and 9 marks, Ryan, Holland and Plapp kicked 3 goals
each. Bulluss, on Mann, and Kellaway were handy at the back.
Former Tiger Chris Bond was Freo's best, playing on Daffy he
had 23 possessions. Bond was frequently booed by some Tiger supporters,
a bit stupid. He didn't want to leave. O'Reilly did well, conceding
one goal to Richardson, Sinclair had a good second half and Callaghan
(2 goals) boxed on. Dodd got the ball a lot but his disposal
was terrible.
Brodie Holland kicked 2 goals.
"The physical ability of our players wasn't anywhere near
as good as that of the opposition. They were harder at winning
the football and they ran a lot harder," quoth Neesham.
"To win by 90 points, we're pretty pleased with that,"
said Giesch. "Today was a bit of a result from the sting
of last week. We wanted to get in and work pretty hard."
At Waverley:
St. Kilda 4.7 8.12 11.14 12.15.87
Footscray 3.0 5.4 7.10 10.12.72
St. Kilda climbed to the top
of the ladder with this hard-fought win over the Dogs, making
more of their chances than the western suburbs men. Puppy supporters
were left to rue a poor performance with the wind and a controversial
last-quarter free. St. Kilda went in unchanged again, the Bulldogs
lost Cameron with a thigh strain and dropped Powell. Replacements
were full forwards Minton-Connell and Cook, both of whom kicked
8 goals against the Collingwood ressies last week.
Cold and windy for the 49,700
at Arctic Park, the Saints began with it. Harvey carved up Romero,
who's tagged him well in the past, Thompson and Mitchell were
busy and Loewe starred at CHF. Their only downside was the behinds,
several rushed by the desperate Doggy defenders. With the wind
in the second term Footscray drew to 6 points behind with some
goals for the hard-working Grant and Minton-Connell. But Minton-Connell
missed another shot and Brown snapped too hurriedly. Alves moved
Everitt to CHF and switched Loewe into the ruck, Everitt immediately
marked and goaled, Thompson bagged one and Beveridge lurked to
kick another, the Dogs had been outscored by 13 points despite
the advantage. Harvey had 20 touches in the first half. Romero
had departed with a 'bruised toe' - many suspected he'd been
dragged - but Curley was switched onto the reigning Brownlow
medallist for the third quarter and was reasonably effective.
Johnson, West and Smith got into the game as the Dogs worked
harder but were still outscored, Sierakowski goaled and Everitt
majored after a big mark, Harvey kicked a sausage from outside
50m. "Three-goal wind...it musta been more like ten,"
commented Nathan Burke later. Coming home with it the Dogs commenced
well, Cook kicked 2 early goals to bring Footscray within 15
points. Martin passed to Cook again, sporting blonded hair ala
the Romanian soccer team, well within range. About 15m away Curley
pushed Hudghton over, the ump took the ball off Cook and gave
it to the Saints. The Bulldogs pressed on and closed to 9 points,
the home side defended doggedly and from a rare attack Lappin
snapped the sealer.
Harvey slowed in the second half,
either due to better tags or tiredness, but still finished with
BOG honours with 36 disposals - 31 kicks - and a goal. Loewe
pulled down an amazing 19 marks in the breezes and had 26 possessions
altogether, he also negated Wynd. Winmar (32 disposals), Young
and Peckett were superb runners from defence. Everitt was more
value up forward this week, kicking 3 goals but he was also reported
for biffing Smith. Beveridge kicked 2 goals. Chris Grant played
very well for the Dogs, marking 16 times at CHF and kicking 2 goals from his 26 possessions.
Full back Kretiuk had 6 touches only, but he destroyed many a
Saint attack and kept Heatley goalless. Garlick, West (33 handlings)
and Johnson played well, half-back Dent had 27 disposals. Cook
kicked 3 goals, Minton-Connell booted 2. The Bulldogs remain
upbeat. Wallace said "I'm not suggesting we should have
won the game, but it was lost in 10 minutes in the second quarter.
We played a reasonable game today and handled it pretty well,
except for those 10 minutes. We've got Cameron, Ellis and Mark
West to come back." Alves said "It was a tough game
played in tough conditions. I thought my guys were hard at it.
The Bulldogs came back after half-time as we knew they would
and we had to stand up."
At Football Park:
Port Adelaide 1.4 7.7 9.9 13.13.91
Geelong 4.5 6.8 8.12 10.13.73
Rugged Port prolonged the Cats'
dismal record at Football Park, Geelong losing a 4-goal lead
in the second quarter. Losing Stoneham and Graham may prove decisive.
Power continue to grind forward, post-Origin will be their critical
period. Here they lost Morton and Naish injured and dropped Heaver
and Heuskes. Heuskes was laughably made an All-Australian last
year. Bond and Poole returned after injury and suspension respectively,
David Brown was given a chance along with a new player, Tom Harley
of Norwood. Geelong axed McKinnon, Hall and Biddiscombe, introducing
Roberts, Hargreaves and their own debutant, ruckman Leigh Brockman
from North Hobart.
The match was played in steady
rain, standard conditions in Adelaide. The Cats had a wind advantage
first and Hocking kicked the first goal, a long skidder, after
both sides missed some early chances. Burns soccered one from
the goalsquare, but the Pooer replied immediately when Primus
bulldozed out of the centre and got the ball to Lade. But the
Cats continued to go nicely, Brockman came on to kick a sausage
and when Burns curled a nice snap through early in the second
term they led by 26 points. Port stormed back into it, led by
Primus, and gained the lead with a left-foot shot from Wilson.
Riccardi closed the gap just on half time. The lead changed several
times in a tense third term, first the Cats grabbed it when Spinks
goaled after outbustling Paxman. Wilson replied for Port with
another running left-footer, set up by Francou, then Woolnough
goaled again for the visitors. I was pleased to observe he's
got bright red hair. Francou kicked a running sausage to put
Port in front again before the last break. Geelong pinched the
lead back at the start of the final quarter, Bizzell roved the
goalsquare pack from Spinks's long shot. A good mark and goal
for Tredrea put Port in front again. Geelong strived to score
but their attacks were mounted by half-backs kicking long, easy
meat for Port. Eventually Tredrea goaled again to extend Port's
lead, then the Cats were killed off when Lockwood marked a long
kick-in and thumped it through, shortly followed by Harley soccering
a major with his first kick in the AFL.
After a couple of quiet weeks
young Port winger Nick Stevens was back to top form, playing
superbly. Primus was terrific in the ruck and Wanganeen and Brown
were very good in the centre. Mead won at CHB, a problem area
for the Cats with Stoneham out and Kingsley had a good game in
the Heuskes role. Flankers Dickie and Eagleton were handy. Tredrea
kicked 3 goals and there were 2 each for Francou, Wilson and
Lade. Brad 'Nails' Sholl was Geelong's best, playing in both
forward and back halves in this game. Hocking battled hard around
packs, Ayres surprised by benching him a couple of times. Kilpatrick
and Simpson worked hard and Burns was elusive in attack, booting
4 goals including a huge kick late in the final quarter. "Port's
speed enabled them to play fast-break footy - we didn't have
the speed to match that - they had a bit more class on the night
with their finishing skills and in that last quarter we didn't
pressure the goalsquare enough in the greasy conditions,"
were the reasons offered by Ayres. Pressure the goalsquare? They
couldn't get near it. Cahill said "It wasn't much to watch,
but from a coach's point of view the players did what we asked.
We had to make sure we ran straight, hit the ball hard and didn't
deviate at any stage because if we did, we were dead."
At the SCG:
Sydney 2.4 5.8 10.12 12.15.87
Adelaide 5.5 12.9 14.11 18.16.124
The Crows continue to improve
while the Swan slide persists, the skill and height difference
between the teams here sending Sydney to their fourth loss in
the last five. Sydney lost Carey suspended for hitting Bulluss
last week and brought in Green to replace him. Adelaide made
four changes, regaining Jarman after suspension and Caven from
injury, Ellen and 202cm ruckman Ben Marsh were given opportunites.
Marsh, in West Adelaide's reserves a month ago, was pulled off
the rookie list. Downsborough and Vardy were out with leg injuries,
Eccles and Perrie were discarded.
Both sides started with goals
that exemplified their days, Adelaide's first came when Jarman
pivoted smoothly and passed to Bond, Sydney scored when Schwass
managed a freakish soccer effort. But the Crows established an
early break thanks to superior ball use from Ricciuto, James
and Jarman. Cresswell kicked a nice goal in the second term to
narrow the margin to 12 points before a burst of six consecutive
goals established the Cows' winning break. Three of those came
from Marsh, towering over Dunkley at full-forward, Thiessen was
also involved, setting up two of Marsh's and goaling himself
from Robran's handpass, Bickley and Ricciuto snapped accurately
too. Sydney made a bit of a comeback in the third quarter, Nicks
and Warfe started to run effectively from defence and Dunkley
got on top of Marsh. Cresswell snaggled a couple of goals, one
from roving a throw-in and another created by Lockett, then Stevens
kicked a running goal and the locals trailed by 23 points. Ormond-Allen
kicked a relieving first goal of the final term after a clever
mark but then Kelly kicked his first goal, Nicks charged forward
to dob another and Sydney trailed by 16 points. But the Crows steadied and Edwards calmly
roved a contest to slot the sealer.
The Camrys' superior midfield
won the day, Ricciuto had 26 disposals and kicked 3 goals as
he shuttled between the centre and half-forward, James's good
spell continued as he had 31 touches and kicked 2 goals, Bickley
and Jarman (2 goals each) were also good. Rehn was too experienced
for the raw Sydney ruck duo of O'Farrell and Green, defenders
Smart and Hart were winners, Pittman did well at full back on
Plugger. Marsh made an impact with 3 goals and also rucked well
when given a chance. Sydney's best players were defenders, Nicks,
Luff and Warfe frequently turned defence into attack and Dunkley
played well at full back. Cresswell again shone midfield with
30 possessions and 3 goals, Kelly made a better midfield contribution
this week with 25 touches, just the one goal though. Lockett
and Green kicked 2 goals each. Eade said "The only positive
was that there was some fight in the second half. Four of our
six defenders won on the day but there was a lack of pressure
from our midfield and we're struggling to take a catch up forward."
They need Mooney and Stafford back and Barry to do something.
"In the first 10 minutes of the third quarter we fumbled
the ball but it goes for four quarters so we won't get into that...we
were happy with the win, let's leave it at that," said Blight.
He was equally defensive about flag prospects. "No, no,
there's no such thing as that...it's one of the longest events
in the world, to make the eight. It's not physically, not humanly
possible to think beyond next week."
At the Gabba:
Brisbane 2.5 8.8 13.13 19.21.135
Collingwood 4.1 6.5 8.9 12.11.83
I'll repeat the exhausted stat;
Shaw's Collingwood have never won during the month of June. No
doubt it'll follow the Pie coach when his stint ends, sometime
between now and September. The Maggies were well beaten by the
reborn Lions. With 5 home games to come, including ones against
finals contenders West Coast, St. Kilda, Sydney and North, Brisbane
are likely to cause some trouble. Just one change each from last
week, the Lions replaced injured Lambert with Hilton, the Pies
dumped Kinnear for Tarrant.
Shaw again juggled his side,
this time Buckley started at CHF and Paul Williams played in
defence. The early score flatters the Pies a bit, with free-kick
goals for Watson and Rocca and a flukey soccer from McDonald,
although Buckley kicked a fine goal. Brisbane wasted opportunities
with Akermanis and Johnson missing badly, Osborne kept kicking-in
to Lion forwards. Burns was forced off for the entire first half
after a Buckley kick hit him in the head. The lead swapped several
times in the second term. Merrett moved Daryl White to full forward
and he responded with three goals against the hapless Gav Brown,
Ashcroft snapped two majors from boundary throw-ins. Rocca got
one for the Pies after a strong mark, but Buckley and Watson
missed badly, Buckley from a free kick after Kennedy tried to
dispossess the Magpie by karate-kicking him in the chest. Leppitsch
returned to full forward
for the second half and kicked an early major, Johnson booted
the quintessential rover's goal as Brisbane moved clear. The
Pies' problems were demonstrated when first Raso, then Watson
failed to hit the leading target when under no pressure. Buckley
kicked two good goals but the Lions got the last three of the
quarter, from Champion, White and Hart, to go in at the last
change with a healthy lead. Pie defenders were unhappy about
Champion's goal, adamant they'd touched it. Patterson kicked
the first goal of the final stanza and the Maggies had a glimmer
of hope, Rocca and Buckley went onto the ball. But a kick-in
went awry and Lawrence returned the Sherrin with 6 points of
interest, then Lappin blasted two long goals from outrageous
angles to bury Shaw's team and possibly Shaw himself. Late-on
there was another goal-umpiring error, the flag-waver fell over
and failed to observe Schauble's flat, mongrel punt swerving
through the sticks, he awarded a point. Never happened to Kernahan.
Brisbane winger Nigel Lappin
enjoyed himself, having 34 disposals, taking 12 marks including
a great hanging climb over Godden and booting those two raking
goals. Clearly enjoying Merrett's unshackling. White was also
a key with 4 goals as well as a good defensive performance, midfielders
Akermanis (25 possessions) and Ashcroft (30, 2 goals) were also
very good. Steven Lawrence played well as he shuffled between
attack and defence. Al Lynch played well on Sav Rocca when the
Pie was at full forward, Brad Scott did a good job on Buckley,
holding him to just 11 touches in the first half before Bucks
won some kicks in the later stages. Dickfos also played well
at the back. Leppitsch kicked 3 goals. Buckley was still the
Maggies' best, probably, he ended up with 25 disposals and kicked
4 goals. Williams (26 touches), Russell and Crosisca battled
hard, Brown had 27 disposals in defence. The same names every
week, innit? Raso showed a bit, Sav Rocca kicked 4 goals but
2 of those came in the last 4 minutes, when it was long over.
"We'll make some changes again because senior players who
have been around for a while need to have a look at themselves,"
said Shaw. "You just try to stay positive and walk into
next week, we'll keep doing that until we win one," was
his comment on personal pressure. Merrett said "After half
time we got our game going, I was a bit disappointed in front
of goal early because I thought we could have had four or five
more at half time."
At Subiaco:
West Coast 3.6 6.9 7.10 11.13.79
Melbourne 2.1 5.5 9.9 14.12.96
Biggest upset so far. Melbourne
arrived in Perth coming off consecutive thrashings and forced
into three late changes to their selected side. Originally they
had Tingay, Robertson Kowal and James McDonald in to replace
injured Stynes and dropped Longmuir and Johnstone, but later
Ingerson, Hopgood and and Ward didn't come up, so Matt Febey,
Smoker and Don Cockatoo-Collins got chances. Phew. You could
$5.75 for a dollar on them winning. West Coast lost injured players
Phil Matera with a knee strain, White and Worsfold. In came
Fewster, Lovell and Sikora.
The Dees greatly enjoyed the
change of climate, a warm day and firm surface favouring their
wiry young athletes. Nevertheless the Eagles were better at the
start, Gehrig goaled after a balletic leap over Seecamp and Heady
got an extremely lucky bounce to score a major, but other Eagles
missed shots they should have taken, or passed off. Melbourne
attacked rarely, half-forward Russell Robertson snapped both
their first quarter goals. The Eagles strived to expand their
2-goal lead, the second stanza was literally goal-for-goal. A
very good kick from Symmons was answered by James McDonald, Peter
Matera slotted one from a good lead but Robertson handballed
for Smith to kick a Demon goal, Donnelly majored after a tough
mark but big Bradly, stationed at full forward, replied again
for the Dees. The sequence was broken after half time. Melbourne
began to take charge in the centre through the superior rucking
of White and aggression of Viney. Smith kicked an early goal,
after Ball replied Melbourne booted the next three, from James
McDonald, Cockatoo-Collins and Viney, to take a 10-point lead.
West Coast rallied at the start of the final term and when Fewster
kicked a superb goal they led by 3 points. But the Dees rolled
over them, Kowal and Tingay kicked exciting running goals, Robertson
snapped one and then James McDonald booted two more, the first
of those after an clownish Eagle defender managed to fall over
and lose the ball while standing 10m in the clear. Melbourne
led by 30 points, the West Coast got some late consolation.
Melbourne won it in the centre
and underlined the fact that West Coast have the weakest following
division in the AFL, a fact backed by stats. White had 18 hitouts
to Gardiner's 10 and Melbourne had 26 overall to the Eags' 13.
Viney had 32 disposals and a goal while Rigoni tagged Cousins
effectively, Kowal stopped Kemp. Tingay did the job on Matera
and had 20 touches and a goal himself, Stephen Febey had 25 possessions
running from the back. Yze was outstanding in defence with 30
disposals, James McDonald was a surprise with 4 goals and so
was Robertson with 3 sausages. Defenders McIntosh, Waterman (27
disposals) and McKenna (25) were the Eagles' best, but their
midfield didn't function, only gawky winger Symmons (26 touches,
a goal) got hold of the ball. Read wasn't bad and Donnelly attacked
the ball up forward, he had 15 disposals, 8 marks and 2 goals,
Heady kicked 3 goals. Malthouse blamed complacency, with this
classic comment: "The worst thing about footballers is they
can read. Mind you, some of them just get above grade 3, but
they can still follow it. They have followed it to a tee...I
believe the ladder is no reflection on the capabilities of teams,
more of their attitudes. I never envisaged anything other than
a hard game against Melbourne." Daniher admitted surprise.
"We didn't talk about winning, just about getting the intensity
back we had earlier in the year. We had a quick side and the
space of Subiaco suited us. We're not a team of stars, we needed
everyone contributing and we got that today." |
