AFL Round 21- (Part 1)

The top pair are safe and the next two down will make it, but the following five could finish in any order. That's what happens when you let half the table into the finals.

Fremantle announced they won't be renewing Gerard Neesham's contract, ending a battling four years for their inaugural coach. A young team and injuries plagued him and there were some terrible trades. This week Stuart Anderson, whom they got for Winston Abraham, quit the club. Sydney assistant Damian Drum is the tip to tread the well-worn path from Allies to senior AFL coach although all sorts of names are cropping up, Leigh Matthews has already rejected an offer, allegedly, while I heard the name Tony Elshaug on Friday night. On coaches, Brisbane apparently offered Leigh Matthews the sun, moon and stars to go up there. And pots of money

St. Kilda dropped Nicky Winmar to the reserves after he officially apologised for "losing it" last Sunday - some family problems, his manager told us. His manager, Peter Jess, pushed for One Nation membership by adding "Nicky is a very basic guy and at the end of the day he hasn't got the skills to deal with complex problems...they haven't got the socialisation skills and that's why the jails are full of them". The disbelieving interviewer said "Er...Aborigines?" Jess: "Yeah". The league is cracking down on players urinating on the field before games, when your team is in a huddle they’re not bonding, just shielding blokes having a nervous pee. Blokes like Aaron James and Justin Crawford wouldn't need shielding.

At the MCG:

Essendon    4.3    7.6    10.8     13.12.90
Footscray   4.5    6.10   10.17    14.17.101

The Dogs secured a top-2 finish in a weird game, they dominated for long periods but Essadun had a chance to pinch it at the end, straighter kicking would've helped. Home viewers were once again subjected to Channel Seven's Essendon Cheer Squad. Tim Watson has introduced a new commenting technique, a sharp, hissing intake of breath accompanying wayward passes or physical contact. In selection the Bombers regained Michael Long after injury and recalled Heffernan and Blumfield. Out were Fletcher with back spasms, Denham with a groin and Moorcroft was axed. Bulldog Liberatore returned to the fray 118 days after a knee reconstruction and Dimattina was recalled, Ellis missed with a foot injury and Lane was dropped - harsh.

Libber didn't start on the ground but made sure he chested Jim Hird and a few other Bombers before trotting to the bench. Bulldog Grant snapped a goal in the opening minute, but soon Hird roosted a huge goal into the swirly breeze, then dobbed another after Long and Calthorpe combined to find him on the lead. Dent, on Jim, was struggling. Then the Westerners hit back, a lovely look-away handpass from Montgomery set up Martin, Smith smashed a long, long kick through off one step. Don Lloyd responded with a superb running goal to level the scores. The Pups got another before Bewick majored from that rarest of his stats, a legitimate free kick, to close an entertaining first period. Tighter second term as both sides packed the backline, Mercuri found Hird all alone for the first goal of the stanza, later Curley wasn't paid a mark as he backpedalled and Hird pounced, getting the ball to Lloyd and he put the Bombers 10 points clear. Thereon the Bulldogs started to gain control of the middle on the back of Wynd's rucking, but they couldn't crack the Essendon defence. A heap of work preceeded a goal for Brad Johnson, at the other end Hird kicked on the full before departing with a heavy limp. Ankle, apparently. Lloyd kicked another excellent goal and the Dons led by 10 again, Dogs Montgomery and Johnson missed shots. With 20 seconds remaining in the half Croft marked a Don kick-in and passed to Cook, who slotted on the siren.

"Hird's back, Hird's back," chorused Brooce as they emerged for the second half, but Jimbo didn't see it for a long time. After Heffernan's early goal the Dogs took over the midfield with Dimattina, Scott West and Smith lording it over the sluggish Bombers. Poor kicking cost them a match-winning break although credit to the Bomber defenders for forcing shots from distance or tight angles. Cook pinched the ball off Hardwick for a goal, misses from Montgomery and Kolyniuk levelled the scores before a poor Don kick-in - there were many - allowed Hudson to put the Puppies a goal clear. Grant missed a shot, then Croft won a free and passed to Cook who goaled, Footasgray by 14 points. Lloyd led successfully and converted with another big drop punt, but Kolyniuk replied with an equally lengthy shot after a Grant mark. At this point Bulldog Montgomery added to his screamer collection with a soaring ride on Doolan. Scuffles broke out as the Bombers became frustrated with their inability to get the ball. Lloyd goaled again on the run, but missed a later shot and Blumfield kicked horribly after a 50m penalty put him in a perfect position. The Bulldogs kicked the first three goals of the final term to end it - or so it seemed. Scott West roved brilliantly for the first, Smith kicked truly after shrugging a tackle and back pocket Wira was twice-involved in the set-up for Johnson's goal, the Pups led by 27 points. But the Dons are never beaten. Lloyd created a goal for Calthorpe, O'Donnell set up one for Lloyd, Hird's first touch of the half allowed Lucas to goal and the Dons trailed by 9 points. But then poor kicking let them down, Hird hit the post, Calthorpe behinded and Fraser managed to miss twice in time-on. Forty seconds remained when Somerville pushed Grant out of a marking contest, his free found Cook who steered through the sealer.

The Bulldogs were led by ruckman Scott Wynd, who belted Somerville on the way to 22 touches, 7 marks and 12 hitouts. Half-forward Montgomery was a constant thorn for the Bombers with 22 disposals, Scott West had 24 touches and a goal, Dimattina was damaging. Brad Johnson, a doubtful starter after an arm injury last week, finished with 10 kicks and 2 goals, Cook kicked 4 useful goals, Hudson was good again with 2 goals. Cameron was cool at the back, Smith contributed class and 2 goals as well. Matthew Lloyd was comfortably Essendon's best player, charging about the forward line for 6 goals from 12 kicks and 7 marks. Hardwick was excellent at the back and a factor in the late revival as he ventured forward, he had 19 touches. Heffernan was handy and O'Donnell and Jason Johnson played alright, Wellman did reasonably on Grant. Hird kicked 3 goals, all in the first 35 minutes before his twisted ankle. Calthorpe did a bit. Said Sheeds "We can peform at a very telling stage of the year with a full contingent of players. But we've got to make sure we get there and that's what I said to the players, we've got to earn the right to play in the finals." Wallace reckoned "We've been pretty good in close situations most of the year...we're a strong running side and we can run out a game in the last quarter if we're in front or close enough." Like they did in last year’s preliminary final.

At the MCG:

Richmond  5.3   12.6   15.9   24.11.155
Brisbane  1.4    4.6    7.9   11.12.78

The Tigers got the necessary win and a handy chunk of percentage, but it's still all down to next week for us...er, them. The Lions are already looking to the future. Richmond regained Plapp from suspension and Gaspar and Powell from injury, also selected were Manfield and Mark Merenda for his first game since round 8. Out were Matt Rogers, his arm broken by Eagle Symmons last week, Evans with his face broken by Mainwaring, Bower, Ryan and Cahffey were dropped. Brisbane were weakened by the losses of Leppitsch, suspended for charging and Lawrence with a groin strain, Picken, Bradshaw and Brett Voss were discarded. In came veterans Bews and Alastair Lynch along with Black, Chris Johnson and Bartlett. Bews announced he'll be retiring at the year's end, a great player for Geelong and Brisbane.

Pre-bounce controversy when the Tigers broke their banner only to run directly into the jogging Lions, an all-in brawl ensued which saw only Tiger James and Lion Lappin reported, at least for the time being. Not so close once the game started, however. Led by Daffy and Knights Richmond's midfield dominated possession, their first goal came from the unlikely Torney before Aaron James, at full-forward, kicked two from strong marks. Brisbane were playing Al Lynch as a lone forward, he missed criminally early before Chris Scott roved to him for the Lions’ first goal. Merenda kicked 2 goals for the Tiges before the first break, the first a free and 50m penalty against ol' Bewsy, then a more conventional lead, mark and lovely long goal on the siren. The Tiges romped clear in the second term, James opened it with another strong mark and conversion and Broderick snapped truly under pressure. Lion Akermanis kicked a good running major from the next bounce and Champion scored, but goals from Plapp, a left-footer from Daffy and a 50m penalty plus conversion by Campbell saw Richmond lead by 54 points before White goaled on half-time. A tighter third term as Lions Lappin, O'Bree and Power got a bit of the ball, Al Lynch managed rapid, successive goals. Tigers Gaspar and Merenda steadied them and the margin blew right out in the final term, Merenda kicked two quick goals before being benched for a rest, James got some more as the percentage piled on.

Mark Merenda had a welcome return, bagging 5 goals from 15 kicks and 5 contested marks. Across the middle Daffy (27 kicks, 3 goals), Knights (26 touches) and Campbell (28, a goal) led the way, Harrison picked up 30 disposals too. B. Gale played well with 23 handlings and 11 marks. James booted 5 goals from 5 marks and 9 kicks, there were two goals each for Plapp, Broderick and Nichols. Turner played well on Al Lynch. For Brisbane Chris Scott again worked hard for 29 possessions and a goal from the wing, centreman Ashcroft, opposed to Daffy, had 34 disposals and Boyd and Power did a bit. Kennedy played well at CHB again. Akermanis kicked 3 goals from 12 kicks and there were two goals each for Al Lynch and Champion. Merrett lamented the fact that the club's leader in the "hard ball gets" is still captain Michael Voss, who hasn't played since round 11. "We've got too many players not prepared to work hard enough, that's what it comes down to," he said. Sensing the end of his brief coaching stint, Merrett offered to stay on as deputy next year. Tiger coach Gieschen said "We were expected by everyone to win...but to win the way we did was very pleasing. We're back in the eight, which is where I think we deserve to be." Still gotta win next week.

At Waverley:

St. Kilda   4.1    4.3    7.8    9.9.63
West Coast  0.0    3.3    6.8   7.13.55

The Saints ended a 4-game losing streak to book their September spot with a slogging win in wet, windy conditions. The Eagles' negative, low-scoring tactics proved their undoing. Along with Winmar the Saints lost Sziller with a hamstring injury and Nathan Burke was a late withdrawal with a thigh strain, in came Elliott, Lappin and Kristian Bardsley. The Eagles were missing Donnelly and Worsfold with a knee and calf strain respectively and rookie Jones was dropped, Kemp and Metropolis returned from injury and Wooden got a recall.

St. Kilda began with a stiff, blustery breeze and promptly took a handy lead. With Harvey and young Knowles leading the way, goals came from Brown, Peckett, and a close-range snap by Everitt. The Eagles were well served by Cousins, who had 11 possessions in the first term, and Peter Matera, although a poor Matera kick-in led to a goal for Thompson. The Weegles had the wind in the second term but they took a while to take advantage as rain tumbled down, eventually Heady goaled and he was followed in rapid succession by Lewis and Morrison as the Saints failed to do much in attack, McIntosh playing superbly on Loewe. Saints had the wind again after half time but it was the Weagulls who did the early attacking through Kemp and Pete Matera, the busy Heady snapped a goal and when Lewis majored again the sandgropers led by 8 points. Straight from the bounce following Lewis's goal Ben Thompson forced the ball forward for Brown to convert for the Saints, but then Fewster and Lewis assisted on an answering goal for Read, Weegs by 8 again. The margin was back to 2 points when Sierakowski found Harvey with a handpass, "Banger" raised the twin valicoes. Darryl Wakelin, who'd been reported for charging Heady in the second quarter, had to be stretchered off after a heavy collision with teammate Peckett. Players fought furiously for the ball before Harvey got the ball to Tony Brown and he slotted his third goal, the Saints led by 6 points going into the last break.

It didn't seem enough as the Eags were coming home with the wind, Read had an early shot which seemed to be going through before Elliott got a fingernail on it. However Peckett raced forward and grubbed a shot, McLaren arrived in time to soccer it through and it was Sainters by 11. West Coast then had a good spell as Cousins drove them on but they missed shots, Gehrig dropped a chest mark in the goalsquare and Heady kicked into Everitt on the mark just 30m out. Heady protested in vain over Everitt's alleged encroachment. At the other end Peckett marked and goaled and the lead stretched to 14 points. McLaren and Morrison swapped behinds before Heady was taken high, his centering free was marked at point blank range by Gehrig, back to 8 points again. The Westerners pressed on and could feel aggrieved about a couple of late non-decisions, Mitchell was arguably caught in possession just 20m from goal and later Saint Campbell clearly threw the ball to Sierakowski. But there was no further score, to the Saints' delight.

Best aspect for the Saints was the improvement from a number of players, Tony Brown kicked 3 goals and had 25 possessions, Matthew Young played well on Heady early and finshed off powerfully with 23 touches and Aussi Jones played much better, he had 27 disposals on the wing. Harvey racked up 37 possessions in the middle and Knowles was very good with 30 touches, Andy Thompson played well too. Peckett had a big last quarter and kicked 2 goals. Weegle Ben Cousins ran manically all over the ground for 38 possessions and a total of 23 "gathers". Peter Matera was good with 20 touches and Wooden and Read were handy. McIntosh played superbly at the back, keeping Loewe and Sierakowski not only goalless but virtually touchless, Jakovich was good back there too. Heady improved as the game progressed for 25 disposals and 2 goals, Lewis kicked 2 goals too. "Our best is short of the best when we play the best," said Malthouse. He really has mastered those snappy quotes. "We haven’t got the finishing power of those other good sides. To lose 9 games by 19 points (or less) - you can say we haven't been flogged or look at the negatives and say we're deficient in finishing off the opposition." He wasn't happy with Heady kicking into the man on the mark. Alves said "I was thrilled with the players' endeavour, we worked awfully hard. We talked about the challenge that faced us at three-quarter time and that it was going to take a massive effort to win. That we were able to win kicking into the wind was fantastic."

At Football Park:

Adelaide       4.3    5.5   9.10   13.14.92
North Melbourne  6.9   8.12   9.16   14.21.105

Widely tipped as a Grand Final preview, this was a game of high quality where the ball was hotter than a Khartoum chemists as tackles flew in. North won through a slightly better midfield. And Carey. Now the Roos will finish in the top two, it seems unlikely that the Cows will claim a top-4 slot and home final, although it's still possible. How sad. At the selection meetings the rampant Adelaide made one change, dropping young ruckman Marsh for the more experienced Pittman. Eccles strained a hamstring during the warm-up, so they played with 21. North regained Archer from his knee strain, Chadler was dropped to gain "match conditioning", we were told.

The game was sold-out and televised live in Adelaide with 43,300 in attendance. The Crows began superbly, adrenaline pumping as the home support bayed they booted the first three goals. Roo Stevens riskily tunnel-balled under pressure and Thiessen pounced, Vardy converted after a nice mark and from the next bounce Thiessen got the ball to Goodwin, he found the leading Modra who speared it through. But North took control after that, McKernan was moved into the ruck where he beat Rehn and King got kicks, the Crow prime-movers were tagged out of it. The Roos kicked abysmally at first, Bell missed three times in a row as the Northerners racked up 6 behinds before their first goal, a Carey handpass setting up King. Then the floodgates opened, King's long kick allowed Carey to mark in the goalsquare, King thumped another long shot through. Jarman snapped truly from the opposite goalsquare but the Roos finished the quarter with three more goals, Abraham almost fell over as he sprinted forward before an excellent snap, Carey goaled after a bullocking mark and the rampant King created one for Archer. The locals had cheered Caven's early successes against Carey but they were quiet now. Tighter second term as Pittman replaced Rehn in the Camry rucks and they tackled harder. Camry Ellen had his nose broken by former teammate McCartney. Ricciuto hit the post and Roo Abraham missed a sitter before Carey swivelled at 50m and thumped a long sausage, then Carey and Abraham did well to win the ball, Abraham found Grant, handpass to Harvey and bang, Roos by 5 goals. Abraham missed a simple running shot under modest pressure from Edwards. Modra took a good mark late in the term for the Crows' only major.

A newly determined Corolla line-up emerged for the second half, the catalyst again being the move of McLeod into the centre. But now they missed early shots before Goodwin's running goal. Grant booted an excellent goal for North to put them 22 points ahead, but Vardy created another major for the reliable Goodwin, a slick Edwards handpass allowed McLeod to convert and the gap was down to 11 points. A very tight spell ensued as players crowded around the ball before Vardy won a free late in the term, Pickett grabbing him unnecessarily as the ball sailed well over their heads. Vards converted and North led by 6 points at the last change. However it was Carey to the fore again, he goaled from a strong mark early in the final term, then fisted the ball goalward from a throw-in where McKernan gathered and majored, Shinboners by 19 points. The Cows weren't done though. From the subsequent bounce Thiessen raced clear for an answering goal, a rare Ricciuto touch created a goal for Camry Mark Stevens and when Modra marked and passed successfully for Edwards, the gap was down to 2 points. Up stepped Wayney again, marking Freeborn's long kick and converting. Smart roved Modra to snap another goal and it was North by 3, but McKernan galloped forward from the next bounce to slot on the run, North by 9 points. Still the Camrys came, Vardy and Jarman missed long shots, James thought he'd majored but his shot clipped the post. North by a straight kick. Robran found Modra's lead into the pocket, but Moondoggie missed the lot with a conventional drop punt. Shoulda checksided it. Carey set up the sealer, his exhausted kick forward spilled off Edwards for Bell to race in and ram it through.

Carey, Carey, Carey. He wasn't as dominant as recent weeks but still the difference between the sides with 21 disposals, 8 marks (7 contested) and 5 goals. Caven probably did as well as Blight could've expected. Peter Bell played very well for 27 touches and a goal and King was very good, especially early with 19 kicks and 2 goals. McKernan rucked strongly and kicked 2 handy last-quarter goals, Abraham, Archer and Roberts were useful. Some very effective tags, Blakey kept Jarman out of it and Simpson held Ricciuto to a modest 20 touches, only 5 in the first half. Anthony Stevens also kept McLeod very quiet for the first half. Half-back Goodwin played very well for the locals with 23 touches and 2 goals, fellow defenders Hart and Smart (17 kicks, a goal) were also handy. Speedy Thiessen was their most effective midfielder with 23 posessions and 2 goals, McLeod was influential in the second half. Pittman's rucking helped them back into it and Connell played well for 17 kicks on the wing. Modra kicked 3 goals and Vardy managed 2. Blight avoided the C-word. "Other than perhaps one player in their forward line in the second quarter, I tought we'd won the quarter or stopped them. In the third and last quarters, apart from that bloke up forward for them, again we were pretty handy." Pagan said "We're so thrilled to win here tonight...one of the things to come out recently is that we're a lot better at travelling." They've won four of their last six interstate. On Carey he said "If I were picking the Brownlow he'd win by 30 votes..." North play the Dogs for top spot next Friday, although neither side can finish lower than second so it's largely irrelevent.

At Subiaco:

Fremantle      1.4    4.7   6.10   10.11.71
Port Adelaide  5.3    7.5   12.7   19.10.124

Final home game for the year for Freo and the last one ever for Neesham, but his men couldn't do it as they were thoroughly outplayed in the last quarter-and-a-half by the Power. For his last home game Neesham regained Kickett, Chisholm and Waterhouse and Koops got a chance. Out were Michael, Godden, Clucas and Brown, all axed. Port lost Breuer, Bond and Cummings to hamstring, arm and rib injuries respectively, in came Bode, Carr and Francis.

Port stacked on the first five goals as Francou charged out of the middle while Dew moved about the forward line and Tredrea actually kicked straight this time. Fremantle had no shortage of early opportunity but managed only four points before Clement came off the bench and lobbed one through from 50m after a big grab. More Port goals in the second term threatened a blow-out before Neesham shifted Burton into the forward line, he goaled after a ruck free against Primus, then Hunter managed consecutive majors and the Dockers were in touch, at least. Holland came off the bench to fire the locals in the third quarter and Fletcher got the ball more often, the margin was twice under 10 points. But then came one of them turning points which plague the Dockulators, McGovern's kick-in from a point was swallowed by Tredrea who snapped it back for a goal. Port went on to kick 10 of the next 11 goals, Fremantle collapsed quite pathetically in the final quarter as Port jogged about at half-pace setting up goals. Three goals in time-on spared the locals total humiliation.

The performance of Port's youngsters was again a highlight, half-forward Lockwood was busy with 7 marks and 13 touches although he kicked 2.4, Tredrea kicked 6 goals from 11 kicks and 5 marks. Dew was good with 3 goals, across the centre Francou played usefully with 28 touches and a goal while Lyle and Burgoyne were handy, Dickie had 26 disposals on the wing although 11 of those came in the last quarter, he also kicked 2 goals. Chalmers was a handy tall defender. Big Spider Burton stood out for Fremantle with 18 touches, 6 marks, 17 hitouts and a goal. Midfielders Norrish (22 disposals) and Fletcher (19, a goal) battled hard and Holland was good in the second half, Kickett was reasonable and Koops did OK early before being restricted by a knee injury. Hunter kicked 3 goals, their only multiple scorer. Neesham refused to talk to the press ("Don't come near me"), preferring to mix with fans and players. Cahill said "We took a lot of kids into this game and they did very well. The whole forward line was made up of 18 to 20-year-olds and they stood up well."

At the MCG:

Collingwood  1.2   2.6   5.10   8.15.63
Carlton      3.6   7.11  2.14  17.16.118

Nothing but pride on the line here and the Pies had theirs dented as they plummeted to the heaviest loss in a Carlton/Collingwood match in 17 years, and to 14th on the ladder. Despite all that, rumours are they're keeping Shaw as coach. The Pies lost Matt Francis with a shoulder injury and Russell with back spasms beforehand, Raso was dropped. McDonald returned from suspension and Mahoney was recalled - dunno why he was dropped - and they had a new player, ruckman/forward Michael Gardiner from Subiaco. The press called him "Michael R. Gardiner" to distinguish from the Weegle of the same name. Pie veterans Richard Osborne and Graeme Wright announced their retirements, it was also Wright’s 200th game, all for Collingwood. Ossie's best footy was at Fitzroy, where he played 180-odd of his 281 games. Two change s for the Blues, Hamill and Hynes returning at the expense of Hulme and Porter. Peter Dean is also hanging 'em up after 247 games for the Bluies.

All Carlton all day. They belted the Pies in the centre, Brown and Ratten continually sent the ball forward and Camporeale picked up a heap of kicks on the wing. They wasted shots, again, before Camporeale and Whitnall got on target. More Blue goals arrived in the second half, Whitnall slaughtering Schauble at CHF while camporeale kicked another couple of goals. Gardiner came on for the Pies and majored with his first kick after a strong mark. Collingwood started the second half in better fashion but Tony Francis missed from point blank and Watson kicked on the full before HGFB, at full-forward again, slotted his only goal for the day and Whitnall got one. But the Pies did well enough to get some goals from Richardson and King. But on went the Blues in the last, Sav Rocca's very late goal prevented it being Collingwood's worst loss of the season.

Once again the midfield powered the Blues, Brown had 32 disposals and Murphy and Ratten had 29 each, Ratten also kicked 2 goals. Camporeale had 21 kicks and booted 5 goals from his wing and young CHF Whitnall took 11 marks and had 29 disposals, snagging 2.4. Koutoufides voluteered to take on Buckley and finished with 23 possessions, 12 marks and a goal, breaking even with Bucks. McKay played well too. For the Maggies Mal Michael held HGFB to 1 goal, HGFB spent the day asking the umpires for free kicks. He thought he was being held and scragged. At least he knows what it feels like now. Buckley and Burns, two of the few classy Maggies, had 32 and 20 disposals respectively although Buckley kicked 4 behinds. Little King boxed on with 19 touches and a goal, he still prefers handball. Wrighty held his head up in his 200th by keeping Bradley quiet, Richardson did OK with 2 goals from 7 marks. Rocca had a shocca. "It was our worst performance of the season," said Shaw. "We had one player who won his position, two who might have held their own, a young kid who showed a bit (Gardiner) and that was it. It looked as though a few had given up on the season…there wasn't a lot of passion and drive out there and that's the first time I've said that all year." Parkin said "The bits of the puzzle are falling into place pretty well. We can leave '98 convinced we are a much better team than when we started. The most pleasing part is team orientation, we suffered in that area in the first 10 games when people were playing for survival. We're through that now, I thought that mightn't come til next year."

At Waverley:

Hawthorn  2.2    5.9   8.12  11.18.84
Geelong   2.3    4.7   5.11   8.15.63

And on march the Hawks, leaping up the ladder with another win while the Cats continue to wallow, picking up even more injuries here with hamstring injuries to Simpson and Steinfort. Looking for that last game. In selection Hawthorn dumped Justin Crawford to make room for Hay, they also had a retirement with Steven Lawrence calling it quits after 146 games and a flag in 1991. The Cats lost Kilpatrick with strained knee ligaments while Snell and McKinnon were dumped. In came youngsters McKay, Lowther and Paul Lynch, who's been in hospital with a virus.

Not the most impressive of the Hawks' recent run, but on another squally day at Waverley, it'd do. Even opening despite Geelong’s wind advantage, King did well in the ruck for the Cats and Riccardi continually thumped the ball forward while for Hawthorn Barker, Woods and Hassall were busy at the back. Once more Geelong, like most blokes, had trouble scoring. Dixon and Lord snapped goals for the Hawks. Hawthorn did marginally better than the Cats with the breeze as Bizzell and Hocking did well to block up the Geelong backline while they managed a couple of against-the-tide majors. Third term decided it when Riccardi smacked a long early goal to level the scores, but 20 further minutes of attacking yielded nothing on the scoreboard as Graham and Harford repelled cat thrusts while Salmon dropped back to good effect. Late in the term Dixon marked and converted for the Hawks, then they ran the ball forward for Lord to snap one, Holland kicked another and the Hawks were coming home with the wind and a three-goal lead. Hocking battled manfully to lift his side but the Hawks stayed ahead.

The Hawthorn defence did well against the Geelong forwards, although that's like saying a guided missile did well against an African tin shed. Still, Graham produced the final assessment of "The Spinks Experiment" as he kept the lumbering Cat to 4 kicks and no score, he later took on Mansfield and Hall too. Robran did well on Mensch, Lekkas and Hay were also good. Woods (30 disposals) and Shane Crawford (27) played well across the middle, Salmon dropped back into defence for 8 marks and 13 handpasses. Up front Dixon kicked 4 goals and was busy all afternoon, ex-Cat Lord rubbed it in with 3 goals from 4 kicks. For the Cats ruckman King did very well 22 disposals and 11 marks while Hocking (30 touches) tried all day. Riccardi had 17 kicks and 3 goals from the wing, Mansfield and Rahilly played well off half-back before Mick had a go in attack. Ayres pointed to the stat showing Geelong had 62 trips inside their attacking 50m to Hawthorn's 49. They're interested in out-of-contract Hawk Nick Holland. "We were still having a crack at the end and I don't think anyone could be critical of how we persisted and perservered. We've got a lot of work to do over the summer to put things right, there's no doubt about that." Judge said "It beats losing...we've got a more even contribution from the whole side...and that's what's important, having everyone weighing in." Dunstall is set to return next week, Judgey wants him to play on next year.

*Monday night: Melbourne v Sydney, MCG.