Around the grounds - Weekly Wrapup

AFL Round 16

Malcolm Blight, coach of the Adelaide Camrys and winner of the last two AFL flags with them, announced on Wednesday he'd be quitting at the end of this season. Most folks still can't believe it. Blighty offered no explanation other than "I've been at this for thirty years now and I've been feeling pretty tired lately." How soft is that? The speculation started: Had Mal been poached by cashed-up President Eddie and the Magpies? "No, I've said before that's not an option...I'll say I'll never coach again. Malcolm Blight and football are parting company." Mal's resignation agreement with the Crows specifies he can't coach in the AFL next year, although he also said "never again" after quitting Geelong in 1995. Was it because of the Cows' poor season this year? "No...". Mal had reportedly indulged in some quite nasty and personal face-to-face criticism of his players recently, but the club made it clear they accepted the resignation with great reluctance. Was it the ultimate Blighty coaching ploy? Much laughter from the man himself. It's known that Blight's wife has been ill recently, although she's alright now. Mal announced his intention to take a complete break from football. Good luck to him. After a brilliant career as a player and coaching success at Woodville in the Snaffle, Geelong and the ultimate two-flags-in-two-years with the Corollas (I'm leaving North out), Mal needs to prove nothing. But it's all a bit strange.

His resignation sent the coaching market into turmoil, now the cash-a-plenty Crows have joined the Magpies in the fray. It emerged both clubs have spoken to Sydney coach Rodney Eade, the Crows ringing immediately after Blight quit. Eade's contract expires at the conclusion of this season. Stephen Kernahan, like Blight a local boy made good, has been mentioned a few times. He's currently assistant at Carlton. Also proposed have been Kev Sheedy (again), current Blight assistant and former Crow player Darel Hart, Garry Lyon and umpires' director Peter Schwab.

Farcical drug story. Fremantle forward Steven Koops tested positive to the narcotic and pain-killer pethidine - the day after leaving hospital with a reconstructed knee. The Docker admin folk took the blame for failing to complete the paperwork for ASDA, the testing authority, in time. But Koops still had to front the tribunal and be cleared officially, a waste of time.for all concerned.

The first bit of information concerning the radical year 2000 season was released with the draw for the Ansett Cup. It's switching to a round-robin format with four groups of four, the group winners going straight into the semis. One game has been plucked out to be played on December 31st this year: Carlton and Collingwood at the MCG in "The Millennium Game". Co-tenants Essendon and Footscray will play the first official game at Colonial Stadium (Docklands) on February 4th.

At the MCG:

Richmond    3.3    8.8   12.12   15.17.107
Melbourne   4.1    5.2    9.2     13.4.82

Demoralised Demons can rule a line through season 99 after they lost again, to the workmanlike Tigers. An excellent conversion rate flattered Melbourne. Their coach Daniher continued to rev his charges during the week, suggesting several careers were on the line. But the Dees fumbled too much and wasted possession too often here, their much-vaunted forwards received poor and infrequent service from a battling midfield. Got a fairly shocking run from the umps, too. Richo slotted a casual seven for the Tiges. Ho-hum. In selection the Demons' midfield was weakened by the losses of both Febey brothers to hamstring strains,Longmuir and Robertson were axed. Recalled were Walsh, Seecamp, Bishop and Rigoni. Richmond lost Powell with a hamstring, Gaspar and McKee were late withdrawals with 'flu. In came Moore, Plapp after injury and Torney.

The previous night I'd forked out the GNP of a small nation to see Manchester United's seconds play kick-to-kick with Australia's thirds. Despite that game having 60,000 in attendance and excessive hype, it had as much atmosphere as the moon. The next night I got to see committed players in a game with meaning surrounded by an involved 45,000 crowd. For a tenth of the price. The Tiges' late withdrawals forced Andy Kellaway to line up at CHB on Schwarz, James played on Neitz and Funcke opposed Farmer. The Dees placed Ingerson on Richardson, Hopgood tagged Campbell and Leoncelli on Daffy. Melbourne started well. Schwarz and Grgic found space in their open forward line, Viney pounced around packs and Kowal sharked a few centre bounces. Dee Leoncelli passed his free to leading Grgic for the first goal, Grgic marked Schwarz's long punt for the second, Grgic also missed a shot in between the goals. Tiges quickly removed Torney from the vowel-deprived one and sent Bowden there. Schwarz's miskick was snaffled by Farmer and he converted, Dees 3.1 to the Tiges' zero. Handily Daniher removed the aflame Viney - "nursing" he later claimed - and the Tiges got moving. Richardson led, marked, goaled nicely from the pocket and some good work from Holland led to Sampson's strong grab and conversion. Neitz six-pointered for Melbourne after a good lead, Schwarz again with the pass. Richardson snapped a reply after Melb's Nicholson almost held a defensive mark.

All Tiges in the second term, Ottens and Campbell lifted the on-ball division and Dragicevic came off the bench to much effect. Campbell kicked two important early goals, firstly marking Sampson's mongrel centering punt 20m out, secondly banging a free kick through from 50m which put the Tiggers in front for the first time. Dragicevic extended it with some hard running and cool finishing. Melbourne's Kowal replied with a great rover's goal, but the Tiges took a firm grip with goals from Richardson following a good grab and Holland following a soft free. After the long break Melbourne had a crack. Viney and ruckman Jeff White led the effort. Before that Richardson kicked his fourth, a close range snap after the pill took a cruel bounce over Ingerson's head. Richmond by 30 points. Woewodin booted a nice major for Melbourne, answered directly from the restart by the Tigers when a series of handpasses ended with Richo, again an accurate snap. Then Farmer screwed a right-footer through and Viney goaled from a mark, Melbourne were 18 points behind. Many packs and much tight stuff as both defences clung tight, before Viney's defensive blunder saw Richo gather and dispense to the passing Dragicevic. He slotted on the run, Richardson himself recovered from a marking contest to drill from 50m. Schwarz's late major.pulled it back to 28 points at the last change.

Into the last and Richardson, now opposed by Shanahan, bagged his season-high seventh with a close-range snap from Holland's knock-on. He lairized for the rest of the term with a juggling one-handed mark and useless leaps. Melbourne boxed on to the end, Viney goaled from a free after being sandwiched and Woewodin converted a goalsquare mark. Sampson's accurate shot put Richmond 32 points up and we thought about percentage, but Kellaway A. missed a pair of sitters and Farmer's pass saw Viney bag another goal. Lovely blind-turn from Johnstone allowed him to slot from the pocket, Dees trailed by 20 points. Richm'n cleared the subsequent bounce and Daffy walloped a left-foot major as an emphatic full-stop to proceedings.

Richardson's aerial exploits were curtailed by Ingerson, who outmarked him early, but Richo worked hard to bag 7.1 from 11 kicks, just 4 marks. Campbell played well again, especially at the centre bounce to finish with 25 disposals and 2 goals. Dragicevic had 22 disposals in 3 quarters and kicked 2 goals, a very promising lad. Very good following performance from Gale, dropping the classic A Kick Behind for 22 touches and 5 marks. Holland continues to mature nicely at CHF, he had 20 possessions, 4 marks and a goal. Funcke did well again in restricting Farmer. Daffy worked hard in the middle to get the ball 15 times, one more than Leoncelli and kick a goal. Sampson kicked 2 goals. Melbourne captain Todd Viney battled hard for 22 possessions and 3 goals, despite "being on one leg" as Daniher later claimed. The other better Dees tended to be defenders as the ball was down there a lot. Ward (13 touches) kept Rogers extremely quiet, Walsh (15) and Woewodin, who played on Knights and kicked 2 goals, were both decent and Bishop wasn't too bad minding resting ruckmen. Kowal (17 disposals, a goal) provided early drive from the centre. Ruckman White wasn't bad with 28 hitouts and 8 marks. Grgic and Farmer kicked 2 goals each. Terse press conference from Daniher. "Very frustrating, very frustrating for our supporters. The ability to get it into our forward line 17 or 18 times in the first half, you just can't win enough games of footy playing like that." Gieschen said "I was terribly disappointed because the the scoring shots were 32 to 17 and in average circumstances that should have been a seven or eight goal win."

At Waverley:

St. Kilda    3.1    6.4    8.6     10.8.68
Brisbane   4.4    6.7   11.10   16.11.107

Brisbane continue to go very nicely away from home, kicking clear of the depleted Saints after a tight first half. St. Kilda have lost five of the last six now and are battling for their September spot. Still no Harvey for the Saints, Everitt withdrew with his cork thigh which compounded an infection from a white-tailed spider bite. Saint Jason Cripps was claimed by a spider last year. Bigman David Sierakowski needs a reconstruction of his right knee - his second such op - and will miss the remainder of the season. Tim Elliott and Tony Francis replaced them. Lions were strengthened by the returns of Lambert, Keating and Gowers from injury, making way were McDonald, Calthorpe and Brett Voss.

Blustery day at Waverley, the Lions started Keating in the ruck with Clarke on the bench, he did very well as did Leppitsch and Heuskes in defence. Champion and White got some goals, rookie Gowans got the Saints' first and Hall banged one as well. Brisbane stayed in front through the second term but never more than 10 points. Barry Hall proved a handful for them with two excellent goals, one quick snap from 40m and another thumping roost from 60. The third quarter proved decisive, as Keating took control in the ruck against the battling Loewe and Elliott. There was a bit of umpiring controversy too. Swapped goals early with Keating getting a couple for the Lions, St. Kilda were 10 points down when Tony Francis launched a long shot from 50m. Chris Scott appeared to touch it through but the goal was given, upsetting the Lion defender a bit. However the bananabenders steadied and when Keating's ruck tap ended with McRae he put them 16 points up, the biggest lead of the match. Just before three-quarter time Brisbane's Power marked 30m out and chipped the ball towards Black, alone in the goalsquare. The siren rang as the ball was in mid-air and Saint Andy Thompson arrived to punch the ball through for a point. Very clearly. But goal umpire Colin Wood (middle initial G?) signalled a goal. Saints went mad, including coach Watson. Lions pointed out the Francis goal. Anyway, it didn't matter. Lappin handpassed for Ashcroft to kick the first major of quarter four and it was Lions by 28 points. Gowans kicked a nice running goal to give Stakilda a sniff, but Hart replied with a runner, then Power centred the ball for Lappin to goal from 30m and that was that.

Brisbane midfielder Simon Black continued his rich vein of form with 27 disposals and Keating was handy with 17 hitouts, 6 marks and 3 goals. He'll be pretty important now as Clarke broke his hand during this game. Leppitsch had a good battle with Hall and finished with 17 touches, 8 marks and a goal, fellow defender Heuskes got the agget 19 times. Nige Lappin roved about half-forward, setting up a number of goals with his 15 touches and bagging one himself. Power had 17 possessions and one alleged goal, Ashcroft, Hart and White booted 2 goals each. Speedy Saint Aussi Jones did very well with 26 disposals, although two crucial miskicks in the third quarter may have been costly. Hall booted 3 goals but did little after half time, Andy Thompson had 19 touches and Francis did well after starting on the bench to get 19 touches and another alleged goal. But they had plenty of passengers again. Loewe had seven touches and took 4 marks, each greeted by loud jeering from the unhappy Saints. Mitchell and Gowans kicked 2 goals each. "I thought we had the cattle out there to win the game - we just weren't good enough on the day," said Watson. "The Lions are probably one of the better teams we've played this season...The players' endeavours were pretty good, we were just overpowered." Matthews said "It was a good win. A windy day at Waverley is always a good win. Our performance didn't matter much...we won. We're always asking 'What does it mean in the big picture?', but most games only mean win or loss."

At the MCG:

Footscray  0.3    6.5    8.8    14.15.99
Adelaide   4.4    9.7   14.12   14.13.97

Pups rattled on six goals to none in the final term to overhaul the Crows. No ultimate ploy for Mal. The meedya trumpeted a revenge/hoodoo angle in view of the two preliminary finals between these two at the 'G, although I bet the Crows were just as gutted losing this as the Dogs were to miss out on consecutive Grand Finals. Shoorly. The Bulldogs went in unchanged from last week. Adelaide regained previously injured men Johnson, Robran and promising first-year player Gallagher, Stenglein also got a chance. However they lost Ricciuto with an ankle and discarded Connell, Perrie and Thiessen.

Adelaide played alright in the first term but the Bulldogs' disposal was absolutely terrible, typified by the Corollas' first goal when Cameron planted a kick-in neatly onto McLeod's chest. Hart and Stevens (on Grant) mopped up the Doggies' wayward thrusts and Smart got plenty of touches on the wing. Robran started in the ruck and proved too mobile for Wynd. Hart ran down to bomb a goal and Jarman booted two, the first from a dodgy mark over Kretiuk - bit of a pushout - the second a nice lead to McLeod's pass. Doggies did better in the second quarter, Dimattina provided some drive from the centre and James Cook starred up forward. He marked and handballed for Montgomery to kick their first goal, then booted three for the stanza himself. However Jars bagged two more for the visitors. Ormond-Allen ran about crunching people, including Robbins, Grant and Liberatore. Further dominance from Smart and Burton saw the Cows lead handily at the half. Third-quarter majors to Smart, Jarman and Beinke on the siren saw the Camrys lead by a handy 40 points at the final break.

The stage for reversal was set by Wallace moving Darcy into the ruck and benching Wynd, plus big contributions from Powell, Johnson and the previous quiet West. Powell bombed a big left-foot goal to open the quarter. Last-quarter specialist Paul Hudson marked and goaled, then Smith wheeled and speared accurately from 40m. The Dogs trailed by 23 points. Footscray missed a few shots as the Crows froze in panic. Cook marked and reduced the gap to 13 points. The Crows were packing the backline now but lost winning CHB Stevens with a gruesome dislocated kneecap. Stevo attempted to hammer it back into place, ala Swan Cresswell a couple of years ago, but had no luck. Hudson goaled from a free and it was 7 points the diff. Grant missed a shot, but Powell snaffled the kick-in and found Darcy 45m from goal. Darcy went back and drilled it, levelling the scores. The Bullies hunted for the win, Smith had a shot which bounced through for a point, another shot from Hudson was touched through. The Crows were in attack when the siren rang, but too late. That was enough to complete the Bulldogs' great escape.

Cook led the way for the Dogs through their early struggle, finishing with 5 goals from 4 marks. Powell did very well again with 23 possessions and a goal, Luke Darcy swung things in the ruck with 15 disposals and the last goal. Croft played well in defence, runners Johnson (24 disposals) and Smith (13, 3 goals) were pretty useful. West lifted in the final quarter for 10 touches, 26 altogether. Hudson kicked 2 goals. Crows were led by excellent form on the wing from Nigel Smart (23 disposals, a goal) and another great game from Brett Burton, no speccies this time but he had 26 touches and kicked a goal. Jarman booted 5 goals against the battling Kretiuk, Stevens (16 touches) had the better of Grant. Robran performed in the ruck, McLeod had 22 possessions and a goal, Bickley gathered the ball 23 times, plus a goal. Beinke kicked 2 goals. Retiring Blighty said "Football's all about referred pain. They've got their full list running around (not quite true) and we've left nine at home...and we needed to play perfectly to win it. OK, we didn't do it, they had a very good last quarter to win it." Alright, they've got a few injuries. But they do go on about them. Blight also pulled a classic move, leaving ruckman Herbert on the bench for the entire game. Wallace reckoned "Of our midfield - we've got six blokes in the midfield and every one of those six blokes were our outstanding players in the last quarter."

At the SCG:

North Melbourne  6.4   11.8   16.11   22.11.143
Geelong          5.3    9.4   12.8    13.10.88

Carey heroics were on display to woo the Sydney punter, 10,676 of whom turned up to see him and the SydneyRoos wallop Geelong. Although the Cats weren't too bad. They just didn't have a Carey. In selection Norf lost the ageing Mick Martyn with another hamstring strain, supposedly, although Mick looked remarkably unfit last Sunday. Mooney was dropped, denying him a chance to play against his brother. Returning were ruck Capuano and midfielder Brady Anderson. Just one change for the Cats, storming along with one consecutive win. Rahilly was dropped for fit-again Jason Mooney.

Carey booted four goals in the first quarter, against Barry Stoneham. Bell did well around packs, King and Grant won plenty of kicks too. Geelong had more of the ball than Norf but struggled to capitalise. Mooney kicked a couple of goals on the back of Riccardi, Milburn and Arnott's efforts. Houlihan played well in attack too. McGrath was switched onto Carey for the second quarter, but Wayney booted another three goals and pulled down five grabs for the stanza. The Cats booted four goals of their own to stay in touch. Third term decided it. Carey was reduced in effectiveness by McGrath, but Geelong didn't score despite multiple trips inside 50m. Mistakes, Archer and King contributed to that. Meanwhile Carey, Scott, Dhurrkay and Anderson got the sausages that expanded the gap. Houlihan managed a goal for the Pivotonians but they were held until time-on before getting a couple more. Roos managed to stroll away in the last.

Carey finished with 9 goals from 13 kicks and 9 marks. Guess he isn't so injured now. Shannon Grant, familiar with the SCG, had 23 disposals and a goal and there were the usual tough, straight-ahead games from rovers Bell (30 possessions) and Anthony Stevens (32 touches). David King ran hard for 23 disposals off half-back and Scott proved a handy half-forward with 3 goals from 12 kicks. Dhurrkay and McKernan kicked 2 goals each. Geelong got good service from back pocket Sholl (25 disposals) and winger Lowther (16). Houlihan snaggled 3 goals and Riccardi put in again for 28 disposals and 2 goals. Barnes combatted McKernan well and Arnott (29 disposals) and Milburn were handy midfield. Clarke and Mooney kicked 2 goals each. Ayresey reckoned "I don't think nine goals was a true indication of the way the game went. At the end of the day, their bodies were bigger physically, and our skill level let us down a bit." Pagan said "There's areas that we have probably brushed over when we won by one or two points. But after last week's effort, the coaching staff were able to say more meaningful things to the players."

At Football Park:

Port Adelaide  3.2    5.8    6.9   10.12.72
Sydney         2.4    5.5    9.6    9.10.64

Port grabbed the Swans' spot in the eight in winning this tight game played in strong wind. The Flowers came home with it. Further study of Port's Nathan Eagleton after his dramatic collapse last Sunday revealed the bloke had Wolffe-Parkinson-White syndrome, a disorder of the heart which causes it to beat irregularly. He had surgery during the week and should be back for round 19 Sydney's Jon Stevens had open-heart surgery for the same condition a few years ago, although Eagleton didn't have such a dramatic intervention. Jarrad Schofield replaced Eagleton for this game, the Swans lost Maxfield with an ankle sprain, in came Ben Mathews.

Very strong wind blew to the famous Right Of Screen End, the Swans had it first. But they didn't use it too well, being outscored. Bode was busy early for Port and he snapped the first goal, Lockett got Sydney's first from a mark when O'Loughlin miskicked from 40m directly in front. Neat passing saw Lockett bag their second too, a lead, mark and good shot from deep on the 'correct' flank. Captain Kelly was reported for biffing tagger Wilson. Harwood booted Port clear at the first break after Luff attempted an ill-advised screamer over the young Tasweigian, Harwood recovered and raced off on a three-bounce run to the goalsquare. Lockett nudged the Bloods ahead with two very good goals in the second quarter, both kicked dead straight from 40m into the wind. Such was the breeze that we could examine Plugger's reconstructed hair in some detail as it flattened back over his scalp. Brayden Lyle answered for the Pooer with a great left-foot snap from the pocket and Tredrea goaled to put Port back in front. Swan Kelly scrambled a late goal from a close-in ball-up just before half time.

Port snapped the first sausage of the third term to put them 9 points ahead, however the Swans then enjoyed their best spell. From the bounce they went forward, Lockett and Seymour combined to set up a goal for O'Loughlin. The ball appeared to be out of bounds on centre wing when McPherson scrambled it inwards, eventually Goodes scuffed a soccer kick which trickled over in front of Paxman and put the Swans 3 points up. Bomford marked and goaled, Seymour did likewise and Sydney led by 15 points. However Port had the wind coming home. Tredrea kicked a long goal from a mark and Schofield did similarly to cut the margin to less than a goal. Very tight for a while, the Swans had a couple of chances with good marks to Filandia and O’Loughlin, but the violent wind blew their shots well off course. Port struggled to prise open the packed Sydernee backline. The breakthrough came when Swan Crouch hugged Tredrea's head just 35m out. Tredrea miskicked the free but Harwood held a strong pack grab in the goalsquare and sausaged. Port led by four points. A minute later, Port were deep in attack and the ball in dispute. Luff and Dunkley made a terrible hash of trying to force it through for a point, James pounced and stabbed the sealer for the Power. Siren was greeted with much rejoicing.

No real standout in a tight, scrappy game. Port were well-served in the midfield by Nick Stevens (20 disposals), Josh Francou (19 disposals) and Francis (12), back-flanker Shane Bond (19 touches) ran hard to set up some attacks. Ruckman Lade had 13 touches and held 9 marks in the difficult conditions. Mead halted the Swans several times at CHB with 13 touches and 7 marks. James came on and off the bench but did well for 2 goals, Tredrea, Harwood and Schofield also kicked 2 goals each. Breuer kicked 4 points. For Sydee Wayne Schwass worked hard in the middle for 26 touches, although his disposal weren't the best sometimes. Kelly (18 kicks, a goal) and Cresswell (28 disposals) were prominent and Nicks (18 possessions) was effective again in defence. Lockett kicked 4 goals, their first four, and O'Loughlin battled hard on the forward flank, but didn't kick too well with 1.4. Goodes was handy again, 14 touches and a goal. "It was a bit of an arm wrestle," said the in-demand Rocket. "In the first quarter, we didn't make as much use of the wind as we probably should have." The Swans have four home games in a row now and winning them is pretty important. Williams said "The first quarter helped us. At three-quarter time we still had a lot of work to do." Port have won five of their last six and have a reasonable run in.

At the MCG:

Carlton    1.1    4.5    5.13    9.16.70
Essendon   4.4   11.5   16.6   23.8.146

In front of 66,000 the Blues copped an absolute hiding from their nemesis to force 'em out of the eight. Essendon continue to go along very nicely, looking for September. The Blues dropped Lock and also lost luckless winger Adrian Whitehead for the year with a recurrence of his foot/hamstring injuries. Whitehead was delisted and a first-gamer elevated from the rookie list, 20-year-old Simon Fletcher from Grovedale via Geelong's reserves. Essendon were strengthened by the returns of Lloyd and Moorcroft from injury and suspension respectively, Jason Johnson was called up. However Hardwick (knee) missed out, so did McVeigh ('flu) and Symons was discarded.

Ominous signs came early. Mercuri chipped perfectly for Solomon to run onto the ball and goal, Lloyd's skilful pick-up and handpass allowed Dean Wallis - playing in attack - to boot a sausage. Camporeale snapped nicely for Carlton’s first goal but then Mercuri dobbed a running shot and Lloyd snapped a brilliant right-foot goal (that’s his wrong foot) while being scragged to the ground by Silvagni. Already the Blues were being beaten in the centre and Don defenders were sprinting downfield to get involved, notably Wellman and Ukovic, at full back on Pearce. McKay was switched onto rampant Mercuri and Kouta put onto the dangerous (?) Wallis. Blue forward Lappin kicked the first goal of the second term following a gutsy mark, but the Dons careered away from there. Ukovic ran down from full back to kick a goal and Wallis kicked two more, one accidental as a Lloyd snap hit his foot, another more deliberate. Esserdun booted four goals in time-on, including two from Moorcroft, to virtually end the game by half-time. Carlton managed the fist two attacks of the second half, scoring a behind before Wallis drove the Blue supporters insane with a big grab and his fourth goal. How? Front-runner Moorcroft took a speccie and missed a shot from 30m but received a 50m penalty and converted from point blank, Bewick extended the margin to ten goals and that was pretty much that. The Dons kicked the first five goals of the final quarter and a triple-figure margin loomed before the Bombers eased off, the Blues kicked the last three goals of the game. Huzzah! The only downside were injuries to Young and Long.

Terrific game from classy Don flanker Mark Mercuri, who had 29 disposals, kicked 2 goals and created another half-dozen. Sheeds showed a glimpse of the old magic in playing Ukovic at full-back, not only keeping Pearce goal-less but having 18 disposals and kicking a goal himself. Wellman had 22 disposals off half-back (he didn’t play on Whitnall, Barnard did) while Blumfield and Bewick had 20 touches each in the centre, Blumfield also kicked 2 goals and Bewick one, Bewick was on Bradley. Wallis finished with 4 goals, Lloyd also bagged 4, Moorcroft booted 3 majors and Alessio scored two. Not much to write about for Carlton, Scott Camporeale (23 disposals, 4 goals) stood out and Silvagni did alright considering to opportunities presented to Lloyd. Brown came off the bench to gather 22 disposals and flankers Murphy and Beaumont got a bit of the ball with 29 and 23 disposals respectively, Beaumont also kicked a goal. Lappin worked hard in attack for 19 possies and a goal. A typically blunt Parkin said "I think we met a pretty good side in red-hot form and we weren't able to match them. We got a pasting both on the ground and the scoreboard." Sheedy, basking in renewed glory, said "We are naturally pleased with that win. We have had a lot of changes in the side over the last month...to kick that amount of goals in very pleasing." Many attribute much of their improvement this season to assistant coach Terry Daniher.

At Waverley:

Hawthorn     1.2    3.7     9.8     14.8.92
Collingwood  4.6   10.11   13.14   18.16.124

The Pies are gonna wreck this entire priority draft-pick thing if they keep winning. They're going to win the last ever game at Vic Park in round 22, so they can't win another game between now and then if they're going to get the extra selection. To ensure this, they've decided to send Sav Rocca for a knee operation. A degenerative condition, we're told, Sav could play on but with nothing at stake why risk further, serious damage? Nothing at stake, yeah. Anyway, Bucks led 'em to this win over the erratic Hawks. Just one alteration for the Hawks, Rock dropped for Treleven. The Magpies lost Tarrant with an ankle sprain and dropped Fuller, Jacotine and Wasley. In came Davis, Crow, Patterson and Venables.

The Magpies fired out with the first four goals, Buckley and King forming a dominant centre pairing. Hawks started Crawford on Buckley, but he needed protection from the statistician rather than the umpire. Bucks had 14 disposals in the first quarter to Crawf's 2, including a great running goal. Monkhorst worried Salmon out of it in the ruck and Brown and Saverio Rocca provided the forward targets. Lord got the Hawks' goal late-on. Professional stopper Woods was moved onto Buckley for the second quarter, however Bucks had another 10 touches and booted a very good snapped major. Sav got another after a terrible switch of play by McCabe as the Pies romped clear. Hawthorn always manage a good half and this week it was the second half. Salmon, Crawford and Treleven lifted in the centre as the Pies lost players to injury, notably King (foot), and Monkhorst tired. Thompson shifted to full-forward and took 4 marks for the quarter, booting 2 goals, and another 4 grbas and a goal in the final term. It's a mystery to most Hawk supporters as to why he isn't left there. Chick and Lord started getting involved in attack and Croad ran from defence. As the final quarter dragged on the Hawks got within 13 points before Buckley, again, marked Hawk defender Graham’s clearing punt and drilled it back for a goal. Mal Michael booted the next and Buckley found leading Betheras for the sealer.

Buckley finished with 34 kicks, 10 handpasses and 3 goals. Not a bad afternoon. Tyson Lane was very good on the wing with 28 disposals and a goal, King had a great first half before the foot problem and finished with 20 touches. Gav Brown was a handy forward again with 3 goals from 17 touches, midfielders Lockyer (19 disposals) and Patterson (18, a goal) were also useful. Michael booted 3 goals, two early before being switched back onto Thompson. Sav Rocca also kicked 3 goals and took 7 marks, Betheras kicked 2 goals. Salmon gained in effectiveness to finish with 22 disposals, 10 marks and 33 hitouts for Hawthorn and forward flankers Chick (17 touches, 3 goals) and Lord (9 kicks, 4 goals) were part of the revival. Thompson finished with 9 marks and 3 goals from 11 kicks and Treleven had 28 possessions. Crawford ended with 22 touches, Holland kicked 2 goals. If only they could play a full game. Judge commented "We're generally able to play a reasonably constructive and productive first half of the game and then not maintain it. Today it was the other way around." On Buckley he said "Well, he played a very good first half and Crawf played on him...It was two pretty good players playing on each other and one outdid the other...but I wouldn't knock Crawford, he's been great all year." Shaw said "It was pretty good. I think that if we'd lost the game it would have been an injustice. To get across the line is fantastic...I went up to Buckley and said 'sometimes to be a leader you've got to stand up in all facets of the game', and he did. He was fantastic."

At Subiaco:

West Coast  4.0    7.3   10.4     11.6.72
Fremantle   7.5   10.8   14.10   17.17.119

Good things come to those who wait. And wait. But on their tenth try, Fremantle won a western derby. It mighta been handy if they'd been in contention for the finals, but knocking the Weevils off the top - and the improvement that Drum is bringing - were nice bonuses. West Coast are in a bit of a slump with a 3-3 record since the state-of-origin break. In picking the Weegles' midfield was improved with Cousins and Peter Matera back from injury, Holmes was given a go. Fletcher, Donnelly and Williams were dumped. The Dockulators lost Shipp with a thigh strain, Harding came in. Eagle winger Chris Mainwaring played his 200th game after much injury in recent years, including 2 knee reconstructions. The Eegs must dread these milestones.

West Coast, kicking into the breeze to start, got the first three goals but then mistakes from Pete Matera, Holmes and McIntosh assisted Fremantle on their way with the next six goals with the wind, Wira, Modra and Callaghan doing the scoring. Fremantle led by 30 points early in the second term but the Weegles got closer with the breeze. There were problems though, only Cummings provided much life in attack. Parker did well on White while Clement quelled Phil Matera.

Modra escaped from McIntosh to kick the first goal of the second half, but Metropolis replied for the Eagles. Phil Matera recovered well from a marking contest to snap truly, then Braun found Peter Matera 25m out, he punted straight and the Eagles were just 13 points in arrears. Would the Dockers fold? Again? Cometh the hour, cometh the blonde, mulletted, much-maligned croweater imports. Waterhouse marked on 50m and thumped a long punt just the correct side of the post for Fremantle. Then Modra chased the ball into the pocket with McIntosh hard on the hammer, found a yard of space and booted the routine impossible snap. From a ball-up Harding gathered and found Modra at the top of the goalsquare, Mods dobbed his 500th career major and put the Dockers 31 points ahead. The Eagles launched a couple of late assaults but Cummings kicked on the full and Jones postered. Light rain began falling during the last break. Modra kicked the first goal of the last quarter, a free kick and Fremantelle were 37 points clear. It started to rain harder. And harder. Fewster booted a nice goal for the Weegs but Wira and Callaghan gave the small but vocal Docker grouping much to celebrate.

Adrian Fletcher led the Dockers again from the centre with a hefty 39 disposals and a goal. As the paper puts it, he "fed the forwards with his chips." Interested to read ex-Lion Simon Hawking's comments yesterday that Brisbane's poor 1998 season was caused by Fletcher's sacking - he was by far the most popular bloke there. Norrish (32 disposals) and McManus (21, a goal) were part of a midfield which beat their Eagle counterparts. For once the forwards capitalised, Modra booted 6 goals from 13 kicks and makeshift attacker Brad Wira bagged 3 goals, Waterhouse kicked 2.3 from 15 kicks and 6 marks. In defence Kickett was excellent with 28 disposals and Clement produced an important stopping job on Phil Matera. Ruckmen Bandy (17 touches, 9 marks) and Michael (15 and 4) helped out back there too. Callaghan kicked 2 goals. For the West Coast defending runners Read (17 touches), Banfield (16) and Wirrpunda (12) provided momentum as the midfield struggled. Cousins did OK for 24 handlings but Peter Matera did little and Mainwaring was on and off the bench. Cummings did well to boot three goals from limited opportunities and Jakovich (23 disposals) did alright at CHB. Morrison had a useful second half and finished with 21 touches and a goal. Peter and Phil Matera kicked 2 goals each, Metropolis kicked 2 as well. Malthouse told the assembled meedya "I don't think the side (West Coast) is anywhere near as good as what you blokes keep writing about. I have said that, but nobody takes any notice. I think some of the older players are playing as older players and some of the younger players are playing as younger players." Eh? Drum likes talking about things being on people's backs. "I think it just gets the monkey off our back as a club. If we had won one four-and-a-half years ago, it would never have existed." Bet ol' Gerry Neesham wishes the same thing.