Around the grounds - Weekly Wrapup

AFL Preliminary Finals

When that Roo-supporting bloke charged onto Princes Park last year brandishing a wooden spoon, I doubt he thought his team would be playing the Blues in a Grand Final the following season. He wasn't alone, even as recently as 4:30 PM Saturday. But they're both in it. Carlton had no injury worries from Saturday but Hamill was reported for kneeing Dean Wallis. North's Stevens sprained his ankle and McCartney was reported for whacking Keating, both will be lucky to play.

Quiet week on the coaching front. Richmond seem determined to interview every former coach or current assistant in the country. Still no official announcements from Collingwood or West Coast. Carlton employed ex-Eagle John Worsfold as an assistant.

Hawthorn's Shane Crawford goes into tonight's Brownlow Medal count as the shortest-priced favourite in history, 1/2. After him come Nathan Buckley (11/2), Blue ruckman Matthew Allan (6/1) and Bomber Mark Mercuri (8/1). There was a big plunge on Wayne Carey (25/1) over the weekend.

At the MCG:

North Melbourne  5.2    6.6   11.7    19.9.123
Brisbane         2.2    7.4    9.7   11.12.78

The Kangas' aerial power, discipline and simple ability to win ended the run of the Lions. Brisbane went in without Voss and Chris Scott and lost Black after ten minutes, badly weakening their midfield, although they still played well for long spells. However their failure here underlines the difficulty of winning a final interstate - unless you draw the Bulldogs. In selection North showed there's some sediment in football, as Doug Hawkins would say, by recalling John Longmire to replace dropped youngster Cameron Mooney. Brisbane copped a tribunal slug with Craig McRae and Chris Scott suspended one game each, for striking and charging respectively. The Lions appealed on Scott's behalf, pointing out the tribunal's inconsistency in regard to charging. They received a 2-hour hearing, but no luck. McRae was sunk by Jose Romero's colourful evidence, which angered the Lions but which the Bulldogs regarded as payback for McRae's statements in the scratching case against Liberatore earlier in the year. Coming in for the Lions were Matthew Robbins and Richard Champion, back from 2 months out with a thigh strain.

The benefits of mates in sales. With a free ticket in hand, I attended the 'G on a cool, clear night with a decent 61,000. Plenty of old Fitzroy supporters there too. The new Lions seemingly acknowledged them by playing "the huddle" on kick-ins, first invented by Rob Walls with the Roys. Anyway. The Lions organised defensively with Daryl White on Carey and Leppitsch picking up Craig Sholl. At the other end there was a revival of the popular radio program Martyn-Molloy, while Archer stood Lynch. Champion lined up at CHF, watched by McCartney. North also played McKernan as a forward with Capuano in the ruck. Roos did the early attacking and McKernan snapped the first goal. From the restart Brisbane went forward, Lynch used his body to clutch a good chest mark and convert. Black was crushed in a tackle by Martyn and went off with a fractured cheekbone/eye socket. Ouch. The Lion media manager was unhappy about the incident and suggested Martyn may go on video. Lappin weaved past Norf defenders to boot the next very good goal and it was Lions by 12. The next two goals, scored by North, sent shudders down the Lions' psychological spine. Carey marked Stevens's wobbler strongly in front of White for the first. Norf cleared the restart, Abraham lobbed a terrific handpass to Harvey, he kicked to Carey and White. With White running about like the proverbial headless poultry, Carey marked almost uncontested and converted. Bit o' luck for the Roos' next, Lion defender Lawrence collided with the North runner allowing Abraham an easy mark. He kicked forward where White found himself opposed by both Carey and McKernan. The latter marked and goaled from 5m. To close the quarter Carey marked on the flank, wheeled and centred for leading McKernan to grab and convert. Kennedy, playing on McKernan, indulged in some self-abuse.

Second term and Kennedy was sent to the forward line, Lynch pulled back to play on McKernan. White did better on Carey. Brisbane's Notting did well and handpassed nicely for Shaun Hart to spear from close in. A minute later North's Anthony Stevens took a brave with-the-flight mark but landed wincingly on his ankle and had to be carried off. In his absence the Sydneyroos floundered briefly, Lappin and Ashcroft lifted as the Lions had their best spell. A kick forward was chased by Molloy and Martyn, Jarrod got there first and majored with his preferred method, off the ground. Keating roved himself and snapped a great goal, cutting the Roos' lead to 2 points. Norf replied when some good play from McCartney got the the ball to King, he found Clayton all alone in the goalsquare. From a kick-in the Lions went the length of the field and Brett Voss six-pointered. Notting postered and another Lion behind was rushed as they exerted a lot of pressure, now trailing by a point. McKernan missed a shot for the Kangas before Ashcroft roved perfectly to snap the Bananamen ahead at the long break. Brisbane had received 2 free kicks in the first half.

Quartier tres and some good play from Lawrence found Keating, he goaled and it was Brisbane by 10 points. From the restart the Poos attacked and Bell, on for his first run, missed. But now the Norf midfield did better, Grant and King particularly good while their backline strangled the Lion forwards. The boy Pickett can play a bit. Brent Harvey roved a throw-in and snapped a sausage, Grant slotted on the run and the Harbouroos were back in front, by 2 points. Lion Lynch spilled a mark, Sholl roved and kicked into Grant's path. He ran right in. "Hey Lynchy," we yelled and made choking motions. Archer scooped the ball up at the centre bounce and booted a long goal, Shinboners by 14 points. Brisbane broke the ominous scoring run when Akermanis, being well-held by Blakey, handballed to Notting for a goal. But then King did very well to create a major for Sholl, still Roos by 14. Akermanis missed badly just before the final break.

North killed off the tiring Lions with an early final-stanza barrage. McKernan missed a sitter but Motlop did well to set up an Abraham snap. Motlop then got the ball to Carey, marking on 50m. Chris Johnson strolled between the All-Australian captain and the mark, a 50m penalty and easy goal. I may be overstating the role of Motlop. We just liked saying "Motlop". North by 24 points which became 30 with a great piece of play from King, smothering Hart's kick in the back pocket (luckily as the ball hit his foot), collecting the agget and charging into the empty goal. To their credit the Lions mounted one last effort. Keating marked 40m out and was clobbered late by McCartney, a crude effort which saw Keating depart with a broken, blood-waterfall nose, McCartney reported for striking and Power punt the easy goal following a 50m penalty. Lappin's pass created another goal for Power and the Lions were 17 points down. But a minute later Notting turned over possession, Carey and Grant combined to send Harvey in for an easy goal. Grant slotted a ripper from the boundary line, the Roos were 30 points up again and home. Harvey and Bell booted a couple and Harvey snapped truly on the siren to underline the victory.

Roo defender Archer, who says he thinks about last years' Grand Final loss every day, led the way after half time, ending with 13 disposals and a goal. McKernan was an early gamebreaker with 3 first-quarter goals, he went on to finish with 5 marks and 24 disposals He kicked 4 points after quarter-time though. At the back Pickett (18 touches) was very good and Martyn curbed Molloy. Shannon Grant (21 disposals, 3 goals) played a key role as did King (26 disposals, 9 marks, 2 goals) after Stevens's injury. McCartney did alright at CHB. Carey kicked 3 goals and had 17 possessions, but really had little influence after quarter-time. Blakey kept Akermanis quiet after quarter-time. Harvey also kicked 3 goals. Brisbane received great service from ruckman Keating again, who had 22 hitouts and kicked 2 goals in having the better of Capuano. Lappin (29 touches, a goal) was great in the centre, especially in the second quarter. Ashcroft (19 kicks, a goal) and Lawrence (25 possessions) played well. Leppitsch was good as a defender but had little impact on his frequent forward sorties, Sholl sticking close to him. White did well on Carey. Power was busy with 14 touches and 2 last-stanza goals, Notting mixed moments of great skill with the mistakes of inexperience. "It's a long, long way back to where we were three hours ago, that's the galling thing for everyone," said Matthews. "We played some fantastic football over the last two months. But if you lose key members of your team, it's very hard to keep that up." Indeed, the losses of Voss, Scott, McRae and Black were hard to cover. Pagan said "They (his players) were terrific after half time. Guys that were done really lifted their rating, and our game plan came into vogue then." He said Stevens was "a good chance" to be right next week. McCartney shouldn't be so lucky.

At the MCG:

Essendon  3.5    3.10   10.17   14.19.103
Carlton   6.3    8.4    10.6     16.8.104

A classic final (unless you barrack for Essendon), tight, tough, tense with some individual efforts that will be long remembered. Carlton played out of their trees. Shocked Bomber fans were left to ponder a home-and-away record of 18-4, a 13-goal win over Carlton in round 16, a qualifying final performance slightly more encouraging than Blues’ and 33 shots at goal to 24 in this game. For many the villain was Dean Wallis, who with 35 seconds to go tried to play on around Fraser Brown and was caught. Ah Deano. His best season capped off by his worst moment. That's foody. This was Carlton's first win over Essendon since 1965, and only their second win against 'em in the last seven-hundred attempts. Or something like that. One can only admire their timing. People still don't reckon the Blues are any good. But they're still there. The Bombers went in with the same 22 as a fortnight back. Carlton's Adrian Hickmott, a key player last week, was out with a hamstring strain sustained at training. He was replaced by Ang Christou.

The Bombers were caught by another fast start from Carlton. Glenn Manton, a former Bomber with 'issues', started in attack and did well. Sheedy started Bewick on Camporeale, a disastrous move, while Heffernan was on a wing. Allan thrashed Somerville in the ruck. The Dons struggled in attack, Alessio at CHF was beaten by Koutoufides while McKay stuck close on Mercuri. The first goal came from a fierce Blue tackle which turned over possession, Hamill got the ball to Whitnall and he handballed to Manton alone in the 'square. Manton had a hand in the next goal, passing to Beaumont who picked out leading Whitnall. Bomber skipper Long collected at the restart, his kick cleared Lloyd and Silvagni but Lloyd doubled back and popped it through. Blue Hamill had an easy goal after a mark and 50m penalty. Moorcroft goaled for the Bombers, from a strong grab despite the close attention of Rice and the Blues led by 7 points. Silvagni did well to touch a goalbound shot through before Hamill took an excellent mark over two Dons. He missed the shot, though. No mind, Brown gathered 70m out and passed to Whitnall, his handpass sent Massie in for a mayor. Whitnall received a free kick and passed to Brown, the latter punted Carlton 18 points up. Lloyd replied for the Dons, taking a very good grab between two Blues. But Lappin extended the margin to 3 goals again. Skinny Bommer forward Caracella appeared late in the quarter but missed two shots, the second a terrible effort from 15m.

In the second term the game got a lot tighter with plenty of ball-ups. The Dons wasted several chances in front of goal. Allan and Kouta continued to go very well for Carlton. Early on a frustrated Dean Wallis thumped Sexton and was reported. Blue Hamill was reported later for kneeing Wallis. Mark Johnson marked at CHB for Essendon, the umpire decided he'd played on and Johnson lost the ball in a tackle, Hamill goaled. The Dons attacked and Lloyd received a softish goalsquare free when Silvagni grabbed his arm. He missed from 10m and Full Back of the Century let him know. Mercuri and Fletcher kicked more points, Fletcher sent to CHF now and Alessio in the ruck. Whitnall put the Blues 25 points up with a strong mark and conversion. Rioli booted the Dons' fifth point for the quarter. At half-time the Blues grouped together before trotting off to a rousing reception. In contrast Sheedy ran onto the ground to begin lambasting his men, a haraguing which continued loudly and at length in the rooms. Interviewed for TV, North coach Denis Pagan said "I see one team which has taken its' opportunities and another which hasn't. I think it will be a lot closer at the finish."

For the third term Sheedy restored Somerville to the ruck. He did better. Big efforts from Long and Bewick powered the comeback. A quick but wayward Lloyd snap took the Bombers to 3.11, Bradley's kick-in was intercepted by Long who booted a six-pointer in reply. A long Bewick punt went over the pack to a waiting Lloyd who stabbed it through, Carlton led by 11 points. From a rugged contest at CHF the ball emerged to Rioli, he speared from 25m and the Bloos led by 4. Long cleared the restart and got the ball to Bewick, onto Moorcroft who marked on 50m. A mystery 50m penalty saw the carrothead blast the Dons into the lead. Rioli gold from a mark. Long materialised again, gathering on the wing and passing to Misiti, inboard to Young and he converted. Essendon all over the Blues to lead by 15 points. But they never went further. Allan kicked a handy steadying goal for Carlton. Heffernan marked and raised the twin calicoes from 20m, putting Esserdin 16 points up. Murphy punted direct to the goalsquare, Camporeale roved and snapped a goal. Wellman's point sent the Bombers in 11 points ahead at the last change. In the Carlton huddle Silvagni delivered an inspirational speech.

An epic last quarter ensued. Manton behinded before Long involved himself once more, kicking to Lloyd on the flank. He got the ball to Alessio who snapped it through. A minute later Long's point put the Bombers 17 points up. Koutoufides, shifted into the centre, then played a brilliant spell. He's not just a musclebound goose. First Fraser Brown weaved through traffic to boot a goal. Kouta plucked a big grab and majored, putting the Blues 5 points down. Lappin's bouncing snap put 'em in front. Then Koutoufides began a move, dishing off to Bradley. He passed to Ratten who punted long to the 'square where Kouta, somehow, held a mark amongst a forest of players. Gol and the Blues led by 7 points with 4 consecutive sausages. Time for another great solo effort, from Matty Lloyd. Lloyd kicked two near-identical goals from close range, being spoiled by Silvagni but maintaining front position to recover and snap before SOS could get 'round him. Those two sausages put the Dons 5 points up again. A tiring Bradley missed a good chance before a neat Blue move ended with Hogg's kick well-marked by Hamill 45m out. Hamill deliberated before pumping the Sherrin through from 50m. That sent the Blues ahead by 2 points. Whitnall marked on 50m, not far in from the Member's Stand. He kicked a superb long goal, a lovely kick and Carlton led by 8 points with 27 minutes elapsed. But the Same Olds weren't done. They attacked relentlessly, often repelled by Koutoufides. Finally Alessio kicked towards Johnson at CHF, he held a great, tough grab and split the big posts to drag the gap back to 2 points. The Dons went forward from the restart, Mercuri roved a pack and attempted a grubbed snap which trickled wide. A point the diff. With 35 seconds remaining the kick-in emerged to Bomber Wallis in the centre square. Boot it long to Lloydy seemed the obvious. But Deano tried to run past some Blues and was caught in a great tackle by Brown. Murphy scooped the pill and punted the Blues to safety. The siren sounded just after.

Many heroic efforts for Carlton. Koutoufides saw off Alessio, Fletcher, Blumfield and others at CHB, had 28 disposals, took 12 marks and ventured forward for 2 crucial final-quarter goals. Allan dominated the rucks with 28 hitouts and 8 marks, 15 touches and a goal. In the middle Fraser Brown (21 disposals, 2 goals) and Brett Ratten (25 touches) were excellent and Camporeale had 10 kicks in the first quarter on the way to 23 possessions and a goal. Whitnall showed his ability with 7 marks and 3 goals. McKay limited Mercuri's influence and ol' Ricey turned in a typically dogged performance off a back flank. The inconsistent Aaron Hamill bagged 3 goals from 18 touches and Lappin also kicked 2 goals. Essendon's gap from best to worst was large. At the upper end of the scale, stand-in captain Michael Long led wonderfully with 28 disposals and a goal, sparking the third quarter comeback. Lloyd kicked 5 goals against Silvagni, taking just 3 marks but forcing the ball through the sticks any way he could manage. Centreman Misiti played well for 21 possies. Hardwick played very well on half-back, as he has all year, with 19 disposals. Fletcher was decent at the back with 17 disposals and 7 marks. Dean Solomon played well on Lappin and was the Dons' fifth-highest possession winner with 15. Moorcroft and Rioli kicked 2 goals each. Offenders in front of goal were Caracella (0.3), Mercuri (0.3), Lloyd (5.3) and Fletcher (0.2). Sheedy defended Wallis's mistake. "It should not be one person's fault. Overall, it's just not on and our players are going to have to learn from that. We were there with an opportunity with twenty minutes to go, we were there with a good chance after one hundred minutes. That's the disappointing aspect." Very disappointing. Parkin wore the bemused smile of a lottery winner. "This is the first time we have beaten an A-grade side for the year...It was probably our best performance given it's against a team that had played pretty good football. I think it comes from those who are getting towards the end of their career and they think there might be a sniff of something special around the corner." They're long odds again next week, but no-one would dare write 'em off now. The worry is whether they've already played their Grand Final.