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AFL Central - August 2008

Dempster's season over

August 31st 2008 22:49
ST KILDA has been dealt a blow with midfielder Sean Demspter suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Dempster tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the opening minute of the Saints' 108-point demolition of Essendon at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

The 24-year-old will require a knee reconstruction and is likely to be sidelined for the majority of next year but coach Ross Lyon said he was confident that the former Swan would bounce back.

"It's a loss for us. We feel for Sean. I can't imagine what he's feeling at the moment. He'll be assessed fully in the ensuing days," he said.


"We've got great surgeons, great rehabbers. Brendon Goddard shows what can be done coming off a reco."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Saints claim fourth spot

August 31st 2008 09:53
ST KILDA has claimed fourth spot and the double chance with a 108-point demolition of Essendon at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

The Saints' 21.21 (147) to 5.9 (39) victory lifted their percentage from 105.04 to 110.56, 0.82 higher than the Crows' 109.74.

The win means St Kilda will face reigning premiers and ladder leaders Geelong in the first week of the finals.

Stephen Milne starred for St Kilda with seven second-half goals while skipper Nick Riewoldt was damaging up forward with 21 possessions, 11 marks and four majors.

Brendon Goddard was influential around the ground with a game-high 30 possessions and one goal while Jason Gram generated plenty of run with 27 touches and three majors.


For the Bombers, the loss was a disappointing way to bid farewell to veterans Adam Ramanauskas, Jason Johnson, Damien Peverill and Mal Michael.

The injury-ravaged Dons were completely outclassed after quarter-time, managing just three goals as St Kilda slammed on nine of their own to open up a match-winning 61-point lead heading into the final change.

The margin would have been greater if not for some inaccurate kicking from the Saints.

There was still plenty of interest left in the match with the Saints needing a big last term to overtake Adelaide.

It was all St Kilda in the last quarter. They won plenty of the football and ran hard through the middle as they piled on 7.6 to 0.1.

The Saints did not overhaul the Crows' percentage until late in the final stanza and then held firm in the dying stages to book a qualifying final against the Cats.

ESSENDON: 2.3, 2.6, 5.8, 5.9 (39)
ST KILDA: 5.5, 8.12, 14.15, 21.21 (147)
GOALS: Essendon: Johnson, Lloyd, Magin, Ryder, Watson
St Kilda: Milne 7, Riewoldt 4, Gram 3, Schneider 2, Eddy, C. Gardiner, Goddard, King, Montagna
BEST: Essendon: Lonergan, Dyson, Ramanauskas, Watson
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Milne, Montagna, Hayes, Goddard, Gram
INJURIES: Essendon: Monfries (hamstring)
St Kilda: Dempster (knee)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: M.Nicholls, Head, Keating
CROWD: 46,161 at Telstra Dome

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Tigers finish season on a high

August 31st 2008 07:23
RICHMOND has consigned Melbourne to its first wooden spoon since 1997 with an 80-point win at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers dominated after quarter-time, slamming on 16 goals to four to cruise to a convincing 18.13 (121) to 6.5 (41) victory.

The Demons could have gotten off the bottom of the ladder with a win on Sunday but were simply outclassed by a Richmond side that finished the season with a better than 50 percent winning strikerate for the first time since 2001.

Joel Bowden starred for the Tigers with a game-high 34 possessions, 13 marks and three second-half goals while Brett Deledio was equally damaging with 25 touches and four goals.

Chris Newman and Shane Tuck were prolific in the middle, racking up 30 possessions apiece while Greg Tivendale was a busy contributor in his last game for the club with 24 disposals and one goal.

For Melbourne, Matthew Warnock did a superb blanketing job on Matthew Richardson, keeping the Richmond star goalless while Adem Yze (25 possessions) tried hard all day.

It was a disappointing performance by the Demons and a poor way to send off veterans Jeff White, Ben Holland and Yze.

The Tigers dominated the opening term, entering inside their forward 50 19 times to Melbourne's seven.

But they failed to translate their dominance onto the scoreboard, booting a wasteful 2.5 for the quarter to take just a four-point lead into the first change.

Richmond broke the game open in the second term, slamming on six goals to one to take a commanding 38-point lead into the main break.

Any hopes of a comeback by the Demons in the second half were quashed by the Tigers as they slammed on four goals to one in the third quarter before steamrolling Melbourne in the final stanza with six majors.

MELBOURNE: 2.1, 3.1, 4.4, 6.5 (41)
RICHMOND: 2.5, 8.9, 12.10, 18.13 (121)
GOALS: Melbourne: White 2, Green, Whelan, Holland, Sylvia
Richmond: Deledio 4, Bowden 3, Riewoldt 2, Jackson 2, Morton, Tuck, Tivendale, Connors, Foley, McMahon, White
BEST: Melbourne: Warnock, Yze, Buckley, Green
Richmond: Bowden, Deledio, Tuck, Tivendale, Newman, Foley, McGuane, White, Johnson
INJURIES: Melbourne:
Richmond: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Richmond: Pattison replaced in selected side by Connors
UMPIRES: Margetts, H Ryan, Ellis
CROWD: 37,046 at the MCG
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Swans can cause some damage: Roos

August 31st 2008 04:30
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos believes his side is capable of causing some damage in the finals.

The Swans secured a home elimination final with a 61-point defeat of Brisbane at the SCG on Saturday night and will now meet either the Kangaroos or the Saints next weekend.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Roos said his side had shown enough in the win over the Lions to suggest they could trouble a few sides in September.

"Based on our game last week we were never going to do much damage playing like that," Roos said.

"I think if we play like we did tonight we can certainly do some damage."

"Every team bar probably the top-two, Geelong and Hawthorn, have had really up-and-down seasons."

"So it's good (to be in the finals), you're in the mix, teams have had reasonable form and then down patches and we've be exactly the same as probably six teams in the final eight, so hopefully we can play as well as we did tonight."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


Ratten dismayed by Hawthorn tactics

August 31st 2008 03:10
CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has expressed his displeasure at the tactics employed by Hawthorn counterpart Alastair Clarkson to prevent Brendan Fevola kicking his 100th goal in the Blues' 78-point loss at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

Lance Franklin kicked his 100th goal in the first quarter but Fevola fell agonisingly short of joining of joining him in three figures after kicking seven goals to finish on 99 for the season

Asked if he would have done the same if the roles were reversed, Ratten said:"I won't answer that."

When pressed on the issue, Ratten said: "I suppose we could have maybe done that at the start [to Franklin], but I suppose that's the way he's seen it,"

"They were only 70 points up."

Ratten also said he would have loved to have seen history created on Saturday night.

"If he would have kicked it, this game would have been replayed regardless of the score between the two teams," said Ratten.

"I don't think you'll ever see two full-forwards kick 100 goals on the same day in the same round. It would have just been fantastic fairytale, romance."

"You would have looked in 100 years time and said 'they have done it and they did do it in the same round'."

"For the AFL to get the two teams to play off, in the last round and kick the 100 goals, the stars are aligned. It nearly happened, it's just a shame it didn't."

Despite being at times frustrated with his side's unhealthy reliance on Fevola, Ratten said he had no problems instructing his players to do everything in their power to help get the spearhead over the line in the last quarter.

"I think there's a bit of romance. He's played a lot of footy for Carlton and he's won games off his own back," Ratten said.

"If we could go out of our way to maybe see if we could get him there, for one quarter, I think that's fair enough. And we were that close."

Meanwhile, a Telstra Dome official said on Saturday night that nobody had been handed the mandatory $6,000 fine for the pitch invasion.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Clarkson pleased with performance

August 31st 2008 00:45
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson was pleased with his side's effort in the Hawks' convincing 78-point win over Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

The match was a dead rubber but Clarkson said it was important for his side to enter the first week of the finals with some momentum.

"We were really pleased with our efforts for tonight. We've been pretty impressed with the way Carlton has gone about it for the bulk of this season, and we were ready for a tussle tonight," Clarkson said.

"It was a great opportunity for us to try and win a game of footy and get some momentum going into the finals so we were pleased to get the victory that we got."

"The guys were really determined to do well, and we think winning form is good form. That was a real focus for us."

Meanwhile, Carlton coach Brett Ratten said he was pleased with the Blues' 2008 season despite their poor finish to the year.

The Blues finished the season with 10 wins and achieved their goal of avoiding a bottom-four finish.

"We've been in the bottom four for such a long time. When you know you've gotten out of the bottom four you've won some games of football," Ratten said.

"Whether the ledger's seven, eight or 10 wins, you've got out of there and played some half decent footy throughout the year."

Ratten said the improvement in young players such as Shaun Grigg, Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer were big positives with Kreuzer in particular earning praise from the Blues coach.

"I think for Matty Kreuzer to play a big man's role and to play like a big man, I think it's a real credit to him to show how competitive he is," Ratten said

But Ratten said there were few positives to draw from the Blues' final game and admitted that his side had a way to go before they were capable of playing finals.

"Our performance today, I think we really learned a lot from a team that really runs hard and they're playing finals."

"We'll have to match that next time."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Hawthorn Hawks
   


Laidley apologises to fans

August 31st 2008 00:30
NORTH MELBOURNE coach Dean Laidley yesterday apologised for his side's 'disgraceful' performance at the MCG on Saturday in going down by 76 points to Port Adelaide.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Laidley said his team's performance was even more disappointing considering what was at stake - a top four berth - and the fact that it was veteran Shannon Grant's 300th match.

"I'm here to apologise firstly to our supporters and secondly to Shannon Grant's family, because that was a disgraceful effort today," Laidley said.

"It all comes down to effort required, and it was non-existent and that was one of the things we spoke about all week - the effort."

"It's a mental application and about your desire to work hard … but that was non-existent today."

"That's not like us and we've blown an opportunity to finish fourth, but we have another opportunity and that's the important thing now."

Laidley said his leadership group was simply 'horrible' on Saturday and hinted that their may be changes made for next weekend's cut-throat final.

"Some of the guys who have served us so well have been on a bit of a slippery dip and some of the guys who performed poorly today and who performed poorly last week make themselves vulnerable," he said.

"Do we take them into a finals series probably not being match hardened?"

"That's a question we have to really look very closely at and pick the best side to win a final."

"It's important to be able to realign yourself, refocus and get yourself ready, but eight other sides would love to be sitting where we are right now."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Carr wants out

August 30th 2008 13:16
FREMANTLE midfielder Josh Carr has advised the club that he wishes to be traded back to Port Adelaide.

Carr, who is a member of Fremantle's leadership group, told coach Mark Harvey and football operations manager Chris Bond of his decision on Saturday.

Bond said the club was disappointed by Carr's decision.

"The club made a significant investment four years ago to bring Josh back to Perth, so obviously we are disappointed," Bond said.

But Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams said Carr's age is a concern.

"He's been a wonderful player for us and went back for family reasons to Perth, but he's 28 now and … I really doubt that he's in our age group to be a viable option," Williams said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Buddy reaches ton, Fev falls short

August 30th 2008 13:08
LANCE Franklin reached his ton and Brendan Fevola fell agonisingly short as Hawthorn tuned up for the finals with a 78-point demolition of Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

The 24.15 (159) to 12.9 (81) win was overshadowed by Franklin's ton and the valiant attempt by Fevola to join him.

Hawthorn's multiple options up forward - they had 11 individual goalkickers for the match - proved to be the difference between the two sides.

The Hawks controlled the midfield with Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis damaging with 30-plus possessions while Sam Mitchell was influential with 28 touches.

Franklin finished the match with four goals - his second at the 25-minute mark of the first term making him the 28th man to kick 100 goals in a season while Jarryd Roughead chimed in with five majors.

For Carlton, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs all collected 30-plus disposals but the Hawks' midfield was more damaging while Fevola kicked seven second-half goals to finish the season on 99.

The Hawks booted the first two before the Blues responded through Cameron Cloke and Judd.

But Carlton struggled to find an avenue to goal for the remainder of the term as Hawthorn took control, slamming on four unanswered goals.

Franklin's second interrupted play for precisely eight-and-a-half minutes as fans and teammates mobbed the star forward at the Coventry end before Cyril Rioli slotted one home to give Hawthorn a 25-point lead at quarter-time.

Hawthorn was never challenged from that moment on with the contest effectively over at the 22-minute mark of the third term when the margin blew out to 47 points.

Fevola came to life in the third term, booting four goals to take his season tally 96 but the Hawks managed six of their own to take a match-winning 55-point lead into the final change.

With the sting well and truly out of the contest in the final stanza, all the interest was focused on whether Fevola could reach the ton.

CARLTON: 2.3, 4.5, 8.6, 12.9 (81)
HAWTHORN: 6.4, 10.7, 16.13, 24.15 (159)
GOALS: Carlton: Fevola 7, Gibbs 2, Cloke, Judd, Russell
Hawthorn: Roughead 5, Franklin 4, Brown 3, Osborne 3, Williams 3, Bateman, Campbell, Hodge, Lewis, Rioli, Sewell
BEST: Carlton: Fevola, Judd, Gibbs, Thornton
Hawthorn: Hodge, Lewis, Bateman, Sewell, Roughead, Brown
INJURIES: Carlton: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
REPORTS: -
CHANGES: Scotland (Carlton - hip) and Carrazzo (Carlton - knee) replaced in selected side by Austin and Pfeiffer; Stokes (Hawthorn) replaced in selected side by Ellis
UMPIRES: Kennedy, Stevic, McLaren
CROWD: 49,057 at Telstra Dome

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Hawthorn Hawks
   


Swans secure home final

August 30th 2008 12:23
SYDNEY will head into the first week of the finals with some confidence after thrashing Brisbane by 60 points at the SCG on Saturday night.

The Swans' 17.12 (114) to 6.17 (53) victory means they will host either St Kilda or North Melbourne in the first week of the finals.

Jarred Moore starred for Sydney with 22 possessions and four goals while Patrick Veszpremi was also impressive with four majors.

Jude Bolton and Jarred McVeigh were busy contributors in the middle while Nick Malceski generated plenty of run from defence with 27 touches and one goal.

For Brisbane, Simon Black (26 possessions) had the better of his duel with Brett Kirk while Bradd Dalziell (25 disposals) tried hard all night.

Moore kicked the first goal of the match at the two-minute mark before the opening term turned into a scrappy affair.

Brisbane had their chances but failed to captialise in front of goal, booting a wasteful 1.6 for the quarter.

The Lions were made to pay for their wastefulness with majors from Malceski and Veszpremi giving the Swans a nine-point lead at quarter-time.

Sydney kicked the first two goals of the second term and looked on course for an easy win.

However, Brisbane refused to be blown away and stuck with the Swans for the remainder of the term, with Sydney taking a 23-point advantage into the main break.

Daniel Bradshaw kicked the first goal of the second half to get the Lions back into the contest

But Sydney had all the answers, piling on the next four goals through Moore, Veszpremi, Ted Richards and Peter Everitt to put the result beyond doubt.

The Swans didn't take their foot off the pedal in the final stanza, booting five goals to one to cap off a much needed win.

SYDNEY: 3.3, 7.8, 12.9, 17.12 (114)
BRISBANE: 1.6, 3.9, 5.13, 6.17 (53)
GOALS: Sydney: Moore 4, Veszpremi 4, Jack 2, McVeigh 2, Malceski, Bird, Richards, Everitt, Hall,
Brisbane: Bradshaw 2, Selwood, Clouston, Henderson, Charman,
BEST: Sydney: Moore, Malceski, Veszpremi, McVeigh, Bird,
Brisbane: Dalziell, Black, Merrett, Selwood
INJURIES: Sydney:Nil
Brisbane: Nil
REPORTS: Jude Bolton for making high contact with Albert Proud in the 14th minute of the final term.
CHANGES: Ryan O'Keefe (virus) replaced in the Swans' matchday-22 by Patrick Veszpremi.
UMPIRES: McBurney, James, Chamberlain.
CROWD: at the SCG
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


Crows win thriller

August 30th 2008 09:39
ADELAIDE has all but secured the double chance with a hard-fought nine-point win over the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows made the most of losses to North Melbourne and Collingwood earlier in the round, prevailing 10.16 (76) to 9.13 (67) in a thrilling contest to move into the top four.

Adelaide can only be tipped out of fourth spot if St Kilda beat Essendon at Telstra Dome on Sunday by more than 15 goals.

Nathan van Berlo was a busy contributor in the middle for Adelaide with 22 possessions and two goals while Tyson Edwards was locked in an engrossing duel with Jason
Akermanis and finished with match with a team-high 23 touches and three valuable goals.

For the Bulldogs, Lindsay Gilbee generated plenty of run from defence with 31 possessions and one goal while Daniel Giansiracusa (34 touches) and Daniel Cross (31 disposals) tried hard all day.

Three goals were scored in the opening four minutes, with the Bulldogs kicking two of them before the match turned into a scrappy affair as both sides tried to adapt to the wet and slippery conditions.

A late goal to Nathan Eagleton gave the Bulldogs a deserved eight-point lead at the first change.

Adelaide lifted in the second term but failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, booting a wasteful 1.9.

The Crows were made to pay for their wastefulness with Gilbee kicking truly from 40m to give his side a four-point lead at the main break.

The Bulldogs won plenty of the football in the third term but were unable to establish a clear break with Edwards' second goal levelling the scores heading into the final change.

Adelaide hit the front thanks to a controversial goal from Jason Porplzyia in the last quarter.

Porplyzia was awarded a goal but television replays showed the ball was clearly rushed by a diving Akermanis.

The Crows looked home when Kurt Tippett slotted one home from close range to blow the margin out to 14-points.

However, the Bulldogs refused to give in and hit back with a major from Scott Welsh before a Ryan Griffen bomb reduced the deficit to two points.

But Adelaide had all the answers with Edwards' third goal sealing a crucial win.

ADELAIDE: 3.1, 4.10, 7.12, 10.16 (76)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 4.3, 5.8, 7.12, 9.13 (67)
GOALS: ADELAIDE: Edwards 3, van Berlo 2, Porplyzia 2, Thompson, Stevens, Tippett
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Harbrow, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Eagleton, Gilbee, Akermanis, Murphy, Welsh, Griffen
BEST: ADELAIDE: Edwards, van Berlo, Doughty, Stevens, Knights, Symes, Rutten, McLeod
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Eagleton, Cross, Giansiracusa, Cooney, Akermanis, Griffen, Hill
INJURIES: ADELAIDE: Nil
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Johnson (cut head)
REPORTS: Lake reported for striking Scott Stevens in the second quarter.
CHANGES: Hudson replaced in the selected side by Skipper.
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Meredith, McInerney
CROWD:37,543
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Adelaide Crows
   


Classy Cats crush Eagles

August 30th 2008 07:42
GEELONG has become the third team in history to finish the home-and-away season with just one defeat after thrashing West Coast by 99 points at Skilled Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats were challenged early before their class came to the fore, eventually prevailing 24.20 (164) to 10.5 (65).

The result sees them join the Carlton and Essendon sides of 1908 and 2000 respectively finish the home-and-away season with just one loss.

The win was soured somewhat for Geelong with Mathew Stokes reported for a late hit on Chad Fletcher.

Geelong now have to wait on the rest of the results from round 22 to find out whether they play the Kangaroos, Adelaide, Sydney or St Kilda in week one of the finals.

Steve Johnson starred for the Cats with 28 disposals and six goals while Tom Lonergan chimed in with four majors.

The Cats dominated through the midfield, racking up 236 more possessions than the Eagles - each Geelong player recorded at least 12 possessions while they also sent the ball inside 50 on 66 occasions to 28.

Brad Ottens was influential in the ruck with 20 touches, 29 hit-outs and one goal. Cameron Ling (34 possessions) and Gary Ablett Jnr (30 disposals) were damaging while Joel Selwood and James Bartel were busy contributors with 29 and 28 possessions respectively.

With Ablett and Bartel among the favourites for this year's Brownlow medal, it could set the scene for a tense climax to the count, with the pair a chance to figure among the votes.

Geelong got the first goal of the match in the opening 30 seconds through Johnson and it appeared as if the Eagles would be in for a long day.

But West Coast refused to be blown away and kicked the next three goals to open up an early 10-point lead.

The Cats responded with three of the last four goals of the quarter to ensure both sides went into the first change on level terms.

The Eagles trailed by just two points at the 12-minute mark before Geelong clicked into gear, piling on six goals in a stunning 15-minute burst to take a commanding 42-point lead into the main break.

Mark LeCras kicked the first goal of the second half to give the Eagles a glimmer of hope but the Cats had all the answers, slamming on six goals for the term before steamrolling West Coast with a further six majors in the final stanza.

GEELONG: 4.3, 12.9, 18.12, 24.20 (164)
WEST COAST: 4.3, 6.3, 9.5, 10.5 (65)
GOALS: GEELONG: Johnson 6, Lonergan 4, Prismall 2, Stokes 2, Mooney 2, Varcoe, Ablett, Gamble, Ottens, Taylor, Hunt, Enright, Byrnes
WEST COAST: McKinley 2, LeCras 2, Embley, McNamara, Priddis, A.Selwood, Hansen, Fletcher
BEST: GEELONG: Johnson, Selwood, Ablett, Ling, Bartel, Ottens
WEST COAST:Lynch, Priddis, Glass, McKinley, Butler, Cox
INJURIES: GEELONG: TBC
WEST COAST: TBC
REPORTS: Stokes reported for striking in the third quarter
CHANGES: Mackie (general soreness) replaced in Geelong's selected side by Byrnes
UMPIRES: Stewart, Armstrong, Jeffery
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Geelong Cats
   


Port smash insipid Roos

August 30th 2008 06:37
PORT ADELAIDE has dealt a massive blow to North Melbourne's top four hopes with a 76-point win at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Power dominated after quarter-time, slamming on 20 goals to six to cruise to a convincing 23.10 (148) to 10.12 (72) victory.

The Kangaroos had their fate in their own hands but went missing after a promising start in veteran Shannon Grant's 300th AFL match.

The result means the Roos will now need Adelaide, Sydney and St Kilda to lose if they are going to claim fourth place and the double chance.

The loss was made worse for North with Leigh Harding leaving the field in the first term with what appeared to be a serious injury to the left knee he had reconstructed in 2006.

Peter Burgoyne was damaging with a game-high 45 possessions and one goal while Kane Cornes kept classy Kangaroos midfielder Daniel Wells quiet and was a busy contributor in the middle with 30 disposals.

Port had 12 individual goalkickers for the match - David Rodan the most effective with a career-best five majors while Toby Thurstans, Robert Gray and Daniel Motlop chimed in with three apiece.

David Hale played a lone hand up forward for the Kangaroos, booting four of his side's ten goals while Brent Harvey (27 possessions) tried hard all day.

North started brightly, booting the first three goals of the match to skip out to a 19-point lead at the 12-minute mark.

Peter Burgoyne capitalised on a poor clearance from Shannon Watt to bring up Port's first before two goals in two minutes from Robert Gray got the Power to within five points of the Kangaroos at the first change.

Port was still in touch midway through the second term before piling on the last four goals of the first half to open up a handy 18-point lead at the main break.

Hale kicked the first goal of the second half but from thereonin the Power dominated, winning the football at the stoppages and moving it quickly through the middle of the ground as they slammed on eight unanswered goals to take a match-winning 62-point lead into the final change.

The sting was well and truly out of the contest in the final stanza, with the Power adding a further five goals to end the season on a positive note.

NORTH MELBOURNE: 4.3, 7.5, 9.10, 10.12 (72)
PORT ADELAIDE: 3.4, 10.5, 18.8, 23.10 (148)
GOALS: North Melbourne: Hale 4, Grant 2, Jones, Campbell, Pratt, Harding
Port Adelaide: Rodan 5, Gray 3, D.Motlop 3, Thurstans 3, Cassisi 2, P.Burgoyne, Pearce, Stewart, Lade, Logan, M.Motlop
BEST: North Melbourne: Harvey, Hale, Petrie, Rawlings
Port Adelaide: Rodan, P.Burgoyne, Cassisi, Pearce, S.Burgoyne, D.Motlop
INJURIES: North Melbourne: Leigh Harding (left knee - medial ligament)
Port Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nathan Lonie replaced Travis Boak in Port Adelaide's selected side
UMPIRES: Farmer, Schmitt, Mollison
CROWD: 22,144 at the MCG
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Tough month leaves Pies flat: Malthouse

August 30th 2008 03:58
AN emotional month contributed to Collingwood's poor performance against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Friday night, according to Magpies coach Mick Malthouse.

Speaking after the 24-point loss, Malthouse said his young side may have experienced an emotional letdown after playing at high intensity levels in consecutive wins over St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Sydney.

"We were extremely tired after a very, very solid, emotional gut-busting month," said Malthouse.

"I don't believe our players have been this flat for a number of weeks."

"We wanted to take fourth spot ... (but) it didn't materialise because we were unaccustomed to being second, (our) forwards being behind, players not ... close enough to support each other."

"Under those circumstances, I have no doubt there is a psychological let down after (big) games, particularly if you have a lot of young players."

"If you have a seasoned team that's regularly in the finals, and I'm not talking about the club, 'cause it's our third year in a row, but it's the team out there and a lot of these players simply haven't been in finals football and I have no doubt that some of them subconsciously think, 'the last thing I want to do is be injured."

Malthouse said he was confident that his side, which will now play in a cut-throat elimination final in the first week of the finals series, will bounce back from the disappointing loss to the Dockers.

"(So) it's going to be cut throat, one loss and you're out, one win and you get another chance (but) I believe we can rebound from this," Malthouse said.

Meanwhile, Malthouse ruled out the possibility of club-suspended pair Heath Shaw and Alan Didak playing again this season.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Farmer future still unclear

August 30th 2008 03:40
THE future of controversial Fremantle veteran Jeff Farmer remains in doubt despite his three-goal performance in the Dockers' 24-point win over Collingwood at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said a number of factors would be considered at a meeting next week to determine whether Farmer would stay on at the club.

He also said that the 31-year-old's poor discipline, both on and off the field, would need to be weighed up against the value his character and experience added to the team.

"He (Farmer) was lively tonight, he was playing for his life and that's how I saw Jeff," Harvey said.

"But there's been other issues along the way and it's always an interesting, bumpy ride with Jeff."

"I'd love to talk to you about Jeff's character around the footy club ... particularly (how he gives strength) to his other team-mates. I can't speak highly enough of Jeff as a player."

Harvey said the final decision on Farmer would be made by the football department and new Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich.

Farmer isn't the only Docker whose future is unclear, with veteran midfielder reportedly keen to move back to his previous club Port Adelaide for personal reasons while young ruckman Robert Warnock has attracted interest from several Victorian clubs.

"I want Josh (and Robbie) to stay but you understand there are issues that players have to deal with and Josh is one of those," Harvey said.

"We'll do as much as we can to get Josh to stay at the club but if it's beyond that then, it's out of our control."

Meanwhile, Harvey said the fact that his side defeated a finals-bound club without several key players was a positive sign.

"Going forward with the group, the main thing that we've learned is that we don't necessarily rely on the heavy hitters in the team," he said.

"(I think) a lot of self belief has been gained by a lot of players that, perhaps, were either seeing themselves in between the 20 and 40th player but now, all of a sudden, they've jumped up and been given an opportunity."
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Holland calls it quits

August 30th 2008 03:26
MELBOURNE veteran Ben Holland has announced his retirement from AFL football.

Holland, who played 125 games for Richmond before moving to the Demons at the end of the 2003 season, will line up against the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday for what will be his 191st and final appearance at AFL level.

The 30-year-old said he had enjoyed his time at both clubs.

"I have given everything I have got to the team every time I competed," Holland said.

"I love playing football, I love being involved in football, and I love the team camaraderie."

"After Sunday's game, I will look forward to the next chapter of my life."

Holland was drafted by Fitzroy with pick 19 in the 1994 national draft before being traded to the Tigers at the end of the 1995 season where he made his AFL debut in 1997.
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Pies blow top four chance

August 29th 2008 13:58
FREMANTLE has ended Collingwood's top four hopes with a scrappy 24-point win at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

The Dockers were rarely challenged in a contest that failed to reach any great heights, eventually prevailing 12.8 (80) to 8.8 (56).

The result sees Collingwood temporarily remain in fifth position on the ladder, although they could slip as far down as eighth if Adelaide (sixth), St Kilda (seventh) and Sydney (eighth) win their matches later in the round

Rhys Palmer finished what has been an impressive debut season with a game-high 27 possessions and one goal while Jeff Farmer was lively up forward with 21 touches and three goals.

Leon Davis was Collingwood's best with 23 possessions and one goal but he faded as the match wore on while Scott Pendlebury (24 disposals) tried hard all night.

Collingwood kicked the first goal of the match through John Anthony at the five-minute mark but the rest of the term belonged to the Dockers.

Fremantle won the contested football and ran harder as they slammed on five unanswered goals in 21 minutes to take a handy 20-point lead into quarter-time.

The Pies lifted their intensity in the second term and hit back with majors from Marty Clarke and Josh Fraser.

The Dockers responded with goals from Farmer and Des Headland before Davis put in a late contender for goal-of-the year.

Davis pressured Headland into losing possession, did a 360-degree spin to shake off Andrew Browne's tackle and then kicked truly from deep on the boundary line to keep the Magpies within striking distance heading into the main break, with the Dockers holding a 14-point advantage.

The standard of football failed to improve in the second half but a major from Tyson Goldsack got the Pies to within ten points of the Dockers and it looked as if they would overrun Fremantle.

But an error by Fraser in the goal square proved to be costly with Kepler Bradley booting the first of his three goals before Byron Schammer kicked truly to extend Fremantle's lead to 23 points.

A late major from Travis Cloke gave the Magpies a glimmer of hope heading into the final change, with Fremantle holding a 19-point lead.

Collingwood had little left in the tank in the final stanza as the Dockers cruised to just their sixth win of the season.

FREMANTLE: 5.0, 7.1, 9.7, 12.8 (80)
COLLINGWOOD: 1.4, 4.5, 6.6, 8.8 (56)
GOALS: Fremantle: Farmer 3, Bradley 3, Carr, Palmer, Duffield, Schammer, Headland, Campbell
Collingwood: Cloke 2, Anthony 2, Clarke, Fraser, Davis, Goldsack,
BEST: Fremantle: Palmer, Schammer, Farmer, McPharlin, Bradley
Collingwood: Davis, Cox, Pendlebury, Prestigiacomo, Fraser
INJURIES: Fremantle: TBC
Collingwood: TBC
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Donlon, Rosebury, Ryan
CROWD: 35,106 at Subiaco Oval
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Round twenty two teams

August 29th 2008 07:54
ROUND TWENTY TWO

All the teams for round twenty two of 2008 AFL premiership season, with Sunday's updated teams.

FREMANTLE v COLLINGWOOD
Friday, 8:40pm AEST, Subiaco
FREMANTLE
B: Thornton, Mi.Johnson, Mundy
HB: Drum, McPharlin, Hayden
C: Duffield, Crowley, Headland
HF: Schammer, Bradley, Farmer
F: Campbell, Murphy, Ma.Johnson
FOLL: Sandilands, J.Carr, Browne
I/C: Ibbotson, Mayne, Palmer, Hinkley
EMG: Dodd, Peake, Dunn
IN: Hinkley, Browne
OUT: Dodd, Peake

COLLINGWOOD
B: Prestigiacomo, Brown, Goldsack
HB: Clarke, Maxwell, O'Brien
C: Lockyer, R.Shaw, Cox
HF: Pendlebury, Cloke, Davis
F: Dawes, Medhurst, Anthony
FOLL: Fraser, Swan, O'Bree
I/C: McCarthy, Stanley, Bryan, Ryan
EMG: Barham, Macaffer, Egan
IN: Brown, Prestigiacomo, R.Shaw, Stanley.
OUT: Burns (calf), Toovey (foot), Wakelin (groin), Wellingham (groin)

NORTH MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE
Saturday, 1:10pm AEST, MCG
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Gibson, Petrie, Firrito
HB: Pratt, Hansen, Urquhart
C: Harding, Simpson, Wells
HF: Harvey, Jones, Grant
F: Edwards, Hale, Campbell
FOLL: McIntosh, Harris, Rawlings
I/C: Power, Thomas, Watt, McMahon
EMG: Lower, Sinclair, Goldstein
IN: Edwards, Campbell
OUT: Sinclair, S.Thompson

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Thurstans, Carlile, Lower
HB: Surjan, White, P.Burgoyne
C: Cassisi, K.Cornes, Boak
HF: Logan, M.Westhoff, Pearce
F: J.Westhoff, D.Motlop, Ebert
FOLL: Brogan, S.Burgoyne, Rodan
I/C: Gray, Lade, M.Motlop, Stewart
EMG: Bentley, Farmer, Lonie
IN: Gray
OUT: Chaplin (knee)

GEELONG v WEST COAST
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, Skilled Stadium
GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, Hunt
HB: Enright, Mackie, Milburn
C: Ling, Bartel, Corey
HF: S.Johnson, Mooney, Gamble
F: Chapman, Lonergan, Varcoe
FOLL: Ottens, Ablett, J.Selwood
I/C: Blake, Prismall, Stokes, Taylor
EMG: Byrnes, Hawkins, Wojcinski
IN: Stokes, Gamble
OUT: Rooke (susp), Byrnes

WEST COAST
B: Nicoski, Glass, Mackenzie
HB: A.Selwood, Wilkes, Embley
C: Butler, Priddis, McNamara
HF: Armstrong, Hansen, Davis
F: LeCras, Lynch, McKinley
FOLL: Cox, Fletcher, Stenglein
I/C: Schofield, Seaby, S.Selwood, Spangher
EMG: Houlihan, Notte, Thomson
IN: LeCras, Schofield
OUT: Notte, Braun (retired)
Field umpires: Stewart, Armstrong, Jeffery

ADELAIDE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday, 4:10pm AEST, AAMI Stadium
ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: McLeod, Bock, Doughty
C: Symes, Goodwin, Mackay
HF: van Berlo, Gill, Vince
F: Porplyzia, Tippett, Douglas
FOLL: Maric, Thompson, Edwards
I/C: Massie, Shirley, Knights, Stevens
EMG: Moran, Campbell, Reilly
IN: Porplyzia, Tippett, Vince
OUT: Dangerfield, Moran, Reilly

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Gilbee, Lake, Callan
HB: Boyd, Hargrave, Morris
C: Eagleton, Cross, Hill
HF: Murphy, Hahn, Johnson
F: Akermanis, Minson, Welsh
FOLL: Hudson, Cooney, Griffen
I/C: Giansiracusa, Harbrow, Higgins, Reid
EMG: Ray, Skipper, Wight
IN: Gilbee, Reid
OUT: Everitt, Ward

CARLTON v HAWTHORN
Saturday, 7:10pm AEST, Telstra Dome
CARLTON
B: Anderson, Waite, Thornton
HB: Carrazzo, Bower, Grigg
C: Stevens, Gibbs, Scotland
HF: Walker, Fisher, Simpson
F: Houlihan, Fevola, Kruezer
FOLL: Cloke, Murphy, Judd
I/C: Armfield, Bentick, Hampson, Russell
EMG: Austin, Pfeiffer, Wiggins
NO CHANGE

HAWTHORN
B: Brown, Gilham, Guerra
HB: Ladson, Croad, Birchall
C: Lewis, Mitchell, Young
HF: Osborne, Franklin, Bateman
F: Williams, Roughead, Rioli
FOLL: Campbell, Hodge, Sewell
I/C: Dew, Murphy, Renouf, Stokes
EMG: Dowler, Ellis, Morton
IN: Campbell, Hodge
OUT: Crawford (rested), Taylor (general soreness)

SYDNEY SWANS v BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday, 7:10pm AEST, SCG
SYDNEY SWANS
B: Barry, C.Bolton, Mattner
HB: Roberts-Thomson, Richards, Kennelly
C: Crouch, McVeigh, Bird
HF: O'Keefe, Grundy, Moore
F: Buchanan, Hall, Bevan
FOLL: Everitt, Kirk, J.Bolton
I/C: Ablett, Jack, Jolly, Malceski
EMG: Brabazon, Brennan, Veszpremi
IN: Ablett, Malceski
OUT: Goodes (Groin), Veszpremi

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Macdonald, Merrett, Patfull
HB: Sherman, Roe, T.Selwood
C: Dalziell, Black, Adcock
HF: Rischitelli, Brown, Collier
F: Harding, Bradshaw, Corrie
FOLL: Charman, Power, Brennan
I/C: Hanley, Proud, Henderson, Clouston
EMG: Hooper, Mills, Hawksley
IN: T.Selwood, Henderson, Clouston,
Collier, Proud, Harding
OUT: McGrath (quad), Moody (groin), Copeland, Hawksley, Johnstone, Hooper

MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
Sunday, 2:10pm AEST, MCG
MELBOURNE
B: Whelan, Carroll, Bell
HB: Frawley, Warnock, Garland
C: Bruce, McDonald, Green
HF: Petterd, Miller, Buckley
F: Maric, Sylvia, Yze
FOLL: White, Bartram, Jones
I/C: Grimes, Holland, Wheatley, Morton
EMG: Valenti, Martin, Newton
IN: Carroll, Frawley, Grimes, Holland, Maric, Petterd
OUT: Wonaeamirri (hamstring), Bate, Dunn, Jamar, Martin, Newton

RICHMOND
B: Newman, Thursfield, Moore
HB: Schulz, McGuane, McMahon
C: Richardson, Tuck, Deledio
HF: White, Bowden, Tambling
F: Edwards, Riewoldt, Cotchin
FOLL: Simmonds, Johnson, Foley
I/C: Tivendale, Morton, Jackson, Pattison
EMG: Connors, Polo, Rance
IN: Tivendale, Pattison
OUT: Cartledge, Connors

ESSENDON v ST KILDA
Sunday, 4:40pm AEST, Telstra Dome
ESSENDON
B: Slattery, Lovett-Murray, McVeigh
HB: Nash, Ryder, Peverill
C: Dyson, Watson, Lovett
HF: Johnson, Lloyd, Monfries
F: Lonergan, Michael, Ramanauskas
FOLL: Bellchambers, Hocking, Stanton
I/C: Jetta, Magin, Hooker, Williams
EMG: Atkinson, Chartres, Reimers
IN: Jetta, Williams
OUT: McPhee (ankle), Welsh (hamstring)

ST KILDA
B: Dempster, S.Fisher, Gram
HB: Goddard, Hudghton, Blake
C: Gilbert, Dal Santo, Hayes
HF: Harvey, Riewoldt, Eddy
F: Jones, Koschitzke, Schneider
FOLL: King, Birss, Montagna
I/C: Milne, Gwilt, C.Gardiner, R.Clarke
EMG: Allen, Armitage, Fiora
NO CHANGE
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Crows defend Porplyzia decision

August 29th 2008 07:23
ADELAIDE has defended its decision to select injured forward Jason Porplyzia for Saturday's clash against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium.

Porplyzia, who has been sidelined for the past three weeks with concussion, has had his shoulder pop out of its socket several times this season but he has manfully played on.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig said Porplyzia has shown that he is able to perform despite the injury.

"That's been normal for him in the last four, five, six weeks or however long it's been. His decision is always, is he able to perform with the shoulder if it gets knocked or if it comes out and goes back in, so his capacity to put up with that," he said.

"Not only has he said he can but he can (put up with it) … the best example I can give is his performance against Sydney."

Craig also dismissed suggestions that the club hadn't put Poryplzia's best interests first after he suffered concussion following an off-the-ball clash with Carlton's Steven Browne in round 18.

"In terms of duty of care I think we've been absolutely crystal clear and diligent with that. We haven't played Jason until he's been cleared from one of the best neurosurgeons in Adelaide so I'm not sure what more we can do."
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Roos not thinking about finals: Laidley

August 29th 2008 02:39
NORTH MELBOURNE coach Dean Laidley has dismissed suggestions that his side already has one eye on the first week of the finals.

A win against struggling Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday means the Kangaroos will retain fourth place and book a qualifying final showdown against reigning premiers and ladder leaders Geelong.

But Laidley said it was too risky to be thinking about possible finals match-ups when their is still one game left in the home-and-away season.

"If we do well and we win the game on Saturday, ring me up on Saturday afternoon and I'll speak to you about the opposition," he said.

"I'll tell you right now, we don't talk about who we play or who we might play the following week until we win this game of footy.

"It's just a bit of a myth with the media guys that we start to talk about what may or may not occur.

"You just can't afford to do that in this competition otherwise you get your pants pulled down."
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Round twenty two teams

August 28th 2008 08:24
ROUND TWENTY TWO

Friday, August 29
Fremantle v Collingwood at Subiaco Oval, 6.40pm AWST

Saturday, August 30
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome, 1.10pm AEST
Geelong v West Coast at Skilled Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
Adelaide v Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium, 3.10pm ACST
Carlton v Hawthorn at Telstra Dome, 7.10pm AEST
Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions at the SCG, 7.10pm AEST

Sunday, August 31
Melbourne v Richmond at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST
Essendon v St Kilda at Telstra Dome, 4.40pm AEST

FREMANTLE v COLLINGWOOD
FREMANTLE
B: Scott Thornton, Michael Johnson, David Mundy
HB: Marcus Drum, Luke McPharlin, Roger Hayden
C: Paul Duffield, Ryan Crowley, Des Headland
HF: Byron Schammer, Kepler Bradley, Jeff Farmer
F: Adam Campbell, Ryan Murphy, Mark Johnson
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Josh Carr, Andrew Browne
I/C: Garrick Ibottson, Chris Mayne, Rhys Palmer, Clayton Hinkley
EMG: Steven Dodd, Brett Peake, Ryley Dunn

In: Hinkley, Browne
Out: Steven Dodd, Brett Peake

COLLINGWOOD
B: Simon Prestigiacomo, Nathan Brown, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Martin Clarke, Nick Maxwell, Heritier O’Brien
C: Tarkyn Lockyer, Rhyce Shaw, Shannon Cox
HF: Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis
F: Chris Dawes, Paul Medhurst, John Anthony
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Shane O’Bree
I/C: John McCarthy, Danny Stanley, Chris Bryan, Ryan Cook
EMG: Jaxson Barham, Brent Macaffer, Chris Egan

In: Brown, Prestigiacomo, R. Shaw, Stanley
Out: Scott Burns (calf), Alan Toovey (foot), Shane Wakelin (groin), Sharrod Wellingham (groin)

NORTH MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Josh Gibson, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito
HB: Daniel Pratt, Lachlan Hansen, Gavin Urquhart
C: Leigh Harding, Adam Simpson, Daniel Wells
HF: Brent Harvey, Corey Jones, Shannon