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AFL Central - April 2009

Round six preview: North Melbourne v Collingwood

April 30th 2009 14:24
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Friday May 1, 7.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 148, North Melbourne 48, Collingwood 98, Draw 2

LAST TIME: North Melbourne 17.12 (114) def Collingwood 14.12 (96), Round 16 2008 at the MCG

RECENT HISTORY: The honours have been shared in the past six clashes between these two sides but the Kangaroos have won two of the past three matches against the Magpies at Etihad Stadium.

FORM: North Melbourne started brightly against Richmond at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night but fell away badly, eventually going by 36 points. The Kangaroos have won just two of their first five matches and occupy 12th place on the ladder. Collingwood appeared to have the four premiership points in the bag against Essendon in Saturday’s Anzac Day clash at the MCG but the Bombers lifted themselves of the canvas and hit back with three goals in four minutes to record a memorable win. The Magpies have also just two games so far this season but find themselves in the eight thanks to a superior percentage.


MEDICAL ROOM: North Melbourne’s loss to the Tigers was made worse by injuries to skipper Brent Harvey and promising young defender Lachlan Hansen. Harvey will miss 12 weeks after dislocating his elbow while Hansen will miss four to six weeks with a hamstring strain. Classy midfielder Daniel Wells (hip) and small forward Matt Campbell (hamstring) are at least a week away from earning a recall. The Magpies welcome back star defender Heath Shaw from a hamstring injury but will be without classy forward Alan Didak (hamstring), Sean Rusling (shoulder) and Ben Johnson (broken leg).

KEY MATCH-UPS: Josh Gibson vs. John Anthony

The last time these two sides met in round 16 last year Anthony was his side’s most productive forward, booting four goals.


Anthony was also his side’s most damaging forward last weekend, booting four of Collingwood’s 12 goals.

If the Kangaroos are going to be any chance of securing a win against the odds they will need to contain Anthony who is one of the best kicks for goal in the competition.

Gibson has been given some big jobs in defence so far this season and has been far from disgraced.

He looms as the obvious candidate to match-up on Anthony in what will be a pivotal duel.

The Magpies are ranked second in the AFL for kicks per game with an average of 220 - they like to move the football along the boundary line before entering inside 50.

The Roos will need to apply immense pressure all over the ground and prevent the Pies from spotting up targets if they are going to have any hope of containing Anthony, Paul Medhurst, Anthony Rocca and co.

Simon Prestigiacomo vs. David Hale

Hale failed to fire in the loss to the Tigers, managing just one goal after kicking four majors in the win over Essendon in round four.

The Kangaroos have the 15th most productive forward line in the competition - they have managed just 362 points in five games.

The likes of Hale will need to step up on Friday night if the Roos are going to overcome a Collingwood side that has the seventh most potent attack in the AFL.

However, his task won’t be an easy won as he will be matched up by the in-form Prestigiacomo who kept Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd goalless last weekend.

Last weekend against the Tigers the Kangaroos lost the clearances 34-22.

If Hale is going to have any hope of having an impact he will need his midfield to lift their rating at the stoppages and get the football quickly inside 50.

Brady Rawlings vs. Dane Swan

Swan was Collingwood’s best in the loss to Essendon last weekend, racking up a game-high 37 possessions, 11 marks and four inside 50’s.

The 25-year-old leads the Magpies for disposals, kicks and inside 50’s.

Shutting down his drive through the middle will be a key for the Kangaroos if they are going to contain Collingwood’s multi-pronged attack.

Rawlings is North’s best stopper in the midfield and will most likely be given the task of tagging Swan in what will be yet another crucial contest in determining the outcome of this match.

The Kangaroos will need Rawlings to pay close attention to Swan and not give him any time or space in which to dispose of the football cleanly.

Hamish McIntosh vs. Josh Fraser

Fraser has come in for plenty of criticism after his performance against the Bombers and will be keen to silence his critics with a big game on Friday night.

However, he won’t be in for an easy night with McIntosh - who has been one of North’s best so far this season - to go head-to-head with him in the ruck.

Expect McIntosh to apply plenty of body pressure early and push forward at every available opportunity and try and hurt Fraser on the scoreboard.

The Magpies will need Fraser to play with the same level of intensity he showed in the wins over Melbourne and Brisbane otherwise McIntosh will be able to provide Adam Simpson, Andrew Swallow, Daniel Harris and co. with first use of the football and also dictate terms around the ground.

VERDICT: The Kangaroos are coming off a loss to the previously winless Tigers and will be without their skipper and best player in Harvey. All signs point to a win for Collingwood but the Roos are always at their best when their backs are to the wall. Dean Laidley's men are capable of causing an upset but the Magpies’ depth in the middle and multiple options up forward should see them get up in what promises to be a hard-fought contest. Magpies by 27 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v COLLINGWOOD
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Shannon Watt, Scott Thompson, Josh Gibson
HB: Daniel Pratt, Michael Firrito, Brady Rawlings
C: Gavin Urquhart, Daniel Harris, Lindsay Thomas
HF: Leigh Harding, Aaron Edwards, Scott McMahon
F: Ben Warren, Drew Petrie, David Hale
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Jack Ziebell, Andrew Swallow
I/C: Ed Lower, Sam Power, Adam Simpson, Levi Greenwood
Emg: Ben Ross, Corey Jones, Todd Goldstein

In: Harris, Watt
Out: Brent Harvey (elbow), Lachlan Hansen (hamstring)

COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Simon Prestigiacomo, Nick Maxwell
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Martin Clarke
C: Shane O’Bree, Tarkyn Lockyer, Dale Thomas
HF: Paul Medhurst, Travis Cloke, Brent Macaffer
F: John Anthony, Leigh Brown, Anthony Rocca
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
I/C: Leon Davis, Jaxson Barham, Dane Swan, Alan Toovey
Emg: Tyson Goldsack, Anthony Corrie, Sharrod Wellingham

In: Maxwell, Shaw
Out: Shannon Cox, Tyson Goldsack

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Blease out for season

April 30th 2009 13:00
MELBOURNE youngster Sam Blease will miss the remainder of the season after injuring his ankle.

Blease, who was the Demons second pick in the national draft last year, fractured his fibula bone while playing lunchtime football at Yarra Valley Grammar.

Melbourne's general manager of football operations Chris Connolly said the injury was a blow for the 18-year-old but the club believes he will still be a player of the future.

"This is obviously a setback, but we see Sam as a long term player for this club," Connolly said.

"We will now begin to prepare him for the commencement of the 2010 pre-season."

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Kennett pays fine

April 30th 2009 07:32
HAWTHORN president Jeff Kennett has opted to pay the $5000 fine handed out by the AFL for his comments on the role and standard of umpires in the game.

Kennett said he chose to pay the fine because he didn't want the club to suffer for his personal views.

and would pay the fine and refrain from public comment on key on-field matters in the future.

"As much as I would like to have pursued the issue, it is better we all get on with what we are about and that is winning games," he said.

"And secondly you could not put it past the AFL to impose sanctions on the club, such as loss of premiership points, if the matter was not settled, and that we would not want. So let the matters of substance be settled in the court of public opinion."

Kennett also said he will refrain from commeting on key on-field issues in the future.

"Sorry if I have caused you distraction. Be assured my future public comments will be as bland as those who seek to control us," he said.

In a letter to AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson, Kennett vented his frustration over the fine.

"As my comments were not umpire or incident specific, were hardly outrageous, and expressed views that are felt by many in the community, one can only assume that you had already decided to fine me before receiving my letter of explanation," he wrote.

"In sanctioning me for what were factual comments, expressing a commonly held view, the AFL is again shooting the messenger rather than addressing the fundamental issues."

Kennett also accused the AFL of standing in the way of free speech.

"I have therefore decided, with regret, to pay the fine that you have levied. With regret because I would rather retain my $5000, with regret because I think your sanctions are misplaced. But I am aware that unless I pay this fine, you at the AFL may well apply further sanctions against my club which I certainly do not want to occur," he said.

"However, I do not resile from the thought process behind my comments that have now been explained to you twice, and my explanations which you have seen fit to reject."

"So please find attached my personal cheque for $5000, and as the AFL works to paint the sky grey, and limit free speech, be assured that many of us will continue to manage our affairs as best we can to the advancement of the code and those who support, not only our individual clubs, but the game itself."

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Dockers' de Boer to debut

April 30th 2009 07:20
FREMANTLE youngster Matt de Boer will make his AFL debut in Saturday's derby clash with West Coast.

The elevated rookie will replace midfielder Rhys Palmer who will miss the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury.

Dockers coach Mark Harvey said de Boer had the body and temperament to cope with what will be an intense derby contest.

"He's got a more seasoned body than a lot of the other guys," said Harvey.

"We'd like to think he's got a good temperament and he's got this exciting nature about him that can actually really enthuse the side."

"On top of that, we'll ask him to do a role and hopefully he can fulfil that (but) it will be a big occasion for him," Harvey said.

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Jackson confirms departure

April 30th 2009 07:04
ESSENDON chief executive Peter Jackson has confirmed that 2009 will be his final season with the club.

Jackson, who has been in charge for the past 13 years, said the time was right for him to move on.

"I think as a leader it is important to recognise when the time is right for change," Jackson said.

"From the perspective of the football club and also from a personal point of view I think that time is now,"

"There are things away from football that I now wish to focus some of my energies on - I am very comfortable with my decision."

Essendon chairman Ray Horsburgh said the board will embark on a thorough search to find a replacement.

"Peter has done an outstanding job in his time as CEO and managing director of the club," Horsburgh said.

"We are pleased he has agreed to remain in the position until the completion of this season."

“The timing of this announcement will give the Club time to put in place the right process to find a replacement who can work with the club’s executive and staff to build on the wonderful foundations that have been established under Peter’s guidance.”
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Didak to miss

April 30th 2009 03:07
COLLINGWOOD has suffered a blow ahead of Friday night's clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium with classy forward Alan Didak ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Didak, who was a late withdrawal from the Anzac Day loss to Essendon at the MCG, aggravated the injury at training and is also likely to miss the clash against St Kilda in round seven.

In some good news for the Magpies, star defender Heath Shaw looks set to return from a hamstring injury after training strongly at Gosch’s Paddock on Thursday morning.
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Wells doesn't have osteitis pubis : Laidley

April 30th 2009 02:59
NORTH MELBOURNE midfielder Daniel Wells doesn't have osteitis pubis according to coach Dean Laidley.

There has been talk that Wells, who hasn't played since the round 3 loss to Hawthorn after being ruled out of the following week's game against Essendon with what the club said was a hip injury, was battling a groin ailment.

But Laidley dismissed suggestions the 24-year-old was suffering from osteitis pubis.

"He's still a ways away yet," Laidley said .

"Next week, (he's) 50-50 at best I would've thought, (he's) more likely the following week (against Geelong). (But) I can categorically tell you, it is not O.P."

Laidley also said promising young defender Lachlan Hansen didn't come close to tearing his hamstring off the bone in last weekend's 36-point loss to Richmond.

"It's in the middle of the hamstring ... and there's a little bit of blood floating around the nerve," he said.

"It's a normal hamstring bar the blood around the nerve and we'll give him an extra week or two to get that settled down so it's certainly a four-to-six-week injury."

Meanwhile, North skipper Brent Harvey's surgery on his dislocated left elbow was declared a success but Laidley said his star midfielder will almost certainly be sidelined for 12 weeks.
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Dalziell injury not as bad as first thought

April 30th 2009 02:23
BRISBANE midfielder Bradd Dalziell is expected to miss just six weeks with a minor tear of the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Dalziell sustained the injury in the last quarter of the 93-point loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium last Sunday.

The Lions intially feared that Dalziell would be out for up to three months with posterior cruciate ligament damage but the club's medical staff revealed on Wednesday the prolific ball winner had only suffered a minor tear.

Meanwhile, young ruckman Bart McCulloch will be out for four to six weeks with a grade one quad tear.

McCulloch injured his quad in his first game for the Lions reserves last weekend.
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McEvoy a chance to play

April 29th 2009 07:32
ST KILDA youngster Ben McEvoy is a chance to replace injured ruckman Steven King for Sunday's clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Saints' coach Ross Lyon ruled King out of the clash against the Bulldogs due to the hamstring injury he sustained in last Friday night's 66-point win over Port Adelaide.

The league leaders remain hopeful that Justin Koschitzke - who can play both in the ruck and up forward - will return from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the match against the Power.

But Lyon said the Saints won't be taking any risks with Koschitzke given his injury history.

"We will give him every chance and it's a possibility but certainly not a certainty," Lyon said.

If Koschitzke is again ruled out the Saints will most likely select McEvoy who has played just the one AFL match since being taken with the number nine pick in the 2007 national draft.

"If we go with a legitimate ruckman (to replace King) the obvious one is McEvoy, who has been playing quite well (in the VFL)," Lyon said.

Lyon also said he has been pleased with the 19-year-old's development.

"Big ruckman (take time to develop) and we all know that but he is certainly improving," he said.

"He has been exposed to the (AFL) level before and we would expect he would be able to come in and hold an end up and be better for the experience (if selected)."

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Knights set to return

April 29th 2009 06:50
ADELAIDE midfielder Chris Knights looks set to return for Showdown XXVI at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

Knights has been sidelined with a fractured eye socket which was sustained in the loss to St Kilda in round two.

Crows coach Neil Craig said a number of things would be taken into consideration before selecting the 22-year-old.

"All indications are if he gets through tonight then he'll be available for selection," Craig said.

"Then it comes down to an assessment is he confident with the injury that he's had. The reality is you are never going to be able to simulate in training what's going to happen in a game."

"And Chris has missed three games so all of that will be considered but he's a valuable player for our team
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Kennett remains undecided

April 29th 2009 05:29
HAWTHORN president Jeff Kennett has yet to decide whether he will attend umpiring school.

The AFL yesterday ordered Kennett to go to an umpiring seminar within the next fortnight or the club would be hit with a $5000 fine for his critcism of umpires.

The row between Kennett and the league started on April 18 when Kennett told guests at his president's lunch he believed umpires should be seen and not heard and that they were becoming bigger than the game itself.

Speaking on Melbourne radio station 3AW this morning, AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said Kennett's comments were inapproriate.

"He can't denigrate, humiliate, embarrass umpires and umpiring," Anderson said.

The Hawks then proceeded to making public on their website the letter Kennett wrote to Anderson in response to the league's charges.

Kennett said the AFL's 'miking' of umpires for broadcasters and inclusion of numbers on their backs had made them a greater focus of attention.

"By removing the microphone from umpires you would reduce the public focus on them, you would also eliminate the intrusion that their running commentary often creates when watching a television broadcast," Kennett wrote.

"The AFL has clearly sanctioned the 'miking' of umpires and therefore they, the AFL, must accept responsibility for the increasingly difficult circumstances in which umpires are operating."

"It is AFL policy that has singled out umpires to be more than unnoticed professionals."

In a letter to the club's members, Kennett said his arguments had been 'totally rejected by the AFL'.

"My arguments were totally rejected by the AFL and that has resulted in them imposing a penalty on the club," he said.

"Finally, I make the point that at no time did I criticise an individual umpire, nor name one."

"We at Hawthorn play the ball not the man."

"My comments were general and the result of watching or viewing many games this year."

Kennett has until close of business on Thursday to decide whether to accept the fine or attend a meeting with the league's umpiring department.


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Blues dedicate season to Pratt

April 29th 2009 04:16
CARLTON coach Brett Ratten says the club will dedicate the rest of their 2009 campaign to the memory of former president Dick Pratt.

The self-made billionaire lost his long fight with prostate cancer on Tuesday.

Ratten said Pratt would be a motivating force for the Blues throughout the season.

"Everyone said we did use it as a motivating factor (last week), knowing he was at home. Is it a motivating force this week? I think it's going to be a motivating force for 2009. Every week we play our thoughts will be with Dick and what he's done for our club," Ratten said.

"This year, maybe we can achieve something with his support and that will go on for every year we play footy."

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said Pratt's legacy would not be forgotten.

"What he did for this club will guarantee that his legacy will continue. As a member of the board I'm here to say that that legacy will go on. It's really close to our hearts to make sure that happens," Kernahan said.

"In the early 2000s we were on our knees and it wasn't getting too much better, but when Dick came along the hailstorm shut down and the sun came out"

"This football club thanks Richard Pratt for his absolute devotion to this football club."

Kernahan also said Pratt's wife Jeanne was in good spirits.

"I spent half an hour with Jeanne this morning. She's in good spirits considering what's gone on. She's a tough lady and she's more interested about what we can do at the football club in the near future to win the flag. That's typical of the Pratt family," he said.

"She's very keen to help the Carlton footy club move forward, but she's got a lot of pressing things to do in the next few days."

The club’s board and leadership group will attend tomorrow’s funeral for Pratt.
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Pratt loses battle with cancer

April 28th 2009 10:34
FORMER Carlton president Richard Pratt has died at his Melbourne mansion Raheen after his long battle with prostate cancer.

It is believed that his wife Jeanne and other family members were by his side.

The 74-year-old who was the chairman of the Visy group of companies was worth an estimated $2.3 billion.

Pratt was appointed Carlton president in 2007 and turned the club's off-field fortunes around and played a key role in luring former West Coast skipper Chris Judd to the Blues.

He stepped aside from the Carlton presidency after being charged with giving false or misleading evidence to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2005 over allegations of price fixing in the packaging industry.

During their last hours together, Mrs Pratt was able to tell her husband that criminal charges against him had been dropped.

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan paid tribute to Pratt.

"It's a very sad day for the Carlton Football Club family. Dick Pratt was the man who saved Carlton. There's no doubt about it," Kernahan said.

"He made things happen at this Club – giving inspiration, leadership and above all else – belief."

"He's as true a Carlton bloke as you will get and what he did for our club in its time of need, when he had other important things in his life and didn't have to do it, showed his love for Carlton."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Pratt had made an enormous contribution to the game and the wider community.

"Mr Pratt played a pivotal role in forming and bringing out the Peace Team last year to play in the AFL International Cup. This team brought together Palestinians and Israelis on the sporting field for the first time -- a monumental achievement," he said.

"Mr Pratt played a pivotal role in the rebirth and reinvigoration of the Carlton Football Club over the last few years, after the club had fallen into financial trouble, and it is now once again in a strong position as one of our game’s leaders."

"On the wider front, he has been a creator of jobs and generous benefactor for so many charities and public works. He will be sadly missed."

Pratt's family is expected to be offered a state-sponsored memorial service.



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Rivers found guilty

April 28th 2009 09:28
MELBOURNE defender Jared Rivers has been found guilty of making negligent contact with an umpire at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

Rivers received a $2600 fine for making contact with field umpire Justin Schmitt in the third-qaurter of the Demons' 17-point loss to Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday evening.

The 24-year-old told the tribunal that Schmitt had backed away from a bounce at a slight angle and this caused the umpire to make contact with him.

The tribunal agreed that Schmitt had backed away at an angle but deemed that Rivers was close enough to warrant the negligent finding.
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Burgoyne to miss up to a month

April 28th 2009 07:20
PORT ADELAIDE has suffered a blow ahead of Showdown XXVI with star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne ruled out for up to a month with a knee injury.

Burgoyne was a late withdrawal from the win over Hawthorn in round four with knee soreness and was not considered for selection for last Friday night's clash against St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.

The 26-year-old had minor surgery on Tuesday morning with some damage to the surface of a joint repaired.

Port says the surgery revealed no ligament or major structural damage.

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Subiaco inadequate: Demetriou

April 28th 2009 07:06
SUBIACO Oval is an inadequate venue for football according to AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

Speaking in Perth on Tuesday, Demetriou said the venues limited capacity has the potential disenfranchise young AFL followers.

"When you've got 42,000 capacity and you've got a lot of reserve seating being sold and a lot of members for both Fremantle and West Coast, it means there's a lot of young people who can't go to the football and pay at the gate," Demetriou said.

"So we are actually denying a lot of young people, children, an opportunity to come to the football and watch and enjoy the experience."

"So we have the potential of disenfranchising a lot of people from a generational perspective."

"We want people to go along to the football, it's a good place for families to go."

Demetriou admitted it was understandable that the state government had put the plans for a new stadium or a redevelopment on hold for the time being given the current economic climate but also vowed to work with West Coast, Fremantle and the Western Australian Football Commission to keep the pressure on WA's politicians.

"I understand it has been parked by the government, and I understand that with what is going on globally and financially in the world these are difficult and uncertain times," he said.

"But we need to keep working on that issue because at the moment everyone acknowledges that Subiaco stadium is probably the least adequate of all our grounds around Australia."

"It is very important we kickstart the momentum again about the stadium."

"It is important for this state and important for football followers."

"(So) we'll keep working with the clubs and the footy commission to go forward with that."

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Pies skipper defends Fraser

April 28th 2009 06:23
COLLINGWOOD skipper Nick Maxwell has strongly defended vice-captain Josh Fraser after former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said he saw the Pies' number one ruckman 'dog it' in an early contest with Essendon's David Hille during Saturday's Anzac Day clash at the MCG.

A fired up Maxwell said Thomas' comments were irrelevant.

"One person comes out and makes a comment and people think that's gospel but as far as we are concerned it's only the opinion of people at the club that matter," Maxwell said.

"We know what is expected of him (Fraser), he knows what we expect from him and unless you are part of the club, your opinion doesn't matter to us."

Fraser was well beaten by makeshift ruckman Patrick Ryder who stepped up in the absence of the injured Hille and went on to win the Anzac Day medal.

But Maxwell said Fraser was being harshly judged for someone who he believes has had just one bad game this season.

"Josh would have to be the All-Australian ruckman to this point - he has had four sensational games in the first four weeks and then one game that wasn't up to standard," he said.

"You can't bag him - he has been sensational."

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Maxwell signs news deal

April 28th 2009 05:48
COLLINGWOOD skipper Nick Maxwell has signed a two-year contract extension which will see him remain with the Magpies until at least the end of the 2011 season.

Maxwell, who has been suspended for the past two matches, said he was looking forward to playing against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

"Obviously the last couple of weeks off were tough for me," Maxwell said.

"Being captain it's hard sitting on the sidelines, particularly when it's your own fault so I am looking forward to getting out there again on Friday night - it can't come quick enough."

Maxwell also admitted he suffered while watching Saturday's heartbreaking Anzac Day loss to Essendon from the coach's box.

"It's pretty tough being on the sidelines watching what is going and watching your team-mates try to slug it out - you just want to be out there as much as you possibly can," he said.

Maxwell said the club had put the five-point loss to the Bombers - which was described by Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse as the most disappointing home-and-away defeat of his career - behind them.

"We have only got a six-day break so we can't afford to worry about it," he said.

"We have put it behind us quickly and we are already looking forward to this week."

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Robertson set to return

April 28th 2009 03:42
MELBOURNE forward Russell Robertson looks set to make his long-awaited return to AFL football in Sunday's clash against Geelong at the MCG.

Robertson - who has not played since rupturing his Achilles tendon in round ten last year - booted five goals for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL last weekend.

But more importantly he has pulled up well after each of his four games for the Scorpions.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said Robertson would be right in the selection mix if he can get through training.

"I'd be lying if I said we wouldn't be seriously considering Robbo to play," Bailey said.

"He's recovered well in the last couple of weeks which is really importantly but he's bouncing and he's pretty excited Russell."

"If he gets through training I'm sure he'll be well in contention."

Meanwhile, Bailey said lively small forward Austin Wonaeamirri needed at least another game in the VFL before he makes his return to the seniors after re-injuring his hamstring at the end of March.

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Rivers to contest

April 28th 2009 02:50
MELBOURNE defender Jared Rivers will face the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night after electing to contest his charge of making negligent contact with an umpire.

Rivers was fined $1950 by the match review panel for making contact with field umpire Justin Schmitt during the third-quarter of the Demons' 17-point loss to Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday evening.

The 24-year-old risks increasing the fine to $2600 if he's unsuccessful in his appeal.

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide's Troy Chaplin has accepted a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record for striking St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt during last Friday night's clash at AAMI Stadium.
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Fletcher keen to play on next season

April 28th 2009 02:30
ESSENDON veteran Dustin Fletcher says he wants to play on next season.

Speaking at Windy Hill on Tuesday morning ahead of his 300th AFL match against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night, Fletcher said his body is still able to cope with the rigours of the modern game.

"Last year I was coming into the season a little bit sore, but this year ... I'm feeling pretty good in myself so I daresay next year I'll go again and anything after that you just wait and see," Fletcher said.

"At this stage, touch wood, the body's feeling good and I think I've kept my speed so I think that's one of my main assets."

"Footy is changing a little bit with zones and these type of things, so I still think I've still got a role to play in helping the young guys down back."

Fletcher - a member of the Bombers' 1993 premiership side in his first season while still a schoolboy - said to have grown up in Essendon as the son of a former club great has only made his milestone achievement all the more satisfying.

When asked about his plans for life after football, Fletcher said he would like to take on a coaching role at youth level.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Moss earns nomination

April 28th 2009 00:41
HAWTHORN youngster Garry Moss has received the round five NAB Rising Star nomination for his performance in his side's win over West Coast at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

Moss collected 24 possessions and booted four goals in just his fifth AFL match in three years to help lift the Hawks to an 18-point victory over the Eagles.

The 20-year-old made his debut in 2007 then spent most of the year with VFL affiliate Box Hill before succumbing to a hip injury.

A groin injury hampered his 2008 season.

He was delisted at the end of 2008 and was redrafted as a rookie but Hawthorn's injury problems meant he has played every match so far this year.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said Moss' work ethic was now paying off.

"This is Garry's third year in the system and after suffering some injuries early in his career he his starting to get some positive results for his hard work," Clarkson said.

"Garry's story is a good lesson to young aspiring footballers that there is more than one pathway to playing AFL."

Moss - who captained Western Australia at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships in 2006 - was selected with pick 56 in the 2006 national draft.

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


Palmer out for season

April 27th 2009 12:31
FREMANTLE has suffered a massive blow with midfielder Rhys Palmer ruled out for the season after damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Last year's NAB Rising Star winner left the field in the last quarter of Dockers' 21-point win over Sydney at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night and did not return.

The 20-year-old had scans of the knee taken on Sunday and when they were reviewed on Monday by Fremantle medical staff it was established that his ACL was "abnormal".

An orthopaedic surgeon who was called in to further review the scans diagnosed a near complete tear of the ACL.

It was initially thought that Palmer had avoided any major damage but the extent of the injury was unable to be determined at the time because it was not a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said Palmer would undergo surgery late this week or early next week.

“It is very disappointing for Rhys and the club,” Bond said.

“But we are very confident that after the appropriate period of recovery and rehabilitation, Rhys will be back playing the brand of football we know he is capable of.”
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Gieschen defends new bounce rule

April 27th 2009 10:42
AFL umpiring boss Jeff Gieschen has defended the new recalled bounce rule following the dreadful display of bouncing during the clash between Carlton and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

The league introduced a new rule this season where centre bounces that significantly disadvantage either ruckman are recalled.

It came under scrutiny following Sunday's match where field umpires Michael Vozzo, Mathew Nicholls and Heath Ryan recalled a number of errant bounces.

Gieschen said the numbers for the first five rounds of the season showed the new law is working well.

"So far after 40 games we've had 1557 bounces and we've had 40 recalls," Gieschen said.

"Unfortunately in one half of a game on the weekend, we had six recalls which drew a lot of attention to that game and the bounce."

"But when you look at it in an overall context, the umpires have been bouncing it really well, it's just a shame in that game we had six offline that drew that attention."

Gieschen also said he was confident the match was just an aberration.

"Our responsibility is to make sure that the umpires bounce it as consistently as they can, so if some umpires need to go and work on that and practise, they can do it," he said.

"But we're pretty confident we can keep that percentage of 97.5 percent up throughout the year and if we're doing that, we're probably not far away from what's acceptable."

"By and large they do an outstanding job of it, but in this day and age when everyone is extremely accountable, and everyone wants everything perfect, there is attention drawn to it."

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Pavlich wants to remain a Docker

April 27th 2009 10:30
FREMANTLE skipper Matthew Pavlich says he wants to remain at the Dockers after his current contract finishes.

Speaking ahead of his 200th match in Saturday's derby clash with West Coast, Pavlich said he was baffled by questions about his future when he is under contract until the end of 2010.

"It's hilarious that people are talking about this," Pavlich said.

"I'm not even half way through a contract and I'm absolutely committed, so it's baffling sometimes to even ask those questions or for it to be out there in my opinion."

Pavlich's comments come after football commentator Garry Lyon suggested that Pavlich should leave the under achieving Dockers as he deserves to play in a side that is challenging for a premiership.

Asked whether he was committed to the club beyond his current contract, Pavlich said: "I want to be playing here and playing in sustained success, that's what I want to be doing."

Pavlich was also adamant the Dockers - who recorded their first win of the season last weekend - were on the right track to success.

"I've been lucky enough to have a level of individual success and that's great but absolutely what we're driving and striving for is to be successful and have sustained success," he said.

"There's absolutely no question of that and I'm still very bullish that can happen."

Pavlich also said the winning streak which helped propel Fremantle into a preliminary final in 2006 - which they lost to Sydney - was the biggest highlight of his career to date.

"The run of nine or 10 wins in 2006 and into the prelim, that's certainly the most enjoyable time that I've been involved in, no surprises," he said.

"I've been able to do things like going and playing in the international rules series that was really quite enjoyable, and last year being involved in the dream team game."

"Things like that individually are nice little feathers in the cap, but certainly the winning streak was right up there."

"(But) getting to 200 is a marvellous achievement and not many players have done that."

"It's something that you don't as a player in the moment really reflect on or understand, but it's a nice achievement and something I'm really looking forward to doing on the weekend and sharing with some people after the game."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Rooke escapes suspension

April 27th 2009 09:04
GEELONG utility Max Rooke is free to play in Sunday's clash against Melbourne at the MCG after escaping suspension for grabbing a field umpire during the Cats' 93-point win over Brisbane at Skilled Stadium.

The incident occurred as the umpires were in the process of discussing a scoring shot with Rooke grabbing the shirt of field umpire Chris Kamolins to attract his attention.

Rooke was cleared because the panel ruled his actions were not of an "aggressive nature".

"The umpire backed into Rooke, as he approached, and the Geelong player momentarily held the umpire’s shirt. It was the panel’s view the hold was of negligible force, Rooke was not disputing the decision made by the umpire, and his actions were not of an aggressive nature. The controlling umpire did not pay a free kick and did not believe the action warranted a penalty," the panel said.

The decision is sure to stir up accusations of inconsistency from the AFL match review panel given that Collingwood defender Heath Shaw was suspended for a similar offence a earlier this month.

Essendon's Henry Slattery was also cleared over making contact with field umpire Matt Stevic during the ANZAC Day match at the MCG after the panel ruled the contact was so slight, the umpire was not even aware any contact had been made.

Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin was booked for striking St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt but his previous good record means he can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record.

Melbourne defender Jared Rivers was charged with making negligent contact to an umpire and can accept a $1950 fine.

In other tribunal news, the panel threw out the match-day report against Port ruckman Dean Brogan for making forceful contact from front-on against St Kilda midfielder Farren Ray was thrown out after the panel ruled that Brogan tried to lessen the impact before contact was made.

A charge against West Coast vice-captain Adam Selwood was also thrown out after the panel ruled his contact with Hawthorn's Chance Bateman was not forceful.

The panel also looked at contact between St Kilda’s Luke Ball and Port Adelaide’s Robert Gray but ruled the impact was below that required to constitute a reportable offence.

An incident involving Carlton's Ryan Houlihan and the Western Bulldogs' Daniel Giansiracusa was also assessed but no action was taken with the panel deeming that the high contact made was of negligible force.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Port fans urged to not boo Bock

April 27th 2009 08:09
PORT ADELAIDE has urged its fans to not to single out Adelaide defender Nathan Bock when the Power clash with the Crows in Saturday night's Showdown XXVI.

Bock - who was reported by police for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend earlier this month - was booed by Melbourne supporters throughout Sunday's match at the MCG.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Adelaide coach Neil Craig described the crowd's behaviour as being in poor taste.

Port president Brett Duncason encouraged fans to leave the All-Australian centre-half back alone.

“It’s not my role to tell our supporters what to do, but I’d encourage them to concentrate on our guys and getting them across the line,” Duncanson said.

“We believe they’re the most passionate supporters in the land and they’re very passionate about our superstars.

“I’m sure they’ll concentrate on our people and what Adelaide’s players are up to is up to them.”

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


AFL backs bad bounce umpires

April 27th 2009 06:14
THE three umpires responsible for the bad bouncing during Sunday's Western Bulldogs-Carlton clash at Etihad Stadium are unlikely to be dropped this week.

Umpires Mathew Nicholls, Heath Ryan and Michael Vozzo were all forced to recall bad bounces during the match.

AFL media manager Patrick Keane said on Monday the umpiring department had expressed some concern over the poor bouncing display by the three umpires but said they were likely to officiate again this weekend.

"The umpires are required to execute the skill and its part of how they are assessed for a match, along with decision-making, match control etc," Keane said.

"Selection is based on all those factors for the next week and that gets decided through the week."

(But) if you've had one bad game you're not generally omitted - the same as a player - but it you’re struggling for a period, it can impact on you."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Hille to undergo traditional knee op

April 27th 2009 05:58
ESSENDON ruckman David Hille will have a knee reconstruction on Thursday after scans confirmed he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

The Bombers have elected not to pursue the revolutionary surgery which Sydney's Nick Malceski had last year in a bid to speed up his recovery due to the damage surrounding Hille's torn ligaments.

Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said the club is hopeful Hille will be fit for round one next year.

"We're expecting him to be out for the rest of the year, clearly. We'd love to think that he might be back for round one [2010], but generally it's a 12 month injury," Hamilton said.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Hawks our big test: Ratten

April 27th 2009 04:41
CARLTON coach Brett Ratten says the clash with reigning premiers Hawthorn will give him a good indication of how much his side has improved.

The Blues - who are looking to reach the finals for the first time since 2001 - have won three of their first five games - the most recent a 43-point triumph over last year's preliminary finalists the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Bu they face a big test at the MCG on Saturday against a side that has dominated them in recent times.

Carlton's recent record against the Hawks make for ugly reading for Blues supporters - they have lost their past five matches against Hawthorn by an average of 51 points and have been thumped to the tune of 100 and 78 points in the past two meetings.

"They have given us a few nasty whacks over the last few years and they look like they are getting their form back," Ratten said.

"It will be a challenge for our players to respond and see if we have taken the next step against a team that has bullied us in the past."


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Injury blow for Lions

April 27th 2009 04:40
BRISBANE has suffered a major blow with midfielder Bradd Dalziell ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a serious knee injury.

Dalziell sustained the injury in the last quarter of the Lions' 93-point loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.

Scans revealed he has suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury which will see him miss the majority of the season.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Harvey to miss up to 12 weeks

April 27th 2009 04:39
NORTH MELBOURNE skipper Brent Harvey will miss up to 12 weeks after scans on Sunday revealed he had injured ligaments on both sides of his elbow.

Harvey dislocated his elbow in Saturday night's 36-point loss to Richmond at Etihad Stadium and will undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments on both sides of the joint.

Kangaroos vice-captain Drew Petrie - who will lead the club in Harvey's absence - said his teammate is shattered.

"Being his first year as captain and he's going to miss the next three months, it's disappointing for him but I don't think he will drop his head around the club," Petrie said.

"He'll still have a major role to play around the club this year."

"I spoke to him last night and he said he would be out for 10 to 12 weeks, which was Dr Con [Mitropoulos]'s prognosis."

"Brent reckons he'll be back in about eight weeks because he's going to try and get back early. With his little bones and little ligaments, he thinks he should be able to heal pretty quickly."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Bock boos in 'poor taste', says Craig

April 27th 2009 04:38
ADELAIDE coach Neil Craig has criticised the Melbourne crowd for booing All-Australian defender Nathan Bock at the MCG on Sunday evening.

Bock - who recieved a club imposed suspension earlier this season when he was charged by police for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend - was booed by Demons fans every time he touched the football.

Craig admitted that he didn't hear the booing from the coach's box but when told about the abuse he said it was in 'poor taste'.

"Poor taste, that's all I'll say about that. If it's the crowd, I'll say it's poor taste," Craig said.

"He is going to have to handle it."

"I am not going to try and defend and stop football crowds from doing it."

"I just say it is in poor taste and I won't back off from that comment."

"But in the end Nathan has to wear that. That is part of the price he has to pay."

"What I will add to that is that not one Geelong player made a comment to him last week and I would say that is good taste."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Adelaide Crows
   


We will bounce back: Eade

April 27th 2009 04:36
WESTERN BULLDOGS coach Rodney Eade is confident his side can bounce back after suffering a 43-point loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

It was the Bulldogs' second straight loss after starting the season with three straight wins.

The Dogs did not lose three matches in a row during the run to the preliminary final in 2008 but face a huge challenge next weekend against an undefeated St Killda side that is only the second team since 1911 to have a percentage greater than 200 after five rounds of the season.

"I think we have shown ourselves to be a fairly resilient group," Eade said.

"But it's going to be an enormous challenge next week against a team in white-hot form but I have got every confidence that we can bounce back."

Eade refused to blame the performance against the Blues on the club's tough schedule which has seen it play in Perth twice in the first month of the season and said poor kicking for goal cost his side.

"We missed five or six within 30 metres and that is not counting Brian's horrendous decision in the goalsquare," he said.

Eade was referring to full-back Brian Lake's decision in the dying stages of the third term to play-on after marking just 20 metres from goal.

A goal would have reduced the deficit to just 20 points but instead Carlton went into three-quarter time with a 27-point lead and effectively put the result beyond doubt when Eddie Betts kicked truly one minute into the final term.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Western Bulldogs
   


Hille out for season

April 26th 2009 10:27
ESSENDON ruckman David Hille will miss the remainder of the season after scans on Sunday confirmed he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Hille suffered the injury in the first term of his side's thrilling five-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Anzac Day.

Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said the club will need some of its younger players to step up and fill the void left by Hille who will undergo surgery.

"He will have an operation soon and will begin his rehabilitation immediately after that," Hamilton said.

"This is very disappointing for David because he is one of our strong leaders on and off the field and we are going to miss him."

"We now need some young players to step up and this has been a focus of ours"

With Jason Laycock sidelined with a foot injury, the Dons look set to promote rookie Tom Bellchambers to support Patrick Ryder in the ruck.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Crows down Dees

April 26th 2009 10:12
ADELAIDE has held on for a 17-point win over Melbourne in windy conditions at the MCG on Sunday.

The Crows led at every change and withstood a last-quarter surge from the Demons to record an unconvincing 7.9 (51) to 4.10 (34) victory.

Adelaide held Melbourne goalless in the first half - the first time the Demons failed to kick a goal in a opening half since round nine, 1997.

Simon Goodwin, Ben Rutten and Nathan Bock were rock-solid in defence and set up Adelaide’s attacking forays forward.

Goodwin was particularly damaging early, racking up 25 of his 35 touches in the first half while Bernie Vince was influential with 33 possessions.

Graham Johncock generated plenty of run off half-back with 25 disposals and one goal while Kurt Tippett chimed in with two valuable goals.

For Melbourne, Brock McLean, Brent Moloney and Aaron Davey won plenty of the football while Lynden Dunn was his side’s only multiple goal kicker with two majors.

The Demons couldn’t find an avenue to goal in the first half and were punished on the rebound by the Crows who were able to run the football out of defensive 50 under no pressure.

Despite being held goalless to half-time Melbourne was only down by 27 points at the main break as the Crows managed just 4.6 in a first half that wasn’t a great advertisement for the game.

Melbourne’s 0.3 (3) in the first half was its worst first-half score since round one, 1991.

The margin blew out to more than five goals when Andrew McLeod kicked truly on the run in the third term.

The Crows appeared to be on course for a convincing win but the Demons lifted their rating and started to control general play.

They were finally rewarded for their hard work when Dunn converted from an acute angle at the 16-minute mark.

Melbourne continued to press but failed to make any serious inroads on the scoreboard and went into the final change trailing by 25 points.

Two goals in three minutes from Tippett saw the margin extend to a seemingly unassailable 37 points at the five-minute mark of the final stanza.

But the Demons refused to give in and hit back with majors from Dunn, Brock McLean and skipper James McDonald to close to within 15 points.

However, it was too little too late with Adelaide holding firm in the dying stages to secure their third win of the season.

MELBOURNE: 0.1, 0.3, 1.6, 4.10 (34)
ADELAIDE: 2.4, 4.6, 5.7, 7.9 (51)
GOALS: Melbourne: Dunn 2, McLean, McDonald
Adelaide: Tippett 2, Walker, Johncock, Porplyzia, Stevens, McLeod
BEST: Melbourne: McLean, Moloney, Davey, Bruce, Jones, Dunn
Adelaide: Goodwin, Bock, Johncock, Rutten, Thompson, Vince, Tippett
INJURIES: Melbourne: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Hendrie, Armstrong, Schmitt
CROWD: 14,129 at the MCG


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Adelaide Crows
   


Blues too good for Dogs

April 26th 2009 07:38
CARLTON has snapped a two-game losing streak with a 43-point demolition of the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Inspired by their former president Richard Pratt who is gravely ill, the Blues led at every change and eventually prevailed 21.7 (133) to 13.12 (90).

The Bulldogs entered inside their 50 the same amount of times as Carlton but failed to make the most of their chances.

The win sees the Blues move to third place on the ladder with a 3-2 win-loss record while the Dogs have now lost their last two matches after starting the season with three straight wins.

Kade Simpson and Ryan Houlihan racked up a game-high 29 possessions apiece. They were well supported by Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy who won plenty of the football while Bret Thornton was busy in defence with 27 touches and 14 marks.

Andrew Carrazzo kept Bulldogs playmaker Lindsay Gilbee to just 14 touches while Matthew Kreuzer was influential with 17 possessions, 14 hit outs and two goals.

The Blues had 12 individual goal kickers for the match - Eddie Betts and Brendan Fevola the most effective with three apiece.

Fevola’s snap over his shoulder early in the third term saw him join current president Stephen Kernahan (738) and Harry 'Soapy' Vallence (722 goals) as the only Carlton players to kick 500 career goals.

For the Bulldogs, classy youngster Shaun Higgins (27 possessions) and Matthew Boyd (26 disposals) tried hard all day while skipper Brad Johnson booted four goals.

The Dogs had two more scoring shots than the Blues in the first term but found themselves trailing by 13 points at quarter-time.

Carlton made the most of their chances in the opening stanza, booting 4.1 while the Bulldogs were incredibly wasteful in front of goal, kicking a wayward 1.6.

Jarrad Waite kicked the first major of the second term but Dogs hit back with four unanswered goals to open up a seven-point lead.

But their joy was short-lived with the Blues slamming on six of the last seven goals of the first half to go into half-time with a 24-point advantage.

The contest appeared to be over when the margin blew out to 38 points in the third quarter but the Bulldogs hit back with goals from Boyd and Johnson to give themselves a glimmer of hope heading into the final change with the Blues holding a 27-point lead.

Any hopes of a come-from-behind win was quashed by Carlton who slammed on six goals to three in the final stanza.

The Dogs will now face the unbeaten Saints in the twilight match at Etihad Stadium next Sunday while Carlton will clash with reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: 1.6, 6.9, 10.10, 13.12 (90)
CARLTON: 4.1, 11.3, 15.7, 21.7 (133)
GOALS: Bulldogs: Johnson 4, Boyd 2, Giansiracusa 2, Higgins, Griffen, Hill, Picken, Hahn
Carlton: Fevola 3, Betts 3, Russell 2, Simpson 2, Cloke 2, Houlihan 2, Kreuzer 2, Murphy, O'hAilpin, Waite, Carrazzo, Gibbs
BEST: Bulldogs: Higgins, Boyd, Johnson, Cross, Giansiracusa, Hill
Carlton: Murphy, Kreuzer, Gibbs, Houlihan, Carazzo, Simpson, Thornton
INJURIES: Bulldogs: Nil
Carlton: Nil
UMPIRES: Vozzo, H Ryan, M Nicholls
REPORTS: Bulldogs: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 44,268 at Etihad Stadium
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Cats crush Lions

April 26th 2009 06:22
GEELONG remains undefeated in 2009 after thumping Brisbane to the tune of 93 points in wet conditions at Skilled Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Cats set up their fifth win of the season with a dominant first half before cruising to a convincing 18.18 (126) to 5.3 (33) victory.

Gary Ablett did his Brownlow medal chances no harm with a game-high 42 possessions and two goals, including an absolute gem from the boundary line in the final term.

He received good support in the middle from Paul Chapman and Joel Selwood who racked up 30-plus disposals while James Bartel was also a busy contributor with 26 touches, 13 tackles and one goal.

Mark Blake (36 hit outs) provided his midfield with first use of the football while Matthew Scarlett kept Daniel Bradshaw goalless.

Cameron Mooney was influential with 22 possessions, 10 marks, three goals while Tom Hawkins and Mathew Stokes also chimed in with three majors apiece.

Highlighting Geelong’s dominance was the fact that they had 15 players finish the match with 20-plus possessions and entered inside their 50 75 times to the Lions’ 30.

For the Lions, Joel Patfull kept Steve Johnson to just 12 possessions and one goal while Jonathan Brown played a lone hand up forward, booting three of his side’s five goals.

Brisbane's score was the lowest score by the club since the merger of Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears 13 years ago, falling two points short of the 5.5 (35) they kicked against the Cats at the same venue in 2007.

The heavy rain and strong cross-wind in the first quarter didn’t trouble Geelong who continually won the football at the stoppages and moved it quickly through the middle of the ground as they slammed on five unanswered goals to go into the first change with a 32-point lead.

The Lions finally kicked their first goal of the match at the second-minute mark of the second term through Justin Sherman.

Brisbane managed three for the quarter but the rampant Cats added eight of their own to open up a match-winning 65-point advantage at the main break.

Max Rooke provided the first-half highlight, dribbling one home from an impossible angle.

Brisbane stemmed the flow of goals in the second half but the damage had already been done.

The only interest left in the match after half-time was whether Geelong could blow the margin out to triple figures.

GEELONG: 5.4, 13.8, 15.11, 18.18 (126)
BRISBANE: 0.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.3 (33)
GOALS: Geelong: Hawkins 3, Mooney 3, Stokes 3, Ablett 2, Byrnes 2, Rooke 2, Bartel, S.Johnson, Varcoe
Brisbane: Brown 3, Rich, Sherman
BEST: Geelong: Mooney, Ablett, Chapman, Scarlett, Selwood, Bartel
Brisbane: Patfull, Brown, Rich
INJURIES: Geelong: TBC
Brisbane: TBC
REPORTS: TBC
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McBurney, Kamolins, Findlay
CROWD: 15,580 at Skilled Stadium

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Geelong Cats
   


Hille set to miss rest of the season

April 26th 2009 03:58
ESSENDON ruckman David Hille looks set to miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee in his side's thrilling five-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Anzac Day.

The club is yet to confirm that Hille had ruptured his ACL but Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said it was 'not looking good' for the Bombers number one ruckman.

"We will have the MRI scan today and have it confirmed," Hamilton told Channel Seven on Sunday.

"The surgeons have had a look at him and our club doctor Bruce Reid has had a look at him and they are confident it is an ACL so it's not looking good at all."

Hamilton also said the Bombers would consider the same kind of ground-breaking surgery on Hille that was performed on Sydney star Nick Malceski last year which enabled him to return in just three months.

"It is a possibility, we will look at all options," he said.

"With surgery like that it really depends on the injury itself."

"If it's a clean tear and nothing else has happened then there is a possibility but any type of complication at all then that type of surgery won't be considered."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Harvey to miss at least six weeks

April 26th 2009 01:41
NORTH MELBOURNE skipper Brent Harvey is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after dislocating his elbow in his side's 36-point loss to Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Harvey went to ground clutching his elbow after an innocuous tackle from Tigers midfielder Matt White in the first term.

Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley said the best-case scenario would see Harvey miss six to seven weeks.

"He's in for a long stint on the sidelines," Laidley said.

"He dislocated his elbow. If he's torn the ligaments it will be at least 12 weeks, and if the ligaments are still intact it will probably be six to seven."

Laidley also said promising young defender Lachlan Hansen will miss two to three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the final quarter.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Round five preview: Melbourne v Adelaide

April 25th 2009 16:06
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Sunday 26 April, 4.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 26, Melbourne 9, Adelaide 17

LAST TIME: Adelaide 22.18 (150) def Melbourne 11.8 (74), Round 8 2008 at AAMI Stadium

RECENT HISTORY: Adelaide has won seven of its past ten against Melbourne but only one of those wins have come at the MCG.

FORM: Melbourne broke through for its first win of the season last Sunday, downing Richmond by eight points at the MCG. Adelaide has won two of its first four matches with their two losses coming at the hands of two undefeated sides in St Kilda and Geelong.

MEDICAL ROOM: Melbourne welcomes back skipper James McDonald from a hamstring injury but will be without utility Brad Green (broken jaw) for six to eight weeks. Simon Buckley (groin), Daniel Bell (thumb), small forward Austin Wonaeamirri (hamstring) Paul Wheatley (quad), Mark Jamar (foot) and Colin Garland (foot) are unavailable. The Crows welcome back utility Scott Stevens who suffered concussion in the win over Fremantle in round three. Midfielder Chris Knights (eye), Trent Hentschel (knee), Nick Gill (hamstring) and Brett Burton (knee) are still sidelined.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Nathan Bock vs. Brad Miller

Miller was Melbourne’s most productive forward last weekend with 17 possessions, 10 marks and three goals.

The 25-year-old consistently provides a target across half-forward and will need to fire again if the Demons are going to make it back-to-back wins.

Bock started up forward against Geelong but will most likely return to his customary position in defence on Sunday where he will line-up on Miller.

The Demons will need to be clean with their use of the football going forward to give Miller the best chance of having an impact otherwise Bock - who is second at the Crows for disposals and rebound 50’s per game - will simply mop the football up and set up his side’s attacking forays forward.

Clint Bartram vs. Scott Thompson

Thompson has been one of Adelaide’s most consistent performers so far this season, averaging 23 possessions per game.

The former Demon is ranked first at the Crows for first possessions and second for inside 50’s.

Melbourne will be keen to limit his influence at the stoppages and shut-down the drive he provides through the middle.

Bartram had the better of his duel with Richmond young gun Brett Deledio last weekend and looms as the obvious candidate to run with Thompson.

The 21-year-old racked up 20 touches in the win over the Tigers and he will need to win his fair share of the football again on Sunday in order to make Thompson accountable.

Colin Sylvia vs. Andrew McLeod

Sylvia played his best game of the season against Richmond - the 23-year-old finishing with 19 disposals, six marks and two goals.

McLeod has been below his best in recent weeks and was particularly quiet in the loss to the Cats, managing just 11 possessions.

The dual Norm Smith medallist is due for a big game and could well explode against Melbourne.

The Demons will be keen to shut-down his creative run off half-back and could put Sylvia on him in a bid to make him accountable.

The challenge for Sylvia will be to step up and string together two good performances - something which he has struggled to do so far in his 73-game career.

Nathan van Berlo vs. Cameron Bruce

Bruce was influential in the win over the Tigers with 24 disposals, eight marks and five inside 50’s.

The 29-year-old is damaging with his ability to the use the football cleanly and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Limiting his influence through the middle will be a key for Adelaide if they are going to prevent Melbourne’s forwards from getting quality supply.

van Berlo has the tank to run with Bruce and will most likely be used in an attacking run with role.

The 22-year-old, who was one of his side’s best the last time the Crows played at the MCG in round one against Collingwood with 21 possessions, seven marks and two goals, will try and hurt Bruce going the other way.

VERDICT: Adelaide has won four of its past six matches at the MCG but they haven’t defeated Melbourne at the home of football for seven years. They will break the drought on Sunday with their evenness across the field set to be the difference in what will be a closer contest than many pundits expect. Crows by 19 points.

MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE
MELBOURNE
B: Neville Jetta, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram
HB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Aaron Davey
C: Jared Rivers, Ricky Petterd, Brock McLean
HF: Cale Morton, Michael Newton, Nathan Jones
F: Brad Miller, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate
Foll: John Meesen, Cameron Bruce, James McDonald
I/C: Paul Johnson, Brent Moloney, Jamie Bennell, Lynden Dunn
Emg: Russell Robertson, Kyle Cheney, Addam Maric

In: McDonald
Out: Brad Green (jaw)

ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andrew Otten
HB: Michael Doughty, Nathan Bock, Nathan van Berlo
C: Patrick Dangerfield, Simon Goodwin, David Mackay
HF: Richard Douglas, Taylor Walker, Andrew McLeod
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Bernie Vince
Foll: Jon Griffin, Tyson Edwards, Scott Thompson
I/C: Brent Reilly, Myke Cook, Scott Stevens, Jared Petrenko
Emg: Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley, Brad Moran

In: Cook, Griffin, Stevens
Out: Ivan Maric, Brad Symes, Robert Shirley

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Round five preview: Western Bulldogs v Carlton

April 25th 2009 15:39
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 26 April, 2.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 135: Carlton 47, Bulldogs 84, Drawn 4

LAST TIME: Carlton 18.18 (126) d Bulldogs 15.8 (98) at Etihad Stadium, Round 18, 2008

RECENT HISTORY: The honours have been shared in the past ten clashes between these two sides but Carlton has won the past two.

FORM: The Western Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season last Sunday, going down to West Coast by 33 points in hot conditions at Subiaco Oval. Carlton has lost its past two to Essendon and Sydney after starting the season with wins over Richmond and Brisbane.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Bulldogs welcome back classy forward Robert Murphy who had his start to the year delayed by knee soreness but will again be without star midfielder Adam Cooney who missed last weekend’s loss to the Eagles with a knee injury. The Blues welcome back promising young defender Michael Jamison (shoulder) and midfielder Andrew Carrazzo who will play his first game for the season after breaking his arm in Carlton’s intra-club match in February. Meanwhile, utility Andrew Walker (knee), Robbie Warnock (foot), Darren Pfeiffer (shoulder) and Adam Bentick (knee) remain sidelined.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Brian Lake vs. Brendan Fevola

The last time these two sides met in round 17 last year Fevola proved to be the difference, booting six goals to help lift his side to a 30-point victory.

Fevola has been dangerous so far this season but his kicking for goal is clearly hampered by his bruised heel - the 28-year-old has booted a wasteful 12.13 in 2009.

The Blues will need Fevola to make the most his chances on Sunday as he will have limited opportunities with the in-form Lake to be his direct opponent.

Liam Picken vs. Chris Judd

Judd was his side’s best in the loss to the Swans with 30 possessions and nine inside 50’s.

The Carlton skipper was also influential in the round 17 victory last year with a game-high 32 possessions and seven inside 50’s.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade will be keen to shut-down Judd's run and carry and prevent him from delivering the football cleanly inside 50 to Fevola and co.

Picken has been given some big tagging jobs on some of the competition’s elite midfielders so far this season and has impressed.

Expect the 22-year-old to be given the task of tagging Judd in what will be a pivotal duel.

The Bulldogs will need Picken to pay close attention to the 2004 Brownlow medallist at the stoppages where he is at his most damaging.

Bryce Gibbs vs. Ryan Griffen

Griffen was one of his side’s best in the loss to the Eagles with 24 possessions, one goal and five inside 50’s.

With Cooney still out of the side the Bulldogs will need Griffen to continually break the lines and pump the football into the forward line.

Shutting down Griffen’s run and carry will be a key for the Blues if they are going to contain a talented Bulldogs forward line that boasts the likes of Brad Johnson, Daniel Giansiracusa, Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn and Murphy.

Expect Gibbs to run with Griffen in what will be an intriguing contest between two of the game’s brightest young talents.

Gibbs has shown in the past that he is capable of curtailing the influence of some of the competition’s most damaging midfielders and also hurting them the other way with his clean use of the football.

Jarrad Waite vs. Brad Johnson

Johnson failed to have an impact in the loss to West Coast, managing just the one goal.

The Bulldogs skipper will be keen to fire on Sunday and will need to be watched closely as he rarely has two bad games in a row.

Expect Waite who can match Johnson in the air and at ground level to be given first crack at the 328-game veteran.

Waite - who racked up a career-best 31 possessions in the loss to the Swans - will try and run off Johnson at every available opportunity and punish him on the rebound.

If the Blues can apply relentless pressure all over the ground as they did in the first two rounds of the home-and-away season the Bulldogs' mid-sized forwards will struggle to receive the clean supply they rely on to kick a winning score.

VERDICT: Carlton will be keen to win on Sunday for their former president Richard Pratt who is gravely ill but the Western Bulldogs simply have too many scoring options for the Blues to contain and should get up in what shapes as being a high-scoring affair. Bulldogs by 24 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v CARLTON
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dylan Addison, Brian Lake, Tom Williams
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Dale Morris, Ryan Hargrave
C: Josh Hill, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Jarrad Grant, Will Minson, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Shaun Higgins
I/C: Nathan Eagleton, Jarrod Harbrow, Liam Picken, Callan Ward
Emg: Andrejs Everitt,Guy O’Keefe, Stephen Tiller,

In: Grant, Murphy
Out: Jason Akermanis (suspended), Stephen Tiller

New: Jarrad Grant (Dandenong U18)

CARLTON
B: Bret Thornton, Michael Jamison, Andrew Carrazzo
HB: Chris Johnson, Jarrad Waite, Paul Bower
C: Nick Stevens, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland
HF: Jordan Russell, Simon Wiggins, Kade Simpson
F: Cameron Cloke, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd, Bryce Gibbs
I/C: Dennis Armfield, Ryan Houlihan, Aaron Joseph, Setanta O’hAilpin,
Emg: Steven Browne, Richard Hadley, Joe Anderson

In: Carrazzo, Jamison, O’hAilpin, Scotland
Out: Shaun Grigg (ankle), Sam Jacobs (thigh), Mitch Robinson, Richard Hadley,

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Round five preview: Geelong v Brisbane

April 25th 2009 15:11
VENUE and TIME: Skilled Stadium, Sunday 26 April, 1.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 33, Geelong 16, Brisbane Lions 16, Draw 1

LAST TIME: Geelong 15.15 (105) def Brisbane Lions 11.12 (78), Round 7 2008 at Skilled Stadium

RECENT HISTORY: Geelong has won its past five against Brisbane.

FORM: The Cats maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 48-point win over Adelaide in a high-quality contest at AAMI Stadium last weekend. The Lions started brightly against Collingwood but faded badly in the second half, eventually going down by 17 points. Michael Voss’ men have failed to string together wins so far this season and find themselves in eighth place with a 2-2 win-loss record.

MEDICAL ROOM: Geelong welcomes back veteran Darren Milburn who was a late withdrawal last weekend with a back injury but will be without tagger Cameron Ling (Achilles) for three to four weeks. Skipper Tom Harley (knee) will miss at least another week while ruckman Brad Ottens is expected to miss at least a month with a knee injury. Josh Hunt (knee), fellow defender Matthew Egan (foot) and youngster Mitch Brown (broken leg) will miss the remainder of the season. For the Lions, ruckman Jamie Charman will be sidelined for four to six weeks with an ankle injury. He joins fellow ruckman Matthew Leuenberger (knee) on the injury list.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Troy Selwood vs. Gary Ablett
Ablett was at his devastating best in the win over the Crows, racking up a staggering 46 possessions and booting three goals.

The Brownlow medal favourite is damaging with his ability to win the football at the stoppages, break the lines and kick goals.

If the Lions are going to be any chance of securing the four premiership points on Sunday they will need to shut-down Ablett’s creative run.

Selwood is often given the task of tagging the opposition’s best midfielder and looms as the obvious candidate to run with Ablett in what shapes as being a pivotal contest.

Ablett is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter so Selwood will need to switched on and not give the classy 24-year-old any time or space all day.

Max Rooke vs. Simon Black

Despite missing all of the pre-season Black has been one of his side’s most influential players in the first four rounds, averaging 23 disposals per game.

The 2002 Brownlow medallist leads the Lions for clearances and is second for first possessions.

Geelong will be keen to limit his effectiveness in close and prevent him from getting Brisbane’s running game going with his ability to find the likes of Jed Adock, Luke Power, Travis Johnstone and co. in space with his clean use of the football by hand.

Ling would normally get the job on Black but with him on the sidelines Geelong coach Mark Thompson will most likely give Rooke the task of running with the classy Brisbane midfielder.

Expect Rooke who is strong overhead to push forward at every available opportunity in a bid to make Black accountable.

Matthew Scarlett vs. Daniel Bradshaw

Bradshaw failed to fire a shot in the loss to the Magpies, managing just seven possessions and no goals.

The Lions will need him to lift on Sunday if they are going to be any chance of securing a valuable win away from home but his task won’t be an easy one as he will be matched up by the Cats best defender in Scarlett.

The last time these two sides met in round seven last year Scarlett did a superb blanketing job on Bradshaw, restricting the Brisbane forward to just three possessions and one goal.

If Scarlett is able to do a similar job this weekend the Lions won’t be able to kick a big enough score to overcome a Geelong side that is the most attacking outfit in the competition.

Expect Bradshaw to start further up the ground and drag Scarlett away from the defensive 50 where he is at his most damaging with his rebounding ability.

Mitch Clark vs. Mark Blake

With Leuenberger and Charman on the sidelines the Lions will be relying on Clark to do most of the work in the ruck.

Brisbane don’t need Clark to be a dominant force in the ruck but they do need him to at least provide a contest and apply some body pressure on Blake who is ranked fourth in the AFL for hit outs per game.

If Clark fails to provide a contest the Lions will struggle to get the hands on the football at the stoppages and provide their star forwards in Jonathan Brown and Bradshaw with enough quality supply to kick a winning score.

Don’t be surprised if Brisbane opts to use the versatile Jared Brennan as a third man up in the ruck around the ground in order to prevent Blake from tapping the football down the throat of Ablett, James Bartel, Joel Selwood and co.

VERDICT: Brisbane has the class in the midfield to match Geelong and the forwards to worry a Cats side that is missing three of its first-choice defenders but their lack of a quality ruckman and inability to play four quarters of consistent football will prove to be costly. Cats by 37 points.

GEELONG v BRISBANE LIONS
GEELONG
B: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, David Wojcinski
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Shane Mumford, Travis Varcoe, Shannon Byrnes, David Johnson
Emg: Tom Lonergan, Nathan Djerrkura, Ryan Gamble,

In: Milburn, D. Johnson
Out: Cameron Ling (achilles), Tom Lonergan

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Jason Roe, Joel Macdonald, Josh Drummond
C: Jared Brennan, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Lachlan Henderson, Daniel Bradshaw, Luke Power
Foll: Mitch Clark, Travis Johnstone, Jed Adcock
I/C: Bradd Dalziell, Tom Collier, Troy Selwood, James Polkinghorne
Emg: Albert Proud, Scott Harding, Pearce Hanley

In: Henderson, Polkinghorne, Collier
Out: Jamie Charman (knee), Tim Notting, Cheynee Stiller


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Dockers upset Swans

April 25th 2009 14:41
FREMANTLE has opened its account for 2009 with a 21-point win over Sydney at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

The Dockers got the early jump and answered every challenge thrown at them by the Swans, eventually prevailing 18. 13 (121) to 16.4 (100).

The win ends a tumultuous week for the club which was under heavy scrutiny after the embarrassing loss to St Kilda and then forced to endure a Ku Klux Klan controversy and Matthew Pavlich trade talk

Midfielder Rhys Palmer sent a scare through the Dockers' camp early in the final term when he collapsed to the turf in pain clutching his right knee.

He was carried off the ground by two trainers but Fremantle’s worst fears were allayed when last year’s NAB Rising star winner shook off the injury to walk unaided around the boundary.

Pavlich had his best game for the season, finishing with 27 possessions and three goals while David Mundy and Luke McPharlin also chimed in with three goals apiece.

Aaron Sandilands was influential in the ruck with 18 possessions, 46 hit outs and one goal while Garrick Ibbotson won plenty of the football.

For Sydney, co-captain Brett Kirk was instrumental in his side’s second half comeback and finished with 27 possessions and 12 tackles in his 200th game. Jude Bolton (28 disposals) tried hard all night while Adam Goodes booted three majors.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey indicated earlier in the week that his side intended to play a more attacking brand of football against the Swans and his players delivered as they slammed on the first three goals of the match in the opening six minutes.

The Swans finally got on the board through Goodes but the Dockers kicked another three to go into quarter-time with a 26-point lead.

The Dockers continued to win the contested football and apply relentless pressure all over the ground in the second term as they kicked five goals to three to open up a commanding 42-point advantage at the main break.

With Kirk leading from the front, the Swans lifted their rating in the third term and started to win more of the football at the stoppages.

They managed six goals for the quarter but were unable to reduce the deficit to less than five goals with the Dockers answering every challenge.

Trailing by 37 points at three-quarter time, the Swans needed a big last quarter and they got off to an ideal start with Goodes and Heath Grudy kicking truly to reduce Fremantle’s lead to just 25 points.

The Swans threatened to run over the top of the Dockers but a brilliant goal from McPharlin after three bounces halted Sydney’s momentum and ensured Fremantle went away with their first premiership points of the season.

FREMANTLE: 6.4, 11.9, 16.10, 18.13 (121)
SYDNEY: 2.2, 5.3, 11.3, 16.4 (100)
GOALS: Fremantle: Mundy 3, Pavlich 3, McPharlin 3, Johnson, Peake 2, Schammer, Thornton, Hayden
Sydney: Goodes 3, Jolly, Mattner, Jack, McVeigh, Shaw, Thornton, Buchanan, Grundy, Barlow, Meredith, O'Keefe
BEST: Fremantle: Pavlich, Mundy, Hayden, Solomon, Ibbotson, Sandilands
Sydney: Kirk, Bolton, Buchanan, Shaw
INJURIES: Fremantle: Palmer (knee)
Sydney: Ablett (shoulder), Bird (shoulder)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Margetts, Dalgleish, Chamberlain
CROWD: 32,884 at Subiaco

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Tigers get first win

April 25th 2009 13:02
RICHMOND has broken through for its first win of the season, downing North Melbourne by 36 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The Tigers’ 13.16 (94) to 7.16 (58) victory takes some of the pressure off embattled coach Terry Wallace who has been guaranteed his job until at least the middle of the year.

The win was achieved with little output from veteran Matthew Richardson who injured his hamstring early in the second quarter.

The 34-year-old returned midway through the third term and limped around the goalsquare before leaving the field late in the final stanza.

The loss was made worse for the Kangaroos with skipper Brent Harvey dislocating his elbow in the first term while Lachlan Hansen suffered a hamstring injury in the last quarter.

Harvey went off at the 12-minute mark nursing his left arm after being tackled by Tiger Matt White and took no further part in the match.

Richmond had 10 individual goal kickers for the match - Jack Riewoldt the most effective with three - all of which came in the second quarter.

Daniel Jackson racked up a game-high 33 possessions while Matt White, Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio, Joel Bowden and skipper Chris Newman also won plenty of the football.

Mark Coughlin (16 disposals) made a solid return in his first AFL match in almost three years after two knee reconstructions and an ongoing battle with a chronic hamstring condition while Robin Nahas was lively early, collecting 12 of his 17 touches in the first half.

For the Kangaroos, former skipper Adam Simpson (30 possessions) led from the front, David Hale (28 hit outs) tried hard all night while Andrew Swallow was his side’s only multiple goal kicker with three goals.

But they had little support with several of North’s key players failing to fire.

Drew Petrie was wasteful in front of goal, David Hale managed just one major after booting four goals in the win over Essendon last weekend while Lindsay Thomas had just nine touches and one goal,

Hamish McIntosh (28 hit outs) tried hard all night while Andrew Swallow was his side’s only multiple goal kicker with three majors.

The Roos jumped out the blocks, booting the first three goals of the match to skip out to an early 19-point lead.

But once Harvey left the field the Tigers started to take control and hit back with the last two goals of the quarter to trail by just six points at quarter-time.

Riewoldt benefited from his side’s good use of the football in the second term - booting three goals for the quarter to help the Tigers to a seven-point advantage at half-time.

The Tigers broke the game open in the third term, piling on four goals to one to open up a commanding 27-point lead heading into the final change.

North had their chances to get back into the contest in early in the final term but they missed four gettable opportunities - two were posters.

They were made to pay with Bowden kicking truly moments later to secure a much-needed win for Richmond.

NORTH MELBOURNE: 3.2, 5.6, 6.9, 7.16 (58)
RICHMOND: 2.2, 6.7, 10.12, 13.16 (94)
GOALS: North Melbourne: Swallow 3, Hale, Thomas, Edwards, Warren
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Bowden 2, White, Deledio, Tuck, Moore, Nahas, Morton, Collins, Newman
BEST: North Melbourne: Simpson, Swallow, McIntosh, McMahon, Rawlings, Urquhart
Richmond: Jackson, Deledio, Newman, Riewoldt, Bowden, Nahas
INJURIES: North Melbourne: Harvey (dislocated elbow), Hansen (hamstring)
Richmond: Richardson (hamstring)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: James, Hay, Meredith
CROWD: 29,224 at Etihad Stadium
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Hawks hold off Eagles

April 25th 2009 10:58
HAWTHORN remains in touch with the top eight after recording a hard-fought 18-point win over West Coast in slippery conditions at Aurora Stadium on Saturday night.

On a night when goals were hard to come by, Jarryd Roughead and Garry Moss were the difference, booting four goals apiece to lift the Hawks to a 11.8 (74) to 7.14 (56) victory.

The result sees the Hawks move to tenth place on the ladder with a 2-3 win-loss record while the Eagles remain on two wins.

Brad Sewell provided plenty of grunt in the middle and was judged best on ground for his 28-possession game.

Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell was damaging off half-back with a game-high 40 disposals while Luke Hodge also helped set up his side's attacking forays forward with 26 touches.

Jordan Lewis won plenty of the football while Chance Bateman did a superb blanketing job on Daniel Kerr, restricting the Eagles star to just 10 disposals.

For West Coast, Dean Cox was influential with 30 possessions, nine marks and 31 hit-outs while Matt Priddis (32 touches) tried hard all night.

Eagles skipper Darren Glass had the better of his duel with Hawthorn star Lance Franklin while Ben McKinley booted three goals.

Little separated the two sides in a physical and scrappy first half with both teams struggling to cope with the conditions.

West Coast led by just two points at quarter-time before the Hawks booted three goals to one in the second term to go into the main break with an eight-point advantage.

The Eagles got the first goal of the second half through Quinten Lynch but two turnovers resulted in goals to the Hawks as the margin blew out to 14 points.

Hawthorn looked set to run away with the contest but the Eagles lifted their rating and started to win more of the contested football.

They were finally rewarded for their hard work around the ground with McKinley snapping a goal before Priddis made Lewis pay for giving away a silly 50m penalty by kicking truly to reduce the deficit to just two points heading into the final change.

West Coast got the crucial first goal of the final stanza with Adam Hunter slotting one home two minutes in after taking a spectacular pack mark.

The Eagles were in with a real chance of causing an upset but the Hawks hit back with three majors in four minutes to skip out to a handy 14-point lead.

McKinley’s third gave West Coast a sniff but Hawthorn held firm in the dying stages with Franklin sealing the win with his second major.

HAWTHORN: 1.3, 4.5, 6.7, 11.8 (74)
WEST COAST: 1.5, 2.9, 5.11, 7.14 (56)
GOALS: Hawthorn: Moss 4, Roughead 4, Franklin 2, Rioli
West Coast: McKinley 3, A. Embley, Hunter, Lynch, Priddis
BEST: Hawthorn: Mitchell, Sewell, Bateman, Moss, Hodge, Rioli, Lewis
West Coast: Cox, Glass, Rosa, Selwood, Priddis, McKinley
INJURIES: Hawthorn: TBC
West Coast: TBC
REPORTS: TBC
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McLaren, Grun, Pannell
CROWD: TBC at Aurora Stadium

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Dons wins Anzac Day thriller

April 25th 2009 08:01
ESSENDON has come back from the dead to defeat Collingwood by five points in a classic contest at the MCG on Anzac Day.

The Magpies led by 14 points at the 25-minute mark of the final term and appeared to have secured the four premiership points but the Bombers lifted themselves on the canvas and hit back with three goals in four minutes to prevail 13.15 (93) to 12.16 (88).

Some of the gloss was taken off the win for the Dons with ruckman David Hille suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the opening term.

Patrick Ryder stepped up in the absence of Hille and won the Anzac Day medal after helping himself to 16 possessions, 27 hit-outs, 13 tackles and one goal.

Brent Stanton was influential in the middle with a team-high 34 possessions while Ricky Dyson, Jobe Watson and Adam McPhee won plenty of the football.

For the Magpies, Dane Swan, Leon Davis and Scott Pendlebury racked up 30-plus possessions. Scott Prestigiacomo kept Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd goalless while John Anthony booted four majors.

Collingwood started the game brightly with goals from Anthony Rocca and first-gamer Brent Macaffer and looked set to blow the Bombers away in the opening stanza.

But the Dons started to win their fair share of the football and had the next five scoring shots.

However, they failed to translate their good work around the ground onto the scoreboard as they kicked five straight behinds before Jason Winderlich slotted one home at the 24-minute mark.

The Bombers had the same amount of scoring shots as the Magpies in the first quarter but trailed by 15 points at the first change after Travis Cloke kicked truly after the siren.

With Ryder getting on top of Josh Fraser in the ruck, the Bombers were able to take control of the midfield as they slammed on five goals for the quarter.

Anthony booted Collingwood’s only two majors for the quarter to ensure both sides went into the main break on level terms.

Essendon controlled the corridor in the third term and skipped out to a 17-point advantage heading into time-on after Alywn Davey’s freakish bouncing goal.

A late snap from Davis allowed the Pies to remain within striking distance heading into the final change, with the Bombers holding a nine-point advantage.

The Dons should have been further in front at quarter-time but they failed to make the most of their chances in front of goal, booting a wasteful 3.7 for the term.

The Magpies came out firing in the final stanza and opened up a 14-point lead after Davis drilled one home from 55m.

Collingwood looked on course for their third win of the season but a snap from Leroy Jetta and brilliant goal from Ricky Dyson from deep on the boundary got the Dons to within a goal before youngster David Zaharakis sealed a memorable win with just seconds left on the clock.

ESSENDON: 1.5, 6.6, 9.13, 13.15 (93)
COLLINGWOOD: 4.2, 6.6, 8.10, 12.16 (88)
GOALS: Essendon: Lovett 2, Dyson 2, Winderlich, Lonergan, McPhee, Monfries, Stanton, Davey, Ryder, Jetta, Zaharakis
Collingwood: Anthony 4, Davis 2, Rocca, Cloke, Medhurst, Macaffer, L.Brown, Pendlebury
BEST: Essendon: Ryder, Stanton, McPhee, Monfries, Fletcher, Watson
Collingwood: Swan, Pendlebury, O'Bree, Davis, Clarke
INJURIES: Essendon: Hille (knee)
Collingwood: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Mark McVeigh (ankle) replaced in the Essendon line-up by Ricky Dyson. Alan Didak (soreness) replaced in Collingwood's selected side by Brent Macaffer
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Stevic, S.Ryan
CROWD: at the MCG

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Round five preview: Fremantle v Sydney

April 24th 2009 15:34
VENUE and TIME: Subiaco Oval, Saturday 25 April, 8:45 pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 20, Fremantle 8, Sydney 12

LAST TIME: Sydney 17.10 (112) def Fremantle 15.18 (108), Round 19 2008 at the SCG

RECENT HISTORY: Sydney has won its past five against Fremantle but all of those wins have come in Sydney. The Dockers have won four of the five clashes between these two sides at Subiaco Oval.

FORM: Fremantle’s abymsal start to the season continued last Saturday night when they were thumped to the tune of 83 points by a red-hot St Kilda outfit at Etihad Stadium. The Dockers and Richmond are the only sides yet to win a game this season. Sydney bounced back from their loss to Brisbane with a 17-point win over Carlton in a low-scoring affair at the SCG last Saturday. The Swans find themselves in seventh place with a 2-2 win-loss record.

MEDICAL ROOM: For Fremantle, elevated rookie Greg Broughton will miss at least another week with an ankle injury while Des Headland is two weeks away from returning from a calf injury. Small forward Hayden Ballantyne is three weeks away from playing after undergoing wrist surgery in the pre-season. For the Swans, spearhead Barry Hall will miss Saturday night’s clash with the groin injury that forced him to miss the win over the Blues. Jared Crouch (thigh) is one to two weeks away while veteran defender Leo Barry (knee) and Tim Schmidt (knee) will be out for another two to three weeks. Exciting youngster Patrick Vezpremi (finger tendons) will spend at least another month on the sidelines.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Brett Kirk vs. Paul Hasleby

Hasleby has been impressive so far this season after missing all of 2008 with a serious knee injury.

The 27-year-old - who has averaged just under 23 disposals per game in 2009 - is first at the Dockers for first possessions and second for clearances.

The Swans like to play a lock-down style of football and will be keen to limit Hasleby’s influence in close and prevent him from dishing off the football to the likes of Rhys Palmer, Garrick Ibbotson, Byron Schammer and Stephen Hill who is capable of breaking the lines.

Like Hasleby, Kirk is highly effective in close and looms as the obvious candidate to go head-to-head with the Dockers midfielder.

Kirk will be keen to have an impact in what will be his 200th AFL game and if he can contain Hasleby the Dockers will struggle to win enough of the football in the middle to be competitive.

Ryan Crowley vs. Adam Goodes

The last time these two sides met in round 19 last year Goodes proved to be the difference, booting eight goals to inspire the Swans to a thrilling four-point win.

If the Dockers are going to be any chance of recording their first win of the season they will need to shut-down Goodes’ creative run and prevent him from having an impact on the scoreboard.

Crowley is Fremantle’s number one stopper in the middle and will be given the unenviable task of tagging the dual Brownlow medallist in what will be a pivotal contest.

The 25-year-old was completely outclassed by St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo last weekend - Dal Santo finished with 31 possessions and two goals while Crowley managed just nine touches.

Crowley will need to lift his rating on Saturday night and deny Goodes any time or space otherwise he will cut the Dockers to shreds.

Craig Bolton vs. Matthew Pavlich

Pavlich has been well below his best so far this season, averaging just 16 possessions and booting seven goals in four games.

The Fremantle skipper will be keen to lead from the front and lift his side to a victory after a tumultuous week for the club but he faces a difficult night at the office with Bolton to be his likely opponent.

Bolton restricted Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola to just one goal last weekend and will make Pavlich earn every one of his possessions.

In the loss to the Saints the Dockers entered inside their 50 just 34 times.

If Pavlich is going to have any chance of having a meaningful impact on the contest he will need his midfield to win more of the contested football and delivery it cleanly into the forward line.

Aaron Sandilands vs. Darren Jolly

Jolly has been instrumental in Sydney’s two wins this season but he will face a tougher task on Saturday night when he goes head-to-head with Sandilands.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey indicated during the week that his side intends to play an attacking brand of football.

But for that to happen Sandilands will not only need to win the bulk of the hit-outs but also be creative in where he directs the football at the stoppages as opposition sides have been roving off his taps all season.

If Sandilands fails to mix it up the Swans will be able to dominate the stoppages, dictate the tempo of the game and cruise to an easy victory.

VERDICT: Fremantle will undoubtedly come out firing after being described as 'the AFL's bye' and 'the league's laughing stock' following their humiliating loss to St Kilda but their woes won’t end on Saturday night with Sydney’s more experienced bodies in the middle set to outmuscle a rebuilding Dockers midfield and provide their forwards with enough quality supply to kick a winning score. Swans by 35 points.

FREMANTLE v SYDNEY SWANS
Fremantle
B: Roger Hayden, Michael Johnson, Antoni Grover
HB: Nic Suban, Luke McPharlin, Steven Dodd
C: Byron Schammer, Paul Hasleby, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Paul Duffield, Chris Tarrant, Rhys Palmer
F: Brett Peake, Matthew Pavlich, Dean Solomon
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
I/C: Ryan Murphy, Stephen Hill, Clayton Hinkley, Scott Thornton
Emg: Michael Walters, Zac Clarke, Matthew de Boer

In: Murphy, Hinkley, Thornton
Out: Daniel Gilmore, Kepler Bradley, Josh Head

Sydney Swans
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Craig Bird
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack
F: Paul Bevan, Jesse White, Luke Ablett
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Ed Barlow, Brett Meredith, Kristin Thornton, Amon Buchanan
Emg: Jarred Moore, Ryan Brabazon, Mike Pyke

In: Buchanan
Out: Jarred Moore

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Round five preview: North Melbourne v Richmond

April 24th 2009 15:12
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Saturday 25 April, 7.20pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 145, North Melbourne 64, Richmond 80, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: North Melbourne 20.7 (127) def Richmond 13.8 (86), Round 2 2008 at the MCG

RECENT HISTORY: North Melbourne has won seven of its past ten against Richmond with five of those wins coming at Etihad Stadium.

FORM: North Melbourne snapped a two-game losing streak with a hard-fought 12-point win over Essendon at Etihad Stadium last Sunday and now has two wins from its four matches this season. Richmond is winless in 2009 and sunk to a new low last Sunday with an eight-point loss to last year’s wooden spooners at the MCG.

MEDICAL ROOM: North Melbourne will be without classy midfielder Daniel Wells (hip) for at least another week while Matt Campbell is expected to return in round eight after injuring his hamstring in the win over the Bombers. Liam Anthony (foot) will miss another two weeks while Jesse Smith is sidelined indefinitely with a hamstring injury. For the Tigers, Mark Coughlan will play his first AFL match in almost three years after two knee reconstructions and ongoing hamstring problems. Veteran forward Nathan Brown will miss the clash against the Kangaroos with a groin injury which is expected to sideline him for two weeks. Boom recruit Ben Cousins (hamstring) is at least two weeks away from being considered for selection. Andrew Raines (knee) and Trent Cotchin (Achilles) will return via the VFL this weekend while former skipper Kane Johnson remains on the long-term injury list with a knee injury.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Daniel Jackson vs. Brent Harvey

Harvey returned to form against the Bombers, helping himself to a game-high 33 possessions, two goals and six inside 50’s.

The North Melbourne skipper has averaged 26 disposals per game in his last four matches against Richmond and looms as the main man the Tigers must contain if they are going to open their account for 2009.

Jackson often gets the job of tagging the opposition’s best midfielder and will most likely be given the task of running with Harvey on Saturday night in what shapes as being a crucial match-up.

The 23-year-old will need to pay close attention to Harvey and not give him any time or space at the stoppages otherwise the North Melbourne veteran will punish the Tigers with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Brady Rawlings vs. Brett Deledio

The last time these two sides met in round two last year Deledio was his side’s best with 27 possessions and one goal.

Deledio has struggled to find his best form so far this season and the Tigers will need him to lift and have an impact on the contest as a goal-kicking midfielder that breaks the lines.

The 21-year-old has been particularly quiet when the game has been at its hottest - averaging just 3.5 possessions per game in the first quarter.

Deledio has struggled to break a tag in 2009 and his task won’t get any easier on Saturday night with Rawlings, who has claimed several big scalps during his 185-game career, expected to follow the Richmond midfielder all night.

If the Tigers are going to be any chance of securing a much-needed win they need Deledio to impose himself on the contest early.

Lachlan Hansen vs. Matthew Richardson

Richardson was one of the few Richmond players that had an impact against the Demons, finishing the match with 19 possessions, 15 marks and 4.5.

Hansen has the height and the tank to match Richardson and will most likely be given the task of matching up on the Tigers veteran.

The 34-year-old received very little support last weekend with first-gamer Andrew Collins and Nathan Brown the only other multiple goal kickers.

If the Tigers are going to secure a rare win against the Kangaroos they need the likes of Mitch Morton and Jack Riewoldt to step up as Richardson can’t be expected to do it all on his own.

It is also vital for the Tigers that they move the football quickly into the forward line to give Richardson and co. the best chance of having an impact as they simply don’t have the skills to play a possession brand of football.

Luke McGuane vs. David Hale

Hale was his side’s most productive forward in the win over Essendon, booting four goals.

McGuane has been Richmond’s best defender so far this season and looms as the obvious candidate to match-up on the Kangaroos big man.

The 22-year-old is giving away 10cms to Hale so if the Roos can get the football quickly into the forward line Hale is a chance to kick a bag.

McGuane will need his teammates to apply relentless pressure all over the ground and deny the Kangaroos the use of the corridor otherwise Hale will lead his side to victory with a match-winning haul.

VERDICT: North Melbourne will go into this match with plenty of confidence given their record against Richmond in recent times. Expect them to maintain their dominance over Terry Wallace’s men on Saturday night with the Tigers simply lacking the foot skills and the ability to play four quarters of consistent football to get over a Kangaroos side that knows how to win even when it isn’t playing to the best of its capabilities. Roos by 28 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Josh Gibson, Scott Thompson, Daniel Pratt
HB: Levi Greenwood, Lachlan Hansen, Scott McMahon
C: Leigh Harding, Michael Firrito, Gavin Urquhart
HF: Ben Warren, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Aaron Edwards, David Hale
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Jack Ziebell, Andrew Swallow
I/C: Ed Lower, Brady Rawlings, Sam Power, Adam Simpson
Emg: Josh Smith, Daniel Harris, Ben Ross

In: Greenwood, Edwards
Out: Josh Smith, Matt Campbell (hamstring)

New: Levi Greenwood (Port Adelaide Magpies)

RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Alex Rance
HB: Jordan McMahon, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Andrew Collins
HF: Richard Tambling, Jack Riewoldt, Joel Bowden
F: Adam Pattison, Mitch Morton, Brett Deledio
Foll: Angus Graham, Daniel Jackson, Nathan Foley
I/C: Mark Coughlan, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Robin Nahas, Matt White
Emg: Shane Edwards, Jay Schulz, Will Thursfield

In: Coughlan, Pattison, Tambling, Oakley-Nicholls
Out: Nathan Brown (groin), Tom Hislop, Troy Simmonds, Daniel Connors


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Round five preview: Hawthorn v West Coast

April 24th 2009 14:29
VENUE and TIME: Aurora Stadium, Saturday 25 April, 5.20pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 34, Hawthorn 13, West Coast 21

LAST TIME: Hawthorn 19.19 (133) def West Coast 9.8 (62), Round 21 2008 at Subiaco Oval

RECENT HISTORY: Hawthorn has won its past three matches against West Coast but the honours have been shared in the four matches between these two sides at Aurora Stadium.

FORM: Hawthorn slumped to a 1-3 win-loss record after going down to Port Adelaide by 30 points at the MCG last Saturday. West Coast bounced back from their humiliating 97-point loss to St Kilda with an impressive 33-point victory over the highly-rated Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval last Sunday. The Eagles find themselves in 10th place on the AFL ladder with a 2-2 win-loss record.

MEDICAL ROOM: Hawthorn welcomes back midfielder Travis Tuck from a hip injury but are still without key defender Trent Croad (foot), Stephen Gilham (knee), Xavier Ellis (foot) and Rick Ladson (knee). Michael Osborne (hamstring) is another week away from playing while Grant Birchall won‘t return for another two to three weeks. Brent Guerra will miss two matches after injuring his hamstring in the loss to the Power. For the Eagles, midfielder Chris Masten (cork) will miss while veteran Chad Fletcher has recovered from a groin injury which saw him miss the clash against the Dogs but he won‘t play against Hawthorn on Saturday. Boom recruit Nick Naitanui was scheduled to play in the WAFL this weekend after having his pre-season interrupted by knee surgery but the exciting youngster reported to training with a tight hamstring and will be rested.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Brad Sewell vs. Daniel Kerr

Kerr overcame a sluggish start to finish with a team-high 29 possessions against the Bulldogs - 13 of which came in the third term as West Coast broke the match open.

The Eagles star was particularly influential in close, winning the football at the stoppages and dishing it off to his teammates - 22 of his 29 touches were handballs.

Hawthorn will be keen to limit his influence in the middle and will give their best midfield stopper in Sewell the task of running with Kerr.

Sewell will need to not give the 25-year-old any time or space at the stoppages and be on his game defensively for the full four quarters as Kerr has shown in the Eagles’ two wins this season that he is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter.

Expect Sewell who was one of his side’s best in the loss to the Power with 28 touches to try and hurt Kerr going the other way.

Eric MacKenzie vs. Lance Franklin

Franklin was influential in the two matches between these two sides last year, booting a total of nine goals.

Last year’s Coleman medallist has struggled to find his best form so far this season but still looms as a main danger for the Eagles.

Mackenzie - who has impressed down back in 2009 - has the height and athletic capabilities to run with Franklin and will most likely be given the unenviable task of matching up on the Hawthorn star.

Franklin and fellow forward Jarryd Roughead were able to boot a total of 17 goals against West Coast last season because their midfield was allowed to deliver the football inside 50 with minimal pressure.

In last weekend’s win over the Bulldogs the Eagles applied immense pressure all over the ground and forced Rodney Eade’s men into several turnovers.

They will need to play with the same level of intensity on Saturday and deny the Hawks the use of the corridor if they are going to contain Franklin, Roughead and co.

Thomas Murphy vs. Quinten Lynch

Lynch was among 11 individual goal kickers for West Coast in the win over the Bulldogs - the Eagles big man finishing the match with three majors.

With Croad and Gilham still on the sidelines, Murphy looms as the obvious candidate to match-up on Lynch.

Murphy was completely outclassed by Warren Tredrea last weekend - the former Port Adelaide skipper finishing the match with six goals.

If the Eagles can move the football quickly through the middle of the ground then Lynch is capable of having a day out.

Adam Selwood vs. Sam Mitchell

The last time these two sides met in round 21 last year Mitchell was influential with a game-high 34 possessions.

If the Eagles are going to be any hope of containing Hawthorn’s talented forward line they will need to quell the influence of Mitchell who is damaging with his ability to win the football at the stoppages and find his teammates in space.

Expect Mitchell to receive close attention from Selwood who continued his brilliant start to 2009 with 27 possessions and one goal against the Dogs.

Selwood has won his fair share of the contested football so far this season and will need to do so again on Saturday in order to make Mitchell accountable.

VERDICT: West Coast will fancy their chances of securing the four premiership points against a Hawthorn side that is badly out of form and still missing several key players. But after an energy sapping game against the Bulldogs in hot conditions they will struggle to run out the match and will be found wanting on the wide open expanses of Aurora Stadium. Hawks by 22 points.

HAWTHORN v WEST COAST
HAWTHORN
B: Jarryd Morton, Thomas Murphy, Brendan Whitecross
HB: Clinton Young, Brent Renouf, Luke Hodge
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Cameron Stokes
F: Campbell Brown, Jarryd Roughead, Mark Williams
Foll: Simon Taylor, Brad Sewell, Travis Tuck
I/C: Robert Campbell, Beau Dowler, Stuart Dew, Garry Moss
Emg: Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Ryan Schoenmakers

In: Tuck
Out: Brent Guerra (hamstring)

WEST COAST
B: David Wirrpanda, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Shannon Hurn, Adam Hunter, Adam Selwood
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Brent Staker
HF: Sam Butler, Ashley Hansen, Andrew Embley
F: Ben McKinley, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Tyson Stenglein
I/C: Mitch Brown, Brett Jones, Mark Nicoski, Will Schofield
Emg: Adam Cockie, Chad Fletcher, Josh Kennedy

In: Butler
Out: Chris Masten (cork)

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Round five preview: Essendon v Collingwood

April 24th 2009 14:09
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Saturday 25 April, 2.20pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 218, Essendon 97, Collingwood 117, Drawn 4

LAST TIME: Essendon 19.14 (128) def Collingwood 11.14 (80), Round 17 2008 at the MCG

RECENT HISTORY: Collingwood has won three of its past four against Essendon.

FORM: Essendon had its two-game winning streak broken by North Melbourne who prevailed by 12 points in a contest that failed to reach any great heights at Etihad Stadium last Sunday. The Bombers find themselves in ninth place with a 2-2 win-loss record. Collingwood has also won two of its four matches - the most recent a gutsy 17-point win over Brisbane - and is in sixth place on the ladder thanks to a superior percentage.

MEDICAL ROOM: Essendon will be without midfielder Hayden Skipworth for two to three weeks after the former Adelaide Crow injured his hamstring in the loss to the Roos. Scott Gumbleton (back) and Jason Laycock (foot) are sidelined indefinitely. Michael Hurley (quad) and Darcy Daniher (groin) are a chance to return in round six while Kyle Reimers (quad) will be sidelined until at least round seven. Brent Prismall (knee) and Andrew Welsh (ankle) won’t play until the second half of the home-and-away season. For Collingwood, star defender Heath Shaw (hamstring) will miss the Anzac Day clash. John McCarthy (hamstring) and forward Sean Rusling (shoulder) are also unavailable while Ben Johnson (broken leg) will miss at least another eight weeks.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Simon Prestigiacomo vs. Matthew Lloyd

The last time these two sides met in round 17 last year Lloyd played a key role, booting four goals to help lift the Bombers to a 48-point win.

Lloyd was the only Essendon forward that had an impact in the loss to the Kangaroos - he booted three goals - and if the Magpies are able to contain him on Saturday they will secure the four premiership points.

Prestigiacomo is Collingwood’s most experienced defender and will be given first crack at the Essendon skipper in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this contest.

In the loss to the Roos the Bombers entered inside their forward 50 six more times than their opponents but managed three fewer goals.

The Essendon midfield will need to be cleaner and smarter with their use of the football going forward if the likes of Lloyd are going to have any hope of having a meaningful impact.

Shane O’Bree vs. Jobe Watson

Watson was influential in the round 17 clash between these two sides last year, racking up a game-high 41 possessions - 24 of which were by hand.

The 24-year-old is an integral part of the Essendon midfield with his ability to win the football at the stoppages and dish it off by hand to find the Bombers’ pacy runners in space.

If the Magpies are going to be any hope of shutting down Essendon’s running game they will need to limit Watson’s influence in close.

Expect O’Bree, who won a game-high nine clearances in the victory over the Lions to go head-to-head with Watson in the middle.

If O’Bree is able to prevent Watson from winning the football in close the Essendon forwards will struggle to get enough quality supply to kick a winning score.

Dustin Fletcher vs. Paul Medhurst

Medhurst was instrumental in the Magpies’ win over the Lions with four goals and was also damaging in his side’s last win over the Bombers in round six last year with six majors.

The former Fremantle Docker is good overhead for his size - making Fletcher - who has the ability to play on talls and small the obvious candidate to match up on him.

As he showed against the Lions, Medhurst is capable of turning a game on its head with a quick burst of goals, so Fletcher will need to be switched on defensively for the full four quarters.

Fletcher has averaged 17.5 disposals per game so far in 2009 and will try and punish Medhurst on the rebound.

Mark McVeigh vs. Scott Pendlebury

Pendlebury was his side’s most influential midfielder in the win over the Lions with a game-high 35 possessions.

When these two sides met in round six last year Pendlebury wreaked havoc, collecting a game-high 33 touches in a performance that earned him two Brownlow medal votes.

The 21-year-old hurts sides with his clean use of the football and if the Bombers are going to be any hope of containing a multi-pronged Collingwood attack they will need to limit his influence through the middle.

Expect Essendon coach Matthew Knights to use McVeigh in an attacking run with role on Pendlebury.

McVeigh will need to deny Pendlebury the time and space to dispose of the football cleanly and also win his fair share of the football and hurt the classy Magpies youngster going the other way.

VERDICT: These two teams traded wins last season with Collingwood thumping Essendon to the tune of 73 points before the Bombers bounced back with an eight goal win. It will be the Magpies who take the honours first again in 2009 with their multiple options in attack set to be too much for an inexperienced Essendon defence to contain. Magpies by 28 points.

ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD
ESSENDON
B: Dustin Fletcher, Tayte Pears, Henry Slattery
HB: Courtenay Dempsey, Adam McPhee, Heath Hocking
C: Mark McVeigh, Brent Stanton, Sam Lonergan
HF: Jason Winderlich, Scott Lucas, David Zaharakis
F: Patrick Ryder, Matthew Lloyd, Alwyn Davey
Foll: David Hille, Jobe Watson, Andrew Lovett
I/C: Angus Monfries, Nathan Lovett-Murray, David Myers, Leroy Jetta
Emg: Ricky Dyson, Jay Nash, Bachar Houli

In: Lovett-Murray, Lonergan, Myers, Hocking, Jetta
Out: Darcy Daniher (groin), Hayden Skipworth (hamstring), Michael Quinn, Jay Nash, Ricky Dyson

Collingwood
B: Shannon Cox, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Martin Clarke
C: Shane O’Bree, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas
HF: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: John Anthony, Leigh Brown, Anthony Rocca
Foll: Josh Fraser, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
I/C: Leon Davis, Jaxson Barham, Dane Swan, Alan Toovey
Emg: Anthony Corrie, Brent Macaffer, Sharrod Wellingham

No Change
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Saints smash pitiful Power

April 24th 2009 13:37
ST KILDA has maintained its unbeaten start to the season with an emphatic 66-point win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

The Saints were never challenged in a one-sided contest, eventually prevailing 15.12 (102) to 5.6 (36).

The victory is St Kilda’s second at AAMI Stadium in three weeks and their first over the Power at the venue since 1997.

Ross Lyon’s men will remain at the top of the ladder at the end of round five thanks to their percentage which is well over 200.

The win was soured somewhat for the Saints with ruckman Steven King suffering a groin injury in the second quarter.

The koss was made worse for Port with defender Troy Chaplin reported for striking St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt and ruckman Dean Brogan for forceful front-on contact with Farren Ray.

The Badcoe Medal, which is awarded to the player that best exemplifies the Anzac spirit, was won by midfielder Lenny Hayes for his 32 possession game while Riewoldt led from the front with 23 disposals, 10 marks and four goals.

Stephen Milne chimed in with three majors while Sam Fisher generated plenty of run with 28 touches.

For Port, captain Domenic Cassisi, Steven Salopek and Travis Boak won plenty of the football while Kane Cornes kept in-form St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo quiet but failed to hurt him the other way.

The Power won their fair share of the football in the opening stanza but they were unable to find an avenue to goal due to St Kilda’s relentless pressure.

The Saints punished Port on the rebound, moving the football quickly from defence as they slammed on six straight goals for the term.

Milne and Riewoldt were particularly damaging - the pair booting two goals apiece for the quarter to help their side to a commanding 27-point lead at the first change.

Riewoldt kicked his third early in the second term after Troy Chaplin and Josh Carr brought each other to ground in a marking contest before further goals from Robert Eddy, Adam Schneider and Milne blew the margin out to 56 points at half-time.

The halftime scoreline of 1.3 (9) was the lowest in Port's history, beating 1.8 (14) against Fremantle in 2000.

Any hopes of a second half fight-back from Port was quickly quashed by the Saints who kicked two goals in the opening two minutes of the third term through Hayes and Luke Ball.

Port managed to stem the flow of goals for the remainder of the term but the damage had already been done with St Kilda going into the final change with a match-winning 65-point lead.

PORT ADELAIDE: 1.3, 1.3, 3,4, 5.6 (36)
ST KILDA: 6.0,10.5,13.9, 15.12 (102)
GOALS: PORT: Tredrea 2, Lade, Motlop, C.Cornes
ST KILDA: Riewoldt 4, Milne 3, Schneider 2, McQualter, Geary, Eddy, Hayes, Ball, Gwilt
BEST: PORT: K.Cornes, Krakouer, Boak, Salopek, Chaplin, Cassisi
ST KILDA: Hayes, Riewoldt, Milne, Goddard, Fisher, Gram, Ray, Geary, Gardiner
INJURIES: PORT: TBC
ST KILDA: TBC
REPORTS: Troy Chaplin reported in the second quarter by umpire Chris Donlon for high contact on Nick Riewoldt. Dean Brogan reported in the second quarter by umpire Michael Avon for forceful front-on conduct with Farren Ray by umpire Michael Avon.
CHANGES: Nil
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AFL Teams: Round Five

April 24th 2009 07:43
2009 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

ROUND FIVE (All times local)

Friday April 24
Port Adelaide v St Kilda at AAMI Stadium, 7.45pm

Saturday April 25
Essendon v Collingwood at the MCG, 2.20pm
Hawthorn v West Coast at Aurora Stadium, 5.20pm
North Melbourne v Richmond at Docklands, 7.20pm
Fremantle v Sydney Swans at Subiaco, 6.45pm

Sunday April 26
Geelong v Brisbane Lions at Skilled Stadium, 1.10pm
Western Bulldogs v Carlton at Docklands, 2.10pm
Melbourne v Adelaide at the MCG, 4.40pm

PORT ADELAIDE v ST KILDA
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Dom Cassisi
C: Travis Boak, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
HF: Robert Gray, Warren Tredrea, Hamish Hartlett
F: Brett Ebert, Brendon Lade, Daniel Motlop
Foll: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
I/C: David Rodan, Josh Carr, Tom Logan, Nick Lower
Emg: Marlon Motlop, Wade Thompson, Toby Thurstans

In: Cassisi, Lower
Out: Matt Thomas (suspended), Wade Thompson

ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Lenny Hayes, Steven King, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Steven Baker, Andrew McQualter, James Gwilt, Robert Eddy
Emg: Xavier Clarke, Ben McEvoy, Luke Miles

In: Eddy
Out: Justin Koschitzke (hamstring)

ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD
ESSENDON
B: Dustin Fletcher, Tayte Pears, Henry Slattery
HB: Courtenay Dempsey, Adam McPhee, Heath Hocking
C: Mark McVeigh, Brent Stanton, Sam Lonergan
HF: Jason Winderlich, Scott Lucas, David Zaharakis
F: Patrick Ryder, Matthew Lloyd, Alwyn Davey
Foll: David Hille, Jobe Watson, Andrew Lovett
I/C: Angus Monfries, Nathan Lovett-Murray, David Myers, Leroy Jetta
Emg: Ricky Dyson, Jay Nash, Bachar Houli

In: Lovett-Murray, Lonergan, Myers, Hocking, Jetta
Out: Darcy Daniher (groin), Hayden Skipworth (hamstring), Michael Quinn, Jay Nash, Ricky Dyson

COLLINGWOOD
B: Shannon Cox, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Martin Clarke
C: Shane O’Bree, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas
HF: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: John Anthony, Leigh Brown, Anthony Rocca
Foll: Josh Fraser, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
I/C: Leon Davis, Jaxson Barham, Dane Swan, Alan Toovey
Emg: Anthony Corrie, Brent Macaffer, Sharrod Wellingham

No change

HAWTHORN v WEST COAST
HAWTHORN
B: Jarryd Morton, Thomas Murphy, Brendan Whitecross
HB: Clinton Young, Brent Renouf, Luke Hodge
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Cameron Stokes
F: Campbell Brown, Jarryd Roughead, Mark Williams
Foll: Simon Taylor, Brad Sewell, Travis Tuck
I/C: Robert Campbell, Beau Dowler, Stuart Dew, Garry Moss
Emg: Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Ryan Schoenmakers

In: Tuck
Out: Brent Guerra (hamstring)

WEST COAST
B: David Wirrpanda, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Shannon Hurn, Adam Hunter, Adam Selwood
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Brent Staker
HF: Sam Butler, Ashley Hansen, Andrew Embley
F: Ben McKinley, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Tyson Stenglein
I/C: Mitch Brown, Brett Jones, Mark Nicoski, Will Schofield
Emg: Adam Cockie, Chad Fletcher, Josh Kennedy

In: Butler
Out: Chris Masten (corked thigh)

NORTH MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Josh Gibson, Scott Thompson, Daniel Pratt
HB: Levi Greenwood, Lachlan Hansen, Scott McMahon
C: Leigh Harding, Michael Firrito, Gavin Urquhart
HF: Ben Warren, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Aaron Edwards, David Hale
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Jack Ziebell, Andrew Swallow
I/C: Ed Lower, Brady Rawlings, Sam Power, Adam Simpson
Emg: Josh Smith, Daniel Harris, Ben Ross

In: Greenwood, Edwards
Out: Josh Smith, Matt Campbell (hamstring)

New: Levi Greenwood (Port Adelaide Magpies)

RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Alex Rance
HB: Jordan McMahon, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Andrew Collins
HF: Richard Tambling, Jack Riewoldt, Joel Bowden
F: Adam Pattison, Mitch Morton, Brett Deledio
Foll: Angus Graham, Daniel Jackson, Nathan Foley
I/C: Mark Coughlan, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Robin Nahas, Matt White
Emg: Shane Edwards, Jay Schulz, Will Thursfield

In: Coughlan, Pattison, Tambling, Oakley-Nicholls
Out: Nathan Brown (groin), Tom Hislop, Troy Simmonds, Daniel Connors

FREMANTLE v SYDNEY SWANS
FREMANTLE
B: Roger Hayden, Michael Johnson, Antoni Grover
HB: Nic Suban, Luke McPharlin, Steven Dodd
C: Byron Schammer, Paul Hasleby, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Paul Duffield, Chris Tarrant, Rhys Palmer
F: Brett Peake, Matthew Pavlich, Dean Solomon
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
I/C: Ryan Murphy, Stephen Hill, Clayton Hinkley, Scott Thornton
Emg: Michael Walters, Zac Clarke, Matthew de Boer

In: Murphy, Hinkley, Thornton
Out: Daniel Gilmore, Kepler Bradley, Josh Head

SYDNEY SWANS
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Craig Bird
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack
F: Paul Bevan, Jesse White, Luke Ablett
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Ed Barlow, Brett Meredith, Kristin Thornton, Amon Buchanan
Emg: Jarred Moore, Ryan Brabazon, Mike Pyke

In: Buchanan
Out: Jarred Moore

GEELONG v BRISBANE LIONS
GEELONG
B: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, David Wojcinski
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Shane Mumford, Travis Varcoe, Shannon Byrnes, David Johnson
Emg: Tom Lonergan, Nathan Djerrkura, Ryan Gamble,

In: Milburn, D. Johnson
Out: Cameron Ling (achilles), Tom Lonergan

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Jason Roe, Joel Macdonald, Josh Drummond
C: Jared Brennan, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Lachlan Henderson, Daniel Bradshaw, Luke Power
Foll: Mitch Clark, Travis Johnstone, Jed Adcock
I/C: Bradd Dalziell, Tom Collier, Troy Selwood, James Polkinghorne
Emg: Albert Proud, Scott Harding, Pearce Hanley

In: Henderson, Polkinghorne, Collier
Out: Jamie Charman (knee), Tim Notting, Cheynee Stiller

WESTERN BULLDOGS v CARLTON
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dylan Addison, Brian Lake, Tom Williams
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Dale Morris, Ryan Hargrave
C: Josh Hill, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Jarrad Grant, Will Minson, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Shaun Higgins
I/C: Nathan Eagleton, Jarrod Harbrow, Liam Picken, Callan Ward
Emg: Andrejs Everitt,Guy O’Keefe, Stephen Tiller,

In: Grant, Murphy
Out: Jason Akermanis (suspended), Stephen Tiller

New: Jarrad Grant (Dandenong U18)

CARLTON
B: Bret Thornton, Michael Jamison, Andrew Carrazzo
HB: Chris Johnson, Jarrad Waite, Paul Bower
C: Nick Stevens, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland
HF: Jordan Russell, Simon Wiggins, Kade Simpson
F: Cameron Cloke, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd, Bryce Gibbs
I/C: Dennis Armfield, Ryan Houlihan, Aaron Joseph, Setanta O’hAilpin,
Emg: Steven Browne, Richard Hadley, Joe Anderson

In: Carrazzo, Jamison, O’hAilpin, Scotland
Out: Shaun Grigg (ankle), Sam Jacobs (thigh), Mitch Robinson, Richard Hadley,

MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE
MELBOURNE
B: Neville Jetta, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram
HB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Aaron Davey
C: Jared Rivers, Ricky Petterd, Brock McLean
HF: Cale Morton, Michael Newton, Nathan Jones
F: Brad Miller, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate
Foll: John Meesen, Cameron Bruce, James McDonald
I/C: Paul Johnson, Brent Moloney, Jamie Bennell, Lynden Dunn
Emg: Russell Robertson, Kyle Cheney, Addam Maric

In: McDonald
Out: Brad Green (jaw)

ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andrew Otten
HB: Michael Doughty, Nathan Bock, Nathan van Berlo
C: Patrick Dangerfield, Simon Goodwin, David Mackay
HF: Richard Douglas, Taylor Walker, Andrew McLeod
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Bernie Vince
Foll: Jon Griffin, Tyson Edwards, Scott Thompson
I/C: Brent Reilly, Myke Cook, Scott Stevens, Jared Petrenko
Emg: Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley, Brad Moran

In: Cook, Griffin, Stevens
Out: Ivan Maric, Brad Symes, Robert Shirley
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Wallace praises board

April 24th 2009 07:36
RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace says he is 'very comfortable' with the support he is receiving from the club's board despite the fact his position has only been guaranteed until mid-season.

Wallace - who is in the fifth and final year of his contract - needs to get the Tigers into the finals if he is going to keep his job but he faces an uphill battle with his side losing their first four matches of the season.

The Tigers board met on Tuesday following the disastrous eight-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG and said no decision would be made on Wallace's future until the club's mid-season review.

Wallace said he had no problems with the decision and praised the board for their support.

"I'm very comfortable with my position. I couldn't be getting more support from the board and management," Wallace said.

"A couple of wins would obviously help, and I've been in the game long enough to know that can change at any point along the way and that's fine, but I think everyone around the footy club's been tremendously supportive.

"I've been told that I'm going on and I'm very, very comfortable with that."

Wallace also said the media scrutiny wasn't affecting the club as it prepares for Saturday night's vital clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium

"The group's been pretty good – that's external and I know we all talk about it, and clearly it impacts everything you're doing in your life because people want to talk about it everywhere you go," he said.

"But I think when the boys are here and they're doing what they're paid to do, I don't think it's been much of an issue at all."

"The coaching staff, my assistant coaches and the players are getting on well and spending good time together just trying to get things right.

"I think internally things are actually better than they look externally."

Meanwhile, young gun Trent Cotchin and defender Andrew Raines will return in the VFL this weekend following injury.

Former West Coast captain Ben Cousins is likely to return within a fortnight from the hamstring injury he sustained in round while Wallace said he was hopeful that classy forward Nathan Brown would only miss two matches at the most with a groin injury.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Demons break membership record

April 24th 2009 07:17
MELBOURNE has broken its all-time membership record, reaching the tally of 29,706, which surpasses the previous record of 29,619 set last season.

The total is more than 4,000 up on the club's membership at the corresponding time last year and there are still more than 3,000 members from 2008 who have yet to re-sign.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes paid tribute to all those concerned with the club and said he was confident the Demons would pass the 30,000 mark.

"This is a great effort by everyone involved, not least the members themselves, who are the foundation of our future, and who are providing the momentum for our club," said Stynes.

"We are also very proud of and encouraged by the way in which everyone is working together for the common good, and our achievement in breaking the membership record is the perfect illustration of this."

"I am confident that, in the next week, we can surpass the 30,000 mark and start looking well beyond."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Melbourne Demons
   


Didak in doubt

April 24th 2009 04:12
COLLINGWOOD forward Alan Didak is in doubt for Saturday's ANZAC Day clash against Essendon at the MCG.

Magpies defender Simon Prestigiacomo revealed that Didak - who trained away from the rest of the group at Gosch's Park on Friday - was still battling soreness after last week's match against Brisbane.

"He trained this morning and that's all we really know. He will be given up to the start of the game when we have to put the team sheets in. He didn't obviously train with the group, hopefully he's pulled up alright. He's Just got a bit of soreness through the legs," Prestigiacomo said.

In some good news for the Pies, Prestigiacomo said veteran Anthony Rocca and Paul Medhurst were certain to line up against the Bombers.

"Yeah (they'll definitely play). Medders had the knock last week and Anthony's been a bit sore, but they trained well on Wednesday and today and are 100 per cent to play," he said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Round five preview: Port Adelaide v St Kilda

April 23rd 2009 17:41
VENUE and TIME: AAMI Stadium, Friday 24 April, 8.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 18, Port Adelaide 11, St Kilda 7

LAST TIME: St Kilda 14.17 (101) def Port Adelaide 14.9 (93), Round 18, 2008 at Etihad Stadium.

RECENT HISTORY: Port Adelaide has won eight of its past ten against St Kilda but the honours have been shared in the past four clashes between these two sides.

FORM: Port’s impressive 30-point win over reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG saw it move to fourth spot on the AFL ladder with a 3-1 win-loss record. St Kilda and Geelong are the only unbeaten teams after the first month of the home-and-away season with the Saints occupying top spot thanks to their percentage boosting 83-point win over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night.

MEDICAL ROOM: Port Adelaide is still without star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne who was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s game against the Hawks with knee soreness while forward Justin Westhoff is on the club’s long-term injury list with a broken foot. For the Saints, in-form big man Justin Koschitzke is expected to miss just the one week with a hamstring strain while veteran defender Max Hudghton will remain on the sidelines for another one to two weeks with a calf injury.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Kane Cornes vs. Nick Dal Santo

Dal Santo continued his brilliant start to the season with a game-high 31 disposals, two goals and four inside 50’s against the Dockers.

The 25-year-old is in career-best form and looms as the main man the Power must stop if they are going to secure the four premiership points.

Dal Santo is damaging with his ability to deliver the football cleanly inside 50 and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

If the Power are going to be any chance of containing St Kilda’s multi-pronged attack they must limit Dal Santo’s influence through the middle.

Cornes restricted Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell to just 16 possessions last weekend and will be given the task of tagging Dal Santo in what will be a pivotal contest in determining the outcome of this match.

If Cornes can do a similar job on Dal Santo and hurt the classy St Kilda midfielder going the other way the Power will win.

Zac Dawson vs. Warren Tredrea

Tredrea has been instrumental in Port’s past two wins over Melbourne and the Hawks, booting six goals in both matches.

Dawson has been solid down back since joining the Saints via the rookie draft after a brief stint with Hawthorn and will most likely be given first crack at Tredrea.

St Kilda has conceded the fewest points of any side in the competition due to their relentless pressure all over the ground.

If the Saints play with the same level of intensity they have shown in the first four rounds of the season and suffocate Port’s run then the likes of Tredrea will struggle to have an impact.

Troy Chaplin vs. Nick Riewoldt

Riewoldt played his best game of the season against the Dockers, helping himself to 17 possessions, nine marks and five goals.

Chaplin did a superb blanketing job on Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead last Saturday, restricting him to just seven possessions and no goals.

Expect Chaplin who has done the job on Riewoldt in the past to be given the task of matching up on the Saints skipper again on Friday night.

The Saints have been able to kick some big scores this season due to their willingness to move the football quickly and kick it long into the forward line.

It is vital for Port that they apply immense pressure all over the ground and deny St Kilda the time and space to move the football quickly through the middle of the ground otherwise the potent Saints forward line led by Riewoldt will wreak havoc.

Clinton Jones vs. Chad Cornes

Cornes appears to be back to his best after being restricted to just 13 games last season due to injury.

The dual All-Australian has racked up 60 possessions, 23 marks and booted two goals in his past two matches.

In the win over the Hawks the 29-year-old had three goal assists and pumped the football inside 50 five times.

The Saints will be keen to shut-down the drive he provides through the middle and will most likely give Jones - who has been given some big jobs on some of the competition’s elite players so far this season - the task of running with Cornes.

Expect Jones who is ranked seventh in the AFL for tackles per game to not give Cornes any time or space all night.

VERDICT: St Kilda has impressed so far this season but Friday night will be a genuine test of their top-four credentials. Ross Lyon’s men will take some confidence from their win over the Crows at AAMI Stadium but they haven’t defeated Port at the venue since 1997. Port will miss the presence of Shaun Burgoyne as he would have helped overcome St Kilda’s zone with his ability to break the lines but the Power still have the likes of Danyle Pearce, David Rodan and Nathan Krakouer who are capable of breaking the game open with their run and carry. Expect the Power to maintain their dominance over the Saints in South Australia on Friday night with their pacy runners set to be the difference in what shapes as being a hard-fought contest. Power by 15 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v ST KILDA
PORT ADELAIDE

B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Dom Cassisi
C: Travis Boak, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
HF: Robert Gray, Warren Tredrea, Hamish Hartlett
F: Brett Ebert, Brendon Lade, Daniel Motlop
Foll: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
I/C: David Rodan, Josh Carr, Tom Logan, Nick Lower
Emg: Marlon Motlop, Wade Thompson, Toby Thurstans

In: Cassisi, Lower
Out: Matt Thomas (suspension), Wade Thompson

ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Lenny Hayes, Steven King, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Steven Baker, Andrew McQualter, James Gwilt, Robert Eddy
Emg: Xavier Clarke, Ben McEvoy, Luke Miles

In: Eddy
Out: Justin Koschitzke (hamstring)


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Lions promote rookie

April 23rd 2009 07:23
BRISBANE has promoted Irish rookie Pearce Hanley to the club's senior list in place of West Australian draftee Kieran King.

King, who was selected with pick 81 in last year's national draft, has been placed on the long-term injury list because of an ankle injury that is expected to keep him on the sidelines for 10 to 12 weeks.

Hanley - who hails from Ballaghadereen in Ireland's County Mayo - played two senior matches last season after making his AFL debut in round 21 against Carlton at the Gabba.

The 20-year-old former Gaelic player and 2006 Ron Barassi Medallist has been a member of the Lions' rookie list since arriving from Ireland at the end of 2007.

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Walker a chance to play again in '09

April 23rd 2009 05:43
CARLTON utility Andrew Walker is still a chance to play this season according to coach Brett Ratten.

Walker undewent surgery two weeks ago to tighten his problematic right shoulder which he injured during the pre-season and reinjured in a VFL practice match in early April.

The club's official injury list has Walker out 'indefinitely' but Ratten put a clear time frame on the 22-year-old's return.

"It's probably around 12 weeks, so in the latter part of the season he'll be back," Ratten said.

"It's not closed but I suppose rehab will play a big part in that if it goes to plan.

"Hopefully he can get back as he did last year, that energy bubble we needed with about seven weeks to go."

"He gave to group a good vibe and hopefully he can do that again."

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Pies escape sanction

April 23rd 2009 00:43
THE AFL won't be taking further action against Collingwood after reviewing a number of incidents arising from last Friday night's match against Brisbane at the Gabba.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson met with Magpies coach Mick Malthouse, president Eddie McGuire and senior club officials on Wednesday and reviewed a number of issues including the comments made by various Collingwood officials over the weekend regarding contact between umpire Scott McLaren and midfielder Shane O'Bree.

The Pies weren't sanctioned over the matter but the league did express its concerns to the club about their behaviour.

"The AFL remains of the view that all players and senior club officials have a duty towards how their behaviour is seen towards umpires, as recruitment and retention of umpires throughout Australia is a major ongoing issue for the game," Anderson said.

Anderson also said the AFL was satisfied with the explanation offered by Malthouse regarding his behaviour at the quarter-time break following a controversial 50 metre penalty given against O'Bree.

"Michael informed us he was making his way down from the coaches box just before the siren rang and did not see the 50 metre penalty that was paid against Shane O'Bree for going over the mark," Anderson said.

"He was not aware that O'Bree had been told the reason for the 50-metre penalty by the umpire at least twice."

"At the break, Michael asked his players, including O'Bree, what had occurred, but was told they did not know. Malthouse explained that he expressed frustration at this time, but that this was not deliberately directed at the umpires."



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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Pav trade talk 'bewildering', says Harvey

April 22nd 2009 07:11
FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey says he's 'bewildered' by media suggestions that Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich should be traded at the end of the season.

Football commentator Garry Lyon wrote in The West Australian that it was time for Pavlich and the Dockers to part ways as Pavlich deserved the opportunity to play in a side that was challenging for a premiership.

But Harvey said the winless Dockers were giving no consideration to trading the six-time All-Australian.

Harvey stressed the importance of Pavlich to Fremantle as a leader and a player as the club continues to rebuild.

"When you look at Matthew Pavlich, he will go down as one of the greatest players Fremantle's ever had," Harvey said.

"He's captain of the football club. So for us to be talking about trading him [is] bewildering."

Harvey also said people in the media should be more measured in what they say about his 'vulnerable' club.

"We're in a vulnerable situation because we haven't won a game (and) I think it's too easy for guys in really profiled positions in the media to dissect the club and pull the club apart," he said.

"I think they should be a lot more measured with what they say about a young club that's trying to do its best."



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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Pies clear air over umpires: McGuire

April 22nd 2009 05:31
COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire believes the club was able to clear the air with the AFL over its concerns relating to umpires.

McGuire said the Magpies had opened up a 'communication pathway' with the league after Wednesday's special summit at AFL house.

"The AFL had some issues with the Collingwood Football Club and the Collingwood Football Club had some issues with the football operations department of the AFL," McGuire said.

"We spoke about all those different issues and at the end of it I think we cleared a lot of air."

"I know that we're going to work constructively together ... and we've opened up a communication pathway so that thing's don't fester and boil up."

The Pies had been asked for a 'please explain' by the league for comments made about umpire Scott McLaren's contact with midfielder Shane O'Bree and for coach Mick Malthouse's reaction to a 50m penalty during the 17-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba last Friday night.

McGuire said the two parties understand each other better now.

"Things were put on the table, we looked at some video tape, we looked at some statistics, we took on board some of the critiques that the AFL had of our behaviour and the way we go about things and we've agreed we'll all go forward together," he said.

"We want to support the umpires, we've not criticised the umpires at Collingwood, we've been critical sometimes of the interpretations that they are forced to endure."

It remains unclear whether Malthouse or the Magpies have been fined as a result of today's meeting with AFL officials.
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Cooney in some doubt

April 22nd 2009 03:05
WESTERN BULLDOGS star Adam Cooney is only a 50/50 chance to play against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday according to coach Rodney Eade.

The Bulldogs had initially expected Cooney to miss only one match after undergoing minor knee surgery last week but Eade said the 2008 Brownlow medallist was in some doubt after being confined to light running drills at training on Wednesday.

"He was a bit slow 'til yesterday but he's made some vast improvement today in 24 hours," said Eade.

"He's probably 50/50 at this stage so hopefully if he can increase the improvement at the rate that he has over the last 24 hours, he'll be a good chance."

In some good news for the Dogs, classy forward Robert Murphy is a certainty to play his first game for the season after impressing for Williamstown in the VFL last weekend.

Murphy's start to the season was delayed due to a slower than expected recovery from off-season knee surgery.

Meanwhile, Eade said he was honoured to be joining Jock McHale, Kevin Sheedy, Ron Barassi, Leigh Matthews and Robert Walls as the only men to play and coach 250 AFL/VFL matches.

"To be in that exalted company is humbling and a big honour for a little boy from Tassie," Eade said.

"I've still got a great passion for the game and the game's in great health at the moment and it's a terrific product."

"I really enjoy coming to work and being involved with young players, you men and trying to help them on their path - it's certainly a great job."

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Wallace given reprieve

April 22nd 2009 02:24
TERRY Wallace has been guaranteed his job as Richmond coach until at the least the middle of the year.

The Tigers board met on Tuesday night and reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing Wallace's performance mid-season.

Richmond president Gary March said last night the club would not bow to 'outside pressures' after the Tigers' winless start to the season.

"We will not buckle to outside pressures in regards to the process which we put in last July,'' March said.

"The coaching review was to be made mid-season and a decision will be made as to what direction the club takes."

"The current situation is nothing has changed."

"Terry is coaching. He is contracted to coach."

"And the review is not just the coaching, it's the whole footy department. It's a work in progress.''

Wallace needs to get the Tigers to the finals for the first time in his five-year reign if he is going to keep his job but finals appear to be a remote possibility with no side making the top eight after starting the season with four consecutive losses.



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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Hawks crack 50,000

April 22nd 2009 02:05
HAWTHORN has become the first Victorian-based AFL club to sign 50,000 members in a season.

The club's new mark smashes last year's record membership of 41,686.

A total of 14,700 2009 members are either first-timers or have rejoined the club having not been a member in 2008.

The AFL’s all-time membership record 50,976 was set by Adelaide in 2007.

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Black free to play, Thomas out for one

April 21st 2009 10:34
BRISBANE midfielder Simon Black is free to play in Sunday's clash against Geelong at Skilled Stadium after escaping suspension for making reckless contact with an umpire.

Black was sent directly to the tribunal for making contact with field umpire Scott McLaren in the last quarter of the Lions' 17-point loss to Collingwood at the Gabba on Friday night.

The 2002 Brownlow medallist pleaded guilty and was hit with a reprimand and a $1950 fine.

The news wasn't as good for Port Adelaide's Matt Thomas who will miss Friday night's match against St Kilda at AAMI Stadium after being found guilty of making reckless contact with field umpire Jason Armstrong in the first quarter of the Power's 30-point win over reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG last Saturday.

Thomas lined up directly behind Armstrong when he bounced the ball in the centre circle and when the umpire backed away he was upended by Thomas.

Port tried to downgrade the charge from reckless to negligent which would have meant a fine only, but the tribunal ruled against that and hit him with a one-match suspension and a $2600 fine

His 20 per cent loading from a suspension last season meant he was still facing a one-match ban even if he pleaded guilty.

Meanwhile, St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna was cleared of striking after he successfully argued that the strike against Fremantle’s Paul Hasleby did not have enough impact to be deemed a strike.

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Freo dismisses Ku Klux Klan claims

April 21st 2009 08:03
FREMANTLE has dismissed claims two of its players dressed up in Ku Klux Klan costumes.

The controversy started when list development manager Steve Malaxos told Perth radio station SportsFM last Saturday that players dressed in Ku Klux Klan outfits had raided teammates houses.

"There's a reasonable amount of pranks that are going on all time time," Malaxos said.

"Sometimes they raid each other's houses in, like, sort of Ku Klux Klan outfits and that as well, that's one of the pranks."

Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich told the media on Tuesday afternoon that Malaxos had simply gotten his description of the costumes wrong.

Young players Clayton Hinkley and Andrew Foster were involved in the prank, in which they dressed up in white sheets, white face masks and black sunglasses and egged and glad-wrapped four teammates cars.

Rosich said Hinkley and Foster would not be sanctioned for the prank.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Achilles injury sidelines Ling

April 21st 2009 08:03
GEELONG has suffered an injury blow with tagger Cameron Ling ruled out of at least the next two matches with an Achilles injury.

Cats coach Mark Thompson said Ling sustained the injury during the 48-point win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium last Saturday night.

"He has got a little tear in his Achilles and should be out for a couple of weeks, which is a bit of a blow," Thompson said.

Thompson also said experienced defender Darren Milburn will return for Sunday's clash against Brisbane at Skilled Stadium.

"Darren will play, it was only minor back soreness (that kept him out against Adelaide last week) and he could have played but we didn't want to take the risk with him because he was a bit sore," he said.

The return of Milburn is a major boost for the Cats given the absence of skipper Tom Harley and the loss of fellow defenders Matthew Egan and Josh Hunt for the remainder of the season.

Thompson said Harley - who is yet to play in 2009 as he recovers from off-season knee surgery - will miss at least another week but is a chance to return in round six.

But number one ruckman Brad Ottens is expected to be sidelined for at least another month with the knee injury he sustained in the win over Richmond in round two.

"He hasn't got rid of that soreness yet and with big guys early in the year, it would be foolish to rush him back (too soon)," Thompson said.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Geelong Cats
   


Richardson slams media

April 21st 2009 08:01
THE criticism of embattled Richmond coach Terry Wallace has gone too far according to Tigers veteran Matthew Richardson.

Wallace needs to get the Tigers into the finals for the first time in his five-year reign if he is going to keep his job but finals appear to be a remote possibility with no team making the top eight after losing its first four matches.

Following the disastrous loss to Melbourne last Sunday there has been much speculation about Wallace's future but Richardson said the media coverage was way over the top.

"The media have got a job to do, and that's what they're doing but I do think it has been a little bit over-the-top this week," Richardson said.

"I thought I was reading News of the World this morning – the Herald Sun or Mad Magazine with the comic strip that they're running these days, but we can't let that distract us."

"What we've got to worry about is getting out on the training track here today and working on the things that are letting us down in the games."

Richardson also said he expected Wallace to see out the season.

"As far as I know, Terry is coaching the team for the rest of the year," he said.

"All you guys can speculate all you like but internally we're sticking strong (and) we're right behind Terry."

"I'm pretty sure the president and the board have shown their support to him, and you can keep speculating all day long, but that's not for us to do."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Pratt gravely ill

April 21st 2009 06:59
CARLTON has paid tribute to former president Richard Pratt who's gravely ill with prostate cancer.

The 74-year-old has returned home to be closer to his family after being released from hospital.

The chairman of the Visy group of companies was visited on Tuesday morning by Carlton chief executive Greg Swann and president Stephen Kernahan who later hosted a press conference attended by coach Brett Ratten and skipper Chris Judd.

Kernahan said Pratt was in good spirits.

"The first thing he said was 'what happened last week and what's wrong with our kicking?' so that's where Dick's at," Kernahan said.

Kernahan also said Pratt had made an enormous contribution to the club.

"February 9, 2007 was a very significant day in the history of the Carlton football club," he said.

"Richard Pratt was appointed president and I think this club looks back at that as a turning point in our dark days from 2001 to 2007."

"He's been sensational for our footy club, he's been great for the players ... and to the staff, and especially to [chief executive] Greg Swann and myself."

A sombre Ratten said Pratt would provide the Blues with extra motivation to win their clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"This does give us more motivation to make sure that we get a win on the board," Ratten said.

"It would be great to give him a win this weekend."

Judd said Pratt had a significant impact on him during the brief time they had known each other.

"He's full of wisdom and we were very lucky to go (in the pre-season) to Malaysia with him and we had a fair bit of time just to converse with him and pick his brains about life and business," Judd said.

"It's been influential on my thinking and you just can't go past the huge influence he's had on this footy club."

"I struggle to think of anyone who's had a bigger impact on a footy club since I've been playing AFL."

Pratt stepped down as Carlton president after being charged with giving false or misleading evidence to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2005 over allegations of price fixing in the packaging industry.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Stevens in doubt

April 21st 2009 05:01
ADELAIDE utility Scott Stevens is in some doubt for Sunday's clash against Melbourne at the MCG after missing training on Tuesday.

Stevens suffered concussion after clashing with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin in round three which forced him to miss the match against Geelong at AAMI Stadium last Saturday night.

The lingering effects of that blow are still bothering him and he'll have to prove his fitness when the Crows train on Thursday.

Meanwhile, midfielder Chris Knights (fractured eye socket) is still a couple of weeks away from being considered for selection while forward Trent Hentschel will miss at least another fortnight with a knee injury.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Adelaide Crows
   


Kosi may miss just one week

April 21st 2009 04:19
ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon is hopeful Justin Koschitzke will only miss Friday night's clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium with a hamstring injury.

Koschitzke suffered the injury in last Saturday night's 83-point win over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium and had a scan on Monday.

"It's certainly on the lower end and we're hopeful of a week, at worst two," Lyon said.

"It's a challenge for the group to play good football without Justin."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Ku Klux Klan controversy at Freo

April 21st 2009 04:11
FREMANTLE has become embroiled in a fresh controversy after list development manager Steve Malaxos revealed on Perth radio that Dockers players dressed in Ku Klux Klan gear and raided each other's houses.

Malaxos' comments relating to the American white supremacist organisation comes just a fortnight after North Melbourne's infamous 'chicken-gate' video affair.

Speaking on SportFM in an exclusive interview for the 'Talking Dockers' radio program last Saturday, Malaxos was asked about young Fremantle players playing pranks on the coaching staff and their teammates.

Malaxos confirmed several light-hearted pranks had occurred before adding that Fremantle players sometimes dressed in Ku Klux Klan-style clothes as they 'raided' teammates' houses.

The 'Talking Dockers' podcast is available on the SportFM website but the comment regarding the KKK has been edited out and is not included in the audio.

The issue is an unwanted distraction for the Dockers who are winless after four rounds.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Akermanis accepts

April 21st 2009 03:53
WESTERN BULLDOGS veteran Jason Akermanis will miss Sunday's clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium after accepting a one-match ban for striking West Coast's Mark Nicoski in the 33-point loss to the Eagles at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

The offence normally only draws a reprimand but because of his past record Akermanis' original penalty of 80 points rose to 150.31 points which means that even if he pleads guilty and receives the 25 percent discount he was still looking at a total of 112.73 points, which equates to a one-game suspension.

Meanwhile, St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna is one of three players scheduled to face the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night after electing to challenge a level two charge of striking Fremantle's Paul Hasleby.

Because of his five-year good record, a reprimand is the worst case scenario for Montagna.

Brisbane star Simon Black and Port Adelaide youngster Matt Thomas are the others set to appear both on umpire contact charges that were referred directly to the tribunal.

Thomas has been charged with recklessly making contact with umpire Jason Armstrong during the first quarter of Saturday's win over reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG, while Black is alleged to have made contact with umpire Scott McLaren at the Gabba on Friday night.

In other tribunal news, Fremantle's Byron Schammer and West Coast's Will Schofield have accepted reprimands for making forceful contact and tripping respectively.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Barham earns nomination

April 21st 2009 03:36
COLLINGWOOD midfielder Jaxson Barham has earned the round four NAB Rising Star nomination for his performance in his side's 17-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night.

Barham gathered 28 disposals and laid a game-high nine tackles in his AFL debut against the Lions.

The son of former Collingwood winger Ricky Barham was recruited to Magpies from the Geelong Falcons under the father-son rule with pick 61 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Akermanis hit with one-match ban

April 20th 2009 08:46
WESTERN BULLDOGS veteran Jason Akermanis has been hit with a one-match ban by the AFL match review panel for tripping West Coast's Mark Nicoski in Sunday's 33-point loss to the Eagles at Subiaco Oval.

The offence normally only draws a reprimand but becaise of his past record Akermanis' original penalty of 80 points rose to 150.31 points which means that even if he pleads guilty and receives the 25 percent discount he is still looking at a total of 112.73 points, which equates to a one-game suspension.

Meanwhile, Brisbane star Simon Black and Port Adelaide's Matt Thomas will face the tribunal on Tuesday night after being charged with recklessly making contact to a field umpire.

The panel also looked at contact between Collingwood's Shane O'Bree and umpire Scott McLaren and Melbourne's Nathan Jones and umpire Stuart Wenn but chose to take no action.

It was the view of the panel that both clashes were accidental.

In other tribunal news, Fremantle's Bryon Schammer and St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna can both accept reprimands after being booked for making forceful contact from front-on and striking respectively while West Coast youngster Will Schofield can also accept a reprimand after being booked for tripping.

The match-day report against Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock for striking Richmond's Tom Hislop was thrown out with the panel ruling Warnock's action as a pushing motion with an open hand and the high contact that was made was below the force required to constitute a reportable offence.

The panel also looked at contact between Essendon ruckman and North Melbourne veteran Adam Simpson but ruled contact was made to the body and was not a reportable offence as they did in a similar clash between Bulldogs' tagger Liam Picken and West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Charman out for up to six weeks

April 20th 2009 08:32
THE Brisbane Lions' ruck stocks have taken a major hit with ruckman Jamie Charman ruled out for four to six weeks with an ankle injury.

The 26-year-old injured his ankle during Friday night's 17-point loss to Collingwood at the Gabba.

Charman's injury comes on the back of a knee injury sustained by promising ruckman Matthew Leuenberger last week that will keep the youngster sidelined for up to three months.

Brisbane coach Michael Voss said he may be forced to promote the rookie-listed Daniel Murray.

"We've got young Bart McCulloch, he hasn't started playing, Daniel Murray is on our rookie list, he played on the weekend for the first time," Voss said.

"Whether or not he makes the next transition, we've now got two spots on our list available, Kieran King has gone on the long term injury list, along with Matthew Leuenberger."

"It's one of those ones where as a match committee you've got to go over the pros and cons of whether you bring someone in so early."

"Whether he's ready, does that help or hinder his development?"

The injury crisis means Mitch Clark will need to step up and be the club's number one ruckman and Voss is confident the 21-year-old can fill the void.

"Mitch has been good the last few weeks, his energy and aggression and what he brought to the contest has been very good."

"Mitch will have to come in and shoulder that responsibility, but that's something I'd imagine he'll look forward to."

Meanwhile, Voss said Jed Adcock - who also injured his ankle in the loss to the Magpies - is a chance to play against Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Pies questioned

April 20th 2009 05:00
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson confirmed on Monday Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse would be asked to justify why he should not be sanctioned for his verbal tirade towards the umpires at quarter-time of last Friday night's clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.

Malthouse was captured by cameras staring at the umpires and delivering a spray just moments after Shane O'Bree gave away a 50m penalty on the quarter-time siren.

Anderson said no action would be taken against Scott McLaren or O'Bree over an incident during the third quarter.

The league said any contact between McLaren and O'Bree was purely incidental.

The AFL will also investigate comments made by president Eddie McGuire on 3AW on Monday morning.

"We believe at Collingwood there's never been a situation at the moment where there's been more disjointedness between the AFL, and the umpires and the clubs as there is at the moment," McGuire said.

McGuire said the league needed to investigate why so many players are making contact with umpires.

"How many umpires do we have these days? We have three boundaries, three field, two goal umpires at any one stage, there's going to be contact," he said.

"And we're seeing more of it. What we think is maybe we need to have a look at why there's more contact."

"And off the top of my head we think the bounce is one of the main reasons."

Anderson said the AFL is concerned at the negative comments its umpires have received recently.

"We're concerned because to be able to recruit the best umpires to our game we have to create an environment where there isn't a level of disrespect, abuse, undermining; and that's really at the heart of the rules to protect umpires," he said.

The AFL and Collingwood will meet on Wednesday to sort out their differences.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Wallace safe for now

April 20th 2009 03:43
RICHMOND president Gary March says no decision will be made on the future of coach Terry Wallace before the club's mid-season review.

Speaking on Melbourne radio station SEN, March said Wallace's position was safe for now despite the Tigers' 0-4 start to the season.

"He is contracted through until the end of the 2009 season and we said last year when we started making changes to our footy department that we would do a review (of the coaching position) by mid-season and that is still on-going and nothing has really changed," March said .

March also revealed the club had a 'a contingency plan' in place should Wallace decide to quite as coach but ruled out former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy taking over should Wallace decide to walk away.

"As a club you have got an obligation to have contingency plans in place and we have thought through those things and we have got some plans in place," he said.

"Kevin is not part of our contingency plan and never has been."

“Kevin came back to the football club and he made it clear to me he didn’t want to be involved in football and I made it clear to Kevin that we didn’t have a role for him in football, so that’s never been a part of the plan.”

March also defended his controversial decision to miss Sunday's critical game against Melbourne at the MCG.

“I think I’ve missed four games in five years,” he said.

“I went to the wedding of a guy I’ve known for 30 years. He’s worked for me since I started my business 15 years [ago].

“There’s some things in life that you actually have to put ahead of football, it’s a game … had we been 3-0 going into this game no-one would have said anything.”

The Tigers' board will meet on Tuesday night but March said there was nothing sinister in the meeting.

"That is our regular board meeting - we meet the third Tuesday of every month so it's not a specially called board meeting - it's our normal board meeting," he said.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Turnovers hurt us, says Eade

April 20th 2009 03:09
WESTERN BULLDOGS coach Rodney Eade has refused to blame Perth’s warm weather for his side’s shock 33-point loss to West Coast on Sunday.

Eade said the 30-degree heat was no excuse for the Bulldogs uncharactersitically sloppy performance.

“There’s absolutely no excuse, (the weather) was the same for both sides,” Eade said.

“Both sides were fatigued; I just think they coped with it better than we did.

Eade praised the Eagles and said their pressure forced his side into several turnovers.

"Full credit to the Eagles, they played very well and obviously deserved to win," he said.

"Just the number of turnovers (we had) at times, even some without pressure and late in quarters."

"They scored eight to half-time and eight of them were from turnovers, so they obviously capitalised."

"(And), late in the first quarter, they scored three goals in three minutes, it's probably about the difference in the end."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Western Bulldogs
   


Worsfold wants consistency

April 20th 2009 02:50
WEST COAST coach John Worsfold has challenged his players to consistently play with the same level of intensity they showed in the 33-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval on Sunday

Worsfold laid down the law following the 97-point loss to St Kilda, saying career's were on the line if he didn't see a more committed effort and his players responded in the best possible fashion.

The Eagles stifled the Bulldogs' running game with their immense pressure and won more of the contested football.

Worsfold said the challenge for his side - who demolished Port Adelaide by 50 points prior to the demoralising loss to the Saints would be to maintain the same intensity week-in-week-out, starting with Saturday's clash against reigning premiers Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.

"It was a pretty committed effort to take on a very good side and beat them," Worsfold said.

"(It's been a) bit of a rollercoaster ride, the last three weeks but we've learned a lot and we need to keep putting all that to good use."

"All the players were clear on where they let themselves down individually and how the team as a group didn't function well last week."

"It didn't need to be pointed out to them because they had reflected well on it individually."

"(So) every thing compared to last week was a bit better and consistency of effort now is what we have to show we can do."


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Players still behind Wallace: Newman

April 20th 2009 02:21
RICHMOND captain Chris Newman says the players are still behind under siege coach Terry Wallace.

The Tigers are winless after the first four rounds of the home-and-away season in a year in which Wallace needs to get the club to the finals for the first time in his five-year reign if he is going to keep his job.

Newman admitted on Sunday night the disastrous eight-point loss to Melbourne was another dark day for the club but said the players still wanted Wallace as coach.

"We have been through some dark times, we haven't had a lot of success around the club and we have been in this position before but all we can do now is fight out of it and concentrate on next week," he said.

"Of course we are (behind him), he is our coach."

"He wanted us to come out here and put in a four-quarter effort and get the result for him and it's really gut-wrenching not to be able to do that."

Newman said the players deserved as much blame as Wallace for the club's poor start to the season.

"They always point the finger at the coach and I think that's unfair," Newman said.

"It's the players as well and I am captain of the club and it starts with me."

"I put my hand up and say it's not good enough and the players are certainly taking responsibility."

"Everyone is behind him (Wallace), I'm behind him and he doesn't deserve that (performance) and neither do the supporters."

"We have been playing inconsistent football and our last-ditch effort in the last quarter wasn't good enough but if we can do it in the last quarter then why can't we do it in the first."

Newman also said he believed the season was still retrievable.

"It's gut-wrenching, you always want to win and we are zip and four at the moment," he said.

"We know there are a lot of disappointed people out there and we feel the pressure and we understand our fans are disappointed but all we can do is stick together and fight our way out of it."

Meanwhile Wallace - who willl meet with president Gary March and general manager of football operations Craig Cameron later today - said on Sunday night he would not quit as coach.

"I wouldn't expect my players to do that (quit) and I would be a hypocrite if I turned around and did that because it's all too hard," he said.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Green to miss at least six weeks

April 19th 2009 11:05
MELBOURNE has suffered a major blow with utility Brad Green ruled out for six to eight weeks with a broken jaw.

Green sustained the injury in a clash with Richmond youngster Alex Rance in the first quarter of the Demons' eight-point win over over the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday

He left the field immediately and was taken to Epworth Hospital.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey confirmed Green would undergo surgery tonight and said the loss of the 28-year-old would hurt his side.

"It's really disappointing, because he's an utter professional and a very, very important player in our leadership group," Bailey said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Melbourne Demons
   


Wallace to meet with March and Cameron

April 19th 2009 10:57
RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace will meet with president Gary March and general manager of football operations Craig Cameron on Monday following the Tigers' eight-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

In a year in which Wallace needs to lead the club to the finals for the first time in his five-year reign, the Tigers have lost their first four games of the season.

When asked at his post-match media conference if he expected his position to come under scrutiny, a tired and drawn Wallace said : "That would be a slight understatement, wouldn't it."

"But it's for you (the media) to speculate on - not me."

Cameron refused to comment on the coach's future and said he was pretty confident Wallace would coach the side against North Melbourne.

"We are not going to speculate on Terry - it's not fair on him or his family and it’s not fair on the football club and we are just not going to do it," Cameron said.

Cameron also dismissed suggestions that Wallace had lost the support of the players.

"I think the second half of the game today showed that the players still play for him," he said.

"They came from six goals down just after half-time, and outscored the opposition in the second half."

"If they didn't have the confidence in him, the game could have completely dropped away."

"What we need to do is to try and get some confidence back and win some games of football."




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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Eagles upset Dogs

April 19th 2009 10:24
WEST COAST has ended the Western Bulldogs unbeaten start to the season with a 33-point win in hot conditions at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

Eagles coach John Worsfold laid down the law following the 97-point loss to St Kilda and his charges responded, getting the early jump on the Bulldogs before surviving several challenges from Rodney Eade’s men to record an impressive 17.14 (116) to 12.11 (83) victory.

Daniel Kerr overcame a sluggish start to finish the match with a team-high 29 possessions - 13 of which came in the third term.

He received good support from Andrew Embley, Matt Priddis, Adam Selwood and Brent Staker who won plenty of the football while Dean Cox was influential with 25 possessions and 31 hit-outs.

Will Schofield restricted Bulldogs playmaker Lindsay Gilbee to just 13 disposals by three-quarter time while David Wirrpanda was busy in defence with 28 quality touches, 15 marks and one goal.

The Eagles had 11 individual goal kickers for the match - Adam Hunter and Quinten Lynch the most effective with three apiece while Ben McKinley played his best game for the season, finishing the match with 16 touches, seven marks and two goals.

For the Bulldogs, Matthew Boyd (30 possessions) tried hard all day while Shaun Higgins showed his class with 21 disposals and four goals.

The Dogs led by five points midway through the first term before the Eagles were rewarded for their willingness to play on at all costs and use the corridor as they slammed on five unanswered goals either side of quarter-time to skip out to a 26-point lead at the one-minute mark of the second quarter.

West Coast looked set to run away with the contest but the Dogs stemmed the flow and hit back with two of the last three goals of the first half to trail by just 19 points at half time.

With Kerr exerting his influence in the midfield, the Eagles were able to break the game open with goals from Embley, Hunter and Lynch blowing the margin out to 40 points.

Josh Hill gave the Bulldogs a glimmer of hope heading into the final change, kicking truly after being awarded a controversial free kick in a marking contest with West Coast skipper Darren Glass.

Trailing by 34 points, the Dogs needed to get off to a fast start in the final stanza but it was the Eagles that got the first major of the last term with Matt Rosa kicking truly on the run to give his side a seemingly unassailable lead.

But the Bulldogs lifted themselves off the canvas and replied with three straight goals to close to within 22 points at the 18-minute mark.

The Dogs threatened to run over the top of a tiring West Coast side but the Eagles held their nerve and capped off the win with late goals from Wirrpanda and Staker.

WEST COAST: 6.4, 8.7, 14.11, 17.14 (116)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.2, 5.6, 9.7, 12.11 (83)
GOALS: West Coast: Hunter 3, Lynch 3, Le Cras 2, McKinley 2, Kerr, Selwood, Hansen, Embley, Rosa, Wirrpanda, Staker
Western Bulldogs: Higgins 4, Boyd 2, Griffen, Johnson, Hill, Gilbee, Lake, Ward
BEST: West Coast: Cox, Selwood, Kerr, Schofield, Wirrpanda, Embley, Staker, Priddis
Western Bulldogs: Higgins, Akermanis, Boyd, Griffen, Picken
INJURIES: West Coast: nil
Western Bulldogs: nil
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Demons get first win

April 19th 2009 07:34
MELBOURNE has recorded its first win of the season, downing Richmond by eight points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Demons broke the game open in the second term and survived a last-quarter fight-back from the Tigers to prevail 14. 16 (100) to 13.14 (92).

Some of the gloss was taken off the win for Melbourne with Brad Green going off late in the first quarter with a broken jaw.

The loss sees Richmond slump to an 0-4 win-loss record and heaps even more pressure on coach Terry Wallace who needs to get the club to the finals for the first time in his five-year reign if he is going to keep his job.

The Tigers - rated as a potential top eight side at the start of the season - continually butchered the football in a performance that was devoid of passion.

Aaron Davey continued his brilliant form with 25 disposals and one goal while Brock McLean and Cameron Bruce also won plenty of the football.

Brad Miller was influential with three first-half goals while Colin Sylvia and Michael Newton chimed in with two apiece.

For the Tigers, Joel Bowden racked up a game-high 44 possessions and pulled down 13 marks as a loose man in defence.

Matthew Richardson tried hard all afternoon but failed to make the most of his chances in front of goal, booting a wasteful 4.5 while Nathan Foley was a busy contributor in the middle with 32 touches.

Richmond kicked the first two goals of the match but the rest of the opening term belonged to the Demons.

They had eight scoring shots for the quarter but didn’t apply any scoreboard pressure - hitting the post four times as they took just a three-point lead into the first change.

Melbourne’s willingness to use the corridor paid handsome dividends in the second term as they slammed on eight goals to three to go into half-time with a commanding 31-point lead.

The margin blew out to more than six goals before the Tigers lifted their rating midway through the third quarter.

Richardson kicked two goals for the term but his efforts were matched by Newton as the Demons went into the final change with a 28-point advantage.

Richmond dominated the final term, booting four goals to one but it was too little too late.

RICHMOND: 2.3, 5.6, 9.7, 13.14 (92)
MELBOURNE: 2.6, 10.7, 13.11, 14.16 (100)
GOALS: Richmond: Richardson 4, Brown 2, Collins 2, Morton, Nahas, Moore, Deledio, McGuane
Melbourne: Miller 3, Sylvia 2, Newton 2, Petterd 2, Bate, Dunn, Green, Davey, Jetta
BEST: Richmond: Bowden, Richardson, Foley, Collins, Rance
Melbourne: Davey, Bruce, Miller, Warnock, McLean, Moloney, Sylvia, Morton, Bartram
INJURIES: Richmond: Nil
Melbourne: Green (suspected broken jaw)
UMPIRES: James, Wenn, Findlay
REPORTS: Melbourne: Warnock reported by umpire Findlay for striking Hislop before the first bounce
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 40,763 at MCG

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Melbourne Demons
   


Roos hold off Dons

April 19th 2009 06:25
NORTH MELBOURNE has snapped a two-game losing streak with a hard-fought 12-point win over Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Kangaroos led at every change and withstood a last-quarter surge from the Bombers to prevail 10.9 (69) 7.15 (57) in a scrappy contest.

North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey led from the front with a game-high 33 possessions and three goals while David Hale booted four majors.

Jack Ziebell impressed with 22 touches and one goal while Lachlan Hansen was busy in defence with 21 disposals and 11 marks.

For the Bombers, Brent Stanton and Jobe Watson won plenty of the football while skipper Matthew Lloyd kicked three goals.

Harvey kicked the first goal of the match at the nine-minute mark and the Roos managed two more for the term to take a 12-point lead into quarter-time.

When Hale took a strong mark and kicked truly the margin was out to 19 points early in the second quarter.

Both sides traded goals for the remainder of the term with a late major from Lloyd reducing the deficit to just 10 points at half-time.

The Dons could have been even closer at the main break but Watson missed two gettable opportunities.

Essendon closed to within a goal early in the second half after Lloyd made Scott McMahon pay for a turnover in defence.

Lloyd should have had another but an interchange blunder cost the Bombers a certain goal.

It proved to be a costly mistake with the Kangaroos slamming on the last three majors of the term to take a handy 20-point lead into the final change.

The Bombers came out firing in the final stanza and closed to with seven points after Lloyd was gifted another goal from a North Melbourne mistake in defence.

Daniel Pratt ran the ball over the goal line leaving the umpire no choice but to pay the new deliberate rushed behind rule.

Essendon had their chances to steal the four points but they failed to capitalise and were made to pay with Hamish McIntosh kicking the sealer at the 23-minute mark.

NORTH MELBOURNE: 3.3, 5.5, 9.7, 10.9 (69)
ESSENDON: 1.3, 3.7, 5.11, 7.15 (57)
GOALS: North Melbourne: Hale 4, Harvey 3, Petrie, McIntosh, Ziebell
Essendon: Lloyd 3, Lovett, McPhee, Stanton, Winderlich
BEST: North Melbourne: Harvey, Hale, Hansen, Ziebell, McIntosh, Power
Essendon: Lloyd, Stanton, Lovett, Watson, Winderlich, McPhee
INJURIES: North Melbourne: Nil
Essendon: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Dockers not in crisis: Pavlich

April 19th 2009 05:26
FREMANTLE skipper Matthew Pavlich has dismissed suggestions his club is in crisis.

The Dockers,who have lost their first four games of the season, have made their worst start to an AFL season since 2001 when they lost their first 17 games and eventually won the wooden spoon.

Speaking on Channel Seven's Game Day show, Pavlich denied the club is the laughing stock of the AFL.

"A laughing stock, I find that very hard to believe," he said.

"I think maybe back in 2000/2001 when I first arrived and we lost a huge amount of money off the field and we really struggling to get revenue and we weren't great on the field - maybe then there was an opportunity to label the club as not going so well."

Pavlich's comments come after the Dockers were held to their second lowest score - 4.4 (28) - in the 83-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Pavlich put his side's current woes down to a lack of experience and saiid it was up to Fremantle's middle tier players to lift the club.

"We have lost about 1500 games of experience (following the retirements of Peter Bell, Heath Black, Matthew Carr, Jeff Farmer, Mark Johnson and Shaun McManus and the move of Josh Carr back to Port Adelaide at the end of last season) and we drafted in 14 new players," he said.

"Right now we are in a phase that will take a bit of time and the club is committed to playing the younger players."

"The improvement has to come from guys like Byron Schammer, Ryan Crowley, Michael Johnson and Steven Dodd - guys that are between three and seven years into the system."

"There is no question there also has to be some good leadership and some good direction but that core group in the middle is where the improvement has to come from."

Pavlich also said coach Mark Harvey - who has coached Fremantle to just 10 wins in 33 matches since taking over the job from Chris Connollly in the second half of 2007 - was not in any danger of losing his job as he said everyone at the the club was responsible for the poor start to 2009.

"When you are zip and four we are all under pressure and he (Harvey) has to keep working hard as does the (player) leadership group and everyone else," Pavlich said.

"But we are committed to playing the younger guys and understand it (improvement) could take a little bit of time."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


We are not good enough, says Harvey

April 19th 2009 05:16
FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey has admitted his side is currently not good enough to compete with the rest of the competition.

Speaking after the Dockers' 83-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, Harvey said his team was well below par in all facets of the game.

"Clearly we're not good enough in all areas of the way we're playing at the moment so there's a lot of hard work to be done," he said.

"And the whole football club has to work diligently at closing the gap."

"What they did last week and this week shows how far away we are from being a good side."

"Is there an excuse? No there's not, but we're just not good enough."

The Dockers have now lost their first four games of the season but Harvey refused to talk about his coaching future.

"For me to talk about coaching at this particular point in time is not in the best interest of the club and also the playing list," Harvey said.

"All I'm trying to do is develop the team, that's all. So that's my answer to it but once again if you want to write about it that way, you do it."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Round four preview: West Coast v Western Bulldogs

April 18th 2009 16:59
VENUE and TIME: Subiaco Oval, Sunday 19 April, 4.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 37, West Coast 23, Western Bulldogs 13, Draws 1

LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 20.14 (134) def West Coast 11.8 (74), Round 6 2008 at Etihad Stadium

RECENT HISTORY: West Coast has won six of its past nine clashes against the Western Bulldogs with four of those wins coming at Subiaco Oval.

FORM: The Eagles bounced back from their nine-point loss to Brisbane in round one with a 50-point demolition of Port Adelaide at Subiaco Oval before being thumped to the tune of 97 points by a red-hot St Kilda side at Etihad Stadium last weekend. The Bulldogs remain undefeated after opening their season with a convincing 63-point win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval then recording a hard-fought victory over the Kangaroos in wet conditions at the MCG before overcoming a sluggish start to down Richmond by 47 points on Easter Monday.

MEDICAL ROOM: West Coast welcomes back veteran defender David Wirrpanda (back-related hamstring) for the clash against the Dogs. Youngsters Nick Naitanui and Tony Notte will be unavailable for at least two to three weeks with knee injuries. Midfielder Luke Shuey (groin) is sidelined indefinitely while rugged utility Beau Waters (shoulder) will miss the remainder of the season. The Bulldogs suffered a major blow ahead of this clash with Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney ruled out after undergoing minor knee surgery this week. The Dogs say Cooney is a chance to return for the round five match against Carlton. Robert Murphy made his return from a knee injury via the VFL yesterday while Chris Ogle (glandular fever) will miss at least another week.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Liam Picken vs. Daniel Kerr

In West Coast’s only match at Subiaco Oval so far this season Kerr starred, racking up 28 possessions and booting four goals in his side’s convincing win over the Power.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade will be keen to limit his effectiveness at the stoppages and shut-down his creative run.

Matthew Boyd has done the job on Kerr in the past but Eade will most likely give Picken the task of tagging the star West Coast midfielder.

Picken has restricted North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey and Richmond young gun Brett Deledio to 18 and 16 possessions respectively in the past fortnight and if he can do a similar job on Kerr on Sunday it will go a long way towards securing victory for the Dogs.

The 22-year-old does not give his opponents any time or space so Kerr will need his teammates to block for him at the stoppages if he is going to have any hope of having an influence.

Adam Selwood vs. Ryan Griffen

Griffen was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ first two wins of the season - he collected 23 possessions and booted three goals against the Dockers before helping himself to a game-high 28 disposals and one goal against the Kangaroos.

The dynamic Bulldogs midfielder was well below his best in the win over the Tigers and will be keen to bounce back on Sunday.

The wide open expanses will suit the hard-running Griffen and with Cooney out of the side you would expect the 22-year-old to come in for some close attention.

Selwood is arguably West Coast’s best stopper in the midfield and looms as the obvious candidate to run with Griffen in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.

While it is vital that Selwood pays close attention to Griffen, he also needs to win his own football at the stoppages and force the 78-gamer to be accountable.

Tyson Stenglein vs. Daniel Cross

Cross was among his side’s best in the win over the Tigers with 27 possessions - 18 of which were by hand.

Like former Bulldogs star Scott West, Cross is damaging with his ability to win the football at close quarters and use it cleanly by hand to find his teammates in space.

If the Eagles are going to be any hope of shutting down the Bulldogs’ running game they will need to limit Cross’ effectiveness at the stoppages.

With Selwood likely to run with Griffen you would expect Stenglein to be given the task of negating Cross who collected the three Brownlow medal votes the last time these two sides met in round six last year.

Stenglein has struggled somewhat so far this season and will need to lift and apply immense pressure and not give Cross any time or space at the stoppages otherwise the Bulldogs midfielder will set up his side’s impressive band of runners who will tear the Eagles to shreds.

Brian Lake vs. Quinten Lynch

West Coast’s forward line failed to fire in the loss to the Saints with the Eagles managing just nine goals for the match.

Mark LeCras has been a shining light up forward for West Coast so far this season, booting 12 goals but he has received little support with the next best forwards in Lynch and Ashley Hansen kicking just five and four respectively.

The Eagles will need the likes of Lynch to step up and provide a marking target inside 50 and have an impact on the scoreboard as LeCras can’t be expected to do it all on his own in the forward line.

Lynch has averaged 20 possessions, 10 marks and three goals in his past three matches against the Bulldogs.

The Eagles will need a similar performance from him on Sunday if they are going to record an upset win but his task won’t be an easy one as he will most likely be matched up by Lake who is the leader of a Bulldogs backline that is the second best in the competition so far this season.

West Coast was able to kick a winning score against Port Adelaide because of their willingness to move the football quickly through the middle of the ground - they will need to do the same on Sunday if Lynch and co. are going to be any chance of having an impact.

It is also vital for West Coast that they use the football cleanly going forward and not just bomb it inside 50 otherwise they will be punished on the rebound by arguably the most skilled side in the AFL.

VERDICT: Expect a vastly better performance from West Coast on Sunday after coach John Worsfold laid down the law following the humiliating loss to St Kilda, saying career’s were on the line if he didn’t see a more committed effort from his players. The Eagles go into the match with an eight-day recovery period in comparison to the Bulldogs' six and with hot weather expected in Perth fatigue could become an issue for the Dogs. But the men from Whitten Oval have enough runners to last the four quarters and they should prevail with their superior skills and multiple options in attack set to be the difference. Bulldogs by 19 points.

WEST COAST v WESTERN BULLDOGS
WEST COAST
B: Adam Hunter, Darren Glass, Mark Nicoski
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Brett Jones
C: Adam Selwood, Matt Priddis, Matt Rosa
HF: Andrew Embley, Ashley Hansen, Brent Staker
F: Mark LeCras, Quinten Lynch, David Wirrpanda
Foll: Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Tyson Stenglein
I/C: Mitch Brown, Chad Fletcher, Chris Masten, Will Schofield
Emg: Ryan Davis, Brad Ebert, Ben McKinley

In: Staker, Wirrpanda, Schofield
Out: Ryan Davis, Brad Ebert, Ben McKinley

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dylan Addison, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Ryan Hargrave
C: Liam Picken, Matthew Boyd, Nathan Eagleton
HF: Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Josh Hill, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Daniel Cross, Ryan Griffen
I/C (from): Daniel Giansiracusa, Jarrod Harbrow, Stephen Tiller, Callan Ward
Emg: Jarrad Grant, Adrejs Everitt, Sam Reid

In: Harbrow
Out: Adam Cooney (knee)



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Round four preview: Richmond v Melbourne

April 18th 2009 16:53
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Sunday 19 April, 2.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 175: Richmond 98, Melbourne 75, Drawn 2

LAST TIME: Richmond 18.13 (121) d Melbourne 6.5 (41), Round 22, 2008 at MCG

RECENT HISTORY: Richmond has won three of its past four against Melbourne with two of those wins coming at the MCG.

FORM: Melbourne and Richmond are yet to win a game this season. The Demons have been competitive early in the losses to the Kangaroos, Collingwood and Port Adelaide before fading badly. The Tigers were thumped to the tune of 83 points by Carlton in round one but then showed plenty of spirit in their gallant 20-point loss to last year’s grand finalists Geelong before suffering a disappointing 47-point to the Western Bulldogs on Easter Monday after a bright start.

MEDICAL ROOM: Injury plagued Richmond midfielder Mark Coughlan has been impressive form in the VFL but will have to wait at least another week to make his long-awaited return from a knee injury while Andrew Raines (knee), Ben Cousins (hamstring), former skipper Kane Johnson (patella) and young gun Trent Cotchin (Achilles) are unavailable. For Melbourne, skipper James McDonald (hamstring), fellow midfielder Simon Buckley (groin), defender Daniel Bell (broken hand) and lively small forward Austin Wonaeamirri (hamstring) will remain on the sidelines for at least another week. Ruckman Mark Jamar (foot stress fracture) and defenders Paul Wheatley (quad) and Colin Garland (foot) are sidelined indefinitely.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Clint Bartram vs. Brett Deledio

Deledio failed to fire in the loss to the Bulldogs and will be keen to bounce back with a strong performance against Melbourne.

Last year’s best-and-fairest winner is damaging with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.


The last time these two sides met in round 22 last year Deledio starred with 25 possessions, 10 marks, four inside 50’s and four goals.

The Demons will need to limit his influence on the contest if they are going to open their account in 2009.

Bartram has been given the job on Deledio in the past and you wouldn’t expect it to be any different on Sunday.

Deledio showed against the Dogs that he still struggles to break a tight tag, so expect Bartram to apply immense pressure for the full four quarters and not give the 21-year-old any time or space.

Luke McGuane vs. Matthew Bate

Bate has provided a consistent target up forward for the Demons so far this season, the 51-gamer averaging 16.3 disposals, 5.3 marks per game.

But like his fellow forwards Bate has had little impact in front of goal, booting just four goals in three games in 2009.

If the Demons are going to be any chance of causing an upset they will need someone like Bate to step up and kick four to five goals.

Expect McGuane, who did a good job Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson, to be given the task of matching up on Bate.

The likes of Bate and Brad Miller are leading forwards - they can't be relied on to consistently take pack marks - so the Demons will need to move the football quickly and cleanly through the middle of the ground otherwise they won't have an impact.

Daniel Jackson vs. Aaron Davey

Davey has been Melbourne’s best player in their past two matches against Collingwood and Port Adelaide, averaging 31 possessions per game.

The 24-year-old consistently used the football cleanly in both games

Jackson restricted dynamic Western Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen to just five possessions in the first half on Easter Monday and will most likely be given the task of tagging Davey.

If Jackson is able to contain Davey Melbourne’s forwards will struggle to receive enough quality supply to kick a winning score.

Matthew Warnock vs. Matthew Richardson

Richardson battled hard all day against the Dogs, finishing the match with 22 possessions, 12 marks and one goal.

But the Tigers veteran failed to have his usual impact due to the poor use of the football by his teammates.

When these two sides met in the final round of the home-and-away season last year Warnock did a superb blanketing job on Richardson, keeping the 34-year-old goalless and restricting him to just 12 possessions.

If Richardson starts up forward on Sunday Warnock will most likely get the job again while Cameron Bruce looms as the obvious candidate to run with the Richmond big man in the midfield as he has the tank to match Richardson and can also hurt him going the other way.

If the Tigers are smart with their use of the football going forward you would expect Richardson, Nathan Brown, Mitch Morton and co. to be too good for an inexperienced Melbourne defence.

VERDICT: This is a must-win match for Richmond and in particular coach Terry Wallace who needs to lead the Tigers to the finals for the first time in his five-year reign if he is going to keep his job. Melbourne has been a lot more competitive in 2009 but their inability to play four quarters of football will prove to be costly. The Tigers simply have too much class in the forward line for Melbourne to contain and will take the pressure off Wallace for at least one week. Tigers by 24 points.

RICHMOND v MELBOURNE
RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Alex Rance
HB: Tom Hislop, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo
C: Matt White, Shane Tuck, Andrew Collins
HF: Nathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Joel Bowden
F: Mitch Morton, Jack Riewoldt, Brett Deledio
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Daniel Jackson, Nathan Foley
I/C: Daniel Connors, Jordan McMahon, Robin Nahas, Angus Graham
Emg: Jake King, Shane Edwards, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls

In: Collins, Connors, McMahon, Nahas
Out: Jay Schulz, Richard Tambling, Shane Edwards, Jake King

New: Andrew Collins (Bendigo Pioneers)

MELBOURNE
B: Neville Jetta, Matthew Warnock, Jared Rivers
HB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Aaron Davey
C: Jamie Bennell, Lynden Dunn, Brock McLean
HF: Matthew Bate, Brent Moloney, Michael Newton
F: Brad Miller, Colin Sylvia, Cale Morton
Foll: John Meesen, Cameron Bruce, Brad Green
I/C: Paul Johnson, Nathan Jones, Clint Bartram, Ricky Petterd
Emg: Jake Spencer, Addam Maric, Kyle Cheney

In: Newton
Out: Kyle Cheney

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Round four preview: North Melbourne v Essendon

April 18th 2009 15:27
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 19 April, 1.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 143, North Melbourne 49, Essendon 93, Draws 1

LAST TIME: Essendon 19.8 (122) def North Melbourne 9.13 (67), Round 1 2008 at Etihad Stadium

RECENT HISTORY: North Melbourne has won six of its past seven against Essendon with all but one of those wins coming at Etihad Stadium.

FORM: North won its first game of the season against last year’s wooden spooners Melbourne but has since suffered losses to the Western Bulldogs and reigning premiers Hawthorn. Essendon has bounced back from a 41-point loss to Port Adelaide in round one with victories over Fremantle and Carlton.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Kangaroos are without Jesse Smith (hamstring) and Liam Anthony (foot) while midfielder Daniel Wells was ruled out indefinitely earlier in the week with a hip injury. The Bombers will be without Heath Hocking (toe) but they welcome back midfielder Mark McVeigh who will play his first game of the season after injuring his ankle in the NAB Cup. Scott Gumbleton (back) and Jason Laycock (foot) are sidelined indefinitely while young defender Michael Hurley (quad) and Kyle Reimers (tendonitis) are at least a fortnight away.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Josh Gibson vs. Matthew Lloyd

Lloyd turned back the clock against Carlton last weekend, pulling down 10 marks - six of which were contested - and booting five goals to inspire his side to a thrilling four-point win over the Blues.

The last time these two sides met in round one last year Lloyd starred, booting six goals as the Bombers cruised to a convincing 55-point win.

If the Kangaroos are going to be any hope of recording a much-needed win they will need to curtail Lloyd’s influence on the contest.

Gibson was far from disgraced in his duel with Hawthorn star Lance Franklin last weekend and could well be given first crack at the Essendon skipper.

The Kangaroos will need to shut-down Essendon’s band of runners and deny them the use of the corridor if they are going to contain Lloyd and co.

Mark McVeigh vs. Brent Harvey

Harvey racked up 23 possessions in the loss to the Hawks but he wasn’t at his damaging best with the Kangaroos skipper managing just one scoring assist, no bounces and just four contested possessions.

The 30-year-old was influential in his side’s last win over the Bombers in round 7, 2007, with 30 possessions, one goal, four inside 50’s and three goal assists.

In last weekend’s loss to the reigning premiers the Kangaroos managed just five bounces for the game while the Hawks finished the match with 20.

The Roos will need the likes of Harvey to take the game on and break the lines if they are going to be any chance of securing the four premiership points.

Henry Slattery is an option for Essendon coach Matthew Knights to tag Harvey but he will most likely get a job on one of the Kangaroos' dangerous small forwards.

With this in mind, McVeigh looms as the obvious candidate to run with Harvey.

McVeigh averaged 22 disposals per game and booted 14 goals in 2008 and has the ability to hurt Harvey the other way.

Brady Rawlings vs. Jobe Watson

Watson overcame a sluggish start to be one of his side’s best in the win over the Blues with 20 disposals and five inside 50s.

In the round one clash between these two sides last year Watson was influential with 30 touches, seven marks, five tackles, one goal and three goal assists.

Watson is an integral part of Essendon’s midfield with his ability to win the football at stoppages and use it cleanly by hand to find the likes of Jason Winderlich, Andrew Lovett and co. in space.

Limiting Watson’s effectiveness in close will be a key for the Kangaroos if they are going to shut-down Essendon’s running game.

Expect Rawlings, who is effective in close and was among his side’s best in the loss to the Hawks with a team-high 35 possessions, to go head-to-head with Watson in the middle in what will be a pivotal duel.

Darcy Daniher vs. David Hale

The Roos entered inside their forward 50 just three fewer times than Hawthorn last weekend but they had nine fewer scoring shots.

Their lack of a key marking target inside 50 proved to be costly - they will need someone like Hale to step up on Sunday if they are going to end a two-match losing streak.

Knights left Daniher on Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola all night last weekend and will most likely give him the task of matching up on Hale.

Hale showed in the latter stages of last season they he is capable of being a dangerous forward - he booted 21 of his 37 goals for the year in the last six games of 2008.

If the Roos can get the ball quickly inside 50 and not go wide then Hale is a chance to have a major impact.

VERDICT: North Melbourne has lost its past two matches but the Kangaroos are always at their best when their backs are against them wall so it would be a brave man to write them off in this clash. But on a fast track at Etihad Stadium Essendon‘s pace through the middle should prove to be the difference. Bombers by 27 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v ESSENDON
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Daniel Pratt
HB: Gavin Urquhart, Lachlan Hansen, Josh Gibson
C: Brady Rawlings, Michael Firrito, Leigh Harding
HF: Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Ben Warren
F: Matt Campbell, David Hale, Lindsay Thomas
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Adam Simpson, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Ed Lower, Josh Smith, Sam Power, Andrew Swallow
Emg: Levi Greenwood, Daniel Harris, Todd Goldstein

In: Warren, Lower
Out: Daniel Wells (hip), Corey Jones

New: Ben Warren (Zillmere Eagles)

ESSENDON
B: Dustin Fletcher, Darcy Daniher, Henry Slattery
HB: Tayte Pears, Adam McPhee, Courtenay Dempsey
C: Angus Monfries, Brent Stanton, Ricky Dyson
HF: Jason Winderlich, Scott Lucas, David Zaharakis
F: Patrick Ryder, Matthew Lloyd, Alwyn Davey
Foll: David Hille, Jobe Watson, Andrew Lovett
I/C: Hayden Skipworth, Mark McVeigh, Michael Quinn, Jay Nash
Emg: Leroy Jetta, Sam Lonergan, Nathan Lovett-Murray

In: McVeigh, McPhee, Quinn
Out: David Myers, Heath Hocking (toe), Leroy Jetta

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Ablett inspired Cats crush Crows

April 18th 2009 13:31
GARY Ablett has inspired Geelong to a 48-point win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

Ablett helped himself to a staggering 46 possessions and three goals as the Cats prevailed 21.8 (128) to 13.8 (86).

The 24-year-old star received plenty of support with Joel Corey, James Bartel, Cameron Ling and young gun Joel Selwood racking up 30-plus disposals while Steve Johnson was damaging with 21 quality possessions and three goals.

The Cats shared the load in front of goal - they had 12 individual goal kickers for the match.

For Adelaide, Tyson Edwards, Simon Goodwin and Scott Thompson won plenty of the football while Jason Porplyzia booted three goals.

Geelong stamped their authority on the contest early, moving the football quickly through the corridor as they slammed on the first three goals of the match in an eight-minute burst.

Ablett was simply unstoppable, setting up Johnson for the first goal of the night before kicking two gems of his own.

Adelaide slowly worked their way back into the contest and hit back with three of the next five majors to trail by just 11 points at quarter-time.

The Cats broke the game open in the second term with their exquisite skills on full display as they piled on five unanswered goals in the opening 10 minutes to blow the margin out to 42 points.

The contest appeared to be over but the Crows lifted their rating and reduced the deficit to just 18 points at half-time thanks to goals from Kurt Tippett, Taylor Walker, David Mackay and Porplyzia.

Geelong jumped out of the blocks again in the second half with majors from Mathew Stokes, Travis Varcoe and Johnson.

Adelaide refused to be blown away and when Jared Petrenko kicked truly the Crows were within two straight kicks and in with a real chance of causing a major upset.

But their momentum was halted by Cameron Mooney who made Brent Reilly pay for a turnover in defence by slotting one home to give the Cats a 17-point advantage heading into the final change.

The final term was an anti-climax with Geelong slamming on the first six goals to put the result beyond doubt.

ADELAIDE: 3.2, 7.2, 11.6, 13.8 (86)
GEELONG: 5.1,10.2,14.5, 21.8 (134)
GOALS: ADELAIDE: Porplyzia 3, Mackay 2, Dangerfield 2, Walker 2, Thompson, Tippett, Petrenko, Edwards
GEELONG: Ablett 3, S.Johnson 3, Varcoe 3, Mooney 2, Stokes 2, Rooke 2, Mackie, Blake, Byrnes, Selwood, Chapman, Mumford
BEST: ADELAIDE: Thompson, Edwards, Goodwin, Johncock, Reilly, van Berlo, Vince
GEELONG: Ablett, Corey, Selwood, Ling, Bartel, Enright, Stokes, S.Johnson
INJURIES: ADELAIDE: tbc
GEELONG: Mackie (back), Selwood (cut eye)
REPORTS: -
CHANGES: Darren Milburn replaced in Geelong’s selected side by Tom Lonergan.
UMPIRES: Ryan, Schmitt, Meredith
CROWD: 40,418 at the AAMI STADIUM
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Saints smash dismal Dockers

April 18th 2009 12:46
ST KILDA has maintained its unbeaten start to the season with an 83-point demolition of a hapless Fremantle side at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The Saints were never challenged in a terribly one-sided contest, eventually prevailing 17.9 (111) to 4.4 (28).

St Kilda’s percentage will see it remain at the top of the AFL ladder at the end of the round while the Dockers have slumped to an 0-4 win-loss record.

Dockers coach Mark Harvey will face a long week of scrutiny after another abysmal performance by his side - Fremantle has lost its four matches by an average of 52 points.

Fremantle failed to kick a goal in the first and third quarters but was saved the embarrasment of becoming the first side since Fitzroy in 1998 to be held goalless for three quarters by Paul Hasleby.

Some of the gloss was taken off the win for the Saints with in-form big man Justin Koschitzke suffering a hamstring strain in the first term.

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt played his best game of the season, helping himself to 17 possessions, nine marks and five goals.

Nick Dal Santo continued his brilliant start to 2009 with 31 quality disposals and two goals. He received good support from Leigh Montagna, Brendon Goddard and Luke Ball who won plenty of the football while Clinton Jones was a busy contributor with 21 touches and three goals.

St Kilda completely dominated the opening term, winning the contested football and moving it quickly through the middle of the ground.

While the Saints were switched on the Dockers looked disinterested and continually butchered the football.

Fremantle was made to pay for their poor use of the football with St Kilda piling on five unanswered goals to go into quarter-time with a commanding 32-point lead.

The Dockers were more competitive in the second quarter but failed to make any inroads on the scoreboard with the Saints taking a 33-point advantage into half-time.

Any hopes of a second half fight-back was quashed by the Saints who slammed on five unanswered goals to blow the margin out to 65 points at three-quarter-time.

The lack of pressure applied by the Dockers was summed up in the third quarter with ruckman Michael Gardiner finding the time to drop-kick a goal from the goal-square.

The Saints have their biggest test of the year when they face Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night while the Dockers will be seeking their first win of the season when they clash with Sydney at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

ST KILDA: 5.3, 8.5, 13.8, 17.9 (111)
FREMANTLE: 0.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.4 (28)
GOALS: St Kilda: Riewoldt 5, Jones 3, Dal Santo 2, M. Gardiner, Geary, Goddard, Gwilt, McQualter, Milne, Montagna
Fremantle: Hasleby, M. Johnson, Pavlich, Solomon
BEST: St Kilda: Montagna, Riewoldt, Gilbert, Jones, Dal Santo, goddard
Fremantle: Schammer, Johnson, Grover
INJURIES: St Kilda: Koschitzke (hamstring)Fremantle: TBC
REPORTS: TBC
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Hay, Ryan, Avon
22
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Port stun Hawks

April 18th 2009 08:20
PORT ADELAIDE has shown it’s the real deal in 2009 with a 30-point win over reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Former Power skipper Warren Tredrea starred, booting six goals to help lift his side to a 17.13 (115) to 12.13 (85) victory.

Scores were level at three quarter-time before the Power completely dominated the final term, slamming on seven goals to three to secure the four premiership points.

The absence of skipper Domenic Cassisi and veteran Peter Burgoyne due to suspension and the loss of star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne who was a late withdrawal made Port’s win even more impressive.

The loss was made worse for Hawthorn with Brent Guerra suffering a hamstring injury in the second term.

Port has now won three of its first four matches while the Hawks have slumped to a 1-3 win-loss record after the first month of the home-and-away season.

Kane Cornes did a superb blanketing job on Sam Mitchell, restricting the Hawthorn skipper to just 16 possessions while Chad Cornes, Travis Boak and Danyle Pearce were influential, racking up 30-plus disposals.

Hamish Hartlett was impressive on debut with 23 touches and 11 marks. Tom Logan kept Hawthorn playmaker Luke Hodge to just 17 touches and took a contender for mark-of-the-year in the third quarter while Troy Chaplin kept Jarryd Roughead goalless.

For the Hawks, Chance Bateman, Garry Moss and Brad Sewell won plenty of the football while Cyril Rioli and Lance Franklin booted three goals apiece.

Port’s willingness to run hard and move the football quickly through the middle of the ground paid dividends as they took a 13-point lead into quarter-time.

Hawthorn hit the front for the first time in the match midway through the second term thanks to goals from Franklin and Stuart Dew but the Power responded with majors from Tredrea and Robbie Gray to take a four-point advantage into the main break.

Tredrea was influential in the third term, booting three of his side’s four goals for the quarter.

But Rioli all but cancelled out Tredrea’s effort with two majors of his own before a goal from Moss levelled scores heading into the final change.

The Power got off to the perfect start in the final stanza with Gray and Dean Brogan kicking goals inside the first four minutes.

Port didn't look back from that moment with Tredrea's 500th career goal sealing a valuable win.

HAWTHORN: 2.2, 5.6, 9.12, 12.13 (85)
PORT ADELAIDE: 4.3, 6.4, 10.6, 17.13 (115)
GOALS: Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Rioli 3, Campbell, Dew, Sewell, Moss, Mitchell, Hodge
Port Adelaide: Tredrea 6, Gray 2, Lade 2, Ebert 2, Logan 2, Rodan, Pearce, Brogan
BEST: Hawthorn: Rioli, Sewell, Bateman, Williams, Franklin, Moss
Port Adelaide: Tredrea, Salopek, C.Cornes, K.Cornes, Gray, Boak, Pearce
INJURIES: Hawthorn: Guerra (hamstring)
Port Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Shaun Burgoyne (knee) replaced in the Port Adelaide line-up by David Rodan; Travis Tuck (shoulder) replaced in Hawthorn line-up by Beau Dowler
UMPIRES: Vozzo, M.Nicholls, Armstrong
CROWD: 33,274 at the MCG

17
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Swans down Blues

April 18th 2009 07:27
SYDNEY has maintained its dominance over Carlton with a 17-point win over Carlton at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Swans’ 12.12 (84) to 9.13 (67) triumph is their 12th straight win over the Blues.

Carlton has now lost its past two matches after starting the season with wins over Richmond and Brisbane.

Rhyce Shaw led a brilliant Sydney defence with 29 possessions while Craig Bolton restricted Blues spearhead Brendon Fevola to just 1.4.

Darren Jolly was influential in the ruck with 29 hit-outs while Jarrad McVeigh (17 possessions, three goals) had the better of his duel with Carlton skipper Chris Judd.

For the Blues, Judd (30 possessions, one goal) tried hard all day but wasn’t his usual damaging self after a superb start while Jarrad Waite racked up a career-best 31 touches and pulled down 13 marks.

Carlton dominated general play in the opening term with Judd particularly influential with 12 disposals.

However, the Blues failed to translate their dominance onto the scoreboard and were made to pay for their inaccuracy in front of goal with late majors from Martin Mattner and Ed Barlow reducing the deficit to just five points at quarter-time.

Sydney hit the front for the first time in the match at the 10-minute mark of the second term when Kristen Thornton slotted one home with his first kick in AFL football before two late goals in as many minutes from McVeigh gave the Swans a handy 14-point advantage at half-time.

The contest appeared to be well and truly over when the margin blew out to 31 points thanks to goals from Jesse White, McVeigh and Craig Bird.

But Carlton refused to give in and hit back with late goals from Eddie Betts and Cameron Cloke to give themselves a sniff heading into the final change with the Swans holding a 19-point lead.

The final term was a dour struggle with just three behinds scored in the first 15 minutes.

A major from Betts reduced the deficit to 16 points with just over eight minutes left on the clock but the Swans quickly put the result beyond doubt with goals from Jude Bolton and Luke Ablett.

SYDNEY: 3.0, 7.2, 10.7, 12.12 (84)
CARLTON: 3.5, 3.12, 6.12, 9.13 (67)
GOALS: Sydney:McVeigh 3, Jolly, Mattner, Barlow, Moore, Thornton, White, Bird, Jude Bolton, Ablett,
Carlton:Betts 3, Fevola, Houlihan, Judd, Murphy, Cloke, Simpson,
BEST: Sydney:McVeigh, Jude Bolton, Jolly, Shaw, Mattner,
Carlton: Betts, Judd, Gibbs, Waite
INJURIES: Sydney:
Carlton:
REPORTS:
CHANGES: Sydney forward Barry Hall succumbed to the groin strain that has plagued him in the opening rounds and was replaced in the starting line-up by Luke Ablett.
UMPIRES: McBurney, Margetts, Stevic,
CROWD: 30.834 at the SCG

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


Round four preview: St Kilda v Fremantle

April 17th 2009 17:33
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Saturday 18 April, 7.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 21, St Kilda 10, Fremantle 11

LAST TIME: St Kilda 17.10 (112) def Fremantle 9.15 (69), Round 20 2008 at Subiaco Oval

RECENT HISTORY: St Kilda has won its past three against Fremantle with two of those wins coming at Etihad Stadium.

FORM: St Kilda finds itself at the top of the AFL ladder after winning their first three games of the season. The Saints recorded solid wins over Sydney and Adelaide before thumping a hapless West Coast side to the tune of 97 points last Saturday. Fremantle is one of three side’s to start 2009 with an 0-3 win-loss record. The Dockers were completely outclassed by a Western Bulldogs side that cruised to a convincing 63-point victory in round one before being more competitive in losses to Essendon and Adelaide.

MEDICAL ROOM: St Kilda will be without Raphael Clarke (hamstring) and veteran defender Max Hudghton (calf) for another week while Sean Dempster (knee) is also unavailable. Matt Maguire, Josh Eddy and Xavier Clarke are all available but need to earn a place in the side with good performances in the VFL. Fremantle welcomes back hard-running defender Roger Hayden from a hamstring injury and Paul Duffield, who will replace Greg Broughton (ankle). Des Headland (calf) and Chris Mayne (ankle) will miss another three weeks. Brock O’Brien (quad), Hayden Ballantyne (wrist) and midfielder Andrew Browne are at least a month away from playing.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Ryan Crowley vs. Nick Dal Santo

Dal Santo continued his stellar start to the season against the Eagles, racking up 31 possessions and delivering the football inside 50 eight times.

If the Dockers are going to be any hope of containing a St Kilda side that kicked 25 goals last weekend they will need to keep Dal Santo quiet.

The 25-year-old is damaging with his ability to use the football cleanly and if he isn’t watched closely he will continually set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Crowley is Fremantle’s number one tagger and will most likely be given the task of running with Dal Santo.

The Dockers midfielder played his best game of the season against the Crows, collecting 17 disposals and booting two goals.

He will need to pay close attention to Dal Santo but also win his own football and kick goals in order to make the classy Saints midfielder accountable.

Zac Dawson vs. Matthew Pavlich

Pavlich performed solidly in the loss to Adelaide, collecting 15 possessions and booting three goals but he is yet to find the form that has seen him earn All-Australian honours six times.

The 27-year-old likes playing against the Saints and was their best the last time these two sides met at Etihad Stadium in round 13 last year with 16 disposals, seven marks and five goals.

The Dockers will need a similar performance from Pavlich on Saturday night if they are going to be any hope of recording their first win of the season.

Former Hawthorn defender Dawson has impressed since joining the Saints via last year's rookie draft and will most likely be given first crack at Pavlich with Sam Fisher another option for St Kilda coach Ross Lyon if the Dockers opt to start their star forward further up the ground.

Fremantle has continually butchered the football in the first three rounds of the season.

They will need to improve their use of the football dramatically to give the likes of Pavlich the best chance of having an impact otherwise they will be punished on the rebound by a St Kilda side that is ranked sixth in the AFL for rebound 50’s per game.

Luke McPharlin vs. Nick Riewoldt

Like Pavlich, Riewoldt hasn’t hit top form this season but he will head into this match with some confidence given how he performed against the Dockers last year.

In the two clashes between these two sides in 2008 Riewoldt averaged 23.5 possessions, 14.5 marks and booted eight goals.

McPharlin has the height and athletic capabilities to match the hard-leading Riewoldt and will most likely be given the tasking of matching up on the St Kilda skipper.

The Dockers have the worst defence in the competition - conceding 370 points in the first three rounds of the home-and-away season.

If McPharlin and his fellow defenders are going to be any hope of containing a talented St Kilda attack led by Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne and Brendon Goddard they will need support from their midfield.

The Fremantle midfielders will need to apply the same sort of relentless pressure that St Kilda has in the opening three rounds otherwise the Saints forwards will receive silver service.

Steven King/Michael Gardiner vs. Aaron Sandilands

King and Gardiner have been instrumental in St Kilda’s success so far this season and the pair face another big challenge on Saturday night when they go head-to-head with Sandilands who is ranked second in the AFL for hit-outs per game with an average of 28.7.

St Kilda doesn’t need King and Gardiner to win the hit-outs but as long as they provide a contest you would expect the Saints to win the majority of the football at the stoppages given that Fremantle is ranked 10th in the competition for clearances per game.

If the Dockers don’t lift their work rate at the stoppages it will be one-way traffic all night.

VERDICT: The last time these two sides met at Etihad Stadium St Kilda prevailed by just eight points in a low-scoring contest. It won’t be a close affair again on Saturday night with Fremantle expected to wilt under the pressure applied by the Saints. Ross Lyon’s men simply have too much grunt and class in the middle for a Dockers midfield that is currently in the process of rebuilding and too many options in attack for Mark Harvey's charges to contain. Expect this to be yet another percentage-boosting win for a Saints side on the rise. Saints by 61 points.

ST KILDA v FREMANTLE
ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Steven Baker, Andrew McQualter, James Gwilt, Steven King
Emg: Colm Begley, Ben McEvoy, Robert Eddy

No change

FREMANTLE
B: Roger Hayden, Michael Johnson, Chris Tarrant
HB: Josh Head, Antoni Grover, Steven Dodd
C: Rhys Palmer, Paul Hasleby, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Daniel Gilmore, Luke McPharlin, Byron Schammer
F: Brett Peake, Matthew Pavlich, Kepler Bradley
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
Int: Dean Solomon, Stephen Hill, Nic Suban, Paul Duffield,
Emg: Matt de Boer, Clayton Hinkley, Ryan Murphy

In: Hayden, Duffield
Out: Greg Broughton (ankle), Clayton Hinkley (omit)
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Round four preview: Adelaide v Geelong

April 17th 2009 17:31
VENUE and TIME: AAMI Stadium, Saturday 18 April, 7.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 27, Adelaide 14, Geelong 13

LAST TIME: Geelong 18.16 (124) def Adelaide 8.8 (56), Round 14, 2008 at AAMI Stadium.

RECENT HISTORY: Geelong has won its past three clashes against Adelaide with two of those wins coming at AAMI Stadium.

FORM: Adelaide opened their season with a shock four-point win over Collingwood but were then brought back to earth by St Kilda at AAMI Stadium before recording a valuable 24-point win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval last Sunday. Geelong is just one of three unbeaten teams after recording wins over Hawthorn, Richmond and Collingwood. The Magpies challenged last year’s grand finalists early before the Cats broke the game open in a stunning second term in which they piled on eight unanswered goals.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Crows welcome back key defender Nathan Bock who had his club-imposed suspension lifted but they will be without Scott Stevens who suffered concussion after a collision with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin. Nick Gill will miss at least two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over the Dockers while Trent Hentschel (knee) is about three weeks away from being considered for selection. Midfielder Chris Knights (fractured eye socket) will also miss at least three weeks. For Geelong, skipper Tom Harley and ruckman Brad Ottens will miss one to three weeks with knee injuries while youngster Mitch Brown (broken leg) and defenders Matthew Egan (foot) and Josh Hunt (knee) are out for the season.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Robert Shirley vs. Gary Ablett

Ablett continued his stellar start to the season, racking up a game-high 37 possessions and booting one goal in the 27-point win over the Magpies.

The classy Geelong midfielder has been instrumental in the Cats’ three wins this season and looms as the main man Adelaide must contain if they are going to record an upset win.

If the Crows are going to be any chance of containing Geelong’s multi-pronged attack which is the fourth most potent in the competition they must shut-down Ablett’s creative run.

Shirley has clearly been brought into the side to tag Ablett and will need to watch him closely as the 24-year-old is capable of turning a game on its head in a short space of time - highlighted by his three goals in a stunning three-minute burst against the Crows during the NAB Cup.

Paul Chapman vs. Andrew McLeod

In Adelaide’s last win over Geelong in round 13, 2006, McLeod starred with 27 possessions, 11 marks and one goal.

McLeod is damaging with his ability to set up his side’s attacking forays forward with his creative run and clean use of the football.

Geelong will want to limit his influence on the contest and will most likely put Chapman on him, who collected 35 possessions and booted four goals in the win over the Pies, while rugged utility Max Rooke is another option for coach Mark Thompson.

The Cats will need to look for Chapman at every available opportunity when going forward as it will force McLeod to be accountable and thus negate his influence as an attacking defencer.

Andrew Mackie vs. Jason Porplyzia

Porplyzia was influential in the win over Fremantle, booting four goals - two of which came in the final term when Fremantle threatened to run over the top of the Crows.

The 25-year-old will need to fire again on Saturday night if Adelaide is going to come away with the four premiership points.

Mackie has struggled so far this season but he is a mobile defender that is good overhead - the perfect match-up for Porplyzia.

If Porplyzia is going to be any chance of having an impact he will need his teammates to deliver the football cleanly inside 50 otherwise the Crows will be punished on the rebound by Matthew Scarlett, Mackie and co.

Cameron Ling vs. Scott Thompson

Thompson was among his side’s best in the win over the Dockers with 22 possessions and four inside 50s.

The former Demon was second at the Crows for inside 50’s last season - shutting down the drive he provides through the middle will be a key for the Cats.

Expect Ling, who is widely regarded as the best tagger in the competition, to be given the task of tagging Thompson.

Don’t be surprised if Ling, who is good overhead and a reliable kick in front of goal, pushes forward and tries to drag Thompson out of the middle where he is at his most damaging.

VERDICT: Geelong will play outside Victoria for the first time this season but travelling will be no problem for Mark Thompson’s men who have won 42 of their past 46 home-and-away matches. Adelaide is a disciplined, well-drilled side and they will undoubtedly give a good account of themselves on Saturday night. The Crows’ younger brigade was instrumental in the win the over the Dockers but they will struggle to match the bigger bodied Cats who should make it four wins from as many matches with their class and depth through midfield set to be the difference. Cats by 32 points.

ADELAIDE v GEELONG
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Jared Petrenko, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Michael Doughty, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Brent Reilly, Taylor Walker, Nathan van Berlo
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Bernie Vince
Foll: Ivan Maric, Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Robert Shirley, Brad Symes, Richard Douglas, Patrick Dangerfield
Emg: Brad Moran, Jonathon Griffin, Jarrhan Jacky

In: Bock, Shirley
Out: Nick Gill (hamstring), Scott Stevens (concussion)

GEELONG
B: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Shane Mumford, Travis Varcoe, David Wojcinski, Shannon Byrnes
Emg: Tom Lonergan, Ryan Gamble, David Johnson

In: Mumford
Out: Trent West
15
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Round four preview: Sydney v Carlton

April 17th 2009 17:30
VENUE and TIME: Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday 18 April, 2.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 211, Sydney 81, Carlton 124, Drawn 6

LAST TIME: Sydney 18.13 (121) def Carlton 18.11 (119), Round 16 2008 at Etihad Stadium

RECENT HISTORY: Sydney has won its past 11 matches against Carlton.

FORM: Sydney bounced back from its loss to St Kilda in round one with a win over reigning premiers Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium before going down to Brisbane at the Gabba last Saturday night. Fourth-placed Carlton was denied the chance of starting the season with three straight wins for the first time since 1995 by an Essendon side that prevailed by four points in a classic contest at the MCG in round three.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Swans are still without Amon Buchanan (strained calf) while forward Michael O‘Loughlin (ankle) is at least another two weeks away from being considered for selection. Veteran defender Leo Barry (knee) is sidelined for another month while promising youngster Patrick Veszpremi will miss at least another five weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a finger tendon. For Carlton, defender Michael Jamison (shoulder) is a chance to return against the Bulldogs in round five while Jake Edwards (groin) and Adam Bentick (knee) are sidelined indefinitely. Utility Andrew Walker is expected to miss the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery while former Fremantle ruckman Robbie Warnock remains on the long-term injury list because of stress fractures in his feet.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Brett Kirk vs. Chris Judd

Judd was his side’s best in the loss to the Bombers with a game-high 33 possessions and six inside 50’s.

The Carlton skipper is damaging with his ability to win the contested football and break the lines - such players are even more influential on the small confines of the SCG.

The Swans will be keen to turn this contest into a dour struggle and to be able to do this they will need to limit Judd’s influence at the stoppages.

During the week Sydney coach Paul Roos forecasted a dream match-up between dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes and Judd but that is unlikely to eventuate.

Expect Kirk, who has restricted star midfielders Sam Mitchell and Simon Black to just 13 and 16 possessions respectively in the past fortnight, to go head-to-head with Judd in what will be a pivotal duel.

Bryce Gibbs vs. Adam Goodes

Goodes managed just 18 possessions in the loss to Lions and will be keen to bounce back with a big performance against the Blues on Saturday.

The 28-year-old is an integral part of the Sydney midfield with his ability to break the lines and pump the football inside 50.

The Blues will be keen to shut-down the drive he provides through the middle and will undoubtedly throw Gibbs the task of running with Goodes after the impressive job he did on the dual Brownlow medallist the last time these two sides met.

In the round 16 clash last year Gibbs racked up 26 possessions and restricted Goodes to just seven disposals and two goals in a performance that earned the impressive young Blue one Brownlow medal vote.

A similar performance on Saturday will go a long way towards securing a rare win for Carlton over the Swans.

Matthew Kreuzer vs. Darren Jolly

Jolly dominated the stoppages against the Lions with a season-high 46 hit-outs - taking his total for the year to 116 - first in the AFL.

The former Melbourne ruckman is the main man the Blues must negate if they are going to secure their first win over Sydney at the SCG since 1993.

Carlton will need Kreuzer to at least break even in the ruck and give Judd, Marc Murphy, Nick Stevens and co. a chance of winning the football at the stoppages otherwise the Swans will be able to dictate the tempo of the game.

Craig Bolton vs. Brendan Fevola

Fevola was dangerous against the Bombers but failed to make the most of his chances in front of goal, booting a wasteful 4.7 and one out on the full.

The Blues spearhead was matched up by Essendon youngster Darcy Daniher on that night but will find his job a lot tougher on Saturday afternoon with the more experienced and largely underrated Bolton to be his likely opponent.

Bolton is a no-frills defender who gets the job done more often than not.

If Fevola is going to be any chance of coming out on top in his duel with Bolton he will need his midfield to move the football quickly through the middle of the ground otherwise the Swans will be able to push back and clog up the space he will lead into.

VERDICT: Sydney may have an imposing record against Carlton but this Blues side is very different to the ones of the past so the Swans’ 11-match winning streak shouldn’t be taken into consideration. Brett Ratten’s men failed to apply pressure for four quarters against the Bombers with their tackle count down to just 43 after averaging 70.5 in the first two games. If the Blues play with the same level of intensity they showed in the first two rounds of the season they should prevail with their midfield stars in Murphy, Stevens, Judd and Gibbs set to be too much for a blue-collar Sydney outfit to contain. Blues by 19 points.

SYDNEY SWANS v CARLTON
SYDNEY SWANS
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Craig Bird
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack
F: Paul Bevan, Barry Hall, Jarred Moore
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Ed Barlow, Brett Meredith, Kristin Thornton, Jesse White
Emg: Luke Ablett, Ryan Brabazon, Mike Pyke

In: Thornton (Peel Thunder)
Out: Jared Crouch

CARLTON
B: Chris Johnson, Bret Thornton, Kade Simpson
HB: Shaun Grigg, Paul Bower, Jordan Russell
C: Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Nick Stevens
HF: Simon Wiggins, Cameron Cloke, Jarrad Waite
F: Matthew Kreuzer, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Richard Hadley, Chris Judd
I/C: Dennis Armfield, Ryan Houlihan, Aaron Joseph, Mitch Robinson
Emg: Steven Browne, Setanta O’hAilpin, Heath Scotland

In: Armfield
Out: Jeff Garlett
16
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Round four preview: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide

April 17th 2009 14:28
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Saturday 18 April, 2.10pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 18, Hawthorn 6, Port Adelaide 12

LAST TIME: Hawthorn 17.15 (117) def Port Adelaide 15.12 (102), Round 8 2008 at Aurora Stadium

RECENT HISTORY: Port Adelaide has won eight of its past ten against Hawthorn.

FORM: Hawthorn kick-started its premiership defence with a 54-point demolition of North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Sunday after suffering losses to Geelong and Sydney in the first two rounds. Port Adelaide opened the season with a solid 41-point win over Essendon and were then thumped to the tune of 50 points by West Coast before doing what was expected of them, disposing of last year’s wooden spooners Melbourne by 57 points at AAMI Stadium in round three.

MEDICAL ROOM: Hawthorn welcomes back midfielders Jordan Lewis (shoulder) and Brad Sewell (groin) and ruckman Robert Campbell (glute) for the clash against the Power . But they are still without premiership players Stephen Gilham (knee), Grant Birchall (broken thumb), Xavier Ellis (foot sprain), Trent Croad (foot) and Rick Ladson (knee). Port will be without forward Justin Westhoff (foot) for at least six weeks while star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne will play despite experiencing knee soreness after the win over the Demons.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Kane Cornes vs. Sam Mitchell

Mitchell bounced back from his disappointing game against the Swans, racking up a game-high 37 possessions in the win over the Kangaroos.

The Hawthorn skipper led from the front and was instrumental in the win with his ability to win the football at the stoppages and set up his runners with his clean use of the football by hand.

If the Power are going to be any hope of shutting down Hawthorn’s potent forward line they will need to quell the influence of Mitchell.

When these two sides met in round 20, 2007, Cornes restricted Mitchell to just 19 possessions and helped himself to a game-high 38 touches and three goals in a performance that earned him the three Brownlow medal votes.

Expect Cornes to once again be given the task of tagging Mitchell in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this contest.

Cornes will give Mitchell very little time or space at the stoppages and will try to hurt him going the other way.

Brad Sewell vs. Shaun Burgoyne

With skipper Domenic Cassisi and Peter Burgoyne both suspended, the Power will need Shaun Burgoyne to have a big game if they are going to record their third win of the season.

The youngest of the Burygone brothers was his side’s best player the last time these two sides met in round eight last year with a team-high 31 possessions, one goal and four inside 50’s.

Shaun Burgoyne is regarded as one of the premier midfielders in the competition because of his ability to break the lines and kick goals - quelling his influence in the middle will go a long way towards securing a win for the Hawks.

Sewell has done a stellar job on Shaun Burgoyne in the past - he restricted him to just 14 touches in round 20, 2007 and will most likely be given the task of tagging the classy Port midfielder once again on Saturday.

Michael Pettigrew vs. Lance Franklin

Franklin has been solid without being spectacular so far this season but still looms as a danger man for the Power.

When these two sides met last year Franklin booted six goals to inspire his side to a 15-point win.

Pettigrew is giving away three centimetres and more than ten kilos to Franklin but he has the pace to match last year’s Coleman medallist on the lead.

In Port’s last win over the Hawks in 2007 Pettigrew restricted Franklin to just nine possessions and two goals.

A similar defensive performance on the Hawks star on Saturday will go a long way towards securing the four premiership points for the Power.

Pettigrew will need support from his midfield which will need to apply relentless pressure and not give Hawthorn’s on-ball division any time of space in which to deliver the football cleanly inside 50.

Thomas Murphy vs. Warren Tredrea

The former Port Adelaide skipper turned the clock back against the Demons, booting six goals.

Tredrea has a solid record against Hawthorn - he has booted 21 goals in his past seven games - and he will fancy his chances of having an impact on Saturday given the Hawks are still undermanned down back.

With Croad and Gilham still on the sidelines Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson will most likely give Murphy the task of matching up on Tredrea.

If the Power are able to win the contested football and move it quickly into the forward line Tredrea could well have a day out against the inexperienced Murphy who has played just 33 games since being selected in the 2004 national draft.

VERDICT: Port may have the wood over Hawthorn but the loss of Peter Burgoyne and Cassisi will cost them the four premiership points on Saturday. The Hawks now have the edge in the middle and with the return of their two best ruckmen in Campbell and Simon Taylor from injury and suspension respectively, the likes of Lewis, Mitchell and Sewell should be able to win enough of the football at the stoppages and provide Franklin and co. with enough quality supply to kick a winning score. Hawks by 23 points.

HAWTHORN v PORT ADELAIDE
HAWTHORN
B: Brent Guerra, Thomas Murphy, Brendan Whitecross
HB: Stuart Dew, Robert Campbell, Luke Hodge
C: Clinton Young, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Cameron Stokes
F: Campbell Brown, Jarryd Roughead, Mark Williams
Foll: Simon Taylor, Brad Sewell, Travis Tuck
I/C: Brent Renouf, Jordan Lewis, Jarryd Morton, Garry Moss
Emg: Beau Dowler, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Sucking

In: Campbell, Lewis, Sewell, Taylor
Out: Grant Birchall (thumb), Xavier Ellis (foot), Stephen Gilham (knee), Ryan Schoenmakers

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Matt Thomas
C: Shaun Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
HF: Robert Gray, Warren Tredrea, Hamish Hartlett
F: Brett Ebert, Brendon Lade, Daniel Motlop
Foll: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
I/C: Travis Boak, Josh Carr, Tom Logan, Wade Thompson
Emg: Jason Davenport, David Rodan, Toby Thurstans

In: Hartlett, Logan
Out: Peter Burgoyne (susp), Domenic Cassisi (susp)


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Pies overrun Lions

April 17th 2009 13:40
COLLINGWOOD has celebrated Shane O’Bree’s 200th game with a gutsy 17-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night.

The undermanned Magpies who were without skipper Nick Maxwell and star defender Heath Shaw due to suspension and veteran Ben Johnson who fractured his leg in the loss to Geelong, showed plenty of courage in fighting back from a 22-point deficit to prevail 13.12 (90) to 10.13 (73).

The Lions got the early jump and led at half-time before Collingwood took control in the second half, slamming on six of the last seven goals of the contest to record a season-defining win.

The loss was made worse for Brisbane with ruckman Jamie Charman suffering a suspected knee injury in the third term.

The Pies had seven individual goal kickers for the match - Paul Medhurst the most damaging with four while Leon Davis chimed in with three valuable majors.

Scott Pendlebury was influential in the middle with a game-high 35 possessions. He received good support from Tarkyn Lockyer, Shannon Cox and Martin Clarke who won plenty of the football.

Jaxson Barham was impressive on debut with 28 touches while Simon Prestigiacomo kept Jonathan Brown quiet after the Brisbane skipper kicked 2.1 on Nathan Brown in the first term - Brown added just four more behinds for the match.

For the Lions, Luke Power and Simon Black got a lot of the football. Bradd Dalziell tried hard all night and finished with 28 touches and two goals while Jed Adcock was a busy contributor with 25 disposals.

Brisbane settled first after a sloppy opening from both sides. The Lions’ willingness to move the football quickly through middle of the ground and kick it long into the forward line paid dividends as they kicked the first three goals of the match through Brown, Tim Notting and Mitch Clark.

Collingwood hit back with two of the next three goals but the Lions would go into the first change in control with late goals from Brown and Troy Selwood who kicked his second after the siren after being awarded a controversial 50m penalty to put his side 22 points in front at quarter-time.

The Magpies got off to the perfect start in the second term with Dale Thomas slotting one home inside the first 20 seconds.

Both sides went goal for goal from that moment on before the Pies closed to within 10 points at the main break thanks to majors from Dane Swan and Travis Cloke who kicked truly after the siren.

Medhurst turned the game on its head in the third term, booting two goals in as many minutes to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.

The Pies applied immense pressure all over the ground but failed to translate their hard work into a lead at three-quarter time with a Michael Rischitelli goal giving the Lions a four-point advantage heading into the final change.

Medhurst’s fourth goal - a clever snap from a difficult angle - put the Magpies back in front and they didn’t look back from that moment as they piled on the last three goals of the match to secure the four points.

BRISBANE: 6.2, 9.4, 10.8, 10.13 (73)
COLLINGWOOD: 2.4, 7.6, 9.10, 13.12 (90)

GOALS: Brisbane: Dalziell 2, Brown 2, Selwood 2, Adcock, Rischitelli, Clark, Notting
Collingwood: Medhurst 4, Davis 3, Lockyer 2, Swan, Thomas, Anthony, Cloke
BEST: Brisbane: Dalziell, Adcock, Rischitelli, Black, Power
Collingwood: Medhurst, Pendlebury, Lockyer, Davis, Fraser, O'Brien
INJURIES: Brisbane: Charman (knee)
Collingwood: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Rosebury, McLaren, Grun
CROWD: 34,912 at the Gabba

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


AFL Teams: Round Four

April 17th 2009 08:13
2009 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

ROUND FOUR (all times local)

Friday April 17
Brisbane Lions v Collingwood at the Gabba, 7.40pm

Saturday April 18
Sydney Swans v Carlton at the SCG, 2.10pm
Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at the MCG, 2.10pm
St Kilda v Fremantle at Docklands, 7.10pm
Adelaide v Geelong at AAMI Stadium, 7.40pm

Sunday April 19
North Melbourne v Essendon at Docklands, 1.10pm
Richmond v Melbourne at the MCG, 2.10pm
West Coast v Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval, 4.40pm

BRISBANE LIONS v COLLINGWOOD
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Luke Power, Joel Macdonald, Josh Drummond
C: Bradd Dalziell, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Tim Notting, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
Foll: Jamie Charman, Travis Johnstone, Jed Adcock
I/C: Jared Brennan, Cheynee Stiller, Jason Roe, Troy Selwood
Emg: James Polkinghorne, Tom Collier, Albert Proud

In: Jamie Charman, Jared Brennan
Out: Matthew Leuenberger (knee), Albert Proud

COLLINGWOOD
B: Shannon Cox, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Martin Clarke
C: Shane O’Bree, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas
HF: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: John Anthony, Leigh Brown, Anthony Rocca
Foll: Josh Fraser, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
I/C: Leon Davis, Jaxson Barham, Dane Swan, Alan Toovey
Emg: Anthony Corrie, Brad Dick, Danny Stanley

In: Barham, Goldsack, Rocca, Toovey
Out: Brad Dick, Ben Johnson (leg), Nick Maxwell (susp), Heath Shaw (susp)

New: Jaxson Barham (Geelong U18)

SYDNEY SWANS v CARLTON
SYDNEY SWANS
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Craig Bird
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack
F: Paul Bevan, Barry Hall, Jarred Moore
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Ed Barlow