Fearless 2018 Round 16 – …rounding the bend, into the home straight, neck & neck

8.23 doesn’t normally win games! In context, 31 scoring shots to 14, a more accurate reflection of Geelong’s dominance at the SCG on Thursday night against the Swans. Even with Gazza as a passenger, Duncan and Menegola picked up the slack. Cats aided by game-ending injuries to Swans Jack and McVeigh. Cats by 12pts. Tim Kelly a gun.

 

A case could’ve been mounted for Adelaide at 3 /4 time as they crept to within 3 goals of the Tigers at the MCG on Friday night. Then again, the Tigers at the MCG (day or night) are footy’s version of Goliath. Crows didn’t have the strike power, although big JJ kicked 3. 6 goals to 1 in the last and Tigers murdered Crows by 47pts. Dusty’s BIT.

 

A solid start by the visiting Blues at the Gabba soon gave way to the Lions wrestling control emphatically. Injuries have robbed the Blues more than any in 2018 and after twenty minutes it showed. Combined with lack of effort, Coach Bolton must’ve been shocked. Lions players put on clinic, home by 65pts. Beams great, “Rafa” Hipwood 6.

 

The Saints travelled to Adelaide to take on Port, having rediscovered some touch over the last month. Port in Adelaide though was always going to be a good test. Good news for Saints..veteran Armitage found touch with 30stats and 3 goals. However big Charlie Dixon excelled for Port with 4, helped by Wingard with 32 and Watts 2. Port by 36pts.

 

The Bulldogs hosted the Cyril-less Hawks in an 8pt game at Etihad on Saturday night. The Dogs had found good form and were 2pts in front at the main break. The rusty notion of the premiership quarter came alive in the 3rdwith the Hawks kicking 7.4 to 0.1. Breust, Gunston and Roughead potent. Hawks by 63pts. Smith 30. Dogs JJ 32.

 

28 degrees and 80% humidity greeted Melbourne and Fremantle in Darwin on Saturday night. Dees ruck Gawn said the ball was like a cake of soap. The Demons forward setup took 3 qtrs to adjust, plenty of points and missed shots, despite a clear dominance in forward 50 entries. Ultimately, 37 scoring shots to 13. Freo destroyed. Dees by 54pts.

 

14000 only at Etihad saw North and the Gold Coast square off. Given the quality of the game and the timeslot, a limited viewing audience justified. Suns showed great resistance in the 2ndqtr but not much after half time. Roos’ ability to make mistakes and win by 37pts hard to decode. Brown 4. Majak, Thompson everywhere. Lyons 26.

 

Whilst not Anzac Day, the clash between Essendon and Collingwood held great significance. The Magpies got off to a flyer, before the Bombers reeled them in and led at the half. The 3rdqtr broke even, before the Pies kicked 5 goals to 2 in the last to score a 16pt win. Bombers not done yet though in 2018. Brown 3, De Goey 3. Pendles 34.

 

Billed as the battle of the injury-riddled forward lines, the Giants landed in Perth to take on West Coast. Both teams had legitimate finals aspirations. Giant Tomlinson 3, the highest on the day. 2’s everywhere on both sides. Lead changes aplenty in the last, Rioli and McGovern goals gave Eagles an 11pt win in an 8pt game. Gaff 41, 2 goals.

 

 

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