2020 FEARLESS Round 5: Victorian Encore Round…the bell lap of the state for now..

St.Kilda inflicted a case of the Blues on Carlton on Thursday Night at Marvel Stadium. 5 goal lead at the half gave Saints some breathing space and a Long hanger. Saints skipper Geary having negative influence on Blues skipper Docherty and Steele curbing Blue playmaker Cripps. The Carlton forward 50 was not as effective, despite being strengthened by McKays return. Blues undone by ex-Coach Ratten by 18pts.

 

As the Pies zipped out to a 3-goal lead against Bombers early in the 1^st, the remote started searching for options. Enter Dylan Shiel to kickstart the Bombers season. Three quick Dons goals forged a lead into half time which continued after. Strangely listless Pies side was getting a lesson in desire and physicality by the ungainly journeyman ruck Phillips and his 3^rd team teammates. Pies fall on the Sidearse by 15pts.

 

Queensland Hub Game Number 9: West Coast hosted Sydney at Metricon and the Swans were exposed for height with Aliir and 5^th gamer McLean carrying the rucks against NicNatNoo. Virtually played NNN into career best form and onwards benefits to Eagles mids and forwards. Eagles fire finally in ahub game and Barrass flies high symbolic. A 34pt win enough to reset the Eagles before the WA-bound flight.

 

The Masters v the apprentice at Geelong in weather that the Gold Coast Suns could only experience at the Cattery! Gazza 350 and the little Aussie Bleeder Selwood 300 up against Atlas Rowell in only his 4^th game. The romance came crashing back to earth when Rowell’s shoulder got tackled into the Corio Bay soil. Not yet game over, Cats did what they had to do, whilst the Suns showed more ticker than before.

 

They still call him Bruce! And the last time he played North he kicked 6 as a Saint…so he does it again with his new club the Bulldogs. North punted on a fit Cunnington and lost, the onballer looking as mobile as a carcass. Bulldogs looked like winners all over the park, stifling the North forward line and generally looking like a 2019 finalist. Roos looked like they were trapped in headlights! Pow! Dogs by 8 goals..

 

Queensland Hub Game Number 10: Brisbane hosted Port Adelaide in a top of the table clash worthy of a Saturday night TV slot (and maybe a full Gabba, at other times). Port learned the lesson harshly: bad kicking is bad football. 1.6 in the 1^st qtr and yikes…the Power made a rod for their back, or more likely shackles. Brisbane looked the better team on the night, running away by 37pts. Port 6.12 – haphazard!

 

Queensland Hub Game Number 11: The Owen Cup between Adelaide and Fremantle was held o Sunday at Club Metricon. The Dockers were without the mercurial Fyfe and had been playing ok. The Crows were still stuck in the pie. Fremantle did the right thing by new coach Longmuir, presenting a win that was hard fought but worthy. Taberner sealer and Walters acting skipper set the tone. Docker delight.

 

The MCG hosted its last game for a while between two traditional co-tenants, the Dees and the Tigers. Despite racking up injuries, the Tigers did enough to get the chockies by 27pts. Melbourne is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. Skill errors still haunt them as does an inability to have a solid forward setup. The Dees have talent, but to get beaten by a team with no fit players on their bench probably says it all. Ouch!

 

GINADS Stadium saw the local Giants host the Hawks and really it was the clash of the ugly jumper. Two good sides going toe to toe in a sea of mango, gold, charcoal and chocolate, a colour scheme to turn off even Stevie Wonder. The Giants led from the outset and were never headed en route to a 34pt win, largely off the Finlayson/Himmelberg combo that yielded 8 goals. Josh Kelly 30 returned to good form.

 

 

 

 

 

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