Fearless 2016 Round 9 – We’re all with the man they call Roughy. Cancer seems still so random…

 

Regular finalists, Hawks and Swans took the stage on Friday Night Footy at the G. 2 min into a 2nd qtr, the crowd applauded in honour of fallen Hawk Roughy. A dour, intense struggle unfolded symbolic of both teams’ standing, a finals preview no doubt. Punters who erroneously doubted the Swans abilities at the G got a shock. Hawks chasing/pressured all night. Swans 14pts. Buddy 3, Norman Gunston 4.

Bogey teams cause grief as Magpies did to Geelong on Saturday. Collingwood had 7.5 to 0.3 by qtr time. The Cats, regarded as Premiership favourites by many, were on the back foot. Greenwood harassed Selwood in a familiar role, but the well-oiled Cats machine was stifled by Sidebottom, Treloar, Adams, Pendles. Magpies forward setup productive. Cats charged home, but Pies by 24pts.

If Rocket Eade was happier with Suns’ performance then that’s a positive as the Crows won away at Club Metricon by 75pts. Tex returned to his best by kicking 5. The Suns are injury-hit but could find winners in 2metre Peter with 3 goals, Dan Currie with 36 hitouts and Billy Brownless’ favourite Nick Malsexy rebounding to 25 stats. Crows too good as expected. The Suns depth really being tested.

West Coast took to the road again in search of some decent away form, this time against Port at Adelaide Oval. The game will best be remembered for Tom Jonas’ ugly hit on Eagle Gaff, en route to a 6 week break, a gaff for Jonas’ regret. Eagle ace Kennedy helped his team with 7 goals and that was probably the difference. Port charged home with last 4 goals but Eagles just by 8pts. Port’s Young 4.

North hosted a Carlton team with 4 straight wins, a tribute to Bolton’s Blues reset. The Roos had been criticised for 2 fadeouts, questions remained about the collective ability. Losing two talls, Kreuzer and Casboult, Blues set ex-Sun novice Gorringe a big task of competing against North’s ruck tyro Goldstein who had 45 hitouts, 3 goals, helping the Roos to a 67pt win. 9 wins-0 losses, 1st time ever at Arden St.

The Tigers took reasonable travelling form to Lake Subiaco to tackle Fremantle, a side desperate for its 1st win of 2016. Captain Cotch led the Tigers led the charge with a helmet and 39stats. Wet conditions helped neither side. Freo’s injury list was getting worse by the week also but Ross had no choice but to keep the newbies coming in. Blakely looks promising. Tigers were too good by 38pts.

Brisbane travelled to the G, keen to atone for poor form shown the week before. Melbourne’s midfield depth goes from strength to strength with young bull Petracca’s showing only blighted by 0.4. Greater forward options also helped the Dees, whereas Tom Bell, Blue-turned Lion, kept the Lions’ scorecard ticking over. The difference between the two sides apparent. Hogan’s heroes home at the G by 63pts.

Spotless Stadium hosted Sunday’s ch7 Match of the Day between the GWS and the Western Bulldogs. Validation perhaps for the AFL putting a team into Western Sydney. Heath Shaw’s recruitment continues to pay big dividends for the GWS (38 stats) and Toby Greene’s resurgence continues. The Dogs were always chasing mango. GWS home by 25pts. Cameron 5. Both sides finals-bound in 2016.

St.Kilda returned to more comfortable surrounds of Etihad to tackle Essendon. After an even 1st half, the Saints put on the afterburners, courtesy of They Call Him Bruce with 5 and Jack Steven 40 stats. James Kelly continued his fine form at Windy Hill with 33 stats and Mitch Brown proved a key target with 4. Essendon outgunned ultimately. Young Saint Seb Ross 37 stats, as Saints home by 46pts.

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