Fearless 2018: Round 18- The wheat from the chaff is slowly getting sorted…

Fascinated by the story of Tom Boyd…feted individual for million dollar Bulldogs poster boy-turned-Folkloric Premiership Hero who nearly won a Norm Smith medal in the Dogs first flag in 62years…turned poster boy for Headspace, the mental health initiative for adults and children under 25.

 

That’s a lost to digest. It appears Boyd was suffering mental health issues even before his rise into the AFL stratosphere. A highly articulate and positive individual, according to former Bulldogs great, Luke Darcy.

 

The backdrop is the age of social media where stories and facts often get interspersed with a multitude of opinions.

 

With great courage, Boyd and a few others are helping out with video contributions to promote headspace and its message. A great cause to help those who haven’t quite got the peace their lives deserve and the balance between mental and physical health. Beyondblue helps adults too in this regard and you can only hope that everyone who needs help gets it. The year is 2018 as we know and everyone deserves the right to have access to help if required. The view becomes a holistic health issue for society and transcends all aspects of our lives.

 

Good health and wellness to all, mental and physical. Peace of mind is gold and so is knowledge if it can help. Now more than ever, the resources are there and society’s attitude has changed to be reflective of this.

 

 The wheat from the chaff is slowly getting sorted…

 

The Saints got a lesson on the competition this week. Having dispensed with the bottom team, they met the top team. By qtr time, Richmond led by 5 goals and 9 by the half. To say the Saints outscored the Tigers in the 2^nd half is correct. However, the damage was done. A 54pt Tiger win. Dusty and St Ross 30+. Jack R 4, Prestia 3. Tiger time!

 

The time was right for the Kangas to make a statement. That they allowed Collingwood to kick the first 7 goals was not quite the statement they sought. That they lost by 11 goals same. Coach Scott said they copped their right whack from the Pies and then coaches! Pies v good. How good? As for that pigeon…needs peripheral awareness.

 

Gold Coast travelled to the SCG as underdogs against Sydney. Former assistant Swans coach Stewart Dew had other ideas. Bet he didn’t think it would unfold as it did. Gold Coast breathed life back into the top 8 race and seriously damaged Sydney’s finals credentials. Another first, the Suns players all got the Gatorade shower! Suns by 24pts.

 

Freo travelled to Etihad to take on the Bombers on Saturday twilight. The Dockers were ably assisted by the Bombers wayward kicking (4.11) under the roof, trailling by 8pts at the half. A 5.5 qtr by the Bombers regained the lead, despite the loss of key big man McKernan. 35 scoring shots to 15 to the Bombers, a 29pt win. Is Don, is a  bit wayward.

 

Saturday night epic 1…Adelaide made the trek north to the Gabbatoir and just scraped home by 5pts against the emerging Lions. In Tex’s absence, Hugh Greenwood stepped up with 4 goals, whilst Matt Crouch got 40 stats. Young Lion Witherden continued his stellar year with 31. A 22pt Crow 3/ 4time lead just enough as the Lions charged home.

 

Meanwhile at the Cattery, Melbourne had the Cats measure for the most part and led by 23pts at the last break. Enter Gazza and the Tomahawk. Gazza 14 stats in the last – who said he’s done? Tomahawk 4 last qtr goals. 7 all up. Cameo from Zac Tuohy with the winning goal after the siren. Quality game with epic finish, Cats luck of the Irish!

 

Carlton’s season took no easy turns, fronting up to Hawthorn at Etihad on Sunday. It didn’t help when one of your best youngsters breaks his leg but that ended Zac Fisher’s season. Hawks home by 72pts. The Blues won the 3^rdqtr, but a more productive Hawk fwd 50 arc set tone. Cripps 30 needs help. Breust 5. Brownlow Mitchell 46 and 2 goals.

 

Bevos Bullies headed far west to tackle the Eagles at Optus Stadium. The young Dogs seemed to be chasing West Coast players for most of the day with the eagles getting home by 54pts, even with wayward kicking. Brownlow Gaff 35, ably assisted by Jetta, Masten and Shuey. Ex-Docker Crozier and Dunkley 29 for Dogs but Eagles flying high.

 

Rejuvenated GWS took on Port in Adelaide with a view to further enhancing finals aspirations. Port surprisingly looked like they’d left off in Freo last week, off the boil. Or maybe GWS is hitting their straps at the right time. They always seemed in control. Toby Greene BIT and Jacob Hopper emerging as seriously good. Giant strides by 22pts.

 

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