Fearless 2018 Round 9: Markle, sparkle, Narkle, debacle – so much for poetry!

 

Adelaide may as well have hosted the Dogs in Gulf St. Vincent, such was the driving rain that swept the City of Churches. Jack Macrae kept his head above water with 36stats but Eddie Betts led a more effective forward set up with 4. Dogs 2.14 for whole game and Talia below the knees of Webb not a good look. Crows by 37 nautical miles.

 

Fortress Blundstone hosted North and GWS on Saturday. Decoding the local winds is like The Da Vinci Code. An undermanned and injury-depleted GWS nearly decoded it in the 2ndqtr, a 23pt deficit into a 5pt ½ time lead. Enter local hero Ben Brown with 5 goals in the 3rd. With Waite’s 3 goals in the 1st, game over. Roos home away by 43pts.

 

Unfortunately, Brian Taylor and his co-commentator Wow Wee didn’t make the trek to China (or England for that matter). Gold Coast hosted Port at Adelaide Arena, Jiangwan. The Suns tried to win over the locals by wearing red and yellow, but the game was either lopsided or the rain took the Sunshine away. Port home by 40 renminbi.

 

After a week of gnashing teeth, the Bombers bared their mettle and came out with 4 quarters of solid pressure footy to bury the Cats at the G at Saturday twilight. Always in the lead, coach Woosha could breathe a sigh of relief as Hooker led from the front with team support, including 1stgamer Ridley with 25 stats. Cats 8 lives. Bombers 34pts.

 

Fremantle travelled to Sydney…don’t know why really but what the heck. Sydney realised how to play their home ground, ending up with a 59pt win. OK yes Buddy was back, complete with errant elbow, and with 3. Jake Lloyd 41, younger McCartin 2. A 5-goal last qtr added respectability. Freo’s reputation takes a hit but there’s still time.

 

St.Kilda’s forward woes found a saviour in Jack Newnes with 4 in Saturday night’s game against the Pies at Etihad. Gresham and Lonie supported with 2 each but De Goey got 6 and Collingwood got the chockies by 28pts. Steele Sidebottom continued his Brownlow year with 38 whilst St. Luke Dunstan 32. Coach Richo’s worries continue…

 

…as do Coach Bolton’s at Carlton. Melbourne fans weren’t complaining with a 109pt win on Sunday at the MCG. Despite an even 1stterm, the Dees applied the screws in the 2ndand the Blues forward structure minus CCurnow and Casboult couldn’t keep pace. Melksham 5, Mc Donald T 4, Neal-Bullen 4…the Dees’ consistency impresses.

 

Hawthorn travelled to Brisbane for the Luke Hodge Cup against the Lions. Brisbane hadn’t beaten the Hawks since 2009. That counted for nought from the 2ndqtr when the Lions maybe announced that they have arrived under Chris Fagan… a 56pt win at the Gabba, a win for the Lion faithful. Eric “Nadal” Hipwood 4, Cutler 3, Mitchell 46stats.

 

Optus Stadium hosted the top-of-the-table clash between the West Coast and Richmond. Despite the Tigers leading for some of the 1stqtr, the Eagles were never headed after half time. Jack Darling has removed inconsistency from his game and become a focal point with 6. Kennedy 3, a double act! Eagles by 47pts and top spot

 

 

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