FEARLESS 2019 – Round 20: The end of the marathon is nigh. Just outside arena…

Hi all, I’m saddened to report that AFLX won’t be back in our lifetime…or at least for a couple of pre seasons. What saddens me was that I thought the Rampage could go back to back. Now we’ll never know. Oh well…I’ll just have to bide my time waiting for round one an maybe getting distracted by the cricket – BBL, T20, Tests and the Australian Open…whatever…

 

It saddens me because the AFLX was such a concept…a hybrid game of AFL designed with modified rules to be played on rectangular grounds around the world…ultimately perhaps played on great AFL arenas such as Old Trafford, Eden Gardens, Dodgers Stadium…the sky was the limit…maybe it will stand the test of time like Cliff Richard records featuring The Young Ones.

 

Farewell my friend…like Lion King ooshies and Coles minis…you will disappear from view well ahead of your time. Maybe you can be recycled…but for now…Sometimes life is cruel…sometimes you’re the insect and sometimes you’re the windscreen..

 

Now on to Round 20.

 

FEARLESS 2019 RD20:

 

The Hawks kicked the 1st 4 goals of their clash against the Roos on Friday night at Marvel. Led by the Worlpedo, the Hawks seemed destined for the win. Enter Shaun Higgins, Roos playmaker, with other intentions. A Higgins Masterclass matched by the Worlpedo 37. Hawks kicked only 5 after 1 /4 time. Roos a 22 pt win, a 49pt turnaround.

 

It was a nosedive by the Bombers that saw the return of good Port, dare I say it vintage Port to win by 59pts. It was a statement as such by Port and especially Robbie Gray. The Power were electric from start to finish and coach Kenny even cracked a smile for young Duursma’s Robin Hood goal celebration. Dons bomb out. Gray 4, Marshall 3.

 

The closest Easties v Westies challenge on Saturday at Giants Stadium. GWS held on for 2pts despite heroics from Swans Heeney and Mills. Much controversy surrounded Reid’s mark/Stein’s spoil in the dying seconds, but it wasn’t completed. The Swans kicked back into it in the 3rd qtr but 2.4 in the last a touch costly. Heeney 4, Hopper 3.

 

Ross Lyon had been under the pump c/- the WA media and Freo promptly took Geelong to the cleaners. Not bad too as the cats had got off to a solid start, leading by 15pts at qtr time. From there, Freo kicked 12.7 to 4.6 and the Dockers’ pressure brought some serious questions to the Cats credibility. Hawkins 3, but Fyfe’s foot soldiers got game.

 

Melbourne v Richmond Saturday night at the G would’ve been fixtured as a GF preview perhaps in Nov2018. It is amazing the passage of time sometimes and what happens. Whilst only 3pts behind at the main break, the Dees wilted under the Tigers’ ability as Richmond won by 33pts. Dusty on fire, 34. Fritsch3, Lynch 3. Demons got exorcised.

 

Adelaide hosted Ratts’ Saints on Saturday night and the glare of the SA media and indeed the AFL community was firmly planted on what the Crows could produce. Tex kicked 4 to answer in the best way possible, assisted by the reinstated Eddie Betts with 3 (why was he dropped???). Saints rejuvenated, Crows with too much at stake by 22.

 

A ratio of support of 1:1000, Gold Coast Suns took to the MCG on Sunday to take on the Magpies. The Suns started well, leading until the ½ way mark of the 1st qtr, before Bucks cracked it. Injuries or not, the Pies did have a finals appearance at stake. 2nd and 3rd qtrs of 6 goals set up a 69pt win. Will H-E 4, King, Sexton 3. Cox became one-eyed.

 

4 goals for Flyin Ryan or 4 goals from a back flank for Nic Newman…what’s better? I suppose that Carlton lost by 4 goals to a real contender might be an effort worthy of keeping the coach? Truth is West Coast looked better from qtr time onwards. And the Blues won the last qtr, in keeping with their current form. Sam Walsh 31, highest stats.

 

Brisbane hosted the Bulldogs on Sunday late. The Dogs didn’t help their cause with 2.8 to 1 /2 time. The Dogs were better in the 3rd but it might’ve been shutting the gate after horse had bolted. Dogs lost by 18pts, despite the best efforts of the Bont and Jack Macrae. The Lions look to September action, and the Dogs can only wonder what if?

 

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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Comments

  1. Not often that the AFL admits defeat, Fearless.
    Very happy that they are giving the AFLW some more clear air.

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