FEARLESS 2022: Round 6 – Stand! Yes, Stand! Whilst watching footy, I’ve heard it more than at an REM concert.
Hi just a quick note to say that it was great to see the great Stephen Michael on The Front Bar last night. Stephen was arguably the greatest player to never play in the then VFL, preferring to run around at South Fremantle in the WAFL. A statewide legend who was watched mainly on the Eastern Seaboard (anywhere east of the Nullarbor) in the state games against WA. I said to my son he was a combination of Todd Goldstein and Lance Franklin, such was his durability and athleticism. For those growing up in Victoria, I’d say the closest was Simon Madden and maybe Peter Moore, although Stephen Michael had a meaner streak than both. That’s not to say he was dirty, he was not one to take a backward step. And he most definitely wasn’t one to let anyone get in his way.
Hopefully The Front Bar continue with some of these interstate legends, like Garry McIntosh from Norwood in South Australia.
Anyway, it’s interesting that Gerard Healy was quoted today as saying that daylight was going to be the runner up this year…that’s how far ahead of the competition Melbourne is and I get it. Melbourne, for mine, is operating at about 70% and still well ahead of the other teams. Not surprisingly, I have them as the first picked to make the 8. The second picked was the Sydney Swans. After the Geelong – Brisbane game a couple of weeks ago, I thought they’re both in. At the start of round 7, I have only 4 teams in the top 8! That’s not much of a finals series. At the other end of the ladder, I am beginning to see who won’t make it and there are some surprises…the general gist though is that there is a logjam of at least 6 teams for four spots…time will tell. I’ll need to advise pretty soon though, so my powers of foresight might need to get cracking. I can’t leave it until round 22.
Cheers PT
2022 FEARLESS Rd 6: The Leyland Brothers Round…travel all over the countryside, ask the…
Canberra – Friday Night. Why are games in Canberra always on long weekends? Dour. Daisy Pearce was correct in her description of this game. The Saints, despite losing two ruckmen during the game, Hayes and Marshall, managed to enforce a win. The wayward Giants only kicked 1.5 after 1/ 2 time, despite dominating the 2nd qtr. Team defence helped the Saints, despite Max King 1.7. Snags 4.3. Saints by 17pts.
Ballarat – Saturday Arvo as the Dogs hosted the Crows and despite the tragedy that surrounded the Western Bulldogs in the past week, the Crows took the initiative. The Dogs looked a far cry from the Good Friday Dogs, Crows taking opportunities and pressurizing the Dogs into mistakes and into themselves. Love Schache became an unlikely Dogs saviour with 2 last qtr goals but Crows unleashed Tex. Crows 1pt.
Port Adelaide hosted West Coast at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday twilight. And that was that! Any momentum the Power got from the 2nd half last Sunday carried over. The Eagles only showed resistance in the 2nd qtr. Marshall and Finlayson put paid to that really quickly with 5 each. The absence of Jeremy McGovern truly on show. Port home by 84pts in a manner suggesting they’re not done with yet in 2022.
Fremantle hosted Carlton at Optus Stadium, Perth on Saturday Night. It’d be fair to say that the Dockers had all the answers with Lachie Schulz up forward looking the good s with 3. En route to a 35pt win, Freo managed to marginalize most of the Blues opponents, except P. Cripps, Carlton’s skipper and prime mid, with 32 and 3 goals. An even forward spread and Rory Lobb on fire with 3.1. Possibly a finals preview..?
North at their home away from home in Hobart on Sunday afternoon. For the Cats, no worries. For Jeremy Cameron 7 goals. For North, they are their own worst enemy. Turnovers upon turnovers, skill errors upon skill errors. Cats debutant Dempsey and Roos debutant Curtis at least both looked at the level. Cats superior in every way possible. The key question for Roos Coach David Noble: who is really up to it? Cats by 61.
The Q-clash saw the AFL footy focus head to the Gold Coast on Sunday twilight. Not surprisingly, the Lions were and are superior to the Suns. That’s not a bad thing for everyone to know. Probably as expected. Little Lion Zac Bailey walked away with 6 goals and the Ashcroft Medal. It’s a good learning curve for the Suns coaching staff. The Lions will contest deep into September. The Suns are getting better, but finals…?
Despite all that the Tigers have achieved in the last decade, at the MCG on Sunday Night for Anzac Day Eve, you sensed that inaccuracy on behalf of the Demons probably kept the Tigers in the game. Melbourne kicked 9.22 and won by 22pts. Tigers 8.6. Clarry Oliver led the Dees with 41 and Weideman 3. Short and Vlastuin 30 for the Tigers. Demons still going at 70%, a well-oiled machine yet to hit its total capacity.
The Hawks started as the Swans finished in the first Anzac Day clash in Launceston on Monday early arvo. The first twenty minutes went as only the Hawks fans wanted, before the rusty Swans kicked the last 3 goals of the 1st qtr. Even Chad Wingard was sighted with a goal. The Hawks managed to hold sway until early in the last. The Swans 9.2 to 1.0 put the game beyond doubt, cruising to a 41pt win. Callum Mills 37.
The last of the Anzac Day games was the original and was ultimately worth a look, even if it was between two average sides in front of 80000+ screaming nuffies. Goalkicking accuracy evident from both teams, its value can’t be underestimated. Young bleached Pie Ginivan led the way with 5.0. Collingwood 15.3. For Dons’ coach Rutten, a better team effort. Pies back on the winners list by 11pts. Parish 44, Merrett 36.
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