No way…err…yes way…the Tigers beat Geelong at the MCG on Friday night. From start to finish, punters could be fooled into thinking the Tigers were the reigning premiers. Vintage Dusty returned to kick 4 and Cotch kicked 3 (goals!) as a rejigged fwd pocket. The Cats fwd 50 inaccuracy didn’t help either…Tiger Timmy T,28 stats, led the Tigers midfield game well.
Signs of life at the Suns confirmed when they did what an improving footy team should do…go to WA and belt the strugglers. Gold Coast beat West Coast by 70pts and affirmed that the Suns are sticking to Coach Stewy’s forecasts. Moo moo Rowell ate grass before gaining 29stats, carrying Suns on his wide, pale shoulders. Ben King 4, Eagle Duggan 32stats.
Fremantle headed to Sydney with a far from perfect record at the SCG. It seemed that would continue in the 1st qtr and it did. A 6 goal to 2 effort from Freo turned the tide in the game and gave the Dockers some belief, despite Gulden’s 39stats and 2 goals. Silver service from Freo ruck Mr Darcy gave his midfield impetus to charge thru the 2nd half to a 17pt away win.
The JHF Cup between North and Port was played in Hobart before a crowd small enough to not hear any booing…not that The Hornet would care…Port set about winning it easily, ably helped by a severe lack of effort from North in several passages. This may have prompted Clarko to throw a chair at the wall at 1/2 time! Port too good. Finlayson 3.5, Butters 32.
The Don Scott Cup took place the MCG Saturday twilight when Hawthorn hosted Melbourne. The Demons ran riot in the 1st, kicking 5.5 to 0.1 en route to an emphatic 54pt win. Double scoring shots and 4x marks inside 50 indicative of the gulf as Oliver, Viney and Trac taught the opposition new tricks. Will Day 29stats was good, as were some Hawkmates.
Whilst Carlton match up well against the Bulldogs, if you can only kick 1.4 under the roof in a half then winning does become hard. In fact, even if you nearly win the 2nd half as Carlton did, then they’re still behind the 8 ball. And so it was that the Dogs won by 20pts. Both sides wayward, Anthony Scott 3 helped the Dogs. Sam Walsh also good but Dogs too much class.
A strong 2nd qtr brought the Bombers back into the Gabba game against the Lions, converting a 5pt deficit into a 10pt lead at the half. It was ex-Bomber Joe Daniher who helped the Lions kick away with 6, assisted by young Ashcroft for the Lions. Mason Redman led the Bomber defence and started many attacks. A 10 goal to 2 2nd half led the Lions to a solid 42pt win.
The Saints’ competitiveness and defence had a holiday against the Crows as the locals led the Adelaide Oval chanting en route to a 52pt win. Ross the Boss’s charges had been smacked for the 1st time, trailing for all the game from a 1stqtr Crows avalanche of 6.2 to 1.1. Not helped by a Membrey concussion or Dawson 33 and Tex 5 goals. Crows impressive at home.
Collingwood hosted the Mango and Charcoal Army and never gave the Giants much of a sniff in the 65pt win at the MCG. Billy Elliott 3 complemented Nick Daicos amassing 41 stats at will. The Giants were without their rudder Toby Greene and weren’t helped by wayward fwd 50 entries. Mitchell, JDG and big USA Cox all helped cut down the beanstalk!
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
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.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
Leave a Comment