FEARLESS 2023: Round 10 – 13 Match Reviews

 

FEARLESS 2023 Rd 13 – the Bye rounds continue with Buddy 350 and Tex 250

 

BYE: Corio Bay Cats and the Sunnyboys

 

And now a song and an artist to illustrate the season so far for all 18 clubs…and yes some are still living with essentially 80s and 90s playlists…

Adelaide – Ghosts – Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band

Brisbane – Sometimes – Midnight Oil

Carlton – Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammar

Collingwood – Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

Essendon – I Can See Clearly Now – Hothouse Flowers

Fremantle – Middle Of The Land – Hoodoo Gurus

Geelong – We Are The Champions – Queen

Gold Coast – Black and White – INXS

Greater Western Sydney – Bust A Move – Young MC (original not remake)

Hawthorn – It’s A Long Way To The Top If You Want To Rock n Roll – AC/DC

Melbourne – Take On Me – A Ha

North Melbourne – Always Look On The Bright Side of Life – Monty Python

Port Adelaide – We Can’t Be Beaten – Rose Tattoo

Richmond – Pass The Dutchie – Musical Youth

St.Kilda – Endless Road – Time Bandits

Sydney Swans – The Winner Takes It All – ABBA

West Coast Eagles – Highway To Hell – AC/DC

Western Bulldogs – Do The Evolution – Pearl Jam

 

 

The first qtr wasn’t good in Buddy’s 350^th. Sydney hosted StKilda in full knowledge that the Saints had a poor SCG record of late. Young gun Saint Mattaes icked the only goal of the qtr. Scoring was more frequent after that with the Swans keeping the Saints in check until early in the last. Saints went up a cog thanks to Owens 21stats and 2 goals. Sinclair 35. Saints 14pts.

 

What a cracker of a match! Port Adelaide got over the Dogs to keep their winning streak alive and up to 10 games. Charlie Dixon made a welcome return to the Port forward line with 3 goals in the 1^st qtr. The game effectively was a top 2 side against a side trying to be top 8.  For the Dogs, much to be happy about, despite a Port win by 22pts. Rozee, Butters excelled.

 

Brisbane’s record at the MCG was surely not going to be a factor against the Hawks on Saturday afternoon. Mmm…or so we thought! Maybe coupled with an arrogance that was misplaced. The Hawks took them to task in the 2^nd half. 10.4 to 3.4 the Hawks way. If you disrespect your opposition…Sicily 32 stats and another trip to the MRO! Lewis, Hipwood 4.

 

Tex250! Tex kicks 10 goals. The game probably was always going to go as it did in the Multinationals Cup. West Coast are struggling but probably a margin of 122pts wasn’t expected, even by the Crows army! As a milestone game, Tex could probably not have ever dreamed the outcome. Fortunately for Eagles coach Simmo, his hair is already grey. Laird 34.

 

Mini McQualter has taken over from Damian Hardwick and it shows. The Tigers are fresh, connected and managed to startle the Dockers on their dungheap by 15pts. Shai Bolton relished his return to his home state. Aided by the Tim Taranto show, Bolton led his purple opponents a merry dance in the last. For Freo to play finals, a big improvement is required!

 

Toby Greene. He’s been around long enough in the AFL. Obviously the North defenders were a bit slow on the uptake! The AFL’s first day/nighter in Hobart played out as such. The Giants home by 28pts off the back of Greene’s efforts. The bigger bodies of the GWS midfield wore down North’s youngsters who were setting the example for the older blokes.

 

Carlton hosted Essendon at MCG in the KBC eve match to double up on 83000+ crowds. After an even, if wayward, first half, the Bombers coach introduced the BS, the big stick! Essendon kicked 7 goals in the 3^rd qtr at roughly 8 possessions per goal. That’s efficiency! 2m Peter in his 1^st game for 2023 went bang and kicked 5. Dons 34pts. Blues woes continue.

 

Kings Birthday Clash #1 was a classic! Melbourne held out Collingwood, even with a Nick Daicos goal in the last minute and a 17 pt deficit to overcome. A 4pt win for the Dees was meritorious, despite fwd 50 waywardness in the Big Freeze match. Jack Viney led the Demon charge, although illness hard to quantify at Pieland. Fritsch 3 in the Grundy grudge match.

 

 

FEARLESS 2023 Rd 12 – the Bye rounds begin…who’s saying BYE to the finals??

BYE: BrisVegas, Flagmantle, Southern Saints and the Bondi Swans

 

It must be done now. Add it to the list along with ducking, bumping (self-fulfilling prophecy) and accidental injury (which can’t be helped in a contact sport)

Flopping involves exaggerated contact by an opposition player generally to the player in front for the means of getting a free kick. Chief offenders include Weightman (Bulldogs) and Fritsch (Melbourne). Those two are better than that, both good enough to win their own ball. However, the AFL has to come down harsh! It’s not a good look for the fans and for the players. As per usual it permeates down to the lower leagues.

 

Harry McKay kicked 3.2 of 6.8 to lose to Melbourne who kicked 8.13. I don’t know how to fix Carlton, given they have two Coleman medallists and an abundance of inside fwd 50s. Melbourne did what they had to do, albeit inaccurately. Petracca 32 led the way, as did Adam Cerra for the Blues. A 17pt Demons win. Blues coach Voss faces issues to rectify and fast.

 

It was lauded as the finest half of team footy in the AFL era. Port was 16.9 at the main break to the Hawks 3.5. An 82pt lead, almost enough to pack up and go home or turn off the Power! The fact that the Hawks lost by 55pts indicated a 2^ndhalf resurgence by the Hawks, led by Impey 33 stats and Bruest 5 goals to match Finlayson, Marshall also 5.  Port 9 wins in a row.

 

1^st v 18^th was on offer as the West Coast Eagles hosted Collingwood at Optus Stadium on Saturday twilight! Whilst the Eagles were brave and in the contest until nearing 3 /4 time, the inevitable occurred 6.3 to 0.2 in the last and the Pies overcame their Eagle bogey by 63pts. Dom Sheed 43, Duggan 33 honourable mentions but Nick Daicos 30 stats, 3 goals, a hot Pie!

 

Western Bulldogs hosted a bogey team in Geelong at Marvel with probably the best chance of beating them in a long time. Leading at both changes, the Dogs managed to shoot themselves in the paws with 2.8 in the 2^nd half to 7.2. In a tight match, therein lies a killer. Williams, Bont and Jamarra main culprits.  The Cats made the Dogs pay. Cats win by 22pts.

 

Gold Coast continued their Darwin residency with its 2^nd game at TIO Stadium, this time against Adelaide. What potentially evolved into the finest hour of the Gold Coast Suns FC, a 25pt win over the inform Crows. A 6 goal to 2 last qtr helped the Suns stamp their authority. Up forward Lukosius 5 presented well, assisted by Anderson and Witts. Crow Dawson 30.

 

A real toss of the coin job as GWS hosted Richmond. Tigers got off to a flyer with a 4 goal lead at qr time. The Giants asserted themselves into the game and edged in front midway into the last qtr. Down to the wire it went. Goals to both sides, some of which were spectacular, especially Fahey and Briggs for GWS. Tiger Pickett kicked the winner. Tigers home by 6pts.

 

Essendon hosted traditional rivals North at Marshmallow Stadium and got off to a flying start, largely due to Zach Merrett’s brilliance. A 20pt lead at qtr time dissolved as the young Roos kicked 3..4 to 0.4 in the 2^nd. Suddenly the improved Bombers were challenged and so it continued right to the seesawing end that saw Dons edge the Roos out by 6pts. Zurhaar 4.

 

 

FEARLESS 2023 Rd 11 – Sir Doug Nicholls Rd part 2: The Tipsters Nightmare

 

Hi all, the season has been interrupted. However hopefully we’re back on track now…

We’re all aware of the significant contributions that indigenous players and people have made to the AFL and even the lower leagues throughout time. We’re also aware that most of us, don’t know as much about the languages used by such members of society.

So with the help of the Pistaki Koori to English Dictionary, I thought I’d have a crack at translating some place names…

Adelaide = Tarntanya = what’s happening?

Brisbane = Meeanjin = River City but…where are the beaches?

Carlton = Quor-nong = there’s no cash here, here there’s no cash.

Collingwood = Yalla-bir-rang = end of flow of sewerage before underground pipes installed.

Essendon = Tullamarine = many vehicles, no train.

Fremantle = Walyalup = bohemian port of remote city by the beach

Geelong = Djilong = grey skies, chilly temperatures, coach looks like el chapo.

Gold Coast = Karara = home of dodgy property developers with gold teeth

Greater Western Sydney = Ngurra = we are the world

Hawthorn = Boroondara = land of lycra and SUVs with detachable stickers

Melbourne = Naarm = portly accountant walks into a bar and is duly greeted

North Melbourne = Yern-da-ville = smells of bones, gristle and meat

Port Adelaide = Yartapuulti = still 20 minutes south of Snowtown

Richmond= Quo-yung = observe the dress code please..no thongs, no singlets..

St.Kilda = Youruk = tallest player near the umpire

Sydney Swans = Warrane = cost of living allowance please dahling!

West Coast Eagles = Boorloo = remote city by the beach

Western Bulldogs = Maribyrnong = don’t drink the river water

Hope I did it justice!

 

Warrane vs Qour-nong on Gadigal lands The twin towers of Q’s forward line might’ve been cramped for space on the smaller ground but equally the stingy W defence ensured there was no welcome to Gadigal land! Jake Lloyd flew the flag and the Blues got another dose of wayward fwd 50 arc. McKay 0.3, C.Curnow 1.3 in 6.15. Swans wayward but home by 26pts.

 

Youruk vs Boroondara at Kulin Nation Stadium Those young upstarts from B gave their seasoned Y opponents an old fashioned-scare that turned into a meritorious and surprising win. Despite leading for most, B’s 5 goal to 1 last qtr showed that it’s even comp. Captain Sicily was superb, racking up 43 stats, helped by Moore and Shiels. Hawks 10pts. M King 4.

 

Naarm vs Walyalup at Kulin Nation CG A brilliant 2^nd half saw W overcome its better performed opponent at the G. Wayward kicking didn’t help the Dees in the Luke Jackson -Ed Langdon Cup but a tight contest with not much more than 2 goals in it for most of the match. Young Amiss kicked 3 and Andy won the clash of the Brayshaws just. W by 7pts. Trac 30.

 

Djilang vs Ngurra on Wadawarrung lands The Land of the Beanstalks was rocking after the N giants pulled of a major heist at the Cattery. The Giants led for most of the game, inspired by return of skipper Toby! Giants had most of the major ballwinners and the effective forward line as D Cats struggled to be effective. GWS Greene 4, Daniels, Riccardi 3

 

Karara vs Maribyrnong in Garamilla under a Darwin Sky, the TIO stadium crowd saw the Suns take on the Dogs in an epic encounter that the Suns won by 7pts. The local population saw a great game between two evenly matched teams with finals on the horizon. The Dogs drew level due to Cody Weightman late in the 4^th. Young K Sun Bailey Humphrey goal. End.

 

Boorloo vs Tullamarine on Wardoolier lands The Eagles hadn’t been flying high of late and so surprisingly were competitive in the 2^nd qtr and within striking distance at the main break. The T Dons had other ideas, powering away to a 50pt win thru Merrett and Martin. Hunt and Duggan led well for the Eagles but injuries are high and confidence low in Boorloo.

 

Quo-yung vs Yartapuulti at Kulin Nation CG Those Y warriors never stop stop stop do they? Q found out the hard way as young Butters, Rozee and Houston led the Power surge in the 2^nd half. Tim Taranto continued his fine year with 33 and 4.1, assisted by meatballs Prestia.  Class ultimately prevailed between the two, despite wayward kicking at both ends.

 

Yalla-birr-ang vs Yern-da-ville at Kulin Nation Stadium The YBA Pies saw off the young YDV Roos in a spirited contest at the Docklands. What looked like a final qtr blowout with a margin of 9 goals was reined in to a more respectable 35pt win thanks to a 6 goal to 3 last qtr by the Roos. Larkey 5, J Daicos, Mihocek 3. JDG 35, assisted by N Daicos 32. Roo Scott 30.

 

Tarntanya vs Meeanjin on Tarntanya wama lands A productive forward line saw the Crows overcome the Lions at Sunday twilight. Tex 3 led the troops as did skipper Dawson. Lions had their fair share of ball winners too, but inaccuracy was costly for the visitors with 10.18. Lions main targets up forward were under-productive. Crows though worthy 17pt win.

  

 

FEARLESS 2023 Round 10 – Sir Doug Nicholls Round pt 1 – a salute to the Indigenous

 

Yartapuulti vs Naarm on Tarntanya wama lands and what a cracker of a game it was in driving rain! N led Y at 3 /4 time on the back of a 7 goal 3^rd qtr. Y had controlled the 1^st half and were being asked the question. An emphatic last qtr saw Y, led by the Butters- midfield combo do enough to win by 4pts. A classic in the wet – both sides proving their finals worth.

 

Yern-da-ville vs Warrane at Kulin Nation Stadium Y led W with a minute to go when a catastrophic interchange error (75^th and 76^th interchange at the same time, when the max is 75 per match) saw a free and 50m penalty awarded to W’s McLean who duly goaled with 22 seconds remaining. The young Y Roos were devastated. W Swans by 3pts under the roof.

 

Maribyrnong vs Tarntanya at MARS Stadium in Waddarung M hosted T at Mars Stadium with a wayward M Bulldogs get off to a flyer with 4.7. The T Crows never fully recovered, trailing for most and losing by 45pts. M Bulldogs skipper the Bont was ably supported by Macrae, Daniel and the Baileys. Laird flew the Crows flag on an off day for T.

 

Walyalup vs Djilang on Whadjuk lands the purple haze hovered over Whadjuk as the Walyalup Wharfies hosted the Reigning Premiers. After an even first qtr, WW started to assume the ascendancy in the 2^nd thru mids Brayshaw and Serong. Tomahawk was keeping the Cats alive with 3 as was Never Amiss and Walters with 3 for WW. W a home win  29pts.

 

Tropic Thunder: Meeanjin v Karara at Woollongabba State bragging rights saw M see off K as probably expected by the punters. For the promising signs showed by the Suns, the Lions were playing for higher honours in September. Lions revved the afterburners in the last qtr with Daniher 4 and Neale 35stats. M home by 43pts. Young Sun Humphrey BB 26 stats.

 

Tullamarine vs Quo-yung Dreamtime at Kulin Nation CG A Q domination over T for the last decade came to a grinding halt in the Dreamtime Clash at the G on Saturday Night. What was looking like a comfortable Tigers win was shortlived as the T Dons stormed back with 4 late goals to pinch an unlikely 1pt win. The game aint over till it’s over! Is Don Is V Good!

 

Boroondara vs Boorloo on Kanamaluka lands Boorloo Eagles travelled to Tasmania to tackle Boroondara and whilst the early effort was good, the Eagles were soon blown off the park as they had no answers for the Hawks and only managed 2pts in the 2^nd half. Mitch Lewis 6 returned to form as the Hawks ran away to a 116pt win. A long flight home 4 Eagles!

 

Qour-nong vs Yalla-birr-ang at Kulin Nation CG The G hosted traditional rivals Q Blues v Y Pies. A slow start by the Blues highlighted by the fast starting Pies. Q behind the 8-ball and struggling tall forwards McKay and Curnow having their hands full with the Y defence. 22 scoring shots to 20 and yet the Pies scored a 28pt win. Blues indeed, hot Pies. Mihocek 4.

 

Ngurra vs Youruk on Wann-gal lands The Youruk Saints travelled to Ngurra to try and topple the beanstalk. The only functioning beanstalk was Saints Max King with 4. A close, entertaining game saw the Saints prevail by 12pts, managing to hold back the Orange/Mango Tsunami in the process. St Sinclair had 35 and team defence kept Toby quiet when it counted.

 

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