FEARLESS 2023: Well done to South Australia (Round 5 and 6)

 

• Have been off air for a bit, but am endeavouring a comeback of sorts…

 

• Having just witnessed the NRL Magic Round in Queensland, I’d say well done to the people of South Australia for hosting all nine games in Gather Round. The renewal for the next three years give the concept a chance to develop a good footing and a solid foundation to improve and get better. Lovely to see the games being played at the Parade in Norwood and also at Mt Barker – for the South Australians, a nod to the old and the new. Norwood represents the suburban Adelaide footy history and Mt Barker represents a growth corridor that may become a big community within the state into the future. In years to come, hopefully several other suitable venues can be displayed and used within the concept.

 

• Without wishing to sound like Juan Antonio…the real winner was South Australia! We all know what SA has to offer, but it took a footy festival to showcase it even further.

 

 

FEARLESS 2023 Round 5 – Strap into the DeLorean and off we go to South Australia!

 

Emphatic. Adelaide taught Carlton a lesson. Welcome to SA and I guess that’s why they call them the Blues. Crows skipper Dawson again led from the front amassing possessions at will, along with Laird. A dynamite forward 50 – Fogarty five, Tex three, Keays three had the Blues in a spin. Carlton’s first loss for 2023 by 56pts. The Crows’ slow start to 2023 has turned into three straight wins.

 

Fremantle donned a stealth jumper designed for gather round. Not that there was any jumper clash with Gold Coast at the Parade, the home of the famed Norwood Redlegs. Quite appropriate in the end, as the Dockers stole a win in the last quarter by 10, despite not leading since late in the first. Walters four, Schulz three, Amiss three for Freo. Swallow three and 20 stats for the Suns.

 

Richmond hosted Sydney at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night as the SA spotlight moved west ~5kms with Jack Riewoldt starring as the Bride of Frankenstein. Good to see Swan Will Gould FINALLY get a game, but the game could be summed up in two words: Tom Papley. Six second half goals. Tigers get close…enter TP. Game over. Swans by 44. Rain – heavy.

 

Mt Barker, in an inane trivial fact, could be the second biggest residential area soon in SA. Factually correct, as opposed to many of Kellie Underwood’s utterings on Foxfooty! Between her and Richo…WTF? Brisbane and North played like 2022. Joe Daniher looked like a superstar. He kicked five. Lachie Neale 37 stats. North good for 15 mins. Lions by 75 points.

 

Scalp o’clock! Melbourne hosted Essendon at the Adelaide Oval in the first game of the first double header. The Bombers had been tracking well under new coach BS. Time had come though for the Dons to collect a big scalp. A 27 point win over the Demons proved to be just that. Ex-Winefly Draper relished his return to SA with three. Oliver 41, Merrett 35 and an MRO date, Parish 34.

 

To boo or not to boo. That is the question! Port hosted Bulldogs in Saturday’s double header second game at the AO. JHF aka ‘the Hornet’ was the target of the booing…don’t know who/why but it inspired a stellar last quarter effort as the Power wrestled back the lead and the game of the Dogs in heavy rain. Cody Weightman four for Dogs. Port coach Kenny spirited in JHF’s defence.

 

Geelong hosted West Coast in the double header’s first game at AO on Sunday. It basically took the Cats a term to stamp authority over the injury-ravaged Eagles. A nine goal second quarter by the Cats saw them take a 64 point lead into the sheds at the half. To win by 47 suggests the Eagles made a vague attempt at comeback. Jones 25 stats to still fly the Eagles’ flag. Allen four, Jezza four and Tomahawk also four.

 

The Himmelberg show! GWS hosted Hawthorn as the AFL returned to Adelaide’s suburbs at the Parade in Norwood. What a thriller it was as Harry Himmelberg upped his market price with a match saving at the other end of the ground to top off a mark of the year contender and goal to put GWS back in front. Wingard’s lacerated tongue – just ouch! GWS by 2 points. Worpel 35.

 

St.Kilda v Collingwood double header conclusion for the last game of Gather Round and the crowds rolled in just as JDG was ruled out for the Pies…a BIG out! The Pies held a solid lead but were in for a shock as the Saints fired off three goals late in the last to nearly pinch a win. Young Daicos continued his stellar form with 42 stats. Young Caminiti however straight to tribunal…bang!

 

 

 

FEARLESS 2023 Round 6…back in town, having returned the hired lederhosen…

 

The Bulldogs went west to take on the Dockers on their own dungheap. Apart from some early Freo resistance (mainly aimed at ex-Freo Lobb), the Dogs soon pulled up the anchor and took a fair percentage boost, a win by 49 points. Unsung Dog Williams kicked three and had 23, Astronaught also three. They were led by the Bont, 31 stats, two goals. Dogs opened Lobster Tears Beer for Rory!

 

Port’s resurgence continued when they comfortably accounted for West Coast by 40 points in the Junior Rioli Cup. Enduring something of an annus horribilus, West Coast tried heaps but Port had the answers, leading all the way and aided by Jeremy Finlayson with five. Young Eagle Jai ‘Cranny Chicken Shop’ Culley kicked four in his best haul. Eagle Kelly 34. Rozee 29, two goals.

 

Canberra assumed the AFL spotlight when the Giants hosted Brisbane in a game where the Giants seemed competitive, but the Lions showed why they’re one of the faves. Giant J. Kelly with 41 was huge, Coniglio same with 38. However Charlie Cameron lit up the ACT with 7.2, aided by Gunston, Hipwood two each. Giant Daniels four, Xavier O’H three. Lions by 21, GWS close but…

 

The Swans however showed no competitiveness as the Cats started their first home game at the Cattery by unfurling last year’s premiership. In a similar fashion, the game was soon over. That the Cats sent the Swans packing by 93 points was just plain ugly. Swans coach Horse had no answers! When Tomahawk and Jezza kick five each, it’s normally party time on Corio Bay.

 

Darcy Fogarty you beauty! Two minutes before the end of the seesawing Crows v Hawks battle in Launceston, Fogerty marked and put the Crows in front. A three point Adelaide win had the locals in disbelief, even if the crowd wasn’t really an advert for an AFL Tassie team. The Hawks looked in control in the last after a Greene goal. Rankine goal…then the Fog… Tex four, Fog three.

 

The Saints and the Blues took match of the round honours and it was even at the half. The Saints turned on the jets in the third, kicking 5.4 and leaving the Blues in their wake with 1.3. Premiership third quarters were the domain of Carlton’s history but not anymore. Ross Lyon’s defensive blanket ensured a low scoring slugfest in the last. Saints job done, a win by 22.

 

Roo star Goldy played his 300^th as the Roos’ trip to the Gold Coast was again the sliding doors game. This time, most punters thought the Suns would eclipse the Roos and they were right. Whilst not accurate, the Suns were far more productive in the forward 50 arc with King’s five showing a return to form and Chol, Humphrey and Ainsworth all with two. Anderson, Weller 28 touches. Suns by 43 points.

 

Melbourne and Richmond squared off again in the Anzac Eve game on Monday Night st the ‘G. The Dees took three quarters to shake off a dogged Tigers outfit to win by 18 points. Tiger Cumberland sparked the Tigers, but BOG Viney led the Dees, ably supported by Clarry and the usual suspects! A cameo by Van ROOYen – three goals…when he was nearly subbed!

 

The Pies magic disappearing act returned again on Anzac Day as the improved Bombers led by 28 points at the last change. Voila, in the blink of an eye, Collingwood had performed the seven goals required to steal an emphatic victory, led by the irrepressible Nick Daicos and new skipper Moore. Langford three, N Daicos 40 stats and two goals. Moore’s speech magnificent!

 

 

 

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