47000 watched on as the top of the table clash unfolded between the Roos and the Dogs under the roof. Not since 68000 graced the G in 1998 had that occurred. Pressure brings fumbles, teams cope or don’t. Defence rules the night. Blue-Roo Waite kicks 4, the only multiple scorer, and the winning score is 9.7 to 6.9. Not the shootout expected, but an enthralling contest nonetheless. Dogs gun Hunter 44.
The battle between the Saints and Demons, religious motifs aside, had seen the Saints prevail the last 13 times. Melbourne’s getting of wisdom would be confirmed in its consistency. The Demons failed to exorcise their Etihad demons, despite 7 goals from young hero Hogan. Ex-Swan Membrey kicked 5 and helped St.Nick and Acres to fire the Saints to a 39pt win. Angelo Petraglia long-awaited Demon debut.
Freo’s shaky start to 2016 was always going to be tested by a trip to the City of Churches to meet the in-form Crows. Despite a solid start, the Dockers kicked themselves out of the contest to be 2.11 at the half. Pavlich 1.4 the chief culprit. Eddie Betts kicked 4 as the Crows pulled away to a 33pt win, Freo is getting the ball enough – Neale 40, Barlow 33 but without Walters 3.2, their attack looks impotent.
One Giant step for the GWS came in the form displayed against the reigning Premier at the Rooty Hill Reserve on Saturday Twilight. Stevie J proved he has still got a few ricks kicking 5, as did Norman Gunston for the Hawks. A 75pt win by the GWS, a sign that they are maturing nicely and have a great forward spread Scully 3, Palmer 3 not noted scorers and newcomer Lobb at 6’9 is impressive with 4.
Gold Coast Captain Gazza Jnr returned to the ground that made him famous in Geelong. Don’t know if he got what he expected or vice versa but the Suns went down very quickly over Eastern Beach as the night sky covered the Cattery. From there it was just a nightmare. Tomahawk and Kirstin Dunst kicking 4 and the Cats had 7 multiple goalkickers to 2. Sun gun Lynch kept to 2 as Cats home by 120.
Speaking of nightmares, the blowtorch awaited the loser of Richmond v Port at the G on Saturday night. George Costanza made his Tiger debut after Kamdyn McIntosh withdrew, citing a trip to England to name his village. After that, the Tiger misery became apparent after half time, highlighted by woeful skill errors. Dimma must be going tropp as would Mario from Doncaster, SEN’s resident pest. Port 35.
Aliir Aliir headed to make his debut for the Swans, a Sudanese lad born in a Kenyan refugee camp. That’s a great story for the AFL and their multicultural initiatives..and that debut was at Lake Gabbatoir in Brisbane. The Swans just held on for a 3pt win after some stretcher shenanigans that raised ire of Coach Leppa for a big bloke who apparently tripped himself up. Lions brave, Parker’s goal the sealer.
Carlton hosted the Essendon Crop Dusters and in the 2nd qtr no side kicked a goal for the first time since 1968. Both sides made the Grand Final that year. A dour wind-affected struggle took place at the G with Daisy continuing his renaissance as a Blue. Liam Jones nearly kicked the sealer again, but it was Blues veterans Murphy, Simpson and Gibbs held sway after young gun Wietering was winged.
Battle of the birds saw the Eagles host the Magpies. Bucks’ Pies kept pace admirably with the home team for three quarters until an 8.4 last quarter Eagle blitz saw the Pies packing for the next flight east. Young Magpies Treloar, , Crisp and Josh Smith led the stats but the Eagles were more composed in the last. Josh Kennedy kicked 3.6 but Eagles’ forward potency supreme. An Eagle win by 62pts.
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