The Hawks flew to the City of Churches desperate to get back onto the winner list at the Crows’ expense. It says as much for efficiency of ball movement that Adelaide had the 4 biggest stats winners and still lost. Dangerfield, B.Crouch (40+), B.Smith, Sloane (30+). Mitchell (28) topped the Hawks. Crows good but Hawks win by 12pts.
The Cats took on the Demons at the MCG on Saturday, mindful of the Dees improvement. A 10 goal lead at the 1 /2 needn’t have had Geelong worried. Melbourne didn’t have forwards and all Demons will need to dig deep now to see out 2014, otherwise gains will have been lost. Cats by 11 goals. Tomahawk 3 goals.
Despite some sun at Bellerive, it was cold enough to stay in the portaloo as North cruised past a dispirited and inaccurate Saints (3.15.33). Hobart locals got their 1st AFL fix for 2014 as Blundstone Arena grappled with renos. Hayes tried v.hard to set the Saints example, but the Roos were too clean. Roos by 59pts. Goldstein starred.
The Doggies stood to gain $500K by hosting the Sunnyboys at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. To walk away with the 4pts was a bonus, a testament to faith and instruction shown by Dogs coach Macca to his litter. Young Pup Macrae got 43 stats and 2 goals. Sunnyboys (AD) melted in the intensity – better get used to no Gazza. Dogs 28pts.
The stars didn’t align for the Lions at the Gabbatoir as the visiting Eagles managed to lead for most of the night. Minus spearhead Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling led the Eagle attack, ably assisted by Le Cras, Shuey and novices McGovern and Smith. The Lions couldn’t get it together, despite the best efforts of ruck Stefan Martin. WCE by 12pts.
Carlton was only 7pts behind the Swans at the SCG at the main break, a fair effort indeed. A candidate for best team qtr of the year saw the Swans head to the last break 70pts ahead. Buddy had kicked 4 goals in the qtr and the Blues 0.1. Game over. I wonder if Blue turned Swan Jeremy Laidler appreciated the irony of his fate.
Jack Reiwoldt had the buzzsaw applied to his hair to honour a relative’s cancer fight as his Tigers unplugged the Power. A 20pt 1/ 2 time lead became a 20pt win for the Tiger faithful. Port grappled with the ideal of being the hunted. Nasty head knocks to Conca and Gray marred a free flowing contest. Ex-Tiger White’s running goal a gem.
Rex Hunt, the Bearded Burbler, called Collingwood’s performance against Essendon as subtle as a kick in the nuts. Anthony Mundine should gift his moniker The Man to Jake Carlisle who pulled down 19 marks and kicked 4 goals in a match winning turn assisted by Chappy and Curtly Ambrose (3 goals each). Cold Pies. Bombers by 64pts.
Fremantle beat the GWS Witches Hats by 76pts with Haydn Ballantyne kicking 5 and getting reported – yin and yang for the Purple haze. GWS’s goldsack Tom Scully got the honour of being tagged by Ryan Crowley, a testament to his rising reputation on field. Fyfe BOG and GWS’ Toby Greene returned to best form (pre nightclub daze!!)
crows spoilt their resurgence with silly disposal. they seemed just too anxious. swannies kicked double pies goal tally for whole game in about 18 minutes. pies look tired as do port. swans like the d day armada- they just kept coming. horse must have a way with half time words. buddy looks fitter and more relaxed playing in swans forward line that he did with the hawks. his great mate kurtley beale of waratahs also playing very well. they are both fit and confident and more or less of the slops. bondi hostelries not happy. bombers impressive without jobe. cloke looks demonised and not helped by a spluttering midfield that essentially is sans swan. sainters cant wait for the end of season tour but they can take heart from being a generous feeder club.
ying and yang in the fox commentary team. on the ying side ( I think that’s the positive one) we have dialectic dennis, ferryden park bruce, sandy cheerful Roberts and supported by vossy, brad et al who like their work and are positive. on the yang side we have taylor and eddie. annoying as commentators but homophobic and racist embarrassments to the wider game. I wonder what their colleagues think of them. widen the tribunal to cover commentators.
nank