AFL, Round 18 {R}

[babytiger2001]

Getting an early start this week on the weekly thread, since this is going to be a very crazy week for me offline, and I'm not sure how much time I can dedicate to the normal newsgathering and so forth...

This weekend's fixtures:

Friday, 30 July
Adelaide v North Melbourne, at AAMI Stadium, 8 p.m. Adelaide time (8:30 p.m. in Melbourne)

Saturday, 31 July
Carlton v Fremantle, at Optus Oval, Carlton, 2 p.m. Melbourne time
Collingwood v Richmond, at the MCG, 2 p.m. Melbourne time
Essendon v Port Adelaide, at Telstra Dome, 7 p.m. Melbourne time
Sydney v Brisbane, at the SCG, 7 p.m. Sydney time

Sunday, 1 August
Geelong v St. Kilda, at Kardinia Park, Geelong, 1 p.m. Melbourne time
Melbourne v Hawthorn, at the MCG, 2 p.m. Melbourne time
West Coast v Western Bulldogs, at Subiaco Oval, 2 p.m. Perth time (4 p.m. Melbourne time)

Live audio, as usual, on the AFL's official site (http://www.afl.com.au); just look for the links within a half-hour prior to the opening centre bounce of each match.

Ladders and stats coming right up...

[babytiger2001]

AFL ladder in detail (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/ladder/index.html)

The identities of the top five teams looks settled, albeit to be changed by some jockeying for position in the last five weeks of the home-and-away season...

1. Brisbane 17 13 4 0 1957 1428 137.04 52
2. St Kilda 17 13 4 0 1914 1431 133.75 52
3. Port Adelaide 17 13 4 0 1870 1461 127.99 52
4. Melbourne 17 13 4 0 1793 1445 124.08 52
5. Geelong 17 11 6 0 1588 1372 115.74 44
6. Fremantle 17 10 7 0 1545 1421 108.72 40
7. North Melbourne 17 9 8 0 1713 1521 112.62 36
8. Sydney 17 9 8 0 1458 1455 100.2 36
===============================================
9. Essendon 17 9 8 0 1772 1782 99.43 36
10. West Coast 17 8 9 0 1529 1677 91.17 32
11. Carlton 17 7 10 0 1438 1777 80.92 28
12. Collingwood 17 6 11 0 1426 1566 91.06 24
13. Adelaide 17 5 12 0 1526 1648 92.59 20
14. Western Bulldogs 17 4 13 0 1498 1867 80.23 16
15. Richmond 17 4 13 0 1296 1873 69.19 16
16. Hawthorn 17 2 15 0 1275 1874 68.03 8

Statistical leaders -- afl.com.au (http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=stats)

Top goal-kickers
1. Matthew Lloyd (Essendon) 72
2. Fraser Gehrig (St Kilda) 64
3. David Neitz (Melbourne) 61
4. Warren Tredrea (Port Adelaide) 59
5. Brendan Fevola (Carlton) 57
6. Barry Hall (Sydney) 56
7. Matthew Richardson (Richmond) 52
8. Phillip Matera (West Coast) 50
9. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) 44
10. Stephen Milne (St Kilda) 41

Also, in terms of breaking news, and I usually don't relay news on Mondays, but this is somewhat important.

Lame duck Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab-- to paraphrase some famous lyrics by Neil Young-- decided today that it is better to burn out than to fade away, when Schwab and Hawthorn's interim CEO Jason Dunstall mutually agreed to part company effective immediately, instead of having Schwab see out the season as previously arranged.

Schwab leaves early -- foxsports.news.com.au (http://www.foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10251065-23209,00.html)

No bitterness: Schwab -- afl.com.au, via Sportal (http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=162476)

[BhoysFC1995]

huge game for the cats.... syd and bris too..... actually there are a bunch of good games this weekend.

[babytiger2001]

huge game for the cats.... syd and bris too..... actually there are a bunch of good games this weekend.

Very true, that.

A good number of pivotal games that will help shape the top eight, especially the 6th, 7th and 8th positions.

It'll be tougher on the tipsters than last week was, definitely. If anyone gets 8/8 this week, they'll have to earn it.

And the Sunday afternoon blockbuster at Kardinia Park between Geelong and St. Kilda is definitely the match of the round. :)

[ScouseCat]

Not only is it a crutial period for teams near the top and teams trying to make the finals, but it's also a very interesting time for a couple of the bottom teams.

William, I know you'll be right on top of this latest story being a journalist and all, but on Talking Footy just before, Hutchy broke a story involving the Western Bulldogs and a group including ex-player Doug Hawkins, that was preparing to overturn the current Board and President.

With the troubles at Hawthorn and Richmond and now the Western Bulldogs, it's not hard to see which clubs have had an absolute shocker of a season!

[babytiger2001]

William, I know you'll be right on top of this latest story being a journalist and all, but on Talking Footy just before, Hutchy broke a story involving the Western Bulldogs and a group including ex-player Doug Hawkins, that was preparing to overturn the current Board and President.

With the troubles at Hawthorn and Richmond and now the Western Bulldogs, it's not hard to see which clubs have had an absolute shocker of a season!

Very true, that, Darren-- and I'll likely have the links to the hot news stories tonight (I'll be way too busy during the day today with the course I'm intensively taking this week, and can't get to the news until tonight).

With regard to the Bulldogs angle (and this is the first I've heard of it, I went to bed before "Talking Footy" last night), I'm a fair bit away from the western suburbs of Melbourne, but it has a local interest in the town I live, because Dougie Hawkins is a Bacchus Marsh boy and has never forgotten where he's come from.

It'll be interesting to see where these takeover stories with Hawthorn, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs go, because it sounds like only the surface is beginning to be scratched. Watch this space, folks...

[babytiger2001]

It's Thursday, and here are my tips...

Adelaide v North Melbourne
Carlton v Fremantle
Collingwood v Richmond
Essendon v Port Adelaide
Sydney v Brisbane
Geelong v St. Kilda
Melbourne v Hawthorn
West Coast v Western Bulldogs

I'm on 92/136 over the first 17 rounds of the season so far-- and here's hoping I can get into triple-digits of winning tips when the weekend is done.

[babytiger2001]

Won't do a total recap of the hot news of the day, but rather what's been the talking points of the week, on a game-by-game basis...

Adelaide v North Melbourne
Crows told to get tough -- Adelaide Advertiser (http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/footy03/story_page/0,8747,10276202%255E25397,00.html)

Colbert injury blow -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10240153%255E19768,00.html)

Crows plead for time -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10243715%255E19761,00.html)

Eade on flying visit to talk to Crows -- The Age (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/27/1090693963172.html)


Carlton v Fremantle
Show-and-tell time for forgotten Blues -- The Age (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/27/1090693962891.html)


Collingwood v Richmond
Frawley's passion for Tigers undimmed -- The Age (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/27/1090693962885.html) Speaking of Danny Frawley, the word on the street is that he'll be among the ranks of the media next year, with the rumor that he could be joining wife Anita at Fox Footy Channel in various projects

Richmond seeks AFL help for internal review -- The Age (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/27/1090693962901.html)

Magpies talk to Eade -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10276283%255E19763,00.html)

Warring Tigers call a truce -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10276157%255E19771,00.html)

Bowden lists Richomond credits -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10266853%255E19771,00.html)


Essendon v Port Adelaide
Sheedy confident stars will play -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10254888%255E19770,00.html)

Hird back to face Power -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10234898%255E19764,00.html)


Sydney v Brisbane
Lion cleared to play at the SCG -- The Age (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/27/1090693963181.html) Akermanis escapes Tribunal punishment

Nothing funny about Leppa's rib tickler -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10269025%255E19746,00.html)

Swans lose Schneider and maybe Williams -- Sydney Morning Herald (http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/28/1090694028781.html)

Lions look to get the bogey men off their backs -- Sydney Morning Herald (http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/28/1090694028976.html)


Geelong v St. Kilda
Ling sees Saints as Cats' big test -- Geelong Advertiser (http://www.geelonginfo.com/readarticle.asp?articleid=12310)

Cats tough and skillful -- Geelong Advertiser (http://www.geelonginfo.com/readarticle.asp?articleid=12308)

Cats: Beware of Saints -- The Age (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/26/1090693896363.html)

Costa plans bear fruit -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10276016%255E19766,00.html)

Ling: We're ready for St. Kilda test -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10244905%255E19766,00.html)


Melbourne v Hawthorn
Demons wary of complacency -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10276286%255E19769,00.html)

Vandenberg draws new line in the sand -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10266798%255E19767,00.html)

Connolly high on Hawks' hit list -- The West Australian (http://thegame.thewest.com.au/20040729/afl/news/tg-afl-new-sto128849.html)


West Coast v Western Bulldogs
Fresh challenge to top Dogs -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10268521%255E19775,00.html)

Still underrated after 249 games -- The Herald Sun (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10268524%255E19775,00.html) Article on Western Bulldogs ball magnet Scott West

Ols Dogs weakening the club: West -- The Age (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/27/1090693962879.html)

Cousins warns on injury -- The West Australian (http://thegame.thewest.com.au/20040729/afl/news/tg-afl-new-sto128848.html)

Hands off Judd, say Eagles -- The West Australian (http://thegame.thewest.com.au/20040729/afl/news/tg-afl-new-sto128845.html) After the rumour in yesterday's Herald Sun that had Hawthorn reportedly talking to the Brownlow Medal favourite

[ScouseCat]

Here are my tips for the weekend's round of matches:

Adelaide v Kangaroos
Carlton v Fremantle
Collingwood v Richmond
Essendon v Port Adelaide
Sydney v Brisbane
Geelong v St. Kilda
Melbourne v Hawthorn
West Coast v Western Bulldogs

I'm currently on 87 for the season so far, looking for back to back 8's.

[Spartacus]

Now, courtesy of every man and his dog, we present the amazing Henry giving me one lick for home side and 2 licks for visiting side.
Friday, 30 July
Adelaide v North Melbourne

Saturday, 31 July
Carlton v Fremantle
Collingwood v Richmond
Essendon v Port Adelaide, at Telstra Dome, 7 p.m. Melbourne time
Sydney v Brisbane

Sunday, 1 August
Geelong v St. Kilda
Melbourne v Hawthorn
West Coast v Western Bulldogs

[babytiger2001]

The winners so far-- and my apologies for being slack on this... you all can blame my ISP for that. :(

Friday night, Adelaide v North Melbourne (http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=matchresults&spg=display&articleid=163375) at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide:
Adelaide 5.19 (49)
North Melbourne 5.12 (42)

That game was, as Triple M's James Brayshaw said in a separate context a couple of weeks ago, "four-thirty-in-the-morning ugly".

Saturday's afternoon games...

A thriller at the MCG between Collingwood and Richmond (http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=163410):
Collingwood 15.13 (103)
Richmond 14.14 (98)

And Carlton v Fremantle (http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=163419) at Optus Oval in Carlton:
Carlton 9.9 (63)
Fremantle 16.15 (111)

Of course, I've blamed my ISP for my reason for my lack of normal maintenace on this thread.

I think it could be fair to say that Dodo Internet's gone down faster in the last couple of days than a $2 hooker on St. Kilda Road in Melbourne.

Hmmmm... kinda like what the Saints will do against Geelong tomorrow. :D

[BhoysFC1995]

Swans stunner vs brisbane (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10310433-23211,00.html)

what the heck happened?

[Andy TAUS]

Swans stunner vs brisbane (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10310433-23211,00.html)

what the heck happened?The Swannees outplayed them. :)

[ScouseCat]

Swans stunner vs brisbane (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10310433-23211,00.html)

what the heck happened?
Brisbane had an off night and fell victum to Sydney's defensive tactics and boring style of play on a small SCG ground.

[ScouseCat]

With William's ISP still playing up, I've decided to help him out with posting the results of the remaining games from round 18. Apologies if they're set out differently to how William usually does them! :)


Saturday Night's Results:

Essendon vs Port Power
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=matchresults&spg=default&m_tournamentmatch_id=1283

Sydney vs Brisbane
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=matchresults&spg=default&m_tournamentmatch_id=1284


Sunday's Results:

Geelong vs St Kilda
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=matchresults&spg=default&m_tournamentmatch_id=1285

Melbourne vs Hawthorn
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=matchresults&spg=default&m_tournamentmatch_id=1286

West Coast vs Western Bulldogs
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=matchresults&spg=default&m_tournamentmatch_id=1287


I have moved onto 92 for the season after tipping 5/8 on the weekend. Kangaroos, Brisbane and Port were the teams who let me down this week.

[ScouseCat]

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=ladder

Ladder - Round 18

Pos Team P W D L F A % Total

1 Melbourne 18 14 0 4 1900 1508 125.99 56
2 Brisbane Lions 18 13 0 5 2008 1511 132.89 52
3 St Kilda 18 13 0 5 2008 1532 131.07 52
4 Port Adelaide 18 13 0 5 1949 1580 123.35 52
5 Geelong 18 12 0 6 1689 1466 115.21 48
6 Fremantle 18 11 0 7 1656 1484 111.59 44
7 Sydney Swans 18 10 0 8 1541 1506 102.32 40
8 Essendon 18 10 0 8 1901 1861 102.15 40
--------------------------------------------------
9 Kangaroos 18 9 0 9 1765 1570 112.42 36
10 West Coast Eagles 18 9 0 9 1644 1734 94.81 36
11 Collingwood 18 7 0 11 1529 1673 91.39 28
12 Carlton 18 7 0 11 1501 1898 79.08 28
13 Adelaide 18 6 0 12 1575 1690 93.2 24
14 Western Bulldogs 18 4 0 14 1555 1973 78.81 16
15 Richmond 18 4 0 14 1394 1976 70.55 16
16 Hawthorn 18 2 0 16 1338 1991 67.2 8

[babytiger2001]

I have moved onto 92 for the season after tipping 5/8 on the weekend. Kangaroos, Brisbane and Port were the teams who let me down this week.

Also went 5/8 on the weekend, with me moving to 97 for the season.

And I am absolutely rapt not just with the result in the Geelong match, but the manner it was achieved as well.

:D

[Spartacus]

Swans stunner vs brisbane (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10310433-23211,00.html)

what the heck happened?
I'm watching the simple answer to that right now.

For Heritage weekend Brisbane ran out as the Carrara Koalas of old!

[Craig the Aussie]

The Carrara Koalas !!! I love it.

I actually like that guernsey - they should have worn the shocker that the Bears had originally.