Halftime, from Telstra Dome, in the first match of today's double-header... [result]Western Bulldogs 5.9 (39) Sydney 5.0 (30)[/result] No super-goals as of yet, but Brad Johnson kicked a goal from 48 meters after the siren to lengthen the Doggies' lead. I'll endeavor to post a final score here before I have to head to work this afternoon. Also, Hawthorn and St. Kilda to follow this one at Telstra Dome.
Full-time score from Telstra Dome: [result]Western Bulldogs 1.11.14 (89) Sydney 0.11.4 (70)[/result] Hawthorn v St. Kilda to follow in the nightcap at the Dome, while Brisbane and Melbourne play later at Cazaly Stadium in Cairns, in tropical north Queensland.
Sainters great win, especially considering we had half a team out. Just got back from the footy. I go every week and I was pleased in a way by how we played. Should have won by more. Should have kicked more goals. Go Sainters!
Full-time score, between St. Kilda and Hawthorn... [result]Hawthorn 1.8.9 (66) St. Kilda 1.8.18 (75)[/result] Inaccurate goal-kicking nearly did the Saints in, as they held off a late charge from the Hawks after leading Hawthorn by 30-odd points midway through the third term. Post-match report -- afl.com.au And a shocking scoreline at Cazaly Stadium in Cairns, between Brisbane and Melbourne... [result]Brisbane 0.7.11 (53) Melbourne 3.10.11 (98)[/result] Russell Robertson kicked four goals to pace the Demons, but the Lions were without some key players (rested by coach Leigh Matthews), including midfield dynamo Jason Akermanis. Post-match report -- afl.com.au
Post-match report -- The Sunday Age Mitchell, Murray face revamped Tribunal -- The Sunday Age Post-match report -- The Sunday Herald Sun Post-match analysis -- The Sunday Herald Sun focus on Hawthorn's efforts Post-match report -- The Sunday Age Post-match report -- The Sunday Herald Sun
Post-match report -- The Sunday Herald Sun Post-match report -- The Sunday Age Post-match feature -- The Sunday Age
Three games being played today, to close out the opening round of the Wizard Cup... North Melbourne v Geelong, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 2:40 p.m. Carlton v Essendon, Telstra Dome, Melbourne, 5:10 p.m. Adelaide v Port Adelaide, AAMI Stadium, Adelaide, 7:30 p.m. All times listed are Melbourne times. Sunday previews -- The Sunday Age (complete with squad lists and numbers, and betting angles) Hungry Cats primed for bigger year -- The Sunday Herald Sun Ablett stars -- The Herald Sun (day late, article's on Nathan Ablett) Dan's keeping up Kangaroo appearances -- The Sunday Herald Sun (on Daniel Harris) The slot machine -- The Sunday Age (on Saverio Rocca) Blues, Bombers tinkering in first hit-out -- The Age (day late, but appropriate) No favours for injured Power star -- The Adelaide Advertiser Choco's mission for the midfield -- The Adelaide Advertiser New Crows are full of promise -- The Adelaide Advertiser
One other item on Geelong's Nathan Ablett, son of the great Gary Ablett Sr., and younger brother of current Cats player Gary Jr... this from Saturday's Geelong Advertiser: Good to go -- Geelong Advertiser I know it was a practice match, but if this guy -- with all the physical and mental footy tools and skills honed already -- is kicking tallies such as 5.2 against established VFL sides, then he's ready for the big time, right now. For the season ahead, I'd say this rookie plays 13-16 top-flight games for the Cats, at least. As for today, I don't think another big haul against North Melbourne's out of the question.
Sunday's results -- and already, one of last season's grand finalists in the preseason tournament is out of the competition at the opening hurdle... North Melbourne v Geelong, at Manuka Oval, Canberra: [result]North Melbourne 0.7.12 (54) Geelong 4.5 (29)[/result] Carlton v Essendon, at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne: [result]Carlton 2.13.11 (107) Essendon 2.7.10 (70)[/result] And in the "Showdown" in South Australia, Adelaide v Port Adelaide, at AAMI Stadium: [result]Adelaide 1.7.9 (60) Port Adelaide 0.11.9 (75)[/result] And as for my tipping, I went 4/8 for the opening weekend of the Wizard Cup.
And the quarterfinal-round pairings are as follows: Friday, February 25 St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs, at Aurora Stadium, Launceston at 7.40pm Saturday, February 26 North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide, at Telstra Dome at 7.40pm West Coast vs Collingwood, at Marrara Oval, Darwin, at 9.40pm Sunday, February 27 Melbourne vs Carlton, at Telstra Dome at 5.10pm
Apparently prior to about 2001 "most" of the teams never took this pre-season concept that seriously. However according to the records since then the teams reaching the grand final have gone on to good seasons in the regular competition. It is now considered a reasonable guide for those two teams prospects. If anyone is into long term betting for the finals it maybe worth keeping a friendly eye on them. The games on the weekend had some great action.
Round 2 begins... Friday Night Footy comes to Tasmania, with the Western Bulldogs v St. Kilda match at Aurora Stadium in Launceston: [result]Western Bulldogs 2.10.7 (85) St. Kilda 1.9.11 (74)[/result] And the "morning-after" news from the Melbourne papers: Post-match report -- The Herald Sun Post-match report -- The Age Two more quarterfinal-round matches on for tonight... North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide, at Telstra Dome at 7.40pm West Coast vs Collingwood, at Marrara Oval, Darwin, at 9.40pm Not good news for Collingwood, with a couple of key players ruled out for the preseason (in addition to captain Nathan Buckley)... Tarrant, Richards blow for Magpies -- The Herald Sun New knee, groin injuries for Pies -- The Age Without Buckley and now minus Chris Tarrant, I can't see Collingwood beating the West Coast Eagles tonight. Saturday's matches previewed -- The Age
Carlton and West Coast will face off in the Grand Final of the Wizard Cup next weekend. Semifinal scores (amid my apologies for not keepig up with the thread here, I have been very busy with work lately)... West Coast v North Melbourne at Subiaco Oval in Perth, on Friday night: [result]West Coast 2.15.12 (120) North Melbourne 0.5.10 (40)[/result] And last night at Telstra Dome, Western Bulldogs v Carlton: [result]Western Bulldogs 1.11.7 (82) Carlton 0.21.7 (133)[/result]
Which one, Suz? I listed two games there. Mind you, I was too busy working all weekend, so I haven't had a chance to see either game, not even the replays on Fox Footy, yet.
Nick Stevens has decided to bypass his brother's wedding on Saturday, in order to play in the Wizard Cup grand final that night, against West Coast... Stevens to play -- The Age C'mon, mate... it's only the preseason.
One of the silliest moves Stevens has made. In these situations it is always family before anything else.
Thursday's news... Eagle ruckman keen to move forward -- The Age on Michael Gardiner's quest to return to form for the Eagles Lappin to go where Blues need him -- The Age Chambers rejuvenated by Pagan's challenge -- The Age ex-Eagle Callum Chambers, now at Carlton Lappin hopes for third time lucky -- The Herald Sun Barnaby (French) finds his feet at Blues -- The Herald Sun Worsfold hits snooze -- The Herald Sun Teams to be announced tonight...
Last year's Brownlow Medal winner Chris Judd to return for West Coast, while Carlton's Anthony Koutafides awaits clearance pending the results on a test on his bothersome right knee for Saturday night's Wizard Cup grand final at Telstra Dome... Three return for Eagles -- team news article from sportal.com.au Carlton: Andrew Walker, Digby Morrell, Luke Livingston, Kade Simpson, Justin Davies, Lance Whitnall, Brett Johnson, Barnaby French, Matthew Lappin, David Teague, Scott Cmporeale, Glen Bowyer, Eddie Betts, Cory McGrath, Callum Chambers, Nick Stevens, Brendan Fevola, Adrian Deluca, Ian Prendergast, Heath Scotland, Jordan Bannister, Bret Thornton, Ryan Houlihan, Simon Wiggins, Trent Sporn, Karl Norman, Anthony Koutoufides, Andrew Carrazzo West Coast: Michael Gardiner, Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, Tyson Stenglein, Drew Banfield, Chad Fletcher, Ben Cousins, Michael Braun, Josh Wooden, Mark Seaby, Damien Adkins, Daniel Chick, Rowan Jones, Quinten Lynch, Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Daniel McConnell, Sam Butler, Ashley Sampi, Ashley Hansen, Andrew Embley, Adam Selwood, Brett Jones, Adam Hunter, Michael Embley, Brent Staker, David Wirrpunda, Jaymie Graham These teams will be trimmed to 24 players per squad for Saturday's match (preseason rules).
Game starts at 7:45pm Australian time. I am tipping WCE to win the cup. I can't stand Carlton. They suck