Another big weekend in footy, as Eddie McGuire would say -- and here are the weekend fixtures... Friday, 15 July Collingwood v Essendon -- at the MCG, 7:30 p.m. Melbourne time Saturday, 16 July Geelong v Port Adelaide -- at Kardinia Park, Geelong, 2 p.m. Melbourne time Richmond v St. Kilda -- at the MCG, 2 p.m. Melbourne time West Coast v Brisbane -- at Subiaco Oval, 5:30 p.m. Perth time (7:30 p.m. in Melbourne) Melbourne v Sydney -- at Telstra Dome, 7:30 p.m. Melbourne time Sunday, 17 July Adelaide v Western Bulldogs -- at AAMI Stadium, 12:30 p.m. Adelaide time (1 p.m. in Melbourne) Carlton v Fremantle -- at the MCG, 2 p.m. Melbourne time Hawthorn v North Melbourne -- at Telstra Dome, 2 p.m. Melbourne time All the ladders, stats, news, and injury updates to come as the week unfolds...
The ladder, through 15 rounds Code: P W L D For Against % Pts West Coast 15 14 1 0 1654 1188 139.22 56 Adelaide 15 10 5 0 1364 1084 125.83 40 Geelong 15 9 6 0 1484 1322 112.25 36 Melbourne 15 9 6 0 1579 1496 105.54 36 Sydney 15 9 6 0 1263 1220 103.52 36 Richmond 15 9 6 0 1418 1432 99.02 36 North Melbourne 15 9 6 0 1369 1393 98.27 36 Brisbane 15 8 7 0 1555 1330 116.91 32 ========================================================== St Kilda 15 8 7 0 1517 1344 112.87 32 Port Adelaide 15 7 7 1 1384 1434 96.51 30 Fremantle 15 6 9 0 1362 1371 99.34 24 Western Bulldogs 15 6 9 0 1561 1608 97.07 24 Collingwood 15 5 10 0 1291 1528 84.48 20 Essendon 15 5 10 0 1309 1576 83.05 20 Hawthorn 15 3 12 0 1255 1517 82.72 12 Carlton 15 2 12 1 1251 1773 70.55 10 A couple of trends... Great duel for the double-chances in September -- anyone from Geelong down through to North Melbourne, ranging from 3rd to 7th, in a mad fight for third and fourth spots. As for the general top eight, St. Kilda and Port Adelaide solidified their respective claims with big wins at the weekend. Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs still alive, but only just. And still, the wooden spoon will fall to either Hawthorn or Carlton -- neither of which did much on Sunday to suggest that they can avoid the spoon.
We'll take the stats from Triple M's footy page this week -- with some nuggets there... DISPOSALS S. West (WB) 428 D. Cross (WB) 383 L. Hayes (St. K.) 377 P. Licuria (C'wood) 376 B. Cousins (WCE) 371 MARKS M. Pavlich (Freo) 139 W. Tredrea (PA) 134 M. Richardson (Rich) 124 R. Murphy (WB) 119 B. Hall (Syd) 114 CLANGER KICKS J. Johnson (Ess) 23 R. Houlihan (Rich) 20 S. Tuck (Rich) 20 J. Bowden (Rich) 19 L. Hodge (Haw) 19 HARD BALL GETS G. Ablett Jr. (Geel) 64 B. Kirk (Syd) 62 C. Judd (WCE) 59 S. Tuck (Rich) 57 L. Ball (St. K) 57 HITOUTS D. Cox (WCE) 389 P. Everitt (Haw) 381 J. White (Melb) 321 A. Sandilands (Freo) 245 D. Jolly (Syd) 242 CLEARANCES S. Mitchell (Haw) 94 B. Kirk (Syd) 89 A. Koutoufides (Carl) 83 S. Tuck (Rich) 74 L. Ball (St. K) 74 TACKLES B. Kirk (Syd) 78 J. Akermanis (Bris) 74 L. Ball (St. K) 72 M. Coughlan (Rich) 67 L. Hayes (St. K) 63 GOALS M. Williams (Haw) 55 F. Gehrig (St. K) 52 R. Robertson (Melb) 46 M. Richardson (Rich) 45 B. Hall (Syd) 44
And here's Monday night's news, led by some info on what's going to be a very, very tame week at the Tribunal... Judd, Ricciuto, Archer cleared by AFL -- The Age, via the AAP (free registration may be required) Petrie accepts reprimand -- sportal.com.au Judd cleared to play Lions -- The ABC Brisbane The Eagles are beatable, says Matthews -- The ABC Essendon Bombers to rebuild: Sheedy -- The ABC Bombers rule out Hird -- sportal.com.au St. Kilda Saints yet to hit top form: Koschitzke -- The ABC Clarke brothers commit to Saints -- The Age, via the AAP Richmond (Kane) Johnson an outside chance -- sportal.com.au Hawthorn Vandenberg backs youth policy -- sportal.com.au Melbourne Neitz fires Swans warning -- sportal.com.au Carlton Pagan defends Fevola display -- sportal.com.au (and after amassing zero kicks against the Saints and giving away two 50-metre penalties in the opening term, that's not easy to do)
The Tuesday evening briefing... Umpires Player dissent warning issued -- sportal.com.au Geelong v Port Adelaide Cats another test for Port's away form -- The ABC the prospect of Geelong getting the likes of Ling and Ottens back should help the Cats greatly Western Bulldogs Veteran Dogs hopeful -- sportal.com.au Chris Grant and Rohan Smith may stage a return for the Doggies against Adelaide on Sunday West Coast v Brisbane Selwood twins estranged, at least for one week -- The ABC Richmond Big-game query hangs over Tigers -- The Age, via the AAP
Like to make a few comments on umpire abuse by AFL players. In the previous thread there is an link to an article on Sportal. Today the Herald Sun in Melbourne has another article by a leading ex Rugby League Referee -Bill Harrigan. That sport had similar problems -His comments make interesting reading. His sport has the send off rule and sin bin. We do not have that set up at AFL level only had the next level down and so on. Historically the founders of the sport never gave the central umpires the power the Rugby and Soccer football referees had from the start. It is unlikely that the AFL will adopt the send off at this time. Currently a 50 metre penalty is invoked for abuse. Perhaps it should be 100 metres. However whatever happens all umpires must adopt some consistency. Here is the article link http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,15912688%5E20322,00.html
Some very good points. In the end, it comes down to player discipline and the umpires making solid calls. Compared to other sports -- you mention rugby league and soccer, I can vouch for the latter on this and not much of an informed opinion on rugby league -- I think the AFL does a pretty good job of this on the part of its officials. However, incidents like what happened on Sunday when Carlton's Brendan Fevola gave away not one but two 50-metre penalties and remonstrating as he did, that sort of brings those incidents into the limelight with a bit more emphasis. Never mind the fact that Fevola failed to get a kick at Telstra Dome -- that in itself may have been an ultimate sign of karma.
The Wednesday night news update... File this one under MCC/AFL, I guess Finals tickets hiked -- foxsports.news.com.au $120 AUD for the last Saturday in September, that's still cheaper than landing a Super Bowl ticket West Coast v Brisbane Cousins key for Eagles, Voss says -- The ABC Captain Cousins on verge of 200 club -- The Age, via the AAP Gardiner set for Lions blockbuster -- foxsports.news.com.au Geelong Star Cats set to return -- sportal.com.au as many as five could come back, but Ottens still out? Western Bulldogs Grant set for early return -- The ABC St. Kilda Riewoldt unable to get injury diagnosis -- The Age, via the AAP Injuries still hurting Saints -- sportal.com.au Essendon Dons deny McPhee injury -- sportal.com.au Melbourne Dee banks on double celebration -- foxsports.news.com.au Richmond Tiger Johnson may miss again -- foxsports.news.com.au Hawthorn v North Melbourne Hawks no pushovers: Hale -- sportal.com.au Collingwood v Essendon Rookies to shore up depleted Pies, Dons -- The Age
Round 15 injury list -- The Herald Sun And here's the list, verbatim... ADELAIDE Graham Johncock (leg) test Rowan Andrews (groin) 1 week Matthew Smith (quadriceps) test Hayden Skipworth (hamstring) test Scott Welsh (groin) test James Begley (shoulder) 1 week Joshua Krueger (back/knee) 2 weeks Matthew Bode (shoulder) season BRISBANE Matt Moody (knee) test Richard Hadley (knee) season Jared Brennan (quadriceps) 1-2 weeks Justin Leppitsch (back) test Robert Copeland (elbow) 2-4 weeks Cameron Wood (ankle) test Leigh Ryswyk (quadriceps) test Luke Forsyth (groin) test Beau McDonald (knee) indefinite CARLTON Luke Blackwell (quadriceps) test Adrian Deluca (foot) 2 weeks Barnaby French (leg) 1 week COLLINGWOOD Anthony Rocca (Achilles) 6 weeks Rhyce Shaw (knee) season Guy Richards (hip) 1 week Josh Fraser (knee) test Chad Morrison (back) 2 weeks Cameron Cloke (shoulder) test ESSENDON Matthew Allan (knee) season James Hird (finger) 1-2 weeks Jason Laycock (calf) 2 weeks Andrew Lee (osteitis pubis) 2 weeks Adam McPhee (groin) test Adam Ramanauskas (knee) season Joel Reynolds (stress fracture) 5 weeks Henry Slattery (calf) 3 weeks FREMANTLE Peter Bell (hamstring) test Andrew Browne (hamstring) test Matthew Carr (foot) test Ryley Dunn (knee) test Robert Haddrill (ankle) season Andrew Siegert (heel) 1 week Michael Warren (foot) 3 weeks James Walker (leg) test Luke Webster (knee) 3 weeks GEELONG Brad Ottens (groin) test David Johnson (hamstring) test Steve Johnson (ankle) test Henry Playfair (jaw) test Corey Enright (knee) 2 weeks Matt McCarthy (shoulder) test Tom Harley (leg) test David Wojcinski (knee) season Steven King (calf) test Jarad Rooke (thigh) test HAWTHORN Chance Bateman (shoulder) season John Barker (quad) test Simon Beaumont (Achilles) season Tim Boyle (hamstring) 3-4 weeks Campbell Brown (shoulder) 3-4 weeks Robert Campbell (knee) indefinite Ben Kane (ankle) 2-3 weeks Lance Franklin (finger) test Sam Mitchell (foot) 3-4 weeks Simon Taylor (hamstring) test KANGAROOS Blake Grima (shoulder) season Daniel Motlop (hamstring) 3 weeks MELBOURNE Brad Miller (hamstring) 2-3 weeks Brock McLean (groin) test Shannon Motlop (hamstring) 1-2 weeks Nicholas Smith (knee) test PORT ADELAIDE Dean Brogan (leg) test Domenic Cassisi (concussion) test Jared Poulton (ankle) test Aaron Shattock (concussion) test Elijah Ware (knee) season RICHMOND David Rodan (knee) season Luke McGuane (arm) 2 weeks Nathan Brown (broken leg) season Kane Johnson (knee) test Andrew Kellaway (jaw) 6 weeks ST KILDA Nick Riewoldt (collarbone) 6 weeks Robert Harvey (hamstring) 2-3 weeks Aaron Hamill (calf) 2-3 weeks Brent Guerra (hip) test Luke Penny (knee) test Justin Peckett (quadriceps) test Leigh Fisher (hamstring) season SYDNEY Josh Willoughby (groin) test David Spriggs (knee) 1-2 weeks Matthew Nicks (knee) 3-4 weeks Stuart Maxfield (knee) indefinite Stephen Doyle (ankle) season WESTERN BULLDOGS Luke Darcy (knee) season Tom Williams (ankle) season Cameron Faulkner (collarbone) 6-8 weeks Rohan Smith (ankle) 2-3 weeks Chris Grant (knee) 1-2 weeks Daniel Giansiracusa (finger) 2-3 weeks Adam Morgan (hamstring) test WEST COAST Brad Smith (knee) season Beau Waters (groin) 5 weeks Andrew Embley (foot) 5 weeks Jeremy Humm (ankle) 4 weeks Josh Wooden (shoulder) 2 weeks Adam Hunter (knee) 1-2 weeks Ashley Sampi (ankle) 1 week Michael Gardiner (knee) available
Friday morning... Weekend squads announced Teams story: Eagles make one change -- sportal.com.au Round 16 teams -- afl.com.au In other news (some of it related)... Collingwood Tarrant playing injured: Malthouse -- sportal.com.au No compromise from Pies: Malthouse -- The ABC Collingwood v Essendon Also-rans' contest still an AFL crowd puller -- The ABC yep, I'll be there tonight, too... albeit working the game in some capacity Fremantle Farmer injury blow for Freo -- The ABC Carlton v Fremantle Freo braced for desperate Blues -- The ABC Sydney Swans to keep sharing -- sportal.com.au the captaincy, that is Geelong King hopes for reprise -- sportal.com.au Port Adelaide Flu overpowers Wanganeen -- foxsports.news.com.au Adelaide Injury shoots down Crow -- foxsports.news.com.au
Back from the MCG for Friday Night Footy (and after looking for my car in a muddy parking lot outside the ground)... Collingwood v Essendon [result]Collingwood 15.15 (105) Essendon 21.5 (131)[/result] No comments here, that report just about says it all...
Saturday's results, the morning after, and ahead of the Sunday trio of matches... At Kardinia Park, in Geelong, amid wet and cold conditions, Geelong v Port Adelaide: [result]Geelong 18.18 (126) Port Adelaide 7.5 (47)[/result] Will's comments: [result]Comprehensive win for the Cats, in an effort where it's hard to single out just a few players for their superlative efforts. Aside from the Cats successfully cutting off Port's attempts to make counter-attacking runs off halfback and thereby dominating possession for huge chunks of the match, the second quarter was key, where Geelong kicked seven goals to Port's two in the term. Jimmy Bartel led the way once the rains came after the halftime break, proving to be the league's bad weather specialist, much like his team when the ground gets heavy and the conditions are less than ideal. Darren Milburn, Joel Corey and Josh Hunt were impressive all over the ground, Kent Kingsley kicked some vital goals, Cameron Thurley was fantastic -- but when you see the midweek highlights, do not miss Gary Ablett Jr's snap goal in the second quarter... out of nothing, from the boundary, across the body, and with his non-preferred left foot. Stuff of genius.[/result] At the MCG, Richmond v St. Kilda: [result]Richmond 5.7 (37) St. Kilda 16.10 (106)[/result] At Telstra Dome, Melbourne v Sydney: [result]Melbourne 11.12 (78) Sydney 16.8 (104)[/result] Will's comments: [result]Demons captain David Neitz inspired a bit of a fourth-quarter fightback from the home team, but a lazy seven-goal contribution from Barry Hall allowed the Swans to see the game out over the first three quarters.[/result] And in the blockbuster at Subiaco Oval, in Perth, West Coast v Brisbane: [result]West Coast 17.9 (111) Brisbane 13.10 (88)[/result] Will's comment: [result]Had the game on in the corporate box I was working in at Telstra Dome last night, but didn't get to see much of the game. However, I can safely assume that the Eagles can now get the respect that they deserve.[/result]
Sunday's full-time scores... Very entertaining and high-scoring affair at the MCG, between Carlton and Fremantle... [result]Carlton 17.5 (117) Fremantle 24.8 (152)[/result] Will's comments: [result]Matthew Pavlich finished with nine goals for the Dockers -- both teams combined for 21 different goal-kickers, yet none for Brendan Fevola for the second week running.[/result] And at Telstra Dome, between Hawthorn and North Melbourne... [result]Hawthorn 10.8 (68) North Melbourne 16.13 (109)[/result] Will's comments: [result]With both Hawthorn and Carlton losing today, their meeting next week sets up a showdown (for want of a more appropriate word) to decide who's favored for the wooden spoon. As for this game, both Sav Rocca and Nathan Thompson showed North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley that they can both co-exist in the Kangaroos' forward structure, contributing three goals apiece.[/result] And at AAMI Stadium, in Adelaide, Adelaide v Western Bulldogs... [result]Adelaide 16.13 (109) Western Bulldogs 5.5 (35)[/result] Will's comments: [result]The Crows solidified its second-place position with a comprehensive win, while the Doggies' meek effort all but extinguished its realistic chances of playing finals footy.[/result]