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Roos says win can set Lions alight

Written By Unknown on Senin, 19 Agustus 2013 | 22.09

Amazing careers: Ashley McGrath and Simon Black are chaired off after McGrath's 200th game and Black's 320th game. Source: Getty Images

BRISBANE will head into their clash against Hawthorn with a giant-killer mentality after claiming another top-two scalp at the weekend.

Veteran Simon Black described the win over the Cats as the best he had been involved in since the 2003 premiership win over Collingwood, and urged his teammates to carry the momentum to Launceston.

It repeated a pattern for the Lions, who have knocked over West Coast, Adelaide, Essendon and Geelong in the past two seasons, all of which were in the top two and considered legitimate premiership contenders at the time.

Premiership-winning coach Paul Roos said the win showed Brisbane's top-tier players such as Black, Matthew Leuenberger and Daniel Rich were in the AFL's top level.

The former Swans coach said the Lions' greatest ever comeback victory could be the catalyst for a major form reversal.

He said the win should act as a confidence-booster, but warned against attacking the corridor in an attempt to replicate the formula of the frantic final moments when the Lions swept the ball the length of the field and into the hands of Ash McGrath, who slotted a goal after the siren to secure the win.

Geelong was still trying to score in the latter stages of the quarter, rather than holding on to the footy and stopping Brisbane's momentum.

It is a formula that has served the Cats well, but Roos does not believe Hawthorn would give Brisbane the same chances.

"If you try to go through the corridor every time you will turn the ball over and a side like Hawthorn will score against you," he said.

"What I took from the last 15 minutes was not that the corridor opened up, it was that Brisbane started making great decisions. Their better players got their hands on the ball and made the right choices; they are talented at that top level."

Roos said Brisbane did not need to drastically alter the way they had prepared all year, they needed was consistency of effort.

He said while Hawthorn had superior talent to the Lions, the major difference between the top sides and the rest of the competition was their ability to stay switched on until the final siren.

"Football is about minimising risk," he said. "That's why I get frustrated with commentators when they say take risks, take risks.

"What Brisbane did was they minimised the risks because they had free players in the middle."

The Lions honoured Black's club-games record throughout the game on Sunday afternoon, with an appearance by previous record holder Marcus Ashcroft and big
screen messages of congratulations.

But it was his teammates who paid him the greatest respect with their effort.

"That was the best win I've been involved in since the 2003 flag," Black said.

"It was incredible; momentum, it is a living thing."


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cats to give no more quarter

Mathew Stokes admits the Cats "probably" switched off with the game in their control late in the third term. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: Geelong Advertiser

MATHEW Stokes says Geelong's capitulation to the Brisbane Lions was unacceptable and every player must take responsibility for his part in Sunday's final quarter debacle.

The Cats led by 52 points before the Lions stormed home in the dramatic final term to record the equal-eighth greatest comeback in league history.

Stokes admitted the Cats "probably" switched off with the game in their control late in the third term and said the players were stunned, shocked and hurting.

He conceded they could no longer sweep their poor form "under the rug", but backed the character of the players to respond for blockbuster games against Fremantle and Hawthorn.

"We've forged a reputation over a number of years now, nearly from when I first got here (2006), that (these performances are) just not acceptable," Stokes said.

"I think every player who played (on Sunday) has to take responsibility for it and I think we will. The good thing about our group is we win together but we also lose together.

"We don't point at each other and say, 'It's your fault, it's his fault, it's this area's fault'. It's a team loss, but it was a really bad loss.

"We got overrun by a team with a lot of enthusiasm and we didn't stand up when we needed to."

Stokes admitted the Cats made bad decisions.

"I think there were periods in the game where we could have slowed the game down a lot," he said.

"We made some really poor decisions out there, as a group, not individually..

"To lose to a team not in the eight, in a game we're expected to win, when you're up by that many points at halftime and come away with a loss, is extremely hard to take and disappointing."

It was the biggest comeback in Brisbane's history and Geelong's worst capitulation since it surrendered a 54-point lead against West Coast in 2006.

Even though the Cats have been prone to inconsistency this year, they have been able to get themselves out of most situations.

"We've been struggling to play our best for a few weeks now," Stokes said.

"It's going to be a massive task next week (against Fremantle). We struggled badly in the second half and it needs to be rectified and worked on quickly because we've got ourselves into a really good position (10-2) and to have that performance is not on and something that, as players, we're not going to accept."


 


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows tinker with secret tricks

P W D L % Pts
1 Hawthorn 20 17 0 3 138.53 68
2 Geelong 20 16 0 4 136.36 64
3 Sydney 20 15 1 4 140.67 62
4 Fremantle 20 15 1 4 138.19 62
5 Richmond 20 13 0 7 114.57 52
6 Collingwood 20 13 0 7 113.44 52
7 Essendon 20 13 0 7 109.78 52
8 Port Adelaide 20 12 0 8 107.03 48
9 Carlton 20 10 0 10 107.64 40
10 North Melbourne 20 9 0 11 122.37 36
11 West Coast 20 9 0 11 102.46 36
12 Brisbane 20 9 0 11 88.24 36
13 Adelaide 20 8 0 12 100.06 32
14 Gold Coast 20 7 0 13 89.02 28
15 Bulldogs 20 7 0 13 83.18 28
16 St Kilda 20 3 0 17 75.81 12
17 Melbourne 20 2 0 18 53.41 8
18 Greater Western Sydney 20 1 0 19 52.93 4

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

P W D L % Pts
1 Hawthorn 20 17 0 3 138.53 68
2 Geelong 20 16 0 4 136.36 64
3 Sydney 20 15 1 4 140.67 62
4 Fremantle 20 15 1 4 138.19 62
5 Richmond 20 13 0 7 114.57 52
6 Collingwood 20 13 0 7 113.44 52
7 Essendon 20 13 0 7 109.78 52
8 Port Adelaide 20 12 0 8 107.03 48
9 Carlton 20 10 0 10 107.64 40
10 North Melbourne 20 9 0 11 122.37 36
11 West Coast 20 9 0 11 102.46 36
12 Brisbane 20 9 0 11 88.24 36
13 Adelaide 20 8 0 12 100.06 32
14 Gold Coast 20 7 0 13 89.02 28
15 Bulldogs 20 7 0 13 83.18 28
16 St Kilda 20 3 0 17 75.81 12
17 Melbourne 20 2 0 18 53.41 8
18 Greater Western Sydney 20 1 0 19 52.93 4

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Moored in misery

P W D L % Pts
1 Hawthorn 20 17 0 3 138.53 68
2 Geelong 20 16 0 4 136.36 64
3 Sydney 20 15 1 4 140.67 62
4 Fremantle 20 15 1 4 138.19 62
5 Richmond 20 13 0 7 114.57 52
6 Collingwood 20 13 0 7 113.44 52
7 Essendon 20 13 0 7 109.78 52
8 Port Adelaide 20 12 0 8 107.03 48
9 Carlton 20 10 0 10 107.64 40
10 North Melbourne 20 9 0 11 122.37 36
11 West Coast 20 9 0 11 102.46 36
12 Brisbane 20 9 0 11 88.24 36
13 Adelaide 20 8 0 12 100.06 32
14 Gold Coast 20 7 0 13 89.02 28
15 Bulldogs 20 7 0 13 83.18 28
16 St Kilda 20 3 0 17 75.81 12
17 Melbourne 20 2 0 18 53.41 8
18 Greater Western Sydney 20 1 0 19 52.93 4

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Final Demon pillar topples

P W D L % Pts
1 Hawthorn 20 17 0 3 138.53 68
2 Geelong 20 16 0 4 136.36 64
3 Sydney 20 15 1 4 140.67 62
4 Fremantle 20 15 1 4 138.19 62
5 Richmond 20 13 0 7 114.57 52
6 Collingwood 20 13 0 7 113.44 52
7 Essendon 20 13 0 7 109.78 52
8 Port Adelaide 20 12 0 8 107.03 48
9 Carlton 20 10 0 10 107.64 40
10 North Melbourne 20 9 0 11 122.37 36
11 West Coast 20 9 0 11 102.46 36
12 Brisbane 20 9 0 11 88.24 36
13 Adelaide 20 8 0 12 100.06 32
14 Gold Coast 20 7 0 13 89.02 28
15 Bulldogs 20 7 0 13 83.18 28
16 St Kilda 20 3 0 17 75.81 12
17 Melbourne 20 2 0 18 53.41 8
18 Greater Western Sydney 20 1 0 19 52.93 4

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bachar has the 'H' factor

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 23 Juni 2013 | 22.09

Bachar Houli was awesome against the Dogs. Source: Herald Sun

TO tag or not? The outside runner? The inside mid? Commission a defensive forward?

There's always a balance of how many to tag and who to go to, but it's clear from two games at the weekend that two vastly different types of players need to be curtailed.

Get every SuperCoach score and stat from Round 13

One is Luke Hodge. The other Bachar Houli.

This isn't a comparison, because if 1000 people were asked to choose between Hodge and Houli, they would all choose the Hawks skipper.

No, this is not about who's better, it's about their influence on their teams.

Clearly, something has to be done about Hodge.

Forget whether you thought he was gone because of his knee, he is back to his imperious best.

Two weeks ago his 15-possession game against Carlton, which included the crunch on Marc Murphy, was rated the equal to any 35-touch game this season.

Against the Eagles on Friday night, Hodge had 25 and was among the best players on the ground.

His influence is double-edged. He wins the ball and he inspires teammates.

He doesn't require a run-with player, he demands a player of similar tenacity, for Hodge has to be stopped at the coalface, not on the outside.

They are hard to find. Heath Hocking perhaps. Ryan Crowley. He bullied Brent Harvey to the point of utter frustration yesterday and, if we are promised a Hodge versus Crowley match-up in the finals, the TV networks better have an ISO camera at hand.

Houli is a different beast.

It's sexy to criticise the Tigers back flanker for being a wide runner, a player who skirts the coalface, but surely it's time to recognise Houli for what he is - a running backman who finds the ball and can deliver it precisely.

When the ball hit Houli in the face/neck during the fourth quarter, he was munched by the Channel 7 commentators. They preferred to take the mickey out of Houli instead of saying it was probably his only mistake for the night.

Houli was my pick for best afield against the Dogs.

He had 10 possessions in the first quarter, which demanded Nick Lower be sent to him for periods in the second and third terms. Lower stood him for 32 minutes, and Houli spent the rest of the time running off Luke Dahlhaus (18 minutes) and Lachie Hunter (14).

Studs and Duds

He would finish with 25 disposals, five inside 50s and 13 score involvements, for which he was ranked No.1.

Time and again Houli ran through the middle of the ground to set up Tigers' scores.

If the Tigers make the finals, and it's looking surer by the week, opponents should have a plan for him.

On Saturday night the Bulldogs decided to tag Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio, leaving Houli to make too much of the play in the back half.

Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd curtailed Cotchin, Liam Picken tried to clamp Brett Deledio and failed, so players "off the leash" had to stand up and they did - Shaun Grigg, Reece Conca, Dustin Martin and Daniel Jackson.Houli was another.

At the start of the season he was rated "elite" by Champion Data - ranked in the top 10 per cent in his position.

The Tigers also rank him highly - he was fourth in the 2012 best and fairest.

Houli was the moneyball recruit. He had good numbers for minutes played at Essendon amid the perception there was something wrong with him because Matthew Knights wouldn't play him and James Hird couldn't convince him to stay.

The Tigers picked him up in the 2010 pre-season draft.

A multitude of All-Australian teams were selected over the bye rounds, and not one of them included Houli.

Yet his numbers stack up.

This year he's going at 22 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency.

Grant Birchall is averaging 24 disposals at 80 per cent, Andrew Walker 23 at 77 per cent and Michael Hibberd 24 at 76.

It's pretty good company.


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Moment Tippett knew he belonged

Star recruit Kurt Tippett and other Swans walk off the ground after the shock loss to Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

IT was a private moment in the sheds - and not that mark and goal in the opening minute of Saturday's loss to Port Adelaide - when Kurt Tippett finally felt like he belonged at the Sydney Swans.

The star forward has been at the club for more than six months but took the field for the first time on Saturday after an 11-week ban incurred at the Adelaide Crows.

And while his new teammates embraced him after that opening goal, it was a surprise jersey presentation that will stick in Tippett's mind from his debut game.

SuperCoach scores, stats and more

Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh caught Tippett by surprise before the first bounce, presenting him with his first red and white jumper.

"Macca (McVeigh) caught me by surprise when he produced my jumper," Tippett told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.


Kurt Tippett marks in the first 15 seconds on the game against Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

"I was concentrating on what I was going to do in the match and I had no idea he was going to bring it out.

"To have Jarrad present my first Swans guernsey was a real honour.

"Kicking that first goal also settled the nerves."

McVeigh wants Tippett to build on his good start with an even better performance against the Blues.

"Hopefully he can take another step forward for us this week," McVeigh said.

"He started really well for us and really competed for us.

Kurt Tippett of the Swans takes a mark within the first minute of the game against Port Adelaide Power at AAMI Stadium. Picture: Morne de Klerk Source: Getty Images

"It's his first game back so he was always going to run out of legs but the way he competed and the way he started was really positive for us."

The 26-year-old was one of Sydney's best with two goals, which could easily have been four, and now has his sights on Carlton on Friday night at the SCG.

"It was disappointing to lose against Port but the boys are determined to regroup and turn things around against the Blues," Tippett said.

"It's a short break (six days) so we have to refocus quickly."

Swans teammates flocked to Tippett after his opening goal and he is clearly a popular figure at the club.

"The boys have been very supportive and I want to pay them back," Tippett said.

"I've worked as hard as I could to get myself ready to play and now I'll look to get better every week starting with Friday night."

Tippett was expected to be substituted in the second half but a knee injury to Adam Goodes meant he played the whole match.

"I felt pretty strong throughout the match," Tippett said.

"It takes a while to get those football instincts working, I was running to the wrong spots at times but I'll be a lot better for the run on Friday night against Carlton.

"I've pulled up pretty well."

Goodes aggravated the same knee he hurt in last year's grand final.

Damage to his ACL has been ruled out but it remains to be seen just how quickly the 33-year-old recovers from the knock.

Goodes played immediately after rupturing his posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2004 but the Swans would be keen to have the dual Brownlow medallist at his best in September and are likely to give him the time to recover properly.

With or without Goodes, McVeigh is looking for his team to make a statement in four days time.

"Fortunately for us we play on Friday night against Carlton so it's a short week so we can get back out there and put in a good performance," McVeigh said.

"Our ball use was our main problem and we can fix that.

"The way we played on the weekend we're really going to have to step up and we're looking forward to doing that hopefully."

Centre half-forward Sam Reid (quad) and speedster Lewis Jetta (shin) are in contention for a recall, but will need to prove their fitness at Wednesday's training session.


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Voss rates comeback win with best

Brisbane Lions veteran Ash McGrath has had a 200th game to remember, with the West Aussie helping his side to a remarkable five-point win over Geelong.

MICHAEL Voss says Brisbane's record-breaking comeback victory over Geelong at the Gabba last night ranks as one of the best wins of his five-year coaching career.

Brisbane's stunning win over Carlton in the 2009 finals series, the upset of ladder leaders West Coast in 2012 and the stirring victory over Essendon this year have now been joined by the after-the-siren triumph over the Cats.

"It would have to be very close to one of the best, that's for sure. The calibre of the team we're playing - that's an important criteria," Voss said.

"And then when you put in the situation how far we actually were behind, that margin just crept out to an uncomfortable space."

With his side trailing by 52 points late in the third quarter, his message to his troops was simple.

"There wasn't a lot of science in it. Go straight, go fast," he said.

"The players have to believe that that's possible. More players willed themselves at the contest."

Aside from Ash McGrath's third, winning goal, Simon Black (33 possessions), Daniel Rich (25 possessions), Brent Moloney (22 touches, nine clearances, three goals) and Jack Redden (23 possessions and eight inside 50s) had their fingerprints all over the win.

Michael Voss and Jed Adcock congratulate Ash McGrath after the Lions' win over Geelong at the Gabba. Picture: Darren England.

Dayne Zorko was also a prime mover in the last-quarter comeback.

Voss said while Brisbane deserved to enjoy the victory last night, it had to be "business as usual" from today with Hawthorn looming as Brisbane's next opponent in Launceston on Sunday.

The competition-leading Hawks will be gunning for their 12th straight win, which would equal a club record, so Voss said it was important that the Lions returned back to earth quickly.

Geelong counterpart Chris Scott summed up his feelings as "restrained fury".

Scott walked into the post-match press conference warning journalists to "use your five minutes wisely" and proceeded to stonewall any queries about what went wrong.

He was either unwilling or unable to pinpoint why his side had completely stopped.

"I'm extremely disappointed, I would describe the mood as restrained fury," he said.

STRAIGHT THROUGH: Ash McGrath celebrates his winning goal with Lions teammates. Picture: Darren England

"I'm not going to speculate, we are going to take the time we need to review and make an accurate assessment.

"We are not going to jump to conclusions. I am emotional, we all are emotional at the moment."

In addition to a forensic analysis of what went wrong, the Cats also face some soul searching after a poor three weeks where they were pushed by newcomers, the Suns and Giants, before yesterday's timid capitulation. Scott admitted he could not write the effort off as a one-off, saying he had held concerns about his side's form for some time.

The Cats face two of the form sides of the competition in Fremantle and Hawthorn over the next fortnight and Scott knows failure to identify and rectify their problems would be costly.


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

When Lions get it right it's scary

Brisbane Lions veteran Ash McGrath has had a 200th game to remember, with the West Aussie helping his side to a remarkable five-point win over Geelong.

THAT is why we love footy, why we love sport in general. It produces fairytales, plot twists and dramatic endings no fiction writer would dare deliver. It is reality television at its best.

Yesterday at the Gabba, the Brisbane Lions and Geelong put the game of AFL back in the spotlight.

Ash McGrath, in his 200th game, kicked the winning goal after the siren to give Brisbane their best win here of this era.

A day after the Wallabies lost a Test when Kurtley Beale muffed an on-the-buzzer shot at goal, McGrath calmly went back and drilled a set shot from 50m.

It was a nice reward for a long and distinguished servant of the club. But McGrath wasn't the story yesterday. The Brisbane Lions were the story and all footy fans owe them our thanks for what they produced.

At halftime, this game looked over. The Lions appeared to be sliding to their ninth loss of the season. And a city that has been pre-occupied with the Wallabies and the State of Origin series may have barely noticed.

And then the Lions knocked over the heavyweights who had won 10 of their first 11 games.

Simon Black and Daniel Rich were superb.

Ash McGrath is congratulated by Lions teammates after kicking the winning goal against Geelong at the Gabba. Picture: Darren England

The defence battled hard. Dayne Zorko was a livewire and Brent Moloney finished strongly. It was a performance that restored some faith.

It would not be a stretch to say some people would have fallen back in love with our game. And it could be a macro-shot of Brisbane's season.

The Lions were uncompetitive early when the game was there to be won before a thrilling strong finish forced the question - are there the makings of a finals contender in this outfit?

That is too early to answer.

But what it has shown, and not for the first time, is that when Brisbane get it right they can scare the very best sides.

Geelong now face some soul searching. Their last three weeks have produced average performances against battlers Gold Coast, GWS and now Brisbane.

If the Lions can work out how to play like they did in the final quarter for entire games they will win more than they lose in the run home.

Simon Black in action for the Lions against Geelong at the Gabba. Picture: Darren England

There were no obvious difference in the clearances, although the Cats dominated early and Brisbane's contested footy was the equal of their more highly fancied rivals.

But for a half of footy, and for the second week in a row, they could not work out to move the footy into attack.

Critics of skipper Jonathan Brown need to take a breather.

At halftime, the Cats had almost twice the inside 50 entries. And when Brisbane did get it in there the build-up was so laborious the Cats were able to get numbers back.

Brown was up against a pair of very good defenders in Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan and he kept Brisbane in the contest with a very good third quarter, which became the foundation of the final quarter fightback.


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

McGrath kills Cats after the buzzer

Brisbane Lions veteran Ash McGrath has had a 200th game to remember, with the West Aussie helping his side to a remarkable five-point win over Geelong.

ASH McGrath achieved a childhood dream and entered the Brisbane Lions into the record books last night.

In a fairytale finish to his 200th AFL match, McGrath kicked a goal after the siren to complete a stunning comeback and hand the home side a remarkable five-point win over Geelong at the Gabba.

SuperCoach scores, stats and more

Brisbane trailed the AFL powerhouse by 52 points deep into the third quarter, but kicked 10 of the next 11 goals to record a win for the ages with McGrath's 52m drop punt sparking wild celebrations.

The win over a Cats team who had been 10-1 was:

- The equal eighth biggest comeback in VFL/AFL history;

- The biggest comeback in club history, surpassing the 51-point deficit that Brisbane overcame to beat Hawthorn at the Gabba in 1995;

- And the equal 10th biggest three-quarter time comeback in VFL/AFL history after Geelong took a 38-point buffer into the last change.

Triumphant: Voss rates comeback win with best

Brisbane's fourth win of 2013 may well save Michael Voss' coaching career if the Lions can continue to play with similar intensity.

Ash McGrath is congratulated by Lions teammates after kicking the winning goal against Geelong at the Gabba. Picture: Darren England

It was the first time that McGrath had the chance to live every boy's dream by slotting a winning goal after the siren.

After Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins put the visitors in front by one point inside the last minute, Lions pair Jed Adcock and Dayne Zorko combined to hit McGrath on the lead and on a date with destiny in his milestone match.

A behind would have resulted in a draw.

"I wasn't really think too much in the last minute ... I finally get my chance, it's taken 200 games," McGrath said.

Andrew Hamilton: When Lions get it right it's scary

"It's a boyhood dream. Everyone does it probably as small kids, whether it's kicking into goals or through a gate.

"You always dream of kicking the winning goal to get your team over the line ... just a surreal feeling."

Ash McGrath and Simon Black are chaired off after the Lions' win over Geelong at the Gabba. Picture: Darren England.

McGrath said he had never heard a home crowd roar like last night, adding he almost did not hear the final siren.

"The crowd was as loud as I've heard it at the Gabba over my 13 years," he said.

"I knew I had to go back and just go through the process and don't hang around too long and think about it.

"I was lucky. The ball didn't come off that well. I thought it was going to hit the post but the full moon ... my old man (Cliff) up there must have pushed it through.

"I was getting a lot of advice from the Geelong boys.

"As soon as I marked it, Zorko came up and nearly kissed me and said 'just go back and slot it'.

"I was like, 'cheers mate, thanks'."

Simon Black and Ash McGrath celebrate the Lions' win. Picture: Chris Hyde

Cats players leave the field after losing to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde


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Kennedy Sr happy Josh a Swan

Peter Kennedy Sr barracked for Hawthorn in last year's Grand Final.

JOHN Kennedy Sr wanted grandson Josh to lose last year's Grand Final with his love for Hawthorn untouched by the trade that broke the family playing name with the Hawks.

And the Hawthorn legend praised the way coach Alastair Clarkson went about moving on the now-Swans champion after he managed just 13 games in three years.

"I was barracking for Hawthorn there (in last year's decider), that's an honest answer,'' Kennedy Sr told Open Mike, which screens tonight on Fox Footy.

NEWS+ SUBSCRIBERS: YOU CAN WATCH A FULL REPLAY OF OPEN MIKE AT SUPERFOOTY TOMORROW

"Sentimentally, I'd naturally like to have (Josh) at Hawthorn. But I thought Hawthorn, Alastair particularly, was very open with him.

"He told him where Josh stood, he told him where his prospects were. That he'd be in the first 27.


"But Josh's main worry was that he would be at Box Hill and others would be coming in and getting game and he wasn't able to be sure of his place.''

Kennedy, a triple-premiership coach at the Hawks, said his grandson thought if he stayed at the Hawks he'd be consigned to permanent VFL duties, allowing others to leapfrog him in the midfield pecking order.

"Sydney was coming exactly the opposite way, they were saying we want you in the spot, and I think that's been shown since,'' he said.

Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn were sent to Sydney in a package deal for three draft picks, which the Hawks used to secure Sam Grimley, Ben Stratton and promote Matt Suckling to the senior list.

Kennedy Sr revealed he was lured to North Melbourne as coach in 1985 by the Roos' promise to get his son Bernard into Aradale Asylum.

"They were able to provide accommodation for him and get him working up there. That made the difference, really.''

Kennedy, who won four best-and-fairests in his first five years, also elaborated on his famous coaching line of: "Don't think, do!'' which was used in a Grand Final against the Roos.

"We had a few academics in the side at the time. They were telling me what we should do and I think this and I think that. It got too much for me, so I said don't think just do something.

"I got sick of the word think, I just wanted people to act and do something.''


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pavlich tissue is the issue

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 22 Juni 2013 | 22.09

EASY DOES IT: Fremantle will take a conservative approach with Matthew Pavlich's return. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE is likely to adopt a highly conservative approach to Matthew Pavlich's comeback.

Pavlich could be held back in a calculated plan to reproduce his sublime best as the Dockers chase their first flag.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon will decide late this week whether Pavlich resumes in Saturday night's blockbuster against premiership contender Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

The Dockers are considering building match conditioning and adopting a minimal risk strategy in the 31-year-old's recovery from achilles surgery in April.

The Freo medicos also want to avoid soft-tissue damage in his legs.

Pavlich resumed full training early last week, but is believed to have only started back into any form of running a fortnight ago.

The veteran was restricted to bike riding and water-based training for longer than anticipated after he had an in-season operation after Fremantle's Round 3 narrow loss to Essendon in Perth.


The Dockers are also calculating when to swing ruckman Aaron Sandilands back into action in a bid to optimise his effect around stoppages without risking further injury.

Having missed significant chunks of the past two seasons with severe toe and foot problems, Sandilands is expected to be carefully nursed through his return.

Pavlich revealed last week he had found it tough sitting on the sidelines for 10 weeks.

"With 11 games to go, you're going to get one run at bringing them back," Lyon said. "So you wouldn't want to make a call that would expose them to soft tissue (injury).

"You wouldn't want a hiccup, even though you deal with it. We're trying to avoid any hiccup from here. We'll be on the conservative side I would think."

But Lyon all but ruled out the pair returning with East Fremantle at WAFL level.

Pavlich and Sandilands look destined for heavy schedules of high-intensity, match-assimilation training ahead of their AFL returns.

"We know anything could happen," Lyon said. "In some respects you take out the risk of injury, a cork or collision because you can get them working really hard and get them up to those levels while lessening the injury list. But there's no substitute for a combative day at the office."


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Eagles chase hometown guns

Gold Coast Suns' WA trio Harley Bennell, David Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara will all become targets for West Coast. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

WEST Coast is circling a host of Western Australians spread through the AFL, headed by Gold Coast young guns David Swallow, Harley Bennell and Brandon Matera, who will be out of contract at the end of next season.

The Suns' first-year gun Jaeger O'Meara, just 19 and a favourite for the NAB Rising Star award, is also tipped to become a target when he is out of contract at the end of next season.

Other West Aussies out of contract at the end of this season include Richmond defender Alex Rance and Essendon's Tayte Pears and Kyle Hardingham.

The Eagles are bracing for a list revamp just as critical as their anxious wait on the future of coach and club legend John Worsfold.

The list overhaul will shift into overdrive as speculation mounts Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin will move to Greater Western Sydney on a record $12 million for six seasons.

Franklin, 26, was a long-shot to end up at West Coast and club powerbrokers also had a serious tilt at Geelong premiership defender Harry Taylor.


Taylor, 27, has committed to the Cats, ending any hope of returning to his home state.

Announcements on the future of captain Darren Glass, 2006 premiership teammates Andrew Embley and Adam Selwood, plus injury-ravaged utility Mark Nicoski, are all looming in coming months.

It is understood Eagles scouts have already set their sights on injecting some much-needed speed into the midfield as Daniel Kerr approaches retirement.

Kerr, 30, is still contracted for next season but is already a victim of constant heavy attention around the contests and desperately needs assistance to complement core congestion playmakers Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis and Luke Shuey.

West Coast will also assess a new contract offer to champion big man Dean Cox, who is expected to take a one-year extension to play on next season, as the Eagles head into a new era either under Worsfold, or a new head coach.

At least one more season would virtually guarantee the six-time All-Australian and 2006 premiership big man crosses legendary Eagles champion defender Glen Jakovich's club games record of 276.

Cox, 31, has played 263 games and still has form on the ball and around goals, in tandem with Nic Naitanui, who will be a priority contract re-signing early into next year before he is out of contract at the end of 2014.

Mitch Brown, out of contract at the end of this season, is another with an uncertain future at West Coast.

Brown, 22, wanted a trade to St Kilda last October, when he was seeking more regular AFL games, and is again expected to attempt a move.


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eugene Warrior - the full interview

Salisbury North coach Eugene Warrior. Source: News Limited

THE full interview between Jesper Fjeldstad and Eugene Warrior on racism and more.

JF: How does the whole thing make you feel?

EW: I guess disappointed. I thought the Indigenous Round of the AFL was indicative of that. With Adam (Goodes) ... you would have thought we'd all moved on from that. All the articles that (say) ``Racism Stops with Me'' and that there's no room for it in sport anymore. You wish people are old enough to think about what comes out of their mouth but I guess some people don't think before they speak and they have to deal with the consequences. I think everybody, including myself, have said things that they probably regret during their lifetime. I think I was just so disappointed after what Adam did and then the Eddie McGuire skit. Majak Daw had his little piece as well. You think, ``Oh well, it only happens in the AFL,'' but no it doesn't: it happens down at the grassroots level as well. I was just more disappointed and unfortunately I couldn't do anything at the time, because I was coaching and I didn't want that to distract my players. If they had seen me upset it might have rattled them a bit. The coach has to be pretty cool, calm and collected. At the moment, they've written a letter of apology. But it needed to come out. It doesn't just happen at the high grade. But everyone has done the right thing now.


JF: What was said, Eugene?

EW: I was called a black c--t from a supporter and the last I heard, I was told that told that the gentleman was a firefighter.

JF: I don't know if I'd call him a gentleman.

EW: I'm being nice.

JF: You're being very diplomatic.

EW: I don't want to stoop down to other people's level.

JF: Has it improved? When was the first time you were you can remember, as a young footballer, that you were racially vilified, or abused, or taunted  whatever you want to call it?

EW: The first time was in primary school down at Millicent. Back in 1993 was the first time racial vilification came
into prominence, I guess, through the AFL saying we're not going to tolerate this. I had a lot of non-Indigenous mates and they sort of stuck up for me. It happened two or three times down there and mates started to jump in. Then, I reckon, the next time was when I played under-17s footy against Norwood, when I was playing for Port Adelaide. I copped it from the two eastern suburbs teams, actually, Norwood and Sturt. Back then I didn't say anything or retaliate. I may have played better footy. You sit there and you think, ``If I was playing bad footy, would they say anything? But I was playing good footy.'' They were trying to put me off my game and it didn't work. Other than that it was a couple of times in 1993 playing junior footy. There was one I actually didn't report  we dealt with it internally  when I was at Norwood and we were playing South Adelaide. That one was put to bed straight away. Then back in 2001, you'd know a gentleman by the name of (name withheld for legal reasons). That went to mediation and was sorted out within two or three days. I guess I've got pretty thick skin because I was exposed to it from a young age. Even when my old man played, it used to fly out of car windows when he was playing country footy.

JF: But it's not right, mate.

EW: I know that. I think it was a way to put him off. At the end of the day, they're stating the obvious. It's not like I don't realise that I'm black. But what gives you the right to say it anyway?

JF: A bit like somebody losing the verbal and going the knuckle? A cheap version of trying to win the game? The difference being that it hurts people?

EW: Yeah. I guess on Saturday I was more disappointed than hurt. Because while he stated the obvious, I thought we had moved on from this.

JF: How do we fix this? Make people realise that it affects people?

EW: It's a hard one. If they're not culturally diverse, outside of work, if they don't have black friends or Italian friends it might make it hard to understand. You might not understand that calling somebody a ``wog'' might hurt somebody. For me, since 2001, I thought things had become better. But then the Goodes thing comes up and the McGuire thing  I hope there's not another one. Do you expose the person who said it? That's just going to ridicule them, like that 13-year-old girl. But it's about education and how they're brought up at home. But this bloke (who insulted me), he's a 40-year-old. If he's got kids or nieces and nephews  what is he teaching them?

JF: Bigger concern: you don't want young Aboriginal lads not wanting to play football because their worried about being taunted or picked on. What do you think?

EW: That's right. I grew up going to a school, a primary school with no indigenous kids. Might have been one (other) in high school but then at Port Adelaide, we had the luxury that we might have one or two. But Che (Cockatoo-Collins) had already moved on, (Gavin) Wanganeen had already moved on. I was just in the next wave, waiting for guys like Peter Burgoyne, Andrew McLeod and then I had a short stint with Peter, Shaun (Burgoyne, Graham (Johncock), Aaron and Alwyn Davey, Ricky O'Loughlin. So those sort of guys came through. But it was always just every now and then you played with those boys. It would have been nice to have more Aboriginal players around. These days there are different and better pathways. But at the Crows, guys like Andrew Jarman, Chris McDermott, Stephen Rowe ... I was accepted. I wasn't judged by my skin colour and I was treated like everybody else. It was what I wanted. I never wanted everything different.

JF: What do you learn from all of this? You're coaching the Flying Boomerangs (Australian under-15 Indigenous team) and what do you tell them?

EW: Yeah, coaching the Boomerangs is a big gig. Ricky O'Loughlin's done it, Andrew McLeod's done it, Chris Johnson, Raph Clarke. I got the gig this year. So I'm coaching some of the best Indigenous men in the country and if I can have an impact it would be fantastic. If it came up, I'd tell them to ignore it. Be the stronger person and think, ``You've just lowered your colours.'' Some people say it to be heroes, around their mates, and some say it to try to get a laugh. Or they try to embarrass a person. But I think the only person that's embarrassed is the person who yelled out the comment. But don't go the biff. Just be the stronger person. I'm sure some of the Aboriginal boys I coach have copped it. You're always going to have that.

JF: Does it still cut you up a bit when it happens?

EW: It does. You sit there and think why. The focus then comes on me, because people want to see what sort of reaction I'm going to have. But I've got 21 blokes I've got to look after on the footy field and I've got to make sure my message to them is clear. It does hurt but for me, I've been exposed to it for a long time and I've got pretty thick skin. I copped it again on Saturday night, at an engagement party. I thought to myself: ``Twice in the space of six hours''. Guy tried to be a hero and said a few things in front of a few people. I thought to myself: ``Are you kidding me?'' I waited and spoke to him outside. Said: ``Look, you haven't got the right to say that sort of stuff.'' As I say with all things  it doesn't matter whether I'm speaking to my players or family  everybody's got a breaking point and sooner or later, there will be a breaking point and somebody will snap one day. For me, twice in six hours ... but both have been resolved now.

JF: You have a daughter now, Jadaisha, whom you refer to as 10 going on 21. How would you be if she was put in that situation?

EW: It's funny because she's at primary school and she's starting to get darker in her complexion. Every now and then I pick her up or drop her off at school and people will look at me and go, ``Oh, Jadaisha's got a black dad''. I heard one girl say it: ``who's that?''. But that's just kids saying what they say and I don't see the need to tell them to watch their manners. It's for their parents. But if she did cop it, I'd be disgusted. But at least I can speak to her about my things that I've had to endure. I've spoken to her a couple of times about it, what to do if she gets called names at school. But I would be disappointed if it happens.

JF: Cut you up, surely?

EW: I don't know how I'd react. There are different forms of angriness. If they said something bad, I'd be right down to the school.

JF: What do you say to this sentiment: Eugene Warrior is a yapper who has a go at the umpires from the sidelines  - why can't he cop it himself
.

EW: I'm not being racial. I know that I'm a coach and being held to higher standards than supporters, but what's the difference to me, within reason, asking the umpires to pull their head in or ask what their looking at. I know I wear my heart on my sleave when I coach.


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tigers spread downs Dogs

Tiger Jack Riewoldt works into space against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

WHEN Jack Riewoldt kicked his third goal midway through the last quarter, the Richmond of the past was surely heading for defeat.

Fast-forward to last night and Riewoldt's hat-trick merely put the finishing touches on another Tiger scoring spree at Etihad Stadium.

Just another reminder that these Tigers are no longer dependant on a bagful from Jumping Jack as they produced an admirable spread of 12 goalkickers in the 60 points whipping of the Western Bulldogs.

An even contribution sounds such a hackneyed phrase.

But it accurately portrayed Richmond's ethic, teamwork and vastly superior structures that overwhelmed the Dogs in the one-sided second half.

Chaplin injury a blow for Tigers


Riewoldt these days is merely one forward target.

Yes, a potent one that occupies the opposition's best tall defender.

But he was the consummate team player in his sterling battle with Dog stalwart Dale Morris.

He had plenty of help and the midfielders several options streaming forward, like the often maligned Tyrone Vickery.

Vickery had endured Bronx cheers from Tiger supporters after grabbing a couple of marks early in the third quarter after a sedate first half.

But those same derisive detractors would have been yelling in raptures when the big Tiger hauled down another one, this time bravely running against the flight into a pack of players.

SuperCoach scores, stats

When Vickery slotted the goal from 30m midway through the term, it was a significant breakthrough for his hard-working teammates.

It was the first goal after a critical 11 minutes in a third quarter arm-wrestle and, not surprisingly, it signalled a Richmond onslaught.

When Vickery slotted another from almost the goalline after an unselfish handball from Bachar Houli and Reece Conca and sub Matt White added more, the Tigers had taken complete control with the five goal burst while limiting the Bulldogs to just two behinds.

You felt for Bulldog defender Jordan Roughead with Vickery's breakout quarter.

His blanketing job in the first half had largely contributed to the Dogs staying in the contest.

Roughead's woes generally reflected the Doggies' problems - there was nothing wrong with the workrate, but the finishing touches just weren't up to scratch.

It started out as if the contest would be a frenetic shootout with the footy zinging from end to end like a pinball.

But, in the manner of a top eight unit, the Tigers simply worked hard, bided their time and eventually cracked open the contest with that dominant third quarter.

The final term was highlight reel stuff.

Like ball magnet Daniel Jackson's entry for goal of the week with a curling snapshot as he was just about to hurtle over the boundary line beside the behind post after a handpass from Vickery.

Maric edges Minson in ruck duel
The crucial battles of the midfield minds and bodies was right on from the first bounce.

But they were cancelled out by Richmond's versatile and lethal forward set-up against the Bulldogs' that was based around eighth gamer Jake Stringer and wounded Liam Jones who was getting treatment from as early as halfway through the first quarter.

The Doggies were never going to let Brett Deledio roam free to set up plays as the uncompromising and disciplined Liam Picken trotted to his side for another shutdown role.

But Deledio still found it 25 times.

Trent Cotchin and Matthew Boyd had a good old fashioned duel where both regularly won the hard ball, the same with Jackson and Ryan Griffen in a quick-hands competition.

The Tiger's 22 points lead at half-time didn't truly reflect their edge in the first half.

Twice they hit the post during the wasteful 4.8 opening term.

And the inaccuracy, even from the normally dead-eye Riewoldt continued in the second quarter.

When Richmond banged on the first four goals of the second term, it seemed this was Tiger time again, like earlier in the season, as the lead ballooned to a dangerous 35 points.

Goals from Shaun Grigg, after an exhilarating three bounces run, Conca and Dustin Martin left them poised to take a stranglehold on the contest.

But the Bulldogs at least found a viable target with Stringer pulling them back with two late goals, the second after the half-time siren following a 50m penalty against Tiger Alex Rance from a late push after a mark.

While it provided the Dogs with hope by narrowing the deficit to a reachable margin, the reality was that the Tigers had control on all but the scoreboard going into the second half on the way to a second thumping that mirrored the 67 points triumph at the same venue 10 weeks ago.


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Power is the AFL's big improver

Port Adelaide first-year captain Travis Boak listens to coach Ken Hinkley. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

PORT Adelaide has had a rejuvenation under Ken Hinkley, with a new coaching staff, a new board and a new chairman in television identity and financial analyst David Koch.

But to take a line from Hinkley early this year, they are coming from a long way back.

You find three wins for the remainder of the season only by including a Showdown win against the Crows, and those matches are always toss-of-the-coin shows.

There could be other upsets during the season, because the Power has been exciting to watch this season, but it would take a brave gambler to back them to do much better than break even for the rest of the year.

What is more important than the win-loss column from here is that the club stays competitive, because that has been the way the club has begun to regain some respect in the competition after sliding so drastically after the 2007 Grand Final loss.

Clubs exist to make finals; Port's mantra is that it exists to win premierships, but the bar does not have to be set that high for this season to be a success.

There have already been encouraging signs.

Travis Boak has moved to the brink of being an elite player in the competition after assuming the captaincy; it is as though it made him grow both as a player and a leader. The same goes for Brad Ebert.

Ken Hinkley has brought not only a fresh look to training, but also - in tandem with coaching director Alan Richardson - a foundation on which to build.

Port, like Hinkley's previous home, Geelong, is building from defence. Both Hinkley and fellow SA coach Brenton Sanderson understand that defence comes first, then you add the flair. But it's not always a speedy process.

It has been a treat to watch Kane Cornes not only break the club's record for games played, but also re-establish himself as a senior player under the new coach.

But concerns remain, and it is over the club's depth. Most of the losses has come from shocking starts to matches, but that is more about attitude than talent.

The mission from here for Port Adelaide is to continue to build depth, tease the talent out of those who have been flirting with good form for too long and have a wider weaponry in attack: Jay Schulz is as sharp as he's been but he's been left to carry too much of a load.

But one of the obvious differences between Port last year and this season is how fit the team looks.

Darren Burgess, an internationally respected fitness coach, has made a significant impact. He has been with both the Socceroos and Liverpool in the English Premier League but decided for family reasons that Adelaide was his preferred place to live even if he had to take a pay cut.

Alipate "Bobby" Carlile is moving better and looking stronger since he arrived - Carlile was dropped because of fitness issues last year - and the team is no longer expected to drop off in the final quarter.

Other clubs expected Port to fall away before Burgess arrived, even though it is impossible to measure how much of that was because of fitness and how much of it was because of the team's confidence levels.

The long and short of it is this: the Power finally has a structure in place that allows the club to build from the humdrum years after the 2007 Grand Final loss.

The bulk of it came from changes at top level management instigated by the SANFL, which is still the licence holder, and signed off by the AFL.

But it will come down to recruiting and development from here; the Power does not have the depth to play finals because it is not yet in a position to cover injuries to key players.

SUPERSTAR

Few players come into the competition and have as much impact as Ollie Wines, who was taken at No.7 in last year's draft and is already an important player for Port. He's not yet as good as Boak, but he rates highly in contested possessions at the club and looks like somebody who will bring enormous grit and value to the club.

GONE MISSING

Matthew Broadbent was equal second in the best and fairest last year but has been in football's version of the witness protection program this year: often dealing with subs vests and not getting as much of the football. But there have been signs of improvement and there is much hope for a good second half of the year.

COACH'S RATING

KEN Hinkley has been the spark that Port Adelaide needed for a revival. In tandem with coaching director Alan Richardson, he has been firm but calm, has a very clear vision of how he wants football to be played and given the club on-field direction when it was most needed.

8/10

PREDICTION: REMAINING COMPETITIVE

RUN HOME

14 June 29 Collingwood (AAMI Stadium)

15 July 7 Essendon (Etihad Stadium)

16 July 13 Hawthorn (AAMI Stadium)

17 July 20 St Kilda (Etihad Stadium)

18 July 28 Brisbane (AAMI Stadium)

19 August 4 Adelaide (AAMI Stadium)

20 August 10 Geelong (Simonds Stadium)

21 August 17 Gold Coast (AAMI Stadium)

22 August 24 Fremantle (Patersons Stadium)

23 TBC Carlton (AAMI Stadium)


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Adelaide Crows lack hunger in 2013

Crows midfield star Patrick Dangerfield has lifted his game to another level. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

IT is best to first deal with the facts.

Adelaide has won five games - against teams that will not play in finals this season (Brisbane, the Western Bulldogs, Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda and North Melbourne).

The Crows have lost seven matches - all to teams that rank above Adelaide in the premiership race, including Port Adelaide.

Adelaide has a 2-5 win-loss record at AAMI Stadium. This is a major change from last season when the Crows lost just two games at home.

Adelaide is averaging 92 points from an attack that has to be rebuild its look after losing key forwards Taylor Walker and Kurt Tippett. It has broken the 100-point barrier just three times.

This does not compare favourably with the record 106-point average the Crows achieved last season.

Now the subjective stuff, such as the Adelaide midfield appearing one dimensional rather than the league's best - as Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling said in the pre-season when he predicted the Crows would be carried to their first flag since the 1997-98 double with midfield dominance.

Only three Crows players appear to have advanced their game - Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and Richard Douglas and even this trio has not reached top form in every game.

And the most subjective statement that can be made of the Crows at the half-way mark of the season is to suggest the team's hunger waned in the afterglow of Season 2012 rather than being stoked by the heart-break loss to Hawthorn in the preliminary finals in September.

How much coach Brenton Sanderson's pre-season speech - that predicted the Crows were destined for greatness with a repeat of 1997 - turned ambition into misplaced arrogance at West Lakes will never be known.

Lead ruckman Sam Jacobs puts the "full responsibility" for Adelaide's fall on the players' shoulders.

"We're not executing the game plan," he says. "We've gone away from the things (that made us play well last year). Contested footy is one. We were No.1 in the comp for contested footy and stoppages last year, but this year we're mid-pack.

"We're very confident in the team we've got. We've got a team that can be a premiership contender when we're getting everything right.

"We've showed that when we play our best we can compete against the best teams.

"We saw that against Hawthorn and Fremantle, but the last couple of weeks (against Sydney and Richmond) have been really disappointing."

The key fact is this: Adelaide must win at least eight of 10 games to be sure of a finals berth. Or is that fiction?

SUPERSTAR

PATRICK DANGERFIELD

COACH Brenton Sanderson now wishes he had three Patrick Dangerfields - one for half-back, one for the midfield and one in the goalsquare. It has been a demanding year for the 23-year-old Dangerfield as he - and fellow midfielder Rory Sloane - have continually carried the Crows on their shoulders.

GONE MISSING

JASON PORPLYZIA

ADELAIDE'S experienced-mature forwards - Ian Callinan, Graham Johncock and Jason Porplyzia - have had testing first halves to the season as substitutes or through the revolving door at selection. Porplyzia has been shown more faith and handed more game time with 11 of a possible 12 games. But he has kicked just six goals.

COACH'S RATING

BRENTON SANDERSON

THE immediate response Sanderson had last year from the jaded Crows players was measured by more wins, never losing two games in a row and the highest-scoring team in Adelaide's history. The follow-up act has been far more difficult with the loss of key forwards Taylor Walker (knee) and Kurt Tippett (Sydney) and the inconsistent form of too many key players.

The honeymoon also has ended for Sanderson as his selection policy and tactics come under greater scrutiny.

5/10

PREDICTION: NO REPEAT OF '97

RUN HOME

13 bye

14 June 29 Gold Coast (Metricon)

15 July 6 West Coast (AAMI)

16 July 12 Collingwood (MCG)

17 July 21 Geelong (AAMi)

18 July 27 Fremantle (Patersons)

19 August 4 Port Adelaide (AAMI)

20 August 11 North Melbourne (AAMI)

21 August 18 Western Bulldogs (Etihad)

22 August 24 Melbourne (AAMI)

23 tbc West Coast (Patersons)


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roughy shows up old Buddy

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 21 Juni 2013 | 22.09

Hawthorn have stretched their winning streak to 11 straight matches with a twenty point victory over West Coast.

Jarryd Roughead in traffic against West Coast. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

IF salaries were all about substance then Jarryd Roughead should be a $1million footballer.

He was the most influential player on the field last night, kicking five goals as a key forward and running midfielder, including three in a maniacal first quarter when the ball zipped up and down Etihad Stadium like it was a game of tippity footy.

Twelve goals were kicked in the opening term, sixteen through the next two quarters when the game became more accountable and willing, before the Hawks kept West Coast at bay in the final quarter, winning by 20 points.

It was a fierce game through the first three quarters, the greatest margin was four goals, and the fourth quarter was edge of the seat stuff, with the Eagles kicking three goals of the last four goals of the game.

SuperCoach scores, live stats

Roughead, as he has for much of the season, was a powerful presence.

He started key position and spent rest of the night swinging between there and a midfield role, often being the centre square midfielder under Max Bailey and David Hale.

Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson leads his team off after his 200th game as coach. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

At the Hawks is a star.

At any other club he would be a superstar.

He signed with the Hawks this year for another three years on $600,000 tops.

Lance Franklin is worth a $1.1million from Hawthorn and up to $1.4million from GWS.

And as an ambassador if Franklin heads north, the AFL could tip in $500,000, such is the X Factor.

Shane Savage kicks a goal against West Coast. Source: Getty Images

That Roughead is a knockabout red-head from quaint Leongatha - and not the strutting rock star like his mate - probably robs him of a half a million dollars.

Because when it comes to football in 2013, Roughead leads Franklin in almost every key indicator.

He leads kicks (129-122), marks (59-50), handballs (76-66) and goals (36-33).

Frankllin leads tackles 36-30.

Indeed, they are similar payers in output, yet Roughead, when it's all said and done, might in arrears of $1.5million next year.

Lance Franklin works his magic against the Eagles. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

And it's never more applicable than right now to say football is a strange business.

On the field, the Hawks remain on top of the ladder at 11-1.

It was brave from the Eagles last night.

They lost Shannon Hurn because of injury in the second quarter, and outscored the Hawks in second half - 9.1 to 7.7.

Six consecutive goals from the Hawks in the second quarter ultimately proved the game-killer and not surprisingly the widely talented group of Hawks forwards all contributed.

Brent Guerra clears during the third term against West Coast. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

In order, it read Breust, Gunston, Franklin, Roughead, Savage and Gunston again who turned an eight-point deficit into a 28 point lead at half-time.

The Eagles had a run of four goals in the first quarter, and won the second half.

The Hawks talent in the front six evident - Gunston also kicked five - and with Cyril Rioli to return, the Hawks forward line unquestionably will most the lethal in the competition.

Roughead's ability to play multiple positions is frightening.

He kicked the game's first - snap around the corner - and was into the middle as ruck-rover at the bounce down.

Nic Naitanui on hands and knees against the Hawks. Source: Herald Sun

Franklin kicked the game's fourth, via a long kick from the marauding Roughead who received the handball backward of centre, kicked into space where Breust gathered, who dished to Franklin, who casually shrugged on to his left for goal.

Rougheahd has become what many observers used to write in the previous century - the ''prototype'' footballer of the next century.

It is 13 seasons since then, but he can play key forward, he can ruck, he can be a centre-bounce midfielder, an around-the-ground mid and key back if the club was ever in an emergency.

Indeed, at the death last night, as the Eagles looked for a goal to make it a single-figure margin.

it was Roughead who drifted back to clear the ball.

Jarryd Roughead is congratulated by Bradley Hill after kicking a goal against the Eagles. Source: Getty Images

If Roughead is the prototype A1, then Cox is prototype A2, and Naitanui is A3.

The three big men were all outstanding.Shuey and Gaff played to superb games in the middle, and for Gaff it was probably his best game, while Priddis was back to near his hard-working best with 27 touches, nine tackles and five clearances.

Again, Luke Hodge was marvellous, and while his kicking efficiency was a sometimes a worry, he got the ball when others could not.

Franklin, who was terrific with his pressure, collected Naitanui in the second quarter with an elbow to the head, but it was an accident.

Although Andrew Embley will face scrutiny for dropping his knees into Hawk Ben Stratton in the second quarter.

Plenty happens in the speed of a game, and some of it his accidental.

But dropping both knees into a player who is lying on the ground will be difficult to explain if gets the chance to.

A screenshot of the incident, taken from Channel 7. Source: Supplied

Votes:

3. Jarryd Roughead

2. Jack Gunston

1. Josh Kennedy.


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Beach boy gets his chance in big time

Sydney Swans' Dane Rampe is getting the chance to establish himself this seasn. Picture: Philip Hillyard. Source: The Daily Telegraph

INJURIES present opportunities in football and Clovelly born and raised Dane Rampe has made the most of his to provide one of the surprise stories of the AFL this year.

This time last year he was playing for the University of NSW in the Sydney Football League.

This afternoon against Port Adelaide he'll play his 10th game for the defending premiers.

A season-ending knee injury to Alex Johnson and a career-ending hip injury to Marty Mattner provided a chance which Rampe has grabbed with both hands.

Three years ago Rampe left the eastern suburbs to pursue his AFL dream playing for Williamstown in the VFL, but two pre-seasons training with the Western Bulldogs hoping to be picked on the rookie list amounted to nothing.

The 23-year-old believes doing the hard yards in Melbourne built a physical and mental toughness which has helped him handle the pressure of elite football.

"I worked so hard and was so far out of my comfort zone when I went to Melbourne," Rampe told The Daily Telegraph.

"It's the appreciation of where I've come from and how hard I've worked to get here.

Coach John Longmire is certain the harder road to AFL football has held Rampe in good stead. "It builds resilience," Longmire said.

"He didn't budge when he was knocked back the first time or the second and third times."

Longmire took a massive punt on Rampe when he included the kid from Clovelly in his round-one team to play the Giants.

He was dropped to the seconds for two matches but won his spot back in round four against Geelong and has held it since.

"We knew he could run and we knew he was a competitor," Longmire said. "The players who survive in the AFL are those who do the basics well and he has done that."

The biggest challenge for Rampe has been trying to do too much and not concentrating on simply defending.

"I don't have to do anything spectacular on the offensive side," Rampe said.

"That was the hardest part in the pre-season, drilling that into my game.

"Horse (Longmire) told me a few times you have to get this right; I've found it pretty easy going in terms of knowing my role and what to do.

"I come from a league (Sydney Football League) where off the half-back line you look to pinpoint passes in the middle of the ground. It's not my role, I leave that for the Macca's (Jarrad McVeigh) and the Mal's (Nick Malceski).

Two weeks ago Rampe played his best game so far, against Adelaide, picking up 18 possessions and playing a solid defensive game where he was rarely beaten one on one. "I'm enjoying something I love doing," Rampe said. "I'm enjoying being part of the Sydney Swans and whether that's in the firsts or the seconds."

Rampe is another Swans player late to Aussie Rules, having spent most of his teenage years in soccer and basketball.


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Sharpshooting Hawks down Eagles

Hawthorn have stretched their winning streak to 11 straight matches with a twenty point victory over West Coast.

  • Hawthorn 19.9 (123) bt West Coast 16.7 (103)

FOR the second successive Friday night, an opposition threw the kitchen sink at Hawthorn.

In Round 12, Carlton tried to dazzle Hawthorn with midfield speed and, for the most part succeeded. Statistically at least. But on the only count that mattered, the Hawks held sway on the scoreboard.

Friday night, West Coast - a vastly improved outfit on the one that hobbled past St Kilda at its most recent start - emerged as if shot from a cannon.

With big men blazing at centre clearances and up forward, the Eagles looked the real deal for one of the few times in a season that could generously be described as erratic.

SuperCoach scores and stats

The tactic was clear. Again pump the hosts in the middle and bomb it as high and as quickly as possible to stretch the shorter Hawks backline.

Statistically, again, it worked a treat. By halftime, the Eagles had 33-24 inside-50s, a 22-18 clearance edge and accordingly had the ball in their forwardline an amazing 66 per cent of the time.

Shane Savage kicks a goal against West Coast.

But there was one problem.

Hawthorn booted six goals in each quarter and led by an ultimately critical 26 points.

It's that critical time of the year when coaches are sizing up exactly how to counter the league's powerhouses.

There's talk of slingshot footy off half-back, or of stacking half-back lines to form walls with space ahead into which rebounding teams can run.

But the explanation for Hawthorn's 11-game winning streak - just one off the club record with lowly Brisbane to come next week - is actually far more simple.

The forwardline is elite, perhaps the deepest in years.

Scott Selwood of the Eagles handballs whilst being tackled by Luke Hodge of the Hawks during the round 13 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium.

Reams of paper have been dedicated to Lance Franklin, and his partner in crime Jarryd Roughead - the matchwinner Friday night - has found career-best form.

But it's more than that.

Jack Gunston is ruthlessly efficient when the ball comes his way and Luke Breust would be in All-Australian reckoning as a mediums-sized opportunist.

Tackling terrier Paul Puopolo was a late withdrawal, while livewire Cyril Rioli is poised to return within a fortnight to add to the firepower of a unit that last night produced an extraordinary set of numbers.

Six of nine times the Hawks went inside 50 in the first quarter they kicked a goal.

By halftime that was 12 of 24 -- a staggering 50 per cent success rate.

Lance Franklin works his magic against the Eagles. Picture: Michael Klein

This from a team that already leads the league in that category with a season average of 30.7 before this game.

That it tailed off to 16 of 35 and 19 of 49 by fulltime was an invevitable "market correction".

But keep in mind that West Coast played arguably its best game of the past two months and still came up 20 points short with eight more forward 50 entries.

For other clubs, there's no solution to those numbers just yet.


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AFL to have input in Dees

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL will have a hand in selecting Melbourne's board and its coach, league chief Andrew Demetriou has confirmed.

Demetriou met board candidate, former Victorian treasurer Alan Stockdale on Thursday and said the league was helping select and approve candidates.

He also said the AFL would have a say in who coached the Demons next season and expressed his admiration for Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos, who has been touted as a possible replacement for Mark Neeld.

"Not personally (approving candidates), but the AFL Commission will be, absolutely," Demetriou told 3AW. " ... We made it very clear that on the basis that the AFL would support the club financially - a significant amount of money - that that would be highly conditional and one of those conditions is approving the composition of the board.

"We're talking to prospective board members and people are offering up names and suggestions, we're welcoming all that.

"We've got several people that we're looking at who I think would add significantly (to the board)."

One of those appears to be Stockdale, who Demetriou met on Thursday.

"He's very passionate about being involved with the board and he's someone I suspect should continue to be spoken to," he said.

When asked if he would like Roos to coach Melbourne, Demetriou said: "We don't recruit players and we don't recruit coaches but Paul Roos, as a general comment, is an incredibly gifted and talented coach and, as an industry, we are the (poorer for) not having a person of Paul Roos' talent coaching in the AFL ranks."

He said while Demons chief executive Peter Jackson and the board appointed the coach, the AFL "will obviously be consulted on that".

"We would have a say I guess, but we're not experts in coaches."

Demetriou said there was a possibility Melbourne could move to a new base at Docklands.

"There is a piece of land at Docklands that is being targeted for a community facility," he said.

"It would be good to have a club down there, call it Melbourne, that would attract more people to the Docklands precinct. We're there, it's a good piece of dirt."


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Returning Brown ready to roar

Lions star Jonathan Brown can't wait to get back out there. Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown is ready to roar when he makes his comeback from suspension against Geelong at the Gabba in round 13 tomorrow.

A two-week ban for intentionally striking Carlton's Michael Jamison in round 9 and a bye week in round 11 means Brown last kicked a ball in anger on May 25.

But the triple premiership player is relishing the prospect of jumping in at the AFL's deep end.

"It feels like a long time on the sidelines when you throw in the bye, doesn't it, but I'm just really looking forward to playing some footy again," Brown said.

"I've tried to use this time as a positive and use it as a chance to freshen up physically.

"The suspension broke a bit of my momentum.

"I felt like I was building up some pretty good fitness but I've been training as hard as I can so I can hit the ground running against the Cats."

Brown said Brisbane could ill-afford any passengers or lapses in concentration against Geelong who have named a star-studded side for the trip north.

He said the Chris Scott-coached Cats were capable of destroying opposition sides in the blink of an eye.

"They can basically win a game in 20 minutes," Brown said.

"They play such an attacking brand of footy."

Fullback Daniel Merrett will join Brown as a reinforcement after serving a three-week ban for a sling tackle on Essendon's Michael Hurley in round 8.

Merrett will have no time to ease into his customary role in the last line of defence with Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins requiring close attention.

"Their forwards are very dangerous so it will be great to have 'Rodge' (Merrett) back where he belongs," Brown said.

"We lost our goal-to-goal line there for a few weeks but all of us are back now so hopefully that will hold us in good stead against a top-class opposition."

Brisbane finalised their 22 for tomorrow's clash last night with Niall McKeever, Andrew Raines and Rohan Bewick making way for Brown, Merrett and Brent Moloney.

Lions players will wear a special jumper at training today to celebrate Simon Black's games record.
Brisbane are encouraging supporters to wear black to the game to honour the midfielder.
 


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'Unjust' if Milne not allowed to play

Steven Milne. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou expects Stephen Milne to play again this season.

Demetriou supported Milne being stood down indefinitely following rape charges, but said it would be unjust to not allow him to play when ready.

While little is expected to change in Milne's legal situation between now and the end of the season, Demetriou denied his stance was contradictory.

"I think it's highly likely that he will (play)," Demetriou said.

"He has a mention hearing (on July 5) which will then set a date for a committal, that committal hearing could be early next year.

"It would be unjust if he's right to play and it's deemed by the St Kilda Football Club that he is ready to play, that he be deprived of that opportunity to resume his career.

"He is innocent until proven guilty, but that will be monitored.

"His frame of mind may be different in a few weeks. It may be right, it might not be right."

Demetriou said it was appropriate for Milne to miss this afternoon's clash with Melbourne.

"We have in the past not stood down players and allowed them to play in different situations," he told ABC radio.

"This is a very serious, serious charge. This is probably one of the most serious charges that I can remember that we've had to encounter in my time.

" ... It's appropriate to have a pause, out of respect for everyone involved in the situation, particularly the woman involved.

"I think it takes the heat out of a lot of the emotion that surrounds this."

If Milne is committed to stand trial, the AFL's Respect and Responsibility policy states his contract with St Kilda could be terminated.

But Demetriou said Milne would not automatically be suspended.

"It depends on the situation and the seriousness of the offence," he said.
 


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Hawks bigger than Buddy

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 20 Juni 2013 | 22.09

Say it ain't so, Buddy? Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN seems determined not to be the jilted lover left weeping at the altar.

Buddy Franklin is almost certainly gone, a crushing blow some clubs would struggle to recover from.

Yet Hawthorn is a cutting-edge football club in a modern world.

So a club which itself poached Shaun Burgoyne, Jack Gunston, Brian Lake and Josh Gibson will treat his likely departure as a business decision like many it has made before.

How do you replace the game's best forward?

You don't.

But you fight hard for him in a mature manner until he is officially gone.

See all the Round 13 line-ups

And then when all hope is lost you spend that $1 million acquiring someone else to help keep the premiership flame alight.

In the matter of months since last year's off-season Hawthorn's mood has turned from anger, to shock, to quiet realisation.

The anger was apparent when Alastair Clarkson went to Las Vegas to confront Franklin about various issues, and the shock was there when Franklin postponed his deal until season's end.

Ultimate Round 13 Formguide

Yet the realisation and acceptance has come as Hawthorn has itself done the sums it knows Franklin and his manager Liam Pickering are adding up.

Everything is unofficial half-way through the season: GWS hasn't officially lodged an offer, and Hawthorn isn't officially conceding he is going, the AFL's can't officially countenance that ambassadorial role.

Yet tally the figures, and look at the history of those who have already postponed deals before jumping ship to expansion sides and it is a no-brainer.

Hawthorn's absolute best offer for Franklin has been $4.5 million over four years, an entirely reasonable offer for the game's most exciting player.

The fifth year has not yet been forthcoming - but could be - given the Hawks' question marks over Franklin's durability past 30, again an entirely reasonable query.

Yet their best offer, one that will see them enduring significant salary cap stress, doesn't even come close to the GWS football component.

And that is before any AFL money comes surging through the expansion pipeline.

GWS will have to - and plan to - offer around $1.5 million a season, because Franklin wouldn't leave for $1.2 million a year, which is less than $90,000 a year above their offer.

Lance Franklin marks on the lead at Hawthorn training. Picture: Jay Town Source: Herald Sun

GWS will offer six years and a package worth as much as $12 million over that period because it can, and because it needs to.

It needs a figurehead, it needs instant improvement, it needs a foothold in the competitive New South Wales market.

Hawthorn doesn't need any of those things.

It needs on-field talent and not much else given its off-field millions.

Clarkson is still confident, and said yesterday the status quo remained.

"Nothing has changed from our point of view,'' Clarkson said yesterday.

"Whilst he is contracted to Hawthorn we want to make sure he plays the very best footy he can. The contract stuff will sort itself out in due course.''

The AFL yesterday confirmed the Hawks had no hope of increased free agency compensation, which means the club would receive just pick 20 in exchange.

AFL executive Andrew Dillon told the Herald Sun: "The AFL executive has not yet had a final discussion but it is extremely unlikely there would be any change to the compensation formula after just one year of its operation, either to increase it or decrease it.''

Hawthorn not only believes its fan-base would not revolt if Franklin departed, there is an inner steel among insiders about their prospects without the spearhead.

Franklin is not 27 until January, and has perhaps another two years at his absolute peak.

Yet with his penchant for off-field fun, his form fluctuations, and the reality key forwards rarely fire post-30, Hawthorn wouldn't come close to matching that six-year deal.

Franklin still leads the team in goals, but the match-winning performances of previous years are rarer.

And consider the goal spread - Franklin (31), Jarryd Roughead (31), Luke Breust (20), Jack Gunston (15), Shaun Burgoyne (14), Cyril Rioli (12 from five games) and David Hale (nine).

They would be diminished without Franklin, but if they could afford a Stewart Crameri and a Mark LeCras, does anyone doubt Hawthorn would still contend?

The best result all round: Buddy and Franklin get their second premiership together on the last Saturday of September, and both parties move on amicably.

LANCE FRANKLIN'S OPTIONS

1. Lance Franklin stays.
Franklin makes the decision thousands have made before him _ that team success is bigger than any pay cheque. The problem for Franklin is that the difference in pay cheques is bigger than that faced by anyone in his position.
This option seems to be evaporating by the day, but it would make him a Hawthorn hero forever.

CHANCE: 10 per cent. Even this is probably optimistic.

Lance Franklin has put contract talks with Hawthorn on hold until the end of the season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun


2. Lance Franklin nominates Greater Western Sydney as his free agency home and Hawthorn FAILS to match it.
If Buddy nominates GWS, Hawthorn has 48 hours to match the bid. The bid would include only the football component of the deal.
Free agency starts on September 30, two days after the Grand Final.
So Franklin could be a Grand Final hero for Hawthorn on the Saturday, nominate GWS on the Monday and be a Giant by the Wednesday.
He can nominate only one team, and Hawthorn has to match the exact offer in its total player payments year by year, even if it is heavily front-ended.
Hawthorn has handed Franklin's management its best offer, so this is the most likely outcome.

CHANCE: 80 per cent. Becoming increasingly certain. No one who has scrutinised precedent or the figures in front of Franklin really believes he will stay.

3. Lance Franklin nominates GWS as his free agency home and Hawthorn DOES match it.
This is the least likely outcome, but it is still possible.
The Hawks could match the $1.5 million football offer, then go about trying to fit Franklin in whatever the cost.
It would result in the jettisoning or trading of key out-of-contract players, with Hawthorn needing to save as much as $400,000 a season.
Because even second-year players can be paid up to $100,000, it would need to cut a $500,000-a-season player such as Jordan Lewis or Shaun Burgoyne.
This is completely untenable to Alastair Clarkson, who will not toy with his playing culture or toss a player to the wind just for Franklin's pay packet. That would send the worst message to a playing list that has sacrificed plenty before.

CHANCE: Zero per cent. Hawthorn can't afford $1.5 million a year for one player.

4. Hawthorn matches Franklin's free agency offer, then tries to trade him.
Theoretically the Hawks could call GWS's bluff, matching the offer even though it has no intention of paying the $1.5 million a year.
Then with Franklin still listed, they could go back to GWS and try to broker a trade that could involve a higher draft pick than the likely pick 20 they would have received in free agency compensation.
Two problems:
GWS could call Hawthorn's bluff back, leaving them with a player they could not afford.
And Hawthorn would not do it, believing it would send an atrocious message to the rest of the playing group.
They remain adamant: If Franklin wants to be here we will pay him what he is worth .th.th. if not, he can leave for the highest bidder.
Any player who has their free agency bid matched can remain with his original club, seek a trade, or enter the draft. So even if Franklin's bid was matched, he could enter the pre-season draft with a huge price on his head and be picked up by GWS for nothing.

CHANCE: Zero per cent. If Franklin wants to go to GWS that desperately, Hawthorn won't chase him.

2012 Preliminary Final. Hawthorn v Adelaide Crows. MCG. Lance Franklin celebrates on the siren as the hawks win. Source: Herald Sun

5. Hawthorn tries to trade Franklin before the free agency period.
This would require Franklin to be extremely proactive, telling GWS he would be happy to accept its offer but only if it sweetened the deal for his existing club.
In reality, GWS would tell Hawthorn no deal.
Whey should it have to hand over draft picks when it didn't for Tom Scully, and Gold Coast didn't for Gary Ablett?
Franklin will be reassured by his management that the reason compo picks were introduced was to help the club a player leaves.
He has given eight years of service to Hawthorn _ that is enough reward.

CHANCE: Five per cent. If Hawthorn knew Franklin wanted to leave, they might at least make the call to GWS. The call would be succinct and pointless.

6. A rival club swoops in at the last minute and trumps GWS.
The only small chance would be Gold Coast.
It has the salary cap room but probably not the AFL marketing support, given Gary Ablett and Karmichael Hunt already are paid by the league.
The Suns admit it would cost them at least two quality players, and with Charlie Dixon, Tom Lynch, Sam Day and Stephen May emerging as key talls, they don't really need him.
No Victorian side can afford even the $1.5 million-a-season football component, let alone the marketing allowance.
Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich did not rule out that club's interest several months back, but Ross Lyon says now he has no interest and has told Alastair Clarkson that. It would be the height of hypocrisy to back-flip.

CHANCE: Five per cent. If Day and Dixon both did their ACLs in the next ten weeks, Gold Coast could change its mind. But right now they are saying they don't want Buddy.

BEST FIVE FREE AGENTS:

1. Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
2. Mark LeCras (West Coast)
3. Colin Sylvia (Melbourne)
4. Eddie Betts (Carlton)
5. Alan Toovey (Collingwood)

BEST KEY TALLS OFF CONTRACT
1. Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)
2. Stewart Crameri (Essendon)
3. Jay Schulz (Port Adelaide)
4. Shane Mumford (Sydney)
5. Jack Watts (Melbourne)
6. Mitch Brown (West Coast)
7. Scott Gumbleton (Essendon)
8. Tayte Pears (Essendon)
9. Max Gawn (Melbourne)
10. Majak Daw (North Melbourne)

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt celebrates his fifth goal against St Kilda. Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun


 
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