Finally we see the end of the first round with results that most people would have tipped correctly except maybe that Hawks only won with a goal in the last 5 seconds, more on that later.
This weekend we also saw three new reports for rough conduct/ charging which all could be placed under the new ‘Maxwell Rule‘, it saw Port Powers coach Williams joking that a few teams may in touch with the legal team down at Collingwood.
Carlton defeated Kangaroos by 53 points
While all the talk was on Yarren and the other young guns the improvement imo was with Fevola who looked really strong and hungry and Judd, last year he looked good but limited, on Friday night he looked free and with his new head of hair I think he will have a break out season.
The Kangaroos looked very flat, while Z-man and Wells looked very good the rest of the team looked very average. I am tipping a very long season and I think they will start to regret the decision not to move to the Gold Coast.
Carlton will play Hawthorn in the second week of the NAB while the Kangaroos will play Fremantle in Canberra.
Geelong defeated Adelaide by 35 points
No real surprise hear with Geelong comfortably defeating a toothless Adelaide who again are lacking up forward. Apart from the usual suspects of Bartlel & Ablett, Gamble looked promising with 4 goals and Lonergan kicked 3. This was without Chapman, Mooney and Hawkins.
Last year Adelaide sneaked into the finals but easily dropped out and this year will be no different with them again lacking a real target up forward. Scott Stevens looks handy but he cannot do it on his own and will require Moran, Petternko and others to show more than just promise.
Daniel Motlop has been reported and if the AFL is consistent he should be let off, even though he is guilty.
Port Power will play Geelong in the second round of NAB while Adelaide will play West Coast in Alice Springs.
Port Power defeated Sydney by 65 points
We all know Sydney take no notice of the NAB competition but loosing by 60 odd points will slightly worry Roos and I would not be surprised in seeing him hand over the coaching reigns full time during the season. Shaw showed his football disposals but they simply had way to many passengers.
What would please Port Power will be the haul of 7 goals between J Westhoff and Tredrea. First time captain Cassisi had a solid game.
Port Power will play Geelong in the second round of NAB while Sydney will play Melbourne.
Hawthorn defeated Melbourne by 3 points
Melbourne fans will be really happy, not with loosing but with the fact that they really showed what they can do. Yes Hawthorn only had 12 premiership players and lost two before half time but the performance of Bate (4 goals), Green, McLean & Bartram will please the Demons fans.
Hawthorn were only in front for about 5 minutes of the game but the showing of a great team is the fact that they can win even when they are out played. Roughead showed what he can do with no Buddy alongside him with 5 goals. Stokes and Tuck also showed plenty.
Hawthorn will now play Carlton while Melbourne will play Sydney.
This Weeks Talking Points
Again I have listed 4 talking points from the weekends games, please add your views and also any other talking points in the comments section below.
- Will it be long seasons for Adelaide,Kangaroos and Sydney? Adelaide have now played two games and look really average down forward. Adelaide and Sydney will be there abouts (11-8th) but I tip a long season for the Roos.
- Will Motlop (PA) & Young (Haw) be suspended? They should be… Motlop’s feet were lifted when he hit the player (accident or not). Young was reckless
- Are Carlton finals bound? I would say, they could even sneak into the top four.
- Who will get to 100 first? Fevola or Buddy? Depends when Buddy starts playing again. Buddy will always have that X-factor that should see him again wining the Colemen.
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February 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 am
I think you will find it was about 5 seconds the hawks were in front for!
On the talking points:
1) Yes, Hard to say (North always out perform expectations), yes
2) Haven’t seen Motlop but Young should go and only hope is that they don’t correct the report to make it a Charge instead of Rough Conduct.
3) Should be. Awesome midfield. Fev. Not much down back.
4) Should be Fev but if Buddy kicks straighter this year he could get there by round 15! Why no mention of Roughie getting the ton? Start to think he will be a must in DT this year!
Phillip Molly Malones last blog post..Collingwood successful in Nick Maxwell Appeal
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:20 am
Did Hawthorn not get in front for a bit in the second quarter?
1) I agree that Kangaroos always out perform what people tip them but with Grant and Thompson missing their forward line is now 60+ goals lesser off. Petrie and Hale will need to have super seasons…
2) Correct me if im wrong Phillip but a charge would get more than a Rough Conduct hey?
3) If Wait and Thorten have good seasons they should be enough. Liked Stevens on back flank.
4) I guess Roughead could be the ‘roughie’ of getting a ton (lame I know). Has any club ever had two 70+ goal kickers in a season?
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Don’t believe the charge is any worst, but it is what he did.
On two players have 70+ seasons, are you talking about anyone other then Roughead (75) and Franklin (113) that did it last year? I believe it has been done before. Doug Waite and someone else.
Phillip Molly Malones last blog post..Collingwood successful in Nick Maxwell Appeal
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
Is that Doug Wade? Who played for Geelong and Kangaroos or someone else?? May be worth checking out, would not think it would be many.
I remember the last club for 3 players to kick over 50 goals in a season was also Hawthorn back in the 80s with Berreton, Dunstall and forgot the 3rd player.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Yeah, It probably was Wade. Was the 3rd hawk Matthews?
Phillip Molly Malones last blog post..Collingwood successful in Nick Maxwell Appeal
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
@Phillip: Do not know if it was Mathews, I dont think so though. I will double check.
Latest News:
Young & Motlop offered reprimands and get away with blue murder. This just makes the rule and tribunals even more of a joke.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
didn’t Brown and Bradshaw both kick 70 last year?? btw jermayn Chapman did play against the Crows. Carlton will not make top 4. Too reliant on Fev, not enough other avenues to goal and backline still shaky, not far away though.
i hesitate to write Adel, NMFC and the Swans off as all are battle hardened teams who have plenty of finals experience and play consistently well during the HOME and AWAY season! The problem they will have is that Carlton, Richmond, Brisbane and Port will all improve on last season. There are fewer easybeats which will make for a tough and tight competition all year round.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
@Deano – I thought they only kicked 50+ (could be wrong though)
I really doubt Adelaide, North Melbourne and Swans can all make the final 8. Like the teams you mentioned (Carlton, Richmond, Brisbane and Port), they just look that much more exciting and even and I cannot see 10 or 11 teams fitting in 8 spots.
- Swans just look to old
- North have not enough quality players
- Adelaide lack forwards
February 24th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Bradshaw kicked 75 and Brown 70
Swans – you don’t need to be young and quick when you play on the tight confines of the S.C.G. Will beat any side not willing to match their intensity.
North – have close enough to the same team as last season, a year in which they beat the Hawks, Dogs(twice), Pies(Twice) and pushed the Cats all the way.
Adelaide – lacked forwards last season too and if the Bombers hadn’t rolled over by 100+ points in the last round they would have been top 4.
Whilst Carlton and Richmond have lots of youth and class they have been down for a long long time and it will be interesting to see how they fare against teams that simply know how to win.
February 25th, 2009 at 7:57 am
You bring very arguments to the table deano
North did have a good year last year but with loosing Thompson & Grant they have lost 60+ goals a season and that leaves a big gap in their forward line.
Very good point and I have to agree, they both lost games last year because they did not know ‘how to win’ while teams like Sydney etc do..