Saints succeed over Swans

St Kilda has kicked off their 2010 campaign with an 8-point win over the Swans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. After kicking the first two goals of the match the Swans had the Saints playing out of character, but once they put through their first major for the night they went on to kick 5 straight consecutive goals. Read More »

Hawks thrash disappointing Demons

An under-manned Hawthorn has smashed a young Demons side by 56 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks were without some of their guns including Lance Franklin, Brad Sewell, Cyril Rioli and Chance Bateman but dominated right from the start kicking the first eight goals of the game. It wasn’t until 18 minutes into the second quarter that the Demons got a goal on the board through ruckman Mark Jamar. Late goals to Rick Ladson and youngster Carl Peterson stretched the lead to 56 points at the main break. Hawthorn continued their relentless pressure early in the third term slamming on the first four goals of the quarter as the deficit blew out to 80 points. The Demons inexperienced midfield was exposed as Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Rick Ladson found plenty of the footy and controlled the clearances. The Hawks took their foot off the pedal in the final quarter as the Demons kicked four goals to two, saving them from complete embarassment. The pleasing performance of debutants draft picks Jack Trengove and Tom Scully was probably the only positive the Demons could take from the match. Melbourne – 0.3, 1.6, 4.9, 8.13 (61) Hawthorn – 6.3, 10.8, 15.14, 17.15 (117) Goals Melbourne: Green 2, Petterd 2, Jamar, Miller, Miller, McKenzie Hawthorn: Brown 3, Roughead 3, Moss 2, Osborne 2, Hooper 2, Hodge, Ladson, Morton, Mitchell, Peterson Best Melbourne: Bruce, Moloney, Trengove, Jamar, Green, Scully Hawthorn: Hodge, Lewis, Birchall, Ladson, Mitchell. Gibson, Roughead Injuries Melbourne: Green (neck), Rivers (ribs) Hawthorn: Renouf (groin) Reports: Nil Umpires: McLaren, Stewart, Kamolins Official crowd: 45,615 at the MCG Dreamteam – Top 5 Luke Hodge – 142 Sam Mitchell – 112 Jordan Mitchell – 109 Grant Birchall – 106 Jordie McKenzie – 105

Cats fight back to down Dons

Geelong was forced to fightback to win their opening match of the season against the Bombers at the MCG on Friday night. As the Cats struggled to gain momentum, Essendon jumped away but the Cats hit back in the final quarter to run away by 31 points. A four goal burst in the second quarter saw the Bombers kick away to an 18 point lead but the Cats replied with four of their own to take a five point lead into the main break. The Cats look to crumble under the Bombers pressure after half time as Matthew Knights’ men booted the first four goals of the third term to take a 24 point lead, but the Cats hit back again to cut the deficit to just six points at three quarter time. Geelong then slammed on eight goals to two in the final quarter to seal a comfortable win. Geelong – 2.5, 8.7, 11.8, 19.11 (125) Essendon – 2.3, 7.9, 11.14, 13.16  (94) Goals Geelong: Mooney 3, Bartel 2, Ablett 2, Hawkins 2, Byrnes 2, Johnson 2, Kelly 2, Selwood, Ottens, Ling, Essendon: Davey 2, Watson 2, Zaharakis 2, Monfries 2, Neagle, Reimers, Fletcher, Stanton, Howlett. Best Geelong: Selwood, Ling, Byrnes, Bartel, Ablett, Lonergan, Johnson Essendon: Pears, Fletcher, Davey, Watson, Prismall, Howlett Injuries Geelong: None Essendon: Neagle (knee) Reports: Hille (Essendon), reported for charging Bartel in the fourth quarter. Umpires: Vozzo, Farmer, Meredith Official crowd: 57,772 at MCG Dreamteam – Top 5 Brent Stanton – 145 Shannon Byrnes – 141 Gary Ablett Jnr – 129 Jimmy Bartel – 114 Joel Selwood – 107

Blues belt Tigers in opener

Although not as lopsided as last years result the Blues have smashed the Tigers by 56 points in the season opener at the MCG on Thursday night. It was Carlton’s first home and away games minus spearhead Brendan Fevola, but they still managed to kick a winning score with Eddie Betts, Setanta o’hAilpin and Chris Yarran kicking 3 goals each. The Tigers failed to get their hands on the ball as the Blues racked up 137 more disposals in the match, dominated by Andrew Carrazzo who picked up 41 touches. After jumping out to a 28 point lead early in the match Richmond reigned them back into trail by 19 at the main break, but the Blues dominated in the second half kicking 4 unanswered goals in the final quarter. Richmond -  4.2, 7.6, 9.8, 9.10 (64) Carlton – 7.1, 11.1, 14.7, 18.12 (120) Goals Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Morton 2, Deledio, Thomson, Hislop, Nason, Cousins Carlton: O’hAilpin 3, Betts 3, Yarran 3, Murphy 2, Waite 2, Gibbs 2, McLean, Henderson, Simpson Best Richmond: Deledio, Cotchin, Connors, Jackson, Riewoldt, Martin Carlton: Carrazzo, Betts, Gibbs, Murphy, Kreuzer, Simpson, Yarran, Bower, Scotland Injuries Richmond: Jackson (concussion) Carlton: Nil Umpires: Rosebury, H. Ryan, S. Ryan Official crowd: 72,010 at the MCG Dreamteam – Top 5 Andrew Carrazzo – 131 Heath Scotland – 124 Kade Simpson – 119 Paul Bower – 118 Eddie Betts – 110

Yeah nah it’s no distraction

You know that football cant be far away when you get a constant stream of media reporting how teams won’t be distracted by whats happening off field at their club. After a long and often controversial summer many clubs are trying to put the past behind them and let their football make up for their off-season mistakes. Read More »

Week 2 NAB Challenge Fixture

The NAB Cup has reached the Semi-Finals stage leaving all but 4 clubs to play in week two of the NAB Challenge series. Read More »

NAB Challenge Fixture

While the NAB Cup will still take the main stage this weekend the NAB Challenge matches will be in the eyes of half the football population. With 4 games being played, two will be played at Carlton home ground, Visy Park. While two others will be played in regional towns across Australia. Read More »

Gold Coast’s sneaky six

It has been reported that up to six current AFL players may have signed with the new Gold Coast team for 2011. With the new franchise receiving a truck load of concessions to help kick start their AFL debut next year, it seems they are already targeting the players they want, despite the fact they are contracted to their current clubs this season. The names of these players are yet to be revealed, but Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos said that if the reports were true then the league should publish the names of these players. Read More »

Andrew Lovett sacked by St Kilda

St Kilda has sacked Andrew Lovett just months after signing the troubled player to a 3 year contract. The decision to sack Lovett, effective immediately, comes after the news that the 27-year-old was Read More »

Key AFL Player Transfers in 2010

This year sees, as usual, quite a few AFL player transfers amongst the teams with pre-season well and truly underway. Read More »