Essendon and Geelong kicked off the round on Friday night at the Dome. Apart from the opening minutes when the Cats kicked the first two goals, Essendon led for the entire game and the final result never looked in danger. An eight goal first quarter set up the Bombers’ six goal victory. Damien Peverill was dominant in the mid-field finishing with 32 possessions and Damian Cupido was dangerous in front of goal kicking five for the match.
Melbourne caused the upset of the round on Saturday when they defeated St.Kilda by 42-points. The Demons set-up its fourth win for the season in the third term when it kicked nine goals to two. David Neitz led the Melbourne charge finishing with seven goals and a best on ground performance.
Collingwood showed that they plan on featuring in the September action when they outclassed the Bulldogs by 43-points. After a six goal to nil first term the result never looked in doubt. Nathan Buckley was unstoppable in the mid-field with 35 disposals and finished his good work with two goals.
Alastair Lynch was pivotal to his side’s 43-point win over Richmond at the Gabba. Lynch dominated in front of goal – his scorecard reading six majors at the end of the match. As we have seen on many occasions it was the Brisbane mid-field that was also instrumental in setting up the win. Simon Black and Jason Akermanis had 47 disposals between them.
A rain soaked Subiaco was the venue for the closest match of the round between West Coast and the Kangaroos. It was a tight match with no more than 14-points separating the two teams at any stage of the game. However, it was West Coast who ran out winners in the end by nine points. Ashley Sampi sealed the result when he snapped from 48m out with 46 seconds to go in the match to put his side nine points in the clear.
Adelaide convincingly disposed of Carlton yesterday at Optus Oval. A five goal to one third quarter set-up the 42-point win. Graeme Johncock was deadly in front of goal for the visitors and finished the match with five goals. Brett Burton played his best game for the year and was rewarded with a best on ground performance – he had 34 disposals.
York Park in Tasmania hosted the Hawthorn v Fremantle match yesterday. Hawthorn continued to revive its season with a 30-point victory. The win is the third in succession for the Hawks and it puts them in contention for the finals. The Hawks skipper Shane Crawford was dynamic through the mid-field – the stats sheet reading 31 disposals and two goals.
Round 14:
Friday, July 4th:
St.Kilda v Essendon – The Dome
Saturday, July 5th:
Fremantle v Brisbane Lions – Subiaco
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs – MCG
Kangaroos v Collingwood – The Dome
Adelaide v Richmond – AAMI Stadium
Sunday, July 6th:
Sydney v West Coast – SCG
Carlton v Melbourne – Optus Oval
Geelong v Port Adelaide – Skilled Stadium
