The season started on Friday night at the traditional home of football – the MCG between arch rivals Richmond and Collingwood. Richmond took the points after an impressive display. Matthew Richards was unstoppable at fullforward and finished with five goals and new recruit Nathan Brown won plenty of the ball through the middle. Richmond ran out clear winners in the end by 40-points.
Hawthorn started their season with a win against Melbourne on Saturday. Hawthorn’s inaccuracy in front of goal in the first half kept the Demons in with a chance at half-time. Sam Mitchell and Peter Everitt combined well at stoppages to give the Hawks first use of the ball. Hawthorn won easily by 49-points.
The result at Subiaco on Saturday didn’t surprise anyone. Fremantle defeated Carlton by 47-points. Paul Medhurst was handy up forward and finished with four-goals. Medhurst had good support from Jeff Farmer, who booted three majors.
The match of the round was between Brisbane and Sydney. The reigning premiers took the points in a thriller and won by two-points. With one minute to go, Sydney had the opportunity to win the match, but Jason Ball’s shot at goal floated through for a behind.
St.Kilda continued their form from the Wizard Cup premiership. After trailing at the first change, they put their foot on the accelerator and never looked back. Fraser Gehrig was the star of the show and booted seven goals. St.Kilda won easily by 61-points.
West Coast took the honours in a high scoring affair against the Western Bulldogs at The Dome yesterday. The West Coast midfield ran riot and set-up the seven-point victory. Phil Matera finished with five goals and Chris Judd contributed four goals from the mid-field.
The Kangaroos made a fantastic start to their 2004 campaign when they defeated Adelaide by 75-points. Shannon Grant and Brent Harvey were the catalysts to the victory. The pair got first hands of the ball and delivered it well to the forwardline. Leigh Brown made a big impact on the scoreboard and finished with five goals.
Port Adelaide recorded its best ever victory against Essendon yesterday at AAMI Stadium. Despite not kicking its first goal until time on in the first quarter, it was a landslide after that. Essendon had no answers for Port Adelaide who thrashed the Bombers by 96-points.
Round 1 results:
Richmond 2.5 6.7 11.9 14.13 (97)
Collingwood 1.2 3.3 5.6 8.9 (57)
Hawthorn 2.7 5.12 11.13 17.17 (119)
Melbourne 1.2 4.2 6.5 10.10 (70)
Fremantle 5.3 9.9 13.12 15.17 (107)
Carlton 3.3 5.6 8.9 8.12 (60)
Brisbane 1.3 5.6 8.12 11.14 (80)
Sydney 4.3 8.7 8.11 11.12 (78)
St.Kilda 3.0 8.2 16.4 19.8 (122)
Geelong 4.1 5.4 6.7 9.7 (61)
West Coast 5.5 11.8 15.10 22.12 (144)
Western Bulldogs 7.2 11.6 16.11 20.17 (137)
Kangaroos 2.3 8.5 17.7 23.11 (149)
Adelaide 4.7 4.11 9.13 10.14 (74)
Port Adelaide 2.6 7.13 15.16 23.20 (158)
Essendon 1.5 2.6 6.12 8.14 (62)
Next week:
Friday, April 2nd
Melbourne v Richmond – MCG
Saturday, April 3rd
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs – MCG
Adelaide v Brisbane Lions – AAMI Stadium
Essendon v St.Kilda – The Dome
Sunday, April 4th
Sydney v Fremantle – SCG
Carlton v Geelong – Optus Oval
Hawthorn v Kangaroos - MCG
