AFL Round Seven Match Review
Following the spread-out, never-ending nature of ANZAC Round, this weekend signalled a return to normal schedules. Here is my quick review on each game, along with three words that sum up the match and my best player votes.
Friday night
Collingwood 7.6 8.12 11.17 15.18 (108)
Port Adelaide 0.3 5.6 6.7 10.9 (69)
‘Pies dominate early’
Collingwood cruised to a 39-point win on Friday night against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium. The Pies raced ahead early, with their first quarter onslaught gifting them a 45-point quarter time lead. Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury backed up his ANZAC Medal-winning performance in round six with a dominant 36 possession match.
Collingwood’s Darcy Moore played his best career game as a defender, taking intercept marks all over the ground and running off his opponent Todd Marshall countless times to begin Collingwood attacks.
The Power gave an improved performance after quarter time in ex-skipper Travis Boak’s 250th match, at one time cutting the Pies margin to 17 points. But Collingwood’s Jaidyn Stephenson (four goals) and the returning Ben Reid (one goal, four points) ensured the Pies kicked clear once more and surged to a comfortable victory that puts them second on the ladder.
My votes
3 – Scott Pendlebury (COL)
2 – Darcy Moore (COL)
1 – Tom Phillips (COL)
Saturday
Melbourne 2.3 4.5 9.10 11.13 (79)
Hawthorn 4.5 5.8 7.8 11.8 (74)
‘Dees stun everyone’
Melbourne have temporarily saved their wayward season from collapse with a thrilling five point win over Hawthorn at the MCG.
The Hawks began the game as favourites and cruised to an early lead thanks to midfielder Jaeger O’Meara and forward Luke Breust’s impressive goal-kicking form. But after half time the deteriorating weather conditions allowed Melbourne to improve their contested play and get back into the game. Melbourne’s James Harmes had an impressive 31 disposal and one goal game, while Nathan Jones and Christian Petracca both returned to form that resembled their heroics of last year. In a heart-stopping final two minutes, Hawks recruit Chad Wingard could have had the chance to kick for goal after the siren to win the game but spilt the mark, allowing Melbourne speedster Jaidyn Hunt to run onto a loose ball and secure the much-needed win for the Dees.
My votes
3 – James Harmes (MEL)
2 – Max Gawn (MEL)
1 – Jack Gunston (HAW)
GWS 8.2 9.4 13.6 18.6 (114)
St Kilda 2.1 5.4 7.8 10.10 (70)
‘Cameron is electric’
A bag of six goals from in-form GWS forward Jeremy Cameron has inspired the Giants to an easy 44 point victory over an outclassed St Kilda line up at Manuka Oval on Saturday. The Giants dominated from the start, posting the highest first quarter score by any team so far in the 2019 season.
Despite the Saints rallying to cut the margin, GWS never looked like losing, especially when the dangerous Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron combined to boot numerous goals.
The Saints can take positives out of the game though, after winning the inside 50 count 37-16 in the second and third quarters. Yet an inability to convert these on the scoreboard meant Giants’ defensive players Zac Williams (30 touches) and Nick Haynes (26 touches) could rebound.
GWS’ young midfield in Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper continued to impress, exploiting St Kilda’s midfield missing star player Jack Steven. The Giants will, however, face a tough next couple of games with injuries to Aidan Corr (ankle) and Adam Kennedy (concussion).
My votes
3 – Jeremy Cameron (GWS)
2 – Tim Taranto (GWS)
1 – Zac Williams (GWS)
Brisbane 5.6 7.8 11.15 14.19 (103)
Sydney 1.2 7.6 10.6 12.9 (81)
‘Brisbane breaks drought’
The resurgent Brisbane Lions have broken their 10-year winless streak against Sydney with a tough 22-point win at the GABBA on Saturday evening. Fighting in a scrappy game, Lions captain Dayne Zorko’s 29 disposal, one goal match helped Brisbane break clear from the bottom-placed Swans to grab a spot in the top four.
Brisbane recruit Lachie Neale’s 25 touches and goal, combined with Mitch Robinson’s goal and 22 touches, helped the Lions win the game after giving up a 28-point quarter time lead.
Sydney impressed in stages with their well-known fight in the contest, as they used the wet weather conditions to slow down Brisbane’s fast ball movement. Sydney’s Tom Papley was wonderful, with four great goals and some courageous acts that lifted his team, while George Hewett also impressed for the Swans with some clean touches amidst pouring rain.
But in the second half the Lions skipped away, winning the contested possessions and appearing more classy around goal. Some inaccurate kicking kept Sydney in the game until the late stages of the last quarter, but an impressive running snap from Dayne Zorko sealed the win and gave the Lions a real chance of playing finals footy in 2019.
My votes
3 – Dayne Zorko (BRI)
2 – Tom Papley (SYD)
1 – Mitch Robinson (BRI)
Western Bulldogs 2.5 6.7 12.8 15.9 (99)
Richmond 3.2 4.6 7.7 7.10 (52)
‘Naughton destroys Tigers’
Bulldogs vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli and 19-year-old tall forward Aaron Naughton combined to crush Richmond in an upset 47-point victory at Marvel Stadium.
Despite the Tigers gaining control in the early stages and some wasted opportunities from the Bulldogs leaving them behind, a second quarter blitz gave the Dogs the lead they would never relinquish. Bontempelli’s masterful 27 possession, three goal game set the tone in the midfield, while youngster Naughton took nine contested marks to destroy Richmond’s Dylan Grimes-led backline.
Small defender Caleb Daniel stood out with 36 touches, helping reduce the impact of Richmond’s dangerous players in Tom Lynch and Dustin Martin.
Jackson Trengrove superbly kept Lynch goalless, while Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore and Lachie Hunter all combined with Bontempelli to ensure the Tigers midfield was toothless without captain Trent Cotchin.
Naughton broke a form slump to turn his marks into five goals, stamping himself as a promising young forward.
The win celebrated Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge’s 100th match as coach in style.
My votes
3 – Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
2 – Aaron Naughton (WB)
1 – Caleb Daniel (WB)
West Coast 3.6 8.8 9.12 11.14 (80)
Gold Coast 1.3 2.5 5.8 8.9 (57)
‘Eagles’ win unconvincingly’
Reigning premiers West Coast held off a late Gold Coast charge to stumble to a 23-point victory at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The win was set up with a damaging first half, which saw Eagles key forward Jack Darling boot three of his four goals to give his team a 39-point lead at the main break. West Coast’s Brad Sheppard (25 touches) tagged dangerous Gold Coast forward Alex Sexton out of the game, and the Eagles’ vaunted midfield of Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed and Andrew Gaff appeared to be clicking.
Suns coach Stuart Dew urged his team on from the bench for the second half as they slowly pegged back the margin, with Sexton booting his first goal of the game halfway through the last quarter to cut the Eagles’ lead to 11 points. But Darling and Yeo helped settle the match with decisive goals, briefly silencing West Coast’s critics after two horrible losses to Port Adelaide and Geelong in previous weeks.
Gold Coast continue to over-perform in 2019. Coach Dew is getting the most out of his unimpressive list. However, despite defender Jarrod Harbrow’s brilliant 30 possession match and ruckman Jarrod Witts’ 60 hit outs, West Coast’s Dom Sheed (32 touches, two goals) and Andrew Gaff (35 touches) still managed to control the midfield.
Both teams will be looking to improve their form next week.
My votes
3 – Brad Sheppard (WC)
2 – Jarrod Harbrow (GC)
1 – Dom Sheed (WC)
Sunday
Carlton 0.2 1.7 3.10 8.14 (62)
North Melbourne 5.4 10.6 15.7 18.12 (120)
‘North bounce back’
North Melbourne have briefly held off the naysayers with a rampant 58-point smashing of Carlton on Sunday afternoon.
Lighting up Marvel Stadium, the Kangaroos bounced away from the start, slamming home five goals in the first quarter to establish a large lead. Carlton returned to their form of past years, giving a terrible performance that had fans leaving during the last quarter. Blues forward Levi Casboult was a prime offender, missing an easy soccer goal before turning the ball over to Kangaroo Mason Wood for a goal against. North were tougher in the middle, as Ben Cunnington returned to his usual gritty play to smack the Blues in contested possessions. Youngster Cameron Zurhaar won the NAB Rising Star Award for the round with a wonderful five goal display, accompanied by a return to form from star forward Ben Brown (four goals).
The Blues were further hurt when important defender Liam Jones was stretchered off in the third quarter with a head injury, joining the likes of Mitch McGovern and Kade Simpson on the sidelines. Shaun Higgins, Trent Dumont and Jed Anderson all played well for North Melbourne, as recruit Jasper Pittard cleaned up his disposals to help rebound effectively. The Roos have lifted themselves off the bottom of the ladder, while the Blues now wait to face Collingwood in a daunting round eight fixture.
My votes
3 – Ben Brown (NM)
2 – Cameron Zurhaar (NM)
1 – Ben Cunnington (NM)
Geelong 4.0 7.3 10.7 13.8 (86)
Essendon 3.3 4.5 5.6 7.12 (54)
‘Cats are favourites’
Geelong have cemented their position at the top of the AFL ladder with a convincing 32-point win over the feeble Bombers at the MCG on Sunday.
Without captain Joel Selwood and superstar Patrick Dangerfield being held to eight touches, Geelong’s emerging talents in Tim Kelly and Cameron Guthrie stood up. Veteran Gary Ablett continued to wind back the clock for the Cats, kicking two goals with his 22 touches, taking advantage of the Bombers’ under-siege defence. Ablet’’s one-week suspension for his hit on Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel was overturned on Tuesday night.
Geelong’s defence was the difference between the teams, once-again proved they can stop teams from moving the ball quickly. Destructive defender Tom Stewart continued his stellar form, while full-back Mark Blicavs shut down dangerous Bomber forward Joe Daniher to ensure Essendon couldn’t kick a winning total.
Essendon’s midfield toiled hard. Dylan Shiel’s 33 touches and seven clearances alongside Zach Merrett’s 29 disposals, provided a fair fight for Kelly, Guthrie and Mitch Duncan. The only Essendon player Geelong couldn’t contain was Jake Stringer, who kicked some crucial goals that threatened to challenge the premiership favourites. Nevertheless, the Bombers now need a win in round eight to end their worrying two-game losing streak.
My votes
3 – Tim Kelly (GEE)
2 – Tom Stewart (GEE)
1 – Gary Ablett (GEE)
Adelaide 1.3 1.6 5.9 7.9 (51)
Fremantle 2.2 2.2 3.2 5.4 (34)
‘Sloppy boring match’
Adelaide have outlasted Fremantle in a low-scoring encounter in the Sunday twilight fixture at the Adelaide Oval.
Freo coach Ross Lyon implemented his famous defensive tactics to an extreme, preventing the Crows’ dangerous forward line from kicking away. But Adelaide, led by midfielders Matt Crouch (39 touches) and Rory Sloane’s 33 disposals, managed to break the shackles in the second half and push ahead in the final quarter.
Freo livewire Michael Walters was brilliant once again, while David Mundy’s 35 touches pushed Fremantle into attack whenever possible. The match was ultimately decided by a burst of goals late in the third quarter, capped off by a controversial 50 metre free kick that allowed Crows defender Alex Keath to slot his first AFL goal. Excitement machine Eddie Betts then pumped some life into the tired Adelaide crowd with an amazing snap goal in the final minutes that pushed the winning margin out to 17 points.
Following the close victory, Adelaide prepare to face cross-town rivals Port Adelaide in a round eight Showdown, while Fremantle battle the inconsistent Tigers in Perth.
My votes
3 – Matt Crouch (ADE)
2 – Brad Crouch (ADE)
1 – Rory Sloane (ADE)
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