Murray MiddletonRound Three
April 6th 2008 21:12
1. Bulldogs Thrash Saints
Despite trailing by six goals at quarter time, the Western Bulldogs overhauled St. Kilda to win by 38 points on Friday night. After three rounds the Bulldogs are undefeated and finally appear ready to deliver on the promise that they showed in 2006. The Bulldogs were, arguably, the biggest disappointment of 2007. They finished thirteenth after failing to win in their final seven matches. A drastic clean-out of the football department followed. Coach Rodney Eade was placed on his last chance. A failure to play finals football in 2008 will be the end of Eade, although on current form it appears unlikely.
The Bulldogs destroyed the much-fancied Saints. Over the past four seasons St. Kilda has held the wood over the Dogs. On Friday’s form it appears that the Bulldogs have overtaken the Saints and might finally be a contender. So where has the improvement come from? Eade chose to trade Jordan McMahon and Sam Power at the end of last season. Both players were top ten draft picks who were quick and skilled, yet lacked hardness at the contest. It was an admission of previous drafting failures and also a sign that the club did not believe their playing stocks were hard enough.
Eade secured Ben Hudson and Scott Welsh from the Adelaide Crows. Hudson has provided great service in the ruck thus far, performing a role that the Bulldogs had hoped Luke Darcy might have been capable of. Welsh, although not a tall in the traditional sense, has added depth to the Bulldog’s unconventional forward structure. With Johnson, Murphy, Hahn and Welsh, they now have four mid-range forwards who are capable of hurting opposition teams on the lead and at ground level. With the in-form Akermanis and Giansiricusa at their feet, the Dogs now have a potent forward line.
Ryan Griffin has returned to the team this season. He is one of the most talented young players in the competition. He is tall enough to someday hold down a key position, yet has a good enough motor to play in the midfield. And, most importantly, he kicks goals. Griffin starred against the Saints. Josh Hill won the round two rising star and followed it up with another outstanding performance against the Saints. He outclassed Nick Dal Santo on the wing and was one of the players who helped the Bulldogs turn the tide in the second quarter. At times Hill’s silkiness was reminiscent of Andrew McLeod.
2. Carlton Equals Worst Ever Losing Streak
On Saturday night Essendon overran Carlton at the MCG. The win meant that the Blues equalled the club’s worst ever losing streak of fourteen matches. Saturday night’s game was no disgrace for the Blues. As usual, they leaked goals. But their forward structure operated well and their midfield won the stoppages. Although the match was great for spectators, it was clear that neither side was a genuine top eight contender. In his post-match press conference Bombers coach Matthew Knights acknowledged that his side were a long way off the pace.
Brendan Fevola kicked seven goals in another dominant display against the Bombers. Chris Judd played his best game for Carlton, accumulating 32 possessions and kicking two goals. Matthew Kreuzer also made an outstanding debut. The problem with the Blues is that they still have no depth. With the likes of Murphy, Gibbs, Krezuer, Fevola, Judd, Waite and Thornton, they now have considerable talent on the field. But they remain short of key defenders and seasoned performers. Carlton will come up against clubs who are more determined to defend than the Bombers were on Saturday night. 2008 will be another long season for the club, although, as Kreuzer showed, all is not lost.
3. Crows Win Spiteful Derby
Adelaide won Sunday’s derby against Port Adelaide by six points. It was a tough, defensive match in which Adelaide lost several players to injury. It was a courageous win by Adelaide, who lost Bassett, Jericho, Massie, Porplyzia and Vince at different times of the match. Port Adelaide lost their third match in succession. Considering the number of injuries that the Crows suffered, it was a gutless performance by the Power. If they are to get their season back on track they must address some crucial deficiencies.
Warren Tredrea has struggled in recent seasons. His knees are sore and it is unlikely that he will regain the form that made him one of the best forwards in the competition. Tredrea is still worth his place in the team. But the Power must create other options up forward. Westoff is still young, but is too easily brushed aside. Last season he had the element of surprise on his side. He is currently on the brink of being dropped. The Cornes and Burgoyne brothers perform week in, week out for the Power, as does Brendan Lade. The load must be shared. Last season’s finish flattered the club. From here they will have to work hard to make the finals.
4. Pavlich Leads Dockers To Victory
Fremantle finally recorder their first win for 2008 in the Western Australian derby on Saturday. Captain Matthew Pavlich led the way, kicking five goals and claiming the Ross Glendening Medal. It was a crucial win for the Dockers. They were the better team all match and probably should have won by five or six goals. Youngster Rhys Palmer played a superb match and showed that he may be capable of filling the void left by Paul Hasleby. Most importantly, the win will have eased the pressure on Mark Harvey. Harvey is still beginning his coaching career and must learn how to mask his emotions when talking to the media. Otherwise, he will be eaten alive.
Time and time again the Eagles broke down across the half forward line on Saturday. In previous seasons the Eagles’ forwards have survived on great delivery from the midfield. With Cousins and Judd gone, and Daniel Kerr struggling with injury, the forwards have suffered. Ashley Hansen is a tireless worker at centre half forward. Quintan Lynch is a serviceable full forward. But the Eagles need a certified star up forward. Realistically, if the club is to remain a force, they must work out a way to play Adam Hunter up forward. It would be a risky move by John Worsfold. Hopefully he rolls the dice.
Despite trailing by six goals at quarter time, the Western Bulldogs overhauled St. Kilda to win by 38 points on Friday night. After three rounds the Bulldogs are undefeated and finally appear ready to deliver on the promise that they showed in 2006. The Bulldogs were, arguably, the biggest disappointment of 2007. They finished thirteenth after failing to win in their final seven matches. A drastic clean-out of the football department followed. Coach Rodney Eade was placed on his last chance. A failure to play finals football in 2008 will be the end of Eade, although on current form it appears unlikely.
The Bulldogs destroyed the much-fancied Saints. Over the past four seasons St. Kilda has held the wood over the Dogs. On Friday’s form it appears that the Bulldogs have overtaken the Saints and might finally be a contender. So where has the improvement come from? Eade chose to trade Jordan McMahon and Sam Power at the end of last season. Both players were top ten draft picks who were quick and skilled, yet lacked hardness at the contest. It was an admission of previous drafting failures and also a sign that the club did not believe their playing stocks were hard enough.
Eade secured Ben Hudson and Scott Welsh from the Adelaide Crows. Hudson has provided great service in the ruck thus far, performing a role that the Bulldogs had hoped Luke Darcy might have been capable of. Welsh, although not a tall in the traditional sense, has added depth to the Bulldog’s unconventional forward structure. With Johnson, Murphy, Hahn and Welsh, they now have four mid-range forwards who are capable of hurting opposition teams on the lead and at ground level. With the in-form Akermanis and Giansiricusa at their feet, the Dogs now have a potent forward line.
Ryan Griffin has returned to the team this season. He is one of the most talented young players in the competition. He is tall enough to someday hold down a key position, yet has a good enough motor to play in the midfield. And, most importantly, he kicks goals. Griffin starred against the Saints. Josh Hill won the round two rising star and followed it up with another outstanding performance against the Saints. He outclassed Nick Dal Santo on the wing and was one of the players who helped the Bulldogs turn the tide in the second quarter. At times Hill’s silkiness was reminiscent of Andrew McLeod.
2. Carlton Equals Worst Ever Losing Streak
On Saturday night Essendon overran Carlton at the MCG. The win meant that the Blues equalled the club’s worst ever losing streak of fourteen matches. Saturday night’s game was no disgrace for the Blues. As usual, they leaked goals. But their forward structure operated well and their midfield won the stoppages. Although the match was great for spectators, it was clear that neither side was a genuine top eight contender. In his post-match press conference Bombers coach Matthew Knights acknowledged that his side were a long way off the pace.
Brendan Fevola kicked seven goals in another dominant display against the Bombers. Chris Judd played his best game for Carlton, accumulating 32 possessions and kicking two goals. Matthew Kreuzer also made an outstanding debut. The problem with the Blues is that they still have no depth. With the likes of Murphy, Gibbs, Krezuer, Fevola, Judd, Waite and Thornton, they now have considerable talent on the field. But they remain short of key defenders and seasoned performers. Carlton will come up against clubs who are more determined to defend than the Bombers were on Saturday night. 2008 will be another long season for the club, although, as Kreuzer showed, all is not lost.
3. Crows Win Spiteful Derby
Adelaide won Sunday’s derby against Port Adelaide by six points. It was a tough, defensive match in which Adelaide lost several players to injury. It was a courageous win by Adelaide, who lost Bassett, Jericho, Massie, Porplyzia and Vince at different times of the match. Port Adelaide lost their third match in succession. Considering the number of injuries that the Crows suffered, it was a gutless performance by the Power. If they are to get their season back on track they must address some crucial deficiencies.
Warren Tredrea has struggled in recent seasons. His knees are sore and it is unlikely that he will regain the form that made him one of the best forwards in the competition. Tredrea is still worth his place in the team. But the Power must create other options up forward. Westoff is still young, but is too easily brushed aside. Last season he had the element of surprise on his side. He is currently on the brink of being dropped. The Cornes and Burgoyne brothers perform week in, week out for the Power, as does Brendan Lade. The load must be shared. Last season’s finish flattered the club. From here they will have to work hard to make the finals.
4. Pavlich Leads Dockers To Victory
Fremantle finally recorder their first win for 2008 in the Western Australian derby on Saturday. Captain Matthew Pavlich led the way, kicking five goals and claiming the Ross Glendening Medal. It was a crucial win for the Dockers. They were the better team all match and probably should have won by five or six goals. Youngster Rhys Palmer played a superb match and showed that he may be capable of filling the void left by Paul Hasleby. Most importantly, the win will have eased the pressure on Mark Harvey. Harvey is still beginning his coaching career and must learn how to mask his emotions when talking to the media. Otherwise, he will be eaten alive.
Time and time again the Eagles broke down across the half forward line on Saturday. In previous seasons the Eagles’ forwards have survived on great delivery from the midfield. With Cousins and Judd gone, and Daniel Kerr struggling with injury, the forwards have suffered. Ashley Hansen is a tireless worker at centre half forward. Quintan Lynch is a serviceable full forward. But the Eagles need a certified star up forward. Realistically, if the club is to remain a force, they must work out a way to play Adam Hunter up forward. It would be a risky move by John Worsfold. Hopefully he rolls the dice.
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