Tiges can sniff September

Dustin Martin was huge with a game-high 150 SuperCoach points.

FIRST came dealing with the competition's easybeats.

Now comes handling the hype.

From the moment Brett Deledio streamed to 50 metres and goaled 10 seconds into yesterday's clash against the Western Bulldogs, victory was assured.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more

The Tigers banked a third season win after a trio of victories against sides that have just two collective wins from nine games between them.

Brett Deledio celebrates first goal. AFL Round 3: Richmond v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Picture: Carrafa Tim Source:

Yet it was the manner in which Richmond defeated the Dogs that has the Tiger Army gushing and rivals daring to believe this side is finally the real deal.

The Tigers showboated at times, kicked woefully for goal in the first quarter and endured Jack Riewoldt's endearing mix - brilliance and petulance.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Liam Jones of the Bulldogs is tackled by Alex Rance of the Tigers during the round three AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on April 14, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Source:

None of it mattered, because the Tigers' trio of midfield stars and a collective will to smash the Dogs combined for a regulation 67-point win.

Dustin Martin played perhaps his best game in Richmond colours, Trent Cotchin is close to untaggable after seeing off in-form Bulldog Nick Lower, and Brett Deledio (three goals, 27 touches) is headed for another All-Australian nod.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Easton Wood of the Bulldogs comes off the ground after injuring his hamstring during the round three AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on April 14, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Source:

The team defence and back six were both impenetrable, the under-rated Shaun Grigg did a number on Tom Liberatore, and the recent inclusions in Ricky Petterd and Troy Chaplin are both looking inspired recruits.

So that hype?

By next Saturday's clash against Collingwood it will be off the richter scale, because on available evidence from three games, Richmond is on track for September.

In 1995, after its most recent 3-0 start, Richmond eventually went 11-1 before winning through to the preliminary final with that barnstorming Matthew Knights-inspired run.

The Tigers might need just nine more wins from 19 games, and still face Melbourne, the Dogs again, nemesis Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney as well as Brisbane (MCG) and St Kilda again.

The intoxicating sniff of finals would be enough to derail plenty, but former captain and finals virgin Chris Newman says winning is enough right now for a side which had won just two-and-a-half games in Rounds 1-3 in the past five years.

"It's just so good to be winning, but we have got a really good test in Collingwood coming up,'' he said.

"We have lost so many games in the past that it's a great feeling to be winning."

Daniel Jackson, labelled Richmond's best player of the season so far by Damien Hardwick post-match, said Richmond was ready to handle that expectation.

"The best thing is our focus is always about the little things - win contested footy and clearances and then play our running game from there. We have got a very level-headed group here - there are no egos and we want to play together and win together.''

His summary of the match was precise - Richmond won the tackle count despite 110 more possessions, and until a more even final term were nine clearances up and had limited the Dogs to a miserly 21 inside-50s at three-quarter time.

At times as they retain possession and chip the ball around some might believe they run wide of the real action, but that disguises the blue-collar heart of this side.

Despite his antics, Riewoldt would finish five goals - three in junk time - while Luke McGuane (three goals, three score assists) continues to grow in stature.

For the first time this year the Dogs barely gave a yelp, demolished in close and simply unable to get the point back against the pin-point disposal of the Tigers.

Liam Jones beat Alex Rance comprehensively, while the only other bright sparks for Brendan McCartney would be Adam Cooney's run and vigor and perhaps Tom Young and Jordan Roughead in defence.

Now Richmond needs a scalp of real quality, and with Collingwood and Fremantle away in coming weeks, what better chance to show they are made of real substance this year.

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sliding rule causes chaos

Luke Hodge slides in to Harry O'Brien's legs and umpires award the Hawks skipper a free kick, and report O'Brien.

Harry O, Brien collides with Luke Hodge, Picture: Ludbey Wayne

THE AFL's sliding rule has sparked a mountain of criticism after Harry O'Brien was today placed on report when the new law states he should have instead been awarded a free kick.

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge slid towards the ball and collided with O'Brien's leg.

VIDEO: See the incident in the video player above

Under the new rule, O'Brien should have been awarded a free kick due to Hodge making dangerous contact below his knees.

Live HQ: Collingwood v Hawthorn

But the umpire instead gave Hodge the ball, much to the confusion of the players, commentators and spectators.

Collingwood v Hawthorn, MCG, Harry O, Brien colides with Luke Hodge, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source:

The decision sparked immediate backlash on social media.

Bomber Jason Winderlich tweeted the ruling confused him even more, while SuperFooty readers were quick to vent their frustration.

What did you think of the decision? Watch the replay in the video player above and tweet us @SuperFooty, or leave a comment below.
 

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hodge inspires Hawks' big win

Luke Hodge slides in to Harry O'Brien's legs and umpires award the Hawks skipper a free kick, and report O'Brien.

Luke Hodge was the star for the Hawks. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

LUKE Hodge has the ability to change the ebb and flow of a game.

It is why he is Hawthorn's captain and why he can be employed in any one of several roles, switching to suit during the contest.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more

Hodge displayed all those admirable traits at the MCG, leading by example to set up a stunning second-half turnaround against a defenceless Collingwood.

He showed the Hawks how to rein in the Magpies, who had dominated the first quarter and skipped to a 22-point lead midway through the second term.

Collingwood V Hawthorn at the M.C.G., Josh Gibson spoils Quinten Lynch Picture: Salpigtidis George Source:

Aside from his work in the crucial midfield battles, twice he grabbed the ball at stoppages and, in heavy traffic, found a way through for goals that kick-started Hawthorn's free-scoring second half.

He finished with 31 possessions, almost every one of them a telling touch, capping it off with six tackles and two goals. And those basic stats were only half the story.

Seize the midfield was the pre-game battle cry from coach Alastair Clarkson.

And the Hawks, led by Hodge and the prolific Sam Mitchell, answered the call to wrest the game away from a Magpie unit far too dependent on far too few.

Collingwood V Hawthorn at the M.C.G., Jed Anderson celebrates his goal in the second quarter with his team mates Picture: Salpigtidis George Source:

The warning bells started pealing for the Pies when the Hawks lifted their intensity in the 10 minutes before halftime. And they maintained that relentless pressure from the restart.

Hawthorn grabbed the lead for the first time with a Luke Breust goal two minutes after halftime and was never really challenged, despite the constant threat posed by Pies' key forward, Travis Cloke.

Breust was another example of a Hawk's positive response to turn around the contest. He had just four handpasses to his name at halftime before bagging two goals in the Hawks' third-quarter blitz.

And he slotted another early in the last term that effectively sealed the deal.

Collingwood looked menacing early in the contest with Cloke's height and strength worrying opponent Ryan Schoenmakers and opportunist forward Jamie Elliott off the leash.

Elliott picked up where he left off after his five-goal haul against Carlton in Round 2.

He kicked two in the first 10 minutes and another in the second quarter.

But Clarkson quelled the little Magpie by moving Ben Stratton on to him. And Cloke's supply dried up, too, when Josh Gibson trotted to his side after the Pies powerhouse booted his fifth goal late in the third quarter.

With Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan busy in the midfield duels, Collingwood should have led by far more than 11 points at quarter-time.

Collingwood V Hawthorn at the M.C.G., Cyril Rioli out muscles Dane Swan Picture: Salpigtidis George Source:

Poor finishing came back to bite the Magpies when the defence found itself under siege, particularly with Ben Reid, guardian of Lance Franklin, off the ground for most of the second quarter after wrenching his right knee.

The gallant Reid returned to contain Franklin to three goals but nine teammates joined Buddy on the scoresheet in the second half, while Cloke was virtually the lone target for the Pies.

Franklin put the polish on one of the most exhilarating rebounds by the slick Hawks after Cloke hit the post late in the third quarter.

Brent Guerra barrelled a spiral punt from the kick-off that was marked by Stratton near the centre circle.

Collingwood v Hawthorn, MCG, Lance Franklin, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source:

When Stratton fell to the turf after handballing to Franklin, the Hawk forward leapt over him and his 80m shot on the run slid through for a spectacular goal.

It told the tale of the day - the Hawks were far more inventive and organised.s than even the 15 goals to six second half to set up a second consecutive 50-plus percentage-booster.

Collingwood v Hawthorn, MCG, Dane Swan, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source:

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tigers gunning for Pies

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick addresses his charges during the three-quarter time break. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers are intent on delivering against Collingwood on Saturday.

The Tigers are 3-0 for the first time since 1995 after yesterday dismantling the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium through the brilliance of Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio.

Richmond's only loss in eight pre-season and home-and-away games is a NAB Cup defeat to North Melbourne in which it rested most of its stars at halftime.

But the Tigers know they will earn respect only by taking a scalp such as Collingwood at the MCG.

Match: Tigers pound Dogs

"We spoke about it. The best place to be is when expectation is high, that's when you get your best results," coach Damien Hardwick said after the 67-point win.

"We weren't overly happy about the way we played in the first two rounds, so today was a step forward but we have got no doubt Collingwood are a hardened unit.

"They are very well coached, they are very well drilled, so it's going to be a tough contest but one we are very much looking used to."

Jack Riewoldt gave away six free kicks, argued with umpires and staged for several frees, yet kicking five goals. But Hardwick denied he was showing the "Bad Jack" side of his persona.

"Petulant is harsh. Frustrated I can understand. There are a couple of those (frees) we will look at. A couple of those were in the back," he said.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats

"The pleasing thing for us was that two were from a contested marking situation and two were from a tackling situation. At least he was contesting the ball.

"We were pleased with Luke (McGuane), Jack and Ty (Vickery)."

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dees plummet further into hell

Mitch Clark after the loss Picture: Salpigtidis George

WEST Coast piled more misery onto Melbourne, thrashing the Dees by 94 points at the MCG.

The Eagles won 27.15 (177) to 13.5 (83) on Saturday, breaking the 25.16 they kicked last year for their highest score against the Demons.

Live HQ: Melbourne v West Coast

The belting was West Coast's first win of the year and leaves Melbourne 0-3.

It means more pressure on coach Mark Neeld after a tumultuous week when Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab was told to resign.

The team also spent a night together at Sorrento outside Melbourne in an effort to regroup.

Melbourne were much more competitive in the first half, but were blown away with 11 goals to one in the third quarter.

Eagles ruckman Dean Cox was best afield, while key forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling kicked five goals apiece.

HOWE GOOD WAS THAT? GALLERY OF JEREMY HOWE'S SPECCY

Demons fans had early concerns when West Coast opened with two goals, but Melbourne kicked the next four to lead by 10 points.

While the Eagles kicked two more for an eight-point lead at quarter-time, there were plenty of good signs for the besieged Demons.

They kept coming and another run of four unanswered goals in the second term gave them a nine-point break.

High-flying forward Jeremy Howe also took a superb mark over Andrew Embley on the wing.

But late in the second term, Melbourne's challenge ran out of steam.

Eagles players such as Cox, Matt Priddis and Daniel Kerr lifted and took the contest back to Melbourne.

Kennedy and Darling were well held early, but they also started looking more dangerous.

Leading by 10 points at halftime, the Eagles cut loose in the third term to pile the misery onto the hapless Demons.

West Coast's 11.3 was the best third term in club history, beating the 11.2 they kicked against the Western Bulldogs in 1991.

Melbourne fans again booed their team at three-quarter time.

Kerr, who was playing his first game of the season after off-season knee surgery, was subbed off for the last term.

West Coast also lost Beau Waters in the warm-up with a calf muscle injury.

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Swans in like McGlynn

Adam Goodes celebrate the win against North Melbourne with fans at Blunstone Arena Hobart. Picture: Richard Jupe Source: The Mercury

Ben McGlynn of the Swans kicks a goal during the round three AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Sydney Swans at Blundstone Arena. Source: Getty Images

THE Sydney Swans have kicked their premiership defence into gear with a stunning 11-goal quarter against the Kangaroos in Hobart.

When it comes to goals, it was the best quarter the Swans had played since 1995.

The midfield brigade led with way again, co-captain Jarrad McVeigh continuing his stellar year with 28 disposals and two goals.

He was strongly supported by Josh Kennedy, Ryan O'Keefe, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery.

"Mainly it was the players' intent which lifted in the second half,'' Longmire said. "I thought everyone lifted, it's always a full team defence when the opposition have got the ball. We seemed a lot more intent with our workrate.''

Longmire singled out the courage of small forward Ben McGlynn, who inspired his teammates during the third-quarter blitz.

"I thought there were a couple of good individual efforts like Benny McGlynn going back with the flight of the ball,'' Longmire said.

Jude Bolton also heaped praise on McGlynn's effort.

"We took enormous confidence out of Benny McGlynn going back with the flight (of the ball). It was a super courageous effort,'' Bolton said. "It got our intent going and our pressure from then on.''

As well as his courage, McGlynn was also very clean with the football, booting three second-half goals.

The 33-year-old Bolton is showing no signs of age and was outstanding with four goals.

His first three goals came in the opening half when the Swans kicked only five goals and looked under pressure against the Kangaroos.

"I'm not taking on another season without going hell for leather for another year. I didn't want to float through this year,'' Bolton said. "I want to be part of it and a really solid contributor.''

It was a fitting celebration for the dual premiership player, who racked up his 304th game for the red and whites and overtook Michael O'Loughlin to become second on the appearances list behind Adam Goodes (322 games).

It was a North Melbourne home game, but there was plenty of red and white in the crowd of 13,221.

After comfortable wins over expansion teams, the GWS Giants and the Gold Coast Suns, in the first two rounds, the challenge against North Melbourne was always going to be greater.

The Kangaroos were yet to win this season but had come close against quality opposition in Collingwood and Geelong to start the season.

The Swans were lucky the Kangaroos failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance.

North Melbourne could only manage a 14-point lead at the long break after leading the Swans in almost every statistical category.

In the first two terms, five of the Swans' forwards, including Goodes and Sam Reid, had only 16 kicks and four marks between them.

Both Reid and Goodes lifted their workrate enormously in the second half.

The road ahead sees the Swans facing Geelong on Friday night at the SCG before travelling to Wellington to play the Saints on Anzac Day in the first AFL game for premiership points to be played in New Zealand.

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live: Saturday night fotoy

GWS's No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton has sustained yet another knee injury.

Two Essendon players face nervous waits from the AFL match review panel after seperate bumps in Friday night's clach against Fremantle

Mat Stokes will not start as the sub tonight. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

SUBSTITUTES:
Josh Caddy (Cats)
Dylan Buckley (Blues)
James Polkinghorne (Lions)
Luke Russell (Suns)

LATE CHANGES:
None

PRE-GAME: MAT STOKES has played himself out of the substitute vest with Josh Caddy handed Geelong's bib.

Stokes was the game-changer against North Melbourne last week, before declaring he did not want to become the Cats' 'super sub'.

Debutant Dylan Buckley, son of Carlton star Jeff, will wear the Blues' green vest ahead of the Etihad Stadium clash.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more

The Blues enter in desperate need of a victory against the undefeated Cats.

At Metricon Stadium, James Polkinghorne will start as Michael Voss's substitute against Gold Coast.

Sun Luke Russell is in his side's green vest.

Follow tonight's matches at Live HQ with live SuperCoach scores, stats and more
 

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Patton suffers another knee blow

GWS's No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton has sustained yet another knee injury.

Patton is helped from the field.

JONATHON Patton has suffered another knee injury with the No. 1 draft pick spotted icing his right knee, holding crutches and wearing the red vest.

Patton's leg buckled in a tackle applied by St Kilda's Rhys Stanley, forcing the Greater Western Sydney spearhead from the field for medical treatment.

VIDEO: See the incident in the video player above

Patton was heard screaming in agony the moment he hit the turf, before being carried from the field by trainers, while his ankle also appeared to awkwardly twist.

The Giants pulled the pin on his night at halftime.

Live HQ: Giants v Saints

The 19-year-old was chasing a mark he spilled before Stanley brought him to ground at the top of the goal square.

Knee injuries have plagued the Eastern Ranges recruit's career so far.

Patton underwent surgery in Sweden on his left knee before the 2012 season.

The extent of his latest injury is not yet known.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Jonathon Patton of the Giants leaves the ground with a knee injury during the round three AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the St Kilda Saints at StarTrack Oval on April 13, 2013 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source:

 

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Panic Room: Big Blue still sore

Jay Clark and Scott Gullan say to dump Pat Karnezis and Jack Watts and offer the best trade options for Round 3.

THE best team selection whispers, SuperCoach late mail and betting tips for this weekend's footy action.

WHISPERS

The word coming out of the Megan Gale camp earlier in the week was that her man Shaun Hampson was "hopeful" of getting up this week after having his appendix out.

The Blues have selected him at full-forward against the Cats given he looked like John Coleman for fleeting moments in Round 1 but his status is being monitored right up until game time. Youngster Levi Casboult is the obvious inclusion should Hampson not get to the line.

Eagles defender Beau Waters didn't take part in his team's light training session today ahead of tomorrow's clash against Melbourne but that is said to be a part of his normal routine.

Mark LeCras did very little but we hear his amazing comeback from a broken arm will be complete tomorrow when he lines up in the forward pocket against the Dees. Daniel Kerr trained strongly and will start in the middle for his first game of the season.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse keeps a close eye on Shaun Hampson at Visy Park. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

SUPERCOACH ALERT

It's time, people. This is the week to make sure the cash cows are in your team given their prices rise after this weekend. The only person you should be thinking about is West Coast forward Josh Kennedy.

His price was ridiculously low - $299,000 - because of an injury-riddled season last year. He's already scored impressively in the opening two rounds and wait for the kicker - he plays MELBOURNE tomorrow. A score of 75 - which he could easily do before quarter-time - will see his price rise by $50,000. So get moving people.

Eagle Josh Kennedy takes a strong mark against Hawthorn. Source: Getty Images

MONEY MATTERS

Call us suckers, imbeciles, idiots - you get the drift - but for the second week in a row we are going to include Melbourne in our bets.

You know that gutsy shove-it-up-them have-a-crack performance which was supposed to happen last week, well, we're banking on them somehow limiting the damage to less than 10 goals tomorrow against West Coast. The fact the Eagles are stinking it up does assist this calculation.

We're also thinking the GWS and Western Bulldogs will be getting a lot closer in their respective games than people think.

Round 3 bet:

North Melbourne +7.5 $1.90
Melbourne +61.5 $1.90
GWS Giants +31.5 $2.10
Western Bulldogs +27.5 $1.90
= $14.40

Comedian Will Anderson joins the boys to discuss their picks ahead of round 3

ON NOTICE

Mark Jamar

You could list a dozen Melbourne players here but we think it's fitting that the biggest of them all has the spotlight put firmly on him. It is hard to fathom that Jamar was an All-Australian ruckman in 2010 given what he has been serving up of late.

It was comical last week as the big man dropped chest mark after chest mark. He needs to make a statement at the opening bounce against Dean Cox, bowl him over if you have to but the Russian needs to get angry and actually make an impact for the first time in a long while.

Tall Saint Ben McEvoy does battle with Mark Jamar. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cox on the run

Dean Cox is closing in on the Eagles' games record. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: The Sunday Times

DEAN Cox finds his end-of-season solace out in the Indian Ocean.

For the past 13 seasons, the man who is on track to become the first Eagle to play 300 games (he has played 253) has revolutionised ruck work.

An ability to run his opponents into the ground - often leaving them unable to walk the next day, according to Dean Brogan - moved Leigh Matthews to dub the West Coast star the finest ruckman in the game's history.

But the man who turned down approaches from St Kilda and Hawthorn and, more recently, Sydney is just a humble fisherman at heart.

Every year, Cox, 31, heads offshore with family and friends to an island 13km off the northwest coast, taking only fuel for the boat, food and fluids.

"It's a place I'll always call home," Cox said of the Dampier coast.

"We have a shack out there on one of the islands in the archipelago. There's a generator for power and it sleeps about 14 people.

"You can just get away from everything and do some deep-sea fishing and some spear fishing and just relax and catch up with friends."

Apart from the time Cox, then aged 10, boated out through a cyclone with his dad to rescue his cousin and mates - "It was a pretty intense experience" - the annual island getaways are perhaps one of the secrets behind his incredible durability, helping refresh body and mind.

Against a battered Melbourne today, the six-time All-Australian will notch up his 74th consecutive game, the most of any current Eagle.

At a time when he could be winding down, the 203cm motor man has had to step up this year, shouldering the load without the other half of the Eagles' superstar ruck tandem, Nic Naitanui.

The premiership ruckman admits recovering is getting tougher, especially "getting up the first couple of mornings after a game".

Eagles ruckman Dean Cox will again need to stand tall for his sides, particularly in the absence of Nic Naitanui. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

But for Cox, the running power that has transformed the modern rucking role is more hard work than God-given.

Developing alongside champion midfielders Chris Judd, Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr throughout the 2000s, Cox has taken delight in building the endurance and merciless mind-set that enables him to exhaust opponents.

"I had the confidence to know that if it didn't happen in the first or second quarters, it would happen late in quarters or late in games," Cox said.

"If there is one, two or three quick balls-ups, when you are required to really spread from that stoppage, that's when I found I probably recovered pretty quickly.

"I wasn't the quickest runner but a lot of people can look quick by their reaction time."

A rookie pick, Cox considered himself blessed to have made up part of a golden midfield group, featuring Cousins, Judd, Kerr, Andrew Embley, Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun.

"Obviously, there's a lot of brilliance, but there was so much hard work to get that brilliance out of themselves."

Now there is another generation of players driving the Eagles' bid for a fourth premiership.

2006 Grand Final. Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles. MCG. Victorious Eagles team with the premiership cup. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: HWT Image Library

He still thinks about "that last-minute kick" into the forward line, which Swans full-back Leo Barry marked in heroic fashion, denying what was widely considered a more talented West Coast side a flag in 2005.

"I just knew there wasn't too much time left and, if I had got caught with the footy 70m out, I would have been more angry," he said.

After a three-year stint out of finals, the Eagles have returned to being premiership threats.

Cox credited coach John Worsfold and the club's recruiting staff for developing the talent and culture to return to the top half of the ladder so quickly.

"They developed some young kids and obviously wanted to get a playing group that could have an impact when finals come," he said.

"You don't want to get through a season then get to finals and wonder how are we going to cope?"

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More