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AFL Sunday: Coverage of today’s games

ONE AFL side goes home this week with a seriously red face after being woefully defeated in a Round 19 horror show.

Adam Santarossa and Alex Blair
10 min read
July 30, 2017 - 8:33PM
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Drew Petrie of the Eagles and Stefan Martin of the Lions contest the ruck during the round 19 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Lions at Domain Stadium on July 30, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Drew Petrie of the Eagles and Stefan Martin of the Lions contest the ruck during the round 19 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Lions at Domain Stadium on July 30, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Live: AFL Sunday

Welcome to AFL Sunday, our coverage of today’s matches:

Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) defeated Essendon 13.19 (97)

Collingwood 15.13 (103) drew Adelaide 16.7 (103)

West Coast 17.11 (113) defeated Brisbane Lions 6.9 (45)

ROUND 19 of the AFL season concludes with three matches that have huge ramifications for the finals hopes of several sides. The Western Bulldogs can take Essendon’s place in the top eight with victory, Adelaide can edge further ahead at the top of the table if they beat Collingwood, while West Coast can also step back into the finals places if they beat Brisbane.

7:10pm

West Coast destroy Brisbane as Kennedy runs amok

West Coast forward Josh Kennedy has boosted his chances of winning a third- straight Coleman medal after booting six goals in a 68-point AFL win over Brisbane at Domain Stadium.

In a match that failed to reach any great heights, the Eagles booted five goals to nil in the second term to set up the 17.11 (113) to 6.9 (45) victory. The points lifted West Coast into eighth on the ladder, and also brought a positive end to a tumultuous week.

The Eagles copped widespread criticism after last Sunday’s costly fadeout against Collingwood.

With questions being raised about West Coast’s ageing list, Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis announced his retirement on Friday.

Sam Mitchell is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks, with Drew Petrie and Sam Butler also set to retire at the end of the season.

Sunday’s match against the Lions featured plenty of handling errors, but West Coast broke the game wide open with their blitz in the second term to open up a 35-point lead at half-time.

Besieged forward Mark LeCras booted two goals for the term, while Kennedy, Dom Sheed, and Mitchell also chipped in with majors.

Kennedy’s return of 6.4 and nine marks gave the crowd of 32,652 something to cheer about in a match that featured few highlights.

The 29-year-old missed five games with a calf injury, but now has 49 goals to his name after booting 15 goals in his past three matches since returning. Essendon’s Joe Daniher leads the Coleman race with 53 goals, while Lance Franklin and Ben Brown have 51 apiece.

Brisbane defender Daniel Rich (32 disposals) and midfielder Dayne Beams (41 disposals, nine clearances) tried their best to lift their side, but the youthful Lions were never in the hunt.

Brisbane debutant Sam Skinner produced a special moment in the first quarter when he snapped truly for his first AFL goal.

Skinner had to overcome two knee reconstructions just to get his shot at AFL level and his teammates mobbed him once he kicked the goal.

— AAP

5:56pm

Pies, Eagles close out yet another 2017 draw

Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern has kicked a goal after the siren to seal a heart-stopping AFL draw with Collingwood at the MCG.

In a high-scoring, unpredictable, shootout on Sunday, the ladder-leading Crows trailed by 50 points early in the third quarter before they conjured up an astonishing comeback to secure a 15.13 (103) to 16.7 (103) result. Collingwood led by 21 points midway through the final term when Daniel Wells booted his third goal for the match.

But the Crows would not be denied and booted the next four majors, with McGovern’s calm and collected set shot from 30m cementing the third draw of the season.

Collingwood led by eight goals early in the third quarter when Adam Treloar booted their sixth-straight major.

An upset victory over the premiership frontrunners looked a sure thing but the Crows had other ideas, booting seven of the next eight majors to get within three goals at the final break.

Goals to Riley Knight and Josh Jenkins carved the margin to three points before Ben Reid, Jarryd Blair and Daniel Wells answered back for Collingwood in quick succession.

Yet another momentum swing followed, with Andy Otten booting his second goal in the space of five minutes before McGovern’s strong contested mark and smooth finish secured the draw.

It was a remarkable finish for the Crows, who managed just three goals to halftime as the red-hot Pies ran rampant.

Crows forwards McGovern (four goals), Jenkins (three) and Otten (two) proved the difference in the second half, while Matt Crouch (36 disposals, nine clearances) was immense in the midfield.

Rory Sloane was held to just 16 disposals in a hard tag from Levi Greenwood, but Crouch and Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs ensured the Crows’ midfield supremacy in the second half.

Classy recruit Wells and prime mover Taylor Adams were superb for Collingwood, each finishing with 34 disposals and three goals.

— with AAP

5:13pm

West Coast edge ahead

The Eagles have taken the early lead over the Lions at Domain Stadium to begin the last match of Round 19.

West Coast scored four goals in the opening term, including two from Jack Darling.

Meanwhile, Adelaide has begun its fightback after an embarrassing first half against Collingwood.

4.30pm

Hot pies stun Crows

Collingwood are flying at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, battering top of the table Adelaide in the opening half.

The Magpies enjoyed double the amount of scoring shots in the first two quarters. Collingwood kicked 9.6 to 3.4 to take a 38 points at the main break.

This means Adelaide will have to create history to overcome the Pies. The biggest halftime deficit they’ve managed to pull back is 34 points.

The performance keeps alive Collingwood’s slim finals hopes, but also would open up a potential spot in the top two, encouraging the likes of Greater Western Sydney and Richmond.

3.50pm

‘They are back to their best’

THE Western Bulldogs have sent a clear message to the rest of the competition — Beware of the Dog. The AFL premiers are back.

Or they just might be, on the basis of Western Bulldogs’ 30-point run-and-gun win over Essendon on Sunday.

Luke Beveridge’s side stood up in the match they simply had to win to keep their flag defence alive.

Jason Johannisen roared with four goals and Marcus Bontempelli showed his class in the 19.13 (127) to 13.19 (97) success.

The Bulldogs broke open the contest in the third term, kicking seven goals to outgun the Bombers in an old-fashioned shootout.

In the high-scoring contest, Joe Daniher was the dominant forward, kicking six goals to take the lead in the race for the Coleman Medal.

MMarcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs is tackled by Orazio Fantasia of the Bombers.
MMarcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs is tackled by Orazio Fantasia of the Bombers.

But the Bulldogs had more routes to goal, beginning with Johannisen. In front of a crowd of 48,754 — the biggest to attend the fixture this century — the Dogs grand final hero began the contest in the forward line and sparked his side.

Lukas Webb, Tory Dickson and Johannisen kicked two early goals each as the Bulldogs reeled in an early deficit and began their assault. The Dogs were playing with the run and dare absent for much of their premiership defence.

Daniher was playing a lone hand in the Bombers attack but, as solo shows go, it was enough to keep Essendon in touch.

His four first-half goals kept the Bombers within a kick at halftime. Two minutes after the break, he had a fifth as the Bulldogs failed to find a match-up to curb his influence.

Then, in the premiership quarter, the premiers re-emerged.

Luke Beveridge of the Western Bulldogs speaks to players after the first quarter.
Luke Beveridge of the Western Bulldogs speaks to players after the first quarter.

Seven different Bulldogs — including leaders Bob Murphy, Johannisen, Bontempelli and Jordan Roughead — kicked goals in the third term. It was just as well they did as they didn’t kick another until Bontempelli finally closed out the contest late in the final quarter.

The floodgates were opened, with four late majors blowing out the margin. Essendon will rue an inaccurate day out, including six behinds and two out-of- bounds in the last term with the match on the line.

John Worsfold’s side drop out of the eight at the Bulldogs’ expense, but retain a pathway to September with an easier-than-average run home.

AFL legend Danny Frawley said Sunday’s performance against the Bombers showed they can be a real contender for the premiership.

“You wouldn’t want to play the Bulldogs in the run home,” Frawley told SEN Radio.

“They are back to their best.”

Elsewhere, Collingwood started the opening term impressively against top of the table Adelaide.

Taylor Adams has led the charge, kicking two goals in the first term, finishing with 10 disposals.

3.10pm

Hooker’s horrendous moment

Cale Hooker is celebrating 150 games at Etihad Stadium against Essendon.

The day should be a memorable moment for the Bomber, but Hooker’s afternoon could make the highlight reel for the wrong reasons.

The Essendon man is leading the race for miss of the season, after blowing a chance from inside the goal square.

Hooker found space to mark just a metre out from goal, but decided to play on rather than go back and take his set shot. He wasn’t aware that he had a player trailing him and his shot was deflected over the line for a point.

Hooker did make amends late in the third term, snapping well to draw the Bombers closer to the Bulldogs. But his miss could still come back to bit the Bombers also, as they trail by 19 points at the final change.

2.15pm

Dogs edge Bombers at break

The Western Bulldogs hold a slender lead at halftime at Etihad Stadium, after an entertaining opening half.

Essendon and the Dogs went toe to toe across the opening two quarters, as both set out to play attacking football.

Joe Daniher led the charge for the Bombers, finishing the half with four goals, from six scoring shots. Tory Dickson leads all scorers for the premiers, kicking two goals.

Shane Biggs has seen most of the football for the home side, he finished the half with 19 disposals, the most of any player.

1.45pm

‘Sack the coaches’

AFL legend Jonathan Brown wants both coaches sacked after the opening quarter between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs.

The reason — it was too entertaining.

AFL coaches are known for promoting dour gameplans to negate the attack of the opposition, but both have thrown the tactics away to fight fire with fire at Etihad Stadium.

The two sides played out a ferocious opening term, compiling 18 scoring shots for the quarter.

“I think we need to sack the coaches after that first quarter,” Brown said.

“They’ve just let the players play, it was unbelievable, engrossing football.

“Every time Essendon went forward they looked very dangerous — they looked like scoring every time.”

Fox Footy host Sandy Roberts said the game was a refreshing change, as both sides look to attack and play a high risk offensive style.

“One wonders perhaps you could put that first quarter in a capsule and bring it out in 35-years-time — everyone would look at it and say, ‘didn’t they play a sensational game back then’.”

It was the Western Bulldogs though who took a slender lead to the first break, the Dogs’ in front by five points.

1pm

Brownlow dream in danger

GEELONG star Patrick Dangerfield has spoken out about his contentious tackle on Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer in Saturday night’s match.

Dangerfield is likely to come under scrutiny from the match review panel for the tackle, which left the Carlton ruckman concussed.

The Cats’ midfielder is favourite to take out the Bronwlow Medal, but his chances could be shattered if he is suspended.

Dangerfield feels he will not have a case to answer, despite the criticism of the tackle, that has sidelined Kreuzer.

“I actually thought he still had the ball,” Dangerfield told AFL GameDay.

“That’s why I put my hands up in the air. I haven’t been sighted for anything and felt it was a fair tackle.

“There was no umpires call at the time, so I don’t see an issue with — but it’s not up to me.

But former Sydney Swans star Jude Bolton thinks Dangerfield will be forced to front the AFL tribunal.

“I look at the AFL guidelines and it’s all about the dangerous tackle and arms pinned and a player being in a vulnerable position,” Bolton said.

“To the letter of the law, I think Patty might be in trouble in that sense, there might be a week there.”

Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats evades Jack Silvagni of the Blues.
Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats evades Jack Silvagni of the Blues.

Bolton believes Dangerfield will be sitting down at the AFL Tribunal in a couple of days, but hopes if that happens, the tribunal will not take in to account the injury sustained by Kreuzer, and judge solely on the tackle itself.

“I’m unwavering in the fact you shouldn’t be judged by the medical report,” Bolton said.

“You shouldn’t be judged by the tackling technique. I think that’s the perfect tackle against a 101kg man — you have to commit body, soul and fibre.

“Three times out of ten that wouldn’t have been paid a free kick against Dangerfield.

“I think he’s going to be all right. They’ll find a way to get him off.”

12.30pm

Spoon doesn’t worry Blues

The AFL wooden spoon has edged closer to Carlton but Blues coach Brendon Bolton says he is unconcerned by it.

The Blues were thoroughly worked over by Geelong at Etihad Stadium, losing by 65 points on Saturday.

Earlier North Melbourne conjured an against-the-odds win over Melbourne in Hobart that saw the Blues drop to 17th.

Bolton’s side have now lost six in a row and sit just one win and seven per cent above last-placed Brisbane.

While it’s hard to see where Carlton’s next win comes from, two home games for the Lions against the Kangaroos (16th) and Gold Coast (15th) to come suggest Chris Fagan’s side could yet avoid finishing last.

The Blues face Essendon and Hawthorn in Melbourne and West Coast and Sydney on the road in a taxing end to the campaign.

Even finishing second-bottom would be a major step backwards given last year’s 14th-place finish.

Bolton insists he is not worried.

“I don’t look for the spoon or give that a consideration,” he said. “All we do is go and look for what we lessons we can learn from games ... (learning) is really important with a young group.” The second-year coach pointed to Sam Petrevski-Seton’s 20-possession game in midfield and Levi Casboult’s three goals as positives from Saturday night. He urged Carlton fans to stay the course with the club, which has signalled its intention to rebuild from the ground up.

“We called it a journey for a reason,” he said.

“What (fans) are getting to see is a young group get exposure, and given our position they’re getting a lot of exposure in (new) positions and that’s good for us.

“We said there were going to be some ups and downs ... although it’s difficult when it's a bit bumpy we think it will pay us back and we’ll learn from it.”

Originally published as AFL Sunday: Coverage of today’s games

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/afl-sunday-live-coverage-of-todays-games/news-story/6ee4cd93b046a3f17e438a93f915968d