Source :- THE AGE NEWS
How is this for an apt moment? Essendon’s banner was shredded by the inclement weather at Adelaide Oval ahead of their clash with Melbourne. It is a fair reflection of their winless season.
Not that the game has started that way. We have finished the first quarter, and they lead by four points – 3.5 (23) to Melbourne’s 3.1 (19).
Melbourne takes a six-point lead into the long break against a gallant Essendon.
A quick look at the stats sheet tells an interesting tale – the leading possession winners on the ground are Essendon players.
Archie Roberts and Kyle Langford both have chalked up 16 disposals across the first two quarters, while teammate Elijah Tsatas has had 15 possessions.
For Melbourne, their new dynamic duo have continued their good form. Jack Steele and Kysaiah Pickett have both had 15 possessions.
Here’s one for the MRO. Eyebrows were raised during the second quarter at Barossa Park over Jarrod Berry’s crude attempt to spoil a Dylan Stephens’ mark.
The big Lion comes in from the side during the second quarter and his round-arm appears to collect Stephens across the head.
Stephens goes to ground and is paid a free kick, but the impact appears minimal as the Kangaroos’ player gets straight back up to take his kick. Hard to see Berry copping a week for this one.
Brisbane have found their mojo against the old dark navy Kangaroos – yes, they are wearing a silly strip that looks more Carlton than North Melbourne. Not to mention the brown shorts.
But footy jumpers aside, the Kangaroos served it up the reigning premiers and held a four-point half-time lead.
The Lions have struck twice after the half break with goals to Zac Bailey and Kai Lohmann. They now lead by 10 points – 6.11 (47) to 5.7 (37).
The Kangaroos were saved a goal by the ARC. Hugh McCluggage snapped one through the big sticks, and it was paid a goal, but the ARC showed that North defender Luke Parker had touched the ball with a fingertip.
So, there is a need for the AFL review centre. But not every minute to decide last-touch out-of-bounds decisions.
Lincoln McCarthy has just banged on another goal for the Lions, and they have stretched their lead to 16 points.
Fremantle have been criticised for their decision to allow concussed ruckman Sean Darcy to sing the club song after their thrilling six-point victory against Collingwood on Friday night.
Post-game footage showed a groggy Darcy standing alongside his teammates in the Adelaide Oval change rooms as they belted out “we’re the mighty Freo Dockers”.
Darcy was ruled out of the game in the second quarter after accidental head contact with Magpies midfielder Ned Long.
During the theme song, the 27-year-old 203cm-tall ruckman still appeared to be dazed and confused.
Good start from the Bombers. They lead by four points at quarter time at Adelaide Oval.
A theory in football is starting the next week how you finished the last game – and Essendon are making a case for it to be accurate, looking far more defensively strong than they had in the opening rounds.
Melbourne like the game played with speed and fast ball movement, which is also the type of game Essendon have typically struggled to defend.
But today they are setting up very well to defend the ground, holding Melbourne up and limiting the uncontested marks – its 41-25 marks in Essendon’s favour.
The Kangaroos have headed into the half-time break with a hard-fought four-point lead against Brisbane at Barossa Park.
They gave up the first two goals of the game before kicking the next four straight.
Maybe Brisbane players are confused by what the Roos are wearing – jumpers that look more like Carlton’s navy blue strip than the traditional Kangaroo outfit.
Plus, their shorts are brown. Or so we think. No one seems to know.
In a blow for the Lions, Dayne Zorko has been ruled out of the remainder of the match with a calf injury.
HT: North Melbourne 5.6 (36) lead Brisbane 4.8 (32)
How is this for an apt moment? Essendon’s banner was shredded by the inclement weather at Adelaide Oval ahead of their clash with Melbourne. It is a fair reflection of their winless season.
Not that the game has started that way. We have finished the first quarter, and they lead by four points – 3.5 (23) to Melbourne’s 3.1 (19).
We are running games side-by-side here in the blog, with North Melbourne ahead of Brisbane by six points in the second term at Barossa Park – 4.4 (28) to Brisbane’s 3.4 (22).
Across at Adelaide Oval, Essendon has drawn first blood against Melbourne in the opening term. They lead 1.2 (8) to the Demons’ 1.0 (6).
Of concern to Melbourne is that Jake Lever is off the ground and down in the rooms with a lower leg problem.
North Melbourne players have not been put off by their odd-looking playing strip, leading Brisbane by 12 points at Barossa Park.
They gave up the first two goals to Brisbane, but hit back with four straight. They have four goalkickers -Cooper Trembath, Jack Darling, Zac Banch and Paul Curtis.
Harry Sheezel is the leading possession winner with 11 disposals, while Luke Davies-Uniake has managed 10 possessions. The Kangaroos are serving it up physically against Brisbane.
For the Lions, their goals came from Oscar Allen and Keidean Coleman. Their leading possession winner is Lachie Neale with six. The Kangaroos have the five top-possession winners for the game so far – Sheezel, Davies-Uniake, Jy Simpkin (nine), Colby McKercher (seven) and Paul Curtis (seven).
QT: Kangaroos 4.3 (27) lead Brisbane 2.3 (15)
The weather has blown up, and on cue the rain is coming down.
The poor Bombers’ banner has been shredded before they appear on the ground.
Is it an omen? Well, if you are that way inclined you can find them wherever you want.
Their clash against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval kicks off at 1.15pm.
