Round 9 AFL Review
Wednesday, July 29
Western Bulldogs 7.7.49 defeated by Richmond 13.12.90As they came up against a form team, in the Bulldogs, at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday night, the Richmond Tigers, for the first time this year, started to look like last season's premiers. Having won four of their last five matches, the Bulldogs would have been forgiven for feeling positive, about their chances, heading into Wednesday's match. That wouldn't have lasted too long as the Tigers were intent on making sure everything the Doggies did was under pressure as the Tigers romped on their way to a 41-point win on the Gold Coast. Richmond's coach must be very happy with his team's performance, especially considering how many inexperienced players took the field.
Thursday, July 30
Melbourne 4.8.32 defeated by Port Adelaide 12.11.83
Having come so close to tasting the joy of victory last round, the Demons were looking to continue their improved play as they came up against a Port Adelaide outfit who went down to a rampant St. Kilda by nearly six goals. Unfortunately, for Melbourne fans, the Power dominated this match right from the get-go; the Power went into the half time break having kicked six goals to the Demons single major. While Melbourne's play improved in the second half, every positive passage of play they could come up with was countered by the Power as they went on their way to a 51-point victory.
Friday, July 31
Carlton 9.4.58 defeated by Hawthorn 14.5.89
The Carlton Blues looked to be continuing their good form, as they kicked the first five goals of their match against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium on Friday night. I'm not sure which switch was flicked, but once it was Hawthorn certainly found its mojo and kicked nine of the following ten goals, starting from early in the 2nd, giving them a big four-goal 3/4-time lead. As the fourth quarter started, Blue Jack Martin kicked his second, before the Hawks put things beyond doubt with the following three. For the Hawks, the players that came back for this match all made a big difference to their team's ability to structure up and have a functioning forward line.
Essendon 3.10.28 defeated by Brisbane 14.7.91
As the 9th placed Essendon game up against the 2nd placed Lions, we were looking at a game that had all the makings of a percentage booster for Brisbane, and that is exactly what we got! The Lions were too good for the Bombers across the ground, with Essendon making it even harder on themselves through inaccurate kicking for goal. A stat that really stood out to me for this match was Marks. The Lions absolutely dominated this area of the game, grabbing 99 marks compared to the Bombers 41. To back up how well their kicking game worked, the Lion's players only bounced the ball twice. Why run when you can just kick and mark?
Saturday, August 1
North Melbourne 19.5.119 defeated Adelaide 7.8.50
With the inclusion of Majak Daw for his first game in the blue and white, for a very long time, the Kangaroos have gotten a huge 69-point win over an Adelaide team that looked like they just want the season to be over. With both teams missing some quality players, it was North Melbourne who rose to the occasion, and inclusion of Daw, to make their opposition look second-rate and move that bit further away from the last place on the AFL Ladder. The Kangaroos move on to play Geelong, while the Crows will be taking on the Demons in their next match.
St Kilda 15.11.101 defeated Sydney 6.12.48
At the Gabba on Saturday night, the Saints did everything right in starting to balance the win/ loss ledger against the Swans by getting a 53-point win over a team that they have found hard to beat in the past. With the Saints spreading the goal-scoring around the team, it was left to McCartin to play a solo hand up forward for the Swans, where he scored three of their six goals for the match. St Kilda kicked six of the last seven goals of the match to storm home to a comfortable 53-point win, a win that sees them start to solidify their spot up the top of the AFL ladder. Zac Jones certainly appeared to enjoy the win against his old club.
West Coast 11.7.73 defeated Geelong 10.4.64
In another twist for Season 2020, the Eagles, who were so very impressive in Round 8, were solidly beaten by the Cats across the first half in Perth last weekend. While it was far from a free-flowing, high-scoring match, the Geelong team managed to stifle the run and transition of the Eagles, along with kicking very accurately, to take a solid lead into half time, but then things changed, dramatically! The Eagles piled on seven goals to the Cats three, with key forward Kennedy slotting three goals himself. The Eagles are now on a five-game winning streak and get next round off in preparation to make it six.
Sunday, August 2
Gold Coast 4.11.35 defeated by Greater Western Sydney 9.7.61
With a combined lowly seven goals kicked between the Suns and Giants, across the first three quarters, at Metricon Stadium on Sunday afternoon, this match was certainly turning into a dour affair. Even without Toby Greene for most of the match, Gold Coast was unable to take advantage of the big loss to the Giant's team. Come the end of the match and the Giants had just the one more scoring shot than the Suns yet won by a solid 26 points. The Suns now have the tough task of taking on the Saints in Round 10, with the Giants looking to keep their winning ways going as they face off against the Bombers next match.
Fremantle 10.1.61 defeated Collingwood 7.7.49
The Magpies have come back from a really poor first half, where they could only manage two goals, to then gain two goals on the Dockers, and have a slim four-point lead going into the last quarter at Optus Stadium on Sunday night. While waiting for the Magpies to pull away in the fourth, something strange and mysterious happened, the Fremantle Dockers jumped out of their three-quarter time huddle to surge into the lead, and it was there they stayed until the final siren rang out. In a game where they were without Michael Walters, and got behind on the scoreboard, credit must be given to the Fremantle players for staying strong and fighting this game out to the end.
Western Bulldogs 7.7.49 defeated by Richmond 13.12.90As they came up against a form team, in the Bulldogs, at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday night, the Richmond Tigers, for the first time this year, started to look like last season's premiers. Having won four of their last five matches, the Bulldogs would have been forgiven for feeling positive, about their chances, heading into Wednesday's match. That wouldn't have lasted too long as the Tigers were intent on making sure everything the Doggies did was under pressure as the Tigers romped on their way to a 41-point win on the Gold Coast. Richmond's coach must be very happy with his team's performance, especially considering how many inexperienced players took the field.
Thursday, July 30
Melbourne 4.8.32 defeated by Port Adelaide 12.11.83
Having come so close to tasting the joy of victory last round, the Demons were looking to continue their improved play as they came up against a Port Adelaide outfit who went down to a rampant St. Kilda by nearly six goals. Unfortunately, for Melbourne fans, the Power dominated this match right from the get-go; the Power went into the half time break having kicked six goals to the Demons single major. While Melbourne's play improved in the second half, every positive passage of play they could come up with was countered by the Power as they went on their way to a 51-point victory.
Friday, July 31
Carlton 9.4.58 defeated by Hawthorn 14.5.89
The Carlton Blues looked to be continuing their good form, as they kicked the first five goals of their match against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium on Friday night. I'm not sure which switch was flicked, but once it was Hawthorn certainly found its mojo and kicked nine of the following ten goals, starting from early in the 2nd, giving them a big four-goal 3/4-time lead. As the fourth quarter started, Blue Jack Martin kicked his second, before the Hawks put things beyond doubt with the following three. For the Hawks, the players that came back for this match all made a big difference to their team's ability to structure up and have a functioning forward line.
Essendon 3.10.28 defeated by Brisbane 14.7.91
As the 9th placed Essendon game up against the 2nd placed Lions, we were looking at a game that had all the makings of a percentage booster for Brisbane, and that is exactly what we got! The Lions were too good for the Bombers across the ground, with Essendon making it even harder on themselves through inaccurate kicking for goal. A stat that really stood out to me for this match was Marks. The Lions absolutely dominated this area of the game, grabbing 99 marks compared to the Bombers 41. To back up how well their kicking game worked, the Lion's players only bounced the ball twice. Why run when you can just kick and mark?
Saturday, August 1
North Melbourne 19.5.119 defeated Adelaide 7.8.50
With the inclusion of Majak Daw for his first game in the blue and white, for a very long time, the Kangaroos have gotten a huge 69-point win over an Adelaide team that looked like they just want the season to be over. With both teams missing some quality players, it was North Melbourne who rose to the occasion, and inclusion of Daw, to make their opposition look second-rate and move that bit further away from the last place on the AFL Ladder. The Kangaroos move on to play Geelong, while the Crows will be taking on the Demons in their next match.
St Kilda 15.11.101 defeated Sydney 6.12.48
At the Gabba on Saturday night, the Saints did everything right in starting to balance the win/ loss ledger against the Swans by getting a 53-point win over a team that they have found hard to beat in the past. With the Saints spreading the goal-scoring around the team, it was left to McCartin to play a solo hand up forward for the Swans, where he scored three of their six goals for the match. St Kilda kicked six of the last seven goals of the match to storm home to a comfortable 53-point win, a win that sees them start to solidify their spot up the top of the AFL ladder. Zac Jones certainly appeared to enjoy the win against his old club.
West Coast 11.7.73 defeated Geelong 10.4.64
In another twist for Season 2020, the Eagles, who were so very impressive in Round 8, were solidly beaten by the Cats across the first half in Perth last weekend. While it was far from a free-flowing, high-scoring match, the Geelong team managed to stifle the run and transition of the Eagles, along with kicking very accurately, to take a solid lead into half time, but then things changed, dramatically! The Eagles piled on seven goals to the Cats three, with key forward Kennedy slotting three goals himself. The Eagles are now on a five-game winning streak and get next round off in preparation to make it six.
Sunday, August 2
Gold Coast 4.11.35 defeated by Greater Western Sydney 9.7.61
With a combined lowly seven goals kicked between the Suns and Giants, across the first three quarters, at Metricon Stadium on Sunday afternoon, this match was certainly turning into a dour affair. Even without Toby Greene for most of the match, Gold Coast was unable to take advantage of the big loss to the Giant's team. Come the end of the match and the Giants had just the one more scoring shot than the Suns yet won by a solid 26 points. The Suns now have the tough task of taking on the Saints in Round 10, with the Giants looking to keep their winning ways going as they face off against the Bombers next match.
Fremantle 10.1.61 defeated Collingwood 7.7.49
The Magpies have come back from a really poor first half, where they could only manage two goals, to then gain two goals on the Dockers, and have a slim four-point lead going into the last quarter at Optus Stadium on Sunday night. While waiting for the Magpies to pull away in the fourth, something strange and mysterious happened, the Fremantle Dockers jumped out of their three-quarter time huddle to surge into the lead, and it was there they stayed until the final siren rang out. In a game where they were without Michael Walters, and got behind on the scoreboard, credit must be given to the Fremantle players for staying strong and fighting this game out to the end.
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