NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 18 wrap
By Michael DiFabrizio
Collingwood 15.16 (106) def. GWS GIANTS 10.6 (66)
The GWS GIANTS once again gave a top eight side a scare before falling away, this time losing to Collingwood by 40 points.
Jeremy Cameron was the story, kicking a club record seven goals. He kicked his side’s first five and also put them ahead late in the third quarter.
It was a performance that drew comparison to Buddy Franklin’s eight-goal game the night before.
The GIANTS were 16 points up at half time and were within two at the last break. But their fourth-quarter struggles continued as the Pies moved to avoid what would’ve been an embarrassing loss.
While Cameron was firing up forward, Callan Ward led the way in the middle accumulating 32 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency.
Curtly Hampton had a career-high 31 disposals and a massive nine rebound 50s.
For the Magpies, Dane Swan (39 disposals, three goals) was his team’s best with Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams also influential.
Sydney Swans 16.14 (110) def. Richmond 9.6 (63)
The Swans have fended off another top eight side in dealing Richmond a 47-point defeat.
Sydney’s usual midfield suspects were hard to contain while their two key forwards had seven goals between them.
The Tigers were matching the home side early, with scores tied at 33 apiece after the first term. Their plan was to control possession – and they did, having 26 more uncontested possessions in the end – but after the initial break it was the Swans who took control.
The buffer gradually lifted and the Swans once again secured a strong win against decent opposition.
Kieren Jack had 26 disposals, two tackles, 10 clearances and nine inside 50s in a brilliant all-round game. His disposals were also at 88 per cent efficiency.
Jesse White kicked four goals to go with Kurt Tippett’s three, Ryan O’Keefe had 30 disposals and Tom Mitchell and Dan Hannebery had 26 touches each.
Richmond’s best performer was Dustin Martin with 30 disposals and two goals.
NSW/ACT Notes
Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) was the most influential NSW/ACT player of the round (see match report). Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 23 disposals with seven inside 50s while Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had 20 with seven. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had 15 disposals.
Tom Hawkins (Finley) booted five goals and took six marks in Geelong’s big win over St Kilda.
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) had 22 touches and six tackles to be one of the Saints’ best.
Luke Breust (Temora) had two goals and 14 disposals for Hawthorn in their win over Essendon. Isaac Smith (Temora) had 23 touches and eight marks in the same game.
Tom Young (Wollondilly) had 19 disposals and seven rebound 50s as the Western Bulldogs beat West Coast. Dylan Addison (St George) kicked two goals and Jason Tutt (Ainslie) had 18 disposals.
For GWS, Zac Williams (Narrandera) had 22 touches with 21 of them effective. Mark Whiley (Finley) had 10 tackles, making it 22 from him in the past two weeks. Josh Bruce (Eastlake) took six marks.
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 18 disposals, 15 hitouts and six tackles in Collingwood’s win.
Mitch Clisby (West Broken Hill) had 17 disposals and eight marks for Melbourne in their loss to North Melbourne. Dean Terlich (Osborne) was a late withdrawal.
Brent Staker (West Broken Hill) had 14 disposals for the Brisbane Lions in their loss to Port Adelaide.
NEAFL
Gold Coast Suns 14.11 (95) def. UWS GIANTS 14.10 (94)
Sydney Uni 17.13 (115) def. Queanbeyan 10.5 (65)
Belconnen 17.16 (118) def. Ainslie 10.12 (72)
Tuggeranong, Hills Eagles, Sydney Swans, Eastlake – bye