NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 21 Review

By Michael DiFabrizio

Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) def. GWS GIANTS 9.9 (63)

The Lions under caretaker coach Mark Harvey were too good for the side led by Harvey’s former coach, Kevin Sheedy.

Sheedy was disappointed by what he described as an “ordinary” first half from his men. The first quarter featured 10 scoring shots to two followed by nine to three in the second term, effectively ending the game.

Jeremy Cameron kicked two goals for the GIANTS but was kept relatively quiet by a Lions back line that was prepared to, at times, triple-team him.

The GIANTS’ best were Stephen Coniglio (28 disposals, seven inside 50s, one goal) and Toby Greene (31 disposals, one goal).

The Lions were led by 11 players to have disposal counts in the 20s. Sam Mayes did that and kicked four goals, as did Daniel Rich who had two goals.

Sydney Swans 18.10 (118) def. St Kilda 8.11 (59)

Things went to script as the Swans comfortably accounted for St Kilda with a 59-point win.

After being locked at 2.3 apiece at the first break, the Swans found breathing space late in the second quarter. They then broke away with a dominant seven-goal third term spearheaded by Kurt Tippett.

Tippett brought his three-week tally to 17 goals with five before being subbed off late in the third term.

That move brought about one of the highlights of the match, with Gary Rohan making his return from injury coming on as the sub.

Josh Kennedy had his best game since mid-season with 38 disposals, 12 clearances and seven inside 50s. Jesse White (three goals), Shane Mumford (35 hitouts) and Luke Parker (26 disposals) were also among the best.

For St Kilda, Jack Steven accumulated 35 disposals and kicked two goals. Nick Riewoldt also kicked two.

NSW/ACT Notes

Isaac Smith (Temora) had three goals plus 21 disposals at a whopping 95 per cent efficiency for Hawthorn in their Friday night win over Collingwood. Luke Breust (Temora) kicked 1.2 from 16 disposals. Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) had six tackles.

Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had a big game for the Swans with 26 disposals, seven clearances and seven inside 50s. Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had 20 touches and six inside 50s. Both him and Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) kicked two goals, with the latter having seven inside 50s.

Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 28 disposals. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had 12 one-percenters.

For the Saints, Adam Schneider (Osborne) had 21 disposals while Sam Gilbert (St George) returned to action with 15 touches, five marks and seven one-percenters.

Daniel Cross (Albury) had a goal, eight marks and 25 disposals in the Western Bulldogs’ win over Adelaide.

Dean Terlich (Osborne) had 26 disposals and 11 marks for Melbourne in the loss to Fremantle.

Brent Staker (West Broken Hill) kicked three goals in the win over GWS.

For the GIANTS, Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) had seven one-percenters and eight marks, Zac Williams (Narrandera) kicked a goal and laid five tackles and Mark Whiley (Finley) also kicked a goal.

NEAFL (Round 22)

Brisbane Lions 15.15 (105) def. UWS GIANTS 14.10 (94)

Ainslie 14.12 (96) def. Eastlake 9.11 (65)

Queanbeyan 11.13 (79) def. Hills Eagles 10.17 (77)

Belconnen 30.11 (191) def. Tuggeranong 7.4 (46)

Sydney Uni 8.8 (56) def. by Sydney Swans 18.23 (131)