NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 5 Review
By Michael DiFabrizio
St Kilda 9.9 (63) def. by Sydney Swans 11.13 (79)
The Sydney Swans became the first team to win an AFL premiership match on foreign soil when they defeated St Kilda by 16 points in Wellington.
The Anzac Day game started with a close first term, each team kicking three goals. The Swans had a ten-point buffer by the main break.
The Saints were kept alive by their stars, with Nick Riewoldt (27 disposals) causing trouble for Ted Richards and Heath Grundy, plus Lenny Hayes (eight tackles, 11 clearances) doing what he does best.
This was countered by the likes of Kieren Jack (13 tackles), Luke Parker (15 contested possessions, two goals) and Anzac Medalist Dan Hannebery (30 disposals).
Despite holding a 25-point lead going into the final term and securing the next goal through Parker, the Swans were not safe from a final roll of the dice from the Saints.
The next three goals were to St Kilda and the margin was reduced to ten points. It wasn’t until a free kick to Shane Mumford, which led to a goal, that victory was sealed.
Statistically, the game was unusual for its high tackle count (St Kilda leading 98-90). John Longmire said after the game he was happy to have hit 90.
What really stood out was the discrepancy in disposal efficiency. The Swans were by far the better users of the footy, going at 64 per cent compared to the Saints’ 52 per cent. Rarely is there such a big gap between two teams.
GWS GIANTS 16.8 (104) def. by Gold Coast Suns 21.22 (148)
The GIANTS weren’t able to match their fellow expansion side Gold Coast in the nation’s capital on Saturday.
The slightly more mature Suns had three guys that the men in orange just didn’t have an answer for: Charlie Dixon, Gary Ablett and Jaeger O’Meara.
After an even first quarter that finished with scores level, Dixon helped the Suns break away with three of his six goals for the afternoon coming in the second term. Six goals is the best ever return from a Gold Coast player.
Ablett was at his usual best with 32 disposals, six inside 50s and three goals. O’Meara had 25 touches, 11 clearances and three goals.
Despite the buffer Gold Coast had built up, the GIANTS edged their way back into the game right before half time and into the third quarter.
This was partly due to the big guns up forward finding their feet. Jeremy Cameron ended the match with three goals, as did Setanta O’hAilpin.
But the best performers were in the midfield. Callan Ward had 31 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s. Devon Smith had 26 disposals and three goals.
Three goals was all that separated the two sides going into the final term, but from there Gold Coast kicked away to ultimately win by 44 points.
The Suns clearly won the contested possession count (110-149) and in a game were key forwards shone, winning the contested marks (7-15) was a big result.
NSW/ACT Notes
Justin Koschitzke (Albury) had the honour of kicking the first AFL goal in a game for four points outside Australia.
Lenny Hayes, Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh (all Pennant Hills) were among their team’s best in the Wellington match. Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) laid eight tackles and had six inside 50s. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had a career-high 17 disposals.
Zac Williams (Narrandera) made his AFL debut for the GWS GIANTS on the weekend. He had 13 disposals at a healthy 84 per cent efficiency, laid three tackles and generated three inside 50s.
Kevin Sheedy had this to say after the game: “Zac Williams got better as the game went on, I think he hardly touched the ball early but I didn’t want to take him off and sub him. I’d rather work through and give these players a decent opportunity and I think it’s important that we do that and give the young men confidence. He’ll only get better from that game.”
Taylor Walker (Broken Hill North) suffered a knee injury on the weekend that may be season-ending. The Adelaide star will be tested to determine if he ruptured his ACL in the club’s loss to Carlton.
Daniel Cross (Albury), Tom Young (Wollondilly) and Jason Tutt (Ainslie) were influential for the Western Bulldogs in their loss to Geelong. Cross had 27 touches and eight marks. Young had 21 touches, five rebound 50s and seven one-percenters. Tutt had 16 touches and seven marks.
Dean Terlich (Osborne) continues to make a name for himself. He was Melbourne’s leading ball-winner against the Brisbane Lions with 24 disposals. He had three rebound 50s and three inside 50s.
NEAFL
UWS Giants 24.15 (159) def. Eastlake 9.12 (66)
Broadbeach 12.8 (80) def. by Ainslie 20.11 (131)
Mt Gravatt 6.12 (48) def. by Belconnen 24.20 (164)
Queanbeyan 20.18 (138) def. Tuggeranong 10.6 (66)
Sydney Uni 14.10 (94) def. by Hills Eagles 17.10 (112)
Sydney Swans – Bye