NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 7 Wrap

By Michael DiFabrizio

Hawthorn 18.11 (119) def. Sydney Swans 12.10 (82)

The Grand Final re-match had a familiar feel to it at quarter time. As Hawthorn had kicked away and built a buffer, the Swans were dealing with a return of just one goal and four behinds. Unfortunately for the red and white, this would not turn out to be the see-sawing affair of last September.

Despite a super game from Josh Kennedy that involved 30 disposals at 83 per cent efficiency, 13 clearances and two goals, the Swans struggled to wind back the lead Hawthorn built early on. The Hawks went on to win by 37.

Buddy Franklin brought his form slump to an end with two early goals that would be the start of a trend: Hawthorn’s talls were in for a night out. Jarryd Roughead had four goals with 27 disposals. Franklin, Jack Gunston and David Hale had three goals each.

The Hawks’ spine in its entirety was impressive. The ruck unit of Hale and Max Bailey became the first this season to beat the Swans in hitouts, and they did it convincingly too (53-37) albeit with Shane Mumford (ranked 2nd at the Swans) not playing. Down back, Josh Gibson (12 marks) was on fire and Brian Lake impressed in his 200th.

Throw in a 32-disposal 10-inside 50 game from Luke Hodge and the premiership chances of the Hawks were certainly done no harm on Saturday night.

Adam Goodes stepped up as the game wore on, finishing with 26 touches and 10 inside 50s. Kieren Jack laid 10 tackles and had 23 touches. Ryan O’Keefe and Ben McGlynn each had two goals.

The Swans next week host an in-form Fremantle at the SCG on Saturday night.

GWS GIANTS 7.10 (52) def. by Adelaide 29.13 (187)

It wasn’t the most memorable of afternoons for the GWS GIANTS on Sunday, with the excitement of a return to Skoda Stadium soon overshadowed by a disappointing triple-figure loss.

Young Adelaide forward Tom Lynch announced himself with a 10-goal haul while at the other end of the ground the GIANTS were struggling to get it through the big sticks.

In the first term, the home side had its chances but failed to kick a goal (finishing the quarter on 0.4). The Crows did enough to kick four majors by the first break and after that, it became the Tom Lynch Show. Lynch kicked a remarkable six goals in the third quarter and finished with 21 disposals at 81 per cent, 11 marks and five inside 50s.

Patrick Dangerfield also had a field day with 28 touches and four goals, Sam Kerridge had 27 and three and Scott Thompson racked up 32 disposals.

The most impressive performers from the GIANTS were Callan Ward (22 disposals, two goals) and Adam Tomlinson (21 disposals, 14 marks). Despite a seemingly quiet afternoon by his standards, Jeremy Cameron still booted three.

Next week, the GIANTS face an even bigger challenge as they travel to Launceston to meet the side with arguably the best form in the comp, Hawthorn.

NSW/ACT Notes

He didn’t see a lot of the footy, but Tom Hawkins (Finley) kicked two goals for the Cats in their successful top-of-the-ladder clash with Essendon.

Orren Stephenson (Mangoplah-CUE) may have done enough to show the Tigers he’s worthy of more matches after a strong first game in yellow and black. He had a game-high 28 hitouts against Port Adelaide, along with 11 disposals and five marks.

Will Sierakowski (Ignatius Riverview) impressed for North Melbourne in their win over the Western Bulldogs. He had 12 touches, four tackles, three inside 50s and a goal. Tom Young (Wollondilly) was the best of the Bulldogs’ NSW/ACT brigade. He had 11 disposals, four clearances and six tackles.

Luke Breust (Temora) had 22 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal for Hawthorn on Saturday. Taylor Duryea (Wahguyah) finished with 17 touches and six marks. Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) and Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) were among Sydney’s best.

Dean Terlich (Osborne) was once again among his side’s best in a disappointing Melbourne loss, this time to Gold Coast. He had 23 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency (the cleanest user of the footy at the Dees yesterday) plus he generated eight rebound 50s.

NEAFL – Round 8

Ainslie 22.6 (138) def. Queanbeyan 11.10 (76)
Hills Eagles 7.14 (56) def. by Eastlake 11.15 (81)
UWS GIANTS 11.12 (78) def. by Sydney Swans 19.13 (127)
Tuggeranong 7.5 (47) def. by Sydney Uni 19.9 (123)
Belconnen – Bye