Tall timber earns West Coast win

Updated May 20, 2012 20:18:16

West Coast Eagles bounced back after last week's shocking loss to Essendon and returned to top spot by beating St Kilda by 30 points at Subiaco Oval.

Questions were asked after the Eagles' capitulation against the Bombers at Docklands, but a week on John Worsfold's men had the answers, winning 18.13 (121) to 13.13 (91).

"St Kilda was in pretty good form and obviously a tough side to crack, so in the end we're pretty happy with the win," Eagles midfielder Andrew Gaff told Grandstand.

The Saints were as bad early on Sunday as they were good last week in beating Carlton.

"We came out lethargic in the first quarter," Saints midfielder Farren Ray said.

"They outworked us all day, especially the first half, and then we were never going to win.

"We were playing catch-up footy all day."

Things started going wrong early in the piece for Scott Watters' side, when Rhys Stanley pulled up with a hamstring injury late in the first quarter.

This left the Saints' already-depleted ruck stocks under further strain, with Justin Koschitzke forced to go solo for three quarters against Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.

"[With] Rhys going down early with his hamstring, Kossy [Justin Koschitzke] pinch-hits in the ruck so he and Jason Blake did a bit in the ruck there," Ray said.

"But lacking that one on the bench really makes a difference, especially on a big ground against a quality side like West Coast."

Cox kicked five goals for the match for the first time in his AFL career, and Naitanui continued to fly high, taking a number of spectacular marks in attack and defence.

The second half saw St Kilda pressure the Eagles into errors, and braces of goals to Jamie Cripps and Ahmed Saad brought the Saints back into the contest.

The home crowd at Subiaco began to get nervous, as St Kilda brought the margin back to 15 points.

Gaff said the Saints' surge after half-time should not have been allowed to happen.

"It was definitely a bit concerning," he admitted.

"We pride ourselves on playing four good quarters and definitely the third wasn't up to standard.

"So we'll look at that during the week and hopefully make amends next week against Freo."

Injuries have plagued the club but Gaff said the Eagles' success is testament to how well they can adapt as a unit.

"I think we struggled with Nic Nat out and Pridda [midfielder Matthew Priddis] last weekend and this week," he said.

"But we've obviously stepped up a bit in his absence and everyone's shared the load, which is the most promising thing.

"We're not going to have a full-strength side every week so that's definitely an important side of our make-up."

In the end, a tiring St Kilda could not quite catch the Eagles, and final quarter goals to Patrick McGinnity, Luke Shuey and Naitanui were enough to keep West Coast clear for the win.

Nick Riewoldt did his best to lift his team over the line, kicking four goals for the match.

Eagles: 18.13 (121) - Cox 5, Waters 2, Shuey 2, Naitanui 2, Hill, Gaff, Lynch, Darling, Sheppard, Schofield, McGinnity.

Saints: 13.13 (91) - Riewoldt 4, Cripps 2, Saad, Gilbert, Milne, Armitage, Milera, Steven, Dal Santo.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, subiaco-6008, australia, wa

First posted May 20, 2012 19:34:05

View the original article here

Cats' Motlop earns Rising Star nomination

Updated May 08, 2012 11:25:46

Talented Geelong small forward Steven Motlop has been rewarded for a strong start to 2012 with the round-six nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.

Motlop, 21, has held his spot in the Cats' line-up for the opening six games of the year, after only playing a total of five senior matches in the previous two seasons.

He reached new highs in Saturday's 43-point win over Melbourne, finishing with 28 possessions, three marks and a goal.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said Motlop - the brother of former Port Adelaide star Daniel Motlop - had become much more consistent this year.

"We have been extremely impressed with his run which is vital to our side," Scott said.

"He has been able to overcome injury and it is great to see him rewarded with this nomination."

Motlop was selected by Geelong with pick 39 in the 2008 national draft from the Wanderers football club in Darwin.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, geelong-3220

First posted May 08, 2012 10:29:44

View the original article here

Schulz earns new Power deal

In the best goal-kicking form of his career, spearhead Jay Schulz has been rewarded with a contract extension by Port Adelaide.

Schulz, 26, kicked an equal career-high seven majors for the Power in Sunday's narrow 11-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.

It brought his total since crossing from Richmond to 55 goals from 25 matches.

Schulz had previously played 71 matches and booted 58 goals for the Tigers, who used him in both the key forward and defensive positions.

But since moving to Port, Schulz has made his mark at full-forward.

Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde said the Power were delighted to re-sign Schulz, although they refused to reveal the length of the new deal.

"Since Jay arrived at the club at the end of 2009 his attitude and work ethic have been outstanding," Rohde said.

"He sets a great standard with the way he trains and prepares himself each week and that has been reflective in his consistent form.

"Obviously he's a very important part of our forward structure, not only through his goal-kicking ability, but through his capacity to lead by example and assist the younger players in our forward line."

Schulz threw his support behind coach Matthew Primus in what has been a difficult year for the club, which sits in second-last spot on the ladder with only two wins.

"I have great belief in Matty's direction and where he's taking this playing group," he said.

"This has been evident in parts of games this season and we just have to continue to develop our group so that we can maintain a consistent performance over a longer period during games.

"I am very confident though that we're on the right track."

View the original article here

Schulz earns new Power deal

In the best goal-kicking form of his career, spearhead Jay Schulz has been rewarded with a contract extension by Port Adelaide.

Schulz, 26, kicked an equal career-high seven majors for the Power in Sunday's narrow 11-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.

It brought his total since crossing from Richmond to 55 goals from 25 matches.

Schulz had previously played 71 matches and booted 58 goals for the Tigers, who used him in both the key forward and defensive positions.

But since moving to Port, Schulz has made his mark at full-forward.

Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde said the Power were delighted to re-sign Schulz, although they refused to reveal the length of the new deal.

"Since Jay arrived at the club at the end of 2009 his attitude and work ethic have been outstanding," Rohde said.

"He sets a great standard with the way he trains and prepares himself each week and that has been reflective in his consistent form.

"Obviously he's a very important part of our forward structure, not only through his goal-kicking ability, but through his capacity to lead by example and assist the younger players in our forward line."

Schulz threw his support behind coach Matthew Primus in what has been a difficult year for the club, which sits in second-last spot on the ladder with only two wins.

"I have great belief in Matty's direction and where he's taking this playing group," he said.

"This has been evident in parts of games this season and we just have to continue to develop our group so that we can maintain a consistent performance over a longer period during games.

"I am very confident though that we're on the right track."

View the original article here

Saints' Steven earns Rising Star nod

Posted May 31, 2011 12:05:00

St Kilda's best win of an otherwise disappointing campaign has had another benefit, with forward Jack Steven earning the round 10 nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.

Steven, 21, was one of the Saints' best players in the 46-point win over Fremantle in Perth on Saturday, accumulating 27 possessions, four tackles, four marks and a goal.

After debuting late in 2009, Steven has taken some time to earn a regular spot in the Saints' line-up, but has now played the last seven games in succession.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Steven had been rewarded for his hard work.

"After showing some good signs last season, Jack has been a great addition to the St Kilda side this year and has provided great energy and run over the last few games," Lyon said.

"He is a versatile player who has proved his ability as a small forward, and over recent weeks, has also stepped up as an attacking midfield player.

"We challenged Jack, asking him to step up, take on greater responsibility, and to his credit he has responded well."

Steven was selected by St Kilda with pick number 42 in the 2007 national draft from the Geelong Falcons.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000, st-kilda-3182

View the original article here