Bombers fly up with Eagles onslaught

Raman Goraya

Updated May 12, 2012 23:09:15

Essendon continued to press its top four claims by dismantling an injury-hit West Coast by 61 points at Docklands on Saturday night.

The sparkling Bombers handed the Eagles their first loss of the season on the back of a match-winning seven-goals-to-zero third quarter to set up the convincing 16.17 (113) to 7.10 (52) triumph.

The four points lifts Essendon's to 6-1, its only loss by one point to Collingwood, and narrowly behind top-placed West Coast on percentage.

James Hird's emerging side handed out a lesson in ball-winning, captain Jobe Watson (36) leading the likes of Brent Stanton (36) and David Zaharakis (32) in a demolition job of the Eagles' midfield.

Essendon finished with 76 more possessions, with all players except substitute Travis Coyler racking up double-digit touches, 18 more clearances and 22 more forward entries, while keeping a bare Eagles forward line to just six marks inside 50.

Zaharakis said a strong, core group of players have continued to make the most of their obvious talent in the Bombers ranks.

"Even a couple of years ago we spoke about the group always having talent," he told Grandstand.

"It was just about maturing as a group.

"Since Hirdy has come to the footy club, the emphasis has been on improving and development

"He said since day one the talent is there it's just about putting it all together, working hard, building up big bodies and getting the right fitness right to play at AFL level.

"It was up to us to put in the effort, especially in the last two preseasons. They were bloody hard but it is paying off now."

Up forward Stewart Crameri shrugged a poor start to finish with three goals alongside Alwyn Davey who also bagged three.

The visitors' injury woes were compounded in the second quarter when premier on-baller Matt Priddis was subbed out of the game with concussion.

His presence was sorely missed after half-time, as the hungry Essendon turned a 17-point advantage into a 61-point lead with a rollicking term of football that had the Bombers faithful on their feet at three-quarter time.

The Dons' fierce tackling pressure combined with their tremendous speed and spread split open the much-vaunted West Coast press after a tense first half.

"We spoke at quarter time about how much they open up the midfield in transition," Zaharakis said, highlighting the work of Cale Hooker in defence to kick-start the rebound.

"So we used the middle to our advantage, got some run and carry, some link handball and we beat them back to goal with guys like Leroy Jetta, Alwyn Davey and even Stewart Crameri, who is pretty quick."

In what was a whole-team effort, Kyle Hardingham was a stand-out down back for the Bombers with his ability to read the play while Heath Hocking did a brilliant tagging job on West Coast star Daniel Kerr.

Josh Hill was one of the few shining lights for the visitors up forward while Andrew Gaff and Luke Shuey led the possessions.

Essendon looks forward to its annual Dreamtime at the 'G clash against Richmond next Saturday while West Coast hosts St Kilda on Sunday.

Bombers: 16.17 (113) - S Crameri 3, A Davey 3, L Jetta 2, P Ryder 2, B Stanton 2, T Bellchambers, R Dyson, N Lovett-Murray, J Melksham.

Eagles: 7.10 (52) - B Waters 2, J Brennan, P McGinnity, D Kerr, J Darling, J Hill.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, essendon-3040, vic, australia, perth-6000, wa

First posted May 12, 2012 22:21:28

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Magpies hold off Sydney onslaught

By Raman Goraya

Updated June 25, 2011 23:09:00

Title holder Collingwood survived an almighty scare from relentless challenger Sydney, hanging on for a nerve-racking one-goal victory at the Olympic stadium on Saturday night.

The Magpies held a 30-point lead half-way through the third term before the Swans launched a remarkable offensive to poke their heads in front at the 13th minute mark of the last quarter.

Not a moment too late, the reigning premiers eventually put aside some terrible kicking on goal to reclaim a 13-point advantage thanks to goals from Sharrod Wellingham and matchwinner Travis Cloke as the clock ticked into time on.

Sydney veteran Adam Goodes, who along with fellow old heads Jarrad McVeigh (four goals) and Jude Bolton played a big part in sparking the comeback, brought the margin back with a strong mark and his third major.

But a vital, seventh contested mark by Cloke on the wing made sure there was no Swans miracle and Collingwood escaped with the 13.21 (99) to 14.9 (93) result.

Key defender Heath Shaw said the grinding contest was good preparation for next week's highly anticipated tussle with fellow top four combatant Hawthorn.

"It's good for us to come off the bye and have a tough win and know that even though we were under the pump we can still come away with a solid win," he said.

The powerful Cloke stood tall all evening and despite the occasional yip in front of the sticks ended with his second consecutive haul of six goals.

Shaw said Cloke was becoming an increasingly valuable part of the Magpies side.

"He and [Chris] Dawes always create a contest, they are big targets for us and it does lift the team when you see a guy take a big grab like that and kick a goal - when he finally does," Shaw said.

The Pies have now won their last 10 matches against Sydney which also extended its poor record against the AFL's elite.

Dane Swan accumulated 33 possessions and a goal in his return after his midseason trip to Arizona.

The silky Scott Pendlebury was not far behind while Luke Ball laid a typically dogged 12 tackles to accompany his 23 touches.

Ryan O'Keefe and Daniel Hannebery fought hard for the Swans who had few stand-outs but many contributors.

Close but no cigar

Despite always putting up a fight, the sixth-placed Swans have won just three of their last 28 clashes against top four sides following defeats to Carlton and now Collingwood in consecutive weeks.

To their credit the home side came out swinging, taking the game on and booting four of the first six goals of the contest.

Collingwood was up to the challenge, taking an eight-point lead into the first change before wasting a host of chances in the second quarter to blow the game open.

The Magpies, looking flat on their first interstate trip this season after having the week off, converted just two goals from seven scoring shots and 15 inside-50s after quarter-time with Dale Thomas particularly wasteful.

Sydney was dealt a heavy blow with last season's best and fairest winner Kieran Jack having to be substituted after a recurrence of a right ankle injury as the Pies led by 17 at half-time.

A limping Alan Didak followed Jack to the bench early in the second half and Collingwood's profligacy was proving equally debilitating as Sydney emerged from the clouds in emphatic fashion.

A soft goal to Goodes kick-started the Swans into booting seven of the next eight goals either side of the final change, the last coming from McVeigh who gave the Swans a one-point lead.

Collingwood responded but was again undone by poor kicking until Wellingham snapped truly and Cloke slotted a set shot from the pocket to ice the contest.

"The start of the third quarter I thought we were all over them but we just didn't put the scores on the board and they went down the other end and kicked goals," Shaw added.

"It does make it tough when you put all your hard work into getting it forward and you don't get the rewards."

Magpies: 13.21 (99) - T Cloke 6, C Dawes, D Swan, J Blair, L Ball, S Pendlebury, S Sidebottom, S Wellingham.

Swans: 14.9 (93) - J McVeigh 4, A Goodes 3, J Bolton 2, R O'Keefe 2, J White, K Jack, M Mattner.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, vic, collingwood-3066

First posted June 25, 2011 22:01:00

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