ABC Sport

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

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

Crows under pressure after another poor performance

Adelaide's topsy turvey season has hit a new low, losing at home to the bottom team at Footy Park by 40 points.

Despite leading by 11 points at the first change, Adelaide were outclassed and outmuscled by a much more desperate Lions team, who kicked 14 goals to 5 after quarter time to win for just the second time this season.

The win continued the Lions AFL recovery since Jonathan Brown's return to the side

Brisbane were dominant throughout the 15.11 (101) to 8.13 (61) win after a shaky first quarter, outplaying their hosts in the midfield skirmishes while their defence easily outmarked all comers, thanks to inspired performances from Daniel Merritt (11 marks, 17 disposals) and Mitch Clark.

Clark ran the show with 22 touches and two goals while Ashley McGrath (four goals), Todd Banfield (three) and Bryce Retzlaff (two) made hay in front of goal in the Adelaide sun.

The win is Brisbane's second on the trot as the Lions continue to rediscover their form after Brown returned from a facial injury lay-off in last week's win over the Kangaroos.

It lifts Brisbane off the bottom of the ladder, having a better for-and-against than Queensland rival Gold Coast, while the Crows remain in 13th spot.

FINAL SCORE

Brisbane: 15.11 (101) - A McGrath 4, T Banfield 3, B Retzlaff 2, M Clark 2, D Rich, J O'Brien, L Power, T Collier

Adelaide: 8.13 (61) - B Smith, C Knights, M Wright, N van Berlo, P Dangerfield, R Henderson, S Jacobs, T Walker

View the original article here

Crows immature, says coach Craig

Updated May 30, 2011 12:37:00

Frustrated Adelaide coach Neil Craig blasted his players as immature after their 40-point collapse to unfancied Brisbane on Sunday.

Craig was abused by angry Crows supporters as he left Football Park following Brisbane's turnaround 15.11 (101) to 8.13 (61) triumph.

Craig conceded the heat would rise on him after a meek loss left Adelaide's season in tatters with six losses from nine games.

"I am not here for social approval," Craig said.

"I'm here to do a job with this team and be very strong with this team and expect this team to perform at a high level ... I'm not backing off on that, I ain't backing on that - very high standards stay.

"And if that puts pressure back on me, so be it ... but I ain't backing off."

Craig described the loss as worse than Adelaide's 96-point flogging by Melbourne three weeks ago.

"We don't really understand, as a group, what creates success," he said.

"I thought we played today as if it was just going to happen, that is how it looked to me, and that is a very immature approach."

The Crows were in control when skipping to a two-goal lead at quarter-time.

But Brisbane then booted 13 goals to three in a commanding period which laid the platform for consecutive victories.

Inspired by roaming utility Mitch Clark (24 disposals, eight marks, two goals) and a special from prime mover Simon Black (32 touches), the Lions cracked open the game in the second term courtesy of an Ashley McGrath cameo.

McGrath kicked three goals and set up another in a 17 minute spree which changed the tune of the match.

McGrath ultimately finished with four goals and fellow small forward Todd Banfield kicked three as the Lions buried some of the pain from seven straight losses to start their season.

Brisbane prevailed despite captain Jonathon Brown, in his second game back from an eight-week facial injury lay-off, not kicking a goal.

"Maybe if there has been a benefit of the fact that Browny hasn't been around, it means we have had to find goals from everyone else," said Brisbane coach Michael Voss.

"Maybe his absence has let other people grow ... hopefully as a growth in the team, we have seen something."

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker sprained an ankle and was sidelined the second half, ending his woeful week which included criticism for drinking beer at the footy last weekend when out of the Crows side.

Walker is in doubt for Adelaide's away trip to meet North Melbourne next Sunday while the Lions host Sydney on Saturday night.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, sa, adelaide-5000

First posted May 30, 2011 12:23:00