In summary
And that’s me out. Thanks for your company through the course of Australia Sportswatch’s first weekend. We are grateful for all feedback so we can fine tune as we go, so please drop me a line if anything comes to mind and I’ll pass it on to the boss. Until next time. Be well.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
AFL: Essendon pumped the Eagles and North held firm against the Demons before Freo easily accounted for Carlton to end the round.
NRL: Penrith came over the top of a hapless Newcastle, the Roosters did enough to deny the Bulldogs and the Storm went back to the top in a scrappy affair against the Bunnies.
Super Rugby: The Waratahs hopes of a post-season berth remain alive after smashing the Rebels, who are in more trouble than the early settlers.
PLAY OF THE DAY
It’s hard to believe Suliasi Vunivalu is only 21. With wet-weather limiting scoring opportunities in the second stanza, the ledger was stuck at 10-6 for well over half an hour. But with the game to be won the Fijian’s class shone through with a rapid run to the corner. He had to drag a couple of prospective tacklers over the line with him, showing he has the strength to complement speed. Scary.
TODAY’S BIG WINNER
Melbourne Storm carried plenty of baggage into today, with a star again plastered over the back pages for the wrong reasons. And after conceding 38 points in a bad loss last week – the third time they had given up 20+ in a month – there were chinks for all to see.
But we should know better than to question this fighting force. Not a lot about their victory over Souths was enjoyable, but under Bellamy and Smith they know what they need to do and when. The fact that they had to fly from Brisbane to Melbourne then Perth for the match underscores how impressive it was. They’ve earned their trip back to the top of the NRL.
A mention also to the other Victorian team topping the pops: Melbourne Vixens. They needed a win today to regain primacy at the conclusion of the penultimate round of Super Netball, and motored home by 21 goals over Adelaide.
TODAY’S BIG LOSER
West Coast have a Melbourne problem. What is it? Don’t they like coffee? Or music? Or culture? They didn’t like their afternoon at the Docklands, that’s for sure. The Bombers leapt out of the blocks and maintained a ten-goal margin for the bulk of the second half. Joe Daniher was outstanding early for the winners, finishing with five majors.
Earlier generations of Eagles were dominant at home, but always serviceable in Victoria. If this current crop can’t find a way to do likewise, they’ll never truly threaten when it matters.
COMEBACK OF THE DAY
Newcastle was in complete control at half-time, 14-0 at home and looking set to leave the bottom of the NRL ladder. But Penrith had other ideas. Last week the Panthers set records coming back from a 28-6 deficit to overcome the Warriors, so this was a relative doddle. They ended up piling on 30 points in the half and winning by ten to secure consecutive wins for the first time in 2017, keeping their season alive.
IF TODAY WERE A SONG
Going back to Melbourne, the stoush between North and Melbourne was defined by surges of momentum. The Kangaroos kicked six in the first term, so the Dees did the same in the second. Rinse and repeat. So it did, indeed, oscillate wildly.
Updated
Popped this up for the AFL, so only right to give the wires wrap of the NRL round as well, with an updated ladder and the like. Back in a moment to wrap up the day that was.
NRL Rd 11
CRONULLA 18 (S Feki J Maloney C Townsend tries J Maloney 3 goals) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 14 (K Feldt B Hampton A Winterstein tries K Feldt goal) at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 8,557.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 30 (K Faifai Loa 2 T Lafai N MacDonald T Milne J Thompson tries T Lafai 3 goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 14 (C Nicoll-Klokstad 2 B Matulino tries S Johnson goal) at Waikato Stadium. Referee: Henry Perenara, Peter Gough.
BRISBANE 36 (A Glenn J Kahu A Milford T Moga K Nikorima K Sims tries J Kahu 6 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 0 at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Gavin Reynolds, Grant Atkins. Crowd: 21,197.
MANLY 30 (D Walker 2 A Koroisau J Trbojevic A Uate tries M Wright 5 goals) bt GOLD COAST 10 (A Don A Taylor tries A Taylor goal) at Cbus Super Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Adam Gee. Crowd: 12,509.
CANBERRA 22 (B Austin N Cotric J Leilua J Rapana tries J Croker 3 goals) bt PARRAMATTA 16 (M Jennings M Ma’u S Vave tries C Gutherson 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Chris Sutton. Crowd: 10,074.
PENRITH 30 (M Moylan 2 L Latu J Tamou D Watene-Zelezniak tries N Cleary 5 goals) bt NEWCASTLE 20 (B Lamb P Mata’utia D Saifiti tries B Lamb 4 goals) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Referee: Chris James, David Munro. Crowd: 13,319.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 24 (J Friend L Mitchell M Pearce D Tupou tries M Gordon 4 goals) bt CANTERBURY 18 (M Frawley K Holland J Morris tries K Holland 3 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Alan Shortall. Crowd: 15,090.
MELBOURNE 14 (J Addo-Carr W Chambers S Vunivalu tries C Smith goal) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 6 (J Sutton try A Reynolds goal) at nib Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Jon Stone.
LADDER AFTER Rd 11
P W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Melbourne 11 9 0 2 0 238 165 73 18
2 Brisbane 11 8 0 3 0 251 161 90 16
3 Cronulla 11 8 0 3 0 218 146 72 16
4 Sydney Roosters 11 8 0 3 0 236 170 66 16
5 St George Illawarra 11 7 0 4 0 269 183 86 14
6 Manly 11 6 0 5 0 260 203 57 12
7 North Queensland 11 6 0 5 0 213 222 -9 12
8 Canberra 11 5 0 6 0 252 209 43 10
9 Canterbury 11 5 0 6 0 170 198 -28 10
10 Parramatta 11 5 0 6 0 198 236 -38 10
11 Penrith 11 4 0 7 0 222 233 -11 8
12 Gold Coast 11 4 0 7 0 258 292 -34 8
13 South Sydney 11 4 0 7 0 188 247 -59 8
14 NZ Warriors 11 4 0 7 0 188 249 -61 8
15 Wests Tigers 11 3 0 8 0 152 290 -138 6
16 Newcastle 11 2 0 9 0 184 293 -109 4
Top point scorers (tries, goals, field goals, points):
Michael Gordon (Roosters) 5 35 - 90
James Maloney (Sharks) 4 36 2 90
Gareth Widdop (Dragons) 6 31 1 87
Nathan Cleary (Panthers) 2 39 - 86
Clinton Gutherson (Eels) 6 29 - 82
Jordan Kahu (Broncos) 4 32 2 82
Dylan Walker (Sea Eagles) 6 28 - 80
Jarrod Croker (Raiders) 4 28 - 72
Cameron Smith (Storm) - 35 - 70
Mitchell Moses (Tigers) 3 28 - 68
Top try scorers:
Jordan Rapana (Raiders) 9
Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm) 9
Joshua Addo-Carr (Storm) 8
David Fusitua (NZ Warriors) 8
James Roberts (Broncos) 8
Coen Hess (Cowboys) 8
Nathan Ross (Knights) 7
Joseph Leilua (Raiders) 7
Latrell Mitchell (Roosters) 7
Akuila Uate (Sea Eagles) 7
Jorge Taufua (Sea Eagles) 7
Sosaia Feki (Sharks) 7
Melbourne Storm 14 def South Sydney 6
A clutch win for the Storm sending them back to the top of the NRL ladder. Not only as it comes the week after a bad loss to the Titans, but because they will be ravaged by Origin duties over the coming period. The second half in the rain was rough and rugged, the only score coming through Vunivalu’s potent run to the corner with five minutes to go to take the score from 14-6 and Melbourne to victory.
Cameron Smith, the Storm skipper, on the telly after the game: “We were pretty embarrassed with how we defended last week,” he said. “We had clear intentions to defend our way to a win, and we did that really well.”
Storm try! That should be the game. Brilliant 50 metre movement and Vunivalu cannot be stopped in his push to the corner. Souths a long way off it now given the lack of scoring opportunities. His ninth try of the season. Cameron Smith misses to the right, so it’s 14-6.
Rabbitoh’s have had 60% of the possession, but haven’t converted that to territory gained in this second half. After Melbourne leaked points over the last month, they’ll be very happy with the defensive effort in the second period.
Slam dunk for Vunivalu!#NRLSouthsStorm 6-14 with four minutes to go. #NRL pic.twitter.com/N1SsGVFMR3
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
“It’s becoming a real grind” says the TV call. Evidenced by what looked to be a knock on from Souths close to their line, but Storm had knocked it on first. Messy footy. 10-6 still the score.
Meanwhile, Sam Burgess – who has been their best afield with metres gained – is in the hands of two trainers. But he’s going to play on. Tough lad. Suffered the injury in a tackle where his back was contorted. All rather unpleasant. No ramifications for the Storm.
More party tricks from Souths, this time John Sutton reaching down to pick up the ball with one hand like he’s Anthony Koutoufides. Has to spark something.
That pick up by Sutton!#NRLSouthsStorm #NRL pic.twitter.com/boPq7aLKET
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
Tremendous chase early in the second half! Vunivalu looked GONE, but Alex Johnston somehow tracked him down. Storm’s lead over Souths remains 10-6.
Not many people can chase down Suliasi Vunivalu!#NRLSouthsStorm #NRL pic.twitter.com/AfAj5ZDQ2A
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
From BTL, this from Wheelspinner on the afternoon at the ‘G. Not wrong that there was a lot going on in that second quarter. Frustrating outing for Dees. They must have expected a lot more today. They’re not far away.
“I would never say it cost us the game - Melbourne didn’t play well enough to win - but I never want to see umpiring as bad as that again as long as I live. How is it even possible for a payer to be punched so hard that he has to leave the ground, at a stoppage, right in front of the umpire, and no free kick is paid? How can an umpire award a mark, see the player who took the mark grabbed and thrown to the ground after the whistle has blown, and no 50 metres is paid? These umpires were a disgrace who allowed this game to get totally out of control; it was shocking.”
Fresh from the wires, here’s a fairly comprehensive wrap of the round that was in the AFL.
GEELONG 3.0 8.5 9.5 16.8 (104)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.3 4.3 10.8 12.9 (81)
Goals: Geelong: H Taylor 5 P Dangerfield 4 D Menzel 2 J Selwood M Blicavs S Selwood T Hawkins Z Tuohy. Western Bulldogs: C Smith 2 J Redpath 2 M Wallis 2 T Boyd 2 T Dickson 2 L Webb T Cloke.
Best: Geelong: P Dangerfield S Selwood T Stewart Z Smith Z Tuohy M Duncan. Western Bulldogs: C Daniel M Wallis L Jong E Wood M Adams M Bontempelli.
Injuries: Geelong: N Cockatoo (hamstring) C Guthrie (ill) replaced in selected side by J Murdoch. Western Bulldogs: Nil.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Scott Jeffery, Shane McInerney, Nathan Williamson.
Venue: Simonds Stadium.
SYDNEY 4.2 7.3 12.8 18.10 (118)
ST KILDA 3.2 5.4 7.5 10.8 (68)
Goals: Sydney: L Franklin 4 D Hannebery 2 H Cunningham 2 T Papley 2 D Towers G Hewett G Rohan J Kennedy K Tippett N Newman S Reid W Hayward. St Kilda: N Riewoldt 3 J Gresham 2 T Membrey 2 B Acres D Roberton P McCartin.
Best: Sydney: D Hannebery J Kennedy J Lloyd N Newman N Smith H Grundy L Melican. St Kilda: J Billings J Steven B Acres S Ross S Gilbert J Geary.
Injuries: Sydney: H Cunningham (foot). St Kilda: J Newnes (concussion).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Jacob Mollison, Andrew Mitchell.
Official Crowd: 29,778 at Etihad Stadium.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.2 4.5 6.9 11.12 (78)
RICHMOND 6.3 7.8 10.10 10.15 (75)
Goals: Greater Western Sydney: J Cameron 3 S Reid 2 M De Boer R Lobb T Greene T Scully T Taranto Z Williams. Richmond: C Menadue 2 J Castagna 2 J Riewoldt 2 T Cotchin 2 S Grigg S Lloyd.
Best: Greater Western Sydney: L Whitfield J Kelly D Shiel T Scully N Wilson. Richmond: A Rance S Grigg D Martin T Cotchin.
Injuries: Greater Western Sydney: R Lobb (groin). Richmond: J Caddy (groin) replaced in selected side by A Miles.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Justin Schmitt, Robert Findlay, Leigh Fisher.
Official Crowd: 10,677 at Spotless Stadium.
COLLINGWOOD 0.1 4.6 9.11 13.12 (90)
HAWTHORN 6.1 10.4 10.5 11.6 (72)
Goals: Collingwood: J Elliott 3 D Moore 2 A Treloar B Maynard J Crisp J Howe J Smith L Greenwood S Pendlebury S Sidebottom. Hawthorn: J Sicily 3 L Breust 3 P Puopolo 2 B McEvoy L Shiels T Vickery.
Best: Collingwood: S Pendlebury A Treloar D Moore T Adams T Goldsack J Howe. Hawthorn: T Mitchell L Shiels L Hodge P Puopolo.
Injuries: Collingwood: J Aish (cheekbone). Hawthorn: K Brand (illness) and T O’Brien (hip) late withdrawls, replaced by K Heatherly and J Sicily.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Brett Rosebury, Robert O’Gorman.
Official Crowd: 54,252 at MCG.
ADELAIDE 3.3 10.5 17.9 21.14 (140)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.6 4.11 5.12 7.18 (60)
Goals: Adelaide: C Cameron 4 E Betts 3 H Greenwood 3 T Lynch 3 T Walker 3 A Otten 2 B Crouch J Gallucci W Milera. Brisbane Lions: D Zorko 2 J Barrett 2 H McCluggage J Walker M Hammelmann.
Best: Adelaide: T Lynch R Laird R Sloane C Cameron E Betts. Brisbane Lions: D Beams D Rich D Zorko.
Injuries: Adelaide: C Hampton (ankle). Brisbane Lions: C Beams (hamstring).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Chris Kamolins, David Harris, Curtis Deboy.
Official Crowd: 13,802 at Gabba.
ESSENDON 5.2 12.8 16.10 19.11 (125)
WEST COAST 2.4 3.7 5.13 8.16 (64)
Goals: Essendon: J Daniher 5 O Fantasia 3 A McDonald-Tipungwuti 2 C Hooker 2 J Green 2 D Parish J Stewart M Dea M Leuenberger T Colyer. West Coast: J Kennedy 4 J Darling 2 N Vardy 2.
Best: Essendon: M Hurley Z Merrett J Daniher D Zaharakis D Heppell J Watson T Colyer. West Coast: J Kennedy S Mitchell L Shuey M Priddis.
Injuries: Nil.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Shaun Ryan, Simon Meredith, Eleni Glouftsis.
Official Crowd: 36,403 at Etihad Stadium.
NORTH MELBOURNE 6.7 8.9 12.13 15.14 (104)
MELBOURNE 2.5 8.7 9.9 13.12 (90)
Goals: North Melbourne: B Brown 5 M Wood 3 T Garner 2 B Cunnington J Ziebell L McDonald M Williams S Higgins. Melbourne: M Hannan 3 C Pedersen 2 C Oliver C Salem D Kent J Lewis J Viney N Jetta N Jones S Frost.
Best: North Melbourne: B Brown B Cunnington M Wood R Tarrant S Thompson T Goldstein K Turner. Melbourne: M Hibberd S Frost N Jones J Viney B Vince T McDonald C Pedersen.
Umpires: Sam Hay, Mathew Nicholls, Brendan Hosking.
Official Crowd: 33,218 at MCG.
FREMANTLE 1.2 5.4 10.7 13.8 (86)
CARLTON 4.4 5.6 6.9 7.9 (51)
Goals: Fremantle: H Crozier 3 M Walters 3 B Hill 2 S Kersten 2 C McCarthy L Neale M Taberner. Carlton: L Casboult 2 B Gibbs D Thomas M Murphy S Docherty Z Fisher.
Umpires: Jeff Dalgleish, Ray Chamberlain, Nicholas Foot.
Official Crowd: 30,313 at Domain Stadium.
Bye - Port Adelaide, Gold Coast
LADDER AFTER ROUND 9
P W L D For Agst PC Pts
Adelaide 9 7 2 - 1098 813 135.1 28
Greater Western Sydney 9 7 2 - 917 771 118.9 28
Geelong 9 6 3 - 987 839 117.6 24
West Coast 9 6 3 - 816 791 103.2 24
Fremantle 9 6 3 - 727 802 90.6 24
Port Adelaide 8 5 3 - 903 599 150.8 20
Richmond 9 5 4 - 798 746 107.0 20
Western Bulldogs 9 5 4 - 789 761 103.7 20
St Kilda 9 5 4 - 842 817 103.1 20
Essendon 9 5 4 - 845 852 99.2 20
Melbourne 9 4 5 - 882 812 108.6 16
Sydney 9 3 6 - 827 820 100.8 12
Collingwood 9 3 6 - 735 778 94.5 12
North Melbourne 9 3 6 - 853 903 94.5 12
Gold Coast 8 3 5 - 743 862 86.2 12
Carlton 9 3 6 - 632 810 78.0 12
Hawthorn 9 3 6 - 740 963 76.8 12
Brisbane Lions 9 1 8 - 698 1093 63.9 4
LEADING GOALKICKERS
31: J Kennedy (West Coast) 4, J Cameron (GWS) 3
28: E Betts (Adelaide) 3
27: L Franklin (Sydney) 4, T Hawkins (Geelong) 1
26: B Brown (Nth Melb) 5, J Daniher (Essendon) 5
25: J Riewoldt (Richmond) 2
24: T Walker (Adelaide) 3
22: O Fantasia (Essendon)
Righto. AFL, done. Rugby, done. Netball, done. Supercars, well they got a mention. That leaves the final half of the last NRL game – the Storm leading the Bunnies 10-6 – and somehow delivering on my promise to get some badminton into the blog. Stand by.
Fremantle 13.12.90 def Carlton 7.9.51
Matt Tabenar held in the square, grabbing final goal for Freo moments before the siren. They get the win by 35 points, comprehensively outplaying the hard-held Blues in the second half. That’s six wins for Freo in seven starts, now up to fifth and one game off top spot. Cop that. After such a shambolic 2016 it is easy to forget how good they were in 2015. In a season without a clear flag favourite… who knows?
Fremantle is one game off top spot. Dear lord.
— Ethan (@ethan_meldrum) May 21, 2017
Storm are over the line a second time in Perth! Required video confirmation, but they won’t mind that. 10-6 the lead nearing the half.
Vision of the @storm Try Decision in the 24th minute of #NRLSouthsStorm.#NRL pic.twitter.com/CifOYks4Z2
— NRL Bunker (@NRLBunker) May 21, 2017
Oh that hurts. Moments after getting on the board in the final term, after plenty of hard work, Carlton turn the ball over and Fremantle race it down the other end. Three-Time Premiership Hero Brad Hill takes an uncontested mark and nails the set shot. The Fremantle lead is out to 22 and they are well on their way to six wins in seven starts.
Pouring rain at Subiaco. Pleased to see this, even if it makes a Carlton comeback unlikely with the margin still 22 points well into the final quarter now. Get this: Freo are 16th for attack and Carlton are the lowest scoring side in the comp. Scrap! Scrap! Scrap!
Another stat I saw pre-game was that Carlton have dished off the least handballs in the comp through 2017. What ever would Barrass and Teddy Hopkins think?
Carlton aren’t giving up here though. Docherty nails a long goal in the wet. Has a huge bandage around his head as well, further establishing this fixture’s old-school cred. Dockers by 16.
Updated
We’re ten minutes into the final NRL fixture of the round as well. It’s over in Perth, where twelfth placed South Sydney host an annual fixture, against the Storm, who are third on the ladder but battling of late on and off the park.
The storm lost 38-36 to Cowboys last week in a performance defined by sloppy defence. They’ve now conceded 20 or more points three of the last four weeks. Not very Melbourne Storm, that. But it’s been nearly two years since they have lost two on the bounce.
They also go into the game with star Jesse Bromwich across the papers apologising for his cocaine scandal after the Anzac Test. He sits out today though, the second of a two-week sanction from the club. Two weeks for getting done for coke? Draw your own conclusions.
Souths had their most impressive outing of 2017 last week, smashing Wests 28-8. It should fuel them with confidence that they can get over the line after falling short against Melbourne by a converted try or less in each of their last three matches.
Early on, they have a try apiece.
After Mundy’s post-siren winner to break Richmond’s heart, Fremantle are hosting Carlton having won five of their last six and back in business. With three of those by less than a kick. That’s poise under pressure. But the evidence from this third quarter suggests it won’t be another close finish here, Freo turning for home 22 points in front, piling on four goals to one in the term, three after the 22-minute mark. That hurts. Including this gem.
Shane Kersten with some fancy footwork. #AFLFreoBlues pic.twitter.com/ifUmcWmFhp
— AFL (@AFL) May 21, 2017
NSW Waratahs 50 def Melbourne Rebels 23
The Tahs did what they needed to at the SFS against the battling Rebels and as a result, can still make the Super Rugby post-season. A couple of tries from fullback Israel Forlau helped run up the big score, earning a vital bonus point for their efforts. It was a scrappy start for the hosts, conceding seven penalties on the trot to begin, but upon finding their groove they were destined to overwhelm Melbourne.
Sydney Roosters 24, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18
It’s all over at the Olympic Stadium, the Roosters holding off the fast-finishing Bulldogs to force their way back into the top four. If the Storm get done later on, they’ll be third at the end of the round. Mitchell Peace put on a clinic at half-back, scoring the winning try in the 76th minute. Timely form ahead of Origin selection as well.
Of note is Latrell Mitchell’s injury. The 19-year-old centre was making his own Origin case with involvement in two first-half tries before hurting his sternum.
Updated
North Melbourne 15.14.104 def Melbourne 13.12.90
North have 16th win in a row over Melbourne. They also have three of their last four for season 2017. Melbourne were everywhere for the early portion of the final term, clawing the margin back to within a kick after turning at the final change 22 in deficit. But North steadied and the Dees were spent. For Melbourne, they have again let themselves down in a fixture where they were in favourites. It’s hard to make the case that they’re ready for September football with that in mind. And one of the longest streaks in footy remains, 11 years since they last got to sing the song in victory against the Shinboners. I love stuff like that. For instance, did you know that the last time Carlton beat Hawthorn youtube was a week old?
Okay, that’s it from Melbourne. We’ll shortly pick up the Fremantle v Carlton game to finish the round. Half time just about done with there, the visitors leading by two points. Low scoring (36-34) as anticipated.
Luke McDonald with what will be the winner for North! There’s been nothing pretty about North’s resistance in this final stanza, but it has been so impressive. When you consider how poor they were last week and that 2017 is essentially a write-off for them already far as finals are concerned. Ben Brown ends up with a set shot with 2:30 on the clock, with his run up, 30 extra seconds are taken off the clock by the time he delivers to the goal mouth. It finds the hands of a teammate. That’ll do it.
Mitchell Pearce again! Crucial in the first half, and he has crossed again for what will surely be the winning try. His Roosters are six points up with two minutes to go.
👏#NRLBulldogsRoosters #NRL pic.twitter.com/BGN8QVzAVW
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
North! Where did these goals? Two minutes after the Lewis major Taylor Garner converted after a quick entry inside 50. After five fierce minutes, after Melbourne got one back, Mason Wood snapped truly for the second time today to make the lead back to 8. They’re on the cusp of making it 16 wins on the trot against the Demons. But still time if they’re good enough, six minutes remain.
Updated
The Tahs have it completely under control at the SFS, extending their advantage through the course of the second half, leading 43-23 inside the final five minutes. The Rebels ending their dreadful week just as it started.
JORDIE! Oh, I can’t help but get excited there. The four-time HFC Premiership Hero gets himself a set shot where the 50 meets the boundary line in the Southern Stand pocket kicking to Punt Road. That methodical approach, smooth and sound, perfect contact, slotting it home to put them two points behind half way through the final quarter. But they have the run, there is no doubt about that, doubling North’s inside 50s this term. And four of the last five goals in this match.
We also have a thriller at the Olympic Stadium! 14 minutes to go, it’s the Roosters leading the Bulldogs 20-18. Rapid Bulldogs try by Frawley (then converted) to narrowed the margin.
Through the hands!#NRLBulldogsRoosters #NRL pic.twitter.com/iZ9DRZ1b7J
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
Brilliant finish! It’s Oliver for Melbourne’s second of the quarter and we are back to a ten-point game! Frost won the contest at half-forward, roved the pack and put the handpass through. Oliver off two steps drains it from 52. Even the most MCC of all would’ve been forced to throw the rugs off their laps to stand up and roar that one home.
I promised Supercars earlier, didn’t I? Okay, quickly. Shane Van Gisbergen has won the 200km race at Winton in Victoria, knocking off Jamie Whincup who got up in race one yesterday. That’s a one-two for Red Bull. Do people still bring Holden and Ford flags to this? Does anyone else remember when Nissan intervened in the early 90s and won everything before they got banned, or something like that? Is Mark Skaife still a big deal? More questions than answers. But at least you know who won.
Drama on the siren. In short: Bugg gets a shot from the identical angle to the one he missed minutes before, albeit another 10m closer. And he’s missed again! Great grab too, albeit one that probably had a hand in there from a teammate. All told, it’s a four-goals-to-one quarter for North, who stretched their lead from two points to 22. Melbourne had plenty of play to finish off there and really should be within a couple of kicks. We’ve got to be some chance of a grandstand finish.
Just saw an ad on Fox Footy where Dermie is wearing a full white suit and a white tie talking about snotting blokes. What is happening? Please stop doing things like this.
Ben Brown is held off the contest and gets himself a free kick within range. The run-up is worth every step as he splits the big ones to ensure North hit right back. Down the other end again, Tomas Bugg gets himself a shot, no more than 30m out. Misses to the far side. A contrast in the way he went about it to Brown, a stuttering approach and unconvincing strike. Bad kicking, bad football and all that. North by 23, couple minutes left in the quarter.
Higgins misses two set shots, one easier than the other, much to the enjoyment of Melbourne fans who have really enjoyed giving him grief on and off the park this afternoon. But the chances keep coming.
Saying that, from the behind Melbourne work the ball forward and finally break through. Nice grab at half forward, through to Jetta, who plays on and kicks the Demons’ first of the half with six minutes left on the clock in the third.
Hamish McLaughlin on the call: “You wonder if the Shaun Higgins misses will come back to haunt them.” He has 1.4 for the afternoon. As Malcolm Blight would say... Football Gods.
Back at the Cricket Ground, Ben Brown kicks his fourth form a set shot, their third on the trot to begin the half. He has a longer run-up than Merv Hughes. Oh, that reminds me, here’s a very enjoyable piece about long run-ups if that’s your bag. It certainly is mine.
It’s the Shinboners by 22 and they’re dominant at the moment, pretty much the entire 12 minutes of this term being played in their attacking 50. The TV informs me that 10 Melbourne players haven’t had a touch so far in the quarter.
Updated
Melbourne Vixens 71 def Adelaide Thunderbirds 50
And some final thoughts from the Super Netball at Showcourt One where the Vixens did it in a canter over the battling Thunderbirds. Claire Daly from The Net Effect has kindly looked after me through the course of the afternoon with her updates. Here is her final recap.
And just like that, the Vixens have restored their position at the top of the ladder. They have taken out a 21-goal win over the Thunderbirds to nab one of the highest scores of the Super Netball competition so far. Emily Mannix has taken home the Player of the Match for her stunning effort today. A quiet achiever of the season, she held her own against the various shooting combinations the Thunderbirds tried out and delivered several turnovers for her side. In her post-match interview, Erin Bell noted she had ‘been searching for [her] own personal consistency all season’. While she may have had a stronger game today, in her own words, ‘you’re never happy when you lose by 21 goals’. Vixens captain Kate Maloney admitted her side didn’t have the start they were hoping for, but was happy with her team’s ability to recover. Maloney said that it was a pre-season goal of the Vixens to ‘be the hardest working team’ in the league – a title they can certainly own tonight. As a final note, it is the Vixen’s 10-year anniversary today. As the only ‘original’ state team in the Super Netball with a shot at the finals, they have both a legacy and a future to celebrate.
Updated
Around the grounds to the rugby codes. First the NRL, where the video ref has had a fair work out by the looks, ruling one Roosters try in and another out. They jump out to a 20-6 lead at the half though, Mitchell Pearce orchestrating a third crossing before the interval. Plenty of chat that he should be the NSW starting half-back for Origin.
Sticking in Sydney at the Football Stadium (proper ground names forever, commercial tags never) Israel Forlau is put through for a try just on the cusp of half time, giving the Waratahs a 24-11 lead over the Rebels at the break.
It was a rapid end to the half of footy at the ‘G. North kicking 6 to 2 in the opening term, the Dees flipping that in the second stanza, including the last three. They’re still targeting Shaun Higgins around the ball, North captain on the telly saying they need to “do a better job” of helping him out after the breather. Mitch Hannan has three of those Melbourne majors. Most of the highlights are blokes hitting each other or trying to hit each other or pretending they have been hit.
It’s been a really good game of footy, let’s take nothing away from it. For all that, the main talking point on the world world web is the North banner from before the game. They let Brent Harvey write the message. Events speak for themselves sometimes, don’t they?
"Boomer's given himself a bit of a pump-up!" #AFLDeesNorth pic.twitter.com/U6vsoY1cfA
— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) May 21, 2017
Half time in the footy, I’ll be back with this in a tic. But for now: we have a result in the netball, the Vixens running away with it in the end. Top of the league, ‘avin’ a larf.
Oooft. @MelbourneVixens beat @AdelaideTBirds by 21. 71-50 the final score - quite a turnaround from the first half. #VIXvTHU @collinsadam
— Claire Daly (@Daly_CE) May 21, 2017
They go upstairs to confirm that Friend crossed the line in keeping with the rules for the Roosters, their second try. And it is converted. 12-6 their lead over the Bulldogs after 18 minutes at the Olympic Stadium. Decide for yourself.
Vision of the @sydneyroosters Try decision in the 15th minute of #NRLBulldogsRoosters.#NRL pic.twitter.com/yBkAdFjvdk
— NRL Bunker (@NRLBunker) May 21, 2017
Vixens in cruise control now at Melbourne Park, at three-quarter time leading 50-38. If they can close this out they’ll be top of the table heading into next weekend’s Super Netball final round. Thanks again to Claire Daly for her updates.
The Adelaide side again swapped their shooting combo, with Glasgow coming back on to replace Bailey. The frequent shuffling of players has been one of the criticisms levelled at the Thunderbirds this season, though it’s hard to know what else they can do at this stage when their combinations clearly aren’t working. Emily Mannix has a fantastic quarter, with several circle intercepts (most devastatingly, most of which saw an end to Thunderbirds’ attempts to convert turnovers). Tegan Philip still looking a little out of sorts, but Kumwenda is more than making up for it with one of her strongest games of the season. And that’s saying something.
Super Ruggers! I think they call this a ‘derby’ between Melbourne and NSW, or the Rebels and Tahs as they prefer. The backdrop is the southerly side’s shocking season, having won just one game in ten starts. During the week the ARU tried to buy the club with a view to shutting it down as part of the competition’s aim to lose as Australian side.
The club, naturally, said no being purchased/eliminated. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
The Waratahs have won 10 of their last 12 between the two, but have lost their last four games at home – where today’s fixture is taking place, the Sydney Football Stadium.
16 minutes in, they have a try each.
Phwoar! It’s firing up at the MCG! Melbourne have kicked the last three and it is game on, North’s lead narrowing to nine. But it’s the niggle that have the crowd up and about, Bernie Vince copping a punch to the guts from Cunnington! Vince tried to take his head off before the whack. He’ll get a week for that. It stems from a stoush in the first term where Higgins was involved in a clip off the ball as well with Oliver. Vince gave Higgins plenty of attention following that. All happening.
Oh and an utterly superb set-shot snap from 40m by Mason Wood running from the MCC pocket. Higgins now lands a set shot and gives it the big ones at the opposing number Vince! Good stuff, this. They lead by 21.
@collinsadam this is how i imagine your working environment pic.twitter.com/Wl5SeZraUv
— phil withall (@phil_withall) May 21, 2017
Half-time in the Super Netball, the Vixens just doing enough. Thanks again to Claire Daly from The Net Effect.
Vixens have extended their lead over the Thunderbirds, 34-29 at half time. Adelaide is certainly making them work for it though. Glasgow was pulled off this quarter, with Karyn Bailey moving into GS and Erin Bell coming out to GA. An interesting choice given the strong shooting for Adelaide, but perhaps Dan Ryan saw momentum starting to slip and made the call. Overall, the Thunderbirds’ attacking play has been patient, smooth and quite confident. Emily Mannix and Jo Weston are working well in the circle together, but it’s the intensity in the Vixens’ centrecourt players – particularly captain Kate Moloney and Liz Watson – that is helping the Vixens whisk any turnovers down to Philip and Kumwenda quickly. On that note – some classic aerial play from Kumwenda this quarter. Exhilarating to watch as always!
Penrith 30 def Newcastle 20
30-20 the final score at Newcastle. What a mess for the hosts, going down after taking a 14-0 lead to the break. Penrith go into the bye with back to back wins for the first time this season, keeping their season vaguely alive. They face the Bulldogs after that.
Next up on NRL Sunday are the Bulldogs, up against their traditional rivals the Roosters at Olympic Stadium - 9th v 5th respectively. Sydney got over the line by four points when they last played in round two and had a big 48-10 win last week against Parra. An unchanged team too – nothing better in footy at this point of the season.
The Bulldogs had a shocker last week, beaten by the Cowboys sans Thurstons. Surely they’ll bounce back to continue their consistently inconsistent season, in and out of the eight.
Hear from @sydneyroosters coach Trent Robinson in the lead up to #NRLBulldogsRoosters.#NRL pic.twitter.com/8AT9RX6WgX
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
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Big issues for Melbourne, North have already had 13 shots on goal (6.7). But we should have expected this. North have knocked off Melbourne the last 15 times they have played, dating back to 2006. For a reference point: it came during the same month that John Howard was suggesting Big Brother should be taken off air. Feel old?
North are dominating the hit outs via Goldstein, who kicked five last time the teams met in a Bellerive Oval shoot-out in round three last year. Both sides had shots to win the game late. Cracking game of footy. Melbourne, without a recognised ruckman at the moment, are trailing the hit-outs early 20-4.
The Demons had their best win last week, coming back from a slow start to run over Adelaide by 41 points. They are legit favs today, North stinking it up so far in 2017. They were especially bad last week, Sydney flogging them by seven goals. But they have Waite back from suspension. That’ll help as they like hoofing it like into the 50. They’re 26 points to the good at the first break.
Essendon 19.11.125 def WCE 8.16.64
Siren at Docklands! Essendon complete a superb home win against the Eagles by 61 points. “A really well balanced outfit,” Brereton says of the Dons. “It could just be a defining moment in their season,” adds Sandy Roberts. With Dreamtime at the ‘G next weekend coming up. And they’re giving their jackets and scarves a bit of a wave, as is the custom.
Okay enough of this, time to move across town to the ‘G for North and the Dees. Late in the first term, North are already three goals clear. Ominous signs for Melbourne. There’s a bit of history to this fixture that I’ll come to in a tic. Check this out. Tekkers.
Magnificent tap from Goldstein who puts it on a silver platter for Cunnington. #AFLDeesNorth pic.twitter.com/k2XMGWPR0v
— AFL (@AFL) May 21, 2017
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Penrith hit the lead in Newcastle! They came from the clouds to get over the line last week after trailing NZ 28-6 at the half. There are worse party tricks to have. Meanwhile, this could this be the fifth (!) time the Knights have blown a half-time lead in 2017. If so, they’ll be where they belong at the bottom of the ladder ahead of the Origin disruption.
And as I type, another! They’re just about home here.
The comeback continues for the @PenrithPanthers.#NRLKnightsPanthers 14-24 with 10 minutes remaining.#NRL pic.twitter.com/cFAatJ47st
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
Another open goal for Essendon via a shocking pass across goal intercepted by Leunberger, the big man also electing to boot it well into the crowd. Fair enough, too. Good times to be red and black.
It’s quarter time at the Super Netball. Thunderbirds with only pride to play for at the bottom of the table, but accounting well for themselves early. This again from The Net Effect’s Claire Daly:
Vixens lead 17-16 at the end of the first quarter. An impressive start from the Thunderbirds – it was always going to be crucial for them to not allow an early lead to the home side. Phenomenal stats from their goalers, with Bell on 10/10 and Glasgow on 6/6, while there have been a few rare misses from Philip and Kumwenda. There has been some strong defensive centrecourt action for the Vixens, with Liz Watson taking a blinder of an intercept. It’s early days but it looks like we have a good game on our hands.
A quick shout out for the badminton I promised earlier, before we end up with three games of footy and a Super Netball game running at the same time. Here is what I learned yesterday.
The Sudirman Cup kicks off today, the World Mixed Team Champs. It is going on at the new courts at the Gold Coast sport and leisure centre, which will host the event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
1500 players from 160 countries (!) are in town, including from the biggest badminton nations: Korea, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Denmark, India and China. The Gold Coast Mayor identifies as a “badminton enthusiast”. Sure sounds it.
That’s all I have got now. But standby for some live action at one of the half-time breaks elsewhere.
Updated
Penrith back in this at Newcastle! Two converted tries to start their second half push. Ample time.
Here come the @PenrithPanthers!
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
Game on.#NRLKnightsPanthers 14-12 after 54 minutes.#NRL pic.twitter.com/0aZt4qmprS
Brilliant end to end stuff from the Bombers, Hurley generates a turnover down back and it is down the other end a matter of seconds. Joe Daniher get it over the back, runs into an open goal and kicks it into the third tier. He’s only kicked six in a game once before, and has plenty of time to set a new PB with 14 minutes to go. Essendon’s lead is back to ten goals. That’s a proper percentage booster.
We’re also away in the Super Netball down at Melbourne Park. Showcourt One, to be precise.
To make sure we are all over that, pleased to say that Claire Daly of The Net Effect will be dropping into the blog at regular intervals. Here are her pre-game thoughts and I’m grateful for them. In short: if the Vixens win, they’ll be top of the pops at the conclusion of this penultimate home and away round.
This time last week, Vixens were sitting top of the ladder. Now they’re sitting third. Their top-four status is unlikely to change after today’s match against the consistently bottom-of-ladder Thunderbirds, but they’ll want to show a return to the strong form they’ve carried for most of the season. You can bet it would have been a hard of week of training following Vixens’ loss to the NSW Giants last week. They’ll be looking to rebuild their confidence today – particularly Tegan Philip, who had an uncharacteriscally poor game in Round 12 despite her otherwise outstanding form this competition. With only one win to their name, the Thunderbirds will at best be hoping for minimal unforced errors and some better individual performances from their top players. Captain Erin Bell’s inconsistency saw coach Dan Ryan benching her in the final quarter on Round 12. The Adelaide players know they’re all on notice for re-selection next year and the pressure will be on for their penultimate game today.
Half time in Newcastle with the hosts getting the job done, ahead of the Panthers 14-0. I’ll pop that on for the second half as the result at Docklands is very much sorted. The Knights are bottom of the ladder, but got over Canberra last week - their first win since Round 2. Stringing two wins together on the spin wouldn’t be for nothing ahead of Origin.
Before leaving though, a superb tackle McKenna chasing down Darling who was close to goal. The home fans love it. It sets up a shot at the other end, Fantasia infringed when taking a strong mark. Goes back from 50m and drills it. 70 points the lead to the Bombers.
Second half underway!#NRLKnightsPanthers #NRL pic.twitter.com/L1AoD3l34S
— NRL (@NRL) May 21, 2017
Another set shot missed by the Eagles, Darling the culprit on this occasion. Dermie on the call responds by jesting that he’s “on the take”. Immediately cleans it up before “the fun police” get on his case. When you’re ‘five-time day, five-time night’ evidence suggests you can say pretty much whatever you want anyway. Excellent ball movement from Colin McKenna through the guts after winning a stoppage at half-back. Gee, they run the ball well. James Stewart gets on the end of it 20m out directly in front and slots it through. 64 points clear.
Josh Kennedy misses from 30m. Poorly, too. They’ve kicked 4.9 so far today. Brilliant to hear Eleni Glouftsis through the effects mic in that passage of play. Today is the first time a woman has served as a field umpire in an AFL fixture. Essendon go down the other end to pocket-rocket Josh Green who takes a strong, leaping grab and converts from 20. Their lead swells to 59.
Historic first centre-bounce by a woman field umpire in senior #AFL game. Welcome Eleni Glouftsis #womeninsport pic.twitter.com/Fw8c6uuVBt
— sam mostyn (@sammostyn) May 21, 2017
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We’re back for the second half at the Docklands. The winning side still wave their scarves at the end of these clashes, don’t they? I shouldn’t begrudge that given the origin is from the 1993 season, scientifically proven as the greatest of them all. West Coast have the first of the second half, a nice finish from 50 from Jack Darling after taking the mark on the lead. Dons by 48.
Dons thrashing Eagles.
Allow me a few minutes to get my act together. As a London local for the cricket summers, I’ve crossed town to Guardian Towers at 4:30am to be with you. Watching the punters streaming out of nightclubs chewing on hotdogs, I can’t deny a shot of envy. I’m quite good value at 4:30am out front of a nightclub, you know.
At Docklands, the Dons are flogging the Eagles, 55 points clear at half-time. Joe Daniher has slotted four. Didn’t expect that. Probably should have, though. The visitors really dislike Melbourne. What’s wrong with them?
Preamble
A good afternoon to you all for edition two of Guardian Australia’s Sportswatch Live! Adam Collins here and I’m quite looking forward to nursing you through the final blessed hours of another packed weekend of action across our big brown land.
To get a flavour for how this will work, take a skim through Geoff Lemon’s work on the debut blog yesterday. Predictably, he’s set a high bar. His description of the Richmond capitulation was especially tasty. In short: if it’s happening, and it matters, it’ll feature. Track the scores, have your say, sack your coach. Do it all here with me.
On today’s list: AFL, NRL, Super Rugby, Super Netball, Supercars, badminton. Yeah, badminton. Did you know it is world’s second most popular sport? I didn’t until I read the media release revving up the World Mixed Team Championships beginning today on the Gold Coast. So you better bloody believe I’ll be on it.
But mostly, at this time of year, it’s got to be the footy, doesn’t it? We’re already well into the Dons and the Eagles at Docklands where we’ll find out if the visitors can maintain their swell form. But they’ll have to do it in Victoria, so often a hurdle for them of late.
In an hour, the Demons get the chance to prove their worth as frontrunners after a wonderful come from behind triumph over Adelaide last Saturday night. But they haven’t knocked North - their opponents today - since the Mesolithic Period. This is a big day for the young Melbourne side.
The late start takes us across the Nullabour as Fremantle strive to make it six from their last seven in what promises to be a miserly scrap against Carlton, if the form of either is anything to go by in season 2017. I hope it rains to really play up that element. Old fashioned.
We’ll stay in Perth for the NRL’s Sunday Night round-closer, the Bunnies hosting the Storm in their annual westerly fixture. Melbourne haven’t lost two on the bounce for a couple of years and are still missing gun Jesse Bromwich for being filmed snorting coke off a phone.
No comment. Absolutely no comment.
Meanwhile, Souths were brilliant over Wests last week, so no better time to overcome the block they have with Craig Bellamy’s mob, falling short by fewer than six points short in each of their last three games. That’ll be the feature game in our after-dark Sportswatch coverage.
Earlier, down the bottom end of the ladder at Newcastle, one of the Knights or Panthers will finally string two wins together for the first time this season leading into the Origin break. Neither look finals bound, but that will matter little.
At 4pm two sides who do have post-season aspirations, traditional rivals Canterbury and Sydney, duke it out at the Olympic Stadium. The former are due if their staccato season is anything to go by, while the Roosters need to capitalise on their own big win last week.
In Super Rugby, the last game to complete the round kicks off at the Sydney Football Stadium just after 4pm as well, the embattled Rebels travelling up to take on the Waratahs in the backdrop of the ARU trying to shut down the Melbourne club. Not very nice, is it?
The other Super code, netball, completes its penultimate round at 3pm at Melbourne Park. The Vixens have plenty to play for - namely the chance to leap to the top of the ladder at the perfect time of the season - if they can see off the cellar-dwelling Thunderbirds.
Day two of Supercar action at Linton is already underway, as is the badminton. Did I mention I’ll be covering the badminton? Good. And that, my friends, will be your fill.
In the best traditions of Guardian blogs, we should do this together. How you ask? Well, there’s the email for your considered views: adam.collins.freelance@theguardian.com. As readers of my cricket OBOs have heard before, it is an address gives away both my name and that if you want to pay me money for words, I’ll do it. For anyone. Hire me.
Then shorter takes both hot and cold, don’t be shy at tweeting me maniacally. @collinsadam will work for that. If you’re feeling especially risqué, the comments are open Below the Line as well. I’ll get down and dirty beneath the divide if you will too. What else. Want my number? Happy to send you my number. You get the picture. I want you to talk to me.
So then. Shall we?
Adam will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s how Geoff Lemon saw yesterday’s action:
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