Summary
Another action-packed blockbuster of a Saturday Sportwatch - scroll back through this blog for all the full-time scores.
Big results in the AFL for Brisbane, West Coast, Sydney and GWS, while in the NRL the Eels and Raiders got home relatively comfortably, and the Sea Eagles stunned the Rabbitohs by one in a gutsy effort.
The Waratahs ended on the wrong side of it by a wafer margin, while the Brumbies did the for 40 minutes against the Crusaders before getting obliterated. The Rebels saving face late on, with a strong win over the Sunwolves.
And in our feature match from the A-League it was a tightly-contested Big Blue, that was jagged in injury-time by a fortuitous goal to Milos Ninkovic, but big concerns for Terry Antonis who suffered a potentially season-ending injury on a patchy SCG pitch.
Thanks for your company - we’ll be back tomorrow to do it all again!
AFL: Brisbane 16.11 (107) defeat Port Adelaide 13.12 (90)
Unluck Koshie, hopefully that doesn’t damage Port’s global following. And hands up - who had “Brisbane start season three games undefeated” in the office sweepstakes?
Six goals from monster tall Eric Hipwood, including three in the opening quarter, led the way for the home side, although Conor Rozee did fire back five for the Power.
It did get lively late on, with the lead changing four times throughout the game, and three times in the final quarter - before Brisbane banged the final four goals of the game to storm home.
Super Rugby: Rebels 42-15 Sunwolves
And the hoodoo is lifted! The Sunwolves dominance over Australian rugby is over, and the Rebels race clear atop the conference.
Three tries to Reece Hodge, with Quade Cooper tidy with a try of his own, 6/6 from the boot, and directing traffic well alongside Will Genia who also crossed for a five-pointer.
The Rebels move well ahead of the Tahs, and just a point shy of the Crusaders on the overall table courtesy the bonus-point win.
AFL: Collingwood 11.10 (76) lose to West Coast 15.8 (98)
It ran away from them in the second quarter, but the Pies only saw the lead extend further towards the end, as the grand final hero Dom Sheed bagged three goals, and the disgraced Andrew Gaff stood tall with 25 disposals and five marks for the Eagles.
Rising Collingwood star Jordan De Goey also with three goals, but it’s a second lose in three weeks for the storied Victorians.
NRL: Parramatta 24-12 Cronulla
I hope you got your tips in because it’s a fair ol’ result that’s come in across town in the NRL. Last year’s wooden spooners have nabbed their third win in four against the fancied Sharks, and in the processing accumulating about half as many points so far as they got all last season.
Bad news for Scott Morrison’s men, who lost playmaker Shaun Johnson pre-game, Josh Dugan to an early failed concussion test, and Aaron Woods to a suspected broken foot late on. Ouch.
A-League: Sydney FC 2-1 Melbourne Victory
And thar she blows! A deflating end to the match for a visiting side that increasingly grew into the match. They only had one shot on target in the first half, but they looked more dangerous in the second, did Victory.
Adding injury to insult, all eyes will now be on the left knee of Terry Antonis. He’s such a potentially crucial player - let’s hope it’s not a season ending injury, picked up innocuously on a frankly sub-standard SCG pitch.
Sydney FC won’t mind if they rode their fortune late on - it’s a big three points, and a result that could prove very crucial at season’s end. The 49th Big Blue concludes - and it’s the Sky Blues with the bragging rights.
Updated
A-League - goal! Sydney FC 2-1 Melbourne Victory (Ninkovic, 90 + 3’)
It’s a sucker punch - but was that karma for the white flag that was beginning to creep up the pole with those late time-wasting subs?
Siem De Jong with a burst down the right, and he fires a cross centrally which is scuffed by the skipper Carl Valeri - and it falls to, uhoh, you know who! Even then, Ninkovic’s strike takes a deflection and wobbles past Acton.
It’s an unfortunate, unlucky goal - but is that the match winner?!
The premiership race could still be alive, as Sydney stand to pull four clear of the Victory, and close Perth’s lead to just three!
90 min: And we’ve five minutes added, due to that Antonis injury.
88 min: And a defensive shuffle for Kevin Muscat as Corey Brown replaces Thomas Deng and ersatz-fullback Leigh Broxham shifts sides.
Is this a sign the Victory supremo is happy with a point? Is not losing to a potential championship rival more important than potentially leapfrogging them on the table into second and keeping the premiership race alive?
And a second sub just a few moments later - it’s Josh Hope on for the goalscorer, Barbarouses.
Updated
84 min: Now it’s Zullo storming down the left, and he’s won his side a corner, but Victory defend it well.
And it’s a fine ball through from Troisi that puts Kamsoba through in the box - it’s from a tight angle, and he neither finds the target, nor a teammate! Big chance for the Victory.
79 min: After a long delay, a corner to Victory, and it’s Antonis’ replacement, the young striker Elvis Kamsoba, who fires a sharp shot at Redmayne.
And in close succession Calver gives away an errant pass, and sends Toivonen through on goal - only the recovering Alex Wilkinson forces the Big Swede wide, and his shot trickles agonisingly past the post!
Are they trying to throw this one away, Sydney? They’ve definitely lost focus in last 5-10 minutes.
Updated
75 min: Just a second yellow card of the game, and it’s Sydney centre back Aaron Calver who slides through the back of Ola Toivonen.
Meanwhile, Terry Antonis has fallen to the ground, without a player within coo-ee. Has he caught himself on the corner of the cricket pitch? If the SCG pitch has caused this Victory have huge grounds for complaint, as Antonis limps to the sideline with an already-swelling left knee.
Disaster this close to the finals, and with key AFC champions league fixtures on the horizon.
73 min: Ooph! A big save from Acton - it was O’Neill with almost a carbon copy of his goal from the first half, but this time the Victory shot-stopper gets down well to tip round the post. Great football all-round!
71 min: It’s a stinging shot from Honda from outside the box - but it strikes a defender! It was a meandering build up from the Victory, with the Japanese dropping very deep during this half, but looking to drift into the play at key moments.
64 min: It’s a double change for the home side, and how about these for subs to bring on - it’s former Ajax and Premier League star Siem De Jong and Iranian international Reza Ghoochannejhad, that come on for Sydney FC, Brosque and Caceres make way.
58 min: A reminder, with Perth facing Central Coast tomorrow, it’s vital for either of these sides if they want to keep their premiership hopes alive to win tonight. They’re six points ahead of Sydney, Perth, and seven ahead of Victory. But cut that to three or four and it could make for a lively last few rounds.
53 min: Some really sharp feet from both sides, dicing in and winning tackles, whilst looking to spark a transition for their respective clubs. Barbarouses runs at the FC backline, but a trailing limb just stops the Kiwi flyer at top speed.
49 min: It’s a good run down the touchline from Anthony Caceres, with the on-loan Manchester City player drawing a foul from James Donachie.
There’s an early tester for Andrew Redmayne, who in fairness hasn’t done much in Sydney’s goal. Bright from both sides after the break.
A-League - second half!
Peeep. And we’re back. Who can etch their name in lights? Who can keep the heat on Perth Glory in the race for the premiership? Or can the team from the West leap ahead with a draw between their only rivals?
Round the grounds: Some updates then from elsewhere. In the NRL, the Eels led the Sharks 12-6 at half-time, but a try shortly after the restart from Sosaia Feki, his second of the match, has the PMs choice sharing it 12-12.
There’s been a big second quarter reversal at the MCG, with the Eagles firing a six-goal quarter to edge ahead of Collingwood by nine, Jamie Cripps the game leader with three majors. It’s tight also at the Gabba, where the Lions lead Power by under two goals at half-time. They’ve led from the third minute, Brisbane, but a goal from Robbie Gray got Port within two at one stage.
And in the Super Rugby, it’s the Rebels leading by 28-15 over the Sunwolves, with around 50 played. It was 28-8 at the break, with Reece Hodge helping himself to two tries. Let’s hope that one doesn’t tighten up any more.
Half-time: Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC with 55% possession and 12 shots at goal - but only a few of those tested Victory’s stand-in ‘keeper, Acton. O’Neill with a scorcher from distance to open the scoring, before Honda fed Barbarouses for the equaliser. One shot on target - one goal. Efficient stuff from the visitors, and it’s a nicely poised match at the break.
41 min: Victory’s big German centre back Georg Niedermeier becomes the first player in the book for a clumsy challenge through the back of Le Fondre. It’s not been a spiteful game (yet), in fairness.
A crucial intervention from the still be-mulleted Rhyan Grant, who stretches to take a cross off the head of Toivonen from about two metres out. He looks like the Last of the Mohicans, Sydney’s left back, and he was definitely the last line of defence there.
Updated
35 min: Good save! Michael Zullo ghosts in at the back post, and the Victory ‘keeper, deputising for regular No 1, Lawrence Thomas, does well to save sharply.
30 min: The home fans finding their voices again as Alex Brosque pivots and spins into the box, but he’s adjudged to be offside.
He was meant to enjoy fewer minutes this season, but with a few injuries he’s still been enjoying as much game time as he ever has, and doesn’t look to bad for it, even at 35, the Sydney FC skipper.
22 min: So after a ropey first five minutes, the visitors are starting to settle, with Honda finding pockets of space between the lines and James Troisi becoming more prominent. Sydney FC are still enjoying the lion’s share of possession, but it’s Victory looking sharper in transition.
A-League - goal! Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory (Barbarouses, 16’)
One chance, one goal! It’s a sublimely weighted through-ball from one of Asia’s all-time greatest. Keisuke Honda threads a ball brilliantly between the two sliding FC defenders, it takes a fortuitous bobble into the stride of Kosta Barbarouses and the prolific Kiwi striker strokes home his 14th of the season!
Updated
13 min: It’s all Sydney at this stage, with the home side enjoying possession and territory, keeping their visitors more or less camped in their own half. A clever cutback for Milos Ninkovic, but he doesn’t trouble ‘keeper Matt Acton with his effort. Nice move in the build up though.
Updated
A-League - goal! Sydney FC 1-0 Melbourne Victory (O’Neill, 6’)
Ay, ay, ay! We’re out of the blocks swiftly, and after an impressive start on what match commentator Andy Harper’s generously called “a patchwork quilt” of an SCG pitch, Sydney FC have their reward!
It’s been a backfoot showing from the visitors, and they left Brandon O’Neill with too much time outside the box, and he’s hit that clean as a whistle! It’s De Laet-esque, it’s Baby Baccus-esque, it’s another rocket from just outside the box - we’ve had three in the A-League this weekend!
Updated
A-League: Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory, kick off!
And there’s the first whistle, it’s Keisuke Honda, it’s Ola Toivonen, it’s Milos Ninkovic, it’s Adam Le Fondre. It’s 2nd plays 3rd - it’s the premiership race on the line - it’s the Big Blue. Are you not entertained??
Around the grounds: And so a quick whizz around before we turn our attention to our feature match tonight from the A-League, the Big Blue between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. In the NRL, the Eels-Sharks game has just kicked off, and it’s an early lead to the home side, courtesy Marata Niukore’s 7th minute try, with fifteen gone there.
In the AFL, Brisbane lead China’s favourite team, Port Adelaide, by 5.2 (32) to 3.2 (20) just in the shadow of quarter time, while in the “Grand Final replay” it’s Collingwood leading West Coast in a low-scoring affair, 3.1 (19) plays 1.2 (8) in that one. And in the Super Rugby, it’s the Rebels up by 7. Game over Sunwolves, the points are in the bag, thanks.
A-League: Newcastle 3-2 Western Sydney
And that’s how it’s ended. A game that burst to life in the second half - although in fairness there was plenty of attacking play in the first, just not much end product.
Decent strikes from O’Donovan, Baccus and the youngster Thurgate, but if you’re the Wanderers goalkeeping coach you’re running the tape over how Janjetovic allowed a Petratos cross to fly in his near post, direct from the corner.
In theory the Jets’ top-six hopes are still alive, even if coach Ernie Merrick officially wrote them off midweek. They’re just five points behind Adelaide United - and a Wellington win in the city of churches tomorrow could make for a lively last three rounds. Never say never?
Super Rugby: Blues 32-29 Waratahs
My oh my - it’s gone right down to the wire. Nursing a three-point lead for what seemed an eternal last five minutes, the home side have defied the Tahs, and gone four straight for the first time in six years!
Folau became the competition’s all-time leading tryscorer, with 60, but it wasn’t enough for the Waratahs, who become the third Australian team to pick up four (or more) losses inside the opening seven weeks.
Can’t wait to see what our resident Guardian union expert Bret Harris makes of all this Monday morning. Let’s hope the Rebels don’t “do a Waratahs” against the Sunwolves later or this really could become a tough night at the office for Aussie rugby fans.
NRL: North Queensland 12-30 Canberra
They came within six at one stage, the Cowboys, but just as they closed the first half in style, the Raiders proved too good at the death, with Jarrod Croker and Jordan Rapana running in late tries to make it comfortable in the end.
A third win of the season, and they jump (temporarily) to fourth on the ladder.
Really nice picture of kicker Croker this, by the way. He’s finished the day with 14 points, although he did miss a couple of tough-ish ones.
That concentration 👀#NRLCowboysRaiders pic.twitter.com/F0qPdkUe2Y
— NRL (@NRL) April 6, 2019
AFL: GWS 19.11 (125) defeat Richmond 10.16 (76)
Wow. Nearly 50 points the difference in the end, as the Giants just steamrolled home over that final quarter.
Dusty, who? GWS employed a tagger on the influential Tigers midfielder and with just fifteen touches and 0.2, you’d have to say it was a raging success.
Cameron finishing with 7.5 and Finlayson joining the party late with five majors of his own - has a shot just been fired across the bow of the entire league? GWS mean business - beware the Giants, bearing Jeremies.
Updated
A-League - goal! Newcastle 3-2 Western Sydney (Thurgate, 82’)
Will the goals ever stop?? Complained nobody ever, at an A-League match. It’s a debut goal for teenage striker Angus Thurgate. He was called the “Pele of Port Macquarie” by the match commentator just minutes earlier, and his ears must have been burning. Only 1000+ league goals to come then!
Is that the winner?! On current form, you’d say.. let’s wait and see.
A-League - goal! Newcastle 2-2 Western Sydney (Baccus, 74’)
Gee whiz - hasn’t this one come to life! Richie De Laet scored one of the most impressive goals from outside the box that we’ve seen all season last night, and Keanu “Baby” Baccus, the newly named A-League Young Player of the Month recipient has fired an absolute tracer bullet!
No chance, Moss. He digs that out of the feet from outside the box and thumps it. And to think this one was 0-0 until the shadow of half-time.
Updated
A-League - goal! Newcastle 2-1 Western Sydney (Petratos, 70’)
“Vedran Janjetovic. Well he should have done better.” Drink!
It’s a remarkable goal, straight from the corner, with Petratos curling in a wicked effort, but he’s caught the Wanderers ‘keeper entirely unawares at his near post, and the forlorn shot-stopper appears to have punched it into his own net! Is that on oggie? Or had the ball already crossed the line? Either way, that’s a coach killer.
A-League - goal! Newcastle 1-1 Western Sydney (O’Donovan, 63’)
And we’re back square in the Hunter, and it’s Roy the boy! A lovely cross from Daniel Georgievski who picks out the striker, unmarked outside the box, and he rifles a strong effort into the onion bag.
Harsh on the Wanderers, this - you’d have to argue they’ve been well on top, so far, no?
AFL - three-quarter-time: GWS 13.10 (88) lead Richmond 9.14 (68)
Some wayward shooting from the Tigers in that third quarter - they came late at the Giants with a string of inside 50s, but just couldn’t manage to make that count on the scoreboard.
Lachie Whitfield running proceedings for the home side, with 30 disposals and an impressive 10 marks, while Cameron is continuing his goalscoring spree, kicking 4.4.
Kane Lambert perhaps the most impressive of the Tigers. Big final quarter here - you’d presume they’d have to score first to mount a comeback.
Super Rugby - half-time: Blues 17-14 Waratahs
It’s a good little tussle over at Eden Park in Auckland, where the historically-maligned Blues are shooting for four-straight wins. A classic tale of two quarters (inside one half, obviously) with the Blues leaping to a 17-0 lead, only to be pegged back shortly before the half. Are the Tahs on track for an “inverse Brumbies” (see earlier)?
Israel Folau and Will Miller the try scorers for the visitors. We’ll keep an eye across this once in the second half - could be a good one.
Updated
NRL - half-time: North Queensland 6-16 Canberra
In their first week of their post-JT life the Cowboys looked pretty solid, thanks to the barnstorming efforts of their other JT, Jason Taumalolo, but it’s been losses since then, and they’re up against it here again.
The Raiders with two tries inside seven minutes, but the pick of the bunch this try from Joseph Leilua shortly before the break:
Leipana!
— NRL (@NRL) April 6, 2019
What a combination 👏#NRLCowboysRaiders#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/Vd260YW8wx
Watch where the tryscorer’s run comes from, and how’s the awareness to pick him out. Lovely stuff.
A-League - half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Western Sydney
But, back to the live action! And it’s the unlikeliest of goalscorers that’s separating the two sides battling for 7th spot on the table. Can you guess who? Absolutely correct - it’s Rashid Mahazi!
He’s made 86 A-League appearances, played over 4,000 minutes across five seasons - and now, after all that, he’s got an A-League goal to his name. Granted, as a defensive midfielder, you haven’t set your stall out on him troubling the net, but that’s still a pretty impressive drought.
So, on the live ladder the Jets stay ahead of the Wanderers on goal difference, but if stays like this both teams end up on 26 points - mathematically still within finals contention - but realistically, absolutely not.
Updated
Matildas: At risk of labouring the point, here’s Foord’s goal (or “go-ahead goal” to borrow the parlance of our North American pals) just after the break:
It wasn't the ideal result, but this was a moment of brilliance from @CaitlinFoord 🔥
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 5, 2019
🎥: @FoxFootball #USAvAUS #GoMatildas pic.twitter.com/X2vqILyhQn
- The intent with which Alanna Kennedy steps out to anticipate the forward pass and claim possession, as well as the bold forward run she then makes to spark a transition attack.
- The clever step-over dummy from Foord that allows the ball to run to Kerr, who has the prescience (and selflessness) to play the one-two back to her former Sydney FC teammate.
- The clever spin back inside from Foord (helped by Lisa De Vanna’s presence/run outside that puts the defence in two minds) and again the intent to take on the chance to shoot at goal.
This is all about mentality - and while the team can tighten at the back before France, the courage to attack the best team in the world at home should always be generously applauded.
With the AFLW concluding last weekend, there’s not too much going round today in women’s sport. We will have the Super W final tomorrow where a Liz Patu-less Queensland take on their historic nemesis New South Wales (historic from last season, I guess).
Plenty of analysis from the Matildas’ 5-3 loss to USA last night, if you’ll indulge a humble plug from yours truly.
I am genuinely scratching my head at some of the negative commentary I’ve read around this. Yes, nobody ever wants to cop five, but surely being within a goal of a team that’s the undisputed best in the world and undefeated in 28 games on home soil for 90 minutes is laudable?
More than a focus on the scoreline, it was manner in which the Matildas played that was promising - with verve, with gusto, with attacking will.
Don’t expect the team to be so generous at the back under competitive circumstances, but for an experimental showing in an international friendly? Relax.
Supercars - Scott McLaughlin wins in Launceston
And an update for our motoring enthusiasts. Here’s Australian Associated Press’s report from trackside in Tas:
Scott McLaughlin and DJR Team Penske have defied the odds to claim a one-two result at Symmons Plains, strengthening their grip on the Supercars title fight.
The Mustang made it seven from seven, with McLaughlin taking his sixth win of a dominant start to his championship defence.
In Tasmania, McLaughlin jumped surprise pole-sitter Mark Winterbottom off the line on Saturday afternoon and was never headed.
Winterbottom steadied to finish fourth, denied a first podium in a Holden by a desperate Shane van Gisbergen who overtook him on the second-last lap.
While Irwin Racing celebrated Winterbottom’s surge, the day belonged to McLaughlin and second-placed finisher Fabian Coulthard.
John Bowe is one of the Apple Isle’s favourite sons, so Ford fans will no doubt be loving the success of his long-time co-driver Dick Johnson’s team.
AFL - half-time: GWS 8.7 (55) lead Richmond 5.10 (40)
This one bubbling nicely on a warm afternoon in Sydney, where the Giants have had the better of it so far. Jeremy Cameron opening the goals with just a minute on the clock, before debutant Sydney Stack put the Tigers in front after a run of behinds for both teams.
Ahead by eight at the first break the visitors copped four unanswered as Jacob Hopper and Cameron fired the way, and the Giants threatened to blow the contest open, with Richmond giving away costly frees.
A late major to Tom Lynch, his second of the day, bringing Richmond back within ten, before Jeremy Findlayson hit straight back with a set shot after the hooter. Plenty of twists and turns to come in this one, you’ll warrant.
Updated
Around the grounds: And if you’re just joining us, we’ve got one AFL game currently underway, where we approaching half-time between the Giants and the Tigers - more on that shortly. Cowboys v Raiders has just kicked off in the NRL with an early try to Nick Cotric for Canberra. The Blues and Waratahs are just getting started in the Super Rugby as well, and in the A-League it’s Jets v Wanderers.
Super Rugby: Crusaders 36-14 Brumbies
As inexorable as death and taxes, I’ve flicked this one on with the Brumbies leading 7-0 and thought, “Ooh, they could be a chance here”, only to have my naivete cruelly, cruelly crushed.
Not even an early yellow card to veteran prop Owen Franks could arrest the nine-time champions, who scored no points in the first half, with Christian Lealiifano’s try the only of an error-riddled opening stanza.
Two yellow cards to the visitors, who saw Toni Pulu and them Sam Carter sent to the bin, opened the floodgates though - five unanswered tries, with only Tevita Kuridrani’s 77th minute consolation a face-saver.
The Crusaders go back top of the NZ conference (and thus the overall standings), the Brumbies stick fast in 13th.
NRL: Manly 13-12 South Sydney
It’s drop-goal pandemonium in round four of the NRL! After the Panthers edged the Tigers by one last night, so too have the Sea Eagles after a gutsy win over the hitherto “never beaten under Wayne Bennett” Rabbitohs.
DCE (or Daly Cherry-Evans to his mates) the hero in extra-time, collecting a late hit for his troubles, but bouncing back to his feet as his field goal sailed between the sticks, to the delight of the Brookvale faithful.
The win coming at a cost with Tom Trbojevic going off with a suspected serious hamstring injury earlier in the game. But they’ll still take the two. Look out league, here come Dessie’s Dazzlers!
AFL: Carlton 10.14 (74) lose to Sydney 14.9 (93)
The wires described it as “a third-straight honourable loss” for Carlton, but surely that’s a kick in the teeth for supporters of the once-proud club, who got within 13 during the last quarter, but couldn’t quite get across the line in a game Sydney led at every break.
Isaac Heeney with four goals and 26 disposals the pick of the Swans, while Ed Curnow was a near lone-furrow for the Blues, as the only player to kick multiples, finishing with four as well.
A first win of the season for the Swans, who host the Dees at home next Thursday.
Hi all! I trust this finds you well, from wherever around the world you’re following our coverage. Plenty of live sport already going so we’ll leap right in. As always do fire us an email or tweet if you’d like to join the coverage. Saturday Sportwatch is a big family, and we value your correspondence!
Some big news from the NRL, but first, our early AFL fixture.
Preamble
It’s Saturday Sportwatch and it’s another plate heaped with all your favourites. An entree of four games from round three of the AFL? Mmm, lecker: Carlton v Sydney, GWS v Richmond, Brisbane v The Global Game TM, Collingwood v West Coast.
For mains we’ve the solid fare of rugby league on a bed of rugby union, garnished with some more rugby league. From the NRL it’s Manly v Souths, North Queensland v Canberra, and Parra v PMs Favs, and in the Super Rugby we’ve three Australian sides in action with the Brumbies travelling to Canterbury, the Tahs also across the ditch in Auckland, and the Rebels at home in the late fixture, hosting the Sunwolves.
What’s for pudding, you ask? Why, children - brush your teeth later, and you’ll get A-League! Our feature game tonight is the late kickoff, the Big Blue, as Sydney FC host Melbourne Victory in the race for second spot. And it’s seventh place that’s on the line before that, as the Jets host the Wanderers.
As always, other bits and bobs will no doubt slope past, like Leopold Bloom wandering into a random pub - you never know exactly what you’ll get - and that’s Sportwatch!
