Final thoughts
Well that’s it for the night from yours truly. It’s been emotional. Highlights for me were that Cats-Eagles comebackathon from both sides, the sublime curling cross that led to Bobo’s first goal for Sydney, and the sheer joy/relief of the Bulldogs getting their first win of the season. An honourable mention should also go to the kangaroo burger I had at half-time in the Sydney game. Well played sir, well played. Thanks for joining me, catch you next time.
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A-League: Sydney FC 3-0 Adelaide United
AAP report: Sydney FC and their Brazilian striker Bobo have set more A-League records as the Sky Blues charged to a 3-0 home win over Adelaide United. Bobo netted twice in the second half at Allianz Stadium to take his tally to 26, eclipsing the full season haul of Melbourne City sharpshooter Bruno Fornaroli in 2015-16.
Bobo, who was Sydney’s captain for Sunday’s day game, also provided the cross for the opening goal, which was headed in by Matt Simon in first-half stoppage time. Polish playmaker Adrian Mierzejewski was also hugely influential featuring in the build-up to all three goals and going close with three of his own attempts.
The Sky Blues became the first side to reach 60 points in successive A-League seasons. They have equalled Melbourne City’s 63 goals in a season, with a final home-and-away game against Melbourne Victory in Sydney on Friday.
Sky Blues coach Graham Arnold named captain Alex Brosque and playmaker Milos Ninkovic on the bench and rested centre back Alex Wilkinson. Fifth-placed Adelaide started with three up front and created several chances but lacked the polish around goal.
Sydney initially struggled to find their usual fluency but started to stack up the chances in the last 10 minutes of the first half. Mierzejewski, who looked to be in trouble with a wrist issue earlier in the game, powered a close-range header over the bar and went close with a curling shot. Simon made the most of a rare start, forcing goalkeeper Paul Izzo to save a fierce shot with his legs and the veteran striker then put a header wide. His perfectly placed header from a Bobo cross after delightful work by Mierzejewski broke the deadlock.
Mierzejewski’s pinpoint cross was headed home by Bobo just before the hour and the Brazilian clinched the scoring record with a fierce left-foot drive seven minutes later.
Football: You can watch the Matildas “take on” Vietnam in their next game on Wednesday morning. See what I did there? Awesome pun. You’re welcome. Maybe it’s a case of Take On Mekong? I’ve gone too far. Ruined it.
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Football: While we we’re waiting for the match report from the Sydney game, I was going to put up the exciting highlights from the Matildas game against South Korea last night. Sadly, there weren’t any. But if you want to watch some clips from the dour 0-0 draw, click here. I don’t know if it’s just my machine but there seems to be some weird shading issue that means all the players look like they’re in the “Take On Me” video by A-Ha. Even if the shading doesn’t come up on your computer, there’s never a bad time to listen to the Scandie popsters.
Full-time: Sydney FC 3-0 Adelaide United
The ref finally puts Adelaide out of their misery. Far from pushing to get back into it, they looked more likely to concede another. It’s a result that underlines the gulf in class between Sydney and the rest of the A-League this season. The Sky Blues are cantering into the finals, seemingly breaking records with every passing week. Round of applause for Bobo who now has the record number of goals in an A-League season - and there’s still a game to go.
A-League - 87 mins: Sydney 3-0 Adelaide
Talking of damage control, Elsey earns a yellow card with an ugly lunge on Mierzejewski. He’s lucky the Sydney playmaker didn’t make more of it.
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A-League - 85 mins: Sydney 3-0 Adelaide
Great run down the right flank by Blackwood... but there are absolutely no red shirts in the box when he gets in a good position to thread the needle. It’s almost like Adelaide are going for damage control rather than getting on the scoresheet. What next? Shielding it in the corner?
A-League - 82 mins: Sydney 3-0 Adelaide
It’s definitely gone down a notch from Sydney but Adelaide are still struggling to get to grips with them. Apart from that Blackwood chance, they haven’t had sniff of goal recently. Matt Simon has just been substituted too, so there’s less of a chance of Sydney having a man sent off. Maybe I’m being a bit harsh - he played well today and opened the floodgates. A doff of the cap is in order.
A-League - 76 mins: Sydney 3-0 Adelaide
Blackwood misses a decent chance for the Reds at the other end. Sydney shrug and go back on the attack.
A-League - 72 mins: Sydney 3-0 Adelaide
So we’re at that familiar stage of the game where we guess how many Sydney will win by. Frankly it’s getting tedious. Another 20 minutes? I’m going for 4-1 - I reckon they’ll take their foot off the pedal. And for the real long odds, I’ll take a punt on Graham Arnold bursting a blood vessel by yelling at his side for not keeping a clean sheet.
A-League - 67 mins: Sydney 3-0 Adelaide
Bobo again! 26 goals in 26 games. This time it’s a half-volley on the turn - curling it just inside the post. Clinical stuff - but then we already knew that about him. Sydney don’t even look like they’re trying. Ominous stuff for their finals rivals.
A-League - 59 mins: Sydney 2-0 Adelaide
That’s goal number 25 in 26 games for Bobo. Another header. Great finish. But ... that cross. Oh my. I’m blushing just thinking about. An absolute pearler of a cross from Mierzejewski, curled in from the right with the inside of his boot - right to Bobo’s bonce. No wonder he’s scored so many with those kind of deliveries. Sydney cruising.
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A-League - 54 mins: Sydney 1-0 Adelaide
Well the tempo has risen a tad since the break, Adelaide certainly seem to have a little more urgency about them - or maybe I’m just feeling a bit more positive after tucking into a kangaroo burger at half-time. It’s the Aussie version of a Snickers - only instead of Joe Pesci, I was Alan Jones. You can tell it’s not a particularly exciting match because the commentary team keep using the lulls to plug various things - including their own channel. Still get the feeling Sydney are capable of going up a gear at will.
The winner from the Victory game. Similar cross to the one from Bobo for Sydney - totally different finish though.
AFL - West Coast Eagles 14.11 (95) beat Geelong Cats 11.14 (80)
AAP report: Geelong star Gary Ablett has injured his right hamstring as West Coast came from 15 points down in the final quarter to post a 15-point win in their AFL clash at Optus Stadium.
The Cats trailed by 32 points at halftime on Sunday night but booted six goals to nil in the third quarter to turn the contest on its head. Cats duo Cameron Guthrie (ankle) and Nakia Cockatoo (knee) had already gone off injured by that stage. And when Ablett pinged his right hamstring while running for the ball early in the last quarter, Geelong were down to one fit man on the bench.
The Cats led by seven points at that stage and extended that to 15 points at the 16-minute mark of the final term. But West Coast went on a goal spree from that point on, booting six goals in a golden 10-minute stretch to snatch the win in front of 54,535 fans.
The win improved West Coast’s record to 2-1 before Saturday’s home clash with Gold Coast. Geelong are 1-2 and have plenty of problems on the injury front, with Ablett the biggest of the lot.
The former Sun, who was hampered by a hamstring injury during the pre-season, was visibly disappointed as he hobbled off down the players’ race after the latest setback. West Coast will be sweating on the fitness of goalsneak Liam Ryan, who injured his right leg while soccering through his third goal late in the fourth quarter.
Geelong were lucky to be only 16 points down at quarter-time after losing the inside-50m count 24-10. Alarm bells were ringing when they entered halftime with a 32-point deficit. But Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins inspired a remarkable fightback in the third term to put their side in the box seat.
Lachie Fogarty missed three crucial shots on goal in the final term, with West Coast launching a remarkable fightback to secure victory.
A-League - half-time: Sydney FC 1-0 Adelaide United
Matt Simon nods home right before the break, four minutes into injury time in fact. Lovely chip into the box from Bobo, Simon takes root and picks out the bottom corner. Well we needed that. The first-half was about to end with a parp rather than a peep. There’s been few chances, with neither side looking to press the matter - maybe this will shake things up after the break.
A-League - Melbourne Victory 2-1 Wellington Phoenix
AAP report: Melbourne Victory came from behind to set themselves up for a home A-League elimination final with a heart-stopping win over Wellington at AAMI Park. Victory went into the match in fourth place and two points clear of Adelaide but they now have some breathing space heading into next week’s final round, when they take on runaway ladder leaders Sydney FC.
Melbourne looked as if they would come away empty-handed against the last-placed Phoenix before two late goals. In the 83rd minute, young substitute striker Kenny Athiu was brought down in the box by Wellington’s Dylan Fox, with Leroy George slotting the equaliser. Four minutes later, Athiu dived for a header into the back of the net after a beautiful ball from James Troisi to seal the win for the home side.
Phoenix’s goal came in the first half off a Victory own goal, scored by veteran Leigh Broxham. The left-back became tangled with Wellington’s Thomas Doyle and threw a foot out to try to clear the ball only for it to land in the net.
Returning from their midweek Asian Champions League loss in South Korea, Melbourne looked flat in the opening half while Phoenix appeared hungry to avoid the wooden spoon. Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas saved his team blushes when he put a glove to shots by Roy Krishna and Matt Ridenton.
Similarly at the other end, attacking ace Besart Berisha had the best chance for the home side with a stinging shot from half-volley but Phoenix goalkeeper Oliver Sail was on the mark. Victory fired up the tempo in the second half, bringing on skipper Carl Valeri and Dutchman George, but they continued to waste their chances.
Phoenix’s poor night was complete when Alex Rufer earned a straight red card in the 93rd minute for lashing out with his foot at Terry Antonis.
A-League - 32 mins: Sydney FC 0-0 Adelaide
With all the talk about the A-League struggling to win fans, this clash certainly won’t be used by the marketing department. Not so far anyway. It’s been stop-start at best with few chances, not helped by a few knocks - including Reds goalkeeper Paul Izzo, who spent three minutes trying to shake off some sort of head weirdness following a routine save. We could be in for a fair whack of added time.
Full-time: Eagles (95) - Cats (80)
AFL
It’s perhaps fitting that Hawkins makes the final kick after the buzzer, he’d done so much to get the Cats back into this game - but it just wasn’t enough. Superb stuff from the Eagles.
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AFL - Q4 2mins remaining: Eagles (95) Cats (74)
Well it was all set up for a grandstand finish as the Eagles desperately looked to whittle down a big margin for the Cats with time running out. As it happens, they’ve done it with time to spare - and pushed out to a big margin of their own. Brilliant stuff. To be fair, even when the Cats were surging ahead, the Eagles never gave up - it just took a while to click.
A-League - 12mins: Sydney 0-0 Adelaide
Sydney’s continuing attempts to break every A-League record known to man have begun in earnest against Adelaide. A cagey opening so far, Adelaide happy to play the ball around the back and attack at pace - although no sooner have I said that than Absalonsen has a dig that goes close. Mierzejewski has a shot at the other end and lands awkwardly on his elbow after a nudge from Elrich. He doesn’t look too comfortable.
NRL - Parramatta Eels 6-12 Penrith Panthers
AAP report: A gutsy Penrith consigned Parramatta to their fifth straight loss at the start of the season, holding on to beat them 12-6 at ANZ Stadium. After they led 10-0 at half-time, the Panthers held out set after set on their own line after the break to keep themselves entrenched in the competition’s top four.
But it ensured the Eels would suffer their worst start to a season since 1991, leaving them alone at the bottom of the ladder and needing to become the first team since Brisbane in 1999 to recover from a 0-5 start and make the finals. Without Clinton Gutherson, Bevan French and Jarryd Hayne, the Eels had 37 play-the-balls inside Penrith’s 20m zone but could score only one try - and even that was from a kick.
The Eels attacking problems were foreshadowed when they couldn’t crack Penrith’s line while Trent Merrin was sin-binned for a professional foul early in the first half. In contrast, the Panthers made the most of Tim Mannah’s sin-binning later in the opening half, when Josh Mansour ran on to a James Maloney kick in the 21st minute to score Penrith’s only try.
Two penalty goals to Maloney helped the Panthers to their half-time lead before George Jennings finally put the Eels on the board in the 42nd minute when Dylan Edwards and Mansour made a mess of a Mitchell Moses kick. But after the Eels failed to make the most of their second-half ball, Maloney sunk a late penalty goal to leave one of the most hyped teams of the pre-season as the only winless team after five rounds.
AFL - 4Q 9 mins remaining: Eagles (59) - Cats (74)
How are things on the west coast?* In a word, tense. In two words, bloody tense. Geelong are a completely different side to the one that were 33 points** behind at one stage. The Cats are now 15 points clear with time running out. That’s a hell of a turnaround. The Eagles fans don’t know what’s hit them.
*From the Hives to an Interpol reference, a classic noughties indie-rock segue
** Citation needed
Full-time: Victory 2-1 Phoenix
A-League
That’s all she wrote. Just enough time for Rufer to get a red card for kicking out at Antonis after a strong tackle. Silly stuff really but he’s only himself to blame. A nightmare final few minutes for the Phoenix. Hats off to Muscat for some inspired substitutions.
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A-League - 88 mins: Victory 2-1 Phoenix
Troisi with a little dink into the penalty area and Athiu is on the end of it, nodding home unmarked to put Victory ahead. The substitute has made a huge difference since he came on - winning the penalty for the equaliser, and now hitting what could well be the winner. Well I hate to say I told you so but... Bah. Now I’ve got the Hives in my head. Stupid ego.
A-League - 86 mins: Victory 1-1 Phoenix
Kiss of death from yours truly as Victory equalise through Leroy George. It’s one way traffic now, the Phoenix just about hanging on
A-League - 78 mins: Victory 0-1 Phoenix
OK, cards on the table, I fully expected Victory to come out for the second half firing on all cylinders. I thought it was only a matter of time before they scored and went on to win the game. But as another poor cross flashes across the Phoenix area with nary an attacker’s big toe within sight, I’m starting to think Phoenix can hold on. Another 15 or so minutes of this and they’ll leapfrog the Mariners to get off the bottom.
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AFL - 3Q 3mins remaining: Eagles (52) - Cats (56)
As a wise man once said, that escalated quickly. The Cats are right back in this after a mammoth third quarter - West Coast look shellshocked, all the momentum with Geelong as we get closer to the final quarter. Hawkins boots one to put the Cats ahead for the first time in the game. That’s six in a row.
AFL - Bulldogs 14.20 (104) beat Bombers 12.11 (83)
AAP report: The Western Bulldogs were wasteful but they’re on the board in 2018 after they held off a late Essendon charge to score a 21-point win at Etihad Stadium.
The Bombers trailed by a game-high 33 points in the last quarter, but a Joe Daniher howler stalled a stunning late rally as the Dogs sealed victory. The big forward had the chance to bring the margin back to 10 points from close range with just over five minutes left, but he inexplicably handballed to Josh Green who was tackled over the line for a rushed behind.
Reports of unrest at the Whitten Oval surfaced after a disastrous 0-2 start to the season, but the Bulldogs were the more cohesive unit. The Bombers were brave late, but should consider themselves fortunate not to have suffered a larger defeat.
The rampant Dogs were all over John Worsfold’s side in the first quarter, but led by just seven points at the first break, kicking a wayward 3.9 from their multiple scoring opportunities. Star Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli spent plenty of time inside attacking 50 and he kicked two of his three goals in the second term to help his side to a 16-point halftime lead.
In a repeat of the match’s opening quarter, the Dogs started the second half full of run. The difference this time was they converted better and quickly opened up a 32-point lead. Daniher had a quiet first half for Essendon, but he kept his team in the contest with two late goals. The Bombers were 21 points in arrears entering the final term, but goals to Jake Stringer, Green and James Stewart revived their hopes. Daniher should have kicked his side’s fourth unanswered major, but his unfortunate brain fade effectively ended Essendon’s challenge.
The Dogs will next host Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, while the Bombers will take on ladder leaders Port Adelaide at Etihad on Sunday.
A-League - 60mins: Victory 0-1 Phoenix
Victory look like they want a second touch every time they get the ball, they’ve just been slightly off the pace all game. Phoenix can sense they have a chance. Berisha isn’t having it though, scrambling and chasing for every possible opening like a terrier. Love or hate him, you can’t deny his desire.
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AFL - 3Q 15 mins remaining: Eagles (51) - Cats (31)
Just the tiniest of glimmers for Geelong as the Cats register two in a row to start the third quarter. Looks like we might have a contest on our hands after all. They’ll need a few more for the Eagles start to look over their shoulders though. Better from Geelong.
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A-League - 47 mins: Victory 0-1 Phoenix
We’re into the second half. Can Phoenix take advantage of a listless-looking Victory? They’ve done well so far - although something tells me Muscat will have used a few choice expletives to stir up his players at the break. We’ll see if it works.
Full-time: Eels 6-12 Panthers
NRL: Another week, another loss for the Eels. Two more points from Maloney at the end just to rub salt into the wound as the Panthers march into the top four.
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AFL - Half-time: Eagles (51) - Cats (19)
It’s looking all kinds of ominous for the Cats who have struggled just to stay in touch with the Eagles. Shuey has been a key man for West Coast. An immense contribution from the gun midfielder has put his team well on course.
Full-time: Bulldogs 14.20 (104) - 12.11 Bombers (83)
AFL: That’s all she wrote. The Bulldogs are off the bottom and deservedly so. There were a couple of glimmers for the Bombers but they didn’t take their chances and the Bulldogs did. That’s what it came down to. The Bombers were second best pretty much across the park.
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NRL - 75mins: Eels 6-10 Panthers
Excitement she wrote. It’s shaping up as a tense finish in the west of Sydney. The Eels are pressing for the lead but that (almost*) formidable Panthers defence is doing its bit - just keeping a diving Hoffman out in the corner. Can they keep it up for the final five minutes? Tick tock, tick tock...
*not counting the Eels try... which was hapless
AFL - Q4 4mins remaining: Bulldogs (103) - Bombers (82)
McLean kicks a low one home for the Bulldogs and surely that’s game over. The Dogs within a whisker of victory. Moments earlier, a lazy piece of play had cost the Bombers a certain goal. How quickly things can turn.
A-League - 33mins: Victory 0-1 Phoenix
A Broxham own goal and we’ve got a game on. Victory are struggling to go up a gear, but a half-volley from Berisha forces a reflex save. Don’t think the keeper knew too much about it. That’s about as close as Victory have come. Phoenix look more confident though. A gift of a goal will do that for you.
AFL - Q2 15 mins remaining: Eagles (30) Cats (15)
Flying over to the west coast, where the Eagles are on top early doors. A late blitz at the end of the first quarter had given them the edge. The Cats have lost Guthrie to an injury too. Not looking good for Geelong so far. The Perth crowd are loving it though, great atmosphere. I’ve not really seen too much of this stadium but when it’s brimming like this it’s pretty intimidating.
AFL: 3Q time: Bulldogs (82) - Bombers (61)
Well the Bombers have reduced the deficit a little but they’ll need a big quarter to turn it around. Have the Bulldogs got the legs to keep up their intensity? I reckon they will. There might be a few nerves if the Bombers get back to within single digits though. They’re capable of doing it.
NRL - 46 mins: Eels 6-10 Panthers
Huzzahs! Hope for the Eels. The previously solid Panthers defence makes a rare error - Edwards and Mansour colliding while trying to stop a grubber. Jennings can’t believe his luck as he touches down for a relatively simple try. The conversion reduces the gap to four.
A-League - 6 mins: Victory 0-0 Phoenix
We’re under way in Melbourne... Victory doing most of the early running - no surprises there - but no real openings so far. Troisi with a tricky run down the flank but it comes to nothing. Phoenix giving up possession a little too easily.
AFL - 3Q 5mins remaining: Bulldogs (74) - Bombers (49)
Plenty of breathing room for the Dogs, they can sniff their first victory of the season. The Bombers have barely made a dent this quarter, finally getting a goal to bring the deficit back to under 30 but that’s about it. The Bulldogs have maintained their intensity and, eventually, reaped the rewards.
NRL - Half-time: Eels 0-10 Panthers
It’s an all too familiar feeling for Parra fans at half-time. Is it silly to say their season is over already? Yes it is, very silly. But as a journo I live for hyperbole. They need to step up in the second half though - the passion is there, but they need to be more clinical. It’s been all too easy for the Panthers, even though the’ve made life difficult for themselves at times. Maloney has done the damage. Two penalty goals, a conversion and hugely influential all round. Some great kicking.
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AFL - 14mins remaining: Bulldogs (61) - Bombers (42)
The Dogs have picked up where they left off... although they should probably be a little further ahead, a couple of behinds that should have been something more. Will it matter at the end? We’ll see. They’ve looked good though, fierce in the contest and creating opportunities. The Bombers try a foray forward ... but they’ve been forced too far back into their own half to attack with numbers. Signs that they’re trying to get back into it but the Dogs are looking fierce in defence.
NRL - Gold Coast Titans 32-20 Manly Sea Eagles
AAP report: A try double to unlikely hero Jai Arrow fired the Gold Coast to an upset of Manly and the Titans’ second win in a row on Sunday.
The Titans were forced to hold off a Manly fightback but tries to Anthony Don and Arrow in the last six minutes at Marley Brown Oval in Gladstone in central Queensland ensured Garth Brennan’s side jumped into the top eight.
Lock Arrow, who was once again a standout following his off-season move from Brisbane, ran for 143 metres as well as making 20 tackles.
The Titans looked home and hosed up 22-8 with 26 minutes remaining however Trent Barrett’s side showed real grit to fight back with two quick tries in front of a crowd of 5135.
Daly Cherry-Evans - who famously backed out of a deal to join the Titans - looked like he might come back to haunt the Gold Coast when he intercepted an Ash Taylor pass and ran 95 metres to score. And when Api Koroisau scooted out of dummy half to send Brian Kelly over, it was game on at 22-20.
However the Titans showed a resolve which has been missing in past years. Following their 54-8 humiliation at the hands of St George Illawarra two weeks ago, the Titans have rebounded with victories over the Sea Eagles and Brisbane. And after five rounds they are the highest-placed Queensland team ahead of the more fancied Broncos and North Queensland.
Often-maligned back-rower Bryce Cartwright showed flashes of his brilliant best with a flick pass to send Arrow over in the first half which gave the Titans the lead for the first time. Prop Jarrod Wallace showed he deserves to retain his Queensland State of Origin jersey after scoring one try and running for 143 metres. Jono Wright was only called into Manly’s line-up at the very last minute after Brad Parker went down ill in the warm-up and remarkably scored his side’s first try.
The Sea Eagles had to receive permission from the NRL for Wright to take the field after he was not named in the side’s 21-man squad. However that was the last time Barrett’s side led as they slumped to a season ledger of 2-3.
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NRL - 30 mins: Eels 0-8 Panthers
A Mansour try, and Maloney conversion, has given the Panthers some breathing space. Hoffman almost... almost... goes over the line for the Eels but just can’t keep hold of the ball. Sums up their season so far. Plenty of intent but little execution. Moeroa groggily heads off the field after a head clash. He looks very, very groggy. Barely been on the field too.
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AFL - Richmond 5.12 (102) beat Hawthorn 13.11 (89)
AAP report: Tempers have flared as Richmond held off a late Hawthorn surge to win their pulsating AFL match by 13 points on Sunday at the MCG. The Hawks kicked six goals to three in the last quarter, but the Tigers rebounded from last week’s disappointing loss to Adelaide to win 15.12 (102) to 13.11 (89). It is Hawthorn’s first loss of the season.
Two days after Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson called for a crackdown on players drawing high free kicks, it sparked a scuffle in the last quarter.Nuggety Hawks forward Paul Puopolo appeared to drop his knees and gained a free kick for high contact.
That prompted an angry reaction from Richmond players and Puopolo’s teammate Cyril Rioli ran in to provide support as a scuffle broke out. Puopolo kicked a goal from the free, reducing the margin to 21 points, but the Tigers steadied with Jack Riewoldt’s fourth goal.
There was another scuffle a couple of minutes from the final siren when Hawks forward Luke Breust marked in front of goal and Richmond defender Alex Rance collected his head with a late spoil. Breust was too dazed to take the free kick, with Jaegar O’Meara kicking the last goal of the game instead.
Shaun Grigg also remonstrated with Puopolo at the end of the first quarter after the Hawks forward won a free kick for high contact.
Hawks midfielder Tom Mitchell was again prolific, racking up 42 possessions. His first three games this season have all returned 40-plus disposals.But Mitchell had less influence against the Tigers.
Damien Hardwick dropped a big hint about his plans for Mitchell on Friday when he pondered whether they should put a hard tag on the Hawks onballer or restrict what happens around him.
Despite Ben McEvoy winning the ruck and Mitchell’s prolific game, Richmond were able to quell their influence and also hurt Hawthorn on turnovers.
There was a bizarre score review early in the second quarter, when a goal was awarded initially to Richmond. But video footage clearly showed Hawks player Jack Gunston was the last player to touch the ball and after a hurried discussion, the umpires correctly reversed the video decision and called it a rushed behind.
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AFL - HT: Bulldogs 8.10 (58) - Bombers 6.6 (42)
The Bulldogs head into the break with a healthy 16-point lead. A big second quarter from the team currently occupying last place on the ladder has them looking up. They’ve been worth it too, creative and attacking. Lots of opportunities. Can they do it again though?
NRL - 16mins: Eels 0-2 Panthers
Panthers with first blood but they’re down a man - Trent Merrin in the bin early doors. The Eels are up for it though, Nathan Brown gets in a big hit then roars at no one in particular like a man possessed. Think he enjoyed that.
Preamble
Afternoon everyone, so it’s that time of the year when the planets align in a rare conjunction of the codes and the domestic league, union, football and AFL competitions all play at the same time. With the Commonwealth Games as well, there’s more sport around than you can shake a stick at – and there’s even some hockey on at the Gold Coast if professional stick-shaking is your thing. Speaking of which, check out Richard Parkin’s Commonwealth Games blog for all the action on that front – this blog is Gold Coast free.
And just to immediately undermine my own comment, we already have one Gold Coast result today with the Titans beating the Sea Eagles 32-20 in the NRL at Gladstone. But that’s my last Gold Coast report. Apart from the AAP match report I’ll probably put up after this. But then that’s definitely it. Probably. And in the AFL, Richmond (15.12) 102 have overcome the Hawks (12.10) 82.
“But Gadsby”, you rudely interrupt, “forget about what’s already happened, what else is coming up this evening?” Well that’s an excellent question and, by pure coincidence, it allows me to do a run-down. Let’s have a look-see.
NRL
The decidedly un-electric Eels will attempt to lift themselves off the foot of the ladder against the Panthers, who can leap up to third with a victory at ANZ Stadium. Can Parramatta stop their season from slipping away before it’s even begun? Over to you Brad Arthur.
AFL
I’ll be diving straight into the Bulldogs v Bombers game shortly after this preamble. Spolier alert: the Bulldogs are winning. After that I’ll be using the latest Guardian technology (a Stargate-style portal) to head to Perth with my trusty Commodore 64 laptop for action from the intriguing clash between the Eagles and the Cats.
A-League
As the other codes jostle for position at the start of the race, the A-League reaches end game. To that end, Wellington Phoenix’s fight to avoid the wooden spoon sees them head to Melbourne to face the Victory. Then it’s over to newly crowned premiership champions Sydney FC (can they be newly crowned if they won last year too?) for their clash against Adelaide. We’re sure party animal Graham Arnold has already put up the bunting and popped open the champagne. You know what he’s like.
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