THE BRISBANE Lions will be looking to continue Melbourne’s barren run at the Gabba this Sunday, after the Demons suffered their fifth straight loss for the season, this time at the hands of Carlton.
With Port Adelaide posting its first win of the season against West Coast at Subiaco on Sunday, Melbourne is now the only side without a win in 2008.
But even though the Demons were comfortably accounted for by the Blues to the tune of 33 points, Melbourne fans were able to take some positives – following a goalless third quarter, their side outscored Carlton in the final term, booting five goals.
Russell Robertson kicked only two goals but provided a standout contender for mark-of-the-year, while Brad Green finished with four majors and vied with Cameron Bruce as Melbourne’s best player.
In other weekend results, the match of the round was clearly played out by Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, with the latter coming back from the dead to snatch a dramatic draw.
North Melbourne upset Collingwood by seven points, St Kilda bounced back to the winner’s circle by defeating Essendon by 36 points and Port Adelaide accounted for West Coast by 24 points at Subiaco.
For performance of the week, it’s impossible to go past Lance Franklin’s haul of 8.6 for Hawthorn against the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.
But Geelong fans will likely be equally as complimentary about the efforts of their own superstar Gary Ablett, who gathered 35 disposals and kicked three goals against the Swans.
St Kilda 18.15 (123) d Essendon 14.3 (87)
It was a familiar tale for Essendon fans, with the Bombers piling the pressure on St Kilda late in the third term but ultimately lacking for firepower when it counted. In truth, Essendon’s accuracy probably masked the dominance of the Saints, who led at every change. Former Lions AFL Shop employee David Armitage starred for St Kilda with 20 possessions and two goals.
Geelong 16.18 (114) d Sydney Swans 10.12 (72)
Just how good is Geelong? That is the question most observers would have been asking after the Cats allowed the Swans to close within three points, then put the foot on the accelerator to win by seven goals. Gary Ablett was at his brilliant best, kicking three important last quarter goals and racking up 35 disposals.
Adelaide 12.16 (88) d Fremantle 10.11 (71)
Adelaide now sits comfortably inside the top-eight, while Fremantle is just one win off bottom, following a 17-point result in the favour of the Crows at AAMI Stadium. Adelaide had the early ascendancy and, while Freo roared back into the game on the back of Jeff Farmer’s three goals, the visitors couldn’t match their hosts for composure under pressure.
North Melbourne 16.16 (112) d Collingwood 15.15 (105)
In an enthralling encounter, North Melbourne booted six of the last seven goals and somehow rallied to win despite trailing by 21 points mid-way through the last quarter. After blasting a potential match-winner into the post against the Pies last year, Shannon Grant was one of the heroes of this match, kicking the goal that put the Roos in front. Paul Medhurst led the way with five goals for Collingwood.
Carlton 15.11 (101) d Melbourne 9.14 (68)
The final result shows a convincing win to Carlton, but the Lions’ round six opponent Melbourne could have been a lot closer with more accurate kicking and some better defensive focus. The Demons actually led narrowly early in the second quarter, before Carlton, triggered by captain Chris Judd, exploded for seven unanswered goals leading into half-time. From that point on, the game was in the Blues’ keeping.
Western Bulldogs 19.16 (140) drew Richmond 20.10 (130)
A match that truly had it all. The Bulldogs started the better and led at half-time – despite kicking 4.10 in the first quarter – but the second half belonged to the Tigers. Richmond seized the lead with a six-goal third term and led by 24 points early in the final quarter and 18 points at the 20-minute mark. However, the Bulldogs found three late goals, the last from Will Minson with 14 seconds remaining, to snatch an unlikely draw.
Port Adelaide 19.14 (128) d West Coast 16.8 (104)
West Coast booted seven goals in the last quarter but there was to be no repeat of the Lions’ round four heroics, the Power comfortably notching its first win of the season. After an even first term, Port Adelaide kicked away in the middle two quarters, booting 13 goals to the Eagles’ six. Daniel Motlop and Brett Ebert finished with four majors apiece for the winners.
