NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 9 Review
Essendon 9.10 (64) def. by Sydney Swans 18.6 (114)
The Swans had a convincing 50-point win over Essendon on Friday night.
After a red-hot 7.1 to 1.1 first quarter, the Swans couldn’t be reeled in by a Bombers side that once again fell victim to a strong Buddy Franklin performance.
Franklin kicked five goals – his average tally in games against Essendon.
Josh Kennedy had a monster performance himself with 39 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 10 clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal.
Kieren Jack and Craig Bird also topped 30 touches and kicked goals. Kurt Tippett and Jarrad McVeigh had three goals each.
Surprisingly, in statistical terms there was very little evidence of a 50-point blowout.
While the Swans had one extra clearance and three extra inside 50s, the Bombers were ahead in disposals, contested possessions, tackles and hitouts.
The difference may have been that the Swans simply made more of their inside 50s, another tick of approval for the new-look forward set up that began when Franklin, Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid first played together last week.
The Swans have moved into third place with the bye to come next week.
The GWS GIANTS had the bye this week.
NSW/ACT Notes
Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) finally returned to the Adelaide line-up on Thursday night after his ACL injury. He had 17 disposals, seven marks and kicked 0.4.
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 13 hitouts for Collingwood in the same game.
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) had 32 disposals, eight clearances and seven inside 50s for St Kilda in their loss to Gold Coast. Adam Schneider had 17 disposals and six marks.
Josh Bruce (Eastlake) had 14 disposals and six one-percenters.
Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had 31 disposals, seven tackles and a goal for the Swans. Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had 32 disposals, seven clearances and a goal.
Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) kicked three goals. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had a goal and five marks.
Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) had 12 touches and four clearances.
Kurt Aylett (Leeton-Whitton) took five marks and laid four tackles for the Bombers.
Aidan Riley (Figtree) returned to AFL football on Saturday, making his Melbourne debut in the win over Richmond. He kicked a goal and had 11 disposals.
Daniel Cross (Albury) had 22 disposals at 91 percent efficiency, plus five tackles. Dean Terlich (Osborne) had 12 touches and four tackles.
Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin) kicked a goal and laid six tackles for the Tigers.
Tom Hawkins (Finley) kicked three goals and grabbed six marks in Geelong’s loss to Fremantle. Hamish McIntosh had 23 hitouts and laid six tackles.
NEAFL (Round 10)
Eastlake 3.7 (25) def. by Sydney Swans 23.18 (156)
Ainslie 15.15 (105) def. Queanbeyan 9.7 (61)
Hills Eagles 11.8 (74) def. by Sydney University 13.13 (91)
NT Thunder 19.14 (128) def. Brisbane Lions 8.11 (59)
Redland 23.18 (156) def. Gold Coast Suns 8.9 (57)
UWS GIANTS, Southport, Belconnen, Aspley – bye
