NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 17 Review

By Michael DiFabrizio

Sydney Swans 18.14 (122) def. Carlton 7.9 (51)
 
Though the Swans were in front for the bulk of it, the first half was a relatively tight affair. The Blues were within eight at quarter time and seven at half time.
 
But from then on, the Swans were able to put on a clinic.
 
What followed the main break was a ten goal to zip third quarter, kick-started by goals to tall forwards Lance Franklin, Sam Reid and Adam Goodes. By quarter’s end, it was suddenly a 70-point ballgame.
 
Franklin finished with 6.2, his best tally in Swans colours, and Reid booted four majors.
 
Dominating in the midfield was Josh Kennedy, who picked up 41 disposals and had 12 clearances. A massive 29 of his touches were contested, a career-high.
 
Jarrad McVeigh (29 disposals, eight marks) and Kieren Jack (seven marks, seven tackles, 27 disposals) were also among the best on the night.
 
Mike Pyke, meanwhile, had a career-best night also with 53 hitouts.
 
Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy led Carlton’s ball-winners with 29 touches each.
 
The next assignment for Sydney is a clash with rivals Hawthorn at the MCG after a bye this weekend.
 
Fremantle 21.10 (136) def. GWS GIANTS 9.6 (60)
 
GWS put in a competitive first half, but the might of Fremantle was too much to overcome – 76 points was the final margin.
 
Despite a five-goal lead at the main break, the Dockers were made to work hard to pull away from the GIANTS until the floodgates eventually opened in the last quarter.
 
There, Freo substitute Anthony Morabito – who was playing just his second game since 2010 after several injury set-backs – helped propel his side to a string of goals.
 
Toby Greene (35 disposals, seven marks, one goal) and Callan Ward (29 disposals, 10 tackles, one goal) were superb for the GIANTS. Both recorded disposal efficiency rates above 80 percent.
 
Lachie Whitfield scored three goals, while Adam Tomlinson took 10 marks to go with his two goals.
 
Phil Davis, who led the game in rebound 50s and had 23 touches at over 90 percent efficiency, was strong in defence.
 
The GIANTS actually led the disposal count late in the match – Dylan Shiel’s 29 touches helping out – but the numbers in other areas mostly went to the Dockers.
 
In the end, Freo’s guns – led by Nat Fyfe with 29 disposals and two goals – were too hard to contain.
 
The GIANTS return home to host Geelong on Saturday night.
 
NSW/ACT Notes
 
Luke Breust (Temora) equalled Tony Lockett’s streak of goals without a behind in the Hawthorn win against Adelaide. The streak ended there, however. Breust was aiming for his 30th in the fourth quarter but the set shot narrowly sailed wide. He finished with 3.1.
 
Isaac Smith (Temora) took eight marks and had 21 disposals. Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) had 26 touches and seven inside 50s.
 
Will Langford (East Sydney) saw 20 touches and had seven clearances. Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) had a goal and four rebound 50s.
 
Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) kicked 2.1 and had six marks for the Crows.
 
Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) had a great all-round game in Geelong’s win over Melbourne, picking up 26 hitouts, 20 disposals, seven clearances and a goal.
 
Tom Hawkins (Finley) kicked 3.1 and took six marks.
 
Aidan Riley (Figtree) returned for the Dees and was among their best with seven clearances and seven tackles.
 
Anthony Miles (North Albury) had 28 touches, eight clearances and six inside 50s for Richmond in their upset win over Port Adelaide. Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin) returned to the Tiger line-up and kicked 3.3 with five marks.
 
Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) had 23 disposals at 91 percent efficiency for the GIANTS, to go with seven marks, seven rebound 50s and five one-percenters.
 
Jacob Townsend (Leeton-Whitton) laid an impressive nine tackles and took four marks. Zac Williams (Narrandera) had nine touches.
 
Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 29 disposals, eight marks, five inside 50s and a goal for the Swans. Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had 27 touches, seven marks and seven tackles.
 
Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) was also prominent with 24 touches, seven marks and eight inside 50s. Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) laid eight tackles and had five clearances.
 
Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had five tackles. Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) took three marks and generated two inside 50s.
 
Sam Rowe (North Albury) took six marks and laid four tackles for the Blues.
 
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) had 24 disposals and five tackles for St Kilda in their loss to North Melbourne. Adam Schneider (Osborne) had seven tackles and four inside 50s.
 
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 27 hitouts for Collingwood in the loss to Essendon.
 
NEAFL (Round 16)
 
Redland 17.22 (124) def. Eastlake 11.6 (72)
Belconnen 6.11 (47) def. by Sydney Swans 9.17 (71)
Ainslie 22.8 (140) def. Queanbeyan 8.3 (51)
Brisbane Lions 16.10 (106) def. by NT Thunder 17.5 (107)
UWS GIANTS 16.16 (112) def. Gold Coast Suns 7.15 (57)
Southport 7.6 (48) def. by Aspley 13.13 (91)
Sydney University 17.5 (107) def. Hills Eagles 9.12 (66)