Tony's Tactics - Round 20

Well it was the 150th anniversary of the first ever football match played last week, however Melbourne did not celebrate in a way they might have intended. Geelong racked up 469 disposals en route to a 116 point shellacking of the Dees. On Saturday Hawthorn did the right thing by their champion Shane Crawford, recording a comfortable win over Brisbane in Launceston. In the other match, Carlton completely dominated Port Adelaide in a very encouraging showing for their future.

Saturday night saw Collingwood win in the face of adversity and should now make the finals, while Sydney came back from the dead over Fremantle to get up in a last-ditch effort at the SCG. On Sunday North Melbourne proved they well and truly have the Bulldogs' measure in recent times, winning by just over three goals. Whilst in interstate matches, Adelaide showed Richmond they have a little way to go to make finals, thumping the Tigers by over 10 goals, and West Coast made it four wins for the season, downing Essendon by 10 points and ending their finals chances in the process.

There were a few injuries to come from round 19. Demon Austin Wonaemirri sprained ligaments in his ankle and will be monitored throughout the week, as will Lance Franklin who suffered a corked right thigh which swelled up significantly on the flight back from Tasmania. Lion Josh Drummond strained his right quad and will miss the rest of the season - a blow for Brisbane. Kangaroo Nathan Thompson sprained his ankle and will be monitored during the week, and Eagle Ashley Hansen and Crow Bernie Vince both suffered hamstring injuries which means Hansen's season is over and Vince may come back during the finals series.

There was only one report to come from the weekend. Saint Aaron Fiora was booked for striking Collingwood's John McCarthy on Saturday night. However, the Match Review Panel may cite several incidents in their review of the weekend's matches today.

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Tony (tronny) Vulling.

Tony's Tactics - Round 19

Collingwood faced the first day of a tumultuous few on Friday night, as they were handed a nine goal drubbing by Hawthorn. This, as the Buddy show rolled on with another 8 goal, six behinds haul. On Saturday Essendon kept it's finals dream alive as Matthew Lloyd reigned higher than ever in helping his team over the line. At AAMI Stadium, Carlton let slip a crucial game against Adelaide, however they do have a chance to rectify that loss this week against the Crows' cross-town rivals in Port Adelaide. On Saturday night Richmond put up a brave showing in their hit-out with Geelong, however eventually succumbed by 63 points, whilst in the other match North Melbourne raced to an early lead, surrendered it, then clawed their way back in typical fashion to open up the chance of a top-four position.
On Sunday, the Western Bulldogs allowed Sydney to jump to an early lead, but an eight goal second term by the Dogs helped them set up an impressive win in Canberra. St. Kilda and Port Adelaide produced an absolute rip-snorter at Telstra Dome as the Saints held on just by 8 points, whilst in the Western Derby, Fremantle produced the goods for retiring stawlwart Shaun McManus, rolling the Eagles by 33 points.

Shane O' Bree hurt his hip in a clash with Sam Mitchell and is in some doubt for the game against St. Kilda. In accidental contact, Crows forward Jason Porplyzia had his right shoulder partly dislocated and is only a small chance to line up against the Tigers. Saints superstar Luke Ball strained his hamstring in the last two minutes of the game and is likely to miss three weeks, whilst the Eagles have opted for 'list management' procedures in sending trio Brent Staker, Josh Kennedy and their best midfielder Daniel Kerr in for season-ending surgery.

At the tribunal, four-week bans were handed to Cat Darren Milburn and Blue Steven Browne. However, taking into account Milburn's prior good record and an appeal, he will serve only one week, whilst Browne also appealed his verdict and was successful in totally clearing himself of any penalty.

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Tony (tronny) Vulling.