Adelaide (69) lost to St.Kilda (101), AAMI Stadium

In the first of three match-ups between Round 1 winners, the Crows and the Saints opened proceedings in Round 2 at AAMI Stadium. Adelaide overcame Collingwood last week to cause the upset of the round, whilst the Saints had some trouble early but eventually accounted for a lacklustre Swans outfit.

With Adelaide the hot tip here, especially with the match being on their home turf, the Crows were expected to get over the line. However it was the Saints who had the better of the contest, gaining the ascendancy early and never really letting it slip – applying tenacious pressure all over the ground to record their third consecutive victory at AAMI (impressive stat!).

Another prolific ball-getting performance from Dal Santo and improved output from Nick Riewoldt were the catalysts for the Saints, who remain undefeated after 2 rounds – with a third straight win likely as they face the Eagles in Melbourne next week.

The Crows long-term search for a Tony Modra replacement continues; with no-one seemingly ready to assume the “go-to” role in the forward 50.

Geelong (105) defeated Richmond (85), Skilled Stadium

This was a much talked about game, for all of the wrong reasons. After marginally getting the better of the Hawks in Round 1, most experts predicted that the Cats would trounce the struggling Tigers at Skilled on Saturday afternoon. After all, the Tigers copped an 83 point hammering last week at the hands of the Blues in what could only be labelled an inept performance, so a follow-up encounter with the best team over the past 2 or 3 seasons would not have been their first preference.

And early on at least, it looked as though the Cats were predictably going to have their way with a struggling Tigers side, building a 26 point lead by the first change. Only a brave person would have suggested the Tigers would outscore the Cats over the final three quarters, but that is exactly what they did.

With the influence of Ablett, Bartel and Corey being kept in check somewhat by the Tigers, they amazingly clawed their way into the lead in the final term – before Steve Johnson stepped up with a bag of final quarter goals to swing the momentum back over the Cats way.

Geelong held on for a second consecutive win, but they must be concerned by an early trend that has seen them outscored in the second half of both matches to begin 2009. Their goal kicking also remains a concern, having kicked 30 goals and 36 behinds so far this season. At least the 8 premiership points are safely tucked away – whilst I’m sure the kicking inaccuracy will resolve itself over the season.

Unlike last week, the Tigers will take something from the improved performance but they must find a way to win soon or else their finals hopes will be all but gone.

Collingwood (117) defeated Melbourne (64), MCG

At least one of these clubs was going to have its first win of 2009, with both coming off defeats in the opening round.

Collingwood, quite rightly, went into this match as favourites even after their surprise Round 1 loss to the Crows – whilst the Demons were solid for three quarters last week before falling away against the Roos.

Melbourne looked impressive early, particularly in the first quarter as they jumped out of the blocks to catch the Pies off guard. But it was to be short lived, with Collingwood kicking 5 goals to 2 in the second term to take a 7 point lead into the half time break.

After the break, it was all Collingwood – as they showed the kind of form most were expecting from them last week. The Pies, led by Anthony, Didak and Cloke in the goal stakes, kicked 9 majors to just 3 for the Demons in the second half to run out easy winners by 53 points. Josh Fraser was excellent for Collingwood, as were the ever reliable pair of Dane Swan and Tarkyn Lockyer.

Carlton (119) defeated Brisbane (100), Etihad Stadium

Much has been written and spoken of the Blues in the last week, ever since their dismantling of the Tigers in Round 1 – with the punters going as far as backing Carlton into the third line of betting for the 2009 Premiership. Whilst I’d usually be the first to try and talk up the Blues, I honestly don’t think we’re sitting only behind the Cats and Hawks as flag favourites. I’d safely suggest the Saints and the Pies would be better chances at this point.

The Lions clawed their way to a win in Round 1 over a surprisingly gallant West Coast side, and they would have been very eager to burst the Blues bubble in front of an adoring Carlton home crowd in Melbourne.

An even opening quarter was followed by a Carlton landslide in the second term, with the Blues showing the kind of form that will may see them contend for a Premiership this year in the seasons to follow. Carlton kicked 9 goals to 1 for the period, to open an imposing 41 point break at half-time.

The Lions showed tremendous character in the second half, doing the bulk of the scoring to bring the deficit back to just a couple of kicks.

It took some late goal-kicking brilliance from Fevola and some more than handy contributions from Betts and Murphy to seal the match. The Blues won a lively contest by 19 points.

Sydney (143) defeated Hawthorn (105), ANZ Stadium

Even with up to 10 names missing from the 2008 Premiership winning line-up, the Hawks were relatively warm favourites against Sydney. The Swans looked woeful last week, whilst Hawthorn pushed the Cats to the limit – so the favouritism was understandable.

Hawthorn started strongly, with 5 goals to 3 in the first term however it was evident from the outset that the Swans had their heads in the game this week. This was made clear by a second term resurgence which saw the teams essentially locked together at the half.

The second half belonged to Sydney, as the more experienced and battle-hardened bodies of the Swans wore down the largely inexperienced Hawks side.

The Swans dominated the disposal count and showed terrific efficiency in averaging just 11 disposals per goal scored on the night. The Hawks are now 0-2 – and with a match-up against the Kangaroos to come in Round 3, there is no clear sign that things will get better in a hurry, especially given their injury situation.

Essendon (109) defeated Fremantle (71), Etihad Stadium

With both of these sides struggling in Round 1, this match asked the hard question of tipsters everywhere… And that question was: which side is least likely to stink?

We all know Fremantle’s tendency to “put the queue in the rack” away from the comforts of Subiaco – however even that theory was proven incorrect last week, as they were smacked by the Dogs at home. And sorry Bomber fans, but I can’t see a lot to be excited about down at Windy Hill, either.

To the credit of both sides, there at least appears to be a considerable youth movement in the works – with the knowledge that finals footy is most likely out of the question in 2009. The “youth movement” is arguably less evident at Windy Hill – with Lloyd, Lucas and Fletcher nearing the end of their respective careers. Even David Hille and Adam McPhee are approaching 30. Jason Laycock is also on the Essendon playing list. Yes, I know he is only 24, but it’s still a negative.

Whilst they may have had the elder legs of the two clubs, it may just have been the previously mentioned experience and wiser heads that saw the Dons home against the Dockers. It could also be that the Dockers are terrible. Take your pick!

Western Bulldogs (80) defeated North Melbourne (65), MCG

The wet weather hit Melbourne on Sunday meaning the first half of this match between the Dogs and the Roos was played out in difficult conditions for the players. Another match featuring winners from Round 1, the winner of this contest would find themselves well placed, admittedly very early in the season still.

The Dogs were out of the blocks the fastest, holding onto a slight lead at the first change, despite both clubs wasting several opportunities around goal. The poor conditions again hampered play in the second term, with only a further 3 goals being added to the scoreboard in a low-scoring and hard fought contest.

The game opened up in the third term as the weather improved – as the Dogs jumped out to almost a 5 goal lead and looked in control. However a typically gritty comeback from Roos (I believe I’m contracted to mention the “Shinboner spirit” somewhere here?) in the final term saw them climb within just 2 points – only for the Dogs to seal the game with a couple of late goals to secure an important victory.

Brad Johnson led from the front for the Bulldogs, as Boyd, Cross and Griffen again controlled the middle of the ground. The Dogs could make it 3 wins from as many starts next week against the Tigers, whilst the Roos face a Hawthorn side desperate to open its account for 2009 in the first of 5 consecutive home games for the club. In fact, with a “Collingwood-esque” fixture – they don’t leave Victoria in the first half of the season.

West Coast (125) defeated Port Adelaide (75), Subiaco

The final game of Round 3 pitted the 1-0 Power against the 0-1 Eagles. Coming off a horror, injury-ravaged 2008, the Power are tipped by many to make huge strides this year, whilst the Eagles are expected to languish towards the bottom of the ladder.

The Eagles started strongly and the Power simply could not recover. A small lead at quarter time increased at each interval, with the Eagles eventually belting the Power into submission with a staggering 50 point victory by the final siren.

The Eagles face some tough challenges in the form of the Saints, Dogs and Hawks over the next 3 rounds – whilst the Power will be keen to get back on track against the Dees next week back in the confines of AAMI Stadium.

Please feel free to leave a comment about any of the action from Round 2.

Cheers,

Luke.