Back after a week off last week. Alex Malcolm and Chris Robinson are your commentators for this round five clash between Geelong and Brisbane from a wet, windy, and cold Skilled Stadium in Geelong. The Cats enter undefeated off a successful trip to Adelaide last week while Brisbane travel south for the second time this season searching for their third win. As per usual no need to download the files. Just click on the links and press play.
Preview
1st term
2nd term
3rd term
4th term
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Cool Cabrera exacts Argentinean revenge
Argentina has hardly been a breeding ground for golfing greatness. The South American nation, known for its beauty and its vibrant and colourful culture, has been characterised in a sporting context by its exploits in the beautiful game. It has twice won the football World Cup, twice finished runner-up, as well as hosting the 1978 event. They boast a stable of global stars from Maradona to Messi who are idolised worldwide.
In more recent times their tennis exploits have become more and more noticeable on a global scale. They have finished runner-up in two of the last three Davis Cup’s, and lay claim to three grand slam champions in men’s and women’s tennis.
But now they have a US Masters champion, and the source of their sole green jacket is the unlikely character from Cordoba, Angel Cabrera.
It is not the first major golfing triumph by an Argentine. Two years before Cabrera was born, Roberto De Vincenzo became South America’s first golfing hero by winning the 1967 British Open. A year later his career was defined by the simplest of oversights that had the most ghastly of consequences. In signing an incorrect scorecard De Vincenzo was denied a place in a Masters Play-off, a place he had earned, and subsequently gifted Bob Goalby the green jacket.
Thirty-nine years later, in June 2007, De Vincenzo watched on anxiously as Cabrera chain-smoked his way around Oakmont, on his way to a superb US Open triumph and his country’s second major golf title. Cabrera, the antithesis of the modern golfer, played beautifully to stave off the world’s best and possibly greatest, Tiger Woods, and a former US Open champion Jim Furyk, on that June Sunday two years ago. It prompted De Vincenzo to give his countryman a gift. A small photo frame, encasing a picture of a green jacket was the tangible evidence, but it was the seed of thought that was planted in Cabrera’s mind which was of far greater value.
Cabrera arrived this week almost without anyone noticing. The build-up had been dominated by the returns of Tiger Woods to major action, and Augusta National’s nearly man, Greg Norman, who was flying the flag for the seniors. The announcement of Gary Players’ retirement from the Masters drew some attention. But given the man who had won the past two-majors, Padraig Harrington, was barely mentioned in the pre-tournament rambles it was no surprise that the Argentine slipped under the radar.
He remained there through the opening two rounds. Day one headlines espoused the exploits of golf’s pensioners, four of whom had broken par on a day where birdies were bountiful and more sub-par rounds were recorded than any other in the history of the Masters. Chad Campbell also claimed some limelight, falling two par’s shy of a course-record equalling 63. His five consecutive birdies to begin the day was a record in itself. Tiger Woods also sparked interest by butchering several chances to break 70 for the first-time on a Thursday. Instead he finished with 70, a first-round score he had posted on three previous occasions, each being the first step towards eventual triumph. Cabrera, El Paco as he is known, the Duck as it is translated, waddled around quietly for a four-under 68.
On Friday the Argentine slipped around again in 68, virtually unnoticed to all and sundry. Kenny Perry’s 67 meant he shared the half-way lead with Campbell. The 48-year-old continued the theme of older players dominating the headlines. Norman missed the cut by a shot, fellow senior and his 1987 tormentor Larry Mize made the cut along with 1988 champion Sandy Lyle, while standing ovations reverberated around the Augusta Pines for retiring champions Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller. At the opposite end of their careers Anthony Kim and Sergio Garcia had burnt around in 65 and 67 respectively in more than conspicuous fashion.
Cabrera made his move on moving day. The sun set on Saturday’s scoreboard with the Argentine’s name at the top. A sublime 69 made him the only man in the field with three rounds in the sixties. He was joined at the top on the 11-under par score of 205 by the Kentucky native Perry, a shot ahead of 2003 US Open champion Furyk, and two in-front of Campbell.
The final pairing for the final day was a throwback to the old days. Two men so similar in nature and context yet so different in character and touring philosophy. Both have home-built swings, both have families more mature and settled than not. But while Cabrera is a globe-trotting professional who has plied his trade all over the world, it seems Perry has barely left Kentucky, having married his child-hood sweetheart, and remained living in his home-town of Franklin, populated by 8000.
While Perry had been an ultra-consistent player for many years - his one chance in major golf slipping through his fingers on his home course in the 1996 USPGA at Valhalla - Cabrera has been an enigmatic champion who had claimed his only real opportunity in unique and unbelievable circumstances at Oakmont.
Ironically, as this duel would take place for the title, along with Campbell and Furyk, the game’s two giants, Woods, and Phil Mickelson, would duke out a side-show, an hour in-front of the final group and seven shots behind them.
By half-way through the final day, however, the side-show had all but become the main show. One-time nearly man, Mickelson, now twice a Masters champion, equalled the perennial nearly man Norman’s front nine record with blistering 30 that saw him turn at 10-under par. Even a watery double bogey on the treacherous 12th did not dampen his influence on proceedings as he had dragged his playing partner and career long lure, Woods, along with him.
Perry and Cabrera had contrasting front sides. Perry had registered nine straight pars while Cabrera lost a trade between birdies and bogeys. Neither had progressed from their overnight tally while Campbell and Furyk had struggled to avoid losing touch playing a group in-front.
And while Perry and Cabrera missed birdie putts at the difficult 11th that potentially could have kick started their day, Mickelson and Woods had ignited the crowd at 15. Both had bombed drives down the hill leaving mid-iron second’s to the risk/reward par five that had decided many a Masters down the years. Woods made a flawless swing to stop it 15 feet under the hole, sending a roar all the way back to the 12th. Mickelson, in typical fashion, said “anything you can do I can do better” stiffing a seven-iron to four feet, leaving an eagle putt to tie the lead and send shivers down the spine of every player behind them.
But roars fell to groans as both missed their chances. Woods struck a good putt that defied gravity, which confused Mickelson into butchering his. But birdies left Mickelson and Woods one and two back respectively.
Those distances stretched to two and three strokes when Perry holed a brilliant birdie putt from the back edge at 12 after Campbell had steadied his day with a two at the same hole.
But the heavyweights ahead had not given up just yet. Woods made a clinical birdie at 16 after a sublime tee shot and a perfect putt from six feet to join Mickelson at 10-under just two back.
Perry three putted for par at 13, while his playing partner birdied as things tightened at the top. But Woods made two horrible bogey’s at 17 and 18 that shocked all who witnessed them, and Mickelson missed another golden chance for birdie at 17 before clanging five at 18, and the world’s number 1 and 2, despite shooting 68 and 67 respectively had provided nothing more than what all had expected, a side-show.
The tournament was still undecided as the final group reached the 16th tee. Campbell had joined the mix at 12-under, but Perry with a birdie at 15 was one ahead. He put one arm in the jacket with a tee shot at 16 that could have and perhaps should have decided this Masters. With his self confessed “pick it up, drop it inside, and flip it over” swing he drew an eight-iron to three inches and walked to the 17th tee with a two shot cushion. A nervous chip at the 17th green cost a bogey and the margin was one.
Perry then drove into the left trap at 18, as Cabrera drove dead centre. Campbell unaware of the gas wafting his way from back down the fairway had a putt which in hindsight could have won it in regulation. His miss meant he posted 12-under in the clubhouse, two ahead of Shingo Katayama’s 10-under, and three beyond Mickelson.
Cabrera blocked his approach to the front right edge leaving a chip reminiscent of Chris DiMarco’s in 2005, as Perry stood over a seven-iron needing a Sandy Lyle type strike to all but seal victory. He again “flipped it over” short and left, leaving a treacherous chip, which he struck 12-feet past.
Cabrera chipped to four-feet and marked. Perry had a par putt for victory. It was a putt he later confessed he’d seen “100 times on television”. It was a putt similar to one’s holed by Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh and Woods all to seal Masters in the past decade. Perry nervously poked at it and missed. Cabrera, without any nerve-settling nicotine in his system bravely rolled his putt in and the three way play-off that followed would be the first since 1987.
Campbell, coldest of the three began proceedings on 18 once more. He split the middle with his drive. Perry put his failures in regulation behind him with a perfect drive, but Cabrera, the only major champion in the trio, blocked his drive into the trees.
Redemption for De Vincenzo seemed long gone when Cabrera struck a tree with his second, but all was not lost. Perry caught his eight-iron fat and missed low and right, and then Campbell made a fatal error finding the right trap with his second. Cabrera gave himself a chance with a wedge to six-feet.
Perry made a near perfect chip to tap in for par first. Campbell splashed four feet by. Cabrera, once again with nerves of steel jailed his par putt to applause from Perry. Campbell missed and the play-off continued on the 10th with just two.
But after two good drives Perry again faltered. Like the crest-fallen Len Mattice in 2003, Perry hooked his approach into dead territory left. The best he could muster was five. Cabrera two-putted for a par-four and the Argentine was a two-time major champion celebrating to the chanting of a small group of fans in the crowd.
No doubt it was redemption of sorts for De Vincenzo’s mistake of 1968, but Cabrera also breaks the mould by exiting a group of one-hit wonders and joining an elite group of duel major champions which includes the great Greg Norman.
It is a special win for the globe-trotting man from Cordoba. He is breaking the mould of Argentinean sportsmen, putting Argentine golf on the map. He is breaking the mould of the modern golfer. Young, single, fit athletes, who live and die by shot routines and swing mechanics, were all beaten by a man who only just recently gave up smoking, shuns psychology, and sometimes forgoes a practice swing. But most importantly for a second time he’s breaking his own mould. One of his former caddies previously revealed in blunt terms that he soiled himself in the big moments. For the second time in two years he held his nerve to win a major, this time the most prized possession in all of golf. The possession De Vincenzo had urged him to win. An Argentinean now owns a green jacket.
In more recent times their tennis exploits have become more and more noticeable on a global scale. They have finished runner-up in two of the last three Davis Cup’s, and lay claim to three grand slam champions in men’s and women’s tennis.
But now they have a US Masters champion, and the source of their sole green jacket is the unlikely character from Cordoba, Angel Cabrera.
It is not the first major golfing triumph by an Argentine. Two years before Cabrera was born, Roberto De Vincenzo became South America’s first golfing hero by winning the 1967 British Open. A year later his career was defined by the simplest of oversights that had the most ghastly of consequences. In signing an incorrect scorecard De Vincenzo was denied a place in a Masters Play-off, a place he had earned, and subsequently gifted Bob Goalby the green jacket.
Thirty-nine years later, in June 2007, De Vincenzo watched on anxiously as Cabrera chain-smoked his way around Oakmont, on his way to a superb US Open triumph and his country’s second major golf title. Cabrera, the antithesis of the modern golfer, played beautifully to stave off the world’s best and possibly greatest, Tiger Woods, and a former US Open champion Jim Furyk, on that June Sunday two years ago. It prompted De Vincenzo to give his countryman a gift. A small photo frame, encasing a picture of a green jacket was the tangible evidence, but it was the seed of thought that was planted in Cabrera’s mind which was of far greater value.
Cabrera arrived this week almost without anyone noticing. The build-up had been dominated by the returns of Tiger Woods to major action, and Augusta National’s nearly man, Greg Norman, who was flying the flag for the seniors. The announcement of Gary Players’ retirement from the Masters drew some attention. But given the man who had won the past two-majors, Padraig Harrington, was barely mentioned in the pre-tournament rambles it was no surprise that the Argentine slipped under the radar.
He remained there through the opening two rounds. Day one headlines espoused the exploits of golf’s pensioners, four of whom had broken par on a day where birdies were bountiful and more sub-par rounds were recorded than any other in the history of the Masters. Chad Campbell also claimed some limelight, falling two par’s shy of a course-record equalling 63. His five consecutive birdies to begin the day was a record in itself. Tiger Woods also sparked interest by butchering several chances to break 70 for the first-time on a Thursday. Instead he finished with 70, a first-round score he had posted on three previous occasions, each being the first step towards eventual triumph. Cabrera, El Paco as he is known, the Duck as it is translated, waddled around quietly for a four-under 68.
On Friday the Argentine slipped around again in 68, virtually unnoticed to all and sundry. Kenny Perry’s 67 meant he shared the half-way lead with Campbell. The 48-year-old continued the theme of older players dominating the headlines. Norman missed the cut by a shot, fellow senior and his 1987 tormentor Larry Mize made the cut along with 1988 champion Sandy Lyle, while standing ovations reverberated around the Augusta Pines for retiring champions Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller. At the opposite end of their careers Anthony Kim and Sergio Garcia had burnt around in 65 and 67 respectively in more than conspicuous fashion.
Cabrera made his move on moving day. The sun set on Saturday’s scoreboard with the Argentine’s name at the top. A sublime 69 made him the only man in the field with three rounds in the sixties. He was joined at the top on the 11-under par score of 205 by the Kentucky native Perry, a shot ahead of 2003 US Open champion Furyk, and two in-front of Campbell.
The final pairing for the final day was a throwback to the old days. Two men so similar in nature and context yet so different in character and touring philosophy. Both have home-built swings, both have families more mature and settled than not. But while Cabrera is a globe-trotting professional who has plied his trade all over the world, it seems Perry has barely left Kentucky, having married his child-hood sweetheart, and remained living in his home-town of Franklin, populated by 8000.
While Perry had been an ultra-consistent player for many years - his one chance in major golf slipping through his fingers on his home course in the 1996 USPGA at Valhalla - Cabrera has been an enigmatic champion who had claimed his only real opportunity in unique and unbelievable circumstances at Oakmont.
Ironically, as this duel would take place for the title, along with Campbell and Furyk, the game’s two giants, Woods, and Phil Mickelson, would duke out a side-show, an hour in-front of the final group and seven shots behind them.
By half-way through the final day, however, the side-show had all but become the main show. One-time nearly man, Mickelson, now twice a Masters champion, equalled the perennial nearly man Norman’s front nine record with blistering 30 that saw him turn at 10-under par. Even a watery double bogey on the treacherous 12th did not dampen his influence on proceedings as he had dragged his playing partner and career long lure, Woods, along with him.
Perry and Cabrera had contrasting front sides. Perry had registered nine straight pars while Cabrera lost a trade between birdies and bogeys. Neither had progressed from their overnight tally while Campbell and Furyk had struggled to avoid losing touch playing a group in-front.
And while Perry and Cabrera missed birdie putts at the difficult 11th that potentially could have kick started their day, Mickelson and Woods had ignited the crowd at 15. Both had bombed drives down the hill leaving mid-iron second’s to the risk/reward par five that had decided many a Masters down the years. Woods made a flawless swing to stop it 15 feet under the hole, sending a roar all the way back to the 12th. Mickelson, in typical fashion, said “anything you can do I can do better” stiffing a seven-iron to four feet, leaving an eagle putt to tie the lead and send shivers down the spine of every player behind them.
But roars fell to groans as both missed their chances. Woods struck a good putt that defied gravity, which confused Mickelson into butchering his. But birdies left Mickelson and Woods one and two back respectively.
Those distances stretched to two and three strokes when Perry holed a brilliant birdie putt from the back edge at 12 after Campbell had steadied his day with a two at the same hole.
But the heavyweights ahead had not given up just yet. Woods made a clinical birdie at 16 after a sublime tee shot and a perfect putt from six feet to join Mickelson at 10-under just two back.
Perry three putted for par at 13, while his playing partner birdied as things tightened at the top. But Woods made two horrible bogey’s at 17 and 18 that shocked all who witnessed them, and Mickelson missed another golden chance for birdie at 17 before clanging five at 18, and the world’s number 1 and 2, despite shooting 68 and 67 respectively had provided nothing more than what all had expected, a side-show.
The tournament was still undecided as the final group reached the 16th tee. Campbell had joined the mix at 12-under, but Perry with a birdie at 15 was one ahead. He put one arm in the jacket with a tee shot at 16 that could have and perhaps should have decided this Masters. With his self confessed “pick it up, drop it inside, and flip it over” swing he drew an eight-iron to three inches and walked to the 17th tee with a two shot cushion. A nervous chip at the 17th green cost a bogey and the margin was one.
Perry then drove into the left trap at 18, as Cabrera drove dead centre. Campbell unaware of the gas wafting his way from back down the fairway had a putt which in hindsight could have won it in regulation. His miss meant he posted 12-under in the clubhouse, two ahead of Shingo Katayama’s 10-under, and three beyond Mickelson.
Cabrera blocked his approach to the front right edge leaving a chip reminiscent of Chris DiMarco’s in 2005, as Perry stood over a seven-iron needing a Sandy Lyle type strike to all but seal victory. He again “flipped it over” short and left, leaving a treacherous chip, which he struck 12-feet past.
Cabrera chipped to four-feet and marked. Perry had a par putt for victory. It was a putt he later confessed he’d seen “100 times on television”. It was a putt similar to one’s holed by Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh and Woods all to seal Masters in the past decade. Perry nervously poked at it and missed. Cabrera, without any nerve-settling nicotine in his system bravely rolled his putt in and the three way play-off that followed would be the first since 1987.
Campbell, coldest of the three began proceedings on 18 once more. He split the middle with his drive. Perry put his failures in regulation behind him with a perfect drive, but Cabrera, the only major champion in the trio, blocked his drive into the trees.
Redemption for De Vincenzo seemed long gone when Cabrera struck a tree with his second, but all was not lost. Perry caught his eight-iron fat and missed low and right, and then Campbell made a fatal error finding the right trap with his second. Cabrera gave himself a chance with a wedge to six-feet.
Perry made a near perfect chip to tap in for par first. Campbell splashed four feet by. Cabrera, once again with nerves of steel jailed his par putt to applause from Perry. Campbell missed and the play-off continued on the 10th with just two.
But after two good drives Perry again faltered. Like the crest-fallen Len Mattice in 2003, Perry hooked his approach into dead territory left. The best he could muster was five. Cabrera two-putted for a par-four and the Argentine was a two-time major champion celebrating to the chanting of a small group of fans in the crowd.
No doubt it was redemption of sorts for De Vincenzo’s mistake of 1968, but Cabrera also breaks the mould by exiting a group of one-hit wonders and joining an elite group of duel major champions which includes the great Greg Norman.
It is a special win for the globe-trotting man from Cordoba. He is breaking the mould of Argentinean sportsmen, putting Argentine golf on the map. He is breaking the mould of the modern golfer. Young, single, fit athletes, who live and die by shot routines and swing mechanics, were all beaten by a man who only just recently gave up smoking, shuns psychology, and sometimes forgoes a practice swing. But most importantly for a second time he’s breaking his own mould. One of his former caddies previously revealed in blunt terms that he soiled himself in the big moments. For the second time in two years he held his nerve to win a major, this time the most prized possession in all of golf. The possession De Vincenzo had urged him to win. An Argentinean now owns a green jacket.
Round 3 2009 Fremantle v Adelaide
Myself and Chris Robinson (Journalist with the Sunday Times) are your commentators for Fremantle v Adelaide played in very warm, oppressive conditions at Subiaco. Adelaide travelled west looking to shake the off-field controversy from last week with a second win of the year, while Fremantle desperately needed to break their duck to keep Mark Harvey's critics at bay. If you are planning to listen to the call, my advice would be to ignore the first three quarters and head straight to the last (the commentary was as bad as the football itself). Once again no need to download the files. Just press on the link, then press play.
Preview
1st Term
2nd Term
3rd Term
4th Term
Preview
1st Term
2nd Term
3rd Term
4th Term
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Round 2 2009 West Coast vs Port Adelaide
This is the second game we've attampted to call live off television. Myself and Nick Partridge are your commentators for West Coast v Port Adelaide. Port come to Subiaco without fear having won 7 of their last 8 against West Coast. They are fresh off a 43 point win in Round 1. West Coast exceeded expectation in Round 1 despite losing by 9 points to Brisbane. Chad Cornes play's his 200th, Shaun Burgoyne his 150th, Brad Ebert and Toby Thurstans their 100ths whilst Matt Rosa for West Coast notches 50 games. The links provided below will take you straight to the files. No need to download just press play. Enjoy.
Preview
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Preview
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Round 1 2009 Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs
In trying to get some experience broadcasting football, I have decided to call a game live off television each weekend. For the most part it will be the sunday twilight fixture. I have enlisted a friend Nick Partridge to provide expert comments. The links below will send you to a file share site. There is no need to download the mp3 files. Just press play. Feel free to send feedback to my email which is on my profile.
Pre-game preview
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
4th quarter
Pre-game preview
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
4th quarter
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The triumph and tragedy of opening night
Nearly the biggest opening night crowd in the history of AFL football turned out to watch the much anticipated clash between two sides expected to feature prominently towards September, and two players who once climbed the September Mountain together but now opposed each other for the first time.
But in the end the 86,971 fans in attendance left the MCG short-changed after Carlton mauled Richmond 23.12 (150) to 9.13 (67).
To make matters worse for the Tigers, if 83 points wasn’t bad enough, their messiah, the returning star Ben Cousins, limped off with what appeared to be a nasty hamstring injury that may keep him out for an extended period.
The former Eagle was the night’s star attraction and it took him all of 12 seconds to have an impact getting an early touch that resulted in a shot for goal for Matthew Richardson. But Richardson’s attempted conversion typically punched the post and hope vanished as quickly as it had been harboured.
Richmond were plagued by skill errors in the back half and in Terry Wallace’s fifth and most important year in charge it seems little progress has been made. Wallace and his medical staff may also come under fire after Cousins complained of a niggle behind the knee at three quarter-time, only to return in the final stanza to damage his hamstring properly.
The Tigers night resembled a Shakespearean tragedy. Tim Lane rephrased it a “Richardsonian” tragedy.
But for as bad as Richmond was, the Blues stamped themselves as the real deal with a polished display. Richmond led briefly after two early goals to Mitch Morton, the lowest profile former Eagle on the ground. Morton finished the night with four goals and, along with Jack Riewoldt and Nathan Foley, he was among the few Tigers who could hold their heads high.
The momentum swung with Jarrad Waite who ignited the Blues early. Lining up on the dangerous Richardson he pushed forward twice to kick early goals and help guide Carlton to an eight-goal opening term to lead by 30 points at the first change. They extended that lead to 40 at half-time before exploding in the second half.
All their young stars got involved. While Waite owned the first half, Marc Murphy was probably the Blues best in the second, showing leadership and class by bringing teammates into the game. A sublime 30 metre handball in the third term set up one of Eddie Betts’ five goals, while Murphy himself jailed a Betts-like check-side on the run in the last to finish with two goals of his own.
Chris Judd was hardly dominant but his fingerprints were all over Carlton’s victory with important and efficient touches, plus a brace of goals to boot. But the biggest indicator of Carlton’s improvement was the fact that their spearhead Brendan Fevola bagged just two of their 23 goals. While his impact did not feature heavily on the scoreboard he was brilliant throughout the night consistently doing the unselfish one-per centers that his game has lacked in the past. He chased hard, used his physicality, and laid important shepherds, all of which aided Carlton’s dominance.
Brett Ratten and his match committee can feel particularly proud tonight after the gamble of playing four debutants well and truly paid off. Mitch Robinson, a young Tasmanian who has been likened to Anthony Koutoufides, was outstanding in booting three goals. Jeff Garlett, the lightweight Western Australian at just 74 kilos was possibly the biggest gamble but he showed tenacity and liveliness up forward. Aaron Joseph had the unenviable task of running with Cousins on his first day in senior football and did it with aplomb while Sam Jacobs held his own the ruck.
Terry Wallace and the Tigers have plenty to ponder with the prospect of facing Geelong and the Western Bulldogs in the coming fortnight without Cousins and perhaps also Andrew Raines who limped off with a knee problem.
Brett Ratten meanwhile can look forward to Nick Stevens returning for next week’s encounter with Brisbane. The only concern for the Blues is a sore heel for Fevola, who no doubt will be nursed through the week.
But in the end the 86,971 fans in attendance left the MCG short-changed after Carlton mauled Richmond 23.12 (150) to 9.13 (67).
To make matters worse for the Tigers, if 83 points wasn’t bad enough, their messiah, the returning star Ben Cousins, limped off with what appeared to be a nasty hamstring injury that may keep him out for an extended period.
The former Eagle was the night’s star attraction and it took him all of 12 seconds to have an impact getting an early touch that resulted in a shot for goal for Matthew Richardson. But Richardson’s attempted conversion typically punched the post and hope vanished as quickly as it had been harboured.
Richmond were plagued by skill errors in the back half and in Terry Wallace’s fifth and most important year in charge it seems little progress has been made. Wallace and his medical staff may also come under fire after Cousins complained of a niggle behind the knee at three quarter-time, only to return in the final stanza to damage his hamstring properly.
The Tigers night resembled a Shakespearean tragedy. Tim Lane rephrased it a “Richardsonian” tragedy.
But for as bad as Richmond was, the Blues stamped themselves as the real deal with a polished display. Richmond led briefly after two early goals to Mitch Morton, the lowest profile former Eagle on the ground. Morton finished the night with four goals and, along with Jack Riewoldt and Nathan Foley, he was among the few Tigers who could hold their heads high.
The momentum swung with Jarrad Waite who ignited the Blues early. Lining up on the dangerous Richardson he pushed forward twice to kick early goals and help guide Carlton to an eight-goal opening term to lead by 30 points at the first change. They extended that lead to 40 at half-time before exploding in the second half.
All their young stars got involved. While Waite owned the first half, Marc Murphy was probably the Blues best in the second, showing leadership and class by bringing teammates into the game. A sublime 30 metre handball in the third term set up one of Eddie Betts’ five goals, while Murphy himself jailed a Betts-like check-side on the run in the last to finish with two goals of his own.
Chris Judd was hardly dominant but his fingerprints were all over Carlton’s victory with important and efficient touches, plus a brace of goals to boot. But the biggest indicator of Carlton’s improvement was the fact that their spearhead Brendan Fevola bagged just two of their 23 goals. While his impact did not feature heavily on the scoreboard he was brilliant throughout the night consistently doing the unselfish one-per centers that his game has lacked in the past. He chased hard, used his physicality, and laid important shepherds, all of which aided Carlton’s dominance.
Brett Ratten and his match committee can feel particularly proud tonight after the gamble of playing four debutants well and truly paid off. Mitch Robinson, a young Tasmanian who has been likened to Anthony Koutoufides, was outstanding in booting three goals. Jeff Garlett, the lightweight Western Australian at just 74 kilos was possibly the biggest gamble but he showed tenacity and liveliness up forward. Aaron Joseph had the unenviable task of running with Cousins on his first day in senior football and did it with aplomb while Sam Jacobs held his own the ruck.
Terry Wallace and the Tigers have plenty to ponder with the prospect of facing Geelong and the Western Bulldogs in the coming fortnight without Cousins and perhaps also Andrew Raines who limped off with a knee problem.
Brett Ratten meanwhile can look forward to Nick Stevens returning for next week’s encounter with Brisbane. The only concern for the Blues is a sore heel for Fevola, who no doubt will be nursed through the week.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Dream turns to nightmare
Day 3. 3rd Test from Newlands in Cape Town. Australia 209 & 2 for 102 (Katich 44no, Hughes 32) v South Africa 651 (de Villiers 163, Prince 150, Johnson 4-148)
Did we just awake from a dream? Did we dream that normal service had resumed? That Australia had restored status quo by winning an away series against the world’s form side two-nil?
Today reality sunk in. Australia was dominated by South Africa. So much so they were toyed with to the point of embarrassment. They have conceded a trio of Test centuries in an innings for the first time since 2001, when New Zealand somehow managed four. And the visitors are now staring down the barrel of their first innings defeat since Kolkata in 1998.
The figures from that match are eerily similar to this. After Australia was removed for 233 first time up, India’s top six each passed 65. Captain Mohammad Azharuddin was the only to reach three figures with 163 but that was hardly the point. Australia’s attack on that occasion comprised of one draft-horse, Michael Kasprowicz, one debutant, Paul Wilson, spinners Shane Warne and Gavin Robertson, and part-timers Greg Blewett and Mark Waugh.
At times during this afternoon, the current Australian bowlers, so instrumental in Australia’s series victory, looked equally as feeble.
Although it didn’t begin that way. Australia’s three quicks, despite being clearly jaded from a month’s hard toil, threw everything they had into the first hour. Peter Siddle was once again phenomenal all day, but he went wicket-less.
Ben Hilfenhaus was rewarded with a simple caught and bowled as Jacques Kallis made an awful mess of a ball banged in back of a length. JP Duminy then got a working over. The Australians feel he is vulnerably to the rising ball. They have succeeded with their plans so far this series. And succeeded again here albeit in a round-a-bout way. Duminy elegantly placed a short ball from Mitchell Johnson through point for four. Next ball, a similar delivery, Duminy tried to pull on-side, off balance. He dragged it onto his stumps for 7.
Mitchell Johnson lifted a cog with Mark Boucher’s arrival. The South African glove-man never settled as Johnson pushed him further and further back in the crease. The first ball in his half Boucher drove, seemingly edged, and was given out. He immediately referred Steve Bucknor’s decision to Billy Bowden. There was daylight between bat and ball. Bucknor standing in his 128th and last Test later gave another false positive against Paul Harris taking his tally of decisions overturned in this match to three.
It mattered little in the context of Boucher’s day. Johnson found the edge shortly after. No doubt was left once Ponting pouched it in-front of his eyes at second slip.
As with Ashwell Prince the day before, the momentum shifted with two shots off Johnson. This time, Albie Morkel, whose power hitting tormented Australia in one-day cricket this summer, pulled twice with vigour. He raced to 27 in as many balls, showing that his first-class average of 41 is not an anomaly.
It allowed AB de Villiers the freedom to expand and then explode. The previous evening de Villiers posted the easiest 39 runs of his Test career to date. The first hour this morning was a battle, but after that he toyed with the bowling. There was no mercy shown during de Villiers 196-ball stay. He knows how to cash in when oppositions are down and out. This was his ninth century in Test cricket; eight have come when teammates have also saluted. The exception being his fine hundred during the first Test in Johannesburg.
Bryce McGain was hammered again. De Villers picked him apart. His utter dominance was summed up in four consecutive sixes off Andrew McDonald. Despite the Victorian all-rounder claiming Morkel’s wicket for 58 in the same over, he was largely ineffective and hardly economical. It is the first time a trio of Victorians had featured in a Test side for a decade and barring a miraculous, but not inconceivable recall of both Chris Rogers and Brad Hodge it is unlikely to happen again for some time.
McGain’s third day’s toil in Test cricket was every bit as bad as his second. If his 18 overs, 0 for 149 weren’t humiliating enough, matters were made worse when Simon Katich was thrown the ball in the 151st over of the innings. Katich promptly took 2 for 9 in three overs including de Villiers for 163. He would have claimed three without the referral system in place, Harris getting a leg-before judgement overturned.
McGain’s fans will argue that de Villiers fell to a long hop and then Katich bowled at the hapless tail. But the reality is that in three overs Katich caused more trouble with variety and accuracy than McGain had in 18. Which begs the question why hadn’t Katich bowled earlier? He claimed three wickets in the fourth innings in Durban, and now has 18 Test scalps at 29.61. The four specialist spinners Australia has used in last 12 months have combined for 25 wickets at a cost of 47.56.
Admittedly you don’t want your opening batsman bowling too many overs for fear of robbing Peter to pay Paul, but if he is your best spinner what choice do you have?
Late in the day Harris proved a nightmare for Australia’s three left-handers, removing Phillip Hughes and troubling Katich and Hussey by exploiting the developed footmarks outside their off-stump. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and the footmarks were far more benign on day two, but if Ponting had his time again Michael Clarke would surely have been tried against the prancing Prince.
Australia finished the day still needing 340 to make South Africa pad up again. Hughes began his innings as if he was trying to post a fourth innings target. Two crisp drives sent Steyn’s first two deliveries to the rope. But Steyn adjusted quickly peppering Hughes’ ribs. It was a clear example of the blueprint all teams should follow when opposing the boy from Macksville. He fell to Harris prodding at one that spat from a footmark. But Steyn got his reward when he removed the Australian skipper for 12.
Katich, who has been Australia’s best in this match by a distance, looked in complete control for 44, Hussey was unsettled by Harris but survived. The former Western Australian teammates need to produce their greatest ever partnership to steer Australia to safety. Otherwise the two-part summer drama will surely end, perhaps fittingly, three-all.
Did we just awake from a dream? Did we dream that normal service had resumed? That Australia had restored status quo by winning an away series against the world’s form side two-nil?
Today reality sunk in. Australia was dominated by South Africa. So much so they were toyed with to the point of embarrassment. They have conceded a trio of Test centuries in an innings for the first time since 2001, when New Zealand somehow managed four. And the visitors are now staring down the barrel of their first innings defeat since Kolkata in 1998.
The figures from that match are eerily similar to this. After Australia was removed for 233 first time up, India’s top six each passed 65. Captain Mohammad Azharuddin was the only to reach three figures with 163 but that was hardly the point. Australia’s attack on that occasion comprised of one draft-horse, Michael Kasprowicz, one debutant, Paul Wilson, spinners Shane Warne and Gavin Robertson, and part-timers Greg Blewett and Mark Waugh.
At times during this afternoon, the current Australian bowlers, so instrumental in Australia’s series victory, looked equally as feeble.
Although it didn’t begin that way. Australia’s three quicks, despite being clearly jaded from a month’s hard toil, threw everything they had into the first hour. Peter Siddle was once again phenomenal all day, but he went wicket-less.
Ben Hilfenhaus was rewarded with a simple caught and bowled as Jacques Kallis made an awful mess of a ball banged in back of a length. JP Duminy then got a working over. The Australians feel he is vulnerably to the rising ball. They have succeeded with their plans so far this series. And succeeded again here albeit in a round-a-bout way. Duminy elegantly placed a short ball from Mitchell Johnson through point for four. Next ball, a similar delivery, Duminy tried to pull on-side, off balance. He dragged it onto his stumps for 7.
Mitchell Johnson lifted a cog with Mark Boucher’s arrival. The South African glove-man never settled as Johnson pushed him further and further back in the crease. The first ball in his half Boucher drove, seemingly edged, and was given out. He immediately referred Steve Bucknor’s decision to Billy Bowden. There was daylight between bat and ball. Bucknor standing in his 128th and last Test later gave another false positive against Paul Harris taking his tally of decisions overturned in this match to three.
It mattered little in the context of Boucher’s day. Johnson found the edge shortly after. No doubt was left once Ponting pouched it in-front of his eyes at second slip.
As with Ashwell Prince the day before, the momentum shifted with two shots off Johnson. This time, Albie Morkel, whose power hitting tormented Australia in one-day cricket this summer, pulled twice with vigour. He raced to 27 in as many balls, showing that his first-class average of 41 is not an anomaly.
It allowed AB de Villiers the freedom to expand and then explode. The previous evening de Villiers posted the easiest 39 runs of his Test career to date. The first hour this morning was a battle, but after that he toyed with the bowling. There was no mercy shown during de Villiers 196-ball stay. He knows how to cash in when oppositions are down and out. This was his ninth century in Test cricket; eight have come when teammates have also saluted. The exception being his fine hundred during the first Test in Johannesburg.
Bryce McGain was hammered again. De Villers picked him apart. His utter dominance was summed up in four consecutive sixes off Andrew McDonald. Despite the Victorian all-rounder claiming Morkel’s wicket for 58 in the same over, he was largely ineffective and hardly economical. It is the first time a trio of Victorians had featured in a Test side for a decade and barring a miraculous, but not inconceivable recall of both Chris Rogers and Brad Hodge it is unlikely to happen again for some time.
McGain’s third day’s toil in Test cricket was every bit as bad as his second. If his 18 overs, 0 for 149 weren’t humiliating enough, matters were made worse when Simon Katich was thrown the ball in the 151st over of the innings. Katich promptly took 2 for 9 in three overs including de Villiers for 163. He would have claimed three without the referral system in place, Harris getting a leg-before judgement overturned.
McGain’s fans will argue that de Villiers fell to a long hop and then Katich bowled at the hapless tail. But the reality is that in three overs Katich caused more trouble with variety and accuracy than McGain had in 18. Which begs the question why hadn’t Katich bowled earlier? He claimed three wickets in the fourth innings in Durban, and now has 18 Test scalps at 29.61. The four specialist spinners Australia has used in last 12 months have combined for 25 wickets at a cost of 47.56.
Admittedly you don’t want your opening batsman bowling too many overs for fear of robbing Peter to pay Paul, but if he is your best spinner what choice do you have?
Late in the day Harris proved a nightmare for Australia’s three left-handers, removing Phillip Hughes and troubling Katich and Hussey by exploiting the developed footmarks outside their off-stump. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and the footmarks were far more benign on day two, but if Ponting had his time again Michael Clarke would surely have been tried against the prancing Prince.
Australia finished the day still needing 340 to make South Africa pad up again. Hughes began his innings as if he was trying to post a fourth innings target. Two crisp drives sent Steyn’s first two deliveries to the rope. But Steyn adjusted quickly peppering Hughes’ ribs. It was a clear example of the blueprint all teams should follow when opposing the boy from Macksville. He fell to Harris prodding at one that spat from a footmark. But Steyn got his reward when he removed the Australian skipper for 12.
Katich, who has been Australia’s best in this match by a distance, looked in complete control for 44, Hussey was unsettled by Harris but survived. The former Western Australian teammates need to produce their greatest ever partnership to steer Australia to safety. Otherwise the two-part summer drama will surely end, perhaps fittingly, three-all.
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