David EdwardsSporting Mind Weekend Wrap
August 27th 2006 13:24
For everyone who did not, or could not see all the sporting action this weekend, let sporting mind guide you through.
In the NRL, the competition has fired up not for the finals (as all eight teams are clearly in), but rather who of four teams get two of the coveted Top Four positions. Manly, Newcastle, St. George and Brisbane all won on the weekend to stay in contention, and will be watching the results of Round 26 for the final ladder change.
Manly started the round off in spectacular fashion, downing the Bulldogs by scoring a field goal in the final minutes of the game. Winning 21-20, they proved that they could take the finals, plus show that the Bulldogs may have lost a bit of their sparkle. The Knights thrashed the Panthers 40-4, proving that they are a side with Andrew Johns, whilst the Dragons and the Broncos also got the points to stay in touch, beating the Sharks 18-4 and Eels 23-0 respectively. In the other games Melbourne was able to scrape 2 points from a Raiders side desperate for the last home victory, winning 22-18, the Warriors blitz the Roosters 42-16, and the Cowboys placed an amazing win against the Rabbitohs after a trying week, winning 34-12.
In the AFL, the finals race has blown wide open after a stunning weekend of upsets. Leaders was beaten, teams still stayed in touch for the final eight spots, and a game was drawn that placed a club and its coach in jeopardy.
Three huge stories are still buzzing from the weekend games. The two leaders of the competition West Coast and Adelaide were beaten by their cross-town counterparts in the local derbies. Whilst the fact that Port Adelaide, who are ranked 11th, were able to upset the premiership contenders Adelaide 14.11 (95) to 11.15 (81), the biggest upset came from the west, when West Coast were considerably thrashed by the Fremantle Dockers. The Dockers, who have now jumped up to third position due to the win, were able to soundly beat last year’s Grand Finalists, and the ladder leaders West Coast by a resounding 18.10 (118) to 8.13 (61). Whilst this is not only the lowest score the Eagles have scored against the Dockers in their history, but it also means that the Crows stay in touch for the minor premiership.
The other huge story came from Melbourne v Geelong, where the game ended in a draw, 14.10 (94) apiece, but also ended the chances of start of the season favourites the Cats of making the finals. With both sides desperate for the win, it was ironic that it ended in a tie, but means that Melbourne can still make the top four, whilst Geelong will miss out entirely. In other games, St. Kilda thoroughly pumped the Bulldogs 22.10 (142) to 13.14 (92), Hawthorn beat the Kangaroos in Jade Rawling’s final match 7.16 (58) to 4.12 (36), Richmond kept their finals hopes alive by beating Essendon 20.9 (129) to 16.17 (113), Sydney smashed Brisbane 14.13 (97) to 6.4 (40), and Collingwood were able to beat the Blues in the traditional rivalry match 24.12 (156) to 17.10 (112).
The A-League started of its ‘Version 2’ season this weekend, with the Melbourne Victory, Queensland Roar, and Sydney FC all notching up their first wins for the season. The Victory were able to beat defending premiers Adelaide 2-0, whilst Queensland smashed Perth 3-0, and in the replay of last year’s Grand Final, Sydney came out victorious once again beating Central Coast 1-0. In the other game, Newcastle and New Zealand were not able to convert to the scoreboard all game, and ended the game a draw 0-0.
Hopefully you are now up to date sports fans, if you think we focus on one sport too much, or if you want another sport mentioned in the weekend wrap, send a line to portingmind@yahoo.com.au">sportingmind@yahoo.com.au
Make sure you check in tomorrow, as we look at how the finals are shaping up for the NRL and AFL, and try and predict how they will look after the final rounds.
Until next time, sports fans.
In the NRL, the competition has fired up not for the finals (as all eight teams are clearly in), but rather who of four teams get two of the coveted Top Four positions. Manly, Newcastle, St. George and Brisbane all won on the weekend to stay in contention, and will be watching the results of Round 26 for the final ladder change.
Manly started the round off in spectacular fashion, downing the Bulldogs by scoring a field goal in the final minutes of the game. Winning 21-20, they proved that they could take the finals, plus show that the Bulldogs may have lost a bit of their sparkle. The Knights thrashed the Panthers 40-4, proving that they are a side with Andrew Johns, whilst the Dragons and the Broncos also got the points to stay in touch, beating the Sharks 18-4 and Eels 23-0 respectively. In the other games Melbourne was able to scrape 2 points from a Raiders side desperate for the last home victory, winning 22-18, the Warriors blitz the Roosters 42-16, and the Cowboys placed an amazing win against the Rabbitohs after a trying week, winning 34-12.
In the AFL, the finals race has blown wide open after a stunning weekend of upsets. Leaders was beaten, teams still stayed in touch for the final eight spots, and a game was drawn that placed a club and its coach in jeopardy.
Three huge stories are still buzzing from the weekend games. The two leaders of the competition West Coast and Adelaide were beaten by their cross-town counterparts in the local derbies. Whilst the fact that Port Adelaide, who are ranked 11th, were able to upset the premiership contenders Adelaide 14.11 (95) to 11.15 (81), the biggest upset came from the west, when West Coast were considerably thrashed by the Fremantle Dockers. The Dockers, who have now jumped up to third position due to the win, were able to soundly beat last year’s Grand Finalists, and the ladder leaders West Coast by a resounding 18.10 (118) to 8.13 (61). Whilst this is not only the lowest score the Eagles have scored against the Dockers in their history, but it also means that the Crows stay in touch for the minor premiership.
The other huge story came from Melbourne v Geelong, where the game ended in a draw, 14.10 (94) apiece, but also ended the chances of start of the season favourites the Cats of making the finals. With both sides desperate for the win, it was ironic that it ended in a tie, but means that Melbourne can still make the top four, whilst Geelong will miss out entirely. In other games, St. Kilda thoroughly pumped the Bulldogs 22.10 (142) to 13.14 (92), Hawthorn beat the Kangaroos in Jade Rawling’s final match 7.16 (58) to 4.12 (36), Richmond kept their finals hopes alive by beating Essendon 20.9 (129) to 16.17 (113), Sydney smashed Brisbane 14.13 (97) to 6.4 (40), and Collingwood were able to beat the Blues in the traditional rivalry match 24.12 (156) to 17.10 (112).
The A-League started of its ‘Version 2’ season this weekend, with the Melbourne Victory, Queensland Roar, and Sydney FC all notching up their first wins for the season. The Victory were able to beat defending premiers Adelaide 2-0, whilst Queensland smashed Perth 3-0, and in the replay of last year’s Grand Final, Sydney came out victorious once again beating Central Coast 1-0. In the other game, Newcastle and New Zealand were not able to convert to the scoreboard all game, and ended the game a draw 0-0.
Hopefully you are now up to date sports fans, if you think we focus on one sport too much, or if you want another sport mentioned in the weekend wrap, send a line to portingmind@yahoo.com.au">sportingmind@yahoo.com.au
Make sure you check in tomorrow, as we look at how the finals are shaping up for the NRL and AFL, and try and predict how they will look after the final rounds.
Until next time, sports fans.
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FootyTips
Have you ever thought about the rugby? Although the Tri Nations is almost finished.
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