David EdwardsSporting Mind Weekend Wrap - Finals Time
September 3rd 2006 14:29
For those you were too busy with a social life to truly catch up with how your game went, let Sporting Mind guide you through.
Well we are truly in the finals for both NRL and AFL, and even with nearly all of the season being played out, we still had to wait for the final games on Sunday to see who was facing up against whom for the Finals.
In the AFL West Coast, Adelaide, Fremantle and Sydney all proved that they had the right stuff to be a true contender in the finals. After last weeks lost against the Dockers, the Eagles ensure the minor premiers, and in turn ensuring the Tigers would miss the finals, beating Richmond 26.17 (173) to 12.13 (85). The Crows were able to put out any hopes of Melbourne finishing in the Final 4, winning 23.14 (152) to 14.10 (94), and the Dockers and Swans were two strong for their opponents, smashing Port Adelaide 23.13 (151) v 9.18 (72), and Carlton 21.10 (136) v 6.8 (44) respectively.
In other games, the Bulldogs were able to earn a morale boosting victory, downing Essendon 22.15 (147) to 18.17 (125), St. Kilda geared up for their finals match beating Brisbane 16.12 (108) to 7.15 (57), Collingwood had an amazing final quarter against the Kangaroos, kicking ten goals and running away winners 20.19 (139) to 10.11 (71), and Hawthorn made sure that they would be taken as serious contenders in 2007, overpowering the once premiership favourites Geelong 21.7 (133) to 10.12 (72).
In the NRL, the Brisbane Broncos were able to turn the ladder on its head on the final day of regular competition, convincingly downing the Warriors 36 – 12. The win ensured that Brisbane would finish third, and would push the Knights, Sea Eagles and Dragons further down the ladder.
The Sea Eagles, who were third before their match, slipped to fifth after being unable overcome the Storm in Melbourne, going down 30-20. The Dragons were unable to overcome the score difference, despite their 36-16 victory over the Roosters, and were stuck in 6th spot. With the bye, the Knights were lucky the jump up to fourth spot, and ensure a home final for the return of Andrew Johns.
In other games, Parramatta were unable to stop falling to eighth on the ladder, and squaring up a match against the minor premiers Storm, losing to the Cowboys 22-8. Canberra won against Cronulla 26-24, the Tigers finished the season on a high note, pummelling the Rabbitohs 52-18, and the Bulldogs snapped their two game losing streak before entering the finals, beating Penrith 30-22.
In the A-League, Melbourne were able to defeat rivals and last seasons champions, Sydney FC, 3-2 against a record crowd of 39.730 at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night. Allsopp was able to grab the win for the Victory, downing two goals in the game. In other games New Zealand were able to overcome the premiers Adelaide 1-0, Queensland edged out Newcastle 3-2 in a game dominated by defensive errors, and Perth won their first game of the season, beating the Central Coast 2-0.
In the Tri-Nations, South Africa were able to break the All-Blacks 15 game winning streak, beating New Zealand 21-20. The Springboks were able to win for the first time in Tri-Nations competition with a last minute penalty. Despite losing out heavily to New Zealand last time, the scores were 13 all at half time, and for the first time in the competition, South Africa were able to combat the All Blacks serious defence. With only one game left, the Springboks would need a serious win against the Wallabies next week to gain entry into the final, but have kept Australia on their toes when they play in Johnnasberg on the 9th.
In netball’s Commonwealth Bank Trophy, the Sydney Swifts pulled a historic win, defeating Adelaide Thunderbirds 64-36 in the Grand Final to finish the season undefeated. This is the first time that this has happened in the competition’s history, and in fact has not occurred in a major Australian competition since St.George went undefeated in the NRL during the 50s. The Swifts have been a dominant team in the competition for some years, winning three of the four last trophies. Captain Liz Ellis was named Player of the Grand Final.
In the US Open, Federer, Haas, Moya, Agassi, Nadal and Hewitt all advanced to the third round. Agassi, in his final tournament, fought through a gruelling 5 set match against Bahdatis to finally win 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5.
This week we all gear up for the finals, both rugby and AFL alike. I will be organising a report card on all teams knocked out to be placed up during the week, but until then remember if you want a specific sport covered in the weekend wrap, e-mail portingmind@yahoo.com.au">sportingmind@yahoo.com.au
Until next time, sport minds.
Well we are truly in the finals for both NRL and AFL, and even with nearly all of the season being played out, we still had to wait for the final games on Sunday to see who was facing up against whom for the Finals.
In the AFL West Coast, Adelaide, Fremantle and Sydney all proved that they had the right stuff to be a true contender in the finals. After last weeks lost against the Dockers, the Eagles ensure the minor premiers, and in turn ensuring the Tigers would miss the finals, beating Richmond 26.17 (173) to 12.13 (85). The Crows were able to put out any hopes of Melbourne finishing in the Final 4, winning 23.14 (152) to 14.10 (94), and the Dockers and Swans were two strong for their opponents, smashing Port Adelaide 23.13 (151) v 9.18 (72), and Carlton 21.10 (136) v 6.8 (44) respectively.
In other games, the Bulldogs were able to earn a morale boosting victory, downing Essendon 22.15 (147) to 18.17 (125), St. Kilda geared up for their finals match beating Brisbane 16.12 (108) to 7.15 (57), Collingwood had an amazing final quarter against the Kangaroos, kicking ten goals and running away winners 20.19 (139) to 10.11 (71), and Hawthorn made sure that they would be taken as serious contenders in 2007, overpowering the once premiership favourites Geelong 21.7 (133) to 10.12 (72).
In the NRL, the Brisbane Broncos were able to turn the ladder on its head on the final day of regular competition, convincingly downing the Warriors 36 – 12. The win ensured that Brisbane would finish third, and would push the Knights, Sea Eagles and Dragons further down the ladder.
The Sea Eagles, who were third before their match, slipped to fifth after being unable overcome the Storm in Melbourne, going down 30-20. The Dragons were unable to overcome the score difference, despite their 36-16 victory over the Roosters, and were stuck in 6th spot. With the bye, the Knights were lucky the jump up to fourth spot, and ensure a home final for the return of Andrew Johns.
In other games, Parramatta were unable to stop falling to eighth on the ladder, and squaring up a match against the minor premiers Storm, losing to the Cowboys 22-8. Canberra won against Cronulla 26-24, the Tigers finished the season on a high note, pummelling the Rabbitohs 52-18, and the Bulldogs snapped their two game losing streak before entering the finals, beating Penrith 30-22.
In the A-League, Melbourne were able to defeat rivals and last seasons champions, Sydney FC, 3-2 against a record crowd of 39.730 at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night. Allsopp was able to grab the win for the Victory, downing two goals in the game. In other games New Zealand were able to overcome the premiers Adelaide 1-0, Queensland edged out Newcastle 3-2 in a game dominated by defensive errors, and Perth won their first game of the season, beating the Central Coast 2-0.
In the Tri-Nations, South Africa were able to break the All-Blacks 15 game winning streak, beating New Zealand 21-20. The Springboks were able to win for the first time in Tri-Nations competition with a last minute penalty. Despite losing out heavily to New Zealand last time, the scores were 13 all at half time, and for the first time in the competition, South Africa were able to combat the All Blacks serious defence. With only one game left, the Springboks would need a serious win against the Wallabies next week to gain entry into the final, but have kept Australia on their toes when they play in Johnnasberg on the 9th.
In netball’s Commonwealth Bank Trophy, the Sydney Swifts pulled a historic win, defeating Adelaide Thunderbirds 64-36 in the Grand Final to finish the season undefeated. This is the first time that this has happened in the competition’s history, and in fact has not occurred in a major Australian competition since St.George went undefeated in the NRL during the 50s. The Swifts have been a dominant team in the competition for some years, winning three of the four last trophies. Captain Liz Ellis was named Player of the Grand Final.
In the US Open, Federer, Haas, Moya, Agassi, Nadal and Hewitt all advanced to the third round. Agassi, in his final tournament, fought through a gruelling 5 set match against Bahdatis to finally win 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5.
This week we all gear up for the finals, both rugby and AFL alike. I will be organising a report card on all teams knocked out to be placed up during the week, but until then remember if you want a specific sport covered in the weekend wrap, e-mail portingmind@yahoo.com.au">sportingmind@yahoo.com.au
Until next time, sport minds.
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