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April 03, 2006
Screwed Over. It Just Never Ends
Well we might finally be premiers of this League, but going by the performance put on by the umpires on Saturday Night, we still are going to have to earn the respect of more than just the football media and football fans in general. Despite a bright start that led to a Michael O'Loughlin goal, a flood gates were opened by umpire Michael Avon with the first of three free kicks that allowed Matthew Lloyd to put in a fine attempt at his impression of an Commonwealth Games diver.
Along with 3 goals from free kicks we saw him put Leo Barry to the sword with another 3 goal (including it must be said some fine efforts from out wide). The Swans just had no answer to the amount of ball coming into the defence and the left Leo Barry wide open to be man handled like a man of his size should against Lloyd. Therefore Roosy took the brave decision to move Leo off him and put Ted Richards on his former teammate. The move paid off has Leo was freed up to set up attacks and Ted allowed "only" two more to be kick by Lloyd.
After a dust up quarter time where certain Essendon players decided to rough up Barry Hall, the game became a tighter affair with the Swans slowly getting back into the game only to allow Essendon to get the goal to take some pressure off. Therefore the Swans despite the hard work of Barry Hall with 7 goals, Adam Goodes racking up the possessions, Amon Buchanan playing to his 2005 midfield level and Ted Richards keeping Lloyd quiet once moved on him, could only get within 3 goals before the Bombers kicked again.
This proved the killer blow in the last quarter when Scott Lucus kicked two quick goals from beyond 50 to put the game out of reach and despite and late charge, the game just played out to a pretty easy 27 point win for the Bombers, not thanks to multiable questible umpiring decisions that were 50/50 at best (but always get paid to Lloyd or against us, surprise, surprise).
Oh well on to Round Two and the Unfurling of the Premiership Flag. A day for the true believers thats for sure.
ESSENDON: 9.1 11.3 13.6 17.6 (108)
SYDNEY: 2.2 8.4 10.6 12.9 (81)
Goals: Hall 7, O'Loughlin 2, C.Bolton, Goodes, Mathews
Best Swan on Ground: Despite kicking 7 goals this award doesn't go to Barry Hall it goes to Adam Goodes who put in yet another one of his "Best Of" games to go along with the Port final and Adelaide last year.
Rising Star: McVeigh, finally appear to show signs of what he CAN become. A strong bodied midfielder who can brake packs, win the ball and run all day. We certainly need a few of those going on Saturday Night.
Posted by robbieando at April 3, 2006 06:50 PM