Lest we forget ANZAC Day – timeless lessons for all

Collingwood v Essendon – surprise – kicked off the round on Wednesday as The Last Post gave way to a 90,000+ roar. Anyone who doubts the rationale of the AFL – $$$ maximisation – will continue to question why these two teams get the gig. The rest sit back, watch and enjoy or dismiss. This was one to enjoy. Pies by 1pt. Swan starred.

The Lygon St M&Ms travelled west to play The Purple Haze. Freo held a home advantage on a warm Perth night, but a fast Subiaco track exposed a gaping hole in the Freo forward line, the Blues defending repeatedly and limiting Freo’s wayward forwards. Carlton by 8pts, but only challenged in last 5 mins. Freo – too little too late.

GWS has more home grounds than any other as in Canberra they hosted the Western Bulldogs, who used to have home games in Canberra. About the most amusing aspect was Billy Brownless’ aside about a detour to Fyshwick to buy some DVDs in brown paper bags. Giants respectable, Dogs by 42. Young Giant Jeremy Cameron kicked 5.

An Ablett-Rischitelli-Harbrow-less Gold Coast came to the Etihad Stadium to take on North. 4.9 by the Roos in the first quarter might’ve killed off the contest if North had been more accurate. Suns took heart and led by Hunt, D. Swallow and Bennell, worked to a 1pt half time lead. North then bolted to win by 34 pts but 17.25 wasteful.

Melbourne had over 100 tackles and won the contested possession in the MCG slop against the Saints on Saturday Night. The Saints had the cream when it mattered winning by 3 goals. Not that coach Neeld would’ve been happy with that, despite an improved Demon effort. Eagle/Saint Beau Wilkes kicked 3, Milne kicked 500th goal.

Poor old Simon Black! A champion player, his 300th game was at the Gabba but rains came to such an extent that my 7yo son said it looks like they’re playing the bottom of the ocean. Then Tom Hawkins-led Cats put on a clinic with 6 goals, blasting theories of big men in the wet. Cats by 38pts – Chappy back to best. Lions kicked 4.17 – ouch!

Tasmania hosted match of the round as the Swans migrated south to play the Tassie Hawks at Aurora. A four-goal Swan deficit at half time belied what was to come – a 57 point turnaround and a victory in S/SMFC games’ record holder Goodes’ 304th game. Hawks looked lost and Otto the autopilot flew back to Sydney with a big grin*

West Coast flew east to play the improving Tigers. A couple of kicks might have resulted in a stunning Tiger victory. However the Tigers didn’t quite get the job done and a match-saving speccy from Beau Waters helped the Eagles get the win by 10pts. Jack Riewoldt missed a goal he would normally eat for breakfast. Eagles escape just.

Very rarely would Adelaide and Port play second fiddle to another sporting event in SA. But when Black Caviar won its 20th straight race at Morphettville, a broader sporting focus hit the City of Churches. Walker Taylor’s mullet kicked 6 goals and a 2pt Port lead early in the last became a 19pt Crow victory. Port so close but not yet.

*Otto the autopilot is from “Flying High”/”Airplane”, one of the greatest comedy movies of all time, the theme song of which is the same tune as the Swans theme song! He should be a Sydney mascot.

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