Gehrig's feat a boon for Port
The three-minute break in play caused by a ground invasion for Fraser Gehrig's 100th goal helped get Port Adelaide back into Friday night's preliminary final. more

Harvey won't be going: coach
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas yesterday said Robert Harvey would play on next year. more

Saints plan to be young at heart
St Kilda's search for improvement will start at another overseas pre-season training camp and be driven largely from within, with coach Grant Thomas expecting the club's youngsters to guide it up the ladder. more

[listening to: Hey Love - Shaggy ]
11:29:52 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Brisbane 12.12 (84) Geelong 10.15 (75)

BRISBANE 3.3 6.4 9.10 12.12 (84)
GEELONG 3.5 5.8 8.12 10.15 (75)
Goals: Brisbane: D Bradshaw 4 M Voss 2 N Lappin J Brown A Lynch T Notting J Akermanis B Caracella. Geelong: K Kingsley 2 C Ling 2 C Gardiner 2 G Ablett 2 P Chapman J Corey.
Best: Brisbane: M Michael L Power N Lappin D Bradshaw C Johnson S Black. Geelong: J Hunt B Graham C Ling D Milburn T Harley D Johnson.
Umpires M James H Kennedy C Rowe.
Official Crowd: 55,768 at the MCG.

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10:05:16 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

PORT ADELAIDE 4.0 8.3 10.8 14.10 (94) ST KILDA 4.5 7.5 10.9 13.10 (88)
Goals: Port Adelaide: W Tredrea 3 B Lade 2 G Wanganeen 2 D Brogan K Cornes J Carr D Cassisi S Dew R James J Mahoney.
St Kilda: F Gehrig 5 N Riewoldt 3 L Ball 2 N Dal Santo B Voss H Black.
Best: Port Adelaide: R James W Tredrea K Cornes D Brogan B Lade J Mahoney S Burgoyne.
St Kilda: L Hayes R Harvey S Powell F Gehrig N Riewoldt N Dal Santo.
Umpires: B Allen S McLaren S McInerney.
Official Crowd: 46,978 at AAMI Stadium.

Port Adelaide is into its first ever AFL grand final after beating St Kilda by six points in a heart-stopping preliminary final at AAMI Stadium tonight.

A despairing lunge by Power defender Shaun Burgoyne at the feet of Saint Brent Guerra with less than a minute to play saved a certain goal and preserved a 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88) victory for the home side.

Port will meet the winner of tomorrow night's Brisbane-Geelong preliminary final to decide the 2004 premiership, and after an extraordinary record of success in the SANFL competition, the Power will get a chance to win its first flag in the big time.

Carrying the weight of its 'finals choker' tag into the match, Port started slowly but prevailed in a nerve-wracking second half when the lead changed hands several times and the margin was never more than two goals in either sides' favour.

An amazing snap goal from former captain Gavin Wanganeen put Port six points up after 21 minutes of the final quarter, and they hung on with grim determination in a frantic final few minutes.

It appeared the Saints would draw level at the very death when Guerra - a former Port player - raced toward a loose ball in the goalsquare, only for Burgoyne to dive at full length to block the ball in the manner of a soccer goalkeeper.

Port then soaked up the final seconds until the final siren which sent the home crowd into delirium.

The loss ended an extraordinary season for St Kilda which broke a club-record winning streak to start the season, but who tapered away in the run-in to the finals.

Well aware that Port Adelaide very rarely loses a match when it leads at quarter-time, St Kilda knew it had to begin well to unsettle opponents and silence a 50,000-strong crowd.

They did so, dominating play early and delivering full forward Fraser Gehrig the two goals he needed to bring up 100 for the season within just ten minutes of the first quarter.

But the subsequent ground invasion by fans to mark the milestone came at the worst time for St Kilda, as Port - already 14 points down - were able to gather their thoughts for a few minutes and immediately hit back with two quick goals.

The Saints had little reward for their first quarter dominance, holding a slender five-point lead at quarter-time, but importantly they had prevented a Power confidence boost.

Port had been hanging in only by their forward efficiency and ruck dominance, but the game evened up in the second quarter and at half-time the home side was in front by four points and the game was shaping as a September classic.

With the game in the balance, the half-time break provided an opportunity for players of both sides to ponder the grand final berth on offer, and that was perhaps reflected in an error-riddled third quarter.

Scoring opportunities were at a premium, and that suited the visitors more than Port, which was in unfamiliar territory having recorded an average winning margin of 55 points in home games this year.

Lenny Hayes was providing the grunt around the packs for the Saints, while Port star Warren Tredrea carried his side's hopes on his broad shoulders and kicked three goals to three-quarter time.

Port went out to an 11-point lead after 11 minutes of the final quarter when Dean Brogan was paid a dubious free-kick straight in front of goals.

But St Kilda answered immediately and when Luke Ball goaled after 18 minutes scores were level and extra-time beckoned for just the second time in AFL history before Wanganeen and Burgoyne's intervention. [Realfooty]

12:50:05 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Brave St Kilda has gone down by a goal in a classic preliminary final at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. In one of the best games of football imaginable, the Power hung on in a thrilling finish to win 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88) to send a record Port finals crowd of nearly 47,000 delirious with joy at the final siren. Robert Harvey was magnificent with 27 touches in his 300th game, while Fraser Gehrig booted five, including his 100th for the season. [FULL STORY]

12:45:36 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Port Adelaide is through to its first grand final since joining the AFL in 1997 after outlasting St Kilda by six points in classic preliminary final at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. Fraser Gehrig booted his 100th goal in the first term, but the Power steadied thereafter. Gavin Wanganeen, quiet all night, bobbed up late to snap the match-winner from deep on the boundary [more]

12:44:09 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

PORT Adelaide is into its first ever AFL grand final after beating St Kilda by six points in a heart-stopping preliminary final at AAMI Stadium tonight.

12:39:33 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Port Adelaide has advanced to its first grand final with a thrilling six-point win over St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Friday night – 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88).

In a thrilling encounter the scores were level late in the last quarter before Gavin Wanganeen – unseen for most of the match – stepped in to play the hero for the Power with a sensational right-foot snap goal that got the home side over the line.

The lead changed hands several times throughout the game with neither side managing to open up a decisive margin.

Roger James was influential in the Power midfield – finishing with 28 touches and a goal – while the attacking duo of Fraser Gehrig and Nick Riewoldt shared 18 marks and eight goals between them for St Kilda.

Gehrig reached his 100-goal milestone with his second goal of the match in the first quarter and was quickly escorted from the ground as fans rushed onto the oval to congratulate him – forcing a three-minute suspension of play.

The match was played at a frenetic pace and players from both sides were out on their feet in the tension-packed dying minutes of the game.

The Saints had the opportunity to force a draw in the last minutes of the match but their forward thrust broke down and Brent Guerra was unable to soccer through the ball as it bounced toward goal.

The game ended with a series of hard-fought stoppages deep in the St Kilda forward pocket but Port was able to bottle up the play to seal the win.

Port Adelaide: 4.0, 8.3, 10.8, 14.10 (94)
St Kilda: 4.5, 7.5, 10.9, 13.10 (88)

Goals: Port Adelaide: Tredrea 3, Lade 2, Wanganeen 2, James, K Cornes, Carr, Cassisi, Dew, Mahoney, Brogan
St Kilda: Gehrig 5, Riewoldt 3, Ball 2, Dal Santo, Voss, Black

Best: Port Adelaide: James, K Cornes, Wilson, Tredrea, P Burgoyne, Wanganeen
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Powell, Harvey, Gehrig, Thompson, Hayes

Injuries: Port Adelaide: None
St Kilda: None

Changes: St Kilda: Hamill (knee) replaced in selected side by Knobel

Reports: None

Umpires: Allen, McLaren, McInerney

Crowd: 46,978 at AAMI Stadium

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5:23:23 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda has kept its premiership hopes alive with a 51-point win over Sydney in the AFL semi-final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Saints now move on to a preliminary final against Port Adelaide, while the Swans bow out for season 2004.

St Kilda trailed by five points at the first change but kicked 15 goals to Sydney's six in the final three quarters to win 16.11 (107) to 8.8 (56).

Fraser Gehrig and Nick Riewoldt starred for St Kilda - Gehrig kicking six goals while Nick Riewoldt notched up 15 kicks, six handballs, 21 touches and 12 marks.

Stephen Milne, recalled for the match after an up and down season, impressed with four goals, while veterans Roberty Harvey (26 touches) and Andrew Thompson (20 touches) made their mark on the game.

Jude Bolton tried hard for the Swans with 22 possessions and a goal, while Barry Hall chipped in with two goals.

The win was a confidence booster for the Saints, who came into the game with just one win from their past 10 encounters with the Swans.

The Saints will take on the Power next Friday night for a place in the grand final.

Opening quarter

Amon Buchanan recorded the first goal of the match when, after managing just minor scores with his first two shots at goal, he finally found the target with a left-foot drop punt from 40 metres out.

The Saints responded in quick fashion through Fraser Gehrig, whose goal pulled the home side back within one point.

The Swans kept up the attack with forward Barry Hall marking in front of defender Max Hudghton in the corner of the goal square.

Hall made no mistake from close range to extend Sydney's lead.

The Saints missed the chance to level the scores late in the quarter when Jason Blake failed to capitalise on his good work to mark in front of Adam Goodes.

Blake missed a relatively easy shot from 40 metres, ensuring the Swans led 2.3 (15) to 1.4 (10) at quarter-time.

However the Saints bounced back to reclaim the lead within two minutes of the restart - Justin Koschitzke booting a goal from 30 metres out.

Misses from Gehrig and Nick Reiwolt could have proved costly when Matthew Nicks found the target for the Swans.

And when Michael O'Loughlin kicked the Swans' fourth the margin had skipped out to 10 points.

But the home side responded with three straight goals - Stephen Milne, Gehrig and Luke Ball amongst the action - to lead at the main break.

Second half

Goals to Justin Peckett, Steven Baker and a second to Milne saw the Saints take control of the match in the third quarter.

The Swans were staved of possession and it took until the 17th minute of the term, and a super individual effort from Jason Ball, for the visitors to post a major score.

However, a snap from Ryan O'Keefe and a goal to Bolton saw the Swans creep back within two goals.

The Saints, to their credit, stepped up again with Milne kicking his third and Nick Dal Santo scoring from 50 metres out.

At three-quarter time St Kilda led 10. 9 (69) to 7.4 (46).

The Saints, and in particular Gehrig, ran riot in the final term.

They piled on six goals, four of those to Gehrig, while restricting the Swans to just one major score to complete a convincing victory.

[listening to: Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey ]
11:06:51 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda will meet Port Adelaide in a preliminary final after defeating Sydney by 51 points at the MCG.  [more]

[listening to: If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas) - Shirley Bassey ]
11:03:58 PM    comment []  trackback []     • My Hobbies

St Kilda 16.11 (107) Sydney 8.8 (56)
ST KILDA reigned supreme in a sodden AFL semi-final tonight, thrashing Sydney by 51 points at the MCG.

Stepping stylishly out into their first game in the wet this season, the Saints soaked up Sydney's pressure as the rain fell early then they surged ahead through six successive goals.

The win before a crowd of 50,671 earned St Kilda a preliminary final against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Friday.

While the rain eased off in the second half, the Saints played the best football in the conditions by moving the ball by foot, handling it little and overwhelming Sydney with fierce defensive pressure.

Coleman medallist Fraser Gehrig was the beneficiary of the slick movement and booted six goals to take his season tally to 98, while Stephen Milne proved an inspired selection with four goals from a forward pocket.

St Kilda captain Lenny Hayes was outstanding with 12 tackles, Aussie Jones vindicated his All-Australian selection across half-back and veterans Robert Harvey – in game No.299 – and Justin Peckett were tireless throughout.

The Swans finished the night both out of puff and out of personnel.

[more]

[listening to: All of them ladies - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
11:01:07 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

ST KILDA reigned supreme in a sodden AFL semi-final tonight, thrashing Sydney by 51 points at the MCG.

[listening to: Take it slow - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
10:52:56 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda has staged an amazing form turnaround to defeat Sydney by 51 points at the MCG on Friday night in the second semi-final.

Nick Riewoldt starred with 21 touches and 11 marks, while Fraser Gehrig (six goals) and Robert Harvey were also outstanding.

The Swans are finished for 2004, while the Saints play Port Adelaide next Friday for a Grand Final berth. [FULL STORY]

[listening to: Full moon - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
10:50:00 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

St Kilda will meet Port Adelaide in next Friday night's preliminary final after defeating a battered Sydney by 51 points in a gritty semi-final at a wet MCG.

Inspired by veterans Andrew Thompson, Robert Harvey and Justin Peckett - who shared 59 possessions - the Saints responded to the 80-point belting inflicted by Brisbane last week and progress to the next September round full of confidence.

In a triumph for coach Grant Thomas, who lifted his team out of the mental trough, the Saints quelled the defiant Swans - who after looking well beaten reduced the margin to 11 points late in the third term - to triumph 16.11 (107) to 8.8 (56).

[more]

[listening to: Pussy Town - Machine Gun Fellatio ]
10:45:33 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

I can't wait until tonight.

Few have faith, but we have history on our side.

[listening to: Way Down - Elvis Presley ]
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Thomas: We were hit by a 22-wheeler Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 29 minutes ago ST KILDA coach Grant Thomas said his team had been smashed by a semi-trailer after it lost by 80 points to a powerhouse Brisbane at the Gabba last night. ...

Brutal Lions bare their claws The Age, Australia - 1 hour ago By Peter Blucher. Goals: Brisbane: J Brown 6 D Bradshaw 4 C McRae 3 A McGrath 2 T Notting 2 B Caracella M Voss B Scott R Hadley S Black N Lappin. ...

Lions dispose of Saints Fox Sports, Australia - 1 hour ago By Darren Cartwright. THE Brisbane Lions went a long way towards exposing St Kilda as a finals featherweight at the Gabba last night. ...

Saints without a prayer as Lions run riot Sydney Morning Herald (subscription), Australia - 1 hour ago By Peter Blucher. Just another night at the Gabbattoir: Saint Nick Riewoldt is tackled by Lion Justin Leppitsch in Brisbane last night. ...

Brown report sours great win The Age, Australia - 1 hour ago By Emma Quayle. The Brisbane Lions' progression to a preliminary final could prove extremely expensive, with power forward Jonathan ...

Lions stun Saints The Age, Australia - 2 hours ago A ruthless Brisbane powered to within two matches of AFL immortality tonight but might have to create history without two star forwards. ...

1:36:03 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

FRIGHTENING and frightened. Let's not beat around bush here. The Saints were belted, on the scoreboard, about their heads and in their hearts in a finals assault of the highest brutality.

Last night, Brisbane was as awesome as we've seen in their imperious dynasty that began midway through 2001 when Leigh Matthews' team took the sword to Essendon and made them bleed.

Last night the Saints may have bled to death. They played scared, physically and mentally, in what was their worst effort of the season.

At the start, they picked a fight with the tough boys, the warriors of Brisbane, and got their heads kicked in. It did their heads in as well. After that, they lost energy and hunger. At worst, they lost their courage.

The fall-out will be known in seven days time when the Saints front up at home. It remains to be seen if this team can pick up their sorry little bodies and make a run at the premiership. You'd have to think it is against them.

The damage was done in the first half. The embarrassment came in the second.

Simply, the Lions were too quick with their hands and heads, and way, way too tough.

By half-time, they led by 46 points. It was a forgettable two quarters for the Saints. By the end they had increased it to 80.

St Kilda's grand plans, devised after they were thumped two weeks ago at the same venue, fell apart within minutes. Individually, they followed soon after. By the half it was all over.

So what went wrong?

Let's start in the midfield. Luke Ball could not have played any worse. Just two touches to half-time, he was monstered at every contest.

Lenny Hayes and Robert Harvey could not keep up with Simon Black and Nigel Lappin. The Brisbane pair had 39 touches in two quarters and Hayes and Harvey were on the pine.

Up forward, coach Grant Thomas started Nick Riewoldt deep (on Justin Leppitsch) and Fraser Gehrig (Mal Michael) at centre half-forward and Justin Koschitzke (Martin Pike) beside him. None of it worked.

It was a strange tactic. Gehrig doesn't like running at the best of times, and the ball couldn't get to Riewoldt. Perhaps Thomas wanted to keep Leppa away from centre half-back. Whatever, it didn't work.

Beside them, Brent Guerra was supposed to take Chris Johnson out of the play. Johnson ignored him, as he tends to do, and played the type of creative, supportive footy that's made him an All Australian in recent years.

It wasn't any better at the other end.

Aussie Jones, an All Australian contender, watched his opponent Craig McRae kick three goals in the first quarter and along the way had zero possessions himself.

Thomas put Steven Baker on Jason Akermanis and Aker came the supplier rather than goalkicker. He had 11 kicks to half-time and 11 inside 50ms. Baker had one kick and one handball.

Jonathan Brown beat up Luke Penny and had him removed by the 11th minute of the second quarter. Daniel Bradshaw booted two himself.

Collectively, the Saints played panicked football.

Missed handballs, dropped marks, lost possession, over-running balls, fumbles, short steps – the pressure was extreme.

And when they did win the ball, the Lions made them play stagnant football. No one wanted to present, no one wanted to run. It was made too easy for Brisbane.

The only positives, arguably, were Heath Black's game on a wing and in the middle after the long break, Max Hudghton who battled hard, Trent Knobel early, Allan Murray early, and the fact they didn't get any injuries. There was little else to cheer about.

Worse still, Thomas and his players have no excuses. Two weeks back, it was a swelter. Last night, the only heat came from Brisbane.

Black, Lappin, Power, Aker, Hadley and Voss were awesome with the ball, while Brown, the Scott boys, Leppa, Pike, Johnson, Copeland and Michael didn't let up with the aggression and verbal. It is a powerful combination.

Throw in the goals – six to Brown, four to Bradshaw – and the Saints were demolished.

For Thomas, it was a savage beating.

He hasn't eaten much in recent weeks the coach, but perhaps he could start with the words he said as he flew out of Melbourne on Thursday.

"One thing is absolutely, categorically for certain," Thomas said. "They'll respect us by the end of Friday night."

Yeah, right.

Herald Sun

[listening to: Valerie - Reel Big Fish ]
12:50:15 AM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

The Saints will need to take a deep breath, reflect and regroup before planning to take on either Sydney or West Coast next week after going down to Brisbane by 80 points in Friday night's qualifying final at the Gabba. [more]

[listening to: Everything Is Cool - Reel Big Fish ]
11:23:44 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

The Brisbane Lions have roared into a preliminary final and dealt St Kilda an 80-point physical and psychological battering at the Gabba in Friday night's qualifying final.

A deceptively undermanned Lions side took the first significant step towards winning a fourth consecutive premiership, while the Saints - after their first final since 1998 - must reverse the hammering to their self-esteem before attempting to redeem themselves against the winner of Sydney and West Coast's elimination final.

It was a complete and resounding victory by the Lions, who lined up without injured spearhead Alastair Lynch, ruckman Clark Keating who failed to recover from a virus, and the versatile and experienced Darryl White, who pulled out moments before the match after also falling ill.  [more]

[listening to: Snoop Dog, Baby - Reel Big Fish ]
11:00:16 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

AFL defending premiers Brisbane are through to a preliminary final in two weeks after thrashing St Kilda by 80 points in their qualifying match at the Gabba.

The Lions dominated from the opening bounce, chalking up their 11th home finals victory from as many attempts by winning 23.11 (149) to 10.9 (69).

They are now just one triumph away from a fourth consecutive grand final berth.

To put Brisbane's recent success in perspective, they now have one more finals triumph (15) then St Kilda, who have been around 114 years longer.

Brisbane's lead stretched to 100 points at one stage before some late recovery work by the Saints when the game was long gone.

Bullocking forward Jonathan Brown bagged six goals for the triple premiers, although he could again be in strife with the judiciary after being reported at quarter-time for rough play on the Saints' Jason Blake.

Daniel Bradshaw added four goals and the retiring Craig McRae three in what may be his last home match.

If minor premiers Port Adelaide beat Geelong on Sunday, Brisbane will play their preliminary final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground because of an AFL-MCC deal.

St Kilda meanwhile, will their morale severely dented, will now play the winner of the encounter between Sydney and West Coast in a sudden death match next weekend.

The Saints came to Brisbane with high hopes of avenging a 45-point defeat two weeks ago, but were desperately disappointing.

Nick Riewoldt bagged three goals and Fraser Gehrig two but the Victorian team's midfield was largely ineffective.

Luke Ball was their leading possession-getter with 20, compared with Brisbane's Simon Black who racked up 37 in a stellar performance.

Nigel Lappin, together with Black one of the favourites for this year's Brownlow, added 32, while Richard Hadley, third in the Rising Star award, and Luke Power managed 23 each.

[listening to: Did It Again - Kylie Minogue ]
10:53:44 PM    comment []  trackback []  G!   • My Hobbies

Brisbane 23.11 (149) bt St Kilda 10.9 (69)

JONATHAN BROWN is in danger of joining fellow spearhead Alastair Lynch on the sidelines after being reported for rough play in the Lions 80-point qualifying final savaging of St Kilda at the Gabba.

The triple premiers overcame a mystery virus that claimed two key men before the match to book a preliminary final berth in a fortnight.

But Brown, already sidelined three times this year through suspension, will have to find favour at the AFL tribunal to play another game this year after his part in a post-siren melee at quarter-time.

He was reported for holding Saints relief ruckman Jason Blake in a headlock during the push and shove which ended an explosive opening term that featured a string of heated m