Rnd 20 MDT. Sydney V Port Adelaide. SCG. 13.45pm.

**Mel_C** · 6 August 2016, 04:48 PM

The day just got better with Hawthorn losing ????.

**Untamed Snark** · 6 August 2016, 04:48 PM

YES!!
GO DEMONS!!!

**CureTheSane** · 6 August 2016, 04:52 PM

Great game to watch

**stevoswan** · 6 August 2016, 04:57 PM

144.2% now, a 12% gain in the last two weeks......pity we turned off in the last quarter today. Still, a great win! ......Gold Coast still in control against Giants, 5 goals to 2.

**Untamed Snark** · 6 August 2016, 05:00 PM

On our game, I thought the boys did well, last quarter was a joke but on the other hand they played in WA last Sunday so two dominant quarters and two with enough to keep port at bay is good.

I know it's been said, but sheesh.
Allir is good.
For a bare handful of games he is composed and seems to have good decision making.
Can't wait to see how he grows

**neilfws** · 6 August 2016, 05:04 PM

Guess they were told not to hurt themselves in the last quarter

Well, that will do fine and go the Dees.

**liz** · 6 August 2016, 05:16 PM

I thought they just looked tired in the last quarter, as if they'd been working their butts off for an hour and a half on heavy turf. Fancy that. There were still some outstanding efforts around the contest to try and get the ball going their way. They just didn't have the legs left to create fluent chains of footy forwards.

Apart from the quiet ending, that was a really outstanding team performance (or an absolutely shocking effort from Port - probably a bit of both). Aliir continues to amaze me with his composure, the quality of his disposals and his rate of improvement. It was good to see him kicking a bit longer at times today too. Better in the conditions.

Rampe is the other player who's really bringing a smile to my face this year. He'd already shown he was a very solid player and has improved each year he's been on the list. But his form at the moment is just outstanding. He is invoking the spirit of Craig Bolton, who started as an accomplished third tall / rebounding defender and then gradually acquired the know-how, confidence and composure to nullify far bigger opponents. I am struggling to recall him making a single mistake this season!

**Maltopia** · 6 August 2016, 05:30 PM

Final quarter, Rohan was off, Franklin and Cunningham nursing bumps/niggles so the 4th quarter though frustrating was understandable.

**stevoswan** · 6 August 2016, 05:41 PM

Here's a familiar theme, from the afl.com.au write up on the Dees/Hawks game........."Hawthorn was on the back foot from the start with Melbourne taking the game on and it was only two goals from 50-metre penalties, a fortunate free kick and Rioli's brilliance that kept them in the contest. Ring a bell?

**swannymum** · 6 August 2016, 06:15 PM

If GW$ lose today it will be a cherry on top of the icing on my birthday cake ??

**Wardy** · 6 August 2016, 06:23 PM

And Mitchell for Hawks I think has been reported !!!

**treespirit** · 6 August 2016, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by stevoswan

Here's a familiar theme, from the afl.com.au write up on the Dees/Hawks game........."Hawthorn was on the back foot from the start with Melbourne taking the game on and it was only two goals from 50-metre penalties, a fortunate free kick and Rioli's brilliance that kept them in the contest. Ring a bell?

Yep. I watched a fair bit of this match and the "Hawthorn Rule" was in effect until it was clear they would lose. I know the stats don't really support that they get more frees, but they sure seem to get more of the momentum changers.

**goswannies** · 6 August 2016, 06:51 PM

Comment of the night from the commentary team at the 12:10 minute mark of the third term, when Towers passed to Xav Richards

"And free kick is going to go Sydney's way for being retarded,"

Proceeded to kick a point ...

**stevoswan** · 6 August 2016, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by treespirit

Yep. I watched a fair bit of this match and the "Hawthorn Rule" was in effect until it was clear they would lose. I know the stats don't really support that they get more frees, but they sure seem to get more of the momentum changers.

As well as the one's that don't get paid to the opposition, seemingly judged differently to what the Hawks enjoy......it can add up to a massive advantage

........and to think that they have probably won three close games this season, including the last time we played them, due to umpire influence, the bastards should have been down with the Dogs, Roos and West Coast, fighting to stay in the eight!!

Pays to have a 'close' relationship with the umpires......

**dejavoodoo44** · 6 August 2016, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by Wardy

And Mitchell for Hawks I think has been reported !!!

No reports listed, but they're saying that Rioli might be in trouble for a bump on Oliver.