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AFL Report
RWO Observations
We got used to the Blues being our bunnies. Not just that we could expect a win, but that we could expect a decent percentage boost too. So on one level scraping out a two point win, and one that involved a degree of luck in the end too, might be seen as a let down. However, it could be that this was exactly the kind of match the Swans needed after a mini two-game slump.
The lethargy of the previous two weeks was evident in the first quarter, and had the Blues been able to convert some straight forward chances, the scoreline might have been beyond the Swans by the first break. But after they woke from their slumber and started winning ball in the midfield, the Bloods cobbled together some of the most attacking, coherent football that they've played in six or seven weeks. Sure, it was against an opponent still young and developing but the Blues played very well for long stretches and forced the Swans to respond. O'Keefe, Bevan, McVeigh, Ablett, Jolly and Jude Bolton played games probably up there with their best of the year so far, Moore and Jack both stepped up again after looking like they were falling off the pace a bit for the past month, and there were only a couple of notable low contributors.
Roos might be concerned, however, about the short periods in which the team returned to a group slumber. Twice they allowed the Blues to kick 4 goals in short succession and were possibly only saved from a third time by the final siren. Still, if this victory has the effect of reminding the team what it feels like to win, and of the intensity required to play successful "Bloods football", it might be the springboard to pulling off a victory against at least one of the Bulldogs, Cats or Pies. Not only would that almost certainly secure the final top four spot, it could also give the team a modicum of credibility as a genuine flag contender for 2008.
Goals:
Carlton: Fevola 5, Betts 3, Judd 2, Kreuzer, Fisher, Russell, Walker, Waite, Hartlett, Murphy, Grigg,
Sydney: McVeigh 4, O'Keefe 3, Bevan 2, Moore 2, Jolly 2, Goodes 2, J. Bolton, Playfair, Roberts-Thomson
Best:
Carlton: Gibbs, Fevola, Scotland, Murphy, Jamison, Betts, Carrazzo
Sydney: J. Bolton, O'Keefe, Jolly, Moore, McVeigh, Mattner, Bevan
Injuries:
Carlton: Walker (shoulder), Fevola (corked thigh)
Sydney: Malceski (calf) replaced in selected side by Grundy, Barry (hamstring), O'Loughlin (ankle), O'Keefe (ankle), Goodes (groin)
Reports: Nil
None
Umpires: Stevic, Chamberlain, Kamolins .
Crowd: 38,401 at Telstra Dome .
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