Scrappy Swans get the job done over Essendon in Gulden's 100th
When, about 10 minutes into Saturday's wild and briefly wet 14-point defeat of Essendon, a work-booted groundsman lolloped onto the field and out to the centre square, then reached into the weathered white bucket and used its contents to fill a pronounced divot in the SCG pitch.
A mid-game turf repair at a venue notorious all year for its patchy surface since that Andrea Bocelli concert in April. A venue that is also the Swans' home ground in their own fitful campaign that was confirmed as fruitless even before the bounce.
Last weekend's capitulation to crosstown rivals GWS hammered the final nail in the coffin of a tough first year for coach Dean Cox marked by relentless injuries and dampened confidence.
On Saturday everything was a bit damp, and the weather could not be held solely responsible for the poor kicking and lacklustre play as both sides saw out this consolation clash in front of a comparatively sparse crowd by Swans standards.
And the younger among the 20,805 who turned up to watch the hosts withstand a nervy late Bombers comeback, a win that's building towards nothing must feel kind of foreign.
This time last year, the Swans were headed for a 24th finals campaign in 29 years. Here they bettered the Bombers in the bleak knowledge that this September will not feature any footy for only the sixth time in the last 30 years.
Only the rusted-on of pre-1996 – the year John Howard was elected prime minister and The Wiggles released Wake Up Jeff! – will fully understand the half a century of pain before it, dating back to the Bloodbath grand final of 1945.
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The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
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Cam Guthrie (calf) could finally make his first appearance this season after being listed as a test by Geelong, with Mitch Duncan (shoulder) and Jake Kolodjashnij (groin) also a chance. Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale will not feature again before the finals after suffering a quad injury. But the Lions are confident co-captain Neale will be on target to return for the first week of the finals. The dual Brownlow medallist was experiencing soreness following Brisbane's 27-point win over Collingwood before scans revealed a tear in his quad. Neale will miss Saturday's clash against 10th-placed Sydney at the Gabba and matches against top-eight sides Fremantle (Optus) and Hawthorn (Gabba). Brisbane have also lost defender Ryan Lester (concussion), with Tom Doedee shaping as a potential choice to replace the veteran. Arriving from Adelaide in 2023, Doedee has not made his debut for the Lions after suffering setbacks while rehabilitating from a knee reconstruction. Elsewhere, Nick Larkey is in doubt for North Melbourne's away clash against GWS after re-injuring his right knee. On return from a PCL injury, the star forward aggravated his knee after landing heavily from an aerial contest in North's nine-point defeat to St Kilda. North captain Jy Simpkin is also experiencing inflammation of a tendon behind a knee but is listed as a test alongside first-year player Zac Banch (rib). GWS have lost youngster Toby McMullin to a season-ending ankle injury, while lethal goalkicker Jesse Hogan continues to manage foot soreness. Midfielder McMullin has undergone surgery for a syndesmosis injury he suffered in the Giants' horror defeat to the Western Bulldogs. St Kilda key forward Mitch Owens won't appear again this season after straining his hamstring, while Melbourne defender Jake Lever also seems unlikely to return after an ankle injury. Sydney expect to regain forward duo Hayden McLean (concussion) and Will Hayward (calf) against Brisbane. 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News.com.au
10 hours ago
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Ray Thomas' tips and inside mail for racing at Canterbury on Wednesday
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Karinska has had two soft trials to prepare for her turn but she's nice and sharp so expect her to be hitting the line strongly. Infusion raced on speed and won well on a heavy track when making her debut last month. She has drawn wide but has early pace and is likely to be in front of Karinska on the turn. Southern Heiress bolted in on debut over 900m at Newcastle and although this is obviously a tougher race she has upside. Maquisa hasn't had much luck in recent starts and has drawn wide again but she is bursting to win a race. Bet: Karinska to win Race 4: I'm with Stormland at each way odds. He won well on debut, beating the promising Grand Prairie, then was tested in the Kindergarten Stakes when down the track behind North England. He's resuming in midweek grade against older horses but his two barrier trials have been very good, barrier two is advantageous, Jason Collett rides and he's a good gamble at close to $7. 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News.com.au
10 hours ago
- News.com.au
Wallabies hooker David Porecki calls time on his career to ‘start a new chapter'
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