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getseriouser · 8 years ago

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20 THOUGHTS: Predict the Unpredictable

WHO knows what’s going on?

As Jimmy Bartel put it after Mitch McGovern slotted the tying goal last Sunday, “is this season for real?”

There’s little point trying to anticipate or guess what’s coming up because each and every week we are further proven wrong by stuff you just would not have seen coming.

The perfect way to sum it up is for years now, by this time of the season, we’re having that conversation that the season is too long, there are too many meaningless games, we’re all suffering home and away lag craving for the finalists/contenders to sort out a premier because we knew the two or three best teams months ago.

This year, not at all, every round feels fresh and exciting and as for those laying claim to being serious Grand Finalists, um, we could provide some teams this week but the list might look totally different as early as next.

It’s fantastic.

1. Let’s get the Patrick Dangerfield stuff out of the way up top. Yesterday he accepted the sanction, and he had to, it is a team sport after all and because of the way the rules are set up, the concussion that was suffered, he had no grounds to appeal. And because of the Cam McCarthy suspension which was the most alike, he was always in trouble. Now should either player have sat out a week, no, that tackle should not warrant a suspension, but that’s a question on the rule, not the ruling applied here.

2. Jimmy Bartel made a good point Sunday afternoon on television, suggesting that from a Brownlow eligibility perspective there should be greater emphasis on penalising non-football acts (strikes, trips, behind play incidents) than things like tackles gone wrong or accidents in the act of playing. That would then mean incidents like Dangerfield’s tackle might be ok, but Toby Greene-style sniping would definitely still matter. Further interesting given that Bartel is a MRP sitting member too.

3. So we now face a potentially mega awkward scenario Brownlow night. At least when poor Chris Grant missed out, he wasn’t in the room. Not only will Dangerfield be in the room but as last year’s winner he will present the medal to Dustin Martin after a vote count he probably finishes first. To make matters worse, what if Richmond bundle out of the finals prior the big dance leaving Martin officially on the market with a decision to make when he wins? Or worst still, Martin, having already had two fines this year, does something so minor he gets fined again in the next month and thus misses a week, meaning both first and second are ineligible. How bizarre?

4. Been a while since we whacked Damien Barrett but it feels good to do so again and reasonably up front in this week’s column. Barrett on his regular Monday Triple M slot when asked if Geelong and Dangerfield should appeal he responded with “I think he should”. Firstly, who made you an important voice, or the Geelong Footy Manager, and secondly why should he, whether you think that deserves a week or not, he had no grounds to amend the ruling unfortunately. Give us something Damo.

5. Lastly on the media, and we’ve potted Barrett, now let’s pot the Media Worst on Ground for 2017, Mark Robinson. Wrote a column for yesterday’s paper suggesting that “when Patrick Dangerfield polls the most votes on Brownlow Medal night, the AFL will be embarrassed”. Why? Because of the unfortunate event they made the winner ineligible because of a rule they’ve had all year, again rightly or wrongly? Or because it feels bad that the winner misses out? What if it was Nakia Cockatoo who made that tackle, would you care as much then Robbo? Or are you letting emotion cloud sound judgement again? Or perhaps pushing double standards? Either way you need to take your hand off it please.

6. But on-field, how great’s the season? Hawks-Swans Friday was fantastic, everything on Saturday afternoon was stellar, especially the ending to the Power-Saints game, then we had two mega Sunday fixtures, the shootout at Etihad and then the game of two halves at the MCG. This is happening weekly and the statistics on the season’s closeness and randomness go on and on. No complaints here.

7. Nick Riewoldt, what a champion. The most games as captain for St Kilda, second most games played, the third most goals. Six time Best and Fairest, five time All-Australian. Probably the best centre-half forward after Wayne Carey of recent times, sure, Jonathon Brown, Lance Franklin, it’s an elite bunch, but for everything ��Roo’ is and what he has done, he is my pick. Walk up Hall of Famer for sure.

8. Bloody hell the GWS are on the skids. Aside from their biggish win over Brisbane a few weeks back, since their victory over Sydney in Round 5 they’ve actually been rather poor by their lofty standards and ambitions. In the twelve games since (again, Lions match aside) they have six wins and two draws with a 98.55% percentage. That’s fledgling mid table stuff. And sure, they’ve had injuries, they’ll get some back, but they better hurry up – this team was two and a half kicks down to Freo, at home, at the start of the last term.

9. Got to hand it to Alistair Clarkson. Where other coaches of perhaps other, underachieving Melbourne clubs won’t, he has reinvented his side on the run from the poorest of poor starts into amongst the most in-form sides of the competition, if not the most in-form after perhaps the Crows or Swans. To see James Sicily go from being in-and-out of the side as a key forward to a midfield, behind the ball success story, seeing Jack Gunston go from number one inside 50 target to onball accumulator, he even has found success with a backline of essentially a crèche plus Luke Hodge. Brilliant coaching, brilliant agility of utilising personnel in different roles, making proactive changes, and the proof is in the pudding. Two months ago the Mitchell and Lewis decisions were awful, now they are genius.

10. So who gets eighth spot? Dead set going to be musical chairs? Right now West Coast hold serve but you still think Essendon or the Bulldogs will grab it, primarily because who can rely on favourites holding out the rest of the season in forecasting a final ladder? What we do know is that if a team, be it the Eagles or Bombers as an example, are able to put together a really nice August and claim a finals spot, the form that got them in might be the sort of form to do damage once September kicks off, a 2016-Bulldogs ‘lite’, if you will.

11. Daniel Wells will get the three votes on Sunday you’d think (Mitch McGovern was indeed huge, and we’ll touch on him next), and his record this year will frustrate Nathan Buckley no end. Wells has played exactly half the season thus far, and when he has played the Pies are six wins and a draw from nine games, with 114%. Without, one win from nine games, with 81%. It’s once again a year of excuses for the Pies, but a fitter Wells is worth another win or two, they’re probably a game out of the eight and fighting for finals and not languishing in 13th.

12. Mitch McGovern is jacking his price up big time. Four great goals, but more importantly was his workrate and hands on Sunday, and to be fair this season. Gets back to be part of the team defence but works really hard to be that option deep on a fast break. But also, a great size to be an aerial target, a great leap with a strong grip. Out of contract, the lure of going home to play with his brother will be there, plus there’s cash for him from Melbourne clubs too. The Crows will have a battle to keep him. Mind you, he is benefiting from the best two opposition defenders going to Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins, keep that in mind.

13. The other battle the Crows will have in terms of a signature is Jake Lever. When Dustin Martin is getting offers, we believe, around the 1.2, 1.3m per year, to hear offers not too much inferior for a 49-game intercept defender, it is amazing. But his talent looks well validated aside and where should he want to stay you think the money will be there for him, it wouldn’t shock to see one or two Melbourne clubs press so hard he chooses to return home. If not, he will be turning down millions.

14. Really thinking the North Melbourne offers to Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin should be taken seriously. They have definitely, definitely committed verbal offers to both with almost unmatchable, unbeatable term and dollars. And you look at what they’ve done, sure, they’re not the lure of a big, brash Melbourne club like an Essendon or Collingwood, but you can see the makings of a side this year, despite sitting near the bottom, that gets back into the eight soon and with one or both additions, wowee, you got to concede some enthusiasm about the club’s outlook.

15. Two schools of thought going around for Collingwood’s coaching fiasco – one, they go and poach a rival club’s coach or go all out for Paul Roos and just make something happen, or, and this is getting more and more traction sadly, they do a 2016 Richmond, keep the coach but re-do the entire footy department around him and reset for a fresh tilt with the same main man at the helm.

16. Do we rate the Bulldogs chances should they make the finals? Unsure. Maybe get Tom Campbell, Matty Boyd, Tom Boyd, Jake Stringer back into that side, get some continuity into the group with as few changes week to week, and this is a team that knows how to win finals. But is that largely on blind hope, blissful optimism all because of what we’ve seen last year and little to what we’ve seen this year?

17. All-Australian Ruckman watch, and queue some potential bias, but stick with. Three main contenders at this stage, Sam Jacobs, Paddy Ryder and Brodie Grundy. Jacobs is averaging 40 hitouts, 15 touches and three tackles a game, Ryder is going at 36, 13 and two. For Grundy, he is doing 37, 18 and four and interestingly, is in the top ten in the league for stoppage clearances, the same as Josh Kennedy and Olli Wines, no other ruckman comes close. For what it’s worth, for those Blues’ supporters, Kreuzer is averaging 31, 15 and five.

18. Three big games this weekend, and we start with the Dangerfield-less Geelong hosting Sydney down at Sleepy Hollow. Sydney have not lost two in a row since Rounds Five and Six, and will be hell bent on taking a big scalp before September. This column has remained unconvinced on the Cats all season, and without their best player they are as vulnerable as a dopey sea lion during Shark Week on Foxtel.

19. Sunday is stellar for those looking to put a good innings together on the couch, and it starts with Richmond and Hawthorn at the ‘G. Should be a big crowd and there’s a lot on the line, especially for the Tigers. This is the first time in a long time where they are going to be the big dog in this matchup, and whilst they have had success over the Hawks in recent years, it has been as the plucky underdog, not as the heavily favoured. So how do they go when the tables are turned, and with Hawthorn now the pluckiest of underdogs all of a sudden, winning games, looking good, they’ve won four of the last six.

20. The Showdown ends a monster Sunday, and it’s a super interesting rendition of the rivalry this one. The Crows played a half last weekend against the Pies, and to their opponents credit it didn’t look like they were off the first half, they were just outplayed, which could show the way for those facing the ladder-leaders going forward. It was at this time last year these Crows went from top two into fifth and that was their 2016 fate sealed. For Port, they got out of jail last week, and given the loss to Melbourne the week prior, they need to find something quickly – this team has top four credentials if they switch on, and to finish fourth when their cross-town rivals finish first would be monumental for the Power, and that starts this weekend.

(originally published August 2)

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footyplusau · 8 years ago

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Match report: Giants, Cats in thrilling draw

GREATER Western Sydney has roared back from a 20-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to snatch a share of the points against a gallant but undermanned Geelong at Spotless Stadium in the first drawn AFL match since 2015.

Cats forward Tom Hawkins had the chance to win the game after the siren, but his set shot from 30m from a fairly tight angle earned only a behind, which levelled the scores at 10.8 (68) apiece.

Full match coverage and stats

Geelong deserved no less than a share of the spoils, however, having overcome the absence of Joel Selwood, who was concussed last round, and Daniel Menzel – who suffered a knee injury in the warm-up – to set the standard for most of the night until they finally ran out of legs against the relentless Giants.

A Patrick Dangerfield goal and rushed behind gave the visitors a 67-47 lead in the eighth minute of the last period. However, a 21-point unanswered run, including a fourth goal of the match to star forward Jonathon Patton, put GWS on top 68-67 in the 27th minute. The Cats launched several late raids but it appeared the decisive blow would elude them until Hawkins took a contested mark on the stroke of full-time.

WATCH: The last two minutes

“I suspect that Tom’s really disappointed he didn’t knock the goal over from an acute angle. But hopefully when the dust settles a little bit he will be proud that he was the man in the arena at the end when it really counted, and he should be proud of his teammates as well, especially the young ones,” Cats coach Chris Scott said.

“I was just excited we got the chance. Obviously the draw’s better than the loss. So having the opportunity to at least get the two points was exciting. But it was a really tough shot, so I don’t know there would be a player on the ground that would have gone back and thought ‘This is a lay down misere’, especially with that pressure.”

Geelong can hang their hat on the result, as they were sporting three debutants, including teenagers Sam Simpson, Zach Guthrie and young forward Wylie Buzza. Each played a critical role, along with journeyman Sam Menegola, who had 33 possessions and a goal, bettered only by Dangerfield’s 45 disposals.

For GWS, livewire Toby Greene was a late omission due to an ankle complaint, adding to the absence of rebounding defender Zac Williams. However, the home side was significantly bolstered by the return of small forward Devon Smith, ruckman Rory Lobb and dynamic midfielder Josh Kelly.

For all their pace, however, the Giants couldn’t halt a series of sweeping quick-fire counter-attacks from the Cats in the first half, including all three of the visitors’ first-quarter goals.

Their three majors in the second term, two of which were textbook set shots from distance by first-gamer Buzza and, shortly afterwards, Jordan Murdoch, were the product of Geelong’s impeccably organised defensive structure, which frustrated the Giants and forced them wide.

Five talking points: Greater Western Sydney v Geelong

For GWS, Patton scored three first-half goals, including the 100th of his career. Steve Johnson was heavily involved, as always, scuffling with Dangerfield at the start of the second quarter, just before the veteran ex-Cat won a free kick and scored from the boundary.

The loss of their one debutant for the match, Jeremy Finlayson, to a knee injury in the second quarter added the Giants’ challenge, but a higher tempo in the third term opened the door for a comeback.

GWS scored the first seven points after half-time but the Cats readjusted, pressuring the GWS spread and counter-punching with three unanswered goals to secure a 19-point lead, before Jeremy Cameron scored his first major for the night on the stroke of three-quarter time.

Seven points to begin the final quarter sent Geelong back out to a handy lead, but the Giants turned up the heat to storm back into contention.

“I suppose it’s two points. They were the better team,” a bitterly disappointed GWS coach Leon Cameron said.

“They had three first-gamers in the team, off a six-day break, and their effort was better than ours.

“It’s frustrating … they just played the conditions so much better.”

MEDICAL ROOM Greater Western Sydney: Sam Reid left the ground in the 12th minute of the game with a knee injury but played out the game. Debutant Jeremy Finlayson was out of the game midway through the second quarter after twisting his left knee in a tackle. Steve Johnson collided heavily with teammate Jeremy Cameron late in the opening quarter but both players continued on.

Geelong: Sam Menegola left the ground late nearing half-time but returned to the action.

NEXT UP The Giants play the Hawks at the University of Tasmania Stadium before what should be a cracking Sydney derby the following week. The Cats head straight to Queensland for the week ahead of their game against the Brisbane Lions.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.1 5.3 7.5 10.8 (68) GEELONG 3.1 6.5 9.6 10.8 (68)

GOALS Greater Western Sydney: Patton 4, Wilson, Johnson, Ward, Cameron, Lobb, Whitfield Geelong: Buzza 2, Hawkins, Parsons, Blicavs, Black, Murdoch, Menegola, Stanley, Dangerfield

BEST�� Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield, Patton, Ward, Wilson, Kelly, Haynes Geelong: Dangerfield, Menegola, Duncan, C.Guthrie, Taylor, Tuohy

INJURIES Greater Western Sydney: Toby Greene (ankle) replaced in the selected side by Daniel Lloyd, Jeremy Finlayson (knee) Geelong: Daniel Menzel (knee) replaced in selected side by Wylie Buzza

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Chamberlain, Meredith, Fleer

Official crowd: 15,007 at Spotless Stadium

The post Match report: Giants, Cats in thrilling draw appeared first on Footy Plus.

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justbloggingit-blog · 8 years ago

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The 25 Best Netflix Original Series

The fact that we can even make a list of the best Netflix original series is kind of amazing. Less than five years ago, the now dominant streaming platform was best known as the company that put Blockbuster out of business. House of Cards not only changed all that—it also changed the way TV is consumed, introducing the now ever-popular binge model. History is made by forward-thinking companies and Netflix, let’s be honest, is making history.

The streaming platform is rich with content and, so far, has had only a few true misses (talking to you, Iron Fist). To come up with the list of Netflix best original series, we left out shows that originated on another network, including those that received a second life on Netflix (sorry Arrested Development, though it’s probably for the best, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life). You can find those titles, and many more, on our list of the 75 Best TV Shows on Netflix.

Here are the 25 best Netflix original series:

25. 13 Reasons Why

Creators: Steve Golin, Tom McCarthy and Selena Gomez Stars: Dylan Minnette, Katherine Langford, Christian Navarro, Miles Heizer, Derek Luke, Kate Walsh Premiered: 2017

Here’s something ironic: One of the shows that could be the easiest to take for granted this season could very well be the one about a teenage girl who kills herself because she was taken for granted. Based on author Jay Asher’s young adult bestseller, 13 Reasons Why is about what happens when the bullying, sexting, betrayed friendships, doublespeak conversations, and sheer loneliness of high-school hell get too much for teenager Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford). But Hannah doesn’t go down without naming some names and her suicide note comes in the form of audio recording, in which she recounts exactly what (and who) led her to fall into this pit of hopelessness. The message is that everyone had a chance to save Hannah from herself, even the adults. 13 Reasons Why is one of the most important TV shows of the season. Whitney Friedlander

24. Grace and Frankie

Creators: Marta Kauffman, Howard J. Morris Stars: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, Martin Sheen, Brooklyn Decker Premiered: 2015

Sometimes the only thing worse than a flat-out bad show is a woefully mediocre one that thoroughly squanders its vast potential. Indeed, despite its luminous cast, respected creative team (Marta J. Kaufman co-created Friends) and timely subject matter, Grace and Frankie never quite shakes the impression that it’s a broadcast comedy masquerading under a thick layer of “prestige half-hour” make-up. The story centers on the titular characters (Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, respectively) who end up becoming roommates/reluctant friends after their husbands (Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) announce they’ve been engaging in a long-term affair with one another and wish to dissolve their marriages to be together. Feeling tossed out to sea in the twilight of their lives, the two women attempt to rediscover life as newly single gals. Cue gags fueled by elder dating, elder sex and the ever-reliable, “elders try to use technology.” It’s essentially How Stella Got Her Groove Back for the septuagenarian sect. These creative shortcomings are all the more disappointing given the unmistakable chemistry between Fonda and Tomlin, not to mention that, as actresses of a certain age, Hollywood is not exactly bowling them over with the roles they deserve. Grace and Frankie is far from a bad show, but it has enough going for it that one wishes it was so much better. Mark Rozeman

23. The OA

Creators: Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij Stars: Brit Marling, Emory Cohen, Scott Wilson, Phyllis Smith, Alice Krige, Jason Isaacs Premiered: 2016

Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij’s flawed, transfixing science (or is it spiritual?) fiction asks its audience, as the title character (Marling) does hers, for trust—to the point that the suspension of disbelief emerges as the subject of The OA, and not merely its mechanism. As the OA, or Original Angel, also known as Prairie Johnson, unfurls a tale of unimaginable trauma for four high school students and their math teacher (the surprising Phyllis Smith), the decision to focus on images of their rapt faces might appear premature, given the first season’s meandering course. And yet, mirroring the OA’s inscrutable message, Marling and Batmanglij’s snarled stories ultimately straighten, as if diagramming an indecipherable sentence or lining a complex hymn: When its nesting narratives come taut, when its forked paths converge, The OA rewards the faith it requires, coming to a climax of such sublime conviction it continues to reduce me to sobs even now, after countless viewings. Matt Brennan

22. Bloodline

Creators: Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, Daniel Zelman Stars: Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, Sam Shepard, Sissy Spacek, Norbert Leo Butz, Jacinda Barrett, Enrique Murciano Premiered: 2015

The first season of Bloodline, I found myself asking “Is this good? Do I like this?” after every episode. “Better watch the next one to figure out how I feel about it.” Before long, I was fully invested in the show’s mystery and had made it through all 13 episodes, but I still find myself wondering why I’m not totally blown away by it. It’s got a stellar cast—Sissy Spacek, Linda Cardellini, Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn (the latter two of whom were nominated for Emmys for their work on the show). It’s got a compelling plot (the family’s black sheep returns home and threatens to reveal a bunch of secrets that could tear everything apart, with flashbacks to a decades-old tragedy mixed in for good measure). It’s beautifully shot, so much so that the Florida Keys are almost another character on the show. And yet there’s something missing that I can’t quite put my finger on, something that hasn’t quite taken the show to where it should be on paper. That said, I’ll probably blow through Season Three in a weekend this May to see if they’ve found it. Bonnie Stiernberg

21. Chef’s Table

Creators: David Gelb, Andrew Fried and Brain McGinn Premiered: 2015

This docuseries might really change the way you look at what you eat and why. Each episode is a standalone documentary that highlights the personal journey of a different chef. The ultimate focus is on the chef—not the food, not the restaurant—and the show is freaking beautiful. Each episode is gorgeously filmed and an extremely thoughtful look at one chef and his/her career journey. What’s brought into sharp focus is a sense that each of these people, surrounded by families and communities and friends and patrons, is someone with a fundamental sense of being alone. We have a number of programs about food and it’s easy to believe that no one could possibly have anything new to… um bring to the table. But all of the episodes leave me wanting more. Amy Glynn

20. Sense8

Creators: The Wachowskis, J. Michael Straczynski Stars: Tuppence Middleton, Brian J. Smith, Doona Bae, Aml Ameen, Toby Onwumere, Max Riemelt, Tina Desai, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Jamie Clayton, Freema Agyeman, Terrence Mann, Anupam Kher, Naveen Andrews, Daryl Hannah Premiered: 2015

There is no bigger WTF TV show in the world right now than Sense8. This globe-trotting and glitzy sci-fi series, created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski (co-directors of The Matrix trilogy) and former Babylon 5 showrunner J. Michael Straczynski, drops us into a world where eight strangers in different parts of the planet are somehow psychically and emotionally linked. The first season’s 12 episodes and the Christmas special follow this assortment of confused and beautiful people as they try to understand this connection, use their newfound abilities to help one another, and engage in not one but two blissfully queer orgies. As wacky and over-the-top as Sense8 can often get, the series remains important as it deals with issues of sexuality and gender identity through the work of trans actress Jamie Clayton and performers Miguel Silvestre and Alfonso Herrera’s portrayal of a gay couple in Mexico City. Robert Ham

19. A Series of Unfortunate Events Creators: Mark Hudis, Barry Sonnenfeld Stars: Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton, Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, K. Todd Freeman, Presley Smith Premiered: 2017

When Netflix announced its adaptation of Daniel Handler’s beloved, quirky books, my main question was this: Is A Series of Unfortunate Events adaptable to the screen without losing the idiosyncrasies that make it so charming? Fortunately, director Barry Sonnenfeld, Neil Patrick Harris as the evil Count Olaf, and Handler himself (as screenwriter) rose to the challenge magnificently. The series, whose first season contains eight out of a planned 26 episodes, doesn’t consistently hit the emotional heights of Netflix’s best fare, but it more than makes up for this paucity with solid acting, abundant wit and a visual aesthetic that is wholly unique in television—a hybrid of Tim Burton’s gothic glee and Wes Anderson’s diorama cinema. Book-readers will delight at the faithfulness of the adaptation, and while first-timers may take a tad longer to get their feet wet, the colorful menagerie of characters and the dogged perseverance of the Baudelaire orphans should win them over. Zach Blumenfeld

18. Marvel’s Luke Cage Creator: Cheo Hodari Coker Stars: Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali, Alfre Woodard, Simone Missick, Erik LaRay Harvey, Rosario Dawson, Theo Rossi Premiered: 2016

Marvel’s third Netflix venture isn’t perfect—the structure of its villain hierarchy needed some serious recalibration—but it is good, very good in fact, and most of all it’s ballsy. Who writes a superhero show around a naked discussion of what it means to a black American in 2016? Luke Cage is obviously a Marvel product, but it’s also the product of its creator, Cheo Hodari Coker, and its cast, including Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali, Alfre Woodard, Simone Missick, and Erik LaRay Harvey (plus appearances by Frankie Faison, Ron Cephas Jones and, of course, Method Man): The series has more flexibility in addressing its subject matter thanks to its platform, but it’s hard to imagine that it’d speak as loudly or as boldly even on Netflix without Coker driving the narrative forward. Even though he stumbles during the show’s midsection, his errors don’t add up to more than an inconvenience. Luke Cage blends its source material with a wide range of influences, from jazz to rap to horrors ripped straight from the headlines, and churns out a yarn that’s as powerful as it is irresistibly poppy. Andy Crump

17. One Day at a Time

Creators: Gloria Calderon Kellett, Mike Royce, Norman Lear Stars: Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz Premiered: 2017

I can’t remember a time I loved something the way I love the new One Day at a Time. Part of my affection stems from the fact that the show was such a discovery. It arrived January 6 of this year with almost no hype. I write about TV for a living and I barely knew it was premiering. Almost immediately I dismissed the show as yet another ill-advised remake. How wrong I was. The comedy is a pure delight. A throwback to the defining comedies of the 1970s with a modern twist, the show deftly tackles some hot-button issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, wage inequality and teenage sexuality amid real conversations about generational differences and Cuban heritage and traditions. Justina Machado (Six Feet Under) is fantastic as the recently separated veteran raising her two adolescent children with the help of her mother Lydia (living legend Rita Moreno) and her landlord Schneider (Todd Grinnell). Moreno gives an amazing speech in the series 12th episode that should easily nab her an Emmy nomination this year. But above all the show is funny and grounded. Once you start watching, you won’t be able to watch this gem one day at a time. Amy Amatangelo

16. Love

Creators: Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, Paul Rust Stars: Gillian Jacobs, Paul Rust, Claudia O’Doherty Premiered: 2016

If you’re a fan of Undeclared or Freaks and Geeks, you should make it your business to give Judd Apatow’s latest series, Love, a try. In a lot of ways, it feels like what would happen if Sam Weir and Kim Kelly wound up dating in their 30s—we meet Gus (Paul Rust), a dorky on-set tutor for the child star of a witch-themed teen drama, and Mickey (Gillian Jacobs), a radio producer struggling with her sobriety, as they’re both reeling from tough breakups and watch as they fall for each other. Like anything Apatow’s got his name on, there’s an underlying sweetness here and an incredibly strong cast (Claudia O’Doherty steals pretty much every scene she’s in as Mickey’s roommate, Bertie), and the addiction plot lends some dramatic muscle. The characters are complicated (and not always likable), but hey, so is love. Bonnie Stiernberg

15. Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Creators: Michael Showalter, David Wain Stars: Elizabeth Banks, Lake Bell, H. Jon Benjamin, Michael Ian Black, Michael Cera, Josh Charles, Bradley Cooper, Judah Friedlander, Janeane Garofalo, Jon Hamm, Nina Hellman Premiered: 2015

When a follow-up comes along for any project with a huge cult audience, it seems doomed to disappoint. Arrested Development’s fourth season’s breaking apart of the cast was bound to frustrate, and Anchorman 2 could never reach the surprising joy of the original. Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp obviously came with a certain amount of trepidation. But instead of trying to recreate the glory of the last day of camp, as seen in the 2001 film, First Day of Camp added a considerable amount of depth to the original film and explained aspects of Camp Firewood that never needed to be understood, but make the entire history of these characters feel more whole. The Netflix series managed to redefine these characters that we fell in love with over a decade ago, all while giving us laughs and immense heart as well. Ross Bonaime

14. The Crown

Creator: Peter Morgan Stars: Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, John Lithgow, Jeremy Northam, Victoria Hamilton, Eileen Atkins Premiered: 2016

The Royal family were allegedly concerned when creator Peter Morgan refused all offers of assistance in bringing The Crown to life. The fact that Netflix’s first costume drama manages to make someone as famously insensitive as Prince Philip appear deeply sympathetic proves the Palace needn’t have worried. That’s not to say that this fascinating portrait of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign is a piece of sycophantic fluff—it doesn’t exactly shy away from the conflicts that plagued her early years. But the first season, which centers on events from 1947 to 1955, does humanize the monarchy in a way that very few royal dramas have done before. Indeed, the reported $100 million budget has understandably garnered the most headlines, but as sumptuous as The Crown’s sets are, it’s Morgan’s meticulously researched screenplay that impresses the most. Exquisite performances from Claire Foy as the young woman thrust onto the throne in her twenties and a never-better John Lithgow as the formidable Winston Churchill also ensure that Netflix’s ambitious royal gamble well and truly pays off. Jon O’Brien

13. Making a Murderer

Creators: Laura Ricciardi, Moira Demos Premiered: 2015

After the Serial podcast captured the zeitgeist, Netflix brought viewers the true story of Steven Avery, a man wrongly convicted of a brutal assault. He sued law enforcement, and while in the middle of that suit, he became a suspect of a brand new crime. The 10-part docu-series covers 30 years in Avery’s life, and like Serial, became a phenomenon that had us all playing armchair judge and jury. Amy Amatangelo

12. Lady Dynamite

Creators: Pam Brady, Mitch Hurwitz Stars: Maria Bamford, Fred Melamed, Mary Kay Place Premiered: 2016

Generally speaking, we like our comedies and our comedians to be funny. Maria Bamford—actress, voice actress, stand-up—is funny in the strictest sense possible, but her Netflix series, Lady Dynamite, blends her humor with melancholy and hurt. Don’t worry: You’ll laugh. You will laugh! Lady Dynamite is hysterical, and it’s hysterical on a wide array of axes, incorporating everything from slapstick, to absurdism, to cringe humor into one hyperactive rush of comic goodness. But it’s also deeply human and deeply sad, the kind of comedy series where the laughs tend to catch in one’s gullet, or squeeze through gritted teeth. Sometimes you laugh so as not to wince, or just to keep yourself from shedding tears in front of your friends (or in front of your own damn self). Sad comedies are a dime a dozen in 2016, especially for Netflix junkies, but the manic qualities of Lady Dynamite’s humor, its frank approach to its themes of mental illness, and its cavalcade of comedian guest stars—whether they’re mainstream comedians, alt comedians, or mainstream-alt comedians—give the show a brio and soul all its own. Andy Crump

11. Marvel’s Daredevil

Creator: Drew Goddard Stars: Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Rosario Dawson, Vincent D’Onofrio Premiered: 2015

Marvel and DC have both tried to leverage their movie dominance onto the small screen many times over, but so far, the only beloved TV show based on a comic book has come from indie publisher Image with The Walking Dead. That changed with Netflix’ new offering Daredevil. The Hell’s Kitchen of Matt Murdoch’s world is much grittier than that of his Marvel cohorts on ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.—no surprise since the show was created by Drew Goddard, director of Cabin in the Woods. Goddard, who’s written episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias and Lost is also no stranger to the comics world, having written a few issues of the Buffy comics. The fight scenes are riveting (and often bloody), and the hero and his companions are well-developed, but it’s Vincent D’Onofrio complicated turn as the crime boss Wilson Fisk that elevates the show into something special. Both Fisk and Murdoch want to clean up the city, and will go to great lengths to do it. The difference between hero and villain is just a matter of ends-justify-the-means degrees. Not since Rick Grimes tangled with the Governor or Walter White went up against Gus Fring has there been a protracted battle this gripping on television. Your move, DC. Josh Jackson

10. Narcos

Creators: Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro Stars: Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal, Joanna Christie, Maurice Compte, Stephanie Sigman, Manolo Cardona, André Mattos, Roberto Urbina, Diego Cataõ Premiered: 2015

One popular line of criticism has it that Narcos romanticizes the violence and degradation associated with the Colombian drug wars—and drug culture in general—and I would agree that the excellent Wagner Moura plays kingpin Pablo Escobar so engagingly that he becomes a sort of Walt White-esque antihero. And the rhythms of the documentary-style narration are fast-paced in a way that’s reminiscent of Guy Ritchie, whipping us along at an almost breakneck speed. Nevertheless, this valid criticism misses the important point that we are watching a work of fiction based on historical figures—not a real documentary. And when viewed that way, Narcos was one of the most successful new shows on TV, in how it managed to flesh out some very dark characters and tell a complicated story with such urgency and clarity. This is not the hyper-realist drug fiction of Traffic or 2015’s wonderful Sicario, but as conflict entertainment goes, it succeeds wonderfully. Shane Ryan

9. The Get Down

Creators: Baz Luhrmann, Stephen Adly Guirgis Stars: Justice Smith, Herizen F. Guardiola, Shameik Moore, Jaden Smith, Skylan Brooks, Tremaine Brown Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jimmy Smits Premiered: 2016

The Get Down, from Baz Luhrmann and Stephen Adly Guirgis, bears the imprint of its creators’ extensive experience on the stage, mustering more musical zeal than the many other contemporary rock ‘n’ roll series. The story of aspiring MC Ezekiel Figuero (Justice Smith) and his love interest, disco singer Mylene (Herizen F. Guardiola), The Get Down edges closer in affect to Singin’ in the Rain or West Side Story than to its brethren on TV. Whether a function of its interest in the origins of hip-hop or the spirited optimism of its protagonists, determined to escape, or transform, the South Bronx, The Get Down is buoyed by its kinetic energies, even as it strains to bring its sprawling cast and sociopolitical interests into sharper relief. Each episode is a kaleidoscope of musical influences, from disco to ’90s rap. Throughout the first few episodes, the camera combats the intermittent sluggishness of the writing, zooming, swooping, circling and retreating before cycling back to the beginning, painted all the while in bright swatches of color. The Get Down recalls the aforementioned classics not because it’s made with similar aplomb, then, but because the series’ chaotic construction nonetheless reflects the musical’s central premise: The music isn’t the setting for the story. The music is the story. Matt Brennan

8. House of Cards

Creator: Beau Willimon Stars: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Corey Stoll, Michael Kelly Premiered: 2013

It’s been called a gamble. It’s been called a revolutionary step in television. However you look at it, House of Cards, Netflix’s first original series, is certainly something you need to witness. Whether you watch all the episodes in one sitting or spaced out over a few weeks, the show has an undeniable draw that will suck you in. The political thriller, starring the incomparable Kevin Spacey, is an adaptation of BBC’s show of the same name (also worth checking out on Netflix). It sets out to take on drama juggernauts from HBO, Showtime and AMC; succeeding in part. The most compelling aspect of the show is Spacey’s take on Frank Underwood. He’s able to carry scenes and sometimes entire episodes. The series focuses on Underwood’s ruthless rise to power alongside—and, at times, in opposition to—his icy, ambitious wife, Claire (Robin Wright). The show lies somewhere between the exceptionally boundary-pushing first season of Homeland and the intelligence of the early The West Wing episodes. Adam Vitcavage

7. Dear White People

Creator: Justin Simien Stars:: Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton, Antoinette Robertson, John Patrick Amedori, Ashley Blaine Featherson, Giancarlo Esposito Network: Netflix

Based on creator Justin Simien’s 2014 indie, Netflix’s original series—narrated by Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul’s Giancarlo Esposito—replicates the pungent humor of the film without ever seeming stale, or static: Its knives are sharp, and they’re pointed in every direction. Though its primary target is white privilege, in forms both egregious (blackface parties) and mundane (calls to end “divisive” politics), Dear White People, set on the campus of a fictional Ivy League university, is even funnier when it turns to the details of the black students’ personal and ideological choices, transforming the notion of the “problematic fave,” from the McRib to The Cosby Show into the engine of its entertaining, incisive comedy. Matt Brennan

6. Jessica Jones

Creator: Melissa Rosenberg Stars: Krysten Ritter, David Tennant, Rachael Taylor, Mike Colter, Carrie-Anne Moss, Eka Darville, Erin Moriarty, Wil Traval, Susie Abromeit Premiered: 2015

Marvel’s first team-up with Netflix, 2015’s excellent Daredevil, took the shiny Marvel Cinematic Universe and rubbed much needed dirt on it. Jessica Jones furthers the trend with a psychological thriller that is, somehow, more brutal and dark than its Hell’s Kitchen contemporary. Unlike Daredevil, Jones not only redrew the lines for a Marvel production, but redefined what a comic book show could be. The emphasis is not on the physical, but instead the mental destruction caused by Kilgrave (the phenomenal David Tennant), a sociopath with mind-control powers. Netflix’s binge model is used to its full-effect, each episode’s conclusion begging the viewer to let the train roll on. And, like a victim of Kilgrave, it’s impossible not to abide. Jessica Jones keeps the viewer guessing, leaving them suspended in a state of fear and anxiety for 13 perilous, wonderful hours. Eric Walters

5. Stranger Things

Creators: The Duffer Brothers Stars: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Matthew Modine Premiered: 2016

The only question viewers tend to ask about the quality of Netflix’s Stranger Things isn’t “Is this a fantastically entertaining show?” but “Does it matter that the show is so homage-heavy?” Our take: No. Since springing into the cultural consciousness immediately with its release, Stranger Things has been hailed as a revival of old-school sci-fi, horror and ‘80s nostalgia that is far more effective and immediately gripping than most other examples of its ilk. The influences are far too deeply ingrained to individually list, although imagery evoking Amblin-era Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper films drips from nearly every frame. With a stellar cast of child actors and several different characters whose hidden secrets we desperately want to see explored, Stranger Things hits every note necessary to motivate a weekend-long Netflix binge. As questions now swirl about the direction of Season Two, following the first season’s explosive conclusion, we’re all hoping that the same group of characters will be able to re-conjure the chilling, heart-pumping magic of a perfectly constructed eight-episode series. Please, TV gods: Don’t let Stranger Things go all True Detective on us. Jim Vorel

4. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Creators: Tina Fey, Robert Carlock Stars: Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Jane Karkowski, Carol Kane, Lauren Adams, Sara Chase Premiered: 2015

NBC has made any number of mistakes over the years, but few bigger than shelving Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s 30 Rock follow-up, before punting it over to Netflix. The fast-paced and flip sitcom features breakout performances by Office vet Ellie Kemper as the titular former “mole woman” trying to make it on her own in New York, and Tituss Burgess as her flamboyant and put-upon roommate, Titus Andromedon. Throughout the first season’s run, some writers and critics seemed dead set on finding some kind of flaw to pounce on with the show, zeroing in on how the minority characters are represented. This may be a wild generalization, but I think this was a natural reaction to one of the most overtly feminist sitcoms ever produced. Kimmy Schmidt is most certainly upsetting the natural order of your typical network sitcom. The show’s titular character is defining her life on her own terms and by her own standards. For some reason that still freaks some people out so they dismiss it or find some way to poke holes in the vehicle for that idea. That is what makes the show so exciting. Just as the show can go in a myriad of different directions, so too can Kimmy Schmidt. Now that she has put the awful time in the bunker to bed, she can face a new day with that infectious smile, bubbly attitude, and enthusiastic embrace of life experience. Sorry nitpickers and network executives; Kimmy Schmidt is going to make it after all. Robert Ham

3. Orange is the New Black

Creator: Jenji Kohan Stars: Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Michael J. Harney, Michelle Hurst, Kate Mulgrew, Jason Biggs Premiered: 2013

Orange is the New Black is perfectly suited for the Netflix delivery system, if only because it would have been agonizing to wait a week for a new episode. But there’s more; the construct felt cinematic and compared to your average show, and I couldn’t help but feel that the all-at-once release plane freed the creators to make something less episodic and more free-flowing. Taylor Schilling stars as Piper Chapman, a woman living a content modern life when her past rears up suddenly to tackle her from behind; a decade earlier, she was briefly a drug mule for her lover Alex Vause (the excellent Laura Prepon), and when Vause needed to plea her sentence down, she gave up Piper. The story is based on the real-life events of Piper Kerman, whose book of the same title was the inspiration, but the truth is that the screen version is miles better. Schilling is the engine that drives the plot, and her odd combination of natural serenity mixed with the increasing anger and desperation at the late turn her life has taken strikes the perfect tone for life inside the women’s prison. Over the first few episodes, prison is treated like an almost-quirky novelty she’ll have to experience for 15 months, and the wisest choice director Jenji Kohan made (and there are many) was to heighten the stakes so that what begins as an off-kilter adventure soon takes on the serious proportions prison life demands. And as great as Schilling and Prepon are together, the supporting cast is so universally excellent that it almost beggars belief. There are too many characters who make gold with their limited screen time to mention individually, but suffice it to say that there’s enough comedy, pathos and tragedy here for a dozen shows. The fact that they fit so successfully into one makes OITNB a defining triumph for Netflix. Shane Ryan

2. Master of None

Creators: Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang Stars: Aziz Ansari, Noél Wells, Eric Wareheim, Lena Waithe, Kelvin Yu, Alessandra Mastronardi, Bobby Cannavale Premiered: 2015

The long-awaited second season of Aziz Ansari’s masterful Master of None begins with an homage to Bicycle Thieves and ends with a nod to The Graduate. In between are beautifully nuanced episodes as Ansari’s Dev Shah tries to navigate his love life and his career. Even when the show goes the traditional sitcom route—the will-they-or-won’t-they romance of Dev and the engaged Francesca (Alessandra Mastronardi)—the dialogue and interactions are decidedly not traditional. They talk like real people not ones created in a writer’s room. “New York, I Love You,” which stepped away from the main characters to showcase the vibrant diversity of the city and “Thanksgiving,” which chronicled Dev’s childhood friend Denise (Lena Waithe) coming out to her family, are easily the season highlights. The show is fun to watch, emotionally satisfying and thought provoking. Unlike anything else on television, Master of None is not only one of the best shows of Netflix, but one of the most important in a long, long time. Eric Walters and Amy Amatangelo

1. BoJack Horseman

Creator: Raphael Bob-Waksberg Stars: Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, Amy Sedaris, Paul F. Tompkins Premiered: 2014

BoJack Horseman is one of the most underrated comedies ever made, and it almost pains me that it doesn’t earn more praise. Right from the title sequence, which documents BoJack’s sad decline from network sitcom star to drunken has-been—set to the beautiful theme song written by the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney—this is one of the most thoughtful comedies ever made. Which doesn’t mean it’s not hilarious, of course. Will Arnett is the perfect voice for BoJack, and Paul F. Tompkins, who is in my mind the funniest man on planet Earth, could not be better suited to the child-like Mr. Peanut Butter. This is a show that isn’t above a visual gag or vicious banter or a wonderfully cheap laugh, but it also looks some very hard realities of life straight in the eye. There are times when you will hate BoJack—this is not a straight redemption story, and the minute you think he’s on the upswing, he will do something absolutely horrible to let you down. (There’s a special irony in the fact that a horse is one of the most human characters on TV, and the unblinking examination of his character makes “Escape from L.A.” one of the best episodes of TV.) So why isn’t it loved beyond a strong cult following? Maybe it’s the anthropomorphism that keeps people away, or maybe it’s the animation, but I implore you: Look beyond those elements, settle into the story, and let yourself be amazed by a comedy that straddles the line between hilarious and sad like no other on television.

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footyplusau · 8 years ago

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Match report: ‘Kreuz’ leads Blues to Giant win

CARLTON has knocked Greater Western Sydney off the top of the ladder, hanging on for a thrilling one-point win after leading for most of the second half on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

The Blues entered Sunday’s clash in 17th spot on the ladder, while GWS was heavily favoured to win and reclaim top spot from Adelaide.

However, Brendon Bolton’s men continued round 12’s run of upsets, leading at every change on their way to a deserved 10.11 (71) to 9.16 (70) win.

Full match coverage and stats

Matthew Kreuzer led from the front in his 150th game, inspiring Carlton in a tense final term with a diesel-powered work rate that never wavered.

Carlton’s pressure and intensity meant the Giants never had the game on their terms, but the visitors looked set to snatch victory at stages during the last quarter.

After trailing from the 23-minute mark of the second term, Dylan Shiel put his team back in front after goaling four-and-a-half minutes into the final term.

Jed Lamb, playing his first senior game for the season, calmly converted a set shot from 40m to put the Blues back in front two minutes later, and Matthew Wright extended the margin to seven points at the 13-minute mark.

Five talking points: Carlton v Greater Western Sydney

But the Giants kept coming. Shiel kicked his second major of the term at the 18-minute mark to put them just two points down and a run of three behinds – two to Toby Greene – had them one point up four minutes later.

Levi Casboult missed a 40m set shot soon after to level the scores before Zac Fisher kicked what would be the winning behind less than a minute later.

Greene had one last chance to set up a Giants shot on goal, but missed Heath Shaw with a pass inside 50.

WATCH: The last two minutes

Kreuzer continued his outstanding 2017 form, taking a decisive decision over GWS counterpart Shane Mumford with 21 possessions, 33 hit-outs, six marks and a goal.

Sam Docherty (35 possessions, nine rebound 50s and 12 marks) was a constant playmaker across half-back for the Blues and was ably supported by Kade Simpson (20 disposals and four rebound 50s), while Marc Murphy (30 possessions) was the Blues’ prime mover through the midfield.

Liam Jones enjoyed a feel-good return in his first senior game since round 23 last season, excelling in a new role in defence, combining well with fellow talls Caleb Marchbank and Jacob Weitering to keep Giants spearheads Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton quiet.

WATCH: New-look Jones sets the tone

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton was pleased his team was able to hang on for the victory after working so hard all day.

“It’s pleasing that our guys dug deep and got a reward for effort. I’m really happy for them because they’ve been trying so hard … and it was great reward for effort to finally get one,” Bolton said.

“We’ve still got a lot of learning to do and we’ve got some improvement.

“I thought we didn’t complete plays at times today that we should have. I thought we lost the ball a bit in congestion instead of securing it, so they’re some growth areas. But togetherness is a good thing to have as a footy club.”

Dylan Shiel (32 possessions and two goals) was the Giants’ best player, while Josh Kelly and Callan Ward (both 29 possessions) worked tirelessly through the midfield.

Greene (23 possessions and seven inside 50s) was influential in attack, but his uncharacteristic 0.5 return in front of goal proved costly.

WATCH: Greene’s final-quarter fades

GWS coach Leon Cameron said he and his coaching staff had entered the game thinking it would be decided by one or two goals, but was disappointed by his team’s inability to execute their plans to cut through the Blues’ miserly defence.

“Carlton deserved to win tonight and they just did the right things at the right time and a little bit better than what we did,” Cameron said.

“We had a chance in the last minute or two, but I think that summed up our day though. Normally we probably make some better decisions in that situation and we didn’t. So credit to them, they came with a clear plan and played a better brand of footy than us.

“There were some key indicators that pointed to us winning the game, but at the end of the day I think the real crucial moments they handled a little bit better than what we did.”

The Giants controlled general play in the opening term, winning the clearances 11-3 and the inside 50s 16-6.

But Carlton was highly efficient in attack, scoring from all but the one of its inside 50s, the Blues’ 4.1 return, which included an after-the-siren goal from David Cuningham, sending them into the first break with a seven-point lead.

The Giants were wasteful in comparison, their 2.6 scoreline at quarter-time including a Greene behind that hit the post.

Bryce Gibbs kicked Carlton’s third unanswered goal early in the second term to stretch its lead to 13 points, a margin Dale Thomas extended to 14 points with a behind two minutes later.

GWS hit back soon after with three goals in five minutes, each coming after brilliant individual efforts, from Cameron (a strong mark and set shot from outside 50m), Ward (smothered Thomas, swooped on the crumbs and snapped truly on his left foot) and Tim Taranto (a 45m set shot from the boundary).

Taranto’s goal put the Giants four points up at the 14-minute mark, but Carlton soon signalled it wasn’t about to revert to the pre-game script of top dog outclasses underdog, with Cuningham kicking his second major two minutes later to put the Blues back in front by two points.

Jack Silvagni kicked the final goal of the quarter after pinging Lachie Whitfield in a tackle, to help send Carlton into the main break with an eight-point lead, a margin that would have been greater had Kade Simpson and Gibbs converted relatively easy shots on goal in the dying minutes.

MEDICAL ROOM Carlton: Alex Silvagni came off early in the first quarter with a left leg injury and went straight down to the Blues’ rooms. The key defender returned to the Blues’ interchange bench at the start of the second term with strapping around his left knee, but had donned a tracksuit top before half-time and did not play any further part in the match. Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said Silvagni had twisted his knee and would undergo scans to determine the extent of the damage on Monday.

Greater Western Sydney: Phil Davis left the ground midway through the first quarter favouring his left ankle and appeared to be in some pain. The Giants’ co-captain returned to the field soon after, but did not appear to be moving freely and spent an extended stint on the interchange back towards the end of the second quarter. Davis started on the ground in the third term and bravely played out the game despite being in obvious discomfort. Giants coach Leon Cameron said after the game Davis would be available to play in round 14 against the Brisbane Lions.

NEXT UP The Blues travel to take on the Suns at Metricon Stadium next Saturday night, having lost two of the teams’ three encounters at the Gold Coast venue. The Giants have a bye.

CARLTON 4.1 7.4 8.7 10.11 (71) GWS 2.6 5.8 7.9 9.16 (70)

GOALS Carlton: Cuningham 2, Wright 2, J.Silvagni, Lamb, Casboult, Curnow, Gibbs, Kreuzer GWS: Patton 2, Shiel 2, Taranto, Cameron, de Boer, Ward, Whitfield

BEST Carlton: Kreuzer, Docherty, Jones, Marchbank, Simpson, Gibbs, Murphy GWS: Shiel, Kelly, Ward, Greene, Whitfield

INJURIES Carlton: A.Silvagni (leg) GWS: Davis (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Dalgleish, O’Gorman, Nicholls, Findlay

Official crowd: 23,194 at Etihad Stadium

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footyplusau · 8 years ago

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Sydney Swans hammer Western Bulldogs in crucial AFL win

SYDNEY 2.2 5.8 9.14 12.16 (88) WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 2.3 6.3 6.6 (42) GOALS: Sydney – Franklin 3, Reid 2, Papley 2, Hannebery, Kennedy, Parker, Hewett, Lloyd. Western Bulldogs – McLean, Daniel, Stringer, Dickson, Wood, Dahlhaus. BEST: Sydney – Kennedy, Hannebery, Papley, Parker, Reid, Franklin, Heeney, Grundy. Western Bulldogs – McRae, Daniel, Dahlhaus, Wallis, Suckling. UMPIRES: Mathew Nicholls, Sam Hay, Robert Findlay, Shane McInerney. CROWD: 20,692 at the SCG VOTES (James Buckley) Josh Kennedy (Sydney) 9 Sam Reid (Sydney) 8 Dan Hannebery (Sydney) 8 Luke Parker (Sydney) 8 Isaac Heeney (Sydney) 8

As far as firestarters to stumbling AFL seasons go, they don’t get much better than handing the reigning premier Western Bulldogs their biggest loss of the season – a 46-point thumping at the SCG.

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Buddy bags a bunch in first half brilliance

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Swans find form in GF rematch

Sydney keep their slim finals hopes alive with a comfortable win over last years premiers.

Buddy bags a bunch in first half brilliance

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Buddy bags a bunch in first half brilliance

Lance Franklin kicked three goals in the first half to help Sydney on their way to a comfortable win over the Bulldogs.

FootyFix: Queen’s Bday bragging rights

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FootyFix: Queen’s Bday bragging rights

Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round 12 in the AFL.

Daniher focused on football not contract

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Daniher focused on football not contract

Joe Daniher is adamant he is only thinking about footy, letting his manager and club handle the contract negotiations.

Daniher learnt from the best

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Neale Daniher assures reporters his nephew Joe comes from a family of superstars, who are proud he carries on the Daniher name at Essendon.

AFL plays of round 11

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AFL plays of round 11

Impey has the power to leap, Geelong play total football to beat Crows, Suns put Eagles in the shade, GWS are awesome and go top and Dusty racks up the Brownlow votes yet again.

FootyFix: Cats face stern test against Crows

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FootyFix: Cats face stern test against Crows

Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round 11 in the AFL.

Swans find form in GF rematch

Sydney keep their slim finals hopes alive with a comfortable win over last years premiers.

The Sydney Swans breathed much-needed life into their 2017 campaign on Thursday with a wasteful but dominant showing over the team that broke their hearts in last year’s grand final, notching just a fourth triumph of the year and sneaking to within a pair of wins off eighth place.

Coach John Longmire was forced to sit uncomfortably through an evening of missed chances from his charges in front of a disappointing 20,692 fans, but such was his side’s authority throughout across the ground it didn’t matter.

On the ball: Harrison Marsh passes as he’s tackled. Photo: Getty Images

At three-quarter time the Bulldogs were still alive, but Longmire could eventually relax in the final term as Sydney finally skipped far enough ahead to notch their first win in five starts against the premiers.

“We put the opposition under enormous pressure when they had the ball and that turned into 70-plus inside 50s,” Longmire said.

“There’s no secrets to AFL footy, you’ve got to go harder for longer and our consistent pressure was pretty good.

“We used the outnumber at times pretty well. Structurally we were pretty sound but it’s always built on your absolute intensity at the ball.”

Kickstarter: Lance Franklin had three goals in the win. Photo: Getty Images

The big guns all stood up. Lance Franklin kicked three despite a slightly off night with the left boot. His opponent Marcus Adams went down with a foot injury midway through the game after which Franklin squared off with Easton Wood.

Captain Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker worked their way into the game nicely and did plenty of grunt work at the coal face, both hitting the scoreboard too.

Dan Hannebery set the standard early, running through the Bulldogs huddle just as it dispersed before the opening bounce and snapping a goal less than two minutes into the contest.

Sam Naismith was strong in the ruck, justifying Longmire’s decision to drop Kurt Tippett to the reserves, and Sam Reid’s strong marking in greasy conditions provided the visitors with a problem they struggled to deal with all night.

“We spent three weeks where we were feeling pretty good about it as far as playing well and then we took the foot off the pedal for a half against Hawthorn and we got what we deserved,” Longmire said.

“It’s a pretty simple blueprint. We can be feeling good about ourselves and say that we played quite well about ourselves tonight even though they were one down, but the blueprint’s there for success and not so much success.

“If you take the foot off the pedal at any time, you leave yourself vulnerable. We go to Melbourne next week and go again.”

The same couldn’t be said for the Bulldogs.

Last year’s Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen was roughed up by the aggressive Swans throughout and failed to impact the game.

Forward Travis Cloke was barely sighted while Marcus Bontempelli was well below the high benchmark he sets himself.

“Sydney were pretty good, we obviously didn’t play well, it was a combination of the Swans bringing an intensity and aggression that we couldn’t match tonight,” Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

“Whether you call that flat or not I’m not sure but it was a disappointing night.

“We’re struggling our way through the season, week to week we’re looking for our best. Tonight we weren’t anywhere near where we needed to be.

“It’s up to all of us to take responsibility. The buck stops with me. I’m the one who needs to get them going.

“It’s my responsibility to reignite the flame, it’s my responsibility to get us going again and play somewhere near the levels we were last year.”

It’s almost unfathomable to think this Sydney side started the year 0-6, and that this was just their second win in six at the SCG this season.

Whether the Swans are a team that will challenge the top eight or merely shape it remains to be seen. The damage done by the sluggish start may yet prove irreparable.

But the facts suggest they could still be a factor. They’re two wins out of the eight with a strong percentage. Their roster is getting healthier each week, Kieren Jack and Naismith were both back tonight, and Tippett is searching for form and consistency in reserves.

Should he find his best, this team becomes stronger still.

Winnable games against Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne follow this one, and they have nine days to recover from the Bulldogs win before taking on the Tigers in an MCG blockbuster.

The Swans suffered an early blow against the Bulldogs with Gary Rohan ruled out of the game through illness, handing Harry Marsh a return to the side.

And the first quarter was the predictable slog expected in the greasy conditions turned away by Sydney’s poor recent weather which has almost been as atrocious as the Swans’ home form this season.

Naismith laid on Hannebery’s early goal with some handy ruck work, before Toby McLean threaded the needle from deep in the pocket to notch the Bulldogs’ first major.

The Bulldogs’ press combined with the slippery ball made progress very difficult for Sydney so they reverted to what’s worked for them all season – kicking it to Franklin.

He marked 50m out, went back and drilled it home to put the Swans back in the lead but he failed to extend it soon after when lining up from only 20m out, hitting the post instead.

Missed chances became contagious in the second term and the Swans kept shooting themselves in the foot with Franklin, Zak Jones and Reid all missing what they should’ve kicked.

Buddy rediscovered his kicking boots and managed two for the quarter, his long bomb from outside the arc after the half-time siren the pick, meaning the embattled Swans took a 23-point lead into the main break.

Tom Papley also hit the scoreboard roving the ball close to goal when lurking front and square, and it was well deserved after playing a strong defensive game throughout.

Their were more missed chances by the Swans in the third term but coach Longmire would’ve still been pleased to see the simplified gameplan paying dividends.

Much of Sydney’s attacking thrusts now simply involved kicking it long to the hot spot, and Reid was the target. His strong marking in congestion was a particular highlight and he kicked a pair of goals in the quarter.

The Bulldogs just about kept themselves in it kicking three goals straight for the term, but by now Sydney was well and truly on top.

The game petered out in the final term and Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge will take his charges back to Melbourne with plenty of questions to be answered.

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footyplusau · 8 years ago

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Mid-season All Australian contenders

WITH the 2017 season at its halfway mark, AFL.com.au reporters have turned their minds to naming each club’s contenders for the Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.

Eddie Betts: The superstar forward is on track for his third straight All Australian jumper. The 30-year-old is third on the goalkicking chart with 32 this season, and he’s also in the top 20 for goal assists.

Sam Jacobs: The star ruckman is arguably having the best season of his career. Jacobs is leading the competition in hit-outs with 459 (41.7 per game) and is in the top-15 for contested marks.

Rory Laird: An All Australian nominee for the past two years, the running defender is building a resume too good to ignore. He’s first in effective disposals, fourth in disposals (347 at 31.6 per game) and fourth for rebound 50s.

Tom Lynch: The high half-forward is having another consistent season, averaging 19.6 disposals and 7.1 marks per game. Lynch is also in the top 20 for goal assists. The former Saint was an All Australian nominee for the first time last season.

Rory Sloane: The tenacious midfielder leads the League for tackles, he’s fourth in contested possessions and seventh in clearances. But Sloane’s influence has been blunted in recent weeks with teams employing a tagger on last year’s All Australian vice-captain.

Daniel Talia: The key defender is putting together another strong season. Rarely beaten in one-on-one contests and takes the opposition’s best forward every week. Was an All Australian in 2014 and 2016. – Lee Gaskin

Dayne Beams: Returning after 18 months out with knee and shoulder problems, the Lions’ skipper is already back to his best. Brilliant inside and outside the contest, he’s averaging 30 disposals.

Tom Rockliff: A shoulder injury has halted his progress, but Rockliff has had his head down and bum up this season. One of the competition’s best ball winners, he leads the AFL in average clearances (10).

Dayne Zorko: Flies under the radar, but the dual best and fairest winner is having another brilliant season. Has kicked 14 goals to go with 26 touches a game – not a bad combination. – Michael Whiting

Sam Docherty: The Blues’ defensive general leads the AFL in marks (95) and the club in kicks (216) and intercept possessions (68). Made the All Australian squad last year and has performed even better this season.

Matthew Kreuzer: Faces stiff competition for the ruck spot, but is in career-best form. Plays as an extra midfielder after the ruck contest, using his mobility and athleticism to advantage. Huge work rate.

Marc Murphy: The skipper has made a stunning return from injury this season, averaging 30.2 disposals a game, and is probably leading Carlton’s best and fairest award after 10 games. Was an All Australian in 2011. – Howard Kotton

Carlton captain Marc Murphy continues to lead from the front. Picture: AFL Photos

Brodie Grundy: The young South Australian has developed into one of the most consistent ruckmen in the competition, impressing with his fierce competitive nature and ball-winning ability. Averaging 18.4 touches – elite for big men. Exhibit A was his effort to once again beat Giants monster Shane Mumford.

Jeremy Howe: The Pies’ best chance for All Australian honours, the high-flying former Demon has become one of the AFL’s best intercept players and kicks off half-back. Averaging 21 touches and leads the Pies in contested marks, rebounds and overall game time.

Scott Pendlebury: The Magpies’ skipper has already entered the realm of all-time great and could be on the way to equalling coach Nathan Buckley’s club-record six best and fairests. Averaging 29 touches, five clearances and six tackles and has helped lift his team over the line a couple of times.

Adam Treloar: Gerard Healy has referred to it as “the Treloar factor” – the blond ball magnet’s ability to continue to run and create late in quarters and games when most others are flagging. Averaging 30.8 touches (a club high), seven tackles, six clearances and a goal. – Ben Collins

Joe Daniher: Daniher has spearheaded Essendon’s forward line and is on track for a career-best tally of goals this year with 30 to his name so far. He has produced match-winning performances on several occasions and is rising into being a genuine star.

Orazio Fantasia: Few would have predicted Fantasia to be in the frame for All Australian contention at the start of the season, but he has already kicked 25 goals (only Toby Greene and Eddie Betts have booted more as small forwards). Fantasia gets plenty of opportunities and makes the most of them.

Michael Hurley: Hurley started the season slowly but his past six weeks have been excellent as he has regained top form. His commanding presence in defence and ability to cut off forward forays and start an attacking move for the Bombers has been excellent, and he is averaging more disposals (23 a game) than in his 2015 All Australian season.

Zach Merrett: The Essendon best and fairest winner was unlucky not to be in the squad of 40 last year but surely gets in this season. The midfielder has averaged 31 disposals a game (third overall in the competition for touches), and his sharp left-foot kicking and damaging work at the clearances makes him a standout option. – Callum Twomey

Bradley Hill: Had two quieter weeks against Carlton and Adelaide, but Hill’s form before that helped revive Freo’s season. The triple-premiership ex-Hawk’s drive from a wing has been invaluable, and he’s averaging a career-best 23 disposals and has booted eight goals.

Lachie Neale: Was unlucky to miss out on last year’s All Australian side after collecting a record-breaking 737 possessions and has become more damaging this season, slotting 11 goals while averaging 27 touches.

Aaron Sandilands: Was last All Australian in 2014 and is averaging similar disposal (12) and better hit-out (45.7) numbers – although he hasn’t hit the scoreboard this year (eight goals in 2014). Freo’s past two losses without Sandilands has underlined his importance. – Travis King

Patrick Dangerfield: The football world would be staggered if the Brownlow medallist is not handed his fifth All Australian guernsey in September. Heads the Cats in so many categories – clearances, disposals and contested possessions – and is second in scoring involvements and metres gained with an average of 450.4 per game, and third for goals (22).

Mitch Duncan: Much improved season from the 25-year-old, who is embracing more responsibility as an inside midfielder. Plays third fiddle to the ‘Dangerwood’ show, but deserves consideration for his first AA honour for his work at the clearances and also on the attack, while he leads his team for marks (83).

Joel Selwood: Typically tough season from the captain, and possibly his best yet. Is averaging 29.2 disposals a game and is equal first with Dangerfield for tackles, plus the five-time All Australian is first at the Cats for score involvements.

Zach Tuohy: Has averaged 26.4 possessions across 11 games and leads the Cats for rebound 50s (62) and metres gained (average of 485.1m per game). Showed he’s more than just a rebounder against Adelaide with a strong defensive game against Eddie Betts. – Jennifer Phelan

Could Mitch Duncan make the All Australian team for the first time? Picture: AFL Photos

Gary Ablett: Has pushed aside the speculation surrounding his future to produce another terrific season. Now 33 and fresh off a second shoulder surgery, Ablett is racking up 32 disposals a game and is a driving force in any Suns success.

Jarrod Harbrow: Has run into some off-field strife, but Harbrow is in the best three for the Suns this season. In the form of his career, the 28-year-old is locking down defensively, running hard and playing direct from the back 50.

Tom Lynch: Not quite up to the same level as his 2016 season, but Lynch is still a towering figure in Gold Coast’s forward line. Facing double-teams most week, he has kicked 25 goals and added 11 assists.

Steven May: Struggled early and missed two weeks with a hamstring problem, but the co-captain is getting better each week. Plays on talls and smalls and is a creative ball user from the defensive 50. – Michael Whiting

Jeremy Cameron: Equal leader of the Coleman Medal race with 34 majors, he’s booted multiple goals in nine of 11 games and is on track to better the 62 goals he kicked when named All Australian in 2013.

Phil Davis: The co-captain has taken on and beaten the best tall forwards in the game, with Lance Franklin, Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon all quelled this year.

Toby Greene: Has backed up last year’s All Australian debut and club champion honours with another big season, and is on track for career highs in goals and goal assists.

Josh Kelly: Despite the heavy media scrutiny over his contract status, the midfielder has launched himself into the elite bracket this year, averaging 29.4 possessions and 6.6 tackles per game.

Shane Mumford: The most intimidating ruckman in the game has been exceptional again this year, with his physical presence a major factor in the Giants’ ladder-leading season.

Tom Scully: The gifted runner has averaged 23.9 touches off the wing and has continued to be dangerous offensively with eight goals from 10 games.

Zac Williams: One of the best attacking half-backs in the League, Williams has averaged 23.3 disposals this year, and shown his versatility by having an impact through the midfield. – Adam Curley

Tom Mitchell: The only Hawk with genuine claims for All Australian selection, Mitchell has averaged an AFL-high 34.9 disposals in his 11 games for the club since crossing from Sydney at the end of last year. He is seventh for contested possessions in the competition with 14.7 per game. Has been a brilliant acquisition for Hawthorn, but may struggle to push out the bigger names for a final spot in the team. – Ashley Browne

Jeff Garlett: Garlett has put together a stellar season for Melbourne. The speedy forward has kicked a team-leading 25 goals in the most consistent season of his career. The small forward is also ranked second in the AFL out of general forwards for forward-half pressure points.

Michael Hibberd: Missed the first four games due to an Achilles injury, but has been on fire ever since and has picked up where Jayden Hunt left off at the start of the year. The former Bomber has to be considered as one of the recruits of the year after averaging a career-high 28.8 disposals and an AFL-leading 7.3 rebound 50s per game.

Neville Jetta: Criminally underrated, but Jetta is one of Simon Goodwin’s most dependable players. The defender regularly gets the match-up on the opposition’s most dangerous forward and has consistently curtailed their influence. Has also improved the offensive side of his game over past seasons.

Clayton Oliver: Would be leading Melbourne’s best and fairest at the halfway point of the season in a breakout second year at AFL level. Oliver improved his fitness levels dramatically over the off-season and it has fed into his game. The emerging onballer is averaging 30.9 disposals, with six games above 30 touches or more. – Ben Guthrie

Young Demon Clayton Oliver has emerged as a standout in his second season. Picture: AFL Photos

Robbie Tarrant: The star Roo made the shortlist last year and has been very good again in 2017, in tandem with Scott Thompson and Lachie Hansen. Tarrant rates elite for disposals, metres gained and rebound 50s among key defenders, and concedes only 1.8 goals per game. – Marc McGowan

Charlie Dixon: The much-maligned key forward is starting to realise his immense potential. Leads the League in contested marks and is in the top 20 for goals (24) and goal assists.

Brad Ebert: The 200-game veteran is having a career-best season, averaging career highs in disposals (27 per game) and tackles (eight per game). Extremely tough at the contest.

Robbie Gray: An All Australian in 2014 and 2015 as a midfielder, Gray has turned himself back into a dangerous small forward. He’s second in the League in goal assists to go with 24 goals in 10 games.

Tom Jonas: The key defender is in career-best form. Jonas shut down Gold Coast star Tom Lynch in round eight and rarely has his colours lowered.

Patrick Ryder: The Power look a different side with Ryder in the ruck. Ryder’s athleticism and tap work gives the Power midfielders first use of the ball. – Lee Gaskin

Trent Cotchin: The captain is back to the 2012 form that saw him eventually awarded the Brownlow Medal, leading with his actions and playing a more attacking style. He leads the Tigers for tackles with 73 (No.8 in the AFL) and is standing up in big moments of games.

Dustin Martin: A superstar of the competition, Martin has dominated games with his ball winning, strength in contests and attacking flair. Ranked top 10 in the AFL for disposals (29.9 a game), clearances (6.7) and contested possessions (14.5), and No.2 for metres gained (564.4 a game). Has kicked 16 goals (only Patrick Dangerfield has kicked more among the top-20 possession winners).

Alex Rance: The game’s best defender can still shut down his man when he needs to, but his intercept game has gone to a new level. Ranks No.1 in the AFL for intercept possessions (9.0 a game) and has lifted his metres gained from 213.2 a game in 2016 to 300.9 to be a more attacking threat. – Nathan Schmook

Star defender Alex Rance continues to lead the Tigers’ back six. Picture: AFL Photos

Dylan Roberton: The intercepting backman is a gun at winning the ball and sending it forward. He averages 25.4 disposals and 485m gained per game. West Coast’s Elliot Yeo is the only other general defender to rate elite for disposals, metres gained and intercept possessions (a general defender being anyone other than a key backman).

Seb Ross: Alan Richardson’s main man when it comes to limiting the opposition’s key midfielder, Ross is also ranked elite for disposals, clearances and uncontested possessions, and above average for metres gained, contested possessions, score involvements and pressure acts. – Dinny Navaratnam

Lance Franklin: On track for his seventh All Australian jumper after booting 32 goals from his first 10 games, and leads the competition with 9.5 score involvements per game.

Josh Kennedy: The skipper has maintained his high standards despite his team’s rough start with 29 touches per game, and is top five in the League for contested possessions and clearances.

Jake Lloyd: A bolter, he averages 27.4 disposals and 4.8 rebound 50s per game despite being knocked out early in his last outing, and has taken over the sweeper role with Jarrad McVeigh out injured. – Adam Curley

Josh Kennedy: West Coast’s forward 50 supply has dried up this season, but Kennedy – who missed last round with a calf injury – shares the lead for what would be his third successive Coleman Medal with 34 majors.

Jeremy McGovern: Earned a maiden All Australian gong last year and is enjoying another fine campaign. He is fourth in the competition for contested marks (24) and marks (87) and is the linchpin of West Coast’s defence.

Luke Shuey: The reigning club champion made the 40-man squad last year and is finding more of the ball, averaging 28 disposals. His clearance work (5.7), tackling (6.5) and pace are vital for the Eagles’ engine room.

Elliot Yeo: Is fulfilling his immense potential after being settled into a role at half-back, with stints pinch-hitting in midfield or attack. His aerial ability (95 marks, equal AFL No.1), penetrating kick and speed are weapons and he is ranked elite for disposals (25.1), metres gained and intercept possessions for a general defender. – Travis King

Eagle Elliot Yeo has stepped up his game in season 2017. Picture: AFL Photos

Marcus Bontempelli: The 2016 All Australian and club best and fairest is borderline to make this year’s squad. While he’s averaging 23 disposals, six tackles and a goal a game, the star 21-year-old hasn’t displayed the same form that saw him play a critical role in the club’s premiership success.

Luke Dahlhaus: The hardworking midfielder has been heralded as an All Australian candidate in recent seasons without getting any recognition. But by averaging 27 disposals and four tackles per game in 2017, the former rookie may finally get the nod.

Easton Wood: Named All Australian for the first time in 2015, the Dogs’ vice-captain is one the AFL’s most reliable defenders. He rarely plays a bad game, and is leading the club in contested marks (17) and intercept possessions (67). – Ryan Davidson

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