NAB Challenge

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26
Carlton 14.9 (93) d Brisbane Lions 12.8 (80) at Visy Park
They had ripped his number off his old locker, and his first touch - a first-quarter mark on the wing - was lustily booed, but Brendan Fevola still felt his return to Carlton was like coming home. The divisive spearhead had a quiet day in Lions colours, finishing with two goals from six shots. Carlton trailed at every change before pinching the game with a six-goals-to-two final quarter. Besides Fevola's return, a suspected rolled ankle for Lions ruckman Jamie Charman was the biggest talking point. Scans in Brisbane on Sunday will reveal more. Given the hoopla which preceded Chris Judd's first match against West Coast, and Ben Cousins' against the same club, both clubs will be relieved to have got this meeting out of the way so early in the year. Read Jason Phelan's full report.
Collingwood 11.8 (74) d Adelaide 8.4 (52) at Traeger Park, Alice Springs
Escaping without injury will have been Adelaide's biggest concern after a match in the country's desert capital played in torrential rain. The Crows have a handful of first-choice players on the sidelines, including Brett Burton (knee), Jason Porplyzia (pelvis) and last year's NAB AFL Rising Star runner-up Andy Otten (knee). The Pies played Chris Dawes as their main lead-up man, in John Anthony's absence and with Travis Cloke rested. Tyson Goldsack and Harry O'Brien were among the best for the winners, who kicked away in the second half after going into half time at five goals apiece. Josh Fraser and Cameron Wood shared ruck duties.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27
Essendon 18.12 (120) d Melbourne 11.14 (80) at Visy Park
For both teams it was a chance to atone for the loss in the first week of the NAB Cup - the Bombers were disappointing as they got spanked by West Coast, while Melbourne also lost over at Subiaco. But it was Essendon that was the clearly superior team on Saturday afternoon. New skipper Jobe Watson was his usual terrific self, and his job is being made easier by the return of star ruckman David Hille, coming back from last year's ACL. Patrick Ryder's form forward with three goals also impressed. For the Demons, youngsters Jack Grimes and midfielder Jack Trengove shone but there was bad news with Cale Morton limping from the field in the final quarter with an injured right knee.
Richmond 15.12 (102) d Geelong 7.9 (51) at Yea
A heartening win for the Tigers against an inexperienced Geelong outfit at Yea, but any victory over the reigning premier is one to be savoured. Richmond led by a goal at quarter time but proceeded to keep Geelong goalless for the following two terms to set up the win. Richmond led by more than 10 goals in the final term before Paul Chapman and James Podsiadly helped to add some respectability to the scoreline. Jack Riewoldt finished with four goals and Mitch Morton booted three for Richmond, while Troy Taylor and Relton Roberts both kicked their first majors in yellow and black. Geelong was best served by Chapman, while Travis Varcoe continued his strong pre-season, Jesse Stringer impressed and Podsiadly provided a strong target in attack.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx
Carlton 14.9 (93) d Brisbane Lions 12.8 (80) at Visy Park
They had ripped his number off his old locker, and his first touch - a first-quarter mark on the wing - was lustily booed, but Brendan Fevola still felt his return to Carlton was like coming home. The divisive spearhead had a quiet day in Lions colours, finishing with two goals from six shots. Carlton trailed at every change before pinching the game with a six-goals-to-two final quarter. Besides Fevola's return, a suspected rolled ankle for Lions ruckman Jamie Charman was the biggest talking point. Scans in Brisbane on Sunday will reveal more. Given the hoopla which preceded Chris Judd's first match against West Coast, and Ben Cousins' against the same club, both clubs will be relieved to have got this meeting out of the way so early in the year. Read Jason Phelan's full report.
Collingwood 11.8 (74) d Adelaide 8.4 (52) at Traeger Park, Alice Springs
Escaping without injury will have been Adelaide's biggest concern after a match in the country's desert capital played in torrential rain. The Crows have a handful of first-choice players on the sidelines, including Brett Burton (knee), Jason Porplyzia (pelvis) and last year's NAB AFL Rising Star runner-up Andy Otten (knee). The Pies played Chris Dawes as their main lead-up man, in John Anthony's absence and with Travis Cloke rested. Tyson Goldsack and Harry O'Brien were among the best for the winners, who kicked away in the second half after going into half time at five goals apiece. Josh Fraser and Cameron Wood shared ruck duties.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27
Essendon 18.12 (120) d Melbourne 11.14 (80) at Visy Park
For both teams it was a chance to atone for the loss in the first week of the NAB Cup - the Bombers were disappointing as they got spanked by West Coast, while Melbourne also lost over at Subiaco. But it was Essendon that was the clearly superior team on Saturday afternoon. New skipper Jobe Watson was his usual terrific self, and his job is being made easier by the return of star ruckman David Hille, coming back from last year's ACL. Patrick Ryder's form forward with three goals also impressed. For the Demons, youngsters Jack Grimes and midfielder Jack Trengove shone but there was bad news with Cale Morton limping from the field in the final quarter with an injured right knee.
Richmond 15.12 (102) d Geelong 7.9 (51) at Yea
A heartening win for the Tigers against an inexperienced Geelong outfit at Yea, but any victory over the reigning premier is one to be savoured. Richmond led by a goal at quarter time but proceeded to keep Geelong goalless for the following two terms to set up the win. Richmond led by more than 10 goals in the final term before Paul Chapman and James Podsiadly helped to add some respectability to the scoreline. Jack Riewoldt finished with four goals and Mitch Morton booted three for Richmond, while Troy Taylor and Relton Roberts both kicked their first majors in yellow and black. Geelong was best served by Chapman, while Travis Varcoe continued his strong pre-season, Jesse Stringer impressed and Podsiadly provided a strong target in attack.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx