Poor Nicky
Well, The Saints lost their game. But worse, Nick Reiwoldt broke his collarbone (and would somebody please give Lions' No 22 a good kick in the...? *grr*).Brisbane 18.8 (116) St Kilda 13.15 (93)
ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt became the AFL's first major casualty of the season during his side's crushing 23-point loss to a relentless Brisbane outfit at the Gabba last night.
Riewoldt was reduced to a blubbering mess on the sidelines with a broken collarbone midway through the third quarter of an often spiteful encounter.
The Gold Coast product was visibly distressed over the injury that was compounded by two off-the-ball incidents involving Lions defenders Mal Michael and Chris Scott (*grr*).
Michael and Scott ensured Riewoldt wouldn't take any further part in the game by charging into the superstar's shoulder moments after he attempted to take a low diving mark on the hard Gabba surface.
Riewoldt, already clutching his shoulder, was clipped twice on the point before leaving the field.
He will have scans tomorrow but is expected to be out for at least a month.
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said he would have to review footage of the incident before deciding whether to pursue the matter with the AFL.
Brisbane's four-time premiership winning coach Leigh Matthews refused to comment on the matter and whether it was outside the spirit of the game.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Matthews said.
"You're assuming that both players know that he's injured. Don't ask me about stuff I don't know. You can ask me about it after I watch the tape."
The incident was just one of a number of heated clashes during the match which the Lions eventually ran away with 18.8 (116) to 13.15 (93).
Lions hardman Chris Johnson had his guernsey ripped to shreds by Steven Baker while the tenacious Scott [No 22] lost a tooth. [He came in after Nicky had hurt himself and did a bloody nasty hit on Nicky's shoulder, while Nicky didn't have the ball and was trying to leave the park--the ball was, in fact, up the other end. Aaron Hamill came to Nicky's defense and took out No 22's tooth later with a nice rounder when Scott tried a hold on the guernsey, again, while Hamill didn't have the ball, and wasn't going for it. I say "good." Sick of watching the Lions play dirty when they think umps are looking elsewhere, they did it all last season to most of the good teams, and No 22 was the worst last year, too. Even the commentators were disgusted].
Midfield genius Nigel Lappin is also facing a nervous wait for scans after he injured the same ankle that kept him out of the pre-season.
Brisbane established a commanding 23-point buffer by half-time before the Saints came marching back into the contest on the back of Aaron Hamill (
) and Stephen Milne. The visitors kicked five unanswered goals in the space of 15 minutes to steal the lead before the Lions finally woke from their slumber.
Riewoldt's departure opened the door for the hosts who rode the back of youngster Jared Brennan to victory.
Brennan finished with four goals in an outstanding return to the top-flight with five other players - including Clark Keating and Daniel Bradshaw - each kicking two goals apiece.
St Kilda lynchpin Fraser Gehrig was a non-factor, the underdone power forward failing to kick a single major.
However, coach Thomas has backed him to fire up in the absence of Riewoldt, who looks like being sidelined for at least six weeks.
If you look at the baseline, the real factor is that the Saints are able to get the ball up to their goal end, but seem to have trouble converting single points into 6. Hamill, for example, will be rather annoyed with himself, missing 3 right in front (although he kicked another 3). Must admit it was rather nice to see the seniors running in to defend Nicky, who is only a baby, really, just 19. (Oh, my gosh. I must be getting old. I'm calling 19 year-olds babies. Yikeys).
Oh, well. Next week.
Meanwhile, quiet Easter for me. No plans. Don't even expect to eat chocolate. Probably a Good Thing. :-)
posted by Heather @ 10:00 am
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