среда, 29 февраля 2012 г.

AFL: Medhurst the star in huge win for the Magpies


AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2008
AFL: Medhurst the star in huge win for the Magpies

By John Salvado

MELBOURNE, April 25 AAP - Gaining inspiration from the unlikely source of Fremantle
discard Paul Medhurst, Collingwood again claimed Anzac Day honours with a 73-point demolition
of Essendon today.

Medhurst - who came to the Magpies last year as part of the trade that took former
Collingwood poster-boy Chris Tarrant to the Dockers - booted six goals and claimed the
Anzac Medal for best afield in the 23.16 (154) to 12.9 (81) win.

It was the Magpies' third straight victory in the biggest annual home and away fixture
on the AFL calendar.

The win also edged the Magpies ahead 7-6 in the Anzac Day head-to-head record, following
the historic draw between the two sides back in 1995.

A crowd of 88,999 - the ninth biggest ever to watch an AFL home and away encounter
- were treated to a gripping contest for the opening half hour.

But after that it was all Collingwood, as they outscored their opponents 18 goals to
seven after the quarter-time break.

The Magpies' many heroes included Travis Cloke (five goals), Scott Pendlebury, the
oft-maligned Medhurst and Alan Didak, who was nearly sacked last year for socialising
with alleged murderer Christopher Hudson.

And there was first-gamer Sharrod Wellingham, who cost Collingwood a $500,000 sponsorship
with the Transport Accident Commission in the off-season after being arrested for drink-driving.

"He'd better get a kick - no pressure whatsoever," quipped Magpies president Eddie
McGuire in his pre-match speech.

In fact, Wellingham had seven kicks among 17 disposals in a composed debut.

It was a dirty day for Essendon, whose last victory in this fixture came back in 2005.

Midfielder Brent Stanton was their best player, while skipper Matthew Lloyd was the
Bombers' only multiple goalscorer with three.

Despite predictions of wet weather, the rain stayed away all day although the MCG floodlights
were turned on late in the first quarter.

And they lit up a mighty display by the Magpies.

AAP jds/dpb

KEYWORD: AFL MAGPIES FRONTER

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Комментариев нет:

Отправить комментарий