Username Password
Click to go: Sports / AFL

Naitanui tricks help Eagles thrash Lions
Bookmark and Share
|


Sunday, 29 July 2012:

Brisbane coach Michael Voss admits he felt helpless as Nic Naitanui and company inspired West Coast to a thumping 98-point AFL win at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

Naitanui was simply unstoppable in the 28.7 (175) to 12.5 (77) rout, taking three speccy marks to go with his 15 possessions, three goals and 36 hitouts.

The 22-year-old was as dominant in the air as he was at ground level and he had plenty of helpers as Jack Darling (five goals), Andrew Gaff (30 possessions), Luke Shuey (10 clearances) and Beau Waters (30 disposals) joined the party.

West Coast set up the win with a seven-goals-to-two opening term.

But it was the last quarter where they became utterly ruthless, piling on 11 goals to make the result an ugly one for Brisbane.

"That's where you do feel pretty helpless as a coach, where you want to do something, try to help, but what you're doing is just not working," Voss said.

"That's where the party tricks start to come out. It's hard to stop when a team's up and going."

Among Naitanui's many highlights was an excellent running goal in the final quarter, with the 201cm excitement machine fending off 183cm speedster Todd Banfield before sprinting 30m to kick truly.

But it was his aerial feats that had the 35,767 fans on their feet.

"They'd kick it long and Naitanui would jump over eight (players) and take a mark," Brisbane midfielder Dayne Zorko said.

Naitanui took two pack marks in the first quarter alone and added another dazzling speccy in the second quarter while resting up forward.

Brisbane midfielder Dayne Zorko said Naitanui never once boasted about his array of tricks.

"He didn't say a word all day. I didn't hear him once," Zorko said, before Voss added: "If you can do that, you don't need to say anything."

But it was far from all good news for the Eagles, who will be sweating on injuries to ruckman Dean Cox (ankle) and midfielder Daniel Kerr (hamstring), plus the report of skipper Darren Glass.

Glass, running from the opposite direction, jumped off the ground and delivered a crunching high bump on Jonathan Brown as the Brisbane skipper attempted to mark a ball.

In fairness to Glass, the veteran defender only turned his body at the last second in an attempt to protect himself.

But it probably won't be enough to save him from suspension, although his five-year good record will reduce any potential suspension by 25 per cent.

Cox played out the match despite landing awkwardly in a ruck contest during the second quarter, but Kerr was subbed out early in the third term after his hamstring tightened.






AAP






Check out our FREE Interactive Speed Maps for meetings in nine countries each and every day.

Latest Video more
Melbourne Storm grand final press conference
Melbourne captain Cameron Smith says his side isn't intimidated by the weight of support following the Bulldogs.
Former Tigers coach Tim Sheens quiet on future
Tim Sheens is remaining tight-lipped about his negotiations with Wests Tigers, after the club announced that they're searching for a new coach.
Rainy conditions will not bother Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans defender Ted Richards says that his team are prepared to battle Hawthorn in any conditions.
Sydney Swans are well prepared: Jude Bolton
Swans stars Jude Bolton and Ted Richards talk about Sydney's preparations for the 2012 grand final.
Des Hasler maintains the Storm are the benchmark
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler maintains the Melbourne Storm are the competition's benchmark.
Bulldogs grand final press conference
Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis praises coach Des Hasler for the impact he's had on the side.
Who should have won the AFL 2012 coach of the year?
Who deserved to win the 2012 Coach of the Year award?
Alessandro Del Piero plays for Sydney FC
Alessandro Del Piero puts on his boots and plays a match for Sydney FC.
Manchester United beat Newcastle in League Cup
Manchester United are through to the fourth round of the League Cup, holding off a late fightback from Newcastle to claim a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
Darren Lockyer predicts Melbourne Storm to win
Four-time premiership player Darren Lockyer predicts that Melbourne Storm will triumph in the NRL Grand Final over the Bulldogs.
 
 
 

Racing and Sports Racing and Sports Pty Ltd | Contact Us | R&S Terms of Use | R&S Privacy
This site is maintained by Racing and Sports (®) Pty Ltd (ABN 093 360 108) ("R&S"). Copyright in all R&S materials is owned by Racing and Sports Pty Ltd (R&S). Racing and Sports is a Registered Trademark. R&S takes all care in the preparation of information appearing on the site, but accepts no responsibility nor warrants the accuracy of the information displayed. This information is provided for entertainment purposes only. All information including race fields and TAB numbers should be checked with an official source. (RAS-WWW03) (ADS1)