6pm: Arriving at the G for Round 1. It’s a beautiful night, we’re expecting 80,000, and Roughy is back.
Feelin’ good.
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7.25pm: It’s opening bounce time.
The Essendon supporters are out in force, screaming something about a ‘comeback story’…
They must be Roughy fans, too.
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Q1 02:20: We’re underway. Within seconds, Disney Fantasia has found the goals.
Shock, dismay, how did he do it?
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Q1 05.20: Vickery becomes the first victim of the new third man up rule. The umpire claims our 177cm wingman, Billy Hartung, nominated himself to go up in the ruck.
All Hawks fans (and players):
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Q1 08:30: Two more Bomber goals leave Hawks fans feeling a tad feverish. Who is this Essendon outfit, and what have they done with 2016’s wooden spooners?
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Q1 15:00: Settlers from Pup and Cyril. The roar of the Essendon crowd subsides.
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Q1 20:00: Roughy has marked in front of goal. Here it is, the big moment…
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…behind.
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QT: That’s the 1st quarter done. We trail by 13 at the first break. Hard to know what to make of the match at this stage.
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Q2 10:00: A couple of goals at the hands of Big Boy and Langers in the first 10 minutes has things looking up.
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HT: Schoey, Billy and Poppy join the party, and all of a sudden the Hawks are out to a 10-point lead at the main break.
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Q3 10:00: It’s goal for goal in a tight one at the ‘G. This game has us feeling like….
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Q3 05:30: Hang on a second, has he… He has!
GOAL TO JARRYD ROUGHEAD!
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Q3 20:00 - The ball comes off Daniher’s boot and goes out on the full. Umpire calls a throw in. Confusion, anger, frustration from the Hawthorn crowd.
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3QT: Our lead has deminished, and Essendon now have a 10-point headstart leading into the final term.
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Q4 12:20: Isaac Smith boots it from the centre circle. It dribbles straight through the sticks to record possibly the longest goal of the Round!
If only. Michael Hurley claims he touched it on the line, and the goal umpire agrees. The video replay isn’t so sure.
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FT: All over. Essendon finish with a 25-point win.
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Hey, it’s not all bad. Mitchell managed 37 touches in his club debut, and Roughy kicked 2.1 on return. No win, but plenty to smile about!
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Time to recoup, ready to take on the crows next week.
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