Fevola boots Blues into final
By Daniel Pace
March 10, 2007

CARLTON star forward Brendan Fevola scored eight goals to inspire his side to a remarkable come-from-behind 21-point victory over the Kangaroos in a pulsating NAB Cup semi-final at Gold Coast Stadium.

The Blues will meet Brisbane in the NAB Cup final in Melbourne next weekend after clawing their way back from a 37-point deficit late in the third quarter to sneak an unlikely victory.

Fevola was the hero, scoring eight goals - including a super-goal - and single-handedly bringing the 2006 wooden spooners back into the contest in front of a poor crowd of 7228.

The Roos held a six-point half-time lead before exploding after the break.

Led by hardman Glenn Archer and forward Shannon Grant, they piled on eight unanswered goals in a devastating period to leave Carlton with a huge target to overhaul.

The Blues could be excused for thinking about their AFL season-opener against Richmond on April 1 but to their credit they never capitulated, kicking seven consecutive goals to ensure a thriller at Carrara.

Coach Dean Laidley will be filthy with the way his side caved in to Carlton as the Roos are desperately trying to shore up support on the Gold Coast.

The Kangaroos scored just one goal in the final quarter after dominating earlier periods of the match in a remarkable transformation.

Eddie Betts and Marc Murphy were strong for the Blues, grabbing four goals between them, while Grant and Archer booted three each for the Kangaroos.

AAP

Switch plea if no den found
By Scott Palmer and Rod Nicholson
March 11, 2007

THE much-travelled Brisbane Lions may suggest a switch of the NAB Cup grand final on Saturday night if they cannot find adequate accommodation for the team in sports-mad Melbourne.

The Lions have heard that this week's major events - the world swimming championships and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park - have taken a heavy toll on hotel bookings and are concerned about a shortage of beds for their players.

The club is unsure if its regular hotel will be able to accommodate the team's full number of players and staff.

Club chief executive Michael Bowers yesterday said that if there were accommodation problems, the Lions would request a switch of the grand final to either the Gabba or Carrara.

Bowers suggested a lighthearted solution: "Perhaps Aker (former Lion Jason Akermanis, who had a bitter break with the Brisbane club) has room at his house to put us up for the evening."

On a serious note, he said the Lions early this week would ask the AFL to locate suitable accommodation in Melbourne for the team.

Lions football operations manager, Graeme Allen, said: "We've heard there is a problem and we hope it is sorted out quickly."

Centre half-back Daniel Merrett yesterday said that the team was "trying not to let the travelling get to us".

He said he expected the Lions would have key forward Jonathan Brown back for the Cup grand final.

Jamie Charman, Matt Moodie, Ben Fixter and Daniel Bradshaw could also be available for the match.

About the tight accommodation, Merrett said: "We all might have to bunk up somewhere."

Sunday Herald Sun