Fev only has himself to blame: Clarkson - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Fev only has himself to blame: Clarkson

By Roger Vaughan 31/08/2008 04:11:19 PM Comments (0)

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson put it best - Brendan Fevola had his chances.

While Carlton coach Brett Ratten made his displeasure clear over the Hawks' determination to stop Fevola kicking his 100th goal for the AFL season on Saturday night, the man in question had only himself to blame.

As young Hawks star Lance Franklin brought up his century with two goals in the first quarter, Fevola had a poor first half at Telstra Dome.

He hit the post, another shot was also a behind, one went out on the full and a fourth careered wildly off the side of his boot.

Fevola then kicked seven goals in the second half to fall one short of the century, becoming the first player in league history to be stranded on 99 goals.

"He had his chances over the course of the game; he probably had 10 shots on goal," Clarkson said.

"I don't think he had a goal at halftime and he ended up kicking seven, which is a pretty special effort in itself.

"Seven goals in a half of footy - it's a tough, brutal game and he was unable to get there at the end."

Ratten was biting his tongue as spoke about how wonderful it would have been had the two players made AFL history by bringing up their centuries in the one game.

As it was, Franklin became the first player since 1998 to reach the ton during the regular season.

Asked about Hawks players concentrating on Fevola, Ratten replied: "I suppose maybe we could have done that at the start (on Franklin), I suppose that's the way he (Clarkson) has seen it."

Pressed on the subject, Ratten said "they were only 70 points up".

Ratten was then asked what he would have done in the same situation.

"I won't answer that," he said.

Meanwhile, Clarkson was confident forward Mark Williams would be fit for this weekend's qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs.

"He copped a bit of a knock to a hip, I think, so he'll be OK. He could have come back on but it was about the 20-minute mark of the last quarter, so he'll be ok," Clarkson said.

"I don't reckon there'll be too many guys who won't be putting their hand up for next week's game.

"That was a clear goal for us, to have as many guys fit and available to play leading into September, and we've got a pretty healthy squad and it gives us the opportunity to go as deep as we possibly can."

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