THEY SAID IT: “The thing about your losses, they actually help you more sometimes than your wins. Not taking any credit away from Melbourne but we, and I, botched the last five or six minutes of that game” – Lions coach Chris Fagan believes their heartbreaking round-18 defeat to the Demons has been a turning level of their season.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Jesse Hogan was merely unstoppable within the Giants’ 126-point mauling of Essendon. The GWS key ahead booted 9.1 to go together with 24 disposals, 16 rating involvements, 17 marks, and 6 contested marks in a exceptional show.
THE MOMENT: Adelaide’s Ben Keays celebrated like loopy after kicking what he thought was the profitable objective towards Sydney. Those celebrations had been minimize quick when the objective umpire deemed his set-shot snap had hit the put up. The objective umpire didn’t ask for a overview in what was an enormous blunder, with the AFL later admitting the choice ought to have been overturned. Sydney went on to win by one level, ending Adelaide’s finals hopes. The objective umpire has been stood down for the remainder of the season.
TALKING POINT: Who will find yourself with the picket spoon and the prized No.1 draft choose that comes with it? West Coast’s shock seven-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday means North Melbourne at the moment are final on the ladder. If North Melbourne lose to Gold Coast in Tasmania on Saturday within the last spherical, they’ll end final and have first crack at Harley Reid. If they win, then West Coast will end backside until they will beat Adelaide on Saturday evening. It shapes as intriguing viewing, given all of the hype surrounding the place Reid will find yourself.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Collingwood ahead Beau McCreery has been provided a one-game ban for a harmful sort out on Lions defender Darcy Wilmot. Sydney defender Tom McCartin faces a two-game suspension for his excessive bump on Adelaide ahead Shane McAdam, that means he’s out of the Swans’ elimination finale. Geelong veteran Mitch Duncan’s season is over after he was handed a one-game ban for a harmful sort out.
STATS THAT MATTER: GWS coach Adam Kingsley constructed up their conflict with Essendon as a “virtual elimination final” but it surely was like just one group knew top-eight hopes had been on the road. The ruthless Giants recorded their highest-ever rating (162) and profitable margin (126) for a priceless proportion enhance, whereas it was the Bombers’ fifth worst-loss of their historical past and the most important of Brad Scott’s teaching profession.
INJURIES: T Papley (Syd, hamstring), R Sloane (Adel, eye), C Ah Chee (Lions, again), L McCarthy (Lions, calf), J Ryan (Coll, concussion), N Murphy (Coll, glute/again), E Ratugolea (Geel, hamstring), B Close (Geel, ankle), S Ross (St Okay, hamstring), M Guelfi (Ess, hamstring), E Yeo (WC, hamstring), T Jonas (PA, head), J Newcombe (Haw, hamstring tightness).
WHAT’S NEXT: North Melbourne host Gold Coast in Tasmania on Saturday in a match that may assist resolve whether or not the Kangaroos or West Coast end final. Brisbane and St Kilda face off on the Gabba later that day, with the Lions seeking to lock away second spot. Sydney host Melbourne on the SCG on Sunday, with the Swans nonetheless an opportunity to earn a house last. The last match of the spherical is GWS up towards Carlton. The Giants might have to win to safe a finals berth.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
