THEY SAID IT: “Discourage? It’s not my job to do that. I just don’t see a need for it.” – Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley responds to Collingwood followers’ fixed booing of Power recruit Jason Horne-Francis all through Saturday’s contest on the MCG.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Collingwood younger gun Nick Daicos shot to Brownlow Medal favouritism with some betting retailers after a surprising 32-disposal, two-goal efficiency in opposition to Port Adelaide. Making the best-on-ground show much more meritorious was the very fact Daicos was tagged by Lachie Jones and Sam Powell-Pepper for vital durations of the match however nonetheless managed to have an enormous affect. His silky purpose after Scott Pendlebury’s over-the-head handpass would have made his gifted father Peter Daicos smile.
THE MOMENT: There was chaos halfway by way of the ultimate quarter on Friday evening when the Gabba lights went out. Brisbane led by 40 factors and seemed headed for a convincing win earlier than the match was suspended for nearly 40 minutes. When the lights got here again on, Melbourne had nothing to lose and rattled off 5 unanswered targets to shut inside 11 factors and trigger the house facet some nervous moments.
TALKING POINT: North Melbourne held on for an exhilarating one-point win over Fremantle amid one other “sirengate” controversy within the west. The Dockers had been denied a shot to pinch the match when Daniel Howe’s clearing kick, which might have been penalised for inadequate intent to maintain the ball in play, ran over the boundary line. Umpires dominated the siren sounded earlier than the ball bounced out and the AFL later ticked off on the choice.
STATS THAT MATTER: Geelong’s losses to Collingwood and Carlton over the primary two weeks have made Chris Scott’s facet the primary defending premier to start out the brand new season 0-2 since Hawthorn did it below Alastair Clarkson in 2009. North Melbourne’s No.3 draft choose Harry Sheezel continued the new begin to his senior profession, turning into solely the second participant in AFL/VFL historical past to collect 30-plus disposals in every of his first two video games after Fremantle’s Michael Barlow in 2010.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Richmond defender Nathan Broad was despatched on to the tribunal, charged with tough conduct over his sling deal with on Patrick Parnell, which concussed the Adelaide participant. Port Adelaide’s Ryan Burton can settle for a two-match ban for tough conduct on Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott, whereas North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin has been supplied a one-match suspension for placing Fremantle’s Caleb Serong.
INJURIES: M Gawn (Melb, knee), J Hopper (Rich, knee/ankle), P Parnell (Adel, concussion), J Steele (StOkay, shoulder), B Zerk-Thatcher (Ess, ankle), J Wehr (GWS, shoulder).
WHAT’S NEXT: The Western Bulldogs and Brisbane kick off spherical three on Thursday evening and a crowd of greater than 85,000 is predicted for Friday evening’s Collingwood-Richmond blockbuster. Alastair Clarkson leads North Melbourne in opposition to outdated facet Hawthorn for the primary time, whereas St Kilda have a good time their 150-year anniversary in a uncommon MCG dwelling sport in opposition to Essendon. A pair of derbies are highlights, with the Showdown in Adelaide on Saturday evening and Western Derby in Perth on Sunday.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
