HIGHLIGHTS FROM ROUND EIGHT IN THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “It’s probably a win that felt like a loss,” North Melbourne coach BRAD SCOTT was furious with his side’s second-half fadeout against Essendon.
STATS THAT MATTER: Four behinds. That was the Bombers’ score at halftime of their clash with North, making it their lowest in an opening half since 1915.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Patrick Dangerfield. The Geelong superstar faced former side Adelaide for the first time. It wasn’t Dangerfield’s best performance at Adelaide Oval but he still managed 33 touches, 11 tackles and most importantly helped the Cats bank four premiership points.
KEY MOMENT: The siren sounds after Sam Lloyd takes a mark 45 metres out from goal at the end of a pulsating MCG clash. Needing a goal to pip Sydney by one point and snap Richmond’s six-game losing streak, Lloyd delivers. Wild scenes follow, from Tigers’ fans and players.
TALKING POINT: Greater Western Sydney’s march towards a maiden finals appearance gathered pace with a 91-point thumping of Gold Coast. But a crowd of just 8,308 rocked up. The Suns and Brisbane Lions are also struggling on the field. Does the league need to do more to grow the game beyond the Barassi Line?
TRIBUNAL WATCH: A reckless elbow from Hawthorn’s Taylor Duryea that floored Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne is likely to be scrutinised by the match review panel. Ballantyne played out the match after his jaw was assessed by medical staff. Melbourne veteran Bernie Vince was reported for rough conduct after bumping Mitch Wallis.
KEY INJURIES: T Lonergan (Geel, concussion), M Wood (NM, concussion), R Crowley (Ess, thigh), S Hill (Freo, adductor), G Ablett (GC, concussion), A Saad (hamstring), D Beams (Bris, knee), M Cox (Coll, hand), L Casboult (Carl, knee)
WHAT’S NEXT: Hawthorn and Sydney square off in an MCG blockbuster on Friday night, while GWS host Western Bulldogs on Sunday in another match that will shape the top four. North will need to earn a club-record ninth straight win on Saturday night, when they face a resurgent Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
