SNAPSHOT OF ROUND 11 IN THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “We fumbled the ball and didn’t handle the conditions well as compared to North, and were made to look like a bunch of schoolboys.” – Richmond coach Damien Hardwick after the Tigers’ 70-point capitulation to the Kangaroos.
STATS THAT MATTER: Eleven goals. The combined haul from Aaron Young, Jake Neade and Chad Wingard was more than enough to sink the desperately disappointing Magpies, who could only manage a combined tally of seven majors in a 67-point drubbing.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Daniel Wells. The North Melbourne star has had more than his share of injury setbacks in the last couple of years. But when he’s up and going, there are few silkier movers in the competition.
KEY MOMENT: West Coast had kicked three quick goals to cut the margin to three points late in Sunday’s game against the Western Bulldogs. Enter Tom Liberatore, who stood tall to slot the sealer in the Dogs’ eight-point win.
TALKING POINT: Head-high contact. Hawthorn debutant Kade Stewart wins the dodgiest of free kicks at a crucial stage in the win over Melbourne. But credit to umpire Jordan Bannister for owning up to his mistake. “I just paid a s*** free,” he tweeted.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Rodney Eade was furious with Tom Lynch for getting reported for his punch to Jeremy Laidler’s stomach late in the loss to Sydney, although the Gold Coast vice-captain is likely to escape a ban.
KEY INJURIES: Steve Morris (Rich, knee), Ben Griffiths (Rich, ankle), Nick Vlastuin (Rich, concussion), Sam Wright (NM, ankle), Jack Gunston (Haw, leg), Matthew Kreuzer (Carl, concussion), Allen Christensen (BL, collarbone), George Hewett (Syd, concussion), Jesse Lonergan (GC, knee), Michael Apeness (Fre, collarbone), Ryan Crowley (Ess, hamstring), Alipate Carlile (PA, knee), Toby McLean (WB, foot), Hugh Goddard (SK, Achilles), Paddy McCartin (SK, concussion).
WHAT’S NEXT: Ladder leaders North Melbourne take on third-placed Geelong in a huge game on Saturday night, while Port Adelaide host the Western Bulldogs in a real test of the Power’s bona fides. West Coast against Adelaide at Domain Stadium shapes as another heavyweight stoush.
