WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 14 OF THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “We can’t talk about it – you can talk about it, and I can just sit here and say I can’t talk about it.” – North Melbourne coach Brad Scott held his tongue when asked about the umpiring in their one-point loss to the Western Bulldogs. Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was fined a fortnight ago for referring to “disgraceful” umpiring in his side’s loss to Gold Coast.
STATS THAT MATTER: Four of nine games this round were decided by a margin of three points or fewer, taking the total this season to 17. That is the most in VFL/AFL history since 1928 with plenty of football remaining. Geelong have shown their rivals how it’s done, posting knife-edge wins over Fremantle, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Jack Viney was simply Herculean in the Dees’ nailbiting win over West Coast. The young leader was flattened in a heavy bump from Shannon Hurn in the third quarter but returned and dragged Melbourne over the line in the final term. Finished with 38 disposals, nine clearances and a goal.
KEY MOMENT: With 28 seconds remaining and West Coast up by three points, Melbourne’s Tom McDonald conjured up a remarkable acrobatic mid-air goal while being tackled by Jeremy McGovern. McDonald finished with five goals as the Dees ended their 17-game losing streak in Perth.
TALKING POINT: Are the Bulldogs back? They badly needed their victory over North Melbourne after a rough fortnight. But it wasn’t the most convincing win from the reigning premiers, who benefited from some contentious umpiring calls. Stern tests from West Coast and Adelaide await in coming weeks.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Richmond’s Bachar Houli faces suspension for a swinging arm to the face of Jed Lamb, leaving the Carlton youngster dazed. West Coast’s Will Schofield was reported for striking Clayton Oliver with an elbow. There was very little contact in it, and Oliver could face scrutiny for staging. A punch to the chest/throat of Toby McLean from North’s Ben Cunnington will be looked at.
KEY INJURIES: Joel Selwood (Geel, concussion), Gary Ablett (GC, calf), Dayne Beams (Bris, shoulder), Jack Viney (Melb, shoulder), Christian Salem (Melb, hamstring), Liam Picken (WB, knee), Pearce Hanley (GC, hamstring).
WHAT’S NEXT: Round 15 is stacked with blockbusters. In-form Melbourne and Sydney kick things off at the MCG on Friday night. Western Bulldogs host West Coast, GWS face Geelong and Port Adelaide take on Richmond on Saturday, while Hawthorn and Collingwood meet on Sunday.
