SNAPSHOT FROM ROUND 18 OF THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “I thought we were five points down, so I thought I put (us) in front”. – Gold Coast’s TOM LYNCH after his last-minute goal gave his team the draw against West Coast.
STATS THAT MATTER: In a round punctuated by upset results, Melbourne posted their first win over Collingwood since round 11, 2007.
MAN OF THE ROUND: After a week of often-poisonous debate, the AFL rallied impressively behind Adam Goodes with a series of tributes and gestures for the indigenous Sydney star. Goodes himself had the weekend off and it remains unclear if or when he will play again.
TALKING POINT: In 2001, Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews famously used the Predator quote “if it bleeds, we can kill it” and that season the Lions broke Essendon’s aura of invincibility. Did Richmond do the same with their upset win over Hawthorn?
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Fremantle defender Zac Dawson will come under video scrutiny for a high elbow that forced GWS opponent Jeremy Clarkson to wear heavy bandaging around his face for the rest of the match. It should be a quiet Monday otherwise for the match review panel. Hawthorn’s James Frawley was booked for rough conduct, but he will probably be cleared of the tackle he laid on Jack Riewoldt.
KEY INJURIES: M Leuenberger (Bris, knee) D Beams (Bris, shoulder) J Tutt (Carl, ankle) R Thompson (GC, ankle) A Saad (GC, calf) T Miller (GC, ankle) C Dixon (GC, ankle) N Malceski (GC, quad) O Wines (PA, dislocated shoulder) T Downie (GWS, concussion) M Buntine (GWS, concussion) B Longer (StK, concussion)
UNDER PRESSURE: That’s six straight losses for Collingwood, who showed against the Demons that lack of reward for effort through July has taken its toll. They’re now 11th, a game and a half outside the top eight.