WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 12 OF THE AFL SEASON:
THEY SAID IT: “We’d get fined if we did something incompetent but the AFL won’t fine themselves, I’m sure. They certainly won’t give us any money back.” – North Melbourne coach Brad Scott fumed after Jack Ziebell suffered cut knees in a collision with the boundary fence advertising at Kardinia Park.
STAT THAT MATTERS: 0 – the number of marks inside 50 that Gold Coast could muster in a 108-point thrashing at the hands of GWS.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Gary Ablett starred in his 200th game for Geelong. The Little Master had 34 possessions, laid eight tackles and kicked a goal in a 37-point win over North Melbourne.
KEY MOMENT: Melbourne were still in the Queen’s Birthday clash at three-quarter time but Collingwood’s Mason Cox sealed a memorable win with the first goal – his career-high fifth – of the final term at the MCG.
TALKING POINTS: Will St Kilda’s poor season cost Alan Richardson his job? The situation looked grim 48 points down at quarter-time against Sydney. The Saints managed to keep it to a 71-point belting at the final siren but a loss to Gold Coast in round 13 would ramp up the pressure on Richardson.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Fremantle’s Michael Walters was offered a one-match ban for his last-quarter brain fade when he punched Adelaide’s Jake Kelly in the stomach. He was reported for headbutting Tom Doedee in the same skirmish but that charge was thrown out by AFL match review officer Michael Christian. Brisbane’s Luke Hodge was cleared over his huge bump on Dyson Heppell.
KEY INJURIES: David Astbury (Rich, ankle), Aaron Black (Geel, knee), Sam Menegola (Geel, back), J Ziebell (NM, cut knees), D Shiel (GWS, ankle), Rory Lobb (GWS, ribs), Dyson Heppell (Ess, concussion), Devon Smith (Ess, calf), Luke Brown (Adel, ankle), Daniel Wells (Coll, ankle).
WHAT’S NEXT: Port Adelaide kick off round 13 on Thursday night when they host the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval. Sydney take on ladder leaders West Coast in the match of the round at the SCG on Friday night. Geelong will host the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday. Brisbane, Collingwood, Essendon, GWS, Melbourne and the Kangaroos have byes.