WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 16 OF THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “We’re not Hawthorn. We haven’t proven anything so far this season. We’ve played some really good footy, but geez we’ve played some really poor footy as well.” Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield speaks his mind after their 38-point loss to Sydney.
STATS THAT MATTER: Welcome back, Travis Cloke. After months of pressure and speculation, the Collingwood key forward produced a beautiful set of numbers with a return to form against GWS. Cloke kicked four goals and took 12 marks – five of them contested – in the upset win.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Richmond’s Dustin Martin was supreme and Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge willed his side to a big win. But after a week from hell where a family feud sadly became media fodder, Sydney co-captain Kieren Jack was outstanding in his 200th game. With his girlfriend Charlotte Goodlet watching on, Jack kicked the first and last goals in a huge win over the Cats.
KEY MOMENT: Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge went old-school in the third quarter against Richmond, “dragging and bagging” his mercurial star Jake Stringer. The forward duly turned around a horror night with a match-winning performance, kicking four goals in their 10-point win.
TALKING POINT: Remember when North Melbourne had won the first 9 games of the season? Barely two months later, they’re eighth and in all sorts of trouble.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Fremantle’s Lachie Weller was booked for rough conduct on Melbourne’s Jayden Hunt. Carlton’s Levi Casboult was reported for striking Adelaide’s Kyle Hartigan. Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne could be in strife for an elbow that connected with Hunt. And Gold Coast veteran Nick Malceski caught Brisbane’s Daniel Rich high when they were going for the ball.
KEY INJURIES: L Shiels (Haw, hamstring) B Ebert (PA, ribs/concussion) L Austin (PA, concussion) H Hartlett (PA, head knock) T Boak (PA, ribs) C Dixon (PA, back) N Haynes (GWS, soreness) Z Williams (GWS, soreness) A Fasolo (Coll, shoulder) M Rischitelli (GC, knee) G Ablett (GC, shoulder) D Gardiner (Bris, ankle) T Liberatore (WB, ribs) O McDonald (Melb, ankle) B Vince (Melb, shin) D Tyson (Melb, head) D Mundy (Fre, concussion) M Wood (NM, knee).
WHAT’S NEXT: Second hosts first on Thursday night when Sydney play Hawthorn in a beauty at the SCG. Geelong must beat Fremantle on Friday at Subiaco. North are now eighth, three games ahead of Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Collingwood. So North hosting Port on Saturday is also big. Adelaide host the Magpies and Melbourne play St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, where the Demons have a horrible record.
