WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND NINE OF THE AFL SEASON:
THEY SAID IT: “It’s not something we will sweep under the carpet … it’s completely different to the way that we’ve played in recent weeks. It’s a mistake in our view to say, ‘Well, that was just one out of the box and she’ll be right’.” – Geelong coach Chris Scott after the Cats’ “inexplicable” performance in a shock 34-point loss to Essendon.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Lance Franklin became just the second player in history to kick 300 goals for two clubs in Sydney’s 59-point win over Fremantle. Franklin booted 580 goals in nine seasons at Hawthorn and took his career tally to 881 with three goals on Saturday night to follow Tony Lockett (St Kilda and Sydney) into the record books.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Collingwood bad boy Jordan de Goey continued his surge back into Nathan Buckley’s good books with a career-high six goals in the Pies’ 28-point win over St Kilda. After missing the start of the season as he served a club-imposed ban, de Goey has hit the scoreboard in every game since round four, including a five-goal effort in a win against Brisbane.
KEY MOMENT: Young Lion Eric Hipwood appeared to be robbed of a crucial goal after a goal umpire’s howler in the third term of their clash with Hawthorn at the Gabba. Confusion reigned until a score review eventually showed the point that was signalled was a clear goal. The major edged the lead out to 11 points and sparked a pivotal burst of three unanswered goals that set up the Lions’ first win of the season.
TALKING POINTS: Adelaide’s Daniel Talia was flabbergasted by the contact below the knees free kick paid against him that led to the Western Bulldogs’ first goal on Friday night. “He jumped on me!” Talia can be heard screaming at the umpire on the Channel Seven broadcast after Lukas Webb clattered into his back in the wet at Adelaide Oval. The decision created plenty of debate, but it didn’t prove too costly to the Crows, who recorded a 37-point win.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: An errant elbow from Lance Franklin to Joel Hamling’s jaw left the Fremantle defender concussed. The action was in play and appeared to be accidental contact, but will be reviewed. A few players on each side of the Carlton-Melbourne clash at the MCG could find themselves out of pocket after some first-half skirmishes. Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper clattered into an umpire and could also be hit with a fine.
KEY INJURIES: J Martin (GC, illness), M Rosa (GC, hamstring), S Reid (GWS, hamstring), Z Jones (Syd, concussion), J Hamling (Fre, concussion), N Brown (StK, knee), A Fasolo (Coll, ankle), M Murphy (Car, foot).
WHAT’S NEXT: Collingwood kick off round 10 when they host the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. Carlton make their first trip to Kardinia Park since 1997 to play Geelong on Saturday night. Melbourne host Adelaide in Alice Springs on Sunday, while Port Adelaide and Gold Coast have a bye after their Chinese trip.
