WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND FOUR OF THE AFL:
THEY SAID IT: “There was an umpire there and it wasn’t even a free kick. So let’s just deal with the facts … or do you want to hang him? Who wants to hang him?” Geelong coach Chris Scott on the incident that has Patrick Dangerfield stewing on the match review officer’s verdict.
STATS THAT MATTER: Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy won an AFL record 87.9 per cent of the hitouts in his side’s win over Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Former Gold Coast captain Tom Lynch booted 6.2 for Richmond, producing his best performance in the yellow and black to pilot the undermanned Tigers to an upset win victory over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
KEY MOMENT: There were plenty – Harry Himmelberg’s courageous mark and his pass to Jeremy Finlayson, who kicked the last goal for GWS in their massive win over Geelong. Gold Coast’s Jack Bowes snapped the winner in the last minute against Carlton, while wayward St Kilda forward Jack Lonie was accurate when it really counted, putting his team ahead with the last goal of the match in their big win over Hawthorn.
TALKING POINT: Melbourne and North Melbourne, both winless after three rounds, stood up to open their account against Sydney and Adelaide respectively. Those pundits writing off Essendon may also be having some second thoughts after the Bombers blew away in-form Brisbane by 47 points. But the heat on Carlton and their coach Brendon Bolton just went up another notch.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Another week, another Brownlow Medal contender in the headlines for lashing out at GWS tagger Matt de Boer. Dangerfield’s off-the-ball actions are sure to be scrutinised but Scott is confident the star midfielder has nothing to worry about. Carlton’s Will Setterfield is in trouble for a tackle that concussed Wil Powell.
KEY INJURIES: Chris Mayne (Cwd, back), Callan Ward (GWS, knee), Chayce Jones (Adel, concussion), Brad Crouch (Adel, nose), Joel Hamling (Fre, concussion), Ben Stratton (Haw, concussion), James Frawley (Haw, hamstring). Wil Powell (GC, concussion).
WHAT’S NEXT: The Easter Monday showdown between Geelong and Hawthorn shapes as the highlight of round five. Pressure building on Adelaide coach Don Pyke, whose stocks have tumbled since the Crows contested the 2017 grand final, will grow immensely if they’re unable to get the job done at home against Gold Coast.
