WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 17 OF THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “They’re all over the shop – I’ve been terrible. I didn’t handle it well.” West Coast coach Adam Simpson when asked about his feelings after the Eagles beat Collingwood, but lost star ruckman Nic Naitanui to a knee injury. The fear is that Naitanui needs another knee reconstruction and emotions ran high in the Eagles rooms post-match.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Sydney star Lance Franklin kicked his 900th goal in Sunday’s win over North Melbourne. He’s ninth on the AFL’s all-time list. At the other end of the scale, teammate Aliir Aliir kicked the match winner – his first AFL goal in his 21st match.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Max Gawn. The Melbourne ruckman enhanced his Brownlow Medal chances with another outstanding game. He had 41 hitouts and provided his midfielders with silver service as they carved up the hapless Western Bulldogs after halftime at the MCG.
KEY MOMENT: Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt snapped a goal to bring his team within a point of GWS with less than a minute remaining. But Giants star Dylan Shiel was all class at the centre bounce, winning the clearance and ensuring they would hang on for a massive win.
TALKING POINTS: Apparently it’s duck season at Punt Rd, with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick joking they will have “ducking practice” after some controversial free kicks. GWS will also seek some answers from the AFL umpiring department. After another woeful loss, the hits will keep coming for Carlton and their under-siege coach Brendon Bolton.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Adelaide captain Taylor Walker faces a one-game rough conducts suspension, meaning he misses their must-win match against Brisbane. Carlton’s Jed Lamb also was offered a one-game ban for eye gouging St Kilda forward Jade Gresham. Fremantle youngster Ryan Nyhuis is certain to be suspended for the tackle that knocked out Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray.
KEY INJURIES: Jimmy Webster (StK, groin) Matthew Kreuzer (Carl, elevated heart rate) Nic Naitanui (WC, knee) Jack Viney (Melb, toe) Josh Kennedy (Syd, back), Steven May (GC, hip) Kayne Turner (NM, concussion) Ben Jacobs (NM, concussion and neck) Nakia Cockatoo (Geel, knee) Paddy Ryder (PA, hip flexor) Robbie Gray (PA, concussion) Brayden Sier (Coll, leg) Mason Cox (Coll, hamstring).
WHAT’S NEXT: Geelong at home to Melbourne next Saturday night is massive for the two teams in the mid-ladder log jam. Likewise, resurgent GWS travel to Adelaide next Sunday for a big test against Port Adelaide. Now that Collingwood’s seven-game winning streak is over, they need to rebound quickly next Saturday against top-eight contenders North Melbourne.
