WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 21 OF THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “We came into the season with high expectations and hopes, so to not be participating in September is a real kick in the guts.” – Adelaide coach Don Pyke after the loss to GWS ended their finals hopes.
STATS THAT MATTER: Melbourne are without a win against other top-eight teams and their last two opponents are West Coast in Perth and GWS at the MCG. They have lost five games this season by 10 points or less.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Jack Riewoldt’s 10.6 is the third time he has kicked double figures in a game and the first in the AFL this season. It also put him into the Coleman Medal lead and he outscored Gold Coast.
KEY MOMENT: The ramifications of Jeremy McGovern’s goal after the siren are massive. Nearly a year after West Coast teammate Luke Shuey did the same thing in the elimination final against Port Adelaide, also at Adelaide Oval, McGovern’s big kick was a massive blow for the Power and a huge boost for the Eagles.
TALKING POINT: Injuries are proving nearly as important in the premiership race as wins and losses. It was a weekend of carnage, with GWS potentially losing veteran Heath Shaw for the season, Sydney’s Alex Johnson suffering more wretched luck and Essendon reduced to no fit men on the bench for the last quarter. Port also lost Charlie Dixon for the season and are sweating on Paddy Ryder.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: St Kilda defender Nathan Brown was referred to the tribunal for his crude bump on Essendon’s Adam Saad and his season is over. Essendon’s Cale Hooker can accept a fine for misconduct, while Adelaide captain Taylor Walker is in trouble for the tackle that knocked out Josh Kelly. Similarly, North Melbourne forward Jarrad Waite will be scrutinised for his high bump on Jackson Trengove.
KEY INJURIES: Brendon Goddard (Ess, knee) Adam Saad (Ess, concussion) Cale Hooker (Ess, knee) Orazio Fantasia (Ess, hamstring) Josh Kelly (GWS, concussion) Heath Shaw (GWS, knee) Sam Reid (GWS, hamstring) Rhys Stanley (Geel, calf) Zach Tuohy (Geel, hand) Jarryd Roughead (Haw, ankle) Pearce Hanley (GC, hamstring) Will Brodie (GC, hamstring) Darcy Gardiner (Bris, shoulder) Ben Reid (Coll, calf) Bernie Vince (Melb, A/c joint) Charlie Dixon (PA, leg fracture) Paddy Ryder (PA, hip flexor) Dan Houston (PA, neck) Alex Johnson (Syd, knee) Nick Smith (Syd, glute/hamstring) Jayden Hunt (Melb, ankle) Jesse Hogan (Melb, foot) Max Gawn (Melb, corked calf) Matthew Kreuzer (Carl, elevated heart rate) Zaine Cordy (WB, fractured forehead) Michael Walter (Fre, hamstring).
WHAT’S NEXT: Richmond should kill off Essendon’s faint finals hopes. Port Adelaide must beat Collingwood at the MCG, while Geelong will keep their top-eight hopes alive at home against Fremantle. GWS and Sydney have a huge derby and Melbourne face an imposing trip west to play the Eagles.