HIGHLIGHTS FROM ROUND SIX OF THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: “If we continue to have performances like that then there’ll need to be catastrophic change, and that’s not usually the way that we go about doing things.” – Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson after the Hawks’ 75-point thumping by St Kilda.
STATS THAT MATTER: Six rounds into the season, unbeaten Adelaide are averaging 134 points per game. The Crows sit atop the ladder as the only remaining undefeated side after they demolished the Tigers by 76 points and Collingwood upset Geelong.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Gold Coast superstar Gary Ablett nearly dragged the Suns across the line on his own against North Melbourne. The two-time Brownlow medallist amassed 45 possessions – 27 of them contested – had 18 clearances and went inside 50 10 times in his side’s loss to the Kangaroos.
KEY MOMENT: Toby McLean couldn’t convert a tricky shot in heavy traffic inside the last two minutes of another epic encounter between the Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney. The Dogs kept coming but there was no more scoring as GWS held on for a thrilling two-point win.
TALKING POINT: Is the hard tag making a comeback? The negative one-on-one tactic has largely drifted out of the game in recent times but Collingwood’s Levi Greenwood shadowed Geelong skipper Joel Selwood closely in the Pies’ upset 29-point win. The close attention appeared to get right under Selwood’s skin and he managed just 17 possessions.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Greater Western Sydney’s Toby Greene was reported for striking the Western Bulldogs’ Caleb Daniel. The MRP will have a look at the tackle laid by Giants ruckman Shane Mumford that left Bulldogs onballer Tom Liberatore concussed. North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell will come under scrutiny again for his high bump on Gold Coast’s Brandon Matera. Richmond’s Toby Nankervis faces a nervous wait after he caught David McKay high with a swinging elbow.
KEY INJURIES: S Reid (GWS, hamstring), N Haynes (GWS, hamstring), S Mumford (GWS, ankle), T Campbell (WB, ankle), T Liberatore (WB, concussion), J Silvagni (Carl, shoulder), J Weitering (Carl, corked thigh), Z Fisher (Carl, hamstring), G Rohan (Syd, concussion), H Grundy (Syd, concussion), K Tippett (Syd, hip), K Kolodjashnij (GC, illness), M Rosa (GC, concussion), N Vardy (WC, elbow), K Mutimer (WC, knee), L Duggan (WC, leg), B Parfitt (Geel, hamstring), T Varcoe (Coll, hamstring).
WHAT’S NEXT: Traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton will meet at the MCG on Saturday with both sides riding high after upset wins. Adelaide will attempt to maintain their unbeaten status when they face North Melbourne in Hobart and the Western Bulldogs host Richmond in a tantalising clash at Etihad Stadium.
