AFL Record Round 19, 2023

INSIDE GAME PREVIEWS AND STATS

YEARS OF 40 CELEBRATING

ONE WEEK TIME

News from in and around the AFL

THRILLS & SPILLS

Those who view the AFL home and away season as one long game of snakes and ladders would have loved round 18. Edge-of-your-seat thrillers on Thursday and Friday night and five Saturday games that lived up to their ‘Moving Day’ billing.

At the end of the weekend, those placed third to 15th, looked at the ladder, crunched the numbers and worked out whether they had taken advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

Here is how it all went down and what might happen next.

BRISBANE (OPPORTUNITY

MISSED): Up by 25 points early in the last quarter against Melbourne before a stunning collapse that resulted in a one-point loss. A win would have just about ensured a top-three finish at the minimum for the Lions and perhaps even top two given Port Adelaide’s tough few weeks. And it would have buried their MCG issues once and for all. Now they have the Demons breathing down their neck and face the real possibility of having to return to the MCG in the opening week of the finals to play Collingwood. Ouch.

MELBOURNE (OPPORTUNITY

TAKEN): The Lions tried to save the game too early and the Demons pounced. It was the sort of win to trigger belief and inspire a deep run from here. Top two is unlikely but

u WHO’S IN PLAY

they’re now pretty safe in the top four and they could save what appears to be an inevitable September clash with Collingwood to preliminary final weekend.

GEELONG (OPPORTUNITY TAKEN):

Granted, it was on their home deck, but the Cats ruthlessly took care of Essendon and they’re now fifth and feeling very bullish about what might happen from here in their quest for back-to-back flags. “It feels like we’re getting close to our best footy which we’re pretty confident is going to be hard to beat,” coach Chris Scott said. A mouth-watering clash looms with Brisbane at the Gabba on late Saturday afternoon.

ST KILDA (OPPORTUNITY MISSED, AGAIN): The wheels are coming off at Moorabbin, with the Saints losing four of their past five games. Somehow, they’re still sixth, but they now seem the most vulnerable of all the teams in the eight given their

u Friday night football returns to the fixturing spotlight this week after the final Thursday night home and away game for 2023 was played last week. Fittingly, it was a Thursday thriller with Sydney outlasting the Western Bulldogs by two points to give the Swans special reason to celebrate coach John Longmire’s 300th game.

In all, 11 Thursday night games were played in the 2023 home and away season with six decided by 15 points or less and a draw to kick it off in the opening round between Richmond and Carlton.

With Friday night now back in the frame, there is a special celebration in this round with the 40th anniversary of the first Friday night game back in 1983.

As senior writer ASHLEY BROWNE outlines (see page 12), the clash between Sydney and Geelong in round 19, 1983, was hardly a blockbuster – it was 10th (Swans) v eighth (Cats) – and it was only switched to Friday because the Wallabies were also scheduled to played at the SCG that weekend.

inability to score. They were woeful away to Gold Coast last week. They need to fill their boots on Sunday against North Melbourne.

WESTERN BULLDOGS (OPPORTUNITY MISSED): Were given plenty of looks by Sydney in the final Thursday night game of the home and away season but fell agonisingly short. A few results over the remainder of the weekend helped their cause but they need to start winning again, starting on Friday night against Essendon.

ESSENDON (OPPORTUNITY NOT TAKEN): Not quite fair to state the Bombers missed an opportunity last week because not many teams will knock over the Cats at GMHBA Stadium. But their largely noncompetitive performance cost them some handy percentage, so the Friday night’s clash with the Bulldogs is hugely important. In their favour is that they are at Marvel Stadium for

Fortunately, Friday night football eventually took off and what a success it has been.

On a personal note, it was announced this week that 2023 will be my last season as editor of the Record. I’ll be reflecting on my 26-year journey during the finals but thanks to those who have contacted me and passed on their best wishes this week.

EDITOR’S LETTER MICHAEL LOVETT

ASHLEY BROWNE

DEE-LIGHT: Jake Melksham celebrates his winning goal late in the Demons’ clash with the Lions last Friday.

Good comparison, he loves it. He’s had an outstanding season

GEELONG’S TANNER BRUHN ON THE ‘FAKE’ COMPARISON OF TEAMMATE GRYAN MIERS TO SOCCER LEGEND LIONEL MESSI

We’re pretty confident (our best) is going to be hard to beat

GEELONG COACH CHRIS SCOTT

the next four weeks with West Coast and North Melbourne among those they play.

ADELAIDE (OPPORTUNITY

MISSED): And how! Leading the GWS Giants by 17 points at home at the final change, they conceded five unanswered goals in the final term. The Crows have proven they pretty much can’t win away from home, but their finals hopes are truly shot this year if they stop taking care of business at home.

GWS GIANTS (OPPORTUNITY

TAKEN): And how! Last week’s win was epic. Anyone opposed to Adam Kingsley as coach of the year? The Giants cannot take their foot of the gas at any stage from here, but they’re superbly placed if any of the clubs above them even slightly stumble.

CARLTON (OPPORTUNITY

TAKEN): Port Adelaide took a weakened team to Marvel Stadium

Anyone opposed to Adam Kingsley as coach of the year?

and the Blues pounced. It was the Blues’ fourth successive win by more than 50 points and you’d think they’ll make it five come 5pm Saturday against the Eagles. However, not having spearhead Harry McKay perhaps for the rest of the season is a major blow.

RICHMOND (OPPORTUNITY

TAKEN): It wasn’t a major kill, but the Tigers did what was necessary at Optus Stadium against the Eagles last week. Another opportunity awaits on Saturday against the Hawks at the MCG. They must take it to stay within striking distance of the eight.

GOLD COAST (OPPORTUNITY

TAKEN): The shaky Saints turned up on Gold Coast’s doorstep and the Suns took full advantage in their first game under interim coach Steven King. They played with freedom and dare last week and that’s what makes them dangerous. It is not often that

AFL Rising Star

JUDD McVEE MELBOURNE

Playing every game of the season for a premiership contender at 19 is no mean feat.

And it was reason enough for Melbourne small defender Judd McVee to earn the round 18 AFL Rising Star nomination.

He had 14 disposals last Friday night in the Demons’ thrilling come-from-behind win over Brisbane at the MCG and through 17 games has impressed with his rebound from defence and clean hands at ground level regarded as features of his game.

McVee was a member of the Casey Demons premiership team in 2022, his first season with Melbourne

after being selected with the 18th overall pick at the 2022 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

He played his junior football with Rover Junior Football Club in the Great Northern Junior Football League and was drafted from East Fremantle.

He and Jacob van Rooyen are Melbourne’s two Rising Star nominations so far this season.

ASHLEY BROWNE

a Giants-Suns clash garners much interest, but Sunday’s clash is one such time.

FREMANTLE (OPPORTUNITY

LONG MISSED): No shame in getting blown off the park by Collingwood last week. But losing to the similarly placed Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Richmond and GWS Giants the weeks before is where it all went pear-shaped for the Dockers. Such is the evenness of the season that they can still play finals if they win enough games from here, as unlikely as that is.

SYDNEY (OPPORTUNITY TAKEN): It might have taken a significant milestone (John Longmire’s 300th game as coach) to awaken them from their slumber, but they eked out a win against the Bulldogs last week and while they need to be perfect from here, there isn’t a game remaining where they would start as rank outsiders.

CATS PURRING AT RIGHT TIME

LAURENCE ROSEN

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of the reigning premiers Geelong finding its feet just as the pointy end of the season approaches.

Two-time premiership coach Chris Scott has continued to tell the football world throughout the club’s slow start to the season that he was comfortable with where his side was at, despite spending most of the season outside the top eight.

After their 77-point rout of Essendon last Saturday night, the Cats have rocketed up to fifth spot and are now well-placed heading into the final six games of the season.

Scott said their performance against the Bombers was the best of

ROUND 19 MILESTONES

COACH – CLUB LEADERBOARDS

CHRIS SCOTT

GEELONG

Will coach Geelong for the 304th time, equalling the club record held by Reg Hickey.

200 GAMES

TAYLOR ADAMS

COLLINGWOOD/GWS

CRAIG FLEER

FIELD UMPIRE

150 GAMES

ED LANGDON

MELBOURNE/ FREMANTLE

100 GAMES

TOM ATKINS

GEELONG

ALEX KEATH

W. BULLDOGS/ ADELAIDE

HARRY PERRYMAN

GWS GIANTS

ED RICHARDS

WESTERN BULLDOGS

CAMERON ZURHAAR

NORTH MELBOURNE

200 GAMES – CLUB

JACK CRISP

the season, praising his list’s depth as the injury cloud which has dogged them most of this year begins to clear.

“I think we’re in general getting closer to our best footy,” Scott said after the game.

“Even from a personnel perspective, we were confident going into this week that even though (Esava) Ratugolea and (Zach) Tuohy were managed out of the team, they were being replaced by Isaac Smith and Jeremy Cameron.

“We haven’t had that capacity much, if at all, this year. I think that alone is a sign we’re getting back to the position we’d like to be.

“The first quarter was dominant obviously but just generally it feels

like we’re getting close to our best footy which we’re pretty confident is going to be hard to beat.”

Things are about to become very real for the Cats as they eye becoming back-to-back premiers, with key clashes against Port Adelaide (round 21) and Collingwood (round 22) to come soon.

But before then, all eyes will be on the Gabba in the twilight on Saturday as they travel north to face Brisbane in what is now the toughest trip in football.

Geelong will still be outsiders for this game, but if it can somehow pull off an unlikely victory in front of an expected sold out Gabba, it opens all manner of possibilities with finals just seven weeks away.

COLLINGWOOD

Has not missed a game since joining the club ahead of the 2015 season.

TEAMMATES –

CLUB

LEADERBOARDS

TRENT COTCHIN & JACK RIEWOLDT

RICHMOND

Set to play their 290th game together, taking the outright club record from Kevin Bartlett and Francis Bourke (289 games).

HIGH FIVE: Tom Hawkins boots one of his five goals in Geelong’s thumping win over Essendon last Saturday night.

TASSIE STAR ENDS 33-YEAR LARKE WAIT

BRENDAN RHODES

Highly-rated midfielder Ryley Sanders has become just the second Tasmanian to win the Larke Medal after dominating in the Allies’ undefeated run to their inaugural AFL National Under-18 Championships title.

Sanders, 18, joins Paul Williams, who won the medal in 1990 before going on to play 306 games for Collingwood and Sydney including the Swans’ drought-breaking 2005 premiership, as the only Apple Islanders to be named player of the carnival in Division 1, while he is the first member of the composite team to win.

The North Launceston product racked up a whopping 143 disposals across the four matches at an average of 35.8 a game and a disposal efficiency of 80.4 per cent, adding 14.5 contested possessions, 6.3 marks, 5.0 clearances, 4.0 tackles and 5.8 inside-50s a game while also booting four goals.

Sanders polled 25 votes to beat fellow Tasmanian and Allies teammate Colby McKercher (20).

Votes were awarded by a panel chaired by AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan and including AFL National Academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer and AFL recruiters Adrian Caruso (GWS),

LARKE MEDALLISTS

2023 Ryley Sanders (Allies)

2022 Will Ashcroft (VM)

2020-21 Cancelled due to COVID

2019 Deven Robertson (WA)

2018 Sam Walsh (VC)

2017 Oscar Allen (WA)

2016 Jack Graham (SA)

2015 Josh Schache (VC)

2014 Christian Petracca (VM)

2013 Dom Sheed (WA)

2012 Lachie Whitfield (VC)

2011 Stephen Coniglio (WA)

2010 Harley Bennell (WA)

2009 D avid Swallow (WA) Andrew Hooper (VC)

2008 Jack Watts (VM)

2007 Cale Morton (WA)

2006 Tom Hawkins (VM)

2005 Marc Murphy (VM)

2004 Jesse Smith (VM)

2003 Kepler Bradley (WA)

2002 Byron Schammer (SA)

2001 Sam Power (VM) Steven Armstrong (WA)

2000 Kayne Pettifer (VC)

1999 Paul Hasleby (WA)

1998 Garth Taylor (WA)

1997 Tim Finocchiaro (VM)

Kade Nanscawen (Gold Coast), David McMullin (Fremantle) and Stephen Wells (Geelong).

He played in the Coates Talent League for Tasmania Devils in 2021 before moving to Melbourne and joining Sandringham Dragons, where he played in last year’s premiership and has averaged 31.3 disposals in three games this year while also playing both matches for the AFL Academy against state league opposition.

He picked up 20 disposals (eight contested) and six tackles against Port Adelaide Magpies and 24 touches (six contested) and six inside-50s against Carlton’s VFL team.

Sanders takes over the title of reigning Larke medallists from Brisbane Lions star Will Ashcroft,

while the previous winners include a who’s who of future AFL stars (see table right).

The Allies’ strength was shown in the fact that neither Sanders nor McKercher claimed their team’s MVP award, with that honour going to Albury’s Connor O’Sullivan, who plays for the Murray Bushrangers. Willunga’s Sid Draper, the brother of Collingwood player Arlo, was named South Australia’s MVP, with Claremont’s Daniel Curtin claiming Western Australia’s honour, East Brighton’s Oliver Murphy – another Dragon – taking out the Victoria Metro award.

The favourite for the NAB AFL Draft No. 1 pick, Tongala star Harley Reid, will return to Bendigo Pioneers with the Victoria Country MVP award tucked away in his kitbag.

VALE ALAN MORROW

u St Kilda is mourning the passing of Alan Morrow, the oldest and longest-serving member of the club’s treasured 1966 premiership team.

He passed away last week, aged 86. Originally from Sale in Victoria’s Gippsland region, he was athletic with a good leap, and despite measuring just 183cm, he played primarily in the ruck.

He planned to retire after a disappointing 1965 season that ended

with a broken foot in the losing Grand Final against Essendon but was talked into playing one more season. He moved to the backline for that final season, however Carl Ditterich’s suspension on the eve of the finals meant a move back to a following role for the finals.

In those frantic dying seconds of the 1966 Grand Final, he took the mark on the half-back flank just as the siren sounded, only moments after

1996 Pat Steinfort (VM)

1995 Luke Godden (VM) Ben Setchell (VC)

1994 Daniel Harford (VM)

1993 Shaun McManus (WA)

1992 Daniel Southern (WA)

1991 Robert Neill (ACT)

1990 Paul Williams (Tas)

1989 Ray Windsor (Qld)

1988 Robbie Wright (NSW)

1987 Steven Kolynuik (Vic)

1986 Stephen Lawrence (Qld)

1985 Jason Kerr (NSW)

1984 David Condon (NSW)

1983 Greg Anderson (SA)

1982 Michael Phyland (NSW)

1981 Paul Salmon (Vic)

1980 Darryl Murphy (ACT)

1979 Grant Campbell (WA)

1978 Mark Weideman (SA)

1977 Rodney Watts (Vic)

1976 Mick Woods (Vic)

Bob Murray’s mark, which thwarted Collingwood’s last attacking thrust.

Morrow played 163 games for the Saints and kicked 151 goals over 10 seasons. He came runner-up in the best and fairest on three occasions and was named in St Kilda’s Team of the 20th Century.

He captain-coached Dandenong to the VFA flag in 1967.

ASHLEY BROWNE

SPECIAL SAINT: Alan Morrow was a tower of strength for St Kilda over 163 games.

HOT PROPERTY: Ryley Sanders was voted the best player at the recent AFL National Under-18 Championships.

WHEN TWO TRIBES GO TO ‘WAR’

BRENDAN RHODES

As the blurb says, some clubs just have not seen eye to eye since the days they came into existence.

Rivalries go right to the heart of what sport – not just football – is all about, and Australian Football has some of the longest-running sagas of bad blood in the world.

Think Collingwood v Carlton, or Collingwood v anybody (although Essendon also features heavily). But Magpie supporters (and how they love it!) aren’t the only ones to get on the nerves of rival teams, as this new book from footy author Francis Doherty describes in detail – exploring the emotions of these rivalries rather than the statistics.

Rivalry: Famous Footy Feuds – The VFL Years describes itself as a book that “explores some of the most compelling ongoing sagas between the teams, battles which have developed over the past century”.

“Tensions built by strong personalities and rivalries created by geography have defined a unique footy folklore; a folklore that is characterised by vigorous competition and grudges and fueled by hungry fans and media who have fanned the flames”.

The book explores “the perpetual rivalry” of the Magpies and Blues and the “mutual disdain” of Carlton v Essendon, clubs that have butted heads for ever.

It also touches on the VFL’s first rivalry between Fitzroy and Collingwood; Footscray’s battles with Essendon when the Bulldogs were trying to join the competition in the 1920s; South Melbourne’s ‘Foreign Legion’ – the reason the Swans’ nickname came into lexicon – and their contests with Collingwood in the 1930s and ‘The Bush v The Smoke’ (Geelong v Collingwood) in the early 1950s.

The Magpies also waged metaphorical wars with Melbourne in the late 1950s and St Kilda in the 1960s, with Doherty also talking about the Battle of Windy Hill

between Essendon and Richmond in 1974; the Saints’ Moorabbin ‘Animal Enclosure’ and its stoush with the Bombers in 1978; the ding-dong showdowns between the Bombers and Hawthorn in the 1980s and the emergence of the Cats v Hawks disdain borne from the Mark Yeates v Dermott Brereton incident in the 1989 Grand Final that still runs deep today – fanned of course by the boilover of 2008.

Simply, from start to finish, this is a must-read for any footy fan.

BITTER BATTLES: There has never been any love lost when Collingwood has taken on Carlton over the years.

Rivalry: Famous Footy Feuds –The VFL Years, by Francis Doherty. RRP: $44.99. Available at Readings, Avenue bookstores, Benn’s Books, Neighbourhood Books and Paperback Books. For more information, email Francis Doherty at frdoherty@optusnet.com.au

EDITOR TO CALL IT A DAY

u After more than 20 years in the role, AFL Record editor Michael Lovett will be retiring at the end of the year.

Sports Entertainment Network CEO Craig Hutchison informed SEN staff during the week that Lovett, editor of the Record since 1997, will be finishing in December.

Lovett joined the Record in late 1996, having spent 22 years to that stage as a sports writer for various

newspapers and magazines including the Ballarat Courier, the Sporting Globe, the Melbourne Herald and Inside Football Lovett is second-longest serving editor of the Record The longest-serving editor was Bill Cathie who held the role for 30 years (1932-1962).

Lovett has worked under three proprietors of the Record –Slattery Media, the AFL and

(since 2018) SEN. He has also edited the AFL’s annual statistical publication, AFL Record Season Guide, every year since 1997. The 2024 edition will be his last as editor.

Lovett has also overseen special publications such as the pre-season Record and all AFLW publications since that competition started in 2017.

ASHLEY BROWNE

Given the importance it now holds in the game, it is hard to believe just how low-key the beginnings were for Friday night football.

It was a round 19 game at the SCG in 1983, featuring 10th-placed Sydney hosting eighth-placed Geelong. The SCG had lights installed by late 1978, but all VFL

MCG GETS LIT

 Despite its standing as the nation’s most hallowed sporting venue, several other stadiums were ahead of the MCG when it came to installing lights. Apart from the SCG, there was Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium), Football Park and VFL Park.

Night football had been played in Melbourne from as far back as 1956 at the old Lakeside Oval and then from 1977 at VFL Park, but not as part of the premiership season.

Indeed, night football had its detractors.

“The truth is that Australian football is designed for daytime, with the old-fashioned wind, rain and sunshine, using a leather ball on odd-shaped grounds,” Garrie Hutchison wrote in The Age.

games before and after the Swans moved to Sydney were played on Sunday afternoons. The game was switched to the Friday night only because of a venue clash with the Wallabies, who were playing Argentina the same weekend.

Channel Seven televised the game live back into Melbourne – as it did for all Swans

The otherwise-progressive VFL only considered night football for premiership points after the MCG lights were built for an international cricket tournament in the summer of 1985.

North Melbourne and Collingwood were awarded the first Friday night game at the MCG on the opening weekend of the season a few weeks later.

Hawthorn icon John Kennedy was coaching North for the first time while Bob Rose had come out of retirement to coach the Magpies. There was bedlam beforehand.

Both the League and the Melbourne Cricket Club vastly underestimated the interest in the game and well into the first quarter, several thousands of fans were still waiting to get into the ground. Eventually they broke through the

home games – but not one radio station, not even Geelong’s flagship 3GL (now K-Rock), turned up.

The Cats won by 66 points. Coach Tom Hafey was pleased because in the lead-up, he forecast that “three million people” would be watching and it was imperative that the Cats put on a good show.

Australian Football is designed for daytime

gates and stormed their way in. The listed crowd of 65,628; anecdotally, there were many more.

Interest in the game, however, was not matched by Channel Seven, which screened a British comedy and Hollywood’s Home Movies hosted by Bill Cosby, before a highlights package from the game came on at 9.30pm.

When North Melbourne and Carlton played the season’s only other Friday night game in round 14, Seven waited until 11pm before the highlights.

There were six Friday night games the following year, all featuring North Melbourne. The Kangaroos had become the third tenant club at the MCG, but Melbourne and Richmond retained preferred access to weekend fixturing.

BUDDY FRENZY: One of the biggest Friday night celebrations of all time occurred in round two last year when Swans star Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th career goal at the SCG.

LET THERE BE LIGHT: The MCG lit up for the first time on a Friday night when Collingwood played North Melbourne in round one, 1985.

KING CAREY

 By the early 1990s, Friday night games appeared in the fixture just about every week and with teams now located in every capital city, the re-badged AFL was able to send Victorian teams interstate and have them feature live on TV back into Victoria.

But the preponderance of North Melbourne Friday night games at the MCG was an issue.

The Kangaroos had a small following and were a mediocre team. It was reflected in both crowd numbers and TV ratings. Seven refused to show the games earlier than 9.30pm.

Enter Wayne Carey.

The appointment of Denis Pagan as North Melbourne coach in 1993 flicked the switch for Carey and he became a superstar, a swashbuckling key forward with the best sizzle reel in the game.

The Kangaroos became the most exciting team to watch, and ratings soared.

TV viewers started to complain that the games started too late, so in 1994, Seven brought them forward to 8.30pm on a 30-minute delay.

“It was still new,” former North midfielder David King said.

“Everyone would go to work on Friday knowing it was the ‘Carey Show’ every week. It was like reality TV at its best with the big fella kicking goals and taking a young team on the charge.”

Over three successive Friday nights in the middle of 1996, Carey kicked five goals against St Kilda, 11 against Melbourne and seven against Hawthorn.

The performance against the Demons, in which he had 31 touches and took 15 marks, mainly against fellow Hall of Famer David Neitz, might have been the greatest individual performance nobody ever saw.

There were barely 20,000 fans at the MCG that frigid night and because of a clash with the Atlanta Olympics, it was relegated to Seven’s fledgling Pay-TV channel, which had an audience of only a few thousand.

King said Friday night games were fantastic to play. They would have a 20-minute recovery session

the following morning and then not be required back at the club until late Monday afternoon.

“So, you can imagine what happened,” he laughed.

“It was great for us. We’d win games and then we’d be able to celebrate together and mix together.”

And he is one of many North people who still laments the club not claiming some sort of

It was the ‘Carey Show’ every week

MORE THAN A GAME

 After more than 30 years as the League’s lead broadcaster, the Seven Network lost the broadcast rights at the end of 2001.

One of media giant Kerry Packer’s fervent wishes before he died was to get a slice of the AFL TV rights and between 2002 and 2006, Channel Nine became the home of Friday night footy.

And with Eddie McGuire calling the shots on and off the airwaves, it became game’s biggest and best TV property outside of the Grand Final. Nine took it to a new level.

“We wanted to make it more like an actual TV show from start to finish,” said veteran sports reporter Tony Jones who was Nine’s boundary rider.

“The other principle was it had to be newsy. And that’s why they had journalists on the boundary.”

There had been some big news stories on Friday nights before Nine had the rights.

ownership of Friday night footy, given it pioneered the concept.

“If they had been able to secure Friday nights for 20 years, well, there’s your profit sorted straight away,” he said.

As the ratings surged, other clubs wanted in on the action and the AFL obliged.

Fellow MCG tenants Richmond and Essendon began to appear more frequently, while Collingwood snuck in for a few appearances as well.

In 1995, North Melbourne and Richmond played their qualifying final on a Friday night, the first League final in history not to be played on the weekend.

North Melbourne fans pelting Kevin Sheedy with marshmallows. The MCG scoreboard caught fire during the final home and away game of 1999 and fans had to be evacuated from the old Ponsford Stand. The Western Bulldogs snapped Essendon’s unbeaten run on a dramatic Friday night late in 2000.

But Nine enjoyed an incredible run of games in which the news triumphed the result.

Jason McCartney’s emotional comeback game for North Melbourne in 2003 after recovering from the Bali bombing was perhaps the most memorable.

It was a tightly held secret that he would announce his retirement to McGuire in the rooms after the game but the script changed as Jones interviewed him on the ground after the final siren.

“He just volunteered the information and that became one of the iconic Friday night moments,” Jones said.

Carey’s abrupt departure from the Kangaroos following revelations about his affair with Kelli Stevens, wife of teammate Anthony Stevens, was one of the biggest footy stories ever.

DAVID KING ON WAYNE CAREY

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie McGuire (above) blazed a trail on Channel Nine; (below) the TV guide shows how late Friday night footy first went to air.

BIG NEWS: Jason McCartney’s farewell game in 2003 and the MCG scoreboard fire in 1999 were two of the biggest events to unfold on a Friday night.

BOX OFFICE: Wayne Carey was the star of Friday night footy in the 1990s.

So, his first game for Adelaide against the Kangaroos in 2003 at the then Telstra Dome was always going to be massive.

“I remember we had the cameras parked as close to the away rooms as possible, almost through the door,” Jones recalled.

“When the team arrived, we were there with the cameras and Carey obviously didn’t want to say anything.

“But then when the match unfolded everyone was just waiting for some sort of a confrontation between Glenn Archer and Stevens with Carey, and then it eventuated.”

Nathan Brown’s horrific leg break, Danny Frawley being spat upon by disgruntled Richmond fans, Justin Longmuir’s miraculous goal after the siren for Fremantle against St Kilda (which sparked the ‘Whispers in the Sky’ scandal the following day that Jones was front and centre of) are just some of the memorable Friday night games that Nine televised in its time.

BACK TO WHERE IT STARTED

 Seven knew it had inherited a different beast when it got the AFL broadcast rights back in 2007.

It then became an attendance and ratings behemoth, with acclaimed commentators Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti delivering a world-class broadcast every Friday night.

“Working together they were opposites – Bruce statistically driven and Dennis with his oneliners – to the point where Dennis would sit to call and Bruce would stand,” Seven’s head of sport Lewis Martin said.

“They represent an important time that can never be replaced.

“Both men gave so much to the great game and played a crucial role as broadcasters in the evolution of Friday night football.”

It is now a four-hour production for Seven, with a comprehensive pre-game show and an hour-long post-game show that usually includes the coaches post-game media conference.

The verbal jousting between then news reporter Mark Stevens and Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse became the ‘fifth quarter’ for a time.

Having McGuire at the helm of the broadcast was controversial given he was also Collingwood president.

Packer insisted he call every game including Collingwood’s, even though it cost the network the services of the accomplished Tim Lane who felt it to be an unworkable conflict of interest.

“He (Packer) knew that if you weren’t a Collingwood supporter, you’d be willing them to lose just to hear Eddie’s reaction on the commentary,” Jones said.

“It was a bit of a challenge for Garry Lyon and Dermott Brereton doing the special comments if some umpiring decisions didn’t go Collingwood’s way. Eddie would look at them as if to say, ‘What about that?’”

And now we have ‘Roaming Brian’, 20 minutes of unscripted mayhem from the winning team’s rooms featuring long-time caller Brian Taylor, who roams the rooms looking for an interview target – be it a player, a player’s mum and dad, a player’s mate or a club official.

It has been unashamedly borrowed from Martin Brundle’s pit lane walk on the Sky Sports Formula One telecast.

“It’s rare in this age of TV,” Martin said.

“It’s loose, it’s dangerous, and as a producer you’ve got to hang on to your hat a bit because you never really know what he’s going to do next. It’s that high risk that makes it so entertaining.”

Seven’s crowning Friday night moment arguably came last season at the SCG when Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th goal. The adulation and chaos that followed captivated millions of viewers around Australia and elsewhere.

AFTER BEFORE &

“It had everything,” Martin said.

“The build-up, the suspense right up to the fourth quarter, the scenes from the crowd, players stuck outside the ground. I’d never seen anything like it before.”

Friday night football has become a showcase for players and plenty make sure to have a haircut or some new body art just for the occasion.

It has also become a performance carrot, with the AFL making no apologies for reserving the prized timeslot for the better performing clubs.

Sponsors love Friday nights for the exposure it offers.

Across both Seven and Fox Footy, more than 500,000 viewers watch the games each week. Big games and finals can double that figure.

For home teams it can be a goldmine, especially against high-drawing Collingwood, Carlton or Richmond. Every corporate table is filled and the stands are packed.

Thursday night football is increasing in popularity and within two years there will be 15 games per season, but as Martin says, “There’s something sacred about Friday night football. We’re talking about a 40-year tradition.”

With the TV rights locked away until 2034, Seven plans to grow the product, although in a couple of years as part of the new agreement, Foxtel will have its own commentary and production team in place. Viewers will be spoilt for choice.

“Friday Night Footy has become almost ritualistic,” Martin said.

“For many, it signals the end of the working week, a time to sit down, relax and watch the footy on the telly.

“Friday nights have become appointment viewing regardless of if your team is playing. You’re coming for the show. It’s blockbuster and it’s entertaining.”

@hashbrowne

TV TRIM: Tom Papley took the primetime haircut to a Thursday night routine in rounds 17 and 18.

DREAM TEAM: Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti were the perfect Friday night pairing while Brian Taylor (below) in his popular ‘Roaming Brian’ segment each Friday.

BEST OF ENEMIES: Wayne Carey and former teammate Glenn Archer face off in 2003.

WHO’S FLYING

Each week throughout the 2023 season we will present Who’s Flying, a series of stories which will encapsulate everything that is good about our great game. It could be a star player, a coach who has inspired his men or a team that is – pardon the pun –flying. BRENDAN RHODES says Sam Taylor is one of the reasons the Giants are running hot.

The old saying that forwards sell tickets and defence wins premierships has a lot of truth to it, and the fact the GWS Giants are back in the finals race on the back of five consecutive wins is due in no small part to Sam Taylor.

How many of you just said: “Who?”

It’s a fair bet Taylor doesn’t care about the answer to that question, but he is a genuine star for the Giants who deserves to be considered alongside the ilk of high-profile stars Toby Greene, Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield and Tom Green.

And it was Taylor who was a key catalyst for their stunning comeback win over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval last Saturday night.

Crows ace Taylor Walker had got off to a rollicking start, booting 2.1 by the opening minute of the second quarter as his team built a 24-point lead midway through the term.

But then Taylor went to another level, conceding only one more behind and putting up a game-turning 21 disposals, of which were 16 intercepts and 14 contested, six marks, seven rebound-50s and 366 metres gained.

Still only 24 and with 85 games and an All-Australian blazer in his wardrobe, Taylor is ranked No. 1 in the AFL for intercepts a game and is

averaging 13.9 disposals, 5.3 marks and 3.3 rebounds.

It is no surprise that GWS has not been beaten since he returned from a serious hamstring injury in round 14.

And with the Giants facing Gold Coast (Ben King), Western Bulldogs (Aaron Naughton), Sydney (Lance Franklin), Port Adelaide (Charlie Dixon), Essendon (Peter Wright) and Carlton (Charlie Curnow) between now and the end of the season, he is

a major part of why the Giants will or won’t make the finals in Adam Kingsley’s first season at the helm.

FOOTY FUN FACTS

Mason Cox is one of the AFL’s best international recruits. The Texan was working as an engineer in the oil industry when he was spotted by Collingwood during the 2014 US International Combine.

IMPENETRABLE: Giants defender Sam Taylor is ranked No. 1 in the AFL for intercepts a game this season.

JACK SILVAGNI & JESSE MOTLOP

CARLTON v PORT ADELAIDE Marvel Stadium, July 15

u The Blues are back, baby.

There were promising signs in the round 14 win against Gold Coast and, after the bye, they were confirmed in another dominant performance over Hawthorn in round 16.

Michael Voss’ men then suffocated Fremantle out west in round 17 and last week they came up against Port Adelaide hot off a 13-game winning streak.

The Blues kicked 18.14 (122) against a side that hadn’t conceded more than 14 goals since round three.

For the first time in its history, Carlton has won four consecutive games by 50 or more points and is again among the form teams of the competition.

Last Saturday evening, Jack Silvagni was the man who kickstarted the Blues’ triumph.

Playing inside forward 50, the 25-year-old had seven disposals, took three marks and kicked 2.1 in the first half as Carlton opened up a five-goal lead at half-time.

By the final siren, his stats sheet had everything: four goals, 19 disposals, 11 score involvements, five marks, four tackles, 10 hit-outs and three clearances. It was far and away Silvagni’s best game of the season.

Another season-best performance saw Jesse Motlop kick four goals.

The 19-year-old hadn’t kicked more than two goals in 2023, but his three majors in the second term were imperative as Carlton broke the game open.

It was some performance given Motlop came in as a late replacement for the injured Matthew Owies.

SEB MOTTRAM

AFL TRIVIA QUESTION #13

When was the last official AFL State of Origin game?

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McGRATH’S MEMORABLE MIRACLE

An iconic moment in the greatest game of all deserves commentary to match. And there is no doubt Ash McGrath’s arguably most iconic moment of any player celebrating their 200th AFL match will forever be even more memorable simply because of four simple words from Anthony Hudson in the commentary box.

A Google search for “The Miracle On Grass” instantly brings up pages of videos and stories of the evening of Sunday, June 23, 2013, when the Brisbane Lions found themselves 52 points behind Geelong at the 22-minute mark of the third quarter before edging back to within 38 at the final change.

Then came a stunning blitz, with the Lions banging on seven goals to one to get within a point as the clock ran down.

Even with just 25 seconds to go it looked like the comeback would fall short when Geelong star Joel Corey pumped a long kick to the

teeth of the Cats’ goal. But Daniel Merrett clunked a big contested mark at the top of the square and the Lions rolled the dice.

It wasn’t necessarily clean –Merrett was called to play on under pressure and then Lion Elliot Yeo scrubbed a kick to the flank where Simon Black gathered expertly and bit off the 45-degree kick under pressure to Joel Patfull at centre half-back.

He played on quickly, hitting a diving Jed Adcock in a one-on-one in the centre circle, with a risky handball from a sitting position finding Dayne Zorko on the run and his kick hit McGrath 48m out with just one second to spare.

With a heaving Gabba crowd, his teammates, Cats players and a pensive audience watching on around the country, McGrath, who had had just seven disposals (for two goals) before that moment, set sail from 55m and split the middle to complete what was the biggest comeback in the combined

The miracle on grass

COMMENTATOR ANTHONY

HUDSON DESCRIBING THE LIONS’ COMEBACK WIN

ROUND 13, 2013

history of Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears and the equal-eighth biggest retrieval in VFL/AFL history. Black finished with 33 disposals for the Lions to lead all comers, with Daniel Rich (25, two goals), Jack Redden (24) and Brent Moloney (22, three goals) all prominent, while Steve Johnson (two goals), Jimmy Bartel, Mathew Stokes and Joel Selwood all had 31 possessions for the Cats and Tom Hawkins booted three goals.

Brisbane Lions 3.2 5.4 7.8 15.13 (103)

Geelong 5.3 9.7 13.10 14.14 (98)

BEST: Brisbane Lions – Moloney, McGrath, Rich, Black, Redden. Geelong – Bartel, Johnson, Blicavs, Selwood, Stokes, Enright.

GOALS: Brisbane Lions – McGrath 3, Moloney 3, Rich 2, Lisle, Patfull, Brown, Zorko, Adcock, Hanley, Golby. Geelong – Hawkins 3, Christensen 2, Motlop 2, Johnson 2, Mackie, Guthrie, Murdoch, Blicavs, Podsiadly.

Substitutes: Brisbane Lions – Harwood (replaced Mayes during the third quarter); Geelong – Stringer (replaced Murdoch during the third quarter). Umpires: C. Donlon, J. Bannister, S. Wenn. Crowd: 24,164 at the Gabba.

ICE COOL: Ash McGrath kicks the winning goal in his 200th game and (inset) then celebrates in step with teammate Daniel Merrett.

What I’m thinking

with Ashley Browne

Buyer Beware

key forward, because if he is going to play a part in Melbourne’s push for the finals, it won’t be as a ruckman.

On paper, it seemed like a grand idea.

Melbourne had won the premiership just 12 months beforehand with a ruck tandem that was the talk of the game.

Max Gawn was already the best ruckman in the competition in the eyes of many, yet along came Luke Jackson, in just his second season, as the perfect foil.

Gawn did most of the heavy lifting, but Jackson gave the team plenty as a relief ruckman and mobile midfielder.

Memorably, it was Jackson who was taking the centre bounces late in the third quarter of the 2021 Grand Final as the Demons went on that unforgettable surge that broke the game open and sealed the premiership.

Gawn was resting on the bench and when asked whether he was ready to go back on, he was happy for Jackson to continue.

So, when Jackson elected to return to Western Australia at the end of last season, Brodie Grundy was the shiny toy on the top shelf of the department store that the Demons could not resist reaching for.

If Gawn wasn’t the rest ruckman in the competition these past few years, it was Grundy, yet if Collingwood was happy to keep paying a chunk of the remaining five years on his contract to move him on, then that was the cherry on the top of the cake for Melbourne.

Yet here we are with the run home to the finals and Grundy is in the VFL, taking a crash course in becoming a

His quest started in front of, reportedly, “30 people and a dog” in a 15-a-side hit-out against St Kilda’s leftovers last weekend and will continue in the VFL this week.

At 29, having been the No. 1 ruckman his entire career, Grundy is leaving it until quite late in his career to be reprogrammed and as his long-time coach Nathan Buckley said on SEN 1116 last Monday: “Brodie Grundy is not a forward and he never will be. He never will be.”

If the Demons are experiencing any sort of buyer’s remorse, they are not about to say so.

But they only have to look at the massive influence Gawn had in the dying stages of Melbourne’s magnificent comeback win over Brisbane last Friday to know in their heart of hearts that Grundy is unlikely to play again this year at senior level unless he can somehow reincarnate himself as Tony Lockett.

A similar story is playing out at Whitten Oval.

Rory Lobb and the Western Bulldogs had been flirting with each other for months and the trade with Fremantle was consummated moments before the closing deadline last October. But did the Bulldogs really need him?

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan had been a slow burn, but his undeniable talent came to the fore towards the end of last season.

The spring-heeled Aaron Naughton had already established his bona fides as one of the most exciting key forwards in the AFL.

And father-son selection Sam Darcy has been added to the Bulldogs’ enviable collection of key forwards.

There was some fleeting excitement after a big pre-season win over North Melbourne in which the quartet combined for 10 goals, that the four-talls arrangement could work.

But it hasn’t really translated to the regular season and Lobb spent last Friday in the VFL where he played well. But at AFL level, he and the club have work to do.

The AFL trade period consumes everyone, and it even has its own radio station.

Grundy to Melbourne had been flagged for a considerable period in the lead-up, but such were the credits that the Demons and their excellent list management team had in the bank, there was little critical commentary around their move to sign the Magpie big man.

The same with Lobb.

The AFL trade media industrial complex need to barrack less for the trades to happen and work harder on explaining their merits and otherwise.

The Grundy and Lobb trades were questionable at the time and warranted more scrutiny than they received.

So, my wish for the forthcoming trade period is less of, “How good is this?” and more of, “How is this going to work?”

Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs traded big time to secure Brodie Grundy and Rory Lobb respectively, but has it worked out?

FORWARD OR BUST: Brodie Grundy will have to be re-cast as a forward if he is to force his way back into the Demons’ line-up.

Brodie Grundy is not a forward and he never will be

NATHAN BUCKLEY

MISSED LOBB: Rory Lobb has been expendable in a talent-laden Bulldogs’ attack.

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

ROUND 13

Thursday, June 8

Syd 9.12 (66) v StK 12.8 (80) (SCG) (N)

Friday, June 9

WB 13.7 (85) v PA 16.11 (107) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, June 10

Haw 15.8 (98) v BL 11.7 (73) (MCG)

Adel 27.12 (174) v WCE 8.4 (52) (AO) (T)

Frem 10.10 (70) v Rich 12.13 (85) (OS) (T)

Sunday, June 11

NM 11.9 (75) v GWS 15.13 (103) (BA)

Carl 6.16 (52) v Ess 13.8 (86) (MCG) (N)

Monday, June 12

Melb 8.18 (66) v Coll 9.8 (62) (MCG)

Byes: Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns

ROUND 14

Thursday, June 15

PA 16.14 (110) v Geel 11.6 (72) (AO) (N)

Friday, June 16

BL 13.19 (97) v Syd 12.9 (81) (G) (N)

Saturday, June 17

GWS 16.10 (106) v Frem 5.6 (36) (GS) (T)

Rich 13.12 (90) v StK 11.4 (70) (MCG) (N)

Sunday, June 18

Carl 18.12 (120) v GCS 8.13 (61) (MCG)

NM 13.6 (84) v WB 15.15 (105) (MRVL) (T)

Byes: Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne, West Coast Eagles

ROUND 15

Thursday, June 22

Geel 11.12 (78) v Melb 8.15 (63) (GMHBA) (N)

Friday, June 23

StK 8.8 (56) v BL 12.12 (84) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, June 24

Syd 31.19 (205) v WCE 5.4 (34) (SCG) (T)

Frem 14.9 (93) v Ess 9.7 (61) (OS) (T)

Sunday, June 25

Coll 12.10 (82) v Adel 11.14 (80) (MCG)

GCS 14.17 (101) v Haw 5.4 (34) (HBS) (T)

Byes: Carlton, GWS Giants, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, Western Bulldogs

ROUND 16

Thursday, June 29

BL 20.14 (134) v Rich 7.11 (53) (G) (N)

Friday, June 30

Syd 6.18 (54) v Geel 7.12 (54) (SCG) (N)

Saturday, July 1

WB 16.6 (102) v Frem 11.7 (73) (MRVL) (N)

Adel 21.12 (138) v NM 11.6 (72) (AO)

GCS 5.12 (42) v Coll 18.12 (120) (HBS) (T)

Ess 10.14 (74) v PA 11.12 (78) (MCG) (N)

Sunday, July 2

Haw 7.10 (52) v Carl 17.10 (112) (MCG)

Melb 5.15 (45) v GWS 7.5 (47) (TIO)

WCE 12.5 (77) v StK 12.13 (85) (OS)

ROUND 17

Thursday, July 6

Rich 12.16 (88) v Syd 11.9 (75) (MCG) (N)

Friday, July 7

WB 11.11 (77) v Coll 13.11 (89) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, July 8

BL 16.20 (116) v WCE 5.5 (35) (Gabba)

GWS 12.13 (85) v Haw 10.12 (72) (GS)

StK 8.10 (58) v Melb 12.7 (79) (MRVL) (N)

PA 16.10 (106) v GCS 11.7 (73) (AO) (N)

Sunday, July 9

Geel 19.11 (125) v NM 9.9 (63) (GMHBA)

Ess 17.13 (115) v Adel 15.7 (97) (MRVL)

Frem 6.9 (45) v Carl 14.14 (98) (OS) (T)

ROUND 18

Thursday, July 13

Syd 11.12 (78) v WB 11.10 (76) (SCG) (N)

Friday, July 14

Melb 16.9 (105) v BL 16.8 (104) (MCG) (N)

Saturday, July 15

Coll 18.5 (113) v Frem 10.7 (67) (MCG)

GCS 11.11 (77) v StK 8.3 (51) (HBS)

Carl 18.14 (122) v PA 10.12 (72) (MRVL) (T)

Geel 18.14 (122) v Ess 7.3 (45) (GMHBA) (N)

Adel 8.9 (57) 6.4 (40) v GWS 10.11 (71) (AO) (N)

Sunday, July 16

ROUND 19

Friday, July 21

Essendon v Western Bulldogs (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, July 22

Richmond v Hawthorn (MCG)

Carlton v West Coast Eagles (MRVL)

Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats (G) (T)

Port Adelaide v Collingwood (AO) (N)

Fremantle v Sydney Swans (OS) (N)

Sunday, July 23

GWS Giants v Gold Coast Suns (MO)

Melbourne v Adelaide Crows (MCG)

St Kilda v North Melbourne (MRVL) (T)

ROUND 20

Friday, July 28

Collingwood v Carlton (MCG) (N)

Saturday, July 29

Geelong Cats v Fremantle (GMHBA)

Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants (MARS)

Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions (HBS) (T)

Essendon v Sydney Swans (MRVL) (N)

Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide (AO) (N)

Sunday, July 30

Hawthorn v St Kilda (MRVL)

Richmond v Melbourne (MCG)

West Coast Eagles v North Melbourne (OS) (T)

ROUND 21

Friday, August 4

Western Bulldogs v Richmond (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, August 5

Essendon v West Coast Eagles (MRVL)

Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast Suns (AO)

Hawthorn v Collingwood (MCG) (T)

Geelong Cats v Port Adelaide (GMHBA) (N)

GWS Giants v Sydney Swans (GS) (N)

Sunday, August 6

North Melbourne v Melbourne (BA)

St Kilda v Carlton (MRVL)

Fremantle v Brisbane Lions (OS) (T)

ROUND 22

Friday, August 11

Collingwood v Geelong Cats (MCG) (N)

Saturday, August 12

North Melbourne v Essendon (MRVL)

Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns (SCG)

Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Crows (G) (T)

Carlton v Melbourne (MCG) (N)

West Coast Eagles v Fremantle (OS) (N)

Sunday, August 13

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs (UTAS)

St Kilda v Richmond (MRVL)

Port Adelaide v GWS Giants (AO) (T)

ROUND 23

Friday, August 18

Collingwood v Brisbane Lions (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, August 19

Richmond v North Melbourne (MCG)

Gold Coast Suns v Carlton (HBS)

GWS Giants v Essendon (GS) (T)

St Kilda v Geelong Cats (MRVL) (N)

Adelaide Crows v Sydney Swans (AO) (N)

Sunday, August 20

Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles (MRVL)

Melbourne v Hawthorn (MCG)

Fremantle v Port Adelaide (OS) (T)

ROUND 24

Round starts Friday, August 25*

Brisbane Lions v St Kilda (G)

Carlton v GWS Giants (MRVL)

Essendon v Collingwood (MCG)

Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs (GMHBA)

Hawthorn v Fremantle (MCG)

North Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns (BA)

Port Adelaide v Richmond (AO)

Sydney Swans v Melbourne (SCG)

West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows (OS)

2023 TOYOTA AFL FINALS SERIES

Date TBC

Week One – Qualifying & Elimination Finals (4)

Date TBC

Week Two – Semi-Finals (2)

Date TBC

Week Three – Preliminary Finals (2)

Date TBC

Week Four – Toyota AFL Grand Final

Byes: Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, St Kilda, Sydney Swans

*Matches in round 24 are listed alphabetically with timeslots to be determined at a later date.

SCOREBOARD – ROUND 18

Sydney Swans 2 .3 6.7 8.9 11.12 (78)

Western Bulldogs 5.4 6.4 9.6 11.10 (76)

BEST: Sydney Swans – Gulden, Rowbottom, Parker, Florent, Papley, McInerney. Western Bulldogs – English, Liberatore, Bontempelli, Naughton, Richards, Treloar.

GOALS: Sydney Swans – Papley 4, Franklin 2, Florent 2, Rowbottom, Amartey, Heeney. Western Bulldogs – Naughton 3, Bontempelli 2, Liberatore, Vandermeer, Poulter, Weightman, Scott, Ugle-Hagan.

Substitutes: Sydney Swans – Clarke (replaced Melican); Western Bulldogs – Garcia (replaced O’Donnell).

AFL Coaches Votes: 10 Bontempelli (WB), 8 Gulden (Syd), 4 English (WB), 4 Papley (Syd), 3 Liberatore (WB), 1 Naughton (WB).

Umpires: J. Broadbent, H. Gavine, S. Meredith, J. Power.

Crowd: 26,221 at the SCG.

Melbourne 6.2 8.3 12.4 16.9 (105)

Brisbane Lions 3.3 8.4 15.7 16.8 (104)

BEST: Melbourne – Petracca, Gawn, Brayshaw, Viney, Pickett, Melksham. Brisbane Lions – Daniher, McCluggage, Neale, Ashcroft, Andrews, Bailey.

GOALS: Melbourne – Petracca 4, Pickett 3, Melksham 2, Neal-Bullen, Brown, Spargo, Bowey, Woewodin, Gawn, Viney. Brisbane Lions – Gunston 3, McCarthy 2, Bailey 2, Cameron 2, Daniher 2, McInerney, Ashcroft, Fletcher, Lyons, Hipwood.

Substitutes: Melbourne – J. Smith (replaced Petty); Brisbane Lions –Robertson (replaced Berry).

AFL Coaches Votes: 10 Gawn (Melb), 8 Petracca (Melb), 6 Daniher (BL), 3 Melksham (Melb), 2 Bailey (BL), 1 Viney (Melb).

Umpires: R. Findlay, A. Gianfagna, M. Nicholls, N. Williamson.

Crowd: 38,030 at the MCG.

Collingwood 4.1 14.2 16.4 18.5 (113)

Fremantle 3.2 5.3 7.4 10.7 (67)

BEST: Collingwood – N. Daicos, Adams, J. Daicos, Elliott, Moore, Crisp.

Fremantle – Brayshaw, O’Meara, Erasmus, Jackson, Ryan.

GOALS: Collingwood – Elliott 4, Johnson 3, McStay 2, Adams 2, Pendlebury, Hill, Frampton, J. Daicos, N. Daicos, Crisp, Cox.

Fremantle – Treacy 3, Sturt 2, Jackson 2, O’Meara, Banfield, Amiss.

Substitutes: Collingwood – Mitchell (replaced Pendlebury); Fremantle – O’Driscoll (replaced Walker).

AFL Coaches Votes: 9 Adams (Coll), 8 N. Daicos (Coll), 4 J. Daicos (Coll), 3 Moore (Coll), 3 De Goey (Coll), 2 Elliott (Coll), 1 Maynard (Coll).

Umpires: N. Foot, B. Hosking, D. Johanson, B. Rosebury.

Crowd: 61,157 at the MCG.

Gold Coast Suns 3.2 5.6 9.7 11.11 (77)

St Kilda 0.1 2 .2 5.3 8.3 (51)

BEST: Gold Coast Suns – Flanders, Powell, N. Anderson, Atkins, Lukosius, Witts, Holman. St Kilda – Windhager, Wanganeen-Milera, Sharman, Hill, Crouch.

GOALS: Gold Coast Suns – Lukosius 4, Atkins 2, Macpherson, Humphrey, Casboult, N. Anderson, Ainsworth. St Kilda – Sharman 3, Wood, Phillipou, Marshall, Gresham, Caminiti.

Substitutes: Gold Coast Suns – Fiorini (replaced Oea); St Kilda – Clark (replaced Phillipou).

AFL Coaches Votes: 10 N. Anderson (GCS), 6 Atkins (GCS), 5 Flanders (GCS), 4 Witts (GCS), 4 Powell (GCS), 1 Lukosius (GCS).

Umpires: A. Adair, P. Bailes, A. Heffernan, A. Stephens. Crowd: 13,015 at Heritage Bank Stadium.

BEST: Carlton – Cripps, Newman, Silvagni, Acres, Docherty, De Koning.

Port Adelaide – Houston, Rozee, T. Marshall, Drew, Wines.

GOALS: Carlton – Silvagni 4, Motlop 4, C. Curnow 3, Cottrell 2, Cripps, Martin, Cuningham, Fogarty, Newman. Port Adelaide – T. Marshall 3, Rozee 2, Powell-Pepper, McEntee, Lord, Byrne-Jones, Butters.

Substitutes: Carlton – Dow (replaced McKay); Port Adelaide – Burton (replaced Byrne-Jones).

AFL Coaches Votes: 10 Silvagni (Carl), 8 Cripps (Carl), 6 Houston (PA), 2 De Koning (Carl), 2 C. Curnow (Carl), 2 Newman (Carl).

Umpires: R. Chamberlain, C. Dore, C. Fleer, B. Wallace.

Crowd: 34,306 at Marvel Stadium.

Geelong 7.5 9.10 14.11 18.14 (122)

Essendon 0.1 3.2 4.2 7.3 (45)

BEST: Geelong – Atkins, Hawkins, Holmes, Miers, Blicavs, Z. Guthrie, Stengle. Essendon – Hobbs, Parish, Bryan, Heppell.

GOALS: Geelong – Hawkins 5, Stengle 3, Close 2, Blicavs 2, Miers, Dangerfield, O. Henry, Rohan, O’Connor, Cameron. Essendon – Stringer, Wright, Menzie, Snelling, Bryan, Langford, Guelfi.

Substitutes: Geelong – Mullin (replaced Dangerfield); Essendon – Hind (replaced Laverde).

AFL Coaches Votes: 8 Stewart (Geel), 7 Holmes (Geel), 6 Hawkins (Geel), 5 Atkins (Geel), 2 J. Henry (Geel), 1 Miers (Geel), 1 Close (Geel).

Umpires: C. Donlon, R. O’Gorman, N. Toner, A. Whetton. Crowd: 23,185 at GMHBA Stadium.

GWS Giants 3.4 3.6 5.9 10.11 (71)

Crows 4.3 6.5 8.8 8.9 (57)

BEST: GWS Giants – Kelly, Greene, Whitfield, Taylor, Coniglio, Perryman. Adelaide Crows – Dawson, Laird, Murphy, Smith, Hinge.

GOALS: GWS Giants – Greene 3, Himmelberg, Hogan, Kelly, Cadman, Brown, Fahey, Lloyd. Adelaide Crows –Walker 2, Thilthorpe, Rachele, McAdam, Laird, Jones, Keays.

Substitutes: Adelaide Crows – McHenry (replaced McAdam); GWS Giants – Fahey (replaced Cadman).

AFL Coaches Votes: 10 Taylor (GWS), 7 Kelly (GWS), 6 Greene (GWS), 4 Dawson (Adel), 2 Coniglio (GWS), 1 Whitfield (GWS).

Umpires: C. Deboy, L. Haussen, J. Howorth, J. Mollison.

36,674 at Adelaide Oval.

BEST: Hawthorn – Worpel, Amon, Newcombe, Impey, Frost, Nash, Hardwick, Nash. North Melbourne – Davies-Uniacke, Scott, Sheezel, Ford, Shiels.

GOALS: Hawthorn – Lewis 3, Breust 3, Worpel, Impey, Grainger-Barras, Brockman, Amon, C. Macdonald. North Melbourne – Curtis 2, Tucker, Larkey, Ford, Davies-Uniacke.

Substitutes: North Melbourne – Ziebell (replaced Wardlaw); Hawthorn – Grainger-Barras (replaced Greene).

AFL Coaches Votes: 10 Worpel (Haw), 8 Amon (Haw), 6 Newcombe (Haw), 2 Impey (Haw), 2 C. MacDonald (Haw), 1 Nash (Haw), 1 Hardwick (Haw

Umpires: H. Birch, J. Broadbent, J. Power, P. Rebeschini. Crowd:

Marvel

BEST: Richmond – D. Rioli, Balta, Taranto, Soldo, Bolton, Martin. West Coast Eagles – Kelly, Sheed, Gaff, Barrass, Allen, Witherden.

GOALS: Richmond – Pickett 2, Bolton 2, Martin 2, Taranto, Soldo, Ross, Riewoldt, Prestia, Miller, Baker, McIntosh. West Coast Eagles – Allen 3, B. Williams, Darling, Maric, Long, Duggan.

Substitutes: West Coast Eagles – Gaff (replaced Ginbey); Richmond – Ralphsmith (replaced M. Rioli).

AFL Coaches Votes: 10 D. Rioli (Rich), 6 Bolton (Rich), 5 Martin (Rich), 5 Balta (Rich), 4 Kelly (WCE).

Umpires: L. Fisher, C. Jones, M. Rodger, E. Tee.

Crowd: 40,501 at Optus Stadium.

COATES TALENT LEAGUE – ROUND 13, PART 2

Tasmania Devils 1.4 5.7 11.9 13.17 (95)

Oakleigh Chargers 2 .3 4.4 6.5 8.7 (55)

Best: Tasmania Devils – McKercher, Vandam, Elmer, Dolliver, Mapley, Douglas. Oakleigh Chargers – McCarthy, Walters, Retschko, Martin,

TSL – ROUND 14

STATE LEAGUE

Clarence 1.2 9.4 9.6 18.9 (117)

Glenorchy 0.2 2 .4 4.9 8.11 (59)

Best: Clarence – Norton, Preshaw, Ryan, Bealey, Holmes, Green. Glenorchy –Blowfield, Duffy, Thompson, Whitford, Arnold, M. Dilger.

Goals: Clarence – Alomes 4, Green 3, Preshaw 3, Norton 2, Ryan 2, McGee 2, Garland, Holmes. Glenorchy – Blowfield 3, Clark 2, Joseph 2, Whitford.

Kingborough 3.2 4.4 4.6 9.10 (64)

Launceston 3.2 5.4 7.6 9.6 (60)

Best: Kingborough – Webb, Donnelly, Golding, Cole, W. Clifford, Gardner.

Launceston – Palfreyman, House, Foley, Jones, Hyatt, Tyrrell.

Goals: Kingborough – Collidge 3, Carter 2, Lovell 2, Campbell, Tomkinson.

Launceston – House 2, Hyatt 2, Palfreyman 2, Presnell 2, Jones.

AFLCA Champion Player of the Year

Melbourne

77 Zak Butters Port Adelaide

70 Lachie Neale Brisbane Lions

66 Marcus Bontempelli Western Bulldogs

65 Noah Anderson Gold Coast Suns

65 Zach Merrett Essendon

63 Connor Rozee Port Adelaide

62 Jordan Dawson Adelaide

62 Tim Taranto Richmond

LEADING GOALKICKERS

Best: North Launceston – Bennett, L. Mitchell, Hubbard, Griffiths, Avent, Simpson. Lauderdale – Martin, Shaw, Sookee, Franklin, Bellchambers, Blackburn.

Goals: North Launceston – Cox-Goodyer 2, Griffiths 2, Ives 2, Leary 2, Mansell, B. Mitchell, Pitt. Lauderdale – Siggins 3, Bellchambers, Blackburn, Christensen, Hooker, Walsh.

Bye: North Hobart

LADDER: Kingborough 40 (204.7%), North Launceston 40 (163.4%), Launceston 28 (119.9%), Clarence 28 (91.9%), Lauderdale 16 (91.4%), North Hobart 16 (78.8%), Glenorchy 0 (37.0%).

VFL –ROUND17

Footscray 4.3 8.7 12.12 17.16 (118)

Sydney 1.2 3.4 5.6 8.8 (56)

Best: Footscray – Baker, Sullivan, Gallagher, Sweet, Macpherson, McComb. Sydney – Roberts, Hickey, Rankin, Stephens, Gould, Mitchell.

Goals: Footscray – Khamis 4, Baker 3, Gallagher 2, A. Jones 2, Lobb 2, McLean, Orgill, Sullivan, Sweet. Sydney – Gould 2, Hickey 2, Ladhams 2, Buller, McAndrew.

Richmond 3.2 8.4 11.5 15.8 (98)

Southport 2 .5 4.7 11.9 12.13 (85)

Best: Richmond – Street, Dow, Trezise, El Nour, Cumberland, Green. Southport – McQueen, Crossley, Dawson, Woodcock, Heron, Molloy.

Goals: Richmond – Bradtke 3, Cumberland 2, Mansell 2, Bravo, Clarke, Coulthard, Dow, Melville, Nyuon, Sonsie, Yassine. Southport – McQueen 3, Lockhart 2, Thurlow 2, Crossley, Fields, Foggo, Sexton, Shannon. Werribee

Best: Werribee – J. Henderson, Annand, Garoni, Brew, Malual, Keast.

Northern Bullants –Johnson, Newitt, Edwards, O’Dwyer, Fritsch, Honey.

Goals: Werribee – Garoni 5, Clohesy 2, Declase 2, J. Henderson 2, Malual 2, Boyd, Brew, T. Gribble, Hayes, Lever, Lual, Mannagh, Paea, Pinnuck, Rocci. Northern Bullants – Barling, El-Hawli.

QAFL –ROUND16

Morningside 7.5 11.6

Noosa 1.2 5.4

.6 8.9 (57)

Best: Morningside – Swann, Hodge, Nelson, Godwin, Dadds, Peak. Noosa – Pettigrove, O’Dwyer, Flagg, Wilson, R. Buntain, Johnston.

Goals: Morningside – Buzza 4, Dadds 3, Peak 3, Castle 2, Downie 2, Hodge 2, Swann 2, Barry, Cameron-Reeves, Robinson. Noosa – Fitzpatrick 2, R. Buntain, McKinley, O’Dwyer, Ogden, Tuohey, Wilson.

Best: Redland-Victoria Point – Hammelmann, Franks, Williams, C. Aston, Lemana-Pakau, Yagmoor. Mt Gravatt – Tome, Brent, Leahy, Greenaway, Griffiths, Pearce.

Goals: Redland-Victoria Point – Hammelmann 6, Benson 2, Brown 2, Huddy 2, Lemana-Pakau 2, Rolls 2, Steven, William. Mt Gravatt – Smith 3, Clare, Leahy, Milford, K. Moncur, T. Moncur, Tome.

Best: Labrador – Lake, McEldrew, Anderson, Hammond, Kady, Derrington. Sherwood – Gilder, Fletcher, Reville, Mitchell, Cruice, Collins.

Goals: Labrador – Law 4, Henderson 3, Anderson 2, Field 2, Hoy, Simpson, Wright. Sherwood – Bulley 3, Reville 2, Austin, Ryan, Gillett.

Best: Broadbeach – Boakye, Bowman, Eckersley, Jellyman-Turner, Townsend, Lombard. Aspley – Allen, Harker, Templeton, Best, Joseph, Crawley.

Goals: Broadbeach – Bowman 4, Hull 3, Dawson 2, Chadwick, Erickson, Lombard, Reeves, Semmler, Townsend. Aspley – Stackelberg 4, Best, Craven, Freeman, Peppin. Surfers

Best: Surfers Paradise – Millane, Broadbent, Corbett, Jones, Beardsell, Scott. Maroochydore – Robinson, Thomas, Wagner, O’Leary, Scholard, Jones.

Goals: Surfers Paradise – Finch 3, Ireland 3, Rekers 2, Shea 2, Beardsell, Nieass, Smith. Maroochydore – Scholard 5, Robinson 3, Kangur, McLachlan.

Wilston Grange 3.6 8.8 13.14 18.18 (126)

Palm Beach-Currumbin 3.0 7.1 7.2 10.4 (64)

Best: Wilston Grange – Bowles, Martyn, McGregor, Budarick, Fidler, Baker. Palm Beach-Currumbin – Harrison, Thynne, McBurnie, Hay, Joyce, White.

Goals: Wilston Grange – Martyn 3, Baker 2, Bowles 2, Budarick 2, Fidler 2, Rhook 2, Fazldeen, McCabe, McFadyen, McGregor, Richardson. Palm Beach-Currumbin – McInneny 4, Beaman 3, Dawson, Hall, Lys.

AFL NAT. U18 C’SHIPS – RD 7

Best: Victoria Country – Duursma, Lual, Wilson, H. Reid, Anastasopoulos, Gawith. Victoria Metro – Roberts, Carroll, Green, Murphy, Watson, Harrop.

Goals: Victoria Country – Duursma 4, Anastasopoulos 2, Freijah 2, Grant 2, A. Reid 2, Lual, O’Sullivan, Smartt. Victoria Metro – Watson 4, Harrop 3, Caddy 2, Smith, Taha.

BYE: Allies, South Australia, Western Australia.

LADDER: Allies 16 (174.7%), Victoria Metro 8 (125.6%), Victoria Country 8 (101.0%), South Australia 4 (72.2%), Western Australia 4 (57.7%).

Best: Box Hill Hawks – Hall, Long, Brown, Bramble, Stephens, Jeka. North Melbourne – Goldstein, Greenwood, Lazzaro, Hall, Sellers, Watkins.

Goals: Box Hill Hawks – Butler 2, Hall, Hustwaite, Koschitzke, Long, Morris, Morrison, Murr, Ryan. North Melbourne – Sellers 3, Turner 2, Drury, Greenwood, Hansen, Smith, Spicer.

Best: GWS – Fleeton, Davis, Conn, Thomas, Rowston, Anderson. Frankston – Mynott, Lloyd, Barlow, Roberts, O’Leary, Jacobs.

Goals: GWS – Derksen 2, Flynn, Gillbee, Hebron, O’Connor, Shaw, Thomas. Frankston – Barlow, Lloyd, Mynott, Newnes, O’Leary, Quirk.

Best: Essendon – Tsatas, Wanganeen, Jorgensen, Fitzgerald, Baldwin, Hotchkin. Geelong – van de Heuvel, Menegola, Cousins, Capiron, Ham, Dempsey.

Goals: Essendon – Jorgensen 3, Cox, A. Davey, Lord, Munkara, Sutton, Voss. Geelong – Neale 2, Quick 2, Ham, Knevitt, Panuccio.

BYE: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Casey Demons, Coburg, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Williamstown.

AFL SYDNEY – ROUND 14

Pennant Hills 6.6 8.9 11.9 11.9 (75)

UNSW-Eastern Suburbs 0.1 1.3 2 .6 3.12 (30)

Best: Pennant Hills – Edmonds, Wray, Maguire, Carroll, Wales, Potter. UNSW-Eastern Suburbs – Foote, Peter, C. Kilpatrick, Romensky, Hawkins, Turner.

Goals: Pennant Hills – Maguire 3, Wray 3, Angel, Eynaud, C. Matthews, Preedy, Sparks. UNSW-Eastern Suburbs – Emery 2, K. Kilpatrick.

UTS 0.5 3.8 9.13 10.18 (78)

East Coast 1.1 3.1 3.2 7.6 (48)

Best: UTS – Backlund, L. Gordon, Pribula, Bowler, Durkin, Dyson. East Coast –Poynter, Jones, Elbourne, Gauci, Gleeson, Fokes.

Goals: UTS – Backlund 6, Gordon, Kimpston, Lahy, Pribula. East Coast – Fokes 2, Brown, Emanouel, Jones, Kinney, Organ.

Sydney University 2 .3 5.7 9.10 11.13 (79)

Manly-Warringah 1.2 3.4 6.8 9.9 (63)

Best: Sydney University – Dimery, Fitzroy, Barton, N. Tang, Gibbs, Velthuis. Manly-Warringah – McGrath, Fraser, Marsh, Youlten, Lugsdin, Behagg. Goals: Sydney University – Dimery 3, Hughes 3, Barton, Fitzroy, Gibbs, Speedy Coe, N. Tang. Manly-Warringah – Youlten 4, Gabila, Laws, McGrath, Stubbs, Wright.

St George 5.1 8.3 10.4 15.7 (97)

Inner West 0.0 0.1 2 .7 6.8 (44)

Best: St George – Jones, Cabor, Carey, Marning, Pearson, Parker. Inner West – Veerhuis, McEvoy-Gray, Evans, Doyle, Klemke, Zoppo. Goals: St George – Cabor 2, Hodgson 2, Jones 2, Saunders 2, P. Tegg 2, Brennan, Gander, Maher, Maunder, Wharton. Inner West – Harper 2, Veerhuis 2, Zoppo 2.

BYE: North Shore.

LADDER: North Shore 48 (270.5%), UNSW-Eastern Suburbs 36 (177.1%), Pennant Hills 36 (123.4%), Sydney University 36 (118.4%), St George 24 (87.9%), Manly-Warringah 20 (99.5%), UTS 12 (53.2%), Inner West 8 (77.1%), East Coast 4 (39.5%).

SANFL – ROUND 13

Best: Central District – Liddy, Kendall, McCormack, Grace, East. West Adelaide –Steele, Mattingly, Delahunty, K. Ryan, Mulady.

Goals: Central District – East 4, Lange 3, Barreau 2, Grace 2, Hoskin, Whitelum. West Adelaide – Steele 4, Delahunty 3, Beech 2, Mulady 2, J. Stevens.

Best: Adelaide – Himmelberg, Schoenberg, Strachan, Cook, Parnell. Glenelg – Lyons, Scharenberg, Hosie, McBean, Turner.

(101)

(79)

Goals: Adelaide – Himmelberg 4, Gollant 2, Schoenberg 2, Strachan 2, Clamp, Cook, Dowling, Hately, Haysman. Glenelg – Hosie 4, McBean 4, Reynolds 2, Turner. Port

4.7 (91)

.17 (53)

Best: Port Adelaide – Jackson, Sutcliffe, Bonner, Evans, Pasini. North Adelaide – Harvey, Combe, Young, van Huisstede, McCann.

Goals: Port Adelaide – Fantasia 3, Jackson 3, Bonner 2, Szust 2, Evans, Hagans, Narkle, Scully. North Adelaide – Young 3, Hilder, Moore, White.

Woodville-West Torrens 1.2 4.5 7.8 9.9 (63)

Norwood 3.3 4.5 7.7 7.10 (52)

Best: Woodville-West Torrens – Rowe, D’Aloia, Brinker-Ritchie, Sinor, Nicholls. Norwood – Lowe, Rokahr, Lok, Wright, Donnelly.

Goals: Woodville-West Torrens – Goldsworthy 2, Pearce 2, Beecken, Buck, Lonergan, Nicholls, Rowe. Norwood – Lowe 2, Robinson 2, Bogle, Lok, Twelftree-Conor.

Sturt 7.1 11.4 17.4 17.5 (107)

South Adelaide 3.1 5.1 7.4 11.7 (73)

Best: Sturt – L. Burrows, Hone, Lewis, Wilson, Page. South Adelaide –Fitt, Draper, Mutch, Brooksby, Haines.

Goals: Sturt – Burrows 5, Hone 4, Wilson 2, Breuer, Dakin, Frederick, Mathews, Molan, Reschke. South Adelaide – Fitt 4, Sproule 2, Wilkinson 2, Douglass, Sampson, Shillabeer.

LADDER: Glenelg 22 (60.1%), Sturt 22 (52.4%), Adelaide 18 (60.2%), Port Adelaide 14 (50.2%), North Adelaide 12 (46.4%), Central District 12 (45.7%), Woodville-West Torrens 10 (48.5%), South Adelaide 8 (44.1%), West Adelaide 6 (46.1%), Norwood 6 (43.4%).

* The SANFL only awards two points for a win, while percentage is calculated by points scored by a team divided by total points scored their matches for the season.

WAFL –ROUND14

Best: West Perth – Guadagnin, Moulton, Pegoraro, Johnson, Julian. West Coast – O’Neill, Foley, Nelson, Trew, Lucassen.

Goals: West Perth – Keitel 3, Pegoraro 3, Murray, Nelson, Lynch, Hinder. West Coast – Lucassen 2, Barnett, Jamieson, Dewar, Burke, Nitschke.

Best: South Fremantle – Russell, Hall, Byron, O’Hehir, Stephens, Main. Perth – Avery, Byrne, Davis, Thompson, Grocott.

Goals: South Fremantle – Main 3, Miller 2, Gallucci, Russell, Donaldson, O’Hehir, J. Blechynden. Perth –Thompson 2, Clark 2, Byrne, Cary, Stubbs, Grocott, Hayward.

Best: East Fremantle – H Marsh, Baskerville, Jupp, Turner, Cleaver. Peel Thunder – Bell, Stanley, Blight, Davies, Grey.

Goals: East Fremantle – J. Marsh 2, B. McGuire 2, Murdock, H. Marsh, Cleaver, Turner, Montauban, Lawler, Dixon, Walker, Ball. Peel Thunder –Wemm 3, Middleton 2, Corbett 2, Emmett, Kuek, Stanley.

(69)

Best: Swan Districts – Watson, McLachlan, Edwards, Glass-McCasker, Stephens. Subiaco – Schofield, Henderson, Tholstrup, Clarke.

Goals: Swan Districts – Edwards 4, Jones 3, Palmer 2, Kemp, McLachlan. Subiaco – Schofield 2, Tholstrup 2, Faraone 2, Kitchin, Stainsby, Sokol, Golding.

East Perth 4.3 7.6 8.8 12.10 (82)

Claremont 2 .1 4.4 7.7 8.10 (58)

Best: East Perth – Brayshaw, Crowden, Van Diemen, Schumacher, Tedesco. Claremont – Mountford, Manuel, Smallwood, Bolton, Martinis.

Goals: East Perth – Van Diemen 3, Tedesco 3, Brayshaw 2, Medhat, Ameduri, Schofield, Saunders. Claremont –Manuel 3, Smallwood 3, Martinis, Mainwaring.

LADDER: East Perth 40 (144.3%), Claremont 40 (137.4%), East Fremantle 36 (147.8%), Peel Thunder 36 (129.8%), Subiaco 32 (124.4%), West Perth 24 (111.3%), Swan Districts 20 (96.8%), South Fremantle 12 (98.7%), Perth 10 (69.6%), West Coast 2 (35.1%).

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Vic Country’s Harley Reid (left) and Vic Metro’s Oliver Murphy after winning their respective MVP awards at the 2023 AFL National Under-18 Championships.

OFFICIAL 2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON LADDER

AFL UMPIRES 2023

BOUNDARY: Jordan Andrews, Michael Baker, Michael Barlow, Simon Blight, Chris Bull, Ian Burrows, Sean Burton, Adam Coote, Patrick Cran, Damien Cusack, Brett Dalgleish, Chris Delany, Patrick Dineen, Nathan Doig, Ty Duncan, Chris Esler, Benjamin Fely, Kieran Ferguson, Daniel Field-Read, Joshua Furman, Josh Garrett, Christopher Gordon, Matthew Jenkinson, Matthew Konetschka, Drew Kowalski, Mitchell Le Fevre, Tim Lougoon, Ben MacDonald, Damien Main, Michael Marantelli, Josh Mather, Jason Moore, Sean Moylan, Nicholas Phillips, Lachlan Rayner, Adam Reardon, Jordan Russell, Michael Saunders, Sam Stagg, Nick Swanson, Shane Thiele, Matthew Tomkins, David Wood.

GOAL: Jesse Baird, Dylan Benwell, Sally Boud, Matthew Bridges, Peter Challen, Michael Craig, Matthew Dervan, Luke Edwards, Daniel Hoskin, Sam Hunter, Brodie Kenny-Bell, Callum Leonard, Matt Maclure, Taylor Mattioli, Angus McKenzie-Wills, Rhys Negerman, Steven Piperno, Simon Plumridge, David Rodan, Chelsea Roffey, Brett Rogers, Tom Sullivan, Sam Walsh, Stephen Williams, Adam Wojcik, Jason Yazdani.

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u Over the past month, the NSW team have been hosting all-girls NAB AFL Auskick gala days.

More than 50 girls met at North Ryde for a few hours of frenetic footy fun.

Participants from across Sydney turned out for a wonderful day of footy and fun – with special visits from GWS Giants and Sydney Swans players and mascots.

It’s not too late to join Auskick this year with plenty of Term 3 programs about to kick off.

Auskick is the best way to introduce kids to the great game of Australian Football.

It’s all about fun, getting hands on the ball and constantly being involved in exciting activities.

Register now at play.afl/Auskick.

NO PORT IN STORMY DEBUT

Any battle between Port Adelaide and Collingwood evokes plenty of emotion and that will be the case again when the two sides clash at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Be it the debate over Port’s ‘prison bar’ guernsey or the ‘Magpie’ connection between both clubs, there is always a little more energy when these two teams meet.

And in terms of AFL history, there will always be a special connection between the Power and the Magpies.

After years of trying to join the AFL, the SANFL powerhouse finally made it to the national stage in 1997 – and the AFL fixturing department, perhaps with a cheeky sense of history, decided Port’s AFL debut would be against Collingwood in the opening round of 1997.

Just over 50,000 fans, including a large and noisy contingent from Port Adelaide, headed to the MCG on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Under second-year coach and club legend Tony Shaw, the Magpies were coming off a disappointing 11th-place finish in 1996.

Inspired by star midfielder Nathan Buckley – a former SANFL premiership player with Port –the Magpies kicked 11 goals straight, including 7.0 in the opening term.

Understandably, the Power had a touch of stage fright and the Magpies’ dominance continued throughout the day. Collingwood held sway for long periods through

the brilliance of Paul Williams (30 disposals, four goals), the smart running of Buckley (27 disposals) and the forward dominance of Sav Rocca (six goals).

Another couple of South Australians also helped rub salt into the Power’s wounds – Scott Russell (ex-Sturt) had 28 touches and kicked two goals and Stephen Patterson (ex-Norwood) gathered 27 disposals and kicked three goals.

Russell polled three Brownlow Medal votes, Magpie skipper Gavin Brown was awarded two votes and Williams collected one vote.

Donald Dickie (26 disposals) and Fabian Francis (20 touches, two goals) were two of Port’s better players while former Geelong forward Shayne Breuer had the distinction of kicking Port’s first goal at AFL level.

Port lost its first home game at Football Park the following week, going down to Essendon by 33 points, before opening its AFL account with a 39-point win over Geelong at Football Park in round three.

John Cahill’s men gained some revenge over Collingwood later in the 1997 season, thrashing the Magpies by 53 points at Football Park.

They missed the eight by a healthy percentage differential (13.4) and finished in ninth place, half a game ahead of Collingwood in 10th spot.

ROUND 1, 1997

Collingwood 7.0 12.1 21.3 26.10 (166)

Port Adelaide 3.2 5.4 9.5 13.9 (87)

BEST: Collingwood – Williams, Buckley, S. Rocca, Russell, Patterson, Prestigiacomo, Brown. Port Adelaide – Dickie, Francis, Wilson, Lyle, Lade.

GOALS: Collingwood – S. Rocca 6, Williams 4, Patterson 3, A. Rocca 2, Curran 2, McDonald 2, Russell 2, Crow 2, Richardson, Ahmat, Barnett. Port Adelaide – Cummings 2, Francis 2, Heaver 2, Poole 2, Breuer, S. Bond, Francou, Lade, P. Burgoyne.

Umpires: D. Humphrey-Smith, S. McBurney, B. Sheehan.

Crowd: 51,883 at the MCG.

PIES SHOW NO MERCY: Paul Williams was one of the stars of Collingwood’s thumping win over Port Adelaide in the opening round of 1997; (left) Power players burst through the banner for their first AFL game.

SEASON 8 FIXTURE

ROUND 1

Friday, September 1

Melbourne v Collingwood

Ikon Park (Vic), 7.20pm

Saturday, September 2

Carlton v Gold Coast Suns

Ikon Park (Vic), 1.05pm

Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide

Norwood Oval (SA), 2.35pm

Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs

GMHBA Stadium (Vic), 5.05pm

Hawthorn v Essendon

Kinetic Stadium (Vic), 7.15pm

Sunday, September 3

North Melbourne v St. Kilda

Blundstone Arena (Tas), 1.05pm

Sydney Swans v GWS Giants

North Sydney Oval (NSW), 3.05pm

Brisbane Lions v Richmond

Brighton Homes Arena (Qld), 3.05pm

Fremantle v West Coast Eagles

Fremantle Oval (WA), 3.05pm

ROUND 2

Friday, September 8

Richmond v Adelaide Crows

Ikon Park (Vic), 5.05pm

Saturday, September 9

Gold Coast Suns v West Coast Eagles

Heritage Bank Stadium (Qld), 11.05am

Port Adelaide v Brisbane Lions

Alberton Oval (SA), 12.35pm

Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats

North Sydney Oval (NSW), 1.05pm

Sunday, September 10

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn

Mars Stadium (Vic), 1.05pm

Collingwood v Fremantle

Victoria Park,1.05pm

North Melbourne v Carlton

Arden St Oval (Vic), 3.05pm

Essendon v St. Kilda

Windy Hill (Vic), 3.05pm

GWS Giants v Melbourne

Manuka Oval (ACT), 5.05pm

ROUND 3

Friday, September 15

Geelong Cats v North Melbourne

GMHBA Stadium (Vic), 5.05pm

Saturday, September 16

GWS Giants v Richmond

Blacktown International Sports Park (NSW), 1.05pm

Adelaide Crows v Essendon

Unley Oval, 2.35pm

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

Casey Fields (Vic),3.05pm

Fremantle v Hawthorn

Fremantle Oval (WA), 3.05pm

Sunday, September 17

St. Kilda v Port Adelaide

RSEA Park, 1.05pm

Collingwood v Gold Coast Suns

Victoria Park,3.05pm

West Coast Eagles v Carlton

Mineral Resources Park (WA), 1.05pm

Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans

Brighton Homes Arena (Qld), 5.05pm

ROUND 4

Friday, September 22

Hawthorn v Melbourne

Kinetic Stadium (Vic), 5.05pm

Saturday, September 23

GWS Giants v Adelaide Crows

Manuka Oval (ACT), 11.05am

Carlton v Richmond

Ikon Park (Vic), 1.05pm

Port Adelaide v Geelong Cats

Alberton Oval (SA), 12.35pm

Sunday, September 24

Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles

Henson Park,1.05pm

North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions

UTAS Stadium, 1.05pm

Essendon v Fremantle

Windy Hill (Vic), 3.05pm

St. Kilda v Collingwood

RSEA Park, 3.05pm

Gold Coast Suns v Western Bulldogs

Heritage Bank Stadium (Qld), 5.05pm

ROUND 5

Thursday, September 28

Geelong Cats v Melbourne

GMHBA Stadium (Vic), 6.15pm

Friday, September 29

Richmond v Fremantle

Ikon Park (Vic), 1.05pm

Carlton v Sydney Swans

Ikon Park (Vic), 4.05pm

Western Bulldogs v St. Kilda

Whitten Oval (Vic), 7.15pm

West Coast Eagles v Port Adelaide

Mineral Resources Park (WA), 7.15pm

Saturday, September 30

Collingwood v Essendon

AIA Centre (Vic), 11.05am

Sunday, October 1

North Melbourne v GWS Giants

Arden St Oval (Vic), 1.05pm

Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions

Kinetic Stadium (Vic), 3.05pm

Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast Suns

Unley Oval (SA), 4.35pm

ROUND 6

Friday, October 6

Western Bulldogs v Carlton

Whitten Oval (Vic), 7.15pm

Saturday, October 7

GWS Giants v West Coast Eagles

Blacktown International Sports Park, 1.05pm

Melbourne v Adelaide Crows

Casey Fields (Vic),3.05pm

St. Kilda v Hawthorn

RSEA Park, 3.05pm

Port Adelaide v Sydney Swans

Alberton Oval (SA),4.35pm

Brisbane Lions v Collingwood

Brighton Homes Arena (Qld), 6.15pm

Sunday, October 8

Essendon v Geelong Cats

Reid Oval (Warrnambool), 1.05pm

Richmond v Gold Coast Suns

Ikon Park (Vic), 3.05pm

Fremantle v North Melbourne

Fremantle Oval (WA), 2.05pm

ROUND 7

Friday, October 13

Adelaide Crows v Western Bulldogs

Norwood Oval (SA), 6.45pm

Saturday, October 14

St. Kilda v GWS Giants

RSEA Park, 1.05pm

Geelong Cats v Fremantle

GMHBA Stadium (Vic), 3.05pm

Sydney Swans v Hawthorn

Henson Park,3.05pm

Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions

Heritage Bank Stadium (Qld), 4.05pm

Richmond v Essendon

Ikon Park (Vic), 7.20pm

Sunday, October 15

North Melbourne v Port Adelaide

Arden St Oval (Vic), 1.05pm

Carlton v Collingwood

Ikon Park (Vic), 3.05pm

West Coast Eagles v Melbourne

Mineral Resources Park (WA), 2.05pm

ROUND 8

Friday, October 20

Hawthorn v Richmond

Cazalys Stadium (Cairns), 6.45pm

Saturday, October 21

Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans

Whitten Oval (Vic), 1.05pm

Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Crows

Brighton Homes Arena (Qld), 2.05pm

GWS Giants v Carlton

Henson Park (NSW), 3.05pm

Port Adelaide v Gold Coast Suns

Alberton Oval (SA),4.35pm

Melbourne v North Melbourne

Ikon Park (Vic), 7.15pm

Sunday, October 22

Collingwood v Geelong Cats

Victoria Park,1.05pm

Fremantle v St. Kilda

Fremantle Oval (WA), 12.05pm

Essendon v West Coast Eagles

Windy Hill (Vic), 5.05pm

ROUND 9

Friday, October 27

Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants

Heritage Bank Stadium (Qld), 6.45pm

Saturday, October 28

Melbourne v Fremantle

Casey Fields (Vic),1.05pm

St. Kilda v Brisbane Lions

RSEA Park, 3.05pm

Essendon v Carlton

Windy Hill (Vic), 3.05pm

West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs

Mineral Resources Park (WA), 2.05pm

Richmond v Geelong Cats

Ikon Park (Vic), 7.15pm

Sunday, October 29

Sydney Swans v Collingwood

Henson Park,1.05pm

Adelaide Crows v North Melbourne

Unley Oval, 2.35pm

Hawthorn v Port Adelaide

Kinetic Stadium (Vic), 5.05pm

ROUND 10

Friday, November 3-5

Brisbane Lions v Melbourne

Brighton Homes Arena (Qld)

C arlton v St Kilda

Ikon Park (Vic)

Collingwood v Richmond

Victoria Park (Vic)

Fremantle v Sydney Swans

Fremantle Oval (WA)

Geelong Cats v Hawthorn

GMHBA Stadium (Vic)

Gold Coast Suns v Essendon

Great Barrier Reef Arena (Mackay)

Port Adelaide v GWS Giants

Alberton Oval (SA)

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

Whitten Oval (Vic)

West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows

Mineral Resources Park (WA)

All times are local

FAIRYTALE END: Melbourne coach Mick Stinear and then captain Daisy Pearce with the Season 7 premiership cup.

BALTA FROM THE CLOUDS

OPTUS STADIUM, JULY 16, 2023

u Richmond’s Noah Balta can pack a punch in defence as Tiger fans have come to enjoy since he made his debut back in 2019. Standing 194cm and weighing 105kg, not many opponents get

past the big Tiger but as he proved last week, he’s keen to make his mark, so to speak, in the air. Alas, this attempt over West Coast’s Campbell Chesser counted for nothing as he dropped the mark

but we are giving him 10 out of 10 for style – and we’ve marked him down to take a screamer some time soon! Meanwhile, young Chesser will be doing his best not to be the stepladder next time they meet.

PHOTO: DANIEL CARSON/ AFL PHOTOS

theTRADeRS

CASH COW OF THE WEEK MICHAEL BARLOW

5 Harry Sheezel NM, DEF/FWD – 112

u Racking up his 10th five-vote game in the Cash Cow of the Year, Sheezel was off to a cracking start with 75 points at half-time. Despite opposition attention, he still managed a ton.

4 Will Ashcroft BL, MID – 82

u F ive tackles and a goal helped Ashcroft to another solid score for those still rocking with him. He continues to be an important member of the midfield group attending centre bounces.

3 Corey Wagner FREM, DEF/MID – 81

u Star Demon Max Gawn (RUC, $779,000) was given the opportunity to ruck by himself against the Lions and he grabbed it with both hands and reminded the competition he is still the best big man in the game. He did a bit of everything with 29 possessions, five marks, seven tackles, 39 hit-outs and a goal while playing a whopping 92 per cent game time. He scored a round-high 162 and has some great match-ups for the run home so expect plenty more triple-figure scores over the next six weeks.

Dan Houston (DEF, $825,000) has shown several times over his career that he can pump out huge scores. The Power star did it once again against the Blues last weekend after collecting 31 possessions, taking nine marks and laying six tackles for a thumping 156. He was followed by a couple of familiar ‘Big Dogs’ with

Warnie

WARNE DAWGS

Marcus Bontempelli (MID, $1.04M) and Tim English (RUC, $971,000) continuing their outstanding seasons with scores of 142 and 140 respectively against the Swans. English took full advantage of the Swans’ lack of rucks, recording a whopping 60 hit-outs. Roo Luke Davies-Uniacke (MID, $779,000) put together his second big game in a row with an eye-catching performance against the Hawks with 138 while teammate Bailey Scott (DEF/MID, $797,000) also had a heap of it to finish on 136.

TOP ROUND 18 SCORERS

ROUND 18 2299 pts

Last round was pure carnage!

Popular selections Tom Green, Caleb Serong, Hayden Young

Darcy Cameron were late ‘outs’ which meant there were plenty of forced trades. If you get more than two outs, prioritise who goes first and who might be back sooner. You may hold a suspended player.

Roy

u He played two games earlier in the season but Wagner returned to the Dockers’ line-up last weekend collecting 15 disposals, eight marks and four tackles. Handy bench option.

2 Matthew Johnson

FREM, MID – 68

u Shooting into fourth position on the leaderboard, Johnson has possibly peaked in price at $547K. Now is a good time to trade him and thank him for his epic mid-season services.

1 Jaspa Fletcher BL, MID – 65

u T he father-son recruit has been a good contributor in his five games which has seen him gain $130K in value. His goal on the run during last Friday night’s thriller was a thing of beauty.

LEADERBOARD: 62 – Harry Sheezel; 42 – Will Ashcroft; 14 – Angus Sheldrick; 13 – Matthew Johnson; 11 – Reuben Ginbey; 10 – Kade Chandler, Will Phillips; 9 – Alex Cincotta, Ollie Hollands, Dylan Williams, Seamus Mitchell; 8 – Bailey Humphrey, Josh Weddle; 7 – Cam Mackenzie.

18 2344 pts

One of my many roles in the Fantasy community is to fire a ‘Roy’s Rocket’ during a game to bring out the best in an underperforming premium. They have been on target of late, triggering a fast finish by Tom Stewart in round 17 and a Jack Steele recovery in round 18.

Calvin

18 2240 pts

Some coaches are getting to the point of the season where luxury trades are being completed. This means, you might be jumping off a premium with a tough match-up for someone who has an opponent that gives up plenty of Fantasy points.

MEDAL

THE TRADERS’ FANTASY CLASSIC STOCK MARKET

STOCKS UP

Luke Davies-Uniacke (MID, $779,000) is one of the most popular trade targets this week, and justifiably so. Many coaches projected the highly regarded Roo to take his game to the next level, but injury and form issues have in fact resulted in a drop of $45K from his original asking price. However, over the past two weeks we have seen what the pre-season hype was about with scores of 122 and 138. He now has a BE of just 52 and a nice draw on the horizon with games against the Saints and Eagles in the next two. Down $135K from his starting price and back as the main man in the middle for the Demons, star ruckman Max Gawn (RUC, $779,000) is ripe for the picking. Gawn took full advantage of Brodie Grundy (RUC, $607,000) being out of the side with his most dominant display of the season and his BE of just 48 justifies the value. He is owned by 17 per cent of the competition and provides a way to ‘take on’ the top teams that are rolling with the ‘set and forget’ combination of Tim English (RUC, $971,000) and Rowan Marshall (RUC, $989,000). Under-priced stars Touk Miller (MID, $830,000) and Jack Steele (MID, $833,000) are both being targeted for the run home after hitting form for $142K (Miller) and $145K (Steele) cheaper than their original asking prices.

STOCKS DOWN

Due to last week’s carnage and the late nature of Tom Green’s (MID, $863,000) injury omission, several teams got stuck with him last weekend which leaves him as the most traded out player of the week. He has had a great season, averaging 108 and increasing by $111K but an injured hamstring will ensure he misses a few weeks and therefore needs to go. A few weeks ago, Zak Butters (FWD/MID, $850,000) was a priority trade target but that has backflipped of late with just one triple-figure score in his past four games and his lowest score since round three last week. He managed just 68 against the Blues with just 17 touches and one mark before sitting out almost the entire fourth quarter which leaves him with a BE of 143. Bomber Ben Hobbs (FWD/MID, $691,000) remains a priority trade out after failing to hit 75 in his past three games and his time on ground has not hit 70 per cent in that stretch which can be attributed to the return of Darcy Parish (MID, $925,000). Removing some fattened and injured rookies remains a popular play with six rounds remaining which has resulted in Angus Sheldrick (FWD/MID, $516,000), Matthew Johnson (MID, $547,000) and George Wardlaw (MID, $492,000) sitting among the most highly traded out players to generate some cash for an upgrade trade.

1

HEALTHY BODY

The importance of exercise in our daily lives in order to maintain a strong and healthy body. Participants will partake in a range of group cardio fitness activities and challenges.

2 HEALTHY FOOD

To keep our body and mind healthy, we need to fuel ourselves with a range of nutritious and delicious foods. Participants’ knowledge will be challenged in multiple food activities that will test andproblem-solvingtheirskills understanding of food.

HEALTHY TEAM

Theimportanceofworking together,supportingone anotheranddeveloping relationships.Participants willplayarangeof team-buildinggames, with the inclusionofcompetitions andchallenges.

4 HEALTHYMIND needTotrulybehealthy,wetocareforourmind justasmuchasourbody. ParticipantswilllearnBox tacticsBreathingstrategiesand tohelpregulatetheiremotions.

Coles Healthy Kicks aims to educate, activate and motivate students to become more physically active, eat nutritious foods and develop a healthy mind while having fun with others.

Strength

Balance is a vital part of any sport that should be trained just as much as any other element. A good sense of balance and understanding of the importance of footwork will decrease your risk of injury and enhance your athletic abilities!

EXERCISES

• Jump and Stick with Jog – Standing on two feet, jump forward as far as you can and land on one leg holding this position for two seconds. Now jog backwards to your starting position. Repeat this for the other leg. Do this five times for each leg.

• Six Joint Challenge – Start balancing on your left leg, hold out your right arm. Now keep your balance and use your left hand to touch different joints in your body. Start by slowly touching your ankle. Now touch your knee. Move up to touch your hip. Now your right wrist then elbow and finish with your right shoulder. Now change to balance on your right foot with left arm held out. For a challenge, do this with your eyes closed! Do this three times each side.

• Clock Jumps – Get four items (footy, water bottle, tennis ball) and put these on the floor in the place of where 3, 6, 9 and 12 are on the clock. Now stand in the middle of these items, facing 12 o’clock and balance on your left leg. Keeping your balance, jump and turn to face 3 o’clock and land on your right foot. Now jump back to 12 and land on your left foot. Now do the same for 6 o’clock going back to 12 o’clock and finally jumping to 9 o’clock then back to 12. Now repeat this for your other leg.

• Scissor Steps – Keep your items in the clock face position. Start with your legs at 12 and 6 o’clock. Now jump and land with your feet at 3 and 9 o’clock. When you do this quickly,

The program is built on four key pillars –Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Food and Healthy Team.

Healthy Body is all about physical activity and movement.

your legs will look like scissors. Repeat this for 30 seconds.

• Cross Over Step – Start standing up. Cross one leg over the over in a sidestep. Now sidestep your other foot so your legs aren’t crossed. Take one more step to the side with the foot you crossed over your leg with. Now repeat this going back the other way. Continue this for 30 seconds.

• In and Outs Side to Side – Place a mat, towel or blanket down. You will use this as a box to step in and out of. Now take two side

Keeping fit and active is a great way to stay healthy and have fun with friends.

Be it kicking the footy or checking out one of the Coles Healthy Kicks training videos, there are heaps of easy ways to have a Healthy Body.

steps either side into the box and two side steps out. Now repeat this going the other way. Continue this for 30 seconds.

• In and Outs Forwards and Backwards

– Keep your box area from the previous exercise. Now instead of side stepping into the box you will take two steps forward into the box. Now take another two steps forward outside the box. Take two steps backwards into the box and then another two steps backwards so you are back in the starting position. Continue this for 30 seconds.

To find out more Balance and Footwork exercises for other parts of the body visit afl.com.au/video

SCISSOR STEPS

SIX JOINT CHALLENGE

CROSS OVER STEP

Can you unscramble these letters to reveal the AFL players’ names?

YTBO LMECNA

SMA ADY

KEAJ AWENRTMA WENARD AHGRTCM

WORD FIND

Can you find the surnames of these current 200+ game players?

FACE FACE FACEMASH MASH MASH

Can you name the two players who have been merged to create these new faces?

IKNTADRENALINENJVN

YKQPDSTMPDMLIWAFTX

BKCLKWHECNALABIOYP

JXVNZEFOOTWORKOPHO

GQTVMYGTNITRAMWFOL

SXWJDNFNWAZTISANUE

PMHHTIATEMWFYCLYTV

PHIMWFSFZLBMCJKVVE

ILLLKUHSEOLWNXEKJD

WBPOELZTADRAWBRWLR

OPQRNUWKUTCSHPASXM

DRBSBRIEWOLDTCTWMP

UNSCRAMBLE: A: Toby McLean

B: Sam Day C: Jake Waterman

D: Andrew McGrath E: James Worpel

F: Tom Doedee. FACE MASH: A: Jeremy Finlayson, Miles Bergman B: Darcy Moore, Mason Cox

GO END TO END FOR A GOAL!

Can you find the way to your team’s next goal?

ANSWER: Page 74

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE TO

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: The sash on Jake Stringer’s jumper has changed to pink; there is an extra

thin bar on Tom Atkins’ jumper; the letter ‘T’ on Darcy Parish’s shorts is upside down; Mark Blicavs is missing his headband; the letters ‘SH’ on the football are missing.

WHERE’S THE BALL: I2, I3

ANSWER MAN

Recently, I was thrilled to watch Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston take a mark 50 metres out late in the match against Essendon, which was two points in front. The final siren sounded and he calmly booted the winning goal. Three years earlier, another Port player Robbie Gray scored a difficult winning score under similar circumstances against Carlton. Roughly, how many team scores registered after the final siren have influenced the result of a match?

ROGER WILLIAMSON, SEMAPHORE, SA

CH: There are now 71 known cases. Before 1950, when sirens permanently replaced old-fashioned bells to signify the end of play, two matches have ended in highly controversial circumstances when play continued because the officiating umpire failed to hear the final bell above the roar of the crowd. The rule at the time stated that a match would end when the umpire first heard the bell. In round 17, 1928 at the Junction Oval, Melbourne led the St Kilda by five points when the bell began tolling. In the next few seconds, the ball entered the Saints’ forward line and Bert Smedley received a handball and booted the winning goal. In round 14, 1933 at the Lake Oval, scores were level late in the Collingwood-South Melbourne contest. The timekeepers began ringing the bell but play continued until Swans forward Terry Brain marked and scored the winning goal. Both the 2002 and 2017 seasons produced five separate cases of set scoring shots taken after the final siren influencing a match outcome. The three matches in 2009 occurred in consecutive rounds (17, 18 and 19).

CAN YOU ASSIST?

u Matthew Primus was a very good ruckman-forward during a 157-game career for both Fitzroy and Port Adelaide between 1996 and 2005. He was also non-playing coach of the Power for nearly three seasons. His maternal grandfather was Geelong legend Reg Hickey, who played 245 games from 1926-40 and coached the Cats from 1949-59. If you know of other examples of relatively recent AFL players who have ancestors with a different surname who also played in the equivalent competition, please contact col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

ROUND 19, 2022

HEART IN MOUTH NOTABLE CASES OF SIDES WINNING AFTER THE SIREN

u Richmond and Fremantle played out the first draw of the season with the Tigers blowing a couple of late chances to win the game. The highlight of the round was Jamie Elliott’s match-winner after the siren to give Collingwood a famous four-point victory over Essendon, its ninth win in a row. The Western Bulldogs, with young key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan booting a career-high five goals, fought back from a 27-point deficit to down Melbourne by 10 points. After trailing Geelong by 34 points at half-time, a Charlie Dixon-inspired Port Adelaide slammed on eight goals in the third quarter and took a seven-point lead into the final term. But the Cats, led by Tom Atkins, steadied to record their ninth consecutive win. The Brisbane Lions were too good for Gold Coast in the QClash, while Adam Saad (Carlton) and Toby Greene (GWS) took Mark of the Year contenders in the Blues’ 36-point win over the Giants at Marvel Stadium. Jack Gunston paid tribute to his late father, former AFL executive Ray, by kicking five goals in Hawthorn’s easy win over North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.

Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston kicked the winning goal after the siren against Essendon in round 16.

AFL

1

John Longmire celebrated how many matches as a player and coach in Sydney’s win over Western Bulldogs?

A 300 B 400 C 500 D 600

2

It was also a milestone for Luke Beveridge, who coached what game number?

A 100 B 200 C 300 D 400

3

4

5

Who kicked four goals on his birthday in the Swans’ win?

A Tom Papley B Logan McDonald

C L ance Franklin D Joel Amartey

How far behind was Melbourne during the last quarter of its remarkable win over Brisbane Lions?

A 16 B 26 C 36 D 46

Who kicked the winning goal for the Demons?

A C hristian Petracca B Ben Brown

C J ack Viney D Jake Melksham

Wereyou payingattention?

6

Who played his 150th game in Collingwood’s big win over Fremantle at the MCG?

A Jordan De Goey B Taylor Adams

C D arcy Moore D Brayden Maynard

7

8

9

Which star started as the substitute for the Magpies?

A Tom Mitchell B Scott Pendlebury

C S teele Sidebottom D Josh Daicos

When was the previous time Gold Coast had beaten St Kilda?

A 2022 B 2020 C 2018 D 2016

Who had 33 disposals to spark the Suns’ victory?

A Noah Anderson B Matt Rowell

C Rory Atkins D Sam Flanders

Blastfrom thepast

Name: Gary Colling

Games: 265

Goals: 49

WITH LACHLAN ESSING

Club span: St Kilda 1968-81

Player honours: 3rd best and fairest 1980; captain 1978.

Recruited from Frankston Peninsula, Colling was a solid defender who played 265 games for the Saints including the 1971 Grand Final loss to the Hawks. He gave his St Kilda tremendous service and was one of the best lockdown defenders of his era. Was a prolific handballer and often flew under the radar.

Carlton ended Port Adelaide’s winning streak last week. How many games did the Power win in a row?

A 12 B 13 C 14 D 15

How many points did Geelong have on the board before Essendon scored at GMHBA Stadium?

A 17 B 27 C 37 D 47

GWS marked which favourite son’s 200th AFL match with its win over Adelaide?

A Josh Kelly B Lachie Whitfield

C C allan Ward D Toby Greene

Who kicked two goals in two minutes in the third quarter to break open Hawthorn’s game against North Melbourne?

A Mitch Lewis B Chad Wingard

C Ja mes Worpel D James Sicily

Who had 31 disposals to help Richmond outlast West Coast?

A Tim Taranto B Dustin Martin

C D aniel Rioli D Shai Bolton 15

Which dual All-Australian responded to his substitute demotion with a starring role for the Eagles?

A Jeremy McGovern B Andrew Gaff

C Luke Shuey D Jack Darling

whoamI?

6pts: Born in 1978, I was a 16-year-old concession selection in the 1994 AFL Pre-Draft held for Fremantle’s entry to the competition.

5pts: I played 240 AFL games for two clubs in a 15-year career.

4pts: Two of those matches were Grand Finals, one of which ended in victory.

3pts: I spent four years as captain of one of my clubs, winning two best and fairests, and was named an All-Australian.

2pts: I became an assistant coach after my retirement, fulfilling that role at two different clubs.

1pt: I am the newest coach in the AFL after being appointed an interim boss last week.