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Six talking points from AFL Round 9


Blockbuster matches, a number of complaints from coaches, some shut outcomes, umpiring howlers – yeah, it was a definitely a memorable spherical of soccer.

Here are a half dozen talking points.

Port goes smooth towards the perfect once more*
Port Adelaide have an issue, and it’s an more and more obtrusive one. On the floor they’re going fairly easily. They’ve gained six, misplaced three, don’t have loads of accidents and have one of many competitors’s most full groups. All that appears to matter for naught once they face a fellow premiership competitor although.

Saturday evening’s conflict was not an terrible one – it was genuinely thrilling and lived as much as its timeslot’s expectations – but it surely once more confirmed the Power’s struggles once they go up towards a top-tier staff.

Their prior two losses of this sort have been towards the Eagles (in Perth) and the Lions (in Brisbane). In each of these video games Port seemed flat and by no means really within the contest. This previous conflict towards the Doggies was at residence at a floor the place the Dogs don’t have the perfect report and the place Port haven’t misplaced this season. Those two details have been sufficient to sway most observers (together with me) into considering that Port would safe a win, however there was a collective underestimation in each the Power’s capability to wrestle towards the perfect and the Dogs’ power.

To be truthful to the Power, this loss can’t be registered as being on the identical scale because the prior two, and that’s the rationale there’s an asterisk within the heading. Nevertheless, there’s one thing to be stated by the way in which they have been utterly blown away within the first time period, fought onerous to get again into the competition after which have been merely unable to beat a decided Bulldogs aspect, who have been aided by excellent targets within the closing time period.

The Power gained’t be derailed by the loss – they’ve greater than sufficient video games each at residence and towards weaker sides to comfortably make finals – however there’s a regarding tendency for the Power to wrestle towards sides that they’re greater than prone to be competing towards come September. And it’s an odd factor as a result of it is a phenomenon that has existed for the previous couple of seasons.

This yr the Power have misplaced all three of their 4 clashes towards groups within the high eight; final season they misplaced 4 of seven and in 2019 (the final yr they didn’t make finals) they misplaced seven of their ten clashes towards eventual finalists.

The Bulldogs, as you’d count on, have been excellent. They’ve managed to shake off their singular loss for the season a fortnight in the past to bounce again with two sturdy wins. That’s paved the way in which for an enthralling three weeks: clashes towards the Saints and Freo bookend a marquee match towards Melbourne.

Power coach Ken Hinkley looks on

Ken Hinkley. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Tigers and Giants present the products that their final encounter in Melbourne didn’t
The final time Richmond and GWS performed towards one another in Victoria it was the 2019 grand closing. We all noticed how that recreation eventuated, and it was maybe probably the most high-profile anticlimactic conflict of current years. Pleasingly for neutrals, Saturday evening’s encounter between the 2 sides was a greater contest in each possible manner.

The residence aspect was starting to ‘struggle’ (if that phrase exists in Tigerland’s vernacular) with a 4-4 report and a totally disappointing loss final week towards the Cats. On Friday there have been occasions, particularly all through the second and third phrases, the place it seemed just like the Giants have been going to observe the lead of Sydney, Port, Melbourne and Geelong in knocking off the Tigers this season – they usually’d have been the one non-finalists to take action up to now.

And but, simply because the Tigers completely love making a mockery of any and all solutions that they’re ‘struggling’, ‘not travelling well’, ‘losing steam’ or any permeation of that notion, they discovered their manner out of it. Ironically the ultimate purpose deep within the final quarter to win them the sport got here off the boot of Daniel Rioli, who was concerned in a nightclub altercation. On that word, Richmond’s ‘win after controversy’ rating strikes to 3-0 prior to now two years.

Richmond’s capability to win drew upon the stupendous depth of their midfield. There was no Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia, Shane Edwards et al, however there was Marlion Pickett, Jack Graham, Riley Collier-Dawkins and Jake Aarts. And naturally there was Dustin Martin, who was as sensational as you’d count on.

The extra skilled GWS staff had a pure ascendency over the Richmond crew for a lot of the sport, however they slowly obtained on high of the conflict, and whereas they didn’t win any stats, it’s inconceivable to not give plaudits to the power of the staff.

The Giants will likely be peeved to let that recreation slip, and their slate will get no simpler: the Eagles and Brisbane earlier than North, whereas Richmond have a basic towards Brisbane subsequent weekend.

Shane Edwards and Jack Graham (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos through Getty Images)

Hardwick’s complaints ring hole
Speaking of Richmond, Damien Hardwick’s complaints about Marvel Stadium after Saturday evening’s conflict have me in two minds.

One, Marvel Stadium is a poor stadium – it’s synthetic, boring and doesn’t have custom. The MCG is objectively higher. I can perceive logically why the Tigers would favor to have their residence video games on the G, and it’s a rattling disgrace there was a dramatically small crowd to witness an awesome conflict – though, yeah, the Giants’ small fan-base can account for the tiny ‘away’ crowd.

But no matter whether or not or not it’s a poor stadium, no matter whether or not or not the staff was ‘struggling’, no matter whether or not or not they have been taking part in a staff with a tiny fan-base, the Tigers have the league’s largest fan-base.

And for simply 18,000 of them to show up on a Saturday evening at a stadium just a few kilometres from their typical house is definitely not on the AFL or its scheduling, as Hardwick insinuated. It’s on Richmond followers themselves.

St Kilda lose it, Geelong don’t win it
There was a second within the closing quarter of Friday evening’s recreation – with about seven minutes to go, an 11-point margin favouring the Cats – the place Max King was lining up for purpose. He was 1.4 for his kicking up till that time of the conflict, and there was an enormous onus on him. If he scored the purpose, the margin would chop to 4 points within the essential dying levels, and with a house crowd behind them his aspect would have the momentum.

The Sherrin slammed into the put up.

It was emblematic of the Saints’ evening, actually. Strong in all areas of the bottom and searching surprisingly superior to the Cats – who have been heavy favourites – they shot themselves within the foot by some horrific ending. St Kilda’s first quarter noticed them return a rating of 0.7, and it took two extra misses a time period later to lastly garner their first main of the evening – which, sarcastically, was King’s first and solely purpose.

Their final scoreline of 5.17 was the worst of any staff in any spherical this yr and an illuminating reflection on their clear incapability to make Geelong pay for a weirdly uninspired efficiency. That’s to not say the Cats didn’t do sufficient to win the conflict – they did – but when the Saints’ kicking expertise matched their endeavour, they’d have been nicely forward and on observe for a considerably extra snug win. Just one thing for Chris Scott and co to ponder.

Max King (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos through Getty Images)

North break by means of for his or her first of the season, however will anyone bear in mind it?
It’s good to lastly write about North with out some platitude about how they seemed aggressive in a loss or prognosticating about once they may finally win. And that’s as a result of after 9 rounds they’ve secured their win – their first since July final yr. Congratulations, North followers. That means your staff went winless for a shorter interval than the Dockers 2016 or Adelaide’s 2020 shedding streak.

Granted, as my sardonic subheading theorises, it’ll be troublesome to think about many neutrals remembering this conflict. And that’s actually a disgrace, as a result of beneath the sport’s cellar-dweller rivals and Saturday afternoon timeslot lay a genuinely thrilling conflict. The recreation had a number of of the extra thrilling soccer tropes: a big comeback, a really shut end and an inspirational run of targets from a usually understated participant.

It was the latter that impressed the previous, as Cameron Zurhaar’s 4 targets included two essential majors earlier than and after the ultimate break and gave the Kangaroos a real sniff. Throw within the effort that has been current for just a few weeks now, an opposition that was doubtlessly too complacent of their Tasmanian residence away from residence and a few impressed performances from young and old fingers alike and it’s onerous to think about a extra optimistic story from the spherical.

Hawthorn stay exactly the place they have been per week in the past – a staff that has two wins from 9 begins and a seemingly collective shrug of the shoulders relating to their future. Some commentors requested final week why Hawthorn’s struggles aren’t getting sufficient consideration. I can’t theorise on that, however they’re definitely not doing themselves many favours primarily based on performances like Saturday’s.

(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos through Getty Images)

Essendon flick the script as Freo shoot themselves within the foot with some disturbingly acquainted traits
Yesterday’s Essendon and Fremantle recreation might be not going to be one which anyone who doesn’t put on pink and white remembers too fondly. The Bombers’ report in shut matches – as I mentioned on this column final week – was an more and more worrisome one, with the staff considerably extra prone to lose than win when the sport goes right down to the demise. That’s a report that modified yesterday, because the Bombers – by means of a pair of sensational, flukey targets to Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Brayden Ham – overcame a tense closing quarter to safe a much-needed win.

Unfortunately for them, the story of the day merely needed to focus upon the Dockers. Freo may have and possibly ought to have gained that conflict. Freo’s purpose kicking – an omnipresent situation – noticed them cough up likelihood after likelihood on the lead and momentum. Nat Fyfe has was a confidence-devoid skipper, which is bound to be permeating by means of the membership. Their away report – the membership pulling off an phantasm on the contrary by the nice win in Adelaide – stays wholly unacceptable.

There’s a lot expertise on the bottom (and within the medical rooms) for Fremantle. But losses like that frustrate, and with video games towards Sydney, Port and the Doggies to come back in fast succession, Freo’s season is over earlier than it ever actually started.

Dyson Heppell (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos through Getty Images)

Everybody will get a flip

Adelaide Crows
They Were considerably extra gallant than I’d anticipated, particularly by means of the primary half. They’ve formally fallen from the heights they have been at earlier within the season, however I anticipated them to shock just a few groups within the the rest of the yr.

Brisbane Lions
They obtained the job accomplished with absolute ease, which is pretty much as good a proposition as any membership would need. In true footy type, although, their outcome was dented by accidents to Darcy Gardiner and Ryan Laster.

Carlton
I’ve seen feedback wanting the Blues to garner extra consideration on this column, and I’d like to oblige, however 4 losses from their final 5 begins simply doesn’t present a lot to work with apart from ‘are the Blues languishing?’. They have Hawthorn subsequent up. Should win that.

Collingwood
So, uh, not loads to report. A reversion to the norm. And ‘norm’ on this context means a troublesome loss and one other week of the very same criticism of Nathan Buckley.

Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley looks on

Nathan Buckley (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Essendon
I’m doubtful about Ben Rutten’s feedback hitting out at Freo’s use of a tagger on Zach Merrett. He said, in particular, “I think we need to let our good players play the game and compete hard when the ball is around, as it is dangerous”.

Maybe I’m misunderstanding, however does Rutten perceive the purpose of tagging is to lock down the perfect gamers – which, for the report, Freo was profitable at.

Fremantle
Adam Cerra’s probably the most attention-grabbing proposition within the Dockers staff on the minute and was excellent on Sunday. His efficiency would have Freo doubling down on their efforts to safe his signature, and Victorian golf equipment will likely be paying extra consideration.

Geelong Cats
Cam Guthrie was excellent on Friday evening and stays up there on the record of most fascinating free brokers. I doubt he’d depart Geelong, however you by no means know.

Gold Coast Suns
As is the conference, the Suns forged away any assertion of optimism with a stinker of a efficiency. This was as poor they’ve performed this yr, in a QClash of all video games.

(*9*)

Jarrod Witts (Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

GWS Giants
Jesse Hogan performed his greatest recreation for the membership on Saturday, booting 4 targets (all of these within the second time period). I discussed this within the column earlier than, however I’m ecstatic for him and hope this kind retains up.

Hawthorn
It isn’t usually they lose in Launceston. It’s even rarer they lose to a winless staff – I haven’t seemed, however I’m going to garner that it’s by no means occurred till Saturday.

Melbourne
Nine and zip! Nine and zip! Nine and zi- oh sure, it stays a bizarre factor to say. The prospects of ‘pulling a Melbourne’ are receding – perhaps they gained’t happen in any respect?

North Melbourne
They obtained him his first win as coach on his birthday in a fantastic state of Australia. It wasn’t a nasty Saturday for David Noble.

New Kangaroos coach David Noble poses

David Noble (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide
Given I mentioned them lots above, the following time the Power play a top-eight staff is after the bye (Geelong at Adelaide Oval). It’s far too early to hypothesise what is going to occur in that match, but it surely’ll be attention-grabbing to observe.

Richmond
An damage to the purpose umpire just isn’t what I anticipated in the course of the conflict, however main props to Dustin Martin for being a legend and checking on the official who was hobbling off with a wounded shoulder.

St Kilda
If there’s something which may frustrate the Saints greater than their kicking yips, it’ll be accidents to Rowan Marshall and Brad Crouch. Marshall’s set to overlook weeks with a foot damage, whereas Crouch – who was amongst their greatest on Friday – will likely be contact and go for subsequent weekend’s conflict towards the Bulldogs after struggling a fractured cheekbone.

Sydney Swans
Like Brisbane, they’d (largely) as simple a win as they’d like. Holding the Magpies goalless for half a recreation was certain to please, even when they weren’t at their most damaging themselves.

West Coast Eagles
Big hauls by large forwards in second quarters (a barely area of interest proposition, I’d admit) appeared to be in vogue this week: Jesse Hogan for the Giants, Jack Darling for the Eagles.

Western Bulldogs
St Kilda are the Bulldogs’ subsequent opponents, and whereas the Dogs will begin heavy favourites, it simply screams upset to me. That isn’t simply my instinct: the Saints have gained the final three clashes between the 2 sides.





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