3 minute read
A look at round 10 of the AFL season, where Melbourne extended its winning run to 17 games and West Coast's woes continued..
THEY SAID IT: "I'm incredibly proud of the group, 10-0 this year is a great start to our season. Our supporters should really embrace what these boys are doing for them because it's pretty special." - Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on the reigning premiers' 17-game win streak
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: A six-goal haul is a rarity in modern footy, so fans received a double dose of joy this round when Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow and St Kilda forward Max King had big days out. King's six goals helped St Kilda overhaul a dogged Adelaide, while Curnow's six-goal haul saw Carlton beat Sydney by 15 points.
THE MOMENT: The AFL world was again left stunned by Richmond's fitting tribute to the traditional owners of their land before the Dreamtime clash with Essendon. Indigenous stars Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards and Maurice Rioli Jnr - as well as suspended gun Marlion Pickett - were all central in the full-team war cry that preceded a comfortable win, which firmed up the Tigers' top-eight spot.
BEAT THAT: Gold Coast youngster Joel Jeffrey pulled off a sensational goal against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat. Jeffrey arguably could have won a free kick close to goal but bounced to his feet, intercepted a handball then snapped an overhead kick through. It was one of five goals for the 20-year-old, the best performance of his six-game career, and came just days after a family member's passing.
TALKING POINT: Crowds are still below where they were pre-COVID in Victoria, but just 13,422 fans turned out for North Melbourne's home game against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. The Kangaroos are going through a major rebuild and were the biggest of underdogs against the undefeated Demons. But North fans were greatly outnumbered for their own home match and it must be a concern for club hierarchy. There will be a watch on the crowd turnout at North's next home game at Marvel against expansion club GWS in round 13.
STATS THAT MATTER: 76.1. That is West Coast's average losing margin over the past six weeks, marking the worst six-week stretch in the club's history. The Eagles are going so badly that Sunday's 52-point loss to GWS actually increased West Coast's percentage by 1.5.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Essendon defender Mason Redman was offered a one-match ban for striking Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia off the ball at a boundary throw-in. Sydney co-captain Josh Kennedy was given a one-match ban for striking after his clumsy spoiling attempt on Sam Docherty.
INJURIES: R Thompson (GC, knee), J Farrar (GC, concussion), J Kennedy (Syd, hamstring), T Lynch (Rich, hamstring), K Lambert (Rich, hip), M Guelfi (Ess, hamstring), D Shield (Ess, calf), P Dangerfield (Geel, calf), E Langdon (Mel, ribs), C Taylor (NM, ribs), J Rachele (Adel, hip), H McCluggage (Bris, hamstring), M Lynch (Haw, head), W Day (Haw, ankle), L Shuey (WC, back), M Cox (Coll, finger).
WHAT'S NEXT: Sydney and Richmond lock horns in a crunch Friday night clash at the SCG, while Melbourne will be aiming to make it 18 straight wins when they host Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday. Collingwood and Carlton face off at the MCG on Sunday, while Port Adelaide host Essendon.
