3 minute read
Gold Coast sit atop the AFL ladder at the end of a round for the first time in their history after smashing Richmond in their first game under Damien Hardwick.
THEY SAID IT: "Regardless of the wins, the losses, the ups and downs, I just want to want to come out here and feel like I play like Brodie Grundy." - Sydney recruit Grundy after having the better of his highly anticipated duel with former teammate, star Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Gold Coast midfielder Matt Rowell started the season in scintillating fashion, winning a near-record 20 clearances from his 33 disposals. The former No.1 draft pick finished with the second most clearances in a game on record, only behind Paul Salmon's 22 while playing for Hawthorn in 1998.
THE MOMENT: Harry McKay has copped plenty of criticism - much of it deserved - for his wayward goal-kicking in recent seasons. But the Carlton spearhead stepped up when his side needed him most, steering through the match-winner to put the finishing touches on the Blues' epic comeback win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
TALKING POINT: The earliest start to an AFL season ever, the league's so-called "Opening Round' in NSW and Queensland resulted in four sell-out games. GWS and Gold Coast drew some of the biggest home crowds in their history. But the decision to leave out 10 clubs from the first round of the season is going to cause the ladder to be lopsided until round six, when all teams will finally have played the same number of matches. Marketing in rugby league territory early in the season is important, but is a staggered start to the year sustainable in an-already comprised schedule?
STATS THAT MATTER: Gold Coast led Richmond by a staggering 61 points at halftime - the Suns' biggest ever advantage at a main break. After defeating the Tigers in their first game under Damien Hardwick, the Suns finish a round - albeit a shortened one - on top of the ladder for the first time in their 14-season history.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Carlton midfielder George Hewett and Brisbane star Lachie Neale escaped with $2500 fines for striking each other. Sydney's Justin McInerney copped the same sanction for rough conduct on Melbourne captain Max Gawn.
INJURIES: K Coleman (BL, knee), S Docherty (Carl, knee), J Bowey (Melb, broken collarbone), C Ward (GWS, shoulder).
WHAT'S NEXT: Regular service resumes in a round spread across the nation, which kicks off with Carlton-Richmond and Collingwood-Sydney clashes at the MCG on Thursday and Friday respectively. Geelong will officially unveil the new Joel Selwood Stand at GMHBA Stadium when they welcome St Kilda on Saturday night, and Gold Coast host Adelaide in a tasty match-up. Port Adelaide will be hot favourites against West Coast on Sunday, and the round ends with a Fremantle-Brisbane contest in Perth.
