Weekly wrap: Round 20 studs, duds, injuries

I had a disappointing weekend.

Hawthorn lost, my SuperCoach team sucked, and I woke up on Sunday morning just about as dusty as dust itself.

What on earth went wrong?

Oh, yeah… Probably still having Short, Crisp, Witts, and Coniglio who was the cherry on the icing on the gross looking cake that was my team.

This week, I scored 2327 which moved me down 590 spots to 7833^rd.

In a week of doom, it was hard to find much gloom, but my GOAT award for this week goes to the main man, Rory Laird.

He has had an unreal month, and with a three-round average of 146, I’m so glad he’s in my side.

Anyway, let’s get into the wrap!

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Fremantle v Melbourne

This win really cemented the gap in ability between these two teams and confirmed just how good Melbourne really are.

Andrew Brayshaw (138) was sensational, and I really do think he’s the best two-way midfielder in the league. His multiple chase-down tackles were elite.

James Aish (120) put up an unreal effort against Clayton Oliver (85) to keep him to just 21 touches.

Will Brodie (92) played just 64% of the game, but still managed to rack up 35 touches, as did David Mundy (99).

Luke Ryan (110) and Hayden Young (110) went about their usual business in defence, while Sean Darcy (92) battled admirably against a formidable ruck duo in Max Gawn (114) and Luke Jackson (73).

After signing a mammoth new contract, Angus Brayshaw (123) was at his very best alongside Jack Viney (118) and Christian Petracca (134).

Kozzie Pickett (88) and Bayley Fritsch (85) both kicked three goals each.

Injuries – nil.

Reports – nil.

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Collingwood v Port Adelaide

It was a low-scoring SuperCoach day for the Pies, but they still managed to grab another tight win.

Josh (84) and Nick (77) Daicos were solid all day, as was Patrick Lipinski (85), but Jack Crisp (60) was bang on average.

In probably his last game of freedom, Darcy Cameron (113) was dominant in the ruck, while Jordan De Goey (100) was back to his best.

Connor Rozee (119) was electric in the midfield, collecting 35 touches alongside Ollie Wines (125) and Zac Butters (120) who even chimed in with two goals.

Jase Burgoyne (85) continues to impress and would have provided some great cover if you chose to hold George Hewett.

Injuries – Taylor Adams (groin), Jeremy Howe (quad)

Reports – nil.

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Sydney v GWS

Errol Gulden (131) was everywhere at the SCG, collecting 33 touches, 12 marks, and even two goals!

The midfield of James Rowbottom (120), Luke Parker (119), and Callum Mills (120) was elite, with Parker winning the best on ground medal due to his 34 touches and seven tackles.

Sam Reid (152) was in the ruck rotation and relished the opportunity, kicking three goals to add to his 13 hit-outs and 18 touches.

Chad Warner (69), amidst his scandal, was tagged by Lachlan Ash (45).

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Speaking of tagged, Harry Himmelberg (74) was shut down by Ryan Clarke (55). If you’re a keen observer of my writing, you would have noticed that in last week’s ‘Tag Watch’, Himmelberg was the first name on my list.

Josh Kelly (103) tried his hardest all day, but his fellow on-ballers in Tim Taranto (72) and Callan Ward (60) couldn’t follow him into battle.

Big Braydon Preuss (64) dominated in the ruck, but he did the most Preussy thing of all and will probably be watching the next game from the sidelines.

Sam Taylor (132) was solid down back, taking a team-high 10 marks.

Injuries – nil.

Reports – nil.

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St. Kilda v Hawthorn

I had concerns all week about a Jack Steele (107) tag, but he fully enjoyed the open spaces of Marvel Stadium; although Jack Sinclair (102) fell victim to Finn Maginness (72) up until the third quarter.

Rowan Marshall (173) was the star of the show, and if you haven’t got him in already, you need to get him in now.

Brad Crouch (130) and Seb Ross (118) were elite in the middle, and it was nice to see Dan Hannebery (93) make a successful return to AFL.

It was also super nice to see Mitch Owens (67) finally back in the team.

The pig, Tom Mitchell (106) was back firmly in the guts and enjoyed his time with 31 touches and 9 marks, while Josh Ward (83) and Jai Newcombe (71) continue to develop with each passing game.

Dylan Moore (69) was a popular pick going into the round, but five free kicks against and seven clangers brought his score well below what it should’ve been.

Injuries – Josh Morris (shoulder, Mitch Lewis (knee)

Reports – nil.

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Geelong v Western Bulldogs

This was a must-win for the Doggies, but the old Cats proved to be just too strong.

Tom Stewart (112) returned with a bang from his suspension, while Patrick Dangerfield (97) looked like the Dangerfield of old FINALLY.

Bradley Close (123) continues to take his game to new heights, and I seriously reckon he’ll be a legit option next season.

Cam Guthrie (109) ton’d up for the first time in three weeks, and Mitch Duncan (90) was solid as always.

Overall, the Dogs were fairly underwhelming, with Marcus Bontempelli (98), Jack Macrae (82), Tim English (79), and Bailey Smith (59) all failing to reach our high expectations.

However, Josh Dunkley (130) was absolutely incredible, scoring his first hundred since Round 16 which was amazing for those that held him.

Tom Liberatore (112) did his best to hold up the midfield, as did Bailey Dale (103) off half-back.

Injuries – Garry Rohan (concussion)  

Reports – nil.

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Adelaide v Carlton

Oh Carlton… Carlton, Carlton, Carlton…

Brodie Smith (134) was electric off half-back with 37 touches, 8 marks and 4 tackles!

Rory Laird (144) continued his incredible run of form. Since Round 15, he hasn’t dropped below 125… Not once…

Jordan Dawson (126) was back to his usual high-scoring self after three weeks of no tons, and while Ben Keays (90) had one of the weirder roles of his career, he still managed to kick three goals all from virtually inside the goal score.

Josh Worrell (87) came back to play just his second game of his career, now putting himself on the bubble if you’re in need of a rookie!

Patrick Cripps (146) racked up a career high 41 touches!! Absolutely sensational but also devastating for those who traded him out (like me).

Alongside Crippa, Sam Walsh (113), Adam Cerra (113), and Matthew Kennedy (94) all got a heap of the footy.

Sam Docherty (91) was amazing in defence but gave away four free kicks which definitely hurt his score; and Adam Saad (111) managed to shrug off a tag from Ben Keays.

For those relying on Corey Durdin (1) as cover for Stephen Coniglio, you would’ve been left pretttyyy disappointed.

Injuries – Corey Durdin (shoulder), Nic Newman (knee), Matthew Kennedy (concussion)

Reports – nil.

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Gold Coast v West Coast

Gee whiz the Suns almost choked the heck out of this, but luckily Touk Miller (153) is an absolute beast. In his last five games, he has three 150+ scores…

David Swallow (111) and Noah Anderson (105) were both super solid, but Jarrod Witts (85) was disappointing yet again.

In his second game, Elijah Hollands (65) showed signs of class; but on debut, Mac Andrew (33) didn’t do a whole lot.

Jack Darling (101) booted SIX goals!

Jack Redden (121), Tim Kelly (99), and Andrew Gaff (89) put on a brave effort in the middle, Jai Culley’s (26) blatant elbow to the face of Noah Anderson will likely see him miss the rest of the season – as well as the fact that he pinged his hammy.

Shannon Hurn (137) was once again monstrous down back and having only dropped under 99 once since round 7, he looks like a great option to close out the season.

Injuries – Jai Culley (hamstring)

Reports – Jai Culley (elbow to the face of Noah Anderson)

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Richmond v Brisbane

Wowee the Tigers are on a tear at the moment!

Although he couldn’t kick straight, Shai Bolton (131) was dominant across half-forward, and Tom Lynch was on the receiving end of a lot of his inside 50’s on his way to four goals.

The feel-good story of the round was Noah Cumberland (88) going ballistic after the heartbreak he endured last week.

Jayden Short (74) was hella disappointing, but the midfield of Trent Cotchin (94), Dion Prestia (92), and Toby Nankervis (93) were all super solid.

Hugh McCluggage (114), Lachie Neale (110), and Jarryd Lyons (107) were all electric in the middle, with Dayne Zorko (85) also putting in a respectable shift.

Keidan ‘Kiddy’ Coleman (105) was like a kid in a candy store at half-back without Daniel Rich, as he recorded his third straight ton.

Injuries – Dylan Grimes (hamstring), Zac Bailey (sternum)

Reports – nil.

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Essendon v North Melbourne

Well… Where to start?

Probably Zach Merrett (140) I reckon.

I bet you’re looking at his score right now and you’re thinking, “meh, that’s a pretty good score but it’s nothing amazing”.

Now ordinarily I would agree with you, but not this time. Because, in the second half ALONE, Zach Merrett had 26 touches, 5 marks, 9 tackles, and a goal… In one half…

He wasn’t alone in the sensational scoring, with Mason Redman (176) scoring a career high due to his 32 touches, 10 marks, and a goal from outside 50 that should be presented in The Louvre.

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Jake Stringer (114) played a little bit through the middle and kicked 5 goals in his best game of the year.

Kyle Langford (106) and Dyson Heppell (106) were both solid on the wings, while Nicholas Martin (90) provided a very serviceable score off the bench in place of Coniglio if you’ve held him this whole time.

Jy Simpkin (120) was tagged up until part way through the third quarter but never really looked phased during his 41-disposal haul.

Jaidyn Stephenson (111) somehow racked up 35 touches in a new defensive role, but Luke Davies-Uniacke (68) never really got going.

Injuries – Jye Caldwell (calf)

Suspensions – nil.