A look at round 16 of the AFL season, in which Dan Houston emerged as the ultimate hero with an after-the-siren winner for Port Adelaide.
THEY SAID IT: "I was a really disappointed father today." - St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wasn't happy with the way his team performed in an eight-point win over wooden spoon favourites West Coast.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan proved his worth against Fremantle, kicking four goals and taking a series of spectacular marks to lift the Bulldogs to a 29-point win. Ugle-Hagan snared nine marks for the match, including four contested.
THE MOMENT: Only a select number of players in the AFL could have pulled off what Dan Houston did. Marking 55m out on a tricky angle in wet conditions, the Port Adelaide utility roosted the ball through after the siren to give the Power an extraordinary four-point win over Essendon. Special mention also goes to GWS midfielder Josh Kelly, whose kick from long range in the dying minutes lifted his side to an upset two-point victory over Melbourne in the wet.
TALKING POINT: Fremantle's last-quarter fade-out. The Dockers fought hard at Marvel Stadium to inch two points ahead of the Bulldogs in the final term. But Fremantle gave up three quick goals in the blink of an eye from centre bounces as the Bulldogs waltzed to a 29-point win. The result has left Fremantle's finals hopes delicately balanced, with the Dockers likely needing six wins from their last eight games to sneak in.
STATS THAT MATTER: After three straight wins under caretaker coach Andrew McQualter, Richmond crashed back down to earth at the Gabba on Thursday night. Their 81-point defeat was the Tigers' heaviest ever against a Fitzroy, Brisbane Bears or Brisbane Lions team.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Star Carlton defender Jacob Weitering was reported on the spot for striking Hawthorn ruckman Lloyd Meek during the third quarter at the MCG. Geelong forward Brad Close avoided a second suspension for a dangerous tackle after the match review officer determined his challenge on Sydney's Aaron Francis wasn't careless. Cody Weightman, Josh Worrell, Taylor Walker, Noah Anderson and Jarrod Witts all copped fines for various incidents.
INJURIES: J Butts (Adel, concussion), J Short (Richmond, hamstring), C Ah Chee (Brisbane, concussion), J Dunkley (Brisbane, calf), N Fyfe (Fremantle, foot), J Battle (SK, concussion), B Fritsch (Melb, foot), J Darling (WC, shoulder), B Hill (SK, knee)
WHAT'S NEXT: Richmond and Sydney open round 17 on Thursday night at the MCG, while ladder-leaders Collingwood face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. Historically poor West Coast travel to face the rampaging Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in what looms as a one-sided affair. Essendon and Adelaide clash on Sunday in a potential match of the round.
Comments