A look at round nine of the AFL season, where Melbourne continued their unbeaten start and the Western Bulldogs produced a vital away win against Port Adelaide.
THEY SAID IT:
"It will do wonders for the belief of the group ... the importance of these outings and these experiences can't be undersold."
- Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge on his side's 19-point away victory against Port Adelaide.
STATS THAT MATTER:
Collingwood failed to kick a goal between quarter-time and three-quarter time. In doing so, they became the first club to have two goal-less terms in the same game this season.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND:
Former Sun Jarryd Lyons was an unwanted man on the Gold Coast in 2018. On Saturday he came back to haunt his old club, starring in midfield with 38 touches to play a vital role in the Lions' thumping 73-point win over their Queensland rivals.
KEY MOMENT:
Daniel Rioli endured a week of scrutiny after he and teammate Shai Bolton were involved in a scuffle with other patrons at a nightclub, and the small forward had managed just five disposals to three-quarter time against GWS. But he stepped up when it mattered and accepted a kind bounce to snap what proved to be the match-winning goal for Richmond.
TALKING POINT:
Richmond fans voted with their feet when only 18,798 turned up for their crunch clash with GWS at Marvel Stadium. The Tigers had averaged more than 50,000 at four previous home matches at the MCG this year. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he "hates" going to the Docklands venue and CEO Brendon Gale said being forced by the AFL to play a home game there would cost the club "hundreds of thousands of dollars".
KEY INJURIES:
Easton Wood (Bulldogs - hamstring), Tom Clurey (Port Adelaide - suspected broken jaw), Ryan Lester (Brisbane - hamstring), Darcy Gardiner (Brisbane - shoulder), Jack Bowes (Gold Coast - hamstring), Harry Perryman (GWS - hamstring), Rowan Marshall (St Kilda - foot), David Cunningham (Carlton - knee), Devon Smith (Essendon - hamstring).
TRIBUNAL WATCH:
North Melbourne's Tarryn Thomas has been slapped with a one-match AFL ban for a rough conduct charge, but GWS spearhead Jesse Hogan and Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis escaped with fines for striking.
WHAT'S NEXT:
Brisbane and Richmond do battle for the first time since last year's finals series in a Friday night blockbuster at the Gabba. Unbeaten Melbourne visit the Crows at Adelaide Oval and the Western Bulldogs will look to continue their strong form in a clash with Marvel Stadium co-tenants St Kilda on Saturday night. Sunday's Giants-Eagles encounter shapes as a belter and flag hopefuls Port Adelaide look to bounce back against Collingwood at the MCG.