What a weekend of football. Carlton and Gold Coast secured impressive wins, Collingwood stifled another opposition, while we again were reminded that teams underestimate Alastair Clarkson and the Hawks at their peril.
The West Coast and Richmond continue to splutter along, Adelaide are on the verge of imploding and their cross-town rivals Port Adelaide are sitting pretty at the summit.
There are plenty of storylines this week. Here is what we learnt from Round 3.
1. Carlton and Teague showed what they are about
The Blues have played only three bad quarters of football this season, both opening quarters in Round 1 and 2 and the last quarter on Saturday night.
Aside from those mishaps the Blues have played some exciting football this season. Mitch McGovern showed the ability we all know he has; big Levi Casboult has one of the best sets of hands in the competition and they played with confidence against the Cats, who simply could not handle what Carlton threw at them for three quarters. A great result for the Blues but it is one they must now build upon.
2. The hype surrounding Gold Coast is real
If we thought last week’s result against the West Coast was impressive, then what the Suns did to Adelaide was simply disrespectful.
Holding the Crows to a single goal through three quarters and hunted them at every opportunity. Touk Miller led the way for the Suns with 26 disposals and young gun Matt Rowell continued to impress with two goals and 20 touches while Ben King showed he is going to be a future star with three on Daniel Talia.
It is hard not to like the Suns now, but I will be holding my judgement until they can do this away from Metricon.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
3. Collingwood’s defence is elite
This has possibly flown under the radar giving what is happening to Adelaide and the Suns but make no mistake, the Pies’ defence is the real deal.
In the opening three rounds Collingwood have held the Western Bulldogs (34) Richmond (36) and St Kilda (37) all to seriously low scores and only allowing five goals a match. Led my Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore, and Jordan Roughead this Pies back six is seriously talented.
4. Adelaide are an absolute shambles
Stating the obvious here, but what they dished up on Sunday afternoon on at Metricon was nothing short of embarrassing.
After the week they had off the field, with all the shots the club had taken, Matthew Nicks needed his players to make a statement and they did, just the wrong one. They did not give a yelp at all, their so-called senior players were taught a lesson in effort and endeavour by kids and when the physical pressure came, they crumbled.
It was a horror day for the club and their issues need fixing and quickly.
5. Richmond and West Coast are stuttering
The last two weeks the Tigers have been kept under 40 points, something that with the firepower up forward would be deemed impossible, but that is what has happened. Richmond do not look like themselves, stagnate ball movement and low scoring, something is up at Punt Road.
Is the lack of crowd a reason? Or have teams finally figured out a way to play them? This is the Tigers remember so do not write them off yet.
For the West Coast, the Queensland hub cannot end soon enough. A beating at the hands of the youthful Suns and then a five-goal loss to Brisbane who in fairness kicked away in the final minutes of the game, so the score line is somewhat unfair to them.
With the 3-0 Power up next its time to knuckle down get back on the winners list for Adam Simpson’s men or risk falling behind on the finals race.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Yes, but they've won 4 out of the last 5.....bunnies!!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The Pies were actually the last club GWS recorded a win over. We lead them 6 wins to 4 in their history
Mark
Roar Rookie
I hope he does kick 4 but Saints won't win. Your obsession with Richmond is quite flattering and the fact that you spend so much time thinking & talking about the Tigers says to me that you secretly wish you barrack for them....or maybe you do???? Pies have plenty to worry about this week. After all you are GWS's bunnies!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Not hard when you keep sides to 5 goals
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
How ironic for Butler to kick 4 and help defeat his old side who rejected his talents
Mark
Roar Rookie
We all wish him the best of luck....just not this week!
sven
Roar Rookie
3 games in & we already have recruit of the year decided !
Maxy
Roar Rookie
still doesnt tell me how you will kick a winning score
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Our defence is also a part of our midfield hub. We have unselfish players like Chris Mayne who plays defensive wing. It’s team defence at the Pies.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Butler is likely recruit of the year proving his detractors at Richmond wrong. He is a man on a mission it seems
Maxy
Roar Rookie
he should be more concerned about his overpaid and over rated forward line Realist,thats why he only talks about his elite defence, that is what is keeping pies in games,not his disfunctional forward,line that come finals wont be able to kick a winning score
Mark
Roar Rookie
Fixated on the Tigers much Petie??? It’s become a bit of an obsession with you!
Mark
Roar Rookie
Tigers are well served for small forwards and Butlers form had tapered off considerably after battling through some significant injuries and was finding it hard to break into what was to become an all conquering Premiership Team in 2019. Rioli is definitely the better player of the 2.....he's struggling right now, like the Team is, but he'll bounce back soon enough. The Tigers didn't want Butler to leave but were not going to stand in the way of a Player seeking opportunity. As I said, he's very much loved down at Tigerland, he's a life member and will always be welcome at the Club. You are showing us all how little you know about the Tigers, Petie. Maybe just stick to what you know.....Collingwood, and not much else!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
So you wouldn’t go back to kicking Butler out and swapping for Rioli who can’t get near it?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Tigers did that over nine months ago. They look a shadow of themselves. Covid has given them a blow it seems . I am not carried away with the Suns just yet.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
yeah,port beat them up on the gold coast very easily in round 1 .That is all forgotten or given no credit whatsover, but apparently they are definates for the 8 even top 4 talk
Mark
Roar Rookie
Good luck to Brandon and Dan. I love those two and they’ll always be considered Tigers to the Richmond faithfull. As for Lloyd, just like you he has a habit of going the early crow and being severely embarrassed. He made a bad call on Lynch early last season which, to his credit, admitted later was a very bad call. We don’t get that sort of honesty from you Petie, that’s why you continue to be seen as nothing but a joke in this forum!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Matthew Lloyd needs to get a brain scan with comments like that. They've won two games at home. Richmond won 17 in a row on their way to a Premiership. Also to win a premiership, they need to win at the MCG. Give it a rest. This carry on with the Gold Coast is just laughable.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Matthew Lloyd has claimed Brandon Ellis is closer to a flag now at The Suns then he would be at the Tigers. A wise man is Matthew Lloyd. Gee Dan Butler is a good player to give away. Should’ve kept him and off loaded Rioli who can’t get a kick !
Maxy
Roar Rookie
in all seriousness i did learn those king boys are going to be problem for all teams going forward