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Opinion
Round 13 started off with Dustin Martin kicking his 300th goal when the Tigers played the Power in the opening game. It was a monotonous match to begin the weekend, but at least the margin was close, with the game was in the balance for most of the game.
There was an outstanding game on Saturday between the Dockers and the Hawks. It was such an exciting game to watch as both teams performed admirably. Remarkably, the Hawks had 14 more inside 50s but lost to the handball-happy Dockers by 13 points.
Unfortunately Blake Acres suffered a hamstring injury and was in tears as a result, as he was pushing for an All Australian berth on the wing. To make matters worse, he is only contracted until the end of 2022.
Andrew Brayshaw remains the best player in the AFL and should win the Brownlow Medal.
The Kangaroos have plenty of issues. Jason Horne-Francis’s body language remains an issue – it appeared he wasn’t just not listening to ruckman Todd Goldstein but blatantly ignoring him. Horne-Francis could also be in strife with the match review officer due to a late hit to the head of Josh Kelly.
Players of the ilk of Horne-Francis and Jaidyn Stephenson shouldn’t be a part of North Melbourne’s best 22 going forward – the club needs to make a statement.
Despite being a No. 1 draft pick, the number is just that – a number. Look at Jai Newcombe of the Hawks and how well he plays. There’s no disputing that Horne-Francis should be traded, as he’s uninterested and a liability. He shouldn’t play another game for the Kangaroos – it doesn’t seem like he wants to be there anyway.
Last but not least was the Queen’s Birthday clash between the Magpies and the Demons. The pregame is a great cause, with people donating money for the FightMND charity, and the concept clearly shows that sport is a universal language. The game lived up to expectations, and it was a cracking display from the Magpies that warranted the big crowd.
Teams with the bye in Round 13
Adelaide Crows, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns, Sydney Swans, West Coast Eagles and Western Bulldogs.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Brisbane Lions: they did everything well except kick straight
The Brisbane game plan stacked up, but they beat the Saints by only 21 points. Despite that, they had 28 scoring shots to St Kilda’s 17. The Lions made it tough for themselves with their wayward kicking for goal. They trailed by 12 points at halftime and won the second half by 33 points even though they kicked seven goals and 12 behinds. They had 24 inside 50s to the Saints’ eight with approximately 16 minutes left in the fourth quarter. They could’ve annihilated St Kilda.
Carlton Blues: sometimes you have to win ugly
Carlton’s performance was summed up by Patrick Cripps in a post-match interview. They kicked three goals and four behinds in the second half. There’s no disputing they didn’t execute to the level they’re capable of after halftime. They got an old-fashioned spray from Michael Voss at three-quarter-time, but it didn’t work given the fourth quarter was the only one they lost, albeit by four points to two, as there were no goals from either the Bombers or the Blues. Also notable is that Caleb Marchbank, Charlie Curnow and Sam Docherty played their first game together in 770 days.
Collingwood Magpies: an epic win
The Magpies continue to take the game on irrespective of the scoreboard. They showed that there’s a chance for them to contend if their game plan can be executed week in, week out. They dominated the game against the Demons but failed to kick straight in the first half. They also won the ball in the contest, with 27 stoppage clearances to Melbourne’s 14, which was exceptional. It was a four-quarter effort from the Magpies. Their system can stack up against any team in 2022. A special mention to Mason Cox, Jack Crisp as well as Brody Mihocek, who were prolific. Last but not least, Nick Daicos was so composed when the game was on the line.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Essendon Bombers: the celebrations were curtailed
The Bombers had their 150th-year anniversary celebrations, but you wouldn’t have known it from the match. They conceded the opening three goals of the game, though they did fight back and kick the next three. They played with fear – their ball movement and playing style wasn’t up to standard. Despite that, their effort can’t be faulted, as youngsters Harrison Jones and Ben Hobbs were a couple of positives to take out of the game. Unfortunately they lost Darcy Parish due to an injury, and Jake Stringer was sluggish. At the end of the game they had just one less scoring shot than the Blues but lost by 26 points.
Fremantle Dockers: they had to dig deep!
The Dockers played to their optimum level but only beat an impressive Hawks team by 13 points in an epic contest. Remarkably, 52 points is the highest score the Dockers have conceded in any first half in 2022. There’s no doubt they were tested, and they passed the test with flying colours. It was great to see Nat Fyfe back and having to play only his role for the team, not having to put in a superstar performance. ‘Flagmantle’ look like the team to beat!
GWS Giants: plenty to like, but in the second half they lacked fight
The Giants made sure the game was all but over at quarter-time, winning it five goals to nil. They continued on the same trajectory in the second quarter, when they kicked five goals to two. In the first half they tackled relentlessly. The second half was a different story, as they only won it by two points. Despite that, 49 points was Greater Western Sydney’s biggest win over the Kangaroos in the history of the club. There were some other points of interest, with Callan Ward becoming the first Giants player to play 200 games for the club. Harry Himmelberg had a career-high 37 disposals and 16 marks and even kicked a goal playing at fullback. Stephen Coniglio’s form would be pleasing along with that of James Peatling and Jake Riccardi, as all three kicked three goals, Peatling for the third game in a row. The players are slowly but surely implementing the game plan alteration Mark McVeigh has made. They are certainly taking the game on.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Hawthorn Hawks: their system stacks up against any team if they stick to it
The Hawks played extremely well despite losing to the Dockers. They played a great brand of football. There’s no doubt that Hawthorn are capable of building a team that’s going to be playing finals in years to come. The game plan is why Kane Cornes labelled Sam Mitchell a coaching genius. Imagine what people will be calling Sam Mitchell when they get into finals contention/
Melbourne Demons: three in a row as the Demons implode
The Demons got what they deserved, which was to lose the game as Craig McRae outcoached Simon Goodwin. There was nothing to take away from a holistic team perspective, as the scoreboard flattered them. From an individual point of view Clayton Oliver had 42 disposals, while Angus Brayshaw and Jack Viney didn’t stop trying. Melbourne have beaten only two top-eight teams, and their three losses have come against top-eight teams.
North Melbourne Kangaroos: deja vu for the Kangaroos!
The Kangaroos had too many lackadaisical players. There’s no disputing that there was a lack of effort from the likes of Jaidyn Stephenson and Jason Horne-Francis, only had who 13 disposals combined. They lost by 49 points despite having 47 more hit-outs than the Giants as well as four more centre clearances. The Kangaroos lacked urgency when the game was on the line in the first half. Despite that, there were some positives. Josh Walker never stopped trying. Kayne Turner tagged Josh Kelly and did a reasonable job in the first half, but eventually Kelly’s class shone through. Toby Greene’s influence was curtailed by Luke McDonald, as Greene only kicked two goals. Curtis Taylor took an outstanding mark late in the third quarter. There were players who didn’t look like they were up for the fight, which is a concern.
Port Adelaide Power: too many passengers
The Power were powerless after kicking the first two goals of the game. They stayed in touch with the Tigers and nearly snatched an unlikely win, but in the end they couldn’t cope with Richmond’s pressure and ball movement for the remainder of the match. Playing Jeremy Finlayson as a makeshift ruckman worked to some extent, as Port Adelaide had seven more clearances than the Tigers as well as four more centre clearances and three more stoppage clearances. Despite that, their ball usage was poor and they deserved to lose the game. It was difficult for the Power to win the game as they had 16 fewer inside 50s and seven fewer scoring shots. In a nutshell, it was a lacklustre display.
Richmond Tigers: not their best, but they got the job done in the end
The Tigers controlled the balance of play and tempo of the game after conceding the first two goals of the game. They kicked five goals from seven shots in the first quarter. After quarter-time they kicked six goals and nine behinds, which won’t cut it when they play against teams in the top eight. They clearly had some extra incentive to win the game, as it was co-captain Dylan Grimes’s 200th AFL game. They have their coach to thank for spinning the magnets around in the fourth quarter. Damien Hardwick moved Liam Baker and Josh Gibcus forward from defence and both kicked a goal, and Noah Balta moved into defence to curtail the influence of the Power’s Todd Marshall. Regardless, the Tigers nearly lost the game because Shai Bolton kicked five behinds from five scoring shots. It was great to see the youthful exuberance of Judson Clarke, who kicked two goals in the first quarter. The tough calls at selection paid off with Kane Lambert as the sub.
St Kilda Saints: a bad day at the office
The Saints may have led by two goals at halftime, but they had too many passengers. Despite leading at halftime, Bradley Hill put in a poor performance and was curtailed by Brisbane’s Brandon Starcevich, which was pivotal, as Bradley Hill has arguably been All Australian prior to this game. St Kilda lost Mitch Owens and Daniel McKenzie due to concussion, while Zak Jones had a hamstring, which meant that they had two rotations in the fourth quarter. Mason Wood hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter but came back on the ground. Despite all of that, the Saints were thoroughly outplayed, and it may be the wake-up call they needed. Last but not least, how could Jack Billings not be in their best 22?
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