There’s plenty to examine from an extended Easter round of footy. Here are the key takeouts from round six.
For Magpies, it’s a case of rinse and repeat
Thursday night, Gabba
Collingwood defeated Brisbane by 52 points
Nick Daicos was nothing short of brilliant for the visiting Magpies at the Gabba on Thursday night.Credit: AFL Photos
In a marathon weekend of games, it’s easy to forget what happened yesterday, let alone last Thursday. But the Easter Thursday clash between the Magpies and Lions matched the intensity of any game we have seen this season. That the Magpies emerged victorious rubber-stamped their credentials as a legitimate premiership contender.
Last week this column declared Craig McRae had orchestrated a “defensive masterclass” against the Swans; this was no different. To hold the Lions to just 58 points, denying them the run they typically enjoy through the corridor (as they had also done against the Swans), was emblematic of the “buy-in” McRae has from his men. That the Lions had just 37 inside-50s for the night said it all. Nick Daicos sent a message to any would-be tagger that there is little point trying to intimidate or rough him up using a phony tough-guy act that Jarrod Berry attempted as soon as the teams emerged from half-time. Daicos had 21 touches to that point, and finished with 38, including eight clearances, a goal and almost certainly another three Brownlow Medal votes. Having fended off master tagger James Jordon a week ago, it’s clearly back to the drawing board for those men who work in the shadows.
And a shoutout to another Daicos, Nick’s brother Josh. He has thrived in a new role at half-back, the rebounding defender having 30 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency against the Lions. The Copeland Trophy winner in the 2023 premiership season, Josh had every right to dig in and insist he remain on a wing. Instead, he is cloaked in a team ethos, and he – and the Magpies – are thriving.
It’s now on to Friday’s Anzac Day clash against Essendon.
Can Bulldogs maintain their bite without Darcy or Ugle-Hagan?
Good Friday, Marvel Stadium – Carlton defeated North Melbourne by 82 points
Easter Sunday, Marvel Stadium– Western Bulldogs defeated St Kilda by 71 points
The Western Bulldogs find themselves in a similar position to the Blues, the latter having had only Charlie Curnow left of their blue-chip marking forwards able to take to the field against North Melbourne. The Blues responded superbly against the listless Kangaroos, booting 24 goals, with 12 goal kickers. Coach Michael Voss liked how small forwards Jesse Motlop (three goals) and Corey Durdin (two) worked in tandem. There was a dash and flair in their attacking 50 that has often been missing.
Voss also sent Patrick Cripps forward to be a marking tall at times, a good move that meant Cripps did not have to be used as the second ruck. With Harry McKay (concussion) potentially available this week, Voss has an interesting call to make ahead of the litmus test that is the Cats on Sunday.
No go: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has barely trained with his Bulldogs teammates this season.Credit: via Getty Images
It’s now over to Luke Beveridge to see how he responds to a months-long knee injury to Sam Darcy. This sport can be cruel, and to have watched Darcy clutch at his knee after a marking contest gone wrong in the first term was one of the saddest sights seen on a field this season. Darcy had been enjoying a breakout campaign and was emerging as the Bulldogs’ most important player and one of the best in the league.
The ongoing absence of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan because of personal reasons now comes further into light. This could have been his time to shine, but Beveridge has made clear he’s not an option in the immediate future.
It’s time for the man dubbed “the astronaut” – Aaron Naughton – to take flight. Perhaps James O’Donnell can go forward. Beveridge, who says the Bulldogs will be ready to adjust, could turn to Marcus Bontempelli to carry an extra load up forward. There is little, if anything, Bontempelli cannot do. The Dogs had 11 goal-kickers against the Saints. That was a good start.
A good win for Simon
Saturday afternoon, MCG
Melbourne defeated Fremantle by 10 points
Kudos to Simon Goodwin and his match committee for having the boldness to axe premiership forward Bayley Fritsch and fellow marking tall Jacob van Rooyen. Fritsch had only three goals in five games; van Rooyen four. Goodwin handled himself well last week amid public questioning about his future at the club and the potential for him to be replaced by Luke Beveridge – chatter he dismissed when asked by this masthead. He was immediately on the front foot and bullish about what his team was still capable of.
Importantly, he also took supporters on the trip with him, declaring a revised game plan with a greater emphasis on defence would be in place. There was also a tweaking of how the team delivered the ball inside 50, with Saturday’s win over Fremantle showing a greater propensity for the short kick. There’s still plenty to play out at Melbourne this season. One win is still well below par, but there was a smile on the face of president Brad Green late on Saturday that hadn’t been seen in some time. Thursday’s Anzac Day eve clash against Richmond is now another must win.
Turn off: Saints, Kangaroos squander prime-time slots
Easter Sunday, Marvel Stadium
Western Bulldogs defeated St Kilda by 71 points
St Kilda and North Melbourne are two Melbourne-based clubs hunting for greater public exposure. Namely, big games that can be sold as must-watch events. Dare we say, blockbusters. Well, over the weekend, they let themselves down.
That the Kangaroos’ Good Friday clash against Carlton drew a sellout crowd of more than 47,000 and raised $324,533 for The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Appeal was a tribute to the good work of club staff. But, on the field, an 82-point loss to the Blues was woeful – the lack of defensive hardness a major worry. That the Kangaroos have only one win from eight Good Friday games – their marquee fixture of the season – underlines the marketing battle they face in the football fishbowl that is Melbourne.
As for the Saints, hunting more MCG fixtures, they were given a rare Sunday night prime-time clash in Melbourne. After another fast start, and even quicker fadeout, the Saints were thumped by 71 points at Marvel Stadium, losing the inside-50 count by a whopping 38. An attendance of more than 35,000 on Easter Sunday night was a great turnout – showing the timeslot works – but it wasn’t long before the Saints fans on hand may have wished they had remained at home polishing off their Easter eggs in front of a repeat of Midsomer Murders.
Hollywood Hawks aren’t yet premiership Hawks
Easter Monday
Geelong defeated Hawthorn by seven points
When it comes to showtime and being the centre of public attention, there is no more Hollywood-type team than the Hawks. In the past fortnight alone, we have seen their rivalry with Port Adelaide ratchet up, and on Easter Monday we were enthralled by their renewed rivalry with Geelong, in what will be one of the games of the year, regardless of what happens from here.
But what the past fortnight has also shown is that the Hawks are not yet the premiership Hawks. For whatever reason, the Hawks were deer in headlights in the opening half against the Power at a hostile Adelaide Oval, and never really recovered. That atmosphere was also felt last September in Adelaide, as the Hawks knew from their agonising defeat to the Power in a semi-final. Yet, it’s still something they are learning to deal with.
On Monday came an important reality check. On a day when star Cat Bailey Smith revelled in playing before the biggest crowd of his career, several Hawks had the fumbles, and the turnovers at key times were a worry.
Squandered opportunities: Nick Watson and the Hawks were unable to capitalise on their opportunities late against the Cats.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Skipper James Sicily had his issues in defence in the first half, and couldn’t really get going in the second. There was a composed goal out the back late in the game, but his botched a set shot with 12 minutes remaining, and his team behind by seven points, proved critical.
Nick Watson may be dubbed a “Wizard”, and keen to channel the Ja Morant hand grenade celebration used by the bad boy NBA superstar. But on this day Watson’s pivotal set shot for goal, after winning a free kick against Smith with just over five minutes remaining and the Hawks trailing by two points, faded to the right. He and Mabior Chol had earlier slipped over in the final term at inopportune times with a goal beckoning.
There was some nervous kicking in the back half, exemplified when Josh Weddle, on the boundary in the back left pocket with three minutes remaining, attempted to find Josh Battle in the corridor with a chip kick, only for the ball to be turned over, leading to a Shaun Mannagh dribbled goal – the sealer.
The number of Hawks’ miskicks appeared higher than usual. Then there was Conor Nash’s careless swinging arm that left Gryan Miers concussed, and the Hawk reported, facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
Yes, the Hawks’ pressure was elite through the game, and they had every chance to pinch this.
“It’s one that got away,” Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe said.
It also proved that the Hawks aren’t quite where they want to be in their premiership quest. At 4-2, it’s back to the grind.
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