BRISBANE d COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood coach Craig McRae wasn’t dodging the obvious: the Pies have got a Mason Cox-sized problem in the ruck. The big man won’t return from a nasty haematoma on his ribs for at least another fortnight, Darcy Cameron is much further away, and while the Magpies might have scored more from stoppages on the night, the loss of territory – on which Collingwood’s game is based – was massive. For the Brisbane Lions, this was a really important win against quality opposition after a troubling start to the season. They’ve now beaten two premiership fancies at home, where they remain almost unbeatable. They’ve got North Melbourne next in the Adelaide Hills for Gather Round – and they’d be foolish to take the rejuvenated Roos lightly. – Andrew Stafford
Charlie Cameron shows his zip and boots a goal.Credit: Channel 7 / Twitter
CARLTON d NORTH MELBOURNE
The Blues are embracing the hype that comes from an unbeaten (three wins and a draw) start to the season, the latest result a 23-point win over North Melbourne. That this clash at Marvel Stadium on Good Friday was almost a sell out, when funds are raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital appeal, added to the feel-good factor. The Kangaroos’ right to play in this relatively new timeslot had been questioned after heavy defeats over the past two years but, under Alastair Clarkson’s structured system, defeats of that magnitude are likely in the rear vision mirror. This evening belonged to the Blues’ twin pillars of Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, the pair combining for 10 goals. The Kangaroos were undermanned in defence, but the way Curnow and McKay gave each other space is a blueprint that must become the norm. McKay, however, has been suspended for a match for striking, although the Blues will appeal. Patrick Cripps, after an indifferent start to the season, was important in the match-turning third term, but he needs to find a way to impact on the scoreboard. Kangaroos rookie sensation Harry Sheezel had a game-high 37 touches, and now has more possessions after his opening four games than any man since records began. – Jon Pierik
ADELAIDE d FREMANTLE
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has kick-started the campaign to have first-year defender Max Michalanney recognised for his stellar play with a Rising Star nomination. The No.17 pick in last year’s draft, Michalanney has made a seamless leap from SANFL to AFL and had a game-high 10 intercept possessions in Saturday’s win over the Dockers with skipper Jordan Dawson starring once again.
Max Michalanney. Credit: Sarah Reed, Getty
“He’s rare,” Nicks said. “I talk about balance with him, but he is ruthless – he just doesn’t like losing. He’s got incredible method for such a young player. He showed it at Norwood, he was rock solid in defence, but he seems to be adding more, he is so composed with the ball. If he doesn’t get a Rising Star nominated at some point, with the stuff he is doing off the ball and jobs he is getting … he was unbelievable today.” Dockers coach Justin Longmuir fumed at his players not winning enough contests although Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw battled hard. “Ball movement flows off the way you win the ball, and we couldn’t get that right,” he said. “They smashed us at 50-50 balls.” – Roy Ward
WESTERN BULLDOGS d RICHMOND
Four rounds are too small a sample size to write off Richmond, but it’s clear the Tigers of 2023 are not the Tigers of old. The MCG in the wet – this alone would have been enough to pencil them in for a win, but for the second time in as many weeks they were beaten in conditions they used to master. There was also a time when they could overcome centre clearance domination and set the game up from their back half, so to hear coach Damien Hardwick identify this as a key factor in their loss was telling.
Wet conditions at the MCG didn’t favour the Tigers. Credit: Dylan Burns, Getty Images
On the flip side, youngsters such Judson Clarke, Hugo Ralphsmith and Tyler Sonsie are benefiting from increased game time. How quickly they develop this year will play a large bearing on how far the Tigers progress. With Max Gawn out, it’s Timmy’s time. This is Tim English’s opportunity to establish himself as the premier ruckman of the competition. He threatened to do so 12 months ago, only to be brought down by illness and injury, but has made an imposing start to the season. With added muscle, English can no longer be manhandled at ruck contests, is strong in the air and nimble when the ball hits the ground, as shown by his clean ball handling in greasy conditions. He is close to the complete ruckman. – Andrew Wu
ST KILDA d GOLD COAST
St Kilda’s system is holding up after four wins from four matches but Saints coach Ross Lyon is refusing to let his side get too carried away with Collingwood this Sunday in Gather Round. Lyon praised Callum Wilkie, Jack Sinclair and Seb Ross for leading the way in Saturday’s win over Gold Coast. “They’ve led the way, but everyone has got in behind them,” Lyon said. Teenagers Mitch Owens and Mattaes Phillipou again impressed. The Saints flirted with subbing ruckman Rowan Marshall out at three-quarter-time but “didn’t want to be cute” so waited until early in the last term.
Ned Moyle tckles Jack Sinclair in round four.Credit: Darrian Traynor, Getty Images
Both Lyon and Suns coach Stuart Dew praised debut ruckman Ned Moyle, whose wild mullet and 36 hit outs show plenty of potential. He replaced Jarrod Witts, who is struggling with general soreness. “We love what he did today and see him as a really important part of our footy club going forward,” Dew said. “He competed and gave us first use where we needed it. He’ll only get better.” – Roy Ward
PORT ADELAIDE d SYDNEY
While Port Adelaide overcame a grim week following their capitulation to the Crows in the Showdown, the Power’s last-gasp victory over the Swans was overshadowed by another concussion to Sydney key defender Paddy McCartin. One of the good news stories of last season after returning to football following a three-year absence, McCartin’s future now hangs in the balance after what is believed to be his 10th concussion, eight with St Kilda in five years and now two in 12 months with the Swans. With younger brother Tom McCartin also subbed out with concussion, the Swans had lost both key defenders before half-time. They are expected to miss Friday night’s clash against Richmond at the Adelaide Oval, a significant test for both clubs after their modest starts to the season.
Paddy McCartin receives attention from a trainer after suffering another concussion.Credit: Getty Images
The Swans also have significant concerns in attack. They had 22 more inside 50s than Port and should have put their opponents away, but none of their key forwards could make an impact. Most worrying was Lance Franklin’s failure to kick a goal after being brilliantly blanketed by former Swans teammate Aliir Aliir. Logan McDonald was flattered by his two goals after one came from what should have been a rushed behind but for overzealous umpiring, and Joel Amartey failed to kick a goal. They kicked nine goals between them against a poor Hawthorn a fortnight ago when Franklin was suspended. – Malcolm Conn
ESSENDON d GWS
Essendon tried to kick themselves out of the game, plagued with a bad bout of kicking woes, but eventually overcame – well, racked up enough minor scores – to clinch a win over GWS on Easter Sunday. At Marvel Stadium, they booted double the amount of behinds to goals to take the Easter choccies. Jake Stringer’s output was a good reflection of both the kicking of the day – he registered a career high of six behinds for the game – and their fight, as he peppered away and notched four goals. The pinnacle of his efforts was a whopping 55-metre torpedo. The Giants were more effective in their kicking – Harry Himmelberg finished with three majors, while Josh Kelly, Callan Ward and Toby Greene all booted two goals apiece – but they didn’t get enough control of the game to make it count. Coach Adam Kingsley gave his side a well-earned spray at the last change, but the Bombers were already away by then. A key storyline of the game was former Bomber skipper Dyson Heppell being named the sub, after Andrew Phillips was a late inclusion. This led to coach Brad Scott arguing post-match he’d rather the substitute rule be changed to five players on the bench. – Marnie Vinall
MELBOURNE d WEST COAST
Tom McDonald was sent down to VFL level to find some form and boost his running output, and he did both in his return to the side, kicking four goals in Melbourne’s win over West Coast. Demons coach Simon Goodwin praised McDonald for fighting back. “It’s a competitive team to be involved in, and he went back and proved he wants to be an AFL player,” Goodwin said. Ben Brown is no certainty to regain his spot after back issues, with McDonald and Jacob van Rooyen playing well. “We have some really competitive spots and one of them is our key forward role. We will have to have a good think about how that looks for next week,” Goodwin added.
Tom McDonald. Credit: Daniel Carson, Getty Images
The Demons are testing out different ways to back-up Brodie Grundy while Gawn is out. McDonald, van Rooyen and Harrison Petty all spelled him at different times, but that will change next match. Grundy’s groundwork is also aiding his midfielders. “We are finding something different with Brodie in his ability to follow up at ground level and link up in offence – it’s different to when it is only Max in the team,” Goodwin said. “We think we will end up with a great balance when Max gets back.” – Roy Ward
GEELONG d HAWTHORN
The Cats’ blistering third-quarter demolition of the youthful Hawks was a vicious reminder of just how good they remain at their best. We haven’t seen much of it this season – certainly not with their usual consistency – but Geelong might still be the team to beat, especially with arguably the game’s best player, Jeremy Cameron, in red-hot form in attack. Cameron leads the Coleman Medal with 18 goals in the opening month, and would have enjoyed having Mitch Duncan’s sweet kicking skills back in the line-up. Jack Bowes played a pivotal role after moving to half-back once Jed Bews was subbed off, too. As for Hawthorn, they were hugely impressive with their intensity and defensive pressure in the opening half but wilted badly again in the third quarter. That is something coach Sam Mitchell must address, but it seems to largely owe to inexperience. On a positive note, Will Day is emerging as a star before our eyes. – Marc McGowan
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