Are Collingwood suffering from a Premiership hangover? The evidence would suggest so, after crashing to a third straight defeat against a fired-up St.Kilda.
The Saints had to contend with losing Mason Wood, early on, due to a concussion/broken collarbone following a collision with team-mate Zaine Cordy – the match was held up, for around seven minutes, while he was stretchered off the oval.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite that set-back, they went on to put a in an excellent performance to get up over last year’s champions. Jack Higgins (pictured above) booted four majors, including an outrageous effort from right out on the boundary line in the final-term, to ice it.
Speaking to Channel 7, ‘Higgo’ said “I like kicking cheesy goals against Collingwood! Sometimes us full-forwards can be not so good and other times can be awesome. Sharing the goals around like we did tonight is good and everyone is happy.”
For the fourth edition of ‘Spuds Game’, the two teams and umpires came together to join arms, in the centre of the ground, in a touching tribute to Danny Frawley – it also aims to raise life-saving funds for mental health and suicide prevention programs.
Embed from Getty ImagesBayley Fritsch (pictured below) kicked a bag as Melbourne flexed their muscles and enjoyed a comfortable afternoon by putting away Hawthorn in very convincingly fashion.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnfortunately, though, it came at a bit of a cost as they lost both key defenders Steven May and Jake Lever, during the course of the encounter, to injury.
May is a real concern, as he had to be taken to hospital with broken ribs and a chest issue, while Lever was subbed out after having trouble with his right knee.
Sydney maintained their one-hundred percent record with a strong finish to see off the challenge of Essendon in what proved to be a very fiery and high scoring affair.
Isaac Heeney (32 disposals, 18 handballs, eight clearances and a goal) continues to flourish in his new midfield role, for the Swans, while there were also valuable contributions from the trio of Tom Papley, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith concussions a current, big talking point in the game, all eyes will be on the tribunal this week – the Match Review Officer (MRO) deciding to send Bombers’ Peter Wright there for an aerial challenge on Harry Cunningham, graded as careless conduct with severe impact/high contact, that left the midfielder unable to continue.
Travis Boak became only the 23rd player in AFL/VFL history to play 350 matches (15th to do it at one club) as he helped Port Adelaide to victory over Richmond.
Such is his standing in the sport that every other club in the league sent him a good luck message. Plenty of admiration from his peers; the likes of Nat Fyfe, Scott Pendlebury, Christian Petracca and Patrick Cripps all sending their best wishes.
Following a 30-point success, by the Power, the 3× All-Australian was chaired off the field in front of his team mates, family and friends to a standing ovation.
Speaking to the media on his achievement, the 35-year-old said “It’s a great honour to represent this great footy club for such a long period of time. Everything has kind of blown me away this week, it has been really special.”
Embed from Getty Images“You play footy for the joy of it; you don’t really count your games. 350 sounds like a lot but for some reason, at this stage, it doesn’t feel like a lot. I am sure that I will look back on it, post-career, and be really proud of being able to put on this Port Adelaide jumper for such a long time.”
He continued “I have been lucky to have so much support along the way from the footy club, my family and friends. It is a great honour.”
The Western Bulldogs responded to all the criticism they copped, earlier in the week, in the perfect manner by thrashing a disappointing Gold Coast down in Ballarat.
They got off to a flyer, with a nine-goal first quarter, and never looked back in leading for the whole afternoon; Cody Weightman (pictured below) grabbed an equal career-high haul of six.
Embed from Getty ImagesDefender Tom Stewart celebrated his 150th appearance by equalling the AFL record for intercept marks as Geelong travelled interstate and knocked over Adelaide.
The 5× All-Australian, who joined the Cats back in 2016 as pick 40 in the National Draft, also amassed 28 disposals with a real standout display for his side, flag winners in 2022, that look like they could set for another crack at the grand prize.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking on ground, to Channel 7, the 31-year old (pictured above) said “I am really proud of the boys. We knew that we were probably up against it coming over here, few late outs which you can’t control, but so proud of this group and to be part of the Geelong footy club – a special night.”
He continued “I am getting a bit emotional now. To be able to celebrate with my best mates, my kids and my wife, Mum and sister; I am really going to enjoy this one because they means so much to me.”
A devastating nine-in-a-row goal spell, midway through the contest, saw Fremantle come from behind to get the chocolates against a spirited North Melbourne outfit.
It means the Dockers open their campaign two-zip – the last time that happened was back in 2015 when they went on to be minor premiers and also made the Prelims.
Closing out the round, over in the west, saw Greater Western Sydney secure their best start to a season since entering the AFL in the hammering of West Coast by a 65-point margin – they finish the weekend sitting in pole position on the ladder.
The Giants were ruthless in putting the Eagles away and shared the goals around, amongst ten players, which included a career-high three from Aaron Cadman.
Round 2 Results
St.Kilda 14.10 (94)
Collingwood 12.7 (79)
Adelaide 11.11 (77)
Geelong 14.12 (96)
North Melbourne 11.10 (76)
Fremantle 15.12 (102)
Hawthorn 5.8 (38)
Melbourne 14.9 (93)
Sydney 19.17 (131)
Essendon 15.11 (101)
Western Bulldogs 18.7 (115)
Gold Coast 10.7 (67)
Richmond 13.14 (92)
Port Adelaide 18.14 (122)
West Coast 5.13 (43)
GWS 16.12 (108)
Bye: Brisbane & Carlton
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