3 minute read
A snapshot of what happened in round seven of the AFL season.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND SEVEN OF THE AFL:
THEY SAID IT: "We could have had Jesus Christ playing down there tonight and I reckon he would have struggled on him, to be fair." - Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was impressed by the breakout game played by Western Bulldogs youngster Aaron Naughton.
STATS THAT MATTER: Jeremy Cameron booted six goals in GWS's win over St Kilda and leads the Coleman Medal race. He has kicked three-plus goals in every match of 2019, becoming the first forward to start a season in such fashion since Brendan Fevola in 2010.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Western Bulldogs teenager Aaron Naughton announced himself as a star of the future with a career-high five goals in a 47-point win over Richmond. The exciting key forward finished with 16 possessions and 14 marks, nine of them contested, just one shy of the AFL record for contested marks held by North Melbourne champion Wayne Carey.
KEY MOMENT: A pressure-packed, low-scoring affair between the Crows and Fremantle at Adelaide Oval was still in the balance when who else but Eddie Betts swooped on a loose ball deep in a pocket. The much-loved forward magician scored the sealer in typical fashion with a stunning goal from a near-impossible angle.
TALKING POINT: How much longer will Carlton fans patiently wait to see if Brendon Bolton's rebuild bears fruit? The Blues have promised much in 2019, but delivered just one win, with their 58-point loss to fellow strugglers North Melbourne a bitter pill to swallow.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Geelong superstar Gary Ablett faces a nervous wait after he was reported for a high hit on Essendon's Dylan Shiel. Bulldogs forward Billy Gowers will come under scrutiny after he thrust his head back into Dylan Grimes' face.
KEY INJURIES: Taylor Adams (Coll, groin), Brad Ebert (Port, concussion), JImmy Webster (St Kilda, hand), Aidan Corr (GWS, ankle), Adam Kennedy (GWS, concussion), Daniel Rioli (Rich, thigh), Nick Vlastuin (Rich, ankle), Liam Jones (Carl, concussion), Scott Thompson (North, groin), Patrick Dangerfield (Geel, leg), Esava Ratugolea (Geel, head knock), Zach Tuohy (Geel, soreness - late withdrawal).
WHAT'S NEXT: Sydney will attempt to climb off the bottom of the ladder when they host Essendon at the SCG on Friday night to open round eight. Two heated AFL rivalries will play out on Saturday, Carlton taking on Collingwood at the MCG and Port Adelaide host the Crows at Adelaide Oval. Fremantle host Richmond at Optus Stadium in the late game on Sunday.
