3 minute read
A snapshot of the action in round 11 of the AFL.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 11 OF THE AFL:
THEY SAID IT: "We are just a spluttering side. We're middle of the road. We're in that next stage where we're trying to find that next group of players that can win us some silverware and seriously challenge." - Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson laments their 19-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday night after kicking five unanswered first-term goals
STATS THAT MATTER: The Giants kicked 9.5 in the final quarter of their 83-point win over Gold Coast. GWS have never enjoyed a more-prolific fourth term. Only once have they scored more points in a quarter (10.1 against Brisbane in 2016)
MAN OF THE ROUND: GWS star Stephen Coniglio was outstanding in his side's big win over Gold Coast. The midfielder had 36 possessions, took 13 marks, laid eight tackles and booted three goals in a day to remember at Giants Stadium
KEY MOMENT: Melbourne youngster Sam Weideman had the chance to seal a thrilling win over Adelaide in Darwin, but his set shot from 40m out with less than 10 seconds left sailed wide, leaving the Demons languishing in 16th with a 3-8 record.
TALKING POINT: Why have a score review system if obvious errors still get through? Collingwood's Chris Mayne clearly touched a Michael Walters shot but the goal was allowed to stand. Walters later rubbed salt in the wounds, kicking the winner in a four-point thriller. The AFL blamed a technical error.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Geelong's Tom Hawkins will come under scrutiny for a high hit on Sydney's Jordan Dawson in the last quarter of Saturday's clash at GMHBA Stadium. Hawthorn defender James Sicily might have a case to answer for a punch to the midriff of Brisbane's Lincoln McCarthy. Young Western Bulldogs star Aaron Naughton was reported for striking West Coast's Will Schofield.
KEY INJURIES: Jamie Macmillan (NM, calf), Alex Pearce (Fre, ankle), Lachie Whitfield (GWS, shoulder), Toby Greene (GWS, knee), Rhys Stanley (Geel, adductor), Chad Wingard (Haw, hamstring), Rory Sloane (Adel, hamstring), Jarryn Geary (StK, lower leg), Shannon Hurn (WC, hamstring).
WHAT'S NEXT: Round 12 begins with a huge Friday night clash between Richmond and Geelong at the MCG. Adelaide host GWS in the pick of Saturday's games, while Collingwood and Melbourne go head to head on the Queen's Birthday Monday. Essendon, Fremantle, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs are the first teams to have a bye.
