3 minute read
A snapshot of all the action in round 13 of the AFL season.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 13 OF THE AFL:
THEY SAID IT: "My actions weren't a great look for the game and not something I want to be known for." - Hawthorn skipper Ben Stratton in damage control the day after being widely criticised for repeatedly pinching Essendon's Orazio Fantasia. Stratton will front the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night.
STATS THAT MATTER: Essendon's win over Hawthorn was their first since 2017 and only their fourth in the past 12 matches between the fierce rivals. Also, this was the seventh game this season where Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has failed to kick a goal - and the first time Essendon have won. All his goals before Friday night this season had been in Bombers wins.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Michael Walters. The Dockers' veteran was unstoppable on the way to six goals from 25 disposals in the 21-point win over Port Adelaide. The match-winning haul came after he kicked the winning scores in recent triumphs over Brisbane and Collingwood.
KEY MOMENT: Carlton looked gone 34 points down late in the last quarter against the Western Bulldogs but a stunning five-goal burst made for a frantic Saturday night finale at Marvel Stadium. With less than 30 seconds left and trailing by three points, the Blues were a chance to score a famous win with a stoppage just outside their attacking 50. But Josh Dunkley was awarded a free kick for high contact, ending their challenge.
TALKING POINT: What exactly is a 'Behavioural Awareness Officer'? Amid all the talk of an AFL crackdown on fan behaviour that the league denies is happening, security at Marvel Stadium have deployed behavioural awareness officers to keep an eye on supporters.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: The tribunal will sit on Tuesday night, with Ben Stratton referred directly by match review officer Michael Christian for pinching Orazio Fantasia and stomping on Shaun McKernan. North Melbourne full forward Ben Brown was reported for a high elbow on GWS defender Matt Buntine in Hobart, while North skipper Jack Ziebell might be a little nervous after jumping to bump Toby Greene high.
KEY INJURIES: Josh Jenkins (Adel, knee), L Murphy (Adel, mouth), Daniel Talia (Adel, quad), Jake Kelly (Adel, calf), Jake Stringer (Ess, ankle), Tom Liberatore (WB, knee), Ed Curnow (Carl, ankle), Matt de Boer (GWS, concussion).
WHAT'S NEXT: Thursday night footy continues with West Coast hosting Essendon to kick off round 14. Sydney face Hawthorn on Friday night at the SCG and Geelong will look to tighten their grip on top spot when they face Port Adelaide on Saturday at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide, Carlton, Gold Coast, GWS, North Melbourne and Richmond take a break in the last of the bye rounds.
