3 minute read
A snapshot of the action from round seven of the AFL season.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 7 OF THE AFL:
* THEY SAID IT: "We'll just have to keep trying to find a way with our method and also with our personnel to take a step forward. When you're just down a little bit in confidence you don't need much to go wrong to lose a bit of your spirit and your momentum." - Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson after his side slipped to a 3-4 record with a 43-point loss to Melbourne.
* STATS THAT MATTER: North Melbourne's paltry 2.11 (23) in a loss to Richmond on Saturday at Metricon Stadium is the lowest score by a team at the Gold Coast venue in AFL history.
* MAN OF THE ROUND: Jordan De Goey's five-goal haul in wet and slippery conditions was magical. The Collingwood forward suffered a serious finger injury in the third quarter, but he put that to the side to boot three goals in the final term against Geelong.
* KEY MOMENT: Robbie Gray came through with a goal after the siren to break Carlton hearts following three Power missed opportunities, including Charlie Dixon from 20m out. It was not an easy shot from out by the boundary line at the Gabba, but Gray made it look straightforward.
* TALKING POINT: Are the Giants cooked? Last year's beaten grand finalists are precariously placed with a 3-4 record and face a grand final rematch against resurgent Richmond next week. Leon Cameron says his team looks a rung off the topliners at the moment - their performance against the Tigers will tell him a lot about where his side sits.
* TRIBUNAL WATCH: Dustin Martin, Jayden Short, Jake Aarts and Dylan Grimes can accept fines after the Tigers beat up on the Kangaroos in a 54-point thrashing at Metricon Stadium.
* KEY INJURIES: Jordan De Goey (Coll, finger), Joel Selwood (Geel, hamstring), Jordan Clark (Geel, shoulder), Josh Caddy (Rich, hamstring), Jack Ziebell (North, hamstring), Kyron Hayden (North, concussion), Cam Zurhaar (North, calf), Ryan Burton (Port, right quad), Daniel Motlop (Port, left ankle), Tim O'Brien (Haw, ankle).
* WHAT'S NEXT: The Crows host St Kilda at Adelaide Oval to finish off round seven on Monday. Gold Coast take on the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night to get round eight underway, with GWS and Richmond clashing on Friday night. Port's encounter with St Kilda is the pick of Saturday's games. West Coast up against the Pies at Optus Stadium on Sunday will be a beauty and Monday night football will feature Fremantle hosting the Cats.
