3 minute read
A look at round five of the AFL season where the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne maintained their unbeaten run and Collingwood's start got rougher.
A SNAPSHOT OF ROUND FIVE OF THE AFL SEASON:
THEY SAID IT: "He's a migraine, not a headache." Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks, when asked about the headache Fremantle's 35-year-old David Mundy caused him in the Dockers' 12-point win. Mundy had 28 touches, six clearances, eight tackles and six inside 50s - including nine disposals and a clutch goal in the last quarter.
STATS THAT MATTER: The Western Bulldogs have achieved their first 5-0 start since 1946 while fellow undefeated club Melbourne are enjoying their best start to a season since 1994.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Marcus Bontempelli really is a marvel. In his 150th AFL game, the Dogs skipper put Gold Coast to the sword with 33 possessions and three goals. The scary part? He's just 25 and has many more match-winning performances left in him.
KEY MOMENT: Greater Western Sydney star Josh Kelly delivered a clutch match-winning stoppage goal with just 66 seconds remaining in the Sydney derby, putting his side in front for the first time since the opening term. Kelly raced after the ball and snapped truly from a tight angle, having read the play and roved with aplomb after Sydney's Sam Reid won a vital hitout in the goal square.
TALKING POINT: Is the end drawing nearer for Nathan Buckley? The Magpies coach cut a forlorn figure during his post-match interview on Friday night, and he even took an uncharacteristic swipe at a journalist's question. It's clear Buckley is feeling the heat, and it will only intensify if they can't beat the Bombers next week.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Brisbane's Jarrod Berry was reported for a seemingly innocuous slinging tackle in the first half against Essendon, while Collingwood defender Mark Keane was hit with a one-match suspension for tripping West Coast's Josh Kennedy. Geelong's Mitch Duncan will sweat on his attempted smother gone wrong that forced North Melbourne's Aaron Hall off the field with concussion.
KEY INJURIES: Brody Mihocek (Collingwood, shoulder), Jordan De Goey (Collingwood, broken nose/concussion), Jeremy Howe (Collingwood, hamstring), Josh Rotham (West Coast, head), Tom Cole (West Coast, head), Bailey Williams (Western Bulldogs, shoulder), Jarrod Berry (Brisbane, adductor), Jordan Ridley (Essendon, concussion), Adam Cerra (Fremantle, ankle), Aaron Hall (North Melbourne, concussion), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong, ankle)
WHAT'S NEXT: Geelong are poised to unleash Jeremy Cameron against West Coast on Saturday afternoon, while a genuine blockbuster lies that night when unbeaten Melbourne play reigning premiers Richmond. A day later, Collingwood and Essendon will face off in a bid to avoid slumping to 1-5.
