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A look at round eight of the AFL season, where the contrasting fortunes of Melbourne and North Melbourne continued at opposite ends of the ladder.
SNAPSHOT OF ROUND 8 OF THE AFL SEASON
THEY SAID IT: "That happens - a mark or a free kick - the game is a hard one to umpire ... there were moments in that first quarter that we didn't get right and that cost us goals too. That's just part of the game" - Cale Hooker was denied a late shot at goal but Bombers coach Ben Rutten didn't blame the umpires after his side's two-point loss to GWS.
STATS THAT MATTER: In perfect conditions at the MCG, Hawthorn and West Coast played out the first goalless first quarter in a normal length game since round four, 2012.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Jordan De Goey has been scrutinised more than any other Collingwood player during the Magpies' abysmal start to the season but the dynamic forward responded with six goals, including four in the first half, to play a key role in a badly-needed win against North Melbourne.
KEY MOMENT: Melbourne's unbeaten record hung in the balance when Tom McDonald rose high in a pack to clunk a strong mark in tough conditions against Sydney. The key forward went back and snapped his fourth goal of the night, giving the Dees a 10-point buffer that they clung to for the final few minutes.
TALKING POINT: The AFL and Collingwood denied Port Adelaide's request to wear the famous 'prison bar' jumper in the Showdown, but the issue wouldn't go away. Ken Hinkley's men sent an emphatic statement to the powers that be by changing into the black and white stripes for their post-match celebrations. "We had to wait until after the game but we will recognise it as often as we have to," Hinkley said.
KEY INJURIES: Shane Edwards (Richmond, ankle), Jake Stringer (Essendon, hamstring), Aiden Bonar (North Melbourne, ankle), Jordan Roughead (Collingwood, concussion), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide, shoulder), Ned McHenry (Adelaide, concussion), Lachlan Murphy (Adelaide, ankle), Rory Sloane (Adelaide, cut eye), Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide, knee), Josh Kennedy (West Coast, calf), Michael Frederick (Fremantle, ankle), Jack Silvagni (Carlton, concussion), Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs, broken hand).
WHAT'S NEXT: The second-placed Western Bulldogs visit third-placed Port Adelaide in a blockbuster meeting of two serious premiership contenders at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Reigning premiers Richmond will be desperate to bounce back when they encounter a GWS outfit chasing their third straight win, while Hawthorn take on fellow Tasmania part-timers North Melbourne in Launceston on Sunday. AFL football should return to Perth after a week off because of COVID-19 issues, with West Coast hosting Adelaide.
