3 minute read
Port Adelaide's woes have deepened following a third consecutive loss, while the Kangaroos suffered heartbreak for the second straight week.
SNAPSHOT FOR ROUND 15 OF THE AFL SEASON
THEY SAID IT: "It's not fun. It's not what I enjoy. It's just what the reality is of my job. If you can't cope with it, you probably shouldn't be in my job. I can cope with it." Coach Ken Hinkley after being booed by Port supporters following his side's 79-point home loss to the Brisbane Lions.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Swans wingman Errol Gulden tallied 41 touches, 10 intercept possessions, two goal assists and slotted a major himself to earn best-on-ground honours in the Sydney derby.
THE MOMENT: North Melbourne were pushing for a seventh consecutive goal that would have overturned a 39-point deficit and put them in front against Melbourne when they surged forward one last time in the dying seconds - but they couldn't find a match-winner. Tom Powell's kick forward slipped through Luke Davies-Uniacke's hands on the 50m line, the ball slipped past two teammates and Jy Simpkin's hack off the deck slewed towards the boundary in the forward pocket before the siren sounded. The Kangaroos' dream comeback wasn't to be as the Demons hung on for a three-point win in a thrilling finish to an otherwise dour contest.
TALKING POINT: Staging has been thrust back into the spotlight following Steven May's academy award special against the Kangaroos. The star Melbourne defender was tackled to the ground and landed on his shoulder. But May shoved his own head into the turf to convince the umpires to give him a free kick for a dangerous tackle, which he received. The incident sparked outrage among fans and experts, and May escaped with merely a $1250 fine from the match review officer.
STATS THAT MATTER: Carlton's 21.12 (138) is their highest score against Geelong since beating the Cats in the 1995 grand final. Brisbane kicked their highest-ever score against Port, 23.14 (152), in their biggest win, 79 points, against the South Australian club. Melbourne and North Melbourne posted a combined score of 12.0 in the second half on Saturday night. It was only the third time in AFL/VFL history where either a first or second half of a match has not featured a single behind.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield was offered a one-game rough conduct ban for a dangerous tackle on Carlton opponent Sam Walsh in the opening seconds of Friday night's game. Melbourne defender Steven May was fined for staging, Port star Zak Butters can escape with a $6250 fine for striking Jarrod Berry. A total of 11 players were fined for their involvement in a melee in the Melbourne-North Melbourne clash.
INJURIES: T Hawkins (Geel, foot), K Lohmann (Bris, corked thigh), J Sweet (PA, head), C Salem (Melb, knee).
WHAT'S NEXT: A resurgent Brisbane take on the staggering Demons on Friday night to kick off round 16. North Melbourne will be aiming to put a fortnight of heartbreak behind them when they face the Bulldogs on Saturday, while Sydney will be aiming to make it 11 wins on the trot when they host Fremantle. Gold Coast take on Collingwood, Adelaide host the Giants, and on Saturday night Geelong come up against Essendon. Port have a must-win game against St Kilda on Sunday, while Carlton will start as hot favourites against Richmond. The round concludes with West Coast hosting in-form Hawthorn in Perth.
