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The moment: Carlton youngster Steven Browne is a tough nut but he’s also got a hard head. Just ask Chris Judd, who collided with his teammate in the third quarter and wouldn’t stop bleeding. Blues medicos wrapped up Judd like a mummy, but still couldn’t prevent him having to leave the ground three times under the blood rule.
2. Western Bulldogs 21.11 (137) d Port Adelaide 7.2 (44) at TIO Stadium
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The moment: Only rarely in this top-end match-up did a player in teal do something productive with the ball. David Rodan's second-quarter goal was an outstanding exception. Dean Brogan won the centre-tap and directed it straight to the former Tiger, who tucked the ball under his arm. He weaved, dodged behind Justin Westhoff's block, and boomed the ball through the big sticks without a single Bulldog touching him.
3. Richmond 13.14 (92) d West Coast 11.11 (77) at Docklands
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The moment: Richard Tambling has had his critics across his first five years. But since being dropped in round three to Coburg – where he was coached by new Tigers coach Jade Rawlings – he has been on the up-and-up. His game against West Coast was clearly his best in the big time, typified by a strong contested mark and pass to Angus Graham, which set up the Tigers’ first goal.
4. Brisbane Lions 13.15 (93) d Hawthorn 7.9 (51) at Aurora Stadium
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The moment: Hawks’ fans might have sensed something was amiss at Launceston when they saw the first Lions goal. Hawthorn ruckman Simon Taylor dropped an uncontested mark 1m out from goal, the ball bounced on to Thomas Murphy’s head then landed in the arms of Rhan Hooper on his own in the goal square. It was some clanger – and set the tone for a disastrous day for the premiers.
5. Adelaide 9.14 (68) d North Melbourne 3.6 (24) at AAMI Stadium
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The moment: To be fair, it wasn't a match for the ages. Midway through the third term, the teams had combined for a grand total of four goals. If fumbles was a midfielder, he would have been leading possession-getter. Enter Jason Porplyzia. The Crows sharp-shooter rarely wastes an opportunity on goal and his pick up and snap was the stuff of blue skies and sunshine – a rare highlight on a dour day.
6. Essendon 19.17 (131) d Melbourne 13.5 (83) at Docklands
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The moment: On a night that belonged to the Bombers, a couple of Demons did provide fans with some highlights – and perhaps glimpses into the future. In the space of 10 minutes in the second quarter, exciting forwards Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah each booted their first career goals as Melbourne mounted a comeback.
7. Collingwood 13.11 (89) d Sydney Swans 9.12 (66) at ANZ Stadium
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The moment: From a brain snap against Hawthorn to the umpire’s best mate against Collingwood – it’s amazing the difference a week off can make for big Swan Barry Hall. The forward won a free kick after mowing down Shannon Cox in a tackle and things threatened to get a little heated in the aftermath. But a quick exchange with the umpire resulted in a thumbs-up from big Barry and the game went on without further ado.
8. Geelong 13.16 (94) d Fremantle 11.9 (75) at Subiaco
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The moment: In the shadows of half time, Geelong full-back Matthew Scarlett was just about to pick up the ball and clear but Dean Solomon had other ideas. The Freo hard man dived onto the ball, produced a commando roll and dished off to Steven Dodd for a goal as the home side scented what would have been a massive upset.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
