1. A home final beckons for the Tiger Army
Collingwood's belting of West Coast on Friday night put it into fifth place, just over two per cent ahead of Richmond. That left the Tigers needing a fairly modest win over the last-placed Giants to move back into fifth, ahead of the Pies and Essendon, who are all now locked on 56 points for the year. But there was nothing modest about a 121-point victory. If Richmond can knock off the Bombers at the MCG next Saturday night, it will likely toast a first post-season campaign in 12 long years by hosting its first final.
2. Sheedy says farewell
It wasn't the final home game he would have been seeking, but it mattered little in the big picture as GWS coach Kevin Sheedy participated in his final home match in one of the great careers in the sport's history. Following seven flags and almost five decades as a player and a coach with Richmond, Essendon and the Giants, Sheedy will coach his final match against the Gold Coast next week. The fans came to say goodbye, with a ground-record 12,314 in attendance.
3. The AFL boss backs Cameron for the Coleman
Four goals behind Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughead for this year's Coleman Medal prior to the game, Jeremy Cameron failed to kick a goal after a terrific effort from Alex Rance. But AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou made his feelings clear about the year's race at a pre-match function. "He could possibly win the Coleman Medal and I'm hoping quietly he kicks about 10 today," he said. "It's a remarkable story … if he was to win the Coleman Medal for a team that's got all of these young lads in it, it would probably be the most significant Coleman medallist in the history of the game." The 20-year-old is still in contention, but needs a big bag next week after going goalless for the first time this year.
4. Tigers turn Giant killers
The manner of Richmond's victory had scribes searching through the record books. The visitors' 80-point lead at halftime was their biggest since taking a 107-point advantage into the main break against North Melbourne way back in 1931. Their 11.5 in the second quarter alone equalled the sixth highest total for a quarter in the club's history and biggest since booting 11.7 in Fitzroy's final ever match in 1996.
5. GWS set to splash the cash
Pre-match, Giants chairman Tony Shepherd gave an insight into the club's plans for next season, when some badly-needed experience should be coming the club's way during the trading period. "Football, and more importantly winning, is a key performance driver and we will continue to invest in talent and in experienced players," he said. "We'll be aggressive in the upcoming trading period and aim to pay out 100 per cent of the salary cap this year and secure some far more established players. We'll be strengthening the team with some 100-plus game players just to give the young boys a chance to develop and give them some leadership and support."
