1: The 19,423rd man
Standby for more controversy this week following Melbourne coach Dean Bailey's suggestion that the crowd of 19,423 at yesterday's clash with Freo helped his team get over the line after they trailed by 51 points deep into the second quarter.
Now hang on! You can understand a team running one or two extra men on the ground but someone has to ask serious questions of the interchange stewards when a team can spirit that many extra players onto the field.
If recent precedents are any guide, the Demons will almost certainly keep their hard-earned four points however you'd reckon their fine might be pretty hefty after the Swans were stung $50K for their one-man indiscretion last week.
2: Who's on first?
The AFL has admitted 11 seconds were lost when timekeepers missed a signal from umpire Stuart Wenn to halt the clock late in the nail-biter between Richmond and St Kilda on Saturday night. We can only speculate on what might have happened in the timekeepers' box in that hectic last few moments of the match, but we'll take a stab:
Timekeeper 1: Wenn's called for time-on.
Timekeeper 2: Who?
Timekeeper 1: Wenn.
Timekeeper 2: That's not what I'm asking. I said who.
Timekeeper 1: Wenn.
Timekeeper 2: When? What do you mean 'when'?.
Timekeeper 1: Wenn. He's called for a time-on.
Timekeeper 2: What?
Timekeeper 1: Ah forget it, just blow the bloody siren.
3: Cats face depleted Dream Team
As if Geelong need any more luck! It appears next week's opponent, the Dream Team, has been hit with the injury curse ahead their big match with Bomber Thompson's men at the MCG on Saturday night, with big names Nick Riewoldt, Simon Black and Chad Cornes heading the list of absentees.
Of course, it's not really Geelong playing the Dream Team next week (although we're sure we nearly fooled you!), but it sure looks that way. Eight Cats have been named in the 30-man Victorian squad to take on the best of the rest, no surprise given the boys from Skilled Stadium have won 26 of their past 27 matches.
Which makes you wonder how good this team will be when you add players the calibre of Jonathan Brown, Brendan Fevola and Adam Goodes to that all-conquering Geelong line-up.
4: Port party poopers
Anyone who saw even a small snippet of Daniel Motlop's amazing five-goal first half at Telstra Dome on Sunday will still be marvelling at some of the stuff he pulled off against a helpless Essendon defence. So it's slightly bewildering that Motlop says his teammates suggested he quieten things down a bit in the second half, advice he duly noted if his return of just two goals for the remainder of the game is any guide.
We have no idea who might have had that quiet word in Daniel's ear but perhaps this is a reflection of how keen some of the Port boys are in making sure they get a run in the Dream Team next weekend. Maybe the Burgoyne boys saw their spot in the side disappearing as their teammate ran riot.
Well they needn't have worried as both brothers have found a spot in the team, however Motlop's cracking effort saw him elevated to the squad. Let's hope no-one tries to put the reins on him next week.
What to look for on afl.com.au this Monday
Round wrap
Jason Phelan and Ben Broad form a Krakouer-like combination in collating the wrap of round seven
Video: the wonder goals
Porplyzia, Cooney, Motlop, Davey and Wonamaearri light up the stage with some goal-kicking genius
Hall of Fame Tribute Match
Victoria assistant coach Kevin Sheedy and his Dream Team counterpart Neale Daniher tell us why injuries to some of the game's frontliners won't dampen enthusiasm for the showpiece to Australian Football's 150 Years celebrations.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
