The major talking points after Round 22 of AFL action.
Flag Favourite
Geelong sit second on the AFL ladder and just about have to be the favourite for the 2013 flag after Saturday’s 44-point demolition of the Swans at Simonds Stadium.
Paul Chapman made a successful return as the Cats limited Sydney to just 48 points. Hawthorn can add to their claim with a win against the stumbling Swans next week, however the Cats have a chance to steal top spot against the Lions and their unbeaten run against Hawthorn (undefeated since their 2008 grand final loss) has them as the heavy favourites for another flag in 2013.
Adelaide Farewells AAMI
The Crows farewelled AAMI Stadium by pulverising the Demons 18.12.(120)-7.10.(52) on the weekend. Scott Thompson led the way with 33 touches, nine clearances and seven tackles as the Crows said goodbye to their home of the past 23 years. 34,653 fans turned up for the match to celebrate the team’s 64% winning percentage at the oval (180 wins from 280 contests).
Bombers Recover
David Zaharakis provided a late goal to propel the Dons over Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night. It was the perfect result after an emotional week for a club severely under the pump from the AFL, the media and the public.
It helped that the Blues missed 22 attempts on goal, but the Bombers responded by providing a gutsy effort as coach James Hird and his staff continue to fight the AFL and the doping allegations laid against the club last week.
Strangely, captain Jobe Watson continued to hear the boos from opposition fans, but Hird’s move of isolating his star in the forward line against Bryce Gibbs proved to be influential.
Fear The Dockers
A far from full-strength Dockers outfit made a bold statement against Port on Saturday night, obliterating the Power amidst talk the team hasn’t beaten enough finals bound opponents.
The Dockers also dismissed another unwarranted criticism, scoring kicking 21 goals to register the club’s fourth consecutive triple-digit total. Small forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters were again lethal while Matthew Pavlich showed signs of improvement, kicking a bag of four goals for the second week in a row.
The Dockers look likely to finish third and face Geelong at Etihad in week one of the finals and their current form suggests they’ll have a red hot crack at the Cats, especially if the likes of Aaron Sandilands, Luke McPharlin, Garrick Ibbotson and Clancee Pearce can prove their fitness and return to the team.
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Michael Dodge, Getty Images.
