Round 2 Review

Round 2

Carlton (8.12.60) defeated by Hawthorn (12.8.80)

1. Jai Newcombe (149). Massive game in the middle from Newcombe. 32 touches (20 contested) with 9 clearances and 11 tackles to Power the Hawks to 3-0.
2. George Hewett (123). Similar to Newcombe, did some great work inside. Had 11 tackles to pair with 28 touches and 1 goal.
3. Adam Cerra (113). Back to back tons to start for Cerra as he kept busy, finding 28 touches, 1 goal and 539 metres gained.
4. Massimo D’Ambrosio (109). Ran around on the wi g and used it super well, finishing with 25 touches for the game.
5. Patrick Cripps (108). Rounds out Thursdays top five thanks to 29 disposals (18 contested) plus 11 clearances.

Other 100+ scores: Karl Amon (106), Tom De Koning (104), Josh Ward (101), Sam Walsh (100)

Disappointment: Has to again go to Will Day who was well held to just 76. Moore (57) quiet for one of the top priced forwards.

Rookies: Motlop had a great score that will see his price pump right on up, a solid 81 on Thursday night. Camporeale used his touches well thankfully, which saw him on 52 before being subbed out. No such rookies to cover for the Hawks.

Injuries: We’ve got MacDonald listed here with an ankle injury for the Hawks, while the Blues opted to sub out Camporeale tactically.

 

Footscray (10.10.70) defeated by Collingwood (10.16.76)

1. Tom Liberatore (142). Libba did as Libba does, finding 34 touches (18 contested) while also tallying 1 goal and 9 clearances to lead the midfield.
2. Bailey Dale (141). Dale was instrumental in the second half, doing most of his damage post half time. Finished with 31 touches @ 90% DE with 554 metres gained.
3. Nick Daicos (125). Best game of the year thus far for Nick. 39 disposals with 9 clearances and 543 metres gained.
4. Sam Darcy (117). Most dominate forward on Friday, Darcy slotted 4 goals from 15 touches and 8 marks.
5. Tim English (113). After a poor showing last week, English was busy with 14 touches, 5 marks, 7 tackles and 33 hitouts for his first ton of 2025.

Other 100+ scores: Jeremy Howe/Darcy Cameron (112), Steele Sidebottom/Lachy Schultz (107), Ed Richards (105), Joel Freijah (100)

Disappointment: A double up here with popular picks Perryman (57) and Sanders (62) being no where near it all night.

Rookies: First price rise for Long (57) which saw him rise 39K, while unfortunately McInnes was injured early enough that he didn’t score and lost money. Pretty solid game from the Doctor Davidson (72), hopefully a few more of these. Quieter though for Jones (24) and Dolan (17).

Injuries: Shocking news for McInnes with an ACL injury cutting his 2025 short, while the Pies also had Cox on the injury report with a head concern. Jones the tactical sub for the Bulldogs.

 

Essendon (15.10.100) defeated by Adelaide (25.11.161)

1. Zach Merrett (145). Despite the heavy loss Merrett was pretty much best on ground. Tried to carry the Bombers with 4 goals, 36 touches, 6 clearances, 11 inside 50s and 748 metres gained.
2. Matt Crouch (143). Really busy but tidy game from Crouch. He had 32 disposals but went at 91% DE to boost his score, also adding in 7 clearances and 8 tackles.
3. Ben Keays (135). Keays was roaming free and got busy in the forward 50, finding 4 goals from 22 touches and 11 marks.
4. Jordan Dawson (124). A popular VC choice and delivered with 33 disposals, 8 marks, 6 tackles, 11 inside 50s and 775 metres gained.
5. Jye Caldwell (118). Followed up hi ms stellar game from last week with another ripper, finding 27 touches and 1 goal to round out the top 5.

Other 100+ scores: Jake Soligo (108), Taylor Walker (105)

Disappointment: Dominate day for most popular picks, so it’ll go to two newbies on the Crows lineup and semi-popular mid-pricers, Cummings (50) and Peatling (47).

Rookies: Debutant here for basement priced rookie Edwards (48), who is sitting at 99K up forward. Menzie also played his first game of the year but was the sub for just 4. Reid (36) and Kako (34) quiet, similar to Prior (57). Much better result from Tsatas with 78 to his name. Just the same two for the Crows as last week with Draper (20) and Curtin (82) providing mixed results in game 2.

Injuries: Clean injury cards here with Caddy and Rankine being subbed, although I do believe the Crows sub was used for “hamstring awareness”.

 

Port Adelaide (21.14.140) defeated Richmond (9.14.68)

1. Connor Rozee (130). Massive game from the skipper who had 39 disposals , 7 clearances, 5 tackles, 2 goals and 559 metres gained. A popular VC/C choice this week.
2. Darcy Byrne-Jones/Jase Burgoyne (127). Milestone man DBJ was busy and creative with 18 touches, 1 goal and 12 score involvements, while father-son Burgoyne finished with 32 touches and 2 goals roaming free around the ground.
3. Williem Drew (123). Kept himself busy with pressure on the inside, laying a game high 12 tackles to go along with his 22 touches.
4. Willie Rioli (119). 3 goals and 17 disposals for Rioli who used it well @ 88% DE in Ports big win.
5. Mitch Georgiades (111). Best forward on the ground to finish up an all Port top five. 4 goals, 17 touches and 8 marks.

Other 100+ scores: Kane Farrell/Ollie Wines (104), Logan Evans (101), Jordan Sweet (100)

Disappointment: Pretty much any Richmond pick but since his team dominated, it’ll go to Horne-Francis (61) who just couldn’t get into a flow.

Rookies: Powell-Pepper was actually horrid last week but was solid here, finishing on 83 with a solid showing up forward. Berry (56) was busy and Moraes got into his debut early to finish on 52. Tigers rookies is grim reading, so I’ll make it quick. Armstrong (49) was the best of Green (41), Lalor (39), Fawcett (30), Trainor (25) and Smith (19).

Injuries: Lukosius didn’t last long with a knee concern, while Banks had concussion which ended his day.

 

St Kilda (15.8.98) defeated Geelong (13.13.91)

1. Jack Macrae (162). Dominated on Saturday night and will shoot himself back into VC/C calculations soon. 35 touches (16 contested) with 8 marks, 10 tackles and 9 clearances.
2. Jack Sinclair (145). 25 clean and constructive touches off half-back for Sinclair who also snuck forward and snagged 2 goals plus adding 6 tackles.
3. Rowan Marshall (121). Solo rucked and performed as he usually does in that scenario. 29 touches, 6 marks, 6 tackles and 32 hitouts.
4. Nasiah Wangeen-Milera (113). 29 touches across the backline for NWM with solid DE of 76%, plus nearly 500 metres gained.
5. Zac Jones (111). Finishes off an all Saints top five thanks to 27 disposals, 7 marks and 5 tackles.

Other 100+ scores: Jack Steele (106), Callum Wilkie (105), Marcus Windhager (104)

Disappointment: No Cat made it into triple figures and just two found 90+. It’ll go to Sam De Koning (74) who has a rough run of matchups on the way too.

Rookies: Four rookie priced options for the Saints but not a heap of scoring, the best was O’Connell (42) followed by Keeler (41), Collard (39) and then Hall (33). Better results from the Cats with O’Sullivan (88) jumping into calculations for downgrade options, while slightly after him was Clohesy (84) and the popular Knevitt (58) who played better than his score reflected.

Injuries: Big news with Stewart suffering a knee injury in this one, while Stocker didn’t pass a HIA and was subbed at half time.

 

Brisbane (14.10.94) defeated West Coast (11.9.75)

1. Dayne Zorko (136). Started slow but got more ring as the Lions needed a comeback. 28 touches (26 kicks) with 11 marks and 671 metres gained.
2. Lachie Neale (133). A popular C choice and didn’t disappoint with 35 disposals, 8 clearances, 10 inside 50s and 1 goal.
3. Hugh McCluggage (132). 22 disposals (14 contested) with 7 tackles and 7 clearances for Hugh who had more of an inside role than usual.
4. Josh Dunkley (117). Finished off the Lions strong scoring midfield group with a 23 touch, 6 tackle, 6 mark, 1 goal game.
5. Tim Kelly (114). The only Eagle to make it into the top 5 was Kelly as he tallied 29 disposals (13 contested) and 6 clearances.

Other 100+ scores: Harris Andrews (105), Will Ashcroft (104), Darcy Wilmot (101)

Disappointment: Pretty good last week but a lower score in this one for semi-pod Baker (75).

Rookies: Ashcroft (72) was consistent across the game for another good score, while debutant McLachlan (62) was solid. Eagles rookies were led by Hall (88) then Dewar (84), the popular Hewett (58) and a silent game from Archer Reid (9).

Injuries: Clean reports on the official injury card here, Williams and Reville the subs.

 

North Melbourne (19.11.125) defeated Melbourne (9.12.66)

1. Kade Chandler (151). Super game from Chandler roaming around the half forward flank, tallying 25 touches with 7 marks, 3 goals and 588 metres gained at Marvel.
2. Tristan Xerri (136). Won the ruck contest comfortably and the midfield went to work. 20 disposals, 15 contested, 1 goal and 29 hitouts.
3. Clayton Oliver (130). Back to his best with quick hands in the contest, Clarry had 36 touches (19 contested) with 12 clearances and 1 goal.
4. Tom Powell (124). Very damaging again in this midfield role, Powell found 31 disposals, kicked 1 goal and had over 500 metres gained.
5. Caleb Daniel (116). 31 touches for Daniel and his field kicking was once again a feature. 25 kicks in his 31 touches which included 12 rebounds from 50 and a game best 778 metres gained.

Other 100+ scores: Paul Curtis (114), Christian Salem (110), Luke Davies-Uniacke (108), Jy Simpkin (102), Charlie Comben (101)

Disappointment: Gawn (67) was well Beaton on the day, and Sheezel also gets a mention here actually. Just 81 in some gross role around the arc.

Rookies: Hansen Jnr (55) was sparkly and quick with his use but O’Sullivan is stuck in a weird role and continues to score poorly with a 42. Konstantly didn’t do a heap with 36. For the Demons, Henderson (72) looks a good option at 99K, while Lindsay (78) seems just as good. Sharp and Woewodin both finished on 43 while Spargo was quiet in Ali’s return game with 33. Jefferson was injured early on 0.

Injuries: Jefferson was gone early due to a hand injury, while Phillips was the tactical sub for the Kangaroos.

 

Fremantle (9.11.65) defeated by Sydney (9.14.68)

1. Jordan Clark/Chad Warner (122). A tie to finish up the round here. Warner was electric for the Swans with 26 touches, 9 marks, 5 tackles and 1 goal, plus 727 metres gained, while Clark had 24 touches (12 contested) and 540 metres gained.
2. Matt Roberts (115). Got the match winning tackle but was ultra important up until then as well, tallying 25 touches and 524 metres gained.
3. Josh Treacy (112). Best forward on the ground with 4 majors to his name from 13 touches and 7 marks, will be good for a few tons across the season.
4. Jeager O’Meara (107). Leading possessions getter on the ground with 32 touches (14 contested) on Sunday night.
5. Andrew Brayshaw (106). Rounds out the top 5 with his 19 touches effort that went at 100% DE, mixed in with 8 tackles.

Other 100+ scores: James Rowbottom (100)

Disappointment: Heeney (78) was watched closely all day, while Ryan (95) has had a rough fortnight to start the year.

Rookies: Third game for Corey Warner (56) and Hanily (38) since the Swans played round 1. Bice (96), Hamling (69) and Sheldrick (14) however played their second games and are on the bubble this week. Erasmus (41) played his first game but Reid (75) and O’Driscoll (95) are on the bubble this week and need to be considered.

Injuries: Shoulder injury for Walker saw him subbed out for the Dockers, while Grundy saw the red vest for Sydney.