Round 3 Review

Round 3

Essendon (9.18.72) defeated Port Adelaide (8.12.60)

1. Jase Burgoyne (121). Best score in a losing contest, Burgoyne is quietly becoming an elite back flanker. 27 touches here with 96% DE plus 10 marks.
2. Xavier Duursma (118). Ran the wings as he has his whole career, finding 29 touches, 8 marks and solid DE of 83%.
3. Mason Redman (111). 22 touches at 91% for Redman, his 19 kicks gained 570 metres while also adding 1 goal.
4. Sam Durham (109). Important inside with 28 disposals for the night, including 14 contested touches. Also threw in 5 clearances and 6 inside 50s.
5. Zach Merrett/Ollie Wines (106). A tie to finish. 34 touches for Merrett with 477 metres gained, while Wines led Port for disposals with 31 plus 5 clearances.

Other 100+ scores: Jade Gresham (101)

Disappointment: Has to go to Port captain Connor Rozee who just lazed away and finished on a grim 64 despite being a popular VC pick.

Rookies: Much better week for the Essendon rookies. Reid (88) led the way ahead of Prior (78), Menzie (63) and Kami (62). Menzie the only one on the bubble this week out of that bunch. Edwards (10) is also on the bubble but he was subbed out, while El-Hawli (16) made his debut. The Power also had a debutant in Cochrane (9), but the best looming option in the midfield this week could be Moraes (94) who is on the bubble. Powell-Pepper (48) and Berry (34) both grew around 20K each.

Injuries: Got clean reports to start the round here, with Soldo and Edwards the players being subbed out.

 

Carlton (11.9.75) defeated by Western Bulldogs (12.11.83)

1. Tom De Koning/Tom Liberatore (133). A tie up between the Toms. TDK was a popular VC pick and didn’t disappoint with 28 disposals (19 contested), 7 clearances and 28 hitouts, while Libba led the midfield with 30 touches, 1 goals and 11 tackles.
2. Sam Davidson (129). Fantastic, hard running performance from Davidson. Found 31 touches with 10 marks and 639 metres gained for a great price booster.
3. George Hewett (126). 27 disposals (13 contested) for Hewett in the Carlton midfield group, also throwing in an impressive 9 tackles and 8 clearances.
4. Sam Darcy (125). Well held for most of the night but kicked important goals and ultimately finished with 17 touches (12 contested) plus 8 marks.
5. Matt Kennedy (113). Against the old mob, Kennedy was great with 2 goals, 22 touches and 9 clearances to round out the top 5.

Other 100+ scores: Bailey Williams (104), Brodie Kemp (103)

Disappointment: Multiple in this contest. Cripps (84) and Walsh (86) were below their best, while Dale (81), English (81) and Freijah (68) weren’t great for their owners.

Rookies: Davidson has had his time so just Dolan (20) after that, lost 2K, that’s the issue with the sub and cash generation. Just Motlop (64) for the Blues who saw a 31K increase.

Injuries: Zac Williams is listed with an Achilles injury that he sustained early on Friday night, while Baker was the sub for the Bulldogs due to a quad injury.

 

Melbourne (8.14.62) defeated by Gold Coast (18.12.120)

1. Matt Rowell (136). Two monster games from Rowell now to kick off the year. Dominated in the middle with 36 touches (19 contested) plus 13 clearances, 7 tackles and 8 inside 50s.
2. Touk Miller (127). Career best 3 goals for Miller from 23 disposals that went @ 91% DE.
3. John Noble (120). Provided plenty of run and rice off half back, even getting far enough forward to slot a goal from one of his 29 touches. Also had 552 metres gained.
4. Jake Bowey (116). The line Demon in this top five, Bowey played a similar game to Noble with 26 touches, 1 goal and plenty of metres gained.
5. Bailey Humphrey (111). Two tons in a row and one to consider on the trade table this week. Humphrey had 23 disposals (15 contested) plus 1 goal and 6 tackles.

Other 100+ scores: Noah Anderson/Ed Langdon/Jarrod Witts (109), Trent Rivers (101)

Disappointment: Will have to go to Gawn (88) for a second week in a row, his midfield of Oliver and Petracca also stuck on just 80 each.

Rookies: Starting with the news that Lindsay (9) suffered a knee injury very early in the contest, keep an eye out for the injury report to see a timeframe. Bar that, there wasn’t a great score for Langford(87, on the bubble) and Sharp (68) was effective as well. Henderson (43) saw a 49K increase while it was the second game for Johnson (31). Twin scores of 47 for forward Read and Walter at the Suns, the former being on the bubble this week.

Injuries: As mentioned, Lindsay hurt his knee which saw him only score 9 points. Nothing else on this report, Holman the tactical sub for the Suns.

 

St Kilda (20.15.135) defeated Richmond (7.11.53)

1. Jack Sinclair (162). Monster game from Sinclair. 40 touches, 85% DE, 7 marks, 689 metres gained and plenty of work between the arcs.
2. Toby Nankervis (123). The lone Tiger here, Nank did what he could with 21 touches (16 contested), 35 hitouts and 7 clearances.
3. Jack Macrae (120). Tipped to dominate and do just that, collecting 31 touches, 5 marks and 6 tackles for a worthy C score.
4. Mason Wood (119). 3 goals and 16 disposals for Wood plus 8 marks, a solid contribution across the half forward flank.
5. Rowan Marshall (117). Went toe-to-toe with Nank in a great matchup, finishing off with 23 touches, 1 goal, 22 hitouts and 12 marks.

Other 100+ scores: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (110), Jimmy Webster (105)

Disappointment: Nothing super bad here, but a score of -3 stands out even if you are a rookie, sorry Armstrong.

Rookies: The best of the Saints was Hall (85$ who was once again busy up forward, while prized pick Travaglia (83) had a great debut. Collard (55) is on the bubble this week, the same as Keeler (39) and Hastie (21). O’Connell (3) suffered a concussion early. Trainor (90) was great for the Tigers to see a 42K price rise, after him there was Green (49), Lalor (45) and the previously mentioned Armstrong (-3) in their third games. Lynch (42) and Smith (23) are on the bubble this week.

Injuries: O’Connell suffered a concussion in this game, while Armstrong was the tactical sub for the Tigers.

 

Hawthorn (10.16.76) defeated GWS (9.10.64)

1. Nick Watson (134). Important in such a close contest, Watson found 21 touches (11 contested) plus 1 goal and 9 score involvements.
2. Lloyd Meek (118). 1 goal, 14 touches and 31 hitouts for Meek, another ton to his 2025 campaign.
3. Harry Himmelberg (117). Important down back with 24 touches, 11 marks, 483 metres gained and 7 rebounds from 50.
4. Blake Hardwick (114). Dangerous up forward with 2 goal assists, 1 major and 19 touches in this hard fought contest.
5. Lachie Whitfield (109). Rounds out this top five with another ton, finding 34 touches, 666 metres gained and 7 marks.

Other 100+ scores: Cam Mackenzie (105), Will Day (103)

Disappointment: Callaghan (55) a popular trade in this week but returned a poor score.

Rookies: The Giants had Keefe and Stone hit their third game each, but nothing crazy with scores of 47 and 46. No rookies to cover at Hawthorn.

Injuries: Got some clean injury reports from Saturday night, Ward and Chol the tactical in this close contest.

 

Brisbane (10.10.70) defeated Geelong (9.7.61)

1. Hugh McCluggage/Will Ashcroft (136). Couldn’t be split here. Hugh found another mountain of ball with 30 disposals (17 contested) plus 517 metres gained and 8 tackles, while Ashcroft had his best score of the year with 33 touches, 1 goal and 5 clearances.
2. Dayne Zorko (135). Another masterclass from Zorko, his third score of 130+ open the trot. 28 touches, 7 marks, 1 goal and 834 metres gained.
3. Max Holmes (127). Best on for the Cats with slick work in slippery conditions. Had 29 touches, 1 goal and 619 metres gained.
4. Zac Bailey (114). Busy all round with 19 touches, 6 tackles, 1 goal and 450 metres gained.
5. Harris Andrews (109). Rounds out this top five with 12 touches, 8 marks, 92% DE and 14 one percenters.

Other 100+ scores: Josh Dunkley/Tom Atkins (105), Mark Blicavs (104)

Disappointment: Take your pick between Neale (71) and Smith (81).

Rookies: Ashcroft (36) was quiet in this one, while Fort (67) played his second game as a 190K ruckman. Clohesy (58) is on the bubble this week for Geelong, while Knevitt (20) was the sub. O’Sullivan (77) played really well despite the conditions for a nice 55K increase.

Injuries: Lohmann listed here with an ankle while Geelong had a clean reports, SDK the sub. Stewart, as expected, was a late out.

Adelaide (17.12.114) defeated North Melbourne (12.6.78)

1. Rory Laird (124). Game 250 for The Desk and performed out of his skin. 32 touches, 7 marks and 81% DE. Keen to have him as a defender come round 6.
2. Izak Rankine/Jy Simpkin (119). Rankine was once again super, finding 30 touches (19 contested) plus 5 marks and 5 tackles, while Simpkin continues to perform, this week having 1 goal, 32 touches and 7 marks.
3. Caleb Daniel (116). Led the game with 33 disposals, also tallying 9 marks and 540 metres gained.
4. Riley Thilthorpe (110). Super up front again with 17 touches, 3 goals, 8 marks and 8 hitouts to add to it.
5. Jake Soligo (108). 1 goal, 28 touches, 5 tackles and 502 metres gained for Soligo who is doing it week in week out at the moment.

Other 100+ scores: Ben Keays (104), Mitch Hinge (103)

Disappointment: Milera (39) was very quiet, while Sheezel (89) continues to struggle to start the year.

Rookies: O’Sullivan (44) led the Kangaroos rookie class but there wasn’t a heap going on, just Konstanty (41) and Hansen Jnr (19). The Crows are 3-0 now and Curtin (90) played really well, while Draper (49) actually lost 7K after three straight sub vests.

Injuries: Rachele didn’t make it past quarter time with a rib injury, while the Roos tactical sub was Hansen Jnr around 3QT.

 

West Coast (10.8.68) defeated by Fremantle (15.16.106)

1. Luke Jackson (165). Best score of the round went to Jackson who was super against the Eagles. 17 touches, 1 goal, 35 hitouts and 9 score involvements.
2. Andrew Brayshaw (131). His first really big score so far. Brayshaw had 29 touches, 7 tackles, 6 clearances and 696 metres gained.
3. Ryan Maric (123). Shining light down back. Maric had 28 touches with 24 kicks, also grabbing 8 marks and 445 metres gained.
4. Josh Treacy (114). 13 touches for the big Kahuna, adding 3 goals and 5 marks to his game.
5. Bailey Banfield (109). Rounds out this games top five thanks to 18 touches (10 contested) plus 2 goal assists.

Other 100+ scores: Murphy Reid (106), Caleb Serong (105), Nathan O’Driscoll/Jordan Clark (104), Jeremy McGovern (103)

Disappointment: Really slow start to the season for Luke Ryan (81), someone I was tipping to be a top 6 defender looks no where near it currently.

Rookies: Some great returns from O’Driscoll (105) and Reid (106), respectively jumping up 76K and 67K respectively. Worner (54) played his second game, as did Erasmus (80). There was also a debut for Isaiah Dudley (82) who kicked a few goals early. For the Eagles, Hewett (22) was the sub, while Archer Reid (86) played well up forward to jump up nearly 30K. Dewar (46) rounds out the rookies.

Injuries: The ever injured McGovern was down due to a groin injury, but not before West Coast subbed out Edwards. Sharp was the sub for Fremantle.