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Toby Greene of the Giants marks over Caleb Serong of the Dockers.Credit: Getty Images
Murphy Reid has run hard and been rewarded with a goal but the lead-up saw several Giants lose their cool.
It’s been a frustrating night for the Giants who haven’t been able to get the best of the visitors at either end of the ground.
Reid kicked his goal and told Lachie Ash about it, that saw several Giants descend on him but the melee was broken up as soon as it had broken out.
Freo 59, GWS 32 with nine mins to go in Q3.
The view at Engie Stadium tonight.Credit: Getty Images
The Dockers just attacked down the corridor as Frederick handballed to Wagner who sent a long kick to Amiss.
He got position on his man and pulled in the mark before kicking his second goal.
This is some fast, impressive footy for the Dockers. GWS just can’t keep with them.
Freo 53, GWS 31 with 14 mins to go in Q3.
There are a few boos ringing out, I think they are for the umpires who made a pretty straightforward holding the ball decision against Callan Ward.
Frederick was the man who got hold of the Giants veteran, he went back and booted his third goal.
Giants are trying to lift but the Dockers are still the better side in this early third term.
Freo 46, GWS 31 with 16 mins to go in Q3.
Craig McRae was full of praise for Collingwood’s workmanlike 10-point win over Adelaide 11.12 (78) to 10.8 (68), later revealing he had demanded a group of his players protect and help Nick Daicos more when the star playmaker is tagged.
Daicos is regularly the centre of opposition plans because of his run and creativity, with opponents often looking to physically challenge the lean but speedy midfielder.
Jeremy Howe and Brayden Maynard embrace after an emotion-charged win.Credit: AFL Photos
The Magpies have looked to start and use Daicos in different roles in a bid to help set him free, and against the Crows he spent a large part of his afternoon either as an inside midfielder where handballing, rather than kicking, was initially his primary weapon.
He was also used at half-forward, and appeared to have a handful of opponents through the game.
He finished the contest at the MCG with 28 disposals, including seven clearances, and 11 kicks, having had only four kicks to half-time.
McRae said he had on Friday urged Daicos’ teammates to help him break any tag.
“To be honest, I grabbed probably six or seven players that can support Nick a bit more … and said: ‘I don’t think we are supporting him enough being tagged’,” McRae said.
“I think we went to work on that a bit today, which means Nick plays, I won’t give too much away, plays a few different roles. It’s a challenge.”
Magpies coach Craig McRae.Credit: AFL Photos
Daicos exerted a strong influence, as did veteran Jeremy Howe, who controlled the backline on an afternoon the Magpies lost the inside-50 count 55-47 and were beaten at clearances.
Josh Daicos (29 disposals) supplied important run as the Magpies called the Crows’ premiership aspirations into question.
On a rain-marred day, the Magpies soaked up the Crows’ defensive game plan to post their eighth win of the season to remain a flag favourite.
The Crows have now failed to topple the Magpies in their past 11 contests, dating back to 2016.
“It was a struggle, wasn’t it? Conditions made it that way. It was high stoppage in that third quarter. There were elements of transition at times … but in that second quarter, I have never seen us miss so many short kicks,” McRae said, adding this had been a “working class” victory.
“It was tricky conditions out there. It was fight day – turn up and get to work day, pull up your socks and let’s go. Our contest was really strong for major parts of it. Ultimately, it probably got the job done.”
While they are firmly in the finals mix, the Crows needed to make a statement against a legitimate premiership threat. Wins at home over the Giants, Blues and Power in the past month were impressive, and a 61-point thumping of the Bombers at the MCG earlier in the season was excellent.
However, they adopted a risk-free approach against the Magpies, largely eschewing attacking through the centre corridor, preferring to go down the line and attack via the flanks.
Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine and Wayne Milera during the Crows’ clash with the Pies.Credit: AFL Photos
They adopted a more positive mindset in the final term and cut the lead to 10 points when skipper Jordan Dawson drilled a long bomb, but the Magpies controlled the final five minutes.
Howe, Scott Pendlebury and Brayden Maynard, all rested last week, were instrumental in ensuring victory was achieved in the final term.
Maynard – weighing up his future with the club – flourished with the added responsibility of being caretaker captain.
“The leadership group made a decision, we have two incredible vice-captains, ‘Bruzzy’ and Nick (Daicos), he is an incredible, emotional generator, infectious around the group,” McRae said.
“I won’t repeat what he said when the boys told him he was captain, but he was pretty pumped.”
McRae was also full of praise for half-back Dan Houston [15 disposals, 382 metres gained), who has struggled to replicate the form he enjoyed with Port Adelaide.
Toby McMullin has been subbed off with an adductor injury, Harvey Thomas is now on in his place.
Make that four hamstrings. Yes, four. Lachie Jones is the latest victim, pulling up favouring his left hamstring while trying to clear away from Jeremy Cameron.
On a cold Saturday afternoon in Adelaide, the hamstring count reads 2-2 – in a half of footy – with Jones joining Jason Horne-Francis in the casualty ward, along with Geelong pair Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Bowes.
Amid the carnage, Jeremy Cameron’s class has shone, overcoming a quiet start and a painful knock to the knee to boot back-to-back goals, the second one an absolute beauty from the south-western pocket, to give the visitors a nine-point break at half-time.
Bailey Smith shrugged off the attention of Miles Bergman to rack up 17 first-half disposals. Mark O’Connor also has 17. Captain Connor Rozee (16) leads Port Adelaide’s possession count.
A dejected Patrick Dangerfield.Credit: AFL Photos
It’s absolute carnage at Adelaide Oval, with Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield the latest victim of the hamstring crisis.
The Geelong captain exited Adelaide Oval after hurting his right hamstring midway through the second quarter, joining teammate Jack Bowes and Port Adelaide star Jason Horne-Francis in the casualty ward with the same injuries.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Cameron is proppy but ploughing on in the goal-square after a collision of left knees with Zak Butters. There have been more injuries than goals of late, Port Adelaide finally slotting the first major in the 19th minute through Sam Powell-Pepper to hit the front.
Michael Frederick of the Dockers celebrates kicking a goal.Credit: Getty Images
The Dockers have had the best play in the second term but they only have a modest lead going into the half-time break.
They will take it but I’m sure they will want to try and wrestle greater control of this match in the third term, that is if the Giants are unable to lif their play.
They kicked a late goal but had Jesse Hogan mark late and spray a kick for goal while seeking more distance on his kick.
Shai Bolton of the Dockers.Credit: Getty Images
Shai Bolton has come up big for the Dockers yet again.
He has seven score involvements from 15 disposals and he’s just kicked his second goal.
Lachie Whitfield tried to play on in the back pocket but Bolton sprinted from the mark and wrapped him up in a tackle which led to a holding-the-ball decision.
Bolton snapped his second goal from that free kick.
Freo 40, GWS 23 with two mins to go in Q2.
