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Something old, new, borrowed and blue from R16

Kav Di Piertro

Something Old

Scott Thompson hates being labelled a veteran. So we won’t. But the Adelaide champion has been around for 276 games and his performance on Sunday in the Showdown might have been his best yet. His numbers – 36 possessions, 13 clearances and kicking a goal to take home the specially re-named Phillip Walsh Medal as best on ground – presented by Walsh’s daughter Quinn.

Something New

St Kilda and Richmond have come together to start a new tradition in honour of Nick Riewoldt’s late sister Maddie. A crowd of 45,722 – the venue’s biggest this AFL season – was on hand to celebrate and support the first fundraiser of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision (MRV). Nick and Jack were brave in the lead up to the game and heroic in their performances. Jack summed it up beautifully after the final siren: “Two football clubs bonded together for one family.”

Something Borrowed

We’re chucking Buddy Franklin’s 700th goal in here because there’s nowhere else to put it (and the Swans have borrowed him from the Hawks so it does make sense). The second-quarter boost from the superstar Sydney forward – three goals in as many minutes – was as exciting as it got for the home team at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Something Blue (and white)

Todd Goldstein is flying. He was pencilled in as the All Australian ruckman at the midway point of the season and, somehow, has played even better since. He had 27 disposals, eight marks, eight clearances and 56 hit outs against Essendon on Friday night. The big man was “the difference”, according to James Hird.

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