Something Old
Prior to Round 14, some may have been a few doubts as to what the old firm at Hawthorn was capable of.
The Dockers headed into what many believed was to be a Grand Final preview three wins clear of the Hawks, so few were expecting Hawthorn to dish out a 72-point belting of the ladder-leaders – Ross Lyon’s worst loss since taking charge at Fremantle.
While there may be a changing of the guard coming, it’s certainly not here yet. Hawthorn leaders Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell may no longer be in their 20s, but they had 70 possessions between them on Sunday and will be the architects behind another push deep into September.
LINGY'S VOTES 5 L Hodge 4 S Mitchell 3 J Gibson 2 L Breust 1 B Lake #AFLHawksFreo pic.twitter.com/ZYo2OPWTyB
— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) July 12, 2015
Something New
The Bulldogs had kicked just four goals to the Suns’ nine leading into the final quarter on Saturday night.
Even the most optimistic Bulldog supporters wouldn’t have guessed what would happen next. The Dogs piled on 10 goals to two in the final term to steal the win and jump up to sixth spot on the ladder.
And while the senior players continue to do their bit, it’s hard not to look ahead and wonder what the new breed of Bulldogs might be capable of in the years ahead.
Star duo Marcus Bontempelli and Jake Stringer were instrumental in the final term.
Something Borrowed
Dayne Zorko is no stranger to spectacular goals – this cracker in the third term of the Lions’ clash with the Swans on Sunday is testament to that.
But it was another effort that caught our eye – a move borrowed from the English Premier League that saw Brisbane jump out to an early lead against the Swans. This is why they call him ‘The Magician’.
Something Blue
There’ve been far too many serious injuries in 2015 but, thankfully, there were a handful of players to have put the injury blues behind them over the weekend.
Geelong’s Daniel Menzel made a successful return to the VFL after four knee reconstructions, collecting 17 possessions – including 10 clearances – in just three quarters of footy.
Greater Western Sydney big man Jonathon Patton also got through his return match in the NEAFL, kicking a goal and notching six possessions in his first quarter and a half back from an ACL injury.
22-year-old Bomber Alex Browne’s return from his ACL wasn’t quite as successful. After showing some encouraging signs in his first AFL game since 2012, Browne was subbed out with concussion in the second quarter. Here’s hoping he’s back out there soon.