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Something old, something new… Round 2

Something old

That Essendon and Hawthorn rivalry. It’s been around for decades, got serious in the 1980s, and hasn’t eased off since. But Sunday’s classic contest at the MCG might have been the most dramatic yet. Cale Hooker kicked the match-winner and was probably the Bombers’ best player. He did defenders proud.

Something new

Geelong at the bottom of the AFL ladder.

It’s only two rounds in, but it still looks weird. The last time the Cats were last was in Round 3, 2004. Only Sydney (Round 3 in 1999) and Western Bulldogs (Round 22, 2003) enjoyed a longer run without sitting at the foot of the table.

Something borrowed

Four of the top five players on the Coleman Medal table aren’t playing for the clubs to which they were drafted – and this doesn’t include Lance Franklin.

West Coast star Josh Kennedy’s 10-goal haul against his former side Carlton puts him clear of the pack. Former Giant Josh Bruce kicked half a dozen for the Saints, Jarrad Waite (once a Blue, now a Roo) bagged seven, and Jamie Cripps, who started with the Saints and is now an Eagle, kicked two for a two-round tally of seven.

Something blue

Fan behaviour has improved greatly over the years. But, after a couple of incidents in the stands at the MCG on Saturday, there’s still some way to go.

And another thing…

Well done to St Kilda for its stirring win over Gold Coast on Saturday night. Some around the place wondered if the Saints could win a game for the year. There’s something to like about the kids coming through. And, as Farren Ray wrote for us last week, they are led by one of the game’s great skippers.