Add CategoryA full platter of AFL games have returned after three weeks of the byes and Saturday will see four games take place as the team’s prepare their run home for the finals.
Eagles soaring over Hawks
The return of Nic Naitanui has helped lift the West Coast Eagles to another level as they run riot at the MCG against a despondent Hawthorn outfit.
A goalless second quarter from the Hawks has seen them fall behind 6.8 (44) to 3.6 (24) at the main break.
Despite looking a little lost on several occassions, Naitanui has provided the Eagles with first class service thanks to his tap work.
Coach backs in AFL’s review
Geelong coach Chris Scott has backed the AFL’s much-maligned score review system, saying critics are missing the point.
The night after Essendon were allowed a controversial goal in their narrow win over GWS, there were two more score reviews on Friday night during the Cats’ 27-point win over Adelaide.
Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg was allowed a goal after it appeared to shave the point post.
Later in the game, the ball was back in the centre square when a goal to Geelong star Tim Kelly was disallowed because it brushed the post.
While the two reviews went against Geelong, Scott was unfazed and said the review system is an improvement.
“I must be in the minority — I cannot understand some people saying ‘just get rid of it, because it was better before’,” Scott said.
“My understanding of the rationale for bringing it in, was to help with the howler — a bit like the hawkeye in cricket.
“It was to stop the really bad error that everyone knew was there and I think it’s achieved that goal in spades.”
A score review call on the big screen.Source:AAP
Also on Friday night, Scott is hopeful that Cats star Patrick Dangerfield has avoided a significant hip injury.
Crows defender Daniel Talia cannoned into him in a marking contest and Scott said it should have been a free-kick to Dangerfield.
But more importantly for the Cats, Dangerfield played out the game after his hip knock.
“He seemed to get a little bit better as he went on, but it looked at halftime as if he wouldn’t be able to play,” Scott said.
“He is one of the more tough players that I’ve seen. And I’ve seen a few.”
— AAP