JACKSON Thurlow’s opportunities at the highest level for Geelong have been few and far between this season.
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So when the 20-year-old from Launceston finally got his second taste of the AFL for 2014, he did everything in his power to ensure he could have an impact.
Coming in as a late replacement for Jordan Murdoch, Thurlow started as the substitute, coming onto the ground in the final quarter.
Playing across half-forward rather than his ‘‘traditional’’ half-back, Thurlow’s three touches all contributed to the scoreboard for the Cats.
This included a vital major from outside 50 on the run with less than five minutes remaining, which got Geelong back to within a point of Carlton in a game which the Cats would go on and win by six points.
The next day, Thurlow’s former Launceston teammate Jesse Lonergan encountered conditions in which he was made for at Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast’s loss to Port Adelaide.
The atrociously wet conditions were perfect for his hard-at-it style, with eight of Lonergan’s 11 possessions contested.
He went at a disposal efficiency rate of 55 per cent, acceptable in that sort of rain, and had three score involvements.
Despite a long goal to open proceedings, fellow ex-Blue Kade Kolodjashnij had a quiet afternoon, collecting just nine touches with a disposal efficiency rate of 44 per cent, as well as a corked thigh.
Clarence’s Josh Green continued his fine season, cashing in on the wounded Collingwood to kick 2.0, have nine score involvements and collect 17 touches at 82 per cent disposal efficiency in Brisbane’s big win.
Green has now kicked 29.12 from his 18 games, an impressive return from a small forward.
Glenorchy’s Ryan Harwood was impressive playing a defensive role on Jarryd Blair, collecting 20 disposals at 92 per cent disposal efficiency and having nine score involvements.
For the first time since round 1 last year, Jack Riewoldt was held goal-less in a match as Richmond beat Adelaide.
The Clarence product still managed four score involvements, from his 11 disposals, with Daniel Talia and the wet weather controlling him.
Burnie’s Maverick Weller had the tagging job on Daniel Hannebery, with the Swan collecting 26 touches to Weller’s 16 in St Kilda’s loss to Sydney.
Evandale’s Nathan Grima continued his quest to build his fitness base before the finals with a seven-mark, 19-possession afternoon in North Melbourne’s win over the Western Bulldogs.
Grima did come off the ground late in the game with what appeared to be a problem with his troublesome foot, but later said it was just a precautionary move.
Ruckman-forward Ben Brown again looked comfortable in the front-half for the Roos.
With Mark Austin as an opponent, Devonport’s Brown kicked 2.1 from 15 disposals and had eight score involvements.
North Hobart’s Sam Darley collected 13 disposals for the Bulldogs.
Dodges Ferry’s Jeremy Howe had a forward-tag from Rhys Palmer to deal with in Melbourne’s loss to Greater Western Sydney, finishing with 18 disposals at 78 per cent disposal efficiency, four score involvements and six marks.
Wynyard’s Colin Garland collected 11 disposals and one of only three Demon goal-kickers for the afternoon.
Devonport’s Grant Birchall was quiet early, but finished strongly in Hawthorn’s loss to Fremantle’s.
He collected 19 disposals at 84 per cent disposal efficiency and having seven score involvements.