JACKSON Thurlow’s standing within the Geelong senior team continues to rise after the Launceston running defender posted career-best numbers for the second successive week.
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The 21-year-old was outstanding in Friday night’s win over Collingwood in his fourth game back after suffering a lacerated kidney during the pre-season.
Thurlow collected 30 possessions at 80 per cent disposal efficiency, seven marks, three rebound 50s, one inside 50, six score involvements and three tackles.
Ulverstone's Alex Pearce looked more than comfortable in his first taste of the big league, playing a key defensive role in Fremantle’s win over the Bombers.
The 19-year-old took six marks and had 10 touches in his AFL debut, while limiting Joe Daniher to 1.1.
Coach Ross Lyon was full of praise for the 200-centimetre Pearce.
‘‘I thought he played with confidence. He went for his marks, got a fist in, ran off,’’ Lyon said.
‘‘Above all, he’s a great athlete who competes fiercely. We know he’ll continue to blossom. He’s a second-year player, and it’s a credit to our recruiting team and developers. But one swallow doesn’t make a summer does it?’’
Launceston’s Thomas Bellchambers was overpowered by Aaron Sandilands in the ruck and failed to have a similar impact as the giant Docker.
Bellchambers had nine possessions and won 21 hit-outs compared to Sandilands’ 12 and 33.
Gold Coast’s Kade Kolodjashnij tried hard with 20 possessions at 85per cent disposal efficiency, three rebound 50s and five inside 50s in the loss against Adelaide, while fellow former Launceston boy Jesse Lonergan spent time on five-goal Eddie Betts, finishing with 13 possessions, four marks and four tackles.
North Hobart defender Henry Schade played on Tom Lynch (who kicked 2.2 from 16 disposals) and finished with 13 touches, five marks and two tackles.
Burnie’s Luke Russell (14 touches) and Hobart’s Aaron Hall (1.1 from 12 possessions) were quiet.
Forwards Jack Riewoldt, at Richmond, and Ben Brown, at North Melbourne, managed 4.4 between them on their return to their home state in North Melbourne’s win over Richmond at Bellerive Oval.
Riewoldt (with Scott Thompson as an opponent) kicked 3.2 from 12 touches and six marks, while Brown (who had Troy Chaplin) kicked 1.2 from 12 possessions with nine grabs.
Maverick Weller, of Burnie, spent time on Marcus Bontempelli, laying seven tackles and collecting 11 touches, while Glenorchy’s Jimmy Webster had 15 disposals coming out of defence in St Kilda’s comeback win over the Western Bulldogs.
Devonport’s Grant Birchall was outstanding with 29 possessions at 83per cent efficiency (with three rebounds, three inside 50s and eight score involvements) as the Hawks were upset by Greater Western Sydney.
Wynyard’s Colin Garland was solid in defence in Melbourne’s loss to Sydney laying eight tackles along the way, while Dodges Ferry’s Jeremy Howe had 10 touches and no marks.
Clarence’s Josh Green kicked two vital goals in the third quarter to start Brisbane’s successful comeback against Carlton.
Green finished with 3.1 from seven touches, with four tackles with Sam Docherty and Zach Tuohy as opponents, while teammate Mitch Robinson, of Lauderdale, had 16 touches at 81 per cent efficiency and laid seven tackles against his former side.
West Moonah’s Liam Jones kicked just 1.2, missing a shot late in the game which would have kept the Blues in the contest.