WHILE it may have been brief, Lachie Weller sure did make an impact in his first AFL appearance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 19-year-old former Burnie boy, who is at Fremantle after dominating for Queensland’s under-18 side in last year’s national championships, found himself on the field for just 22 minutes as the Dockers downed Greater Western Sydney at Domain Stadium.
This was after he started as the sub, coming on to the ground in the early stages of the final quarter.
Playing in the midfield, Weller collected eight possessions in this time, took three marks and laid two tackles.
The state’s top pick in last year’s national draft at no.13, went at 87.5 per cent disposal efficiency, applied nine pressure acts, went inside 50 three times and had two score involvements, including setting up Jonathon Griffin for a major.
In a ironic twist of fate, Weller wasn’t able to share any ground time with fellow North-West Coaster Alex Pearce, with the Ulverstone product subbed off for him.
For the first time in his nine games at the level, Pearce played forward, kicking his first goal in the third quarter after some attempts that didn’t quite go the distance.
Pearce, who had Matt Buntine as an opponent, finished with 12 touches, took five marks and laid three tackles.
Earlier on Sunday, Weller’s older brother Maverick was part of the St Kilda side that went down to Port Adelaide, where he collected 15 possessions and laid six tackles.
Teammates Jimmy Webster (of Glenorchy) spent time on four-goal man Chad Wingard, and finished with eight touches and four marks, while Burnie’s Eli Templeton also had eight possessions.
The Weller brother could meet in the field of battle this weekend when St Kilda hosts Fremantle.
On Saturday, Lauderdale’s Mitch Robinson continued his strong recent form as Brisbane crashed to Geelong.
Robinson collected 31 touches at 64.5 per cent disposal efficiency, took nine marks, laid five tackles and had four score involvements.
It was his fifth game of 25 or more touches for the year, and his second in a row, in a year where he is averaging 19 touches, four marks and six tackles a game.
Launceston’s Jackson Thurlow was subbed off in the third quarter after collecting 12 touches and laying three tackles, while Jake Kolodjashnij, who played on Daniel McStay had 13 possessions, took three marks and laid four tackles in another strong display.
Melbourne’s Tasmanian duo Colin Garland and Jeremy Howe both played important roles in the Demons’ back-half as they upset Collingwood.
Wynyard’s Garland, who played loose and on Jamie Elliott, had 22 touches, took seven marks and laid six tackles, while Howe pushed forward late to kick a goal, finished with 17 touches and 10 marks.
Kade Kolodjashnij continued his good form with a 24 disposal, six mark, 1.0 and two tackle outing in Gold Coast’s draw with Gold Coast.
Jesse Lonergan, also of Launceston, played a midfield role, finishing with 16 touches and laying nine tackles, while Burnie’s Luke Russell kicked 1.3 from 14 touches and five marks.
Henry Schade played on Callum Sinclair and had 14 touches and took five marks, while Hobart’s Aaron Hall was strong with 1.0 from 24 possessions, four marks and seven tackles.
George Town’s Toby Nankervis kicked 0.1 from seven touches in Sydney’s win over Adelaide, while Devonport’s Ben Brown also finished with 0.1, from six touches and three marks for North Melbourne in their win over Carlton.
On Friday, Clarence’s Jack Riewoldt kicked 1.2 from 11 touches and seven marks for Richmond, while Devonport’s Grant Birchall had 24 touches at 83.3 disposal efficiency rate, took five marks and had three rebound 50s for the Hawks.