THEY SAID IT: "Maybe the fines aren't big enough. (Former cricketer) Terry Alderman needed a shoulder reconstruction because of one of these idiots." - Geelong coach Chris Scott on penalties for pitch invaders after an Adelaide Oval intruder on Friday night.
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PLAYERS OF THE ROUND: Geelong defender Tom Stewart celebrated his 150th game with 28 disposals and 11 marks - 10 of which were intercepts, an AFL record. Luke Jackson gave Fremantle the spark they needed against North Melbourne, tallying two goals, 24 disposals and seven clearances. Cody Weightman kicked four goals in the first quarter against Gold Coast to set the Bulldogs on their way and finished with six for the day at Ballarat's Mars Stadium.
THE MOMENT: Bang, bang, bang goes the Tomahawk. Adelaide had the momentum and a one-point lead when Izak Rankine kicked truly in the third quarter of their tussle with Geelong. But the Crows' victory hopes were promptly shut when Cats veteran Tom Hawkins kicked three goals in the space of 12 minutes.
TALKING POINT: Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson called for increased use of video technology to decide umpiring calls after North Melbourne were denied a free kick at a crucial stage in their loss to Fremantle. Docker Matthew Johnson's kick hit the behind post on the full but confused umpires called for a throw-in, with replays clearly showing the Kangaroos should have been given a free kick.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Fremantle have posted consecutive wins to open the season for the first time since 2015, when they claimed the minor premiership under Ross Lyon.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Essendon's Peter Wright has been sent straight to the AFL Tribunal for the airborne bump that left Sydney midfielder Harry Cunningham concussed. St Kilda spearhead Max King has been offered a one-match ban for a high bump on Finlay Macrae. Essendon ruckman Sam Draper was fined for collecting Jake Lloyd late. Gold Coast veteran David Swallow could be looked at for a fourth-quarter collision with Ed Richards that concussed the Bulldogs defender
INJURIES: P Dangerfield (Geel, hamstring), H Cunningham (Syd, concussion), S May (Melb, ribs), J Lever (Melb, knee), M Wood (StK, collarbone/concussion), L Henry (StK, hamstring), M Rioli (Rich, back), N Coffield (WB, shoulder), E Richards (WB, concussion)
WHAT'S NEXT: All eyes will turn to the grand final re-match at the Gabba on Thursday night when Brisbane (0-2) and Collingwood (0-3) will be aiming to dig themselves out of early holes. There will be two Good Friday matches, with North Melbourne taking on Carlton before Fremantle host Adelaide. Port Adelaide's clash with Melbourne in Adelaide on Saturday looms as a key early test for both clubs, while the round concludes on Monday with Hawthorn facing Geelong at the MCG.
Australian Associated Press
