The major talking points from week one of AFL finals
Chris Scott’s leaving out Rhys Stanley due to rain, Dylan Grimes’ ‘dive’ and GWS’ physicality against Western Bulldogs. The opening week of finals had plenty for the fans to digest.
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Fans weren’t treated to any thrillers in the opening week of finals, but there was certainly no shortage of talking points.
From West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui’s clash with Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett on Thursday to Dustin Martin’s Gabba masterclass, there was plenty to dissect from the elimination and qualifying finals.
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Next week, Brisbane will host GWS Giants and Geelong takes on West Coast for the right to meet either Richmond or Collingwood in a preliminary final.
Here’s what had the fans talking throughout this weekend’s games.
WEST COAST 17.14 (116) def ESSENDON 9.7 (61)
John Worsfold conceded angst was growing among Essendon supporters as the club chased its first September victory since 2004. After another opportunity went begging, Bombers supporters will have to endure at least another 12 months of talk about that ‘drought’.
Merrett, Naitanui cop sanctions
Zach Merrett and Nic Naitanui drew the attention of match review officer Michael Christian for a third-quarter incident which led to an incident where a fan appeared to throw beer at Essendon players. Merrett pulled Naitanui’s hair, which prompted the Eagles ruckman to hurl him into the boundary fence. Both players were handed $1500 fines but can accept a $1000 penalty.
WATCH: Nic Naitanui shoves Zach Merrett into the fence after having his hair pulled https://t.co/65jKp8Nhhs#AFLEaglesBombers #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/qvk97aSEcy
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) September 5, 2019
Much of the discussion leading into the first of the elimination finals centred on whether John Worsfold would be Essendon’s coach in 2020. Worsfold even said he felt secure in his job days before the game as he was again quizzed about his future. But Bombers supporters are growing impatient.
COLLINGWOOD 9.7 (61) def GEELONG 7.9 (51)
Social media went into meltdown on Friday night due to the jumper clash between the Magpies and Geelong. The Cats wore their dark shorts in the qualifying final, which led Collingwood president Eddie McGuire to say post-match: “For 20 years, they’ve worn the white gear because we had a gentlemen’s agreement.”
With rain predicted to fall on Friday night, Geelong made what proved to be a disastrous late change — dropping ruckman Rhys Stanley and bringing in Sam Menegola. Stanley performed admirably against All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy in Round 1, but the Magpies big man had the better of his duel with regular defender Mark Blicavs.
Geelong's decision to not play Rhys Stanley was ... Dumb. My take on THAT selection decision.https://t.co/75ei3euIR4
— Ryan Reynolds (@Reynolds_R) September 6, 2019
Collingwood got the jump on a jittery Geelong in the opening 11 minutes of the qualifying final, a period which proved decisive to the outcome. The Cats are 3-10 in finals since their 2011 premiership, a statistic which is hard to ignore.
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GWS GIANTS 16.17 (113) def WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.7 (55)
Fans accused GWS of physically targeting several of Western Bulldogs’ stars, with Susan Alberti tweeting the Giants were “playing dirty” and adding “this is supposed to be a game of football”. Marcus Bontempelli left the field in the second quarter bleeding from the mouth after he copped a smack in the face.
Naughton injury
Western Bulldogs supporters collectively held their breath when young forward Aaron Naughton sustained what appeared a nasty knee injury after an awkward landing in the third quarter. The early signs suggested he had sustained lateral ligament damage, however official confirmation is still to come.
Hearing scans on Aaron Naughton’s left knee won’t take place until tomorrow. Although the Dogs are reluctant to shout it from the rooftops, the strong belief is he’s suffered lateral ligament damage instead. Serious, but obviously good news given what could have been.
— Sam Edmund (@SammyHeraldSun) September 8, 2019
There was a basketball feel at Giants Stadium on Saturday as the loud speakers roared: “Let’s go Giants, let’s go.” The support took place throughout the game and led to plenty of raised eyebrows from supporters.
RICHMOND 18.4 (112) def BRISBANE LIONS 8.17 (65)
Tigers defender Grimes gave away an early free kick to Charlie Cameron, only to fall in a heap when he was then confronted by Eric Hipwood. Fans were up in arms about the call on social media and Grimes was likely to learn on Sunday whether he will face any sanction for staging. In July, Mark Blicavs was fined $1000 for staging against Sydney.
Does it get any better than Dustin Martin in full flight? The Brownlow medallist is made for the big stage and delivered in spades on Saturday night, producing a performance chief football writer Mark Robinson wrote was difficult to put into words. Martin kicked six goals from 14 disposals, providing a lethal attacking option for coach Damien Hardwick.
🤔| Will Dylan Grimes be punished for 'taking a dive'? https://t.co/rp24p86E5K #AFLLionsTigers
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) September 7, 2019
The prospect of a Tigers-Pies grand final
Melbourne is going to go ballistic if this eventuates. Collingwood and Richmond, with a combined membership of more than 180,000, have moved directly through to preliminary finals and will have a week off. There’s no stadium in the world big enough to accommodate that many fans, although the unofficial crowd for the 1950 World Cup final between Uruguay and Brazil is listed at 199,854.
Originally published as The major talking points from week one of AFL finals