AFL 2024: Key SuperCoach takeaways, relive all the action from Super Saturday, round 23
There is no respite for SuperCoaches in preliminary final week but the pain was offset by some huge scores. See the key takeaways here and relive all the Saturday action.
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The Pies have done it again, keeping their premiership defence alive with a remarkable comeback victory over Brisbane.
And St Kilda scrambled the top-four script by coming from 33 points down at halftime to ambush Geelong.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide has pushed into the top two with a win in Showdown 56, but there is plenty to play out from a fiery contest after Dan Houston ironed out Crows star Izak Rankine.
Here are the big SuperCoach takeaways.
MORE FINALS CARNAGE
SuperCoach league premierships, and potentially the $50,000 overall prize, could be decided by how many players teams can get on the field next week. Another two popular stars are set to sit out next week after Dan Houston’s brutal bump on Izak Rankine in the Showdown. Rankine’s night was cut short on 49 points, and he seems certain to be placed in concussion protocols. Houston – owned by 59 per cent of coaches ranked in the top 10 per cent – scored 117 on Saturday night but is set for a date with the tribunal.
MARSHALL LAW
While popular ruckman Brodie Grundy stumbles to the finish line, Rowan Marshall is roaring home, with his 146 points against Geelong taking his average to 131 over his past five games. Marshall finished with 28 disposals – equal second-most on the ground – a goal and six centre clearances. It’s another example of a ruck scoring big against Geelong, but SuperCoaches will be robbed the chance of some more huge ruck totals in grand final week as the two weakest ruck divisions in the comp – Geelong and West Coast – go head-to-head in the final round.
DAICOS RESPONDS
After producing his second-lowest score of the season last week with just 66 points. Daicos bounced back emphatically - although he was on track for a far higher score than the 116 he finished with. In the second term, Daicos slotted two superb goals back-to-back and was monumental in rescuing the Pies. Astoundingly, 68 of his 116 points for the game came in that quarter. Playing a role largely forward of the footy has made for more inconsistent returns from the young gun.
Recap all the action from our live blog below.
10.20PM (AEST): PORT WINS SHOWDOWN 56
Port Adelaide is in second spot on the AFL ladder with a round to go after claiming victory in a fiery Showdown 56.
Zak Butters had a Showdown record 42 disposals to rack up a huge 160 SuperCoach points.
Dan Houston finished with 117 but he could be sitting in the stands next week for the SuperCoach grand final.
10.15PM (AEST): ALL OVER AT MARVEL
The top four remains wide open after Geelong blew its chance to lock up the double chance.
St Kilda stunned the Cats with a blistering second half, winning by 18 points after trailing by 33 at halftime.
“We did get a bake from Ross at halftime,” Saints captain Jack Steele says on Channel 7.
The skipper was huge with 27 disposals, 10 marks and 10 tackles while Rowan Marshall had 28 touches of his own.
Lawson Humphries was close to 100 SuperCoach points at halftime but only touched it five times after that.
10.02PM (AEST): CROWS STILL ALIVE?
Ben Keays has given Adelaide some hope midway through the final term of Showdown 56.
It’s been all Port Adelaide after Izak Rankine was knocked out by Dan Houston late in the third term, the Crows losing focus and giving way a number of free kicks, resulting in Power goals.
Zak Butters is nearing the 40-disposal mark and is the frontrunner to win his first Showdown Medal.
10.01PM (AEST): CATS HAVE BLOWN IT
Dan Butler makes it 11 goals to three since halftime and Geelong will need a miracle to win this now.
At halftime it looked like an easy win was about to lock away a spot in the top four.
What a crazy night.
9.48PM (AEST): SAINTS IN FRONT
Brad Hill has given St Kilda a five-point lead with 14 minutes left to play at Marvel Stadium.
It’s a crazy turnaround since halftime, with the Saints kicking eight of the last 10 goals after training by 33 points at the main break.
Callum Wilkis is absolutely flying on 140 SuperCoach points, while Rowan Marshall and Jack Steele are also well into three figures with plenty of time on the clock. Early bolter Lawson Humphries is Geelong’s leading SuperCoach scorer with 102 points.
The Saints have subbed on Hugo Garcia, replacing Brad Hill.
9.25PM (AEST): RANKINE KNOCKED OUT BY BRUTAL BUMP
- Simeon Thomas Wilson
Tensions have split over in the Showdown, and the match paused, after Adelaide star Izak Rankine was knocked out from a huge bump by Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston.
The 56th edition of the fierce rivalry reached a flashpoint after Rankine was knocked out following a bump by Houston with 7.48 to go in the third quarter.
Rankine was taken off the ground by the medical cart after play was paused for several minutes.
After the bump, an all-in melee took place between the players of the two sides with the Crows leading by six points.
Houston is facing a lengthy ban given Rankine was knocked out, and with speculation rife that he is going to look for a move back to Victoria at the end of the season it could be his last game for the Power.
Crows board member Mark Ricciuto said Rankine had been knocked out by the bump.
“He’s out, I have to keep my mouth closed in this circumstance,” he said on Fox Footy.
In a promising sign for Rankine, he did give Crows fans the thumbs up as he was taken off the ground.
Houston with the old school shirt-front on Rankine #AFLPowerCrowspic.twitter.com/mThlaSOnYf
— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC) August 17, 2024
9.10PM (AEST): SAINTS ALIVE
The St Kilda v Geelong came has come to life with a totally different St Kilda emerging after halftime – and booting four goals in the first five minutes of the third term, including two to running machine Darcy Wilson.
The Saints’ prime movers are all getting involved including Jack Steele and Jack Sinclair. Meanwhile, Lawson Humphries is on the brink of cracking the SuperCoach ton.
JONES SUBBED OUT OF SHOWDOWN
Port Adelaide defender Lachie Jones may have passed a concussion test after a heavy fall early in the second quarter but he’s been subbed out in the third term with achilles soreness. Quinton Narkle comes on as both sides continue to look for the first goal of the second half.
8.45PM (AEST): CROWS LEAD AT HALF-TIME
The Crows lead by nine points in a low-scoring Showdown 56 after strong finish to the second term.
Josh Rachele was involved in another chain that led to a big Riley Thilthorpe mark and goal.
Dan Houston leads the way in SuperCoach, recording 11 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency, while Zak Butters has game-highs in disposals (21), contested possessions (11) and clearances (7).
Aliir Aliir is also a concern for Matthew Nicks at the major break, with the Power defender taking three intercept marks in the first half.
But with Matt Crouch and Jordan Dawson laying 12 tackles between them and having a big say in the midfield, the Crows are making their possession count on the scoreboard.
HALFTIME AT MARVEL
Lawson Humphries is up to 19 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency – plus seven marks and seven intercepts – in a huge prelim performance for his SuperCoach owners.
Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Tom Stewart and Jack Sinclair are all on track for SuperCoach tons. Sinclair is unlucky not to have a few more points after taking what he thought was a mark 40m from goal only for the ump to rule the pass from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera hadn’t travelled the required distance.
The Cats in control on the scoreboard, answering St Kilda’s early second quarter challenge.
8.30PM (AEST): RACHELE DOUBLES DOWN ON FAN SLEDGE
Adelaide young gun Josh Rachele made headlines during the week, throwing a jibe across town, joking on radio that Power fans did not have many teeth.
He then went again late in the first half on Saturday night, kicking a brilliant goal from the southern pocket and celebrating by running to the fence, and pointing to his teeth.
Teammate Darcy Fogarty kicked another less than a minute later to give the Crows back the lead.
Rachele has ZERO respect for these toothless port fans 🤣 #AFLPowerCrowspic.twitter.com/67CKpNw8gx
— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC) August 17, 2024
OLLIE OLLIE OLLIE
St Kilda has lifted in the second term but it’s tough when Oliver Dempsey can get the ball to bounce like this. And the likely Rising Star winner and one of the SuperCoach rookies of 2024 pulls another trick out of his bag with a banana pass on the run to Shaun Mannagh who boots his second to give Geelong a handy buffer.
Dempsey sneaks it past the goalkeeper 🧤#AFLSaintsCatspic.twitter.com/zIlRW1qN3v
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2024
8.20PM (AEST): RANKINE GETS ANOTHER, SWEET NEWS FOR PORT
Ruckman Jordan Sweet is back on the ground after sending an early injury scare through the Port Adelaide camp.
But Lachie Jones is in the rooms after a heavy fall in a collision with Riley Thilthorpe, which resulted in Izak Rankine’s second goal – one that pushed his SuperCoach score to 40. Skipper Jordan Dawson leads the way for the Crows with 47.
Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis have already hit the SuperCoach half-century, with Horne-Francis producing some indivudual brilliance to boot his second major.
Give Horne-Francis space and he'll do this ðŸ‘#AFLPowerCrowspic.twitter.com/TZf3PetsOt
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2024
SKIPPER BREAKS SAINTS’ DUCK
It’s been a tough watch so far for St Kilda fans but at least they now have a goal on the board - via skipper Jack Steele. He marked a long ball from Jack Higgins 20m out and cut the margin to 22 points five minutes into the second term. He could have had a second a minute later but his set shot was just wide. Steele has 44 SuperCoach points but Lawson Humphries is on a heater - he’s up to 72.
8.05PM (AEST): BIG NAMES IN THE ACTION
The Crows hold a two-point lead after a high-pressure opening term of Showdown 56.
And all the big names have had an impact, with Zak Butters leading the way, recording game-high disposals and SuperCoach points. Anyone have him C?
Jason Horne-Francis is looking ominous for the Power, drifting forward, while Crows skipper Jordan Dawson has worked into some nice spots behind the ball.
QUARTER-TIME AT MARVEL
It’s a perfect 50-50 split among Lawson Humphries owners in SuperCoach between those who have him on field and on the bench. And the former category is the clear winner one quarter into this Marvel Stadium clash with the Cats rookie flying out of the blocks with 11 dispoals (10 on target) and a game-high 58 SuperCoach points.
Tom Stewart (nine disposals) also made a big start while Rowan Marshall flies the flag for a disappointing St Kilda. The Saints didn’t manage a goal in that quarter and are lucky Geelong didn’t fully capitalise on its early dominance.
7.50PM (AEST): CAT FIRES EARLY SHOT
Shaun Mannagh kicks the second goal of the game, then misses a second shot on the run moments later, after Shannon Neale opened the scoring at Marvel Stadium. Mannagh has been superb back-up in SuperCoach after returning to the team in round 17 and he will be on field for plenty of teams in preliminary final week after this week’s injury carnage.
Mannagh jumps to 13 SuperCoach points midway through the opening term.
Rowan Marshall is the early pace-setter on 27 points - he could become the latest ruckman to post a huge score against the Cats.
Mannagh dribbles it home 💪#AFLSainstCatspic.twitter.com/jvHEdxvGFY
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2024
7.45PM (AEST): RANKINE DRAWS FIRST BLOOD FOR CROWS
Showdown 56 is underway at Adelaide Oval and Crows star Izak Rankine wasted little time getting involved, booting the first goal of the night as his team gained the early ascendancy through some serious pressure around the ball.
Port Adelaide steadied, though, and small forward Francis Evans made it one apiece not long after.
Evans finds space and snaps truly 🙌#AFLPowerCrowspic.twitter.com/IsOYtOWru2
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2024
7:17PM: FULLTIME MAGPIES VS LIONS
Wow. What a frantic fashion. I said Collingwood had to kick three goals in five minutes, but they didn’t even need half of that to hit the lead. What a special comeback.
Don’t forget Collingwood trailed by as many as five goals in the first quarter too, but they’ve miraculously kept their finals hopes alive.
The result may well mean the Lions have snuffed their top four chances after coughing up a 30-point lead against GWS last week. These are mental scars that could possibly derail the Lions finals campaign.
In the realm of SuperCoach, Oscar McInerney came from the clouds to finish with a match-high 138 points, and Darcy Cameron also flew the flag for the big man with 134 points.
Having hit 120 points at one point, Nick Daicos’ score fizzled out and he finished with 110. Conversely, Dayne Zorko rallied with a 40-point final term to nab a respectable 105 points.
Lachie Neale was also super with 131 points.
7:14PM: THREW IT AWAY
That’s the game. Listen to the roar of the Pies at the MCG. It’s deafening.
Brisbane had time for one last roll of the dice but Callum Ah Chee was pinged for a throw. John Noble’s subsequent set shot didn’t make the distance, but it didn’t matter. The clock had been run down to just 12 seconds and it was game over.
7:09PM: WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!
OH MY GOODNESS, DON’T WRITE THE PIES OFF.
It’s a lesson we should’ve learnt from years gone by. This time it was Beau McCreery off the outside of his boot and Collingwood lead by one. What is happening?
Somehow there’s still two minutes and 44 seconds to play. This is brilliant.
Harris Andrews has been swung forward by Brisbane who need a spark.
7:08PM: SCHULTZ AGAIN
Slow down Lachie I can’t type this quickly.
Lachie Schultz has made it two goals in two minutes with a brilliant checkside effort on the run. The Pies trial by five. Wowee.
7:06PM: GAME ON
Make that two goals needed for Collingwood.
Lachie Schultz took a superb mark and converted the set shot coolly.
Brisbane’s Kai Lohmann looks to be injured as well after copping some friendly fire in a marking contest from Logan Morris higher up the ground.
7:05PM: THREE GOALS, FIVE MINUTES
The above is the equation for Collingwood, who trail by 17 points.
Joe Daniher snuffed a chance to put the game to bed, and likewise Jamie Elliott - despite his clutch status - couldn’t convert a set shot from the pcoket.
7:01PM: COUNTRY ROADS, TAKE ME HOME
We’re not at the Gabba, but you can only imagine just how loud that tune would be being belted out right now if we were.
Charlie Cameron has just kicked what could be the match-sealing goal, and he did it in some fashion. Cameron found himself in space in the forward 50 and gathered cleanly, wheeled around, and dribbled the footy through from 35 or so metres out on a tight angle and despite slipping in the process.
Brisbane lead by 17.
6:59PM: LONG WAIT, NO AVAIL
Ned Long couldn’t break the goal deadlock, failing to convert his set shot in what could well prove to be a very costly miss for Collingwood.
Brisbane are hanging on to an 11-point lead with nine minutes remaining.
6:55PM: OH, THE SUSPENSE
There hasn’t been a goal for 12 minutes since Zac Bailey’s crucial major for the Lions.
We’ve had close calls, Sherrin’s clatter into uprights, but nothing has been able to split the sticks - much like these two sides for much of the quarter.
Who will break the deadlock? Nick Daicos has just come on after a five-minute break on the interchange and he could well be the one.
Collingwood trails by 12 with 10 minutes and change remaining.
6:45PM: SATURDAY NIGHT TEAM NEWS
The teams have been locked in for the final two games of another monster Saturday of football.
There are no late changes ahead of the Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide, with Quinton Narkle Port’s sub and Zac Taylor set to don the vest for Adelaide.
In St Kilda vs Geelong, Hugo Garcia will be the sub for the Saints and Mitch Duncan for the Cats. There are no late changes ahead of this game either.
6:43PM: PERFECT START
Collingwood couldn’t have asked for a better start to the final term.
Ryan Lester gave away a downfield free kick against his opposing number Nick Daicos - a decision which Garry Lyon labelled as “soft” on Fox Footy’s coverage - as the young gun was streaking away from the centre bounce. Daniel McStay converted the subsequent set shot from in front of goal for the Pies.
6:35PM: 3QT PIES VS LIONS
There are some monster SuperCoach scores looming at the ‘G.
Lachie Neale has 116 SuperCoach points, while Darcy Cameron has 115 and Nick Daicos has 109
Dayne Zorko and Josh Dunkley owners will be hoping for a lift, with 64 and 65 points respectively for the pair.
Jeremy Howe - who sits in just 1,340 teams - is leading the way with 199 points however. If anyone near the top of the rankings owns Howe they could be set for a major leg up!
6:31PM: PIES ACTIVATE SUB
Collingwood has made a tactical sub as three-quarter-time nears with Jack Bytel taken out of the game. It means Ned Long will come on.
6:30PM: SPECTACULAR CAMERON
Someone remind Darcy Cameron he’s a ruckman please.
His red-hot form has continued with a superb and agile goal where he changed direction to gather the footy and threw it on his boot to snap through superbly - largely thanks to a brilliant goalline shepherd to keep the outstretched arms of Harris Andrews off the footy.
Cameron has been massive this evening and leads all comers in SuperCoach with a whopping 116 points. He could well replicate his whopping 165 from last week if he continues at this clip.
6:25PM: GOT AWAY WITH ONE?
Wow, this is a seriously electric clash at the ‘G.
But Steele Sidebottom may have been lucky to avoid giving away a mindless free kick after he knocked Cam Rayner over, who had just missed a set shot from 20m out. There’s definitely been free kicks paid for less.
6:18PM: BRILLIANT BEAU
Beau McCreery had his hands all over the lead up to that goal, from a big fend off higher up the ground to the superb checkside finish. There was also a brilliant looping Nick Daicos handbell out of traffic in the lead up that opened the game up for Collingwood.
It comes after Lachie Neale slotted a major down the other end and Collingwood’s lead is back out to 17 points.
Neale with a beauty and the Lions have started the second half FAST âš¡
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 17, 2024
📺 Watch #AFLPiesLions LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/4YDJJ2x76q
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/EW1qTwl8D8
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/iGIYMNwqW5pic.twitter.com/JppujaXWL8
6:13PM: LIONS RESPOND
After a goalless second term the Lions have responded after half-time, largely thanks to the work of Joe Daniher.
Less than seven minutes have elapsed this quarter and the Lions already have two majors, both courtesy of Daniher. It takes the key forward’s tally to four for the match and he’s shot to 90 SuperCoach points.
Brisbane’s lead is back out to 17 points.
5:47PM: HALF-TIME PIES V LIONS
What. A. Turnaround.
After scoring 40 points in the opening quarter, Brisbane were kept to just one in the second. Serious alarm bells for an outfit that coughed up a 30-point lead last week.
It was an unreal comeback from the Pies led by a pair of stunning Nick Daicos majors. He’s had 16 touches to match and has been rewarded with 80 SuperCoach points.
Lachie Neale has also been impressive with 65 points, while Dayne Zorko has 42 and Josh Dunkley has 44.
5:40PM: HE IS HUMAN
Nick Daicos reminded us that he can make the odd mistake - barely. He marked in the pocked and had a chance to convert for his third goal of the term. As the MCG waited with bated breath Daicos looked inboard to Lachie Schultz but he had work to do and couldn’t pluck the low mark at his ankles. Daicos has still had an unreal term and has 73 SuperCoach points.
It’s surely a matter of time before the Pies hit the lead, they’re set up behind the ball perfectly and have had it locked in their forward half for some time.
5:29PM: WHAT A STAR
This kid is so special. We can’t say it enough.
Nick Daicos was being dragged down, he had mere seconds to get the ball on his boot, but he did and he checksided it through the middle from 30m out superbly.
Nick Daicos has now kicked the past two goals and Collingwood has kicked the past five. Just six points in it. What an electirc comeback!
5:20PM: PIES ARE BACK
Did I say Nick Daicos had been quiet? Forget that.
Liek Collingwood apparently, it appears you can’t keep Nick Daicos quiet for too long after he produced a magical goal.
Starting in the centre square, Daicos ran at a blistering pace as he weaved in and out of the helpless Lions in pursuit, took two bounces, and slotted a brilliant goal on the run.
Craig McRae loved it, almost doing his shoulder he was fist-pumping so hard boundary-side.
Collingwood has now kicked the past three goals of the game and the Lions dominance has evaporated.
Shades of the 30-point lead they coughed up against GWS last week.
Nick Daicos, that is ridiculous! 🔥
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 17, 2024
📺 Watch #AFLPiesLions LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/4YDJJ2x76q
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/EW1qTwl8D8
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/iGIYMNwqW5pic.twitter.com/CLmkhVFRYe
5:16pPM: BERRY SUBBED
Jarrod Berry has been subbed out of the game with what appears to be a hamstring injury, in what is a massive blow for the Lions.
It emans Harry Sharp will be injected into the game.
5:10PM: QUARTER-TIME PIES V LIONS
It was all about the Brisbane Lions for much of the first term as Nick Daicos was abnormally quiet with just 12 SuperCoach points.
Of the other popular players, Lachie Neale was massive with 53 while Dayne Zorko was also very impressive to rack up 37. Josh Dunley was quieter with 17 points.
See the top 10 scorers from the first quarter below.
5:07PM: THAT WAS NEEDED
With just seconds to play until quarter-time Will Hoskin-Elliott has slotted a crucial major. It cuts the margin back to 24 points and Collingwood has kicked 2.4.
The silver lining for the Pies is that they have scored from every single inside 50 they’ve had thus far.
5:02PM: LIONS FLYING
How’s this for a hot start from Brisbane?
There’s still three minutes to play in the opening term and Brisbane leads by 30 points, with a whopping six goals to Collingwood’s one.
All the traffic has been going Brisbane’s way with an astounding 17 inside 50s to Collingwood’s four.
These 13 Magpies have less #supercoach than Lachie Neale combined pic.twitter.com/fbCM0eOYW0
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) August 17, 2024
4.40PM: LACHIE NEALE GOING BALLISTIC
About that Sidebottom tag?
The Pies veteran is trying to go to Neale but we’re two minutes in and the Brisbane skipper has 38 SuperCoach, two disposals, a holding the ball win and a goal.
WOWEE.
4.37PM: PIES’ FLAG DEFENCE ON THE LINE
Craig McRae hinted he might tag Lachie Neale — if he could work out — in a game which will decide whether Collingwood’s premiership defence is still alive.
Attention quickly turns to the MCG, where Neale’s Brisbane Lions take on the Pies in a rematch of last year’s decider.
After shutting down Errol Gulden last week, is Steele Sidebottom the man?
4.35PM: GIANTS WIN, LEAVE DOCKERS FINALS BERTH IN JEOPARDY
Fremantle faces a nervous wait until the last game of the season — which will decide its finals fate.
The Dockers were gallant but have gone down by nine points against GWS.
Tom Green (146) was huge in SuperCoach, but Brent Daniels (196) was the story of the day.
Andrew Brayshaw (149) was huge for Freo.
4.25PM: MELBOURNE WINS
The Demons have beaten Gold Coast by 56 points. Ed Langdon (148) and Jack Viney (135) were the top SuperCoach scorers for the victors, while Noah Anderson (122) and Sam Flanders (119) were the only players to hit triple figures for the Suns.
4.15PM: GIANTS, FREO SET FOR THRILLER
GWS leads by three points in one of the most crucial games of the year with nine minutes to play.
As it’s close, there will be some huge SuperCoach points up for grabs.
Meanwhile, Melbourne is home on the Gold Coast, leading by 37 points.
3.50PM: THREE-QUARTER-TIME SUPERCOACH
Who gave Melbourne any chance today after a week from hell?
The Demons hold a 17-point lead over the Suns with a quarter left and are 30 minutes from being the first away team to win on the Gold Coast this year.
Sam Flanders (97) is the top SuperCoach scorer for the Suns, while Ed Langdon was the first to hit triple figures (116) after a superb third quarter.
Marty Hore (85), Touk Miller (80), Noah Anderson (88) and Max Gawn (75) are other players of interest.
In Sydney’s west, Brent Daniels (139) is playing the game of his life, Andrew Brayshaw (124) has starred and Tom Green (102) has lifted for coaches who have been left frustrated by his recent yo-yo scoring.
Nine coaches in the #supercoach top 5% own Brent Daniels.
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) August 17, 2024
He's on a career-high 140 and it's not even three-quarter-time.
Seven tons in 102 games before today.
3.30PM: BEND IT LIKE DARCY
Darcy Jones, take a bow lad.
The young Giant has just spun through a tackle and nailed a checkside that Peter Daicos would be proud of to put GWS back in front in the third quarter.
This might end up being one of the most decisive games during the last two rounds for the top eight and both sides are playing like there’s so much on the line.
On the Gold Coast, Melbourne has seized control against the Suns as it tries to become the first away side to win at People’s First Stadium this year.
Ed Langdon (83) is the top SuperCoach scorer for the Demons.
3PM: HALFTIME SUPERCOACH SCORES
Did anyone hold onto Marty Hore? I know one of our experts Dan Batten did!
He’s been back in the Demons’ team the last few weeks and is absolutely flying in defence on the Gold Coast today.
Hore is the No.1 points scorer for Melbourne with 69 at halftime in a game the Demons lead by a goal.
In western Sydney, Brent Daniels leads the way on 97 points, while Andrew Brayshaw (85) has continued his hot form.
After a slow start, Caleb Serong has rocketed to 61 points at halftime.
Brent Daniels is such a gem 💎#AFLGiantsFreopic.twitter.com/mLmmOId6NC
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2024
2.30PM: SUPERCOACH STUDS STRUGGLING
It’s a happy Saturday if you’re a Lachie Whitfield owner or Sam Flanders vice-captainer, but otherwise there are some popular premiums stinking it up.
Luke Jackson is on 9, Caleb Serong 14, Luke Ryan 16, Tom Green 18 and Matt Rowell on 16.
Not ideal when so many SuperCoach teams are carrying zeroes this week after running out of trades.
2.26PM: SPARROW LIMPS OFF
Melbourne’s decimated midfield — already missing Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver — might have copped another blow with Tom Sparrow limping from the field on the Gold Coast.
QUARTER-TIME SCORES: WHITFIELD HOT STREAK CONTINUES, MILLER SHINES
2PM: TWO GOALS FOR HOGAN
GWS has made a brilliant start against Fremantle thanks to two goals from Jesse Hogan against his old side.
Hogan has stretched his lead over Charlie Curnow to six goals already.
Meanwhile, the SuperCoaches with Sam Flanders as vice-captain will be thrilled after he kicked a goal to go passed 30 points with about nine minutes still left in the first quarter.
1.45PM: SUPER SATURDAY IS AWAY
Super Saturday is off and rolling with only 17 games left until we find out the SuperCoach champion for 2024.
As expected, Toby Bedford has gone straight to Caleb Serong.
Hayden Young has Tom Green and Stephen Coniglio is matched up on the returning Stephen Coniglio.
It took Lachie Whitfield 14 seconds to record his first intercept and kick which shows the sort of form he’s in.
On the Gold Coast, Alex Neal-Bullen looks to be playing on Noah Anderson.
1.30PM: WHO COPS THE BEDFORD TAG?
Caleb Serong seems the most likely candidate for a tag from Toby Bedford today.
But, how about Hayden Young?
Young hasn’t been tagged this year, with Serong the main target for opposition coaches coming up against the Dockers.
But Young has clearly been the most damaging Dockers midfielder in the past month, a period in which Serong hasn’t been able to recapture the form he showed in the first half of the campaign.
Then there’s also Andy Brayshaw, who has had a great month.
We’re sure there was a lot to ponder for Adam Kingsley during the week but if we had to guess, Bedford will start om Serong. We’ll find out soon enough.
1.15PM: SUBS LOCKED IN
David Swallow is the sub again for Gold Coast today, while Jake Melksham takes that role for Melbourne. There are no late changes at People’s First Stadium.
Meanwhile, Conor Stone is the GWS sub and Nathan O’Driscoll returns to Fremantle’s side today as sub.
Originally published as AFL 2024: Key SuperCoach takeaways, relive all the action from Super Saturday, round 23
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