Rory Sloane’s defiant act of courage highlights a stacked day of footy

THERE were quite incredible scenes in Darwin following a scary incident in the match between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Sloane was determined to play on.

• ‘I’ve never seen this before’
• Swans down Giants
• ‘Sickening’ hit monsters Fasolo
• Dangerfield stars as Geelong wins a thriller

Live: AFL Saturday

Welcome to AFL Saturday, our coverage of today’s games:

Geelong 13.10 (88) defeated Hawthorn 12.13 (85)

Port Adelaide 19.13 (127) defeated North Melbourne 8.9 (57)

Collingwood 15.13 (103) defeated Gold Coast 13.10 (88)

Sydney 14.12 (96) defeated Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83)

Adelaide 17.14 (116) defeated Melbourne 10.10 (70)

THE Sydney derby was the highlight of a stacked day of footy as the Swans continued their stunning recent run with a 13-point win over GWS.

Geelong and Hawthorn added another chapter to one of footy’s most intense rivalries as the Cats won a thriller by three points at the MCG and Port Adelaide smashed North Melbourne.

Collingwood did coach Nathan Buckley a favour by defeating Gold Coast and the Crows eased past Melbourne.

10.20pm

‘I’ve never seen this before’

Sloane’s teammates came to his aid.

Adelaide has reclaimed top spot on the AFL ladder with a bruising 46-point win over Melbourne in Darwin.

The Crows led at every break and survived a late Demons comeback to post a 17.14 (116) to 10.10 (70) win at Tio Stadium on Saturday night.

Tom Lynch was outstanding in his return game, booting three goals and gathering 27 disposals just over a fortnight since being in intensive care with viral meningitis.

Star midfielder Rory Sloane was knocked out when his head slammed into the turf in a fair but heavy tackle from Melbourne’s Dean Kent late in the third quarter as trainers brought a stretcher onto the field while play was stopped.

The medical staff wanted him to lie still on the ground but the gun midfielder refused, wrestling with the doctors as he struggled to get to his feet. He then continued brushing the experts, wandering back into the middle of the field.

“I’ve never seen this before,” one Channel Seven commentator said.

That’s when Crows skipper Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts stepped in, both confronting Sloane and telling him to get off the ground.

Extraordinary scenes going on here. A heavily dazed Rory Sloane refusing to go off the ground after a big hit. #afldeescrows

— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) July 15, 2017

Wow. That was intense for @rorysloane9. Not often you see leadership in pictures like that. Bravo @texwalker13. #afldeescrows #weflyasone

— Jessica Adamson (@JessAdamson7) July 15, 2017

Kent quickly found himself in the wars, suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder after landing awkwardly in a tackle.

Minutes later, Demons defender Jayden Hunt unleashed a monster 65m torpedo to cut the three-quarter time margin to 22 points.

But Adelaide wasn’t to be denied, with Walker booting two of his four goals in an outstanding final term.

The Crows led by 47 points early in the third term before the Dees threatened a comeback with a four-goal run.

Adelaide’s star-studded forward line was again superb, with Walker, Lynch, Mitch McGovern and Betts all scoring multiple goals.

It was a different story for Melbourne, with Jesse Hogan held goalless and Tom McDonald managing just one major.

Clayton Oliver and Jordan Lewis fought hard in the midfield but were outmatched by Adelaide’s Rory Laird, Brad Crouch and Matt Crouch.

Bernie Vince held Sloane to just eight disposals but the former Crow looks certain to be in trouble with the match review panel.

Vince was reported for a head-high bump on Adelaide’s Richard Douglas in the second quarter, and a first-quarter elbow to the head of Betts will also be closely scrutinised.

— AAP

10.10pm

Swans earn bragging rights

Franklin had his kicking boots on.

Sydney has shored up its status as the AFL’s form side with the help of Lance Franklin, outgunning Greater Western Sydney by 13 points in an enthralling derby at Spotless Stadium.

Franklin booted four goals on Saturday night as the Swans made it nine wins from their past 10 matches, triumphing 14.12 (96) to 12.11 (83).

The 13th edition of the league’s newest derby did not disappoint. The scoreboard confirmed it was the closest match between the Giants and Swans but failed to convey the drama that unfolded in front of a record crowd of 21,924.

The visitors, who had lost the preceding three derbies, took the lead late in the first quarter and never relinquished it despite some magnificent football from GWS.

Franklin and Giants co-captain Callan Ward, who won a game-high 18 contested possessions and epitomised his side’s stoicism after copping a painful blow to the arm in the first quarter, were joint winners of the Brett Kirk medal for best on ground.

The Giants were rocked by the pre-game withdrawal of gun forward Jeremy Cameron and then were forced to play a man down for most of the night after Matt de Boer was knocked out early. Sydney youngster Nic Newman drew blood when he accidentally clipped De Boer’s head with an errant arm, having attempted to break a tackle.

Despite the setback, GWS dominated the clearances 56-32 and reduced the margin to six points early in the final term after Steve Johnson snapped goals either side of three-quarter time.

Franklin steadied with a showstopping goal that travelled almost 60m, then delivered the sealer after yet another GWS comeback.

The epic clash pulled in a record attendance for Spotless despite the fact Arsenal was playing across the road, beating the crowd of 21,895 who watched a 2001 NRL match.

— AAP

7.15pm

Collingwood edges out Suns

The Pies were singing in the rain.

Collingwood has eased the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley with a nailbiting 15-point AFL win over Gold Coast.

The lead changed hands five times in a see-sawing, momentum-shifting contest on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

But the Magpies finished stronger, prevailing 15.13 (103) to 13.10 (88) to snap a four-game losing streak in slippery conditions.

The result all but extinguishes the Suns’ slim finals hopes, while keeping Collingwood’s alive, at least mathematically.

It comes as a massive relief for Buckley after his position had come under intense scrutiny this week.

Yet it will do no favours for Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade, who is fighting for his own future at the AFL underachievers, against the backdrop of an all-encompassing football review being conducted by CEO Mark Evans.

The Suns played out the second half with only two men on the bench after an early injury to co-captain Steven May (hamstring) and the loss of in-form midfielder Jarryd Lyons (ankle) at the long break.

They seemed to run out of legs in the end, with a 25m soccered goal from Josh Thomas and a quick follow-up from Ben Reid sealing it for the Magpies in front of 17,275 supporters.

Midway through the first term Alex Fasolo was absolutely monstered by an accidental hit from teammate Brodie Grundy when the ruckman went up for a mark.

Fasolo was going back with the flight and copped the full weight of Grundy in his ribs. “That’s a sickening clash,” Fox Footy commentator Alastair Lynch said.

Sideline commentator Cameron Mooney said: “You could hear the hit from here, he’s in some serious pain.”

Collingwood led by 27 points early in the second term after a run of six consecutive goals.

But as heavy rain began to tumble at Carrara, its stranglehold on the match loosened and the Suns booted seven of the next eight majors to set up an enthralling contest, even if it was scrappy at times.

Making his return from a hamstring injury, Gary Ablett spent most of the match in the midfield and dominated for the Suns with 41 disposals, 11 clearances and six tackles.

Collingwood had an even spread of contributors, with Taylor Adams (31 touches, nine clearances), Adam Treloar (32 disposals) and Jordan De Goey (27 disposals) all impressive, while Daniel Wells was inventive and Reid finished with three goals.

— AAP

4.50pm

Port slaughters Roos

Jackson Trengove celebrates a goal with Robbie Gray.

Port Adelaide clobbered North Melbourne by 70 points to consolidate its spot in the AFL’s top four.

The Power were never threatened by the struggling Roos, winning 19.13 (127) to 8.9 (57) in a Saturday afternoon mismatch at Adelaide Oval.

Port ruthlessly dismantled North with a stunning eight-goal opening quarter which laid the platform for its 10th win of the season.

The result was effectively decided in a dozen minutes, when the Power kicked four unanswered goals and North lost a player to injury — defender Mitchell Hibberd didn’t return after hurting a shoulder.

Port’s mercurial Chad Wingard was a key factor in the opening onslaught, kicking three goals for the term with fellow small forward Sam Gray slotting two of his four majors in the quarter.

Wingard was outstanding with 30 disposals while ruckman Paddy Ryder dominated Todd Goldstein — the Power tall recorded 37 hit-outs in an influential display.

Ryder’s command enabled Port midfielders Ollie Wines (31 touches), Brad Ebert (30 disposals) and Sam Powell-Pepper (two goals, 26 possessions) to run rampant, while swingman Justin Westhoff was prominent with 27 disposals.

The second-last Roos had six players with less than 10 games’ experience and were at least able to restore some parity in the second quarter when both teams kicked three goals.

But the visitors were outscored eight goals to three in a tame last half, despite the best efforts of seasoned on-ballers Ben Cunnington, who collected a game-high 33 disposals, and Shaun Higgins (26 touches, one goal).

North forward Ben Brown booted three goals from limited opportunities and Shaun Atley scored two.

— AAP

4.20pm

Cats win a thriller

Dangerfield was on fire.

Patrick Dangerfield upstaged Luke Hodge in his 300th AFL game to steer Geelong to a nailbiting three-point win over arch-rivals Hawthorn.

Isaac Smith, who missed a shot after the siren in last year’s qualifying final against the Cats, missed another shot on goal with just five seconds remaining as Geelong scrapped to a 13.10 (88) to 12.13 (85) win.

Through Dangerfield’s efforts, Geelong looked likely winners of a tight affair all through the second half until Hawthorn’s late rally.

The Hawks were 15 points down late in the fourth term until Ryan Schoenmakers and Hodge led the charge.

Hawthorn had 18 seconds to snatch something and when the ball fell into Smith’s arms the winger had the opportunity to make amends for last year’s blunder. Bizarrely, he played on instead of taking a set shot and kicked wide from 40m and the Cats hung on. Geelong owed its lead to an incredible effort from Dangerfield, who was uncontainable up front, kicking five goals and six behinds.

He also had 12 marks and 20 disposals.

The Brownlow Medallist’s day appeared over in the first term when he was laid out in a fair bump from Jarryd Roughead and immediately put his hand in the air for a trainer.

He was rushed down the race but emerged shortly after with a severe limp and was sent forward by Cats coach Chris Scott.

Hawthorn kicked five of the next six goals after Dangerfield’s injury — until the Cat broke that run with a fine snap and goal from the pocket. The match see-sawed until Dangerfield put his authority on the contest with a three-goal third term.

No Hawk defender could lay a glove on Dangerfield, whose heroics had the 70,345-strong crowd electrified.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson even sent his milestone man Hodge to the ex-Crow without success.

The Cats now take a temporary place on top of the AFL ladder with four hard- earned points.

— AAP

1pm

Third exec faces claims in AFL scandal

A third executive has reportedly been dragged into the AFL’s affairs scandal. The unnamed official is facing allegations of another inappropriate relationship.

The Herald Sun revealed the third manager was single at the time of the relationship.

The AFL declined to comment on the allegations Friday night.

An AFL spokesman said: “The AFL released a statement today, and has no further comment to make.”

12:45pm

Eddie smacks Buckley ‘hysteria’

‘Shocked and appalled’: Eddie McGuire has taken a swipe at ‘hysteria’ over Nathan Buckley.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire insists embattled coach Nathan Buckley could earn an AFL contract extension before season’s end.

Speculation about Buckley’s future reached fever pitch after the Magpies slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat with a 37-point loss to Essendon on Saturday. Buckley admitted the ongoing uncertainty about his position was weighing heavily on his players, describing himself as “pragmatic” about his future. Chief executive Gary Pert on Tuesday took the unusual step of addressing the players to inform them Buckley was safe until after round 23, and McGuire also weighed in upon returning from overseas.

The long-serving powerbroker said Buckley would be judged on the team’s performance over the entire season, noting that other coaches had turned things around after being written off.

“The hysteria this week has been something that has quite shocked me and quite appalled me,” McGuire told Fox Footy on Friday.

“The chief executive officer went down, spoke to the players and said that there will be no announcement one way or another on Nathan Buckley until the end of Collingwood’s season.

“That’s all there is to say. The rest of it is just absolute rubbish.

“This year, in no particular order, Alastair Clarkson was worn out at Hawthorn, (Sydney’s) John Longmire was gone, (Fremantle’s) Ross Lyon couldn’t coach to save himself, (Port Adelaide’s) Ken Hinkley had overstayed his welcome.

“What’s going on? It’s absolutely gone mad, this stuff.”

Eddie McGuire says Magpies coach Nathan Buckley could be around for while yet.

McGuire brokered the controversial 2009 agreement where Mick Malthouse handed over the senior coaching role to Buckley two years later.

Collingwood finished fourth in 2012 but their win-loss record has worsened every year since, and they are set to finish outside the top eight for a fourth straight season.

The Magpies on Saturday face struggling Gold Coast, whose coach Rodney Eade is similarly under siege.

— AAP

11:30pm

AFL scandal could rock Cats

Geelong could be facing a club loss if Gillon McLachlan choses to tempt a valuable Cats official into a promotion.

The AFL was rocked by a huge scandal Friday after it was revealed managers Simon Lethlean and Richard Simkiss were involved in “inappropriate” relationships.

The two officials immediately resigned from their positions.

“I failed my wife, my family, my friends, my organisation and football by making the decision I have,” Lethlean said.

“I have hurt the people who are most important in my life and who I love. They have done nothing to deserve this. I am deeply sorry for all the hurt and embarrassment I have caused.”

It was later revealed AFL Auskick staffer Maddi Blomberg had a brief relationship with Lethlean, who was in charge of the women’s AFLW league.

Blomberg is the long-term partner of Wallabies star Kurtley Beale, leading Channel Nine journalist Danny Weidler to label it a “cross-code romance”.

The sudden absence of two high-end officials leaves AFL boss Gillon McLachlan in a serious pickle as he scrambles to find replacements.

Former AFL star Dwayne Russell says Geelong are in serious danger of losing a valuable club official in the scramble to replace Lethlean and Simkiss.

“I think (Cook) might be poachable if the right offer gets put up,” he said on 3AW radio Saturday. “Because he is due to take the next step.”

Russell also said Geelong executive Steve Hocking could be in consideration as well.

The potential shake-up to Geelong adds to a long list of spin-off consequences after the affairs scandal erupted yesterday.