View from the stands: the things that made us chuckle at the footy over the weekend

DID you see that? Here’s what made us chuckle at the footy over the weekend, from Linsanity, to brotherly love and Jeff’s big shorts.

The next big Lin

LINSANITY was all the rage in the NBA last year, and a little drop of it crept into the AFL on the weekend.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong, who has Chinese lineage, was awarded a free-kick in the second quarter of the game against Richmond.

The free was one of those hazy ones and Lin wasn’t aware he had been awarded it.

That was until the officiating umpire called out in a booming voice captured on the broadcast microphone: “It’s Jeremy Lin’s”.

That’s correct, the American basketballer of Chinese descent who caused the Linsanity sensation when he debuted for the New Yorks Knicks a couple seasons ago.

Linsanity II? Lin Jong of the Bulldogs on Saturday.

Grassroots footy

THE Giants star recruit Heath Shaw must have thought he was back playing at Diamond Creek during the match against Melbourne in western Sydney.

With rain pelting down and a sparse crowd, the former Magpie star had to vault the fence to retrieve the ball when it went out of bounds during the second quarter.

Heath Shaw in action for the Giants on a cold, wet day.

Brotherly competition

YOUNG Bomber Jackson Merrett isn’t about to rest on his laurels despite a breakout best on ground performance in Essendon’s thrashing of Carlton.

Former star Don Adam Ramanauskas suggested in an interview on the ABC’s Grandstand that if Jackson didn’t play well his younger brother would replace him in the team.

Merrett agreed that brother Zach, who he lives with, had been constantly reminding that he was going to take his place.

After two games as the substitutes, the younger Merrett stayed hot on his heels with a strong game in the VFL including three fine goals.

Essendon’s young gun brothers, Zach (left) and Jacskon Merrett. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Family first, come Hale and shine

TAKING your kids out with you to run through the banner can be quite a handful, as Hawk ruckman David Hale found out.

Hale carried his baby daughter in his arms and had his toddler daughter beside him as he led the Hawks out for his 200th game against Fremantle at the MCG.

But breaking through the banner with a baby in your arms takes all your strength and his poor eldest daughter broke contact with dad and found herself in the middle of his burly teammates.

Thankfully, sympathetic dad Sam Mitchell, who has three kids under three, came to the rescue.

He swept up the young girl and carried her through the crush.

200-gamer David Hale leads Hawthorn up the race on Friday night at the MCG.

Jeff scores Eddie’s wardrobe

CARLTON goalsneak Jeff Garlett is doing his best to keep the memory of his defecting amigo Eddie Betts alive at the club.

Garlett seemed to be wearing a pair of those oversized shorts that Betts has made his trademark.

Jeff Garlett appeared to be paying homage to Eddie Betts with his over-sized shorts.

It’s coming back, again ...

WITH the Blues continually trapped in their half, defender Zach Tuohy of the booming boot, decided to go for a torp in a desperate bid to clear the Bomber zone late in the last quarter.

But to rub further salt in the wounds, the kick not only fell around a nest of Bombers, but was hauled in one-handed by Cale Hooker for a great mark.

Cale Hooker takes an impressive one-handed mark from a Zach Tuohy torp. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Forward, Ho!

DEMON coach Paul Roos pulled a big switch with his key defender and forward against the Giants and it worked well.

James Frawley, who has held the Demon dam wall up for so long now, started the game up forward.

And high-flying forward Jeremy Howe was despatched to the backline.

Frawley’s uncle Danny was quick to inform FoxSport viewers that his nephew had played a lot of his junior football on the forward line.

Both players acquitted themselves well in very difficult conditions.

James Frawley goes back to the future, starting up forward for the Dees. Picture: Wayne Ludbey