AFL SuperCoach 2016: Studs and duds for Round 12

DUSTIN Martin had another big game, while Patrick Dangerfield brought his own football but Lachie Neale stunk. WHO STARRED AND WHO FLOPPED?

Dustin Martin was dominant against the Suns. Picture: Colleen Petch.

WHO starred and who stunk in Round 12 SuperCoach action?

Saturday delivered one of the games of the year as Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore led the Bulldogs to a nailbiting victory against Port Adelaide.

The same can’t be said for Friday’s match between Hawthorn and Essendon which will go down as one of the worst of the season.

ESSENDON 43 def by HAWTHORN 151

Hawks studs: It was a case of one star at either end of the ground for the Hawks. Josh Gibson controlled the defensive 50, notching 121 points. Gibson’s 25 disposals came at 96 per cent efficiency. Jack Gunston was just as impressive up forward, kicking 4.1 to finish with 112 points.

Hawk duds: The 5,874 teams that have James Sicily in the forward line would have been hoping for more from the youngster. Sicily managed just 63 points.

Bomber studs: When you get smashed by 108 points, there aren’t going to be too many success stories. No Essendon player was able to break the 100 point barrier. Matt Dea’s 94 was one of the few highlights.

Bomber duds: Going into Friday’s game Brendon Goddard was averaging 107 overs his last five matches. However, a knock to the head in the opening quarter put the brakes on. Goddard finished with a disappointing 60. Mitch Brown, who is in over 80,000 teams, managed just 66.

Jack Gunston kicked four goals against the Bombers. Picture: Colleen Petch

PORT ADELAIDE 97 def by WESTERN BULLDOGS 100

Power studs: He features in over 10,000 teams and Jasper Pittard came up trumps at the weekend. Pittard scored 129 for the Power while Robbie Gray (113) was also among his side’s best.

Power duds: Hamish Hartlett has struggled to score all season but Saturday was among his worst. Hartlett managed just 55 points.

Dogs studs: It was the Bont and Libba show for the Dogs. Bontempelli scored a team high 127 while Liberatore finished with 112.

Dogs duds: It was a tough day at the office for Luke Dahlhaus. The star Bulldog raced to 29 points but was left stranded after being struck down by a knee injury.

Marcus Bontempelli was outstanding for the Bulldogs. Picture: Sarah Reed

BRISBANE 64 def by FREMANTLE 147

Lions studs: To Rockliff or not to Rockliff was one of the biggest questions going into round 12. Coming off 204 points the week before, the ball magnet scored 104. Tom Cutler (110) was the only Lion to do better.

Lions duds: It was another dirty day for Stefan Martin (56) while Lewis Taylor finished with a disappointing 55.

Dockers studs: Saturday will go down as a day out for the Dockers. Matt Taberner (130), Hayden Ballantyne (118), Chris Mayne (112), Lachie Weller (108) and Michael Barlow (104) all ran riot against the hapless Lions.

Dockers duds: Lachie Neale has been up for a long time, averaging 116.9 for the year, but the star midfielder crashed back down to earth with a disappointing 51.

GEELONG 105 def NORTH MELBOURNE 74

Cats studs: It was all about how high Patrick Dangerfield could go and the Cats star delivered with a staggering 229 points on the back of a career-best 48 disposals and two goals. Skipper Joel Selwood (141) was just as brilliant with 38 disposals and Daniel Menzel (121) and Mitch Duncan (117) capped off a big night for the Cats.

Cats duds: Steven Motlop (58) is usually a barometer for Geelong, but not so this weekend. After hitting the ton in his last match, Rhys Stanley was brought back into the line-up but was the lowest ranked Cat with 23 points.

Roos studs: Sam Gibson (144) played out of skin to rack up 34 disposals. Daniel Wells (126) didn’t kick a goal but found the ball 31 times, while Robbie Tarrant had 19 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency and 11 marks.

Roos duds: What’s happened to Jarrad Waite? After averaging 126 after the first six rounds, the forward has averaged 66 points the past six games after scoring just 42 against Geelong. The North Melbourne bench resembled a casualty ward, among the injured were Andrew Swallow (18) with concussion and Robin Nahas (19) with a compound fractured finger.

ST KILDA 110 def CARLTON 78

Saints studs: Stand-in skipper Jack Steven (164) exploded in the second half and finished with 25 disposals, 10 inside 50s and two last-quarter goals. Ruckman Tom Hickey (139) dominated Carlton pair Matthew Kreuzer and Daniel Gorringe with 32 hitouts and key forward Tim Membrey (123) bagged five goals, and veteran Leigh Montagna hit back with 121 points.

Saints duds: Tall forward Josh Bruce (56) was unable to get among the goal spree, and it may be nearly time to start thinking about cashing in Jade Gresham (49).

Blues studs: Defender Sam Docherty showed last week’s score was a blip and rebounded with 141 points. Matthew Wright (112) hit the ton for the third time this season, while Kade Simpson (109) and Dale Thomas (108) were solid.

Blues duds: Ruckman Daniel Gorringe (37) looked out of his depth and Ciaran Bryne (48) has put together two consecutive low scores since his 112 in Round 9, which seems such a long time ago.

Patrick Dangerfield had a career-best 48 disposals. Picture: Michael Klein

WEST COAST 76 def ADELAIDE 105

Eagles studs: Jeremy McGovern (110) had a big second half and finished with 16 disposals and six marks. Matt Priddis (105) led the midfield brigade with 29 disposals, eight clearances and 12 tackles.

Eagles duds: Forward Mark LeCras (42) is a hot or cold player and he was the latter against the Crows. Usually dangerous at Subiaco but he didn’t trouble the scorers. Back-up ruckman Scott Lycett (38) had 17 hitouts but no impact around the ground.

Crows studs: Adelaide had an even spread of contributors starting with Rory Sloane (114), Rory Laird (112), Jarryd Lyons (109), Matt Crouch (103) and Josh Jenkins (101).

Crows duds: Captain Taylor Walker has hit form the past three weeks but despite kicking two goals finished with just 62 points.

ST KILDA 110 def CARLTON 78

Saints studs: Jack Steven was at his brilliant best and was by far best on ground in the win with 25 disposals, nine tackles, 10 inside 50s, three goals and eight score assists for a massive 164 points. Tom Hickey (139) gave his midfielders silver service and Tim Membrey (123) was great in the absence of Nick Riewoldt. Leigh Montagna (121) returned to form after a quiet game last weekend.

Saints duds: Tom lee (14) was injured early and Sam Gilbert (68) didn’t set the SuperCoach world on fire on Sunday but the Saints one so it’s happy days for the red, white and black faithful.

Blues studs: Sam Docherty (141) returned to form after a quiet SuperCoach game by his standards last week and Matthew Wright (112) kicked two goals and had 27 disposals. Kade Simpson (109) was good again and Dale Thomas (108) stood up.

Blues duds: Jacob Weitering (58) came back down with a thud after 121 points last weekend and we expect more than 80 points from Bryce Gibbs.

Dustin Martin was outstanding against the Suns. Picture: Colleen Petch

RICHMOND 114 def GOLD COAST 97

Tigers Studs: It was all about Dusty. Dustin Martin was unstoppable for the Tigers, scoring 167 points. He was at his best when the game needed to be won, kicking a goal and setting up another in the final term. Trent Cotchin (114) and Brett Deledio (105) were also solid for the Tigers.

Tigers Duds: Daniel Rioli had a day he’d rather forget. The young Tiger scored just 29 points. He wasn’t alone though, with Jake Batchelor and Ty Vickery failing to break 50.

Suns Studs: It was a big game and the Gold Coast leaders stepped up. Captain Gary Ablett scored a team high 127 while vice-captain Tom Lynch was the second best Suns player with 116. Tom Nicholls was the only other Gold Coast player to pass 100.

Suns Duds: It was a disaster day for Nick Malceski who scored just 32 points. Malceski, who features in nearly 12,000 teams, is averaging 73 for the season. A knock to the head in the third term brought an early end to Kade Kolodjashnij’s match. He finished on 39.

GWS 105 def SYDNEY SWANS 63

Giants studs: He’s a star for the Giants every week and Heath Shaw was outstanding again, top scoring for the Giants with 118 points courtesy of 25 disposals and 10 marks. Stephen Coniglio (108) continued his impressive season, while Toby Greene had one of his good weeks by scoring 105. Lachie Whitfield (103) kicked the sealer and co-captain Callan Ward (101) kept his owners happy. Ryan Griffen (100), Shane Mumford (99) and Steve Johnson (97) were excellent.

Giants duds: Those who traded in Jacob Hopper (44) would have been disappointed as he was quiet in the victory and Jeremy Cameron (53) booted just one goal. We expect more from Dylan Shiel (88).

Swans studs: Heath Grundy (101) was the only Swan to hit triple figures in a dirty day for Sydney. Josh Kennedy (99) led the midfield well and Dan Hannebery (92) looked set for a big score at half time only to be well held in the second half. Tom Mitchell (98) was OK and Callum Sinclar (90) shouldered the ruck load when Kurt Tippett went off injured.

Swans duds: Lance Franklin had just 10 points at half time but found his mojo in the second half to finish with 57 points. Kurt Tippett (59) was good in the first half but then succumbed to a knee injury. As for Luke Parker (59) what has happened to you?

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2016: Studs and duds for Round 12