Jesse Hogan defied logic with a monster score in Round 23, while rucks Tim English and Rowan Marshall underlined their status as the ultimate R1-R2 and Harry Sheezel earned his Rising Star status too.
But there were some flops. Damn nuisance flops. Hopefully you navigated them OK. Alex Lee-Arney takes you through the Round 23 freaks and flops.
Collingwood v Brisbane
Freak: Cameron (106)
Flop: Me, for trading out Cameron
Realistically my DCam trade out could have been much, much worse. He was sitting on 81 at half time and it was only Cox (58) coming on and taking a load of stoppages that saved it from being an absolute howler. This is what luxury trade season will do to you. Collingwood continue to falter without their stars and Brisbane are now looking solid like a Macca Arnold brick wall. Dunks (102) was back on track with a low ton, and Neale managed to rack up 31 touches but only score 97. I will absolutely take that, though, given what can happen when he’s clamped.
Richmond v North Melbourne
Freak: Sheezel (129)
Flop: Taranto (89)
That late LDU out ruined some teams’ prelims. If I had a nickel for every LDU late out I’d have two nickels, but it’s weird that it happened twice, right? Those who rolled the dice hoping for a Ziebell (88) blow out weren’t rewarded but honestly, I just hope he’s ok. Meanwhile the Sheezel trade out has proved another luxury trade shocker. He’s just been plugging away with Katrina Gorry-like determination. With no Ziebell next week, Sheez is on for a big one against the Suns. He’s a trade in option in my view. Dusty (127) and Bolton (124) combined for a massive night but they were not joined by Taranto. That really, really would have been the trade out of the season at round 15 and you could still do it for your GF because he’s playing Port.
Gold Coast v Carlton
Freak: Newman (125)
Flop: Docherty (80)
Form team of the comp Carlton almost let this one slip. Nic Newman has been nearly the best late in of the season, falling just short of Courtnee Vine, and closely followed by Flanders (125) and Hewett (106). Although he got up and played, it was a play to move Docherty on anyway and it proved a very nice option. Miller (118) was extremely good and he will be just about first picked in 2024 squads, much like a Steph Catley.
GWS v Essendon
Freak: Hogan (188)
Flop: Kelly (85)
Remember when I told you I traded out DCam? Well my other trade out was Himmelberg (114). Lol. Don’t worry, it was for Laird so I got a really impressive +4. How about that Raso-like Hogan performance? Unbelievable. He’s taken out the top score of the season and Essendon looked absolutely woeful. Green (120) proved a good trade in, whilst Cogs (104) bounced back and Jelly most certainly did not. Parish (96) and Merrett (94) both under-delivered but I’ll be taking it because Merrett was looking on for a right stinker early.
St Kilda v Geelong
Freak: RoMar (141)
Flop: Geelong
Everyone’s favourite VC got off to a slower start than we would have liked, but Marshall came through with an absolutely astonishing performance, srsly it was Caitlin Foord areas. He made our captaincy issues far less stressful than last week. Sinclair (136) took a leaf out of Ellie Carpenter’s book and pushed brilliantly and aggressively out of defence. Stewart (133) finally did what we’ve been waiting for, whilst Steele (115) and Crouch (100) were better. NWM (91) was a tick, although a little down on output, whilst anyone still rocking with Windy (95) was (strawberry) kissed again. …Ok that Tillies reference was a little niche but IYKYK.
Adelaide v Sydney
Freak: Laird (118)
Flop: ARC
Ok what can I say about the end to this one except that it was almost as crushing a moment for Australian Football as an Alanna Kennedy concussion. Somebody pointed out to me that the ARC flop not only ruined Adelaide’s finals hopes, but also potentially GWS’ (or the Bulldogs’ if the following hadn’t happened). Adelaide have dropped some dumb games but I think had the tools to shake up the finals so it’s a bit of a shame imo. Gulden (107) ticked another one over and Matt Crouch (101), like Clare Hunt, has been another late season success. Dawson (96) has faded a little lately but Mills (51) was back to his floptacular best.
West Coast v Bulldogs
Freak: English (147)
Flop: Macrae (51)
Well, well, well. What a huge boilover. Despite the herculean (Kerr-culean) effort of Bont (144), English and Treloar (143), the Dogs couldn’t overcome the Eagles. Their touch was actually good? Like not Mary Fowler good, but pretty good. The Doggies, on the other hand, could’ve used some vintage van Egmond steadiness. The list of Doggie fails from this one was pretty significant, but none so much as Jack Macrae who was dramatically subbed out when the game was on the line. Has Bevo now fully cooked him? He will be unbelievably cheap next year but this was something else.
Melbourne v Hawthorn
Freak: Gawn (101)
Flop: Oliver (66)
So the Hawthorn tagging machine blanketed superstars yet again with both Oliver and Petracca (71) not approaching their usual influence. They head a reasonable list of disappointments from this game. Can we trade specifically to avoid Finn? Will Day had a brilliant third term, but was halted on 89. Sicily was no good once again and has actually proved a terrible late season trade in.
Fremantle v Port Adelaide
Freak: Brayshaw (121)
Flop: Jackson (84)
Zac Butters (115) covered the ground like Kyra Cooney-Cross, and once again had the points to show for it. Alongside him Rozee (89) had his first down week in a while. Andy Brayshaw fired, but a couple of his teammates duked it out for the Flop in Jackson and Serong (86). In the end it’ll have to go to Jackson, just for the matchup. He only had one more hit out than rookie Hayes (47). Lets not get carried away but I think Serong might be in Finn’s sights next week.
The last round is all about matchups, with that in mind I’ve gone a bit wild here.
Bring them in: Sheezel, Butters, Coleman
Cop it on the chin: Oliver, Petracca, Merrett
Put them in the bin (if you’re feeling bold): Ziebell, Taranto, Serong
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