Port Adelaide has held off a fast-finishing St Kilda outfit at Adelaide Oval amid a costly night of injury carnage, recording a 10-point victory to launch itself back into the top eight.
St Kilda forward Jack Higgins faces a nervous wait ahead of the release of the Match Review Officer’s findings due to a dangerous tackle on a Port Adelaide star.
Hawthorn have received a massive double boost ahead of their clash with the Swans, while an Eagle is et to make his long-awaited return after 12 months on the sidelines.
North Melbourne ruck Tristan Xerri has signed a four-year contract extension, a star West Coast midfielder is attracting hefty rival interest amid a career resurgence, while an in-demand free agent has a mega deal on the table.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson says first-year star Harley Reid was already “flagging” when he delivered his stunning derby performance and was well due for a rest this weekend.
Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper is expected to miss two to three weeks after scans confirmed that he suffered a mild hamstring strain in his side’s loss to Melbourne on Anzac Day Eve.
Why there might be multiple causes for concern in Port Adelaide’s defence and a big-time position change on the cards for one of the competition’s emerging key forwards.
Collingwood has again come under the microscope, with Fox Footy’s David King claiming the Magpies are “not the same” side that triumphed in last year’s flag decider.
Chris Fagan has labelled the Lions’ effort in the second half as “well below par” in their matchup against the Giants on Thursday night, but has included himself amongst the disappointment.
Essendon coach Brad Scott has lauded the deeds of Anzac Day Medallist Zach Merrett after the Bomber skipper produced another superb performance in the drawn clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday.
Both produced moments of sheer brilliance but Kyle Langford and Jamie Elliott will lose sleep over late missed chances as Essendon and Collingwood drew on Anzac Day for the first time in 29 years.
The AFL Match Review Officer is set to closely inspect a second-quarter Anzac Day incident involving Essendon star Sam Draper – much to the shock of several premiership greats.
Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury has become the first AFL player to reach 10,000 disposals, reaching the milestone in the early stages of the Anzac Day clash at the MCG.