Snapshot for round two of the AFL season

Shayne Hope | March 27, 2023

THEY SAID IT: “Discourage? It’s not my job to do that. I just don’t see a need for it.” – Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley responds to Collingwood fans’ constant booing of Power recruit Jason Horne-Francis throughout Saturday’s contest at the MCG.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND:  Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos shot to Brownlow Medal favouritism with some betting outlets after a stunning 32-disposal, two-goal performance against Port Adelaide. Making the best-on-ground display even more meritorious was the fact Daicos was tagged by Lachie Jones and Sam Powell-Pepper for significant periods of the match but still managed to have a huge influence. His silky goal after Scott Pendlebury’s over-the-head handpass would have made his gifted father Peter Daicos smile.

THE MOMENT: There was chaos midway through the final quarter on Friday night when the Gabba lights went out. Brisbane led by 40 points and looked headed for a convincing win before the match was suspended for almost 40 minutes. When the lights came back on, Melbourne had nothing to lose and rattled off five unanswered goals to close within 11 points and cause the home side some nervous moments.

TALKING POINT: North Melbourne hung on for a thrilling one-point win over Fremantle amid another “sirengate” controversy in the west. The Dockers were denied a shot to pinch the match when Daniel Howe’s clearing kick, which would have been penalised for insufficient intent to keep the ball in play, ran over the boundary line. Umpires ruled the siren sounded before the ball bounced out and the AFL later ticked off on the decision.

STATS THAT MATTER: Geelong’s losses to Collingwood and Carlton over the first two weeks have made Chris Scott’s side the first defending premier to start the new season 0-2 since Hawthorn did it under Alastair Clarkson in 2009. North Melbourne’s No.3 draft pick Harry Sheezel continued the hot start to his senior career, becoming only the second player in AFL/VFL history to gather 30-plus disposals in each of his first two games after Fremantle’s Michael Barlow in 2010.

TRIBUNAL WATCH: Richmond defender Nathan Broad was sent directly to the tribunal, charged with rough conduct over his sling tackle on Patrick Parnell, which concussed the Adelaide player. Port Adelaide’s Ryan Burton can accept a two-match ban for rough conduct on Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott, while North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin has been offered a one-match suspension for striking Fremantle’s Caleb Serong.

INJURIES: M Gawn (Melb, knee), J Hopper (Rich, knee/ankle), P Parnell (Adel, concussion), J Steele (StK, shoulder), B Zerk-Thatcher (Ess, ankle), J Wehr (GWS, shoulder).

WHAT’S NEXT: The Western Bulldogs and Brisbane kick off round three on Thursday night and a crowd of more than 85,000 is expected for Friday night’s Collingwood-Richmond blockbuster. Alastair Clarkson leads North Melbourne against old side Hawthorn for the first time, while St Kilda celebrate their 150-year anniversary in a rare MCG home game against Essendon. A pair of derbies are highlights, with the Showdown in Adelaide on Saturday night and Western Derby in Perth on Sunday.