Inspirational ... Joel Selwood and Travis Cloke are match-winners. Source: FOX SPORTS
Fox Sports AFL expert Julian de Stoop reviews round three in the AFL and discusses his likes and dislikes.
It was another big weekend in the AFL with some gusty wins and unlucky injuries, we bring you the best and worst from the week that was.
Do you agree? Tell us what you liked to disliked from the weekend by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
Likes
Travis Cloke
There were some who suggested during Travis Cloke's protracted contract negotiations last year that he wouldn't be a huge loss for Collingwood if he decided to head west to Fremantle or link up with his former coach Mick Malthouse at Carlton. What a load of rubbish. Cloke is arguably the league's most valuable key forward and he showed exactly why against Richmond. In one of his finest ever performances Cloke finished with a career high seven goals and 14 marks. His third quarter was one for the ages – six disposals, six marks – four of those contested and four goals turned the tide the Pies way. His battle with rising Essendon defender Jake Carlisle will be fascinating on Anzac Day
Joel Selwood
Last week we sang the praises of Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge - this week all the accolades are with a man who mirrors him in so many ways - Cats captain Joel Selwood. He was the key to the Cats' win over the Hawks in Round 1 but against the Swans on Friday night he was inspirational. The skipper had 30 disposals, nine tackles, seven clearances and a goal only tell part of the story. He was the man that orchestrated the Cats' match-winning third term where he had a hand in all seven of their goals. The triple premiership player is leading a team that deserves to be premiership favorites. Geelong has beaten both of last year's grand finalists in the opening month and remember they play seven of their last 11 matches at Simonds Stadium, a ground they have lost just three times at since the beginning of 2007.
Melbourne
Quite rightly, the Demons have copped it from all quarters after an insipid opening three rounds and when they trailed by 19 points at three quarter time against the Giants many thought time was nearly up for coach Mark Neeld. But instead of wilt his charges delivered the highest scoring quarter in the club's history. The Demons kicked 12.2 to 2.2 to charge to a 41-point victory and take the heat off - temporaily at least - their under siege coach. Big bodies Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones and Nathan Jamar got it started in the middle with Michael Evans (three goals), Jeremy Howe (three), Aaron Davey (two) and Max Gawn (two) finishing the job up forward. Melbourne were well led by young captains Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes but it will all be in vain if they reproduce the same effort against Brisbane Lions next week.
Carlton
Despite Mick Malthouse stating during the week winning isn't everything at Carlton at the moment, the cold hard facts are the Blues needed to break their duck in Perth to have any chance of playing finals this year. There are too many good sides in the competition to start 0-4 and expect to still be around in September. Malthouse spent the week talking about 'processes' and his men got it just right against the Eagles. The old master doesn't like high scoring shootouts like his team produced in the first three weeks and against West Coast his team gave up just seven goals. Although the Eagles wayward kicking 7.23 certainly helped. The move of Chris Yarran (four goals) paid dividends and with matches in the next six weeks against Adelaide, Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Brisbane and GWS Giants, the Blues are capable of getting on a roll.
Brendon Goddard
He isn't everyone's cup of team but one thing you get from Brendon Goddard is honesty. Some have criticised his post-match tears after his new team Essendon dismantled his old side St Kilda but it showed how tough it was for the former No.1 draft pick to leave the Saints and how much he still loves his former club. Those who branded him a mercenary should think again. Goddard also spoke out against his club's decision for airing James Hird's post-match speech following the Bombers' emotional win over Fremantle on Fox Footy's The Hangar. While I disagree with Goddard's view once again it was honest. In an industry when cliché's are the norm, we should applaud those who speak their mind.
Dislikes
Score Reviews
The concept is sound but like 2012, the execution is off the mark. The problem is the video umpire is trying to be too precise. If the ball appears to have crossed the goal line from four different angles then it's most likely a goal. Like the tribunal let's work on the balance of probabilities. Richmond midfielder Shaun Grigg and Demons forward Shannon Byrnes were both robbed of clear goals on the weekend. Let's hope an error doesn't cost a team big time at the business end of the season.
Daniel Menzel's knees
In football terms, the plight of Daniel Menzel is a tragedy. A prodigious talent the young Cat has again been struck down by a knee injury in just his second game back in the VFL and it has the Cats fearing the worst. The 22-year-old has already had two knee reconstructions as well as LARS surgery late last year but Chris Scott said two weeks ago if Menzel is struck down again he has no doubts he will fightback. Let's hope the coach is right.
West Coast Eagles
One of the pre-season premiership favorites, the Eagles have had a terrible opening month. Injuries have been a factor with the loss of Nic Naitanui the most telling but three losses at Patersons Stadium (one of those to Fremantle) is a cause for alarm. Their only win came against lowly Melbourne. This week they travel to Adelaide to take on a rampant Port Adelaide and another loss will put their top four hopes in serious jeopardy.
Brisbane Lions
What is wrong with the pre-season premiers? Belted by the Bulldogs in Round 1, over-run by the Crows at home in Round 2 and very ordinary against the Kangaroos in Round 4. Their only win was a narrow one over the Suns in Round 3. No-one thought the Lions were going to be contenders after their NAB Cup triumph but given they won 10 matches last year they looked capable of knocking on the door of the top 8 but at the moment they appear a million miles away. A home game against Melbourne next week will provide some relief but Lions fans look away now, following the Demons you play; Sydney, West Coast, Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong and Hawthorn. Brutal.
Lewis Jetta and Sam Reid
The duo are two of the Swans' best young players but so far in 2013 they have both failed to fire a shot. Jetta was always going to come in for more attention following his stellar 2012 season but as John Longmire said following the loss to the Cats, the speedster isn't using his greatest asset ... his speed ... to his advantage. Reid's greatest strength is his marking but he appears to have lost confidence in the air and with Kurt Tippett unavailable until mid-year and Lewis Roberts-Thomson injured he needs to rediscover it quickly. Last year Jetta and Reid combined for 76 goals. This year they have contributed just five.
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