Oh no, Toby!
The question being asked at the MCG on Sunday afternoon was when will Toby Greene realise the impact his lack of discipline has on his team? Greene lost his cool again, grabbing a fist full of Alex Rance's jumper late in the first quarter and belting the defender in the chin. Greene could be staring at a one-match suspension that could be bumped up to two matches because of his bad record. Greene, who has been charged three times this season and 11 times in his 110 games (including four times for melee involvement and umpire contact), is the least disciplined player in the AFL. He was also cleared of headbutting earlier this season because of insufficient force. Greene was dragged immediately and coach Leon Cameron would know how hurtful his behaviour is to the team, especially given their lengthy injury list. Whether it was coincidence or directly related, Richmond went on to kick four unanswered goals in the second quarter to turn the game in their favour. Greene had 11 touches and no goals in the final three quarters.
The AFL's most wanted men
Free agent Tiger Dustin Martin and out of contract GIANT Josh Kelly are both in the sights of rival clubs. In North Melbourne's case, there are reportedly hopes of snagging both come the trade period. The exciting midfielders squared off on Sunday and it was Martin who came out in front, turning the game with another brilliant performance that could earn him three more Brownlow Medal votes. After a quiet start, he finished with 31 possessions, 11 clearances and 10 inside 50s, backing up from last week's 40, 14 and 12 in those categories. It wasn't Kelly's best game, finishing with 23 possessions in a midfield that was beaten. His ball use was also down on its usual high standards, going at 69.6 per cent efficiency and kicking 1.2.
Richmond has been looking for tall support for Jack Riewoldt all season with Ben Griffiths sidelined and the search will continue after Griffiths suffered a shoulder injury in the VFL on Sunday. The solution so far has been a small forward line and another 40-goal plus season so far from Riewoldt. But with their spearhead beaten by Phil Davis on Sunday and restricted to two goals, a spread of goalkickers was needed. It was a sign of the Tigers' growing depth and blue-collar characteristics that they were able to manufacture goals when needed against the GIANTS. They had eight goalkickers, with the rain appearing to suit the hard-working team. As a serious top-four contender, those workmanlike characteristics will be needed even more going into the finals without a quality sidekick for Riewoldt. Whether it is enough to be competitive in September is yet to be seen, but Sunday's performance showed it can be done.
With one win and two draws from their past six games, the GIANTS' top-four prospects are being threatened and rivals would be smelling blood in the water. Dylan Shiel's shoulder injury on Sunday has given coach Leon Cameron another headache, just as Stephen Coniglio and Brett Deledio returned in the NEAFL. "It didn't look all that great, but his shoulder has been a little bit of an issue for a little while," Cameron said on Sunday. "He's had a couple of shoulder operations so he learns to push through that each game, but sometimes there are bigger knocks than others and there's no doubt he was a bit sore at the end of the game." Shiel has been a crucial player for the GIANTS this season, leading the club for clearances (7.1 a game) and centre clearances (3.7). The GIANTS have been brave in their ability to perform despite their injury woes, but his absence might prove the final straw.
