Revivals, Goals & Jack Hombsch
Last updated: Jul 30, 2018, 9:54AM | Published: Jul 30, 2018, 3:34AM
It was a wild, random and rowdy weekend of AFL action, and to celebrate another round of footy we've picked out the key points that made *this* weekend so great.
We've got Tom Hawkins' Magnificent Seven, Patrick Cripps' brilliance, Richmond's MCG dominance, Jack Hombsch's random record and maybe even some more.
This is Data Road Trip - investigating the key data points and numbers that formed what we saw in the week that was in sports.
Bombers' Season Surge Continues
Essendon blew Sydney out of the water late in Friday night's clash, holding the Swans to a singular point in the final term. The stats told of their dominance - smashing them in Inside 50s (72-39), contested possessions (156-141) and tackles (65-47), as they cruised to a 43-point win, registering their eighth win in ten games. Can the Dons ride this momentum to an unexpected finals berth?
Richmond's MCG Dominance
Richmond won their 18th straight game at the "home of football," finding a different way to win against a plucky Collingwood side brought down by injuries. In front of an 88,180 strong crowd (the second biggest home-and-away crowd drawn by the two clubs), Collingwood dominated the hitouts (50-25), tackles (72-48) and clearance count (44-34) but it didn't matter as Richmond found their way to another important win.
Also - not one Tigers player registered 100 rankings points (Collingwood had five). These Tigers are a special group.
Every RICH player on the weekend had between 11 and 22 disposals
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) July 30, 2018
The range of 11 is the 2nd smallest recorded for a match behind FREM in 2006 v SYD with a range of 10
All FREM players had between 6 and 16 disposals
@Richmond_FC @AFL
There was also this:
JACK HIGGINS!
— AFL (@AFL) July 28, 2018
He pulls a rabbit out of the hat for a @coateshire Goal of the Year contender! #AFLTigersPies pic.twitter.com/yXUukeKmM4
The Magnificent Seven
Tom Hawkins booted seven goals for the second consecutive week, overcoming a tough battle with Brisbane Lions' star defender Harris Andrews, to continue his All-Australian-worthy campaign. Hawkins' 14 goals in two games have seen him jump into second in the Coleman Medal race, four goals behind leader Ben Brown.
No Cameron? No Problem
When Jeremy Cameron was suspended for his controversial hit on Harris Andrews, GWS sat in 10th place with their season on the ropes. Without their star forward the Giants have found their rhythm, winning four from five, and working themselves into top four contention. They've now won seven of their last eight to revitalise what looked like a lost season not too long ago.
Crippa Ripper
Patrick Cripps played one of the best individual games seen in the AFL this season, as Carlton barnstormed their way to their second win of the year with a 35-point win over Gold Coast on Saturday night. Cripps amassed 37 disposals (17 contested), 11 tackles, 27 pressure acts, 6 score involvements, 5 clearances, 7 intercept possessions, 5 inside 50’s, 6 rebound 50’s, 6 marks (2 contested), 1 goal & 536 metres gained - which amassed a whopping 162 ranking points, one of the highest marks of the season.
Gawn Big
Max Gawn continues to show why he is a $14 dark horse for the Brownlow Medal with another dominant display against All-Australian rival Sam Jacobs on Saturday night in Adelaide. Melbourne won the hitouts 74-44, and clearance count 59-39. Gawn was simply brilliant as he led the Demons to what could be a turning point win.
Cunnington Dominance
Ben Cunnington continued his superb season with another fantastic display against the West Coast Eagles, as the Roos romped to a 40-point win. Cunnington was everywhere, tallying 39 disposals (22 contested), 4 marks, 7 clearances, 10 tackles, 1 goal and 149 ranking points.
Hombsch's Claim To Fame
This is a weird one - Jack Hombsch this week became the first player to play a home and away, or finals game, at 20 different AFL venues when he stepped out onto Mars Stadium yesterday.
Tom Mitchell, 3 Votes
Hawthorn's Tom Mitchell kept his Brownlow Medal campaign rolling with another classy display in the West on Sunday, leaving many to wonder why Ross Lyon chose not to tag the gun Hawk. Mitchell finished with 42 disposals (17 contested), 9 marks, 7 clearances, 5 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals and 160 ranking points.
You can't leave Tom Mitchell alone at a stoppage! #AFLFreoHawks pic.twitter.com/rptmMdXWR1
— AFL (@AFL) July 29, 2018
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