We certainly found out a lot of things at the end of round three, and Zero Hanger has taken a look at them here!
The Demons went into Friday night's 'flop-buster' as favourites to take home their first win of the season. Trailing by five goals early it looked as though Melbourne were going to yet again disappoint their fan-base. Making a remarkable comeback to lead at half time by 11, Demons fans gained hope before it being crushed with an electric third term from the Bombers as they ran away 18-point victors. While the Bombers celebrated their first victory it was the Demons who were left wondering, suffering their third loss of the season. Simon Goodwin's men will need a miracle to be even mentioned as a premiership contender again in 2019.
The Richmond superstar has started the year off on shaky terms, unable to lay a tackle in the first two rounds of the season, Dusty went onto GIANTS Stadium on Saturday afternoon with a lot riding on his shoulders to perform with the absence of All-Australian defender Alex Rance and Coleman medalist Jack Riewoldt. The 2017 Brownlow medalist was unable to deliver, accumulating just 15 disposals at 67% efficiency along with some controversy surrounding Martin making a hand gesture to suggest drug use, the Norm Smith medalist certainly had a day to forget.
It seems as though Geelong have reset over the summer, and coming into season 2019 with many predicting the side would slide down the ladder, they have done everything but, sitting at the top and coming off an impressive win against the Crows in Adelaide. A re-vamped line-up with the additions of youngsters, Gryan Miers, Tom Atkins, Jordan Clark and most notably round one rising star nominee Charlie Constable, the Cats may end up in premiership contention if they are able to continue their form.
You may find superstar forward Lance Franklin in there after athletic defender Liam Jones kept the Coleman Medallist to just 2.1 in the Blues' loss on Saturday afternoon. The steely-eyed defender hassled and annoyed Franklin collecting four intercept possessions, eight one percenters and most importantly, keeping 32-year old Franklin's impact to a minimum. Jones has come a long way since having ten kicked on him by the Bondi-Beach-Millionaire in round 23, 2017.
The feeling was all but too familiar for the Pies. Dom Sheed was once again influential in Saturday night's blockbuster Grand Final re-match. The Kalgoorlie-product was able to deliver, kicking three goals straight in the Eagles' 22-point win over the Pies at the MCG. At the 18th minute mark of the fourth quarter, the 23-year old found himself in the mirror-image part of the ground from where he kicked last year's premiership-winning goal. Once again, ice in his veins, Sheed delivered, turning to the crowd the same way he did in late September last year.
They're in a spot of bother, aren't they? Sitting 1-2, with their entire leadership group potentially unavailable for round four, as well as Dustin Martin who came under scrutiny for making an obscene gesture towards Giants ruckman, Shane Mumford, as well as facing possible suspension for an elbow behind play. The 2017 premiers are in all sorts of bother and now head to Adelaide to take on the Power who were handed their first loss of season 2019 by the impressive Lions. Can Damien Hardwick spur his men on?
With not much expected for the Suns in 2019, they have come into the year how they usually do, showing promise. Losing by just one solitary point against the Saints in round one, Stuart Dew's men had the opportunity to join the Cats and Lions as the top dogs of the league with an upset victory over the Western Bulldogs yesterday afternoon. The next two weeks will certainly give us an idea of where the Suns are at facing the winless Blues at Metricon Stadium this week before flying to Adelaide to take on the disappointing Crows.
The shining light out of the Power's disappointing night at the Gabba, Connor Rozee collected 21 disposals, 11 contested and a bag of five goals. The Power went down by 17 points after holding a ten-point lead midway through the last quarter. It's certainly a tough week for rising star nominee judges with Sam Walsh once again being immense with 28 touches and a goal.
The 2017 Brownlow Medalist certainly had his fair share of publicity during the week coming up against his old side for the sixth time, many wondered if 'Danger' could stand up under the pressure. And didn't he deliver? Accumulating 32 touches (16 contested), 11 score involvements and a superb goal, you can just about pencil in the three votes for Dangerfield here.
If you told us Brisbane would be 3-0 and sitting at second on the AFL ladder after three rounds, we may have had a small chuckle to ourselves, but that's exactly where the Lions sit and they don't look like slowing down. They knocked off the reigning premiers in round one and followed up the scintillating performance with two good wins against the winless Roos and revitalized Power. The Lions are showing more poise with the ball in hand along with speed in their movement. We think it's time to purchase a ticket on this bandwagon.