Golden days over

North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein is a man who looks in need of a fresh start. He was poor again on the weekend, recording four disposals and 22 hitouts. It’s been a tough year for Goldstein, who has struggled with form, creating speculation he’ll seek a trade at season’s end.

The emergence of Braydon Preuss has exasperated the situation, who was promising with 9 disposals and 25 hitouts against the Hawks. North Melbourne’s world may not be big enough for the two of them.

Lynched

The Crows are capable of producing specular goals from boundary line bananas, lightning quick slingshots and long-distance bazookas. Tom Lynch’s pathway to goal was the easiest one they’ve had all season…only he missed.

In the fixed conditions of Etihad Stadium, Lynch slipped through Essendon’s defense on a fast break and marked deep inside 50, with an eternity to put it through. Lynch arrived at the goal square and sprayed the kick to the right, in one of the worst misses we’ve seen all season.
 

THE UGLY

Pumped up kicks

GWS hothead Toby Greene must face the MRP music again, kicking Luke Dahlhaus in an unnatural motion that left the Bulldog bleeding from the face. Greene had just returned from a two-week suspension for jumper punching Alex Rance and despite his coach’s backing, will get sanctioned.

There are three things that work against Greene in this incident. One is his history of violent acts, which makes him more harshly judged as a consequence. Second is the fact that he took his eyes off the ball. Finally, his act wasn’t in a marking contest, but from a play where Greene received a handball.

He must smarten up his act and behave as well as he plays footy. How tragic would it be if Greene got suspended in a preliminary final and failed to play in a GWS premiership.