The center circle was painted in the aboriginal flag, the ball decorated in traditional indigenous markings and ceremonial pre-game entertainment added to the cultural respect.

The 12 year old Dreamtime at the 'G fixture attracted 85,656 people, the largest crowd ever for a Saturday night home and away game at the MCG.

Player’s guernseys were a highlight, with each club sporting its own customized Indigenous round jumper, while some players switched their usual numbers to 50 and 67...and many swapped shirts at the final siren.

The number change was in honour of the 1967 Australian Referendum that transformed the way the state recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

 

THE GOOD

Down, not out

The Giants entered their away clash without 8 of their best 22 playersagainst the only team they hadn’t beaten, West Coast, 

Stephen Coniglio, Jacob Hopper, Devon Smith, Steve Johnson, Nick Haynes, Matt Buntine, Ryan Griffen and Rory Lobb all missed the trip to Perth and Tom Scully pulled out pre-game with knee soreness. 

Despite only 26 players to choose from, GWS defeated West Coast by 8 points in one of their most remarkable victories. Look out AFL. 

Slim shady Jamie  

Jamie Elliot arrived at the MCG with a bold new look – streaks of peroxide blonde in his hair.

Elliot’s new look worked wonders for his footy, as he kicked a season-high four goals, including two in the first quarter to set the Pies alive in their 45-point win over Brisbane. 

Elliot is a welcome return for Collingwood after missing all of 2016 and the opening three matches of this season through injury. He’s kicked 12 goals in his past four matches and has breathed new life into the Pies' forward line that struggled immensely early in the season. 

North’s bouncing joeys

Much was made of North Melbourne’s list management at the end of 2016. They were criticized for forcing Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito into retirement and allowing Daniel Wells and Drew Petrie to walk to other clubs.

Those decisions have now been justified. The development of Mason Wood, Ben Brown, Trent Dumont, Shaun Autley and many more shows a new wave of players ready to carry the baton for this football club. Dropping former skipper Andrew Swallow further displays their brave new path. 

If not for their narrow early season losses, the Kangaroos would be in the mix for top four. What’s more, their list cleanout has cleared over $2.5 million in salary cap, allowing them to hunt big fish like Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin in 2017 free agency.