If you got nine tips this week you’re probably the only person on the face of the earth which did. It was an unpredictable weekend of footy, compounded with upsets. Although just three games in, it remains difficult assessing the current pecking order of the league.

A familiar site was Gary Ablett’s domination in a twilight extravaganza. Ablett responded boldly to intense media scrutiny during the week, logging 36 disposals and 2 goals in a stunning 86-point Gold Coast victory over Hawthorn.

Nick Riewoldt returned from injury and torched the Lions with 28 disposals and three goals himself. Marc Murphy reminded the league of his capabilities, recording 32 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals. It’s clear that the champs still have it. Meanwhile, Dustin Martin was Dustin Martin, overwhelming the Eagles with 40 disposals and two goals.

THE GOOD

SCG thriller

The winless Collingwood faced their own fair share of critics during the week. David Cloke probed their game plan and toughness, lamenting these issues for the demise of Travis’ All-Australian form. A trip to the SCG to face the minor premiers of 2016 in Buddy Franklin’s 250th game presented a mighty challenge.

Anything less than a win would’ve put Nathan Buckley under twice the amount of pressure he already is. His troops responded in one of Bucks’ greatest ever wins. Thanks to a dominant display from the usual midfield culprits in Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebottom (48 combined tackles), the Pies escaped an immense Swans charge with a thrilling one-point victory.

The biggest hero of the night was Will Hoskin-Elliot. The GWS convert seized the moment, kicking an impossible goal from the pocket with five minutes remaining in the game to seal a famous Collingwood victory.  

South Australian Footy

The Showdown delivered all that it promised and no matter which South Australian team you support; fans were treated to a beauty on Saturday night. Both sides went in undefeated and although Adelaide emerged 17-point victors, neither side lowered their colours.

The midfield battle was spectacular as Ollie Wines (30 disposals, two goals), Travis Boak (26 disposals, one goal) and Brad Ebert (26 disposals, nine tackles) went toe-to-toe with Rory Sloane (31 disposals, one goal) Richard Douglas (29 disposals, seven tackles) and Matt Crouch (32 disposals). Ultimately, it was Adelaide’s potent forward line that proved too much, namely Tex Walker and Eddie Betts, who combined for seven goals. Could we be looking at a 2017 Grand Final preview?

Rioli magic

Last week we saw Paul Puopolo take a soaring hanger, this week Daniel Rioli proved his family legacy with a Goal of the Year contender. Rioli follows up a marking contest by winning possession on the boundary line, 50 meters out from Richmond’s goal.

He shrugs a strong tackle from Brad Sheppard to keep the play alive, handballs to Prestia who immediately gives it back. Rioli darts around Jeremy McGovern to banana the ball under pressure 35 meters out, straight through the goals. No doubt there will be more where that came from, as Rioli has injected a burst of fresh life into Richmond’s dangerous undersized forward attack in 2017.