THE BAD

Gawn for now

All footy fans sigh as reigning All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn is set to face an extensive time on the sidelines. Gawn injured his hamstring during Melbourne’s clash with Geelong on Saturday. The injury forced Jack Watts to take the rucking duties for the rest of the game, giving Geelong a significant advantage and assisting in their victory. The news got worse as we learnt Gawn may require surgery after scans revealed he damaged a tendon.

Norm Smith medalist Jason Johannisen missed close to three months last year following an early-season hamstring tendon injury. The timing is less than ideal for Melbourne who are already without Jordan Lewis for another two games and Jesse Hogan for another one following their suspensions.

Hero to zero

Just a year on, Hawthorn have gone from winning three straight premierships to losing their first three consecutive games, sitting dead last on the ladder. This is a shadow of the ruthless, daring, skillful and high-powered team that was impossible to score against and dominated the competition over the last five years.

Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell have left voids that can’t be filled and Jaeger O’Meara is still getting back up to the speed of the game after missing two years of footy. Could this team really tumble all the way to the bottom half of the ladder? A silver lining for Hawks fans is the early form of Tom Mitchell, averaging 34 disposals, five marks and six tackles. The Hawks look discombobulated right now and need more out of both their youngsters and veterans, whilst Ty Vickery hasn’t shown anything yet.

Minson in, retirement out?

A West Australian journalist would’ve liked his time over on Saturday night. In a post-game interview with Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, the journalist asked if ex- Bulldog Will Minson would be considered for selection in Round 4.

Beveridge blunted responded “It’s gonna be tough mate, he’s retired.” You must always remember to do your research. The Dockers looked like a completely different team on Saturday to the one from the opening two rounds, handing the reigning premiers their first loss for the season in a spirited performance at home. 

THE UGLY

A blue day

It reminded you of a patchy 80s game in the wet weather conditions as Carlton fought out a scrappy, downright ugly victory over Essendon on Sunday afternoon.

Rain poured in Melbourne as both sides squandered the ball all day, missing targets and dropping chest marks. It became a game of territory and will, with Carlton’s additional 23 inside 50s and 11 tackles the key barometers.

Murphy, as mentioned, lead sensationally from the front whilst Bryce Gibbs (35 disposals, nine tackles), Matthew Kreuzer (30 hit outs, 11 tackles, one goal) and Patrick Cripps (24 disposals, one goal) were also prominent. The win ends Essendon’s undefeated fantasy start to the season and opens up Brendan Bolton’s young troops.