THEY SAID IT: "It's been a tough week. (They are) great boys. I really like that we were under the pump and just stuck at it. We're two points from fourth, it felt like we were on the bottom of the ladder." An emotional Ken Hinkley speaks from the heart following his team's two-point win over St Kilda, which snapped a three-match losing run and came amidst a week of speculation over his coaching future.
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PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Plenty of contenders for this one. Carlton captain Patrick Cripps finished with 40 disposals, 13 clearances and a goal in his team's win over Richmond. Marcus Bontempelli passed a late fitness test on his back on the way to 35 disposals and 11 clearances against North Melbourne. Izak Rankine was superb in Adelaide's win against GWS, with his first-half tally of 21 touches, seven inside-50s, seven score involvements and 2.2 proving critical.
THE MOMENT: Fremantle looked destined for agonising defeat when Sydney forward Logan McDonald marked inside-50 with less than 30 seconds on clock. With the Dockers holding a one-point lead, McDonald had the opportunity to clinch victory for the Swans, or at least a draw. Instead, he sent the ball across the face of the big sticks after the final siren to hand Fremantle victory.
TALKING POINT: Are too many players "milking" free kicks? Alastair Clarkson wasn't happy when North Melbourne were on the wrong end of a pair of contentious decisions around incidents involving Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman, who the Kangas' coach clearly felt had sucked the whistleblowers into making calls in his favour. Melbourne youngster Koltyn Tholstrup came under fire for "staging" in the loss to the Brisbane Lions, a week after senior teammate Steven May was fined by the MRO for the same offence.
STAT THAT MATTERS: 10 - That was Sydney's winning streak before Fremantle brought it to a stunning end with their thrilling victory at the SCG.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Gold Coast's Ben Long escaped with a $2500 fine for striking Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard. Star Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett was also fined for striking, while Adelaide's Sam Berry copped a financial whack for making careless contact with an umpire.
INJURIES: Z Fisher (NM, lower leg), T Duryea (WB, foot), H. Cunningham (SYD, hamstring), B McReery (COL, calf), B Hill (SK, hip), D Martin (RIC, lower back), M Kennedy (CAR, knee), M Flynn (WC, ankle), J Sicily (HAW, shoulder).
WHAT'S NEXT: Collingwood and Essendon kick things off with a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG. Port Adelaide will be aiming to make it two wins in a row when they host the Bulldogs on Saturday, while GWS take on Carlton in another important match. Hawthorn take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, and Fremantle face Richmond in Perth. Sunday's action features Melbourne hosting West Coast, St Kilda facing Sydney and Brisbane up against Adelaide.
Australian Associated Press
