Sport
AFL exports | Sidebottom thrives for Pies in thriller, Brodie keeps on shining for Dockers
Like a fine wine, Tallygaroopna product Steele Sidebottom’s game continues to get better with age, playing a key role in Collingwood’s thrilling four-point win over Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon.
Facing wintery conditions at the MCG, the class of the 31-year-old veteran rose to the fore, with his clean hands and expert ball use pivotal in getting the Pies over the line.
Re-cast as a wingman, Sidebottom constantly offered an option to his teammates on the outside racking up 24 disposals and taking five marks.
Most impressive about his performance, however, was his ability to make his possessions count, using the ball at an ultra-impressive 79 per cent and hitting the scoreboard with a crucial major.
The stock of Benalla product Harry Morrison continues to rise, with the young Hawk playing an outstanding game across half-forward to help keep his team in the hunt.
Working well up the ground, the 23-year-old picked up 24 disposals and took six marks, and provided a great link between attack and defence for the Hawks.
His ball-use was particularly impressive, ignoring the unfavourable conditions to go at an impressive 75 per cent disposal efficiency.
Elsewhere, the breakout season of Shepparton product Will Brodie continued on Sunday evening, picking up 25 disposals and winning 10 clearances in Fremantle’s 14-point win over Brisbane at Optus Stadium.
Transforming himself into one of the competition’s most accomplished inside mid-fielders, Brodie went toe-to-toe with Lions stars Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons and Hugh McCluggage, with his ability to win the ball at the coal-face critical to the Dockers triumph.
Joining Brodie in the Dockers on-ball brigade was Seymour product David Mundy, who once again proved age is just a number, collecting 20 disposals while using the ball at 75 per cent.
Finley product Tom Hawkins was cast into the role of sidekick in Geelong’s Friday night win over the Western Bulldogs, proving to be the perfect foil for star teammate Jeremy Cameron.
In saying that, the 33-year-old did manage to hit the scoreboard with two important goals, had eight score involvements and pushed up the ground to take nine marks.
Kialla’s Alex Keath had his hands full trying to quell the influence of the dominant Cats forwards, battling manfully in the Dogs defence to collect 15 disposals and take eight marks.
Meanwhile, Kyabram product Nick Holman continues to thrive as a pressure forward, laying seven tackles and kicking a goal in Gold Coast’s 62-point win over North Melbourne at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
Mooroopna’s Jy Simpkin battled his heart out through the midfield for the Kangaroos, picking up 20 disposals, laying six tackles and kicking a goal on what was a tough day for his team.