Fremantle copped the AFL's ultimate wake-up call, the Eagles played both hospitable and inhospitable hosts to the grief-striken Adelaide Crows, Richmond and the Dogs took another step towards finals berths and Collingwood lost a third straight game by less than a kick.
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Our crack (pot) panel returns to run the rule over round 15 of the 2015 AFL season.
The panel:
Brendan Foster (WAtoday's resident grumpy old man); Nick Alviani (Radio 6PR Drive producer); Ryan Miller (Radio 6PR roving reporter); Steve Allen (Radio 6PR producer, The Interchange podcast); Simon White (WAtoday chief puppet hater).
Brendan Foster:
1.There are rumours down at Glenferrie Oval that Sam Mitchell is having trouble keeping his knee out of oppositions players midriffs because he has taken up Irish dancing. When he raised his knee against Crows gun Tex Walker to "protect" himself a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was an accident. After doing it to Nat Fyfe on the weekend, I'm not so sure.
Sam Mitchell @ it again. Love the @texwalker13 tweet. Has to go this time, at the very least a fine. #serialpest @AFL pic.twitter.com/Ry2yrX6RtU— Simon Collins (@Tingas75)
July 12, 2015
2. I have crucified the Eagles' supporters for their boofhead behaviour in the past. But the crowd at Saturday's game against Adelaide was all class, applauding the Crows players as they walked from Domain Stadium.
3. I might have ASADA knocking on my door in the coming days, for making the following comment: on current form the Eagles are the only team capable of knocking over the red hot Hawks.
Nick Alviani:
1. West Coast hasn't had a rising star nomination since Andrew Gaff in round 19 2011. That should change this week after Dom Sheed had 26 touches, eight inside-50s and a goal against Adelaide.
2. Why does Nat Fyfe continue to do things that may get him suspended? He has the Brownlow Medal won.
3. Once again the tributes to Phil Walsh were on point. First the post-match video in the Port-Collingwood game, then the standing ovation to the Adelaide players as they walked off Domain Stadium. Emotions will be high in next week's Showdown.
Ryan Miller:
1. Fremantle must drop Hayden Ballantyne. I called for it last week but against Hawthorn he was goalless, barely touched it - admittedly, neither did many of his team-mates - and even his tackle count was down. Hayden Crozier had 27 disposals and a goal for Peel so surely the pressure is on now.
2. Richmond's "a win is a win" attitude is brilliant. The Tigers play ugly but they get the four points. The top four should be scared, as they haven't hit their best yet either...
3. Elliot Yeo is getting better every week. Eagle fans get off Nic Naitanui and get behind Yeo. This youngster is more exciting and will become a better player than Nic Nat ever will.
Steve Allen:
1. The Hawks are as good as ever and Fremantle needs to reinvent. The Dockers average 65 points in the past month and while delivery is part of the problem, the forwards aren't firing. In that month Pav has four goals, Ballantyne two and Mayne just one.
2. Joe Daniher was about as popular as Shane Watson coming into this round but kicked half of his team's score to help Essendon beat the Demons. A lesson on how to win over the fans, Shane.
3. The Giants are putting up a fight for their first ever finals appearance despite losing two key backs and a fairest-and-best winning ruckman to injury. Great resilience.
Simon White:
1. Collingwood has lost three straight games but I still wouldn't want to say the Pies are out of form. Weird.
2. Saturday was the first time I've seen the Western Bulldogs' Jack Redpath. With hands like those, I reckon there's a future for him.
3. I bet a West Coast-supporting mate a meal at the start of the season that the Dockers would finish above the Eagles on the ladder. My wallet is getting readier by the day...
