AFL roundup: Essendon fall just short against Carlton as Dustin Martin fails to spark Richmond
Essendon came within centimetres of emerging from a week of drama, disruption and isolation following Conor McKenna’s positive Covid-19 test with a stunning AFL victory.
But Jacob Townsend’s long-range set shot in the dying seconds against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night was bundled over the line for a rushed behind, handing the Bombers a gut-wrenching 7.10 (52) to 8.3 (51) loss.
Essendon had led by 12 points in the final term in their first game in 13 days after last week’s round-three clash against Melbourne was sensationally postponed following McKenna’s positive test.
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To rub salt in the wound, Zach Merrett will come in for match review scrutiny after he whacked Jack Silvagni in the back with a clenched fist that sent the Blues forward to hospital.
It was a frustrating end to an unsettling week for the club. John Worsfold said that it was difficult to determine what effect an isolation period that kept his players from the club until Wednesday had had.
“I’m no expert, I don’t know how you would possibly measure it, but obviously it’s not ideal to have your players locked away at home from Saturday afternoon through to Tuesday afternoon,” Worsfold said.
“I thought overall their attitude to come out of that and support Conor and James (Stewart) and still try to focus on preparing for the game was really good.
“I don’t know how that affects you overall in terms of how they felt running around out there. Did they physically feel on top of the game or did they feel not quite right, physically and mentally? I don’t know.
“We showed plenty of fight, there’s no doubt, in terms of giving ourselves a chance to win the game against a team that’s not too dissimilar to us in terms of where they’re at.”
Dustin Martin’s return failed to spark Richmond as their premiership defence took another hit in a 26-point defeat to St Kilda earlier on Saturday. The Brownlow medallist collected 19 disposals after a week off with bruised ribs but didn’t have a major influence as the Saints finished full of running in a 15.3 (93) to 10.7 (67) win at Marvel Stadium.
Jack Billings (25 disposals) and Jack Steele (21) starred through the middle as Jake Carlisle marshalled the Saints’ defence superbly. Trade period recruit Dan Butler – brought in from the Tigers last October in exchange for the bargain price of national draft pick No 56 – kicked three goals in his first match against his old side.
Tim Membrey also kicked three majors as Jack Lonie, Rowan Marshall and Dean Kent chipped in with two apiece to spread the load. A suspected hamstring injury to Zak Jones was the only sour note for St Kilda, who stuck to their task with a run-and-gun game style and kicked their highest score of the season to date.
The result left Richmond sitting outside the top eight with two losses and a draw since the season restart.
Charlie Dixon reacts after kicking a goal during the round 4 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the West Coast Eagles. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP
Charlie Dixon dominated as Port Adelaide beat West Coast to continue their unbeaten season on the Gold Coast. The hulking forward took six contested marks and kicked six goals, including a pair of exquisite set shots to first shoot the Power clear then restore order when the 2018 premiers showed signs of life in the third term.
Port’s 13.11 (89) to 6.5 (41) win followed their drubbings of Gold Coast, Adelaide and Fremantle. The loss extended the Eagles’ wait for a win on their Gold Coast hub and was the third-straight game with just six majors to their name.
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Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe will stay in Queensland’s hub despite injuring his right hamstring in Fremantle’s 13-point loss to Gold Coast. Fyfe is set to undergo scans in coming days after he limped off in the third quarter of the 10.4 (64) to 8.3 (51) defeat at Metricon Stadium.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was hopeful the injury was not too serious, with club medical staff initially diagnosing a low-grade hamstring strain but it seems certain he will not feature in either of the Dockers’ last two games of their Gold Coast stay.
The Dockers are now 0-4 in 2020 and have matches against Adelaide and Melbourne to come in the Queensland hub before heading home to Perth for their round-seven Derby against West Coast at Optus Stadium.
Longmuir, though, said Fyfe staying in the hub would be the best option for the 28-year-old.
“All of our medical staff are here. The best thing is for them to remain here,” Longmuir said. “We’ve got access to everything we need here. And we just don’t have the resources back home to put around players so everyone will stay in the hub.”