AFL round 6 - Use your head

In today’s fast paced game it’s hard for players to think before reacting to the play but luckily playing off instinct usually has the best results.

No one can accuse North Melbourne’s Brady Rawlings and Brett Hardy of playing with their heads after celebrating a 64-all draw against Sydney. The Kangaroo’s players were left red faced much like Nathan Brown last week when they eventually realised they had not won the game.

Brett Kirk almost proved devils advocate for the Kangaroos going for a six pointer with 66 seconds remaining. But Michael Firrito proved the home sides’ saviour leaping high to deny the Swans a fairytale finish.

Daniel Kerr found a way to use his head however; head butting Scott West in West Coast’s 60 point loss to the Western Bulldogs. Things are looking grim for the new Eagles outfit who are sitting second last on the ladder with just one win. The dogs were never really troubled as they continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Hawthorn remains undefeated this year and with their worst performance of the season perhaps proved they are the real deal. In a flood of errors and missed kicks the Hawks somehow found a way to win against an improved Richmond side, something all good signs learn to do. Unfortunately the Tigers found a way too lose 14.22 (106) to 15.4 (94) despite their opponent’s poor form.

The highly favoured Geelong Cats escaped what was looking like a surprise loss to out of form Freemantle but not without giving up a life. An acute angle proved just too difficult for Matthew Pavlich whose shot hit the post denying his side a miraculous victory. The Cats prevailed 13.11 (89) to 13.10 (88).

A second quatre onslaught from the Brisbane Lions denied a dismal Melbourne outfit any chance of Victory. The 19.23 (127) to 13.7 (85) score line almost flatters the Demons with the Lions missing countless straight forward attempts. Simon Black was instrumental in the Lions win with a standout performance and 36 possessions.

Port Adelaide was another team to create an unbeatable lead early in the match. Port put a three goal deficit on St Kilda in the first quatre and managed to hold it for the game, winning 12.10 (82) to 9.7 (61). Power’s commitment to every contest for the ball denied their opposition the possession they needed to get back into the match. Powers defence was a feature of the match which rendered the Saints’ forward line ineffective.

Carlton’s big names weren’t enough against Adelaide whose younger men kept the likes of Chris Judd at bay for most of the game. Brendan Fevola has been in hot form over the last three weeks with 22 goals but was kept to 1.3 as his side was dominated by the Crows 16.15 (111) to 11.15 (81).

The tradition Anzac day clash had all the hype but didn’t have the game to match the excitement. A packed crowd at the MCG witnessed Collingwood fight back from a two-game losing streak to smash Essendon by 73 points. Collingwood scored six unanswered goals late in the first quatre and eight more either side of the break to leave Essendon in their wake.