Monko's Mirror - Reflections on Round 17 - Pt 3

Saints vs Hawks

The final game on Saturday had the Saints take on the Hawks at the Docklands. Coaches who selected Macrae (139) were handsomely rewarded, with the under-the-roof track specialist scoring big in a week of tricky forward selections. I suspected the Hawks would put some energy into curbing (or at least trying to) the influence of Nasiah the Messiah (176), but he may prove to be the most enigmatic player in the game at the moment. He simply glides around effortlessly – like sands through an hourglass – and appeared to be playing his own code from start to finish. Still, it didn’t help the Saints, who went down by 20 points. Not even the real messiah himself would know where the Saints would be without Nas.

The Hawks were a model of effective, direct football. 10 different goalscorers and Gunston (77) – leading the way with 3. As good as Jack still is, it’s a fair blight on a side that can’t negate his influence, and probably shows you more about where the Saints are at, than where 33 year old Gunston is. Regardless, congrats to the Hawks who have now won four in a row against the Dogs / Crows / Norf and the Saints. Both Meek (149) and Marshall (156) did exactly what they wanted to in the ruck all game. Some very big scores here!

Player To Watch:

Max Hall. I have no idea what to think of this man. A mature aged recruit (23yo) he has absolutely mashed the turbo button in his last two matches, with scores of 110 and 146. However, these numbers don’t tell the full story with how he’s looked around the ball. Contested, combative, goals, pace. He is one I will continue to pay close attention to, but for now, I’m selling / trading into the hype rather than acquiring.

On The Slide:

Dylan Moore. Hard to believe he was an All-Star Card last season, as this season he has largely been ineffective from a fantasy point of view. He strikes me as the kind of player who needs everything to go right to score well in 2025 – the exact opposite of what we look for when selecting our lines.

Next Week:

The Saints host the Swans in what I suspect could be another loosey-goosey high scoring matchup for all the usual suspects. Whilst Windhager didn’t tag in the Hawks game, I suspect normal service will resume against Errol and the Swans.

Meanwhile, the Hawks take on the Dockers over in Perth. I have absolutely no trust in the Dockers to get the job done – and suspect this will be a very close result and a hugely stressful watch for the home fans.

Swans vs Freo

Sunday gave us the two closest games of the round, starting with the resurgent Swans taking on the ‘six-wins-in-a-row-fraud-watch?’ Dockers. It’s amazing to see how much the Swans have improved since some of their stars have returned from injury. Gulden (151) had some sort of quasi-tag applied by Wagner (127), but this ended up fading very quickly. Heeney (109), Lloyd (129), Mills (115) and Big Brodie (132) punched out some good scores on a surface rated a ‘Sandy 10’ by Matt Lane. Is it just me or does everyone feel the need to gamble when they hear his voice commentating? However, I digress. Let’s pause and consider Brodie Grundy. More credit needs to be given to him for his recent form which is simply incredible. In the last 8 games, he has averaged 140. Not bad for a guy whose legend card sold for $750 not long ago.

The Dockers fought on gallantly – and seemed to pluck some tinny goals out when they needed them most. Jackson (105) kicked two, but didn’t have anywhere near the influence he has enjoyed in recent weeks. Serong (54) was completely shut out by Jordan (66) and Andrew Brayshaw (98) could only manage a mediocre midfield score. We know they are a different side in Freo, but what Dockers side will we see next week I wonder? Also, don’t dismiss what Braeden Campbell (79) was able to do to shut down Jordan Clark (56) either – taking the Dockers half-back down to his worst score of the season.

Player To Watch:

Callum Mills. Defender listed and loves to kick-it – Mills has been building nicely in his five games back from injury. Perhaps too risky to select in a stacked back line this season, but should other defenders be reclassified as mids next year (Sheezel perhaps?) players like Mills could end up getting more of a look in. Make sure you’ve got some cards and wait and see.

On The Slide:

Shai Bolton. He huffs, and he puffs, but he blows precisely zero houses in. Flatters to deceive. A category 3 cyclone at his best who I’m now degrading to a permanent tropical depression. Don’t select him and don’t expect anything to change. 

Next Week:

The Swans travel to Marvel and all eyes will be on Windhager’s role on Gulden. Could another Campbell tag on a ‘distributing half-back’ give us something to consider here? You’d be a brave man to fade Nasiah, but Campbell’s role on Clark made me sit up and take notice. 

Dockers fly back to Perth and lick their wounds prior to the Hawks visit. Good luck Freo, but I’m expecting a little bit of heartbreak in this one I’m sorry to say.

Crows vs Dees

The final game of the round was hilarious. As a Melbourne fan, even as we led by 29 points early in the 2^nd quarter, I had absolutely no doubt we were going to get rolled. And, sure enough, that’s exactly what happened. Max Gawn (102) looks like he’s been starring in ‘Man vs Wild – Ruckman Edition’ with more knocks and bruises on him every passing week. He fought on gallantly against the traditionally hard to score against Riley O’Brien (91). Other Melbourne players such as Pickett (113), Bowey (111) and Salem (108) rolled over some acceptable scores, particularly Kossy who seems to be relishing his increased midfield time of recent weeks.

For the Crows, winners in this by 13 points, Rankine (122) looked a class above every time he touched the ball. Dawson (110) was a touch quieter than usual, after starting the game on fire (37 at quarter time), and the dynamic forward combo of Fogarty, Walker, Keays and Thilthorpe caused problems for the Melbourne defence, even though Steven May (124) boxed on (pun intended) with a big score and plenty of key interceptions.

Player To Watch:

Ben Keays. With the injury to Josh Rachele (surgery, but not an ACL) – does Keays get a little more exposure across the half forward line? There is no doubting his talent, and he’s been a multiple goal-kicker in four of the last five rounds. I suspect he will remain very difficult to catch in Fantasy trawling nets, however against the right matchup, could be a very wise POD. 

On The Slide:

He’s only broken the 100 once in his last five games, and to my eye Christian Petracca looked a touch slow against the Crows. Early in the 2^nd quarter, he was caught holding the ball on the broadcast wing, and you could see the Crows lift on the back of pinning one of Melbourne’s premier players. I’m nervous we will trade him. Waa.

Next Week:

The Crows travel to Marvel to play the Western Bullfrogs – I can’t wait for this game. A fantastic test for two in-form teams, and those eyeing off a top 4 finish.

The Dees play North, in what should be a soft matchup. It would be a gutsy move to bet against Gawn, but after what I’ve seen recently, the big man looks absolutely spent. Could Xerri go large here? The last time they met, in Round 2, both big men cancelled each other out a bit, with Xerri having a 101 and Gawn only 69.