Round five of the AFL premiership season saw four Tasmanians play their first senior games for 2018, with Maverick Weller particularly impressing in St Kilda’s thrilling draw with GWS, but as Josh Partridge writes, Mav’s brother Lachie and key Kangaroo Ben Brown also impressed across a marathon round of action.
Sydney vs Adelaide – SCG, Friday 20/04/18
Hugh Greenwood – Adelaide #1
TSL Club Represented: Lauderdale
Greenwood’s influence for the Crows on Friday night was told by the 11 tackles laid by the 191cm monster. Greenwood committed 27 pressure acts around the ground, highlighting his willingness and ability to do the little things that produce big results for his side. The only blemish on Greenwood’s night was the disposal efficiency, going at 50% from his 16 disposals, but he is further solidifying his place and importance in this Adelaide juggernaut’s best 22 week by week. AFL Fantasy Points: 86
St Kilda vs Greater Western Sydney, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 21/04/18
Maverick Weller – St Kilda #44
TSL Club Represented: Burnie Dockers
As one Tasmanian Saint in Jimmy Webster comes out of the side, another comes in with Maverick Weller making his AFL return off the back of some strong VFL performances. Mav was certainly not out of place in his first game back, collecting 25 disposals, including 18 uncontested at 68% efficiency. Weller’s bone-crunching tackles have been missed by Saints fans, but he quickly re-established his reputationin his first game back, laying a massive tackle on Lachie Whitfield early in the match. AFL Fantasy Points: 97
Carlton vs West Coast – MCG, Saturday 21/04/18
Liam Jones – Carlton #14
TSL Club Represented: North Hobart
Named in Carlton’s best players for the first time this year, Jones’ return to form helped the Blues stay within West Coast’s grasp on Saturday. Jones collected 15 disposals at 80%, but it was his prowess through the air that saw him return to some of the career-best form displayed last season. Jones plucked 10 marks, while also applying 16 one percenters, as he continues to get confidence back in his game. AFL Fantasy Points: 77
Andrew Phillips – Carlton #34
TSL Club Represented: Lauderdale
Matthew Kreuzer’s groin injury opened the door for former GWS ruckman Andrew Phillips, who lined up for his first senior game for 2018. Rucking against the Eagles’ tandem of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett was always going to be a tough initiation for Phillips, but he held his own with 24 hit outs, although he was quiet around the ground, collecting six disposals. The opportunity for Phillips to play at the top level due to Kreuzer’s injury will only help the former Lauderdale player. AFL Fantasy Points: 65
Port Adelaide vs Geelong – Adelaide Oval, Saturday 21/04/18
Jake Kolodjashnij – Geelong #8
TSL Club Represented: Launceston
It was a bit of a quiet one for Jake this week, picking up the 8 disposals in Geelong’s 34-point win over Port Adelaide. Kolodjashnij, who is yet to score a goal at AFL level, nearly broke through for his maiden AFL major, but kicked the sixth behind of his career with a rare possession in the forward half. Kolodjashnij is quickly emerging as one of the more experienced players in this Geelong backline, and alongside inexperienced players like Jack Henry and Jordan Cunico, Kolodjashnij will be looking to bounce back with a tough test against the Swans. AFL Fantasy Points: 35
Jackson Thurlow – Geelong #40
Jackson Thurlow made his return to Geelong’s senior side. IC: AFL Photos
TSL Club Represented: Launceston
Another Tasmanian selected for his first game of the season, Jackson Thurlow had 12 disposals across half back and up onto the wing as the Cats accounted for the Power. With three rebound 50s and two inside 50s, it was a combination of two different roles for the former Launceston player that underlined his night. In a year that would seem make or break for Thurlow, opportunities at AFL level are a godsend for him and will need to take them with both hands, as his best football is undoubtedly good enough. AFL Fantasy Points: 53
Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs – Optus Stadium, Saturday 21/04/18
Alex Pearce – Fremantle #25
TSL Club Represented: Devonport
Listed by AFL.com.au as Fremantle’s surprise packet of the year and the man most likely to take on Josh J Kennedy next week, Pearce is in career-best form at the moment. Pearce had 13 disposals on the weekend, keeping big man Tom Boyd to only two goals as he continues to drain key forwards’ ability to significantly impact the scoreboard. AFL Fantasy Points: 43
North Melbourne vs Hawthorn – Etihad Stadium, 22/04/18
Ben Brown – North Melbourne #50
Ben Brown’s phenomenal 2018 continued. IC: AFL Photos
TSL Club Represented: Devonport / Glenorchy
Is there anything this man cannot do in front of the big sticks? Currently leading the Coleman Medal with 19 goals, Brown kicked 4.1 on the weekend to get the ‘Roos over the line in what many would say was a shock win for the club. Sitting one goal clear of Lance Franklin at the top of the table, and with Buddy set to miss several weeks of football with a bruised heel, Brown is in with a big shot to further his dominance over the competition. AFL Fantasy Points: 80
Brisbane vs Gold Coast – Gabba, 22/04/18
Mitch Robinson – Brisbane #5
TSL Club Represented: Lauderdale
Brisbane supporters have come to love and expect solid performances from Mitch Robinson, and he delivered another trademark effort in the Q Clash. With 24 disposals accompanied by seven marks and seven intercept possessions, the Brisbane brute is a consistent player for the Lions as they continue their rebuild towards the top of the table. AFL Fantasy Points: 95
Jesse Lonergan – Gold Coast #7
TSL Club Represented: Launceston
Another Tasmanian playing their first game for the year this round, Lonergan’s season debut came at a cost from a Tasmanian perspective, with fellow Tasmanians Aaron Hall and Kade Kolodjashnij missing. Despite this, Lonergan slotted into his role nicely across the back flank and wing, collecting 15 disposals at 67% efficiency including 5 intercept possessions. Hopefully Stewie Dew likes what he sees and Lonergan maintains his spot within the best 22 for a few more rounds at the very least. AFL Fantasy Points: 56
Lachie Weller – Gold Coast #14
Originally From: Burnie Dockers
Weller delivered his best performance for his new club on Sunday, appearing to be everywhere around the ground in the Suns’ third win for 2018. Named in Gold Coast’s best players, Weller picked up 23 possessions at 70%, with nine marks and eight intercept possessions making this a day out for the former Docker. AFL Fantasy Points: 87
Melbourne vs Richmond – MCG, 24/04/18
Jack Riewoldt – Richmond #8
TSL Club Represented: Clarence
Jack Riewoldt kicked 2.2 in the Tigers’ dominant win over Melbourne. The Tigers star was handy, but was down on efficiency, going at 33% with his 12 disposals and 40% in front of goal, with one of his shots going out on the full. Jack collected several disposals on the wings, floating up the ground for the Tigers, while also laying five tackles. AFL Fantasy Points: 78
Toby Nankervis – Richmond #25
TSL Club Represented: North Launceston
Nank struggled in the hit-out count against Max Gawn, going down 56 to 19. Nankervis picked up 14 disposals at only 29% efficiency but committed 10 one percenters around the ground for the Tigers to ensure he made an impact. Coming up against Brodie Grundy next week will be another test for the former North Launceston ruckman, but Nank is known to step up in the big games and moments, so expect him to be in for a big one. AFL Fantasy Points: 56
Collingwood vs Essendon – MCG, 25/04/18
Jeremy Howe – Collingwood #38
TSL Club Represented: Hobart
Howe collected 16 disposals on ANZAC day for the Pies in a respectable showing by the former Melbourne forward. Collecting rebound 50’s is quickly becoming a staple for Howe’s play, exiting the defensive 50 four more times on Wednesday afternoon, bringing his year tally to 26 – making him 8th in the AFL for the statistic. AFL Fantasy Points: 82
Tom Bellchambers – Essendon #2
TSL Club Represented: Launceston/North Launceston
Two different styles of ruckman were in battle on ANZAC Day, with Brodie Grundy, an around the ground athletic ball winner, facing Tom Bellchambers, the tall, lumbering hit-out winner. It was Grundy who won the hit-out count 32 to 20, but Bellchambers had a solid day himself with 13 disposals and five marks against one of the game’s premier ruckman. AFL Fantasy Points: 64
Josh Green – Essendon #15
TSL Club Represented: Clarence
The former Clarence goalsneak had a frustrating day, injuring his right hamstring early in the opening term. Green came back onto the ground but was off minutes later and missed the entire second half. Green’s injury will keep him out of the side to take on the Dees this round, so it will be interesting to see how long he is stuck on the sidelines for. AFL Fantasy Points: 4