The Limestone Coast is well represented in the AFL with plenty of home-grown players starring on the national stage.
The SE Voice’s sports journo Will Boston takes a look at how our locals fared in Round 7.
TOM MCDONALD
Tom McDonald had another solid game in the Dees win against the Tigers on Anzac Day eve.
McDonald had 14 disposals, eight marks and 11 kicks in the game.
Out of those eight marks, four were intercepts which was something that McDonald did well against the Tigers’ forward line that was a lot smaller than usual.
Working out of the backline, McDonald had four rebound 50s while also having four score involvements and a season high three score launches.
This season McDonlad has had a solid year and has been a crucial piece in the Demons’ backline after the retirement of Angus Brayshaw.
This week McDonald and the Demons have a very tough game as they face the undefeated Cats on Saturday night at the G.
MASON REDMAN
Mason Redman had a bit of an underwhelming game against the Pies on Anzac Day.
Redman had 16 disposals, 11 kicks and five handballs in the draw.
He did make a bit of an impact in the team’s scoring with having goal assists and two score involvements.
Redman was once again good at getting the footy out of the backline as he had six rebound 50s.
He was also solid in the air, recording three spoils in the game.
This week Redman and the Bombers will head to Perth to take on the Eagles on Saturday night.
LACHIE NEALE
Lachie Neale and the Lions had a tough game against the Giants on Anzac Day.
Neale had a season low 21 disposals while having 13 handballs and eight kicks.
His work in stoppages was still very good as he had seven clearances in the game.
Neale is normally involved heavily in the Lions scoring, but in this game he did not have much of an impact.
Neale had three score involvements which is very low considering he is averaging 5.3 this year.
After winning two games in a row then losing two in a row to the two top teams this year, Neale and the Lions should come away with a win this week.
They face the Suns at the Gabba on Sunday night.
LINCOLN MCCARTHY
Lincoln McCarthy had a quiet night against the Giants on Anzac Day, with nine disposals, seven kicks and one goal.
This was probably McCarthy’s worst game so far this season as this is the first time he has recorded under double digit disposals.
McCarthy did not kick the ball that well either, as he had three scoring shots and only had the one goal.
He was still involved in the forwardline, having six score involvements in the game.
McCarthy should have a good matchup this week as the Lions face the Suns on Sunday.
ROWAN MARSHALL
Rowan Marshall had another down game on Friday night against the Power.
Marshall had 11 disposals, four marks and seven kicks which was very similar to last week.
Marshall did dominate in ruck contests, having 31 hitouts.
A solid part from Marshall’s game was that he had five score involvements and two score launches.
This week Marshall and the Saints take on the Roos, a game that Marshall should dominate.
JORDAN DAWSON
Jordan Dawson had another huge game on Saturday against the Roos.
In the team’s win, Dawson had 27 disposals, nine marks, 24 kicks and a goal.
He was doing everything for the Crows, having two goal assists, a season high 11 score involvements and four score launches in the game.
Over the past few weeks Dawson has found some top form which has been a big benefit towards the Crows with how well they have been playing lately.
Tonight the Crows have possibly their biggest game of the season as they face the Power in the classic showdown match up to kick off the AFL’s Round 8 proceedings.
MITCH HINGE
Mitch Hinge had his first “down” game against the Roos on Saturday.
Hinge had 16 disposals, 10 kicks and six handballs in the win over the Roos.
He finished the game with a 87.5% disposal efficiency and still made scoring impacts on the team, finishing with five score involvements.
Tonight Hinge will have to be playing at his best as the Crows take on the Power in the showdown.
DARCY FOGARTY
Darcy Fogarty had a solid bounce back game on the weekend with 13 disposals, six marks, seven kicks and a goal.
This week Fogarty made himself more of a target in the forward line, having four marks on the lead (three more than last week).
He was a big team player in the game, recording two goal assists and seven score involvements.
This week Fogarty will need to have his best game as the Crows play the Power in the SA showdown.
JEREMY CAMERON
Jeremy Cameron was in fine form on Saturday against the Blues, with the Cats coming out with a big win to stay undefeated.
Cameron had 17 disposals, nine marks, 11 kicks and a massive five goals.
As well as his five goals, Cameron had a goal assist, nine score involvements and three score launches in the game.
So far this season Cameron has been amazing for the Cats and their success.
Cameron currently has 19 goals and sits fourth in the Coleman Medal race with only a four-goal difference to Charlie Curnow at the top.
The Cats have a big clash against the Dees on Saturday night.
BRAD CLOSE
Brad Close did not have his best game against the Blues, with 11 disposals, nine handballs and two tackles.
Although Close did not have a big game, he still made impacts in other ways, with two goal assists and six score involvements.
This was the first week Close has not kicked a goal, which is quite surprising.
Defensively Close was very good in this game, he had a season-high 28 pressure acts which is a good sign that he can have an impact against a top team like Carlton.
This week Close will have another tough battle against a very physical Dees team that will make him work for the footy.
