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 8.
Jordan Dawson
Jordan Dawson had another great game in Showdown 55.
The Crows captain had 24 disposals, 19 kicks, five tackles and five clearances in the win.
This was another great win for the Crows and this season Dawson has elevated himself as a top captain with another showdown win.
The Robian was involved in the play all over the field, having a goal assist and five score involvements.
Since becoming captain of the Crows Dawson is 3-0 in Showdowns so far.
This week Dawson and the Crows have another big game against the Lions at home in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
Mitch Hinge
Mitch Hinge had one of his best games of the season in the showdown.
Hinge finished with 25 disposals, 15 kicks and 10 handballs while also having a season high five tackles.
Although Port did not kick that straight in the game, Hinge and the back line did well to hold the Power to 48 points.
He was great at getting the footy out of the backline as he recorded a season high eight rebound 50s.
So far Hinge has been having a career season and he has elevated himself as a top player in the Crows team.
This week Hinge will have a tough job against the Lions on Sunday afternoon.
Darcy Fogarty
Darcy Fogarty had a well needed bounce back game against the Power.
Fogarty had 14 disposals, nine marks and nine kicks while also kicking two goals in what was his best game so far this year.
The Fog also provided some defensive pressure, recording four tackles in the game.
Fogarty continued to be heavily involved in the forward line as he had four score involvements.
After this great game Fogarty will need to keep this form this week against the Lions.
Rowan Marshall
Rowan Marshall had a great bounce back game against the Roos with 19 disposals, 14 kicks, six tackles and 20 hit outs in the win.
Marshall did a great job helping the team get points on the board, kicking a goal while also having two goal assists and seven score involvements.
Marshall did not have the best game in the ruck, as he let his opponent have 40 hit outs.
Marshall and the Saints should have a good battle against the Hawks this week on Saturday afternoon.
Toby Pink
After being dropped back down into the VFL Toby Pink returned to the AFL this week as a sub.
Pink entered the game against the Saints in the third quarter.
In his limited game time he had three disposals, two marks and two kicks in the game.
A positive sight to see was that Pink had a goal assist in the game too.
If Pink can remain in the side this week then he and the Roos will take on the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night in Darwin.
Tom McDonald
Tom McDonald had another solid game against the Cats as the Dees dished them their first loss of the year.
McDonald had 12 disposals, seven marks and nine kicks in the game while having a disposal efficiency of 100%.
McDonald was a part of lots of key plays for the Dees, recording five score involvements and two score launches.
So far he has been putting together a very solid season while also doing a good job at staying healthy.
Tonight McDonald and the Dees take on the Blues at the G which should be a very exciting match.
Jeremy Cameron
Jeremy Cameron had his worst game of the season on Saturday night, finishing the game with 15 disposals, seven marks and 11 kicks.
Jezza did not have his kicking boots on in this game as he had three shots at goal and finished with three points.
Cameron was still making an impact though as he had a goal assist and six score involvements.
This week Cameron and the Cats will have to leave this game in the past as they face the Power at the Cattery tomorrow night.
Brad Close
Brad Close had a solid game against the Dees on Saturday night.
Close had 18 disposals, nine kicks, nine marks and a goal.
In the forward line Close also had five score involvements and one score launch.
The former Northie has continued to have a solid season this year and so far has done a really good job at playing at half forward this season.
Close should have a good matchup against the Power tomorrow night.
Mason Redman
Mason Redman had another solid game on Saturday night against the Eagles with 20 disposals, 15 kicks and five handballs.
Red Dog was very good defensively, having four marks with all of them being intercepts which is quite impressive.
Once again Redman did a good job at moving the footy for the Bombers with five rebound 50s.
This week Redman and the Bombers have a tough game against the Giants on Saturday afternoon at Marvel.
Lachie Neale
Lachie Neale and the Brisbane Lions had another huge game this week in the Q Clash.
Neale had 34 disposals, nine marks, eight tackles, 15 kicks and 19 handballs.
Neale was doing it all for the Lions, having eight score involvements, four score launches and two goals assists.
This game was by far his best game this year and the Kid from Kyby has continued to perform well in an overall rough season for the Lions.
Neale will head to SA this week to face the Crows which should be a great contest for both sides.
Lincoln McCarthy
Lincoln McCarthy suffered a nasty knee injury very early in the game and did not return.
It’s likely that McCarthy has injured his ACL and it’s highly unlikely that he will return this season.