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 23.
Lachie Neale
Despite the tough result on Saturday Lachie Neale still had a solid game for the Lions. Neale finished with 22 disposals, five tackles, eight clearances and two goals in the one point loss. Like always Neale was elite at setting up scores for his teammates, recording six score involvements as well as a score launch too. The Kid from Kyby did plenty of damage from stoppages, having seven of his eight clearances coming from stoppage plays. This week Neale and the Lions take on the Bombers at the Gabba in a must-win game to help their chances of making the top four.
Mason Redman
Mason Redman had a bit of a quiet game against the Swans on Friday night with 19 disposals, five marks and four tackles. Redman’s intercept marking was once again great as he recorded two. Red Dog used the footy well with a disposal efficiency of 89.5% for the game. The Bombers will take on the Lions this week at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
Tom McDonald
Tom McDonald had a solid game against the Suns, finishing with 16 disposals, eight marks and two tackles. McDonald was once again great defensively as he had four intercept marks and six spoils. Going forward McDonald was solid as he had three score involvements and a score launch. He was at his best moving the footy as he recorded six rebound 50s. Tomorrow night the Dees will face the Pies at the G.
Jordan Dawson
Jordan Dawson had a solid game for the Crows in Showdown 56, notching up 26 disposals, six marks, 11 tackles and five clearances. The captain was great in the marking contest as he recorded three intercept marks. Heading forward the Robian wasn’t his usual best as he only had two score involvements in the game. This week the Crows will head to Sydney to face the Swans with not much on the line.
Mitch Hinge
Mitch Hinge wasn’t at his best on Saturday night against the Power, registering 19 disposals, four marks, three tackles, four clearances and a goal. Hinge was solid at getting involved in the team’s scoring, having four score involvements in the game. He didn’t have the best disposal efficiency, finishing with a season low 52.6%. After a spectacular season, Hinge will wrap it up this week as the Crows take on the Swans in Sydney.
Darcy Fogarty
Darcy Fogarty didn’t have his best game on Saturday night with seven disposals, two marks and two goals. Once again The Fog was great at setting up scores as he had a goal assist and four score involvements. As he looks to finish this season on a high with one game to go, this has been his best so far. He has kicked 41 goals with one game to go, which is seven more than last year. Fogarty will be looking to add to that when he plays the Swans at the SCG in the side’s final game for 2024.
Rowan Marshall
Rowan Marshall was at his best on Saturday as the Saints took down the Cats. Marshall finished with 28 disposals, seven marks, 10 clearances, one goal and 21 hit outs. Marshall was very strong in the marking contest as he had two intercept marks and three contested marks. Going up forward he recorded six score involvements and two score launches. In the ruck contest Marshall was solid, having a hit out win percentage of 29.6% while also having six hit outs to advantage. As Marshall and the Saints don’t have much to play for this week besides looking at upsetting the Blues, he will look to end the season strong on Sunday.
Jeremy Cameron
Despite the loss to the Saints, Jeremy Cameron still had a good performance for the Cats. Cameron had 16 disposals, seven marks and three goals. In the forward line Jezza was great, finishing with five score involvements and a shot accuracy of 75%. This week the Cats will face the Eagles in Geelong in a must-win game if they want to hold their spot in the top four.
Brad Close
Brad Close wasn’t at his best on Saturday and had possibly his worst game of the 2024 season. Close finished with nine disposals, three marks and a tackle. Despite the tough game, like always Close was getting involved in the scoring as he had a goal assist and four score involvements. As the Cats take on the Eagles Close will be looking to get back on track as the Cats prepare to play finals.
