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 5.
Lachie Neale
It was an eventful night for the Brisbane Lions and Lachie Neale as the Kid from Kyby played his 250th game and his team picked up a big win over the Dees on Thursday night at the G.
In his milestone game Neale had 24 disposals, 18 handballs, five tackles and eight clearances.
Neale and the other Lions mids dominated and were in control of the field throughout the game.
The former local played a big part in the game, having six score involvements and one goal assist.
After a slow start to the season the Lions have found some good form and are starting to look like a top team again.
This week Neale and the Lions face the Cats at the Gabba on Saturday night, which should be a good challenge.
Lincoln McCarthy
Lincoln McCarthy had an average game on Thursday night, finishing with 13 disposals, eight kicks and a goal assist in the game.
After stringing together a few good games McCarthy was not at his best against the Dees.
He could not register a goal in the game, managing a solitary point.
McCarthy however still found a way to get involved in the game having five score involvements.
This week McCarthy has a good battle against his former Cats’ side which is still undefeated.
Tom McDonald
In his team’s loss Tom McDonald still had a respectable game with 17 disposals, nine kicks and eight marks.
Five of these marks were intercepts which is quite an impressive stat line.
McDonald and the Dees backline was constantly in the spotlight with the Lions having repeated forward 50 entrances.
McDonald was a threat in the air, having seven spoils and did well moving the footy with four rebound 50s.
This week McDonald and the Dees have a bye as they begin to prepare for their Anzac eve clash against the Tigers.
Mason Redman
Mason Redman and the Bombers picked up another big win over the Doggies on Friday with Redman bouncing back after a disappointing game last week.
He had 21 disposals, 18 kicks and six marks in the game.
Red Dog had good aerial defence, recording a season high four spoils and doing an amazing job at moving the footy out of the backline.
Redman had a season high eight rebound 50s as well as finishing with a 90.5% disposal efficiency.
This week Redman and the Bombers have a prime time game against the Crows in Adelaide on Friday night.
Rowan Marshall
Rowan Marshall had a monster game on Saturday afternoon against the Giants with 28 disposals, seven marks, 16 clearances, and 22 kicks.
Marshall also had a great battle in the ruck finishing with 25 hit outs.
Although the Saints could not get the win Marshall did a good job at setting up teammates to score.
He had six score involvements, one goal assist and three score launches in the game.
This week Marshall probably has his toughest game ahead of him as the Saints face the Doggies tonight at Marvel, with the former local set to face Tim English who is the other top ruckman in the game.
Jordan Dawson
Jordan Dawson and the Adelaide Crows finally picked up their first win as they took down the Blues in a thrilling game.
On paper this was Dawson’s worst game of the season, but being the captain Dawson does not have to fill the stat sheet to lead his team.
Robe’s favourite son had 12 disposals, five tackles and nine kicks in the game.
Defensively Dawson was very good, recording 30 pressure acts in the game.
Scoring wise he played a big role in the Crows’ success, having a goal in the game as well as one goal assist and six score involvements.
This week the Crows have a big game against the Bombers at home on Friday night.
Mitch Hinge
Mitch Hinge had yet another great game on the weekend and is putting together a very good season so far.
He had 26 disposals, 14 kicks and 12 handballs.
In stoppages Hinge did well moving the ball forward, having two clearances.
For a third successive game, Hinge had five rebound 50s.
After another great game Hinge has been looking like the Crows’ best defender this season and will be needing to play his best this week against the Bombers.
Darcy Fogarty
Darcy Fogarty was pretty much a ghost against the Blues, only registering six disposals, two marks and two kicks.
Although he did not have many touches when he did get the footy he made an impact.
Fog had two goal assists and three score involvements in the game.
This season has been an up and down one for Fogarty and Friday night against the Bombers should be a good game for him to really make a difference in the game.
Jeremy Cameron
Jeremy Cameron went off on Sunday afternoon and had a monster game against the Roos, contributing 21 disposals, 16 kicks and eight marks as well as a season and game high six goals.
Jezza was instrumental in the forward line, having three goal assists, 11 score involvements and two score launches.
This was by far Cameron’s best game of the season so far showing why he is such a great forward target for the Cats, to be now tied fourth in the Coleman.
This week the Cats have a tough task against the Lions as they head to Brisbane for the Saturday night clash.
Brad Close
After building up each week Brad Close has finally had his breakout game this year.
Close had 13 disposals, eight kicks and four goals while having a 100% shot at goal accuracy.
Close played his half forward role well, recording eight score involvements and a goal assist.
So far he has been having a pretty good season – and while it’s not yet a stand out year – he is playing his role well and it is showing with how the team has been performing this year.
This week will be another big challenge for Close as the Lions have started to find some confidence and are looking like a tough side to face again.
