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 9.
Tom McDonald
Tom McDonald had another solid game on Thursday night with 13 disposals, four marks and eight kicks.
Although the Dees did not get the win McDonald was still solid in defence with nine spoils.
McDonald was once again very smart with the footy, finishing with a 92.3% disposal efficiency.
This week McDonald and the Dees head to Perth to take on the Eagles on Sunday.
Jeremy Cameron
Jeremy Cameron and the Cats had a rough night against the Power on Friday.
Cameron had 18 disposals, 15 kicks and a goal in the game.
Jezza did not kick his best in the game, having three shots at goal and finishing with a goal and a point.
Dartmoor’s favourite son did a good job of being involved in the forward line with two goal assists and six score involvements.
Late in the game Cameron had a nasty fall where his head hit the ground, he has since entered concussion protocols and will miss tonight’s game against the Suns.
Brad Close
Brad Close had a solid game for the Cats on Friday night with 11 disposals, seven handballs and two goals.
The former Northie was once again heavily involved in the forward line having five score involvements.
Close was also effective with the football, having an 81.8% disposal efficiency.
After winning seven games in a row the Cats are now on a two game losing streak and will have to be at their best this week as they play the Suns tonight in Darwin.
Rowan Marshall
Rowan Marshall had a big game for the Saints on Saturday, registering 28 disposals, 11 tackles, 12 clearances, 24 kicks and 35 hitouts.
After having a couple average games it’s good to see Marshall back to his best.
Marshall’s defensive game was also very good in this game, having two intercept marks in the game.
So far this year the Saints have not been having their ideal season but this week they will be hoping for a win as they play Freo at Marvel on Saturday night.
Mason Redman
Mason Redman had his first big game of the season as the Bombers took down the Giants.
Red Dog had 26 disposals, 12 marks, 21 kicks and he also kicked his first goal for the season.
Redman did a good job setting up scores for the Bombers finishing with four score involvements and three score launches.
Out of his 12 marks, four of them were intercepts, which is something he has been improving on over the past couple of weeks.
This week the Bombers should have an easy match up as they play the Roos on Sunday.
Jordan Dawson
Jordan Dawson had another great game as the Crows and the Lions ended in a draw.
Dawson finished with 27 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and 19 kicks.
The captain was once again a big factor for the Crows as he recorded two goal assists, 10 score involvements and five score launches.
In this game Dawson had his best disposal efficiency for the year with 85.2% – something he has struggled with all season.
This week the Crows have a tough game against the Pies on Saturday afternoon at the G.
Darcy Fogarty
After a rough start to the season Darcy Fogarty has begun to string together some solid games.
The Fog had four goals, 14 disposals, seven marks and 13 kicks in the draw.
Fogarty is beginning to be a consistent scorer for the Crows, now having six goals in the last two games and he is beginning to be a bigger threat in the forward line with three marks inside the 50.
Fogarty also had eight score involvements, something he has done well this season as he averages 5.2 score involvements a game.
This week Fogarty will have a tough matchup against the Pies on Saturday.
Mitch Hinge
Mitch Hinge had a quiet night on Sunday against the Lions, with 18 disposals, 12 kicks and six handballs.
Hinge did not make a big impact in this game but he did do a good job at moving the footy as he recorded eight rebound 50s.
This is now back to back games where he has had eight rebound 50s.
This week Hinge will have a tough task against the Pies on Saturday.
Lachie Neale
Lachie Neale had another solid game for the Lions as they drew with the Crows.
Neale had 25 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and 16 handballs.
Neale was not as involved with the team’s scoring as he usually is as he had a goal assist and two score involvements.
Neale’s tackling has been really impressive over the past couple of weeks as he has had back to back games with 6+ tackles.
This week Neale and the Lions will take on the Tigers on Saturday night at the Gabba.
