Ben Keays of the Crows kicks for goal under pressure from Essendon’s Mason Redman.Credit: Getty Images
Does This Sink The Dons?Could this be the night Essendon blew their finals hopes? In a game of savage momentum swings, the Dons gave up the final three goals of the game, including the winner with 51 seconds left, to slump to a two-point loss to Adelaide. In a high-scoring thriller, the Crows led by 36 points in the second term, then gave up seven goals in a row as the Dons seized control. The Bombers appeared to have the game iced entering time-on in the last but two goals to Darcy Fogarty and the winner to Josh Rachele sunk the Dons. The Bombers would have soared to second tonight with victory but could find themselves out of the eight by the end of the round if other results go against them. They will need three wins from their final five games to make the finals. Realistically, they will have to get the job done in the next four matches against St Kilda, Fremantle and Gold Coast - all in Melbourne - given they close out the home and away season against ladder leader Sydney and the red-hot Brisbane at the Gabba.
Walker’s Days NumberedTaylor Walker’s days as the main man in Adelaide’s forward line might be over. This is not to say that Walker’s time is up, but the Crows’ next tilt at the flag will be with Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe as the key targets inside 50. Fogarty played with a swagger and freedom he does not show when Walker is in the side. When all appeared gone for the Crows, his third and fourth goals gave them life. Thilthorpe is not the finished product but the No.2 pick from the 2020 draft must be playing regular senior footy when fit. Three big forwards doesn’t go into two, particularly when none of them play as the second ruck. Out of contract at the end of the year, Walker is still of considerable value as a mentor off the field, and on it should there be injuries.
Just 24 hours after the drama at the AFL’s appeals board, the league’s rules on dangerous tackles are under the microscope again. Adelaide’s Ben Keays and Essendon’s Matt Guelfi both face nervous waits after laying tackles where their opponents’ head hit the turf. Keays brought Jye Caldwell down with a fierce tackle that forced the Bombers midfielder out of the game. Caldwell, with one arm pinned by Keays, was unable to use his free arm to break his fall due to the force of the tackle. After taking some time to get to his feet, Caldwell left the field to be tested. With Caldwell needing to be off for 20 minutes to be tested, the Dons subbed him out. In Guelfi’s tackle, Sam Berry also had one arm pinned but was able to cushion his fall though his head also hit the ground. Guelfi was rewarded with a free kick for holding the ball, and Berry played out the game.
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