to call back play after almost a minute, because Rowan Marshall maybe-possibly took a mark on the goalline<\/a>, and it was a poor weekend for the reputation of the whistle-blowers.<\/p>\nAmong all the grumpiness, spare a thought though for boundary umpire Patrick Dineen, who had to exit Friday night\u2019s Dees-Tigers game midway through the second quarter.<\/p>\n
The boundary umpire lost his footing and landed on his arm awkwardly while bracing for his fall before being taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm.<\/p>\n
\u2018SCARING THE COMP\u2019: UPSIDE \u2014 AND DOWNSIDE \u2014 OF PLAYING \u2018PRELIM FINAL FOOTY\u2019 EVERY WEEK AT ROUND 7<\/p>\n
The Swans have emphatically flipped the script in 2026.<\/p>\n
But too emphatically, too early?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the standard \u2018good\u2019 problem coach Dean Cox would rather have, especially when you consider the team\u2019s uncharacteristic state 12 months ago.<\/p>\n
After Round 7 last year, Sydney sat 14th on the ladder with just two wins. With key personnel missing, the Swans were still seeking cohesion and consistency \u2014 a rare position for a club that has perennially contended for over two decades.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to Round 7 this year and, after a commanding win over the Western Bulldogs, the Swans are arguably the AFL\u2019s benchmark and most complete side. They\u2019re on top of the ladder, ranked a clear No.1 for points scored and, more impressively, No.1 for least points conceded.<\/p>\n
Dual premiership Kangaroo David King on Thursday night declared the Swans \u201csent a shock through the competition\u201d with their win against the Dogs, which was driven by a ruthless defensive edge, rather than their offensive flair.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are in great order Sydney,\u201d King told Fox Footy. \u201cTheir ability without the footy \u2013 we don\u2019t talk enough about it. You win premierships off pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey play preliminary final football every week right now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a different product to last year and I think they\u2019re scaring the competition with the way they hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ladder leader after Round 7 (plus eventual premier & their ladder position at the time)<\/p>\n
2025: Collingwood (Brisbane 2nd)<\/p>\n
2024: Geelong (Brisbane 13th)<\/p>\n
2023: Collingwood (won flag)<\/p>\n
2022: Melbourne (Geelong 7th)<\/p>\n
2021: Melbourne (won flag)<\/p>\n
2020: Port Adelaide (Richmond 4th)<\/p>\n
2019: Geelong (Richmond 9th)<\/p>\n
2018: Richmond (West Coast 2nd)<\/p>\n
2017: Adelaide (Richmond 6th)<\/p>\n
2016: North Melbourne (Bulldogs 4th)<\/p>\n
2015: Fremantle (Hawthorn 6th)<\/p>\n
Curnow kicks 7 in convincing Swans win | 03:49<\/p>\n
Sydney\u2019s defensive improvement, crucially, hasn\u2019t come at the expense of its attacking flair. The team\u2019s ball movement and transition \u2014 specifically its ability to run and link up via hand \u2014 is still its greatest \u201cweapon\u201d, according to dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna.<\/p>\n
Remember, the Swans are still without arguably their biggest ball movement puzzle piece in Errol Gulden due to injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far this year no one has really been able to counter it,\u201d Montagna told Fox Footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re the best team early in the year, other teams go to work and go: \u2018OK, when we come up against Sydney, how do we try and combat this handball game?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Defender Tom McCartin credited a new addition to the Swans\u2019 coaching panel \u2014 ex-Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin \u2014 for their offensive brilliance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re playing a bit quicker,\u201d McCartin told Fox Footy. \u201cI think Simon Goodwin has been a great addition for us. He runs the offence\u2026 he just instils a lot of confidence in everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
And when you consider Cox is just 30 games into his coaching tenure, King suggested the Swans\u2019 surge has come quicker than expected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis brand has taken hold quickly. Probably even Dean Cox didn\u2019t think it would look like this after seven rounds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s just damage everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cox praises Swans second-half demolition | 08:06<\/p>\n
But while their results and gamestyle have been eye-catching, pundits \u2014 and the Swans internally \u2014 know April dominance doesn\u2019t lead to September glory.<\/p>\n
Just ask Melbourne in 2021 and 2022, or Geelong in 2019, or North Melbourne in 2016, or Collingwood last year.<\/p>\n
Or Sydney in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t really mean much until finals comes around,\u201d McCartin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to be peaking at the right time. We\u2019ve had a really good start to the year, but we want to be peaking in September.\u201d<\/p>\n
Montagna highlighted the delicate balancing act the Sydney coaching staff now faces for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt must be hard as a coach when you\u2019re playing this well this early, because it\u2019s such a long race,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be conscious of the messaging \u2026 keeping everyone up for a long year and trying to find ways to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n
But as Hall of Fame legend Jason Dunstall pointed out: \u201cYou\u2019d still rather be winning games than not winning them early.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Swans are the competition\u2019s early pace-setter. They\u2019re clearly a genuine premiership threat.<\/p>\n
But for a club that\u2019s made 10 of the past 13 finals series \u2014 including four losing Grand Finals \u2014 it knows the long game remains top priority.<\/p>\n
Pendlebury ‘unlikely’ to play next game | 00:59<\/p>\n
NO TO BUTTERS? BOMBERS\u2019 FREE AGENCY PLANS REVEALED \u2014 WITH A CAVEAT<\/p>\n
It was clear to see how long the road still is ahead of the Bombers after an Anzac Day humiliation, despite a promising couple of weeks. <\/p>\n
And it seems the Bombers know exactly where they\u2019re at.<\/p>\n
Essendon reportedly won\u2019t pursue free agent Zak Butters if it means giving up high-end draft capital, as the rebuilding club looks to preserve its draft hand. <\/p>\n
The Bombers have been linked to big-name free agents including Butters and Brisbane\u2019s Zac Bailey. They remain interested in such superstars. <\/p>\n
But not at the expense of their draft stock, with Essendon currently slated to hold the No.2 pick. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bombers are interested in Zac Bailey still, but you can put a line through them on Zak Butters. The difference is the Power will want two very early, or three, first-first-round draft pick,\u201d chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark explained on Fox Footy. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor where the Bombers are at at the moment, it\u2019s a clear build. They\u2019re currently holding Pick 2. They\u2019re not going to forgo Pick 2 and another early first-round selection for Zak Butters \u2014 not for where they\u2019re at. They\u2019re in rebuild mode.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dons ditch Butters as eyes set on Bailey | 01:07<\/p>\n
While Butters and Bailey are both free agents, the key difference is that Port Adelaide has the financial flexibility to essentially match any offer that comes Butters\u2019 way and force a trade. <\/p>\n
Whereas Brisbane\u2019s salary cap is already tight and the Lions mightn\u2019t necessarily have the capacity to dig too deep into the wallet. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s already been reports Adelaide has offered Bailey a monster deal of at least seven years worth upwards of $10 million. <\/p>\n
We\u2019ve seen good players tip out of premiership teams many times before. <\/p>\n
But in the case with Butters, Essendon doesn\u2019t want to get in a bidding war as it prioritises bringing more youth through the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey can still get Zac Bailey for free as a free agent, but this is a very different scenario for Zak Butters. Because Port will match a big-money bid up to to $2 or $2.2 million,\u201d Clark continued. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut there\u2019s no way they should be giving up their early picks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt endorsed it as a \u201csmart move\u201d from Essendon, particularly with Tasmania\u2019s looming entry into the competition and the 19th club dominating future drafts. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith Tasmania coming into the competition soon, the draft is going to be diluted again,\u201d Riewoldt added. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is their last chance to get talent in before you\u2019ve got 19 teams in the competition. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be doing it every day of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pendles masterclass dismantles Dons | 03:32<\/p>\n
THE SPECIAL ACT THAT SPEAKS TO WHERE DEES, SUPERSTAR ARE AT… AND THE RARE AIR HE\u2019S NOW IN<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I want to do: be the best in the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those were Kysaiah Pickett\u2019s words to Fox Footy after Melbourne\u2019s 11-goal win over Richmond last Friday night. And if his incredible 29-disposal, four-goal performance was anything to go by, he\u2019s not far off sitting at the league\u2019s apex of superstars.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old was unsurprisingly named the Frank \u2018Checker\u2019 Hughes Medal winner in the annual Anzac Day Eve clash. But remarkably, his performance came off a five-day break in which he spent time away from the playing group.<\/p>\n
Demons head coach Steven King revealed post-game that Pickett had travelled to the Northern Territory to spend time with his daughter for her birthday \u2014 a particularly fascinating detail given the ultra-short turnaround between games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just in awe of his game, to be honest,\u201d King told journalists post-game.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn a five-day break, the way he looked after and managed his body. He came back, trained, and then to do that tonight, it\u2019s pretty amazing to watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the player and performer that \u2018Kozzy\u2019 is, the package he\u2019s got \u2014 skill, athleticism, courage. He\u2019s got that hardness about him. It\u2019s inspiring, a real pleasure and a treat for me to coach … the things he does on the footy field, it\u2019s electric.\u201d<\/p>\n
The uncommon move is one Melbourne has embraced from day one this season with their superstar, and is a huge green light to the level of trust between the club\u2019s players, coaches and staff amid their red-hot 5-2 start to the year.<\/p>\n
Pickett poses with the Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes Medal during the 2026 AFL Anzac Day Eve match between the Richmond Tigers and the Melbourne Demons at the MCG on April 24, 2026 (Photo by Michael Willson via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
After seven rounds, Pickett is averaging just under 25 disposals and 1.4 goals per game, while also ranking elite for inside 50s and shots on goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just marvel at what he can do. Kozzy is the complete package. He\u2019s as hard as he is skilful; he\u2019s brave … (and) the way he can cover ground and run and speed,\u201d King added.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, he\u2019s actually starting to step up and be a leader around our footy club. Everyone wants to play in the midfield, but he\u2019s embraced the work it takes to do that at an increased level, and we know what he can do forward of the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played with and coached a lot of really, really good players over the journey. But Kozzy is as unique as all of those and right up there.\u201d<\/p>\n
It comes as no surprise that Pickett is now genuinely being floated as one of, if not the, competition\u2019s most in-form players, right up there alongside the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Nick Daicos and Isaac Heeney.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Fox Footy in the Demons\u2019 changerooms on Friday night, the humble Woodville-West Torrens product spoke about his steep, continued rise in output to begin the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes back to pre-season, that\u2019s what I\u2019ve been working on the last two years. It\u2019s being able to get back and support the midfielders … (it\u2019s helping) take my game to the next level,\u201d Pickett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all comes back to my confidence. I feel like I know what I\u2019m capable of. I\u2019ve had to work a little bit harder to take my game to the next level; that\u2019s what I did with the coaches around me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be the best … that\u2019s what the best players do, they just want to keep getting better and better. That\u2019s what I want to do: be the best in the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pickett helps Demons surge past Tigers | 02:39<\/p>\n
\u2018HAVE TO BE SMARTER\u2019: BLUES SKIPPER EXPOSED BY DOCKERS\u2019 MVP<\/p>\n
Are the Blues getting the best out of skipper Patrick Cripps?<\/p>\n
Stats wise \u2013 31 disposals, 24 contested, 11 clearances, seven tackles and a goal sounds like a day out.<\/p>\n
But the reality is Cripps was \u201cclearly exposed\u201d by the Dockers on Saturday night when he went head to head with Shai Bolton \u2013 who went on to win the Arthur Leggett Medal for best on ground.<\/p>\n
So who is responsible for that match up in the middle of the ground?<\/p>\n
Is it Blues coaches or Cripps himself?<\/p>\n
Triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt and dual premiership Roo David King debated the match up on Fox Footy\u2019s Super Saturday.<\/p>\n
Blues skipper Patrick Cripps looks dejected after the loss.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t you try and exploit Patrick Cripps?\u201d Riewoldt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarlton have to be smarter than that \u2013 than pairing Patrick Cripps up against Shai Bolton at centre bounce.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just not going to work. He doesn\u2019t have the leg speed to go to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither that\u2019s poor planning by Michael Voss at the start of the game or it\u2019s poor planning out on the ground by Patrick Cripps.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was clearly exposed by a player that has excellent leg speed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Carlton would be coming away from this game going what is our best centre bounce mix? And is Patrick Cripps a part of that going forward?\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Irate’ spray inspires Hawks ANZAC win | 02:51<\/p>\n
King was adamant Cripps belonged in the centre of the ground \u2013 but had to be \u201csmarter\u201d with who he lines up on.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s definitely a centre bounce player \u2013 I don\u2019t think that\u2019s in question,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the match ups they\u2019ve got to get right.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou make a mistake here and it costs you a goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be Cripps vs Bolton \u2013 you got to be smarter than that when the quartet go into the middle. The players (are responsible).<\/p>\n
\u201cThey walk in and see, the communication is ok you\u2019ve got him, you\u2019ve got him. I want to be in the hit to spot. Oh it\u2019s Bolton? Let\u2019s have a chat about this. You\u2019ve got to be better than that.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou expose your captain to every weakness that he\u2019s got under the sun and you pay a heavy price against good teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shai Bolton gets up above opponent Patrick Cripps.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Cripps debate comes weeks after four-time premiership winner Jordan Lewis suggested the dual Brownlow Medallist and the Blues could explore a potential trade in a bid to accelerate Carlton\u2019s rebuild.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn five years\u2019 time, Cripps might be a one-club player and hasn\u2019t played in a grand final or premiership success, then what have you achieved for the club?\u201d Lewis had said on Fox Footy\u2019s On the Couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s a serious question on whether they can trade Cripps out and get draft picks back in and it be a win-win for both clubs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlton gave up 5.1 from centre bounce \u2013 something coach Michael Voss later claimed was \u201cprobably the difference\u201d in the game.<\/p>\n
Voss: “We played until the end!” | 11:52<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main source that we just couldn\u2019t get our handle on for most of the night was centre square bounce,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it all comes down to it \u2026 they kicked five goals, I think, from centre square bounce.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re able to kick a few ourselves, but it just felt like we were, you know, we\u2019d get the score we need, and then go back to centre square bounce. And always sort of looked a little bit more dangerous for them than it did for us. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo that was probably, really, in the end, the difference in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss was full of praise for the work of Bolton in the match aftermath.<\/p>\n
\u201cBolton was exceptional in that first 10 minutes of the last quarter. I mean, he stepped it up and he was able to hit the scoreboard and got out the front of stoppage and just got behind the defence. And you know, he was just probably too good through that small period.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fury over AFL umpiring is boiling over from fans, coaches and players – and there\u2019s a simple change…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":631835,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-631834","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-afl","8":"tag-afl","9":"tag-au","10":"tag-australia","11":"tag-australian-football-league","12":"tag-australianfootballleague","13":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=631834"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631834\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/631835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=631834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=631834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=631834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/p>\n