The big talking points from Round 4: Dangerfield sweats on MRO, Suns break Carlton hearts and more
Here are the big talking points from what has been an action-packed Round 4.
Lonie free kick completes Saints comeback
St Kilda secured a thrilling five-point win over Hawthorn via a late goal from Jack Lonie.
Lonie was awarded a free kick directly in front of goal after Hawks defender David Mirra was unable to release the ball from underneath the pack.
The small forward converted as the Saints go 3-1 in an improved start to 2019.
In the 20th year playing for the Blue Ribbon Cup, the Saints and the Hawks played out a thriller at Marvel Stadium.
— AFL (@AFL) April 14, 2019
Rewatch the Last Two Minutes, thanks to @AAMI. #AFLSaintsHawks pic.twitter.com/l3SZvHQjBG
Bowes the hero as the Suns break Carlton hearts
Gold Coast won its third straight game for the first since 2016 with a heart-stopping two-point win over Carlton.
Young Sun Jack Bowes was the hero as his last-gasp goal put the home side in front with just 10 seconds on the clock.
Stuart Dew's side now sit 3-1 and inside the top eight, with all three wins coming under five points.
YOU WOULDN'T READ ABOUT IT#AFLSunsBlues pic.twitter.com/KzzCXVPjUM
— AFL (@AFL) April 14, 2019
It’s a gut-wrenching loss for the Blues who remain winless in 2019.
The pressure continues to mount on coach Brendon Bolton as his young side continue to fluff their lines when games are there for the taking.
Adelaide's struggles continue as Roos break through
North Melbourne heaped further misery on Adelaide with a gutsy 12-point win in a scrappy affair.
The Kangaroos secured a desperately needed first win for the season while the Crows slipped to 1-3 and look a shadow of the team that played off in a Grand Final in 2017.
SIX IN A ROW! #AFLNorthCrows pic.twitter.com/Vef321oJbw
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
Coach Don Pyke cannot find the right mix in attack as they average a paltry nine goals a game from the opening four rounds.
Lynch inspires depleted Tigers to rousing win
A six-goal haul from boom recruit Tom Lynch inspired a depleted Richmond to a stirring seven-point win over Port Adelaide.
The star forward booted the sealing goal in the dying stages after the lead changed four times in a frenetic final term.
Tom Lynch v Port Adelaide
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
Before today: 5 games, 3 goals.
Today: 6 goals! #AFLPowerTigers pic.twitter.com/bMC0tDpz4F
Without the star quartet of Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin and Alex Rance, the likes of Brendon Ellis, Dion Prestia and stand-in captain Shane Edwards all stepped up, while defender Dylan Grimes thwarted the Power with six final-quarter marks.
The win wasn’t without controversy when Lynch was gifted a double-goal after he was pushed in the back by Port defender Ryan Burton at a crucial juncture in the third quarter.
Tom Lynch was granted a double-goal after a late push from Ryan Burton.#AFLPowerTigers pic.twitter.com/igIuKj1O2e
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
McDonald-Tipungwuti in seventh heaven
Essendon livewire Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti had a day to remember against the previously undefeated Brisbane.
McDonald-Tipungwuti had 20 disposals, 10 marks and booted a career-best seven goals to help the Bombers to an excellent 47-point victory over the Lions.
3 votes - A.McDonald-Tipungwuti 🔒 pic.twitter.com/rHf6REuHm4
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) April 14, 2019
It makes it 11 goals in two weeks for the small forward following his four-goal effort against Melbourne
John Worsfold’s side look back to their exhilarating best after a lethargic start to the season.
Is Dangerfield in trouble for an off-the-ball incident?
Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield was involved in an off-the-ball incident with GWS tagger Matthew de Boer.
Dangerfield appeared to make contact with De Boer’s stomach with a swinging elbow before swinging a second time which luckily avoided any contact with the Giants midfielder.
The 2016 Brownlow Medallist was restricted to just 17 disposals in the four-point loss – his lowest possession tally since Round 3, 2015.
It comes just a week after Richmond star Dustin Martin was suspended for an elbow against the same opposition.
Ward ACL sours Giants’ historic win
GWS notched their first win in Geelong with a memorable four-point triumph at GMHBA Stadium.
The Giants secured the come-from-behind win thanks to a stunning snap from forward Jeremy Finlayson.
It was a victory in the face of adversity from Leon Cameron’s side after co-captain Callan Ward went down with a serious knee injury in the first quarter.
Callan Ward has been assisted from the field after twisting awkwardly in this contest.#AFLCatsGiants pic.twitter.com/xfJhO9IbP5
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
Scans confirmed that Ward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the remainder of the season.
The result ended the Cats unbeaten start to the year.
Demons release pressure valve
Melbourne scratched their way past Sydney to release the pressure after a 0-3 start.
It was the Demons’ first win of the campaign and one they urgently needed to maintain their hopes of another finals appearance.
Simon Goodwin’s side can use the gritty win over the Swans as a springboard to launch into their 2019 season.
