When it gets to this stage of the season, I get a little sad. Three games left, and the season is over.
Of course, my family like it a bit better when I am not writing all weekend, but… what am I gonna do? Stop?
Anyway, here are the winners and losers of Round 21, and I won’t include myself, this time.
WINNERS
JOSH JENKINS
Huh?
What the hell is HB talking about?
Mate, if I had a dollar for every time someone asked that question, I’d have at least eight dollars, because I usually make good calls. Hear me out.
Prior to the 2024 season, Josh went on record and stated the Tigers would finish on the bottom. People blasted him and ridiculed hi. I am sure some kept receipts. I hope he did, as well, because he was bloody right!
The Tigers lost the bottom-of-the-ladder clash against North and look as though they’ll end up with the number one pick.
And for a bloke who copped it left, right, and centre, I hope Josh sits back and smiles after this week’s result. He was onto it early.
LDU
He’s had years being the best emerging midfielder on this North Melbourne team, and as a result, has come under scrutiny for doing plenty, but never enough.
“Oh, he is a good ball winner, but he doesn’t finish.”
“Oh, he picks up big numbers in losses.”
If you listen hard enough, you’re bound to hear a stupid opinion somewhere. And after compiling 33 touches, eight clearances, and three goals in a win over the Tigers, I am looking forward to some silence about LDU.
The bloke is all class, and he will be the best player on this North team when they’re pushing for finals. Mark my words.
JEREMY CAMERON
The cream… it has a funny way of rising to the top.
Did you know Jeremy’s surname is an anagram for “Cream On”?
I didn’t, until I just thought about it right then. These are the things I think about while writing these columns. Not quite as good as Axl Rose, but still a good anagram.
Anyway, Jezza’s sixth goal of the evening against the Crows put the game out of reach, and there was no question he was the difference between the sides this week. He’s been a star for years – great to see him shine like this.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY
400 games… nailbiting finish… the Pies win, and beat the old enemy in the process.
Whilst I am sure Pendles could have scripted it a little better (a Magpie goal after the siren would have been best), I am also sure he’ll take this win in his milestone game.
As I wrote last week, some players have limped to big milestones – Pendles is definitely not one of them. The bloke is a star.
KEN HINKLEY
A bloke who can’t coach and should be sacked now has his team in third position on the ladder, knocking over two fellow premiership contenders in successive games.
Seriously, the bloke could cure cancer, and people would be complaining they still have herpes. Go well, Ken – great job over the last fortnight. Now get on that herpes cure and make the rest of them happy.
LOSERS
MITCH MCGOVERN
Whoa… look at HB, going after that low-hanging fruit!
You know what – I gave Logan McDonald a Mulligan after his first shot at goal late in a game missed, but after he cocked up a second time, eh was on this list. McGovern is a veteran, and a well-paid one. His effort after the siren was deplorable. I’d say it had a bit of Stephen Kernahan about it, but Sticks was a champion of the game and McGovern…
… well, he is a player in the game that Sticks was a champion of.
The Blues dropped another one, are clinging to a spot in the eight, and could miss finals.
Which would be the bigger miss; McGovern’s, or that of the Blues?
THE SYDNEY SWANS
How the mighty have fallen. And yet, somehow, they retain the top spot on the ladder. Some fall…
That said, their performance against the Power was insipid. The team people already pencilled in as premiers had a mare against Port, who sensed weakness and went after them like Jordan de Goey after a McValue Meal.
Come on… he hasn’t looked fit all season, and I’m permitted one cheap shot per column!
The midfield is sputtering. Chad Warner looks like The Monstars invaded and took away his talent, whilst Errol Gulden has been about as accurate by foot as Daniel Day Lewis.
The wheels haven’t completely fallen off, but this team is in dire need of a pit stop.
JUSTIN LONGMUIR
I am pretty big on Freo this season, and I reckon they have the capacity to be there at the Prelim stage. Where things go from there, who knows?
That said, when you have Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson in a team, and you’re playing against Essendon, who have Sam Draper and Nick Bryan, and you choose not to rotate both your big men through the middle, you’re making a pretty big error.
I know that people prefer Luke Jackson as a forward. I do, as well – he is an incredible talent, as evidenced by his one-versus-two win in this game to set up a goal. But man… by not moving him into the ruck for a while to spell Darcy, you left your main big fella fatigued in the last quarter, and at that stage, Draper was able to have an impact on the game.
I covered it more deeply in my review, but far out… you have a golden goose in Darcy and Jackson, and you opted to strangle it for the meat in this game.
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