Wanganeen-Milera dominates against Kangaroos
St Kilda's Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera put on a stunning performance against North Melbourne on Sunday, finishing with 46 possessions and four goals. It came exactly a year after he played one of the great final quarters of recent years against Melbourne. While there was no last-minute mayhem this time, his overall game was perhaps even more impressive, with 46 touches and four goals in a half. He won the first few clearances of the third quarter, an area where the Saints dominated all day, then loped forward and changed the dynamics of the contest.
Max King injury sours Saints' win
The only sour note for St Kilda was yet another injury to Max King, who was playing his first game in more than 750 days. Ross Lyon was asked about the specifics of the injury and turned it into a Marx Brothers skit. King has had lousy luck with injuries, and his body seems unsuited to the demands of the game. He was compared to a thoroughbred when he arrived at the club, but thoroughbreds go amiss.
Gunston outscores Bombers
On Saturday, Jack Gunston kicked seven goals for Hawthorn against Essendon, outscoring the entire Essendon team off his own boot. Gunston plays deeper than almost any other forward of this era, with abnormal acreage cleared in front of him. He excels at reading cues, leading patterns, and risk-reward ratios. He has signed for his 18th season, has two bags of five this season, and has kicked a dozen goals across four grand finals. Only 36 VFL/AFL players and four Hawks have kicked more goals than him.
Hawthorn forward line potency
Hawthorn's forward line is potent due to how they organise and manipulate space, work for one another, and always look for the best option. Nick Watson, Gunston's opposite in personality and height, is a predator at stoppages, excelling at reading the ball in the air and timing his leap. The team has proved to be exceptionally well drilled, well balanced, and adaptable, with precision kicks, overlap handballs, and textbook front-and-squares. Their big test will come at the Gabba in a fortnight and against Collingwood the following week.
