HIGHLIGHTS FROM ROUND FIVE OF THE AFL
THEY SAID IT: "There's still a lot of footy to play this year and we just have to get up off the canvas and get going again," Sydney coach John Longmire can hardly believe his side's 0-5 start to the season, the latest loss coming in Saturday's derby. There's a path out of this mess for the Swans, with Carlton (A), Brisbane (H), North Melbourne (A), St Kilda (A) and Hawthorn (H) representing an easier month of footy.
STATS THAT MATTER: In round 23 last season, Sydney demolished Richmond by 113 points. Now the Swans are winless and the Tigers are 5-0. It's the first time in 22 years Richmond have started with five straight wins, with a mouth-watering clash with the unbeaten Adelaide on Sunday.
MEN OF THE ROUND: His side gifted Hawthorn a first win of the season with another stinking MCG performance, but West Coast midfielder Matt Priddis is now the AFL's master tackler. The 2014 Brownlow Medalist laid 11 tackles to overtake the league's previous record-holder Lenny Hayes. Honourable mention to Jack Riewoldt for his on-field celebrations, and six goals, and Bob Murphy for his 300th match.
KEY MOMENT: Fremantle hadn't led for three quarters until recruit Shane Kersten popped up with an injury-time winner against North Melbourne. His snap earned the Dockers a third-straight win and consigned North Melbourne to a fifth loss in a row. Remarkably, the Kangaroos' percentage is better than that of Fremantle after a series of close losses for Brad Scott's team.
TALKING POINT: Just how good are the Western Bulldogs? The premiers have been workman-like rather than impressive on their way to a 4-1 start. After close wins over North Melbourne (0-5), Sydney (0-5) and Collingwood (1-4), Luke Beveridge's side trailed lowly Brisbane (1-4) as late as the 16-minute mark of the last quarter on Saturday. The next four rounds - GWS (A), Richmond (H), West Coast (A) and Geelong (A) - will prove where the Dogs stand.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: There was plenty of brawling but no bans from. Richmond leaders Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt were fined for their part in a melee that sparked the Tigers' revival over Melbourne, which had co-captains Jack Viney and Nathan Jones penalised. Easton Wood and Cyril Rioli were among five others to have their wallets lightened for minor offences.
KEY INJURIES: T Boak (Port) hamstring, J Dunkley (WB) hip, D Zorko (Bris) eye, D Talia (Adel) hamstring, S Hill (Frem) hamstring, T Goldstein (NM) ankle, B Longer (St K) hip, N Riewoldt (St K) ankle, T Hawkins (Gee) hip, J Cripps (WC) leg, I Smith (Haw) knee, C Petracca (Melb) knee, J Spencer (Melb) shoulder/knee, J Viney (Melb) knee.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Giants host the Bulldogs in a replay of last year's preliminary final classic on Friday night. A Western derby on Saturday night will entertain while the Kangaroos have a good chance to snap their winless start when Gold Coast visit Etihad Stadium. The round concludes with the Crows and the Tigers - two of three unbeaten sides - duelling at Adelaide Oval.
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