THEY SAID IT: "I normally go home and watch a replay with a red wine. I might have a white tonight." - Craig McRae didn't know how to react to his first draw in 58 games as Collingwood coach, with the Magpies and Essendon locked at 12.13 (85) apiece at the end of their Anzac Day thriller.
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PLAYERS OF THE ROUND: The Caleb Serong-Nat Fyfe double act was a highlight of Fremantle's 24-point win over the Western Bulldogs. Serong tallied a club-record 17 clearances from 37 disposals, while Fyfe wound back the clock with 37 disposals, seven clearances, one goal and 443m gained as the Dockers bounced back from an embarrassing western derby defeat to West Coast.
THE MOMENT: Kyle Langford kicked four goals for Essendon on Anzac Day but blew a golden chance to be the hero when he missed a crucial set shot from about 30m in the dying stages against Collingwood. The Bombers trailed by one point when Langford marked and tied the scores. Neither side could find a match-winner in the desperate final moments.
TALKING POINT: Geelong show no signs of slowing down amid a difficult run of fixtures, having fended off a late challenge from fellow flag contenders Carlton to post a seventh straight victory to begin the season. It is the Cats' best start to a season since 2011, when they won the premiership in Chris Scott's first year as coach. After beating Brisbane and the Blues in recent weeks, Geelong face tough assignments against Melbourne and Port Adelaide in the coming fortnight.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury became the first AFL/VFL player to amass 10,000 career disposals, reaching the milestone late the first quarter against Essendon in his 390th game. The 36-year-old received the ball at half-back and feigned a left-handed handpass before hitting his target with the right, drawing applause from fans who were well aware of the record.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: St Kilda are expected to challenge a three-game ban given to small forward Jack Higgins for a dangerous tackle that left Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir concussed. Higgins was charged with rough conduct over the incident, which was graded careless conduct, severe impact and high contact. Bulldogs midfielder Rhylee West received a one-match ban for rough conduct on Fremantle's Brandon Walker, while Essendon defender Mason Redman, GWS veteran Callan Ward, Brisbane star Lachie Neale and Geelong forward Ollie Henry escaped with fines for striking opponents.
INJURIES: J Hopper (Rich, hamstring), S Powell-Pepper (PA, knee), C Rozee (PA, hamstring), A Aliir (PA, concussion), P Dangerfield (Geel, hamstring), C Weightman (WB, elbow), J Draper (Frem, hamstring), S Clohesy (GC, wrist), B Humphrey (GC, head knock).
WHAT'S NEXT: Arch-rivals Adelaide and Port Adelaide open round eight with Showdown LV on Thursday night before traditional foes Carlton and Collingwood collide in another blockbuster on Friday night. Sydney face GWS in a highly-anticipated Harbour City derby on Saturday, while flag contenders Melbourne and Geelong face off at the MCG. Brisbane host Gold Coast at the Gabba on Sunday, completing the round with another derby.
Australian Associated Press
