Gold Coasters Nick Riewoldt and David Hale prepared for Saturday night’s Carrara homecoming with key roles in pivotal Round 13 wins of the Toyota AFL season over the weekend.
On Friday night Riewoldt collected a season-high 25 possessions, a career-best 18 marks and three goals to lead St.Kilda to an eight-point win over Fremantle at the Telstra Dome.
And on Saturday afternoon Dave Hale, without ruck partner Hamish McIntosh for the first time this year, stepped up to play a crucial role in the ruck and as a marking forward as North Melbourne upset ladder leaders Hawthorn at the MCG.
It was the perfect warm-up as St.Kilda and North prepared for their Round 14 clash at Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara, on Saturday night.
Riewoldt was at his brilliant best at both ends of the ground as the battling Saints kept their finals hopes alive, dropping back into defence in the final quarter as his side hit back after consecutive losses to the Western Bulldogs and Sydney.
Sam Gilbert, in his second game back from a long injury lay-off, was another solid contributor with 10 possessions and his third goal of the season from defence.
Hale, answering a plea from coach Dean Laidley, had 14 possessions, eight marks, 13 hit-outs and four tackles in a powerhouse effort as the Roos beat the Hawks by 27 points in a telling reply to a miserable 53-point Round 12 loss to Fremantle in Perth.
At times Hale found himself opposed to fellow Gold Coaster Brent Renouf, who, in his second AFL game, competed well to finish with 10 possessions, 15 hit-outs and six tackles. He was far from the Hawks’ worst.
Michael Osborne had 19 possessions in a beaten Hawthorn side.
At the Gabba on Saturday night Daniel Merrett led a resolute back six that saw the Brisbane Lions post their lowest winning score of the year at the expense of the Adelaide Crows.
The Lions triumphed 11-17-83 to 10-10-70 after Merrett collected eight possessions and countless spoils and defensive efforts.
Kurt Tippett, who spent much of the night in the ruck, finished with 13 possessions, five marks, 14 hit-outs and four tackles in his first game at the Gabba.
In Adelaide on Saturday afternoon, Luke McGuane had 10 possessions and five marks as Richmond ended the top eight hopes of 2007 grand finalists Port Adelaide.
And on Sunday, Ben Hudson had eight possessions and a game-high 16 hit-outs as the Bulldogs won a thriller against Collingwood at the MCG.
Andrew Raines continued his comeback with Coburg in the VFL, while Ricky Petterd played with Sandringham reserves.
Jesse White kicked two goals for the Sydney Swans reserves against Tuggeranong, and Joel Tippett kicked two goals in a Suncoast Lions outfit beaten by Zillmere Eagles in the AFLQ State League.
James Mulligan, Wayde Mills and Haydn Kiel spent the weekend on the sideline injured.
