David Hale kicked a career-best four goals in a beaten North Melbourne side to fly the flag proudly for Gold Coasters in the AFL in Round 11.
In his best game of the year, Hale had an equal season-high 16 possessions (11 kicks, five handballs) to go with eight marks and 14 hit-outs as the Roos went down by just 13 points to premiers Geelong at Telstra Dome Friday night.
But even that couldn’t earn him any post-game wraps from coach Dean Laidley. Or at least nothing more than a back-handed compliment.
“I’m not going to sit here and give David any plaudits … we’ve been waiting a long time for him to do that,” said Laidley after a brave effort came up empty to see them sit eighth on the ladder with five wins, a draw and five losses at the halfway mark of the season.
Michael Osborne collected 18 possessions and a contender for AFL goal of the year in Hawthorn’s 51-point win over Essendon at the Telstra Dome.
Kurt Tippett, forced to split his time between full forward and the ruck after Jonathan Griffin’s injury, had a season-high 12 possessions, three marks and six hit-outs in Adelaide’s 50-point over Richmond at the MCG. And he got himself back on the goal-kicking list after two weeks without a major.
Ironically, Tippett played much of the game on fellow Gold Coaster Luke McGuane, who had five possessions and three marks in his return from two weeks in the reserves.
Daniel Merrett continued his rich vein of form, refusing to concede a goal to a direct opponent in the Brisbane Lions’ 22-point Gabba win over Fremantle.
Nick Riewoldt had 13 possessions, eight marks and two goals in St.Kilda’s loss to the Western Bulldogs, for whom Ben Hudson collected 14 possessions, three marks and 17 hit-outs.
