A Giants step for the AFL

By Will Denton
THE AFL plot has thickened beautifully like all Mother’s Day gravies should.

Significant results littered Round 7, giving us more insight into who are gunning for a proper tilt at the title and those who are questioning the point of life itself.

The Kangaroos fall into the latter category and after demolishing Geelong what feels like an eternity ago, the Roos have been nothing short of putrid since. Strong words I know, but when you’re getting towelled up by a rebuilding Doggie outfit with more kids that a goat herd, eyebrows are sure to raise.

Melbourne FC aren’t much chop either, and apart from an intense 10 minute period during the warm up, the Dees showed about as much promise as a take away soufflé as they got totally chopped up by the Hawks. The red and blue fans were a spirited bunch though, and played a game of ‘pass the cyanide’ to quell the cold MCG air.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom however, the Tigers knocked off the Swans (c’mon they didn’t have the ‘Goodes’) and some genuine history was made, as the GWS Giants, notched up their first ever win in the big leagues. Even though it was ‘only’ the Suns, it still meant plenty to Kevin Sheedy’s rag tag bunch of rejects and rookies as they belted out their cold war inspired team song with gusto…and it sounded bloody good too!

The Crows made the once invincible Cats look middle of the road as they ran away with a 10 goal win. Maybe the door is closing on Geelong’s glory days or Adelaide are the real deal? Time will tell.

The bubble burst for the Eagles too, as the Bombers got hold of them to taint their record for the first time this year. Admittedly, the West Coast were missing half their starting 22 and were at the comfy confines of Etihad, but hey don’t tell them that! Essendon are officially this week’s premiership fancies.

Oh and congratulations must go to Matthew Pavlich after he booted his 500th career goal for Freo. This would have been the highlight in the match against the Power had it not been for a good old-fashioned streaker who won the stat for most ‘hard ball gets’.