GAME OF THE ROUND
An easy choice, despite there being 2 other GOTR-worthy matchups on the agenda. But this is 1st v 2nd, though in a slightly different order than they were this time last week.
The stakes are straightforward. MaherShalalHashBaz could put one hand on the minor premiership with a win here, opening up a 2-game buffer on the chasing pack. Things are tracking along nicely for MSHB, their vaunted depth paying dividends at the time of the year when depth is tested. A small collection of injured stars remains waiting in the wings to boot.
And the byes have fallen in their favour for round 13. They’ll be without players like Wilson and Hill, who often feature in the 22, but are no leading lights. The Roughnecks will be without 3 such players in Wanganeen-Milera, Marshall and Macrae (though the latter may have been out still anyway). Historical evidence would suggest being reliant on Saints from St Kilda is a recipe for disappointment, and so it may prove again here.
Suffice to say, back-to-back losses would sting the Roughnecks after a dream run in the opening half of the season. It might not be cause for outright panic or anything so dramatic, but they may find themselves level with the Sparkles in a battle for the finals bye come Monday morning. Life comes at you fast, as they say.
Key Outs
MSHB: Mills, Yeo, Darcy, Hill, Wilson, Callaghan
Roughnecks: Wanganeen-Milera, Marshall, Macrae, Owens, Sicily
Last time these two met
Gave us a classic in Round 4, with MaherShalalHashBaz winning by just 6 points in a high-scoring affair. Hard to identify a decisive point of difference – obviously. But would note the consistency of MSHB – only 4 players went below 70.
DangerGawn votes
| Lachie Whitfield |  | 138 |
| Sam Darcy |  | 123 |
| Bailey Smith | | 127 |
SNEAKY INTERESTING MATCHUP
Last year’s premiers keep on keeping on. They have a two-game lead in 3rd place, and suddenly see an opening for a top two spot within reach. A win here would make it difficult indeed for those behind them to supplant them.
The Defenestrators have had a topsy-turvy time of late (all season). Last week’s close loss the Vipers threatens to drag them back into the quagmire, and a follow-up loss here will see them fall behind the Devils.
The Sparkles are arguably a bit more impacted by this week’s byes than their opponent. But that was true last week as well, and they promptly thumped the top of the table Roughnecks. Xerri, Simpkin and Dale return to that winning line-up, though they lose Steele and Windhager off his career best showing.
The Defenestrators will be without club legend Jack Sinclair, and a host of other guys that find themselves in best-22 more often than not. They get back Walsh though. And Treloar if luck breaks their way. One imagines coach Zerna will have his fingers crossed.
Key Outs
Defenestrators: Treloar (?), Coniglio, Daniels, Sinclair, Johnson
Sparkles: McGovern, Windhager, Steele, Crouch
Last time these two met
Was a 101-point round 4 victory for the Defenestrators. Hugh McCluggage and Sam Walsh had the fantasy equivalent of a fist-fight – potentially ominous for the Defenestrators given the form McCluggage brings into this encounter.
DangerGawn votes
| Hugh McCluggage |  | 141 |
| Sam Walsh |  | 137 |
| Toby Greene | | 123 |
STRAY OBSERVATION
Another example of the shortcomings in the naming conventions I’ve applied for this weekly preview series. With an honest author, the sneaky interesting matchup would be the encounter between the Vipers and Threat Level Midnight.
This one could have significant ramifications come season’s end. A Vipers win, combined with the expected victory of the Devils, could make it difficult indeed for Midnight to claim a finals spot in 2025.
But this is also a golden opportunity for Midnight to draw level. Only two AFL clubs are on the bye this weekend, but one of them is Fremantle. Sure, TLM lose Serong as a result, but they gain back Sheezel and Bontempelli. The Vipers will fill their Brayshaw sized hole with Liberatore, but there’s less compelling help for the Luke Ryan shaped hole down back.