Snapshot of round 17 in the AFL 2023 season

THEY SAID IT: “I do not thoughts if it retains going. You perceive how powerful this competitors is that you simply’re not prone to go on a streak wherever close to that” – Coach Ken Hinkley on Port Adelaide’s club-record 13-game successful streak.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Jack Gunston. Despatched on a much-talked-about coaching block after a sluggish begin for Brisbane, Hawthorn’s triple-premiership recruit confirmed what he may carry to the Lions with an equal-best six-goal haul that includes 20 disposals. The 31-year-old confirmed his versatility in a roaming function that took him all the way in which to halfback in an emotional return that got here a yr after his father died of a coronary heart assault.

THE MOMENT: St Kilda ahead Max King re-injured his troublesome left shoulder in a seemingly innocuous spoiling try early in his crew’s loss to Melbourne. Subsequent scans have proven the injury is intensive, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. King had the identical shoulder reconstructed after a coaching mishap final December and missed the opening 9 rounds of the season. Can the Saints make the finals with out their star spearhead?

TALKING POINT: Is Christian Petracca the answer to Melbourne’s scoring woes? The explosive midfielder was thrust ahead in opposition to St Kilda and booted a career-high 4 targets in a match-winning show, because the Demons registered their largest rating in virtually two months. It got here regardless of main goalkicker Bayley Fritsch’s absence by way of damage and with livewire ahead Kysaiah Pickett stored quiet.

STATS THAT MATTER: 9665. That is what number of possessions Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury has now amassed – breaking the earlier document of 9656 held by St Kilda champion Robert Harvey. Particular point out additionally goes to Geelong defender Zach Touhy, whose 265th AFL look on Sunday means he has now surpassed the late Jim Stynes for probably the most VFL/AFL video games performed by an Irish-born participant. Port Adelaide veteran Charlie Dixon performed his 2 hundredth AFL recreation because the Energy defeated his former membership Gold Coast.

TRIBUNAL WATCH: Richmond co-captain Toby Nankervis is dealing with a ban of a minimum of three weeks after being despatched on to the tribunal for the excessive bump that left Sydney’s Jake Lloyd concussed. GWS defender Nick Haynes was handed a one-match ban for a harmful sort out on Hawthorn’s Josh Ward. Essendon ruckman Andrew Phillips will face scrutiny over a excessive bump on Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien.

INJURIES: J Bauer (Wealthy, hamstring), T McKenzie (PA, ankle), S Ross (SK, hamstring), M King (SK, shoulder), Z Cordy (SK, concussion), L Keeffe (GWS, hamstring), X O’Halloran (GWS, hand), W Hoskin-Elliott (Coll, hand), R Gardner (WB, ankle), J Ridley (Ess, knee), G Logue (NM, knee)

WHAT’S NEXT: Sydney host the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night time, with Melbourne dealing with Brisbane on the MCG in a top-four blockbuster on Friday night time. Collingwood tackle Fremantle on the MCG on Saturday, with Port Adelaide aiming to make it 14 straight wins after they face Carlton at Marvel Stadium.