While there were no repeats of Flagpole Rampe doing his best lumber jack impersonation, it wouldn't have been unwelcome, given the rapturous reception he received from the locals. Met with loud boos every single time he went near the ball, it's a wonder he didn't climb it out of fear.
Maybe he should have climbed it to spoil several of Essendon's last quarter shot, especially the one that was reviewed for what felt like an eternity. We could have used him on that post in the second-half, swatting at our shots like King Kong swatted at bi-planes on the silver screen.
Alas, it just wasn't to be, neither was that first quarter. A game, not one for the record books, that can be considered dreadful for the most part, was symbolic of the current state of AFL - boring, defensive and featuring shocking skill execution.
I thought Sav Rocca and Travis Cloke were the only footballers who could miss a sitter from 15 metres out.
Laying more than 3 tackles in the final quarter wouldn't go astray either. Just the opinion of one arm-chair coach.
B: Callum Mills, Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican
HB: Jake Lloyd, Aliir Aliir, Zak Jones
C: Harry Cunningham, George Hewett, Jordan Dawson
HF: Will Hayward, Nick Blakey, Oliver Florent
F: Luke Parker, Tom McCartin, Tom Papley
FOL: Sam Reid, Josh P. Kennedy, Isaac Heeney
I/C: James Rose, James Rowbottom, Ben Ronke, Colin O'Riordan
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