Hilfestellungen » game-time decision. But obviously

Was round 18 the weekend that we officially put a line through another premiership contender?The Western Bulldogs -- who have thrilled crowds all year with their run-and-gun style of play -- were batted, bruised and badly beaten on Saturday night in what could turn out to be the most pivotal night of their season. While the 15-point loss to St Kilda was hard enough to swallow, it was the serious injuries which they picked up that has many doubting whether the Dogs can have a serious tilt at the flag.Mitch Wallis fractured his tibia and fibula in a horrific collision with Shane Savage, before key forward Jack Redpath ruptured his ACL. Both players will miss the remainder of the season, while Dale Morris may also spend time on the sidelines after tweaking his hamstring earlier in the contest.With the Dogs on the slide, West Coast, Geelong and North Melbourne managed to keep their top-four hopes alive as Greater Western Sydney came from behind against the Power to snatch second spot.?The jostling for position ahead of September has been fascinating to watch with every game, and margin, proving critical as only a small percentage separates second down to seventh.But its the evergreen Hawks that continue to hold onto top spot of the ladder -- two games clear of the chasing pack.Speaking of the Hawks, a special mention must go to Sam Mitchell who starred in his 300th match with 38 disposals. What a terrific player he has been since entering the competition in 2002.HEROESSam Gibson:?Friday nights clash with Collingwood was must-win for the confidence-sapped Kangaroos and a dominant display by winger Sam Gibson went a long way in securing the four points. The 30-year-old racked up a game-high 33 disposals, took seven marks and kicked a great goal, but it was his gritty first half along with Daniel Wells that set the win up as the Roos stormed out to an early seven goal lead. If North Melbourne are to rediscover their early season form, Gibson will need to play more consistent football as his link up play from half-back to half-forward is first rate.?The Roos have stopped the free fall for now and will take some confidence leading into this weekends AFL/ VFL games record breaking game for Brent Harvey.Patrick Cripps vs. Josh Kennedy: Two of the competitions most elite hard-ball winners fought brilliantly at the SCG. Cripps -- the youngest player in AFL history to reach 250 clearances -- had 32 disposals and laid a career-high 13 tackles in his sides six point loss to Sydney. The 21-year-old has played some memorable games already in his short career, but his effort on Saturday shows why many expect him to be Cartons next captain. Josh Kennedy continued his consistent season with 35 disposals, six tackles and an important goal. It was Kennedy who sparked the Swans into life after a rather lacklustre opening quarter.Tom Rockliff: To say the Brisbane Lions have been under the pump this season is a massive understatement. In times of crisis, you look to your captain, and Tom Rockliff was inspirational in leading his side to a 37-point win over Essendon to finally snap a 12-game losing streak. Although it came against the lowly Bombers, Rockliff was tireless in his pursuit to win the ball in congestion, and his gutsy performance will work wonders on the clubs younger, developing players. Rockliff wasnt the only Lion to star with Daniel Rich, Pearce Hanley, Stefan Martin and Mitch Robinson all having a tremendous influence on the match. Its the sort of win that will provide coach Justin Leppitsch with a slight reprieve, now they just need to build upon it.VILLAINSEssendons goalkicking:?Its hard to be critical of a struggling side thats missing a dozen of their best 22, but Essendons goalkicking in 2016 has been nothing short of atrocious. It seems ridiculous that they dont have a full-time goalkicking coach with their returns being so poor each week. The Bombers -- who currently pose few attacking threats -- hold the worst goalkicking accuracy of the competition by a significant margin. From their 17 matches this season, Essendon sit dead last in converting their chances with only 41.5 percent of shots registering a goal, significantly below the AFL average of 50.6 percent.Melbournes late fade out:?For a side that hasnt had much luck on the road in recent years, Saturday afternoons last-quarter capitulation at Domain Stadium will be rued as the one that got away. While they are a young team on the rise that can take plenty of positives out of their clash against the finals-bound Eagles, the Demons, if they are honest with themselves, need to take a good look in the mirror and wonder how they surrendered the contest. They Demons manufactured 66 inside 50s to the Eagles 37 and led at every change only to fail to kick a goal in the final quarter and fall to their 17th consecutive Perth defeat. For the Demons, they will lament a landmark opportunity that got away.Port Adelaide:?With their finals hopes on the line, Port Adelaide failed to capitalise against the Greater Western Sydney Giants, despite looking in control for the majority of the match. The Power outclassed their opponents for two and a half quarters only to relinquish all control of the game. The Giants kicked four goals in a 10-minute third-quarter burst that buried the Power and their hopes of a top-eight finish. Ken Hinkley will be disappointed that his side was unable to curb the influence of Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith, who outsmarted them inside forward 50. Tremaine Edmunds Youth Jersey . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. TreDavious White Bills Jersey . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Cody-Ford-Bills-Jersey/ . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Josh Allen Bills Jersey . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Matt Milano Womens Jersey . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU?running back Leonard Fournettes status for Saturdays game against Missouri is up in the air right now, according to Tigers interim coach Ed Orgeron.Still hobbled by a gimpy ankle, Fournette did not participate in the open practice periods on Monday and Tuesday. Orgeron said it will be a game-time decision whether he takes the field against Missouri (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC).I can say in all likelihood that hell try to play, said Orgeron, who took over as LSUs interim coach when the school dismissed Les Miles on Sunday. Itll be a game-time decision. But obviously if it furthers any injury, we wont play him.Fournette injured the ankle in a scrimmage midway through preseason practice and seemed to reinjure it late in the fourth quarterr of a season-opening loss to Wisconsin.dddddddddddd He sat out the next weeks game against Jacksonville State and showed visible signs that the ankle is still an issue in the two games since.Fournette still managed to rush for more than 100 yards in both games -- against Mississippi State and Auburn -- and leads the SEC with an average of 128.7 rushing yards per game.If Fournette is unable to play against Missouri, sophomore Derrius Guice will likely handle a larger workload. Guice rushed for 155 yards in Fournettes absence against Jacksonville State and ran three times for 62 yards in last Saturdays 18-13 loss to Auburn. ' ' '