Ball-winner: Clayton Oliver had 38 touches on Friday night. Photo: AAP
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JOEL CARRETT
Melbourne has continued its premiership defence in style, downing Essendon by 29 points on Friday night.
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Mooroopna’s Clayton Oliver has been a key cog in the undefeated Demons’ wheel this season, with another solid performance in round three.
Oliver racked up a game-high 38 disposals, including 18 contested possessions, with the talent involved in nine scores for the reigning premiers.
Friday’s performance follows his 34 touches against Gold Coast in round two and 32 touches against the Western Bulldogs in round one, with Oliver looking to continue his fine form against Port Adelaide on Thursday night.
Port will be keen for a win; an after-the-siren Jordan Dawson goal saw Adelaide defeat its cross-town rival by four points in the later game on Friday night.
Players from across the region were aplenty in this contest, with Shepparton Swans product Josh Rachele right in the thick of the action at the Adelaide Oval.
Rachele’s 10 touches were important for the winning side, while Echuca’s Ollie Wines stood out for Port.
Wines picked up 30 disposals on the night, while Deniliquin product Todd Marshall kicked five majors in the heartbreaking loss.
Big night: Todd Marshall kicked five goals in the Showdown loss. Photo: AAP
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MATT TURNER
Like Port, Hawthorn suffered a slender loss on the weekend, with an in-form Carlton up and about early in the year.
Rennie product Daniel Howe had 15 touches for the Hawks and Benalla’s Harry Morrison had 19 touches and a goal, however the Blues did just enough to hang on.
Over in the west, Shepparton’s Will Brodie and Moama’s Lachie Schultz contributed for Fremantle in its big win over a struggling West Coast.
The duo both picked up 23 disposals, with forward Schultz slotting two goals in the 55-point win.
In the battle of the expansion clubs, GWS defeated an improving Gold Coast outfit by 26 points.
Invergordon product Lachie Ash put in a good shift for the Giants, with the midfielder collecting the ball 15 times and laying down the law with six tackles.
The Western Bulldogs secured its first win of the season against Sydney, with Kialla’s Alex Keath performing well in defence and Mooroopna’s Laitham Vandermeer putting in a shift up-front.
Euroa’s Jamie Elliot and Tallygaroopna’s Steele Sidebottom got plenty of the ball in Collingwood’s 13-point loss to Geelong.
On point: Tom Hawkins put in another good showing.
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JOEL CARRETT
The Cats, who trailed for most of the game, managed to get in front against the Magpies, with Finley’s Tom Hawkins kicking three goals.
It was a sour night for Cobram’s Esava Ratugolea, who finished the match subbed out due to an ankle injury.
It was a day to forget for Jy Simpkin and his North Melbourne teammates, with the Kangaroos going down to Brisbane by 108 points.
The former Mooroopna junior still managed to get plenty of the ball and the Roos will be hoping to improve this weekend against Sydney.
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