'Goodes nearly trips up. Yeah right!' - Round 9, 2011 Wrap

Don't look so surprised Goodesy!

With Cyril Rioli, Leigh Montagna and Sam Mitchell ruling themselves out of the Brownlow race after being found guilty by the match review panel in recent weeks, the competition for the illustrious medal was almost thinned of one more player with Adam Goodes escaping with a reprimand for tripping Hawthorn's Brent 'The Rug' Guerra.

As a result, the dual Brownlow Medallist remains eligible for this year's award after accepting a reprimand and 66 points towards his future record.

But I guess this outcome was only inevitable given it involved the AFL's love-child, and ump favourite in Goodesy. Hahaaaa! Just kidding folks... well, half kidding. But i'm surprised that Guerra wasn't cited for running into the leg of Goodes. How dare he make it look as though Goodes tripped him! In fact I reckon the AFL would've done this back in the day just to preserve the clean image of the one Adam Goodes. No need to nowadays, though, as the match review panel gets it wrong 90% of the time now, so they can rely on him getting off without any further intervention needed. I can hear the champagne being uncorked at AFL House as we speak. Time to put on your birthday suit AD!

Carlton vs Geelong

Possible Votes: Scotland, Selwood, Murphy, Varcoe

Scotland really stood up and assumed the role of the general commanding his troops, particularly in the last when Judd was restricted with a sore foot. His possessions were flawless along the wing, and through the middle. Selwood was headed for a blinder up until 3QT, when he barely touched it and faded out of the game. Murphy continued his run of good form in recent weeks and was again dominant in the middle. Varcoe was quiet somewhat, but had a very influential say in the result of the game in the latter stages of the game, with a dominant 3rd Q.

St Kilda vs Melbourne

Possible Votes: Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt, N. Jones

Goddard was quite the accumulator, earning 37 possessions. Montagna hit back well, after having a weeks break through suspension, and was a solid contributor. Riewoldt prowess up forward proved lethal to the Dees, kicking 3 important goals. Nathan Jones was the best for the Dees, gathering 31 possies and setting up his side with quite a few scoring opportunities with 7 inside 50s.

Port Adelaide vs Fremantle

Potential Votes: Lower, Fyfe, Pavlich, Sandi, Duffield

Lower played one of his best games for Freo, amassing 28 possies and kicking a nice goal. Fyfe and Pav were the other standouts through the middle, and Sandi was very noticable up until he came off with injury. Duffield got plenty of quality touches off half back, and was also good.

Brisbane vs North Melbourne

Potential Votes: Brown, Adcock, Black, Swallow

Brown was the difference in the end, snatching 11 marks and 4 goals. Adcock thrived on the hard contested ball, and Black's ball use was superb given the tough conditions. Swallow was by far the best for North.

Richmond vs Essendon

Potential Votes: Deledio, Cotchin, Jetta, Heppell

Deledio played a bit part superbly both in the middle and mopping up down back, whilst Cotchin was again superb, with his extraction skills the stand out. Jetta's electrifying speed and 3 goals were a rare highlight in what was a grim match for the Dons. Heppell contested the packs at every opportunity and can walk away with his head held high.

Collingwood vs Adelaide

Potential Votes: Thomas, Thompson, Ball, Pendlebury

Thomas was electrifying all day, and Thompson had 33 possessions in a dominant display for the Crows who dropped the bundle in the last Q. Ball worked tirelessly all day with his in and under work, and Pendles was crucial with his penetrating kicking.

Sydney vs Hawthorn

Potential Votes: Franklin, Shiels, Roughead, Sewell, Hodge

Franklin played a blinder kicking 6.6, and could've had 10+ had he kicked straight. Shiels had a lot around stoppages and Roughead played a great game pinch hitting in the ruck and going forward at stages throughout the game. Sewell did well to give his team mates first use of the ball around the stoppages, and Hodge was overly solid throughout.

West Coast vs Westerm Bulldogs

Potential Votes: Kennedy, Shuey, Embley, Le Cras, Cox

Kennedy kicked 10, so his game speaks for itself. Shuey kicked his own bag, converting 5 goals and was involved in heaps of midfield work. Embley dominated with his usual ran and dash, and Le Cras gathered 29 possessions to go with 3.3 along the way. Cox was a beast in the ruck, and smashed the Bulldogs at the stoppages.

*DISCLAIMER: The deliberate random order of the players above is not indicative of the order I think they will poll in, and should be treated/used only as a guide.*