IT was another week of big performances and victories for Hampden league exports at the elite level as six players graced the big stage last weekend.
The round kicked off on Thursday night with Rowan Marshall producing a monster game in the ruck to help St Kilda to a 14 point win over Sydney at the SCG.
The Portland export had 50 hit-outs in a dominant performance and also had an impact at ground level, recording 16 touches and seven tackles.
On Friday night, Willem Drew and Port Adelaide’s winning run continued as the Power recorded a 10th straight win over Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Drew had 14 possessions and four tackles through the midfield in the victory, while Ugle-Hagan kicked 2.2 from 12 touches up forward for the Dogs.
On Saturday, Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage failed to play out the entire match after sustaining a concussion in the Lions shock loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.
The South export had racked up 18 touches and seven tackles before he was injured in the incident with Hawks skipper James Sicily in the fourth quarter.
On Sunday evening, Cobden exports Zach Merrett (Essendon) and Sam Walsh (Carlton) went head-to-head at the MCG, with Merrett’s Bombers coming away with the chocolates.
Merrett was heavily tagged but still managed to kick a goal from 18 disposals, while Walsh finished with a match high 35 possessions.
In the state leagues, Josh Corbett had 11 possessions in Peel Thunder’s WAFL defeat and Ben Cunnington did not play as he was an emergency for North Melbourne’s AFL side.
Meanwhile, Sean Darcy (injury), Gary Rohan (bye) and Jamaine Jones (injury) did not feature over the weekend.