Penthouse and Outhouse: Great Grima

Nathan Grima celebrates his first goal. Source: Quinn Rooney / HeraldSun

FOX FOOTY expert Julian de Stoop casts his eye over another action-packed round of the AFL season.

In The Penthouse

Fearless Leaders
The top two teams Hawthorn and Geelong flexed their muscles this weekend and it was on the back of their fearless leaders Luke Hodge and Joel Selwood.

For the second time against the Magpies this year Hodge was the most influential player on the ground and if he can replicate that form in September the Hawks will be hard to beat.

Remember he missed the preliminary final through illness last year and wasn't at his best in the Grand Final as a result.

Selwood has been magnificent all year but in the last fortnight he has really done some damage on the scoreboard with two bags of four goals.

Seeing these two bulls going head to head in September is a mouth-watering prospect.

Carlton
It had been a tough week for Carlton following their loss to the Bulldogs and things only got worse when they conceded eight goals in the first quarter against Richmond.

But in the absence of Chris Judd some of the Blues other leaders finally stood up.

Bryce Gibbs had a real influence while Brock McLean and Kade Simpson also led from the front.

The contribution from young forwards Levi Casboult and Troy Menzel (5 goals between them) made it a memorable 60th birthday for Mick Malthouse.

Daniel Wells
Wells has had an excellent season but in the absence of injured captain Andrew Swallow in the past month he seems to have thrived on the added responsibility.

Heath Hocking kept Brent Harvey in check but the Bombers couldn't stop Wells who set up the Roos 45-point win with four crucial goals.

Travis Boak
The Port Adelaide skipper has had an outstanding season and on a day when many of his teammates struggled Boak dragged his team across the line against a plucky Gold Coast outfit.

The skipper kicked three vital goals, collected 35 disposals and recorded a game-high 27 pressure acts to lead his team one step closer to a finals berth.

Port once again came from behind at the final change and they have won 15 final quarters this season, the most of any side alongside Hawthorn.

Nathan Grima's first goal
In a year dominated by negatives, Nathan Grima's first AFL goal in his fifth season and 72nd game was a moment to cherish.

The Kangaroos defender is one of the most popular players at the club, which was clear when all of his teammates ran to embrace him after his drought-breaking goal.

And it may never have happened given Grima was nearly subbed out of the game at three-quarter time!

In The Outhouse

Dustin Martin
In the lead up to their first finals appearance in 12 years the Tigers don't need any unwelcome distractions but Martin's protracted contract negotiations are starting to become an issue.

Like he did with Travis Cloke, Martin's manager Ralph Carr is holding out for money but Richmond's offer is more than reasonable.

The Tigers have been very good to Martin who has had his share of off-field dramas and if it's good enough for Jack Riewoldt to sign for less than he could get elsewhere it's good enough for Martin.

It will become an even bigger issue if his form suffers and on Saturday he was poor against Carlton managing just 12 disposals.

Brisbane's sacking of Michael Voss
The decision to sack Michael Voss isn't the issue but the way it was handled by the Lions was poor.

To jump three weeks before the end of the season seems odd particularly when No.1 target Paul Roos appears extremely unlikely to head north.

It was also poor form by the chairman Angus Johnson to sit there and answer a series of questions about Roos and other potential replacements when Voss is sitting right next to him.

A club great like Voss deserves better and if the Lions don't secure a big name like Roos I fear for the future of the board.

Dale Thomas
I fear we may have seen the last of Thomas in a Collingwood jumper.

The star midfielder re-injured his ankle in his VFL return and it appears unlikely he will play any part in the Magpies finals campaign.

Indications are he will seek a move at season's end with Carlton and reunion with former coach Mick Malthouse his preferred destination.

Aaron Sandilands
The biggest man in the game is in short supply when it comes to luck.

The Giant Docker has managed just 33 games in the past three seasons due to a serious foot injury and a problem with his hamstring tendon.

Now his short-term future is in doubt due to a suspected fractured cheekbone.

Zac Clarke is emerging as a ruckman but if Sandilands isn't there in September the Dockers will be missing a major weapon in their premiership assault.

Essendon's month from hell
The wheels have officially fallen off at Windy Hill.

The Bombers have lost their last four matches by an average of 58 points and after conceding just 81 points per game in the opening 17 rounds in the past month that figure has ballooned to 127.

To make matters worse young star Dyson Heppell suffered a foot injury against the Kangaroos.

Essendon lost their last seven matches last season and are in danger of doing so again with matches against Carlton and Richmond to come before a knockout final against either Collingwood or Richmond (presuming their points aren't stripped).

But once again the week will be dominated by the drugs scandal which gets uglier by the day.

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