And speaking of Noble, how delighted the Suns must be that after years of losing blue-chip talent for whatever reason, Noble, the former Magpie, and Daniel Rioli, the former premiership Tiger, are not only major contributors but are loving a life of sand and sun.

Then there’s Ben Long, the former Saint, who is among the top-10 ranked players across the competition. Long, 27, is excelling up forward. His hanger over James Sicily on Thursday night added to a dirty night for the Hawks, who opted to rest key players and may have paid the price.

Here’s one to ponder. The Suns have eight straight wins at TIO Stadium, where they have a contract with the Northern Territory government to stage home games. That they already play in the often tropical conditions of the Gold Coast means they have a distinct advantage over opponents in the similar, if not more debilitating, conditions of Darwin. So, if the AFL agrees to a 20th club licence and forms a team in Darwin, the home-ground advantage there for a new club will be huge, particularly against Melbourne teams travelling mid-winter. It could be worth five or six wins a season alone.

Long journey to success

Saturday afternoon, MCG
Collingwood defeated Adelaide by 10 points
It’s not only the Suns who are prospering from recycled players. The Magpies are loaded with talent and big names, none bigger than the Daicos brothers, who were pivotal in what Craig McRae said was a “workmanlike” win over the disappointing Crows. While it was the likes of the Daicos boys, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard and Scott Pendlebury who won the plaudits, Ned Long, who joined via the mid-season draft last year, has become an important figure. Long has had to do it the hard way. He was initially taken by Hawthorn in the 2022 rookie draft, and had two years – for five senior games – on the Hawks’ list. But he has played 17 games since joining the Magpies, the former Northcote High School and Melbourne Grammar product having 19 disposals through the midfield against the Crows. As the mid-season draft approaches, McRae said Long was an example to all players who haven’t felt the love they craved.

“It’s a great story, isn’t it? We have the mid-season draft coming up. For years, we go: ‘There isn’t much talent out there’. But there are guys like him sitting there just waiting to be given another opportunity and believed in and loved and supported, because sometimes you have to believe in someone who maybe haven’t had that in previous environments,” McRae said.

“We are rapt to have him, and he is an important part of our team right now, isn’t he?”

Great celebrations

Saturday night, Marvel Stadium
Western Bulldogs defeated Essendon by 91 points
The Western Bulldogs are emerging not only as a premiership threat, but also a threat to Hawthorn’s new-age standard of on-field celebrations. Admittedly, the social-media savvy Hawks have a number of players prepared to show their love for kicking a goal, but we really liked Rhylee West’s “you’re too small” celebration with a lowering of the hand. The Bulldogs’ forward had just shrugged off an attempted tackle from Bombers youngster Archie Roberts and snapped a goal when he made his feelings clear. Simple but effective. It’s back over to you, Hawks.

Roos’ win extra sweet?

Sunday afternoon, MCG
North Melbourne defeated Richmond by four points
The Kangaroos have improved since the Good Friday debacle against Carlton at Marvel Stadium, and finally – after narrow losses to Port Adelaide and Essendon, and a draw with Brisbane – had reason to cheer when they held off the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday. They clearly learnt from their late-game mistakes against the Lions in Launceston, and should now train the final two minutes of games with greater fervour, with the belief they are finally emerging.

Club recruiting staff had more reason to smile on Sunday, for the victory has boosted the Roos’ hopes of finishing above the Tigers on the ladder. Remember, the Kangaroos controversially ceded their 2025 first-round pick during last year’s trade period to the Tigers in exchange for last year’s pick No.27, which the Kangaroos then used to take versatile tall Matt Whitlock. As part of the deal, the Kangaroos also received the Tigers’ second-round pick this year.

That the Tigers had three wins to the Kangaroos’ one and a half heading into Sunday’s game meant – as it stood – the Tigers had pick No.2 in November’s national draft [along with their own first-round selection, at No.3]. By claiming their second win, the Roos now have greater hope – even expectation – they will at least finish above the Tigers. This could potentially take the sting out of any argument that they should have retained their 2025 first-round pick. Clearly, there is still a bit to play out here, as the Roos’ first pick is currently projected to be somewhere in the early 20s. Whitlock, meanwhile, has managed just the one senior game to date.

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