PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Patrick Cripps has imposed himself on numerous contests throughout his illustrious career but set a personal milestone when amassing a career-high 42 disposals against GWS. The Carlton skipper had the better of a combative duel with Giants onballer Tom Green to finish with game-highs for disposals, contested possessions (20) and clearances (13), as he again willed the Blues across the line for a hard-fought 10-point victory. Special mention also goes to Gold Coast's Jack Lukosius for his career-high five-goal haul in a 19-point win over Geelong.
THE MOMENT: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan drew inspiration from Indigenous champion Nicky Winmar when he lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin in a powerful stand against racism. The 20-year-old stood up with five goals to lead the Western Bulldogs to a much-needed win over Brisbane. But it was his repeat of Winmar's iconic 1993 gesture after the first of those goals that will have a longer-lasting effect. The AFL is still investigating after Ugle-Hagan was racially abused by fans during and after his club's round-two fixture.
TALKING POINT: GWS paid a hefty price when a free kick was awarded against Stephen Coniglio for dissent when their clash with Carlton was on the line in the final term. The Giants had just snatched the lead for the first time since the second term when Harry McKay lost control of the ball in a tackle deep in the Blues' forward line. But rather than awarding a free kick against the Blues' forward, the call went the other way when Coniglio threw his arms into the air and questioned the decision. Jesse Motlop nailed the shot from just outside the goal square to reclaim the lead that the Blues then hung onto until the final siren.
STATS THAT MATTER: Port Adelaide have conceded 21 and 18 goals in their last two games - only the second time in Ken Hinkley's reign that they've bled 18 or more goals in consecutive games. The only other time was in 2013, his first season as Power coach.
STATS THAT MATTER PART TWO: Geelong became the first team since North Melbourne in 1976 to lose the opening three games in their premiership defence, upset 10.13 (73) to 7.12 (54) by Gold Coast.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: North Melbourne defender Griffin Logue and Carlton winger Blake Acres were offered one-match bans for high bumps. Adelaide's Luke Pedlar was slapped with a one-match suspension for a sling tackle.
INJURIES: R Lobb (WB, ankle), J Bruce (WB, hand), B Mihocek (Coll, face), D Cameron (Coll, knee), M Owies (Carlton, hamstring), J Webster (StK, cheekbone), M Wood (StK, shoulder), S Berry (Adel, calf), Sam De Koning (Geel, head), Sam Flanders (GC, knee), B Brown (Melb, back), L Shuey (WC, hamstring), Jeremy McGovern (WC, hamstring), A Witherden (WC, head), L Ryan (WC, leg), J Cripps (WC, ankle).
WHAT'S NEXT: Brisbane and Collingwood kick off round four with an intriguing clash at the Gabba. St Kilda will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run under new coach Ross Lyon when they host Gold Coast on Saturday, while Port Adelaide will be desperate to bounce back from their Showdown loss when they take on the Swans. Carlton play North Melbourne in a Good Friday clash, Richmond take on the Bulldogs on Saturday, Adelaide is up against Fremantle, while Geelong need to beat Hawthorn on Easter Monday to avoid going 0-4.
