The bye rounds have now concluded and the top seven sides (yes, you read that correctly) are split by just one win.The shortened round 15 kicked off on Thursday night for the second successive week with the?Eagles belting the Bombers to ensure the top eight maintained a two game advantage over the chasing pack.?Friday night saw?Port Adelaide claiming the four points over Richmond for the second time in 2016 and now the Power seem the only side that can realistically push themselves into finals contention.The Gold Coast Suns were able to snap a 10-game losing streak when they got the better of a disappointing St Kilda outfit, before the Western Bulldogs stunned Sydney at the SCG in a thrilling four point win which will please ladder leaders Hawthorn who remain a game clear on top.?Arch-rivals Carlton and Collingwood played out a snoozefest on Saturday night, but the Magpies were able to make amends for their round seven loss to the Blues and ran out 12 point winners. It was the first time since 1966 that both sides failed to kick 60 points in their blockbuster clash.Adelaide overcame a gallant Melbourne on Sunday afternoon to extend their winning streak to six. The Demons played bold, exciting football, but couldnt match the firepower of the Crows who booted their 100 points in a match for the 11th time this year.HEROESThe Bulldogs selection committee:?The Dogs swept in the changes after their poor outing against Geelong prior to the bye. Out went Tom Campbell, Fletcher Roberts, Mitch Honeychurch, Josh Dunkley (all omitted) and Bailey Williams (knee). In came Jason Johannisen, after missing 9 games, Easton Wood, who had missed a month of football along with triple ACL victim Clay Smith, Lukas Webb and veteran Will Minson. All the inclusions played important roles as the Dogs won a last-gasp thriller at the SCG. Johannisen of course kicked the match-winner seconds before the final siren, but Wood added vital leadership and class with 11 intercepts, Minson battled hard in his first senior game of the season, while Smith showed just why he is so highly regarded with six tackles to go with 16 touches. It was a bold move by the Dogs to make so many changes pre-match; they then produced a statement performance to inflict the first loss for the seasoned Swans on their home deck in eleven outings.Travis Boak:?Boak has been criticised this season, having failed to reach the heights he has in previous years. But with Ports finals hopes on the line against Richmond on a drizzly Friday night in Adelaide, he stood up. It was a real captains game, featuring 26 possessions, a huge 11 tackles and two goals, and especially noteworthy after the clubs leaders had been challenged in the lead-up to the contest. Boak was hard and clean in the slippery conditions and really set the tone for his side, which outhunted the Tigers.Gold Coasts spine:?Any good side needs to have a strong list, particularly through the spine. Before feasting on the Saints on Saturday, the Suns had suffered 10 straight losses, with poor form and injury concerns hampering them all season. But in Stephen May, Rory Thompson, Aaron Hall, Tom Lynch and the emerging Peter Wright, Gold Coast have a spine that should hold them in good stead for years to come. Wright was particularly impressive against St Kilda with three goals and 10 marks, and he will be a terrific foil for Lynch, who is without doubt one of the best key forwards in the competition.VILLAINSSt Kildas away form:?What happens to the Saints as soon as they leave the cosy confines of Victoria? So far this season, theyve been largely uncompetitive interstate - losing by 33, 3, 103, 88 and now 40 points. Against the Suns on Saturday, they looked off from the first minute, lacking energy and making sloppy mistakes. Luckily for Alan Richardson and Co. the Saints dont travel outside of Victoria for the rest of the year but if they want to take the step from a promising team to a genuine finals contender, they need to address this inconsistency.Sydneys reliance on Lance Franklin:?Buddy was electric against the Dogs, collecting 21 disposals, 10 marks and booting five goals. He almost single-handedly dragged the Swans over the line, but the club needs to be careful in not becoming too Buddy-centric. Sydney only had five goal kickers against the Bulldogs, with several players missing very gettable shots on goal. They are missing Kurt Tippett massively and a few forwards are down on previous form. Franklin is red-hot but he needs more help especially as they prepare for the formidable defences of Geelong and Hawthorn in the next fortnight.Carlton vs. Collingwood:?Over the years, this has always been a game to look forward to - two genuine rivals who detest each other and go toe-to-toe for a full four quarters. But what a fizzer it was at the MCG on Saturday night. It really was a forgettable game of football. Both sides made shocking errors, but I guess it was no surprise that it was a clash between 13th and 14th on the ladder. Only the debut of third-generation Blue Jack Silvagni and the Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury, who looked a class above, provided any highlight. Cheap Nike Free With Free Shipping . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Discount Nike Free . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. http://www.wholesalenikefree.com/ . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Wholesale Nike Free .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Cheap Nike Free Online . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Coach Ben McAdoo has talked with Giants players about making a statement on social injustice in the wake of police shootings in Oklahoma and North Carolina, but something other than kneeling or sitting for the national anthem.The rookie coach neither identified the players he spoke with Wednesday nor did he say what type of action was being considered.No Giants players have sat or knelt during the playing of the national anthem either in the preseason or at the opening two games of the NFL regular season. There was also no indication any of them would protest Sunday when the Giants will be home to play the Washington Redskins.Theyre conflicted and they want to make a difference, McAdoo said of his meeting with the players. The league is a platform to make a difference. I encourage them to. I would like to be involved in that. Anything I can do to help.Still, I feel that you can make a difference outside of the anthem. We can do something together to make a difference. It doesnt have to involve the national anthem. I still believe that you pay tribute to the people that sacrifice their lives so that we can coach and play in this great game.San Francisco 49ers quarterback CColin Kaepernick began the anthem protest that other NFL players and athletes in other sports have since joined.ddddddddddddMcAdoo said he would not stop any player who wanted to join that protest.Thats their freedom, McAdoo said. I just want an open dialogue, something that we can do together as a team to make a difference.Running back Rashad Jennings wanted the team to do something seen as more than a gesture that many view as disrespect for the sacrifices of those who defend the country. He wanted the protest to be seen as opposition to oppression and injustice.Cornerback Janoris Jenkins said he felt a little powerless when he heard about the recent shootings.They have to get that fixed, to the top, start with the president or whatever, he said. Man, you just drop your head and move on and hope that one day there will be a change.Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said he would stand for the anthem. He said what others do is up to them.Dont be a follower, be a leader, Pierre-Paul said. Do what you want to do.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '