After overcoming Port Adelaide in the opening game of Round 16, Hawthorn still remain a game clear of a group of three teams that includes Sydney, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs after a fascinating weekend of AFL.Some key results shaped the top eight, with the Giants dropping their game to a reinvigorated Collingwood and West Coast winning their clash with North Melbourne to jump into fifth position and leave the Kangaroos slumping to just one win from their past six outings.Sydney travelled to Geelong in a game that lived up to its blockbuster billing, while the Suns and Lions played out a high-scoring contest before Gold Coast got the choccies.On Saturday night, the Bulldogs survived a fierce challenge from Richmond, before Melbourne knocked off two hoodoos in beating Fremantle and winning in Darwin.On Sunday, Adelaide got the job done comfortably against Carlton despite Dennis Armfields three long-range bombs in the second term.Essendon and St.Kilda played out a close one at Etihad with the Saints prevailing mainly due to the poor kicking of the Dons.HEROESCollingwoods big men:?Saturdays win against the Giants was a huge result for the Pies. Their pressure was immense across the ground and their impressive workrate culminated in a stunning performance - particularly after GWS started well, before the Magpies slammed on nine goals to two in the second term. Emerging ruckman Brodie Grundy fought back to get on top of Shane Mumford while Travis Cloke played his best game since returning from the VFL after two separate stints in the lower level. He and Jesse White combined for 22 marks and seven goals between them. It was a fantastic return to form for Cloke after such a trying season, with the veterans sticky hands and attack on the ball back on full display.Jack Grimes:?What a story of persistence. The former Demons skipper has been forced to ply his trade in the VFL all season before finally breaking into the senior side for the clash against Fremantle in Darwin. Grimes, in his 99th AFL game, collected 32 touches as well as eight tackles and was one of many dominant ball winners who allowed Melbourne to smash Freo in possessions (135 more disposals than the Dockers). Youve got to admire players who are seemingly down and out then have the resilience to fight their way back into a team and then perform. It was a fine all-round effort from Melbourne, with Max Gawn putting it on a platter to the mids, Jayden Hunt and Tom McDonald both providing plenty of bounce and rebound, and Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts thriving up forward.Sydneys younguns:?The Swans were staring at two consecutive losses after going down to the Dogs at home and then travelling to Geelong to face the Dangerfield-inspired Cats. As usual, the senior Swans lead by Dane Rampe fired but the clubs most inexperienced players stood up in a finals-like contest. Ruckman Sam Naismith, key defender Aliir Aliir, small forward Tom Papley and half-back Callum Mills all played with a poise and consistency that belied their ages. Sydneys ability to continually contend while simultaneously regenerating their list is incredible.VILLAINSReece Conca:?The Tiger was certainly stiff to get pinged for holding the ball late in Saturday nights ripping contest against the Bulldogs. He had no opportunity to get rid of the ball after being swamped straight after taking possession, but these things happen. However, players have to give the ball back quickly, and Conca didnt, which cost him a 50m penalty. Suddenly, a kick from outside 50 became a certain goal to star Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli. Conca had to be smarter than that, despite his disappointment about the tough decision. But full credit to the Dogs - Bontempelli and Jake Stringer set them alight to get their side across the line.Lin Jongs clandestine visit:?So, the out-of-contract Jong caught up with some Collingwood officials and had a look around the Magpies facilities during the mid-season bye. That sort of stuff happens all the time, but their problem was getting caught! In this era of freer player movement, people have every right to assess their options when it comes to their future. However, the visit to Collingwood HQ was just silly and misguided by Jong and his management - you dont need to enter the facilities at the Holden Centre to know they would be first-class.Missed mark-of-the-year opportunities:?Cyril Rioli launched above the converging pack against Port Adelaide and it was truly spectacular. The mark was paid by the controlling umpire but the central ump Chris Donlon ruled the footy had hit the ground upon his descent. It had - but a sense of theatre like Gary Ablett Snr. over Gary Pert in yesteryear may have been appropriate for one of the many highlights of the season. While we are on aerialists, Jeremy Howe had commentators and fans out of their seats when he catapulted high above the pack in the defensive 50 against GWS. But instead of trying to take the mark, he only spoiled the ball. As the most consistent high flyer in the game, Howe should know better than to ruin a moment like that. Take the mark, Jeremy! Wholesale Shoes Cheap . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Wholesale Mens Shoes China . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. http://www.wholesaleshoesfashion.com/ .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. Wholesale Fashion Shoes . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Cheap Fashion Shoes Wholesale . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Blake Fergusons resounding Four Nations tour has kept the door ajar on his chances of retaining his NSW State of Origin jumper next year, says Blues coach Laurie Daley.Four months after an error-riddled return to the Origin arena, Ferguson was awarded the Harry Sunderland medal as Australias best player in the Four Nations series.For Daley, it was the perfect response after a sub-par Origin series in 2016.The thing with Fergo, on that big stage, unfortunately hed made one error a game and all those errors in games one, two and three led to tries, Daley said.In that arena where tries are hard to come by, every mistake is scrutinised. Other than that, his overall game in Origin was very good. Unfortunately mistakes did lead to tries.Ferguson was brought back into the Origin cauldron this year despite a slow start to the 2016 season with his club side, Sydney Roosters, that included a one-game experiment at fullback.He was immediately switched to the flanks until after the Origin series, when club coach Trent Robinson again attempted to pllay the 26-year-old in the No.dddddddddddd1 jumper.And it was there where Daley noticed a big jump in form over the back half of Fergusons campaign, resulting in a Kangaroos berth and an equal tournament-high four tries.He got better as the season went on and took a lot of confidence. Going away with the Australian side, he got player of the tour, so thats a fantastic achievement, Daley said.Youd think hed come back a better player for that and again look to cement his position in the NSW team, but you can never take anything for granted in this team.We had some really good performers this year but there are some guys who missed out that are knocking on the door in terms of those outside backs.It gives us great depth and great comfort to know weve got plenty of people challenging for positions. The exciting thing for me is the guys will have to go out there and play well if they want to be in that first game. ' ' '