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Kung-fu Toby & iffy umps take over Twitter in AFL Round 21

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ROUND 21 of the 2017 AFL Premiership season kicked off with a tasty match-up between the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney.

The Giants cruised to a 48-point victory to stay in the hunt for a top-two finish, but the result was the least of the night’s talking points.

Front and centre yet again was the pugnacious Toby Greene, who caused a stir with a high boot to the face of Dogs midfielder Luke Dahlhaus.

Some defended the talented forward, only just back from suspension, but most viewers were on the same page.

The Sydney Swans had a day out against Fremantle, kicking 13.6.84 in the first half en route to a massive 104-point victory.

It was also a big Saturday afternoon for the Brisbane Lions, who smashed an undermanned Gold Coast side in the Q Clash.

But the result of the afternoon came down at Kardinia Park, where Geelong silenced the doubters with a gutsy win over in-form Richmond.

More than a few Twitterers felt the Cats had a helping hand, both from the fixture makers and the men in fluoro.

The umpires were again in the spotlight during Essendon’s clash with Adelaide, but there was plenty of real action to enjoy as the Crows ran out with another big win.

While Tom Lynch put forward a very strong case for miss of the season, Channel Seven’s Cameron Ling made the rookie error of drawing attention to a shocker from his own past.

The Bombers had their moments, not least through the much-maligned Cale Hooker and his outstanding shooting from long range.

Young gun Andy McGrath did his Rising Star chances no harm at all, powering through a few early clangers to silence Crows star Eddie Betts.

Over in Perth, the West Coast did their darndest to add another choke job to their alarming 2017 collection.

Having led by 35 points midway through the second quarter, the Eagles somehow found themselves a goal down to Carlton on the eaves of the final break.

They kicked back out in the last term to win it by 17 points, but the display left nobody convinced of West Coast’s finals credentials.

One shining light for Adam Simpson’s men was Josh Kennedy, who now leads the 2017 Coleman Medal race despite missing several games through injury.

The Sunday sessions commenced with Melbourne and St Kilda both looking to shake off poor form and jump back into the finals picture.

It would appear the Saints did not get the memo, however, as the Dees were already six goals to the good by the time Alan Richardson’s men turned up.

Melbourne fans have always had a reputation for walking in more genteel circles than the average football-goer, but one well-prepared punter took things to a new level.

To be fair, a cheese and avocado platter brought from home probably costs less than a pie and a Coke purchased at the ground.

Hawthorn celebrated Luke Hodge’s final game in Tasmania with a victory, but sadly it was Brian Taylor’s relentless attempts to be in the 1970s that grabbed Twitter’s attention.

BT, like far too many in the footy community, seemed to take special pleasure in slamming the decision-making of female ump Eleni Glouftsis.

Robbie Gray stole the show once more as Port Adelaide and Collingwood closed out the round with a seesawing affair in South Australia.

Port claimed an important win, but Ollie Wines could be in MRP strife for a high bump on Magpies defender Tom Langdon.