Josh Bruce (five goals) introduces Bulldogs’ debutant Buku Khamis to that winning feeling. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
RICHMOND 9.9 (63) lost to GEELONG 19.12 (126)
It looked as though the reigning premier would continue to torment Geelong when its ferocious early pressure saw the Tigers jump out to an early three-goal lead. But the Cats turned the tables after quarter-time with Gary Rohan kicking two important goals to help get them back into it. The former Swans forward kicked five goals and combined well with Jeremy Cameron (six) and Tom Hawkins (four) in a dangerous attacking set-up. Together, the trio produced 15 goals, 21 marks and 42 score involvements. Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola were all important through the midfield. Tom Stewart limited Dustin Martin’s influence as Jack Henry and Lachie Henderson helped keep Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch quiet in a superb defensive performance. Richmond lost Shane Edwards to an ankle injury during the final term in what could be another blow to its depleted midfield stocks.
GOLD COAST 7.12 (54) lost to ST KILDA 8.15 (63)
The Saints trailed by 15 points at the final change but kicked four unanswered goals in the last quarter – doubling their tally for the day – to run over the top of the home side, squaring their season ledger at 4-4 in the process. Fine conditions didn’t make for fine football in a scrappy encounter, but Jack Billings, Hunter Clark and Jack Steele rose above the mess to have a strong impact for St Kilda, and Brad Crouch was huge in the final term. Touk Miller (33 disposals) and David Swallow (28) were the Suns’ best, with Swallow also laying 13 tackles, but Miller is in trouble for a high bump on Nick Coffield. The King brothers lined up at opposite ends and Ben kicked three goals for the Suns, while Max booted one goal in a quiet showing for the Saints. Players from both sides can expect hits to their hip pockets after tempers flared in an all-in melee on the half-time siren.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 16.11 (107) defeated ESSENDON 16.9 (105)
Bombers fans cried foul after a late opportunity for Cale Hooker resulted in a play-on call rather than a mark or free kick with less than a goal in it. The surprise Coleman Medal contender could have put the Dons in front with one minute left on the clock. Instead, Jacob Hopper gave the Giants breathing space before Kyle Langford pulled one back in the dying seconds. It was too little, too late for the Bombers, whose 2-6 record now includes three heartbreaking defeats by less than a goal. Jeremy Finlayson kicked three goals for the Giants, but has been suspended for one game for a high elbow on Zach Merrett. Bombers forward Jake Stringer hurt a hamstring and had to be substituted out of the match. Josh Kelly (30 disposals) and Tim Taranto (30) were among the Giants’ best, along with defender Sam Taylor and Callan Ward, who became the club’s all-time games record holder.
NORTH MELBOURNE 11.10 (76) lost to COLLINGWOOD 14.10 (94)
Didn’t the Magpies need that! Defeat to the winless Kangaroos would have caused all sorts of trouble at the under-fire club. Instead, Jordan de Goey kicked the Pies into gear early and finished with six goals as they snapped a five-match losing skid. Darcy Moore moved back to defence and had a career-high 28 disposals, and Scott Pendlebury pushed forward to kick two goals. Brodie Grundy, Brayden Maynard and Jack Crisp were all important contributors and John Noble fired up with his dad in the opposition coaches’ box, tallying a career-best 31 disposals. David Noble is yet to taste victory in eight matches at the helm of the Kangaroos, and it’s hard to see where the first one is coming from. Former Pies forward Jaidyn Stephenson kicked two goals from 19 disposals in his first match against the club that pushed him out during its infamous trade period fire sale.
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MELBOURNE 10.7 (67) defeated SYDNEY 8.10 (58)
Tall forwards Tom McDonald and Ben Brown combined for seven of the Demons’ 10 goals in the wet, helping drag their side over the line in their first full match together in attack. Sydney had threatened to cause an upset at the MCG, dominating centre clearances (17-4) and inside-50s (58-46), but couldn’t take full advantage on the scoreboard. Swans superstar Lance Franklin was held to just six disposals by Steven May on his return from a knee injury. Clayton Oliver’s clean hands in tough conditions in the final quarter were important, and McDonald’s huge pack mark and goal – his fourth – sealed the result. McDonald could have gone back to defence to cover injured teammate Adam Tomlinson, who is now out for the rest of the season, but Harrison Petty came in and the decision paid dividends. An eighth straight win for the Demons saw them maintain top spot of the ladder.
PORT ADELAIDE 12.15 (87) defeated ADELAIDE 5.8 (38)
Port underlined which team is in charge in South Australia with a comprehensive Showdown win, and made an even bigger statement post-match. After all the furore surrounding use of the club’s famous “prison bars” jumper – and the AFL’s refusal to let the Power wear it in matches – Port players changed into the black-and-white kit for their post-match victory song and celebrations. It was a fair-sized middle finger to the establishment, and to Collingwood. On the field, Power veteran Travis Boak claimed his third Showdown Medal and Tom Clurey starred in defence, blunting Taylor Walker. Port ruckman Scott Lycett is in trouble for a sling tackle on Adelaide youngster Ned McHenry, who was substituted out of the game before quarter-time with concussion. Lycett’s rough conduct charge has been referred directly to the tribunal.
HAWTHORN 8.12 (60) lost to WEST COAST 14.14 (98)
Just 15,277 fans were on hand for a scrappy Mother’s Day encounter that never reached any great heights. Brendon Ah Chee slotted a career-best four goals for the Eagles and Jack Darling kicked two as Dom Sheed, Andrew Gaff and Tim Kelly did the bulk of the work in the midfield. Ball magnet Tom Mitchell had 41 disposals for Hawthorn with Jarman Impey and James Worpel by his side in the midfield, but the home side had few winners and lost Jack Gunston as a late withdrawal due to back spasms. The win was West Coast’s first away from Perth this season.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 16.11 (107) defeated CARLTON 13.13 (91)
The Blues looked set to cause a major upset when they surged to a 27-point lead midway through the third quarter on the back of five goals to Eddie Betts and four from Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay. But the Dogs’ vaunted engine room turned the tide and dominated clearances to lay a platform for a dramatic turnaround. They kicked eight of the last nine goals in a rampant display as Josh Bruce finished with five majors. Lachie Hunter was influential in the final quarter despite a broken hand as Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Caleb Daniel starred. Carlton lost Jack Silvagni to a head knock and the unlucky utility cut a forlorn figure on the bench.
BRISBANE 14.11 (95) defeated FREMANTLE 10.11 (71)
COVID-19 issues saw the game moved from Perth to Brisbane, and the Lions relished playing on their home deck, breaking out to a 47-point lead before being pegged back a little late in the piece. Hugh McCluggage continued his stellar season in the absence of Lachie Neale, and Daniel Rich had a heap of the ball as a wayward Charlie Cameron kicked 3.5 as one of 11 goalkickers for the Lions. Veteran leaders Nat Fyfe and David Mundy were strong in the midfield for the Dockers, as was Andrew Brayshaw, but they were ultimately overpowered by a Brisbane side full of contributors. The Lions’ fourth consecutive win kept them within reach of the top four.
