Essendon skipper Zach Merrett celebrates another Bomber goal in Sunday’s win over Adelaide. GETTY IMAGES
RICHMOND 12.16 (88) defeated SYDNEY 11.9 (75)
The Swans led by 26 points midway through the second term but the advantage was chewed up and spat out by Richmond’s dominant stoppage brigade after half-time. Dustin Martin (29 disposals, six clearances), Dion Prestia (22, six), Shai Bolton (31, nine) and Tim Taranto (29, nine) were all important for the Tigers and Jack Graham kicked two crucial final-quarter goals to drag them over the line. There were sour notes for Richmond, which lost debutant Jacob Bauer to a hamstring in the opening two minutes and saw influential ruckman Toby Nankervis sent straight to the tribunal for the high bump that concussed Sydney’s Jake Lloyd. Isaac Heeney kicked three goals for the Swans and Lance Franklin was one of three to boot two for the visitors in what was likely the veteran superstar’s final appearance at the MCG.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 11.11 (77) lost to COLLINGWOOD 13.11 (89)
Silky-skilled veteran Scott Pendlebury broke the competition record for all-time disposals – moving past St Kilda’s Robert Harvey with 9664 for his career – as emerging superstar Nick Daicos (29 disposals, two goals) led the Magpies to yet another impressive win. The Bulldogs kicked five of the first six goals and led by 22 points but were outclassed from that point until four late goals made the margin more palatable. Jamie Elliott (four goals) and Ash Johnson (three) shone in attack for Collingwood, while Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman finished with four majors each for the Bulldogs.
BRISBANE 16.20 (116) defeated WEST COAST 5.5 (35)
Jack Gunston returned with a six-goal bang as the Lions put the result beyond doubt with a 45-0 opening burst in the first 25 minutes of action. Hugh McCluggage (20 disposals) was busy early with two first-quarter goals and Will Ashcroft (28 touches, seven clearances, seven tackles) starred again for the rampant home side, which is unbeaten in eight matches at the Gabba this season. Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons were influential in the middle and Harris Andrews (19 disposals, 13 marks, 12 intercepts) was a rock at the back. West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern (20 disposals, nine marks) got through three quarters of his comeback match unscathed before being substituted, while Tim Kelly (26 disposals) and Liam Duggan (33) fought hard in a losing cause.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 12.13 (85) defeated HAWTHORN 10.12 (72)
First-year coach Adam Kingsley boldly declared “anything’s possible” after his Giants held off Hawthorn for a tough win that put them within sight of the top eight. Jesse Hogan booted a season-high four goals, including the sealer in the dying stages, and former skipper Stephen Coniglio (30 disposals, three goals) led from the front. Jake Riccardi also booted three majors as Toby Greene was held goalless for the first time this season by Blake Hardwick. Finn Maginness was another clear winner for Hawthorn, restricting classy midfielder Josh Kelly to just six disposals. The Hawks dominated centre bounces (17-6) and overall clearances (40-25) but couldn’t make it count where it mattered most.
ST KILDA 8.10 (58) lost to MELBOURNE 12.7 (79)
Efficiency was the difference, according to Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, but there’s no doubt injuries also played a part as the Saints were ravaged early. They lost star forward Max King (shoulder) in the opening seconds, Seb Ross (hamstring) just minutes later and Zaine Cordy (concussion) before quarter-time – yet still managed to stay in the game deep into the final quarter. Christian Petracca’s four goals guided the Demons home as they compiled their biggest score in almost two months. Tom Sparrow and Jake Melksham chipped in with two majors each and Taj Woewodin – son of 2000 Brownlow medallist Shane – gathered 12 disposals in a steady debut. Ruckman Rowan Marshall (29 disposals, 16 hit-outs, eight clearances) was enormous for the Saints against Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn, while Demons defender Steven May (29 disposals, 12 marks and 13 intercepts) was a rock at the back for the winners. The result gave fourth-placed Melbourne a one-win buffer from the chasing pack.
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PORT ADELAIDE 16.10 (106) defeated GOLD COAST 11.7 (73)
A nine-goal Power surge during the third quarter told the tale as the home side extended its club-record winning streak to 13 matches. Connor Rozee (28 touches, two goals, seven inside-50s) starred, slotting a brilliant dribble kick from the boundary line, while Jeremy Finlayson booted three majors in his 100th game and Charlie Dixon one in his 200th. Levi Casboult kicked four for the Suns but key forward partner Ben King did not have an influence and was subbed out. The visitors had the sniff of an upset when they led by a goal at half-time but were blown away from that point. Port Adelaide lost defender Trent McKenzie to an ankle injury in the opening term.
GEELONG 19.11 (125) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 9.9 (63)
Geelong celebrated Zach Tuohy’s record-breaking 265th game – the most by an Irish-born player – with a commanding victory that put it back into the top eight. Tyson Stengle (five), Oliver Henry (four), Tom Hawkins and Brad Close (both three) all kicked multiple goals for the Cats, with Gryan Miers (32 touches), Mitch Duncan (30, one goal) and Patrick Dangerfield (26, nine clearances) all busy. Luke Davies-Uniacke was the Kangaroos’ best with 28 disposals and two goals. North’s Cooper Harvey – son of AFL/VFL games record holder Brent – was mobbed by teammates after kicking his first goal on debut in the final term. The Kangaroos lost Griffin Logue (knee) and Jy Simpkin (concussion) to injuries during the first half.
ESSENDON 17.13 (115) defeated ADELAIDE 15.7 (97)
Essendon’s lightning ball movement set the tone from the outset as it cracked triple figures on the scoreboard for the third time this season. Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish combined for 78 disposals and a dozen clearances as Peter Wright and Kyle Langford booted three goals each in attack. Jordan Ridley was subbed out after hyperextending his left knee during the third term, but there were few other worries for Brad Scott. His counterpart Matthew Nicks conceded the scoreboard flattered the Crows, who won the final quarter but were well beaten. The defeat cost the SA side its spot in the top eight.
FREMANTLE 6.9 (45) lost to CARLTON 14.14 (98)
The Blues’ resurgence continued with a dominant display out west as Charlie Curnow marked his 100-game milestone in fine style with three goals. Harry McKay also finished with three in a game the visitors put to bed during the third quarter, when they kicked six unanswered goals to turn a 25-point half-time lead into a 64-point advantage. Sam Walsh (32 touches), Patrick Cripps (29), Sam Docherty (28) and former Docker Adam Cerra (27) all racked up plenty of touches for Carlton, which has now won three straight games to keep its finals hopes alive. Fremantle is heading in the opposite direction after another limp display that sees it just all but out of top-eight contention.
