Essendon players run to Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti after his last quarter goal. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
RICHMOND 8.10 (58) drew with CARLTON 8.10 (58)
Damien Hardwick and Michael Voss were both left ruing missed opportunities as Richmond failed to cash in on territorial dominance – having won a lop-sided inside-50 count (66-45) – and Carlton let slip a seven-point lead in the dying stages. Tall Tiger Tom Lynch took a towering grab in the final minute and slotted the goal that ultimately ensured a split of the points. The Blues launched a last-gasp thrust from the next centre bounce but off-season recruit Blake Acres dropped a mark that would have given him a shot at glory after the siren from about 55m. Lynch kicked three goals in a tally matched at the opposite end by Charlie Curnow, who did all his damage on the scoreboard in the second half.
GEELONG 16.7 (103) lost to COLLINGWOOD 19.11 (125
Fearless flyer Jeremy Howe’s crash-landing cost him a broken arm but the Magpies rallied and kicked the last eight goals of the match to run away with a mightily impressive win. Josh and Nick Daicos starred in a tough week for the family – a day after their grandfather’s funeral – as Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill shone with three goals apiece. Geelong led by more than 20 points on four separate occasions and repeatedly threatened to break Collingwood’s back, but ran out of steam. Tom Stewart and Sam De Koning sustained knee injuries as possible victims of the slippery MCG turf, with All-Australian forwards Tom Hawkins (knee/calf) and Tyson Stengle (shoulder) also battling fitness concerns. Cats recruit Ollie Henry kicked two goals against the side he left in the off-season and was run down in the goal square by Darcy Moore, much to the delight of the black-and-white army, who ultimately had the last laugh.
NORTH MELBOURNE 12.15 (87) defeated WEST COAST 12.10 (82)
There were some nervous moments but the Kangaroos did just enough to ensure the Alastair Clarkson era kicked off with a win. Nick Larkey booted six straight goals and Luke Davies-Uniacke starred in the midfield. But it was No.3 draft pick Harry Sheezel who would have had North fans most excited about the future as he racked up 34 disposals – the third-highest tally of any player on debut in AFL/VFL history – across half-back. North’s lead grew to 34 points during the third term but the Eagles kicked seven of the last nine goals before their comeback attempt fell short. North picked Tristan Xerri ahead of stalwart Todd Goldstein but lost the ruckman to an early ankle injury, leaving Hugh Greenwood and Charlie Comben to battle away in the ruck. Liam Ryan kicked three goals for West Coast and captain Luke Shuey tried to haul his side over the line.
PORT ADELAIDE 18.18 (126) defeated BRISBANE 11.6 (72)
It was a case of no Travis Boak (injured), no Robbie Gray (retired) and no worries for Port Adelaide, which took a degree of relief from a season-opening win after last year’s horror 0-5 start. But Ken Hinkley’s overwhelming feeling was one of excitement for the future as fresh faces starred in the absence of the old guard. Midfield recruit Jason Horne-Francis (25 disposals, one goal) and ex-West Coast forward Junior Rioli (three goals) played key roles in a confidence-boosting win. Port trailed by three goals in the shadows of half-time but kicked the next eight majors – piling on 8.4 to 1.2 in a dominant third quarter – to turn the match on its head. Worryingly for Brisbane, coach Chris Fagan noted his side lacked the effort required to compete at the top level.
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MELBOURNE 17.13 (115) defeated WESTERN BULLDOGS 9.11 (65)
Kysaish Pickett lit up the MCG with four goals from 19 disposals but found himself in trouble for a high bump on Bailey Smith that will cost him two weeks on the sidelines. Ben Brown also kicked four goals as Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver helped give the Demons ascendancy before half-time. Melbourne got strong service from its new ruck-forward pairing of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy and Jake Lever stood up in defence as the ‘Dinosaur Dogs’ were limited to just two goals between the four of them. Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked one each but Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb had little impact.
GOLD COAST 9.7 (61) lost to SYDNEY 16.14 (110)
Lance Franklin kicked two early goals for the Swans but finished the night in hot water over his bump on Sam Collins, which caught the Suns defender high. Sydney, which flexed its muscle in booting the first five majors, finished with a dozen goal-kickers as old head Dane Rampe starred in defence and emerging stars Chad Warner (30 disposals) and Dylan Stephens (27) shone through the middle. Tom Papley provided highlights with two classy goals Jarrod Witts and Matt Rowell fought hard for a Gold Coast side that was comprehensively outclassed and didn’t show the collective will required to compete, as coach Stuart Dew admitted post-match. Ben King had just five disposals on his return after a year out through injury, registering a goal with his only kick.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 15.16 (106) defeated ADELAIDE 12.17 (89)
Harry Himmelberg soared on Reilly O’Brien’s back to haul in a spectacular mark as the Giants reeled in a 31-point deficit, surging home with 11 goals to four in the second half to celebrate Adam Kingsley’s first game in charge in fine style. The Crows wilted in stifling conditions and Shane McAdam will find himself in hot water over a brutal high bump on Jacob Wehr. GWS star Toby Greene led from the front with four goals from 19 disposals in his first game as standalone captain. Jesse Hogan chipped in with three and injury-riddled Brent Daniels kicked two, including the sealer, in his first game back for the Giants since 2021. Young stars Josh Rachele (three goals) and Izak Rankine (two) hit the scoreboard for Adelaide, who had only two of the top 10 possession winners on the ground. The win came at a cost for GWS, with Harry Perryman (hamstring), Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly (both concussion) all injured.
HAWTHORN 9.11 (65) lost to ESSENDON 19.10 (124)
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s comeback and final-quarter goal were highlights of the Bombers’ massive win in Brad Scott’s first game as coach. Darcy Parish (37 disposals) and Archie Perkins (three goals) were influential, but Dylan Shiel hurt a shoulder in his 200th game. New recruit Sam Weideman kicked two goals for Essendon, as did Sam Draper, Jye Menzie and Mason Redman. Hawthorn used the round-one contest to celebrate the anniversary of their 1983 premiership – a then-record thrashing of the Bombers – but couldn’t conjure a performance to mark the occasion. Experienced forward Luke Breust kicked three goals and Chad Wingard (calf) went off injured late in the match.
ST KILDA 10.7 (67) defeated FREMANTLE 7.10 (52)
It was a scrappy contest perfectly suited to the graveyard timeslot, but returned Saints coach Ross Lyon wasn’t bothered about the aesthetics after his injury-hit side pulled off a stunning upset. Mason Wood kicked two final-quarter goals as Jade Gresham and Zaine Cordy bobbed up to help the Saints finished full of running against a fancied opponent. Wood, Gresham and Mitch Owens finished with two majors each as Jack Steele, Brad Crouch and Ryan Byrnes found a heap of touches. Superstar Nat Fyfe had little impact in attack for the Dockers, whose slow ball movement failed to have the desired impact.
