Ollie Henry (left) and Brody Mihocek celebrate one of Henry’s four goals for Collingwood on Sunday. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
CARLTON 15.12 (102) defeated SYDNEY 13.9 (87)
Charlie Curnow’s five first-half goals helped the Blues burst out to a 38-point half-time lead after they booted nine majors in the second quarter. But as has become a trend this season, Carlton let its opponent back into the contest and was forced to withstand a huge Sydney challenge in the final term. The Swans had 18 inside-50s for the fourth quarter alone but could only manage to put 1.5 on the scoreboard, closing within eight points before falling short. Jacob Weitering was superb in defence for the Blues and Tom De Koning impressed in the ruck, dragging down a series of strong marks in the crucial final term. Curnow finished with six majors as the spearhead in an otherwise small forward line. Sam Walsh (34 disposals) was a prolific ball-winner for Carlton, which won the contested possession count by 24, and George Hewett (32) was a strong contributor against his old side. Logan McDonald’s three-goal performance in attack for Sydney caught the eye and Lance Franklin bombed a goal from the centre square, but the superstar was well held by Weitering. Josh Kennedy cleaned up Sam Docherty in a clumsy spoiling attempt and suffered a significant hamstring injury in the same play, forcing him out of the match.
GEELONG 11.16 (82) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 7.5 (47)
Jeremy Cameron’s big torpedo on the three-quarter time siren was one of three goals for the Cats key forward, who was an important factor in their win. Tyson Stengle also kicked three goals to continue his strong start to life as a Geelong player, while Cam Guthrie and Tom Stewart racked up plenty of touches. But the Cats lost Patrick Dangerfield to calf tightness, which led to him being substituted out of the match. Given his previous calf issues this season, Geelong are taking no risks with their veteran superstar. Port led early in the third quarter but was outscored seven goals to two in the second half. Kane Farrell kicked two goals from long range, with Robbie Gray and Todd Marshall also kicking two each, while Dan Houston (30 disposals) and Ollie Wines (29) found plenty of the ball.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 15.16 (106) defeated GOLD COAST 13.9 (87)
Marcus Bontempelli’s three crucial second-half goals from his 24 disposals were the difference as the Bulldogs held off a late surge from an increasingly impressive Gold Coast in Ballarat. Malcolm Rosas trimmed the margin to seven points with time remaining but late Dogs goals to Robbie McComb and Bailey Smith settled the contest. Smith and Jackson Macrae (34 disposals each) were everywhere for the Bulldogs and teammate Adam Treloar celebrated his 200th AFL appearance with one goal from 26 disposals. Aaron Naughton kicked three majors and was brilliant early before Sam Collins fought his way back into their battle. Joel Jeffrey ran hot with five goals for Gold Coast, having kicked just two in his five previous games at the top level, and Ben Ainsworth kicked three in another impressive display. The result squared the inconsistent Bulldogs’ season record at 5-5 as they seek to rediscover the sort of form that drove them to last year’s grand final. The Suns lost unlucky defender Rory Thompson to another knee injury and also lost Jy Farrar (concussion) after the main break.
NORTH MELBOURNE 8.5 (53) lost to MELBOURNE 14.16 (100)
Just for a fleeting moment, it seemed as if North might pull off the impossible – when Tristan Xerri’s goal at the 13-minute mark of the third quarter cut the margin to six points. Then reality hit. Melbourne, rebranded Narrm for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, booted 6.7 to 0.2 for the rest of the match and pulled well clear with four unanswered majors in the final term. The result moved the reigning premier to a perfect 10-0 start to a season for the first time since 1956 and extended its current winning streak to 17 matches. Clayton Oliver had a career-high 45 disposals and Christian Petracca had 30 as Bayley Fritsch and Tom McDonald kicked three goals each, with Ed Langdon’s rib injury from a crunching Tarryn Thomas tackle the only real concern. North’s Curtis Taylor also suffered a rib injury and was substituted out of the match. Kangaroos coach David Noble saw plenty of positives but they weren’t in the stands, where a tiny crowd turned out to witness the Saturday twilight contest.
ADELAIDE 9.15 (69) lost to ST KILDA 14.6 (90)
Max King made the most of his limited opportunities to kick six goals in a match-winning display as speedster Brad Hill celebrated his 200th AFL game with 30 disposals, one goal and 568m gained for the Saints. Trailing by nine points at the final change in what was a low-scoring affair to that point, St Kilda piled on eight goals to three in a dominant last quarter. The Saints’ burst included the final four goals of the game as they snatched the lead and pulled away late. Tim Membrey kicked two goals as King’s sidekick and Jack Sinclair continued his hot form with 31 disposals, while Brad Crouch had 31 and a goal against his old side. The Crows were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal, though Jordan Dawson and Shane McAdam managed 2.0 apiece. Stand-in captain Ben Keays (27 disposals), Rory Laird (24) and Brodie Smith (28) all won plenty of the ball in a losing side.
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RICHMOND 11.14 (80) defeated ESSENDON 7.6 (48)
A stunning War Cry as part of the Dreamtime ceremony was the highlight as Richmond extended its winning run to four matches and solidified its top-eight position. At times feisty, the match itself never reached any great heights, with the Tigers putting a wedge between themselves and Essendon with a run of five consecutive goals straddling quarter-time. Jack Riewoldt kicked four majors and had a hand in others as Dion Prestia claimed the Yiooken Award as best afield. He was a unanimous pick with the judges after gathering 36 disposals. Indigenous livewires Shai Bolton and Maurice Rioli Jnr kicked two goals each. After a week under an intense spotlight, the Bombers showed more fight and were ultimately outclassed, rather than outmuscled. Injuries to Tom Lynch (hamstring) and Kane Lambert (hip soreness) took some of the gloss off Richmond’s win, while Essendon’s Matt Guelfi (hamstring) also failed to see out the match.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 21.12 (138) defeated WEST COAST 13.8 (86)
Mark McVeigh’s first game in charge of GWS could not have gone much better. Toby Greene kicked two goals in the first five minutes as the Giants posted seven first-quarter majors and repeated the dose in the second term to take a commanding lead by the main break. Stephen Coniglio returned to the midfield and had a day out with 36 disposals, with Harry Perryman (30) and Josh Kelly (29) also busy. Greene was one of seven multiple goal-kickers for the home side as James Peatling kicked three and Jesse Hogan added two on return to the side. That the Eagles could lose by such a margin and still improve their percentage tells you a fair bit about how their first 10 rounds have gone this year. It got worse when captain Luke Shuey, who has battled hamstring injuries all year, was substituted out because of a back issue. One positive for West Coast was Isiah Winder’s three-goal haul, but it was scant consolation for Adam Simpson after another tough day at the office.
HAWTHORN 18.9 (117) defeated BRISBANE 17.10 (112)
Perhaps there is still a bit of ‘fortress’ about Hawthorn’s second home in Launceston afterall. Staring at a 22-point deficit midway through the third quarter, having conceded four straight goals, the Hawks looked gone for all money. But they fought back and outlasted a far better credentialled opponent in an epic fourth quarter that saw five lead changes. Jai Newcombe (27 disposals) continued his brilliant season and Tom Mitchell (36) was important on return from a week’s rest. Mitch Lewis (four goals) and Chad Wingard (three) did most of the damage in attack and James Sicily blunted Lions spearhead Eric Hipwood. Lachie Neale helped give the Lions the upper hand but was quiet when his side needed a match-winner and Brisbane suffered a blow when Hugh McCluggage limped off late with a hamstring injury. Charlie Cameron and impressive youngster Jaxon Prior each kicked three goals for the Lions.
FREMANTLE 6.8 (44) lost to COLLINGWOOD 12.8 (80)
High-flying Jeremy Howe added yet another towering mark to his highlights reel as Collingwood rolled into the eye of a Perth thunderstorm and stunned Fremantle. Three unanswered goals during the second term gave the Magpies the upper hand in the wet and they went on with the job in an impressive performance. Tall forward Mason Cox was substituted out with a bad finger injury and replacement Oliver Henry played a key role with four goals, including three in the final term. Jack Crisp, Taylor Adams and Patrick Lipinksi had a say in the middle and Brayden Maynard was superb in defence, while livewire forward Jack Ginnivan added the finishing touches with a cheeky celebration in front of the Dockers’ cheer squad. Will Brodie continued his impressive form for Fremantle, with David Mundy, Andrew Brayshaw and ruckman Sean Darcy all battling hard for the home side. But the Dockers have now lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, casting huge doubts over their premiership credentials ahead of clashes with Melbourne and Brisbane.
