St Kilda spearhead Max King celebrates one of his four goals in his return. Photo: AFL MEDIA
PORT ADELAIDE 11.14 (80) defeated MELBOURNE 11.10 (76)
One of the most entertaining contests of the season included one of its best individual performances as Zak Butters tallied 41 disposals, nine clearances and two goals in his side’s narrow win. The awesome display earnt post-match praise from Ken Hinkley, who danced with delight on the final siren and described his 22-year-old star as a “tough, brave, little prick”. Fellow Port midfielders Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis were also instrumental. Brodie Grundy shushed the Power fans during Melbourne’s six-goal third-quarter surge but the locals had the last laugh. It was Port’s fourth win this season by seven points or less and Melbourne’s second defeat of the year at Adelaide Oval. The Power’s victory came despite the absence of forward-line trio Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall and Junior Rioli.
NORTH MELBOURNE 14.6 (90) lost to SYDNEY 14.9 (93)
The Kangaroos’ first game under caretaker Brett Ratten almost resulted in an upset win but an interchange blunder gifted Sydney the crucial goal in the final minute. North went over their cap of 75 rotations and, after some confusion, Hayden McLean popped through the match-winner from the goal line. Chad Warner and Luke Parker were brilliant for the Swans, who kicked the final three goals of the game to sneak home, and Lance Franklin booted three majors. North dominated clearances (47-27) and co-captain Jy Simpkin was huge alongside Bailey Scott in the midfield, while young star Harry Sheezel and debutant George Wardlaw impressed. Sydney’s win came at a cost when Peter Ladhams sustained a serious ankle injury.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 11.19 (85) defeated ADELAIDE 5.10 (40)
Jason Johannisen’s hamstring injury and wayward goal-kicking were the only negatives from an otherwise impressive Bulldogs outing in Ballarat. The Dogs rode strong performances from Bailey Smith (37 disposals), Jack Macrae (25, two goals) and skipper Marcus Bontempelli (29, one) to a sixth-straight victory. Rory Laird (35 touches) was one of the Crows’ best but they missed the absent trio Taylor Walker, Tom Doedee and Riley Thilthorpe. Matthew Nicks conceded it was the “uppercut” Adelaide needed and lamented his side’s lack of intensity around the ball. Adding to the Crows’ woes, Mitch Hinge was concussed and Izak Rankine was placed on report for front-on contact with Taylor Duryea.
FREMANTLE 16.10 (106) defeated GEELONG 11.11 (77)
The Dockers posted a triple-figure score for the third-straight week – a nine-year first – as they took advantage of an undermanned Geelong outfit at home. Ruckman Sean Darcy dominated and midfield duo Andrew Brayshaw (33 touches, seven clearances, one goal) and Caleb Serong (28, 10, one) were influential as Jye Amiss and Michael Walters kicked three goals each. Tom Hawkins booted three for the Cats, whose leading ball-winners were Zach Tuohy and Tanner Bruhn with just 19 disposals each. The Dockers had 107 more uncontested possessions than their opponents. Nat Fyfe had had 17 disposals and four clearances before being subbed out in the third quarter, having been the starting sub twice on return from injury over the previous fortnight.
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BRISBANE 16.11 (107) defeated GOLD COAST 9.10 (64)
The Suns were within five points early in the final quarter but it always felt like Brisbane had another gear to go to. So it proved, as the home side kicked 6.3 to 0.1 from that point to run away with a seventh-straight victory for the season and ninth in a row against its Queensland rival. Lachie Neale was best afield with 35 disposals and 10 clearances as Hugh McCluggage (30 touches), Will Ashcroft (30) and Josh Dunkley (29) all got to work, with the latter involved in a key battle with Matt Rowell. Joe Daniher booted four goals for Brisbane and Bailey Humphrey (26 disposals, five clearances) was a shining light for the Suns.
ESSENDON 10.11 (71) defeated RICHMOND 10.10 (70)
Despite what Damien Hardwick conceded was a “diabolical” performance overall, the Tigers led by three goals early in the final quarter of Dreamtime At The ‘G. They had chances to win, and Rhyan Mansell will rue his set shot that sailed out on the full. The Bombers stormed home, kicking four of the last five goals as Sam Durham marked in the goal square to boot the match-winner in the dying stages. Jake Stringer, Mason Redman and Jordan Ridley had some important moments and captain Zach Merrett (39 disposals) starred for Essendon, claiming the Yiooken Award. Dustin Martin (24 disposals, two goals) and Shai Bolton (28, two) were outstanding for Richmond. But the Tigers’ poor run in tight games extended to nine losses and three draws in their last dozen decided by a kick or less.
HAWTHORN 22.10 (142) defeated WEST COAST 4.2 (26)
Hawks spearhead Mitch Lewis kicked 6.1 and outscored the Eagles on his own as 18th beat 17th by the biggest margin recorded by any side this season to date. Luke Breust booted three majors and Conor Nash (30 touches), Josh Weddle (28), James Worpel (27) and Lachie Bramble (24) all brought smiles to Sam Mitchell’s face. Injury-ravaged West Coast hit a new low as it fell to the bottom of the ladder; one win and percentage behind nearest rivals the Hawks and North Melbourne. The Eagles, who managed just two behinds after half-time in Launceston, have now suffered eight straight defeats by an average margin of 66 points.
CARLTON 7.15 (57) lost to COLLINGWOOD 13.7 (85)
Magpies skipper Darcy Moore shone brightest, leading from the front with 17 intercept possessions, 25 disposals and six contested marks as his impressive Collingwood outfit poured more pressure on its archrival. Tom Mitchell, Jordan De Goey and Scott Pendlebury were all important contributors and Brody Mihocek cashed in with four goals. The Magpies effectively ended the contest with nine of the first 11 goals and led by 44 points before the main break. Carlton showed fight and outscored its opponent in the second half – 3.9 to 3.2 – but never got close enough to mount a serious challenge. Charlie Curnow kicked three goals as Adam Cerra (33 disposals, three clearances) and Sam Docherty (34, five) battled hard for the Blues.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 12.8 (80) lost to ST KILDA 13.14 (92)
Key forward Max King announced his return with four goals as the Saints hung on for a tough win in enemy territory. But it came at a cost as young gun Mitch Owens was driven off the field after an accidental head knock in a nasty incident before half-time. Jack Higgins booted three goals and Jack Sinclair two from his game-high tally of 37 disposals. Giants midfielder Tom Green (29 disposals, nine clearances) continued his strong form and captain Toby Greene kicked two goals from 16 touches on return from a fortnight out with an ankle injury. GWS lost Harry Himmelberg to concussion early in the second half.
