Delight and despair: Contrasting emotions as the final siren sounds Collingwood’s win over Carlton. Photo: AFL MEDIA
SYDNEY 16.10 (106) defeated RICHMOND 15.10 (100)
Controversy reigned after the Tigers were denied a 50-metre penalty on the final siren when Chad Warner booted the ball into the crowd to celebrate the Swans’ win. Dion Prestia had been paid a free kick a split second before the siren and eventually took it from 65 metres out once the umpires regained control amid the chaos. Prestia’s desperate attempt to tie the match predictably fell short, though it should never have got to that point. Richmond led by 33 points during the first half on the back of huge efforts from Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin and Josh Gibcus, who had been given the job on Lance Franklin and kept the superstar quiet. But Franklin burst to life and booted five goals to inspire the Swans’ fightback as the Tigers wasted chances to win it late, with Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton among those who let opportunities go begging. Warner, Luke Parker and Jake Lloyd were influential and Sam Reid booted three goals as Franklin’s capable offsider.
BRISBANE 16.14 (110) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 15.6 (96)
There were unexpected scenes at the Gabba when the Giants booted six of the first seven majors to lead by 30 points. By the end of a free-scoring first quarter, the visitors had posted 8.1 to Brisbane’s 6.1. The 14 goals came from a combined 27 forward-50 entries, with three of them off the boot of red-hot Toby Greene. But the Lions shook off the sloppy start and wore down their opponents as Lachie Neale (39 disposals), Jarrod Berry (33) and Cam Rayner (25) played key roles. Lincoln McCarthy (four) and Dan McStay (two) were among 10 goal-kickers for Brisbane as Greene (four) and James Peatling (three) made their presence felt for GWS. The Giants lost veteran Callan Ward to concussion, from a collision with Eric Hipwood’s knee, while co-captains Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio battled hard in a losing cause.
GEELONG 15.7 (97) defeated ADELAIDE 7.13 (55)
Ex-Crows forward Tyson Stengle booted three goals against his former club as the Cats resisted a challenge in the third quarter and pulled clear for a comfortable win, booting seven of the last eight goals of the match. Jeremy Cameron did the No.5 jumper proud at Kardinia Park with three superb snaps in a haul of four goals, and Gryan Miers booted three. Tom Stewart repelled repeated Adelaide raids as the visitors controlled the clearance battle for most of the day, with Rory Laird and recalled ruckman Reilly O’Brien influential in that department. Tom Atkins and Joel Selwood combined for 40 tackles in a tough contest around the ball. Darcy Fogarty stood up with three goals for Adelaide and Ben Keays helped the Crows fight back into the contest in the third term, when they reduced the deficit to eight points and had a sniff of victory.
MELBOURNE 7.14 (56) lost to FREMANTLE 14.10 (94)
The Demons’ 17-match winning streak came to an abrupt end as the unfancied visitors ran riot in the second half at the MCG. Having trailed by 30 points late in the second term, Fremantle kicked eight goals in a third-quarter surge to seize momentum, and pulled clear with four unanswered majors in the final period. Lachie Schultz kicked four majors and Rory Lobb three, while Michael Frederick shone in attack and ruckman Sean Darcy starred against the Max Gawn-Luke Jackson combination. Luke Ryan was superb in defence and James Aish played a crucial role in shutting down Clayton Oliver after half-time. Bayley Fritsch kicked three goals for the Dees and Jack Viney was strong around the ball, but the Dockers’ enthusiastic spread of contributors caused one of the upsets of the season. Melbourne suffered a huge early blow when it lost Steven May to concussion from friendly fire with Jake Lever and the Dockers substituted key forward Matt Taberner in the third term because of back spasms.
WEST COAST 9.6 (60) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 25.11 (161)
Records tumbled as the Bulldogs feasted on a wounded opponent and gave themselves a handy percentage boost in their first game at Optus Stadium since last year’s grand final. The Dogs had 16 goalkickers in an even team performance as out-of-contract ruckman Tim English made a strong return from injury and illness against the team that has been keen to lure him west. Adam Treloar (35 disposals) and Jack Macrae (30) won plenty of the ball and key defender Alex Keath kicked two goals, rubbing salt in the Eagles’ wounds in the final term when he booted his second courtesy of twin 50-metre penalties. Spearhead Aaron Naughton kicked four goals as the Dogs posted their biggest ever win over West Coast, eclipsing the 70-point margin in a 1998 qualifying final. Jack Darling booted a season-high four goals for the Eagles and Tim Kelly racked up 38 disposals and 11 clearances. But their individual efforts couldn’t prevent West Coast suffering defeat by a triple-figure margin for the second time this year. Jeremy McGovern was substituted out with a back complaint in another concern for the injury-hit Eagles.
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GOLD COAST 18.13 (121) defeated HAWTHORN 7.12 (54)
The Suns are emerging as a genuine finals threat after a third win in four outings, playing the slippery conditions well in Darwin. Mabior Chol and Malcolm Rosas kicked three goals each and hometown hero Joel Jeffrey backed up his five-goal haul from the previous week with another lively display in attack. Brandon Ellis starred with 24 disposals and two goals, with Lachie Weller (27) and Touk Miller (24) also prominent ball-winners for Gold Coast. Tom Mitchell had 29 disposals for Hawthorn and James Sicily stood up in defence. But the Hawks had too few contributors in a huge let-down after their upset of high-flying Brisbane. Gold Coast will be a hot favourite to square its season ledger against North Melbourne in round 12 and face Adelaide at home after the bye. By that stage, Stuart Dew’s men could have a keen eye on September.
ST KILDA 16.7 (103) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 7.8 (50)
The Kangaroos’ miserable season continued under the roof as St Kilda showed no mercy, posting a comfortable win that strengthened their top-four case. Jade Gresham (29 disposals, two goals) was outstanding again for the Saints and Brad Hill continued his rich vein of form with a game-high 33 disposals, with Seb Ross (28) and Jack Sinclair (32) also impressive. Spearhead Max King kicked three goals and Tim Membrey two, while Mitch Owens nailed his first goal in senior footy and added another within a minute. Owens’ cameo came as the Saints kicked clear during the third quarter. North champion Jack Ziebell kicked 1.1 from 10 disposals in his 250th game and Jy Simpkin had 29 disposals in a typically hard-working game. But the Kangaroos were no match for their opponents, finishing another tough week on a sour note as they languish near the foot of the ladder.
COLLINGWOOD 11.13 (79) defeated CARLTON 11.9 (75)
Jack Silvagni’s desperate late snapshot drifted wide and appeals for a high tackle on Sam Walsh in the last second of the match went unheard by the umpires as Carlton fell agonisingly short against its greatest rival. The Magpies had skipped clear thanks to a pair of final-quarter goals from the impressive Ollie Henry, who finished with three, but were forced to hang on for dear life in the dying stages. Charlie Curnow booted two late goals in his tally of four to get the Blues within a kick but it was ultimately to no avail. Jack Crisp and Jordan De Goey led the Magpies’ midfield in a hard-fought battle with the likes of Walsh and George Hewett. Carlton copped a huge early blow when All-Australian backman Jacob Weitering’s shoulder injury saw him substituted out in the first quarter. The injury will further test the Blues’ battered defensive stocks in coming weeks.
PORT ADELAIDE 9.12 (66) defeated ESSENDON 6.14 (50)
The Power were cruising when they jumped out to a 38-point lead before half-time but were forced to hang on as the Bombers mounted a fightback after the main break. Earlier, the visitors were fighting among themselves after wayward goal-kicking allowed Port to gain ascendancy in the opening term. Darcy Parish cut a frustrated figure and let his teammates know all about it. Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines was important again for the Power and Charlie Dixon kicked two goals for Port on return from a long injury layoff. Parish and Zach Merrett won plenty of the ball for Essendon, as always, but it wasn’t enough as the Bombers lacked a forward capable of leading them to a winning score.
