Carlton and West Coast get up close and personal during the Eagles’ 22-point win at the SCG on Sunday. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
MELBOURNE 14.13 (97) defeated BRISBANE 11.9 (75)
“It’s as good as we’ve played,” Simon Goodwin said after watching his ladder-leading side’s second-half demolition of Brisbane. The Lions had won seven straight games leading into the Friday night blockbuster and led by 20 points at half-time, dominating most of the key statistical indicators. But the Dees turned the match on its head after the main break, raising their speed, pressure and intensity to new levels as Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca all fired in the engine room. Tom McDonald and Kysaiah Pickett finished their work in attack with three goals each, while Zac Bailey starred with four majors for Brisbane. Ryan Lester’s hamstring injury and Dayne Zorko’s one-week ban for striking further soured the Lions’ night. Melbourne is now 5-0 against fellow top-eight sides this season.
SYDNEY 13.14 (92) defeated ST KILDA 12.11 (83)
It was the one that got away for the Saints as Jack Higgins’ two missed shots at goal in the last three minutes of play proved costly. The Swans took full advantage when James Rowbottom kicked the sealer with a few seconds remaining. Higgins would have been best afield if he’d kicked straight, but registered 1.6 from his 23 disposals and 12 marks. Will Hayward kicked three goals for Sydney with Luke Parker and fit-again ruckman Tom Hickey important contributors in the centre. Lance Franklin threw his weight around in key moments and helped set up Rowbottom’s final goal. The Saints lost Mason Wood to a hamstring injury and luckless co-captain Jarryn Geary to a nasty dislocated shoulder, while Max King had just four disposals as he struggled with a back complaint. Brad Hill had 25 touches after a career-low six the previous week.
ADELAIDE 10.13 (73) lost to COLLINGWOOD 12.6 (78)
Jamie Elliott starred with six goals on return from a broken leg to help steer the Magpies to a much-needed win. They did it the hard way, having lived under strict quarantine guidelines enforced by the South Australian government as part of their exemption to fly in and out of Adelaide on game day. Elliott’s haul included five majors in the first half and the goal that put Collingwood in front for the last time as they clung onto the lead in the desperate final moments. Young Pie Caleb Poulter (20 disposals, one goal) put his hand up for a Rising Star nomination, while Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker kicked 2.6 in a wayward display. The Crows’ loss came just hours after they were whacked with a $50,000 fine for breaking AFL coronavirus protocols.
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ESSENDON 12.12 (84) lost to RICHMOND 19.9 (123)
A packed Perth Stadium provided a wonderful setting for the rearranged “Long Walk” and Dreamtime match in the west and, once the ball was bounced, the two Victorian rivals put on a show. Darcy Parish had a club-record 44 disposals for the Bombers, who had trailed by five goals before storming back to hit the front midway through the final term. But Richmond’s big-game stars stood up when it counted as Shai Bolton and Dustin Martin hit the scoreboard in a stunning seven-goal rampage that shut the gate in the most emphatic fashion. Essendon lost Andrew McGrath to a potentially serious knee injury, while teammate David Zaharakis and Tigers midfielder Dion Prestia both succumbed to hamstring issues.
CARLTON 10.13 (73) lost to WEST COAST 14.11 (95)
Liam Ryan put in another sparkling display – and pulled down yet another spectacular high grab – as he proved the difference for an understrength Eagles side in Sydney. The spring-heeled forward sat on Liam Stocker’s shoulders during a huge third-quarter performance and finished with four goals from 17 disposals. He was bothered by a hamstring issue late but still finished out the game. Dom Sheed, Jack Redden, Elliot Yeo and Nic Naitanui were all important at stages for West Coast and Sam Walsh continued his outstanding season for the Blues, who are now all but out of finals contention at 4-8. Both sides lost players to concussion, with Eagles defender Brad Sheppard joining Blues duo Harry McKay and Nic Newman on the sidelines. Coleman Medal leader McKay’s absence was a major blow for Carlton.
FREMANTLE 9.11 (65) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 13.15 (93)
The Dockers hung on until early in the final term when a 50-metre penalty against Nathan Wilson for a “low blow” on Cody Weightman resulted in the goal that gave the Bulldogs a 13-point buffer. In a horror few minutes, the home side also lost Sean Darcy (hamstring), Nat Fyfe (shoulder) and Brennan Cox (hamstring) to injuries and the game was effectively gone. Earlier, Marcus Bontempelli kicked two booming goals from outside 50 metres to help give the highly-fancied Dogs the upper hand in the first half and Tom Liberatore kicked two crucial majors late in the third term to keep their noses in front. The Dogs also lost a key player when Stefan Martin was subbed off with a shoulder injury in his first game back from an achilles issue. Despite slippery conditions, Dogs forward Aaron Naughton took a mark of the year contender with a huge ride on Cox’s shoulders.
