“We did it again!” Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard reacts to the final siren on the Pies’ victory. Photo: AFL MEDIA
GEELONG 11.12 (78) defeated MELBOURNE 8.15 (63)
Gary Rohan was visibly upset after accidentally knocking out teammate Jeremy Cameron in a first-quarter marking contest, but refocused and kicked three goals as the gamebreaker for Geelong. The Cats kicked six consecutive goals in a 20-minute burst at the start of the final quarter to seize control of a wet-weather arm wrestle. Tanner Bruhn (19 disposals, six clearances, two goals) delivered his best game for the Cats and Tom Stewart (22 touches) was outstanding. Christian Petracca (33 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal) and Jack Viney (25 touches, six clearances) were strong for Melbourne, which was on top at stoppages but fell apart in the last quarter. Stewart was fined $1500 for unnecessary contact with an injured player, Viney, who was nursing a shoulder issue when the Cats star shoved him to the ground.
ST KILDA 8.8 (56) lost to BRISBANE 12.12 (84)
Eric Hipwood kicked four goals for the Lions in a slugfest that Chris Fagan somewhat politely assessed as “a dour sort of game”. Harris Andrews had 14 intercepts and four contested marks, dominating in the air as teammate Jack Payne kept frustrated Saints forward Max King goalless. King gave away a needless 50-metre penalty when he shoved Charlie Cameron to the ground and was reported for striking Ryan Lester. Saints defender Liam Stocker was also reported for a dangerous tackle on Hipwood, but both he and King escaped suspension from the match review officer. Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney and midfield ball magnets Lachie Neale (29 disposals, six clearances), Josh Dunkley (26, three) and Jarrod Berry (18 touches, one goal) were all influential.
SYDNEY 31.19 (205) defeated WEST COAST 5.4 (34)
This was as bad as it gets for the Eagles – or at least they hope so. A record-breaking defeat sunk the proud club to a new low as West Coast conceded its highest-ever score and suffered its heaviest-ever defeat. The result poured more heat on coach Adam Simpson, who again noted his hands are tied when it comes to selection because of a long injury list. But the Eagles’ lack of fight was cause for concern against a rampant Sydney outfit that has battled its own injury issues this season. The tone was set when Chad Warner kicked the Swans’ first goal in just 26 seconds and they piled on nine majors to one in the opening term. Luke Parker (28 disposals, 10 clearances, two goals) and Warner (33, four, two) were outstanding in the dominant display. Isaac Heeney (five goals), Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey (four each) were the most prolific of a dozen Swans goalkickers, while Jack Darling and Oscar Allen booted two each for the Eagles.
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FREMANTLE 14.9 (93) defeated ESSENDON 9.7 (61)
Sean Darcy’s return in the ruck freed up Luke Jackson (17 touches, seven marks, three goals) to star in attack for the Dockers as Essendon became the latest side to fall short on return from a bye. Caleb Serong (32 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal) shone for the home side, speedy wingman Liam Henry (32 touches) continued his improved form and All-Australian backman Luke Ryan (31 disposals, 18 marks, seven intercepts) stood up. Alex Pearce kept Bombers spearhead Peter Wright quiet. Darcy Parish (24 touches, nine clearances, one goal) was busy for Essendon on return from injury alongside midfield partner Zach Merrett (29 disposals, one goal). The Dockers’ biggest turnaround after a 70-point drubbing from GWS the previous week was at stoppages – they booted 8.5 (53) from that source against Essendon, including 4.4 (28) direct from centre bounces.
COLLINGWOOD 12.10 (82) defeated ADELAIDE 11.14 (80)
Ecstasy for Collingwood and agony for Adelaide. Again. For the third straight meeting, the Pies sunk the Crows by less than a kick. And for the second time this season they came from behind at three-quarter time to do so. Mason Cox kicked two final-quarter goals and John Noble was one of many who stood up late before the Crows’ desperate final forward thrust was repelled. Taylor Walker booted five goals for Adelaide, including three in the third quarter as the Crows kicked seven unanswered. They turned a 34-point deficit into a 13-point lead but couldn’t hang on. Nick Daicos (37 disposals, nine clearances, one goal), Josh Daicos (33, six, one) and Tom Mitchell (28, three, one) starred for the Magpies as Jamie Elliott (two goals) and Jeremy Howe (20 disposals) played important roles on return from injuries. Crows skipper Jordan Dawson (35 disposals, five clearances) and Ben Keays (28, 10) tried to haul their side across the line.
GOLD COAST 14.17 (101) defeated HAWTHORN 5.4 (34)
Malcolm Rosas booted three goals in the final term as the Suns turned what would have been a scrappy victory into a handy percentage booster as they chase a maiden finals berth. Noah Anderson, Jack Lukosius and Ben King booted two majors each in the convincing win. Anderson (28 disposals, six clearances), Brayden Fiorini (35, seven), Sam Flanders (27, five) and Matt Rowell (20, seven) all stood up as Gold Coast’s midfield responded to the previous week’s thumping from Carlton. Hawthorn kicked three goals in the first 15 minutes of the game but could only manage two more for the rest of the game and fell away dramatically after half-time. Luke Breust and Mitch Lewis booted two goals each but couldn’t prevent the Hawks kicking their lowest score of the season.
