Sydney’s Will Hayward out-manoeuvres West Coast’s Oscar Allen to mark in the Swans’ win over the Eagles. Photo: AFL MEDIA
GOLD COAST 10.17 (77) defeated RICHMOND 10.7 (67)
That Touk Miller was trending on Twitter was the clearest sign – the Suns were finally on the big stage. Not only that, they were delivering a big performance. Shunted from home during the week as one of eight relocated sides, Stuart Dew’s men responded with their best win of the year and first in their history against a reigning premier. Miller (36 disposals), Jack Lukosius (24) and Ben King (four goals) were outstanding and Brandon Ellis (28 disposals) impressed as he got one over his old side. Tom Lynch kicked five goals for Richmond in a strong return from a knee injury, but couldn’t prevent the Tigers’ flag defence taking another hit. Just 9327 supporters were on hand at Marvel Stadium and even fewer were left in the final term as a small pocket of Suns fans gave their yellow-and-black clad counterparts the “hey, hey goodbye” treatment. Tigers veteran Bachar Houli will likely miss the rest of the season with a syndesmosis injury.
GEELONG 15.8 (98) defeated ESSENDON 8.9 (57)
Jake Stringer exploded out of the blocks as Essendon kicked the first four goals, but the Bombers coughed up eight the other way in a horror second term as the super-efficient Cats took control on the scoreboard. Jeremy Cameron (three goals) was important before trudging off with a hamstring injury and Tom Hawkins banged through six majors. Darcy Parish (43 disposals, 13 clearances and one goal) and Patrick Dangerfield (37, 11 and one) went toe-to-toe in the middle and it was the Bombers’ emerging star who took home the annual Country Game’s Tom Wills Award. But Dangerfield and the Cats got the cream in a strong response after they were belted by Brisbane the previous week.
MELBOURNE 7.13 (55) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 9.10 (64)
Toby Greene (three goals) and Josh Kelly (29 disposals) were outstanding as the Giants gave their finals hopes a massive boost by upsetting the ladder leaders at the MCG. Greene kicked the first of his three goals in the opening 20 seconds and GWS was only briefly behind on the scoreboard later in the first term as it held sway for most of the day. The margin got out beyond four goals at one point, but Steven May and Jake Lever helped keep the Demons in the contest. Bayley Fritsch took a huge mark over Lachie Whitfield and kicked three goals for Melbourne, but Tim Taranto, Tom Green and Callan Ward were important as the Giants survived a late fightback. The only sour note for GWS was a serious knee injury for defender Jack Buckley. Question marks linger over Melbourne, which relinquished top spot on the ladder.
ADELAIDE 8.11 (59) lost to BRISBANE 17.9 (111)
Taylor Walker’s neck injury sent a scare through the Crows’ camp after the former skipper was hurt in a collision with Daniel Rich and had to be substituted out during the second quarter. Walker was cleared of concussion, but doubts remain over his immediate playing future. Brisbane midfielder Jarryd Lyons celebrated his 150th game against one of his former clubs and delivered another telling contribution in a strong win. Zac Bailey and Mitch Robinson starred for the Lions as Lincoln McCarthy (four goals) and Charlie Cameron (three) hit the scoreboard. Paul Seedsman and Rory Laird were busy for the Crows and ruckman Reilly O’Brien gave his midfielders good service.
FREMANTLE 8.16 (64) lost to CARLTON 12.8 (80)
The Dockers blew a golden chance to break into the top-eight as woeful kicking at goal again proved costly for Justin Longmuir’s men, who dominated clearances and forward entries in the second half at the MCG but still couldn’t get the job done. The flip side was the Blues posting another important win against the backdrop of the club’s football department review. Paddy Dow starred in the midfield, Jacob Weitering stood tall in defence and Sam Walsh was busy as Harry McKay and Eddie Betts kicked important goals. Andrew Brayshaw (28 disposals and two goals) was the Dockers’ best as skipper Nat Fyfe returned from a shoulder injury. There are concerns over a foot injury for Blues captain Patrick Cripps, who fought on and finished with 23 disposals. Both sides now sit in the pack trying to gate-crash the top-eight to secure a finals berth.
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HAWTHORN 7.11 (53) lost to PORT ADELAIDE 13.9 (87)
Shaun Burgoyne’s old side was the party pooper as the Hawthorn champion’s 400th AFL game ended in defeat. The Power were dominant in the first half and opened up a 48-point lead early in the third term before taking their collective foot off the gas. Charlie Dixon kicked four goals as Ollie Wines and Travis Boak combined for 70 disposals and 22 clearances. We’re writing about those two experienced campaigners every week such has been their consistency this year. James Worpel was Hawthorn’s best in the midfield, but the home side was completely outclassed by a Power unit that surged back into the top four. Burgoyne moved forward late in the match and almost kicked a goal, but his snap floated wide. The 38-year-old four-time premiership player was given a guard of honour pre-match, tossed the coin and was carried off the ground by Liam Shiels and former teammate Boak in acknowledgement of his rare achievement. Port’s Kane Farrell suffered a serious knee injury during the first quarter and looks set for a long stint on the sidelines.
SYDNEY 18.10 (108) defeated WEST COAST 3.8 (26)
One Sydney fan referred to it as SCGMHBA Stadium and you could see what he was getting at as his Swans ran rampant at the Eagles’ Kardinia Park bogey ground. If Sydney looked right at home, West Coast was all at sea in a one-sided contest between two finals hopefuls that entered round 16 level on points. Lance Franklin and Isaac Heeney kicked three goals each as eight Swans booted multiples in the rout. Callum Mills, Luke Parker and George Hewett were also strong contributors. It simply wasn’t good enough from a West Coast side that was as close to full-strength as it has been in some time, with Andrew Gaff (hand) and Liam Ryan (suspended) the two big names missing. Dom Sheed won 38 disposals and eight clearances but few Eagles who could hold their heads high.
COLLINGWOOD 8.13 (61) lost to ST KILDA 10.10 (70)
Missed this game? Don’t spend a lot of time on the replay – even if you’re a Saints fan. The standard was atrocious but it was the result that mattered most to Brett Ratten as St Kilda moved to within half a win (plus percentage) of eighth spot. It’s remarkable, really, given where they’ve been for most of the season. The Saints were inaccurate early but led by 49 points when Paddy Ryder goaled not long before the last change. Collingwood fought back in the final term – piling on 5.6 to 0.2 – but it was too little, too late. Max King, Tim Membrey and Ryder kicked two goals each for the Saints as Jack Steele (36 disposals) and Brad Hill (30) racked up possessions through the middle. Brody Mihocek (two) was the Magpies’ only multiple goal kicker and Jordan De Goey booted one from his 32 disposals.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 16.12 (108) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 11.13 (79)
Cody Weightman kicked four goals at one end and Cam Zurhaar matched the tally at the other, but Weightman’s Bulldogs had far more winners across the ground in a comfortable win that saw them leapfrog Melbourne to go top of the ladder. Weightman kicked three in the first term and watched as Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore and in-form skipper Marcus Bontempelli did a lot of the heavy lifting up the ground. Mitch Wallis was a late inclusion for the Dogs and kicked three final-quarter goals. Todd Goldstein got the better of Tim English in the ruck and Ben Cunnington continued his outstanding season for North. The Kangaroos’ performance was far more competitive than the previous time they played the Bulldogs – a 128-point thrashing in round three.
