Michael Frederick bursts clear to set up a crucial last quarter goal for Fremantle against Port Adelaide. Photo: AFL MEDIA
BRISBANE 16.12 (108) defeated WESTERN BULLDOGS 9.13 (67)
Charlie Cameron proved yet again he doesn’t need a heap of the ball to have a huge impact, kicking four goals and directly setting up another five from just 12 disposals in a damaging display. His contribution in attack helped the Lions bounce back after a horror performance against Melbourne, and they dealt the Bulldogs a huge finals-race blow in the process. Keidean Coleman starred at half-back for Brisbane and future skipper Harris Andrews was a rock, but there was a dampener on the Lions’ triumph with hamstring injuries to Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich. Bulldogs debutant Dom Bedendo kicked an early goal as Tom Liberatore (33 disposals) and Jack Macrae (32, 10 clearances) fought hard all night.
CARLTON 10.18 (78) lost to ST KILDA 14.9 (93)
The Blues’ woeful goalkicking in the second half cost them dearly in a tight game as the finals race heats up. St Kilda’s midfielders did their part against a powerful Carlton engine room, with Jack Sinclair (37 disposals) and Jade Gresham (29) winning plenty of the ball. Paddy Ryder (two goals, 31 hit-outs) and Bradley Hill (27 disposals) returned to good effect for the Saints as Tim Membrey (four goals) and Max King (three) stood tall in attack. Jesse Motlop kicked three goals for Carlton as Sam Walsh (33 disposals, six clearances) and Patrick Cripps (31, eight) tried to lift their side. The Saints’ win reignited their finals hopes after three straight defeats.
ESSENDON 15.5 (95) defeated SYDNEY 12.14 (86)
Jake Stringer kicked two brilliant goals and set up a third in the final term as the Bombers finished full of running to overpower an opponent that mauled them earlier in the season. Another blow-out looked on the cards when Sydney broke clear for a 26-point lead during the first half. But the Swans let themselves down in the third quarter, kicking 2.8 to leave the door open. Zach Merrett (24 disposals, three goals) led from the front and Dyson Heppell, Darcy Parish, Nick Hind and mid-season draftee Massimo D’Ambrosio were all strong contributors. Chad Warner (three goals, 25 disposals) was outstanding for the Swans and Tom Papley threatened in attack but finished with 1.3.
ADELAIDE 10.5 (65) lost to MELBOURNE 14.10 (94)
It has sounded like a broken record over the last 18 months, but there’s no denying the ongoing impact of star Demon duo Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca. Oliver celebrated signing a massive new seven-year contract with 36 disposals, 13 tackles and six clearances. He was outshone by teammate Petracca, who kicked three goals on top of his 33 disposals and five clearances. The pair combined for 18 score involvements and 39 contested possessions. Melbourne’s interceptors were incredibly effective with 30 intercept marks – the equal fourth-highest team tally on record – as Jake Lever, Steven May and Angus Brayshaw starred. Jordan Dawson (30 disposals) helped keep the Crows in the hunt and the home side was only five points down at the eight-minute mark of the final term, but was ultimately outclassed.
GEELONG 21.18 (144) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 5.2 (32)
Veteran administrator Geoff Walsh has returned to Arden Street to review the Kangaroos’ football operations and was given plenty to think about at the end of the first week back. North was blown off the park after quarter-time as the home side posted the biggest winning margin of any team this season. The Cats’ twin towers cashed in, with Tom Hawkins booting six goals and Jeremy Cameron four from his 30 disposals. Cameron also flew high for a spectacular mark that did the hooped No.5 jumper proud. North’s dirty day got worse when it lost prolific ball-winner Aaron Hall (quad) and Kayne Turner (head knock) to injuries. Patrick Dangerfield returned from a calf injury for the Cats and kicked the opening goal in just 13 seconds.
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GOLD COAST 8.14 (62) lost to COLLINGWOOD 9.13 (67)
It was carnage at Carrara as both sides lost important players to injury, with Pies star Darcy Moore (knee) and Suns duo Connor Budarick (knee) and Ben Ainsworth (leg) all failing to see out the match. Izak Rankine (18 disposals, four goals) lit up Gold Coast’s forward line with two insane finishes and Jack Ginnivan (three goals) gave Collingwood a spark, with Daicos brothers Nick (37 disposals) and Josh (19 disposals, three goals) outstanding. The Daicos boys linked up for a superb final-quarter goal as Collingwood kicked the last three of the match to pinch a result that extended its winning streak to six matches. Jordan De Goey (11 disposals) won the first clearance of the match but was quiet on return from personal leave. Suns debutant Hewago Paul Oea booted a goal with his first kick as the first AFL player to arrive via the Papua New Guinea development system.
RICHMOND 20.8 (128) defeated WEST COAST 13.15 (93)
Dustin Martin produced a scintillating first-half display for Richmond to help set up a 34-point lead before he was substituted out with hamstring tightness soon after half-time. The Eagles lost Elliot Yeo with a torn hamstring in the third term but still managed to turn the tables on their better-credentialled opponents for a period. They cut the margin back to 11 points when debutant Zane Trew kicked his first AFL goal, but Richmond was too strong in the end. Daniel Rioli (28 disposals, one goal) was superb off half-back and Marlion Pickett (25, two) starred, while fellow WA product Liam Baker (21, two) showed why West Coast is so keen to lure the out-of-contract tyro back to his home state. Nic Naitanui (19 disposals, six clearances) was brilliant in the ruck on return from a knee injury as Tim Kelly (40, nine) and Luke Shuey (26, 11) benefitted from his presence. Kelly also kicked two goals, while Jack Riewoldt booted three for the Tigers.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 11.6 (72) defeated HAWTHORN 7.8 (50)
Callum Brown wasn’t originally picked to play in this match but ended up becoming the match-winner. A late inclusion for big man Lachie Keeffe amid a downpour in the Harbour City, the 21-year-old kicked four goals in a superb display for the Giants. Co-captains Stephen Coniglio (31 disposals) and Josh Kelly (29) helped Tim Taranto (30) give GWS midfield ascendancy and spearhead Jesse Hogan kicked two goals from 22 touches. Hawthorn lost James Worpel to a shoulder injury early and Will Day was reported for rough conduct over his high bump on Kelly. Tom Mitchell (36 disposals) found plenty of the ball for Hawthorn, which has now lost nine of its last 10 matches.
FREMANTLE 15.9 (99) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 14.7 (91)
Fremantle’s 40-point advantage was whittled away to just nine as Port Adelaide – with its realistic finals hopes on the line – piled on the opening four goals of the final term. A pulsating contest ensued and Port duo Robbie Gray and Todd Marshall both missed regulation set shots that could have got their side within a kick with enough time on the clock to find another goal to win it. Ultimately, the Dockers hung on for a tense victory that put them a game clear in the top four and just about killed off the Power’s finals hopes. Rory Lobb may want out of Fremantle at the end of the year but it didn’t show as he kicked a career-high five goals. Jordan Clark produced one of his best games for the Dockers and Andrew Brayshaw, James Aish and Will Brodie were important. Ollie Wines (39 disposals) was outstanding for Port.
