Harry McKay and Patrick Cripps celebrate another Carlton goal against Hawthorn on Sunday. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
BRISBANE 20.14 (134) defeated RICHMOND 7.11 (53)
A commanding display from the Lions, who dominated clearances (46-32) and inside-50s (68-38) in a huge win that ensured they maintained their perfect record at the Gabba this year. Hugh McCluggage (34 disposals, five clearances), Lachie Neale (34, 10) and Will Ashcroft (27, two) all starred through the middle as Josh Dunkley helped nullify Tim Taranto (21 touches). Joe Daniher kicked five goals, Lincoln McCarthy booted three and Neale was one of four Lions who finished with two majors as they queued up for a slice of the action. Richmond lost Jayden Short (hamstring) to injury after Dustin Martin (illness) was a late withdrawal, while Callum Ah Chee (head knock) and Dunkley (corked calf) were casualties for the home side. McCarthy copped a one-match ban for striking Kamdyn McIntosh.
SYDNEY 6.18 (54) drew with GEELONG 7.12 (54)
It was a tough watch on Friday night as last year’s grand final combatants produced an error-riddled encounter that was ultimately decided by poor goal-kicking. But there was drama aplenty in the final term, with the combatants ultimately forced to settle for the second draw of the season. Isaac Heeney’s hurried snap shot pulled scores level in the dying stages after Robbie Fox had missed a gilt-edged chance to put Sydney in front. Tom Hickey was another guilty of blowing relatively simple chances in front of goal as injured superstar Lance Franklin sat tearing his hair out in the stands. Logan McDonald and Braeden Campbell kicked two goals each for the Swans, matched by Cats pair Tom Hawkins and Ollie Henry. Geelong defender Zach Tuohy had 28 touches and a game-high 737 metres gained in a strong performance as he matched the late, great Jim Stynes’ record for most AFL/VFL matches played by an Irishman (264).
ADELAIDE 21.12 (138) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 11.6 (72)
Adelaide’s scoring power was on show as it blew the contest wide open after half-time, with Izak Rankine (five goals), Darcy Fogarty (four) and Taylor Walker (three) all cashing in as part of a forward line that took 21 marks inside-50. Ben Keays (29 touches, two goals), Rory Sloane (30 disposals, six clearances) and skipper Jordan Dawson (28, five) were outstanding for the Crows, who also got great service from ruckman Reilly O’Brien and dashing defenders Mitch Hinge and Brodie Smith. Nick Larkey kicked three goals for North and Harry Sheezel (31 disposals) continued his strong debut season, but the Kangaroos had few winners after the main break as Adelaide piled on nine goals to three to run away with the points. Crows defender Jordon Butts left the field concussed after an accidental head clash.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 16.6 (102) defeated FREMANTLE 11.7 (73)
The Dockers hit the lead with less than 15 points to play but capitulated late as the Bulldogs finished far stronger in a scrappy contest, kicking seven of the last nine goals. Rory Lobb put the home side back in front against his former club but Jamara Ugle-Hagan was the Dogs’ most dangerous forward with 4.2 and two goal assists from 15 touches. Marcus Bontempelli (27 disposals, nine clearances), Jack Macrae (24, nine) and Tom Liberatore (21, 10) were among the Bulldogs’ best. Michael Walters and Jye Amiss both booted four majors for Fremantle, which is fast running out of chances to break into the top eight. The Dockers also had star Nat Fyfe was subbed out with a plantar fasciitis issue that will sideline him again.
GOLD COAST 5.12 (42) lost to COLLINGWOOD 18.12 (120)
The Magpies piled on 14 of the first 15 goals to lead by more than 80 points midway through the third quarter at Carrara. Gold Coast, chasing a maiden AFL finals appearance, flopped on a big stage in front of a rare sell-out crowd and was belted in lop-sided contested ball (-27), inside-50 (-17) and disposal (-75) counts. Jamie Elliott kicked five goals from 11 touches, combining well with Bobby Hill (two majors), while Billy Frampton kicked two on his return to the side in a new role. Brownlow Medal fancy Nick Daicos (36 disposals, eight clearances, 10 tackles) did as he pleased. Matt Rowell finished with 20 touches, nine clearances and two goals for the Suns and Noah Anderson (35 disposals, seven clearances) had plenty of the ball, but the pair couldn’t stop the Pies’ dominant midfield.
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ESSENDON 10.14 (74) lost to PORT ADELAIDE 11.12 (78)
The Power’s hot run in tight games continued as Dan Houston launched the match-winning goal from outside 50m with the final kick of the game. It narrowly cleared the goal line, sparking wild scenes among the travelling contingent at the MCG. The Bombers had rattled off three quick goals to overturn a 17-point deficit in wet conditions before Houston broke their hearts. Houston (32 touches) was outstanding, as was Connor Rozee (23 disposals, three goals), and Kane Farrell shone with 25 disposals and game-high tallies of 10 score involvements and 13 intercept possessions. Kyle Langford kicked three goals for the Bombers, who had Zach Merrett (31 disposals) and Darcy Parish (29) busy as ever in the middle. There was early drama for Port when Scott Lycett failed a late fitness test and Dante Visentini was called out of the stands to make his senior debut.
HAWTHORN 7.10 (52) lost to CARLTON 17.10 (112)
The Hawks trailed by 50 points at the main break and didn’t muster a goal until the third quarter as Carlton returned from its bye with a bang. Blues forwards Charlie Curnow and Jack Martin kicked three goals each, while Harry McKay booted 2.3 from 19 touches. Patrick Cripps (28 disposals, eight clearances), Adam Cerra (27, six) and Sam Walsh (25, three) controlled the midfield battle in a one-sided affair. Carlton defender Jacob Weitering was reported for striking Lloyd Meek in an off-the-ball incident that prompted Blues coach Michael Voss to call for matchday reports to be scrapped. Jack Silvagni and Lewis Young handled the Blues’ ruck duties after Tom De Koning (knee) was a late withdrawal.
MELBOURNE 5.15 (45) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 7.5 (47)
Giants midfielder Josh Kelly was the hero with a long-range goal late in the match that sealed an upset in the Alice Springs wet. Kelly finished with two goals from 26 disposals and had five clearances, while Tom Green (38 touches), Stephen Coniglio (30) and Toby Greene (two goals) also had a say in the result. Melbourne midfielders Jack Viney (40 disposals, eight clearances) and Christian Petracca (34, five) were busy but the latter was wasteful in front of goal, booting four behinds in the first half. He wasn’t alone in squandering chances for the Demons, who suffered a first-quarter blow when Bayley Fritsch went down with a foot injury. The result was a blow to Melbourne’s hopes of finishing in the top four and put the Giants within one win of the top eight in Adam Kingsley’s first season at the helm.
WEST COAST 12.5 (77) lost to ST KILDA 12.13 (85)
St Kilda suffered a huge scare as the Eagles jumped out to a 31-point lead late in the second quarter. And while the Saints overran their last-placed opponents with seven goals to three after half-time, the home side didn’t go down without a fight. It took a career-high four goals from Mitch Owens and big performances from Jack Sinclair (30 disposals, three clearances), Brad Crouch (26 touches, seven clearances, 17 tackles) and Rowan Marshall (26 possessions, eight clearances, 34 hit-outs) to steer St Kilda home. Eagles skipper Luke Shuey (28 disposals, eight clearances) led from the front as Oscar Allen, Ryan Maric and Elijah Hewett kicked two goals each. The Saints’ win came at a cost with Josh Battle (concussion) subbed out and Brad Hill hurting his left knee, though the latter returned to action late in the match.
