Trent Dumont, Ben Cunnington, Jaidyn Stephenson and Curtis Taylor ecstatic at the win over West Coast. Photo: AFL MEDIA
PORT ADELAIDE 8.7 (55) lost to MELBOURNE 12.14 (86)
Christian Petracca likely banked another three Brownlow votes after tallying 33 disposals, seven clearances and three goals to help steer the Dees to an important win after a shaky few weeks. Tom McDonald and Kysaiah Pickett kicked three majors each as Melbourne posted its highest score since June 4. Key forward Ben Brown was recalled and was handy in attack without hitting the scoreboard, while Clayton Oliver (31 disposals and 11 clearances) was outstanding in the middle. Young Power forward Mitch Georgiades provided the highlight of the night with a huge ride on Max Gawn’s shoulders to haul in a spectacular mark. Predictably, Ollie Wines and Travis Boak did most of the grunt work for Port, but the loss extended the SA club’s poor record against fellow top-eight sides this season and left it with a tough task to break back into the top-four before September.
ESSENDON 11.18 (84) defeated ADELAIDE 2.9 (21)
Adelaide posted the lowest score in club history, leaving stunned coach Matthew Nicks at a loss to explain the “embarrassing” performance in his post-match press conference. The Crows didn’t kick a goal until late in the first half, when Harry Schoenberg stepped up to nail a superb snap around his body, and were thrashed 61-31 in inside-50s. It was a comfortable if not spectacular win for the Bombers, with young gun Archie Perkins kicking 3.3 in an impressive individual display in attack. Zach Merrett won a truckload of the ball, as usual, and Jake Stringer was busy after a slow start in his 150th game. Nick Hind continued his strong season and Kyle Langford was important until succumbing to hamstring tightness before three-quarter-time. Adelaide lost Tom Doedee to concussion after his courageous run back with the flight of the ball ended in a huge collision with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
HAWTHORN 6.10 (46) lost to FREMANTLE 16.12 (108)
The Dockers sung their team song for the first time in Launceston, having been denied by the “Sirengate” fiasco in their only previous win at UTAS Stadium (formerly York Park) in 13 attempts. Nat Fyfe was prominent in his 200th game, as fellow veteran David Mundy and emerging stars Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Adam Cerra controlled the midfield at the feet of rapidly improving ruckman Sean Darcy. Rory Lobb kicked 4.3 as the prime target in attack and Bailey Banfield added 3.0 in his first senior match in more than a year. Hawthorn lost promising defender Changkuoth Jiath (knee) and Jack Scrimshaw (concussion) in further sour notes to their heaviest-ever defeat to Fremantle. It was the first time this season the Dockers have posted a triple-figure score, and just the fourth time they managed to score more goals than behinds in a campaign plagued by inaccuracy.
CARLTON 5.14 (44) lost to GEELONG 10.10 (70)
The Blues kicked 1.5 in the first half and were ultimately left to rue missed opportunities in a wasteful display as Geelong strengthened its grip on a top-four spot. Tom Stewart and Zach Tuohy starred in defence for the Cats, who were in control for long periods, while Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola stood up in the absence of skipper Joel Selwood and fellow midfielder Mitch Duncan. Tuohy was the Cats’ only multiple goalkicker and Gary Rohan provided a highlight in a largely dour contest when he clutched a big grab on the shoulders of Carlton tall Tom De Koning. Sam Walsh (35 disposals and two goals) had a big day for the Blues and Harry McKay kicked 2.3 to hold his lead in the Coleman Medal race. Ex-Carlton players Tuohy and Lachie Henderson were jeered by their former club’s supporters, but had the last laugh in Henderson’s 200th AFL game.
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BRISBANE 8.15 (63) lost to ST KILDA 14.11 (95)
In a huge blow to their premiership hopes, the Lions lost young spearhead Eric Hipwood to a season-ending knee injury before half-time. It got worse as St Kilda piled on five goals to one in the final term to register one of the biggest upsets of the season. Max King kicked three straight as captain Jack Steele (32 disposals and two goals) played an important part in a third-straight victory, which kept the Saints firmly in the finals hunt. St Kilda midfielder Luke Dunstan continued his hot form with 29 disposals and Zak Jones (26) was busy, while Lachie Neale had 31 for the Lions. Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko kicked three goals, but Brandon Starcevich (neck) was another casualty on a disappointing night for Chris Fagan’s side.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 9.10 (64) lost to GOLD COAST 10.5 (65)
Late goals to Matt Rowell and David Swallow saw Gold Coast register consecutive wins this late in a season for the first time in club history. In a dramatic finish, Swallow hit the post from the top of the goal square but was awarded a free kick for a push and converted it to put the Suns in front with under three minutes left. GWS still had the chance to win it – or at least snatch a draw – when Toby Greene took a free kick deep in the forward pocket, but his banana kick floated high and dropped short in the goal square. Greene finished with three goals and Jacob Hopper had 41 disposals for the Giants as Touk Miller (35 disposals and two goals) continued his stellar form for Gold Coast. Brandon Ellis (41 disposals) was also influential for the Suns, with Sam Day and Alex Sexton kicking two goals each. But their celebrations in Ballarat were tempered by a suspected torn ACL suffered by Hugh Greenwood.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.12 (60) lost to SYDNEY 11.13 (79)
The Swans’ defence, led by Dane Rampe, Justin McInerney and Tom McCartin, helped smother a makeshift Bulldogs forward line in a stirring victory for a team that has been on the road for almost three weeks as Sydney’s COVID-19 crisis worsens. Jordan Dawson kicked three goals from the wing and Callum Mills and Luke Parker were influential in the middle, but it was hard to pick vote winners in an even team display. Dogs coach Luke Beveridge conceded his side was “dysfunctional” ahead of the ball on a day when No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (seven disposals) made his long-awaited debut in attack. Lance Franklin was blunted by Alex Keath, but bobbed up to kick the sealer for the Swans, who donned replica South Melbourne heritage jumpers for the occasion.
RICHMOND 11.5 (71) lost to COLLINGWOOD 13.9 (87)
Is Richmond’s golden era over? If not, it’s teetering on the brink after a shock loss to traditional rivals Collingwood. A quarter-full MCG felt like it was at capacity as the Magpie army rallied behind a seven-goal final term as Collingwood overhauled what had been a 29-point deficit during the third quarter. Jamie Elliott kicked three goals for the Magpies and Darcy Cameron and Josh Thomas two each, with Thomas booting the sealer in the dying stages to spark wild celebrations for the club’s first win in three attempts under caretaker coach Robert Harvey. Taylor Adams (31 disposals and one goal) and Jordan de Goey (29 and one) were superb for the Pies, while Tom Lynch kicked three goals for Richmond.
WEST COAST 8.12 (60) lost to NORTH MELBOURNE 10.10 (70)
Todd Goldstein surged past Aaron Sandilands’ record for the most hit-outs in AFL history and kicked two crucial second-half goals as North Melbourne posted a character-building upset in the west – the finest moment in David Noble’s short coaching tenure to date. Jaidyn Stephenson produced a monster second half, while Nick Larkey (3.0) and Cam Zurhaar (2.6) were dangerous in attack. Jy Simpkin, Ben Cunnington and Luke Davies-Uniacke were influential in tough conditions and Tarryn Thomas showed flashes of class. North got under their host’s skin in a wet and wild slog and West Coast’s third straight defeat since its bye left it clinging to eighth spot on percentage. Josh Kennedy and Oscar Allen were threats in attack for the Eagles, who looked likely winners when they piled on four straight goals to start the final term, but were outmuscled and outsmarted when it mattered most.
