James Worpel gets a handball away during Hawthorn’s win over North Melbourne. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
SYDNEY 11.12 (78) defeated WESTERN BULLDOGS 11.10 (76)
Tom Papley’s fourth goal in time-on secured a thrilling Swans win that kept their faint finals hopes alive and dented the Bulldogs’ prospects in the process. The home side celebrated John Longmire’s 300th game in charge in fine style but later lost co-captain Dane Rampe to a two-match suspension for his off-the-ball hit on Lachlan McNeil. Errol Gulden (30 disposals), Luke Parker (23) and Ollie Florent (23, two goals) were key contributors for Sydney, while Lance Franklin booted two majors. Tom Liberatore (31 touches, 11 clearances, one goal) and Marcus Bontempelli (31, six, two) were huge for the Bulldogs, and Aaron Naughton kicked three goals, but they couldn’t quite haul their side over the line.
MELBOURNE 16.9 (105) defeated BRISBANE 16.8 (104)
Jake Melksham was the Demons’ hero with the match-winning set shot with 30 seconds left on the clock, settling a contest that could have huge ramifications for both sides in jostling for top four spots.. Brisbane had one last roll of the dice from the resulting centre bounce but Eric Hipwood’s last-ditch claims to a mark within scoring range fell on deaf ears. Christian Petracca (26 touches, seven clearances, four goals) was outstanding and Kysaiah Pickett kicked three goals for the first time since round seven, while Max Gawn (29 disposals, 10 clearances, seven tackles, one goal) had an undeniable influence in the absence of dropped ruck partner Brodie Grundy. Brisbane dominated the second and third quarters and led by 27 points early in the last but still fell short at their MCG bogey ground.
COLLINGWOOD 18.5 (113) defeated FREMANTLE 10.7 (67)
The Magpies flicked a switch when they piled on 10.1 to 2.1 in the second quarter, setting up a comfortable win in the process. Taylor Adams (23 disposals, seven clearances, two goals) was outstanding when the game was there to be won and Darcy Moore took five intercept marks in the first quarter alone. Nick Daicos (36 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) and brother Josh (31, seven, one) shone and Jordan De Goey (26 touches) celebrated his 150-game milestone in style. Jamie Elliott (four), Ash Johnson (three), Dan McStay and Adams (two each) all kicked multiple goals for the Magpies. Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw and Jaeger O’Meara fought in a beaten midfield as the Dockers lost ruckman Sean Darcy (ankle) and defender Brandon Walker (knee) to injuries during the third quarter. Brett Rosebury became the second field umpire (behind Shane McInerney) to officiate in 500 AFL/VFL matches.
GOLD COAST 11.11 (77) defeated ST KILDA 8.3 (51)
The Suns put a week of turmoil behind them with a dominant showing in Steven King’s first match as interim coach – following Stuart Dew’s messing axing mid-week – and posted a convincing win that put them right back in the finals conversation. Unsung midfielders Rory Atkins (32 disposals, three clearances) and Sam Flanders (33, five) stood up as Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell also made their presence felt. Jack Lukosius (four) and Atkins (two) were dangerous in attack. It was a horror show for Ross Lyon’s “stumbling, fumbling” Saints, who have won only once (against West Coast) in their past five games and are in danger of slipping out of the top eight.
CARLTON 18.14 (122) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 10.12 (72)
Blues fans might be ready to rip the lid off after a fourth straight win – arguably the club’s best of the season – put them back in the finals hunt. Carlton was dominant in ending Port Adelaide’s club-record winning streak at 13 matches despite losing Harry McKay to a knee injury early in the contest. Jack Silvagni and Jesse Motlop jagged career-best hauls of four goals each and Charlie Curnow booted three as Patrick Cripps (24 disposals, 10 clearances) threw his weight around at the contest. Port Adelaide always looked vulnerable after making seven changes at selection. Dan Houston (41 touches, four clearances), Connor Rozee (28, six – plus two goals) and Willem Drew (27, six) were the three top ball-winners on the ground but lacked support from Power teammates.
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GEELONG 18.14 (122) defeated ESSENDON 7.3 (45)
The Bombers were handed a brutal reality check in the opening term and were out of the contest when they trailed 47-1 at quarter-time. For the second time this season, Geelong put Essendon to the sword in an early blitz and Tom Hawkins (five goals) flexed his muscle. And in a warning to his side’s rivals, premiership coach Chris Scott said the Cats are “getting close” to their best football. Tom Atkins (28 touches, nine clearances) was outstanding as Tyson Stengle (three), Brad Close and Mark Blicavs (two each) chipped in with multiple goals. In more positive signs, star forward Jeremy Cameron had 17 disposals on return from concussion, finishing with 1.3 to his name. The result lifted Geelong up to fifth – its highest ladder position of the season.
ADELAIDE 8.9 (57) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 10.11 (71)
Down by 17 points at the final change, the Giants dug deep away from home and piled on five unanswered goals in the last quarter to snatch a win that put them on the verge of the top eight. Toby Greene (20 touches, three goals) sparked GWS as Josh Kelly (28 disposals, nine clearances) and Lachie Whitfield (28 touches) shone in the latter’s 200th game. Key defender Sam Taylor played a huge role limiting Taylor Walker’s impact to two goals. Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson (27 disposals) and Rory Laird (33 touches, 11 tackles, five clearances) fought hard but the Crows couldn’t get the job done in Rory Sloane’s 250th game. Making matters worse, Josh Rachele was booked for striking. It was the second time GWS has run over Adelaide this season, after a stirring come-from-behind win at home in round one.
NORTH MELBOURNE 6.4 (40) lost to HAWTHORN 12.16 (88)
The Hawks sat just one rung above their opponents on the ladder but the gulf appeared much wider at Marvel Stadium, where only Hawthorn’s wayward goalkicking prevented a far greater margin. The Hawks booted 3.13 in the first half before straightening up in the second without taking full advantage of a 71-41 advantage in forward entries. James Worpel (32 disposals, seven clearances), Jai Newcombe (33, seven) and Conor Nash (31, four) were influential in the middle as Mitch Lewis and Luke Breust kicked three goals each. The Kangaroos lost Cameron Zurhaar, Callum Coleman-Jones, George Wardlaw and Jackson Archer to injuries on their way to a 15th straight defeat despite the efforts of Bailey Scott (34 touches) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (26 disposals, six clearances, one goal).
WEST COAST 8.12 (60) lost to RICHMOND 14.14 (98)
Daniel Rioli (31 disposals, three clearances), Tim Taranto (27, eight) and Jacob Hopper (25, seven) were strong contributors as Richmond posted a comfortable, albeit scrappy, interstate win that put it within half a win of the top eight. Shai Bolton, Dustin Martin and Marlion Pickett kicked two goals apiece for the Tigers. Oscar Allen booted a game-high three goals for the Eagles, continuing his strong season, while Dom Sheed (28 touches, five clearances) and Tim Kelly (27, six) were busy for the home side. Andrew Gaff (24 disposals) also had plenty of touches as the activated substitute after young gun Reuben Ginbey went down with a hamstring injury. Jack Darling’s third-quarter goal saw him become the third West Coast forward to reach 500 goals (following Josh Kennedy and Peter Sumich).
