Jubilant Collingwod players swamp Jamie Elliott after his post-siren matchwinner against Essendon. Photo: AFL MEDIA
RICHMOND 7.10 (52) drew with FREMANTLE 7.10 (52)
There were bizarre scenes that led to the first draw of 2022 as Noah Balta and Noah Cumberland both squandered chances to win it for the Tigers. Balta took too long with a late set shot and was called to play on, with Michael Frederick rushing in to smother his hurried kick in a crucial play for Fremantle. Cumberland marked at about 50 metres just before the siren but played on as it rang, costing him the chance at a match-winning shot. The Tigers were arguably the better side on the night but didn’t make it count, while the Dockers lost skipper Nat Fyfe to a hamstring injury. Alex Pearce’s scrubbed kick in defence that gifted Shai Bolton one of his two goals will feature prominently on the end-of-season bloopers reel.
NORTH MELBOURNE 11.9 (75) lost to HAWTHORN 19.7 (121)
Jack Gunston missed two games following the death of his father – respected former administrator Ray Gunston – and produced a fine display in his emotional return. Gunston booted 5.4 in tricky conditions and the Hawks put the game to bed by quarter-time. Their efficiency stood out in the opening term as they piled on 8.1 to 0.3 in an early demolition job. Jai Newcombe (30 disposals, two goals) was outstanding for Hawthorn, which now has seven wins for the season. North Melbourne looked like it played its grand final the previous week in the upset of Richmond. Jack Ziebell (20 disposals, three goals) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (30 disposals, two goals) were good in a losing side.
SYDNEY 17.16 (118) defeated ADELAIDE 12.13 (85)
Swans fans had put down the glasses 30 minutes into this contest, which was that in name only as the home side took complete control early. Sydney booted 9.3 to 2.3 in its best first quarter this century and never let the Crows get closer than 20 points from there. Lance Franklin’s three goals saw the Swans superstar move past Gary Ablett Snr into fifth spot on the competition’s all-time goal-kicking list. Tom Papley, Will Hayward and Isaac Heeney also booted multiple majors in influential performances. Crows veteran Taylor Walker continued his strong form with three goals and Rory Laird racked up a game-high 38 touches, but the Swans had far too many winners.
PORT ADELAIDE 14.10 (94) lost to 16.10 (106)
The Power’s finals hopes looked set for a massive boost when they booted eight goals to one in the third quarter and hit the front midway through the fourth. But Tom Hawkins had the final say, kicking the last two goals of the night to send the Cats a game clear of Melbourne at the top of the ladder. Hawkins (four) and Jeremy Cameron (three) combined for seven goals and Tom Atkins (24 disposals) produced a huge final quarter to help get Geelong over the line. In-demand Karl Amon (25 disposals) was busy early for Port and Mitch Georgiades kicked three goals to go with a huge mark on the back of teammate Todd Marshall.
BRISBANE 16.14 (110) defeated GOLD COAST 14.9 (93)
One of the best encounters in Q-Clash history ultimately saw Brisbane extend its dominance over Gold Coast to eight straight matches and post back-to-back wins for the first time since May. The midfield battle was intriguing as Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage took on Touk Miller and Noah Anderson, while Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron kicked three goals each for the Lions. Brisbane trailed at three–quarter time but kicked five goals to one in the final term to finish stronger. Levi Casboult booted a game-high four goals for the Suns but attracted attention from the match review officer for clumsy high contact on Daniel Rich. Jack Lukosius’ kick to a teammate off the ground while balancing on one knee was a quirky highlight.
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WESTERN BULLDOGS 17.8 (110) defeated MELBOURNE 15.10 (100)
Remember this as the night Jamarra Ugle-Hagan came of age. The Dogs have been patient with their former No.1 draft pick and his match-winning haul of five goals against last year’s grand final tormentor shows why. Ugle-Hagan saved the best for last, icing the game with a long, left-foot drive from outside 50 metres in the dying seconds. Earlier, the Demons had led by as much as 27 points and turned for home still 13 points to the good, with Clayton Oliver (28 disposals, 13 clearances), Bayley Fritsch (four goals) and Sam Weideman (three) impressive. But with Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith, Adam Treloar and Marcus Bontempelli all prominent, the Bulldogs overran their opponents for a stunning win that put them inside the top eight.
CARLTON 13.12 (90) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 8.6 (54)
The Blues had to work hard to shrug off their dogged opponents and got the job done with a strong finish as Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow booted four goals. Carlton’s Adam Saad and GWS co-captain Toby Greene both put in nominations for mark of the year, and both were among their respective sides’ best contributors. Greene kicked three goals and annoyed his opponents in typical fashion, but it was the Blues who had the last laugh. Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps and Harry McKay were prominent and welcomed teammate Mitch McGovern back successfully after the defender spent more than three months on the sidelines with hamstring injuries.
COLLINGWOOD 12.8 (80) defeated ESSENDON 11.10 (76)
Ice-cool Jamie Elliott sealed yet another heart-stopping win for Collingwood in a season when it has been king of the thriller. Everything looked rosy for the Pies when they skipped 37 points clear by quarter-time, with Josh Daicos’ goal-of-the-year contender and Mason Cox’s huge mark the highlights. But Zach Merrett led a 58-point turnaround and the Bombers looked almost home early in the last quarter when Matt Guelf kicked the first goal of the final term. Collingwood came again in a titanic tussle. Medi-sub Josh Carmichael kicked two goals either side of Elliott’s first and the pocket rocket stepped up again with the game on the line, nailing the match-winner after the siren from a tight angle.
WEST COAST 10.2 (62) defeated ST KILDA 14.6 (90)
The performance at a damp Optus Stadium wasn’t pretty but it was enough to keep the Saints’ finals hopes well and truly alive with victory in a tight contest. Outstanding captain Jack Steele, Sib Ross and Brad Crouch all racked up a heap of possessions for the visitors and Dan Butler kicked five crucial goals, with Max King, Jack Higgins and Tim Embrey booting two each. The old combination of Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling combined for four at the other end. But after trailing by just nine points at three-quarter time, the Eagles conceded the first three goals of the final term and were held scoreless until the dying stages of the quarter.
