GWS veteran Callan Ward breaks clear of Essendon defender Mason Redman in the Giants’ victory. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
PORT ADELAIDE 14.13 (97) defeated COLLINGWOOD 10.9 (69)
Charlie Dixon booted four goals and Todd Marshall three in a Port Adelaide “home” game at an empty Marvel Stadium as the Power celebrated Travis Boak’s 300th game with a victory that kept them safely embedded in the top four. Boak and Ollie Wines each had 30 disposals in strong contributions as Port skipped clear in the second term and did enough to ride a couple of challenges after the main break. Collingwood lost captain Scott Pendlebury to a fractured fibula that will see him miss the remaining four rounds of the season. He was substituted out at quarter-time and replaced by Mason Cox, with the Pies raising eyebrows by picking the tall American in the medi-sub role, which is usually filled by more versatile players.
CARLTON 11.11 (77) lost to NORTH MELBOURNE 18.8 (116)
The Blues led at half-time against the competition’s lowest-ranked team, with their season on the line in a milestone match for club stalwart Ed Curnow … and crumbled in the third quarter. North kicked seven unanswered goals for the term to take complete control in what was arguably its best win to date under David Noble. Nick Larkey kicked seven goals, Tarryn Thomas four and Jaidyn Stephenson three as Jed Anderson (two) made a successful return from a long lay-off with an ankle injury. Jy Simpkin and Luke Davies-Uniacke impressed again in the midfield. Carlton captain Patrick Cripps kicked three goals from 21 disposals after being managed the previous week. But it was a sorry tale for the Blues, who lost Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay to a toe injury in the build-up and Zac Williams (hamstring) and Eddie Betts (ankle) during the match. The performance did no favours for David Teague amid the ongoing external review into the club’s football department.
BRISBANE 17.18 (120) defeated GOLD COAST 10.11 (71)
Everything was going right for the Suns when they led by 27 points at half-time, but whatever Chris Fagan said to his Lions at the main break clearly had an effect. Brisbane kicked five unanswered goals in the third term to hit the front and went on with the job to post a resounding Q-Clash victory. Lincoln McCarthy (four goals), Charlie Cameron and Joe Daniher (three each) lit up the forward line and Jarryd Lyons continued his fine form in the midfield, claiming the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as best afield. Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney was influential with 18 disposals and 12 clearances to go with his 39 hit-outs. Brayden Fiorini (41 disposals), Touk Miller (32) and Jeremy Sharp (31) found plenty of the footy for Gold Coast, while Ben King and Josh Corbett kicked three goals each. But it was a dark day for the Suns, who managed just one major after half-time.
WEST COAST 14.10 (94) defeated ST KILDA 13.8 (86)
Emerging forward Max King’s huge performance – with six goals and eight contested marks – wasn’t quite enough for St Kilda as the Eagles took a big step towards locking in a finals berth. Key attackers Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling kicked three majors each for the home side, which never found itself behind on the scoreboard but had to work to hold off a dogged opponent. Elliot Yeo, Tim Kelly and Dom Sheed were influential through the midfield for West Coast, as were Zak Jones and Jack Steele for the Saints, but it was the Eagles’ weight of numbers that won out. Nic Naitanui edged Paddy Ryder in an entertaining ruck battle and had an impact at ground level with eight clearances and a goal. Liam Ryan’s first-half hamstring injury was a sour note for West Coast.
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MELBOURNE 9.11 (65) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 13.7 (85)
A statement game from the Bulldogs, who took their chances when it mattered and surged to the top of the ladder as a result. A deep midfield unit featuring Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Daniel and Lachie Hunter got the job done, with skipper Bontempelli particularly impressive in capping his work with two crucial goals. Josh Schache was called up for his second game of the season and played a vital role in defence (with some part-time ruck duties) for the Dogs, who lost key backman Alex Keath to an early hamstring injury. Clayton Oliver was everywhere for Melbourne and Ben Brown looked its most dangerous forward, but managed just 2.2 from six shots in a reflection of his team’s overall wastefulness in attack.
ADELAIDE 16.6 (102) defeated HAWTHORN 13.5 (83)
The second of two games in a Marvel Stadium double header – and the second of the week “hosted” by a South Australian club at the Docklands venue. The Crows looked right at home, with Rory Laird (36 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals) outstanding in helping his side snap a four-match losing skid. Veteran forward Taylor Walker kicked four goals for Adelaide, while Mitchell Lewis booted three for the Hawks, who were +11 for inside-50s but lacked their opponents’ efficiency in attack. Tom Mitchell and James Worpel were busy for Hawthorn and Tom Phillips kicked two goals. But Adelaide found more avenues to goal, with Darcy Fogarty and Elliott Himmelberg among its five multiple goalkickers. The win moved the Crows six points clear of the wooden spoon, while Hawthorn only sits clear of last-placed North Melbourne on percentage.
SYDNEY 14.14 (98) defeated FREMANTLE 8.10 (58)
Isaac Heeney kicked five goals from 22 disposals and Lance Franklin two as the Swans overcame a slow start to dominate their opponents after half-time. “Buddy” took his career tally to 983 majors, inching closer to four figures, but found himself in hot water for an elbow to Luke Ryan’s head while trying to shrug a tackle. It wasn’t Ryan’s day, with Heeney also using him as a stepladder in taking a huge mark. Josh Kennedy starred for the Swans as fellow veteran David Mundy reached the 350-game milestone for Fremantle. But the celebration was spoiled as the Dockers lost skipper Nat Fyfe (shoulder) and Michael Walters (hamstring) to season-ending injuries. Andrew Brayshaw and out-of-contract midfielder Adam Cerra were Fremantle’s best in the engine room.
GEELONG 15.5 (95) defeated RICHMOND 8.9 (57)
Esava Ratugolea only had six disposals but was one of the Cats’ best in a competitive showing in attack with a career-high four goals. Tom Hawkins matched that tally and Tom Stewart was busy as always at half-back as Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie helped Geelong get on top in the midfield. The Cats broke the game open with five unanswered goals in the second term and cruised to victory despite losing Joel Selwood to a corked quad. Richmond narrowly won the second half but the damage had already been done. Captain Trent Cotchin battled hard and Daniel Rioli was creative at half-back, while youngster Rhyan Mansell impressed. But the dominant Cats had far too many winners across the ground in a victory that put them level on wins with the first-placed Bulldogs, who have a better percentage.
ESSENDON 7.11 (53) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 9.12 (66)
The Bombers led by 16 points at half-time but Lachie Whitfield lit a fire under GWS with a massive third term, inspiring a run of five consecutive goals that put the Giants’ noses in front. They hung on in a tight final term to break back into the top eight at the Bombers’ expense, with Whitfield (34 disposals) outstanding and Tom Green (29) and Josh Kelly (23) important in the midfield. Jesse Hogan kicked two goals and Brent Daniels dribbled through the sealer to cap an excellent individual display. Bombers midfielders Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish were quieter than usual and Jake Stringer didn’t have a major influence after a hot run of form in previous weeks.
