St Kilda’s Max King fires up after one of his three goals in five minutes during the third quarter against Fremantle. Photo: AFL MEDIA
WESTERN BULLDOGS 13.12 (90) lost to CARLTON 16.6 (102)
Carlton looked every bit the real deal as it extended round one’s final-quarter thrashing of Richmond’s midfield into a first-half annihilation of the Bulldogs. Patrick Cripps starred in the engine room with George Hewett and Matthew Kennedy again, while Sam Walsh didn’t miss a beat on his early return after ankle surgery. But it was the five-goal performance of Charlie Curnow that got Blues fans on their feet as fellow tall Harry McKay booted four. Senior assistant Ash Hansen stood in for Michael Voss (COVID-19 protocols) as coach and was thrilled with the way Carlton withstood a stern Bulldogs challenge in the second half. Mitch Hannan took a huge grab on Mitch McGovern’s back and kicked a superb final-quarter goal as the Dogs got within two kicks, but they cost themselves a shot at victory with wayward goal-kicking late in the match.
SYDNEY 17.5 (107) defeated GEELONG 10.17 (77)
Officially, the AFL couldn’t condone it, but few had a wider smile than league boss Gillon McLachlan as thousands rushed the SCG surface to celebrate Lance Franklin’s 1000th goal in scenes that will live long in the memory. Franklin had a sense of theatre, saving his milestone major for the final quarter, and embraced his fans as the great showman he is. A half-hour break ensued before the teams re-emerged to complete the final few minutes of the match. The contest itself was a side note to the “Buddy Show”, but the unbeaten Swans will take plenty from another superb display. Paddy McCartin impressed in defence and Isaac Heeney kicked five goals as Callum Mills, Jake Lloyd and Chad Warner ran the Cats ragged. Brad Close kicked four goals four Geelong, which dominated the inside-50 count (65-47) but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.
COLLINGWOOD 15.10 (100) defeated ADELAIDE 8.10 (58)
Craig McRae called it the “reverse Buddy”. Rather than fans storming the ground, they were headed for the exit gates when an evacuation order came over the MCG loudspeakers early in the second term. Fortunately, it was a false alarm and play was held up for just five minutes. When action resumed, it was a burst of centre clearance dominance from Jordan de Goey that tipped the game Collingwood’s way. The Magpies piled on seven goals in the third term to take control as youngsters Oliver Henry, Jack Ginnivan and Beau McCreery showed their wares in attack. Ex-Cat Nathan Kreuger kicked two goals in his first game for the Pies before suffering a dislocated shoulder. The fumbly Crows were outplayed at the contest, turned the ball over too often and were made to pay for early inaccuracy in front of goal.
ESSENDON 10.15 (75) lost to BRISBANE 15.7 (97)
After tearing the Bombers apart, Lachie Neale admitted he took inspiration from Patrick Cripps’ performance at the same ground two nights earlier. The Brownlow medallist had 41 disposals and two goals in a brilliant display, capping his performance with a superb snap shot that shut the gate on the Bombers in the dying stages. Earlier, Peter Wright dominated to help Essendon to a 22-lead at the first break. But the tall forward was shut down by Marcus Adams as the Lions roared back into the contest. Joe Daniher was one of five multiple goalkickers for Brisbane in his first game against his former club Essendon back in Melbourne. Bombers backman James Stewart produced a huge blunder when the game was on the line late in the third quarter, casually letting a Zac Bailey snap shot bounce through the goals without touching it.
PORT ADELAIDE 7.14 (56) lost to HAWTHORN 19.6 (120)
Unfancied Hawthorn kicked 13 goals straight from set shots and used the ball efficiently, exposing Port’s scrappy disposal in an early contender for upset of the season. The Power forward line didn’t fire without injured trio Robbie Gray, Orazio Fantasia and Charlie Dixon, but their issues were further up the ground in a fumbling, directionless display. Mitch Lewis booted five goals for the Hawks, with veteran pair Luke Breust and Jack Gunston kicking three apiece. Tom Mitchell and James Worpel shone in the midfield, where Port had the top four disposal winners but didn’t get bang for its buck. New Hawk coach Sam Mitchell joined fellow first-year boss McRae with a perfect 2-0 start to his new career. Hawthorn lost former Port star Chad Wingard to a hamstring injury before half-time.
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GOLD COAST 10.9 (69) lost to MELBOURNE 12.10 (82)
Luke Jackson was the standout for the reigning premiers as their class ultimately won out in a hard-fought contest up north. The young ruck-forward star finished with 21 disposals, seven clearances and two goals in a telling performance. Gold Coast had its chances early in the match and registered the first five scoring shots, but couldn’t take full advantage. Christian Petracca had a career-best 40 disposals – one more than in last year’s incredible grand final haul – and six clearances, to help power the Demons to a 2-0 start. Midfield partner Clayton Oliver (34 disposals, 13 clearances) was just as effective, while Touk Miller (38 and nine) continued his strong start to the season for Gold Coast.
NORTH MELBOURNE 10.14 (74) defeated WEST COAST 8.11 (59)
Nick Larkey’s six goals and a strong midfield showing from recruit Hugh Greenwood were key in saving North Melbourne’s blushes in a scrappy victory – the Roos’ first in front of fans at home since 2019. West Coast had three debutants and five top-up players in a cobbled-together side after a COVID-19 wave ripped through the squad. The replacements were far from disgraced and the Eagles were in with a chance when 29-year-old West Perth midfielder Aaron Black marked his AFL debut with a goal midway through the final term. But missed opportunities by Jack Darling and Liam Ryan in front of goal were costly for the visitors as Larkey sealed the result. Tristan Xerri and Bailey Scott earnt praise from coach David Noble, as did top pick Jason Horne-Francis, who impressed after being asked to spend more time through the midfield when Tarryn Thomas (ribs) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (head knock) were injured.
RICHMOND 16.13 (109) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 10.13 (73)
Re-modelled forward Noah Balta booted four goals as the Tigers overcame the loss of Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia, Jack Riewoldt and Dylan Grimes to post their first victory of the season and leave the Giants still searching for theirs. GWS had eight of the top nine disposal winners on the ground but it didn’t matter as the Tigers increased the margin by the end of each quarter. Former skipper Trent Cotchin and Jayden Short were influential for Richmond and Shai Bolton provided a second-quarter spark as the home side took control. Tom Green starred for GWS and Callan Ward played well in his 250th AFL game but their side lost Phil Davis (hamstring) and Daniel Lloyd (shoulder) to injuries.
FREMANTLE 8.7 (55) lost to ST KILDA 9.11 (65)
Tension boiled over when Max King’s third goal gave St Kilda a deserved lead with 10 minutes left to play in the third term, with spot fires breaking out in the Saints’ forward line. But it was just about the most fight home side Fremantle showed during the second half. The Saints had led many of the key statistical indicators without making it count until the third quarter, when they piled on six goals to one. King and diminutive teammate Jack Higgins kicked four goals each as Jade Gresham, Brad Hill and Brad Crouch acted as the prime movers for the Saints in a well-earned win. Andrew Brayshaw had 39 disposals for the Dockers in the absence of senior midfielders Nat Fyfe and David Mundy. Fremantle’s disappointment was compounded by an ankle injury to ruckman Sean Darcy in his return match.
