Fremantle’s Caleb Serong celebrates what turned out to be the winning goal for the Dockers in Perth. Photo: AFL MEDIA
ST KILDA 12.9 (81) lost to CARLTON 18.4 (112)
Charlie Curnow returned after more than two years on the sidelines with a series of knee injuries and kicked a team-lifting goal in the Blues’ big win. Sam Walsh (26 disposals and three goals) was outstanding and the man Carlton hopes will be Curnow’s long-term partner in crime – Harry McKay – booted five majors to extend his lead in the Coleman Medal race. It was a sorry tale for the Saints, who only had themselves to blame for blowing a great chance to break into the top eight. St Kilda forward Max King (four goals) continued his good form alongside Tim Membrey (three), as did skipper Jack Steele (36 disposals) and Zak Jones (30).
WESTERN BULLDOGS 15.15 (105) defeated ADELAIDE 8.8 (56)
A routine victory for the ladder-leading Bulldogs in Ballarat with an even spread of contributors. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan showed some good flashes early and finished as one of just three multiple goal kickers – Josh Bruce and Jason Johannisen were the others – as a dozen Bulldogs got in on the scoring action. Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel and Bailey Smith led the Dogs’ midfield unit and Josh Schache impressed again in his new defensive role, with former skipper Easton Wood returning from injury alongside him. Rory Sloane and Ben Keays tried hard for the Crows, but were always up against it in a comprehensive defeat to a side at the opposite end of the ladder.
NORTH MELBOURNE 6.6 (42) lost to GEELONG 8.14 (62)
Both sides struggled to convert opportunities in a low-scoring slog, with the Cats’ efficiency called into question after managing just eight majors from 60 forward entries. Chris Scott’s side saw its lead cut to two goals midway through the final term but did enough to bank a fifth straight victory and retain a top-two spot for another week. The Guthrie brothers were in the thick of the action, with Cam nailing two goals from 29 disposals and Zach banking a career-high 28 disposals, having taken six intercept marks in the first half after he was a late inclusion. Nick Larkey kicked two majors for North – making it 15 in his last four outings – but the Kangaroos missed Ben Cunnington, Cam Zurhaar and Tarryn Thomas, who were all unavailable after the previous week’s win over Carlton.
COLLINGWOOD 14.6 (90) defeated WEST COAST 6.9 (45)
The Eagles will still likely play finals this season, but there are serious doubts over their ability to do any damage in September after a howler of a performance in club great Shannon Hurn’s 300th game. Collingwood kicked the first eight goals of the match and led by as much as 57 points midway through the third quarter to embarrass the visitors. Jamie Elliott, Trent Bianco and Brody Mihocek (two goals each) were among 11 Magpies goalkickers as Taylor Adams and Jordan De Goey (34 disposals each) made a mockery of the Eagles’ vaunted midfield unit. Acting captain Steele Sidebottom (33 disposals and one goal) was another strong contributor. West Coast’s display was reminiscent of horror turnouts against Geelong and Sydney earlier in the season.
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GOLD COAST 4.6 (30) lost to MELBOURNE 18.20 (128)
This was the first of three fixtures that were hastily rearranged because of Queensland’s snap three-day lockdown. Melbourne had flown to Brisbane on Saturday, only to be turned around on the tarmac and sent home. The Suns, meanwhile, were rushed out of Queensland at the last minute. When the ball was finally bounced, it wasn’t so much about the Demons adjusting better to the chaos as it was about them showcasing their superior ability. Luke Jackson and Ben Brown kicked four goals each as Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca starred in the middle, while ruckman Max Gawn executed a perfect banana kick from the boundary line. The Dees lost Tom McDonald to a back injury on an otherwise comfortable afternoon. Gold Coast lost the inside-50 count 71-27 in a dismal display.
HAWTHORN 14.8 (92) defeated BRISBANE 12.8 (80)
What a week for the Hawks, who dropped a bombshell off the field and delivered another on it. On Friday, Hawthorn confirmed Alastair Clarkson’s handover to Sam Mitchell had been brought forward to the end of the season. But the messy situation didn’t seem to adversely affect the players, who brought greater hunger and intensity to the contest on Sunday. Chad Wingard, Jaeger O’Meara and emerging talent Conor Nash starred as the Hawks blew out to a 53-point lead midway through the third term. Brisbane kicked eight final-quarter goals to reduce the margin, but never quite got close enough to haul their opponents in. Jarryd Lyons (38 disposals) and Daniel McStay (four goals) were the Lions’ best.
ESSENDON 16.6 (102) lost to SYDNEY 17.7 (109)
The Bombers and Swans extended a long-standing rivalry by delivering yet another tight finish in a fixture that was moved from the Gabba to the MCG in a frantic 24-hour period for both clubs as they fled Queensland. Callum Mills returned from his isolation stint to play a key role in a win that kept Sydney in the hunt for a top-four spot, while Luke Parker starred and Tom Papley kicked four goals. Swans superstar Lance Franklin added two majors to his career tally – which now stands at 985 – as he edges closer to the 1000-goal milestone. The Bombers again got great service from Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett in the midfield, with Kyle Langford and Jake Stringer also impressive. But it wasn’t enough in a loss that was a hit to the Dons’ finals chances.
FREMANTLE 7.13 (55) defeated RICHMOND 6.15 (51)
It wasn’t pretty, but Justin Longmuir won’t care one bit after his side secured a much-needed win to keep its finals flame flickering. Poor goalkicking plagued the match but fans will remember it for the thrilling finish as both teams threw everything at the contest. Young midfielders Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra were enormous for Fremantle and Matthew Taberner kicked three goals in his 100th game, while small forward Lachie Schultz added a huge final-quarter grab name to a growing list of mark-of-the-year contenders and finished with two majors. Experienced stars Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia tried to will Richmond over the line and Liam Baker and Sydney Stack were outstanding in the dying stages, but Caleb Serong’s goal at the 17-minute mark of the final term proved the match-winner. The Dockers lost Bailey Banfield to concussion after a big collision before half-time.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 11.7 (73) lost to PORT ADELAIDE 15.10 (100)
A see-sawing contest in front of empty stands at Marvel Stadium saw the Power hang on for a win that could be vital in their pursuit of a top-four spot. Peter Ladhams and Charlie Dixon stood tall in attack for Port, combining for seven goals, and Ollie Wines (28 disposals) produced another outstanding display in the midfield to help get his side over the line. Giants star Toby Greene returned after a week in isolation and kicked two goals as Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper racked up touches in the midfield. But Port dominated the inside-50 count (65-46) and ultimately made it count on the scoreboard. GWS lost Phil Davis to an apparent neck injury, and Jacob Hopper shortly before the siren after a nasty but totally accidental kick to the face.
