Melbourne’s Harrison Petty (centre) celebrates one of his career-best six goals against Richmond. Photo: AFL MEDIA
COLLINGWOOD 10.16 (76) lost to CARLTON 14.9 (93)
Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow booted six goals – five of them in the second half – to help the rampaging Blues post a sixth successive victory. The upset of the old enemy was Carlton’s most significant win of the season to date and put Michael Voss’s side back inside the top eight. Adam Cerra (20 disposals, six clearances) starred for the Blues before hobbling off with a hamstring injury during the third quarter, while Jacob Weitering, captain Patrick Cripps and Jack Martin (three goals) were also influential. Jordan De Goey and Josh Daicos impressed for the Magpies, with Jeremy Howe kicking three final-quarter goals when moved forward after Mason Cox was subbed out. Despite a third loss of the season, Collingwood maintained a two-game buffer on top of the ladder.
GEELONG 9.10 (64) lost to FREMANTLE 10.11 (71)
Late goals from Michael Frederick and Lachie Schultz steered Fremantle to a surprise win in enemy territory. Those two and Josh Corbett each kicked two goals for the Dockers as defenders Luke Ryan and Alex Pearce shone. Important midfielders Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw also exerted their influence on the contest. Ollie Henry and Tom Hawkins kicked two goals each for the Cats, but Jeremy Cameron (1.5) was wayward in front of the big sticks. The result was a huge blow to Geelong’s finals chances on the day Chris Scott overtook Reg Hickey as the longest-serving coach in club history. To make matters worse for the Cats, they also lost Hawkins (calf) and Mark Blicavs (hamstring) to injuries.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 10.13 (73) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 11.12 (78)
GWS skipper Toby Greene was well held by Taylor Duryea early but exploded with five goals in the second half – four of them in the third quarter – to spearhead the Giants’ outstanding come-from-behind victory in Ballarat, a club record seventh win in a row. The Bulldogs led by 29 points at half-time and kicked the opening goal of the second half through Aaron Naughton before falling in a heap. Sam Taylor starred in a miserly defence for the Giants and Callan Ward put the clamps on Marcus Bontempelli after the Bulldogs skipper’s hot start. Lachie Whitfield (34 touches), Stephen Coniglio (34) and Lachie Ash (30) were strong contributors and Jake Riccardi kicked three goals in their side’s seventh consecutive win. Adam Treloar (34 touches, seven clearances, two goals) and Tim English (25, five, two) were among the Dogs’ best. Bulldogs defenders Josh Bruce (knee) and Alex Keath (concussion) were both injured on a disappointing day for Luke Beveridge’s men.
GOLD COAST 15.6 (96) defeated BRISBANE 7.13 (55)
Touk Miller stood up as interim coach Steven King guided Gold Coast to its first win over its Queensland rival since 2018, ending a record Q-Clash streak of nine straight losses. Miller tagged Lions ball-winner and had 29 disposals (plus six clearances) to his opponent’s 17 in a crucial head-to-head battle. Ben King starred in attack with an equal career-best five goals after coming under fire over his sub-par form in recent weeks. Noah Anderson (29 disposals, one goal) was important again and Sam Flanders (32 touches) continued his hot form for the Suns, who remain an outside chance to gatecrash the top-eight after sacking Stuart Dew this month. Josh Dunkley finished with 30 touches, 10 tackles and nine clearances as one of the Lions’ best.
ESSENDON 15.9 (99) lost to SYDNEY 15.11 (101)
Lance Franklin was subbed out with a tight calf muscle in what could end up being the last act of his decorated career and Sydney’s 37-point third-quarter lead was slashed to just two points with five minutes left in the match. Energetic forward Tom Papley came up big, slotting the Swans’ only goal of the final term from long range to effectively seal the victory. Jye Menzie’s goal cut the margin again but it was too late. Joel Amartey (four goals) and Sam Wicks (three) hit the scoreboard for Sydney, while Kyle Langford (five) and Peter Wright (four) did some damage at the other end. Swans midfielder Errol Gulden (37 touches, six clearances) and Bombers skipper Zach Merrett (39, nine) were outstanding for their respective sides.
PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.
ADELAIDE 16.16 (112) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 9.11 (65)
Experienced forward Taylor Walker’s enormous season continued as he spearheaded another upset of the arch-rival with seven goals in a best-afield display. Walker kicked 7.4 from 20 disposals and had 15 score involvements to have a huge say in the result. Veteran midfielder Matt Crouch (32 disposals, 12 clearances) also shone in his third match of the season, while Crows skipper Jordan Dawson (34 touches) and Rory Laird (26) were also busy. There was some controversy when Aliir Aliir did not undergo a HIA test after his head clash with teammate Lachie Jones, who sat out the rest of the game with concussion. A third straight loss left plenty of questions hanging over second-placed Port Adelaide’s premiership credentials.
HAWTHORN 14.9 (93) lost to ST KILDA 19.8 (122)
There was no need for any Ross Lyon deflection tactics under the Marvel Stadium roof this week as his Saints weathered a third-quarter challenge and posted their highest score of the season, strengthening their grip on a top-eight spot in the process. Brad Crouch had a day out with 32 touches, eight clearances and three goals, Dan Butler kicked four majors and Nasaiah Wanganeen-Milera continued his impressive form with one goal from 33 disposals. But the result came at a cost as injury-riddled veteran Zak Jones finished the game on crutches after hurting a knee. Hawks veteran Luke Breust kicked an equal career-best six goals – the fifth time he has jagged half a dozen majors in 277 games.
RICHMOND 15.8 (98) lost to MELBOURNE 20.10 (130)
Harry Petty was the surprise hero in attack with a career-best six goals as Melbourne finished full of running in a see-sawing contest. The Demons booted the final six goals of the match – and 11 of the last 13 – after twice trailing by as much as 20 points during the third quarter. Jacob van Rooyen and Jake Melksham booted four goals apiece and skipper Max Gawn (28 disposals, 11 clearances) stood up in the final term, with Christian Petracca (29, eight) and Jack Viney (32, seven) also influential. Dustin Martin kicked three goals from 21 touches for Richmond as midfielders Tim Taranto (24 disposals, nine clearances) and Shai Bolton (25, eight) had an effect around the contest.
WEST COAST 10.12 (72) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 10.7 (67)
The Eagles ended a club-record losing streak at 16 matches with a much-needed win at home, to the relief of coach Adam Simpson and his players. West Coast kicked six of the first seven goals but was made to fight for its victory as the Kangaroo, inspired by four goals from Paul Curtis, twice trimmed the margin to less than a kick. Tim Kelly (26 disposals, seven clearances) was one of West Coast’s best as Oscar Allen and Jamie Cripps booted two goals each. The loss was North Melbourne’s 17th in a row – its longest losing streak in more than 50 years – as Brett Ratten prepares to hand back the coaching reins to Alastair Clarkson.
