Melbourne forward Ben Brown marks strongly in the Demons’ win over West Coast in Perth. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
GEELONG 8.17 (65) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 13.6 (84)
Undeniably one of the greatest wins in the Giants’ history given the odds stacked against them. The Giants had spent nearly eight weeks on the road, were coming off a five-day break, made seven forced changes and an eighth when Josh Kelly pulled out late, and were away from home against the high-flying Cats, who had been purring on a five-match winning streak. But Tim Taranto and Callan Ward led the way in the midfield, Toby Greene kicked four goals and emerging defensive star Sam Taylor blunted Tom Hawkins against a deluge of Geelong forward entries (64-44). Greene was offered a two-match ban for a high fend-off that saw Patrick Dangerfield taken to hospital as a precaution with a throat injury (he was later cleared of significant damage) and the Giants immediately announced they would challenge the penalty. Joel Selwood was let off with a fine for his high bump on Taylor, which could have caused far more damage.
CARLTON 8.9 (57) lost to GOLD COAST 11.10 (76)
The Suns may just have driven the final nail into David Teague’s coaching tenure as Carlton put up a pitiful display at home with its finals hopes on the line. Gold Coast had lost its previous six quarters by a combined 174 points against Brisbane and Melbourne, and had little to play for, but looked far hungrier than the hosts. Touk Miller tallied 34 disposals and two goals in another superb outing, with Noah Anderson (30 disposals) his sidekick in the middle. Former Giant, Tiger and Bomber Jacob Townsend kicked two majors in his Suns debut. Carlton key forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow managed just one goal each and star midfielder Sam Walsh limped from the field late in the match.
RICHMOND 13.11 (89) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 8.8 (56)
Oh, to be a fly on the wall as Damien Hardwick addressed his troops at half-time. Down and out at the main break, trailing by 26 points and headed for a seventh defeat in eight games, the Tigers piled on seven third-quarter goals to turn the tide and keep their finals dream alive. Maurice Rioli Jnr received a handpass in the goal square to kick his first goal on his AFL debut as Liam Baker and Shane Edwards (two goals each) proved critical in the win. Fellow premiership stars Jack Graham and Dion Prestia were also influential. Jy Simpkin (34 disposals), Luke Davies-Uniacke (38) and Cam Zurhaar (four goals) helped North gain an early advantage in a promising sign for the competition’s bottom side before it was overrun.
ADELAIDE 7.9 (51) lost to PORT ADELAIDE 7.13 (55)
A huge week for the Crows – for the wrong reasons – ended in “Showdown” disappointment as a 19-point lead built on a four-goals-to-one first half evaporated after the main break. Aliir continued a fine first season in Power colours and registered 16 intercept possessions – including 10 intercept marks – to claim his first Showdown Medal. Ollie Wines (26 disposals, one goal) and Zak Butters (two goals) were important as Port surged ahead through a Sam Powell-Pepper snap midway through the final term, and survived a late challenge when Aliir cut off the final attacking raid. Adelaide lost both Brodie Smith and Will Hamill to concussion during the second half, the latter after a heavy collision with teammate Nick Murray.
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ST KILDA 14.9 (93) defeated SYDNEY 10.4 (64)
Good luck to all the tipsters trying to work out the Saints this year. They’re heroes one minute, zeroes the next. On Saturday night it was the former, in a strong performance that kept their own finals dream alive and put the Swans’ top-four hopes to bed. Jack Higgins was one of several wayward Saints in front of goal in a narrow defeat to Sydney last time the sides met, but gained redemption of sorts by kicking 4.1 as the most prolific forward on the ground. Dean Kent (3.0) and Max King (2.2) chipped in and skipper Jack Steele (34 disposals) was outstanding again. Swans star Lance Franklin was held to one goal.
HAWTHORN 15.7 (97) defeated COLLINGWOOD 12.6 (78)
Tom Mitchell continued his love-affair with filling the stats sheet against the Magpies as he spearheaded a win that effectively ensured the Hawks will avoid giving Alastair Clarkson the wooden spoon in his final season at the helm. For the record, Mitchell had 44 disposals at 84 per cent efficiency, eight clearances, a game-high 12 score involvements and an important final-quarter goal. Chad Wingard was lively, and inexperienced forward Jacob Koschitzke kicked three goals as the Hawks dominated the first half and opened up a 49-point margin during the third quarter. Jordan De Goey and Taylor Adams were Collingwood’s best and third-gamer Jack Ginnivan kicked three goals, but the Magpies were never in the hunt.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 12.12 (84) lost to ESSENDON 15.7 (97)
Anyone who thought the Bombers were done this season got a rude shock on Sunday. And anyone who thought recycled forward Peter Wright wasn’t capable of kicking a bag got one, too. Ex-Gold Coast tall Wright had only once kicked more than three goals in his 83 previous games, but booted seven majors to lead Essendon to a surprise win that put it right back in the finals hunt. Jack Macrae had 38 disposals for the Dogs, but even worse news than the loss could be a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament for key forward Josh Bruce in the final seconds, after he’d kicked three goals in his 150th game. The ladder leaders lowered their colours in a result that left them in a three-way tie with Geelong and Port Adelaide on 60 points with two rounds left to play.
FREMANTLE 8.6 (54) lost to BRISBANE 18.10 (118)
Hugh McCluggage, Jarryd Lyons and skipper Dayne Zorko were outstanding as Brisbane piled on 10 goals to three to just about put this one to bed by half-time, the Lions ending up with a thumping 64-point win. Joe Daniher kicked four majors as one of seven multiple goal kickers for the Lions, who bounced back from a shock loss to Hawthorn in emphatic fashion. The Dockers were well-served by emerging stars Adam Cerra, Sean Darcy and Caleb Serong, as well as veteran David Mundy, but the hosts were far below their best when a spot in the top-eight was theirs for the taking. Brisbane hard man Mitch Robinson was substituted out of the match by three-quarter time with a calf injury.
WEST COAST 9.9 (63) lost to MELBOURNE 10.12 (72)
There were bizarre scenes as lightning and a severe weather warning saw the game put on hold during the final quarter as players were ordered off the ground. The Demons led by 33 points but the break halted their momentum and West Coast threatened to pull off a heist, kicking four unanswered goals after the restart to create some nervous moments. The visitors hung on, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca in setting up the big lead earlier in the match. The gun midfielders relished the wet and wild conditions as Ben Brown (three goals) stepped up in attack after fellow key forward Tom McDonald was a late withdrawal with a back injury. Tim Kelly and Elliot Yeo fought hard for the Eagles, but they were outmuscled and outclassed for most of the night on their home deck.
