St Kilda key forwards Tim Membrey (left) and Max King celebrate another goal against Richmond. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
COLLINGWOOD 16.13 (109) defeated GEELONG 15.11 (101)
The Magpies overcame the loss of captain Darcy Moore (hamstring) and a seven-goal haul from Jeremy Cameron, running over the top of the Cats after trailing by 22 points before quarter-time. Brody Mihocek kicked a career-high five goals for Collingwood, which effectively sealed the minor premiership with its victory. Moore was ruled out for the rest of the home-and-away season after hurting his left hamstring during the first term. Nick Daicos was out with a knee fracture but brother Josh (38 disposals) was outstanding. Ollie Henry kicked four majors for the Cats, whose premiership defence is teetering. The AFL conceded a controversial goal to Cameron during the final quarter – after he received a handpass from Brad Close when both players were out of bounds – should not have been allowed.
SYDNEY 18.6 (114) defeated GOLD COAST 13.12 (90)
A fourth consecutive straight-shooting display helped the Swans extend their winning streak to five matches and keep their finals dream well and truly alive. Will Hayward (four goals) and Logan McDonald (three) were lively in attack as Chad Warner (28 touches, seven clearances, two goals) racked up big numbers for the home side. Matt Rowell (25 disposals), Sam Flanders (23) and Noah Anderson (22) were busy for the Suns and Touk Miller (22) limited Errol Gulden’s influence. But the Swans had too many contributors, with Nick Blakey (24 disposals), Tom Papley (24) and Jake Lloyd (23) all important.
NORTH MELBOURNE 12.5 (77) lost to ESSENDON 13.8 (86)
A week after scraping past last-placed West Coast, the Bombers survived another huge scare when Archie Perkins’ late goal sealed a vital win. It denied retiring North Melbourne favourite Ben Cunnington a fairytale send-off after he kicked one of the two majors that dragged the Kangaroos back within a kick with four minutes left to play. Cunnington also had 24 disposals and 10 clearances in his final appearance, with Harry Sheezel (32 touches), Luke Davies-Uniacke (28) and Nick Larkey (five goals) also impressive. Bombers wingman Nic Martin was superb with 32 disposals and three goals and teammate Kyle Langford continued his outstanding season with three majors.
BRISBANE 15.9 (99) defeated ADELAIDE 13.15 (93)
The Lions surged into second spot and maintained their unbeaten season at home by holding off the fast-finishing Crows, but lost experienced forward Jack Gunston to a knee injury. Brisbane led by 22 points at the 10-minute mark of the last quarter and while the visitors hit back at the Gabba, they were hurt by inaccuracy – kicking 2.5 in the final term. Shane McAdam booted four goals for Adelaide and Taylor Walker two, taking his career tally past 600. Lions small forwards Charlie Cameron (three goals), Lincoln McCarthy and Zac Bailey (two each) were all dangerous as Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage (28 disposals, eight clearances) and Adelaide’s Matt Crouch (33, nine) stood out in the midfield.
CARLTON 9.6 (60) defeated MELBOURNE 8.8 (56)
The Blues’ surge towards September continued as a Caleb Marchbank fingertip on Christian Petracca’s long-range shot proved the difference. Three goals from stoppages in the first seven minutes of the last quarter gave Carlton breathing space in an arm wrestle but the Demons fought back hard. But the Blues delivered in big moments and there was not enough evidence on the score review to overrule the goal umpire’s decision that Marchbank touched Petracca’s shot on the goal line. Demons star Clayton Oliver (27 disposals, 13 tackles, 10 clearances) finished strongly in his return from injury but recalled ruckman Brodie Grundy didn’t have a huge impact. Patrick Cripps and George Hewett were busy in the Blues’ undermanned midfield as Charlie Curnow and Matthew Owies kicked two goals apiece. Carlton has now beaten Melbourne, Collingwood and Port Adelaide – three of the top four – in an eight-game winning streak.
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WEST COAST 4.9 (33) lost to FREMANTLE 20.14 (134)
The Eagles kicked the first two goals but conceded the next 17 in another dismal performance from the competition’s bottom side. Fremantle had 10 goal kickers as it posted a fifth straight derby win, saluting by the biggest-ever margin over its crosstown rival. Lachie Schultz (five goals) was named best afield on a countback from Luke Jackson (19 disposals, six clearances, 26 hit-outs) as Sam Sturt and Jye Amiss booted four goals each. Andrew Brayshaw (33), Caleb Serong (30), Hayden Young (25) and Jordan Clark (28) all racked up plenty of touches as the Dockers dined out on a wounded opponent. It got worse for West Coast when forward Oscar Allen hurt an elbow late in the match.
HAWTHORN 9.13 (67) defeated WESTERN BULLDOGS 9.10 (64)
Chad Wingard went down early with an achilles injury but it didn’t stop the Hawks claiming another big scalp – just a week after upsetting Collingwood. Rising star Jai Newcombe had a career-high 40 disposals in Launceston as Conor Nash (26 touches, eight clearances), Will Day (24, five) and James Worpel (24, seven) all got to work through the middle. The Bulldogs kicked four goals to one in the opening term and led by 20 points but couldn’t maintain their dominance. Making matters worse, they lost tough midfielder Tom Liberatore after a head knock. Dogs pair Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Rory Lobb were the game’s only multiple goalkickers with two each. Ed Richards and Marcus Bontempelli (23 each) were the only Bulldogs players with 20 disposals or more – Hawthorn had 11.
ST KILDA 14.9 (93) defeated RICHMOND 8.9 (57)
Max King booted two goals in each of the first three quarters as the Saints’ superior pressure and ball use was converted into a 43-point lead by the final change before they coasted to victory. It put St Kilda on the verge of a finals berth in Ross Lyon’s first season back at the helm, while all but killing off Richmond’s top-eight challenge. King’s tally of six majors equalled his career-best haul and Jade Gresham kicked three, while Jack Sinclair (33 disposals) and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (27) were creative. Jayden Short (26 touches), Dustin Martin (25) and Tim Taranto (24) were busy but the Tigers’ pressure was way off as they laid just 20 tackles to St Kilda’s 36 in the first half when the match was decided.
PORT ADELAIDE 21.10 (136) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 13.7 (85)
Ken Hinkley maintained the Power were “not far off it” during a four-match losing streak and they bounced back in style in a trouncing of GWS that locked up a top-four spot. Zak Butters (34 disposals), Ollie Wines (29, one goal), Connor Rozee (28) and utility Dan Houston (30, one goal) were outstanding for Port, which increased its lead by every change. Willie Rioli, Todd Marshall, Jason Horne-Francis and Miles Bergman each kicked three goals. Jake Riccardi booted four for the Giants, who have lost two matches on the bounce and now sit 10th. They face an almighty battle for the last remaining top-eight spots over the final two rounds. Tom Green (31 disposals) and Lachie Whitfield (27) fought hard in a losing cause.
