Zak Butters (right) and Connor Rozee get excited by Port Adelaide’s win over Fremantle on Sunday. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
COLLINGWOOD 15.10 (100) lost to BRISBANE 19.10 (124)
The Lions took control of a gripping top-of-the-table clash with the first four goals of the final term to post a tough road win that all but confirms they will finish in the top two – guaranteeing home ground advantage for their first two finals. But the victory came at a cost, with Callum Ah Chee (back) and Lincoln McCarthy (calf) failing to finish the match because of injuries. Charlie Cameron (four goals), Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher (three each) lit it up in attack for Brisbane and Lachie Neale made a welcome return to form with 31 disposals and 10 clearances. Scott Pendlebury (31 and 12) was outstanding for Collingwood, which was without star trio Nick Daicos, Darcy Moore and Jordan De Goey.
RICHMOND 14.17 (101) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 10.12 (72)
There were plenty of tears as Richmond greats Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin waved goodbye to the Tiger Army and Jack Ziebell bid farewell to North Melbourne, marking his final appearance with a soaring mark over Liam Baker. Riewoldt also took a big grab and kicked 1.3, while Cotchin finished with 18 touches. Spearhead Nick Larkey booted six goals in a superb showing for the Kangaroos as Shai Bolton (25 disposals, four goals) and Dustin Martin (31, three) starred for Richmond. Talented North youngster Harry Sheezel (37 disposals) was the only player on the ground with more touches than Martin.
GOLD COAST 13.9 (87) lost to CARLTON 13.13 (91)
The Blues will play finals for the first time in a decade after a brilliant come-from-behind victory at Heritage Bank Stadium, which extended their winning streak to nine matches. Charlie Curnow was the matchwinner with five goals, four of them in the second quarter alone, two goal assists and a game-saving mark deep in defence during the dying stages. The Blues trailed by as much as 40 points during the second quarter before Curnow’s heroics hauled them over the line. Nic Newman (31 disposals), Zac Fisher (28), Sam Docherty (25) and Paddy Dow (24) were all busy for Carlton and Noah Anderson (24 touches, nine clearances) starred for the Suns, but missed a tough late shot at goal that could have pinched victory.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 25.12 (162) defeated ESSENDON 5.6 (36)
The Bombers put in a shocker with their season on the line, copping the famous old club’s fifth-heaviest defeat of all time in the process. Giants forward Jesse Hogan booted a career-high nine goals from 24 disposals and 17 marks and finished with 16 score involvements in a brilliant display. Brent Daniels (three), Toby Greene and Toby Bedford (two each) also kicked multiple goals as GWS posted its highest score in club history and lifted its percentage from 98.6 to 105.6 in a tight race for top-eight spots. Tom Green (39 touches, nine clearances), Stephen Coniglio (31 disposals), Callan Ward and Josh Kelly (30 each) were all superb for Adam Kingsley’s side.
ST KILDA 12.16 (88) defeated GEELONG 8.7 (55)
The Saints booked their September ticket and all but extinguished the flame of Geelong’s premiership defence, which was put out for good not long after the final siren sounded at Marvel Stadium. St Kilda dominated at centre bounce and stoppages as Brad Crouch (29 disposals, 11 clearances), Hunter Clark (18, five) and ruckman Rowan Marshall (24, three) got their hands dirty. Max King kicked 3.3 from 16 disposals and Cooper Sharman, Jack Higgins and Dan Butler chipped in with two goals each. Tom Hawkins (two) was the Cats’ only multiple goal-kicker and Patrick Dangerfield had an off night with just 13 disposals. St Kilda’s Seb Ross (hamstring) and Geelong’s Brad Close (ankle) both failed to play out the match.
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ADELAIDE 10.13 (73) lost to SYDNEY 11.8 (74)
There was huge controversy at Adelaide Oval as Crow Ben Keays was denied what would likely have been the match-winning goal when his superb curling shot from the boundary was ruled to have brushed the post. The goal umpire signalled the behind as Keays celebrated his ‘goal’ with the crowd. Crucially, the decision was not reviewed, sparking widespread condemnation and an admission of error by the AFL. The result ended Adelaide’s finals dream and also meant the Cats’ top-eight hopes were gone. Sydney had led by 44 points during the second quarter before the Crows stormed home. But the home side was left ruing its inaccuracy after booting 4.8 to 0.1 in the final term. Errol Gulden (31 touches), Chad Warner (25), Oliver Florent (21) and Isaac Heeney (18, three goals) were influential for the Swans.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 12.13 (85) lost to WEST COAST 14.8 (92)
The Eagles kicked the first four goals of the last quarter to take control of this contest and upset a Bulldogs side that has now lost control of its own finals destiny. West Coast’s win took it off the bottom of the ladder and put the No.1 draft pick in North Melbourne’s hands with one round to play. Jamie Cripps kicked five goals and Oscar Allen three for the Eagles, while Tim Kelly (32 disposals, eight clearances) and Liam Duggan (25, five) were impressive. Marcus Bontempelli (32 disposals, 12 clearances) stood out for the Bulldogs and Rory Lobb kicked three goals.
MELBOURNE 13.9 (87) defeated HAWTHORN 9.6 (60)
A tight game went the Demons’ way when they kicked the final three goals to cement a top-four spot. Clayton Oliver was well held by Finn Maginness but came to life in the final quarter to help Melbourne over the line. He and Christian Petracca both kicked important goals in the final quarter and Jake Melksham finished with three, as did Jacob van Rooyen, while Joel Smith booted two in a remodelled Demons forward line. Jack Viney (25 touches) also had an impact for Melbourne. James Worpel (30 touches, 11 clearances) was one of the Hawks’ best, while Karl Amon (27 disposals) and Conor Nash (25, eight clearances) impressed.
FREMANTLE 8.10 (58) lost to PORT ADELAIDE 11.8 (74)
An important win for the Power, who kept themselves in the hunt for a top-two spot with a solid win away from home. Zak Butters (32 disposals, one goal), Ollie Wines (25 touches) and Connor Rozee (24) were influential for Port, while Sam Powell-Pepper, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Jeremy Finlayson kicked two goals each. Sam Switkowski, Michael Frederick and debutant Tom Emmett kicked two each for the Dockers, who were outscored three goals to one in the third quarter and couldn’t fight their way back. Port will finish in the top two – and earn home-ground advantage for their first two finals – if it can beat Richmond in the final round and Brisbane loses to St Kilda.
