The Giants’ Connor Idun bursts clear of Carlton’s Tyler Durdin as GWS clinched a finals berth on Sunday. Photo: AFL MEDIA
ESSENDON 3.13 (31) lost to COLLINGWOOD 16.5 (101)
Craig McRae’s Magpies went on an early rampage and slammed on the first 11 goals of this contest before shifting into cruise control as they locked away their club’s first minor premiership since 2011. Livewire forward Jack Ginnivan produced his best performance of the season with three goals and even won a free-kick for a high tackle – to the delight of his coach, who celebrated on the boundary line. Brody Mihocek matched that tally of three majors and midfielders Jordan De Goey (27 disposals, four clearances, one goal) and Tom Mitchell (33, seven, one) starred for Collingwood. It was an insipid finish to the season for Essendon, which followed up a 126-point thrashing from GWS with another listless display. Free agent Darcy Parish had 29 touches and six clearances in what could be his final appearance for the Bombers.
HAWTHORN 8.8 (56) lost to FREMANTLE 14.9 (93)
The Dockers signed off on a poor season with a positive performance, seizing control during a five-goal second quarter.Caleb Serong (32 disposals, nine clearances), Andrew Brayshaw (33, three) and Hayden Young (22, five) got them going in the midfield but it was the continued emergence of younger players like Tom Emmett (17 touches, two goals) and Matt Johnson (20 possessions) that gave Justin Longmuir most cause for optimism. Second-year spearhead Jye Amiss kicked three goals, taking his impressive season tally to 41, while Michael Walters, Josh Treacy and Emmett kicked two each. Will Day, James Worpel and Conor Nash battled hard for the Hawks, while captain James Sicily was among their best again.
NORTH MELBOURNE 20.12 (132) defeated GOLD COAST 14.13 (97)
Nick Larkey’s nine-goal haul fired the Kangaroos to a surprise and long-awaited victory that snapped a 20-match losing streak. The spearhead’s career-best effort took his season tally to 71 (another career-best) and was enough to ultimately place him third in the Coleman Medal race. It also lifted North Melbourne off the bottom of the ladder, meaning the club avoided a third-straight wooden spoon but missed out on the No.1 draft pick (and first dibs on generational talent Harley Reid) in the process. It didn’t bother coach Alastair Clarkson, who had declared the winning feeling “much more important than a draft position”. Matt Rowell and Touk Miller worked hard for the Suns, who were outclassed by a lowly opponent in a defeat that leaves incoming coach Damien Hardwick with plenty to ponder.
BRISBANE 9.18 (72) defeated ST KILDA 9.6 (60)
The Lions locked in a top-two finish – and two home finals at their Gabba fortress – by overcoming a dogged St Kilda and their own inaccuracy. Brisbane trailed at quarter-time after booting 2.8 in the first term, and then saw the Saints get within one point early in the final period. Joe Daniher and Hugh McCluggage kicked steadying goals but the Lions made hard work of the finish, kicking 2.7 for the last quarter. Daniher and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each, while Tim Membrey booted three for St Kilda. Lachie Neale (30 disposals, 10 clearances) was superb for Brisbane and Dayne Zorko (22 touches, one goal) was busy, while Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall (24 disposals, 27 hit-outs, nine clearances) was outstanding.
GEELONG 11.13 (79) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 16.8 (104)
The Bulldogs kept their finals dream alive – temporarily, as it turned out – with a six-goal final quarter to power past an undermanned Geelong at Kardinia Park, having trailed by 21 points before half-time. Tough onballer Tom Liberatore (32 possessions) starred on return from concussion and Rory Lobb played a key role with three goals, spending extra time in the ruck to allow Tim English to push forward. Aaron Naughton also kicked three goals, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli (31) and Adam Treloar (33) racked up touches. In the end, it counted for little as GWS beat Carlton to knock the Dogs out of the top eight. Isaac Smith had 36 disposals and kicked the opening goal for the Cats in his final AFL appearance, while Ollie Henry kicked three goals.
PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.
WEST COAST 12.6 (78) lost to ADELAIDE 17.21 (123)
Taylor Walker kicked nine goals to hit the front – at least temporarily – in the Coleman Medal race and steer Adelaide to a victory that condemned West Coast to the wooden spoon for the second time in club history. Walker’s 9.4 came from 19 shots and 21 disposals. Rory Laird (37 disposals, six clearances) and Matt Crouch (31, six) were also influential for the Crows, who were already out of finals contention. Oscar Allen kicked four goals and Jack Darling three as West Coast bid farewell to retiring trio Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Nic Naitanui (the latter is out injured). Tim Kelly (35 touches, eight clearances) was the Eagles’ best, while Shuey (25 disposals, five clearances) and Hurn (22 disposals) had a crack in their final appearances.
PORT ADELAIDE 13.16 (94) defeated RICHMOND 8.15 (63)
The Power locked away third spot on the ladder and set up a qualifying final against Brisbane as they pulled away from the Tigers with five goals to one in the final term. Fringe forward Francis Evans kicked one of those and finished with three after he was a late call-up in place of ill teammate Todd Marshall. Connor Rozee (33 disposals, one goal), Zak Butters (30) and Dan Houston (27) were busy as always for the home side, while Ollie Lord, Willie Rioli and Sam Powell-Pepper kicked two goals each. Dustin Martin was Richmond’s best with 33 disposals and kicked its only goal of the final term, while Shai Bolton kicked 2.3 from 15 touches before hurting an ankle.
SYDNEY 7.14 (56) lost to MELBOURNE 11.11 (77)
The Swans farewelled retiring great Lance Franklin with a lap of honour and also kissed goodbye their hopes of a home elimination final in a late fadeout. The Demons recovered from a 17-point deficit midway through the third quarter and kicked 4.3 to 0.2 with the game on the line in the last term, with Bayley Fritsch booting three crucial majors. Fritsch finished with five on return from injury, while star midfield trio Jack Viney, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were all important. Errol Gulden continued his outstanding season for Sydney with 42 disposals and two goals, while Callum Mills had 30 and one. Melbourne is sweating on Jake Melksham’s knee injury, while Fritsch (foot) and Jake Bowey (shoulder) were also hurt.
CARLTON 11.7 (73) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 16.9 (105)
The Giants booted the Bulldogs out of the top eight and set up a date with St Kilda by powering away from the undermanned Blues after half-time. The Giants even looked set to host a final until allowing the Blues the last couple of goals. Toby Greene kicked four goals and Jake Riccardi three as Stephen Coniglio (28 disposals and two goals) and Tom Green (35 disposals) starred. Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow kicked three goals to secure a second straight Coleman Medal and Sam Walsh (27 disposals) shone on return from a hamstring injury. But the Blues, whose nine-match winning streak ground to a halt, lost Blake Acres to a collarbone injury and are now sweating on the availability of Jacob Weitering, faces scrutiny over contact to Greene’s eye region.
