How good was that? St Kilda Brad Hill turns to the crowd after a great goal against Hawthorn. Photo: AFL MEDIA
PORT ADELAIDE 4.12 (36) lost to MELBOURNE 10.8 (68)
Port was held goalless to half-time for the first time in its AFL history as Melbourne piled on the first eight goals and dealt Ken Hinkley’s side a fourth consecutive defeat to start the season. The margin reached 53 points during the last quarter before late Power goals made the scoreboard look a little less humiliating. But their finals hopes look just about shot already and the pressure is mounting on Hinkley. The unbeaten Demons are flying despite not really hitting top gear yet and smashed Port in contested possessions (148-124), clearances (38-29) and inside 50s (56-47). Bayley Fritsch booted three goals, Ed Langdon continued his strong start to the year and Max Gawn dominated as opposing ruckman Scott Lycett battled a shoulder issue. Port’s Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines left the game at half-time and was taken to hospital with an irregular heartbeat, having experienced nausea and dizziness.
GEELONG 11.14 (80) defeated BRISBANE 11.4 (70)
Brisbane could lay some claim to being dudded for the second year running at Kardinia Park when Tom Hawkins’ push on Harris Andrews in a marking contest went unpunished, allowing the spearhead to kick the sealer from close range. But as Chris Fagan later admitted, the better team won on the night. The Cats kept their noses in front as the sides went goal-for-goal in the first half and only allowed Brisbane to stay in the contest through their own wastefulness. Andrews and Marcus Adams were rocks at the back for the Lions and Geelong couldn’t break the dam wall with a deluge of ball going inside-50. Hawkins’ five goals were the difference as Isaac Smith starred on a wing and tagger Mark O’Connor did a decent job limiting Lachie Neale’s influence outside the contest. Joe Daniher and Daniel McStay kicked three goals each for the Lions. The Cats rested Joel Selwood and fellow star Tom Stewart was a late withdrawal with a bout of gastro.
SYDNEY 13.8 (86) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 12.3 (75)
A huge boilover was still a chance when a one-on-one contest in an otherwise empty Sydney forward line saw Will Hayward pinged for falling into Atu Bosenavulagi’s back, and then penalised 50 metres for voicing his displeasure. The Kangaroos trailed by five points and Bosenavulagi needed to launch one final scoring thrust by pumping his free kick long. Alas, his short pass to Todd Goldstein was spoiled, the Swans took possession and Isaac Heeney ultimately kicked the sealer. North had led by as much as 14 points during the final quarter on the back of Jack Ziebell’s five-goal haul but the Swans kicked the last four majors of the game. Heeney’s two goals in the fourth term were crucial and Justin McInerney (30 disposals) kicked the goal that put the Swans in front during time-on. Lance Franklin watched most of the second half from the bench because of a broken finger.
COLLINGWOOD 10.14 (74) lost to WEST COAST 14.3 (87)
Another classic chapter written in one of the great modern rivalries as Covid-ravaged and injury-hit West Coast won against the odds. Missing their best five midfielders amongst a host of big names, the Eagles turned to defensive duo Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass, ruckman Nic Naitanui and three-goal forwards Josh Kennedy and Willie Rioli to haul them over the line. The lead changed hands three times in a tense final term until Jack Darling bobbed up with a late mark and goal to settle the issue. Patrick Naish, Xavier O’Neill, Luke Edwards and Connor West all played their parts as they tasted success for the first time in Eagles colours. Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (32) was the top disposal winner on the ground in his fourth game and may have played a role in inspiring brother Josh’s strong start to the season. But Jamie Elliott’s latest injury setback – this time an AC joint – was salt in the wound for the Magpies during the last quarter. The star forward could be out for up to three months.
RICHMOND 15.9 (99) defeated WESTERN BULLDOGS 7.19 (61)
The Tigers of old reared their heads as the famed pressure game that snared Damien Hardwick three premierships returned. Shai Bolton lit up the Tigers’ front half and Tom Lynch kicked four goals, while Jayden Short and Daniel Rioli racked up the touches off half-back. Liam Baker and Trent Cotchin both showed the sort of desperation Richmond was known for in its recent golden era. The Bulldogs had five of the top six disposal winners on the ground but rarely bared teeth in attack as wayward goal-kicking proved costly. The Dogs were also left to rue a pair of 50m penalties for “stand” rule infringements that gifted Richmond goals when the game was on the line in the second term. Their ploy of choosing not to man the mark and dropping back 5m backfired when Bailey Williams was pinged in a decision that prompted Luke Beveridge to pick up the phone to AFL HQ.
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FREMANTLE 13.10 (88) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 8.6 (54)
Just like it did the Bulldogs, inaccuracy threatened Fremantle’s chances until it reversed the trend with six straight final-quarter goals to blow the Giants away. Off-season recruit Will Brodie had a career-high 36 disposals, veteran David Mundy (30) made a seamless return and emerging talent Nathan O’Driscoll (20, two goals) impressed again. Andrew Brayshaw broke a Lachie Ash tag to finish with 26 disposals and one goal. Tom Green and Tim Taranto were the Giants’ best and Jesse Hogan kicked two early goals in his first game against the Dockers since leaving the club at the end of 2020. But the key forward went cold after half-time and ruckman Braydon Preuss was in the bad books for elbowing Mundy in the head. The Dockers benefited from a 42-16 free-kick landslide that GWS coach Leon Cameron conceded was mostly down to his side’s ill-discipline. Fremantle’s win was its second from as many starts with coach Justin Longmuir sidelined under virus protocols and senior assistant Jaymie Graham at the helm.
ESSENDON 15.13 (103) defeated ADELAIDE 15.9 (99)
The home crowd jeered Taylor Walker as the Adelaide veteran played a central role on return after serving a six-match suspension for making a racist remark last August. Walker kicked four goals and threatened to snatch victory for the visitors, but his set shot from 55 metres with little more than one minute remaining fell short. The Crows had one final thrust forward that landed on Mason Redman’s chest as the relieved Bombers hung on for their first win of the season. It came under the leadership of assistant coach Blake Caracella, with Ben Rutten out of action through virus protocols. Cult hero Peter Wright starred early for the Bombers with three first-half goals and Darcy Parish had 38 disposals, a tally matched by Adelaide’s Rory Laird. First-year forward Josh Rachele kicked three goals for the Crows but will attract scrutiny from the match review officer for a punch to Devon Smith’s stomach.
HAWTHORN 10.13 (73) lost to ST KILDA 22.10 (142)
Dylan Moore kicked two goals in the opening two minutes for Hawthorn but it was just about all St Kilda from there in a rout. Tim Membrey, Brad Hill, Jade Gresham and Max King each kicked four goals as pressure work from the likes of Jack Sinclair strangled the Hawks and their fast-paced rebound game. Jack Steele and Brad Crouch did most of the grunt work for the Saints as Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall got the better of inexperienced opponent Ned Reeves. But Ryder faces scrutiny over a late collision with Will Day that led to the Hawks youngster being taken out of the game with concussion. Mitch Lewis booted 9.1 over the opening three weeks of the season but was wayward in front of goal for the Hawks, kicking 3.5.
GOLD COAST 13.14 (92) defeated CARLTON 8.14 (62)
The Blues lost Patrick Cripps to a hamstring injury before half-time and it got a whole lot worse for the visitors at Carrara. After managing only one win through their opening three games, the bubble burst in emphatic fashion as Noah Anderson (35 disposals, 10 clearances) and Touk Miller (32 disposals, eight clearances) starred for the Suns. Mabior Chol and Malcolm Rosas kicked three goals each for Gold Coast and big man Levi Casboult kicked one against his old side, sparking a celebration. Harry McKay was Carlton’s only multiple goal-kicker with two despite copping a heavy knock to his face and Zac Williams (36 disposals) and Sam Docherty (29) racked up touches at half-back. The upset – one of the biggest boilovers of the season to date – will no doubt be a huge confidence boost for the Suns and coach Stuart Dew.
