Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver is pretty happy with Bayley Fritsch after the latter’s fourth goal of the game. Photo: AFL MEDIA
SYDNEY 11.17 (83) defeated ESSENDON 12.8 (80)
Long-time nemesis Buddy Franklin returned from a spell to haunt the Bombers yet again with a late goal – his third on the night and 950th of his career – to help seal the result in another nailbiter between these two sides. One of Franklin’s most familiar foes, Cale Hooker, matched his tally with three at the other end for Essendon, as did Jake Stringer in another strong performance, and youngster Nik Cox produced an eye-catching display. But it was the energetic young Swans who prevailed again, delivering a fourth-straight win for John Longmire. Experienced stars Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Jake Lloyd, Dane Rampe and Isaac Heeney were important contributors for the home side, though Heeney suffered a setback when he broke a hand.
PORT ADELAIDE 11.13 (79) defeated RICHMOND 11.11 (77)
If anyone still had doubts over Robbie Gray’s status as a “clutch” player, the Power star kicked them right into touch with yet another ice-cool finish to help sew up his side’s heart-stopping win over the reigning premier. Gray also delivered at the other end, keeping his cool to rush a behind under pressure when others may have erred, providing relief in the desperate final stages despite the threat of a possible free kick being paid against him. Port lost Zak Butters (ankle) and Xavier Duursma (knee) to injury in the last quarter, but had Ollie Wines and Travis Boak to rely on. Dustin Martin kicked a superb goal to get Richmond back within a kick early in the final term and ensured a tight finish between the two flag fancies. Damien Hardwick’s brief interaction with an excited Power fan produced a post-match talking point, but Hardwick laughed it off. “A guy was giving me a tissue,” the Tigers’ coach said. “I thought, ‘Geez, that’s a bit harsh’. We’ve won three of the last four flags, mate, not sure whether I need a tissue.”
WESTERN BULLDOGS 10.13 (73) defeated BRISBANE 8.6 (54)
Ballarat turned on its “finest” weather for the final leg of the Lions’ impromptu road trip, with wind and rain supposedly making life difficult for the tall marking forwards. But emerging star Tim English made a mockery of Mother Nature’s efforts with nine marks and 3.3 as new ruck partner Stefan Martin did the bulk of the tap work against his former side. Skipper Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and Jack Macrae were among the Dogs’ best through the midfield in a strong blue-collar performance in tough conditions, which kept their unbeaten start to the year intact. The Dogs opted against tagging Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, who won 27 disposals in a solid showing alongside Hugh McCluggage and experienced ball-user Daniel Rich. Bulldog Caleb Daniel was offered a one-match ban by the match review officer for rough conduct after dumping Tom Berry in a dangerous tackle.
ST KILDA 15.12 (102) defeated WEST COAST 13.4 (82)
A comeback for the ages under the roof at Docklands as the under-fire Saints overcame a 33-point deficit late in the third quarter to post a memorable victory. They kicked 8.6 to 0.1 over that period as co-captain Jack Steele led from the front and Max King kicked a career-best five goals. Dan Butler kicked three and Rowan Marshall returned from injury to bolster the ruck stocks against Eagles star Nic Naitanui. West Coast’s former skipper Shannon Hurn went down with a calf injury in the early stages on the night he equalled Dean Cox’s club-record 290 games. Eagles speedster Jack Petruccelle kicked four goals to help send the previously struggling Saints into a downward spiral until the home side flicked a switch and dialled up the pressure in a remarkable turnaround.
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GOLD COAST 8.11 (59) lost to CARLTON 9.16 (70)
The injury-hit Suns had Noah Anderson and Jack Bowes to thank most for keeping them in the contest until Carlton finally ground down the home side in the final term. A week after kicking a career-best seven goals, Carlton’s Harry McKay was kept quiet by Sam Collin, but the key forward kicked the crucial only goal of the last quarter for the inaccurate Blues to help see his team over the line. He finished with two, as did former skipper Marc Murphy, while Alex Sexton was the home side’s only multiple goalkicker. Ed Curnow and Sam Walsh were among the Blues’ best in the midfield as Marc Pittonet (56 hit-outs) took advantage of Gold Coast’s depleted ruck stocks.
COLLINGWOOD 9.6 (60) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 14.6 (90)
Stand-in skipper Toby Greene led the charge with five goals in a shock upset of the hot-and-cold Pies in enemy territory, sparking life into the previously winless Giants’ season. Jeremy Finlayson kicked four of his own as Callan Ward, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper did much of the grunt work in the middle. Shane Mumford helped quell Brodie Grundy’s influence and Collingwood’s tough night was compounded by the loss of Taylor Adams to a knee injury when Grundy fell across his left leg, while Brayden Sier was substituted out of the match early because of illness. Beau McCreery marked his first AFL appearance with a goal from his first kick for Collingwood, a week after making his “debut” as an unused substitute.
NORTH MELBOURNE 10.8 (68) lost to ADELAIDE 16.13 (109)
After copping a 128-point hiding from the Bulldogs on Good Friday, North was in with a great chance to rebound with its first win of the year when it led the Crows by four points at three-quarter time. But 30 minutes later, the Roos were left licking their wounds after a dramatic final-term fadeout. Adelaide piled on eight goals to one for the last quarter and climbed into the top eight on the back of strong performances from Rory Laird, Ben Keays and inexperienced Lachlan Scholl. Rejuvenated veteran Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty and Shane McAdam each kicked three goals. Nick Larkey kicked three for the winless Kangaroos, who lost Cam Zurhaar (concussion) and Luke McDonald (pectoral muscle) to injuries on another disappointing day in front of a small crowd.
MELBOURNE 12.13 (85) defeated GEELONG 9.6 (60)
Christian Petracca, Jack Viney and Max Gawn were all influential as the Demons led all day to continue their unbeaten start to the season with a strong win, despite early inaccuracy in front of goal. Bayley Fritsch kicked four goals and Petracca two, while Steven May was substituted out of the match with a nasty cut above the eye and potential eye socket fracture after an accidental blow from Tom Hawkins, who kicked two goals. Clayton Oliver had 34 disposals despite attention from tagger Mark O’Connor. Joel Selwood and Cam Guthrie won plenty of the ball for a Geelong midfield still missing suspended star Patrick Dangerfield, and Quinton Narkle was a late inclusion for injured Cats midfielder Brandon Parfitt (hip).
FREMANTLE 13.19 (96) defeated HAWTHORN 12.9 (81)
The Dockers kicked five unanswered first-term goals to lead by 34 points at quarter-time, but conceded six of the next seven majors as Hawthorn fought its way back into the contest. It turned into an arm wrestle from there, with the home side managing to hold off the challenge to keep its nose in front. Veteran midfielder David Mundy starred again for Fremantle, with Adam Cerra and Caleb Serong in the middle, while Sean Darcy (three) and Matt Taberner (two) combined for five goals as the tall targets in attack. Skipper Nat Fyfe had 31 disposals after a week out through concussion, but was wasteful in front of goal, kicking 0.6 for the day. Dylan Moore kicked three goals for Hawthorn and Tom Mitchell had 35 disposals, while Changkuoth Jiath impressed again at half-back.
