Luke Breust celebrates a critical last quarter goal for the Hawks in the thriller against Geelong. Photo: AFL MEDIA
BRISBANE 15.8 (98) defeated COLLINGWOOD 14.7 (91)
Scott Pendlebury turned tagger of sorts as he paid Lachie Neale close attention at early stoppages but it was the Brisbane ball magnet who managed to turn the match for his side. Neale exploded with a massive second term as the Lions piled on six quick goals to take control at a sold-out Gabba. Neale had 33 disposals and a goal in his 200th AFL game as Joe Daniher kicked four majors for the Lions. Brisbane debutant Kai Lohmann impressed and Marcus Adams was rock solid in defence, while Zac Bailey kicked three goals. Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey continued his hot start to the campaign after a tumultuous off-season with four goals from 21 disposals. Darcy Gardiner (rough conduct) and Mason Cox (kneeing) both ran foul of the MRO over crude late approaches to marking contests that left opponents nursing sore backs, but escaped with fines rather than suspensions.
NORTH MELBOURNE 11.5 (71) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 21.13 (139)
A scarcely competitive performance that – fairly or otherwise – again called into question North’s hosting of the marquee Good Friday fixture. The critics had plenty of ammunition by quarter-time after Cody Weightman had kicked four of the Bulldogs’ eight goals in the opening term. The Dogs led by 45 points at the first change and while North showed a hint of fight in the second term, they never got close enough to seriously threaten to pull off a comeback. The procession continued after the main break as Weightman and Aaron Naughton finished with five goals each and Marcus Bontempelli chipped in with three, with the Dogs banking a confidence-boosting win after some inconsistent displays over the opening month of the season. Nick Larkey managed four goals for North as Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald held their heads high, but there were too few contributors for David Noble’s side.
WEST COAST 9.4 (58) lost to SYDNEY 18.13 (121)
The Swans inflicted a brutal hiding in the first half and got a glimpse of life after Buddy Franklin in the process as they embarrassed their hosts. The Eagles were held scoreless in a first quarter at home for the first time in their history and had conceded 20 scoring shots to two by half-time. The Swans’ 39-10 advantage in inside-50s in the first half was the largest differential in any game since 2018. With Franklin sidelined by a broken finger, Hayden McLean and Logan McDonald picked up the slack with two goals each in the first quarter. Isaac Heeney continued the strong form that has him firmly in Brownlow Medal contention, kicking three goals from 16 disposals as Callum Mills and Errol Gulden racked up touches at will. There was some comic relief for Eagles fans in the stands, where a group hung a “Sampi was held” banner in reference to Leo Barry’s famous mark that won Sydney the 2005 grand final.
ST KILDA 13.9 (87) defeated GOLD COAST 9.7 (61)
Jack Higgins bounced back from a week off through concussion protocols with a career-best five goals as fit-again Jade Gresham continued his hot start to the season. ‘The Gresh Prince’ was best afield in his 100th game as he racked up 25 disposals and two goals. Coleman Medal contender Max King continued his impressive run with another three goals as the Saints banked a fourth-straight win after their first-up setback against Collingwood. Brett Ratten’s assistant Brendon Lade maintained the perfect record for stand-in coaches this season, following in the footsteps of previous winners Ash Hansen, Jaymie Graham (twice) and Blake Caracella. Touk Miller was Gold Coast’s best with a game-high 32 disposals but lacked help in a side that was well and truly outclassed. The Suns lost Mabior Chol (adductor) and David Swallow (hand) to injuries on a tough day.
ADELAIDE 15.11 (101) defeated RICHMOND 12.10 (82)
Taylor Walker went one better than in his return from suspension the previous week, booting five goals to play a key role in sinking the Tigers. Three of his majors came during a first-quarter burst and the fourth landed just after the first break as the former Crows skipper asserted his authority on the contest early. Richmond was on the wrong end of a 33-13 free kick count but it was the 10.5 (65) conceded direct from stoppages that most concerned coach Damien Hardwick. Crows ruckman Reilly O’Brien helped set his side up, Elliott Himmelberg (four goals) and Josh Rachele (two) provided sparks in attack and Ben Keays, Brodie Smith and Rory Laird all impressed. The only real concern for an energetic Adelaide outfit was a knee injury to captain Rory Sloane, who was sent for scans. Dion Prestia and former skipper Trent Cotchin were shining lights for the Tigers.
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MELBOURNE 19.6 (120) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 7.11 (53)
Melbourne emphasised its standing as the clear flag favourite – with daylight second – by putting away a fellow 2021 finalist with relative ease for the fourth time in five weeks. Only this time there was a more ruthless edge to the unbeaten reigning premier that sent a shudder through the competition. The Dees flicked a switch after half-time and piled on 10.2 to 2.2 in the third term – the highest-scoring quarter by any team this season – to blow the Giants off the MCG. It led to their highest score of the season and biggest winning margin since the grand final. Steven May, Christian Petracca, Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Bayley Fritsch were all outstanding but it was the depth of contributions across the board that was most impressive. Tom Sparrow’s gut-busting 100m run to tap a loose ball to Fritsch and set up a goal in the final term when the game was over emphasised Melbourne’s team-first mentality and work rate.
CARLTON 14.10 (94) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 13.13 (91)
Another great escape for the Blues after letting a big lead just about slip. Sam Walsh’s huge opening quarter, Jack Martin’s spark and George Hewett’s reliability in an engine room missing Patrick Cripps saw Carlton build a 50-point buffer before half-time. But the Blues have had issues in third quarters this season and Port sensed an opening. Despite being without Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines, the visitors charged back into the contest as Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Darcy Byrne-Jones got involved. Charlie Curnow’s fifth goal as the final quarter ticked into time-on gave the Blues breathing space. But Mitch Georgiades replied quickly and Karl Amon could have won it in the final minute but his shot from 55m fell short. Curnow finished with five majors and Harry McKay three, while Robbie Gray booted three for Port and Ryan Burton kicked two in an impressive display in his 100th game.
ESSENDON 8.11 (59) lost to FREMANTLE 16.11 (107)
Matt Taberner’s career-best haul of seven goals spearheaded an impressive Dockers display on the road as they tore Essendon apart after half-time. The margin was just three points at the main break and the Bombers had more scoring shots to that point. But six unanswered goals in the third quarter – four of them to the big left-footer Taberner – saw Fremantle kick clear to advance to a 4-1 record for the season. Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Will Brodie were all prominent in the ongoing absence of skipper Nat Fyfe, as ruckman Sean Darcy starred and youngsters Hayden Young and Nathan O’Driscoll took further steps forward. Bailey Banfield, Sam Switkowski and Michael Frederick each kicked two goals. Darcy Parish was a shining light in the midfield for Essendon, who lost ruckman Andrew Phillips to a leg injury early. Off-season acquisition Nic Martin impressed again with two goals from 17 disposals for the Bombers.
HAWTHORN 14.8 (92) defeated GEELONG 11.14 (80)
Dylan Moore kicked four goals – three of them in the first quarter – as Hawthorn jumped out to an early lead and rode the second-half bumps with a grin to post a thrilling win over their old rivals. Jack Gunston and Mitch Lewis kicked three goals each as Jai Newcombe and Josh Ward shone in the middle, where experienced duo Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara were also important. James Sicily was brilliant in defence, particularly early. Tom Hawkins kicked three goals for Geelong but courted controversy when he exaggerated contact from Sam Frost in a marking contest. He won a free kick but is also a good chance to cop a fine for staging. Jeremy Cameron and Tyson Stengle also kicked three goals for the Cats. Hawthorn fans jeered former Hawks premiership wingman Isaac Smith and also voiced their displeasure with Hawkins and Cats skipper Joel Selwood. The lead changed hands four times in the second half before Luke Breust and Lewis kicked late goals to lift the Hawks over the line.
