Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn and Michael Hibberd celebrate the skipper’s last quarter goal. Photo: AFL MEDIA
RICHMOND 20.14 (134) defeated ST KILDA 7.6 (48)
The clinical Tigers showed they still have a ruthless streak as they put the injury-hit Saints to the sword. Jack Riewoldt honoured the annual “Maddie’s Match” with five goals and ruckman Toby Nankervis took advantage of Rowan Marshall’s late withdrawal with an ongoing foot issue, outpointing Paul Hunter with help from Marlion Pickett. Dustin Martin and Shane Edwards did what they almost always do and Jack Graham was important with three goals. First-year co-captain Jack Steele worked tirelessly for St Kilda, which had just 11 inside 50s in the second half as the Saints were beaten by more than a dozen goals for the second time in a fortnight. St Kilda coach Brett Ratten backed Brad Hill post-match, declaring he won’t drop the out-of-form wingman despite a series of below-par performances.
WEST COAST 16.7 (103) defeated COLLINGWOOD 11.10 (76)
Oscar Allen and Jack Darling kicked five goals apiece as grand final hero Dom Sheed came back to haunt the Magpies again in a demolition job out west. Sheed kicked three goals in a four-minute burst during the third term to crack the game wide open before the visitors put a bit of late respectability on the scoreboard. Collingwood had started strongly with Darcy Moore in attack and Brodie Grundy firing, but lost Jordan De Goey (facial injury) and Jeremy Howe (hamstring) before half-time as the Eagles wrested momentum. Moore finished with three goals and showed good signs in attack when given supply, while Brody Mihocek threatened with 2.5, but an undermanned Pies defence struggled. Irish defender Mark Keane was offered a one-match ban for tripping Josh Kennedy, who is in some doubt for next week with an ankle injury. West Coast teammates Tom Cole and Josh Rotham both suffered serious cuts in a horror head clash late in the match, but were cleared of concussion.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 17.16 (118) defeated GOLD COAST 8.8 (56)
Marcus Bontempelli took his own footy to his 150th game, racking up 33 disposals and three goals as the Bulldogs maintained their unbeaten start to the season. The contest was over almost as soon as it began, with Bontempelli on fire early as the Dogs piled on 10 unanswered goals in the first half. Fellow midfielders Jack Macrae, Adam Treloar and Josh Dunkley all starred in the rout as ruckman Jordan Sweet impressed on debut and Aaron Naughton (two goals) booked a spot on the round-five highlights reel with a huge pack mark. The Bulldogs are now 5-0 for the first time since 1946. Inexperienced Josh Corbett kicked three goals from 14 disposals for the Suns.
SYDNEY 10.9 (69) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 9.17 (71)
The Giants gave their new charcoal kits a run and trailed by 21 points during the final term, but fought back to knock-off the red-hot Swans in an instant derby classic. Toby Greene epitomised the Giants’ horror kicking at goal with 1.7 but came good with his first major of the night in the dying stages, hauling in a courageous mark and snapping truly to cut the margin to four points. Josh Kelly was allowed too much space at a forward-50 stoppage to slot what looked like the winner before the Swans made several last-ditch efforts that were repelled by the brave Giants defenders. Luke Parker’s snap was marked on the goal line by Nick Haynes and, in a dramatic finish, Tom McCartin won a free-kick on the siren when Greene took out his legs. But McCartin’s attempted Malcolm Blight-style torpedo from 70m fell well short. Earlier, Lance Franklin took five contested marks and kicked five goals for Sydney to edge closer to the magical 1000 mark, and Giants youngster Tom Green went toe-to-toe with Swans skipper Josh Kennedy in a tough battle.
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BRISBANE 15.12 (102) defeated ESSENDON 6.9 (45)
It rained Lions goals amid a torrential Queensland downpour as Lachie Neale bounced back to form in the wet. The Brownlow medallist had battled a back injury earlier this season, but was superb in heavy traffic, registering 38 disposals and two goals in a best afield display. Brisbane forward Joe Daniher kicked two goals from a career-high 25 disposals in his first outing against his old side, starring in a dual ruck-forward role, as Hugh McCluggage and Daniel Rich starred for the Lions. Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath were among Essendon’s busiest contributors as the Bombers lost emerging defender Jordan Ridley to concussion. Jarrod Berry was reported for a sling tackle and later substituted out with a leg injury, replaced by Tom Berry as the brothers became the first siblings involved in such a move. Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney has further concerns over an ankle injury.
CARLTON 9.14 (68) lost to PORT ADELAIDE 15.6 (96)
Power gun Robbie Gray underlined his superstar status yet again as the Blues failed on the big stage against a genuine flag threat. Gray and Mitch Georgiades each kicked three goals in attack as skipper Tom Jonas and off-season recruit Aliir Aliir stood tall at the other end. Emerging star Sam Walsh continued his strong start to the season for Carlton, but skipper Patrick Cripps again came under scrutiny for his poor disposal and decision-making, as well as an off-the-ball free kick in the shadows of half-time. Jacob Weitering copped a high hit from Port’s influential Ollie Wines, but passed a concussion test and returned to the action. The Power lost Dan Houston to a shoulder injury.
ADELAIDE 11.6 (72) lost to FREMANTLE 12.12 (84)
The replay won’t have too many viewers this week but Justin Longmuir won’t care after his Dockers registered their first away win of 2021. The Crows hit the front when Taylor Walker kicked his second goal at the 11-minute mark of the final term, but Fremantle hit back with the next four in quick succession to finish the tight contest. Experienced midfielders David Mundy and Nat Fyfe were important contributors to the Dockers’ clearance dominance and Andrew Brayshaw impressed, but fellow young gun Adam Cerra went down with an ankle injury. Matt Taberner kicked four goals and Lachie Schultz (two) was also dangerous in attack. Walker took a huge early mark on the back of direct opponent Griffin Logue and the Crows were well served by Rory Laird and Paul Seedsman, but were not quite good enough.
HAWTHORN 8.6 (54) lost to MELBOURNE 15.13 (103)
Max Gawn, Christian Salem, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca were all influential as the Demons busted open a tight contest with a dominant final term, kicking 8.4 to 2.0 after leading by just 10 points at the last change. Ed Langdon continued his hot start to the season and kicked three important goals for Melbourne, as did Jake Melksham, while Kysaiah Pickett added 2.3 in another lively display. Gawn took eight contested marks – two short of Wayne Carey’s all-time record – and rubber-stamped the result with a set shot in the final term. Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara were the Hawks’ major ball winners but couldn’t keep their side in contention late. The result saw the Dees maintain their unbeaten start to the season, joining the Western Bulldogs with a 5-0 record.
GEELONG 10.17 (77) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 7.5 (47)
It’s a good thing premierships aren’t won in April – because the Cats probably wouldn’t be going near it on this form. But at this stage of the season they’ll be happy enough to bank the four points and move on. Poor accuracy in front of goal and sloppy field kicking might have proved costly against stiffer opposition than the winless Kangaroos. Brandan Parfitt had a career-high 34 disposals for the Cats, with Mitch Duncan, Tom Stewart and Isaac Smith all influential. Patrick Dangerfield had 22 disposals on return from his three-week suspension and handed off an easy shot at goal to Gary Rohan, who kicked two. Dangerfield told Fox Footy post-match that he will be OK to play against West Coast next week despite a “light tweak” of an ankle that saw him finish the match on the bench. Jack Ziebell amassed 32 kicks (and five handpasses) for North Melbourne and Ben Cunnington worked tirelessly all day. Coleman medalist Tom Hawkins (one goal) was well held by Ben McKay for most of the evening.
