Collingwood’s Nick Daicos hushes Essendon fans after putting the Pies in front during the final term on Anzac Day. Photo: AFL MEDIA
FREMANTLE 10.9 (69) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 17.16 (118)
Fremantle players and fans made Rory Lobb a target from the outset but the plan backfired as the ruck-forward and his Western Bulldogs got the last laugh in a demolition job that left the Dockers’ season hanging by a thread. Lobb kicked an important second-quarter goal and was a constant distraction for his former teammates as the likes of Adam Treloar (35 disposals, two goals), Marcus Bontempelli (31, two), Tom Liberatore (25, one) and Jack Macrae (29, 14 clearances) got to work. Liberatore was concussed in a collision with Andrew Brayshaw and will miss at least one match, though the match review officer declared the Fremantle midfielder’s attempt to contest the ball reasonable. The Dockers had few winners on another dirty night.
PORT ADELAIDE 16.13 (109) defeated WEST COAST 10.9 (69)
Jeremy Finlayson kicked an equal career-best five goals and Connor Rozee (29 disposals, two goals) was named best afield as a slick Power outfit kicked clear during the second quarter and coasted to a third-straight victory. It came at a cost, with captain Tom Jonas banned over a head clash with West Coast’s Jai Culley after choosing to bump his opponent. Culley impressed with four goals, including three after the heavy collision, and the Eagles just about split the second half on the scoreboard. But the damage had already been done and unlucky skipper Luke Shuey (ankle) went down with yet another injury.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 13.9 (87) lost to BRISBANE 16.12 (108)
Charlie Cameron kicked a career-high seven goals – taking his tally to 17 from his last three outings – to help the Lions see off GWS in the nation’s capital. Daniel Rich (27 disposals), Hugh McCluggage (21), Josh Dunkley (21) and Lachie Neale (20) all had an influence on proceedings for the Lions. GWS got good service from leaders Josh Kelly (41 disposals) and Stephen Coniglio (38 touches, nine clearances) as Brent Daniels (four goals) and Xavie O’Halloran (three) hit the scoreboard. But the fallout was significant for the Giants, who lost All-Australian defender Sam Taylor (hamstring – 10 weeks) and midfielder Adam Kennedy (knee – season) to long-term injuries. Callan Ward was also handed a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Lions midfielder Neale.
GEELONG 20.10 (130) defeated SYDNEY 5.7 (37)
The Cats showed no mercy on an injury-hit Sydney as they unfurled last year’s premiership flag at Kardinia Park and gave their vanquished grand final foe another hiding. Geelong key forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron dined out with five goals apiece, cashing in on their side’s midfield dominance and the absence of injured Swans defenders Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin and Paddy McCartin. Patrick Dangerfield (31 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) starred alongside fellow ball-winners Cam Guthrie, Tom Stewart and Max Holmes as Geelong put the game to bed by half-time and outscored its opponent in every quarter. The result was the Swans’ heaviest defeat in 289 games under decorated coach John Longmire.
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HAWTHORN 11.10 (76) lost to ADELAIDE 11.13 (79)
Dead-eye Darcy Fogarty was the hero for Adelaide with an ice-cool shot from the pocket in the dying stages to extend Adelaide’s winning streak to four matches. Fogarty kicked three goals and evergreen veteran Taylor Walker four as captain Jordan Dawson (24 disposals, one goal) put in another superb shift. Rory Sloane (30 disposals) and Rory Laird (29) found plenty of the ball. Hawthorn was on the verge of an upset when it led by 13 points nearing time-on of the final term. But a series of behinds and late goals to Izak Rankine and Fogarty tilted the match the Crows’ way.
CARLTON 8.12 (60) lost to ST KILDA 12.10 (82)
The Saints marched back onto the winners’ list and maintained top spot on the ladder with another impressive display, moving to 5-1 under returned coach Ross Lyon. There were 11 lead changes before St Kilda broke clear with three goals in row before three-quarter time. Jack Sinclair and Seb Ross stood up, Dan Butler (three) and Mitch Owens (two) kicked multiple goals, and key forward Tim Membrey moved well in his first game for the season on return from injury. Carlton had the six highest disposal winners on the ground – and 10 of the top 12 – as Adam Cerra racked up a game-high 39 touches and a goal. But those possession counts didn’t translate to the scoreboard as the Saints strangled their opponents. Charlie Curnow kicked three goals for the Blues, who lost Jesse Motlop to a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Dougal Howard.
GOLD COAST 14.13 (97) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 7.12 (54)
Ben King kicked five goals in a much-needed win, marking his best return since making his comeback from a knee injury this season. But the Suns lost co-captain Touk Miller to a knee injury – later confirmed as a lateral meniscus tear – that put a dampener on the celebrations. Fellow co-captain Jarrod Witts returned in a rugged ruck battle with North’s 300-game veteran Todd Goldstein and Bailey Humphrey, Mabior Chol and Ben Ainsworth each kicked two goals for the Suns as Noah Anderson (28 disposals, eight clearances) and Lachie Weller (28 touches) continued their strong form. Kangaroos veteran Ben Cunnington (27 disposals, eight clearances) was better again, two weeks after being subbed out of a loss to Carlton, but his side lacked contributors in a fourth consecutive defeat.
MELBOURNE 15.6 (96) defeated RICHMOND 11.12 (78)
Rising star Jacob van Rooyen was almost substituted out of the match after a quiet first three quarters but kicked three goals in a match-winning burst during the final term. Kade Chandler also kicked three – all in the second half – as the Demons overhauled a 25-point deficit from late in the second quarter. Jack Viney (30 disposals, five clearances) was best afield with Clayton Oliver (32, six) and ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy influential. Michael Hibberd shut down Noah Cumberland, limiting the Tigers forward to just two disposals after quarter-time after he had kicked three goals in the opening term. Jack Riewoldt (four goals), Jayden Short (30 disposals) and Tim Taranto (33 touches, six clearances) for strong contributors for the Tigers.
COLLINGWOOD 13.12 (90) defeated ESSENDON 11.11 (77)
The second-largest home-and-away crowd in AFL/VFL history (95,179) witnessed an Anzac Day classic as emerging superstar Nick Daicos kicked two of the Magpies’ seven goals in an irresistible last-quarter comeback. The Bombers had broken open the contest with six goals to one in the third quarter and turned for home with a game-high 28-point margin, but couldn’t manage another major. Collingwood dominated the final term as Daicos (40 disposals) came up big. His brother Josh Daicos (30 disposals) and Jordan De Goey (28 touches, seven clearances, two goals) were also influential for the Magpies as Ash Johnson and Jack Ginnivan added two goals each. Essendon’s Kyle Langford kicked three goals and Sam Weideman two as Darcy Parish (27 disposals, nine clearances) tried to make up for the absence of suspended teammate Zach Merrett. The result left Collingwood (5-1) in second spot with Essendon (4-2) still not far behind. Jye Caldwell will come under scrutiny for a jab to Nick Daicos’ ribs
