Eddie Betts hugs David Cuningham’s after the latter seals Carlton’s win over Essendon with a late goal. Photo: AFL MEDIA

RICHMOND 11.11 (77) defeated WESTERN BULLDOGS 7.13 (55)
It seems talk of Richmond’s fall was greatly exaggerated after the undisputed heavyweight champions knocked out the challengers in a flex that delivered a stern warning to the rest of the competition. Tom Lynch responded to external criticism with a superb showing in attack, with wayward goalkicking (3.5) the only slight blemish on his influential performance. Trent Cotchin led from the front in a second-half blitz from the Tigers, but was substituted in the final five minutes with yet another hamstring injury. Shai Bolton showed why Richmond are so eager to retain his services and Liam Baker went forward in a superb cameo role. Making the Tigers’ performance even more impressive was the fact they won without Dustin Martin among a handful of injured stars. The Dogs were overrun after the main break, conceding nine goals to two in the second half as they slumped to their first loss of the season.

COLLINGWOOD 7.13 (55) lost to GOLD COAST 12.7 (79)
If the black-and-white army thought a dire season couldn’t get any worse, they were wrong – so it’s probably a good thing most of them didn’t turn up to witness the Pies’ latest failure. Just over 24,000 were on hand in perfect conditions at the MCG as an energetic Suns outfit seized their opportunity to snare consecutive wins for the first time this season. Hugh Greenwood was in the thick of the action with 26 disposals, 12 clearances, 10 tackles and a goal as Touk Miller (34 disposals) and Brandon Ellis (35) racked up touches at will for the Suns, and Josh Corbett kicked a career-best four goals. Josh Daicos was busy in a midfield role for Collingwood and Brody Mihocek (four goals) stood up in attack, but Darcy Moore was quiet up forward and Jordan de Goey didn’t have a major impact on his return from concussion. The Pies again lacked the required spark and polish across the field. The fallout from the result immediately brought more heat on the embattled club and out-of-contract coach Nathan Buckley.

ADELAIDE 4.15 (39) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 15.16 (106)
Jesse Hogan returned to AFL action with four goals on his GWS club debut as the visitors thrashed a disappointing Crows outfit on Adelaide’s home deck. Hogan combined well with Harry Himmelberg (three goals) and Sam Reid (two) in a tall attacking set-up that feasted on a buffet of opportunities afforded to it by a dominant midfield unit. Jacob Hopper, Josh Kelly and Tim Taranto ran riot and Lachie Whitfield looked like he hadn’t missed a beat on return after suffering a bruised liver in a training mishap in February. Veteran forward Taylor Walker kicked two goals to maintain his Coleman Medal lead, but the Crows didn’t have many winners on a tough day at the office, suffering a third straight defeat.

ST KILDA 19.14 (128) defeated HAWTHORN 9.5 (59)
Paddy Ryder made a welcome return as the Saints bounced back from two embarrassing defeats to register their biggest win in four years, recovering 13 percentage points in the process. Brad Hill responded to his critics with 27 disposals in his best performance of the season and Zak Jones dominated in the middle against a Hawks outfit that left out Jaeger O’Meara and Chad Wingard. Jack Higgins kicked four goals for the Saints and Max King was a little wayward with 2.4 as the Saints managed 33 scoring shots from 66 forward entries. Talented young tall Emerson Jeka had just two touches on debut and returning star Jack Gunston seven as the Hawks’ forwards were starved of quality supply.

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BRISBANE 13.15 (93) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 5.14 (44)
Brisbane’s guns were the ones who turned it on in a clash of two possible flag contenders as Hugh McCluggage – with 30 disposals and six clearances and a goal – continued his emergence as a genuine star of the competition. Charlie Cameron kicked 4.4, Joe Daniher booted two majors and Harris Andrews bounced back to form with a strong performance against Port forward Charlie Dixon. Ollie Wines and off-season recruit Aliir Aliir impressed for the Power, continuing their strong seasons. But Port have now lost four straight against Brisbane and failed in two big interstate tests against fellow contenders this year after a convincing loss to West Coast in round three.

SYDNEY 14.6 (90) defeated GEELONG 12.16 (88)
Geelong dominated for long periods but fell short in controversial circumstances when Jeremy Cameron’s mark on the goal line during the dying seconds was ruled out. The umpire deemed the ball had not travelled far enough, calling play-on and denying Cameron the chance to win the match. AFL umpires boss Dan Richardson later conceded it was the wrong call. But there was no denying the Cats should have put this match to bed after leading by 29 points during the second quarter. They had a plus 26 inside-50 differential and dominated possession but were unable to resist a Swans fightback. Hayden McLean kicked four goals and Tom Papley stood up with two, while journeyman Tom Hickey continued his stellar season in the ruck. Tom McCartin did a good job on Coleman medallist Tom Hawkins. Rhys Stanley was left on the bench for a long period late in the match as the Cats went with Mark Blicavs in opposition to Hickey when the game was on the line. Cam Guthrie was Geelong’s best and Cameron kicked three goals, but it was a game that got away.

NORTH MELBOURNE 11.7 (73) lost to MELBOURNE 16.7 (103)
The Demons conceded two quick goals and lost Adam Tomlinson to a serious knee injury in a horror opening and trailed by 19 points at the main break, but hit back to maintain their unbeaten status and move to the top of the ladder at the end of a round for the first time in 16 years. Ten goals to two in the second half did the trick as Kysaiah Pickett excited Dees fans with three goals from 17 disposals. Ed Langdon impressed again and there were career-high tallies for Luke Jackson (22 disposals) and Bayley Fritsch (six goals), but the latter faces scrutiny from the match review officer for a high fend-off against Tom Powell. On top of Tomlinson’s injury, Dees midfielder Jack Viney was a late withdrawal with a toe complaint. Ben Brown kicked two goals for Melbourne in his club debut against his old side, but he and Josh Walker ended up in bandages after a head clash.

ESSENDON 16.11 (107) lost to CARLTON 19.9 (123)
Sam Walsh (33 disposals, one goal) continued his stellar season and Harry McKay kicked four second-half goals as Carlton overcame a 21-point second-quarter deficit to post a stirring win over their arch-rivals in a high-scoring affair. Co-captain Patrick Cripps had 24 disposals and kicked a crucial goal in the final term before three quick Essendon majors gave Carlton a late scare. They hung on in a frantic finish, with David Cunningham kicking the sealer. Veteran goal sneak Eddie Betts kicked multiple goals (three) for the first time this season. At the other end, Cale Hooker kicked five and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti four. Former Bombers speedster Adam Saad was jeered every time he went near the ball and left Dons fans hoarse after registering 21 disposals and his first goal in navy blue.

WEST COAST 20.12 (132) defeated FREMANTLE 11.7 (73)
There was drama in Perth before the first bounce as further coronavirus complications led the state government to rule no fans could attend Western Derby 52. When play began, it was on for young and old despite the lack of atmosphere as the two fierce rivals went toe-to-toe in a tight first half. The Eagles’ superior class told after the break, however, and they piled on six goals to two in a dominant third term. Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Jake Waterman kicked three goals each as Tim Kelly (42 disposals), Andrew Gaff (35) and Dom Sheed (30) racked up touches through the midfield. Fremantle lost Ethan Hughes early and Andrew Brayshaw fought on to register 32 disposals after a knock, but the Dockers lacked the spread of contributors to go with their better-credentialed rivals. Matt Taberner kicked three first-half goals for Freo but was kept quiet by Oscar Allen after the main break.