Collingwood’s John Noble puts the Pies within one point of Adelaide in their last-quarter surge. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
ST KILDA 11.10 (76) lost to PORT ADELAIDE 12.11 (83)
Fans’ booing of Jason Horne-Francis was a talking point again but the Power recruit was best afield in his side’s gutsy win. The 19-year-old had 25 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 11 clearances as Sam Powell-Pepper and Junior Rioli (two goals each) showed their wares in attack. Charlie Dixon also kicked two goals and had a hand in others, including a smother that led to a vital Powell-Pepper major in the final term. St Kilda kicked five goals to two in the first term and had momentum when they regained the lead with the first two goals of the final quarter. Port’s win came at a cost as an emotional Xavier Duursma subbed out with a knee injury.
BRISBANE 17.13 (115) defeated FREMANTLE 10.7 (67)
Will Ashcroft took Daniel Wells’ famous “Jackie Chan” maneuver to a new level when he tapped the ball to himself and kicked a spectacular goal out of mid-air on the boundary line in Brisbane’s comfortable home win. Michael Walters responded with his own goal-of-the-year contender with a dribbling shot from the pocket. But the Lions dominated the visitors as Lachie Neale (35 disposals, 13 clearances), Josh Dunkley (28) and Ashcroft (28, two goals) starred through the middle and Oscar McInerney beat Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson in the ruck. Joe Daniher and Lincoln McCarthy kicked three goals each. The team dubbed “Slow-mo Freo” in the early rounds tried to be bolder with its ball movement, but didn’t reap many rewards. Young Docker Matthew Johnson faces a two-match ban for his dangerous tackle on Dayne Zorko.
SYDNEY 16.10 (106) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 17.5 (107)
Toby Greene’s fourth goal with a last-minute snapshot capped a memorable comeback as the Giants overturned a 24-point deficit in the final term with the last four majors of the game. Stephen Coniglio (28 disposals, two goals), Harry Perryman (21, three) and Xavier O’Halloran (15, two) shone in the wet for GWS and Tom Green (31 touches, 13 tackles). Chad Warner (29 touches, one goal) was everywhere for Sydney but his running shot at goal with less than two minutes left on the clock fell just short as the Swans failed to hang onto their lead. Sydney won contested possession (+23), inside-50s (+15), clearances (+9) and marks inside-50 (+5) but couldn’t make its statistical dominance count where it mattered most. Luke Parker (33 disposals, one goal) put in another strong derby showing for the Swans and Lance Franklin kicked three goals on return from injury.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 14.10 (94) defeated HAWTHORN 9.11 (65)
It wasn’t the prettiest way to celebrate Marcus Bontempelli’s 200th game but the Bulldogs gradually overran their plucky opponents in a grinding affair under the roof. Bontempelli (20 disposals, four goal assists) was influential at stages, particularly during the second term, but was kept quiet for patches by Conor Nash. Aaron Naughton (four goals), Caleb Daniel (27 disposals, six clearances), Jack Macrae (26, six) and Adam Treloar (23, four) all helped drag the Dogs over the line as they kicked seven goals to two after the main break. Hawthorn veteran Luke Breust kicked three goals and key forward Mitch Lewis (1.4) impressed on return from a knee injury despite some wayward goal-kicking. Hawks midfielders Will Day (30 touches, six clearances, one goal), James Worpel (25, eight, one) and Jai Newcombe (24, 10, two) gave good accounts of themselves, as did Ned Reeves in the ruck against Tim English, while Blake Hardwick blunted Cody Weightman.
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MELBOURNE 22.7 (139) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 7.7 (49)
Unlucky youngster Charlie Comben’s horror leg injury compounded North Melbourne’s woes in a fifth-straight loss – its biggest of the season to date. Comben landed awkwardly and was taken from the ground on a stretcher before quarter-time as Melbourne buried the contest early. Callum Coleman-Jones (head knock) and Tom Powell (leg) also copped injuries. Christian Petracca (35 touches, three goals) did as he pleased as Clayton Oliver (37 disposals, six clearances) and Angus Brayshaw (29 touches) also starred for the Demons, who posted their fourth triple-figure score of the year. Twin 50-metre penalties paid against Jaidyn Stephenson for backchat to umpire Ray Chamberlain gifted Trent Rivers a simple goal and rubbed further salt in North’s gaping wounds. Bailey Fritsch (four goals), Kade Chandler and Kysaiah Pickett (three each) all cashed in on the Dees’ midfield dominance.
WEST COAST 6.8 (44) lost to CARLTON 23.14 (152)
Charlie Curnow kicked a career-best nine goals and hauled in eight contested marks as Carlton feasted on its injury-hit opponent. The Blues posted their second-biggest win over the Eagles and biggest-ever in Perth, while Curnow outscored the hosts on his own despite the efforts of opponents Josh Rotham, Tom Barrass, Rhett Bazzo and Shannon Hurn. Blake Acres (34 disposals), Nic Newman (34), Patrick Cripps (33), George Hewett (32) and Adam Cerra (30) all racked up a heap of the ball and all bar Hewett were among a dozen goal-kickers for Carlton. The defeat was West Coast’s second-heaviest under Adam Simpson and sent it to the bottom of the ladder, below Hawthorn on percentage. Tim Kelly won 27 touches for the Eagles as Xavier O’Neill and Oscar Allen kicked two goals each.
ESSENDON 16.8 (104) lost to GEELONG 20.12 (132)
Tom Hawkins kicked a career-best eight goals to lead the Cats (4-3) to a convincing win that put them ahead of the win-loss ledger for the first time this season. The 34-year-old veteran was a dominant figure early, kicking 4.1 and taking four contested marks in a 38-0 head-start that set up Geelong’s fourth-straight win in front of more than 67,000 fans. Patrick Dangerfield (26 disposals, 10 clearances, 15 inside-50s) starred and Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals for the Cats, who resisted a third-quarter challenge and held firm in the final term. Jake Stringer was outstanding for Essendon with 26 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 clearances and four goals, while Sam Weideman booted a career-best five majors in an impressive display.
RICHMOND 6.12 (48) lost to GOLD COAST 11.6 (72)
Key forward Ben King kicked four goals as the Suns prevailed in a dour contest under the roof at Marvel Stadium, causing an upset that left Richmond’s season hanging by a thread. Noah Anderson (32 disposals, nine clearances) and Matt Rowell (26, eight) were influential, as were Wil Powell and Darcy Macpherson, and Gold Coast cracked the game open with six goals to two in the third quarter. Horror inaccuracy in front of goal hurt the Tigers, with Samson Ryan (two) their only multiple goal-kicker. Nick Holman (two goals) provided good support for King in the Suns’ forward line. Tim Taranto (32 disposals, eight clearances, one goal) fought against the tide for Richmond but couldn’t prevent Gold Coast’s third-straight win over his side.
ADELAIDE 7.16 (58) lost to COLLINGWOOD 8.11 (59)
The comeback kings did it again, defying a short five-day break after their Anzac Day victory over Essendon to post a stirring road win over the Crows. Collingwood had just five goals to three-quarter time and trailed by 22 points when Chayce Jones (two goals) kicked the first major of the final term. But the Magpies responded through Ash Johnson, Josh Daicos and John Noble before Steele Sidebottom’s behind from a set shot put them in front with 21 seconds on the clock. Adelaide’s final thrust from the kick-out fell short as it was left to rue poor accuracy in front of goal. Jordan De Goey (24 disposals, 10 clearances), Josh Daicos (31, seven) and Tom Mitchell (29, seven) starred for the Magpies and Brody Mihocek kicked three majors. Rory Laird (29 disposals), Jordan Dawson (30) and Jake Soligo (24) were important for Adelaide and Luke Pedlar kicked two important goals in a low-scoring contest.
