Collingwood’s Brody Mihocek celebrates one of his five goals against Sydney on Sunday. Photo: AFL MEDIA
CARLTON 11.8 (74) lost to BRISBANE 15.10 (100)
Chris Fagan declared Josh Dunkley’s performance “one of the great games” he’s seen after the Lions midfielder dominated with 33 disposals, 13 tackles and six clearances – all while keeping Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps quiet. Brisbane small forwards Charlie Cameron and Zac Bailey kicked four goals each as Blues talls Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay managed just one apiece. The Lions took complete control with seven goals to one across the second and third quarters and collectively limited Carlton playmaker Adam Saad’s influence. It was a dirty night for Blues defender Nic Newman, who lost his battle with Cameron and was handed a one-match ban for an off-the-ball elbow on Lions star Lachie Neale.
RICHMOND 15.14 (104) defeated WEST COAST 8.10 (58)
Dion Prestia’s three goals in a five-minute purple patch late in the third quarter broke the game open as the Tigers posted a much-needed win. Tim Taranto, Shai Bolton, Jacob Hopper and Dustin Martin were also influential as Richmond’s midfield gradually ground down the opposition. Bolton was the pick of the bunch with 31 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles and 3.2 on the scoreboard. West Coast’s Tom Barrass kept Jack Riewoldt scoreless and Tigers defender Nathan Broad blunted Jack Darling (one goal), while Oscar Allen (four goals) stood tall for the Eagles. There was more injury heartache for Adam Simpson’s side, which lost young midfielder Jai Culley to a serious knee injury early in the match.
GEELONG 14.14 (98) defeated ADELAIDE 11.6 (72)
The Cats’ win came at some cost as superstar skipper Patrick Dangerfield was substituted with a hamstring injury. Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals – matched by Taylor Walker at the other end – while small forward Gryan Miers booted his first of the season after five behinds and 14 goals assists over the opening seven rounds. The Cats pulled 26 points clear during a six-goal second quarter but Adelaide refused to roll over and got within two kicks during the final term. Crows skipper Jordan Dawson (29 disposals) continued his strong form, while Max Holmes (22 touches, eight tackles, five clearances) stepped up for Geelong in Dangerfield’s absence with an important final-quarter goal.
GOLD COAST 13.7 (85) lost to MELBOURNE 13.12 (90)
Darcy Macpherson missed a late set shot and Jack Viney cut off Gold Coast’s final forward thrust as the relieved Demons hung on for a heart-stopping win. A touchy off-the-ball free kick against Ben King gifted Max Gawn a goal that gave Melbourne a 14-point buffer. But Charlie Ballard was forced off on a stretcher after high contact from Jacob van Rooyen and the delay threw a spanner in the works. The Suns responded and goals to Noah Anderson (37 disposals, 10 clearances) and Malcolm Rosas (four majors) in time-on made for a tense finish before Macpherson’s attempt at a game-tying shot from 40 metres drifted agonisingly wide with less than 20 seconds left. Christian Petracca (26 touches, eight clearances, one goal) was huge for Melbourne in a tough contest.
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GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 10.11 (71) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 13.8 (86)
Marcus Bontempelli led superbly as the Bulldogs surged 33 points clear with the first four goals of the second half in wet and soggy Canberra, and held off the Giants’ late challenge. The Dogs’ skipper finished with 32 disposals, seven tackles and career-high numbers in the form of 14 clearances and 25 contested possessions. Aaron Naughton (three goals) kicked consecutive late majors to seal the result. Giants midfielder Tom Green had career-best hauls of 38 touches and three goals, as well as eight clearances, in the absence of captain Toby Greene, who was a late withdrawal with an ankle injury. Josh Kelly (34 touches, five clearances) also fought hard for GWS.
FREMANTLE 18.9 (117) defeated HAWTHORN 7.6 (48)
The Dockers finally won a first quarter – their first of the season – and got some minutes into superstar Nat Fyfe in the much-needed home win. Fyfe was injected as the substitute before the final change and kicked one goal from 10 disposals but showed signs of rust as he badly sprayed a set shot. Boom recruit Luke Jackson (24 disposals, 16 contested possessions, two goals) starred and Andrew Brayshaw (34 disposals, two goals) was back to his best as Jye Amiss (four contested marks) and Michael Frederick kicked three goals each. Hawthorn spearhead Mitch Lewis kicked two goals in his second game back from injury.
PORT ADELAIDE 12.20 (92) defeated ESSENDON 13.9 (87)
The Power’s inability to put the visitors away almost came back to bite them but Andrew Phillips’ last-gasp set shot from 50m to tie the game fell short, rushed through for a behind with 35 seconds left. Essendon had led by 21 points during the second term before Port clawed their way back into the contest. Connor Rozee (30 disposals, one goal) and Zak Butters (28 touches, seven clearances) were at the forefront of the Power surge as Junior Rioli, Charlie Dixon and Darcy Byrne-Jones kicked two goals each. Essendon onballer Darcy Parish (37 disposals, nine clearances) was the busiest man on the ground and in-form Jake Stringer (18, six) was one of four Bombers to boot two goals. It was Port’s fifth win in a row, while Essendon has now dropped three straight.
COLLINGWOOD 11.11 (77) defeated SYDNEY 6.12 (48)
Brody Mihocek’s five goals, including a spectacular hack out of mid-air during the last quarter, were vital as the ladder-leading Magpies continued their winning ways in a spirited contest. Mihocek was the only multiple goal-kicker but didn’t lack support as Collingwood captain Darcy Moore starred in defence. Pies substitute Jack Ginnivan kicked one of the home side’s five goals to Sydney’s one in the final term. Errol Gulden had a career-high 37 disposals and Luke Parker (34) also shone for the Swans, who trailed by less than a kick at the last change before being overpowered. Scott Pendlebury had 31 touches for Collingwood and Nick Daicos managed 25 despite attention from Ryan Clarke.
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.10 (34) lost to ST KILDA 8.16 (64)
The Kangaroos went goalless in what was undeniably the worst first half of football between two sides this season as they posted a combined 3.16 to the main break. Fortunately for those in attendance, the standard was lifted in the third quarter. North spearhead Nick Larkey booted three goals for the term but the Saints had too many contributors doing just enough to get them across the line. St Kilda skipper Jack Steele and Rowan Marshall steered their side home as Dan Butler and Jack Higgins kicked two goals apiece and Mattaes Phillipou provided a rare highlight with a soaring mark in the final term.
