Brisbane’s Cam Rayner celebrates one of his three goals in the Lions’ win over Port Adelaide. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
QUALIFYING FINAL: COLLINGWOOD 9.6 (60) defeated MELBOURNE 7.11 (53)
Collingwood’s hot start and Melbourne’s wastefulness in attack told the story as the minor premier Magpies booked their ticket to home preliminary final in front of more than 92,000 fans. Bobby Hill kicked the first two goals in a chaotic opening as Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw was knocked out by Braynard Maynard, who collided with his former junior teammate in a smothering attempt. Maynard was later sent directly to the tribunal, cited by the MRO for rough conduct, while Melbourne’s Jacob van Rooyen was handed a one-match ban for striking Dan McStay. Hill booted three majors in total and McStay two, helping Collingwood to a 25-point lead at the last change after they had kicked four goals to one in the opening term. The Demons surged back into the contest and kicked three unanswered goals in the final quarter, but couldn’t take full toll from a landslide 19-4 inside-50 count as Christian Petracca and Max Gawn tried desperately to lift their side. Bayley Fritsch booted the last goal of the night and finished with two, but his horribly sprayed set shot during the final term was symptomatic of the Demons’ woes in front of goal. It was Melbourne’s third-straight finals loss since the 2021 flag, leaving them in a sudden-death semi-final against Carlton and in danger of successive straight-sets exits.
ELIMINATION FINAL: CARLTON 11.8 (74) defeated SYDNEY 9.14 (68)
The Blues kicked two goals in the opening three minutes and rode their contested ball dominance to a 30-point lead before half-time, but it was far from smooth sailing as they teed up a knockout semi-final against Melbourne. Harry McKay missed two shots from the top of the goal square before he was subbed out with concussion during the third quarter and Sydney had 15 scoring shots to seven after half-time. But the Swans were wasteful in front of goal, particularly during the final term, when they registered 2.5 to 1.2 and fell narrowly short. Blake Acres had big moments at both ends of the field, getting fingertips to two Swans shots on the goal line and kicking the major that gave Carlton a 14-point buffer with five minutes remaining. But Hayden McLean’s goal for the Swans cut the margin to one straight kick with 25 seconds left to play before the desperate Blues held on. Jack Martin kicked two vital goals for Carlton, as did Matthew Cottrell, but the former was cited for striking Nick Blakey and handed a two-match ban. Sam Walsh (29 disposals), George Hewett (25), Adam Cerra (24, one goal) and Acres (26, one goal) were influential for the Blues, as was key back Jacob Weitering. Errol Gulden (23 touches, two goals) was one of the Swans’ best and retiring ruckman Tom Hickey lifted the visitors in the third term. But their efforts weren’t enough for John Longmire’s side as it exited the premiership race.
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ELIMINATION FINAL: ST KILDA 11.11 (77) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 15.11 (101)
Adam Kinglsey’s ‘Orange Tsunami’ hit the MCG and blew St Kilda away as a run of eight consecutive goals gave the Giants a commanding 42-point lead before half-time. The Saints were never going to lie down but there was only so much captain Jack Steele (38 touches, eight clearance) and ruckman Rowan Marshall (31, nine) could do in a midfield unit that was well beaten. GWS lost Stephen Coniglio (eye) as a late withdrawal before the bounce but had a far greater spread of contributors as Tom Green (35 disposals), Lachie Whitfield (31), Lachie Ash (31) and Josh Kelly (27) shone. Kelly was outstanding in the first half, tallying 19 touches and two goals as the Giants built their big lead, before Marcus Windhager slowed him down in an accountable role after the main break. Jake Riccardi (three goals) and Jesse Hogan (two) were dangerous in attack for the Giants, while smalls Toby Bedford (two) and Brent Daniels (one) got to work. Saints spearhead Max King booted three majors in an enthralling battle with Sam Taylor. St Kilda’s Tim Membrey was replaced in the side by Anthony Caminiti a few hours before the game because of what the club termed a “personal health matter”. Coach Ross Lyon later confirmed Membrey was “in a safe space” and would not use the omission as an excuse for the defeat.
QUALIFYING FINAL: BRISBANE 19.9 (123) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 11.9 (75)
The sell-out Gabba crowd was treated to an intense battle early and most went home happy after the Lions clicked into party mode after the main break, kicking clear to ensure they’ll host their first preliminary final in Brisbane since 2020. Port’s Ollie Lord and Brisbane’s Cam Rayner kicked three goals each in a hot first half as Willem Drew held Lions star Lachie Neale to just nine touches. Milestone man Charlie Cameron (two goals) whipped home fans into a frenzy in the third quarter of his 200th game and the Power suffered a double-blow, losing Trent McKenzie (knee) and Dylan Williams (hamstring) to injuries just minutes after subbing out Darcy Byrne-Jones for tactical reasons. McKenzie later returned but Brisbane seized control with four quick goals in time-on leading to a 38-point advantage by the last change. Joe Daniher booted a game-high five goals from 16 possessions, Hugh McCluggage (26 disposals, nine clearances) starred and young son-of-a-gun Jaspa Fletcher shone with 16 touches and three goals. Fellow 12th-gamer Lord finished with four majors for the Power, while Dan Houston (27), Connor Rozee (28) and Zak Butters (29) racked up plenty of touches. Ken Hinkley’s side next faces GWS in a home semi-final.
