Fremantle veteran David Mundy, Nathan O’Driscoll and Michael Frederick celebrate the Dockers’ win. Photo: AFL MEDIA
BRISBANE 16.10 (106) defeated RICHMOND 16.8 (104)
Seventeen lead changes only told part of the story in one of the best games of the season as controversy – and ultimately the Lions – reigned at the Gabba. Though Tom Lynch clearly thought his shot on goal had missed at a crucial stage late in the final quarter, it was initially called a goal that would have put Richmond a kick-and-a-half in front with little time left. But the decision was overturned on review, much to the dismay of Damien Hardwick and an enraged travelling Tiger Army. At the other end, Joe Daniher made the most of some sloppy Richmond defending on the goal line, poking home a loose ball to put Brisbane in front for the final time with 64 seconds left. Daniher, Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood finished with three goals each in a thrilling victory that came despite the Lions losing ruckman Oscar McInerney to concussion in the opening few minutes. Lynch (three goals) and Harris Andrews were locked in a gripping tussle and Brandon Starcevich helped limit Shai Bolton’s influence (10 disposals, two goals), while Dustin Martin kicked one goal from 15 disposals on return from injury. Lachie Neale played the entire second half without a rest on the bench and produced arguably the best game of his career with 39 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 15 clearances and nine score involvements. Zac Bailey, Hugh McCluggage and debutant Darcy Wilmot all gave the Lions a spark, while Dan McStay’s ruck role was important. It was the Tigers’ sixth game of the year decided by six points or less – and they didn’t win any of them. Talk about fine margins. Brisbane travels to the MCG next for a date with Melbourne while the Tigers head off on holiday.
MELBOURNE 10.9 (69) lost to SYDNEY 14.7 (91)
All-Australian defender Steven May (23 disposals, 16 intercepts) restricted superstar Lance Franklin to just seven touches (no goals), but it was the Swans who laughed loudest in the end. All the momentum was against them when Melbourne kicked three goals in seven minutes at the start of the second half. But Sydney kicked eight of the next 10 majors to reverse the tide and run away a comprehensive winner, booking a home preliminary final to be played at the SCG for the first time since Tony Lockett’s famous behind after the siren to sink Essendon in 1996. Like Franklin, important duo Chad Warner (13 disposals) and Isaac Heeney (one goal) were also quiet for the Swans, whose victory was underpinned by an even spread of contributors. Jake Lloyd (25 disposals, two goals), James Rowbottom (24, one) and Luke Parker (25, one) were influential as Tom Papley (two goals), Sam Reid (two) and ruckman Tom Hickey stepped up on the big stage. Bayley Fritsch kicked three goals for Melbourne and Clayton Oliver two from 29 disposals, but Christian Petracca spent most of the match battling a leg injury after an accidental kick from Franklin. The damage was later confirmed as a calf contusion and hairline fracture of the fibula. The Norm Smith medallist is a close watch ahead of Melbourne’s do-or-die semi-final against Brisbane on Friday night.
PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.
GEELONG 11.12 (78) defeated COLLINGWOOD 10.12 (72)
Another finals epic decided by a narrow margin in front of a massive MCG crowd. And this time it was Collingwood – winner of 11 games this season decided by less than two goals – on the receiving end of last-gasp heartbreak. Maligned Geelong forward Gary Rohan silenced his critics with a hugely influential display, kicking three goals for the Cats, and had a key hand in the match-winning play. Scores were tied in the dying stages when Rohan crept out the back to get on the end of a counter-attack from half-back. He dropped the simple chest mark, recovered to gather the loose ball and handed off to Max Holmes, who kicked the sealer in the goal square. There were just 80 seconds left and Geelong hung on to advance to a preliminary final. Jeremy Cameron also kicked three goals and Brad Close two as Joel Selwood, Tom Atkins, Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Duncan played big roles for the Cats. Jordan De Goey was huge for Collingwood with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals as Scott Pendlebury and Josh Daicos won plenty of the ball and Darcy Moore stood tall in defence, but it was Geelong’s night. There are concerns over Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij, who was subbed out with a knee injury, while Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams re-injured his groin and will likely miss the rest of the finals campaign.
FREMANTLE 11.7 (73) defeated WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.12 (60)
It will long be remembered as one of the great finals comebacks and best moments in Fremantle’s club history after the Dockers overturned a 41-point deficit to keep their season alive. The majority of fans at a sold-out Optus Stadium were left flat midway through the second quarter after the dominant Bulldogs had kicked the opening six goals to take a stranglehold on the contest. But a four-goal burst just before the main break gave the home side a sniff and it went on with the job, piling on seven goals to two in the second half. Fremantle hit the front for the first time early in the final term when Laitham Vandermeer encroached on the mark, handing Griffin Logue a 50-metre penalty and a goal from the goal square. By that stage, the Purple Army was well and truly back up and about. Michael Walters wound back the clock with three goals and young forward Jye Amiss booted two in just his second senior game – and his first after kidney surgery. Young midfielders Andrew Brayshaw (32 disposals) and Caleb Serong (33) did as they have all season and stood up in the absence of injured skipper Nat Fyfe. Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (30 disposals, two goals), Caleb Daniel and Jack Macrae all racked up big numbers, but couldn’t drag their side over the line as Luke Beveridge’s dream of repeating the 2016 premiership from the lower reaches of the top eight was shattered.
