This week saw some big matchups and ever bigger wins in the AFL with the Lions taking on Essendon up at the Gabba to open the round. What started as a dominant display from Brisbane who opened the game with 6 goals turned into a scare as the Bombers came within striking distance throughout the final half. The Lions managed to hold on and secure an 18 point win with standout Hugh McCluggae collecting 41 disposals and Kai Lohman kicking 3 goals, including his first for the season.
Friday night saw the Magpies prove their premiership run of play as no joke with a 51 point win over the Hawks at the MCG. After a tight first quarter Collingwood ran away with the win with stars such as Jamie Elliot snagging 5 goals and Brodie Miochek securing 4 goals. Jack Ginnivan put up a strong fight against his old side with 31 disposals and 3 goals. While the Pies now hold the top spot on the ladder, the Hawks slip to 6th as they sit with 7 wins and 5 losses for the season, needing a strong pickup in the latter half of the year to maintain their premiership hope.
Saturday’s games started with a major upset for the Gold Coast Suns as the Fremantle Dockers claimed an 11 point victory in Queensland in an unprecedented away game win. The Dockers, 9th on the ladder, held their ground against multiple attempted Suns comebacks with a late goal from Freo’s Jye Amiss sealing the match.
That same day in Sydney the GWS Giants beat the Richmond Tigers in a 3 point thriller overshadowed by heartbreak as veteran Callan Ward suffered a torn ACL. Ward, 35, debuted for the Western Bulldogs in 2008 before moving to the Giants in 2012. In a statement released by the club yesterday Ward has “not made any decisions regarding his playing future.”
The weekend ended with a big 90 point win from the Adelaide Crows over home side Sydney Swans whose ‘premiership hangover’ continues to disappoint. St Kilda and Geelong both took wins on Sunday to close out the round.
Next week Carlton, Port Adelaide, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs return from the bye with the Dogs opening the round with an Elimination Final rematch against the Hawks at Marvel Stadium. Adelaide face the Lions in a big matchup at home while North face the Eagles with a win on the table for both bottom side teams.
Sophie Janusko 