Contenders’ absurd comebacks, demolitions by rising forces on statement weekend: Report Card

The Lions were actually beaten out of the midfield (-8 contested possessions, -9 clearances) as Lachie Neale (20 touches) was clamped by Marcus Windhager. It clearly mattered not in the end as Brisbane’s side was that much better at the secondary contests and beyond. More importantly they somehow found a way to give up 100 points to this Ross Lyon St Kilda side who otherwise appear allergic to goals. Not great!

Grade

B

CARLTON

The Blues had the bye.

COLLINGWOOD

Of course they came back from 54 points down, one of the biggest comebacks of the century. That’s just what they do. Doing it against an inexperienced Kangaroos side who blundered multiple times while trying to hold off the fast-finishing premiers is easier than doing it against a fellow contender; and it’s pretty concerning the Magpies were nine goals down against the likely wooden spooners in the first place. Still, it places them in the top four heading into their bye – they’ll likely relinquish the spot while on break – and keeps them right in the hunt for those all-important spots in second and third, in the qualifying final that Sydney doesn’t play in.

In the votes

Even when Nick Daicos was being reasonably well tagged by Will Phillips, the Magpies superstar had 13 disposals and two goals in a half (though Phillips wasn’t to blame for those; one goal was off a free kick by a different Kangaroo, the other when Daicos snuck forward away from Phillips). Then Liam Shiels came to tag Daicos and, well, Alastair Clarkson must’ve thought he was still coaching the Hawthorn version of Shiels, because Daicos went ballistic in the final term, finishing with 29 disposals, six clearances and three goal assists. He was ably assisted by the red-hot Jack Crisp (27 disposals and a goal) and a reborn Steele Sidebottom (23 disposals, six clearances), while Bobby Hill and Lachie Schultz combining for nine goals was simply remarkable.

Room for improvement

They trailed a horrible North Melbourne team by nine goals. The comeback was fantastic, but it relied on the Magpies throwing caution to the wind and winning a bunch of do-or-die scenarios again and again. We can praise them for getting the win while being incredibly concerned at how poorly they played on route to the deficit in the first place. And, let’s be frank, the Pies also took advantage of a series of bizarre umpiring mistakes, from missed touched goals, to missed free kicks, to the non-50-metre penalty in the final minute. We’re not saying the Magpies didn’t deserve to win – the Roos kicked 19.4, it was ridiculous – but we didn’t exactly come out of this game convinced by them.

Grade

C-

ESSENDON

The Bombers had the bye.

FREMANTLE

There were plenty questioning why the Dockers were underdogs for their return game against the Bulldogs, after the win earlier in the year combined with the domination of the Demons. Well… that’s why. Freo looked alright early but was quickly blown off the park by a very impressive Dogs side, beaten by 67 points and again losing plenty of the respect they had gained in recent weeks. They’re still in the thick of the finals race but an away win over a top-eight contender would’ve said a lot about these Dockers, keeping them in the top-four hunt too; instead they’re right back in the pack.

In the votes

Few stood up on a disappointing day for the club but Caleb Serong (28 disposals, nine clearances) continued his All-Australian calibre season, while Sam Sturt and Bailey Banfield each kicked three goals.

Room for improvement

Pretty much everywhere? The Dockers allowed the Bulldogs to control the footy (-74 disposals) and territory (-14 inside 40s), despite actually winning the clearance count by four, and laying 13 fewer tackles when you’re defending as frequently as they were is never good. More to the point, they conceded a horrific 149 points despite coming into the game as arguably the AFL’s best defence – and to a Dogs side that, while dangerous, was missing both Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy up forward. How on earth does that happen?

Grade

F

GEELONG

The Cats had the bye.

GOLD COAST SUNS

The Suns had the bye.

GWS GIANTS

The Giants faced the daunting reality of dropping out of the top eight for the first time this season if they lost to Port Adelaide – and started the match with a goalless opening term. But some slight tweaks to their defensive exit and suddenly the Giants found a way through Port’s press. GWS finished +14 in inside 50s, +13 in hit outs, +19 in contested ball and +5 marks inside 50. While the home side did it the hard way with their inaccuracy in front of goal, the Giants got the four points.

In the votes

The decision to send Toby Bedford to tag Zak Butters proved a masterstroke with the Giants not only getting under the Port star’s skin, but restricting his influence on the contest. Sam Taylor was his usual dominant self in defence; Jake Riccardi and Jesse Hogan had 24 marks between them while Lachie Whitfield laid a game-high nine tackles – despite copping a heavy blow in the second half. Brent Daniels had a whopping 12 score involvements – the only player in double figures.

Room for improvement

Toby Greene had five behinds before he could finally nail his first goal of the contest – in the last quarter. His inaccuracy, coupled with Jesse Hogan’s 1.3, kept Port Adelaide in the game. Both Greene and Aaron Cadman went at just 50% efficiency by foot – with the No.2 draft pick later subbed out of the contest after just four disposals.

Grade

B+

HAWTHORN

The Hawks successfully spoiled Dustin Martin’s 300th celebrations with an emphatic 48-point defeat over the Tigers. That makes it seven wins from their last nine games, establishing themselves as one of the most dangerous sides in the competition right now. Are they a serious finals contender now? We have to start taking them seriously.

In the votes

Captain James Sicily led from the front as the general in defence, racking up 33 disposals, 15 marks and ten intercept possessions. Midfield bull Jai Newcombe (26 disposals, eight marks, 11 score involvements, one goal) was strong at the contest, while Josh Weddle continued his improvement with 23 disposals and seven marks. Spearhead Mabior Chol booted four majors.

Room for improvement

It’s tough to fault the Hawks’ performance against the Tigers and they’re clearly in form, having won seven of their past nine games. Jack Gunston had just one kick before being subbed out in the third term and the veteran could be in need for a rest, although the Hawks do have the bye next week.

Grade

A

MELBOURNE

The Demons had the bye.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? Coming off that excellent win in the west, the Kangaroos carried their form into a staggering nine-goal lead over the reigning premiers. But then their fans watched in horror as the margin was slowly, but inevitably, clawed back. It was a heartbreaker, and incredibly frustrating when you look at all of the brutal umpiring the Roos copped, but at least they showed a hell of a lot more than they have in many games this season.

In the votes

They really do have one in George Wardlaw, for whom 30 disposals and six clearances only go some way to explaining the absolute maximum effort he shows. He’s just such a likeable footy player. And hopefully performances like this will convince Luke Davies-Uniacke (31 disposals, seven clearances) and Cam Zurhaar (19 disposals, three goals) that there’s a bright enough future at Arden Street to stick around. Credit too to Will Phillips, who got the late call-up and limited Nick Daicos’ output for three quarters before strangely being subbed out.

Room for improvement

This was, unfortunately, a very painful lesson. Not just for the team as a whole, who jumped out to a 54-point advantage early in the third term and watched the Magpies conduct a masterclass in comebacks, but for individuals. We’re thinking about the likes of Zac Fisher, whose awful kick-out gave up the game-winning goal, or even Luke McDonald whose fumbly hands in key moments belied his veteran status.

Grade

B

PORT ADELAIDE

The Power were boosted by the return of captain Connor Rozee and were on the board in a matter of minutes in promising signs. But the match completely turned after Zak Butters lost his cool and slapped Giant Tom Green. The Power had no answer for GWS’ ability to close the corridor, while wayward goalkicking ensured the visitors never got close enough to seriously challenge. Port had just 42 inside 50s for the night – 12 lower than their season average in a forward line spearheaded by young trio Mitch Georgiades, Ollie Lord and Todd Marshall. The Power also coughed up +11 turnovers and managed -19 contested possessions against the Giants.

In the votes

Mitch Georgiades had the boot keeping his side in the contest. On a night where players struggled in front of goal, the young West Aussie nailed 3.1 to finish the pick of the forwards. Dan Houston did everything he could to lift his side, and finished with 35 disposals, seven inside 50s, five tackles and three clearances.

Room for improvement

The young Port attack end just didn’t fire and ended up with only six goals for the entire match. Ollie Lord was subbed out, leaving Esava Ratugolea to head forward and provide another tall target. Ruckman Ivan Soldo (six disposals, two marks, 19 hitouts) didn’t have an impact and was beaten by the younger Kieran Briggs.

Grade

D

RICHMOND

The Tigers couldn’t quite get the job done in Dustin Martin’s 300th, falling to a 48-point defeat to the much-improved Hawks. It leaves them with just two wins from their first 14 games, sitting 17th on the ladder ahead of their round 15 bye.

In the votes

Tim Taranto was busy with 33 touches and a goal, while defenders Jayden Short, Daniel Rioli and Nick Vlastuin all had 23+ disposals. Ben Miller took 12 marks and had 17 touches.

Room for improvement

The Tigers were convincingly beaten in just about every key statistical category by the Hawks. When you lose the inside 50s (-12), contested possession (-7), uncontested possession (-18) and marks (-11), it’s going to be hard to win games of footy. Tom Lynch was a non-contributor in his first game back from injury, while Noah Cumberland, Jacob Koschitzke also struggled.

Grade

D

ST KILDA

The Saints were mightily brave in a trip to the Gabba — perhaps helped by a quarter-time spray from Ross Lyon — fighting until the final siren including getting within seven points late in the fourth quarter before coming up short. Despite Jack Steele being well clamped by Jarrod Berry, Lyon’s side even won the battle in the midfield as Marcus Windhager locked down on Lachie Neale. No matter, whatever faint hopes St Kilda had of making finals has been dashed as it fell to 5-9 on the season ahead of its bye.

In the votes

Jack Higgins was electric up forward with an equal game-high five goals to provide a spark in attack all night. Rowan Marshall (20 disposals, six tackles) battled hard in the ruck in another strong performance from the 28-year old.

Room for improvement

It was a stark contrast from last week’s super defensive orientated Suns clash, with the Saints uncharacteristically leaky, getting opened up time and time again. In fact, it’s the biggest score the Saints have given up since Lyon returned to the club last year. Lyon-coached teams are typically much stingier, so expect them to sharpen up defensively on the other side of their bye.

Grade

C+

SYDNEY SWANS

The Swans are certainly marching towards September as they put a shell-shocked Adelaide to the sword in a second-half blitz. After struggling in the opening half, Sydney simply put their foot down and found another gear the Crows couldn’t match. Ten straight goals after half time ensured it was Sydney taking home the four points. The Swans were +26 in a lop-sided inside 50 count and +21 in clearances – including +15 out of the middle in an absolute smashing. But it was their pressure in attack that really set them apart with 15 tackles laid inside 50.

In the votes

Joel Amartey was the hero in attack with a stunning nine-goal haul. But he also laid six tackles to help that inside 50 pressure to lock the ball in. Isaac Heeney continued his dominant year with 29 disposals, 11 score involvements, five clearances and two goals. Brodie Grundy had a day out with 31 disposals – with a game-high 24 contested, nine clearances and 49 hitouts. James Rowbottom and Errol Gulden had 21 clearances between them.

Room for improvement

The Swans were slow out of the blocks – which is something coach John Longmire will certainly look to address. Hayden McLean had limited impact as both a forward and a ruckman.

Grade

A-

WEST COAST EAGLES

The Eagles had the bye.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Now that’s the way to regain your momentum. After a frustrating loss to the Lions, plenty thought the Bulldogs’ injuries were going to be a little bit too much against an in-form Fremantle. Instead Luke Beveridge’s side put up 149 points on arguably the AFL’s best defence, reminding everyone their ladder position is a lie, and this is actually one of the most threatening teams outside of Sydney in 2024. They just have to play consistently enough to earn a nice spot in the eight, and then prove it in September.

In the votes

So there’s this bloke named Marcus Bontempelli, right? He had the flu all week and barely trained; he’s so important that the concerns around him made many people change their tip to Fremantle. Plus, he was tagged pretty effectively the week before, so surely the Dockers would take a look at that? Well, no, they didn’t. And a sick Bont played sick football, with three goals from 30 disposals. What a freak. Elsewhere Rhylee West’s brilliant work up forward negating opposing intercept defenders was rewarded with four goals, Cody Weightman looked back with three of his own, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan also had a trio of majors… heck even Rory Lobb had 19 disposals and kicked three. Throw in another excellent day from Adam Treloar (27 disposals and a goal), who should be in the All-Australian conversation, and you have a simply fantastic performance.

Room for improvement

The Bulldogs kicked their highest score since 2022 – that was against a horrendous West Coast side, and this was against a genuinely elite defence. As if we’re gonna complain.

Grade

A+