One horror fail — and a second team was lucky to escape with a D- — while two premiership contenders flexed their muscles and the Blues rise continued.
Every team’s Round 12 performance analysed and graded in foxfooty.com.au’sReport Card!
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ADELAIDE CROWS
The Crows had the bye.
Fagan: “I’m staying positive!” | 08:44
BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions’ third quarter woes came back to bite again as they coughed up six goals to the Dockers and stared down a 50-point deficit. While the Lions did find their fight in the final term to narrow the margin to just 25 at full-time, it was too little, too late for Chris Fagan’s men. It’s a third straight loss for the Lions now, putting their premiership three-peat in doubt.
In the votes
Zac Bailey did his trade value no harm by finishing with a game-high 30 touches, four marks, two tackles and a goal. Sam Draper fought admirably against the Freo ruck duo of Luke Jackson and Mason Cox to rack up 24 hit-outs, five clearances and a goal.
Room for improvement
The Lions still racked up 59 inside 50s compared to Fremantle’s 47 and were +11 clearances. But inefficiency proved costly. Brisbane managed just nine marks inside 50 against a Dockers outfit that was missing Brennan Cox after half-time and Alex Pearce for the majority of the final quarter. Lachie Neale was well clamped by Matt Johnson — before the Docker’s hamstring injury – and coughed up a goal from some lax defending. Cam Rayner only had seven touches and finished scoreless while tussling repeatedly with Freo’s Andy Brayshaw. Kai Lohmann struggled with the radar finishing with 0.3 and All-Australian midfielder Hugh McCluggage was again quiet, accumulating only 13 disposals.
Grade
D
Fraser on ‘ambition’ after win over Cats | 10:19
CARLTON
Do you believe, Baggers fans? Josh Fraser’s fairytale start as Carlton caretaker coach continued on Friday night with a shock upset victory over Geelong. The Blues’ trademark was on show again with convincing wins in the clearance (+13) and contested possession (+13) counts, while their pressure was elite and made the Cats’ defenders panic. That’s now three wins from as many attempts. And the Blues, who started the season 1-8, have now strung together three consecutive victories for the first time in over a year.
In the votes
Gerard Whateley’s call of Patrick Cripps’ match-winning goal on Fox Footy was so apt: “Patrick Cripps, you magnificent man.” Cripps again put the Blues on his back in another mighty display, finishing with 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances and seven score involvements. Sam Walsh was also prominent with 30 touches, seven clearances and seven tackles, while Jagga Smith’s rise continued with was crucial too with 27 disposals and six clearances. Will Hayward, Flynn Young and Brodie Kemp combined for seven goals and Harry Dean showed his potential with 15 touches and seven intercepts on the big stage.
Room for improvement
They almost lost it due to inaccurate goalkicking, with Walsh (0.3), Harry McKay (0.3), Ben Ainsworth (0.2) and Mitch McGovern (0.2) the main culprits. Outside of that, you’ll struggle to get a more inspiring and emotion-charged win this season.
Grade
A+
McRae: “Changed the game for us!” | 08:11
COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies almost pulled off the miracle comeback against a Bulldogs side that looked all but home at the final change. They used to be the kings of the close games and their ability to consistently win matches decided by small margins propelled them to a premiership in 2023. But they’ve lost their aura in that department, having won just three of their last 11 games decided by six points or less. The Magpies have won just one of their last five games – a 10-point result over lowly West Coast – and, with their 5-6-1 record, have dropped out of the top 10.
In the votes
Jordan De Goey did everything he could to drag his side over the line. He finished with a ridiculous 19 score involvements from his 30 disposals, 10 marks, 541m gained, four clearances, and 1.3. Tim Membrey kicked three goals while Lachie Schultz provided a spark when the Pies needed as he nailed 2.1. Ed Allan and Angus Anderson did a lockdown role on Marcus Bontempelli in the final quarter that proved successful.
Room for improvement
The Pies are facing a dilemma with their reigning best and fairest Darcy Cameron. The Pies lost the centre clearance battle 19-10, with Cameron well beaten by opponent Tim English. Dan McStay had little influence from his nine touches – and could have been used instead of Cameron, according to Fox Footy’s David King — while Steele Sidebottom had just 13 touches. The Magpies ended up with more shots on goal than the Dogs – but inaccuracy proved costly.
Grade
C+
Solomon: “It’s been a tough week” | 08:52
ESSENDON
The Bombers were brave in the opening half in a match where the wild weather conditions made scoring difficult at one end of the ground. But when the Eagles got a run on, Essendon had no momentum to stop an eight-goal run, which cost them any chance of victory. While the Bombers fought back late to narrow the final margin, it was a loss for Dean Solomon’s first match at the helm as caretaker. There was still a bit to like, including an incredible +22 clearance count and a winning ledger for contested ball and tackles. So the effort was there.
In the votes
Zach Merrett did his best to spark the Bombers with 28 disposals and a goal, while Sullivan Robey showed patches in his 19 touches, nine clearances and six tackles. Nick Bryan competed well while Ben McKay was serviceable in his new ruck-forward role with six clearances, three tackles, 14 disposals and a goal.
Room for improvement
The game was really lost in the period between the 18-minute mark of the second quarter and the eight minute mark of the third when the Eagles piled on eight goals.
Solomon said his troops lost their composure and their discipline was not where they needed it to be during that period. The forward line didn’t function for the Bombers after Archie May went down with a shoulder injury in the opening term. Nate Caddy was well-held by Eagle Reuben Ginbey while Jade Gresham didn’t impact on the scoreboard.
Grade
D-
JL praises record-breaking Dockers | 09:58
FREMANTLE
The Dockers extend their historic run to 11 straight wins after travelling to Brisbane and defeating the reigning premiers. Eagles premiership coach Adam Simpson dubbed the Dockers “the real deal” in 2026 off the back of the performance, which included a six-goal third quarter burst. The Dockers piled on 15.13 off just 47 inside 50s, proving themselves efficient when given the opportunity. Fremantle took the game to the Lions, despite having -11 clearances. It means the Dockers, essentially, are now three games clear of third place, putting them in a position where “it’s almost certain they’ll be playing a home qualifying final”, according to Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna.
In the votes
Shai Bolton continues to deliver in 2026, finishing with 21 touches, three tackles and an equal team-high six clearances. Matt Johnson did a brilliant job nullifying Lion Lachie Neale before ending his night early with a hamstring complaint. He racked up 20 disposals, four tackles, six clearances and a goal. But the stars of the show were the Dockers attack, where Pat Voss (four goals, eight marks, nine score involvements), Jye Amiss (10 score involvements and 4.4) and Josh Treacy (seven marks, seven score involvements and 3.1) did the damage.
Room for improvement
The Dockers faded late against the Lions, opening the door for the miracle comeback. Mason Cox was quiet – and finished as the only Freo player without a mark. And given Sean Darcy’s rapidly approaching return, another tough selection call looms.
Grade
A
Scott perplexed after ARC ‘howler’ | 13:25
GEELONG
Well that was unexpected. Geelong — arguably the hottest team in the AFL over the past month — was stunned on Friday night by the rampant Blues, whose pressure, troubled Geelong all night and put the Cats’ backline under significant duress. After Jack Henry gave the Cats back the lead at the 27-minute mark of the final quarter Carlton captain Patrick Cripps stood tall with an inspirational mark and goal to seal a famous win.
In the votes
Ollie Dempsey was a massive threat, booting two goals – and he should’ve had a third – from 18 disposals and nine marks. Max Holmes was busy with 25 touches and five clearances, while Bailey Smith had 35 disposals, nine inside 50s and seven tackles. Jeremy Cameron kicked 4.3 and the Henry brothers booted four goals between them,
Room for improvement
While the result was a massive upset — and plays a big role in our low grade for Geelong — the Blues played so much better than a bottom-four team on a night where the Cats were ‘just off’. They lost the clearance and contested possession counts, while the Blues also laid more tackles and, ultimately, took their moments better. Coach Chris Scott was balanced post-game, telling reporters: “This is the time to have a little bit of perspective and balance and not overreact to what was a poor performance because it is going to happen throughout the year, I suspect, to everyone. It’s reality, but I don’t accept it. We acknowledge that it’s likely to happen but, one, we shouldn’t invite it and, two, if it does happen, we shouldn’t throw our hands in the air and say, ‘It’s just one of those days, boys’.” Individually, Shannon Neale and Patrick Dangerfield combined for just one goal and two tackles.
Grade
D
GOLD COAST SUNS
The Suns had the bye.
Kingsley confident of GWS finals birth | 05:40
GWS GIANTS
A clinical and ridiculously efficient display lifted the GWS Giants to another statement win. After their monster win over the Lions last week, the Giants delivered a warning shot to the competition with another impressive and comprehensive performance against the Demons. The Giants surged by hand and were deadly accurate by foot, indicating they’re a team who have perhaps turned a corner. Fox Footy’s Dwayne Russell declared: “They are right back in the reckoning.”
In the votes
Finn Callaghan produced one of his best performances for the Giants. He finished with an incredible 96.8 per cent disposal efficiency from his 31 disposals, as well as six inside 50s, 797m gained, eight score involvements and two goals. Clayton Oliver, in his first match against Melbourne since being traded to the Giants, finished with 28 disposals and 11 contested possessions, as well as game-high score involvements (8) and clearances (7). All-Australian bolter Harvey Thomas was everywhere again, Toby Greene booted 3.2 and Lachie Ash racked up 34 disposals in a prominent performance across half-back.
Room for improvement
Coach Adam Kingsley said his team didn’t move the ball “particularly well” early but was happy with how his backs defended Melbourne’s repeat entries. Outside of that, hard to complain too much about that performance.
Grade
A+
Mitchell furious over Watson decision | 10:02
HAWTHORN
The Hawks’ winning ways rolled on against the Saints in a dominant display. Sam Mitchell’s men kept St Kilda goalless in the opening half and went on to claim a 52-point win. Hawthorn was +40 disposals on its season average, went at 80 er cent disposal efficiency and managed to clunk 18 marks inside 50 – all while resting Coleman Medal leader Jack Gunston for the final term.
In the votes
Gunston continues to wind back the clock with a five-goal haul against the Saints – and that was before he was benched for the final term. In his place, Blake Hardwick nailed four goals in just one term in a devastating display of versatility after shifting from the backline. Nick Watson was again in everything before finishing with 21 touches, four tackles and two goals. James Sicily racked up 33 disposals and 10 marks while Will Day made a successful return to footy with 18 disposals in just 62 per cent of match time.
Room for improvement
Big forward Mitch Lewis finished with 3.3, but could’ve punished the Saints further on the scoreboard. The Hawks coughed up 16 marks inside 50 when St Kilda swung the changes for the second half, seemingly without an answer aerially for Jack Silvagni.
Grade
A
King: “Punished ourselves with the ball” | 05:52
MELBOURNE
Melbourne produced one of its most uninspiring efforts under Steven King to date, going down to the Giants by 49 points in Alice Springs. The Dees kept themselves in it with two of the last three goals of the third term to get the margin back to 27 at three quarter-time, but they could not run with the tsunami in the last quarter as the Giants smelt blood in the water. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said it was the Dees’ “steepest learning curve” under King.
In the votes
Jake Bowey can hold his head high, finishing with 23 disposals while going at 93 per cent efficiency by foot. Kysaiah Pickett threatened at times, booting one goal from 16 disposals, seven clearances and seven inside 50s to be Melbourne’s most polished player. Jack Steele worked hard for his 25 disposals, while Brody Mihocek was the Demons’ only forward 50 hope with 3.0.
Room for improvement
There were shades of the most frustrating times of the Simon Goodwin era as forward-half inefficiency plagued the Demons on Sunday. Despite winning the contested possessions (+11), clearance (+8) and inside 50 (+16) battles, the Dees were beaten from scores from stoppage for the first time since Round 5. Too often they bombed long inside 50, allowing the Giants’ defence to enjoy a strong performance. Lyon during the call said it was “as unorganised as Melbourne have looked” under King, labelling their inside 50 entries “a dog’s breakfast”. King post-match said: “I haven’t seen us use the ball that poorly this year, just some basic clangers really hurt us. I think I know exactly the reasons why we dropped that game so that gives us a fair bit of focus to move on with.” The Demons got just one goal out of Jacob van Rooyen, Bayley Fritsch and Matthew Jefferson. Mightily lucky not to get an F.
Grade
D-
NORTH MELBOURNE
The Kangaroos had the bye.
PORT ADELAIDE
The Power had the bye.
Yze: “They were way too good for us” | 08:38
RICHMOND
It’s difficult to judge the Tigers harshly – matched up against arguably the competition’s best team, with a 19-player injury list, on the road – but they don’t get a pass for a 114-point loss. Richmond was competitive in the early stages, kicking four first-quarter goals as it tried to match the tempo of the blistering Swans, but the hosts quickly separated in the second term and offered no mercy. Adem Yze’s side conceded eight and seven goals in the second and third quarters respectively, allowing Sydney to romp to the season’s biggest half-time score – 15.7 (97). The young Tigers, at 2-10, now roll into a much-needed bye.
In the votes
It was a shallow day for the majority of Tigers at the SCG, with Jacob Hopper leading the side with 25 disposals and five clearances to be its highest-rated player, while Jack Ross led for score involvements with seven from 18 possessions, and Jasper Alger kicked a team-high three goals.
Room for improvement
Richmond was dominated for territory, generating 26 fewer entries than Sydney and allowing the Swans 10 more inside-50s than its season average. The home side also had 113 more disposals, 91 more uncontested possessions, 33 more marks, and 21 more marks inside-50. Shallow forward entries also hurt Yze’s side when it was able to build the ball up in the first half, failing to find enough options in the 50-70-metre zone before kicking deep to penetrate. “When they get the ball, I would like to see more short, sharp kicking – the ability to possess the ball, change the angles and then maybe involve some handball-receives,” Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy at half-time.
Grade
F
Lyon hopeful despite Hawks defeat | 09:20
ST KILDA
If we were judging off the first half alone, St Kilda would get an F. They went goalless in a horror half that saw them staring down a 50-point deficit at the main break, with the match effectively over. While we did see some fight from Ross Lyon’s charges, it was too little, too late against a finals contender. The loss ensures St Kilda is yet to beat anyone above it on the ladder this season, with all five wins coming against four of the bottom-five sides, plus the Giants.
In the votes
Jack Silvagni worked as a forward. After a horror goalless first half, Ross Lyon swung the changes and it was Silvagni who delivered in attack – although with wayward accuracy. The backman kicked 3.3 and took 10 marks. Max Hall continues to stand up in 2026 with 26 touches, five clearances and went at 89 per cent efficiency.
Room for improvement
Mattaes Phillipou came under heavy criticism from two-time premiership Roo David King for his efforts while finishing goalless. King labelled Phillipou’s tackling as “sub AFL standard” and “miles off” … and he wasn’t the only Saint to struggle. Isaac Keeler had moments he’d like back, Tom De Koning struggled in the first half while Liam Henry went goalless from his nine disposals.
Grade
D-
Cox relishes ‘satisfying’ Swans victory | 07:05
SYDNEY SWANS
It was a destructive performance by the second-placed Swans, rebounding from their loss to Geelong the week prior by whopping the young Tigers at home by 114 points. Sydney was “unrelenting”, in the words of Fox Footy caller Leigh Montagna, with its front-half pressure game simply overwhelming. Dean Cox’s side forced Richmond into turnover after turnover and then repeatedly capitalised in transition en route to its highest first-half score for the year – 15.7 (97) – which was also the highest-scoring first half by any team this season. They finished on 25.20 (170), which comprised a +26 inside-50 advantage, 113 more disposals, and 91 more uncontested possessions.
In the votes
Charlie Curnow had his best day as a Swan, piling on eight goals, including six in the first half alone. He consolidated his performance with 18 disposals, nine marks and 14 score involvements. Still, he’s likely not to come away with the three votes, as Isaac Heeney was once again irresistible. The brilliant midfielder-forward booted five majors from 32 disposals, including 13 score involvements, to finish as the game’s highest-rated player. Chad Warner kicked three goals from 32 touches and a game-high 15 score involvements.
Room for improvement
It’s hard to pick on anything after a side wins by 114 points and comes up trumps in every relevant statistical category.
Grade
A+
McQualter praises ‘mature’ Eagles | 09:23
WEST COAST EAGLES
In tough conditions, West Coast was able to deliver a much-needed win that takes its tally to four before the halfway mark of the season. While belted in the clearance count (-22 to the Bombers), coach Andrew McQualter wasn’t concerned after outscoring the opposition from stoppage. The Eagles had 15 more opportunities inside 50 – and still managed to take a remarkable 16 marks inside 50 despite the severe weather.
In the votes
Milan Murdock had a day out as the WAFL recruit showed he belongs at AFL level. He finished with three goals and eight score involvements from his 19 touches. Harley Reid could have had a blinder but finished with 1.4. He was still dominant with 24 disposals and four clearances. Jake Waterman nailed 3.3 to go with his nine marks and 16 disposals while Reuben Ginbey continues to push for All Australian selection with another outstanding defensively display. He racked up 11 intercepts, three contested marks and six score involvements.
Room for improvement
The Eagles didn’t convert their dominance on the scoreboard in the opening term. Despite having all the territory, West Coast went into the first change holding just a 16-point buffer.
Grade
A-
Beveridge responds to clutch mark | 12:58
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The return of ruckman Tim English sparked a midfield domination that the Bulldogs used to take territory over the Magpies. And while it didn’t always end up on the scoreboard, there were promising signs for the Dogs’ fight for finals. Despite having almost -60 disposals, the Dogs delivered with remarkable efficiency that saw them claim 15 more inside 50s. Rookie Michael Sellwood’s big contested mark in the final minute ensured the Dogs got across the line – despite dominating that match against the Pies until the final term.
In the votes
Marcus Bontempelli may have been well clamped in the final term, but the damage was already done as he racked up 22 disposals, 15 contested possessions, a game-high nine clearances, four tackles and 1.2. Ed Richards found some form with nine score involvements, Rory Lobb had a game-high eight tackles – double the next best Bulldogs teammate — while Tim English’s 16 disposals, 24 hit-outs and two goals proved the difference.
Room for improvement
Arty Jones started the game as the highest rated player on the ground at quarter time but faded to have just five more touches. Buku Khamis had some heart-in-mouth moments in defence.
Grade
A-