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ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n
A thrilling win over Hawthorn really proved that the Crows are genuine premiership contenders in 2025 and after Collingwood\u2019s slip up on Saturday night, they might even be in the box seat to secure the minor premiership. The Crows started slowly, but importantly, Matthew Nicks and his side kept their heads and got back to the process and style that has held them in such good stead this year. Fixtures against West Coast, Collingwood and North Melbourne to come means they should be hitting September with a pep in their step.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Captain Jordan Dawson led from the front with two goals from 21 disposals and 12 tackles, while key forward Riley Thilthorpe was enormous with 4.1 from 12 touches and eight marks. Taylor Walker booted three goals and came up clutch late, while Izak Rankine (three goals, 16 disposals) caused plenty of headaches for the Hawks.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
The Crows were jumped by the Hawks in the first term and trailed by 26 points at quarter time. The way they responded was impressive, but that\u2019s certainly something they\u2019d hope to rectify by the time September rolls around. The Hawks beat them in clearances (-9), but the Crows had the edge in contested possession (+11).<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A<\/p>\n
Nicks hails maturity in finals atmos | 10:46<\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS<\/p>\n
Now that\u2019s a back-to-back premiership statement. Coming up against top-placed Collingwood at a packed MCG \u2013 seven days after a humiliating loss to cross-town rivals Gold Coast \u2013 the Lions produced another impressive road win against a fellow contender, defeating the Magpies by 27 points. After a first half full of momentum swings, the Lions dominated the second half, booting seven goals to three as their midfield took over at the coalface. It was another reminder to the competition the Lions are premiership bona fides.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
How did Logan Morris slip to Pick 31? The key forward again produced a premiership contender, this time booting a career-high six goals from 14 disposals \u2013 including a run of three consecutive goals either side of half-time. Morris had good support from Henry Smith, who gave the Lions\u2019 match committee something to think about three weeks out from finals with three goals. Lachie Neale was also pivotal with 36 disposals and 12 clearances, Hugh McCluggage had 34 touches and seven clearances, Will Ashcroft racked up 31 possessions and Josh Dunkley registered 31 disposals and nine clearances.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Not too much here for the Lions, outside of a second-quarter stint where they conceded five of six goals, while Cal Ah Chee was scoreless and tackle-less from five touches and 82 per cent game time.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
Fagan chuffed after huge win over Pie | 11:04<\/p>\n
CARLTON<\/p>\n
Yes, ultimately, a 24-point lead turned into a 27-point loss. But Blues fans would\u2019ve been thrilled with the fight their team showed on Sunday against Fremantle. Their appetite for the contest in the first half \u2013 both with and without the ball \u2013 was impressive, leading to the first 10 inside 50s of the game. It forced the Dockers to dig deep to pull out a comeback win. But considering Carlton\u2019s personnel issues, fans have every right to feel glass half-full after the performance.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Patrick Cripps and George Hewett set the tone for their side with strong performances, having 36 disposals each and combining for 16 clearances. Cooper Lord had 22 touches and eight tackles as he helped curtail Caleb Serong\u2019s influence, while Marc Pittonet was crafty in the ruck, finishing with 15 disposals while 12 of his 23 hit-outs went to a teammate\u2019s advantage.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to win games when you concede 11 goals to two after half-time. Ultimately the Dockers\u2019 depth and class was too much for Carlton to handle, while the Blues also failed to take some key moments.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B-<\/p>\n
Voss praises hot start despite loss | 07:28<\/p>\n
COLLINGWOOD<\/p>\n
OK, do we sound the alarm bells now? Yes the Pies remain in the top two, but the 27-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday night was their third defeat in four games. Outside of a second-quarter blitz where they kicked five goals to one, the Pies were handsomely beaten by the Lions and ultimately lost their grasp on top spot on the ladder. Unthinkably, the Pies are now at risk of missing the top four altogether, should Brisbane, Geelong and Gold Coast win all of their remaining games and Collingwood slips up across the final three rounds of the season. It\u2019s the Pies\u2019 worst form slump of the season at close to the worst time of the year.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, Nick Daicos\u2019 workrate sone through, finishing with 29 disposals, nine score involvements, six clearances and a goal. Darcy Cameron was excellent in the ruck, collecting 12 disposals and dropping into defence to take five intercept marks, while 15 of his 40 hit-outs went to a teammate\u2019s advantage. Steele Sidebottom kicked two goals from 21 touches, Scott Pendlebury was consistent through the midfield and Lachie Schultz brought good energy with one goal from 17 disposals and seven tackles.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the Pies were smashed in the contest, especially in the second half where they were -19 for contested possession. Yet they were also -8 for tackles, with Pies coach Craig McRae post-game lamenting how his side invited Brisbane\u2019s pressure by handballing too much. Collingwood\u2019s defence was also exposed as Logan Morris had a day out with six goals. Individually, Jamie Elliott kicked two goals from 13 touches and one tackle between them, while Dan Houston and Ned Long\u2019s subpar formlines continued. Concerns.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
D<\/p>\n
Pragmatic McRae not worried despite loss | 08:11<\/p>\n
ESSENDON<\/p>\n
In what was effectively a Round 21 dead rubber, the Bombers won\u2019t have lost too many fans after that performance. It\u2019s been a tough year for Brad Scott\u2019s side having been absolutely decimated by injury and player availability issues. Jayden Nguyen became the club\u2019s 14th debutant of 2025 and the positives are, plenty of their kids have had experiences they might not have had if the list was healthy. Only going down by 14 points on the road to a far more talented Sydney outfit is probably a decent result all things considered.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Andrew McGrath had one of his best performances of the season recording 26 disposals after attending 90 per cent of centre bounces. That\u2019ll be an interesting watch moving forward having spent the majority of his time in defence this year. Elsewhere, Jaxon Prior had 19 touches and Mason Redman had 20 and a goal as serviceable contributors.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
When you consider the Swans had 96 more marks and 113 more disposals, it\u2019s fair to say they had the game on their terms. The Bombers didn\u2019t take their chances in front of goal booting 7.12, but to be fair it was more difficult given the wet and wild conditions at the SCG. Todd Goldstein was well beaten in the ruck by Brodie Grundy and there were several quiet contributors, but given the injury list there isn\u2019t exactly a heap of players banging down the door for senior selection.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B<\/p>\n
Scott proud of undermanned Bombers | 09:14<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE<\/p>\n
Phew. After the Hawks and Giants went down earlier in the round, the Dockers just had to win on Sunday against Carlton. And the signs weren\u2019t promising early, trailing the Blues at half-time. But the Dockers\u2019 midfield took over in the second half, winning the contested possession count by +17 across the last two quarters. With their season possibly on the line, the Dockers produced booted 11.3 to 2.6 to turn a 24-point deficit into a 27-poiny win.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Luke Jackson was exceptional for Fremantle, finishing with 27 disposals, 21 contested possessions, eight clearances, six tackles and five score involvements, while six of his 18 hit-outs were to a teammates\u2019 advantage. His ruck-rover role looms as a genuine finals wildcard for Freo \u2013 if the Dockers make it, of course. The Dockers\u2019 forwards were crucial when it mattered most, with Jye Amiss, Patrick Voss and Josh Treacy all kicking 3.0, while Isaiah Dudley booted two goals in the fourth quarter. Jordan Clark, Oscar McDonald and Brennan Cox all held up well in defence, too.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Are you glass half-full or half-empty on Fremantle\u2019s recent comeback wins? In five of their past six games, the Dockers have trailed at three quarter-time. While they lost to the Swans, they managed to run over St Kilda, Hawthorn, Collingwood and, most recently, Carlton. Fox Footy\u2019s Leigh Montagna on First Crack said it was \u201ca real sign of maturity and resilience\u201d, but coach Justin Longmuir is clearly on alert about it, telling reporters: \u201cWe\u2019d rather not be in that position, but it\u2019s a game of four quarters and what we\u2019re showing now is we\u2019re outlasting teams over four quarters. Put it this way, I\u2019d much rather be in front at the end of the fourth quarter than in front at quarter time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B+<\/p>\n
Freo ‘grind out’ comeback win | 11:05<\/p>\n
GEELONG CATS<\/p>\n
As we all expected, the Cats are making the most of their kind run home and beating up on some bottom-nine teams. Their 88-point win over Port Adelaide on Sunday was the latest example. It took until midway through the second term, but when the Cats eventually cranked out of second gear, the sheer weight of midfield possession was simply overwhelming as they raced to their highest score of the season.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Geelong\u2019s forwards ran riot. Jeremy Cameron\u2019s quest for the ton gathered further momentum, booting six goals to take his season tally to 75. He could\u2019ve kicked a few more if it wasn\u2019t for teammates Shannon Neale and sub Jack Martin, who added seven majors between them. Remarkably, Martin\u2019s four goals came in five minutes and 16 seconds (real time, NOT game time!). The Dash Brothers, Max Holmes and Bailey Smith, also couldn\u2019t be stopped. Holmes kicked two goals from 35 disposals and a whopping 15 score involvements, while Smith had 30 touches, 10 score involvements and eight clearances in a strong showing. Cats coach Chris Scott was also delighted with the negating midfield role Irish recruit Oisin Mullin did on Zak Butters, keeping the Port game-breaker to just 10 possessions.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Nothing to see here. The Cats keep rolling.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
Scott impressed with Cats demolition job | 09:33<\/p>\n
GOLD COAST SUNS<\/p>\n
The Suns simply did what they had to do against Richmond, banking a big win over Damien Hardwick\u2019s former side. After the loss to the Tigers earlier in the season, it was a win they just had to have. The Suns held the Tigers goalless in the first half and are now well and truly on their way to not only featuring in their first finals series, but they could push towards a top four spot. They\u2019ve got a game in hand over the rest of the competition and have four very winnable fixtures remaining.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Captain Noah Anderson amassed another 38 disposals and should feature strongly in the Brownlow Medal count this year. Matt Rowell had 12 score involvements and 12 clearances from his 27 touches. Spearhead Ben King booted four goals, while John Noble (30 disposals) and Joel Jeffrey (26) generated plenty of rebound out of the back half.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Tough to find much to improve on after that performance. After a heavy loss to Adelaide a few weeks back, the Suns have done everything right since.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
Dimma content with professional win | 06:49<\/p>\n
GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n
The Giants were shell-shocked at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night, copping an 88-point drubbing from the Western Bulldogs. It\u2019s a thorn in Adam Kingsley\u2019s side, but they\u2019ve done enough this season so far to ensure destiny is still in their hands. You\u2019d imagine they bank wins against North Melbourne and St Kilda, but their clash against the Suns in round 23 could go either way. They were missing some crucial players due to injury as well, so we\u2019ll give them a mulligan here.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Lachie Ash (36 disposals) and Lachie Whitfield (29) found plenty of the footy in defence and are genuine chances to be named in the final All-Australian team. Emerging midfielder Finn Callaghan (23) did some nice things, as did Connor Idun (23, ten marks).<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Plenty. They started horribly and never really got themselves back into the game. Sam Taylor was \u201ctaught a lesson\u201d by Sam Darcy, which is rare for someone of his calibre. Jesse Hogan failed to fire a shot, while Jake Stringer was also quiet. The Giants had 14 players with 12 disposals or less and were belted in most key stats.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
F<\/p>\n
Kingsley SLAMS worst GWS game in tenure | 06:15<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN<\/p>\n
It feels like the Hawks are very good, not great right now. The Hawks jumped out of the blocks strongly at the Adelaide Oval, but the Crows wrestled momentum back thereafter and were more composed in the crunch moments late in the game, meaning the Hawks have slipped to seventh spot on the AFL ladder. Their run home is as tough as any as they\u2019ve still got to face Collingwood, Melbourne and Brisbane. Star midfielder Will Day\u2019s season is also over due to another foot issue, making their quest to feature in September just that little bit harder.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Veteran Jack Gunston booted four goals as the most dangerous forward for Sam Mitchell\u2019s side, while captain James Sicily took 11 marks and had nine intercepts. Massimo D\u2019Ambrosio had a game-high 25 touches but missed a golden opportunity late in the game, while Jack Ginnivan is putting together a sneaky good season with another 20 disposals and two goals.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
The second quarter would have horrified Hawks fans. Mitchell\u2019s side leaked six goals to nothing in that term, undoing all of their good work in the first to silence the home crowd. They managed to respond in the second half which was pleasing, but couldn\u2019t take their chances late in the game to really heap the pressure on the Crows.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B-<\/p>\n
Crows ‘exploited’ Hawks weaknesses | 06:01<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
The Dees bounced back from last week\u2019s debacle against St Kilda in a big way, recording a whopping 83-point victory over the lowly Eagles. It was pleasing to see Melbourne\u2019s leaders stand up after what was an unacceptable result last week. Their final three matches are all against finals aspirants, so throwing a spanner or two in the works on the run home will no doubt be the aim of Simon Goodwin\u2019s side as their 2025 season draws to a close.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Captain Max Gawn dominated in the ruck with 21 disposals, eight marks and a goal, while veteran midfielder Jack Viney was a beast at the coalface racking up 25 disposals and 13 clearances. Harvey Langford snagged three majors from 16 disposals, Bayley Fritsch booted four goals and Jai Culley showed some nice signs on Demons debut, kicking a pair of goals and looking more than capable both in the air and on the ground.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Pretty tough to critique a performance as comprehensive as that one. The perfect response after being on the receiving end of the biggest comeback in AFL history last week against St Kilda.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
Goodwin proud after bounce back win | 07:32<\/p>\n
NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
A sixth straight loss, yes, but that was clearly North Melbourne\u2019s most promising performance since June. The Roos \u2013 who are sitting in the bottom two on the ladder with four wins \u2013 almost pinched Sunday\u2019s game but fell short at the death against St Kilda. Their first quarter was some of the best footy they\u2019d played in months, moving the ball with speed and precision off half-back while matching the Saints at the source. Ultimately they couldn\u2019t hold it together for four quarters.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Colby McKercher had some serious eye-catching moments, none more so than his electric running goal in the third term. He had a team-high 36 disposals and 642m gained. Harry Sheezel also threatened to rip the game apart early, finishing with one goal from 33 disposals and 412m gained. George Wardlaw also made a strong impact on return, with seven of his 17 touches leading to North scores, while also laying six tackles. Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar played with presence in the forward half, while Luke Davies-Uniacke used the ball efficiently.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Roos coach Clarkson post-match bemoaned his side\u2019s lack of forward territory dominance, declaring the inside 50 count (54-38 in St Kilda\u2019s favour) cost his side the game. Clarkson said: \u201cOur endeavour was really strong, but the bottom line is we just couldn\u2019t get it inside 50 enough \u2026 We need to work out a way we can get the ball inside 50 and hold it in there a bit more often.\u201d Individually, Charlie Comben finished well but had some bad moments in defence early in the match, while Cooper Harvey a Jacob Konstanty went goalless and laid just one tackle between them. North fans are getting restless as the losses continue to mount.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B-<\/p>\n
Roos fall short of miracle comeback | 08:56<\/p>\n
PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n
If they weren\u2019t already, the Power are now officially limping to the finish line. The 88-point loss to the Cats on Sunday was another awful watch for Port Adelaide fans, who\u2019d just endured a 98-point Showdown loss to Adelaide eight days before. Already ravaged by injury before the pre-game loss of ill skipper Connor Rozee, the Power simply had to take what was on offer. Dual premiership Kangaroo David King cheekily told Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack on Sunday night: \u201cBeen a great finish for Port, hasn\u2019t it? It\u2019s going really well, this long goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Veteran duo Ollie Wines (32 disposals, eight clearances) and Travis Boak (24 disposals, one goal) fought hard for Port. But at this stage in the season and the Power\u2019s journey, is that more of a concern that two of their oldest players were their best players? At least Mitch Georgiades kicked 3.2 from 12 disposals to make the most of his limited opportunities on a tough day to be a Port Adelaide forward.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Where do you start? The Power couldn\u2019t win the ball (-20 contested possessions), couldn\u2019t defend it (-61 marks and -28 inside 50s) and ultimately couldn\u2019t stop the Cats from scoring. Hard to individualise in such a poor performance, but it was a concern star Zak Butters couldn\u2019t shake the Oisin Mullin tag, restricted to just 10 disposals \u2014 his lowest disposal count, outside of being subbed out due to injury, since 2020. A big fat Power failure.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
F<\/p>\n
Hinkley keeps it honest after big loss | 04:52<\/p>\n
RICHMOND<\/p>\n
Coach Adem Yze conceded the performance against the Suns was \u201cprobably a step backwards\u201d, but the Tigers certainly have a lot to be proud of this year. They continue to get valuable experience into their plethora of young talent and Yze\u2019s Tiger cubs would have learned plenty from playing against some of the best players in the competition. It\u2019s tough to find too many positives out of an 84-point loss, but it\u2019s about the bigger picture for the Tigers.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Nick Vlastuin battled valiantly with 20 touches and eight marks and could be in line for a maiden All-Australian blazer this year. Sam Banks had 26 disposals and has been a shining light for the Tigers this year. The Tigers tried a few different names through the midfield too at different stages.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
The Tigers were never really in the contest after a goalless first half. The Suns flexed their muscles in a big way dominating all the key stats. Losing the inside 50 count by 22, the clearances by 13 and contested possession by 24 would have been some of the more alarming things for Yze and his coaching staff. Unfortunately Jonty Faull\u2019s season looks over too after suffering a knee injury. Tom Lynch looms as a straight swap.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
F<\/p>\n
‘They smashed us in all phases’ | 09:34<\/p>\n
ST KILDA<\/p>\n
For the second straight week, St Kilda put its fans through a cliffhanger. This time, though, the Saints saved the game \u2014 as opposed to chasing it last week against Melbourne \u2014 holding off a plucky North Melbourne to win by nine points. In a stark contrast to last week, the Saints all but stopped in the final term with the Roos getting within three points with 1:36 remaining. St Kilda held on just, kicking its only goal of the last term courtesy of a 50m penalty after the siren.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
It seems the whole footy world, not just Saints fans, have caught Nasiah fever \u2014 for Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is in the middle of a ridiculous form patch that only AFL superstars enter. Seven days after engineering St Kilda\u2019s \u2018Miracle at Marvel\u2019 against Melbourne, Wanganeen-Milera again ran riot with 36 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine clearances, nine score involvements, seven inside 50s and 677m gained. It was Wanganeen-Milera\u2019s fourth best afield performance in the past five weeks, with his Brownlow odds likely to be slashed by bookmakers. Rowan Marshall also capitalised on a Tristan Xerri-less North, booting 1.1 from 24 disposals, seven score involvements and seven inside 50s, while seven of his 32 hit-outs went to a teammate\u2019s advantage. Jack Sinclair (26 disposals) controlled the half-back line with aplomb, while Mason Wood and Max Heath had big moments late.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
The Saints could\u2019ve saved themselves some late stress if they\u2019d been more accurate in front of goal earlier in the match. Expected score had the Saints winning the match by 25 points, rather than nine. It led to a shaky final quarter where the Roos got on top in the contest.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B+<\/p>\n
Ross jokes about Saints fans’ NAS signs | 09:15<\/p>\n
SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n
Well that was the definition of \u2018doing enough to get the four points\u2019. The Swans returned to the winners\u2019 list and gained some late-season pride on Saturday afternoon, defeating a depleted \u2014 but valiant \u2014 Essendon outfit at the SCG. It was set up by a strong first half where the Swans kicked six goals to two, before seeing off a brave, late surge from the Bombers to win by 14 points.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
A serious All-Australian pitch from Brodie Grundy, who continued his strong bid for a third All-Australian blazer, registering a career-high 39 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 13 clearances, nine score involvements and eight marks, while 12 of his 32 hit-outs were to advantage. Superstar Errol Gulden was excellent in his 100th game, booting one goal from 30 disposals and 575 metres gained. And in a trying season for the Swans, Nick Blakey reminded the competition as to why he remains one of the best rebounding defenders in the competition, finishing with 28 disposals, eight inside 50s and seven intercept marks. Isaac Heeney produced another cracking game too.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Inaccuracy prevented Sydney from winning the Round 21 encounter by as big a margin as they probably should have. The Swans had an extra 15 onside 50s and four scoring shots than Essendon, but kicked 9.14. Overall, they had an extra 113 disposals and won contested possessions by +8, so the 14-point margin probably wasn\u2019t a true reflection of the game. Elsewhere, Chad Warner had 26 touches, but went at 39 per cent efficiency by foot.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B<\/p>\n
Swans will fight despite missing Finals | 07:44<\/p>\n
WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n
In the words of coach Andrew McQualter, the Eagles simply were \u201cnot tough enough\u201d, losing their 19th match from 20 games this year. West Coast were smashed by Melbourne, going down by 83 points at Marvel Stadium adding to their woes of 2025. The loss means the Eagles have officially earned the wooden spoon this year. McQualter\u2019s side plays games against Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs and Sydney on the run home where salvaging some pride will be important.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Ryan Maric had 29 touches and a goal playing as a defender, while mid-season draftee Tom McCarthy has certainly been a great find, having had another 26 disposals. Veteran Tim Kelly found the ball 26 times, while Elijah Hewett (23) and Campbell Chesser (17 and a goal) are the type of players the Eagles will be looking to for the future.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
The Eagles were well beaten in almost every key statistical category. It\u2019s tough to win games when you\u2019re so comprehensively beaten in disposals (-74), inside 50s (-13), clearances (-10), contested possessions (-42), tackles (-9) and give up 103 marks. Eleven players had ten or less disposals.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
F<\/p>\n
McQualter laments another thrashing | 04:19<\/p>\n
WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
It was the scalp Luke Beveridge\u2019s side so desperately needed. The Bulldogs sent an ominous warning sign to the rest of the competition with an 88-point battering over fellow finals aspirants the GWS Giants. The Dogs stormed out of the blocks and put the Giants to the sword early, before putting their foot on the gas in the second half and ensuring a big win, which could be pivotal come finals time. Their record against the top eight is now 2-8, while they\u2019ve won nine of the last ten matches against one of their biggest rivals in the Giants.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Key forwards Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton both slotted five majors each in an outstanding showing. Ruck Tim English had 20 touches, 11 marks and 2.3 while Marcus Bontempelli was crucial with 27 disposals himself. Midfield duo Tom Liberatore and Ed Richards also played key roles in the big win.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Huge ticks all round for Beveridge\u2019s side. The Giants did take 102 marks, but that would hardly worry the Dogs given the final margin. With fixtures against Melbourne, West Coast and Fremantle in the final three rounds, the Dogs could do some serious damage in September, should they get there.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
Bevo can’t fault Dogs in HUGE win | 11:55<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There were some horror losses on the weekend, with four clubs handed fail grades. But several recent 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