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<\/p>\n
Power stun Crows in Showdown 60 | 03:27<\/p>\n
ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n
The Crows were supposed to roll to an easy Showdown win if you listened to all the hype leading into the fifth-against-15th contest. But Adelaide simply didn\u2019t bring the heat and were punished around the ground. The decision not to tag Port star Zak Butters proved costly, while the Crows\u2019 attacking end just didn\u2019t function because they couldn\u2019t move the ball.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Darcy Fogarty was a shining light in attack with five goals. Sam Berry laid a team-high 10 tackles, but outside of that duo there was little to celebrate.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
The Crows were inefficient inside 50 and were belted through the middle with just six centre clearances (compared to Port\u2019s 16) and an overall -20 clearance count. The backline coughed up 17 marks inside 50 as there was no answer to the pace of the ball coming in. Adelaide\u2019s midfielders were embarrassed by the Power. Lachlan McAndrew had a tough night out while the backline was under siege from the fast centre clearance entries.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
F<\/p>\n
‘Back ourselves in’: Fagan on mentality | 07:23<\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS<\/p>\n
AFL legend Jason Dunstall said pre-game he was ready to put a line through the Lions if they didn\u2019t show up against the Swans on Thursday night, and what a statement it was by the back-to-back premiers. From the get-go, Brisbane snuffed Sydney with its pressure and absolute denial of the corridor. Chris Fagan\u2019s men extinguished the Swans\u2019 forward handball game, with the visitors left barren dry when it came to scoring from their defensive half. And it\u2019s that defensive buy-in \u2013 in addition to the ever-present offensive potency \u2013 that will give supporters and pundits alike belief that this side is still capable of winning a third-straight premiership.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a hard one to give votes for, in the best way. So many Lions stood out with their performance. Zac Bailey lived up to his proposed price tag, kicking two goals from 20 touches with eight score involvements to be Brisbane\u2019s highest-rated player. Will Ashcroft was central to the Lions\u2019 stoppage dominance with eight clearances to go with 30 disposals and eight score involvements, while Josh Dunkley played a crucial shutdown role on Isaac Heeney.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Not that it made a difference on the night, but the Lions were out-possessed by the Swans, and finished with 14 fewer uncontested possessions. The visitors also had four more tackles inside 50. Other than those minor discrepancies, though, there wasn\u2019t a lot to critique from a Brisbane perspective.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
Fraser speaks on Blues 6th straight win | 08:49<\/p>\n
CARLTON<\/p>\n
The Fraser Freight Train is full steam ahead. Carlton registered its sixth straight win under its interim coach on Saturday, comfortably brushing aside a sluggish West Coast. The Blues were at their speedy and slick best on their way to a record half-time disposal haul then saw off a mini Eagles challenge in the second half to run out 53-point winners. It\u2019s the first time the Blues have registered six straight wins since 2023, which was when they made a stunning surge into a preliminary final. The victory was set up by a dominant first half, with the Blues slamming on six goals to two in the first term as they showed relentless forward-half pressure and slick corridor ball movement to catch the Eagles off-guard.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Patrick Cripps, who kicked 1.2 from 31 disposals, 16 contested possessions, nine score involvements, nine clearances and six tackles, continued his great run of form. George Hewett racked up 26 touches and two majors, Sam Walsh was instrumental with 33 disposals and five clearances and Ben Ainsworth showed great energy with centre ball-up time on his way to 28 disposals, 11 score involvements and eight inside 50s. And Harry Dean is clearly a new Blues fan favourite. In the absence of All-Australian Jacob Weitering, Dean finished with 13 disposals, six spoils and five intercept marks while going at 100 per cent by foot. Importantly, he kept Jake Waterman to 0.3.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Outside of some goalkicking inaccuracy, not much to see here after one of the Blues\u2019 strongest performances of the season. As triple All-Australian Nick Dal Santo declared on Fox Footy: \u201cCarlton are fast becoming a team you don\u2019t want to play in the run home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
McRae happy as Pies bank win | 08:36<\/p>\n
COLLINGWOOD<\/p>\n
The Magpies just needed to get the four points against an undermanned Richmond \u2013 and while they made tough work of it early, a big second quarter gapped the game and the Tigers couldn\u2019t recover. The difference in the game was the 20 marks taken by the Pies inside 50, helping them to 31 scoring shots to just 17 for the Tigers. <\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Nick Daicos finished with 37 disposals and three goals \u2013 after kicking Collingwood\u2019s first two majors from free kicks. He had a game-high seven clearances and more than 510m gained. Lachie Schultz delivered a four-goal performance, including two in the final term playing as full-forward. Jordan De Goey\u2019s strong form rolled on with his 27 touches and 13 score involvements.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Dan McStay finished goalless against the Tigers and appeared agitated at the three-quarter time break. He was spotted in a tense stand off with Schultz before captain Nick Daicos went to him. <\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
B-<\/p>\n
Solomon: “It’s testing our whole club” | 06:26<\/p>\n
ESSENDON<\/p>\n
The final score masked what should have been a thumping win for North Melbourne on Sunday, with the Bombers beaten in several key metrics. The Kangaroos won by 14 points due to their inaccuracy, but on expected score should have won by at least six goals. Essendon made things briefly interesting midway through the last quarter when it got to within 14 points \u2013 which does say something about the side\u2019s refusal to fold \u2013 but Dean Solomon\u2019s side never genuinely challenged North, who were basically able to do whatever they wanted from an uncontested point of view.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Sam Durham was easily Essendon\u2019s best player on the day, and at half-time he was the game\u2019s highest-rated player. Working hard at the contest and pushing hard forward to impact the scoreboard, he finished with two goals from 25 disposals, eight score involvements, five clearance and five intercepts. Mason Redman overcame an injury concern to finish as the Dons\u2019 second-highest rated player with 29 disposals and four intercepts.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
The Bombers remain turnstiles in defensive transition, which isn\u2019t a fresh issue by any means, but it made life pretty cruisy for the Roos at Docklands. Essendon allowed the hosts to score seven times from back-half chains in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy: \u201cI would imagine, as a coach, when you look and you don\u2019t see your team coming forward and applying pressure, that\u2019s danger signs \u2013 that\u2019s warning signs.\u201d At three-quarter-time, the Roos\u2019 53 per cent success rate going from defensive 50 to inside 50 was on track to be their best result in 15 years. North also generated 11 more inside-50s, three more clearances, 68 more uncontested possessions, 10 more marks inside 50 and 16 more tackles.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
D+<\/p>\n
Longmuir praises patient Freo | 07:32<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE<\/p>\n
It\u2019s now 14 straight wins for Fremantle after they demolished the Suns in a wet Sunday night slog. Aside from a second quarter dip, the match was played entirely on the Dockers\u2019 terms \u2013 and they did it without their big names shining. Despite losing the clearance count -12, coach Justin Longmuir wasn\u2019t worried because of the pressure his side applied, forcing the Suns to retreat time and time again. Fremantle\u2019s first quarter pressure rating was its highest of the season and it helped the Dockers to a four-goal to none start. They never looked back.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Michael Frederick had four goals by three quarter-time in a match that only had eight goals kicked to that point. Murphy Reid (28 disposals) continued to show why he\u2019s one of the best young talents in the competition, Andy Brayshaw had 29 disposals, six tackles and a goal while Luke Jackson nailed two goals to go with his 15 touches, 16 hit-outs and four clearances.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Sean Darcy is still building into his AFL full fitness. He played just 59 per cent game time \u2013 and even did post-result run-throughs on the Optus Stadium turf when his teammates were back in the rooms.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A<\/p>\n
GEELONG<\/p>\n
The Cats had the bye.<\/p>\n
Dimma: “We just couldn’t get it working” | 06:58<\/p>\n
GOLD COAST SUNS<\/p>\n
Will Schofield called the Suns \u201cborderline unwatchable\u201d in Perth on Sunday as they put out a horror three-goal performance. Gold Coast struggled under the Dockers\u2019 pressure and couldn\u2019t convert their opportunities when presented. That\u2019s now five straight losses for the Suns \u2013 a low they hadn\u2019t reached since 2019.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Noah Anderson racked up 33 touches, including eight clearances. Mac Andrew fought admirably against Dockers marking machine Josh Treacy to finish with 20 touches and seven marks. <\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Despite winning clearance +12, Gold Coast managed just 40 inside 50s for their efforts. And they took just four marks inside 50 (when the Dockers took 17 down the other end) with a forward line that\u2019s boasting the current Coleman Medal leader Ben King. Gold Coast couldn\u2019t use the ball when it won it and it broke down in attack. The Ned Moyle-Jarrod Witts ruck combination couldn\u2019t stop the Dockers while Bailey Humphrey\u2019s form woes rolled on in what could be his last season as a Sun.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
F<\/p>\n
Kingsley reflects on costly loss | 08:44<\/p>\n
GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n
A brutal night for the Giants. Not only did their finals hopes take a hit with a 14-ppoint loss to Hawthorn, they also suffered two big injury blows to Max Gruzewski (patella dislocation) and Brent Daniels (calf). It adds to lengthy casualty ward at GWS across this season, with the likes of Tom Green, Josh Kelly, Jesse Hogan, Darcy Jones, Jack Buckley and Jake Riccardi currently sidelined. Still, the Giants were spirited. After the Hawks skipped out to a lead of over seven goals just after half-time, the Giants fought back valiantly \u2014 but ultimately left their chase too late<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Sam Taylor battled bravely in defence. The dual All-Australian finished with 13 disposals, seven intercepts and a whopping 14 spoils \u2013 and he didn\u2019t lose one of his six defensive one-on-one contests. Harry Himmelberg helped out with six intercept marks. Finn Callaghan lifted in the third term on his way to 34 disposals, nine score involvements and 752m gained, while Callum Brown stood tall with three goals amid the unfortunate adversity. Skipper Toby Greene booted 2.2 from 24 disposals, nine score involvements, seven inside 50s and four clearances.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
You couldn\u2019t fault the Giants\u2019 effort, but the mechanics and chemistry just weren\u2019t there. While the Hawks got scoreboard separation from the Giants in the second term, coach Adam Kingsley was left most frustrated by his team\u2019s stoppage work. The Giants were -26 for clearances \u2013 the worst differential in the club\u2019s history \u2013 and were outscored 10.6 (66) to 1.4 (10) from the source. Clayton Oliver had 34 disposals, but only three clearances. Kingsley also lamented his side\u2019s inability to move the ball, due to \u201cbasic turnovers\u201d and an \u201cinability to cope with the pressure\u201d. The injuries, however, didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
C-<\/p>\n
Mitchell ‘super impressed’ with midfield | 11:03<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN<\/p>\n
A scrappy win over the Giants may not exemplify a top-tier performance, but Hawthorn\u2019s midfield \u2013 which has often been its downfall \u2013 was a source of dominance on Friday night in a 14-point win. The Hawks dominated the Giants with +26 clearances and +56 scores from stoppages, while six of the top eight clearance-winners on the ground were Hawks.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Jai Newcombe is in some sort of purple patch. The co-captain was the No.1 rated player on the ground, finishing with 31 disposals, 21 contested possessions, eight score involvements and a whopping 15 clearances. He was well supported by Cam Mackenzie (27 disposals, 11 score involvements, 7 clearances) and Will Day (27 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 8 clearances), while Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek were dominant in the ruck. Nick Watson broke the game open with three goals in the second term \u2014 including two just before half-time \u2013 but his night came to an abrupt halt at the main break with a hamstring issue. Josh Battle was strong in defence.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Sam Mitchell post-game lamented how his side \u201copened the door a bit\u201d for a Giants comeback. The Hawks led by 43 points early in the third term before the Giants kicked six of the next eight goals \u2013 and then the last two of the match. Mitchell said: \u201cI was a bit disappointed. We didn\u2019t get the game to bed until quite late again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A-<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
The Demons had the bye.<\/p>\n
Clarkson: “We didn’t have the polish” | 09:51<\/p>\n
NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
The Kangaroos aren\u2019t doing it pretty right now, but they\u2019re banking wins to stay right in the thick of the finals race \u2013 which are words that haven\u2019t been spoken in years regarding North Melbourne. They sit one game inside the top 10, having now won three-or-more consecutive games for the first time since late 2019-early 2020. Promisingly, while their 14-point win over Essendon wasn\u2019t a football spectacle to write home about, the Roos played a really solid brand of footy. They were able to consistently carve out scoring opportunities from their back-half chains \u2013 seven in the first quarter alone, which was the second-best quarter under Alastair Clarkson \u2013 and create front-half chances via their manic pressure game. North generated 11 more inside-50s, three more clearances, 68 more uncontested possessions, 10 more marks inside 50 and 16 more tackles. Pundits will continue to be cynical about the Roos, given their easy fixture run, but you can only play who\u2019s on your schedule.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Harry Sheezel couldn\u2019t get away from the pill on Sunday, collecting 43 disposals \u2013 15 of which were score involvements \u2013 and four clearances to finish as the game\u2019s highest-rated player. Luke Davies-Uniacke was central to the Roos\u2019 midfield ascendancy, totalling 25 disposals, 10 clearances and nine score involvements. Caleb Daniel also had 40 possessions and 12 score involvements.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Inaccuracy was the main reason the Roos\u2019 winning margin wasn\u2019t significantly more than it was, with expected score suggesting Clarko\u2019s charges should have won by at least six goals. Other than that, the Roos played a brand of footy that their fans should be pleased with, and they\u2019re continuing to win games.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A-<\/p>\n
Butters speaks after ’emotional’ win | 02:02<\/p>\n
PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n
Ex-Port coach Ken Hinkley called it pre-game \u2013 form doesn\u2019t matter in a Showdown, only the appetite. And it was the Power who brought their heat in their best performance of 2026. Sealing coach Josh Carr\u2019s first Showdown victory, Port Adelaide was dominant from the opening ball up. The Power were efficient in attack and incredibly dominant at the contest, with a whopping +20 clearance count \u2014 including 16-6 from the centre. Seventeen marks inside 50 helped the Power to 32 scoring shots to Adelaide\u2019s 16. <\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Showdown Medallist Zak Butters was so good, it was like there were two of him out there, according to Dwayne Russell. Butters was left unopposed and made the Crows pay with 37 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 13 clearances, 11 inside 50s and seven tackles. Partner in crime Jason Horne-Francis was also impressive with his 29 touches, 10 clearances and 1.3. Mitch Georgiades was a focal point in attack and although wayward in front of goal (3.4), he still collected 11 marks. Corey Durdin added his own three-goal haul. Ruckman Jordon Sweet gave the Crows a bath in the middle.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Accuracy proved Port\u2019s biggest issue on Saturday night, finishing with 13.19 in a match they could have really put the Crows away.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
A+<\/p>\n
Yze happy with Tigers fightback | 10:36<\/p>\n
RICHMOND<\/p>\n
Aside from a six-goal to one second term, Richmond remarkably finished just -1 on the scoreboard to Collingwood for the other three quarters. And while the fact they won hitouts (+8), clearance (+1) and contested ball (+14), the Tigers proved their own worst enemy with their skills. They also laid just 37 tackles in what Fox Footy commentators dubbed \u201cbruise free footy\u201d at times at the MCG \u2013 11 less than their season average.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Tim Taranto as a forward proved a masterstroke in the second half. His three-goal third term helped Richmond win the quarter \u2013 but he still finished at a team-low 58% efficiency. Nick Vlastuin was a rock in defence with 10 intercepts \u2013 almost double the next best Tiger. Rhyan Mansell made a welcome return in just his second game of 2026 with three goals.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Maurice Rioli couldn\u2019t get into the contest and had little impact with just five touches. Mykelti Lefau finished goalless while Jayden Short had a few moments he\u2019d like back \u2013 including gifting Nick Daicos a goal in the opening term for failing to stand when called to do so.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
C+<\/p>\n
ST KILDA<\/p>\n
The Saints had the bye.<\/p>\n
Cox frankly admits Swans’ shortcomings | 06:06<\/p>\n
SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not yet a case of \u2018alarm bells\u2019 for the second-placed Swans, but what unfolded at the Gabba on Thursday should serve as a stern warning for Dean Cox and his coaching staff. Sydney\u2019s forward handball game and corridor use were completely quelled by the Lions, who had no issue identifying the area of the visitors\u2019 game to stop. And it\u2019s going to continue to be the main challenge for Cox\u2019s side in the run home, as they look for alternative avenues to goal when opposition teams clog the middle. But to this point, against contenders like the Lions and Cats, we haven\u2019t seen the Swans play convincingly in a different way.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Chad Warner was the standout from a Sydney perspective, and he may have even taken out best-on-ground honours despite the 43-point loss. He kicked a game-high four goals and had nine score involvements from 28 disposals. James Rowbottom\u2019s deployment in the forward half continues to be fruitful, with the hard-nosed ball-winner kicking two goals and notching nine score involvements from 23 disposals. Will Edwards had eight intercepts as he continues to show signs he\u2019s a long-term answer in key-position defence.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
Sydney\u2019s ideal method of ball movement was completely stifled on Thursday night, with its corridor handball game yielding very little. The ability of each side to transition was the difference in the game, with the Lions able to go end to end on several occasions, while the Swans managed a defensive-50-to-inside-50 rate of just 14 per cent. They kicked just one goal from their defensive 50. They were also belted at clearance by the competition\u2019s most punitive stoppage teams, losing the count by 13 and conceding 7.4 from the source. Sydney also didn\u2019t get enough out of their key forwards, save for Charlie Curnow.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
D<\/p>\n
McQualter: “Carlton smashed us” | 08:25<\/p>\n
WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n
After a promising five-week showing \u2013 especially from a defensive perspective \u2013 that was a step back for West Coast, which went down to Carlton by 53 points. The Eagles threatened somewhat in the third term, booting two goals and winning five of the first six clearances for the quarter before Carlton steadied and ran away with a big victory. It was a performance that flew in the face of West Coast\u2019s competitive showings across the previous two months.<\/p>\n
In the votes<\/p>\n
Harley Reid had an engrossing battle with opposite No.9 Patrick Cripps. Reid finished as the No.1 rated player for the match, booting one goal from 23 disposals, 12 clearances and 10 inside 50s. He even copped some boos from Blues fans late in the game to complete the pantomime experience. Bailey Williams had some nice moments \u2013 including a lovely hit-out to Reid\u2019s advantage \u2013 on his way to 2.1 from 11 disposals, five clearances and 34 hit-outs. Jack Graham was solid on return from injury 23 disposals and seven score involvements, while Rhett Bazzo was strong in defence.<\/p>\n
Room for improvement<\/p>\n
This was a thrashing that left Eagles coach Andrew McQualter flat post-game. The Blues thumped the Eagles in disposals (-145), contested possessions (-28), clearances (-14) and, most annoyingly for McQualter, marks (-127). McQualter said post-game the Eagles planned to take away the Blues\u2019 uncontested mark game, but \u201cwe didn\u2019t get it done\u201d. Jake Waterman\u2019s inaccuracy at goal continued, booting 0.3 \u2013 his first goalless game in over a year. Willem Duursma, outside of an excellent early goal, had his quietest game of the year, albeit with little time on the ball. A step backwards.<\/p>\n
Grade<\/p>\n
F<\/p>\n
WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs had the bye.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There were three big fails \u2014 and one club was lucky to avoid being the fourth \u2014 as…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":766906,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-766905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=766905"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766905\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/766906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=766905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=766905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=766905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}