Adelaide took the honours and had the bragging rights after they held on to defeat their bitter crosstown rivals, Port Adelaide, in Showdown 57 at a sold-out Oval. It certainly lived up to its billing and will go down as one for the ages – the Power fighting back, late on, to get within a kick and set up a tense and exciting finale.
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The Crows came under the pump, forced into some desperate defending, with the ball coming into their D50, and were indebted to Mark Keane and Reilly O’Brien, who took a couple of brilliant marks just before the final siren.
Despite finishing on the losing side, Power captain Connor Rozee (pictured above) won the second Showdown Medal of his career with an outstanding display that included 32 disposals, five tackles, four clearances, four marks, 684 metres gained and a goal.
Kangas and Lions can’t be separated
The competition saw its first draw of 2025 as North Melbourne came close to pulling off a major upset against reigning Premiers and ladder leaders Brisbane.
Indeed, this weekend of action saw an average winning margin of just 10.33 points which is a record in the AFL era and something not like it seen in the last 55 years.
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The Queensland outfit led for most of the evening but were never able to pull away from the hosts, who started to gain plenty of momentum in the fourth.
In a fast and frenetic finish, both sides had the chance to win it; neither Eric Hipwood (Lions) nor Cameron Zurhaar (Kangaroos) could put it through the big sticks.
Career-high six for Elliott
Forward Jamie Elliott (pictured below) booted a career-high six majors as high-flying Collingwood recovered from a slow start before eventually seeing off the challenge of Fremantle.
This is even more impressive given that they came into Thursday evening having travelled interstate, on the back of a five-day break, and without some key personnel.
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Whilst star midfielder Nick Daicos was kept relatively quiet, by a good tagging job from Corey Wagner before suffering a knock to the hip, it was the display of Jack Crisp, playing his 246th consecutive match, who caught the eye and played a big part.
Despite winning most of the key stats, including the inside 50 count by +28, this latest defeat will only increase the mounting pressure on Justin Longmuir.
Giants do it again at the Cattery
In another one that went right down to the wire, Greater Western Sydney continued its excellent run down at the Cattery, where it won by a four-point margin.
GMHBA Stadium is a bit of a fortress for Geelong, but not for the Giants, who have developed a real knack of winning there and have chalked up their fifth straight success.
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Key forward Jesse Hogan (pictured above) was in scintillating form, kicking a huge bag of seven majors and a best on-ground effort that also included nine marks and an assist.
The Giants had to survive a couple of heart-in-mouth moments in the last two minutes. The Cats could have got up themselves, but Mark Blicavs watched his effort agonisingly hit the post, while Shaun Mannagh completely missed the target.
Hawks finally break Demons hoodoo
Hawthorn produced a stunning last term, flicking the switch to end a ten-game losing streak, dating back to 2018, and finally getting one over on Melbourne at the ‘G’.
With just a point separating them at three quarter-time, the Hawks went on to kick seven of the last eight goals of this contest, including three from Jack Gunston (pictured below).
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The result takes them to a healthy seven-two on the ladder and the last time that happened was back in 2013 – the year they won the first of the famous three-peat.
One incident that went viral on social media was the free-kick not being paid to Kozzy Pickett in the goal square – expect that to gain more traction and be a talking point, during the week, as the standard of umpiring is, once again, in the spotlight.
Footy returns to the Northern Territories
Gold Coast maintained their impeccable record in Darwin, their home away from home, making it seven-zip following a hard-fought victory over the Western Bulldogs.
They looked in danger of losing with the Doggies coming strong in the latter stages, momentum fully behind them, and sensing that they could pull it off.
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However, credit to the Suns, who managed to weather the storm. Current Coleman medal leader Ben King (pictured above) sealed it on the final siren to take his tally to 27.
With a chance to see live footy in their state, the public in the Northern Territories turned out in force – none of them would have gone away disappointed from this one.
Spud’s Game
Carlton’s twin towers, Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, delivered once more, kicking six between them, as they got the chocolates against St.Kilda in a tough encounter.
It was a gutsy effort in which they lost both Mitch McGovern (sternum) and Lachlan Cowan (hamstring tightness) before the half-time interval, whilst Nick Haynes (neck) and Blake Acres (shoulder) were forced to struggle on despite carrying injuries.
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This fixture represented the fifth edition of ‘Spuds Game’, in memory of Danny Frawley. The two teams and umpires came together to join arms while a touching and thought-provoking game featuring his family and friends was played.
The event brings the community together to spark life-saving conversations, break the stigma around mental ill-health and raise vital funds for support programs.
Bombers prevail in thriller
It proved to be a real game of two halves. At Marvel Stadium, Essendon had to survive some nervy situations before getting over the line against Sydney.
The Bombers were electric in the early going, taking their opportunities with nine goals from ten scoring shots, to build up a healthy lead heading into the main break.
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However, following some strong words from Dean Cox, the response from the Swans was very good as they hit back and, at one stage, looked like they might pull it off but for some inaccurate kicking which proved costly as they fell just short.
You really have to feel for Dons debutant Lewis Hayes, pick 25 in the 2022 National Draft. He experienced the high of scoring his first goal for the club at AFL level, but then the devastation of rupturing his left ACL, which has put paid to his season.
Battle of the cellar-dwellers
Two teams hoping to avoid the wooden spoon come the end of the year met and put on a thriller, a constant theme of this round, as Richmond beat West Coast.
After the Tigers’ bright start, the lead changed hands fifteen times in a real back-and-forth affair, ultimately decided by a couple of behinds.
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The winless Eagles almost could have pinched it at the end, in one last roll of the dice and the clock ticking, when Tom Gross burst through the middle towards the goal.
However, just as he was about to pull the trigger, young defender Tom Brown mowed him down from behind; the commentators hailing it ‘Tackle of the Year’.
Round 9 Results
Fremantle 12.11 (83)
Collingwood 15.7 (97)
St.Kilda 9.8 (62)
Carlton 11.11 (77)
Melbourne 7.14 (56)
Hawthorn 13.13 (91)
Essendon 11.5 (71)
Sydney 8.15 (63)
Gold Coast 15.16 (106)
Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96)
Port Adelaide 12.12 (84)
Adelaide 13.11 (89)
Richmond 11.15 (81)
West Coast 11.13 (79)
Geelong 14.17 (101)
GWS 16.9 (105)
North Melbourne 10.11 (71)
Brisbane 10.11 (71)
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