Updated: 4 May 2025 5:23 pm
Billed as the biggest Q-Clash in history, Brisbane claimed the bragging rights by grinding out a deserved victory over their cross-state neighbours, Gold Coast. Despite the rain, it didn’t stop a record crowd of 33,612 at the Gabba for this highly anticipated fixture, which witnessed the Lions put in a strong four-quarter effort.
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Midfielder Will Ashcroft (pictured above) received the Marcus Ashcroft medal, named after his father, who was delighted to present him with it following his impressive display.
The result sees the reigning Premiers now the outright leaders, at the top of the ladder, and currently the bookmakers’ favourites to go back-to-back for another flag.
Battle of the Bridge XXX
In the other big derby game of the weekend, a fast-starting Sydney got one over their bitter rivals, Greater Western Sydney, in a fiery and spiteful affair at a sold-out SCG.
The slow opening proved costly for the Giants, who battled away, particularly in the second and third quarters, but ultimately gave themselves too much of an uphill task.
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Swans key defender Lewis Melican looks set to face the wrath of the MRO after being reported by the umpire for striking Tom Bedford in one of several flash points.
Chad Warner won the first Brett Kirk medal of his career with a best on ground performance – 24 disposals, seven clearances, four tackles and two marks.
Jack Crisp makes AFL history
The 82,514-strong crowd that packed into the MCG was treated to an instant classic as Geelong fought back and then held on to beat Collingwood in a thriller.
A gripping see-saw encounter, between two sides that look certain to be part of the September finals action, going down the very last kick to decide the outcome.
Magpies midfielder Jack Crisp set a brand new AFL record, previously held by Jim Stynes, by playing his 245th consecutive match. It was almost written in the script that he would be the player given the opportunity to win it for his side after the siren.
Unfortunately, there was to be no fairytale finish, with his effort going off to the left, but that shouldn’t detract from the magnificent achievement by the 31-year-old.
Bulldogs turn off the Power
The Western Bulldogs flexed their muscles, scoring the last ten goals of the match to secure their second-biggest ever triumph over Port Adelaide at a windy Ballarat.
They played the tricky conditions at Mars Stadium much better than the Power and simply ran riot in the second half, going on to win by a monster 90-point margin.
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Ruckman Tim English (pictured above) put in a real eye-catching performance with a career-high 17 score involvements as well as 30 hit outs, 27 disposals, eight marks and three snags.
Completing a fine day for the Doggies was the sight of Adam Treloar returning to the line-up, and coming through unscathed, after more than nine months out with injury.
Cooper Sharman stars for the Saints
What a difference a week in footy makes – last Saturday, the players of St.Kilda came under heavy criticism for their effort, received an on-field ‘spray’ from coach Ross Lyon who also came under the spotlight for making that first half substitution.
However, they responded perfectly with a dominant showing, increasing their lead at every change as they brushed aside a very abject Fremantle outfit.
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Cooper Sharman (pictured above) had easily the best of his 55 games so far, with a career-high four majors, including a ‘GOTY’ contender, which he celebrated in Akermanis-style.
It was a really dirty evening for the Dockers, who lost the clearance count by -28, their worst ever in club history, and also produced their equal 10th lowest score—a shocked coach Justin Longmuir even declared that he must review his own performance.
Gunston scores his 500th career goal
Jack Gunston scored his 500th career goal and received a standing ovation after putting the ball through the big sticks as Hawthorn cruised to victory over Richmond.
The 33-year-old key forward, picked 29th in the 2009 national draft, brought up the milestone in the 266th appearance of what has been an illustrious career, including 3 x Premierships, 3 x leading goalkicker, along with an All-Australian.
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This fixture marked the Hawks’ Centenary Match against their first-ever opponent back in 1925. The players wore a special guernsey featuring the names of all the 973 players and 32 senior coaches who have represented the brown and gold.
A number of former legends/greats attended the event as part of the celebrations, and the iconic singer Kate Cebrano gave a special live performance.
Crows thrash the woeful Blues
Adelaide returned to the winners’ circle emphatically, leading for the whole afternoon, as they hammered a very disappointing Carlton by 60 points at the Oval.
Jordan Dawson (pictured below) led by example with an excellent showing. He had a big influence around the ball, which earned the praise of coach Matthew Nicks in his presser.
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He said “That’s why he’s the Captain. He had a huge impact in a couple of areas, on-ball, and then went forward. I thought he was part of that started through the middle of the ground early and it set the scene for the game.”
Just when it looked like the Blues had turned a corner in their season, this proved to be a real step backwards with Michael Voss promising a brutal review of the loss.
Captain Gawn continues red-hot form
It certainly wasn’t a vintage display, by any means, but Melbourne did enough to return home from an interstate trip with the points after beating West Coast.
A big reason for that was their captain, Max Gawn; he was simply immense. Continuing his red-hot form, he amassed a career-high 35 disposals, 22 contested possessions, a game-high 12 score involvements, nine clearances, and eight marks.
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Daniel ‘Disco’ Turner (pictured above) booted a season-high three majors and was amongst twelve different goalkickers for the Demons that put up their biggest score of the year.
For the Eagles, who are at the bottom of the ladder, it was an improvement, but ultimately, it still ended in another defeat, leaving them at zip-eight—their worst-ever start to a campaign.
Bombers hang on to defeat Kangas
Essendon extended their magnificent streak over North Melbourne to twelve in a row, but only with some desperate defending before eventually getting over the line.
In what proved to be a fairly low-scoring affair, it went right down to the wire as the Kangas came hard at the end; indeed, the outcome could have turned out differently.
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Having joined an elite club in scoring a goal with his very first kick in AFL, debutant Finnbar Maley (pictured above), No.2 pick in the 2023 Rookie Draft from Eltham Football Club, had the chance to win it for his side, marking 30 yards out, with just two minutes to go.
However, he rather snatched at his effort, which he skewed wide. This led to a frantic goalmouth scramble, but the Bombers were able to rush it through for a behind.
Round 8 Results
Essendon 9.11 (65)
North Melbourne 9.8 (62)
St.Kilda 14.10 (94)
Fremantle 5.3 (33)
Western Bulldogs 20.11 (131)
Port Adelaide 5.11 (41)
Adelaide 16.14 (110)
Carlton 7.8 (50)
Collingwood 12.15 (87)
Geelong 13.12 (90)
West Coast 11.10 (76)
Melbourne 16.12 (108)
Sydney 12.15 (87)
GWS 10.13 (73)
Hawthorn 16.13 (109)
Richmond 6.8 (44)
Brisbane 9.12 (66)
Gold Coast 7.7 (49)
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