Reigning Premiers Brisbane rolled into town and spoiled the celebration of Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield’s 350th AFL appearance with a dominant display.
It was all supposed to be about the 35-year-old midfielder (pictured below), who will go down as one of the all-time and most successful AFL greats, but the visitors had other ideas.
Embed from Getty Images
The Lions got off to a decent opening and never looked back, going on to lead for the whole evening, en route to picking up their first win at the Cattery since 2003.
Following the retirement of Joe Daniher, it looked like leaving a real hole in their forward line, but they have unearthed a real talent in Logan Morris, who came up through the VFL with Werribee, as he bagged himself an equal career-high five goals.
Magpies maintain pole position
Collingwood continues to set the pace as the outright ladder leaders after chalking up another triumph, although a plucky St. Kilda pushed them.
A lot of the build-up, during the week, centred around the key battle between Marcus Windhager, given the challenge of a hard tag and keeping Magpies’ Nick Daicos quiet; overall, though, the mercurial midfielder still got the better of his adversary.
Only in the fourth quarter were Craig McRae’s side able to finally shake off their opponents, going up another gear, with key forward Tim Membury coming back to haunt his old club, which delisted him over the summer, by booting two majors.
Saints coach Ross Lyon gave a debut to 18-year-old Alixzander Tauru (pictured below), dubbed the ‘Flying Viking’; he becomes just the second ever AFL player of Swedish heritage.
Embed from Getty Images
Expansion Cup
An eight-goal final-term surge by Greater Western Sydney allowed them to come from behind and eventually run over the top of Gold Coast in an absolute beauty.
This encounter, dubbed ‘The Expansion Cup’ because it features the two newest teams in the competition, proved to be a real treat for everyone at Engie Stadium.
The seven-point success by the Giants, which now makes it 14 of the last 15 against the Suns, was even more impressive given they lost the ‘inside 50’ count by -24.
Scoops medallist Tom Green (pictured below) was immense with an outstanding performance that included 16 clearances – the highest number by any player so far this season.
Embed from Getty Images
Doggies climb back into the eight
Sam Darcy kicked a season-high five majors as a rampant Western Bulldogs put up their highest score of the year in the thrashing of Richmond by a 79-point margin.
The 21-year-old forward (pictured below), who has only just returned after two months out with an impaction fracture in his left knee, already looks to be heading back to his best form.
Embed from Getty Images
This latest result was not only one that boosted their percentage but also saw the 2016 flag winners make a return to those all-important top eight spots.
The only disappointment, on an otherwise excellent afternoon for the Dogs, was the loss of Adam Treloar, who had to be substituted after suffering yet another calf injury.
Five in a row for in-form Freo
Fremantle continued to travel along nicely and made it five in a row, for the first time in three years, as they cruised to a comfortable victory over an injury-hit Essendon.
Ruckman Luke Jackson (pictured below) had his best outing for the club, by racking up a career-high 48 hitouts, and the highest-rated game by a Dockers player in the last ten years.
Embed from Getty Images
He also booted three snags along with Josh Treacy, nicknamed ‘The Big Cohuna’, to help the team put up over a ton on the scoreboard for the fourth time this campaign.
A fine evening was complete with the return of winger Nathan O’Driscoll to the line-up; he had been sidelined for the last ten weeks with an ankle syndesmosis injury.
Dominant Swans turn off the Power
Last season’s Grand Finalists, Sydney, kept their September aspirations alive by travelling interstate and knocking over a poor Port Adelaide in dominant fashion.
The bye came at just the right time for the Swans, who were able to welcome back a number of key personnel for this one and who will be crucial during the run-in.
Embed from Getty Images
All-Australian Errol Gulden (pictured above) made his first start of the year, following months out with a broken ankle, long-term absentee Tom Papley also returned, from a heel injury, and Joel Amartey was available again for selection, having served a suspension.
For the Power, this was another home defeat and the seventh time in 2025 that they have scored 70 or fewer points during coach Ken Hinkley’s final season at the club.
Kangas heaps more misery on the Blues
Lowly North Melbourne avenged their Good Friday mauling by causing a bit of an upset and proving too good in defeating a disappointing Carlton outfit at the MCG.
A run of eight unanswered majors through the middle part of the match laid the platform for the Kangaroos to go on and secure their best result of the year so far.
Embed from Getty Images
Defender Toby Pink (pictured above) played a big part as he was given the match-up on Charlie Curnow and did a fine job by keeping two-time Coleman Medallist goalless.
It was a dirty day for the Blues, who were booed off the oval at both half-time and on the final siren by their supporters, with this result leaving their top-eight hopes in tatters.
Round 15 Results
Fremantle 16.8 (104)
Essendon 9.9 (63)
Geelong 6.15 (51)
Brisbane 14.8 (92)
Carlton 10.13 (73)
North Melbourne 13.6 (84)
Port Adelaide 7.10 (52)
Sydney 9.17 (71)
Collingwood 16.12 (108)
St.Kilda 11.8 (74)
GWS 16.10 (106)
Gold Coast 14.15 (99)
Western Bulldogs 21.9 (135)
Richmond 8.8 (56)
Bye: Adelaide, Hawthorn, Melbourne, West Coast
Related Links
Source link
