Facts and Figures
Average Score: 87 points per team, which is fairly low, when taking into account five out of 18 teams scored more than 100 points.
Average Winning Margin: 30 points per game, which indicates there were relatively one-sided games. Despite that, there was a draw and three other games with a winning margin of 15 points or less.
Round 1 (In a Nutshell): In Round 1 I correctly predicted the results in two out of nine matches. The Richmond v Carlton game was a draw so that counts as a correct prediction. Find out what transpired.
(Game One of Nine)
Richmond (58) v Carlton (58)
A pulsating draw!
Facts and Figures: Both teams had 18 scoring shots and kicked eight goals and ten behinds. Both teams combined for just 21 points in the fourth quarter as it was a low scoring contest.
Richmond Game Changer: Tim Taranto
Carlton Game Changer: Harry McKay
(Game Two of Nine)
Geelong Cats (103) v Collingwood (125)
Don’t write off Collingwood
Facts and Figures: Geelong led at the end of every quarter, except the fourth quarter. Collingwood trailed by 33 points at half time, so they won the second half by 55 points.
Geelong Cats Game Changer: Esava Ratugolea
Collingwood Magpies Game Changer: Scott Pendlebury
(Game Three of Nine)
North Melbourne (87) v West Coast Eagles (82)
Clarko is back!
Facts and Figures: North Melbourne led after every quarter. Harry Sheezel had 34 disposals, which was the most disposals by a debutant since 1984!
North Melbourne Game Changers: Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Larkey
West Coast Eagles Game Changer: Liam Ryan
(Game Four of Nine)
Port Adelaide (126) v Brisbane Lions (72)
Port Adelaide defy critics
Facts and Figures: The Lions led by 12 points at half time. Port Adelaide won the premiership quarter (third quarter) by 44 points!
Port Adelaide Game Changer: Jason Horne-Francis
Brisbane Lions Game Changer: None
(Game Five of Nine)
Melbourne Demons (115) v Western Bulldogs (65)
Bulldogs fail to pass test
Facts and Figures: The Bulldogs only trailed by five points at quarter time. The Demons kicked at least three goals in each quarter. It was an embarrassing loss for the Bulldogs.
Melbourne Demons Game Changers: Max Gawn, Kysaiah PIckett
Western Bulldogs Game Changer: Tom Liberatore
(Game Six of Nine)
Gold Coast Suns (61) v Sydney Swans (110)
Swans back on track following Grand Final Humiliation
Facts and Figures: The Swans left the Suns humiliated with a comprehensive win. It was difficult to tell whether the Swans were good or the Suns were bad.
Gold Coast Suns Game Changer: Jarrod Witts
Sydney Swans Game Changer: Dane Rampe
(Game Seven of Nine)
GWS Giants (106) v Adelaide Crows (90)
Giants claim giant comeback win
Facts and Figures: The Crows should’ve won the game. It was 20 scoring shots to 12 in their favour at half time, but they only led by 28 points due to missing goals. The Giants won the second half by 44 points.
GWS Giants Game Changers: Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene
Adelaide Crows Game Changer: Jordan Dawson
(Game Eight of Nine)
Hawthorn (65) v Essendon (124)
Brad Scott gets off to a winning start
Facts and Figures: Hawthorn had one more behind than Essendon, despite Essendon winning the game comprehensively.
Hawthorn Game Changer: James Sicily
Essendon Game Changer: Archie Perkins
(Game Nine of Nine)
St Kilda (67) v Fremantle Dockers (52)
Dockers outplayed
Facts and Figures: The scores were level at half time, with both teams scoring 34 points. St Kilda won the last quarter by 21 points.
St Kilda Game Changer: Jack Sinclair
Fremantle Dockers Game Changer: Luke Ryan