Facts and Figures
Average Score: 80.33 points per team, which is fairly low, when taking into account six teams scored more than 97 points.
Average Winning Margin: 33.56 points per game. Despite that, the first two games of the Round had an aggregate margin of three points.
Round 18 (In a Nutshell): In Round 18 I correctly predicted the results in six out of nine matches. Find out what transpired.
Game One of Nine
Sydney Swans (78) v Western Bulldogs (76)
Tight and tough contest
Facts and Figures: Western Bulldogs led at the end of the first three quarters, but not at the only one that matters; the fourth quarter!
Sydney Swans Game Changer: Errol Gulden
Western Bulldogs Game Changer: Marcus Bontempelli
Game Two of Nine
Melbourne Demons (105) v Brisbane Lions (104)
Demons claim crucial comeback win
Facts and Figures: The Lions had a 21-point lead at three quarter time; they tried to save the game rather than win the game late in the fourth quarter.
Melbourne Demons Game Changer: Christian Petracca
Brisbane Lions Game Changer: Joe Daniher
Game Three of Nine
Collingwood (113) v Fremantle Dockers (67)
The game was won and lost in the second quarter
Facts and Figures: Collingwood won the second quarter by 48 points.
Collingwood Game Changer: Taylor Adams
Fremantle Game Changer: Andrew Brayshaw
Game Four of Nine
Gold Coast Suns (77) v St Kilda (51)
St Kilda deplorable
Facts and Figures: The Suns had 22 scoring shots compared with St Kilda who had 11; the margin should’ve been more than 26 points.
Gold Coast Suns Game Changer: Jack Lukosius
St Kilda Game Changer: Cooper Sharman
Game Five of Nine
Carlton (122) v Port Adelaide (72)
Port Adelaide winning streak comes to an end
Facts and Figures: Harry McKay was subbed out in the first quarter with a knee injury, which was unfortunate, but made the Carlton forward line unpredictable. Jesse Motlop and Jack Silvagni kicked four goals each.
Carlton Game Changer: Jack Silvagni
Port Adelaide Game Changer: Dan Houston
Game Six of Nine
Geelong Cats (122) v Essendon (45)
One way traffic
Facts and Figures: It was a comprehensive win for Chris Scott in the battle of the brothers.
Geelong Cats Game Changer: Tom Hawkins
Essendon Game Changer: None
Game Seven of Nine
Adelaide Crows (57) v GWS Giants (71)
Giants in the finals mix
Facts and Figures: The Giants trailed at the end of the first three quarters of the game, but led at the end of the fourth quarter; they kicked five of their ten goals in the fourth quarter.
Adelaide Crows Game Changer: Jordan Dawson
GWS Giants Game Changer: Josh Kelly
Game Eight of Nine
North Melbourne (40) v Hawthorn (88)
North Melbourne injury riddled
Facts and Figures: It was 28 scoring shots to ten in favour of Hawthorn. North Melbourne suffered five injuries.
North Melbourne Game Changer: Luke Davies-Uniacke
Hawthorn Game Changer: Jai Newcombe
Game Nine of Nine
West Coast Eagles (60) v Richmond (98)
Richmond win a must win game
Facts and Figures: It was 28 scoring shots to 20 in favour of Richmond.
West Coast Eagles Game Changer: Andrew Gaff
Richmond Game Changer: Noah Balta