Facts and Figures
Average Score: 84.64 points per team, only five of 14 teams scored over 95 points.
Average Winning Margin: 33.57 points per game, despite two of seven games having a margin of over 50 points.
Teams with a bye: Geelong Cats, Melbourne Demons, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs
Points of Interest
Nick Watson (Hawthorn) kicked his 100th goal in the 58th game of his career.
GWS Giants had their third consecutive loss.
West Coast Eagles had 16 players that have played less than 100 games, in their clash with Carlton.
Sam Grij (Richmond) kicked the first goal of his career.
Mitch Georgiades (Port Adelaide) kicked the 200th goal of his career.
Jye Caldwell (Essendon) played his 100th game.
Michael Frederick (Fremantle Dockers) kicked an equal career high four goals.
Swans outclassed
Brisbane Lions (126) v Sydney Swans (83)
Nitty Gritty: Brisbane Lions were simply too polished and made less clangers. It was a statement performance from the Lions. The margin flattered the Swans; they had too many passengers. The Lions had 11 goalkickers and the pressure from them was fantastic.
Brisbane Lions Difference Maker: Zac Bailey
Sydney Swans Difference Maker: Chad Warner
Hawthorn get the job done
Hawthorn (96) v GWS Giants (82)
Nitty Gritty: Hawthorn controlled the game in the first quarter; they had 17 inside 50s to the Giants seven, but only led by seven points at quarter time. In the second quarter the Hawks took their opportunities to lead by 30 points at half time. The third quarter was a different story; the Giants kicked six goals from ten inside 50s, but they couldn’t quite get the chocolates in the end.
Hawthorn Difference Makers: Will Day, Cam Mackenzie
GWS Giants Difference Maker: Finn Callaghan
Carlton show their class
Carlton (117) v West Coast Eagles (64)
Nitty Gritty: Carlton played with great intensity; they put in a four-quarter effort and were too good for an inexperienced Eagles outfit. Patrick Cripps made an insightful comment: “I think everyone is just playing their role and we’re enjoying our footy.”
Carlton Difference Maker: Sam Walsh
West Coast Eagles Difference Maker: Harley Reid
Collingwood bank the four points
Collingwood (106) v Richmond (72)
Nitty Gritty: Richmond played well in the first quarter, but didn’t take their opportunities, which meant the scores were level at quarter time. Richmond were non-competitive in the second quarter on the scoreboard and that was the difference in the game.
Collingwood Difference Makers: Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey
Richmond Difference Maker: Tim Taranto
Port Adelaide stun Crows in massive upset
Port Adelaide (97) v Adelaide Crows (71)
Nitty Gritty: Port Adelaide were the better team for the entire game. The scoreboard flattered the Crows; Port Adelaide had 32 scoring shots, Adelaide Crows only had 12, but the Power only won by 26 points. Zak Butters won The Showdown Medal in possibly his last Showdown. Darcy Fogarty kicked five goals for the Crows and was a shining light.
Port Adelaide Difference Makers: Zak Butters, Corey Durdin
Adelaide Crows Difference Maker: Darcy Fogarty
Inaccurate Kangaroos bank four points
North Melbourne (79) v Essendon (65)
Nitty Gritty: The game was in the balance at half-time, with North Melbourne leading by nine points. Harry Sheezel made an astute comment at half-time: “We’re not really getting bang for buck;” North Melbourne led by 25 points at three quarter time and were challenged in the fourth quarter, but claimed the win.
North Melbourne Difference Maker: Harry Sheezel
Essendon Difference Maker: Sam Durham
Lacklustre Suns gift Dockers a win
Fremantle Dockers (80) v Gold Coast Suns (29)
Nitty Gritty: The first three goals of the game were kicked by Michael Frederick; in a quarter that only yielded four goals, that were all kicked by the Dockers. Ben King kicked the only goal of either team in the second quarter. The second half was dominated by the Dockers.
Fremantle Dockers Difference Makers: Andrew Brayshaw, Michael Frederick, Luke Jackson
Gold Coast Suns Difference Maker: Noah Anderson