Facts and Figures
Average Score: 81.94 points per team, eight of 18 teams scored 100 points or more.
Average Winning Margin: 36.89 points per game, three of nine games had a margin of more than 11 goals.
Fun Facts
Aaron Naughton has kicked at least a goal in 33 consecutive games, the most of any player in the competition.
North Melbourne won against a top-8 team for the first time in their past 38 games and they broke a 35-year drought without a win on a Thursday, with a victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Jack Gunston has kicked 50+ goals in six seasons.
Ryan Lester played his 250th game, Jarrod Berry played his 200th game and Jason Horne-Francis played his 100th game.
Chris Fagan has coached the Lions in 237 games, the same amount as Leigh Matthews, but Fagan has one more win, with 143 and Leigh Matthews coached three draws, one more than Fagan.
Nick Watson was goalless for the first time since Round 14, 2025.
The first time in 11 years one of Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore or Jeremy Howe hasn’t played for Collingwood.
Jye Amiss has kicked multiple goals 15 times this season and kicked a career-high five goals in Round 22.
Oliver Dempsey and Oliver Henry kicked an equal career high four goals.
The Dockers lost their second game of the season, after leading at three quarter time.
Izak Rankine recorded the highest ranking points in a game by any Adelaide Crows player, since the stat has been recorded.
The Roos willed themselves to drought breaking win
Western Bulldogs (77) v North Melbourne (100)
Nitty Gritty: North Melbourne first seven scoring shots were all goals. Paul Curtis brought plenty of energy and took a great mark that helped ignite the team. Mark Howard said of George Wardlaw at quarter time: “He is the heart and soul of this football club.” James O’Donnell kept Nick Larkey goalless. Harry Sheezel articulated the importance of George Wardlaw to the Kangaroos: “He probably inspired everyone around Australia tonight.”
Western Bulldogs Difference Makers: James O’Donnell, Ed Richards
North Melbourne Difference Makers: Paul Curtis, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Cameron Zurhaar
A week is a long time in football
Brisbane Lions (125) v Hawthorn (58)
Nitty Gritty: Brisbane Lions responded to a lacklustre display in Round 21 brining plenty of hunger and vigour to redeem themselves. Logan Morris was at his best and never wavered in his effort, even though the Lions accumulated a good lead. The 21-year-old was the catalyst in a monumental display from a team that responded to a shellacking the week prior. This capitulation gives the Hawks coach Sam Mitchell plenty to think about.
Brisbane Lions Difference Makers: Harris Andrews, Will Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann, Logan Morris, Lachie Neale
Hawthorn Difference Maker: Massimo D’Ambrosio
Demons show character and resilience in upset win
Melbourne Demons (113) v Fremantle Dockers (109)
Nitty Gritty: The game was played at a frenetic pace early, with scores level at quarter time, both teams kicked five goals each. “One of the best first halves we have seen this season,” as Leigh Montagna explained. There was plenty of swings in momentum throughout the game, as the game was played at a finals like intensity. Harvey Langford took a mark that was: “Poetry in motion,” as articulated by Leigh Montagna
Melbourne Demons Difference Makers: Harvey Langford, Harrison Petty, Kysaiah Pickett, Harry Sharp, Koltyn Thorstrup
Fremantle Dockers Difference Makers: Jye Amiss, Patrick Voss
Power failure
Sydney Swans (167) v Port Adelaide (70)
Nitty Gritty: The Power started the game well; they led by eight points early in the second quarter. Ultimately, the Swans were simply too good in a game that could springboard them to bigger and better things, as their application and implementation of the game plan was impressive after quarter time.
Sydney Swans Difference Makers: Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney Tom Papley, Jai Serong, Chad Warner
Port Adelaide Difference Maker: Jase Burgoyne
Cats in cruise control mode
Geelong Cats (117) v Essendon (50)
Nitty Gritty: The Cats dominated in the first half and appeared to take their foot off the pedal in the second half. The Bombers had some positives to take out of the game; the bottom of the ladder team didn’t turn up their toes and fought the game out, as it looked like the margin would be 100 points at one stage.
Geelong Cats Difference Makers: Oliver Dempsey, Oliver Henry, Bailey Smith Essendon Difference Maker: Dyson Sharp
Crows grab crucial four points against courageous Tigers
Adelaide Crows (63) v Richmond (54)
Nitty Gritty: The game was a low scoring arm wrestle between a Crows team that will play finals, who came up against a hungry Tigers team with nothing to lose. Izak Rankine was outstanding, as Matthew Nicks insight: “Thank goodness he played. He was the difference in the end.”
Adelaide Crows Difference Makers: Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine
Richmond Difference Maker: Seth Campbell
Suns stop the rot
GWS Giants (77) v Gold Coast Suns (79)
Nitty Gritty: There were more scores in the third quarter than the entirety of the first half; there were 60 points scored in the first half, compared with 64 in the third quarter. Mac Andrew had more responsibility, with Sam Collins not playing due to injury; it made for a fascinating duel between Mac and Aaron Cadman; the Suns defender had the most intercept possessions in the game with 11. Matt Rowell had the game of his life.
GWS Giants Difference Makers: Josaia Delena, Lachie Whitfield
Gold Coast Suns Difference Makers: Mac Andrew, Matt Rowell
The future looks bright
West Coast Eagles (98) v Collingwood (117)
Nitty Gritty: Both teams had plenty of youth in their respective teams. In the big moments the Magpies had too much polish. They had a depleted team, missing some key players especially in defence and it took a collective effort to avoid an upset.
West Coast Eagles Difference Makers: Harley Reid, Elliot Yeo
Collingwood Difference Makers: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Daniel McStay, Lachie Schultz
The Saints fail to fire
St Kilda (62) v Carlton (106)
Nitty Gritty: The Blues put in a team effort and took the game on, moving the ball well and simply having too much polish for the Saints. Francis Evans had double the amount of the most inside 50s for the game, with 12 and Max Hall was a shining light for St Kilda, with the most score involvements in the game, with 11.
St Kilda Difference Maker: Max Hall
Carlton Difference Makers: Francis Evans, Marc Pittonet, Sam Walsh