Facts and Figures
Average Score: 89.67 points per team, six of 18 teams scored at least 110 points.
Average Winning Margin: 32.89 points per game, even though there were two draws, six of nine games were decided by a margin of four goals or more.
Fun Facts
For the first time in the history of the VFL/AFL there was a second draw in the season between the same two teams; Hawthorn and Collingwood.
There were two draws in a Round in VFL/AFL history for the first time since Round 7, 1977.
Chris Fagan has coached the most games for Brisbane Lions, with 238 games, surpassing Leigh Matthews.
Tom Lynch played his 250th game, James Sicily, Aliir Aliir and Luke Ryan their 200th, Noah Anderson, Zach Guthrie and Jack Silvagni played their 150th and Kade Chandler played his 100th.
Max Gawn played his 150th game as Demons captain.
Dockers too good, as Crows dismantled
Fremantle Dockers (112) v Adelaide Crows (88)
Nitty Gritty: The Crows kicked the first two goals of the game, but the Dockers responded with five of the last six goals in the first quarter, with Jye Amiss kicking three of them. Izak Rankine kept the deficit of only five points at half-time, with 19 disposals in the first half. The cream rose to the top in the second half.
Fremantle Dockers Difference Makers: Shai Bolton, Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong
Adelaide Crows Difference Maker: Izak Rankine
Tigers fail to fire a shot
Richmond (45) v St Kilda (94)
Nitty Gritty: St Kilda were a cut above the Tigers in the first half; Brad Hill and Max Hall had 26 and 23 disposals respectively. There’s no disputing that the Tigers have a long way to go, in a below par performance from the team in the final game for two Premiership players, Dion Prestia and Nathan Broad.
Richmond Difference Maker: Dion Prestia
St Kilda Difference Makers: Max Hall, Brad Hill, Mitch Owens
A game for the ages
North Melbourne (110) v Geelong Cats (125)
Nitty Gritty: North Melbourne led by 39 points early in the second quarter. The Cats ruckman Mitchell Edwards kicked the first goal of his career and made it two in the second quarter, that was catalyst for them to come back and lead by seven points at half-time. North Melbourne put in a great effort and can hold their heads up high, without Harry Sheezel, who only played 40% game time due to an injury he suffered.
North Melbourne Difference Makers: Jack Darling, Nick Larkey
Geelong Cats Difference Makers: Mark Blicavs, Oliver Dempsey, Mitchell Edwards
Bad kicking is bad football
Brisbane Lions (95) v Gold Coast Suns (53)
Nitty Gritty: The Lions had 25 scoring shots, compared to the Suns who had 23. That was the difference in the game, the Lions had too much polish. Despite winning the game, Lachie Neale had little impact, as his influence was curtailed by Touk Miller.
Brisbane Lions Difference Makers: Will Ashcroft, Logan Morris, Dayne Zorko
Gold Coast Suns Difference Maker: Touk Miller
Another draw off the boot of Dylan Moore
Hawthorn (92) v Collingwood (92)
Nitty Gritty: The Magpies brought the heat, applying pressure to accumulate a 22-point lead at half-time. The margin flattered the Hawks and gave them an opportunity to come back into the game. The contest was one full of momentum shifts, that ended with a draw. Dylan Moore had the final shot at goal in both draws between the two teams this season!
Hawthorn Difference Makers: Jarman Impey, Mitch Lewis, Josh Ward
Collingwood Difference Makers: Josh Daicos, Nick Daicos, Beau McCreery, Daniel McStay, Lachie Schultz, Sam Swadling
Demons delight as Power not up for the fight
Port Adelaide (56) v Melbourne Demons (132)
Nitty Gritty: The Demons dominated most of the game. Unfortunately, the contest was a forgone conclusion from start to finish.
Port Adelaide Difference Maker: Jordon Sweet
Melbourne Demons Difference Makers: Kade Chandler, Bayley Fritsch, Jack Steele, Koltyn Tholstrup
Thanks to two goalless quarters from the Eagles, the Giants have comprehensive win
GWS Giants (111) v West Coast Eagles (57)
Nitty Gritty: Despite kicking five goals in the first quarter, the Eagles failed to pass the test, as their goal kicking accuracy was a mess; they kicked two goals and 14 behinds after quarter time, after failing to kick a goal in the second and third quarters.
GWS Giants Difference Makers: Lachie Ash, Callum Brown, Toby Greene
West Coast Eagles Difference Maker: Tom McCarthy
Wildcard spot sealed for Blues, against a Dogs team that were up for the fight
Western Bulldogs (82) v Carlton (82)
Nitty Gritty: Although the Bulldogs were missing their ruckman, Tim English and arguably the best player in the competition, Marcus Bontempelli, they showed grit and character, they stood up against a Carlton team that have been tough to beat since the inception of Carlton interim coach, Josh Fraser.
Western Bulldogs Difference Makers: Tom Liberatore, Ed Richards
Carlton Difference Makers: Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps, Will Hayward
Dons put in a solid performance after quarter time
Essendon (76) v Sydney Swans (112)
Nitty Gritty: The Bombers were up for the fight, after being outclassed for the first quarter. The Swans inevitably won the game, but not by the margin they should’ve won by. The Bombers were losing by 37 points at quarter time, so they won the last three quarter by a point.
Essendon Difference Maker: Will Setterfield
Sydney Swans Difference Makers: Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner