The fourth annual Gather Round was held in South Australia this weekend. The nine matches were spread between Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Barossa Park in the wine country. Unfortunately, most games were lopsided.
On the field
The hometown Crows cruised to a comfortable 28-point win over Carlton to start proceedings last Thursday night. On a wet & windy Friday night, Collingwood played Fremantle at Adelaide Oval. This game saw only 12 goals kicked and I expect it was the lowest-scoring game since the Covid-impacted year of 2020, when games were shorter. The Dockers kicked two late goals in the final quarter to eke out a 7.3.45 to 5.9.39 victory. The 84 total points in this game were very low, but not as low as the Richmond vs Sydney game in July 2020 at the Gabba, which resulted in only 60 points. (In that game, the Tigers managed 4.10.34 to Sydney’s 3.8.26).
On Saturday, Brisbane defeated North Melbourne by 26 points in the Barossa; Sydney won comfortably over the Gold Coast (14.16.100 to 9.14.68); and the Hawks inflicted a 40-point hiding on the previously undefeated Western Bulldogs. Coming off a short five-day break, the Hawks had plenty of energy and left the Doggies floundering in their wake. The big surprise this week was Essendon’s 45-point thumping of Melbourne. The win finally ended the Bombers’ horrendous 17-game losing streak.
The Sunday games saw Geelong defeat the West Coast Eagles by 46 points at Barossa Park and the GWS Giants account for Richmond by 56 points at Norwood Oval. In the final game, St Kilda played Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval. The Saints held a 27-point lead at halftime, which was reduced to 9 points at the final change. St Kilda steadied in the final quarter and won the game 12.9.81 to 9.13.67.
Tipping
Nobody managed to tip a perfect round this week, but plenty tipped 8 winners. Congratulations to Femkee, Heaver 13, The Urq, Connor 103, Andrew0711, The Boy from SNB, Tedwood, Superstorm, Richard Jones, Tye Webb, GPD 49er, Big D, Caramondo 1, CD Saint, Jeremy Posner, Romo, Footy Pirate.
Ladder Leaders after Round 5
Footy Pirate 34
Romo 33
Barb 31 33
Jeremy 33
CD Saint 33
Bruce 33
John Naughton 32
Dazzling Don 32
P Dallimore 32
Caramondo 32
Lynchey 32
Cazza SG 32
Croc Junior 32
Big D 32
Pies London 32
Luke 32
Ingilby 32
Neil Neil 32
Flying Doctor 32
GPD 49er 32
Luke 32
Wishing you a fine week.
Don