On the field
Last Thursday night, the Brisbane Lions avenged their early-season loss to Sydney, recording an emphatic 19.12.126 to 12.11.83 victory. The Lions have been inconsistent this season but should not be discounted as a genuine chance to win their third straight flag. The loss drops the Swans two games behind Fremantle in the race for the minor premiership. On Friday night Hawthorn had to work hard to overcome the GWS Giants by 14 points.
On Saturday, Carlton made it six straight wins with a thumping 53-point victory over visiting West Coast at Marvel Stadium, while Collingwood saw off a first-quarter challenge from Richmond at the MCG, going on to win 15.16.106 to 11.6.72. Port Adelaide played Adelaide on Saturday night in the 60th edition of this heated rivalry (which started in 1997). As has happened many times in the past, the team lower down on the ladder rose to the occasion and Port Adelaide ran out winners by 26 points. No doubt the Power were still smarting from Adelaide’s last kick of the day, one-point win in the earlier Showdown match of 2026. The overall ledger stands at Adelaide 31 wins, Port Adelaide 29 wins.
On Sunday, North Melbourne kicked poorly but still accounted for Essendon by 10.19.79 to 9.11.65. In the final game, ladder leaders Fremantle defeated the slumping Gold Coast Suns by 51 points at Optus Stadium in Perth. The Dockers will be hard to catch in the run home and their quest to win a second minor premiership. Their most treasured ambition is to win their first-ever premiership this year.
Tipping
There was not much movement on ouroverall leaderboard this week. Nobody got a perfect score, as only Warragul Lynda tipped Port Adelaide to knock off Adelaide in the Showdown match on Saturday night. They did so pretty comfortably, thanks to a huge game from Port’s Zak Butters, who won his second Showdown Medal.
Leaderboard
Flying Doctor 102
Tedwood 101
Jeremy 101
Big D 100
GPD49er 100
CazzaSG 99
John Naughton 99
Romo 99
Dazzling Don 98
Heaver 13 98
Janb100 98
Geelong will host Brisbane to start Round 17 at GMHBA Stadium this Thursday night. Please place your tips.
Don