The bye rounds have been completed and we will have a full card of 9 games for the rest of the home-away season.
On the Field
Last Thursday night at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium, the visiting Brisbane Lions burst out of the blocks in the opening term, kicking 8 straight goals to set up their victory. The Cats rallied strongly in the second quarter to reduce a 37-point deficit to single figures. However, the defending premiers kept the game under control in the second half, winning 19.9.123 to 14.17.101. There were two games on Friday night: Adelaide defeated West Coast in Perth 99-74 and Sydney crushed the Western Bulldogs 13.12.90 to 7.13.55 at the SCG.
An incredible game took place at UTAS in Launceston on Saturday afternoon between Hawthorn and Melbourne. This ground has been a happy hunting ground for the Hawks since 2001. This was not the case on Saturday versus the Demons, however. The Dees were dominant for most of the first three quarters, so much so that they cleared out to a 16-goal advantage in the third quarter after leading by 77 points at halftime. Melbourne had never played at this venue before and it clearly held no fear for them. The Hawks rallied in the second half to make the final margin ‘only’ 35 points. Another surprise result was the GWS 21-point win over ladder leaders Fremantle in Canberra. Jake Stringer starred in this game with 7 goals, and his accurate kicking helped end the Dockers’ 14-game winning streak. Freo is still a game clear of Sydney at the top of the AFL ladder.
At People First Stadium, Carrara, visiting Collingwood sent the Gold Coast Suns to their umpteenth loss in a row, when they held on for a 15.14.104 to 15.8.98 victory. After a strong start to the season, the Suns have completely lost their way and are now back in 14th position on the ladder. The win pushed the Magpies up to ninth on the ladder. Carlton has had a dream run under interim coach Josh Fraser over the last couple of months, and on Saturday night, they recorded their seventh straight victory, this time over Richmond. The Blues only just held on for a 2-point win as the Tiges were coming home strongly, but didn’t quite get there.
On Sunday, St Kilda piled more misery on Essendon with a 17.15.117 to 7.8.50 victory at Marvel Stadium. In the late game at the Adelaide Oval, the hometown Port Power broke open a close game in the final quarter to win 10.13.73 to 7.10.52. The loss dropped the Shinboners to 11th place on the ladder, behind Carlton on percentage.
Tipping
It was a tough week for tipsters and but both Croc Junior and Vic Park managed to tip 8 winners. Great score, gents. Croc’s (Bruce Crossley) score has pushed him up to 8th position on our leaderboard. The Flying Doctor retains her one-point lead at the top.
Leaderboard
Flying Doctor 107
Tedwood068 106
GPD 49er 106
Jeremy 106
CazzaSG 105
John Naughton 105
Big D 105
Croc Junior 104
Romo 104
Thrice Winner 103
Pauline Dallimore 103
Heaver13 103
Yehno 103
Janb100 103
Ladder leaders Fremantle will host second-place Sydney in a top-of-the-table clash this Thursday night to begin Round 18.