AFL Round 11 is in the books and it’s time to look back at all the results heading into the bye rounds.
Giants Keep Finals Hopes Alive
The Adelaide Crows had the lead at home against the GWS Giants in the 1st, 2nd, and final terms, but it was the GWS Giants who claimed ultimate advantage with a 97-81 victory in part helped by the Crows kicking 11.15 in a relatively even contest.
The Crows, nursing significant injuries, were led by Bryce Gibbs and Matt Crouch with 30+ disposals, but they didn’t get enough from their forward line. GWS was spurred on by the now fit Josh Kelly, and their midfield core of Dylan Shiel, Lachie Whitfield, and Stephen Coniglio. Ryan Griffen, Jeremy Cameron, and young Zac Langdon combined to kick the 9 goals that made all the difference as GWS moved to 11th on the ladder with the win, and kept their finals hopes alive.
Dees and Tigers Keep Rolling
Melbourne didn’t sweat the struggling Western Bulldogs and Richmond put a poor Essendon side in their place in the Dreamtime at the G game. A dominant performance from Angus Brayshaw handed Melbourne a 100-51 victory that Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn, and Jesse Hogan were all major contributors to. Hogan booted 5 goals, while Tom McDonald added 4 more. The only bad news for Melbourne is the loss of Jake Lever for the season. Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae were again standouts in a Bulldogs loss.
Essendon fans were expecting better than a 114-43 drubbing at the hands of Richmond. The Tigers pressure made all the difference as Shane Edwards, Dustin Martin, and Coleman contender Josh Caddy were leaders, with Caddy booting 4 goals. Devon Smith and Jake Stringer were decent for Essendon, but their backs and forwards were poor.
North, Collingwood, and Geelong Claim 7th Win of the Season
By significant margins North Melbourne, Collingwood, and Geelong claimed their 7th win of the season, a solid feat for all three teams. North defeated Brisbane 141-87 in a game where they raced out to a big lead and never looked back. On debut Paul Ahern notched 29 disposals, while Shaun Higgins, Ben Cunnington, and Luke McDonald led North’s footy chase. Jack Ziebell adding 3 goals. Dayne Beams put together a remarkable 32 disposal 5 goal performance but it was all for naught as Brisbane remains moored at 1 win.
Collingwood ran away to a 138-77 win against struggling Fremantle as they dominated scoring chances. Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar, and Scott Pendlebury combined for 100 disposals while Will Hoskin-Elliot kicked 6 goals, and rookie Brody Mihocek came forward to kick 4, while Tom Phillips and Josh Thomas combined for 5. Freo’s Nat Fyfe was reported and may lose his Brownlow leading spot as a result, while Lachie Neale was best for the losing Dockers.
Geelong‘s Gary Ablett returned to his former club with a bang as the Cats crushed the Gold Coast Suns 121-36 in an utter beating that perhaps ensured star forward Tom Lynch will leave the Suns at years end. Ablett had 37 disposals and 3 goals, while Joel Selwood and Sam Menegola were also Geelong standouts.
Sydney Wins Friday Night Snoozer
Sydney won 91-61 against Carlton pulling away late in a Friday night game that many fans tuned out. Callum Sinclair and Josh P. Kennedy helped lead the Swans while Lance Franklin, Isaac Heeney, and Will Hayward combined for 7 goals. The Blues were led by Sam Kerridge and Kade Simpson but simply lacked the class to beat a better side.
Hawthorn Nicks the Power
Hawthorn recovered nicely from a poor start to get past Port Adelaide in a major test of their finals potential. Tom Mitchell and veteran Shaun Burgoyne were fantastic for the Hawks, while Ben McEvoy added a pair of goals from the ruck. Port Adelaide managed just 61 points and lost 64-61 as their forwards were stifled by the Hawthorn backline, including James Sicily. Robbie Gray and Jack Watts combined for 7 goals but Port will still have to go back to the drawing board after the loss.
Eagles Hold on Against Saints
The ladder leading West Coast Eagles built a solid lead but nearly threw it all away against a spirit St. Kilda side that outplayed their record. Andrew Gaff fed the footy to Josh Kennedy all day as Kennedy kicked 6. Seb Ross fed the footy to Tim Membrey who also kicked 6, but overall the Eagles won 101-88 as the Saints run came on too little, too late.
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