The GWS Giants won the Sydney derby clash and it wasn’t even close, as the Giants thumped their big brother the Sydney Swans 105-63 at the SCG. Despite a fast start in the first quarter for the Swans, their push for a first win of the season hit a wall before the first quarter had even come to an end. After a goalless second quarter the Swans found themselves down five goals and after a competitive third quarter, the Giants pulled away over the final term, showing their class and depth. Best on ground for the Giants included ruckman Shane Mumford, who dominated in the rucking contests, while Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron were key goalkickers. Callan Ward, Cameron, and Tom Scully were among disposal leaders for the Giants.
Sydney had less possession and struggled to get inside 50, hampered by poor ball movement yet again. Their struggling midfield was once more a shell of its potential with Jake Lloyd’s 29 disposals leading the way. Lance Franklin was their only multi goalkicker, and despite getting players back from injury this week, they simply out of form right now, and it showed against a Giants side that is one of the best in the competition.
Essendon Finally Wins on ANZAC Day
Having lost three straight ANZAC Day clashes, heading into the final game of round 5, the Essendon Bombers were slight underdogs against Collingwood. They came out winners though, with medalist Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia combining for 7 of their 15 goals, highlighted by a dominant finish from the Bombers over the final term to secure a victory 100-82 over the Pies. The Pies were behind most of the contest, and collapsed in the final term despite being within two goals heading into third quarter time.
Rather than hitting the wall, the Bombers old guard of Jobe Watson (28 disposals), James Kelly (24 disposals), and Brendon Goddard (22 disposals and 9 clearances) put together excellent performances, while younger players like Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, and Darcy Parish were great in terms of disposals, getting 25 or more each. Josh Green had his best showing in an Essendon guernsey, kicking three goals, while Cale Hooker also had three.
Collingwood racked up 66 inside 50s but were again poor kicking goals, as highlighted by Alex Fasolo’s 1 goal, 3 behind day and no goals from Will Hoskin-Elliot, while Darcy Moore also struggled playing as a key forward. Daniel Wells (24 disposals), added move liveliness to the middle of the ground for Collingwood, as Adam Treloar lead the way with 39 disposals, but the likes of Taylor Adams and Scott Pendlebury were not on their game, and the Pies forwards were dogged by pressure from the Bombers Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti, Andrew McGrath, and Michael Hurley. Now 1-4 with undefeated Geelong up next, the Pies look set to slide down the ladder and be at least 1-5, with a host of better sides above them, even before you get to the top 8. Unless Collingwood gets better forward play Nathan Buckley looks to be out of a job before seasons end.
Crows and Tigers Set Up Undefeated Clash
All eyes will be on the Adelaide Oval in round 6, after the Adelaide Crows kept their offensive juggernaut and solid defense going, winning 153-86 over Gold Coast to remain undefeated, in a contest where the Suns trailed throughout and let the Crows keep the pill inside 50. Eddie Betts took advantage of his chances to kick there goals for the winners, with seven other Crows having multi-goal outings. Gold Coast got five goals from Brandon Ah Chee, but the likes of Tom Lynch and Brandon Matera slipped to just goals each. A couple of bright spots for the Suns were midfielders Michael Barlow and Gary Ablett, who were over 30 disposals and are looking healthy, they will be key if the Suns are going to win in the rounds to come.
The Crows got 29+ disposal performances from three Rory’s, Laird, Atkins, and Sloane, plus both Matt and Brad Crouch were over 30 disposals. The Crows continued business as usual looking best in the competition, but injuries to Daniel Talia and Riley Knight could put a dent into their list for a huge round 6 clash with the undefeated Richmond Tigers.
The Tigers nipped Melbourne 88-75 after trailing for three quarters in a row. Down a little less than four goals heading into the final quarter, Jack Riewoldt was huge, kicking six goals, while Dustin Martin was a disposal machine feeding Riewoldt and getting play forward with 32 disposals. Josh Caddy also had a memorable moment, kicking the win sealing goal, while Toby Nankervis dominated the ruck.
A rough loss for the struggling Demons, who have now dropped three in a row, Jesse Hogan’s three goals returning from suspension weren’t enough to stop their slide. The Demons are facing a ruckman crisis, as Jake Spencer joined Max Gawn on the long-temr injury list, and only Clayton Oliver was over 30 disposals. After high hopes to start the season and a 2-0 start, Melbourne looks to be making their home outside of the top 8 right now in terms of performance. Richmond’s first big test will come against the Crows, where they will be huge underdogs at the Oval.
Brisbane and North Remain Dangerous Despite Poor Records
The Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne Kangaroos are going to nip a top side this season if they keep contending in games, but the fact is they remain sides stuck at the bottom of the ladder, with the Lions at 1-4, and North at 0-5 after round 5 losses at the hands of the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle this weekend. The Lions put together a competitive outing, falling 122-90 after leading the Bulldogs at three quarter time. The Bulldogs had a huge edge in possession and goal kicking opportunities, but they were underwater in terms of goals vs behinds going 17-20 with Jake Stringer and Josh Dunkley combining for six goals to be among their best on ground. In captain Bob Murphy’s 300th game, the Bulldogs responded well to going behind, outrunning a tired Lions side in the final term. Lewis Taylor, Dayne Zorko and Dane Beams provide hope for the future for Brisbane though, and Eric Hipwood’s three goals resulted in a NAB Rising Star nomination for round 5.
If footy was a sixty minute contest, North Melbourne would be serious contenders, but as it stands they led once again and then collapsed over the final term to fall 67-62 in a slugfest with the Fremantle Dockers, who have now won three straight games. The Dockers showed great belief in themselves, and never looked to have lost hope of beating North. Shane Kersten kicked the winning goal at the very end, while Ed Langdon (2 goals), Michael Johnson (26 disposals), David Mundy (30 disposals), and Nat Fyfe (26 disposals) led the way for the Dockers. North’s efforts to hold onto their lead were chaotically poor, and they didn’t have a multi-goal kicker. Shaun Higgins, and Braydon Preuss were both missing from this Kangaroos side and may have made all the difference.
West Coast is Jinxed at the MCG
Hawthorn moved to 1-4 with a 125-75 win at the MCG over West Coast, who continued to struggle at the AFL’s iconic venue, and were missing Sam Mitchell, the former Hawthorn star. Tom Mitchell (37 disposals) was huge for Hawthorn, as the Hawks led throughout and kept building their lead as the game went on. Ben McEvoy (43 hit outs) dominated the ruck, while Alistair Clarkston has to be thrilled that his goalkickers showed up this round, with Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughhead, Luke Breust, and Tim O’Brien all on three goals, and James Sicily adding another two goals.
The Eagles key forward Josh Kennedy managed just one goal, while Jamie Cripps came down with injuries, and only Luke Shuey was over 30 disposals for West Coast, as the Eagles were missing Mitchell’s veteran presence. Elliot Yeo also slumped with just 16 disposals and no goals. It’s a positive that West Coast has no more games at the MCG this year, but not having a chance to redeem themselves until a possible Grand Final is not a huge confidence booster.
Don’t sleep on Geelong and Port Adelaide
Trailing at three quarter time, Geelong ran wild on a tired St. Kilda Saints side to come away with a 126-88 victory. The Cats remain a sleeper side in the competition this year, in large part because they haven’t been a dominant side, but they still are without a loss, and this time it was Joel Sellwood (43 disposals and a goal) who stepped up huge, while Patrick Dangerfield was at his best in the final quarter., and Mitch Duncan posted 32 disposals of his own St. Kilda got a good showing from Jack Steven (30 disposals), and Seb Ross (33 disposals) but continues to languish just outside of the top 8 and look stuck in place right now.
Port Adelaide moved to 3-2 and deserve attention and respect after dominating a young Carlton side 137-47. Robbie Gray led the way with five goals in the Power’s drubbing of the Blues who frankly looked two young to compete and only had three goal kickers. Brad Ebert (31 disposals), was great for the Power, as was young in Aidyn Johnson, who kicked two goals.
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