Sam Durham kicked a dramatic winner, with just seven seconds remaining, as Essendon managed to come from behind and beat Richmond by just a single point.
In what proved to be a thrilling Dreamtime at the ‘G’ blockbuster, this result saw the Dons end a 13-match losing streak against the Tigers that dates back to 2014.
Speaking in the rooms, to the club’s website, about his big moment, the young midfielder said “Thankfully it went through and I am happy; they are the ones that you think about in the back yard, so it is good that it finally came true.”
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Bombers skipper Zach Merrett (pictured above) was awesome and led by example with a very impressive showing that earnt him the Yiooken (a word from the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people which means ‘dreaming’) Award with 12 votes.
Not only were the 78,300 strong crowd treated to such a thrilling contest but also a wonderful pre-show that featured performances by Fred Leone, Mo’Ju along with dance groups Djirri Djirri and Bandok Tati; all were supported by a light show.
There were several close finishes across the weekend but none of them would have come close to the strange ending that allowed Sydney to defeat North Melbourne.
With just a minute remaining, a real upset looked on the cards with the Kangaroos set to end a seven-match losing streak against last year’s Grand Finalists.
However, a very costly interchange error from the bench, which took them over their limit of 75, resulted in a free-kick being awarded to the Swans – Hayden McLean was able to hold his nerve, as he went back, to nail it and help them pinch it.
Forward Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin (pictured below) booted three majors to take his career tally to 1057, which now puts him in equal fourth spot on the competition’s all-time goalkicking list.
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Darcy Moore made AFL history as the Collingwood captain led his table topping outfit to a deserved victory over their arch rivals Carlton at a sold-out MCG.
The defender (pictured below) finished with 11 intercept marks, the most ever by a player in a single match, as well as racking up 25 disposals, 17 intercept possessions, 12 marks, 10 contested possessions, 8 rebound 50s and five tackles in a truly amazing display.
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Speaking in the presser, Magpies coach Craig McRae was full of admiration for his skipper – he said “He just had a day out, didn’t he? The way he is playing right now, he is at the top of his game.”
“At times you’d just think he was the forward. He just out reads the opposition and he is playing on incredible players – they are not mugs in the game – and he just out positioned them.”
He continued “Curnow is a great forward of the game; he is athletic and jumps at the ball. We thought that was a good match-up for Darcy. It was really pleasing to come out on top in that match-up.”
Three clubs are rebranding themselves as Indigenous names, across this next fortnight, with two of them locking horns down in Adelaide where Yartapuulti (the traditional name the Kaurna people gave the land around the Port River) got over the line against Narrm (the traditional name for Melbourne in the Woiwurrung language).
An absorbing, back-and-forth encounter, played in driving rain, saw the hosts manage to get their noses ahead before seeing it out with some fine defensive work.
Zak Butters simply had the night of his life and made history by becoming the first Power player to have at least 40 disposals and kick multiple goals in the same game.
Walyalup (the traditional name for the Noongar country around Fremantle) silenced their critics about whether they can play finals this year by pulling off arguably their biggest triumph of the season, so far, at the expense of reigning Premiers Geelong.
With the fixture up for grabs in the last quarter, the Dockers showed their metal by finally managing to shake off the Cats and kick away, in the latter stages, enroute to recording their third 100-plus point tally in a row to the delight of the home faithful.
Joe Daniher continued his red-hot form, in front of the big sticks, with another four as Brisbane took the honours by defeating crosstown rivals Gold Coast in the Q-Clash.
It makes it seven in a row and ninth straight in the Queensland derby for the Lions that are nicely placed in second and solidifying themselves as genuine contenders.
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Midfielder Lachie Neale (game-high 35 disposals and 10 clearances) picked up the Marcus Ashcroft Medal (pictured above), the second of his career, with a best on ground effort.
Speaking after the siren to Lions TV, he said “Yeah, honoured to win that. Marcus was an amazing player for this footy club. This sounds really cliché but I thought our team performance through the midfield was really good. So I sort of got the benefit from some of their hard work and good to get the result as well; it was a tough game. Really happy to get the win.”
Hawthorn moved off the bottom of the ladder and leapfrogged West Coast, in the process, after putting their fellow strugglers to the sword in a 116-point mauling.
Mitch Lewis booted a career-high six majors as the Hawks, in a real confidence boosting afternoon, chalked up a 20+ goal tally for the first time since 2016.
It is the second-biggest win by a bottom-placed team in AFL/VFL history and only the third by over 100 points, whilst condemning the Eagles to its biggest loss since 2008.
Despite appearing to have left their shooting boots at home, the Western Bulldogs still had far too much for a disappointing Adelaide down at a windy Ballarat.
The Doggies amassed 19 behinds and, in truth, should have won by a much bigger margin but still enjoyed a very straightforward and trouble free afternoon.
Max King marked his return from a shoulder reconstruction by scoring four goals as St.Kilda travelled interstate and secured a hard fought success over GWS.
It was the first outside Victoria for the Saints with Jack Sinclair (game-high 37 disposals, 26 kicks, 11 handballs, 8 marks and two goals) playing a significant role.
Round 10 Results
Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) 11.14 (80)
Narrm (Melbourne) 11.10 (76)
North Melbourne 14.6 (90)
Sydney 14.9 (93)
Western Bulldogs 11.19 (85)
Adelaide 5.10 (40)
Walyalup (Fremantle) 16.10 (106)
Geelong 11.11 (77)
Brisbane 16.11 (107)
Gold Coast 9.10 (64)
Essendon 10.11 (71)
Richmond 10.10 (70)
Hawthorn 22.10 (142)
West Coast 4.2 (26)
Carlton 7.15 (57)
Collingwood 13.7 (85)
GWS 12.8 (80)
St.Kilda 13.14 (92)
Related links
- Stay up to date with all the latest news via the official afl.com.au website.
- Footy Feed (daily look at the breaking news and analysis)
- AFL Daily (podcast that sets the agenda on footy’s biggest stories)
- AFL Exchange (podcast that gives an entertaining take on the latest football developments)
- Access All Areas (reviewing the matches and main talking points from the weekend)
- Gettable (dedicated to trade, draft and free agency news)
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