We lift the lid and see what’s left in the Round 12 pot.
Carlton vs Melbourne
Carlton’s struggles were evident as they suffered their seventh loss in eight games, putting their finals hopes for 2023 in jeopardy. Despite Harry McKay’s return to form and the return of the AFL’s past two Coleman Medallists to their forward line, the Blues were unable to compete against the stronger sides, managing just six goals from 39 inside 50s. Coach Michael Voss admitted that the team is “not good enough at the moment,” and their performance against Melbourne was a testament to that. Melbourne took the win but didn’t dominate the game for long stretches.
With a crucial clash against Essendon looming, the Blues will need to regroup quickly.
Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn
Port Adelaide dominated Hawthorn, sealing their match by half time with one of the most dominant displays in recent history. The Power put Hawthorn to the sword with a nine-goal opening term before piling on more pain in the second. Jeremy Finlayson and Todd Marshall were the stars of the show, with each player kicking five goals. The Power’s performance was so dominant that they hit the century mark before half time for the first time in club history. This victory secures a club-record ninth straight win for Port Adelaide, highlighting their strong form this season.
West Coast Eagles vs Collingwood
Collingwood had to work hard for their victory over an injury-decimated West Coast. Despite their opponents being down to just two fit players on the bench for the entire second half, it took a final quarter blitz for Collingwood to put the Eagles away. Nick Daicos was a standout, annihilating West Coast with 30 disposals and three goals. However, the Magpies will be concerned about Jordan de Goey, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines for his hit on rookie Elijah Hewett. Despite the challenges, the win puts Collingwood in a strong position for a top-four finish.
Western Bulldogs vs Geelong Cats
The Western Bulldogs fell short against Geelong Cats, despite having more scoring shots and inside 50s. The Bulldogs were denied the chance to climb into the top four, falling to the Cats by 22 points. Tom Stewart was excellent in defence for Geelong, while Gary Rohan and Jeremy Cameron had big moments late in the game. The Bulldogs will need to work on their accuracy, having tallied 10.15 compared to Geelong’s 15.7. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed promise and will be looking to bounce back in their next match.
Adelaide Crows vs Gold Coast Suns
The Adelaide Crows’ road woes continued as they succumbed to the Gold Coast Suns. Despite a strong start and leading by 25 points, the Crows were unable to maintain their momentum, with the Suns staging a nine-goal comeback. The Crows’ inability to win contested possessions was a significant factor in their defeat. Despite strong performances from Captain Jordan Dawson and Ben Keays, the Crows’ away form remains a significant hurdle in their quest for finals football. The Suns, on the other hand, have shown resilience and are now on an even keel for the season with six wins and six losses.
GWS Giants vs Richmond
The GWS Giants put up a brave fight against Richmond, but ultimately fell short by six points. Despite being competitive in every match this season, the Giants will be disappointed with the result, as they had many opportunities to win the game. Kieren Briggs was excellent in the ruck, while Tom Greene was a ball magnet with 35 disposals. However, the Giants struggled in the territory battle, conceding a whopping 70 inside 50s to the Tigers. Despite the loss, the Giants have shown that they can compete with the best and will be looking to turn their performances into victories.
Essendon vs North Melbourne
Essendon managed to secure a win against North Melbourne, but it was a hard-fought victory. After a brilliant opening term, the Bombers almost let the match slip before having to fight for victory in a seesawing final term. Nic Martin was everywhere, especially in the final quarter when the match went on the line. However, the Bombers will need to work on their consistency, as they shut up shop after their dominant opening quarter, which almost cost them the win. Despite the challenges, the Bombers showed resilience and secured a crucial victory.
