Round 5 AFL Review

Thursday

Carlton 8.7.55 defeated by St. Kilda 11.7.73
I don't know what the Carlton team are doing pre-match, but it sure doesn't involve caffeine or any form of music that gets you jumping around! In another match, the Blues let their opponents jump out to a solid lead during the first quarter and this time their opposition, being the Saints, was good enough to keep that lead while going on to win their third match of the season. This takes the Saints to 4th spot on the ladder, as their improved play has taken them past the Bulldogs, Tigers and Blues.

Friday
Collingwood 7.6.48 defeated by Essendon 10.3.63
The Collingwood Magpies have joined the other proclaimed Top 4 contenders to be playing poorly since the re-start of Season 2020, this time going down to the Bombers by 15 points on Friday night. After the Bombers lead by 28 points early in the last quarter, the Magpies hit back hard, getting the deficit to just three points. Just as it was looking like Collingwood would get their heads in front, Townsend and Sheil each kicked a major to build the lead back out and snuff out any thoughts the Magpie players' had of a win.

Saturday
West Coast 11.11.77 defeated Sydney 6.7.43
With the Swan's forward stocks severely depleted, the Eagles sparked onto some form Saturday to get a much-needed win at Metricon Stadium. While the Swans did well to remain in the game to half-time, the dominance of Natanui could be denied no longer than that, with the Eagle's big man grabbing the game by the scruff-of-the-neck and belting the ball down to their midfielders. Up forward, the included Allen and Waterman combined for five of the Eagles eleven goals. The Eagles and Swans stand even with two wins and three losses apiece.

Geelong Cats 13.11.89 defeated Gold Coast 8.4.52
At Geelong on Saturday afternoon, the Gold Coast came back to the turn with a thud at the hands of the hometown Cats. In what was always a big ask for the impressing Suns, who put up a good fight right until the last quarter, they weren't able to keep up with the fast-finishing Cats on their home soil. While he didn't have a great impact on the match, Geelong's Gary Ablett finished his 350th match in still, slotting a long goal for the team he started his career with, and where it will all end.

Western Bulldogs 13.9.87 defeated North Melbourne 5.8.38
After getting off to a fast start against the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, the Western Bulldogs were considerably slowed down in the second half. North Melbourne made some good adjustments that slowed the Doggie's midfield down and with it, their scoring. Then the Roo's good run came to an abrupt halt, as the Bulldogs got into a groove and ran their opponents ragged! Even without the key duo of Naughton and Dunkley, the Dogs looked in impressive form. North Melbourne will need to reset and work on getting more from their midfield next week.

Brisbane Lions 12.13.85 defeated Port Adelaide 6.12.48
In the match between the two top-ranking teams, the Lions came out hitting hard, (and the power missing nearly every chance on goal) to put the Power away in the first quarter. After Brisbane's scoring blitz, the Power looked shell-shocked and were never able to find any level ground to get the game back on their terms. By the time the final siren sounded, the Power had only managed to kick six goals, while piling on twelve points. As is often said, "bad goal kicking is bad football!" and this game was a prime example of just that. Well, that and coming up against a better team...

Sunday
Adelaide Crows 4.10.34 defeated by Fremantle 8.6.54
Despite having most of the play throughout the first half of this contest, the Adelaide Crows found themselves trailing the Fremantle Dockers by 13 points. Yes, this was another case of not being able to get the ball through the two biggest sticks, something both S.A. clubs seem to be afflicted with this weekend. Even being without Fyfe for this match, the Dockers did a better job of controlling the match, resulting in thirty more marks than their opposition, on their way to a good win.

Melbourne 8.4.52 defeated by Richmond 12.7.79
After Melbourne was the better team through most of the first quarter, the Tigers set up their win at the MCG on Sunday with a four goals to nil second quarter. From then on the game, while see-sawing between the teams, was pretty even. Melbourne was on top through the midfield, and Richmond won up forward and in the backline. The Tigers now head to the QLD Hub, where they will be playing the Swans next, and the Demons make their way up the Hume to the Sydney Hub where they will be taking on the Gold Coast Suns.

GWS Giants 13.5.83 defeated Hawthorn 7.7.49
On Sunday at GIANTS Stadium, the GWS Giants gave Hawthorn a fair lesson of footy on their way to a resounding 34 point win in front of their home crowd. After the Giants looked to have complete control over the game, the Hawks hit back in the second quarter before the Giants switched some giant invisible switch in the third. Once this switch had changed positions the home team piled on six goals for the quarter to the Hawks four. With the last quarter slowing down for both teams, the Giants scored the only two goals for the term on their way to the win over a quality outfit.