Round 23 Review

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Essendon (11.9.75) defeated by St Kilda (11.11.77)

  1. Mason Redman (171). Best score of this game came from the Bombers Blackman who racked up 36 touches with 9 rebounds from 50 plus 796 metres gained, 12 marks and DE of 89%.
  2. Andrew McGrath (159). Super as well in the backline, McGrath found 35 touches @ 83% DE plus 9 tackles as well as 6 clearances and 6 inside 50s.
  3. Marcus Windhager (119). The best of the Saints came from the young midfielder, who gathered 26 disposals @ 88% DE plus 6 inside 50s in a great performance.
  4. Jack Steele (113). The skipper led from the front, collecting a team best 27 touches as well as having 7 clearances and 9 tackles.
  5. Sam Durham (112). Finishes off this top five with a game of 28 touches (15 contested) as well as 7 clearances, 7 tackles and 6 clearances.

Other 100+ scores: Hugo Garcia (109), Cooper Sharman/Rowan Marshall (107), Tood Goldstein (103), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (100)

Disappointment: Goes to Jack Macrae (78), who was actually alright once you consider his TOG was 55%.

Rookies: Prior (87) led the Bombers rookies again and has had a very good year overall. After that came Blakiston (75), Menzie (73), Clarke (67), McMahon (61), the returning El-Hawli (53), Lual (46), debutant Unwin (38) and finally Nguyen (29). The Saints had a debutant in Dodson (13) while the rest of the rookies included Hall (82), Boxshall (53), Travaglia (46), Tauru (35) and Collard (34).

Injuries: Laverde (hip) was subbed during the second quarter for the Bombers, while the Saints subbed out Dodson tactically.

Fremantle (5.14.44) defeated by Brisbane (15.11.101)

  1. Zac Bailey (146). Best on for the Lions and was dangerous all game, finding 28 touches plus 10 marks, 2 goals, nearly 500 metres gained and 5 inside 50s.
  2. Jaspa Fletcher (129). Improves by the week and was one of the Lions best in an important win. 32 disposals @ 81% DE plus a monster 17 marks for the game.
  3. Dayne Zorko (127). The best score in a hot minute for Zorko, his 27 touches and 12 marks were accompanied by 549 metres gained and 89% DE.
  4. Darcy Wilmot (123). The third Brisbane half back man to feature, Wilmot continues to improve and this week had 21 touches and 8 marks plus 10 intercept possessions all while running @ 86% DE.
  5. Hugh McCluggage/Caleb Serong (116). Super Hugh kept the big scores pumping and had 28 touches, 8 clearances and 1 goal, while Serong made sure a Docker snuck in thanks to 26 touches (16 contested) plus 8 clearances and 5 tackles.

Other 100+ scores: Andrew Brayshaw (111), Josh Dunkley/Darcy Fort (110), Jarrod Berry (109), Ryan Lester/Jordan Clark (102), Harris Andrews (100)

Disappointment: Much of the Fremantle side struggled here but it’ll go to Luke Jackson (57) who had next to no involvement.

Rookies: Fort (110) deserves a shoutout for his 13 touches, 1 goal and 17 hitouts. Levi Ashcroft (88) was also really solid, as was Marshall (73) and then debutant Beecken (7). Reid (78) was constructive as we’ve come to learn in 2025, coming in ahead of Erasmus (57), Worner (50) and O’Driscoll (18).

Injuries: Berry (shoulder) suffered a dislocation late and was subbed, while the Dockers tactically used Wagner.

Gold Coast (11.10.76) defeated by GWS (17.9.111)

  1. Finn Callaghan (134). Another outstanding game to finish off the season for Callaghan. 29 touches, 8 marks, 6 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 8 clearances and 568 metres gained.
  2. Matt Rowell (117). 25 disposals (15 contested) and 1 goal for the midfield bull. Also has 8 clearances.
  3. Noah Anderson/Lachy Ash (114). Anderson kept willing himself with a game best 32 touches, 8 clearances and 728 metres gained, while Ash rebounded from last weeks shocker with 26 touches @ 88% DE and 545 metres gained.
  4. Lachie Whitfield/Tom Green/Harry Rowston (111). Three way tie up here. 27 touches and 602 metres gained for Whitfield, while Green had 29 touches (19 contested) plus 8 clearances. Nice game from the rookie Rowston, his 4 goals was a game high. Also had 12 disposals and 6 marks.
  5. Harvey Thomas (105). Rounds out this games top five thanks to 23 touches, 8 marks and 8 score involvements.

Other 100+ scores: Touk Miller/Bodhi Uwland (101)

Disappointment: Hard one to give out with most relevant players scoring well. With a small ownership though it’ll go to Briggs (61) and Flanders (73).

Rookies: Farrar (70) led the Suns and has been a solid late season pick up, with just Read (47) and Adams (15) the other. After Rowston, the Giants had Gruzewski (67) and Fonti (40).

Injuries: Clean cards from this one with the subs being Adams and Himmelberg for their respective sides.

Carlton (18.10.118) defeated Port Adelaide (9.10.64)

  1. Harry McKay (187). Dominant game from the big forward. 21 touches and 6 marks (3 contested) led to a haul of 7 goals and a huge 15 score involvements.
  2. Zac Williams (130). Busy game from Williams as he found 20 touches (13 contested) with 2 goals and 5 inside 50s to go with it.
  3. George Hewett (128). Another ripping score to add to his massive season, Hewett gathered 35 touches (17 contested) plus 11 clearances on Saturday afternoon.
  4. Zak Butters (125). The best score for Port by a long shot. 29 touches (14 contested) with 8 clearances and 7 tackles to add to that.
  5. Patrick Cripps (122). Important game from the captain. 22 touches plus 2 goals and 5 clearances to round out the top five.

Other 100+ scores: Sam Walsh (112), Tom De Koning (103), Nick Haynes (102)

Disappointment: This will have to go to Port Adelaide captain, Connor Rozee (75).

Rookies: Mid season pick up Liddy (63) led Port during this Sunday contest, ahead of Whitlock (62) and Moraes (61). Other rookies included Berry (44), Lord (31), McEntee (30) and Lorenz (29). The Blues were led by O’Keefe (76) then Carroll (65). Twin scores of 59 came from Moir and Young, then Motlop (55) and then Wilson (38).

Injuries: Sinn (corked calf) was the initially sub for Port but he was joined by Allir (ankle). Lord, who has shown plenty of improvement, will see his season come to an end after being subbed out due to concussion.

Hawthorn (13.14.92) defeated Melbourne (8.8.56)

  1. Jack Gunston (157). Was the man up forward for the Hawks, slotting 7 goals from his 14 disposals and 10 marks.
  2. Max Gawn (145). Super from the Melbourne captain, his 27 touches (13 contested), 6 marks and 35 hitouts leading to a worthy VC/C score.
  3. Dylan Moore (140). Kept busy with a game best 32 touches while also having 9 marks and 2 goals in an integral role.
  4. Christian Salem (124). Led the Demons with 30 touches @ 80% DE plus having 5 marks and 5 rebounds from 50.
  5. Connor MacDonald (119). Very important as usual in a linking role, gathering 28 touches as well as 10 marks, 12 score involvements, 517 metres gained and 1 goal to round out this game.

Other 100+ scores: Jack Viney/Clayton Oliver (107), Jai Newcombe (102)

Disappointment: He had a hot run for a while but Pickett (52) was quiet here. Meek (71) also down on current form.

Rookies: Culley (70) was the best of a small bunch of rookies here, after him being Langford (46) and Sharp (15). Just Lewis (52) for the Hawks.

Injuries: No injuries on the report here with McDonald and Watson the subs.

Adelaide (9.5.59) defeated Collingwood (8.8.56)

  1. Jack Crisp (144). The best score from this season defining clash came from the veteran Crisp. 23 touches plus 6 clearances, 1 goal and 13 tackles (9 tackles inside 50).
  2. Darcy Cameron (142). Signed a contract extension through the week and performed at his usual high standard on Saturday. 24 touches (15 contested) plus 1 goal, 5 marks (3 contested), 7 clearances and 30 hitouts.
  3. Nick Daicos (133). 29 touches (14 contested) for Daicos in another huge game, his 8 clearances and 559 metres gained crucial.
  4. Josh Worrell (127). Getting better by the week and is a seriously good defender. 27 disposals (12 contested) plus 6 marks, 11 intercepts and 7 rebounds from 50.
  5. Ben Keays (112). Rounds out this games top five with his usual efforts, finding 15 disposals, 4 marks and 7 tackles.

Other 100+ scores: Reilly O’Brien (104), Wayne Milera (101), Mark Keane (100)

Disappointment: Not the night for big forwards, with wet weather it was a struggle for Thilthorpe (66).

Rookies: Long (87) was very solid for Collingwood who also had Parker (43) and Allan (10). Curtin (65) and the returning Schoenberg (26) for the Crows.

Injuries: Taylor and Lipinski the subs for their respective teams from this tight contest, no injuries.

North Melbourne (20.15.135) defeated  Richmond (13.9.87)

  1. Tristan Xerri (187). Has had massive scores vs Nank in the past and that continued with this 22 touch (16 contested) game that was paired with a wild 18 tackles and 40 hitouts for the best score of the weekend.
  2. Harry Sheezel (185). Talking about wild, Sheezel had an equal AFL single game record of 54 disposals. Breaking it down, there was 25 kicks, 29 handballs, 16 contested touches, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals, 15 score involvements, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50s and 683 metres gained.
  3. Luke Davies-Unaicke (157). Also a wildly good statline, LDU had 40 disposals (17 contested) @ 78% DE plus 9 marks, 1 goal, 3 goal assists, 7 tackles, 12 inside 50s, 10 clearances and 719 metres gained.
  4. Paul Curtis (132). The best forward on the day, Curtis finished up with 5 goals from 15 disposals and 5 marks.
  5. Colby McKercher (103). Rounds out the top five thanks to 29 disposals across half-back, while also getting enough drive to add 7 inside 50s.

Other 100+ scores: Luke Parker (102), George Wardlaw (100)

Disappointment: Late season pickup Prestia (57) hasn’t really done the job since returning with a few tons.

Rookies: O’Sullivan (85) the best of the Roos, solid but season overall for him after a slow start. He was followed by Trembath (61), Payne (53), Konstanty (51), Harvey (20) and then Whitlock (14). Lynch (94) was one the best Tigers with 3 goals, leading the rookie crop Hotton (56), Armstrong (21) and then Green (16).

Injuries: A double ankle blow saw both Zurhaar and Vlastuin subbed at half time for their respective sides.

 

Sydney (10.8.68) defeated by Geelong (16.15.111)

  1. Bailey Smith (131). Top score in this one went to Smith who gathered 30 touches and 6 marks plus 7 inside 50s and 509 metres gained for the afternoon.
  2. Peter Ladhams (111). No Grundy and Ladhams stepped up, finishing with 17 touches, 2 goals and 35 hitouts.
  3. Errol Gulden (108). Gulden was one of the Swans best, finding 23 touches, 6 clearances and 7 tackles.
  4. Tom Stewart (107). One of Stewart’s best games of the year, the backline general had 25 touches with 11 marks  and 9 intercepts in the Cats away win.
  5. Callum Mills (106). The Swans captain rounds out the top five, his 25 touches and 7 marks enough for another solid score.

Other 100+ scores: Ollie Dempsey (105), Nick Blakey (104), Tom Atkins (103), Jack Martin (101)

Disappointment: The search for a 100 goals might be over after a goalless game and 10 touch game for Jeremy Cameron (46). Heeney (75) also poor.

Rookies: Sheldrick (88) once again led the Swans rookies, coming in ahead of Buller (50), Dattoli (32) and the subbed on Cleary (22). The Geelong rookies in Martin (101) and O’Sullivan (81) were once again very good.

Injuries: Clean cards from this matchup, Dattoli and Jack Henry the tactical subs as the game wore on.

Western Bulldogs (19.12.126) defeated West Coast (4.8.32)

  1. Marcus Bontempelli (148). A late C choice and a great one at that, Bont was his usual self with 31 touches (15 contested) @ 81% DE plus 2 goals, 6 marks, 10 clearances, 9 inside 50s and 573 metres gained.
  2. Tim English (132). 20 touches plus 10 marks and 32 hitouts for the Digs bigman, another great score.
  3. Bailey Dale (128). Game best 34 touches for Dale, also having 10 marks and 580 metres gained, all while going @ 82%.
  4. Ed Richards (123). Another fine performance from Richards as he found 25 disposals plus 2 goals, 6 tackles and 540 metres gained.
  5. Tom Liberatore (109). Rounds out an all Bulldogs and all premium top five on the back of 22 disposals (14 contested) plus 9 clearances and 8 tackles.

Other 100+ scores: Sam Davidson (104), Liam Baker (100)

Disappointment: Not the domination up forward that coaches of Sam Darcy (83) were expecting.

Rookies: Some solid scores for the Bulldogs even after Davidson (104), with Cleary (85) leading Busslinger (78) and debutant Croft (69). The Eagles had McCarthy (77) leading Hewett/Davis (66), Bazzo (56), Shanahan (51), Brock (45), Hall (43) and finally the debutant, Newton (3).

Injuries: McNeil is listed here with a corked hip, while the Eagles tactically subbed Brockman.

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