1. Western Bulldogs 10.10 (70) d Melbourne 9.12 (66) at the MCG
Game analyser
The moment: When Brad Green’s boot beat the outstretched hands of Ryan Hargrave, the Dees looked to have an all-important early goal in slippery conditions. But field umpire Rob Findlay disagreed, calling in a committee of umpires before overruling the goal umpire’s decision. As the game wound towards its thrilling conclusion the decision only gained in importance.
2. Port Adelaide 17.7 (109) d Essendon 16.10 (106) at Etihad Stadium
Game analyser
The moment: Jake Melksham seems to know where Jake Melksham’s at, and he was pretty pleased with where that was on Saturday. The Bomber dynamo worked tirelessly to keep the ball in play under plenty of pressure at Etihad Stadium before giving it off and bolting towards goal. He duly got the ball back and slotted a great banana goal with a celebration to match.
3. West Coast 15.12 (102) d Hawthorn 14.10 (94) at Subiaco
Game analyser
The moment: The Eagles' toughness had been questioned in the wake of last week’s derby fade-out, and Adam Selwood evidently took the criticism on board. Copping a knee to the head from Hawk ruckman Brent Renouf, Selwood hit the deck and appeared out for the count. Somehow he shook off the knock and played on, sending a crystal clear message: the Eagles had come to play.
4. Collingwood 23.19 (157) d North Melbourne 14.7 (91) at the MCG
Game analyser
The moment: The young Roos showed early spark and Collingwood appeared to be having trouble making its energised opponent heel. With scores level, Leon Davis dipped into his large bag of tricks and from tight in the pocket dribbled the ball through the big sticks, ensuring North would chase tail - and goals - for the rest of the night.
5. Fremantle 15.23 (113) d Brisbane Lions 15.10 (100) at the Gabba
Game analyser
The moment: Is the torpedo back in vogue? Just seven days after new Sydney Swan Daniel Bradshaw had the footy world buzzing with his effort at the SCG, big Fev said, ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’. With the Lions needing a lift late in the third quarter, the big full-forward unloaded the spiral from 60m and brought the crowd to its feet.
6. Geelong 19.12 (126) d Sydney Swans 9.5 (59) at Skilled Stadium
Game analyser
The moment: When you're a kid, kicking the ball onto the roof is great fun but has its downsides - the game stops, and it's usually the kicker who has to climb up and fetch it. No such issues for new Cat cult hero James Podsiadly. He booted the ball onto the roof of the stand at the Barwon River end of Skilled Stadium not once but twice as the Cats smashed the Swans.
7. Adelaide 15.14 (104) d Richmond 7.12 (54) at AAMI Stadium
Game analyser
The moment: Fans were left puzzled at AAMI Stadium after timekeepers decided to blow the half-time siren seven seconds early. The siren sounded for a full second, the umpires gathered, decided to throw the ball up and then the siren blew again. It was a moment of light relief in what had been a dour half of football.
8. Carlton 20.9 (129) d St Kilda 9.14 (68) at Etihad Stadium
Game analyser
The moment: Jarrad Waite was hot early - real hot. His hands were crisp, he took a couple of grabs, but he couldn’t send it through the big sticks. But when the ball sailed into Carlton’s forward line after 10 very impressive minutes from the Blues, Waite launched himself in the goal square and pulled in a cracker. He slotted the first of three goals in five minutes, and Carlton was on.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
