1. Carlton 14.10 (94) d North Melbourne 11.18 (84) at Docklands
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The moment: Playing virtually on one leg in his final game, Adam Simpson did all he could to lift the Roos across the line. Late in the third quarter, he willed himself to the ball ahead of a Blue defender and squared a ball soccer-style, for Lindsay Thomas to boot a crucial goal. Unfortunately for Simmo and his side, fairytales don’t always have happy endings
2. Western Bulldogs 17.9 (111) d Fremantle 11.14 (80) at Docklands
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The moment: Other times, fairy tales do have happy endings. Pre-game, new Bulldog games record holder Brad Johnson received a symbolic handball from former record holders Doug Hawkins and Chris Grant. Post final siren both sides gave him with a guard of honour. Even better for Johnno, the Dogs romped away with an easy win.
3. Geelong 14.9 (93) d Adelaide 13.13 (91) at Skilled Stadium
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The moment: Even when something did go a little pear-shaped for Jimmy Bartel against Adelaide, he came up smelling like roses. Early in the second quarter he took a towering grab over Stevie Johnson and Andy Otten. Up-ended mid-air, he headbutted the ball as he crashed to the turf. Class act that he is, he held onto the pill and slotted the goal.
4. St Kilda 13.16 (94) d Sydney Swans 13.15 (93) at the SCG
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The moment: Craig Bolton's spoil of Nick Riewoldt on the wing set up a Jesse White goal, giving the Swans a one-point lead with 27 minutes played in the final quarter. The year's biggest upset loomed but was not to be. Nevertheless, the combination of old Swans and new suggests something for Bloods fans to look forward to next year.
5. Collingwood 12.23 (95) d Brisbane Lions 8.7 (55) at the MCG
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The moment: With the game sewn up, it was party time for the Pies midway through the last term. Dayne Beams snapped for goal with Dale Thomas alone in the goal square. Unsure whether to mark or usher the ball through, Thomas hesitated, leaped, spilled the mark and then somewhat desperately swung a foot at the bouncing ball. It was ruled a touched behind.
6. Richmond 12.14 (86) d Melbourne 12.10 (82) at the MCG
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The moment: Richmond's Jake King looked like he was off to a Roman-themed party in the opening quarter. A testy head-to-head with Aaron Davey developed into a wrestle involving Matthew Warnock. The two Demons tugged at King's jumper and tore it down the side, which left him to run out the final minutes with the guernsey draped toga-style over his shoulder.
7. Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) d Hawthorn 14.19 (103) at AAMI Stadium
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The moment: They say it's tough being a defender and you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Port Adelaide backline in the first quarter at AAMI Stadium. Troy Chaplin and Toby Thurstans got in perfect position to spoil a long-range bomb from Brendan Whitecross, but the ball bounced at right angles over the head of four players to go through for a miraculous goal.
8. West Coast 14.11 (95) d Essendon 10.8 (68) at Subiaco
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The moment: Young Eagle Tom Swift has often looked out of place in his opening five games, but the much-heralded 19-year-old looked like he belonged on Sunday. Midway through the second term, Swift made like his name, scooping the ball from a centre-square ruck contest, racing away with two bounces, and slotting a long-range gem of a goal, his first in AFL football.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
