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The moment: After West Coast clawed back to within five goals at the last change, the first goal of the last term might have been crucial. Jeff Garlett’s bouncing ball less than two minutes in went perilously close to the goal post. Replays suggested it might have grazed the woodwork – the umpires weren’t sure. Eddie Betts joined the conference and, after some discussion, two flags were raised.
2. Brisbane Lions 15.9 (99) d North Melbourne 12.9 (81) at Docklands
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The moment: Ash McGrath and Albert Proud are two Lions with vastly different levels of experience. It showed when McGrath burst clear from half-back, took two bounces and found Proud with a deft kick. The young fella turned and hoofed a mongrel shot goalwards that fortuitously fell in Rhan Hooper’s arms in the square. At least between them they got the desired result.
3. Western Bulldogs 18.9 (117) d Sydney Swans 12.5 (77) at Manuka Oval
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The moment: The Dogs were kicking with the breeze in the opening term but had been unable to put a goal on the board. Then came Ted Richards’ attempted clearance with his (very) non-preferred left foot. The ball shanked off his boot and dribbled to the 50m arc, where Daniel Giansiracusa swooped and banged it home, triggering a run of 13 unanswered Dog goals.
4. St Kilda 11.17 (83) d Melbourne 6.10 (46) at Gold Coast Stadium
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The moment: In 29 games, James Frawley had never kicked a goal. You could just about see the whites of his eyes as the 20-year-old steamed forward late in the first term. He could have handballed but bravely chose to go it himself, weaving around a would-be tackler. His kick from inside 50 just cleared the goal umpire's hat, sparking Demon celebrations.
5. Richmond 17.13 (115) d Fremantle 17.10 (112) at Subiaco
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The moment: The villain after missing a late goal against Port Adelaide, Tiger Mitch Morton turned hero just two weeks later. Deep into the final term and Richmond found itself five points down after leading by as many as 33. Enter Morton. He marked, immediately played on from the angle and guided a superb right-foot snap through the middle to snatch a magnificent victory.
6. Adelaide 16.10 (106) d Hawthorn 12.7 (79) at AAMI Stadium
The moment: As a forward, you know you haven’t had a great day when the stats sheet shows you’ve given away as many 50m penalties as you’ve kicked goals. The worst of Lance Franklin’s three 50m penalties came in the third term. Penalised for a push, Franklin played on and took his shot, apparently oblivious to the umpire blowing his whistle just 10m away.
7. Geelong 20.14 (134) d Essendon 11.4 (70) at Docklands
The moment: Geelong cheer squad members didn’t have much to complain about on Sunday, but Andrew Lovett still raised the ire of a few. Running into an open goal, the pacy Bomber fired his kick flat and low into the blue and white flags. Despite his instant apologies, the protests were long and hard. Cheer up guys – your unbeaten team flogged them by over 10 goals.
8. Collingwood 17.12 (114) d Port Adelaide 11.10 (76) at the MCG
The moment: Twilight footy briefly became no-light footy after just 10 minutes on Sunday. Both light towers on the members’ side of the MCG went out within a minute of one another, putting one side of the ground in darkness and sending Port coach Mark Williams scurrying for the sidelines to bellow orders after the, er, power went out in his coaches’ box.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
