The Round began on Friday night with one of the upsets of the season. A determined Collingwood broke the Cat's long winning streak, in resounding fashion. Eclipsing last year's Premier by 84 points in a one sided display. Geelong had just been chugging along of late and decided to not turn up at all for this game. I wouldn't read too much into it for Geelong, but it does prove Collingwood to be the good side we knew they were. Consistency is their next goal.
In a mediocre game between two mediocre teams, Carlton just pipped Fremantle to win their 4th for the season. I think their record indicates just how far some teams have slipped this year, rather than any real improvement from the Blues, other than Judd and Stephens of course. Fremantle have totally lost the ability to win, freezing up yet again, when presented with an opportunity.
In a game that many expected Port to win at AAMI Stadium, Sydney showed, yet again, they are a team to be reckoned with, this season. It was a hard tough scrap, played at a furious pace, but in the end the Swans got over the line, by a Burgoyne. The Power with a tough draw, just can't find a win, it looks like their season is just about dusted.
In another huge upset, this time over in the west, the Eagles thumped Adelaide by 50 points. Although Adelaide were terrible, this was clearly West Coast's best performance this season. They actually managed to hit a target or two, giving their fans some hope they may be able to rebuild by 2016.
The Tigers have been running good teams close of late and had no trouble in comfortably accounting for the weak Bombers. Richmond never looked like losing this game, from about Round 4, and took their chance to chalk up 4 points.
Brisbane are warming into a finals campaign this season and easily stomped all over a very ordinary St.Kilda at the Gabba. They led the match by a huge margin at one stage but the Saints piled on late goals to reduce it to a 46 point stroll. St.Kilda will battle for a place in the eight and need to lift dramatically to secure one.
An undermanned Hawthorn took a long time to overcome cellar dweller, Melbourne, in a scrappy game at the MCG. Facing the threat of another huge upset, Hawthorn's stars managed to lift, just ennough to secure victory. An improved effort by the Dees who lost this match-up earlier in the season by 100 points.
In what promised to be a tight encounter, the Roos, scraped in over the strong Dogs, by the skin of their teeth. With a Brad Johnson shot at goal after the siren, to rob North of victory, missing, huge sighs of relief were heard. It was an exciting and fast game that was worthy of a draw. Both sides are travelling nicely as we near the half way mark of the season.
