The third-placed Bulldogs are the league’s highest-scoring team and had little trouble disposing of the ninth-placed Saints by 27 points. Ex-Lion Akermanis led the way with an equal career high six goals.
The Dogs trailed by 12 points at quarter time but booted nine goals to two over the next two quarters to start the last term 40 points in front, with the game all but in the bag.
Daniel Giansiracusa kicked four goals, with full-back Brian Lake, midfielder Daniel Cross and playmaker Lindsay Gilbee also among the Bulldogs’ best.
Ruckman Ben Hudson was reported for striking St Kilda’s Leigh Montagna but will be free to play this week after accepting a reprimand.
In other weekend action, Geelong and North Melbourne played out an exciting Friday night showdown in which the Cats eventually triumphed by 13 points, while Carlton grabbed an astonishing 12-point come from behind win against Port Adelaide.
In another thriller, the Sydney Swans trailed for all but the final 84 seconds of their five-point win over West Coast, Adelaide thumped Richmond by 50 points, Hawthorn finished a 51-point winner against Essendon and Collingwood accounted for Melbourne by 21 points.
Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin is a prime candidate for performance of the week, having posted 9.5 from 16 kicks in the thrashing of the Bombers. But he would face stiff opposition from Geelong star Gary Ablett, who racked up a career-high 39 possessions, to go with two goals against the Roos.
Geelong 19.13 (127) d North Melbourne 17.12 (114)
With Ablett on fire and Cameron Mooney kicking seven goals, the Cats eventually prevailed for a 13-point victory in this high standard Friday night clash. North Melbourne was more than plucky, as the outstanding Drew Petrie helped the Roos overcome a sluggish start to get back within a goal during the third quarter.
Adelaide 22.14 (146) d Richmond 14.12 (96)
In a bizarre match of two halves, the Tigers actually led by 14 points at half time but were completely toothless thereafter, and were outscored 15 goals to five for the remainder of the game. The Crows were far too good, led by Scott Thompson and Luke Jericho, who combined to kick 11 of Adelaide’s 22 goals.
Sydney Swans 12.11 (83) d West Coast 11.12 (78)
Another modern day thriller between the Swans and the Eagles, with the former taking the four points on the back of Jude Bolton’s unlikely heroics. West Coast kicked six unanswered goals in the first term, but Paul Roos’ side worked its way back into the match – leaving it for Bolton to convert a free kick with only 84 seconds left to give the Swans a first lead for the night.
Hawthorn 19.16 (130) d Essendon 12.7 (79)
Much like Richmond against Adelaide, the Bombers were highly competitive in the first half only to die on their run – leaving the Hawks to waltz to an easy win and hang on to top spot. Chief among those capitalising on Essendon’s woes was Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, who further tightened his advance grip on the Coleman Medal with a nine-goal haul.
Western Bulldogs 15.16 (106) d St Kilda 11.13 (79)
The Bulldogs remain in third spot following a match in which the final scoreline flattered St Kilda – the Saints having kicked six last-quarter goals when the game was over. Through the second and third terms, in which the result was effectively decided, the hard-running Dogs outscored the Saints nine goals to two.
Carlton 10.15 (75) d Port Adelaide 8.15 (63)
Much like its round four loss to the Lions, Port Adelaide was embarrassed in the last quarter having been the best side up to that point in time. Trailing by five goals at three-quarter-time, the Blues played extraordinary football to kick seven final term majors without reply. Skipper Chris Judd was outstanding with 32 possessions – half of them won in contested situations.
Collingwood 17.14 (116) d Melbourne 13.17 (95)
Collingwood arrested a five-year barren run on Queen’s Birthday Monday and leap-frogged the Lions to hang onto sixth spot with a hard-fought 21-point victory. In contrast to their performance against St Kilda a week previous, the Demons showed plenty of persistence before the more accomplished Magpies grabbed control to post a seventh victory for the year.
The views in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the club.
