THE BRISBANE Lions will face a quartet of impressive round-18 winners over the final four weeks of the season, starting with Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG.

The Hawks moved to third on the ladder with a 63-point win over arch-rivals Essendon on Sunday, leading from start to finish and kicking six goals in the last quarter to put the result beyond doubt.

Key forward Lance Franklin returned from injury to kick four goals, while midfield general Sam Mitchell, a late withdrawal the week before, was outstanding with 29 touches – 19 of them coming before half time.

Round 20 opponent Sydney also caught the eye with its 48-point defeat of Melbourne, with round 21 foe Adelaide taking care of showdown business against Port Adelaide by eight points.

Not surprisingly, the Lions’ round 22 visitors, top-of-the-table Geelong, kept their juggernaut rolling with a 70-point win over likely wooden spooners Richmond.

In other round 18 games, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda played out a thrilling Friday night draw, Collingwood were made to work for their 24-point victory against Carlton and Fremantle forged a major upset, accounting for West Coast by 27 points.

As far as individual performances go, it’s tough to look past Crows midfielder Simon Goodwin, who was in danger of leather-poisoning in amassing 39 touches against the Power.

Josh Carr was a deserving winner of the Ross Glendinning Medal for his three-goal midfield effort for Fremantle versus the Eagles, while Carlton’s Heath Scotland played a valiant and brave lone hand against his former side.

The Lions are now right in the thick of the finals race, in eighth spot, equal on points with the Saints and the Bulldogs but ahead on percentage. Only two games separate the third-placed Hawks and the 12th-placed Bombers.

Western Bulldogs 12.13 (85) drew St Kilda 12.13 (85)
The Queensland connection of Nick Riewoldt and former Lion Jason Gram helped the Saints snatch a dramatic draw. The Bulldogs had rallied from a 23-point deficit at the 10-minute mark of the final term and looked to have got the four points with four successive goals. But Gram’s long torpedo from defence was marked by Riewoldt and the star forward’s shot was rushed through to tie the scores at the death.

Collingwood 18.12 (120) d Carlton 14.12 (96)
The Pies took the best part of four quarters to shake off the Blues, prevailing in the end thanks to Anthony Rocca’s four last-term goals. Carlton, under caretaker coach Brett Ratten, received deserved plaudits for a brave effort that feature six goals from Brendan Fevola and a great midfield display by Heath Scotland.

Geelong 21.13 (139) d Richmond 11.3 (69)
Geelong had little trouble disposing of cellar-dwelling Richmond, with Steve Johnson supplying five goals – four of them in the first half. Steven King’s towering mark over the goal umpire provided a highlight for the Cats, but there were few for the Tigers, apart from Nathan Brown’s three goals and some accurate finishing.

Adelaide 9.19 (73) d Port Adelaide 10.5 (65)
The Crows kept their finals hopes alive, overcoming a slow start, a two-goal three-quarter-time deficit and their own inaccuracy. Simon Goodwin was outstanding with 39 disposals for Adelaide, which got crucial last quarter goals from Nick Gill and Tyson Edwards.

Sydney 17.10 (112) d Melbourne 9.10 (64)
Last week Sydney looked ominous because Barry Hall kicked six goals – this week the Swans appear threatening because they booted 17 as a team, despite Hall providing only one. The Swans started with a five goal to none opening term at Manuka Oval and never looked back, moving to seventh spot with their 10th win of the campaign.

Hawthorn 17.17 (119) d Essendon 7.14 (56)
The Bombers were simply no match for the Hawks, who were 22 points in front at the first change, maintained a handy lead throughout and then put the result beyond doubt with a six goal final term. Lance Franklin kicked four goals and Jarryd Roughead three.

Fremantle 19.10 (124) d West Coast 14.13 (97)
In a crackerjack derby, Freo played perhaps their best football of the season and kept their very slim finals hopes alive. Suddenly finding its running game, Fremantle led comfortably in the second quarter, then defied a West Coast fightback – with Jeff Farmer and Josh Carr leading the way with three goals apiece.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.