Richmond breathed fire into their season, producing a fantastic performance that saw them topple reigning premiers Geelong under lights at the MCG.
Former Brownlow medalists Dusty Martin and Trent Cotchin, part of the Tigers’ premiership squad, have rolled back the years to play key roles.
It was also a landmark game for another member of that special group with midfielder Dion Prestia (pictured below), nicknamed “Meatball”, making his 200th AFL appearance.
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Speaking on the ground, after the game, on Channel 7, he said: “To kind of confirm what we did last week, the sitting prime minister has been the benchmark for so long, it was definitely a special win.”
“I feel like we’re kind of on the move, a little bit like we had in the premiership-winning years, where we’re working on a few things and starting to get the Richmond game back.”
He added about the victory. “I would like to thank Gold Coast for giving me the opportunity. it taught me a lot about growing up and being an AFL player. I have some incredible memories and friends from the Gold Coast.”
“Getting my family to sit in the rooms before the game, to see a little different side of how we prepare, I’ve never done that before. Got some friends from college here too, so no doubt we’ll have a few drinks to celebrate.”
In Tasmania, Port Adelaide had 14 different goalkeepers on the scoresheet as they enjoyed a real day, putting lowly North Melbourne to the sword.
The entire gathering focused on the return of former No.1 draft pick (2021) Jason Horne-Francis, who asked to leave the Kangaroos after just one year so he could return home to South Australia and state. join the government.
However, all the fuss was a bit of an anticlimax, aside from the boos from the home fans, and the 19-year-old (pictured below) will be glad it’s out of the way and can move on.
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The Western Bulldogs managed to hold off Carlton’s late charge before coming out well to beat the line, which was a fairly low score.
Last month, James O’Donnell (pictured below), signed as a B-grade rookie, was given his debut for the Bulldogs after impressing in reserve against Footscray. The 20-year-old defender is a third-generation VFL/AFL player, following grandfather Kevin and father Simon, who represented St Kilda during the 1940s and 1980s respectively.
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All-Australian defender Stephen May lined up for his 200th AFL start as Melbourne enjoyed a straight afternoon taking care of the bottom Hawthorns.
The Demons dominated the entire contest and, apart from a brief spell in the third, were rarely troubled, making it four in a row to remain among the leaders.
Fremantle secured their first win in New South Wales since 2011 thanks to a strong display that saw them get the job done against out-of-form Sydney.
Lachie Schultz (pictured below) and Luke Jackson are among the goals for the Dockers, who have put three figures on the scoresheet for the first time since 2016.
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Speaking at the press conference, coach Justin Longmuir said: I thought it went to another level.”
He continued. “It’s important that we want to be a consistent team, we understand that sometimes with young teams you can go up and down a bit, but we have to make sure that what we give them is consistent, our preparation; consistent, and we think if we get those things right, it will lead to consistent performances.”
Gold Coast secured their biggest ever road win when they traveled interstate and hammered woeful West Coast with 70 points on their deck.
They started the quarter with their highest points since 2017, which gave them the chance to go on and have a great night as well as make a bit of club history.
Joe Daniher hit six majors against his old crowd for a Brisbane side that produced a powerful second half to see off Essendon in convincing fashion.
However, it was at the other end that proved the key to the Lions’ success, with the pair of Harris Andrews and Ryan Lester playing in defense as they easily held the Bombers to their lowest score of the season (just 45). units).
The results of the 9th round
Richmond 16.6 (102)
Geelong 11.12 (78)
West Coast 6.7 (43)
Gold Coast 16.17 (113)
Sydney 13.8 (86)
Fremantle 16.7 (103)
North Melbourne 10.5 (65)
Port Adelaide 20.15 (135)
Hawthorn 7.7 (49)
Melbourne 15.13 (103)
Brisbane 12.15 (87)
Essendon 6.9 (45)
Carlton 8.11 (59)
Western Bulldogs 11.13 (79)
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