Collingwood took the honours within the conventional Anzac Day blockbuster, with a robust end as they defeated Essendon, within the driving rain on the MCG, by 41 factors.
The gang of 92,044 noticed an impeccable silence throughout a spine-tingling ceremony that included a motorcade, the New Zealand/Australian nationwide anthems, enjoying of the Final Publish, earlier than six fighter jets then roared overhead in formation.
Ahead Jamie ‘Billy’ Elliott booted 5 majors, for the primary ever time in opposition to the Bombers, which included citing his three hundredth purpose within the black and white guernsey.
An unlucky incident, throughout the third quarter, noticed the communication system between the coaches’ field and the benches go down. This led to AFL footy boss Laura Kane having to offer uncommon approval for the usage of cell phones as a backup.
Veteran Steele Sidebottom (pictured above) gained his second prestigious Anzac Day medal with an actual stand-out efficiency and performed a giant half within the Magpies getting the job achieved.
Anzac Day Eve conflict
The earlier night, within the Anzac Day Eve conflict, Melbourne rediscovered a few of their previous kind, notably within the third, as they acquired the candies in opposition to Richmond.
Having struggled thus far this season, the Demons had been in a position to flick the swap for a interval, which proved pivotal to get them firmly within the ascendency and document a season-high 124 marks – though extra proof will likely be wanted, issues are turning.
Ruckman and captain Max Gawn (pictured above) collected his second successive Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes Medal, for a greatest on floor show, as he amassed a formidable 34 hit outs, 25 disposals, twelve rating involvements, 9 marks and 6 clearances.
Coach Simon Goodwin lauded the 33-year-old in his presser, saying, “You’re seeing top-of-the-line within the recreation go about his craft. He’s a rare chief.”
Doggies make an announcement
James Harmes made essentially the most of his recall to the Western Bulldogs aspect by kicking an equal career-high 4 majors within the success over Better Western Sydney.
In what proved to be an actual recreation of two halves, the Doggies stepped it up after the half-time interval with a dominant second half exhibiting and completed in type.
It was a giant night time for 19-year-old defender Jedd Busslinger (pictured above) as he lastly acquired to make his long-awaited debut, having been in spectacular kind within the VFL with Footscray.
Actually couldn’t have been given a a lot larger activity than having to play his half in conserving 2024 Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan quiet, however he got here by means of it nicely.
Twin towers stand tall in Blues victory
The potent twin towers of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay mixed for six targets as Carlton continues to breathe life into their season after defeating Geelong.
A surprising zip-four begin had Blues followers frightened, however they’ve since seen their gamers handle to show issues round, by successful the subsequent three, with this one being essentially the most important, and it’ll definitely put the remainder of the competitors on discover.
This encounter noticed the anticipated battle of the De Koning brothers, with Tom (pictured above, proper) getting one over his youthful brother Sam (pictured above, left) – the 25-year-old ruckman had an impressed recreation with 39 hit-outs, 5 clearances, three tackles, two marks and iced it with a purpose.
AFL Life Membership for ‘The Conjuror’
Reigning Premiers Brisbane produced a superb four-quarter effort, growing their lead at each change, as they proved far too robust for a below-par St.Kilda.
Two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale was in impressed kind, enjoying a big half within the consequence, as midfielder Callum Ah Chee lined up for his a hundred and fiftieth AFL look.
This fixture additionally noticed former captain Dayne Zorko (pictured above), nicknamed ‘The Conjuror’, qualify for AFL Life Membership. He’s arguably top-of-the-line gamers to have ever come out of Queensland, having come by means of the ranks with Broadbeach within the NEAFL.
For the third consecutive week, the Saints had been defensively poor in conceding over 100 factors; one thing {that a} Ross Lyon-coached aspect hasn’t achieved since 2017.
Rising Suns
Gold Coast produced a shocking comeback, which included a run of twelve majors in a row, to run proper excessive of Sydney at a sun-drenched Folks First Stadium.
Ben King (pictured under), the membership’s main goalkicker for the final 4 seasons, helped himself to a bag of 5, which moved him to the highest of this yr’s Coleman Medallist desk.
In distinction, worrying indicators for the Swans, who fully capitulated within the second half, after opening so nicely. The one vibrant observe, on an in any other case soiled day, was the transfer to play Nick Blakey ahead as he returned a career-high three snags.
Len Corridor Tribute Recreation
Fremantle put the frustration of final week firmly behind them with the proper response and a hard-fought win over Adelaide within the annual Len Corridor Tribute Recreation.
They acquired off to a quick begin, posting their greatest opening time period rating of the season thus far, which laid the inspiration for them to guide for the remainder of the encounter.
All-Australian Andrew Brayshaw (pictured above) was the inaugural recipient of the Arthur Leggett Medal, so as to add to his rising profession highlights, with a dominant efficiency within the midfield – game-high 37 disposals, six clearances, 5 tackles and 4 marks.
Butters wins Peter Badcoe VC Medal
Port Adelaide made it three triumphs on the spin, though they had been definitely made to work for it and needed to maintain out in opposition to a much-improved North Melbourne outfit.
Certainly, the Kangaroos got here laborious within the latter levels, exhibiting loads of combat, however some poor errors allow them to down earlier than succumbing to a nine-point defeat.
There was loads of needle on this one with Energy midfielder Jason Horne-Francis, the No.1 draft choose in 2021, lining up in opposition to his former membership, which led to a couple flash factors and coach Ken Hinkley having to tug him to at least one aspect throughout the interval.
Zak Butters gained the primary Peter Badcoe VC Medal of his profession, polling 13 out of a attainable 15 votes from a panel made up of 5 journalists and media personalities.
Hawks too robust for Eagles
Closing out the newest spherical of motion noticed Hawthorn return to the winners’ checklist, following a few losses, with a snug 50-point success over West Coast.
It might have been a much bigger margin had they kicked a bit extra precisely – Jack Ginnivan (pictured under) marked his return to the line-up, having been dropped for the final two video games and despatched again to the VFL; he was amongst eleven gamers on the scoresheet.
Nevertheless, it got here at a little bit of a value with each Jack Scrimshaw and Karl Amon failing head harm assessments and being pressured off with concussion. Which means that they’ll now enter the protocols, which robotically rule them out for subsequent weekend.
Anzac Day Enchantment Spherical Outcomes
Melbourne 12.11 (83)
Richmond 9.9 (63)
Collingwood 16.11 (107)
Essendon 10.6 (66)
Fremantle 12.13 (85)
Adelaide 9.13 (67)
St.Kilda 11.7 (73)
Brisbane 17.16 (118)
Port Adelaide 14.13 (97)
North Melbourne 13.10 (88)
GWS 11.8 (81)
Western Bulldogs 17.11 (113)
Gold Coast 17.15 (117)
Sydney 12.7 (79)
Carlton 14.10 (94)
Geelong 12.4 (76)
Hawthorn 18.16 (124)
West Coast 11.8 (74)
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