AFL 2025: Major Upsets, Historic Milestones, and Player Comebacks

Fremantle put the rest of the competition on notice, with an emphatic statement, by travelling interstate and knocking over leaders Collingwood on their home deck.

With the scores level and just ninety seconds remaining, Shai Bolton scored what proved to be the winning point following the award of a controversial free-kick.

There was still time for some heroics too, at the other end, as the Magpies tried to respond, with Josh Treacy taking a brave mark just outside his goal square.

Played in front of the Dockers’ biggest-ever crowd for a home-and-away match (62,198), Patrick Voss (pictured below) having a big night out with a career-high six majors. This win will certainly answer some of the critics and also see them move back into the eight.

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Crows put Suns to the sword

Adelaide strengthened their chances of securing a top-four finish, with a clinical performance, as they put a disappointing and wasteful Gold Coast to the sword.

Whilst they ended up losing the inside-50 count, it was their efficiency when they got in there that meant they effectively had this one wrapped up by half-time.

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In contrast, the Suns didn’t manage to register a single major until the third quarter, an unwanted club record, as their miserable run down in South Australia continued.

The Crows might not have been part of the September action since 2017, which will be put right, but they are certainly building very nicely and are genuine flag contenders.

Lions CEO departs on winning note

Reigning Premiers Brisbane had to survive a scare, in the latter stages, before managing to see off the challenge from the Western Bulldogs at a packed Gabba.

Their inaccuracy in front of the big sticks left the door ajar for a spirited visiting outfit that came on strong to get within a shot of pulling off an unlikely upset – Will Ashcroft eventually sealing it, on the siren, in what proved to be an exciting finale.

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Midfielder Hugh McCluggage (pictured above), current vice-captain and Premiership player, nicknamed ‘Huge McLovin’, made his 200th AFL appearance for the Lions.

The result a perfect way to send off CEO Greg Swann who is moving to the AFL headquarters to be the new Executive General Manager Football Performance.

ALSO READ: AFL 2025: Lions Topple Ladder Leaders Collingwood at the ‘G’

During his eleven years in Queensland, the 63-year-old has played a significant role in turning the club’s fortunes around, including the appointment of coach Chris Fagan and increasing membership numbers, which has contributed to the success they enjoy today.

‘Aeroplane’ Jack has last laugh

In what has become a ‘Grudge’ match, Hawthorn got the chocolates with a strong finish as they ran over the top of Port Adelaide in very wet conditions down in Tassie.

A lot of the animosity stemmed from the last year’s Prelim Final when Power coach Ken Hinkley taunted Jack Ginnivan with the infamous comment “You’re not flying now Jack!” as well as making an aeroplane gesture towards him, in response to a comment made by the player, on Twitter, in the days building-up to that encounter.

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The young forward got a bit of payback, though, after kicking a snag late on and doing an aeroplane gesture of his own in celebrating (pictured above). Hinkley took it very well and even commented in his presser, “Payback is deserved. I have no problems with it and I’m OK with it. I think it’s good for the game, for the theatre of the game.”

Completing a good afternoon for the Hawks was the sight of key forward Mitch Lewis returning to the line-up, having been out for 378 days with a ruptured left ACL, and coming through unscathed – a great asset to have come back for the pointy end.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera makes Saints history

Jeremy Cameron strengthened his position at the top of the Coleman Medal table, with another five-goal haul, as Geelong defeated St.Kilda at GMHBA Stadium.

A strong opening laid the foundation for them to go on, lead all evening, and whilst they were challenged at a couple of points, in the end, it was pretty comfortable.

The Cats will be sweating on how their key defender Tom Stewart pulls up, after having to be substituted with issues in both knees, at such a crucial stage in the campaign – coach Chris Scott was quick, though, to play down that it was serious.

Although he finished on the losing side, the impressive Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (pictured below) made a bit of history by becoming the first Saints player this century to have a match with 35 disposals, ten clearances, along with multiple goals and score assists.

ALSO READ: AFL 2025: Lions Topple Ladder Leaders Collingwood at the ‘G’

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‘Challenge Game’

Greater Western Sydney kept up their pursuit of a top-four finish after running out dominant victors over an injury-plagued Essendon in the ‘Challenge Game’.

Following a slow start, they got up and running with a run of six majors in the second quarter, breaking things open, and from there, they never really looked back.

Tom Green was immense in the midfield, once more, racking up an equal career-high 16 clearances whilst Jake ‘The Package’ Stringer returned to haunt the side that he left during the summer with a strong showing as well as booting three majors.

Another difficult night for the Bombers, although the sight of debutant Liam McMahon (pictured below) finally making his AFL debut, after a five-year spell in which he had been delisted, severely hampered by injury and playing in the VFL, proved a real positive note.

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Unstoppable Heeney stars for Swans

Isaac Heeney became the first ever player to score five goals (equal career-high) and collect 13 clearances as Sydney got the job done over lowly North Melbourne.

The 2x All-Australian (pictured below) was unstoppable, registering the highest-rated game of his ten-year career, which also included 34 disposals, five tackles, and an assist.

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Whilst last year’s Grand Finalists would still need everything to go for them, they are still in with a mathematical opportunity of being part of this September’s action.

In some club news, the Swans announced that the quartet of Nick Malceski, Ben Mathews, Rhyce Shaw and the late Harry Purdy have been inducted into their Hall of Fame whilst Henry ‘Sonny’ Elms has been elevated to ‘Bloods Champion’ status.

Blues hold on to defeat Demons

Two teams, by their own admission, that had under-performed in 2025 clashed at the MCG, with Carlton prevailing and gaining the upper hand over their rivals, Melbourne.

In a real nail-biter, the Blues managed to fend off a fast finishing Dees with Charlie Curnow (pictured below) ending a barren run of four outings without scoring by booting the sealer.

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A much welcome return to the winners circle for coach Michael Voss and his players, who have found themselves under plenty of media scrutiny over the past month.

ALSO READ: AFL 2025: Lions Topple Ladder Leaders Collingwood at the ‘G’

The big incident to come out of this one saw Demons defender Steven May collect Francis Evans high with his shoulder, leaving him with a broken nose – the incident was graded so seriously and sent straight to the tribunal by the MRO, Michael Christian.

Tigers do the ‘double’ over Eagles

In a fixture that pitted the bottom two sides on the ladder, Richmond picked up their first away success of 2025 whilst also completing the double over West Coast.

A devastating eight-goal third quarter proved pivotal, as it completely took the hosts out of the game, with the final 49-point margin their highest in over three years.

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Another key factor was Tigers coach Adam Yze handing midfielder Jack Ross (pictured above) the task of nullifying Eagles star man Harley Reid, after half-time, which he did very well.

It’s the first time this year that they put up three figures on the scoreboard – Rhyan Mansell kicking a career-high three majors – and also making it back-to-back wins.