AFL 2021 Round 11: Sir Doug Nicholls - Week 2, Dockers end Demons run, Magpies beat arch-rivals, Kangas turmoil

Fremantle produced one of their best performances on the road, in years, as they toppled and ended the 17-game winning streak of ladder leaders Narrm (Melbourne).

It was even more impressive given that the Dockers had to overturn a deficit at the main break; their second half was simply scintillating, which included kicking ten majors in a row as well as managing to keep the Demons goalless in the final-term.

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Speaking in the post-match presser, a delighted coach Justin Longmuir said “I’m just really proud of the players. The players invested in the week, we came with a clear plan and it didn’t all go our way but we stayed true to it and the positivity at half-time was really strong. We played a great brand of footy in that second half.”

He added “Belief is really important and I don’t think we’ve been great when the scoreboard has been against us, so to be able to come in and tweak a few things at half-time and then largely just play our brand and slowly get on top. I think it’s those sorts of things you look at; if the players believe that once they’re four goals down in a game, they just need to execute our footy. The scoreboard pressure was well and truly there tonight and for our players to stick at it, that’s good belief.”

It has certainly been a memorable few days for Geelong coach Chris Scott after he watched his players romp away to victory over Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium.

The 46-year-old, who surpassed the legendary Reg Hickey’s record for the most wins, has signed a two-year extension which will keep him at the Cattery until the end of the 2023/2024 season and make him the longest serving gaffer at the club.

Max King booted three majors as St.Kilda piled on the misery for North Melbourne by handing them and captain Jack Ziebell, in his 250th game, a 53-point belting.

It is a really difficult period for the Kangaroos that have now lost three members of their recruiting staff – Mark Finnigan (National Recruiting Manager), Glenn Luff (Head of Player Personnel) and Ben Birthisel (National Recruiting Officer) all resigning.

On top of that, their No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis has decided to put off contract talks until the end of the season and has also been spoken to by the club for making an interstate trip back to see his Mum without informing anyone at Arden St.

A crowd of 80,627 packed into the MCG to see two arch-rivals battle it out with Collingwood taking the honours by defeating Carlton in an enthralling encounter.

The Magpies had to hang on at the end as the Blues came hard and could have won it themselves, with just 20 seconds left, but Jack Silvagni snapped just wide for a behind to the relief of the black and white half of the crowd that could then celebrate.

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Interviewed in the rooms by Magpies TV, defender John Noble (pictured above) said “Really good. Massive atmosphere. There is a long history between these two clubs and we embraced it and got the win. It is part of our DNA right now and to fight the game out like we did was really pleasing.”

On his current form, he added “Just getting my fundamentals right. Going to work each week and re-setting. Leppa (Justin Leppitsch) has been really helping me with that and just focussing on each week as it comes which is what I am doing.”

Lincoln McCarthy booted four majors as Brisbane were able to overcome a shocking opening before going on to get the job done against Greater Western Sydney.

Midfielders Lachie Neale (39 disposals) and Jaroyd Berry (career-high 33 disposals) played a big part in that turnaround while Daniel McStay grabbed a couple of goals, on his return to the line-up, having been out with left ankle ligament damage.

Under the spotlight in the week for their recent poor form, Sydney responded in the perfect way by coming from behind to get up over Richmond in an absolute thriller.

It finished in slightly controversial circumstances; right on the siren, the umpires deciding not to give a 50-metre penalty against Chad Warner, for hoofing the ball into the crowd, following the award of a free-kick to Dion Prestia; the AFL, though, have since come out and issued a statement standing by the decision of the officials.

Swans forward Lance Franklin (pictured below) had an eventful evening by scoring five goals to earn himself the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal, for his best-on-ground display, but also picked up a one-match ban for striking Trent Cotchin towards the end of the second.

Accepting the award, the second of his career, from Michael O’Loughlin he addressed the crowd saying “Well done to our boys. The crowd was amazing tonight. It’s such a special round and this is for my people, so well done guys.”

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Up in Darwin, Gold Coast put on a show and led for the whole match, while giving their percentage a boost as well, in thrashing a disappointing Hawthorn outfit.

It was a special night for Malcolm Rosas jnr and Joel Jeffrey (pictured below), products of the club’s academy and Northern Territory natives, as they got to run out and play senior footy, in the indigenous round, in front of their family and friends at the TIO Stadium.

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Certainly one to quickly forget for the Hawks – as well as suffering a heavy loss, they also had two players reported; Jarmen Impey (rough conduct) got away with a fine but Sam Frost (rough conduct) was not so lucky and now faces a one-game ban.

The Western Bulldogs recorded their biggest ever winning margin over West Coast, posting their highest score of the year in the process, with a 101-point mauling.

They had a club record 16 individual goalscorers, something that has only ever been achieved by a team four times in AFL/VFL history, in what proved an easy contest.

Closing out the latest round of action, down in South Australia, saw Port Adelaide come out on top against Essendon, in the rain, although it was far from convincing.

The sight of forward Charlie Dixon was a welcome one for Power supporters – the 31-year-old marked his first appearance of the year, having been plagued by ankle issues, with two snags and he will play an important part if they are to make finals.

Round 11 Results

Sydney 16.10 (106)
Richmond 15.10 (100)

Brisbane 16.14 (110)
GWS 15.6 (96)

Geelong 15.7 (97)
Adelaide 7.13 (55)

Narrm (Melbourne) 7.14 (56)
Fremantle 14.10 (94)

West Coast 9.6 (60)
Western Bulldogs 25.11 (161)

Gold Coast 18.13 (121)
Hawthorn 7.12 (54)

St.Kilda 16.7 (103)
North Melbourne 7.8 (50)

Collingwood 11.13 (79)
Carlton 11.9 (75)

Port Adelaide 9.12 (66)
Essendon 6.14 (50)

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