AFL 2022 Round 13: Queen’s Birthday Weekend, Big Freeze 8, Fyfe returns, Bombers 150-year anniversary

Brody Mihocek booted four majors as Collingwood took the honours in the traditional Queen’s Birthday clash with a convincing 26-point triumph over Melbourne.

It was a superb display from the Magpies that move them into the eight while, this result knocks the Demons off top spot and condemns the reigning Premiers to their third straight loss, which will surely raise plenty of questions over their current form.

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Speaking in the presser, a delighted coach Craig McRae (pictured above) said “For most of the game we felt like we were in control to some degree. Clearly playing against last year’s Premiers you expect that you are going to have to play the four quarters.”

“We are seeing that our best can be really competitive. But we are growing as well week to week. I can see our players growing and believing in what we do. Belief can be really powerful which can be a motivator.”

Asked about the season so far, as they head into the bye, he replied “We get a bit of a break. We’ve had 13 weeks of footy. This game is pretty hard. We get a chance to take a breath; a bit of comma if you like on our season and reset ourselves. We have no idea where we sit in the big scheme of things, we still don’t, it’s a pretty long season, but we get a breath now.”

The annual Big Freeze event took place, prior to the match, where ten well-known personalities went down the celebrity slide as part of the fundraiser – the participants were: Ash Barty, Rhonda Burchmore, Terry Daniher, Andy Maher, Eddie Betts, David Neitz, Jakara Anthony, Bec Maddern, Hamish Blake and Justin Langer.

Along with sales of the Beanies, over $6million has been raised so far, in 2022, for the charity FightMND, founded in 2014, established with the purpose of finding effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Essendon celebrated their 150-year anniversary but, unfortunately it couldn’t inspire them enough as they crashed to their arch-rivals Carlton before a crowd of 65,440.

The Bombers wore a specially designed guernsey to mark the occasion, adorned with the name of every AFL/VFL player to have donned the sash since 1872.

A number of former legends including Matthew Lloyd, Michael Long, Kevin Sheedy and James Hird along with the Daniher family also took part in the pre-game huddle.

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe made his much hyped return, coming through unscathed, as his side managed to overcome the strong challenge of Hawthorn.

The 30-year-old (pictured below), missing for just under a year in trying to overcome both shoulder and back issues, made a real impression for the Dockers that included 22 disposals, 16 handballs, ten contested possessions, ten score involvements and a goal.

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Speaking post-match to Fox Footy, the two-time Brownlow medallist said “I was just trying to find a few of those old routines but knowing that it’s not the same as when I finished playing last time. I said to Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw, treat me like a first gamer, tell me where to go, set me up and they did that, they told me where to set up at stoppages and that was a nice feeling.”

He went on “I’m still warm, so everything feels pretty good, but I reckon tomorrow morning I’ll be a bit stiff through the knees and shoulders, but touch wood I got through okay. It’s just good to be back, it’s been a long time.”

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Two teams with top four aspirations met at the Gabba where an inaccurate Brisbane managed to do enough and get over the line against a plucky St.Kilda outfit.

Joe Daniher, on his comeback from a shoulder injury, put three through the big sticks while midfielders Hugh McCluggage and Lachie Neale also played important roles.

It was a big effort from the Saints that pushed all the way and also had to contend with losing the trio of Mitch Owens (concussion), Daniel McKenzie (concussion) and Zak Jones (hamstring) during the contest, which severely hampered their rotations.

Judson Clarke joined an exclusive list of players who can say they scored two goals with their first two kicks in senior footy as Richmond defeated Port Adelaide.

The 18-year-old (pictured being interviewed below), Pick 30 in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft, making an immediate impact, on debut, and looked lively all evening while cheered on by his family and friends.

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On what was a good night for the Tigers, Jack Riewoldt surpassed David Neitz to become the third highest ever goalscorer at the MCG (387 goals) while it was a milestone match for Dylan Grimes (pictured below) in making his 200th appearance for the club.

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Speaking post-match to Channel 7, the defender said “Very happy. It was a pretty ugly game but I think the pressure from both teams was up, it was a bit duey. So just really happy to get the win; it was a real grit kind of game.”

On reaching his personal achievement, he continued “I am just so incredibly grateful. Richmond took a punt on me and I think that everything good that I have going on is thanks to Richmond. I am just really proud to be part of this great club and thrilled with the career, but it is not done yet!”

Greater Western Sydney enjoyed a very comfortable afternoon as they got off to a flyer and then breezed to victory over lowly North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Jake Riccardi, Stephen Coniglio and James Peatling amongst the goals while Harry Himmelberg, playing in his new role, was immense with a career-high 37 disposals.

Co-captain Callan Ward wrote himself into club history by becoming the first player to chalk up 200 matches played for the Giants. The 32-year-old midfielder joined from the Western Bulldogs, in September 2011, as one of the inaugural signings.

Round 13 Results

Richmond 11.11 (77)
Port Adelaide 10.5 (65)

Essendon 7.12 (54)
Carlton 12.8 (80)

Fremantle 14.11 (95)
Hawthorn 12.10 (82)

Brisbane 10.18 (78)
St.Kilda 8.9 (57)

North Melbourne 7.11 (53)
GWS 15.12 (102)

Collingwood 12.10 (82)
Melbourne 8.8 (56)

Bye: Adelaide, Geelong, Gold Coast, Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs

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