Tom Hawkins booted five majors and put in a top-draw display as he helped Geelong to get up over arch-rivals Brisbane at a packed GMHBA Stadium.
A tight affair all evening, in which Lions defender Daniel Rich made his 250th AFL appearance, it was the Cats forward (pictured below) that really stood up when it mattered, with the game on the line, including scoring the sealer to the delight of the home faithful.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking on ground to Channel 7, the 33-year-old said “It was really nice to get back down here in Geelong and play in front of an almost-packed crowd. It was fantastic to get so many people here that have missed out in the last couple of years. We were really pleased. It was a really good four-quarter performance.”
He added “I thought we were really solid right over the ground. Led by our midfield. They were wonderful in there; Parfitt, Narkle, Danger, Guthrie – all brilliant.”
St.Kilda compounded what has been a difficult week for Hawthorn by kicking their biggest score of the year so far and handing them a 69-point thrashing.
The Hawks have been in the news and had to issue a club statement following allegations from former player Cyril Rioli about racism during his time there.
Jade Gresham, Tim Membrey, Max King and Bradley Hill, against his former side, all bagged four apiece for a rampant Saints that increased their lead at every change.
An under-strength West Coast pulled off the result of the round as they travelled east and were able to knock over Collingwood and end the Magpies’ unbeaten opening.
The Eagles, decimated by Covid and all the protocols in the opening weeks that have seen them without numerous first-teamers and forced to bring in players from the WAFL, were absolutely magnificent and quite rightly deserve all the plaudits who were full of praise for the achievement with some dubbing it “Miracle at the Marvel”.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking in the post-match presser, a beaming coach Adam Simpson said “Really proud of our players. I think we’ve handled the situation as best we can, tried to get on with it and stay resilient as a club. I think that paid us back in the last quarter, rather than the numbers that you see.”
He went on “But the will to win, you can’t underestimate that and I think that’s the players and the leaders. The backs stood up really well. We must have conceded 60 inside 50s. So, these games don’t go your way very often and when they do it takes something special and I think that everyone stood up when they needed to.”
Tom Lynch kicked four snags as Richmond gave everyone a timely reminder that they are still a force by putting away the Western Bulldogs in clinical fashion.
The Tigers showed glimpses of their triple flag form with their high-pressure game in full effect and a big factor in securing the win – midfielder Shai Bolton scored an incredible GOTY contender, from out on the boundary, that lit up the MCG crowd.
Ruckman Sam Draper scored what proved to be the decider as Essendon survived a nervy last few minutes to pip a plucky Adelaide outfit in an absolute thriller.
The Crows, who welcomed back former skipper Taylor Walker from his six-game sanction for racial abuse at a SANFL game in 2021, looked like they might pinch it in the final minute but Ned McHenry snapped across the face of goal from close-range.
Ken Hinckley is firmly under the pump, with some supporters calling for him to be sacked, after Port Adelaide fell to defeat on their home deck against Melbourne.
It what proved to be a night to forget, the Power were held to their lowest ever half-time score and never in this contest. It leaves them zip-four, making it their worst start since 2008 and highly unlikely to be part of the finals picture come September.
Despite this latest setback, the coach (pictured below) was remaining upbeat; he said “We haven’t had everything the way we want, but it’s a long season. We can’t quite get the continuity of people back, which then can flow into the confidence of other players.”
He continued “I get that people are going to question my belief, but I’m strong in it. I think we can absolutely move forward and improve quickly.”
Embed from Getty ImagesGold Coast answered their critics in the best possible way, with a powerful four quarter effort that saw them chalk up a triumph over the much fancied Carlton.
In only his fifth appearance for the Suns, Malcolm Rosas Junior (pictured below), a product of the Darwin Academy, scored his first AFL goals (three in total), with his family watching in the crowd, to make it a truly memorable afternoon for the 20-year-old forward.
Embed from Getty ImagesA bad day at the office for the Blues that weren’t helped losing captain Patrick Cripps early with a hamstring injury. They will be sweating to see how he pulls up over the next few days, hoping it is only minor and his time on the sidelines will be minimal.
Sydney bagged the four points but only after surviving a huge scare and having to come from behind to get over the line against a much improved North Melbourne.
The Kangaroos arrived in New South Wales on the back of that 108-point drubbing but put in a very spirited showing which, at one stage, looked like they might pull off an upset only to just fall short, right at the end, as the Swans sneaked home.
Over in WA, Fremantle produced a big final quarter to run over the top of Greater Western Sydney and romp away to a 34-point success at Optus Stadium.
Summer recruit Will Brodie was the main man for the Dockers with a career-high 36 disposals while the ever reliable midfielder David Mundy and youngster Nathan O’Driscoll, who score twice in only his third start, made valuable contributions.
Round 4 Results
Port Adelaide 4.12 (36)
Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Geelong 11.14 (80)
Brisbane 11.4 (70)
Sydney 13.8 (86)
North Melbourne 12.3 (75)
Collingwood 10.14 (74)
West Coast 14.3 (87)
Richmond 15.9 (99)
Western Bulldogs 7.19 (61)
Fremantle 13.10 (88)
GWS 8.6 (54)
Essendon 15.13 (103)
Adelaide 15.9 (99)
Hawthorn 10.13 (73)
St.Kilda 22.10 (142)
Gold Coast 13.14 (92)
Carlton 8.14 (62)
Related links
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- AFL 2022 Round 2: Buddy 1000, Hawks stun Port, MCG false alarm, Saints win in the west
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