Gather Round: Recapping the AFL's Ultimate Festival of Footy

The AFL world descended on South Australia (SA) for the second year of Gather Round – a four-day ‘Ultimate Festival of Footy’ initiative to promote the sport – where all 18 clubs played, in nine matches played at three venues, across the one state.

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Speaking to Channel 7, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas lauded its success; he said “My gratitude is just to the rest of the country and the way they have embraced this. We estimate that it is just shy of 100,000 visiting the state. Last year 32% of the tickets sold were to interstaters but, this year, it is just under 40.”

“That number is going to keep heading north if we play our cards right. But it is the footy community that make it happen – the people, not Governments, not the AFL, and we are grateful for it.”

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He was amongst the 47,641 strong crowd, at the Adelaide Oval, to see Port captain Connor Rozee (pictured above) put on an absolute masterclass in the thrashing of Essendon.

The youngest-ever skipper in the AFL, appointed at the age of just 23, back in December 2023, racked up a career-high 36 disposals along with 20 kicks, 16 handballs, five clearances and three majors as he enjoyed a fine evening out.

Unfortunately, the win has been tarnished by the news that forward Jeremy Finlayson (pictured below) has admitted to making a homophobic slur towards an opposition player.

This incident will now be investigated, after the comment was picked up by the on-field umpires’ microphones, before a punishment is decided (fine/suspension).

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Collingwood managed to claim another close one by a single figure margin – a trademark of theirs from last year – but only just against a fast finishing Hawthorn.

The reigning Premiers conceded the last five goals, with the Hawks surging late, and needed all that experience, holding their nerve, in managing to get the job done.

In an equally exciting and nail-biting finale, SA native forward Tyson Stengle kicked four snags for Geelong in helping them get up over the Western Bulldogs.

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Despite leading for the majority of the contest, they were never able to pull away from the Doggies, who kept in touch, and Bailey Williams got them within a kick.

Cats supporters relieved to hear the final siren, which keeps their side unbeaten so far in 2024. Although he ultimately finished on the losing team, Doggies midfielder Tom Liberatore had a fantastic best on ground display that included 35 disposals, 28 contested possessions, 19 clearances, 19 handballs, 16 kicks and a goal.

Carlton made it four-zip, for the first time since 1995 when they won the flag, after pulling off an amazing comeback to defeat Fremantle in a highly controversial finish.

With just 85 seconds left, trialling by two points, Matthew Cottrell marked 35 metres out, despite the fierce protests of the Dockers players that the ball had been touched and therefore shouldn’t be paid, and then went back to slot it through for a snag.

It didn’t end there as Jordan Clark then said something to the umpire that led to a free-kick being awarded, which allowed Matt Kennedy to seal it for the Blues.

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An incident, speaking in the presser, that Freo coach Justin Longmuir (pictured above) was left lamenting; he said “I’ll have to dig a little bit deeper, but we should have just got on with it, even if they weren’t happy with the call before. There’s not much you can do. Our players clearly thought they had touched the footy, and they’ll still say that now.”

“But that’s a really hard call for the umpire to make without going to a replay and we don’t want to do that for every decision. The umpires are never going to backtrack, are they? So we just needed to move on and control what we can control.”

Greater Western Sydney skipper Toby Greene grabbed a season-high five-goal haul and led his troops to eventually see off a valiant Gold Coast in a 28-point triumph.

The result means the Giants have won the opening four games to a season, for the first time in their club history, whilst also keeping them at the top of the ladder.

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St.Kilda boss Ross Lyon (pictured below) joked that “a UFO landed and out walked 22 aliens in St Kilda jumpers” after seeing his players produce an incredible second half turnaround.

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They were very ordinary in the first, only managing a single goal, as Richmond, from whom Shai Bolton (four majors) really shone, seemed on course to run away with it.

However, whatever the gaffer said clearly did the trick; the Saints looked like a completely different line-up after the interval, worked their way back into the encounter, got ahead and then were then able to hold out for the victory.

Melbourne completed a highly successful week in SA, with a very professional performance, by seeing off the challenge of the Crows on their home deck.

Having knocked over Port, the previous weekend, the Demons, who endured a pretty turbulent off-season, decided to stay on in the state, for an extended period, and use it as a good opportunity for everyone to spend some time together.

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A delighted Simon Goodwin (pictured above), on this successful road trip, said “It was just a really good opportunity for us to unite and connect as a footy club. We saw some huge benefits through some hub times in 2020 and 2021. We prepared really well.”

“To see that connection grow, not only with our players but with our staff. We saw this as a unique opportunity to play two games on the same oval and prepare the right way and then come here and connect and be together as one. It was an opportunity too good to refuse. The club were fantastic in enabling that to happen.”

Brisbane chalked up their first success of the year as they totally outclassed and proved far too strong for North Melbourne in a one-sided 70-point demolition.

Joe Daniher (five) and Eric Hipwood (three), criticised for his recent poor form and kicking in front of the big sticks by the media and pundits, amongst the goalscorers.

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Sydney survived a scare, behind at the half-time interval, before finishing well to eventually overcome a spirited West Coast outfit at the Adelaide Hills.

It was a much-improved effort from the Eagles, currently bottom of the ladder – although they fell to another loss, there was a highlight with 18-year-old sensation Harley Reid, the No.1 2023 draft pick, booting his first major for the WA club.