Take a bow Scott Pendlebury – the Collingwood midfielder racking up career-high 43 disposals to help his side take the honours over Essendon in the Anzac Day Clash.
The current oldest player in the sport of AFL at 38 years and three months was, not surprisingly, awarded his fourth career Anzac Day Medal for a superb display.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was his 431st appearance for the Magpies, putting him now just one behind Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey for the all-time AFL record; he was also involved in 19 score involvements, booted two majors and continues to defy the laws of time.
Speaking, post-match, on the ground to Channel 7 about his personal milestone, he quipped, “I just said to Jordy (Jordan De Goey) that I think it was one of those days where even when you don’t want the ball, it still somehow finds its way to get to you!”
The wizard stars in the 50th Hawks’ appearance
In Launceston, two clubs expected to be there right at the point end clashed with Hawthorn, showcasing their flag credentials by getting up against Gold Coast.
Jack Gunston, who rested last week due to hamstring tightness, returned to the fold and kicked a bag of five, which moves him back up to second in the Coleman table.
Embed from Getty ImagesNick ‘The Wizard’ Watson (pictured above) marked his 50th appearance for the Hawks by demonstrating, once more, just what a positive impact he has on the team, whilst key defender Tom Barrass enjoyed a moment by booting a first major for the club.
The Suns were well in it through the middle part of the contest and will be bitterly disappointed to have faded so badly in the fourth. Forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan made his long-awaited debut after 596 days away from playing at the senior level.
In an interesting quirk, this fixture had to have its start pushed back by 15 minutes because it was mistakenly scheduled in violation of Tasmanian law, which prohibits sporting events from commencing before 12:30 pm on Anzac Day.
swans still leading the way
Free-scoring Sydney continues to travel along very nicely, at the top of the ladder, as they proved too strong for an undermanned Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Key forward Charlie Curnow (pictured below) showed just why the Swans went all out for him in the summer, with a dominant display, by putting up an equal career-high seven goals.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey didn’t have it all their own way in the early going, giving up the first three scores, but did well to re-group before hitting their straps. They were then able to pull away, in the second half, en route to a percentage-boosting 60-point margin.
The Doggies just can’t get a break with injuries, at the moment, and suffered yet another setback with Aaron Naughton having to be stretchered off the pitch. He landed awkwardly on his neck and shoulder while going up for a contested mark.
LIONS BOUNCE BACK
Reigning Premiers Brisbane flexed and showed just how good their best can be in enjoying a comfortable success against last year’s minors, Adelaide, at the Gabba.
Following a mixed set of results, coach Chris Fagan challenged his players, particularly the defence; he would have been delighted at the response and watching his side go on to chalk up their biggest winning margin of the season (52 points).
Embed from Getty ImagesThere were some big performances amongst the Lions players as well, with ball magnet Lachie Neale (pictured above) recording 40 disposals, for the 15th time in his AFL career, Will Ashcroft collecting 36, and forward Lincoln McCarthy bagging a career-high 23.
Speaking post-game to Channel 7, captain Harris Andrews said, “We knew they’re a really good pressure team and we had to match it. Fags put us on the hook this week, it was a bit narky, but it is what we deserved, and it was great to see a response.”
Toby Greene breaks the Giants’ appearance record
Greater Western Sydney skipper Toby Greene celebrated becoming the club’s most capped player ever by leading his troops to defeat an improving North Melbourne.
The three-time All-Australian, who featured in the Giants’ first-ever match back in 2012, after being taken at pick 11 in the 2011 national draft, surpassing Callan Ward.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn his 268th start for the Orange Tsunami, he played a key role in helping the team overcome a slow opening before hitting back to eventually get the chocolates.
The Kangaroos, enjoying their best opening to a campaign in a decade, leave Canberra aggrieved at having fallen to a narrow defeat, especially after making such a positive opening, which just shows how much the squad has progressed this year.
PORT UPSET THE CATS
It will go down as the upset of the round; Mitch Georgiades booting a season-high four majors as Port Adelaide bested a disappointing Geelong outfit by 30 points.
The 24-year-old left another six on the table and, in truth, if he and his teammates had kicked more accurately, then it could have easily been by an even bigger margin.
Embed from Getty ImagesJason Horne-Francis (pictured above) was electric for the Power and claimed his first Peter Badcoe VC Medal (13 votes) for a fine effort in the midfield and was at the centre of everything.
A really dirty night for the Cats, highlighted by their captain, Patrick Dangerfield, being kept to his second-lowest career disposal tally (just 4). To compound matters, they also lost experienced defender Mark Blicavs, who was forced off with a knee injury.
Len Hall Tribute Game
Fremantle made it six on the trot but were given a scare, hanging on at the end, before managing to see off a fast-finishing Carlton in the Len Hall Tribute Game.
They looked to be cruising at one stage, early in the fourth, only for the visitors to kick five of the last six majors, which made for a tense finish, played in front of their second biggest ever, non-derby, home-and-away crowd of 54,100 at Optus Stadium.
Embed from Getty ImagesShai Bolton (pictured above) picked up the Arthur Leggett Medal for a best on ground effort – a game-high 33 disposals, eight tackles, four marks, four clearances and two snags.
It was a valiant effort by the Blues, who have endured a very difficult week, in light of the Elijah Hollands mental health saga that saw the player admitted to hospital on Monday, but yet another loss is only likely to increase the pressure on the club.
Anzac Day Eve Clash
Melbourne star man Kozzy Pickett put on an absolute clinic as he guided the Demons to a comfortable win over Richmond in the Anzac Day Eve Clash.
The 24-year-old (pictured below) repaying the club for allowing him to take leave during the week so that he could make a trip back to Darwin for his daughter Belleny’s second birthday.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe picked up the Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes Medal for his dazzling showing that included a game-high 29 disposals, seven score involvements, six clearances and four goals, along with a superb ‘speccie’ right at the end – a real MOTY contender.
Not a lot for the Tigers to cheer about on the night apart from one moment, in the second quarter, for debutant Sam Cumming, pick 7 in the 2025 National Draft, who slotted home in front of 67,364, which included his family and friends in attendance.
Rampant Saints demolish the Eagles
St.Kilda recorded their biggest win in over ten years and coach Ross Lyon’s second reign at the club by putting West Coast to the sword in a 101-point drubbing.
They led for the whole afternoon, increasing their advantage at every turn, and also registered their highest scoring total in the defensive half since 2016.
Embed from Getty ImagesSmall forward Jack Higgins (pictured above) enjoyed a day out, helping himself to a career-high five-goal haul, and was amongst eleven different goalkickers for the rampant Saints.
The AFL’s ARC (AFL Review Centre) system, similar to VAR in soccer, is likely to be a talking point in the media this week – there was an incident in the second quarter where play was allowed to continue for nearly a minute before being called back.
Round 7 Results
Western Bulldogs 9.6 (60)
Sydney 18.18 (126)
Richmond 11.6 (72)
Melbourne 19.12 (126)
Hawthorn 16.16 (112)
Gold Coast 9.9 (63)
Essendon 9.6 (60)
Collingwood 20.17 (137)
Port Adelaide 13.17 (95)
Geelong 10.5 (65)
Fremantle 16.7 (103)
Carlton 13.11 (89)
St.Kilda 22.11 (143)
West Coast 5.12 (42)
Brisbane 19.13 (127)
Adelaide 11.9 (75)
GWS 15.15 (105)
North Melbourne 14.14 (98)
