Round five of the 2022 season saw the matches spread over five days over the Easter break, starting with tight contest – our Match of the Week – on Thursday evening and ending with a wonderful, tough and intense game of football to close the round on Easter Monday.
Here at Vendetta Sports Media we’ll be covering the entire AFL season for you. In case you missed it, all our team previews, and this writers ladder predictions, are located here.
Match of the Week: Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood Magpies
Last week’s dispiriting loss to the struggling Eagles threatened to derail the early promise of Collingwood’s season. Coming to Brisbane to play the fancied Lions, the Magpies looked on a hiding to nothing. They did, however, give a strong account of themselves in a narrow seven point loss to Brisbane.
Prior to the match, Collingwood coach Craig McRae confirmed he would send a tagger to Lions superstar Lachie Neale. Not a soul expected that tagger to be Collingwood’s veteran champion Scott Pendlebury. In the first quarter, though, the unusual match up worked a treat, Pendlebury holding Neale to just four touches in the opening term, as the Magpies led 12 points.
Brisbane opened the scoring through Jarryd Lyons, who roved well and converted from close range after his team had moved the ball coast-to-coast.
Collingwood got a response through Jordan De Goey, who was the beneficiary of a somewhat harsh (though technically correct) 50 metre penalty that saw the Collingwood man take his shot from just 15 metres out.
Poor defense from Brisbane gifted Nathan Kreuger a snap from the top of the square. A long kick from Josh Daicos saw five Lion defenders converge on Magpie Darcy Cameron. When the ball came to ground there were no Lions left to mop up leaving Kreuger with time to gather the ball and swivel onto his left boot for an easy major.
Brisbane answered quickly through an opportunistic goal by Neale and a long bomb from Joe Daniher after some swift ball movement through the centre of the park.
Collingwood finished the opening term in the ascendancy with goals to Will Hoskin-Elliott and Cameron before a late Josh Daicos goal from a needless 50m penalty by Darcy Gardner.
The Lions awoke from their sleepy opening term to kick six unanswered goals to open the 2nd quarter.
Diminutive winger Callum Ah Chee marked well and converted a simple set shot before Daniher booted his 2nd of the evening. Jarrod Berry set up Cam Rayner who bundled though another from close range to give Brisbane the lead before Berry was again the provider, feeding Darcy Fort for a long goal on the run. Zac Bailey kicked a quick pair of goals to push the Lions lead out to 24 points before young Magpie Reef McInness kicked the 1st goal of his AFL career to stem the bleeding, Tom Wilson kicking another, roving well from a forward back before weaving onto his left foot to bend home a delightful goal. That kept the Magpies in touch, training the Lions by 13 at the main break.
After being well held in the opening term, Neale broke out in the 2nd collecting 14 possessions as the driving force behind Brisbane’s turnaround.
An early mark and goal to Charlie Cameron opened up the Lions lead further before McInness converted his own shot from a leading mark in response. Lincoln McCarthy kicked long to Daniher who marked well in a one-on-one against Jordan Roughead to kick his 3rd goal.
The Lions then found an unusual source for their next goal as hulking defender Marcus Adams won a free kick on the defensive side of centre wing. A 50 meter penalty allowed Adams to saunter forward to bomb one from one from just outside the 50 meter arc, his first AFL goal on over five years.
Collingwood again had the final say in the term, Hoskin-Elliott threading the needle to find Krueger on the lead. His 2nd goal of the night cutting the margin to 18 points at the final change.
Bailey opened the scoring in the final term, marking a precise ball from Daniel McStay after some neat work on the wing from Cameron.
With the game looking desperate, the Magpies finally made their run, dominating the ball for a 10 minute stretch. They kicked goals through Darcy Moore who had moved forward from defense before a long De Goey kick cut the margin to eleven.
Perhaps the pivotal moment in the match came when big American forward Mason Cox – into the side for the first time this season – missed a very getable set shot. Brisbane were able to slingshot the ball to the other end of the ground finding Daniher, who made no mistake with his kick. What could, perhaps should have been a five point margin was out to 16 and the Magpies impetus was lost. McStay added the icing to the cake after using his body well to mark a Rayner pass.
To their credit, Collingwood didn’t fold. De Goey kicked a pair of late goals before Steele Sidebottom found Moore all alone in the goal square to kick his 2nd right on the final siren.
The final margin of seven points flattered the Magpies in a way, given their late run when the game was effectively over, yet in another way was reflective of the grit and effort the young and undermanned Magpies put forward against a superior opponent.
After his slow start, Neale had a fine match on his 200th appearance with 33 possessions. Dayne Zorko accumulated 28 disposals whilst Huge McCluggage was brilliant with 27 telling touches. Up forward Daniher was a tower of strength, grabbing pack marks and kicking truly on his way to four goals, Bailey ably supporting him with three.
For the Pies, Jack Crisp was everywhere with a game high possessions. Nick Daicos had 27 in support.
Without Brody Mihocek and Jamie Elliott, Collingwood’s makeshift forward line was a mixed bag. Youngsters McInness and Kreuger were solid, but Cox had a game to forget upon his return to the side. The Collingwood cult hero was perhaps the least effective player in the ground.
Their confidence hopefully restored, Collingwood face Essendon next week in the traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster, whist the Lions will head 45 minutes down the road to face local rivals the Suns at Carrara.
Brisbane Lions: 15 Goals, 8 Behinds (98)
Collingwood Magpies: 14 Goals, 7 Behinds (91)
Goals
Brisbane: Daniher 4, Bailey 3, Adams, Ah Chee, Fort, Cameron, Lyons, McStay, Neale, Rayner
Collingwood: De Goey 4, Kreuger 2, McInnes 2, Moore 2, Cameron, J. Daicos, Wilson, Hoskin-Elliott
Best
Brisbane: Neale, McCLuggage, Zorko, Andrews, Ah Chee, Daniher, Berry
Collingwood: De Goey, Crisp, Howe, Moore, Pendlebury, J. Daicos
Onto the other games of round five of the AFL season.
North Melbourne Kangaroos 11 goals, 5 behinds (71) lost to Western Bulldogs 21 goals, 13 behinds (139)
Goals
North Melbourne: Larkey 4, Taylor 2, Ford, Powell, Stephenson, Xerri, Ziebell
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Weightman 5, Bontompelli 3, Scott 2, Cordy, English, Hunter, Macrae, Ugle-Hagen, Wallis
Best
North Melbourne: Larkey, Davies-Uniacke, Xerri, Simpkin, Scott, Horne-Francis
Western Bulldogs: Smith, Liberatore, Weightman, Naughton, Dale, Macrae, Duryea, Treloar
A year after getting pasted by 140+ in their traditional Good Friday clash, the Kangaroos looked on course for a similar result as the Bulldogs piled on eight goals to one in the opening term. The Roos showed infinitely more resistance than in 2021 to kick five straight goals to reduce that lead 19 points midway through the 2nd term. For all of their bravery, these Roos just couldn’t get over the vast talent gap between the two sides. A run of nine goals in 11 for the Bulldogs put the game beyond doubt as they eventually ran out comfortable 68 point victors. Nick Larkey was a constant threat for the Roos with four goals. He was well fed by Jye Simpkin – playing in his 100th match – and Luke Davies-Uniacke. For the Dogs, it was goal avalanche. Cody Weightman equalled his career his of four goals inside the opening term, eventually getting his 5th late on. Aaron Naughton also kicked five, looking like he’s over his early season goal kicking yips. The luxuriously coiffed Bailey Smith was everywhere, gathering 43 disposals in every part of the ground, his work rate on the day remarkable. Tim English continued his breakout season with another excellent performance. The Bulldogs dominated the ball in this contest, having 11 of the top 13 possessions getters.
West Coast Eagles 9 goals, 4 behinds (58) lost to Sydney Swans 18 goals, 13 behinds (121)
Goals
West Coast: Ryan 3, Kennedy 2, Redden, B. Williams, Darling, Cripps
Sydney: Heeney 3, McLean 2, McDonald 2, Hayward 2, Parker 2, Warner 2, Ronke, Bell, Ladhams, McInerney, Blakey
Best
West Coast: Duggan, Redden, Naish, Ryan, Witherden
Sydney: Mills, Ladhams, Heeney, Parker, Lloyd, McInerney
After last weeks stirring win over the Magpies, West Coast came crashing back to Earth with a heavy loss at home to the Swans. Despite the Eagles welcoming back a host of big names (though in fairness they did lose the influential Nic Naitanui and Jeremy McGovern), this match was decided early as the Swans took the usually raucous Perth crowd out of the contest with a 34 point to zero opening term. Sydney added three more 2nd term goals before Liam Ryan finally got the Eagles on the board by which times the Swans were sitting on 56 points. In a dominant 1st half, Sydney had led in scoring shots (20-2), possessions (206-157), inside 50’s (39-10) and hit outs (26-11). Sydney didn’t quite put their cue in the wrack after half time, though they did noticeably take their foot off the gas, doing just enough to maintain the margin on their way to a 63 point win. With Buddy Franklin out injures, the Swans went the goal-kicker-by-committee route with six multiple goal scorers. Peter Ladhams, in his Swans debut after moving over from Port Adelaide, took advantage of Naitanui’s absence with 24 disposals, 24 hitouts and a 2nd quarter goal.
St Kilda Saints 13 goals, 9 behinds (87) defeated Gold Coast Suns 9 goals, 7 behinds (61)
Goals
St Kilda: Higgins 5, King 3, Gresham 2, Hayes, Membrey, Ross
Gold Coast: Ainsworth 2, Corbett 2, Rankine, Casboult, Holman, Chol, Ellis
Best
St Kilda: Higgins, Steele, Crouch, Ross, Marshall, Sinclair
Gold Coast: Anderson, Miller, Ellis, Markov, Weller, Powell
Despite starting well the Suns were outclassed by St Kilda, who solidified their status as a finals contender with an efficient performance. After an even opening term where the Suns got out to an 11 point lead before being pegged back, they again opened up a small gap when Mabior Chol goaled to make the margin nine points. The Saints responded with a five goal run either side of half time, Max King and Jack Higgins dominant up forward, to push the margin into the 20’s where it hovered for the rest of the match, eventually settling at 26 points. Higgins (5 goals) and King (3) were a menace for the Saints, with Jade Gresham (25 possessions and two goals) starring in his 100th match. St Kilda enjoyed an even midfield spread with Jack Steele, Seb Ross, Jack Sinclair and Brad Crouch each gathering 27 touches. For the Suns it was again that man Touk Miller who led the way with a game high 32 disposals, Noah Anderson and Lachie Weller supporting him well. Gold Coast continue to work hard and push superior teams without the results their play perhaps merits. The Saints asserted their September claim with another professional win.
Adelaide Crows 15 goals, 11 behinds (101) defeated Richmond Tigers 12 goals, 10 behinds (82)
Goals
Adelaide: Walker 5, Himmelberg 4, McAdam 2, Laird, Rachele, O’Brien
Richmond: Baker 2, Castagna 2, Lynch 2, Riewoldt 2, Cotchin, Balta, Edwards, Graham
Best
Adelaide: Keays, Dawson, Walker, Laird, Himmelberg, Doedee
Richmond: Cotchin, Vlastuin, Prestia, Parker, Edwards
The Crows pulled off an upset in taking down the Tigers at Adelaide Oval. The Tigers got the jump on Adelaide in the opening minutes of the game before being pegged back, the Crows leading at the opening break through Taylor Walker’s mast second goal – his 3rd of the first quarter. He kicked his 4th just a minute into the 2nd term as Adelaide put their foot down. When Elliott Himmelberg goaled the Crows led by 24 points midway through the quarter, eventually leading by 19 at the main break. Richmond went on a stirring run in the 3rd term, taking an unlikely lead when Liam Baker scored, the Tigers’ 4th on the trot. Reilly O’Brien restored Adelaide’s lead before Walker and Himmelberg – with their 5th and 4th goals, respectively – pushed the Crows lead out again. The final term was a tense affair broken open by a pair of goals from livewire Crows rookie Josh Rachele. With the lead at 31 points, Richmond tried to launch one more comeback. Despite goals to Tom Lynch and Jack Graham, they never seriously threatened to again make the match tight. Walker and Himmelberg were powerhouses for the Crows with nine goals between them. Ben Keays (31 possessions), Rory Laird and Matt Crouch (26 each) instrumental in midfield, with Brodie Smith’s 28 disposals from half back proving telling. Dion Prestia (27 disposals) was busy for the Tigers. The Crows didn’t get through the match unscathed as veteran star midfielder Rory Sloane going down with a season ending knee injury.
Melbourne Demons 19 goals, 6 behinds (120) defeated GWS Giants 7 goals, 11 behinds (53)
Goals
Melbourne: Fritsch 4, Pickett 3, Petracca 2, Gawn 2, Bowey, Jackson, McDonald, Weideman, Spargo, Jordon, Viney, Neal-Bullen,Bowey
GWS: Hill 2, Callaghan, Flynn, Coniglio, Hogan, Himmelberg
Best
Melbourne: Petracca, Oliver, Gawn, Viney, Pickett, May, Langdon
GWS: Green, Kelly, Ward, Bruhn
Last week this writer proclaimed that the Demons were leading the competition despite not really hitting top gear. In the 3rd term on Saturday night, the Dees went into overdrive. Melbourne kicked 10 goals – to 10 individual goal kickers – to turn a 14 point half time lead into an insurmountable 62 point break at the home turn. Early in the match, the old phrase ‘good kicking is good football’ came to mind as both teams had five scoring shots: the Demons with five goals, the Giants with five behinds. GWS fought back well in the 2nd to take the ascendancy, if not the lead. Melbourne’s run after the break was as swift as it was brutal. Suffocating defense, personified by Steven May making three spoils within a minute, turned into fast and precise attacking football. A run of four goals in four minutes, finished by a spinning snap by skipper Max Gawn, proved the back breaker for the Giants. Melbourne pushed the lead out to 79 points before letting up late, the Giants kicking the games final two majors. Bobby Hill and Stephen Coniglio were solid for GWS, whilst the Demons had too many winners to name individually. The only unbeaten side in the AFL, it’s scary to consider that they could get even better: big forward Ben Brown is set to return next week, Adam Tomlinson is waiting in the wings, All Australian half back Christian Salem will return from injury in around a month and Luke Dunstan, recruited from St Kilda, is yet to make his debut for the team.
Carlton Blues 14 goals, 10 behinds (94) defeated Port Adelaide Power 13 goals, 13 behinds (91)
Goals
Carlton: Curnow 5, McKay 3, Martin 2, Fisher 2, Silvagni, Durdin
Port Adelaide: Gray 3, Georgiades 2, Burton 2, Powell-Pepper 2, Boak, Finlayson, Butters, Rozee
Best
Carlton: Walsh, Hewett, Curnow, McKay Cerra
Port Adelaide: Burton, Rozee, Houston, Butters, Powell-Pepper
Port Adelaide’s season went from bad to worse, dropping to 0-5 on the year in a heartbreaking loss to Carlton. For their part, the Blues can count themselves lucky after almost blowing a 50 point lead. Carlton launched out of the gates, Charlie Curnow licking the 1st of his five goals within a minute as the Blues took a 25 point lead into quarter time, that margin ballooning to 49 points after another dominant term in the 2nd. After half time, however, it was like the teams had swapped guernseys. Curnow answered a quickfire Power double to Sam Powell-Pepper and Zak Butters, before Port Adelaide went on a 41 point run to cut the margin just two points as Robbie Gray booted his 3rd major. Carlton steadied – again it was that man Curnow – though a late Mitch Georgiades again brought the margin to within a kick. Karl Amon had a chance to steal the game with a long set shot, but his kick fell short and was rushed through for a behind, the last score of the afternoon. In the 1st half especially, Carlton’s midfield was tremendous. Sam Walsh had 16 1st term possessions on hiw way to a game high 38 with off season recruits George Hewett (33) and Adam Cerra (32) also seeing a lot of the football. Butters and Ryan Burton were instrumental in the Power’s comeback attempts, finishing with 32 and 29 touches respectively. Sitting at 4-1, the Blues finally look like a finals contender, yet there’s still just a lingering doubt as to how good this team really is.
Essendon Bombers 8 goals, 11 behinds (59) lost to Fremantle Dockers 16 goals, 11 behinds (107)
Goals
Essendon: Marton 2, Waterman 2, Caldwell, Cox, Guelfi, Draper
Fremantle: Taberner 7, Banfield 2, Darcy 2, Frederick 2, Switkowski 2, Brayshaw
Best
Essendon: Parish, McGrath, Heppell, Caldwell, Martin
Fremantle: Taberner, Brayshaw, Brodie, Darcy, Serong, Clark, O’Driscoll
Two of the AFL’s most promising young sides took to the field on Easter Sunday, though one left with a bitter taste in it’s mouth, the other decidedly better. A tight opening half saw Freo’s Michael Frederick open the scoring a full 10 minutes into the match as the teams traded goals, the Dockers eventually taking a three point lead into half time, the match evenly poised. The 3rd term saw Fremantle run riot as they danced around the Bombers players like they weren’t even there. The Bombers defense has been their weak point this season, though they could do little given the lack of resistance further up the ground. The Dockers kicked six unanswered goals in the 3rd quarter, four of those to key forward Matt Taberner, who was on his way to a career high seven on the day. All up the Dockers kicked nine goals in a row to push the lead out to 58 points before a trio of late Bombers goals saved some face. Taberner was irresistible up forward, now on 11 goals in just three matches in 2022. He received silver service from Andy Brayshaw and Will Brodie, the latter again proving himself to be the bargain recruit of the year. Bombers skipper Dyson Heppell was prolific with 34 disposals.
Hawthorn Hawks 14 goals, 8 behinds (92) defeated Geelong Cats 11 goals, 14 behinds (80)
Goals
Hawthorn: Moore 4, Gunston 3, Lewis 3, Breust 2, O’Meara, Mitchell
Geelong: Cameron 3, Hawkins 3, Stengle 3, Dangerfield, Holmes
Best
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Sicily, Mitchell, Moore, Impey, Scrimshaw
Geelong: Stewart, Cameron, Smith, Selwood, Hawkins, Duncan
These two great rivals – though few remain from their remarkable finals clashes the animosity remains very real – put on a show on Easter Monday. The tone was set right at the opening bounce as Jai Newcombe won a most contested ball that led to Mitch Lewis kicking the opener just 49 seconds into the contest. Dylan Moore added two more in quick succession and the Cats were suddenly down by 18 points without registering a possession! The veteran Cats did hit the scoreboard through the excellent Jeremy Cameron, though Hawthorn held a handy 23 point lead at the first change. A Tom Hawkins goal for Geelong right on halftime signalled a cats charge, kicking three more after the break to claw back the lead. Trailing by 12 points at three quarter time, you had to ask if the young Hawks had run their race. Their answer was emphatic. Goals to Tom Mitchell then the irrepressible Jack Gunston saw the Hawks snatch the ascendancy. A classy snap from Luke Breust pushed the lead out to seven points and with just under two minutes remaining, Bruest turned provider, roving in the centre of the park and bombing the ball long to a wide open Lewis to kick the sealer. The Hawks win was made all the more remarkable by the fact they did it without a ruckman. Ben McEvoy is out injured for the next month or so and his backup Ned Reeves – who was monstering the Cats Rhys Stanley – was felled by a dislocated shoulder just prior to the quarter time siren.
Coleman Medal leader board
Max King (St Kilda) – 16 (3 goals this week)
Tom Hawkins (Geelong) – 16 (3)
Joe Daniher (Brisbane) – 16 (4)
Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn) – 15 goals (3)
Isaac Heeney (Sydney) – 14 (3)
Charlie Curnow (Carlton) – 14 (5)
Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) – 14 (4)
Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) – 13 (5)
| # | Club | M | Pts | % | For | Agt | This Week | Projected | Next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne | 5 | 20 | 155.9 % | 466 | 299 | Won vs GWS 120 – 53 | 1st: 68+ pts, 137 % | Sunday @ Rich |
| 2 | Fremantle | 5 | 16 | 141.7 % | 435 | 307 | Won @ Ess 107 – 59 | 7th: 48 pts, 107 % | Saturday vs Carl |
| 3 | Brisbane | 5 | 16 | 138.0 % | 501 | 363 | Won vs Coll 98 – 91 | 2nd: 60 pts, 121 % | Sunday @ G.C. |
| 4 | St Kilda | 5 | 16 | 132.3 % | 496 | 375 | Won vs G.C. 87 – 61 | 4th: 52 pts, 111 % | Friday @ GWS |
| 5 | Sydney | 5 | 16 | 130.3 % | 486 | 373 | Won @ WCE 121 – 58 | 5th: 52 pts, 108 % | Monday @ Haw |
| 6 | Carlton | 5 | 16 | 102.6 % | 433 | 422 | Won vs P.A. 94 – 91 | 9th: 48 pts, 99 % | Saturday @ Freo |
| 7 | Geelong | 5 | 12 | 110.9 % | 479 | 432 | Lost @ Haw 80 – 92 | 3rd: 52+ pts, 114 % | Sunday @ N.M. |
| 8 | Hawthorn | 5 | 12 | 106.3 % | 436 | 410 | Won vs Geel 92 – 80 | 12th: 44 pts, 99 % | Monday vs Syd |
| 9 | Collingwood | 5 | 8 | 106.0 % | 458 | 432 | Lost @ B.L. 91 – 98 | 11th: 44 pts, 102 % | Monday @ Ess |
| 10 | W Bulldogs | 5 | 8 | 100.7 % | 432 | 429 | Won @ N.M. 139 – 71 | 6th: 48 pts, 107 % | Saturday vs Adel |
| 11 | Richmond | 5 | 8 | 99.3 % | 450 | 453 | Lost @ Adel 82 – 101 | 8th: 48 pts, 107 % | Sunday vs Melb |
| 12 | Gold Coast | 5 | 8 | 98.0 % | 386 | 394 | Lost @ St.K 61 – 87 | 10th: 44 pts, 103 % | Sunday vs B.L. |
| 13 | Adelaide | 5 | 8 | 94.8 % | 436 | 460 | Won vs Rich 101 – 82 | 14th: 36 pts, 92 % | Saturday @ W.B. |
| 14 | GWS Giants | 5 | 4 | 73.0 % | 355 | 486 | Lost @ Melb 53 – 120 | 15th: 36 pts, 89 % | Friday vs St.K |
| 15 | Essendon | 5 | 4 | 70.2 % | 379 | 540 | Lost vs Freo 59 – 107 | 16th: 32 pts, 87 % | Monday vs Coll |
| 16 | WC Eagles | 5 | 4 | 69.2 % | 331 | 478 | Lost vs Syd 58 – 121 | 18th: 20 pts, 71 % | Saturday @ P.A. |
| 17 | North Melb | 5 | 4 | 62.9 % | 326 | 518 | Lost vs W.B. 71 – 139 | 17th: 24 pts, 74 % | Sunday vs Geel |
| 18 | Port Adel | 5 | 0 | 75.1 % | 344 | 458 | Lost @ Carl 91 – 94 | 13th: 36 pts, 96 % | Saturday vs WCE |
