The AFL world descended on South Australia (SA) for the third yr of Collect Spherical – a four-day ‘Final Pageant of Footy’ initiative to advertise the game – the place all 18 golf equipment performed throughout 9 matches at three venues within the one state.
Along with all of the fixtures, this four-day occasion was filled with free actions and leisure for all ages, together with a few of SA’s greatest native distributors, meals vans, licensed bars, and the favored 150-meter-long zip line over the River Torrens.
Cameron and Dangerfield star in Cats win
The motion couldn’t have kicked off any higher on Thursday night, as a sold-out crowd on the Oval was handled to an absolute magnificence the place Geelong put in a stellar second-half show to rise up over Adelaide in an thrilling, high-scoring affair.
Skilled gamers Jeremy Cameron (pictured under, left) and Patrick Dangerfield (pictured under, proper), in opposition to his outdated mob, actually stood up when it mattered for the Cats as they mixed for eight majors.
Midfielder Bailey Smith was the main focus of consideration, post-match, and copped a $1,000 superb after a video of him making an offensive gesture in direction of Crows followers as he walked down the race was circulated throughout numerous social media platforms.
Energy defeats Hawks in grudge match
If Hawthorn have been beginning to imagine the early hype round them, they got a correct actuality verify after being blown away by a rampant Port Adelaide.
There was loads of spice coming into this one, on the again of final yr’s semi-final the place Ken Hinkley was fined $20,000 for “conduct unbecoming” as he taunted Jack Ginnivan instantly after that sport in response to his notorious “flying” remark.
While there have been a few flash factors/heated exchanges, it proved to be an anti-climax because the Energy surged out the gates and had it sewn up by the half-time, regardless of a little bit of a fightback by the Hawks to make the scoreline extra respectable.
‘Comeback Kings’ do it once more
That end result meant that the reigning Premiers of Brisbane had taken over on the high of the ladder after overturning a 39-point deficit to defeat the Western Bulldogs.
It’s the first time that the membership have gotten off to a five-zip begin since being re-branded again in 1995, and the Lions are additionally getting a status because the “Comeback Kings” with this, their fourth in 5 video games the place they’ve trailed on the essential break.
Key ahead Eric Hipwood (pictured above) was the catalyst with 5 majors within the second half, whereas Hugh McCluggage, Josh Dunkley, and Lachie Neale all performed necessary roles.
Ned Lengthy has standout sport
Collingwood flexed their muscle groups and confirmed why they’re real flag contenders by proving too robust for final yr’s Grand Finalists Sydney, profitable by 31 factors.
While the mercurial Nick Daicos was at his typical greatest, regardless of being tagged by Jason Jordan, it was the efficiency of Ned Lengthy (pictured under) that caught the attention.
The 22-year-old, delisted in 2023 earlier than becoming a member of the Magpies final yr and coming via the VFL, had a career-best outing by setting private information for disposals (26), clearances (eight), contested possessions (15), and rating involvements (9).
Suns make historical past
For the primary time in membership historical past, Gold Coast made it four-zip, ultimately seeing off the problem from a plucky North Melbourne outfit.
Ahead Ben King continued his superb early season type, with one other 5 majors, and was amongst 14 completely different goal-kickers for the victorious Suns that made additional historical past by changing into the primary AFL group to put on a predominately pink guernsey.
Luke Davies-Uniacke confirmed simply why the Kangaroos provided him a profitable seven-year contract extension via to 2032, believed to be price about $1.3 million a season. Sadly, the others couldn’t go together with him as they light away badly.
Greene kicks a bag of 5
Toby Greene led by instance, with an actual captain’s show, as Better Western Sydney obtained the sweets with a hard-fought overcome St.Kilda at Norwood Oval.
Final season’s Coleman Medallist winner Jesse Hogan (pictured under) stored his exceptional 100% accuracy price in entrance of the large sticks by taking his tally to 12 majors in 2025.
Though the injury had already been completed within the second and third quarters, the Saints will take coronary heart, going into their subsequent fixture, at the truth that they stored their opposition goalless within the final time period and completed the match fairly properly.
Blues choose up first win of the season
Carlton, who’ve been firmly within the highlight for his or her poor opening to this point, lastly managed to get themselves on the winner’s board after downing West Coast.
Corey Durdin (pictured above), who got here via the SANFL with Central District, booted a career-high 4 snags for the Navy Blues, rising their lead at each change.
One other afternoon to overlook for the disappointing Eagles, at the moment propping up the ladder, as they produced their lowest contested possession tally on document.
Barossa Park hosts AFL footy
Barossa Park turned the 51st venue in AFL historical past to host a sport as Fremantle recorded their biggest-ever victory over Richmond, a 61-point drubbing.
If the primary half was aggressive, then the second was the exact opposite. They fully overran a younger Tigers facet, having the final 20 out of 23 scoring pictures.
Josh Treacy (pictured above) kicked a career-high six majors while Hayden Younger got here via unscathed in his first look again following an extended hamstring harm lay-off.
Bombers compound Demons’ distress
Younger ahead Jye Menzie (pictured under) had a night to recollect, registering a career-high 4 objectives, as Essendon heaped extra distress on an out-of-sorts Melbourne.
The Bombers led for the entire contest, racking up a monster 448 disposals, their second highest within the final 5 seasons. Sadly, it did come at a little bit of a value, with ruckman Nick Bryan struggling a severe proper knee harm.
This newest defeat for the Demons makes it zip-five, and even at this early stage, it makes their possibilities of making the finals very distant. Coach Simon Goodwin admitted in his presser, “We’re in a difficult spot proper now, and we acknowledge that.”
Collect Spherical 2025 Outcomes
Adelaide 15.10 (100)
Geelong 18.11 (119)
Collingwood 16.13 (109)
Sydney 12.6 (78)
North Melbourne 13.11 (89)
Gold Coast 21.15 (141)
Carlton 17.19 (121)
West Coast 6.14 (50)
Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97)
Brisbane 18.10 (118)
Melbourne 8.9 (57)
Essendon 15.6 (96)
Richmond 7.5 (47)
Fremantle 16.12 (108)
St.Kilda 12.10 (82)
GWS 16.14 (110)
Port Adelaide 18.13 (121)
Hawthorn 14.7 (91)
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