Willie Rioli booted a career-high four majors as Port Adelaide picked up a famous victory. Their first at Kardinia Park since 2007, by holding on to defeat Geelong.
They had to show both sides to their game. The very impressive Jason Horne-Francis (pictured below) starring as the Power got out to a sizeable lead heading into the main break.
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Then, in the second half, it was real backs to the wall as they came under siege from the hosts but showed a real metal and defensive quality in managing to see it out.
Speaking in the presser, coach Ken Hinkley (pictured below) was a delighted man; he said “We played a pretty strong first half and hung tough in the second half because we knew they play aggressive offence, they get out the back really easy and really quickly and to hang on I was really proud.”
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“I thought we had a really good week as a group. There’s a fair bit that goes said and done around footy and our week after a disappointing performance in a really tough competition, and it gets blown up a bit more because it was a Showdown.”
He added “We’ve been a pretty good team through the first part of this year. We’ve put ourselves in a reasonable spot so I was just proud of the boys to find some energy after last week and to come down to the hardest road trip and get the result.”
Vale Cam McCarthy
Sydney is now the outright leader, at the top of the ladder. They dispatched Fremantle, clinically, on a highly emotional night at Optus Stadium.
The Dockers were never really in the contest although can be forgiven on the back of the devastating news that their former player Cam McCarthy had died aged just 29.
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A minute’s applause, while the two teams formed a circle in the middle of the oval, was held to pay tribute to the West Australian forward who played in the AFL from 2014-2020 and was found dead at Lake Coogee, in Perth, on Thursday evening.
In a club statement, Chief Executive Simon Garlick said “His death is tragic, and to all of his family, friends and teammates, we extend our deepest condolences.”
“Cam was a kind and easy-going person at the club, and he was someone who had a habit of making people smile and laugh. His talent was undeniable, and he loved his footy. Our thoughts are with Cam’s family and his loved ones during this time.”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon also extended the league’s condolences, on the tragedy, adding “On behalf of everyone at the AFL, our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the entire McCarthy family and Cam’s loved ones and friends, along with his former teammates from both Fremantle and GWS.”
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Blues hang on to win a thriller
Carlton fans certainly had their nerves tested before eventually seeing their players secure a single-point victory over Melbourne in an absolute beauty at the MCG.
The Blues looked to be cruising at one stage but the Demons, for whom Christian Petracca kicked a career-high five majors, had other ideas as they came from the clouds but, despite winning the ‘Inside 50s’ by +20, just fell short in a dramatic finish.
Adelaide played out only their third-ever draw in club history and first against Brisbane as the two couldn’t be separated and had to settle for a share of the spoils.
The final siren was met with a subdued reaction, with no winner, by everyone and judging by all the calls into the post-match radio show will once again raise the question as to whether there is a need for extra time or a golden goal scenario.
PM Anthony Albanese attends Hawks v Saints
Hawthorn made it two-in-a-row but only after overcoming some tense moments, late on, and eventually falling over the line against St. Kilda in a very low-scoring affair.
Defender Karl Amon (pictured below) (game-high 31 possessions, seven marks and 711m gained) picked up the first Silk Miller Medal of his career with a best-on-ground display.
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There was a special guest in the rooms, post-siren, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invited into the victory circle to sing the song with the players – the current leader of Australia, who was in Tasmania on an official visit, said on his ‘X’ account “You could feel the energy in Launceston today. A great win by the Hawks.”
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Kyle Langford kept up his rich vein of goalscoring, with another four snags, as Essendon came from behind to run over the top of Greater Western Sydney.
There is currently a real buzz amongst Bombers supporters, especially having seen their heroes secure their biggest triumph to date and having them dreaming of what is possible this campaign as well as the chance to win a first final since 2004.
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Speaking in the rooms, to the club’s website, ‘Langers’ (pictured above) said “It feels good and was a great win from the guys. Everything that we spoke about in the week kind of came through; it’s an enormous win. It was really cool to hear our crowd in that last quarter with that ‘Go Bombers’ chant.”
He continued “We were kind of hanging in there a bit; we actually spoke at half-time that we were beating them on ‘Inside 50s’ and we were getting our opportunities but just not taking them. We just needed to keep playing our way and things would unfold a bit and that is what happened in the third and fourth quarters.”
Callum Ward 300th
Although he ended up on the losing side, it was still a significant milestone for Giants midfielder Callum Ward, the club’s inaugural captain and record games holder, as he became just the 103rd player in VFL/AFL history to make 300 appearances.
Reigning Premiers Collingwood moved into the all-important top eight, for the first time this season, as they romped to a 66-point success over West Coast.
Unfortunately, though, it did come at a bit of a cost with the Magpies losing the trio of Jeremy Howe (groin), Harvey Harrison (ankle), and Jack Bytel (concussion) to injury.
A pretty dirty night for the Eagles although there were a couple of positive moments – Harley Reid taking a MOTY contender while Tyrell Dewar (pictured below) scored on his debut.
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Suns record winning margin at TIO
Gold Coast secured their biggest ever winning margin (69 points), in club history, at the TIO Stadium (Darwin) by demolishing bottom side outfit North Melbourne.
Played in hot and humid conditions, the Suns took some time to adjust but then got work before going on to enjoy a very straightforward evening – this fixture provided a great opportunity for the people in the Northern Territories to see live footy.
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Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and James Harmes all kicked four goals apiece as a fast-starting and rampant Western Bulldogs put an injury-hit Richmond to the sword.
Just the kind of result that under-fire coach Luke Beveridge and his players would have wanted given the fierce criticism they have copped, for their form, this week.
Round 9 Results
Carlton 12.5 (77)
Melbourne 11.10 (76)
Geelong 14.11 (95)
Port Adelaide 15.11 (101)
Fremantle 4.15 (39)
Sydney 13.9 (87)
Hawthorn 8.10 (58)
St.Kilda 7.11 (53)
Essendon 12.10 (82)
GWS 9.8 (62)
Richmond 6.6 (42)
Western Bulldogs 19.19 (133)
Gold Coast 17.18 (120)
North Melbourne 7.10 (52)
Collingwood 15.13 (103)
West Coast 5.7 (37)
Adelaide 13.12 (90)
Brisbane 13.12 (90)
Related Links
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Source : AFL 2024 Round 9: Port secure famous win at Kardinia Park
