In the 33rd ‘Battle of the Bridge’, Sydney came away with bragging rights by proving far too strong for Greater Western Sydney with a scintillating performance.
They got off to a fast start, never looked back, and went on to dominate, leading for the whole evening to keep up their impressive run against their adversaries.
Swans midfielder Errol Gulden claimed his fourth Kirk-Ward Medal and made history by becoming the first player in their history to surpass 1,000m gained.
Speaking on the ground to Fox Footy about the achievement, he said, “It is pretty cool, I guess. Obviously, I missed a lot of footy the last couple of years. So, I am really happy to be back out here playing and not taking anything for granted.”
“When the team was doing so well at the start of the season, it made the rehab process a lot easier. It is so much fun to be out here, certainly don’t take it for granted and even better when you get the four points; it is even more enjoyable.”
Western Derby 63
Ladder leaders Fremantle took the honours in the 63rd Western Derby by putting their cross-town arch-rivals West Coast to the sword in a 70-point demolition.
Played before a record home-and-away crowd of 56,616 at Optus Stadium, this latest victory puts them on the verge of a minor premiership (McClellend Trophy).
Finishing in pole position would give the Dockers a potential home finals berth, all the way to the Grannie, and the perfect scenario for trying to claim the grand prize.
Midfielder Murphy Reid, 19, became the youngest Glendinning-Allan Medal winner in history for a best-on-ground effort that included 26 disposals, four marks and a goal.
Magpies triumph in the City of Churches
Collingwood kept up their excellent record in the City of Churches after travelling interstate and knocking over Adelaide, in a hostile environment, on their home deck.
They were on the backfoot, though, as the hosts, for whom Taylor Walker booted his 700th major (only 28th player in AFL history), were up and about in the early stages.
However, full credit to them for managing to turn it around after the main interval, and with momentum behind them, they went on to win the contest in convincing fashion.
Jordan De Goey (200th) and Isaac Quaynor (150th) both celebrated their milestone matches for the Magpies, who are full of confidence and now have six in a row.
Cats defeat Demons in a shootout
Key forward Shannon Neale kicked a career-high five majors as Geelong came out on top in a fast-paced shootout-style encounter to defeat Melbourne at the MCG.
Although the lead didn’t change hands much, it was an absorbing close encounter for the majority of it, with the Cats eventually pulling away in the latter stages.
Irishman Oisin Mullen (pictured above) played a vital role – given the assignment of tagging Kozzy Pickett, he passed with flying colours by completely nullifying the Demons livewire.
Patrick Dangerfield, who has just committed to the club for another year, lined up for his 375th game, which puts him eleventh on the all-time AFL/VFL games played list.
Lions prove too strong for the Power
A devastating second half display by in-form Brisbane, chasing the three-peat, saw them notch up their seventh straight triumph in defeating Port Adelaide.
It proved to be quite a tight encounter up until the half-time interval, but the hosts were able to up it and went on to boot 14 majors to the delight of the Gabba faithful.
Charlie Cameron (pictured above) marked his 200th appearance with three snags – the forward was coach Chris Fagan’s first signing when he took over, in 2017, to rebuild the club.
The turnaround, in the last nine years, has been remarkable, going from wooden spooners to playing in every final since 2019. They lost the Grand Final in 2023 but returned to win it twice (2024, 2025) and are seen as one of the favourites to do it again.
Lewis and Gunston sign contract extensions
Jack Gunston scored the 600th goal of his career, as part of a haul of seven, as Hawthorn boosted their percentage by hammering lowly Essendon by 93 points.
The 34-year-old continues to turn back the hand of time, such is his current form, which has seen the club react by offering him a further one-year contract extension.
It has been a very good week for the Hawks, who were also able to secure the signature of Mitch Lewis for another four years through until the end of 2030.
The key forward decided to turn his back on free agency, despite lots of interest and speculation about a possible move on the cards, and committed to stay.
Blues keep wildcard hopes alive
Two clubs with wildcard aspirations clashed, with Carlton getting the job done after managing to come out on top and win a real arm wrestle against Gold Coast.
A key stat in this one was their ability to score from forward-50 stoppages – six from twelve opportunities to the opposition’s zero – the biggest differential of the season.
The result puts the Blues in with a real chance of being part of the pointy end, under interim coach Josh Fraser, which seemed like a pipe dream just three months ago.
In contrast, the recent form of the Suns, pre-season Premiership favourites, has been nothing short of spectacular as they crashed to their ninth straight loss.
Doggies see off the Tigers
The Western Bulldogs kept up their pursuit of a top six finish by cruising to a comfortable success against an injury-hit Richmond outfit at Marvel Stadium.
Certainly didn’t have it all their own way in the early going but were then able to crack the contest open midway through the second quarter, and from there it was plain sailing.
Rhylee West, Cody Weightman, Ed Richards and Marcus Bontempelli (two each) were amongst eleven different goalkickers, which pleased coach Luke Beveridge.
This fixture was part of the Doggies’ Cultural Heritage Series, which provides an opportunity to celebrate and see the representation of so many different cultures.
Wanganeen-Milera stars in Saints victory
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the star of the show, with a sensational showing, as St.Kilda overcame the challenge to get up over a plucky North Melbourne side.
The midfielder became just the third player ever in AFL history to record 46+ disposals and four goals, as well as only the sixth to register 1060 metres gained.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t such a good day for Max King, who made his return to the Saints senior line-up for the first time in 757 days due to persistent knee issues.
The forward was suffering with hamstring tightness in the third quarter, and despite receiving treatment, was eventually ruled out, which must have been frustrating.
Round 20 Results
Adelaide 11.8 (74)
Collingwood 16.12 (108)
Melbourne 14.13 (97)
Geelong 18.9 (117)
Fremantle 16.16 (112)
West Coast 6.6 (42)
Carlton 16.14 (110)
Gold Coast 15.7 (97)
Hawthorn 19.18 (132)
Essendon 5.9 (39)
GWS 13.10 (88)
Sydney 21.12 (139)
Western Bulldogs 15.15 (105)
Richmond 7.6 (48)
Brisbane 19.12 (126)
Port Adelaide 9.13 (67)
North Melbourne 8.14 (62)
St.Kilda 13.15 (93)
