The AFL season is heating up, and the latest round of matches has left some teams in dire straits, while others are soaring. The Crows, Lions, and Giants have emerged victorious, but the rest of the league is still in a fierce competition for the top spots. The season is far from over, and the race for the finals is intensifying.
Adelaide Crows: A+ Performance
The Crows dominated the Gold Coast Suns, showcasing their resilience and determination in wet conditions. They finished +22 for inside 50s, +18 for clearance, +27 for contested ball, +35 for tackles, and +12 goals. Jordan Dawson, Wayne Milera, Sam Berry, and Taylor Walker were standout performers, with Berry leading the way with 28 disposals, 12 tackles, 10 clearances, and seven inside 50s. The Crows' performance was a testament to their team spirit and hard work, and they deserve the A+ grade.
Brisbane Lions: A+ Performance
The Lions sent a message to the rest of the competition with a 15-goal win over Essendon. They held the visitors to just one goal by three-quarter time and had no passengers. Lachie Neale and Will Ashcroft were outstanding, with Neale's 40 disposals and Ashcroft's 33 disposals and 13 score involvements. The Lions' performance was a display of their strength and consistency, and they deserve the A+ grade.
Carlton: D Performance
The Blues suffered a 64-point loss to Hawthorn, which was their biggest loss since 2024. Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra were the leading ball-winners, but the team struggled with the wet conditions. Josh Fraser post-game lamented their lack of method and their inability to handle the conditions. The Blues' performance was a disappointment, and they deserve the D grade.
Collingwood: B Performance
The Magpies came up trumps by just four points over North Melbourne. Josh Daicos and Darcy Cameron were standout performers, with Daicos' 33 disposals and Cameron's 26 disposals and 10 clearances. The Magpies' performance was a display of their resilience and determination, and they deserve the B grade.
Essendon: F Performance
The Bombers were annihilated by Brisbane, losing 15-1 goal. They failed to kick a goal for the first 54 minutes of the encounter and had just one major to their name by three-quarter time. The team's performance was a display of their lack of consistency and determination, and they deserve the F grade.
Fremantle: A Performance
The Dockers dominated Sydney, racking up 100 points in just two quarters. They were goalless at the main break but came back strongly in the second half. Murphy Reid, Alex Pearce, Caleb Serong, and Luke Jackson were standout performers, with Reid's 28 touches and Pearce's match-high nine intercepts. The Dockers' performance was a display of their resilience and determination, and they deserve the A grade.
Geelong: D Performance
The Cats' season is starting to slip after a fifth loss in just six games. They finished with just two fit players on the bench and struggled with injury woes. Shaun Mannagh and Ollie Dempsey were standout performers, but the team's performance was a display of their lack of consistency and determination, and they deserve the D grade.
Gold Coast Suns: F Performance
The Suns were appalling in the wet, sinking to a 79-point defeat. They just didn't bring the intensity and struggled with the conditions. Sam Collins and Jed Walter were the only bright spots, but the team's performance was a display of their lack of consistency and determination, and they deserve the F grade.
GWS Giants: A Performance
The Giants' remarkable comeback win against Geelong has put them in a great spot to have a crack at a wildcard finish. Kieren Briggs, Clayton Oliver, Callum Brown, Toby Greene, and Toby Bedford were standout performers, with Briggs' dominant ruck play and Oliver's outstanding performance. The Giants' performance was a display of their resilience and determination, and they deserve the A grade.
Hawthorn: A+ Performance
The Hawks' impressive and professional win over Carlton was a display of their strength and consistency. Jack Ginnivan, Connor Macdonald, Josh Ward, and Jack Gunston were standout performers, with Ward's outstanding performance and Ginnivan's three-goal outing. The Hawks' performance was a testament to their team spirit and hard work, and they deserve the A+ grade.
Melbourne: A Performance
The Demons' remarkable MCG record continued with a 46-point win over Richmond. Jacob van Rooyen, Tom Sparrow, Kysaiah Pickett, Max Gawn, Jake Bowey, and Joel Fitzgerald were standout performers, with van Rooyen's outstanding performance and Pickett's fine season. The Demons' performance was a display of their strength and consistency, and they deserve the A grade.
North Melbourne: B Performance
The Kangaroos' four-point loss to Collingwood was a display of their resilience and determination. Tristan Xerri, Luke Davies-Uniacke, and Jy Simpkin were standout performers, with Xerri's best game in months and Davies-Uniacke's impact. The Kangaroos' performance was a testament to their team spirit and hard work, and they deserve the B grade.
Port Adelaide: C+ Performance
The Power's brave effort against St Kilda was a display of their resilience and determination. Horne-Francis, Miles Bergman, Aliir Aliir, and Jason Horne-Francis were standout performers, with Horne-Francis' crucial role and Bergman's best game for the year. The Power's performance was a testament to their team spirit and hard work, and they deserve the C+ grade.
Richmond: D+ Performance
The Tigers' narrow loss to Melbourne was a display of their lack of consistency and determination. Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, and Sam Cumming were standout performers, but the team struggled with the conditions. The Tigers' performance was a disappointment, and they deserve the D+ grade.
St Kilda: A- Performance
The Saints' 14-point win over Port Adelaide was a display of their resilience and determination. Callum Wilkie, Bradley Hill, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Rowan Marshall, Cooper Sharman, and Hugo Garcia were standout performers, with Wilkie's outstanding performance and the team's ability to steady in the third term. The Saints' performance was a testament to their team spirit and hard work, and they deserve the A- grade.
Sydney Swans: D+ Performance
The Swans' second half fadeout against Fremantle was a display of their lack of consistency and determination. Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, Brodie Grundy, and Charlie Curnow were standout performers, but the team struggled with the conditions. The Swans' performance was a disappointment, and they deserve the D+ grade.
West Coast Eagles: B Performance
The Eagles' youthful performance against the Bulldogs was a display of their resilience and determination. Harley Reid, Willem Duursma, Tom McCarthy, and Jack Graham were standout performers, with Reid's outstanding performance and the team's ability to hold their own. The Eagles' performance was a testament to their team spirit and hard work, and they deserve the B grade.
Western Bulldogs: B Performance
The Bulldogs' quirky run of form continued with a 16-point win over the Eagles. Marcus Bontempelli, Rory Lobb, and Aaron Naughton were standout performers, with Bontempelli's outstanding performance and the team's ability to hold their own. The Bulldogs' performance was a testament to their team spirit and hard work, and they deserve the B grade.
