Port Adelaide recovered from a slow start before going on and stretching their consecutive winning run to eleven matches as they romped home against Geelong.
Jeremy Finlayson booted four majors whilst it was a big night for debutant Quinton Narkle, who was brought into the starting line-up to replace Junior Rioli (illness).
Delisted by the Cats at the end of last season, the midfielder (pictured below) was picked up by the Power, pick 11 in the AFL mid-season draft, and he came back to haunt his old mob.
Speaking in the rooms to Port TV, he said “It was definitely pretty special. It has been a long nine months for myself – I have worked hard to tighten up on some things that I needed to improve on like my fitness. It was pretty special to run out there with all the boys who have been real welcoming.”
He continued “I just want to gel with the boys as much as I can; they have obviously gone really well so I knew that it was going to be a tough thing coming in and trying to get a spot. I have done all the work and just want to try and play the best footie that I can; hopefully play with the team a lot more this season and really keen to hopefully play some finals footie with everyone.”
Brisbane made hard work of it, amassing 19 behinds, but still had more than enough to put away Sydney to continue the tremendous streak at their fortress Gabba.
The trio of Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft were excellent in the midfield for the Queenslanders and father-son debutant Jaspa Fletcher, pick 12 in the 2022 AFL draft, had an evening to remember by slotting through his first goal.
A sometimes fiery affair saw Sam Wicks (Swans) given a two-game ban for a dangerous tackle. Jarrod Berry (Lions) was also reported for a similar offence but, in the end, escaped without any punishment following a review by the MRO.
Trent Cotchin marked his 300th appearance for Richmond, in the perfect manner, by playing a key role in their 20-point triumph over St.Kilda in front of 62,686 at the ‘G’.
The former Tigers captain becomes just the sixth player at the club to complete the milestone, following in the footsteps of Kevin Bartlett (403), Jack Riewoldt (339), Jack Dyer (311), Shane Edwards (303) and Francis Bourke (300).
It has been a stellar career, so far, that includes 3xPremierships, 1xBrownlow, 1xMcClelland Trophy, 1xAll-Australian and an AFLCA Champion Player of the Year.
Speaking on ground, post-match, to Channel 7, the 33-year-old said “It was good fun. The rain was constant, came down pretty hard but I couldn’t ask for a better way for it to pan out, loved it.
“Has been really special and the way the boys performed tonight was really special. The Saints have been dominating so many of the key areas in the AFL.
“It’s been a hard slog to the round 15 bye; it feels like it has been a long beginning to the season but we feel like we can play some good footy in the back part.”
He went on “In the past I shied away from it but Dimma (former coach Damien Hardwick) through those premiership years talked about embracing the celebration and this is more about celebrating those who have been there for me from when I was a four-year-old starting out at Reservoir Colts up to recent times.
“I’m really conscious of milestone games but just the way my friends, family and the football club have allowed us to soak it up.”
Jake Riccardi booted a career-high five majors as Greater Western Sydney chalked up their biggest victory of the year in the thrashing of a disappointing Fremantle.
Captain Toby Greene weighed in with four of his own, to take him past the 300 career mark, as the Giants dominated and led for the whole afternoon.
A dirty day for the Dockers that kicked their lowest score of the season, whilst it was also coach Justin Longmuir’s worst defeat in his three and a half years at the helm.
Carlton snapped a six-match losing streak, in the most emphatic fashion, with an impressive showing that saw them thrash an out-of-sorts Gold Coast by 59 points.
The pressure has really been on coach Michael Voss (pictured below) and the playing group, following a really poor patch of form, but this result finally gave their supporters something to cheer about and on which to build if they are still to make finals.
Speaking in the presser, the Blues gaffer said “Clearly there has been a lot of commentary on the footy club. That can test your direction and where you want to go. I’m pleased that we’ve got four points. The club has been really unified through this period of time and really clear on what we think will help us moving forward.”
He went on “I’ve got great belief in the players, and I get asked that question a lot, but I see what they’re doing, I have the visibility of all that; I get to see them take ownership and go to work on their game. It has been tough at times, it has been really, really tough, but fortunately, they’ve stuck at it. We’ve had to correct a few things – a lot of things – and this is just one, small step in that bit of direction.”
Closing out the round, Cody Weightman had an afternoon out by scoring a career-high six goals as the Western Bulldogs got the chocolates over North Melbourne.
It came at a bit of a cost, though, for the Doggies who lost both defenders Liam Jones (forearm) and Tim O’Brien (hamstring) that further adds to their injury list.
Round 14 Results
Port Adelaide 16.14 (110)
Geelong 11.6 (72)
Brisbane 13.19 (97)
Sydney 12.9 (81)
GWS 16.10 (106)
Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Richmond 13.12 (90)
St.Kilda 11.4 (70)
Carlton 18.12 (120)
Gold Coast 8.13 (61)
North Melbourne 13.6 (84)
Western Bulldogs 15.15 (105)
Bye: Adelaide, Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne, West Coast
Related links
- Stay up to date with all the latest news via the official afl.com.au website.
- Footy Feed (daily look at the breaking news and analysis)
- AFL Daily (podcast that sets the agenda on footy’s biggest stories)
- AFL Exchange (podcast that gives an entertaining take on the latest football developments)
- Access All Areas (reviewing the matches and main talking points from the weekend)
- Gettable (dedicated to trade, draft and free agency news)
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