Gold Coast, chasing their first finals appearance in club history, moved into the all-important eight by making an emphatic statement at the expense of Geelong.
They racked up 164 points, the biggest ever tally, in securing their highest win over the Cats as they enjoyed another memorable night at the TIO Stadium in Darwin.
Ladder leaders Sydney extended their lead at the top and really flexed, after recovering from a slow start, as they completely overwhelmed Carlton.
The red-hot Swans have been the real standout team, in these opening ten rounds, and this latest result makes it their best-ever start to a campaign since 1945.
Essendon’s fine run continues, as they now move up into second place, but they certainly didn’t have it all their own way when beating bottom side North Melbourne.
It was only in the third quarter that the Bombers were able to really get on top and start to pull away, with Matt Guelfi (pictured below) kicking three snags in his 100th for the club.
Greater Western Sydney’s poor form is a worry, now four losses from the last five matches, as they crashed to a home defeat against an inaccurate Western Bulldogs.
Adam Treloar racked up a career-high 23 contested possessions for the Doggies who amassed 22 behinds – their worst effort in front of the big sticks since 2001.
Across the next fortnight, as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds, some clubs have decided to change their name to the traditional in-language to mark the occasion.
The initiative aims to educate on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture whilst raising awareness and encouraging productive conversations among the community.
Harley Reid show
Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) produced arguably their best display of the last few years in pulling off a real upset by defeating Naarm (Melbourne) quite convincingly.
Jake Waterman kicked another bag (five), to put himself joint top of the Coleman Medal table, but even he was overshadowed by the player that has everyone talking and causing a real buzz, not just at the Eagles, across the whole AFL – Harley Reid.
The 19-year-old, number one draft pick, was outstanding once again – he scored a GOTY contender and then, in another passage of play, fended off both Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca with the ‘Don’t argue’ to set up another goal. Both went trending on social media with everyone raving about this very special talent.
Dockers win on the road
Another outfit that seemingly left their shooting boots at home were Walyalup (Fremantle) but, despite 18 behinds, still proved too much for Euro-Yroke (St.Kilda).
It looked like it might cost them, at one stage, with the scores dead level at the end of the third term. However, the Dockers were able to step it up when it mattered, with a strong showing in the final term, to take home an impressive interstate victory.
Darcy Byrne-Jones was the hero, soccering the winner with just two seconds remaining, as Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) got over the line against Hawthorn.
In what proved to be a quite remarkable finish, seen to be believed, the hosts, who trailled for nearly the whole evening, produced the most stunning of fourth quarters.
The Power scored the last six goals, two of them in the final 26 seconds, to come from the clouds and get themselves ahead much to the delight of the 44,000+ crowd that nearly took the roof off the Oval, such was the incredible noise at the final siren.
Magpies win thriller
In front of 63,925 at the MCG, there was another close one, which went right down to the wire, with reigning Premiers Collingwood getting up over Kuwarna (Adelaide).
Jordan de Goey (pictured below) put the Magpies, masters of these situations, ahead with what proved to be the winner, but the drama didn’t end there in a very tense finale.
The Crows looked to respond through Izak Rankine, who went on a surging run only to get pinged by the umpires for running more than 15 metres without the ball touching the ground – a decision that has been a big talking point in the media.
To make matters worse, the 23-year-old forward suffered a hamstring strain, during that phase of play, and is now going to face a few weeks out on the sidelines.
Craig McRae’s men have now beaten their South Australian counterparts by less than a goal during their past four encounters in what has become a real rivalry.
Kai Lohmann, pick 20 in the 2021 national draft, booted a career-high five majors as Brisbane boosted their percentage in the 119-point mauling of injury-hit Richmond.
It was the club’s second biggest triumph ever in club history; an extremely one-sided affair in which everyone on the Lions side wanted to get on the score sheet.
Round 10 Results
Gold Coast 26.8 (164)
Geelong 15.10 (100)
Sydney 17.15 (117)
Carlton 9.11 (65)
Collingwood 12.6 (78)
Adelaide 11.8 (74)
GWS 6.7 (43)
Western Bulldogs 8.22 (70)
Euro-Yroke (St.Kilda) 8.7 (55)
Walyalup (Fremantle) 9.18 (72)
Brisbane 26.7 (163)
Richmond 6.8 (44)
Essendon 16.10 (106)
North Melbourne 10.6 (66)
Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) 11.14 (80)
Hawthorn 12.7 (79)
Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) 16.9 (105)
Narrm (Melbourne) 10.10 (70)
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