Zero Hanger MVP: Round 20

St Kilda 81 def by Carlton 112

Both teams headed into this clash needing a win to keep a spot in the eight alive. The opening quarter was tight but Carlton did enough to capitalise and take a 12-point lead into quarter time.

Yet, as the game continued it was quite clear the Blues were the superior side as they were slotting goals from everywhere and moving the ball with ease. The Saints started hitting the scoreboard in the fourth but it was too late, and Carlton were happy to cruise to the finish, securing the 31-point win.

Sam Walsh starred with 26 touches, 337 meters gained and goals, while Jack Silvagni killed it in his role as a makeshift ruck as he accumulated 25 disposals, six clearances, nine tackles and a goal.

Ed Carmine: 5. Sam Walsh, 4. Jack Silvagni, 3. Jack Steele, 2. Harry McKay, 1. Jacob Weitering

Mitch Keating: 5. Sam Walsh, 4. Jack Silvagni, 3. Jack Steele, 2. Harry McKay, 1. Jacob Weitering

Ed Lemmo: 5. Sam Walsh, 4. Jack Silvagni, 3. Jack Steele, 2. Harry McKay, 1. Jacob Weitering

Nick Splitter: 5. Sam Walsh, 4. Jack Silvagni, 3. Jack Steele, 2. Harry McKay, 1. Rowan Marshall

Western Bulldogs 105 def Adelaide 56

Adelaide came prepared to fight against the Western Bulldogs as they were able to match the league leader’s intensity early, trailing by just two kicks at quarter time. However, the Dogs were then able to change gears and began taking apart the young Crows with slick ball movement and poise when going inside 50.

While the third quarter stalled for scoring, the fourth saw much of the same as the Dogs walked away 49-point victors.

Bailey Dale was magnificent as he reached up 31 possessions, 682 meters gained and a goal, while Caleb Daniel contributed in a similar manner with 32 touches, 4 clearances, 564 meters gained and one major.

Ed Carmine: 5. Bailey Dale, 4. Bailey Smith, 3. Caleb Daniel, 2. Jack Macrae, 1. Tom Liberatore

Mitch Keating: 5. Bailey Dale, 4. Caleb Daniel, 3. Tom Liberatore, 2. Jack Macrae, 1. Tim English

Ed Lemmo: 5. Caleb Daniel, 4. Bailey Dale, 3. Jason Johannisen, 2. Tom Liberatore, 1. Jack Macrae

Nick Splitter: 5. Jack Macrae, 4. Bailey Dale, 3. Caleb Daniel, 2. Tom Liberatore, 1. Jason Johannisen

North Melbourne 42 def by Geelong 62

While this was a top verse bottom affair the majority of the game didn't play out like most would expect. It was the young bottom placed North Melbourne that took the lead going into the first break, and every time the Cats looked to break away the Kangaroos were able to respond and keep in touch. This was until Geelong’s class eventually took over the scrappy affair as they managed to claw away with a 20-point win.

Both Guthrie boys impressed as Cam had 29 touches, 5 clearances, 4 tackles and 2 majors, while Zach finished up with 28 disposals, 2 tackles and 483 meters gained.

Ed Carmine: 5. Zach Guthrie, 4. Cameron Guthrie, 3. Aaron Hall, 2. Tom Stewart, 1. Isaac Smith

Mitch Keating: 5. Cameron Guthrie, 4. Zach Guthrie, 3. Aaron Hall, 2. Isaac Smith, 1. Jy Simpkin

Ed Lemmo: 5. Cameron Guthrie, 4. Zach Guthrie, 3. Tom Stewart, 2. Isaac Smith, 1. Jy Simpkin

Nick Splitter: 5. Cameron Guthrie, 4. Tom Stewart, 3. Zach Guthrie, 2. Joel Selwood, 1. Isaac Smith

Collingwood 90 def West Coast 45

The Pies belted a woefully lazy Eagles as West Coast never looked likely to get up in Shannon Hurn’s 300th game. While the first quarter was tight initially, Collingwood began to break away and then continued to until the final siren went.

The Pies outworked West Coast as they demolished them in uncontested possessions, a methodical type of ball movement that they implemented to tire the Eagles sturdy defensive structure to score easily out the back and take easy marks inside 50. The Eagles scored in junk time to beg the margin back but it was Collingwood who emerged with the 45-point victory.

Taylor Adams was dominant with 34 touches, nine clearances and four tackles, while Steele Sidebottom collected 33 disposals, three clearances and a goal.

Ed Carmine: 5. Jordan De Goey, 4. Jack Crisp, 3. Steele Sidebottom, 2. Taylor Adams, 1. Will Hoskin-Elliott

Mitch Keating: 5. Steele Sidebottom, 4. Jordan De Goey, 3. Taylor Adams, 2. Brodie Grundy, 1. Brayden Maynard

Ed Lemmo: 5. Steele Sidebottom, 4. Taylor Adams, 3. Brayden Maynard, 2. Jordan De Goey, 1. Will Hoskin-Elliott

Nick Splitter: 5. Steele Sidebottom, 4. Taylor Adams, 3. Jordan De Goey, 2. Brayden Maynard, 1. Brodie Grundy

Gold Coast 30 def by Melbourne 128

Not much happened in this lacklustre affair as Melbourne began to lay down a beating on the young Suns, then continued pummelling Gold Coast until the game concluded. The Demons bombarded the Suns with their elite pressure and quick ball movement, while their impenetrable defence held the opposition to one-point over a two quarter stretch and only 30 points for the game ! Melbourne casually disposed of Gold Coast in this encounter to win by 98 points.

Clayton Oliver dominated with 35 disposals, 12 clearances, 5 tackles and a goal, with Christian Petracca almost matching his effort with 32 touches, 6 clearances, 5 tackles and one major.

Ed Carmine: 5. Clayton Oliver, 4. Christian Petracca, 3. Max Gawn, 2. Luke Jackson, 1. Touk Miller

Mitch Keating: 5. Clayton Oliver, 4. Max Gawn, 3. Touk Miller, 2. Christian Petracca, 1. Luke Jackson

Ed Lemmo: 5. Clayton Oliver, 4. Christian Petracca, 3. Max Gawn, 2. Luke Jackson, 1. Touk Miller

Nick Splitter: 5. Clayton Oliver, 4. Christian Petracca, 3. Max Gawn, 2. Luke Jackson, 1. Touk Miller

Hawthorn 92 def Brisbane 80

This was truely a game of extremes. Hawthorn started the game aggressively as they surged the ball forward and did everything they could to scrap a goal. This pattern continued for the first three quarters as the Lions seemed unfocused and continued to see themselves outworked as uncharacteristic turnovers mounted.

Yet is was the Lions that went all out in the final term as they kicked 8.2 for 50 points but managed to fall just short as the Hawks left 12-point winners.

Jaegar O’Meara was spectacular as he tallied 35 disposals, 6 clearances, 10 tackles and a goal, while Chad Wingard impressed with 32 touches, 4 clearances, 7 tackles and 2 goals.

Ed Carmine: 5. Jaeger O’Meara, 4. Chad Wingard, 3. Tom Mitchell, 2. Jarryd Lyons, 1. James Worpel

Mitch Keating: 5. Jaeger O’Meara, 4. Chad Wingard, 3. Daniel Rich, 2. Jack Scrimshaw, 1. Tom Mitchell

Ed Lemmo: 5. Jaeger O’Meara, 4. Chad Wingard, 3. Tom Mitchell, 2. Jack Scrimshaw, 1. Jarryd Lyons

Nick Splitter: 5. Jaeger O’Meara, 4. Jarryd Lyons, 3. Chad Wingard, 2. Dylan Moore, 1. Daniel Rich

Essendon 102 def by Sydney 109

This bout had significant finals implications as the Swans needed a win to push for a top four spot whereas the Bombers needed a win to sneak into the eight. Like their recent battles this contest did not disappoint as it was neck-and-neck all game.

Both clubs’ fast attacking styles dictated the type of contest as a shootout ensued, in which Sydney was able to break away just enough, so that when Essendon made their final push the margin was too great for the time remaining. The Swans ended up winning the high-scoring thriller by seven points.

Callum Mills was tremendous as he collected 33 disposals, 6 tackles and a goal, while Luke Parker was solid with 26 touches, 9 clearances, 4 tackles and 2 majors.

Ed Carmine: 5. Callum Mills, 4. Zach Merrett, 3. Luke Parker, 2. Tom Papley, 1. Justin McInerney

Mitch Keating: 5. Callum Mills, 4. Zach Merrett, 3. Luke Parker, 2. Tom Papley, 1. Justin McInerney

Ed Lemmo: 5. Callum Mills, 4. Tom Papley, 3. Zach Merrett, 2. Justin McInerney, 1. Luke Parker

Nick Splitter: 5. Callum Mills, 4. Zach Merrett, 3. Luke Parker, 2. Darcy Parish, 1. Tom Papley

Fremantle 55 def Richmond 51

The reigning Premiers came into this contest desperate to make the eight in a bid to defend their throne, but with a chance of making the eight themselves, Fremantle weren't going to lay down. The first half was sloppy as both teams struggled to convert in front of the big sticks as three goals were scored for the entirety of the first half.

This game was a battle between Fremantle’s clearance game and Richmond’s turnover game. The Tigers looked likely to snatch the game away from the Dockers during the final term, but Fremantle absorbed Richmond’s signature pressure and rallied to ride out their slim lead to claim the four-point victory.

Andrew Brayshaw played out of his mind as he amassed 39 disposals, eight clearances, 12 tackles and 567 meters gained, while fellow young gun Adam Cerra tallied 33 touches, six tackles and 735 meters gained.

Ed Carmine: 5. Andrew Brayshaw, 4. Sydney Stack, 3. David Mundy, 2. Adam Cerra, 1. Dion Prestia

Mitch Keating: 5. Andrew Brayshaw, 4. Sydney Stack, 3. David Mundy, 2. Adam Cerra, 1. Dion Prestia

Ed Lemmo: 5. Andrew Brayshaw, 4. Adam Cerra, 3. David Mundy, 2. Sydney Stack, 1. Luke Parker

Nick Splitter: 5. Andrew Brayshaw, 4. Adam Cerra, 3. Sydney Stack, 2. Dion Prestia, 1. David Mundy

Greater Western Sydney 73 def by Port Adelaide 100

Port Adelaide went into this game with mounting pressure to hold onto fourth spot while the GWS needed a victory to keep their finals hopes alive. The Power were dominant early before trailing off during the second term, where the Giants rallied to trim the margin to eight points heading into the major break.

The Giants continued their brave efforts as they were able to capture the lead during the third quarter, yet that was as close as GWS would get. Port responded violently as they turned up the pressure around the ball and were aggressive moving forward, as they proceeded to kick 6 of the final seven goals of the match to leave 27-point winners.

Karl Amon was influential with 31 possessions, five tackles, 683 meters gained and a snag, while Ollie Wines continued his impressive form with 28 touches, four clearances and three tackles

Ed Carmine: 5. Karl Amon, 4. Ollie Wines, 3. Travis Boak, 2. Josh Kelly, 1. Nick Haynes

Mitch Keating: 5. Karl Amon, 4. Ollie Wines, 3. Travis Boak, 2. Nick Haynes, 1. Zak Butters

Ed Lemmo: 5. Karl Amon, 4. Travis Boak, 3. Ollie Wines, 2. Zak Butters, 1. Nick Haynes

Nick Splitter: 5. Karl Amon, 4. Ollie Wines, 3. Charlie Dixon, 2. Travis Boak, 1. Nick Haynes

LEADERBOARD

RANK		LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1	Ollie Wines	15	218
2	Sam Walsh	20	216
3	Clayton Oliver	20	209
4	Marcus Bontempelli	0	189
5	Jack Macrae	10	189
6	Touk Miller	6	187
7	Callum Mills	20	177
8	Jack Steele	12	170
9	Darcy Parish	2	166
10	Christian Petracca	14	163