AFL Easter Saturday LIVE: ‘A bit embarrassed by that stat’: What drove the Dees to victory; Giants and Crows in dour struggle
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Dees release the pressure valve… for now
The Demons are finally back on the winners’ list.Credit: AFL Photos
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin can breathe easy after his Kysaiah Pickett-inspired Demons delivered a breakthrough 10-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.
Winless after five rounds, the Demons, after a week of intense scrutiny by club officials and questions about Goodwin’s future, had their best performance of the season – booting 16 goals in front of 25,202 supporters.
Having averaged just 51 points per game over the previous fortnight, the Demons passed that total midway through the second term, and had equalled their season-high tally of 74 points by half-time.
“We are trying to develop and learn on the spot. We didn’t have May or Lever, that’s a pretty young group, and we are trying to score. The mindset of our defence was awesome today,” skipper Max Gawn told Fox Footy.
The Demons made a statement at selection when they axed key forward duo Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen. Pickett (five goals) and Harrison Petty (four) responded.
“I feel like we are in a position where we had no choice. We needed to make some changes,” Goodwin said pre-game on Fox Footy.
“We had a couple of guys that needed to get back into some form. But, first and foremost, it was about getting some pressure down in our forward 50. Everyone understands where it’s at and what we need to do.”
Pickett was brilliant. He was the Energiser bunny at centre bounces, using his pace and flair to carry the ball, while he was brilliant up forward.
Max Gawn locked in conversation with Simon GoodwinCredit: via Getty Images
Petty had three goals before half-time, having been sent forward for this game. Daniel Turner was shifted to defence but did not take part after half-time because of concussion, coming on a day the Demons were without key defensive planks Jake Lever and Steven May – the latter nursing a groin issue.
Jack Viney was given the tagging role on Caleb Serong and shut the prime mover down in the first half, while finishing the afternoon with 25 possessions of his own. Tom McDonald had the job on Josh Treacy and held the Dockers’ goalkicking tall to only one goal, while Jake Bowey (29 disposals) was composed and direct across half-back.
Gawn had the better of Sean Darcy in the ruck, and had a direct hand in the sealing goal when his handball from a throw-in found Harvey Langford, who snapped successfully, nudging the Demons’ lead to two goals with five minutes remaining.
Christian Petracca – despite not having the influence he may have wanted – had moments of class.
The Demons made a statement early, supplying six first-quarter goals – their best term of the season. Their ability to move the ball fluently and with purpose through centre forward even drew a standing ovation from the MCC faithful.
For the most part, this was a high-octane contest. Shai Bolton knows a thing or two about delivering on the MCG and the former premiership Tiger was in superb touch. The Dockers looked to him to add bite inside attacking 50, and he responded with three goals and a direct hand in several others. He was also busy further afield.
Having spent the week in Melbourne, the Dockers were fresh, and believed they had the run required to overcome a 19-point deficit at the final break. Despite the best efforts of Andrew Brayshaw, it wasn’t to be.
Goodwin spoke through the week of his men needing to embrace a better defensive philosophy when they didn’t have the ball. For the most part, the Demons delivered on that.
Club president Brad Green publicly called for a reprisal of the flair seen in the third term against Essendon last week. His wish was also delivered.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was floated as a possible successor to Goodwin, should the Demons opt to move on from their 2021 premiership coach. But Beveridge has shut that suggestion down, and Goodwin – contracted through until the end of 2026 – says he doesn’t intend to go anywhere.
“Absolutely. One thing I haven’t lost belief in is my ability to coach and this playing group. I absolutely believe in this playing group,” Goodwin said.
The Demons now prepare for their annual Anzac Eve clash against Richmond on Thursday, while the Dockers host Adelaide a day later.
3QT: Is the Crows’ lead enough?
We are about to bounce into the final term at Adelaide Oval and the Crows hold a 23-point lead.
That would not normally assure victory, but it is a sizeable gap considering there have been only eight goals scored for the game.
Adelaide were able to grab a valuable major a minute before three-quarter time when Taylor Walker was paid a free for holding and big Tex converted the kick, his second goal for the game. He is the only multiple goalscorer.
In good news for the Crows, Darcy Fogarty is back on the park after hurting his shoulder in a heavy ground-ball clash.
They are now playing in tough conditions – rain and swirling winds that will slightly favour the Giants’ end.
3QT: Adelaide 6.7 (43) lead GWS 2.8 (20)
Rain tumbles in Adelaide slog
There are hints that the Adelaide Oval clash is about to open up. But, sadly, the scoring is yet to reflect that so far in the third term.
Both sides have kicked a goal – Max Michalanney scored for the Crows, while Darcy Jones banged one home for the Giants – but most of the play has taken place between the arcs.
Too make matters worse, the heavens have opened and the ball will soon be like a cake of soap.
Adelaide might have lost forward Darcy Fogarty who was crunched going for the ball, and walked off nursing his left shoulder. He looks sore on the bench.
Adelaide 4.6 (30) lead GWS 2.7 (19) nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
HT: Crows hold the edge
Surely half the crowd has nodded off at Adelaide Oval after a second-quarter snore fest.
There was just one goal kicked in the second term – that honour went to Greater Western Sydney midfielder Josh Kelly. The Giants did not kick a goal in the first quarter.
After a three-goal opening term, the Crows could only add another three behinds in the lead up to half-time.
The leading possession winners across the first two quarters were Lachie Whitfield (20 disposals), Tom Green (18), Matt Crouch (17), Jordan Dawson (16) and Finn Callaghan (16).
Adelaide have won the clearance battle 17-11, the centre square clearances 4-0 and lead the inside 50s 33 to 16. But they have hardly dominated the match.
This game is up for grabs. Let’s hope someone actually grabs it, and wakes the crowd from its slumber.
Giants slow the Crows
We hate to bring out this cliche so early in the piece, but the Adelaide Oval clash is developing into a real arm wrestle… a dour struggle. The Crows lead by 12 points.
The Giants scored their first goal in this second term off the boot of Josh Kelly, while Adelaide has yet to add to its three first-quarter majors.
The Giants should have had another earlier when Aaron Cadman was awarded a 50-metre penalty because Crow Jordan Dawson knocked the ball from his hand after taking he marked, but he made a mess of a straightforward 20-metre shot at goal that an Auskicker could have nailed.
The sprayed kick had Fox Footy commentator Mark Ricciuto saying: “If you are watching from home, it is not that windy. Some of the skills have been terrible.”
Toby Greene has been injecting some niggle, collecting a couple of opponents gently across the head with errant knees and elbows. Just Toby being Toby, basically.
Adelaide 3.5 (23) lead GWS 1.4 (10) five minutes until half-time.
QT: Crows on top of Giants
Adelaide have taken a 17-point lead into quarter-time against GWS.
Their goals came from Ben Keays, Riley Thilthorpe and Taylor Walker. They also managed to keep the Giants goalless.
It is a big start for the Crows at Adelaide Oval, considering the Giants are masters of the fast start.
Jordan Dawson and Matt Crouch lead the possession count for the Crows with nine apiece, while Tom Green has racked up 12 possessions and Lachie Whitfield 11 for GWS.
QT: Adelaide 3.2 (20) lead GWS 0.3 (3)
Crows get the early jump
Hi, folks. It’s Danny Russell here, and I’m grabbing the reins of today’s blog from Scott Spits and will see you through to the close of play.
Following Melbourne’s sorely needed 10-point win over Fremantle at the MCG, we cross to Adelaide Oval – in case you didn’t see it enough during Gather Round – where the Crows have taken an early 17-point lead over Greater Western Sydney.
Ben Keays booted Adelaide’s first, Riley Thilthorpe added their second, and then Taylor Walker pounced for their third.
The Giants have managed three behinds, but have yet to score a goal.
Adelaide 3.2 (20) lead GWS 0.3 (3) with four minutes left in the opening term.
Bombers bring in Varcoe
Essendon have appointed two-time premiership star Travis Varcoe as their new Indigenous player development manager.
Varcoe, 37, will work with Essendon pair Jade Gresham and Alwyn Davey jnr in the role, as well as offering support to the football department.
Geelong premiership player Travis Varcoe has joined Essendon in an off-field role.Credit: Pat Scala
“Growing up as an Indigenous kid, Essendon was a club that always led from the front, and I looked up to the players who wore the red and black,” Varcoe said.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Varcoe played 230 games with Geelong and Collingwood, including the Cats’ 2009 and 2011 premiership years, before retiring in 2020.
He worked in a similar role with the Western Bulldogs between 2021 and 2023.
Dees release the pressure valve… for now
The Demons are finally back on the winners’ list.Credit: AFL Photos
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin can breathe easy after his Kysaiah Pickett-inspired Demons delivered a breakthrough 10-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.
Winless after five rounds, the Demons, after a week of intense scrutiny by club officials and questions about Goodwin’s future, had their best performance of the season – booting 16 goals in front of 25,202 supporters.
Having averaged just 51 points per game over the previous fortnight, the Demons passed that total midway through the second term, and had equalled their season-high tally of 74 points by half-time.
“We are trying to develop and learn on the spot. We didn’t have May or Lever, that’s a pretty young group, and we are trying to score. The mindset of our defence was awesome today,” skipper Max Gawn told Fox Footy.
The Demons made a statement at selection when they axed key forward duo Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen. Pickett (five goals) and Harrison Petty (four) responded.
“I feel like we are in a position where we had no choice. We needed to make some changes,” Goodwin said pre-game on Fox Footy.
“We had a couple of guys that needed to get back into some form. But, first and foremost, it was about getting some pressure down in our forward 50. Everyone understands where it’s at and what we need to do.”
Pickett was brilliant. He was the Energiser bunny at centre bounces, using his pace and flair to carry the ball, while he was brilliant up forward.
Max Gawn locked in conversation with Simon GoodwinCredit: via Getty Images
Petty had three goals before half-time, having been sent forward for this game. Daniel Turner was shifted to defence but did not take part after half-time because of concussion, coming on a day the Demons were without key defensive planks Jake Lever and Steven May – the latter nursing a groin issue.
Jack Viney was given the tagging role on Caleb Serong and shut the prime mover down in the first half, while finishing the afternoon with 25 possessions of his own. Tom McDonald had the job on Josh Treacy and held the Dockers’ goalkicking tall to only one goal, while Jake Bowey (29 disposals) was composed and direct across half-back.
Gawn had the better of Sean Darcy in the ruck, and had a direct hand in the sealing goal when his handball from a throw-in found Harvey Langford, who snapped successfully, nudging the Demons’ lead to two goals with five minutes remaining.
Christian Petracca – despite not having the influence he may have wanted – had moments of class.
The Demons made a statement early, supplying six first-quarter goals – their best term of the season. Their ability to move the ball fluently and with purpose through centre forward even drew a standing ovation from the MCC faithful.
For the most part, this was a high-octane contest. Shai Bolton knows a thing or two about delivering on the MCG and the former premiership Tiger was in superb touch. The Dockers looked to him to add bite inside attacking 50, and he responded with three goals and a direct hand in several others. He was also busy further afield.
Having spent the week in Melbourne, the Dockers were fresh, and believed they had the run required to overcome a 19-point deficit at the final break. Despite the best efforts of Andrew Brayshaw, it wasn’t to be.
Goodwin spoke through the week of his men needing to embrace a better defensive philosophy when they didn’t have the ball. For the most part, the Demons delivered on that.
Club president Brad Green publicly called for a reprisal of the flair seen in the third term against Essendon last week. His wish was also delivered.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was floated as a possible successor to Goodwin, should the Demons opt to move on from their 2021 premiership coach. But Beveridge has shut that suggestion down, and Goodwin – contracted through until the end of 2026 – says he doesn’t intend to go anywhere.
“Absolutely. One thing I haven’t lost belief in is my ability to coach and this playing group. I absolutely believe in this playing group,” Goodwin said.
The Demons now prepare for their annual Anzac Eve clash against Richmond on Thursday, while the Dockers host Adelaide a day later.
‘We ain’t losing this’: Gawn explains how the Demons hung on
Melbourne veteran Max Gawn couldn’t hide his relief after the final siren.
Fremantle came hard and fast at the Demons in a captivating last quarter, but Melbourne did enough to hang on, despite several misses in front of goal.
“We were 26 goals to five in last quarters this year,” Gawn told Fox Footy, confirming that the players knew the pressure was rising.
“We like to think we’re a pretty fit team. We were a bit embarrassed by that stat.
“The message at three-quarter-time was ‘hey, we ain’t losing this. There is no way we’re losing this game of footy. We’ve worked our backsides off all summer. We’re 0-5’.
“‘We’ve done an amazing week in terms of setting this up. We ain’t losing this’.”
SIREN: That’s massive relief for Melbourne
The Demons taste victory for the first time since season, and the first time in 245 days.
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