Round 19 Report Card, highlights, every club reviewed and graded, best and worst players, stats, latest news – MASHAHER

There were some dazzling performances on the weekend, with five teams earning full marks.

Conversely, four sides lowered their colours in some horror showings to forget in a round of extreme ups and downs.

Every team’s performance analysed and graded in foxfooty.com.au’s Round 19 Report Card!

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ADELAIDE CROWS

The Crows outlasted Essendon in a thrilling win at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. Josh Rachele exorcised his demons against the Bombers from three months ago as the match-winner for his side in enemy territory. Having now won two games in a row, Adelaide will look to continue its strong form on the run home.

In the votes

Ben Keays was fantastic racking up 22 disposals with five goals in a best-on-ground performance. Darcy Fogarty also chipped in four goals and Rory Laird picked up 29 disposals.

Room for improvement

The only real downside on the night was that the win came at a cost for Matthew Nicks’ side including Jordon Butts (foot), Nick Murray (knee, and Jordan Dawson all getting struck down with injury, meaning Adelaide will have some forced changes for its meeting with Hawthorn.

Grade

A

BRISBANE LIONS

Are they the Swans’ biggest challenger for the flag? Chris Fagan’s crew continued its winning ways with a thrilling two-point win over Sydney in one of, if not the, games of the season. The Lions have now only dropped just one of their past 11 games to climb into third place on the ladder and sit half a game behind Carlton in an irrepressible run and big turnaround from a 2-5 start.

In the votes

Hugh McCluggage racked up 26 touches with three goals in a dominant performance in the midfield. Meanwhile Cam Rayner (20 disposals, two goals) had one of his best ever games and Dayne Zorko (29 touches, 12 marks) racked up a ton of footy behind the ball.

Room for improvement

Hard to critique Brisbane. The home side was well in control early with five first-quarter goals before, like all good teams do, Sydney came charging back into the game. But the Lions surviving that fightback and the Swans’ late charge in fact made the win more impressive.

Grade

A+

CARLTON

Sometimes you’ve just got to find a way to win. And the Blues did just that, surviving a scare against an improved and inspired Kangaroos to snap a two-game losing streak. Trailing at half-time, Michael Voss’ side got on a roll in the third quarter with seven goals to put enough separation on the scoreboard it was able to maintain.

In the votes

After being well held in the first half, Charlie Curnow kicked three of his four goals in the second half as the match winner forward of centre they so consistently can bank on. Patrick Cripps continued his great form with 29 disposals.

Room for improvement

The Blues ended up with fewer inside 50s to North Melbourne (-3) and generally lacked the same intensity as the Alastair Clarkson’s side. Carlton just didn’t have the same synergy as we’ve seen from the second-placed side when it’s at its absolute best.

Grade

B

COLLINGWOOD

That was ugly. The Pies’ suffered their most concerning loss yet in 2024 in a 66-point mauling at the hands of Jack Ginnivan and Hawthorn to effectively end their finals hopes. Even Craig McRae said his side was “on the verge of being losers” and undoing the “culture” they’ve established during the third-year coach’s time at the helm amid a four-game losing streak.

In the votes

Darcy Cameron (15 disposals, 39 hit-outs) competed hard in the ruck against the in-form Lloyd Meek and never stopped trying. It wasn’t his best game, but Nick Daicos (24 touches, one goal) had some dazzling moments, as per usual.

Room for improvement

Where to start? The Pies didn’t play the wet conditions as well as Hawthorn, but there’s no guarantees they’ll play the same climate again this year. Collingwood was just generally outhunted and outworked including getting beaten up around the ball (-29 contested possessions) and smashed in territory (-32 inside 50s) amid a plethora of defensive lapses. The 66-point loss was the heaviest in the McRae era as well as the biggest score conceded under him (133).

Grade

F

ESSENDON

Don’t worry about the top four, the Bombers’ top eight spot is suddenly in serious jeopardy. Essendon simply had to take care of business against Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Friday night but failed, casting serious doubt around a season that once had so much promise. Brad Scott’s side will look to bounce back against St Kilda this week.

In the votes

Kyle Langford kicked two goals from 22 disposals in another great performance. Zach Merrett (30 touches, one goal) and Sam Durham (27 possessions, one goal) led the way in the midfield, while Jye Caldwell (20 disposals, one goal) was also influential prior to his night ending prematurely following a head knock early in the fourth quarter.

Room for improvement

The Bombers were too easy to score against. It including Essendon conceding nine goals in the first quarter (which it remarkably came back from) and giving up its biggest total this year (115 points), unable to stop Adelaide’s momentum through key stages.

Grade

D

FREMANTLE

The Dockers’ elite midfield continues to fire warning shots to the rest of the competition. Against Melbourne on Sunday, Fremantle handed out one of the biggest contest beltings seen in recent history. An early 20-1 clearance count ended up finishing with the Dockers claiming a +32 advantage. And that wasn’t the only area Fremantle dominated. They finished +38 in hitouts, +36 in contested ball and +13 inside 50s. Ten of Fremantle’s 17 goals came from their defensive half. It’s the second time this season the Dockers have put triple figures on Melbourne.

In the votes

Andy Brayshaw collected a game-high 41 touches, including four clearances. Caleb Serong racked up 36 disposals and a goal. But it was the ruck combo of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson that did the damage against a Max Gawn-less Melbourne. The duo had 47 hit-outs between them while Jackson hit the scoreboard and Darcy finished with seven clearances. Hayden Young was elite by foot in his 16 kicks and had a game-high eight clearances.

Room for improvement

Fremantle didn’t make the most of their early midfield dominance and could have put the game to bed by half time. But some wayward goal kicking kept the door ajar for Melbourne.

Grade

A+

GEELONG

A 47-point loss to the Bulldogs was a night to forget for Geelong, who was held goalless in the first term at GMHBA Stadium under Chris Scott for the first time. The 47-point margin was also the Cats’ biggest at the venue under Scott as they simply couldn’t get anything going their way for long enough. A big five weeks ahead looms for Geelong as it looks to prove itself as a bona fide flag contender.

In the votes

Tom Stewart (26 touches, one goal, eight marks, five tackles) continued his strong from in the midfield, while Mitch Duncan racked up 22 disposals across half back.

Room for improvement

The Cats didn’t handle the wet conditions well as Scott’s side was smacked around the ball and struggled to get field position – including losing the inside 50s (-22).

Grade

F

GOLD COAST SUNS

The Suns’ finals hopes were dealt a massive blow in a disappointing 39-point loss to GWS while remaining winless on the road in 2024. Gold Coast now sits a game and a half outside the top eight with five rounds remaining including a defining, make-or-break QClash against the Lions this week at People First Stadium.

In the votes

Sam Flanders racked up a massive 43 disposals in a big performance in the middle. Ned Moyle (16 touches, 36 hit-outs) probably won the ruck battle against Kieren Briggs in another promising showing from the emerging big.

Room for improvement

The Suns dominated possession and territory for large periods of the match, particularly in the second term, but were woefully inefficient in their forward 50 – including kicking 6.14 in front of the big sticks and had only 20 shots from 66 forward 50 entries – spurning chance after chance.

Grade

D-

GWS GIANTS

When the Giants are up and running, they look as good as any team. And the Orange Tsunami was back and firing in a 39-point win over Gold Coast – the Giants’ third in a row to charge back into top four contention. Over the last three weeks, GWS has averaged 6.1 (37 points) scoring out of their defensive 50, having only had one better return since 2021.

In the votes

Lachie Whitfield was at his best with 40 disposals, 10 marks and 780 metres gained. Tom Green set the tone in the midfield with 34 touches and seven tackles in one of his best performances in some time, while Jesse Hogan booted four goals.

Room for improvement

As exciting as the Giants’ slingshot style is, Adam Kingsley’s side actually lost contested possessions (-4) and clearances (-13) in an area it’d want to sharpen up in against the premier sides.

Grade

A

HAWTHORN

These young Hawks are coming alright! Hawthorn continued its winning ways in a 66-point smashing against Collingwood to remain in the finals hunt. Sam Mitchell’s side owned the reigning premiers and looked in control of the game from the opening bounce in one of its most emphatic performances yet under the third-year coach.

In the votes

Jack Ginnivan starred against his old side with a career-best 31 disposals to go with 11 score involvements and two goals. Connor Macdonald and Luke Breust kicked four goals apiece and James Worpel (28 disposals, one goal) set the tone in the midfield.

Room for improvement

Full marks here. You wouldn’t want to play Hawthorn on the run home – on equal points the Bulldogs and Melbourne and just half a game behind the eighth-placed Bombers,

Grade

A+

MELBOURNE

Coach Simon Goodwin has a Max Gawn-sized hole in the middle of the ground – but that’s not his only issue. The Demons were beaten up across the ground – losing not only the midfield battle, but contested ball too. The Demons didn’t ever really put Fremantle under pressure and were lucky to still be in the contest at half time. The backline was under siege before coughing up triple figures for just the third time this season – and the second against Fremantle.

In the votes

Steven May did his best to hold up down back and finished with a team-high nine marks to go with his 26 disposals and seven intercepts – plus more than 570m gained which is almost 200m more than the next best Demon. Jacob van Rooyen played a lone hand in attack in the first half and collected two goals from his 17 disposals.

Room for improvement

Melbourne’s midfield was simply embarrassed by Fremantle. No player collected more than three clearances in the horror show in Perth. Harry Petty was easily beaten in the ruck and finished with just six hit-outs. Kozzie Pickett (six touches) couldn’t get near it while Bayley Fritsch was practically unsighted and went goalless.

Grade

F

NORTH MELBOURNE

The Roos got a lot right against Carlton in one of their most promising performances this year they’ll take plenty of confidence from. It included Alastair Clarkson’s side leading at half-time before having no answers for the Blues’ third quarter run. North has now put together a really strong patch of form – despite only having two wins to show for it – and is more than capable of getting a few more victories on the run home.

In the votes

Harry Sheezel was enormous, racking up 35 disposals and two goals to likely earn the three Brownlow votes. Tristan Xerri (16 touches, 10 tackles, 43 hit-outs) got the better for Tom De Koning – albeit the Blues gun was banged – and Paul Curtis (three goals) had some bright moments up forward.

Room for improvement

The Roos had more inside 50s (+3) and disposals (+13) to Carlton and was on top in general play through key periods, but couldn’t make it count. In fact, Clarkson’s team only had 18 shots at goal from 56 entries (32 per cent) compared to the Blues’ 27 shots from 53 entries (51 per cent).

Grade

B+

PORT ADELAIDE

The unconvincing Power survived a scare from the undermanned Tigers in a game that was much closer than expected, at least for the majority of the night. Port led by just 10 points at three-quarter time before Charlie Dixon kicked two of his four goals in the final term to help his side to victory and keep its finals hopes alive. Sitting ninth going into the round, the Power re now in seventh amid a logjam of teams competing for a spot in September.

In the votes

Dixon returned to form with four goals in a big showing from the key forward. Ollie Wines (32 disposals) ad Connor Rozee (two goals from 24 disposals) were meanwhile busy in the midfield.

Room for improvement

It took some time for the Power to get going, with Rozee revealing post-match that Ken Hinkley delivered the team an almighty half-time spray. While it mattered not in the end, it had the potential to be both a confidence and percentage boosting performance to set up Port on the run home.

Grade

B

RICHMOND

Credit to the Tigers, who were brave against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval before fading away in the fourth quarter. Missing a host of veterans including injured trio Nick Vlastuin, Tim Taranto, Jack Graham all casualties at selection, Adem Yze’s side really took it to the Power and will take positives away from it with renewed competitiveness and fight. It comes ahead of one of Richmond’s most winnable games in some time this week against the out-of-form Magpies.

In the votes

Daniel Rioli had one of his best games this year booting two goals from 28 disposals across half back. Shai Bolton (17 touches) had some bright moments splitting his time between midfield and forward.

Room for improvement

While the Tigers were competitive, they still got smashed in contested possessions (-23) and clearances (-16) to give up territory and field position (-20 inside 50s).

Grade

C+

ST KILDA

Who said the Saints can’t put up big scores? A relentless St Kilda kicked its highest score of the season (113) and veteran Tim Membrey wound back the clock with a bag of five goals as part of an assertive 72-point win over West Coast. Ross Lyon’s side extended its lead at every change in a well-rounded performance it’ll take plenty of confidence out of ahead of a showdown with the Bombers.

In the votes

Membrey kicked five goals for the first time since 2018 to go with 23 disposals and 10 marks, while Jack Sinclair and Jack Steele racked up 31 disposals each and Rowan Marshall (26 touches, 24 hit-outs) starred in the ruck.

Room for improvement

Can’t fault the Saints’ performance outside of them not winning by more, such was their dominant. Full marks.

Grade

A+

SYDNEY SWANS

The Swans were brave in a two-point loss to Brisbane in a game the ladder leaders’ injury toll worsened including a potential serious ankle setback to Tom Papley, as well as setbacks to Will Hayward (ankle), who played out the game, and Dane Rampe (calf). While it’s far from panic stations for John Longmire’s side, which remains two games and significant percentage clear on top of the ladder, it’s now dropped three of its last four games to no longer look the absolute clear flag frontrunner.

In the votes

Errol Gulden (27 disposals, goal) worked hard through the midfield and felt like a one-man show through there at times. Hayward (17 touches, 2.3) battled on bravely despite an ankle complaint and Taylor Adams (20 touches, one goal) had one of his best games for Sydney including playing a shutdown role on Lachie Neale (18 disposals).

Room for improvement

Sydney’s scoring has dried up from where it was including failing to score over 100 points in three of its last four games – all of which were losses.

Grade

B

WEST COAST EAGLES

Back to the drawing board Jarrad Schofield and company as the Eagles came crashing back down to earth after a promising first showing under the caretaker coach against Brisbane. West Coast will look to quickly put the result behind it though, with valuable bragging rights on the line when it faces Fremantle in the Derby this week – having taken the points last time the WA clubs met in Round 6.

In the votes

Jayden Hunt ran tirelessly across half back, racking up a game-high and career-high 35 disposals. Harley Reid (19 disposals) and Reuben Ginbey (22 touches) continue to provide Eagles fans with hope as the future of the midfield.

Room for improvement

The Eagles were pretty well dominated in all facets of the game including a particularly dour second-half fade out – conceding 10 goals and kicking just one themselves.

Grade

F

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Dogs continued their march towards September in a 47-point trouncing of Geelong at GHMBA Stadium. It was a real mature performance from Luke Beveridge’s side to show it’s the real deal, despite sitting ninth on the ladder. A 48-point loss to Port Adelaide on the road earlier this month is the only real aberration in an otherwise seriously strong two-month run from the Dogs.

In the votes

Adam Treloar was immense with 31 disposals and three goals, while defender-turned-midfielder Ed Richards (28 disposals and two goals) continues to thrive in his new role and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan booted four goals. Rory Lobb was also fantastic in defence, racking up 21 disposals and nine marks, restricting star Cat Jeremy Cameron to just one goal and six disposals.

Room for improvement

Where was this same intensity earlier in the season? That’s the main question, for the Dogs are playing like a top four team right now and bona fide flag contender.

Grade

A+