West Coast Eagles’ Harley Reid gives Brisbane Lions crowd the finger

Xerri won the tap, and Powell won a test of strength with Christian Petracca, who slipped to the Marvel Stadium surface as the emerging Roo swooped on the Sherrin and thumped a chaos ball into attack.

Petty got his hands to it, fumbled, then the elusive Robert Hansen jnr – who has improved at a rapid rate – produced some fancy footwork before dishing a handball to Larkey for another goal. By this time, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin had hurried to ground level to join his team on the bench.

The Demons fended off another centre clearance and actually managed a shot at goal, but Petracca’s long potshot landed in Aidan Corr’s hands.

It was a chance for North to score another way. Corr started a scoring chain from the last line of defence, with Stephens, 300-gamer Jack Darling and Sheezel getting involved, then Hansen jnr shook a tackle and handballed to Curtis, who found Cam Zurhaar for another goal.

That was the Kangaroos’ fourth in barely seven minutes, and it was apparent the game was over – but the avalanche was not.

After leading by 18 points at three-quarter-time, North Melbourne were suddenly seven goals clear.

The next one came via a horror Ed Langdon turnover. Melbourne’s winger had Clayton Oliver nearby, but somehow ballooned the ball over his head to North recruit Luke Parker, who instantly handballed to Simpkin to set up Curtis’ third goal.

Even elementary errors turned to gold for the Kangaroos. Minutes later, Davies-Uniacke dropped a chest mark, but recovered, busted through multiple Demons, and blasted his team inside 50.

What seemed certain to be a stoppage instead transformed into another goal-scoring opportunity as the ball bobbled into the clear, and Zurhaar banged through his fourth. The damage had long been done, but only then did North Melbourne relent ever so slightly.

“[It is] very satisfying because they’re a high-quality midfield, and it’s really hard to get on top of them,” Clarkson said.

“I thought ‘X’ [Xerri] was fabulous in the ruck against Max, and that’s where the ascendancy came from. I think we had four centre-bounce goals in the last quarter, and that really broke the back of the Melbourne side, when it can just pop straight out of the centre, and you get a goal straightaway.

“I think we had four goals in the first five minutes of the last quarter, in a game where only two or three goals were separating the sides for the bulk of the day. It was really important that we were able to split it open in a quick space of time.”

North Melbourne finished with 52 more disposals, 12 extra clearances and plus-19 in contested possessions, yet Melbourne won the inside-50 count by three, largely based on their territory dominance in a wasteful third quarter.

Goodwin was understandably disappointed post-match, but offered an explanation for his captain Gawn’s rare down day.

Xerri finished with 20 disposals to Gawn’s 11 and 12 clearances to one, as well as outmarking the champion Demon before kicking a goal to start the second half.

“Today, I think [Gawn] will acknowledge that he got beaten by a really good opponent, but you also have to realise that, in life, there are other things that are going on,” Goodwin said.

“We’ll support Max. He’s a great person, he’s a great leader, and there’s a backstory to everyone’s performance. Max is someone who we take enormous pride in, and he’s going to continue to be a great leader for this footy club, and be a big part of our response.

“I’m not going to go into the details, but … he’s someone who we love dearly.”

Matt Jefferson suffered a fractured hand in a contest late in the first quarter, while Jake Lever rolled his left ankle.

Marc McGowan

Reid set for AFL scrutiny after flipping crowd the bird

West Coast have fallen short of inflicting one of the great turnaround victories, pushing defending champions the Brisbane Lions to the brink at the Gabba.

The Eagles, who had been dominated at the contest by Gold Coast in an 87-point loss last week, stormed out of the gates, kicking the first five goals of the match. They led at every break, but the Lions proved too good in the end, prevailing 14.10 (94) to 11.9 (75).

Star West Coast youngster Harley Reid may have to deal with AFL scrutiny on top of the loss after he flipped the bird towards the crowd in the final term. Reid was being heckled by Lions supporters, including one who appeared to be loudly offering him a pack of tissues.

Reid (15 touches, seven tackles, six clearances) worked hard and was a playful target for the 30,000-strong crowd whenever he hit the deck.

He could face a financial sanction for his act. Retired Richmond star Dustin Martin was fined $7500 ($5000) in 2019 for giving GWS ruckman Shane Mumford the finger, though that involved a secondary gesture, while ex Carlton skipper Marc Murphy was fined $900 for giving the Collingwood cheer squad the finger in 2012.

Reid’s coach Andrew McQualter defended his gesture to the crowd. “We try to bash the theatre out of this game sometimes, don’t we? He’s just having a bit of fun. Sometimes that’s good for the game I think,” McQualter said.

On Sunday, it was West Coast winning the early battles after a steamy midday start, while their defensive set-up also rattled the Lions, who last week conceded the first four goals against Sydney but still won.

McQualter demanded more from his team against the premiers than they showed in round one, and his side responded.

Attempts to move the ball quickly were continually undone by McQualter’s men, with the Lions repeatedly rushed into mistakes and adding unforced errors as the Eagles shot ahead and maintained a 24-point lead until the main break.

It muted a shell-shocked crowd, who had minutes earlier watched club legends Simon Black and Alastair Lynch help unfurl their premiership flag for the first time since that pair helped win the last of their three-straight titles in 2003.

Eagles wingman Tyrell Dewar was impressive early, the second of his two quick goals a mighty effort from outside 50 metres from another smooth transition from the centre square.

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Liam Ryan launched the first of his three goals too, the premiership veteran on song along with Tim Kelly (29 disposals) and Liam Baker (24), who enjoyed a spirited running battle with Brisbane star Lachie Neale (35).

Restricted to just 10 touches in last week’s defeat of Sydney, Neale had 11 by quarter time.

He snapped a handy goal in the second quarter to keep the Lions close then set up a Zac Bailey goal with another pinpoint kick forward.

Brisbane edged within six points when Callum Ah Chee kicked two goals to begin the third term.

The Eagles missed chances to surge clear again, twice hitting the post, having another touched on the line and wasting an opportunity from close range.

Ah Chee’s third for the term gave the Lions their first lead since kicking the game’s opening point, but the expected deluge from the home side didn’t quite come.

Jack Petruccelle’s goal moments after he was subbed on put the Eagles back in front, and Tyler Brockman’s final-quarter double kept them close.

But the hosts chipped away, Josh Dunkley snapping truly and Logan Morris soaring to mark and kick his second that effectively iced the contest, before he added a third.

Brisbane debutant Will McLachlan kicked two goals, winger Jaspa Fletcher was a standout when the chips were down and added a late goal, while Dayne Zorko’s (28 disposals) influence grew approaching half-time.

AAP

Swans sink Dockers in thriller

Chad Warner has put on a star display and Joel Amartey kicked the match-winner with less than 90 seconds remaining as Sydney pulled off a stunning three-point win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

The Dockers led by 22 points at quarter-time and were still clinging to a slender lead as the clock wound down in Sunday’s match in front of 43,882 fans.

Amartey gave Sydney the lead when he out-muscled Brennan Cox in a marking contest before calmly slotting the 20m set shot with 86 seconds remaining.

In a frantic finish, Fremantle surged forward for one final attack with just seconds remaining.

A long kick into attack was marked by Dockers forward Jye Amiss, but the siren had sounded just a second earlier, giving Sydney the 9.14 (68) to 9.11 (65) win.

The result marked Dean Cox’s maiden AFL win as Sydney coach and ensured the Swans avoided slipping to a 0-3 record heading into their bye week.

Warner, who is being hotly pursued by Fremantle and West Coast, finished with 26 disposals and 10 inside-50s.

Sydney tagger James Jordon (24 disposals, 10 clearances) nullified the influence of Caleb Serong (19 disposals, five clearances, one goal) in a critical shut-down role.

Jaeger O’Meara (32 possessions) and Nathan O’Driscoll (25) racked up big numbers for Fremantle, while Josh Treacy kicked four goals.

Star Dockers recruit Shai Bolton looked rusty on the way to 15 disposals and four clearances.

Fremantle defender Brandon Walker was subbed off in the second quarter with a left shoulder injury.

The Dockers and the Eagles are 0-2 heading into next Sunday’s western derby.

In a pressure-filled opening quarter, Fremantle made the most of their chances by kicking four goals to nil to take a 22-point lead into the first break.

Treacy kicked the first two goals of the match, and fellow bigs Luke Jackson and Patrick Voss also hit the scoreboard as Fremantle flexed their muscle.

Sydney failed to capitalise on a 10-5 advantage at the stoppages on the way to spraying 0.5 for the term.

But they fared much better in the second quarter with three goals.

A bit of midfield magic from Warner allowed Peter Ladhams to kick Sydney’s first goal of the match.

And when Warner snared a goal himself later in the term, the margin was just four points as the boos rang around Optus Stadium.

Serong was largely nullified by Jordon in the opening half but managed to pop up for a goal to give Fremantle a nine-point buffer at half-time.

Sydney’s stoppage dominance meant Fremantle were forced to defend for prolonged periods in the third quarter.

The Swans hit the lead late in the term, but Bailey Banfield’s tough set shot from near the boundary gave Fremantle a two-point edge at the final change.

Sydney surprisingly subbed off ruckman Brodie Grundy 11 minutes into the final term, and Amartey limped off just minutes later with a corked leg.

Amiss scored the first goal of the last term at the 14-minute mark, but mature-age recruit Riley Bice replied a short time later with his maiden AFL goal.

Amartey came back on the field and popped up for the match-winner.

Dangerfield escapes suspension for Byrnes incident

Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield will be available for the preliminary final rematch against the Brisbane Lions after receiving a fine for elbowing St Kilda’s Ryan Byrnes in the head during the third quarter of Saturday night’s loss.

The veteran Cat’s striking action was ruled low impact and careless. Although he caught Byrnes high, his elbow slipped off Byrnes’ shoulder before making contact with his head.

The decision is a relief for the Cats, given champion defender Tom Stewart is likely to be unavailable with a knee injury that resulted in him being subbed off in the first quarter against the Saints.

Cats coach Chris Scott said post-game the injury was minor, although there are concerns Stewart may have suffered a PCL injury as he landed heavily on the ground.

Jeremy Cameron also appeared hampered by a lower leg injury, but the club said it was not worried about the availability of the forward.

Dangerfield was one of 13 players fined after Saturday’s matches.

Young Eagles midfielder Harley Reid might be added to the list after Sunday’s games are assessed.

The 19-year-old gave the bird to the crowd at the Gabba after being tackled to the ground and he also placed his knees on Lions defender Dayne Zorko’s back after tackling him over the boundary line.

Peter Ryan

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