Giants take down Tigers in AFL cliffhanger, Bombers defeat Suns
GWS claims the scalp of premiers Richmond by just two points in a thriller in Sydney, while Essendon, Melbourne and Brisbane also record wins.
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Giants edge out fast-finishing Tigers
The GWS Giants have pipped Richmond by two points, showcasing their premiership credentials while extending the reigning premiers' miserable record outside Victoria.
The Giants stormed back into the top eight on Saturday night, resisting a fight-back in the final quarter to triumph 11.13 (79) to 10.17 (77).
Richmond youngster Shai Bolton put his set shot out on the full with two minutes left in a thrilling re-match of last year's MCG preliminary final.
Veteran Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt then gave his side hope of snatching victory, snapping truly to trim the hosts' lead to a point with 26 seconds remaining.
The Tigers could not win the all-important final clearance, with Dylan Shiel showing great composure when it mattered most.
Toby Greene, playing his first game after spending almost three months on the sidelines because of a foot injury, kicked GWS's only goal of the final quarter.
It was a clutch effort from deep in the pocket.
The upset win, inspired by superb games from GWS stars Stephen Coniglio, Heath Shaw, Callan Ward and Lachie Whitfield, could also have major ramifications in the race for the minor premiership.
External Link: GWS v Richmond summary
The winner of Sunday's contest between Collingwood and West Coast will equal the ladder-leading Tigers on 48 premiership points, as will Port Adelaide if it defeats Fremantle.
Based on Richmond's away record this season, the flag favourites will be keen to secure a home qualifying final as they seek to go back to back.
All four of the Tigers' losses this season have now come away from Melbourne, although they were far from disgraced in Homebush – booting four of the game's final five goals.
The visitors had a severe case of the yips but none more so than Jason Castagna, who finished with five behinds and put another set shot out on the full.
External Link: GWS v Richmond stats
Richmond lacked its trademark polish most of the night, especially in front of goals, but rallied whenever the Giants threatened to kick clear.
GWS, whose slick ball movement overwhelmed the Tigers' defence early, opened up a 21-point in the first quarter and a 24-point buffer in the third term.
First-year player Zac Langdon dobbed three goals as GWS proved it can kick a winning score without either Jeremy Cameron or Jon Patton, while Daniel Rioli finished with three goals for Richmond.
GWS, whose campaign was on the cusp of full-blown crisis in May after a month-long losing streak, next face the Power at Adelaide Oval.
Bombers run away from tiring Suns
Essendon has done enough after a sluggish start to avoid an upset loss to Gold Coast in Carrara and keep its finals hopes alive.
Needing a win to stay within reach of the top eight, the Bombers misfired early to trail by five at the break on Saturday night.
But the tiring Suns could not go with them and Essendon prevailed 13.17 (95) to 6.15 (51) as the Coast managed just 16 points after half-time.
Essendon was off the boil in the opening half and the Suns hungrier, as they threatened to end a 10-game losing streak and sink the Bombers' season.
But the visitors shot to the lead immediately after the main break through Darcy Parish before Mitch Brown's left-foot snap edged them further ahead.
External Link: Gold Coast v Essendon summary
Mark Baguley (three goals) then marked strongly before kicking his second to shoot clear and allow the Bombers to cruise through the final quarter.
Michael Hurley was good early for Essendon, while Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett finished with 36 touches each and former Sun Adam Saad was not missed in his first visit back to the Gold Coast.
Suns workhorse Nick Holman hassled Saad to good effect in the first half and kicked three on his way to being one of the host's best.
Gold Coast captain Steven May (hip) struggled through the second half in what could be more bad news for the 3-13 side.
External Link: Gold Coast v Essendon stats
Neither side could hit a target early, with even the shortest of kicks sprayed on a relatively cold night.
Bomber Shaun McKernan broke the deadlock with the game's first goal after 14 minutes before Devon Smith provided some welcome polish.
Smith trapped, ducked a tackle and curled a grubbing kick from the pocket for a champagne goal that defied an otherwise sloppy contest.
The Suns then got their teeth into the game, Aaron Young kicking the first of his two goals before Holman opened his account.
The Suns' 4.11 first half wasn't as wasteful as it read but there were enough costly misses to ensure a five-point buffer was quickly swallowed up.
Demons down Dogs but concerns for Viney
A stunning third-quarter blitz has propelled Melbourne to an emphatic 50-point win over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
But the Demons' delight at Saturday's 18.11 (119) to 10.9 (69) win was tempered by the late withdrawal of co-captain Jack Viney, who has suffered a recurrence of a toe injury.
Viney's start to the season was delayed until round nine by a stress fracture and he has reported soreness in the same area.
Scans have not discovered a new fracture but Melbourne are unable to say when he will return to the field.
The tough onballer was sorely missed in the first half at the MCG.
External Link: Melbourne v Western Bulldogs summary
But after leading by just three points at half-time, the Demons set up their 10th win of the season with a blistering burst of seven unanswered goals.
Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver picked up the slack in Viney's absence with 39 and 34 possessions respectively.
Max Gawn was the dominant ruckman on the ground with 41 hit-outs and Jesse Hogan led the way in attack with four goals.
For the Bulldogs, Jack Macrae had 33 touches in his first game back from a hamstring injury, with Mitch Wallis (29 disposals and three goals) and Lachie Hunter (35 possessions) also prominent for Luke Beveridge's side.
External Link: Melbourne v Western Bulldogs stats
Wallis kicked two goals in a bright opening term by the Bulldogs that saw them lead by three points at the first break.
Both sides were guilty of inaccuracy in front of goal in the second quarter but the Demons were able to edge their noses in front by three points at half-time.
The Bulldogs, out of the finals race in 14th spot on the ladder heading into the game, have been the worst third-quarter performer in the competition this season and they went missing after the re-start once again.
Patrick Lipinski actually gave the Bulldogs back the lead with the first goal of the second half but the Demons replied, with the next seven majors coming in a devastating 12-minute burst.
The margin was 30 points at three-quarter time and the Demons cruised to the finish line for an important win as they chase their first finals appearance since 2006.
Lions beat Hawks to make it three straight wins
Brisbane has stunned Hawthorn and given the Hawks' AFL finals aspirations a serious hit with a 33-point win in Launceston.
The Lions attacked the ball harder than the Hawks in the 15.8.98 to 9.11.65 victory on Saturday afternoon – their third in a row.
Young guns Cameron Rayner and Eric Hipwood booted three goals each, including crucial majors at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
External Link: Hawthorn v Brisbane summary
In match that ebbed and flowed, the Lions held a 72-64 lead heading into the final term, when they ran rampant.
The Hawks managed only one point in the last quarter, while the Lions booted the last six goals of the match.
The win was made even more impressive in the absence of star Luke Hodge, who was a late withdrawal with a sore calf.
External Link: Hawthorn v Brisbane stats
Dayne Beams was one of the best on ground with 33 possessions, seven clearances and two goal assists.
Hawthorn was eighth going into the round but could drop as low as 10th after its second loss in three games.
Tom Mitchell finished with a game-high 43 touches but was kept quiet in the second half after racking up 29 of those by the main break.
Jaeger O'Meara was the top goalkicker for Hawthorn with four but none came in the final quarter when the Hawks needed it the most.
AFL ladder
External Link: AFL 2018 ladder
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