Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
AFL Round 20 produced three A+ performances, several costly collapses and more evidence that the finals race remains unsettled. Collingwood, Fremantle and Sydney Swans delivered the weekend’s best displays, while Essendon, Greater Western Sydney Giants and Richmond Tigers received failing grades.
The round also exposed problems at Adelaide Crows, Gold Coast Suns and Melbourne Demons. Injuries, poor conversion and weak defensive work changed matches quickly as clubs entered the final month of the home-and-away season.
More AFL analysis is available in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Masterclass Powers St Kilda Past North Melbourne.
Collingwood Produces the Round’s Biggest Statement
Collingwood earned an A+ after overturning a 27-point second-quarter deficit against Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval. Craig McRae’s side controlled the contest after the early setback and recorded a sixth straight win on a five-day break.
Nick Daicos collected 39 disposals, 18 contested possessions and one goal, while Darcy Cameron finished with 23 disposals, 37 hit-outs and a career-high nine tackles. Ed Allan restricted Jordan Dawson after half-time and kicked two important goals.
Adelaide Crows received a D after losing control of a match they had shaped in the first half. Sam Berry had 30 disposals and 10 clearances, but Adelaide Crows converted only 40 per cent of their inside-50 entries compared with Collingwood’s 57 per cent.
Fremantle and Sydney Swans Strengthen Their Claims
Fremantle received an A+ after an 11-goal second half powered a 70-point derby win over West Coast Eagles. Murphy Reid won the Glendinning-Allan Medal with 26 disposals, while Jye Amiss kicked five goals.
The concern for Fremantle remains its slow starts and inaccurate kicking. West Coast Eagles led at quarter-time, making it four consecutive games in which Fremantle had trailed at the first break.
Sydney Swans also earned an A+ after defeating Greater Western Sydney Giants by 51 points.
Errol Gulden won his fourth Kirk-Ward Medal after gathering 41 disposals and gaining 1,045 metres. Brodie Grundy, James Rowbottom and Chad Warner also helped Sydney Swans strengthen their grip on a top-two position.
Brisbane Lions, Hawthorn and Geelong Cats Deliver
Brisbane Lions were graded A after kicking 14 second-half goals in a 59-point win over Port Adelaide. Will Ashcroft collected 30 disposals and kicked two goals.
Hawthorn received an A following an 89-point win over Essendon. Jack Gunston kicked seven goals, including the 600th of his AFL career, while Jarman Impey posted a career-high 37 disposals.
Geelong Cats earned an A after responding to a 16-point deficit with a seven-goal second quarter against Melbourne Demons. Shannon Neale kicked a career-high five goals.
Western Bulldogs were also graded A after beating Richmond Tigers by 57 points. Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards led the victory.
Official results and ladder updates are available through the AFL Match Centre.
Carlton and St Kilda Stay in the Finals Race
Carlton received a B+ after defeating Gold Coast Suns by 13 points and improving to 8-2 under caretaker coach Josh Fraser. Sam Walsh, Jagga Smith and Patrick Cripps led the midfield, while Talor Byrne and George Hewett kicked three goals each.
St Kilda also received a B+ after a four-goal final quarter secured victory over North Melbourne. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera produced 46 disposals and four goals, including three in the third quarter.
The win kept St Kilda in the wildcard finals positions, but Max King suffered a hamstring concern during his first AFL appearance in more than two years. Rowan Marshall also withdrew before the match because of back spasms.
Gold Coast Suns and Melbourne Demons Lose Momentum
Gold Coast Suns were graded C- after a ninth consecutive loss. Noah Anderson collected 30 disposals, but Gold Coast Suns lost contested possessions by 29 and clearances by 11.
The exchange between Christian Petracca and Leonardo Lombard added to the tension around the club. Gold Coast Suns also allowed Carlton to record 295 uncontested possessions and 122 uncontested marks.
Melbourne Demons received a D+ after turning a 16-point lead into a 20-point defeat against Geelong Cats. The Cats scored 101 points from turnovers, leaving Melbourne Demons only half a game inside the top six.
Steven King said: “It was hard to get any flow in the game when we hand them that much ascendancy and roll out the red carpet the other way.”
Three Clubs Receive F Grades
Essendon received an F after conceding 16 goals to three following quarter-time against Hawthorn. Jordan Ridley suffered another foot injury, while Sullivan Robey was carried from the field with a knee problem.
Greater Western Sydney Giants were also graded F after producing little resistance against Sydney Swans. Mark Howard said: “They are the definition of unpredictable.”
Richmond Tigers completed the group after losing to Western Bulldogs. Poor disposal, weak inside-50 entries and defensive errors left Richmond Tigers behind Essendon at the bottom of the ladder.
West Coast Eagles received a D despite strong games from Marcus Herbert and Harley Reid. Brad Johnson warned Harley Reid: “You’ve got to start walking away from the contest, Harley. He puts himself in these situations … He’s too good of a player now in the competition to be doing that sort of stuff.”