Fremantle has strung back-to-back wins together for the first time this season in upsetting Sydney, while Port Adelaide was a class above in the Apple Isle against North Melbourne.
Starting in New South Wales, and the Dockers were challenged on multiple occasions but never relented in scoring the 17-point win.
Erroll Gulden was the best midfielder on the ground and did everything he could to drag the Swans over the line, but his 39-disposal, two-goal performance wasn’t enough to stop the visitors.
Fremantle was convincingly better around the ball and showed plenty of maturity when running out solid winners despite a strong Swans push.
Down in Tasmania, Port Adelaide took care of business with a 70-point win over North Melbourne and got the percentage boost they need.
Ken Hinkley’s troops can’t finish the weekend any lower than 5th but could also enter the top four for the first time since Round 1. On the flip side, the Kangaroos – despite only being a point down at quarter time – showed little to no fight for the rest of the game while finishing the contest with just one player on the bench.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s AFL Round 9 action.
Jackson and Darcy combine for best performance as a duo
When asked how he wants Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy to play together, from now on Justin Longmuir can point to this game.
Darcy spent the vast majority rucking and gathered 18 disposals and 44 hitouts as he does, along with an equal game-high nine clearances.
Jackson, on the other hand, pushed into the ruck on several occasions but more importantly finished with three goals and a goal assist.
The Swans simply didn’t have the answers for either. After a lot of criticism, the Fremantle list management team will be breathing a sigh of relief following Saturday’s performance.
Franklin goes quiet
After a big week for Lance Franklin, the superstar wasn’t able to bring his best on the field.
Logan McDonald was injured and then taken off in the third term, but all afternoon Alex Pearce wore Franklin like a glove and never relented.
In the end, the 36-year-old could only manage four disposals, three frees against and a scoreless effort in an undoubtedly frustrating outing.
It was his second consecutive goalless outing and third this year. Hopefully, it wasn’t a result of the boos he copped last weekend against Collingwood and the ongoing commentary and Franklin can respond next week.
A blow for Sydney’s co-captain
Callum Mills was on the field for just minutes before being subbed out of Saturday’s game.
The Swans co-captain played just five per cent before pinging a calf and subsequently being withdrawn. Mills is one of the few Swans to play every game this year and thankfully it’s not a recurring injury.
But it means the Swans are now hampered across all lines of their best 22, with Joel Amartey (hamstring), Peter Ladhams (shoulder/neck), Paddy McCartin (concussion) and Dane Rampe (neck) already missing.
The leadership duties will be left in the capable hands of Luke Parker next week, but the Swans will be hoping scans don’t reveal a serious setback for Mills.
Injuries galore for the Roos
Sydney will be hurting, but nowhere near as badly as North Melbourne in the aftermath of its game.
Darcy Tucker was the first to go down with a hamstring injury and he was followed by Flynn Perez, Paul Curtis and Luke Davies-Uniacke.
It’s the last name that will prove the most bitter blow, with North’s best midfielder spending much of the final term with ice on his hamstring. Having already missed two games earlier this year with a separate injury, it’s another blow the Roos could hardly afford.
With only one player on the bench to finish the game and the Kangaroos almost 10 goals down, it can’t have been even remotely fun.
Trade prospect raises his stocks
The future of Miles Bergman came into question this week and the 21-year-old would have had a few extra eyeballs watching him closely in Hobart.
He’s reportedly in no rush to re-sign with Port Adelaide despite a quick start to the year and he continued the strong form with what was potentially a career-best game.
Bergman gathered 21 disposals, 10 marks and enjoyed a game-high 588 metres gained. It’s no wonder Victorian clubs are interested and no wonder Port are desperate to keep him.
Bergman’s efforts were only shadowed by Zak Butters (32 disposals, nine marks) and Todd Goldstein, who monstered young Brynn Teakle in the ruck.