Mind your Mannaghs: The things we learned from Round 6

The long weekend has been a treat for football fans everywhere.

From the Tiges taking down the undefeated Suns to the Pies running rampant in Brisbane, the Easter fixtures have been a nightmare for footy tipping enthusiasts all across the country.

Here are the things we've learned from Round 6.

Mind your Mannaghs

Geelong saluted in an Easter Monday epic against Hawthorn.

The Cats held their nerve after leading at every break to come away with a seven-point victory at the MCG.

While their stars in Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes and Bailey Smith performed relatively well, it was the understated Shaun Mannagh who would prove to be the match-winner.

The mature-age recruit from the 2023 draft finished with three goals, including the sealer, as well as 17 disposals, a game-high nine score involvements, seven tackles (five inside 50) and four clearances.

His work rate was exceptional and his composure was crucial in the big moments. Did the Hawks show him enough respect?

From a Hawthorn perspective, they were undone by error upon error, especially when moving the ball forward. While their effort against a very good side was solid, they’d want to tidy things up if they want to seriously contend in 2025.

The return of the Bont

Easter Sunday saw the rise of one of the all-time greats in real time.

Marcus Bontempelli returned to AFL football as though he never left. After a preseason injury ruled the midfielder out for the first five games of the season, the Bont made his awaited return to an undermanned Bulldogs side, and didn't he deliver.

30 disposals, two goals, 12 score involvements and eight clearances, the champion did not miss a beat as the Bulldogs demolished the Saints.

It's hard to believe that even with Sam Darcy going down with what is expected to be a serious ACL concern, the Bulldogs were able to pile on 37 scores, their biggest score for the year.

3 votes on return, and he's only just getting started.

The Pies are the real deal

They say age is just a number…

Collingwood are more than just contenders in 2025. Questions were certainly asked of the club’s ability to compete after their 52-point Opening Round, and haven't they answered with authority.

Away from home, against the undefeated reigning premiers, without key first team players including Lachie Schultz and Dan Houston, the Pies ran rampant, near doubling the Lions at every break while cleaning up all over the ground.

With +14 inside 50’s and +10 clearances, Collingwood were in cruise control against the supposed premiership favourites.

With Nick Daicos clearly establishing himself as the best player in the game, it appears as though the sky is the limit for the AFL's oldest side if their current form continues.

Five on the trot for Fly and his men, the Pies have stormed back to the pinnacle of the AFL. Look out.

Underestimation is a dangerous trap

There really is no such thing as an easy game of AFL football.

The West Coast Eagles have looked well below par in 2025, and despite remaining winless, were just a kick away from claiming victory against the Bombers.

Opening the game with five goals in the first term, it’s clear that the Eagles’ best football is much stronger than we’ve seen across the first six rounds. Heading to Optus Stadium should never be considered an easy trip.

Beyond the Eagles, both Melbourne and Richmond picked up major scalps in their Round 6 matchups.

The Demons put together their best performance by some margin, playing a controlled brand and leading at every break to stand firm against the Dockers.

Strong games from their veteran core and a stronger performance from within the coach’s box, Melbourne are still capable of a strong brand of footy.

As for the Tigers, very few saw that coming.

A major upset against the final remaining undefeated side… but you certainly can’t say they didn’t deserve it.

A mature performance, with their leaders in Nick Vlaustin, Tim Taranto and Tom Lynch playing their best games of the season to take down the Suns in stunning fashion.

You simply cannot rule anyone out of a contest before a ball is kicked.

George Hewett deserves far more credit

While the Blues haven’t played their best football this season, George Hewett most certainly has.

A shining light in each of the Blues’ contests this year, Hewett is not receiving anywhere near the plaudits he deserves.

Within Carlton’s 82-point win, Hewett was absolutely everywhere, finding 34 disposals, 12 clearances, nine tackles and a goal to pile the misery on the Kangaroos.

Beyond this contest, Hewett has exploded in 2025. Leading from the front, the 29-year-old is averaging 30 disposals (+7 from last season), eight clearances (+3) and seven tackles (+3) a game, by far his best career numbers.

Looking across the AFL, Hewett currently ranks seventh in the competition for average disposals, fifth in the competition for clearances and fifth in the competition for tackles.

Talk about underrated.

It’s about time George receives some plaudits for his consistency this season. Keep this up, and a blazer could very well arrive in the near future.

North Melbourne are not where they should be

Many expected the Kangaroos to turn a leaf in 2025.

Conceding another 100-plus points, Alastair Clarkson simply cannot spark anything out of this North Melbourne list.

After signing Luke Davies-Uniacke on an expensive long-term deal, marking yet another extensive contract, North Melbourne failed to provide any difficulty even for a struggling Carlton side.

With the list locked in long-term, is Clarkson the man to carry them through their already substantial rebuild?

It seems inevitable that Clarko will be under the microscope, as the Roos fell by 50+ points for the third consecutive game.

It isn’t unfair to say that after six straight seasons of negative records and just 16 wins since the start of the 2020 season, the Kangaroos’ rebuild should be showing notable signs of improvement.

All eyes on Clarkson.

Take your chances...

Port Adelaide claimed a massive win in Sydney, taking down the Swans by eight points in a nervy contest.

The contest was a lesson in taking advantage of your chances in front of goal. 17 behinds for the Swannies including eight in the final term when the game was in the balance.

Hayden McLean will want his time again despite booting two goals, with the chance to win the game off his own boot in the latter stages of the game.

All of this came as Aaron Francis decided to become the best footballer of all time for a quarter.

With that being said, Port Adelaide should receive some credit for holding on. Pulling out to a strong lead and continuing to make the most of their opportunities was the difference on the night.

Expect plenty of goal-kicking practice in Sydney this week.

It’s a big week for the Dockers

Where to now for Fremantle?

Entering the season, the Dockers would have sat comfortably inside the eight in a huge percentage of ladder predictions.

You can understand why; one of the competition’s best midfields led by Caleb Serong, an up-and-coming star in Josh Treacy leading the line, top off-season recruitment in the form of Shai Bolton and another year of growth for their young core.

Yet after six games, Fremantle sit 3-3, beating only Richmond, West Coast and an undermanned Bulldogs side.

This weekend’s loss to the Demons, who entered the clash at 0-5 without Steven May, Jake Lever and Bailey Fritsch, leaves more questions than answers.

Where did it go wrong?

-66 in disposals, -5 in clearances while conceding 16 goals from 56 inside 50’s, Melbourne were simply better – a statement that is yet to be said in any other contest this season.

All of this occurred with Shai Bolton playing his best game in purple, Hayden Young and Sean Darcy back in the side and only a handful of first team players absent.

With the Crows to come, next week’s lead up will be incredibly telling for the fate of the Fremantle Dockers in 2025.