Sunday Fallout: Carlton all but confirm Wildcard spot

If you told the most one-eyed Carlton supporter after parting with Michael Voss with a 1-8 record that the same side is now one win away from securing a top ten spot, they would struggle to believe you.

And yet, the Blues under interim coach Josh Fraser find themselves in this exact situation.

Under the dome at Marvel on Sunday night, Carlton faced a Saints side desperate to close the gap and keep the battle for 10th place alive for the final fortnight of the season.

St Kilda was greatly affected by injuries throughout the match, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera suffering a hamstring injury in the opening minutes and not returning. He would be joined by Mason Wood, who injured his calf in the second quarter, while Tom De Koning, Brad Hill and Liam Ryan all suffered injuries but were able to continue playing.  

But nonetheless, the Blues did what they needed to do, managing to run away with the game after the second quarter with some quality performances from Francis Evans, Ollie Florent and Marc Pittonet.

That win now pushes Fraser’s win tally into double digits, with Carlton fans towards the end of the match making it clear who they want as their coach for 2027.

Now two games clear of the 11th-placed Saints, the Blues need one more win to absolutely lock their spot in the top ten.

And with the possibility of facing Collingwood in the wildcard, it could justify the AFL’s introduction of the concept in its first edition.

Nicholas Quinlan

Demons issue a league-wide warning

The league has been warned.

Melbourne have pulled off one of the great wins, taking down the near unbeatable Dockers in one of the games of the year at the MCG.

The best team in the competition taking on the best team at the 'G; this fixture produced everything it promised and more.

A back-and-forth shootout with all the stars shining, this clash of titans mirrored only that of a September thriller.

And it was the Demons that pulled off the unlikely, winning by four points to stamp their authority on the competition.

Despite earning their respect over what has been a stellar debut season under Steven King, the Dees have never truly been considered a premiership sniff.

That is, until now.

Playing at breakneck speed, dominating in the midfield, finding numerous avenues to goal and defending astutely, the Dees have absolutely everything within their profile to mount an unlikely September charge.

Beyond their style of play, this is a team that plays with mental strength and belief, finding their way back into games even when it seems dead and buried.

And their flag hopes could prove more than just a dream.

Stealing four points against the ladder leaders keeps the Dees within double chance territory, remaining in sixth place and just outside of the top four on percentage.

Facing a hampered Port Adelaide next week, a likely win could pull back some of those percentage points, which - with fifth-placed Adelaide facing Fremantle in WA - could propel the Dees up into fifth as early as next week.

While Hawthorn and Brisbane will be favourites in both of their remaining clashes, two wins from two for the Dees keeps their double chance hopes well and truly alive.

If not, a fifth-place finish will hand the Dees a home elimination, and given they take care of business in week one, the mentality monsters won't be a side any team will want to face.

Don't let the King's men free on the 'G. Consider this their fair warning.

Jaiden Sciberras

Beware the sleeping giant as impotent Hawks hit roadblock

After a drubbing at the hands of Carlton last week, and with coach Chris Fagan equalling the record for most games coached at Brisbane, it really should come as no surprise the response we saw on Friday night.

What was surprising, though, was the lack of any real attacking threat or ability to get the game back on terms from Hawthorn.

Having dined out on the likes of Essendon, Richmond and Carlton in the last month and just scraping over the line against North Melbourne last week, was this the reality check required at this stage of the season for Sam Mitchell?

Perhaps, but with just two games left of the home and away season, these types of losses do not help a team’s psyche. Collingwood at the MCG and West Coast at Optus Stadium await the Hawks to round out the year.

Nick Watson was notably down on output with just nine disposals and no goals (for the first time this season), while Mabior Chol managed just three disposals and one mark in a dirty day for a couple of key attacking pillars at the Hawks.

It’s go-time for the Lions. I dare say there was very little review done of last week’s loss and, instead, an emphasis on switching into finals mode and securing a top four spot.

The carrot of a third premiership is now dangling within reach for Fagan’s men, and you sensed a level of desperation and drive that had been missing at stages throughout the early and middle parts of the season to-date.

Lachie Neale (35 disposals, nine tackles) and Will Ashcroft (39 disposals) were unsurprisingly the catalysts of this domination while Kai Lohmann (five goals, 24 disposals), Logan Morris (four goals) and Charlie Cameron (three goals), finished off their work and outscored Hawthorn by 19 points between them.

Beware the sleeping giant heading into this September, especially if they can solidify top four. They’ve been around the block before, and it looks like they’ve just started switching into gear.

Gold Coast at the Gabba and Collingwood at the MCG round out the season for the Lions, but then their real season begins.

Ethan Clark

Season alive, drought broken, pressure on Clarko relieved

That’s how you keep your season alive. That’s how you end a losing streak against a rival.

North Melbourne knocked off the Western Bulldogs for the first time since 2019 after nine straight defeats to the Doggies.

The 23-point triumph (100-77) at Marvel Stadium has given them a glimmer of hope to sneak into a wildcard slot - which will be hard to pull off - but at least there is hope.

It was the first time they’ve beaten a side inside the top eight under Alastair Clarkson.

Roos legend David King loved to see the Kangas salute, praising the influence and impact of the intense George Wardlaw.

“To me it highlights the capability of this club and this team,” King said on SEN’s Fireball.

“When George Wardlaw plays with that sort of anger which he always brings they are a different team.

“When he plays they win 50 per cent of the time. When he doesn’t play they win 12 per cent of the time.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen a tackler close with such ferocity like he does. This sort of intensity is hard to find.”

Kane Cornes added: “Dangerfield-esque, prime Patrick Dangerfield. When the ball is in that phone box, look out.

“One of the great 19-possession games you’ll ever see from George Wardlaw. Well done to the way they used him, saved up his petrol tickets for late.”

Wardlaw returned from another hamstring injury to help guide the Roos to a pressure-relieving win which was also inspired by Luke Davies-Uniacke’s 31 touches, 10 tackles, 10 clearances and two goals.

“I think it’s time people started talking about Luke Davies-Uniacke with a different tone,” King said.

The pressure had been building on Clarko but that has dissipated for the time being after such a big win.

“I think now he’s guaranteed to be there Round 1 next year, but I wouldn’t be extending his contract beyond that,” Cornes said.

“That conversation can now cease which is great for him and the footy club to get some clean air.

“That’s how important it was on Thursday night for the footy club with the pressure they’re under.”

North will be eager to take that winning momentum into next Saturday’s Marvel meeting with Geelong who they haven’t beaten in 15 attempts since 2015.

A win there would completely loosen the pressure valve on Clarko.

As for Luke Beveridge’s Dogs, well, they do have their hands on a wildcard spot but have now likely missed a top six position.

Cornes says the wildcard concept is saving their skins this year.

“I think the wildcard will be amazing, it’s a great innovation,” he said.

“But for the Western Bulldogs, who need to be in the premiership business not the top 10 business, if you miss that… come on.

“We’re three years overdue for change at the Bulldogs.”

The 12-9 Dogs have Carlton and Melbourne to come and need to show something in those two fixtures for the Bulldogs faithful to have some optimism.

Andrew Slevison