AFL faces possibility of no finals in Melbourne on first weekend of September; Blues in damage control; Hawks surge; Bulldogs tumble

The Western Bulldogs now remain tied with Hawthorn and Carlton on 48 points, but ahead on percentage, after a 39-point loss to the Crows in Adelaide. The Bulldogs have North Melbourne and GWS to come.

It was a rugged day for key forward Aaron Naughton, who was subbed off with just four disposals.

Riley Thilthorpe’s goal after the three-quarter-time siren stretched Adelaide’s lead to a commanding 41 points over the out-of-sorts Western Bulldogs.

After entering the Adelaide Oval clash riding a four-game winning streak, the Bulldogs’ day has been hampered by a vapid midfield and an off-target attack. Their finals hopes are now in peril.

The Crows can’t make the eight but they can spoil some parties in the process - and have a few themselves, evidenced by Josh Rachele’s “Superman” celebration after booting a goal, followed moments later by Thilthorpe’s double fist-pump to the faithful in the north-western pocket.

The Crows have slipped out to a 51-point lead at the Adelaide Oval late in the final term, all but consigning the Bulldogs to their third defeat at the venue this season. The Bulldogs are now back fighting for their finals future.

Our man at Marvel Stadium, Daniel Brettig, gives his analysis of what transpired in the Saints’ 48-point win over Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Saints outclass battling Tigers in wake of Dusty’s retirement

How Richmond’s supporters at Docklands must have yearned for some prime Dustin Martin this Sunday afternoon.

In reality, the Tigers must move on from Martin’s triple premiership era and find a new core to run the game across midfield and half forward. The 150 gamer Tim Taranto said nothing less when interviewed before running through a banner for him - Martin’s will wait until the final game of the year.

But in the first game after the retirement announcement, St Kilda were much the more efficient side in careering away to a 48-point victory in a rare game for 2024 that won’t impact the shape of the final eight.

After stretching out a 25-point margin in the second term, the Saints lost focus for long enough to let Richmond get back within a couple of straight kicks - cue the vision of a flustered Ross Lyon in the coaches’ box. But as has often been the case this year, the Tigers could not maintain their rage, letting St Kilda coast home in the last.

Saints respond well to a hiding

Last week, in another late Sunday afternoon game near Southern Cross station, Lyon lamented how the Saints were unable to get near the quality and power of the Brisbane Lions.

“We expected better, we wanted better, but we didn’t deliver better,” Lyon had said.

“You see some of the results around the league, and you think that’s interesting, then it happens to you. They just sat us on our arse.“We’ve got Richmond next week, but our biggest opponent is ourselves because we’ve undone all our good work.”

This time around, St Kilda’s players did not beat themselves, matching Richmond for contested ball and clearances and then cutting the Tigers up with far greater efficiency when entering attack.

Tim Membrey, Rowan Marshall and Cooper Sharman shared eight goals between them, while Jack Steel, Josh Battle, Callum Wilkie and Brad Hill had productive afternoons even as Jack Higgins waited until the last term for his first goal.

Too much required of too few Tigers

In a milestone game, Taranto did his level best to keep Richmond competitive, winning as many clearances as anyone on the ground and also near the top of the tally of contested possessions.

Jacob Hopper and Daniel Rioli also worked hard for the Tigers, but the difference in terms of even contributions was patently clear towards the bottom of the stats sheet: only Higgins had fewer than 10 disposals for the Saints; seven Tigers were stuck in single figures.

Carlton coach Michael Voss says there will be “something in the Blues’ response” when their finals hopes go on the line against lowly West Coast next weekend.

The Blues have slipped out of the top eight after a 74-point hammering from Hawthorn on Sunday, and now face the distinct possibility of missing September. They have the Eagles and St Kilda to come over the final fortnight, and must win both games to be alive come September. It was only a month ago they were second on the ladder.

The Hawks, meanwhile, have Richmond and North Melbourne to come. The Hawks can expect to pencil in two wins there - the Sam Mitchell versus Alastair Clarkson battle one to watch on the final weekend of action.

Izak Rankine has made his presence felt upon his return to the Crows, and has helped his team to a 26-point buffer at the main break. Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, under an injury cloud, has had only 10 touches.