AFL fans were treated to a thrilling Sunday of footy, with North Melbourne and Brisbane fighting to a dramatic draw in Hobart, while Richmond’s young guns continued their impressive season with a gutsy win over West Coast. Here’s a full wrap of the weekend’s action.
Roos and Lions Locked in a Classic in Tassie
North Melbourne came agonisingly close to a major upset against Brisbane, the reigning premiers, in a gripping contest at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena. Despite being at opposite ends of the AFL ladder, the two sides couldn’t be separated, finishing at 10.11 (71) apiece.
The Kangaroos, currently struggling near the bottom of the ladder, pushed the high-flying Lions to the brink in a seesawing contest. North hit the front with just 10 minutes remaining when Jacob Konstanty coolly converted a free kick, sending the small but passionate Hobart crowd into a frenzy.
However, the Lions responded quickly. Zac Bailey restored Brisbane’s lead after North were penalised for kicking in danger. The drama continued as Cameron Raynor levelled the scores at 70-70 with a composed set shot five minutes from the final siren.
With the clock ticking down, Eric Hipwood nudged the Lions ahead by a single point with just three minutes to go, before North’s Cameron Zurhaar had a chance to win it. Zurhaar, known for his clutch moments, had a tough shot from the boundary with just over a minute left but could only manage a behind, leaving the scores deadlocked.
In the final frantic moments, the Kangaroos surged into their forward 50, but Brisbane’s Jack Payne made a crucial spoil to deny a potential game-winning mark, ensuring the two sides would share the points.
Lions’ Fast Start Fades as Roos Rally
Brisbane looked poised for a comfortable victory early, jumping out to a 20-40 lead at halftime. Levi Ashcroft set the tone, slotting the first goal of the match within 25 seconds, and the Lions seemed set to dominate.
But the Roos showed real grit, clawing their way back into the contest. They narrowed the margin to just nine points at the start of the final term, setting up a thrilling finish. Cameron Zurhaar and Jack Darling each kicked two goals for North, while Brisbane’s Raynor and Hipwood both bagged three.
The Lions suffered a significant early blow when Jarrod Berry was subbed out in the first quarter with a concussion following a heavy collision with North’s Luke McDonald. Despite this setback, Brisbane managed to hold their nerve as the Kangaroos mounted a fierce second-half comeback.
Tiger Cubs Shine in Tight Win Over Eagles
Over in Perth, Richmond’s youthful lineup continued to defy expectations, pulling off a dramatic two-point win over the winless West Coast Eagles. The Tigers, led by new coach Adem Yze, have become one of the feel-good stories of the season, securing their third win from nine rounds.
The game’s defining moment came in the final minute, when Tom Brown laid a match-saving tackle on Eagles’ fourth-gamer Tom Gross, who had broken free and surged towards goal. Brown’s desperate chase and tackle snuffed out the Eagles’ last hope of a maiden win for 2025.
Young Tiger Tom Sims had a rollercoaster debut. The 199-centimetre forward-ruck had a shaky start, miskicking his first touch, but quickly redeemed himself. He clunked a strong pack mark in the second quarter before slotting his first AFL goal with a calm set shot. Sims, who turned 19 on Monday, looked more composed as the game wore on, delivering some pinpoint passes and playing a crucial role in the Tigers’ victory.
Richmond’s New Wave of Talent
Richmond’s fresh faces have been a revelation this year. The Tigers took six players in the first round of last year’s draft, including No.1 pick Sam Lalor, Luke Trainor, Harry Armstrong, and Jonty Faull. Lalor, 18, had 15 disposals against the Eagles, including a crucial late kick to Toby Nankervis that helped Richmond regain the lead.
Trainor, another standout, has impressed with his aerial ability and neat skills, while small forward Seth Campbell, 20, booted two goals to play a key role in the win. Despite losing club legends like Dustin Martin, Daniel Rioli, and Jack Graham, the Tigers have quickly reloaded with a new generation of exciting talent.
Veteran Tom Lynch also played a pivotal role, finishing with 17 disposals, eight score involvements, and 2.2 on the day. Ex-Giants Tim Taranto (27 disposals) and Jacob Hopper (24) were also influential, helping the Tigers hold their nerve in a frantic final quarter.
What’s Next for the Tigers and Roos?
With their season still on the edge, Richmond will need to continue finding contributions from their younger brigade if they’re to make a surprise push for the finals. Meanwhile, North Melbourne will take heart from their fighting draw against one of the competition’s powerhouses, but they’ll need to start converting close games into wins if they hope to avoid the wooden spoon.
As the AFL season heats up, both sets of fans will be watching closely to see if these two sides can keep building on their promising performances. For the Tigers, the future looks bright – for the Roos, the battle for respect continues.
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Mitchell
Mitchell is a seasoned Ph.D. scholar with extensive expertise gained through years of rigorous research, publication, and teaching experience. He brings a wealth of knowledge and analytical skills to tackle complex academic challenges. His work is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions, advancing knowledge, and promoting academic excellence. Proficient in research methodology, data analysis, and scholarly writing, Mitchell has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and mentored students to achieve academic success.
