Round six of the AFL provided us with plenty of talking points. Some teams are starting to build momentum whilst others are struggling to string together strong performances.

Below I have given my thoughts on Round 6 and how the Brownlow medal votes should be shaping up.

St Kilda Saints vs Western Bulldogs – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Western Bulldogs won by 60 points.

What a ruthless performance from the Dogs. The heat was turned up during the week after their poor showing against Essendon, but they responded in the best possible way.

The Dogs came out firing in the first quarter, kicking seven goals to one and by half time they had the game wrapped up in a nice little bow with a 49-point lead.

Their goal kicking was elite, having slotted their first 12 set shots of the game and taking their opportunities when they came.

The second half was much the same as the Dogs offensive firepower was too much for the Saints, finishing the game with a season high 29 scoring shots.

A big win for the Bulldogs over a Saints team that simply didn’t have a crack and were incredibly disappointing from the opening bounce.

Bailey Dale (39 disposals and 15 marks) was huge off the half back line and Jack Macrae (30 disposals and 7 tackles) reminded Luke Beveridge what he can do. Aaron Naughton (6 goals), Cody Weightman (3 goals) and Marcus Bontempelli (24 disposals and 3 goals) provided all sorts of problems for the Saints defense.

Brad Hill (31 disposals at 77% efficiency) did his best for the Saints to spark their ball movement by foot.

Votes:
1 – Marcus Bontempelli
2 – Bailey Dale
3 – Aaron Naughton

Adelaide Crows v Essendon Bombers – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Essendon Bombers won by 3 points.

Essendon would be counting their lucky stars right now as they were able to pinch this result late against Adelaide.

At half time, nothing could split both these sides with Essendon holding a 5-point lead which could have been more given their inaccuracy in front of goal.

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Essendon were the better side in the second half. They dialled up their pressure which allowed them to generate more inside 50’s and scoring opportunities. The only thing stopping Essendon from pulling away was their inaccuracy in front of goal as they recorded five goals and nine behinds to Adelaide’s six goals and five behinds in the second half.

Late in the fourth quarter and with Adelaide up by three points, Nic Martin produced a brilliant piece of play to kick a goal that put the Dons in front.

Sam Draper can count himself lucky as he laid on the ball with seconds remaining that could have easily been paid holding the ball against Essendon and given Adelaide a shot after the siren, but the umpires didn’t pay it. Essendon survived by the skin of their teeth.

Nic Martin (28 disposals and 722 metres gained) was elite and Zach Merrett (28 disposals and 7 clearances) led the way for Essendon in the middle of the ground.

Jordan Dawson (31 disposals and 2 goals) and Jake Soligo (31 disposals and 10 clearances) earned they paycheck for Adelaide.

Votes:
1 – Jordan Dawson
2 – Zach Merrett
3 – Nic Martin

Collingwood Magpies v Port Adelaide Power – MCG, Melbourne

Collingwood Magpies won by 42 points.

In what looked like a battle of two potential top four sides, Collingwood was able to flex its muscles.

Port started this game on fire, having kicked six of the first seven goals of the match and enjoyed a 31-point lead 23 minutes into the first quarter.

After the first term, Collingwood got rolling and it was devastating.

For the next three quarters, Collingwood kicked 14 goals and 17 behinds to Port’s 6 goals and 6 behinds. Collingwood’s midfield was able to get on top in clearances and contested possessions and from those wins, they were able to generate scoring opportunities from their inside 50 domination which was 66 to 47.

When they didn’t have the ball, their defense was strangling. Collingwood gave Port no other option but to rush in attack.

Nick Daicos (30 disposals and 14 score involvements) and Jordan De Goey (27 disposals and 7 tackles) got back to their best whilst Patrick Lipinski provided a threat up front (4 goals).

For Port, Zak Butters (28 disposals and 1 goal) was their best in the middle and Dan Houston (28 disposals and 89% disposal efficiency) provided good use off half back.

Votes:
1 – Patrick Lipinski
2 – Zac Butters
3 – Nick Daicos

Carlton Blues v GWS Giants – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Carlton Blues won by 19 points.

After a see-sawing contest, Carlton was able to keep their nerve to inflict GWS’s first loss of the season.

You couldn’t ask much more of a game of footy. Carlton and GWS produced a high-quality fixture that was one of the contests of the year to date. GWS held a nine-point lead at half time after a closely fought first half, but the game opened up at the start of the third quarter.

Carlton enjoyed a 14-minute purple patch midway through the third quarter which resulted in six goals. During this period, their clearance work was superb and their two-headed monster Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow feasted, kicking five of the six goals between them, as the roof inside Marvel blew off.

Carlton was able to keep GWS at arm’s length for the remainder of the match and record a big win against the Giants.

Patrick Cripps (24 contested possessions and 13 clearances) was a beast in and under for the Blues and he was well supported by young gun Sam Walsh (35 disposals and 511 metres gained). When the game was there to be won, Harry McKay (three goals) and Charlie Curnow (three goals) finished off the teams work beautifully.

Tom Green (30 disposals and four clearances), Lachie Whitfield (29 disposals and 83% disposal efficiency) and Josh Kelly (23 disposals and three goals) were the best for the Giants.

Votes:
1 – Josh Kelly
2 – Sam Walsh
3 – Patrick Cripps

Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats – Gabba, Brisbane

Geelong Cats won by 26 points.

After Brisbane’s strong showing against Melbourne the week before, they dished up a poor performance in the wet against a polished Geelong side who suffocated Brisbane to their lowest score ever at the Gabba.

The first half saw Brisbane dominate contested possession 92 to 76 which resulted in them generating more scoring opportunities, however Geelong led by two points at half time after converting their chances.

In the second half Geelong pulled away as they kicked five goals to one. Geelong were able to create easier opportunities in front of goal from their back half and converted, whereas Brisbane struggled all night to not only create chances but finish them.

Brisbane kicked just four goals, the lowest of their season. However, credit needs to go to Geelong who performed strongly and didn’t allow easy chances to come. They now remain the only undefeated side in the AFL.

Geelong had an shared performance from their players across the field, however it was Mitch Duncan (24 disposals and four clearances) and Max Holmes (24 disposals and 667 metres gained) that stood out as their best.

Jarrod Berry (29 disposals and 541 metres gained) and Dayne Zorko (26 disposals and two goals) were the best for the Lions.

Votes:
1 – Dayne Zorko
2 – Mitch Duncan
3 – Max Holmes

West Coast Eagles v Fremantle Dockers – Optus Stadium, Perth

West Coast Eagles won by 37 points.

In one of the greatest upsets in derby history, West Coast delivered an inspired performance to crush the Dockers and win their second game in a row.

West Coast set up this win after a dazzling start. The Eagles kicked four goals in the opening term, while the Dockers were goalless.

By half time, the Eagles extended their lead to an impressive 37 points on the back of smooth ball movement around the ground and efficiency inside 50.

The Eagles cruised in the second half, getting the margin out to 64 points at the end of the third term before the Dockers pegged it back with late goals to reduce the margin to 37 points by close.

Before the Richmond game, the Eagles appeared stuck at the bottom of the ladder with no clues on when their next win would be. Fast forward a couple of weeks and we’re witnessing an inspired and confident Eagles outfit that are on a two-game win streak for the first time since 2021.

Elliott Yeo (26 disposals and seven inside 50’s), Tim Kelly (24 disposals and 607 metres gained), Harley Reid (19 disposals, seven clearances and three goals) and Jake Waterman (six goals) were fantastic all night for the Eagles.

For the Dockers, the usual suspects of Andrew Brayshaw (27 disposals and five tackles), Nat Fyfe (27 disposals and 13 clearances) and Caleb Serong (27 disposals and six clearances) did their best in the middle of the ground.

Votes:
1 – Elliott Yeo
2 – Jake Waterman
3 – Harley Reid

Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns – SCG, Sydney

Sydney Swans won by 53 points.

After having the week off, the Swans reminded everyone just how good they are with a scintillating performance against the Suns.

The Swans started strong with a five-goal opening term, however the Suns were able to peg them back to only concede an 11-point lead at half time.

The second half is when Sydney really went to work. Their rapid and precise ball movement was on full display and with an advantage in stoppages, they were able to string eight consecutive goals together from halfway through the third quarter. During this period of dominance, the Suns dropped their pressure around the ground and were unable to go with them.

The Swans were able to cruise through the rest of the contest, recording an impressive 53-point win over a Suns team that will be asking questions about their lack of effort in the third term which cost them dearly.

Brodie Grundy (24 disposals, 29 hit outs and a career high 11 tackles) was huge in the ruck for the Swans and clearly played his best game in a Swans jumper. Errol Gulden (30 disposals and 502 metres gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals and 492 metres gained) also did as they pleased for the Swans. Sam Flanders (34 disposals and seven rebound 50’s) kick started the Suns ball movement from the back 50 and played well.

Votes:
1 – Isaac Heeney
2 – Errol Gulden
3 – Brodie Grundy

North Melbourne Kangaroos v Hawthorn Hawks – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Hawthorn Hawks won by 45 points.

This was a battle of the only two teams yet to win in season 2024. In a match that seemed like it would come down to the wire, Hawthorn showed that they are well ahead of North Melbourne in their development by recording a comprehensive win.

This wasn’t much of a contest for a Hawthorn team that had not won in eight months. The first half saw them get through North’s defense with ease and score at will with a second term of nine straight goals. By half time they had opened up a 37-point lead.

Hawthorn was in cruise control during the second half. North Melbourne never provided a threat to them, and they were able to outscore North in the third and fourth quarters to come out on top easily.

Conor Nash (32 disposals and 10 clearances), Jai Newcombe (32 disposals and nine clearances) and Dylan Moore (20 disposals and four goals) all put on great performances for Hawthorn.

For North, Tristan Xerri (44 hit outs, 10 clearances and 10 tackles) was a standout in the ruck and Harry Sheezel (26 disposals and 457 metres gained) continued his outstanding start to the season.

Votes:
1 – Jai Newcombe
2 – Conor Nash
3 – Dylan Moore