Carlton moved into the wildcard places after pulling off their biggest scalp to date, as they hammered reigning Premiers Brisbane in a monster 76-point mauling.
They set a new club record in having 16 different goalkickers in a game. And had Patrick Cripps managed to score late on, then it would have broken the AFL record.
It was also the biggest score that they had put up in over a decade, further boosting their confidence that they can be in the mix come the pointy end.
Midfielder Jagga Smith, in just his 20th start, scooped the Robert Walls Medal for a best-on-ground effort that included 28 disposals and 12 score involvements.
Cats Come Out on Top in Thursday Night Blockbuster
A fast-starting Geelong laid the foundations to go on and get the job done over Collingwood in the Thursday night blockbuster, contested before a 60,000+ crowd.
With the likes of Patrick Dangerfield. And Jeremy Cameron, one of the big outs for the Cats, gave others the chance to step up, like youngster Jay Polkinghorne (pictured below).
Making just his third senior appearance, having been recruited from the SANFL in the 2024 National Draft, the forward made an impact with a career-high three majors.
Oisin Mullin was given the job of tagging Nick Daicos, a player that coach Chris Scott labelled as “the best in the game”. And once again came through with flying colours.
The Magpies, coming in on the back of a red-hot six-game winning streak, rallied in their bid to get back into it. But ultimately were made to pay for their slow opening.
Freo on Verge of Minor Premiership
Fremantle looked to have clinched the 2026 Minor Premiership, barring a miracle, but were made to work for it before eventually overcoming the Western Bulldogs.
Another bumper crowd at Optus Stadium (53,524) saw the visitors come with a game plan that stifled and made things very difficult. However, the ladder leaders persevered and were eventually able to grind it out and kick away in the latter stages.
It makes it 18 victories for the home-and-away campaign, a new club record, in what has been a remarkable season so far, with guaranteed home finals as well.
Josh ‘The Big Cohuna’ Treacy marked his 100th appearance, in the purple and white guernsey, with three goals whilst Hayden Young celebrated the same milestone.
Swans Grab Victory with Stunning Comeback
Sydney maintain second spot, which would also guarantee a perfect run to a potential Grand Final, after putting on a very late show to see off a valiant St. Kilda.
They trailed at every change before lifting, going on to produce a big effort that saw them kick nine of the last eleven majors and pull off a stunning comeback.
The Swans really got on top around the post-clearance contested possessions as well as making the most of their scoring opportunities in front of the big sticks.
Unfortunately, it came at a cost, with defender Will Edwards only putting pen to paper on a three-year contract extension through to 2030 after dislocating his ankle. And being stretchered off the oval, cruelly putting a premature end to his season.
Demons Keep up Top Four Pursuit
Melbourne kept up their pursuit of a top-four double-chance finish by travelling up to Queensland and knocking over an out-of-form Gold Coast on their home deck.
It turned out to be a real shootout-style encounter with both teams bringing up three figures on the scoreboard and enjoying momentum swings at various stages.
This was the first time they lined up against Norm Smith Medallist Christian Petracca, who won a Premiership with them in 2021. Despite the hype around it, they did an excellent job of keeping their former teammates quiet.
The Suns fell for the tenth straight time, which officially puts an end to their year – quite remarkable given their start and at one stage were the bookies’ favourites.
Hawks Grind It Out Against Kangas
Hawthorn kept up their impressive run down in Tasmania after coming out on top in a real arm wrestle to get over the line against a plucky North Melbourne outfit.
In what proved to be an entertaining see-saw affair, the lead changing hands on twelve occasions, they were able to hold their nerve. And run it out well at the death.
Jai Newcombe (pictured above) was immense in the midfield, with arguably his best showing of the season, whilst Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson scored an equal career-high five snags.
Coach Sam Mitchell handed a debut to 18-year-old Aidan Schubert (pictured below). The eighth player the club have bloodied in 2026, following a good run of form in the VFL with Box Hill.
Crows Record Biggest Win of the Season
Adelaide boosted their percentage, registering their highest score and biggest win on the road of 2026, as they thrashed a much-changed Essendon side by 72 points.
Izak Rankine (pictured below) had the highest-rated game of his career to date with 23 disposals, eleven score involvements, seven marks, three majors and 584 metres gained.
The Crows handed debuts to youngsters Archie Ludowyke and Oscar Ryan, recruited from Sandringham Dragons and Murray Bushrangers in the SANFL.
For the deflated Bombers, this latest setback sees them drop to the bottom of the ladder. And the prospect of a first wooden spoon in over a decade is looking a reality.
Giants Triumph on the Road
Greater Western Sydney returned to the winner’s circle by getting the job done in a rather low-scoring clash against hosts Port Adelaide in the City of Churches.
Keen to atone for their disappointing ‘Battle of the Bridge 33’ defeat last weekend, the visitors dominated this match for large periods and ran out worthy winners.
Two-time All-Australian defender Lachie Whitfield (pictured above) got himself on the scoresheet for the first time in 76 games. It stretched across a barren three-and-a-half-year spell.
Power coach Josh Carr conceded that his side were “off the boil tonight” with this loss mathematically ending any hopes of them making it into those wildcard places.
Annual Alannah & Madeline Foundation Fixture
Richmond moved off the bottom of the ladder, picking up only their third success of the season, as they managed to overcome a wasteful West Coast at the MCG.
Sam Lalor (pictured below), pick one in the 2024 AFL draft. Kicked what proved to be the sealer as part of his career-high three-goal haul to the delight of the Tigers supporters.
It ended a run of eight consecutive losses and also means they complete the ‘double’ over the Eagles, having beaten them in Round 8 at the beginning of May.
The club billed this as the Annual Alannah & Madeline Foundation Fixture. That helps children live free from violence and trauma whilst supporting thousands of young people in crisis; it has raised more than $ 2.3 million over the last 14 years.
Round 21 Results
Collingwood 10.12 (72)
Geelong 15.7 (97)
Fremantle 11.12 (78)
Western Bulldogs 5.11 (41)
St.Kilda 13.10 (88)
Sydney 16.11 (107)
Hawthorn 14.15 (99)
North Melbourne 12.11 (83)
Port Adelaide 9.9 (63)
GWS 10.15 (75)
Carlton 24.10 (154)
Brisbane 11.12 (78)
Richmond 12.12 (84)
West Coast 9.19 (73)
Gold Coast 16.9 (105)
Melbourne 18.6 (114)
Essendon 11.7 (73)
Adelaide 23.7 (145)
