Pinned
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 1:10pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 1:10pm
AFL round 21 — Sunday scoreboard
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:55pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:55pm
That's where we'll leave things for the weekend
By Chris De Silva
I'm going to wrap things up here after another weekend of footy blogging folks!
Thank you once again for spending your time with us and for all your comments across all of our blogs.
We'll be back again on Thursday when the Bulldogs and Kangaroos face off to open up round 22 at Docklands.
Catch you all then!
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:54pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:54pm
Match report: Thilthorpe monsters Dons defenders to launch Crows into top four
By Chris De Silva
Riley Thilthorpe (right) slammed home five goals as Adelaide recorded a 72-point win over Essendon. (Getty Images)Adelaide has ended the round in a top four spot after recording a comfortable 72-point win over battling Essendon.
The Bombers, anchored to the bottom of the ladder after Richmond's win over West Coast earlier on Sunday, started brightly with the first two goals of the game.
But Matthew Nicks's Crows, seeking a response to their loss to Collingwood, kicked the final five goals of the first term and never looked back, romping home by 23.7 (145) to 11.7 (73) at Docklands Stadium.
Adelaide spearhead Riley Thilthorpe monstered Essendon's defence with three first-quarter goals and finished with 5.2 and 10 marks.
Crows star Izak Rankine (23 disposals, 10 score involvements and three goals) was influential.
Despite attention from Mason Redman, the visitors' skipper Jordan Dawson (30 disposals, nine clearances) was prolific, while Billy Dowling (three goals,18 disposals) was busy and Ben Keays kicked three goals.
On return from injury, Crows recruit Callum Ah Chee kicked two goals and had three goal assists, with Taylor Walker, Josh Rachele also chipping in with two majors each.
But defender James Borlase (hamstring awareness) sat out the second half.
Big man Peter Wright was a shining light for Essendon, kicking six goals while Hussien El Achkar jagged two.
Essendon star Zach Merrett fought hard for his 27 disposals and young gun Archie Roberts (26) was a threat.
The Bombers came out firing with an intense tackling pressure.
But in the final 10 minutes of the first quarter, Adelaide won contested possessions 16-2 and clearances 7-1 and made it count.
Essendon youngster Angus Clarke hobbled off with a left knee injury late in the second quarter.
Peter Wright was a lone bright spark up forward for Essendon with six goals. (Getty Images)That was found to be merely a hyperextension, but then Clarke was accidentally collected in the head by teammate Isaac Kako later in the quarter and was ruled out with concussion.
The Crows kicked away to lead by 33 at the main break.
Interim coach Dean Solomon's Bombers didn't want for effort in the second half but the gulf in class won out as Adelaide nudged out to a 50-point lead at three-quarter time.
Crows debutant Oscar Ryan provided a highlight when he cut between four Essendon players and kicked a terrific goal on the run for his first AFL major.
Adelaide capped off the win when debutant Archie Ludowyke joined Ryan and Hugo Hall-Kahan in nailing his first AFL goal.
Wright gave Essendon fans something to smile about with his fifth and sixth goals before Adelaide kicked away again.
Essendon (2-18), which is still in the recruitment process for its next coach, next have the daunting task of facing Geelong at Kardinia Park.
The Crows (13-7) will host Richmond at the Adelaide Oval.
AAP
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:44pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:44pm
Match report: Gawn inspires Demons to massive road win against Suns
By Chris De Silva
Melbourne captain Max Gawn was inspirational in his team's nine-point win over Gold Coast. (Getty Images)Melbourne has cemented its top six status ahead of next weekend's clash with ladder leaders Fremantle, defeating Gold Coast by nine points at Carrara Stadium.
In a contest featuring several lead changes, the Demons did just enough in the fourth quarter to claim an 18.6 (114) to 16.9 (105) victory.
After a four-goal display against Geelong last week, Harrison Petty kicked three majors including a crucial after-the-siren effort at the end of the third quarter, while Jacob van Rooyen also kicked three for the visitors.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn was huge for the Demons, notching 25 disposals, 10 marks, 33 hit-outs and nine clearances.
After last weekend's loss to the Cats, Demons coach Steven King was thrilled by his team's ability to find a way to victory ahead of the clash with the Dockers.
"We've already played them once earlier this year, and we got taught a lesson," King said.
"This time we'll be at the MCG and we love playing there but I'm sure they'll come over as a full dress rehearsal for what's in front of them as a footy club.
"It's a privilege to play in big games that count, and we're lucky we grabbed our opportunity today and can still be relevant in this competition for what's ahead."
Jed Walter kicked three for the Suns, all in the first half, as Gold Coast was unable to prevent slumping to its 10th straight defeat in what was Christian Petracca's first match against his former club.
Petracca, whose impact at the Suns had been under the spotlight throughout the week following an on-field argument with young gun Leo Lombard in the loss to Carlton, had minimal impact on the contest with 16 disposals and two clearances.
Instead it was John Noble (34 disposals, seven tackles, 10 marks) and Matt Rowell (30 disposals, nine tackles, eight clearances) who led the way for the Suns, with coach Damien Hardwick lamenting a similar display to previous defeats.
"It's just frustrating because a lot of those things are absolutely within our control, and it's the stuff that we need to eradicate," Hardwick said.
Gold Coast slumped to its 10th straight loss, a feat unthinkable at the start of the season. (Getty Images)"I've got to coach harder and tougher because otherwise we don't move forward.
"So we've learned a lot of lessons like that this year, unfortunately, but not getting the result we're after."
Both teams had injury worries with Sam Collins (ribs) and Blake Howes (wrist) sent to hospital for X-rays after coming off in separate incidents.
Melbourne set the template for their accuracy in front of goal early, kicking five straight in the opening term to hold a three-point lead at the first break.
Bailey Humphrey's goal after the siren at the end of the second quarter, despite a question mark over whether he ran off the line of the mark as he came into kick, had the hosts in front heading into the main break.
And the Suns extended that lead to three goals during a high-scoring third term, kicking four goals alone from free kicks.
The Demons, however, kicked two goals in the last 30 seconds including another after-the-siren major to Petty to snatch a one-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Howes' nasty looking fall early in the last term didn't deter the Demons, who kicked four goals to three to secure the points.
While the Demons host the Dockers next weekend, the Suns will aim to snap their losing run in Canberra against GWS.
AAP
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:30pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:30pm
Here's how the ladder looks after round 21
By Chris De Silva
Some big movement all across the ladder after this weekend's matches.
Here's how it all looks.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:28pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:28pm
Thanks for following along!
By Chris De Silva
Long day for you today Chris. You’ ve done good . Thanks.
- Phillip
It's been a long day mate, I'm ready for a rest, that's for sure.
Key Event
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:22pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:22pm
FT: Adelaide 23.7 (145) defeats Essendon 11.7 (73)
By Chris De Silva
Riley Thilthorpe kicked five goals to lead Adelaide into the top four for the first time this season. (Getty Images)Ben Keays slots a set shot after the siren for his third goal of the match as the Crows record a 72-point win!
A good percentage boost for Adelaide from that one sees them climb into the top four to end the round.
It is the first time this season that the Crows have ended the weekend in the top four, and after going out in straight sets last year, they'll be keen to do better in the finals this time.
Essendon fought hard all afternoon, but the gulf in class was simply too great today.
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson finishes with a game-high 30 disposals and also added 10 score involvements and nine clearances, while Riley Thilthorpe kicked 5.2.
Peter Wright was among Essendon's best today with 6.1 from 17 disposals, while Will Setterfield and Zach Merrett led the Dons with 28 touches apiece.
A word as well to Dons youngster Dyson Sharp, who finished with 22 touches and a team-high seven clearances.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:13pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:13pm
Dowling's got himself a third!
By Chris De Silva
Billy Dowling has two goals in a matter of minutes!
This time he receives the ball out of the centre clearance and drills one on the run from 40m out.
He's got 18 disposals and has now kicked 3.2 for the day, that's a very good outing.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:13pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:13pm
Dowling drills his second after a good Tex block
By Chris De Silva
Billy Dowling has Taylor Walker to thank for his second goal!
Dan Curtin pops a good long ball inside 50 and Walker shields Dowling beautifully in the marking contest, allowing the youngster to take an easy mark.
That's Adelaide's 21st mark inside 50. Essendon has six.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:08pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:08pm
Wright pops through his sixth goal of the day
By Chris De Silva
Hussein El Achkar with a lovely kick inside 50 and he finds Peter Wright on another lead.
Wright goes back and drills his set shot from directly in front and he's now got 6.1 and 17 disposals for the day, a decent outing to say the least!
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:06pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:06pm
Ludowyke becomes the latest Crow to kick their first goal
By Chris De Silva
We've got a third Crows player to kick their first goal at the AFL level!
Archie Ludowyke beats out Zach Reid on a long lead and then goes back and calmly slots the set shot from 35m out.
Crows out to a game-high 60-point lead!
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:01pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 7:01pm
Rankine drills one on the run for his third
By Chris De Silva
Izak Rankine hammers home his third goal of the evening, and this one is just a classy finish on the run.
I'm not sure how you leave a guy like that in that much space.
As Rankine received a handball from Isaac Cumming there wasn't a Bombers player anywhere near him.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:59pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:59pm
Rachele snaps home on the left boot
By Chris De Silva
This guy is such a talented player, he's just made the snap on the non-preferred boot look so easy.
Josh Rachele now becomes the sixth Crow to kick multiple goals today.
He's such a luxury for this team that it makes you wonder what he'd be able to do on a bigger role at another club.
Crows by 49 points with 11 minutes left.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:53pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:53pm
Wright has now got five goals for the match
By Chris De Silva
Some proper junk time stuff here from the Dons and two-metre Peter!
This time he wins a free kick after being held in a marking contest and he again kicks truly from a set shot.
Wright's got 5.0 for the match now from just 12 disposals.
Essendon is now 6.0 from free kicks for the match.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:51pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:51pm
Wright nails another set shot for his fourth goal
By Chris De Silva
Some good end-to-end movement this time from the Bombers as Zak Johnson finds Peter Wright on a long lead.
Wright kicks from just outside the 50m arc but has it sail through halfway up post height and he's got four straight for the match.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:48pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:48pm
Keays snaps home from a tight angle
By Chris De Silva
Ben Keays loves playing the Bombers, and he continues to cause them pain with another brilliant goal from a snap.
Keays points straight at Cal Ah Chee, whose second efforts set up that goal.
Key Event
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:43pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:43pm
3QT: Adelaide 15.7 (97) leads Essendon 7.5 (47)
By Chris De Silva
Hugo Hall-Kahan (right) and Oscar Ryan (left) lit up the third quarter with their first career goals. (Getty Images)The Crows take a 50-point lead into the final change at Docklands Stadium after another impressive quarter!
They really set this one up in the first quarter, and it's been a little cruise control-like since then.
The Crows have five goals from their defensive 50 tonight, and that's been symbolic of the Bombers over the last few years really, just a complete inability to defend the ground.
Adelaide has generated 22 scores from 44 inside 50 entries, while the Dons have managed just 12 from 37 entries of their own.
The Crows also lead the clearance count 30-24, with skipper Jordan Dawson leading the way with seven takeaways.
Zach Merrett leads all players with 22 disposals.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:39pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:39pm
Jones nails goal after superb forward 50 tackle
By Chris De Silva
Harry Jones started down back today, but he's gone forward here and it leads to a goal.
Jones wins a free kick for holding the ball after laying a superb tackle and he drills the set shot from directly in front.
I feel like that's definitely the position he should be playing rather than toiling away in defence where he looks a little lost.
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:36pm
Sun 2 Aug 2026 at 6:36pm
Ryan skips past three Bombers to nail his first goal
By Chris De Silva
How about this finish from Oscar Ryan!
He skips past Zach Merrett and around Hussein El Achkar and Will Setterfield and rams it home from just inside the 50m arc.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks looks overjoyed in the box as he pumps his fist triumphantly.
Adelaide has now kicked eight of the last 10 goals to kick out to a 56-point lead.
