Live: AFL Saturday

Welcome to AFL Saturday, our coverage of today’s matches:

St Kilda 10.8 (68) Sydney 18.10 (118)

GWS 11.12 (78) Richmond 10.15 (75)

Brisbane 7.18 (60) Adelaide 21.14 (140)

Collingwood 13.12 (90) Hawthorn 11.6 (72)

GEELONG and the Western Bulldogs ensured round nine of the AFL season kicked off in style when the Cats won a thriller on Friday night and the action continues on Saturday.

The thrills kept coming Saturday.

The Swans sent a message to the competition that they are back with a big win over St Kilda in Melbourne, before GWS and Richmond played out an unbelievable last-gasp epic at Spotless Stadium.

The Crows recovered after a first-quarter bump to entirely dominate Brisbane at the Gabba in another stunning goal-kicking spree.

Then the Magpies recovered from early calls for coach Nathan Buckley’s head — and a 37-point deficit — to produce a miraculous comeback at the MCG against ther Hawks.

10.30pm

Pies complete miraculous comeback

Scores are currently 65-65.

If we win, it will be the equal-third greatest comeback from a quarter time deficit in our history #sidebyside — Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 20, 2017

Collingwood have staged an astonishing AFL comeback to beat Hawthorn by 18 points at the MCG.

The Magpies followed their worst first quarter under coach Nathan Buckley with the best fightback of his six-year reign, winning on Saturday night 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72).

Collingwood’s third win for the season eases the pressure slightly on Buckley - a marked contrast to how it had been looking for him early in the match. In the week he became a dad for the first time, captain Scott Pendlebury led Collingwood’s unstoppable charge with a best-afield performance. Pendlebury was sublime with 36 disposals and a goal - plus a stoush late in the last term with Luke Hodge.

The Hawks’ veteran became incensed after a jumper punch from Taylor Adams and clashed heatedly with Pendlebury, among others.

There was no apparent bad blood between the two stars as Pendlebury and Hodge chatted immediately after the final siren.

Hawthorn stumbled despite an outstanding 50-possession game from midfielder Tom Mitchell - equal-fifth in AFL history for the most in a game and a club record. The Magpies kicked nine goals to one in the second half.

The win came three days after Collingwood legend Lou Richards was farewelled with a state funeral and the Magpies had a touching pre-game tribute to him. But as soon as the game started, the night had a funereal feel for the Magpies. Hawthorn were as well-organised and ruthless as Collingwood were awful in the first quarter.

The Hawks kicked 6.1 to a behind - Collingwood’s lowest first-quarter score under Buckley and also their biggest deficit at the first break in his reign. Hawks midfielder Tom Mitchell had 14 disposals in the first term - 12 Collingwood players could only manage a combined total of 19. Collingwood finally kicked their first goal at the start of the second term, but two more majors to the Hawks gave them a game-high lead of 43 points. Then slowly, awkwardly, the Magpies started working their way back into the game.

They reduced the margin to 28, but an accurate snap from Ben McEvoy seconds before halftime took the margin back out to 34.

It proved a temporary reprieve for the Hawks. They have developed a bad habit this season of poor second halves.

Now it was Collingwood’s turn to pile on the pressure, kicking 5.5 to Hawthorn’s solitary behind in the third term.

Magpies utility James Aish summed up their desperation when he cannoned into Daniel Howe as they contested a third-term ground ball.

Aish was holding the right side of his face as he left the field, his game over. Hawthorn had to make two late changes when in-form forward Tim O’Brien was ruled out with hip soreness and Kaiden Brand fell ill.

That meant Hawthorn had made six forced changes for the match. One of the late recalls, James Sicily, kicked three goals.

— AAP

10.25pm

Crows show nobody scores like they do

Adelaide have returned to form with a thumping 80-point AFL victory over the hapless Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.

After shock back-to-back losses to North Melbourne and Melbourne ended their unbeaten start to the season, the Crows roared back to life at the Gabba with an emphatic 21.14 (140) to 7.18 (60) win to stay at the top of the ladder. Dayne Zorko kicked the first two goals of the match for Brisbane, who were in the contest early but wasteful in front of goal.

As soon as the Crows switched on, however, they were completely blown away. The Lions kicked just four goals after quarter-time to Adelaide’s 18, slumping to their eighth consecutive defeat in front of only 13,802 fans. Former basketballer Hugh Greenwood kicked three majors on debut in the first half to help spark a run of nine goals in a row, before the Crows ruthlessly tore the hosts to shreds in a handy percentage-booster.

Greenwood, 25, played college basketball in the US and was on the cusp of an NBL deal with the Perth Wildcats when he quit the sport to pursue a career in the AFL instead, signing a rookie contract with the Crows two years ago. Charlie Cameron booted four majors in the third quarter alone while Eddie Betts, who finished with three goals and four goal assists, produced a freakish goal- of-the-year contender in the second term.

Betts robbed Darcy Gardiner of possession but then, when the ball came loose, dribbled it along the ground with one foot like a soccer player before regathering and grubbering it home from a tight angle - all while under pressure and without much time or space to manoeuvre.

It arguably topped Tom Lynch’s spectacular first-quarter effort, splitting the posts with his right foot along the boundary from around 45m out. Lynch kicked three in total, as did Adelaide captain Taylor Walker. Skipper Dayne Beams was the leading possession-getter on the ground with 40 touches in his return from injury but he could not inspire his Lions teammates to reverse the tide.

— AAP

10.10pm

‘He’s lost it Luke Hodge’

Collingwood came from nowhere to produce a stunning second half onslaught to trample Hawthorn at the MCG.

The Pies kicked nine of the last 10 goals of the game and kept the Hawks to just one goal for the entire second half to runaway 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72).

They had trailed by 37 points in the first quarter.

It was all too much for Hawks skipper Luke Hodge, who had a moment of madness when he charged after Pies’ star Taylor Adams and then appeared to take a swing near the chin of Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury.

Hodge was responding to a jumper punch from Adams.

The Hawks champion shoved Adams to the ground, but did not give away a free-kick despite the umpires watching the incident near a stoppage.

After Hodge helped the Hawks briefly clear the ball out of the Pies’ forward line from the stoppage, Pendlebury appeared to give him a bump which was a little late.

Hodge, who was clearly incensed, returned the favour by going after the Pies’ skipper.

It sparked a brief melee when players from both clubs ran in to help their leaders.

“He’s not happy Luke Hodge, he’s going to come back for a piece of Adams,” Channel 7’s Luke Darcy said.

“He’s lost it Luke Hodge.”

Josh Smith nails a late goal as tempers flare. #AFLPiesHawks pic.twitter.com/NLCWbvKTh6 — AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2017

8.35pm

Eddie kicks freakish goal... even for Eddie

Adelaide freak Eddie Betts has kicked yet another goal of the year contender to spark Adelaide to life in their clash against Brisbane.

Betts produced a sly smother from behind before soccering the ball along the deck while fighting off a Lions defender before regathering the Sherrin near the pocket boundary in traffic and dribbling it through from an unfriendly angle.

Eddie, you are everything we love about this game.

Eddie, messiah. That would have to lift the lads. #weflyasone #AFLLionsCrows — Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) May 20, 2017

The Crows did lift after Betts’ goal to head into half time 10.5 (65) to 4.11 (35) after kicking seven goals to one in the second quarter.

In Melbourne, Collingwood managed to stop the bleeding against Hawthorn, but is still headed for another disastrous defeat.

Hawthorn leads at half time 10.4 (64) to 4.6 (30) at the main break.

8.10pm

Buckley’s sacking put on the agenda

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley’s sacking has been put on the agenda by Carlton great Brendan Fevola.

With the Magpies producing a pathetic effort in the first quarter against the Hawks to trail by six goals, Fevola led the chorus of footy commentators to speculate the performance against the Hawks will see Buckley sacked immediately.

.@BrendanFevola25 - "If this gets out to 100 points – Buckley’s gone!" #AFLPiesHawks — Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) May 20, 2017

Thought Carlton game was the low point but that was as insipid a display as I've ever seen from Collingwood. End of days stuff #AFLPiesHawks — Anthony Colangelo (@AnthColangelo) May 20, 2017

QT | Boos ring around the MCG as the Pies run into the huddle goalless.



Hawthorn leads by 36 points. #AFLPiesHawks — 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) May 20, 2017

A matter of time now for Bucks. Pies making Hawks look like Hawks circa 2013-15 #AFLPiesHawks — Nick Bowen (@Nick_Bowen) May 20, 2017

7.10pm

‘Daylight robbery’ miracle at Spotless Stadium

GWS has stunned Richmond with a five-goal to zero final term to snatch an epic win at Spotless Stadium.

Richmond fans have been left heartbroken for the second week in-a-row after a goal from Jeremy Cameron with just 59 seconds left turned the contest on its head and saw the Giants survive 11.12 (78) to 10.15 (75).

A week after losing after the siren to Fremantle, Richmond surrendered a 21-point three-quarter time lead to be overrun in a thrilling finish. The Tigers did not kick a goal after Jack Riewoldt put them in front by 31 points at the 18 minute mark of the third term.

The Giants kicked 5.3 to 0.5 in the last quarter to pull-off their second miracle win in successive weeks.

The Tigers appeared home when rookie Shai Bolton appeared to kick a messy snap through the big sticks to extend their lead to more than goal with two minutes remaining.

It was a huge moment of celebration for the Tigers with Bolton kicking what many thought was his first goal in the AFL.

Shai Bolton was nearly the hero, but he was denied glory in his debut game. #AFLGiantsTigers pic.twitter.com/4nvmP5NFow — AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2017

Then it was taken off him.

Video replays showed the kick had been touched off the boot by GWS defenders and the video review overturned the on-field decision to change the score to a point.

In the next 20 seconds GWS went coast to coast and it ended when Cameron kicked truly under pressure from 45m to put them in front.

The Tigers never got near finding a way through in the final 59 seconds — and the Giants were able to celebrate another astonishing win.

The Tigers have now lost four straight.

The Giants are back on top of the AFL ladder.

Richmond so good at losing when a rival delivers daylight robbery. Time for them to steal it with heroics. Sam Lloyd is back in the side? — Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) May 20, 2017

Richmond have lost their past three games by a total of 10 points. #ouch — Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_M_FOX) May 20, 2017

Giants pinch win over Tigers I'm speechless. #howdidthathappen. Kb — Kevin Bartlett (@KevinBartlett29) May 20, 2017

Tigers fans are probably beyond microwaving memberships after that. How do you explain it? #AFLGiantsTigers — Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) May 20, 2017

6.30pm

Channel 7 commentator flashed the Premier

It had to be BT.

Veteran Channel 7 footy commentator Brian Taylor has added another chapter to his impressive library of footy clangers with a run-in with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday night.

Taylor was outed by Channel 7 colleague and AFL legend Wayne Carey on Triple M on Saturday.

Carey said Taylor first snubbed the Victorian leader and then flashed his dacks to a crowd of Victorian parliamentary dignitaries, who were given a behind the scenes tour of the Channel 7 broadcast facilities at Simonds Stadium before Geelong’s win over the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

Only BT.

“A really interesting situation last night, obviously the unveiling of the new stand down at Geelong,” Carey told Triple M’s Saturday Rub.

“I’ll tell you who didn’t quite bring his A-grade game. It was our man, Bristle.

“We all got an email saying, by the way boys, just be aware that’s there’s going to be some really big hitters coming into the Channel 7 commentary box at some point and have a little bit of a chat, so just make sure you’re on your best behaviour.

“We’re sitting around — Lingy and Hamish McLachlan and a few of the others. Before you know it, you see all the advisers and everyone, there’s the honourable premier Daniel Andrews, there’s Lisa Neville, Colin Carter, obviously (AFL chief executive) Gill McLachlan and obviously (Geelong boss) Brian Cook there to talk about the stadium.

“So Daniel Andrews walks over to BT and just sort of puts his hand out.

“Anyway, BT’s just sort of looking around, and he says to BT, ‘Are you going to leave me hanging, son?’

“He left him hanging there for about five seconds.”

Taylor’s explanation was pretty self explanatory: “I didn’t know he had his hand out”.

Then it got weird.

“This is where it got really, really interesting,” Carey continued.

“So I’d never met these people, other than Gill and Brian Cook before. I’m quite fascinated. Lingy (Geelong great Cameron Ling) is standing around talking, talking, talking. There was Hamish over there having a chat and we’re standing in a sort of semi-circle near the desk where we do our stuff from.

“Now, I look into the backgrounds — and there’s no change rooms there — but I would have thought this is a really unusual time to start to get undressed. I look over and there’s BT with his strides around his ankles. Leopard skin undies on. No shirt at all.

“This room is absolutely packed. Hamish has seen BT and our eyes have just gone, ‘Right we need to keep these people entertained. So we said, ‘Oh, what about this stadium over here?’ It was just until BT got his pants on. I could not believe that a guy could get changed in a room with those kinds of people in a room at that particular time.

“It was unbelievable.”

Again, Taylor had a reasonable explanation.

“I had a meeting at 5.30pm which was two minutes away Duck,” he said.

Beware next time you step into the Channel 7 commentary box.

4.15pm

Swans send message to rivals with big win

Lance Franklin had a purple patch in the last quarter against the Saints. #AFLSaintsSwans pic.twitter.com/LUCEEhSsxA — AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2017

Be warned, Sydney are coming at AFL rivals. The surging Swans have hammered out another ominous warning, dismantling St Kilda’s running game for a 50-point victory on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.

The hard-tackling Swans capitalised on the Saints’ spate of horrendous turnovers, particularly in the back half, to storm to the 18.10 (118) to 10.8 (68) win.

Sydney’s third consecutive victory after their 0-6 start to the season was built on a collective commitment to stifle St Kilda’s run and rebound, especially off half-back. And the Saints succumbed to relentless pressure to cough up possession regularly and concede goals in their vain bid for a fourth-straight win.

Sydney reaped the benefits of cleaner use of the ball, despite being beaten in the overall clearances, and the Swans shared the spoils with goals being kicked by 12 players. Lance Franklin was the main contributor with four, three in the last quarter, when the contest was effectively over.

The Swans specifically targeted in-form Saints onballer Jack Steven and returning young key forward Paddy McCartin with physical attention, even before the opening bounce.

Stevens just kept hunting the ball in the packs and used his breakaway speed to collect possessions. McCartin worked hard but struggled after five games in the VFL and he kicked his only goal with three minutes left on the clock. McCartin didn’t deserve to shoulder all the blame as St Kilda’s other tall targets, including Nick Riewoldt, scrounged only a handful of marks inside the forward 50 against Swans key defenders Heath Grundy and Lewis Melican. And Swans backmen Jake Lloyd, Nick Smith and Callum Mills mopped up the ground balls. St Kilda’s lone excuse was being restricted with interchange rotations for the last three quarters after midfielder Jack Newnes came off second best in a bone- jarring contest with Mills late in the opening term.

Newnes won’t have fond memories of his 100th game - if he has any recollection at all. Club medicos ruled him out for the rest of the game, presumably with concussion, after a long consultation in the dressing rooms.

— AAP

3.15pm

Beveridge bemoans ‘horrendous’ act

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has bemoaned the 50m penalty given away by star forward Travis Cloke as a key turning point in his side’s loss to Geelong on Friday night.

The Dogs were up by nine points at the final change after booting six goals in a row in the third quarter, but a 50m penalty against Cloke gifted a goal to Cats skipper Joel Selwood early in the final term and proved to be a hammer blow.

The hard-tackling home team regained the momentum and ran away to win 16.8 (104) to 12.9 (81).

Speaking on SEN radio on Saturday, Beveridge didn’t specifically single out Cloke for criticism, but knew just how big a moment that 50m free kick was.

“When the game is in the balance, any momentum swing from an undisciplined act is horrendous,” he said.

“I’ve mentioned over the past couple of weeks that we’ve been a fairly disciplined side and one of the reasons we always lead the free kick count is our forwards generally play in front.

“Our defenders play in front. Our midfielders aren’t clumsy. You put it all together and you don’t give away free kicks and you earn a few yourself.

“At times we’ve been able to arrest those things if we have incurred something like that, but it was at a critical point of the game unfortunately.”

He also confirmed his decision to drop Tom Liberatore had to do with the star’s fitness and preparation.

“I think it’s got to do with … that legacy after winning a premiership,” he said.

“He understands part of the reasoning. His challenge now is to get himself back to physical capability to play the game.”

2.15pm

Sickening collision floors Newnes

Sydney has a six-point lead over St Kilda at quarter time.

Two quick goals to Harry Cunningham and Will Hayward gave the Swans an early advantage before majors off the boots of Jade Gresham and Nick Riewoldt helped the Saints fight back.

Dan Hannebery has two goals for Sydney while Jake Lloyd and Callum Mills both had nine touches in the opening term.

Jack Newnes had to leave the field after a sickening collision with Mills and was ruled out of the rest of the game with concussion. It’s a cruel end to the 24-year-old’s 100th career game.

St Kilda suffered a further blow when Mav Weller limped off with a possible ankle injury, leaving the hosts with just two players on the bench.

Jack Newnes was done for the day after this incident. #AFLSaintsSwans pic.twitter.com/vCgHY0WoJL — AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2017

1.50pm

Buckley slams “ridiculous” King

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has slammed AFL legend David King for a “ridiculous” statement about the Pies’ chances against Hawthorn on Saturday.

North Melbourne great King said Collingwood only needs to play at 60 per cent capacity to knock off the Hawks at the MCG tonight.

“They only have to play (at) 60 per cent of their best, Collingwood, to win tonight. I don’t think it’s a big ask.” King told SEN radio’s Crunch Time. “They were brilliant last week (against GWS) — they really should have won that game.

“I feel for Nathan in the fact that they didn’t win, because their season was salvageable.”

But Buckley took to Twitter to rubbish King’s assertion.

What a ridiculous statement. Watch much footy? https://t.co/sNs8w82zYb — Nathan Buckley (@ncb_cfc) May 20, 2017

Hawthorn (14th) sits three places above Collingwood on the ladder. The Hawks are 3-5 while the Magpies are 2-6.

12.50pm

Geelong, Dangerfield shatter records

Geelong rebounded from a week of intense scrutiny following a surprise loss to Essendon to rediscover its best form against the Western Bulldogs.

The Cats won a thriller, sealing the 16.8 (104) to 12.9 (81) victory with a dominant final 10 minutes in the last quarter.

Most impressive was Geelong’s defensive pressure. The home side racked up 134 tackles — the most the club has ever recorded in its history.

It was a marked improvement on last week’s performance against the Bombers, in which Chris Scott’s men laid only 14 tackles in the first half. Mitch Duncan led the way with 18 tackles and the recalled Scott Selwood finished with 17 to his name.

Patrick Dangerfield was also immense for Geelong. The superstar midfielder created AFL history by becoming the first player to ever finish with at least 30 disposals, 10 tackles and four goals in a single game since tackle stats first started being recorded in 1987.

His final numbers on the stat sheet read: 36 disposals, 12 tackles, four goals and 10 clearances.

Players with at least 30 disp, 10 tackles & 4 goals in a game

Patrick Dangerfield - 2017 R09 v WBD

That is all #AFLCatsDogs @GeelongCats — Swamp (@sirswampthing) May 19, 2017

12.30pm

Rioli whacks Murphy over jail sentence

Former Essendon player Dean Rioli has accused ex-teammate Justin Murphy of being a “coward” after he was sentenced to six months in prison for attacking his girlfriend.

Murphy pleaded guilty to 28 charges in Heidelberg Magistrate’s Court this week over a series of attacks his former partner Jill Scott described as “evil”.

Rioli said Murphy deserved a longer sentence.

Deserves a longer sentence for what he did to his GF. Men who terrorise or abuse women both physically and psychologically are Cowards. https://t.co/8aArMWxYyP — Dean Rioli (@DeanoRio) May 18, 2017

The court heard Murphy, who said he had issues with the drug ice and GHB, engaged in a “campaign of terror” against Ms Scott which included stalking, robbery and threats to kill her.

Although his lawyer argued he had tried to fix his problem with ice by completing a three-month rehabilitation program Magistrate John O’Callaghan said the former player’s behaviour toward Ms Scott was “appalling and unacceptable”.

Ms Scott was maimed in an attack in November last year, losing a middle finger after Murphy burnt it off with a blow torch in a frenzied rage.

12pm

Little girl makes commentator lose it

Katy Perry eat your heart out.

An Auskick participant stole the spotlight from Channel Seven commentator Hamish McLachlan at half-time in Friday night’s game between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs when she took control of the microphone and did her best rendition of the popstar’s famous song Roar.

She suffered none of the stage fright you might see with the usual Auskickers of the Week when put in front of the camera and McLachlan loved it, doing his best to keep up with her dance moves.

At one point Mclachlan lost it completely, laughing and falling back out of shot.