Most puzzling part of ugly fail; heartbreaker in missed chance to hush naysayers — AFL Round 13 Report Card

Alastair Clarkson best summed up North Melbourne’s horror show in a performance the footy world thought the club was above now.

Plus a club that’s come under heat missed a crucial chance to defy critics.

Every team’s Round 13 performance analysed and graded in foxfooty.com.au’sReport Card!

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ADELAIDE CROWS

The Crows willed themselves to victory over Geelong, with skipper Jordan Dawson seen in tears in the immediate aftermath of the win on Adelaide Oval. Twice the Crows built three goal buffers in the wet conditions, and twice they had to withstand a Geelong fightback. But Darcy Fogarty’s behind – initially called a goal but brought back on ARC review – proved to be the difference in the dying stages. Adelaide were beaten in all the major stats on Thursday night except hitouts (61-43) but laid an impressive 88 tackles – 20 more than their season average as they refused to be beaten despite a growing casualty ward that saw four injured players on the bench in the final term.

In the votes

Jordan Dawson delivered one of the all-time captain performances. He had 22 touches, nine tackles, six score involvements, seven marks and three goals. Dan Curtin continued to impress with his 26 disposals and five clearances while Lachlan McAndrew racked up 51 hitouts, seven tackles and two clearances. The decision to send Cal Ah Chee to Tom Stewart proved a masterclass before he got injured.

Room for improvement

Head to head in the middle of the ground, the Crows were well beaten – first by a Patrick Dangerfield demolition in the opening term. They finished with a 8-16 centre clearance count against them.

Grade

A

BRISBANE LIONS

Are they back? It’s hard to say based on just one performance, but Chris Fagan’s side responded just about as well as you could ask for coming off three straight losses. The win now extends their strong record over Gold Coast to 14 wins from their last 16 meetings, and keeps them in the middle of the wildcard pack ahead of a clash with Richmond this Sunday.

In the votes

You simply can’t look past Logan Morris (17 disposals, 15 score involvements, seven goals, four contested marks), who went ballistic to kick a career-high bag against the Suns. Unsurprisingly, the 21-year-old won the Marcus Ashcroft Trophy — but there were still plenty of other big performers. Lachie Neale (37 disposals — 19 contested, 10 clearances, 10 score involvements) was everywhere on-ball, while the stellar form of Darcy Wilmot (25 disposals — 10 intercepts, 517 metres gained) rolls on.

Room for improvement

There really weren’t many concerns for the Lions to come out of the weekend’s Q-Clash. The Suns tried playing a more uncontested, handball-friendly brand of footy against the reigning premiers, but it was combated nicely by the hosts.

Grade

A

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CARLTON

Well, it wasn’t the prettiest win over Essendon and probably the Blues’ least convincing performance under Josh Fraser. But nevertheless, Carlton improved to 4-0 under the caretaker coach to continue its positive run of momentum to now sit a game outside the top 10. The Blues started slow out of the gates against an Essendon side that took it right to them, with Fraser’s side not hitting the front until the fourth quarter. In the end, Carlton did enough and held off the Bombers’ late charge, as the Blues now head into their mid-season bye.

In the votes

George Hewett (27 touches, 11 contested, one goal) battled hard through the midfield as he continued his strong form after his puzzling VFL demotion earlier this season. Harry McKay kicked 3.2 in an up down night in front of the big sticks that had a bit of everything, but the key forward competed hard.

Room for improvement

The Blues were uncharacteristically beaten around the ball in contested possessions (-25) and clearances (-7) in areas they’ve been strong under Fraser. It came as the likes of Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh were slightly down after starring in recent weeks.

Grade

B-

COLLINGWOOD

The evidence is now clear: Collingwood has lost its ‘Close Game Kings’ title. Once renowned for their composure in tight matches under Craig McRae, the Magpies on Monday suffered an eight-point loss to Melbourne. It’s the fifth time the Magpies have fallen on the wrong side of a close finish this season, losing four games by a single-figure and drawing another against Hawthorn. Frustratingly for Pies fans, the team didn’t do a lot wrong throughout the match, winning the disposal, clearance, contested possession and tackle counts.

In the votes

Nick Daicos thrived with the lack of defensive attention. The little superstar booted two goals – including a ridiculous goal of the year contender – from 35 disposals, 12 contested possessions, nine score involvements, seven inside 50s and six clearances. Harry Perryman was solid in defence, Darcy Cameron held his own against Max Gawn and rediscovered his intercept game, Josh Daicos and Pat Lipinski found plenty of the ball and Lachie Schultz had some big moments.

Room for improvement

As McRae told AFL 360 on Monday night: “We’re putting ourselves in games, but we’re not quite finishing them off.” Once seen as their greatest weapon, the Pies just couldn’t throw as many punches as the Demons in the final quarter. Jack Buller tried hard and Dan McStay looked threatening, but the lack of key-position firepower in their forward line remains a glaring issue. And Dan Houston was mightily quiet with a season-low 12 disposals, one rebound 50 and one inside 50.

Grade

B-

ESSENDON

A much-improved effort from Essendon as Dean Solomon’s side came bitterly close to registering the club’s second win of 2026. Their emerging crop, led by Sam Durham, took it right to Carlton with great work in the contest in a game the Bombers led for the majority of the night. But Essendon couldn’t put a big enough score on the board and couldn’t fire back at the Blues strong enough when the whips were cracking in the fourth quarter.

In the votes

Durham (30 disposals, 11 contested, 10 marks, five tackles, one goal, 442 metres gained) was phenomenal as the highest-rated player in the game and most dominant midfielder. Zach Reid was also enormous in defence with 21 disposals, 10 marks and even a first career-goal when he swung forward in the dying stages to keep Essendon alive.

Room for improvement

For as much as Essendon controlled the ball and general play at stages, there were too many times when it went sideways and didn’t take enough risks going forward with the ball. Nate Caddy couldn’t hide his frustrations in a tough night to be a Bombers forward.

Grade

B-

FREMANTLE

The Dockers just put out one of the most complete 120 minutes of football under coach Justin Longmuir to create more history in 2026. Already on the club’s longest-ever win streak, Fremantle destroyed North Melbourne on Saturday to produce their biggest ever win (124 points) and their most consecutive goals kicked (19). The Dockers were dominant in all stats – leading inside 50s +25, clearances +8, contested ball +13, marks inside 50 +19 and goals +20. But it was the way the Dockers pushed on at three quarter time that will send a message to the rest of the competition.

In the votes

It’s probably worth putting about 20 Dockers in this category. Andy Brayshaw had 30 disposals, nine clearances and 560m gained, Pat Voss and Josh Treacy dined out with eight goals between them, Luke Jackson’s “unicorn” ways rolled on with 19 disposals, 22 hitouts and three goals, Hayden Young made a welcome return from injury with 23 disposals, seven clearances and two goals. Neil Erasmus continues to show improvement in 2026 with 22 touches, a team-high 10 tackles and a goal.

Room for improvement

Now comes the tough part – who forces their way into this ladder-leading outfit? Mason Cox had just one touch at half time at a time where Sean Darcy continues to push his case for a recall. Jeremy Sharp is another impressing at WAFL level too.

Grade

A+

GEELONG CATS

The Cats were close, but not close enough to keep their remarkable streak over Adelaide alive on Thursday night. In the slippery, wet conditions Geelong twice fought back from near killer blows to ultimately fall just one-point short. But coach Chris Scott will be left to rue his side’s inaccurate kicking as the Cats finished with four more scoring shots than the Crows – but only 10.14 on the scoreboard. Geelong had +24 disposals, +2 inside 50s, +8 centre clearances and +18 contested possessions along with seven less turnovers. But they couldn’t make it count as the Crows hung on in a thriller.

In the votes

Midfielder Bailey Smith was prolific with 34 disposals, six clearances and five tackles – but his brain snap to pull James Peatling to the turf 100m off the ball cost Geelong both territory and a score – and in a tight game those moments matter. Patrick Dangerfield wound back the clock with a vintage opening term. He was highest rated player on the ground with additional midfield minutes, and ended up finishing his night with 30 touches, seven clearances and 1.1. Sam de Koning racked up a game-high 23 contested possessions while Connor O’Sullivan stood tall in defence with a whopping 13 intercepts – nearly double the next best Cat.

Room for improvement

It was a tough night for two of Geelong’s biggest names Tom Stewart and Jeremy Cameron. Cameron copped a kick to the hand early in the contest and struggled to have an impact. He finished goalless with just seven disposals – the equal lowest of any Geelong player. Stewart meantime managed just two marks in the wet and didn’t have an influence as an interceptor.

Grade

B-

GOLD COAST SUNS

In the words of Damien Hardwick during his post-match press conference: “The reality is we’re a middling side, aren’t we?”. With disappointing losses now on either side of their mid-season bye, there’s a very real world where the Suns don’t even make the wildcard cut-off, such is the difficulty of their fixture in the back half of this year.

In the votes

It’s more unlikely than likely that a Suns player will poll come Brownlow night from this clash, but in terms of ball-winners, John Noble (36 disposals, 15 marks, 651 metres gained) was everywhere in the back half. Up forward, Ben King (eight disposals, six marks inside 50, four goals) again played his role well and made the most of more limited opportunities. Mac Andrew (15 disposals — seven intercepts, seven marks, one goal) was the Suns’ highest-rated player on the evening.

Room for improvement

Arguably the biggest concern to come out of the ‘Pineapple Grapple’ for Hardwick’s side was their centre clearance game, which saw them thumped 7-15 by the Lions. Not to discount Brisbane’s elite engine room of their own, but between Noah Anderson, Christian Petracca and Matt Rowell as their midfield mainstays, a smashing that hard isn’t acceptable. With the exception of the hitout count and uncontested possessions, the Suns were beaten across all the important, mainstream metrics.

Grade

D

GWS GIANTS

Had the bye

HAWTHORN

It was a night of two halves for Hawthorn – and by the final siren it was on the wrong end of the result. After leading by 29 points, the Dogs came storming home to claim a six-point win in a fiery clash. The Hawks gave themselves ample good entries and opportunities to score, but didn’t make the most of their chances. Coach Sam Mitchell said post-game: “Some of our best footy was played tonight and some of our worst. “

In the votes

Jai Newcombe’s love affair with the Bulldogs continued. The co-captain finished with 36 disposals, 18 contested possessions, nine clearances and eight inside 50s. If you were giving the 3-2-1 at half-time, Nick Watson would’ve been the clear best on ground with three goals. But he only had two touches after half-time. Will Day, Josh Ward and Cam Mackenzie were also important in the midfield, while Jarman Impey provided crucial drive off half-back

Room for improvement

This was a game the Hawks should’ve won, considering they had more disposals (+77), inside 50s (+17), marks (+41) and contested possessions (+14). Mitchell post-game said his side’s inaccurate goalkicking would keep him “up for a couple of nights.” The Hawks gave up a 29-point lead to the Dogs – a slump that wasn’t helped by a 1.11 second half. Mitchell said many of the shots were “gettable”, too. Blake Hardwick, Mitch Lewis and Jack Ginnivan combined for 0.7. Meanwhile, James Sicily’s leadership has been questioned in the wake of his game. While he finished with 20 touches and team-high intercepts (11), spoils (8) and rebound 50s (7) - and didn’t lose any of his five one-on-one contests – his antics towards opponent Will Lewis suggested he was distracted at times. Watson two second-half disposals were also glaring, especially after he urged opponent Michael Sellwood to “walk the walk” at half-time.

Grade

C-

MELBOURNE

They were made to earn it – and made hard work of it when given chances – but the Demons ultimately pulled away late to claim an eight-point win over Collingwood in a King’s Birthday classic. The Demons trailed at three-quarter time and at stages during the last quarter, before overrunning the Pies with four of the last five goals of the match. The result snapped Melbourne’s two-game losing streak and was a great response to the previous round’s horror show loss to the Giants.

In the votes

Kysaiah Pickett, as Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna aptly put it, “started it and finished it” for the Demons, bookending a wonderful performance. After two shanked shots at goal that might’ve iced the game, Pickett delivered his third goal to ice the match. It came after he begun the game in blistering fashion, kicking Melbourne’s first two majors. He won the Neale Daniher Trophy after collecting 27 disposals, seven score involvements and over 600m gained. Bayley Fritsch also had significant moments with 3.1 from 15 disposals, Jack Steele and Harvey Langford were strong at the coalface and Jake Lever had one of his best games of the season, finishing with five intercept marks.

Room for improvement

It looked like, at times, the Demons couldn’t win it – or didn’t know how to win it. Pickett’s two shanked shots, as well as the four fourth-quarter behinds, almost came back to bite the Demons. Individually, Latrelle Pickett didn’t have a great day, making several costly errors as he finished with 0.1 from seven disposals.

Grade

B+

NORTH MELBOURNE

Coach Alastair Clarkson summed it up best post game – declaring the 124-point defeat as a match for the “scrap heap”. The Roos failed to kick a goal after the seven-minute mark of the second term in a devastating display at a game the club sold to the WA government. Admitting there was “a bit of shame” over how the match played out, Clarkson was critical of his side’s inability to win the ball at contest. He spoke pre-match of wanting to slow the Dockers down – instead they did the opposite as Fremantle players were unchallenged particularly in the second half. Just three marks inside 50 – compared to Fremantle’s 22 for the match – summed up the horror day for the Roos. Oh, and arguably the most puzzling part is that arguably the Roos’ worst performance under Clarkson came a game after arguably their best showing under the veteran coach in that epic comeback over Gold Coast.

In the votes

Aside from Harry Sheezel’s bravery in the opening term to put his body in front of a charging Pat Voss – earning himself a 50m penalty as a result – there wasn’t anything for North fans to cheer about.

Room for improvement

Contest, contest and more contest. The Roos were dismantled and looked in chase mode for the majority of the contest. Fremantle’s only four goals in the opening term all came from Roo turnovers. And their skills never improved from there. Coach Alastair Clarkson put it down to perceived pressure and their blowout loss to a loss of their routine. It’ll be a long week of soul-searching in WA for North Melbourne.

Grade

F

PORT ADELAIDE

Josh Carr’s side were due for a close encounter to go their way this season, with his side getting one back over West Coast after their shock two-point loss back in Round 3. The Power were largely in control of the match after quarter time, but a late charge from the Eagles made them nervous in the drying stages. Nonetheless, they’ve now escaped the league’s bottom three and are just a win off 12th spot on the ladder — with a game in hand over most of the competition still.

In the votes

Usual suspect Jason Horne-Francis (18 disposals, three goals) popped up at crucial times for the visitors on Saturday night, and looks the likeliest to poll full votes from the contest. Key defender Esava Ratugolea (16 disposals — 12 intercepts, seven intercept marks, four contested marks) was outstanding once more, and made the most of West Coast’s wayward kicking inside forward 50. And while a little quieter statistically than normal, Zak Butters (27 disposals — 17 contested, seven clearances) still finished as the Power’s highest-rated player on ground as he fought through close attention.

Room for improvement

The Power still came out on top despite finishing with eight less inside 50s and a poor overall disposal efficiency. Additionally, they were smacked 7-14 at centre clearance — though managed to make up for it with a dozen more clearances around the ground. Carr won’t be thrilled with the number of uncontested possessions they gave up too, but ultimately, the four points is what matters most!

Grade

B

RICHMOND

Had the bye

ST KILDA

So extremely close. The Saints very nearly pulled off their biggest win of the season over Sydney at the SCG. And quite possible their biggest win during Ross Lyon’s second run as coach. On a week the blowtorch has been firmly on Lyon and the Saints after little signs of improvement following a lucrative off-season recruiting spree, as they missed a big chance to stick it up the naysayers. But Jai Serong’s match-winning goal broke the hearts of Saints fans with 15 seconds left after St Kilda led for over 90 per cent of the game — and by as much as 32 points.

In the votes

Liam Ryan went off with a game-high five goals and Mark of the Year contender as the second highest-rated player in the game and his best in a Saints guernsey. Max Hall (27 disposals, one goal, nine score involvements) kept up his breakout season and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (32 touches, one goal, 669 metres gained) didn’t miss a beat in his return.

Room for improvement

As Lyon bemoaned after the loss, it was “a game of centimetres, as opposed to inches,” and one that got away. We could throw up some of the minor statistical deficiencies, but this was largely St Kilda’s inability to remain composed when Sydney came with a rush and manage key moments late in the game.

Grade

A-

SYDNEY SWANS

Dwayne Russell put it best; Sydney’s win over St Kilda was “the great escape.” But also mightily impressive that the AFL’s No. 2 seed found a way to win against all odds as Jai Serong was the hero with the match-winning goal in the final 15 seconds. It had all the makings of a day the Swans were simply off, and Dean Cox’s side was bound to drop one it was expected to win at some stage. But not on Sunday. Sydney stuck to the task and was able to get things back on its terms to claim an epic comeback victory... just in the nick of time.

In the votes

Isaac Heeney (30 disposals, 11 contested, two goals, 11 score involvements), the highest-rated player on the ground, could well have a Brownlow hanging around his neck later this year. Heeney was well supported by Warner (29 touches, two goals, 522 metres gained). Meanwhile Serong heroics can’t be undersold as one of the most valuable recruits of 2026.

Room for improvement

Dean Cox’s side just had one of those days where it was a little bit off early in the game and came up against a highly-motivated opponent. Souring the win were injury setbacks to Tom McCartin (head knock) and Justin McInerney (hamstring), as Sydney faces the prospect of being without the star duo. Though it helps that the Swans have their bye after next week’s Adelaide Oval clash with the Power.

Grade

A-

WEST COAST EAGLES

It was arguably the one that got away from the Eagles last Saturday night, after getting within a kick of Port Adelaide in the dying stages and opportunities to make the game theirs. They probably didn’t quite deserve the four points looking back on it, but in another positive step forward, they were at least in the contest all night.

In the votes

It was the engine room who performed best for the royal blue and gold over the weekend, with Harley Reid (25 disposals, seven clearances — five centre, six inside 50s) the best-rated player for the hosts despite having just eight kicks. His partner-in-crime Tom McCarthy (31 disposals, 11 marks, 590 metres gained) was notable through the middle of the ground, while Jake Waterman (19 disposals, 11 marks — five inside 50s, three goals, three tackles inside 50) was huge in the attacking half; though inaccuracy in front of goal hurt him at times.

Room for improvement

Andrew McQualter’s side outdid the Power for inside 50s (+8) and at centre clearance (+7), but were smashed at stoppage around the ground which hurt. The experiment with Tom Cole up forward looked to give West Coast’s forward line a bit of life in the last 35 minutes of the match, and will be a magnet move to watch in the coming weeks.

Grade

B-

WESTERN BULLDOGS

That was one of the bravest wins of the AFL season yet. The Hawks owned the first half, but the Dogs flipped the script in the second half, fighting back from 29 points down then hanging on against a wayward Hawthorn to claim a six-point win. Nick Coffield was the unlikely late-game hero, nailing a spoil in the middle of the MCG in the dying seconds to stop a Hawks forward foray and seal a memorable victory. The Bulldogs made it six wins from six games decided by one goal or less this season.

In the votes

The stars shone. Ed Richards is back to his best, finishing with 28 disposals, 11 contested possessions, nine inside 50s, seven clearances and 677m gained. Marcus Bontempelli booted two goals from 24 touches and eight score involvements, Bailey Dale (36 disposals, 11 intercepts, 11 rebound 50s) was awesome off half-back and Tim English’s influence in the ruck was significant. Helps when your best players play well. Michael Sellwood, too, bounced back from a rough start to curtail Nick Watson’s influence in the second half, while Jordan Croft arrived with a career-high three goals.

Room for improvement

While their comeback was brave, the numbers indicated this was a game the Dogs should’ve lost, considering they had less disposals (-77), inside 50s (-17), marks (-41) and contested possessions (-14). The Bulldogs were also -10 for clearances in the first half, before they corrected in the second half. You won’t win too many games with those kinds of numbers, but the Dogs somehow pulled it off.

Grade

B

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