AFL Round 7 Wrap: Pies March On, Lions Bounce Back, and Suns Surge

Edward Lane

Round 7 of the AFL season saw the competition’s heavyweights reaffirm their status, as Brisbane and Collingwood both marched to convincing wins, while Gold Coast continued its stunning rise up the ladder.

Magpies Keep Rolling on Anzac Day

Collingwood maintained its grip on the top spot with a solid 41-point win over Essendon in a rain-soaked Anzac Day clash. Despite the wet conditions at the MCG, Nick and Josh Daicos starred, leading the Magpies to a comfortable 12.11 (83) to 9.9 (63) victory. Essendon struggled early, fumbling and failing to find their rhythm, allowing Collingwood to dominate possession. The Bombers were unable to make the most of their chances, and Collingwood’s defence held firm.

Lions Bounce Back in Style

After their first loss of the season, Brisbane bounced back with a commanding 45-point victory over St Kilda. The Lions overcame a sluggish start and the absence of Jack Payne to win 17.16 (118) to 11.7 (73). Eric Hipwood played a crucial role with four goals, while Zac Bailey added three goals and 24 disposals. The Saints simply couldn’t cope with Brisbane’s pressure, and the Lions steadily pulled away.

Fremantle Strong at Home

Fremantle made the most of their home advantage, surviving a late scare from Adelaide to win 12.13 (85) to 9.13 (67). The Dockers started strong, jumping out to a six-goal lead in the first quarter, and held off the Crows’ attempts to catch up. Despite a goalless final term, Fremantle held their ground for an 18-point win, and move to 16 points: the same number as Adelaide in 5th.

Power Win a Tough Battle

Port Adelaide edged past North Melbourne in a hard-fought contest, winning 14.13 (97) to 13.10 (88). Jason Horne-Francis was the star of the show, tormenting his former teammates as the Power secured their third consecutive win. The Kangaroos fought valiantly but couldn’t close the gap.

Bulldogs Flex Their Muscles

The Western Bulldogs bounced back from a tough loss last week with a dominant 32-point win over Greater Western Sydney. The Bulldogs were clinical in the second half, particularly during a five-goal streak in the third quarter, to seal a 17.11 (113) to 12.9 (81) victory.

Suns Stun Sydney with Brilliant Comeback

In a dramatic turnaround, Gold Coast overcame a 29-point deficit to record a 38-point win over Sydney. The Suns scored 12 consecutive goals in the second half to storm home to a 17.15 (117) to 12.7 (79) triumph. The victory moves Gold Coast to 5-1, setting up an exciting all-QLD clash with Brisbane next week.

Blues Hold Off Cats in Thrilling Encounter

Carlton secured their third consecutive win, holding off a determined Geelong side in a thrilling 14.10 (94) to 12.4 (76) victory. The Blues were never quite able to shake the Cats, but their resilience and composure under pressure ensured they held on to win by 18 points. The win sees Carlton’s fortunes rising, and they’ll be keen to extend their run of form in the coming weeks.

Hawks Dominate Eagles in a One-Sided Affair

Hawthorn bounced back from two disappointing losses to deliver a dominant 50-point win over West Coast. The Eagles showed some fight, but the Hawks were too strong, particularly after early inaccuracy let them down. The final scoreline read 18.16 (124) to 11.8 (74), as Hawthorn got back on track with a much-needed victory.

League Table Snapshot

After seven rounds, Collingwood and Brisbane continue to set the pace, both sitting at 6-1 and looking every bit the early flag contenders. While having played a game less, Gold Coast’s surge into third at 5-1 has been one of the surprise stories of the season, while Hawthorn rounds out the top four after another strong performance. A logjam is forming in midtable, with everyone from the Crows in 5th to Port in 10th sitting on four wins. At the other end, it’s tough going for Sydney, Melbourne, Richmond, and North Melbourne, while West Coast remain winless and anchored to the bottom of the ladder.