Euroa export Jamie Elliott fulfilled every young kid’s dream at the weekend, kicking a goal after the siren in front of a packed MCG crowd to see Collingwood to a famous victory over Essendon on Sunday afternoon.
After jumping out of the blocks with six unanswered goals in the first term, Collingwood stumbled through the second and third terms to find itself 20 points adrift in the early stages of the final quarter.
But as they had done all season long, the Magpies found a way, kicking three straight goals to trim the margin to two points by the final minute, before Elliott got on the end of a coast-to-coast passage of play to give them a chance of winning the game.
Finding himself tucked up on the boundary line and 40 metres from goal, the siren sounded on the Euroa product’s final approach, but didn’t phase him, as he proceeded to put it through post-high — sending the Collingwood faithful into a frenzy.
Prior to that magic moment, Elliott was one of the Magpies’ better performers on the day, collecting 14 disposals, kicking a goal and taking five marks.
Congupna’s Steele Sidebottom also strutted his stuff at the MCG on Sunday and put together another solid game on the wing, collecting 12 touches, taking five marks and laying four tackles in the Collingwood win.
Finley veteran Tom Hawkins once again proved that age is just a number, booting four goals in Geelong’s stirring 12-point win over Port Adelaide on Saturday evening.
And as all champion players do, Hawkins rose to the occasion when his team needed him most, kicking two crucial goals in the final quarter to see Geelong to the pivotal victory.
For the Power, Echuca’s Ollie Wines was once again prolific through the midfield, collecting 22 disposals, winning six clearances and laying three tackles — while Deniliquin’s Todd Marshall continued his breakout season, adding another two majors to his 2022 tally.
Shepparton’s Will Brodie was a standout contributor for Fremantle on Friday night as it battled out a thrilling draw with Richmond at Marvel Stadium.
Going from strength to strength, Brodie was a bull around the contest, claiming 26 disposals (11 of which were contested), laying four tackles, winning four clearances, taking six marks and kicking a goal.
Veteran running mate David Mundy was also prolific, with the Seymour export racking up 23 touches and winning six clearances — while Moama’s Lachie Schultz was lively across half-forward with 12 disposals, four marks and three tackles.
The Western Bulldogs produced a memorable 10-point win over reigning premier Melbourne on Saturday night, with Kialla’s Alex Keath at the forefront of the season-defining triumph.
A strong pillar in the Dogs’ defence, Keath collected 13 touches on the night and took a team-high 10 marks.
For Mooroopna product Clayton Oliver it was a return to business as usual after missing last week’s win over Port Adelaide with a hand injury, winning 28 disposals, 12 clearances and laying five tackles as he tried to will the Demons over the line.