Round 15 Report Card: Fairytale Blues story reaches epic new heights; ‘risk-free’ brand called out

There were no fails assessed from the weekend, but a couple of sides narrowly avoided the fate while two clubs’ dream runs continued.

Every team’s Round 15 performance analysed and graded in Foxfooty.com.au’sReport Card!

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ADELAIDE CROWS

It wasn’t pretty, but Adelaide scrapped to victory in a tough and gutsy performance against Melbourne as it welcomed back Izak Rankine, Taylor Walker and Mark Keane. It continued the Crows’ hot form, with six wins from their last seven games to charge into top-four and premiership calculations. It impressively came in adverse circumstances off the field after Tony Modra’s truck crash just days earlier, as fans showered the high-flying club great in love at Adelaide Oval.

In the votes

Keane was Adelaide’s highest-rated player in the defender’s first AFL game of 2026. Keane registered 22 disposals and game highs in marks (10) and intercepts (10) to go with five tackles in a reminder of why he was such a valuable asset last year when he made the All-Australian squad. Sam Berry (24 disposals, six tackles) continued his strong form in a breakout season, and Josh Rachele (3.3) could’ve had a big day out if not for inaccurate goalkicking.

Room for improvement

As gritty and tough as it was, this was far from Adelaide’s best performance. The Crows conceded five goals in the first quarter in a particularly slow start. Also a game where their stars seemed to lift them in key moments and might’ve saved them at times.

Grade

A-

BRISBANE LIONS

The Lions had the bye.

CARLTON

Carlton’s incredible winning streak under interim coach Josh Fraser extended to five games on Saturday evening, as the Blues upset the Giants to get within one game and percentage of ninth-placed Gold Coast. After a wayward start, Carlton quickly got rolling with a five-goal second term to gain the ascendancy - and it never looked back after that. It was a centre-square domination at the Sydney Showgrounds, with Fraser’s side winning that clearance count 16-6 and 35-31 overall, as well as coming up trumps for contested ball. The Blues were also able to have control around the ground, recording more marks and uncontested possessions.

In the votes

The midfield was monstrous for the Blues on Saturday, with all of George Hewett, Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh having their impacts felt. The trio were in the top-five-rated players on the ground, with Hewett leading all-comers with 11 score involvements. Cripps had seven clearances with his 33 disposals, while Walsh had a game-high 34 possessions and nine score involvements with a goal. Francis Evans was handy with three goals, while Matt Cottrell kicked two from 16 disposals.

Room for improvement

Aside from an inaccurate start to proceedings, there wasn’t much to pick on as the Blues remain in sterling form heading into favourable matchups with West Coast and Richmond.

Grade

A

COLLINGWOOD

The Pies got back on the winners’ list with a scrappy victory over Port Adelaide in wet conditions at the MCG. Craig McRae’s side took a while to get going, perhaps in part coming off the bye, but kicked into gear with a five-goal third quarter while keeping the Power goalless in the second half. Debutant Sam Swadling impressed on debut with 18 disposals and a goal, while Ed Allan did a good job nullifying Zak Butters to provide some optimism for Collingwood amid question marks on its youth.

In the votes

Nick Daicos ran amok with 41 disposals (14 contested), 10 score involvements, nine clearances and a goal. Though Daicos was the second-highest rated player to Jordan De Goey (three goals from 26 touches), who’s in career-best form in another stellar showing. Jeremy Howe (24 disposals, 10 intercepts, nine rebound 50s) had one of his best performances this season and is surely in too good a form to not extend his career into 2027.

Room for improvement

Beau McCreery hasn’t quite hit his straps this season, recording nine disposals and a tackle. Even Collingwood coach Craig McRae conceded McCreery was “a bit off”, saying: “We got to get to work with Beau; his best is better than what he is producing.” Darcy Cameron was also quiet with 11 disposals and 11 hit-outs and just hasn’t been at the level of recent years, while key forwards Jack Buller and Mitch Podhajski didn’t take their chances with 0.5 conversion in front of goal.

Grade

B

ESSENDON

The Bombers had the bye.

FREMANTLE

Thirteen straight! The Wharfie Time steam train continues to hum. And this was an important win for the Dockers as they knocked over a genuine flag favourite in Geelong. After trailing by 28 points midway through the second term, the Dockers kicked 10 of the next 12 goals then saw off another Cats challenge to win by nine points. With Sydney having the bye, the Dockers are now one game clear on top of the ladder – and three-and-a-half games clear of third-placed Hawthorn

In the votes

Luke Jackson, you superstar. The Fremantle ruck boosted his All-Australian chances with an almighty game, booting 3.0 from 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine score involvements, nine tackles and six clearances. Alex Pearce was excellent in his milestone match, finishing with 18 disposals and a game-high seven intercept marks. Murphy Reid (1.2, 27 disposals, 8 score involvements) had some classy moments, Andrew Brayshaw had a game-high 35 touches, and Shai Bolton played a crucial role in kickstarting his side’s fightback in the second term.

Room for improvement

On paper, the Dockers could’ve won by a lot more if they’d been more efficient. Seven of their first eight set-shot attempts were behinds. Overall, they kicked 14.15 to 14.6, while they were +10 for inside 50s and +8 for contested possessions. While big forwards Jye Amiss, Patrick Voss and Josh Treacy combined for seven goals, they also combined for seven behinds.

Grade

A

GEELONG CATS

This was a reversal of the Round 1 result. That day, the Cats came back from 35 points down before half-time to beat Fremantle by 10 points. On Friday night, the Dockers recovered from a 28-point second-quarter deficit to win by nine points. It means the Cats head into their bye with nine wins - and vulnerable to dropping out of the top four if the Crows beat the Power on Saturday night. But as coach Chris Scott – who ‘plays the season’ better than any coach in the competition – declared post-game: “I suspect our takeaway will be we feel like we’re in a spot where we can have a crack at it, and that’s very easy to say, and hard to do in this competition.”

In the votes

Max Holmes did a power of running and played a bit more on-ball in Bailey Smith’s absence, finishing with 27 disposals, seven inside 50s and five clearances. Tanner Bruhn had 26 touches and six score involvements, Connor O’Sullivan took intercept marks, and George Stevens (18 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 goal) had a great game.

Room for improvement

The Dockers could’ve won by a lot more if it wasn’t for Geelong’s efficiency. The Cats had nine fewer scoring shots and were -10 for inside 50s and -8 for contested possessions. Individually, Jake Kolodjashnij looked vulnerable in defence and made some crucial mistakes. But with no Smith or Tom Stewart, as Scott said post-game: “I don’t think we come away from the game devastated at where we’re at.”

Grade

B-

GOLD COAST SUNS

A massive missed opportunity for the Suns, who played well throughout the night but were ultimately outclassed by a determined Hawthorn outfit. The Suns did more attacking late in the fourth quarter to try and produce a late charge, but it was ultimately too late as Hawthorn hung on for a big win on the road. It was Gold Coast’s fourth-straight loss, which now puts Damien Hardwick’s team at risk of falling out of the top 10 ahead of a trip to Perth to face the ladder-leading Dockers.

In the votes

Mac Andrew played one of his best games, finishing with an equal career-high 26 disposals and a game-high six intercept marks. Leo Lombard had some big moments – especially in the first half – as he kicked two goals from 15 disposals, while Joel Jeffrey (33 disposals, 643m gained) and Bodhi Uwland (27 disposals, 93% kicking efficiency) provided plenty of drive from the backline. Noah Anderson (43 disposals, 10 inside 50s) stuffed the stats sheet, and Ben Long returned to form with a season-high four goals.

Room for improvement

The midfield. Again. This time, specifically, their centre ball-up clearance work, losing the total count by -8 and being outscored by the Hawks 5.4 to 0.0 from the source. Defensively, they were poor too. The Suns were +10 inside 50s for the game, but Hawthorn scored from 47 per cent of their inside 50 entries. Individually, Ben King was held to 1.1 from just four disposals by the team that, reportedly, he’s keen to join.

Grade

C

GWS GIANTS

The Giants’ post-bye form worsened on Saturday, falling to the in-form Blues at home to put another dent in their finals credentials. The hosts were able to be exploited in defensive transition as Carlton repeatedly punished. They were resurgent in the third quarter but couldn’t maintain the rage in a fourth quarter where they barely gave a yelp. They’re now 6-8 on the season and have yet to show the consistency required of a genuine contender.

In the votes

Harvey Thomas continued his terrific season, finishing as the Giants’ highest-rated player with 18 disposals, four score involvements and four intercepts. Sam Taylor added seven intercepts, while Finn Callaghan had a team-high 31 disposals, seven clearances and seven score involvements to be his side’s most impactful between the arcs. Toby Greene kicked three goals from 15 touches.

Room for improvement

The Giants lifted in the third quarter but couldn’t match the Blues at centre bounce - losing centre clearances 0-7 in the third term alone and 6-16 for the match. Carlton was also superior at the contest, which led to 15 more inside-50 entries and eight more scoring shots. And not even after a trademark Adam Kingsley spray at the last change could GWS rally again in the fourth, conceding three unanswered goals to slump to their eighth loss of the season.

Grade

D

HAWTHORN

An impressive post-bye response from the Hawks, bouncing back from their six-point loss to the Bulldogs with a 16-point interstate win over Gold Coast. After a sluggish start, the Hawks got on top at stoppages and kicked eight of nine goals in a devastating blitz period across the first and second quarters, before responding to a Suns challenge with four goals in the first five minutes of the final quarter to seal victory. The win, which was driven by Hawthorn’s centre ball-up dominance, further entrenches the Hawks in the top four.

In the votes

The midfield was excellent. Jai Newcombe recorded a game-high 10 clearances to go with 31 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 10 score involvements and two goals. Will Day set the tone with a breathtaking first half on his way to one goal from 21 disposals, 10 score involvements, eight inside 50s, seven tackles and five clearances. Josh Ward (27 disposals, 7 clearances) and Connor Macdonald (21 disposals, 2 goals) were also prolific, while Dylan Moore booted 4.1. Nick Watson (3.0, 15 disposals, 4 tackles) had some ridiculous moments.

Room for improvement

While we’re being picky, Hawthorn’s efficiency might’ve saved the team somewhat. The Hawks were -83 disposals, -10 inside 50s and -25 for contested possessions, but their forward-half efficiency and strong pressure set the tone for the win. Individually, Mitch Lewis was held to 1.1 from five disposals, while Massimo D’Ambrosio had 13 touches.

Grade

A-

MELBOURNE

The fast-starting Demons took it right up to the Crows at Adelaide Oval in one of the toughest assignments in footy. But ultimately Steven King’s side couldn’t get its high-octane offensive game up and running in Melbourne’s lowest score this season. And probably didn’t have enough match winners in the end, which they really felt with Kysiah Pickett clamped in a quiet showing from the superstar.

In the votes

Max Gawn led from the front with 28 disposals (15 contested) and 30 hit-outs. Jacob Van Rooyen looked like ripping the game apart early, with his three goals all coming in the first quarter, while Kade Chandler kicked two goals from 20 touches.

Room for improvement

Pickett was held to just 15 disposals - his third-lowest tally this season - by James Peatling. Playing through such opposition attention is something the Demons superstar will have to get used to after levelling up as one of the best players in the competition. Melbourne’s usual scintillating ball movement and forward half efficiency was disarmed; the Dees were +3 in inside 50s but got just 17 shots (29 per cent efficiency).

Grade

C

NORTH MELBOURNE

The Kangaroos did what they had to do at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, beating Richmond by 25 points to square their season ledger at 7-7, but it wasn’t a convincing brand by any stretch. They generated two fewer inside-50s for the game than the Tigers, but were more efficient with their chances, taking eight more marks inside-50 to get over the top of the sloppy hosts in the second half of what was a dour affair. After not being able to have its usual centre-bounce and stoppage ascendancy, North Melbourne controlled the game with uncontested possession - winning the count by 46 - and having 58 more disposals overall.

In the votes

George Wardlaw did most of North’s best work on Sunday, working industriously at contests around the ground to finish as the game’s highest-rated player. Cooper Trembath found form in a big way at the ‘G, booting four goals from five marks and seven score involvements. Caleb Daniel was the game’s major ball-winner with 40 disposals - 34 uncontested - and four intercepts.

Room for improvement

Losing the territory battle wouldn’t have pleased Alastair Clarkson and company, nor would the Roos’ uninspiring ball movement for a decent portion of the afternoon. North led by just eight points at half-time with a score of 4.6 before gapping the Tigers in a three-goal-unanswered third term, but it was more a result of the hosts’ inability to string together chains of possession and finish their work going forward, rather than any sort of starring Roos performance. If you were a Roos supporter who attended the colosseum on Sunday, you probably didn’t come away feeling overly fulfilled with the result.

Grade

B-

PORT ADELAIDE

As the Power learned once more on Saturday night, football can be a cruel, cruel game. All of Esava Ratugolea, Jack Lukosius and Ewan Mackinlay went down with injury in the third term to prevent any chance of a comeback, after leading by a point going into half-time. The former in Ratugolea was amid a serious form patch, and his absence will severely deplete Josh Carr’s back half for the remainder of 2026. There was plenty to like before the injury onslaught, so we won’t grade them too harshly, but at 4-10, they’ll feel cheated to not be higher on the ladder right now.

In the votes

Midfielder-forward Jason Horne-Francis (30 disposals — 15 contested, nine marks, six clearances) was far and away Port’s most impactful player at the MCG. While the numbers suggest Zak Butters (25 disposals — 88% efficiency, seven clearances, one goal) had a good game, which he did, he was still held back from his best by young Pie Ed Allan. In defence, Darcy Byrne-Jones (34 disposals, 10 marks) saw more of the football than he ever has in 235 AFL games, while Esava Ratugolea (10 disposals — 10 intercepts, six intercept marks) was outstanding before going down with injury after half-time.

Room for improvement

The Power actually finished the night with eight more inside 50 entries than Collingwood, but as expected, their efficiency going in was down. On reflection, Josh Carr’s side probably allowed the hosts to handball their way out of trouble a little too much at times, but they really did hold their own in every other mainstream statistic. They were dead even for clearance, won contested possession, had more marks and laid more tackles. An honourable effort, particularly under the second half circumstances.

Grade

C

RICHMOND

It was a fixture the Tigers would have gone into thinking they were a genuine chance of winning, but what came of it was highly disappointing. Adem Yze’s side stuck with North Melbourne in the first half - and matched the visitors at the centre bounce - but was undone in a three-goal-to-none third quarter, with Richmond’s overall quality way down on what it presented against Brisbane the previous week in Tasmania. The Tigers had their chances but repeatedly showed they didn’t have the class with ball in hand to seriously pose a threat to the Roos, losing their 12th game of the season in disappointing fashion.

In the votes

Richmond felt Toby Nankervis’ impact in his return, leading from the front in the centre as the Tigers matched the Roos at stoppages. Ben Miller was important in limiting Nick Larkey to just one goal, while at the other end, Noah Balta once again provided a spark in the forward half with two goals in Tom Lynch’s continued absence. First-year midfielder Sam Cumming was impactful in the first half before waning as the game went on.

Room for improvement

The Tigers generated two more inside-50s for the match but were less efficient with those chances and on several occasions failed to have the required class with the final connecting piece. The Roos made more of their chances, finishing +8 for marks inside 50. Richmond was also criticised for its lack of dare with ball in hand, with Fox Footy’s Ben Dixon lamenting on Sunday’s broadcast: “They are not even looking (corridor). Their automatic reaction is to turn to boundary and kick it down boundary – it’s not going to win you games of footy. It’s all about risk – they haven’t taken any.”

Grade

D-

ST KILDA

Injuries really hit Ross Lyon’s side where it hurt (literally) on Sunday, and it played a part in going down by 22 points to a Western Bulldogs outfit who simply wanted it more. The Saints head into their mid-season bye at 6-9, and now seriously run the risk of missing the top 10 altogether. The glass-half-full outlook on the rest of their season is that they don’t leave Victoria for the rest of the home-and-away season, in what can only be described as a major win. For now though, they’re the student who assures his parents they’ll be fine for the really big end-of-year exam — but with every failed test, that promise becomes a little harder to believe.

In the votes

This will be one of the more fascinating matches for 2026 to see who polls maximum votes on Brownlow night. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (44 disposals, 916 metres gained) recorded a career-best number of possessions, but only just over 10% of his touches resulted in a score. Arguably a man who had more tangible impact for the Saints was inside bull Hugo Garcia (34 disposals — 13 contested, seven centre clearances) as he continues to improve by the week. With Jack Sinclair going down injured after barely 10 minutes, winger Brad Hill (37 disposals, 765 metres gained) touched the Sherrin the equal-most times he has in 292 AFL games. But, with all that said, surely rival captain ‘The Bont’ is awarded three votes for his efforts...

Room for improvement

We won’t assassinate St Kilda too hard given their rough run with injury on Sunday, but in short, they over-used the football in their back half with very little to show for it in the front half. Their 44.3% efficiency inside 50 hammers home this point — especially when read side-by-side to the Bulldogs’ 57.8%. With 16 more entries inside the attacking arc, they gave themselves a chance, but that only goes so far. Their contested ball game was strong throughout, as was their centre clearance and contested mark game (shoutout Rowan Marshall).

Grade

C-

SYDNEY SWANS

The Swans had the bye.

WEST COAST EAGLES

The Eagles had the bye.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Luke Beveridge’s side bounced back impressively from their horror first quarter the week before, and left with four points to show for it. They never looked like losing the game after the halfway mark of the second quarter, and who else but superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli to lead the charge. Sitting at 9-6 going into their mid-season bye, their percentage of 92.8 is still a worry, but as long as they keep chalking up the wins, they’ll get by.

In the votes

No surprises for guessing who’s the raging favourite to poll three here. Marcus Bontempelli (34 disposals — 15 contested, 13 clearances, one goal) was absolutely outstanding, and it would be criminal to not see him max out for his effort come Brownlow night; no matter how juicy the stat lines of some St Kilda players may look. Elsewhere, opposition coach Ross Lyon lamented post-game the impact that Bailey Dale (30 disposals — nine intercepts, 13 rebound 50s, 771 metres gained) had off half-back. Tough nut Matthew Kennedy (28 disposals — 13 contested, one goal) played his role beautifully, while defensive duo James O’Donnell (15 disposals — seven intercepts, 11 spoils) and Buku Khamis (15 disposals, seven intercepts, seven spoils) were excellent down back.

Room for improvement

Beveridge and his coaching staff ran the gauntlet on not tagging Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, and it paid off — but they certainly would’ve been sweating it at half-time after touching the Sherrin 25 times before the main break. Ultimately though, their determination that his ball-getting — alongside a couple of other Saints — wasn’t worth nullifying was correct. Their centre clearance game was poor, but they tidied up their act at the contest after quarter-time to overall get the tick of approval.

Grade

A-

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