Dogs bite back with storming finish

Western Bulldogs stunned Hawthorn with a remarkable 49-point turnaround in the fourth quarter to deliver a knockout blow on Sunday.

Inspired by the midfield run of Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter and Mitch Wallis, the fast-finishing Dogs even left their coach Luke Beveridge in shock after the siren.

“I’m pretty ecstatic. It was a monumental day for us really when you consider how the game unfolded,” Beveridge said. “The boys did a sensational job to persevere … to come back from so far, it’s a big day for us.”

One can only imagine how their fans felt.

The @westernbulldogs comeback is ON!#AFLHawksDogs pic.twitter.com/VzCYd6YLRh

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 31, 2019

Fitting AFLW finale

Adelaide fans, take a bow. A record crowd and a second AFLW flag sent them home happy. Photo: Getty

The AFLW competition may have again been short-changed by the governing body with only seven regular-season rounds before finals, but it has truly been the gift that keeps on giving.

The record crowd of 53,034 at Adelaide Oval highlights the rise and rise of the women’s game, giving the home crowd the result it dearly wanted as Adelaide trounced Carlton by 45 points.

The only sour note was the ACL injury to best afield Erin Phillips, whose reputation for excellence continues to grow – as Collingwood’s Mason Cox was only too happy to attest.

Beaten Carlton coach Daniel Harford also spoke volumes when he said: “It’s a very special moment, I think, for the AFLW and for footy in Australia.” Take note, AFL.

So much has been said about AFLW over the past years but if there is one thing everyone should agree on it is that Erin Phillips is the ideal role model. Raises two kids, never gets in trouble, juggles life between two countries, wins everything and is humble in doing so. ❤ it

— Mason Cox AFL (@masonsixtencox) March 31, 2019

Life at the top

The @brisbanelions move into 2nd! 😂 pic.twitter.com/dVQS9moDMo

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 31, 2019

Who would before the season started have thought that perennial strugglers Brisbane and St Kilda would be sitting pretty at 2-0 and looking down on the likes of 2018 grand finalists Collingwood and West Coast, 2017 premiers Richmond and the winless Sydney, Essendon and Melbourne?

There’s little doubt surprises are part and parcel of the competition, but for the ladder to have been turned upside down is nothing short of remarkable.

Geelong sits top on percentage, but the Saints faithful were buoyed further after watching Josh Bruce’s balletic marking effort.

Josh Bruce was "surprised" he came down with the ball 😅 #GameDay pic.twitter.com/wFaNLWmsGp

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 31, 2019

A ray of sunshine for Gold Coast

Sporting teams on the Gold Coast have a terrible reputation for staying power, but the Suns are slowly but surely doing their utmost to prove the doubters wrong.

After a heartbreaking one-point away loss to St Kilda in Round 1, Stuart Dew’s men bounced back to claim an upset three-point win over Fremantle.

Having kicked eight behinds in a goalless third term, the Suns appeared to have blown a chance on Sunday to end their 10-match losing streak at Metricon Stadium, stretching back to 2017.

But they overran the Dockers in the final quarter to secure a hugely satisfying and deserved 7.19 (61) to 8.10 (58) win.

The Suns celebrate a long-awaited win at Metricon Stadium after overcoming Fremantle on Sunday. Photo: Getty

Caged Tigers fight for freedom

The Tigers – minus full-forward Jack Riewoldt – may be down, but few would be brave enough to say they are out. Photo: Getty

Richmond’s spine-tingling charge to the 2017 premiership left the adoring-but-demanding Tiger army in a state of delirium, but its fortunes have reversed ever since the preliminary final loss to Collingwood in September.

Now that long-term injuries are sidelining two of its biggest stars – full-back Alex Rance and full-forward Jack Riewoldt – and having suffered another loss to the Pies, some doubts may be creeping in about their chances of extending their glory days.

And with games against GWS (away), Port Adelaide (away) and Sydney to come, the hunger and resolve of the under-strength Tigers could be put to the test.

Eagles have landed

West Coast sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition that its shock Round 1 loss to the Lions at the Gabba was an aberration, given its 52-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Perth Stadium.

The Eagles unfurled the premiership flag in style and reminded itself of the work needed to scale the mountain of September glory.

What a flag unfurling. 👏@WestCoastEagles pic.twitter.com/1LV2b8uocp

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 30, 2019

Alarm bells may have been ringing when the Giants edged to a two-point lead in the second term, but West Coast booted the next five goals in a 12-minute blitz to help set up the 16.8 (104) to 7.10 (52) win in front of 54,985 adoring fans.