Latest news with #Showdown
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
WA Player Watch: Western Bulldog Aaron Naughton bags seven as young stars put hands up in VFL
As the AFL season reaches its pointy end, The West Australian takes a look around the country to see which WA products are having the biggest say at their club. The Bulldogs' spearhead had managed only 19 goals through the first half of 2025 as the rise and rise of giant father-son product Sam Darcy took the league by storm. But the Rockingham product stood firm and has sent a potent reminder of his depth of talent, matching his 19 goals from the first half in the past four weeks alone with three bags of five or more. Naughton again filled his boots against injury-riddled Essendon on Friday night, kicking a career-high seven goals in his side's monster 93-point victory to remain in the top eight. The former top-10 draft pick has established himself as a regular for the high-flying Crows this season, so much so that he got a run in the middle against Port Adelaide. In a 98-point Showdown massacre, Curtin collected 22 disposals and four clearances, with the 20-year-old showing off his strong frame. The most exciting thing? He has a brother in this year's draft who is also tipped to be a talented AFL footballer. Speedy midfielder/forward Jones is doing his best to put his hand up for selection at the Bulldogs as they fight for finals. Playing in the VFL against Essendon, the boy from Mt Barker was a dangerous presence, kicking two goals from 14 disposals and four marks. After kicking a career-best two goals against West Coast in Perth earlier this year, Tholstrup appeared keen to get back among the Demons' senior ranks for the rematch while playing for Casey. The wingman looked sharp around the contest, using his hands to feed the ball out from his seven clearances before getting back into the action with 20 touches and a goal.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Ken Hinkley slumps to unwanted record as Adelaide romp to biggest Showdown win in history
Adelaide's Riley Thilthorpe has dominated a record 98-point belting of arch foe Port Adelaide which lifts the Crows to top spot on the AFL ladder. Thilthorpe booted three goals in a 20.13 (133) to 5.5 (35) victory on a sodden Saturday night at Adelaide Oval. The margin was the biggest in Showdown history and consigns departing Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley to an unwanted record in his final season. He cut a dejected figure as he walked off the field following the post-match presentations. The long-time coach now has four matches remaining before he bows out. The Crows will sleep on top of the ladder, though Collingwood will likely re-take pole position on Sunday with a win over Richmond. Adelaide will finish the round no lower than second after logging five consecutive victories for the first time under sixth-year coach Matthew Nicks. The sole blemish on Saturday night was a hamstring injury to Max Michalanney, who was substituted in the third quarter. The 201cm-tall Thilthorpe defied the heavy rain with his influential 19-disposal display featuring six clearances, and veteran Taylor Walker and Ben Keays booted three goals each. Adelaide's Jake Soligo (35 disposals) and Sam Berry (20 touches) scored two goals each. On-baller James Peatling (26, one goal) and captain and 150-gamer Jordan Dawson (21, one goal) were also prominent, while Mark Keane and Josh Worrell ruled in defence. The Power slumped to an 8-11 win-loss record and added another player to their lengthy injury list with Lachie Jones substituted because of a corked thigh. Port vice-captain Zak Butters (34 touches), Ollie Wines (25) and skipper Connor Rozee (22) battled against the tide while Jed McEntee kicked two goals. The match began bizarrely when Port's Miles Bergman roved the first bounce and launched a 50 metre kick - the wrong way. Adelaide's Darcy Fogarty marked the Bergman blunder and missed the set shot, but his side enjoyed early control. The Crows created an ominous 3.6 to 0.1 lead before Port hit back with three consecutive majors of their own - a stunning McEntee shot from a boundary line reduced their deficit to five points at quarter-time. Adelaide then produced a game-breaking burst, scoring four goals to none in the second stanza as Thilthorpe took control. The big Crow scored with an audacious 50m left-footer on the run as Adelaide crafted a 29-point half-time advantage, 7.8 to 3.3. Thilthorpe had 14 disposals, his eye-catching goal and six clearances for the half and extended his influence with the opening goal of the third quarter. The strike was the first of five goals to Port's two for the term as Adelaide led by a whopping 50 points at three quarter-time, 12.11 to 5.3. And Thilthorpe again took centre stage with the initial goal of a last term when Adelaide piled on eight goals to nil to cruise to victory and a 30-28 overall record against Port.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL world stunned by truly bizarre scenes as Port star Miles Bergman kicks it the wrong way
Port Adelaide star Miles Bergman has made an all-time howler, inexplicably kicking the ball the wrong way off the opening bounce. In a truly bizarre start to Saturday night's showdown between Port Adelaide and Adelaide, the 23-year-old latched onto the loose ball in the opening seconds and hoofed it downfield. The only problem is that he kicked it in the completely wrong direction. To make matters worse, it landed straight into the grateful lap of Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty. setting him up for an easy shot at goal. 'He's kicked it the wrong way. This is hard to believe,' Dwayne Russell said in Fox Sports commentary. 'I've never seen a professional do that. That is incredible. 'Imagine Neil Armstrong saying, 'Sorry, boys, I think I've gone the wrong way'.' But incredibly, from right in front, the ever-consistent Fogarty then missed the easy chance. 'This just might set the scene for something quite extraordinary. So we've had a 60-metre wrong kick, and then Darcy Fogarty, who never misses, just slides one to the right,' AFL legend Garry Lyon added. Around the ground, the crowd was equally stunned. 'I tell you what, guys, the crowd down here were absolutely stunned as well, not just you guys,' Shaun Burgoyne said. 'But they didn't know what we were actually watching, just then.' While fans were also quick to give it to Bergman online. 'That is unforgivable. What a Wally,' one fan wrote. 'Opening clearance of the Showdown and Miles Bergman delivers a perfect pass … to Darcy Fogarty in Adelaide's forward line. Horror first moment, got completely confused,' another said. While a third wrote: 'You'd think he might pay attention to which way we are going! Sums up our season'.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Showdown crowd stunned as Miles Bergman kicks it wrong way in opening seconds
Port Adelaide star Miles Bergman has gifted Adelaide a shot at goal in a bizarre start to Saturday night's Showdown. Bergman sharked the ball from the opening bounce, but instead of kicking the ball forward, he turned and slammed it 50m the wrong way. Adding to his embarrassment, it landed straight into the lap of Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty. The crowd and commentators were left stunned by the situation. 'This is hard to believe. Can you believe a player could kick the wrong way? How can a professional do that?' Dwayne Russell said in commentary. 'Imagine Neil Armstrong saying, 'sorry, boys, I think I've gone the wrong way'.' The 'extraordinary' sequence was topped off when Fogarty missed the easy chance. 'This just might set the scene for something quite extraordinary. So we've had a 60-metre wrong kick, and then Darcy Fogarty, who never misses, just slides one to the right,' Garry Lyon said. Speaking from ground level, Shaun Burgoyne said everyone was 'stunned'. 'I tell you what, guys, the crowd down here were absolutely stunned as well, not just you guys,' he said. 'But they didn't know what we were actually watching, just then.'
The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Coast with the most: Suns turn tables on premiers Brisbane in crucial Q-Clash romp
Latest posts Latest posts 4.52pm Suns turn tables on premiers in crucial Queensland romp Gold Coast have shrugged Brisbane's Q-Clash chokehold and cemented their top-eight standing with a historic 66-point win. The Suns had lost 12 of the past 13 Queensland derbies to the defending premiers. But on Saturday, with a maiden finals berth on the radar, the hosts called the shots in a 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64) romp at a wet People First Stadium. Victory, in front of 20,833 fans, was the Suns' biggest over their local rivals, while their 12th win this season is a club-high. Captain Noah Anderson (33 touches) did the early damage, while ruckman Jarrod Witts dominated, and coach Damien Hardwick's bold selection calls were vindicated. Victory pushed the Suns (12-6), who have a game in hand, to seventh in a congested top eight, while the Lions (13-5-1) missed a chance to at least briefly occupy top spot. Matt Rowell (37 touches, 14 clearances, 12 tackles) won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal, and the recalled Alex Davies (30 touches, 10 tackles) flipped the script on the usually dominant Lions midfield. Jy Farrar (three goals) enjoyed his first AFL game since late 2023, Ben Long rediscovered his early-season form with four majors, and Bailey Humphrey (three goals, eight tackles) also shone. The Lions' Ashcroft brothers Will and Levi were well held, while Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage suffered a rare engine-room loss. Victory gave the Suns a 2-1 record against the competition's top three sides in their past three games, Gold Coast now with just one top-eight opponent in their final five regular-season games. Meanwhile, the premiers next travel to the MCG to face table-topping Collingwood as part of a tough run to September. AAP 3.53pm Crows want to power on By Jon Pierik The Crows have won four straight, and have vowed to maintain the rage in Showdown 58. There will be plenty of emotion for the Power, for this is Ken Hinkley's last Showdown, and the Power, out of the finals race, will be keen to impact the premiership aspirations of their cross-town rivals. But Crows coach Matthew Nicks insists his men will be ready for what awaits. 'We don't [change our mindset], we'll approach this game like we have every game this year, a strength of ours this year has been staying focused on the now and the moment – this is just a bigger moment,' Nicks said. 'We'll acknowledge the moment, we'll enjoy the big stage and the different challenges that will present us – you have to embrace those big moments, and it doesn't get any bigger in Adelaide than a Showdown. 'But that doesn't change how we prepare, and we will back in our process to get the job done.' Nicks was once an assistant to Hinkley at the Power. 'I remember all of those Showdown memories [alongside Ken], I was in the box in 2018 when Stevie Motlop kicked that winner, back in 2013 [the Monfries bounce] I think I was the runner,' Nicks said. 'So, it will be [hard to imagine Showdowns without Ken], we had a little chat on the way in, and it's an unusual feeling knowing that my opposition coach won't be there next year. 'Ken's had a lot of success across the journey, and I've learnt a hell of a lot from him in my time as a coach, so it's always exciting to put myself to the test in these Showdowns. 'For me, going up against a person I've always had so much respect for, it's a challenge I've really enjoyed. I learned so much from Ken in the period of time I worked underneath him, and it will be sad to see him go.'
