And after the Demons reminded everyone of the force that they are capable of being last night against Fremantle, Geelong did a similar job tonight against would-be finalists the Western Bulldogs.

The Cats were absolutely sensational after half-time, kicking nine goals in a row at one stage, to turn a 26-point deficit into an eventual 28-point win.

It was a very fitting way to celebrate Selwood’s 350th game and they sit on top of the ladder for a reason. It’s hard to see the grand final being contested by any teams other than Geelong and Melbourne at this stage.

But there’s still a long way to go this season, and Sydney showed they could cause some havoc in September with a crushing win over GWS at the SCG today.

The Swans have now won seven of their last nine games and are building nicely towards the year’s most important month.

Heading into Sunday, Sydney are in the top four, and they will stay there if Richmond beat Brisbane tomorrow.

And like Geelong, Collingwood have now won 10 games in a row after winning yet another thriller against Port Adelaide by six points.

They have set a VFL/AFL record for most games won by under two goals in one season (nine), and their record in such games this year is now 9-1. It’s remarkable. Drilling further deeper into that record, they are also 7-1 in games decided by seven points or fewer.

As such, the “Cardiac Kids” are third on the ladder and they too will stay there if the Tigers win.

But while the Pies and Swans strengthened their bids for the double chance, Carlton took a flamethrower to theirs, losing to the bottom-four Crows by five goals in one of the upsets of the season.

Despite being two games inside the top eight with three games to go, the Blues are still yet to cement a finals berth after looking like a top-four team for so much of this season.

Compounding things for them was the fact that they suffered three injuries tonight: Corey Durdin (shoulder), Newman (cut knee) and Kennedy (concussion).

In the day’s other game, St Kilda returned to the top eight after surviving a late Hawthorn blitz to win by 12 points.

Thanks for following our blog today, be sure to join us next weekend when we do it all again for Round 21.

Good night.

10.47pm on Jul 30, 2022

‘Enough’s enough’: Ginnivan impacted by spotlight but smiling after Pies victory

By Marnie Vinall

Earlier today, the Jack Ginnivan too-high firestorm continued at the MCG.

Ginnivan revealed that the intense glare on him amid the AFL’s high tackle controversy has “definitely taken a toll” on his mental health, with Magpies coach Craig McRae saying “enough’s enough”.

Ginnivan, who booted three goals against Port Adelaide on Saturday, added that he is getting plenty of support from teammates, the club and his family, as the spotlight on him began to cause strain.

“I’ve got some strong leaders around me, Darcy Moore, Callum Brown’s one of my best mates, he’s looking after me, my mum, my family, so amazing they’re up here every week, so I can’t complain,” Ginnivan told Fox Footy after the Pies’ six-point win at the MCG.

Click here to read more.

Jack Ginnivan and Craig McRae.Getty Images

10.40pm on Jul 30, 2022

Selwood celebrated appropriately

A great moment for Geelong as Selwood is chaired off Kardinia Park following his 350th game and then acknowledges all the home fans who have stuck around.

View post on X

10.34pm on Jul 30, 2022

Third quarter blitz as Geelong celebrate Selwood milestone

By Peter Ryan

Geelong kicked eight goals in the third quarter to ensure they could celebrate the 350th game milestone of their much-loved skipper Joel Selwood to record their 10th win in a row and stay one game clear on top of the ladder.

It was a powerful display from a team that continues to build momentum as they conceded the first four goals of the match and trailed the Western Bulldogs by 11 points at half-time. They eventually won by 28 points.

But from the moment the umpire made an error when they paid a downfield free kick against Bulldogs’ forward Josh Bruce that gifted Tyson Stengle a goal, Geelong dominated.

Click here to read more.

10.25pm on Jul 30, 2022

‘It’s been an emotional week’: Dangerfield

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q: Well done on your game.
A: Thanks. Special night for the club isn’t it? It’s been an emotional week. You could tell. With obviously Joel post-game what he’s done for our club, what he means to us.

Q: You owned your own game, but all the players had that sense about it where you weren’t going to let this one slip. Obviously milestones are big. This one seems extra big.
A: Yeah, it does. We knew they would be fired up in the first quarter and so they were. It was not an ideal start. But it’s a game of four quarters. We knew we could wrestle back momentum and played this game really well. That we’d create opportunities. It’s not just another game. It really isn’t, such as is the person, the man and the captain. And what he means to us. It’s extra special. It’s for him.

Q: Special third quarter too by the group. It was electric footy. Your own body, are you feeling good about yourself with that break?
A: Yeah it was a special night honestly. It’s hard - there’s some games it’s hard to get up. It’s different. After you played for a long time it’s different. Then there are games where, you know, you just are waking up this morning there was this feel about it. We’ve seen so many wonderful sort of talking points throughout the week. It’s special.

10.21pm on Jul 30, 2022

‘It’s been a really special week’: Selwood

The man of the moment Joel Selwood spoke to Channel Seven after his 350th game...

Q: Congratulations - 350 games and a terrific win.
A: Yeah, it was mate. It’s nice to hear that. To be home here. It’s been a really special week. Thanks to the Bulldogs for hanging out here to night. Heard from plenty of across the league. A few of our ex-teammates too which is great.

Q: I won’t hold you up too long. Know the Bulldogs are here and lot of friends and family and everyone wants to cheer you off. A really hard-fought win. You’ve now won 160 games as captain which makes you the most winnest captain taking over from Dick Reynolds. A wonderful achievement.
A: I’ve been so lucky. So lucky over the journey. Not only with this group of boys that we’ve got right here now. But just the whole journey mate right from the start. I’m blessed to be able to come to this club, call it work. Just have a smile on my face the whole time.

10.19pm on Jul 30, 2022

Selwood has taught Hawkins ‘a lot’

Geelong forward Tom Hawkins spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q: Obviously a special night. Great mate, 300 games with Joel Selwood, as teammates. Sum it up?
A: Lengthy, how much battery do you have in that thing. I think everyone internally at the football club know how great Joel has been. On-field leader from day one when he came in. He’s been extraordinary. Then off-field he’s one of a kind, mate. He’s one of my best mates. It’s been a privilege to be on the journey with him. I dare say if he wasn’t on the journey with me I don’t know if I would have gone as far. He’s taught me a lot. It’s hard to sum him up in words.

Q: I imagine you have the job of chairing him off. Everyone loves him.
A: There will be a few lining up to do it. Maybe we gear up a few of us to get him up. Great result. Great resilience as a group in the third quarter we played outstanding footy. That was awesome. Huge win for the club.

10.17pm on Jul 30, 2022

Stewart hails Cats’ ‘electric game’

Star Geelong defender Tom Stewart spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q: Terrific win. Good to be back?
A: Good mate. Obviously they were playing awesome without me. To slot back in it’s been fantastic. It was awesome.

Q: The Bulldogs threw a lot at you, half-time, reset a few things. What changed in that amazing third quarter?
A: We actually got the momentum shift in the second. We thought our contest work we’re starting to get on top and started to get strong with the ball. We started to feel that momentum shift. After three quarter-time, the boys had an electric game.

Q: Pretty special to make it big night for Joel Selwood?
A: Unbelievable mate. We owe it to him. We wouldn’t do it justice if we didn’t give it all tonight. Call him a great friend.

10.13pm on Jul 30, 2022

Adelaide place massive spanner in Blues’ top-four hopes

Adelaide 2.4, 5.6, 8.9, 12.12 (84)
Carlton 3.1, 5.2, 6.6, 8.7 (55)

GOALS
Adelaide: Keays 3, Walker 3, Fogarty 2, Murphy, McHenry, Milera, Himmelberg
Carlton: C.Curnow 2, Cottrell 2, Owies, Motlop, McKay, Silvagni

DISPOSALS
Adelaide: Smith 37, Laird 32, Dawson 25
Carlton: Cripps 41, Walsh 40, Docherty 32, Saad 26

What a massive upset from the Crows.

Carlton’s top-four hopes have taken a huge blow and now they have to concentrate on just securing a place in the finals.

10.01pm on Jul 30, 2022

Adelaide on course for massive upset

It’s all over now. Adelaide are on the verge of one of the upsets of the season.

Keays breaks the Setterfield tackle with brute force and handballs it to Himmelberg whose snap over the shoulder is it true.

With just over 6:00 remaining, the Crows lead by 29 points, 12.11.83 to 8.6.54, and the Blues’ top-four hopes are on the verge of taking a massive hit

Keays has been magnificent tonight with 21 touches and three goals. Nine of his disposals have come in this last quarter.

As it happened: Blues blow it against Crows, Cats overwhelm Dogs, Pies win another thriller, Swans smash GWS, Saints hold off Hawks

Key Posts

Good night

‘Enough’s enough’: Ginnivan impacted by spotlight but smiling after Pies victory

Selwood celebrated appropriately

Third quarter blitz as Geelong celebrate Selwood milestone

‘It’s been an emotional week’: Dangerfield

‘It’s been a really special week’: Selwood

Selwood has taught Hawkins ‘a lot’

Stewart hails Cats’ ‘electric game’

Adelaide place massive spanner in Blues’ top-four hopes

Adelaide on course for massive upset

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