All the early likes and dislikes from round 20 of the AFL season
Saturday night’s result said more about North Melbourne’s sorry state of affairs than Geelong’s dominance, writes Glenn McFarlane. And the 101-point margin flattered the Roos.
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We’re getting into the end game now.
For some clubs, their seasons are already over with over a month to go.
While for others, results mean more than ever in 2025.
Glenn McFarlane names his likes and dislikes from round 20 so far.
LIKES
THE JEZ AND BAZ SHOW
Jeremy Cameron turned the Coleman Medal race on its head with a career-best 11 goals and Bailey Smith had an equal career-best 43 disposals on a night when Geelong feasted on a miserable North Melbourne.
In an extraordinary night at Marvel Stadium, Cameron finished only one goal short of the venue record, held by West Coast’s Mark LeCras (12), and his swag of goals now lifts him to 69 goals for the season.
He is only seven goals away from his season-best effort, dating back to the Giants in 2019.
Cameron kicked three goals in the first term, two in the second, four in the third and came home with two more.
Teammate Patrick Dangerfield said on Fox Footy: “He missed a few too … he might have left 15 out there tonight.”
In keeping with the Dumb and Dumber ‘So you’re telling me there’s a chance’ motto, Cameron’s goalkicking blitz kept the door ever so slightly ajar in the unlikely pursuit of a century of goals, which hasn’t been achieved by a player since Lance Franklin back in 2008.
He still needs 31 goals across the last four weeks of the home and away season, plus the prospect of a few finals.
He would likely need to average five goals per game to get close … which is a huge task in this day and age.
But the Cats have very winnable home and away games to come with Port Adelaide, Essendon, Sydney and Richmond.
That would be the last thing on Cameron’s mind at the moment as he praised his teammates for “looking after me”.
Surely, he gets the three Brownlow votes, though Smith was also dominant on the night, with 43 disposals, which included some light-hearted banter with a North Melbourne fan in the crowd.
It’s the second time in his career that he has had 43 possessions against North (the other was in 2022), and he was unstoppable in the midfield with the Kangaroos unable to quell his influence at any stage.
North Melbourne kicked two of the first three goals of the game but couldn’t match the Cats after quarter time, with the Marvel massacre stretching out to 101 points at the end.
FIGHTBACK THE SUNS NEEDED
From getting a kick in the ‘nuts’, according to their coach last week, to delivering a timely one to their long-time nemesis Brisbane, this was the fightback the Suns desperately needed.
In time, it might be seen as the game that locked away a maiden finals series, as Gold Coast dismantled a team that had bullied and harassed them for most of their AFL lives.
If the most important win of the Suns’ life came a few weeks ago against Collingwood, it was arguably surpassed on Saturday as Damien Hardwick’s side clinically dismantled the Lions.
It was a far cry from the team that had failed to kick a goal in the first half against Adelaide last week, with the Suns scoring their biggest ever Q-Clash victory to the tune of 66 points.
It was Gold Coast’s 12th win for 2025 – their best season return since joining the competition in 2011.
And with a game up their sleeve to come against a decimated Essendon in the days after the final round, September finally beckons for the first time.
Prior to Saturday, the Suns had won only one of their previous 13 games against the Lions, and when Brisbane had the first five inside 50s, it looked like following the script.
That is … until Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Jarrod Witts, Ben Long, Bailey Humphrey and co stepped in to show off the extraordinary depth of talent this Gold Coast side boasts now.
Rowell and Anderson had 70 collective disposals, revelling in the driving rain.
Witts is still ridiculously underrated as he builds another impressive season in the ruck.
Long (four goals), Humphrey (three), Jy Farrar (three) and Ben Ainsworth (three) dominated the goalkicking sheet for the home side as they posted 20 goals in tough conditions.
The run home doesn’t look too bad, either, against Richmond, Carlton, GWS, Port Adelaide and Essendon.
See you in September, Suns ...
BE AFRAID! BE VERY AFRAID!
The great teams of the past used to call it “the premiership quarter” and what Finn Callaghan and the relentless Giant tsunami delivered in a stunning third term would have frightened the hell out of the rest of the 2025 premiership contenders.
It was as close to a perfect quarter as we’ve seen this year, with the clinically efficient Giants responding to one of the all-time great half-time coaching sprays from Adam Kingsley.
It was so pointed that Fox Footy’s Ben Dixon said the Giants “had to call the painters” after Kingsley ‘tore paint’ off the GWS walls with his spray justified by his team’s awful first half, which at one stage saw them trailing by 35 points late in the second term.
What followed was a warning sign daubed in orange to the rest of the competition as the team that has now won six games in a row – and eight of its past nine – systemically tore the Swans apart in the space of half an hour.
Callaghan started it all just 78 seconds into the second half, with a goal, with his quarter comprising eight disposals (at 100% efficiency), five scoring involvements, four inside 50s, three tackles and more than 350 metres gained.
Was it any wonder the Saints offered him the biggest contract in football – a reported $17 million across 10 years?
He’s taken a lot less to stick with the Giants – his deal is believed to be around $1m per season over four years – but there might be a premiership medal or two in the offing.
"How's the wow factor from the 'Flying Finn!'"
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 25, 2025
That's exactly the start the Giants wanted 🔥
📺 Watch #AFLGiantsSwans on Ch.503 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/N16YR75hTd
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/giAcZHwAZj
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/eUESHMWoFvpic.twitter.com/ngORnrrgKd
The 79-point turnaround – from 35 down late in the second term to a 44-point win – ended a five-game Swans hoodoo for the Giants.
Toby Greene was at the heart of it, and not just for the forearm drop on Isaac Heeney that had the footy world talking.
He talked the talk – with a half-time “overweight” gibe at Tom Papley – but he absolutely walked the walk, with a critical third term goal.
A final term collapse in last year’s semi-final against Brisbane might have cost Kingsley’s team last year’s flag.
But if they can keep this 2025 streak going, they are going to take a power of beating this season.
MURPH MAKES HIS MOVE
Fremantle avoided a potential banana-skin slip-up with a strong second half to make it eight wins from the past nine Derby wins against West Coast as young gun Murphy Reid further staked his claim for Rising Star consideration.
The Dockers overcame a slow, inaccurate start to power away from the Eagles with their highest score of the season as Reid locked away career best figures of 23 disposals, a goal, 15 score involvements and six score assists.
Adelaide’s Daniel Curtin has launched into Rising Star favouritism in recent weeks, having been backed into $2.15, just ahead of Brisbane’s Levi Ashcroft ($3).
Reid is next in line in betting, sitting at $8, while Essendon’s Archie Roberts is a $10 chance.
The other, Reid, of the Harley and West Coast variety, was right in the midst of it in this game, engaged in some physical duels with the Dockers’ mids.
He kicked two goals in the game, showing flashes of his brilliance, which has West Coast desperate to secure his signature again on what could be the most lucrative deal in footy.
The explosive Eagles’ came from the ground late in the match after getting a knock, but was compelling viewing throughout.
‘NAUGHT-DARCE’ DOUBLE ACT
Aaron Naughton is on track for the best goal return of his AFL career after combining with Sam Darcy for 13 goals between them in Friday night’s thrashing of Essendon.
But Luke Beveridge is going to need even more from the ‘Naught’ and ‘Darce’ double act to keep coming to the fore in the coming weeks – starting with the Giants on Thursday – as they push hard for a finals berth that remains up in the air right now.
Naughton has kicked 26 goals across the past seven weeks, including a game-high seven against the hapless Bombers, while Darcy booted six on Friday night.
The pair are working well together, having collectively kicked 83 goals this season, with Naughton (45) on track to pass his highest tally of 51 back in 2022.
Yes, they filled their boots as expected against an undermanned Essendon, but it will be a different challenge against the might of the Giants defenders led by Sam Taylor in what looms as a fascinating clash at Marvel Stadium next round.
We’ll learn even more about both sides on Thursday night.
‘NEW’ GINNI
When Hawthorn dumped Jack Ginnivan from the Easter Monday clash with Geelong, some wondered whether his place in the mosquito fleet might have been in jeopardy long-term.
It wasn’t. He missed a week and it has proven to be the kick in the pants he needed.
And it shows why his coach Sam Mitchell knows the right time to pull levers to get the best out of his players.
Ginnivan hasn’t looked back since missing that game. In fact, he has elevated his game to a new level, with a more selfless approach not getting in the way of him still kicking goals.
Ginni with the PERFECT CHECKSIDE to kick the Hawks first 🚶â€â™‚ï¸
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 24, 2025
📺 Watch #AFLHawksBlues on Ch.504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/N16YR75hTd
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/2JqqWfYmrZpic.twitter.com/qyp13UncI3
In the 13 games since his demotion, the 22-year-old has only been held goalless once – in the round 14 win over Adelaide – and his overall numbers have risen well above his career averages.
In that time, he has averaged 20.4 disposals, four marks, 1.5 goals, and 6.1 score involvements, with his best game coming with an equal career-best 31 possessions and three goals against his old mob, Collingwood.
Ginnivan was again among the Hawks’ best on Thursday night against Carlton, and Mitchell will need him at his best next Friday for the away clash with an in-form Adelaide.
WHAT’S NEXT, DOC?
We got the goal – and the bow – we wanted, even if Sam Docherty didn’t get the four points he desperately craved.
But the certainty is that the inspirational Blue – who brought the curtain down on a remarkably resilient career last Thursday after 184 games – won’t be lost to the game.
The 31-year-old, who overcame two cancer battles and three knee reconstructions, still has plenty left to give in a different guise, even though he deserves a well-earned rest now.
Those who know him closely understand that he is an assistant coach or development coach in waiting, with perhaps even higher aims.
Clubs will be sounding him out for roles long before the end of this season as he charts what he wants to do with the next phase of his life.
And while we’re at it, how good was Carlton’s decision to trade a second rounder – pick 33 overall – to Brisbane in late 2013 to secure the then 20-year-old who had played 13 games with the Lions.
Brisbane chose Tom Cutler (96 games with the Lions and Bombers) with that pick; Docherty went on to 171 in navy blue.
In that time, he was ranked first at the Blues in uncontested possessions and metres gained, and second in disposals and marks.
Thanks for the memories, Doc.
DISLIKES
3668 DAYS AND COUNTING … ROOS ROUTED AGAIN
This result said more about North Melbourne’s sorry state of affairs than Geelong’s utter dominance.
The Cats completed a 10-year domination of the Kangaroos in a completely one-sided game that applied the blowtorch on the Kangaroos again after an effort that was unacceptable and alarming.
The strange thing was that the final margin of 101 points almost flattered Alastair Clarkson’s confidence-sapped side.
The Roos haven’t beaten Geelong in 3668 days. The last time it happened, back in July 2015, Clarkson was on his way towards coaching the Hawks to a fourth flag, Jeremy Cameron was a Giant, and Patrick Dangerfield was in his final year as a Crow.
At one stage, North Melbourne conceded 19 of 20 goals during the middle stages of this complete whitewash.
The Roos have only won four games and had a draw this year and sit second last on the ladder.
That’s not good enough and you can understand the frustration of the club’s long-suffering fans and that’s why everyone from the coach to the players will be feeling the intense heat.
MILES’ MUCK UP
It would have been the perfect clearance … if it hadn’t gone 60 metres the wrong way.
Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman was trying to get Ken Hinkley’s final Showdown as Power coach off to a flying start when he sharked the first contest in the centre square and sent it with force deep into the forward.
The only problem was that it was launched into Adelaide’s forward 50m, not Port Adelaide’s, as Darcy Fogarty gratefully accepted it.
Fortunately for Bergman, Fogarty missed his shot at goal as the Adelaide Oval crowd was left wondering what the hell had happened.
It was an honest mistake, but it was indicative of the Power’s poor night when they felt the full flex of an Adelaide team seriously going places.
For Hinkley, it wasn’t the way he would have wanted to farewell Showdown footy, but he will forever remain part of the folklore of Port Adelaide-Adelaide clashes.
The clock is ticking on his tenure and you have to wonder what Josh Carr is inheriting.
RISKY BRISNESS
Brisbane faces a critical month in its premiership defence against three key finals contenders as the race for the top two spots on the ladder heats up.
On a wet and wild day on the Gold Coast, the Lions kicked the first goal of the day but were swamped by a Suns storm that delivered their biggest loss of the season, with coach Chris Fagan left scratching his head as to how it happened.
Yes, the Lions had won their previous four games, and yes, you can’t win every match, but the manner of Brisbane’s 66-point loss to the Suns gave off a few warning signs and now there is a danger they could miss the top four.
The Lions’ defence looked as vulnerable as it has for some time, with the final margin being the biggest the club has had since the 2022 preliminary final loss to Geelong.
They coughed up five goals in every quarter, even when the rain was hurtling down in the second half, yet they could manage only nine goals themselves.
Smashed at the contest, thrashed at turnover, and too often left flat-footed, the Lions’ premiership defence could come down to a challenging last four weeks of the home and away season, starting with Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night, then Sydney (Gabba), Fremantle (Perth Stadium) and Hawthorn (Gabba).
Little brother taught big brother a lesson this time, and it might yet prove costly to the Lions.
SEASON OVER … THE SWANS MUST BE AGGRESSIVE
The Giants’ media team did it again … sending off Sydney on Friday night with a cheeky tweet that would have rankled those in red and the white.
It contained four shapes – Pentagon, Hexagon, Octagon and ‘Seasongon’ (with an image of the Swans logo).
Boom Boom!
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) July 25, 2025
The reality was Sydney’s quest for a finals berth in Dean Cox’s first season was over long before Friday night’s second half capitulation.
But it would have hurt nonetheless, having bullied the Giants in recent years but the psychological damage inflicted on them by their not-so-old enemy might take some time to recover from.
What is certain is that the Swans must get aggressive at the trade table. Sydney has a rich tradition of being bold in player acquisition and it needs to push that lever hard next year.
Yes, the injuries have wrecked Cox’s first season, and the calvary will return next year, but the Swans must also chase ready-made talent, particularly in the forward half of the ground, if they want to once more contend for a premiership.
You can understand their interest in keeping tabs on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s situation, even if they would need to do a lot of due diligence before taking it further.
You could see why they, like Melbourne, would be throwing hopeful texts in the direction of Joe Daniher, who tried to get to Sydney before getting to Brisbane 12 months later, even though it will almost certainly end in a ‘no’.
You would be stunned if they aren’t at least asking the question of Carlton in regard to Harry McKay or Charlie Curnow, though the Blues have been steadfast in putting up the ‘not for sale’ sign.
Sydney’s modern success has been built on bold list decisions … and that needs to be maintained.
TOBY NEEDS TO BE BETTER
Adam Kingsley was furious at half-time of Friday night’s clash with Sydney … but he would have been excused for being wild with his captain Toby Greene over his one-game suspension for dropping his forearm into the back of Isaac Heeney’s head.
It was not only a bad look for the game; it was dangerous, and it has now left the Giants forward out of Thursday night’s important clash with Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
The Giants haven’t yet decided whether they will appeal the MRO decision to ban him for a week.
They shouldn’t bother. Toby was lucky he didn’t get an extra week for being so silly.
He’s not quite the superstar that he used to be, but Greene remains a very important player – and leader – for his team.
Yet he won’t be out there when the Giants look to make it seven wins in a row in their quest for a double chance.
Toby didn’t need to do it, and that would be the most frustrating thing for Kingsley ... taking his total games missed due to suspension to 16.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO NORTHERN EXPOSURE?
The AFL speaks ad nauseam – for very good reason – about the need to build the game in the northern markets, particularly in New South Wales.
But the scheduling of the two Giants-Swans clashes this season is a head scratcher that cannot be allowed to happen again.
That’s bizarre for a rivalry that started out as a manufactured one but is now as intense and edgy as any of the traditional ones.
Take the first clash in May, which was played at 1.10pm on a Sunday afternoon – the time zone you would normally try to bury bad games.
Why?
These two teams don’t like one another which makes for compelling viewing.
Yet for some reason the decision was made at AFL HQ to stage two Friday night games in round 20 – not a stand-alone Giants-Swans, as it should have been.
The AFL could have, and should have, placed the earlier game of the Bulldogs and Bombers in a different slot to allow for some clear Friday night air for Toby Greene’s Giants to take on Isaac Heeney’s Swans.
GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DONS’ INJURY WOES
It’s hard to see an injury-decimated Essendon winning its remaining four games against Sydney, Geelong, St Kilda and Carlton, which would mean Brad Scott’s team could close with 11 consecutive losses.
If that happens, it would be one of the worst losing streaks in the club’s history – behind only 17 during the days of the banned Bombers in 2016, and 14, twice in 1933 and 2006.
Essendon has endured a year from hell in terms of injury, losing another key player in Jordan Ridley on Friday night to his third hamstring issue this year.
The kids and hopefuls are getting a run and while they won’t all make it, they are at least getting some valuable experiences that will hopefully stand them in good stead.
The wins (if they can secure one) and losses won’t really matter across the next month, but what will matter is getting a solution to the injury epidemic as chief executive Craig Vozzo closes out his investigations into the club’s fitness regime.
They are already on the hunt for a new fitness boss and Brad Scott has insisted the club will leave no stone unturned in the quest to fix the problems that have plagued its 2025 season.
WHERE’S THE HALF BACK RUN, BLUES?
The most powerful weapon in footy right now is the electric run teams have off half back that can turn defence into attack in a heartbeat.
Every premiership contender in 2025 has a mix of speed and dare, providing a slingshot out of the back half.
The also-rans don’t have that same luxury, and it’s an area where Carlton is seriously struggling, particularly across the past month.
In the last four weeks, the Blues are ranked 17th for turning defensive 50s into inside 50s, which says a lot about their ball movements.
It hasn’t helped that Adam Saad has had injury challenges and doesn’t look to have the same spark running out of defence that has been his trademark.
The pressure is on coach Michael Voss as he looks ahead to the final four games against Fremantle (away), Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and Essendon, but the heat also needs to come back on the players.
There have been rumblings in recent weeks of internal frustration, but the players must also take some culpability for another wasted season.
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Originally published as All the early likes and dislikes from round 20 of the AFL season
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