Dons kicking goals as Lions drop to fifth
Peter Wright and Andy McGrath have booted goals to start the final term as the Dons try to get something from this horror evening.
Wright also added a behind which shows the visitors have had a prosperous few minutes.
But the Lions are back on top now with Charlie Cameron booting his second goal although Dons forward Isaac Kako fired back with a goal of his own.
That Kako goal dropped the Lions to fifth place.
Lions 116, Dons 34 with 15 mins to go.
‘Two cooked arms’: Cameron speaks ahead of surgeon visit
Injured Cats star Jeremy Cameron has spoken briefly with Nine News after arriving in Melbourne today following his suspected AC joint injury against GWS Giants last night.
As Peter Ryan reported earlier today, Cameron will meet with a surgeon tomorrow and likely need an operation to fix his injury.
Whether he can play again in 2026 remains to be seen, but Cameron jokingly told Nine he hadn’t ruled himself out for next week’s game despite having “two cooked arms”, referring to the forearm injury he has carried since last year’s grand final.
3QT: Brisbane 16.14 (110) to Essendon 1.9 (15)
The Lions lead by 95 points and we still have a quarter to play.
This is going to be another dark day for Essendon and a big percentage boost for the Lions who find themselves back among the top four sides despite some mid-season battles.
Lions bring up the ton
Logan Morris has booted a goal and the Lions have made their ton.
The Dons are miles off the pace and the Lions are powering ahead. They’ve also moved into fourth place on percentage ahead of Hawthorn.
Gerard Healy on Kayo Sports put it pretty bluntly earlier in the term.
“They can’t string four or five possessions together,” Healy said, also praising the Lions defensive pressure.
Lions 104, Dons 15 with two mins to go.
Great picture: Nankervis goes sideways
This ruck photo is a cracker from the Dees v Tigers game at the MCG today as Toby Nankervis is captured going almost sideways during a ruck contest with Max Gawn who also appears to have lost his balance.
Draper goals against Dons, refuses to celebrate
Lions big man Sam Draper kicked a cracking goal, dodging three defenders and kicking with the outside of his boot.
But he refused to celebrate standing pat as the Lions players mobbed him.
It appeared he didn’t want to celebrate against his old teammates, much like some soccer players chose to do when facing former clubs and scoring.
Whether he celebrates or not, the Lions are thumping the hapless Dons at the Gabba.
Lions 88, Dons 13 with 15 mins to go in Q3.
Sparrow hopes for new Dees deal
Free agent Tom Sparrow has said he hopes to get a new deal done with the Demons soon.
Sparrow was again among the Demons best players today with 27 disposals and a goal.
“Hopefully, we get something done soon,” Sparrow told Seven.
“If I keep stacking up [good] performances together, then I’m sure it will be all good.”
Dees remain undefeated at MCG as AFL honours Fitzgerald
Melbourne thumped Richmond by 46 points in a wet n wild Sunday afternoon at the MCG on a day when both sides commemorated the life of suburban footballer Nathan Fitzgerald.
As sporadic droplets of rain fell softly over MCG turf, Demon and Tigers players linked arms and bowed their heads to honour Fitzgerald – who tragically died in hospital after suffering three head knocks during a suburban footy match in Melbourne’s north.
The 27-year-old maths and science teacher was playing for Epping Football Club’s reserves team against Lalor last week when he sustained head knocks in quick succession, including hitting his head on the cricket pitch – a strip of concrete covered by artificial turf – in the middle of the oval.
As a tribute, all 18 clubs across AFL matches this weekend wore black armbands as a mark of respect. On Sunday afternoon, Both Melbourne Demons and Fitzgerald’s beloved Richmond Tigers held a minute’s silence before their match.
Dees go 9-0 at the MCG
No Demons team have gone 9-0 at the MCG since the 2006 season according to Kayo Sports.
FT: Melbourne 16.15. (111) d Richmond 9.11 (65)
Melbourne have taken another step towards the finals with a win over Richmond today at the MCG.
Jacob van Rooyen kicked an equal career-high of six goals as his side cruised to a win over the young but spirited Tigers who strung together several goals in the last term behind the play of Jasper Alger.
Mid-season draft recruit Joel Fitzgerald had a game-high 31 disposals for the Demons while Jack Steele and Jake Bowey also had big games.
The Demons remain undefeated at the MCG in 2026 but likely end the round in sixth place given that Brisbane is on track for a big win over bottom-side Essendon which is ongoing at the Gabba.
Harry Sharp kicked a goal after the siren to polish off the win.
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