2022 AFL practice matches recap
This year’s practice matches had upsets, blowouts and close games. This is a recap of what happened…
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs
I already did a post about this on Medium, because I couldn’t contain my excitement that the Bombers had beaten last year’s grand finalists! Essendon had a lot of shots on goal and just didn’t capitalise. It was a really close match with lead changes throughout the game.
Carlton vs St Kilda
Many Carlton and St Kilda fans packed into Ikon park to watch these two teams battle and boy was it one to watch! Carlton were without big forward and last year’s Coleman medallists, Harry McKay and co-captain, Sam Walsh. St Kilda put up a good fight and looked likely to win during parts of the game. I was watching the game live and saw McGovern come crashing down, which was scary when he didn’t come back up after a while, but it looked like he was ok.
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
The Roos didn’t have a lot going for them in this game, after finishing dead last the season prior and having to face up against last season’s premiers. I switched over to it at half time when the Dees already had a substantial lead of 40 points. Ben Brown kick 5 goals in the end and helped Melbourne to a big win of 88 points. North Melbourne played well, just not premiers level well.
Brisbane vs Adelaide
An easy win for the Lions in this game, winning by 89 points. I watched most of this game and the Crows played better than what the scoreboard told. They started well and kicked 2 goals 1 behind in the first term and went into the break only 7 points down. There is a large age difference in the two teams’ list with Brisbane having a much older and experienced team compared to Adelaide. This really showed in the remaining 3 quarters with the Crows tiring out and slowing down and the Lions put points on the scoreboard.
Gold Coast vs Port Adelaide
Wow. Props to Gold Coast, did not expect them to win this one. Port Adelaide started quite well, but injuries to Sam Powell-Pepper and Josh Lycet didn’t help the Power at all. It was a slippery surface which suited the Sun’s. Marbiol Chol made his unofficial debut and kicked 2 goals to help Gold Coast to the win.
Collingwood vs Hawthorn
The Pies played really well in this game and it only ended in a draw because of the fact that they played their VFL team for half the game and Hawthorn did not. They played 6 quarters in this game leading to a combined score of 282 points scored. Daicos played well and Hawthorn did well to claw back
Sydney vs GWS
A great game from GWS winning by 31 points with Riccardi kicking 3 goals. Not great news for Swans fans as Tom Papley injured his hamstring and is in doubt for round 1 against the Giants at ANZ stadium.
West Coast vs Fremantle
Like the Gold Coast vs Port Adelaide game, I did not expect this game to go the way it did. Fremantle dominated the game, winning by 97 points. West Coast were dropping like flies with rookie, Campbell Chesser joining the injury list along with Dom Sheer and Elliot Yeo. Dockers forward, Micheal Fredrick kicked 5 goals in a game that will be talked about by most Freo fans all over WA.
Geelong vs Richmond
A close one at the Catery with Richmond just sneaking home by 18 points. Dusty made his return after injuring his kidney against the Lions last year in round 10. Hawkins was prolific with 4 goals along with new recruit, Tyson Stengle booting 4 as well. The Cats had 7 for scoring shots then the Tigers and just didn’t capitalise kicking 12 goals 20 behinds.
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