AFL Round 5: Mid West AFL representatives feature in blockbuster Gather Round fixtures with mixed results

As the AFL world descended on South Australia, so too did the Mid West’s AFL stars as Gather Round took centre stage this weekend, with mixed results across the board. St Kilda got their second win in Sunday night’s Gather Round finale, triumphing over Port Adelaide by 14 points at a drenched Adelaide Oval. Although the Saints maintained the lead to take out the 12.9 (81) to 9.13 (67) win, momentum seesawed all game, despite Power never hitting the front. Chapman Valley’s Jack Carroll held firm in defence with 18 disposals, six marks and six intercepts, while Rovers’ Liam Ryan kicked one goal and had eight possessions. Carlton’s horror start to the season continued with the Navy Blues taking out a 28-point defeat against the Crows in Thursday night’s curtain raiser at Adelaide Oval. In miserable conditions, Northampton product Patrick Cripps was a bright spot in the 17.12 (114) to 12.14 (86) defeat. The Blues skipper was influential, particularly in the opening term, to finish on 29 disposals, seven clearances and nine tackles. The rain kept pouring on Friday night as Fremantle took a nail biting six-point win over Collingwood in an ugly scrap at Adelaide Oval. In a thrilling final five minutes, midfielder Matthew Johnson booted the winning goal, before Josh Treacy took a match saving mark in the defensive 50. Dongara’s Jaeger O’Meara was strong in damp conditions, with 21 disposals and five marks, while it was a quieter night for Rovers’ export Judd McVee with 10 disposals and three marks. In a battle between first and second, Sydney downed the rising Gold Coast Suns at Norwood Oval on Saturday to the tune of 32 points. With silver service inside 50 from Isaac Heeney, Sydney’s forward line had more scoring opportunities as they dominated in the air. Coorow-Latham’s Logan McDonald kicked 1.2 while taking four marks and having four score involvements. West Coast’s Northampton veteran Jamie Cripps and Geelong’s Jack Martin, from Geraldton, were managed this weekend as their two sides went head-to-head at Norwood Oval. It was an improved performance from West Coast after round four’s belting, but Geelong simply outclassed the young ochre-clad Eagles side 17.20 (122) to 11.10 (76). Geraldton’s Tasmania Devil Jed Hagan did not play due to a VFL-wide bye due to Gather Round.