Seriously, how good is footy in 2017?
The unpredictability and tight contests continued in Round 14, beginning on Thursday night when the 17th-placed Hawks knocked off the Crows in Adelaide.
Twenty-four hours later the Bombers looked to have stitched up another upset win as they led the Swans by 19 points with three minutes to play at the SCG. However, Sydney dug deep to produce a remarkable last-gasp comeback, which ended in Gary Rohan slotting a goal after the siren to hand them a one point win.
Saturday night saw two more epic encounters. First, the Bulldogs held off a fast-finishing Kangaroos side to win by a point and keep in touch with the top eight. Then it was Melbourne's turn to stun the footy world as they came from 14 points down to stun the Eagles in Perth.
And if all of that wasn't enough, Fremantle almost pulled off the upset of the year at Simonds Stadium but Michael Walters missed a snap from 25 metres out , with two seconds left on the clock, allowing the Cats to hold on.
The most exciting round of the season also saw Collingwood outclassed by the Power and the Giants surging to the top of the ladder with a win over the Lions as Richmond got themselves back on the winners list.
HEROES:
Marvellous McDonald: For the first time since 2004 Melbourne claimed the four points against the Eagles and Tom McDonald, a man who has spent most of his 117-game career as a defender, played an instrumental role as a dominant forward. McDonald kicked a career-best five goals from 17 disposals, including the clutch match-winner with less than 30 seconds on the clock. In the absence of Nathan Jones and Jack Watts, skipper Jack Viney was superb, racking up 38 touches, including 26 contested possessions. and kicking a goal.
The numbers crunch:
It had been 5431 days since Melbourne last defeated West Coast in Perth.
Melbourne last previously won four consecutive matches back in 2006.
Melbourne are the only side in the competition not to have dropped a match interstate.
Robbie runs riot: Ken Hinkley's decision to throw Robbie Gray into the forward line on a permanent basis has been one of the masterstrokes of 2017. On Saturday afternoon Gray put on an absolute clinic at the MCG as the Power downed the Pies to consolidate a place inside the top four. The 29-year-old dominated in the forward half taking four marks inside 50, booting five goals, contributing three direct goal assists as well as 13 score involvements. An absolute masterclass from one of the best players in the league.
Whatever Robbie Gray gets paid @PAFC, it ain't enough! #freak
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) June 24, 2017
Sydney's determination: We continue to write them off and they continue to make us look foolish. The Swans, once again salvaged victory from the jaws of defeat, coming from 19 points down with five minutes to go to run out one-point winners over the Bombers. You have to admire their persistence and competitive spirit to battle on when the game appeared lost. After starting the season a woeful 0-6, Sydney is now 6-7 and loom as a real chance to secure a spot inside the top eight.
VILLAINS:
Adelaide's fall from grace: It's not catastrophic by any means but the Crows are in a real rut at the moment. After beginning the season 6-0 and shooting into premiership favouritism, Adelaide's form has slipped right off the pace with four losses from their past seven games. On Thursday night, the Crows were humbled on their home deck by the lowly Hawks who managed to shut down Rory Sloane; seemingly the blueprint for success against the Crows. Adelaide's dynamic forward line has also struggled in recent times with Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts and Tom Lynch combining for just four goals against Hawthorn.
Mason Wood: This isn't so much a knock on Wood for giving away a free kick that cost North Melbourne the win over the Bulldogs but more for his general performance on the night. He may have kicked two goals but for large portions of the match was virtually invisible, picking up just seven touches and giving away a game-high four free kicks. He's proven he has the ability to be an A-grade forward half player, now it's time for him to deliver.