The Bulldogs lead at every change and despite a spirited effort from the Thunder were able to hold on and register their first win of the season.

Kris Miller led the way with 34 disposals for South Fremantle while Fremantle Docker Viv Michie had 31 for Peel. West Coast Eagle Ashton Hams kicked four goals for South Fremantle.

Claremont has kept their unbeaten record in tact with a 42 point over East Fremantle at Claremont Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Also on Football Nation: WAFL Round 9 Scores and Ladder

Andrew Foster (Claremont) and West Coast Eagle Brad Dalziell (East Fremantle) both collected a game high 31 disposals.

Their eighth win has given the Tigers a three game lead on top of the WAFL ladder, with West Perth and Perth the nearest competition on five wins.

Despite a strong opening term, Subiaco went down to Perth by 25 points in their match at Medibank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Brennan Stack kicked six goals for the Demons and teammate Paul Bevan added three while Brett Hodge racked up 33 disposals for Perth.

In the final game of the round, East Perth were too good for Swan Districts in their match at Blue Steel Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Royals ran out 20 point winners in what was a competitive effort from both clubs.

Josh Smith kicked five goals for East Perth while the Swans Justin Simpson collected a game high 29 disposals.

The result has left the Royals outside the top four on percentage from East Fremantle and a game clear of Swan Districts.

Round 10
West Perth v Perth, Saturday May 25 at Arena Joondalup
Peel Thunder v East Perth, Saturday May 25 at Bendigo Bank Stadium
South Fremantle v Claremont, Saturday May 25 at Fremantle Oval
Swan Districts v Subiaco, Saturday May 25 at Blue Steel Oval

Bye: East Fremantle

The Roosters are finding ways to win, which is a trait traditionally employed by teams looking to have a point of difference with other competitive sides.

Also on Football Nation: SANFL Round 7 Scores and Ladder

In the first term North was as much as 27-points down, with Woodville West Torrens goalsneak Andrew Ainger booting three majors, before time-on goals to Daniel Stewart and Nick Amato reduced the margin to 15 points at the first break.

Through most of the second term the game remained tight, until again the Roosters managed a pair of late goals to only trail by a point at half time, although a little inaccurate, with four more scoring shots.

North kept the pressure on, taking control with an eight-goal third term to lead by 3-8 at the final break, and coasted to an 18-14 to 13-6 victory.

Fresh off a six-goal haul in the State game, Rooster Leigh Ryswyk booted four goals, while teenager Amato seemed to be everywhere and was his side’s best, and former Central District champion Chad O’Sullivan collected 25 possession in a solid outing.

For the Eagles, Chris Hall, Campbell Heath and captain Luke Jarrad were their best.

This Saturday Woodville West Torrens should be able to stay in touch with the top three sides when it hosts Glenelg, while North will travel to Alberton on Sunday to play the Magpies.

Port Adelaide gave an improved performance at Richmond Oval on Friday night against top team West Adelaide, but fell away in the third quarter, to go down by 15 points.

It was a low-scoring game, with the teams locked together at 5-6 apiece when half time was reached.

But with four goals to just one by the Magpies, West set up the win in the third term, and held on in a dour final quarter, although Port closed the gap to just eight points late in the game.

Ever-reliable Chris Schmidt and best-on-ground performer Ben Macreadie led the Bloods to victory, while captain Ryan Ferguson booted three goals.

While West dabbled its toes in the water last season as a premiership contender, this year’s model is a genuine threat, as it did what was required to win and still has a host of players set to return in coming weeks.

Missing on Friday night were James Ezard, Joel Tippett and Tyson Slattery, while Adam Hartlett and Brad Moran made their comebacks in the twos.

For the Magpies, teenage sensation Jake Johansen looked like taking the game by storm with both of Port’s first two goals in the opening quarter, and finished strongly to be high on Port’s best player list, with Sam Gray the black and white’s standout.

Adelaide Crow Graham Johncock booted three goals and played well for the Magpies, as he searches to re-establish himself in the AFL.

This Saturday the Bloods travel to Unley to take on the under-performing Sturt.

Supporters saw the best and worst of the 2013 Central District model last Saturday, in the first half of its SANFL match against Sturt at Elizabeth, before the Bulldogs finished the game 27-point victors.

The first quarter saw a rampaging Bulldogs nail the only seven goals of the period to lead 7-2 to 0-4 at the first break.

Just five minutes into the second term Central booted the first goal, then it stopped!

Sturt managed its first goal of the game at the eight minute mark of the second quarter. Just four minutes later it had its fourth.

Another three goals in the period, all by the visitors, saw the Double Blues close to with-in four points and have all the momentum at the long break, with spearhead Matthew Duldig nailing four majors.

With the first five goals of the third term, Central was out to a 33-point lead, then by three quarter time Sturt was only 12 points down and booted the first goal of the final quarter to be just a kick behind.

But the Bulldogs controlled the rest of the game to run out convincing 20-12 to 15-15 victors.

Rookie teenager Josh Glenn, in only his sixth league game, was sensational, using his pace and clean disposal to devastating effect, in collecting 35 possessions, in a best on ground performance for Central.

James Boyd again had a high possession, high impact game, while Ian Callinan was an opportunist forward with five goals.

For Sturt, Luke Crane was a livewire all game and collected 29 possessions, while Brodie Martin and Fraser Evans were solid, and Angus Graham had his moments in ruck.

This week the Bulldogs travel to Noarlunga to play bottom-placed South Adelaide.

Mired in a slump, with two losses from its past three games, Norwood was not convincing on Saturday night at Noarlunga, but did enough to earn the premiership points against South Adelaide in a 14-7 to 10-6 victory.

The Redlegs class shone though in the first half as they established a handy 19-point lead, which was reduced to eight points on the back of a spirited comeback by the Panthers in the third quarter, but Norwood dominated the final term.

Former South forward Ben Warren kicked five goals for the Redlegs to lead the way, while Mat Suckling continued his rich vein of good form and captain Kieran McGuiness again put in a solid performance, after missing most of last season.

Regular Panther good performers Nick Liddle and Joel Cross were again solid, with 59 possessions between them, while John McDonald was South’s best.

Norwood has the bye this week, followed by a Friday night home game against Sturt.

Round 6 Results

Collingwood 18.12-120 def Geelong Cats 16.11-107

1:00 PM, Sat 18 May at Victoria Park

GOALS
Collingwood: J. Paine 5, T. Allan 3, A. Didak 3, P. Yagmoor , K. Martin , T. Broomhead , B. Moloney , B. Richmond , J. Hellier , C. Mooney
Geelong Cats: M. Brown 4, S. Kersten 3, J. Murdoch 2, B. Hartman , G. Burbury , D. McFarlane , M. Corrigan , N. Vardy , R. Bathie , D. Gibbs

BEST
Collingwood: B. Moloney, J. Paine, B. Hudson, A. Oxley, A. Didak, J. Heagney-Steart
Geelong Cats: M. Sully, M. Corrigan, M. Brown, J. Murdoch, D. Gleeson, D. Simpson

Essendon 11.16-82 lost to Port Melbourne 13.16-94

1:00 PM, Sat 18 May at Windy Hill

GOALS
Essendon: J. Daniher 4, T. Colyer 3, N. Lovett-Murray , C. Dell”Olio , A. Steinberg , M. Gleeson
Port Melbourne: D. Galea 4, J. Scipione 3, C. Cain 2, R. Gale , T. Gordon , S. O”Sullivan , M. Smith

BEST
Essendon: L. Jetta, C. Dempsey, K. Hardingham, A. Steinberg, L. Dalgleish, T. Colyer
Port Melbourne: C. Cain, W. Skipper, S. Pleming, T. Thoolen, T. Gordon, J. Scipione

Casey Scorpions 9.12-66 lost to Box Hill Hawks 19.12-126

1:10 PM, Sat 18 May at Casey Fields

GOALS
Casey Scorpions: J. Best 2, J. Fitzpatrick , M. Gent , J. Hogan , D. Barry , B. Fowler , T. Couch , N. Page
Box Hill Hawks: S. Savage 3, J. Anderson 3, S. Grimley 2, M. Lock 2, C. Cassidy , B. Wood , D. Wanganeen , A. Frank , P. Lawlor , L. Lowden , X. Murphy , S. Iles , M. Hallahan

BEST
Casey Scorpions: C. Pedersen, T. Couch, J. Best, J. Macdonald, J. Spencer, D. Nicholls
Box Hill Hawks: X. Murphy, W. Langford, J. Ceglar, M. Lock, M. Hallahan, J. Anderson

Werribee Tigers 27.10-172 def Coburg Tigers 12.11-83

2:00 PM, Sat 18 May at Avalon Airport Oval (Chirnside Park)

GOALS
Werribee Tigers: B. Warren 5, B. Brown 5, A. Maric 3, S. Clouston 3, J. Gysberts 2, J. Graham , J. Keras , B. Ross , T. McGenniss , J. Moore , W. Martiniello , K. Harper , M. Wood , B. Meredith
Coburg Tigers: M. McDonough 3, L. McBean 2, B. Clifton 2, N. Carnell , A. Saad , A. Edwards , B. Griffiths , O. Abdallah

BEST
Werribee Tigers: J. Moore, L. Greenwood, B. Brown, A. Kennedy, J. Gysberts, B. Warren
Coburg Tigers: B. Clifton, D. Venditti, S. Lonergan, N. Carnell, B. Darrou, M. McDonough

Bendigo Gold 9.11-65 lost to Sandringham 21.15-141

2:00 PM, Sat 18 May at Queen Elizabeth Oval

GOALS
Bendigo Gold: A. Pollock 4, . Magin 2, R. Clark , S. Stroobants , J. Aarts
Sandringham: T. Dennis-Lane 4, A. Cockie 3, C. Michaliades 3, C. Shenton 3, T. Ledger 2, T. Curren 2, J. Ferguson , M. Cook , B. Murdoch , T. Lee

BEST
Bendigo Gold: D. Toman, . Magin, A. Pollock, N. Beck, J. Brooker, J. Aarts
Sandringham: B. Murdoch, T. Curren, T. Dennis-Lane, J. Saunders, C. Michaliades, J. Ferguson

Northern Blues 12.11-83 def North Ballarat 5.9-39

2:00 PM, Sat 18 May at Visy Park (Princes Park)

GOALS
Northern Blues: K. Lambert 3, M. Dorman 2, J. Laidler 2, T. Lincoln , F. Dale , T. Wilson , T. Totevski , S. Hampson
North Ballarat: J. Keeble 2, L. Cook , M. Warren , L. Delaney

BEST
Northern Blues: K. Lambert, A. Gianfagna, L. Casboult, A. Collins, T. Totevski, J. Laidler
North Ballarat: M. Searl, J. Keeble, C. Richardson, O. Tate, N. Horbury, L. Delaney

Frankston 15.11-101 lost to Williamstown 20.11-131

2:00 PM, Sun 19 May at Frankston Oval

GOALS
Frankston: Z. Alwan 4, M. Lourey 3, L. Potts 3, C. Buchan 2, S. Lloyd 2, J. Dermott
Williamstown: K. McConnon 4, L. Hunter 3, A. Anastasio 2, S. Deery 2, F. Roberts , J. Tutt , B. Casley , C. Howard , M. Wallis , P. Veszpremi , T. Campbell , N. Hrovat , W. Wheeler

BEST
Frankston: S. Simpson, L. Delahunty, L. Kitchin, Z. Alwan, J. Dermott, S. Hockey
Williamstown: E. Carr, F. Roberts, K. McConnon, L. Hunter, M. Talia, T. Campbell

VFL Ladder After Round 6

Round 9 Results

Claremont 16.15 (111) def East Fremantle 9.15 (69)

Sat, 18 May, 2:10 PM at Claremont Oval

GOALS
Claremont: 3 A.Hamp, M.Andrews, 2 N.Winmar, I.Richardson, 1 M.Davies, L.Smith, P.Mcginnity, J.Laurie, P.Medhurst, A.Foster
East Fremantle: 3 R.Lester-smith, 2 J.Depane, 1 F.Macdougall, S.Henson, J.Schofield, B.Dalziell

BEST
Claremont: TBA
East Fremantle: TBA

South Fremantle 14.15 (99) def Peel Thunder 11.18 (84)

Sat, 18 May, 2:10 PM at Fremantle Oval

GOALS
South Fremantle: 4 A.Hams, 3 B.Saunders, 2 R.Cook, J.Winter, 1 S.Burnett, M.Banner, A.Gillespie
Peel Thunder: 3 M.Taberner, 2 T.Smith, B.Gillam, K.Thornton, 1 B.Holmes, L.Wilkins

BEST
South Fremantle: J.Martinez, A.Hams, S.Tighe, C.White, K.Miller
Peel Thunder: V.Michie, M.Taberner, C.Garlett, M.Motlop, M.Orzel

Subiaco 13.12 (90) lost to Perth 18.7 (115)

Sat, 18 May, 2:10 PM at Medibank Stadium

GOALS
Subiaco: 4 R.Daniels, 2 J.Kayler-thomson, M.Wood, 1 S.Moore, B.Mahoney, D.Madut, C.Wheeler, B.Stevenson
Perth: 6 B.Stack, 3 P.Bevan, 2 K.Reimers, D.O’sullivan, M.Florio, 1 H.Busher, M.Moody, J.Sketcher

BEST
Subiaco: R.Daniels, C.Deluca, R.Forrest, M.Bogensperger, C.Wheeler, B.Mahoney
Perth: B.Hodge, B.Stack, M.Moody, J.Risol, D.White, K.Reimers

Swan Districts 11.17 (83) lost to East Perth 15.13 (103)

Sat, 18 May, 2:10 PM at Steel Blue Oval

GOALS
Swan Districts: 2 D.Garlett, 1 A.Embley, C.Cameron, B.Boekhorst, N.Blakely, T.Roach, T.Geappen, R.Davis, T.Notte, J.Simpson
East Perth: 5 J.Smith, 3 D.Cadwallader, 2 A.Bennell, 1 C.Wulff, B.Lee, G.Moss, S.Lycett, M.Fraser

BEST
Swan Districts: B.Robinson, G.Jetta, D.Garlett, J.Simpson, T.Roach
East Perth: J.Oakley-nicholls, C.Wulff, J.Smith, B.Lee, M.Fraser

REPORTS:
C.Cameron (Swan Districts)

WAFL Ladder After Round 9

Round 7 Results

West Adelaide 11.11-77 def Port Adelaide 9.8-62

7:10 PM, Fri 17 May at City Mazda Stadium

GOALS
West Adelaide: R. Ferguson (c) 3, A. Fielke 2, T. Keough 2, P. Nelson , D. Webb , S. Green , B. Macreadie
Port Adelaide: G. Johncock 3, J. Johansen 2, L. Slattery , M. Rose , J. Butcher , A. Young

BEST
West Adelaide: C. Schmidt, R. Ferguson(c), D. Caire, S. Bricknell, R. Anderson
Glenelg: Z. Kirkwood, J. Johansen, L. Slattery, B. Newton, S. Summerton, K. Beard

Central District 20.12-132 def Sturt 15.15-105

2:10 PM, Sat 18 May at Playford Alive Oval

GOALS
Central District: I. Callinan 5, K. Jenner 3, J. Hardy 2, R. Williams 2, T. Meulendyks , S. Guilhaus , J. Boyd , B. O”Hara , S. Milne , T. Dunne , S. Colquhoun , J. Waldhuter
Sturt: M. Duldig 4, L. Krause 3, A. Graham 2, L. Crane 2, F. Evans , B. Martin , A. Riley , T. Rischbieth

BEST
Central District: J. Glenn, J. Boyd, S. Colquhoun, I. Callinan, K. Jenner, C. Reichert
Sturt: L. Crane, A. Kurtze, B. Martin, A. Graham, L. Krause, F. Evans

North Adelaide 18.14-122 def Eagles 13.6-84

2:10 PM, Sat 18 May at Prospect Oval

GOALS
North Adelaide: L. Ryswyk 4, C. O’Sullivan 3, D. Stewart 3, C. Thiele 2, T. Langford 2, N. Blee , N. Amato , N. Gordon , J. Boras
Eagles: A. Ainger 5, N. Salter 3, M. Goldsworthy 3, C. Hall , A. Poole

BEST
North Adelaide: C. O’Sullivan, N. Amato, D. Stewart, J. Craig, L. Ryswyk, J. Keller
Eagles: M. Goldsworthy, L. Jarrad, C. Hall, J. Petrenko, C. Heath, A. Ainger

South Adelaide 10.6-66 lost to Norwood 14.7-91

7:40 PM, Sat 18 May at Hickinbotham Oval

GOALS
South Adelaide: B. Eddy 3, J. Mcdonald 2, M. Wundke 2, N. Liddle , D. Bass , R. Ah Chee
Norwood: B. Warren 5, M. Evans 3, M. Thomas 2, S. Phillips 2, O. Fantasia , B. Zorzi

BEST
South Adelaide: J. Cross, J. Mcdonald, N. Liddle, K. Brooksby, B. Crabb
Norwood: M. Thomas, B. Jefferies, K. McGuinness, T. Dumont, B. Warren, A. Georgiou

BYE: Glenelg

SANFL Ladder After Round 7

RICHMOND 15.16 (106) def MELBOURNE 11.6   (72)

THE Melbourne Football Club may not have won but they at least played well enough for fans and the media to ease up on the pressure that they have piled onto the club as Richmond notched their fifth win of the season with a 34-point victory in front of 39,148 fans at the MCG.

Indeed while the Demons walked off the field with a sense of having achieved something, the Tigers were less than enthusiastic about their own performance as they struggled to put away their surprisingly feisty opponent.

The Tigers had the numbers in both overall possessions (first year player Nick Vlastuin impressed again with 25 possessions) as well as inside 50′s but it was the finish that hurt them all day.

“We certainly didn’t make the most of our chances going inside fifty,” said Richmond coach Damien Hardwick after the game.

“I think Ty Vickery kicked four straight behinds and I’m not sure what Jack (Riewoldt) kicked but he kicked a similar amount. We just couldn’t quite get the scoreboard reward we were after.”

“We played OK in spurts. Let’s not take anything away from Melbourne; I thought they were very, very good today,”

“Their aggression, their niggle was outstanding.”

It was indeed a good aggressive performance by the Demons who showed commitment at the contest against the Tigers and a positive step for the beleaguered club.

“We feel that since the GWS game, we’ve had one week where people could question our effort, across a five-week period, so that’s not too bad,” said Melbourne coach Mark Neeld.

Chris Dawes, in just his second game for the club since joining the Dees, put in a solid performance with two goals and seven marks and could provide long term help for a team that struggled with its forward options all year.

The club also got a team leading three goals out of Aaron Davey who played a full game for the first time this year rather than coming off the bench as a substitute.

And of course it wouldn’t be a Melbourne game without yet another spectacular mark be the Demons’  Jeremy Howe.

On the downside for Melbourne their top pick of last year’s draft, Jimmy Toumpas, was subbed out of the game for Rohan Bail in the third quarter after he rolled his ankle. The club will see what his immediate availability will be after tests this week.

One other “highlight” from the game was the melee that happened at the half time break, the results of which we will find out later today after the Match Review Panel releases its findings.

Here are the highlights from the game:

RICHMOND            2.4   7.9   12.14   15.16 (106)
MELBOURNE         3.0   7.2   10.4     11.6   (72)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Martin 3, King 2, Deledio, Nahas, Ellis, Vlastuin, Morris, White, Chaplin
Melbourne: Davey 3, Dawes 2, Dunn 2, Nicholson, Bail, Howe, Evans

BEST
Richmond: Ellis, Vlastuin, S. Edwards, Deledio, Grigg, Houli
Melbourne: Davey, N. Jones, Magner, Terlich, M. Jones

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Melbourne: Toumpas (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Luke McGuane subbed out for Matt White in the third quarter
Melbourne: Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) subbed out for Rohan Bail in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Hosking, Foot

Official crowd: 39,148 at the MCG

CARLTON 16.13 (109) def PORT ADELAIDE 14.7 (91)

CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse admits the Blues remain very much a work in progress after grinding their way to an 18-point win over a disappointing Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

Carlton won a scrappy game 16.13 (109) to 14.7 (91), with captain Marc Murphy kicking three goals playing mostly as a forward in his 150th match, Jeff Garlett snaring four and Heath Scotland slotting two majors in his 250th game.

Carlton climbed to a 4-4 record while Port has now lost three straight after starting the season with five consecutive wins.

The Blues led all day after scoring the game’s first three goals but, despite being frequently gifted goals by the Power’s skill errors, couldn’t break away to a big winning margin.

Carlton again lacked a big man who looked threatening in attack, with Jarrad Waite kicking one goal before being subbed off at the last change, while Matthew Kreuzer, who spent most of the day up forward, missed all three of his set shots – that inaccuracy keeping Port in the hunt.

Malthouse said Carlton should have won by more.

“We took a lot of marks in our forward 50 we didn’t capitalise on and we missed some very easy shots,” he said.

He said Waite took a lot of his marks too far out to score.

And he said the question remained of whether the Warnock-Kreuzer ruck combination would continue in the coming weeks.

Warnock performed well in the hit-outs but contributed little around the ground.

Malthouse also said Carlton wanted to be a side that made their opposition earn every goal, but allowed Port too many easy goals.

“There’s a lot of work to be done but we’re enjoying it and I think we’re going in the right direction,” he said.

He said Waite was not injured, despite being subbed out at three quarter time.

Port Adelaide lost former skipper Domenic Cassisi to a hamstring injury, and talented midfielder Hamish Hartlett is likely to face a match review panel sanction over a third-term meltdown.

After having a kick smothered, an angry Hartlett remonstrated with teammates before he delivered a right arm jab to Murphy’s stomach, then followed up with a left arm to the head as the Carlton skipper crouched over in pain.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said his side’s concession of easy goals with some horror turnovers demonstrated a lack of poise in the face of Carlton pressure.

“Our composure showed up a bit, our ability to handle pressure from a mature side,” he said.

“We certainly didn’t handle that the way we need to but that’s a learning curve.”

Here are the match highlights:

CARLTON                 5.4      8.10    13.12  16.13 (109)
PORT ADELAIDE     3.1      7.2      9.3      14.7    (91)          

GOALS
Carlton: Garlett 4, Murphy 3, Scotland 2, Robinson 2, Bell 2, Bootsma, Waite, Armfield
Port Adelaide: Moore 3, Schulz 2, Gray 2, Carlile, Boak, Westhoff, Wingard, Redden, Ebert, Monfries.

BEST
Carlton: Murphy, Judd, Lucas, Robinson, Curnow, Garlett, Henderson
Port Adelaide: Moore, Cornes, Wingard, Gray, Wines, Jonas

INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Port Adelaide: Cassisi (left hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Troy Menzel replaced Jarrad Waite at three-quarter-time.
Port Adelaide: Kane Mitchell replaced Paul Stewart in the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Farmer, Schmitt, Findlay

Official crowd: 29,936 at Etihad Stadium

Eagles coach John Worsfold said there was no time line on his AFL return.

“He obviously had an extremely serious injury that needed full-on surgery to reattach his hamstring,” West Coast coach John Worsfold said.

“He’s never once stopped doing the professional work that he’s had to do to give himself a chance to come back.

“It’s been pretty tough for him. His first step is to get back playing footy, so he’s back to that, but that’s not where it ends for him.

“Now he wants to play enough footy, and good enough footy, to be playing well enough in the WAFL to say ‘I’m available to play for you’.”

Nicoski told News Limited that he had a few doubts lingering through his mind upon returning.

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t (doubts),” he said. “It floats through your thoughts, especially when you’ve been through quite a few of them.

“This one was a different beast. I’ve never dealt with an injury where you put in seven days a week, 110 per cent every session, every recovery, and not get any results. That’s what was occurring with this injury. But my teammates wouldn’t have expected me to give up, so I don’t. I just keep battling forward.”

ADELAIDE 12.15 (87) def ST KILDA 6.11 (47)

ADELAIDE’S 40-point win over St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Sunday was an important one as it levelled its season at 4-4 after eight rounds.

The Crows, while not as dynamic as last week against the Giants, still managed to run the Saints off their legs. Tom Lynch kicked 10 goals last week for the Giants and against the Saints, he finished with 2-1 but perhaps may have enjoyed the win better given he was a former Saint.

Josh Jenkins survived a scare late when it appeared his right knee collapsed but Jenkins played out the rest of the match and appeared to be in good shape.

The Crows could ill-forward to lose another tall forward after the season-ending knee injury to Taylor Walker recently.

The Crows looked in great shape in the midfield with Rory Sloane leading the way. He had 19 touches to half time, while Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson also played pivotal roles.

Jack Newnes was one of the best for the Saints and may well find himself in the spotlight for an AFL rising star nomination.

Richard Douglas and Sam Jacobs were also among the better performers for the Crows. The win keeps their top four hopes alive and has made up for a stuttering start to the season.

St Kilda has had some amicable losses but needs to find some winning form to keep its finals hopes alive over the coming month.

Here are the game highlights:

DELAIDE      2.4   4.8   9.12  12.15      (87)
ST KILDA        2.4   3.5   5.7    6.11        (47) 

GOALS
Adelaide: Jenkins 2, Lynch 2, Mackay, McKernan, Vince, Thompson, Talia, Douglas, Van Berlo, Porplyzia
St Kilda: Milne 2, Saad 2, Armitage, Riewoldt

BEST
Adelaide: Douglas, Sloane, Jacobs, Jenkins, Lynch, Talia
St Kilda: Montagna, Roberton, Newnes, Dempster, Dal Santo, Ray

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
St Kilda: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Jason Porplyzia replaced Matthew Wright in the third quarter
St Kilda: Arryn Siposs replaced Beau Maister in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Fleer, Stewart

Official crowd: 34,605 at AAMI Stadium

HAWTHORN 21.14 (140) def GWS GIANTS  9.3 (57)

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says the scoreboard “flattered” his team in its 83-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Aurora Stadium.

And while the result was largely a comfortable one, the most important factor to come out of the round for the Hawks is that they are flying on top of the ladder after seven straight wins. After round one, the Hawks appeared to be questioning themselves after the round one loss to Geelong.

And while that now seems to be a distant memory, the Hawks will still have some doubt in their minds when confronting the Cats next time around.

The Hawks, however, kept their list intact in the win against GWS and will have Bradley Hill and Josh Gibson return from injury next week against the Suns.

‘The scoreboard probably flattered us a little bit in the end because I thought the Giants were pretty competitive throughout the course of the day,” Clarkson said of the win.

”They out-tackled us by a long way, we couldn’t get control of the clearances as much as we’d have liked, and with them clogging up our front half it made it difficult for us to be able to get fluency in our game.

”You’d think that our game went pretty smoothly today, having an 83-point win, but there was aspects … particularly in the third quarter, we weren’t really pleased with. All we can do is keep refining those things.”

He said the club will look to play its best against the Suns next week.

”They’ve improved a lot and their midfield is … one of the more potent going around,” he said.

Hawthorn also has Jed Anderson and Shane Savage to fit back into its line-up, while Brendan Whitecross is expected to return from an ACL injury in the second half of the season.

Here are the game highlights:

HAWTHORN      6.1   12.7   15.10   21.14 (140)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY    2.1   5.2   8.2   9.3 (57)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 5, Gunston 3, Franklin 2, Burgoyne 2, Mitchell, Hodge, Shiels, Smith, Bailey, Hale, Puopolo, Sewell, Lewis
GWS: Cameron 4, Palmer, Adams, Bugg, Miles, Scully

BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Roughead, Lewis, Hale, Burgoyne, Gunston
GWS: Coniglio, Cameron, Mohr, Palmer, Ward, Adams

INJURIES
Hawthorn: TBC
GWS: TBC

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Michael Osborne replaced by Paul Puopolo during the third quarter
GWS: Lachie Whitfied replaced by Dylan Shiel at half-time

Reports: TBC

Umpires: Kamolins, Harris, Ryan

Official crowd: 10,513 at Aurora Stadium