IT’S hard to put a finger on who is a flag favourite after three rounds given the topsy-turvy form of some teams but reigning premier Geelong would be the closest thing to it at the minute

              Round 3 Results   Bendigo Gold 7.14-56 lost to North Ballarat 21.15-141 6:30 PM / Fri 19 Apr at Queen Elizabeth Oval GOALS Bendigo Gold: S. Stroobants 2, R. Thomson , D. Putt , T. Hams , . Magin , J. Brooker North Ballarat:  A. Black 5, J. Linke

AS soon as I think that the AFL cannot get any more exciting, any more dramatic, any more fan-bloody-tastic, I am proven wrong. I can no longer trust the football. Every time I believe one thing, the other happens. Every time something extraordinary happens, it gets better.

EXACTLY one week after the spectacular Collingwood-Carlton clash there was a similar feeling at the MCG as the Magpies took on Hawthorn in front of 70,000 screaming fans.

For most of the afternoon the match lived up to that billing. Collingwood exploded out of the blocks to dominate early, and the Pies looked as good as they have over the past five or so years

AFTER a quiet first three quarters, Port Adelaide Magpies defender Luke Slattery went forward in the last term to boot two goals, including the game’s final major, to help his side to a two-point victory over Glenelg in the SANFL match at Alberton. Predicted by many to finish bottom, the Magpies were competitive all game

Round 3 is in the books, so without further ado let’s look at the match reports for each game:   ESSENDON 10.12 (72) def FREMANTLE 9.14 (68) OUT of the darkness Essendon have lifted themselves from one of the most tumultuous weeks in the club’s history to record an inspiring four-point upset win against Fremantle

AMAZINGLY, Port Adelaide is one of only a handful of teams that are undefeated after three rounds and it continued its run with a nine-point win over Adelaide in the showdown at AAMI Stadium on Sunday. Port was trailing Adelaide by 31-points in the third term and the comeback was initiated by Justin Westhoff, who

RICHMOND’S 67-point demolition of the Western Bulldogs on Sunday has handed the Tigers their best start in 18 years as they race to an undefeated three-zip start to the season.

The Tigers face Collingwood in a blockbuster next week which will test exactly where the Tigers are at in the early stanza of the season

While Melbourne continues to languish at the bottom of the ladder, the feel-good story for this year so far has to be Port Adelaide after their comeback win over hometown rival Adelaide in today’s Showdown. Last year the Power managed just five wins, and they are three already this year. Not to be eclipsed in

Port Adelaide Power
vs
Adelaide Crows

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 4:10pm CST
WHERE: AAMI Stadium (SA)
Final Score: PORT ADELAIDE 17.16 (118) def ADELAIDE 16.13 (109)

Collingwood Magpies
vs
Hawthorn Hawks

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 3:20pm EST
WHERE: MCG (VIC)
Final Score: HAWTHORN 22.13 (145) def COLLINGWOOD 13.12 (90)

LAST night’s 72 point victory over the GWS Giants was exactly what St Kilda needed to jump start their their 2013 campaign for so many reasons.

Breaking away from its dependence on an ageing core of star players, the Saints win was characterised by strong performances from younger players

Richmond Tigers
vs
Western Bulldogs

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 1:10pm EST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)
Final Score: RICHMOND 20.15 (135) def WESTERN BULLDOGS 10.8 (68)

AFTER asking for and getting CEO Cameron Schwab’s resignation earlier in the week and retreating to Sorrento for a team bonding session, the Demons began their game against the Eagles with real fire and intensity. While they trailed at the end of each break in signs encouraging to all footy fans they even held the lead at various points in both the first and second quarter

CARLTON remains winless in season 2013 after going down to Geelong by 16-points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The Blues ran out of legs in the second half as the Cats overpowered them to win 18.11 (119) to 15.13 (103).

In a further blow, ruckman Matthew Kreuzer was sent to hospital with a suspected broken thumb in the first quarter. The injury is expected to sideline the important big man for two months

THE Brisbane Lions have defeated the ever improving Gold Coast Suns by only 2 points in a thriller at Metricon Stadium.

In a scrappy affair, due in part to the wet conditions, it was the experience of Jonathan Brown who kicked a game high five goals which ensured the Lions prevailed in front of a disappointing crowd of 12,961. Brown also won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for Best on Ground

Geelong Cats
vs
Carlton Blues

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 7:40pm EST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)
Final Score: GEELONG 18.11 (119) def CARLTON 15.13 (103)

Gold Coast Suns
vs
Brisbane Lions

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 7:40pm EST
WHERE: Metricon Stadium (QLD)
Final Score: BRISBANE 13.16 (94) def GOLD COAST 13.14 (92)

A BREATHTAKING third quarter by Sydney, one which included the visiting Swans outscoring the Roos 11 goals to one, has set up an incredible victory after a gallant first half by North Melbourne. The Swans’ the second half was one of sheer brilliance and the Roos simply had no answer, losing by 39 points.

Greater Western Sydney Giants
vs
St Kilda Saints

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 4:40pm EST
WHERE: Manuka Oval (ACT)
Final Score: ST KILDA 21.14 (140) def GWS GIANTS 10.8 (68)

Melbourne Demons
vs
West Coast Eagles

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:10pm EST
WHERE: MCG (VIC)
Final Score: WEST COAST 27.15 (177) def MELBOURNE 13.5 (83)

North Melbourne Kangaroos
vs
Sydney Swans

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 1:45pm EST
WHERE: Blundstone Arena (TAS)
Final Score: SYDNEY SWANS 20.11 (131) def NORTH MELBOURNE 13.14 (92)

THERE was no doubt that last night’s game between Fremantle and Essendon was a thrilling contest ending in heartbreak for the home team and elation for the visitors. Also on Football Nation: What we learnt: Fremantle vs Essendon But the game was not without a price with a number of players injured and potentially facing

OUT of the darkness Essendon have lifted themselves from one of the most tumultuous weeks in the club’s history to record an inspiring four-point upset win against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium in Subiaco, Western Australia

Fremantle Dockers
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Friday, April 12, 2013 at 6:40pm WST
WHERE: Patersons Stadium (WA)
Final Score: ESSENDON 10.12 (72) def FREMANTLE 9.14 (68)

  Football Nation’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH gives us his take and his picks on all of the games in Round 3.   Fremantle vs Essendon Friday 6:40pm Patersons Stadium It’s been a horror week for Essendon off the field, with parts of the media calling for James Hird’s head. The question is whether this will affect

Port Adelaide Power
vs
Adelaide Crows

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 4:10pm CST
WHERE: AAMI Stadium (SA)

Geelong Cats
vs
Carlton Blues

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 7:40pm EST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)

Collingwood Magpies
vs
Hawthorn Hawks

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 3:20pm EST
WHERE: MCG (VIC)

Melbourne Demons
vs
West Coast Eagles

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:10pm EST
WHERE: MCG (VIC)

Richmond Tigers
vs
Western Bulldogs

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 1:10pm EST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)

Greater Western Sydney Giants
vs
St Kilda Saints

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 4:40pm EST
WHERE: Manuka Oval (ACT)

Gold Coast Suns
vs
Brisbane Lions

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 7:40pm EST
WHERE: Metricon Stadium (QLD)

North Melbourne Kangaroos
vs
Sydney Swans

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 1:45pm EST
WHERE: Blundstone Arena (TAS)

Fremantle Dockers
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Friday, April 12, 2013 at 6:40pm WST
WHERE: Patersons Stadium (WA)

WITH no AFL games in Perth over the Easter weekend, the WAFL had a rare free week without competition from the sports biggest body. The round started with East Fremantle taking on Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium in Mandurah on Good Friday afternoon. The Sharks got off to a great start kicking six goals

North Melbourne Kangaroos
vs
Geelong Cats

WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 4.40pm
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, VIC
NORTH MELBOURNE 20.11 (131) def GEELONG 16.18 (114)

Hawthorn Hawks
vs
Adelaide Crows

WHEN: Sunday April 15, 3.15pm
WHERE: MCG, VIC
HAWTHORN 21.14 (140) def ADELAIDE 12.12 (84)

Greater Western Sydney
vs
West Coast Eagles

WHEN: Sunday April 15, 1.10pm
WHERE: Blacktown International Sports Park, NSW
WEST COAST 23.12 (150) def GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 10.9 (69)

Western Bulldogs
vs
St Kilda Saints

WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday April 14, 7.40pm
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, VIC
ST KILDA 15.13 (103) def BULLDOGS 5.10 (40)

Gold Coast Suns
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Saturday April 14, 7.40pm
WHERE: Metricon Stadium, QLD
ESSENDON 15.15 (105) def GOLD COAST 13.10 (88)

Fremantle Dockers
vs
Brisbane Lions

WHEN: Saturday April 14, 2.40pm
WHERE: Patersons Stadium, WA
FREMANTLE 8.16 (64) def BRISBANE LIONS 5.5 (35)

Port Adelaide Power
vs
Sydney Swans

WHEN: Saturday March 14, 1.40pm
WHERE: AAMI STADIUM, SA
SYDNEY SWANS 16.9 (105) def PORT ADELAIDE 12.11 (83)

Richmond Tigers
vs
Melbourne Demons

WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 1.45pm
WHERE: MCG, VIC
RICHMOND 20.13 (133) def MELBOURNE 11.8 (74)

North Melbourne Kangaroos
vs
Geelong Cats

WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 4.40pm
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, VIC
LAST TIME: Geelong 19.13 (127) d North Melbourne 9.7 (61), round 7, 2011 at Simonds Stadium

Hawthorn Hawks
vs
Adelaide Crows

WHEN: Sunday April 15, 3.15pm
WHERE: MCG, VIC
LAST TIME: Adelaide 16.9 (105) d Hawthorn 12.13 (85), round one, 2011 at AAMI Stadium

Greater Western Sydney
vs
West Coast Eagles
WHEN: Sunday April 15, 1.10pm
WHERE: Blacktown International Sports Park, NSW
LAST TIME: First meeting

Carlton Blues
vs
Collingwood Magpies

WHEN: Friday April 13, 7.50pm
WHERE: MCG, VIC
Carlton 18.14 (122) def Collingwood 9.8 (62)

Western Bulldogs
vs
St Kilda Saints
WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday April 14, 7.40pm
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, VIC
LAST TIME: St Kilda 12.9 (81) d Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57), round 12, 2011, at Etihad Stadium

Gold Coast Suns
vs
Essendon Bombers
WHEN: Saturday April 14, 7.40pm
WHERE: Metricon Stadium, QLD
LAST TIME: Essendon 31.11 (197) d Gold Coast 8.10 (58), round 6, 2011 at Etihad Stadium

Fremantle Dockers
vs
Brisbane Lions
WHEN: Saturday April 14, 2.40pm
WHERE: Patersons Stadium, WA
LAST TIME: Fremantle 12.16 (88) d Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65), round 14, 2011 at Patersons Stadium

Port Adelaide Power
vs
Sydney Swans
WHEN: Saturday March 14, 1.40pm
WHERE: AAMI Stadium, SA
LAST TIME: Sydney Swans 18.13 (121) d Port Adelaide 9.5 (59), round 8, 2011 at the

Richmond Tigers
vs
Melbourne Demons
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 1.45pm
WHERE: MCG, VIC
LAST TIME: Melbourne 17.16 (118) d Richmond 13.13 (91), round 14, 2011, at the

Carlton Blues
vs
Collingwood Magpies

WHEN: Friday April 13, 7.50pm
WHERE: MCG, VIC
LAST TIME: Carlton 11.13 (79) def by Collingwood 13.20 (98), round 17, 2011 at the

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in round three of the AFL, beginning with Friday night’s blockbuster between Carlton and Collingwood. He also looks at the stars to jump on for each team in the SuperCoach and DreamTeam ranks.