AFL 2026, Round 20 Report Card

Collingwood was one of three teams to record a perfect A+ grade, while there were three glaring fails … and another team is already thinking about Mad Monday.

Every team’s performance analysed and graded in foxfooty.com.au’s Round 20 edition of Report Card!

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ADELAIDE CROWS

A disappointing second-half fadeout against Collingwood from a Crows side that was fast emerging as a bona fide flag contender. Perhaps Matthew Nicks put it best when he was it like Adelaide “just stopped” playing after the hosts looked capable of blowing the Pies away in the first half and their key forwards threatened to take over. But they had no answers for the Pies’ avalanche when it came and looked as vulnerable defensively as we’ve seen in some time at their own fortress.

In the votes

Sam Berry (30 disposals, 17 contested, game-high 10 clearances) keeps cracking in every week and was Adelaide’s best midfielder on Thursday night. You felt like Taylor Walker was going to tear the game apart with his three first-half goals, before the veteran was well held thereafter.

Room for improvement

Lachlan McAndrew was pretty well beaten by Darcy Cameron and might be due for a rest after the breakout Crows ruckman has carried such a big load this season. And with Jordan Dawson nullified by Ed Allan in the second half and Izak Rankine going head-to-head with Nick Daicos, it was hard to see where Adelaide’s other match winners were going to come from. And Adelaide (40 per cent) wasn’t nearly as efficient as Collingwood (57 per cent) going inside 50.

Grade

D

BRISBANE LIONS

The Lions flexed their muscle with a 14-goal second half to overpower a dogged Port Adelaide for a seventh victory in a row. The 59-point win wasn’t without its blemishes, with concerns over Logan Morris’ back and young defender Ty Gallop exposing himself to match review officer scrutiny. But entrenched in the top four and with an enviable list of back-ups biding their time in the VFL, Chris Fagan’s men are going swimmingly ahead of an era-defining September.

In the votes

It’s tough to split a few Lions stars for best-afield honours – Zac Bailey had 26 disposals and kicked three goals, Will Ashcroft had 30 and two, while Dayne Zorko gained 804 metres with his 34 touches. If pushed, we’d give the edge to Ashcroft. But most pleasing for Fagan was surely the return to form of Hugh McCluggage, who produced his best performance of the season with 29 touches and a goal to remind everyone why he was an All-Australian 12 months ago. With 133 marks, the Lions’ vaunted kicking prowess was on full display.

Room for improvement

Lions great Alastair Lynch summed it up best when he described Ty Gallop shoving Mitch Georgiades to the ground behind play as a “stupid act”. A suspension is surely forthcoming for the emerging defender, and barely a month out from finals, it’s a bad time to jeopardise your spot. Conor McKenna was quiet with just seven disposals, while Fagan will be concerned with allowing the Power 17 marks inside 50 as the underdogs exposed vulnerabilities with the Lions’ defence.

Grade

A

CARLTON

Back on the winner’s list! The Blues were made to earn it against Gold Coast in a tight clash that went down to the wire. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect for Carlton fans was how its young stars really led the team including standout performances from Jagga Smith and Talor Byrne. Though a hamstring setback to Nic Newman in his 150th game somewhat soured the day. It saw the Blues improve to 8-2 under caretaker coach Josh Fraser and remain in touch of finals in a remarkable turnaround ahead of a huge litmus test against Brisbane.

In the votes

Sam Walsh and Smith (31 disposals each) ran amok in the midfield, while Patrick Cripps (30 touches, 21 contested, 15 clearances, one goal) did Patrick Cripps things. Byrne (three goals from 17 touches), still only 18, produced his best showing at AFL level George Hewett added three goals from 24 touches as the highest-rated Blue.

Room for improvement

Left a few out there. The Blues converted 16.14 but at least got plenty looks at the big sticks without Harry McKay as others picked up the scoring slack.

Grade

B+

COLLINGWOOD

An immense performance from Craig McRae’s Pies in one of the toughest road trips in footy. Down by as much as 27 points in the second term in the makings of a blowout, Collingwood responded in a major way with a blistering run of complete dominance on both sides of the ball to comfortably put Adelaide away. Who knew the Pies had that sort of offensive firepower in them!? It marked a sixth-straight win as the Pies’ surge continued as they eye a top six spot ahead of a high-stakes clash with Geelong.

In the votes

Darcy Cameron (23 disposals, 18 contested, 37 hit-outs, career-high nine tackles) produced his best performance of the season and is back to his best after questions of his form earlier this year. Nick Daicos (39 disposals, 18 contested, one goal) was enormous as the highest-rated player on the ground and opposition clubs have seemingly given up tagging him. Meanwhile Dan McStay kicked two goals from 16 disposals and had some great moments and Isaac Quaynor stood tall in defence despite ugly fan treatment. Ed Allan deserves a shout out, too; he kicked two clutch goals and negated Jordan Dawson in the second half.

Room for improvement

Started the game OK with the first two goals, before conceding the next five. It was the only real stretch when the game wasn’t on Collingwood’s terms. But the fact they were able to wrestle back momentum in such a hostile environment arguably makes the performance more impressive.

Grade

A+

ESSENDON

A week on from a stirring win over GWS, the Bombers crashed back to earth with a thud against Hawthorn. After a competitive first quarter, the Dons conceded 16 goals to three to lose by 89 points, their second-heaviest defeat of the season. With Jordan Ridley (foot) not making it past quarter time and young gun Sullivan Robey (knee) carried off in the second half, things couldn’t have gone much worse.

In the votes

First-year midfielder Dyson Sharp was a shining light on a dark afternoon, finishing with 21 disposals and showing his defensive intent with eight tackles. Nate Caddy made the most of limited supply to bag three goals and competed hard all afternoon. Having spent much of the year in defence, Lachie Blakiston won the hitout count against a formidable opponent in Lloyd Meek to go with a team-high five clearances, while captain Andrew McGrath had an entertaining battle in defence on star Hawk Nick Watson and “held his own”, according to former great Cameron Mooney.

Room for improvement

Having returned to the team after a stint in the VFL, a one-kick game from Ben McKay didn’t exactly vindicate the choice, though he kept Maboir Chol to only two goals. The Bombers gave up a whopping 148 marks as the Hawks moved the ball as they pleased, with their pressure again below AFL standard. Conceding six first-half goals from stoppages makes for ugly reading for the Dons’ on-ball brigade.

Grade

F

FREMANTLE

The Dockers are a step closer to securing the minor premiership, delivering an 11-goal second half to set up a 70-point win over rivals West Coast on Friday night. Leading by just eight points at half-time, the Dockers delivered a dazzling run to open up a 40-point margin in less than 20 minutes. It’s not the first time Freo has put an opposition team to the sword like that – and it won’t be the last.

In the votes

How did Murphy Reid slip to Pick 17?! The young gun delivered a derby masterclass, booting 1.1 from 26 disposals, eight score involvements and six inside 50s to claim his first Glendinning-Allan Medal. Jye Amiss proved the hero in attack with five goals from 15 disposals and eight marks. Caleb Serong, Matthew Johnson and Shai Bolton were also excellent in the midfield.

Room for improvement

If there’s one concern for Fremantle heading into the finals, it’s the combination of slow starts and wayward kicking at goal. West Coast held a one-point lead at quarter-time, marking the fourth straight game in which the Dockers have trailed at the first break. The Dockers responded by winning the second term, but it was just their second first-half quarter victory in their past five matches. They managed 2.6 in the opening quarter against the Eagles before improving only slightly to 5.10 by half-time.

Grade

A+

GEELONG

A must-win game – and Geelong delivered. After trailing Melbourne by 16 points late in the first quarter, the Cats delivered a devastating seven-goal second term then answered every Demons challenge in a see-sawing second half to run out 20-point winners. If the Cats now win all four of their remaining games, they’ll finish inside the top six – unless Adelaide and Melbourne both go unbeaten too, but that’s unlikely since both teams have a match-up against Fremantle.

In the votes

It was an even effort across all lines from the 2022 premiers. The defensive trio of Connor O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart and Jack Henry were integral to the win. O’Sullivan finished with 21 disposals and five intercept marks, Stewart had 25 disposals and went at 88 per cent efficiency by foot, while Henry didn’t lose a one-on-one contest for the night. With Bailey Smith receiving close attention from Joel Fitzgerald, the likes of Tanner Bruhn stepped up. Bruhn, who returned from a neck injury, finished with 27 disposals and 524m gained to provide great rebound for the Cats. In the absence of Jeremy Cameron and his broken collarbone, Shannon Neale stood tall up forward to nail four goals from his first four kicks of the night on his way to career-high five majors for the night. Last-minute inclusion Ollie Henry (four goals) and Oli Wiltshire (three) were both superb with their efforts in front of the big sticks. Oisin Mullin also quelled the influence of Kysaiah Pickett.

Room for improvement

As coach Chris Scott conceded post-game, the Demons dominated the start of the match – and the Cats were arguably fortunate not to be trailing by more late in the first quarter. Their lack of pressure and inability to convert from stoppage was telling early. But the script flipped quickly, so we’re being picky.

Grade

A

GOLD COAST SUNS

A ninth-straight Suns loss will have Damien Hardwick again searching for answers. What happened to the team that was touted as a genuine flag contender in 2026? Clearly lacking confidence and in many ways an identity. The Suns might already be thinking about Mad Monday and their end-of-season trips, with the Leo Lombard-Christian Petracca incident an insight on where things are at in a year from hell.

In the votes

Noah Anderson led from the front and did just about everything he could with 30 disposals, a goal and 649 metres gained. But not enough of the Suns skipper’s teammates were up for the fight. Matt Rowell (28 disposals, 15 contested seven tackles, nine tackles) and Bailey Humphrey (three goals from 16 touches) and starting to build into some form.

Room for improvement

Beaten inside and out. The Suns were again dominated around the ball, losing contested possessions (-29) and clearances (-11). They also couldn’t quell Carlton from controlling play, with the Blues racking up a massive 295 uncontested possessions including 122 uncontested marks.

Grade

C-

GWS GIANTS

This was a loss Fox Footy commentator Gerard Healy suggested the Giants shouldn’t bother watching and reviewing. With their season on the line in one of their biggest games of the year against their cross-town rivals, the Giants weltered early under immense Swans pressure. Ultimately, they never threatened the Swans, who ran out convincing 51-point winners. Remember, this was the same Giants team that knocked off ladder-leaders Fremantle and top-six contenders Geelong earlier this month … but have now lost to Essendon and the Swans (convincingly) in the past fortnight. Fox Footy’s Mark Howard said: “They are the definition of unpredictable.”

In the votes

Stephen Coniglio can hold his head high. The veteran kicked 3.1 from 19 disposals in a strong display forward of centre. Ryan Angwin (2 goals, 21 disposals, 4 clearances) also worked hard, while Xavier O’Halloran had some good moments in his 23-disposal, one-goal game. Clayton Oliver found plenty of the ball and Connor Idun was his team’s best defender.

Room for improvement

Adam Kingsley’s side had few answers for the Swans’ incredible running game, which sliced through the Giants with ease throughout the first half. At one stage, Healy suggested he’d “never seen the Giants produce as little pressure as they are producing right now”. Kingsley post-match said he was “surprised and disappointed” by how sluggish his side was in the first term, declaring: “You don’t see the fluctuations of the best teams like you see with us this year.” Individually, Aaron Cadman, Max Grezewski, Jake Stringer and Callum Brown kicked just four goals between them, while Lachie Whitfield and Harvey Thomas were a touch shaky. The Giants now sit 12th, one win outside the wildcard positions.

Grade

F

HAWTHORN

After a sluggish start, the Hawks clicked into gear to dominate the Bombers after quarter time and keep pace with Sydney in the push for second spot on the ladder. Despite losing Mitch Lewis to concussion early, Sam Mitchell’s team were at their blistering best to finish with an 89-point win. Jack Gunston bagged seven goals – including his 600th – while Jarman Impey was in everything across half-back.

In the votes

The three Brownlow votes look sure to come down to Gunston and Impey, with the former’s seven-goal haul – including his 600th – putting him back into Coleman Medal contention. Impey’s career-best 37 disposals, to go with a goal and 836 metres gained, might be enough to earn him a maiden All-Australian blazer in August. Will Day was dominant in the first half with 14 disposals and two goals before being used sparingly with the result in hand.

Room for improvement

Lewis’ concussion, and absence for next week’s clash with North Melbourne in Tasmania – is Mitchell’s major headache out of Round 20. But emerging youngster Noah Mraz suffering a lacerated kidney is a nasty blow after an outstanding start to his career. A scoreline of 19.18 meant the Hawks missed the chance to record a triple-digit win.

Grade

A

MELBOURNE

The unbeaten run at the MCG has ended. After a promising start, the Demons were blown away by the Cats after quarter-time, turning a 16-point lead into a 20-point loss. It’s not disastrous, but the Demons’ loss to Geelong on Friday night was a blow for their top-six hopes. The loss leaves Melbourne just half a game inside the top six, with matches against Gold Coast (away), Fremantle, Port Adelaide (away) and Western Bulldogs to come.

In the votes

Jake Lever couldn’t have done much more to try and stem the flow. The 30-year-old registered a whopping seven intercept possessions before quarter-time — equal fourth-most by a Melbourne player on record. Harrison Petty was nearly faultless for his four goals — his best haul at the top level since Round 6 last year against Fremantle. Overall, 13 of Petty’s 14 touches led to Demons scores. Midfielder Jack Steele had a strong match, finishing with 30 disposals, a game-high 12 contested possessions, six score involvements and five clearances.

Room for improvement

As coach Steven King conceded post-match, this game was decided off turnover. The momentum swing after quarter-time came almost entirely from Geelong’s ability to punish turnovers, with the Cats kicking a whopping 101 points from the source for the entire game. King said: “It was hard to get any flow in the game when we hand them that much ascendancy and roll out the red carpet the other way.” Individually, key forwards Jacob van Rooyen and Matt Jefferson were both held goalless – Jefferson had 0.3 – while Kysaiah Pickett was restricted to one goal from 14 disposals.

Grade

D+

NORTH MELBOURNE

Given the opportunity to stake a claim for a wildcard finals spot, the Kangaroos left Marvel Stadium knowing their season is almost certainly done. After an inaccurate start, the Roos stayed neck in neck with the Saints until conceding four final-quarter goals in yet another disappointing loss. With matches against Hawthorn, the Bulldogs, Geelong and Sydney to come, eight consecutive defeats to end the season now looks almost a formality.

In the votes

With 29 disposals and a goal, Harry Sheezel was once again the Kangaroos’ best, though not a patch on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s performance. With ten marks, Cooper Trembath proved a threat both in the air and in the ruck, while with 29 disposals, Jy Simpkin tried his guts out. The Roos were uncharacteristically efficient going into attack, with 44 inside 50s yielding 20 marks – though they let themselves down with poor finishing.

Room for improvement

After regaining his spot, Griffin Logue struggled to justify his inclusion, with several clumsy moments in defence late making the Kangaroos’ task even more difficult. Bailey Scott managed just six disposals to put his own place under threat, while the Roos needed more from captain Nick Larkey (nine disposals, one goal) and the tagged Luke Davies-Uniacke (17 disposals). With just 14 hit-outs, Tristan Xerri was well beaten by Tom De Koning, with the Roos subsequently losing control of the stoppage battle.

Grade

C-

PORT ADELAIDE

The Power continue to lose no admirers in a challenging end to the season, taking the fight right up to Brisbane before the reigning premiers’ class told late. But Josh Carr’s team continue to play with plenty of spirit – all while ensuring they’ll have no troubles matching a bid for Dougie Cochrane near the top of the draft. You wouldn’t put a win or two past them in the run home, with GWS at Adelaide Oval on Saturday far from beyond them.

In the votes

With no Zak Butters or Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis took it upon himself to lead the Power’s on-ball brigade. With 30 disposals and spectacular goal on the run from 50, the 23-year old returned from suspension in scintillating style. Carr would have been thrilled to see a new-look midfield take it right up to the Lions, with Miles Bergman (20 disposals) and Jase Burgoyne (22 disposals, 11 clearances) both thriving in permanent on-ball roles. If Butters indeed departs come season’s end, the Power don’t lack for options to fill the void.

Room for improvement

Mitch Georgiades has kicked himself out of a Coleman Medal chance. The spearhead will again be ruing an inaccurate 2.4 that cost the Power a chance a further inroads on the Lions in the first half. Joe Berry’s up-and-down second season continued with just four disposals, while Jack Whitlock might need a rest soon after a fifth goalless outing in the past eight weeks.

Grade

D+

RICHMOND

It wasn’t quite a shellacking, but the Tigers were no match for the Bulldogs to remain behind Essendon on the bottom of the ladder. In yet another performance described as “sub-AFL standard” by David King on Fox Footy, four of their five highest disposal-winners on Saturday night were over 30, a concerning sign for a team still deep in rebuild mode. You can just about lock in a second wooden spoon in three years (and the No.1 draft pick) if they can’t beat fellow cellar dwellers West Coast at the MCG on Sunday.

In the votes

The Tigers all but matched the Dogs for clearances, Tim Taranto (25 disposals, seven clearances) fighting hard all evening.It’s hard to see anyone getting votes on Brownlow night, but Nick Vlastuin’s 27 disposals and 11 marks held the fort down back, while with two goals apiece, Tom Lynch and Mykelti Lefau fought hard despite scant supply. Of the youngsters, Tom Brown (23 disposals, 423 metres gained) showed a willingness to take the game on.

Room for improvement

Skill issues continue to cruel the Tigers, with poor entries inside 50 and calamitous errors in their back half making this a tough watch. Individually, Seth Campbell was held goalless for the ninth time in his last ten games. With just seven disposals, Hugo Ralphsmith will find it difficult to keep his spot to take on the Eagles next week.

Grade

F

ST KILDA

A four goal to one final quarter was enough to secure the Saints a vital win over North Melbourne, and remain in the wildcard finals zone. Despite losing Rowan Marshall to back spasms just minutes before the first bounce, Ross Lyon’s team had the edge over the Kangaroos for most of the day before at last breaking clear late. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera produced arguably the best individual game of the year, too. But the result was soured by a hamstring injury to Max King in his first AFL game in over two years.

In the votes

Is it possible to get FOUR Brownlow votes? Wanganeen-Milera was so clearly the best man afield it was ridiculous. Described as “Nas versus North Melbourne” by Fox Footy’s Brad Johnson on First Crack, the Saints superstar finished with 46 disposals and four goals – including three team-lifters in the third quarter alone – plus the most kicks (39) by any player in a game for 45 years. Just as pleasing for Lyon would have been Hugh Boxshall’s superb tagging job on Luke Davies-Uniacke, restricted the star midfielder to only 17 touches. Rucking solo on return due to Marshall’s absence, Tom De Koning comfortably beat Tristan Xerri to help the Saints control the clearance count 41-23.

Room for improvement

Max King cannot take a trick. Despite being used as sparingly as possible in his first AFL game since late 2024, the Saints spearhead looks set for another stint on the sidelines after limping off with a hamstring concern in the first quarter. King’s was the worst of a series of niggling injuries several key Saints suffered at Marvel Stadium, with Max Hall (knee) and Hugo Garcia (ankle) both discomfited. Just percentage clear of Carlton in tenth, it’s a bad time to be walking wounded.

Grade

B+

SYDNEY SWANS

The Swans emphatically answered those doubting their premiership credentials on Saturday, thumping cross-town rival the Giants by 51 points. The Swans’ victory was set up by a dominant first quarter, booting 7.4 — the best opening quarter by either team in a Sydney Derby — to set the tone for a game in which they were never threatened. It’s going to be hard to knock them out of the top two now.

In the votes

Errol Gulden was back to his best on Saturday. The superstar midfielder won his fourth Kirk-Ward Medal for best on ground, amassing 41 disposals, eight inside 50s, seven clearances, seven score involvements and a whopping 1045m gained — becoming the first Swans player to ever record over 1000m gained in a game. But he had stiff competition from Brodie Grundy and James Rowbottom. Grundy set the tone for his side in the ruck, kicking one goal from 23 disposals, 13 score involvements and seven clearances, while 12 of his 29 hit-outs went to a teammate’s advantage. Rowbottom had arguably his best game of the season, kicking 2.1 from 23 disposals, 10 score involvements, 12 contested possessions, 11 tackles and eight clearances. Chad Warner was also excellent in the win over the Giants with 32 disposals, 13 contested possessions and a classy goal.

Room for improvement

Not much to see here – especially when coach Dean Cox suggested it was one of the team’s best performances of the year in terms of stopping the opposition.

Grade

A+

WEST COAST EAGLES

They threatened early, but the Eagles didn’t have the class and polish to match flag favourites Fremantle for a full four quarters. The Eagles made the most of every chance they had in the first half before the Dockers simply found a gear West Coast didn’t have, leading to a 70-point Freo win. The Eagles tried to take tempo out of the game with a kick-mark game, but it was no match for the Dockers.

In the votes

Marcus Herbert was everywhere early for the Eagles. He finished with 36 disposals, eight marks and five intercepts. Tom McCarthy (26 disposals) used the ball efficiently and Bailey Williams battled hard against the Jackson-Cox Freo ruck combination. Harley Reid was also prolific with 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 12 clearances and 485m gained. But …

Room for improvement

Reid gave away two off-the-ball free kicks in the opening quarter and at times appeared frustrated by the treatment he received. The second free kick was for a little knee into Docker Luke Ryan over the boundary – an action the AFL has firmly warned players against. Reid also let his frustrations get the better of him in the third quarter, delivering an elbow to the stomach of Fremantle’s Matthew Johnson that cost him a $2000 fine. Western Bulldogs games record-holder Brad Johnson told Fox Footy: “You’ve got to start walking away from the contest, Harley. He puts himself in these situations … He’s too good of a player now in the competition to be doing that sort of stuff.” Elsewhere, Jake Waterman and Jobe Shanahan – who’d been in good form for West Coast recently – managed only 1.2 between them on Friday. Overall, the Eagles had more disposals than Fremantle, but were thumped in contested possessions (-22), inside 50s (-17), tackles (-11) and clearances (-7).

Grade

D

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs got a percentage-booster in their 57-point win over Richmond … but nowhere near a big enough one to close the enormous gap between them and the rest of the top ten. A four goals to zero second quarter did the bulk of the damage and allowed Luke Beveridge’s team to cruise through the second half ahead of a trip across the Nullarbor to take on ladder-leaders Fremantle under the Friday night lights.

In the votes

If Marcus Bontempelli is any hope of catching Nick Daicos for the Brownlow, he’ll need 3 votes for his 29-disposal, two-goal effort. But Ed Richards (32 disposals, two goals) was by far the highest-rated player on the ground. Michael Sellwood was tremendous in defence with four intercept marks while keeping Seth Campbell scoreless, while Lachie Bramble (27 disposals) stepped up in the absence of Bailey Dale at half-back.

Room for improvement

A combined scoreline of 1.6 from Aaron Naughton and Rory Lobb saw them each miss a chance for a big bag. They simply must convert their chances against Alex Pearce and co. against the Dockers on Friday. With just 12 disposals, Sam Davidson will face pressure for his spot. Put simply, the entire team will need to lift a gear or four to have any chance of upsetting the purple haze.

Grade

A