West Coast climbed back into the top eight after defeating Adelaide, following Collingwood’s upset win over Melbourne. Geelong pummelled GWs out of Simonds Stadium and claimed second place. 

Essendon held their position in the top eight after defeating Fremantle, an impressive rise back to prevalence for the 2016 wooden spooners.  

Sydney and Port Adelaide both opened the flood gates to push for a top four finish, but Richmond’s win over St Kilda all but ended their chances. Adelaide finish the season as the minor premier. 

At the other end of the table, Brisbane finished on the bottom of the ladder and occupy the first pick of the 2017 draft. Gold Coast will pick second and Carlton third. 

The game farewelled several superstars, with Luke Hodge, Robert Murphy, Matthew Boyd and Nick Riewoldt all playing their last game of AFL footy.

THE GOOD

Howe-flying double cameo

Jeremy Howe took mark of the year against his old side, Melbourne, in their Queen’s Birthday clash earlier this year. He gave his best effort to top that on the weekend.

This time, Howe soared over Christian Petracca in his favourite flank of the ground to take another towering grab over an ex-teammate. His first mark is probably more impressive, but each are incredible displays of athleticism. 

Howe has been a revelation for Collingwood this season, refurbished in a new half back role. Often displaying his amazing marking ability, Howe ranked second for marks and intercepts and fifth in contested marks in the competition in 2017. He’s been shortlisted to the 40-man All Australian side. 

10 reasons why

Buddy Franklin took Carlton to the cleaners on Saturday night, booting 10 goals to crown himself the 2017 Coleman Medal, with 69 majors for the season. Franklin finished four goals clear of Josh Kennedy, who missed five games earlier this season through injury. 

Franklin made the impossible look easy and the easy look impossible. One of his goals came from an accidental back heel from a dropped mark, while another one he crumbed from a contest to snap truly in an unconventional full forwards’ goal. 

“That’s got cream dripping off it,” said Dwayne Russell following Franklin’s amazing tenth goal. 

Merrett’s hammer time

Zach Merrett put on some display against Fremantle, accumulating 31 disposals and booting four goals in a best on ground performance.  He kicked two consecutive goals in the third quarter to seal the win over Fremantle and ensure Essendon’s finals entry.

Merrett represents a new age for the Essendon Football Club, a young superstar with enormous potential that is destined for great things. Bombers’ fans will enjoy hearing he and Joe Daniher’s named called for the next 10 years. 

Both Merrett and Daniher, as well as Michael Hurley from Essendon have been nominated to the 40-man All Australian team. 

THE BAD

Nowhere to run

Carlton youngster Jarrod Pickett nearly danced his way to one of the goals of the year against Sydney, but was unable to harness his opportunity. 

Pickett weaved through three Sydney players before running at goal, only to fall flat on his stomach and being called for running too far from the umpire.  It had all the makings of a dazzling goal, but Pickett simply couldn’t finish the job. 

Comedy of errors at the G’

The Collingwood v Melbourne clash was a great contest for the most part. Three consecutive moments in the fourth quarter should miss the highlights package.

Mason Cox ran the ball into a seemingly easy goal, then handballed to Tyson Goldsack in the goal square who accidently ran the ball over the line. 

Directly after, Tom McDonald’s kick back into play went straight back onto the chest of Cox, who marked 20 meters out in front of goal. To top it all off, Cox misfired the kick that would have iced the game for the Pies, only registering a behind. 

Caught napping

Geelong’s Jordan Murdoch bombed a kick towards goals from 60 meters out, that looked like an accidental ‘kick and hope’ possession.

Giant Rory Lobb looked like he would easily defend the kick and take an uncontested mark in the goal square, only to misjudge the situation and fail to get back in time. The ball bounced through the goals and stretched Geelong’s lead to 40 points as Lobb could only rue what just happened.  

THE UGLY

Sun goes down

Gold Coast were the victim of a 115-point hiding from Port Adelaide on Saturday night. The Suns, who were without Gary Ablett, managed a score of just 20 points for the entire game, their lowest score in club history.

Gold Coast went scoreless throughout the second and third quarters and looked like an absolute rabble. Dean Solomon was standing in for his third game as caretaker coach of the Suns since Rodney Eade’s sacking.

The Suns could be headed for some hard times ahead, especially if Gary Ablett walks at the end of the season. Despite not finishing on the bottom of the ladder, Gold Coast probably endured the most disappointing season of any club this year.