AFL 2026, Round 18 Report Card

For the second time in three weeks, a pair of struggling clubs have failed horribly as alarm bells get even louder, while two sides who were valiant in defeat are recognised for their efforts.

Every team’s performance analysed and graded in foxfooty.com.au’s Round 18 edition of Report Card!

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ADELAIDE CROWS

Coach Matthew Nicks called it pre-game – the Crows would get the win if they could be “tougher” than the Gold Coast Suns. And that’s exactly what they were for the full 120 minutes in wet conditions. Adelaide finished +22 for inside 50s, +18 for clearance, +27 for contested ball, +35 for tackles and +12 goals in the 79-point demolition on Saturday night. And while it was a sorry night for the Suns, take nothing away from the Adelaide performance that saw them hungrier and harder at the footy for the entire contest. 13 marks inside 50 compared to just five in the wet – and a 63% efficiency inside helped the Crows nail their percentage boosting victory.

In the votes

To be fair, we could list probably the entire Crows line up here. Jordan Dawson led from the front with his 29 disposals, four tackles and two goals. Wayne Milera made a welcome return with 22 touches – at 91% efficiency, and 450m+ gained. Sam Berry was the man in and under with 28 disposals, 12 tackles, 10 clearances and seven inside 50s. Taylor Walker may have started with four straight behinds, but finished his night with five goals to sit now at 699 for his career.

Room for improvement

Defender Mark Keane had a tough start on Suns star Ben King. Zac Taylor coughed up two free kicks and went at just 50% efficiency – but we are just nitpicking at this point.

Grade

A+

BRISBANE LIONS

It was their easiest match-up of the season, but the Lions still managed to send a message to the rest of the competition with a 15-goal win over Essendon on Sunday night. The hosts held the visitors to just one goal by three-quarter time, and had absolutely zero passengers. Full steam ahead for the longest trip in football this Saturday night: to Optus Stadium to take on West Coast.

In the votes

Take your pick, umpires. Dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale (40 disposals — 15 contested, 13 marks, two goal assists) was absolutely everywhere from start to finish and looks a decent chance of three votes. That said, the last two majors of the game to Will Ashcroft (33 disposals, 13 score involvements, eight clearances, three goals) saw him comfortably take home the crown as the league’s highest-rated player for the round. Ruck recruit Sam Draper (15 disposals, 23 hitouts, two goals) was impactful throughout, while 37-year-old veteran Dayne Zorko (32 disposals, one goal assists) was piggish in the first half of his return from a quad injury.

Room for improvement

Chris Fagan’s side conceded seven goals in the final term, but still managed to kick six of their own in the same stanza while their foot was off the pedal. Full marks again for the back-to-back reigning premiers.

Grade

A+

CARLTON

The first blemish in the Josh Fraser era – albeit in trying conditions and against a genuine flag contender. Their thumping 64-point loss to Hawthorn at a rain-drenched MCG was the Blues’ biggest loss since their 74-point shellacking also at the hands of the Hawks in late 2024. After an arm-wrestle of a first half, the Blues couldn’t keep in touch with Hawthorn, which kicked 10.10 to 4.2 across the final two quarters.

In the votes

Sam Walsh was the leading ball-winner on the ground, finishing with 35 disposals, 18 contested possessions and seven clearances, while Adam Cerra (2 goals, 27 disposals, 14 tackles) had one of his more prolific games for the season. Jagga Smith and Patrick Cripps also tried hard in the midfield.

Room for improvement

Fraser post-game lamented his side’s inability to handle the wet conditions, leading to big differentials in disposals, contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s. Fraser said: “I didn’t feel like it was an effort thing with us. I thought we lacked a bit of method at times, but their contest inside to out exposed us too often.” Ollie Hollands laid six tackles, but had just seven disposals from 86 per cent game time, while Jack Ison might benefit from a week in the VFL.

Grade

D

COLLINGWOOD

Holy heart-stopper! The Magpies came up trumps by just four points over their seemingly new bogey team North Melbourne (if we can call them that, given they still won?). Had the Kangaroos made the most of their chances, this could be a very different conversation that left them in wildcard no man’s land. Instead though, it gives them a six-point buffer inside the top 10 coming into a tricky-ish run home.

In the votes

It was all about Josh Daicos (33 disposals, 631 metres gained, two goal assists) for the back and white army on Friday night, in an excellent display coming off the left side of half-back. His performance was arguably matched in output by Darcy Cameron (26 disposals — 15 contested, 10 clearances, one goal) who was monstrous all night, however the similar output from his counterpart Tristan Xerri is also worth noting. Dan McStay (12 disposals — 10 contested, three goals) popped up at crucial times for the Pies too, in a forward line that has lacked a player standing up in the big moments this year.

Room for improvement

Craig McRae’s side were pipped at both clearance and contested ball, but their tackling pressure certainly made up for it. They continue to be the competition’s yardstick for teams looking at a wildcard berth this season.

Grade

B

ESSENDON

Still in free fall, and still getting worse by the week. It feels cold-hearted at this point to proverbially flog a dead horse, but they really were that bad against Brisbane up in Brisbane on Sunday evening — to the tune of a 15-goal loss. They failed to kick a goal for the first 54 minutes of the encounter, and had just one major to their name by three-quarter time. Yeouch.

In the votes

Not so shockingly, there will be no vote-getters come Brownlow night for this beating. Sullivan Robey (20 disposals — 11 contested) was honourable as he played more of a midfield role, while Peter Wright (10 disposals, four marks inside 50, three goals) was a shining light up forward, and could’ve ended with five or six majors if it weren’t for inaccurate kicking.

Room for improvement

Inaccuracy in front of goal for the first three quarters made the final margin a little worse than what it could’ve been, but put simply, the Bombers were annihilated across every line and major indicator. The floor just keeps on getting lower at Tullamarine.

Grade

F

FREMANTLE

If you tuned in for the second half, you’d have witnessed a Docker demolition where they racked up 100 points in just two quarters to dazzle the home crowd. But the first half was the stuff of nightmares with Freo heading into the main break GOALLESS and with 0.11 to their name. Despite their accuracy woes, Freo were still in the contest as they trailed by just 22 points. And because Sydney didn’t put them away, when the momentum shifted it was the Dockers who proved unstoppable. 65 inside 50s, +8 clearances, +25 contested ball, 14 marks inside 50 plus 15 tackles inside the arc… it was a total turnaround for the ladder leaders.

In the votes

Murphy Reid continues to prove unstoppable. The reigning Rising Star racked up 28 touches – 12 of those score involvements and at 86% efficiency. Alex Pearce proved a “one-man wall” in defence with a match-high nine intercepts, a disposal efficiency of 100% and a diving goal-saving mark. Caleb Serong and Luke Jackson had 14 clearances between them, Shai Bolton had 23 touches and 2.2 while Josh Treacy finished with 4.4.

Room for improvement

The inaccuracy was woeful in the first half. They were goalless at the main break for the first time since 2009 – excluding the Covid 2020 season.

Grade

A

GEELONG

The Cats season is starting to slip after a fifth loss in just six games. And to add injury to insult, Geelong finished with just two fit players on the bench in the loss to GWS after coughing up a 39-point third quarter lead. Their 40-20 inside 50 count evaporated as the side ran out of legs due to their injury woes. An efficiency of just 33% inside 50 ultimately proved costly as the Giants surged and took control with a brilliant final quarter blitz. The Cats also managed just eight clearance clearances – well down on their 13.5 season average.

In the votes

Shaun Mannagh almost proved Geelong’s hero with his 33 disposals – 13 contested, seven clearances, four tackles and four goals. Bailey Smith hit the scoreboard too from his 32 touches. Tom Stewart had eight intercepts – including five to quarter time. Ollie Dempsey chimed in with three goals of his own from 22 disposals. Jeremy Cameron impressed in his defensive shift with 19 disposals and a game-high 11 marks before his night ended prematurely due to a collarbone issue and he was taken to hospital.

Room for improvement

The Cats simply ran out of gas with just two fit players on the bench. Jack Henry (throat) was out of the match before half time while Tanner Bruhn lasted just minutes in the third. Jeremy Cameron went down early in the final term and Geelong never recovered. Jack Martin and Shannon Neale both went goalless in attack.

Grade

D

GOLD COAST SUNS

“There’s something not right up there”. Crows great Mark Ricciuto called it early in the match, and by full time the concern for the Suns had exploded. Gold Coast were appalling in the wet – sinking to a 79-point defeat on a night where they just didn’t bring the intensity. Just 38 inside 50s – and at an efficiency of just 42% hurt their chances. By the fact their highly vaunted midfield group managed just NINE centre clearances is a big concern. 55 tackles – on a night the Crows made 90 – left the Suns with a whopping 35 differential. Alarmingly, that’s the sixth time in 2026 that the Suns have conceded the tackle count by 20+. And it’s a seventh straight loss for a side many tipped to be contenders in 2026. And now it’s almost officially season over.

In the votes

Sam Collins had 12 intercepts – four more than the next best Sun. Jed Walter managed to kick three goals. But aside from those efforts, there wasn’t anything for the side to celebrate.

Room for improvement

Defensively, the Suns were sieved. Crows duo Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty were able to kick goals without a finger laid on them while Adelaide marched downfield at will. Gold Coast coughed up ball around the ground, were beaten to the ball time and time again while just one player – Touk Miller, managed five score involvements when the Crows had 12 players hit that mark.

Grade

F

GWS GIANTS

These guys are a tipster’s nightmare. But their ability to quickly put runs of goals together and never-say-die attitude against top sides continues to impress – and can’t be underestimated towards the back-end of the season. The remarkable comeback win, inspired by a big lift in pressure, against Geelong on Saturday night – which saw them kick nine of the last 10 goals of the game – has put the Giants in a great spot to have a crack at a wildcard finish.

In the votes

Kieren Briggs was dominant in the ruck and played a key role in the Giants’ comeback. Briggs kicked a goal from 19 disposals, 13 contested possessions and five clearances, while 15 of his 51 hit-outs went to a teammate’s advantage. Clayton Oliver was outstanding, finishing with 36 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 11 inside 50s and nine clearances. Callum Brown was big late with three goals, Toby Greene led from the front with 33 touches, nine inside 50s, eight score involvements and seven clearances and Toby Bedford booted two goals from 23 disposals and six tackles. Sam Taylor was the Giants’ best player in the first half.

Room for improvement

The first half, clearly, didn’t go to plan for the Giants. Coach Adam Kingsley post-match said the Giants’ lack of intensity early cost them, especially from a forward half territory perspective, while they were also plagued by inaccuracy. But their fight, resilience and endeavour from halfway through the third term onwards was excellent.

Grade

A

HAWTHORN

Sam Mitchell described the game as “strange” due to the horrific conditions, but ultimately this was an impressive and professional win for a team right in the premiership race this season. After a first-half arm-wrestle, the Hawks booted 10.10 to 4.2 in the second half – including eight of the last 10 goals of the game – to run out 64-point winners.

In the votes

Jack Ginnivan got a lot of love for his three-goal, 25-disposal outing - and rightly so. But Hawks fans would’ve been thrilled to see a couple of younger midfielders stand up. Connor Macdonald had career-high disposals (31) and clearances (7) as he thrived in the wet, while Josh Ward was the No.1 rated player on the ground with one goal from 23 disposals, seven tackles, seven score involvements and six clearances. Jack Gunston also shone with 3.1 from 20 disposals and Lloyd Meek thrived in the No.1 ruck role.

Room for improvement

Not much here. Mitchell hailed the win as his team’s most consistent four-quarter performance for a while, telling reporters: “The game looked the way we wanted it to for the majority of the game.”

Grade

A+

MELBOURNE

Dees 3:15 strikes again. Melbourne’s remarkable MCG record in 2026 continued on Sunday, comfortably accounting for Richmond by 46 points to take its record at the venue to 9-0 this season. After conceding three of the opening five goals, the Dees kicked six in a row and controlled the contest thereafter from there to register their fourth win from their past five games. It means the Demons have all but locked in finals action – and are right in the hunt for a remarkable top-four finish.

In the votes

Jacob van Rooyen has hit a purple patch of form. Following a five-goal game against Hawthorn last week, van Rooyen kicked an equal career-best 6.2 against the Tigers, to go with 16 touches and 10 marks in a top performance. Tom Sparrow had another outstanding game, kicking 1.1 from 27 disposals, nine score involvements, seven inside 50s, six clearances and six tackles. Kysaiah Pickett continued his fine season with 21 disposals and seven score involvements, Max Gawn (2 goals, 17 disposals, 4 clearances and 36 hit-outs) continued his push for a ninth All-Australian blazer, while Jake Bowey (31 disposals and 1 goal) and Joel Fitzgerald (31 touches) were also strong contributors.

Room for improvement

Outside of a slower start where they conceded three of the first five goals of the game, it was another comprehensive performance from the Demons. Coach Steven King post-game, though, said they were “still chasing a really strong four-quarter performance”.

Grade

A

NORTH MELBOURNE

Alastair Clarkson’s side weren’t short on chances to seal the deal against Collingwood last Friday night, but their eventual four-point loss looks to have put a realistic end on their wildcard ambitions. A number of costly misses in front of goal were a shame, in what could be argued was one of their best performances ever under Clarkson.

In the votes

While his Collingwood counterpart Darcy Cameron has equally impactful, Tristan Xerri (22 disposals — 15 contested, 32 hitouts, one goal assist, one goal) played his best game in months. Not far behind him in terms of pure impact was Luke Davies-Uniacke (22 disposals — 12 contested, nine score involvements, eight clearances), while Jy Simpkin (31 disposals, nine score involvements, eight marks) was the big beneficiary of midfield minutes in the absence of an injured George Wardlaw.

Room for improvement

In what was a very fast-paced game under the roof at Marvel, the Kangaroos probably gave Collingwood just a little bit too much running room at times. They won contested ball and at clearance, but ultimately it was several crucial misses from very easy shots on goal that cost them this one.

Grade

B

PORT ADELAIDE

It was a costly day for Port Adelaide on Saturday, not only going down to St Kilda by 14 points but losing superstar Zak Butters potentially for the rest of the season. Jack Lukosius also played through his Baker’s cyst, Mitch Georgiades was ruled out with a concussion after a massive collision and Lachie Jones sustained a rib injury. And Jason Horne-Francis was offered a one-game ban for an incident involving Saint Liam Stocker. Considering the carnage, the Power were brave to cut a 36-point half-time deficit to three late in the third term. Ultimately, the lack of rotations and St Kilda’s great pressure in the fourth term proved too much for Josh Carr’s side.

In the votes

Horne-Francis was enormous, playing a crucial role in the Power’s second-half surge. He finished with 2.1 from 23 disposals and eight clearances. Butters was also massive before his injury with 26 touches, while Miles Bergman had one of his best games for the year with eight intercept marks, 21 disposals and seven rebound 50s. Aliir Aliir also kicked a rare goal, while controlling the backline well with 12 intercepts.

Room for improvement

While Port was gallant, its pressure was poor. Its pressure rating of 152 was its worst of the season. The Power’s first half was particularly disappointing, conceding 9.7 to 3.7 as they struggled to get their counter-attack game going. They were also wayward in front of goal, with Jordon Sweet, Joe Berry and Jack Whitlock combining for 1.8.

Grade

C+

RICHMOND

The Tigers narrowly led for parts of the opening term and battled manfully in the second half, but never looked like winning after quarter-time as the Demons ran away with a 46-point win at the MCG. The 17th-placed Tigers have now lost six straight games – and 20 of their past 22 matches overall. Despite a 15th loss of 2026, Richmond coach Adem Yze post-match said his under-fire side would remain focused on the process.

In the votes

Captain Toby Nankervis (two goals, 14 disposals, eight clearances) competed hard in the ruck. He was ably supported by Tim Taranto, who had a team-high 26 disposals, six inside 50s, five clearances and one goal. Sam Cumming kicked two goals from 14 touches and four inside 50s.

Room for improvement

The Tigers had no answers in the air, with the Dees claiming 22 marks inside 50 compared to six for Yze’s side. The Dees also had 102 marks to 56 overall and lost inside 50 (62-46) in a wet and slippery match. Yze post-match lamented the second quarter, saying his team “got taught a footy lesson” when the Dees kicked 4.7 to 1.3 and dominated disposals (+56) and contested possessions (+10). While it wasn’t a day for key forwards, the Tigers would’ve loved more from Tom Lynch (0.1, 6 disposals, 1 mark, 0 tackles).

Grade

D+

ST KILDA

Has the tide turned at the Saints? The 14-point win over Port Adelaide was their third victory from their past four games. Although they could’ve beaten the Power by much more, considering they led by 36 points at the major break before Port slammed on five straight goals to make a game of it. Now comes the true test for the Saints, with clashes against Geelong, North Melbourne, Sydney and Carlton over the next four weeks.

In the votes

Callum Wilkie, take a bow. The Saints captain was at his best against the Power, finishing with 34 disposals, 16 marks and 13 intercepts, while he went at 100 per cent efficiency by foot. Bradley Hill (39 disposals, one goal) and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (32 disposals) continued their hot form, Rowan Marshall (29 disposals, 11 marks, seven score involvements, six clearances) thrived as the solo ruck, Cooper Sharman kicked 3.1 and Hugo Garcia’s rise continues to impress.

Room for improvement

It got hairy for the Saints in the third term when Port slammed on five straight goals and cut the margin to three points, but the Saints were able to steady. Their pressure in the last quarter was crucial. Individually, Liam Henry laid five tackles but had just nine disposals and 125m gained from 68 per cent game time.

Grade

A-

SYDNEY SWANS

If we were grading on the first half alone, the Swans would have passed. But unfortunately their second half fadeout – where they had no answers for Fremantle’s surge, leaves the second-placed Sydney vulnerable. They finished -18 for inside 50s, -8 for clearance, -25 for contested ball, +4 for turnovers and -7 for contested marks – despite leading the match for more than 100 minutes. The Swans were superb with their pressure in the first quarter and a half. But when momentum turned in Fremantle’s favour, they couldn’t go with the ladder leaders in a worrying reality check.

In the votes

Errol Gulden is building his way back, and finished his side’s best with 30 disposals, five tackles and more than 620m gained. Chad Warner was a line breaker in a dominant first half and ended up with 23 touches, six tackles, five clearances, 680m gained and two behinds. Brodie Grundy held his own against Freo star Luke Jackson to rack up 16 touches, 29 hitouts, six tackles and five clearances. Charlie Curnow was the pick of the forwards with five goals.

Room for improvement

Tom Papley remains on limited minutes as he builds back into AFL fitness – but he struggled to stay in the contest after his two early goals. And aside from Curnow, the forward line didn’t fire. Joel Hamling had zero touches while Hayden McLean was goalless from his six disposals.

Grade

D+

WEST COAST EAGLES

Andrew McQualter’s side turned what on paper looked like being a fizzer, into a genuine epic at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The youthful visitors gave it everything they had against a side set on playing in September, and certainly should have flown out of Melbourne proud of their efforts. A lot to like if this is the kind of football they’ll be playing regularly.

In the votes

The kids at Lathlain were far and away the most impressive takeaway from this contest. Harley Reid (27 disposals — 16 contested, nine clearances, one goal) was outstanding as he duelled with Marcus Bontempelli, while his younger sidekick Willem Duursma (20 disposals — 11 contested, seven tackles, one goal assist) was also impressive in his 62% centre ball-up attendances. In defence, Tom McCarthy (22 disposals, 11 marks, one goal assist) had a fair bit of it, while Jack Graham (18 disposals, two goal assists, one goal) was good.

Room for improvement

The Eagles were beaten at clearance by nine, but that’s hardly a shock given the on-ball Bulldogs brigade they were coming up against. In return, they pipped the hosts in contested ball and weren’t afraid to take a little more time before heading forward with the ball — resulting in 22 more marks.

Grade

B

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Dogs’ quirky run of form continued on Sunday afternoon with a 16-point win over a fearless West Coast outfit under the lid at Marvel Stadium. It’s not a victory that will fill their fans with a whole heap of confidence one week closer to September, but they still have the cattle to shake the cage if they get there. A monster clash looms against Gold Coast this Sunday afternoon.

In the votes

Death, taxes, and Marcus Bontempelli. The superstar skipper had 25 of the more effective disposals you’ll ever see, accompanied by 15 contested possessions, a dozen clearances, two goals and a goal assist in a monstrous effort. In the ruck, Rory Lobb (17 disposals, 29 hitouts, one goal, one goal assist) stepped up big time in the absence of Tim English, while Aaron Naughton (14 disposals, six marks inside 50, five goals) was excellent inside forward 50.

Room for improvement

The Dogs looked a touch lacklustre at times and made fans sweat come the start of the last quarter, but the four points is all that matters now — so poor is their percentage in comparison to the rest of the competition. They’ll want to bounce back slightly better in the contest this weekend too, after losing contested possession.

Grade

B

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