AFL Recap: Big Wins and Tough Losses

AFL Round 10 highlights and analysis: Check out the standout performances, surprising results, and key takeaways from the latest round.

The AFL competition remains tightly contested, with Collingwood reclaiming the top spot amid a mid-table logjam. Only two wins separate fifth-placed Western Bulldogs from 15th-placed Port Adelaide, highlighting the importance of the upcoming bye rounds in shaping the season's trajectory.

Western Bulldogs Thrive

The Western Bulldogs are the big winners of Round 10, with four convincing wins in their last five games. After a slow start to the season, which saw them face pressure to match or exceed last year's 14-9 record, the Bulldogs have turned things around. The returns of key players like Laitham Vandermeer, Jason Johannisen, and Marcus Bontempelli have boosted their performance. Additionally, new full-forward Aaron Naughton has stepped up with three three-goal hauls, and Rhylee West has contributed 18 goals this season, helping the team adapt seamlessly to life without Sam Darcy.

Dub so big it barely fit in Marvel pic.twitter.com/ptWmVUdPei

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) May 17, 2025

Despite the Western Bulldogs' loss to the Gold Coast Suns in Round 9, Bailey Dale made headlines with a record-breaking performance. He set both club and venue records for most disposals in a single game, collecting 49 (37 kicks and 12 handballs) while enduring challenging conditions in Darwin, where he lost three kilograms due to the humid heat.

Brisbane Lions' Disappointing Slump

The Brisbane Lions were the big losers of Round 10, unable to secure consecutive wins despite being huge favorites. They squandered significant advantages in two consecutive games, including a -39.5 point line away to North Melbourne and a -33.5 point line at home. In both instances, the Lions blew three-quarter time leads against teams that were near the bottom of the ladder just five weeks ago. The Kangaroos' strong final quarter, with 21 inside 50s and 12 scoring shots, sealed the win, and the Lions' poor finishing in front of goal was the only thing keeping them in contention late in the game.

Coach's Concerns

Veteran coach Chris Fagan expressed concern after the game, acknowledging that the Lions have struggled with “effort stats” like tackle counts over the past two weeks. He seemed surprised by the sudden downturn in performance.

The Lions' susceptibility to such slumps has been an issue in recent years, although they've typically bounced back within three weeks. However, repeating this pattern won't be acceptable, especially against Hawthorn, who have a strong 4-1 record at the MCG this year and are seeking revenge after their loss to the Suns.

Coleman Medal Standings

Gold Coast's Ben King leads the Coleman Medal leaderboard after kicking 2.1 against the Hawks, despite a quiet period with just six goals in his last three games. Meanwhile, Geelong's Jeremy Cameron surged into third place with seven goals in the Blues' win over Port Adelaide, making him the third favorite to win the medal behind joint favorites King and Jesse Hogan.

Coaches Award Standings

Melbourne's Max Gawn and North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri impressed the AFL coaches, polling 10 and 9 votes respectively. Xerri retained his narrow lead over Geelong's Bailey Smith, who also scored 9 votes. Smith is currently co-favorite for the Brownlow Medal alongside Collingwood's Nick Daicos, who trails significantly with 34 votes.

Mark of the Year Nominations

Three impressive marks were nominated this week, including two standout grabs from Thursday night's thrilling match in Darwin. Buku Khamis, a South Sudanese-born player in his second season with the Western Bulldogs, produced a spectacular mark reminiscent of the plays that initially caught the attention of Bulldogs recruiters when he played for the Western Jets as a teenager.

Goal of the Year Nominations

Mabior Chol's relentless work ethic in the forward 50 was on display again in the dying minutes of the Hawks' loss to the Suns. A botched spoil attempt by Isaac Cumming allowed Bobby Hill to score with an unconventional but effective goal. Meanwhile, North Melbourne's Colby McTavish isn't likely to relive his tackling mistake on Hugo Ralphsmith anytime soon.