South Australia Hosts AFL 2025 Gather Round

The AFL world descended on South Australia (SA) for the third year of Gather Round – a four-day ‘Ultimate Festival of Footy’ initiative to promote the sport – where all 18 clubs played across nine matches at three venues in the one state.

In addition to all the fixtures, this four-day event was full of free activities and entertainment for all ages, including some of SA’s best local vendors, food trucks, licensed bars, and the popular 150-meter-long zip line over the River Torrens.

Cameron and Dangerfield star in Cats win

The action couldn’t have kicked off any better on Thursday evening, as a sold-out crowd at the Oval was treated to an absolute beauty where Geelong put in a stellar second-half display to get up over Adelaide in an exciting, high-scoring affair.

Experienced players Jeremy Cameron (pictured below, left) and Patrick Dangerfield (pictured below, right), against his old mob, really stood up when it mattered for the Cats as they combined for eight majors.

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Midfielder Bailey Smith was the focus of attention, post-match, and copped a $1,000 fine after a video of him making an offensive gesture towards Crows fans as he walked down the race was circulated across various social media platforms.

Power defeats Hawks in grudge match

If Hawthorn were starting to believe the early hype around them, they were given a proper reality check after being blown away by a rampant Port Adelaide.

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There was plenty of spice coming into this one, on the back of last year’s semi-final where Ken Hinkley was fined $20,000 for “conduct unbecoming” as he taunted Jack Ginnivan immediately after that game in response to his infamous “flying” comment.

Whilst there were a couple of flash points/heated exchanges, it proved to be an anti-climax as the Power surged out the gates and had it sewn up by the half-time, despite a bit of a fightback by the Hawks to make the scoreline more respectable.

‘Comeback Kings’ do it again

That result meant that the reigning Premiers of Brisbane had taken over at the top of the ladder after overturning a 39-point deficit to defeat the Western Bulldogs.

It is the first time that the club have got off to a five-zip start since being re-branded back in 1995, and the Lions are also getting a reputation as the “Comeback Kings” with this, their fourth in five games where they have trailed at the main break.

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Key forward Eric Hipwood (pictured above) was the catalyst with five majors in the second half, while Hugh McCluggage, Josh Dunkley, and Lachie Neale all played important roles.

Ned Long has standout game

Collingwood flexed their muscles and showed why they are genuine flag contenders by proving too strong for last year’s Grand Finalists Sydney, winning by 31 points.

Whilst the mercurial Nick Daicos was at his usual best, despite being tagged by Jason Jordan, it was the performance of Ned Long (pictured below) that caught the eye.

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The 22-year-old, delisted in 2023 before joining the Magpies last year and coming through the VFL, had a career-best outing by setting personal records for disposals (26), clearances (eight), contested possessions (15), and score involvements (nine).

Suns make history

For the first time in club history, Gold Coast made it four-zip, eventually seeing off the challenge from a plucky North Melbourne outfit.

Forward Ben King continued his fine early season form, with another five majors, and was amongst 14 different goal-kickers for the victorious Suns that made further history by becoming the first AFL team to wear a predominately pink guernsey.

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Luke Davies-Uniacke showed just why the Kangaroos offered him a lucrative seven-year contract extension through to 2032, believed to be worth about $1.3 million a season. Unfortunately, the others couldn’t go with him as they faded away badly.

Greene kicks a bag of five

Toby Greene led by example, with a real captain’s display, as Greater Western Sydney got the chocolates with a hard-fought triumph over St.Kilda at Norwood Oval.

Last season’s Coleman Medallist winner Jesse Hogan (pictured below) kept his remarkable 100% accuracy rate in front of the big sticks by taking his tally to 12 majors in 2025.

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Although the damage had already been done in the second and third quarters, the Saints will take heart, going into their next fixture, at the fact that they kept their opposition goalless in the last term and finished the match pretty well.

Blues pick up first win of the season

Carlton, who have been firmly in the spotlight for their poor opening so far, finally managed to get themselves on the winner’s board after downing West Coast.

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Corey Durdin (pictured above), who came through the SANFL with Central District, booted a career-high four snags for the Navy Blues, increasing their lead at every change.

Another afternoon to forget for the disappointing Eagles, currently propping up the ladder, as they produced their lowest contested possession tally on record.

Barossa Park hosts AFL footy

Barossa Park became the 51st venue in AFL history to host a game as Fremantle recorded their biggest-ever victory over Richmond, a 61-point drubbing.

If the first half was competitive, then the second was the complete opposite. They completely overran a young Tigers side, having the last 20 out of 23 scoring shots.

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Josh Treacy (pictured above) kicked a career-high six majors whilst Hayden Young came through unscathed in his first appearance back following a long hamstring injury lay-off.

Bombers compound Demons’ misery

Young forward Jye Menzie (pictured below) had an evening to remember, registering a career-high four goals, as Essendon heaped more misery on an out-of-sorts Melbourne.

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The Bombers led for the whole contest, racking up a monster 448 disposals, their second highest in the last five seasons. Unfortunately, it did come at a bit of a cost, with ruckman Nick Bryan suffering a serious right knee injury.

This latest defeat for the Demons makes it zip-five, and even at this early stage, it makes their chances of making the finals very remote. Coach Simon Goodwin admitted in his presser, “We’re in a challenging spot right now, and we acknowledge that.”