Round 23 of the 2021 AFL season was one of the most action-packed, drama-filled and chaotic final rounds of the modern era.
Here’s how it looked for punters:
Dee light
What. A. Game.
Down by 44 points midway through the third term against Geelong, Melbourne’s hopes of a first minor premiership since 1964 were all but done. While a top four spot was already locked in, finishing first had been a priority for Simon Goodwin’s side. It was a year befitting of finishing on top. It’s what their fans deserved. Yet at the Cattery, they were down and out.
However an incredible comeback saw them seal the AFL minor premiership at the latest possible point. And it was two Melbourne players that dragged their side over the line. First, Clayton Oliver amassed one of the best individual performance of 2021 with 37 disposals, nine clearances, two goals and seven tackles. Skipper Max Gawn also stood up when it mattered most to kick the sealer after the siren following a big contested grab. With it, Melbourne are back into Premiership favouritism ($3.75) ahead of their qualifying final against Brisbane this weekend.
Scenes indeed.
MAX GAWN WINS MELBOURNE THE MINOR PREMIERSHIP AFTER THE SIREN!#FootyOhWhatAFeeling | #AFLCatsDees pic.twitter.com/uGE4TrMQrw
— AFL (@AFL) August 21, 2021
Lions seal double-chance
While the Cats and Dees had already sealed their spots in the AFL Top 4, Brisbane were outside chances of doing so. First, they needed the Dogs to lose to Port Adelaide on Friday night, a result that went their way by just two points. Tick. THEN, they needed to beat the Eagles by *roughly* five goals to get level on 60 points with the Dogs, and ensure their percentage put them ahead. Enter a chaotic final few minutes where, strangely, the result was secured, but fans were hanging on every point. They prevailed, cuing more big scenes at the Gabba.
For Luke Beveridge’s men, it’s a spectacular fall from grace. Top of the ladder just three weeks ago, they became just the fifth side in history to be first and go 0-3 in the last three rounds. The Dogs were unbackable to make the Top 4 after Round 20, while Brisbane were $10 outsiders with Palmerbet.
Absolutely unbelievable stuff!! Lions get top four spot with 14 seconds to spare! Suspect that has probably cost Dogs any flag chance. #AFLLionsEagles
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) August 21, 2021
SCENES 😨😨😨
📝 RECAP: https://t.co/bN6UB6SmIL
🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/nXtzQ7Yy7r #AFLLionsEagles pic.twitter.com/3t8JXJUkHR— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 21, 2021
Big Brownlow shift
Votes from Round 23 could well play a huge role in deciding this year’s AFL Brownlow Medalist. While most years the result is all but locked-in at this stage of the season, 2021 is shaping as a remarkably tight count. And Friday night’s Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide game could be the decider. The Dogs’ Marcus Bontempelli went into the game a $2.50 favourite with Palmerbet, knowing a big game could seal things. But it was his opposite number Ollie Wines (who went in at $4.00) that stole the show. Wines (34 disposals, nine tackles, one goal) was dominant while the Bont (15 disposals, one goal) was comparatively quiet. As a result, the Power midfielder is now the outright favourite at $2.60, while Bontempelli has pushed out to $3.30. To make matters even more interesting, Oliver was the clear three-vote-getter on Saturday night and has shortened from $5.50 into $4.20.
Ollie Wines in the last term: 12 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 6 ground ball gets, 3 clearances, 4 tackles and a goal. Every chance that quarter snags him the Brownlow
— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) August 20, 2021
