The tenth round of the 2025 AFL season saw multiple highlights, including the Melbourne Demons upsetting the defending premiers, Geelong demolishing the Power and Collingwood rise to the top of the ladder.
Melbourne Demons upset Brisbane, in Brisbane
The Brisbane Lions have succumbed to back-to-back losses with the defending premiers being upset by an inconsistent Melbourne Demons side by 11 points (88 – 99) at their home venue in Queensland.
Entering the match as favourites, the Lions were silenced in the final quarter. Leading the fourth quarter by 14 points, they failed to put the lead away and allowed the Demons to re-enter the match which saw them kick four goals en route to earning their fourth win of the season.
Jake Melksham led the scoring chart with four goals, while veteran midfielder Christian Petracca had another inspiring performance and led his troops with 31 disposals, two marks and two tackles.
“The last quarter they annihilated us, really,” Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan said post-match.
“On entries, on scores, you name it, they got the better of us. We’ve got a bit of work to do after that.
“Things seemed to be going along quite well after the Gold Coast win, but the last couple of weeks some things have popped up we need to work on.”
The effort from Clarry. The finish from Koz. 😤 We like the look of this footy.#DemonSpirit | #AFLLionsDees pic.twitter.com/1Ckduz2miJ
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) May 18, 2025
Geelong demolish Port Adelaide by 76 points
In one of the biggest wins of the 2025 AFL season, the Geelong Cats completely annihilated Port Adelaide by 76 points in front of the Power’s home fans at Adelaide Oval, cementing themselves as one of the teams to beat this season.
Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron booted a whopping seven goals, while recruit Bailey Smith had another fantastic performance with 30 disposals, eight marks, five tackles and one shot on goal.
While the victory did come at a cost with Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Bowes sustaining hamstring injuries, it will give them confidence heading into the next few weeks after some losses to teams outside the top-eight.
“The club is on record: we’re trying to make some change,” Port Adelaide head coach Ken Hinkley said.
“It was certainly not to point the finger at any particular individual, but other than to say that, as a competition, we need to do better with lots of things in as far as Indigenous players go.
“That’s the point we’re trying to make, certainly not lay blame on any individual.”
Selfless footy 🤝 Tyson and Brad combine to set up another snag for Jeremy! #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/JJZ6FBv34W
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) May 17, 2025
Collingwood move to first place
The Collingwood Magpies have moved to the top of the AFL ladder, overtaking Brisbane Lions, after a ten-point win at home against the Adelaide Crows that went down to the final minute.
In front of over 67,000 fans in attendance, the Magpies defenders stood up with skipper Darcy Moore still on the sidelines with injury and were able to hold on to the lead despite two goals from the Adelaide Crows in the latter stages of the final quarter.
The Daicos brothers – Josh and Nick – once again led the team in the disposal count. Meanwhile, an improved Dargy Forgety bagged four goals, seven marks, and disposals as he attempted to lead a comeback with Jake Soligo (two goals).
However, it was too little, too late and the Magpies took home the win in an emotional day following the passing of former AFL player Adam Selwood – the brother of assistant coach Scott.
“We did [shield our players]. There is no book written on this stuff. We got the news this morning and it was horrible. We didn’t really know what to do to be honest,” McRae said post-match.
“We had to get to work on ‘Scoot’ (Scott) getting on the plane to get back to Perth.
“It’s horrible; there is so much sadness. We protected the players thinking that might have been the right thing – we don’t know if it was – but we told the whole club straight after the game.
“I just want to send my love to the Selwood family.”
"Very unusual free kick!" 👀
A free kick for a throw leads to a Pies goal right on three-quarter time.
📺 Watch #AFLPiesCrows on ch.504 or on @kayosports https://t.co/HbJ6h9sPz4
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/gpfSqj4h36
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/9r6wufSvjY pic.twitter.com/ikYAnRYW6R— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 17, 2025