Round 16 of the 2026 AFL season saw plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by the Port Adelaide Power emerging victorious in the South Australian derby.
POWER EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN SA DERBY
The superstar duo of Jason Horne-Francis and Zak Butters has helped lead the Port Adelaide Power to a remarkable surprise win over their rivals, the Adelaide Crows, in the annual South Australian clash over the weekend.
In a man-of-the-match performance, Butters controlled the tempo with 37 disposals, four marks and seven tackles, while his partner-in-crime had 29 possessions, five marks and one goal of his own.
Winning by 26 points, the spark of the formidable duo seized control in one of the more dominant Power showings in recent memory.
“That’s just because I’m so grateful to play in Showdowns and for this footy club as well,” Butters said.
“To be able to play and roll out there, I know I’ve got some close mates who are injured and missing, and (I am) just so grateful to be out there in the biggest moment and play footy and get the win as well.
“For me it’s just, if anything, just looking around and been being pretty grateful for the position I’m in and being able to do what I do.”
A special victory for the Power ⚡️#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/emDmU18iZb
— AFL (@AFL) June 27, 2026
DOCKERS DEMOLITION CONTINUES
The Fremantle Dockers have extended their winning streak with the annihilation of the Gold Coast Suns by 51 points at their home venue of Optus Stadium.
In a performance that sends a statement to the rest of the competition, the Dockers controlled the contest from start to finish and their frenetic pace with the ball and pressure in defence kept the Suns on the back foot for the entirety of the four quarters.
Michael Fredrick led the goal count for the side with four, while Patrick Voss and Luke Jackson both had two each. Meanwhile, Andrew Brayshaw was sensational in the midfield with 29 disposals.
“It’s an eight-week season for us. End of the day, we win more games than we don’t, we probably scrape into the top 10. That’s got to be the aim for us at the moment,” Suns coach Damien Hardwick said.
“People are always going to come when you don’t live up to those expectations, and we’re disappointed with where we’re at. We’ve got to take stock, and we’ve got eight weeks to try and turn it around.
“My job as a coach is to sit there and get the players to understand why and how we lost, but more importantly, what we are capable of doing when we play our best.
“It’s been a tough battle the last couple of weeks. I’m not going to lie, we’re just struggling … tonight we just reverted back to the middling side that we probably [are] at the moment, so I’ve got some work to do.”
"Look at the smile." 💜
The Dockers get around Sean Darcy in his return.#AFLFreoSuns pic.twitter.com/PPGy8sOWFS
— AFL (@AFL) June 28, 2026