Round 22 of the 2026 AFL season saw plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by the Sydney Swans defeating Port Adelaide by just under a hefty 100-point margin.
SWANS ANNIHILATE PORT ADELAIDE
The Sydney Swans have produced a 97-point annihilation of the Port Adelaide Power, which has moved them clear into second place on the AFL ladder heading into the final few rounds of the regular season before finals begin.
Securing a home qualifying final for September, the Swans delivered a statement to the rest of the competition that they – and the Fremantle Dockers – remain the team to beat to make this year’s grand final.
Scoring nine straight goals in an explosive second quarter, the Swans never once looked back and had a 50-point lead before entering the half-time break.
Midfielders Errol Gulden (39 disposals, five marks, five clearances) and Nick Blakey (31 possessions, six marks) led the team from the midfield while former Carlton Blues full-forward Charlie Curnow was able to string a bag of five goals while Chad Warner, Tom Papley, Logan McDonald and Jake Lloyd had three each.
SUNS WIN A THRILLER AGAINST GIANTS
The Gold Coast Suns have won a thrilling contest to end their ten-match losing streak and deal the GWS Giants a huge blow to their chances of making it into the ‘Wildcard’.
Struggling to turn anything into wins over the past three months, the Suns were led by reigning Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell, who had a sensational performance in the midfield, which included a career-best 40 disposals, alongside 17 clearances and 16 tackles.
With the Suns winning by two points (79-77), Touk Miller (three goals, 23 disposals, nine tackles) and Noah Anderson (nine clearances, 26 touches, six marks) were able to provide a secondary role to Rowell, who led from the front.
“I don’t know if it’s impossible, but it’s difficult now. That’s the reality of it,” GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley said of their top-10 hopes.