The third round of the 2025 AFL season saw multiple highlights, including Hawthorn remain unbeaten, Fremantle defeating inner-state rivals West Coast in the WA Derby and Brisbane once again defeat the Geelong Cats.
Hawks remain unbeaten, defeat GWS
One of the favourites to win the 2025 AFL Premiership, Hawthorn have lived up to expectations to begin the season and hold a 4-0 record for the first time since 2014 after another decisive victory, this time against the GWS Giants.
Led by five quick goals in the opening term against the Giants, the Hawks held onto the lead for the entirety of the match, with the score ending 76-64 and Sam Mitchell’s men being the team to beat heading into Round 4.
Cam Mackenzie (30 disposals, five tackles) and Jack Gunston (two goals, four marks) were among the club’s best performers. Meanwhile, two Giants in Lachie Whitfeld (34 disposals) and Jesse Hogan (four goals) also had stellar showings despite being on the losing side.
“My personal view is it makes perfect sense. We’ve been coming here for over 20 years now,” Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said after the match against the Giants about playing in Tasmania.
“We certainly feel at home here. To play against them (Devils) on a regular basis, to play probably here (Launceston), I think it makes perfect sense.
“Hopefully we can continue to keep some relationship with Tasmania because we’ve worked so hard and Tassie has embraced us in such a fantastic way for such a long period.”
The 262-gamer gets in on the act with a big snapping goal! It's all Hawthorn now …
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/7bT0A2aUc3 pic.twitter.com/v1gzbknWE9— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 29, 2025
Lions edge out Geelong in nine-point win
After defeating Geelong in the Preliminary Final last year, the Brisbane Lions have continued their winning streak against the Cats after edging them out by nine points over the weekend, remaining undefeated in the AFL competition.
Although Geelong were leading by as much as 32 points in the first-half, the Cats gave up a large lead for the second week in a row, as their opponents continued to pressure them in the midfield and forward 50 in the final two quarters.
Young gun Will Ashcroft (33) led the Lions in possessions with Hugh McCluggage (30) and Dayne Zorko (28) not far behind him, while Patrick Dangerfield was the only player to kick more than one goal in a wet and rainy clash between the two sides.
“We had a few issues I won’t talk about that made it hard for us,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
“In simple terms the ball was in their forward half way too long in the third quarter and didn’t give us a chance to put their defence under any pressure.
“There were some issues we will review really hard and will kind of rue the lost opportunity, because we did have control of the game.
“I’m probably going to say this a lot this year, it’s a game of inches and every opposition you play is pretty good, it doesn’t need to be the reigning premier necessarily to remind you how tough the competition is.”
Super sub Reville NAILS his second kick of the night with this beauty!
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/jNIeNDBVGR pic.twitter.com/lezzgqSB5k— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 29, 2025
Fremantle emerge victorious in Western Derby
On his way to earning a record-equalling fourth Glendinning-Allan Medal for a best-on-ground performance, Caleb Serong led the Fremantle Dockers to a dominant victory over rivals West Coast Eagles in the Western Derby.
Entering the match with a ton of pressure due to their 0-2 record, the Dockers stood tall against the Eagles winning 106-68 on their way to their seventh derby victory in the last eight outings between the two teams.
Serong was incredible in the midfield, lighting up Optus Stadium with 35 touches and ten clearances, while teammate Andrew Brayshaw was also impressive in the clash with 29 possessions and six clearances. Jye Amiss also kicked four goals.
A record-equalling FOUR Glendinning-Allan medals for Caleb Serong already at just 24! 🥇🥇🥇🥇#9WWOS #AFLEaglesFreo pic.twitter.com/rQ4IbtNksx
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) March 30, 2025