It’s that time of the week again. The Mongrel celebrates with those who excelled, and names the names of those who failed to show up.
It’s the weekly list of winners and losers.
THE WINNERS
TOM BARRASS
As Charlie Curnow took his second contested mark and slotted his second goal against the Hawks, Sam Mitchell had a choice. He could continue with Josh Battle in the role, or he could move his biggest defensive weapon over to Curnow and stop the rot.
He chose the second. The rot was stopped.
Barrass dominated Curnow, restricted him to just one touch in the second half, as he controlled the air and guided his Hawks to a win.
JORDON BUTTS
Jordon Butts was not in many Crows fans’ best 23 coming into this season, but he has now made the injury to Mark Keane a little more bearable, with his strong performance against Sam Darcy.
Butts’ attention to his task restricted Darcy to just one goal, and importantly, no marks inside 50 for the whole game. He wasn’t perfect – far from it – but he was a huge win for the Crows.
BUKU KHAMIS
What a start to the season for Khamis, who has embraced the Dogs after looking as though he may leave the Kennel at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
His work in concert with Rory Lobb and James O’Donnell has given the Dogs a solid key defence rotation, with Khamis enjoying the increased responsibility. He had 12 one-percenters and ten intercepts in arguably the greatest game of his career to date.
LACHIE JAQUES
As Callum Ah Chee crashed into the wide open back and ribs of Lachie Jaques, the crowd held its breath. The young man, in just his third game.
Ah Chee made him pay – a huge spoil that left Jaques on the ground with the air torn from his lungs… but the kid got up. Not only did he get up, but he also played a part in the Dogs rallying to get over the top of the Crows in a thrilling last quarter.
BEN KING
The most efficient forward in the league went on his merry way.
With seven goals from eight kicks, taking his season tally to 16 goals from just 18 kicks.
That is phenomenal, and although some wish he would “do more”, I would take a full forward that comes in and does exactly what the team needs – kicks goals.
ETHAN READ
The second of the two-headed monster that the Tigers had no answer for.
Read snagged four goals, whilst taking 11 marks, as he used this as a statement game. With Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Jed Walter looking for a place in this side, his form will keep those two o the outside looking in.
CAL WILKIE
In his review of the game, Disco Monagle made this statement – without Callum Wilkie, the Saints lose this game. It is hard to disagree.
All game long, Wilkie was a pillar of strength for the Saints, and with 11 intercepts, he has started this season in excellent form.
JOSH TREACY
There was something special about the way Josh Treacy attacked the contest in Round Two. There was a bit of callback to the days when big forwards would take all before them in Treacy’s game.
He took ten marks, with four in the contest, as his ferocity at the contest made everyone else very nervous. During the pre-season, I asked which big forward would have the biggest impact in 2026. Treacy came in sixth place.
A few may wish to reconsider their thoughts on the matter.
MAX GAWN
Get that record-breaking ninth All-Australian blazer ready – the big fella is coming for it.
Registering his second straight game of 20+ disposals and 20+ hit outs, and whilst the Dees went down in flames against Port, Gawn’s work continued to be of the highest standard.
MILAN MURDOCK
I know, I know… I missed him last week, and you let me know all about that. I’ve always thought that playing one good game is one thing, but backing it up is a whole different level.
Not only did Murdock match his output from Round One, he also did his best work at the time the Eagles needed it most, slotting a crucial goal in the last quarter.
JACK GRAHAM
He is far too easily glossed over when talking about the difference-makers in the Eagles team.
He was a monster in the win over North, standing in tackles, and laying plenty of his own. A man amongst boys, at points, in what was close to his best outing in blue and gold.
THE LOSERS
DEAN COX
Deano, you have this bloke named James Jordon. He is one of the best taggers in the game.
Why not use him in the role he is so good at?
You had Jai Newcombe running around, winning football like he was playing against kids, and Jordon wasted away at half-forward.
JACOB HOPPER
26 touches sound good, up until you see those 26 touches.
How does nine turnovers sound?
Has looked slow for a long while. Never more so than against the Suns.
NOAH BALTA
All at sea.
I am starting to think that Richmond need to find another role for Balta, as he is caught ball-watching far too often as a key defender, and just hacks at the footy when it does land in his lap.
KANE CORNES
Last week, he was out there, yapping about how he would rather see Latrelle Pickett running around the ground for the Saints than Sam Flanders.
He’ll be quieter this week.
This week, Flanders was rock solid for the Saints across half-back and through the middle, whilst Pickett managed three effective disposals and zero score involvements.
Hot takes go cold quickly.
SEAN DARCY
Unfit, and unable to impact.
I think that the two-ruck setup at Freo can still work, but not with Darcy being carried.
All I heard through the game was David King speaking of Max Gawn’s fatigue, but when push came to shove, Gawn powered on, and Darcy couldn’t.
HARRISON PETTY
Don’t let the stuff with Patrick Voss distract you from the fact he was handily beaten all day.
Made me want to see Steven May back in Melbourne colours. At least May acted like cared.
ZANE DUURSMA
Had a great opportunity to strut his stuff with the whole footy world watching. Up against his little brother, he started like a train. Then after quarter time, he played like he’d been hit by a train.
This is year three for him – right now, it looks like it’ll be his last in North colours.
BRAD SCOTT
Sorry Brad, you’re in here because you have a team with veterans that don’t give a shit. In his own words, following the loss to the Power, Scott used the word selfishness.
This is not a word that is bandied about often in a post match presser.
He knows his senior players are checked out, already, and he is stuck with those players not giving a yelp when the team needs them to lead.
Whether they are rebelling against him, I am not sure, However, what I do know is that this is exactly what he pointed out in the year he started at Essendon. Nothing has changed. The place needs a massive list clean out.
LUKE PEDLAR
A little too prone to these games where he makes a habit of being exactly where the ball isn’t.
Made one good, hard play late in the game, but that was wallpaper over a pretty poor outing.
If you have any of your own to add, feel free.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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