Anna Hay: West Australian footy the real winner after Optus Stadium double header
GOOD: WA FOOTY
The real winner this weekend was West Australian footy. Two games, in two days, in our great State.
It was the first time since Round 2, 2023, that both the Eagles and Dockers played on the Optus Stadium turf on the same weekend, outside of a derby.
While these double-headers remain a rarity over here in the west, the weekend should be hailed as a critical step forward in reducing the travel inequity in the AFL. Don't get me wrong, there's still a long way to go, but it's certainly tracking in the right direction.
After the Eagles' bye next weekend, West Coast would've spent a month at home. For Fremantle, it's also a four-week break from the relentless trips to the airport. The much-needed respite from planes and hotel rooms is a luxury Victorian clubs routinely enjoy.
It's why I'd love to see more interstate clubs embracing the extended road trip to WA. Even if just two clubs a year set up camp here in Perth for two weeks, it would drastically reduce the travel load for West Coast and Freo.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson certainly helped the case.
'This trip has been great. Connecting a with a lot of ex-players, the Marsh's, and a big contingent across from Melbourne. We're really pleased to be part of it,' he said post-match.
Ultimately, this weekend delivered wins on multiple fronts.
It was a win for the Roos, a win for WA, and a win for the Eagles and Dockers.
As for the fans? Well, no complaints here – just a strong appetite for more.
BAD: LIONS
The proud Lions' premiership roar has turned into little more than a house cat's meow, after their 11-point loss to the Giants.
Brisbane has now won just two of their past six games, thanks to their wayward kicking in front of goal.
Against GWS, they booted a whopping 18 behinds, while over the past fortnight they've managed 21 goals and 33 behinds. They average a goal accuracy rate of just 38.9 per cent.
'I mean our losses this year, we lost last week and had more shots, lost this week, more shots. We've lost four games and two of them, we had more shots,' Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said post-match.
'It's bloody frustrating, but that's life, that's footy, and it's just a problem. We've got to work our way through it.'
Adding to their mounting woes, scans have confirmed Brisbane defender Jack Payne has ruptured his patella tendon and will be sidelined for the rest of the year.
The latest blow has left some critics doubting whether they can win back-to-back flags. They now face Geelong, who are coming off a five-match winning streak. Historically, the Cattery has been a graveyard for the Lions, who haven't beaten the Cats there in their past 13 visits.
UGLY: SAINTS
St Kilda's 72-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night was an ugly performance, one that should sting the Saints deep.
It's becoming increasingly difficult to pinpoint exactly where St Kilda stand at the midway point of the season after five wins and seven losses.
They've beaten Geelong, Fremantle and Port Adelaide but have lost to West Coast.
I should point out one consistency in 2025, both times they've faced the Bulldogs they've lost by more than 70-points.
The Saints had 10 players over 29-years of age take on the Dogs on Thursday night, posing the question, is it time for Ross the boss to play the kids?
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