North Melbourne's superstar skipper Wayne Carey led his team in a barnstorming finish at the MCG to end Adelaide's unbeaten start to the season. Carey kicked two of his inspiring five goals in the eight goals to two last term to win 23.14 (152) to 17.11 (113). West Coast coach Mick Malthouse was furious after a 'rushed' ball was declared a Carlton goal in the Blues' one-point win over the Eagles at Optus Oval.
The third term blunder when Carlton's Greg Williams was credited with a goal that was actually pushed over the line by West Coast's Tony Evans typified the Eagle's frustrating day.
The Eagles had a 15-point lead in the last quarter but lost 12.14 (86) to 12.13 (85). Geelong showed a new hardness, reflecting the influence of tough coach Gary Ayres, to withstand a never-say-die Richmond comeback and win 13.13 (91) to 12.16 (88) at Kardinia Park. St Kilda emphatically paid their respects to former club champion Trevor Barker who died on Friday morning from colon cancer, with a gritty 26 points win in an emotional encounter at Waverley 16.20 (116) to 13.12 (90).
Barker, 39, and the Saints' assistant coach, played 231 games between 1975 and 1989, was captain and club best and fairest twice. Brisbane stormed to the top of the ladder with a 109-point thrashing of threatened Fitzroy at the Gabba.
The 24.14 (158) to 6.13 (49) victory was Brisbane's fourth from five games and puts them top on percentage from four other teams. Meanwhile, winless Fitzroy are on the brink of collapse again with merger rumours circulating prior to the embattled club's annual meeting. Chairman Dyson Hore-Lacy is expected to announce losses exceeding A$200,000 and Brisbane will be considered as a possible new partner.
