Tigers win big against Dockers in Perth
Richmond have taken the criticism, the pressure and the scorn and dumped it all on Fremantle's head.
The Tigers were rank outsiders ahead of Sunday's AFL match at Subiaco, but they smashed the Dockers by 64 points.
The 20.17 (137) to 10.13 (73) morale-booster was Richmond's first interstate win in two years and their first in Perth since 2001 - also the last time they made the finals.
Richmond had been major disappointments since winning in round one and four years into Terry Wallace's five-year coaching reign, the wolves are at least sniffing.
Sunday was only one win and the Tigers must now quickly build on it, but their conquest of Fortress Subiaco could prove a pivotal moment.
By contrast, a week after the Dockers had regained some credibility by winning the Western Derby, they are again in the doldrums.
It was also a famous day for Carlton, who broke a 14-game losing streak in the best possible way - beating arch-rivals Collingwood.
The Blues would have established a club record had they lost again, but bad-boy Brendan Fevola was the hero with seven goals as they won by 23 points, 17.9 (111) to 13.10 (88) at the MCG.
"That was the great thing about today, that everybody across the zones really played their part to get a victory and that's what happens when you play a team that's supposedly better on the ladder than you and you play to your strengths," coach Brett Ratten said.
As the Tigers and Blues scored upset wins, it was business as usual for the mean Hawthorn machine.
The Hawks remained one of three unbeaten teams as they outplayed Adelaide today in Launceston by 44 points, 17.12 (114) to 10.10 (70).
While none of the four teams would use this as an excuse, it is worth noting that all the combatants last weekend in the Western Derby and Adelaide's Showdown - always much-hyped, intense matches - lost in this round.
Port Adelaide went down spectacularly, blowing a 47-point lead in the third term to lose by 20 points.
Power coach Mark Williams was seething after the 18.16 (124) to 16.8 (104) result, while his Lions counterpart Leigh Matthews cheerfully declared on Melbourne radio today that "miracles happen".
In a match made notorious by Barry Hall's knockout blow to Brent Staker, Sydney blew away West Coast by 62 points on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium, 16.11 (107) to 5.11 (45).
Regardless of the heavy penalty Hall suffers for his moment of madness, he is likely to face a long injury spell after also breaking his wrist later in the game.
Sydney now face unbeaten Geelong, who took apart St Kilda by 42 points on Saturday at Telstra Dome.
The 21.10 (136) to 13.16 (94) result means more headaches for the Saints, who were pre-season premiers and highly-fancied only a month ago.
Melbourne's barren season continued Saturday when they were no match for North Melbourne at the MCG, losing by eight goals - 18.19 (127) to 11.13 (79).
The Western Bulldogs' 19.14 (128) to 14.14 (98) win over Essendon on Friday night continued their perfect start to the season.
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