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Find your frequency hereInside 50’s are good… goals are better: The things we learnt so far
Jaiden Sciberras • June 8th, 2025 8:04 pm
Approaching the back-end of Round 13, it's safe to say this round has been well below par.
A wet weekend across the country has hosted a range of low scoring affairs, with all 12 teams combining for an average of under 60 points scored across the round so far.
From a Hawthorn resurgence to a blunder in Bunbury, here are things we’ve learnt from Round 13 so far!
Honest assessments produce honest results
Entering Round 13, the Hawks were in all sorts of trouble.
Three losses in a row, failing to compete with the best of the competition and looking a shell of their 2024 selves, Hawthorn needed to hit reset – a hard-hitting player-led meeting mid-week opened the door for hard-hitting admissions throughout the group.
Approaching the meeting with honesty, the players reportedly spoke openly about what’s working, and most importantly, what is not.
Off the back of said meeting, the Hawks got to work, taking on a strong Bulldogs side without the likes of James Sicily and Nick Watson, and didn’t they deliver.
Strong on all fronts, the Hawks waltzed home to hold their place in the eight and return their season back on track.
If Sam Mitchell’s side can build on such a performance, the Hawks could very well be a threat once again.
Adelaide are no flat-track bullies
Having only beaten one top eight side up to this point, the Crows needed a big win to cement their status as a true competitor, and they did just that.
A top-shelf final term saw Adelaide pile on five goals to none, charging back from three goals down at the final break to knock off the reigning premiers at a soggy Adelaide Oval.
Crucially, not a single Crows midfielder managed 20 disposals. Jordan Dawson was excellent despite copping a strong Josh Dunkley tag, however the Crows midfield lost the midfield battle rather overwhelmingly.
Worrell and Keane carried through their form in the defensive half as the Crows sent a strong message out to the competition – they are here to compete.
Next week’s Tassie clash with Hawthorn is not one you want to miss.
The Giants need new ways to score
Suffocated by a Kenny masterclass.
GWS’ identity seems to have been figured out, with the Orange Tsunami appearing less threatening than ever before.
Known for their swift ball movement off the back flank and elite ball users, Adam Kingsley nailed on a brand of football that is undoubtedly as exciting as it gets.
With the likes of Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield, the Giants’ free-flowing play is electric, however it appears as though after a number of years of competing amongst the best, sides may have determined how to stifle the dashing transitional football.
Port Adelaide suffocated the football in their forward half, defending high up the ground to enforce excessive turnovers in dangerous areas.
Only conceding 14 points from their defensive half, the Power set up perfectly.
The Giants may need to locate an alternate game plan or work on new ways to score if they want to live up to expectations in 2025.
Inside 50’s are good… goals are better
A game so poor… it was actually good?
So much can be said about the Eagles’ contest with North Melbourne in Bunbury. North Melbourne were poor beyond expectations, hardly competing against an undermanned Eagles.
With that being said, they won the game.
Despite their overwhelming control, the Eagles simply could not kick a goal.
For reference, the inside 50 count for each quarter tells a story; 10-21 inside 50’s in the Eagles favour in the first term, Kangaroos led 20-5 at the first break.
18-7 inside 50’s in the Eagles favour in the second term, Kangaroos remain ahead 21-14 at half time.
It wasn’t until the third term that West Coast finally managed multiple goals, however their poor accuracy left the Roos with just enough of a sniff to run over the top in the dying moments.
It wouldn’t take a genius to determine where these two sides reside on the table, however the game, albeit poor, was certainly entertaining.
It’ll be a big week ahead for both of these sides, but particularly for the Eagles, losing a game that no side should be losing.
