Geelong and Adelaide have sent a powerful warning ahead of the AFL finals, closing out their home-and-away campaigns with dominant victories that underline their premiership credentials.
The Cats dismantled Richmond by 57 points, while Adelaide crushed Greater Western Sydney by 56 points in front of a 52,332-strong home crowd.
Geelong’s victory leaves them sitting fourth on the ladder, although they will need West Coast to defeat Hawthorn on Sunday night to secure a top-four finish and the valuable double chance.
Bailey Smith produced another stunning performance, collecting 40 disposals and kicking three goals, while Shaun Mannagh finished with 33 touches and three majors.
Jeremy Cameron also made a successful return from a shoulder injury. Starting at half-back before moving forward after half-time, Cameron did not kick a goal but appeared unrestricted by the injury concerns that had disrupted his season.
Shannon Neale led the scoring with four goals, while Jay Polkinghorne and Ollie Henry added two each. Jack Henry was the only major concern, leaving the field in the second quarter with an ankle problem.
Richmond started brightly and briefly led after Seth Campbell’s goal, but Geelong responded with four goals to close the opening term 20 points ahead.
The Cats then put the game beyond doubt with six unanswered goals in the second quarter, opening a 49-point half-time lead.
Richmond fought back in the second half, but Geelong always had the answers. Patrick Dangerfield finished with three goals, while Tom Lynch kicked three for the Tigers. Tim Taranto was Richmond’s best midfielder with 36 disposals and 10 clearances.
The Tigers have managed only three wins this season and remain second-last. They will finish with the wooden spoon if Essendon defeat Port Adelaide on Sunday.
In Adelaide, the Crows produced one of their most spectacular performances of the season, overpowering GWS by 56 points after exploding out of the blocks with nine goals in the opening quarter.
The victory guarantees Adelaide a top-six finish and a home elimination final.
The night belonged to retiring champion Taylor Walker, who delivered a fairytale performance in what was his final home-and-away match. After an emotional pre-game tribute, the 36-year-old erupted with six goals to send the Adelaide crowd into raptures.
Izak Rankine was again outstanding, finishing with 35 disposals, four goals, 12 clearances and 10 score involvements.
Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Ben Keays all added three goals as Adelaide recorded its highest score of the season.
GWS briefly threatened a comeback after kicking six goals to two in the second term, reducing the margin to just 21 points at half-time. Jake Stringer, playing his 250th AFL game, was instrumental with three goals before the main break.
Stringer kicked his fourth early in the third quarter to reduce the margin to 16 points, but Adelaide immediately regained control.
Walker added two more goals, while Josh Rachele struck twice within a minute to crush the Giants’ momentum.
Stringer eventually finished with six goals, but Adelaide entered the final quarter 35 points clear before pulling away again.
Captain Jordan Dawson was another standout for the Crows with 32 disposals, while Dan Curtin collected 23 touches, five clearances and a goal.
For GWS, Clayton Oliver had 25 disposals, Lachie Ash 26 and Lachie Whitfield 21, but the Giants’ disappointing campaign ended with 10 wins and 13 losses.
With the finals now looming, Geelong and Adelaide have delivered emphatic reminders that they will not be easy opponents when September football begins.