Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 2:50pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 2:50pm
Carlton fought back after half time. ( Getty Images: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos )
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Carlton continues its resurgence under interim coach Josh Fraser, with a five-point victory over Essendon earning the Blues a fourth-straight win.
Earlier, Jai Serong snapped a last-gasp major to earn Sydney a two-point win over St Kilda, after the Swans had trailed by as many as 33 points in the first half.
Essendon dominated the early stages of the game, and won only their second first quarter of the season, but the Blues surged back to level the scores at three quarter time before a dramatic final term.
Harry McKay lined up for a kick from goal well outside the distance and let the clock run down 42 seconds before kicking to the square. Essendon kicked a goal from Zach Reid with nine seconds left, but fell short to remain on one win for the year.
Sydney notched a dramatic late victory at the SCG. ( Getty Images: Cameron Spencer )
In Sydney, Liam Ryan took a spectacular Mark of the Year contender, and booted five goals as the Saints led for most of the day.
But two late goals, including a snap from 25m out from Jai Serong with nine seconds left put Sydney in front for a win that leaves the Swans in second place, two-and-a-half games clear of Hawthorn.
Look back at how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
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Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 3:53pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 3:53pm
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Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:45pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:45pm
That's where we'll leave it
By Andrew McGarry
The highs and lows of AFL football - joy for Carlton and depair for Essendon (Getty Images/AFL Photos) It's been a big day of footy, with a couple of very close games.
Carlton's four-in-a-row under interim coach Josh Fraser will be giving hope to Blues fans, although the Bombers have the other side of the coin with another tough loss.
In Sydney, we had a match of serious intensity, with a stunning Mark of the Year contender (and five goals) from Liam Ryan - but it wasn't enough to get the Saints over the line.
Jai Serong's match-winning snap in the final 15 seconds showed just how hard it is to get past the Swans.
It confirms that the Dockers and Swans are the teams to beat this season, with two-and-a-half games between them and those outside the top two.
Jai Serong's goal in the dying seconds gave Sydney a win to remember (Getty Images) We have one game left to complete round 13, and what an event it promises to be.
Melbourne vs Collingwood at the MCG in front of a close to capacity crowd, and of course the Big Freeze as another group of famous people go down the slide to raise funds to fight MND and pay tribute to the late Neale Daniher.
We'll see you again tomorrow afternoon, but for now I'm Andrew McGarry, thanking you for joining us today and wishing you a very good night.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:34pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:34pm
Bombers interim coach Dean Solomon says clock kept going in the box
By Andrew McGarry
In the Bombers' press conference, Dean Solomon has confirmed that the clock kept going as normal in the coaches box.
It seems the other clock was just a glitch, and while unusual and not the best look, no time was actually lost.
Solomon also downplayed Harry McKay's time-management with his kick in the last couple of minutes.
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:30pm
Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 10:30pm
Blues overrun Bombers amid latest AFL clock furore
By Andrew McGarry
Talor Byrne kicked a vital goal in the final quarter as Carlton got over the top of the Bombers (Getty Images/AFL Photos) Carlton have continued their remarkable revival under caretaker coach Josh Fraser with a five-point win over old rivals Essendon amid more AFL time clock drama.
The Blues' 10.12 (72) to 10.7 (67) victory at the MCG on Sunday night — their fourth win from as many games under Fraser — lifts them within touching distance of a wildcard finals spot.
But it was tinged with controversy after the broadcast clock froze at 0:44 as Essendon surged forward in the dying stages.
Zach Reid marked before the clock skipped to 0:24, seemingly with no time lost.
Reid kicked truly, dragging Essendon back within a kick, but they couldn't find a winning goal in the remaining nine seconds after the centre ball-up.
Moments earlier, Blues forward Harry McKay was also allowed to take more than 40 seconds off the clock after indicating he was taking a set shot from well outside the 50-metre line.
McKay lobbed his kick to the top of the goal square, rather than having a genuine shot, and the Bombers rebounded as the clock froze.
Carlton trailed by 23 points in a poor first half showing before George Hewett (27 disposals), Sam Walsh (24), Jagga Smith (24) and Patrick Cripps (23) turned the midfield battle around.
Harry McKay kicked three crucial goals, and the Blues added seven majors to the Bombers' four after the main break in a fi…
Read the full article at ABC News (Australia) →
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