AFL R9: Crows-Lions draw brings curtain down on thrilling round

A thrilling draw between the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions closed off what was a gripping week of AFL action for round nine.

In a seesawing contest, the Lions appeared to have sealed the win after they kicked five unanswered goals to go 18 points up in the final quarter.

However, the Crows clawed it back and took a six-point lead before Callum Ah Chee dragged the visitors level again late in the game.

The two sides could manage only a point each from there, with Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson’s pulled effort on the run sealing the draw.

That was one of several big results to come out of a round where plenty of teams made statements.

On Thursday night, the Carlton Blues held off a fast-finishing Melbourne outfit to clinch a one-point victory at the MCG.

The Blues kicked the first six goals of the game and appeared to be cruising until the Demons roared home late, with Christian Petracca booting a career-best five majors.

Both teams remain well supported in the AFL Premiership outright market at Neds, where they share the third line of betting at $7 apiece.

The drama continued on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium as Port Adelaide held on to claim a famous six-point win over Geelong.

The Power surged to a 49-point lead early in the second quarter, only for the Cats to claw their way back into the contest with nine goals to three after the break.

Geelong have eased to $7 in premiership betting after back-to-back losses, while Port are now $15 with online bookmakers.

Meanwhile, Sydney Swans consolidated top spot with a 48-point win over Fremantle in Perth, taking their record to 8-1 with a powerful percentage of 151.9.

John Longmire’s men are clear favourites at $4.50 to win the 2024 AFL Premiership, while Freo have slipped out of the top eight after four losses in six games.

On Saturday, St Kilda slipped to 12th on the ladder as the Hawthorn Hawks on held on for a five-point victory in Launceston.

Later in the day, the Essendon Bombers vaulted into third place with a convincing 20-point win over the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium.

The Dons have firmed from $34 into $21 for the flag after going five games unbeaten, while the fifth-placed Giants still hold the second line of betting at $6 despite three losses in four outings.

Saturday’s action wrapped up with a pair of demolition jobs as the Western Bulldogs pounded Richmond by 91 points and the Gold Coast Suns cruised to a 68-point win over North Melbourne.

That streak of big margins continued in the early game on Sunday as the Collingwood Magpies boosted their percentage with a 66-point victory over the West Coast Eagles at the Docklands.

With the Magpies rising into the top eight after a slow start to the year, AFL betting sites have them pegged at $8 for back-to-back premierships.

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