AFL Round 4 Review

Melbourne defeated Richmond by 32 points at a rain-soaked MCG on Friday night. The sides were neck and neck when conditions were dry in the first half, but the Demons put on a determined display of hard-working, wet-weather football after halftime to earn the 12.11 (83) to 6.15 (51) win.

A day after boldly declaring he aimed to be Carlton's next AFL premiership captain, Marc Murphy showcased his credentials in the Blues' badly needed win. Murphy won the inaugural Crowl-McDonald medal as best afield in the 18.13 (121) to 12.9 (81) Anzac Day win over St Kilda at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

Collingwood have once again showed their modern-day dominance of Anzac Day football, earning a tough 20-point win over Essendon. Against the form guide, Nathan Buckley's side won their fifth Anzac Day contest in six years, triumphing 9.15 (69) to 6.13 (49) on a wet MCG.

Despite being the youngest of the two expansion teams, the Giants were too quick and organised for a floundering Suns outfit - who remain winless this season. They registered 159 more disposals and an extra 46 marks on their way to the 16.23 (119) to 7.11 (53) victory, despite featuring in their forward 50 on nine fewer occasions. Young forward Cam McCarthy piled on a massive five goals, taking his tally this year to 13, while talented tall Jeremy Cameron booted four and managed a personal-best 21 disposals.

Spearhead Jay Schulz slotted five goals as Port Adelaide stunned reigning AFL champions Hawthorn on Saturday night by eight points. The Power, touted as the club most likely to knock the Hawks off their premiership mantle, won 15.9 (99) to 13.13 (91) at Adelaide Oval.

Fremantle has overcome a major scare to beat Sydney by 14 points in their Anzac Day AFL clash at Domain Stadium. The Dockers were on track for a big victory after opening up a 57-9 lead by halftime in front of 39,009 fans. But seven unanswered goals from the Swans closed the margin to just three points midway through the final term, ensuring for a frantic finish. A clutch goal from Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich at the 15-minute mark of the final term settled his team's nerves. And the 11.8 (74) to 8.12 (60) victory was complete when an intercept from Garrick Ibbotson set up Chris Mayne for the match-sealing goal with just 58 seconds remaining.

West Coast bounced back from last round's derby drubbing by Fremantle to move to a 2-2 record with the 118 to 65 win.

Robbie Tarrant stood tall among a host of unsung heroes as hard-running North Melbourne ran over the top of Geelong to record a 16-point AFL win at Simonds Stadium on Sunday.

The Bob Murphy-inspired Western Bulldogs handed Adelaide a surprise 57-point thumping at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Murphy was outstanding across half-back as the slick Dogs ran the Crows to a standstill, with Jake Stringer booting six goals in the 18.17 (125) to 10.8 (68) win.