Essendon have seen off a strong challenge from Gold Coast to win their AFL clash by 43 points, with young gun Joe Daniher starring in the first half.
For all their impressive displays this AFL season, Gold Coast know they won't have true respect until they pick up a big scalp on their travels.
OPINION: Lucky for Brad Scott and his underachieving Kangaroos that Melbourne are performing as badly as they are...
Gold Coast has damaged the Kangaroos' finals chances and won its fifth game of the year with a 15-point victory at Carrara on Saturday night.
Brandon MateraPosition:
32Goals this season:
7
Campbell BrownPosition:
30Goals this season:
12
Charlie DixonPosition:
23Goals this season:
11
Daniel GorringePosition:
15Goals this season:
0
Danny StanleyPosition:
25Goals this season:
2
David SwallowPosition:
24Goals this season:
1
Dion PrestiaPosition:
10Goals this season:
4
Gary AblettPosition:
9Goals this season:
16
Greg BroughtonPosition:
36Goals this season:
2
Harley BennellPosition:
11Goals this season:
7
Jack HutchinsPosition:
34Goals this season:
2
Jacob GillbeePosition:
13
Jared BrennanPosition:
3Goals this season:
2
Jarrod HarbrowPosition:
5Goals this season:
7
Jeremy TaylorPosition:
21
Joel WilkinsonPosition:
38Goals this season:
0
Karmichael HuntPosition:
7Goals this season:
1
Liam PatrickPosition:
43Goals this season:
0
Luke RussellPosition:
8Goals this season:
6
Matt ShawPosition:
26Goals this season:
5
Matthew WarnockPosition:
14Goals this season:
0
Maverick WellerPosition:
4
Michael RischitelliPosition:
35Goals this season:
4
Nathan BockPosition:
44
Rory ThompsonPosition:
16Goals this season:
3
Sam DayPosition:
12Goals this season:
6
Seb TapePosition:
48
Steven MayPosition:
17Goals this season:
7
Tom MurphyPosition:
29Goals this season:
0
Trent McKenziePosition:
18Goals this season:
1
Zac SmithPosition:
2Goals this season:
8
| Rank | Team | Won | Lost | Points |
| 1 | Hawthorn | 10 | 1 | 40 |
| 2 | Geelong Cats | 10 | 1 | 40 |
| 3 | Essendon | 9 | 3 | 36 |
| 4 | Sydney Swans | 8 | 2 | 34 |
| 5 | Fremantle | 8 | 2 | 34 |
| 6 | Collingwood | 8 | 4 | 32 |
| 7 | Richmond | 7 | 4 | 28 |
| 8 | Carlton | 6 | 6 | 24 |
| 9 | West Coast Eagles | 6 | 5 | 24 |
| 10 | Port Adelaide | 6 | 5 | 24 |
