The things we learnt: Richmond’s veterans can compete with the best

Round 12 has come and gone, with one final fixture set to take place out west to close the first of the mid-season bye rounds.

From young sides competing with the best, to the top dogs stamping their authority on the competition, the weekend's fixtures were far from predictable.

With that being said, here are the things we learnt from Round 12's action!

Nate Caddy is special

The Bombers have found the piece that may be destined to end their winless September record.

Although ultimately falling short against the Lions, Essendon fans walked away from the Thursday night clash full of hope for the future, competing with the league’s best despite a glut of first-team absentees.

Coming back from a 32-point quarter-time deficit, the Bombers’ young core stepped up to a level foreshadowing the club’s bright future, charging down the reigning premiers to take the lead in the final term before Brisbane’s professional outfit slammed the door shut.

At the heart of the Bombers’ significant comeback was their key forward wonderkid Nate Caddy. While the stat sheet might not read up as anything significant, Caddy was electric, covering ground unlike most forwards of his size.

Two goals including a goal of the year contender, the 19-year-old is living up to his potential and more.

While the Bombers’ season might not reach the heights of September this year, the future is certainly in great hands.

Ginnivan loves playing the Pies

Does anyone enjoy playing their former side more than Jack Ginnivan?

Collingwood comfortably took care of the Hawks on Friday night, however you cannot question the performance of the 22-year-old.

While the game remained well and truly in the balance, Ginni racked up 17 disposals and three goals up to half time, inspiring his team to remain in the contest despite being outclassed by the premiership favourites.

Finishing with an equal career-high 31 disposals and six score involvements, Ginnivan played out one of his best performances at AFL level.

For reference, the forward has only eclipsed 30 disposals twice in his career; 31 against Collingwood in Round 20, 2024, and 31 against Collingwood again in Round 12, 2025.

The Hawks fell short, but Ginni stood tall.

That being said, the Pies had the last laugh, cementing themselves as the clear-cut team to beat after their 51-point win at the 'G.

Fremantle can make their ruck duo work

The Dockers’ selection committee was certainly scrutinised, but didn’t they prove themselves right.

Fremantle travelled to Queensland to take on the in-form Suns and delivered a phenomenal win in the wet, holding on late to claim an 11-point win, keeping their season well and truly alive.

The contest saw both Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson share the ruck duals, which hasn’t quite worked out for the Dockers throughout this season, however the pair made it work.

Returning from a reoccurring knee injury, Darcy only featured in 50 per cent of game time and seven centre bounces, however, was crucial in giving Jackson a cop-out against the Suns’ Jarrod Witts.

Competing primarily in ruck duals around the ground, Darcy played well despite having little involvement, allowing Jackson the freedom to dominate as he has in recent weeks, collecting 27 disposals and seven tackles in the win.

It’s a selection challenge Justin Longmuir will face for the remainder of the season, but if results like these keep coming, it may be a no-brainer.

Richmond’s veterans can compete with the best

Talk about an inspired performance!

The Tigers should have walked away with an incredible scalp over the Giants, leading for almost 90 per cent of the contest before being mowed down extremely late on.

A five-goal-to-none final term wrapped up the game for GWS, however the Tigers' early dominance will leave fans and players with a wealth of confidence.

For the first time this year, the Tigers fielded their experienced midfield group, with Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto taking on their former side alongside the returning Dion Prestia and ruckman Toby Nankervis.

That engine room was absolutely dominant, finishing with 42 total clearances including +11 in the centre clearance battle, with their midfield trio combining for 25 clearances and 19 score involvements.

Led by this core, the Tigers are certain to claim wins in 2025. Their young guns have continued to impress, however with strong on-field leadership as displayed, Richmond certainly won’t roll over easily.

It’s another big week for the Swans

It goes without saying that Sydney are in trouble.

A 90-point thrashing at the hands of the Crows is nowhere near the level that the reigning minor premiers should present, regardless of a few important absentees.

80 turnovers in any AFL game is an unacceptable number, especially considering the Crows piled on 88 points directly from turnover across the night.

Dean Cox had plenty of talent take to the field, yet the side managed just one goal and seven behinds across a combined three quarters, ultimately killing the Swans’ season as early as Round 12.

Sydney will regain a few players in the coming weeks, with stars Errol Gulden and Tom Papley expected to return within the next month, however it’s hard to see two players completely transforming a side performing so poorly, as they did on Saturday night.

Expect the mouthguards in at training.

Dee-saster in the Red Centre

When you have seven scoring more shots and 17 more inside 50s you should normally win a game of footy.

That's what Melbourne delivered in Alice Springs on Sunday but the end result shows a 28-point win to St Kilda.

The wayward Demons kicked 7.21 to the efficient Saints' 14.7, denying them a third straight win.

Down one end of the ground the Dees kicked 4.15 including 0.8 in the final quarter which might have cost them.

But bad kicking is bad football and Ross Lyon's Saints made the most of their opportunities which is something that Simon Goodwin will have to live with.