Unbeaten Geelong have claimed top spot on the AFL ladder with an emphatic 86-point thumping of Hawthorn.
The Cats heaped misery on Alastair Clarkson’s once-great side on Easter Monday, kicking 11 goals to two in the final term to record a 20.14 (134) to 6.12 (48) win.
Chris Scott’s team leapt into top spot on the ladder with the percentage-boosting win, knocking Adelaide into second and Richmond into third.
The Hawks are winless after four rounds and anchored to the bottom of the ladder with a percentage of just 56.
The Crows and Tigers also remain unbeaten after defeating Essendon and Brisbane respectively.
Adelaide kicked their highest score of the season in a 24.9 (153) to 13.10 (88) demolition of the Bombers at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Eddie Betts overcame the racism controversy that made headlines all week to kick six goals, while skipper Taylor Walker booted five.
Essendon’s Conor McKenna was offered a one-match ban by the match review panel on Monday for his high bump on Crows forward Riley Knight.
Jack Riewoldt kicked four goals and Shaun Grigg gathered 31 possessions as Richmond accounted for the Lions 17.17 (119) to 10.7 (67) at the Gabba on Sunday.
Collingwood were unable to follow up last week’s stirring win over Sydney, the Pies falling to a 9.15 (69) to 7.13 (55) loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
“We just can’t seem to kick straight at the moment,” Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe told AAP.
“It’s not just that. Our effort fluctuated. As a team, we’ve got blokes that aren’t performing for four quarters.
“They might perform for two quarters and then die out of the game. We’ve got too many blokes like that at the moment and it’s costing us.”
The first-ever Good Friday clash between North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs didn’t rise to the occasion in a dour first half at Etihad Stadium.
But the contest sparked to life in the second, with the Dogs hanging on for a thrilling 12.17 (89) to 12.14 (86) win to consign the Roos to an 0-4 start to the season.
Luke Dahlhaus starred for the Bulldogs with 32 touches and two goals, with Ben Cunnington leading the way for North with 33 disposals.
Travis Cloke was taken to hospital for assessment after a crunching bump from Jack Ziebell that was deemed legal by the match review panel.
Port Adelaide’s slide down the ladder continued, Greater Western Sydney inflicting a 16.16 (112) to 11.15 (81) defeat on the Power in Canberra on Saturday.
Jonathon Patton kicked six goals and Tom Scully had 32 touches as the Giants moved into fourth spot.
Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch kicked a career-high seven goals in the Suns’ 17.6 (108) to 12.10 (82) win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Rodney Eade’s side improved to a 2-2 record with the victory, but it came at a cost with co-captain Steven May sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Fremantle’s resurgence continued with a last-gasp 16.10 (106) to 15.14 (104) win over Melbourne at the MCG.
Former Giant Cam McCarthy kicked his second goal of the match inside the last minute to seal the Dockers’ second win of the season.
West Coast kicked off round four with a hard-fought 13.13 (91) to 10.5 (65) win over Sydney, who are yet to record a victory this season.
