AFL Round 18 Results: Highlights & Expert Analysis

AFL Round 18 delivered an equal club-record GWS comeback over Geelong, the end of Carlton's seven-game streak, and a 90-point Brisbane mauling of Essendon. Our full wrap of all nine games, the ladder after Round 18 and the head-to-head reads.

An equal club-record comeback, the end of Carlton’s seven-game streak and a 90-point Gabba mauling — AFL Round 18 reshaped the run home, with Fremantle holding top spot in a top-of-the-table thriller.

AFL 2026: Round 18 in Focus

Nine games, one four-point escape, one stunning comeback and a cluster of percentage-boosting blowouts that tightened the eight. Here is our full AFL Round 18 wrap, with every result, the standout performers and the head-to-head reads. Catch up on the Round 17 results and track the run home in our round-by-round predictions and premiership odds.

Giants stun Geelong with an equal club-record comeback

GWS Giants 86 def. Geelong 73

The story of the round. GWS trailed by 39 points midway through the third quarter and looked gone, then kicked nine of the last ten goals to complete an equal club-record comeback at Sydney Showground. It was a chaotic, emotional night — Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron was taken to hospital during the game — and a result that keeps the Giants’ own finals flicker alive while denting a Cats side that will rue letting a match-winning lead slip.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between GWS and Geelong, check out our full GWS vs Geelong head-to-head record & tips →.

Hawks end Carlton’s seven-game streak in a wet-night rout

Hawthorn 15.13 (103) def. Carlton 6.3 (39)

Hawthorn delivered the statement of the weekend, snapping Carlton’s seven-game winning streak with a 64-point demolition on a wet and wild MCG. The greasy conditions strangled Carlton’s ball movement — they managed just six goals all night — while the Hawks were ruthless. It halts the Blues’ charge up the ladder and stamps Hawthorn as a side nobody in the eight will want to meet in September.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Carlton and Hawthorn, check out our full Carlton vs Hawthorn head-to-head record & tips →.

Fremantle hold off Sydney in the top-of-the-table clash

Fremantle 15.21 (111) def. Sydney 10.13 (73)

A blockbuster between the two ladder leaders, and it was tight until Fremantle produced a scintillating nine-goal final quarter to pull clear by 38 points at Optus Stadium. The Dockers were wasteful (21 behinds) but simply had too much run late, tightening their grip on the minor premiership. Sydney’s loss keeps them second, still very much in the flag conversation but chasing the Dockers.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Fremantle and Sydney, check out our full Fremantle vs Sydney head-to-head record & tips →.

Lions maul Essendon by 90 at the Gabba

Brisbane Lions 22.17 (149) def. Essendon 8.11 (59)

The biggest win of the round. Brisbane were relentless at the Gabba, piling on 22 goals to win by 90 points in a perfect September tune-up — their fifth straight victory. For Essendon it was a 12th consecutive defeat, a season now well and truly lost. The percentage boost lifts the Lions right into the top-four fight.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Brisbane and Essendon, check out our full Brisbane vs Essendon head-to-head record & tips →.

Crows too strong for the Suns at Adelaide Oval

Adelaide 19.14 (128) def. Gold Coast 7.7 (49)

Adelaide piled on 12 second-half goals on a wet deck to run out 79-point winners. Taylor Walker booted five to edge towards a career milestone of 700 goals, while captain Jordan Dawson was everywhere with 29 disposals and two goals. For Gold Coast the losing run stretched to seven straight — a brutal stretch that has ended their finals hopes.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Adelaide and Gold Coast, check out our full Adelaide vs Gold Coast head-to-head record & tips →.

Magpies escape with a four-point win over North

Collingwood 13.11 (89) def. North Melbourne 12.13 (85)

The closest game of the round. Bottom-rung North Melbourne pushed Collingwood all the way at Marvel Stadium, and it took the Magpies kicking the last two goals in the dying minutes to escape with a nervy four-point win — their fourth in a row — in front of nearly 48,000. A genuine boilover scare, but the Pies found a way and clung to a spot inside the eight.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Collingwood and North Melbourne, check out our full Collingwood vs North Melbourne head-to-head record & tips →.

Saints hold off a Port Adelaide fightback

St Kilda 13.9 (87) def. Port Adelaide 10.13 (73)

St Kilda led by 37 points before half-time and looked set to cruise, only for Port Adelaide to storm back and cut the margin to as little as three in the second half. The Saints steadied when it mattered to win by 14 — a nervy but valuable result that keeps their long-shot finals hopes flickering, while Port’s difficult season continues near the foot of the eight-chasers.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between St Kilda and Port Adelaide, check out our full St Kilda vs Port Adelaide head-to-head record & tips →.

Demons keep rolling at the MCG

Melbourne 16.15 (111) def. Richmond 9.11 (65)

Melbourne made it a comfortable 46-point win over Richmond, spearhead Jacob van Rooyen booting an equal career-high six goals with Max Gawn influential around the ground. It was the Demons’ ninth straight win at the MCG, moving them to 11-6 and firmly into the eight, while a young Richmond side remain anchored near the bottom.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Melbourne and Richmond, check out our full Melbourne vs Richmond head-to-head record & tips →.

Bulldogs survive a West Coast scare

Western Bulldogs 13.8 (86) def. West Coast 9.16 (70)

The Bulldogs had to surge late to avoid a boilover against a plucky West Coast, whose 9.16 (70) told the story of a night where wayward kicking cost them dearly. Aaron Naughton booted five and skipper Marcus Bontempelli (25 disposals, 12 clearances) kicked two crucial third-quarter goals to steer the Dogs to 10-7 and seventh. It was West Coast’s fifth straight loss.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between the Western Bulldogs and West Coast, check out our full Western Bulldogs vs West Coast head-to-head record & tips →.

AFL ladder after Round 18

#	Team	W–L–D	%
1	Fremantle	15–2	142.3
2	Sydney	13–4	131.2
3	Hawthorn	11–5–1	114.2
4	Brisbane Lions	11–6	117.1
5	Adelaide	11–6	116.9
6	Melbourne	11–6	109.0
7	Western Bulldogs	10–7	92.3
8	Collingwood	9–7–1	104.4
9	Geelong	9–8	—
10	St Kilda	8–9	—
11	GWS Giants	8–9	—
12	Carlton	8–9	—
13	North Melbourne	8–9	—
14	Gold Coast	7–10	—
15	Port Adelaide	6–11	—
16	West Coast	4–13	—
17	Richmond	2–15	—
18	Essendon	1–16	—

Ladder implications

Fremantle (15-2) held top spot and remain minor-premiership favourites despite the fright from Sydney (13-4), who stay second. The top-four scrap is fierce: Hawthorn’s big win moved them third, and Brisbane’s 90-point romp lifted the Lions into fourth on percentage — with Adelaide (fifth) and Melbourne (sixth) level on wins and desperately unlucky to be outside the four. Below them, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood hold the last two spots, with a four-team logjam of Geelong, St Kilda, GWS and Carlton all still live for finals. At the bottom, Essendon (1-16), Richmond and West Coast are locked in. Model the run home with the AFL Ladder Predictor.

Round 18 awards

• Performance of the round: GWS — an equal club-record comeback from 39 points down to stun Geelong.
• Bag of the round: Jacob van Rooyen (Melbourne) — an equal career-high six goals; Taylor Walker (Adelaide) and Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) both booted five.
• Midfield master: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) — 25 disposals and 12 clearances, with two vital goals.

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FAQ

What was the biggest result of AFL Round 18 2026?

Brisbane thrashed Essendon by 90 points, 22.17 (149) to 8.11 (59) at the Gabba — the biggest winning margin of the round.

What was the closest game in Round 18?

Collingwood beat North Melbourne by four points, 89-85 at Marvel Stadium.

Who leads the AFL ladder after Round 18?

Fremantle remain on top at 15-2, ahead of Sydney (13-4), after holding off the Swans in a top-of-the-table clash.

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