Former Richmond VFL player Sam Durham has marked and kicked a goal with seconds left to give Essendon a one-point win over the Tigers in their Dreamtime at the 'G AFL clash.
Essendon's 10.11 (71) to 10.10 (70) win broke a 13-game losing streak against Richmond.
Meanwhile at the Gabba, Brisbane ran away with a big Q-Clash win over Gold Coast.
Earlier Fremantle — going by Walyalup for Sir Doug Nicholls Round — took care of Geelong in the west, after the Western Bulldogs handily beat Adelaide in Ballarat and Sydney just get the better of the Kangaroos.
It also ends the Bombers' four-game losing sequence this season and breaks Richmond's run of eight Dreamtime wins.
The Bombers looked almost gone when Dustin Martin kicked a 50-metre bomb a minute into the last term to put Richmond 18 points ahead.
And Judson Clarke made the Bombers pay for another turnover, snapping a goal midway through the term to put the Tigers two goals up midway through the quarter.
But Essendon captain Zach Merrett was enormous, winning the Yiooken Trophy for best afield with a game-high 39 disposals, and he willed his team home.
Durham was playing for Richmond in the VFL two years ago when Essendon picked him up in the mid-season draft and he has never looked back.
Jake Stringer's snap found him at the top of the goal square in the frenetic last minute and he kicked the match-winner.
It was a high-pressure game, with a succession of fumbles.
Rhyan Mansell had a shot on goal for Richmond late in the last term but crucially it went out on the full and that kept the door open for Essendon.
Midfielder Dylan Shiel (ankle) was a late withdrawal in a major blow for the Bombers, who started slowly.
Richmond had the first seven inside 50s, but after Mansell kicked the opening goal at two minutes they failed to take advantage.
Two goals in as many minutes to Sam Weideman gave Essendon the lead and they took a two-point advantage into quarter-time.
The Bombers butchered their chances in the second term and a goal to Jack Graham before half-time gave Richmond a five-point lead.
Shai Bolton soccered an outstanding goal in the third term as the Tigers broke out to a game-high lead of two goals.
Martin's snap at the three-quarter time siren was touched on the line.
Richmond looked for much of the last term like they had a game-winning lead, with Essendon bombing the ball into attack and Richmond defenders mopping up easily.
But Durham's mark and goal at eight minutes kept the game alive and Stringer, virtually unsighted until then, goalled on the run to make it a one-goal contest.
After Clarke's goal at 17 minutes, Jye Menzie was on the end of an Essendon fast break to again reduce the margin to six points.
It became an arm wrestle until the last minute and Durham's match-winner the only time Essendon led in the second half.
Martin and Bolton were best for Richmond, while Jordan Ridley impressed in defence for Essendon.
Lions surge clear of Suns in the last
Gold Coast scratched the surface before Joe Daniher helped Brisbane slam the door shut on their Queensland AFL rivals with a ninth-straight derby win.
The Lions were pushed by a Suns team that's unearthed another layer of talent, turning a final-quarter dogfight into a comfortable 16.11 (107) to 9.10 (64) Gabba victory.
It was the Lions' (8-2) seventh straight this season but didn't come easy, rookie Suns (4-6) talent Bailey Humphrey's (26 disposals, seven inside 50s) efforts a huge positive for a side that's operating without injured captain Touk Miller.
It was Humphrey's left-foot snap that made it a five-point game early in the fourth quarter on Saturday.
But that was the moment things turned, Marcus Ashcroft Medal winner for best on ground Lachie Neale (35 disposals, 10 clearances) claiming a crucial stoppage that led to a 50-metre Eric Hipwood bomb.
The hosts kicked the last six goals of the game, Daniher booting four across the night a week after his six-goal haul against Essendon.
Josh Dunkley's battle with Matt Rowell was fierce while Hugh McCluggage (30 touches) found his groove as the Lions won a 40th regular-season game from their last 43 Gabba appearances.
The Suns made all the early running, Jarrod Witts dominating the centre and Charlie Ballard continuing his strong marking form.
But they couldn't covert their dominance.
Three missed set shots cost them when Daniher kicked two first-quarter goals and Lincoln McCarthy manufactured another for a nine-point lead.
Cameron hit the scoreboard after the break thanks to a soft free kick and when Zac Bailey spun and danced into space to score it looked like the hosts may run away with another Gabba win.
But it was their turn to get the set-shot yips, three behinds a missed opportunity that King exploited when he squeezed two goals into the final minute of the half.
The Suns (4-6) were within five points when Jack Lukosius toe-poked through his second goal.
Harry Sharp finished well and Cameron celebrated his second goal with an Indigenous Round dance to again shoot the hosts clear.
Jarrod Berry's goal made it a 23-point margin but King and Nick Holman replied, Ben Ainsworth missing his set shot after the siren to make it an 11-point deficit at the final break.
Humphrey's snap had the Suns believing early in the fourth but no sooner were the Lions clear again thanks to Hipwood and McCluggage.
Daniher missed a set shot but made amends minutes later when he swept home his fourth after more good lead-up play from Darcy Wilmot.
Jack Gunston then joined the fun with a goal to seal the result with 11 minutes to play.
Dockers back to their best in win over Cats
Walyalup have produced a scintillating midfield display to claim their biggest scalp of the AFL season, downing Geelong by 29 points in Perth.
Dominant ruckman Sean Darcy and on-ballers Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw starred as the Dockers opened up the game and held off the reigning premiers to prevail 16.10 (106) to 11.11 (77) at Perth Stadium.
The hosts led by 10 points at three-quarter time before late goals to James Aish and Jye Amiss (three goals) finally put the see-sawing contest to bed.
Walyalup's third straight win lifts them to ninth on the ladder ahead of another huge clash with Melbourne at the MCG next Saturday.
Saturday's clash resembled an arm wrestle in the early going but the hosts piled on four straight goals in the second term, moving the ball at speed and breaking through the well-organised Geelong defence.
Darcy (43 hitouts, one goal) provided silver service to midfield leaders Brayshaw (33 disposals, one goal) and Serong (28 disposals, one goal), who also combined for 19 tackles.
Michael Walters booted three majors in a fitting celebration of Indigenous round, while fleet-footed youngster Michael Frederick provided the Dockers with drive off the wing and slotted two goals of his own.
Coach Justin Longmuir will be delighted with his side's pressure and willingness to take the game on, features that had been missing during a lacklustre start to the season.
But the 45,811-strong crowd endured a nervous wait as Walyalup struggled to put the determined visitors away, squandering late goals after dominant periods in the second and third terms to keep Geelong in with a chance.
Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins worked hard to finish with three goals, including two against the run of the play in the third term.
Partner-in-crime Jeremy Cameron (0.4) struggled to find his radar and was well-held by Luke Ryan, although the brilliant forward still made an impact with a pinpoint assist to set up Hawkins' first major.
Missing influential veterans Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Duncan to injury, the visitors were well-served by young midfielder Tanner Bruhn and utility Mark Blicavs.
Chris Scott's men will host GWS next Saturday as they look to get their premiership defence back on track following consecutive losses.
Nat Fyfe, who lined up for his first start since round one after an injury absence and two cameos as the substitute, rotated between Fremantle's midfield forward line and gathered 17 disposals before being benched in the third period.
Bulldogs too strong for the Crows in Ballarat
The Western Bulldogs have easily accounted for an undermanned Adelaide by 45 points in Ballarat to snare a fifth straight win as they surge towards the AFL top four.
The Bulldogs got out to an early lead and, despite their own inaccuracy, kept the Crows at arm's length before kicking away for a 11.19 (85) to 5.10 (40) victory in front of 10,114 fans.
The win was soured by a third-quarter hamstring injury to dasher Jason Johannisen, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli looked proppy after having his left knee assessed in the third quarter but played out the game.
The Bulldogs (7-3) are only outside the top four on percentage amid their best run since starting 2021 with six consecutive wins, while Adelaide (5-5) sit eighth.
Bailey Smith racked up possessions at will to finish with 37 disposals, while Jack Macrae (two goals, 25 touches), Bailey Dale (36), Tom Liberatore, Caleb Daniel and Bontempelli (29 and a goal) had plenty of the ball.
Adelaide star Rory Laird (35 disposals, 11 clearances) was busy as the Crows, without Taylor Walker and Riley Thilthorpe, lacked punch in attack and never really got going against the Bulldogs' organised defence, marshalled by Liam Jones.
Livewire Izak Rankine was reported in the third quarter for front-on contact on Bulldogs defender Taylor Duryea, who kept him to one goal.
Luke Beveridge's Bulldogs conceded the first goal of the game to Lachlan Gollant but booted the next four to seize control of the contest, including Aaron Naughton taking a huge pack mark and goaling.
Adelaide's Mitch Hinge had to be helped off early after falling heavily when making a gutsy spoil on an oncoming Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and was substituted for Sam Berry.
From the first quarter onwards, the Bulldogs controlled the contest but their poor execution around goal kept Adelaide in the game.
Josh Rachele attempted to spark the Crows into action with a wonderful spinning goal late in the second quarter to keep them in touching distance at half-time.
But the Bulldogs burst out of the main break with good intensity and early goals to Anthony Scott and Rory Lobb strengthened their grip on the contest.
Johanissen went straight off the ground after pulling up holding his hamstring after a contest with Luke Pedlar and was immediately substituted for Lachlan McNeil.
But the four-goals-to-one third quarter, including a lovely late Cody Weightman effort, proved enough to put the game to bed, with the final term a formality.
Swans only just get the points against Kangaroos
Sydney Swans have snapped a four-match losing streak with a last-minute win over North Melbourne, winning by three points at Docklands.
The Swans won with a goal to Hayden McLean after an interchange penalty against the Kangaroos - the victory improved their record to 4-6, but came at a cost with ruckman Peter Ladhams added to a long injury list.
Ladhams sustained a suspected serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly at a centre bounce ruck contest.
Play was held up for several minutes before Ladhams, who had just returned from an arm injury, was driven off the field moments before three-quarter time.
The Swans led by 15 points at that stage but coughed up the next five goals and looked gone before goals to Isaac Heeney and McLean put them back in front with less than a minute left on the clock.
Swans co-captain Luke Parker was huge for his side with 27 disposals, six clearances and a goal despite twice being forced off under the blood rule.
Chad Warner tallied 31 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, and Franklin finished with three majors in a welcome return to form.
The 36-year-old champion had faced heavy criticism after going goalless in consecutive matches for the first time in a decade over the preceding fortnight.
But he got the better of Kangaroos defenders Griffin Logue and Ben McKay in a fitting Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round contribution.
North Melbourne midfielder Bailey Scott had 33 disposals, seven clearances and a goal in his best performance of his career.
Co-captain Jy Simpkin (28 disposals, eight clearances, two goals) and Sheezel (25, two, two) were also outstanding but couldn't drag their side over the line.
Nick Larkey shook off early goal-kicking yips with two important majors after Ladhams' injury and Callum Coleman-Jones also booted two.
McLean and Ladhams finished with two each for Sydney.
Franklin took his career goal tally to 1057, lifting him level with former Geelong and North Melbourne champion Doug Wade into equal-fourth spot on the competition's all-time goal-kicking list.
Ladder
ABC/AAP
