Round 18 taught us plenty about the AFL.
The weekend saw a raft of upsets, statement wins, huge individual outings and more!
With that in mind, here’s what we learned from the weekend’s footy.
Can we trust Essendon?
Oh, Essendon.
Everyone jumped on board after last week’s win over Collingwood, but in typical fashion, they couldn’t back it up.
While the Dons went down by 14 points in the end to Melbourne on Saturday night, that scoreline flattered them as they kicked the last four goals of the game in the second half of the fourth quarter.
The Dons were well beaten around the ball by a Melbourne team missing Max Gawn and their game plan which involves controlling the footy and taking uncontested marks completely fell apart in the wet.
While the Dons sit firmly in the top eight in sixth, can we really trust them to even threaten in September?
With the Pies going down the ladder, they still haven’t beaten a top-eight side and that won’t change in September with the way they’re going having won just two of the last six.
We’re topsy and turvy it seems on Essendon each week with their inconsistent performances.
Perhaps it’s just time that we consider them a finals contender but nothing more than that in an incredibly tight season.
That’s the performance we’ve wanted from Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
The Western Bulldogs were relying on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in Saturday’s game against Carlton, and didn’t he deliver in the 100-86 win.
With Aaron Naughton out of the side and the Dogs down a few talls down back, Luke Beveridge knew his side had to score heavily to win and Ugle-Hagan was always going to be central to those plans.
Entering the game in some average form, many weren’t expecting much from the former No. 1 pick, especially with Jacob Weitering for company.
It looked like things would go that way early too as Weitering controlled the matchup, but Ugle-Hagan got going in the second term and eventually put in a best afield performance with 4.3, 20 disposals and six marks.
Kane Cornes described his outing as a coming-of-age performance and if he can continue this kind of output, the Dogs are going to be frightening.
With Naughton back next week, if he and Ugle-Hagan can combine to take down the Cats in Geelong, we’ll all believe in this side as a true contender.
Perhaps this is a moment we’ll look back on as the beginning of a truly special career.
Clubs are going to come knocking for out-of-contract Sun
Gold Coast midfielder Alex Davies is yet to sign a contract at Gold Coast for 2025 and beyond, and you can see why clubs are circling.
In his fourth game for the year and 29th overall, Davies was crucial in the 96-82 win over Port Adelaide with 20 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances.
While he’s played just four times in 2024, the 22-year-old ranks first in tackles per game and ninth in centre clearances per game across the entire AFL.
While he may miss some time after collecting Lachie Jones high and concussing the Power utility, Davies should come straight back into Damien Hardwick’s team once his time is served.
As Gold Coast’s midfield is so strong already, perhaps Davies will seek more opportunities elsewhere this off-season after clubs tried their luck in luring him away last campaign.
At 193cm with his athletic profile and high upside, surely clubs with midfield deficiencies like Collingwood, Geelong and St Kilda will come knocking.
A huge selection squeeze is imminent at Sydney
Sydney has a huge selection dilemma on their hands.
With Isaac Heeney out of the side with suspension, Luke Parker was given his first opportunity for 2024 in the seniors after replacing Sam Wicks as a late change.
While the veteran started as the sub, he quickly made an impact, kicking two goals to go with 13 disposals and seven tackles.
To do all of that in just over a quarter of footy proves how capable he still is at the top level and he simply shouldn’t play VFL for the rest of the season.
Saturday’s game was also Callum Mills’ first game of the season in the seniors after recovering from injury, and the co-captain is a clear best-23 starter.
With Heeney set to return next week, someone might have to fall out, even with Justin McInerney going down with a PCL injury.
Can the Swans fit all of Parker, Taylor Adams and James Jordon into a side that already has a midfield group of Heeney, Chad Warner, Errol Gulden, Mills and James Rowbottom?
Someone might be unlucky to miss out.
It’s a great conundrum for Sydney to have, but there’s no doubt a squeeze is coming.
It’s a big week for Collingwood
Collingwood’s season is hanging by a thread after Friday’s loss to Geelong.
Their third loss in a row has pushed them all the way to 12th.
While they’re outside of the eight, they’re still only out of it by one game and they desperately need to win next Saturday against Hawthorn if they’re any hope of qualifying for September.
They could get both Mason Cox and Dan McStay back which will no doubt help their key tall issues.
While you can’t expect a heap from them both in potential return games, the Pies simply must win if they’re to do anything in 2024.
If they don’t, the curtains will be drawn on their campaign.
Win, and a glimmer of hope still remains with Richmond on the schedule the week after in Round 20.