A Victorian powerhouse is now in grave danger of missing finals on the back of a damning trend that still remains a flaw.
Meanwhile, is the time now for an AFL giant to break their 29-year drought, before it becomes an underachievement?
Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 17, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game, in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!
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COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON
Friday July 5, 7.40pm at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504, with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis, Sarah Jones, Brad Johnson & Jon Ralph
Magpies’ burning question: Are they ‘losing their aura?’
The comeback kings were stopped in their tracks by the Suns in Collingwood’s latest attempt to run over the top of an opponent. Having built a reputation as stepping up in the clutch in the Craig McRae era and pulling off the near impossible of comebacks time and time again, the Magpies have won just two of six games in 2024 when they trailed at three-quarter time. So are they ‘losing their aura’ in such situations to the point that other teams no longer fear the Pies’ once irrepressible comebacks? Triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown thinks so. “They’re getting beaten around the contest, their forward connection has been pretty ordinary, and their defenders are getting ambushed. “For me, it’s a really big concern; they lost on the weekend — you start losing these close games, you lose your aura, the teams that come up against you in those last quarters aren’t as worried, because you don’t feel like you’re paralysed as much,“ Brown told Fox Footy’s On the Couch.
Have Collingwood lost their aura? | 03:17
Bombers’ burning question: Can they rectify a damning record, or is their 2024 fate signed and sealed for 2024?
Essendon fans have been kicking at the heels in hope that their side can shrug off the pretender’s tag some have labelled them in 2024 – but unfortunately, a crucial stat has pushed them back a step as the finals race heats up. Against the current top eight teams heading into Round 17, the Bombers have a deplorable record of 0-1-4; accompanied with a percentage of just 68 per cent.
“We look at them, we see them in the top four, we think this is a fair effort, (and then you) dig a little deeper … they’ve come to the MCG and failed another big test, that’s the reality,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon said during Monday night’s episode of On The Couch.
“I’m looking forward as to how they handle that pressure on Friday, because there’s no doubt it’s mounting,” three-time Brisbane premiership player Jonathan Brown added.
A win over the top eight side they came closest to beating would go a long way to palming off their club’s criticisms, and equally help solidify their spot for finals contention in the short-term.
NORTH MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST SUNS
Saturday July 6, 1.45pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.30pm on Channel 503, with Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson, Ben Dixon & David Zita
Kangaroos’ burning question: Are we underselling Sheezel’s second season?
If Harry Sheezel played for a bigger club or the Roos had won more games, you can guarantee the second-year sensation would be getting more plaudits. For the former Pick 3 doesn’t seem to get talked up as much as some of the other young stars in the game, but has been mightily impressive to the point that you have to remind yourself at times he’s just a 19-year old in his second year, with composure beyond his years. Even if his overall numbers have dipped slightly since he’s moved into the midfield from Round 8, Sheezel’s impact has been profound including averaging 25.4 disposals and 1.4 goals from his last five games. That move from half back to on the ball has also correlated with North playing much better, with Sheezel’s sharp foot skills and general smarts in the centre/forward half of the ground much more valuable than in defence. Has future skipper written all over him.
‘I believe Clarko spoke to the boys’ | 00:59
Suns’ burning question: Are there still positives despite their inability to win away from home?
It’s no secret that Gold Coast have struggled on the road this year – in fact, they’ve lost all seven games outside their beloved People First Stadium and Northern Territory bases. Nonetheless, Jonathan Brown found the positives in another home win during Monday night’s On The Couch.
“What was a great sign of maturity for me – now I know they were playing at home – but they were coming off the toughest preparation in football, the Perth travel back … and an only a six-day break against a team that’s coming off the bye (and) fresh,” Brown said.
“They’re still in the hunt for a finals berth … they got heated by Collingwood late, and they managed to have the legs to get over the top of them – that’s a big tick.”
With three home games left for the home-and-away season and eight wins on the board – can they pick up enough games on the road to secure a maiden finals berth?
PORT ADELAIDE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday July 6, 1.45pm at Adelaide Oval
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.30pm on Channel 504, with Anthony Hudson, Gerard Healy, David King, Mark Ricciuto & David Zita
Power’s burning question: Are Ken’s emotions sustainable?
We saw an emotional side of Ken Hinkley we hadn’t seen before in terms of making himself vulnerable, with the under-fire Port coach choking back tears when speaking to Fox Footy in a rare interview after last week’s narrow win over St Kilda. It comes after some Power fans had called for Hinkley to be sacked after the Power’s underwhelming form in recent weeks including the coach getting booed at Adelaide Oval after the club’s horror 79-point loss to Brisbane. Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson on Channel 9 said she thought Hinkley’s “emotional rollercoaster” from the weekend wasn’t sustainable and called for him to simmer down and get back to an “even keel.” Meanwhile Lions great Jonathan Brown highlighted that Collingwood coach Craig McRae has been lauded for showing such authenticity and Hawks champion Jordan Lewis “loved” seeing Hinkley wear his heart on his sleeve. “I personally would love to play for an emotional coach and someone else can deal with the tactics. That to me is the perfect coach to get someone like me to play well,” Lewis said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.
Emotional Hinkley relieved by close win | 01:57
Bulldogs’ burning question: Are they the sleeping giant in premiership race?
If you were to guess the three clubs in the premiership window sweet spot, you probably wouldn’t consider the Bulldogs. But after an up and down start to the season as pressure came on Luke Beveridge, the Dogs have now won five of their last seven games to suddenly emerge as not only a finals contender, but a flag smoky. They face a big road test this week against Port Adelaide, where a win could see the Dogs – among a logjam of teams sitting between third and 13th separated by six points – climb as high as fifth and have genuine claim to two top four spots very much up for grabs right now. If nothing else, a win would see the Dogs leapfrog Port on the ladder and guarantee Beveridge’s side is in the top eight by the end of the round as one of the big bolters to watch on the run home.
GEELONG v HAWTHORN
Saturday July 6, 4.35pm at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4.30pm on Channel 504, with Dwayne Russell, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon, Cameron Mooney & David Zita
Cats’ burning question: Has a left-field magnet switch surprisingly freed up Geelong?
It’s the move that not even Tom Stewart himself saw coming heading into the 2024 season, but with push coming to shove, the five-time All-Australian has moved into the Cats’ engine room with notable effect. AFL greats Garry Lyon and Jonathon Brown highlighted the magnet movement during Monday night’s On The Couch, with positives to the Cats that aren’t glaringly obvious to the naked eye.
“We watched Tom Stewart get around, and all of a sudden, there were things that were different with Geelong against Essendon,” Lyon begun by saying.
“Tom Stewart going to the contest means that for the first time there was a bit of familiar look about it; and that was Tuohy that was able to go back and let his man go up to the contest, and he’s playing the plus one behind the footy – and that’s Geelong, this is Geelong.”
“Clearly Tom Stewart is starting to get frustrated the last couple of weeks; send him into the midfield, he’s not going to have someone dinking him around,” Brown added.
In an ideal world, the Cats will send Stewart back into defence in the coming weeks, but for now he looks to have found somewhat of a new role in the nucleus of Geelong’s underdone midfield.
Jezza ‘stoked’ to see Stengle stay | 02:13
Hawks’ burning question: Is Sam Mitchell planting shades of a dynastic Hawthorn circa 10 years ago?
Since Round 8 this year, Hawthorn have showed glimpses of a young Fremantle in 2022, and a resurging Adelaide in 2023. But are they also embodying the glory days of their second-year coach Sam Mitchell? Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis thought so when speaking to On The Couch, and lauded his former teammate for his coaching style that he believes has allowed his club to get the best out of a young group.
“What Mitchell has done this year has reflected a lot on his coaching – and sometimes it can be tough being a first-year coach letting your players play. Coming into the second year, trying to have more control having more control on how the game is played,” Lewis explained.
“His players have been upskilled in the structures and what needs to happen out in the game, and then they’ve got the licence to go and play.”
“The more I watch Hawthorn play, the more I look at it and the intricacies of which they play, move the ball and defend – the more I think about when I was playing and when Sam was playing.”
It’s by no means anything more than a glancing comparison, but nonetheless, a reflection of their purple patch in form.
GWS GIANTS v CARLTON
Saturday July 6, 7.30pm at ENGIE Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.15pm on Channel 504, with Ben Dixon, Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo & David Zita
Giants’ burning question: Is the spotlight shining on the stars with their ongoing form slump?
Having lost three of their last four matches, the Giants are in a mini free-fall – and heat has come the way of some underperforming star players. With Toby Greene (29 per cent decrease), Sam Taylor (24 per cent), Lachie Whitfield (20 per cent), Kieran Briggs (18 per cent) and Toby Bedford (17 per cent) all taking a dip in output when comparing their 2023 and 2024 form, you don’t have to look far to see where some problems lie.
“A couple of their really important players like Toby Bedford – those high half-forwards – you can just see that their drop off in form is stark; to the point where Bedford is a tagger, and Toby Greene the leader of this football club has dropped off significantly,” Jordan Lewis told On The Couch earlier this week.
Since Round 7, Adam Kingsley’s side have dropped from the top-rated side in points for and points from turnover, to the 15th and 16th ranked sides in the respective categories. The Giants are no doubt now on the clock for a turnaround in form that was on display last season, but given how tight the top eight is this time around, have they already burnt that bridge?
Failing Giants savaged | 05:36
Blues’ burning question: If Carlton don’t win a premiership in the next two years, have they underachieved?
Michael Voss’ side officially entered the premiership window last year with a stunning preliminary final appearance that saw them go oh, so close to their first Grand Final appearance this century. And while it wasn’t to be, this year they have undoubtedly backed up their form of 2023 to now look like a staple in the league’s top two teams. But with great form, comes great expectation as Jordan Lewis explained during On The Couch Monday night.
“For a side that has seven of the top 100 players in the league – that’s not including Weitering and Walsh – effectively 50 per cent of your (best 22) is in the top 100 players in the competition, and they’re showing the type of form that was reminiscent of Geelong in 2022 and Richmond in 2019; I just look at this right now and think ‘where is their weakness?’” Lewis explained.
“They’ve had injuries like any other side has had injuries this year, but because of their depth, they’ve been able to cope with that – I just think that holds you I really good stead come finals time.”
Ranking number one in the competition for points for the last six weeks, as well as second for points against, Lewis stated how clear it is that “they are wholly and solely focused on what is coming towards the end of September,” – some heavy praise to embrace for a side with half a season to play out.
Stat proves Blues are flag favourites? | 02:14
FREMANTLE v RICHMOND
Saturday July 6, 8.10pm at Optus Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8pm on Channel 503, with Adam Papalia, Matthew Pavlich, Will Schofield, Kath Loughnan & David Zita
Dockers’ burning question: Has Nathan Fyfe shown Fremantle the standard of selflessness?
It was arguably the matchup of the weekend – dual-Brownlow Medallist Nathan Fyfe on a run-with role against this year’s potential Brownlow leader Isaac Heeney. And wow did Fyfe deliver – keeping Heeney to a season-low number of disposals (20), and an equal-low for marks (one). The Docker had 22 disposals and eight clearances himself, in a tactical move that now looms as a great ace to have up coach Justin Longmuir’s sleeve.
“I just watched Fremantle on the weekend, and I thought to myself: ‘Is Nathan Fyfe just showing the Dockers the way?’ Has he said ‘Hey, I’ll show you about sacrifice,” Garry Lyon said during Fox Footy’s Monday night’ episode of On The Couch.
“We’ve all debated where he fits – well maybe this is where he fits – he goes to Isaac Heeney, the hottest player in the competition and puts the cooler on him like he hasn’t had on him this year.
“The symbolism is powerful.”
Tigers’ burning question: Is this another chance to put Baker in the shop window in WA?
Tigers gun Liam Baker is among the biggest and most in-demand names out of contract at season’s end as he weighs up his future and a potential return home to his home state Western Australia. The 26-year old reportedly met with the Eagles when he was in Perth over the bye, with West Coast seen as the frontrunner to secure the utility’s signature over Fremantle and Richmond. Well, Baker returns to Perth this weekend in a chance to potentially boost his value on the market as the Dockers get an up close and personal experience against the tough Tiger. A big performance and it might just force Fremantle’s hand to ramp up its bid.
Two first-rounders for Tiger? | 00:31
MELBOURNE v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday July 7, 1.10pm at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12.30pm on Channel 504, with Anthony Hudson, Matt Hill, Jordan Lewis, Nick Dal Santo, Sarah Jones, Ruby Schleicher & Jon Ralph
Demons’ burning question: Is this week do-or-die?
Having not seen the inside of the top eight since Round 11, the Demons are now on very thin ice. In addition, they have dropped exactly 17 per cent in percentage since their monster loss to Fremantle in Round 12 – leaving them needing six wins from their last eight games to be certain of a finals appearance, or possibly five and a notable percentage kick. A loss this weekend to a lowly Eagles would nearly throw the knockout blow to their season given they still have to play the in-form Fremantle, Western Bulldogs and Collingwood before September – all matches they would go into as underdogs. With a forward line that – with the exception of Kysaiah Pickett – needs a serious revving up, this week absolutely needs to be the one they finally turn their dire form patch around.
Eagles’ burning question: Can they repeat their Round 10 heroics?
It feels like an eternity ago since West Coast beat the Demons by 35 points on their home turf. In fact, they are yet to win since – with 99 and 61-point losses the lowlight of their run beyond Round 10. Both sides two months ago were in-form, but now look a shadow of their former self – perhaps making the Demons just as vulnerable as Adam Simpson’s Eagles. West Coast bombarded Melbourne with inside 50’s and marks when they last met; a potential indicator as to where they might be able to poke a hole in Simon Goodwin’s game plan when they meet again this Sunday.
ST KILDA v SYDNEY SWANS
Sunday July 6, 3.20pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503, with Kelli Underwood, Dermott Brereton & Cameron Mooney
Saints’ burning question: Who becomes their number one target inside forward 50 without Max King?
Ross Lyon will be forced to look beyond Max King as his side’s main forward for the rest of 2024, after the 23-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season with a PCL injury. And with the exception of Jack Higgins, no Saint has stood up in the attacking arc this year, as Tim Membrey and Mattaes Phillipou were sent for multiple runs in the VFL. After two strong performances on the weekend for Sandringham, the duo looks likely to be called upon, with Membrey in particular sure to be the main focal point if recalled. And while Phillipou doesn’t fit the same mould as Membrey or King, his ability to impact the scoreboard has always been touted since being drafted in 2022. Membrey’s 15 goals from 11 games is the most excluding Higgins and King, and draws equal with Mitchito Owen’s 15.9 this year.
Saints star Max King out for the season | 01:26
Swans’ burning question: Was last week’s slow start the kick they need to rectify their only obvious weakness?
Sydney’s one-point loss last Saturday is the furthest thing from alarm bells for Swans fans, but it certainly has highlighted a trend that would be of much more concern if it wasn’t for their clear dominance this season. Ranking 18th in the competition for first quarter points since Round 8, their consistent slow starts are putting them on the back foot early – which against the league’s better teams like Fremantle, will inevitably see you lose eventually.
“As this season rolls on, these sorts of things will come back and bite you,” Garry Lyon said Monday night to Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“There’s no doubt they know their weakness – they are understanding of their first quarters, that is an issue … we understand you’re not going to play a complete, perfect performance every single week; but when it becomes a pattern like that, it becomes into the psyche of the players, and that starts to affect the way you start games,” Jordan Lewis added.
BRISBANE LIONS v ADELAIDE CROWS
Sunday July 7, 4.10pm at the Gabba
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504, with Dwayne Russell, Jonathan Brown, Gerard Healy, Alastair Lynch & Jon Ralph, followed by Bounce and First Crack
Lions’ burning question: Is their shaky home form this year a cause for concern?
It may seem like an odd question to ask of a side who have won their last four games at home, but is there a chink in the armour for Brisbane, who for so long have been deemed unbeatable at the Gabba? This is of course despite losing their first three home games of the season, but since then, have turned it around with four straight wins. it is worth noting however that their last two (against St Kilda and Melbourne) have gotten a little too close for their liking, in particular last Friday night. They haven’t lost to the Crows at the ground since 2018, although they have only played them three times at the Gabba since then. A danger game? It would be a stretch to call it that, but the Lions will no doubt be looking to put the game to bed far earlier than they have done so previously in 2024.
Lions lock down star duo to new deals | 00:52
Crows’ burning question: How much do we read into last week’s win over GWS?
Adelaide have only beaten the Lions once since 2018, but certainly showed form against them in their dramatic draw at Adelaide Oval in Round 9 earlier this year. Able to snap their three-game losing streak last weekend against the Giants, the Crows looked much more like their 2023-selves that have gone missing for the most part of this year. We’ve seen them spike in form once before this year, but it was eventually to no avail given their chances of a first finals appearance since 2017 now require them to win all eight remaining games. A seven-goal second quarter against GWS showed they have it in them to blow top eight teams out of the water, but consistency is key – and they are still yet to show any this year. An away win this weekend might change the minds of some pundits on where they sit, but until then, they’re still a side who promises more than they deliver.