Just like that, there’s only one week to go in the home and away season.
With a massive round that will determine the makeup of the eight and the fortunes of several teams, we analyse the big questions ahead of the weekend for one final time.
Do the Dees now have a genuine forward line for the future?
For many years now, we have consistently lamented Melbourne’s lack of scoring power as they have struggled to find reliable avenues to goal, which has been a big reason for their decline this year.
However, although it was just one week, last week against Gold Coast, we got a glimpse of how Melbourne’s forward line could function in the future.
The Dees kicked 100+ points away against a normally sturdy Gold Coast team and what will please Melbourne fans the most is the contributions from their young forwards.
Between the trio of Daniel Turner, Jacon van Rooyen and Harrison Petty, 10 goals were kicked and the three players also had 20 score involvements between them.
As always though, we need to see these performances on a consistent basis before Melbourne can be confident that they have found the solution to their offensive woes.
Whilst season 2024 has been a disappointing one, if the trio can back up their performance with a good showing on Friday night against Collingwood, Dees fans can gain some hope that they will climb back up the ladder sooner rather than later.
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Where is the Cats’ consistency?
A week after a thoroughly impressive win away against Fremantle, the Cats had a disappointing loss against St Kilda last week.
They led by 33 points at halftime, but they were overrun by an impressive Saints outfit who kicked 13 goals in the second half and notched up an impressive win.
It begs the question as to what the Cats’ actual form heading into September.
Whilst they’ve had recent good performances such as against Fremantle and Collingwood, they have also had disappointing outings against the Bulldogs and Saints, meaning it is very difficult to gauge where they stand ahead of yet another finals campaign.
The Cats should easily account for the Eagles this week to confirm their top four position, but they would want to ensure all parts of their game are moving and operating smoothly if they want to ensure they have a good run into September.
There is no reason why Geelong cannot win the premiership in 2024 but if they are to reach the summit this year, Chris Scott will want to quickly address his side’s inconsistency to make sure they are in perfect form come finals.
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Can Gold Coast make it consecutive wins away?
Given the high expectations that came this year with the arrival of Damien Hardwick as coach, the Suns would be incredibly disappointed with season 2024.
They especially would have been dismayed by their woeful showing last week at home against Melbourne, losing by 54 points and only kicking two goals in the second half.
In their recent history, the Suns have had a bad habit of not ending seasons strongly and ending in a sluggish manner, as evidenced by their Round 24 loss to North Melbourne last year.
For the Suns to go into 2025 with any sense of optimism, they have to finish this season strongly against 18th-placed Richmond.
They broke their monumental away drought a couple of weeks ago against Essendon and they will want to make it back-to-back win away to prove to everyone that they are a serious football ground that can play away from home.
If the Suns are to avoid another lacklustre season finish, they need to deliver a professional showing and must account for the Tigers at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
Can Gunston and Breust continue to be significant and vital players?
Amidst all the hype and fever surrounding the Hawks’ young, boisterous and dynamic players, we must not forget the role that their two veterans from the Hawks 2013-15 three-peat are playing.
Luke Breust and Jack Gunston have been fantastic in the Hawks forward line, providing an unrivalled experience that is very difficult to find and is helping the younger Hawks forwards find their way.
Whilst they may be past their absolute peak, the duo has still combined for 45 goals this year, a very respectable output considering the duo’s output doesn’t just come through scoreboard impact.
Gunston has been incredibly impressive in the last three weeks, kicking 12 goals in three games, and Breust has also had his moments such as his four-goal haul against Collingwood a few weeks ago.
The Hawks should account for North Melbourne this week and confirm their first finals appearance since 2018.
As the young Hawks prepare for September, they will need the older heads of Gunston and Breust to keep on contributing and adding value for the Hawks to continue their scintillating form into finals.
Jack Gunston celebrates a goal in his 250th AFL game. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Where are the Bombers’ leaders?
There have been many disastrous aspects to Essendon’s dramatic fall away in the second half of the year. One aspect of particular concern is the lack of leadership and calm heads in their side.
With the exception of Zach Merrett, who has had to take on much of the leadership burden and has done his best to lift his die with little aid, the Bombers seem to be lacking the leadership qualities that can not only provide stability if things get difficult but also spur the Bombers to be ruthless in their gameplay.
If Essendon are to detach from their mediocrity in 2025, they need the likes of Andrew McGrath, Darcy Parish, Mason Redman and Jake Stringer to provide a whole lot more for the side to maximise the talents and capabilities of their list.
Their opponents this week in Brisbane are a good example of the value of strong leaders with the Lions star players playing a major role in their surge up the ladder this year after a slow start.
Whilst Merrett has been superb, he needs more of his teammates to come with him to help him lead Essendon to finally break their finals drought.
How significant is Luke Parker?
Amidst reports and speculation that he may leave in the off-season, Luke Parker showed last week against Essendon why he is still so important for Sydney’s structure and cohesion as they prepare for September.
Having missed most of the season with injury and suspension and with the Swans displaying immaculate form for the first half of the season, some had questioned whether Parker was surplus to Sydney’s requirements and if he was actually needed by the Swans.
However, in the last few weeks, he has shown his value as an experienced and skilled leader, particularly in last week’s game against Essendon.
Against the Bombers, Parker was fantastic, kicking 3.1 from 15 disposals whilst also having five score involvements as he was crucial to the Swans’ surge in the third quarter where they gained an eventually unassailable lead.
With just one week left in the home and away season, Sydney will hope for Parker to continue his form against Adelaide as everyone realises just how valuable he is to the Swans and their chances of having a successful September.
Luke Parker celebrates a goal. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
How do the Dogs handle Hogan?
One round to go and this game has significant ramifications for the make-up of the eight, with the Giants looking to sneak into the top two and the Dogs hoping to finish top four – but at the same time, also ensuring that they secure their place in the eight.
One exciting matchup to look forward to at Ballarat and one matchup that is of note is Jesse Hogan against the Bulldogs’ defence.
Hogan has been incredibly impressive this year, especially in the last few weeks, as he has kicked 31 goals in his last seven games and has all but secured the Coleman medal.
With Hogan’s form playing a huge role as part of the Giants’ surge into September, Luke Beveridge will have to find a way to organise his defence to limit his influence.
There have been good signs from the Dogs’ defenders in recent weeks with players like Liam Jones, Rory Lobb, Buku Khamis and Joel Freijah showing their class.
However, as seen a couple of weeks ago against the Crows and Darcy Fogarty, the Dogs are still vulnerable to power forwards so it will be fascinating to see how the Bulldogs collectively look to limit Hogan’s scoring power.
How does Carlton deal with Marshall?
Carlton has their finals destiny in their own hands after a fantastic performance away against the Eagles whilst they were severely undermanned.
However, with the form the Saints have been in during the back half of the season, beating sides like Sydney and Geelong, it won’t be easy for the Blues to secure the win and ensure their September place.
One part of the game in particular that Michael Voss will have to address is how can his side combat the influence of ruckman Rowan Marshall.
As part of the Saints’ big win against the Cats last week, Marshall was sensational with 28 disposals, seven marks and 10 clearances as the Saints were able to wrest control in the midfield after half time, en route to an 18-point victory.
With De Koning injured, Marc Pittonet will have to find a way to break even with Marshall in the ruck to ensure his midfielders in Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, Matthew Kennedy and George Hewett can be proactive and dominate from the middle.
If Marshall is mitigated along with the Saints midfield, the Blues will take a massive step towards getting the four points and booking their September place.
Who will step up in place of Houston?
The big talking point out of last week’s showdown was Dan Houston’s bump on Izak Rankine which left the Crow concussed.
With Houston now suspended for five weeks, pending his appeal; it likely ends his 2024 season and the dilemma for Ken Hinkley is now what does he do without his star halfback.
Houston has been one of Port’s best players in recent years as he was an All-Australian last year and was tracking very well this year, averaging just over 23 disposals.
His drive and distribution off half-back is so crucial for the way Port likes to move the ball so his loss comes at an inopportune time as the Power finally look to have a successful September.
Therefore, Ken Hinkley will hope that players like Miles Bergman, Kane Farrell and Jase Burgoyne step up quickly to fill in the void at half-back, starting off with Port’s final-round match against an under-pressure Fremantle.
Since they will be without one of their main players, Port need others to step back to continue their good form, ahead of what is going to be a massive month for the football club.
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