A ‘one-man war’ has taken over for Collingwood, and his efforts are sparking their revival.
Plus the draftee nicknamed before he was picked finally living up to the billing, and concerns for the Cats heading into their top end tussle.
Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 10, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!
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Coveted young Don set to leave? | 01:55
ROUND 10 FIXTURE AND BURNING QUESTIONS (All times AEST)
GOLD COAST SUNS v GEELONG
Thursday May 16, 7:30pm at TIO Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504 with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Brad Johnson, Eddie Betts & Jon Ralph
Suns’ burning question: Can they claim a massive scalp at their second home ground?
Coming up against a Geelong side reeling from back-to-back losses and that will be without a trio of veteran stars, Thursday night shapes as all-important fixture for Gold Coast. The Cats will be without Jeremy Cameron (concussion), Tom Hawkins (managed) and Mitch Duncan (managed) and Rhys Stanley (managed) in Darwin. And, while the Suns have chosen to rest a couple of guns of their own in Jed Walter and Jarrod Witts, the Suns are ‘hosting’ Geelong at TIO Stadium in Darwin — a venue they’re 5-0 at since the start of 2021 (no other club has played more games there in that time), while the Cats have never played a home-and-away game there. It’s a massive opportunity to topple a formidable side at a ground they know better than their opponent. Will they take advantage and claim their sixth win from their first 10 games?
Cats: burning question: How will they fare in unfamiliar (Northern) territory without their goalkicking twin towers?
With Tom Hawkins (managed) and Jeremy Cameron (concussion) ruled out, observing Chris Scott’s altered forward set-up will be intriguing — particularly following consecutive defeats. The decision to rest Hawkins is an interesting one in itself. Not only does leaving him out ensure the club legend plays his record-breaking 356th Geelong game in front of his home supporters at Kardinia Park, but it also means he won’t have to combat the sticky, slippery conditions at TIO Stadium. Most key forwards would probably tell you they don’t enjoy trying to take grabs up there, and considering ‘Tomahawk’s lean form to this point in the year, Scott might have done the stalwart a solid. ‘Jezza’ won’t have to brave the Darwin conditions either, so it’ll be good experience for the likes of Shannon Neale and Toby Conway, assuming one or both receives a call-up to the senior side. Geelong has also opted to rest fellow veteran Mitch Duncan. These are certainly some key outs, and considering Gold Coast won at TIO Stadium just last Saturday and is 5-0 at the venue since the start of 2021, things could get (extra) sticky in Darwin for the Cats — who have never played a home-and-away season match there.
SYDNEY SWANS v CARLTON
Friday May 17, 7.40pm at the SCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504 with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Eddie Betts, Jordan Lewis, Alastair Lynch & Jon Ralph
Swans’ burning question: Are we sleeping on star Swans midfielder?
We always talk about Isaac Heeney and about Errol Gulden as the stars in Sydney’s on-ball brigade and rightly so, but there’s another gem flying under the radar. It’s time to give Chad Warner his flowers. Warner has had a superb season to date, averaging over 24 disposals, four marks and five inside 50s a game. He’s impacting the scoreboard too, having booted 12 goals from nine games this season. The star Swan is healthy and powerful and North Melbourne champion David King said he “corners like a formula one (car)” on Fox Footy’s First Crack. Warner’s ability to change speed and get the ball from the inside to the outside to break the game open is a huge asset for John Longmire. Strap yourselves in, Chad Warner is about to “go gangbusters”.
Blues’ burning question: Have they unlocked the best version of Cripps?
As revealed by Saints legend Leigh Montagna on Fox Footy’s The First Crack, Blues skipper Patrick Cripps is having his highest-rated season of his career — yes, ahead of his 2022 Brownlow medal winning year — after spending more time forward. Cripps is the No. 4 ranked player in the competition for forward half disposals, behind only Isaac Heeney, Christian Petracca and Marcus Bontempelli. Montagna was full of praise of how Michael Voss is using Cripps, saying: “Loving the evolution of Patty Cripps’ role and not being so reliant as a pure midfielder. They’ve taken stock from others teams and learned from from the old Dusty Martin-Kane Lambert and Christian Petracca-Alex Neal-Bullen (pairings). Elijah Hollands is playing this important role as that pseudo midfielder to allow Cripps to play at stoppage then stay forward. They’re getting more bang for buck.”
Robbo sees red over Cameron concussion | 02:58
COLLINGWOOD v KUWARNA (ADELAIDE CROWS)
Saturday May 18, 1.45pm at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1pm on Channel 503 with Leigh Montagna, Garry Lyon, Jack Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo & David Zita
Magpies’ burning question: Can anyone stop ‘one-man war in the middle’ Daicos?
After being below his previous epic heights at the start of the season, Nick Daicos, much like Collingwood as a whole, is starting to get hot. Spending more time in the midfield in recent weeks amid injuries to key stars, Daicos is doing maximum damage to the opposition with clearances. Since Round 5, Daicos is ranked No. 1 in the AFL in scores creates from clearances (15), ahead of the likes of Marc Pittonet (11), Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps (10 each). It includes Collingwood scoring 3.3 from Daicos’ seven clearances against West Coast last weekend in a dominant performance. Kangaroos legend David King on Fox Footy’s The First Crack declared Daicos is “back” and said “no one in the competition is doing what he is doing at clearance.” King added “This is a pattern, not just an event. You’ve got to recognise the brilliance of this guy, he looks like a stronger version of last year. This just could be a one-man war in the middle. This will have a domino effect on how (the Magpies) play. Just watch out, this guy is doing things that are hard to clamp, it’s hard to tag a player who can do that.”
Crows’ burning question: Is it Daniel Curtin’s time to shine?
The 19-year-old’s start to his professional career hasn’t quite gone according to plan. After struggling to assert himself in the year’s early stages, the Western Australian has been substituted out of his two AFL games thus far. The youngster conceded four goals to his direct match-ups before being subbed out at half-time of Adelaide’s draw with Brisbane last Sunday — the irony being that fellow defender Josh Worrell broke his forearm just minutes into the second half. However, while it would seem that Curtin is earmarked to feature more prominently in Matthew Nicks’ side going forward, the Crows coach hasn’t made any guarantees ahead of a critical clash with Collingwood at the MCG. “There’s always a challenge as a young player coming in, especially a key defender or a key-position behind-the-ball player,” Nicks said during the week. “One small mistake and you’re exposed and everyone sees that. If you come in as a forward in the competition, you can fly under the radar a little bit, but as a key defender, what we’ve seen is it takes a little bit longer to develop, but we’ve been really pleased (with what) Dan’s brought. He’s going to have his challenges. He’s a first-year player that has come in and he’s played in a couple of huge games for us ... we’re really confident of what we’re going to see long-term.” Adelaide aggressively traded up with GWS at last year’s draft to snag Curtin, who has averaged 7.0 disposals and 2.5 marks across his pair of shortened outings. The Crows were narrowly defeated in both their meetings with the Magpies last year and will be looking for vengeance as they continue to plot a path back up the ladder.
Magpies member banned by AFL for odd act | 00:27
GWS GIANTS v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday May 18, 4:35pm at ENGIE Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4:30pm on Channel 504 with Dwayne Russell, Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Cameron Mooney & David Zita
Giants’ burning question: Do they need to change their ‘methodology?’
One of the flag frontrunners in the early rounds, the Giants have looked a ways off that level in recent weeks. GWS has dropped three of its last four games as opposition sides have successfully shut down the ‘Orange Tsunami,’ including Lachie Whitfield — the “earthquake that starts the ‘tsunami”, as put by Saints great Leigh Montagna — getting tagged out of games. Over the last two weeks the Giants have dropped to 13th in the competition in scores per 100 won clearances and 17th in scores per 100 intercepts, having ranked first in both areas from Rounds 0-7. Kangaroos legend David King on Fox Footy’s The First Crack said the Giants have been left in “a bit of trauma” and would be “re-evaluating their methodology.” Looking at their decline in scoring numbers, King said: “That’s not them, that’s not getting you to finals, don’t worry about winning flags. If those last two weeks hold, they’ll just dissipate and fritter away a season. They’ve got a lot of work to do, I know they’ve had some injuries, but their form across a four-week period has dropped right away. They’ve lost their method and mode.”
Bulldogs’ burning question: Can they build on some of these victories?
The Western Bulldogs have been convincing in the games they’ve won this season. Their four victories have come by an average of 69 points. More than convincing. The issue? Among other things, a dreadful lack of consistency. We thought ‘Bevo’s Bulldogs might be back after they made St Kilda look amateur, though they followed that performance up with uninspiring losses to Fremantle and Hawthorn. Then came last Saturday’s holistic thumping of a helpless Richmond. Credit where it’s due, it was an all-around showing, and it might have re-instilled a bit of hope in the Bulldogs faithful. Hope is a very dangerous thing, though, especially taking into account this club’s tendency for inconsistency. GWS — especially on its home deck — is also a prospect fraught with danger. However, these clubs are rivals, so expect some added spice. Plus, star midfielder Josh Kelly and half-back speedster Lachie Ash have been sidelined by calf injuries, potentially giving the Doggies a leg up.
Aiden O'Driscoll forced to retire | 02:29
EURO-YROKE (ST KILDA) v WALYALUP (FREMANTLE)
Saturday May 18, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:15pm on Channel 504 with Dwayne Russell, Jason Dunstall, Nathan Buckley, Cameron Mooney & David Zita
Saints’ burning question: Can King find new tricks?
Max King is in a form slump, having gone backwards from previous years. Over the last four weeks, King has averaged one goal, 3.8 marks, four score involvements and 8.1 disposals as the No. 53 rated key forward — numbers labelled “really poor” by club legend Leigh Montagna, saying he’s “not having any influence” and “everything has dried up.” Montagna said King’s lack of development in his sixth season has caused “frustration” among Saints fans, and given he’s been “too easily” stopped when he can’t get a run and jump at the ball, the dual All-Australian implored the 23-year old to find other ways to be effective: “Absolutely they need more out of Max King. He is their man and I know they’re going to say if the ball use is better, it’ll help Max. But sometimes when you’re the man, you’ve got to help yourself. He is too easily getting nudged out of contests and not being able to compete to at least bring the ball to ground or give himself a chance to mark. He’s been figured out, teams know if you stop Max’s run and jump, there’s not enough forward craft. For a guy who’s been in the system six years and has athletic attributes, he doesn’t have the ability to get separation any other way than the run and jump. It’s something he’s going to have to work because teams are going to continue to do this to him.”
Dockers’ burning question: Is limiting their uncontested game the key to undoing them?
On an emotional and sombre night for Fremantle players, coaches and fans, the Dockers weren’t up to the task in Round 9 as they fell to Sydney. However, the recipe to undoing Justin Longmuir’s men might be starting to reveal itself. A game plan predicated on accumulating uncontested marks might be starting to come undone. “It’s a discussion for another day, but I think if you can take Fremantle out of their uncontested marking game, they’re in real trouble,” David King told Fox Footy’s First Crack. “And we saw it again; when they have to handball they invite pressure, pressure they’re not ready for and can’t cope with. (But) as we said, I’m not going to judge them on the weekend because that’d be clearly unfair, so we’ll have another look at them in the next couple of weeks.” Since their Round 4 loss to Carlton, the number of uncontested marks the Dockers have taken in their back half has increased. They tallied 45 against the Blues, before 52 the next week in their narrow defeat to Port Adelaide, and then 53 last Friday night, suggesting they can’t get a lot on their own terms once they move into their front half. Half a game outside the top eight, eyes will be on how Fremantle fares against St Kilda.
No Thursday clash 'hands NRL free kick!' | 02:39
BRISBANE LIONS v RICHMOND
Saturday May 18, 7:30pm at the Gabba
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.15pm on Channel 503 with Ben Dixon, Brad Johnson, Eddie Betts, Dermott Brereton & Kelli Underwood
Lions’ burning question: How will talk of selfishness impact this embattled group?
After all sorts of murmurs about their off-field activity and a barrage of injuries, the last thing Chris fa*gan needed was for something else to drive a wedge in his playing group amid a mediocre start to the season. Fox Footy’s David King called out Joe Daniher after Brisbane’s draw with Adelaide for not utilising his teammates more. King was particularly critical of one moment early in the game where Daniher took a shot from outside 50 instead of passing to teammate Charlie Cameron, suggesting it “creates a model that says: ‘Each to their own’.” While the optics of Daniher appearing to burn his teammates weren’t good, co-captain Lachie Neale went to bat for his star key forward, telling Fox Footy’s AFL 360: “There would be moments in a game where I was lazy on defence that hasn’t been picked up by the media. But you’d be able to grab snippets of it and show it and say I let the team down in that instance ... we back him in.” Will talks of selfishness galvanise this Brisbane group, or pull it apart?
Tigers’ burning question: What will the response to the Dogs thrashing look like?
As has been well-documented, Richmond was holistically trounced by the Western Bulldogs last Saturday. Particularly repugnant was the fact they surrendered 77 inside-50s for the match — the league average this season is 52.4 per game. The Tigers simply must issue a response against Brisbane. It’d be a scalp of significant proportions, but the Lions — who are banged-up themselves — haven’t been the side we’ve come to know this season. Inconceivably, though, Richmond was hit again by injury in Round 9, with Maurice Rioli Jnr (ankle), Sam Banks (concussion), Jack Graham (hamstring) and Seth Campbell (knee) all sidelined. However, Adem Yze’s brigade could be bolstered by the returns of Liam Baker (corked leg) and Dylan Grimes (managed) for their trip north. Yze insisted post-game last week that he “can’t fault” his side’s effort, instead pointing to a lack of execution and missed tackles. The former Melbourne assistant said his Tigers registered enough “attempted tackles” to compete but couldn’t capitalise with their physicality, so expect a response in that department.
Sam Draper to miss the next 6-8 weeks | 00:20
ESSENDON v NORTH MELBOURNE
Sunday May 19, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504 with Matt Hill, Dwayne Russell, Brad Johnson, Jack Riewoldt, Sarah Jones & Jon Ralph
Bombers’ burning question: Was last week the turning point?
Not for the first time this season, the Bombers took most by surprise by defeating GWS last Saturday. Essendon has been known to give its fans false hope in years past, but something about it feels different this season. “Whether it’s the edge, or the will to win or a desperation, that’s what they’re displaying,” Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley told Fox Footy’s On the Couch. “They could not move the ball … they’ve improved exponentially since then. They’ve won close games … they’ve only been beaten twice this year ... The Essendon edge is exactly what I’m witnessing.” Here’s the key: the Bombers have already banked six wins from nine fixtures. They include hard-fought, high degree of difficulty triumphs over the Giants, the Crows in Adelaide and the Saints (when they were in better nick). They also drew with the Magpies in a plucky Anzac Day effort. With the Roos and Tigers in their next fortnight, the Bombers could very realistically be 8-2-1 at the halfway point. It’d be pretty, pretty hard to fall out from there, especially with additional favourable match-ups with West Coast, St Kilda, Gold Coast (Marvel Stadium) and Fremantle (Marvel) to come in the second portion of the year. Whether you want to admit it or not, these Bombers are humming at the moment, providing their supporters with genuine hope they could break the 7,000+ day finals-win drought that’s been hovering over the Hangar like a bad smell.
Roos’ burning question: Are they losing the fans?
North Melbourne fans are some of the most rusted on in the competition. But club champion David King is starting to get worried that the “fans are starting to remove themselves from the passion” he said on Fox Footy’s First Crack. The Roos have lost by an average of 58 points a game this season and have conceded 100+ points to their opposition in every single game. It’s getting hard to watch and something needs to shift. King believes the club needs to get its “hunger and personality back” ahead of a big clash against the in-form Bombers on Sunday at Marvel Stadium. Can the club lean on its Shinboner spirit and get back on the winner’s list?
YARTAPUULTI (PORT ADELAIDE) v HAWTHORN
Sunday May 19, 3:20pm at Adelaide Oval
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503 (and Channel 504 from 4pm) with Ben Dixon, Dermott Brereton & David King
Power’s burning question: Can star be ‘best player’ in club history?
A lot has been made about Port Adelaide’s star-studded midfield. And Kangaroos legend has gone so far to say Zak Butters can be the best player in the club’s history. Butters has produced another brilliant season including a best-on-ground performance in the Power’s upset win over Geelong last weekend, racking up 34 disposals and kicking a goal. Speaking on Fox Footy’s The First Crack, King said Butters was “the reason” Port defeated the Cats and was extremely bullish about how good the 23-year old could be: “He plays like the captain and wants to be the man. I think by the end of his career he’ll challenge Tredrea, Boak, Gray, whoever you want to throw up, as the best Port Adelaide player in the history of Port Adelaide. Certainly at AFL level since 1990. He’s 23 years of age, just played 100 gams ... he’s tracking for another best and fairest and another All-Australian. What he does is just so powerful and has such an influence on games ... where’s his ceiling? We’re just seeing little snippets. Ken Hinkley, in fairness, has talked about him for a long time and compared him to Gary Ablett Jr.”
Hawks’ burning question: Has the Wizard found his magic?
Questions were raised when the Hawks used their prized pick five on a 170cm small forward from the Eastern Ranges in last year’s draft. Was a kid that small going to be able to make it on the big stage? Hats off to the Hawthorn recruiting team, because the boy known affectionately as the ‘Wizard’ is well and truly making his mark on the big stage. Nick Watson had 10 touches against the Saints, but seven score involvements. He’s smart, has a footy IQ “through the roof” and loves to turn the jets on. Fox Footy commentator David King is “in love with this guy”. He may not be a high possession player, but it seems the Wizard has the magic touch.
GWS Giants dealt double injury blow | 00:30
WAALITJ MARAWAR (WEST COAST EAGLES) v NAARM (MELBOURNE)
Sunday May 19, 6.20pm at Optus Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6pm on Channel 504 with Adam Papalia, Matthew Pavlich, Will Schofield & Kath Loughnan followed by Bounce and First Crack
Eagles’ burning question: How crucial are in-form pair to their chances?
West Coast looks a different outfit when veteran midfielder Elliot Yeo and vastly-improved forward Jake Waterman are playing in it. They’ve won games and been competitive in losses, with a revitalised Yeo crashing packs and bodies circa 2018, while Waterman shown shades of club great Josh Kennedy at times this year. Without them, though, the Eagles look more like the side that was regularly trounced by 60-plus points. Yeo (groin) and Waterman (concussion protocols) missed West Coast’s heavy loss to Collingwood last Sunday, however the club has said it’s ‘hopeful’ the duo can return for Sunday’s return to Optus Stadium to play the Dees. In a positive sign, Waterman wasn’t listed on West Coast’s injury report. The Eagles will also be hoping Jeremy McGovern (internal injuries) is OK in time for the weekend. Coming up against a Melbourne defence looking to avenge a not-so-hot effort against the Blues, West Coast will need all its attacking prowess at its disposal.
Demons’ burning question: Is their method of attack sustainable?
Melbourne needed a heroic performance from superstar Christian Petracca to claw its way back into last Thursday’s tight loss to Carlton. With the intercepting impact of Jake Lever nullified for most of the evening in defence, the Demons needed something going forward to have any chance of staging a fightback — and Petracca’s five-goal haul did just that, coming on a night when full-time attackers Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen, Harrison Petty and Daniel Turner combined for three goals. Come finals time, against stout defences likes the Blues’ (when healthy), it’s simply not going to be enough. You wouldn’t put it past Petracca, but Simon Goodwin can’t afford to rely on his mercurial talent to bob up with three, four or five goals every week. A burning hot trade commodity coming into the season, Petty has kicked two goals from seven games in 2024. Van Rooyen has been only marginally better, booting 10 majors from nine outings. Fritsch (22 goals) is Melbourne’s goal-scoring leader and still the side’s most threatening option. While the Demons won’t be tested by the Eagles this Sunday like they will in September, the sustainability of this forward-line situation will continue to be a contentious talking point.
