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AFL Round 6 stocks up, stocks down: Adelaide's medical sub shocker

Our footy experts cast their eye over the week's action to find out whose stocks are up -- whether it's a coaching masterstroke or a player having a blinder -- and whose are down. Every club features, so jump ahead to your team below (desktop only).

Crows | Lions | Blues | Magpies | Bombers | Dockers | Cats | Suns | Giants | Hawks | Demons | Roos | Power | Tigers | Saints | Swans | Eagles | Bulldogs

Adelaide

Stocks up: He was Adelaide's first pick in the 2020 draft, after the Bulldogs matched the bid for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at pick No. 1, but Riley Thilthorpe announced himself as an AFL player. He was imposing in his debut against the Hawks, booting five majors, and in the process, breaking the record for most Crows goals on debut!

Stocks down: Someone at the Crows has a lot to answer for. When Will Hamill came from the ground and was subbed off with a leg injury a few minutes before three-quarter time, Adelaide's sub Tom Lynch wasn't ready to play. He didn't even have his boots on, nor his ankle strapped! He didn't get on the ground until well into the final term, looked a mile off the pace (the Crows were hoping to 'rest him' this week), and the Crows lost. We're not blaming Lynch, but wow, the Crows got this one very, very wrong.

Brisbane

Stocks up: When the Lions needed a boost in the second term, Hugh McLuggage delivered. The classy mid was everywhere as the Lions kicked away from Carlton, and his composure with ball in hand was a stark contrast to when the Blues has the football. He finished with 33 touches, five clearances and 599 metres gained.

Stocks down: He's an All-Australian fullback, but Harris Andrews got touched up by Harry McKay on Saturday. The Carlton forward booted six majors and out-positioned and out-bodied Andrews on a number of occasions, and, at times, the Lions defender thought a good use of his time was arguing with the umpires. Focus on what you're good at, Harris!

Carlton

Stocks up: Another bag for Harry McKay -- this time six goals -- and he's got 22 for the year. For context, in 13 games last season, Harry kicked just 21, meaning he's eclipsed his 2020 tally in just six outings. Impressive stuff!

Stocks down: Some of Carlton's veterans are making it harder to justify why they're in the side. Levi Casboult is there to primarily be a marking target for the Blues, and he failed to take a single grab against the Lions. He looked off the pace and lacked confidence in the air. Eddie Betts, too, had a 'mare, dropping two sodas within 20 metres of goal. His 0.4 return hurt, with misses coming at crucial times.

Collingwood

Stocks up: Take a bow, Darcy Cameron. Called upon to play a role in attack, and as a relief ruck, he had 22 touches, kicked 3.1, and had nine hitouts as one of Collingwood's best in a losing side.

Stocks down: Six of Collingwood's 22 failed to accumulate 10 or more disposals on Anzac Day. If the Pies are going to salvage something from season 2021, they really need more input from their 'bottom six'.

Essendon

Stocks up: Could it be anyone other than Darcy Parish? Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (five goals) might be a little stiff, but Parish was everywhere in the Bombers' win over the Pies. He picked up 42 touches and kicked two goals, including a sealer to deliver his side's second win for the year.

Stocks down: Where has this effort been all year? The Bombers need to work on their consistency, because when they're on, they're fun to watch. Their tackling pressure in particular (+30) was spectacular, especially considering they won the disposal count as well (+19). Cale Hooker's six-touch, two-behind game also deserves a little clip. He's much better than that!

Fremantle

Stocks up: Like a fine wine, David Mundy just gets better with age. Another 30 touches and three goals for the ever-reliable 35-year-old in Freo's big win over the Kangas, including a stunning gather and side-step for a major. He'll go down as one of their greats.

Stocks down: He's already featured in this area once before in 2021, but Nat Fyfe ... sort out your goalkicking! Another 0.4 for the champ, taking his season tally to 1.12.

Geelong

Stocks up: It was meant to all be about Jeremy Cameron's Geelong debut on Saturday, but Mitch Duncan stole the limelight in a masterful performance. The midfielder tallied 26 disposals, four clearances and kicked four majors - including an absolute ball-burster of a torpedo after the half time siren!

Stocks down: There's not much to hate about the Cats' performance, but Zach Tuohy's return of just 11 touches is well down on his usual output, even if the ball was down the other end of the ground for most of the game!

Gold Coast

Stocks up: Not to be outdone by twin brother Max who booted a bag of five a couple of weeks back against the Eagles, Gold Coast's Ben King booted a five before three-quarter time to help his side sink the Swans at Metricon. Strong overhead, King could have kicked six, but shanked a soda from right in front to kick 5.1 for the day.

Stocks down: It was a beautiful, sunny 24 degrees at Metricon Stadium, and just 9,000 people could be bothered turning up - many of them Swans fans? Come on, Gold Coast Suns members, show up!

GWS

Stocks up: If Toby Greene's stocks rise any higher we risk a market correction! So we're going somewhere different this week and looking to buy into Lachie Ash. The young defender racked up the ball against the Dogs (35) but it was his marking prowess (15) which really caught the eye.

Stocks down: Yes, they were the youngest team of the year so far, but there were too many passenger Giants against the high-possession Dogs. Nine GWS players finished the game with 10 or fewer disposals, as opposed to just three Bulldogs.

Hawthorn

Stocks up: It was a good old fashioned young key forward shootout in Launceston on the weekend, and Jacob Koschitzke held up the Hawks' end of the bargain. While debutant Riley Thilthorpe kicked five for the Crows, Koschitzke collected a bag of his own, booting five in a dominant display up forward.

Stocks down: Hawks fans would like to see a little more out of Harry Morrison in coming weeks; the 22-year-old had 12 touches and one clearance against the Crows from 82 percent game time.

Melbourne

Stocks up: All of Melbourne! It's not a dream, Dees fans, you're really 6-0 for the first time since 1965! Simon Goodwin's men thrashed the reigning premiers in the wet, and although it's early in the season, they've certainly flexed their premiership credentials. Also wasn't a bad night to be named Christian, with Petracca and Salem dominant.

Stocks down: Six touches from 73 percent game time might not guarantee Charlie Spargo a spot next week...

North Melbourne

Stocks up: The Roos have found a player in young Tom Powell. The 19-year-old was one of North's best in their loss to the Dockers; he racked up 25 touches, had 14 pressure acts and four inside 50s and seems to be settling in beautifully at the level.

Stocks down: He can influence results off his own boots at times, but Cam Zurhaar had a night to forget against Fremantle. He had just 10 touches, five turnovers, a 40 percent disposal efficiency and failed to score a goal. In fact, he's still yet to kick a goal in 2021.

Port Adelaide

Stocks up: Has Aliir Aliir been the pickup of the year? The defender backed up a season-best game against Carlton last week with another stellar performance against the Saints, picking up 21 touches (eight intercepts) and 12 marks. And what about Karl Amon for most improved player? Another 34 touches, four inside 50s and six rebound 50s.

Stocks down: We'd love to see more consistency from Todd Marshall. His 10 touches, five marks, but no goals and one hit out left him in no-mans land between being a genuine forward option and ruck relief.

Richmond

Stocks up: Over the course of his career, his stocks would have soared to some incredibly high levels, but Shane Edwards just keeps delivering for the Tigers. The 32-year-old had 24 touches, kicked two goals and had nine score involvements. Incredibly dependable.

Stocks down: He's on big coin to be the No. 1 man in the Richmond forward line, but Tom Lynch looked off the pace against the Dees on Saturday night. He failed to kick a major, had 11 touches, five turnovers and took just two uncontested marks.

St Kilda

Stocks up: Midfielder Seb Ross can hold his head high after the Saints' capitulation to the Power; he had 31 touches, tallied eight tackles (of his side's 51) and six clearances.

Stocks down: Three smashings in six weeks? What's going on in the coaches box? Brett Ratten needs to come up with a Plan B which, firstly, stops opposition teams from getting a run on, and then allows the Saints to work their way into the match. They're getting exposed if things don't go their way and they're giving up massive swings. Nine players tallying 10 or fewer disposals is simply not good enough.

Sydney

Stocks up: Co-captain Josh Kennedy shows no signs of slowing down. The 32-year-old picked up a staggering 42 touches against the Suns, including 11 clearances in a mammoth effort in a disappointing side.

Stocks down: He did cop a corkie, but Nick Blakey was a touch off the pace against the Suns. Usually known for his dash and penetrating kicks, the 21-year-old had just seven touches for 117 metres gained and kicked only a behind (which, by the way, hit both posts!).

West Coast

Stocks up: Credit to coach Adam Simpson, he didn't pull any punches in his post-match press conference. "Embarrassing", "weak", "annihilated", and "you can question our effort" were all mentioned, and he admitted he couldn't get his players to refocus. Can't knock his honesty.

Stocks down: Where to begin? Dom Sheed 13 touches, Liam Duggan 10 touches ... the backmen couldn't get their hands on the pill despite the ball living in their defensive 50. The entire playing group lacked effort and heart, and it's little wonder they were touched up.

Western Bulldogs

Stocks up: We spoke about Ben Cunnington and David Mundy last week as underrated players, Jackson Macrae is another. The ball-magnet had another 40 disposals against GWS, kicked a goal, won six clearances and gained a game-high 864m. Oh, and he's surging on our Brownlow Medal predictor!

Stocks down: It pains us to say our ESPN colleague Josh Dunkley looks set for a long stint on the sidelines after twice dislocating his shoulder late against the Giants. Dunkley had been in All-Australian form early in 2021, and joined Tim English and Lin Jong as casualties from the Round 6 win.