In Round 22, we saw Freo notch a maiden derby win at Optus Stadium and Bayley Fritsch kick SEVEN, but has a club president jumped the gun in making a coaching call? Here's whose stocks are up and down this week.
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: Adelaide's most consistent player is Paul Seedsman. He just doesn't stop working, and on Sunday tallied a career-high 36 disposals and kicked a great goal in a gallant display against the Dees.
Stocks down: You hate to see injuries at any stage of the year, but Elliott Himmelberg must be cursing his luck after being subbed out of the game in the first quarter with a hamstring complaint. He's struggled to cement his spot in the Crows' side this season, so it's a disappointing result for the big man.
Brisbane
Stocks up: Kudos to Chris Fagan, who has rallied this side twice this year to put themselves in a position to contend. First, early after a poor start and time on the road due to COVID-19, and most recently with a form slump after the loss of Eric Hipwood. He summed it up best: "Our best football this year has been the best football I've seen the Lions play over the course of the last three years." If that ain't a warning shot, Charlie Cameron's SIX goals sure is.
Stocks down: It was a pretty clinical effort from the Lions but youngsters Jaxon Prior and Tom Fullarton might want to find a bit more of the footy if they want to keep their spots heading into September.
Carlton
Stocks up: He's been in the firing line throughout his Carlton career, but it's quite clear Matthew Kennedy belongs at AFL level. In his last five games he has averaged 22 disposals and a goal. He's strong overhead and provides a strong body in the middle of the ground. A shining light for the Blues on Saturday.
Stocks down: Where to begin? Carlton had eight of the nine lowest-ranked players on the ground (not including Port sub Sam Mayes). They simply didn't do enough, and it's looking more likely that David Teague has lost the playing group - which is never a good sign...
Collingwood
Stocks up: It was a tough night at the office for the Pies who didn't have many who could hold their head high. Jordan De Goey continues to show why he needs to be played predominately in the midfield, with patches resting forward, after another 27-disposal, one-goal (and two behinds) game.
Stocks down: The chances of Robert Harvey holding on to the Collingwood top job have taken a hit after the Pies suffered their biggest loss in more than five years. Perhaps the result was an accurate reflection of a young side missing its skipper and other key players taking on one vying for a top four finish. Nevertheless, it's hard to envisage Harvey being selected to take the reins full time.
Essendon
Stocks up: The Bombers had contributions from everywhere on Sunday, with some valuable contributions coming from some lesser-lights. Sam Durham was outstanding in just his fifth game, gathering 20 disposals and kicking a goal, while underrated defender Jayden Laverde patrolled the back 50 with ease. Is it all coming together for the Bombers at the right time?
Stocks down: It's hard to single out a non-contributor in this side given the Suns had the eight lowest-ranked players on the field according to AFL Fantasy Points.
Fremantle
Stocks up: Caleb Serong was just extracting the urine against the Eagles on Sunday. In the Dockers' first derby win at Optus Stadium, the 20-year-old dazzled with 31 disposals, six clearances and two goals - one of which was an extraordinary snap to seal it with just minutes remaining!
Stocks down: They're on the right track, this young Dockers group, but allowing the Eagles to regain control of the match after Freo opened up a 40 point margin just before half time would concern Justin Longmuir. After an eight goal first quarter, the Dockers managed just the four majors for the rest of the match.
SERONG, SO RIGHT 😮
— AFL (@AFL) August 15, 2021
Absolutely incredible!#AFLFreoEagles pic.twitter.com/lRGrepCAAW
Geelong
Stocks up: What a luxury it must be to have Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins in the same forward line. Both are excellent kicks, compete well, and hit the scoreboard consistently. Four from Cameron and three from Hawkins helped the Cats run down the Saints after an incredibly slow start.
Stocks down: We just talked him up for his efforts in front of goal, but Hawkins might find himself on the pine next week after a dangerous tackle on Darragh Joyce. Tellingly, Hawkins knew he's laid a dangerous tackle just after Joyce's head hit the ground ... this is the sort of stuff we want out of our game.
Gold Coast
Stocks up: Brayden Fiorini was a standout for the Suns on what was, largely, a dirty day. He had 30 disposals and kicked one of his side's four goals. This season (aside from when he was an unused sub), he's averaging 30 touches - a career best.
Stocks down: His brother might be having a purple patch at the Saints, but Ben King had a rotten day for the Suns against the Bombers. He tallied five disposals and no score - which means he's been held goalless in his past three outings.
GWS
Stocks up: Toby who? Someone needed to step up in suspended Greene's absence, and Tim Taranto delivered to a tee! The usually solid inside mid was a forward 50 headache for his Richmond opponents, booting four goals from 18 disposals to help his side all but secure a top eight berth and end the Tigers' quest for a three-peat.
Stocks down: The lads need to play until they hear a whistle! There was a very cheeky moment in the last term when Tiger Jack Graham seemed to take the ball out of play, but the boundary umpire's whistle just never came. Two Giants backed off, thinking it was a throw in, while Graham was allowed to walk out of congestion and get an uncontested handpass away!
Hawthorn
Stocks up: Daniel Howe was everywhere in Clarko's Tassie farewell, putting together a career-best performance in the form of 34 disposals, 769 metres gained and a goal. He had averaged just 18 touches this season before simply owning his Bulldog counterparts down in the Apple Isle.
Stocks down: We said this last week, but Hawthorn's coaching handover stocks are rapidly descending as long as the Hawks keep winning. If they upset the Tigers next week, Alastair Clarkson will have been essentially sacked coming off a four-game winning streak... What was Jeff Kennett thinking?
Melbourne
Stocks up: You'd think Bayley Fritsch just about has an All-Australian spot locked up. The dynamic medium forward was electric against the Crows, kicking seven majors in a dominant display. It makes it 45 for the year - an outstanding return for a bloke who's definitely not classed as a key forward.
Stocks down: What a shame it was to not have fans at the MCG on Sunday. It was a stunning winter afternoon, a traditional 2:10pm start, and the Dees were seeking to go top of the ladder. There would have been 50,000 people cheering them on, if not for the COVID-19 havoc.
North Melbourne
Stocks up: Doesn't Eddie Ford look a likely type? Another of North' young brigade to show excellent signs in a rebuilding year, Ford was instrumental in keeping the Roos in the contest, kicking 2.1 and racking up three direct goal assists from his 11 touches.
Stocks down: Despite a really encouraging finish to the season, North Melbourne will 'win' the wooden spoon. But are they one of the better 'spoon-winning' sides we've seen in recent years?
Port Adelaide
Stocks up: He'd been out of the side with injuries, but Orazio Fantasia's last three weeks have been fantastic - and great timing before finals! Another three goals for the classy forward, who also had three direct goal assists in the Power's massive win.
Stocks down: We're being picky, but Xavier Duursma had an 'almost' game. He tallied 16 touches, but had six turnovers, gave away two free kicks, and kicked 0.2.
Richmond
Stocks up: Liam Baker just adds so much to this Tigers side, regardless of their 2-7 recent form line. A competitive beast with a laser-like boot, Baker slotted two goals -- including one from long range on the eve of half time to hand his side a glimmer of hope -- from 23 touches as one of Damien Hardwick's more damaging players on the night.
Stocks down: Tongue is firmly in cheek, but Hugo Ralphsmith needs to be racking up more than seven touches to roll with that haircut of his...
St Kilda
Stocks up: We're loving the look of Cooper Sharman at AFL level. In just his third game (and second start), he kicked another two goals against the Cats, to make it six from three games. He's lively, kicks the footy well, and provides something just a little different in that forward line. One for the future.
Stocks down: St Kilda's consistency has been the club's downfall this season, and at GMHBA Stadium, we saw the best of the Saints early, only for the Cats to run them down and end St Kilda's (slim) finals hopes.
Sydney
Stocks up: Here's an interesting stat: Will Hayward's streak of games with a goal has now extended to 12. The dynamic goal scorer tallied another three majors; he's a handful as he can play tall and small, and he's a tough matchup for most defenders. And he's great to watch - a real character.
Stocks down: Hopefully it's nothing too serious for Josh Kennedy or Nick Blakey, who finished the game sore with hamstring and ankle issues respectively.
West Coast
Stocks up: You can always count on Liam Ryan. The dynamic forward made the most of his limited opportunities, scoring three of West Coast's nine majors from his 13 disposals. He, along with Josh Kennedy (who also kicked three), just needed a little support from up the ground.
Stocks down: It was a dirty day for Jamie Cripps. The usually-reliable forward was wayward in front of the big sticks, tallying three behinds in the Eagles' derby loss.
Western Bulldogs
Stocks up: At least Tom Liberatore never gave in. The tough mid earned 26 disposals, 11 clearances and laid eight tackles in a habitual 'Libba' kind of game.
Stocks down: The Western Bulldogs' premiership credentials have no doubt tumbled after successive losses. A hungry Bombers side had plenty to play for in Round 21, but falling to the Hawks at UTAS Stadium and being held to their third lowest score in eight years instantly set alarm bells ringing. There was no endeavour and their key position depth is being tested to its core. With Josh Bruce, Stef Martin and now Josh Schache sidelined, can Luke Beveridge quickly rediscover a winning formula? He'll want to or it may be a very short September stint.