In Round 4 of the 2024 AFL season, a couple of veteran midfielders reminded the competition just how good they are, and a forgotten Roo impressed in defence, but Brad Scott was thoroughly outcoached against Port Adelaide. Here's whose stocks are up and down after Gather Round.
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.
Adelaide
Stocks up: The Crows might be in an almighty hole, but the leadership of Jordan Dawson should not be questioned. The skipper responded to criticism through his actions, leading from the front on Thursday night against the Demons, but he just doesn't seem to have enough around him. With that said, Jake Soligo's game was promising, the 21-year-old finishing with 27 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s.
Stocks down: From career-best season and an All-Australian blazer to three goals in three games and looking his age, it's been quite the drop off for Crows veteran Taylor Walker. He's not solely to blame for his side's 0-4 start to the year, but he hasn't helped the cause. We've written 'Tex' off before and been wrong, so we're treading carefully on this one!
Brisbane
Stocks up: The sub last start against the Magpies, there was a lot to like from energetic half forward Kai Lohmann. The blonde locks were flowing beautifully at Norwood Oval, with Lohmann bobbing up for two first half goals and looking extremely busy with his 18 disposals. Clearly instructed to take territory, his 404 metres gained was also notable. Give him an extended crack, Fages.
Stocks down: Tongue firmly in cheek, but it's not every day you get the chance to kick a genuine bag, and Joe Daniher didn't nail all his chances. Yes, he kicked five, but he had 10 shots at goal for the five majors, four behinds and one out on the full. Come on, Joey, sharpen up!
Carlton
Stocks up: So much of the Carlton love goes to captain Patrick Cripps, his midfield brigade, and the two star key forwards. But fullback Jacob Weitering might just be the club's most important player. Once again, Weitering showed his class, and finished as the second-highest rated player on the ground in the Blues' controversial win over Fremantle. Reliable, solid, and an uncanny sense of timing, maybe this is his All-Australian year.
Stocks down: The Carlton naysayers have just lost another reason as to why this side cannot go all the way in 2024. Not only did the Blues end their Adelaide Oval hoodoo -- recording their first win at the ground at the eighth time of asking -- but they did so having played some ordinary footy throughout. If they can play poorly and beat an undefeated side at a ground they have literally never won at, they are as legit as they come.
Collingwood
Stocks up: One of Collingwood's best players through the early part of the season continued his rich vein of form against the Hawks. Darcy Cameron battled well in the ruck, picking up 19 disposals, 14 contested possessions, and clunked a game-saving mark in the dying stages of his side's win over Hawthorn.
Stocks down: A win is always a good thing, right? Not necessarily. The loss of veteran Scott Pendlebury to a rib injury proved to be seismic in the second half against Hawthorn, with the Magpies nearly blowing a six goal lead to the winless side. Even at age 36, Pendlebury is a player the club cannot afford to lose for an extended period.
Essendon
Stocks up: There weren't many positives for the Bombers to take out of Friday night's horror loss to Port Adelaide, but the form of off-season recruit Ben McKay was certainly something which will please fans. McKay was as solid as a rock in defence, mostly matched up on Charlie Dixon. Not only did he win a game-high 14 intercept possessions, but he also showed he's prepared to win the ball in 50-50 situations, finishing with 11 contested possessions. But you get the feeling the Dons are going to need this type of game from him every single week...
Stocks down: The Bombers have talked a big game all year about the 'Essendon Edge', but, Brad Scott, is it not edgy enough to send someone to Connor Rozee? The Port skipper had 20 touches and three goals ... to half time! The Dons also allowed the Power to waltz out of centre bounces with ease, with seemingly no plan to change anything or disrupt the midfield dominance. Scott was trounced in the coaches box on Friday night.
Fremantle
Stocks up: There wasn't much fanfare for Jeremy Sharp and his move from the Suns to the Dockers this past off-season, but what a find he's turned out to be! Against the Blues, Sharp had 29 disposals at an unheard of 90% efficiency. He also had seven inside 50s, 655 metres gained, and kicked what could have -- emphasis on the 'could' -- been a very important late goal.
Stocks down: Should the last-minute free kick 20 metres out directly in front of goal have been paid to the Blues? Perhaps, perhaps not. But Jordan Clark simply cannot give the umpires any reason whatsoever to give a free in that situation, when the game was very much still in the balance. Inexcusable and it may well have cost his side four precious premiership points.
READ: Why the AFL must resist calls for change after Freo's loss to Carlton
Geelong
Stocks up: In the absence of Patrick Dangerfield, the Cats' midfield has really stepped up. Wins over the Hawks on Easter Monday and Bulldogs during Gather Round wouldn't have been possible without the contributions of Brandon Parfitt, Mark Blicavs, Tom Atkins, Tanner Bruhn, Max Holmes, Jack Bowes, and Gryan Miers. The next step? Do it consistently and become a midfield other teams fear.
Stocks down: After an impressive 350th against the Hawks, Tom Hawkins showed his age against the Bulldogs. The big man failed to kick a goal against the Doggies for the first time in 13 years, held to just three kicks and very minimal influence by Liam Jones.
Gold Coast
Stocks up: Take a bow, Mac Andrew! Brought in as one of a number of Suns changes, Andrew showed why he should be a permanent fixture of this side moving forward. The 20-year-old key back shattered his disposal record with 24 against the Giants, while also having a game-high 16 intercept possessions and 10 marks. A serious talent we'd love to see given a decent run of footy in the seniors.
Stocks down: You love a player that kicks a goal literally every time he touches the ball, but when it's just three times for an entire game, and it's one of your marquee players, it's beyond disappointing. Ben King continues to struggle stamping himself on games, and too often endures lulls in which he's basically unsighted for full quarters. He needs to do far more if the Suns are to take the next step, like many of us thought they would.
GWS
Stocks up: With so many stars, it's easy for some to get overlooked, and that seems to be what's happened with Stephen Coniglio. The GWS veteran put on a show against the Suns, racking up 27 disposals, 10 inside 50s, 11 score involvements, 625 metres gained, and kicking two goals as his side stayed perfect in season 2024.
Stocks down: He was a crucial part of the Giants' resurgence late last year, but Toby Bedford hasn't been able to carry that form into the new season. His afternoon against the Suns finished with just seven disposals -- one kick, mind you -- and no score. Through four games, Bedford is averaging eight touches and not even a goal per game.
Hawthorn
Stocks up: Sure, it was an ordinary first half, but you've got to be impressed with the Hawks and they way in which they responded after the main break, against the reigning premier, no less. In the last two weeks, this side has given the unbeaten Cats a run for their money on Easter Monday and now fallen agonisingly short of knocking off the Pies for the second time in as many games. That first win of the season isn't far away.
Stocks down: Can it really be 'stocks down' for someone who helped drag the Hawks back into the game against the Magpies? Probably a tad unfair, but boy would Jai Newcombe love a do-over on that kick in from the back pocket. With under two minutes to play, and the Hawks needing a goal to win, Newcombe missed a routine 25 metre switch and the ball trickled out of play for a boundary throw-in. Oh what could have been!
Melbourne
Stocks up: Those who persisted with the Demons are now being rewarded, with the club's premiership chances going from strength to strength in recent weeks. Melbourne is 4-1 and looking a serious contender in 2024. The back six is as good as any, the midfield is humming and the forward line, though not the prettiest on paper, continues to get the job done. Don't sleep on this side!
Stocks down: Not for the first time in his young career, Kysaiah Pickett landed himself in hot water with a nasty, late head-high bump. This time it was on Jake Soligo. It's a shocking look for any player, particularly when it's a former teammate of Angus Brayshaw, whose career was sadly cut short after suffering ongoing concussions. Pickett really needs to get this under control, and clearly not enough is being done by the club to ensure he plays fairly.
Kysaiah Pickett has received a one-match suspension for this incident involving Jake Soligo.
— AFL (@AFL) April 5, 2024
Details: https://t.co/lMnoJqOjwV pic.twitter.com/WCGmvXEIA0
North Melbourne
Stocks up: It was a disappointing outing for the Roos in Gather Round, but one bright spot was Charlie Comben playing in defence. He looked assured and comfortable in the backline, clunking some excellent marks (three contested) and using the footy well for a big man. He's played just 10 games, not many as a backman, but they may have unearthed a gem!
Stocks down: He's a mercurial player, yes, but Jaidyn Stephenson just isn't consistent. Just when you think he might be able to string a few nice performances together, he has a down game, and against the Lions, he wasn't great. Picking up just nine disposals, he was fumbly, and on more than one occasion burned a teammate in a great position to bomb the ball long to a contest. Frustrating.
Port Adelaide
Stocks up: Friday night against the Bombers was a wonderful endorsement of Port Adelaide's young and uber-talented midfield. Skipper Connor Rozee led the way with 36 disposals and three goals (including 20 and 3 by half time!), Jason Horne-Francis had 31 and 10 clearances, Willem Drew excelled in tight with 17 contested possessions, and Zak Butters showcased his elite foot skills all night long. This midfield unit is special.
Stocks down: While most forwards (and plenty of midfielders) were firing in front of goal, Charlie Dixon was really well held by Bombers recruit Ben McKay. Dixon just couldn't get going, and struggled to find best position against McKay, who kept the Power spearhead to 10 touches and just the one behind, despite the overwhelming amount of ball coming inside 50.
Richmond
Stocks up: There are few players who can take over a game quite like Shai Bolton, it's just a shame he has so few running mates at the Tigers. Bolton kicked a game-high four goals from 19 touches, had eight score involvements, and 10 marks. Thank god he's signed long term at the Tigers - he's a star you build a club around.
Stocks down: We don't want to crush them, but the Tigers' youngsters really battled on Sunday afternoon. As a club now in the early stages of a rebuild, you're desperately looking for promising signs from the next crop of players. There wasn't too much to get excited about on Sunday, and you'll find this becomes a theme in 2024 - they knock off a good team (like Sydney), then fail to back it up. After a wonderful period of success, enjoy the ride, Richmond fans...
St Kilda
Stocks up: Stocks in Jack Steele have been falling over the last few years but the Saints captain reminded the footy world he's still a premier inside midfielder, dominating the Tigers in tight at Norwood Oval. Steele had a game-high 18 contested possessions, the most he's had in a home and away game since 2021. He also had seven clearances, seven inside 50s and six intercepts.
Stocks down: Slow starts, and by slow we mean going at glacial pace, is something good teams rarely have. The Saints booted just one goal in a scrappy first half against the Tigers, and although they were able to storm home to collect the four points, it was far from a convincing performance. They need to start well and not have to rely on these comebacks.
Sydney
Stocks up: We've been made to wait a little while for Errol Gulden to show off that A-grade end-of-2023 form, but it was well and truly on display against the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Two goals, six clearances, 25 disposals, 12 score involvements, and over 700 metres gained will ensure he's once again amongst the Brownlow votes.
Stocks down: He's a firestarter and heartbeat of the club, but not sure captaincy sits right with Tom Papley ... at least, not right now. In the absence of Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Dane Rampe, Papley was given the captaincy reins and didn't exactly thrive with his new, albeit temporary, title. The star small had just five kicks, one tackle, and failed to kick a goal for the first time in a home and away game since Round 10 last year.
West Coast
Stocks up: It's good to see Elliot Yeo, who has battled injury after injury, back playing footy at a high level. Yeo was arguably West Coast's best in the spirited performance against the Swans on Saturday afternoon, finishing the game with 28 disposals, six clearances, eight tackles, and nine inside 50s. He also had an equal team-high six score involvements.
Stocks down: Can we put the priority pick talk on ice? The Eagles gave the Swans a run for their money during Gather Round, and although they came up short, there's signs to suggest the worst might now be behind them. Plus, as Rohan Connolly wrote last week, if you go all in for a flag, you must live with the long-term consequences.
Western Bulldogs
Stocks up: You've got to tip your hat to Bulldogs hard nut Tom Liberatore. Week after week he does the dirty work, winning the hard ball and setting his teammates up on the outside. But against the Cats during Gather Round, Liberatore achieved something he'd never managed: 19 clearances in a game. It was a performance for the ages from Liberatore, who also had 35 disposals, 28 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, nine tackles, and a goal. It's a shame his game didn't result in a win.
Stocks down: It has not been the start to the season Caleb Daniel was hoping for. Named as the substitute in Round 1 and then given the green light, Daniel has underwhelmed and underperformed for the Bulldogs. Against the Cats, he had just 11 touches and five kicks before being subbed out in the second half for Jack Macrae.