What's the big question your AFL club must answer in Round 5? Can Essendon avoid falling in a hole? Is it time to worry about Clayton Oliver's form? Is Taylor Walker over the hill?
We've looked at every club and answered their biggest question ahead of this week's action.
Adelaide
vs. Carlton, Marvel Stadium
Is Taylor Walker officially washed?
Just three goals in three games for Taylor Walker is not what anyone would have expected from someone coming off a career-best year, one which resulted in a maiden All-Australian blazer. Walker has been extremely underwhelming thus far and has failed to stamp himself on any contest, a contributing factor to the Crows' awful start to the year. If he has more left in the tank, he must showcase it this weekend against the Blues or, at 0-5, it might well be season over.
Brisbane
vs. Melbourne, MCG
What's the severity of Lachie Neale's ankle injury?
Brisbane co-captain and reigning Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale suffered a nasty ankle sprain against the Magpies in Round 4, and while he did play out the game, and go on to play a starring role early in Gather Round against the Roos, it was a concern to see him subbed out of that contest. Was it really just precautionary as the club suggested? Or is there more to it? Given Brisbane's shock 1-3 start, the Lions cannot afford a serious injury to their star player.
Carlton
vs. Adelaide, MCG
Can anything come easy for the Blues?
As good as the Blues have been to start the season, there's one thing every fan of the club would love to see a whole lot more: easy marks inside 50. It seems the only way Carlton finds a chest inside forward 50 is if someone can fly above a pack and clunk a contested mark. Good sides, particularly ones with such potent midfields, like the Blues, find their forwards in space and make their lives far easier. At home, and against a reeling Crows side, there's an opportunity to do just that this weekend.
Collingwood
BYE
Essendon
vs. Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
Do the Bombers have any fight in them?
In recent years, poor losses have bred even more dire performances from the Bombers. How could we forget the abysmal finish to season 2023!? But if this side has really turned a corner, as Brad Scott suggests, they must bounce back immediately and not let the effects of last Friday night hang around. We'll know by quarter time against the Bulldogs what they're made of and if they really are new and improved in 2024.
Fremantle
vs. Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Are the Dockers better for the run in Adelaide?
Just as it was for the Demons last week -- who were able to take advantage with wins against the Power and Crows -- this round poses a rare opportunity for Fremantle to enjoy back-to-back games at an interstate venue. Sure, the Dockers would rather be back in Western Australia, but what better time to play another game at Adelaide Oval than just days after narrowly falling short in your first? Expect an improved showing from Justin Longmuir's group.
Geelong
vs. North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium
Do the Cats bother to rush Patrick Dangerfield back?
The Cats are 4-0, the Kangaroos are 0-4. While it would be tempting to bring captain Patrick Dangerfield back this week, is it really worth it? The Cats haven't skipped a beat in his absence, overcoming the Hawks on Easter Monday before downing the Bulldogs in a thriller during Gather Round. The midfield has been holding its own, too, and should be able to do much of the same against a North Melbourne side that appears to have gone backwards. What will Chris Scott do?
Gold Coast
vs. Hawthorn, People First Stadium
Can the Suns win a game they should win?
They've been underdogs in their last couple of outings, but a return home to face an undermanned, albeit spirit, Hawks side offers a great opportunity for Gold Coast to bank a win. The problem? These are the exact sort of games the Suns of old would lay an egg in. After going toe-to-toe with competition heavyweight GWS during Gather Round, Damien Hardwick must keep his side focused and ensure it gets back on the winners' list. If not, we might have to reassess those expectations...
GWS
vs. St Kilda, Manuka Oval
Has Toby Greene just warmed into the season?
It had been an uncharacteristically slow start to the year for Giants captain Tony Greene, but a bag of five goals against the Suns during Gather Round might just be what kickstarts his campaign. It's a worrying thought for the Saints, who have had their fair share of struggles down back to start the year. And if Greene has found form, it's an ominous sign for the already premiership favorite Giants.
Hawthorn
vs. Gold Coast, People First Stadium
Does Blake Hardwick remain as a forward?
Up until Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Oval, Blake Hardwick's entire AFL career had been spent in the backline. But after Hawthorn's sluggish first half, Sam Mitchell pulled the trigger and deployed Hardwick in the forward 50. It didn't take long for him to turn the game on its head, kicking four second half goals to give the Hawks a real chance of pulling off a remarkable comeback. Does he stay there this week or will he return to the backline? It's a fascinating decision.
Melbourne
vs. Brisbane, MCG
Should we be concerned about Clayton Oliver?
The last 12 months have been a rocky road for star Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver. He missed time last year through injury and was involved in off-season trade rumours, among several other distractions. Oliver might be back, but he's not playing to the level we've come to expect from him over the years. In fact, for the first time since 2020 he's failed to crack 25 disposals in three consecutive games. It's not alarming, by any means, but the Demons will be hoping he can break out of his mini funk.
North Melbourne
vs. Geelong, GMHBA Stadium
Does Alastair Clarkson still have 'it'?
It's been a dire start to the year for the Kangaroos and it doesn't appear as though they've made any noticeable gains this past off-season. Alastair Clarkson was brought in on a mammoth deal to turn things around and, thus far, he hasn't been able to deliver. Only once in the past seven years has Clarkson coached a season with more wins than losses, his record of 15-2-39 this decade is also quite underwhelming. Is he still a top tier coach or is the game passing him by?
Port Adelaide
vs. Fremantle, Adelaide Oval
Does Port have the best midfield in the game?
We might not get an answer to this question this week, but what a fascinating question it is. Praise was heaped on Port Adelaide's talented young midfield after they put the Bombers to the sword during Gather Round, and it's hard to deny they aren't at least in the conversation for best midfield in the AFL. Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Ollie Wines, Willem Drew. They all have a job and they all execute it perfectly. Good luck, Dockers!
Richmond
vs. West Coast, Optus Stadium
Are the Tigers in need of a full blown rebuild?
It may sound a tad dramatic, but if Richmond falls to the winless Eagles this weekend -- regardless of how the game plays out -- alarm bells will be ringing at Punt Road and something drastic may be on the horizon. The Tigers pulled off a stunning win over the Swans in Round 3, but outside of that have looked like a bottom four team. The Eagles' struggles have been well documented but, at home, Adam Simpson will know this game is one of the very few they actually have a chance of winning. Upset alert!
St Kilda
vs. GWS, Manuka Oval
Can Jack Steele carry the Saints like he used to?
Since crossing from GWS to St Kilda, we've been accustomed to seeing Jack Steele lead from the front and be one of the most consistent inside midfielders in the league. Then came a down 2023 and concerns about whether he could recapture his best began to surface. Steele's epic performance last week against the Tigers proved he can still be that player, but can he do it week in and week out? This week he goes up against his former side and you'd think he would have a point to prove.
Sydney
BYE
West Coast
vs. Richmond, Optus Stadium
Was last week something we can expect or an anomaly?
The Eagles gave Sydney a mini scare during Gather Round, not too shabby for a side that lost to this same Sydney team by 171 points the last time they played. West Coast competed well at the contest, held up for the most part down back and, for the first time in a while, was actually able to score points! So, can they carry the momentum into this week and provide another strong showing against a far lesser opponent? Who knows, maybe a rare win is on the cards...
Western Bulldogs
vs. Essendon, Marvel Stadium
Is it time Jack Macrae is given a full game?
It's not working for the Bulldogs. Sure, they're 2-2 and only narrowly fell to the undefeated Cats during Gather Round, but if this side is serious in 2024, it must find help for star midfield duo Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore. Adam Treloar has been solid, albeit with some suspect ball use, but that's about it. Luke Beveridge has opted against starting Jack Macrae, but it might be time to get another experienced midfielder into the team before this season slips away.