In Round 5 of the 2024 AFL season, Sam Durham had a standout performance, as did super sub Sam Berry, and returning Blues star Sam Walsh! But Hawthorn's midfield was diabolical, and the Dogs have some big issues.
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: How could it be anyone other than Sam Berry!? After coming into the game as the substitute, Berry snapped what would end up being the winning goal against the previously undefeated Blues. His last term? Nine disposals (in all areas of the ground), a clearance, and the winning goal. The goal was Berry's first since 2022 and gave his side its first win of what's been a difficult campaign. Maybe it's the start of a turnaround.
Stocks down: The Crows kicked 100 points against the Blues, and none of them, not one, came from Darcy Fogarty. The 24-year-old key forward was held to just two kicks in another disappointing outing. Fortunately for Adelaide, a number of his fellow forwards were able to stand up.
Brisbane
Stocks up: Can we, or should we, expect more midfield time from Cam Rayner? We think so. Rayner has been used at half forward and half back during his still young career, but against the Demons on Thursday night showed he might just be best suited to playing in the middle. He finished the night with 25 disposals, nine clearances, and 10 inside 50s.
Stocks down: Finally, the MCG curse can be dead and buried. Right? Well, maybe against the Demons it can be. The Lions are now 2-15 at the 'G since the start of 2015, with those lone wins coming against Melbourne (in the 2022 semifinal and now Round 5, 2024).
Carlton
Stocks up: Welcome back, Sam Walsh. The player of last year's finals series hadn't laced them up until Round 5, but he certainly did not miss a beat. Walsh was one of the best players on the ground, finishing the game with 34 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances, 11 inside 50s, and nine score involvements.
Stocks down: Where is that killer edge good teams have? You know, a real 4-0 side coming up against a reeling 0-4 team; something like that should be a bloodbath. The Blues continue to make hard work of games they should be winning, and winning easily -- especially if you're three kicks up with a handful of minutes to go! This time it came back to bite them, falling to the Crows by two points. A loss like this one could be huge come season's end.
Collingwood
BYE
Essendon
Stocks up: Did anyone have Sam Durham blanketing and beating Marcus Bontempelli on their bingo card? The young Bomber absolutely owned the match-up against arguably the AFL's best player on Friday night, holding him to 17 disposals and little influence, while managing to have 21 touches, six clearances, and a goal himself. It was a breakout performance from the 22-year-old, and one which will have opposition stars on notice.
Stocks down: We get it, some players need time, but Alwyn Davey Jr looked totally out of his depth in Essendon's shock win over the Bulldogs. He was fumbly, panicked with ball in hand and on several occasions just didn't go hard enough at the footy when it hit the deck. He has shown glimpses, but the poor moments continue to outweigh them.
Fremantle
Stocks up: In an anemic forward line, Josh Treacy really is elevating himself. His three goals (albeit all in the one term) were crucial in getting the Dockers back into the match (and the lead) on Saturday night against the Power, but he's playing a bit of a lone hand (with Jye Amiss). Justin Longmuir really needs to work on the connection between mids and forwards, because Freo's inability to score more than nine or 10 goals a game is hurting...
Stocks down: He's been a match winner at times throughout his career but the Dockers aren't getting much out of Michael Walters these days, and Saturday night's output was particularly disappointing. Walters finished the night with just two kicks and no score. He wasn't alone in that forward line, to be fair -- the Dockers just aren't getting enough out of Matt Taberner and Tom Emmett as well.
Geelong
Stocks up: He's been a little wasteful and a little underwhelming at times this season, but there's no denying Sunday afternoon belonged to Jeremy Cameron. Geelong's star forward kicked six goals from his 21 touches, had a game-high 11 score involvements and clunked eight marks. Ominous signs for the unbeaten Cats!
Stocks down: Looks like the federal and state governments will have to fork out even more money for GMHBA Stadium...
Gold Coast
Stocks up: With so many great young players in the league it's easy to forget or overlook one or two of them, and that seems to be what consistently happens with Noah Anderson. But Gold Coast's star onballer again showed why he might be the best of the bunch, torching the Hawks with 36 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s, eight score involvements, and over 600 metres gained. An absolute jet.
Stocks down: It could have, and probably should have, been a career outing for Ben King. The talented key forward booted four goals, but also four behinds in the blowout win. You simply have to cash in when those opportunities arise.
GWS
Stocks up: Take a bow, James Peatling! He came on as the sub and ended up having a match-winning moment for the Giants as the Saints came storming home in Canberra. With 30 seconds on the clock and his side leading by a point, Peatling rushed from the wing at the centre bounce to get back in defence, and it proved vital -- he flew back with the ball bravely and took the game-saving mark. Fantastic!
James Peatling saves the day for the Giants 👏@cryptocom | #AFLGiantsSaints pic.twitter.com/MGnbjGwWLW
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2024
Stocks down: You hate to see it, but injuries might have just derailed the Giants. Sam Taylor (concussion), Stephen Coniglio (knee), Josk Kelly (ribs), and Kieren Briggs (shoulder) were all banged up in GWS' one-point win over the Saints. Can the depth hold them in good stead for the foreseeable future?
Hawthorn
Stocks up: There was very little to like about the Hawks' game against the Suns, but one positive was Finn Maginness forward of centre. The tagger kicked three of Hawthorn's eight goals and had 16 disposals in what was something of a new role for Sam Mitchell's side.
Stocks down: They're young and they're learning but that was an absolutely diabolical performance from Hawthorn's midfield group. Jai Newcombe (10 disposals), James Worpel (14), Connor Nash (10), and others were humiliated by Gold Coast's mids. Overall, the Hawks were -96 for disposals, -20 for inside 50s, -10 for clearances, and -46 for marks. How they only lost by 53 points we'll never know.
Melbourne
Stocks up: There were few Demons who could hold their head up high after a bitter loss to the Lions, but skipper Max Gawn was certainly one of those. Gawn tried hard all night, finishing the game with 23 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances, five tackles, and five marks.
Stocks down: So, are the Demons still a real flag threat? Probably, but you cannot be anywhere near as confident after Thursday night's home loss to the previously struggling Lions. Melbourne's forward line continues to leave a lot to be desired, and just about every single time this club loses, you can point to that unit as the reason why.
North Melbourne
Stocks up: Can you poll a Brownlow Medal vote when you're a 19-year-old and your team loses by 75 points? Most likely! Harry Sheezel was just about the only shining light for the Roos on Sunday afternoon, the second year player recording the ridiculous stat line of 38 disposals, 23 kicks, 15 marks, six inside 50s, and a late consolation goal. His stocks are rising week after week.
Stocks down: While one youngster impressed, another unfortunately was subbed out early with just one touch to his name. The promising Colby McKercher was involved in a nasty incident with Cats star Jeremy Cameron and was sent straight to hospital to have scans on his ribs.
Port Adelaide
Stocks up: The Burgoyne name lives on at the Power! Jase Burgoyne played arguably his best game for Port in the win over the Dockers, amassing 20 disposals (at 90% efficiency), three clearances and five intercepts as he patrolled the wing and half back. Still just 20 years of age, he's got plenty of potential! Memo to Ken Hinkley -- no more Burgoyne as the sub!
Stocks down: He was fantastic (again!), especially in the last quarter, but Zak Butters rightly came under MRO scrutiny for his attack on the footy and bump on Bailey Banfield. He's incredibly fortunate to not have been suspended, and honestly, the incident raises again the issue of those in Brownlow contention getting favourable verdicts -- just look at Matt Crouch's incident!
Richmond
Stocks up: He's still incredibly raw, but Mykelti Lefau has shown some promising signs in his handful of games so far. You can't deny his improvement -- he tries hard, moves pretty well, and booted three majors in what was a disappointing outing for the Tigers. The silver lining of this injury crisis is these project players will get time at the level, and the Tiges may unearth some gems...
Stocks down: Richmond's immediate future is pretty glum. It's going to be a tough few weeks watching on the sidelines with some of the names on the injury list. Better go and dig up that 2017 Grand Final DVD...
St Kilda
Stocks up: How good is Rowan Marshall!? Against the Giants, the St Kilda ruck finished with a stat line any true centre bounce midfielder would kill for; 28 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 16 clearances, and 10 inside 50s. Keep an eye on him for All-Australian considerations...
Stocks down: Whether it's through form or injury, Max King just cannot seem to string two months of good footy together. This time, injury might have derailed his season with King suffering what appears to be a knee injury.
Sydney
BYE
West Coast
Stocks up: Stocks are rising everywhere! It was a wonderful performance from the Eagles in their win over the Tigers, though, quite frankly a game they needed to win given Richmond's outs. Harley Reid was magnificent in the centre, bullocking his way to 27 disposals, seven clearances and a goal. Elliot Yeo continued his strong start to 2024 with 27 disposals, two majors and 15(!) clearances, while Jake Waterman played a strong hand up forward, booting six for the home side. It's the nourishment players, fans, and Adam Simpson needed.
Stocks down: Things looked a little grim early, it must be said, with the Eagles giving up the first four goals of the match to the undermanned Tigers. Thankfully for West Coast fans, their side was able to steady, but be assured better teams won't allow the Eagles back in the contest after taking a four-goal lead.
Western Bulldogs
Stocks up: No wonder clubs are circling for lifetime deals for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan - he was a lone star for the Bulldogs in their loss to Essendon. While a little inaccurate, he was the focal point in the forward line, kicking 3.3 from seven marks (five contested). Just needs consistent support -- and Dogs fans will be hoping that comes in the form of Sam Darcy, who showed promising signs, but way wayward himself.
Stocks down: That's now two weeks in a row the Bulldogs' midfield has been smashed by what could be seen as inferior outfits. In Gather Round it was the undermanned Cats, and in Round 5, Essendon got a hold of Dogs through the centre. Maybe Bevo's midfield just isn't as intimidating (or good) as it has been in previous years, or how it looks on paper. Tim English was well beaten in the ruck, Bontempelli well held by Sam Durham, while Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar turned the footy over too much.