What's the big question your AFL club must answer in Round 14? Can the Tigers lift (again) for Dusty's 300th? Who can support Jamarra Ugle-Hagan? Do the Roos have some extra bounce after a rare win?
We've looked at every club and answered their biggest question ahead of this week's action.
Adelaide
vs. Sydney, Adelaide Oval
Is it time Josh Rachele gets thrown into the midfield, properly?
After last week's shock loss to Richmond, the Crows find themselves four games outside the top eight with their season having all but slipped away. Josh Rachele has been crying out for midfield opportunity, and there might not be a better time to put him into the centre and see what he can offer. After all, what better way to learn the craft than going up against the dynamic Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner pairing!? If Matthew Nicks doesn't pull the trigger now, you have to wonder if he ever will.
Brisbane
vs. St Kilda, Gabba
Can the Lions kick back-to-back scores of 100+ points?
Believe it or not, it's been almost a year since Brisbane booted 100+ points in consecutive games. Season 2024 has very much been stop-start and a rollercoaster ride, but last Friday night's win over the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium could be the fire starter this club has desperately needed. This week, Chris Fagan's side returns home to face the struggling Saints, and with Eric Hipwood now in form, and Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron lurking, there's really no excuse to not score a big win.
Carlton
BYE
Collingwood
vs. North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
Is Nick Daicos set to face a hard tag every week?
The role of the tagger is well and truly back in the AFL. We've seen numerous clubs opt for the run-with role this season, and on King's Birthday it was once again on full display. Nick Daicos wasn't afforded a millimeter of space as Alex Neal-Bullen went with him from the opening bounce until the Magpie star was precautionarily subbed out in the final term with a shin knock. Daicos was held to just 15 disposals and 135 metres gained -- his lowest rated game of the season. If the Roos opt for a similar role this week, and it's successful, you can bet we'll see it each and every week from here on out.
Essendon
BYE
Fremantle
vs. Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
Did the bye come at the wrong time for the Dockers?
The last time we saw Fremantle in action they absolutely pummeled Melbourne. It wasn't just the 92-point margin which was staggering, the Dockers won the disposal count by 78, contested possession by 42, inside 50s by 31, and clearances by 25. It was a total humiliation. Fremantle didn't get a chance to back up the effort last week as it was their turn to take a bye. So, the obvious question heading into this weekend is whether or not that week off cost them their momentum.
Rodney Eade says the success of tagging in recent weeks should be built upon, calling for more teams to employ a close run-with role.
Geelong
BYE
Gold Coast
BYE
GWS
vs. Port Adelaide, ENGIE Stadium
Can Toby Greene help the Giants kick a winning score?
It's been a tale of two seasons for GWS. Adam Kingsley's side was 6-1 through the first seven games and was averaging 107 points per game. Since then, they are 1-4 and scoring has dropped right down to 66 points per game. That's simply not going to cut it! If you're the Giants, the first player you look to is skipper Toby Greene. Last year's All-Australian captain has kicked 'just' 17 goals for the season, and only eight in the last six weeks. If GWS is to work its way out of the rut they're in, you figure it will be Greene leading them out.
Hawthorn
vs. Richmond, MCG
Can the Hawks spoil Dusty's party?
Hawthorn might well be the most in-form team in the competition. They've won six of their last eight -- and it really should have been seven of eight -- to climb up to 12th on the ladder, within striking distance of the top eight. This week comes with a fresh challenge: silencing the Tigers in Dustin Martin's 300th game. Richmond, who knocked off the Crows last week, will be giving absolutely everything for their superstar, who has saluted in games 50, 100, 150, and 200.
Melbourne
BYE
North Melbourne
vs. Collingwood, Marvel Stadium
Do the Kangaroos have some extra bounce?
The mental toll of losing week after week simply cannot be underestimated. Prior to last week's win over West Coast, North Melbourne had lost 33 of its past 34 games, coughing up 100 points in every contest this year. But they've broken their duck ... at last! It will be fascinating to see how they back up after a rare win. Can they build on the momentum and give the Magpies a scare? Or will they quickly revert to being the competition's easy beats? We'll soon find out.
Port Adelaide
vs. GWS, ENGIE Stadium
Does Charlie Dixon still have anything to offer at AFL level?
Last week, Port Adelaide were on the bye. The previous week, we saw them fall to Carlton at Adelaide Oval. In that game, spearhead Charlie Dixon was a total non-factor, having just one handball before being subbed out in the third quarter. The 33-year-old has kicked just 13 goals this year, but NONE since that shock Showdown loss to the Crows. If Port is to be a serious challenger for this year's flag, as many expected, Dixon must rediscover some form and find a way to support Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades.
Richmond
vs. Hawthorn, MCG
Can the Tigers lift (again) for Dusty's 300th?
He's one of the greatest to ever pull on the yellow and black jumper, and if you believe the rumours, there doesn't seem to be many more AFL games left on the horizon for Dustin Martin. This week is his 300th, Martin joining former teammates Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, and Shane Edwards as well as past greats Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke and Wayne Campbell. It's a monumental milestone for the champion footballer, so can the young and relatively inexperienced Tigers lift for the momentous occasion?
St Kilda
vs. Brisbane, Gabba
Can the Saints win a game they probably shouldn't?
It's been quite an underwhelming season to date for St Kilda. They sit two games (plus percentage) outside the top eight and haven't looked anything like a team that played in September last year. Aside from an early win over the premiership hungover Magpies, the Saints have only beaten up on the competition's cellar dwellers: Richmond, North Melbourne, and West Coast. And to those who say last week's win over the Suns was impressive, may I remind you Gold Coast hasn't won an away game in over 12 months! It's time the Saints showed up and took it to a side that's better than them. If there's any hope of turning things around, they need to win this week.
Sydney
vs. Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Will Sydney end Matthew Nicks' coaching career?
He played 175 games for the Swans, but Matthew Nicks' coaching career is suddenly umder immense pressure, with the best team in the competition (and his former side) coming to town. The good news? Well, there's not much for Nicks, but it's a second straight home game at Adelaide Oval for the Crows. Sydney were at their barnstorming best after quarter time of their win over Geelong, and bringing that form to an underperforming Crows could spell even more danger for Nicks.
West Coast
BYE
Western Bulldogs
vs. Fremantle, Marvel Stadium
Who can support Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in the forward line?
With Aaron Naughton (injury), Cody Weigtman (injury), and Sam Darcy (suspension) all out, plenty of goal kicking responsibility falls on the shoulders of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. In last week's loss to the Lions, Ugle-Hagan kicked two goals, but was relatively quiet after a hot first term. So, against a tough Dockers defence, who else can stand up and provide an attacking option for the Bulldogs? Perhaps Marcus Bontempelli will spend more time forward; the Bulldogs skipper kicked three goals last week and has 19 for the season.