What's the big question your AFL club must answer in Round 17? Can the Dons avoid another late-season collapse? How will Harley Reid fare on the 'G? Should Jeremy Howe play permanent forward?
We've looked at every club and answered their biggest question ahead of this week's action.
Adelaide
vs. Brisbane, Gabba
Can the Crows continue being a scoring powerhouse?
Removing the 99-point onslaught against West Coast, Adelaide produced its highest score since Round 7 agains the Giants, and its third-highest score of the entire season, generating 29 scoring shots in total. It's what made them such an exciting team to watch in 2023 and, if they can continue to hurt the opposition going forward, they're going to be a side that shapes the eight this season. Doing it against a red-hot Brisbane outfit this weekend is a big test but one that, if they pass, will have a lot of people remembering why the Crows were so highly fancied going into this season.
Brisbane
vs. Adelaide, Gabba
How do the Lions stop Izak?
Izak Rankine was incredible against GWS and if he is given the same amount of time and space he was afforded in Round 16, he could tear the Lions apart. Jarrod Berry has recently been used as a tagger and has done so relatively successfully, but Rankine, who is dynamic through the midfield and has unrivalled goal sense when forward, is a different challenge. One thing's for certain, his name will be circled on Chris Fagan's whiteboard this week.
Carlton
vs. GWS, ENGIE Stadium
Can the Blues take advantge of the Giants' weakened defence?
The Blues have some mojo right now, having won by 61 and 63 points in their past two outings. The Giants have lost six of their past eight and are spluttering as they aim to keep in touch with the eight. GWS are missing Sam Taylor, who was arguably the All-Australian fullback at the midpoint of the season, so the Blues will have the opportunity to exploit an undermanned forward line. Charlie Curnow was held to just two majors against the Tigers last week, and wasn't at his damaging best, while conditions didn't really suit Harry McKay either. Can these two kick a bag? Or could they again take the heat away form the smalls who could run rampant?
Collingwood
vs. Essendon, MCG
Is it time for Jeremy Howe to play as a permanent forward?
It's worked to magnificent effect from time to time -- well, actually quarter to quarter -- so should Craig McRae consider the move? Howe is a crafty forward, a good thinker, and a wonderful kick, and with a forward line still lacking impact from the 'bigs', it could be a move which helps the structure. He also rated better as a forward than a defender in Champion Data's 100X stat category. The down side? Darcy Moore is already struggling since Nathan Murphy retired, and taking away another defender could leave the defence even more exposed...
Essendon
vs. Collingwood, MCG
Can they avoid last year's late-season collapse?
We knew Essendon had a softer start to the season, but they duly converted their chances to sit comfortably in the top four (and at one point, second on the ladder). The whips are now cracking as the Dons face sterner tests, and a return match against the Pies, who -- aside from a slip against the Suns -- have been in ominous form, looms. Fans have seen this movie before, year after year, and with the season so tight as we head into the last couple of months, the Bombers need to stand up and show they're a (much!) better side than last season.
Fremantle
vs. Richmond, Optus Stadium
Are they truly a premiership contender?
You know who else has knocked off the Swans this season? Richmond. Yeah, it's tough to go into the SCG and come away with the four points, but the attention on the Dockers will now shift from 'can they affect finals?' to 'can they actually contend for a flag?' and history has shown this side has never dealt well with expectation. The midfield is a big tick, the defence is holding up, and the forward line is working ... so why not the Dockers? With Richmond, Hawthorn, Melbourne, and West Coast in their next month, they could solidify a grip on the top four.
Jake Michaels explains on Red Time why Tom Stewart's move into the midfield isn't enough to make the Cats a contender again.
Geelong
vs. Hawthorn, GMHBA Stadium
Are the Cats ready for the Hawks' assault?
It's been a month since the Cats have played at home, and in that time have lost to Sydney, Carlton, beaten Essendon and had the bye. Currently fifth on the ladder, there's an opportunity here for the Cats to return to familiar surroundings and potentially force their way into the top four, should they beat the Hawks. Hawthorn have been an improving outfit and are on a five-game winning streak -- a totally different prospect to when these teams met on Easter Monday back in Round 3.
Gold Coast
vs. North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
Is this club serious about finals?
The footy world has joked and joked about the Suns' away record all season. Well, here's the best opportunity they'll have to shut the footy public up. The Kangas are not easybeats right now, but if this Suns outfit is gung-ho about playing in September for the first time, they simple MUST win this week at Marvel Stadium. No 'ifs', no 'buts', nothing. Kick this monkey off the back, and we could see the shackles loosened on this team, which clearly has the talent.
GWS
vs. Carlton, ENGIE Stadium
Do they have what it takes to stop the Blues' scoring dominance?
Carlton had 11 different goalkickers in Round 16 and in their past five matches have an average score of 114.8 points, with the Giants conceding an average of 81.2 points per game in that same stretch. Adam Kingsley's scoring has also gone downhill, not scoring more than 79 points since Round 7. And there's no Sam Taylor... yikes. If they don't stem the bleeding, not only will it be another loss, but it could get ugly given the form lines of both of these teams. The Giants need to think of something to bridge the scoring gap in their games and there is no bigger challenge than the Blues this week.
Hawthorn
vs. Geelong, GMHBA Stadium
Can the Hawks make the most of their forward 50 entries?
Well, it's a question for every team, every week, really, but Hawthorn has relied on its efficiency this season and they're one of the league's best at capitalising when going forward, ranked third in the competition for generating shots at goal per inside 50 in the past five weeks. It's something that has them well within finals contention and something that, if successful again, will go a long way to defeating the Cats at GMHBA Stadium for the first time since 2006 (not that the play there often). Considering the Cats are only 10th in the AFL for inside 50 differential (Hawthorn is sixth), this is a real opportunity for the Hawks.
Melbourne
vs. West Coast, MCG
Will Simon Goodwin get a more even contribution?
We know the Eagles were able to beat the Demons already this season, but doing it at the MCG is a whole other beast. The Dees should be able to get this done with relative ease, but this is also an opportunity to find something within the team, who often leave it to too few. Gawn, Oliver, Viney, Pickett, May, Lever, then who? Jacob van Rooyen always tries, but Bayley Fritsch has been down on form, and there's plenty of inconsistency sprinkled into the rest of the line up. A chance to re-establish some form? They need to make the most of this.
North Melbourne
vs. Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium
Can they match it with the Suns in the middle?
Where the Suns dominated the Pies last week was in the middle of the ground and, all season, their impressive on-ball brigade has been rightly praised. This is a very winnable game against a side that hasn't won away all season, but the midfield battle, as always, will be critical. Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, and Will Phillips (depending on how he's used) have a genuine task on their hands, but recent performances (North are third for contested possessions and seventh for clearances in the past five weeks) suggest Alastair Clarkson will have them up for it.
Port Adelaide
vs. Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval
Does the 'do it for the coach' response last more than one match?
Port's effort to hang on against the stingy Saints was impressive and an emotional Ken Hinkley after the game tells us the win was worth more than just four premiership points. But they're now in seventh spot and a game ahead of the chasing pack with a huge game against another finals contender in the Bulldogs this weekend, so which Port Adelaide is going to show up? A win would put them in the top four at least momentarily, but a loss -- depending on the circumstance -- amps up the pressure that little bit more. This one's going to be enthralling, to say the least.
Richmond
vs. Fremantle, Optus Stadium
How does Richmond's midfield keep up with Freo?
Aside from Toby Nankervis, not many Tiger midfielders could have held their head high following the loss to Carlton last week, with the Blues' midfielders running rings around their Richmond counterparts. It's not an easier task this week, with Fremantle's star-studded midfield looming at Optus Stadium. Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto need to find a yard of pace, and a raft of other contributors need to find more of the footy if Richmond is to be at least competitive.
St Kilda
vs. Sydney, Marvel Stadium
Can the Saints restrict the Swans to a 'gettable' score?
We know 'Rossball', it returned with a vengeance last week against the Power under the Marvel Stadium roof. But it's hard to see that working against the freewheeling Swans, who have multiple avenues to goal, including its powerhouse midfield beyond the obvious forward line contributors. The Saints have the fifth-best defence in the competition this season, so for all their other flaws, at least it's a chance to not get blown out of the park by the premiership favourites. Sydney's lowest score all season is 77 (Round 3) and they've reached triple digits 10 times in 2024. Can Ross stop them? Maybe! Can he then score to win? Hmm...
Sydney
vs. St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
Were the Swans beaten by a better team on the day, or is this a mid-season lull?
It was discussed last week on the Red Time episode of the ESPN Footy Podcast, but Sydney were so far in front of the pack it would have been easy to take the foot off the pedal. Some slight complacency isn't a concern if the Swans can bounce back strongly this week, and with North Melbourne the week after, so perhaps the one-point loss to Fremantle was the wake-up call John Longmire's troops needed. After all, this season is very even, and just about any team can best any other on their day.
West Coast
vs. Melbourne, MCG
How will Harley Reid fare on the MCG?
Ah, yes, it's Round 17 and for the first and only time in season 2024, West Coast will grace the MCG. Discussions about fixture fairness aside, is anyone else excited to see the No. 1 draft pick ply his trade in the coliseum? Reid has been a marvel at the Eagles this season, and watching him churn out impressive performances has been a shining light during an otherwise grim season. The big bird, on the biggest stage? We'll be tuning in.
Western Bulldogs
vs. Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Can the Bulldogs' mids help end a three-game losing streak to the Power?
Since belting the Power in their preliminary final at Adelaide Oval in 2021, the Bulldogs haven't beaten Port Adelaide, losing the three clashes since. With the ladder poised so delicately, and these teams separated by one win (and only two spots on the ladder), getting the better of Port at their home ground is so crucial. The midfield battle will be fascinating, with Bontempelli, Macrae, Treloar, and Liberatore going head-to-head with Butters, Rozee, Wines, and Horne-Francis. This'll be worth tuning in for.