What's the big question your AFL club must answer in Round 19? Are the Bombers tough enough? Can the Swans deal with Lachie Neale?
We've looked at every club and answered their biggest question ahead of this week's action.
Adelaide
vs. Essendon, Marvel Stadium
Is Riley Thilthorpe ready to take the torch from Tex?
It may have only been one quarter of footy, but there was enough shown by Riley Thilthorpe in his first game of the season to give Crows fans hope that he can grow into the club's clear-cut No. 1 key forward/ruck threat. Veteran Taylor Walker has struggled immensely in season 2024, quite a surprise after earning All-Australian selection last year, so the goal for the Crows should be for Thilthorpe to take more responsibility from the Texan and ready himself for a career-best 2025. He should get a full game against the Bombers this week. Looking forward to seeing what he can do.
Brisbane
vs. Sydney, Gabba
Do the Lions deserve to be premiership favourites?
If Brisbane beat Sydney this weekend at the SCG -- and keep in mind they will likely start as favourite -- then why shouldn't Chris Fagan's side also take over as the team to beat for the premiership? A win over the Swans would mean they have won seven straight games, and only lost three times since that much publicized 0-3 start. They have the experience (both in coaching and on-field personnel), the form, and a win over the Swans will mean they're looking odds-on to earn the double chance. They're in it up to their eyeballs.
Carlton
vs. North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
Can the Blues right the ship and get back on track?
Two weeks ago this clash looked as close to a foregone conclusion as you can possibly get in the AFL. But since back-to-back 10-goal wins over the Cats and Tigers, the Blues have been in a bit of a funk. Disappointing losses to the Giants and Bulldogs have seen them slip back towards the chasing pack and raise some serious -- and legitimate -- concerns over their flag credentials. Michael Voss needs to get back to basics -- starting with defence -- and find a way to inspire his side to getting back on the winners' list.
Collingwood
vs. Hawthorn, MCG
Can the Magpies restrict the Hawks to 80 or fewer points?
Defense was a major part of Collingwood's run to the flag last year. Craig McRae's side coughed up just 72 points per game last season, a number that's blown out to 85 per game in 2024. But over the last month the points against number has only grown. Since Round 15, the Magpies are giving up 100.5 per game. They just don't have the forward line firepower to match that sort of scoring. For the Magpies to get back into the finals race, they must restrict their opposition's ability to score. If they can't do it this week, it will be the first time in the McRae era they've lost four straight games.
Essendon
vs. Adelaide, Marvel Stadium
Are the Bombers tough enough?
By tough we don't mean physically, but rather mentally. Essendon really should have beaten Melbourne on Saturday night. The Dees were depleted and the Dons were looking to consolidate their place inside the top four. But after quarter-time they never looked likely, getting beaten up and outworked all over the ground. The top sides rarely have games like this that make us second guess their legitimacy, but the Bombers have three of them in the last five weeks. They need to get back to winning ways ASAP.
Fremantle
vs. Melbourne, Optus Stadium
Can the Dockers stretch Melbourne's thin ruck stocks?
It's unclear whether Max Gawn will play this week against the Dockers. The Melbourne skipper missed last week's win over the Bombers after fracturing his fibula, and while he is "progressing well," the club is likely to proceed cautiously when it comes to his return. If he does sit out again, the ruck battle might be as lopsided as you can get with Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy (expected to return after missing last week through concussion) to face Melbourne's hodge-podge combo of Jacob Van Rooyen and Harrison Petty, or backup Tom Fullarton. Even if Gawn plays you'd have to figure he's not close to 100% and there's a real opportunity for the Docker duo to inflict some serious pain.
Geelong
vs. Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium
Can the Cats all but lock up a prized top four spot this week?
It seems crazy to say any side not named Sydney can lock up their top four place this week, but it's not too outrageous for Geelong. The Cats currently sits third in amongst a logjammed top eight, but with games to come against the Roos and Crows (GMHBA Stadium), a win over the Bulldogs this week (also at home) will have them very, very close to earning that prized double chance. Oh yeah, the last time the Cats finished a home and away season in the top four they went on to win the flag...
Gold Coast
vs. GWS, ENGIE Stadium
Can the Suns finally break that away game duck?
We've asked this question, or similar, at least half a dozen times throughout the season, and it remains as pertinent as ever. After Gold Coast's win over Port Adelaide last week, the Suns are now 9-0 in home games and 0-8 on the road. It's a staggering statistic and one that still doesn't really make any sense. The Giants have found form in recent times and will start as a significant favourite, but this is the sort of game the Suns must win if they're to play finals this season. Sorry, but you can't make the eight if you're winless on the road for the entire season.
GWS
vs. Gold Coast, ENGIE Stadium
Can Jesse Hogan make another Coleman Medal push?
Jesse Hogan's Coleman Medal odds shortened significantly after booting 10 goals through the first two weeks, and while he had a lean-ish patch during the middle portion of the season, he's hitting top form at the right time. The former Demon has never booted 50 goals in a season, but could get to that number this week with a strong showing at home against the Suns. He currently sits on 45 goals, four behind leader and back-to-back winner Charlie Curnow. With nine goals in the last two weeks, Hogan is back in form and could make a late run at knocking Curnow off his perch.
Hawthorn
vs. Collingwood, MCG
Will the Hawks stick with James Sicily in attack?
The Hawks are blessed with 'utilities' or 'swingmen', like Josh Weddle, Blake Hardwick, and of course James Sicily. The skipper was moved forward last week to great effect, kicking three goals and keeping Freo's defence busy despite nursing a sore shoulder. With Collingwood's attack undermanned, could Sam Mitchell make the move again and stretch the Pies' back six? The Hawks are looking balanced and in-sync right now, and a win would ensure they leapfrog the reigning premiers on the ladder.
Melbourne
vs. Fremantle, Optus Stadium
Can the Dees make amends for their last trip to Perth?
The last time Melbourne travelled to Perth, in Round 11 this year, the Eagles caused one of the boilovers of the season. West Coast didn't just win, they absolutely crushed them, eventually running out 35-point victors. The Dockers are obviously a far sterner test than the lowly Eagles, but the fire will surely still be burning in the Dees after dropping that game earlier in the season. Interestingly, prior to that loss, Melbourne had won five straight games at Optus Stadium, including the 2021 Grand Final against the Bulldogs.
North Melbourne
vs. Carlton, Marvel Stadium
Can the Roos ruin Carlton's season?
Granted, it's a tall order, but it's not totally off the cards. We're happy to throw out North's last game against the Swans at the SCG and focus on the improved five-week run of form before it. Alastair Clarkson's side has made strides in all areas of the ground, particularly at the contest and defensively. They return to Marvel Stadium this week and face a Carlton side suddenly desperate for a win after back-to-back losses. The Blues might be sitting second right now, but -- amazingly -- they're only one win clear of ninth. It could all come crashing down quickly if the Roos show up and make a game of it on Sunday afternoon.
Port Adelaide
vs. Richmond, Adelaide Oval
Can Charlie Dixon make up for injuring his teammate?
If you were ranking players in the league who you wouldn't want falling on top of you, Charlie Dixon might just be first on the list. We're sure Todd Marshall agrees after Dixon's clumsiness led to him being subbed out of last week's clash with a hip injury. It's been a particularly poor run for Dixon who was only making his senior return against the Suns following a three-week VFL suspension. He's also managed just two goals from his last five AFL appearances. If he wants a contract beyond 2024, with any team, he needs to show something this week.
Richmond
vs. Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Can the Tigers sustain the effort against another good side?
All things considered, Richmond's outing against the Giants last week wasn't as disappointing as it could have been. They hung around and gave the Giants a mini scare at the MCG, before being overrun in the second half. This week they face a Port Adelaide side that's been very up and down of late. Few will give the Tigers a chance of walking off Adelaide Oval with four premiership points in the bank, but if they can hang in their again and show their is live in the post dynasty world, maybe the fans will come back to the MCG when they return to Melbourne for their Round 20 game against the Magpies.
St Kilda
vs. West Coast, Marvel Stadium
Can the Saints show the footy world they have what it takes to score big?
West Coast is arguably the most vulnerable side in the competition right now and, despite St Kilda's lacklustre season to date, Ross Lyon's side really should be doing a number on them at Marvel Stadium. The Saints have the fourth-worst offence in the league, but have the fifth-best defence and there's no doubting they'll be able to hold the Eagles to a lowly score. Scoring themselves, however -- and as has been the case all season -- remains the issue, but this needs to be viewed as an opportunity to display the scoring prowess that lives inside this team, because even just a moderate win could still be followed with negative headlines.
Sydney
vs. Brisbane, Gabba
Can the Swans deal with Lachie Neale?
Two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale may have started the season slowly, but boy is he making up for it now. His last two weeks have been particularly impressive. Neale amassed 70 disposals, 37 contested possessions, 23 clearances, 11 tackles, and five goals across the two games against the Crows and Eagles: the first player in recorded history to post at least those numbers in a two week period. He's in red-hot form and has been the catalyst behind Brisbane's mid-season resurgence. The Swans can't afford to let him get off the chain.
West Coast
vs. St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
With emotions in the rear-view mirror, how do the Eagles perform under Schofield?
Everyone knows about the new coach bounce, and even though the Eagles didn't nab the four points, they pushed the Lions all the way until the final siren at Optus Stadium in what was Jarrad Schofield's first game at the helm. But now that emotions have settled -- somewhat -- what are we going to get from the Eagles? And what sort of game style does the club's new coach want to implement? The Saints at Marvel Stadium is a winnable game for this mob and Schofield will know it, too.
Western Bulldogs
vs. Geelong, GMHBA Stadium
Are the Dogs a good enough side to break their flip-flopping record?
The Bulldogs are 9-8 on the season, but haven't won or lost more than two games in a row. If they're serious about playing finals, they probably need to upset the Cats at GMHBA this week given they have Sydney the following round. The Dogs' form from week to week is confusing; they'll beat Carlton, but lose to the Power by 48. They'll beat North by three goals but smash the Dockers by 10. Some consistency, please!