What's the big question your AFL club must answer in Round 21? What has Sydney's tall timber got left? Who wins the spoon? Will the Dockers make the most of their MCG opportunity?
We've looked at every club and answered their biggest question ahead of this week's action.
Adelaide
vs. Geelong, GMHBA Stadium
Is this the most important month of Matthew Nicks' coaching career?
It might just be, the Crows not performing to the level many expected of them in 2024, and it starts with a massive test away to Geelong. Nicks' team was smashed by Hawthorn last week and if they continue to give in, throw in the towel because there isn't much to play for, bottom four looms as a really possibility. They're having a winning season -- as a percentage over 100 after 20 rounds suggests -- but causing upsets in the final stretch will be vital as the under-pressure Nicks looks to ensure he is still the man for the job.
Brisbane
vs. St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
Can they dodge the banana peel?
We've heard it all season: "The Lions are coming." Well, they're here, and they're second, and a top two spot is now entirely in their hands after a slow start to their campaign. It's not the easiest run home, either, the Giants and Collingwood (at the MCG) to come following Round 21, but St Kilda at Marvel is just as tricky, the Saints quashing Essendon's finals hopes last week and looking to spoil the party for this year's contenders, with not much else to play for. Stringent defensively, this isn't the easiest task for Chris Fagan and co, who only just edged past this team at the Gabba less than two months ago.
Carlton
vs. Collingwood, MCG
Can they re-establish their midfield dominance and spoil the Pies' party?
After half time last week, the Blues were simply out-hunted in the midfield and lacked the surge that the Power had going the other way, losing the clearance count by 10 -- their worst loss in that area since Round 4. Arguably the Magpies' biggest weakness this season has been its midfield and lack of ability to stop opposition ball movement, so it's the area the Blues need to cash-in if they are to re-establish their premiership credentials.
Collingwood
vs. Carlton, MCG
Will Nick be able to break the Cincotta tag?
The Blues won't want to be beaten by what they know, and Nick Daicos' match-winning exploits in Round 8 will be stuck in then their minds. Since then? Alex Cincotta has become one of the competition's best shut-down players, so it's all but inevitable this is a match up we are going to see on Saturday night. Daicos has been Collingwood's best player this season -- clearly -- and without him their average season could have been worse. Craig McRae will need him to fire if they are to cause an upset and salute in Scott Pendlebury's 400th, but it isn't going to be easy.
Essendon
vs. Fremantle, MCG
Can the Dons finally win under pressure?
It's deja vu for the Bombers. No really, it is. And as all Essendon fans expected, they are sitting outside of the eight for the first time in 14 weeks. Last week's loss to the Saints was bad enough, but the tests get bigger and the pressure only mounts with every passing week, so is this the week they show some ticker and prove that there has in fact been growth in their mental capacity to handle the heat? The Dockers aren't an easy side to get past and it's the start of a brutal run home, but it is a home game which counts for something and, eventually, they need to show us they actually have what it takes.
Fremantle
vs. Essendon, MCG
Will the Dockers make the most of their MCG opportunity?
If there's one thing non-Victorian sides need to nail in September, it invariably boils down to 'playing well on the MCG'. Well, they grace the hallowed turf for just the second time this season when they face the Bombers on Sunday, in what would be a nice little tune up head of finals. Their only other game at the 'G this year came against Richmond, but it'll be interesting to see how the Dockers stack up against a (let's face it) unbelievably desperate team in Essendon.
Geelong
vs. Adelaide, GMHBA Stadium
Can Tom Stewart continue to be the Cats' wildcard?
Chris Scott has needed to get inventive in the middle of the park this season given the Cats' weakness has been its midfield game. It was almost by necessity throwing star defender Tom Stewart in there to avoid the tags he was copping by opposition forwards, but he has excelled and is continuing to influence games the same way he used to. Stewart had 20.3 rating points in last week's win, is averaging 27.5 disposals in his past four outings, and will be a critical component of this Cats side that is still in the hunt for a top four finish.
Gold Coast
vs. West Coast, Optus Stadium
Is this the away win we've been waiting for?
We might be beating a dead horse with this one, so we'll keep it brief: It's Round 21, and the Suns STILL haven't won an away game this season. In fact, they haven't done so since Round 9, 2023, when they played this team, at this venue. Just get it done, lads. Just get it done.
GWS
vs. Hawthorn, Manuka Oval
How do they stop the Hawthorn avalanche?
The Giants have been able to score heavily themselves, but the task of halting the flying Hawks is one of footy's most daunting at the moment, and it's a challenge not many sides has been able to pass in recent weeks. Six of Hawthorn's past six scores have been above 90, and they're averaging 128.5 points in their last two weeks. Simply put: If the Giants can't find a way to stop the ruthless, youthful, exciting Hawks when in attack, they could find themselves back outside of the eight by the end of the round. Either way this result goes, it could prove even further this premiership race is as wide open as its ever been.
Hawthorn
vs. GWS, Manuka Oval
Can they beat a contender -- again -- to prove they genuinely have what it takes?
The optimist would say Hawthorn is absolutely the real deal, Sam Mitchell's side arguably the most in-form in the league. But the more pessimistic types would say outside of the Dockers (in Tassie), they haven't really beaten anyone of significance in seven weeks, or, since they last beat the Giants in a thriller. If you don't believe in them yet, you'll have to if they pick up another four points this weekend. The difference? Well, while they play with an infectious 'nothing to lose' attitude -- which works -- they now have slightly more pressure, and expectation, to deal with. We think they're up for it.
Melbourne
vs. Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
Is this where Melbourne's finals assault ends?
The Bulldogs are eighth on the ladder with 44 points. The Demons are stuck in 11th on 40 points. In what really is a classic 'eight-point game' (yes, we know!), this is a must-win outing for the spluttering Dees if they expect to suit up in September. Hopefully Max Gawn is better for the run, as he looked sore last week, and hopefully Melbourne's forwards will appreciate a dry and still Marvel Stadium. It's an uphill battle to make finals from here, but a win will make it slightly easier.
North Melbourne
vs. Richmond, Marvel Stadium
Will the Roos consign the Tigers to the wooden spoon?
They're both stuck on two wins, with the Kangaroos boasting a slightly higher percentage. But that doesn't really reflect the form line of Alastair Clarkson's men, who since their bye have looked nothing like wooden-spooners. But, if they can't beat the Tigers on Saturday, that might still eventuate. This is the game North needs to win (and probably win well) in order to nourish the fans who have stuck by them as they've shown improvement.
Port Adelaide
vs. Sydney, Adelaide Oval
Could Esava Ratugolea be the game's next swingman?
We've seen it for many years, and we're even seeing it this year, Rory Lobb at the Dogs a prime example, but do the Power have their own version going the other way? Ratugolea was picked up to be the key defender Ken Hinkley has longed for, but as the former Cat showed last Friday night against the Blues, being a more permanent marking target ahead of the ball could be where his best can shine. He took six marks and booted two goals at Marvel Stadium last week, and could be someone who stretches the undermanned Sydney defence.
Richmond
vs. North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
Have the Tigers got one last push in 2024?
If the Tigers can win one more game in 2024, they might avoid the wooden spoon. The other big question is 'do they want to win'? This is the Tigers' best shot at a third victory in 2024, and with pride on the line, fans might want to see one last big push. It's been a horror year, from poor performances, to injuries, and the Dusty saga, but one last nourishing performnance would give fans something to cheer about heading into the club's biggest offseason in nearly a decade.
St Kilda
vs. Brisbane, Marvel Stadium
Can the Saints continue to shape the top eight?
Ross Lyon hinted last week that he'll be hoping to end, or hamper, the seasons of a few teams in the run home, and that started in Round 20 when they dominated the Bombers to send them back down the ladder. Next on their hit list? A premiership favourite in hot form. It's been four years since the Saints were able to topple Brisbane, but if they do, Geelong and Carlton fans would be very nervous...
Sydney
vs. Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
What has this under-performing forward line got for us?
If they're not being bailed out by the midfielders like Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, or smaller forwards Will Hayward and Tom Papley, it can get pretty grim for Sydney's three-pronged attack. Admittedly experimented with in the backline last week, Logan McDonald has kicked multiple goals in just two of his past 12 outings, Joel Amartey has booted just four goals from his past six matches since kicking nine in one match earlier in the year, and Hayden McLean has a knack of going goalless every few games in 2024. If this side is serious about a flag this season, it needs contributions from its key forwards.
West Coast
vs. Gold Coast, Optus Stadium
Can Oscar Allen respond from his derby downer?
Seven touches (and only one goal) from your leader in a grudge derby isn't going to cut it for someone with the talent of Allen. Yes, he's battled injuries all season and is still finding form, but if you're fit to play, you need to be doing more. The Suns are extremely beatable when they're not at home, so this is an opportunity for the Eagles (and Allen) to really exert some authority and show the comp they're not going to be the pushovers they have been going into next year.
Western Bulldogs
vs. Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
Can the Bulldogs continue to build consistency?
The Bulldogs haven't won four games in a row since between Rounds 7 and 10 last season, and now they're the in-form team in the competition, it would be the worst time for them to fall into old habits and drop four points that they are now expected to take home. Luke Beveridge and his Dogs know the past is the past, you need to hit form at the right time of the year, and with top four on the line (albeit only momentarily) this Friday night, the Dogs need to stand tall and prove there has been a real mental shift that proves they can go all the way.