In Round 16 of the 2024 AFL season, a young Docker came up clutch at the SCG and Izak Rankine was back to his best, but a Demon had a moment he'd rather forget, a couple of Saints had stinkers, and one club captain lowered his colours -- not for the first time this season... Here's whose stocks are up and down.
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: There's hardly a player you'd rather watch when at their scintillating best than Izak Rankine, and he proved far too much for the Giants to handle on Saturday night. Rankine played his second match since returning from a hamstring injury he sustained in Round 10 but dazzled in basically every involvement, finishing his night with 27 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, two goals, and a game-high 23.6 rating points. Note to the rest of the competition: This guy needs to be tagged.
Stocks down: There's no doubting Crows fans would have had moments where they anticipated lamenting inaccuracy against the sharp-shooting Giants. Kicking 13.16 is a big enough score and establishing an early lead was important, but there is nothing worse than missing gettable shots at goal when you've dominated every other area of the game. Rankine's 2.3, Rachele's 2.4 and other inside 50 blunders weren't costly -- this time.
Brisbane
Stocks up: Josh Dunkley has been an incredible pick up for the Lions and often goes unrecognised for the selfless work he does around stoppages. But on Friday night at the Gabba, his impact in the clinches was more than noticeable, the former Dog racking up 32 disposals, 12 marks, 10 tackles, and seven clearances going head-to-head with Clayton Oliver.
Stocks down: He's a star, but Zac Bailey's colours were lowered against the Dees, finishing with just 10 disposals (40% efficiency), four clangers and 0.9 rating points -- his seventh-worst performance in 128 games at AFL level.
Carlton
Stocks up: The focus has mainly been on Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, and at times Nick Daicos in terms of the Brownlow Medal discussion, but Patrick Cripps is right in the conversation, and is arguably having a better season than his 2022 Charlie-winning season. Moving with a freedom and pace we haven't seen from the Blues' skipper, Cripps is impacting not only at the coalface, but on the spread as well, and picked up at least 40 disposals for the second straight week. Plus, how good's this photo from snapper Michael Willson?
Stocks down: As the Blues were slowly getting back to full strength, it was a shame to see Matt Kennedy go down with a non-contact knee injury. The club is hoping it's just a medial sprain, which could be a six-to-eight week injury. He's been an important cog in the Blues' midfield, fingers crossed he's okay.
Collingwood
Stocks up: It's obvious, and it's a boring call, but without Nick Daicos, Collingwood loses this game by a significant margin. Damien Hardwick trusted his midfield cohort to go head-to-head with the Magpies star and, although they weren't made to pay, it meant it was another game-changing performance from the 21-year-old. Daicos had 32 disposals, nine score involvements, 691 metres gained and kicked two outstanding goals -- including one goal of the year contender -- at People First Stadium, looking like nothing less than a match-winner for that entire fourth quarter comeback, which ultimately fell short through no fault of his own.
NICK DAICOS, STOP IT 🤯#AFLSunsPies pic.twitter.com/kfM7Goztvx
— AFL (@AFL) June 29, 2024
Stocks down: What has happened to Darcy Moore? The Collingwood captain has looked lost without his usual counterpart Nathan Murphy by his side this season and his impact on games has dropped considerably. Not flying for marks with the same confidence, and looking exposed one-on-one... it's been a poor season, to say the least, and a steep drop off from his All-Australian best. He's averaging considerably fewer contested and intercept marks, kicks, rebounds, and inside 50s than last year.
Essendon
Stocks up: Let's be honest, there isn't too much to praise after that hapless second-half effort, but we'll give some love to Jye Caldwell, whose 32 disposals (18 contested possessions), 12 tackles and 12 clearances was about the only thing Bombers fans can walk away applauding.
Stocks down: Jake Stringer, those conditions were perfect for you, and nine disposals at 55% efficiency (yes, we know, with two goals) probably won't cut it in such a big game for your club. Hold on, Jye Menzie, you haven't gotten away scot-free! Eight possessions and four clangers (including one costly deliberate rushed behind call) is not a night to remember.
Fremantle
Stocks up: No Alex Pearce? No worries. The Dockers' defensive posts were excellent against the Swans, holding off the tide especially late in their thrilling one-point win. In just his 16th game, Josh Draper stood tall on four different occasions as the Swans surged late in the fourth, keeping Hayden McLean neutralised late in the piece, while finishing with seven intercepts and 11 spoils. He was ably supported by Luke Ryan, who had 26 disposals and eight marks (two contested) and Jordan Clark off half back.
Stocks down: He's had a great year on the wing and pushing forward, but Bailey Banfield was held to his lowest disposal count for the year, picking up just seven, at a disposal efficiency of just 57%. He also had just two tackles and gave away a crucial free in the last term to have everyone on the edge of their seat. We'll back him to bounce back.
It was so close we had to wait until after the final siren to find a winner 🫣
— AFL (@AFL) June 29, 2024
Watch the last two minutes of #AFLSwansFreo, thanks to OMO Australia. pic.twitter.com/aKZrKwEXzF
Geelong
Stocks up: Ollie Dempsey has now picked up 25 disposals in consecutive weeks for the first time in his short career, his rate of improvement, which continues, a big takeaway from Geelong's first three months of the season. He also finished with seven inside 50s, seven score involvements and two goals as one of the most influential players on the ground against the Bombers.
Stocks down: Mitch Duncan was subbed off with a shoulder concern and, let's be honest, injuries in this Geelong side -- a team that lacks depth -- will be costly. They've got hardly an injury list, and losing another experienced player in a tough run home is the last thing Chris Scott needs. Here's hoping the severity is minimal.
Gold Coast
Stocks up: The Gold Coast midfield had been lacking recently but they were back to their best -- unsurprisingly -- against the Pies to make it eight straight wins at home this season. Noah Anderson (39 disposals), Sam Flanders (33), and Touk Miller (31) led the charge, Damien Hardwick's side finishing +16 in contested possessions, +71 in uncontested possessions, and +18 in inside 50s in an outstanding performance. Now to replicate that in a more southern state...
Stocks down: It's the Suns' inconsistency that frustrates football fans across the country. They're brilliant to watch at their best but can drop off so easily. They have three more games at home this season, but if they're to play finals will need to show the AFL world they can do it even when waking up in a hotel room. North Melbourne, GWS, West Coast, Essendon, Richmond -- all away games, and arguably the most important batch of matches the club has ever had.
Long to the rescue 🫡#AFLSunPies pic.twitter.com/fItsuQb93L
— AFL (@AFL) June 29, 2024
GWS
Stocks up: Lachie Whitfield racked up 41 disposals at Adelaide Oval -- his most touches in a game in five years -- and relished playing loose behind the ball. When he's collecting 12 marks, finishing with 80% disposal efficiency and left to be the start of GWS' offensive chains, it usually -- usually -- spells trouble.
Stocks down: Callum Brown wasn't able to release the Nick Murray shackles on Saturday night, only managing four possessions and one behind. Aaron Cadman's nine marks and five goals in the VFL would be looking pretty good to Adam Kingsley right now as he seeks answers to a slump in which the Giants have lost six of their past eight matches.
Hawthorn
Stocks up: Does Mabior Chol's transformation into a team-first, selfless, pressure forward who competes well get talked about enough? He's become a dependable member of the Hawks' forward line, leaping for balls, following up at ground level, and importantly, kicking and assisting with goals consistently. He bagged another two majors in the win against the Eagles, but directly assisted with two others, plus had a few handy grabs. It's a settled forward line right now, and Chol is playing a big part.
Stocks down: We've been super impressed with the start of Calsher Dear's AFL career, but he might be ripe for a spell in the twos just to regain some confidence and some of the footy. Well held by the Eagles' defenders, Dear was good for just one handball to midway through the third term when he was subbed out for Harry Morrison.
Melbourne
Stocks up: When looking for Melbourne's new match-winners following Christian Petracca's season-ending injury, it was easy to pinpoint Kysaiah Pickett. Well, Kozzy was brilliant at the Gabba and had a performance that screamed high impact, finishing with 12 disposals but also four marks, six tackles and a whopping five majors. Jacob van Rooyen was solid with two majors and eight marks, but outside of that, there was an obvious lack of help.
Stocks down: Alex Neal-Bullen gave away a costly free kick for insufficient intent when diving out of bounds in the back 50 and all but lost his team the game with one blunder. Clipped on the ankle? Yeah, but he knew where he was going. Also, Trent Rivers' lack of game management when having possession of the footy 60 metres out from goal with 40 seconds remaining was just so poor, holding onto the footy for far too long before launching it deep towards the goal line, not giving his forwards a chance to snatch the lead back.
North Melbourne
Stocks up: Tristan Xerri is easily one of the most improved players in the competition and held his own against one of the premier ruckman in the competition in Tim English. The big Roo had 20 disposals, five marks, six tackles and 34 hit outs on Saturday afternoon, continuing to impress with every outing. All-Australian squad here we come! (maybe).
Stocks down: When your club is in with a sniff against a higher-ranked team, you really need your leaders -- and best players -- to stand up, and Nick Larkey couldn't really get a look at the footy. Well held by Liam Jones for most of the afternoon, Larkey struggled to impact the contest, finishing the match with three kicks from five disposals and two marks on the day. His inconsistency has been a worry this season, having now been held goalless for the third time in five matches.
Port Adelaide
Stocks up: Jason Horne-Francis' game on Sunday afternoon was almost perfect, the young gun mixing his time between midfield and forward and highly damaging with ball in hand. But his work-rate late in the game with the Power holding onto a tight lead was the most impressive part, despite finishing with 28 disposals, four clearances and a brilliant goal on the run.
Stocks down: Todd Marshall was subbed out of the game with left hamstring tightness in the third term after booting just 0.2 from seven touches and five grabs. He's hardly lit the world on fire this season and needs to start making the most of his opportunities.
Richmond
Stocks up: In a 10-goal loss there aren't many massive positives, but the Tigers have found one in key defender Jacob Blight. Taken in the midseason draft, the key defender was plucked from WAFL side Peel Thunder, and looked as at home as one could in a forward line featuring Chalie Curnow and Harry McKay. Affecting contests and producing a couple of crucial spoils, the 22-year-old looks to have a bright future at the Tigers!
Stocks down: Well, the race for the No.1 pick is certainly on, after Richmond's percentage tumbled below that of North Melbourne. The Tigers have the game in hand, but with the Kangaroos putting together an improved patch of footy, the wooden spoon race could heat up later in the season...
St Kilda
Stocks up: Jack Sinclair was roaming around Marvel Stadium largely unattended for most of the afternoon and racked up 31 disposals, 10 marks, eight rebound 50s, and 556 metres gained in the tight loss to the Power, often the main architect behind most of the Saints' offensive thrusts.
Stocks down: Ross Lyon needs to get more out of Max King, who was well beaten by Brandon Zerk-Thatcher. The St Kilda spearhead had just three handballs to half time and booted 0.2 on the day, constantly making poor, rushed decisions and being out-worked in several contests. To be outshined by a part-timer (read: ruckman) in Rowan Marshall says a lot about how King's season is tracking. Also, Jack Higgins' left foot snap from a set shot -- which didn't make the distance -- from hardly 25 metres out in the last quarter proved costly. If you're not confident enough to kick a drop punt on the slightest of angles, some training habits might need to be reconsidered to ensure confidence is there.
Sydney
Stocks up: Wouldn't every club love a player as dynamic and scintillating as Nick Blakey? The Lizard was in fine form again for the Swans in their loss to the Dockers, racking up a game-high 32 disposals at half back, while using his run-and-carry with, at times, devastating effect. He took 10 uncontested marks, proving to be an effective link man, and had seven score involvements including a crucial major in the fourth as the Swans attempted the comeback.
Stocks down: When the best team in the competition loses, there's going to be some extra scrutiny on what the weakness are, and it might be Sydney's key forward stocks. Let's get it straight, they're not bad, they're just probably the weakest of a strong unit. Small and medium forwards are still kicking the majority of Sydney's goals, and the midfield continues to contribute, with just four majors between Hayden McLean (who was an effective second ruck and took some good grabs), Logan McDonald, and Joel Amartey.
West Coast
Stocks up: There weren't many positives in the end for the Eagles against the Hawks, but without Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass, they lose that match by 100 points. With a midfield unable to compete, a lot was left to the Eagles' defence, and credit to the key back, they toiled manfully all evening -- it's just a shame there wasn't a whole lot of support.
Stocks down: The loss to the Hawks was a bad regression from the Eagles, who have shown they're able to play decent footy in season 2024. The midfield brigade in particular was smashed; Tim Kelly had just 15 touches, Elliott Yeo 13, Ginbey 10, Chesser 6. These numbers just aren't good enough when hoping to compete at AFL level, and it's little wonder the Hawks were able to skip away to an easy 61-point win.
Western Bulldogs
Stocks up: Sick? Injured? Doesn't matter when your name is Marcus Bontempelli. He was in serious doubt for this weekend's match against North Melbourne, after he left the training track with back spasms earlier in the week. Well, you wouldn't have known it, because he had 35 disposals, 11 clearances and 647 metres gained in yet another masterful midfield appearance. He's probably in the votes again -- you just can't keep the man down!
Stocks down: The Bulldogs' depth is set to be tested this week after they picked up a couple of injuries. Taylor Duryea (foot), and Laitham Vandermeer (ankle) both hobbled off at various stages.