In AFL preliminary final weekend, clutch Lion nailed his chances, and a Swans forward might be hitting form at the right time. But a Power veteran had a night to forget. 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.
Brisbane
Stocks up: You have to marvel at what Brisbane's midfield was able to do, particularly in the second half, at the MCG. Their ball movement was elite, quick, pinpoint, and the Cats couldn't contain it the longer the game went on. All of Lachie Neale (31 disposals and 12 clearances), Hugh McCluggage (27 and six) Josh Dunkley (28 and four tackles), and Will Ashcroft (22 and four score involvements) all had a major influence on the contest, or at least a big hand in several critical plays late and, if they're allowed to roam around without much attention two weeks in a row, the Swans are going to have a bad time on Grand Final day.
Sometimes, the cream will rise to the top, and Cam Rayner's class was on full display on Saturday night when he picked up 18 disposals, five marks, five tackles, and two massive goals. He was quiet early and struggled to impact the game (as has been the case several times this season, and throughout his career, to be honest...) but his second half was simply enormous. Is he still too inconsistent, perhaps frustratingly so - just last week he was nearly unsighted against the Giants. But he's the X-factor that wins games, and potentially, Grand Finals...
Stocks down: The prospect of going up against Brodie Grundy without your No. 1 ruckman is daunting. Unfortunately for the Lions, it's a reality they're facing on Grand Final day with Oscar McInerney dislocating his shoulder twice against the Cats, Chris Fagan deeming it too risky to play him in the final game of the season. The Lions were beaten 27-57 in the hit out count against Rhys Stanley and co., not that it hindered they're entire game plan or overall midfield dominance. But Sydney's engine room is a different beast, so this loss is a big one.
Geelong
Stocks up: One of the main reasons behind Geelong's rise this season, and probably one of the most underrated players in the league to be fair, Gryan Miers finished his year with another exceptional showing. The half-forward had 20 disposals, five tackles, two goals, 27 pressure acts, and nine ground ball gets, which netted him a game-high 22.3 rating points. Fellow forward Ollie Henry was also terrific on the big stage and looked like the match-winner after his snap over the shoulder in the dying stages put the Cats in front. Henry finished with four majors, and 37 for 2024, which deserves a tick.
Speaking of Henry... this photo, captured by AFL photographer Michael Willson, is seriously something to behold. The goal itself was pretty special, too.
We all needed to lie down after yesterday's prelim 🤯
— AFL (@AFL) September 22, 2024
📸 @MichaelCWillson pic.twitter.com/c7SryXx1wA
Stocks down: Patrick Dangerfield certainly did all he could -- as usual -- but it wasn't his best night, and it's a game where a likely suspension should have ensued, too. Danger slung McCluggage down to the turf in what can only be described as a dangerous tackle, to the naked eye a textbook one that had been cited by the MRO all season long. His 2025 season won't be delayed, but he also gave away five free kicks against the Lions, and finished the game with nine clangers -- the most on the ground. His effort was undeniable, but he's seen better days.
And from one veteran to another, Mitch Duncan would like to have his couple of moments that he had back. The 33-year-old didn't enter the game until the final quarter, but his errors were costly. First, his limp hand ball in the middle of the ground was swooped on and intercepted by Ashcroft, which led to the Rayner sealer, and had it hit his intended target, the Cats were off and likely heading inside 50. Then, with 11 points in it and just over a minute to go, Duncan was waltzing into goal with plenty of space, or so he thought, before being mowed down by Jack Payne.
Port Adelaide
Stocks up: It wasn't to be for the Power and, unfortunately, their gun midfield just couldn't match it for four full quarters with the Grand Final-bound Swans. But that doesn't mean there weren't efforts worth highlighting, in particular Jason Horne-Francis who capped off a terrific season and big finals campaign with a performance worth tipping your hat to. Did he dominate? Nah, but he, at times, looked like the only Port Adelaide player capable of turning the game with individual brilliance, his line-breaking style of game and burst from stoppage highlights from an otherwise disappointing night. The young gun finished with 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, four marks, and a game-high seven clearances at the SCG, while also going at 82% disposal efficiency. His September campaign proves that he will be, or perhaps already is, a big game player. He's only going to get better, too, and we can't wait to see what's in store in 2025.
Stocks down: He had a lot of the ball on a night Port Adelaide couldn't get going, but Travis Boak had some incredibly forgettable moments throughout Friday night's loss. With the Swans kicking accurately most of the night, a level-head was needed from the Power's veterans, but Boak's seven turnovers were particularly costly. On three occasions his (what looked like) simple disposals were turned over, and into goals for the Swans. He probably wasn't the reason they lost, but his disposal didn't help one bit.
Sydney
Stocks up: It's been an up and down season for Joel Amartey who at times has looked like a top tier forward (check his nine-goal haul against the Crows), but has equally been far too quiet in many games. He's an enigma, and it's hard to know what you're going to get from him on a weekly basis, but after his four-touch game against the Giants in the qualifying final, the 25-year-old put together one of his best games of the year with a season-high (and equal career-high) 16 disposals, five marks, and three goals. He was impressive in the air and looked a handful for Port to contain, but the Grand Final is a different beast and whether he's able to put it together two weeks in a row, on the biggest stage, is the question. Fair play in the prelim, regardless.
Also, Harry Cunningham's role in defence, running with the dangerous Willie Rioli was fantastic. Rioli was kept to seven touches and just the one goal, and after his impact last week up the ground and around the sticks, it would have been a worry for the Swans coming in, but Cunningham stepped up, and might get an even bigger job next week with Kai Lohmann, Cam Rayner, and Charlie Cameron lurking in the Lions' forward half.
Stocks down: There's going to be heartbreak in this Sydney side, whether it's skipper Callum Mills, who will miss with a hamstring, Taylor Adams, who just hasn't locked down a spot in the best 23, or even Logan McDonald, who worryingly limped off late in the win over the Power with some nasty looking ankle concerns. There's a bit of history here, too, with the Swans pulling the trigger on underdone players. Remember Sam Reid in the 2022 Grand Final? Yeah, we don't either, because the underdone forward had four touches before being subbed out with a re-injured adductor. John Longmire won't take any risks this time around.