Every club’s burning question, Fox Footy commentators, TV Guide, fixture, analysis, news – MASHAHER

A frustrating opening loss of the season could come back to bite Carlton, when you take a look at what’s coming down the road.

Plus the “warts” which could cruel Sydney, the man already coaching for his future and much more.

Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 6, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!

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ROUND 6 FIXTURE AND BURNING QUESTIONS (All times AEST)

ST KILDA v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Thursday April 18, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504 with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Brad Johnson & Jon Ralph

Saints’ burning question: Can they kick the Dogs while they’re down and get back on the horse?

Last week, St Kilda were able to give the Giants a run for their money, losing by a solitary point at Manuka Oval. Despite being beaten comfortably in the first three quarters, the Saints proved they were always within striking distance with a seven-goal last quarter scaring Adam Kingsley’s undefeated side.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack, St Kilda great Leigh Montagna highlighted how their powerful ball movement at times lets them play as well as anyone, but consistent errors are letting them down big time.

“I think they went in with a great plan, they knew what they needed to do to beat the Giants; when it worked, it looked great,” Montagna said. “The problem was, when you do control the ball and do play this short kicking game, it only takes one poor kick, and it costs you a goal.

“They did this on three or four occasions, St Kilda, where they shot themselves in the foot, and every time they’re in the contest and they feel like they’re in the game, you give up an easy one – and it just deflates them and kills them.”

Matched up against a deflated Bulldogs outfit tonight, the Saints will give themselves every chance of pushing Luke Beveridge’s one game further away from a seat at the finals table.

“Their good looks great … but the bad was costly – that would be the frustration,” Montagna concluded.

A win puts the Saints back in touch with the lower half of the top eight and gives them a great foundation to head to Adelaide and try knock off a potent Power on their home deck.

Bulldogs’ burning question: Is Luke Beveridge ‘coaching for his career’?

The headlines and news articles seem to be following Luke Beveridge everywhere at the moment, with some out of his control, and some in. One headline that he’ll struggle to shake in the near future, however, is his tenure as senior coach of the Bulldogs.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 this week, Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson was concerned with what the coach’s future looks like at Whitten Oval.

“Do they stick with him as they re-emerge? It might take a couple of years; it might take 12 games – who knows,” Robinson stated. “But right now, Luke Beveridge is coaching for his career — the next two weeks are enormous. Coming up against St Kilda and the rising Dockers before seeing any apparent relief, back-to-back losses in the next fortnight could smell game over in 2024 for the Dogs.

“If they go to 2-5, and then they’ve got a massive two games against (Hawthorn) and Richmond — he wouldn’t want to lose the next two and lose one of those next two after that. I’m not saying they’re going to sack him, but the rumble will be enormous.”

With team selections, player contract talks and club form all big points of discussion, it looks as though tonight will kick off a two-week period that could make or break the club’s 2016 premiership coach.

ADELAIDE CROWS v ESSENDON

Friday April 19, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504 with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis, Mark Ricciuto & Jon Ralph

Crows’ burning question: Will they keep the midfield magnets spun?

After countless cries from critics and pundits to spice up their midfield, coach Matthew Nicks put the calls into place – and boy did it work wonders. Knocking off a midfield with Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps, 2018 Rising Star winner Sam Walsh and a gritty George Hewett is no easy feat, but the young Crows outfit did just that last Saturday.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch, Collingwood champion and ex-coach Nathan Buckley praised Nicks for his wit to change things up at such a crucial stage of their season.

“The Jordan Dawson decision (to move him out of the midfield) is instructive, because it takes time for a coach to move off his pre-season plans; because you want to give your players a chance to settle,” Buckley explained.

“Adelaide have been better the last couple weeks than they have been the first couple – Soligo’s coming off a broken preparation and pre-season … he’s built into the role that he’d probably been slated for. Moving your captain out of the midfield to get a little bit more legs in there – in the form of Izak Rankine – that’s a big call, that doesn’t happen like that.”

Rankine (23 disposals, three goals) and Soligo (27 disposals, six clearances) were two of Adelaide’s best players against the Blues, each playing 61 and 67 per cent time at centre bounces respectively. Buckley also highlighted the flip side of using the captain elsewhere outside the engine room.

“One of the effects of having him as a high forward, he actually finds space further up the field, potentially 15 or 20 metres away from his defender who might be sagging off,” Buckley explained. “When you give a player like Jordan Dawson time and space, he was able to be more effective going inside 50.”

Against an inconsistent Essendon midfield tomorrow night, the Crows will either have a chance to run riot again or get shown up by what will likely be a more experienced Bombers midfield.

Bombers’ burning question: Can they defend stoutly again to curtail Crows?

A lot of discussion has been had regarding Essendon’s struggles between the arcs, whether it’s been defending opponent transition or generating their own offensive chains. Their shellacking at the hands of Port Adelaide only fuelled those talks.

However, in their stirring win over the Western Bulldogs last Friday, the Bombers made discernible defensive improvements. After conceding an average of 98 points — ranking 16th in the AFL — through their first four contests, they allowed just 67 points to a potent Bulldogs outfit under the Marvel Stadium roof.

Further, they weren’t as leaky after turning the ball over. Despite conceding a 17th-ranked 65 points from turnover across the first month, they allowed just 44 points to the Dogs.

COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday April 20, 1:45pm at the MCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1pm on Channel 504 with Mark Howard, Dwayne Russell, Garry Lyon, Jack Riewoldt, Cameron Mooney & David Zita

Magpies’ burning question: Which half of their win over the Hawks should we trust?

Coming off their first of two byes this season, the watch on the Magpies when they face the Power will be whether we see the outfit that turned up in the first or second half against Hawthorn at Gather Round.

In the first half, we were treated to a version of Collingwood reminiscent of its 2023 flag campaign — Craig McRae’s side scored 40 points from turnover and convincingly out-possessed Hawthorn to lead by 38 points.

However, in the second portion, they scored just nine points from turnover, were -14 in disposals, -9 in inside-50s and lost the half by 33 points. They looked like the side that ranks a lowly 15th in the competition for defensive 50 to forward 50 transition.

Power’s burning question: Can they bounce back from their ground level struggles?

Fremantle trounced Port Adelaide at ground level last Saturday, with the Power -31 in ground balls — their third-worst return in the last 10 years. Their forward 50 ground ball performance was just as lacking, registering their seventh-worst effort in the last five seasons against the Dockers. Similarly, their efficiency once inside 50 was below average.

While Ken Hinkley’s men recorded 10 more inside 50s than Fremantle, their rate of scores once it was in there sat at a below-AFL-average 38 per cent. Considering how well the Dockers defenders and midfielders played last week, the Power were fortunate to come away with four points. They’ll want to rectify those issues against a Collingwood outfit refreshed from the bye.

CARLTON v GWS GIANTS

Saturday April 20, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy:From 4:30pm on Channel 504 with Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall, David King, Nick Dal Santo & David Zita

Blues’ burning question: Should they be worried with the remainder of their draw this season?

It’s a very reactive question but looking deeper into Carlton’s season – you can see why it could be asked. After an agonising loss last weekend, Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown took a deep dive during On The Couch into why Carlton may deeply regret their outcome against the Crows.

“I’m a bit concerned, they weren’t going as well as a four-zip team, I think they got lucky on occasion – yes, there was some good management in game (though),” Brown stated.

The club’s next five games are going to be much tougher work than their first five – with the Giants at Marvel, then the Cats, Magpies and Demons at the MCG before their trip to the SCG against the Swans.

“Geez, that’s strong opposition … GWS and Geelong, obviously at the top of the ladder, you’d think Collingwood at that stage (Round 8) would’ve bounced back, Melbourne’s going to be strong once they get freshened up, and of course the Sydney Swans at the SCG, who are a huge challenge,” added Brown on Monday night.

On top of their next five match-ups, they also have to worry about playing the Giants, Cats, Magpies and Port Adelaide twice – three of whom are in the top four, and reigning premier Collingwood.

“Have a look at their double-up games still to play, and that’s where I think this loss will come back to haunt them,” Brown said.

Having said all this, there would be no better start to their tough run with a win against an undefeated GWS this Saturday, and potentially beginning a season-defining run of strong wins.

Giants’ burning question: Can Jack Buckley become the man in Sam Taylor’s absence?

A gruesome concussion to Giants star Sam Taylor last week against St Kilda has naturally left a gaping hole in the defensive half of Adam Kingsley’s undefeated side. Having so far served as the perfect second tall to Taylor in his 48-game career, Buckley now has the chance to step up in his teammate’s absence.

This weekend lining up against the daunting duo in Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, Buckley will have his work cut out for him having lost his partner in crime.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack, two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King was curious as to how the Giants would fill the void.

“I just wonder in the next couple weeks, do they have to just minimise their aggression to attack, to save some defensive one-on-ones at some cost – or do they just say ‘we’re going to keep going?’”

“We’re going to see if Buckley is up to it.”

Currently ranked 11th in the competition for contested marks and 16th for spoils, the 26-year-old has been solid in 2024 without yet hitting the heights of his breakout season last year.

Buckley finished 2023 with the second most spoils in the competition (only behind Harris Andrews), and also had the most one-on-one contests of any player in the league (126).

Connor Idun will likely be the man to step into Buckley’s boots as the second key defender while Taylor is out, while Elliott Himmelberg may be asked of more aerially.

BRISBANE LIONS v GEELONG

Saturday April 20, 7:30pm at the Gabba

How to watch on Fox Footy:From 7:30pm on Channel 504 with Sarah Jones, Jack Riewoldt, Eddie Betts, Brad Johnson, Alastair Lynch & David Zita

Lions’ burning question: Are they actually back?

After an (expected) thumping win over North Melbourne in Gather Round and an epic win over the Demons on their bogey ground at the MCG, Brisbane fans have regained a notable amount of faith that their side can again make a push deep into September.

Now matched against a Geelong outfit, who remarkably still has doubt hanging over their head despite their 5-0 start, Chris Fagan’s men will want to make a statement on their home turf – playing at the Gabba for the first time since their Round 3 loss to Collingwood.

With Zac Bailey the only known forced change this weekend with an ankle injury, they will be extra grateful that Charlie Cameron had his suspension overturned to hold down part of their attacking 50.

Saturday night’s clash looms as a massive indicator as to where both sides are at, but in particular the Lions – who can’t afford to drop many more games before their Round 12 bye, given their tricky schedule in the next month against the Giants (away), Suns (home) and Crows (away).

Cats’ burning question: Is Jeremy Cameron’s licence to run free the key for the Cats?

The incline of star forward Jeremy Cameron has been special to watch in the last fortnight, with the decision to let the 31-year-old play higher up the ground a foreseeable masterstroke.

Averaging 24 disposals, 4.2 and eight marks in the last two weeks, it’s become abundantly clear that when Cameron can play higher up the ground, the Cats are better for it – especially when players like Gryan Miers and Brad Close continue to perform with their own type on class inside the attacking arc.

David King echoed the sentiment on Cameron during First Crack earlier in the week.

“This guy is in the very, very top of the tree for AFL players at the moment … when your big boys decide to separate the game – it’s so easy to build around,” King said.

“He’s a star this guy.”

How Brisbane’s defence – led by Harris Andrews – decide to handle Cameron’s movement into the Cats’ defensive half remains to be seen, with the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne having little to no success in how they went about trying to nullify the 2022 premiership player.

WEST COAST EAGLES v FREMANTLE

Saturday April 20, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy:From 8pm on Channel 503 with Adam Papalia, Matthew Pavlich, Will Schofield, Kath Loughnan & David Zita

Eagles’ burning question: How much do Eagles fans dare to dream this Saturday?

After an epic 39-point win over the Tigers last Sunday, West Coast have instantly found a plethora of hope that this season doesn’t have to be the write-off that so many people thought it would be.

The bounds of hovering between the bottom two places on the ladder are no more, with Eagles fans now daring to dream of a win this weekend that could incredibly put them up to 14th on the ladder, and just one win outside the all-important top eight.

Obviously, this vision is incredibly optimistic given their span of form over the last three years – but why be pessimistic when they’ve just had their biggest win since Round 18, 2021?

While they have lost their last five derbies against the Dockers (average losing margin of 47.2 points), there is no better time than now for Adam Simpson’s men to have their first set of consecutive wins since late in 2021 – especially given Fremantle’s last fortnight.

So, while West Coast are still no doubt the underdogs in Derby 58, you can bet your bottom dollar that the club will be as optimistic as they have been in several years this Saturday night.

Dockers’ burning question: Can they avoid succumbing to one of the all-time danger games?

As a club that could very easily still be undefeated, two close losses in consecutive weeks for Fremantle have instead made them far more vulnerable to a shock loss against cross-town rivals the West Coast Eagles.

On-field controversy involving the umpires and perhaps just a pinch of inexperience has meant the Dockers are now fighting to keep their place in the top eight and holes starting to be punctured in their game play.

As highlighted by the First Crack panel last weekend, the Dockers have been well below the AFL average when it comes to scoring from turnovers – scoring just 27 and 26 points at the source against Carlton and Port Adelaide respectively in the last fortnight.

Given the AFL average currently sits at 50, Justin Longmuir’s men will be looking for a quick turnaround on the turnovers in a match that has now become far more important than thought only two weeks ago.

“Fremantle a bit stiff, they’re playing some reasonable footy and not getting the chocolates,” Fox Footy’s David King said.

While all signs should point towards a comfortable Fremantle victory, the hope of their opponents combined with some bad luck in recent weeks means they will need to bring their A+ game to Optus Stadium to avoid what could remarkably end up being a season-defining match.

SYDNEY SWANS v GOLD COAST SUNS

Sunday April 21, 1:05pm at the SCG

How to watch on Fox Footy:From 12:50pm on Channel 504 with Anthony Hudson, Gerard Healy, Dermott Brereton, Nick Dal Santo & Jon Ralph

Swans’ burning question: Are their ‘warts’ a result of their system, or application?

Fresh off their bye and sitting pretty in fourth place, the Swans are seemingly well on the surface. While there’s no denying their outfit is exciting, full of youth and shows plenty of promise, there are parts of their system they need to address with ball in hand to take their side from premiership contender to a premiership favourite.

“We’re across what teams are doing with their ball system and their ability to win the ball, and when you look at the Swans’ ability to win the footy, they’ve never really been strong over the last two-to-three years, (and) that hasn’t changed,” Fox Footy analyst David King told AFL 360 on Wednesday night.

Thus far in 2024, the Swans rank 15th in the league in post-clearance contested possession differential, 12th in opposition scores from all positions, 10th in defending ball movement and 10th in opposition scores per inside-50 rate.

“So, defensively, they’ve got warts,” King continued.

“That’s not a profile that’s going to take you to the promised land — when you haven’t got the ball. Whether that’s a finals profile, we don’t really know.”

Up against a Suns outfit who have several prolific contested ball winners, Sunday’s match will act as a great opportunity for John Longmire’s men to rectify the aforementioned stat lines at the first contest, and subsequently release pressure on their undersized defence.

Suns’ burning question: Is imperfection more important than perfection on the Gold Coast?

Sitting 3-2 and rounding out the top eight, Damien Hardwick should be quite pleased with where his side sits heading into Round 6.

His seeming emphasis on a somewhat defective game style is what contributed to his three flags as coach at Richmond, with the DNA from that golden era now apparent in his new playing ground at the Gold Coast.

“It’s growing by the week, they are looking more and more like the Richmond sort of model; the imprint of Damien Hardwick – their turnover game is really strong at the moment,” St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy’s First Crack last Sunday.

“It’s almost that Richmond model where it’s imperfect, it’s not this perfect sort of style.

“They’re picking the right players; it’s not pretty, they’re embracing imperfection, they’re taking territory, they’re winning contested and then getting after (the opposition).”

So far in 2024, the Suns are ranked second for pressure and points off intercepts, while they sit third for all forms of intercepts – suggesting an innate ability to terrorise opposition ball carriers before making the most off their consequent mistakes.

Having won two of their last three games against the Swans at the SCG, the Suns can hold an extra bit of faith that embracing their imperfections will go a long way to knocking off the Swans once again on their home turf.

NORTH MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN

Sunday April 21, 4:05pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy:From 4pm on Channel 504 with Sarah Jones, Dwayne Russell, Kelli Underwood, Jonathan Brown, Jordan Lewis & Jon Ralph

Kangaroos’ burning question: Is this North’s last proper chance of a win before their Round 12 bye?

Thanks to a gutsy West Coast win, the Kangaroos now sit at the bottom of the ladder, with percentage separating them from the Hawks as the last two teams left without a win in 2024. Having lost three of their five matches by over 50 points, Alastair Clarkson’s men are also still yet to get within four goals of any side come the final siren.

While their fixture heading into the mid-season bye is by no means catastrophic, they will head into each game before Round 12 as considerable underdogs – which begs the question, is this game even more important than first thought?

Harry Sheezel’s form has been as good as it can be off half-back, however questions are starting to form over his true ability to get involved in chains to hit the scoreboard.

Beyond Tristan Xerri, Tom Powell and Luke Davies-Uniacke, the output from Sheezel’s teammates has been well below what so many had hoped, despite their youthful nature.

A loss to the Hawks won’t change much on where critics stand with their rebuild, but a win certainly will – guaranteeing them at least one victory before the halfway mark of the season.

In other words, there is less to lose and so much more to gain from a victory that could separate them with the assumed runt of the litter in this year’s competition.

Hawks’ burning question: Are we going to see the fight that’s been so dearly promised?

After what can only be described as a poor showing on the Gold Coast last Saturday night, Hawthorn will need to find their straps again very quickly before their clash this Sunday – undoubtedly their best chance of a maiden win in 2024.

Having heard coach Sam Mitchell guarantee his side would show more fight this weekend, AFL 360’s Mark Robinson reacted to the sight of the Hawks players wrestling and getting physical with each other during the week.

“It’s just the effort factor – if you’re not going to put the effort in on the weekend … you’ve got to fight and wrestle (at training),” Robinson said.

Hawthorn skipper James Sicily was quizzed on the topic during a recent press conference too, and was honest in his self-assessment.

“It’s a reflection of myself and all the leaders not showing the way good enough (sic) and consistent enough to see multiple and consistent efforts that we’re proud of,” said Sicily on his side’s performances so far this season.

“I’ve got to lead the way in that department and haven’t been doing so, so yeah that’s the forefront of my focus going forward.”

“How many times have we heard that since we started on AFL 360?” Robinson exclaimed after hearing Sicily’s comments. “They are words; they’ve got to live by their words, and the actions are on Sunday – not in press conferences on a Wednesday.” Sicily, along with the likes of Jai Newcombe and Dylan Moore, have lacked the grit that is so often associated with their playing character this year, with its importance in leading an underdeveloped Hawks team undeniable if they are wanting to win more in 2024.