Every club’s reason for hope and optimism over rest of season, positives at each team, best players, analysis, latest news – MASHAHER

It’s easy to feel negative about your footy team after a few early losses — but it’s also easy to forget how long the season is.

Everything can change very quickly, and even when your side is losing, there are genuine reasons to be optimistic about the future.

So, in reverse ladder order, Foxfooty.com.au runs through the reasons for hope at every AFL club in 2024.

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NORTH MELBOURNE

As much as the Kangaroos have been given a hard time as a result of their start to 2024, it’s impossible to deny that with time they’ll be the home to several stars. Harry Sheezel’s dominance off half-back has been a shining light, with the hope that he’ll soon be able to transfer his ability and sharp foot skills higher up the ground. Colby McKercher, Paul Curtis, Zane Duursma, George Wardlaw and Charlie Comben all hold bright futures at the club, while Nick Larkey continues to cause headaches for opposition defenders. Tristan Xerri has also been a faultless replacement for Todd Goldstein in the ruck, and all things going well, will shoulder the ruck load at Arden Street for many years to come. Things have to start turning eventually, right?

HAWTHORN

Officially off the mark in 2024, the Hawks have shown glimpses of firepower that should give fans hope going forward. Karl Amon has proven himself as one of Hawthorn’s best recruits in recent years, while Jack Ginnivan continues his status as a player you simply cannot take your eyes off. Dylan Moore, Blake Hardwick and Finn Maginness have all shown their versatility at times this season, giving coach Sam Mitchell increased flexibility around the ground at all times. Their run of luck with injuries this year has been awful, but should also give Hawks fans some solace with the fact their on-field performances this year haven’t always been indicative of where they’re truly at.

RICHMOND

It’s never easy for most clubs in their first year with a new head coach, but the Tigers have (for the most part) been honourable with the efforts they’ve put in this season. A Round 3 win over Sydney – while unexpected – was rich reward for a side who had bravely fought in their first three matches of the season. Shai Bolton continues to tease, and remind everyone he’s only one or two per cent off being a top five player in the league. Seth Campbell and Thomson Dow have so far proven they’re comfortable at AFL level, while young ball magnet Kane McAuliffe is a prospect that rival clubs will envy. Their win-loss ratio may not read as pretty as the analysis, but the fight of the Tigers is a metric that cannot be questioned often.

ADELAIDE CROWS

Contrary to the opinions of many in the pre-season, Adelaide haven’t had as much to crow about as we may have thought. Nonetheless, their season isn’t completely over, albeit, it will take an absurd run o make that wish a reality. Izak Rankine has been the star of the show so far this year, with coach Matthew Nicks wishing he could play the star in more than one position at once. The resurgence of Matt Crouch in the midfield has been welcomed by many, while veteran Taylor Walker continues his stretch as one of the game’s most dominant forwards. While they’re not what we hoped they would be in 2024 (yet), if it all clicks at once for the Crows, they can beat anyone on their day.

WEST COAST EAGLES

There’s a young midfielder-forward sending Western Australians (and many others) into a state of delirium, and his name is Harley Reid. It would be wrong to not highlight the 19-year-old as the most exciting thing to come out of the Eagles in 2024. But beyond that, the last two weeks have also highlighted the output of other players. Elliot Yeo has – touch wood – put his injury woes behind him, and looked in as good a touch as ever. Jake Waterman has risen as a shock Coleman contender with his 11 goals in two weeks, while Tom Barrass continues his run as one of the most underrated defenders in the league. They’re still a long way off what we all want them to be, and finals are still a proposition for 2025, but hey – it’s funny what a couple of weeks in the winners book can do for the perception of a club!

ST KILDA

St Kilda, the club who for so long has promised so much. Put simply, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is one of the best picks from the 2021 draft pool – no questions asked. Paired with Sinclair off half back, there’s nothing the duo can’t pierce through. A proper run in September continues to elude them, but there are signs it’s possible this year. There aren’t many better rucks to get first use off of than Rowan Marshall, who has once again started off his season excellently. Jack Higgins has been a ball of energy up forward, while Hugo Garcia looks to be a great find if his first two games are anything to go by. Should the Saints’ senior players match the energy of their youth – particularly in the midfield – they’re a wildcard that can knock off most on their day.

BRISBANE LIONS

In a take that will shock no one, the greatest hope for Brisbane fans in 2024 is the fact they’re both the reining grand finalists, and a club who has made finals the last half a decade. Their list has hardly changed since last year, and should give them confidence that things will eventually come around. Veteran Dayne Zorko has arguably been one of the top 10 players in the competition so far this season, with brilliant ball use out going forward, and is showing no sign of slowing down. Cam Rayner has also shown he can break games open in the engine room, alongside Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage who have been very good themselves. With their form at home almost certain to turn around in the near future, the alarm bells aren’t as bad as it may seem for the Lions.

GOLD COAST SUNS

The ship has been somewhat smooth sailing for Damien Hardwick after Round 6, with a 3-3 record probably accurate of where they sit amongst the competition. Undoubtedly the biggest upside for the Suns is their youth, who look as promising as ever in the club’s 14-year history. All of Sam Clohesy, Will Graham, Mac Andrew and Jed Walter have looked electric in their seasons so far, and Ethan Read is definitely a star for the future. Sam Flanders’ newfound role off half-back has been seen as a threat to many teams, while the midfield of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell matches any in the league. All of this combined with a lively Ben King up forward will keep any opposition coach up at night – especially in a potential maiden finals campaign where they become the complete unknown.

COLLINGWOOD

After a sluggish start, the Pies are back on track heading into Anzac Day. Three losses to kick off their 2024 sent shockwaves around the Pies Army, but an away win in their grand final rematch over the Lions restored order very quickly. Now 3-3 and outside the eight only on percentage, Craig McRae’s men finally look settled this season, with contributions now slowly coming across the board from all players. While Nick Daicos is yet to reach the heights of his 2023 season, you sense it’s only a matter of time before he explodes back into last year’s form. In fact, several of their key players would still consider themselves as having underperformed to date – a positive in itself that the club still has a long way to go before they’re back to their best. If they can make the most of their next month in Melbourne before travelling interstate, it is entirely possible for the Pies to be sitting 7-3 and back in the conversation to challenge for the top four.

FREMANTLE

It might be hard for Dockers fans to theorise with a glass half full mentality, but their side were so, so close to starting the season 5-0; which could very well have turned into 6-0 with a little more confidence against the Eagles last week. As we know, hypotheticals aren’t what get you playing finals, but they are so much more deserving of a win-loss record better than 3-3. Hayden Young’s move into the midfield has been a success, while Justin Longmuir has the privilege of stressing over who should ruck between Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson. Captain Alex Pearce is in All-Australian form, as is his teammate, Caleb Serong who has started the year on a heater. Pundits and the like are still very much expecting a strong fightback from the Dockers, who should definitely still have their eyes on a finals finish in 2024.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

It’s been as topsy as it’s been turvy for the Bulldogs, with no shortage of heat on head coach Luke Beveridge and his talented list. A thumping win over St Kilda last Thursday is hopefully the four points they need to kickstart their platform for a finals appearance they so dearly missed last year. Adam Treloar’s season has so far gone extremely underrated, and has arguably led the midfield with Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore not far behind. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan continues to build promise into the hearts of Dogs fans, while Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy have proved they can work together in the forward line – all with a more-than-capable Rory Lobb raring to go. There’s no doubt that Bontempelli’s side should make finals on their talent alone, but as we’ve been before – that’s not always enough. If the selection statements made by Beveridge are what’s needed to fire his side up, then so be it – because the Dogs are a handful when they’re hot.

ESSENDON

The biggest concern early in the season for Brad Scott was his side’s inability to stop teams scoring heavily against them – but that’s seemingly fixed (for now). As highlighted by Fox Footy’s David King on First Crack, their win over Adelaide was the first proper sign they’ve improved defensively, in addition to their comprehensive win over the Bulldogs the week before. Harrison Jones has performed pleasantly well after replacing Peter Wright up forward, and now causes a good headache for the selection panel. Zach Merrett has been in glistening form so far this year, leading from the front on and off the field. Jye Caldwell has found another level since his induction into the midfield, while new recruit Xavier Duursma and Sam Durham have played some outstanding footy at times. It would be silly to jump the gun just yet with the Bombers and finals, but as of right now – the signs are promising.

MELBOURNE

The comradery at the Demons is something else, and has been tested during the pre-season and start of 2024 like no other club in recent history. Despite it all, they’ve come out a stronger outfit than we saw last year. Question marks only remain over their forward line, but those same queries were also had by pundits in 2021– the year they last won a premiership. Steven May and Jake Lever are any opposition forward line’s nightmare, and the engine room mostly consisting of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Jack Viney is as well established as they come. Sitting 4-2 after one of the tougher fixtures to start 2024, Demons fans should be satisfied, without being ecstatic at their prospects in September. Their great hope sits predominately with players who know how to win a premiership under Simon Goodwin – a takeaway that should certainly provide fans with more hope than less.

PORT ADELAIDE

The Power’s biggest flaw of late has been their inability to defeat top eight teams, but that hasn’t stopped them from going deep into finals before. With every loss comes a lesson, and Ken Hinkley’s side have certainly had plenty of them in finals before – which with a positive outlook, should only benefit them moving forward. They’ve been extremely competitive in the games they lost to Melbourne and Collingwood this year, and are being well led by newly appointed captain Connor Rozee. Their tall forward line makes them hard for opponents to match up on vertically and in one-on-ones, while their midfield is arguably set in stone for the next 10 to 12 years with Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis. Their defence is still a question mark, but with some growth and learning, they’ll be right in the mix for a home qualifying final that looks so important to have in their pursuit for a premiership.

CARLTON

Last year’s greatest risers have matched their 2023 level in the first part of this year; with the exception of a minor blip at home against the Crows. The full impact of Sam Walsh’s return from injury is still yet to be seen, but the early signs are scary. The spine at Ikon Park is particularly imposing, with Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay, Patrick Cripps and Jacob Weitering four of the best names in the AFL you’ll see down the middle of a team sheet. Sitting 5-1 – despite several key players on the sidelines with injury – you can expect the Blues to finish the second half of their season firing on all cylinders. Adam Saad, Adam Cerra, Mitch McGovern, Jesse Motlop, Lachie Fogarty and Jack Martin are just some of the names expected back in the next two months, and will give the Blues an extra level of class across all lines. If last year was anything to go by, the sky is the limit for Michael Voss and his side. If they can secure a top four spot, their chances of an elusive premiership will increase substantially… watch this space!

GWS GIANTS

A list with the perfect mix of youth, prime and experience, the Giants have made a big impression to start 2024. After losing last year’s preliminary final to eventual premiers Collingwood by a solidary point, Adam Kingsley’s men have come back stronger than ever. Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly – with the help of Stephen Coniglio before his recent injury – have led the way as senior players, while Jesse Hogan currently leads the Coleman Medal race in a career resurgence that has given the orange and charcoal forward line a new life. Tom Green continues to get better and better with every game he plays, and looks set to lead the Giants midfield for the next decade. While they did lose to Carlton away from home last weekend, the impending return of Sam Taylor will boost their side even further towards an inaugural premiership. Blessed with a list oozing with talent, they’ve done the hard yards early this season; which should put them in prime position to become one of the competition’s toughest sides to beat this year. It’s too early to say with absolute conviction, but GWS’ great hope this year should be silverware!

SYDNEY SWANS

Coming into the season as premiership dark horses, the Swans have been (nearly) flawless this season, personified with the meteoric season had by Isaac Heeney. Their blip against the Tigers in Round 3 can be put down as an outlier, with each of their five victories won by a margin of at least 22 points over premiership contenders (Melbourne and Collingwood), two mid-table floaters (Essendon and Gold Coast) and a lower end club (West Coast) – they’ve beaten them all. Beyond their next match against Hawthorn, they’ve got some testing matchups against other finals-bound clubs, but we’ve seen enough to suggest they’ll continue to mix it with the best. Like most teams, they’ll be very hard to beat at home during finals, but they’ll be one of few who can genuinely hope for a double-chance home final in the first week of September.

GEELONG

It’s fair to say that even the boldest of pundits would be surprised to see Geelong sit on top of the ladder with daylight after Round 6 – even if they have won games they shouldn’t have along the way. And perhaps that in itself is the great hope; competing hard every week and taking home the four points, even if they don’t entirely deserve it. Nonetheless, the Cats should well and truly be applauded for their start to 2024 – as it has crucially set them up for the all-important double chance in September. Tom Stewart continues to lead a solid defensive line, while Gryan Miers just won’t stop flourishing off half-forward. Reverting Jeremy Cameron back to a high centre-half forward has worked wonders, and has allowed Tom Hawkins to have the forward 50 (more or less) to himself – just like the good old days. Some big tests will come in the way of Carlton, Melbourne and Port Adelaide in the next three weeks, and will give a greater indication on where they stand. Should they come away with two wins from the aforementioned schedule, at 8-1 fans can probably begin to dream (!) of an incredible fifth premiership in 17 years.