Could Collingwood consider moving its superstar to a familiar role?
Plus Carlton’s ongoing ruck dilemma has been labelled its “biggest issue” amid a wide open premiership race.
Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 19, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game, in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!
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AFL umpires not training properly? | 02:33
ESSENDON v ADELAIDE CROWS
Friday July 19, 7.40pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504 with Garry Lyon, Jonthan Brown, Jordan Lewis, Nathan Buckley, Brad Johnson (Boundary) & Jon Ralph followed by Fox Footy Live
Bombers’ burning question: Can they handle high-pressure games?
While Essendon is currently sixth on the ladder and has been in the top four for key stages this year, it’s still failed challenges against some of the best sides. And overall, the Bombers have played in the third-lowest pressure rating games on average this year including going 3-1-4 in high pressure games and 7-2 in low pressure games (over/under 180). It includes Essendon losing groundball in recent losses to Carlton (-19), Geelong (-17) and Melbourne (-15) to draw questions from Saints great Leigh Montagna on whether Brad Scott’s side is capable of rising when the pressure is at its hottest. “They’ve failed the test now three out of the last four times. Are they tough enough against contest and finals-like teams? You’ve got to start to question if they’re hard enough or desperate enough,” he said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.
Crows’ burning question: Just how good can Riley Thilthorpe be?
Adelaide young gun Riley Thilthorpe made his long-awaited AFL return last week against St Kilda and you only had to watch his small stint as the substitute to get excited about the talent he could be at AFL level. Taken at pick two in the 2021 National Draft, the 201cm key forward looked dangerous in tough conditions against the Saints, booting two goals and clunking a couple of marks. Thilthorpe was all the hype out of West Lakes in the pre-season, but a knee injury in the dying stages of a pre-season match meant the 22-year-old spent the first half of the season on the sidelines. Put rather than dwell on the injury, Thilthorpe went to work in the gym and how possesses a physique that will see key defenders tremble for years to come. He could well and truly light up Marvel Stadium on Friday night and bring the Bombers back down to earth.
‘Tackle is going the way of the bump’ | 00:37
GWS GIANTS v GOLD COAST SUNS
Saturday July 20, 1.45pm at ENGIE Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.30pm on Channel 504 with Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Gerard Healy, Alastair Lynch & David Zita
Giants’ burning question: Are they back?
After appearing at risk of missing the finals a few weeks ago, the Giants have won two games in a row to re-enter premiership calculations. Perhaps more promising than anything is that Toby Greene, both the Giants’ spiritual and literal leader, returned to his best form against Richmond with four goals. And when the GWS skipper is at his best, the Giants are a different side. The only real concern is Stephen Coniglio being bothered by a shoulder issue that’ll cause him to miss this weekend. But Adam Kingley’s side is very much trending in the right direction, with its powerful offensive game (averaging 112 points over the last two games) back on show. “They weren’t brilliant and I think there will be a lot they’ll want to fix up, particularly defensively and around the contest. But offensively — when they got their flow going and tsunami from half back going inside 50 — it was the Giants we know,” Saints legend Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack. Asked if they can continue rising, Montagna said: “I do, they’ve still got to work on some things defensively. Their system is very identifiable, it’s hard to stop but they can get scored against the other way.”
Suns’ burning question: Can star, like the team, replicate epic home form?
The Suns’ contrasting form in home games (9-0) and on the road (0-8) this season has been widely discussed — and there’s perhaps not a player who’s embodied that variance more than Noah Anderson. The star midfielder is the highest rated player in the competition based on home games this season, averaging 32.7 disposals, 13.7 contested, 7.8 clearances, 4.3 tackles and 8.6 tackles. However Anderson’s numbers “dramatically decline” in away games, as put by Saints great Leigh Montagna on Fox Footy’s The First Crack, where he just hasn’t produces at the same level. So if the Suns are to finally get that first win on the board in enemy territory under Damien Hardwick they so desperately need to prove themselves and make a genuine run at finals, Anderson will need to start replicating his brilliant home heroics on the road.
Greene’s perfect troll job in question | 02:13
ST KILDA v WEST COAST EAGLES
Saturday July 20, 1.45pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.30pm on Channel 503 with Mark Howard, Nathan Buckley, Brad Johnson, Sarah Jones & David Zita
Saints’ burning question: Can any more young guns emerge?
After a seriously promising patch from Mattaes Phillipou following his return to the AFL side and move to the midfield, the former Pick 10 will now be sidelined for up to four weeks due to a hip injury in an untimely blow. While the timing couldn’t be worse for Phillipou given he was finally producing at the top level, it opens up an opportunity for another young player to come into the team and show their worth. Could Hugo Garcia or Angus Hastie get another opportunity or Olli Hotton come in for his debut? The Saints want as many as these types to come out as their building blocks for the future.
Eagles’ burning question: Can Schofield really throw his hat in the ring for coaching role after strong first showing?
It feels like so much talk surrounding the next full-time Eagles coach has been around other candidates. Dean Cox, Jaymie Graham, Josh Carr, Ash Hansen, even Fox Footy’s own Nathan Buckley. But have we underestimated the man who is set to take the reins in Adam Simpson’s absence for the next six weeks? The Eagles were really brave in their narrow loss to Brisbane in Schofield’s first game in charge and it was a performance that would surely have piqued the interest of Eagles powerbrokers. Schofield is perceived throughout the industry as someone who has a hard edge, but his ability to connect to his players is also something he’s developed while being an assistant at the Eagles and at Port Adelaide under Ken Hinkley. It’s never easy being a caretaker coach – you’re essentially trying to enhance your credentials while needing to blood youth – but the opportunity is there for Schofield. The next six weeks are a dress rehearsal for the former Eagle and should his side continue to show signs of growth, he’ll have to be considered for the mantle permanently.
Swans fine with Eagles interest in Cox | 00:47
HAWTHORN v COLLINGWOOD
Saturday July 20, 4.35 at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504 with Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon, Cam Mooney & David Zita
Hawks’ burning question: Can Ginnivan kick a bag against his old side?
Imagine this. Hawthorn’s excitement machine Jack Ginnivan kicks five goals to essentially eliminate Collingwood from the finals race in 2024 and sink their hopes of back-to-back flags. It would be fitting, wouldn’t it? Ginnivan had an ‘almost game’ back in Gather Round when the Hawks fell to a five-point defeat at the Adelaide Oval, booting two majors from eleven disposals, but he showed glimpses of tearing that game apart. “He’s desperate to play against his old team and get out there, get under their skin in typical Jack fashion,” Hawthorn veteran Luke Breust said during the week. Plenty has been made of Collingwood’s off-season, where they traded Ginnivan and recruited former Docker Lachie Schultz to the club to play a similar role. Both livewires have similar numbers this year, with many experts questioning whether the weight of draft value they gave up for Schultz was worth it. But Collingwood’s trash has been Hawthorn’s treasure. If Ginnivan was to be the matchwinner for the Hawks come Saturday afternoon, that would absolutely break Collingwood hearts.
Magpies’ burning question: Should Daicos move back behind the ball?
While Nick Daicos is having an incredible third season in the midfield as one of the leading Brownlow contenders, reigning premier Collingwood has slid down to 12th and just doesn’t look the same team as last year. It includes the Pies lacking their usual slingshot from half back and ability to transition the ball from defence to forward 50. In fact, Craig McRae’s side has dropped from being ranked first in the competition last year to 16th in moving the ball from half back to inside 50 percentage, with Daicos’ time in defence falling from 41 per cent to 12 per cent amid his permanent midfield move. Granted, Collingwood’s midfield has also been down. However, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley pondered whether the club would be considering moving Daicos behind the ball again to help with its transition game. “It’s the opposite of what the Cats have done with Tom Stewart … can Daicos start as a half back and be facing the goals and the decision maker? That first kick breaks that first line of pressure, the decisions are easier after that first one. I just wonder if it’s in their thoughts,” Buckley said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.
AFL wildcard weekend on the way? | 01:13
GEELONG v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday July 20, 7.30pm at GMHBA Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.20pm on Channel 504 with Ben Dixon, Jack Riewoldt, Eddie Betts, Brad Johnson & David Zita
Cats’ burning question: Is Danger still the man?
When you watch Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield in action right now, it’s hard to believe that he’s 34 years old. The Cats have a win-loss record of 7-1 when Dangerfield plays and a record of 4-5 when he doesn’t, highlighting the true importance the skipper has to their side. “I still think he is their barometer; I think how far the Cats go in September centres around how well Patrick Dangerfield plays,” St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy’s First Crack. “It’s not so much about the quantity anymore of his numbers, it’s the impact of what he does,” he said. While Dangerfield’s numbers are down from seasons gone by, his work around the contest is still elite and he makes his Geelong teammates walk taller when he’s fit and firing. The Cats are fighting for a top four berth and Dangerfield still remains an integral piece of the puzzle for Chris Scott and his coaching staff. The question is, can Dangerfield keep it up as the season goes on and spearhead his side into yet another finals campaign?
Bulldogs’ burning question: Is Jamarra the ‘difference’?
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan last week responded to being slightly down on form, booting four goals from a career-best 20 disposals to lead the Dogs to a huge win over the Blues. It might well have been the former No. 1 draft pick’s best ever AFL outing in a real statement performance where he put the Dogs on his back. And it importantly came without Aaron Naughton by his side up forward as Ugle-Hagan showed he can be the man. Kangaroos legend David King on Fox Footy’s The First Crack said it “was a different beast to what we’d seen the last month or so,” questioning if the Dogs copped a “little clip” from Luke Beveridge after the team’s heavy loss to Port Adelaide. Saints great Leigh Montagna: “It’s the mental aspect, I reckon he had the kick up the backside. Now it’s up to him to stay at that consistent level … that’s the talent he’s got. He’s going too be the difference for the Dogs and how far they go.”
‘I think ruckmen are overrated’ | 03:27
PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND
Saturday July 20, 7.30pm at Adelaide Oval
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.30pm on Channel 503 with Dwayne Russell, David King, Mark Ricciuto, Kath Loughnan & David Zita
Power’s’ burning question: Do they have a ‘problem’ with the Hornet?
Jason Horne-Francis has taken his game to new heights in his third AFL season — and second campaign at the Power. However Kangaroos legend David King believes Port has a “problem” with the former No. 1 pick with his discipline. While not doubting the 21-year old’s on-field talent, King thinks Horne-Francis still needs to mature to become the best version of himself — and to help the Power. “They’ve got a problem that they haven’t really wanted to talk about for a little while. Everyone defends Jason, he’s a wonderful player, he’s an extreme talent — but he’s gettable now. You can get under his skin, you can draw 50-metre penalties, and you can draw goals. “He spends a lot of time talking to the coach .. but at some point, he needs to take this situation by the horns himself and just, emotionally, remain in check,” King said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.
Tigers’ burning question: Will we ever see Dusty in yellow and black again?
Dustin Martin has been sidelined since the Tigers’ Round 16 loss to Carlton as he deals with a nagging back injury that’s even stopped the champ from training – though that’s not the only reason. Seven reported on Thursday night Martin spent this week in New Zealand, missing the side’s Sunday loss and only returning to the country on Tuesday night. It meant he was never a chance of proving his fitness for this Saturday – which begs the question of what the club is letting the 33-year-old get away with, as they wait for his decision on 2025 and beyond. Adem Yze said the 33-year old could return against Collingwood next week, and perhaps we’ll see him back and yellow black. But perhaps not. The three-time Norm Smith medallist’s contract is due to expire at season’s end as rumours swirl around his future including a potential move to the Suns to reunite with Damien Hardwick or retire altogether. And the longer this back concern lingers and we don’t see Martin in action, the more you question if his legendary 301-game career at the Tigers has already had its last chapter written.
Clarkson on the rebuild doubters | 05:30
BRISBANE LIONS v SYDNEY SWANS
Sunday July 21, 1.10pm at the Gabba
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1pm on Channel 504 with Anthony Hudson, Jonathan Brown, Gerard Healy, Alastair Lynch & Jon Ralph
Lions’ burning question: Could Neale win a record-equalling third Brownlow?
There’s only a dozen people in the history of the game who have won multiple Brownlow Medal’s, and Lachie Neale is one of them. Despite this, the star midfielders still manages to sneak under the radar, with the 31-year-old now in such good in good n he could well make a late run for medal number three. The third-highest rated player in the league since Round 10, Neale has reignited this Lions outfit after a slow start to the year; with Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage working very well in tandem with the South Australian. It’ll be a pleasure to watch the trio, led by Neale, clash with Sydney’s own engine room on Sunday in almost certainly match of the round. “His quality stands out … I still think he reflect on him the way we should (despite two Brownlow’s),” David King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack. Leigh Montagna added. “I think we still probably underrate what he has done, because he doesn’t have the attributes and look like Dusty and Bontempelli; his actual output stacks up with any of them … he’ll get remembered as one of the all-time greats of the modern era.”
Swans’ burning question: Will this truly their biggest test to date?
The clear number one team in the competition in 2024, the Swans endured their first real bump in the road with back-to-back losses in across Round 16 and 17. They lost to a rising Fremantle and their anomaly loss to the Saints, but outside of that they haven’t been tested for four quarters in over last three months. With the inclusion of Heeney into their midfield and Cunningham in defence, the Swans are crazily only getting better – and besides McInerney, are now playing their best 23. That being said, Brisbane are arguably the in-form team of the competition in the last six weeks, and look to be peaking at the right time. In what should be their biggest test to date, the Swans can’t afford a slow start to the Lions – especially on their home turf.
“What has happened to our great game!” | 03:35
FREMANTLE DOCKERS v MELBOURNE
Sunday July 21, 3.20pm at Optus Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503 with Kelli Underwood, David King, Nick Dal Santo & Jon Ralp
Dockers’ burning question: Can they ‘rip the heart’ out of Dees again?
Last time these teams met in Round 12, the Dockers put Melbourne to the sword in Alice Springs in a 92-point smashing. It was arguably Justin Longmuir’s side’s best performance this season given it showed it can really put damage on the scoreboard after at times being criticised for being too defensive minded. So can they rediscover such a killer instinct again against a more in-form Demons outfit back at their Optus Stadium fortress? “They’re a frustration for me because I love when they play a little bit of express. Often they don’t go and rip the heart out of the opposition and say: ‘We’re going to play win this game’. With five and a half minutes left against Hawthorn they still wanted to play in a controlled manner and it irks me a little bit … you’ve got to take a risk and adjust with what the scoreboard is telling you when you need to score,” Kangaroos legend David King said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.
Demons’ burning question: How important is Rivers to their finals hopes?
He’s not quite Christian Petracca yet, but my word has Trent Rivers filled a void for Melbourne these last weeks. With Petracca out for the season and Oliver dreadfully out of form, coach Simon Goodwin desperately needed someone else to deliver in the engine room with Jack Viney – and Rivers looks to be that man. Registering 29 disposals in each of his last two matches, the 22-year-old has taken flight in the role with damaging kicking through the middle of the ground. This weekend against Fremantle will be another step above the Eagles and Bombers midfields he’s played in the last fortnight, but in front of his home crowd it would be fitting for the young gun to make it three out of three weeks as Melbourne’s best on ground and get his side one step closer to finals.
Scott struggles with AFL tackle bans | 02:26
CARLTON v NORTH MELBOURNE
Sunday July 21, 4.40pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504 with Dwayne Russell, Jack Riewoldt, Jordan Lewis, Sarah Jones, Ruby Schleicher & Jon Ralph followed by Bounce and First Crack
Blues’ burning question: Where to now with their ruck situation?
Having lost their last two games, the Blues will need to recapture their form this weekend against North – but is this the last chance they can rectify their ruck dilemma? Tossing and turning between young gun Tom De Koning and experienced campaigner Marc Pittonet, the club is still yet to land on their preferred combat of attack. AFL greats David King and Leigh Montagna discussed the decision on First Crack last Sunday night.
“I think it’s the biggest issue at Carlton that they need to address at correct,” King said.
“He (Pittonet) is solely responsible for (their) first possession profile … he doesn’t bring the score, (but) he brings the ability for you to start with the ball.”
“It’s hard to argue with what he does as a ruckman,” Montagna added.
While it’s widely accepted that De Koning provides more run and impact around the ground in general play, the duo highlighted Pittonet’s very good tap work last week against the Bulldogs, where his midfielders were ultimately unable to convert from stoppage. With six weeks to go until an impending finals appearance, do the Blues pick youth and speed, or experience and deft touch?
Kangaroos’ burning question: Can they show they’ve learned from last week?
To come up against the first and second-ranked sides in the competition as North Melbourne in back-to-back weeks is unlucky in some ways, but it’s also a great way to show what they’ve learned from last week. Sydney smashed them after quarter time at the SCG, but in the opening term they looked up for it. And the Blues are vulnerable too; as least as much as they ever have been this season, ranking fourth-worst in the competition for points against. On the back of two losses, Carlton won’t want to slip up against a Roos side that has looked a completely different team for most of the last month.
Source Agencies
