The Blowtorch Round 21 preview, every club’s burning question, analysis, Fox Footy commentators, TV Guide, fixture, latest news – MASHAHER

A great has questioned Geelong’s selection call following a gun’s controversial nightclub incident.

Plus Sydney’s slide has prompted a call for the ladder leaders to make a bold shake up with one of their stars.

Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 21, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game, in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!

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MELBOURNE v FOOTSCRAY

Friday August 2, 7.15pm at Marvel Stadium

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

Demons’ burning question: Do they have the firepower to match star Dogs midfield?

Melbourne’s midfield is no longer the dominant force it once was ahead of a Friday night showdown against arguably the in-form on-ball group in the competition. The likes of Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards have ran amok in recent weeks to lead the club’s finals surge in an area of the ground that will really throw down the gauntlet on the Dees mids with their season on the line. With Christian Petracca out and Trent Rivers getting increased opportunities, this new-look Melbourne midfield that will have it’s hands full, while there’ll also be an intriguing battle between two of the game’s premier rucks in Max Gawn and Tim English. Will Melbourne be up for the fight in the area of the ground where the game is generally won and lost? And more to the point, do they have the on-ball starpower to match the Dogs?

Bulldogs’ burning question: Can they turn around woes since 2021 GF?

Luke Beveridge’s in-form side goes into this one as hot favourites, but will it be closer than expected? The clubs’ recent history would suggest as much. Melbourne has very much had the wood over the Bulldogs in recent times, having beaten them in four of their past five meetings by an average margin of 48 points dating back to the 2021 Grand Final. Granted, the one game the Dogs won in that stretch was at Marvel Stadium. However Foostcray is also coming off a five-day break compared to the Demons’ six days, so Melbourne should be better physically prepared. Again, if nothing else, it simply might not be as one-sided as anticipated, with Simon Goodwin’s men fighting to keep their season alive too.

WEST COAST v GOLD COAST

Friday August 2, 8.30pm at Optus Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8:25pm on Channel 503 with with Dwayne Russell, Cam Mooney, Will Schofield, Kath Loughnan & David Zita

Eagles’ burning question: How many outs is too many?

West Coast might’ve already lost this game at selection, with a whopping six outs. That includes five forced injuries including three injury blows (Tom Barrass, Josh Rotham and Luke Edwards) and two suspensions (Jack Petruccelle and Jack Hutchinson). While Jarrad Schofield’s side will be boosted by the return of Liam Duggan and Jeremy McGovern, you get nervous whenever you see that many outs. It comes ahead of an Optus Stadium clash with a Suns team that will be desperate to record its first victory on the road in 2024 – in arguably its most winnable opportunity yet – to stay in the finals mix.

Suns’ burning question: How can King and the Suns help each other?

Despite currently sitting third in the Coleman Medal race, gun forward Ben King is in the spotlight for both his accuracy in front of goal and ability to crash packs in recent weeks. The forward has so far this year kicked 46.22; converting at the same accuracy of medal leader Charlie Curnow. But with his success has come criticism, which three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt explained on Wednesday night to Fox Footy’s AFL 360: “It’s the attack in the air for mine (that’s an issue) – sometimes it’s the aerial stuff, but it’s also the way you set your feet (going up for marks). He doesn’t have that in his weaponry at the moment to absolutely crack a pack open. You can teach it, and it is countless hours on the jumping bag … maybe he’s not that player going forward for them; they’ve got Jed Walter up there (up and coming).” Walter, who is in his first year at AFL level, is so far yet to make his mark in the senior side – but as Riewoldt alluded to, could be the player in the future that frees up such pressures from King. The hopeful return of veteran Sam Day next week could also provide King with assistance up forward, as the 24-year-old continues to do the heavy lifting in Gold Coast’s forward 50.

NORTH MELBOURNE v RICHMOND

Saturday August 3, 1.45pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1:30pm on Channel 504 with Leigh Montagna, Jason Dunstall, David King, Sarah Jones & David Zita

Kangaroos’ burning question: Should Xerri be the All-Australian ruckman?

There’s been plenty of talk Harry Sheezel deserves an All-Australian blazer amid his epic second season, but what about teammate Tristan Xerri? Still somehow underrated despite being in the midst of a breakout campaign, the 25-year old ruckman has averaged 16.8 disposals per game, 12 contested, 6.4 clearances, 7.5 tackles (ranked second in the AFL) plus 33.5 hit-outs (ranked second in the AFL). The bash and crash, in-form ruckman of the competition who’s taken some big scalps – and faces a big test against Toby Nankervis this week – Xerri has come with a rush in particular in recent weeks to make a serious case against the likes of Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy and Rowan Marshall. Saints legend Leigh Montagna said of the AA ruck conversation: “It’s close, Tristan Xerri is making a charge. I’ve still got Gawn just in front.”

Tigers’ burning question: How does Dusty look after lengthy absence?

Dustin Martin returns for his first game since Round 16 due to an ongoing back complaint in a welcome sight for the Tigers amid uncertainty around his future. It includes talk Martin could hang up the boots or even reunite with Damien Hardwick at the Suns, so it could well be the last few times we see the legendary three-time Norm Smith medallist in yellow and black. How the 33-year old performs — and perhaps just as importantly, what his body language is like — could be telling in terms of how committed is to the struggling Tigers cause as the 18th-placed club looks to snap a six-game losing streak in its most winnable match in some time.

GEELONG v ADELAIDE

Saturday August 3, 4.45pm at GMHBA Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4:30pm on Channel 504 with Mark Howard, Gerard Healy, Nick Dal Santo, Cam Mooney & David Zita

Cats’ burning question: Should Stengle be playing?

Star Geelong forward Tyson Stengle this week made headlines for the wrong reasons, taken to hospital in “serious condition” in the early hours last Sunday morning after being carried out of a Geelong nightclub at 2.30am. Stengle still trained in full this week and was cleared for selection, while skipper Patrick Dangerfield defended his teammate’s “error of judgement.” However Kangaroos legend David King on Fox Footy’s The First Crack was left surprised that Stengle wasn’t given a week off as disciplinary action from the Cats and questioned the AFL’s silence on the matter: “Should Tyson Stengle be playing this week? I haven’t heard any involvement from the AFL, I feel like they should’ve made a comment. I thought he’d have at least a week off for the optics and to absolutely reinforce professionalism and those sorts of things. For a great club like Geelong, it’s hard to question the people down there. But this is one I think slipped through the cracks from a legislative point of view from up above.”

Crows’ burning question: Are they the biggest disappointment this year?

It’s been a forgettable season for the 15th-placed Crows in year five under Matthew Nicks despite going into 2024 with increased expectations to play finals, if not more, after sitting on the precipice of the top eight last year. While Adelaide has won three of its past five games in more promising signs in recent, it’s ultimatley felt like a season the club has taken steps backwards and not lived up to the hype ahead of a clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium – where Adelaide hasn’t won at since 2003. Asked on Fox Footy’s The First Crack if Adelaide has been the biggest disappointment in 2024, two-time All-Australian Leigh Montagna actually predicted slide this year, arguing “rebuilds are never linear.” Kangaroos great David King meanwhile held the opposite view: “I think the Crows have been the biggest disappointment. I thought the Kangaroos could’ve won some more games and West Coast might’ve done a little more, but pre-season we all had (Adelaide) top four or top six.”

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON

Saturday August 3, 7.30pm at the MCG How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:15pm on Channel 504 with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Jack Riewoldt, Jordan Lewis, Brad Johnson, Eddie Betts & David Zita

Magpies’ burning question: Do they find another gear for Pendles’ 400th?

Whether or not you’re a believer in the idea that a milestone can emotionally charge a team to play better, the Pies will surely find something extra for the great Scott Pendlebury in game 400. It’s just a matter of how long that added spark will last and whether it’ll be enough against their arch rival Carlton fighting for a top four berth. It’s a must-win game for Collingwood, boosted by the returns of Jordan De Goey and Beau McCreery, to keep its season alive, ending a four-game losing streak against Richmond that wasn’t as convincing as it could’ve been from Craig McRae’s side. With its flag defence hanging by a thread, it might take a vintage Pendlebury performance to make it two from two wins over the Blues in 2024. “(Carlton) is a bit stiff playing Collingwood with Pendlebury’s 400th, the milestone, the emotion and the crowd. It’s like an elimination final for them,” Kangaroos legend David King said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack, while Saints legend Leigh Montagna added: “Mojo has been a bit of a factor for Collingwood this year, this is the one you get yourself up for.”

Blues’ burning question: Can Martin entrench spot in forward line amid uncertain future?

Carlton has recalled Harry McKay, Blake Acres and Jack Martin in three big ins for Saturday night’s huge clash. Desperate to turn their form around — having dropped three of their last four game to suddenly be at risk of losing their spot in the top four — it still feels like the Blues aren’t completely settled on their best mix. And so Martin, who’s out of contract and has played just one game this season, gets a key opportunity to entrench a spot in this side and stake a claim for a new deal. The Blues’ forward line has typically functioned better with Martin in the mix, so how it looks with him back will be an intriguing watch amid his uncertain future.

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY

Saturday August 3, 7.30pm at the Adelaide Oval

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:25pm on Channel 503 with Anthony Hudson, Dermott Brereton, Mark Ricciuto, Ben Dixon & David Zita

Power’s burning question: Can they make the most of big ‘opportunity’ against vulnerable ladder leaders?

It’s no secret that the Swans are all of a sudden vulnerable, but Port Adelaide’s own winning streak has flown under the radar of most. With wins in four of their last five matches – including a smashing of the in-form Bulldogs and Carlton away from home – the Power are suddenly a smoky for a top four finish. Having ranked top four in the competition over the last five weeks in moving the ball from defence to forward 50 and points from defensive half, they couldn’t be better placed to come up against Sydney on their own turf. And while there’s no doubt it will take a four-quarter effort, Ken Hinkley’s men will back themselves to burst out of the blocks against the notoriously slow starting red and white. A win here would just about lock the Power into finals, with no team ever missing the top eight with 13 wins. “There’s an opportunity for Port Adelaide off the back of their ball use … it’s looking really sharp. Particularly if they win the ball off turnover, to go at the Swans, who rank 16th in defending turnover the last six weeks. I’m looking forward to Port Adelaide being aggressive,” Saints legend Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

Swans’ burning question: Is it time for a Heeney shake up?

With Sydney having dropped three of its last four games, is it time for John Longmire to shake things up and go into experiment mode for the finals? Isaac Heeney has dropped off from his epic heights in the first half of the season where he was once in the mix for the Brownlow, with Kangaroos legend David King pondering whether the star Swan should return to the forward line to regain confidence. At Round 10 Heeney was the No. 1 rated player in the AFL and ranked No. 1 in ball use and No. 19 in ball winning. But over the past five weeks, Heeney has dropped to No. 126, No. 85 and No. 227 in the same areas. So whether Heeney switches forward or Longmire pulls another lever, King believes it’s time for the ladder leaders to try and move things around to regain a spark. King told Fox Footy’s The First Crack: “(Heeney’s) dropped away a stack, we were in awe of this guy … I just wonder if it’s time to send him forward? No (Tom) Papley there and the forward 50 has dropped off … it’s time for a change and I wonder whether this team needs something new and fresh to stimulate them? I also wonder if you could move Blakey into the midfield. Even if it doesn’t work, just something for the group to try. It feels like they need some energy to come from somewhere.”

GWS v HAWTHORN

Sunday August 4, 1.10pm at Manuka Oval

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1pm on Channel 504 with Anthony Hudson, Kelli Underwood, Nick Dal Santo, Alastair Lynch & David Zita

Giants’ burning question: Do they have the most upside of any contender?

It’s a wide open flag race including question marks on every contender after several top teams have stumbled in recent weeks. You could make a strong case for and against many of those contenders being worthy of going all the way in 2024 in a season where the clubs in the bottom half of the top eight are perhaps a better chance than ever. That includes up and down form from the Giants across the year, though they’ve recently turned things around amid a four-game winning streak ahead of a defining showdown against the in-form Hawks. So which contender, whether in form or not, has the most overall upside? Saints legend Leigh Montagna believes it’s GWS, who of course got within a kick of a grand final last year. “I still think the Giants (have the most upside of any contender. If they get (Josh) Kelly and (Stephen) Coniglio back, find their best footy and get defensively sorted, their ceiling is huge. I still think they have upside,” Montagna said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

Hawks’ burning question: Has a team outside the top eight ever looked so good?

Hawthorn has overcome a 0-5 start to the season in an irrepressible run, having won 10 of its past 12 games – including a one-point defeat on the siren to Port Adelaide. Despite this almighty rush, the Hawks till sit outside the top eight ahead of clashes to come against GWS, Carlton, Richmond and North Melbourne. But very much in the mix to play finals, it’s hard to recall another team that’s looked so good and could “cause havoc” in September, according to Roos legend David King, despite technically not being in the finals as things sit right now. Labelled the ‘showbiz’ Hawks by club great Jordan Lewis, this young side is clearly having a lot of fun out there too with its exciting brand, goal celebrations and general swagger including the now regular team selfie after wins. Hawks young gun Nick Watson said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 this week: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind of a first year. Starting the season 0-5, had an injury as well through the footy and now we’re playing like one of the best footy teams in the comp. It’s been amazing, it’s such a good group and all young, building together.”

ESSENDON v FREMANTLE

Sunday August 4, 3.20pm at the MCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503 with Ben Dixon, Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson & David Zita

Bombers’ burning question: How do they respond to tumultuous week?

Essendon has come under heavy scrutiny this week amid a worrying feeling of deja vu to last year’s fade out — having dropped six of its last eight games to slide outside the top eight for the first time since Round 6. And so all eyes will be on how Brad Scott’s side responds to being under the most pressure it’s been all year as it fights to keep its season alive in a must-win game. Well, Scott said the Bombers have failed “the pressure test” at every turn this season, but insisted his players hadn’t “lacked care” during their current grim stretch. He suggested until his side can handle such pressure, it’s largely irrelevant whether or not it plays finals. Kangaroos legend David King believes it was an unnecessary early concession from the 10th-placed Bombers with four games remaining, three in Melbourne. “You’re half a game outside the eight … I don’t care who you play, you go into these games with this supporter base charging with you. Strange language for this stage of the year.”

Dockers’ burning question: Is Serong getting enough love as a Brownlow contender?

Ahead of what looms as a wide open Brownlow Medal race, the likes of Patrick Cripps, Lachie Neale and Nick Daicos are currently being hailed as the frontrunners. But what about Caleb Serong? The star Fremantle midfielder continues to go from strength to strength including averaging 30.5 disposals and a career-best 7.8 clearances for the top four Dockers, who’ve won 12 games where Serong will get ample opportunities to poll prominently. Currently with the record for the most consecutive 20-disposal games dating back to 2021, Kangaroos legend David King believes another big performance from Serong this week could put him in the lead for the Brownlow, saying on Fox Footy’s The First Crack: “My roughy is C. Serong three votes and I think that will put him in front of the Brownlow Medal this time in four weeks.”

ST KILDA v BRISBANE

Sunday August 4, 4.40pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504 with Dwayne Russell, Jonathan Brown, Jack Riewoldt, Sarah Jones, Ruby Schleicher & David Zita

Saints’ burning question: Can they upset the form of another top eight hopeful?

They did it four weeks ago against Sydney in a shock two-point win, and then smoked the Bombers under the roof last Saturday evening. Coach Ross Lyon made it no secret that despite being out of the race for finals, his side were more than prepared to crash the party of top eight contenders. And while the Lions look all but certain to play in September, a loss to the Saints would put an end to their eight-game win streak – as well as make a slight dent in their top four ambitions. The return of Mattaes Phillipou will only strengthen their chances of an upset win, and in true Ross Lyon fashion – help the Saints spoil the party.

Lions’ burning question: Are they the new flag favourites?

In case you haven’t checked the ladder in a while, the Lions are in second place. And with so many other contenders falling or generally faltering around Brisbane, is it time to declare Chris Fagan’s side the new flag favourites? Overcoming a slow 2-5 start to the season, the Lions have rediscovered their DNA to get on a serious roll. If they can maintain their top-two spot and host a qualifying final, there’s also a good chance they play a preliminary final at the Gabba and be in a prime position to play in a second-straight grand final, where they would’ve gained valuable experience from last year’s decider. Arguably no team is better positioned from the perspective of being finals hardened with several deep September runs. Speaking on Fox Footy’s The First Crack, Kangaroos legend David King believes Brisbane’s spread of midfielders beyond Lachie Neale is what’s really elevating the club: “(Cam) Rayner has gone to next level. Their midfield is humming and the spread of contributors at Brisbane is as god as any team in the comp right now – they’ve got a dozen players averaging five-plus score involvements over the last six weeks, which is the most in the comp equal with Fremantle. The spread across that midfield is a luxury the Lions haven’t had before, it’s pretty much been Lachie Neale or bust over the last couple of years … now there’s a whole host of them, this is as dangerous as they’ve looked for some time.”