Contender poised for title tilt, Dons defence exposed; concerns for flag frontrunners — Blowtorch

Are the Lions better prepared than ever under Chis Fagan for a flag tilt?

Plus, Essendon’s defensive woes exposed and are the Swans starting to wobble amid a wide open premiership race.

Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 20, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game, in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!

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CARLTON v PORT ADELAIDE

Friday July 26, 7.40pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504 with Garry Lyon, Jonthan Brown, Tom Hawkins, Jordan Lewis, Brad Johnson & David Zita

Blues’ burning question: How concerned should Carlton be of key forwards taking a hold of them?

The Blues are sitting pretty in second spot on the ladder right now, but how concerned should they be by the growing trend of opposition key forwards taking control of them? In recent weeks, Charlie Comben (three goals), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (four), Jesse Hogan (five), Noah Balta (three) and Jeremy Cameron (three) have all cashed in on the scoreboard. Jacob Weitering is a fantastic defensive option and Mitch McGovern is a reliable intercepting third tall, but the Blues have struggled to settle on a partner for Weitering in 2024. “Key forwards have got a hold of them,” Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch. “Carlton have got a few little things bobbing up and handling opposition key forwards is one of them,” Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley added. Brodie Kemp has played 15 games in the role this campaign but was recently dropped by coach Michael Voss, opening the door for injury-plagued defender Caleb Marchbank to get another opportunity. Can Marchbank or Kemp step up to fill that void? Brown wondered whether or not it is a serious weakness that could have damaging effects on their premiership aspirations. “Sydney and Melbourne didn’t have the big dangerous key forwards in the finals last year, were they able to get away with it because of the opposition they played in September?” he asked. The Blues will have to contend with a powerful trio of key forwards on Friday night against Port Adelaide, including veteran Charlie Dixon and exciting prospect Mitch Georgiades.

Power’s burning question: Are Zak Butters’ fines getting out of control?

Zak Butters has claimed an unwanted record. Across a career spanning 111 games, Butters has already become the V/AFL’s most fined player ever, racking up a bill of $36,250. That’s more than Giants skipper Toby Greene, who is the only other player to have paid over $30,000 in fines, although he has played 232 games. Butters copped two fines on the weekend against Richmond, a $7500 sanction reduced to $5000 for a bump on James Trezise, plus $1875 for making careless contact with an umpire. “At what number will it get to where they stop and go look, we keep fining you and it doesn’t appear to be changing your behaviour, we might have to suspend you?” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon posed on Fox Footy’s On the Couch. “You can keep fining him until he’s 53,” he added. Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley said Butters might have to reel it in a little bit. “What he’s got to work out, he’s probably a pretty nuggety bloke who hurts others beyond what he expects,” Buckley said.

NORTH MELBOURNE v GEELONG

Saturday July 27, 1:45pm at Blundstone Arena

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.30pm on Channel 504 with Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton, David King, Nick Dal Santo & David Zita

Kangaroos’ burning question: Where is Charlie Comben’s best position?

What a fantastic conundrum to have for Alastair Clarkson and his coaching staff. After an injury-plagued start to his AFL career, Charlie Comben has been simply brilliant in 2024. Making his return for the Gather Round clash against North Melbourne, Comben showed his wares as a defender, racking up 25 disposals, eight tackles and five marks. He’s only flourished since then. In a season where North Melbourne’s key defensive stocks have been under fire, Comben has stood tall, frequently matching it with some of the competition’s best key forwards. But is he bound to return to the forward line where he began his career? Clarkson made the move of switching Comben into attack last week against Carlton in order to stretch a vulnerable Blues defence and the move worked wonders, with Comben booting three majors and threatening to break the game open for his side. But is he better suited as a key defensive post or a spearhead in attack? Clarkson told reporters on Thursday that the club “would love for Charlie to have the flexibility to go forward or down back depending on the situation”. Either way, Comben has shown he is a player for the future and one North Melbourne can shape their list around.

Cats’ burning question: Can they still contend?

It would be bold to write off such a champion Geelong side, but the question remains, can they still contend for a flag this year? Geelong were one of the biggest disappointments of round 19, getting absolutely belted by the Bulldogs in wet and wild conditions at GMHBA Stadium by 47 points. The result was quite surprising, especially given they had won three games on the trot prior. Star forward Jeremy Cameron, who was held to just six touches and a goal, said belief was still high internally. “We didn’t play anywhere near our best football. I put my hand up first and say it was probably one of the worst games I played, especially for the Cats,” Cameron said. “It’s probably hard to sort of see from the outside, but internally, we know what we can do.” The Cats have had a mini refresh this campaign, with the likes of Ollie Dempsey, Max Holmes and Tanner Bruhn taking significant strides. The Cats simply must take care of business against a dangerous North Melbourne outfit in Hobart this week.

GOLD COAST v BRISBANE

Saturday July 27, 4:35pm at People First Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4.30pm on Channel 503 with Dwayne Russell, Kelli Underwood, Jonathan Brown, Gerard Healy, Cam Mooney & David Zita

Suns’ burning question: Can emerging leader take the next step?

The Suns’ finals hopes are dwindling including suffering yet another road loss against GWS last weekend to remain winless in away games in 2024. It could well be the reason they miss the top eight. Damien Hardwick delivered a brutally honest reality check a couple of weeks ago when he declared his side needed to “grow the f*** up” after losing to North Melbourne. While not putting it quite as brashly, it’s a sentiment echoed by Saints legend Leigh Montagna, who implored Gold Coast’s next wave of stars to evolve more from a leadership perspective to help the team make the next step. “No (Touk) Miller and (Jarrod) Witts (against the Giants). They’ve got a lot of good players in the right age bracket – (Noah) Anderson, (Matt) Rowell, (Charlie) Ballard, (Ben) King and all these guys – I need to see them take the next step with their leadership. They need to drive this club, and like we’ve seen with (Patrick) Cripps and (Charlie) Curnow, they need to find ways to win games like this rather than just play well individually. They’ve still got a bit of work to do in this space, but I think they’ll get there.“

Lions’ burning question: Are they better prepared than ever under Fagan for a flag tilt?

A season that once looked a write off for the 2023 Grand Finalists has rapidly seen the Lions return to flag contention. One of the most in-form teams of the competition, Brisbane hasn’t lost since Round 11 in a red-hot run to charge into third place on the ladder. Their statistical profile during that period has been as good as any side, to the point where you’d have to say the Lions are on the same level as Sydney and Carlton. It comes after Brisbane has made several deep September runs under Chris Fagan in recent years but come up short, so it’s perhaps the team most due to win a flag. And after overcoming adversity earlier this season to discover a more of a gritty edge when things aren’t going their way, they might be better prepared than ever to contend for silverware. “You know what you’re going to get with Brisbane now, we’ve seen it for four or five years. Yes, they had the slow start … but this has probably built some resilience, it’s a different type of way they’ve done it this year. They had to find different ways and the offence wasn’t humming. They’ve stuck fat, credit to Chris Fagan, when everyone else was panicking, he stayed calm,” Saints legend Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

ST KILDA v ESSENDON

Saturday July 27, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.30pm on Channel 503 with Anthony Hudson, Mark Howard, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon, Sarah Jones & David Zita

Saints’ burning question: Can they build from a strong win against the Eagles?

Was that the most comprehensive performance we’ve seen by the Saints in Ross Lyon’s second stint at the club? They certainly did a lot right in the 72-point drubbing of the West Coast Eagles last week. “I thought this was the best I’ve seen them use the ball, particularly forward of centre,” North Melbourne champion David King began on Fox Footy’s First Crack. “They clearly had a plan to avoid (Tom) Barrass. At times it looked really risky, pulling the ball back to dangerous spots… it was really smart, I hope they build off this.” St Kilda’s decision-making going inside 50 was superb, often lowering their eyes to find the best marking option. King said Lyon’s plan “rendered the interceptors useless” and emphasised how Barrass, one of the best key defenders in the competition, was restricted to just two intercept marks and seven spoils. “I think they can build from here; they’ve got a lot of learning to do but they have to start somewhere,” King said. St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna said it was pleasing to see so much growth in a clear area of improvement. “This has been the coaching area for St Kilda, their ball movement in the back half is very good, it’s the connection piece when they have the ball in their forward half,” he said. Can the Saints use this emphatic victory as a launch pad for the last five weeks of 2024 and beyond?

Bombers’ burning question: Why isn’t Essendon’s defensive profile still not holding up?

We’ve seen this script before for the Bombers. “Here we are, same old, same old… they won’t like it,” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch. Despite a perceived improvement in defensive profile across their 2024 campaign, Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne said the numbers don’t necessarily reflect that. “They have improved slightly when comparing them against themselves but haven’t improved much when comparing them to the competition,” Hoyne said. The Bombers have gone from 15th in 2023 to 13th this season for points against in the competition, remain 14th for points against from turnover and have had a slight bump from 15th to 13th for defending ball movement. “We think they’ve improved, but defensively on the numbers they haven’t,” Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley said. “The game style that they played with their wingers running so hard forward, it actually fed into a high transitional game which has been one of their strengths, but it was how Adelaide got back into the game,” he added. The Crows came back from 36 points down to clinch victory in round 19, a loss which saw the Bombers slide to eighth on the AFL ladder. Buckley said now is the time where we truly get to see whether or not the Bombers have improved in 2024. “The challenge is to play games out, play the season out,” he said. So, can the Bombers hit some form in the last five weeks of the season and march towards a finals campaign?

MELBOURNE v GWS

Saturday July 27, 7:30pm at the MCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.20pm on Channel 504 with Ben Dixon, Jack Riewoldt, Eddie Betts, Dermott Brereton & David Zita

Demons’ burning question: Can they get back to their contested best?

The Demons were absolutely smashed around the contest by Fremantle last week. They were simply no match for the Dockers, losing the clearance count (-31), contested possession (-36) and hit outs (-39). With no recognised ruckman and star midfielder Christian Petracca on the sidelines, the Dees had no answers. “It was incredibly disappointing, when you get smacked around the ball like that you really don’t give yourself much of a chance of winning,” assistant coach Andrew McQualter told reporters during the week. “We had a strong review and put in some plans to make it better,” he said. Captain Gawn is likely to return which will make a major difference, but it’s time for the likes of out-of-form star Clayton Oliver and young guns Tom Sparrow and Trent Rivers to step up and help Jack Viney in the middle. The Dees will need a victory against the Giants this week if they are to remain in the finals mix for 2024.

Giants’ burning question: Is ‘small ball’ the key to them playing at their best?

We know how important the ‘Orange Tsunami’ run and dash is when the Giants are up and firing … and their ‘small ball’ forwards are crucial to that. The likes of Brent Daniels, Darcy Jones and Harvey Thomas have all played key roles in GWS’ resurgence in recent weeks including winning three games in a row to charge back into flag contention. While it’s a forward line anchored by much-improved Coleman Medal contender Jesse Hogan, those small and medium-sized players very much typify the Giants’ hard-running, frenetic style, pushing up the ground to great effect then charging back at goal. And Kangaroos legend David King thinks it’s helped Adam Kingsley’s side look like a “more complete unit” to rediscover some of its best form. “Small ball is king in the game at the moment. It’s exciting to watch and I think they’v been seduced by individuals in the past. But this looks more complete as a unit than that is has the first dozen weeks of the season,” King said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

FREMANTLE v WEST COAST

Saturday July 27, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.20pm on Channel 503 with Adam Papalia, Brad Johnson, Will Schofield, Kath Loughnan & David Zita

Dockers’ burning question: Are they being discounted in flag race?

The contender that’s perhaps most gone under the radar in 2024 despite sitting in the top four for key chunks of the season. At times criticised for being too defensive minded, we saw the Dockers’ offensive game in full flight against Melbourne last week in a 50-point smashing. It included Freo scoring 64 points out of its defensive half for its best return since 2010. When Justin Longmuir’s side plays with such dare, the sky is the limit, according to Kangaroos great David King. “When they go and run and gun they’ve got speed everywhere. And class and ball use with great decision makers … this can take them a long way, this travels – this can go to the MCG, Sydney and Brisbane. I don’t care where they finish on the table, if they play like thus, they’re force. Whether it’s this year next, they are looming large,” King said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

Eagles’ burning question: Can they pull off another Derby upset?

Not many expected the Eagles to knock off cross-town rivals Fremantle in the first instalment of the Western Derby in 2024, but they did just that, downing the Dockers by 37 points back in April. Star forward Jake Waterman booted five that day, while young gun Harley Reid announced himself to the AFL world with a scintillating 19-disposal, three-goal game to light up Optus Stadium. Can they do it again and dent the Dockers’ hopes of a top four spot? “This is an opportunity to bounce back after a really disappointing showing,” defender Jayden Hunt told reporters during the week. With the season all but dead and buried for the Eagles, knocking off the Dockers and going two from two in Derbies for 2024 would be a sweet, sweet result for this rebuilding side.

COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND

Sunday July 28, 1:10pm at the MCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12.30pm on Channel 504 with Anthony Hudson, Jack Riewoldt, Nathan Buckley, Sarah Jones, Ruby Schleicher and David Zita

Magpies’ burning question: Is it time to shake things up?

Collingwood’s premiership defence is all but over after being dismantled by Hawthorn last week, with Craig McRae’s side unlikely to feature in finals. The reeling Magpies, who’ve dropped four games in a row, look physically and mentally fatigued and a shadow of last year’s flag-winning side as questions have come on their future and if they need to make some big calls on their ageing list. With that in mind, McRae, who hasn’t been afraid to shake things up in the past when necessary, still has five games remaining to potentially go into experiment mode or otherwise learn more about his list. Could they try something really bold like swinging Darcy Moore permanently forward? Could Fin Macrae be given a proper run through the midfield for five weeks to see how good he can be without as much pressure? Is it time to swing Nick Daicos or Jack Crisp behind the ball in a bid to spark some more drive off half back? And could they give more opportunities to youngsters at the top level? What they’re currently doing isn’t working, so it might be time to get bold.

Tigers’ burning question: Will they finish the season strongly?

Richmond have had an incredibly difficult 2024 campaign, the club having been plagued by injuries as it looks to rebuild a new era under coach Adem Yze. The Tigers were highly competitive on the road against Port Adelaide last week, trailing the Power by just eight points at three-quarter-time before Toby Nankervis’ concussion and Samson Ryan’s ankle issue saw the Tigers unable to compete at the coalface and therefore run over the top of. “We really want to finish the season off strongly and play with a lot of spirit,” Yze told reporters this week. “We don’t want to fall over the line, we want to break through that line.” The Tigers take on an under-fire Collingwood outfit this week before North Melbourne, St Kilda, Hawthorn and the Gold Coast on the run home. It’s been a bleak season at Punt Road, but given their recent success and continued grit and determination, supporters can’t be too disheartened.

SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Sunday July 28, 3:20pm at the SCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503 with Kelli Underwood, Jordan Lewis, Brad Johnson & David Zita

Swans’ burning question: Are they starting to wobble? Or is there simply nothing to play for?

After a blazing hot first half of the season, the once 13-1 Swans have looked shaky in recent weeks including dropping three of their past four games. While those three losses all came by under a kick, John Longmire’s side has also just generally not played to the same heights it was amid a drop off in several parts of its games. Compounding those issues are injuries creeping into a team that’s been so settled and largely unchanged throughout the year including Tom Papery Justin McInerney, James Rowbottom and Dane Rampe all getting struck down over the past fortnight. So is it a case that the ladder leaders simply have nothing to play for given they’ve essentially locked up top spot and are now eyeing finals? Or is there genuine cause for concern and they were perhaps playing above themselves in the first half of the year? According to Saints champion Leigh Montagna, the gap has closed between the Swans and the other contenders. “They’re probably still the favourites, but if someone said to me they have a different favourite now, you could see that. We’re certainly not writing off Sydney, it’s just where they were to where they are now. The chasing peloton can see that and have taken away some assets,” Montagna said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

Bulldogs’ burning question: Can Luke Beveridge finally settle on his side’s spine?

Has Luke Beveridge found his spine? Not he himself as a coach, but rather the on-field spine that can spearhead the Bulldogs to their next premiership. After Rory Lobb booted three goals in a strong display against Fremantle about a month ago, Beveridge had no option but to keep the maligned tall in the side. He tossed Lobb into defence “out of necessity” and it’s a move that is paying dividends. “We’ve spoken about for years about the Bulldogs inability to find that goal to goal line… Rory Lobb has gone to centre half back,” Lions champion Jonathan Brown began on Fox Footy’s On the Couch. “The poster boy for the number one saying in footy, throw him back before you throw him out,” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon added. Lobb has been a revelation in defence and took the huge scalp of Jeremy Cameron last week, holding the star Cat to just six disposals and a goal. “In that weather, he was sensational… he was able to take grabs and contribute at ground level and that’s where the Bulldogs are doing their damage,” Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley replied. Veteran Liam Jones is still playing some strong footy, while youngster Buku Khamis is developing with each and every game he plays. Then there’s the three-headed monster up forward. The high-flying Aaron Naughton, excitement machine Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and young gun Sam Darcy, who could be absolutely anything. “They’ve got a good balance at either end now,” Brown said. So, with their forward line firing on all cylinders and a revamped defence working wonders, does Luke Beveridge finally have the spine that could take the Dogs to the promised land once more?

ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN

Sunday July 28, 4:10pm at the Adelaide Oval

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12.30pm on Channel 504 with Dwayne Russell, Dermott Brereton, Mark Ricciuto, Kath Loughnan and David Zita

Crows’ burning question: Is unsung hero the most coachable player in the League?

He might not be the household name at Adelaide or draw the same number of accolades as some of his superstar teammates, but Ben Keays is a crucial cog to Matthew Nicks’ side. Keays was superb against Essendon in round 19, booting five goals from 22 disposals and eight tackles in a match-winning performance that saw him awarded the maximum ten coaches’ votes. “There’s always players your side that you support and watch and love, but there’s also players in opposition sides that you love to watch to play, I would’ve loved to play with Ben Keays,” Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis said on AFL 360. Lewis was full of praise for the former Lion, highlighting his elite work rate as a key to his success. “He would be in the top five or ten players in the league in terms of work rate, he works up and down the ground as well as anyone in the competition,” Lewis said. “He reminds me of Paul Puopolo, he’s got so much energy all the time… I would imagine he would be so easy to coach.” Keays has become an integral member of Matthew Nicks’ side, with his versatility and ability to impact the scoreboard an enormous asset to a Crows outfit who are still on the path of trying to break back into the finals mix. It’s time we finally give Ben Keays his flowers.

Hawks’ burning question: Have they become the AFL’s most exciting team?

They’re a happy team at Hawthorn alright. The Hawks have charged up the ladder quicker than most expected – perhaps even Hawks fans – including winning nine of their last 11 games to sit on the brink of finals. Beyond the sheer results, Sam Mitchell’s youthful side has done it with what Kangaroos legend David King described as “healthy football arrogance,” backing up its exciting brand with fun goal celebrations and the now routine team selfie after wins. Mitchell himself even called a cheeky section of the playing group ‘the Rascal Pack,’ who are clearly having a lot of fun out there. And so King compared the Hawks to the 1980’s “Showtime Lakers,” that not only won five NBA championships, but were renowned for their pizzazz and flashy style. “The Hawks have became the LA Lakers of the ‘80s – it’s showtime – and I love it. Jerry Buss made the LA Lakers an entertainment event and must watch, it was marketing brilliance. He made it cool to be a Laker and I think it’s cool right now to be a Hawthorn player. They’re having an absolute ball and get on board I say … let’s just enjoy it. let’s not put the clamps or the lid on these guys, let the young fellas enjoy themselves, because that’s the way of the world now,” King said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.