A big weekend looms for Jason Horne-Francis as the Power star faces his old side for the first time.
Plus why the Crows can burst St Kilda’s bubble, a “worry” on the flag favourites and “signs of life” the Tigers’ best is “not far away”.
Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 9, as well as commentators for every Fox Footy game in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!
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AFL ROUND 9 FIXTURE AND TEAMS (All times AEST)
RICHMOND v GEELONG CATS
Friday May 12, 7:20pm at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Garry Lyon with Jonathan Brown, Jordan Lewis, Kath Loughnan and Jon Ralph
Tigers’ burning question: Is there a spark in their season?
Richmond looked like the Tigers of old last week in a 46-point win over West Coast, albeit a very undermanned Eagles side that currently occupy 17th place on the ladder. But it was the way Damien Hardwick’s side stuck to its system that’s served it so well in recent years that really stood out plus standout performances from Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto as they continue to mesh with their new teammates. The Tigers face a much bigger test this week though against an in-form Cats side, but David King pointed out on Fox Footy’s First Crack the Tigers had their highest handball metres gained game for the year against West Coast, adding: “I was looking signs of life and I think we saw them, that explosive half-back to half-forward run … This is Richmond of two or three years ago and I don’t think it’s that far away.”
Cats’ burning question: Could the loss of Danger expose their midfield?
Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, leaving a key void in Geelong’s more vulnerable midfield amid a dominant stretch from the superstar. Crucially, it comes in a week the Cats face Richmond’s much-improved on-ball brigade from recent years, now led by Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto in an area Damien Hardwick’s side could get ascendancy in the contest, while both sides are missing their first-choice ruckmen. With Dangerfield and Cameron Guthrie out for a few more weeks, the responsibility will now fall on Mark Blicavs and Max Holmes, who Leigh Montagna dubbed the “odd couple” on Fox Footy’s First Crack, adding: “It’s an unlikely duo that are going to the No. 1 and 2 midfielders for this Cats side … but what they do is unique and important. Holmes now with the added responsibility is going to get the opportunity to flourish. I think it’s great to see a bit of a changing of the guard.”
Dangerfield injury ‘on the minor scale’ | 00:57
WEST COAST EAGLES v GOLD COAST SUNS
Friday May 12, 8:40pm at Optus Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8.30pm on Channel 503 (second half on Channel 504 from 10.10pm) with Adam Papalia, Brad Johnson, Matthew Pavlich, Will Schofield and Jon Ralph
Eagles’ burning question: Can they go a week without an injury?
It seems every week the injury-riddled Eagles cop another injury blow, with Jai Culley the latest to get struck down in a cruel ACL setback. Although West Coast is gradually welcoming back players, it’s getting no continuity with the 23 on the park each week as the club dwindles in 17th position. Even if they were never a genuine threat this year, it’s hard to get a proper gauge on where the undermanned club is at.
Suns’ burning question: Do they have the best young midfield duo in the competition?
There’s been plenty of question marks on the Suns this year amid an indifferent season despite going into 2023 with increased expectations. But one real positive has been their exciting young midfield duo Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell. Anderson taking his game to another level — especially since Touk Miller got struck down with injury — has really elevated him in the midfield ranks, and could he and Rowell be the most promising young midfield duo in the game? Fremantle’s Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw and Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters and Connor Rozee are the other obvious challengers — and probably ahead right now — but the blossoming Suns pair are starting to mount a serious case.
Swans rallying around star man Buddy | 01:37
SYDNEY SWANS v FREMANTLE
Saturday May 13, 1:45pm at the SCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kelli Underwood with Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton, Cameron Mooney, Alastair Lynch and David Zita
Swans’ burning question: Is it time to unleash Mills in the midfield?
Sydney has shuffled around its deep midfield mix this season with the likes of Luke Parker, Chad Warner, James Rowbottom, Callum Mills and Errol Gulden. But with the Swans on-ballers struggling — ranked 18th in contested possessions in between the arc from Rounds 5-8 — and the team having dropped three-straight games, is it time for John Longmire to unleash Callum Mills as a pure midfielder? Mills is perhaps the club’s most well-rounded midfielder, but he’s often Longmire’s Mr Fix It and has been used in numerous roles this year including in defence with so many backs injured. Kangaroos legend David King meanwhile on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 meanwhile called for the Swans midfielders to play with more intensity and work harder. “They’ve got to get their hands dirty when the ball is in general play. They’ve got to cover the ground, support and outnumber. They’re not doing any of those things … there’s no foundation to how they’re playing at the moment. Unless they correct that, they’ll be an ‘also ran’ this year, regardless of injuries.”
Dockers’ burning question: Is the Jackson addition starting to pay off?
The Luke Jackson-Sean Darcy combo has been bit up and down in the early rounds of the season, but it functioned as well as it has last weekend — albeit against Hawthorn. Jackson particularly hit form in probably his best game yet as a Docker, booting two goals to go with 24 disposals, six marks, seven tackles and seven score involvements to earn maximum coaches votes, while Darcy was dominant in the ruck with 38 hit-outs. The Dockers will need their high-profile recruit to continue to produce at a high level to stay in the finals hunt.
Junior Rioli suspended for two matches | 01:46
NORTH MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE
Saturday May 13, 2:10pm at Blundstone Arena
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 2pm on Channel 503, hosted by Kelli Underwood with Dwayne Russell, Gerard Healy, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo and David Zita
Kangaroos’ burning question: How hard do ex-teammates go at Horne-Francis?
After his sensational move to Port Adelaide last off-season, former No. 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis comes up against his former side for the first time in Tasmania. It means he mightn’t necessarily cop the hostile response he would’ve at Marvel Stadium, but that doesn’t mean his former teammates won’t give it to him. We saw how much tensions flared when Sydney players physically targeted Collingwood star Nick Daicos last weekend, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if something similar boils over in this one.
Power’s burning question: Can they make a statement?
After an indifferent start to the season, Port Adelaide has won five-straight games to suddenly climb into fifth on the ladder — and on the same amount of wins as the second-placed Demons. Although the Power’s form has been impressive, they’ve had several close wins to give them a percentage of just 103. They’ll want that to improve given they’re not in the same class as the top sides — and what better opportunity for a big win against the 16th-placed and out-of-form Kangaroos?
‘The world is already confused!’ | 01:41
HAWTHORN v MELBOURNE
Saturday May 13, 4:35pm at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4.30pm on Channel 504 with Mark Howard, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon, Ben Dixon and David Zita
Hawks’ burning question: Which Hawks rock up?
While Hawthorn sits 18th on the ladder with just one win and the worst percentage in the competition, Sam Mitchell’s side has at times been more competitive than that data would suggest — the key being at times. Inconsistency has been an issue, and that couldn’t have been more stark in game than in the Hawks’ Round 4 clash against Geelong where Hawthorn was the better team in the first half before conceding 10 goals in the third quarter to get blown off the park. This is the same Hawks side that took Adelaide all the way three weeks ago and was competitive against the Western Bulldogs before getting smashed by Fremantle. So what version of Mitchell’s side takes the field in arguably its toughest matchup yet against the second-placed Demons?
Demons’ burning question: Can they get the same production up forward without ‘critical’ youngster?
So much has been made about Jacob van Rooyen’s two-match suspension as one of the hot talking points this week. But assuming his ban is upheld, what are the Demons actually missing from a football perspective with him out of the side? The youngster has made the most of his senior opportunities with 11 goals from six games to emerge as the main key forward in Simon Goodwin’s attack and move ahead of Ben Brown and Tom McDonald in the pecking order. Van Rooyen’s importance to the Dees is exemplified by Kangaroos legend David King revealing on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 he’s the No.1 target of the top 60 targets in the competition at kicking a goal from his target entries over the last month. “He’s critical to Melbourne, don’t think this is a nice to have player. It’s far from that. (He’s kicked) 11.2 for the year, 8.1 from the corridor, 14 marks, seven contested,” King said. While this Demons outfit has enough firepower elsewhere up forward and others that can come in and play the same role, van Rooyen has seriously impressed in the early parts of his career and will be missed.
Swans rallying around star man Buddy | 01:37
BRISBANE LIONS v ESSENDON
Saturday May 13, 7:25pm at the Gabba
How to watch on Fox Footy: From Channel 503, hosted by Kath Loughnan with Brad Johnson, Dermott Brereton and David Zita
Lions’ burning question: Is their system and effort starting to match up with their talent?
Analysts have always said the biggest hurdle to the Lions winning the flag has been their ability to defend. But in recent weeks – especially against Carlton last week – Chris Fagan’s side has shown terrific defensive accountability. Fox Footy’s David King pointed to vision from the Lions’ win over the Blues that showed Brisbane’s forwards showing terrific workrate without the footy and applying relentless pressure on Carlton’s defence. They laid 12 tackles inside their forward 50 and kicked 9.9 from their forward half for the match. Leigh Montagna said it was “the best we’ve seen the Brisbane Lions” while King told First Crack: “I loved it and it makes me change my attitude to Brisbane and elevate them.”
Bombers’ burning question: Have they truly ridded themselves of their defensive flaws?
Not yet, according to skipper Zach Merrett, but there had been slight improvements, especially when defending quick transitions. The Bombers are scoring more in 2022, particularly from turnover, but they’re still ranked 14th for points against, 17th for applying pressure and 18th for defending ball movement. David King told First Crack: “They still let you move the ball, don’t they? They still let you play. It’s a little bit of basketball still, which we thought we’d see Essendon evolve past, so we’re still there with them.” Merrett told Fox Footy’s On The Couch that “90 per cent” of Essendon‘s pre-season had focused on “contest and defence”, but claimed the array of offensive talent the Bombers had meant they often went “too fast and it can hurt our defence”. It’s still only Round 8, but the Bombers’ defence is “nowhere near where it needs to be consistently”, according to Merrett.
Lyon urges Carlton to ‘weaponize’ Curnow | 05:10
CARLTON v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday May 13, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.25pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones with Anthony Hudson, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, David King and David Zita
Blues’ burning question: Is it time to change their method?
Yes, according to Leigh Montagna. If you take away the wins over cellar dwellers North Melbourne and West Coast, the Blues have averaged just 69 points per game this season, despite having Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow in attack. They also average the most disposals in the competition and are ranked second for contested ball differential, yet they are 14th for generating inside 50s. Montagna told First Crack: “The good teams when they have their numbers around the footy … use those outnumbers and handball – and run at the opposition. They (the Blues) don’t use their handball to run at the opposition and challenge in transition. It’s not natural for them – they still want to kick the ball. It’s costing them opportunity to hit the scoreboard. The time is now. If they want to play finals this year and they expect to, they need to change their method now.”
Bulldogs’ burning question: Do they have the best ruck-midfielder combination in the league?
The statistical evidence suggests yes, with Tim English and Marcus Bontempelli in terrific form, both individually and as a pair. Bontempelli could be leading the Brownlow after the first two months of the season, while English is arguably the All-Australian ruckman at the moment. But crucially, the duo is the second-most effective ruck-midfielder centre bounce pairing in the AFL, linking up 16 times across the first eight rounds, according to Champion Data. This time last year, English had tapped the ball to Bontempelli just four times. David King told First Crack: “Massive improvements and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I think we’re just seeing this evolve.” Josh Dunkley’s move to the Lions has led to Bontempelli playing more on the inside at stoppages this season – and it’s paying dividends.”
Lyon still coy regarding return of King | 02:15
ADELAIDE CROWS v ST KILDA
Sunday May 14, 1:10pm at the Adelaide Oval
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan with Anthony Hudson, Dermott Brereton, Nick Dal Santo, Mark Ricciuto and Jon Ralph
Crows’ burning question: Can they burst the Saints’ bubble?
Yes according to Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley. St Kilda sits third on the ladder with a 6-2 record. More impressively, they’ve conceded just 474 points from their eight games so far — 105 less than the next best (Collingwood). But the Crows can’t afford to be underestimated. They’re 4-4 — and they’ve been a chance to win late in all four losses. With Izak Rankine and Taylor Walker being constant scoreboard threats for the Crows all season so far, Buckley is predicting the Adelaide duo to cause headaches for St Kilda’s defence, telling On The Couch: “St Kilda have given up eight goals a game on average. Walker and Rankine will kick eight goals between them.”
Saints’ burning question: Is breakout gun getting enough recognition?
Just 19 years of age and 15 games into his career, Mitch Owens is producing at a level that surely not even St Kilda could’ve imagined he was capable of coming into the season. The 191cm player has filled the key forward void left by injured star Max King, who won’t return this week. Owens is the No. 5 rated forward in the competition through eight rounds and the No.1 rated player in post clearance contested possessions with 68 — 14 more than the next best (Darcy Moore and Charlie Curnow). “He is doing everything this kid,” Saints great Leigh Montagna said of Owens on Fox Footy’s AFL 360. “He’s winning ruck contests, he’s tackling and he’s hitting the scoreboard. He has been an absolute find for St Kilda and it’s why they are where they are. For a guy who’s played 15 games, he deserves more recognition than he’s getting.”
Eddie BLOWS UP over Daicos treatment | 00:36
COLLINGWOOD v GWS GIANTS
Sunday May 14, 4:40pm at the MCG
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones with Anthony Hudson, Dermott Brereton, Nick Dal Santo, Mark Ricciuto and Jon Ralph followed by Bounce and First Crack
Magpies’ burning question: Are their points from turnover numbers a cause for concern?
Arguably yes. Despite sitting on top of the ladder with a 7-1 record and the second-best defence in the competition, there’s a query over the Magpies’ ability to score once they win the ball back. In the past six weeks, the Magpies are ranked 14th for points from turnover differential and 18th for total points scored from turnovers. Jonathan Brown told On The Couch: “I don’t know whether to get excited or it’s a worry for the Pies … Do you look at that and think it’s a vulnerability or do you say ‘gee look at the upside’?” Fellow Fox Footy analyst Nathan Buckley suggested the rankings highlighted how well the Magpies had defended so far this season. But is it sustainable? The premiership contenders, traditionally, are among the top few sides in the competition for points from turnover differential. Pundits will be keeping a close eye on this area of Collingwood’s game over the coming weeks.
Giants’ burning question: Is Tom Green now their No. 1 on-baller?
Stephen Coniglio, 29, and Josh Kelly, 28, are star players and former Giants with a combined 366 games worth of experience. But Green is in the middle of an exciting season that could see him enter superstar status. Since taking on great on-ball responsibility at the Giants — due to the departures of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper to Richmond — Green has thrived under new coach Adam Kingsley. He’s ranked among the league’s top 15 players for average disposals (33.3), contested possessions (13.4), score involvements (7.6) and clearances (6.4). Green played with maturity beyond his years against the star-studded Bulldogs midfield, booting three goals from 38 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine clearances and eight tackles. Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy’s First Crack: “He’s the player you build your future around. He’s going to be a future captain, I think he’s a future Brownlow Medallist the way he plays and now he’s hitting the scoreboard.”
