There is plenty to dissect from an intriguing round 10 of AFL action. Here are our key takeouts.
The key piece that Carlton lack
Friday night, SCG
Sydney defeated Carlton by 16 points
Much has been unpacked from Friday night’s stinging loss for the Blues. Whether it was umpiring, the use of technology, the Swans’ aggression – which has landed Joel Amartey in match review trouble – or simply Michael Voss’ post-match comments, it was a night of drama. But another poor Blues fadeout highlighted a weakness rarely spoken about – they lack a dynamic midfield-forward weapon who can break open games. This is not a knock on those who occupy the Blues’ midfield, rather it’s pointing out something they don’t boast.
Match winner: Isaac Heeney was brilliant against the Blues on Friday night.Credit: via Getty Images
The manner in which Swans’ stars Chad Warner (30 disposals, two goals) and Isaac Heeney (38 disposals, 10 score involvements) took charge, and used their speed, skill and smarts to will their side to victory, contrasted with the more methodical Blues. Patrick Cripps is a star of the game, while Sam Walsh, Adam Cerra and George Hewett know how to find the ball, but they don’t really break lines, or provide a burst of true dash that changes the complexion of a contest. The Blues have Charlie Curnow inside attacking 50 who can turn a game in the blink of an eye, but it’s through the midfield where an excitement machine is needed.
Speed: The Blues need to find their own version of the Road Runner.Credit: The Age
Yes, these types of roadrunners are hard to find and/or lock down – just ask Wile E. Coyote – but the absence of one could ultimately haunt this group of Blues, as this shapes as another flag-free campaign. Can list boss Nick Austin and his recruiting team weave some magic come trade time? We’ll see.
A dangerous statement
Thursday night, Darwin
Gold Coast defeated Hawthorn by eight points
This has always been one of the more dangerous statements to make, but it’s tough now not to admit this: the Suns are for real. Yes, toppling the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn in successive weeks amid the heat and humidity of Darwin may not quite be the same as a win at the MCG (where they have prevailed in their past two visi)], but the Suns have surged to a 7-2 win-loss record, and have a game in hand. Now come the Saints at Marvel Stadium, with Fremantle in Perth and Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on the agenda before the mid-season bye. That’s three fellow finals contenders, so there is unlikely to be an easy kill there. However, even just one win will have the Suns not only firmly in contention for a maiden finals run, but pushing for the top four, as defender John Noble said the team’s aim was.
A game plan built on deep kicks into the forward line, and then forward-half pressure, a Damien Hardwick speciality, is a “plug and play” non-negotiable that will suit any opponent or venue.
And speaking of Noble, how delighted the Suns must be that after years of losing blue-chip talent for whatever reason, Noble, the former Magpie, and Daniel Rioli, the former premiership Tiger, are not only major contributors but are loving a life of sand and sun.
Gold Coast’s Ben Long takes a Mark of the Year contender against Hawthorn.Credit: Seven
Then there’s Ben Long, the former Saint, who is among the top-10 ranked players across the competition. Long, 27, is excelling up forward. His hanger over James Sicily on Thursday night added to a dirty night for the Hawks, who opted to rest key players and may have paid the price.
Here’s one to ponder. The Suns have eight straight wins at TIO Stadium, where they have a contract with the Northern Territory government to stage home games. That they already play in the often tropical conditions of the Gold Coast means they have a distinct advantage over opponents in the similar, if not more debilitating, conditions of Darwin. So, if the AFL agrees to a 20th club licence and forms a team in Darwin, the home-ground advantage there for a new club will be huge, particularly against Melbourne teams travelling mid-winter. It could be worth five or six wins a season alone.
Long journey to success
Saturday afternoon, MCG
Collingwood defeated Adelaide by 10 points
It’s not only the Suns who are prospering from recycled players. The Magpies are loaded with talent and big names, none bigger than the Daicos brothers, who were pivotal in what Craig McRae said was a “workmanlike” win over the disappointing Crows. While it was the likes of the Daicos boys, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard and Scott Pendlebury who won the plaudits, Ned Long, who joined via the mid-season draft last year, has become an important figure. Long has had to do it the hard way. He was initially taken by Hawthorn in the 2022 rookie draft, and had two years – for five senior games – on the Hawks’ list. But he has played 17 games since joining the Magpies, the former Northcote High School and Melbourne Grammar product having 19 disposals through the midfield against the Crows. As the mid-season draft approaches, McRae said Long was an example to all players who haven’t felt the love they craved.
Important piece: Ned Long has forged a regular senior berth with the Magpies.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“It’s a great story, isn’t it? We have the mid-season draft coming up. For years, we go: ‘There isn’t much talent out there’. But there are guys like him sitting there just waiting to be given another opportunity and believed in and loved and supported, because sometimes you have to believe in someone who maybe haven’t had that in previous environments,” McRae said.
“We are rapt to have him, and he is an important part of our team right now, isn’t he?”
Great celebrations
Saturday night, Marvel Stadium
Western Bulldogs defeated Essendon by 91 points
The Western Bulldogs are emerging not only as a premiership threat, but also a threat to Hawthorn’s new-age standard of on-field celebrations. Admittedly, the social-media savvy Hawks have a number of players prepared to show their love for kicking a goal, but we really liked Rhylee West’s “you’re too small” celebration with a lowering of the hand. The Bulldogs’ forward had just shrugged off an attempted tackle from Bombers youngster Archie Roberts and snapped a goal when he made his feelings clear. Simple but effective. It’s back over to you, Hawks.
Roos’ win extra sweet?
Sunday afternoon, MCG
North Melbourne defeated Richmond by four points
The Kangaroos have improved since the Good Friday debacle against Carlton at Marvel Stadium, and finally – after narrow losses to Port Adelaide and Essendon, and a draw with Brisbane – had reason to cheer when they held off the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday. They clearly learnt from their late-game mistakes against the Lions in Launceston, and should now train the final two minutes of games with greater fervour, with the belief they are finally emerging.
Club recruiting staff had more reason to smile on Sunday, for the victory has boosted the Roos’ hopes of finishing above the Tigers on the ladder. Remember, the Kangaroos controversially ceded their 2025 first-round pick during last year’s trade period to the Tigers in exchange for last year’s pick No.27, which the Kangaroos then used to take versatile tall Matt Whitlock. As part of the deal, the Kangaroos also received the Tigers’ second-round pick this year.
Reason to believe: Nick Larkey was instrumental in the Kangaroos’ win on Sunday, which potentially has a flow-on to this year’s national draft.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
That the Tigers had three wins to the Kangaroos’ one and a half heading into Sunday’s game meant – as it stood – the Tigers had pick No.2 in November’s national draft [along with their own first-round selection, at No.3]. By claiming their second win, the Roos now have greater hope – even expectation – they will at least finish above the Tigers. This could potentially take the sting out of any argument that they should have retained their 2025 first-round pick. Clearly, there is still a bit to play out here, as the Roos’ first pick is currently projected to be somewhere in the early 20s. Whitlock, meanwhile, has managed just the one senior game to date.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
