The penultimate week of the 2024 AFL home and away season is here.
It is coming to the crunch end of the season with only two rounds left so everything counts from wins, losses, draws and percentages with still ten teams having the ability to play finals.
A huge game this weekend is on Saturday afternoon featuring GWS and Fremantle at the ENGIE stadium. This a huge top-eight clash, with both teams building form in recent weeks with GWS winning their past five and the Dockers winning three out of their past five games.
A win for the Giants would solidify their spot in the top 4, while a victory for Fremantle would keep them in the top 8โboth crucial outcomes for their respective campaigns. With GWS and the Dockers among the in-form teams, this matchup will be a strong test for both as they push towards finals with the home and away season nearing its end.
Another major clash this weekend takes place on Saturday night with the South Australian Showdown between Port Adelaide and Adelaide. Although the Crows won't be making the finals this year, whenever these two teams face off, it's always a high-stakes battle where ladder positions and form become irrelevant. This rivalry is arguably the fiercest in Australia. The Crows will be eager to disrupt the Power's momentum and threaten their top 4 aspirations.
Port Adelaide is in excellent form, having won their last four matches. Although the Crows have had a tough year, they're far from a weak side and are coming off a victory against the Bulldogs. The Power shouldn't let their guard down, as the Crows will be eager to derail their momentum heading into finals. This clash on Saturday is a must-watch.
Below we have focused on a player who is going into the weekend under the radar, a player who needs to step up, one who's sure to gain plenty of attention, a big matchup, a player who could potentially look at a new role and another who is on a comeback in Round 23.
Under the radar: Hayden Young
Fremantle's Hayden Young could be one of the most under-radar plays in the competition. Last week via AFL 360ย David King said the young midfielder could be one of the most damaging players in the competition at the moment.
Young doesn't get 30 touches each week but its ability when he gets the ball does something impactful. Also is exceptional awareness and constant ability to hit targets back to back. The 20-year-old is flying under the radar as he is among a midfielder which includes Nat Fyfe, Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw, but clubs should be aware of Young and what he has been doing in the second half of the season.
All opposition is letting Young run around untagged, allowing him to average four tackles a game, 22 disposals and 472.8 metres gain. When the 20-year-old kicks the ball inside 50, 50% of those kicks turn into goals and the competition average is 15%, according to David King via AFL 360.
Young will be a huge asset for the Dockers again this weekend and if the Giants want to have a chance they must not leave Young untagged otherwise this young gun will be hard to stop.
Now a permanent member of the Fremantle midfield group, Young will play a critical play in their last two home and away games, and if the Dockers make the finals will be one of their important playmakers.
Young will continue to fly under the radar until the rest of the competition recognises the damage this 20-year-old is doing.
Needs to step up: Brodie Grundy
Two-time all-Australian Brodie Grundy must step up this weekend. The 30-year-old arrived at the Swans which is his third AFL club and had a great start to the season but in the last couple of weeks, he has been lacking.
Grundy was outclassed last week against the Pies with Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron, winning the hitouts and dominating the air. For Sydney to have any chance to win the flag this year, they need their ruckman performing and winning those 50 - 50 contests as the Swans can not always rely on their ground ball.
The ruckman is now at this third club and is highly experienced and needs to get his form back for the Swans to cause any threat in September.
This week is a great opportunity for the experienced ruckman to lift against Essendon on Friday night. Grundy will match up with Bombers ruckman Sam Draper, who has considerably less experience only playing 71 games compared to Grundy's 215 games.
All eyes are on... Carltonย
All eyes will be on Carlton and if they can bounce back this week after a 74-point thrashing against Hawthorn last week and the extensive injuries they picked up during that game.
The Blues have lost their past three games, which now sees them out of the top 8 but only two rounds ago they were fourth on the ladder. This just shows how close and open the competition this year is. Carlton has another tough game this weekend as they travel west to face the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles are always hard to beat at home and have found some form in recent weeks, winning their past two matches.
The Blues have had some big losses in recent weeks, so this weekend will be a real test for Micheal Voss's playing group and the culture of the club.
Despite their injury list at the moment, this should not be an excuse for their performance, they are one club and one playing group. Game plans and execution should be transparent among the squad and not just rely on their gun players.
Win, and finals are still a chance. Lose, and start making September holiday plans.
The big matchup: Jesse Hogan and Luke Ryan
The biggest matchup this weekend will be between ex-teammates Jesse Hogan and Luke Ryan.
Both players are in great form this year and could be featured in the All-Australian team this year as they were both in the mid-season All-Australian predicted team.
Ryan will have the job of leading the back line with Alex Pearce still out injured so he will have a tough job on his hands. Likely lining up on Jesse Hogan, Hogan who is now winning the Coleman and will be the favourite now with Charlie Curnow injured. Hogan has been averaging 2.9 goals this year and Ryan will have to shut down the full forward early to have any opportunity.
If Ryan can get on top early with his exceptional defensive craft, could take Hogan out of the game from the start which will play to Fremantle's advantage. Though Hogan is in great form and will be hard to shut down.
On the comeback: Stephen Coniglio
Stephan Coniglio is expected to return this weekend after being close to a comeback last week, the 30-year-old has had another week of training under his belt.
The midfielder has not played since round 18 after re-injuring his shoulder against Richmond, which he had previously dislocated earlier in the season against Geelong at the end of May.
Coniglio has only managed 11 games this year due to injury after missing three games with an ACL scare and will need surgery on his shoulder after the season.
The 30-year-old is an established midfielder who had GWS and his return will be a huge win as the home and away season comes to a close. Coniglio will get two more games under his belt, before finals and hopefully be ready to perform come September.
This will be a huge in for Adam Kingsley and hope to get some consistency within in his side before the important part of the season starts.
