Round 21 of the 2024 AFL season is here.
This weekend sees nine games from Friday to Sunday, with several huge clashes to shape the remainder of the season. It is coming to the crunch end of the season so everything counts from wins, losses, draws and percentages.
Friday night between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne at Marvel Stadium is one of the games of the round. The Bulldogs are just in the top eight after a win against Sydney with Melbourne out of the finals frame after losing against GWS.
This game is huge for both their seasons, and if either side wants to play finals they must win this weekend.
The competition between fourth and 12th on the ladder is super close so a win is huge at this time of the season and a loss could put either side's season in jeopardy. This clash is a huge match for Friday night football and will set the tone for the weekend, and with only four more rounds to go every match for both teams is a must-win.
Another huge game this weekend is on Saturday night, featuring Port Adelaide and Sydney at Adelaide Oval. This a huge top-eight clash. The Power will be looking to contribute to the disruption of Sydney's run to September, as Brisbane, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle and St Kilda have done in recent weeks.
The Swans will be looking to get their first win in a few weeks and get their form back as finals footy nears, but this will be hard playing over in Adelaide. The Swans have only won a small amount of first quarters this year and this weekend a strong start is a must if they want to have any chance against hometown favourites Port Adelaide.
This match is expected to be a huge blockbuster for Saturday night football and will play a huge part in what teams are in form as the season draws to a close.
Scott Pendlebury will also mark another milestone this weekend when he plays his 400th game this Saturday night at the MCG against Carlton, joining an elite group.
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 21.
Jordan Clark has been flying under the radar as he is a part of an already well-regarded group of talented players.
The half-back can clear the ball out of the defensive 50 and is not afraid to take the game on, making him have a lot of the ball this year.
Callum Mills must step up this weekend as captain of Sydney. The Swans have lost the past four out of five clashes and questions are circling the form of the premiership favourites.
Mills has only played two games this year after returning from two separate injuries, but his return games haven't seen the midfielder at his best. Now back and used to the demands of AFL football, the All-Australian must lift this weekend and start performing to the level he is capable of.
The Swans require a win to keep their premiership hopes alive, as the past month of football by Sydney has seen a big shift in what they were doing at the start of the season.
Swans are a young team but players like Mills, who have over 150 games of experience and as sole captain of Sydney there is a need for him to step up this weekend when they travel west to face Port Adelaide.
This will be a huge challenge to face the Power on their home deck. For them to have a chance it starts with the 27-year-old needing to lift and have a dominant performance in the midfield. Port Adelaide's midfield is far from easy beats, they have many big guns in top-notch form and Mills must step up and lead the Swans' midfield.
All eyes will be on Scott Pendlebury this weekend as he lines up to play his 400th AFL match on Saturday night at the MCG against rivals Carlton.
This is a significant achievement for the 36-year-old, who announced earlier this week that he will be continuing his career into the 2025 season and could potentially overtake Brent Harvey's record of playing 432 games.
Pendlebury is still one of the most influential players at the Magpies despite his age, and will play a huge role in Saturday's match in what is a big occasion for the premiership player.
If Collingwood want to have any chance of creeping into the top eight they must win on Saturday and Pendlebury will play a huge role in helping this happen.
The veteran will have all the attention on him this weekend in what marks an impressive milestone in his career. Pendlebury will join Brent Harvey, Michael Tuck, Shaun Burgoyne, Kevin Bartlett and Dustin Fletcher, an elite group who have also achieved 400 games.
The biggest matchup this weekend is between two All-Australian ruckmen, Tim English and Max Gawn.
Both these players are arguably the two best ruckmen in the competition so this will be a must-watch battle on Friday night.
The Western Bulldogs and Melbourne both need to win this weekend to have a strong chance if they want to play finals.
English and Gawn usually both dominate their opposition with their hitouts and ruck craft each week, with English averaging over 28 hitouts with Gawn averaging 34 hitouts.
Whoever can get on top this weekend and win this ruck contest will have a huge shift in the momentum of the game.
Issac Heeney may have a new role this weekend as the Swans have lost four out of five clashes and their inability to get on the scoreboard is hurting.
Heeney has been having a standout year in midfield but it may be time for coach John Longmire to give the star some more minutes in the forward line to use his athleticism and aerial craft to get the Swans' forwards firing again.
The Swans have several players available in their midfield but their forward third seems to be lacking, and moving Heeney to a forward role this weekend may be the answer. Especially with explosive and dynamic Tom Papley out with injury, Heeney could be the light to get Sydney back on a winning streak.
Beau McCreery hasn't played since Round 16 since straining his calf against Gold Coast, and he is now expected to return this weekend.
McCreery's half-forward pressure has been missed in the past month, which has put the Pies' chances of defending their premiership in serious doubt.
The 23-year-old will return for Scott Pendlebury's 400th game against Carlton in Round 21 and McCreery will be a huge in for the Magpies and this win is crucial if they want to have any hope of playing finals footy.