Round 17 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.
Friday night will feature Collingwood vs Essendon at the MCG, a blockbuster for Friday night footy. This clash is crucial for both teams for their 2024 season. Essendon are just in the top four but if the Pies win, they will push the Bombers out. This is a huge match and will determine both teams' run to September. The last time these clubs faced off was on ANZAC Day when both sides couldn't be split and the game was drawn. Both teams will be looking to go one better this time, and there is no better game to start Round 17 for Friday night footy than this one.
Another blockbuster game this weekend is on Saturday afternoon between Geelong and Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium. Both of these teams are in form and the last time they met was on Easter Monday when the Cats got the win by 36 points, though the Hawks have improved significantly since then and are playing completely different footy and they pose as a huge threat this weekend. These two clubs have a lot of history between them so it's expected this game will be a must-watch game.
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 17.
Under the radar: Sam Flanders
Sam Flanders is having a great 2024 campaign and is flying under the radar as he is among a talented group. The 22-year-old hasn't fully broken into the Suns' midfield, playing both midfield and half-back, but the youngster has had a stellar start to the season averaging 31.6 disposals.
Flanders' work-rate is going unnoticed but he is having a huge impact on the Suns this year. The 58 gamer deserves greater credit than what he is receiving.
Flanders is a player everyone wants on their team, he is not known as one of the Suns' best players but his work rate is next level and he will do whatever is required to benefit the team.
This week when the Suns travel to Melbourne to take on the Roos, Flanders will fly under the radar and if North Melbourne doesn't give the 22-year-old the respect he deserves, the young gun will be damaging and likely record another 30+ disposal performance.
Needs to step up: Darcy Moore
Darcy Moore needs to step up as captain of Collingwood this weekend. The star defender has been struggling with form this season and not performing to the standard the All-Australian player is capable of.
The key defender only managed one intercept mark against the Suns last weekend, far from his career best of 11.
It's clear the 28-year-old is missing his teammate Nathan Murphy in the backline though, but Moore must step up this weekend in what is set for a huge clash against the Bombers on Friday night.
This weekend is an opportunity for Moore to lift and start producing the type of performance the star defender is known for, with his intercept marking and clean ball movement out of defence.
Moore requires a solid performance and to step up not only for himself but for the club and the stage is set for the premiership captain to have a more character-like performance on Friday night.
The big matchup: Patrick Cripps and Tom Green
The biggest matchup this weekend is between two of the best midfielders in the competition. Patrick Cripps and Tom Green.
This weekend is a huge game for both sides, with the pressure mounting on GWS, Green will want to have a dominant game in the middle. Though that won't be easy with an in-form Brownlow medallist having a great season and this will make for a must-watch matchup.
Green is averaging 29.2 disposals and Cripps is averaging 28.4, both these players love to run, are known for their gutsy efforts and ability to break through tackles with their strong figures.
Saturday night is a huge match for both sides and these two players will be vital for their respective sides.
A new role: Rory Lobb
Rory Lobb could have a new role again this week after being in the backline last week. He has emerged as a potential key defender at the Bulldogs for the long hail. This will give coach Luke Beveridge more options of where to play the big Bulldog.
Lobb recorded five intercept marks when he played a more defensive role last week, though while this was not on solid opponents, it showed this could be a new position for Lobb at the Bulldogs this year.
This weekend it's likely Lobb will remain in his new role as a key defender when the Western Bulldogs travel to South Australia to take on Port Adelaide.
On the comeback: Mitch Lewis
Key forward Mitch Lewis is expected to return this weekend to play his first game at AFL level since Round 3 against Geelong.
Lewis suffered a hamstring injury in the Easter Monday clash before his knee cartilage had a flare-up. This resulted in the key forward to miss over two months of footy.
The 25-year-old returned two weeks ago through the VFL, where he has played two games for Box Hill either side of the mid-season bye. The key forward kicked a goal in his return after months out of footy.
This weekend Lewis is expected to return to AFL level in what is a huge game for Hawthorn as they face off against rival Geelong at Kardinia Park on Saturday afternoon.
Lewis' return is a huge in for coach Sam Mitchell's side as there's a chance that Jack Ginnivan and captain James Sicily will miss Saturday's clash.
