Round 6 is here. The competition is wide open this year and there are several blockbuster matches this weekend, with Saturday'd draw anticipated to be huge. We will see eight games from Thursday to Sunday where 16 teams will battle it out, with Melbourne and Richmond having a bye.
A must-watch game this weekend which is no doubt the match of the round is Carlton v GWS Giants on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
Another blockbuster is set for Saturday when Collingwood hosts Port Adelaide at the MCG. Every time these two play each other it's expected to be a fierce and fiery match.
Sunday afternoon will see North Melbourne host Hawthorn, as both teams are searching for their first win of the season.
Below we have focused on a player who is going in under the radar, a player who needs to step up, a player who's sure to gain plenty of attention, a big matchup, and a player who potentially could look at a new role and a player who is on a comeback in Round 6.
Max Holmes is having a breakout season following an impressive 2023 season. Now in his fourth year, he is finding the realms of being an astute AFL player and is flying under the radar this season.
Holmes has been gathering a large amount of disposals, tackles, clearances and inside 50s each week.
The 21-year-old's acceleration off half-back is elite and his high-pressure game is making him become a real danger to opposition teams.
This weekend when Geelong take on Brisbane, if the Lions are not mindful of Holmes, then the defender will be a huge threat and can cause damage to a team from a simple turnover.
Five-time All-Australian Marcus Bontempelli might be one looking to step up on Thursday night. At a time when the Bulldogs are under a serious amount of pressure, there is a need for their captain to return to his best after a quieter Round 5.
The 28-year-old was limited under the tag of Sam Durham last week, and with the Dogs needing a win against the Saints there's certainly a need for 'The Bont' to bounce back.
The Bulldogs take on the Saints on Thursday night and this is a great opportunity for the midfielder to have a solid performance and help get his team back on a winning run.
All eyes will be on Rory Lobb when the Western Bulldogs take on St Kilda this Thursday night. Lobb has been dropped the past few weeks and forced to play in the VFL. The forward has an opportunity this week to come back to the senior side with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan out due to personal reasons.
Lobb has only played one game of senior football this year so the key forward on Thursday night has a chance to show what he is capable of and can try to get himself back into the senior side permanently.
The 31-year-old will play a vital role for the Bulldogs and be one of their key targets inside 50 so he will need to have a big game.
All eyes will be on the key forward and see if he can step up and feel the shoes of Ugle-Hagan and try to cement his position back in the Bulldogs' best 22.
The biggest matchup for Round 6 will be on Saturday night between Harris Andrews and Jeremy Cameron.
Scott Pendlebury passed a fitness test on Thursday morning so it's expected he will return to Collingwood's side this weekend when they take on Port Adelaide.
The midfielder sustained a rib injury in Gather Round and the bye was timely for the veteran as he was able to recover in time for Round 6.
This week he may have a new role if he returns. The Collingwood great may be put in a sub role this weekend or see him pushed out of the midfield while he manages his load after recovering from injury.
Patrick Dangerfield will return this weekend after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The 34-year-old has only played two games in 2024 after sustaining a hamstring injury in Round 2. The midfielder is eager to get back into the team as Geelong have had an impressive start to the season and it's the first time since 2017 they have been 5-0.
Dangerfield is a huge in for the Cats this weekend as they take on Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. He will be joined by Tom Hawkins who will also return this weekend.