Round 11 of the 2024 AFLย season is here.
This weekend sees many huge clashes across the fixture. We will see nine games from Thursday to Sunday where 18 teams will battle it out, with North Melbourne still looking for their first win of the season.
Friday night will see Fremantle vs Collingwood in Perth. Both teams are in a similar position, Fremantle (6-4) and Collingwood (6-1-3), whoever wins on Friday night could be in the top four at the end of the round, and if the Dockers get the win will move in front of the Pies.
Another must-watch game this weekend is on Saturday afternoon between Geelong and GWS at GMHBA Stadium. The Cats will be looking to cement their place in the top four, whereas if the Giants lose it will be their fourth loss in a row and they could be out of the top eight by the end of the round.
Below we have focused on a player who is going into the weekend under the radar, a player who needs to step up, a player who's sure to gain plenty of attention, a big matchup, a player who could potentially look at a new role and a player who is on a comeback in Round 11.
Under the radar: Jack Crisp
Jack Crisp is flying under the radar as he steps up for his team, having worked his way back into the midfield very well.
Crisp's workload and ability to fill the gap of Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell, who have been out injured, has been clinical for the Pies' midfield.
The 236 gamer is part of an established, well-regarded midfield, and Crisp has been putting in a lot of hard work, with his efforts going unnoticed.
This week when the Pies travel west to take on Fremantle, and Crisp will likely line-up in the midfield. If the Dockers are not mindful, the 30-year-old will cause serious problems for the Fremantle.
Needs to step up: Max King
There is a need for Max King to step up and start performing to his capabilities. The forward has only managed nine goals from seven games this year.
The 23-year-old is now in his fourth season and is one of St Kilda's number one targets inside 50, though King is failing to live up to that expectation and finding it difficult to gain form.
While it's one for a forward to convert through the middle sticks, forwards like King must have the whole package, this consists of more than just kicking a goal, they need to have pressure, aerial ability and impact.
King has been struggling this season to put all these components together, therefore there is a great need for him to step up this weekend.
This weekend against the Dees is a great opportunity for King to find some form. With some of Melbourne's key defenders out injured, this weekend is time for the tall forward to show what he is capable of.
All eyes are on... Tom Hawkins
All eyes will be on Tom Hawkins this weekend in a round where he will reach a new milestone in his career as the veteran returns after missing last week due to being managed.
This season Hawkins has been criticised for his lack of form this year. The veteran has failed to kick majors against four teams: the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane, Carlton and the Demons, and only managed ten goals in eight games.
In front of a home crowd this weekend when they host the Giants, all eyes will be on the big man and how he will perform.
The 35-year-old, in his 18th season, is set to overtake Joel Selwood as the most games played for Geelong, and Hawkins will be keen for a big game to get his form back.
All eyes will be on the forward in what is a huge game for him and the Cats.
The big matchup: Lachlan Schultz vs his old side
The biggest matchup this weekend is between Lachlan Schultz and his ex-teammates from Fremantle.
On Friday night, Schultz will travel west to take on his former side the Dockers. The forward will be eager for a big game against his old team after he requested a trade at the end of last year.
The 24-year-old has not been in his best form and has been slightly off since joining the Pies. This weekend the forward will be keen to prove his position in Collingwood's best 22 against his old mates.
Andrew Brayshaw has come out and said he and his teammates are keen to line up against Schultz and could physically target him in the game.
There is no doubt this matchup will be fierce and the Dockers will get into the forward early on, so Schultz must not let this friendly banter get to him, otherwise, it could take him out of the game early.
A new role? Toby Greene
Toby Greene has been out of form this season, though last week against the Dogs, despite the Giants losing, the All-Australian captain managed three goals.
This weekend for the Giants comes as a crucial game against the Cats and a loss could see them fall out of the top eight.
Is this the week time to move Greene into the midfield for some minutes in centre bounces and stoppages around the ground?
Greene is known as one of the most dangerous forward players, though the 30-year-old is a great contested ball winner and in the last few weeks the Giants have been struggling with their clearance, especially their stoppage clearances.
Also with a few of the Giants' best players out with injury, moving Greene into a new role against the Cats this weekend would not only help the team but also the All-Australian's form. It will bring him into the game and involve him instantly.
Will senior coach Adam Kingsley change things up this weekend and push Greene into the midfield for some spells to help improve their clearances and get Greene more involved?
Over his career, Greene has had periods in the midfield and he has been very damaging with his pace, pressure and overall football class.
Therefore this weekend may see Greene move into a more forward-midfield rotation that not only will benefit his team but also his game.
Greene should still have the opportunity to have periods in the forward line to be that dangerous forward player everyone knows he is.
On the comeback: Sean Darcyย
Sean Darcy will return on Friday night to take on reigning premiers Collingwood in Perth. Darcy has had an inconsistent start to the season as the ruckman struggles with injury.
The 25-year-old has only managed three games this season after missing the opening rounds due to a knee injury that required Darcy to get an arthroscope.
The ruckman played his first game in Round 6 and completed two full games however in Round 8 was substituted out of the game due to hurting his calf.
Darcy has missed two games as a result and Fremantle took a cautious approach with the ruckman, though senior coach Justin Longmuir announced on Thursday that the big man will play this Friday night after getting through the main training and passing a fitness test.
Darcy is a huge in for the Dockers as they get ready to host the Pies, and he will play a crucial role for them.
