Round 4 is here, and once again there are mouthwatering match-ups galore.
Collingwood, Sydney, and Fremantle all have potential danger games while Gold Coast and Adelaide's clash is as even as it gets.
So what should each club look to master to get the upper hand in their match this weekend?
We've delved into the key statistic that could pay your club good fortunes if they dominate that metric this weekend...
Collingwood vs Carlton
Marks inside 50
The Blues' shock start to the season has been majorly influenced by their lack of composure in their second halves. Despite minor improvement against the Bulldogs, the second half of Friday night's game was still symbolic of their Round 1 and 2 losses, with high bombs inside 50 instead of lowering the eyes to find open targets.
The Blues hence average the fourth-worst marks inside 50 rate in the competition, earning a set shot from just 16 per cent of their entries.
It is an aspect of the game Carlton must capitalise on, as their set shot conversion rate was the fifth-best in the league in 2024. With key forwards Charlie Curnow and Brodie Kemp doing damage in the first half of the Bulldogs clash, it's a mystery as to why the Blues strayed from their composed selves heading inside 50.
Collingwood's marks inside 50 is greater than the Blues too, ranked eighth in the AFL with a rate of 12.7 per game.
With Tim Membrey now pairing alongside Brody Mihocek as targets, there are tall forces inside 50 for the Pies that make marks inside 50 a valuable statistic for Collingwood to aspire for.
Geelong vs Melbourne
Clearances
Melbourne must find a strong midfield mix if they are to beat Geelong in their fortress on Friday night.
So far this season Melbourne have lost the clearance count by 12, 12, and 16 whilst recording an AFL-worst amount of just 30 per game.
This comes despite boasting a fully healthy midfield full of their usual stars Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver Max Gawn and Jack Viney.
Geelong currently averages the eighth-most clearances in the league per game too, as Bailey Smith's combination with Max Holmes continues to pay dividends in the middle.
If the Demons are to pull off an upset, they may have to experiment with returning troops Kysaiah Pickett and Caleb Windsor to find a new dynamic that will win the clearance on Friday.
Gold Coast vs Adelaide
Goal Assists
The two teams that love to share it around most, multiple contributors on the scoreboard has been the key to success for both undefeated clubs.
The Crows currently average 16.7 goal assists per game (ranked first), while the Suns average 14.5 (ranked second).
Their scoring spread has helped both sides average the most points per game, and by a considerable margin. The Crows average 136.7 points per game, the Suns 128, while the next best beyond that is St Kilda (101.7). This game presents to be an all-out attacking affair.
On a side note, the top goal assists per game average in 2024 was Sydney with 10.1, suggesting this may not be a trend that lasts throughout the entire season for the two sides. However, whichever club can continue the assists party for another round could be the team to come out on top in the predicted Saturday shootout.
Richmond vs Brisbane
Inside 50s
Effectively, this game is one of the worst sides at generating inside 50s against one of the best, which is why it is such a crucial statistic in this match.
In the Tigers' first game back at MCG since it's Round 1 boilover, they are tasked with the reigning premiers returning to the deck for the first time since that day in September.
Inside 50s was key on grand final day, and has remained key in the Lions' first three encounters this season.
So far in 2025, Brisbane average the second-most inside 50s per game (59.7) while the Tigers average the second-fewest (44.3). A discrepancy of 15 or more on Saturday will undoubtedly see the Lions romp to a victory larger than their grand final showing last season.
Hence, it is vital for Richmond to either match Brisbane's attacking fluency, or, increase their focus on defence before Brisbane reach their forward arc.
The Lions own the second-worst rate at scoring from their inside 50 entries, scoring from just 39.1 per cent of those 60-odd entries per game. If Richmond can reduce Brisbane's ability to provide opportunities to their forward line, they will impact their ability to score and give themselves a shot at remaining competitive.
North Melbourne vs Sydney
Scores from stoppage
One of the Kangaroos' strong points, scoring from stoppage has developed significantly in 2025 as a star-studded midfield continues to get games under their belt.
The Roos tore away from the Demons with their ability to win the clearance and create scores from it, and it kept them in the game against Adelaide for the majority of the match.
North Melbourne average the third-most scores from stoppage this season, scoring 45.3 points. The only clubs to average more are Gold Coast and Adelaide, who average the highest scores per game this season. If clubs are ranked based on the percentage of where their scores come from, the Roos are ranked second, with 45.8% of their scores coming from stoppage.
The only team ahead of them however, is Sydney.
While Sydney average the eighth-most points from stoppage in the AFL, it contributes to nearly half of their total points each week in 2025.
With the likes of Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney at the bounce of the ball, it's unsurprising why the Swans are so damaging from stoppage.
GWS vs West Coast
Marks inside 50
A strength of theirs in 2024, the Giants have missed Jesse Hogan as a target to start 2025. The Giants average just seven marks inside 50 this season, ranked last, compared to last year's average of 13.1 which ranked them third.
However, their marking woes could end this week as they face a side that has failed to negate key forwards this season.
The Eagles currently allow 17.3 marks inside 50 per game this year, the highest rate in the league. West Coast have therefore allowed Suns tall forward Ben King to kick six, Brisbane young key Logan Morris to kick three, and let Fremantle's Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss combine for seven.
With GWS boasting Hogan back, as well as emerging talent Aaron Cadman to pair, if the Eagles cannot amend their defence it could be a bloodbath at ENGIE Stadium.
Port Adelaide vs St Kilda
Tackles
St Kilda have emerged as one of the best pressure teams in the comp, averaging 61.3 tackles per game.
Their average ranks them fifth in the league for tackles, but their ability to score from tackling turnovers is what makes this statistic so valuable for the Saints.
St Kilda score an average of 56.7 points from turnover so far this season, with the Saints using the turnover opportunity to take the game on with pace, something that was rarely seen by the club last season.
Meanwhile for the Power, they average the least amount of tackles per game at just 45.3.
While home advantage could suit the Power they'll certainly have to increase their defensive pressure if they are to avoid another upset defeat on Sunday.
Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs
Scores from stoppage
Despite missing Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar, the Bulldogs have still hit the ground running in the middle this year.
Aided by Ed Richards and Ryley Sanders' continual emergence and the steady influence of Tom Liberatore, the Bulldogs average the sixth-most scores from stoppage in 2025, scoring 39.7 points per game.
Meanwhile, Fremantle's ability to score from clearances has been starkly different, averaging a league-worst 23.3 points per game from stoppage.
Although the Bulldogs are undermanned, they have shown fight in every contest this season, and Sunday's game should be no different. Hence, Fremantle must improve their ability to score from stoppages if they are to counter the Bulldogs' midfield prowess, or otherwise the Dogs could claim another scalp.
