With Round 2 upon us, plenty of blockbuster fixtures and sneaky upset chances are brewing.
These upset fancies could come to fruition if a specific statistic is nailed, as evidenced by the likes of Richmond in Round 1.
The Tigers matched Carlton for contested possessions after their slow start to the contest, and coupled with significantly better disposal efficiency, Richmond pulled off an emphatic shock victory.
So, let's delve into this week's games and look at what your club needs to amend, or continue controlling, to secure the four points in Round 2.
Carlton vs Hawthorn
Disposal Efficiency
Carlton and Hawthorn's Round 1 performances were flip sides of the coin. Carlton faltered under the heat of Richmond pressure and recorded a shocking disposal efficiency, missing even the easiest of handball and kicking targets.
Hawthorn, opposingly, put away the Bombers despite losing critical statistical areas such as clearances and contested possessions, as the Hawks recorded a disposal efficiency of 77.3 per cent, the highest of any club this season. Essendon rued missed opportunities and sloppy errors with a disposal efficiency of 71.2 per cent, which stands below this year's and last year's AFL average.
As we approach the blockbuster opener to Round 2, disposal efficiency will evidently play a predominant role for Thursday's victorious team.
Due to the huge anticipated crowd and high-stakes matchup, Carlton will need to embrace the pressure situations far better this week. Their second half's efficiency will be happily pounced on by the Hawks, whose gut-running mosquito fleet will fling the football down toward their forward arc in a matter of seconds.
Hawthorn too have to withstand the intensity of the match, as Carlton enter the game eager to make amends from last week's travesty.
Last year Hawthorn soared to a 74-point victory after recording a disposal efficiency of 79.8 per cent. If the Blues allow that sort of freedom again, Carlton should anticipate another thrashing and a horror 0-2 start to their campaign.
Footscray vs Collingwood
Inside 50s
Both clubs were on song offensively in Round 1, generating an inside 50 figure that exceeded their respective 2024 season averages.
The Bulldogs, named Footscray for their centennial fixture, are coming off a gutsy win with depleted stocks, recording 57 inside 50s for a return of 28 scoring shots against North Melbourne.
Collingwood too were prolific against the Power, recording 65 inside 50s in their 91-point win - a monumental improvement statistically from their Opening Round display.
Dan Houston's inclusion in the team was predictably crucial, recording five inside 50s and seven score involvements against his former side.
Although the Bulldogs and Pies have differing playstyles - the Bulldogs prefer to control the possession (ranked third for disposals in 2024), while Collingwood generate scores through low-possession counterattacks (ranked 16th for disposals in 2024) - there is one key similarity.
Repeat inside 50 entries.
On Friday night, this metric will surely play another significant role.
Essendon vs Adelaide
Clearances
Both sides dominated the clearances in their Round 1 affairs however Essendon's disposal efficiency and poor defence cost them the four points, unlike the Crows who blew away St Kilda.
Playing away from home against an energetic Bombers side - who took it right up to premiership contenders Hawthorn - this Saturday fixture will be no 'gimme' for the Crows.
However, Adelaide's well-balanced midfield provides them with numerous outlets from the contest, with Izak Rankine, Matt Crouch, Jake Soligo, Lachlan Sholl, and Reilly O'Brien all recording five or more clearances against the Saints.
Essendon were overly reliant on Jye Caldwell to generate clearances against Hawthorn, with the 36-disposal performance also tallying 10 clearances. Just Elijah Tsatas and Sam Draper recorded five or more for the rest of the team.
With recent history suggesting Saturday's clash will be a close encounter, Essendon will be hoping Caldwell can continue his form and receive further assistance from his teammates to win possession in crunch time of this match.
Port Adelaide vs Richmond
Turnovers
This game presents as an early season do-or-die clash for Ken Hinkley's Power, coming off a thrashing against Collingwood to host a youthful Richmond side brimming with confidence after their landmark win.
Port Adelaide recorded 79 turnovers against Collingwood, which allowed the Pies to score 62 points. Richmond equally made Carlton pay for their 71 turnovers, scoring 55 points off the Blues' errors. If the Tigers can apply the same relentless pressure against the Power, there's potential for goals to leak again.
However, with Richmond's young and inexperienced squad, the Tigers' skill issues will still be a factor. The Tigers recorded the most turnovers of any team in Round 1, although you wouldn't know it as the Blues nabbed just 34 points from their blunders.
While Port Adelaide's ability to score from turnover isn't their major strong point (ranked 14th in 2024), if they can at least force Richmond to continue their mistakes by foot, it should present enough opportunities to capitalise on and produce a winning score.
St Kilda vs Geelong
Marks
The Cats had a clear gameplan to stifle Fremantle in Round 1. Limit the Dockers' possession, you limit their influence.
The Dockers love to create deliberate approaches in attack, regularly through uncontested marking chains. The Dockers ranked eighth for marks per game in 2024, but in the 14 games they recorded 90 or more marks, they lost just four times.
RELATED ANALYSIS: The concerning chink in Fremantle's gameplan
Fremantle's mark tally of 55 was its lowest since the club recorded 61 in Round 4, 2023, and they were therefore comprehensively put away by the Cats.
Coming against another ultra-defensive, heavily possessive side, Geelong should aim to replicate their strategy against St Kilda this weekend.
St Kilda averaged the second-most marks per game in 2024, averaging nearly 105. In their Round 23 win against Geelong last season, they were allowed to take 128 marks, only 14 of which were contested.
If the Saints are allowed the freedom to chip the ball around at will, Geelong may encounter another shock loss to the boys from Moorabbin. But, a similar display to Round 1 may provide yet another percentage booster opportunity for the perennial contenders.
Brisbane vs West Coast
Marks inside 50
Coming off a mauling to the other Queensland-based club, the Eagles now have to travel to the Gabba to take on reigning premiers Brisbane.
West Coast felt the loss of Tom Barrass' presence immediately, allowing Gold Coast to record 19 marks inside 50, the highest of any team in Round 1. In defensive one-on-ones, the Eagles lost 27.3 per cent of their contests, the eighth-worst average after Round 1.
In 2024, Brisbane averaged the second-most marks inside 50 per game, and with a deep pool of forward talent, the Lions will be licking their lips at the prospect of West Coast's backline.
West Coast, despite a solid key forward pairing of Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen, averaged the third-least marks inside 50 per game in 2024 at 10.3. To put up a competitive score against Brisbane this week, that figure must improve. Additionally, their young talent in defence must hold their own against Brisbane's forward line, or else another high score could be put on their heads.
North Melbourne vs Melbourne
Scores from stoppage
North Melbourne allowed the Bulldogs to transfer the football too easily from stoppages in their Round 1 loss, highlighting their weak defensive stocks that have been a concern since the off-season.
Allowing 54 points from stoppage, North Melbourne conceded the second-most points from that aspect of the game out of all clubs in Round 1.
It wasn't from being whacked in the clearance count either, with the Roos recording six more than the Bulldogs in the match. However, when the Bulldogs did win the clearance, North Melbourne were put to the sword.
Now, the Kangaroos come up against Melbourne, who boast a midfield of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Max Gawn. The Demons scored 45 of their 74 points from stoppage against the Giants, the second-highest contribution in the AFL when compared to scores from turnover and kick-ins.
If North Melbourne are to stop a scoring onslaught reminiscent of the Demons' 2021 grand final blitz, they'll have to work to prevent easy transitions out of stoppages on Sunday.
Fremantle vs Sydney
Marks and disposals
As aforementioned in the Saints-Cats clash, uncontested marking was stripped away from Fremantle last round and the Dockers were unable to find a plan B.
Fremantle's possession game was also limited somewhat, recording 361 disposals, ranked tenth in the league and slightly below last year's season average.
Similarly, Sydney have struggled to maintain possession in their opening two contests. Sydney currently rank 17th for disposals per game, and average just 79 points so far this season. Already it is a steep decline from 2024, where the Swans averaged an AFL-best 97.5 points and placed 10th for disposals.
If the Swans are to overcome their winless start to the season, they'll have to find more possession of the football to generate greater scoring opportunities, especially against a Dockers side that prides itself on defence.
