There’s no disputing that season 2024 has been entertaining and tough to predict. Coming into Round 7 Geelong are the only team that’s undefeated, while at the other end of the ladder, North Melbourne is the solitary team that’s failed to win a game.
All 18 teams are once again featuring across nine games, with every team having had a bye – although one game has been completed, Richmond v Melbourne.
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
Essendon v Collingwood
Essendon
Zach Merrett has led from the front for Essendon and you don’t get much bigger than an ANZAC Day clash against Collingwood.
Merrett is willing to play forward at times in order to give the likes of Sam Durham midfield minutes, which is selfless.
Since being appointed captain of Essendon by coach Brad Scott, the narrative around the club has changed, even though Scott is preaching patience.
Led by arguably one of the best captains in the AFL, anything is possible.
Collingwood
Nick Daicos should bring plenty of confidence into the iconic ANZAC Day Game, given he won the Medal in season 2023.
It was a game where Collingwood trailed by a 28-point margin at three-quarter time and they turned it around and won by a 13-point margin, in a game that Daicos amassed 40 disposals and had nine score involvements.
GWS v Brisbane
GWS
Josh Kelly will need to lead from the front, as GWS will once again be without Stephen Coniglio due to an injury.
Having kicked nine goals in six games is pretty impressive for a midfielder/winger.
Kelly has averaged the seventh most score involvements per game of any player in the AFL, along with Toby Greene, with 8.17, which shows where Kelly is in terms of his importance to GWS.
Brisbane
Cameron Rayner needs to produce to a level that he’s capable of against GWS, given that Will Ashcroft and Zac Bailey are injured.
Surprisingly, he has only averaged 4.83 score involvements per game so far this season.
Unfortunately, there’s a big difference between his best and worst; in Round 5 against Melbourne, Rayner had 25 disposals and seven score involvements, subsequently, he was rewarded with ten Coaches’ votes.
In Round 6 against Geelong, the 24-year-old had just 14 disposals and two score involvements.
Given he has plenty of X-factor Brisbane needs him at his best against GWS.
Port Adelaide v St Kilda
Port Adelaide
Dan Houston is an integral part of the Port Adelaide team given his kicking and his ability to move the ball off half-back.
The 26-year-old is a real weapon for his team so they need to give him the ball; having had the second most metres gained of any player on the field in Port Adelaides’ Round 6 clash against Collingwood, with 722. It is an indication of his value to the team.
Along with that, Houston had seven score involvements and six intercept possessions.
St Kilda
Rowan Marshall should be stung by a poor performance against the Western Bulldogs in Round 6, as the ruckman finished the game with just 11 disposals.
It’s the first time so far this season that Marshall has had less than 19 disposals.
It’s no coincidence that St Kilda lost by ten goals and he had no impact on the contest.
If they are going to bounce back then they need the ruckman to get back to his best against Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo.
North Melbourne v Adelaide
North Melbourne
Nick Larkey needs to take advantage of an opportunity to kick a bag against an Adelaide team that’s lacking a quality key defender.
There’s no disputing that North Melbourne relies heavily on Larkey, which is obvious, given he was selected in the AFL All-Australian team in season 2023.
Even though North Melbourne is languishing at the bottom of the ladder, he has kicked at least one goal per game so far this season.
Adelaide
Matt Crouch was sorely missed by Adelaide due to suspension in their narrow loss to Essendon in Round 6.
The midfielder has averaged 31 disposals, 6.80 clearances and 6.20 score involvements per game so far this season; against an underperforming North Melbourne midfield, the 29-year-old will be looking to dominate.
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Geelong v Carlton
Geelong
Zach Guthrie stepped up in the absence of Geelong defender Tom Stewart in the second half of Geelong’s Round 6 clash with Geelong, as Stewart was subbed out at half-time due to concussion.
Guthrie had eight intercept possessions and helped fill the void left by Stewart.
The 25-year-old has averaged 6.83 intercepts per game and has been a key part of Geelong’s back six.
Carlton
Sam Walsh has been a handy addition to the Carlton team in the past couple of weeks. Having polled 17 Coaches’ votes in his first two games shows his worth to the team.
Along with that, the 23-year-old has averaged the most score involvements per game of any player in the AFL with 13.
At the other end of the spectrum, the midfielder has averaged the second most tackles per game of any player in the AFL this season with 8.50. If he gets tagged against Geelong, then Patrick Cripps could get off the leash.
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs
Fremantle
Sean Darcy will face a difficult task up against Tim English, as the Western Bulldogs ruckman is good around the ground and was the AFL All-Australian ruckman in season 2023.
The Fremantle ruckman must prove his worth as there is an argument that Fremantle were better with Luke Jackson as the sole ruckman.
Western Bulldogs
Jack Macrae was back to his best against St Kilda in Round 6, as he had 30 disposals, seven tackles and 12 score involvements.
The Western Bulldogs midfielder should want to prove that he deserves to be a permanent fixture in their best 22 when they take on Fremantle, who the Western Bulldogs need to be wary of bouncing back after a resounding Western Derby loss.
Gold Coast v West Coast
Gold Coast
Jarrod Witts needs to get the better of his matchup with West Coast ruckman Bailey J. Williams.
The Gold Coast co-captain must respond and lead well.
There’s no disputing that Round 7 against West Coast is a danger game for Gold Coast, as West Coast have won their last two games by a 76-point aggregate, so Gold Coast will need their ruckman to perform to his optimum level.
West Coast
Jake Waterman has kicked the third most goals of any player in the AFL so far this season with 17.
Remarkably, 11 of his goals have come in the last two weeks; therefore, it can be argued that he is a bit of a barometer for West Coast.
The 25-year-old is such a tough match up and it will be intriguing who Gold Coast chose to negate his influence, given he looks unstoppable.
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Hawthorn v Sydney
Hawthorn
Jai Newcombe was back to his best when Hawthorn soundly beat North Melbourne in Round 6.
The midfielder finished the game with 32 disposals, six tackles, nine clearances and nine score involvements.
It’s going to be a tough task for Newcombe up against an in-form Sydney midfield, but I’m sure he’ll be up for the challenge and bring plenty of belief into the contest.
Sydney
Tom Papley brings plenty of energy to the team. This season, the Sydney small forward averages an impressive 17 disposals per game, along with seven score involvements.
But he has kicked an aggregate of seven of his ten goals in two games and it’s no coincidence that Sydney has won those games by 30 and 53 points respectively.