The byes finally come to a close as the Blues continue their claim for a top four finish, the Lions send the Power home without a spark, the Roos fall agonisingly short, again, and the Suns continue to forget how to play football out of the Sunshine State.
So here’s all that and more in a five-legged multi of hindsight, Five Lessons Learned – AFL Round 15.
1. Blistering Blues
Carlton were simply scintilating against Geelong, giving them a 63-point belting and were ruthless in their finish, continuing to bank the wins to continue the course for the top-four for the first time since 2000.
It started with the De Koning battle in the centre square as Tom and Sam recreated what was surely many of their childhood backyard battles.
Tom got the first blow with a quick kick out of the ruck contest to slot home the Blues first, and it was soon after the Cats took action to mitigate the older brother’s impact.
The Blues pressure at the contest was consistent and evidently, they did their homework from their Round 7 clash on how to stop the Cats.
That also being the run and gun through the corridor style that Geelong relies on, which is proving ineffective the more teams have figured them out since their quick 7-0 start.
A barrage of Charlie Curnow goals in the first half turned the game on its head, and whilst the Cats kicked back in the second quarter to get within a goal, it was then six unanswered Blues goals that forced Geelong to be perfect for the remainder of the game.
Patrick Cripps secured 40 disposals, a contested game built for his style, and his midfield counterpart Sam Walsh racked it up with 33 disposals.
The floodgates opened in the fourth quarter as the Blues piled on nine goals, running rings around a tired Geelong outfit, maybe ending the Cats season as a result.
2. Pack it up, Power.
Power fans will be hoping Ken Hinkley is a big fan of the artist Train, as he will be needing 50 ways to say goodbye.
The Lions mauled Port Adelaide to the tune of 79 points on Saturday afternoon, in what was a funeral of a club that has failed to meet expectations in the past ten years.
Bashed and smashed around the contest, it was as easy as you like for the Lions, who were able to expose gaps all over the ground and quickly build a lead that was cruisy by half time.
Ken Hinkley is the obvious go-to here, because the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, but are we too quick to judge Ken, and maybe need to turn our head in another direction?
The list management certainly isn’t something to harp on about, and they’re unreliable in almost every area of the ground.
The backline lacks accountability one-on-one, and are typically poor decision-makers.
The midfield group is run and gun, but no commitment to the contest and pressure scenarios.
The forward line is reliant on often one or two forwards to have a field day, especially against the top sides.
Maybe culture has something to do with that, which all leads back to Ken, but there has been no clear vision of how the Power will ever take that next step.
Things could spiral down even firther with their their next trip to Melbourne to face the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
3. Giant Problem
One loss is bad enough against your cross-town rivals, but two? Well, that’s even worse.
It’s hard to get a read on the Giants this year, who sit sixth, only two games behind second, but somehow seem a little off being proper contenders.
The main issue all year has been their inability to defend fast-paced transition, and the Swans were on top of it from the get-go.
The lead ballooned out to a 53-points at one stage in the third quarter, and to the Giants credit, they kept pegging it back, but the damage was already done.
Given it was the league-leading Swans, no one is shaking their head wondering what’s next for the Giants, but questions do start to be asked about where this side has the point of difference compared to others contending.
Most would say the backline presence, which is true, but they’re being let down by poor defensive midfield efforts that make it impossible to defend an influx of inside 50 entries.
Their contest work stacks up and their forward line has a great mix of talls and smalls.
It feels at times for all the dominance they have with ball in hand, they could use it better, and find a way to make up more ground.
They were +29 in uncontested possessions but still lost by 27 points, so questions of efficiency do need to start being raised.
They’re borderline nearly in trouble, but they haven’t done enough wrong to be accused of it yet.
That being said
4. The Battle of Melbourne
The Roos have yet again fallen agonisingly short for the second week in a row, falling to the Dees by three points, despite their five goal to zero final quarter comeback.
It was ultimately a few spurts of dominant footy that got the job done for the Dees, who continue to look quite underwhelming in 2024.
Debutant and father-son draft pick, Kynan Brown, laid a superb tackle with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to ice the game for the Demons, a moment he’ll look back on in years to come.
The Roos have shown the sfight their supporters have been looking for the whole year, and once they get it together, they might surprise a few as the season ends.
The Kangaroos finally opened their eyes and put Harry Sheezel back to his natural forward position, and to no surprise, they got results, benefiting from the two goals he slotted.
A half time fight in the middle of the ground sparked things up, and the Roos looked to have flicked the switch early in the third with a great goal from LDU.
Steven May earned himself an Academy Award with his slamming of the head into the ground, and Curtis Taylor got up in a high-flying mark.
But the Dees got a hold of the game again with four unanswered goals and seemed to have put the game to bed.
Much like the Pies did to them, the Roos came back, getting the margin back to three points with four minutes remaining, but just unable to get that final goal.
It’s the first time this year there is genuine optimism for the Roos.
5. 23 home games might guarantee them finals
Let’s do something with the Suns.
I’m not sure what, but something that will make them competitive.
So, the idea of 23 home games might do just that, as the Gold Coast are incapable of making a statement on the road.
Year after year it’s the same story, a list that should be well and truly in the finals mix, consistently stuck on outside it due to their inability to make any impact interstate.
The Dockers started slow conceding the first two goals, but then turned it on with five of their own in a row.
Gold Coast lacks dominance and energy away from the Sunshine State, and with an inside 50 efficiency of only 39.1%, it’s a trend that just can’t be fixed.
They were smacked around the clearances and were matched and typically beaten with their pressure around the contest.
Gold Coast now head back home to face the Pies, which is a must-win, given they’re only going to play finals off their home victories.
North Melbourne supporters will be licking their lips, as the Suns next interstate trip is back to Melbourne to play the Roos at Marvel.
Some things just never change.