Mick McGuane: The players firing and who needs to lift at every AFL club
The defender was at his intercepting best last year, reading the play brilliantly.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
More than a third of the 2024 home-and-away season has been completed.
AFL analyst Mick McGuane has kept a close eye on proceedings and has picked out a player from each club who deserves a pat on the back, as well as one who needs to dig in an improve their output.
Plus, check out Mick’s latest Hot Takes below.
WHO NEEDS TO LIFT AND WHO GETS A BIG TICK AT YOUR CLUB? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW
ADELAIDE
BIG TICK
Izak Rankine
The must-watch Crow has been particularly impressive since round 5, when he was injected into the midfield to great effect. He excites with his run and bounce when he’s onball and gives Adelaide a different dynamic in there. When forward, Rankine uses his body well in marking contests, applies elite pressure and kicks goals. He has 16.5 to his name this season.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Darcy Fogarty
Taylor Walker is not going to be around forever, so Fogarty must elevate to become the No. 1 man in attack. At 24, he’s at an age where he has to separate games more often than he does. I loved his assault in the air and his judgement and vice-like grip in the marking contests against Port Adelaide last week. More of that, please.
BRISBANE LIONS
BIG TICK
Josh Dunkley
What a fantastic recruit he has been. Dunkley has always had the capacity to find the footy, but the other thing he provides is great defensive balance in what is generally regarded as an attacking midfield. He wants to be first to the footy, averages 7.3 tackles and has lifted his score involvements to six a game. He’s been a shining light in a tough start for the Lions.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Charlie Cameron
One of the game’s most dangerous small forwards has only kicked 11 goals from eight games this year, on the back of a disappointing shot at goal accuracy of 36.7 per cent – the third-worst in the competition. Cameron’s job is to convert the opportunities that himself and his team create and he’s leaving too many opportunities out there at the moment.
CARLTON
BIG TICK
Nic Newman
The rebounding defender’s season so far has been understated. Newman’s game against Collingwood last week was arguably the best I’d seen him play in what was a high-pressure environment. He’s winning uncontested ball but can also be trusted in contested situations and is Carlton’s leading goal assist player with seven this season – remarkable for a backman.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Zac Williams
When he was at his best at former club GWS, Williams played with real desperation. This season when the ball has been in dispute — particularly at ground level — he doesn’t look desperate enough in an area of the ground where you need to be. At times he’s also getting lost in transition, which is badly exposing his team defensively.
COLLINGWOOD
BIG TICK
Nick Daicos
When people think about this young gun, they immediately think about his skill and decision making when he’s in space. But he hasn’t received due recognition for his hard ball wins and the pressure he is applying. Dacios is the leading contested possession winner at Collingwood and is pressing, smothering and tackling with great intent. He’s far more than a classy outside player.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Jordan De Goey
Yes, he’s currently on the sidelines with a groin issue. But De Goey has played seven games this season without being at his efficient best. The dynamic midfielder hasn’t been able to penetrate the game with his field kicking like he has in the past. His clearance numbers have also dropped. But if he can get himself healthy and back to his best, he could be the cream on the cake for his team.
ESSENDON
BIG TICK
Zach Merrett & Sam Durham
I can’t split these two. We’ve asked for Merrett to kick more goals and he’s doing that, with six majors from his eight games. He’s also averaging 30 disposals, is Essendon’s leading clearance player and has taken his defensive game to another level with his pressure and tackling. Durham has added a hard edge as an accountable midfielder who has taken some big scalps in recent weeks.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Mason Redman
The defender was at his intercepting best last year, reading the play brilliantly. He looks too comfortable this year and is not having the same output. Redman needs to get back to defending with ruthless intent and being an aggressive – but controlled – backman. That’s the version of him that Essendon want – and need.
FREMANTLE
BIG TICK
Josh Treacy
Not a bad rookie draft selection by the Dockers. Still just 21, Treacy’s growth as a player has been stark and Fremantle looks a far better team with a key forward which it can attack through. He’s working up the ground, marking the footy inside 50 and hitting the scoreboard, with 18.3. The team trusts him and Treacy is starting to believe he belongs at the level.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Jaeger O’Meara
He’s started as sub on three occasions and been subbed off in a fourth game. But even when he has come in fresh, O’Meara hasn’t found the rhythm or speed of the game in his midfield role. He’s a player who I expect more from as he is only averaging 11.4 disposals per game. If he wants to be part of a potential September campaign, he needs to impact more than he currently is.
GEELONG
BIG TICK
Gryan Miers & Jeremy Cameron
Another pair who play similar roles in a way and are hard to separate. Both Miers and Cameron act as conduits between defence and attack for the Cats and are great decision makers who, importantly, execute well when going forward. Miers is averaging 22 disposals – midfielder numbers – and ranks elite for score assists and score involvements, while Cameron is averaging 17.8 disposals and has kicked 19 goals.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Rhys Stanley
The ruckman has played six games, but hasn’t been getting it done. He ranks below average for disposals (9.2 a game), hit-outs to advantage (6.5 a game) and clearances (1.8 a game). If Stanley doesn’t get back to his competitive best, the Cats have got a promising young back-up in Toby Conway who will happily take the mantle of being the Cats number one ruckman.
GOLD COAST
BIG TICK
Mac Andrew
Even though he has only played five games this year, I like what I’m seeing from the young key defender. Andrew brings some clarity and composure to the Suns’ backline – despite still being 20 years old. He’s unassuming but confident with his decision making, while his ability to intercept is a key feature of his game. The Suns look to have a gun defender for many years to come.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Jack Lukosius
I’m a big Lukosius fan, but he has been too inconsistent in the early part of the season. He’s been an ultimate swingman for the Suns, spending 64 per cent of his time in defence, 31 per cent forward and five per cent in the ruck. But he hasn’t looked as urgent or effective as I’d expect him to be as a 23-year-old in his sixth season.
GWS
BIG TICK
Jesse Hogan
From where he was to where he is now, Hogan has been some story. He’s averaging career high numbers for forward 50 marks (4.1 a game), forward 50 ground balls (2.4 a game) and one-on-one contest wins (55.6 per cent), while sitting second on the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 24 majors. GWS gave him a chance and he’s repaid the faith in spades.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Toby Greene
The star forward is getting up the ground and using it well on the way back, perhaps playing a slightly different role. But Greene has kicked just 9.9 at accuracy of 32.1 per cent and has gone goalless in three of his seven matches. For the Giants to be a genuine premiership contender, they need more goals than that from their matchwinner.
HAWTHORN
BIG TICK
Jack Scrimshaw
A No. 7 draft pick in 2016, Scrimshaw is finally playing the footy we all expected him to play at the top level. He’s been a great presence in the Hawks’ backline, rolling off his opponent and backing his judgement to impact in the air. Scrimshaw ranks No. 3 in the AFL in his position for both intercept marks and intercept possessions. He is growing in confidence and taking on more responsibility.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Jai Newcombe
The midfielder is such a barometer for his team, but has been a bit off the boil this year and has struggled to impact games through his hardness around stoppages. Defensively Newcombe is still getting to work, averaging 3.5 tackles, but his centre clearances have dropped from 2.7 to 1.5 a game and his score involvements have dipped from 6.4 to 4.9. He’s better than that.
MELBOURNE
BIG TICK
Max Gawn
If he keeps up his form, a seventh All-Australian jacket will be coming Gawn’s way at season’s end. He’s such a consistent performer as a ruckman. He has soft hands to tap the ball to the advantage of his midfielders and understands when and where he is required to impact in the air around the ground. Talk about leading the way as skipper.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Jacob Van Rooyen
I’m mindful that Van Rooyen has just turned 21. However, given what he was able to produce last year, I have high expectations of him. He has shown he is capable of taking strong grabs, but is only averaging 0.5 contested marks this season. His average goals have also dropped from 1.4 to 1.1 this year. For the Demons’ forward line to be a formidable force, they need more from him.
NORTH MELBOURNE
BIG TICK
Tristan Xerri
I love what this young ruckman stands for. He’s a no-fuss player who consistently rolls up his sleeves and competes strongly. Xerri averages 15.5 disposals and has recorded 57 clearances — more than any other ruckman in the competition. His follow-up work is also admirable with his pressure and he has laid 65 tackles this season — 29 more than any other teammate.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Cam Zurhaar
As much as he can be a pinch-hit midfielder, coach Alastair Clarkson needs to play Zurhaar predominantly forward. From there, Zurhaar has to lift his ferocity. He’s feared most when he is getting after the opposition when they win it and he’s most dangerous offensively when he’s hunting forward 50 groundballs. But he has dropped off in both areas this season.
PORT ADELAIDE
BIG TICK
Zak Butters
The onballer is a heart-and-soul, team-orientated player who puts his head down when he has to and very creative with his ball use. He’s got great balance between winning contested ball and uncontested ball and he takes the game on when he’s in space, having had 20 bounces this year. A consistent performer, you know what you will get from him each week.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Todd Marshall
On one hand, Marshall has been a tower of strength. He’s taken 25 forward-50 marks this season — six more than Charlie Dixon. But when you’re marking the footy that much inside 50, you should be getting greater scoreboard return. While he has had seven goal assists, Marshall has managed only 10.9 himself. At 25 years old and with his height and mobility, Marshall should be dominating games more than he is and must force himself to be the number one key forward.
RICHMOND
BIG TICK
Shai Bolton
In a disappointing year for the Tigers, Bolton has been a shining light. He has been super consistent in his output in a team which has been decimated by injury, averaging 18 disposals, 1.9 goals and one score assist as a midfielder-forward. There’s a lot of electricity about him and he should benefit from having a more bed-down role when some troops return.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Dylan Grimes
The former co-captain has always played on edge, but has always been in control. This year, he’s losing control of the contest and is giving away too many free kicks in a critical area of the ground. He’s only played five games, but has given away eight free kicks and is clearly frustrated. He needs to be better for the other young defenders, like Tylar Young and Ben Miller.
ST KILDA
BIG TICK
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
He is providing great energy off halfback, but I’d still like to see the 21-year-old thrown into the middle at some stage. When in defence, he is prepared to take kicks that other’s don’t, setting up positive flow of ball movement or an opportunity to score. In contests, he’s not quite there yet, but he certainly reads the play well and is quickly maturing into a very solid running halfback.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Max King
The key forward hasn’t had great continuity over the past two seasons and has only managed five games so far this year. But he’s in his sixth season so it is reasonable to expect more than what he is delivering right now. King ranks below average for forward 50 marks (1.6 a game) and average for goals (1.4 a game). He’s doing a lot right working up the ground, but that’s not where you want a potential Coleman Medal winner.
SYDNEY
BIG TICK
Isaac Heeney
How’s this for a stat — Heeney has recorded the highest-rated first eight rounds to a season from a midfielder since Gary Ablett in 2010. Clearly injuries to Luke Parker and Callum Mills have created onball opportunity, but credit to Heeney for taking it. He’s not only winning disposals (26.9 a game) and clearances (6.3 a game) in the middle, but is also still kicking goals (1.6 a game) and setting up teammates for others. He’s been outstanding.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Braeden Campbell
The midfielder has only played seven games, starting as the sub in two of those. But he’s averaging only 11 disposals and played VFL last weekend. He’s much better than that. Campbell has got a weapon – which is his leg – but he needs to work to find more of the footy so that he can impact games with his ball use. Unless he lifts, it won’t be easy for him to get back in this side.
WEST COAST
BIG TICK
Elliot Yeo
Unfortunately he’s been hit with another groin injury. But before that came about last week, Yeo had been back to his form of the premiership season in 2018. He has been at his bullish best winning contested possessions and clearances and has been complementing Harley Reid brilliantly. All successful clubs have a one-two punch in the midfield and the Eagles need Yeo and Reid to be theirs going forward.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Jack Darling
The key forward has been better in recent weeks, but his early-season form was horrific. The young Eagles need the veteran to continue his upward spiral of the past four weeks and be more consistent in his output, particularly while Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen are on the sidelines.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
BIG TICK
Marcus Bontempelli
Where would the Bulldogs be without the Bont? He is the glue holding this club together, though his leadership, on-field performance and support for under-pressure coach Luke Beveridge. He’s a captain that you would love to play under and he’s the only player in the AFL to rate elite for goals, score assists and score involvements. Enough said.
NEEDS TO LIFT
Rory Lobb
The Bulldogs invested heavily in this forward-ruck, but he’s a yoyo at the moment – in one week and out the next. He needs to find his groove and become a more consistent performer to push his case for regular selection. If the Dogs persist with Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy forward, along with Tim English in the ruck, Lobb is not getting a game. Therefore he might be searching for opportunity at a fourth AFL club at season’s end.
MICK’S HOT TAKES
GOOD
Collingwood’s reaction to Lachie Sullivan’s first AFL goal last week. The displays of emotion from Nick Daicos and Craig McRae on the boundary line were priceless and epitomised this team’s connection. They want to celebrate moments and they do it so well. It was arguably a turning point in the game.
BAD
Gold Coast. The Suns were simply bullied by big brother Brisbane last week. At what stage are they going to step up and say, ‘We’re a legitimate finals contender’? They had a chance to put a stake in the ground against the Lions and failed miserably with a dispirited and uncompetitive display.
UGLY
Western Bulldogs. This team has no bite. They were outworked and out-muscled by Hawthorn last Sunday in a concerning performance. The Dogs are too easy to play against and unless they tighten the screws defensively and bring some better pressure around the ground, things could get even uglier over the next four weeks.
AFL Rich 100: The biggest boom and bust contacts revealed
It’s all about finding value where you can, and while some clubs are doing that well, others are struggling, paying high-price for little reward. Check out the AFL’s biggest boom and bust deals.
AFL star facing surgery for fractured skull
The Geelong veteran requires surgery for a scary fractured skull after sustaining the injury competing in the VFL on Saturday.