It was a big round of footy and there were important storylines across the weekend.
We have selected one positive and one negative from the Round 16 performance of each of the 18 clubs.
See our thoughts below:
Positive: Youngsters stand up
Despite going down to Brisbane by 52 points, there were some positive signs for Adelaide.
Developing defenders Jordon Butts and Nick Murray were singled out for praise by coach Matthew Nicks in the aftermath.
The Lions key forwards of Joe Daniher, Dan McStay and Eric Hipwood were restricted to four goals between them of their side’s 17, highlighting the performances of the defensive duo.
After a quiet month or so, Lachlan Sholl rediscovered his best form with 28 disposals - his second best career return - and a team-high 11 intercepts.
Negative: Overpowered late, Tex injury
The Crows made a nuisance of themselves for most of Saturday afternoon against the eventually superior Lions.
At one stage in the third quarter, they were within striking distance of Brisbane but conceded eight of the last nine goals, including seven in a row.
Unfortunately, that has been a bit of a trend of their season.
Veteran forward Taylor Walker suffered a nasty neck injury as well to further dampen the defeat.
After sliding into a contest, his head hit Daniel Rich’s hip, and he ended up being subbed out of the game.
It’s never a nice sight seeing a player cop a head knock like the one Tex received and hopefully he doesn’t miss much, if any, footy.
Andrew Slevison
Positive: Zac Bailey consolidates leap
After bursting out of the blocks to start the season, many were calling Zac Bailey the breakout player of the competition.
David King and Andy Maher led those calls, and it didn’t take long for the Bailey bandwagon to get rolling as he emerged as one of the most dangerous half-forwards in the competition.
While he was finding his groove as a dangerous type around goals, he may have taken another jump in recent weeks as a genuine midfielder.
With Lachie Neale a late out, Bailey was given more on-ball responsibilities and he delivered with a three-goal, 26-disposal performance.
Increased midfield time resulted in career highs in contested possessions (15) and clearances (9), and his outing even had Mark Ricciuto describe him as a “superstar of the competition” on Fox Footy.
With his early season form now consolidated, Bailey looms as one of Brisbane’s key pieces heading into finals.
The kid is a genuine star.
Negative: Jarrod Berry’s lacklustre return
While it was his first AFL appearance in 11 weeks after injuring his groin, Jarrod Berry would have been hoping for more than his four-disposal game.
Granted, the Lions won comfortably, and the midfield held sway over Adelaide, but there’s no doubt Berry has dropped off since 2020.
While injury has been his main concern, there was no rush to get him back in the senior side despite him being ready to go for multiple weeks.
With Lachie Neale set to walk back into the on-ball brigade after being a late out on Saturday, it could be Berry that faces the axe ahead of their clash with St Kilda this week.
He’ll be hoping for at least one more opportunity at the senior level to try and recapture what he was able to produce last season.
Lachlan Geleit
Positive: Paddy Dow delivers
Carlton has been crying out for Paddy Dow to become the clearance winning on-baller we saw in the first half against Fremantle.
Dow had 16 disposals to half-time including six clearances in the first quarter alone, setting up the Blues’ win.
He only had the six touches after the main break, but the 21-year-old showed what the future could hold for him once he puts all the pieces together and builds greater fitness.
Matthew Kennedy has also had a strong fortnight and should continue to be backed in an on-ball role.
Negative: Tom De Koning not quite ready
Tom De Koning looks like a star ruckman of the future and was impressive last week one-out again Reilly O’Brien, but he didn’t have the strength to match Sean Darcy this week.
Darcy was the dominant player on the ground and a big part of Freo’s clearance control.
The Blues were forced to bench De Koning for the majority of the final quarter, instead going with the bigger bodied Levi Casboult to try and limit Darcy.
With Marc Pittonet injured, De Koning will have to continue to hold up the ruck load and it will be a good learning experience for the 21-year-old.
Nic Negrepontis
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Positive: De Goey doubles down
After collecting a career-high 32 disposals against Melbourne on Queen’s Birthday, Jordan De Goey matched that figure in Collingwood’s loss to St Kilda in Round 16.
The dynamic 25-year-old has played more midfield minutes in recent weeks, and his second straight strong performance as an on-baller should fill him with confidence that he can be a permanent fixture in the middle.
De Goey has shown glimpses of superstardom for the Magpies in recent years, both as a full-forward and explosive midfielder, but the key knock on him has always been consistency.
We heard over the pre-season that De Goey wanted his role to resemble that of Melbourne’s Christian Petracca and Richmond’s Dustin Martin, and he’s starting to get there in terms of time split in the centre and inside 50.
While he’s not near that duo’s level in terms of impact and consistency, he’s certainly trending upwards and there’s no doubt he has the talent to be one of the competition’s best players.
Collingwood fans will be hoping this is the juncture in De Goey’s career where he starts to realise his potential. His next month of football could be the most critical in where his career heads from this point forward.
Negative: More of the same
There was a different man in charge, but Collingwood’s first three quarters looked exactly like the frustrating, dour Magpies side that ultimately led to Nathan Buckley’s downfall.
The Magpies looked to have no dare with ball in hand and weren’t willing to take the game on as the Saints continued to extend their lead.
With nothing to lose in the final term, the Magpies hit the go button and suddenly the game opened up for them and they almost worked their way back into it.
As one of Buckley’s right-hand men for a better part of a decade it makes sense that there wouldn’t be radical change under Robert Harvey, but Pies fans would have been hoping to see something a little different.
While Harvey has had limited time to implement any new game style he has in mind, at this stage, it looks like Collingwood will see out the 2021 season in the same way it started.
Lachlan Geleit
Positive: Darcy Parish
Parish’s blistering 2021 season continued on Friday night, registering a stunning 43 disposals in Essendon’s loss against Geelong.
On the back of his best on ground performance, he’s added the Tom Wills Award to his Yiooken Award and ANZAC Day Medal as his game continues to go from strength to strength.
Parish is badly in need of midfield support at the Bombers and should only get better once the likes of Andrew McGrath, Dylan Shiel and Jye Caldwell return to the Dons lineup.
Negative: Not being able to curb momentum
Essendon got off to the perfect start against the Cats when kicking the first four goals, but were well beaten by the end of the night.
It’s not the first time we’ve mentioned this so far this season, but a key learning for the Bombers this year has been their inability to stunt momentum when opponents have the upper hand.
On a damp and cold night at the Cattery, Ben Rutten’s side gave up eight goals in a second-quarter Geelong burst which ultimately proved to be the difference.
It’s largely the product of being a young side, but it’s an area in which Essendon will have to improve if they are to be a finals threat in the coming years.
Laurence Rosen
Positive: Sean Darcy
Sean Darcy nearly single-handedly flipped the club’s loss to Carlton.
His stoppage dominance gave the midfield group first opportunity and his control only grew as the game went on.
Darcy finished with 40 hit-outs, eight marks, 20 disposals, six clearances and a goal.
He continues to prove he is among the game’s best ruckmen.
Negative: Shooting themselves in the foot
Fremantle has no one to blame but themselves for their inaccuracy in front of goal.
It has been an issue for them all season and once again it cost them a chance to flip a result.
Carlton was the better team for the majority of the evening, but could have been behind on the scoreboard if the Dockers had taken their chances.
Instead of being inside the top eight right now, Fremantle remains on the outside and shouldn’t be pointing the finger anywhere else.
Nic Negrepontis
Positive: Senior guys stand up
It was a fantastic night for Geelong’s senior brigade, led by forward Tom Hawkins who kicked a game-high six goals.
Matched up against James Stewart, the Dons forward-turned-defender was well beaten on the night, although he wasn’t helped by just how slick the delivery inside Geelong’s forward 50 was.
After a less than impressive start, it was Hawkins’ potency and ability to take full advantage on the scoreboard which sert him apart.
Patrick Dangerfield produced his best performance of the season after a slow return following an ankle injury.
He had 37 touches, 11 clearances, 11 marks and eight inside 50s in a superb display and hopefully for the Cats, a sign of things to come.
Negative: Another Jeremy Cameron injury setback
Seen pre-game undergoing some form of fitness test, Cameron took the field and kicked three goals before ending the night with ice on his hamstring.
Geelong later on Monday confirmed he has suffered a recurrence of an hamstring injury, with the club still unable to provide a timeline on when he may be back.
It’s a crushing blow for the star recruit, especially at a time where he would’ve been hoping to build a solid block of games before the finals.
The Cats will be hoping he’s back fit and firing in time for the finals, the question now is just how many games he will miss.
Laurence Rosen
Positive: Stunned the reigning premiers
In one of the upsets of the season, Gold Coast stunned Richmond in prime time on Thursday night.
The Suns outworked and outplayed the reigning premiers to record a deserved 10-point win at Marvel Stadium, dominating the inside 50 count (64-42) and finishing with 10 more scoring shots.
Ben King moved up to fourth in the Coleman Medal race with four goals, including the sealer deep in the final quarter, while Touk Miller further enhanced his reputation with 36 disposals.
The shock win over the Tigers snapped a run of three straight defeats to ease the pressure on coach Stuart Dew.
Can the Suns bring that same intensity against the Giants this weekend?
Negative: Inaccurate goalkicking
The Suns threatened to kick themselves out of the contest.
Gold Coast squandered several gettable opportunities, kicking 2.7 in the first quarter before finishing with 10 goals from 27 scoring shots.
Dew’s side dominated in general play but dangerously let Richmond off the hook by not converting their chances in front of the big sticks.
Ben Ainsworth (1.4), Izak Rankine (1.2) and Jeremy Sharp (1.2) were off target for the Suns.
Alex Zaia
Positive: Boy, did they bounce back
This column identified GWS’ Round 16 clash with Melbourne as the perfect chance to bounce back.
The Giants had just lost to Hawthorn at the MCG last weekend and were in need of a massive test to right some wrongs.
That they absolutely did.
It was a hard-fought encounter in tough conditions but the Giants showed some true grit to pull off arguably their biggest win of the season over the pre-round ladder leaders.
Now they are in the eight and have a springboard into the finals with a handy draw for the remainder of the season.
Additionally, captain Stephen Coniglio and key forward Jesse Hogan returned in the VFL/East Coast league on the weekend, further strengthening Leon Cameron’s plans.
Negative: Another injury
Just as he was taking consistent steps forward as a promising key defender, Jack Buckley copped an ACL injury.
It’s yet another major blow for the Giants who have been hit hard in 2021.
The 23-year-old was playing his 15th game of the season when he went down early against the Demons.
He will now be sidelined for a lengthy spell just as he was hitting his straps as a lockdown backman with intercept qualities.
Andrew Slevison
Positive: The build up to Shaun Burgyone’s 400th
Hawthorn did a magnificent job across the week promoting the fifth player to ever play 400 games.
The celebration of Shaun Burgoyne’s accomplishment was everything it needed to be and the club deserves credit for that.
On the field however, they were no match for Port Adelaide.
Coming off a strong run of form, it’s not unexpected for a young team to drop away against a quality team.
Negative: The first half
Despite the occasion, the Hawks were slow out of the blocks and before they knew it, the game was over.
Hawthorn kicked one goal in a half of footy, while Port Adelaide booted eight.
The Power were able to cruise to the finish line from there, while the Hawks found their mojo to an extent and nearly made a contest of it.
Nic Negrepontis
Positive: Fritsch fires despite defeat
Not many positives to report here after a disappointing defeat to the Giants, but Bayley Fritsch once again stood up in Melbourne’s forward 50.
Fritsch kicked three goals and he was his side’s most likely avenue to scoring, continuing his stellar run of recent form.
The Dees have plenty to sort out in the forward line to fix their somewhat of a lean patch in the last few weeks, but in Fritsch they have a consistent and dependable performer.
Negative: Forward line woes once again
It’s becoming a bit of a recurring theme in the last few weeks, but the Dees have issues to solve in their forward line.
The fix isn’t as straightforward as it seems, with the natural inclusion in Ben Brown going goalless for Casey in the VFL on the weekend.
Sam Weideman kicked three goals and is likely to play against Port Adelaide on Thursday night, but he’s struggled somewhat this year to play consistent enough football at AFL level to be a reliable option.
Just who they decide to go with in the forward line this weekend remains one of the great intrigues heading into Round 17.
Laurence Rosen
Positive: Staying competitive with the Dogs
We all know what happened last time these two teams met. The Roos melted faster than an Easter bunny left in the sun as Josh Bruce and the Dogs belted them off the park.
North Melbourne showed how far they have come in a short period of time, staying with the Bulldogs on Sunday for four quarters.
While they were never necessarily a chance to pinch the game, they held their own, outside of having an answer for Cody Weightman.
Negative: Laying 37 tackles
North Melbourne was unable to apply a great deal of pressure to the fast-moving Western Bulldogs, laying 37 tackles total.
They only laid three tackles inside 50 for the season, compared to the Dogs’ 13.
Ben Cunnington did his job, laying seven tackles for the game, but no other Roo finished with more than three.
Nic Negrepontis
Positive: Fast start spoils Burgoyne’s 400th
Port Adelaide’s clinical first half paved the way for a comfortable 34-point win over Hawthorn on Saturday night.
In Shaun Burgoyne’s 400th game, the match was basically over as a contest at half-time.
A run of nine consecutive goals from the first quarter to the start of third saw the Power at once stage hold a 48-point lead, before the Hawks rallied late to cut the final margin.
Brownlow Medal contender Ollie Wines racked up 43 disposals for the second time this season to go with 13 clearances and 602 metres gained.
Charlie Dixon wreaked havoc up forward with four goals.
Negative: Youngster’s season appears over
Kane Farrell’s season appears over after suffering a suspected ACL injury against the Hawks.
The Port Adelaide youngster was subbed out in the first quarter after hyperextending his right knee with the club fearing the worst for the 23-year-old.
“Unfortunately, it looks like Kane’s done some serious knee damage. We don’t know yet, but we suspect it will be an ACL,” coach Ken Hinkley told reporters post-game.
“It’s a real tragedy because he’s made some great strides this year as a young player.”
Farrell comes out of contract at the end of the season.
Alex Zaia
Positive: Lynch return
Richmond has been crying out for the return of Tom Lynch.
After missing four matches with a knee injury, he was back in action against Gold Coast as the Tigers went down by 10 points.
Despite the defeat suffered, Lynch made an instant impact against his former club, kicking five goals and taking six marks (five contested).
The performance was rated as “elite” by coach Damien Hardwick and was much-needed on a night where very little else went right for the Tigers.
Negative: Houli injury, long way back
We didn’t think it could get worse after the Round 15 loss to St Kilda, but somehow it did.
The reigning premiers were in desperate need of a win and they even received a little bump when the match was transferred from Metricon Stadium to Melbourne’s Marvel.
But it all went horribly wrong as they were beaten by the Suns who themselves had lost three on the trot prior.
Perhaps Metricon may have suited better?
To pour salt on their wounds, veteran half-back Bachar Houli was struck down by a syndesmosis injury - the third to a defender within a week after Noah Balta and Nathan Broad were crocked the weekend prior.
The Tigers now find themselves outside the eight and with more injury worries may just find it a bridge too far to get back.
But we have written them off before…
Andrew Slevison
Positive: Steele stars to ignite finals hopes
St Kilda’s finals hopes looked all but dashed after their gut-wrenching loss to Adelaide.
Fast forward three weeks, the Saints sit just two points outside the top eight after back-to-back wins over Richmond and Collingwood.
Sunday’s nine-point victory over the Magpies was set up by a dominant opening three quarters with skipper Jack Steele starring with 36 disposals 14 tackles and eight clearances.
Luke Dunstan (27 and 10 clearances) continued his recent resurgence, while Brad Hill (30 and 710 metres gained) set the tone early.
An acid test against the in-form Brisbane Lions awaits.
Negative: Survived late scare
Whether it’s complacency or a lack of fitness, St Kilda’s final quarter fade outs have become a concern.
The Saints led by 43 points at three-quarter time and had the foot on Collingwood’s throat with the chance to give their percentage a much-needed boost.
But just like recent matches against North Melbourne and the Crows, Brett Ratten’s side were comprehensively beaten in the final quarter, outscored five goals to zero by the Magpies to survive a late scare.
St Kilda lack a ruthless edge and a killer instinct when they have their opponents on the ropes.
Not finishing off Collingwood cost them valuable percentage.
Alex Zaia
Positive: Hitting form at the right time
There were just about no negatives for the Swans in Round 16.
That’s a pretty obvious statement after a 92-point win, but literally every aspect of their game clicked as they dismantled a clueless West Coast.
It was undoubtably their best effort of the season, and perhaps the most pleasing aspect for coach John Longmire would be that it happened at this stage of the campaign.
The young Swans outfit would be forgiven for starting the season well and dropping off, but their win showed a maturity and killer instinct that should see them challenge the top sides in September.
Hitting their straps now with seven weeks remaining has been around the point where premiership sides of recent years have started to find top form.
While it’s probably too early to call the Swans a genuine flag threat, on this form, they’ll scare any team in a finals showdown.
The Bulldogs await this week. Win there, and we’ll genuinely start to believe in this impressive young outfit.
Negative: Swans defence will need an extra run at training
With the Eagles scoring just 26 points on Sunday, Sydney’s defence might need more conditioning to be match-fit for this week’s game.
Obviously, we’re just kidding. The Swans’ defence was elite as the Eagles had just 11 shots at goal from 40 inside 50s.
There’s no negatives from this game for John Longmire’s side.
Move on, nothing to see here.
Lachlan Geleit
Positive: They can’t fool themselves any longer
Eagle eyes were on a top four position after a rousing Round 13 win over Richmond, having come from 22 points down in the final term to record their eighth victory of the season in front of 50,834.
Josh Kennedy kicked four, stand-in skipper Nic Naitanui was a whirlwind and Elliot Yeo shook off a groin injury to notch 10 disposals, seven clearances and eight inside 50s in the final term.
This was it, right? The break West Coast needed, after the first half of the season was impacted by injuries to Yeo, Luke Shuey, Jeremy McGovern and more. “When we get them back…”
Since then, with a near-full complement of talent, the Eagles have been savaged by the Western Bulldogs in the contest, and cut up by the Swans on the outside.
Even if another home elimination final eventuates, by now West Coast must know the composition of their team and their approach need to be ripped up and re-seeded.
Negative: The possession game has fallen apart
Poor execution created headaches on both ends for West Coast, with their disposal efficiency down five per cent on their season average.
The Swans piled on 73 points from turnovers, while the Eagles, unable to pick their way through, scored just 13 points.
More than poor kicking, which can be chalked up to a blip, or unfamiliar conditions, West Coast gave away field position from the contest.
Adam Simpson’s side lost the contested possession count by just five, but they were cooked in space. The Swans notched 78 more uncontested possessions, chaining out with ease.
At their best, West Coast were efficient with their running and positioning, and trusted each other to execute and make the ground smaller for the opposition and bigger for themselves.
That trust and placement has deserted them. On Sunday, 11 of the Swans’ first 13 goals came from the corridor, telling the tale of their structural collapse.
It isn’t always the case that they aren’t working hard. The glue has just dissolved.
Nathan John
Positive: Another outbreak of Cody-19
Cody Weightman has kicked at least a goal in each game since he returned to the team in Round 9, and on Sunday evening, he put together his most impressive performance since.
With the Roos conscious of key forwards Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce, Luke Beveridge isolated Weightman, who stands 177cm, with his opponent deep in the Dogs’ forward line.
The 20-year-old kicked three in the first quarter, each from set shots earned on the lead. Twinkle-toed with a sublime snap, he is beginning to command respect in the air as well.
There will be ructions elsewhere in the Dogs’ forward line, with Naughton to miss the meeting with Sydney next weekend under concussion protocols.
Mitch Hannan will face scrutiny for his spot too, with Mitch Wallis having kicked three in his first full appearance since Round 2, and first ruck Stef Martin will soon return and see Tim English go forward.
As for Weightman, his smirk and his shock of hair? They’re here to stay, and the Bulldogs are more rounded up forward and more fun for it.
Negative: It was a punishing watch
The absence of Martin pulsated through this match, as Todd Goldstein and Tristan Xerri gobbled up 43 hit-outs, more than the Dogs’ combined 25.
With extractor Ben Cunnington regularly at the drop with the strength to create separation on his opponent, the Roos were able to challenge a stronger rotation.
If there were to be a replication of the Good Friday slaughter, it had to come from ball movement, but it was all a little off-key for the Dogs.
Players equivocated, turning into danger rather than trusting the exit, and made poor decisions by foot.
The numbers read okay - they turned it over eight fewer times than their season average - but the game was played at a more languid pace than we’ve seen.
Naughton’s concussion was a low point. He may have to show more discernment when the ball comes his way, as breathtaking as his attempts can be.
Nathan John