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It’s the last Round of the home and away season and each team has something to play for – no matter where they are on the AFL ladder. Here are the players who can be the difference and influence their team’s finish to the regular season.
Jordan De Goey was sorely missed by Collingwood in their loss to Brisbane. He has averaged the most clearances per game of any Collingwood player with 5.59. Along with that De Goey has averaged the second most contested possessions per game of any Collingwood player with 10.35. He is a player that Collingwood need to bring good form into finals and Round 24 against an Essendon team that will be looking to bounce back from a big loss to GWS.
Jordan De Goey. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Hawthorn v Fremantle
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Hawthorn
Luke Breust is a player that goes about his business quietly, but keeping him on the Hawthorn list in season 2023 has proved a masterstroke. Having kicked 45 goals in 20 games, nine more than the next best Hawthorn player in Mitch Lewis. Along with that, Breust has averaged 5.20 score involvements per game and will prove tough for Fremantle to match up against.
Fremantle
Caleb Serong has to perform to his optimum level in order for Fremantle to be competitive. In Round 23 against Port Adelaide he finished with the most clearances (11) and contested possessions (19) of any player on the ground. In Round 24 against Hawthorn it may well be that he gets tagged by Finn Maginness, which Serong will need to work through.
Tarryn Thomas is a talented player, but ability only gets a player so far and he’s now starting to bring a good work rate. His performance in Round 23 against Richmond is the template for him if he wants to be an elite AFL player; Thomas had five clearances to go with 708 metres gained, a couple of goals, 12 score involvements and four intercept possessions. In Round 24, Gold Coast need to restrict the influence he has on the game.
Gold Coast
Jarrod Witts must lead from the front as he should control the ruck battle against Tristan Xerri and Todd Goldstein. Witts should be looking to win that battle in order for Gold Coast to win against North Melbourne. It’s a game which may lift their morale for the 2024 preseason if they’re able to win it – but they’re also on display now for new coach Damien Hardwick. He is a player that deserves more credit as Witts leads by example.
Brisbane v St Kilda
Brisbane
Zac Bailey is a pivotal part of the Brisbane system, as he is a player with plenty of x-factor. He may have only kicked 26 goals in 20 games, but has averaged the equal second most score involvements per game of any Brisbane player with 6.00 and he can pinch hit in the midfield.
St Kilda
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Rowan Marshall is in the mix for a spot in the All-Australian team and will be in the squad of 40. He is almost like an extra midfielder as he has averaged 19.91 disposals per game to go with 27 hitouts per game. There’s no disputing Marshall is the player St Kilda could least afford to lose. He should expose Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney around the ground in Round 24.
Rowan Marshall. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Geelong v Western Bulldogs
Geelong
Tom Atkins is a player that appreciates his spot in the Geelong team and plays accordingly. He has averaged the fourth most tackles per game of any player in the AFL in season 2023 with 7.59. Given Mark Blicavs is out through injury, Atkins could get the job of curtailing the influence of Marcus Bontempelli when Geelong take on Western Bulldogs.
Western Bulldogs
Ed Richards has averaged the most intercepts per game of any Western Bulldogs player in season 2023 with 6.83 in 19 games. He will need to be at his best against Geelong as he may be up against Tyson Stengle and Gryan Miers at times. Richards finished with the second most metres gained of any player on the field against West Coast in Round 23 with 537. At his best he provides plenty of run and Geelong should find it tough to negate him.
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West Coast v Adelaide
West Coast
Jeremy McGovern is a player West Coast need fit and injury free; he had the most intercept possessions of any West Coast player against Western Bulldogs with nine and used the ball well with a disposal efficiency of 90.9 per cent. He will be needed to curtail the impact that Taylor Walker has on the game against Adelaide in Round 24.
Adelaide
Matt Crouch is a player that was in ripping form in the SANFL and was made to earn his spot by Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks. He has been a revelation since coming back into the Adelaide team in Round 19; It appears as if he is out to prove a point that he belongs at AFL level, as he has had at least five tackles per game. He could go head-to-head with Tim Kelly.
Port Adelaide v Richmond
Port Adelaide
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Zak Butters is one of the Brownlow Medal favourites for a reason, because he has been in outstanding form. Round 24 against Richmond may well decide whether Butters wins the Brownlow. He has averaged the most score involvements per game of any Port Adelaide player with 6.91.
Richmond
Dustin Martin is back playing his best footy; he kicked three goals to go with 11 score involvements and five intercept possessions against North Melbourne. In what may be his last game for Richmond, Dusty should be hungry to play his best footy so Richmond can cause an unlikely upset.
Max Gawn. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Sydney v Melbourne
Sydney
Errol Gulden is in good form; he leads by example and is almost a certainty to be selected on the wing in the All-Australian team. He had five score involvements and seven intercept possessions and accumulated 30 disposals in Round 23 against Adelaide, which indicates his good form. It will be interesting as to whether Melbourne choose to tag him or if they allow him to run free.
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Melbourne
Max Gawn could expose Tom Hickey in the ruck when Melbourne take on Sydney in Round 24. In Round 23 when Sydney played against Adelaide, Reilly O’Brien had 49 hit-outs compared with Hickey’s 21. Gawn should prove to be a tough player for Hickey to curtail as Gawn is a great leader and competitor.
Carlton v GWS
Carlton
Nic Newman could get the job of curtailing the influence of Toby Greene and has the potential to hurt GWS with his ball use. In season 2023 Newman can no longer be regarded as underrated as he has been instrumental in the Blues’ playing finals, given he has improved the defensive side of his game and the fact he can use the ball well.
GWS
Jesse Hogan finally got reward for effort as he kicked nine goals in Round 23; he outscored Essendon! He will prove to be a tough match up for Jacob Weitering in Round 24; Hogan will be looking to kick goals, but first and foremost he needs to make a contest and bring the ball to ground for the GWS crumbers.
