What are the key takeaways and observations relating to your club in Round 13?
We have dissected each of the matches and offered a number of talking points for all 18 clubs.
The following will not apply to each club every week but form the basis of our views.
The Key Takeaway
The Undroppables
The Overreaction
The Positive
The Negative
What no one is talking about
What they need to tweak for next week
The Key Takeaway: A mesmerizing 10 goals
Taylor Walker in his 250th was primed for a big game. That was a given.
But 10 majors and the performance of the season was something we didn’t see coming. Walker booted seven goals in the first half, forcing Adam Simpson to deploy his best forward, Oscar Allen down the other end of the ground.
But under the weight of the onslaught, Walker wasn’t to be stopped.
The fact he enjoyed six inside 50s and a further five score involvements to his 12 scoring shots is another credit to Walker in turning down the 15 goals that was likely on offer had he played out of the goal square.
The Positive: A massive percentage booster
Adelaide’s percentage grew by 11.3 per cent courtesy of the 122-point win, putting them above the Bombers and just shy of Essendon and St Kilda, both of which are only one game clear of the Crows.
Matthew Nicks’ men have now booted the second-most points overall in 2023 and hold the seventh-best percentage.
But to now be well clear of the Bulldogs’ percentage in eighth is a major win for Adelaide going into the back half of the season.
Seb Mottram
The Overreaction: Lions can’t win it all with MCG hoodoo
A 13th defeat in 14 goes at the MCG, this time against a team entrenched in the bottom four.
It doesn’t read well for the Brisbane Lions and it’s only going to fire up the premiership doubters once again.
But Chris Fagan’s men have proved they can do it on the big stage when knocking off the Demons in a MCG semi-final, a motivation that’s sure to stand the test of a loss to Hawthorn for the Lions players.
The loss to Hawthorn is the more concerning element, not the ground it occurred at.
Nevertheless, it can all be just a blip if they wipe Sydney off the park at the Gabba on Friday night.
What they need to tweak for next week: Contested ball
To be well beaten by a young side in contested ball is nothing less than poor from Brisbane.
The average Lions player on the ground had 50 games more experience than his Hawthorn opponent, while they were also two years older.
So to be beaten in contested ball in that context, effort can be the only reason.
But it’s an area of Brisbane’s game that hasn’t been at premiership level all year, and one they’ll look to hone in on in the back half of the year.
If they hadn’t traded for Josh Dunkley in the off-season, a midfielder currently averaging a career-high 14.1 contested possessions per game, the situation would be even more dire.
Seb Mottram
The Key Takeaway: Carlton’s goal kicking has sunk their season
3.10 at half-time against Essendon. 2.5 at half-time against Melbourne. 4.8 at half-time against Sydney (and then 6.12 at 3QT), 5.10 at three-quarter-time against Collingwood and 1.4 at half-time against the Western Bulldogs.
Combine Carlton’s inaccuracy in front of goal to their general low scoring over the last few months and all it takes is a run of two or three goals from the opposition to break the Blues.
This happened early in the third quarter against Essendon and ultimately led to the game completely swinging against the Blues.
The system, leading up to the shot for goal, appears to be working to an extent.
The Overreaction: Patrick Cripps in career worst form
If Patrick Cripps wasn’t the captain of Carlton and wasn’t the reigning Brownlow Medallist, he would be in danger of being omitted from this Carlton team.
He is being comfortably beaten around the ball by his opponents, struggling to find the ball himself and having no impact around stoppages.
The Blues are getting smashed around the ball and were dominated by an Essendon midfield in the second half led by young players and Cripps ultimately had no impact.
Is he playing through injury? The Carlton injury report certainly won’t tell us.
Regardless, Cripps’ lack of impact is incredibly worrying for the Blues.
Nic Negrepontis
The Key Takeaway: Un-Collingwood-like performance
While the Magpies only went down by four points on King’s Birthday, they probably shouldn’t have been near as close when the final siren rung out.
Looking at the team sheets of both sides, it was understandable that Melbourne were able to dominate the contest and be strong behind the ball but Collingwood were nowhere near their best.
Simple errors with ball in hand and constantly losing the ground ball were so unlike what we’re used to from the Magpies across the last 12 months.
Perhaps it was a one-off game, but Collingwood barely gave themselves a chance for most of the match with how disconnected they looked.
We’ll give them a mulligan for this performance considering they’ve banked so many results already, but they’d want to bounce back quickly to stay in front of the chasing pack.
The Negative: De Goey’s absence is going to be felt
While Collingwood aren’t a team that relies on one superstar, it was clear on Monday that Jordan De Goey’s suspension is going to seriously hurt.
Up against the bigger bodies of Jack Viney and Christian Petracca on-ball, Collingwood were seemingly monstered at the contest and they often looked small up against the size of the Demons.
In the lead-up SEN’s David King suggested his absence could cost the Magpies four goals and it genuinely felt like that on King’s Birthday with the side well short of their best.
He’ll miss both the Round 15 game against Adelaide and the Round 16 game against Gold Coast, they’d hate to lose another tight one in that upcoming fortnight and think to themselves that De Goey could have made the difference.
What they need to tweak for next week: Marking inside 50
While the Demons have one of the competition’s strongest aerial backlines, Collingwood would have been disappointed to only take seven marks inside 50 in Monday’s loss.
Brody Mihocek competed but was wasteful, while Collingwood’s other tall Ash Johnson was a non-factor and eventually subbed out of the game.
Thankfully the Magpies have Dan McStay returning, because they simply won’t win many games taking only just more than a handful of set shots.
They take the week off in Round 14, but it wouldn’t surprise to see some moves in this area at selection.
Lachlan Geleit
The Key Takeaway: Peter Wright’s welcome return
It’s easy to forget that for half the season, Essendon had been missing their reigning best and fairest winner and spearhead forward in Peter Wright.
After shoulder surgery on the eve of the season, Wright hadn’t play a senior game all season before Sunday night’s triumphant return against Carlton.
While the Blues’ poor kicking was the story, Wright kicking five goals straight landed up being the difference in the match. Where Carlton stuttered in front of goal, Wright took his opportunities.
The Bombers will look a vastly different up forward with him back in the side.
The Negative: Riding their luck
In a different set of circumstances where Carlton takes their chances in the first half, they hold a four or five goal lead at the main break and the game most likely would’ve played out in vastly different circumstances.
Essendon has done well to cover the absence of three first-choice midfielders in Dylan Shiel, Darcy Parish and Will Setterfield, but still have plenty of work to do to try and nullify their stoppage issues.
The Bombers went minus 14 on inside 50s – against a team like Carlton, it didn’t really make a difference but with a testing month again, they’ll need to win more of the ball at the source as they development under Brad Scott continues.
Laurence Rosen
The Overreaction: Jye Amiss is the next Pavlich
When your club drafts a key forward inside the top 10, your hope is always that they turn into the linchpin of your forward line for a decade.
Jye Amiss might just be that. He has kicked 15 goals since Round 8 and become a reliable goal kicking presence inside 50.
It’s worth remembering that he is still 19 and has a ton of development left in front of him, but the sky is the limit.
The Positive: Nathan Fyfe finding some form
Nathan Fyfe is working his way into the season nicely after an injury interrupted start.
He has now played five straight games and had a season-best effort against the Tigers with 17 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances.
The question will be how Fremantle utilises the Brownlow Medallist as he continues to find his legs, given he is still best suited to a midfield role.
Nic Negrepontis
BYE
BYE
The Key Takeaway: ‘Run of the mill’ Toby is still ridiculous
GWS coach Adam Kingsley described captain Toby Greene’s performance against North Melbourne as “just stock Toby” and “run of the mill”.
The superstar kicked two of his three goals in the third quarter - one a nice volley in the goal square - as the Giants booted five goals to break away from the Roos in Tassie.
Greene also had 24 disposals, six inside 50s and five clearances in yet another match-winning display.
Even when Greene is ordinary, he is still quite ridiculous.
The Undroppables: Callum Brown
He has been in and out of the team over the last three years, but Callum Brown may have just found a niche.
The Irishman was played across half-forward and it worked to perfection as he banged home three goals, including two in the first quarter when North were mounting a challenge.
In his 16-game career to date, Brown has been tried mainly in defence with some bit-part roles up forward.
Perhaps floating across the top of the 50 and using his lethal, booming kick is the recipe.
The Positive(s): Big Briggs’ form, Bedford backs up, cavalry is coming
Kieren Briggs was considered by many to be the third-choice Giants ruckman at the beginning of the season.
But with Braydon Preuss still sidelined and Matthew Flynn recently demoted to the VFL, Briggs has stepped up and made the position his own.
He landed nine coaches voets for his showing against the Roos which saw him finish with 20 hit-outs, 16 touches, a game-high eight clearances and seven tackles.
That follows on from his 30 hit-out, six-clearance, two-goal showing against Richmond in Round 12.
Briggs’ presence around the contest has been immense in recent weeks and he has been a major find for the Giants.
Off-season recruit Toby Bedford also impressed for a second week in a row after a nice game against the Tigers in Round 12.
He had 17 disposals, six tackles and kicked two goals against the Kangas in another promising showing.
The cavalry is coming.
Sam Taylor, Isaac Cumming, Josh Kelly and Jacob Wehr are all expected to return against Fremantle this weekend.
What nobody is talking about: Plucky Giants
The Giants have been more than competitive in almost all of their games in 2023.
Aside from their 65-point loss to Collingwood in Round 9, they haven’t been beaten by more 21 points.
Their eight defeats have been by 19, 10, 13, 21, 15, 65, 12 and 6 points.
That suggests that they are in the contest, giving themselves a chance to win games of footy. If they can put it together, they’ll no doubt heap pressure on the sides above them pushing for finals.
Victory over the Dockers at home on Saturday would put the Giants within striking distance of the eight.
Andrew Slevison
The Key Takeaway: Trust the process
From the moment he took the reins, coach Sam Mitchell has been honest and up front with the Hawthorn faithful about the long-term on-field plan for the club.
The Hawks don’t play to just make finals, they play to win flags. It won’t happen overnight but it will happen.
On Saturday against the top-four Brisbane Lions, the Hawks showed signs of what they can become in the coming years.
Despite being challenged numerous times throughout the game, they were able to run and handball the Lions off their legs and run out four-goal winners in a sign of things to come.
The Undroppable: Tyler Brockman
Since returning from a serious shoulder injury sustained last season, Tyler Brockman has shown he belongs at the top level.
He provides the Hawks a much needed X-factor in the forward line. Whilst he didn’t kick a goal on the weekend, he played more up the ground collecting 17 touches and taking six marks.
Chad Wingard returned from a calf injury via Box Hill and will be pressing for a senior recall, but Brockman must not be dropped.
The Positive: The future is bright
Connor Macdonald had a career-high 28 touches and kicked two goals.
Jai Newcombe had 28 (disposals), Will Day had 27, Dylan Moore had 25 and kicked two goals, Seamus Mitchell continued his incredible start to his career, whilst Josh Weddle, Brockman and Sam Butler (two goals) all played their roles.
The Hawks have drafted incredibly well over the past four years and have built the nucleus of their next successful team.
Hawthorn since 2019- Some quality recruiting 🔥🔥
— Brad Klibansky (@BradKlibansky) June 10, 2023
2019:
P 13- Day
2020:
P 29-Mitchell
P 46- Brockman
MSD-P 2-Newcombe
2021:
P 7- Ward
P 23-Butler
P 26-Macdonald
MSD-P 6- Ramsden
MSD-P 20-Blanck
2023:
P 7- Mackenzie
P 18-Weddle
P 37- Hustwaite
P 51-B.Macdonald@HawksInsiders
The Negative: Sicily sent directly to the tribunal
In an unfortunate incident, Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage suffered a concussion after a James Sicily tackle.
The tackle had no malice and it was simply unfortunate that McCluggage hit his head on the ground.
With the Hawks’ current record at the tribunal, it’s hard to see Sicily getting off and he will once again miss some time through suspension.
The captain is likely to miss winnable games against Gold Coast, Carlton and GWS if unsuccessful at the Tribunal.
Brad Klibansky
The Key Takeaway: This was the performance they needed
After earning the reputation of somewhat flat-track bullies, this was the scalp Melbourne needed to prove they’re genuine contenders.
Looking back over the last 12 months, the Demons had failed in every one of their attempts against top four sides with their win over Collingwood finally breaking that duck.
While they won by just four points, it could have been a far greater margin if they kicked straight and they’ll be pleased with how they controlled much of the arm wrestle-like clash.
Banking the four points should give Simon Goodwin and his side plenty of confidence and perhaps they’ll now begin a run as one of the competition’s elite sides in the lead-in to finals.
It felt like it was almost now or never on King’s Birthday, and after that performance no one will be looking forward to playing Melbourne on the run home.
The Overreaction: Are Melbourne the best team in it?
Given how far above the rest Collingwood looked in the lead-up to the clash, some may jump to say Melbourne are the best team in it after they knocked off the ladder-leaders.
While they certainly proved that their best is capable of beating anyone on their day, the Demons probably need to find some greater consistency against the top teams to really take that mantle.
There’s no doubt they have the list and the game plan to do it, but let’s hold off on anointing Melbourne as the AFL’s best until they repeat that performance a few more times this season.
They get a golden opportunity to do that after they bye when they head down the highway to face Geelong in a Thursday night blockbuster.
All eyes will be on that clash.
The Undroppables: Adam Tomlinson
While Adam Tomlinson was already in the side heading into King’s Birthday, it feels like the defender began to solidify his place with his performance against the Magpies.
In his fifth game for the year, Tomlinson was rarely beaten as he was a key contributor with 10 marks, 15 disposals and three tackles.
The 29-year-old constantly plays above the level in the VFL and he’ll hope that this performance gets him an extended look at things in the seniors.
There’s no way he gets axed for the Demons’ next game against the Cats.
Lachlan Geleit
The Key Takeaway: Tarryn Thomas (on-field) could be anything
Tarryn Thomas’ off-field issues should not be papered over because of on-field performance, let’s start with that. It’s certainly debatable whether he should be playing right now at all.
Given his troubles, and given how poor he was in 2022, it’s incredible how well he is playing and how seamlessly he has transitioned back into the AFL world.
The Negative: Unable to sustain the energy for four quarters
The Roos played one of their better halves of footy against GWS on Sunday and were right in the game, thanks to their impressive young core.
Unfortunately the Giants put the foot down in the second half, with Toby Greene, Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio ultimately the difference makers when it mattered most.
The question for the Roos going forward is how they sustain the energy that kept them in the game across four quarters.
They need more from older heads, with key errors from Aaron Hall and Jack Ziebell coupled with quiet games from Cam Zurhaar and Todd Goldstein a key part of their second-half issues.
Nic Negrepontis
The Key Takeaway: Don’t change a thing
Is there anything that isn’t working at Port Adelaide right now?
The victory over the Bulldogs marked the Power’s 10th win on the trot, and the second time they have beaten them in the span of this win streak.
However, unlike their win over the Dogs all the way back in Gather Round in a somewhat unconvincing affair, this triumph saw the Power at their best.
The Bulldogs were able to hang with Port for the first half, but once the Power put the foot down in the third term, it was all but game over.
Port Adelaide’s inaccuracy through the second half (6.8) kept the Dogs within reach, and ultimately resulted in a kinder margin than it could have been.
With standouts from all parts of the ground, its hard not to love what Ken Hinkley’s men are doing right now.
The Positive: Charlie Dixon is back
It didn’t take long for Charlie Dixon to remind the world how impactful he can be.
Having last played in Round 8, the forward had been absent for over half of the Power’s win streak, something which clearly motivated him to come out firing.
Dixon kicked three of Port’s four goals in the opening term, keeping his side afloat on the offensive end as the Power worked on weathering the Bulldogs’ barrage.
He wasn’t able to keep up this immense output for the entire clash, kicking just one more major for the match, yet he had already done more than enough damage.
The Negative: Lachie Jones
It was a rough night for Lachie Jones.
After collecting 19 touches in a career-best performance, the young half-back is now set for an extended stint on the sidelines.
Late in the game against the Bulldogs, Jones suffered a fractured jaw, with the club since announcing the 21-year-old will miss the next month of the season. Port Adelaide do have players such as Ryan Burton and Riley Bonner who can slot straight into the role, yet it is a tough break for Jones.
Jack Makeham
The Key Takeaway: There is still life in the Tigers
Two wins on the road over GWS and now Fremantle has breathed life into Richmond’s season.
It didn’t start all that well against the Dockers on Saturday night as the Tigers gave up territory and conceded scoring shots, but they fought back hard to wrestle back control.
Andrew McQualter has them playing a very similar brand to what Damien Hardwick did, which is understandable given he’s been there for so long, but it’s a promising sign that the players have continued on in the same vein.
What was looking bleak a few weeks back now has plenty of promise as the Tigers look towards Trent Cotchin’s 300th game against St Kilda this weekend.
The Positive(s): Career-high Shai, vintage Cotch
Shai Bolton was enormous in the win over the Dockers.
He finished with 33 disposals and 11 inside 50s - both career-highs - as well as 16 contested possessions, six clearances, six score involvements, a massive 925 metres gained and the sealing goal after a nice mark to cap it all off.
Bolton’s last quarter was a thing of beauty, amassing 14 touches and deriving the ball inside 50 on six occasions.
His performance was supported by the best game of Trent Cotchin’s season.
The 33-year-old picked up 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions and seven clearances in a perfect little tune up for his milestone match this weekend.
Tim Taranto (35 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles) continued on his merry way and Dustin Martin (27 disposals, eight inside 50s) also had his most prolific game for a few weeks.
The Negative: The news in the aftermath
After a strong away win, there was some bad Tigers news floating around.
It’s not directly relating to the game, but the situation involving Marlion Pickett is a massive negative for the club.
While Pickett is innocent until proven guilty, it’s a distraction the Tigers just don’t need at the moment.
Additionally, triple premiership star Bachar Houli was airlifted to hospital over the weekend following a car accident. He suffered a broken pelvis and other fractures and is in a stable condition in hospital.
It was an average end to a decent weekend for Richmond.
What (some people) are talking about
Well, we’d be talking a lot more about it if Richmond had have lost, so we might as well address it.
The umpiring on Saturday night left a lot to be desired.
At three-quarter time, the Tigers had been awarded just three free kicks. To that point, Richmond had laid 61 tackles and not received one holding the ball free.
They finished with seven free kicks to Fremantle’s 18.
Nobody says the free kick count needs to be even, but the officiating should at least be consistent.
Free kicks the Dockers received were simply not going the other way. It was extremely noticeable, even to neutrals.
Is the four-umpire system working the way the AFL would like? Was having more umpires not supposed to make it better?
It’s a tough job, but there have been several matches of questionable officiating throughout the season, particularly lately when the system should have sorted itself out.
Andrew Slevison
The Positive: A St Kilda win at the SCG
Yes, the Swans are going poorly, but winning at the SCG is something the Saints rarely do.
Heading to a venue they haven’t won at since 2009, Ross Lyon’s side played a convincing game of football against a Swans side that has stars littered throughout.
Wins away from home at venues that have caused you grief in the past can’t be understated and there’s no doubt the playing group will take loads of confidence out of that performance.
What they need to tweak for next week: Finding another avenue to goal
It started to creep into St Kilda’s game on Thursday night and that’s how reliant they are on Max King to kick the bulk of their goals.
It’s obviously natural that you’d be King-centric, but Ross Lyon would be wanting some more goals from the likes of Anthony Caminiti and Mattaes Phillipou.
Tim Membrey plugged away in the VFL on the weekend, a proven goal kicker and tricky match-up, Membrey is the perfect player for the MCG in Round 14.
There are some murmurs coming out of Moorabbin that he didn’t train on Tuesday, but if fit, he should be picked in a big Saturday night game against Richmond.
What no one is talking about: The form of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Young Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is having a terrific year in the red, white and black and he deserves more love.
So here it is.
One of the best kicks in the competition, Wanganeen-Milera is being used across the backline and on the wings as the Saints look to get the footy in their more skilful players.
The 20-year-old gathered 30 disposals at 77 per cent efficiency, 20 kicks, nine marks and a goal, he was the main reason they were able to break that SCG drought.
Heading to wide expanses of the MCG on Saturday night, the Tigers would want to put some time into him otherwise he’ll chop them up.
He's going to be a star.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
The Key Takeaway: Is anyone going to stand up?
Every Sydney player bar five on the field in Round 13 played in last year’s Grand Final.
So where has the magic gone?
Against St Kilda, the game was there to be taken on Thursday night, yet no Swans did.
Despite playing the game at home, only one Swan, Ollie Florent, received coaches votes, the only one of John Longmire’s men to get over 25 disposals. Errol Gulden was also the only Swan to have more than five score involvements.
From late in the second term, St Kilda – also playing far below its best – was allowed to chisel back the lead and eventually triumph with little fanfare.
Injuries aren’t a major excuse for the Swans anymore.
The Overreaction: Sydney’s finals chances are gone
Say what you will about Sydney, but the Bloods culture has time and time again come out on top.
Despite their subpar season, the Swans are only two games out of the eight, hold a respectable percentage and just need a scalp to reannounce themselves.
Meeting Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night with the world against them feels like a game the Swans can give a real shake.
You'd be foolish to write off last year's Grand Finallists after Round 13.
What no one is talking about: Buddy’s form
It’s an awkward conversation to have and one that Logan McDonald being out actually helps Sydney with. But Lance Franklin’s form needs to be discussed.
The 36-year-old has gone goalless in three of his last five games and despite booting two against the Saints, wasn’t a factor after half-time and only finished with seven disposals.
It was in the second half where he was most needed as the Swans were overrun.
Joel Amartey has shown plenty this year and was the substitute, while Hayden McLean is doing enough rotating in the ruck.
Franklin is too good a player to be in this form slump, but it seems like he’s lost his match-winning ability.
Seb Mottram
The Undroppable: Ryan Maric
His first game in the AFL and Ryan Maric has already made an impact.
Being the first overall pick in the mid-season draft last week, it did not take long for him to provide a bit of a spark to the struggling West Coast side.
While it was a game to forget for the Eagles, Maric kicked two of a total eight goals for the team, including one from his first touch in the AFL.
In a squad riddled with injuries, Maric should remain in the side to provide some goals for the Eagles.
The Positive: Bailey Williams went toe-to-toe with O’Brien
It was all Adelaide on the weekend, however ruckman Bailey Williams had an absolute day out against Riley O’Brien.
While O’Brien is currently one of the top rucks in the competition for the Crows, Williams held his own and should be commended for his efforts.
Williams finished the game with 20 touches and 35 hitouts paired with a goal, while O’Brien claimed 37 hitouts and 18 disposals, being a great contest between the two talls.
The Negative: Tex kicked 10
It took only a quarter and a half for Adelaide forward Taylor Walker to slot six majors, being more than enough for some movement in Adam Simpson’s backline.
The decision to move key forward Oscar Allen onto Tex in the second half unfortunately provided not much benefit, with the milestone man finishing with ten goals in his 250th game.
Some added defensive pressure could prove helpful for the Eagles, in the hopes of ensuring a performance like Walker’s doesn’t happen again this year.
Ollie Williamson
The Positive: A top tier midfield unit
The Bulldogs have one of the best midfield groups in the competition on paper, and they’re backing it up on the field.
Led by captain Marcus Bontempelli, the star-studded unit are putting up strong numbers each week to keep them in the eight and in the hunt for finals.
Adam Treloar, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae and Bontempelli are all averaging over 26 touches each as the team sit second in the competition for clearances, proving their ability to perform to a high standard and create winning opportunities.
What to tweak for next week: Accuracy in front of goal
The Bulldog’s goal kicking on Friday was not bad by any means, slotting 13.7 in their loss to Port Adelaide.
Luke Beveridge’s side has had some struggles this season in front of goal despite seven wins, and face some high scoring opponents in Fremantle and Collingwood after their round 15 bye.
With a big chance for a win against North Melbourne this weekend, it’s an opportunity for them to tweak their accuracy if they want to compete for the four points in those upcoming fixtures.
What no one is talking about: Libba’s night out
It was a season best performance for Tom Liberatore on Friday night, positioning himself to likely poll Brownlow votes for this round.
Being best-on for the Bulldogs, the midfielder had 33 disposals (19 contested), seven score involvements, five tackles, six inside 50s and 11 clearances.
If Liberatore can continue to have elite level games such as this, he will be crucial for the side this year as they push for finals in September.
Ollie Williamson