The big talking points and questions out of Round 21

Round 21 taught us plenty about the AFL.  

The weekend saw some incredible scorelines, huge milestone matches, thrilling finishes, ladder-dictating results and more!

With that in mind, here’s what we learned from the weekend’s footy.

Sydney’s season is in free-fall and they’re nowhere near the No. 1 seed they’ve been

Sydney’s season is in a spiral.

It’s a pretty grand statement given they’re still clear on top of the ladder, but it’s the harsh reality facing John Longmire’s side after their 148-36 loss to Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

The Power rushed out to a ridiculous 71-0 lead as well as the Swans simply couldn’t get their hands on it or make any forays forward.

It’s their second straight sizeable loss and their fifth defeat from their past six games. Simply put, this side is playing like a bottom-five team.

Whether it’s injuries, getting ahead of themselves or getting found out, the Swans have completely lost the aura they had only a month ago.

With Brisbane in serious form and the Bulldogs coming with a bullet, no one would have the Swans as the No. 1 seed right now.

They’re lucky they have their dominant start behind them as a parachute for this fall, but they’d want to seriously begin taking off again before September begins. 

Did that shank just cost Carlton a real shot at a flag?

It’s incredibly harsh to blame Saturday’s 84-81 loss to Collingwood all on one moment, but god that miss from Mitch McGovern genuinely could have sunk Carlton’s season.

With four losses from their last five games, the Blues have dropped from clear second just five weeks ago to hanging onto their spot in the top eight by just two premiership points.

We all know that you effectively have to finish top four to win the flag, and it’s hard to see the Blues chasing down the likes of Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and even the Dogs with the form they’re in currently.

With most of the top half of the top eight from interstate as well, it could be tougher than ever for a Victorian team in the bottom half of the eight to find their way to the last Saturday of September.

Just as the season looked set up for the Blues, they’ve fallen in a heap.

They absolutely have the talent and structure there to arrest their fall, but unlike the Swans, they don’t have the wins in the bank to ensure that they don’t tumble down the ladder with every defeat.

Next Sunday’s game against Hawthorn could just about decide their campaign. Win and they get back in it. Lose, and they might miss finals altogether.

Either way, you can’t see this side really contending unless things change dramatically in the coming weeks.

Coleman lead further proof Hogan has been 2024’s best forward

Jesse Hogan snatched the lead in the Coleman Medal on Sunday with his five-goal performance in the come-from-behind win over Hawthorn in Canberra.

He was helped by former leader Charlie Curnow going goalless for the first time in 66 games in Carlton’s loss to Collingwood. But nevertheless, Hogan now leads the overall count 58-56 with three games remaining.

Even if Hogan doesn’t hold on to claim the medal once things are said and done, he’s undoubtedly been the best forward in the competition this season.

He’s also the current leader in total contested marks, while he’s taken a ridiculous 81 marks inside 50. Ben King is next best on 56.

Hogan will end 2024 as a maiden All-Australian and there’s no doubt he’s been the best target inside 50 for any team this campaign.

Adam Treloar will earn a maiden All-Australian blazer in 2024

31-year-old Adam Treloar will surely be an All-Australian for the first time in 2024.

The former Giant and Magpie has been close to earning a blazer previously, but he’s genuinely playing career-best footy for a Dogs side that looks a real challenger this campaign.

His decision-making and ball use have improved, while he’s still as prolific as ever averaging 32.2 touches a game - a league-best stat.

If he was 90% locked in already, surely his performance in the win over Melbourne on Friday all but confirmed that as he helped himself to two goals, 30 disposals, six clearances and 11 score involvements.

What a season he’s had. There may be no player more deserving of the honour he’ll surely receive in a few weeks’ time.

It’s a big week for Sydney

This is pretty obvious.

With Sydney’s form falling off a cliff, they’ll be desperate to steady ahead of Friday night’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG.

The Magpies are also finding some form as they hope to keep their season alive with wins from their last two games.

With Friday’s clash almost a mini-Elimination Final for Craig McRae’s men, you can expect them to come out firing and they’ll think Sydney is well and truly vulnerable.

With the pressure on and stakes high, a win here would well and truly steady the Swans’ ship.

A loss could be truly disastrous and turn all of that early work into really a waste of time.