IF

THEN



Adelaide

you say you want to keep Brad Crouch ... ... you're going to have to play him.

Brisbane Lions

Leigh Matthews was Leigh Michaels ... ... he'd be the most under-pressure footy club boss in the country. But he's not. And he fully deserves the media leniency. For a little longer, at least.

Carlton

we detected something last week we hadn’t seen since week one of finals three years ago ... ... it was that old Carlton-supporter arrogance. And we sort of liked it. But please keep it in check for a little longer.

Collingwood

there's something we both fully admire and yet sometimes shake our head at in the same motion ... ... it is Bucks' determination to adhere to his own football ideology on every single decision. He's all-in on what he demands of his players, every single time. So Trav finds himself at Casey Fields.

Essendon

there's ever been a Friday night game with less appeal than this Hawks-Dons clash ... ... ahh, nup, there hasn't been.

Fremantle

Michael Barlow wants to stay at the Dockers ... ... he needs to become Ryan Crowley, circa 2012-13. Very nice start to his new run-with role last week against Zaharakis, too.

Geelong

there's such a thing as a sure-thing box trifecta ... ... it is that Danger, Joel and Cam are top three in the Cats' best-and-fairest race.

Gold Coast

you're on All-Australian pace after the first month and find yourself in the NEAFL by early June ... ... you've got issues.

Greater Western Sydney



it was big and bright and shiny after round nine ... ... it's a lot smaller and duller going into round 12. And we’re predicting it will lose another layer of size and sheen this week, too. But we won’t be throwing it out just yet.

Hawthorn

we know Clarko like we think we know Clarko ... ... he'll have the after-burners on from the first bounce this week. That percentage of 108.9 could do with a 100-point win. Actually, it needs a 100-point win.

Melbourne

there was one certainty in AFL team selection ... ... it was Jeff Garlett's omission this week. In a Paul Roos-coached team, you can't pull out the way he did against the Hawks.

North Melbourne North really, really, really wants to keep Majak on its list in 2017 ... ... it somehow needs to provide sustained senior-team opportunities this year.

Port Adelaide

there's one thing we love ... ... it is a player emerging from absolutely nowhere. Aaron Young, keep riding that wave.

Richmond

the Suns beat the Tiges at the 'G on Sunday ... ... oh boy. Don't want to sound like Bruce McAvaney here, but they couldn't, could they?

St Kilda

our worries about this club were deep when we raised them after round seven ... ... they are deeper now. Yep, injuries aren't helping. But there are a lot of areas of concern.

Sydney Swans

Andrew Ireland, the CEO of the Swans wanted to be a real smart alec ... ... win, lose or draw, he'd send an invoice to his GWS counterpart Dave Matthews on Monday on the back of his club finally ensuring that Spotless Stadium was packed.

West Coast

you want to finish top four ... ... you need to win this one. It won't be easy, either. Crows going very nicely.