Another big weekend of AFL footy is in the books and the weekly series of AFL stock market is back! Whose stocks are on the rise and whose are falling after Round 4?
Adelaide
Rising: Reilly O’Brien
He’s back! The Adelaide big man was back to his best with a 24-disposal, eight-mark and one-goal performance. He was the shining light for Adelaide last year but couldn’t get back to that form in 2021 until now.
Falling: David Mackay
The veteran wingman was chosen as the injury sub for this game and was not used. With the young kids coming through and playing a big part in their three wins so far this year, has Mackay seen the last of his footy with the Crows?
Brisbane
Rising: Hugh McCluggage
The talented Lions wingman was back to his best form, having 25 disposals and kicking a goal. The wingman position has been tricky with the new rule changes, but with his 12 marks and disposal efficiency at 75 per cent, he is back on the rise.
Falling: Callum Ah Chee
After starting the year in the best 22, Ah Chee was used as the medical sub in Ballarat. With young players like Tom Berry and Deven Robertson in front of him at the moment, it’s a fall for Ah Chee.
Hugh McCluggage (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos via Getty Images )
Carlton
Rising: Sam Docherty
The co-captain is back. We all know his injury history, so to see him collect 28 disposals (25 of them kicks) at 79 per cent efficiency was beautiful to watch. He is the type of player in the current climate you want to see firing.
Falling: Will Setterfield
I held on him during the preseason, but 15 disposals (four kicks, 11 handballs) without a tackle isn’t quite enough. There were high hopes for him this season, but he isn’t quite taking the opportunity.
Collingwood
Rising: Jack Madgen
With names like Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard, Jack Crisp and Jeremy Howe to contend with, Madgen never gets any credit, but his 25-disposal game, including a goal, overshadowed his big-name teammates.
Falling: Brayden Maynard
This one hurts because I was high on Maynard in the preseason edition, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations. He had 18 disposals, but six of those were turnovers, which isn’t ideal from your designated kicker.
Essendon
Rising: Nik Cox
A great friend of mine is this bloke’s biggest fan, and he repaid the favour on Thursday. Cox had 18 disposals and took seven marks, but his one-handed pick-up and opposite foot goal oozed class. He is getting better by the week, hence the rise.
Falling: Peter Wright
With Sam Draper out, they have trusted the recruit with the ruck duties. He had 22 hitouts but was bullied in numerous amounts of marking contests around the ground. This could be his last chance to secure a roll, so he needs to take it.
Fremantle
Rising: Adam Cerra
Between this man, Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong it’s a pick your poison set-up for opposition clubs. With Brayshaw quiet, Cerra was great against the Hawks, with 23 disposals, seven marks and six tackles. This young Fremantle midfield is scary.
Falling: Michael Walters
He’s a very skilled and fun player to watch when he is up, but this wasn’t his best. He kicked a goal with his 13 disposals but didn’t have a massive impact, and he spent a lot of his time arguing with umpires or playing for free kicks. We need to see Sonny in full flight because he is a joy to watch.
Adam Cerra (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Geelong
Rising: Tom Atkins
He was seen as a midfielder, but they have transformed him into a small defender, and he is thriving. Atkins had 25 disposals and four tackles, one of the few bright spots for the Cats on a dark day.
Falling: Luke Dahlhaus
On a day that should have suited the small forwards, Dahlhaus was quiet, having only 11 disposals and not troubling the scorers. With the Cats struggling to score, will Dahlhaus make way?
Gold Coast
Rising: Touk Miller
He’s always the forgotten man in the Gold Coast midfield, but he was a monster against the Blues. He had 28 disposals but most impressively a massive 13 tackles, showing he can do it in all aspects of the game.
Falling: Jarrod Harbrow
The veteran playmaker struggled against the Blues. He had only five disposals and an alarming 38 metres gained. Once his trademark, Harbrow is lacking the flare of years gone by and may struggle to hold his spot.
Greater Western Sydney
Rising: Toby Greene
Pressure makes diamonds, and isn’t this bloke a gem. He isn’t everyone’s favourite for reasons I won’t mention, but he put the Giants on his back with five massive goals on top of his 18 disposals. He was the matchwinner.
Falling: Jesse Hogan
He has been injured, but with Harry Himmelberg, Jeremy Finlayson and Jake Riccardi all playing well, how does he get a spot? All three talls played an important role and hit the scoreboard, and if that continues, Hogan will struggle.
Hawthorn
Rising: Chad Wingard
It wasn’t a great day for the Hawks, but the Chad has come back with vengeance. He had 26 disposals and kicked a goal, which we know he can do, but it’s the defensive pressure that has the stocks rising. Five tackles and 20 pressure acts are huge for him.
Falling: Luke Breust
He has been one of the star small forwards of the competition, but he was soundly beaten. He had only eight disposals with no scoring shots and didn’t manage to lay a tackle.
Chad Wingard (Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Melbourne
Rising: Christian Petracca
He hasn’t had the day out yet this year, but boy the Cats felt the full force. There were 36 disposals and two goals for the bull in a dominant performance. The Dees are firing and fans should be excited.
Falling: Adam Tomlinson
He came across on big money and hasn’t delivered. He’s been moved back to a defensive role but hasn’t produced yet. He had only eight disposals at 50 per cent efficiency and no marks.
North Melbourne
Rising: Tom Powell
The first-round draft pick for North had his best game yet, with 19 disposals and eight tackles. There is unfair criticism on Will Phillips, but no-one can criticise Powell after this performance.
Falling: Trent Dumont
Has been injured to start this season, but with the young midfielders coming in and the rebuild in full force, what will his role be going forward?
Trent Dumont (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Port Adelaide
Rising: Aliir Aliir
I don’t think anyone could have predicted the impact Aliir has had on the Power. He was huge for Port in their thrilling win, having 23 disposals and six marks,vwhile his opponent Tom Lynch was a non-factor.
Falling: Charlie Dixon
It wasn’t the easiest of nights for King Charles,vbut only one scoring shot – a behind – for your spearhead forward isn’t ideal. He created a magnificent contest all night and played higher, so I could be being slightly harsh, but his stocks were high.
Richmond
Rising: Bachar Houli
The veteran stepped back into the AFL arena for the first time since the grand final like it was nothing. He had 26 disposals and 11 marks, using the ball at 77 per cent. He and Jayden Short will run amok off halfback all year.
Falling: Jason Castagna
Despite ‘George’ not being a huge stat getter, it was another quiet night. He had a chance to win them the game with a soccer off the ground and had a fresh air swing. Two kicks and three tackles isn’t enough.
Bachar Houli (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
St Kilda
Rising: Brad Crouch
In his second game as a Saint, Crouch proved why St Kilda wanted him so bad. He had 26 disposals through the midfield but 12 tackles. Adding that grunt allowed Jack Steele to use his class in a bounce-back win for the Saints.
Falling: Dan Hannebery
Another soft tissue injury for the luckless Saint. Though it’s no fault of his own, his stocks just keep falling due to these constant injuries.
Sydney
Rising: Chad Warner
This guy just keeps getting better. The young midfielder had 23 disposals and six tackles. He has slotted into the core of the Swans centre bounce set-up like a hand in a glove. Exciting times for Sydney fans.
Falling: Nick Blakey
If you are a 195-centimetre wingman you need to impact around the ground with your marking. Blakey took four, all uncontested. He had only 13 disposals at a dismal 46 per cent efficiency and could be facing suspension for a late hit on Zach Merrett. Not a good night.
Nick Blakey (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
West Coast
Rising: Jack Petruccelle
The Eagles have always had a high opinion of this guy, and he has delivered. Four goals from the speedy small forward in a very exciting display. With Jamie Cripps nearing the end, he can cement his role for the future.
Falling: Jake Waterman
With the emergence of Oscar Allen, he has become a bit of a floater. He got thrown back yesterday due to the injury to Shannon Hurn but didn’t have an impact on the game. We know he has talent; hopefully he can cement a role.
Western Bulldogs
Rising: Aaron Naughton
He looked unstoppable at times in tough conditions in Ballarat, kicking 2.5. If he kicks straight, he is walking away with a big bag. His hands are arguably the best in the AFL.
Falling: Caleb Daniel
Just eight disposals and no marks for Daniel. It was a nightmare day for him and his SuperCoach owners (me). We know that he loves the fast track under the roof at Marvel, but he can’t afford to be irrelevant in games away from there.
Demons3206
Guest
You are very tough on him. He hardly played on the third tall as you allege. He went to Hawkins early after the May “accident”. Hawkins who usually bullies the Dees was kept quiet by Tomlinson.
Minz
Guest
Mitchell or one of the mighty Hawks do something dirty? Surely you jest! /sarcasm
Archie
Guest
Harsh on Tomlinson - has been a more than solid 3rd defender behind May and Lever and when the former went down on Sunday he went straight to Hawkins and, aside from the soccer goal, kept him quiet. Underrated footskills also and seems to always make the right decision.
Chris M
Guest
Jake, that's another interesting analysis of how various individuals in each team are going on current form, for better or for worse. In Stocks Rising: (1) I wonder if Aliir Aliir would have had similarly rising stocks playing under Sydney's new attacking game style. If Sydney knows the weaknesses in Aliir's game, let's see if they exploit it when Sydney plays Port Adelaide. (2) Essendon's first year recruit, Nik Cox, was unlucky not to receive this week's Rising Star nomination. In Stocks Falling: (1) Nick Blakey, while doing some good things this year, hasn't progressed as quickly as many thought he would. He did score a behind of the year contender last week against Richmond. It's a shame it wasn't a goal of the year contender. As a junior Blakey was a renowned goalkicker but he has kicked only 1.3 this season and he has sometimes been missing his targets by foot. However, he has the talent and he has time on his side, but the less time it takes, the better. (2) The Swans didn't get much in return for trading Dan Hannebery to St Kilda and St Kilda haven't got much out of Dan Hannebery due to injury. He may be a good player if St Kilda can get him consistently on the field, and so far that's been easier said than done. (3) You'd think Jesse Hogan needs to kick bags of goals for the Giants East Coast VFL team to warrant selection in the AFL team. He has the physical gifts but does he have the current mindset? (4) Last week you picked George Hewett as a falling stock for the Swans vs Richmond. If the Swans are playing Hewett in the backline instead of the midfield, perhaps his stocks are falling in the eyes of the selectors. Although he limited the influence of Dustin Martin while Martin was roaming the forward line during the Richmond game, George at times to me looked a little slow against Essendon. It seems the selectors think that there are already better up-and-coming options to play in the midfield on the inside, at least while higher calibre players like Kennedy and Parker are still playing. Unless there are injuries in the engine room, I'm not sure that George will be able to maintain his place long term in the team as a defender. He has the reputation for keeping players in check. Maybe he does that, but he's only made four tackles for the year and none against Essendon. He has the reputation for being an accurate set shot for goal, but there are already too many more dangerous options up forward to slot him in there. George is a great role player within this side, but I see him more as a player who can provide depth and be a worthy replacement while someone is injured, rather than a walk-up starter for a contending team.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Broken by a Sam Mitchell knee games before.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Plowman shouldn’t have played the last quarter on Saturday, he’d done damage to an ankle or foot prior to the end of the third quarter. Couldn’t get sub off due to rotations etc. magically played the last. Sadly would have been a great week for Marchbank to come back in against Port
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
If you’re referring to the 2015 prelim, Fyfe went into the game with the injury
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think the stocks of the MRO are down again today. How Jack Scrimshaw doesn't get weeks for a deliberate trip and push off the play against Fyfe is beyond me. A trip like that breaks legs and Fyfe has already missed a season and a half with broken legs (also courtesy of Hawthorn).
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The end can come quickly. He needs to get on board with work ethic, although, he has had an injury nobbling his pre-season.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I don't think he can chase, he's a long way past his prime - and not earning his keep.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
JLo has shown a problem with his treatment of Hogan and Blakely. He has some work to do here.
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
Seems to me that Ross got the best out of him.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
>has Mackay seen the last of his footy with the Crows? Please, please, please. Crows fans have been crying out for this for years! We can’t work out why we are wasting games on someone getting 12 possessions a game with no penetration from his kicks, can’t tackle, can’t mark – when it is a perfect role for a young mid-fielder learning the role/game.
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
Everyone knows how good he is when his head is in the game, but it didn’t seem to be on the weekend!! Hopefully he can bounce back next week
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
He is playing a role but I guess I’m playing devils advocate in asking if that’s enough considering his price tag!! Playing on the third tall and only have 8 disposals at 50%? Glad to see the Demons firing though, league is better off when they are good :thumbup:
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Yeah he's definitely growing into a league footballer. He's an awkward height for match-ups too.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I haven't seen it confirmed but he popped his shoulder against the TIgers after a great run down tackle (that somehow went unrewarded) so I assume he did the same thing this time. It is a big shame we are much better with him in the side, clean hands, smart user and just competes hard.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Is it confirmed what Silvagni did? I saw that incident. It's always amusing to watch mum and dad in the stands - Jo looked overcome with worry whilst SOS was as unmoved as he was when he was kicking goals and winning them the game.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I agree with your comments about Sonny. He annoys me more than any Freo player when he points a finger at an ump or team mate to cover when he doesn't win a contest. He loves to be seen as a leader but we need him leading by example. He can't do that when he is theatrically floundering on the ground. Get up and chase, Sonny! The ump will (usually) see a genuine free.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I think the Blues CAN beat anyone in the comp but I am not confident they WILL beat anyone. They pushed Port all the way to the line last year and should get Williams back in this week. Our defensive structure has been a lot better the last couple of weeks but it will be interesting to see if that is simply because we were playing on smaller grounds. Losing Silvagni hurts but McGovern has kicked 6 in a game and a half in the VFL so he will get his chance – the question is can he take it. I would love to hear Kane Cornes try to diminish the victory if we did get across the line.