- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Opinion
Here’s how the AFL stock exchange has shifted after a massive Round 2.
Adelaide:
Rising- Brodie Smith
The veteran was very impressive at the G and even despite coping a very heavy knock in the third quarter, produced the goods. He had 30 disposals and kicked a goal, providing great drive.
Falling- Ned McHenry
Had 12 disposals and four tackles which as a forward pocket would usually be a pass mark. However, seven of those 12 disposals were clangers and without hitting the scoreboard, not good enough production.
Brisbane:
Rising- Lachie Neale
Oh boy! The 2020 Brownlow medallist is back with vengeance. Neale took apart the Bombers with 41 disposals, 12 clearances, 9 inside-50s and two goals. What a performance.
Lachie Neale (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Falling- Callum Ah-Chee
With some young draftees impressing in pre-season, specifically in Ah-Chee’s role, he needs to perform better. 6 disposals, 2 turnovers and only 36 metres gained isn’t helping his case.
Carlton:
Rising- Patty Cripps
Could be the highest his stocks have been in five years, Cripps looks like taking this season by the throat. Against a star-studded Dogs midfield, he had 35 disposals, five tackles and kicked two goals, what a star.
Falling- Lachie Plowman
Started as the medical sub and come on at half time. In his half of play he had three touches, one turnover and a couple of goals kicked on him. Not sure where he fits in the best 22 anymore.
Collingwood:
Rising- Jack Crisp
Was my faller last week but redeemed himself. Looked like a genuine midfielder after having 26 disposals, 6 marks and 10 tackles. We know his talent and it was on full display under the sun at the G.
Faller- Tyler Brown
For a young kid on the edge this isn’t the game he needed to have. Just eight disposals, half of them clangers and gave away two free kicks. With a young Collingwood team flying, Brown will need to be better.
Essendon:
Rising- Peter Wright
Literally looked like Wayne Carey in his prime in the first quarter with 11 disposals, eight marks and two goals. Faded out of the game a little bit but this was a dominant 30 minutes of footy.
Falling- James Stewart
Let’s just address the elephant in the room, why on earth didn’t he touch the ball? This costly brain fade alone is enough to have the stocks fall, but he was poor during the rest of the game anyway.
Fremantle:
Rising- Andrew Brayshaw
What a star! Despite the loss, the young Freo gun had 39 disposals, 10 marks, 8 tackles, 6 inside 50s and kicked a goal. Without Fyfe and Mundy, he has announced himself as the new midfield ace.
Falling- Bailey Banfield
Only 5 disposals for the third tall forward and no impact on the scoreboard. With Tabenar to come back into the side and the likes of Fyfe and Mundy able to play forward, Banfield may be on thin ice.
Geelong:
Riser: Brad Close
I am a huge fan of this guy, and he gets nowhere near the respect he deserves. He had 18 disposals, five tackles, five marks and kicked four goals in a loss. With big names going quiet, Close deserves all the credit.
Falling- Tom Hawkins
Looked like the best forward in football last week but it was the complete opposite here. Seven disposals, one goal and only three marks. The McCartin brothers had the best of him all night.
Tom Hawkins (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Gold Coast:
Rising- Touk Miller
After his amazing season last year, I wasn’t sure his stocks could get higher, but they have. 38 disposals, six marks, seven tackles, nine clearances and nine inside-50s. Genuinely one of the best midfielders in the comp.
Falling- Jack Lukosius
I understand the need for a forward after Ben King going down, but Jack isn’t a forward. Despite kicking 2 goals, he only had the ball 6 times and with his foot skills that number has to be higher.
GWS:
Rising- Stephen Coniglio
After a lean two seasons, Cogs looks back to his explosive best. He had 23 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and two goals. Despite the loss, the Giants will be happy to see their co-captain back to form.
Falling- Leon Cameron
Thought the Giants played the worst brand of footy of all teams in Round 2. The decision to use Tom Green as the second ruck was questionable at best and the team lacking venom this early in the season is not good.
Hawthorn:
Rising- Mitch Lewis
Showed signs last week but put together another huge game, announcing himself as the tall forward of the future. Lewis kicked five goals (four in the third quarter) and seven marks. Brilliant start to the year.
Falling- Liam Shiels
Was my pre-season sell for this exact reason. Shiels was omitted for this week, with new coach Sam Mitchell sticking with the youth. Considering the performances of said youngsters, Shiels could find himself out of the side for the near future.
Melbourne:
Rising- Jake Bowey
Looked like the red headed Caleb Daniel out there with his neat kicking off half back. Bowey amassed a massive 34 disposals and 9 marks with a disposal efficiency of 79%. What a find for the Dees.
Falling- Jayden Hunt
Was left out of the premiership side so needs to cement his spot now while he has it. 7 disposals at 43% efficiency isn’t the way to do that.
North Melbourne:
Rising- Nick Larkey
The man with the best nickname in footy (souva) was dominant against the depleted Eagles. He kicked 6 goals and took 7 marks in the win. After a big finish to 2021, North fans will love to see this.
Falling- Todd Goldstein
Tristan Xerri has burst onto the scene so far this season and it spells the end for one of North’s best players of this century. He has a role to play still but considering his excellence, his stocks are falling.
Port Adelaide:
Rising- Karl Amon
Personally, one of my favourite players in the league and dominated despite the loss. 38 disposals, eight marks, six tackles, five clearances and five inside-50s while going at 76 percent disposal efficiency. Best kick in the AFL.
Falling- Todd Marshall
Been viewed as the future of the Port Adelaide forward line but really struggled in this one. Four disposals and two marks with no score on the board. Two weeks in a row where Port’s forward line has looked toothless.
Richmond:
Rising- Jayden Short
A fantasy football players dream, Short constantly has the ball in his hands and rarely makes a mistake. 33 disposals at 88 percent efficiency is insane and for Richmond to succeed, he has to perform.
Falling- Jack Ross
Hard to choose a faller after a great Richmond win, but a young midfielder trying to crack into a dynasty side must do everything right. Ross wasn’t bad against the Giants, but 12 disposals and a poor free kick against won’t help.
St Kilda:
Rising- Josh Battle
Had never really cemented a role in the side, but the intercept defender looks his shout. Battle had 21 disposals (13 intercept), 13 marks and 391 metres gained. Looked extremely comfortable.
Falling- Ben Long
The forgotten man at the moment and with young players like Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens and more getting their go first, it makes you wonder where Long’s career is at.
Sydney:
Rising- Callum Mills
Took responsibility for Patrick Dangerfield at stoppages, holding him to only 13 disposals while collecting 29 for himself with a goal as a cherry on top. Mills is quickly becoming one of the better midfielders in the game.
Falling- Logan McDonald
Despite the high draft pick, Hayden McLean looks the future tall forward for the Swans and McDonald didn’t help his case. Six disposals, four marks and nothing on the scoreboard, spraying his only chance.
West Coast:
Rising- Willie Rioli
After the suspension, it is great to see him back in action and he was fantastic. He kicked 4 goals in a mid/forward role, while also having 18 disposals around the ground.
Falling- Jack Darling
For someone of his status coming into a side so depleted, having six disposals, two marks and a single behind is nowhere near good enough. Lack of pre-season showed but no excuse at all as it was a personal choice.
Western Bulldogs:
Rising- Adam Treloar
Was very good playing through the midfield and forward. Treloar had 32 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles and kicked a goal. Gave his all until the final siren.
Falling- Alex Keath
The Bulldogs defence got exposed as a whole but with 9 goals between Curnow and McKay we must look at the talls. Keath was bought in to be the “giant slayer” but was dominated by the Blues bigs.
Let me know your risers and fallers from the round of footy, Roarers!
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.