AFL stock market: Round 3

Whose stock rose, and whose fell? Here’s the AFL stock market after another busy round in the AFL.

Adelaide

Rising: Jordan Dawson

Need I explain? But seriously, Dawson played a fantastic all-around game in his first Showdown. He had 24 disposals, six marks and kicked two goals, including the match-winner.

Falling: Darcy Fogarty

Elliot Himmelberg and Lachlan Gollant kicked four each, Billy Frampton had 16 touches and five marks while Darcy Fogarty had five touches and two marks. Can’t see him on an AFL list next year.

Brisbane

Rising: Jarryd Lyons

Hadn’t started 2022 on fire, with his midfield peers outshining him. But Lyons was back to his prestigious best in the smashing of North. Twenty-eight disposals, eight marks and two goals for the midfielder who gives Gold Coast list managers PTSD every week.

Falling: Charlie Cameron’s goal kicking

In a 108-point win, it’s hard to find a faller, so sometimes you have to have some fun. We all love Charlie, he’s arguably the best small forward out there. But 2.6 stopped him from kicking a bag! Fair to say there might be some time spent on it during the week.

Carlton

Rising: Jack Silvagni

Gets forgotten behind the McKay and Curnow twin towers but was outstanding against the Hawks. He had 14 disposals, took 11 marks, and kicked three goals, including the eventual game-winner.

Falling: Tom De Koning

Through all the Carlton attacking, De Koning couldn’t manage to take a mark or hit the scoreboard. Also got beaten by Connor Nash in multiple ruck contests throughout the day despite having a height advantage.

Collingwood

Rising: Jamie Elliot

Gave a warning to the AFL against Hawthorn in Morwell during pre-season with five first-half goals and “Billy” was at his best in this game. Playing more midfield time, he had 26 disposals and five tackles while also kicking two goals.

Falling: Darcy Moore

His best is very good, but like Alex Keath last week, when the opposition talls combine for nine goals, you look at the best key back. Add in Moore’s lower offensive impact with 11 disposals and just three marks and it sees the stocks fall.

Essendon

Rising: Andy McGrath

Did a really good job minding Christian Petracca, holding him well below his best. McGrath also had 19 disposals of his own and managed to hit the scoreboard with a goal.

Falling: Sam Draper

For “the future” ruckman of the Bombers to be comprehensively outplayed by journeyman back-up Andrew Phillips isn’t a good sign. Draper had no impact on the game around the ground with only two disposals. He has the talent, but this was a nightmare Friday night.

Fremantle

Rising: Blake Acres

Thought he played a near perfect wingman’s game in the Derby. Twenty-two disposals, ten marks, five tackles and a goal. Plays a very important role for the Dockers and is a barometer.

Falling: Joel Hamling

Premiership defender with the Bulldogs who has struggled with his body since moving to WA. He finally got his chance at it and was omitted after two weeks.

Geelong

Rising: Jeremy Cameron

Probably the best game he has played in the blue and white hoops, Cameron kicked six goals and was the difference in the game. The ex-Giant kicked three of those goals in the barnstorming fourth quarter comeback to beat Collingwood.

(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Falling: Quinton Narkle

Not sure what the Cats are doing with this guy. They are like a jealous ex-girlfriend with the “I don’t really want him, but don’t want anyone else to have him” attitude. Definitely has the talent to be in the best 22, just not getting the go.

Gold Coast

Rising: Lachie Weller

Always looked a bit lost in terms of role, but I like the look of him off half-back. The combination of his blistering pace and lovely right foot kick works. He had 21 disposals and six marks against the Giants and should only improve from here.

Falling: Rory Atkins

From a veteran on this list coming in, he only had 11 disposals at 64 per cent disposal efficiency. With so much young talent on the list, I’m just not sure Rory Atkins is part of the Suns’ future.

GWS

Rising: Midfield trio

What a performance! Tim Taranto, Stephen Coniglio and Tom Green had 97 disposals, 17 tackles, nine marks and three goals combined. They were clearly the three best players on the ground and the main reason the Giants won this game.

Falling: Nick Haynes

Not so much for his performance but his body is failing him. Struggled with injuries during the pre-season, ankle injury in this game and with young defenders like Connor Idun stepping up, Haynes could be battling for his spot.

Hawthorn

Rising: Changkuoth Jiath

Was the Round 1 riser before a quiet Round 2, so he features again in the riser segment after 27 disposals and eight marks. He catches the eye with his run and flair but CJ played a brilliant game.

Falling: Finn Maginness

Definitely a fringe player who is getting chances from Sam Mitchell but ten disposals (four of them clangers), two tackles and no marks. Probably not good enough numbers to cement a spot.

Melbourne

Rising: Clayton Oliver

The talk of Melbourne has rightly been Christian Petracca since the grand final, but Clarry reminded everyone that he is pretty handy himself. He dominated Essendon with 38 disposals, eight marks and a massive 15 inside 50s.

Falling: Alex Neal-Bullen

Plays an extremely important role for the Dees and just wasn’t at his best in this one. Ten disposals at 80 per cent but his pressure points were well below his average and something he prides his game on.

North Melbourne

Rising: Curtis Taylor

Burst onto the scene as an impact forward but has rounded his game beautifully. Playing more around the ball, Taylor had 23 disposals and took eight marks while also finding a way to hit the scoreboard with a goal. In a dismal night, he was the bright spot.

Falling: Luke McDonald

Started the season really well but it was a dirty night. He had only ten disposals, half of them resulting in turnovers and with the Brisbane small forwards (Bailey, McCarthy and Cameron) kicking 11 goals, eight behinds combined, it isn’t good reading.

Port Adelaide

Rising: Jackson Mead

Really liked the look of the third-gamer, who wasn’t at all overawed by the situation. He had 18 disposals and laid four tackles while using the ball at 83 per cent.

Falling: Finals hopes

Sitting at 0-3 with key players on the sidelines and the rampaging Melbourne next up, things are not looking good for the boys from Alberton.

Richmond

Rising: Nathan Broad
Was outstanding along half-back, especially after Dylan Grimes went out. Broad had 25 disposals, 12 marks and seven rebound 50s. Been a very underrated contributor.

Falling: Robbie Tarrant
Was bought to the club to be the key pillar down back and lock down the best forward. Max King was the sole reason the Saints won this game in the last quarter and Tarrant simply couldn’t go with him.

St Kilda

Rising: Brad Crouch

Has been a criticised player since coming across to St Kilda from Adelaide with the big knock being his defensive side. Crouch was huge in this game with 29 disposals and a goal but the most important one was nine tackles!

Falling: Dan Hannebery

News filtered through during the week that he is set for another surgery, and it is really sad to see. A very good player struck down by his body and will be remembered for the negative not the positive.

Hannebery is set for surgery (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Sydney

Rising: Nick Blakey

I was a doubter of the man known as “The Lizard” but he has found his home off half-back. Blakey’s foot skills are elite. He had 25 disposals and eight marks against the Dogs and is going to be a serious weapon going forward this season.

Falling: Oliver Florent

Has started the season really well but wasn’t at his best on Thursday night. Florent only had 13 disposals and a measly 97 metres gained against the Dogs. Consistency has been the knock on him – he needs to bounce back and stay consistent.

West Coast

Rising: Patrick Naish

This is a prime example of someone making the most of a second chance. Discarded by Richmond, Naish had 22 disposals, five tackles and three marks playing through the midfield.

Falling: Jake Waterman

Was somewhat established in the Eagles side over the last two seasons but even in all the chaos, is being placed as the medical sub. Considering there are people who have been at the club for five weeks seemingly ahead of him, where is he at?

Western Bulldogs

Rising: Cody Weightman

The much-maligned small forward was the only Bulldogs forward who embraced the moment on Thursday night. With teammates around him missing left right and centre, Weightman kicked two important long-range goals that steadied the ship.

Falling: Bailey Williams

Nearly impossible to think at Round 3, Williams doesn’t have his spot in the team considering how reliable he has been. But the Dogs defence looked rock solid without him, not a good sign.

Let us know your risers and fallers in the comments below!