Stocks up, stocks down: Nat Fyfe is BACK; Brisbane Lions hit all-time low
In Round 7 of the 2024 AFL season, Nat Fyfe returned to his devastating best, an experienced Tiger and fringe Bomber made catastrophic mistakes, while the entire Brisbane Lions Football Club continued its freefall.
Our footy experts cast their eye over the week’s action to find out whose stocks are up — whether it’s a coaching masterstroke or a player having a blinder — and whose are down.
Stocks up: Rory Laird racked up 34 possessions (20 contested), 13 clearances, six tackles, seven inside 50s, and 13 score involvements against the Kangaroos in what was clearly his best performance of the season, so far. His efforts culminated in 23.2 rating points — more than any other player on the ground. Give him the three votes!
Stocks down: It’s been harped on about, but just how much will the Crows rue their poor start to the season? Make no mistake, a win over this struggling North Melbourne team should not be seen as the catalyst for a potential shift in fortunes, as most teams will be putting them to the sword, but a few close losses and a tight win over premiership fancy Carlton isn’t too disastrous, despite what their 2-5 record suggests. Massive Showdown coming up.
Stocks up: There were very few winners for the Lions on Anzac Day after falling to GWS by 54 points, but someone that did play their role was Josh Dunkley. The 2016 Bulldogs premiership player had 20 disposals, nine tackles, half a dozen score involvements, and never stopped trying, despite the game blowing out not long after halftime.
Stocks down: At the risk of this stating the bleeding obvious, the entire Brisbane Lions Football Club is heading in the wrong direction. So close to a premiership last season and now 2-5 (one of those wins coming against the abysmal Kangaroos). There’s off field issues plaguing the club, and, on field, things just aren’t clicking between the midfield and forward line. It’s going to take some fixing to turn things around…
Stocks up: We flagged it last week, but Patrick Cripps could well and truly be on his way to a second Brownlow Medal. The Carlton captain was inspirational — yet again — on Saturday afternoon, throwing his weight around in the midfield and finishing with 29 touches, six tackles, eight clearances, and two goals. Credit to Jacob Weitering, too, who kept Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins goalless and took 12 marks in defence.
Stocks down: Matthew Owies can appear at important times throughout games, but he just doesn’t do enough at the top level. If the Blues welcome back some injured stars next week, he may be the first to make way.
