What we learnt: Gritty Dockers get it done

Football fans everywhere rejoice as the bye rounds finally come to a close.

The final four sides have had their rest as the competition prepares to attack the back-end of 2025, with nine teams cementing their place in the hunt for the coveted premiership trophy.

From the collapsing Blues to the rising Dogs, here are the things we learnt from Round 16!

The Crows are flying at both ends

The scoring power of the Adelaide Crows is sure to have rivals worried as finals approach.

It was only Richmond but the Crows again looked crisp forward of centre, kicking a score of 122 with 32 scoring shots from 59 inside 50s.

On eight occasions in 2025 they’ve kicked 100 or more points and they average over 98 per game. Only the Western Bulldogs have tallied more points, averaging 105.

We all know what they can do in attack, but Matthew Nicks has this side humming defensively as well.

At the other end they’ve been miserly. The Crows have conceded the second fewest points in the league (only Collingwood has been better) and have held opponents to less than 80 points on 10 occasions.

Across their last five games the Crows have conceded 267 points at an average of 53.4.

Their game is in great order at both ends of the park and those they come up against at the business end of the season will need to do their homework.

The defensive group highlighted by Josh Worrell, Jordon Butts, Mark Keane and Max Michalanney is in a good patch of form and the way Nicks sets up the ground allows them to turn the screws defensively.

The Crows are flying at both ends.

Andrew Slevison

Lynch’s boiling point

We’ve seen Tom Lynch’s frustrations increase in recent times.

He had a game to forget on Sunday and lashing out at Jordon Butts was his boiling point.

It was a horrible way to react and as a senior player of a young group he must find ways to deal with the attention and scragging that a quality key forward receives.

Both Lynch and Butts are probably both lucky that the punch missed the target.

His career is dwindling and he’s going to have to change his mindset so he can start enjoying the game more before it’s all over.

Andrew Slevison

Gritty Dockers get it done

The jury was still out on Fremantle after five straight wins.

They entered the St Kilda clash in pretty good nick and simply needed to win to keep in touch with the top four.

And that’s exactly what they did.

It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t without a few scares, but it was completely necessary.

That’s 10 wins for Freo in 2025 and with a tricky run to come - Sydney away, Hawthorn at home and Collingwood in Melbourne - grinding out a tough win over the Saints was absolutely required.

While they might not be seen as a genuine contender just yet, Justin Longmuir’s side simply has to qualify for the eight for this season to be seen as a success.

You’d think they’re still a few wins away but they’ve got time on their side.

Andrew Slevison

It might be time for a Wildcard Round

The discourse around the Wildcard Round has picked up in its usual place within the AFL season cycle, and this year, for good reason.

Following the bye rounds and all of Round 16's results, the top nine find themselves two games clear of 10th placed Port Adelaide, and three games clear from the rest of the AFL.

For the likes of Carlton, Essendon, Melbourne and St Kilda, whose seasons are all but dead with eight games remaining (nine for the Bombers), the conversation once again commences as to how the league can entice the middle-of-the-pack sides to continue to remain invested once the top eight becomes out of reach.

We've seen this issue solved across US sports, with the NBA introducing the 'Play-in Tournament' to allow teams who finish in ninth and tenth place to play off for a spot in the NBA Playoffs - a decision originally scolded by the media that has now grown into some of the best viewing across an NBA season.

Yes, we all want to ensure that our great sport steers clear of American models, however a Wildcard Round might just work on several fronts.

Taking this season as an example, every team from ninth to 15th would remain well in the hunt for a place in September, meaning there remains plenty to play for. The round could also take place in the traditional pre-finals bye round, permitting a much-earned rest to teams within the top six while also eliminating the week break.

Do teams who miss the eight deserve a shot? And what do the finals look like once Tasmania enters the AFL? These questions will continue to remain for as long as the concept is floated, however given the progression of the 2025 AFL season, there may be no better reason to welcome the change.

Jaiden Sciberras

The young Eagles have plenty of fight

While the result got away from them in the final term, West Coast’s admirable charge against league-leading Collingwood was an exciting sign of things to come.

Residing at the bottom of the table with just one win from their 14 games prior to Saturday night, the Eagles entered their contest with the Magpies with absolutely nothing to lose, and didn’t they show it.

Taking a lead into half time and entering the final term just 10 points down at Marvel Stadium, West Coast put on a performance far beyond expectations.

It’s very evident that Mini is building a strong culture and on-field identity within the young group, and fights like these are crucial in developing a top-quality side.

Tom McCarthy looks to be a stellar mid-season selection, the veteran recruits are stepping up and their selection of young talent are coming to their own at a rapid rate.

The Eagles are on the up. Consistency is key and they will certainly look to back up their performance against the Giants next week.

Jaiden Sciberras

Seven-goal Hawk has hit his second prime

Did anyone see this coming?

Jack Gunston's form across 2025 has most certainly been well documented, however following a career-high seven goal haul against the Kangaroos, there is no question that the three-time premiership player has reached an unexpected second prime.

Following what was a rather disappointing season in Brisbane and a semi-decent return last year, Gunston's importance within a young Hawthorn side was certainly up for debate entering season 16.

Now, having featured in 12 of the Hawks' 15 games, Gunston is on track for his best ever return in front of goal.

35 goals in 12 games at 33-years-old, Gunston has been absolutely immense in solidifying an often questioned Hawthorn attack, finding himself in sixth place in the Coleman Medal race despite missing three games across the season.

Locked into the top five after three straight wins, the Hawks face four top eight sides from their remaining eight games in what appears to be a difficult run home.

With that being said, there is no question that if Jack Gunston can continue his arguably career-best form, there is truly no limit for this Hawthorn side.

Jaiden Sciberras

Top-four Dogs

The Western Bulldogs are now knocking on the door of the top-four after completing a 96-105 victory over Sydney Swans at the SCG on Friday night.

At 36 points with a percentage of 131.5, just 3.7 per cent behind fourth placed Adelaide also on 36 points,

At the conclusion of Round 13 the Dogs found themselves outside the top eight after losses to Hawthorn and Geelong. But since then, they have won three in a row at 175.47%.

Their scoring power is clear, currently sitting 105 clear of Adelaide for points-scored in 2025 (with Adelaide yet to play this round). Sam Darcy (three goals) has a lot to do with that.

This coupled with the stellar years of youngster Joel Freijah (23 disposals, four goals) and possibly the best player in the comp right now Marcus Bontempelli (18 disposals, one goal), it's clear to see why this side is, and should be in the mix deep into September this year.

The re-signing of coach Luke Beveridge builds stability at a club that has gone through some turmoil in the last couple of seasons, but the signature of Bontempelli and a top-four finish are now the key focuses for the Sons of the West.

Ethan Clark

Bereft Blues

The footy world was watching on Thursday night. Many were expecting Carlton to show some fight against Port Adelaide.

But the disjointed and dismal display symbolised a struggling Blues team that is bereft of confidence and short of spirit.

Players looked frustrated. Michael Voss seemingly had no answers. The Blues are officially in free-fall. A 50-point loss is the exact opposite of what they needed.

They were battling in the lead-up to the North Melbourne loss. Now they are in all sorts of bother.

It might get worse still. Collingwood next. Brisbane after that.

This is a testing time for a massive club. Now everyone wants to see what they’ve got underneath.

Port Adelaide, on the other hand, must be commended.

The Power have been pilloried for much of the season given the Ken Hinkley-Josh Carr coaching situation.

But their powerful performance at home proves they’re still playing for Kenny. And they’ve still got some fighting to do by the looks of it.

As it stands they’re a game (and healthy percentage) outside the eight. That in itself provides hope.

If they can pick off a few of their 50-50 fixtures in the coming weeks, and other results go their way, then who knows? They might just need a win over the Blues in Round 23 to play finals.

Either way, they’ll go down swinging under Hinkley. Will the Blues say the same about his long-time apprentice Voss?

Andrew Slevison