ALL 18 clubs are in action for just the second time this season as the competition descends on South Australia for Gather Round.

Four early pacesetters are undefeated with three wins, while Adelaide is among five clubs still searching for a breakthrough victory and will open the round against Melbourne on Thursday. 

GATHER ROUND 2024 All you need to know about the Festival of Footy in SA

Port Adelaide hosts Essendon in a Friday night blockbuster, but arguably the matches of the round will be part of the Fremantle-Carlton and Western Bulldogs-Geelong double-header at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Here is what to look out for across Gather Round, as well as a tip for each match.

Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
Thursday, April 4, 7:10pm ACDT

Last time: Melbourne 13. 13 (97) d Adelaide 13.15 (93), R19 2023

What it means
It is now or never for Adelaide (0-3) as it kicks off Gather Round after three consecutive defeats that have its hopes of returning to finals on the brink of collapse. Playing their feature round match on home turf might give the Crows a much-needed boost, but the Demons showed last week against the Power that they have few fears of running out on Adelaide Oval.

Melbourne (3-1) found a way to get over the line even as Port Adelaide was in command for long periods in their round three clash. The Demons will be buoyed by their forward group firing and especially with Ben Brown booting three critical goals as they take on a Crows outfit with issues at both ends.

Game shapers
Captain Jordan Dawson needs to lead the way for an under-fire Adelaide searching for a spark around stoppages and for slicker ball movement on the outside. Dawson can have an influence in both areas but will want to tidy up his kicking efficiency that has dropped to 49 per cent after being above 70 per cent across two previous seasons at the club.

It has been a while since Alex Neal-Bullen could be found flying under the radar but he has rarely had a more impactful outing than against Port Adelaide last week. The reliable Neal-Bullen has had 24 disposals in each of the past two weeks but added two goals against the Power as a livewire inside the forward 50 to again prove he is a well-rounded weapon for the Demons.

Early tip: Melbourne by 11 points

Brisbane v North Melbourne, Norwood Oval
Friday, April 5, 4:40pm ACDT

Last time: Brisbane 22.20 (152) d North Melbourne 12.5 (77), R5 2023

What it means
Brisbane (0-3) faces perhaps the ideal match-up against North Melbourne as it looks to get its floundering campaign back on track after three defeats including two at the Gabba. Last year's runners-up simply must win against a Kangaroos side that they have beaten in all six clashes going back to 2018, with three matches against top-four contenders and a QClash to follow.

North Melbourne (0-3) was always likely to find the going tough as it started its season with three matches against last year's preliminary finalists in the opening four rounds. But the Roos should still be aiming to tidy up their ball use if only to protect their undermanned and undersized defence that is struggling to contain opposition key forwards. 

Game shapers
Brisbane's key forwards failed to grasp their opportunities against Collingwood but have a chance to make amends – and find form – against North Melbourne. Joe Daniher was far from the Lions' worst against the Pies but can now lead the way with his athleticism up the ground and long kicking sure to be a weapon at Norwood Oval.

While North Melbourne is still coming to terms with problems in its defence it must also tackle new issues at the other end with ruck-forward Callum Coleman-Jones sidelined with an Achilles injury. All-Australian Nick Larkey is now the one genuine key forward and will need to compete hard in the air against the Lions' defence to bring the Roos' goalsneaks into the game. 

Early tip: Brisbane by 33 points

Port Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval
Friday, April 5, 7:40pm ACDT 

Last time: Port Adelaide 11.12 (78) d Essendon 10.14 (74), R16 2023

What it means
Port Adelaide (2-1) did a lot right against Melbourne in having more shots on goal and an additional 21 inside 50s without clinching the statement win it arguably needs against a top-four contender. The Power must now make the most of their second of three consecutive matches on home turf against a Bombers side they have beaten in all of their seven meetings going back to 2018.

Essendon (2-1) turned to effort as much as an 'edge' in its rousing come-from-behind victory over St Kilda as its midfield won the battle at the coalface and around the ground. The Bombers are still a work in progress but can put themselves in a strong early position with a second consecutive win over a finals hopeful.

Game shapers
Zak Butters battled hard without having his usual influence against Melbourne after starting the season with a pair of dominant displays. The Power will need Butters to quickly bounce back to his best especially against a Bombers midfield building on their balance and strength around the contest.

Essendon needed a forward to step up when the game was on the line against St Kilda and it was little surprise when Jake Stringer was the one to do just that. The 'Package' delivered another match-turning performance against the Saints to add to a powerful start to the season that has already produced 10 goals. 

Early tip: Port Adelaide by 14 points

West Coast v Sydney, Adelaide Hills
Saturday, April 6, 1:00pm ACDT

Last time: Sydney 31.19 (205) d West Coast 5.4 (34), R15 2023

What it means
West Coast (0-3) has plummeted to historic lows but it is not about to get any easier as it faces a wounded Sydney outfit that won this clash by 171 points last year. The Eagles have become just the sixth team in AFL/VFL history to fail to win a quarter from their opening three matches but must hope to at least snap that streak for their young group to take a small step forward.

Sydney (3-1) had placed itself firmly among the frontrunners with a scintillating start to the season until dropping back to the pack with a shock loss to Richmond. The Swans fielded a younger side than the Tigers but they should now be well-aware that in an even competition it is essential to avoid complacency and expect an under-siege opposition to rise to the occasion. 

Game shapers
Tim Kelly is too often found playing a lone hand in the West Coast midfield but the 29-year-old showed no signs of frustration with 28 disposals against Western Bulldogs. Kelly lacks the support to be at his most damaging but will be crucial for the Eagles in containing the Swans' young onball outfit and testing them the other way.

Sydney is still without skipper Callum Mills and is set to face West Coast without former co-captains Luke Parker and Dane Rampe, leaving Jake Lloyd as its most experienced player. Lloyd has warmed into the season but with 32 disposals against the Tigers sent a reminder that he can set up the Swans transitions as well as being a composed presence across the defence.

Early tip: Sydney by 67 points

Fremantle v Carlton, Adelaide Oval
Saturday, April 6, 3:50pm ACDT

Last time: Carlton 14.14 (98) d Fremantle 6.9 (45), R17 2023

What it means
Fremantle (3-0) could hardly have been more impressive in its undefeated start to the season but can no longer claim to be the hunter even as it faces the red-hot Carlton. The Dockers have been able to overcome injuries in their defence with an imperious midfield group that is now flowing into the forward half. 

Carlton (3-0) will be out to extend its bright start to the season as well as brush aside a 0-7 record at Adelaide Oval. The Blues look more settled following the return of Jacob Weitering to their backline, but are most ominous in the forward half with Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow already combining for 21 goals.

Game shapers
Captain Alex Pearce was a commanding presence in defence as Fremantle restricted Adelaide to only four goals but is set to face a tougher test against McKay and Curnow. The in-form Pearce can mind one of the Blues' twin towers but will also need to support young key defender Josh Draper as well as intercepting gun Luke Ryan if the Dockers are to claim a fourth straight win.

Adam Cerra has reminded his former club of what it once had with 59 disposals in his two previous matches against Fremantle, but this time faces a midfield looking at the top of their game. Cerra has been valuable on the outside in recent wins over Brisbane and North Melbourne but will likely need to help match the Dockers onballers around the stoppages to help the Blues get over the line. 

Early tip: Carlton by 13 points

Western Bulldogs v Geelong, Adelaide Oval
Saturday, April 6, 7:40pm ACDT

Last time: Western Bulldogs 16.8 (104) d Geelong 11.13 (79), R24 2023

What it means
Western Bulldogs (2-1) did what it had to do with a resounding victory over last year's tormentor West Coast, but now need to make a statement against a top-four contender like Geelong. The Bulldogs still allowed the Eagles to match them for inside 50s in an area of their game they will want to tighten up against the more potent Cats. 

Geelong (3-0) is setting itself up for another top-four tilt with a flawless start to the season although tougher tests are set to come. The experienced Cats know the importance of making the most of a winning streak and banking early-season victories, while young guns such as Tanner Bruhn are blossoming nicely to refresh the line-up.

Game shapers
Marcus Bontempelli was hardly needed against the hapless West Coast but it was still a surprise to see the Western Bulldogs skipper restricted to only 16 disposals – his fewest tally in nearly two years. Bontempelli still made an impact with three goals and nine tackles, but will be out to put in a typically robust performance against the Cats' more mature midfield. 

Mark Blicavs has shown across 12 seasons that he can influence a game from any position on the field. The versatile Blicavs will be equally important for the Cats in his 250th match whether minding the Dogs' tall forwards or competing with last year's All-Australian ruck Tim English. 

Early tip: Geelong by nine points

Gold Coast v GWS Giants, Adelaide Hills
Sunday, April 7, 12:00pm ACST

Last time: GWS Giants 15.15 (105) d Gold Coast 9.7 (61), R1 2023

What it means
Gold Coast (2-1) has had a week off to lick its wounds after a disappointing display against Western Bulldogs ended the glittering start to life under Damien Hardwick. The Suns are likely to remain inconsistent as they learn to play under their new coach's guidance but the emerging side should be primed to lift and test themselves against the high-flying Giants.

GWS (3-0) has had the better of Gold Coast in recent times, with 11 wins from their past 12 meetings going back to 2014. But the ladder-leading Giants will have no room for complacency especially knowing that the Suns' only triumph in that time came when the sides last met on neutral turf at Mars Stadium in 2021.

Game shapers
Gold Coast co-captain Touk Miller is looking back to his ball-winning best around the stoppages after an injury-hit 2023. Miller can be trusted to turn it on again where his hard-nosed graft will be critical against the Giants' battle-hardened midfield.

Lachie Whitfield has been shifted around in recent seasons as GWS look to make the most of his sublime foot skills in areas where he is needed most. Whitfield has mostly settled across half-back again this year and is averaging a career-high 33 disposals a game as a key to the Giants turning defence into attack.

Early tip: GWS Giants by 17 points

Richmond v St Kilda, Norwood Oval
Sunday, April 7, 2:50pm ACST 

Last time: St Kilda 14.9 (93) d Richmond 8.9 (57), R22 2023

What it means
Richmond (1-3) has been quickly brought crashing back to Earth after its stirring victory against Sydney was soured by injuries to Tom Lynch and Noah Balta. The Tigers built their win on intense pressure but after losing two key pillars will likely have to also find a strength around stoppages to upset a shaky St Kilda.

St Kilda (1-2) was left to rue not making the most of its early dominance and putting Essendon away last week as another defeat has left clouds hanging over a promising start to its campaign. The Saints can hardly afford to let another game slip when they face a wounded Richmond especially with a clash with GWS coming up after that.

Game shapers
Richmond might be in a state of transition but some familiarity remains with Nick Vlastuin a reliable presence in defence. The three-time premiership player was a key to cutting off Sydney's offensive threats with 15 intercepts among 29 disposals, and will again be pivotal as the Tigers attempt to stifle the Saints.

Jack Steele has rediscovered his consistency after an unusually up-and-down 2023, but will now be out to make amends for St Kilda giving up their ascendancy at stoppages as it was overrun by Essendon. The Saints captain might need more support but can still lead the way with clearances and tackles on the tight confines of Norwood Oval. 

Early tip: St Kilda by 14 points

Collingwood v Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval
Sunday, April 7, 4:40pm ACST 

Last time: Hawthorn 16.9 (105) d Collingwood 11.7 (73), R21 2023 

What it means
Reigning premier Collingwood (1-3) kickstarted its season with a win over Brisbane at the Gabba but now needs to back it up at another victory away from home. The Magpies withstood the Lions' early onslaught then turned up their own pressure to surge home in ominous signs for the rest of the competition.

Hawthorn (0-3) stayed in the contest against the white-hot Geelong even as stormy weather and lightning put a dampener on the match. But honourable losses should be well short of enough for the Hawks as they look to find ways to win and perhaps even repeat their upset of the Pies last year.

Game shapers
Jack Crisp paid the price for a slow start to the season while Collingwood lost its opening three matches to start as sub for this first time in his 230-match career. Crisp played little more than a quarter against Brisbane but made an immediate impact with 13 disposals and a goal to help turn the contest and press his claims to return to the starting line-up.

Hawthorn stunned Collingwood late last season as the eventual premier was outplayed and lost young gun Nick Daicos to injury. Finn Maginness had ensured Daicos had minimal impact even before injury struck, restricting the star midfielder to only five disposals in 60 per cent game time with a defensive diligence that sets up an enthralling return bout. 

Early tip: Collingwood by 27 points

CARLTON has risen at the death against Fremantle to become the new king of close finishes, kicking three goals in the last five minutes to seal a thrilling 10-point win in controversial style at Adelaide Oval.

The Dockers looked poised to continue their undefeated start to the season when they held a nine-point lead deep in the fourth quarter of a gruelling arm-wrestle, but a late goal to Charlie Curnow put the Blues in striking distance.

DOCKERS v BLUES Full match coverage and stats

Half-forward Matthew Cottrell was then awarded a mark and converted his set shot as Dockers players pleaded with the umpire that the ball had been touched, with dissent continuing and resulting in a follow-up free kick for the Blues and a 'double goal', with Matt Kennedy icing the match.

The Dockers would have had 40 seconds to steal the lead back with a quick centre clearance if not for the umpire dissent, with the team ultimately falling to its first defeat of the season after a low-scoring clash that ended with the Blues winning 10.13 (73) to 9.9 (63).

It was the Blues' seventh win by 10 points or less from their past 10 clashes, with the 2023 preliminary finalists undefeated after four games this season.

Curnow (12 marks, including six contested) was critical in the result, kicking three goals in a low-scoring match, including the belief-builder in the dying minutes and back-to-back goals at the start of the third quarter that gave the Blues their first lead since early in the game.

Key defender Jacob Weitering (21 disposals and 12 marks) was also vital, while ruckman Tom De Koning competed hard with Luke Jackson to finish with 16 disposals, 32 hit-outs and five inside 50s in an impressive outing.

The Blues got the win despite having their usual ball-movement and midfield strengths taken away as the Dockers controlled clearances (44-27) and kept Carlton to its lowest score of the season in a grinding clash with little outside flow for either team.

Forward-half turnovers created most of the Blues' opportunities, with former Docker Adam Cerra seizing on one to get Carlton on the board early with a right-foot snap.  

Chances were hard to come by otherwise, with the Blues conceding back-to-back goals to pressure forwards Tom Emmett and Bailey Banfield before Patrick Cripps stepped up deep in the quarter, celebrating his set shot goal with a nod to his newborn baby.

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Leading by one point at the end of the first term, the Dockers accelerated to start the second as midfielder Caleb Serong worked into the game and set up the Dockers' best passage of play with his vision in congestion, allowing Jye Amiss to kick his first goal.

The little things that Fremantle is doing so well this season, like desperate smothers and chasedown tackles, remained central to its game as Matt Taberner caught former Docker Blake Acres holding the ball for his first goal.

For all Freo’s hard work keeping Carlton in check with disciplined defence, the Blues were still able to create a run of opportunities late in the quarter with front-half turnovers. Misses from Harry McKay, Cripps and then De Koning, however, left them with 1.4 for the quarter and a three-point deficit at the main break. 

The Dockers were dealt a setback in the third quarter when important running forward Michael Frederick suffered a right hamstring injury, grabbing at his leg as he strode through the middle of the ground.

The game never broke open and tension built, particularly after a late hit on Nat Fyfe in a marking contest from Carlton forward Lachie Fogarty that will draw scrutiny.

The final term was brutal and came down to who could win the critical contests. When Jeremy Sharp and Michael Walters converted back-to-back opportunities, it looked the Dockers would win enough of those to end Gather Round undefeated.

They lost their cool late, however, and the Blues were there to pounce, proving they love a close finish more than any team in 2024.

Aerial battle the key for Blues
In a game that saw their ground-level strengths neutralised by a brilliant Freo midfield, the Blues needed to get the job done in the aerial contests. In the end they took 16 contested marks to the Dockers' six, with Curnow (six) the key figure in the second half. Weitering and Brodie Kemp combined for 26 marks in defence, while also keeping Freo's tall forwards relatively quiet in the air. The game was largely on the Dockers' terms, but the Blues kept themselves close enough by controlling the airwaves.

Freo moving on from lost wingman
In a game that saw former Fremantle wingman Blake Acres lining up for the Blues, it was new Docker Jeremy Sharp who was the star on the outside on Saturday. Sharp played the best of his four games for Fremantle, finishing with 29 disposals, seven inside 50s and a late goal. His running power is an asset for the Dockers, and he used his speed several times on Saturday to break the line and kick long. Acres has been an asset to the Blues and the Dockers felt his absence last year. With Sharp, however, the club now has one wing well covered.

Fogarty floors Fyfe in untidy contest 
Nat Fyfe was positioned to take a chest mark on the wing when Lachie Fogarty charged through in a desperate but attempt to spoil that will draw the attention of the Match Review Office. Fogarty's eyes were on Fyfe as his right forearm appeared to make contact with the dual Brownlow medallist's neck, drawing a strong response from the Fremantle players. Fogarty's fate will be determined by where initial contact was made and if he was engaging in a legitimate spoiling attempt.

FREMANTLE    2.2   4.2    7.7     9.9 (63)   
CARLTON        2.1   3.5   5.10   10.13 (73)

GOALS
Fremantle: Emmett 2, Amiss, Banfield, Sharp, Switkowski, Taberner, Treacy, Walters
Carlton: Curnow 3, Cottrell 2, Kennedy 2, Cerra, Cripps, Owies

BEST
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Young, Clark, Aish, Sharp, Fyfe, Serong
Carlton: Weitering, Curnow, Cripps, Saad, De Koning, Kemp, Cerra

INJURIES
Fremantle: Frederick (hamstring)
Carlton: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Jaeger O'Meara (replaced Matthew Johnson in the third quarter) 
Carlton: Matt Owies (replaced Elijah Hollands in the third quarter) 

Crowd: 43,158 at Adelaide Oval