IF the Crows finish last and get pick two as free agency compo for Brad Crouch ... THEN

WITH the AFL season in full swing, Sliding Doors is hitting its straps.  

>> See more Sliding Doors here

So what's Damo saying about your club? What's he saying about the AFL? Check it out.

Adelaide Crows

IF ...

the Crows, as expected, finish last and then get pick two as free agency compensation for Brad Crouch ...

THEN ...

that would expose, yet again, the total farce that is the AFL free agency compensation system. Compo has to go, immediately.

Brad Crouch gets a handball away under pressure. Picture: AFL Photos

Brisbane Lions

IF ...

most things had gone perfectly to this point of the disrupted 2020 season ...

THEN ...

big Stef's unavailability for eight weeks with a back stress fracture will prove a massive test. Over to you, Archie Smith.

Lions ruckman Stef Martin (right). Picture: AFL Photos

Carlton

IF ...

they all click in the same game ... 

THEN ...

the Blues' forward line will be unstoppable on that day. Eddie, Jack, Harry, Mitch, Levi, Michael. Can't see Carlton losing to the Roos.

00:34

Electrifying Eddie, you've done it again

Eddie Betts weaves some absolute genius in front of goal

 Collingwood

IF ...

the most important defender is out for the year and arguably the most important forward out for at least the home and away season ...

THEN ...

at some stage that will play havoc with 2020 premiership hopes. No matter what he says publicly, it would be totally understandable if Bucks stayed curled up in his hub bed for a full day sometime in the next fortnight.

02:36

Five-star De Goey explosive on his return

Jordan De Goey conjures a special performance in his return to footy, with five goals to easily claim best-on-ground honours

Essendon

IF ...

the Bombers are to make serious impact in 2020 ...

THEN ...

I reckon big Bellcho needs to be part of it. Good to see him back this week. And if his opponent this week, Reilly O'Brien, two weeks ago mused that Nic Nat was "lazy and unfit", I wonder what his notes say about the big Bomber.

Tom Bellchambers is back for the Bombers. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Fremantle

IF ...

you removed the final scores from the seven matches played by the Dockers this year ... 

THEN ...

even at 2-5, they’re going more than OK. But a scalp would make people take notice. And a scalp presents on Monday night, in the form of Geelong.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 06:24

    Simmo on Kennedy: 'Couldn't be prouder'

    Adam Simpson says the club doesn't expect Josh Kennedy to kick four goals each week in the 'twilight years' of his career, but are not surprised with his best-on-ground performance

    AFL
  • 06:51

    Longmuir on Tabs' error: 'Clearly he'd like that back'

    Justin Longmuir says Matt Taberner recovered well after his howler in front of goal and classed it as 'one moment' in a game of many costly errors

    AFL
  • 01:18

    Kennedy knows best in game 250

    Josh Kennedy was the most influential player on the ground with four goals in his 250th game of AFL

    AFL
  • 05:16

    Highlights: Fremantle v West Coast

    The Dockers and Eagles clash in round seven

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Horror misses flattening faithful Freo fans

    Lively Fremantle supporters attempt to help their side mount a comeback but are let down after two poor shots on goal, following some superior marking

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Docker delight as Frederick kicks first ever AFL goal

    Fremantle first-gamer Michael Frederick zooms onto the crumbs and snares his first major in the AFL

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Oh no, Taberner embarrassed after open-goal howler

    Matt Taberner gets mowed down in the goalsquare after electing to play on in very similar fashion to the infamous Nick Riewoldt and Heath Shaw incident

    AFL
  • 00:16

    Milestone man pumped after opener

    Josh Kennedy plucks a brilliant mark on his 250th game and makes no mistake of the resulting set shot

    AFL

Geelong Cats

IF ...

you were quick to write off the Cats as a 2020 premiership hope after last round's loss to Collingwood ...

THEN ...

I'd suggest a rethink. In it up to their eyeballs.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 07:05

    Highlights: Geelong v Collingwood

    The Cats and Magpies clash in round seven

    AFL
  • 02:36

    Five-star De Goey explosive on his return

    Jordan De Goey conjures a special performance in his return to footy, with five goals to easily claim best-on-ground honours

    AFL
  • 06:07

    Scott: 'More than a few things went against us'

    Chris Scott believes his Cats were well beaten by 'the better team on the night' and provided an update on injuries to Joel Selwood and Jordan Clark

    AFL
  • 07:22

    Bucks: 'When he's kicking five goals, we'll take that'

    Nathan Buckley admits he'd like to play Jordan De Goey through the midfield, but his worth up forward is too valuable

    AFL
  • 00:41

    De Goey delivers soccer special

    Jordan De Goey rounds off a fantastic game with a dazzling volley on goal

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Hoskin-Elliott screamer stuns Optus

    Will Hoskin-Elliott launches himself for a perfect hanger right in front of the Collingwood faithful in Perth

    AFL
  • 00:32

    Cats concern as young gun hurts shoulder

    Geelong suffer another setback with Jordan Clark leaving the game with a shoulder injury

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Slick Cat feeds the ball to Zach for snap

    Gary Rohan shows excellent hands to help the ball towards Zach Tuohy who snaps truly

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Sons of guns combine for one

    Collingwood youngsters Callum Brown and Josh Daicos conjure a delightful goal

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Massive blow as skipper Selwood done

    Geelong have been dealt a huge setback with captain Joel Selwood finished for the game after appearing to injure his hamstring

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Pies prove where there's a Will, there's a way

    Collingwood do brilliantly to plant the ball in the path of forward Will Hoskin-Elliott, who finishes with the neatest of snaps

    AFL
  • 00:51

    De Goey swamped by Pies after opener

    Jordan De Goey is paid a dubious mark but makes no mistake of the resulting set shot

    AFL

 Gold Coast Suns

IF ...

the Thursday night full-time scoreboard said it was a loss ...

THEN ...

the big picture season-2020 scoreboard said it was a win. Suns lost nothing against the Dogs, in the belated first "primetime" slot of their AFL life. They stood up, but they now need to do it all again against GWS next week to frank it. 

03:07

Watch the last two minutes: GC v WB

Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Suns and the Bulldogs

GWS Giants

IF ...

it worked for Lethal and his Lions in 2001 ...

THEN ...

Leon Cameron should give the, "If it bleeds, we can kill it", Predator-inspired line a go this weekend. Giants' season going nowhere. Need some outside-the-norm inspiration. And desperately need to beat the Tigers.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 08:06

    Cameron: 'We're a rung off the top-liners'

    GWS coach Leon Cameron admits 'the boys are down a bit in confidence' but refuses to 'wallow in pity'

    AFL
  • 04:32

    Fagan: 'We learned a lot from last week'

    Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says 'good teams win anywhere, anytime' and his team took a step in that direction against GWS

    AFL
  • 06:57

    Highlights: GWS v Brisbane

    The Giants and Lions clash in round seven

    AFL
  • 00:45

    High fly from Lions' little man

    Lincoln McCarthy shows his aerial prowess and slots the sealer for Brisbane

    AFL
  • 00:59

    Sensational goal gives Brisbane breathing room

    The kick had to be perfect for Cam Rayner to nail it, and it was

    AFL
  • 01:15

    Huge mark from No.1 pick halts GWS momentum

    Cam Rayner comes from nowhere to clunk it and slot an important goal for Brisbane

    AFL
  • 01:08

    Finlayson's outstanding finish from his sweet spot

    From deep in the pocket, Jeremy Finlayson produces a brilliant goal

    AFL
  • 00:55

    Sublime snap from GWS young gun

    On return from shoulder surgery, reigning Giants best and fairest Tim Taranto shows no sign of rust

    AFL
  • 01:10

    Lions mates catch Giants defenders napping

    A great grab by Lincoln McCarthy and he hands it off to close friend Lachie Neale for an easy goal

    AFL

Hawthorn

IF ...

Clarko at some stage of 2020 doesn't punch another hole in a wall in a coaches' box ... 

THEN ...

I'll be very surprised. Giving every impression he's about to explode. And maybe the Hawks need him to.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson. Picture: AFL Photos

 Melbourne

IF ...

the Dees are able to ensure matches are played in the style of their round seven demolition of Hawthorn ... 

THEN ...

they will definitely be finals bound. But that's the challenge. The Gawn-Petracca combo looming as formidable.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 02:08

    Petracca warns comp he's arrived

    Christian Petracca looks to have transformed to a new level in 2020 after another phenomenal performance

    AFL
  • 13:06

    Clarko: 'Down on confidence and dispirited'

    Alastair Clarkson believes his side find themselves in a 'patch' of being well 'below their best', but is optimistic they can turn it around

    AFL
  • 01:10

    Gawn eats up everything Hawks dish up

    Max Gawn had a field day against Hawthorn, marking just about every ball that was sent his way

    AFL
  • 05:52

    Goodwin on Petracca: 'Becoming a very good player'

    Simon Goodwin says Christian Petracca has been 'outstanding' all season and agrees he is starting to show signs of his massive potential

    AFL
  • 07:23

    Highlights: Hawthorn v Melbourne

    The Hawks and Demons clash in round seven

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Hawks happy for Morris after opening AFL account

    Hawthorn get around second-gamer Josh Morris after earning his first AFL goal

    AFL
  • 01:01

    Joy for Jackson after first AFL goal

    Promising Melbourne youngster Luke Jackson snares his first major in the AFL after running into an open goal

    AFL
  • 00:21

    High-flying Hawk done after ankle injury

    Hawthorn have been dealt a blow with marking forward Tim O'Brien out of the game after hurting his ankle

    AFL
  • 01:36

    Deadly Dees tell Pickett to kick it

    The Demons continue their irrepressible run with another major, this one through exciting youngster Kysaiah Pickett

    AFL
  • 00:54

    Jaeger's left is just classy and deft

    Hawthorn desperately needed a goal and Jaeger O'Meara obliges with a very silky snap on his left

    AFL
  • 01:04

    Harley's hands help Hannan on his way

    Christian Petracca and Harley Bennell show a nice set of skills to feed the ball towards Mitch Hannan who does the rest

    AFL

North Melbourne

IF ...

the Roos pride themselves, sometimes ridiculously, on their Shinboner spirit ... 

THEN ...

it's time to actually act that out. Yes, there are injuries, yes, there's also a quality dearth. But there's four good players back in for Saturday's game against Carlton and the 22 need to this week have an unconditional crack.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 06:42

    Shaw: 'Not enough blokes rowing the boat'

    North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw won't 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' but knows improvement is needed after a poor showing against Richmond

    AFL
  • 06:33

    Hardwick: 'We can play a hell of a lot better'

    Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lauds his side's spread of performers but warned the reigning premiers can improve

    AFL
  • 07:33

    Highlights: Richmond v Kangaroos

    The Tigers and Kangaroos clash in round seven

    AFL
  • 00:30

    Rising Roo stretchered off after incredible bravery

    Kyron Hayden was down for several minutes after courageously running back with the flight and getting crunched - fairly - by Tom Lynch

    AFL
  • 00:23

    Crucial Tigers backman on report

    Dual Richmond premiership defender Dylan Grimes will be scrutinised by the Match Review Officer for this incident

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Nightmare blunder from Roo ruck gifts Tigers goal

    There haven't been many bad moments for Todd Goldstein this year but this wasn't his finest effort

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Frustrated Dusty in MRO strife?

    Richmond superstar Dustin Martin doesn't seem to be enjoying the close attention from North Melbourne tagger Luke McDonald

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Flag Tiger pulls up lame with hamstring concern

    Josh Caddy could be set for a stint on the sidelines

    AFL
  • 00:21

    More problems for North skipper

    Returning from a hamstring injury, Jack Ziebell didn't make it until the end of the first quarter against Richmond

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Josh sky-Walker takes stunning speccy

    Recycled Roo provides an early exciting moment with one of the marks of the season

    AFL

Port Adelaide

IF ...

it was Kenny in the middle of the club song after round six and Robbie coolly slotting a long bomb from the boundary after the final siren last weekend and big Charlie strutting round with his chest out and the kids getting inside the heads of seasoned opponents ...

THEN ...

there are soooo many reasons to make sure you're in front of a TV for every game this team plays. It's a bit old-school, I love it, and I hope that outlook takes them a very long way.

00:33

Robbie's ridiculous match-winner after siren

Robbie Gray has ice in veins, slotting the match-winning goal from a tight angle to send Port into a frenzy

Richmond

IF ...

there's a lot of player unavailability at the moment for the Tigers ... 

THEN ...

I can't understand how an available Sydney Stack can't break into the 22.

00:19

Marsh: Stack's spectacular mark of the pre-season

Sydney Stack stuns everybody with an absolutely outrageous hanger over Toby Greene

 St Kilda

IF ...

there's an upset brewing in round eight ...

THEN ...

it could be the Saints against Port. Butler is on fire, gets some good match-ups here. Capable of kicking five.

00:27

Butler's mad dash to the goals

Dan Butler receives reward for effort after this great team goal

Sydney Swans

IF ...

you go back to the 2012 Grand Final, which the Swans won ...

THEN ...

a 20-year-old key position player looked to have the footy world at his feet. And yet those feet belonging to Sam Reid have been forced to prop up wonky legs for a lot of the time since. Back for Saturday's game against the Hawks, still a very crucial player when fit.

Sam Reid looks on during a Sydney training session at Lakeside Oval on July 21. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

West Coast Eagles

IF ...

the season-saving three-win streak has come against teams currently placed 16th (Sydney), 18th (Adelaide) and 15th (Fremantle) ... 

THEN ...

we don't yet know if the Eagles are flag worthy. But we will Sunday evening, after the match against Collingwood.

05:16

Highlights: Fremantle v West Coast

The Dockers and Eagles clash in round seven

Western Bulldogs

IF ...

every single 2020 season A-grader was lined up on the old schoolyard wall and I had one pick ... 

THEN ...

I’m taking Bont. Just impacts every game he plays, and actually saved Thursday’s against the Suns with a telling reading of the play in the final minute. Still reckon he should have the 2016 Norm Smith Medal on his CV. Go back and watch it. Fourteen kicks, 100 per cent efficiency, a couple which were mind-boggling. Eleven contested possessions, seven tackles and just to prove versatility as a then-20-year-old, nine hitouts as the then-allowed third man-up. Already an all-time great, and still getting better.

Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL

IF ...

some of the on-field adjudications of holding-the-ball had been mind-boggling in the past three rounds ...

THEN ...

this week's admission from the AFL's football department that some free kicks had been both "missed" and unwarranted" was a big step in the right direction. Well done for the admission. And Thursday’s Suns-Dogs game was much better.

IN AFL ON DEMAND NOW