Sliding Doors: IF you're an AFL player in 2020 ... 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 ...

you're winless and last on the ladder to this point of 2020 ...

THEN ...

there won't be a better chance of victory than a game against the 17th-placed team. Crows v Roos, who are on a six-match losing sequence, Saturday afternoon. An intriguing match-up.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 13:09

    Nicks: 'That one hurt'

    Matthew Nicks says his side were feeling the 'pain' after squandering a number of chances and lacking the 'polish and finish' required

    AFL
  • 07:37

    Woosha: 'There's a lot of upside'

    John Worsfold was most pleased about the output of his younger brigade, who showed plenty of positive signs against the Crows

    AFL
  • 07:31

    Highlights: Adelaide v Essendon

    The Crows and Bombers clash in round eight

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Cahill dances after Tim Cahill-like first ever goal

    Ned Cahill celebrates in unique style after snaring his first goal in the AFL with a clever soccer

    AFL
  • 00:38

    McKenna's magical solo trickery a sight to be seen

    Conor McKenna dazzles everyone after an amazing dash through the middle featuring a Gaelic kick to himself

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Crow and Don simultaneously reported for clashing heads

    Matt Crouch and Jacob Townsend both go on report following a feisty clash after the half-time siren

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Townsend goes for broke and lands the clever poke

    Jacob Townsend pinches a terrific goal after a lunging effort off the deck

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Stengle steams through for Crows' opener

    Adelaide snare their first goal after Tyson Stengle crumbs the pack to perfection

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Captain's bone-crunching hit rocks Adelaide Oval

    Tom Doedee delivers an absolutely devastating, yet fair hit on Essendon's Will Snelling

    AFL

Brisbane Lions

IF ...

you were asked to list the most important Lions on the 2020 list ...

THEN ...

Andrews, Neale, Cameron, McCluggage, Martin and Zorko would all be prominent. Mitch Robinson probably wouldn't be in the top dozen. And yet, pound for pound, and when giving off-field effect equal weight to on-field skill sets, he may be the No.1 most important. In owning his past mistakes at another club, has brilliantly transformed his own life, and has significantly shaped the extraordinary rebuild of this top-four bound club. A massive well done on reaching 200 matches.

Tough nut Lion Mitch Robinson. Picture: AFL Photos

Carlton

IF ...

the win against North Melbourne last week was better than most realised ... 

THEN ...

it won't matter anyway if the Blues fail against the Hawks on Friday night. In any given season, for a team wishing to have genuine impact, there are must-win games. For the Blues, round nine is one of those matches.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 05:34

    Highlights: North Melbourne v Carlton

    The Kangaroos and Blues clash in round eight

    AFL
  • 06:11

    Shaw: 'There's a level of frustration'

    North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw saw improvement from his charges but rued the slow start

    AFL
  • 05:38

    Teague: 'The ticker's been there'

    Carlton coach David Teague praises his side's efforts to keep fighting this season

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Brain fade costs North shot after siren

    A moment of madness from veteran Kangaroo Jasper Pittard sees a free kick reversed after the three-quarter time siren

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Anderson's studs force Cripps into rooms

    Carlton captain Patrick Cripps leaves the ground after this incident with North Melbourne tough nut Jed Anderson

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Nifty Newnes nails nice goal on left

    Smarts from Carlton recruit Jack Newnes to get his side off to a fast start in the second half

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Cheeky handball from Polec, Scott finishes

    An intelligent play from Jared Polec and Bailey Scott ensures North capitalise with a nice snap from the pocket

    AFL
  • 01:14

    Roo's horror blunder gifts Blues goal

    A shocking attempted handball from North Melbourne veteran Jamie Macmillan lands in the lap of David Cuningham, who makes no mistake

    AFL

 Collingwood

IF ...

everyone in life, within reason, is deserving of a second chance ...

THEN ...

Steele Sidebottom is deserving of at least five when it comes to his time as a Magpie. Sure, he stuffed up big time. But who hasn't done something they regret? Back for Sunday's game against the Dockers. Would be staggered if he played as the stand-in skipper (for the injured Pendlebury), but would also be staggered if he's not among the best three afield.

01:08

'I take full responsibility for my actions': Sidebottom says sorry

Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom apologises for his breach of COVID-19 protocols

Essendon

IF ...

James Stewart hasn't been seen at the top level since round 11, 2018 and the 'big fella' Sam Draper not seen at all in four years on the list ...

THEN ...

the Bombers are embracing the possibilities of fairytales in this fairytale-required journey through 2020, with both to play against the Lions. Love the stories that have perseverance as the theme.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 13:09

    Nicks: 'That one hurt'

    Matthew Nicks says his side were feeling the 'pain' after squandering a number of chances and lacking the 'polish and finish' required

    AFL
  • 07:37

    Woosha: 'There's a lot of upside'

    John Worsfold was most pleased about the output of his younger brigade, who showed plenty of positive signs against the Crows

    AFL
  • 07:31

    Highlights: Adelaide v Essendon

    The Crows and Bombers clash in round eight

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Cahill dances after Tim Cahill-like first ever goal

    Ned Cahill celebrates in unique style after snaring his first goal in the AFL with a clever soccer

    AFL
  • 00:38

    McKenna's magical solo trickery a sight to be seen

    Conor McKenna dazzles everyone after an amazing dash through the middle featuring a Gaelic kick to himself

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Crow and Don simultaneously reported for clashing heads

    Matt Crouch and Jacob Townsend both go on report following a feisty clash after the half-time siren

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Townsend goes for broke and lands the clever poke

    Jacob Townsend pinches a terrific goal after a lunging effort off the deck

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Stengle steams through for Crows' opener

    Adelaide snare their first goal after Tyson Stengle crumbs the pack to perfection

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Captain's bone-crunching hit rocks Adelaide Oval

    Tom Doedee delivers an absolutely devastating, yet fair hit on Essendon's Will Snelling

    AFL

Fremantle

IF ...

the rounds five and six wins against the Crows and Saints were well deserved reward for a solid start to 2020 ... 

THEN ...

the rounds seven and eight losses to the Eagles and Cats were very ordinary. Need to be competitive, at the very least, against the Pies on Sunday.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 06:56

    Longmuir: Tucker's hamstring 'looks like a bad one'

    Watch Fremantle's press conference after round eight's match against Geelong

    AFL
  • 10:45

    Scott: 'We had a bit of luck tonight'

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round eight's match against Fremantle

    AFL
  • 04:42

    Highlights: Fremantle v Geelong

    The Dockers and Cats clash in round eight

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Tomahawk strikes, but is he in MRO strife?

    Tom Hawkins kicks his second goal after an incident with Luke Ryan

    AFL
  • 01:05

    Serong's special effort in the pocket

    Caleb Serong kicks a great goal in the latter moments of the game

    AFL
  • 01:27

    Longmuir mimics ump signal as Taberner breaks through

    The goal umpire causes confusion but the result is Fremantle's opening goal

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Hawkins by a whisker on the goal line

    Geelong forward Tom Hawkins cannot believe his luck from the barest of deflections

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Slam Dunc ends run of misses in bucketing rain

    Mitch Duncan kicks a goal after 11-straight behinds between the sides

    AFL
  • 00:15

    Vital Docker goes down early with hamstring concerns

    Darcy Tucker out of action in the opening minutes and ice on his right leg

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Debutant Cat's dream start with first kick, first goal

    Brad Close wasted no time to nail the first goal of his career for Geelong

    AFL

Geelong Cats

IF ...

the Cats play their cards right from here ...

THEN ...

they'll be in a prelim final. It's that sort of season. Jenkins, who probably misses one more, maybe two, could yet be the wildcard.

Cats recruit Josh Jenkins. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

 Gold Coast Suns

IF ...

the Suns can stop Toby Greene ...

THEN ...

their match-up against the Giants will become very winnable.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 11:15

    Bevo: 'A while since we've won a close game'

    Luke Beveridge was proud his backline withstood multiple late attacks from the Suns to hold out for a memorable, nail-biting win

    AFL
  • 07:13

    Highlights: Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs

    The Suns and Bulldogs clash in round eight

    AFL
  • 06:11

    Dew: 'It's a missed opportunity'

    Stuart Dew says his players are 'hurt and disappointed' after squandering a number of gettable chances against the Dogs, but is optimistic they will learn from it

    AFL
  • 00:25

    It Touk a supernatural tackle to bring the Bont down

    Touk Miller uses everything in his power to hang on to Marcus Bontempelli and completes a tremendous tackle

    AFL
  • 01:05

    Swallow candy with Day vision, Suns have risen

    Gold Coast complete a wonderful team goal following a silky step from David Swallow and delightful kick from Sam Day

    AFL
  • 00:54

    Lipinski pinches one among Suns' honesty

    Patrick Lipinski notches an eye-catching goal on the brink of half-time, following confirmation from a goal review

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Lethal Libba on the left while falling down

    Tom Liberatore produces a first-class goal on the run while under pressure

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Suns, your Sexton's on fire

    Gold Coast livewire Alex Sexton snares two fantastic goals in quick succession as his side takes the lead

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Mitch swerves and dishes, so Smith turns and finishes

    The Dogs are off to a fast start after Mitch Wallis finds Bailey Smith with a swift handball

    AFL

GWS Giants

IF ...

Toby runs amok, again, as he did last round against Richmond ...

THEN ...

the Giants will be winning easily against the Suns.

01:42

Five-goal Greene the difference in GF rematch

GWS star Toby Greene unstoppable in the air and in front of goal against Richmond

Hawthorn

IF ...

Clarko took a moment to reflect on his offerings in Thursday's media conference ... 

THEN ...

he'd hear a man presenting excuse upon excuse upon excuse. Yeah, you won some matches late last season. Dead-rubber matches. Sure, you've had a few injuries this year. Every team has. And yep, we get it, you've been on the road. So too has everyone. Way out of his comfort zone, Clarko, and presenting so-called excuses is not the answer.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:52

    'Horse' and Clarko's latest stoush

    Premiership coaches and long-time mates Alastair Clarkson and John Longmire go toe-to-toe once again, this time over Tom Papley

    AFL
  • 08:15

    Gobsmacked Longmire's reaction to Clarkson claim

    Sydney coach John Longmire was stunned to hear what his Hawthorn counterpart said about star Swan Tom Papley

    AFL
  • 02:48

    Sydney goalkicking sensation lights it up again

    Tom Papley has been in scintillating form for the Swans and he ran amok against Hawthorn

    AFL
  • 11:58

    Clarkson: 'Papley milks frees as good as anyone'

    Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson expresses disappointment with his side's lack of polish in the loss to Sydney

    AFL
  • 06:45

    Highlights: Sydney v Hawthorn

    The Swans and Hawks clash in round eight

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Inspirational Swans co-captain hurt in desperate effort

    Sydney backman Dane Rampe's slide to stop Chad Wingard's shot from going through saw him in pain

    AFL
  • 01:24

    Speedy Swan burns Hawks and loves his work

    There's no stopping Tom Papley when he's in this sort of form and he celebrates his fourth goal in style

    AFL
  • 01:27

    Brownlow medallist's first goal in 688 days

    Hawthorn star Tom Mitchell gets his side off to a flier in the second half

    AFL
  • 00:16

    Will Burgoyne be scrutinised again for his tackling?

    Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne could be looked at by the MRO after he caused a rule change following his tackle on Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield in round two

    AFL
  • 02:21

    Papley and Mitchell clash prompts two goals in one play

    A pumped up Tom Papley receives a free kick after kicking a goal

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Left foot or right foot, the end result is Silk

    Shaun Burgoyne kicks a brilliant goal from the stoppage

    AFL
  • 01:14

    Exciting Swan's first goal a moment to savour

    Elijah Taylor shows his sublime skills to claim a special career milestone

    AFL

Melbourne

IF ...

I've kept believing in Goody's Dees ... 

THEN ...

'’m only just hanging on after Thursday night. They are brittle. Gawn and Petracca aside, too many let you down. It's all words. Crisis times seem near. Again.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 05:18

    Goodwin: 'Tonight was unacceptable'

    Simon Goodwin was visibly frustrated after side's horror outing against Port, admitting 'we let ourselves down tonight'

    AFL
  • 04:23

    Hinkley: 'Played as well as we possibly could'

    Ken Hinkley believes his side produced a faultless performance against the Dees and was delighted by their continual ferociousness, despite the large lead

    AFL
  • 02:12

    Dees' disastrous skills make for painful viewing

    The Demons had an evening to forget with some very ordinary skills sure to frustrate fans

    AFL
  • 01:48

    Georgiades grows in front of our eyes

    Port fans will be full of excitement after highly-touted youngster Mitch Georgiades delivers a stunning performance

    AFL
  • 06:20

    Highlights: Melbourne v Port Adelaide

    The Demons and Power clash in round nine

    AFL
  • 00:52

    Dees' best move of the night is a welcome sight

    The Demons conjure their most efficient play of the game and earn a long-awaited goal through Sam Weideman

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Gray genius works wonders for Georgiades

    Robbie Gray weaves some of his usual magic and helps the ball towards Mitch Georgiades who snares his second

    AFL
  • 00:52

    Crowd electrified after Power play

    Port Adelaide produce a scintillating bit of play through the middle and earn a goal through Kane Farrell

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Class of Rozee for red-hot finish

    Port young gun Connor Rozee is afforded too much space and makes the Dees pay with a fine snap on goal

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Hallelujah, Petracca gets Dees off the mark

    Melbourne were desperate to earn their first goal before half-time and their in-form midfielder obliges

    AFL
  • 00:28

    Oliver on report for this action

    Clayton Oliver goes in the book for 'striking' after this incident involving Peter Ladhams

    AFL
  • 00:52

    Robbie lets Rozee rise and the result's no surprise

    Connor Rozee is given rein to fly over the top and haul in a great grab, followed by a textbook snap on goal

    AFL

North Melbourne

IF ...

playing his first game in the AFL back in 2013 was a virtual Mission Impossible for Majak Daw ... 

THEN ...

match No.51 this weekend may be his Everest. One of the all-time great AFL stories, this comeback.

04:35

'It's test my character': Daw breaks silence on amazing return to the top

Majak Daw opens up after being selected to play his first AFL game since 2018

Port Adelaide

IF ...

you're 18 years old, having five shots at goal in your third game, looking like you belong and talking like a seasoned pro on live TV post-match ...

THEN ...

can't see why Mitch Georgiades won't play a key role from here in Port's 2020 push for a second flag. Ridiculously composed, on and off the field. (Sidenote: dad John had kicked 15 goals after his first three games – eight, two and five – for the Bulldogs in 1989.)

01:48

Georgiades grows in front of our eyes

Port fans will be full of excitement after highly-touted youngster Mitch Georgiades delivers a stunning performance

Richmond

IF ...

one of the many qualities of all-time great sportspeople is to respond when their standing and status is challenged by rivals and questioned by commentators ... 

THEN ...

Dusty, not that he really needed to, has in his past two matches (Giants in round eight and Dogs in round nine) showed up both the desperate wannabes and the headline seekers.

02:26

Martin mesmerises Metricon after outrageous outing

Dustin Martin turns on beast mode with an absolutely devastating display against the Dogs

St Kilda

IF ...

the Saints should actually be top of the ladder with a 7-1 scoreline (led both the lowly North and Dockers respectively by five and six goals-plus before losing) ...

THEN ...

that's something that will play on their minds all season. As would a loss to Sydney on Saturday. If they are, indeed, finals bound in 2020, then no excuses on this one.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 08:08

    Full post-match: Power

    Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after round eight's match against St Kilda

    AFL
  • 10:36

    Ratten: 'That's the blueprint'

    St Kilda coach Brett Ratten was chuffed after the Saints defeated ladder-leader Port Adelaide

    AFL
  • 07:03

    Highlights: Port Adelaide v St Kilda

    The Power and Saints go head to head in round eight

    AFL
  • 00:24

    St Kilda's King caps off stunning upset

    Saints spearhead Max King takes a late contested mark and slots the sealer

    AFL
  • 00:25

    Even the player didn't know: Watch as ARC picks up freak flying-foot goal

    Simply astounding mid-air magic from Tim Membrey originally called a behind before eagle-eyed score reviewer overturns decision

    AFL
  • 00:18

    Former Port tall delivers critical goal

    A smooth finish from Paddy Ryder gives the Saints breathing room in the final term

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Hinkley furious after Port veteran's horror error

    After receiving a late recall into the side, Justin Westhoff's terrible turnover cost the Power at a crucial stage

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Young Port star celebrates goal in style

    Xavier Duursma comes from nowhere to mark and then converts truly with the long-range set shot

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Powerhouse clunks and goals against former teammate

    St Kilda defender Dougal Howard finds himself in a position no backman would envy - against Charlie Dixon in a one-on-one

    AFL
  • 00:07

    Deep breath Saints, there's a long way to go

    St Kilda uses the quarter-time break to take a moment against the top-of-the-ladder Power

    AFL
  • 00:27

    Bullocking Port mid shows finesse with stellar snap

    Sam Powell-Pepper nails Port Adelaide's first with a classy finish

    AFL

Sydney Swans

IF ...

I've been craving the next box-office drawcard ...

THEN ...

I've found him. Tom Papley. Knew he was very good before 2020, didn't realise he had the capacity to be outstanding. Really hope he continues to play in his - sometimes and appropriately arrogant - way. Please don't curtail him, Horse. Let him loose! Walters still my favourite movie star, Toby a very close second, this guy closing hard.

02:48

Sydney goalkicking sensation lights it up again

Tom Papley has been in scintillating form for the Swans and he ran amok against Hawthorn

West Coast Eagles

IF ...

it took him seven, maybe eight, matches to properly find his best form ... 

THEN ...

look out from here. Tim Kelly now ready to roll.

Star Eagles Tim Kelly in action against the Magpies. Picture: AFL Photos

Western Bulldogs

IF ...

the Dogs' best – including wins against GWS, Essendon and Gold Coast – appears top-four worthy ... 

THEN ...

their worst – losses to Collingwood (52 points), St Kilda (39), Carlton (52) and Richmond (41) – is bottom-six woeful. Identity crisis looming.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 08:02

    Bevo: 'Don't think we've been playing that well'

    Luke Beveridge says his side have been fortunate to scrape wins together lately, but tonight proved 'there's no significant chemistry' between the group

    AFL
  • 08:56

    Dimma: 'It looked like a Richmond game'

    Damien Hardwick says his side looked back to their best tonight and also sung his praises for Dustin Martin after a freak performance

    AFL
  • 06:42

    Highlights: Western Bulldogs v Richmond

    The Bulldogs and Tigers clash in round nine.

    AFL
  • 02:26

    Martin mesmerises Metricon after outrageous outing

    Dustin Martin turns on beast mode with an absolutely devastating display against the Dogs

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Stop it Dusty, that's out of this world

    Dustin Martin is on fire against the Dogs with a sensational goal on the boundary

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Pickett picks the sticks with left-foot pearler

    Richmond feed the ball towards Marlion Pickett who delivers a wonderful snap on his left

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Skipper delivers a ripper after mighty mark

    Marcus Bontempelli takes a strong grab and sends the perfect ball towards Mitch Wallis

    AFL
  • 00:25

    Dog gets a shot to his eye but forms a shot at goal

    Mitch Wallis suffers a painful blow after enduring a footy to the face, however all ends well with a goal to Laitham Vandermeer

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Breathtaking Tigers and Dusty a sight to be seen

    Richmond conjure a scintillating string of play and feed the ball to their superstar, who finishes in absolute style

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Riewoldt's rousing rise leads to work of Aarts

    Jack Riewoldt heaves himself on top of the pack and the spillage falls towards Jake Aarts for a wonderful soccer finish

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Shake and Baker for Jack in the pack

    Liam Baker shows a nice step before bombing the ball into Jack Riewoldt for a beautiful contested mark

    AFL

AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL

IF ...

you're an AFL player in 2020 ...

THEN ...

it's OK to recklessly throw an elbow into the neck of an opponent. You won't even miss a game. The AFL Tribunal approved such actions this week, with the Hawkins decision. Thanks, Tribunal, for yet again throwing a stupidly mixed message into the otherwise strong messaging of 2020 on what is, and isn't, allowed on head-contact matters. Time to get rid of the Tribunal. It's run its race.

00:47

Tomahawk strikes, but is he in MRO strife?

Tom Hawkins kicks his second goal after an incident with Luke Ryan

IN AFL ON DEMAND NOW