IF the new president says a review is required and the old president feels the need to pipe up ... THEN. Picture: AFL Media

WITH the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership season up and running, naturally, Damian Barrett's Sliding Doors is also up and about.

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

Oh, and be sure you tune in to AFL Daily as Nat and Damo put the spotlight on all the big issues. Check it out.

IF ...

the Crows can do what no other team has managed in 2021 and beat the Demons (and also defeat the Cats)  ...

THEN ...

it's inconceivable they could lose to the Hawks and Pies. They're up against an undermanned Saints on Saturday and I'm tipping win No.5 for the year.

Tex flex: Taylor Walker celebrates after scoring against Collingwood in round 12, 2021. Picture: Getty Images

IF ..

three of the first four weeks were only OK and last weekend's loss to Melbourne another jolt  ...

THEN ...

the seven-game stretch from round five to 11 were premiership-worthy. Up to their eyeballs, the Lions, for the 2021 flag.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 01:46

    Chilling pre-match ceremony to kick things off

    Watch the thrilling pre-match ceremony before the Demons and Lions battle it out

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Gawn turns small forward in this crazy crumbing goal

    Melbourne captain Max Gawn reads the spillage perfectly and snaps through an absolute ripper on his left

    AFL
  • 00:48

    Jumping Joe putting on an early show

    Joe Daniher completes a dazzling mark and finishes his work in style

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Charlie so dangerous and so mesmerising here

    Charlie Cameron thrills the crowd with a stellar snap on the burst

    AFL
  • 00:48

    Mega McCarthy mark brings all the spark

    Lincoln McCarthy hauls in a terrific grab and finishes off his great work with a goal

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Zorko on report after this strange encounter

    Dayne Zorko goes in the book after this contact on Tom McDonald, which somehow ends in smiles between the two

    AFL
  • 00:56

    Kysaiah turns messiah in three scintillating goals

    Kysaiah Pickett is causing the Lions all sorts of problems with his electrifying class

    AFL
  • 04:41

    Fagan: 'For some reason, we lost our energy'

    Chris Fagan couldn't fault the work ethic of his players, but conceded his players got outplayed by a 'phenomenal' Melbourne outfit in the second half

    AFL
  • 08:12

    Goodwin: 'That's as impressive as we've had'

    Simon Goodwin was super proud of his side after overrunning the Lions late in the game, claiming it's 'as good as we've played'

    AFL
  • 01:41

    Petracca is all power and polish

    Christian Petracca continues his outstanding season with another frightening performance

    AFL
  • 07:41

    Highlights: Melbourne v Brisbane

    The Demons and Lions clash in round 12

    AFL

IF ...

the new president says a full-blown review of the football department is required and the old president feels the need to pipe up and say the coach is safe even before that full-blown review starts ...

THEN ...

that's the type of mixed messaging and mixed business that has got this club into its football problems. Who's actually heading the board in 2021?

Carlton president Mark LoGiudice, coach David Teague and CEO Cain Liddle in August, 2019. Picture: AFL Photos

IF ...

the coach is told to go after nine-and-a-half seasons and the president then leaves it to the CEO and footy department boss to face the media  ...

THEN ...

I wonder why. Only two weeks ago, Mark Korda was happy to be on the hustings, handpicking his preferred media as part of his election showdown against Jeff Browne.

05:54

COLLINGWOOD CRISIS: Pendlebury numb, what next for 'shambolic' Pies

Damian Barrett and Mitch Cleary analyse Nathan Buckley's decision to stand down as Collingwood coach

IF ...

it took 12 rounds ...

THEN ...

it was probably eight too long. But Nik Cox is now eligible to win the 2021 Rising Star. And if he can maintain his form, he will win it.

00:59

NAB AFL Rising Star: Nik Cox lights up round 12

Watch the highlights and find out why Nik Cox gets the NAB AFL Rising Star in R12

IF ...

there's one player on an AFL list in 2021 who deserves a modicum of good fortune ...

THEN ...

it's Alex Pearce. Was flying in 2019, in All-Australian conversations. Went down in round 11 that year, not seen in the AFL thereafter until round one this year. And then on that day, was hit with another injury, this time a knee. Back for Saturday's game against Gold Coast.

00:27

Devastating Docker blow for luckless Pearce

Injury-plagued Docker Alex Pearce suffers another cruel blow, being forced out of the game with a left knee injury

IF ...

you’ve been doubting this mob ...

THEN ...

stop it. In my eyes even before Thursday night’s win against Port, the flag faves.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:51

    Jezza kicks one on the run early

    Jeremy Cameron clears the arc with this dazzling goal

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Power utility concussed after this encounter

    Todd Marshall is subbed off after being concussed in this innocuous incident

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Double trouble in these ridiculous Rozee goals

    Connor Rozee kicks two goals in the space of five minutes to start Port's momentum

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Farrell's first touch turns into GOTY contender

    Kane Farrell makes his mark with this crazy left-foot banana

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Parfitt weaves his way through to magic

    Brandan Parfitt kicks an early major for the Cats in the third quarter

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Dangerfield's clean pick-up sets Rohan's classy finish

    Gary Rohan finishes off the hard work up the ground to extend the Cats' lead

    AFL
  • 00:55

    Jezza's at it again

    Jeremy Cameron's doing everything he can with these two majors in minutes

    AFL
  • 08:02

    Highlights: Port Adelaide v Geelong

    The Power and Cats clash in round 13

    AFL
  • 02:43

    Tom and Jezza steal the show

    The combination of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron proved too hot for the Power

    AFL
  • 13:00

    Scott: Relief after 'arduous' quarantine restrictions

    Chris Scott was delighted his side 'put on a show' after enduring 'trying circumstances' in the build-up to the game

    AFL
  • 06:29

    Hinkley: 'We're not good enough against the best'

    Ken Hinkley says his side will 'not hide away' from the fact they aren't yet at the level required to challenge the top teams in the competition

    AFL
  • 15:02

    Mini-Match: Port Adelaide v Geelong

    Extended highlights of the round 13 clash between the Power and Cats at Adelaide Oval

    AFL

IF ...

this club needs a rocket in the back half of 2021 ...

THEN ...

it may just come in the form of Matt Rowell. Returning from the second serious injury he's suffered in his 18 months as an AFL player. Just six games to his name, and two of those six ended abruptly with injury. And yet, already his team's most important player.

Matt Rowell during a Gold Coast training session at Metricon Stadium on June 9, 2021. Picture: Getty Images

IF ...

Toby is back ...

THEN ...

lock in the four points against North Melbourne on Sunday.

03:01

The Greene machine: Toby's top plays in 2021

Check out these highlights of Toby Greene

IF ...

when doing your tips for round 13 you got to the Friday night game and wondered what the Hawks were doing in that slot ...

THEN ...

I did too. Most of their matches for the past two seasons have been unwatchable. There may be reasons to watch tonight though - Will Day returns, and mid-season draftee Jai Newcombe makes his debut. 

01:41

VFL Showreel: Jai Newcombe making waves ahead of mid-season draft

VFL gun Jai Newcombe has earned a strong reputation after starring for Box Hill Hawks this season

IF ...

the Dees have handled the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane in the past fortnight ...

THEN ...

Collingwood on Monday at the SCG won't pose a problem.

IF ...

there's a player currently on an AFL list desperately unlucky not to have been awarded an All-Australian jacket  ...

THEN ...

it's Robbie Tarrant. So important to the Roos, and great that he gets to play his first game of 2021, after recovering from a very scary medical issue.

Robbie Tarrant in action during the North Melbourne Kangaroos training session on June 2, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

IF ...

even before Thursday night’s loss to the Cats, the Power bristled at being called brittle ...

THEN ...

they’d better get used to it. In 2021, they are. They deal with the lesser teams, found wanting against the best.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:51

    Jezza kicks one on the run early

    Jeremy Cameron clears the arc with this dazzling goal

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Power utility concussed after this encounter

    Todd Marshall is subbed off after being concussed in this innocuous incident

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Double trouble in these ridiculous Rozee goals

    Connor Rozee kicks two goals in the space of five minutes to start Port's momentum

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Farrell's first touch turns into GOTY contender

    Kane Farrell makes his mark with this crazy left-foot banana

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Parfitt weaves his way through to magic

    Brandan Parfitt kicks an early major for the Cats in the third quarter

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Dangerfield's clean pick-up sets Rohan's classy finish

    Gary Rohan finishes off the hard work up the ground to extend the Cats' lead

    AFL
  • 00:55

    Jezza's at it again

    Jeremy Cameron's doing everything he can with these two majors in minutes

    AFL
  • 08:02

    Highlights: Port Adelaide v Geelong

    The Power and Cats clash in round 13

    AFL
  • 02:43

    Tom and Jezza steal the show

    The combination of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron proved too hot for the Power

    AFL
  • 13:00

    Scott: Relief after 'arduous' quarantine restrictions

    Chris Scott was delighted his side 'put on a show' after enduring 'trying circumstances' in the build-up to the game

    AFL
  • 06:29

    Hinkley: 'We're not good enough against the best'

    Ken Hinkley says his side will 'not hide away' from the fact they aren't yet at the level required to challenge the top teams in the competition

    AFL
  • 15:02

    Mini-Match: Port Adelaide v Geelong

    Extended highlights of the round 13 clash between the Power and Cats at Adelaide Oval

    AFL

IF ...

big Nank is out for at least one more match ...

THEN ...

it's actually a bonus. It actually forces the Tigers to play Chol, who could be anything.

00:50

Chol turns crumber in this delightful dribbler

Mabior Chol finds himself in a rare small forward position and slots a crafty major

IF ...

the self-inflicted loss to the Swans last weekend was another low in a season already jammed with them ...

THEN ...

opportunity presents, big time, in round 13, against the Crows. No Membrey, Ross, Geary from last week, already without Gresham, Marshall, Carlisle, Jones, Paton. Who is going to stand up alongside Steele?

04:27

Last two mins: Jack's crucial miss, Buddy assist seals it

Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Swans and Saints at the SCG

IF ...

the Buddy body holds up, and please, please, please, footy gods, let it hold up ...

THEN ...

here comes another extraordinary chapter in this already Australian Football Hall Of Fame legend-worthy career. Bud is tracking beautifully in the eight games he's managed in 2021. Back under Friday night lights in round 13. Against his old club. I've got him down for eight big ones.

14:44

BUDDY SPEAKS: A Swan who should be in Rance air, 'stressful' AFL industry

Lance Franklin opens up to Yokayi Footy host Tony Armstrong in a must-watch interview

IF ...

the win in round 12 was courageous, coming without Allen, McGovern, Shuey, Kennedy, Kelly and Duggan ...

THEN ...

the significance still needs to be tempered, given it came against the regularly disappointing Blues. Allen, Kennedy, Duggan back for the biggest test of the season – the Tigers on Sunday night.

IF ...

Aaron Naughton doesn't kick a bag of eight at some stage of 2021 ...

THEN ...

I will be very surprised. Near-unbelievable talent.

00:29

Naughton gets horizontal with this incredible speccy

Aaron Naughton hauls in a spectacular mark with a slippery footy

AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL

IF ...

I usually reserve this space to criticise the AFL ...

THEN ...

not this week. Its ability to keep alive this season of football, to this point without one match being postponed, despite the workings of the state government in which 10 of the 18 teams are based, is next-level extraordinary.

Tickets for the Big Freeze in Sydney match are on sale now. Get your tickets HERE. The famous blue Big Freeze beanies are still available from Coles, Coles Express, Bunnings or fightmnd.org.au, while donations can be made at fightmnd.org.au.