IF I thought Damien Hardwick was sooking it up in May ... THEN. Picture: AFL Media

WITH the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership season racing to a conclusion, Damian Barrett's Sliding Doors is really heating up.

So what's Damo saying about your club? What's he saying about the AFL? You can't say that, Damo, can you?

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 ...

Joel Selwood is still the maddest, toughest, bravest player going round ...

THEN ...

Rory Sloane might be closing on the title. And now he's deciding to play through serious damage to a tendon in his finger.

Adelaide captain Rory Sloane in action against St Kilda in R13, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

IF ..

prior to this season Linc McCarthy had compiled two very nice years with the Lions ...

THEN ...

he's exploded to new heights in 2021. He's tough, as polished as any player in the comp, and incredibly given his past injuries that saw him manage just 29 matches in five seasons as a Cat, has now played 55 of a possible 57 for Brisbane.

01:00

Richest of kicks leads Lincoln towards the sticks

Daniel Rich delivers a trademark pass and Lincoln McCarthy is the eventual beneficiary, who punishes his ex-side superbly

IF ...

the Blues and the Teague Train had a much needed win against the Crows last week ...

THEN ...

it nevertheless came in a manner unlikely to change the views of those in charge of the football department review. Eight goals in a 20-minute burst in the second term, four goals outside of that. The good can very good, but a lot of damage is being done during the down patches.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:41

    Running Saad special lights up Marvel

    Adam Saad delivers a trademark goal on the burst after a number of bounces to excite the Blues faithful

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Seedsman sells candy and sinks a ripper

    Paul Seedsman sells the dummy to Sam Walsh before delivering a beautiful kick from distance

    AFL
  • 01:13

    Vintage Eddie putting on an absolute clinic

    Eddie Betts produces a number of dazzling moments for the Blues, all in the span of one quarter

    AFL
  • 00:54

    Captain Cripps burns off Crow and joins the show

    Patrick Cripps shrugs off Reilly O'Brien and charges forward for a remarkable goal

    AFL
  • 00:55

    Big fireworks after Weitering gets collected late

    Tensions spiral out of control after Darcy Fogarty concedes a 50m penalty following this contact on Jacob Weitering

    AFL
  • 00:50

    Not even the seagulls could stop this Seedsman

    Paul Seedsman lands an outrageous snap from the tightest of angles

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Oh no, Sholl, missing the opening goal

    Lachlan Sholl painfully sprays a huge opportunity in the dying minutes for the Crows

    AFL
  • 07:51

    Highlights: Carlton v Adelaide

    The Blues and Crows clash in round 15

    AFL
  • 02:13

    Wonderful Walsh runs all day long

    Sam Walsh showed off his freakish ball-winning ability and endurance with another disposal masterclass

    AFL
  • 12:34

    Teague: 'You don't expect to play like that all the time'

    Watch Carlton's press conference after round 15's match against Adelaide

    AFL
  • 08:52

    Nicks on Sloane: 'We're a bit concerned'

    Watch Adelaide's press conference after round 15's match against Carlton

    AFL

IF ...

two weeks have now elapsed since Bucks was exited ...

THEN ...

with each passing day that decision looks more and more politically based than football. A fractured and embattled board desperately clinging to its hold on power.

Mark Korda shakes Nathan Buckley's hand as Jett Buckley looks on following Collingwood's R13 win over Melbourne at the SCG on June 14, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

IF ...

Tom Stewart had a rare bout of rash behaviour in round 15 ...

THEN ...

being the usually ultimate team player that he is, he will respond favourably against the Bombers, where a big job awaits – Jakey Stringer.

00:54

The Package delivers a beauty from long range

Jake Stringer takes advantage of the open 50 and kicks a brilliant long-range goal

IF ...

the Dockers copped a raw deal this week when their home game against Carlton had to be transferred to the 'G ...

THEN ...

it wasn't actually as raw as the decision in 2013 to force them to play a qualifying final at the Cattery.

01:45

Match Previews R16: Fremantle v Carlton

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the game between the Dockers and the Blues at the MCG

IF ...

the season is nearing its pointy-end stage and the Cats are again yet to establish full trust in a ruckman ...

THEN ...

it's same old, same old. Ratugolea being managed out of Friday night 's game against Essendon, Stanley back in. Question marks everywhere.

00:52

Returning Cat rises for crucial opener

Rhys Stanley claims the opening goal of the finals after clunking a terrific mark in the forward line

IF ...

the Suns gave themselves a chance against the Tigers with an attacking gameplan ...

THEN ...

they nearly blew it with poor kicking, and not only at goal. But they hung tough throughout. There were a few good wins way back in 2014, but round 16, 2021 might have been this club's best.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 01:18

    Tensions rise as Corbett catches opener

    A fiery start to the game after the Suns snare the first goal and let the Tigers know about it

    AFL
  • 00:47

    The fine Aarts of feeding Dusty at all costs

    Jake Aarts reads the play to perfection and hands it to Dustin Martin who finishes in absolute style

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Skipper swallows up opportunity with ripper

    Gold Coast captain David Swallow conjures an awesome goal out of nothing to keep the Suns in the contest

    AFL
  • 00:16

    Concussed Corbett cops elbow and falcon

    Suns forward Josh Corbett get subbed out of the game after brutally copping both an inadvertent elbow and falcon to the head

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Graham generates a big bomb on the burst

    Jack Graham keeps the Tigers alive with a stunning shot on the run

    AFL
  • 00:41

    King reigns supreme with insane winner

    Ben King and the Suns seal a remarkable upset victory against the Tigers with this super snap

    AFL
  • 07:39

    Highlights: Gold Coast v Richmond

    The Suns and Tigers clash in round 16 2021

    AFL
  • 02:24

    Miller the machine lighting up your screen

    Touk Miller never stopped running for the Suns and was the catalyst for a huge upset victory with a freakish 36-disposal performance

    AFL
  • 11:12

    Dew: 'The most complete win for this year'

    Stuart Dew says he had an 'overwhelming' feeling of happiness for his players after they executed the plan to perfection against the Tigers

    AFL
  • 07:05

    Hardwick: 'Our players are struggling and lacking confidence'

    Damien Hardwick concedes his players are not executing their skills or playing anywhere near their best due to 'low confidence'

    AFL
  • 14:51

    Mini-Match: Gold Coast v Richmond

    Extended highlights of the round 16 clash between the Suns and Tigers at Marvel Stadium

    AFL
  • 03:15

    Last two mins: King dethrones Tigers in upset of the century

    Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Suns and Tigers at Marvel Stadium

    AFL

IF ...

Tom Green was axed last weekend and immediately recalled ...

THEN ...

not sure what that process achieved, given he seemed to be flying in his second season, and the Giants clearly missed him in their loss to the Hawks.

00:57

NAB AFL Rising Star: Tom Green lights up round nine

Watch the highlights and find out why Tom Green gets the NAB AFL Rising Star nom

IF ...

the future is Will Day and Denver Grainger-Barras, who unfortunately will both miss with injury on Saturday night ...

THEN ...

the soon-to-be past comes in the form of Shaun Burgoyne, who reaches game No.400 against his old club Port Adelaide. As crucial as any Hawk in the glorious premiership dominance of 2013-15.

03:06

Silk 400: The best of Burgoyne's superb career

Shaun Burgoyne becomes the fifth player in VFL/AFL history to notch the 400-game milestone

IF ...

it's Trac and Clarrie getting all the Demons mentions in Brownlow conversations ...

THEN ...

I don't know why big Maxxy is being left out. Finished equal fourth in 2018, and is quite possibly compiling the best of his 11 AFL seasons, which has already seen him earn four All-Australian jackets.

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

IF ...

there has been definite improvement in the past seven weeks ...

THEN ...

a true audit of performance will come in the Sunday twilight fixture. The previous time the Roos played the Bulldogs was round three – the losing margin 128 points.

07:33

Highlights: North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

The Kangaroos and Bulldogs clash in round three

IF ...

Zak Butters can get through a SANFL match on the weekend after a season ruined by ankle and knee injuries ...

THEN ...

the Power's premiership hopes will skyrocket. Still only 20 years of age, but an incredibly significant part of this team, among the five most important.

00:39

Opening Power play smooth as Butters

Zak Butters gets Port Adelaide off to the perfect start with a beautiful crumb and dribble finish

IF ...

I thought Damien Hardwick was sooking it up in May with his complaints about having to play at Marvel Stadium, and in having an in-game, on-camera crack at umpires at the Gabba ...

THEN ...

maybe it was actually an attempt at smoke-screening deeper Tigers problems. Thursday night's loss to the lowly Suns producing the loudest alarm bell yet that the dynasty is done.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 01:18

    Tensions rise as Corbett catches opener

    A fiery start to the game after the Suns snare the first goal and let the Tigers know about it

    AFL
  • 00:47

    The fine Aarts of feeding Dusty at all costs

    Jake Aarts reads the play to perfection and hands it to Dustin Martin who finishes in absolute style

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Skipper swallows up opportunity with ripper

    Gold Coast captain David Swallow conjures an awesome goal out of nothing to keep the Suns in the contest

    AFL
  • 00:16

    Concussed Corbett cops elbow and falcon

    Suns forward Josh Corbett get subbed out of the game after brutally copping both an inadvertent elbow and falcon to the head

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Graham generates a big bomb on the burst

    Jack Graham keeps the Tigers alive with a stunning shot on the run

    AFL
  • 00:41

    King reigns supreme with insane winner

    Ben King and the Suns seal a remarkable upset victory against the Tigers with this super snap

    AFL
  • 07:39

    Highlights: Gold Coast v Richmond

    The Suns and Tigers clash in round 16 2021

    AFL
  • 02:24

    Miller the machine lighting up your screen

    Touk Miller never stopped running for the Suns and was the catalyst for a huge upset victory with a freakish 36-disposal performance

    AFL
  • 11:12

    Dew: 'The most complete win for this year'

    Stuart Dew says he had an 'overwhelming' feeling of happiness for his players after they executed the plan to perfection against the Tigers

    AFL
  • 07:05

    Hardwick: 'Our players are struggling and lacking confidence'

    Damien Hardwick concedes his players are not executing their skills or playing anywhere near their best due to 'low confidence'

    AFL
  • 14:51

    Mini-Match: Gold Coast v Richmond

    Extended highlights of the round 16 clash between the Suns and Tigers at Marvel Stadium

    AFL
  • 03:15

    Last two mins: King dethrones Tigers in upset of the century

    Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Suns and Tigers at Marvel Stadium

    AFL

IF ...

there are a few players at the Saints who deserve a change of fortune on the injury front ...

THEN ...

none more so than Dean Kent. Among the possible ins for Sunday's match against Collingwood, after returning through the VFL last weekend after a long layoff with concussion issues.

01:08

Cheeky Saint with the no-look goal and glare

Dean Kent sprints away from James Aish and runs into the post but kicks it from the goal-line

IF ...

round 15's match against the Power at Adelaide Oval Port ended in a 10-point loss ...

THEN ...

it was far from disastrous, and in fact underlined the Swans' quality. Should account for the at times pick-and-choose Eagles at the Cattery on Sunday.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:51

    Young Swan forward's electric start continues with silky snap

    Will Hayward has gotten off to a flyer with this snapping goal his second

    AFL
  • 00:48

    Brilliant finish lifts Buddy up VFL/AFL goalkicking table

    Lance Franklin draws level with Jack Titus in equal-sixth on 970 goals after this super soccer finish

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Farrell goes bang from beyond the arc

    Kane Farrell kicks this massive long-range goal to peg one back for the Power

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Buddy on report for front-on contact

    Swans superstar Lance Franklin has been placed on report for this high hit on Jarrod Lienert

    AFL
  • 00:50

    Papley launches a bomb to put Swans back in front

    Tom Papley has kicked a booming goal from beyond the 50m arc to give his side back the lead

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Boak kicks a classy running goal to extend Port's lead

    Travis Boak gives his side the perfect start to the second half with this superb effort

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Buddy goes past Titus with classic finish

    Lance Franklin passes Jack Titus and move to sixth on his own on the VFL/AFL goalkicking table with his 971st goal

    AFL
  • 00:55

    Swans superstar wows with stunning chase-down tackle and goal

    Lance Franklin has continued his dominant final term with this brilliant tackle and goal to cut the margin to two points

    AFL
  • 02:25

    Buddy winds back the clock with vintage display

    Lance Franklin surpassed Jack Titus for sixth on the all-time VFL/AFL goalkicking table after this four-goal outing against the Power

    AFL
  • 06:38

    Highlights: Port Adelaide v Sydney

    The Power and Swans clash in round 15

    AFL
  • 06:54

    'We did a fair bit right': Longmire's mixed feelings after loss

    Watch Sydney's press conference after round 15's match against Port Adelaide

    AFL
  • 10:46

    'Our resilience was remarkable': Hinkley praises players' attitudes

    Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after round 15's match against Sydney

    AFL
  • 13:24

    Mini Match: Port Adelaide v Sydney

    Extended highlights of the round fifteen clash between the Power and Swans at Adelaide Oval

    AFL

IF ...

the stats from last weekend's loss to the Bulldogs revealed minus 15 in clearances and minus 30 in contested possessions  ...

THEN ...

almost certainly those areas will be the key focus against the Swans.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:51

    Eagles champ on target to kick off their day

    West Coast's Andrew Gaff receives the ball from a clearance turnover and snaps truly from 50m

    AFL
  • 01:04

    Is Flyin' Ryan in trouble for this high hit?

    Eagles star Liam Ryan appears to make high contact with Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen

    AFL
  • 01:00

    Doggies' hard work pays off with a major

    Bulldog Toby McLean goals after some strong team play

    AFL
  • 01:12

    Bulldog subbed out after heavy contact

    Ryan Gardner is out of the game after sustaining a shoulder injury in this incident with Eagle Josh Kennedy

    AFL
  • 01:14

    Is this the Goal of the Year? The Bont snaps a miracle major

    Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli kicks a near-impossible goal

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Eagles speedster converts with this snap

    West Coast's Jack Petruccelle has a roving snap and goals

    AFL
  • 00:51

    The Eagles go goal-for-goal with the Bulldogs

    Eagle Oscar Allen kicks truly under pressure

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Doggies land a body blow to the Eagles

    Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli reads the tap-out perfectly and handballs to Jack Macrae who snaps an important goal

    AFL
  • 01:00

    Bulldogs youngster kicks his first AFL major

    Riley Garcia has a flying shot at goal and scores full points for his first as a senior player

    AFL
  • 05:47

    Highlights: West Coast v Western Bulldogs

    The Eagles and Bulldogs clash in round 15

    AFL
  • 09:59

    Simpson: 'We know what's in front of us'

    Watch West Coast's press conference after round 15's match against Western Bulldogs

    AFL
  • 11:13

    Beveridge: 'We didn't relent... we kept at them'

    Watch Western Bulldogs's press conference after round 15's match against West Coast

    AFL

IF ...

Treloar damaged his ankle in round 10, was sent back out to play again only to be subbed out thereafter, and then had "successful" surgery ...

THEN ...

something, somewhere, has gone wrong, given there are now doubts about him returning in 2021.

Adam Treloar leaves Marvel Stadium after round 10, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL

IF ...

I understand the reasons behind the AFLPA pushing back on the AFL asking the Bulldogs to consider playing a second 2021 season match after a five-day break (one five-day break for each club had been signed off) ...

THEN ...

I still don’t agree with it. The season in its planned form is on a knife's edge.

IN AFL ON DEMAND NOW