What's the big question your AFL club must answer in Round 3? Are the Crows serious about contending in 2024? How do the Cats cover the loss of Patrick Dangerfield? Can the Blues win a game that's not a heartstopper?
We've looked at every club and answered their biggest question ahead of this week's action.
Adelaide
vs. Fremantle, Optus Stadium
Is this club serious about 2024?
We know, Gold Coast away in torrential conditions isn't easy. And Geelong, anywhere, is usually not easy. But the simple fact is the Crows have now lost two matches against sides widely tipped to be in finals contention with them this season, and it now puts them on the back foot in a competition as tight as ever. Travelling to Perth and knocking off the 2-0 Dockers is the only acceptable result for Matthew Nicks' side this week, but with their recent away games record -- 2-9 from their past 11 -- it's fair to say this is a big test.
Brisbane
vs. Collingwood, Gabba
Is there any fight left in these Lions?
They've had a week off to reset and get things back on track, so what sort of Brisbane outfit will we see on Thursday night at the Gabba? We'll know pretty early on if the bye has reinvigorated this team. They're either going to come out and make a statement in the first quarter or continue to look like a team still reeling from last year's heartbreaking Grand Final loss. An 0-3 start, much like the Pies have experienced, would be devastating for a side which has been competing at the pointy end for years for no reward.
Carlton
vs. North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
Can the Blues win an easy one, and with a decent margin?
Carlton's last six wins, dating to Round 22 last year, have had a cumulative winning margin of just 22 points. It's a new AFL record for average winning margin (3.67 points per game) over a six-game period. So, how about giving the fans an easy ride? With all due respect to the Kangaroos, the Blues have an opportunity to do just that this Friday night. They should be looking to put this one beyond doubt well before the final break.
Collingwood
vs. Brisbane, Gabba
Can Collingwood take advantage of Brisbane's early bye?
The bye may well have come at the right time for the Lions -- let's be honest, it really has -- but there's something to be said about the rust factor out of the week off. Year after year we see good teams coming off a bye beaten by lesser sides that played the week before (looking at you, Geelong!). If Brisbane is off, even just a touch, the Magpies simply must take advantage. Otherwise, at 0-4, it could be very close to season over.
Essendon
vs. St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
Can they keep up 'the Essendon edge' for four quarters?
The Bombers enjoyed the fast start against the Swans last weekend but really fell away after that. In the end, the 30-point margin really did flatter them as they shouldn't have been able to get anywhere near that close. It's a new week, and another opponent on a high. But this time, can Essendon put together a real four-quarter effort? They don't even need to win the game, just not endure those horror periods.
Fremantle
vs. Adelaide, Optus Stadium
Can the Dockers start strongly against the Crows?
In Round 1, Fremantle gave up the first four goals to Brisbane. In Round 2, they coughed up five of the first seven goals to North Melbourne. And while they were able to win both games, the Dockers cannot be playing from behind like this all season. This week, at home against a struggling Adelaide side, they need to look to put the foot down early and take control of the contest. Killing the game off early rather than having to produce stirring comebacks needs to be the aim for Justin Longmuir and his coaching staff.
Geelong
vs. Hawthorn, MCG
Can the Cats cover Patrick Dangerfield?
We asked a similar question last week ahead of Geelong's game against the Crows, but this time, instead of who can support the skipper, it's who can step up in his absence? Dangerfield will miss at least the next two weeks with a minor hamstring strain. So who can fill the void in the midfield? We're looking at Max Holmes, Brandon Parfitt, Jhye Clark and Mark O'Connor. The Cats need a lift from all four players this weekend.
Gold Coast
BYE
GWS
BYE
Hawthorn
vs. Geelong, MCG
Can the Hawks avoid kicking the ball to Tom Stewart?
There's no doubt Tom Stewart is one of the best defenders in the game, that's why it's so staggering to see teams continually kick the ball in his direction, especially when he has no opposition! Last week against the Crows, Stewart matched the record for intercept marks in a game. If the Hawks have any chance of causing the upset, they simply must find avenues to goal that don't involve kicking the ball anywhere near him. The best way to practice? Use James Sicily as the 'Stewart decoy' at training - he knows how to intercept!
Melbourne
vs. Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Can the Demons win the midfield battle?
The last time these two sides played, Port's young and inexperienced midfield put them to the sword in wet conditions. Zak Butters played the best game of his career and was ably supported by Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis. As good as they are, the Demons should still have the edge in the middle of the ground and Simon Goodwin should be putting it on skipper Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, and Jack Viney to make amends for that poor showing a year ago.
North Melbourne
vs. Carlton, Marvel Stadium
Can they perform for longer against a good side, in a marquee slot?
North Melbourne was another side that started brightly and then proceeded to fade out of the contest. Alastair Clarkson's squad conceded nine straight goals to the Dockers that effectively killed off any chance they had of causing the boilover. Nobody will give the Kangaroos a chance this week, and fair enough, but can they show they've turned a corner -- or are in the process of it -- with a strong showing, in a marquee timeslot? The club doesn't get many of these opportunities, so it would be a shame to waste it.
Port Adelaide
vs. Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
How well can the Power stretch Melbourne's defence?
Steven May won't play and Jake Lever is only 50-50 at best to suit up this weekend in Adelaide. It's a rare occurrence one of these two reliable defenders miss, let alone both of them. With Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall, and Jeremy Finlayson, the Power have size in the front half and it's here where they can, and should, really worry the Demons. All three forwards should be licking their lips at the prospect of an undersized and undermanned Melbourne back six, and this is a golden opportunity to bank four points against a fellow contender.
Richmond
vs. Sydney, MCG
Do the Tiger veterans have anything left in the tank?
Last weekend against Port Adelaide wasn't a great endorsement for Richmond's veterans. Kamdyn McIntosh had just nine touches, Tom Lynch kicked 1.1 from his seven touches, and Dustin Martin (0.1) went missing in the second half, having just three disposals after the main break. The kids aren't progressing as quickly as the club would have hoped so it's up to these experienced players to continue carrying the torch ... at least for a little while. But can they still do it?
St Kilda
vs. Essendon, Marvel Stadium
Can the Saints back up a stirring win over Collingwood?
There will always be something of a come down after an emotionally charged win over the reigning premier. It was Spud's Game, on primetime television, and 70,000 packed into the MCG. The Saints have started the season in fine form but can't afford to take the foot off the gas now. They get the Bombers, a side that showed a fair bit in a loss to the Swans last week, but a side they really should be beating if they are serious about finishing the home and away season in the top eight.
Sydney
vs. Richmond, MCG
Can Heeney put his hand up to be a genuine Brownlow contender?
The answer, thus far, is a definitive 'yes', but we know winning a Brownlow Medal requires far more than three weeks of dominance (just ask Aaron Hall!) Isaac Heeney's form in the first three weeks has been extraordinary, and he may well already have eight or nine votes to his name. But now, each opposition knows what to expect when preparing for the Swans, and that creates a whole different challenge for Heeney. Can't wait to see if he can keep it up!
West Coast
vs. Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
Is this side actually any better than last year?
The Eagles should be a better team in 2024 than they were in 2023, but we don't really have any proof of that just yet. In recent times they have been humiliated by the Bulldogs, so a road trip to face Luke Beveridge's side -- fresh off a win -- this weekend should give us some insight into what the 2024 version of the Eagles actually are. A blowout loss for West Coast could be catastrophic and a real morale killer, but a tight loss, or even a win, would give real reason for optimism.
Western Bulldogs
vs. West Coast, Marvel Stadium
Can Tim English assert his authority over West Coast's underwhelming ruck brigade?
The All-Australian ruck from 2023 was back to his best in Round 2. Tim English utterly dominated Gold Coast youngster Ned Moyle in Ballarat, helping his side to its first win of the season. The Eagles, too, have a far from stable ruck unit and many would expect English to have a day out once more. If West Coast is any chance of avoiding humiliation, they must find a way to nullify English in the ruck and not allow his star on-ball brigade to consistently get the first look at the footy.