In AFL semifinal weekend we had a mixed bag from star forwards, with two in particular turning in match-winning performances, but a Giant's terrible brain fade potentially cost his team a prelim final berth. Here's whose stocks are up and down.
Our footy experts cast their eye over the week's action to find out whose stocks are up -- whether it's a coaching masterstroke or a player having a blinder -- and whose are down.
Brisbane
Stocks up: Joe Daniher proved to be the match winner on Saturday night, coming up clutch with the final two goals of the game to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and cap off a remarkable comeback from his team. The enigmatic tall ended up kicking four goals from 13 disposals and five marks, but it's his ability to assert himself on a contest at the right times that sets him apart, and will continue to make him a dangerous threat for the remainder of the finals series. Inconsistent, sure, but credit where it's due.
It's only fair we sing the praises of Will Ashcroft, too, who was brilliant against the Giants. He was missing last September and was a bigger loss than most would have thought, and with Lachie Neale failing to fire, it was the youngster who led the way in the coalface with 30 disposals, five marks, five tackles, and nine clearances. His composure in a tense game was particularly eye-catching, as well as his ability to make smart decisions.
Stocks down: So they won by five points, but it was five solitary behinds that set them apart in the end. The Lions' total of 15.15 didn't come back to bite them this time, but it is the fifth consecutive game in which they've registered more behinds than goals, and the seventh time in eight outings. The win deserves to be celebrated and their comeback should be spoken about, but this team's inaccuracy is still a massive concern. Bad kicking is bad footy.
GWS
Stocks up: With the Giants' exit from the finals, it's only fair to take a step back and recognise just how good Jesse Hogan has been this season. The first player to win both the Rising Star and Coleman Medal, Hogan turned his career around in orange, after what can only really be described as a difficult start to his AFL career. From the Demons, where he never settled and dealt with the death of his father and his own cancer diagnosis, to back home in Perth, where he struggled with mental health troubles it looked unlikely Hogan would make it. But a Coleman Medal-winning campaign in his fourth season at the Giants is a testament to his hard work, and his vice-like grip and accuracy in front of the sticks put the Giants in a position to contend. He couldn't have done more in the semifinal against the Lions, booting five majors (to go with his three against the Swans) and taking six contested marks.
Stocks down: He's had plenty of good moments throughout 2024, but Brent Daniels had a couple of 'don't come Monday' moments in the loss to the Lions, the biggest -- or what ended up being the costliest -- being the decision to take an advantage in the goal square mid-way through the fourth, but kick the ball out of midair and miss, leaving the door ajar for the Lions' comeback. Had the ball come back, 30 seconds been taken off the clock, and the goal converted, the Giants probably would have won. He also gave away a 50m penalty earlier in the match, and failed to kick a goal in both finals this season.
And, well, Adam Kingsley, it's going to be a long offseason, so what have you got? The Giants suffered two demoralising defeats in finals, both from commanding, winnable positions. From leading the Swans by 28 at one point, and the Lions by 44, Kingsley was unable to steer the ship home, and questions will be asked about his ability to get his charges to recover and reset ahead of 2025.
Hawthorn
Stocks up: It's official, the Wizard is a big game player. It was seven goals and a whole lot of swagger from Nick Watson in his two finals in his debut season, a mammoth output considering his age, experience, and the pressure put on him to perform by his key forwards' lack of impact. After kicking 6.18 through the first nine games of his career, Watson had found his range in AFL footy (and at the right time), kicking 13.5 in his final four games of the season to become a genuine and worrisome threat in the forward 50. We can't wait to see him in 2025.
Stocks down: We mentioned it above, but Hawthorn's key forwards really struggled to impact the contest most of the night. Mabior Chol has yet another 'almost' game, where he got to good positions but failed to impact aerially or on the ground, Jack Gunston was subbed out just after half time with just a couple of touches to his name, and youngster Calsher Dear was genuinely unsighted after kicking the Hawks' first of the game.
Port Adelaide
Stocks up: Whatever Willie Rioli touched on Friday night, it turned into gold. He was consistently Port Adelaide's most threatening forward in the win over Hawthorn, and contributed two goals himself as well as three direct goal assists. His vision and skill kicking the footy inside 50 was nearly perfect all night; he hit targets in space and set up teammates beautifully while drawing defenders himself. (Something on key forwards not being as important in finals.
Sometimes, you have to give credit to the big men, and Jordon Sweet deserves a wrap. His game was outstanding; he competed in the ruck all night, winning 52 hitouts and tallying six clearances, while his crucial late chase of Mabior Chol in the fourth term was one of the great ruck chasedown efforts. Chol ran too far evading Sweet and gave away the relieving free kick. Exactly what you love to see from a lumbering ruck.
Stocks down: He kicked an important early goal in his return game, but has already been ruled out of the prelim against the Swans with concussion. It just hasn't been Todd Marshall's year, and his absence may leave the door ajar for one last push from Charlie Dixon, who was a late withdrawal with illness on Friday night.
And Ken Hinkley. Just ... shut up. You've won the semifinal, you're moving on next week, and Jack Ginnivan and co. already look silly. Sure, the by-play is entertaining, but it wasn't the most becoming five minutes of carry-on we've seen. Sure, probably a bit of an overreaction from Sam Mitchell as well (Ginnivan is a grown adult whose actions do have consequences), but the tit-for-tat after the match took the gloss off a great win.
READ: It's clear the Port Adelaide players 'love' Ken Hinkley