MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S TOP 10: AFL stars Connor Rozee, Jack Ginnivan, Lachie Neale, Toby Greene to fight it out

1. How the Power can switch on and stymie Hawks’ momentum.

Can Port avoid another straight-sets exit and stop the Hawks juggernaut? Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis will have to lift and they will. But it won’t be easy against the previously underrated Hawk midfield of Jai Newcombe, James Worpel, Conor Nash and Lloyd Meek. This quartet took the Dogs midfield apart last week. Coach Ken Hinkley has to nullify James Sicily and Port must make this game an arm wrestle. No team is going to outrun the Hawks so you need to beat them in the trenches.

2. I have written a few times on the energy and excitement of the young Hawk forwards, including Jack Ginnivan.

I love his cheeky celebrations. The fun social media posts are good for the game as we need characters in this league. But I’m with Luke Hodge on the ‘ ‘see you in 14 days’ comment on former Pies teammate Brodie Grundy’s Instagram post. Never give the opposition ammunition. But, as I’ve said before, I am part of the old school.

3. How good are the high half-forwards at Hawthorn and Geelong?

The players that can push up high and sling shot back to goal, getting in behind the defence, are pivotal in 2024. Tyson Stengle, Gryan Miers, Brad Close and now Shaun Mannagh for the Cats. Dylan Moore, Connor Macdonald, Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan for the Hawks. These players are crucial to their team’s success the way the game is being played this year.

4. What an extraordinary club Geelong are. Since the 2022 grand final, without a lot of high draft picks, they have added nine players.

Mannagh as a mature age pick from Werribee, Shannon Neale from the 2020 drafr, Jack Bowes from the Gold Coast, Oli Dempsey from the rookie list, Oisin Mullin from Ireland, Oli Henry from the Pies, Tanner Bruhn from GWS and Lawson Humphries, who played some WAFL reserves in 2023. Then throw in Max Holmes as he would have played in 2022 but was injured. Geelong’s list management is off the charts. They are off to another preliminary final, no surprises there.

5. The Giants host Brisbane in Western Sydney on Saturday night.

Two very different styles of footy. The Giants are tough and like a game with the ball in dispute - win the ball and surge forward using handball chains. Brisbane will want to be composed, working their way forward with kicks and marks. If uncontested marks are minimal the Giants will book their preliminary final spot against the Cats.

6. There’s no AFL in Melbourne this weekend, the MCG will be empty.

Why not move the Storm’s NRL home qualifying final from AAMI Park to the MCG. We know Melbourne sports fans would turn up. I can’t see any losers with this idea and potentially up to 30,000 extra fans get to see a great Melbourne team at their best. Speaking of the Storm, Craig Bellamy has to be the best coach in Australian sport after his side finished minor premiers yet again. He has an incredible 70 per cent win rate since he started at the Storm in 2003, plays finals every year, and has never had a losing season. This must irritate a lot of league fans in Queensland and NSW.

7. I know there are contracts involved but surely we have to get to the point that when you earn a home final you actually get one.

The Dogs earned that right for a home elimination final. Marvel Stadium is their home ground. That’s where it should have been played. The Hawks’ style of play was much better suited to the MCG. The Dogs only played there twice this season. It wasn’t a home final for the Bulldogs.

8. I’ve been a critic of too many rule changes over the years, but credit where it’s due.

The change of interpretation to blow the whistle quicker and ball it up when the player in possession is trying to fight through a tackle has been a winner. Plus we are avoiding the tackler slinging and dumping players into the ground. Great interpretation change.

9. Mark and goal of the year may have occurred last weekend with Jezza Cameron’s remarkable snap from the pocket under pressure and the unbelievable Isaac Heeney hanger.

But they can’t win. The award should be judged on the whole season, not just the home and away rounds. Change it next year please.

10. Just on Sydney ace Isaac Heeney, is there a more complete player in the game?

There can’t be many. He senses moments when his team needs a lift like all champions do. Heeney has tough, silky skills, takes a great mark overhead, kicks goals and, most importantly, is loved and respected by his teammates.