In the second week of the 2026 AFL finals, Patrick Dangerfield rolled out a vintage performance and Errol Gulden steered Sydney to a famous win. But the Dockers are in danger of a major embarrassment. 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.
Adelaide
Stocks up: Josh Worrell, take a bow! There's a reason they're now calling him 'The Great Wall of Worrell', with the Adelaide defender proving almost impossible to get through on Saturday night. Worrell finished with an astounding 19 intercept possessions -- the most ever recorded in a final -- along with 34 disposals, 10 marks, and 11 rebound 50s. Sure, the Dogs didn't make the most of their entries, but plenty of that was down to the Crows' elite defender. What a gem. Oh, and Wayne Milera's 27 disposals at 100%(!) disposal efficiency was also critical.
Stocks down: The fact that Goal of the Year doesn't include finals! Seriously, Izak Rankine's late finish to seal the game would have been a contender and there's no doubt about that. His roving of a deep forward pack before nailing a checkside off a step from an impossible angle sent the stands into a frenzy. On a more negative note, though, the Crows finished -12 inside 50s and -10 in centre clearances. Heads up, guys, you can't give up that sort of territory in next week's semifinal in Brisbane.
What we learned: Matthew Nicks' job is safe ... for now
Brisbane
Stocks up: It was a disastrous day for the Lions but the one silver lining to the qualifying final loss to Sydney is that they live to fight another day. We also know this side is fully capable of winning a premiership after flunking their first final. Last year, Geelong belted Brisbane on the road in a qualifying final. They responded with wins over the Suns, Magpies, and Cats to lift the cup for the second time in two years. Write this team off at your own peril!
Stocks down: When things aren't working for you in a final you look to your leaders. Unfortunately for the Lions, the club's most decorated player had an afternoon to forget at the SCG. Lachie Neale was held to just 18 disposals and two clearances -- the fewest clearances he's had in a final since the 2013 Grand Final when at the Dockers. Neale also had just six contested possessions, four score involvements, and failed to register a score. Can he turn it on this weekend against the Crows in what is shaping as his final game for the Lions at the Gabba?
What we learned: The Lions had a stinker, but write them off at your own peril
Carlton
Stocks up: Sure, the Blues bow out of finals, but what a salvage job this was by Josh Fraser and his troops. The season was all but over at Round 10 with the Blues boasting just one win, riding a seven-game losing streak, and forced to sack Michael Voss. But since then, Fraser has breathed new life into the club and its legion of supporters. The Blues ended the home and away season winning 11 of their final 14 games to sneak into the wildcard, where they would go on to knock over the Demons. The elimination final loss to the Cats will hurt, but with the mainstays doing their thing, the youngsters showing incredible promise, and another star set to join the club this offseason, there's so much to be excited for in 2027.
Stocks down: The dam wall didn't just break, it collapsed. The Cats piled on 10 goals in the second half to defeat the Blues and advance to a semifinal. Frustratingly for Carlton fans, it didn't help that its defence was under all sorts of duress. Both Harry Dean and Jacob Weitering suffered injuries on the night and were hampered in the second half as Geelong mounted its challenge. Lewis Young again proved he's just not up to AFL scratch, while Wade Derksen struggled to fill the void left by Nick Haynes. No surprise the Blues are seemingly all-in on signing Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis as key position depth this offseason.
What we learned: There's no shame in Carlton's curtain call
Fremantle
Stocks up: There was very little to celebrate from a Dockers perspective on Thursday evening at Optus Stadium, but the form of Jordan Clark was a major positive. Fresh from his maiden All-Australian selection, and playing in game number 150, Clark had the Sherrin on a string all night long and at times looked like the only player in purple that received the memo that they'd arrived in September. His night featured 38 disposals, eight intercepts, and one of the best marks we've seen this year! Clark copped a hard hit in the dying seconds of the game, but is expected to be fit and firing for the club's do-or-die semifinal against Geelong.
Stocks down: Well then, the pressure is well and truly on the Dockers to bounce back against the Cats. There are a number of directions we can go for this section; the key forward trio of Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, and Patrick Voss was virtually unsighted throughout the loss to the Hawks. In fact, diminutive forward Isaiah Dudley had as many marks (5) as Amiss (four), Voss (one), and Treacy (zero) combined. All-Australian Murphy Reid also struggled to find composure and space despite gathering 24 disposals. The good news is a lot of Freo's stars were down on expectation, meaning they can and should put up a better showing against the Cats this week.
What we learned: Why we should be worried about the Dockers
Geelong
Stocks up: Could it really be anyone other than Patrick Dangerfield?! Many have speculated when the end might come for the Cats champion, but his performance against the Blues on Friday evening proved there's plenty more still in the tank. Dangerfield put on a masterful attacking display at the MCG, booting five goals from his 21 disposals. He also had 10 score involvements and 10 contested possessions from 'just' 71% game time. It was Dangerfield, along with Shaun Mannagh (25 disposals and a goal), that sparked the Cats to life after halftime and into a crunch semifinal against the Dockers.
Stocks down: Chris Scott won't admit he's concerned about the form of star man Jeremy Cameron, and maybe he's not, but if the Cats are to cause the boilover in the west next week, he's going to need to play a whole lot better than he did against the Blues. Cameron was held to just two handballs in the first half and looked lost out on the MCG. He finished the game with nine disposals but didn't register a shot on goal, playing up the ground for most of the night. We know he's still not 100% fit, but surely he's still most valuable playing as a permanent forward.
What we learned: Why no one grinds down an opponent like Geelong
Hawthorn
Stocks up: Take a bow, James Sicily. In fact, the entire Hawthorn defence should be commended for that performance. The Hawks' pressure, hunger, and intensity was off the charts on Thursday evening in the west as they hunted and terrorised their way into a home preliminary final. As is so often the case, Sicily was the architect behind the ball. The Hawthorn co-captain had 26 disposals, 579 metres gained, and a game-high 12 intercept possessions on the night, frequently putting his body in the right place to thwart Fremantle's attacks.
Stocks down: It's hard to fault the Hawks at all after storming Fremantle's Perth fortress and coming away with the win, a home prelim, and no injuries. The Hawks are probably now the premiership favourites? Why? They're into a home prelim and the Grand Final is at their home ground. It's a massive advantage. Max Beattie could be unlucky at the selection table if Sam Mitchell wants to make a change; he had just two disposals from 57% game time.
What we learned: Hawthorn's relentless pressure can win the flag
Sydney
Stocks up: Don't worry about who's not there, what's remaining of Sydney's firepower is still at a level that can beat anyone when it all clicks, as they showed against the Lions. Where should we start? The immense pressure applied and complete buy-in from the entire team, hunting Brisbane for four quarters? The lethal forward trio of Logan McDonald, Charlie Curnow, and Tom Papley which combined for a whopping 16 goals? Errol Gulden's 34 disposals, eight clearances, 10 inside 50s, 915 metres gained, and one exceptional solo-effort goal out of the middle? There was so much to like, and with their backs against the wall, the effort was inspiring.
Stocks down: It was utterly heartbreaking to see Swans skipper Callum Mills go down with a serious knee injury so early in the contest. It's the one sour note to the incredible 53-point win, particularly given Mills' injury history, which also sidelined him for the 2024 Grand Final. Star wingman Justin McInerney hasn't played since injuring his hamstring in Round 13 and looks the likely inclusion with an extra week's rest before the home preliminary final.
What we learned: We were foolish to write off the Swans in 2026
Western Bulldogs
Stocks up: Look, at least the Dogs threatened to snatch the win. And we use 'snatch' loosely here, because this game was genuinely gettable. Down by 19 points at three-quarter time after a quarter where they couldn't buy a score despite dominating territory, the Bulldogs booted the first three goals of the final term -- two to Will Lewis and one to Ed Richards -- to unexpectedly, yet deservedly, level the scores. They then went ahead thanks to an Aaron Naughton poster (more on that below), but from there were ultimately outclassed by Adelaide's stars. For a team that's been undermanned at different stages throughout the year, you have to tip your hat to the effort.
Stocks down: As we said, the Dogs were outclassed in the end, but they simply didn't make enough of their chances. Lacklustre fumbles and poor kicking for goal proved costly, with the Buku Khamis dropped mark in the final term, Sam Davidson's dropped chest mark, Bailey Dale's out-on-the-full while two players were free around the 50, and Naughton's poster from directly in front (and ultimate scoreline of 1.3) all coming back to bite them. Sorry, Bulldogs, but the simple one-percenters really cost you here.
What we learned: The Bulldogs wasted their chance, and could have beaten the Crows
