In the 2026 AFL semifinals, Luke Jackson went to another level when his team needed him, and Charlie Cameron produced an electrifying first half to help sink the Crows. But the Geelong coach didn't do himself any favours in press conferences. 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: In a game where the Crows were on the back foot from the outset after Brisbane kicked an astonishing five goals in the opening seven minutes, mid-season recruit Hugo Hall-Kahan produced one of his better games since joining the club and was one player who at all times wanted to drive forward out of the back half and attack. The 22-year-old was his side's highest-rated player on the ground, finishing with 24 disposals (21 effective) with nine score involvements and six rebound 50s. A quick head nod to the retiring Taylor Walker, too, who finishes his stellar career with 319 games and 715 goals to his name.
Stocks down: It was just a really ugly night all round for the Crows who got so much wrong. Why was Jordan Dawson used as a spare down back for so long? Why was Callum Ah Chee also deployed as a spare despite trailing by so much in the second half? Winning by less should not have been the objective. It was a win-or-go-home clash, so shuffle the magnets and go and win the game. Forward pair Ben Keays (three disposals to half time) and Josh Rachele (four) would also like their time again, going largely unsighted until it was too late.
Brisbane
Stocks up: By this stage of the season, everyone knows the Lions are lethal in attack, but can also concede a pretty hefty score themselves, smashing the Crows despite letting them put 91 points on the board, for example. But when those dangerous mid-forwards are in that sort of form, you really don't wanna get involved in a shootout with Chris Fagan's men! Zac Bailey, fresh off re-committing to the club, was outstanding with three goals (and three behinds) from 23 disposals and a whopping 14 score involvements, while Cam Rayner was also at his damaging best with two majors from 22. That's all while Charlie Cameron kicked five goals for the first time in two years, and Kai Lohmann was also busy after failing to fire last week. Yeah, good luck stopping them when they're in that sort of mood.
Stocks down: We mentioned it above, but this Brisbane side really needs to switch on defensively. It might not matter; dominate stoppages, win the territory, and score more than your opposition. That's all fine, and it can -- and does, to be fair -- work. But Hawthorn, like the Swans were in a qualifying final, are a different offensive ball movement prospect than the defensively-minded Adelaide Crows, so buyer beware. Also, while it was precautionary, All-Australian forward Logan Morris finished the game with ice on his calf, so there'll be a watch on his fitness this week.
READ: What we learned: Selfless Lions maul Crows to leave Hawks shaking in their boots
Fremantle
Stocks up: Star ruck Luke Jackson had one of the most influential finals we've seen this far, dominating at centre bounce, on the gorund, and up forward. He finished as Fremantle's highest-rated player on the night (20.6 Rating Points), kicking two goals and gathering 25 disposals, 35 hit outs, and eight clearances. His third quarter in particular was stunning; eight disposals, two goals, and a wonderful assist to Patrick Voss. More broadly, it was fantastic to see those who struggled to impact the game in last week's loss to Hawthorn step up; Patrick Voss kicked four goals including the sealer, Shai Bolton kicked two goals in the first two minutes to go with 26 disposals and eight tackles, Josh Treacy took eight marks after being blanketed, and Murphy Reid looked a lot more composed for his 23 touches.
READ: What we learned: The unicorn can take over a final; the AFL 'is failing the game'
Stocks down: Now, whoever pressed the Wharfie Time button with the game dead and the Dockers as good as thorugh to a prelim ... have a good hard look at yourself! For a button so revered and tightly-held as Wharfie Time has been this year, going with it after the game was won and done was a let-down. If anything, it needed to be hit late in the third as the Dockers were working back into the lead after Geelong's comeback!
Geelong
Stocks up: Ask any Cats fan who would be most likely to kick a bag of five in a big final and Ollie Henry probably isn't top five behind Patrick Dangerifeld, Jeremy Cameron, Shannon Neale, Jay Polkinghorne, and maybe even Gryan Miers or Shaun Mannagh. But the 24-year-old was a standout for Geelong, kicking three in the third term alone as the Cats mounted a comeback from an early deficit. Shoutout to Patrick Dangerfield, too, who kicked the Cats' opening goal, and the major to put them in front in the third; he backed up a heroic elimination final performance just about as well as a 36-year-old body could.
Stocks down: First it was the loss itself, and less than 12 hours later it was Zak Butters declaring his intention to join his childhood team the Bulldogs, shunning an offer from the Cats. Talk about deflating! The Cats were always going to be up against 'it'; finishing 5th and having to go through the elimination final, followed by a trip west to Perth ... they did incredibly well to hit the front in the third quarter and really have Freo fans starting to worry about straight sets. Still, Geelong probably underperformed in 2026 given the lofty expectations surrounding this team, even if Chris Scott did his best to come up with excuses, again. It's a schtick which is wearing thin. The Cats are expected to sign Toby Greene and St Kilda ruck Rowan Marshall, so ... silver lining?
