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Sport Nation
It’s a half back’s league: The things we learnt
Jaiden Sciberras • May 18th, 2025 8:19 pm
Sir Doug Nicholls Round has come and gone, bringing with it a mixed bag of results all over the country.
From blowouts on Saturday to nail-biters on Sunday, favourites dominating to an upset up north, Round 10 featured a little bit of everything.
From Ben Long sitting on shoulders to Kozzy Pickett running rampant against the reigning premiers, here are the things we learnt in Round 10!
It’s a half back’s league
In a competition where ball movement is king, the role of the half back flank has rapidly ascended to the most vital in the AFL.
As the pace of the game continues to evolve, springboarding off the flank and powering down the ground at high speed has evidently become the most effective way to transition the footy.
Round 10 proved that teams are beginning to take note, shifting their best ball users into the back half to ensure the most effective ball movement. The Pies shifting Josh Daicos, Port Adelaide with Connor Rozee and Brisbane with Jaspa Fletcher are just a few examples of players thriving in the role.
However, this is a shift that has been forecast for some time. The Giants’ ‘Orange Tsunami’ originated from their elite ball users in this exact position, with Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Ash frequently popping up as the trigger point for swift transitions.
Adopting that same method, the Suns have recruited two elite movers in Daniel Rioli and John Noble, both playing a vital role in securing victory over both the Bulldogs and the Hawks, while the Dogs’ Bailey Dale had one of the better Bulldog performances in history against the Dons, racking up a historical 49 disposals.
Beyond face value, Champion Data has confirmed the importance of the back flank, with five of their top 10 players doing their damage in the coveted role.
It may soon become common practice for sides to adapt, shifting their primary ball users onto the back flank.
Fremantle are capable of top-drawer performances
The Dockers have been incredibly inconsistent this season, however they are certainly capable of top-quality football.
Coming up against an in-form GWS side, fresh off the back of a stellar win over the Cats, Fremantle waltzed into their backyard, winning every quarter en route to a dominant 34-point win.
Coach Justin Longmuir’s defensive structure stood firm, stifling the Giants’ runners and pressing forward, breaking away in the third term before burying the contest in the last.
After many questions surrounding Longmuir’s game style, their performance proved that their defensive game does stack up against the very best, booting eight second half goals curtesy of a midfield clinic.
However, this is the football we should expect from a list this strong. With a healthy Luke Jackson, an elite midfield and contributors all across the ground, there is no reason as to why the Dockers shouldn’t perform in this manner week in, week out.
More of this.
The Dogs stocks are rising
The Western Bulldogs cannot be far from premiership favourites.
A demolition from start to finish, the Dogs took care of the Bombers with absolute ease, claiming victory by 91 points at Marvel Stadium.
While the undermanned Bombers might not be the highest quality of opposition, this is the third smashing that the Dogs have delivered since the return of Marcus Bontempelli.
Within the Bont’s five games, the Bulldogs have lost just one game, falling just short against the Suns in Darwin – a challenge no team has overcome in over five years.
Led by Luke Beveridge, the Dogs have absolutely everything required to win a flag – a top-notch midfield, an elite forward half mix (particularly with the rise of Rhylee West and the shift of Buku Khamis), and star power across the board.
With Sam Darcy to return in the latter stages of the season, it’s safe to say the Bulldogs premiership stocks are rising at a rapid rate.
Now’s the time to buy in.
Max Gawn is the centre of everything
Where would the Demons be without Maxy Gawn?
Arguably the greatest ruckman in modern football, Gawny was at the forefront of everything once again as the Dees put on their best performance of the season, stealing victory from the Lions at the Gabba.
Two late marks to lock up the result, Gawn managed seven disposals, 11 hit outs, two clearances, three inside fifties and 129 metres gained in just the final term.
22 disposals, 47 hit outs and seven marks for the contest, Gawny’s performances this season have been nothing short of brilliant.
However, this win wasn’t just in the hands of Max Gawn. Kysaiah Pickett was everywhere, booting two goals from his 21 disposals in one of his stronger performances this season.
The Dees’ elite midfield put on a clinic, while Jake Melksham booted four vital goals in the contest.
This game was reminiscent of the Demons of old. Carry this sort of performance throughout the rest of the year and the Dees might just be alive and kicking.
It’s a big week for the Blues
Where to now for Carlton?
A strong win against St Kilda in Round 9 left the Blues in good stead, winning four from five to regain form following their slow start to the season.
However, faced with a vital, potentially eight-pointer against the Swans, Carlton capitulated when put to the sword.
Unable to find an answer to Isaac Heeney, the Blues allowed the Swans to dominate the final term, giving up five of Sydney’s 11 goals in the last exchange to fall by 16 points at the SCG.
The contest proved the value of Jack Silvagni in the back half, however with his continuous struggles to remain healthy, Michael Voss needs to find an answer in the defensive 50.
Round 10 also proved that Carlton’s list is simply too top heavy. Beyond their stars, the current crop at the lower end of Carlton’s best 22 simply aren’t up to the standard of a top eight side.
With just the four wins from 10 games, with the Giants to come before the bye, the Blues will need to regroup and start putting wins on the board if they want to find any success in 2025.
