"Brodie Grundy Has Cemented An All Australian Blazer": 9 Lessons From Round 21

1. Doggies Talls Pivotal Going Forward

   If the resurgence of the Western Bulldogs form in the last fortnight has proved anything, it is that the key position forwards are paramount.

   Naughton and Darcy as a duo have kicked 23 goals in tandem in their last two matches, and have developed a chemistry inside the forward 50 that should worry fellow finals contenders.

   Can any defence in the competition match up adequately to these two menacing towers?

   

   Aaron Naughton in career best form with 12 goals in the past 2 weeks

2. Will Day is the Unluckiest Footballer 

   Hawthorn’s Will Day has suffered yet another setback, injuring his foot during Friday night’s clash against the Crows. What was first thought to be cramp turned out to be far worse, with scans the next day confirming a season-ending bone stress injury in the same foot that kept him out for most of the year. 

   It’s a brutal blow for the 24-year-old, who has now played just 22 games across the past two seasons. After months of recovery and a long-awaited return in Round 20, his comeback has lasted only two games. 

   Day is one of Hawthorn’s most promising talents, but he just can’t catch a break. With back-to-back seasons wiped out by the same injury, it’s hard to argue Will Day might just be the unluckiest footballer in the AFL. 

   

   Will Day will look forward to having a more healither 2026 season

   
   

3. The West Coast Eagles are Gutless

   This Eagles outfit is one of the most sub par sides that have graced the AFL in the last decade, having only won 1 of the 20 games in 2025, officially claiming the Wooden Spoon.

   The Eagles were massacred by 83 points by an underwhelming Demons lineup, as Senior Coach Andrew McQualter labeled the side as “not tough enough”, and quite frankly the gap between their best (which is not very high) and their worst is extraordinary.

   The Eagles have absorbed 2107 points in 2025, nearly 100 more than North Melbourne, and significantly more than the rest of the competition.

   There are: serious, serious issues in Perth for the Eagles.

   

   Is there a way out for the Eagles?

4. Anderson Steaming Home for a Potential Brownlow

   With a 38 Disposal and 8 Clearance performance in a Gold Coast thrashing, Noah Anderson was well in the conversation for Best on Ground, solidifying and consolidating a late Brownlow Surge, in which he is on the climb to chase likely Nick Daicos or Jordan Dawson.

   Anderson has been stellar in 2025, and it has been his ability to extract the football, while being effective and efficient that has earmarked Anderson for a maiden All Australian nod.

   But we could be seeing an all time chase, a footballing Chautauqua moment, or a moment esc of Health Shaw chasing down Nick Riewoldt in the 2010 Grand Final.

   He is not the favorite, but stranger things have happened Brownlow night.

   

   An AA blazer coming his way, can he add a couple other medals this September?

5. Brodie Grundy has cemented a All Australian Blazer

   In a down year for the Show Time Swans, Brodie Grundy has enjoyed a luxury season.

   On Saturday Afternoon at the SCG a remarkably rare feat to add to his fantastic season, notching 39 disposals and 13 clearances which is an absolutely ludicrous stat line for a ruck man.

   Grundy entering Round 21, has obtained 68 coaches votes, with likely another perfect 10, which would plant him as the highest ranked Ruck man.

   A Third Blazer looms ominous for Grundy, his first since 2019.

   

   Brodie Grundy is enjoying one of his best ever seasons in 2025

6. In a World Characterized by Sam Darcy’s We Have a Logan Morris

   Logan Morris is just one of those players that is going to slide under the radar for a very long time.

   The 190cm key forward for the reigning premiers has booted 40 goals in 2025, as he added 6 to the tally on Saturday Night against the Collingwood Magpies on the MCG.

   His ability to punish defenders as a multi faceted threat has proved dangerous, as he can get you aerially and at ground level. He also takes a large amount of his chances.

   

   The Steal of the 2023 Draft, Players like him win premierships

7. Colby McKercher Will Be a Superstar 

   North Melbourne may have fallen short in Sunday’s scrap against the Saints, but one thing was clear, Colby McKercher is the real deal. The 2023 Pick 2 lit up the game with a career-best 36 disposals and a clutch goal launched from half-back, showing poise and class well beyond his years. 

   While the Kangaroos continue to struggle for wins, McKercher has been a consistent bright spot. After an interrupted first season, he’s taken a big step forward in 2025 now averaging 22.7 disposals per game, bringing elite running power, ball use, and a growing confidence in big moments. 

   

   Contracted until 2028, North will be desperate to have Colby for his whole career

8. Geelong Is Timing Their Run Perfectly 

   Another dominant performance in Round 21, this time dismantling Port Adelaide, has the Cats looking every bit like a serious contender once again. The 2022 premiers are peaking at the right time, and with finals around the corner, their momentum is impossible to ignore. 

   Their star forward is closing in on the rare 100-goal milestone, while the midfield duo of Max Holmes and Bailey Smith is proving to be arguably the most damaging in the competition. Both are consistently winning the ball, breaking lines, and setting up scoring chains with ease. 

   With experience, depth, and form all aligning, it begs the question: Are they once again timing their run to perfection for another deep September campaign? 

   

   Do Geelong even have a weakness right now?

9. Carlton Need to Become a Four-Quarter Team 

   It’s becoming a frustrating pattern. For the sixth time in 2025, Carlton has led at half-time and still lost. They’re now just two shy of the all-time VFL/AFL record of eight losses in a season after leading at the main break — a stat no team wants to be chasing. 

   Against Fremantle, it was the same story. The Blues started strong, dominated clearances, and looked like the side many tipped to contend this year. But in the second half, they faded once again. Fremantle took control late, and Carlton had no response. 

   This isn’t a one-off. It’s a growing concern that points to deeper issues — whether it’s fitness, leadership, or coaching. Carlton just can’t seem to deliver four consistent quarters. 

   With a disappointing season coming to an end and key players and staff likely on the way out, the big question is whether Carlton can find their spark again. Can they return to the form of 2023 and early 2024? Or will this group be remembered more for missed chances than meaningful success? 

   

   Can Carlton improve in 2026 under Voss or is it time to cut ties