"The Ashcrofts Are Powering Brisbane’s Premiership Repeat": 9 Lessons From Round 19

1. The Bombers’ Loss is GWS’ September Weapon

   There’s no doubt — since leaving the Bombers for Greater Western Sydney, Jake Stringer had Round 19 circled as his revenge game.

   And on Thursday night, he delivered.

   Stringer was electric, booting three brilliant goals and racking up eight score involvements along with two direct assists. He didn’t just get his own — he elevated those around him.

   It’s this kind of X-factor that could push the Giants over the line come finals time. Stringer looks set on doing what the Bombers never could: win a final — and keep marching into September.

   

   One of his best games this season comes against his old side

2. The Ashcrofts Are Powering Brisbane’s Premiership Repeat

   In the Lions’ thrilling win over the surging Bulldogs, it was the Ashcroft brothers who stood tallest.

   Their combined five goals proved crucial — especially Will’s dagger from beyond the arc late in the final term, sealing the deal on a night where he notched 26 disposals and three goals in a best-on-ground performance.

   Levi’s impact can’t be overlooked either. No longer the pure inside mid, he’s embraced a wing role with maturity beyond his years — and it’s paying off. With two clutch goals and elite decision-making, Levi’s pushing hard for the Rising Star award. The Ashcroft brothers are more than a feel-good story — they’re becoming the backbone of Brisbane’s bid for back-to-back flags, chasing a legacy that mirrors their father Marcus’ famous three-peat.

   

   Have they overtaken the Daicos brothers as the best in the game?

3. Ken Hinkley needs his money back

   With the game well in hand, Hawthorn sparkplug Jack Ginnivan pulled out the now-infamous “airplane” celebration after slotting a goal — a throwback to last year’s fiery finals moment.

   In that 2024 clash, Ken Hinkley directed the same airplane gesture toward Ginnivan after Port edged out Hawthorn by three points. The act sparked plenty of media heat — and earned the Port coach a $20,000 fine from the AFL.

   While the fallout wasn’t exactly laughed off, both camps moved on fairly quickly, and many felt the penalty was excessive in hindsight.

   But in Round 19, Ginnivan flipped the script — delivering the gesture on his terms, with the scoreboard in Hawthorn’s favour.

   

   The aftermath of the 2024 semi final showed Captain and Coach having some words to each other

4. Isaac Heeney Just Played the Best Game of 2025

   Heeney is in a league of his own, as the only player to notch 11 clearances and 5 goals in a game of AFL football. The star Swan collected 34 disposals, winning the game off his own boot. Heeney displayed a level of match-winning ability that is almost unmatched and is willing the Swans towards a miracle September.

   The question is: if the Swans can get there, can Isaac avenge his finals flaws and dominate games of finals footy?

   

   Isaac Heeney after a historic record breaking performance

5. Pickett is one of the leagues best

   After turning down multiple clubs in the past off-season, Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett committed his future to the Demons until 2034.

   So far, he’s repaid the favour.

   Pickett is averaging 19.9 disposals and 2.3 goals per game in 2025 — elite numbers for a player once known primarily as a small forward.

   While 2025 hasn’t been a successful season for Melbourne as a whole, they’ve found a major silver lining: the emergence of Pickett as one of the most dynamic and complete players in the competition.

   

   The future is bright for the Dees under Pickett

6. Taranto and Hopper Remind Everyone How Good They Are

   In a season that’s largely been about blooding youth, it was Richmond’s experienced core that led the charge in their dominant win over West Coast.

   Former GWS pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper were exceptional, combining for 63 disposals, 5 goals, and 13 clearances. They set the tone around the contest, where the Tigers simply wanted it more — and reaped the rewards.

   It marked Richmond’s first set of back-to-back wins in 2025 and the first time they’ve cracked the 100-point mark this year, offering a genuine beacon of hope for the Tiger faithful heading into the final stretch.

   

   After being sold a lie, this duo have excelled in their new leader roles for this young team

7. Geelong's Class Exposes The Saints Maturity

   Sunday afternoon’s clash laid bare the difference in composure.

   Despite St Kilda leading on clearances and several statistical fronts, it was Geelong’s execution and maturity that ultimately decided the match. The Cats’ class was on full display — particularly through multiple goal avenues, including a five-goal haul from Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron against the inexperienced Alix Tauru.

   The Saints were competitive in structure and pressure but faltered when it counted. Their inability to convert dominance into scoreboard impact highlighted a lack of match-day maturity.

   The Cats, on the other hand, reminded the comp they’re still a threat when they get their game on their terms.

   

   Are the Cats the team to beat this September?

8. The Dockers Are The Real Deal

   For the Dockers, while there were standouts, it was a consistent performance by every Docker across the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

   Patrick Voss was the barometer for Fremantle, with 3 goals in the first quarter to settle the Dockers in, and finished with 6 goals — the best game of his career so far. It was his ability to influence the contest in the air and at ground level that caused Darcy Moore so much havoc, and he was clearly not garnered enough respect.

   Caleb Serong was exceptional, simply unstoppable… 37 disposals, 9 clearances and a goal. Alongside the courageous efforts of Andy Brayshaw, Luke Ryan and Jordan Clark, Fremantle seemed like they could get you from so many angles.

   It is clear coming into the finals, the Dockers are a scary threat, and teams will strive to avoid them early in September, as they are one of the hottest teams in the AFL winning 8 of their last 9 games.

   

   Can Patrick Voss continue his career saving form?

9. Top Two Incoming? Adelaide’s Path to the Grand Final Just Got Real

   After dismantling the Gold Coast Suns to close out Round 19, the Crows now look set to be favourites in every game for the remainder of the season — a run that could lock in a top-two finish.

   With two home finals all but secured, it’s hard to imagine this Adelaide side not featuring on the last Saturday in September.

   Backed by a young, explosive midfield and an elite, versatile forward line, the question now is simple. Who, if anyone, can stop the Crows when they’re at their best?

   

   Adelaide could very well break their 27 year drought