Has a season ever flipped on its head from week to week like this one? From the outset of 2024, we’ve had drama to spare, and Round 17 has only delivered a stack more to leave us all confused as to who exactly will come out of this craziest of years with the premiership. The toast of the town mere days ago, Carlton and Sydney head home with tails between their legs courtesy of upset losses – in the Swans’ case, their second in succession, to a tremendously brave St Kilda final quarter comeback, that gives their status as unbackable premiership favourites a serious shake. After playing one of the season’s worst games last week, Port Adelaide and St Kilda both roused their despairing supporter bases with famous wins, the latter shredding a horrid Western Bulldogs outfit that seemed on course to surge into the eight, and the latter somehow rediscovering its best footy when it was needed most to torch no less than an opponent in the Swans with a four goals to nil last quarter.
GWS and Essendon are back in the premiership conversation after statement wins over fierce foes, while Collingwood find themselves outside the eight, and with injuries mounting, face a daunting task to get their season back on track. It’s bonkers, it’s hectic, and it’s utterly, utterly compelling. Let’s dive into the weekend’s talking points.
More AFL 1. The closest season ever takes another twist I’ve never seen a season this insane in all my footy-watching life, and I suspect you proba.
