Richmond recruit Sydney Stack has burst into contention for the Rising Star award. Photo: AFL MEDIA
We’re getting towards the end of another home and away season in what has been one of the most unpredictable campaigns yet.
Some teams are focused on pushing for that elusive top four chance. Others are scrimmaging to make the eight. And some are just looking to salvage pride in their remaining games, and even scout potential senior coaching options for 2020.
As we approach the tail-end of the season, there are still a number of questions that need answering. Here are the biggest queries for the rest of the 2019 season.
Who will win the Rising Star Award?
At the start of the season, it was widely tipped that Carlton’s Sam Walsh would take home the Rising Star Award with ease. Now, it doesn’t seem that simple.
Walsh has turned in a terrific debut season and is still the frontrunner in the current betting offers from bookies, averaging 25.2 disposals, 3.4 tackles, 3.4 clearances and 3.1 inside 50s per game. He leads all rookies in contested possessions and effective disposals and already looks like a 200-game player.
However, a couple of other youngsters have at least made it a discussion, if nothing else. Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee was seen as Walsh’s biggest challenger earlier in the season. The exciting forward has a bag of five goals to his name and has shown he is capable of breaking games open, displaying real “x-factor” and hunger for the big moments.
More recently, though, it has been Richmond’s Sydney Stack who has burst into the Rising Star conversation.
The exciting utility has been used all over the ground by Damien Hardwick as one of the most dynamic players in the Tigers side. He is quick, fearless and an elite user of the ball. But it was his four-goal performance against St Kilda in Round 15 that really had people starting to declare him this year’s premier rookie.
Which team will find form at the right time?
It couldn’t have been more true over the last few seasons – the team that peaks at the right time wins it all. The last three premiers weren’t the best teams during the season or even the favourites going into the grand final. But they took it all on the last day of September.
For the majority of this season, it has been Geelong sitting comfortably atop at the AFL ladder. But the Cats haven’t been in their best shape in recent times.
Last year’s grand finalists have pushed their claims at times, while at others looking shaky. Collingwood has consistently been second on the ladder throughout the season, but is yet to display the true form of a side capable of going all the way. Whenever West Coast has looked like getting on a roll, the Eagles have dropped a winnable game to a lesser team.
The Tigers are roaring again with a healthy list and playing some of their best footy of the season, but only find themselves in fifth position. Injuries are starting to tear GWS’ season apart and their top four hopes are slipping away. The Lions are flying and look like the fairytale premiership story of years past, but can we trust them?
One of these teams will gather momentum at the right time and let it ride them to premiership glory. But who will it be? Or will it be someone else altogether?
Where will Stephen Coniglio sign?
He’s been the most talked about player that is likely on the move at the end of the season. The out-of-contract Giants star will enter free agency, with several Victorian teams as well as the Western Australian clubs in his home state showing interest in signing him.
The off-season is always just as exciting as the regular season as a number of players find new clubs. Some have been talked about all season, like Coniglio and Tim Kelly. Others bop up out of nowhere, like the recent news that Orazio Fantasia may request a trade back to his home state South Australia.
One thing is for sure, the speculation will provide plenty of entertainment as a host of clubs look to bolster their lists and set their sights on making a run at the 2020 premiership.
