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Prime time slots call for high-profile games: The things we learnt
Jaiden Sciberras • May 4th, 2025 7:56 pm
Round 8 has come and gone, and what a round of football it was.
From underwhelming prime time games to one of the best games of the year, this weekend’s fixtures were a treat for the neutral.
With a highly anticipated Q-clash to come, these are the things we learnt over May’s first weekend of AFL action.
Prime time slots call for high-profile games
The AFL’s fixturing in Round 8 left a lot to be desired.
Weekday contests are cherished by fans all over the country. This year’s decision to feature a Thursday night contest each week was welcomed with open arms, providing an element of anticipation to the back end of the working week.
Excluding the fans of those involved, Round 8's Thursday and Friday night clashes were not quite up to the standard that fans have come to expect from stand-alone fixtures.
While the Essendon and North Melbourne contest developed to hold a thrilling final term, the quality of contest was relatively average, with the Bombers’ home game amassing just over 35,000 fans, significantly lower than their yearly average.
As for Friday night’s contest… the less said, the better.
With two derbies, Collingwood versus Geelong, Adelaide versus Carlton and a range of upper echelon contests on the fixture for the weekend, plenty will be disappointed with the selection of prime-time games this week.
Every team deserves the opportunity to feature in the desirable time slot, however with the AFL's ongoing concerns of attendance and viewership for weeknight fixtures, it's safe to say Fremantle versus St Kilda was not the answer.
The Bulldogs aren’t just in good form…
Talk about an annihilation.
The Western Bulldogs delivered one of the top performances of the season, smashing Port Adelaide by 90 points in windy Ballarat.
Since the return of Marcus Bontempelli, the Bulldogs have been unstoppable. Three wins by an average margin of 64 points against sides that will push the eight and beyond, the competition has officially been put on notice.
While the Dogs’ list is more than competent in all areas of the ground, their stacked midfield has received all the plaudits, as expected and as deserved.
Accumulating 49 clearances against Port Adelaide, the Dogs now rank second in the competition for average clearances per game with 42.8, with an average of over 49 per game over their last three games.
Reminder: Bontempelli has played just three games, Adam Treloar just one.
The side has also averaged 124 points per game over their last three, in the absence of Sam Darcy, Cody Weightman and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The Western Bulldogs are more than a threat in 2025.
Collingwood versus Geelong could be the best matchup on the AFL calendar
When was the last time this contest disappointed?
Collingwood hosted Geelong in what could comfortably be considered the best game of the season thus far.
Multiple comebacks, storylines from all angles, and one kick from a fairy tale ending for Jack Crisp, the Saturday night game had everything you’d hope for and more (umpiring excluded).
Over their last seven contests, dating back to Round 11 of 2021, the largest margin between these two sides is just 22 points, with an average winning margin of under two goals.
Saturday night’s game was absolutely no exception, as the Cats held on to win by just three points following Collingwood's milestone man missing right at the siren.
It’s safe to say every neutral fan will pray that these two sides line up to face one another when September rolls around.
The Bridge belongs to Sydney
Even in extremely poor form, the Swans will find a way to knock off the Giants.
Sydney have been a shell of their 2024 selves, winning just two of their first seven contests with a number of senior players watching on from the sidelines.
Last week, their major capitulation against the Suns highlighted their incredibly disappointing form and inability to compete with the competition’s best.
However, when the Derby rolls around, the Swans flip the switch.
Sydney waltzed into the SCG and took down one of the AFL's biggest threats in GWS, claiming the contest by 14 points to maintain authority over their young enemy.
The Giants failed to lead at any stage throughout the game, and despite the numbers suggesting an incredibly tight game, the Swans were in control from start to finish.
Now claiming five derbies in a row and seven of the last 10, the Swans well and truly own their home state.
It’s a big week for Justin Longmuir
Fremantle have been entirely underwhelming this season.
Off the back of their collapse to miss the finals last season, the Dockers entered 2025 with expectations of a deep September run.
A list to be desired, Fremantle should be upon the top shelf of AFL teams, and yet they are far from it.
Friday night’s horror contest against the Saints was as bad a performance as any team has put up in recent history.
Just 33 points scored, finishing -28 in clearances against one of the competition’s worst clearance teams, -93 in disposals, -27 in inside 50’s and failing to lead at any stage, Fremantle’s game was inexcusable.
With Andy Brayshaw in Brownlow form, Josh Treacy emerging as a top forward, the likes of Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong and an abundance of strong talent across the board, a game like that requires a deeper investigation.
At four wins from eight games, a lot requires change in the West, and if it doesn’t happen fast, Justin Longmuir’s already burning hot seat may be vacant in the coming weeks.
