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Selling hope: One positive from each bottom nine team in Round 20
SEN • July 28th, 2025 5:58 pm
What went well for the bottom half of the AFL ladder in Round 20?
While September may be off the cards for nine of the 18 teams, encouraging signs are destined to for the remaining rounds of the 2025 AFL season as they look beyond the year that was.
Each week, the SEN.com.au team will locate the biggest positive from each bottom nine side, identifying what's working ahead of their reset in 2026.
See the positives for each club below:
Sydney
First half flurry
The Swans have had the Giants’ number over the last five meetings, and the first half was as blistering as any.
Entering the clash as the underdogs, the Swans piled the heat on the Giants early, breaking out to a brilliant first half lead before being hunted down.
Falling victim to an Adam Kingsley spray, Sydney would love their time back across the second half, however their first half was as close to the Sydney of 2024 that we’ve seen all season.
Jaiden Sciberras
Port Adelaide
Bread and Butters
There wasn’t much to take away from Port Adelaide’s 98-point thrashing at the hands of cross-town rivals Adelaide in Ken Hinkley’s final Showdown, but one thing was certain – Zak Butters never gives up.
Despite his side being smashed all day, Butters did everything he could to stem the bleeding, collecting a team-high 34 disposals and running himself into the ground.
Port Adelaide must throw everything at Butters to convince him to stay, because it’s clear he’s their best.
Connor Scanlon
Carlton
The celebration of Sam Docherty
Although the Blues couldn’t muster a result, the celebration of Sam Docherty’s great career brought the fans back together following a season full of turmoil.
What has undoubtedly been a tough year for both the club and the fans, Doc’s call to finish up his AFL career gave the club and its members a reason to come together, honouring the club’s courageous captain.
Doc’s final goal was a moment that will live in the hearts of Blues fans forever.
Jaiden Sciberras
Melbourne
The first 3 quarters...
Forget the narrative around Melbourne’s 46-point choking against St Kilda, the real story is how they built that lead in the first place.
The Demons dominated the Saints for three quarters straight, restricting them to just 40 points by the final break.
Melbourne outplayed St Kilda across all areas of the ground, and if not for the final term, the conversation today would be focused on just how impressive the Dees' performance was.
Take away the fact that St Kilda completed the biggest comeback in AFL history from 3-quarter time, and Melbourne’s performance was nothing short of remarkable.
Connor Scanlon
Essendon
The kids are taking charge
While the Bombers were pumped by 93 points against the Bulldogs, there were clear signs that their young core is starting to gel.
24-year-old Sam Durham led the way with a game-high 9 clearances, while 19-year-old Archie Roberts impressed with 26 disposals off half-back.
Young gun forwards Nate Caddy and Isaac Kako combined for 3 of Essendon’s 15 scoring shots, highlighting that the club’s future attacking options are in good hands.
While results may not be going their way right now, Essendon’s young talent is gaining valuable experience, and the future core of the club is taking shape.
Connor Scanlon
St Kilda
Whole team buy-in
Nasiah’s heroics have been as well documented as any, so it’s time to hand flowers to the remaining 22 players.
Max Hall’s phenomenal final term was a reflection of his season, rapidly becoming one of St Kilda’s most important players alongside NWM.
Rowan Marshall’s kick to set up the go-ahead goal, Cooper Sharman’s double to set up the ultimate finish and the work of Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood, Jack Higgins and Hunter Clark in the final term – St Kilda as a whole put on a quarter that will go down in the club’s history.
Nasiah deserves immense credit, but we shouldn’t ignore the work in the lead up.
Jaiden Sciberras
Richmond
The system stands up
Richmond’s structures stood up all day against ladder-leaders Collingwood.
While the Tigers eventually went down by 36 points, they stuck to the Magpies until midway through the third term and did as well as they could to match their opposition around the ground.
With both defences setting up the ground well, the difference in the game was really Collingwood’s class and Nick Daicos.
Put him on Richmond, and there’s no doubt the Tigers could have won given how well the rest of their game held up.
Nick Vlastuin deserves a shoutout for an amazing performance down back as he genuinely pushes for an All-Australian blazer, Luke Trainor and Nathan Broad also impressed in defence.
Lachlan Geleit
North Melbourne
Matt Whitlock is building
It’s hard to identify any positives out of their clash with Geelong, however their VFL team put on an admirable fight, and their young key stock Matt Whitlock played a major part.
Playing in the forward half, Whitlock booted four goals from his nine disposals including two in the final term, anchoring the Kangaroos come-from-behind effort.
Despite falling short at the death, the 197cm rookie is beginning to show immense promise, and given the club traded away their 2025 first round pick to acquire the 19-year-old, the club will hope his form can continue.
Jaiden Sciberras
West Coast
Baker is cooking
The ex-Tiger has quickly become a fan favourite at the Eagles, and it’s easy to see why.
In just his second Perth derby, Liam Baker did everything he could to will his teammates on against Fremantle, recording a game-high 10 tackles, along with 24 disposals, and 2 goals.
Baker gives his all week in, week out, and wears his heart on his sleeve. The 27-year-old is an inspiration to those around him and is definitely a key figure in West Coast’s future.
Connor Scanlon
