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Selling hope: One positive from each bottom nine team in Round 21
SEN • August 4th, 2025 4:30 pm
What went well for the bottom half of the AFL ladder in Round 21?
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
Grundy's AA pursuit
Sydney’s Brodie Grundy is mounting a serous case for a third All-Australian blazer.
His performance on Saturday against Essendon was utterly outrageous.
Have a read of these for some numbers: 39 disposals (yes, 39 from a ruckman), 32 hitouts, 22 contested possessions, 13 clearances, nine score involvements, eight marks.
It was a freakish performance.
Grundy - an AA with Collingwood in 2018 and 2019 - could perhaps unseat Max Gawn. Or could selectors go with two rucks in this year’s side?
The Swans big man must be seriously considered.
Andrew Slevison
Port Adelaide
Sweet over sour
Despite the Power losing their last three games by a combined margin of 224 points, one man has continued to give 100% effort each week – Jordon Sweet.
Even as Port Adelaide were demolished by Geelong, Sweet won the ruck battle all day, finishing with a round-high 53 hitouts.
At the start of the season, Ken Hinkley wasn’t sure whether his number one ruckman would be Jordan Sweet, Ivan Soldo or Dante Visentini, but now, it’s clear that Jordon Sweet is by far the best ruckman out of Alberton.
Connor Scanlon
Melbourne
A four-quarter effort
After the Dees dominated the Saints for three quarters straight last week, before choking in the final quarter and giving up a 56-point lead, Melbourne fans were begging for their team to deliver a full four-quarter effort this week.
And that they did.
They recovered from last week’s loss with an 83-point smashing of the Eagles, doing what they should have done to the Saints.
With the Saints loss serving as a wake-up call to the Demons' inconsistent effort, hopefully this result is a sign of things to come for Melbourne in 2026.
Connor Scanlon
Carlton
Forward half fire
While the goals eluded the Blues in the final term, Carlton’s connection, pressure and set up in the forward 50 was as synced as it has been all season.
Harry McKay’s importance cannot be understated, with his ability to take a relieving contested mark sparking far smoother movement from back to front, while the elite forward pressure from the likes of Francis Evans, Jesse Motlop, Will White and Flynn Young gave the Blues repeat looks across the contest.
Although there is still plenty to work on in the Blues’ scoring department, their buy-in against the Dockers was evident.
Jaiden Sciberras
St Kilda
Late game specialists
Although this contest was far too close for comfort, the Saints have proven that they are built tough.
Late game scenarios are extremely difficult to navigate, particularly when fielding 11 players with less than 100 career games. St Kilda is an exception.
Round 20’s phenomenal comeback was historical, however this week, all the momentum was against the Saints, as a young Kangaroo outfit charged from behind to kick two quick goals in the final term.
However, the Saints stabilised exceptionally, holding the Roos to just two behinds for 18 minutes of the final quarter to hold out and claim victory.
Jaiden Sciberras
Essendon
The history making Bombers
Essendon set an AFL record by debuting Jayden Nguyen as their 14th player of the year.
While that may not sound ideal on paper, it’s actually a promising sign for their future, as the Dons’ youngsters are gaining valuable exposure to the game.
This experience will hold the Bombers in good stead in the coming years, and all Essendon fans should be excited about the long-term future of their club.
Connor Scanlon
Richmond
Invaluable Vlastuin
It felt like a major backwards step for the Tigers on Saturday.
But if we’re pulling out a positive, it was once again the performance of Nick Vlastuin.
Surely he’s in the All-Australian mix. Surely!
Vlastuin finished with 20 touches, eight marks and 11 intercept possessions in another polished defensive display.
The three-time premiership star has been a shining light for the Tigers in 2025. A model of consistency. Selection in the AA team beckons.
But overall, kicking two goals for the entire game leaves a lot to be desired…
Andrew Slevison
North Melbourne
McKercher is an out and out star
In Round 24, 2023, the Kangaroos beat the Gold Coast Suns by 35 points, taking their season tally to 12 points and elevating them to 17th on the ladder – handing the West Coast Eagles the No.1 pick, Harley Reid.
However, it was that victory that pushed the Roos back to pick 2, selecting Colby McKercher. There is no doubting that North Melbourne would be thrilled with their selection.
McKercher has rapidly risen to stardom, and against the Saints, a 36-dipsosal, eight-mark, one-goal game including 10 touches in the final term with the game in the balance, the star Roo has fast become a top liner in the competition.
Jaiden Sciberras
West Coast
Maric is home down back
Ryan Maric delivered a career-best performance on the weekend, collecting a personal-best 29 disposals, along with a goal.
While there wasn’t much to cheer about for Eagles fans, given their 83-point loss to the Dees, one thing is clear: Ryan Maric has definitely found his home down back.
Maric made the transition to defence in Round 2, and he hasn’t looked back since.
But with this standout performance, he’s shown that the Eagles could potentially have an A-grade rebounding defender on their hands.
Connor Scanlon
