A nice easy one before another round of footy gets underway.
HB has a look at some of the players, teams, or coaches that need, or we want to see have, a big Round 12.
It’s a big weekend for…
ANGUS CLARKE
First week in, and he was the highest-rated wingman in the game in our own Robbie Flower Wingman of the Year Award. All smiles from Round 11…
… but you have to back it up in Round 12, and standing across from him will be a defensive wingman of the highest order, Jarrod Berry.
The Lion may not really get off the leash, himself, but you know what? Neither does anyone he plays against. Last week was great, Angus. We all loved watching you… now, let’s see if you can do it again.
I want to see him do it.
NICK WATSON
The Wizard was more Ron Weasley than Harry Potter last weekend, completely blanketed by Brisbane’s Noah Answerth in a brilliant display of playing the role of small defender.
The heat is now on Watson, as when you talk the talk, and play up to reputation you’ve built, you’ve gotta back it up… and he has to back it up against one of the best defences in the caper.
Isaac Quaynor might be the man for the job, and if so, Watson will need to be at his best to have his hand raised.
SEAN DARCY
You know when the discussion about the Sean Darcy/Luke Jackson combination stops?
When they come out, and collectively whack a team. The problem is, nobody whacks Jarrod Witts – he is too big and too strong to be moved off the spot when he gets it. Tough ask for an underdone Darcy to beat him, but as The Slickster used to say, two mens will always beats one mens.
Yes, The Slickster always had a way with words… not a good way, but a way, nonetheless.
AARON CADMAN
He has been allowed to run his own race, often flying under the radar, and escaping the gaze of the wider AFL Media. However, against the Tigers, I want to see him actually make a statement.
The Tigers, despite their influx of young talent, still have some strength in the back half, with Noah Balta one of the few blokes in the league that may be able to handle Jesse Hogan, shoulder-to-shoulder. They have Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad back there, as well, so one of them will get Toby Greene.
And that leaves Cadman to occupy the other.
I expect the Giants will win, but if the Richmond defence is able to stand up, putting them away might be a little more difficult than some expect. Cadman can fix that.
CHAD WARNER
He’s re-signed, will be in Sydney for another couple of years, and is a star of the game.
Time to start playing like it.
He slotted 35 goals in 2025, as one of the most damaging mids in the game. He has 12 goals this season. Last year, he was held goalless five times in 25 games. This season, he’b been goalless in four from 11. Time to get out of cruise control, Chad. Your team needs a huge game.
ROWAN MARSHALL
He’s standing across the centre circle this week against a man that has been averaging 24.57 disposals and 39.28 hit outs over the last seven games.
Max Gawn is having a career-best season, and with the Dees well and truly buying into the revival aspect of their season, Marshall is going to have to stop their ability to win the footy at the source.
And to do that, he has to beat Gawn.
THE WEST COAST DEFENCE
Over the past fortnight, Jeremy Cameron has slotted 13 goals, and without Patrick Dangerfield inside 50, has taken on more responsibility to hit the scoreboard.
And that has proven disastrous for the opposition of the Cats.
This weekend, a depleted West Coast back six has to formulate a way to curb the form of the game’s most lethal weapon. Without Jeremy McGovern, you get the feeling that it is going to take a whole-of-team effort to put the brakes on what is fast becoming another Coleman Medal-winning season for the hobby farmer
Who do you think it is a big weekend for?
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. This is just a quickie, but you can see the amount of care that goes into my other stuff. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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