This weekend marks an exciting round of footy, with the inaugural Gather Round taking place across Adelaide.
It's been announced that all games for the round have been sold out, with Adelaide's demolition of Carlton last night drawing a crowd of over 47,000 and promises for an exciting weekend of blockbusters, with games like St Kilda vs Collingwood and Richmond vs Sydney.
A lot is on the line for many teams this week, and it will be interesting to see who fires on 'neutral' territory.
We've named five players to focus on for Gather Round, some off the back of strong performances last week and some who need to lift this week.
Mitch Owens
Mitch Owens was the latest nominee for the NAB Rising Star Award last week in his eleventh game and is quickly becoming a cult figure for the undefeated Saints.
Owens produced an incredible game against the Suns last week, which earnt him his nomination, with 27 disposals, including 19 contested, as well as two goals and five tackles. Statistically this season, he is amongst the best players.
Owens has kicked eight goals this year and is becoming part of a forward group that is proving a scary force for opposition teams so far.
The Saints are coming up against their biggest test so far this season in the Pies, with a chance to prove they are the real deal and can contest for the premiership this season if they win.
Logan McDonald
The stats show that McDonald has a stronger individual performance when Buddy isn't in the Swans side. The 23 times that McDonald has played with Buddy, he's kicked 19 goals. The five times he hasn't played with Buddy, he's kicked 15 goals.
With the announcement that Buddy will miss tonight's game with injury, it seems as though McDonald is set to fire. McDonald kicked a bag of five in Round 2 to retain his spot when Buddy returned, however has been quieter the last two weeks with Buddy back in the team, kicking three goals total.
Amidst a worsening injury crisis for the Swans, both McCartin brothers out with concussion, Rampe with neck soreness and Buddy with a knee, it's time for McDonald to once again show his potential and retain his spot.
Aliir Aliir
What a week last year was for Aliir Aliir last week, saving a goal after the siren to beat his old side. With captain Tom Jonas missing this week's game due to injury, Aliir looks set for a big game this week, taking on the Western Bulldogs in front of a massive home crowd.
Aliir will no doubt have his hands full against Rory Lobb, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton. Port have produced a mix bag of results so far this season, sitting at 2-2 after big losses to Collingwood and Adelaide, yet producing strong wins against the Swans and Brisbane.
Aliir's strongest games this season have been in his side's wins, proving that Port are stronger when he is playing well. Aliir currently ranks as elite for intercept marks and tackles, taking seven and five marks against Brisbane and Sydney respectively. He'll be looking to replicate those efforts this week.
Darcy Moore
Moore was unusually quiet in the Pies' loss to Brisbane last week, recording 13 disposals, four marks and having only one tackle down back, as Brisbane piled on ten unanswered goals.
Moore will be hoping to be at his best this week, with the help of Brayden Maynard, Nathan Murphy and Isaac Quaynor, as the Pies take on the undefeated Saints. Jack Higgins, Mitch Owens, Dan Butler, Mattaes Phillipou and Jade Gresham have combined for 33 goals and Moore will have done his research on shutting them down this week.
Without a recognised ruckman and coming up against Rowan Marshall, Moore will also be ensuring as captain that the Pies don't make the same 6-6-6 mistakes they did last week, giving away easy free kicks to the Lions. The clash looms as a big week for Moore positionally and as captain.
Ben King
Understandably, Ben King has been rather quiet since his return from an ACL. However, Suns fans will be hoping he can have a big week this week in a season-defining game against Fremantle. Essentially, it will be season over for the loser.
King has dropped eight marks in the last two weeks, kicking 1.1 and having six disposals against St Kilda last week and not taking a single mark.
David King said this week proves as a chance for King to be a 'wildcard' this week against the 14th placed Fremantle, who are also sitting on one win. It proves as the prime opportunity for King to start to get back to his best and hopefully, ensure the Suns season isn't over.
