After four heavyweight rivalries faced off in Opening Round, the AFL will now have all 18 clubs play this weekend.
Whether it be through defensive pressure in tackling, attacking play from inside 50s, or the midfield's contested possessions, each team has a particular statistic that will determine their ability to beat their opponent this week.
So, with Round 1 knocking at the door, let's take a look at the metric your club has to dominate to take home the four points.
Carlton vs Richmond
Carlton – goalkicking efficiency
The Blues fought hard to overcome a huge 46-point deficit against Brisbane in Opening Round, and it was largely due to their goalkicking efficiency, as mentioned in last week's piece. The Blues kicked 7.2 in a sharpshooting third term to take the lead by three-quarter time. With four less scoring shots than Brisbane, Carlton capitalised on straight kicking to deliver a one-point victory.
Although Richmond are no Brisbane at the moment, the Round 1 clash between Carlton and Richmond is a grudge match where the better team on paper won't necessarily win.
Last year, a scrappy, low-scoring affair led to a draw, but if Carlton can kick as they did last week, they should be able to put the Tigers to bed.
Richmond – clearances
The Tigers were completely overrun by the Suns' midfield bulls in Opening Round, as Matt Rowell recorded the most clearances in a match since 1998.
The Tigers lost the overall clearance count by 13, which in turn, led to 20 less inside 50s compared to Gold Coast. It's unsurprising that Gold Coast had almost double the scoring shots Richmond had.
If Richmond are to challenge Carlton on Thursday night, their ability to win the clearance needs to improve. In 2023, Richmond won the clearance battle and were able to draw. If they are dominated in the middle however, it could be another ugly result for Richmond's 2024 campaign.
Collingwood vs Sydney
Collingwood – tackles inside 50
Collingwood were, to the shock of some, comprehensively beaten by GWS in Opening Round. However, a premiership hangover is certainly just an overreaction for the moment, as Collingwood still maintained some positives.
One of which, was their tackling pressure. Although their goalkicking was wayward, the Magpies still piled on the tackles inside 50, laying 21.
This forward pressure will again be required against Sydney. In their 29-point win over the Swans in 2023, Collingwood laid 22 tackles inside 50. The speed of Beau McCreery, Bobby Hill and Jamie Elliott creates numerous chase-down opportunities, and their presence alone can cause errors from the opposition.
Collingwood will aim to square the ledger this week in their premiership defence, and they can do so by applying tackles inside their forward half.
Sydney – hitouts
The joy of having a natural ruckman. Swans fans will be beaming ear-to-ear after finally recruiting a dominant ruck to their side. The days of utilising tall forwards and backmen are over for Sydney, as Brodie Grundy stepped up to the task and delivered his best performance in years.
In last year's loss to Collingwood, the Swans severely struggled to win the ruck contest, recording only 19 hitouts compared to Collingwood's 46. This effectively led to fewer clearances and fewer inside 50s for Sydney, resulting in a comfortable win for the Pies.
Now, with Grundy ready to exact revenge on his second former club in as many weeks, Sydney midfielders can drool at the platter service they will receive from Grundy. Grundy had 33 hitouts in his dazzling display, and the Swans overall had eight more than Max Gawn (plus one from Josh Schache).
Grundy will likely be up against Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron this week, and after outplaying Gawn, the Swans should be prepared for more five-star service from their new ruckman.
Essendon vs Hawthorn
Essendon – uncontested possessions and disposal efficiency
Based on 2023 statistics, the Bomber playstyle relies on uncontested ball movement. They ranked third in both uncontested possessions and disposal efficiency in 2023 (235.3 and 74.6%), highlighting their ability to chip the ball around and find gaps in the defence.
In their 2023 Round 1 match, the Bombers were dominant in possession of the football, gliding through Hawthorn with a disposal efficiency of 77.8%. Their silkiness when in possession led to a 59-point drubbing of the Hawks.
Hawthorn's defence is a glaring issue with their string of unfortunate injuries, and if Essendon can control possession of the footy, they will find multiple scoring avenues to win on Saturday.
Hawthorn – spoils and one percenters
Hawthorn were tipped to take a leap in 2024, but after being mauled by injuries in the backline, the Hawks have a massive hole to mend. Long-term injuries to Changkuoth Jiath, Denver Grainger-Barras, James Blanck and draftee Will McCabe have torn the defensive line to shreds.
It means that captain James Sicily will be holding a lot of responsibility, as the other key defender will likely be SSP selection Ethan Phillips.
With only one experienced key defender, Hawthorn will need to work hard to stop Essendon's attack. However, statistics suggest that there is more concern than just the injuries. Hawthorn ranked last and second-last in spoils and one percenters in 2023 respectively (40.1 and 27.5), indicating their defensive pressure is one of the competition's worst.
For Hawthorn to prevent a bombardment of scoring this weekend, they need to improve on their acts in the back 50, as their inexperience could already be a costly factor.
GWS vs North Melbourne
GWS – inside 50s
Last week tackles inside 50 were the key for the Giants, but they only recorded one in the match against Collingwood. Their 13 marks inside 50 presented more opportunities from set shots than from live play, however the ability to create attacking opportunities still remains prominent in the Giants' gameplan.
GWS recorded 63 inside 50s last time they played North Melbourne, as well as ranking fourth for the league in 2023 (55.9). Anything similar on Saturday will surely result in a second win for the Giants.
North Melbourne – clearances
Whilst North Melbourne struggled in most areas in 2023, the Kangaroos hold some promising signs within the midfield. Luke Davies-Uniacke had a breakout year, averaging 6.7 clearances per game, which was ninth in the competition.
There is a young core midfield building at Arden Street, with the likes of George Wardlaw and Tom Powell, plus new draftees Zane Duursma and Colby McKercher desperate to make an immediate impact.
North Melbourne placed 12th in the clearance rankings in 2023, averaging 36.1 per game. Expect to see this grow in 2024, and an instant impact in Round 1 could help them challenge a strong Giants team.
Geelong vs St Kilda
Geelong – marks inside 50
Whilst Geelong had a subpar premiership defence in 2023, they still dominated marks inside 50, ranking first in the AFL (14.5). How could they not though, with targets of Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins, mature players who can still deliver week in, week out?
The Cats only managed nine marks inside 50 against St Kilda in Round 23 last year, however it could be a different story at their fortress down by Kardinia Park. Even in their Round 24 loss to the Bulldogs, Geelong still clunked 14 marks inside 50 at home.
The Cats will be looking to bounce back in 2024, and a win against a highly-touted St Kilda would put the gears into motion. Hitting their targets inside 50 will definitely give them a winning possibility.
St Kilda – disposals
St Kilda love to have their hands on the footy. Slowing the game down and tactically breaking the defence of the opposition is how Ross Lyon operated St Kilda in 2023, yet when the opening arose to take the game on, that's exactly what the Saints did.
The Saints ranked first in disposals (391) and second in uncontested possessions (243.2) in 2023, whilst finishing sixth on the ladder. The possession game clearly is a working strategy for St Kilda, and it's expected they will aim to continue this form of play.
Last year, the Saints beat Geelong by 33 as they won the disposal count by 78. A similar performance on Saturday could help St Kilda beat the Cats on their home deck.
Gold Coast vs Adelaide
Gold Coast – clearances and contested possessions
Winning clearances and contested possessions were what Gold Coast needed to triumph last week against Richmond, and they sure capitalised on their midfield bulls. Matt Rowell had 20 clearances and 26 contested possessions in an unbelievable display. Noah Anderson racked up 25 disposals and eight clearances too, as the Suns comfortably cruised to victory.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. In what will be a tough midfield battle, the Suns should emulate their midfield dominance again to beat the Crows on Saturday. Adelaide are another contested ball team, so it will be an exciting contest to watch.
Adelaide – contested possessions
Adelaide's dominance in contested possessions in 2023 led them ever so close to their first finals series since the 2017 Grand Final.
They placed second in the league, recording 143.6 contested possessions per game. It is a significant aspect for the Crows to focus on against the Suns, as they lost the contested war against them in 2023 by 38. It resulted in a 25-point loss.
Rory Laird and Jordan Dawson will be prolific again this season, and Sam Berry has been tipped to have a breakout year. A firing midfield in Round 1 could lead the Crows to victory against the Suns this time around.
Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs
Melbourne – tackles inside 50
Melbourne was clearly missing a spark in the forward line against Sydney, as the missing players of Kysaiah Pickett, Shane McAdam and Harrison Petty were significant in the Dees' loss.
Pickett will return to the lineup this week, adding inside 50 pressure for the Demons. Whilst the Demons struggled to clunk marks inside 50 last week (5), they recorded 24 tackles in the forward half.
Falling away in the last quarter, Melbourne were simply missing an extra bit of talent in their forward 50 last week. With Pickett's return, as well as potentially Petty's, the Demons can apply more pressure inside 50 this week, with the capacity to back it up and snag goals off turnover against the Bulldogs.
Western Bulldogs – contested marks
With the talented tall timber that the Bulldogs possess, it's strange to see them finish third-last in contested marks last season (9.7). Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton, Rory Lobb and Tim English headline the formidable giants, yet contested marks are a rarity at the Bulldogs.
Contested marks can assist the Bulldogs in both defence and attack against Melbourne. If English and Lobb clunk a few intercepts down the line, Naughton and Ugle-Hagan mark a couple in the pack, the Bulldogs will be in a prime position.
Melbourne struggled to hit inside 50 targets against Sydney. If the Bulldogs have a key tall down back to assist Liam Jones, it will place even more pressure on Melbourne's forwards. This could be central to a Bulldogs Round 1 victory.
Port Adelaide vs West Coast
Port Adelaide – inside 50s
The Power play with a slingshot style, generating as many attacking possibilities as they can. Port Adelaide ranked third in inside 50s last year, averaging 56.7 per game. Yet, they were last in disposals per game (336), highlighting their counter-attacking nature.
Facing an inexperienced West Coast, who are predicted to go poorly in 2024, repeat entries and sustained attacking pressure could open the floodgates for Port Adelaide on Sunday. The likes of Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finlayson provide several leads to aim at.
A win is already expected from the Power fans, but the margin lies in the hands of Port Adelaide's repeat inside 50s on Sunday.
West Coast – disposals and uncontested possessions
Reflecting on the Eagles' two wins in 2023, they won the possession and used it effectively. In the Round 2 win against GWS, West Coast tallied 13 more uncontested possessions than their season average, and 27 more disposals. Not a figure to be blown away by, but perhaps was the difference maker in a 19-point win.
Similarly, the five-point win against North Melbourne highlighted a football-controlling side. West Coast had 71 more uncontested possessions and 68 more disposals than the ‘Roos.
Against the Power, a team that does not rely on disposal numbers, West Coast may be able to counteract Port Adelaide's attacking style by holding possession of the football.
With limited expectations, the Eagles could catch everyone by surprise if they manage to prevent the run of the Power.
Fremantle vs Brisbane
Fremantle – shots on goal
The loss of Liam Henry and Lachie Schultz could be detrimental to Fremantle, a team that already is lacking in attack.
Jye Amiss seems the only forward with real potential heading into 2024. Amiss lines up with a consistent yet ageing Michael Walters, plus Sam Sturt and Sam Switkowski, both players only kicking in the teens last season. Matt Taberner was injury-riddled in 2023, but his presence will be of great value this year.
A lot of fans and experts see Fremantle sliding in 2024, and that could be the case with their issues in attack. Fremantle ranked fifth-last in shots on goal last season (23.7), and it seems like it could get worse.
Fremantle will have to increase their shots on goal to withstand an offensive Brisbane playstyle, which leaves an intriguing question on who will stand up for the Dockers' forward line.
Brisbane – clearances
Despite a disappointing outcome against Carlton in Round 0, the Brisbane Lions had a first half full of quality midfield work. Oscar McInerney had eight clearances as a ruckman, whilst Neale and Rayner managed five each. Had the Lions kicked straighter, the game may have been theirs, so it is certainly not panic stations yet.
The Lions create attacking opportunities from their midfield work, which is why it is critical for them to beat Fremantle in this area. Fremantle could struggle to score frequently with their limited forward line options, so getting scores on the board from stoppages will ensure a victory for Brisbane.
