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Schofield calls for mental health round | 00:54<\/p>\n
ESSENDON\u2019S\u2019 \u2018REMARKABLE\u2019 TURNAROUND THAT MUST BE APPLAUDED<\/p>\n
While they\u2019ve only got four premiership points to show for it across nearly three full games of football, Essendon\u2019s sudden resurgence in competitiveness is one that absolutely deserves to be talked about.<\/p>\n
For all the brutal feedback Brad Scott\u2019s side has received for over a year now, their win over Melbourne in Gather Round, narrow loss to Gold Coast last weekend have shown a notable uptick in output.<\/p>\n
Add in their Easter Sunday clash with the Western Bulldogs \u2014 where they scored more points than their opponents after quarter time \u2014 and suddenly there\u2019s plenty of life at Tullamarine.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir performances after the beginning of a season that they\u2019d like to forget, have been pretty encouraging,\u201d Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley told Fox Footy\u2019s On The Couch on Monday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were talking about sides being able to move the ball with world record uncontested marks \u2026 and it continued in the first half against the Bulldogs. But after half time, not only did Essendon start chopping some of those chains off, but they started using the ball themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last couple of games they\u2019ve been able to do the same thing; that\u2019s a significant shift in what they\u2019ve been able to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a response, I think they\u2019ve been able to defend better. Because they\u2019ve held the ball for a little bit longer, and they\u2019ve shifted the opposition defence \u2026 they\u2019ve probably been able to tip the ledger a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 18: Brad Scott finally has some reason to smile.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Those marking numbers Buckley alluded to were as damning as any one stat across the league after the first month of football, with a net negative of 251 uncontested marks in their first 14 quarters of the season \u2014 four and a half matches.<\/p>\n
Since then, the Bombers are 81 uncontested marks in the green, highlighting what feels like a drastic change in game plan almost overnight.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s seen Scott\u2019s side win seven of the last 10 quarters, after losing 12 of their first 14 for the year. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is more than incremental. We\u2019ve seen a team that hasn\u2019t been able to find chemistry and connection, and they\u2019ve found it \u2014 they\u2019ve gone younger to do it as well,\u201d Buckley added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve done a remarkable job to get themselves back to play the football that they have. Now, it\u2019s just been able to reinforce that and screw it down.\u201d<\/p>\n
On top of their change in style, the magnets have been thrown around for the better at the NEC Hangar.<\/p>\n
After playing now-captain Andrew McGrath as a genuine on-baller for the last six weeks of 2025, the 27-year-old has in the last couple of weeks been deployed as a defensive midfielder.<\/p>\n
His inclusion back into the nucleus has seen the likes of superstar Zach Merrett and Sam Durham used elsewhere beyond the midfield mix, and fringe 21-year-old Elijah Tsatas recalled \u2014 among a number of other changes. <\/p>\n
MAGNET SWITCHES OF LATE
ANDREW MCGRATH \u2014 Defensive midfielder
ZACH MERRETT \u2014 Utility
PETER WRIGHT \u2014 Ruck
KYLE LANGFORD \u2014 Wing\/Defender
SAM DURHAM \u2014 Out of centre bounce
ELIJAH TSATAS \u2014 Back into senior side<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at that list, and you had\u2019ve said two weeks ago that these are the changes we\u2019re going to make and we\u2019re going to get this result, you would\u2019ve called Brad Scott mad!\u201d four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve actually all worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kingy: NAS “is being held” | 03:06<\/p>\n
STAR DUO IN DOUBLE DOCKER DILEMMA<\/p>\n
Fremantle hasn\u2019t had many, if any, problems thus far in 2026. <\/p>\n
But it might have a couple of dilemmas with two star ball-winners, as one guru urges coach Justin Longmuir to explore an alternative approach with a smooth left-footer. <\/p>\n
In the 2022-23 seasons, Hayden Young played 3,394 minutes in defence, according to Champion Data. From 2024-26, he\u2019s played a grand total of 29 minutes in the back half. <\/p>\n
And as Fremantle\u2019s ball movement game currently suffers, Champion Data\u2019s Daniel Hoyne is pleading with Longmuir to deploy the influential left-footer behind the ball for a \u201cfour-to-five-week block\u201d, to see what he can do to help rectify that. <\/p>\n
\u201cExploration mode for Fremantle for me is around Hayden Young,\u201d Hoyne began on First Crack Preview. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt some stage in this campaign, he has to be played behind the footy, across half-back, to see what you can do in your ball movement game.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the moment, the Dockers\u2019 ball movement game ranks a middling 11th in the competition. <\/p>\n
And somewhat concerningly, 17 of the past 19 premiers have ranked in the top six for ball movement. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt some stage in this campaign, get him to half-back, have a look at it, and see what it looks like,\u201d Hoyne continued. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause if your contest game isn\u2019t through the roof, like it is at the moment, can you score off your ball movement game?<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause what this guy did in that 2022-23 period playing across half-back, he was phenomenal. So, I think it\u2019s something that Longmuir and Fremantle need to explore.\u201d<\/p>\n
West Coast premiership player Will Schofield had a similar idea on Fox Footy\u2019s AFL Tonight, also bringing into question the role of Andy Brayshaw. <\/p>\n
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 19: Hayden Young of the DockersSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cMy solution is to put Hayden Young at half-back \u2014 I think he\u2019s being wasted as a midfielder. You could play him as a forward certainly (too),\u201d Schofield said on Fox Footy. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just don\u2019t like seeing Andy Brayshaw, because he\u2019s the most selfless of those players, and he has been the one who suffers. I think they\u2019ve got to find a way to get one of their best players \u2014 their vice-captain \u2014 into the game, and it should be at the expense of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow that looks, I don\u2019t know \u2026 you don\u2019t want to see Murphy Reid come off the ball. I think Shai Bolton gives them something different, so ultimately that means Young at either end of the ground for longer periods.\u201d<\/p>\n
Co-vice-captain Brayshaw has been one of the magnets thrown around Longmuir\u2019s whiteboard this season, which in the words of Schofield, has come about mostly due to his selfless nature. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it absolutely sucks!\u201d he declared on AFL Tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew Brayshaw is one of the best midfielders at Fremantle \u2026 we love to see Hayden Young in there. Shai Bolton, Murphy Reid \u2014 all those guys are great.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Brayshaw is a gun midfielder; an exceptional talent inside. He\u2019s great outside, he\u2019s hardworking. He was barely sighted in the Derby against West Coast, and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s the right balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the change, thus far, has seen Brayshaw drop 40 per cent for contested possession, 20 per cent for clearances, 10 per cent for score involvements and 15 per cent for pressure. <\/p>\n
Two-time flag-winner David King wondered on First Crack Preview if Brayshaw was \u201cstill a centre-square player\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s happened to him? For me, he\u2019s lost his mojo, he\u2019s lost his anger, he\u2019s lost his hunt,\u201d two-time flag-winner David King said on First Crack Preview. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe just looks so gettable at the moment. I don\u2019t know if he\u2019s injured, I don\u2019t know if he\u2019s playing impacted, but everything\u2019s fallen through the floor. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just not the same player right now, and maybe he needs a role change; something to spark him \u2014 maybe go to half-forward for a few weeks. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you\u2019re not earning your right in the middle of the ground \u2026 he just gets moved so easily. He\u2019s fumbly at the moment, he\u2019s not one-touch in an area of the ground where you\u2019ve got to be clean.\u201d<\/p>\n
NASIAH\u2019S COFFEE CATCH-UP WITH AFL GREAT THAT COULD HELP WITH FRUSTRATING PHASE<\/p>\n
There is little surprise in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera becoming one of the AFL\u2019s most tagged stars in the game this year, so good was the second half of his 2025 season.<\/p>\n
The extra attention that\u2019s come his way this year has by no means quelled the South Australian completely. By the AFL\u2019s Ratings Points data, the 23-year-old sits 15th in the competition heading into Round 7.<\/p>\n
However, most teams St Kilda has come up against this season have been paying ultra-close attention to him, to the extent that two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King believes umpires need to intervene.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think when Nasiah goes to clearance, this is happening to him more and more. He\u2019s getting held, twisted and contorted,\u201d King told First Crack last Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went and watched his whole game again. Now, I\u2019m not fighting for \u2018Nas\u2019, this is something he\u2019s got to work his way through \u2014 but I think the umpire\u2019s have got a role to play at some stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re always watching the guns \u2026 what are they seeing when they do that? Because every time he goes to a stoppage, he\u2019s being held. There\u2019s guys who have this in his game, and don\u2019t get much love from the umpires.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wanganeen-Milera is averaging 24.8 disposals a game so far this year, down just over five touches a game from his 29.9 from last season.<\/p>\n
However, he still remains the AFL\u2019s number one player for converting centre bounce clearance to score, and is ranked 20th for centre bounce clearances won.<\/p>\n
The livewire was heavily manned by Crows on-baller James Peatling in their one-point loss last Saturday night at the Adelaide Oval, with First Crack vision highlighting several instances where the Saint was being heavily guarded at stoppage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second part of it for me, is that he stops working. He engages in this stuff, instead of then attacking the contest,\u201d King continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I was Ross Lyon, I\u2019d be getting Chris Judd down for a cup of coffee with this guy and just work through how you handle this. How you can set your opponent up (and) exacerbate this sort of action to the umpire \u2014 just to be a better package. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he\u2019s engaged in the game, he takes total control. But, there\u2019s times where he goes into centre bounces and he may as well not be there, because he\u2019s being grabbed and shuts down. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he\u2019s on the move and free-flowing, he destroys the competition \u2026 when he\u2019s got it, you (St Kilda) score. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognise his brilliance, but he\u2019s got to handle this better. The umpires have got a role to play in that as well, and I think Matty Rowell\u2019s another one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Longmuir to keep the faith in Darcy | 00:59<\/p>\n
\u2018TERRIFIC TEAMMATE\u2019, NEXT TIER WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR FLOWERS AT MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Steven King\u2019s Melbourne side have flown to 4-2 to start his first year at the helm in red and blue, and there\u2019s no doubt they\u2019ve got there playing some of the competition\u2019s most exciting football.<\/p>\n
Star midfielder-forward Kysaiah Pickett has unsurprisingly been front and centre of that mantra, but beyond the club\u2019s A-grade talent, there are numbers that paint a glowing picture of their front half.<\/p>\n
The trio of Kade Chandler (ranked 6th), Bayley Fritsch (11th) and Harry Sharp (#23) are all graded in the upper echelon of the league\u2019s best half forwards so far in 2026, aptly aiding the likes of key forwards Brody Mihocek and Jacob van Rooyen.<\/p>\n
\u201cRole clarity is the thing that really stands out to me, and there are three players I think are benefiting from that,\u201d Jordan Lewis told On The Couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of their players are benefiting from the ball movement, and it\u2019s exciting. Bayley Fritsch had at times tried to anchor himself to the goal line. I think he\u2019s playing brilliant football further up the field, and facing up towards goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cKade Chandler is the ultimate role-player, and a terrific teammate. Once you start rewarding the role-players and the players who sit beneath the stars, I think that\u2019s infectious. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a joy to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nathan Buckley added: \u201cClearly Steven King has bought a game style that the players are buying into. They\u2019ve only really had that one poor performance against Essendon, but responded in real style (against Brisbane).\u201d<\/p>\n
The Demons take on Richmond this Friday night on Anzac Day Eve, before tough duels against Sydney and Hawthorn \u2014 either side of a match against West Coast.<\/p>\n
ROUND 7 FIXTURE AND FOX FOOTY COMMENTATORS<\/p>\n
WESTERN BULLDOGS v SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n
Thursday April 23, 7.30pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King and Leigh Montagna, with commentary from Matt Hill, Mark Howard, Jack Riewoldt, Brad Johnson and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
RICHMOND v MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Friday April 24, 7.40pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Garry Lyon, Tom Hawkins and Jordan Lewis, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Cameron Mooney and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN v GOLD COAST SUNS<\/p>\n
Saturday April 25, 12.30pm at UTAS Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:15pm on Channel 503, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Gerard Healy, Leigh Montagna and Alastair Lynch.<\/p>\n
ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD<\/p>\n
Saturday April 25, 3.20pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 2:30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan, David King, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Clark, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Garry Lyon, Jason Dunstall and Sarah Jones.<\/p>\n
PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG CATS<\/p>\n
Saturday April 25, 6.35pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:15pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan, David King, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Clark, with commentary from Mark Howard, Jordan Lewis, Tom Hawkins and Shaun Burgoyne.<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE v CARLTON<\/p>\n
Saturday April 25, 8.15pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8pm on Channel 503, hosted by Kath Loughnan, David King, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Clark, with commentary from Adam Papalia, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo and Will Schofield.<\/p>\n
ST KILDA v WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n
Sunday April 26, 1.10pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Matt Hill, Cameron Mooney, Ben Dixon, Eddie Betts, Kelli Underwood and David Zita.<\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS v ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n
Sunday April 26, 3.15pm at the Gabba<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Adam Simpson, Nick Dal Santo, Alastair Lynch and David Zita.<\/p>\n
GWS GIANTS v NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Sunday April 26, 4.40pm at Corroboree Group Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Corbin Middlemas, Nathan Buckley, Gerard Healy, Ruby Schleicher and David Zita.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The changes behind Essendon\u2019s \u201cremarkable\u201d turnaround inside three weeks, and why Fremantle has a double dilemma with 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