{"id":832025,"date":"2026-07-29T21:08:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T21:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/832025\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T21:08:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T21:08:11","slug":"afl-2026-the-blowtorch-round-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/832025\/","title":{"rendered":"AFL 2026, The Blowtorch Round 21"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thursday night\u2019s top-six deciding blockbuster could all come down to one crucial match-up.<\/p>\n

But even if one of the game\u2019s most underpaid players stops Nick Daicos, it won\u2019t stop him from claiming a Brownlow Medal which may already be in his possession.<\/p>\n

Plus, more of the biggest talking points ahead of Round 21, as well as the Fox Footy commentary roster for every game, in Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

CATS\u2019 UNSUNG \u2018$800K\u2019 MAN SET FOR FOOTY\u2019S HARDEST JOB<\/p>\n

When Oisin Mullin proposed to Chris Scott that he be allowed a quick trip home to Ireland to feature in County Mayo\u2019s historic All-Ireland title over the weekend, the Geelong coach was quick to shut him down.<\/p>\n

Why? As Scott himself revealed on AFL 360 on Monday night, the league\u2019s most feared tagger, fresh of stellar nullifying jobs on St Kilda\u2019s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Melbourne\u2019s Kysaiah Pickett, would be needed on Thursday night for the toughest task of all.<\/p>\n

Scott confirmed Mullin would head straight to Nick Daicos against Collingwood, looking for a repeat of the job he did on the Brownlow Medal favourite in the Cats\u2019 54-point Round 9 win over the Pies.<\/p>\n

Speaking on On the Couch, Magpies legend turned Cats assistant coach Nathan Buckley delved further into the incoming match-up, saying Mullin would be receiving plenty of help.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s very few players that have the athletic ability to go (with Daicos), let alone the smarts,\u201d Buckley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes more than just the tagger to get the job done. The team need to support in some shape or form.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to be winning enough ball to prevent the bloke that you\u2019re trying to tag from having access to the ball as often.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a bit of a team ideal, but something that Osh is more than capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hawthorn’s crazy 2027 possible team | 03:52<\/p>\n

While Daicos managed 28 disposals against Mullin earlier in the season, his impact was undoubtedly quelled, ranked the 30th-best player on the ground. <\/p>\n

The Irishman\u2019s recent run-with roles, having clamped Wanganeen-Milera (21 disposals), Pickett (14) and even Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli (14 disposals), prompted former Richmond legend Jack Riewoldt to put a shock value on the 26-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say 800 (thousand),\u201d Riewoldt said when asked by Jordan Lewis to determine what Mullin would be worth on the open market.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the only one that\u2019s been able to do it (tag Daicos).<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon that\u2019s probably around the mark. It\u2019s not a sexy thing, but it\u2019s certainly helped Geelong win games of footy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mullin\u2019s development as a tagger has been crucial to the Cats\u2019 success across 2025 and 2026, and looms as being central to their premiership chances, most likely from outside the top four.<\/p>\n

For Buckley, it\u2019s a strategy more clubs should be implementing, with few choosing to employ a direct tag out of fear of unbalancing their midfield structure.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery club should have developed someone that they feel that they can be a clamp,\u201d Buckley said. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easier said than done, but if you\u2019re coaching any one of the 18 teams, you want a player that you know can put the slows on an opposition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mullin, into his fourth season at the Cats, signed a two-year contract midway through last year tying him to Geelong until the end of 2027. <\/p>\n

Maynard sidelined | 02:19<\/p>\n

HAS NICK DAICOS ALREADY CLINCHED THE BROWNLOW MEDAL?<\/p>\n

Nick Daicos is the greatest poller in Brownlow history, and he\u2019s only going to extend that title in a couple of months\u2019 time.<\/p>\n

With 109 votes in his first 88 home and away games, Daicos entered an exclusive club to reach 100 votes within 100 games of their senior debut – joining three men (Haydn Bunton Sr., Dick Reynolds and Nat Fyfe) who won a combined eight Brownlows.<\/p>\n

Daicos, of course, has not won one yet.<\/p>\n

Yet.<\/p>\n

He may have already claimed the 2026 honour, now listed as short as $1.15 with bookmakers to win the Brownlow. That is an implied probability of 87%.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a genuine chance Daicos has already clinched the medal with four games left, and the unthinkable ceiling of 50 votes is within reach.<\/p>\n

Consider last year, when Daicos was projected to poll 32 votes by the Wheelo Ratings system<\/a> and ended up reaching 35; the winner, Matt Rowell, won with 39 votes having been projected at around 25.<\/p>\n

Right now the same system is projecting Daicos to have already polled 39.5 votes; that\u2019s the average from a range of outcomes, which peak at around 45 votes. So if Daicos gets a bit more love from the umpires than expected (which doesn\u2019t sound crazy to us!), and overperforms his current projection, he may be just two more best-on-grounds away from polling 50.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not like the Wheelo system loves Daicos more than everyone else does. AFL Media\u2019s predictor has Daicos on 40 votes, giving him 24 in his past nine matches alone; ESPN\u2019s slightly more conservative predictor has him at 36 votes.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that Daicos averages 1.24 Brownlow votes per game for his career – only Bunton, the 1930s Fitzroy great, is also above 1 vote per game. If Daicos is on 40 votes right now, he\u2019s averaging 2.22 votes per game. This is absurd.<\/p>\n

Who will be Essendon’s next coach? | 06:20<\/p>\n

Reckon the Brownlow is too midfielder-focused? Well, the coaches\u2019 votes love Daicos too; sitting on 125 votes, he has already broken Dustin Martin\u2019s record of 122 from his epic 2017 season. Remember, this is all with four games left.<\/p>\n

Marcus Bontempelli, on 106 votes, is on pace to challenge Martin\u2019s record too. Yet he\u2019s also the only player who can mathematically catch Daicos in the coaches\u2019 award.<\/p>\n

That, in itself, might be a preview of Brownlow night.<\/p>\n

Effectively, for Daicos to NOT win the Brownlow from here, he\u2019d need to have a shocking month (perhaps with Collingwood losing all four games), and for a challenger like Bontempelli or Bailey Smith to have an absolutely electric month, AND for said challenger to then seriously overperform his projections.<\/p>\n

If Daicos is on 40 votes right now, a challenger would need to be on 28 votes (an incredible average of 1.55 votes per game) just to have a mathematical chance of tying him for the 2026 medal.<\/p>\n

Realistically, it would be surprising if Daicos does not break Patrick Cripps\u2019 record of 45 votes.<\/p>\n

And it would be completely bonkers if he doesn\u2019t win.<\/p>\n

Touk Miller addresses Suns collapse | 09:03<\/p>\n

\u2018RECRUIT OF THE YEAR\u2019 BOLTER, RULE CHANGE MAKING LIONS UNSTOPPABLE?<\/p>\n

Reigning premiers Brisbane are surging towards the top four and a genuine crack at a third straight flag.<\/p>\n

And an off-season rule change may be the key to their latest run of success.<\/p>\n

The Lions are unbeaten since May, with a 59-point triumph over Port Adelaide at the Gabba set up by their trademarks: scintillating ball movement and accurate kicking through the centre of the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause they\u2019ve got such talent, they back themselves in to win those 50\/50 balls,\u201d former North Melbourne great David King said on First Crack. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey trust their forwards to break tackles and get it on the scoreboard. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe amount of ball that went through the corridor was just ridiculous and terrific at the same time. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to not fall in love with the way they play.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to King, the off-season tightening up of the stand rule, a move that has sparked debate around the footy world, has made the Lions nigh on impossible to stop.<\/p>\n

Chris Fagan\u2019s men booted a whopping seven goals from nine second-half inside 50s via the corridor against the Power.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019ve worked out the stand rule as good as anyone,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf (Dayne) Zorko can hit some of those kicks through the corridor, it\u2019s game over.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the challenge that is the Brisbane Lions. How do you stop it? <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you hear Alastair Clarkson say you can\u2019t stop the stand rule, you can\u2019t get around it.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe this is advantaging Brisbane late in the season. We didn\u2019t think so at the mid-year point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gallop banned for three games | 00:28<\/p>\n

The Lions\u2019 form has also aligned with former Essendon ruckman Sam Draper\u2019s emergence as one of the season\u2019s best buys.<\/p>\n

Since heading north as a free agent, the 27-year old has missed just one game \u2013 the Lions\u2019 Opening Round loss to the Western Bulldogs.<\/p>\n

While his numbers are relatively modest, averaging 10.33 disposals and 21 hitouts a match, the one-time Bomber has the ability to do the extraordinary \u2013 including a long-range goal on the run against the Power.<\/p>\n

King wondered whether Draper\u2019s form has him in the \u201crecruit of the year\u201d conversation, with co-host Jay Clark adding that he \u201chas to be an option\u201d alongside the likes of Clayton Oliver (GWS), Corey Durdin (Port Adelaide) and the more highly touted Charlie Curnow (Sydney).<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know who\u2019s in front of him. He just has a knack of doing stuff that ruckmen can\u2019t and shouldn\u2019t do,\u201d King continued. <\/p>\n

\u201cKicking a goal from the centre square \u2014 that was never part of the recruiting portfolio. <\/p>\n

\u201cSee if you can find me a ruckman who can kick goals from the centre square!<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like the game was in the balance or anything, they were downhill skiing at this stage, but what an asset to have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s become the player that Essendon always thought he would,\u201d Clark added. <\/p>\n

Sitting fourth on the ladder, just two points behind the third-placed Hawthorn, the Lions\u2019 clash with the Hawks in Round 22 looks set to decide the make-up of the top four \u2013 provided they first get past Carlton on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Chris Scott, Ross Lyon on war of words! | 02:16<\/p>\n

CATS\u2019 MAX-STOPPING TACTIC \u2018DODOS\u2019 MUST COPY<\/p>\n

Geelong\u2019s 20-point win over Melbourne at the MCG looks set to prove crucial amid a logjam for top-six spots.<\/p>\n

The ninth-placed Cats now sit just a win behind the sixth-placed Demons, and with Essendon, North Melbourne and Richmond in their run home, are well placed to rise above the dreaded wildcard finals zone.<\/p>\n

According to David King on First Crack, the win was built around the Cats\u2019 ability to reduce the influence of Dees captain Max Gawn.<\/p>\n

Ruck pair Mark Blicavs and Mitch Edwards were able to drag Gawn to the goalsquare on multiple occasions, freeing up space for Shannon Neale, Ollie Henry and an array of smalls to capitalise against an undermanned Demons defence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey had a tactic ready, didn\u2019t they? Of course they did, because it\u2019s Chris Scott and co.,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo they dragged Max deep as often as they could.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet him out of the drop zone, take him to a position that he absolutely has to stay rusted one-on-one. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a huge win for Blicavs, and the Cats\u2019 forwards are able to go to work against a Demon backline that\u2019s missing a couple of players.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Blicavs drags Max Gawn to the goalsquare.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n

When the Cats\u2019 talls weren\u2019t able to drag Gawn away, the smalls were able to regularly impede his run at the ball, a tactic that left the eight-time All-Australian visibly frustrated.<\/p>\n

Remarkably, Gawn finished without a single intercept mark, or even an intercept possession, for the evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at what the smalls did, they got in and checked his run,\u201d King said. <\/p>\n

\u201c(Shaun) Mannagh did it multiple times. (Gryan) Miers did it multiple times. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just enough to disrupt and allow the rest to have a clearer (run).<\/p>\n

\u201cThey did it all night, and when he was there, everyone goes. It\u2019s not a one-man responsibility: we\u2019re all doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gryan Miers was one of a number of Geelong smalls to successfully block Max Gawn out of a marking contest on Friday night.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n

With the Demons facing likely fellow finalists Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in the run to September, plus Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Sunday, King believes copying the Cats\u2019 Gawn plans is what everyone should be doing.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeams have got to start working out why is it smart enough for Geelong to do it and we don\u2019t,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe dodos who are not planning to beat Max, you\u2019re going to get your whack. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the template. Everyone\u2019s got a player that can take Max to the goalsquare. He has to go there. You\u2019ve got to be smart. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a reason why we keep talking about the Geelong coaching staff like we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

AFL ROUND 21 FIXTURE AND FOX FOOTY COMMENTATORS (all times AEST)<\/p>\n

COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG<\/p>\n

Thursday July 30, 7:30pm at the MCG<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall and Leigh Montagna, with commentary from Matt Hill, Mark Howard, Jack Riewoldt, Brad Johnson and Eddie Betts, plus David Zita in the newsroom<\/p>\n

FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n

Friday July 31, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7pm on Channel 504, hosted by Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown and Tom Hawkins, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jordan Lewis, Jason Dunstall, Kath Loughnan and Will Schofield, plus David Zita in the newsroom<\/p>\n

ST KILDA v SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n

Saturday August 1, 1:05pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Leigh Montagna, Jason Dunstall, Michael Voss & Sarah Jones<\/p>\n

HAWTHORN v NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n

Saturday August 1, 1:35pm at UTAS Stadium<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1:30pm on Channel 503, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Brad Johnson, Ken Hinkley & Cameron Mooney<\/p>\n

PORT ADELAIDE v GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n

Saturday August 1, 6:35pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Adam Papalia, Mark Ricciuto, Shaun Burgoyne & Ben Dixon<\/p>\n

CARLTON v BRISBANE LIONS<\/p>\n

Saturday August 1, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:30pm on Channel 503 (and from 9:30pm on Channel 504), with commentary from Anthony Hudson, David King, Jack Riewoldt, Kath Loughnan & Jay Clark<\/p>\n

RICHMOND v WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n

Sunday August 2, 1:10pm at the MCG<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Corbin Middlemas, Ben Dixon, Cameron Mooney, Ruby Schleicher & David Zita<\/p>\n

GOLD COAST SUNS v MELBOURNE<\/p>\n

Sunday August 2, 3:15pm at People First Stadium<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Alastair Lynch & David Zita<\/p>\n

ESSENDON v ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n

Sunday August 2, 4:40pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Mark Howard, Brad Johnson, Gerard Healy, Nick Dal Santo & David Zita<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Thursday night\u2019s top-six deciding blockbuster could all come down to one crucial match-up. But even if one of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":832026,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-832025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/832025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=832025"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/832025\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/832026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=832025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=832025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=832025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}