Double-headers are just no good: The things we learnt

Round 17 has come and gone, with the first of the Friday night double-headers gracing the AFL.

A round that saw the top nine take on the bottom nine, only one team managed to claim an upset victory, while the rest stamped their ground within the upper echelon of the competition.

From a disappointing clash between enemies to a quality Sunday showing, here are the things we learnt in Round 17!

Double-headers are no good

At least Carlton fans could change the channel?

Round 17 saw the first of the newly introduced Friday night double-headers, with both Carlton versus Collingwood and West Coast versus GWS facing off under the lights of prime time footy.

The fixture set-up, set to feature again in Round 20 and Round 23, just isn't quite what the fans are after.

The double-header meant that a majority of the AFL world only caught the back end of the Eagles v Giants contest, missing at least three quarters of what was a one-sided contest.

Beyond Friday night, Saturday night saw both Brisbane versus Port Adelaide and St Kilda versus Hawthorn kick off within five minutes of each other.

Two clashes that were both highly watchable, yet only caught the eyes of a handful of AFL fans.

The fixture also meant that Sunday had just two games, yet somehow also overlapping.

Round 17’s fixture just felt like a miss by the AFL. The tragics who tune in to as many games as possible were left two games short, meaning that despite finally seeing the back of the dragged-on bye rounds, we were yet again practically left two games short.

Hopefully this isn’t a feature of the fixture in 2026.

Jaiden Sciberras

How late is too late?

A healthy reminder that this Swans team were the best team in the AFL just 12 months ago.

With the return of a few key injured stars, the Swans appear revitalised. Becoming the only team in the bottom nine to claim victory in Round 17, Dean Cox finally has his side clicking, leading at all stages against the Dockers and holding on late to claim an 11-point home victory.

Do they have a chance at catching the top eight? With seven games to play, the Swans sit three games and a healthy percentage outside the cut off.

Simply put, they cannot afford to lose another game, and with contests against GWS, Brisbane and Geelong, such a feat is far easier said than done.

That being said, a healthy Swans list is still as dangerous as any, and their win over the Dockers may be an insight into next season, where a clean run could suggest a return to the very top.

As for Fremantle… staring down the barrel of yet another missed opportunity, they must step up ahead of an incredibly tough run home, particularly if the Swans are poised to charge home in the manner we expect.

Jaiden Sciberras

The Saints have finally nailed a top pick

After several years of misses on draft night, St Kilda seem to have finally hit the nail on the head.

With the 10th pick in the 2024 draft, St Kilda selected 18-year-old defender Alix Tauru – the Flying Viking - who has every quality required to excel at AFL level.

Operating with elite athleticism, his willingness to fly at the contest and top-tier defensive IQ, the 193cm Viking has all the makings of a future star.

At such a young age and only three games into his senior career, the kid is as raw and rough around the edges as any debutant in 2025, however the signs are as obvious as any that the kid can play, and it’s sparked a level of excitement that St Kilda fans may deserve.

From Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s rising stardom, to Max Hall’s complete forward half game, Jack Higgins continuing to have a career best year and Marcus Windhager growing with each game, St Kilda certainly have the young core that their recent struggles would suggest they deserve.

Not to mention Mattaes Phillipou - who’s battle with his body continues to rob him of his opportunity – and a potential star ruckman lumbering up for season 2026…

Things aren’t all rosy in Moorabbin, but they sure have the prospects required to drive the future in a positive direction.

Jaiden Sciberras

Carlton have called it quits

Say what you want about the talent, the coaching or the opponent - the Blues have lost their willingness to compete.

Regardless of league position, the rivalry between Collingwood and Carlton has always invited the best of contests. From game-winners to on-field scuffles on the biggest stage, the clash between the old enemies rarely fails to deliver.

With that in mind, it felt as though despite their recent woes, the Blues would turn up and have a go. The emotion attached to such a contest, under the lights on a Friday night and with so much heat throughout the week, all Carlton had to do was have a red hot crack.

The result suggested otherwise. The Blues had a go early, but the minute that the Pies began to gain ascendency, Carlton rolled over far too easily.

Missing simple targets, refusing to chase and leaking scores, Carlton are as soulless as they have been in their recent history.

Whether or not you believe Michael Voss is the man for the job, or if the list is adequate enough to compete, one thing is for sure - the players have lost all belief.

If they don't turn up to compete against the old enemy, will they turn up against anyone?

Graham Wright has work to do.

Jaiden Sciberras

The scoring power of the Dogs is scary

While they didn’t get Thursday night all on their terms, the Western Bulldogs still possess a powerful scoring arsenal.

The Dogs were challenged, particularly in the first half, by North Melbourne on the 100th-year celebrations of the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium.

The two sides went head-to-head across the first two quarters, and for part of the third, but in the end Luke Beveridge’s side continued to pile on the goals for a comfortable 49-point win.

It was the 10th time this season that the league’s highest scoring team has kicked 100 or more points. Since Round 10 they’ve hit the ton in six of seven games, including four on the trot, for a combined total of 805 points at an average of 115.

Last night they produced 34 scoring shots from 66 inside 50s. Those numbers are frightening.

Even 250-gamer Tom Liberatore got in on the act, kicking two goals for the first time this year.

Sam Darcy has kicked 15.6 since his Round 14 return which has coincided with a renaissance of form for Aaron Naughton who has booted 12.5 in the same timeframe.

Naughton now has 31 for the season and Darcy has 29. Throw in Rhylee West’s 24 as a small forward and double figures for NINE other players, and there are avenues to goal everywhere.

The Dogs have 12 players in double figure goals with two more on nine. As a comparison, last year’s premiers the Brisbane Lions had 10 double-figure goal kickers.

“Offensively, they are brilliant,” said David King on SEN’s Fireball.

However, there are bigger tests to come. Adelaide, Brisbane and GWS across the next four weeks will tell us more about the Doggies.

Despite the defeat the Roos must be commended.

After a Hawthorn smacking and in the wake of a tough week they were able to come out firing and improve their contest and pressure.

The pre-game celebrations highlighted by Denis Pagan’s stirring speech were excellent and the first quarter in particular was impressive after conceding two very early goals.

Nick Larkey’s four-goal first quarter could have led to anything if he didn’t hurt his knee and losing Luke Davies-Uniacke to concussion hurt their midfield.

But at least they showed their fans some fight.

Andrew Slevison