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In Round 3 of the 2022 AFL season we saw a new Showdown hero emerge, the Magpies squander a golden opportunity, and a veteran leader make a host of costly errors. Here’s whose stocks are up and down this week.
Our footy experts cast their eye over the week’s action to find out whose stocks are up — whether it’s a coaching masterstroke or a player having a blinder — and whose are down. Every club features, so jump ahead to your team below (desktop only).
Crows | Lions | Blues | Magpies | Bombers | Dockers | Cats | Suns | Giants | Hawks | Demons | Roos | Power | Tigers | Saints | Swans | Eagles | Bulldogs
Adelaide
Stocks up: Just like Apple when the very first iPhone was released, Jordan Dawson‘s stocks are soaring! A goal after the siren to win your first Showdown is a scenario the former Swan couldn’t have dreamed before the game. His two goals, 24 disposals, five inside 50s and over 650m gained enough to earn him the Showdown Medal and leave Port Adelaide at 0-3.
Stocks down: So many young key forwards’ stocks are rising but Darcy Fogarty might be trending in the opposite direction. Just five touches and no goals in the Showdown was a disappointing performance from a man who has potential to rip any game apart.
Brisbane
Stocks up: We’re not even one month into the season, but this team is already flexing its premiership credentials in savage style. And it’s scary. Chris Fagan has his side playing exhilarating footy and it’s no shock to see them kick their highest score since 2007 – it’s a ruthless tenacity that we can see potentially leads them to a first flag in almost two decades.
Stocks down: They’re coming off a 108-point win, we don’t think it’s actually possible for any Lions stock to be falling… In fact, we might make it a blanket rule in this column – win by 100 points and no one’s stock goes down!
Carlton
Stocks up: When the Blues needed someone to stand tall under immense pressure in the final stanza, it was defensive pairing Sam Docherty and Jacob Weitering who ensured Michael Voss starts his Carlton tenure with three straight wins. Intercept marks, halving the important deep contests, repelling opposition attacks; the Carlton list owe these two a beer.
Stocks down: That second half collapse, though… It was lapses in defense that cost Carlton a finals berth last season and while it’s obvious they’ve made improvements, you just cannot afford to let teams back into a contest that seemed all but over in the fashion they did.
Collingwood
Stocks up: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a player in the league that has the same composure as Scott Pendlebury. The Magpie skipper’s ability to release teammates into space, and find and execute a pass that just shouldn’t be found, is innate. Like a fine wine, it’s difficult to see the game ever going past him.
Stocks down: Geelong’s epic fightback was fuelled by a fourth-quarter midfield mauling, but Collingwood will be left to rue an abundance of missed opportunities in front of goal, particularly in the first half. The Pies booted 4.11 and trailed at the main break despite being statistically dominant in most areas, and subsequently squandered an opportunity to go 3-0 for the first time in a decade.
Essendon
Stocks up: It’s been a disappointing start to the season for the Bombers but Peter Wright has been one shining light. In the loss to the Demons on Friday night, two-meter Peter kicked four goals and was a constant arial threat inside 50m. It’s a shame he got such little opportunity, with the Dees winning the inside 50 count 66-39. For those counting along at home, that’s two straight weeks of Wright stocks rising – perhaps he’s finally building the consistency we’ve been craving!
Stocks down: What’s happened to Dyson Heppell? The Bombers skipper just doesn’t look right and against Melbourne made a whole host of errors. There’s no doubt he’s been a great contributor for the Bombers over the journey but we’re calling for him to be dropped for Round 4. Perhaps it’s also time he relinquished the captaincy…
Fremantle
Stocks up: Whenever a player changed numbers in the offseason — and especially coming from a high number to a very low number — you want them to start the year well, just so eyebrows aren’t raised… Well, Lachie Schultz is justifying his move from 28 to 5. A 23-disposal, two-goal, and three direct goal assist game from the livewire helped the Dockers to a big derby win.
Stocks down: It’s hard to be too critical of any derby win, but Michael Walters is yet to arrest his underwhelming start to the season. A few more touches this week (17), but 0.2 to three-quarter time. With no Nat Fyfe or David Mundy in that side, you really do need your veterans to stand up and be counted.
Geelong
Stocks up: Geelong’s twin towers in Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins completely obliterated the Magpies defence and, slotting 9.2 between them, their efficiency in front of the big sticks should have Chris Scott licking his lips moving forward. Shoutout to effective medical sub Luke Dahlhaus who also ran riot during the last quarter fightback, picking up seven disposals, two marks and two clearances.
Stocks down: In the context of the game, the free kick against Tom Atkins to earn Collingwood a double shot at goal in the third term was just brainless. Remonstrate, that’s fine, but to do so angrily by collecting someone high and hold them in a headlock out of frustration? Not a good look.
Gold Coast
Stocks up: It’s not so outlandish to think Matt Rowell is a Brownlow medallist in waiting – he’s a star, and he was clearly the Suns’ best player in what was otherwise a pretty hapless effort from the boys up north, finishing with 18 touches, 13 tackles and seven score involvements. Big shoutout to his jumper tuck, too! Fashion never dies.
Stocks down: It was a dirty old afternoon for young tall Caleb Graham, who completely failed to impact the game in any positive way on Saturday. The output of one kick, zero marks and zero tackles — from a key post — is a pretty good way to get yourself dropped. Not good enough.
GWS
Stocks up: Fair to say Tim Taranto is timing this all wonderfully; his strong start to the year was backed up by a whopping 36 disposals, six clearances and seven inside 50s against the Suns, all in an important contract year for the Giants gun. Expect rivals to come hard for the 24-year-old’s signature, which is getting more expensive by the week.
Stocks down: Did the Giants punish their fellow expansion side enough? Not running away with it in the second half and releasing the foot from the accelerator cost Leon Cameron some valuable percentage in a game where a triple-digit margin seemed likely, and a season where it could prove all the difference between finals or not, and a job or not.

Hawthorn
Stocks up: Changkuoth Jiath has all the traits to become one of the AFL’s most damaging rebound defenders, and those very traits were on full display on Sunday afternoon. CJ’s dash and creativity from the back half was scintillating to watch and he was the mastermind behind many of Hawthorn’s attacks, finishing the game with 27 disposals, 10 intercepts and 11 rebound 50s. Was almost the hero for the Hawks.
Stocks down: He’s been a fine player for the Hawks to date, but there were multiple times where it seemed James Worpel put in timorous efforts to mark the footy, sticking out one arm in apprehensive-like attempts when he needed to put his body on the line. Like the old footy adage goes: when it’s your turn to go, Worps, you’ve got to go.
Melbourne
Stocks up: Anything you can do, I can do better. Clayton Oliver saw Christian Petracca’s 14 inside 50 game in Round 2 and said, I’ll make it 15 in Round 3. Oliver starred for the Dees on Friday night, also picking up 38 disposals, eight clearances and 666m gained. Special mention to Angus Brayshaw who came within one mark of tying the all-time record (21). Anyone have him captain in fantasy!?
Stocks down: This team was honestly nearly flawless, but could a lack of pressure around the ground and in critical moments be what stumps them this year? They laid a total of 37 tackles on Friday night, which is so far the second-lowest tackle count of the season.
North Melbourne
Stocks up: There aren’t too many Kangas who can hold their head up high after that Gabba onslaught, but you do have to admire 2021 Syd Barker medallist Jy Simpkin and his ability to back up a career-best season with some honest performances. Another 31 touches this week is hardly a disgrace.
Stocks down: The entire North Melbourne Football Club needs to take a long hard look at itself, to be honest. You cannot accept that insipid performance as an organisation in a season where we’re supposed to be seeing inroads in development. Even against the best, you just have to show some heart, and David Noble made that clear in his post-match press conference. We’ll be watching for a response.
Port Adelaide
Stocks up: Big man Todd Marshall‘s five-goal haul was not only his career-best, but a sign that maybe he’s finally realised his importance in the team. With Charlie Dixon and Robbie Gray missing from the Showdown, the 198cm tall commanded the forward 50 and took a giant leap towards becoming an integral part of the Power’s set up – a far cry from the fallout of his two consecutive four-disposal games to bring in the new season.
Stocks down: Sure, it’s a heartbreaking four-point loss after the final siren in a game his side led for 114 of a possible 122 minutes, but the pressure should be mounting on Ken Hinkley after a winless start to 2022. The game plan needs obvious tinkering and it may need it fast, with clashes against undefeated duo Melbourne and Carlton and a possible 0-5 record awaiting the underperforming Power.

Richmond
Stocks up: How electric can Matty Parker be? Against his old club, the 22-year-old showed why he’s been worth persisting with, tallying three goals (in a half, mind you!) from 13 touches for the Tigers.
Stocks down: Sometimes all your opposition needs is a moment to spark a run, and after Marlion Pickett dumped Dan Butler in the goal square deep in the third term — gifting Ben Long a 50 metre penalty and a guaranteed major — the Tigers’ lead was cut to just five points after they lead by four goals earlier in the term. After Long’s goal, Richmond wouldn’t kick one of their own until well after St Kilda had piled on a further seven straight goals – icing the contest.
St Kilda
Stocks up: He only just missed out on getting the praise in this column last week, but this week it’s all about Max King. When the Saints needed him most, he delivered, booting four goals in the last quarter domination from the Saints. For young key forwards, it’s almost too easy to be discouraged from a lack of impact, but after three quarters and just two behinds to his name, he really was the master of his own destiny.
Stocks down: How unfortunate for Jack Higgins that he’ll miss next week with concussion. Just as the livewire Saints forward looked like generating some good footy, an unfortunate and accidental tackle prematurely ended his match against former club Richmond, but has also ruled him out against the Hawks next week.
Sydney
Stocks up: Young Nick Blakey is becoming a real dynamic player for the Swans. The 22-year-old, known affectionately as ‘Lizard’, was Sydney’s best in a disappointing loss to the Bulldogs, picking up 25 disposals, 616m gained and using his dash off half-back to setup forward thrusts. If he can tidy up his ball use a touch, he will be a serious weapon for the Swannies.
Stocks down: It might seem harsh but John Longmire needed to a better job of preparing his side for Round 3. The emotional toll of last week’s Buddy1000 celebration was always going to be difficult to back up but the coaching staff, and in particular Longmire, had to address it and ensure a fast start. The 60 points scored was their fewest since Round 13 last year.
West Coast
Stocks up: Veteran defender Shannon Hurn continues to give his all for the club. He was massive in defence for the Eagles, picking up 27 touches, 13 intercept possessions, 12 marks, and a game-high 522 metres gained.
Stocks down: The forward line was starved for opportunity a lot of the game, but Zac Langdon may find his spot under threat after tallying just eight touches (three of which were turnovers). He’s in his fifth season now, and needs to be getting more involved in contests.
Western Bulldogs
Stocks up: Shout out to ESPN’s own Josh Dunkley who played an expert role in the midfield to lead the Bulldogs to their first win of 2022. His 31 disposals and six clearances were important but it was the intense pressure throughout the night which will have him in contention for the three Brownlow votes. Dunks had a game-high 35 pressure acts and laid 11 tackles.
Stocks down: On another night, the Bulldogs lose to Sydney. The wastefulness of the Dogs continues to be a problem and on Thursday night, Luke Beveridge’s side kicked 9.17. The game should have been over at halftime but the Bulldogs continued to leave the door ajar with some horrible shooting for goal. It follows last week’s loss to Carlton where, according to Champion Data’s expected scores, they should have won.