Talking points

u The Cats finally broke last week with a few too many injured players. But reinforcements are coming. Tyson Stengle and Jack Henry are handy inclusions.

u Sean Darcy ’s ruck dominance is having flow-on effects, with Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Jaeger O’Meara also in season-best form.

u The even spread of goalscorers would delight Justin Longmuir. There were five multiple goalkickers against Sydney last week.

u Jeremy Cameron had a rare quiet outing last week, limited to just one goal for the first time this season. Expect him to bounce back.

u Geelong this week followed by Melbourne. The next two weeks will tell us whether the Dockers of 2023 are the real deal.

Ashley Browne

Prediction: Fremantle by six points

Grand Final Start Time

u One of the game’s time-honoured traditions will remain intact with the 2023 Grand Final set to start at 2.30pm at the MCG on Saturday, September 30. Incoming chief executive Andrew Dillon is a strong supporter of daytime Grand Finals, but in making the announcement this week, the League noted the “great presentation of a twilight event” and said that future start times would be reviewed.

PIES’ FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

u Ladder-leading Collingwood is the new star attraction of the AFL following the release of the rounds 16-23 fixtures. The Magpies will feature in four Friday night blockbusters, taking on the Western Bulldogs (round 17), Carlton (round 20), the Geelong Cats (round 22) and the Brisbane Lions (round 23). The fixture for round 24, will be announced one month before. See fixture page 52.

Away record: 12-9

Home record: 16-5

Highest score: 24.14 (158), round 22, 2018, at GMHBA Stadium.

Lowest score: 6.12 (48), round 8, 2020, at Optus Stadium.

Greatest winning margin: 133 points, round 22, 2018, at GMHBA Stadium.

Longest winning sequence: 7, round 12, 2006, to round 22, 2009. Most goals in a game: 6, Ronnie Burns, round 6, 1997, at GMHBA Stadium; Gary Ablett jnr, round 12, 2006, at Subiaco Oval; Tom Hawkins, round 22, 2018, at GMHBA Stadium.

Clarkson Steps Away

u North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has stepped away from the club indefinitely as he continues to deal with the fall-out of an investigation into alleged mistreatment of First Nations players in his time at Hawthorn, allegations he strongly refutes. The club said Clarkson will have “whatever time he needs to restore his health”. Brett Ratten becomes interim senior coach.