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Posted: 2024-04-07 19:44:54

The AFL's Gather Round treated us to one of the most controversial finishes in years, a midfield masterclass from Port Adelaide's trio and more signs Melbourne are ready to strike in 2024.

Here are the biggest talking points from every game of round four.

The Demons have become efficient in attack

There hasn't been much wrong with Melbourne in the two years since their 2021 premiership, but the most obvious thing that held the Demons back in key finals was profligacy in attack.

This year, the Demons have set about remedying that with effectively the same personnel available. It is proving to be a flying success.

A group of Melbourne AFL defenders walk on the ground, as one sends a thumbs-up signal.

With Jake Lever and Steven May controlling defence, a ruthless attacking edge was Melbourne's last missing piece.(Getty Images: AFL Photos/Dylan Burns)

Some of that can be put down to good kicking for goal, but it's more than that. Melbourne have prioritised getting good users of the ball into positions to hurt the opposition when they go inside 50, and it's paying off in the quality of the looks they are getting.

Add to that the ability of guys like Christian Petracca and Jack Viney to hit the scoreboard from midfield and you are certainly not looking at a team that has any real issue with scoring.

Against Adelaide, Melbourne's scoring efficiency inside 50 was 58.3 per cent. They scored 28 times from 48 entries. If that sort of ratio was to continue until the last Saturday in September, it's hard to see anyone else lifting the cup.

ABC player of the year votes:

3. Max Gawn (Demons)

2. Judd McVee (Demons)

1. Jake Soligo (Crows)

Lions in cruise control, for better or worse

Brisbane have copped enough of a kicking this season, and given they've just come off their first win of the year — a massive one over North Melbourne, no less — we shouldn't be too tough.

However, there was something just a little concerning with how the Lions took the foot off the pedal after half-time against the Roos.

Two Brisbane Lions players yell and grin in celebration after a goal, as a Kangaroos defender walks away.

The Lions took care of the Kangaroos with a minimum of fuss.(Getty Images: AFL Photos/Dylan Burns)

Sure, the game was totally done by that point. And sure, they went and increased the margin further after the long break and turned it into a proper percentage booster. On the balance of play, the final margin probably should have been more than the 70 points it finished as.

But there was a clear drop in intensity and quality from the Lions, who came down to North's level and moved into second gear. It wouldn't be an issue if those sort of mid-game fades hadn't already cost the Lions a couple of wins this year.

It's so nitpicky, but this is a team that wants to win a flag this year. Let's hope it's the last such dip we see from the Lions this year.

ABC player of the year votes:

3. Hugh McCluggage (Lions)

2. Lachie Neale (Lions)

1. Joe Daniher (Lions)

Port's magnificent three amigos

Is Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis the best midfield in the competition? If not, they must be mighty close.

Against the Bombers, that trio combined to put together the most clinical midfield performance we've seen from any group this season. Rozee will likely take the three votes by a nose from Horne-Francis, but it was a true team effort.

Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee roars in triumph as his teammate puts his hand out in acknowledgement after a goal.

Connor Rozee was absolutely incredible against Essendon.(Getty Images: AFL Photos/Michael Willson)

Those three complement each other perfectly, with their strengths covering for each other's minor weaknesses. The return of Horne-Francis this week added a physical edge that was missing against Melbourne last week and allowed Rozee to dazzle in space.

And they're all so young. A performance as stunning as that must have Port fans dreaming not only of what could come this year, but for years in the future too.

ABC player of the year votes:

3. Connor Rozee (Power)

2. Jason Horne-Francis (Power)

1. Jeremy Finlayson (Power)

Sydney stars step up

Even at three-quarter-time, this was a live game. West Coast had coughed up their surprise half-time lead, but with the wind behind them in the last, there was realistic hope of an upset.

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