Kane Cornes: Flag is now a four-gone conclusion
THE AFL ladder is still a work in progress with four home and away games remaining but there are only four genuine premiership chances left, writes Kane Cornes. See his final contenders and his Round 19 winners and losers.
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AND then there were four.
Round 19 gave us a greater insight into which teams are genuine premiership contenders in season 2018.
Sydney look battered after its loss to Essendon, appearing to drop out of premiership calculations and while Melbourne defeated Adelaide, it’s not a serious threat.
Port Adelaide’s poor ball use means it will struggle against the league’s best — its goal from here should be to win a final.
The ladder is still a work in progress with four home and away games remaining.
COLLINGWOOD
THE Magpies went down by 28 points to 2017 premier Richmond in front of 88,000 fans at a packed MCG.
Despite the loss, Collingwood should draw confidence from the performance considering it lost Jeremy Howe (concussion) and Matt Scharenberg (knee) before halftime.
The Magpies can easily rectify some simple mental lapses that cost them goals early in the game.
No side has been hit harder by injury this year with key players Lynden Dunn (knee), Adam Treloar (hamstring) and Jordan De Goey missing on Saturday. Their high-pressure game style will hold up in finals but their premiership hopes will depend on which personnel they can get back on the park in September.
GWS GIANTS
AT the completion of round 13, the Giants were 10th and when Jeremy Cameron got suspended for five weeks for a sickening hit on Brisbane’s Harris Andrews, the Giants’ season appeared done.
Fast forward four weeks and remarkably the Giants were fourth until being displaced by Port Adelaide on Sunday. They have won four out of their past five and have Josh Kelly and Toby Greene back from injury and in form.
They possess the quickest and most powerful midfield in the competition and are led strongly by co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis.
WEST COAST
THE Eagles are destined to finish second meaning they may not have to leave WA until grand final day if they win both their finals at Optus Stadium where they boast a 7-2 record this year.
Forward duo Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy are in their prime and in defence Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass and skipper Shannon Hurn make it very hard for the opposition to score.
The midfield was rocked by Nic Naitanui’s knee injury but backup Scott Lycett has stepped up so far.
RICHMOND
THE Tigers are undisputedly the best team in the competition right now and are certain to finish minor premiers.
The Tigers have won a record 18 straight games at the MCG, giving them an unshakeable belief when they play at their home ground.
Even when reigning Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin fails to fire in the midfield, coach Damien Hardwick is able to push him deep into the forward line with devastating effects. Their only weakness is a lack of a backup ruckman, but a lot would have to go wrong from here for them not to win back-to-back premierships this year.
ROUND 19 WINNERS AND LOSERS
LOSERS
1. Tired Tex
Adelaide’s Taylor Walker was again ineffective on Saturday night and has averaged only 12 disposals and kicked seven goals in his past six games since returning from injury in round 13. The captain is struggling for touch and is labouring across the ground. It might be time to call an abrupt end to Walker’s season and begin preparing his body for next year.
2. Not again
Adelaide was confident its hamstring crisis that had dogged it in the first half of the year was over. Unfortunately the Crows were wrong with Paul Seedsman suffering a recurrence of the hamstring strain that hampered him earlier this year.
3. Cruel blow
Collingwood’s Matthew Scharenberg has experienced so much heartache throughout his five years in the AFL system. The South Australian was enjoying a career-best year in 2018 and finally appeared to be over the devastating injuries that threatened his career. That was until his knee buckled again on Saturday at the MCG.
4. Busted Buddy
Sydney coach John Longmire admitted during the week that his best player Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin has only trained for 20 minutes this year. It’s no surprise then that Franklin has only kicked five goals in his past three games.
5. Backflip
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan caused hysteria during the week when he said the AFL could trial new rules in games before the end of the season. Only 36 hours later he did a major backflip and confirmed this was unlikely to happen.
WINNERS
1. Silk Junior
When Wayne Milera was recruited to Adelaide with pick 11 in the 2015 draft, renowned talent scout Alan Stewart likened Milera to a young Shaun Burgoyne. It’s taken Milera longer than expected to cement a spot in the Crows’ best 22 but his switch to halfback this year has been a master stroke. He collected 26 possessions on Saturday night and despite two shaky moments, he was a class above.
2. Dixon Delivers
Charlie Dixon played like his life depended on it with an unwavering attack on the ball and opposition. In conditions not conducive to a power forward he produced strong contested marks and booted five goals.
3. MCG Saturdays
The impact a blockbuster Saturday game at the MCG can have is astronomical. More than 88,000 packed into the MCG to witness a fierce contest between Richmond and Collingwood. Next Saturday Hawthorn will play Essendon in the same timeslot. There’s no doubt we will see many more marquee Saturday fixtures in 2019.
4. Jack’s snag
Richmond livewire Jack Higgins kicked the goal of the year with his around-the-post magical effort against Collingwood. We have never seen a goal like it — remarkable.
5. Hercules Hurley
Essendon’s Michael Hurley averages 23 disposals this year yet his 12 disposal game on Friday night was his best for the year. He completely blanketed Sydney superstar Lance Franklin in a flawless display.
Crows are not a ‘destination’ club for returning talent
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