Super Ladder: Jon Anderson reviews every AFL club after Round 13 of the season

The Western Bulldogs won a thriller against Carlton but they shouldn’t have cut it so fine in a performance Jon Anderson described as strange.

The Demons could do with a player like Jesse Hogan. Picture: Getty Images

The top four has a new look after wins to GWS and Adelaide and with Collingwood and West Coast sitting out the weekend.

But ladder leaders Geelong is still sitting comfortably as Jon Anderson takes a look at every AFL club after Round 13.

BAROMETER: YOUR CLUB’S INJURY NEWS AFTER ROUND 13

GAZZA DEBATE: WHICH ABLETT WOULD YOU TAKE?

1. GEELONG — 44pts, 151.3%

Chris Scott’s wildest pre-season dream would surely have suggested no better than 9-3 at the break, but 11-1 and percentage sets up their season. They have five players with senior experience out but all will be back before the end of July, with Nakia Cockatoo the X-factor.

2. GWS — 36pts, 132.9%

Thirty goals from his first seven games and just 10 from six since suggests Jeremy Cameron has hit a serious flat spot. His team won because of a rampant midfield, Zac Williams from half-back and who else but Toby Greene?

3. COLLINGWOOD — 36pts, 127.5%

No Magpie side is complete without the midfield grunt of Taylor Adams and the rare forward talents of 178cm Jamie Elliott. Hopefully both are available for the Bulldogs this Sunday. The Pies are going OK rather than great, but all you have to do now is win enough to solidify top four.

4. ADELAIDE — 32pts, 115.1%

How did the Crouch boys go in footy the other night? Well, they got 78 possessions between them, 29 contested and 18 clearances . That’s a question that can be directed to Mr or Mrs Crouch, surely the parents of the most productive ball-winning brothers in AFL history.

5. WEST COAST — 32pts, 103%

It’s all about Nic Nat’s impending return, which could be as soon as this week at some level. If any team requires his spark it’s the Eagles, who have regularly been monstered in the ruck after Scott Lycett’s departure. If he comes back jumping, then enjoy the show.

6. FREMANTLE — 28pts, 110.7%

Who is the better small forward, Michael Walters or Eddie Betts? Maybe Sonny Boy has the more rounded game given he’s more comfortable on the ball. As for his team, the Dockers again got healthy contributions from youth in the form of Griffin Logue and Sean Darcy.

Michael Walters lets out a scream after kicking a goal against the Power. Picture: AAP

7. BRISBANE — 28pts, 103.1%

Injuries have treated them better than most so now it’s about regrouping from a game they shouldn’t have lost to Carlton. The naysayers are quick to pounce in this caper in the belief their early season form wouldn’t continue. Lose to St Kilda at Marvel and the naysayers win.

8. RICHMOND — 28pts, 92%

Thought they were outstanding. As Alistair Clarkson says, you lose a soldier then replace him with another one. On that thinking the Tigers have lost a small platoon. The positives were the untapped talent of Mabior Chol, the attack of Tom Lynch and the poise of Sydney Stack.

9. PORT ADELAIDE — 24pts, 107.6%

The Port team that played Freo can’t win a flag and mightn’t make the eight, meaning they require no injuries because they don’t have the depth. They will get a couple back for Geelong and what better time to make a statement?

10. ESSENDON — 24pts, 104.8%

There might be a bit of “us against the rest” mentality creeping into this crew. Conor McKenna plays a similar game and may end up as good as his countryman Tadhg Kennelly. Importantly there are obvious signs of development in a number of his teammates, such as Dylan Clarke.

Conor McKenna (left) sings the Bombers’ song with Zach Merrett and Dylan Shiel after Friday night’s win over Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Images

11. ST KILDA — 24pts, 87%

At 23 and near 100 games, Jack Billings is walking proof that most gun juniors require those maturing years before exploding on the AFL scene. Mature-age Callum Wilkie is from a very different background but was also vital when it mattered. Tim Membrey was the scoring link.

12. HAWTHORN — 20pts, 99.1%

They just don’t have the firepower, or even the forward line structure, that Jarryd Roughead can provide. That’s not just about “kickin’, markin’ and hanballin’” as Tom Hafey loved to say, but more about a pivotal target (David Hale was another) for the swoopers to latch onto.

13. NORTH MELBOURNE — 20pts, 92.6%

The Roos haven’t as yet got the depth on their list, so Shaun Higgins’ absence means they won’t beat too many above them. With Ben Cunnington tagged out of it, they really had few if any influential four quarter players.

14. WESTERN BULLDOGS — 20pts, 90%

A strange performance in that you rarely see teams attempt to twice squander matchwinning leads. Tom Liberatore going off contributed to their second attempt at self-harm, whereas the first was overuse. The brightest future spark was developing ruckman/forward Tim English.

The Bulldogs almost let a win slip away against Carlton. Picture: AAP

15. SYDNEY — 16pts, 89.9%

Would have gone to the bye buzzing after blitzing the Eagles in an aesthetically pleasing game style. They won’t be winning anything this year but just keep finding and blooding kids who may ensure John Longmire sees his future right where he currently sits.

16. MELBOURNE — 12pts, 76%

History may show they got it wrong when targeting a key defender in a good player named Steven May when it was the other end that required boosting once Jesse Hogan was going. Even more so given Tom McDonald is more natural up back than in attack.

17. GOLD COAST — 12pts, 71.9%

Anthony Miles is the archetypal midfield journeyman who has been a ripper for the Suns. Sam Day is where Miles has been, fighting for his AFL career, and he did his cause no harm. As for his team, the Suns don’t get the respect they deserve for largely becoming competitive.

18. CARLTON — 8pts, 79%

The best balanced team they have fielded in a season where selection and positioning have been debatable at times. Importantly many of Stephen Silvagni’s draftees, which was over half the team, showed enough to suggest a future. Now it’s about consistency.

Originally published as Super Ladder: Jon Anderson reviews every AFL club after Round 13 of the season