AFL Super Ladder: Every club rated after Round 23
The Pies have more injury concerns, but will a returning forward duo give them the edge? Meanwhile, which veteran Cats need to lift and can the Tigers knock off the Lions... again?
It took until the second last game of the season, but finally the top eight is set.
Richmond’s rampaging finish against Brisbane has won them a top four spot, leapfrogging West Coast and Collingwood to finish in third position on the ladder.
The Eagles have been knocked out of the four and finished in fifth position.
The Tigers’ triumph means they will face the same opposition in a fortnight’s time - but this time it will be at the Gabba.
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Meanwhile, Bulldgs booked themselves a date in the final after a dominant display in Ballarat, led by star Marcus Bontempelli.
Luke Beveridge’s men burst out of the blocks with the first six goals of the game to set up a comfortable 34-point win.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE ANDO’S SUPERLADDER
CONTRACT: PIES, GRUNDY SPLIT OVER MEGA DEAL
LOCAL LEGEND: BIG, BAD BARRY STILL HAULS IN CROWDS
‘THE BEST’: COACH’S HUGE PRAISE FOR DANGERFIELD
FINALS FIXTURES
Thursday September 5th
1st Elimination Final
West Coast (5th) vs Essendon (8th), Optus Stadium, 6:10pm
Friday September 6th
Geelong (1st) vs Collingwood (4th), MCG, 7:50pm
Saturday September 7th
GWS Giants (6th) vs Western Bulldogs (7th), GIANTS Stadium, 3:20pm
Brisbane (2nd) vs Richmond (3rd), Gabba, 7:25pm
1. GEELONG - 64, 135.7%
The Cats grabbed top spot with an emphatic victory over Carlton, clinching a home final in the process — which of course will be played at the MCG. It sets up a blockbuster Qualifying Final against the Pies, with the two clubs playing out plenty of thrillers in the past decade.
ANDO SAYS: Close to where the Cats need to be on selection, with Nakia Cockatoo surely now on ice until 2020. Rhys Stanley’s next few games are the most important in his topsy-turvy career. Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins are two others who can lift significantly.
2. BRISBANE LIONS - 64, 120.9%
A third quarter surge saw the Lions get within seven points, but Richmond were just too good. It may be a different story in warmer conditions in a fortnight, with plenty more on the line in the second leg for the young Lions side.
ANDO SAYS: The Lions had enough moments to suggest defeating the Tigers at the Gabba is definitely doable. And their kids got a taste of what to expect and came through OK. Does Lachie Neale get the three votes? How Freo must rue losing someone it nourished and developed.
3. RICHMOND - 64, 113.7%
Richmond have knocked off two contenders in two weeks at the MCG, making it nine triumphs in a row. They have hit top form at the perfect time of the year, but their toughest challenge awaits - Brisbane at the Gabba.
ANDO SAYS: Going to Brisbane with the heat is far less appealing than a “home” final against the Cats. And Geelong will attest to just how relevant the heat can be. Think the finals series just got a whole lot more interesting, and open. But the pain of last year’s embarrassment will surely spur the Tigers.
4. COLLINGWOOD - 60, 117.7%
It wasn’t a convincing win, but it was a win nonetheless against their arch rival on Friday night to cement a top four spot. Now an epic against the Cats awaits.
ANDO SAYS: Just when the Pies started to put the group together, another bloody hiccup with Darcy Moore. His continual hamstring issues are bordering on career-threatening, so off to that German magician in the off-season. Now it’s about how much spark Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson can supply.
5. WEST COAST 60, 112.5%
West Coast’s loss to Hawthorn has likely spelt disaster for its premiership defence. Richmond’s win on Sunday left the Eagles fifth and faced with a home final against the Bombers in week one. While they’ll be favoured to progress, taking the long road and navigating a semi-final in either Victoria or Brisbane is going to be a huge ask.
ANDO SAYS: Josh Kennedy is either injured or about to have an appointment with Father Time because he has gone from a running machine to a statue. This performance was typical of the Eagles’ season, in that just when you think they are ready for take-off, a blip occurs.
6. GWS GIANTS - 52, 115.4%
Lock it in Leon. After storming to victory against Gold Coast, GWS will finish sixth. They will face a familiar foe in the Bulldogs, who they played their just two weeks ago. The result - a thumping 61 point loss.
ANDO SAYS: Irrespective of the quality of the opposition, there were signs for September with all of their guns playing well. Now to get Stephen Coniglio, Nick Haynes and Jacob Hopper up for their elimination final. Suspect their GF chances went askew from the moment Callan Ward did his knee, but they can score quickly.
7. WESTERN BULLDOGS 48, 107.2%
They needed to win and they did just that in comprehensive fashion down in Ballarat. They loom as early favourites despite travelling up to Sydney to face the Giants.
ANDO SAYS: Going to Sin City to play the Giants should hold no fear. The Dogs are playing with a fluency, and scoring options from their mid-size forwards, that few, if any, finals team can match. Plus they have five midfielders who find the ball 25 times in their sleep. A very exciting September prospect.
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8. ESSENDON— 44, 95.4%
The Bombers look a lot more dangerous than they did a couple of weeks ago. However, they will be seriously tested in the west against the Eagles, but their shock loss to Hawthorn will give them hope.
ANDO SAYS: Suspect the Bombers don’t go too far this year, but on games like Friday night, where dwindling player stocks say they had no right to remain in the contest all night, why can’t they be genuine contenders in 2020? Debutant Tom Jok seemed to enjoy the contest, suggesting a future given his mobility.
9. HAWTHORN— 44, 108.7%
Hawthorn’s finals hopes hinged on the Crows winning, and they failed miserably. Nonetheless, their backhalf of the year will fill them with plenty of confidence going into 2020 - especially Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell back.
ANDO SAYS: Every opposition analyst will watch the Hawks’ blueprint for shutting down West Coast. They took Jeremy McGovern out of the game, while their attack on the ball was highlighted by a finisher in Luke Breust. Jon Ceglar’s recent form has been compelling.
10. PORT ADELAIDE — 44, 105.4%
Their finals hopes were over once the Bulldogs won on Sunday. Their horror loss to North Melbourne in Round 22 will sting.
ANDO SAYS:Given what the Power promised at different times, such as their wins over Geelong and West Coast, a really disappointing season. That ensures Ken Hinkley will rightfully be coaching for his AFL life each week, which is always a distraction, so either extend him or move on.
11. ADELAIDE — 40, 100.9%
The Crows needed a 15 goal win to leapfrog into the finals and they fell 20-plus goals short. A disappointing end that summed up their entire season.
ANDO SAYS: Surely missing finals wasn’t on the Crows’ agenda. Of all the teams outside the eight, the Crows are arguably in the most precarious position, with a game style that needs tearing apart. But they have a strong list management sector and are regular traders, so buckle the seatbelts.
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12. NORTH MELBOURNE — 40, 99.5%
The Roos finished their half-yearly stint under Rhyce Shaw one game out of the eight after a scrappy win over the Demons. How will North look after a full summer under its new senior coach? There’s a bit to be excited on the evidence in the second half of this season.
ANDO SAYS: At an interesting stage list-wise. The Roos do require younger players to step up. That may come naturally, but for mine they shape as a competitive outfit in 2020 rather than top-four challengers, unless they get really clever at the trade table.
13. FREMANTLE — 36, 91.9%
Another big loss on the road for the Dockers to end the year. But the club’s big calls and new direction should fill fans with hope for the future.
ANDO SAYS: Really interested to see how these players respond to a new game plan. Bag Ross Lyon all you like, but St Kilda haven’t been close since he left in somewhat of a hurry. The Dockers do have some promising kids, plus Jesse Hogan after a full pre-season, so we may still see a purple haze at different times.
14. ST KILDA — 36, 83.9%
It wasn’t the finish the Saints or interim coach Brett Ratten were hoping for. But at least a 14th-placed finish gives them a top-five draft pick (before any priority selections are handed out) — a good bargaining chip in the race for Docker Bradley Hill.
ANDO SAYS: Dan Hannebery has shown how good he can be if his body holds up, while Rowan Marshall must be a strong chance for his first Trevor Barker Medal. The Saints may not have the best list of those who finished out of the eight, but there is enough to suggest finals next year is not impossible.
15. SYDNEY — 32, 97.7%
The Swans gave retiring champions Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh the fitting send-off their decorated careers deserved with a 45-point victory over St Kilda. It might not have changed their ladder position, but it was the perfect celebration in the Harbour City.
ANDO SAYS: A lot of experience has gone out of this fine club in one year, but backing against them regrouping is fraught with danger. Tom McCartin, Nick Blakey, Jordan Dawson and Ollie Florent are really exciting young players, and the Swans’ development system is the envy of many.
16. CARLTON — 28, 84.5%
Not how the Blues would have hoped to finish after a positive period under David Teague which secured him the full-time coaching job. Today it’s all about barracking for the Dogs (and Port) to close the gap with the Crows after the Liam Stocker deal.
ANDO SAYS: Got flogged up forward and were well beaten for contested football in a rememder to its coach on the gap between the big boys. But the past two months have ensured memberships should again pass 60,000, and that playing finals is a realistic goal.
17. MELBOURNE — 20, 78.6%
The Demons surprisingly improved their percentage with a close loss in Hobart, so that’s something. What a year to forget for last year’s preliminary finalist. There will be a lot of soul searching at Melbourne’s post-season reviews.
ANDO SAYS: Max Gawn saw off the Todd Goldstein challenge to his unofficial title as No.1 or No.2 (with Brodie Grundy) among AFL ruckmen. Clayton Oliver finished how he needs to start and remain in 2020, while Bayley Fritsch was one Demon who maintained his 2018 standards. Now for a long, hot summer.
18. GOLD COAST — 12, 60.5%
Nothing went right for Gold Coast from Round 5 onwards, bar perhaps the late-season form of first-round draft pick Ben King. Stuart Dew has a huge job to haul the club up the ladder and restore and pride and confidence after 18 consecutive losses to finish the season. A priority pick would be a start, but the Suns need mature talent desperately.
ANDO SAYS: Just like the marathon runner in extreme heat, the end couldn’t come quickly enough. Probably did well to finish with a percentage of 60, but “did wells” mean stuff all to an outpost that sadly stands for very little after nine years. In fact, the Suns couldn’t have been a bigger disaster.
Originally published as AFL Super Ladder: Every club rated after Round 23