SuperLadder: How your club is placed after Round 6

ESSENDON is 2-4 and sitting in 14th position on the ladder, a very disappointing start after being the hyped team of the pre-season. So where to now for the Bombers and for the struggling Joe Daniher? HOW YOUR CLUB IS PLACED

Elliot Yeo and Liam Duggan celebrate West Coast’s win.

ESSENDON slumped to another heavy loss, leaving John Worsfold’s much-hyped team searching for answers.

The Bombers are 2-4 and in 14th position on the ladder and serious questions need to be asked, including what has happened to Joe Daniher.

So what is the answer and what are the Bombers missing?

JON ANDERSON analyses every club and their position after Round 6 as Richmond remain on top of the ladder but West Coast are right behind them.

1. RICHMOND (5-0-1) 141.6% 20pts

Have such faith in their system, and their fitness, that they know victory is virtually inevitable. Wonder where Jack Riewoldt sits in terms of Richmond’s best ever team?

2. WEST COAST (5-0-1) 128.5% 20pts

Jack Redden’s best game for the big birds while Jack Petruccelle is going to end up with a handy highlights reel. As for Shannon Hurn, hopefully he will set up a kicking academy on retirement.

3. GWS GIANTS (4-1-1) 136.8% 18pts

Ryan Griffin, getting a kick and carrying the ball, was significant. As for his team, the ruck is their Achilles heel given most rivals are well placed for dominant big men. Stephen Coniglio again on fire.

It’s great to see Ryan Griffen finding form for GWS after a long list of injuries. Picture: Getty

4. HAWTHORN (4-0-2) 119.8% 16pts

Harry Morrison, the godson of Ken Judge, is starting to make a Rising Star statement, being one of those players who seems to find time. Ben McEvoy is in arguably career-best form.

5. ADELAIDE (4-0-2) 117.3% 16pts

A 4-2 start is positive considering the Crows’ lack of continuity. The most significant display was Tom Lynch getting back to his roaming best plus another good one from Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

6. PORT ADELAIDE (4-0-2) 111.4% 16pts

Given what the Power went through during the week, and its spluttering form, it may be a season-defining performance. Not sure why teams don’t put more time into negating Jared Polec.

7. SYDNEY (4-0-2) 107.2% 16pts

Always interesting to see how champions respond to the blowtorch, and that’s what Josh Kennedy had applied to him during the week. If you doubt how good he is, watch the 2016 Grand Final.

Josh Kennedy was huge against the Cats. Picture: Getty

8. NORTH MELBOURNE (3-0-3) 12pts

The Roos will get others, but this was a perfect stage to make a competition statement and they blew it. But importantly their next midfield was on display with Jy Simpkin, Jed Anderson and Luke Davies-Uniacke.

9. GEELONG (3-0-3) 110.2 12pts

In the end the Cats ran out of numbers with Gary Ablett, Cam Guthrie, Lachie Henderson, Dan Menzel, Brandan Parfitt, Scott Selwood and Harry Taylor missing from their best 22. Is Patrick Dangerfield playing injured?

10. COLLINGWOOD (3-0-3) 105.7% 12pts

Absolutely invaluable for their kids, to play the best in a finals atmosphere, and for large periods they unlocked parts of Richmond’s cage. Can’t wait to see them with everyone available.

Collingwood players tired in the second half after coming off a four-day break following ANZAC Day. Picture: Michael Klein

11. FREMANTLE (3-0-3) 101.8% 12pts

Michael Walters is their match-winner so his injury was massive. The best part is they are playing and finding some kids, namely Ed Langdon, Luke Ryan, Darcy Tucker and Andrew Brayshaw.

12. MELBOURNE (3-0-3) 96.9% 12pts

Charlie Spargo is just an old-fashioned natural footballer while Jake Melksham’s skills ensure maximum result. The return of Tom McDonald gave the Dees forward line more structure.

13. GOLD COAST (3-0-3) 80.7% 12pts

Tom Lynch had 10 touches and you wonder where his mind is at? I wouldn’t mind getting some even money about him lobbing in Melbourne for 2019. Liking the season of Jarryd Lyons.

14. ESSENDON (2-0-4) 85.1% 8pts

They are two midfielders short of having a decent crack at September, and players who can change games. Obviously Joe Daniher is one of those, so put him to centre half-back to find the ball and confidence.

Joe Daniher is struggling. Picture: Getty

15. WESTERN BULLDOGS (2-0-4) 74.2% 8pts

When Ron Barassi told the Blues to handball in the 1970 Grand Final, I wonder if he ever thought it would lead to sides handballing more than kicking as the Dogs did on Friday night. Hard to watch at times.

16. ST KILDA (1-1-4) 71.1% 6pts

The Saints have some very inconsistent players which has to come down to what goes on between their ears. So get Sigmund Freud’s grandson in to conduct some psychoanalysis.

17. BRISBANE (0-0-6) 66.8% 0pts

The Lions were competitive, particularly when it could have become ugly in the second half. Alex Witherden is mounting a solid Rising Star claim while Mitch Robinson’s desire is something else.

18. CARLTON (0-0-6) 66.3% 0pts

The Blues’ lack of forward 50m tackling pressure hurt them. And would Caleb Marchbank and Matt Kennedy have benefited from one game with Northern Blues? Speaking of which, Patrick Kerr and Harrison Macreadie must be close.

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Originally published as SuperLadder: How your club is placed after Round 6