Super Ladder: Every club’s form rated after Round 19
A host of talent has left GWS since its inception, including stars such as Adam Treloar. But Jon Anderson says St Kilda forward Josh Bruce is the one that truly got away for the Giants.
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With four rounds to play the race for the top four is tighter than ever, but on recent results no one wants to finish ninth.
The Crows’ form slump has left the door open for a handful of teams to keep dreaming about finals.
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Who were the biggest winners and losers in Round 19? Jon Anderson assesses every team’s form.
GEELONG 56 135.7%
Far from the performance of a top of the ladder side, but there were signs that it could be around the corner. Tom Hawkins was back from a lull, Scott Selwood was useful in his first game for the year and James Parsons added some decision-making to his obvious athleticism.
WEST COAST 52 116.5%
The Eagles’ best players were their guns with Josh Kennedy’s form ominous. You can add Willie Rioli, who has serious upside, while Lewis Jetta is getting the dance back in his shoes. They are as good as last year and possibly better, but I reckon they will need to be as the opposition is hotter.
BRISBANE LIONS 52 116.2%
The Lions are the best story in the game and one that AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has his fingerprints all over after persuading Greg Swann to take the CEO’s role. Is there a player in the game who has squeezed more out of his ability than Mitch Robinson?
RICHMOND 48 109.4%
The AFL equivalent of being caught in a swarm of bees. The Tigers’ “team” performance is just so even, typified by the extraordinary one-percenters of Jack Graham. How teams allow Dylan Grimes a free hit up back has got me buffaloed. They are the rightful flag favourites.
GWS GIANTS 44 122.7%
The Giants don’t play a side in the eight on the way home, so the top four remains alive given their percentage. Plus they are hopeful of getting back Josh Kelly and Matt de Boer within a fortnight. There is a backbone to this team that highlights its hunger, and a forward line that can score quickly.
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COLLINGWOOD 44 108.7%
What do they say, “nothing is as bad as it seems”. The Pies can, and should, improve dramatically but only if they get a blueprint of what forward pressure is all about (ask Richmond). Or tinker with their balance, as in Steele Sidebottom and Chris Mayne going forward for extended stints.
ESSENDON 44 104.3%
In terms of goals at clutch moments, Cale Hooker and Jake Stringer share numero uno in today’s AFL world. Reckon Andy McGrath is close to ripping a game apart as he learns to make his explosive running patterns even more hurtful. As for the Bombers, they simply refuse to go away
ADELAIDE 36 107.5%
Patrick Cripps has had some down games this year, largely when he has been tagged. Don Pyke determined it wasn’t required on Saturday and lost a game of football. Doesn’t make a lot of sense. It could ultimately be the decision that cost the Crows a finals berth.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 36 96.7%
Rhylee West may never be as prolific as his father Scott (few were, or are) but his highlights reel will be greater, including the odd specky. And on the subject of excitement, the brand the Dogs are playing will ensure a few more memberships in 2020.
PORT ADELAIDE 32 102.1%
Was the Power trying to give Phil Davis and Nick Haynes marking practice? Given teams have coaches for everything these days, where was the blueprint for a way forward? But the Power does have a very doable draw, but to what end?
HAWTHORN 32 99.9%
The loss that probably ends the Hawks’ finals dreams, although with two Adelaide-based teams above them, you would be silly to give up hope. Add Tom Mitchell to James Worpel and Jaeger O’Meara next year and you have clearances and contested possessions covered.
FREMANTLE 32 93.2%
A performance best put in some back room when the Dockers are compiling their annals of history. And half of their team should never watch it. If Ross Lyon wants a contract extension, then this isn’t the game to base his argument on.
ST KILDA 32 85.0%
Of all the players that GWS has let go, I would argue Josh Bruce is the most valuable. He hits the ball harder than any key forward in the game. As for his Saints’ teammates, it was their frenetic tackling that proved the ultimate difference.
NORTH MELBOURNE 28 95.6%
Appeared flat at times, which was a chance after a two-month period of real intensity. What would be a good finish? For mine, the Roos are a 10th-12th side. They can be extremely physical but still require some genuine class, so trading is vital.
CARLTON 24 87.9%
Will Setterfield is proving an inspired pick-up with his physical commitment, while Sam Petrevski-Seton appears to understand what is required of a top-level player. Now the Blues’ big challenge is to beat a top-four side with West Coast, Richmond and Geelong looming.
SYDNEY 24 93.9%
Callum Mills is an interesting player, so highly-rated as a junior but more serviceable than brilliant in the AFL. His game yesterday showed signs of taking the next step at age 22. As for his side, there should be so much to like when the young bodies mature.
MELBOURNE 20 80.7%
The Demons’ depth isn’t great, meaning the long-term absence of Joel Smith, Aaron vandenBerg and Jake Melksham has hurt them badly. Their disposal efficiency around the ground ensures turnovers are alway a chance and the T-word is the mortal enemy of every AFL coach.
GOLD COAST 12 66.4%
Ben. E. King once had a hit with “Stand By Me”. How the Suns would love Ben King to utter those same words. Their spirit was something to see. Never thought I would say it, but the Suns mounting a challenge in two-three years would be a thing of beauty
Originally published as Super Ladder: Every club’s form rated after Round 19
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