AFL report card: Jon Anderson rates every club after five rounds

WHO’S been good, who’s struggling and who has question marks over them? After five rounds of the AFL season, JON ANDERSON looks at every club.

CONTENDERS and pretenders, sliders and risers — after five rounds the AFL power map is fast taking shape.

Jon Anderson and Champion Data look deep inside your team to identify what’s working, and what isn’t, after Round 5, 2017.

TEAMS: FULL ROUND 6 LINE-UPS

TIPPING: WHO DID THE EXPERTS PICK IN ROUND 6?

Charlie Cameron’s development has given the Crows’ midfield a much-needed boost. Picture: Tom Huntley

ADELAIDE

THUMBS UP: In a sea of bright lights, Charlie Cameron’s growth from small forward to dashing midfielder has been vital for the Crows.

JURY’S OUT: Troy Menzel has been in and out of the side and had just four possessions in his side’s thumping of Gold Coast last weekend.

TICK: Plays turnover game better than anyone — averaging 88 points a game from this source.

CROSS: No negatives.

Rafael Nadal look-alike Eric Hipwood has been a smash hit for the Lions. Picture: AAP

BRISBANE

THUMBS UP: Eric Hipwood is just so exciting as an athletic 202cm (a la Joe Daniher) while Tom Rockliff has been outstanding on and off the field.

JURY’S OUT: Ex-Blue Tom Bell went into the year at the crossroads and right now has taken a wrong turn.

TICK: Stoppages much better — ranks fifth for clearance differential after ranking 18th in 2016.

CROSS: Time in forward half differential of -16 — worst ever after five rounds by a non-expansion side.

The skies look bleak for ageing Blue Kade Simpson. Picture: Michael Klein

CARLTON

THUMBS UP: Caleb Marchbank was recruited from the Giants as a long-term key defender and has done plenty to fulfil that decision.

JURY’S OUT: As good as he has been, veteran Kade Simpson has shown signs that last year might have been the time to retire.

TICK: Blues want to control the game by foot, recording top kick-to-handball ratio of 1.82:1

CROSS: Averaging just 67.8 points per game — ranked 18th

Brodie Grundy has been Collingwood’s best player, early doors. Picture: Michael Klein

COLLINGWOOD

THUMBS UP: The club can only hope Brodie Grundy’s commitment to the cause becomes infectious.

JURY’S OUT: James Aish is now in his fourth AFL season so his time should be now. Instead he’s unable to cement a regular slot in a packed midfield.

James Aish has been a major disappointment for the Pies. Picture: Getty Images

TICK: Defensively switched on, conceding the fifth fewest points of any side.

CROSS: Generated a goal from 18.1 per cent of inside 50s — if this continues it will be the lowest ever recorded by Champion Data.

They’re already calling Andy McGrath a 200-gamer down at Windy Hill. Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON

THUMBS UP: Sure, the expectations were high given he was taken at pick No.1 but Andy McGrath hasn’t missed a beat since arriving.

JURY’S OUT: Heath Hocking has struggled since an injury-riddled 2015 and missing all of last year due to suspension.

TICK: Generates a goal from 27.5 per cent of inside 50s — ranked fourth.

CROSS: Has committed 167 defensive half turnovers — 12 more than any other side.

The great survivor Zac Dawson might be on his last legs. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

FREMANTLE

THUMBS UP: They identified outside run and recruited an ideal candidate in Brad Hill whose dash has made a difference.

JURY’S OUT: Zac Dawson has been a wonderful survivor over 13 seasons but his recent dropping may signal the end.

TICK: Fourth best clearance differential side and generates 38 points a game from stoppages — ranked No. 6.

CROSS: Just 36.2 points per game come from opposition turnovers — ranked 18th

Brandan Parfitt has been a great find for the Cats, while Steven Motlop might finally be fulfilling his promise. Picture: Getty Images

GEELONG

THUMBS UP: For 18-year-old Brandan Parfitt to play every game in an unbeaten side is testament to his mature head, decision-making and poise.

JURY’S OUT: Jackson Thurlow proved himself a good player in 2015 before missing a year with an ACL. Like many before him, he’s taking time.

TICK: Lethal with ball in hand, moving the ball 130 per cent above the AFL average — only GWS is better.

CROSS: No negatives.

Adam Saad’s blistering run off half back has been a sight to behold for the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: AAP

GOLD COAST

THUMBS UP: When firing Adam Saad is right up there with the best running defenders in the game as he highlighted against Eddie Betts.

JURY’S OUT: Prior to missing Round 5 through injury, co-captain Steven May has been below the high standards he set in 2015-2016.

TICK: Ranked 17th in 2016 for disposal differential; this year they are second.

CROSS: Conceded 109.2 points per game — ranked 16th.

GWS

THUMBS UP: In a team of such highly-credentialed personnel, football’s archetypal journeyman in Sam Reid is just a feel-good story.

JURY’S OUT: Every team would love Rory Lobb on their books and he’s been going OK without reaching dizzy heights just yet.

TICK: No better side at moving the ball from all parts — No. 1 for offensive ball movement

CROSS: No negatives

Kaiden Brand might be the answer to the Hawks’ future worries down back. Picture: Michael Klein

HAWTHORN

THUMBS UP: Kaiden Brand. Over the past two weeks this 23-year-old has shown signs of becoming the tall defender the Hawks desperately require.

JURY’S OUT: Cyril Rioli: His Round 5 blitz against the Eagles highlighted just how much he had been missed through a strangely quiet first month.

TICK: Generated more than 60 per cent of scores from chains started in the forward half (ranked No. 1).

CROSS: Has lost clearance count by 4.6 per game — ranked 17th.

Alex Neal-Bullen has quietly gone about his business for the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE

THUMBS UP: Hasn’t received the plaudits of Clayton Oliver, but Alex Neal-Bullen’s rise from bit-part player to useful mid has been significant.

JURY’S OUT: Oscar McDonald started the year well as a 21-year-old key defender before being dropped. He will be back.

TICK: Pressure factor of 189 — the most amount of pressure applied by any side.

CROSS: Ball movement has been issue, moving the ball 90 per cent below AFL average (ranked 15th).

Goals have been impossible to find for Lindsay Thomas so far this season. Picture: Getty Images

NORTH MELBOURNE

THUMBS UP: Take your pick out of the exquisitely-talented Jy Simpkin and the come-from-nowhere ruckman Braydon Preuss.

JURY’S OUT: No goals from his last four games isn’t what the doctor ordered from Lindsay Thomas, while Andrew Swallow battles as he nears 30.

TICK: Generated 20 points per game from centre bounces — ranked No. 1.

CROSS: Has been outscored by 17.4 points per game from turnovers — ranked 15th.

The Power need more scenes like this from Charlie Dixon. Picture: AAP

PORT ADELAIDE

THUMBS UP: Given he was Pick 45 in last year’s rookie draft, Dan Houston has provided excellent value.

JURY’S OUT: For the Power to mount a serious challenge, then they require some breakout games from Charlie Dixon.

TICK: Has conceded just 79 points per game — ranked second.

CROSS: No negatives.

This clutch goal is now but a memory for out-of-favour Tigers forward Sam Lloyd. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

RICHMOND

THUMBS UP: In a reinvented forward line, 182cm Dan Butler has brought some serious intensity, and a pleasing touch of aggression.

JURY’S OUT: Sam Lloyd played every game last year, kicking 35 goals. But he hasn’t been seen since Round 1 as the Tigers rebuild their forward half.

TICK: New forward press has worked wonders, creating 33 forward half turnovers per game — ranked No.1.

CROSS: Has lost uncontested possession count by 32.2 per game — the third worst differential of any side.

What to make of the conundrum that is St Kilda’s Paddy McCartin. Picture: George Salpigtidis

ST KILDA

THUMBS UP: Dylan Roberton stands 194cm but can play on tall/smalls as required. His decision-making has improved significantly in recent years.

JURY’S OUT: It’s just what goes with being pick No.1 and Paddy McCartin continues to be put under the microscope.

TICK: Saints have converted 53 per cent of their inside 50s into a score — ranked second.

CROSS: Worst clearance differential in the competition, losing the count by 6.6 per game.

Kieren Jack has found himself always under the pump so far this season. Can he lift? Picture: Getty Images

SYDNEY

THUMBS UP: Despite the indifference around him, Jake Lloyd continues to take his midfield game to new levels.

JURY’S OUT: A best-and-fairest and All-Australian, Kieren Jack’s decline at age 29 has been surprisingly rapid.

TICK: Sydney has debuted six players — the equal most of any side.

CROSS: Smashed around the contest, losing the contested possession count by 13.8 per game — ranked 17th.

Elliott Yeo has sprung up as one of a number of Eagles on the improve. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

WEST COAST

THUMBS UP: He was average against Hawthorn (wasn’t everyone?) but in his opening month Elliott Yeo showed signs of his 2015 form.

JURY’S OUT: You start to wonder where Lewis Jetta’s career is at, from 2012 Sydney premiership star to a struggling Eagle.

TICK: Prefers to dominate outside, recording the fourth best uncontested possession differential.

CROSS: Ranked 14th for time in defensive half differential; last season they were fourth best.

Lin Jong has secured a spot in Bob Murphy’s Western Bulldogs side. Picture: Getty Images

WESTERN BULLDOGS

THUMBS UP: Lin Jong, who had a bit to prove after being overlooked for last year’s Grand Final side, has quickly become a regular fixture.

JURY’S OUT: Shannon Biggs didn’t miss a game last year with his defensive dash but has been down on that form.

TICK: Big improvement in ability to convert entries into scores — No. 3 after ranking 15th in 2016.

CROSS: No. 1 clearance side last season; this year they have a differential of -4. per game, ranked 16th.

Originally published as AFL report card: Jon Anderson rates every club after five rounds