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Mid-season reports are in: Time to judge your AFL team’s progress
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Mid-season reports are in: Time to judge your AFL team’s progress

The midway point of an intriguing AFL season is the perfect time to assess where the teams are at. Who’s been the big improvers, who’s disappointed, and what teams will play finals? See how The Age’s AFL reporters rate your team’s start to 2023.

19 stories
The stars of season 2023 ... so far.
Analysis

The season so far: The stars, the shocks, and all the big moments

There has been much to dissect in an intriguing opening half of the 2023 AFL season. What is clear is that as the run home approaches, there is plenty on the line for all clubs.

  • by Jon Pierik
The general: Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson.
Analysis

Crows flying with newfound flair

If not for poor goalkicking, the Crows might have made a stunning start to the season. As it stands, they’re still one of the AFL’s big improvers of 2023.

  • by Steve Barrett
Trademark celebration: Charlie Cameron revs his motorbike engine.
Analysis

Charlie, Dunkley and Daniher have Lions roaring

Charlie Cameron’s form is as good, if not better, than ever. Joe Daniher is in sparkling touch and Josh Dunkley has added grunt and depth to the midfield, making Brisbane a genuine flag contender.

  • by Andrew Stafford
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Athletic forward Charllie Curnow has been a shinning light despite Carlton’s dismal opening half of the season.
Analysis

Carlton’s blues: Top-end talent producing bottom-end results

It’s been a sad, but all too familiar, tale for Blues fans so far in 2023, with the team’s performance falling well short of expectations.

  • by Andrew Wu
Nick Daicos.
Analysis

Pies go from mystery to eyeing history

Entering the season, it was difficult to evaluate Collingwood’s prospects. But that’s no longer the case as they hit the halfway point of the season atop the ladder and premiership favourites.

  • by Michael Gleeson
Ruckman Sam Draper’s competitiveness has set the tone for many of Essendon’s best performances this season.
Analysis

Scott a chance - young Bombers finals contenders

Little was expected of Essendon in 2023. But under new coach Brad Scott, the Dons have, so far, defied those external expectations.

  • by Marnie Vinall
Caleb Serong has been a shining light for the Dockers this season.
Analysis

After a slow start, Freo is starting to heave ho

The Dockers heaved themselves out of the doldrums in the past month to hit their mid-season bye on the cusp of the top eight.

  • by Marnie Vinall
Jeremy Cameron has booted 36 goals in the first 11 rounds.
Analysis

Key injuries, slow start put Cats’ flag defence on brink

If the Cats are going to click into their best form, they better do it quick because time is fast running out to make a serious fist of their premiership defence.

  • by Peter Ryan
Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell is the contested ball king.
Analysis

Still a chasm between Suns’ best and ‘wet-lettuce’ worst

The Suns are on a roll, but a slow start to the season means they’ll need to finish strongly to have any chance of playing finals and ensuring coach Stuart Dew’s keeps his job.

  • by Andrew Stafford
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Toby Greene’s game seems to have gone to a new level as Giants skipper, and he’s been a key figure in a number of the team’s wins.
Analysis

Green shoots for Giants as Tom and Toby lead the way

After a tumultuous off-season, the Giants have shown some positive improvement. Just don’t talk to Adam Kingsley about “honourable losses”.

  • by Andrew Wu
Hawthorn captain James Sicily is enjoying another outstanding season.
Analysis

Poor start, but young Hawks show benefits of list strip

Hawthorn have only three wins to date, but are relying on a big group of young players, some of whom are showing they could be future stars.

  • by Marc McGowan
Clayton Oliver was humming until he went down with a hamstring injury.
Analysis

Has a soft draw flattered the Demons?

On face value, it’s been a positive start for the Demons. But there are high expectations on the 2021 premiers.

  • by Damien Ractliffe
First-year sensation Harry Sheezel is North Melbourne’s biggest positrive in season 2023.
Analysis

Reality bites for struggling North Melbourne

A mid-season revival has yet to produce a win for the Kangas, who are still at risk of claiming a third-straight wooden spoon.

  • by Marc McGowan
Port midfielder Zak Butters has become a superstar.
Analysis

Port’s stunning turn from untenable to unbelievable

Stung into action by their shock last-quarter Showdown meltdown, Port Adelaide have barely put a foot wrong for two months as they charge up the AFL ladder.

  • by Steve Barrett
Daniel Rioli.
Analysis

Missing link sees Tiger plans derailed

With ageing stars and the arrival Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, Richmond went all-in in 2023. But the Tigers needed everything had to go right to mount a legitimate premiership tilt– and it didn’t.

  • by Michael Gleeson
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Jack Sinclair.
Analysis

Return of ‘Ross the Boss’ leads St Kilda’s resurrection

Ross Lyon restumped, rewired and replumbed the Saints over summer to teach a defensive structure that makes St Kilda hard to play against.

  • by Peter Ryan
Sydney’s Chad Warner.
Analysis

Sydney take a swan dive down the ladder

The Swans have been a major disappointment so far this year. Injuries have hit them hard, but do not fully explain their slide down the ladder.

  • by Andrew Wu
Oscar Allen has been a shining light in an otherwise grim season for the Eagles.
Analysis

Eagles’ injury list ‘as long as the Nullabor’

The Eagles have hit rock bottom but coach Adam Simpson insists he’s the man to lead the rebuild.

  • by Jon Pierik
Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English has stood tall.
Analysis

Top-four challenge looms for Bevo’s Bulldogs

The Western Bulldogs have rebounded after a startling start and are just outside the leading pack at the midway point of the season.

  • by Jon Pierik

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/mid-season-reports-are-in-time-to-judge-your-afl-team-s-progress-20230530-p5dcjs.html