AFL Super Ladder: Where every club stands after Round 1

It was a nightmare weekend for footy tipsters and while it’s early days, some teams already look a lot better — or worse — than we thought. Jon Anderson puts every side under the microscope.

Sam Lloyd, Tom Liberatore and Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs.

It was a nightmare weekend for footy tipsters and while it’s early days, some teams already look a lot better — or worse — than we thought. Jon Anderson puts every side under the microscope.

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ROUND 1: EVERY SUPERCOACH SCORE

1. GWS GIANTS — 4 POINTS, 280%

Privately they firmly believe this is their year. Nothing to suggest they are off the mark. Tim Taranto is ready to explode, Lachie Whitfield moves as well as anyone. And they have Josh Kelly and Callan Ward to return. Injuries: Keefe (knee), Perryman (concussion). SuperCoach: Stephen Coniglio (154) hot and seven others topped ton.

2. FREMANTLE — 4 POINTS, 239%

Jesse Hogan mightn’t have played but they still had a frenetic energy going forward. Maybe Cam McCarthy can become The Great McCarthy. The Dockers blasting over 100 points is as rare as a Texas steak. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Nat Fyfe was everywhere (147), Michael Walters electric (109).

3. BRISBANE LIONS — 4 POINTS, 175.9%

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the Lion sleeps tonight. It seems as though he may have awoken, and how darn exciting is it going to be? And they have a new Fab Four midfield. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Get on board super Mac (Hugh McCluggage) while you still can. Six Lions topped ton with Lachie Neale (127) the best of them.

Dayne Zorko nails a long goal.

Big Hawk Ben McEvoy in action.

4. HAWTHORN — 4 POINTS, 158.2%

In golf parlance the Hawks were brilliant from tee to green but missed too many easy putts, particularly Jack Gunston. That actually points towards happiness when rectified. Injuries: Liam Shiels (finger). SuperCoach: James Worpel (110) could be a bargain mid, while James Sicily (100) is a safe bet in defence.

5. RICHMOND — 4 POINTS, 151.6%

David Astbury and Dylan Grimes are fine players, now we find out how good they can be in the absence of their general. Rivals will be going taller to exploit the absence of Rance. Injuries: Alex Rance (knee). SuperCoach: Nank’s 127 topped all ruckman, while Noah Balta (18) may be a slowly maturing cash cow.

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6. PORT ADELAIDE — 4 POINTS, 142.6%

In Dan Houston and Jack Watts, the Power got efficiency and decision-making from defence. Todd Marshall, low on stats, will be a ripper. As for his team, it just has to keep sticking it up the doubting Thomases. Injuries: Marshall (concussion). SuperCoach: It’s not too late to trade in Justin Westhoff (149) and Tom Rockliff (138), not to mention rookies Zavier Duursma, Connor Rozee and Zak Butters.

7. WESTERN BULLDOGS — 4 POINTS, 126.2%

The Doggies’ effort was never in question but their goalkicking, and foot disposal in the last quarter, nearly cost them. Got a feeling they may challenge for finals with Libba and Macrae in midfield tandem. Injuries: Suckling (ankle). SC: Bont (158) back in 2016 form and Macrae (132) just keep delivering.

Tom Liberatore, Sam Lloyd and Josh Dunkley celebrate the Bulldogs’ win.

8. GEELONG — 4 POINTS, 110.8%

He may not be the Cats’ best player but in terms of his role, Rhys Stanley is just about the most important. Tim Kelly’s first 24 games are surely up there with the best onballers. Injuries: Taylor (eye). SuperCoach: Cash cows Constable (85), Clark (69) and Atkins (57) all handy.

9. ST KILDA — 4 POINTS, 101.2%

You look at Matt Parker and wonder just how many youngsters are out there who could play AFL if given a chance? Nothing pretty about his team’s win, but hey, it was all about keeping the vultures at bay. Injuries: Nil. Reports: Gresham (rough conduct). SuperCoach: Steele (115) charged home, but Parker’s 87 was main talking point. If you don’t have him, trade him in now.

10. GOLD COAST — 0 POINTS, 98.8%

Wil Powell and Charlie Ballard look like players but the Suns run out of depth too quickly, with half a dozen ineffective. That’s why hard bodies such as Athony Miles and George Horlin-Smith are so important. Injuries: Ainsworth (knee), Swallow (knee). SuperCoach: Collins (27), Burgess (28), Lukosius (42) all flopped in week one. Ballard (105) and Miles (95) are safer stocks.

Jordan de Goey shoots for goal against Geelong.

11. COLLINGWOOD — 0 POINTS, 90.3%

The Pies didn’t get full reward for their efforts which may require some forward line tweaking, although Jordan De Goey will rarely be so astray in his decision-making. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Jury still out on Darcy Moore (77) being an inspired pick, but don’t jump off Brodie Grundy (81) yet.

12. SYDNEY — 0 POINTS, 79.3%

A side in transition with so many new faces. As such a flag is surely unlikely although, like Hawthorn, you underestimate the Swans at your peril. Nick Blakey will be a serious player. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Jake Lloyd (131) still going strong, but no other Swans topped ton, so be wary. Blakey (46) looks a safe cheapie.

13. MELBOURNE — 0 POINTS, 70.1%

Fourteen post-season operations meant the Dees were always gettable early. They now travel to Geelong in the knowledge that teams who lose their first two games rarely make the eight. Injuries: Jordan Lewis (hamstring) replaced by Tom Sparrow. SuperCoach: If Clayton Oliver (71) and Max Gawn (87) don’t lift, then jump off after next week. Kick-in specialist Christian Salem (139) is worth a look, especially with Lewis out.

Clayton Oliver kicks the ball under pressure.

14. CARLTON — 0 POINTS, 66%

There was enough to suggest the famous green shoots are ready to germinate, and they come in the form of Fisher, McKay, Petrevski-Seton, Setterfield, Cunningham and Walsh. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Get on kick-in machine Newman (134). Setterfield and Walsh handy, and Patrick Cripps (126) a worthy skipper.

15. ADELAIDE — 0 POINTS, 63.2%

Much ado about not much given the return the Crows get for so much possession. Played a stodgy brand of indirect football that suited the Hawks perfectly. Game plan requires renovation. Injuries: Douglas (ankle), Doedee (knee). SuperCoach: High possessions means huge points, so get on board. Rory Sloane (155) led way.

16. WEST COAST — 0 POINTS, 56.9%

Judge the Eagles when they have their best team, but reality says not many go back to back. Nathan Vardy played the game of his life in the Grand Final, but can he back it up? Injuries: Nil. Reports: Ryan (striking). SuperCoach: Take a bow if you have Dom Sheed (144), Shannon Hurn (108) or Oscar Allen (83), but the rest did not travel well.

17. NORTH MELBOURNE — 0 POINTS, 41.8%

They were on early when the game was hot, which makes the result more worrying. There was really very little to like and they played dumb football. Injuries: Ed Vickers-Willis (knee). SuperCoach: Make sure Bailey Scott (103) is on the field next week. Jamie Macmillan (124) couldn’t have done much more.

16. ESSENDON — 0 POINTS, 35.7%

Half that team struggled to justify their weekly pay packets. Andrew McGrath and Adam Saad aside, they lacked explosive running. Mixed emotions for Dylan Shiel, but it’s never as bad as it seems. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: 16 Dons lower than 72. Adam Saad (114) impressive in loss.

Originally published as AFL Super Ladder: Where every club stands after Round 1